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!
September 27, 2007
September 24, 2007
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! ;-)
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! ;-)
September 22, 2007
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!
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!
September 18, 2007
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.
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.
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