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...