Yikes!

Seeing as it's been well over a week since I've looked at my blog, I believe an update is in store. Well as most of you have probably seen I am running for Student Body Vice President of the University of South Carolina. Crazy thing, I know, but I couldn't be more excited about it! Ok so since my last post, Dublin - amazing, and this weekend was Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford and it was EQUALLY amazing. For those of you that aren't loser's and don't foam at the mouth over places like these, Stratford is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. (Random fact: Shakespeare was born AND died on my birthday. Woo!) It is the most lovely little town about two hours outside London. We visited Anne Hathaway's house (Shakespeare's girlfriend) and I felt the instant desire to run through the fields and churn butter while wearing a bonnet....not really, but the feeling was somewhere in that general vicinity.

After a quick bit there, we headed over to gorgeous Oxford, about 45 minutes closer to London. Beautiful town obviously, and breathtaking campus, mainly because we got to see several places where they filmed HARRY POTTER...yup. They charge you to go into most of the colleges, so it sufficed to just go into the "Wacky store of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Last stop in Oxford was the Eagle and the Child Pub, in which C.S. Lewis (Author of Chronicles of Narnia) and my favorite author J.R.R. Tolkien (Author of Lord of the Rings and many other) used to meet for a drink and endless hours of "playful banter" as it was put. Basically, a day full of Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, and Lord of The Rings.....success.

Dublin City

GREAT weekend in Ireland. I'm incredibly amazed how the grass is blazing green in the dead of winter. I'll add many more details tomorrow because I just arrived from the airport and its 1 am, but the basic summation is tour of the Guiness Factor, which was incredibly interesting (I finished the free pint of beer which was definitely an uphill battle for me), hung around the famous Temple Bar district, and got a free tour from the most Irish guy Ive ever seen. Name: Seamas (Pronounced Shaymus) O'Reilly. Love the music and the culture, many more details and pictures to follow!

Greenwich!

Today I had the lovely opportunity to visit a little area outside London called Greenwich, home to the University of Greenwich, the best fish and chips I have ever tasted, and the BEGINNING OF TIME. Yes, that's what there sign says "Home to the start of time". Quite the accomplishment I would add. The reasoning behind this is that Greenwich is apparently home to the foundations of Britains powerful monarchy in the late 1500's, but more importantly, where the Meridian Line lines. (That's the line that separates hemisphere's and a time zone for my many geography hating friends) Quite the amazing feeling to be present in two hemispheres at once, but I'm sure a lot more confusing for the pub that lies on the line (apparently they have trouble keeping the time, obviously). Note to Americans: In this pub today I convinced an old man to give me 2 pounds for my one dollar bill. That's basically like trading 50 cents for 2 dollars, or one dollar for 3.2 dollars. They love the dollar bill apparently so think of that when you becoming overwhelming by the "power of the pound" as they say. Strangely enough the UK's recession is apparently worse than ours! We're definitely not doing something right.

If I could live in the UK, Greenwich would definitely be a top option, beautiful Palaces, museums, markets, and overall friendly people. The perfect proximately to London while still feeling that you are trapped in time in a 17th century town.

Thank you's for the day: Old woman who called me a "flobbywagger" for increasing my vocabulary. The 3 British people for making me feel better about myself because they could not give directions out of a paper bag. And finally, to the city of London for not owning salt to put in the snow so I can enjoy viewing endless people falling on a daily basis! Pictures to come! (Of everything not just the falling people)

First Day of Classes

Technically today was my second day of classes, but I didn't get a chance to write last night. It snowed pretty heavy yesterday, and I was the only one who seemed to be excited about it. I supposed when you are used to something you tend to ignore it, but everytime I looked out my window last night and today I was in complete awe of how gorgeous the tiny snow flakes were over this gorgeous city. My classes even got canceled today because of it but I am just so thankful that I got to witness such a beautiful thing. Even though it is freezing cold everything about this city is so surreal that you can't help wonder how Londoners could ive anywhere else. To conclude my post, a British boy of approximately ten years old chased after me specifically to throw a snowball directly in my face. What a lovely culture.

Day Three

Classes start tomorrow! World Religions and History of Art. I've decided that Londoners do not hate Americans, they honestly just do not care where you are form, and mildly dislike the invaders of there city. Very friendly people though if you compliment them! My best friend Erin got placed at an internship right next to the London Eye so that is a definitely possibility for tomorrow. I am incredibly amazed about the amount of energy saving and recycling Londoners do. Major notes on green living are definitely being taken to bring back to USC!

Day Two

If you ever happen to come to London in the winter, be sure you are prepared for 32 degrees that actually feels like 10. Beautiful day in London, Buckingham palace was no less that spectacular. Just found out that London is the second cleanest city in the world, Stockholm, Sweden, beat them just barely (not sure what the criteria is but I spent quite a bit of time searching for a piece of trash today and could not find one). It helps that there are no trashcans, apparently due to the fact they were taken away because of terrorists hiding bombs in them, good to know. Nonetheless I'm pleasantly surprised by its safety and cleanliness. No weapon of any sort is allowed including guns obviously, knives, pepper spray, and very sharp nail clippers, not files. So watch out for those trying to rob you by clipping you to death. Beautiful day in London, Buckingham palace was no less that spectacular. Hope you enjoyed these pointless facts for your travels.

Day One

First full day in London! I'm in Camdentown, fashion, music, and artistic hub (apparently Charles Dickens used to live around the block) but better known as the area with a plethora of multicolored hair and a nice variation of primary subtractive shaded "The Clash" graphic tees, hence the name of the blog. I'm so blessed to be here and I can't wait to "immerse myself in the culture" as I've been reciting for months. Hope all of you enjoy my blog (aka Mom, Dad, and my other family members that know how to use the computer)!