Day 2: Tired but Excited

Wow! What an exhausting second day! Jet lag is still hitting me, but I believe that tomorrow I am going to be in ship shape since I don’t have to be up super early also its a free day, and also because I am super tired so I am just gonna pass out once this is posted. First things first, I have to discuss the first show that I saw while here, Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams. Now I am not a huge Tennessee Williams fan, I have read and seen a couple of his shows and none of them really impressed me, this show did. I don’t know if it was the actors, the directing, or the writing but this show really keep my attention, and made me ask questions. The first one I had was during intermission, I asked some of my classmates sitting next to me, “what is the plot of this show?” because it really was scattered around everywhere, tons of subplot stories and you could not really get a grip on who the protagonist and antagonist were. I thought this girl was pregnant, she wasn’t, I thought there was a possibility for slaves in the plot, nope, tons of questions were running through my mind. Then the second act roles around, and it was as if a light went across the stage and really showed what this whole show was leading up to, and it was amazing. There was a raw chemistry between the two leads, they fell in love, but it was not just sudden. Their love was slow and gradual and they had conflict that was relatable and then when they can finally come together, it was almost a weight lifted off of you because you were waiting for this moment and it finally comes, then just like Tennessee Williams always does, he rips your heart out and takes away all that made you happy in that moment. Something I noticed was their accents. They were trying to have very southern, American accents. It was very interesting to see them try to have these accents that I hear everyday and it doesn’t phase me. I heard where they put their emphasis on words that made me chuckle a bit, because we really don’t do that and it was kinda like how people sound when they speak southern on SNL. Finally the set, lighting, sound, and costumes. This is where I got the most confused. The set was very nice, reminded me of something we could do a global campus, and the lighting and sound were very nice and exact, how you practice it to be and get right in rehearsal, then on stage it is always a second behind. The costumes on the other hand, didn’t enjoy. Some of the costumes were very modern in my eyes and it made the timeline very confusing, some dressed like they were in the wild west and some dressed like they were in the 90’s, not a fan. Also the main guy smoked a real cigarette on stage, and I guess that okay if the actor is comfortable with that, but he lit an actual match and through it on stage, that made me a little uncomfortable. Overall I would suggest going and seeing this show, it was very interesting and it gave you a few lessons about life like don’t settle for a boring life, search for adventure, and sometimes the wisest people are probably not the ones who you expect.

Now that my play review is out of the way, let’s talk about my day! Today I wore mostly Old Navy. I had an cream tank top on, a burnt orange jacket, and some light jeans with my white Reeboks. So I ate breakfast at the hotel, it’s free and filling and I am trying to save money for excursions. I had some eggs cooked over medium, toast, hash browns, ham, and some coffee. I did not like the ham, it was super salty and dry. Everything else was pretty delicious. I wish they had some fresh fruit though, but hey beggars can’t be choosers. We then got to go on a bus tour and it was so cool! We saw so many places and we were told to go back and see them. Our excellent tour guide took us through a mall, and up to this roof top where we saw St. Pauls cathedral. I also saw The Shard, which those who are not Doctor Who fans it is just a cool business building, but those of you who are THE DOCTOR DROVE UP THAT AND IT WAS SO COOL SEEING IT! I WAS SO HAPPY! We also got to see The Tower Bridge which many believe is London Bridge but it is not, we drove on London Bridge which was crowded, and there was a lot of traffic. We saw the House of Parliament and she explained that Lords eat under the red canopy and commons eat under the green canopy. Sadly they are completely renovating big ben (one, if not the main attractions in London) so we couldn’t see it, and I wasn’t going to take a picture of it being renovated. Then she lead us through a really big park and showed us a really nice view of London and Buckingham palace. Now the queen is staying at the Buckingham palace at the moment, but I could not see her (sorry Meme) there was a garden party happening today. We then got back on the tube and went our separate ways. A group of us decided that we were gonna go get lunch and went and got Nandos. This restaurant was highly suggested to us by other groups in the past, and it was really good if you like spicy food. I really don’t but I got a vegetarian option and it wasn’t too bad, 8/10 would go again. Then we walked around a few shops and I was craving ice cream. We found this cute little place called “Bens Cookies” where I got some gelato and a chocolate chip cookie. Then after eating quite a lot and not sleeping too well, I felt kinda sick and went and took a small nap. When I woke up, we got back on the tube and went to see our first show, which I have already written about. Funny story: Shawn, one of our chaperons, walks really fast. He has that mom about to grab your ear and drag you to the car walk down. Ask anyone who as ever walked around a city with me, or Walmart, or anywhere, I walk really slow. Most of the day I was very sweaty and told Shawn “short stubby legs don’t walk very far” with lots of huffs in between those words. This is important because as we were walking back we found a Tasco (small food and drink shop, they are everywhere) and got some dinner. I was checked out and walking back with a group of people while Shawn was checking out, as we reached the crosswalk, I hear his shoes clicking behind me, he had caught up and then walked in front of me. I had a five minute head start, yet he still beat me to the hotel. Now I have eaten my weird, but good sandwich, chugged a coke, and had some chocolate and I am on my way to a blissful sleep.

Packing: How I Did The Impossible Also Day 1

So, I am going to be in London for a month and I think the biggest question is "How are you going to pack for that?" let me tell you, it is not easy. I started packing on Tuesday which might seem excessive but I wanted to make sure that 1. I wasn't wearing the clothes that I would be wearing this week and 2. I can change my mind and re-think everything if needed. I always suggest not packing for big trips the night before, it is just too stressful and you are more likely to over/under pack. Londons climate is quite different from the climate in Arkansas. Around this time of year, we tend to wear shorts and flip-flops and go swimming in the lake. Not where I'm going. The highest it is going to be while I'm there is probably 70 degrees (I'll let you know if it gets hotter than that) and I do have some shorts just incase, but I am mostly packing jeans and nice tops. I am even packing a couple of jackets and a cardigan. We go and see a few shows later in the evening and we will be outside so it most likely will be chilly. Another aspect that I have to consider is that it is going to be very rainy while I am there. Of course I have the cutest yellow rain coat which I will be bringing, but one must consider ones shoes when you are going to be in rain for a month long. This aspect might frighten some people, and they would be frightened to bring white shoes, well not me baby! White shoes are a big part of my wardrobe, so they are a must, and thank you to the check out lady at Jc Pennys who boosted my ego as I was checking out and told me my shoes were "popping", it was very much appreciated. My lovely mother helped my pack and we seperated my clothes by first week and second week, and halfway through I plan to do laundry, and then start the process again. Shoes had to go into my gray backpack and some bathroom stuff in my small purse/backpack thingy. My luggage was really heavy, it definitely was over fifty pounds and I had to pay to check it, so I couldn’t pack like shampoo, body wash, and other stuff like that so I do have to go buy that kind of stuff tomorrow. I brought some travel stuff so I can survive till tomorrow. Packing wasn’t too difficult since I started early, so I highly suggest doing that, but also I tried to pack my bathroom stuff and weigh my luggage at like eleven the night before I left which was stressful so don’t do that, bad idea.

It’s the big day, it is day one of this month long journey! I woke up gave my parents a hug goodbye and went into the airport, where I stood in line, stood in another line, then stood in more lines once we reached Dallas, but nonetheless, I made it! As I am laying in my bed writing this, It doesn’t feel real yet. We got on our coach and saw some of London while driving, but as the voices on the coach got silent, I had a feeling everyone was jet lagged and falling asleep. We got to the hotel and I threw my stuff down, shoes off, then got into bed and proceeded to sleep for an hour or so. I then headed down stairs for our first adventure of this trip. I’m going to be 100% honest with you, I have never sweated that much in public unless I was working out. We went into what Londoners refer to as “the tube”, it is their subway system, and let me tell you it is 800 degrees on that thing. I was wearing a sweatshirt as a shirt which was a bad idea. On a good note though, Shawn was correct, it is not that hard to get through. Could I do it on my own with no help as this moment, no, but could I after a couple of tries and getting lost a lot, yes. I give it a total rating of 4/5 stars, the only downfall is how hot it is in there. Once we got off, Shawn then showed us to a discount ticket booth for shows. I don’t think anyone bought any and we all agreed without saying anything that tonight we were going to just eat and go to sleep so we had full energy for tomorrow. We walked and saw a few different theatres, and got lunch. We wanted a burger, and saw the Shake Shack while walking around and thought that it looked really good, so once released, we hightailed it over there. I should have taken a picture of my first meal, it was amazing, but I was so hungry that I wanted nothing more than to eat. As we were eating, we experienced our first run in with pickpockets. Sadly, they took one of our group members phones and we didn’t notice until it was too late. This was lesson well learned to us and that is do not leave your stuff on the table or the ground where others could possibly get it while we are here. Then I came back to our little room and slept and can’t wait to go back to sleep! Funny story: my roommate and I took a nap for a little bit and when we woke up it was still light outside and she thought it was the next day. She was getting dressed and talking as if it were the next day. I was talking about going down to this pizza place for dinner and she was like “for breakfast?” and I went “do you know what time it is?” and she said “9 something?” and I went “am or pm?” to which she responded “am?” and I said “No, it is still Tuesday” to which she responded with “I’m putting my pajamas back on.” I think we can say that jet lag is a thing.

Intro Post:

Hello everyone, as most of you might of guessed I am going to be studying abroad in London this summer. I plan to document most of the trip on this, hopefully, amazing blog. Not only do I plan to write about the academic aspects of this trip, but all the adventures, food, drinks, and funny things that happen while on this trip. To start out this blog, I would actually like to talk about what I will be wearing. Funny story, as most know Holly Ward is my mother, and has told me I can not wear the clothes I wear almost everyday to class because most of my shirts have holes and my shorts are years old, and/or not really mine and I have kinda just kept them (sorry if you are looking for your shorts). So I plan on wearing outfits that I never really wear and I would like to share them with who ever decides to follow along. I hope some of you look forward to an OOTD since I will be posting most of what I wear. I will write about the plays that we are going to see, and my thoughts on them. Fair warning, I am a harsh critic, I will tear shows to pieces if I didn't enjoy them, and praise shows as much as I can if I did. I will have good and bad in both, but you will 100% be able to tell how I feel. Also I plan to see shows that I don't have to write reviews on, but I do plan to at least say how I felt about them, because why not? I hope that whom ever decides to read this, enjoys my trip, and all that I will be documenting. I plan to take lots of pictures of all the amazing places that we get to go and all the amazing things we get to do. Also, if my classmates don't mind, I am sure that we will have many funny times and hope to bring a lot of our humor to my writings. Starting on May 20th my whole life will probably will be documented here.