goodbye New Cross...

It's my last night in New Cross. Goodbye Goldsmiths, goodbye Loring, goodbye hobgob, goodbye Tasty Kebab.......

So today didn't naaaat go as planned, but ya know what-it was amazing. Like a really, really good day. I went to Portabello Road (Where the first scene of Notting Hill is shot) and it's one of my favorites. Then I went into Camden, which is another one of my favorites. I didn't go to any sights, but rather shopped at markets, sat in coffee shops and wrote; I enjoyed feeling at home. I even got mistaken for a local twice! I got asked directions and wasn't even the least bit of help, but I felt pretty badass none-the-less. I have to check out of Goldsmiths tomorrow morning and am then heading to where I'll be squatting for the next two nights along with some other students. I have two days left in London. Who knows what awaits me!!!!

So little time!

Whew! Time has been flying! I can't believe it's been practically 10 days since I last posted. I really did need to buckle down! I don't think I have ever spent so much time doing work in a Starbucks then I did the last week of term. (Thank goodness for their new Christmas drinks. Yay gingerbread latte!!!) But it's done! I had my last class on Thursday (my instructor brought champagne) and turned my last paper in Friday morning. It felt so amazing. From here on out my time in London is pure relaxation...not that any of it has been very stressful =) I have been very lucky. Not so lucky is that half of my flat went home this morning....tear time. But I am very lucky that I have eight more days in England. The next four I'll be in Cheltenham (my fav!), then the last four I'll be in London...and then, I'm home at last. Tears of grief, tears of joy. They've reminded me how much I came to love this, but how much more I love where I'm returning to. Until then....

Love from across the pond
;)

Buckling Down

That's right. I actually have work.
Granted it's work that I love so it doesn't feel like work....simply and expansion of the experience. Most of these are assignments that I have had, literally since day one. But what made you think that being half way across the world would make me procrastinate any less? My assignments: A 10 minute short script (for script and screen); a 2000 word essay explaining "What a good night at the theatre is" (for London Theatre); a presentation answering "What I learned" (for Shakespeare's London); and a 14 minute final scene (for Acting).
For the presentation my flatmate and I made a storybook: "What Shakespeare can teach YOU about life." Not gonna lie, it's brilliant.
My script is significantly complete....not gonna lie, it's definitely NOT brilliant;
the essay I definitely have NOT even started...
and my scene- I literally have to be a crazy person. Done.

Oh and btw...I definitely fell in love with Spain....it may just be my fav. I'll put up pictures soon, capeshe?
=]

Mi Amor Barcelona

I do. I love Barcelona. It's such a cool mix of urban and culture and the nightlife is insane! I won't go into details but everyone can be rest assured that we are being very, very safe. One of the girls I'm here with, Kat...she's like Heather (she would look both ways for sheep too) Yesterday we did a bus tour of the north half of Barcelona and today we're doing the South Tour....which means it is on the beach. Talk about my cup of tea!!

So in Italy, the so called language barrier was basically non existent because everyone spoke English...not here. And I am bit disappointed in the lack of Spanish that stuck with me through four years of trying (and clearly failing) to learn Spanish...i know vocab and probably construct sentences like a second grader, a second grader with bad grammar! And that's not good at all. But it's an experience and I am loving every moment of it!

Here are some pictures:

The Magic Fountain Show....i think it beats Vegas

La Rambla at Night

Kat, Alex, and I in front of Palau Reial

The Beaches of Barcelona...too cold!

The view from the top of Teleferic Montjuic

Port Vell at night

Our Last night: Taller de Tapas

Puttin my hand in the Mediterrania

Going for a stroll the last morning (thats the colom in the background)

We were realaxing on the docks

Turkey Day!

My flatmates and I made Thanksgiving dinner. Not gonna lie- it was pretty legit. Exceeding our expectations by miles. I made my favorite Thanksgiving dish- yams with brown sugar and marshmallows. The rest of them were impressed, but knowing how my grandma and mommy make them....it just wasn't the same. I had to go to class, after dinner, which was a bummer, but dessert was awaiting once we returned. Talk about the longest class ever!

The nights gotten longer, as I must go to sleep immediately considering that I need to wake up in 4 1/2 hours to head of to Barcelona!!! And you know what that means!!!


Pictures and stories are coming soon!!

In the meantime, have a really happy Thanksgiving, I mean it. Be happy. Because we all have things to be thankful for. Take this day to remember what you're thankful for, I know I did.


Eat Turkey and Enjoy Each Other!

One month left

Reality check- I fly home in a month. Exactly a month from today I will be on a plane headed home, and I can't help but smile every time I think about it. Buuuut, that means there's a lot of things I still want to do here, and time's running out. This past week's been really fun-filled; I'm trying to go into Central as often as I can- even if it's just for a walk along the Thames. I went and saw Zorro the Musical last Tuesday, and it was awesome, then I get to see Billy Elliot this Tuesday. Both of those are very exciting, but the most exciting part is that I'm going to Barcelona next weekend! Alex, Kat, and I are spending four days, hopefully filled with sandy beaches, Spanish dancing, and margaritas! Okay, I guess we're looking forward to the culture stuff there too, but having a break from the cold, London weather will be absolutely magnificent!!
What am I doing? It's actually a nice day out, so why am I sitting here on the computer? I'm going to go out for a run, then maybe head in to one of the parks in Central. Sound good? Good.

Back to normal

Not that me living in London is exactly normal, but it's as normal as can be right now. Since I got back from Italy I've relaxed...a lot. As exciting as Italy was, it's rather exhausting having to be constantly aware and on guard. Travelling made me tired, so it feels good to be home, as much of a "home" as this can be without the people I love. Getting off the plane in London was one of the weirdest emotions I have ever experienced I don't even think I can begin to try to explain. Conflicted. I was really conflicted. I love London and I absolutely love my classes, the people, the surroundings. But I love you all more. Coming down the escalator at London, Gatwick reminded me how much I cannot wait for the day that I come down the escalator at LAX and get to see my family again, and hear their voices, and give them presents!

I only have three and half more weeks of school and five more weeks in London. There's still so much I want to do, so much more I could do. It's just been really odd, being at the half way point. But this is where I am....and this is where I'm happy to be.