I wish I could change my accent ... um right about NOW!

I would just like to comment that having a so called "American" accent here in London is kinda a lose lose situation. For one the Brits never fail to make fun of my improper English and for two when I try and put on a British accent or speak "proper" English I just get made fun of even more. I guess I just have to come to terms with the fact that I'll always have butchered English ... oh well.  

-Michelle

The Adventures Don't Seem to End!

So I have to say I'm finally settling in here in London! I've met all the people on my floor, I'm making friends and I have to say, I'm definitely living it up! Last Wednesday I went out to my first club here in London, which was a smaller scale club. It was definitely a good starting point. I went with a bunch of other study abroad students (or affiliates as they call them here) and Joe even came along with us. The club started out kinda lame and rather empty but picked up as the night went on. I had a good time but the music could have been a little better. I'd like to hear more than bum bum bum ba dum dum (i'm trying to type out techno, bear with me) throughout the night.

The rest of the week was filled with more orientation stuff and a little sight seeing! I went on a London bus tour and got to sit on the top level of the double decker bus. It was a great way to see all the major sights and the city, but I have to say being on top of that bus was realll cold! The rest of the week also consisted of going out night after night after night ... the adventures really didn't seem to end.

This past weekend I spent a lot of time with Joe and what I like to refer to as AU's version of Real World London (aka, the flat that Joe lives in with 11 other students from AU). We went to a club called Fabric Friday night, which was a little overwhelming to say the least. It was crazy packed and the music was once again a techno overload. If I was on E it may have been more enjoyable.

Saturday we went to an Everton vs. Fulham match which was pretty awesome! We were in the very front row behind the goal, and I have to say that seeing the back side of Tim Howard was definitely a highlight of my day!

Saturday night we proceed to do some more clubbing in Piccadilly Circus! This club was actually pretty awesome! Great music, good looking men (yes, I have Joe but I can still admire from afar!) and lots and lots of dancing.

Not the most attractive picture ... but we were breaking it down!

Now it's Monday, and it's a new week! Here at UCL they call it induction week and also Fresher's week (which is UCL's version of welcome week). I thought classes started this week, but apparently I was wrong. This week is what they call a "trial" class week. You can go to whatever lectures or seminars you'd like to and see if you'd be interested in taking the class. But in reality it's a week of crazzzziness. I don't know if I'll make it out alive. But currently I'm taking a breather and trying to plan where I want to travel and what shows I want to see in London, before heading out for what I'm sure is to be another crazzzy night. Currently, I'm planning on going to Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and possibly Madrid but we'll see what actually happens.

For now, I'm off to engage in some more shenanigans. I'll check in at the end of the week and let you know if I lived!

Arrival: Finally in London

I'm here, I made it! After 3 flights, Ft. Walton Beach to Detroit to London and approximately 10 hrs in the air, I landed in London. That was on Sunday. Since then, I have to say I've been really busy running around trying to sort out my new life. The first great thing was getting to see Joe at the airport. It was the perfect welcome to London! Thanks to him, all my luggage made it safely to Ramsay hall. I have a single in Ramsay, which is a little small but definitely workable. I've tried to put a little bit of my own flare into it with pictures and what not. It's growing on me, and slowly but surely I'm meeting everyone on my floor.

Sunday I just spent the day with Joe, which was awesome since I hadn't been with him for a month. We went to a pub and I bought my first, legal pint of beer! The food wasn't too bad either, which was definitely a plus as I've heard British food is a little on the bad side. Monday, Joe had no class so we went to the London eye! It was really great. We got to see the entire city from every angle possible. It just made me want to explore even more!

Monday was the first official day of orientation. It was pretty good but slightly overwhelming. I went to a meet and greet and met a ton of new people. It really did feel like freshman year all over again. Also, I've never heard so many languages in one place at one time EVER. It was mind-blowing. London truly is the most cosmopolitan city in the world. After the meet and greet we headed over to a welcome talk, which was typical orientation. Then I went through the enrollment process .... grrrr. It was slightly nightmarish. I had to wait in line for 2 hours just to get my ID card, username and password. But eventually I got through it!

After that I went back to my room, and I have to say, being in a single is a little lonely. I sat there thinking why am I here, in London, having to pretty much start all over again. Then I realized that I'm just a person who loves change. Life would be too monotonous if you always stayed in the same place and always did the same thing with the same people. I've gotta say that I like the challenge that change entails, and I know that being here in London is going to help me grow as a person. So I say, bring it on world!

So after that little "moment" in my room I decided to go out and venture. Lo and behold I meet a ton a people who felt the same way I did. That's the beauty of being a new student, everyone just wants to make friends, awww! Also, the neat thing was everyone that I met was from somewhere different. We decided to go get some pizza and then go to a pub to watch the Arsenal - Tottenham game. The atmosphere was great! I also had cider for the first time, yummmm!

Well I guess so far so good, London is a success!

Almost to London! ... I Guess It's Time for A Blog

So here's my blog, enjoy! I decided to be a sheep and follow the pack of my fellow abroaders (yes I made up a word, expect that a lot) and make a blog of my own. Now, any interested can track me and my adventures in the exciting city of London and beyond!

The London Eye! ... It's actually scarier to ride than you'd think.

First off, I would like to accredit the puny title to the one and only Matt/Matthew Kabak. A "Broad" in London, hahaha! Okayy, maybe only I find it cute, clever and funny! I am not quite sure yet what I will be writing in this infamous blog, but I'm sure to bore the majority with my incessant rambling. However, I hope some of you enjoy my stories, tales and occasional incoherent babel. Also, expect some of my amateur photography. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love love love my pictures and taking them! I'm not the best photographer, but I hope to do the beautiful city of London some justice.  

I have approximately 48 hours till I board a flight to London and my emotions couldn't be more scattered. I'm excited, nervous, anxious and antsy all at the same time. At the moment, I'm concerned with the fact that I have wayyy too much stuff to fit into two suitcases, and it doesn't help that I've been in Florida the past two weeks shopping my pants off! Currently my bedroom floor is hidden from the world as it is covered with the entirety of my wardrobe. My mom is making me go through all of my clothing in hopes that I'll get rid of some old stuff that I no longer wear, ughh. But anyway, one way or another, mark my words, all of my possessions will fit into two suitcases!

oh my ....

For now, I play the waiting game but then It's London here I come!  

Peace.