Overwhelmed and overspending..

February 10, 2010

Busy, busy week. For the first time since coming here, I feel like I’m not going to be able to cram all the sights, tours, excursions into my four month stay. I’m actually starting to worry that I’m not going to get to do it all. In the first few weeks, I was so overwhelmed and I started to make a list on my computer of all the little things I wanted to do. Some essentials like visit Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and go to Greenwich. But most were a little lest touristy, like have a picnic in Hyde Park, try blood pudding, and take funny pictures at the British Museum. We’ve done so much, but there is still a huge amount to do. I think I’m freaking out because we have been here a whole month already and the time has just flown by. It feels like it has only been two weeks! I’ve got to start planning better. Also, our spring break dilemma is adding to my worried state. Hal and I are having a hard time deciding where exactly we want to go. There are way too many options! And we can’t chose just one or two. Tentatively, we have it narrowed down to France, Belgium, and Germany. But that will probably change 15 times in the coming weeks before we go… Ah!

And the desktop on my computer is a mess. You can always tell I’m freaking out and overwhelmed when there are a million files on my desktop. Time to clean house.

Tuesday was a full day. I woke up and went for a run. It was a bit chilly, but with the new running pants I got for Christmas I was perfectly warm! It evens started to snow. Then I just got angry. The weatherman said this was the coldest winter here in over 15 years… the most snow in 20… I thought I got out of Wisconsin. Regardless of the harsh weather, my run was awesome. A lot of people out and about. Everyone here is training for the London marathon in a few weeks. Those runners are intense. They run in shorts and tee shirts! Crazy.

After my run, we had art history. We learned about JMW Turner, who is probably the most famous British artist. Probably, but I’m not sure. I’m really looking forward to next week’s class. We are going to the Tate Modern. Love that place.

We came back to the flat for supper after our lecture. But we only had a few free hours because at seven, our entire theatre class met for a night walk. Our professor, Brian (who is awesome), guided us around the Southwark, which is on the south side of the Thames. This bank used to be the home of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, The Rose (the Globe’s rival), and numerous other joints for entertainment. We learned about bear baiting when we crossed over Bear Bait Road. They used to bring bears into this arenas and bet on how many dogs it would kill. So sad. But it only got worse. We then found the side of an old brothel and the cemetery where all the girls were buried. And then it started to rain. I was happy to go home. It was fascinating to see the actual historic sights, but a bit unnerving. Such an odd juxtaposition between where the bear baiting arena used to stand and the Pizza Express and boardwalk that sits there now.

Today.. hmmm. I went shopping! I went looking for boots, but I think I got everything besides a new pair of shoes. I did get a few things for Ireland this weekend and a new scarf. I went shopping on Kensington High Street, which is a pretty spendy, posh shopping street. Needless to say, I had a hard time finding anything I could afford. Until I hit the H&M. I love H&M. Love it. After spending way too much, I headed home and am now going to start studying for my history test tomorrow. Also, I need to start packing for Ireland. I’m pretty sure this night is going to consist more of looking up cool sights in Ireland and less studying than I would like… So far, we are planning on visiting Trinity College, Dublin Castle, a few churches, Temple Bar, and of course, more shopping! I just printed off our boarding passes and booked a ride to the airport. We are set to go. I just gotta start packing!

I’ll probably won’t be back until Sunday evening after we get back. Our flight doesn’t get in until 11PM, but I’ll put pictures up as soon as I can!

Have a good weekend!

Love,
Kelly