Camden Market

Today was mostly orientation stuff, preparing me for being able to pay attention to someone talking at me for an hour once classes start. It was a bit drowsy, but in between sessions a bunch of us went to Camden Market to stroll around and get lunch. It was a truly new experience, w/ tiny little shops everywhere, the smell of incense and food stands wafting all about, and people from all over the world flocking to this well-known tourist destination.

I strolled through the market place w/ one of my new friends - a lovely girl from Norway. We chatted (roughly through our language barrier) about differences between here and where we come from as we enjoy some savory ice cream cones and scoped out the prices on outrageous costumes in the multitude of costume shops. I was very confused: are £50 hooker/goth tutu dresses always in this high demand, or is it just because Halloween is coming?

I cooked pasta for my roommate tonight - 10 minutes after trying to get the stove to work - since we both decided it would be a good night to say in and relax a bit. Still haven't had any fish and chips, but I'll let you know how it is when I do!

Cheers!

Good news - I found my camera! Bad news - still no Internet, so I'm sorry to all of you whose comments and facebook messages I am temporarily neglecting.

Today I woke up early and went for a run. After just 15 minutes, I was at Regent's Park. I jogged to the top of Primrose Hill (thank goodness for my mountain-climbing thighs :) ), and from there I could see the sun coming up over the city. It was another gorgeous day, and from there I could see the London Telecom Tower, Parliament, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, King's Cross Station, Foster's Gherkin (sp?), and lots of other London landmarks.

After that, my roommate and I headed out to find some needed supplies, namely stamps, ethernet cables, groceries, and, of course, clothes hangers. We had fun dodging buses and taxis, who have no sympathy for poor touristy-looking girls toting digital cameras and shopping lists. Luckily, all the cross walks tell you what direction to look, either right or left. It's still taking some getting used to.

This afternoon we had an orientation, where the head of London Met's study abroad program emphasized not getting too caught up in studying b/c "there's simply too much to do here!" He needn't worry - I'm chomping at the bit to see everything as soon as I can!

That was followed by an informal gathering at The Rocket, aka, student pub on campus. From there, some girls and I took the tube back to campus and then went to our first British pub. There were just a few blokes chilling around, having a few post-game pints (Arsenal vs. some less significant football team). They filled us in on the best teams to root for, etc. Nice chaps, really, but seeing how as I'm totally inept at flirting, I let the other girls take over and contented myself with trying to watch their equivalent to sports center.

Again, I find myself craving my pillow. Good night!

Picture = my room, complete w/ lovely roommate :)

Hullo London!

Well, after 9 hours on a plane, and one in Iceland, I arrived at Heathrow Airport.  From there I drug my 100+ pounds of luggage onto the Underground and made it to King's Cross Station, then to the dorms.  I immediately fell into my bed.

I would love to upload some photos from my first day in London, but alas, a) I forgot my camera and b) my Internet is not yet working (I'm in the dorm lobby right now).  However, I'm already in love w/ this city.  I went on a 6 hour walk today.  I live just 5 minutes away from the British Library, which houses the Magna Carta, the King's Library, and lots of other really old documents.  Then I went onto to Regent's Park where I stopped to smell the roses (literally) in the Queen's Garden and saw the Lord's Cricket Grounds - home to cricket.  There were actually some guys practicing, so I stopped and watched them for a bit.  I must learn the rules of cricket, for it was very confusing.

After that I made my way to Hyde Park and walked along the Serpentine.  All the parks have these green and white striped lawn chairs with people lounging in them.  Green Park was probably my favorite (favourite), for it had these beautiful paths lined w/ huge maple trees.  I was coming out of Green Park when I "stumbled upon" Buckingham Palace!  I totally wasn't expecting it until I saw these guards in red jackets and tall black hats, not to mention tons of tourists snapping photos.  Gosh, to be in a place where I can just run into so many historical and beautiful places, all in a day - I love it!  

I also walked along Picadilly Road to Picadilly Circus, which is in the main downtown area, so there are people and shops and theaters everywhere!  And double decker buses and red telephone booths; they didn't lie, they're everywhere, too.  

I'm dead tired, though, and thinking about bed.  It was a good day, and I haven't even had to use my raincoat yet!  Miss you all!

Farewell Milwaukee!

The primary purpose of this post being to practice putting up photos, I also thought I would take this chance to say thanks and good-bye to Milwaukee and the wonderful people there. I just got back from a two-day trip to the Cream City, where I not only wrapped up some grad school application stuff, but got to see some good friends, as well. To the fine folks in Miltown who influenced me for the better and made my time there delightful, thanks - I will miss you all and keep you in my prayers!

(An aside: This photo was taken at one of Milwaukee's best coffeehouses by a random gentleman who, after taking my picture while I revised my personal statement, proceeded to fill me in on his life sorrows...one of the many only-Kallie-like situations in which I have found myself. Let's hope my "character"-attracting tendency only brings funny stories and quirky friends while abroad.)

(Thinking about) Packing

Less than a week before I leave, and all I have is a suitcase filled w/ odds and ends I've been tossing in: adapter/converter, stationary, camera charger, etc. I've answered countless quizzical looks as to why I'm still around, explaining that I'm getting on a plane Saturday for another continent for who knows how long, yet I don't think it's set in yet. And it probably won't until I step off the plane next Sunday, fighting off jet lag with the excitement of making a dream come true.

For those of you who have only been slightly filled in, I'm finishing up my last semester of undergrad work at London's Metropolitan University. I'll graduate in December with a psychology major and a minor in architecture. Eventually I plan to head to grad school (if I get accepted, which hinges upon me getting in my applications...which I've been putting off just about as good as packing), but first, I decided to have my "European Adventure." I'll be taking a relatively light course load so that I can travel as much as possible. During the semester, I hope to get down to Paris and up to Ireland and Scotland. Afterward, I would love to go to Denmark, Amsterdam, Germany, Prague, and ITALY (my lifelong dream!). Yet time, and money, shall tell.

But for now, I should probably get back to thinking about packing...