Well, it's been almost 2 weeks since I have come to London, yet it feels like it's been more like a month. I am settled in at home with the girls and have started all of my introductions at East 15. Lots of meeting faculty, registering, getting to know the buildings and whatnot. Nothing too exciting. I have been taking advantage of a slow start by using my free time to explore the city. I had a wonderful walk along the Thames last week. The clouds were so ominous which made for some fantastic pictures. Here are just a few for your viewing pleasure!
Here are some pictures I've taken so far. Sort of in no particular order, since uploading them is not one of my specialties. They are mainly of the house where I am living. Please note that everything you see in my bedroom I built myself, thank you very much. I've also found St. Nicholas' Church, the cutest church that I have ever seen, right down the road! The whole building couldn't have been bigger than a shed. Well, maybe a small barn. Da, you'll be happy to know that I am going to a service there over the weekend....I need to see what the inside of the place looks like! And of course, for shits and giggles, one obnoxiously taken picture of the tube! Off to a good start, I think.
I have arrived safe and sound on the other side of the Atlantic! England will never be the same. Upon arriving at Heathrow Airport, one of the first signs that I saw as I was getting through customs was something to the effect of "If you break any laws while in the UK, you will be sent back to your home country." They don't pull an punches here, do they. Well, of course it was much more eloquent than that. I still can't get over how easy it was for me to get through. No security dogs, space-aged X-ray machines, or cops at all. And the Border Officer who questioned me just glanced at my visa! I could have typed it up myself and taped it in there....(ahhh, no I wouldn't do something like that).
Anyway, I've been here for 5 days now and have gotten a whole lot done. I've spent most of the last three days building IKEA furniture, which is so much fun. But, I do have to say that my bedroom looks amazing. For the first time in my life, it looks like an actual adult woman lives here!
Sarah and Amanda are the two sisters that I am living with and they have been absolutely lovely. (I'm sounding British already) They took me shopping, rented a van to go get a bed, and even introduced me to their friends! I think that I made a good impression....didn't tarnish their opinion of Americans at all, don't worry. Sarah finished a law exam today, so we are going to have a girl's dinner this evening in the village of Loughton. That's my favorite part of this so far. I live in a village! Technically, we are not in the actual city of London, but considered part of the Greater London area....sort of like living in Flatbush or Arlington.
I rode on the tube Saturday night for the first time. I have been bringing my camera with me everywhere, but trying not to take too many embarassing pictures.....don't want anyone thinking that I'm not from here. I'm limiting myself to 5 pictures of street signs and "cute" buildings a week. That's a word that I think Sarah and Amanda are hoping to never hear again. But everything is just so cute! I did feel like a moron trying to figure out how to buy an oyster card and gain admittance to the tube. I now feel bad for getting so mad a those "stupid tourists" trying to get on the metro or subway. It took me 10 minutes....a new record for stupidity, I think.
Well, that's about it for now! I promise from here on out my stories will grow in excitement and interest.....nothing to get me deported, don't worry Ma.
