First stage play

We were given tickets by our program to see Monty Python's Spam-a-lot written by Eric Idle. I expected to be unimpressed given my prior contact with the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." However, I laughed a lot. I think it was better because it was a musical, and I could endure even a math lecture set to singing and dancing!

Here's a picture of us during intermission in the theatre:


Our bigger group (but still not all of us):


Lesson: Try something, you'll like it.
Expanding my horizons : )

Church and Pubs

So on Sunday I went to check out a church (http://www.church.co.uk/index.htm) that I found out about through Oasis (http://www.oasistrust.org/), a not-for-profit organization I was checking out last semester that's involved with human trafficking.

After the night service, they regularly all go out to a pub, so I went with to the Three Stags Pub. It was such an interesting group of people--a banker, church worker, advertiser, and midwife student. They told me that I have a very light American accent & they say I do a great British accent! I wonder what I'll sound like after 4 months.

My roommates couldn't believe that the "church people" brought me there. Are you really surprised? Jesus was the one to keep the bar stocked : )

First day of classes

I met two of my professors today, they were both pretty awesome and complete with accents!

My female professor, however, is my hero and role model. She's teaching us a course entitled, "Media Design for Social Change." She is also working for BBC in London. AND this is the best part: she is from Ohio, moved to Argentina when she was 18, and now has been living in London.

When I was listening to her speak, I was really confused because she had a very interesting accent. It's a mixture of Spanish, American, and British...I want to be like her someday!

Next,we were brought to a welcome reception at a pub. We walked there in the rain, and despite my umbrella, I was wet on my right arm. Lesson #1: Waterproof jackets are a must.
Later that evening, my fellow flatmates (of the pinnacle that is E) bought some groceries at Sainsburys, a Trader Joe's-esque market.

My roommates & I (I'm in a triple) decided to go look for a little coffee shop in Soho. We took the Tube (with the help of an English gentleman who works at the British Museum) from Great Russell Square to Tottenham Court. My first time on the famous Tube with my Oyster card!

We walked about for a bit & ended up at Beard Papa's. Thus ended the first day of meeting London.

Observations:
-People dress well in London. I told my roommates that it inspired me to be better.
-I have really great roommates.
-Londoners walk fast says my Brazillian roommate. I felt quite at home & didn't notice.

First hours: Hitting the ground running

First stop: we brought our luggage to our flats. The flats are a renovated house on Bedford Place, close to Great Russell Square and The British Museum. I was assigned to Flat E. What I didn't know is that E was located at the very top of many flights of stairs. This included bringing 2 large suitcases + 1 carry-on + 1 backpack up this:

You should have seen us. We were pooped.

London: First Impressions

Upon arriving in the city of London, I was delighted.

I even commented aloud that everything was so cute and quaint and reminded me of Disneyland, especially the old-fashioned buildings and cars...except that it's all REAL.

Of course it was rainy and cloudy, everything one would expect of London. And strangely, I loved it immediately.

Int’l Departure, Gate 41

LAX was surprisingly quick through check-in and security. Matthew, our Annenberg study abroad contact (& real live Briton!) suggested that we arrive at the airport 3 hours ahead of time. Thanks to my intense parents, I was there 3 ½ hours early.

Coming into this program, I didn’t know a single person. As I sat at Gate 41, feeling like a lame overachiever, I noticed a girl wandering around. She took out a ticket that had an emblem on its jacket that was identical to mine. Before I could stop myself, I made eye contact and added a little wave and big smile. She came over, and sure enough, she is here for the Annenberg London semester. Sometimes my impulsive outgoing-ness has its benefits : )

Turns out that she’s Brazilian and a rather good 3D animator. I liked her immediately. And evidently the feeling is mutual.
She told me quite openly, “I’m glad you’re cool.”
“What do you mean?” I said, quite amused.
“I was worried about what kind of people were going to study abroad in London,” was the reply.
“You mean like sorority girls?” I asked.
“Yeah, exactly!”

In the couple hours at the gate, I met 13 of the 16 students that will be in our program. They are a good group—my personal intuition/opinion tells me : )

I'm here!!

Safe & sound : )

It's been 2 days and I feel like I've seen so much.
Updates and pictures coming when I finally get a plug adapter and internet working in my flat!
Promise.

Cheers!
CG

p.s. I LOVE London.
p.p.s. Please note the corrected mailing address:

c/o ACCENT Student Mail
99-103 Great Russell Street
London WC1B3LA
United Kingdom

The Passport (and other final words)

My passport is come!

Thank God! I wasn't too concerned until this month of August hit, and then I prayed daily 'til now we see the result : ) Thank you for your concern & prayers!

I cannot believe that I leave so soon...tomorrow! I'm glad that I was able to see so many of the individuals I shall miss. There were also many that I didn't get to have a proper goodbye with...but the 4 months shall fly fast, although over much ground.

And, I haven't begun packing yet...yikes!

See you in Europe!,
CG

Thirteen (13) days left!

I am 'scheduled' (think British pronunciation!) to leave on Wed., August 22, 2007 for London Heathrow Airport (LHR)!
Awkwardly enough, I am still awaiting my passport renewal which I sent in during April...It's a rather necessary item for me to pack, let's hope it comes : )

*As for you, friend: If you'd like a postcard, or something like it from London, please send me your mailing address! I'd be delighted to, which is why I'm asking for your addy. (When in doubt, email it to me!)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some facts:
I've been doing some research on the city of London so that I'm not a complete "American" when I arrive there. This is one of the more interesting pieces of infomation I've found: "Most London 'Christians' are only nominally so" <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London> (06/04/2007).

Wikipedia also suggests that are less than 3% of the population in Greater London are Asian(1.12% Chinese & 1.58% Filipino, Japanese, Vietnamese). The author doesn't count Indians under "Asian"; they make up about 12% of the population.

What does all this mean for me? There are very few people who are like me in this new city...a great appeal for this Los Angeles native!

CG