Finding Food

I am not a picky eater, and I'm usually happy with most anything that is put on my plate. Here in England, though, it has been so hard to find good food! I miss home cooked meals, my porridge and pb&js aren't cutting it.. I have no ingredients in my kitchen for a real meal! I did have vegetarian fish and chips (pretty much battered and fried cheese with fries) yesterday which were quite delicious, but so greasy! It's kind of sad when McDonalds is the most flavorful thing to eat! I have done some grocery shopping while I've been here, to try and save money, and to get things you can't get in stores in America.
Check out my findings:




CRUMPETS! So awesome just to say, and they're delicious! I had porridge for lunch today, and as you can see I found some makeshift chips and salsa to get.. even though they're not the best, they'll do!

I'm off to go find Mexican food, yeah in England, we'll see how it works out!
Have a great day!
Alex

Week One.

So my first week in London is coming to an end, one side of me feels like it flew by, then I realize how much I have done and it seems like I have had so much time and seen so much already! I am still trying to adjust all that is London. Part of me is still grasping that I am in a different country, I kind of just think that a bunch of people around me randomly have British accents... despite that there is beautiful architecture and I can legally go into pubs and out to the clubs. I went to Leicester Square, pretty much the nightlife central of London, and went out to a club called the Oxygen Bar or O2 on Friday night. I had so much fun, and can't wait to go out again. There's so much dancing, and so many well dressed guys, what more could you ask for?! I'm loving it. Went on the London Bus tour yesterday in the perfect weather, and then did the river cruise on the Thames today. Having fun and I have made some great friends already!

On the Thames River Cruise in front of Tower Bridge


On the Double Decker Bus Tour


The Olympic Clock, counts down the time until the 2012 Olympics here in London


I am a little worn out of walking and touring and sight seeing, it can be pretty exhausting after like 7 days straight of it. Everything looks amazing, but I'm sick of the hustle and bustle and glad I have some time now to read and get some homework done. I have been trying to squeeze everything in, but I still have two more weeks here and I feel like I've see the majority of London.. well the main attractions at least.
So here is my dilemma. Since I started planning this trip, I knew I wanted to travel into Europe and visit another country other than the three(England, Ireland & Scotland) that I am already staying in. But now that I am here, and due to the fact I didn't know my schedule beforehand and couldn't solidify any plans previously, all the tickets are pretty outrageous. Part of me says it's worth it, GO! Who knows when I'll get another chance like this in my life, I want to see as much as I can! Then I think, and know that if I truly want to go back, I will make it happen. My twin sister and I are already planning to go backpacking through Europe when we graduate, so it can happen then. My other side is saying I should just enjoy the places I'm staying, I'm already going to three different countries, just get used to those places and explore all of little things each places has to offer. Go out to local pubs, have picnics in the parks, drink afternoon tea and just relax... if I can figure out how to do that, that would be nice on it's own. Spend my money on great food and shop for stuff I've been saving up for, instead of spending it all on a weekend trip, but that weekend trip could be my only time to see, say, the Eiffel Tower. See my problemo?
What do you think I should do? I'd love to hear your opinion. Let me know, Facebook me, email me, I just want some advice outside of my contradictory thinking!

Have a great Sunday, and I'm glad we all made it to May 22nd!
Alex

London Life

I made it to the UK, after a 10 hour flight, an 8 hour time change and 30 new people I'll be living with for the next 6 weeks. I can't believe I am actually here! I have spent the past few days roaming around and walking to all of the amazing sites London has to offer! After class yesterday we went to the British museum, saw Big Ben and the House of Parliament (my faves so far), and the London Eye. Seeing Big Ben at night was beautiful, that was when it finally hit me I'm really here! We went on the London Eye today, and got an awesome view of the city. I wish I could go on it at night, but since it is pretty pricey I think one 'flight' will suffice. There are so many shops everywhere and I haven't had much time to do any shopping, which is probably best for my bank account, but I think I'm making my way to Harrod's(supposedly one of the greatest department stores in the World, and has a tribute to Princess Di!) and one of the largest shopping districts in London tomorrow. So excited!

Big Ben

The London Eye

St. Paul's Cathedral

In front of the British Museum

I have class on Mondays and Wednesdays and tours most Tuesdays, so I get four day weekends every weekend! Next weekend it will be a five day weekend, in honor of my birthday, or maybe because it's a national holiday. Either way me and some friends will be traveling somewhere in Europe! We have yet to decide, but I will be thrilled to go anywhere!

Getting ready to go out to a pub here and listen to all of the amazing British accents, I love it!
Cheers, mate
Alex

Imagine Whirled Peace

I have found that some people enter your life just to teach you something. It doesn't have to be a long lasting friendship, or even really a relationship at all, it can just be a random connection. Whatever the case, I have found that all of the people I have encountered this year I have learned something about my self or life in general. A new carefree friend that has taught me to take life as it comes and enjoy every moment. Close family that has continually shown me nothing is stronger than family ties. A guy that has shown me what it is like to want what you can't have, so close, but just not where you want him. Someone who has become a great friend who focuses on herself before trying to impress anyone else. A stranger that I happened to meet at just the wrong time, but can still seem to show me it's worth it to just go for it sometimes.

I spent all of last night and this morning packing up my whole apartment and have now moved out. All the goodbyes, whether it be for the summer, the year, or forever, have made me do some reflecting. So I sat down and indulged in some Whirled Peace, and just did some thinking... thus this somewhat sentimental post.





"There are no obstacles, only chances to discover new territory."

Enjoy the ones around you, you might just learn something from them.
Alex

Summer Time,

When the livin's easy...
Well not quite, seeing as I only have about 24 more hours to pack up my whole apartment and then I have to pack for my 6-week venture to the UK (in under 45ibs I might add!). So I am trying to enjoy summer life, but I just got am email from my professor for this summer about homework that's due next, when I'm in London that is! It is so crazy to say that next week I'll be on the other side of the world, sooo exciting! I forgot that Studying Abroad actually includes Studying, bummer! But, in this week of checking off my final to-dos before my trip and packing, I am going to try and relax and take a step back from meetings, work(my last day is tomorrow!), and school work.. until next week that is!



Packing
&
Planning


So here is to summer time, wearing you're fav shades, a pair of cut-offs and laying by the pool with a good book.
(I am secretly excited to escape the heat for a bit and wear my rainboots and pea coats in London, though!)

Have a marvelous Monday and great week,
Alex

Life With A View

(Me on our patio, beautiful view, and in honor of Mother's Day... my sister, my mom and me!)
Mexico was muy bueno! I had way too much fun relaxing on the beach and pretty much enjoying doing nothing but eating, drinking and laying out in the sun. What more could you ask for? It was hard getting back into the real world and back into finishing papers and working, but I suppose it has to happen.

This week has been filled with final papers and work, and any free time I spent watching TV or doing anything to keep my sanity. I have not posted in forever, but I hope everyone else is as busy with finals and the end of the semester as I have been. But do not worry, I am done with the semester alas! Hooray! I am working for four more days then it is relaxing and getting things done before dun dun dun... LONDON! I cannot wait! Now it is time for me to pack up my apartment and move everything out, so that will occupy me for the next few days. I will hopefully be blogging soon with some photography, recipe and maybe even an outfit post. Good luck with finals those of you taking them, and enjoy the raising temperatures everyone else!

Keep on keepin' on,
Alex