Ooirland!

Yes that's right. I am now a multi-country study abroad student (ish). ahaha so Celine Dion "It's All Coming Back to Me" just came on my iTunes and reminded me of the time that I thought it came in at a club here (clearly good dancing song) and I got overly excited. There was waaaay too much excited, it was almost embarrassing. 

SO, I'll try to keep this organized before it gets too scary. I have now officially gone to all my classes and now have about eight sessions per class left before I'm done for the semester - ENGLAND IS RIDICULOUS!! I'm not pos, but I believe I will be writing two, 2000 word papers for my four classes. Can we say score? Can we say... extended vacation time for k10? I'm planning to do a lot of hiking, because it usually works out so well for me. 

My last two classes, on Friday, are Climate somethingorothergeography and ROMAN DRAMA. Essentially I have taken almost all of my classes already, in one form or the other. I've gotten to the point now where I just know EVERYTHING, which is such a burden sometimes. People will start calling on McCarthypedia instead of Felkipedia. Although my pedia is not as easy to say, so maybe not. 

Climate Variability was initially interesting, but it seems more like a physical geography and less of a social science... I thought it would be more "this is how geography affects society" and it seems to be more "this is a greenhouse gas" which I've learned about in two classes before. But the professor seems pretty clueless so that should still be fun. Roman Drama is quite excellent! I've translated one or two of the plays already and, more importantly, I made friends with some natives! Look at me, bridging the gap between cultures, being a true cultural ambassador. I am so incredibly excellent. 

Moving on from my self-compliments (hey, since CERTAIN PEOPLE are intent on insulting me at every opportunity, I figure I need to do it:-)) and into the weekend. Good news, everyone! You are cordially invited to the nuptials between Molly and Bartender. The date will be after she confesses her love for him. I will give the toast. "I remember it like it was yesterday... she saw him and couldn't tear herself away from the bar. No literally. It was 1:30am and she was still sitting there, staring at him dreamily, while Jenny took covert pictures on her camera. He is just such a gentleman - always asking if we need something, if we're doing all right. He truly cares! He also has a sense of humor - for example, when creepy, old British man came over to win us with his charm by asking if we were 15 (ALWAYS a compliment, gentleman, take note), Bartender chuckled with glee. He really is a catch. And we just can't stay away!"

No really. All of that is true, unfortunately. Molly continues to force us back to the pub, although he is easy on the eyes so I enjoy it. I'll keep you posted on updates and save the dates, etc. By the way as a complete non-sequitur, I was just giggling after typing MOLLLLLY because not only is she hysterical, but Jenny will randomly just turn to me and say "BITTY!" in the same way. If you don't know, I'm sorry. If you do, epic win. 

Then... I flew over to DUBLIN! Quite an enjoyable, if truncated, trip. I left the airport Tuesday morning, bleary-eyed from having gotten only an hour of sleep (I know), but only an hour later, I was in IRELAND! As I was only there for a short time, I did just the quickie version of sights to see, but as Dublin is tiny (yet lovable) I feel I got the taste of it (and not just the Guinness). Lauren, my lovely host and owner of the couch I slept on Tuesday night, kindly showed me to her campus, Trinity, while she went to class. Can we talk about what a GORGEOUS campus it is? I feel like I have a really distorted version of campus beauty because I attend such a fake-campus school, but it really was gorgeous, as the Ooirish would say. Arches, walls, grass, cobblestone, Irish boys, all of my favorites. I mostly wandered around aimlessly while she was in class, took gorgeous (I'm just going to keep saying it) pictures, and of course almost got killed. What it is with me and traffic? In my defense the sidewalk and the street flowed seamlessly between each other, and I was gazing around in wonder. And I'm still alive so all is well. Sadly this time there wasn't a kindly older woman to ask "Honey, are these boys bothering you?!" but maybe next time. 

Tuesday afternoon, we did a lot of wandering - mostly to find the JAMES JOYCE CENTRE. Interesting to find out about his life, and most of all, Ireland is obsessed with him. Obsessed. Now, just because he wrote arguably the greatest book of the 20th century, is that a reason to be obsessed? I mean really. But I purchased Dubliners whilst in Dublin so that makes me awesome. 

I'll say this about the city- very similar feel to London. I feel like most big or biggish cities all feel the same, but it definitely had the London-y feel to it. Organically arranged streets, churches popping up randomly when you least expect it, people speaking English in a strange accent. OMG though, I am desensitized to the British accent! It no longer affects me like it did! Also, Jenny and I were discussing it and British people (men especially) are TALL. I am essentially on the upper echelons of height in the States, but I feel like a delicate little girl in London. The women all (mostly) range from a little shorter than me to a few inches taller, and the men are almost all taller. Standing on the tube is an adventure. Why are they so much taller than Americans? Genetics? Environment? Go, Felkipedia, go! 

Anywhere, I keep interrupting myself. Ah yes, mostly just walking around the city before dinner, stopping to take pictures at some sights, but it was just a lot of catching up as well. I completely respect the Dublin transportation system. It's all trust-based, so they just assume you purchased a ticket. Of course I always did because defying authority scares me. But still. I did take one ride for free! 

Lauren also lives about five minutes away from the LARGEST SHOPPING CENTER IN EUROPE! (supposedly). No matter how big it is (that's what she said) I still spent a bit of time in a mall, in Ireland. I don't know if that's impressive or pathetic.

After a lovely night at a pub and a GREAT night of sleep, we headed back to the city to wander around St Stephen's Green (GORGEOUS! I love finding places I would like to read in. Just wait, London. come spring, me and St James Park are going to be BFF), finding the Fag on the Crag, of course. I have been dreaming about him since senior year. Then to the Guinness Factory, where I was thoroughly brainwashed and now know everything about its history, advertising, and production. It's disgusting. But at the top of the factory is a lovely "gravity bar" which commands a 360 degree view of Dublin, and you get a free ("Free") pint of Guinness. I'm such a beer connoisseur now, I will DEFINITELY be let into a fraternity at GW. It's bound to happen.

After Guinness (aka lunch), I sadly had to head back to London, and here we are. I'm getting all of my trips and shows in London lined up, so it should be a PACKED next two months, before we embark on the EUROPEAN ADVENTUREEEEEE!!! Too much excitement. 

Oh and you'll be glad to hear that I bothered a professor through email so much that she definitely hates me. This will call for some significant sucking up. I might do the whole "innocent wide eyed American girl in the strange city" bit. 

Sometimes this "fame" thing is just too much for me, dahlings. Those bloody paparazzi. Speaking of which, it took me about two years to realize the irony in the Georgetown restaurant name Papa Razzi. I'm in the Honors program. 

ANYWAY, where was I before I so rudely interrupted myself? OH YES. I'm still alive, England is still here, and as far as I know the two nations haven't declared war on each other so all is well. Oh my god I just realized I was subconsciously jamming to Miley Cyrus. Sometimes I hate myself. 

I have been tourist extraordinaire for the past few days - museums, and sites, and restaurants, oh my! Especially noteworthy was when I went to the National Gallery and realized that scores of British schoolchildren were visiting, and spent half an hour or so just following them around. It would be so easy to take one! Not for nefarious reasons, you see.  I just want them to talk to me! It's soooo cute! He's soooo nice! Whatever happened to Paul Potts, anyway? As a complete side note, if someone performed an autopsy on me right now (what a morbid thought) I am positive that my entire body would be composed of Frosted Flakes. The grocer was having a sale for 89p and I feel it is my duty to prop up the economy in these bleak times, so I went a little crazy with the purchasing. Who said I couldn't cook?

Speaking of which (and I feel I should put this is chronological order, but it's so much more fun to make it stream of consciousness) I COOKED SATURDAY NIGHT! I made a delicious boeuf bourguignon with choucroute garnie and ile flottante for  desert. See, when I was at GW, I didn't like to flaunt my cooking skills for fear that I would be called upon to cook constantly, and I much prefer making Mr. Felker cook for me. I'm only kidding. To be honest I just googled "fancy French recipes" and picked the most foreign sounding foods. I actually cooked pasta and sauce, and the sauce was a little intimidating. But still, HOORAY FOR MEEE!! Then I went home and ate three bowls of Frosties. Who said I lack self-control?

Besides becoming the next Julia Child and/or tourist supreme, I've spent an extraordinary amount of time reading, viewing movies illegally online (Bride Wars: nerve-wracking. HOW WILL IT WORK OUT?! Revolutionary Road: makes me want to sit there and cry. But fab. Slumdog Millionaire: love to pieces), and such. I also have FINALLY been praised for being American - on the way to a bar on last Wednesday night, jweb and I were halted by a VERY drunk British student (so not creepy) and he was absolutely fascinated by the fact that we are American, or at least have very convincing accents. Yes that's right - we totally got KISSED ON THE CHEEK!! clear away, cobwebs! Then we discovered Wednesday nights at this particular establishment, the Brits like to dress like golfers and then dance to a combination of American music from the 1980s and British songs that are apparently wildly popular. There is in particular one British song that, as soon as it came on, every single male took off his shirt, danced around, then put it back on. Complete mystery. Is that how they took over so much of the world? Crazy buggers. Plus since it wasn't the Russian vodka dance performed by my two faves I was having none of it (would that be the correct name for said dance? or is that just how I interpret it?) 

Finally, as the picture at the top teased, I turned into crazy stalkergirl on Sunday and spent four hours standing in the cold to see KATE AND LEO! Reunited and it feels so good. Besides being groped about twenty thousand times by complete strangers crushing against me for a picture, I turned into an eleven year old as soon as Leo walked by. It was mildly pathetic, but very enjoyable. 

Following that weekend of fabulousness, I actually started my education in a British institution! It's about time they decided to educate me. Of course I only have eight hours of class a week and class ends on 27 March (with a week off in February). Completely strange. But I've decided to accept it, because I know secretly in the great rock-paper-scissors game of life, America beats Britain. wahaha.

An attempt at organization...

Monday: Development Geographies Policies and Livelihoods. Not entirely sure what I'll be learning about in this class... I think poor people in poor countries. Or something of the sort. No matter, it counts as a major requirement at GW. I'm sure that is an immense relief to you all.

Tuesday: no class, and I celebrated Inauguration as an American Londoner should - by taking advantage of "America Day" at Madame Tussands fo free! To be quite honest all the wax figures kind of frightened me. Who thought, "you know what? it would be absolutely amazing to sculpt scarily realistic wax representations of famous people. Along the way, let's be sure to include prominent nipples on Angelina Jolie." I tell no lies. I continued with my being all culture and crap or something like that by attending le OPERA! Paid for courtesy of GW (and my 52K a year, but I'm ignoring that fact). Turandot, dahlings. Don't ask me to tell you what it's about. I will say 1) I really do enjoy opera - future husband(s) please take note. and 2) This was the opera with Nessun Dorma, one of my faves SUNG (he's soooo nice! and for those counting, this brings my Paul Potts references up to TWO this entry. Seriously, WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?!). Nosebleed seats but I remembered to brush my hair so I looked classy. 

Wednesday: no class (ahaha my schedule is ridiculous). Escaped to Hogwarts, aka the library, in an attempt to bring structure into my life even though I have no required assignments, except to not look like a stupid American (fail). And of course Wednesday night was celebrated at the student union bar again, as it should. I swear to all the gods in the heavens, Brits are STRANGE. So Wednesday nights are Sports Nights, aka dress like a player of a certain sport, yes? Last week everyone was universally golf. This week there were some boxers... also sailors possibly? And... people dressed like fruit. Someone with green balloons pinned to her shirt. And someone dressed like a Pink Lady but with a necklace of half-eaten apples around her neck. I have three questions. 1) what the h was the theme?! 2) how do they all coordinate on the theme?! and 3) again, is that how most of the world was conquered? 

Thursday: Roman Britain. Fake students (aka Junior Year Abroaders) get to escape from sitting the exam and we just have to write two 2500 word essays due by May 1st. I may or may not have already started. 

By the way, if anyone has any idea at ALL of what towns one should hit in Europe between Germany/Austria and Switzerland that wouldn't involve spending ten hours on a train, please do let me know. 

And here we are... I realize this is exceptionally long but that's what you get when you write an entry slowly over the entire week. Lack of coherency. Also my mind in general is quite muddled. 

Now if you'll excuse me, the Hawaiian version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow just came up on my iTunes. I need to put on my coconut bra and sway to the beat. 

ye gods rejoice, for I am updating!

Oh cheerful readers, I am sure that you are all SO ECSTATIC by the fact that I am finally updating with the thrilling and scintillating details of my time in Londonland thus far. This may seem strange for me, but I actually haven't got any fabulous stories to report as of yet... SHOCKER! But keep on reading, I'm sure I'll be able to make something happen (that's what she said. oh god I have been spending far too much time around Mizz Mandel and her propensity to 'that's what she said' to every single sentence. it's a tad disgusting).

ANYWAY. I have been orienting my little heart away, which is just fabulous and so comfortable... NOT. I love Wayne's World. It actually was not tooooo bad... since all the study abroaders are in the same boat of awkwardness and also mostly American, it made it a bit better. Plus KCL throws drinks at us virtually every second that they can. I swear I have gotten more free drinks in the past week than I have in my entire life... but more on that later. buahaha. So yesh. Orientation, 'socialising over welcome drinks,' booze cruise down the Thames (and in -50 degree weather, PERFECTLY LOVELY), and various GW activities as well... so yes most of my friends are GW folks. But! I didn't know them before! and! I have other friends as well! so it's okay in my humble opinion. 

Here's a little known fact about British universities, or at least my situation: they don't have class. Ever. It's RIDICULOUS! I have class for eight hours a week -- and these classes start on the 19th of January and end 27 March. Then a month and a half of nothing before finals start. When do I learn, I ask you? I'm sure once classes actually start and I get my assignments I'm going to start crying and worrying, my absolute favorite, but as for now I'm just being an obnoxious American. My forte. I will say this: I LOVE the library. Few libraries can hold the warm place in my heart occupied by Eckles currently, but the library is very very English and imposing so I LOVE it. I anticipate spending many hours there (WHY AM I SO COOL ALL THE TIME?!) 

As for this week, I've just been wandering around the city taking pictures, meeting with friends, going to museums, etc. However, yesterday was my FABULOUS 21st birthday. A bit of a damper since it was in London and 21 doesn't mean toooo much... but that doesn't mean I didn't FORCE everyone to make a big deal out of it! (including the bartenders and the cute old Brits sitting at the counter). Some incredible folks graciously took me out and bought me a series of drinks to help me celebrate, which was especially nice because most of them I only met a few days ago. But I did have a RIPROARING time, and I didn't make a fool out of myself. Basically the perfect 21st birthday. And I shall end the public stories there...

I do believe that it about it. I know, I know, sob away. I'm sure once classes start I've have oodles to tell you about (everyone perks up!). In addition, I'm going to Dublin last week in January, so I'll have actual updates from that hopefully! (and things I can't tell you about... buahaha. oh stop it. you know I'm only joking). 

Londontooown

So I have officially arrived in London and not made too big a fool out of myself, thankfully. Much to everyone's eternal regret, I won't be blogging my every movement, mostly because whilst I find that incredibly interesting I'm already too self-centered and need to rein it back a little bit. So I'll just hit you with the highlights.

1) I live just south of the Thames, near London Bridge, the Tower of London, the Globe, and Tate Modern. Pretty inspiring part of town to live in! Last night on a walking tour sponsored by my residence hall (come on, you knew I would do something like that. I'm desperate for people to like me) I found out also that the road parallel (or as parallel as the crazy English get in this organically-arranged town) to the street I live on was used as the starting road for pilgrims going to Canterbury. As a matter of fact, an inn just down the street from me has been standing since the 14th century and was used as a "watering hole" for these pilgrims. Also, tucked away behind the nearest tube stop (and it has been SO DIFFICULT for me not to say metro!) is the neighborhood formerly haunted by Mr. Dickens. All the streets are theme-named, like Copperfield Lane, Pickwick St, Little Dorrit Sq, and so on. All right, I'm a nerd. That's probably why I have so few friends. Sighs.

2) Speaking of, yes I HAVE met some people and I haven't scared many off! except possibly my flatmates. But beggars can't be choosers. People are slowly trickling in, and I've met quite a few study abroad people, so hopefully soon I can spread "too K10" across the ocean. As I should.

3) As for what I've been occupying my time with, literally just trying to figure out my life, get the things I need (note to self: never, ever forget a towel again. For some reason, it is IMPOSSIBLE to find a store that sells towels!), and hit a few of the touristy areas in between. I will be taking classes very close to a lot of museums, parks, etc., so once the weather gets nicer I'm looking forward to spending my time reading outside, collecting thousands of friends with my incredible cool factor, etc. 

4) I also spent a few days in Cobham, a town a bit outside London, with a friend from GW. It's actually one of my favorite places in the world now - kind of the epitome of perfect little English town, with the balance between country and town, with the city close by, and it was just so... English! It also recently snowed so there was a bit of white on the ground to make everything look even more pristine. It was quite enjoyable to spend a day or two out there (oooh, look at me, with my "quite enjoyable!")

All right, I promised to keep this short, and with my proclaimed self-centeredness you all are lucky to get off so easily! This is actually a very boring representation of my usually dazzling writing voice, but I'm crunched for time and in a cafe so I feel a bit self-conscious. No need to worry, the gloves will soon come off. Hope you are all enjoying the new year, and keep in touch!