Day 36

This is it. Final entry into the London blog...sad day.

Tomorrow I will hop back across the pond, leaving London and the best experience of my life behind me. It's hard to believe it is actually over. I know I'm going to wake up in the morning and head for Heathrow, but it still feels like I will wake up and continue living my London life. It's definitely a bitter-sweet end, because part of me has absolutely fallen in LOVE with London, but another part (a much larger part) misses home and my family SO much.

Today in general was also bitter-sweet. I began the day a little anxious about presenting my final projects and ending school at AIU on a good note. I was really pleased with my presentations in both classes. I think that when you study abroad, unlike just vacationing, it's really important to know going in that you will have to balance work and leisure (or school and sight-seeing). With all the places I visited, things I saw and facts I learned, I was really impressed with myself that I still found enough time to get everything done for school (even if I was a little stressed about it at times).

When I picked up my completed, final fashion journalism portfolio from Robin Dutt at the end of the day, I gave him a hug and from that point on I felt a little melancholy. I knew that I was done sitting in his classroom, getting excited about his over-the-top outfits and learning how to be a better writer from him. I realized that even my trend forecasting class taught me more than I thought it was while I was in it, and I realized that it would be my last time in AIU as a student.

The Debbie Downer affect lasted the whole way back to the flat. I decided not to take the bus, because I wanted to walk through Regent's Park one final time, a walk that I enjoyed but hated at the same time because I didn't want it to be the final time. It was gorgeous, though. There was just this overwhelming feeling of wanting to take in as much as I could for the last moments I could.

After packing for a while, Allie, Lauren and I went over to the Northeast side of London where Abbey Road is!

It was very cool to see the crosswalk where the Beatles made their famous album cover (the picture is actually really funny because I look like I'm about to bust a move - I didn't know when the picture was going to be taken).
While we were over there, we found a pub to eat at and got fish and chips for the last time. Everything I did after my classes today was just depressing. I REALLY love it here...strange because I would have never taken myself for someone who would be comfortable in a big city, but it has happened everyone.

So, after a few more items get placed in the suitcase, I'm off to bed and better yet, off to America tomorrow! I seriously have never missed a bed so much in all of my life. Even thinking about it makes me smile. Saying good-bye to this place won't be easy, but after the five weeks I've had, I am certain I will see it again soon one day.

So, for all who are or are considering studying abroad, I give you my all-too-obvious verdict: DO IT!
Yes, it is a difficult decision to make, and an even more difficult preparation process, but I can't even put into words what this experience has given me. I'm a different person for having come here, met new friends and seen a new part of the world.

Getting to actually live in London was an opportunity I know not many get to have, and I am so thankful for the advantages that gave me. I will never forget this trip for as long as I live, and I'm so glad. :]

Cheers, London. Until we meet again.

Day 35

I FINALLY rode the London Eye - and if there is anything you should do when visiting London, this would definitely be it (right behind seeing Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, of course).










Standing there, looking over the whole city that I have come to love so much this summer, I was so glad to be ending my journey in that place. Yes, I still have tomorrow, but school hardly counts as fun (at least most of the time). Being on the Eye marked the final time I would see Big Ben, Parliament, the Thames and the most beautiful view of London on this trip.



But, I won't get all nostalgic and deep right now - save that for tomorrow. I'm just so happy. I'm so happy to be here, to have had this experience, to have met such great friends, to be done with all my projects and papers and to know that in about 52 hours I will be in the car, in Texas, on my way HOME. You never realize how much you love your bed, a bathtub and Mexican food until you haven't had them for five weeks.

Video from the London Eye:

Day 34

Long days just mean that a lot got done. Today, I was at the school from 8:30 in the morning until 7:00 at night. While I'm not particularly fond of staying at any school for 10 1/2 hours in one day, it really isn't fun when I'm in London and all I want to do is explore. I did get SO much accomplished today, however. I feel so much better about finals on Thursday. I spent the morning making my boards for Trend Forecasting, went to lunch with Allie, went to the library to write, went to my second class where I had a very successful talk with Sir Robin Dutt and then returned to the library to continue writing.

Earlier tonight, Lauren and I went to the Comedy Store, which is the premier stand-up comedy spot in London - and probably in all of England I would guess. It was such a great show! I laughed until my side hurt!! There was a group of about five comedians who did stand-up and played Whose line is it anyway-type games. One guy was an American who was really funny, and he covered topics like the oil spill and gun-less policemen in London (you can imagine for yourself how hilarious that was). The funniest part of the night, though (at least for everyone else), was when everyone was leaving at the end of the show, and I, ever so gracefully, slipped on someone's spilled drink and fell on my butt! I was SO mortified, and was thinking everyone probably thought I was drunk or something - the truth is, I own, sorry did own, a pair of black rubber flip-flops that I literally can't wear when it rains because they have no tread on the bottom, and of course I wore those last night. So, spilled drink on the ground plus dark lighting equals Kristina on her butt. At the time I wanted to crawl into the bathroom and die, but later that night and today I just laugh and laugh when I think about it because, hey, that would happen to me at a comedy store.

Day 33

I got to sleep in for a while this morning which was really nice. Lately I feel like I never stop, and after this weekend I was feeling very worn down. I still have SOOO much to do before leave on Friday (CRAZY!). I have finals on Thursday, so I have to put together a project in class tomorrow and write a 1500-word paper for the other. I keep telling myself it will all get done, but I just don't like waiting until the last minute to do things. I obviously had no choice given the circumstances in this case, though. On top of all that, I still have to get to the London Eye before I leave because I refuse to miss that, and I am going to the Comedy Store tomorrow with Lauren and people from school.

After I woke up, we got ready and went to Westminster Abbey.



I'm running out of words to describe unbelievably amazing things, but that's what it was. There were no pictures allowed here. This were many members of the royal family have had their coronation ceremonies, been buried, and/or had funeral services there (this is the Abbey where Princess Diana's funeral was held and broadcast all over the world. Other prominent figures like Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mary, the Queen Mother, Issac Newton and Charles Darwin are all buried here. It was much bigger than I thought it was, and very interesting to look around.

After that, Lauren and I decided to go with Allie to her class at the Imperial War Rooms.





It was interesting. There was a lot of information on British history during the various wars, and planes, equipment and vehicles were all on display. We also visited a Holocaust Exhibit, which I probably shouldn't have done because I knew it would upset me - and it did. It was OK, though. We found a smoothie place outside the museum, and that brightened things up a little bit.

Lauren and I were planning on going on a tour of Parliament, but when we got there we learned the wait was two hours, so we decided to head back to the flat and study. Plus, I was low on groceries, laundry needed to be done and schoolwork NEEDED to be dealt with.

Since then, I've been catching up. It's like I paused for three days while in Paris, but my life here in London kept going. Tomorrow's school and the Comedy Store - should be fun!!

Days 30, 31 & 32 (PARIS)

So, as I suspected, I didn't have much access to a computer while I was in Paris, but I wrote down plenty and remember SO much to add to the blog. :]

(Also, the date above is incorrect once again. This entry should be dated July 4, 2010. Happy Independence Day America!! Ironically, I came back to London on the Fourth of July) :]]

The first day (Friday) was LONG. It was also filled with unbelievably incredible experiences, though, and well worth waking up super early and the long train ride to France. When we arrived in Paris, we took a coach to our hotel (The Mercure), and got checked in. The rooms at this hotel were INCREDIBLE! Well, I guess by an average American's standards it would have been mediocre at best...but compared to the room I've been living in, it was heaven on Earth. I had a full bathtub and HUGE shower head, a TV (but we never had time to watch it), a small table with chairs and even my own night stand! I was so glad to be spoiled, even if it was only for three days.

Next, I went with a few girls I met to lunch down the road from our hotel at a restaurant called La Liberte'. I had the BEST toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a fried egg on the top!



Taryn is a girl I met from Washington State on the first day of classes in London, and we caught up on the way to Paris. I also met her roommate in Paris, Andrea, who is from LA. My roommate's name is Sam (above), and we clicked right away! She is a fashion design major from Stephens College in Missouri. It was so nice to have such a great group of girls to hang out with while I was there.



It was DELICIOUS - and I am not kidding. There is a lot of ham and cheese around Paris, and also a LOT of crepes. If you have never had a crepe before, I recommend them highly. I had never heard of them before getting to Paris, which I thought was a little strange, but they are GOOOOOOOD!

Later that night we went on a tour of the Latin Quarter of the city. This is an area around the University of Paris, so there are a lot of college students and it is a beautiful area of the city. It is called the Latin Quarter due to the Latin that was spoken to teach in all universities during the 19th century. After that we made our way to...drum roll...the Eiffel Tower!!





To say it was overwhelming would not be sufficient. I was in heaven at this place. For as many pictures I've seen of the tower, it surpassed my wildest dreams in terms of size. Gigantic doesn't even seem correct to describe it. Beautiful, however, comes to mind right away. We stood in line and finally got to go to the top. The city was absolutely breathtaking from up there. About every 5 minutes I would freak out a little as I remembered were I was, and how it was even better than I dreamed it would be. We got to the top of the tower just as the sun was setting also (thanks to Tony), so we got AMAZING pictures!







Once we made the journey back down the tower, we went to the very front of it to see it light up at 11 o'clock. At night, the tower twinkles for 5 minutes at the top of each hour. When it lit up, I literally felt my stomach drop.





It was SO beautiful. I took some great pictures, marveled at this structure I've always dreamed of seeing and did my best to soak in every moment. I don't think I will ever forget that moment - it's cemented into my memory for the rest of time. I have never in my life felt further away from home than at that moment. I was in Paris, PARIS, and I was suddenly thinking about my life on the other side of the world and all the distance in between us. I was thinking about all the hurdles I had to jump to get to this place, and suddenly it didn't matter anymore. Everything seemed to fall right into place, because there I was, staring up at the most awe-inspiring sight I'd ever witnessed, and I regretted nothing.

Day two was full of touring, and it rained most of the morning. It wasn't exactly the ideal weather for the day, but nothing was going to get me down after seeing the Eiffel Tower the night before. Plus, it meant I was able to get some umbrella pictures...I've been waiting to take some. Paris is apparently much rainier than London in terms of annual precipitation.

The first stop was Notre Dame Cathedral, and it was incredible to see in person. It made me want to pull out old Disney movies like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and re-watch!





After that, we walked around the city, passed over the River Seine and walked through the courtyard area of the Louvre.







I never expected the museum to be THAT big. I knew it had to be a good size to house so many things, but this is the largest building of its kind in all of Europe! It was amazing to see it up close. I felt like Tom Hanks in the DaVinci Code, or Nicolas Cage in the National Treasure movies.

Next we made our way down the Champs-Élysées to get lunch. At this place, I had a burger with a fried egg on the top (I was liking how they put egg on everything), but the burger had no bread! It was still good, but don't call something a burger if it's not, ya know? We also all got dessert - mine was chocolate musse. YUM :]



The Arc de Triomphe was positioned perfectly for us at the end of the Champs-Elysees.



This was another moment I felt giddy with excitement. I couldn't believe were I was. Taryn, Andrea and I ran to the center of the road were there was a cross walk to take pictures, and it was pretty much awesome...standing there...in front of the most famous arc in all of the world...on one of the most famous streets in all of the world...just posing :]



Later that day, I went on a tour of the artists quarter of Paris. This area is up on a HUGE hill. A hill that we had to take stairs to get to...and there were A LOT. There were probably several hundred, and I wish I were kidding. When we got up to the top, everyone was panting and sweating. But the view was absolutely worth it! I could see for miles out across the city. I could even see the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and knew that I was VERY high up. Tony showed us around the area, and I got the best GELATO there! It was cappuccino flavored! Then, we saw the a small restaurant/bar that became the first impromptu Can-Can dance hall in Paris. It was called the Lapin Agile or "Agile Rabbit." I guess you may know where we ended the night...



The Moulin Rouge!! I was completely blown away!! I guess I didn't really think about the fact that it was in Paris, so I had no idea I would see it! It was the perfect end to an amazing day in France!

The last day started with the Louvre. This building is like a piece of art itself. The architecture and details have to be seen to be understood. Just breath taking. We saw TONS of brilliant and historic artwork, I felt as if I were dreaming (I know I've said that quite a bit, but again, I am in no way accustomed to taking in so many life-altering experiences in very short periods of time). I felt so thankful to be there, seeing all the amazing pieces I have until now only seen in books and on TV.















Next, the four of us went to the Catacombs. We had tried to get in here the day before, but got there too late so decided to try again on Sunday. This was the CREEPIEST thing I had ever done, period. I guess I didn't really know what I was expecting it to be, but I felt like I was in a haunted house, except the house was a huge tomb hundreds of feet under ground with human bones everywhere you looked. As the English would say, 'It wasn't my cup of tea.' I supposed there are many people who would think this was the coolest thing they had ever seen, but to me it was like walking around in a grave site - which is exactly what it was. There were bones just lining the walls everywhere you looked, and signs in French indicating which graveyard they were moved from.





Apparently when the graveyards were becoming too full a long time ago, graves were starting to come up out of the ground so the decision was made to move them all down into the Catacombs. I was glad when it was over, but I am still glad I saw it - definitely something to remember.

We rushed back to the hotel after we left there to make sure we got to the coach before it left for the train station without us. While I'm on the subject, a word about the Metro in Paris (the underground system). It was VERY different from the tube in London, and I have to say I was surprised. The undergrounds (and the whole city in general) just, to put it bluntly, stunk. I mean literally stunk, like urine and body odor. I know that is really gross, and I'm not trying to bash Paris because it isn't that way in all parts of the city. I just noticed that the metro was much dirtier than the tube in London, and the smells were much more, prominent, if you will. The metro also has stations about every 500 feet, which makes it inconvenient to travel across town because you have to stop about 15 times. In London, going across town happens in about 6 or 7 stops. I did like some aspects of the metro, however. Random musicians would hop on at any given moment and play their accordion and sing French songs while you road along. Those were the moments that really felt like Paris.



I really LOVED seeing Paris! I've dreamed of going there for as long as I can think back, and I felt so thankful to actually see all the amazing sites I have always wanted to see. I would say the best part was by far the Eiffel Tower, and seeing the Mona Lisa. These were defining moments in my life, that I knew I would remember forever before they even happened. Just amazing. I was definitely ready to get back to London, though. I have never felt so attached to this city! I LOVE London, and I think going to Paris made me realize how at home I feel here. I have been to a lot of big cities, and I never thought I would ever feel comfortable living in any of them, but London has proved me wrong. There's something special about this place. :]


Here are some videos I took at the Eiffel Tower:

Day 29

Short entry today. I hate to do that, but I have to get some homework done before I leave for Paris tomorrow! I could not be more excited to be going to France! I know it will be such an incredible experience, and I can't quite get my feet a firm grip on the ground right now. I feel as though so many amazing things have encompassed this trip for the last 4 weeks that each new day brings exhaustion because it is so overwhelmingly exciting. The importance and impact of the experiences I have had and will have here in Europe are never lost to me. This trip is something I will absolutely never forget for so many reasons. It's hard to explain why...I don't think I could if I tried.

Today I had school and it went great! My Trends professor made me feel SO much better about my final project and the time management issue I seem to be having. Allie, Lauren and I went back to Giraffe for lunch and I had an incredible burger (I REALLY recommend this place in London. There are plenty of familiar options for Americans and the wait staff is the friendliest of any I've had). It's located off Marylebone High Street.

This weekend is going to be AMAZING! I can't wait to see a new country, new people, hear a new language and see all the sights I can in three days. The one issue is that I will not be taking my laptop with me. It is too heavy and takes up too much room in my bag - plus I'm not sure if I will have an internet connection once I get to my hotel. This means there may not be blog entries for a few days. I plan on writing everything down though at the end of each day to post on the blog once I get back on Sunday evening. There is also the chance that I might have access to a computer lounge in the hotel, so if that's the case there will be a blog each day.
And rest assured that when America is celebrating its independence, I'll be celebrating it too - I don't care where I am, July 4th is July 4th!

I guess it's time to conquer another country. In about twelve hours, I'll be off on a train to France (so crazy)!

Au revoir!

Day 28

Today was SO full of exciting/interesting things! Lauren and I went to the Tower of London this morning and Tower Bridge.





I know I've said this before, but the history here never ceases to amaze me. I can't ever wrap my mind around how long some of the buildings have been here or how old the city is in general.

The Tower of London has been here for centuries, serving as the home to several monarchies like Henry VIII. It sits adjacent to Tower Hill, where thousands of executions took place until the 18th Century, including the beheading of Anne Boleyn. She is also buried beneath the chapel there, along with numerous others.

We were taken on the tour by a Yeoman warder when we arrived.



I had no clue who these people where when I got there, but I had heard of them before. Thirty-seven Yeoman Warders -- also called "Beefeaters"-- live at the Tower, as its guards: a tradition that goes back to King Henry VIII's bodyguards, established in 1485.

Also, while we were there, we saw the crown jewels. INCREDIBLE! There had to have been millions of dollars worth of gems in that room, and they were miraculously beautiful. Unfortunately, miraculously beautiful and insanely expensive meant no cameras allowed. Sorry.

There was also an exhibition showing many former kings' armor for battle. There was even armor for their horses. These were really interesting to look at and see how they evolved from one century to the next. It also had the various weapons and protective instruments they used in battle.





After all of that, we walked down the bank of the Thames to Tower Bridge. It was so awesome to walk across it, and know that I was standing on one of the world's most recognizable landmarks. We got tickets and were able to walk across the top segment of the bridge, which was also very surreal.









The city views from the top of the bridge are beautiful and they provide all kinds of interesting facts about the bridge's history and current situation up there. For example, the bridge has been the backdrop for a few exciting events, and has appeared in a number of films. These include Bridget Jones's Diary, The Mummy II, Spice World 2 and The World is Not Enough.

During the summer of 1912 the English pilot Frank McClean flew a short pusher biplane up the Thames. He failed to get sufficient height to clear the bridge, so he flew under the walkways. This event was captured by newspaper photographers, and the image became famous. He was not the only one - pilots (deliberately) flew under the walkways in 1973 and in 1978.

In 1952, a number 78 double-decker bus was unlucky enough to be on the bridge when it opened. Back then, the lights would change to red, the gateman would ring bells to encourage the pedestrians to move off the bridge quickly and close the gates, and the head watchman would order the bridge to lift when it was clear. On this day in December, there was a relief watchman, and something went wrong. Albert Gunter, the driver, saw that the road ahead appeared to be sinking. In fact, his bus was perched on the end of an opening bascule, which was giving the illusion of a sinking road ahead. He realised that he would not be able to stop in time to prevent going into the water, and making a split second decision, decided he would go for it. He accelerated and jumped the three feet gap, landing on the north bascule, which had not started to rise. None of his dozen passengers were seriously hurt, and he received £10 for his bravery.

When we finished there, we headed over to St. Paul's Cathedral. It was a long walk, and my feet have never hurt so bad in my life...seriously. I think it had to do with the road we were walking on at the Tower of London. It was brick, but eroded from being so old, so the affect it had on our feet was not good.

We got to St. Paul's and it was gorgeous. Much like Salisbury Cathedral and many churches constructed during that time, it is gigantic and crafted to impress, and so it did.



We didn't do the tour because it was nearly 10 pounds, and we were afraid if we didn't stop walking soon we might collapse from our feet going numb with pain (it was really THAT bad).

Earlier tonight we went to see CHICAGO!





I loved even more than I was expecting to - which isn't easy to say. I had never seen the movie all the way through, and I hadn't seen it on broadway but knew all the songs by heart. Having the storyline fit together with the music was fantastic! It was in Covent Garden at the Cambridge Theatre - this is a newer theatre by London's standards, but still very impressive and much bigger than the older, more detailed theatres.

I have to mention this. The funniest thing happened before we got to the theatre and we were making our way there on the tube. Allie, Lauren and I were sitting in the tube talking, when Lauren motions to us with her eyes to look at some people who had just gotten on our carriage. There were three - one started playing a plastic clarinette-looking thing he had with him, as another older woman started singing an unrecognizable song in an unrecognizable language (if it was a language)with his music. The third, who we thought at first might be an amused tourist taking pictures of them, was actually a friend who was doing a mini photo shoot of them on the tube. Again, I have some kind of magnetic force field for these people in London. These situations just seem to find me. Allie and Lauren even admit that very strange/uncomfortable situations and people always seem to appear when they are with me. This isn't the best picture. We were almost at our stop, so people stood up in front of them, but you can still see the guy playing the white instrument toward the back:



The best part was looking at every single person's face in our carriage. Some weren't sure whether they should laugh or keep a strait face, while others just looked annoyed or highly pissed off. There were a few like us though, who just laughed and smiled the whole time, completely unable to stop the giggles which had already been apart of our conversations prior to the new passengers entrance. Don't get me wrong - we weren't laughing AT them, we were just laughing at the entire setting and my unfailing power to attract the most uncomfortable public demonstrations.

I still had "All that Jazz" in my head when I got back to the flat that night after the show...it hasn't stopped yet.