The Tube, the Buses, and Central London

 Today was an extremely eventful day! I got up pretty early (I guess my body clock is still a little off), and had a meeting at 10:30 with my group. My class met for the first time today to discuss everything we will be doing over the course of the month. I am SO excited about all the place we get to go: Westminster Abbey, The British Library, Stratford-Upon Avon, Buckingham Palace. Today our professor showed us how to navigate the Tube and buses, and then walked all around central London. I also ended up getting stuck in between the Tube doors, so remember! The doors are not friendly, and they WILL clamp on your body and you WILL get scrapes and bruises and ugly black marks.
 My friends and I ate lunch at some place in central London that had chains on almost every block. Sadly, the food was not too great, and the prices were not the best. Plus the service sucks, which I'm finding is pretty common in London. I guess British people like to take a REALLY long time to eat, and then an even longer time to wait for the check? This reminds me, I ate lunch at The Greedy Cow and had their Kangaroo burger. I know, doesn't really sound the most appetizing, but I was kind of surprised. The meat did have a bit more of a sweet and tangy taste to it, and smelled really weird, but I guess if you can get past the thought of actually eating Kangaroo it's not too bad. However, keep in mind that you will be paying for the fanciness of the food, not the quality.
  As far as money is going, I went through 200 pounds in two days, but I know that will slow down as I had to spend around 121 for a month long tube and rail pass, and I was buying personal items from stores. The best things I've found to do is to buy food and cook yourself meals (if available). My flatmates and I are lucky to have our own kitchen equipped with fridge/freezer, microwave, sink, and toaster. This saves a LOT of money, for getting something as simple as a burger can cost around 8 pounds (about 10 American dollars), and sometimes that doesn't even include sides.
  I did buy a pay as you go phone today, as I fear the moment I get somewhere without WIFI, rendering my IPhone useless. The phone and data was pretty cheap, costing me only 26 pounds. My friends each got one as well, so we can text and call each other if need be. I also feel more comfortable being able to more easily reach my professors. Some other girls went with the whole buying a SIM card here that will work in the UK, but knowing my luck, I would end up paying astronomical fees because of some little rule I would overlook. I feel much safer this way.
  Overall, I feel as if today was a very successful day! Tomorrow we are going to St.Paul's Cathedral (which is not Catholic, but oh well, it's still beautiful!) and riding the London Eye. Hopefully more adventures will take place between the two!

...And the Pub

I literally JUST went to my first English Pub. I had a bottle of Corona (I know, not British at ALL, but I wanted to get something I felt comfortable with first), and I got to know the other people a little better. The atmosphere was awesome, the booze was cheap, and the food was actually really good! I am so happy I got to experience this with people I became comfortable around, and who I know I will probably go out with again. I guess we can't let the task of getting to know others lie on those other people's shoulders. Sometimes we have to take a chance and loosen up, not always with alcohol, but by just being ourselves. I think that is what people like to see the most.

 The pub I went to wasn't far from campus, maybe a few minutes to the right of the east entrance gates, and was open to the sidewalk (footpath). The whole place was very relaxing and just plain FUN! I don't remember the name, but it is definitely worth checking out whilst in London! If not for the beer, then for the awesome prices on food!

 Anyway, 10:30 AM meeting tomorrow, so I am OUT!

The Plane, The Room, The Peeps

  I officially began my study abroad experience last night at 9:20 Texas time when my plane took off from the DFW airport. I had packed my personal carry-on with everything I could need for the nine hour flight: a book, journal, food, IPhone, water. I was prepared! Until I realized I left my headphones in my parents' car (we took my sister's), and hat my phone had about 3 hours of music-listening left in it's battery. Oh well, I thought as I paid $21 for a new set of headphones, if my phone dies, I still have my books to read! Yeah, apparently the lights go off right after dinner is cleared away. Other people used book lights, but guess what Danielle forgot to bring?? My phone was dying, there was only one movie on I actually wanted to watch, and I couldn't sleep because I had to pee and I was in the middle seat and didn't want to bother the guy next to me (who happened to be a very nice British man!). So, I sat in my seat watching the map of the plane's progress and tried to fathom how on Earth I was going to get through the next 6 hours. Eventually I decided that my need for sleep and a toilet were much greater than my want to not bother anybody. I somehow got about three hours of sleep, and then sat motionless in my seat for the last hour to pass. Maybe the $410 upgrade to first class would have been worth it.

 Anyway! The bus ride from Heathrow to Queen Mary was long and slow, but the view of the streets and stores I've only ever heard about made the waiting much easier to handle. My room is actually very nice, I have my own bedroom, and share a bathroom with four other girls. Space is plentiful, but I couldn't help but notice that there are no drawers for underwear and such...a British thing perhaps? The weather so far has been amazing! Low 80s with a light, cool wind. VERY different from Texas!! That being said, I do miss home a bit. OK, I miss home a lot. I'm a stranger here with no friends to drag with me places or anyone to go on walks by the river with. However, I have met some nice people, and hopefully I will find places to explore with them! In case you can't tell, I'm trying to be optimistic about this...I mean, I'm in freaking LONDON!