Library Card.

I went to the library today. Got a library card. I can check out books on my own...it was Harry Potter :)

Also, there is a machine that I can use to actually check it out myself w/o using a librarian. so chill.

Jack The Ripper

You were a mystery.

I took your tour today. You killed a lot of people. I want to commend you for never being caught...you were very sly in what you did.

It's people like you who make me love the gruesomeness of death/murder.

Just wondering about your symbolism and what/why you murdered all of those prostitutes.

I wish I could just meet you...and ask you why...and your meanings...and etc....

wow. that was morbid.

The East End (Assignment #2)

So, Matt, Ashley and I decided to travel to the East End. The main interest for me was the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, where the Liberty Bell was cast.

The passage their lead through the Indian/Pakistani shops...mainly barbers and restaurants. It was odd, because the places that we walked through were really sketchy...yet the restaurants that we saw were rather ritzy...

Here are examples to help you realize what the path sketch factor was like:

 Also, the food smelled delicious...but this was no time to stop and eat. I WAS ON A MISSION!







We got there and it was marvelous....in a petite sort of way.
The parts that weren't gift shops were very small and limited.

Yet, one of my favorite parts was the diorama
 of how bells were cast. It was quite interesting. Apparently they have to make sure they are carved out completely even after using a mold to make them.

I didn't get a lot of pictures because a good portion of the Bell Foundry was information and a lot of it wasn't for public view...which is rather depressing.

But just being in a place where American iconography was produced while in a foreign country was quite cool.

Family, Children, Marriage and Religion. (Assignment #7)

So, as instructed for my British Experience class, I needed to interview some people about the family situation here in the UK.

As Matt and I were walking through St. James Park looking for our 'victims'.

I found a small family in the child's playground area of the park. So, I stopped and asked them for their opinions.

I asked them about their children's schooling.They told me that their children, being 5 and 7, are both in school.

I informed them about No Child Left Behind and then asked if they had anything like that here in the UK. They replied saying that they have a program known as Every Child Matters. Instead of the school losing funding due to low test scores, the school receives additional funding in order to correct the problem of low test scores. It also focuses more on the individual student rather than the class.

We then went on to talk about the schooling systems and how their children ask about the family system and what not...

Maybe too quick...

Today was rather an adventurous day...I guess.

I was woken up by my favorite neighbor Matt....at 3:15 pm. I was not happy. I wanted to sleep more...but I guess I had enough sleep. So, I decided that I would do a little grocery shopping. I went back to Brixton. I guess I was too fast to judge it. I got some amazingly giant grapes from one of the fruit stands for about £1 and 6 seedless oranges for the same price. I then walked further into the stands and found a fabric shop on the side. It was rather awkward having the owner follow me around...its like there never has been a male within a fabric store before.

Anyways, I got back and made a pizza that I had bought...

Talked with some fierce chicks in the kitchen...

We talked about how we are starting to hate our wardrobes due to the fact that we have a limited selection of clothes to choose from. This is a big change for me...because if any of you have realized....I have a large variety of clothes. However, my mom is sending me a shirt or two....I should have her send my see-through trenchcoat....I miss it dearly....and my platform boots....i can't wait to slip those babies on when I get home.

Almost a month has passed since I have arrived. I shall write a special blog reflecting and stuff....so yeah....

The Sun is Down, It's Getting So Dark.

So, tonight/this morning, I took a walk. Just my camera and I. My destination...somewhere with lights.

I ended up walking towards Big Ben and The Eye of London.

One thing that still fascinates me if the clock tower that Big Ben is in. Many people actually refer to Big Ben as the clock tower...actually the tower is part of the Palace of West Minster and the bell inside the clock tower is Big Ben.

The base lights were off when I went...yet...it was just so beautiful without that baselight because the moonlight illuminates the base. I sadly couldn't get the clockface to show properly in my photo...but that doesn't matter to me..it's still gorgeous in person.

The other part of my journey was spent on taking pictures of the Eye of London. The Eye of London is a giant ferris wheel. It is the largest ferris wheel in Europe. It is quite gorgeous in person...so I had to add it to my collection of photos. (it's actually called the London Eye...but Eye of London sounds classier to me.)

The color blue that radiates off of the ferris is just as breathtaking as the clocktower is. These two things inspire me just simply because of their man made beauty and how the resonate in the night.

I hopefully will be riding on the London Eye....I believe it is a group activity in the near future....God be with me.

Lamb.

So, I had lamb again tonight.

I actually quite like it.

We had our first Family Meal tonight. Basically everyone in the program comes together for a dinner that is paid for by the program.

We had Shepard's Pie and Bread Pudding.

I am in love.

The lamb tasted much like hamburger.

It was nice.

Also, I had M&Ms from here at the theatre last night. They were the only good thing about the play we saw. Anyways...the M&Ms have more chocolate in them.

In a week, we will be here for a month. It doesn't feel like it has been a month though. I love it here so far.  Life is expensive though. shit. I assume with groceries and the tube tickets, its about $100.00 a week. However, We don't buy food in bulk and cars are kinda useless. A lot of people have them...its just better to use the tube and walk...so yeah...but i love it here sooooo much

The Beauty of Religion

So, I went to the West Minster Cathedral today. I really didn't have a choice...it was a class project. So, I went reluctantly. As many of you know...I'm not a huge religious person, yet I have my beliefs. When I got inside, I was glorified with art.

West Minster Cathedral is know for their elaborate mosaic decorations. I believe that you don't need a church in order to praise God, however it is a place glorifying God and paying tribute to him.

The art is just so beautiful and it all pays homage to God and the stories of in the Bible.The most breathtaking part was the Main Alter. Just the way that the colors and lights reflected off the gorgeous mosaic artwork just lit a fire in my soul.

However, my favorite mosaic is most likely the most gruesome on there. It was in the side chapel known as the "Holy Souls Chapel". It was a portrait of a snake with a skull in his mouth and he was attempting to devour Adam. The Latin text translates to "Just like Adam, All will die" (im not sure about the literal translation...this is what the professor said).

I find this so amazing because there is such a difference in everyones beliefs...yet we will all physically end up the same in the end, dead.


I plan on taking more pictures and I will update you on my class trips.

Supersize my Culture.

Its been a while since i've typed. Whoopsie Tootsies

I went to my first fast food restaurant with this cool kid named Patrick. We were cool and chose McDonalds.

It was interesting because I wanted to compare it towards it in America...since it basically runs the States.

It was a rather nice atmosphere. Kinda ritzy...and it had a lower level accessible to the public....weird.

So, the menu...had about 8 choices of what to eat. In America...its like 20.

So, I got a double quarter pounder meal and a vanilla milkshake.

the milkshake was delicious. and the burger was small to what I was used to. It was about the size of a Happy Meal Hamburger. Also, they use less mustard...which was great for me...because that shit and I hate each other. Also, it wasn't as greasy and the fries weren't as salty.

I ordered a larger milkshake...and got the equivalent of a medium American sized drink...

Dear America. Please learn from this so we drop our obesity rate.

Edginess @ Camden Market & Sketchiness @ Brixton. (Assignment #1)

 Today, I took a trip to Camden Market and Brixton Market. I was quite pleased when I had gotten there because I was alone and no one had to help me. I guess I'm learning fast. As I step out of the Tube station, I realize that I'm in Heaven.


Camden Market is known for it's edgy fashion and culture. Think of Boy George and Amy Winehouse.  The place is extremely filled with tattoo parlors and fashion boutiques. So, I walked through almost everyone that I could. 


My first was a small little kiosk that sold jewelry. My weakness. Most of what they sold was covering in spikes and pyramid studs. I want them all.


I then left and entered this giant labyrinth of clothing kiosks. I found the most adorable shirt of Heidi Klum topless and flipping the bird. Another weakness, R-Rated shirts. Along the walls, there were shoes galore. Sadly, all the good ones where either females or not in my size. I then got lost in the damn maze. The thing had to be twice the width and three times the length of my parents house in North Liberty....so...yeah.

I then went to my favorite place of the day, this gaudy looking shoe shop. I stepped inside was was instantly lead by a sales person to the mens section. I was then sat down, handed a shoe horn, and he was putting the most gorgeous shoe on me.He told me that it was from a special line in America..yet didn't tell me what line. It was a gold leather snakeskin print...exactly my size, exactly my style. Damn this guy was good. To prove to me that it was leather, he took out a lighter and ran it down the side of the shoe...i thought it was funny...because I'm not that big of an idiot....there are fake leathers that are damn good against heat. They actually weren't a bad price. Apparently they were originally £120. However they were on sale for £20. Yet...he saw in my eye that I wasn't going to pay that price...and didn't have the money. So, he pulled out a calculator...and typed 15 in. I still didn't have the money...so...he typed in 12....still broke...his final offer was £10. I lied to him and told him that I left all my big money at home...he told me to get out of his store...wow....i'm still going back to get those shoes...i think...maybe...hopefully.


I then realized that bartering was a common thing. I found it rather interesting because markets are a big thing within London...were in the US....they really aren't and it's quite depressing. 


I also went into a coat store. They had these nice leather coats. The guy obviously didn't understand that the coats he was trying on me were really nice...but not what I wanted. I told him that I was looking for an edgy grunge look...and he brought me a nicer than then last looking coat. They did look nice on me...but the jackass lied to me when I asked what the material was. He told me that it was a leather....a cheap one...i'm pretty positive that it was faux-leather. The coat just didn't feel right.


btw. if you haven't gathered. I went with maybe £5 all together, just so I wouldn't buy anything and I could get a look at the Camden Market culture before I go and make any purchases. I love it so much though. I could see me living in a place like that. So much edgy. So much fashion. So many amazing deals.


 I've already planned out with some girls about shopping adventures so I can live my fashion life vicariously through them.


I then went to Brixton. I actually found this place a little to sketchy. I think a lot of it depended on where I walked. I mainly walked next to the meat vendors...not the best choice. WOW. However, Brixton is home to a very Afro/Caribbean culture. I found the colors and prints of everything inciting. I also found a lot of hair salons. It was actually rather cool. I wish we had things like these in the US. 

Drinks and Transportation.

(This is going to be a post about alcohol...so feel free to not read this post and skip over it...or just read it...go on...)

Tonight was quite an experience. So, I went into a pub with a group of friends. I decided that tonight I would get my first alcoholic drink from a bar/pub. I, being the skittish person that I am, I got up in the line...highly anticipating the moment that most people back in the states wait for until they are 21. I decided to go with the highly recommended Strongbow. I paid the bartender and anxiously rushed back the entire 5 feet to my seat. As I took the first sip, I felt a wave rush over me. Somewhat of that 'adult' feeling where I was aloud to drink legally in front of people...and no one gave a damn. It was quite nice...and after I had finished that delicious Strongbow...I didn't feel the need to get another. I felt quite content with it being a social drink. But, I could understand why people in London drink so much....i'm assuming because Strongbow is quite tasty.

(Transportation part)

So, I realized how important the Tube (subway) was today. After having a few troubles and worries about getting to and from a place was, I realized how dependent Londoners were on the Tube. I recall having a conversation with Mark (the programme director) about how he commutes about 25 mins on the tube to work from his home. He then spoke about Beth (the assistant programme director) and her location distance from Vandon House (where I live). He said that she walks to work and it's a rarity that you were able to walk to work here in London. I found this interesting, because I know my mom has about a 30 min commute ad my father about a 20 minute commute...yet we live in a different city than their location of employment..where are London is one big city full of villages. I then realized that America is very dependent on cars/trucks/vans in most places. So, it makes sense. London is different from Iowa City...more than just size. Wow. I just wish Mr. Feeney were here to making all of my unanswered questions more just answers. Because without questions, we just have answers...and an answer would just be a statement. (Thanks to Mayor Adam West for that line). 

Dear UK Apple Juice,

I love you more than the American stuff.

Much Love,

Jason