Hey guys! I have lots of work to do today (as I predicted) so I'll try to make this entry quick.
So today we went to the British Library! It was soooooooo cool! In addition to the Magna Carta, they have an ORIGINAL WRITTEN COPY OF JANE EYRE, ORIGINAL SHAKESPEARE FOLIOS, and ORIGINAL BEATLES LYRICS! SQUEE! I loved looking at all of the things on display and learning the history of the library. Unlike the London Library, the British Library doesn't allow open browsing in the stacks- you have to browse their online catalogue, find out what you need to see for research or whatever, and get a letter sponsoring you, etc. I don't really know if I'll need to do that at the moment, but I'll probably go back to view some of the exhibits.
We had about an hour and a half to ourselves to explore the library/go home or whatever and then we had class from 2-5. It was with my "Meeting the Writer" professor, so that was nice.
At 7:30, I went with members of the "Meeting the Writer" class to this comedy show in Kilburn, where Robbie Hudson, who we met earlier this week, was performing. It was really cool! "Comedy show" isn't really the right word- it was more of a storytelling/music show that was really funny, lol. If I *didn't* have class tomorrow, I'd probably be going out now, but I have a presentation due tomorrow for my class that is meeting. For most people, it was their last day of classes (before midterms) so they're going out, but I'm going to stay in for the rest of the night.
Tomorrow, I might go out to Club Egg because they're doing a promotional thing where you get free entry and a free drink! I need to find people to go with, though. All of the CGS kids are leaving this weekend because their break starts tomorrow, lucky ducks. Meh.
- Miranda
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Rain, Package
The best news about today is that I GOT MY PACKAGE WOOT WOOT! I'm so happy to have my LEATHER JACKET, WHEAT THINS, an long-sleeved tops. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD! This made my day.
Today was good in theory. My "Meeting the Writer" class went on a walk through Hampstead, where many famous people lived (Keats, D.H. Lawrence, Katherine Mansfield, Robert Louis Stevenson, etc.) Sounds fun, right? (Well, fun if you're into literature like I am.)
Not that it wasn't fun, it just RAINED. THE ENTIRE TIME. And I TOTALLY wasn't dressed for it. I got the package AFTER I got back from the walk, so I didn't have a jacket or anything. That wasn't too much of a problem, though, because it wasn't that cold. The main issue was that I wore BALLET FLATS, which was a terrible idea. They are now SOAKED and I am trying to salvage them because I really like them. Also, my khaki pants are long on me (because I'm so short) so the bottom of my pants are soaked too. Meh. I had an umbrella, though. And if it was raining when I initially left for class, I wouldn't have worn that outfit, let me tell you. Because of the rain, I didn't take many pictures, but I plan on going up there one weekend when it's nice out and taking pictures, because it really was gorgeous.
Tomorrow I'm going to be mad busy. I have a field trip with my research class to the BRITISH LIBRARY! I'm excited to go because the MAGNA CARTA is on display there (and the Book of the Dead too, I think, but that might be at a random museum. I know it's on display SOMEWHERE in London...). The only thing I'm not excited about is leaving at 9:30 AM...I've been really, really spoiled here, as most of my classes start at 1:15 or noon. I haven't had to wake up early since I went to the Tower of London. I'm still excited, though. I don't know how long that'll take, but then I have class from 2-5. At 7:30, I'm leaving for Kilburn to go see Robbie Hudson (the author who talked to us yesterday) in a comedy show with the rest of my class. It'll be busy but good!
- Miranda
Today was good in theory. My "Meeting the Writer" class went on a walk through Hampstead, where many famous people lived (Keats, D.H. Lawrence, Katherine Mansfield, Robert Louis Stevenson, etc.) Sounds fun, right? (Well, fun if you're into literature like I am.)
Not that it wasn't fun, it just RAINED. THE ENTIRE TIME. And I TOTALLY wasn't dressed for it. I got the package AFTER I got back from the walk, so I didn't have a jacket or anything. That wasn't too much of a problem, though, because it wasn't that cold. The main issue was that I wore BALLET FLATS, which was a terrible idea. They are now SOAKED and I am trying to salvage them because I really like them. Also, my khaki pants are long on me (because I'm so short) so the bottom of my pants are soaked too. Meh. I had an umbrella, though. And if it was raining when I initially left for class, I wouldn't have worn that outfit, let me tell you. Because of the rain, I didn't take many pictures, but I plan on going up there one weekend when it's nice out and taking pictures, because it really was gorgeous.
Tomorrow I'm going to be mad busy. I have a field trip with my research class to the BRITISH LIBRARY! I'm excited to go because the MAGNA CARTA is on display there (and the Book of the Dead too, I think, but that might be at a random museum. I know it's on display SOMEWHERE in London...). The only thing I'm not excited about is leaving at 9:30 AM...I've been really, really spoiled here, as most of my classes start at 1:15 or noon. I haven't had to wake up early since I went to the Tower of London. I'm still excited, though. I don't know how long that'll take, but then I have class from 2-5. At 7:30, I'm leaving for Kilburn to go see Robbie Hudson (the author who talked to us yesterday) in a comedy show with the rest of my class. It'll be busy but good!
- Miranda
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
In which I find out about my package!
So today I FINALLY found out what happened to my package! Yay! So apparently I need to pay the Value Added Tax (VAT) before my package can be delivered to me. It was about 40 pounds :( but at least I know that it will be delivered to me TOMORROW! YAY I CAN HAS MY LEATHER JACKET! AND WHEAT THINS! (Although I later discovered that Partidge's sells Wheat Thins. But they're really expensive. Meh.)
So today in my "Meeting the Writer" class, we interviewed Robert Hudson, who wrote "The Kilburn Social Club". He was REALLY funny and nice! He's performing in some sort of comedy night thing on Thursday at a pub, and our class is going to go (I think) so I'm pretty excited about that!
Also, in the newsletter today we FINALLY got some information about when Imperial College starts, etc.! This also makes me really excited. Even though I've been attending classes, living in a dorm, etc., the environment around here isn't very collegiate (we really have no campus AT ALL, even less than BU, and the buildings are all about a 10-15 minute walk away from each other). But I don't mind that as much. What I've REALLY been missing are extracurricular activities. Well, I'll be able to get over that next Tuesday, when Imperial has their version of Splash and you can join all of their clubs. They even have a cheese club! Seriously! I'll have to bring that over to BU...
That's it, I think. Just doing homework for tonight.
So today in my "Meeting the Writer" class, we interviewed Robert Hudson, who wrote "The Kilburn Social Club". He was REALLY funny and nice! He's performing in some sort of comedy night thing on Thursday at a pub, and our class is going to go (I think) so I'm pretty excited about that!
Also, in the newsletter today we FINALLY got some information about when Imperial College starts, etc.! This also makes me really excited. Even though I've been attending classes, living in a dorm, etc., the environment around here isn't very collegiate (we really have no campus AT ALL, even less than BU, and the buildings are all about a 10-15 minute walk away from each other). But I don't mind that as much. What I've REALLY been missing are extracurricular activities. Well, I'll be able to get over that next Tuesday, when Imperial has their version of Splash and you can join all of their clubs. They even have a cheese club! Seriously! I'll have to bring that over to BU...
That's it, I think. Just doing homework for tonight.
Monday, September 27, 2010
NEW HEADPHONES....no package
So, today I GOT NEW HEADPHONES! They were only 5 pounds at Sainsbury's! (I was estimating them to be 10, so this was a little extra bonus). I also bought some gum, which I've been missing. For some reason, the Brits aren't really into gum-flavored gum: it took me forever to find a flavor that wasn't spearmint, peppermint, cinammon, etc. I wonder why this is- I guess gum-flavored gum is an American thing. The only non-minty gum they had was this Trident strawberry lime thing, which is ok. The pieces are mad small, though, so I have to chew 2 at once, which means I'm going to go through the pack really quickly. Meh.
Also "meh" about today is the fact that I DIDN'T GET MY PACKAGE YET. My parents mailed a package that was supposed to come by today at the latest, and apparently on Saturday they "attempted" to deliver it but it still hasn't come yet. I talked to the people behind the security desk who handle the mail and they were pretty ineffectual. They just were like "oh, all the packages that come will be on this counter". DUH, I KNOW THAT ALREADY! I want to know why my package hasn't come yet! I want my leather jacket already!
All right, enough ranting, lol. I have homework to do.
- Miranda
Also "meh" about today is the fact that I DIDN'T GET MY PACKAGE YET. My parents mailed a package that was supposed to come by today at the latest, and apparently on Saturday they "attempted" to deliver it but it still hasn't come yet. I talked to the people behind the security desk who handle the mail and they were pretty ineffectual. They just were like "oh, all the packages that come will be on this counter". DUH, I KNOW THAT ALREADY! I want to know why my package hasn't come yet! I want my leather jacket already!
All right, enough ranting, lol. I have homework to do.
- Miranda
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A more productive day than yesterday
As the title of this blog states, today was much more productive than yesterday! I only have ~100 pages left in the book I have to read for Tuesday, so I'll probably finish tonight, which is good. Then I can start on the other 2 books I have to read (one due Wednesday, one due Thursday). I really love all the reading I'm doing here, though. It's the first time I've taken all English classes, and I love it.
My headphones died today AND my cell phone ran out of money, so I have to take care of both of those things tomorrow. AND my Oyster Card (subway pass) ran out of money yesterday so I had to do that. Urgh I hate getting hit with these expenses all at once. I'm doing pretty good on food, though, so that's good. I'm really mad about my headphones (because when I'm on the computer I'm listening to music CONSTANTLY) but they've lasted me the longest out of any pair of headphones I've owned- I think I got them during my junior year of high school. Maybe, if I look at my Livejournal, I'll be able to pin down the exact date. Of course, this would also result in more time-wasting, lol.
Other than that, I don't really have much to say. Didn't get out much again today, but it was still pretty cold and rainy. Also, our room is in the basement and it gets sooooo cold at night (I don't know if I wrote about this in my last post or not). I didn't bring any hoodies here, but I might try to buy a cheap one just to sleep in.
- Miranda
My headphones died today AND my cell phone ran out of money, so I have to take care of both of those things tomorrow. AND my Oyster Card (subway pass) ran out of money yesterday so I had to do that. Urgh I hate getting hit with these expenses all at once. I'm doing pretty good on food, though, so that's good. I'm really mad about my headphones (because when I'm on the computer I'm listening to music CONSTANTLY) but they've lasted me the longest out of any pair of headphones I've owned- I think I got them during my junior year of high school. Maybe, if I look at my Livejournal, I'll be able to pin down the exact date. Of course, this would also result in more time-wasting, lol.
Other than that, I don't really have much to say. Didn't get out much again today, but it was still pretty cold and rainy. Also, our room is in the basement and it gets sooooo cold at night (I don't know if I wrote about this in my last post or not). I didn't bring any hoodies here, but I might try to buy a cheap one just to sleep in.
- Miranda
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Procrastination!
Didn't do much today! It was cold out, so I didn't feel like going for a huge walk. (Side note: I will be sooooo happy when my leather jacket comes in the mail!). I totally didn't pack as many long-sleeved things as I should for this trip, as it got cold here REALLY quickly. That's why I'm really happy that my parents have sent me some of my long-sleeved things from home. I would go shopping here but a) it's expensive and b) I don't really know how easy it would be to find clothes that fit me.
I meant to tackle a lot of my homework today, too, but I kept getting distracted. I know procrastinating is really bad for you, but sometimes it's hard for me to focus when I know that I don't need to have a particular book read until Tuesday, for example...so I just waste my time on the computer. Lol.
I keep going back and forth on whether I should join the gym here or not.
THE POSITIVES:
- It satisfies my need to have things to do every day, especially due to the fact that it's about a 15 minute walk away (probably even more than that, actually). The distance is also a negative, but we'll get to that. The positive side is that it gives me something to do every day, so I feel like I'm not just lazing around like I did all day today.
- I get to weigh myself at the gym. I know some people don't subscribe to this ideology, but I really, really like weighing myself every day. It REALLY helps to keep me in check.
- The obvious one: I'll lose weight and be able to continue the workout thing I did over the summer. Yay!
THE NEGATIVES:
- It costs money. I am a poor college student. Plus, I don't even really use all the things that the gym offers (I probably won't take any classes there, as they make me feel self-conscious) so I won't feel like I'm getting enough for my money. All I really do at the gym is the treadmill and bike, anyway. I don't like running outside as much and it's getting colder out anyway, so it's useful to have these things at the gym, but I don't like paying for them.
- The distance. Yes, a 15-minute walk is not far. However, if I spend about an hour at the gym, that's an hour and a half of my time, in total, spent for the day. And on days that I have class (ESPECIALLY Thursdays, which is when I usually go out) sometimes that's too much time to be taken up. It's nice for the weekends, but it might be hard to go every weekday.
- The irrational one: the last time I worked out at the gym, it started my EPIC 5 DAY SINUS HEADACHE. I now associate the gym with my EPIC 5 DAY SINUS HEADACHE, even though exercising is probably not what caused said headache. I'm paranoid that if I work out there again, I'll get another EPIC 5 DAY SINUS HEADACHE.
- At this gym in particular, I often get bored. At the gym I went to in Rochester, there was closed-captioning under the TV's, but at the gym here there isn't. So just listening to music and watching the people on TV doesn't do it for me, really. I don't want to buy a membership to a gym where I'll be bored. I can try other gyms and see what their facilities are like, but I don't know how I'll like them.
That ended up being way more in-depth than I wanted it to be. Oh well.
I meant to tackle a lot of my homework today, too, but I kept getting distracted. I know procrastinating is really bad for you, but sometimes it's hard for me to focus when I know that I don't need to have a particular book read until Tuesday, for example...so I just waste my time on the computer. Lol.
I keep going back and forth on whether I should join the gym here or not.
THE POSITIVES:
- It satisfies my need to have things to do every day, especially due to the fact that it's about a 15 minute walk away (probably even more than that, actually). The distance is also a negative, but we'll get to that. The positive side is that it gives me something to do every day, so I feel like I'm not just lazing around like I did all day today.
- I get to weigh myself at the gym. I know some people don't subscribe to this ideology, but I really, really like weighing myself every day. It REALLY helps to keep me in check.
- The obvious one: I'll lose weight and be able to continue the workout thing I did over the summer. Yay!
THE NEGATIVES:
- It costs money. I am a poor college student. Plus, I don't even really use all the things that the gym offers (I probably won't take any classes there, as they make me feel self-conscious) so I won't feel like I'm getting enough for my money. All I really do at the gym is the treadmill and bike, anyway. I don't like running outside as much and it's getting colder out anyway, so it's useful to have these things at the gym, but I don't like paying for them.
- The distance. Yes, a 15-minute walk is not far. However, if I spend about an hour at the gym, that's an hour and a half of my time, in total, spent for the day. And on days that I have class (ESPECIALLY Thursdays, which is when I usually go out) sometimes that's too much time to be taken up. It's nice for the weekends, but it might be hard to go every weekday.
- The irrational one: the last time I worked out at the gym, it started my EPIC 5 DAY SINUS HEADACHE. I now associate the gym with my EPIC 5 DAY SINUS HEADACHE, even though exercising is probably not what caused said headache. I'm paranoid that if I work out there again, I'll get another EPIC 5 DAY SINUS HEADACHE.
- At this gym in particular, I often get bored. At the gym I went to in Rochester, there was closed-captioning under the TV's, but at the gym here there isn't. So just listening to music and watching the people on TV doesn't do it for me, really. I don't want to buy a membership to a gym where I'll be bored. I can try other gyms and see what their facilities are like, but I don't know how I'll like them.
That ended up being way more in-depth than I wanted it to be. Oh well.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday and Friday
So I was literally dancing at the club last night when I thought to myself "I haven't updated my blog yet for today!" But at that point, it was technically Friday (morning) and I try not to do much on the Internet after I go out. So today you'll get an entry about Thursday AND Friday!
Today is my roomie Andrea's 21st birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA! (I don't know if you read my blog or not. I know Chelsea does, but I don't know about my other roomies. Hi, Chelsea!) She's in Paris for her birthday with her friends, so yesterday, when she actually *was* here, we celebrated her 21st and all went out to a club. It was great fun! No pictures as I don't like taking my camera with me when I go out (I don't know HOW everyone else is so comfortable taking their cameras...I'm such a klutz, I know for sure I'd drop it or spill something on it...).
And I technically had PLENTY of time to update yesterday, but I just forgot about it. Meh. Blame it on my excitement at going out for the week, because the "going out" in the Lake District consisted of playing Kings with the rest of the people in the Literature program. Which is still epic, but I wanted to get all dressed up for once. Heh.
Onto today! Today I did something that I can't do yet in the States- I went to a beer tasting! It was WONDERFUL! We also got a free lunch at a pub beforehand, which was nice. We toured the Fuller's Brewery in Chiswick (pronounced "Chissick", not "Chis-wick"). After the tour, we got to try the beer! We had half an hour to try 8 beers, but as we're all college students, this was not hard at all. And no, this was NOT like a wine tasting where you spit out the drink after you taste it. No, we all got about half a glass of each beer. My favorite beers were the London Pride and the Honeydew beer (which is organic! Cool!). It was a great time! I wish my family and friends could've been there- I know sooooo many people who would've enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than I did.
So for the rest of the day I haven't been doing much. I like to just go out once a week (less strain on my wallet) so I probably won't go out tonight unless I get invited somewhere. This is also the first weekend that I don't have any big trips planned. I don't know how I feel about that. On the one hand, I like having the free time to catch up on my work (I have 3 books I have to read by certain points this week). Free time also gives me time to explore different parts of the city, etc. But on the other hand, I sometimes have a tendency to get bored if I don't have any structured activity scheduled for the day (God, I sound like a little kid or something). If I have time, I might go down to the London Library and do some research there for my paper. I think now I've solidly decided that I *am* going to do something on Bronte, since I think we're doing Twelfth Night in my Shakespeare class but aren't doing the Bronte sisters in any of my other classes. Visiting the Parsonage just inspired me a lot, I guess. But having a definite topic for my paper will really put me more at ease.
That's all for now!
- Miranda
Today is my roomie Andrea's 21st birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA! (I don't know if you read my blog or not. I know Chelsea does, but I don't know about my other roomies. Hi, Chelsea!) She's in Paris for her birthday with her friends, so yesterday, when she actually *was* here, we celebrated her 21st and all went out to a club. It was great fun! No pictures as I don't like taking my camera with me when I go out (I don't know HOW everyone else is so comfortable taking their cameras...I'm such a klutz, I know for sure I'd drop it or spill something on it...).
And I technically had PLENTY of time to update yesterday, but I just forgot about it. Meh. Blame it on my excitement at going out for the week, because the "going out" in the Lake District consisted of playing Kings with the rest of the people in the Literature program. Which is still epic, but I wanted to get all dressed up for once. Heh.
Onto today! Today I did something that I can't do yet in the States- I went to a beer tasting! It was WONDERFUL! We also got a free lunch at a pub beforehand, which was nice. We toured the Fuller's Brewery in Chiswick (pronounced "Chissick", not "Chis-wick"). After the tour, we got to try the beer! We had half an hour to try 8 beers, but as we're all college students, this was not hard at all. And no, this was NOT like a wine tasting where you spit out the drink after you taste it. No, we all got about half a glass of each beer. My favorite beers were the London Pride and the Honeydew beer (which is organic! Cool!). It was a great time! I wish my family and friends could've been there- I know sooooo many people who would've enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than I did.
So for the rest of the day I haven't been doing much. I like to just go out once a week (less strain on my wallet) so I probably won't go out tonight unless I get invited somewhere. This is also the first weekend that I don't have any big trips planned. I don't know how I feel about that. On the one hand, I like having the free time to catch up on my work (I have 3 books I have to read by certain points this week). Free time also gives me time to explore different parts of the city, etc. But on the other hand, I sometimes have a tendency to get bored if I don't have any structured activity scheduled for the day (God, I sound like a little kid or something). If I have time, I might go down to the London Library and do some research there for my paper. I think now I've solidly decided that I *am* going to do something on Bronte, since I think we're doing Twelfth Night in my Shakespeare class but aren't doing the Bronte sisters in any of my other classes. Visiting the Parsonage just inspired me a lot, I guess. But having a definite topic for my paper will really put me more at ease.
That's all for now!
- Miranda
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