Studying Abroad in London: An Experienced Londoner

London has so much to do all the time. There is always something to see or experience. On Sunday night we went to a movie premiere! (we didn't actually go to the movie; we just went to see the stars walk in!) This was very exciting. It was the premiere of Invictus. I believe this movie has been showing in the States for a while, so the premieres must just be later here. Anyways, there was a red carpet and lights and people everywhere. We went about an hour early so we would be sure to get a good spot, but it was already really crowded (luckily I am tall). It was fun to see the limos pull up and the celebrities get out, everyone went nuts. I got to see Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, and Clint Eastwood. It was interesting to see how the actors interacted with the audience. Morgan Freeman took a few pictures for the paparazzi, waved, and walked right past into the theatre. Clint did sign some autographs and mingled. However, Matt Damon walked up and down the sides of the carpet signing autographs, taking pictures with people and the whole bit. I must say that he looks just as good in real life as in the movies. I was a little disappointed that there were not many actresses in the movie or at the premiere because I was looking forward to checking out their dresses. However, Valentine's Day, another movie, premieres here on the 11th. I fully plan on being there because my favorite actress of all time, Julia Roberts, is in the movie! I can't wait. I will let you know how it goes!

(Above) My Picture of Matt Damon

Yesterday I had my internship meeting. I found out that I am not doing my internship at Parliament because there are a lot of Political Science majors here and that is more of their department. I was really hoping for a nice business firm or something great to put on my resume. Turns out that I am interning at a non profit organization in a part of London called Hoxton. My program director told me there were not any ghettos in London; but if there were, then I work in one. Of course, where else did I expect a not for profit business to be located? This has made me even more aware of how nice an area that I live in. The business is called Hoxton Trust and it basically serves the community in many ways. Their biggest area is offering legal advice, but they also offer English classes too. The Hoxton area is mostly Turkish people and a lot of them don't speak English. My internship is about a 15 minute walk from the tube. Now, Imagine me in my smart clothes (what they call dress pants and nice shirt) and heels walking through Hoxton in the rain (because it at least sprinkles about everyday). My initial feelings were not good about this whole thing. When I finally found the building after only a few minor mix ups, I definitely was not excited. Green and yellow paint every where, even on the inside! I was just happy I found this place though. So I waited for the director of this organization for a little bit as I pondered how I was going to get myself out of this situation. Soon enough Karina, my boss, showed up and things started getting a lot better. She is a very nice lady and was extremely excited to have me there. She explained a little more about the business. We worked out that I will be going in every Tuesday from 10 -6 and I get an hour lunch break to explore Turkish food (Yikes!). Karina is completely British, but thinks that I will love the Turkish meal called a greasy spoon. This frightens me a bit, but I will let you know how it turns out! I think I will be packing my lunch. Anyways enough pouting for me... The good news is that I get my own desk and computer. I will be working on creating a monthly newsletter for Hoxton Trust and I also get to interview past customers about their experience and then put that together to illustrate how well the services that Hoxton Trust offer really are. It turns out that I am a pretty lucky intern because most of the other students have told me they have to make their boss tea and pretty much get no hands on experience. This makes me a little more optimistic, considering that Karina offered to get me tea! Hopefully my first day goes well!

On Saturday we went on a walking tour. We saw St. Paul's Cathedral where Princess Diana got married. It is impeccable. Then we also saw the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's plays were put on. A lot of history in a small area. On Monday I went to take pictures of some of the sites near my house. It is hard to explain what I walk past every day. Hopefully the pictures below do some justice. It really amazes me how much history there is here. There are so many impressive buildings, museums, parks and things to do here.

(Left) St. Paul's Cathedral, (Right) Westminster Abbey

(Left)Houses of Parliament, (Right) Me by a huge Lion at Trafalgar Square

Yesterday some one asked me for directions! This pleased me very much because it means one of two things. One: that I look like I am from here and know what I am doing or Two: that I look nice enough to approach and ask about directions (which is hard to find here). Either way, still exciting. So, I was just waiting for the Tube when a young man came and asked me if I was from here and could help him with directions. As soon as I told him that I had only been here about a week and could try my best to help him, he asked me if I was American (must have been my accent, or lack there of). Turns out he was a foreign student from Africa and had only been here about a week too. However, I had a lot better navigating skills than him. He told me where he was from in Africa, but I had no idea where it was and he said that most people didn't. However, he did tell me that the U.S. has a military base there. So I helped him find his way to his stop and explained the Tube to him a little bit. I had to get off a few stops ahead of him as I was going to do some shopping, but I am fairly sure my directions got him to where he was going. He told me that the London Tube was a very difficult network compared to the Metro in Paris and some other underground train networks. Although I still have to look at my map at times; I am feeling pretty confident with the Tube.

This day I also went out and bought a pair of new, casual boots. Everyone here wears skin tight, dark trousers and boots. There is so many great stores in London. I definitely find it beneficial to pinch on food and splurge on fashion and traveling. This weekend we are going to Liverpool. Our director has told us that Liverpool is completely different from London. It will be very interesting to see another culture in England. I am also looking forward to seeing some country side. Believe it or not, but I am in need of a little fresh air! I probably will not have a chance to write until Sunday night. Until then, as they say here, Cheers!

This reminds me of some new words I have learned this week. For starters, everyone ends conversations with Cheers! They use it on the phone instead of good bye, they close emails with it, and I hear it on the street. I have also learned that knickers mean underwear. I know I have heard this before, but I actually saw a sign today that said knickers: 2 for 5 pounds. Bugger, buggered, and buggers is used pretty commonly and I haven't quite figured out the meaning, but I believe it has multiple, such as shoot, troubled, shucks, etc. Another common word used here is bloody, which is equivalent to our damn only maybe a little stronger. I hear it all the time, such as someone on the tube saying, "I found a bloody rat in my flat last night!"