A Herd of Drunk Sheep

'Went on the bar crawl last night.
It was pretty fun- apparently there was a game tied into it as well. We had a list of things that we had to take pictures of. Why does nobody tell me these things?!
I don't think we got everything on the list. I mean how can you expect 100+ kids to be focused on something during a BAR CRAWL?
We were supposed to meet up at this place underground to get the cameras with our pictures collected. Course we didn't.
It was a really funny sight actually: we all had to wear these white ticket shirts (I got a medium but fitted it...so it's worth keeping now) and the student hall reps were in these Little Bo Peep dresses complete with herding staffs.
We were drunk sheep.
I mainly stuck with Alice for the night- not everybody knows me quite yet. And I got to talking a bit more with this boy I met last week named James. He's a really sweet kid- I'm pretty sure it's his goal to be friends with every girl on the planet.
We talked to each other in the other's accent, and at one point he said "Not at all" in an American accent. It was hysterical! NOBODY says that in America. At least not a lot. And if they do they're most likely female.



Alice and I walking back to Student Guild- I think our group only hit 2 of the 6 bars



This is James.

We all ended up in one of the guild bars and never was I so glad to see a Subway. I think it's the Freebirds of the guild nightlife.



Mermaid Square- that's the clock tower you see glowing. I think it's named Big Joe.

All in all, pretty good night. I was relieved to find out that my accent is actually liked. This girl named Serena found my southern accent amusing, and at one point I asked this boy Colin how "he was doin'" and he was all "oh i love your accent!"

And something I found out: Marrissa vs. Summer from O.C....boys here prefer Summer. And I was happy to boast I have a friend that used to work on the show.

For those of you that wanted a video blog, here it is. I love and miss you all very much and am dying to hear about what's going on in SB!



Oh and I cut my own bangs if you're wondering why they look weird. Do they?
Huh? How do the bangs look? THE BANGS?!

Pretty British Men Kinda Make Up for the Food

The city tour the other day was fun. I think I can find my way around now.
On the tour I met at very funny Italian guy named Giusewpe (however you pronounce that) and invited me to go see Edward II with him that was only playing for two more nights but we weren't both free on either of the dates but we may go some other time.
At the end of the tour, Junko and Ai and her friend and I stayed in the city to do some shopping. Ai and I got phones...and here was the dilemma with mine:
When I got home, I used it immediately to call mom at work to give her my new number. Before it rang a voice said that I was low on credit, which I found weird cuz I had just bought 10 pounds worth. Shortly after I left my number I was disconnected and I dialled the number to see exactly how much credit I had left and it was 2 pence. So that pissed me off. But I then figured out that I had to dial in a voucher number in order to get the credit. I did this...several times....and it would never accept the voucher number. I then went down to reception to get a new voucher number at the top up machine and that one didn't work either. After a certain amount of tries I was told by the obnoxious little voice that I had exceeded my allowed number of voucher number dialling attempts and that I was now barred. I know what you're thinking: why couldn't you call tech support. Cuz you need at least 25 pence of credit to do that and I only had 2.
So I now have a phone...that's not working. That's almost worse than not having a phone at all.

Before I can fix that though, I've moved on to other things:
Yesterday I took a campus tour and found out where to register with a GP. I then went to a meeting for international students that were planning on working while in the UK. I met a recent acquaintance of Junko's- a guy named Will from San Jose. He was gonna be a cop in LA but his Scottish girlfriend convinced him to come to England to study with her. He was a pretty chill guy and gave me a bit of a hard time for being from Humboldt.

Earlier I received an email from my tutor telling me where the meeting for all the drama associations was. It was in a bar in the Guild of Students building and I went over to figure out exactly where it was located. After I figured that out I went to the societies fair they were having in tents outside.

The first society I saw was the Film Society....and I think I met a British version of Lukas; a bit fawkward.
But he showed me a list of films that they would be seeing and the list included Brick, The Last King of Scotland, The Queen, Night Watch, The Usual Suspects, and Little Children. So that sold me and I signed up to be a member right away.
The rest of my look around the fair was quite entertaining. Every group was so painfully stereotypical; the film kids were artsy nerdy, there was a table for "Roleplaying Society" (all the gaming kids), there was an actual "Goth Society", the "Photography Society" was very silent and reserved (I put myself on their mailing list), at the "Fashion Society" table there was a haughty looking girl dawdling on her phone (my style being boho I knew I wasn't welcome there), and the "Wine and Ale Society" was rambunctious and buzzed (I defnitely signed their mailing list). I then fell upon one of the drama societies called Article 19 and the girl told me about all these shows they were holding open auditions for, one of which was for Oleanna! I became a member with them as well and she then gave me a flyer for the meeting John had told me about.

At the meeting I was welcomed by a girl named Flow (sp?) who was a member of the board of a group called WatchThis which does student-written works and she gave me a flyer for auditions for a play she was going to work on. She's also producing Oleanna. The rest of the groups included Article 19 which I was already a member of who do the straight contemporary theatre, 3Bugs which was the alternative theatre group, Infinity which donates their proceeds to charities, and there was the Guild Musical Theatre Group. At the meeting I ran into my neighbor Alice who I walked home with afterwards. She was at the meeting eager to get involved in the technical aspects of the theatre groups.

Apparently I remind Alice of her American friend, Sarah from Seattle. At one point she even called me Sarah by mistake. She says we say the exact same things "And it's not because you're both from America, I swear, you are like the same person!" she always says.
She invited me to come over later that night to watch a movie with her on her laptop.
Before I joined her though, Junko wanted to have a beer with me at the bar at the bottom of our road. We were hungy too so we decided to try out the dorm food.
I got sweet and sour pork.
I have officially gotten a taste of British culinary skills.

I washed it down later at the bar with a Magners (for you Barbara) where Junko and Candi and I watched the first half of a rugby match. It was the first game of rugby I'd ever seen. And I find the game hilarious; I mean how they pile up and pummel each other!
And Junko and I got pretty excited when we saw this guy:

Johnny Wilkinson: he's a pretty big deal. Very pretty.
If you need more pictures of him to be convinced do a google search.

I then watched Mean Girls with Alice and afterwards we got to talking and discovered our mutual adoration for Alan Rickman... and Jason Isaacs and Colin Firth.

Lots of Awesome Courses, Not Enough Slots

I have an hour or so before my city tour so I thought I'd get a quick update in.
First off, I forgot to mention in my London blog that when I was at Parliament I rubbed Churchill's polished foot.

Today:
I ventured out to Selly Oak once again, which isn't that bad a walk especially now that I have music to listen to. I finally met my tutor, John Warrick who is from Seattle and will be assisting the California Exchange students (CalEx studnets we're called...hm...). I must've been the first one in 'cause he asked me if I had met any of the other California theatre students and it didn't seem like he had met any of them yet.
So I asked him about what classes I'm supposed to choose and he knew about as much as me. He's a brand new member of staff and it's quite evident from the looks of his office; he's still got shelves to fill with books and stuff. He was still pretty helpful, though. A very chill guy who kinda reminds me of Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
I had a list of my preferences with me. He got a photocopy and said he would try to get my top choices. We then talked a bit about UCSB and theatre and Tony Kushner and he said that we'll be studying Angels in America in his class and that he'd expect me to contribute a lot since many here haven't read it.
So Stacy, send me the Dramaturg notes ASAP! ;)
He got back to me relatively quickly.
So here's how it works:
California exchange students take 3 core courses: Theatre and Cultural Politics, Theatre Praxis: Texts in Rehearsal, and Theatre Lab.
We then get to choose 1 study option and 2 practical options.
For my study option I chose Melodrama: we'll be exploring it as a performance genre across the media of theatre, film, and television and consider the ideological and social meanings of melodrama.
For my practical options I chose Monologues and Solo Form, which is a workshop where we'll explore the performative challenges and techniques of monologues and solo performances, and an Alexander Technique class which offers improvement in vocal and movement skills and how to address problems of performance. Both however are being offered in the spring and it's recommended that I spread out my practical courses. So for the Spring I'm signed up for Monologues and Solo Form and for the fall I got one of my next choices, Acting: Performative Strategies which will put an emphasis on theatricality rather than naturalism and we'll study Beckett among others.
I'm really bummed I can't take both Monologues and Alexander Technique and I now find myself torn between the two. But if I were in the Alexander class I would just want to be in the other one. In the monologue class I think I could acquire some vital skills for auditioning and I'm sure I'll take an Alexander Technique class somewhere down the road. That's what I'm telling myself. It's taught in all major drama schools.
Okay I'm gonna stop reassuring myself that I made the right decision.

All in all, my meeting with John was so great! Once we were done discussing my class choices he asked me, 'So would you like to be involved in any productions this year?'
I had to restrain myself from shouting the word 'YES!'
There are apparently a bunch of drama clubs who are going to pitch themselves to us at a meeting in a pub sometime soon.
So that's exciting. He mentioned that this department is almost entirely female-run (the fresher ratio being 72 girls to 4 males) and he assured me that I'd be going back to Santa Barbara with a good load of knowledge about what it is to be a woman in the theatre as well as a good bundle of monologues.

I'm really optimistic about all this now. I was dreading for a while that I'd be stuck with all theory-based courses like I had in SB.

That's all for now. I'm off to a city tour of Birmingham.
Cheers!

Journey Out to Selly Oak

Today was the modules meeting for the international students. The main information that was provided was mainly for the REAL international students; the ones that are there to learn English.
I had to go up to the speaker after class to ask about the theatre department and who to talk to to go over modules. The girl from UC Riverside took off and asked if I could email her with any info I found out.
Another student from California and I asked the speaker and she said the Drama Department was on the Selly Oak Campus...which is a long ways from the main campus. She said to contact a man named John Warrick at the George Cadbury Hall.
The girl from California who I'd just met also decided to call it a day cuz her boots were killing her. Like a sap I offered to email her with any information I came across.

From there I started walking down the road that led to Selly Oak...and it took forever. At one point I thought I'd passed it or miraculously ended up on a different street, but a girl I asked for directions from just told me to "carry on" and I'd find it.

Eventually I did find it...after about 20 minutes of walking.
I found George Cadbury Hall and got myself all oriented and stuff right at the threshold between the sidewalk and the steps leading up to the door --> very dramatic.
I walked up the steps and grabbed the door handles only to find them locked --> very anti-climactic.
I peeked in and walked around the building to find any open doors.
There were none.

I then tried the building nextdoor. On one of the outside doors there was a piece of paper stating the room number of the Drama/Theatre reception area.
I walked in and the place felt completely empty.
In the foyer were drafting tables with sketches and paintings leaning against the walls. I walked in, my footsteps echoing, and I was just waiting for someone to turn the corner on the second floor, see me, and ask me for my purpose there as they looked down upon me disdainfully.
'Course I followed the papers with arrows on the walls before that could happen.

I found the room, said I was looking for John Warrick. I was asked my name and when I gave it the woman made a sound of recognition and lifted a highlighted copy of my acceptance letter.
There I got the UnderGrad handbook and a list of courses I had to choose from to go along with my core classes.
I was then directed to John Warrick's office, which had someone else's name mounted on the door. The door was closed, I knocked, and there was no answer. Next door was a woman whom I was told was Sue and someone I would also have to talk with. She asked if I had an appointment, I said no and she then informed me that John is supposed to contact me to make one. Basically it was like I had no business being there- I was supposed to sit back at home like a good little student and wait for the professors to contact me.

As I was walking back I realized how every theatre department I've been to has always been in some little hole in a wall.
How poetic: a place of art in one tiny private corner of the world.

On another note: I got my student ID today.

My first mug shot. I wasn't sure if I should smile or not. I must've had Dwight's voice in my head:
"I never smile if I can help it. Showing one’s teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life."

Here are some pictures of the campus....


and here's where I live.

I'm in one of the buildings hiding behind the trees.

Cheerio, Here I Go On My Way!

Okay this is long long long overdue, I apologize. I had these awesome little video blogs from before I left and one once I got to Birmingham but alas nothing online will update anything over 100 MB or 5 minutes. So I may have to send them to people individually or you'll have to do without them all together.

Here's what's been up:

Sept 16th: I made a little video to thank the people that made my summer, especially the Hoff. I'll try to email it to you.

Sept 17^th: left grand old Humboldt for the Bay Area.

Sept 18^th: Flew out at 1

They played three movies: Shrek III, The Hoax, and Ocean’s Thirteen

I watched Shrek 3 just to hear John Krasinski’s voice as Lancelot which was unfortunately too small a part.

They said at the UC meetings that you want to read the EAP guides before you fly out because there is NO WAY you're reading it on the plane on your way over. I totally proved them b****es wrong.

Sept 19^th: I got in at 6:30, didn’t get through the passport customs and out with my baggage until 8:30 er so. I then took the Heathrow Express out into central London where I took a taxi to Passfield Hall. I’ve already told the story of the driver telling me about his prostrate surgery.

I got to the hall and met all the other UC students.

The rest of the day was kind of a blur I was so exhausted. Rebekah Rentzel was there so hung out with her a lot.

That night we were shown how to make our way around the tube (sorta).

We then visited a very cute little part of London called Primrose. I checked out the view of Primrose Park and then we all had drinks and dinner at a local pub called The Queens.


When they made rounds for drink requests, I ordered your favorite drink, Barbara: a Pimms.

It's nice and citrusy- I can never say no to citrus. But that night I discovered my own new favorite drink: Strongbow. It’s beer and cider apparently. Oh wow. I had like two glasses that night.

We then played a game our UC London advisors so cleverly entitled “pub quiz” that tested us on our knowledge of British pop culture, current events, and slang. I think my team came in 2nd er so out of 5.

One of our UC advisors was a classy British man named Andrew. I was convinced he was gay until he mentioned his children. He could still be, though. Anyways, I fell in love with him. His wardrobe for the rest of the weekend consisted of suspenders for one day and for the evening dinner a black turtleneck sweater.

Sept 20^th: We had breakfast in the hall cafeteria. I wanted sausages and asked for “bangers”. I was so proud of myself.

We then had to find our own way to the UC London Study Center. I got the mini group I was in a little lost, but we didn’t miss much. There we got our tickets for the Parliament tour and “Avenue Q”.

I and the three other Birmingham students met with our advisor, Michael, privately to talk about the classes and stuff. Basically we’re just meeting up with him October 30^th to discuss our class list.

From there, Rebekah and I decided to take a stroll along the Thames starting from Blackfriars, eventually making our way down to Parliament. We crossed the Blackfriars Bridge and strolled past the National Theatre, the London Eye, and then crossed Westminster Bridge where we ran into some of the other UC kids.

The Parliament tour was fascinating. Afterwards Rebekah and I got some people to come with us to the Red Lion Pub where members of Parliament had a couple drinks before they had to make a vote. I had a Guinness and split a steak with R.

We then headed back to the halls to get ready for Avenue Q. It was playing at Noel Coward Theatre.

Hil. Ar. Ious. I thought I had seen it all and then I saw hardcore puppet sex.

Sept 21^st: We got tickets for bus and cruise tours.

After a lot of walking around the group I ended up in finally found the proper bus stop, came around to Trafalgar Square where we had lunch on the steps.

We continued our bus tour over Tower Bridge and past London Tower. We got off later to take the Thames cruise. It was basically the bus tour except slower.

We then got back on the bus and visited Buckingham Palace.

I saw the British flag was up and thought that meant the Queen was home. I waved hello before I realized that she has her own special flag hoisted when she’s home.

We then walked through St. James Park a bit where we were to have dinner that evening at a place called Inn the Park.

We were a bit early though. So we headed back to the halls where I took in a quick cat nap.

Dinner at Inn the Park was very good…and they wouldn’t. Stop. Serving. Wine.

So I had about four glasses.

And this was the night Andrew wore the black turtleneck...and pinstriped pants and loafers, just as the girl on this side of the table had predicted.

After dinner some people went out clubbing, but me and some others wanted to check out the pubs instead. We found one called the Clarence off of Trafalgar Square.

Sept 22^nd: We all had to find our own ways to our respectful universities.

Two of the Birmingham girls already had a ride. Wenona from UC Riverside and I got train tickets.

From the train we took a taxi to Maple Bank. Once we got there we found out that her accomodations were closer to campus and we had to recall a taxi for her.

At check in, I found out I was a bit early. They were moving people into Maple Bank on the 23^rd and my contract didn’t start until the 24^th. But the lady at the desk (who was from San Francisco turns out) was very accomodating. At first my keys didn’t work so I had to make another trip down the very steep hill to get the right ones.
(this is where my second way awesome but equally long videoblog would've come in)

For the rest of the day I just slept.

Sept 23^rd: The main thing on my agenda was to get towels and food.

When I was leaving I noticed two girls had checked in. Karen is a fresher originally from Hong Kong and the other was Ai (sp?) from Japan.

I found out there was a Tesco nearby. I was under the impression it was really close by. Not true.

It was a 15 minute walk and then really hard to find cuz I had to go through this maze of subwalkways.

When I got back Ai was wondering where the Tesco was and I offered to go with her cuz it was just too hard to find, and I had to return some stuff anyways.

After that we decided to find out how long the walk was to campus. Too long. But the brochure said 20 minutes so what did I expect.

When we got back two more girls had checked in. Junko from Japan is living in the room across from me. And the last girl to move in was Candi from Hong Kong. So, yeah. I’m the only westerner in my flat.

There was a mini social outside the dorms where they were giving out free Krispy Kremes and three bottles of alcohol per person. Karen and Junko and I just hung out for a bit and called it a night.

Sept 24^th: Walked to campus with Ai and Junko, checked out the International Students Meeting Point tent where we’re supposed to register and stuff. But I’m fully registered and don’t need to register with the police so all I have to do really is fill out forms for a bank account.

I went into the the computer labs which is how I’ve been communicating with everyone until now. I found the proper adapter for my plugs which made my day a little less hectic; now my computer won’t run out of juice.

And so it begins...

I'm Alive

Okay this hardly constitutes as a proper blog but I figure I'd just write something real quick to let you know I'm fine and doing well.

I have more exciting things to post later...but that's when I can get proper internet to use at my leisure. I have a video blog I made before I left...so that's what's COMING SOON!

My plane came in at 6:30 on Wednesday, I waited for an hour in the passport clearance line....and then I took a train, and then a cab with a driver that decided to talk to me about his prostate surgery, and I finally arrived at the hall we were staying at for the London orientation at 10:30. I couldn't check in right then so I just snoozed on the couch on and off for about 4 hours or so.

Yesterday we visit Parliament and in the evening we saw Avenue Q and it was hilarious, of course.

Video and pictures to come and they will be in the chronological order. This is merely a preview of what to expect.

So long- I'm off to Birmingham tomorrow!

I Never Would've Known Until I Got There

Alrighty, so today I finally got a look at where I'll be living next year...only because at work my supervisor wanted to look it up. Now you think I would've looked at pictures of the place as soon as I got my address (which is very quaint-sounding; Maple Bank in Vale Village) but I didn't. I never even looked at pictures of the university or city when I was applying. And I didn't until they mailed me a brochure when I was accepted. Probably a little too audacious of me, but oh well. I just kinda dove head first into the whole thing, like I never even thought of merely spending a semester abroad; I thought "No, 'cause once the semester's over I'm just gonna wish I applied for the whole year, so I might as well."

So here's a look at my residence for the next year:

When my supervisor found these pictures, I tried hard to not look like I was looking at them for the first time.
I did my best yep-that's-where-I'm-living-next-year-it's-cute-isn't-it? look and I hafta say, I think I did a pretty good job.

So, there it is....doesn't it look so cute and quaint?