I didn't get a chance to write about my final days in London. My last days went by so fast! I spent Tuesday and Wednesday at my internship and when I left on Wednesday I was much sadder than I anticipated. I didn't realize until I was walking away from the school how much I really enjoyed working there and how much I learned. Those children were amazing and I wish I could see them in a few years to see what they are up to. The teachers were also really great to me and the Senior One class made me going away cards with their pictures in them that I will get to keep and remember them by!
The rest of my final days in the city were busy busy busy. Packing was not fun, at all. It really wasn't as bad as I had expected, but packing is never fun. I managed to get all of my new and old things to fit in my bad without a problem and even under the 51lb weight limit! (Quite an accomplishment!) The weather was sort of crappy the last few days which was a bummer, but Allie and I still went out and spent the day walking around. It never actually hit me that I would be leaving in a few days and then a few hours.
Our program went to Wicked the musical on Thursday night, it was amazing! The woman who played the wicked witch has a great voice, they all were so talented. It was by far my favorite theatre production out of the year, not that it had too much competition! Afterward the majority of our program went to a pub just down the street. We took over a good portion of the pub and there were more pictures being taken that you can even imagine. The walk back to Vandon was a sad one. I never fully grasped the fact that I was leaving the place I had spent the last four months living, working, and learning in. I can't believe how much I loved living in a city, but I guess London is a pretty amazing city anyway and different than those in the United States.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Monday, 4 May 2009
May update!
I just realized I haven't been blogging very frequently anymore so here is a bit of an update of my life in the past week!
I finished off all of my final exams this week and will be completely done with my sophomore year after I finish my final theatre paper... which reminds me I should work on that tonight! Anyway this week has gone by fast, just as the others have. I've spent the majority of my time out in London, enjoying my final days in the city. Allie and I did a little shopping on Friday and I bought a dress and then Saturday Jenon, Allie, and I went on a little day trip to Brighten.
Brighten is about an hours train ride south of London on the coast of England. We took the train and luckily had a seat because it was pretty busy. There was one younger married couple who didn't have a seat. The woman was a brat, she was so rude. She complained the entire time that it was ridiculous when people had to get past her because then she would have to stand up to get out of their way. She was a definite complainer and I was glad when I heard her accent and that it wasn't American. The worst of her behavior was when the cutest little baby started crying, she would plug her ears and look over at the family and shake her head. Rude. Anyway, Brighten turned out to be a very cute town and we spent most of the day sitting or laying on the rock beach. I was quite surpised, but the rocks are actually quite comfy to lay on and might even be better than sad- less mess. We also wandered around the town, which was crazy busy, and out onto the pier.
When we got back to London we headed out to the pub the Anchor with Nick and Blake. There was live piano there so we found a seat and just enjoyed the music. The piano man, who I like to call Jimmy, was wonderful. He sang and played the piano from memory and he played really good songs. He was great. This is a really nice, cute, old fashioned looking pub, so at one point in the evening when a very very drunk girl, apparently named Monica, got up and started dancing very close to the piano, it was quite entertaining. Nick asked someone at the bar if that happens often and they reply, 'not at all!' Jimmy handled Monica very well and just laughed along with her and continued playing.
Sunday Jenon, Allie, and I went to some markets one last time. I really love the markets, except for the crowds. I got all the things I was looking for and so did the other girls. I just like spending some time walking around London with my friends since I know soon I won't be able to. Besides leaving London, it will be weird leaving Allie and Jenon too. We all live in the same state so it won't be so different, but its nice how close you can become over just one semester.
I finished off all of my final exams this week and will be completely done with my sophomore year after I finish my final theatre paper... which reminds me I should work on that tonight! Anyway this week has gone by fast, just as the others have. I've spent the majority of my time out in London, enjoying my final days in the city. Allie and I did a little shopping on Friday and I bought a dress and then Saturday Jenon, Allie, and I went on a little day trip to Brighten.
Brighten is about an hours train ride south of London on the coast of England. We took the train and luckily had a seat because it was pretty busy. There was one younger married couple who didn't have a seat. The woman was a brat, she was so rude. She complained the entire time that it was ridiculous when people had to get past her because then she would have to stand up to get out of their way. She was a definite complainer and I was glad when I heard her accent and that it wasn't American. The worst of her behavior was when the cutest little baby started crying, she would plug her ears and look over at the family and shake her head. Rude. Anyway, Brighten turned out to be a very cute town and we spent most of the day sitting or laying on the rock beach. I was quite surpised, but the rocks are actually quite comfy to lay on and might even be better than sad- less mess. We also wandered around the town, which was crazy busy, and out onto the pier.
When we got back to London we headed out to the pub the Anchor with Nick and Blake. There was live piano there so we found a seat and just enjoyed the music. The piano man, who I like to call Jimmy, was wonderful. He sang and played the piano from memory and he played really good songs. He was great. This is a really nice, cute, old fashioned looking pub, so at one point in the evening when a very very drunk girl, apparently named Monica, got up and started dancing very close to the piano, it was quite entertaining. Nick asked someone at the bar if that happens often and they reply, 'not at all!' Jimmy handled Monica very well and just laughed along with her and continued playing.
Sunday Jenon, Allie, and I went to some markets one last time. I really love the markets, except for the crowds. I got all the things I was looking for and so did the other girls. I just like spending some time walking around London with my friends since I know soon I won't be able to. Besides leaving London, it will be weird leaving Allie and Jenon too. We all live in the same state so it won't be so different, but its nice how close you can become over just one semester.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Time
In one week I will be at home in Iowa with my family. It is exciting, yet sad at the same time. The last few days of this week have gone by very fast. Friday morning I had my finals and am now done with academics for this year, with the exception of the theatre paper I have yet to finish. For our British Experience class we had to write an essay about how we thought we had grown from studying abroad or what we have learned from our experiences. We also had to write down five things we will miss about London/the U.K. and five things we won't miss. Looking back over my experiences was sort of sad. I can't believe my semester in London is coming to an end - where did it go? I am so glad I was lucky enough to study abroad and I'm so glad family encouraged me and that I chose to spend a semester in the city. I never thought I would enjoy living in a city, but London is somehow different.
Things I will miss:
1. Tea whenever I want - yum.
2. Having three parks within a five-ten minute walk.
3. Not having to drive anywhere, but being able to walk
4. Easy public transportation for places not within walking distance
5. Markets
6. Always having something to do
7. Free breakfast
8. Delicious fish and chips
9. Pubs - so cute.
10. London.
I know its time for me to return home, but I'm going to miss London. I've been on a 3.5 month vacation and now it is back to reality. Luckily for me I have amazing family and friends to go home to.
Things I will miss:
1. Tea whenever I want - yum.
2. Having three parks within a five-ten minute walk.
3. Not having to drive anywhere, but being able to walk
4. Easy public transportation for places not within walking distance
5. Markets
6. Always having something to do
7. Free breakfast
8. Delicious fish and chips
9. Pubs - so cute.
10. London.
I know its time for me to return home, but I'm going to miss London. I've been on a 3.5 month vacation and now it is back to reality. Luckily for me I have amazing family and friends to go home to.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Mini update.
This week has flown by so far. It is Wednesday night already and Allison and I are camped in the lounge doing homework and watch Dirty Dancing. I have become sort of sissy when it comes to doing homework. If I was at Central this term I would have five classes, most likely all with finals to be preparing for. Presently I have three classes, requiring me to take two exams and write two longer papers and yet I am struggling to stay on task. So far I have one exam finished and my next on is on Friday. I also have one of my papers completed, so I only have one more left to write. My semester sounds pretty easy huh? Well try living in London, but stay inside to study- not fun. Anyway enough complaining, it will all get finished...eventually.
This week is my second to last week of my internship and I am going to be in the Senior One class for the rest of my time at the school. I really enjoy being in that class and today was just a good day at work. I also now have a great pamphlet about the school that has a lot of pictures of my kiddies so I am excited to show them off!
Well, back to Dirty Dancing/paper writing....
This week is my second to last week of my internship and I am going to be in the Senior One class for the rest of my time at the school. I really enjoy being in that class and today was just a good day at work. I also now have a great pamphlet about the school that has a lot of pictures of my kiddies so I am excited to show them off!
Well, back to Dirty Dancing/paper writing....
Sunday, 26 April 2009
My last weekend trip - Scotland
I just got back to London an hour ago from Jenon, Jill, Allie, and my weekend trip to Edinburgh, Scotland....
Friday:
We took the night bus to Edinburgh that left London at 11:15pm and arrived in Edinburgh at 8:30am. The nine hour bus ride was not fun, but not as terrible as I had anticipated. Apparently I sort of invaded Jill's space (she was the lucky one who had to sit by me) for most of the journey. It was just not a very nice bus so the seats weren't very comfortable and there was no leg room, but what can we expect for as cheap as we got the tickets? Anyway, some how we survived the bus even with the loud people and the girl eating a full meal at 3am.
Once in Edinburgh we found our hostel just down Princes Street by Haymarket, dropped off our book bags, and set of to wander. Although we are all young, we were sore. So we walked by the Edinburgh castle and found a little park area with benches and made ourselves comfortable. We laid/rested on the benches for a good 45 minutes - during which time Jill made a friend with a little boy. He was walking with his parents and he kept getting closer and closer to the bench she was laying on and then once he got to the end he hovered over her. She was completely unaware until she heard the dad say something and then looked up and saw this kid staring down at her. It was hilarious. Then as the kid walked away with his parents he continued to stare behind him at Jill- it was actually a little creepy.
After our rest we checked into our hostel and then met up with a friend of Allie's who used to live in Scotland and is now visiting her fiance. They showed us around a bit and took us to a fish and chips shop for lunch. They walked us along the Royal Mile and showed us one of the haunted graveyards. Scotland is really pretty, it is much smaller than London and has mainly all very old buildings. Everything is really green at this time of year too. After we separated from Allie's friends we walked down the Royal Mile and then climbed up this big rock/mountain. I was really not feeling this climb, but we did it anyway and it gave us a gorgeous view of the city.
Our day was a lot of walking and then more walking, but it was all very enjoyable. The people in Edinburgh were all very very nice and helpful whenever we needed anything. We booked a coach tour for Saturday and then crashed pretty early in the night - we were tired!
Saturday
Today we headed to Loch Lomond, the Trussachs, and Stirling Castle. Our first stop on the way to Loch Lomond was Glasgow where we spent approximately 15 minutes - long enough for us to take a group pictures proving we were there and giving us time to find some much needed caffeine. Our next stop on this tour was Loch Lomond. On the way to Loch Lomond we learned that it is Britain's largest expanse of water and is know for its 'bonnie bonnie banks.' Our bus driver was even kind enough to play us the song, Bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond, which you have probably heard at some point during your life. I soon learned that 'loch' is just another word for lake, 'glenn' is another word for valley, and 'ben' is another word for mountain (I think). Loch Lomond was very pretty and we took a little hour boat tour around the big lake.
The rest of the day we spent traveling around some of the mountains in the countryside of Scotland and then to Stirling Castles. The mountains were gorgeous, especially the areas where there was a lake in the valley. I wasn't a big fan of the winding roads we had to take to get us the views, but the views were well worth it. My favorite part of the day easily was the 'light' music our bus driver played on the trip back into the city. Who doesn't love listening to the bagpipe version of Amazing Grace?
Unfortunately the coach we took on our day tour was much more comfortable than the coach we had to take nine hours back to London. The nine hours back were far worse than the nine hours to Edinburgh. The four of us were wide awake at 3:30am, Allie and I almost in tears because we had another four hours to go. It was freezing and just not good, but we all survived and I can say that I will never take a night bus to Edinburgh again.
Friday:
We took the night bus to Edinburgh that left London at 11:15pm and arrived in Edinburgh at 8:30am. The nine hour bus ride was not fun, but not as terrible as I had anticipated. Apparently I sort of invaded Jill's space (she was the lucky one who had to sit by me) for most of the journey. It was just not a very nice bus so the seats weren't very comfortable and there was no leg room, but what can we expect for as cheap as we got the tickets? Anyway, some how we survived the bus even with the loud people and the girl eating a full meal at 3am.
Once in Edinburgh we found our hostel just down Princes Street by Haymarket, dropped off our book bags, and set of to wander. Although we are all young, we were sore. So we walked by the Edinburgh castle and found a little park area with benches and made ourselves comfortable. We laid/rested on the benches for a good 45 minutes - during which time Jill made a friend with a little boy. He was walking with his parents and he kept getting closer and closer to the bench she was laying on and then once he got to the end he hovered over her. She was completely unaware until she heard the dad say something and then looked up and saw this kid staring down at her. It was hilarious. Then as the kid walked away with his parents he continued to stare behind him at Jill- it was actually a little creepy.
After our rest we checked into our hostel and then met up with a friend of Allie's who used to live in Scotland and is now visiting her fiance. They showed us around a bit and took us to a fish and chips shop for lunch. They walked us along the Royal Mile and showed us one of the haunted graveyards. Scotland is really pretty, it is much smaller than London and has mainly all very old buildings. Everything is really green at this time of year too. After we separated from Allie's friends we walked down the Royal Mile and then climbed up this big rock/mountain. I was really not feeling this climb, but we did it anyway and it gave us a gorgeous view of the city.
Our day was a lot of walking and then more walking, but it was all very enjoyable. The people in Edinburgh were all very very nice and helpful whenever we needed anything. We booked a coach tour for Saturday and then crashed pretty early in the night - we were tired!
Saturday
Today we headed to Loch Lomond, the Trussachs, and Stirling Castle. Our first stop on the way to Loch Lomond was Glasgow where we spent approximately 15 minutes - long enough for us to take a group pictures proving we were there and giving us time to find some much needed caffeine. Our next stop on this tour was Loch Lomond. On the way to Loch Lomond we learned that it is Britain's largest expanse of water and is know for its 'bonnie bonnie banks.' Our bus driver was even kind enough to play us the song, Bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond, which you have probably heard at some point during your life. I soon learned that 'loch' is just another word for lake, 'glenn' is another word for valley, and 'ben' is another word for mountain (I think). Loch Lomond was very pretty and we took a little hour boat tour around the big lake.
The rest of the day we spent traveling around some of the mountains in the countryside of Scotland and then to Stirling Castles. The mountains were gorgeous, especially the areas where there was a lake in the valley. I wasn't a big fan of the winding roads we had to take to get us the views, but the views were well worth it. My favorite part of the day easily was the 'light' music our bus driver played on the trip back into the city. Who doesn't love listening to the bagpipe version of Amazing Grace?
Unfortunately the coach we took on our day tour was much more comfortable than the coach we had to take nine hours back to London. The nine hours back were far worse than the nine hours to Edinburgh. The four of us were wide awake at 3:30am, Allie and I almost in tears because we had another four hours to go. It was freezing and just not good, but we all survived and I can say that I will never take a night bus to Edinburgh again.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Night bus
As of now I have experienced sleeping in an airport, a train station, and tonight I will experience sleeping (hopefully) on a 8-9 hour night bus to Edinburgh, Scotland. Jenon, Jill, Allie, and I leave in about 30 minutes to catch our bus and will arrive in Scotland at around 7:30am tomorrow. We are spending Friday and Saturday there and will head back on another night bus Saturday night to arrive back in London early Sunday morning. This will be my last trip of the semester. :(
This week has flown by and two weeks from tomorrow I will be on a plane to America. I am trying to take everything in these last few weeks and am working on my checklist of things to do while I'm in London. It's just sad to check things off though. Today Allie and I did some souvenir shopping and then got ice cream from one of the ice cream vans (check off the list). We walked from Picadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square and talked about how now that we finally feel like we know our way around the city we leave, sweet. If I decide to live in a city when I am an adult, I know I will miss the tube or even the buses. They are just so handy. I don't know if another city will top my time in London, so far no other European cities have.
This week has flown by and two weeks from tomorrow I will be on a plane to America. I am trying to take everything in these last few weeks and am working on my checklist of things to do while I'm in London. It's just sad to check things off though. Today Allie and I did some souvenir shopping and then got ice cream from one of the ice cream vans (check off the list). We walked from Picadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square and talked about how now that we finally feel like we know our way around the city we leave, sweet. If I decide to live in a city when I am an adult, I know I will miss the tube or even the buses. They are just so handy. I don't know if another city will top my time in London, so far no other European cities have.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Snails
This is the start week 15 of my time in London. It is nice to be back to a routine after the craziness of spring break, although waking up for Monday morning classes was still a drag. We are down to the final class periods, meaning I need to get to work on my final papers. The director of the London program was in Pella a couple weeks ago and it was really funny listening to him talk about his time in Iowa. He was there during the random snow storms and apparently Sunday was the only day they had off and it was also the day there was a blizzard. I believe his words were "It was bloody cold!" He also said that starting work at 7:30am was new to him and that they worked him hard! It sort of made me love Iowa even more, don't ask me why.
Anyway, today I was back at my internship and I now only have 5 more days at the Jack Taylor School. Today I worked in the Senior One classroom which is my favorite. They are fun and today I got to do a lot with them. I'm really excited too because Emma, the teacher of Senior One, does reading activities with about five pupils - all from different classes- during playground time. These five students are ones that they think have the potential to learn to read. So for the rest of my time I will get to do that one-on-one with some of the children.
This week and the rest of the term the school's theme is all about nature and being outside. So this afternoon, the senior one class spent the afternoon outside in one of the gardens pulling weeds. Mostly it was me and the teachers and sometimes the students would help out. As I was pulling out these weeds that had completely overtaken whatever flowers used to be there, I found snails! Okay, probably not a big deal, but I have never seen a snail before. There was one little guy and then two big ones that I found. I was pretty entertained with them for a while, but then thought that the teachers probably thought I was crazy for never having seen a snail before. Apparently snails and slugs are all over gardens.
That was about the excitement of my day. The weather was gorgeous today so I went for a run and then Allie and I made hamburger helper her parents had sent her. Now I am waiting to have a group skype date with my friends at Central and then I will convince myself to write a paper about the monarchy.
It hit me on the walk to work today how I am running out of time in London and I'll be honest it scares me. I just with London and Iowa were a little closer.
Anyway, today I was back at my internship and I now only have 5 more days at the Jack Taylor School. Today I worked in the Senior One classroom which is my favorite. They are fun and today I got to do a lot with them. I'm really excited too because Emma, the teacher of Senior One, does reading activities with about five pupils - all from different classes- during playground time. These five students are ones that they think have the potential to learn to read. So for the rest of my time I will get to do that one-on-one with some of the children.
This week and the rest of the term the school's theme is all about nature and being outside. So this afternoon, the senior one class spent the afternoon outside in one of the gardens pulling weeds. Mostly it was me and the teachers and sometimes the students would help out. As I was pulling out these weeds that had completely overtaken whatever flowers used to be there, I found snails! Okay, probably not a big deal, but I have never seen a snail before. There was one little guy and then two big ones that I found. I was pretty entertained with them for a while, but then thought that the teachers probably thought I was crazy for never having seen a snail before. Apparently snails and slugs are all over gardens.
That was about the excitement of my day. The weather was gorgeous today so I went for a run and then Allie and I made hamburger helper her parents had sent her. Now I am waiting to have a group skype date with my friends at Central and then I will convince myself to write a paper about the monarchy.
It hit me on the walk to work today how I am running out of time in London and I'll be honest it scares me. I just with London and Iowa were a little closer.
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