So it's an old tree... shoot me. I forgot my cord to upload new pics in England. There are more presents this year and it's not in the fancy room anymore. :)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas!
There isn't a whole lot for me to share with the world as I have been at home, vegging to the extreme and spending a lot of quality time with Otto (which is what vacation is all about). Just wanted to take the time to say Merry Christmas! Enjoy the season...
So it's an old tree... shoot me. I forgot my cord to upload new pics in England. There are more presents this year and it's not in the fancy room anymore. :)
So it's an old tree... shoot me. I forgot my cord to upload new pics in England. There are more presents this year and it's not in the fancy room anymore. :)
Monday, December 17, 2007
British... Naval... Aviators. Trouble!
So, we'll just say it. My friend Rachel is a legend. About a month ago, she invited me and our teammate Lia to a Christmas ball with her friend Dan, who is a helicopter pilot at RAF Shawbury (yep, a Naval helo pilot named Dan, nothing more needs to be said about this). I think we can all imagine the squeals of glee that shook all of London when I received that text message! Anyway, that was this past weekend. Rachel and I took the train up from Euston at about 2pm on Friday (Lia caught up a little later), and arrived in Shrewsbury at 5:30 (by the by, English people think a 3 1/2 hour journey is like traveling to the ends of the earth. I'd go that far and back in a day at home!). Dan met us wearing his flight suit (swoon), and we went back to base to get ready. For all those questioning whether they can wear their flight suits off base, I asked: they recently changed the rules because they say military presence in public areas is a deterrent to terrorism. Lia joined us about an hour later.
The ball was fun, or what we can all remember of it when we pieced it back together the next day. Dan was a real sweetheart to all of us (he said it was the least he could do for allowing him to take the three hottest girls to the ball... which we totally were!). The one big disappointment was that because it was a masked ball, the Air Force opted to have it be a black tie ball rather than uniformed - ugh! But the masks were good fun. Anyway, the ball. We had dinner, where we ate little, but drank much (each guest got a free bottle of wine - I heart England!). At dinner there was some amusing anti-American abuse, but when they realized I actually know what I'm talking about both regarding the US military and US politics, they shut up... There was a bar and a dance floor and we basically just rocked out all night. The dancing ended about 2 and then the party recommenced upstairs (here, all the officers live on base until they're in the upper ranks, or married, probably). We got into our pajamas and threw a rugby ball around (how things did not get destroyed, I am at a loss). We probably got to bed at about 4:30am.
Me, Lia, Dan & Rachel in masks 
And without 
The girls. Sober. Clearly! 
Dan and me
The next morning was a classic hangover recovery day. I actually didn't feel too bad because I think I drank the least of all present (despite my PINT of wine - winner!). But Dan and I were horrified that Lia and Rachel hadn't seen Top Gun, so we watched that, then Anchorman (which they had also not seen), then some comedy, and then Casino Royale. We also went out to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. It was great. It was also great to be back with military boys - I miss mine (Rothman, Kyle, Mike and our Annapolis/DC weekends in particular). There's really nothing that can match the banterous abuse that one can engage in with military men... I feel very at home in that. ;) Now, I HAVE to go to Hawaii to see my Kyle!!
The girls, recovering and rockin' the Navy kit (note Lia is in USNA kit)
Anyway, Sunday morning we slept late, got ready in a hurry and took the train back to Londres. I arrive home at around 4:30 and sat around for the rest of the day feeling lazy and looking forward to coming home...
The ball was fun, or what we can all remember of it when we pieced it back together the next day. Dan was a real sweetheart to all of us (he said it was the least he could do for allowing him to take the three hottest girls to the ball... which we totally were!). The one big disappointment was that because it was a masked ball, the Air Force opted to have it be a black tie ball rather than uniformed - ugh! But the masks were good fun. Anyway, the ball. We had dinner, where we ate little, but drank much (each guest got a free bottle of wine - I heart England!). At dinner there was some amusing anti-American abuse, but when they realized I actually know what I'm talking about both regarding the US military and US politics, they shut up... There was a bar and a dance floor and we basically just rocked out all night. The dancing ended about 2 and then the party recommenced upstairs (here, all the officers live on base until they're in the upper ranks, or married, probably). We got into our pajamas and threw a rugby ball around (how things did not get destroyed, I am at a loss). We probably got to bed at about 4:30am.
The next morning was a classic hangover recovery day. I actually didn't feel too bad because I think I drank the least of all present (despite my PINT of wine - winner!). But Dan and I were horrified that Lia and Rachel hadn't seen Top Gun, so we watched that, then Anchorman (which they had also not seen), then some comedy, and then Casino Royale. We also went out to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. It was great. It was also great to be back with military boys - I miss mine (Rothman, Kyle, Mike and our Annapolis/DC weekends in particular). There's really nothing that can match the banterous abuse that one can engage in with military men... I feel very at home in that. ;) Now, I HAVE to go to Hawaii to see my Kyle!!
Anyway, Sunday morning we slept late, got ready in a hurry and took the train back to Londres. I arrive home at around 4:30 and sat around for the rest of the day feeling lazy and looking forward to coming home...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Winding down.
As of tomorrow - yes, tomorrow - my essay drafts will be finished and I will be on vacation! My milblog essay is now over 2,000 words and it is moving along smoothly. I don't think I will finish it today, because...
1) I haven't been to the gym, and we all know the gym is #1 on the priority list,
2) I'm going shopping with Rachel and Lia for masks in Camden, and I heart Camden. It's likely I'll get sucked into doing more than mask shopping, and
3) team dinners are tonight! We're going to an Italian place in Angel, all glammed out, before we head to Walkabout.
This weekend I head to Shropshire for the Navy/RAF ball. Should be a good time. I chatted to Dan, the guy who is taking all three of us, last night on MSN and he's quite nice. It's lucky I know so much about Naval Aviation - it'll give me something to talk about on Friday eve! We'll stay there through Saturday (nursing the hangover) and head back to London on Sunday. Then I have all day Monday free to do shopping, packing, last minute fun in London. I honestly can't believe this term has already ended and that my classes at LSE are half (well, more than half because I took an extra credit this term) over.
Things I want to do before I leave (I have to keep reminding myself that I get to come back):
- Borough Market: need to pick up some goodies!
- Long walk for pictures: I want to get the essence of Christmas in the UK
- Shopping: I have a few more items I need to get for Xmas fun at home.
That actually might be it. Which is probably good because I have nearly zero free time to get all that in! 6 days!
1) I haven't been to the gym, and we all know the gym is #1 on the priority list,
2) I'm going shopping with Rachel and Lia for masks in Camden, and I heart Camden. It's likely I'll get sucked into doing more than mask shopping, and
3) team dinners are tonight! We're going to an Italian place in Angel, all glammed out, before we head to Walkabout.
This weekend I head to Shropshire for the Navy/RAF ball. Should be a good time. I chatted to Dan, the guy who is taking all three of us, last night on MSN and he's quite nice. It's lucky I know so much about Naval Aviation - it'll give me something to talk about on Friday eve! We'll stay there through Saturday (nursing the hangover) and head back to London on Sunday. Then I have all day Monday free to do shopping, packing, last minute fun in London. I honestly can't believe this term has already ended and that my classes at LSE are half (well, more than half because I took an extra credit this term) over.
Things I want to do before I leave (I have to keep reminding myself that I get to come back):
- Borough Market: need to pick up some goodies!
- Long walk for pictures: I want to get the essence of Christmas in the UK
- Shopping: I have a few more items I need to get for Xmas fun at home.
That actually might be it. Which is probably good because I have nearly zero free time to get all that in! 6 days!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Nothing falls like London rain, but I love that dirty water...
So here I am, sitting in my room, writing a paper about military blogging when my motivation inevitably slips. My room power now, unlike this morning. But it's dark now, and it's cold and windy outside. So it looks like that, at least for the time being, I'm stuck in my room. So I figure I will reflect on the last 10 weeks that I've spent as an expat here in the UK...
When I arrived, I was beyond excited - my (nearly) lifelong, Anglophilic dream had come true! The birthplace of the Beatles and Harry Potter, a place where soccer/football fandom reigns and a dry sense of humor is a must. While a lot of that initial excitement has passed, some remains because I feel as though I belong here. I've met some good people, done some fun things, learned a lot, drank a lot. For the first time, I have a sense of grounding but also a desire for something new.
I know now more than ever that my heart lies in academia, but I also know that I think I need a more circuitous route to get there. While I never thought I would tire of school, I think I finally have. But I think I know what I want from a job - I want to work with people and for people. I don't want the focus to be on the bottom line, I want the focus to be on what's good for the world. It may be naive, but I don't see the point of entering the workforce as a cynic - we all get there eventually; where does one find idealism except in youth?
I seem to have sorted out a fair bit personally. I'm actually single - emotionally, nominally - for the first time since 25 December 2000. While in some ways it's quite sad, it's ultimately liberating. I've finally started to understand the way most of my peers felt in their freshman year of college; I can do anything I want without feeling accountable to anyone but myself (except for maybe my checking account balance). Interestingly, I don't behave in a way that is particularly different from before, I just feel differently about it. It is an incredible relief. I'm finally starting to believe that I don't need a boyfriend to get by, or to feel as though I have a support system, or to feel validated or attractive. Ah, progress...
Some of these changes I could attribute to some of the characteristics of the UK. Brits know how to let loose. Sure, letting loose means consuming copious amounts of alcohol, waking up the next morning in last night's clothe, smelling of whisky (or in some cases, snakebite) and kebab. At home, there is so much talk of work: how much there is, when it is to be done, where one has to be next to complete a long list of emotionally draining tasks. Here, my experience has been different. Work is left at work at 6:30 or 7, and then the focus is on fun, on being a person. So, for the first time I've been able to think about where I want to go and who I want to be, rather than simply finding a way to make the most money or climb the corporate ladder the fastest. Another think about the UK that has helped is just being different from everyone else; it has forced me to think about those differences and focus on my strengths, rather than sizing myself up against others in relation to those characteristics we share.
All that being said, I am very much looking forward to my return to the US, to be with people who have known me for longer than just two months. I am looking forward to being near people with whom I share relationships that don't require hours of negotiation in order to just exist. I'm looking forward to Mexican food and margaritas. Quarters and driving on the right side of the road. The flag. Fat men in spandex. Otto!
When I arrived, I was beyond excited - my (nearly) lifelong, Anglophilic dream had come true! The birthplace of the Beatles and Harry Potter, a place where soccer/football fandom reigns and a dry sense of humor is a must. While a lot of that initial excitement has passed, some remains because I feel as though I belong here. I've met some good people, done some fun things, learned a lot, drank a lot. For the first time, I have a sense of grounding but also a desire for something new.
I know now more than ever that my heart lies in academia, but I also know that I think I need a more circuitous route to get there. While I never thought I would tire of school, I think I finally have. But I think I know what I want from a job - I want to work with people and for people. I don't want the focus to be on the bottom line, I want the focus to be on what's good for the world. It may be naive, but I don't see the point of entering the workforce as a cynic - we all get there eventually; where does one find idealism except in youth?
I seem to have sorted out a fair bit personally. I'm actually single - emotionally, nominally - for the first time since 25 December 2000. While in some ways it's quite sad, it's ultimately liberating. I've finally started to understand the way most of my peers felt in their freshman year of college; I can do anything I want without feeling accountable to anyone but myself (except for maybe my checking account balance). Interestingly, I don't behave in a way that is particularly different from before, I just feel differently about it. It is an incredible relief. I'm finally starting to believe that I don't need a boyfriend to get by, or to feel as though I have a support system, or to feel validated or attractive. Ah, progress...
Some of these changes I could attribute to some of the characteristics of the UK. Brits know how to let loose. Sure, letting loose means consuming copious amounts of alcohol, waking up the next morning in last night's clothe, smelling of whisky (or in some cases, snakebite) and kebab. At home, there is so much talk of work: how much there is, when it is to be done, where one has to be next to complete a long list of emotionally draining tasks. Here, my experience has been different. Work is left at work at 6:30 or 7, and then the focus is on fun, on being a person. So, for the first time I've been able to think about where I want to go and who I want to be, rather than simply finding a way to make the most money or climb the corporate ladder the fastest. Another think about the UK that has helped is just being different from everyone else; it has forced me to think about those differences and focus on my strengths, rather than sizing myself up against others in relation to those characteristics we share.
All that being said, I am very much looking forward to my return to the US, to be with people who have known me for longer than just two months. I am looking forward to being near people with whom I share relationships that don't require hours of negotiation in order to just exist. I'm looking forward to Mexican food and margaritas. Quarters and driving on the right side of the road. The flag. Fat men in spandex. Otto!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
This weekend
So, Saturday at about noon I finished essay #2 and it is pretty sweet. At least, it seemed sweet when I was writing it. In the afternoon, I went dress shopping with Rachel. I found a cute black one, though she didn't have as much luck. After that we got dinner at a Wetherspoons in Angel, and then went to see The Golden Compass Highly recommended!!
That's all. Only two more days of classes....
That's all. Only two more days of classes....
Friday, December 7, 2007
Nearly there...
So, I am 11 days away from America... the good ole U.S. of A! I can't wait to come home. Not that I don't love London, because I do. I really do. It's my new happy place. I want to stay here semi-permanently! It's the same feeling I always get come Christmas time - it's just time for school to be done and for me to be at home. This year has been weird because it's the first time since high school, really, that I haven't felt the need to be weeks ahead in all of my work.
Dare I say it - have I lost my Hermione-esque edge? Nah. I think I'm still far ahead (perhaps not far, but at least ahead) of most of my peers. It's hard to be motivated when I know my essays aren't due until the beginning of next term.
But here I am, regardless, for the second Friday night in a row, writing an essay. I'm a little over 1000 words into an essay on free speech. Now that the ball is rolling, the ball is really rolling. I hope to have it done by tomorrow. A draft, I mean, of course. I will probably be in tomorrow night, too. And Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. But if I can get drafts of my essays done before the end of term, I can't imagine being happier than that.
I've gotten some of my Christmas shopping done, and if I haven't bought what I need to, I at least know what I am going to get. Another reason why I want to finish by the end of term - that gives me a few work-free days in London to wrap up all the loose ends before I go home.
Just 11 days. 11 more days.
And people here don't get why Pearl Harbor is important. "Pearl Harbor Day? Why does it matter?" Did they want to be speaking German now? Sigh.
And now - back to free speech. Absolutism all the way, because that's the American way...
Dare I say it - have I lost my Hermione-esque edge? Nah. I think I'm still far ahead (perhaps not far, but at least ahead) of most of my peers. It's hard to be motivated when I know my essays aren't due until the beginning of next term.
But here I am, regardless, for the second Friday night in a row, writing an essay. I'm a little over 1000 words into an essay on free speech. Now that the ball is rolling, the ball is really rolling. I hope to have it done by tomorrow. A draft, I mean, of course. I will probably be in tomorrow night, too. And Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. But if I can get drafts of my essays done before the end of term, I can't imagine being happier than that.
I've gotten some of my Christmas shopping done, and if I haven't bought what I need to, I at least know what I am going to get. Another reason why I want to finish by the end of term - that gives me a few work-free days in London to wrap up all the loose ends before I go home.
Just 11 days. 11 more days.
And people here don't get why Pearl Harbor is important. "Pearl Harbor Day? Why does it matter?" Did they want to be speaking German now? Sigh.
And now - back to free speech. Absolutism all the way, because that's the American way...
Thursday, December 6, 2007
A good thrashing
Just wanted everyone to know that we KILLED Kings (our rivals) yesterday in our match. 44-5!
And then we promptly went out and had a very involved Wednesday at the Tuns and Walkabout. Winners!
Love rugby.
And then we promptly went out and had a very involved Wednesday at the Tuns and Walkabout. Winners!
Love rugby.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Randomness
Sunday, December 2, 2007
A crapload of rain
So, David missed his connection this morning due to snow in Chicago, and I (obviously) didn't want to stay in and do homework (to be fair, I couldn't, this next paper requires a trip to the library... but I HAVE written 400 words so I'm well on my way. Stop judging me), so I went for a walk. First, nothing is open - not even Starbucks - before 10am on a Sunday. And, it was cloudy when I left, but it didn't look like rain clouds. Well, needless to say, I was wrong. It sort of misted at me, then spat at me, and eventually the sky thought it would be funny to literally just pour a gigantic bucket of water all over London. But I persisted - no reason to sit inside when I can walk around. Anyway, I walked down to Waterloo (where there is a Marks and Spencers... needed food!), and took the tube to Green Park. Then I walked back down through St. James Park. I finally gave up due to the rain near Aldwych and took the bus home - which I NEVER do - because it's a waste of 90p. But I'd left without my umbrella (it's such a pain to carry when I'm not carrying a big bag) and my feet were sitting in puddles inside of my Uggs and my jeans were soaked from the bottom to my upper thigh. Anyway, I took pretty pictures. Here you go: 
Outside Buckingham Palace
St James Park
Guy on bridge feeding birds
Fountain in Trafalgar Square: no need for water features, really, when that much rain is pouring from the sky. Alas.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
A sunny Saturday afternoon stroll (alliteration and all!)
I have managed to procrastinate all day! Go me! Not entirely true, but I did take a walk with my camera in tow, because it was a beautiful day (if a little cold and windy). And it's not procrastination if I did stuff I HAVE to do, and I did some Christmas shopping, so that counts as being productive... So I don't have a whole lot of stories to tell, I'll just post the pictures. They're from Southbank, Parliament & Westminster Abbey, around Seven Dials and near Trafalgar Square. Not in that order, because that would be an amusing route to take... 
Well, these next few deserve a bit of explanation. There are these guys who build sandcastles on the banks of the Thames, and these are a few they did today. I walked by the other day and there was one I really loved, but I didn't have my camera on me. But they always make me smile... I took some in process pictures around noon, and then they were a lot further on at about 3 when I was on my way home:
Well, these next few deserve a bit of explanation. There are these guys who build sandcastles on the banks of the Thames, and these are a few they did today. I walked by the other day and there was one I really loved, but I didn't have my camera on me. But they always make me smile... I took some in process pictures around noon, and then they were a lot further on at about 3 when I was on my way home:
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