Today is my last day at BBC Parliament.
I am awkward at goodbyes-and this one will be no different. It is weird knowing I will never see any of them again...unless of course we stay in touch until my next journey across the Atlantic, which may be years.
We are heading to the pub after work. Everything is beginning to come to a close now. I shipped a box to American earlier this week, this weekend I will be studying for finals. Tomorrow is my last Friday going out on the town.
While I am ready to head back, I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. In my last week here I have to pack in everything I want to do one last time before I leave my home here in London. It's a strange feeling.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Just a brief update
Tomorrow I am seeing Fulham vs. Blackburn-and it should be a blast!
This is the man I am rooting for, Paul Robinson, goalkeeper.
http://tottenhamtattler.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/paul-robinson.jpg
Thursday the scholars are taking a trip to see Billy Elliot.
Following that show I have to go home and pack up for my trip to Dublin, Ireland. My plane takes off at 6 25 am, so its going to be a very early day.
I come home Sunday to finish up my dissertation draft and mentally prepare to turn 22. Very, very concerned-and not happy about getting older. Luckily, Becca and I are going to revert back to the good ol days and head to the toy store. hahah love my friends!
Cheers
Tomorrow I am seeing Fulham vs. Blackburn-and it should be a blast!
This is the man I am rooting for, Paul Robinson, goalkeeper.
http://tottenhamtattler.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/paul-robinson.jpg
Thursday the scholars are taking a trip to see Billy Elliot.
Following that show I have to go home and pack up for my trip to Dublin, Ireland. My plane takes off at 6 25 am, so its going to be a very early day.
I come home Sunday to finish up my dissertation draft and mentally prepare to turn 22. Very, very concerned-and not happy about getting older. Luckily, Becca and I are going to revert back to the good ol days and head to the toy store. hahah love my friends!
Cheers
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
March!
I have officially one month left in London-the past two months have gone by soo quickly, I have so much to do before the end of my trip.
Coming up:
Football match, Bill Elliot, IRELAND, Girl Talk, my birthday, AMSTERDAM.
A little bit of work???
Anyway, we went to Oxford this past Monday-straight out of Harry Potter. Oxford is much preppier than Londontown, makes me feel like I am back home :). I spent quite a lot of money there, but I clearly needed those oxford shirts.
I am trying to take it easy for the next week days-spending money only on the necessary food items. I wrote 3,000 words for my dissertation last evening, quite an impressive achievement if I do say so myself. Trying to write a few more thousand by the weekend.
This weekend begins with Amika, a very exclusive club on High Street Kensington. Following that a riverboat ride on the Thames, the Magical Mystery Tour, the Tower of London and lots of wandering. (It's my second to last weekend in London so I have to do as much as possible).
I am starting to get nervous about leaving...lots to do when I get home. I need to find a summer job-pronto.
Cheers,
Rach
Coming up:
Football match, Bill Elliot, IRELAND, Girl Talk, my birthday, AMSTERDAM.
A little bit of work???
Anyway, we went to Oxford this past Monday-straight out of Harry Potter. Oxford is much preppier than Londontown, makes me feel like I am back home :). I spent quite a lot of money there, but I clearly needed those oxford shirts.
I am trying to take it easy for the next week days-spending money only on the necessary food items. I wrote 3,000 words for my dissertation last evening, quite an impressive achievement if I do say so myself. Trying to write a few more thousand by the weekend.
This weekend begins with Amika, a very exclusive club on High Street Kensington. Following that a riverboat ride on the Thames, the Magical Mystery Tour, the Tower of London and lots of wandering. (It's my second to last weekend in London so I have to do as much as possible).
I am starting to get nervous about leaving...lots to do when I get home. I need to find a summer job-pronto.
Cheers,
Rach
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Edinburgh
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a quaint little city. It's a place I need a vacation home when I am older. :) We took a 5 hour train ride up North, and it was a beautiful trip. The countryside has sheep everywhere, which became trouble as the ride progressed since Nicki and I began making sheep noises. We arrived in Edinburgh, hoped in the cab, and minutes later saw the castle that sits upon the hill in the city. It literally looked like an opening scene from a horror film.
We immediately went exploring down the Royal Mile...hit all the pubs...tried Scottish Whiskey and called it a night.
The following day we had seminars and then prepared for Nikki's 21st Birthday. Although not celebrated in the States...it was a very typical 21st birthday with sloppiness and shot-taking.
The next day we hiked to see King Arthurs stone, went out on the town (yet again)and attended a few seminars.
Needless to say, I went to class the following Monday extra tired and with the sniffles.
Not quite sure what I am up to this week-more to come.
We immediately went exploring down the Royal Mile...hit all the pubs...tried Scottish Whiskey and called it a night.
The following day we had seminars and then prepared for Nikki's 21st Birthday. Although not celebrated in the States...it was a very typical 21st birthday with sloppiness and shot-taking.
The next day we hiked to see King Arthurs stone, went out on the town (yet again)and attended a few seminars.
Needless to say, I went to class the following Monday extra tired and with the sniffles.
Not quite sure what I am up to this week-more to come.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Barcelona de-briefing
Cheers!
Today I am tired. I almost fell asleep on the tube today. While I am bummin' this morning, this past weekend could not have been better. Jill, Nicki and I arrived in Barcelona around 930 pm at our Holiday Inn Express in the ghetto of Barcelona. We then set off for dinner and drinks. I had this delicious shrimp and tomatoe dish, in a restaurant overlooking the sea. AMAZING. We then went exploring and were hollered at by the Camtalonians.
At 10 am the next morning we set off for a day in the city. Barcelona is exactly liek how I would imagined. Beautiful architecture, small streets, beautiful landscape. We traveled to the Olymipic stadium, the Picasso museum, the shore, the Columbus statute...and ate a ton. Around 1130 pm we had our European dinner, left at 130 and went to the clubs. At 430 we rolled into bed. When I return to the States, pictures will be posted, for my description of the city will not do it justice.
This week is pretty low key-writing a paper, going to work, sight seeing on Friday.
Today I am tired. I almost fell asleep on the tube today. While I am bummin' this morning, this past weekend could not have been better. Jill, Nicki and I arrived in Barcelona around 930 pm at our Holiday Inn Express in the ghetto of Barcelona. We then set off for dinner and drinks. I had this delicious shrimp and tomatoe dish, in a restaurant overlooking the sea. AMAZING. We then went exploring and were hollered at by the Camtalonians.
At 10 am the next morning we set off for a day in the city. Barcelona is exactly liek how I would imagined. Beautiful architecture, small streets, beautiful landscape. We traveled to the Olymipic stadium, the Picasso museum, the shore, the Columbus statute...and ate a ton. Around 1130 pm we had our European dinner, left at 130 and went to the clubs. At 430 we rolled into bed. When I return to the States, pictures will be posted, for my description of the city will not do it justice.
This week is pretty low key-writing a paper, going to work, sight seeing on Friday.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Itinerary for this coming week:
Monday: guest lecture with the MP, Mark Fisher
Tuesday: Interview and tea with Lord Denham
Wednesday: Stalking Prince Harry, nbd.
Thursday:
Friday: LEAVE FOR BARCELONA!!!!
Any tips? Suggestions? Advice? I have about 36 hours to run around the city so anything would be helpful!
Monday: guest lecture with the MP, Mark Fisher
Tuesday: Interview and tea with Lord Denham
Wednesday: Stalking Prince Harry, nbd.
Thursday:
Friday: LEAVE FOR BARCELONA!!!!
Any tips? Suggestions? Advice? I have about 36 hours to run around the city so anything would be helpful!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
28 January 2009
Last night a bunch of us went to see Wicked, The Musical. I have seen it twice in the U.S. and I have to admit, the English accent through me off. As always, the show was amazing!
This evening Ken Livingstone will be speaking at Portcullis, the first Mayor of London, serving until 2008. Before we will all be heading over to Westminster Palace Labour Party's bar.
Later this week-Four Season's for tea tea...a reunion with Barc...and Paris!!!
This evening Ken Livingstone will be speaking at Portcullis, the first Mayor of London, serving until 2008. Before we will all be heading over to Westminster Palace Labour Party's bar.
Later this week-Four Season's for tea tea...a reunion with Barc...and Paris!!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Long overdue update!
Greetings from BBC Parliament!
Sorry for the long awaited post-awful internet in the dorms!
A brief recap of the last week:
Went to the Natural History Museum
wrote my first BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/7845448.stm)
Have gone too far too many pubs.
Ran through Hyde Park.
Dancing around the town and spending money like Luda.
What has changed since January 10th are my eating habits and my sleeping habits. My roommates and I cannot get an eating structure down and that has resorted to spending frivilously on delicious french foods near the dorms and throwing away our cash on sandwiches. haha.
Pictures are not availabe, please resort to facebook.
I promise, I will update daily from now on.
xo
R
Sorry for the long awaited post-awful internet in the dorms!
A brief recap of the last week:
Went to the Natural History Museum
wrote my first BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/7845448.stm)
Have gone too far too many pubs.
Ran through Hyde Park.
Dancing around the town and spending money like Luda.
What has changed since January 10th are my eating habits and my sleeping habits. My roommates and I cannot get an eating structure down and that has resorted to spending frivilously on delicious french foods near the dorms and throwing away our cash on sandwiches. haha.
Pictures are not availabe, please resort to facebook.
I promise, I will update daily from now on.
xo
R
Sunday, January 11, 2009
January 10th, 2009
Cheers!
I made it, after a looonnggg flight and experiencing the left ride of the road!
London is amazing; everyone looks stylish, cars are small, fridges are small, and surprisingly everyone loves Americans, so far. I have had expresso twice today, and it is making life wonderful.
Yesterday was spent unpacking, getting my new phone, and learning what hot spots were around my flat. At night, we went to a French restaurant and ate delicious food, with of course, smaller portions than America. Zetlands, the new “Conors” is where we traveled afterwards, and it could be my home away from home. Later on in the evening, we walked over to Imperical College, and went to Unibar. Again, sooo much fun.
Today we went on a tour of London cruising by the London Eye, Westminister Abbey, Picadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. It really interesting to see modern buildings intertwined with historical monuments. I’m exciting to be working right in the mix of all of it!
Pictures to come...
I made it, after a looonnggg flight and experiencing the left ride of the road!
London is amazing; everyone looks stylish, cars are small, fridges are small, and surprisingly everyone loves Americans, so far. I have had expresso twice today, and it is making life wonderful.
Yesterday was spent unpacking, getting my new phone, and learning what hot spots were around my flat. At night, we went to a French restaurant and ate delicious food, with of course, smaller portions than America. Zetlands, the new “Conors” is where we traveled afterwards, and it could be my home away from home. Later on in the evening, we walked over to Imperical College, and went to Unibar. Again, sooo much fun.
Today we went on a tour of London cruising by the London Eye, Westminister Abbey, Picadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. It really interesting to see modern buildings intertwined with historical monuments. I’m exciting to be working right in the mix of all of it!
Pictures to come...
Monday, January 5, 2009
January 5th, 2009
January 5th, 2009
Today, I packed. It was the first day I organized my luggage, my itinerary, my bags, my books, etc. Packing for three months is a challenge. What to choose, how many shirts, how many dresses, how many shoes??? It’s a struggle. Three hours and approximately 68 pounds of luggage later, I completed my task. I considered all occasions; work, class, play, travel, sleep, and study. My flat is tiny and I am sure I will have to strategically place clothing around the room in order to unload the bags I hauled overseas. Let’s hope for the best.
For the past week I have been doing some background reading in preparation for my classes. Tony Blair’s New Britain: My Vision of a Young Country, and Political Issues in Britain Today, written by Bill Jones. While giving me a great overview of the current policy issues encompassing Britain’s political life, much of it was hard to grasp. Parliament is a very complicated structure!!! With that said, I have confidence I will become a master in this area by the end of my program. Note: New Year’s resolution is: staying positive. Hopefully that shines through in my blog entries during my stay in London. Although I probably retained about 12% of the information that I perused, I recently discovered that Tony Blair and I share similar stances on public policy issues, and he now has the honor of becoming one of my Top Ten Idols of all time.
I currently know only the bare minimum of what my three months in England entail. I know that I will be with other Hansard Scholars in flats located in downtown London. I know that I will be taking two classes at the London School of Economics and interning somewhere in the political arena. The rest…not so much.
I get off the plan at 7:15 Saturday morning, from there, I have zero plans (obviously a local pub visit is in order). Of course my program has meet and greets and events scheduled, but nothing has been distributed to me yet. As you all know, going into things unaware and uninformed is not my style, but I know it will all work out when I get there.
In any normal “crisis” situation, I would send a mass text out to 6 of my closest friends grumbling about my current situation, but that is not an option for the duration of my trip. New outlets will have to be made when I get am stumped, confused, and angry. What those tactics will be, I have yet to figure out.
That’s all for now. Next time I write will be across the pond, in a flat located in rainy downtown London, UK. As the proclaimed British pop group, All Saints say it “I got my bags packed baby and I'm ready to go”.
Rachel S. McCloskey
Today, I packed. It was the first day I organized my luggage, my itinerary, my bags, my books, etc. Packing for three months is a challenge. What to choose, how many shirts, how many dresses, how many shoes??? It’s a struggle. Three hours and approximately 68 pounds of luggage later, I completed my task. I considered all occasions; work, class, play, travel, sleep, and study. My flat is tiny and I am sure I will have to strategically place clothing around the room in order to unload the bags I hauled overseas. Let’s hope for the best.
For the past week I have been doing some background reading in preparation for my classes. Tony Blair’s New Britain: My Vision of a Young Country, and Political Issues in Britain Today, written by Bill Jones. While giving me a great overview of the current policy issues encompassing Britain’s political life, much of it was hard to grasp. Parliament is a very complicated structure!!! With that said, I have confidence I will become a master in this area by the end of my program. Note: New Year’s resolution is: staying positive. Hopefully that shines through in my blog entries during my stay in London. Although I probably retained about 12% of the information that I perused, I recently discovered that Tony Blair and I share similar stances on public policy issues, and he now has the honor of becoming one of my Top Ten Idols of all time.
I currently know only the bare minimum of what my three months in England entail. I know that I will be with other Hansard Scholars in flats located in downtown London. I know that I will be taking two classes at the London School of Economics and interning somewhere in the political arena. The rest…not so much.
I get off the plan at 7:15 Saturday morning, from there, I have zero plans (obviously a local pub visit is in order). Of course my program has meet and greets and events scheduled, but nothing has been distributed to me yet. As you all know, going into things unaware and uninformed is not my style, but I know it will all work out when I get there.
In any normal “crisis” situation, I would send a mass text out to 6 of my closest friends grumbling about my current situation, but that is not an option for the duration of my trip. New outlets will have to be made when I get am stumped, confused, and angry. What those tactics will be, I have yet to figure out.
That’s all for now. Next time I write will be across the pond, in a flat located in rainy downtown London, UK. As the proclaimed British pop group, All Saints say it “I got my bags packed baby and I'm ready to go”.
Rachel S. McCloskey
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