First Day of Class

SIKE!

I thought it was the first day of class buuuut apparently visiting students were not put on the mailing list for the class so we didn't get the memo that class got moved to Thursday. So first I walked around the building just about 27* times to find the theatre board, which would tell me what culture of Theatre history I was placed it (the choices were: American, Irish, Spanish, and Shakespeare) Once I knew I was in Spanish I circled the building 12* more times looking for room 138, only to walk in, unknowing that I was 15 minutes early and the previous class was still in session. Without a cell phone I really need to get used to wearing a watch, buuut I only have a brown watch and a white watch, and I was wearing black today, so no watch. Anyways, five of us foreigners were standing around room 138. No Brits? Something's up. One guy goes over to the theatre office and comes back to announce, we didn't get the memo. Now I have ANOTHER day to await for classes to start. Two o'clock tomorrow I'll be.... Acting in London =)




*mild exaggeration may be used for emphasis


((Sooo Alex took a picture, so it would be like "Brittany's first day of school picture" right? Wrong. But oh well, you can see some of my room: messy desk, pile of clothes. Yep. Definitely my room))

What an amazing weekend!!

As if Friday was not amazing enough, the London high continues!!
Saturday I got to go on a nice long run. It made me feel so incredibly comfortable in this new environment. Running is something that I did not always like, but I have grown to love. Because it is something that I feel comfortable and confident is it was such an adrenaline rush to be able to hit the road, running into the unknown...kinda what I've done here. Leaving LA, going to England, studying theatre- running into the unknown. My runs are my way to acquaint myself with my surroundings, and oh it's nice to meet you!

The next day was beautiful outside (and that's coming from a girl from sunny southern California- so it's saying a lot!) I had to go outside. I ventured back to Greenwich Park. After looking online and realizing it was only two miles away, I decided it was a marvelous opportunity to go for a walk, getting time to talk to God, spending time in my head. I explored the surroundings a bit, which were beautiful buildings right by the River Thames, I grabbed a cup of coffee, a spot on the grass and engulfed myself in a new book, recommended to me: Walking With God, by John Eldredge. Beautiful day, beautiful scenery, beautiful book. The day concluded with Sunday Supper with my flatmates.... a good meal, sitting around the table, conversing with new friends. An utterly satisfying day it was indeed!

((River Thames))

((the grassy area that I sat and read on...kinda))

Now these two days have been enjoyable and serene. Monday (my last day before classes start) was exciting and so much fun! Alex and I have become addicts of The Globe Theatre, the feeling that place gives us can only be described as pure ecstasy. Timon of Athens was too show at 7:30, but why waste a trip into Central London? Midday we heading out. First we browsed through The Southwark Cathedral, which is where the Shakespeare family attended. The modern statues, paintings, and tributes of various kinds sort of took away from the historic majestic vibe most of these Cathedrals give off, but it was still pretty cool.

Then we grabbed a couple venti mochas and a spot overlooking the river and chit chatted. We were literally sitting right outside Shakespeare's Globe, looking at the tower and millennium bridge- entirely surreal. Time flew by! (Girl can talk like me, so you can only imagine!) We were about to go peruse through the Tate Modern until the show started, but while we were in the restrooms and asked a couple British Girls where the nearest Primark was (a clothing chain) they gave us their day travel cards that they were finished using. Now we have two travel cards and three hours to get back. We head over to Oxford Street to do some shopping. Primark was crazy chaos, but totally worth it. fun fun!

As six thirty approaches we head back- Timon of Athens here we come! This show definitely gave us the opportunity to see the other side of Shakespeare performed. As opposed to Midsummers, this was tragic and depressing. But was kind of a satirical perspective on human selfishness...poor Timon! It was simply amazing to see The Globe at night...all lit up and majestic. The entire day was absolutely lovely!!


((Me and Alex during our chat session))

In a state of incredible awe

I remember learning about it, seeing pictures, even attempting to build a to-scale replica....and now I've seen it. That's right...Shakespeare's Globe. Not only did I get to see the theatre but I got to see A Midsummer Night's Dream performed and it was amazing!! Definitely one of the most surreal moments I have ever experienced- sitting back in utter awe that I was able to sit and watch one of my favorite plays at a place that four years ago would have only dreamt of being able to go to. The performance was fabulous, the actors hilarious, and the environment intoxicating. We were literally sitting in the best seats in the house. first level up, directly in front of the stage....I couldn't have asked for a better day!

The day started with "Freshers Fayre," Which is basically a club fair for new students to come and check out what's on campus. It was really cool getting to see all the things the campus really cares about. It appears to be a very politically active campus that gets behind a lot of causes. Pretty cool.

Then myself and four of my flatmates were off to Shakespeare Globe, which is right on the Southbank of the river next to London Bridge. Then we took plennnttty of pictures:

All of us in front of London Bridge

I can't believe I'm at The Globe Theatre!!!

Ahhhhh... amazing!

ashley, bari, julie, me, and alex


where the magic happens

The Heavens


This is from where we were sitting...perfect!

Just look at our view!!!

All Settled In

The past two days has been all about getting life figured out...and boy has it been interesting!! It took a while for me to figure out the ligistics of scheduling, banking, self-catering, and what not....but I think I got it all figured out, and like frosted flakes, it feels grrrrrreat! Tonight I made my first complete meal here (chicken with garlic butter, cheese bread, and vegetables. yum!) and it was very nice feeling like a self-sufficient human being. My class schedule is all settled...and might I say, amazing. A semester of taking theatre classes in London is entirely unreal. Theatre History and Shakespeare's London both have the possibility of being incredibly difficult, but incredibly interesting as well. I am extremely ecstatic for my other two courses. London theatre- which, from what I'm told, will be going to watch shows and then writing an opinion or critique essay. Uh, awesome. And the last class that I am extremely excited for (and I will admit slightly nervous) is Acting in London. Acting class. With an actor straight out of the city. Uh, even more awesome!! Classes will start up on Tuesday and I cannot wait. I cannot wait in the whole, it's incredibly nerve wracking having to wait kind of way. Tomorrow's an extremely exciting day as well: Freshers Fayre, Midsummer Night's Dream at The Globe (does it really get better than that? ummm, think not.) Then Fresh Club at the Student Union....maybe they'll actually play music that's not from junior high. Haha...last night at Club Sandwich, the Brits were rockin out to Hanson...so funny.

MY INTERNET FINALLY WORKS!!

I moved into my home for the next three months on Saturday, and the internet's been fussy ever since! It's actually quite pathetic the estrangement I feel without seeing facebook for a couple of days. In my last blog I said a longer blog's to come...I have eleven pages of journaling (thanks heath!) and I don't think that much info is necessary. So I'll try to only cover the things that matter, which will be difficult because I find every single second pretty exciting. Saturday midday we first arrived at Goldsmiths University of London. I rushed into my room, pulled open the curtains, threw the window open, and took a big deep breath of fresh English air. Ahhh. Literally, I started bubbling over with laughter- giggles of ecstasy. It truly is surreal. Though I have known that I was going to do this for practicly a year now, it amazes me that I am actually in England. I think for the first two days there was a loop in my head of, "I'm in freaking London, who does that?!?"


I DO!! (this is me on my first day at Goldsmiths, in front of my dorm room window)

I'm in freaking London and I absolutely adore it!! I was preparing myself for this immense feeling of uncomfortability- you know the good kind of uncomfortability, the kind that stretches you and makes you grow. That hasn't come. I feel completely at home (don't worry family, I'm still coming home! lol). I'm sure once classes get started (Monday, 29th) and the rest of the Brits move in (as in British people, not other girls named Brittany) it could get a bit overwhelming, but I am so excited for that! Another reason why I am perfectly at home, everyone on my flat's American. All of them are east coast girls, which at least is a little different (two from Boston, then Long Island, Vermont, and Philly). We all got talking in the hall this morning about the differences between us, because apparently none of them have accents.......but I do. They said they could all tell I was from California. Because of my "accent," and one of them said I look toasted brown. Ha! Compared to most Californians I'm a white-y!!
The rest of this week is free for me to get settled in (I just got back from my first time buying groceries!) Then my first class is Tuesday afternoon. Plenty of time to explore!!

These are pictures from Greenwich...the first local place we explored. It's just a 10 minute bus ride away, and is right on the river! Greenwich has really cool weekend street markets and a couple museums that I'll definitely go to sometime! (One of them being The Queen's House!!!)

My First Full Day

Today was my first day waking up in London and of course, I over slept! I was suppose to meet my group in the lobby at 10am, however I woke up to a man asking me, in the most wonderful British accent, "Will you be joining us this morning?" AH! It's the orientation director and it is 10:10! I got ready as quickly as I could and rushed downstairs to embark on our day, filled with touristy things, introducing us to London properly- a big bus tour, a river cruise, Spamalot at the theatre and then hanging out in Soho!

Through all that, I have met Big Ben, floated underneath the London Bridge (don't worry, it didn't fall down), battled through the tube during rush hour, ordered my very first drink (Malibu and Sprite) and found our way home on the bus system at 1:00 in the morning!! Obviously, the theatre was my favorite part! Oh, being at the theatre in London is just magical! ((However, the pasta and wine at dinner was mighty good as well)) The environment is electifying and the architecture is breathtaking! I will surely post pictures soon, along with a longer blog, but it is time for me to retire for the night, considering that it is 3:30 am!!




Love from the UK,
Brittany


Pictures from my jam packed Friday:



((Big Bus Tour))



((Big Ben: "not the clock, not the tower, but the bell that tolls the hour"))



((The London Eye))




((The River Cruise))



((Pizza Express))



((The Palace Theatre playing Spamalot))



((We're from all over the nation, and here we are in London))