My New Coat

I had been looking forward to Sunday all week--I was going to go to a market to look for a new coat. I was sick for most of week, so, Sunday, I thought would be my break. And, well, I was feeling better, but the day was miserable. Coat, wet, rainy, gray--it was a typical London day and I had to go out in it. I met Julia and Clifton at the Liverpool Street Station which was cool in and of itself. It was like an airport which is pretty understandable since it is a national rail station as well. It reminded me of a futuristic greenhouse or hanger of some sort in the middle of old (original) London.








When we all arrived, we headed out towards a White Chapel--yes the namesake of Kaley's tube stop--and walked into Spittalfield Market first. It is all inside and there are many vendors selling all sorts of things--both old and new. It reminded me of a cross between a mall and a flea market. The stuff here was a bit nicer and trendier than the market we were going to visit--thus it was a tad bit more expensive. When we left, there was a guy blowing bubbles.








Arriving at Brick Lane we were welcomed by all sorts of smells--Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Brazilian, Ethiopian, and Spanish cuisines. Once we walked past this, all the clothing and merchandise vendors were trying to sell their inventory. There were all sorts of things...I picked up a dress for instance reminiscent of the 50's; it is both springy, frilly, casual--not what you would think I would pick up. I got this from an Asian vendor. Confused? I was too. And here I am modeling it for you, lol.
Next we walked down the road to Julia's favorite store--and for good reason--it is called Rokit. It is a vintage store that sells vintage clothes cheap! This is where I found my 10 quid Coat...Ta da! It is genuinely vintage, it has some tears on the lining but from what I could tell it wasn't really worn. Really, all I needed was something that could keep me warm when I go to Scotland this weekend. I even tried my coat out last night and I was sweating because it was so warm. Horay!





After I was satisfied with my purchases we got some dumplings--3 lamb and 3 prawn for me--and then a pasty (Stilton and steak) on the way out. Julia had her wallet stolen at some point in time during the day and we had to get her back to the station. But not before I got a free Qur'an on my way out. It IS the international district, after all.

That was pretty much the end of my Sunday. I got home, ate a bagel and went to sleep. Monday was good. I got up to find some books for school. The only problem was I had to remember where Juliette took me to get them. Well, after 30 minutes of wandering...going up a street, then back, going up another street and back, and going up one street and finding it...I was quite relieved. Found 2 of 3 books that I needed to get and on my way out, I found an American Apparel. Oh boy! So I went in since I had some time and decided to get the v-neck sweatshirt that I wanted but didn't have my size in Orlando. I found a black x-small unisex v neck sweatshirt. I was so happy. I figured I needed it for Scotland anyway...so I didn't feel as guilty when I bought it. I really have been trying to be as frugal as I can be--which usually results in not getting food, unfortunately, lol.










I met up with Julia for lunch with a British kid that is studying abroad at UM next semester. It was very fun. We went to the little cafe that had that awesome Mocha and I indulged in a baguette with butter. I feel like all I eat here is bread. It is so good here. I have also gotten used to drinking soda with no ice, so weird! I miss my American ways...I want to cook so badly. I can't store anything here without it going bad; it is just so frustrating.

After lunch I met up with Juliette and went to class. Which was actually quite fun. We had seminar today, which basically is, get in groups and talk about this....*teacher assigns question*...It was so funny, the teacher came over to our group and asked us a question concerning the 3 dimensions of power.

Dimension 1--power you can see; general and his army.
Dimension 2--power that is hidden; teacher and student.
Dimension 3--power that is invisible; media's affects on people.

He asked is it possible to have the 3rd dimension of power--a force that cannot be seen that is guiding your every action--as the source of real power.

...this is where the lecturing begins, lol...
I told him that although this is the view most sociologists take--that society decides the options you that each individual chooses from, thus no one is truly independent--I disagree because I believe that all humans have free will. Thus, they are the arbiters of what ever decisions they make and are capable of understanding the scope of their environment and how much of a hold "society" imparts on them. Ba-da-bing-ba-da-boom.

No one in my group followed me, but the teacher and I had a good conversation---it was sooooo cool!

I am loving this. England is so much fun and in so many ways.

Ugh...

So being sick is not fun.

I am actually glad I slept all day yesterday and half of today; I am already feeling much better. I can talk today, somewhat more audibly than yesterday as well, which is more good news. Must be Night Nurse. That green stuff performs miracles.

Anyway, with my new found healthier body, I was itching to get out of the place. So I met up with Clifton on this unnaturally wet and windy day in Regent's Park. But not before I got a Hot Chocolate Orange at Costa--it is the Italian version of Starbucks, which I think is better. So at the park we walk around a bit searching for a spot to sit or eat or talk. After we make our rounds to the two expensive Cafe's we find "The Honest Sausage". Quite cheap and very good. I got soup, but only because I was sick. I would have got sausage otherwise.
























I found it very funny that there were fields of plants like this with nothing on them.

Bartrams Residence

Central London

And the fox is on the town-o

I thought I needed to remember this because it was such a strange experience.

I was trying to fall asleep the other night and couldn't because I was thinking too much. But I finally got to the point where I was half conscious and half not. It was very quiet for a while. Around 1 I heard the weirdest noise. I couldn't quite make out what it was, so I sat in bed just trying to put a name to it. I thought it was some sort of bird--screaming bloody murder--but then it could have been a dog, maybe. I still don't know what it was. It got to the point where I decided it was a person screaming in terror. So I get up out of bed and open the window...to see nothing. Then in the corner of my eye I see something moving. From one bush to another in the courtyard below there was some sort of animal scurrying about. Again, it came out and I think it was a fox. I didn't believe it myself, but it looked like a fox. I had never seen a fox before, yet I was positive that is what it was. Anyway, I just thought it was weird how I saw this fox, a supposedly shy animal, in the middle of a courtyard in a very suburban area. And you know, it wasn't only that. I felt kinda helpless not being able to recognize anything--the sound, the animal, its purpose for being there. Kinda puts one in their place, eh? Who wants to argue that we have access to OBJECTIVE reality?

Beds, Beds, and more Beds...

Let's begin. Setting: Obama Party,
Finsbury Park tube stop,
London, England.

Jules and I headed for Finsbury Park after her class yesterday, to meet up with her boyfriend at his house. On the way, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Finsbury Park did not seem as scary as I had been told. Some cheap foreign shops and food joints...but that was about it. It was surrounded by a park...bet you wouldn't have guessed that one, so I guess it didn't look as intimidating. Jules was having problems with her Bank of America account, lol, so she had to get in to call them and unfreeze her account. After that we headed across the street to the LIDL, which is a very, very cheap grocery store. Jules bought some generic COLA for 38 pence--the 2 liter bottles! I bought a diet pepsi--it is rare around here, and some chocolate digestive biscuits for about 2 pounds altogether. Can't beat that. And, the best part...Jules got some Champagne for the big night...Brut and Asti for about 6 pounds altogether. lol. Wow. Anyway, we got back and prepared for the big speech. When Cheney was out, the Champagne started pouring, lol. Poor guy was in a wheel chair for goodness sake. Soon after the big guy came on...I was not surprised he stumbled a bit, there were so many people, after all. But really, his speech wasn't anything remarkable or unexpected. Just okay. I was rather impressed with the old civil rights leader, however. He was cute. And that poem, OMG, can it be any more depressing...maybe it was just how it was read. Come on, really?

Well, about 4 of us finished the bottles of champagne, and decided to celebrate Obama's victory by going out for Ethiopian! Hooray! Ethiopian food is the most interesting food I have had, BY FAR. But it was still quite good. You literally use this spongy bread--like think pancakes--as your utensils. All the food is strewn on large piece of sponge that everyone shares. Some was spicy like the lentils, but others were quite mild, like the spinach and feta salad. It was really quite cool. After dinner we had coffee, REALLY STRONG ETHIOPIAN COFFEE, and then I headed for the tube. I am really glad I have friends over here that are adventurous.



Today was fun as well...I got up early to eat breakfast, which was composed of toast that I burnt and some tea. Then I left to go to school--Creative writing in London. I was quite apprehensive about taking this class, but I think it will be a lot of fun. My professor is cute and really nice, so it will be an easy 3 hours to get through. The first writing exercise we had to do was write about our childhood bed....just to describe it and how we felt in it. Oh man, I had such a hard time, and it turned out cheesy. For instance, Grrrr....(my bear for those who don't know) is my chivalrous knight protecting me from the evil darkness of night, whislt my pure ivory sheets shelter me from harm. Blah! Gross...Then we had to write about our current bed in London. Which I had much more fun with since it is AWFUL! After that it was my fantasy bed, which I read aloud. Oh joy...Like I said, I am glad that he is really nice and not critical, hahahaha. He pointed out the good, and made note that there really isn't a wrong answer. Get this, our next assignment is to stare at someone in the subway and from this, come up with four objects that we would find in their bag. Sounds kinda fun right? Oh yeah, then we have to say what there bed is like. Lol, I know, I know.

So after class ended, I met up with Juliette, the French girl and we got our books for class. Then she took me to a french bistro and we had lunch. You know, all I had was a fancy ham and cheese baguette with some butter, but the flavor of each ingredient was so incredible, it would be blasphemous to make it any more complex. I told Juliette of American's hatred of France today and she laughed, she said yes, we generally feel the same of you. She said it was the way they have always been brought up. To be proud of their past even though they weren't necessarily a part of it. And to be proud of their past is enough to make them think they are an elite peoples, thus the reason for their arrogance. Hey, this is what she said, not me. I was surprised by her openness, she told me that she and her generation are trying to seem more um...friendly and open to new cultures. I suppose this is why she likes me so much. We took this conversation to the streets and headed for a museum to waste the remaining hour of my day before I wanted to get back for dinner.

It is too bad that I am feeling so crappy, perhaps I would write a bit more. As of right now I can't talk and my throat and head are throbbing. But, hey, look at the bright side, I have made it through the day and hopefully, I will make it through another tomorrow.

Obama Craze

So yesterday was my first day of classes, yay! I met up with Julia again to find some sort of notebook for school. We had the hardest time! Not in the grocery store, not in the pharmacy, but in a little snack and newspaper shop tucked away in a corner. Nice. So I bought the SUPER ECONOMY PAD, oh yes, quite the deal. Only 3 quid!

Got lunch at the local EAT--ham and cheese baguette, really overstepping my bounds there, and walked down Regent St. to go to class. Inside I met up with Juliette, a french girl studying similar things. I met her in orientation on Friday--she is very nice. So we have the same class thus we headed to the Lecture hall. Its funny, she has the same equivalent of the french "hah hah hahhhn" for Americans. Like she would tease me about it...then I said yeah, all we say is "burger, burger" and "yall" and all you guys say is, "croissant, foux de fa fa, baguette, hah hah hahhhhn". She started laughing. You watch "Flight of the Concords, too" she asked. Hahahaha. So funny. Anyway, class started a little late. The professor walks in---TOTAL NERD--I love it. He reminded me of the nerd in the Harry Potter Movie. I can't remember his name but in one of the movies he gives Harry some plant that gives him gills. Nibble or Nevel, I can't remember. Anyway...imagine him, but all grown up. So funny. So this was my Introduction to Political Concepts and Ideologies class and the first day he lectured us on power. Very strange over here. They don't try to define something in one concrete term. It is all abstract, anything you can possibly conceive from power philosophically is what we were taught. It is harder for me to understand why this is practical, but I will give it a fighting shot.

Ugh...it is so weird how the world has such a strange infatuation with American Politics. I mean, yes, I suppose we are the motor of the world, unfortunately, but still...everyone here wants to marry Obama. Even the men! In class we talked about how Martin Luther King, an American, uses power to empower! But Bush uses is to promote violence and fear. While Obama, the beacon of light for Americans and people around the world, the first black president, will bring us to salvation. Oh goodness.
Seriously though, everyday in the papers all you see is Obama this and Obama that. All the girls in my hostel love Obama and always are asking me about him. You know, I thought I was going to be in my room today, watching the Inaguration in bits and pieces online from a CNN stream. Oh no, I am now attending an OBAMA party. At least it is with other Americans so I shouldn't feel so unpatriotic. But seriously, I think everyone will stop what they are doing today at 5 o'clock to watch this. Can't believe it. He has so much to live up to.

Waltz with Bashir

To complete my last Sunday experiences, I must conclude with my rendezvous with Julia. We met up for some good fish and chips--in a little place in Covent Garden--and finished the night with a movie--Waltz with Bashir. The fish and chips were AWESOME! A little pricy, but quite worth it. We got a plate full of fish and weird fries with all the tarter sauce, which tastes different over here than it does in the states, and vinegar you could handle. Then Jules told me to try the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Which was quite good, but very, very rich. It reminded me of the Tom Sullock Cake we make for birthdays except with Carmel Cake smothered in Carmel Sauce and Vanilla Custard. Not too bad.

After that we head to Piccadilly to watch the movie at the ODEON. But to our surprise a premier is showing. That one with Leo and Kate--Revolutionary Road. Oh man, I was so disappointed with people, yet again. They act like they are about to see an alien or something. Pathetic. So all hopes of seeing the movie were crushed. Until, of course, we noticed another ODEON on the other side of the street. We go over there to realize there is ANOTHER one showing our movie 20 seconds down the road. Goodness, all this effort for a cartoon. So we head over there to see this movie. Lol, it was quite disappointing to see the screen, it was about 80 inches--the equivalent to a large screen TV in states, a very large one granted, but still. It was so small. I thought I would be quite disappointed. To my surprise, I was rather taken aback by the film. Quite depressing and really intense, but beautiful in many respects. One of those movies that socks you in the gut. It is an indie foreign film that isn't showing everywhere, so I am glad I had the opportunity to see it.

BEIGAL not BAGEL.

Ah, another several days have passed since I last wrote...but for good reason, I may assure you. Friday night was my big night out with Kaley...she was celebrating her birthday with her friends by going out to the Light bar and then a club. Again, I had to make my way over to East London. The night had started particularly well. We had a boat party for the exchange students so I went there first, meeting up with Julia. I came a little late and couldn't find the boat. So I was on the phone with Julia for 10 minutes--England phone, don't worry Dad. It was so funny because I could see the boat, I just couldn't figure out a way to get down there. So Julia has to leave find me and lead me to the boat. It was really quite pathetic. When we finally made it to the boat Julia and I took a shot of tequila--apparently there is a certain ritual to it so I followed her lead. Bite the lime, take the shot, breath out, lick the salt placed on your palm, and bite the lime. Quite extravagant for a shot, yeah. Anyway...the party was really cheesy--it reminded me of those parties I had when I was a safety patrol on the boat. Everyone was taking pictures for their facebooks' and acting like, well...Americans--in terms of their drinking habits. So, Jules and I left after the shot to head over to Kaley's. When we got there I saw some familiar faces from the other night and a few new ones. I even met a rival goalkeeper that went to Stanton when I played at Mandarin. Too weird right? Nope. Her name was Lindsey, I believe and she was over here from Pepperdine to study abroad at one of their campuses. It was so funny--such a small world. We ended up staying together most of the night talking about soccer and London. She tore her ACL so she never had the chance to show for college recruits. She told me she wanted to play again...and so I shared my experiences. After everyone arrived, we headed over to a few pubs down the road and later that night a club. It was quite the experience for me, as I had never been to one before, but I enjoyed myself. At one point in the night a strange looking woman starting dancing in front of our group. She was very tall, blonde hair that covered her eyes, very unnatural looking boobs, and a very angular jaw-line. It took me a while to realize it wasn't a strange looking woman...but a man! Oh how exciting. She even complimented a friend in our group saying she was very pretty, lol. At around 2 we left the club. While we were waiting for the others to show, a man walks up to me and Kaley. He looks at me and he says, "Your hair looks like my fish". Ah, wonderful, I thought...this night has gotten better. We leave the strange fish man and his buddies to walk home, in the rain. On the way however, we decided to get some world famous BEIGALS. Yes, Beigals. On Brick Lane that is what they are called and boy are they good. It is popular over here to get something called salt beef on your beigals. It really is just corned beef, but it was quite wonderful. Waiting in line for 20 minutes at 3 in the morning made it more worth it, I believe. We finally made it home around 3:30 and crashed.

I woke up at around 9 and Kaley and I headed for the tube--me to go home and her to go to work. I made it home in about 15 minutes or so and the first thing I did was take a shower. Then I decided to find the Sister and give her the rest of my rent and my new English phone number. When I did find her, she asked me to do her a favor. A new girl from Turkey had just arrived and needed help calling home. So I thought why not...I asked her for her phone and I realized she didn't understand a word I was saying! She spoke no English. So, yeah...this was the start to my weekend.

I got her phone working, Eda is her name, and she gave me a big hug..."oh Meegen sankyou". We went walking around for a while and I got her some food, which is much harder to do than you think. She didn't really know what kind of food was here, so I had to show her and make weird signs to her. She even had a little translator device, similar to Erin's, but it only translates one word. And many words have multiple meanings. Ugh....so frustrating, but also so fun. We went and got a burger later that night down the road...and oh my goodness, it was the best burger I have ever had. It had blue cheese and onion, ketchup and tomato...truly amazing. Then when we got back...I had to explain to her that I wanted to sleep and that she needed to get me in the morning. So, after about an hour, she finally understood. YAY!



Sunday was a bit more fun...we were used to each other so we would point out things we recognized...like Eda pointed out "Pub" or "Burger" or even "Cigarettes" which is Sigara in Turkish. She is a hard smoker--Marlboro Reds...I am sure at 5.75 pounds it will make a dent in her wallet. So yeah, yesterday we walked up to Hamstead Heath...I have been wanting to for ages now so I decided to do it. It was way worth the 1.5 mile hike uphill. The view was beautiful. You see London through the lens of a park. Quite stunning.

























Walking around I saw numerous families both young and old. And there were dogs everywhere. It was different from the states though...most dogs were not on leashes; they were roaming around freely. A call from their owner would pull them back, as if they had an invisible leash--I couldn't believe how obedient they all were. One dog thought it recognized me, I suppose, because from one end of the field it came running over to me and jumped on me! I thought it was great...but the owner apologized and took her away like nothing happened. There was a pond where I saw 2 retrievers playing. The owner would throw the ball and then they would fight for it...I was looking through my camera lens when I noticed a Swan swimming right next to the dogs...it was surreal.

Some shopping and other trials

I have been keeping busy these past few days, hence the reason for my late post. On Wednesday, I met up with a friend from my school back in Florida. He is a local "Londoner" and agreed to show me some cool places in Central London. I met up with him in Niketown near the Oxford Circus Station where we then proceeded to go down Regent Street. Low and behold, more Starbucks' and McDonalds' down every block--it was really quite disappointing. As we continued walking he told me that down the side streets you can usually find some interesting places to eat. For instance, we found the Absolut Ice Bar, which is a restaurant/bar encased in Ice! We didn't get a chance to make it in, it would have been rather pricey anyway, but it was intersting to see. I had read about it earlier in one of the London books I got before I left for my trip, so it was fun to kinda stumble upon it. We also saw some people setting up for a movie premier--7 pounds--I believe. Chari, my friend, told me to dress as a reporter and I could sneak in! In this area, he pointed out a couple of bars and places to eat that had good Fish and Chips (which I have yet to actually have). We finished with regent street and headed up to Oxford Street and Bond Street, where all the shopping takes place. I needed to pick up a new coat and asked where I could get the best deal--Primark is apparantly the unanimous choice. I walk a ways down Oxford Street to Primark and I get a Long Jacket--9 quid--a sweater--6 quid--and 2 scarves for 1 quid each! It was quite a deal. Also finally picked up some shaving cream--Nivea for Men (which Chari thought was rather strange)--and a diffuser (only 9 quid) which is a godsend.

















Thursday was equally great as well, but for different reasons. The only thing I had to do was get my schedule changed from a very difficult schedule to a very easy one--they want you to take easy courses so that you enjoy the "London Experience". So, I make it down to the Regent Street Campus right off of Oxford Circus and meet with a new friend, Julia, to work out our schedules. It was quite ironic that Clifton, me, and Julia were put in the same Scavenger hunt group as Clif and I go to the same school and Julia is from Florida--she goes to University of Miami, but it really turned out to be good. Anyway, Julia and I met for lunch and went to some random cafe' near one of the other campuses--Wells Street. I think it was called Mortimer Cafe, but it served the absolute best cafe Mocha! This is THE reason I came to London--to get coffee better than Starbucks, hehehehe. Honestly, I was very happy and impressed, so this was a good start to my day. After that Jules helped me to find a belt at Topshop--which is a crazy store--they pull fashions right out of the runway and put them on the shelves. So this means skirts with wire and shirts with holes in the most inconvenient spots. And the apparent in thing to do over here is wear shiny lamme' tights--which is one thing I don't think I will conform to.

Later that evening I met up with a girl I knew in Middle school and haven't seen since. She is over here for school studying the same sorts of things I am. I had a long tube ride from Hampstead to East London at night--yes at night, I was very cautious and alert and nothing happened--to meet up for some Indian food. It was so great, I get off the tube in a station that looks much less well endowed than my own, and Kaley comes running to me with a big hug. She is only like 5'0 but she has so much energy and is so full of spunk! We went to a street referred to by locals as "Brick Lane" which is a street that primarly serves Indian Cuisine. The "fun" thing about this street is that representatives from the restaurants wait outside and try to "coax" you in with deals. Kaley said the first place to offer us free drinks would win us over. She was also telling me that this one place has a polish man outside trying to get you into an Indian Restaurant...quite the irony there. Anyway...Kaley pointed out a good place to eat, and they offered us free drinks! Lucky us, so we are whisked away into the restaurant and sit down. Kaley orders Cobra beer, which is actually quite nice and some hordourves come out--rice chips and relish. I didn't really like 2 of the four relishes, it had WAY to much cilantro in it, but there was a sweet relish with cumin in it that was really quite good. I ended up ordering lamb Rogan Josh--tomato lamb dish over rice and Kaley gets a curried lamb type dish that was quite good as well. Sorry Dad, still no reservations about Indian food outside of the cilanto. But then again, I was told that this is not "truly" Indian. After dinner, Kaley invites me in for some "tea"--which was quite cute and almost predictable--she has taken to British culture quite well, I think---and I met some of her roommates. All-in-all the night ended quite well.

Well, until tomorrow...