UMW Abroad

I have spent the past few days trying to see as many family members as I could and traveled about an hour outside of London to see a family near the sea!  It is very lovely to see family members by myself since I normally have my immediate family with me whenever I see extend family members. I also enjoyed seeing friends who were in London on “holiday” or vacation as we say in America, and some that are studying abroad! I already got lost on the tube by taking the wrong line, but once I got onto the right line I found my way to where I should meet up with friends. I have also been wandering around London (almost aimlessly) but found a very cute vintage shop that I wanted to see on accident. We were in the right area but only found it when we were not looking for it. With Lara, we explored by the Thames River around 4pm in the afternoon which meant the sun was starting to set.  With the sun setting earlier, I begin to become tired about 6pm but then will not be able to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning for the most of the days I have been here so far. Hopefully, I will get on a better schedule as my internship begins tomorrow, and I have to be ready to leave by 7am….this will be fun! I cannot wait to learn  the ropes and see what will be required of me! Luckily, my new best friend and I had a nap after going to the English beach today (which was well cold).   With that nap with my new best friend , I should be ready for tomorrow! Sleep well!

Lost Sightings:

-Lost on the tube

-My great aunt was under the impression that my family lost me in London and sent a cousin to find me. Sure, I didn’t know exactly where I was but I could most likely find my way back!

I’ve spent just over a week in London. It’s hard to believe I’ve been here this long, since this last week seemed to fly by.  I”ve made several new friends, mostly British students who go to Westminster full-time. There are many other American exchange students living in my building, but many of them seem to stick together. I’ve found that I get along much better with the British students.

I’ve finally gotten to explore the city a bit more, which means I can actually start concentrating on the main point of this blog, which is the art scene in London. The city is huge and multicultural, so it contains a variety of arts, ranging from museums and galleries to street performers and a bustling theatre district.  I was able to meet up with my friend Becca last Friday, and we walked down to the Thames to see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and generally explore the neighborhood. I’ve seen The London Eye often this week, since it’s visible from the neighborhood I live in, but seeing all of these great monuments up close was incredible.  We went in the evening (which in London is between 3pm and 4pm—the sun sets quite early) which meant that the light shining over the river and the Houses of Parliament was amazing. It really emphasized all of the ornate details featured on the structure, which really aren’t used in modern construction. My pictures can do it more justice than any words I could use:

I wasn’t at all expecting to find a sculpture I actually recognized during our outing on Friday, so you can imagine my surprise when we stumbled upon a casting of Rodin’s the Berghers of Calais in a small park area by the Thames.  I’ve never seen this piece in person, and the amount of detail Rodin put into the figures and especially their facial features is incredible.  You can really see the anguish in some faces, and the determination in others. Here are a few other details:

Guys! I’m nervous!

My electronics are a-charging, my clothes laid out for tomorrow, my passports and boarding information are together along with my money (in three different currencies) and credit cards, and my carry-on items are waiting patiently for me to decide which ones will make the final cut. My suitcase is packed (just not closed yet )! Hopefully, my suitcase is not over the weight limit! If so, a great deal of shuffling clothes and trying to fit them into my carry-on will occur. Packing for eight months is an immensely difficult task. It is hard to know what I will need and leaving most of my wardrobe behind. I just hope some things I pack will be useful! I am not too nervous about flying by myself. I am just extremely nervous about saying goodbye to my family members. After saying goodbye to several close friends over the last couple of days, one would think I would be prepped to say goodbye to my family, but I am definitely not ready to. Luckily, I will see them in four months for my birthday (which will be in Germany! Hopefully, the Germans will tolerate my 21st celebration!). I will miss you guys and my friends…keep in touch! I am excited to see my extended family again and to experience England sans family! Sadly, I must get back to sorting out my carry-on! The next post will be coming from across the pond!!! Good night! <3

Will the suitcase close?