Update from London.

I realize it's been a week now since my last blog post, and unlike everyone's favorite blogger and my arch nemesis/partner in crime hayleyghoover, I didn't think to hire stand-ins or whatever.

I've been too busy getting used to London time, spending my first week here with Alex, and trying to build Lego houses. Blogging took the backseat.

But as a particularly witty commenter said before I left, "DFTBA: Don't Forget to Blog Abroad!"

So here I am.

Tonight I am moving into the flat I will be staying in at the University that my exploration seminar is having class at. It's been nice staying at Alex's house, but it will be kind of nice knowing I will definitely be there for 4 weeks, so I can unpack a little. :) I find it really annoying living constantly out of a suitcase. I find myself just wearing whatever happens to be on top.


I feel like after being here for 6 days I should have all sorts of funny anecdotes and commentary on English customs and things, but I haven't been writing anything down. I'm sure I'll get better about this when I am with my class, going on field trips and generally being around people I don't know as well. When I'm with Alex we just get caught up with trying to lick each other in public or something and it slips my mind. xD

One thing, though, that I started to pick up on the last time I was here but keep finding it more and more the longer I am in London is that there is a WHOLE BUNCH of stuff that I only knew existed within the confines of Harry Potter, but as it turns out, most of that stuff is just standard London things.
I can't think of many examples right now, but the main one that comes to mind is the Grimmauld Place sign that Eia and I bought from Whimsic Alley at Portus (they sell loads, like Knockturn Alley, Privet Drive, etc.). This is how signs ACTUALLY LOOK here. Who knew!
Also I made a comment to Alex about just generally hearing the word "platform" thrown around at train stations - I am AWARE how sad this probably sounds to British people, but it was funny for me. I half expected to see the Weasleys carting their kids off to school.

Alex just reminded me that we spent my first day here watching British television, and I got to see Deal or No Deal. This is a ridiculously intense, light dimming, edge of your seat, banker in sillhouette and girls in sparkly dresses type gameshow back home, but the British one was much.. cuter. I actually really liked how the other DonD contenstants are the ones holding the red boxes (they're sleek silver money briefcases in the US) which makes the whole experience a bit more personal I think. The people feel really bad when they have a high number in their box, whereas our US girls are probably just happy to have a few seconds on TV.

Anyway, I'm in London. I just hooked up my UK phone so I can recieve calls and texts for free but dialing out will literally destroy my bank account, so that's fun. I was supposed to meet with Molly but it was a "facepalm situation" so that hasn't happened yet. I did an interview with this guy called Colin who is studying at a school in London (I had a nice chat with him about what it's like studying here; he's American too) and I can't wait until Emma and Rosi get back from America because I want to see themmmm.

Okay. I promise it won't be another week until I write next.
Also I'll explain the Lego house soon.