London Theatre...and Wicked

We departed to Wicked. As we are in the lobby of Vandon House, Mark informs us that we kinda sorta overdressed. I was too lazy to change. So I went all dressed up.

I was weird to me. I actually rather liked it. In the US, it's more of a luxury.

I saw people wear a lot of jeans and tennis shoes. It's more of a family outing much like a cinema.

Also, it seemed that Wicked in the UK had more of a Rock N' Roll edge. Which was rather different from when I saw it in Chicago about 5 years ago.

I think I like it.

cultured seminar for one please.

How do I perceive myself as an American over in the UK?
How can I make the most out of my adventure here?
How can I better myself as a living person in this world?

We took a 3 hour culture seminar today. I sat there in a somewhat quizzical set of mind. The above questions are what I thought of.

I will be using this blog as my journal that is required for a class. Please as any questions that you would like and I will answer them. You can register online through blogspot if you would like. You could email me via seabaj@gmail.com or facebook.

Day One

So, I begin in London. Jason and I go down to breakfast. I love the yogurt. Not as think as yogurt in America. I also love the Raspberry jam that was served.

We then have to go to orientation....apparently time goes by fast here in the UK...because I did not feel like it was 3 hours...it felt like 30 mins. Mark Simmons (the study abroad head honcho over here) gave us some sweets (candy) that was popular in the UK...it was worth it.

We then broke for lunch. We went to the post office...which was insanely busy and even had tickets that you have to take then wait for it to be called. Never seen that before.Then we went to the Tube so we could put money on our Oyster (Tube) cards.

Then, more orientation. This time it was a tour. I'm not gonna lie. It was pretty awesome. We traveled through some parts of London. We went to the London Bridge, Thames River, the site of the Great Fire of London...and so much more. I started spotting theatres with shows that I want to go see...many of which...will be amazing.

Then we settled back home....for another hour of orientation....then we were done for the day. Sarah, Mary, Jason and I went to a little restaurant that served Fish and Chips. I however do not like fish...so I got a Hamburger and Chips meal. I then learned that Chips (French Fries) are not a finger food...so I used a fork after being slightly embarrassed. We then found a grocery store and I got an Alarm clock...that quickly will be replaced due to its annoying and shitty nature.

Copenhagen to London

So...I arrived in Copenhagen. Nothing much happened...flight was a little delayed...

Got on the plane and arrived in London.

Well..the Tube (Underground subway) was shut off when I got like half way through it...so...I had to take a taxi...great. it cost around 25 to 30 pounds....lovely.
 Finally got here at 6ish.
Jason (my roomie) was here already. We chatted....at M&Ms...and fell asleep...

Chicago to Copenhagen

 So, I began my journey at 5 am this morning. I got no sleep at all because of all the excitement. So, on the road we go. Mom and Tori decided to sleep…so Dad and I started talking about movies, reboots, Crowley, etc etc. Once we hit Illinois, the roads became a bitch. Not one, but two cars spun out of control directly in front of us. Thankfully, they both walked and no one was hurt to my knowledge. Then, after fighting the assholes in the traffic…we got to Chicago. Our hotel was nice. They receptionist told us that there was a free “All You Can Drink” Cocktail Reception. So, obviously I look over 21…go on…I took an hour nap…to get me ready for the adventures that lied ahead.

We walked to the train…looked like idiots as we stared at the train pass machines as if we were in the 1950’s and we saw a flat screen television. We finally got on the train. Dad decided to be him loveable self and sit next to me. We would give sarcastic ass remarks about things or people we saw…and we both talked a lot about how cool the graffiti was on the buildings as we passed through them. I might have also been texting a really good looking guy…flirting back and forth…did I mention that he made my heart stop….he told me some sweet things…my god…my heart is still fluttering…Finally after 45 to 60 mins…we were at the Magnificent Mile.

First stop was the Disney Store so we could please Tori.  One of the guys that worked at the store began to flirt with me…as I began to flirt back…I was cock blocked…thanks Mom…

We decided that food was required…inward ho! TGI Fridays would end up being our nesting ground. The waiter…well….let’s say….kiss kiss glitter….and unattractive…I think he was trying really hard to get a good tip….I think he tried flirting with me….just like a Magikarp splashing…it was ineffective. I got a 3 course meal deal for like 16 bucks. Mozzy sticks, Parmesan Chicken and Peanut Butter Cup Pie…the Former and latter we AMAZING and worth the money…the chicken however was dry….but that’s just my taste…it was also a bit burnt….I didn’t want to take it home because I knew that it wasn’t worth saving…but Dad and his soft heart….didn’t want to hurt the waiter/cooks feelings and had it boxed up.

We then went on the hunt for a Bears Jersey…mission failed. I’m pretty sure some guy grabbed my ass as we walked into the Nike Store…I can get used to Chicago guys!

We got back into the train…got to the Hotel…I showered…We headed to the airport. The shuttle guy was nice. He looked like Joel Grey…I was a fan. Just then….my stomach hit me…I got nervous.

We got to the airport. I started to rush….knowing that I had been there an hour earlier than the normal amount of time that is kosher…got my ticket…we stopped at the food court because it was the farthest we could go before Security.

Got through Security…that was fun. No frisks involved…damn.

So I sat and walked around the terminals for like 2 hours. Got a few double takes from some cuties….I might have proved that I had a little staring problem. I bought M&Ms for the trip…mmmmm…I guess I’ll share with Jason (my roommate).

Got on my plane…I’m at the freaking back…in the middle aisle…middle seat…shit. But…the passenger on my right was a no-show…or the seat was empty…there were a few empty seats…so…there is a seat between me and this jack-ass older Asian business man. The flight is in two languages…German and English. I feel bad because the flight attendants speak German to everyone else…but English to me…I feel bad because I know how to say a few things in the German language…like: welcome, thank you, shit, my mister….and whatever words I can gather as I listened to my Cabaret Broadway Revival Soundtrack. Win for me. One of the flight attendants looks like Uli Hezzner (spelling?) from 3^rd season of Project Runway…you know…the one who should have won instead of that jack off Jeffery Sabelia (spelling?)…another one looks like Yoko Ono…there’s also a mother of a 1 year old in front of me who I had a brief conversation with…she was nice.

The food was pretty tasty. I have a pic or nine…I forget how many…I’ll post them for y’all. For dinner we had thicker beef stew, mashed potatoes, mixed steam veggies (which weren’t half bad), a small iceberg lettuce salad w/ cherry tomato, a roll that came with some Brie Cheese spread J and a cheesecake square…I also got the two cute little cans of Coke with it…I should have saved them…but I can’t start pack ratting yet. I felt fancy eating…I highly doubt anyone has realized that I am American…besides my use of the American English language…

So…for entertainment…we have touch screen tvs in the back of each seat. You can watch some movies…I watched “Big”, “LOTR” and “Ratatouie”. There is a remote that also turns into a game controller…so I played some puzzle game…it wouldn’t let me play Mahjong…damn. I did however manage to get an hour nap in too…I’m too excited to sleep. I started listening to the radio…like…24 channels…each segregated into their genre…I tuned into the “Showtune” one…”Springtime for Hitler” was on…I wanted to sing out loud…in honor of TJ and Luke…but I feel like that wouldn’t have went down well….

Another amazing thing about the flight to Copenhagen…there is a map that you can access and is always on the main hanging screen that shows the plane flying over a map…as I type this…we are flying over the Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Ireland….SOOOOO CLOSE. Also, there is a function that lets you see though two cameras on the outside of the plane; one viewing forward…and one viewing below the plane…which made takeoff so freaking amazing. The main tv was on the front cam…so I turned my tv on the bottom cam and glanced back and forth…so pretty I can’t wait to get to England though. I need friends…air…adventure...and stuff. I have it on now so I can watch the sunrise. So pretty.

Packing

So, I've been packing the last three days. shit.
I have packed, emptied and repacked my suitcase FIVE times. Is that healthy?
I am waking up at 4 am to shower, get dressed and finish packing my carry-on...which will be near empty...just in case I get something in Chicago...i hope that it will work for the plane...

I ate an amazing meal with my fabulous Grandparents tonight. We all went out to Roadside Bar and Grill. It's on the outskirts of Columbus Junction. Cheap and AMAZING food. I got the Triple By-Pass Burger. Damn. I love greasy bar burgers.

Whelp. I must tuck in and attempt to sleep....but my excitement might keep me up.

I might blog before and after my first plane....I leave Chicago at 10 pmish. Arrive and wait for an hour and a half in Copenhagen...then arrive in London. I shall ride the tube all by myself and get to Vandon House...hopefully.

Au Revoir.

Prologue: The Early Beginning.

exactly one week until I fly off on my plane.