When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.

What have I done?!? Does the graph to the left look like maths to you?!? It certainly does to me. Goodness gracious. Yes, I have actually enrolled for an intercollegiate course on "Contemporary Europe" at the London School of Economics (LSE), when one looks at the name of said university it might seem that economics plays a part. Does anyone remember how I failed my Mathe-Abitur a mere five months ago? Understandably an economics course at one of the "Brain-of-Britain"-universities is very daunting...but no, it's not about the numbers, you just have to understand the principle. Yeah, right.

Haven't written in absolute ages, sorry about the utter and complete neglect. And really I have no excuse whatsoever, because I am writing this on my brand new partner-in-crime, Hector - a Toshiba laptop...confidant, soul-mate,bosom buddy...Yes, my relationship to an inanimate object may be a little unhealthy, but it's just so lovely being in contact with the "outside world" again. (apropos, do download skype, would be marvelous to talk to you!)

So, an array of odds and ends (in no particular order). What has Kathleen been up to?

• Went to the most fantastic blues bar just off Oxford Street in Soho. "Ain't nothing but the blues"-bar hosts a jam session on Monday nights (incidentally also free!), musicians from all walks of life get together and improvise. The bar is tiny, which means you end up chatting to everyone (and as we all know, I am the "Small-Talk-Queen")...ended up singing and dancing, just great.



• Job interview to work as a Student Ambassador for KCL (£ 8 an hour!), must have gone quite well, as I now am a SA. Problem being, I'm not quite sure what the job description actually entails. I assume I go to fairs in order to represent King's, give Campus tours and presentations and quite simply delude future students about the cost of living in London. ("Oh, living costs? No problem at all. Everyone receives scholarships. And housing is so cheap")



• Joined a gym down the road. Go swimming quite often and have started to enjoy their wacky dance aerobics classes (though, of course, incomparable to Irish dance ;-))



• Auditioned for the King's Players project "Our Country's Good"...very strange audition peace: "Hello Mother Moon", felt like I was playing a ten-year-old, but who knows? "Don't call us, we'll call you."



• Went to a pub at Chalk Hill to listen to a live band. As always we missed the live band and ended up talking to VERY boring Germans, they are everywhere. If you feel as though you must complain about London to me that much, then why are you here?!?



• Watched the Rugby semi-final (the match England won) at the Camden tup - exhilarating atmosphere. Testosterone overload.



• Coffee at the Camden Arts Centre. Yummy rhubarb pie.



• Lots of time spent at the library in gorgeous round reading room. As the reading room is round, I seem to spend more time people-watching than anything else. Probably not the way to success.



• Watched "Atonement" with Khatereh from Iran. Loved the film.



• Voluntary Geography lecture with some famous guy, but SO boring. Free wine bar resulted in very tipsy singing of the best of "The Sound Of Music".



• Ended up with a cold, felt very sorry for myself. A melodramatic hypochondriac. Maybe I ought to invest in a hairdryer.



• Am taking the Associateship of King's College course on ethics. Very interesting. Poverty and Social exclusion,Common Good,Community,Compassion and Solidarity. Lots of nouns there...



• Seminars on European History since 1800: Why do I grovel through 30 pages of incoherent essays, when a 5 line summary is sufficient? Anscheinend lernt man nicht fuer die Schule/die Universitaet, sondern fuer's Leben. Aha.



• I passed my German grammar test. Hooray! Thank God for that. I am now officially a native speaker ;-) A fellow student only passed as near native speaker...a Bavarian!! My Swabian heart rejoiced with glee.



• Tate Modern exhibitions. Finally saw the crack people have been falling into. Hilarious. Google it.



• Shock! Horror!I have a room-mate. Her name's Henel, first-generation Indian, from Lewisham, London. One wonders why she bothered to move out in the first place...she's now living further away from uni, than she did before. Seems very nice though, time will tell. Didn't really want a roomie, so now it's merely Schadensbegrenzung. You're all still very welcome to come stay, of course. Mi Casa Es Su Casa. How corny.



• Best Hot Chocolate Ever at the coffee shop Liz, my floormate, is working at. That beverage is worth an entire entry of its own.



• Comedy Cafe in Angel/Shoreditch (sounds lovely, doesn't it?) Good night out with friends, live music (my favourite thing), and an Elvis impersonator who goes by the name of Dave-Elvis. "Dave-Elvis has left the building."



• Halloween house party on Saturday. Quite truthfully I think it's the first time I've ever really been drunk, quite an embarrassing admission at 20...but the past times I've thought I was drunk, I've merely been tipsy. Note to parents: I promise, I won't keep it up. Dressed up as cartoon character "Salad fingers"...pictures to be found on Picasa. Yes, I am a little on the strange side.

So, to conclude: It's quite easy to get distracted in London ;-)

Unanswered questions...

1. Who watches all of the CCTV footage?!? It's scary.



2. Where do English bus drivers learn to drive? If the lights are red, don't accelerate and break like a mad-man! Why oh why?

So, am off to bed. Promise to update more regularly. I'll be in Germany in 9 (!) days time.

Oh baby, baby it's a wild world.

Am just trying to recollect my adventures of the past week and am having trouble. I simply can't quite remember; not that I've been in a drunken stupor 24/7, it seems more like sensory overload (Reizueberflutung or stimulus satiation, according to the dictionary.)
Saw the worst movie ever on Sunday with fellow Dublin-born student/musician, it was called "Superbad" and indeed, the name is very fitting. Atleast he payed for the tickets. ;-)
No classes on Monday, but finally managed to open ...drum roll...a bank account. Eureka!
First lectures on Tuesday. European history since 1800 (fairly boring, Napoleonic Conscription, but am sure it will get better), then Causes of War (very good, except the introduction to Theory and Methodology). We started the lecture with 15 minutes of current affairs - I am apparently a total half-wit. I know nothing. I actually thought I could form a half-intelligent opinion about the going-ons in Burma and the like, but really I ought to just listen to the others in awe. What exactly have I been doing with my life? Oh yes, I remember it was all of those "Friends" reruns. Must read papers and memorise them.
Lecture on Milestones of German History (The German Question) was very good. "Die Leiden des jungen Werther" by Goethe was described as an 18th century Kurt Cobain. Classic.
For some reason I seem to have morphed into the silent girl at seminars; where has all of my confidence gone? I'll just have to start working on my acting skills in order to pretend that I'm not totally clueless. (Any tips?)
Spent all of Thursday at the library and actually managed to find some books on my reading list, solely by playing the dumb blonde/brunette. Another miraculous happening.
Early start on Friday with translation classes. Then the University of London Fresher's Fair with Dana (who has complained that I mention none of my friends by name). An array of free mugs, key rings, condoms, pencils, posters and frisbees. After that 100 Years of German Cinema lecture. Yes, I know: The university for Dummies option, but it really is very interesting. We don't JUST sit there watching movies!
Went to Hampstead Heath with (here come the names again) Valentina, Jess and Dana, was a really beautiful afternoon in the sun. It was nice to get away from the rat race of the city. Listen to me, I've only been here two weeks, but central London can seem quite ruthless at times.
Spent Saturday looking for a laptop in Tottenham Court Road. It was manic. People were queueing (again ;-)) all the way up the stairs at the tube station. Quite scary and not too good for my inner claustrophobiac. Then went to "Tutu's" the Student Union bar on the riverbank, had a good night out with David, Pauline and a Bavarian that drinks too much (Ach yes, the names: Daniel)
Woke up surprisingly early today and went to mass at St. Paul's Cathedral. Magnificent. I was seated directly underneath the dome, light shining through the stained glass windows, the choir (Knabenchor?) singing seraphically - was a teeny tiny bit emotional, but that won't come as a surprise.
Hmm, am (finally) coming to an end. Sorry, if I'm boring you...but life isn't all beer and skittles, you know. (Learnt that expression from an American, love it.) My days are spent reading (A LOT),doing commonplace things and really just coming to terms with living alone (well apart, from the kitchen parties, Uno-playing delights, Iranian Birthday celebrations and the laundry room spectaculars).

Hope you're all well, keep in touch, come visit!

Oh, before I forget. Guess who managed to get £ 5 tickets to see the RSC's King Lear with Ian McKellen. Ha!

P.S. The British taps are driving me insane. What exactly is the point? Hot-Cold-Burning-Freezing-Scalding-Arctic. Where is it all going?

Me, the Hausfrau.

Never thought it would happen, but it has. I'm slaving away over the stove, cleaning pots and pans, ironing away, earnestly debating whether to buy Persil or Sainsbury's Organic Washing Powder (a mere 50 pence) and quite upset at the lack of a blender in our kitchen.

Student life ought to come with a health warning, I didn't want to end like this! What happened to Hotel Mama?!?
Anyway the domestic side of things is going quite well, apparently I'm quite a good cook - so there, all you doubters!

Now to the academic side of things: Still not one bloody lecture to speak of! Feel very grumpy about this, I came here to study (among other things ;-)). European Studies don't have their own department and seem to have been forgotten about. Now the "real science" students started lectures last week and have exams in October. Ah well, really the pretend science students ought to be enjoying it.
First lectures are on Tuesday, so cross your fingers (or for all my German friends out there: Press your thumbs.)

Haven't really been up to much, just enjoying the everyday buzz of London, and as lovely Auntie Sheila pointed out: The newness of it all.

Went to a place called "Gardening Club" in Covent Garden, which really was lots of fun. But what really sticks in my mind is the ride home on the N13 night bus. It was just glorious. Riding through London at three in the morning on the top of a doubledecker red bus. And let me tell you, it seemed like rush hour on Oxford Street, the traffic was unbelievable.

Portobello Road, Notting Hill on Saturday morning (well more afternoon). What an eclectic mix of, well, everything. Though it does seem to be crowded with tourists (I told you I would only complain about the tourists - I'm a real Londoner now ;-) Without the accent, thank goodness!) there was still some authentic London moments.

Now, this is the exciting part. What did Kathleen (the master shopper) purchase?


A cactus.



And tea towels.

Sensational.

After my shopping extravaganza, an indie night at the Oh!bar in Camden. Some really great bands and one quizzical, zany, mock-heroic (having trouble describing him) - well, a weirdo, one man show, accompanied by a silent girl wearing a teletubbies costume. Only in London.
Walked back home through the opulent areas of Hampstead, there was security everywhere. We'd been walking for about ten minutes when this white van with SECURITY emblazoned on its side, started following us down the street (I may point out, the wrong side of the road). Do I look like an axe-murderer to you? Suspicion remains, it might've been Jude Law's house.
Oh yes, also sighted a real live fox about ten metres away from us.
Is it a dog? Is it a cat? It's a fox!

Anyway, must inform you: There is reason to rejoice. The heating has been turned on. Hooray!
For all you continentals, living on the sunny side of life. This is a serious issue. Try living in a shoe box with four windows and single glazing (Einfachverglasung).

Anyway, thank you to all my avid readers...it's nice to know I'm being thought of.

Must dash, the washing's waiting!

Same old, same old.

A short update of the going-ons in London, I'm afraid still nothing exciting. Sorry to disappoint, I'm doing my best, though!
Went to a great Cuban bar (with live music) last Friday, discovered a love for Mojitos. Sadly, also discovered that I have no hips and no rhythm. But I do have two left feet.
I missed the last train home (by 3 minutes!), so ended up having to walk over Waterloo Bridge - Wow, fantastic view. (No, Mam. I wasn't alone. Jess, a Belgian girl from Campus was with me.)
Got up quite late on Sunday and went to a tiny little Anglican chapel across the road from me. Goodness, talk about fish out of water. They were all eerily friendly and had lovely hymns, but I felt as though they were trying to recruit me for some type of Christian missionary organisation; their main message was quite simplified. Not sure I agree that the world is either black or white...what about the colours? ;-)
After that there was brunch with my fellow floormates (Hooray, somebody brought Nutella) and a trip to the Camden markets. The sun was shining, music was being played, colours, flavours - just brilliant, my sort of place. People from all walks of life; and, incidentally, also shoppers' paradise. I must find a job!

This morning I was woken by the fire alarm - a most inhumane time of 7:15 in the morning. It was pouring rain and I was barefoot. Just charming. On the other hand quite hilarious seeing everyone in their pyjamas (aren't I glad I bought a new pair!)
Have spent all day at uni, queueing once again (actually having difficulty spelling that) and filling out various forms. Have met with my personal tutor Dr. Pott (who seems very nice, if a little stern) and am now looking forward to my first lecture (European History since 1800) tomorrow morning.
It will be nice to finally have a purpose for being in London, no more of this dilly-dallying! ;-)

London,baby.

So, from the beginning:

Felt desperately sad on the plane to Stansted, actually felt quite sorry for the businessmen, who had to suffer tears streaming down my face. But have gotten over that phase surprisingly quickly...
Hampstead is very beautiful, a lovely area (if a bit far out). Sadly nothing new on the star sighting agenda. I'm living in Chesney House, which is a 70s building and, to be frank, ugly.

I'm living in a shared room, with an invisible roommate. I really do not have a roommate - das grenzt an ein Wunder!?!?! Keep your fingers crossed that nobody moves in (it's been 4 days now, and enrolment is over) and there will certainly be a free bed/desk/closet/chair/table for you! For some reason I'm living on a floor with only two other undergraduates, the rest are postgraduates. I get along very well with all of them, though it's still early days. I'm surrounded by Italian, French, American, Irish, German (lots of Germans, it's the 2nd invasion!),Austrian and, of course, British students. Oh yes, I forgot the lonely Chilean.

On Wednesday, I braved my way to the Strand (Uni), where I had my most enjoyable queueing experience as of yet. Enrolment took about 4 (!) hours, but I ended up chatting to loads of people on my programme (we're only about 50, so I really was lucky to get in).
Towards the end of that night I discovered the Student Union bar situated right on the Thames, truly a breathtaking view and cheap drinks. What more can you want?

On Thursday I had the brilliant idea of going to a certain Swedish furniture shop without a car. It was miles (kilometres) away. Once there I proceeded to buy cooking utensils and a can opener. A fellow student (who must not be named) bought gaudy pillows, bamboo blinds, gold foil, a desk chair and ivy-shaped Christmas lights. Geschmacksverirrung.
He also payed for the taxi home, so really I shouldn't complain.

Another highlight (?) was the Sainsbury's trip. Indeed, I'm living the dream. ;-)

Friday:
Took me ages to find the room where my induction meeting was to be held (in the cellar), this was fairly boring, though most of the staff seemed welcoming. European Studies students apparently don't have their own department, as it's an interdisciplinary course. Alas, I will be searching for lectures and seminars in the history, politics, language, law and war studies departments. You know I have no sense of direction.
Spent the next two hours queueing for Fresher's Fair (not quite so pleasant) and signed up for everything (literally).
After that: The tour of our own KCL Maughan Library - just fantastic. Love it. Must take some pictures and post them on Picasa. Had a frustrating few hours of trying to open a bank account (unsuccesful) and lose my temper with some banking half-wit (succesful.)
Went to Brick Lane (East London) for some drinks in the evening, had a bit of a beergarden feel to it. Note to parents: Don't worry, I always carry my flashlight, am never alone and the nightbus service is impeccable.

Today was my "I'm-allowed-to-be-a-tourist-day", had a fun day sight-seeing (all the usual suspects) and taking cheesy photographs. From tomorrow onwards I will gripe,grouse and grump about the bloody tourists - always in the way!

All in all a very eventful few days in London, it can be a bit overwhelming, but that is, I suppose, the excitement of the city. I'm very busy, and so don't have the time to dwell on things. If you like, there are also (very few) photos on my Picasa Web Album.

And despite Micha's last words; I have not forgotten about all of you by Sunday!

Point Of No Return.

Not feeling happy. Afraid of what is to come, afraid that I'm leaving all I treasure behind.
Suitcase is 4 kg overweight. Can't take my books. iPod won't save the songs I want to listen to (mainly the melancholic classical ones). Don't know how Mam and Dad will cope without me - or I without them. Will miss Olli falling to sleep on my tummy.
You really only know what you had when you're leaving it behind.
Didn't really want my first blog entry to be such a depressing one, but let's just see it as therapeutic writing.
Thank you to each and every one of you that made an effort to see me one last time and for cards, notes, Guinness flashlights,singing extravaganzas and kind words. Know that it means the world to me.
~Turn and face the strain, ch-ch-changes~ Yes, I have finally recognised my inner David Bowie.