Dear Pop Culture.

When was it okay to make an opera about Anna Nicole Smith.

Yea, I understand the warped position of fame and how she died trying to keep it....

but yea....lyrics....not so much....


nice try.

Mid-term Reflections

So, I've been here for about half the time I stay here in London.

I'm not really homesick...but looking forward to getting back to the States.

I'll get to see my friends and family again.
I won't have to worry about money as much.
I'll be able to grill.
I'll have all of my clothes/shoes to wear.

It's also getting to that time where people are starting to annoy people....I hope that I'm not annoying anyone....

I feel like I fit into London pretty well...people ask me for directions....I feel bad when I know that I point them in the wrong way....

I'm still upset about a boy....I wish that I was able to visit him during first semester. I think that might have changed things....maybe....hes not that far from Iowa City...maybe him and I shoulda met over the summer...but I was a good boy...and stayed home :(

I've began to appreciate nature and the outdoors a bit more. It doesn't mean that I'm going to go out, hike and  camp...but maybe I'll buy a hammock when I get home....

Also, Patrick and I have decided that we are going to have grilling parties. I miss the grill so much...and steak.

I've learned that I can actually survive on less than what I thought I could....

I miss having a job during the day. It gives me something to occupy myself with instead of sitting around on the computer all day...also...I get money :)

Also, I've decided that when I get home, I'm going to drive around....maybe go to Blakesburg....visit my old stomping grounds.  Go back to the house I spent half my life in....see if I can remember where I buried treasure....idk....attempt to walk the pasture....Warner would love that....the kid of the jackass that punched him in the face...on his property....go to Sunnyacres....lay out on my car and watch the stars shine at Grandma and Grandpa's old lot....who knows....I just want to roam....being stuck in the middle of London makes me want to get away into the countryside.

To Bath and Beyond: How Do You Put On These Headphones?

Bath, is an amazing place...known for its beautiful scenes and most notably for the Roman Baths.

So, we went to Dyrham Park. Its a proper estate owned by the National Trust because its so expensive. The scenes are AMAZING and BREATHTAKING.

I have too many pictures. Also, Matt decided it would be a great idea to pick some flowers...apparently it is illegal to pick them because they are endangered...go him.

When we got to Bath, we toured the Roman Baths. So amazing to learn about how the civilization utilized every part of what was found...mainly the Hot Springs.

Then Saturday, Mark and Beth got us a bus tour instead of the boats. I loved this. Apparently Nicolas Cage lives in Bath...I have a picture of his supposed apartment.

Then we went to Victoria Park. It was amazing. So beautiful. The sun was out, so we did a little sun bathing.

Then we went to the playground portion. We got so many pictures of the playground. It was so jungle like. So many kids...so much playground stuff.

This place is beautiful and so peaceful. I want to live here.

The Hostel that we stayed in was pretty legit. Matt and I got a bunkbed that was obviously not made for people so damn tall. We were going to make a fort or seven....but our plans were ruined....fail fail not happy fail.

We then packed up and left to our next destination Lacock (lay-cock). It's known for its rich history....a traditional English village. Its also wealthy because of the wool industry.
It's also known for being used in the Harry Potter movies.
They were having a flower sale everywhere....I'm glad Spring is finally happening...I hope Iowa is gorgeous when I get back.
There was also a cute guy working in one of the craft shop. He was checking me out. He totally wanted me. So...yeah....um....grandma told me to not bring back a boy....but....I was so close....

We finally got back to London. I didn't really miss it. Someone decided that we were hatin' on London...but it was impossible to not....the weekend was gorgeous. It was perfect.

Bath = J'adore!

Things learned on this trip:
- Don't pick pretty flowers.
- Asians love taking pictures.
- Asians will go next to little children...and take pictures with them.
- Drunken old Rugby players will be creepy.
- Beth has troubles working clippy headphones.
- Beth owns a pair of flats.
- YMCA Hostels might have memory foam pillows.
- Matt jumps on...three kids fall off
- Brie and Ham Panini...yum

The Only Legit Reason...

to procrastinate



http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/70-cutie-baby-animals-bring-your-a-good-mood/


-check it out....its better when you have work to put off...trust me-

We Can Realize Culture.

So, after a long process...Megan Overturn and I have realized that Madame Kaplan wears so many heels and two-piece suits....because shes French and its a European thing!


Yay.


but yea...

the fashion students are pretty amazing here. I talk some fashion stuff with them and chat it up. Also, they have the cutest shoes ever. I love them so much. Sadly, they will not be here when I have Spring Break.

Sad panda.

Schießen, We're At A Hipster Church.

For my Religionsey class, we took a field trip today.

We went to this church called "Church on the Corner" or "COTC" for short.

I was initially surprised when we had gotten there. The congregation was casually dressed and very informal. Also, there was one person who looked over the age of 35 there. I then realized....we were ironically in a hipster church. I'm in love.

The sermon was very informal, yet structured. It also was a very loose Christian one.

I was instantly transported back to my youth. I had grew up in a church EXACTLY like this. Everyone came dressed in casual clothing...and just worshiped God...nothing fancy about it. I felt at home while being there.

I then began to think during Communion about what I have given up in the past to be where I am today. I have cut off all but minimal ties with my biological father. My relationship with God is very very very thin. I can thank a certain pastor for that. All of the lies I've told, the poisoned I've spewed...

Why is London making me think about myself? I guess it's one of the benefits? Why? Who knows.

I've started missing parts of home...realizing that homesickness happens to everyone.

I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss my lack of independence. I miss the theatre. I miss Central (never thought I'd say that)....I miss my freedoms that I had in the US when it came of everyday stuff...like food and clothes....GOD I MISS MY WARDROBE.

I'm starting to be disgusted with my clothes that I  have brought here.....I miss my platform boots.

But, I've met new people. People that I have found while on this program. Although Central boosts that you get to interact with people that are native to London....it's primarily false. We do not live on a campus like much of the other Study Abroad students do...which actually makes me sad. Ugh. Central...why must you lie....ugh ugh ugh

Also, I've found a new love for tea and also grilled cheese sandwiches. Thank you Momma for teaching me how to cook.

For more information on "COTC", please visit: http://churchonthecorner.org.uk/

British Comedy.

So, I am currently watching a show called "Russell Howard's Good News" on BBC three.

It is pretty much like the American show "Tosh.0" but its more politically fueled.

Basically it takes the news...and messes with it by making comments and using the worse news possible....even Fox News....thank you for using crap news to entertain me.

Also, I just watched a mouse use a mousetrap hinge to weightlift to the 'Eye of the Tiger".

You Americans Love Jumping in the Air, It Must Be A Cultural Thing. (Assignment #5)

Today I experienced a British breakfast today. It was a Bacon Roll. It was basically a bun....with bacon in it. But, the most extreme part was the "brown sauce". It was basically A-1 Steak Sauce. I want it for steak.


We started at 10 a.m.
I am barely awake.
We get on a boat. Honestly, I hate boat tours. Boat tours are overrated and are only good while in Paris...I need to go to Paris.

When we got to Greenwich (Gren-itch) it was sunny and beautiful.

We decided to walk up this hill...that I dubbed "The Hill of Death".

On top of this hill, there was a marker that separated the East and West Hemispheres. So, I was in two places at once....AMAZING.

Royal Observatory. Pretty view of Greenwich itself. They had an impressive collection of telescopes and timekeeping devices.

Visited the Queen's House. It's a gallery. It had some AMAZING portraits.

Maritine Museum. Boats and shit. 

We visited the Old Royal Naval College. They had a Painted Room. It was GORGEOUS!

We visited the Greenwich Market. Its quite fascinating. It's quite a great place to get artsy stuff such as paintings and jewelry.

We went under this janky tunnel...which went under the Thames River. The view on the otherside was breathtaking. The Thames is quite beautiful despite the 1000 years worth of sewage, trash and dead bodies in it...

We got on the DLR....not really a fan...its slow and stops way too much.