Brighton beach

I made it to the beach this year! We pulled into Brighton and this is what we see......

First thoughts after sleeping on the hour long bus ride: Where the hell are we?!

The Royal Pavilion was built with an Indian influence on the outside, but many Chinese touches on the inside...or rather, what the prince thought the East resembled. Some stereotypical artsy things as he himself, nor his decorators, had ever been to either place. 

They had an exhibit of really fascinating furniture in here before all of the seemingly same old, same old exhibits on Egypt and whatnot...the gift shop had a mini Henry like our flat's vacuum cleaner!

Just all smiles...

I had a terrible migraine, but the day ended quite well with a milkshake from Moo Moo's. Mmmmm

From London with Love

Although I'm not directly in central London, I guess Surbiton is alright....

I am quite enamored by England....it's such a lovely place!

Surbiton Station where a scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II were filmed. Oooooh oooh!

The inner child in me is beyond excited.

I went on a Harry Potter walking tour through London to see where some of the big HP scenes were filmed. Here is my first view of the Tower Bridge :) It was an authentic tour in that it rained poured.

It was perfectly acceptable to be a tourist that day. We already stood out in the crowd with our massive crowd clogging the walkways. St. Paul's Cathedral is just there behind me. It took 35 years to build!

The epitome of the trip...the whole reason for going....Platform 9 3/4

Traditional English meal of fish and chips and peas! I'm not generally a big fan of fish, but it was delicious. I may reconsider now...mmmm

My friend Kelsey and I didn't get a chance to tour Buckingham Palace since we were short on time, but we did get a few pictures of the palace. It was just beautiful...absolutely beautiful. I'm hoping to see the Changing of the Guard at one point. Fajer said to definitely make sure I get to experience it. 

The night ended at the Apollo Victoria Theatre to see Wicked. Wow.

Quickly falling in love with London.

It's just not the same as NYC no matter what anyone says....NYC is fun and exciting but definitely not a place I could see myself living. London has a much better appeal...interesting people as NYC has, but it's more of a livable city to me. I feel more at ease and less of a tourist albeit I know my way around NYC much better!

Hopefully I'll be a pro London navigator by the end of the semester...I seem to have already become the navigator here.

Drizzle, quid, and pants

Pants are underpants, like briefs.
Trousers are pants.

I knew about the trousers, but not the pants...

Still getting used to the slang and accents, but meeting loads of new people from all over the world. It's pretty neat actually, albeit confusing in stores at times when I'm looking for something specific.

There are the easy ones, like biscuit=cookie, pub=chill meeting place with a bar, quid=British pounds. But sometimes I forget and mix up crisps and chips and fries! P.S. crisps=potato chips, chips=French fries.

C'est la vie.

Thus far, I've successfully navigated around Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, and Surbiton....or at least on my one trip. So many of the streets tend to look the same so I think I'm going the right way, but end up walking an extra 2 miles. My legs better be slim and trim by the time December rolls around...or I may shiver off my fat. 

I've heard so many languages being spoken and I haven't even been to London yet! Oi bugger, right now it's raining....surprise. It's like Annville ha

They have quite a few brands and stores/restaurants one might see in the US: Baskin Robbins, Pizza Hut, Virgin Mobile, Dominos...one bloke told me he loves Domino's Pizza. Gag. But that's merely personal taste....

I keep getting told I'm pronouncing my English incorrectly and I have an accent. How strange....like water. We say "waDDDer" and they say "woter." Fun, light-hearted arguments on English haha

Cleaning today and picking up my Oyster card....if it ever stops raining and the maintenance man comes to fix my heat and water.

I'll be updating when I go to the common room to pick up wifi to upload pictures from my phone. I have a shisty little Nokia 100 on the O2 network for here...poor iPhone 5 :(

*update*

To London and beyond

My inner 5 year old self is rejoicing...her dreams are coming true!

In about 18 hours, I'll be landing in Heathrow Airport in London!

Naturally, I had to see these little monster once again...SO CUTE.

The way to my heart: kittens.

Ah....the West Branch Susquehanna River...what a beauty! Passed this several times on my bike rides throughout this past week....





I'll be in flat 10 :)



Ta ta for now, readers! I'll be in another country for my next post.

Here's the grueling part: travel. I'm going to be a sleepy bunny the next two days...hobey ho! The adventure awaits!

1 week is better than 7 days

Perception....all in how one views the world. In study abroad, perception is key. If you're ready for a good time [no sexual innuendos here and forgive the corniness of this clichéd line] then you're going to most likely have a riveting experience. If you're not ready to leave home, then you're probably going to spend a few nights crying and clutching a t-shirt that reminds you of home...

Luckily I fall into the former category. I'm not one to be homesick which comes in handy since this 9 day stretch before leaving will be the longest time I've spent at home since last Xmas break. 

Reflections of this week....I think we're all looking for a little reassurance to feel like we're worthwhile. Not necessarily to gauge our self-worth, but to verify our self-validation....to some extent, each person with their own varying degrees.

To prove to those who deemed us unworthy in their eyes because we've plucked up the gumption to say we'd no longer like to be a doormat, that we're "worth two of them," as Harry Potter once told Neville Longbottom.

Last night in E-town

Saw friends...received hugs...ended up packing at 1am. C'est la vie. Reminiscent of college days...

3 tanks + 1 pair of earrings = $8
Woot woot to bargain hunting. I was in need of a couple fresh tank basics...and couldn't pass up these arrow earrings, especially since my first holes were empty. 

Best $1.50 investment ever

I found this gem in my room. A bit dusty, albeit still in excellent shape except in need of new elastic...

Please ignore disgusting chipped nail polish

Getting crafty whilst I'm home...30 second knuckle ring!

It's rather sad...normally we do our Xmas card pic over Thanksgiving break, but seeing as the British don't celebrate Thanksgiving....well, just easier to take it now.

Pour le Pont des Arts

Getting ready for Paris for my birthday! I have two locks for the famous lock bridge. My sister is my other half and Grammie & Pap Pap are prove that love is forever....they spent many years together, but their love will never cease. Her beautiful spirit will always have a special place in my heart. 

I've been taking time to see people before I depart, my "ta-ta for nows" seem sad, but I know the journey of a lifetime awaits.  It's not goodbye; it's "I'll see you again soon."

Now, if only the packing could be done for me....that would be wonderful.

Kiss me once before you go

13 days and 2 hours until my flight takes off...wow. And only three days left of my internship.

Naturally, instead of packing, my dirty clothes are in a pile and I'm wearing shortie sleep shorts and typing as I listen to new music with the prospect of watching a movie with a friend tonight. 

Typical.

>distraction from my procrastination<

The kittens are growing up! From the top now: Otis, Milo, and Oliver.
Lovely named them. I think one may fit quite nicely in my carry-on... ;)

Normally Starbucks is the franchise notorious for effing up names.
Panera, I can't believe you've stooped so low. I thought you were better than this. Hmm if I want a new persona, perhaps I'll change my Facebook to this [the 'k' is silent, obviously] so no one can find me.

Doodling the tattoo idea I've been morphing in my mind for a while. Another reason why graduation cannot get here quickly enough....yes, Mother, I'm abiding by your rules.

Swag bag from my internship!

Miss Olivia loved her watermelons. Nails...one of the few girly talents I possess.

c/o Uncle Tom

One should never take themselves too seriously. Ha. This photo just makes me laugh at myself every time I see it. Tear-stained face and bruising knee. Typical me...

My furry uncle and I were having a nice bonding moment whilst Sissy got ready and Gramps was sleeping. I endured relentless biting of my wrist where my watch sits; the least he can do is endure a brief photo op.

Book lovers would appreciate this. Wow. Literary overachiever. Love it.

This couple reminded me of Grammie and Pap Pap...they were married for 65 years as well. Pap Pap knows the length down to the day...love. I wish those of my generation and of my parents' had this. Grammie always said to find someone who makes you laugh and who you can talk to...they picked on another one and kept each other on their toes. The way he still looked at her...she was the center of his world, even when the Little League Series was on.

Timeless beauty. 

Combating major bug bites right now and getting ready to do some yoga.

Hobey Ho, 32 hrs of work to go!