Oxford Street

Day three of my London getaway:

So I didn't walk more than yesterday, I walked 14.14 miles. Close but I did think today would have been more. Anyway, today was filled with markets, shopping, and some more art. I saw three galleries, almost four. The National Portrait Gallery, The Wallace Gallery, the free admission to Hayward Gallery, and almost the Royal Academy of Arts. Almost because I walked there and got excited because of the huge sculptures by Frank Stella in front but when I got inside the admission was like just under twenty pounds. No student discount, bye.

My itinerary and the details:

St. James Palace

Sucked. I went there because apparently there is a guard that you can take photos with instead of the guards on horses or the guards behind the gates. But I circled the entire thing and still couldn't find the guard. I gave up. However, I saw guards making way for a carriage, looked really important. But maybe I'll try again in June to find the guard because I'll have help, June is my last London visit. 

The National Portrait Gallery

Yeah, boring. I didn't see a single painting I knew. However, I got to see what a lot of people looked like. Sir Isaac Newton, Shakespeare, etc. I saw one that had a dog in it and his name was Sir Daniel Gooch, and I laughed. I laughed because I instantly thought of Sir Daniel Gooch and his pooch.

Piccadilly Circus

On my way to Piccadilly Circus, I saw the huge exhibit tent of Cinderella. So Grandma, I asked the security if the carriage was inside and he said yes. I walked around and saw a huge line. Then I asked if this was a free event, and they said no. So I didn't go. Sorry Grandma. I had a lot of things I wanted to do and It was clear that if I did this, it would take time out of my day. Also, it had a bunch of girls dressed up in line and there was probably a lot of other things than just the carriage. If I had Jaylyn and Sa'Dee, I would have. Anyway, back to Piccadilly. I don't think its such a huge deal, because there is one spot of all of the screens that looks like Times Square, but no big shops around. I walked right past it. 

Royal Academy of Arts

Boo. Sucks. Well, I'm sure it's wonderful but boo because of the stupid high admission price.

Soho Market

Sucked. There was construction taking half of the street so there were like four tents selling produce, and they were just setting up I think. Also, Soho is freaky with their shops. 

Oxford Street

It was like walking down a huge High Street (what all major shopping streets are called in all towns) or walking down Chicago's shopping street. I went straight for Forever 21 and bought a pink leather skirt. Then, guilty, walked into their Primark.

Wallace Gallery
I saw The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard!

Marble Arch

Saw it up close. I promised myself to go see it in person than just seeing it through the National Express bus's windows with every time I have to go to London to get on my bus for a trip (like Birmingham, Bath, Southampton, etc). After I took a photo, I hear a bunch of police on motorcycles whistling and getting all traffic to stop. Then Three super black and tinted cars drive with the motorcycles. I bet it was the Queen. After that scene, I took the Marble Arch tube to Holborn.

Covent Market and Jubilee Market

Walked from Holborn to Covent for the market, and I was surprised when I walked out of the market to see Jubilee's Market right next door. Covent was more food and Jubilee was more vintage. God, the stuff I would do for all of those gorgeous rings at every stand. Saw a lot of street performers there. I like London, because comparing with Italy's street performers.. there are no annoying ones trying to get in your face. In London, I only see one every once in a while (not every five minutes) and they are actually good at what they do. 

Hayward Gallery

I didn't have this place on my list but I was walking down the bridge into South London and I start seeing really cool street art. And I see this contemporary art museum. Of course it costs nine pounds, so I see the free admission room upstairs of Sheila Hicks. Really cool, Google her. 

Walked back to grab dinner at a Tesco and then back to my room for the night. Successful day. My feet are even more sore and I think there is a blister covering my whole heel of my right foot, but I cannot tell. I was wearing tennis shoes this entire trip, the only shoes I brought (happy Grandma?). I go home tomorrow, but before I leave I plan on taking the tube up to King's Cross Station to see Platform 9 3/4. I also forgot to mention, but yesterday I think I looked Mexican or something because I got three Hola's and then A Muchas Gracias. Also, I had to buy a new map because mine was literally falling to pieces. And hey, apparently daylights savings happened Sunday so I am back to being six hours away from Wisconsin. Sorry.

Things to do in London in June: Design Museum, Tower of London, ICA Gallery, and maybe the Guildhall Art Gallery. 

Four Art Museums

Day two of my London getaway:

Woke up before my alarm as always and had a small breakfast from the hotel. They were so formal about it. Every continental breakfast is different. In Italy it was very small and quick and in America, you can grab what you want and take it back or eat it there. This place had me tell them I had one guest to my party and then I had to wait to be seated, like for five minutes. I just wanted to grab a yogurt and some fruit for the road but no. I had to sit down and then serve myself. It was just weird. I don't know. I slept okay. The bed looks and feels extremely comfortable while I watch Netflix and do my homework but when I woke up, it wasn't the same. I watched a little bit of a children's British cartoon. Quite funny. I asked receptionist how the Underground Tube works, as in to get and use the Oyster card. Successful. I also had to have someone there explain the prices and he walked me through it. 

Walking in the rain to Tate Modern, I was early. Waiting for ten minutes for the gate to open while looking out by the Millenium Bridge. I think the two best parts coming out of the museum was the Picasso pieces and then scaring some stuck up British school kids on their field trip. First, my favourite was Nude, Green Leaves and Bust by Pablo Picasso. Second, I was coming out of a film room that was completely pitch black until you wait for your eyes to adjust, which takes a good ten minutes. Well, while I was walking out of the square room they were trying to find the courage to walk in, but they couldn't see anything. Then I walked out, appeared out of nowhere. Scared the poop out of them, I laughed at them. Anyway, I have a theory that Louise Bourgeois's art is following me. I saw her in South Hampton, Canterbury, and now here. 

Walking out of Tate Modern, I started my trek over the Millenium Bridge and towards Courtlaud Gallery. Stopped at St. Paul's Cathedral to see if I can go in. Sadly, I couldn't, I think there was a service but people were not going in and the doors were closed. But I did hear it ring, loud and long. I have a video of it. Courtlaud Gallery was good, worth it. However, I did pay four pounds (student discount) for the Goya exhibit and I was actually disappointed. I saw a few of my favourites: Ophelia by John Everett Millais, Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear by Vincent Van Gough, Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe by Édouard Manet, and A Bar at the Foiles-Bergére by Édouard Manet. After there, I headed to the Temple Underground Tube Station and got on the District, got off at South Kensington. 

Victoria and Albert Museum. Huge. I was surprisingly mad about how huge it was. Just so much ground to cover when I have more museums to go to before day light is gone. I sadly rushed, I did take my time in the painting areas. My favourites was The Ardabil Carpet because I learned about it in my Art History I class. My professor was right, it is enormous. I also saw photographs of the theory how horses have all feet in the air when running, then the ostrich, and human one. Even though this was probably the largest out of the four museums I went to, it was probably my least favourite. 

Now I had the most difficult time trying to find the Saatchi Gallery. See I circled it on my paper map (yeah I used a paper map instead of my phone today) and when I arrived to the Salone Square, I couldn't find it for the life of me. Then I sadly took out my phone and google mapped it. Well, it turns out, you cannot trust google maps with finding the Saatchi Gallery. I hit the destination, about five blocks from where I was, and it was hiding still. I asked a girl walking past me and she pointed me back to where I started. I went back and turns out, it was behind one of the blocks of the Salone Square. A trek that could have taken ten minutes was twenty. Saatchi is contemporary art and wow, it was very fun. I've never heard or seen any of the artists works before and it made me miss Artists Now lectures at UW-Milwaukee, hearing artists talk about their ideas on their art. I kept thinking, "we should have this person come to Milwaukee to talk". Anyway, my favourite room was a small one littered with cat sized ants crawling on the walls and ceilings. A little girl shrieked when walking in. I took a panorama, and it should be shown below.  

Lastly, which was not on my original plan for the day, was the Tate Britain. I went to the Salone Underground Tube to go to Westminister, to admire Big Ben and walk down to the museum. Unfortunately, I went down and three minutes after waiting for my train to come, an announcement comes on and every one is filing out. Apparently when London rains, the tube loses signal and cannot operate. My feet were killing me and it would be a long walk and I would waste time so I try to figure the bus out. However, I couldn't figure it out, even when asking two people for help.. they just confused me even more. So I took out my phone and used the "Get Taxi" app for taxis. I used my last twelve pounds for a ride. Well worth it as well, I got to Ophelia by John Everett Millais! One of my favourites as well, it's the painting below with a woman laying in the river. This place was nice, the map plan was the easiest out of all of them. Probably because it was a one floor museum with three long rows of rooms, going in order too. Lots of Henri Moore and JMW Turner there. So if you're fans, go there. 

Walked up the one road by the river, straight towards the Parliament. That was the time that Westminister decided to rain the hardest and have the strongest wind. Umbrellas breaking every where, including mine. I crossed the bridge and headed back to my hotel to get some more money. Only to go to the Tesco Express (grocery store) a block away. Grabbed a sandwich and fruit, bananas for the next two days and more water. 

My only failures that I am not proud of is using my phone for Saatchi Gallery and calling a taxi for Tate Britain. I am okay with the broken umbrella and sore feet. I felt like the true study abroad student because I am seeing London by day and doing homework by night. Then, with a total of 14.9 miles walked, today is not the day that I planned on walking the most, that's tomorrow for St. Jame's Park and Oxford Street. Well, wish me luck, I'm off to the showers.

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Above is the Tate Modern's film by Bill Viola, Tiny Deaths. The room that was extremely dark and I scared those kids from walking out. It was scary for me at first too. I was the only one there at the time, so I was standing in front of an open hall thats pitch black and making these sounds. Once my eyes adjusted a little, I walked in. I found out there are three screens surrounding me. You cannot tell in my video, but I was shaking and moving from screen to screen every second. Some of the scenes you can't see in my video either, like light shadows of a standing body.

Borough Market

Day one of my London getaway:

Spent getting here and seeing the Borough Market. Nothing too big because I did get to my hotel about three in the afternoon. I took the National Express from Uni to Elephant and Castle, then walked to Travelodge Hotel. Got my amazing room (however the view kind of sucks because trains pass my window about twenty feet away every five minutes, it's not loud but it's just that the privacy sucks) and then walked towards the market. Saw a bunch of little art galleries and an artsy memorial, "Crossbones". I saw the Shard from the entrance, looked more sharp the closer you got when looking up. Lots of interesting graffiti in hidden spots. At the market, there was a "Before I die I want to ___________." chalk wall, done by Tate Modern. Very cool. Saw police on horses, a pirate themed ship by Thames River. Also, at the market, my stomach was twisting with disgust because there was so much different foods being cooked right next to each other. Chinese next grilled cheese, next to ribs, next to curry, next to Japanese, next to indian, next to American, and so on. So all these smells are going through the air and it was making me sick. So instead of going by my plan to get dinner at the Borough Market, I ordered Chinese to my hotel. Well, it was Pad Thai from Chopsticks. It was the first pad thai I had with the peanut sauce just peanuts on top. It was actually good though.

Brought my laptop to do some homework when it gets late. I don't plan on going out by myself late at night because one: why would I go to pubs and clubs by myself? And two: I just don't feel safe. So I'll get the majority of my homework done if I stay off of Netflix. I need to do homework anyway because in two weeks, school is over and when school is over.. everything needs to be turned in. Which, I'm not too stressed out because I'm taking only two classes and I only have an essay to write. Michaela has three, sucks to be her. 

It's supposedly going to rain the entire time I'll be here. It said 50% today and it only sprinkled when I was out, tomorrow is 60% and then Monday is 70%. I brought my umbrella, rain won't stop me. I have a bunch of museums planned anyway, so I'll be inside for most of my time here. I leave on Tuesday, so stay tuned. 

AND OH HEY, don't judge me but today when I was on the uni bus, I was making faces at a little girl. We were closing our eyes back and forth and playing peek-a-boo. I made a toddler giggle from across the bus. Although, soon she wanted out of her stroller and started crying. So I quit because the parents were suspicious with her high laughing to extreme crying. Don't judge me, I want to become an art teacher for elementary.

White Cliffs of Dover

Easy and nice day. Took a bus to Dover with Michaela and then a taxi to the top of the cliffs. Last time I went to Dover was for the castle during welcome week with all of the international students. Anyway, the white cliffs were gorgeous and dangerous, just wished it was ten degrees warmer with no wind. It was also very steep at times. Laid out a blanket and had a picnic, it was a cute date. On the cliffs, there were wild animals, we saw sheep and horses. Horse poop every where. Apparently, snakes and lizards too. I also saw a lot of rabbit poo (I only know that because I had a pet rabbit growing up). Going back into town, I went to go pick up some sand for my jars and there was a very little patch open to walk next to the water. Only ugly rocks, picked up only two. We got dessert after. Michaela had a shoe cream puff thing and I had a spiced cross bun. Mine tasted like a warm and fluffy gingerbread man. Went back into town for groceries and went back for dinner. The bus ride to Dover is very flexible and only a little over half an hour away. 

Oxford

Eh. Oxford was whatever. Michaela and I planned this trip a while back, almost forgot about it. Our hostel had an Asian couple (the boy snored worse than my grandma, and that's saying a lot) and then the five of us girls from Canterbury. I had top bunk, and the beds were crap. Woke up every hour to turn a different way. It was called Central Backpackers and it was right next to Thirst (a hookah bar) and club Anuba. Although we still had to take taxis to other places. Got to Oxford via National Express bus around 10pm. Hit Thirst (had a Sex on the Beach in a fish bowl) and grabbed kebab, called it a night. Woke up late and had a sandwich for brunch, and green tea. Walked High St. to see the shops. Decided to go on a free two hour walking tour, ended up ditching because we were over it and the tour guide had horrible humour towards Americans. Saw a marching band that came out of nowhere like a flash mob. Then hit the grocery store for dinner, just some snacks. Took a group nap and got ready for Le Kesh (another hookah bar) and then to Anuba. That was expensive and other things I won't say. Anyway, the next day (the last day), Michaela and I headed out to breakfast at Whetherspoons and found the castle and the hill next to it. Then went to the Literary Festival, Science Museum, Modern Art Museum, Market, and the Oxford University Park to lay out.. all in five hours, we did good and it was a great day. Had cookies and a mocha frappuccino as well. Picked a daffodil, bought an Oxford University shirt, bought a fancy selfie stick for solo trips, etc. Got back to Canterbury around 10pm. It's a five hour bus ride, including a stop in London. I think Oxford was my least favourite out of all my trips so far.

Checklist:

• Hookah is a bubbly.
• It was International week and campus had different food stands, including an "American Diner". I was weirdly offended. I had a mac n' cheese with pulled pork from one stand.
• The Big Tent event was lame. 
• It's been foggy a lot here lately.
• The Europe solar eclipse was nothing in the UK. Just a regular cloudy morning. Glad I slept in just before the peak of nothing.
• Tried "Mozzarella Di Bufala Campana" and it was so close to being the same thing from South Italy. It was a few days past so that's why I am guessing it doesn't taste the same. 
• Tried a shamrock shake at a restaurant because the McDonalds here doesn't serve them here in the UK. 
• Also, at Starbucks they don't have the Java chips in frappuccinos.
• I think I popped a blood vessel in my eye because waking up the first morning in Oxford, my eye was extremely red.
• Got a B on my presentation and a B on my first Essay. Looks like my first semester without getting straight A's.

Ashford and St. Paddy's Day

Took another small day trip to Ashford which is an hour bus ride away. I'll be coming back when i want cute clothes and a swim suit because it has a mall and a large shopping area. I had breakfast there and looked around, bought a green tank for the pub crawl and a beach hat. Spent maybe three hours there. Coming back to Canterbury, I got ready for the Leprechaun Pub Crawl by throwing some of Michaela's glitter eye shadow on. It started at seven, it was really early. We got back to our rooms around 11, we kinda ditched before hitting the last bar. Michaela and I wanted Subway more than buying expensive drinks. I'm a little sad that I didn't get green beer (I'll just have that at the Shamrock Shuffle next year in Milwaukee), however I did have a green shot of Sourz. Also, fun fact about Subway here: they sell donuts with their cookies and you can put sweet corn on your sub. 

Hythe

Quick day trip in East Kent to Hythe. Being extremely tired, I was happy to sleep on the hour bus ride there. It was the Stagecoach Gold, royalty (not really, its the same). However on the way back from Hythe, I can't believe the driver took a double decker through those small back roads, it was insane how much room we had to squeeze by other cars going by. Anyway, spent around three or four hours in Hythe, most of the time at the bay on some rocks and listening to some music. After collecting some sand and shells, I went to city centre to look at some shops. I picked up a cheap plant and brought it back to the bay to add some shells and rocks to the dirt. Hythe also has a million of daffodils and a river that runs through it, just like Canterbury. I realised that sunflowers remind me of Italy and now daffodils will remind me of England. Anyway, I had a cup of tea to go from this pretty (very) pink cafe when walking through the streets, and decided to have some breakfast for lunch at this diner. It reminded me of George Webs a lot by the inside, the service, and the food. Came back and had dinner with Michaela and then got some henna tattoos. Tomorrow is going to be crazy. This entire week is going to be crazy.

Planned Trips

Oxford: Friday March 20th - Sunday March 22nd

London: Saturday March 28th - Tuesday March 31st

Sheffield: Saturday April 4th

Manchester: Sunday April 5th

Liverpool: Monday April 6th

Edinburgh, Scotland: Saturday April 11th - Tuesday April 14th

Paris, France: Thursday April 16th - Monday April 20th

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Friday April 24th - Tuesday April 28th

Dublin, Ireland: Friday May 1st - Wednesday May 6th

Cardiff, Wales: Wednesday May 13th

Santorini, Greece: Saturday May 16th - Thursday May 21st

Italy: Tuesday May 26th - Saturday June 6th

London: Monday June 8th - Thursday June 11th

Barcelona, Spain: Sunday June 14th - Wednesday June 17th

Home, USA: Saturday June 20th


Also, enjoy this video from the last R14 party...

                      

Long Checklist

Checklist:

• Crosswalk stop lights go from green to yellow to red to yellow to green.
• Mother's day was today, the UK celebrates earlier than America. So to my grandmas, expect a card.
• The uni celebrated Holi and I threw chalky bright colours onto my friends to celebrate Spring coming. 
• Had a bialy and a foot of black liquorice from an Italian Market in town.
• I have a friend here that has kissed a Harry Potter. Yeah, his real name is Harry Potter and she met him on Tinder.
• I had my presentation on Théodore Géricault's Raft of the Medusa for a class and the professor said I was very professional. I wore a blazer and practiced like ten times, so I very pleased with his feedback.
• I got a massive envelope from my grandma Sue, filled with photos and information about their trips to Europe. It was a beautiful hour that I spent reading and looking at all of it. Hung it up on bulletin board.
• Might study abroad in Sweden for Spring 2016.
• Might go to Taiwan for Christmas break.
• When I go out, all the boys look like they belong in One Direction. Little British boys.
• Forever wishing Milwaukee had double decker buses.
• Did I tell you that I booked a trip to Barcelona and probably doing a day trip to Milan when I am in Italy?
• Had Mexican last week with Michaela, we try to go out once a week because Rutherford's cafeteria food is gross. 
• Think I was at the library everyday last week.
• Started reading Picasso and Truth for my second essay due in April. 
• Got a gorgeous bouquet of roses and lillies sent to me from my bear because he thought I needed a little lovin' because of all of the studying I was doing.
• Bunnies are my favourite animal, buying a bunny for a pet when I get my own place.
• Laid a blanket out on campus to study with Michaela because it was sixty degrees fahrenheit. 
• Booked Easter weekend for a trip up North. One day in Sheffield, the next in Manchester, and the following in Liverpool. 
• Missing UWM Grind's coffee cake muffins and the chaider.
• "Digestives" are cookies.
• There are daffodils and other wild flowers every where in Canterbury.
• Found one dollar bills, they look really funny to me now.
• Bought a "Hogwarts Alumni" shirt to wear when I get back to America.
• Had a really nice night yesterday with Michaela. Chinese food, face masks, Netflix, and red wine.
• Had my first Krispy Kreme donut today, gross.
• Went to Margate again for a five hour mandatory art lecture. It was interesting until the historian/critic walked up.
• Went out with my Dutch friend, Suzanne, Thursday and Friday night. It has been awhile since I went out. She shared with me a few facts on the Netherlands, and talked about a possible trip to the Netherlands to see more than just Amsterdam in 2016 summer. Check this link out: http://stuffdutchpeoplelike.com/ 
• All the Mother's day cards say Mum and Nana instead of Mom and Grandma. Mum. Mum. Mum. Mum. Mum. Mum. Mum. Mum.

Sorry, I haven't posted lately. I've gotten lazy, I am already on season 7 in Friends. However, I just finished my last full weekend in Canterbury before everyone leaves in April because now, I am booked. I have Oxford next weekend, then London, then my trip up North, and etc. I keep thinking how much I miss some people back home, my car, and the routine. Then I start thinking how much I am going to miss these days, I appreciate every day I spend here. I wish I could live here, I wish it was only a three hour plane ride away. Anyway, tomorrow I think I'll be taking a small trip to Ashford or Hythe. Also, a "Girl's Pamper Night" that is held by the Uni with Michaela after dinner. There will be tea, henna, shellac nails, Lush hand massages, and etc. I think I am more excited for the henna tattoos. Having a St. Patrick's pub crawl on Tuesday, hopefully green beer.

Cheers.

             

Tattooed £

This girl got a tattoo of the british pound symbol behind her ear and she booked a trip to Barcelona and plan on seeing Milan when I go to Italy. 

This girl also has been studying like crazy and found out her second essay is not due until May instead of March, calendar error. Time is going way to fast here, and soon it will be gone before I know it because once school ends and I will be traveling Europe. 

This girl also fell in love with bunnies. Every night, I swear, I will see at least five of them. One morning, I counted nine all in the same spot. 

This girl got a lovely package from her grandma filled with American treats. Peanut butter and pickles were included for my peanut butter and pickle sandwiches! 

This girl has fell in love with this library. I think I have spent at least five hours everyday here. I even have my favourite spot to go hide and read. 

Birmingham/Bourneville

It's March today, and yesterday.. the last day of February was spent in Birmingham. Day trip starting at 4:30am and ending at 2am the following day. The buses take up so much time. We get in Canterbury, then arrive in London to get on another bus to Birmingham. Did some readings for school during the drive, I was actually productive. I have never been the one to procrastinate until I came to England, so I am trying to get my mind set on school. It's just so hard because of all the beautiful places surrounding me. Arriving at our final destination, we get a map from the information booth with some direction instructions because our phone's weren't working correctly at that moment. We had to hurray through city centre to the art museum because we have a set time in Bourneville, Cadbury World, to have our exhibition tour of chocolate. 

Birmingham's city centre is amazing, busy, and trashy. The only downfall of the city is the trash that is flying everywhere. There was a market we got to run through on our way back. The art museum was not the greatest, I enjoyed the British Modern section the most. Rushing through the museum so we wouldn't be late to Cadbury World. Leaving the museum, we had to back rack through the city and back to the bus station to head in the other direction for an hour and half, by foot. We didn't get lost and we got there in time. Seeing the other parts of Birmingham was really nice. Our excuse to eat chocolate today, walking that much to walk it off before we eat it. The total amount of miles we walked today was just under fourteen miles. 

Anyway, we finally get there and our feet hurt because we were stupid to wear boots and not tennis shoes. Walking up to the entrance, I was praying to see a chocolate river and receive a golden ticket, but I sadly didn't. Not Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Instead, I bought fourteen pounds worth of chocolate. The exhibit was alright, and the 4D ride was cool. I got to learn how chocolate was made and the history of the Cadbury business. I'm glad we did it. My stomach was hurting from the chocolate we ate, even though it wasn't even that much. I expected to eat a lot more. I went to Cadbury World and ate less than a chocolate bar, pathetic. I needed real food. I asked someone how to get back to the city and she recommended the train next door. It was really cheap and took only fifteen minutes to get back on New Street.

Arriving back onto the busy streets filled with shoppers, we were trying to find cheap, good food. It was a huge struggle. We settled for a place called, "Homemade Burgers Co", I think. It was greasy and good, but didn't agree with my already chocolate tummy-ache. Walked in the mall afterwards, and bought a grey skirt at Forever 21 in the clearance section. That mall was huge, and the FOrever 21 was huge. I wished we could have stayed longer. They even had a Victoria's Secret.

We were walking back to the bus station with trash blowing at us. It was extremely windy. Anyway, you probably already guessed what we did next. Take the buses back from Birmingham, to London Victoria, and finally to Canterbury City Centre. Bus back to Uni. It was a long day, another city checked off the list.


Checklist:

• This weather makes me sad. It's like Wisconsin early Spring. April/May weather. I am always thinking that the weather is going to get warmer and warmer but it stays the same chilly temperature. Not cold, not warm. Not warm enough for shorts and not warm enough without a jacket.  
• I forgot if I told you, but, I managed to book a small trip to Edinburgh, Scotland and a day trip to Wales. For Scotland, I'll be taking a train. 
• Planning a weekend trip for Calais, France. In two weeks, after I get all my school work done and turned in. It will be cheap because we take a bus to Dover (free for me), and sixteen pound round trip on ferry, and then one night in a hotel. 
• I finished my first essay! It was on the Mona Lisa, so now when I go to the Louvre in April, I will know more information then I did. 
• Now I am working on my presentation on Theodore Géricault's Raft of the Medusa. And my second essay. 
• Friday night was a really great night with Michaela. Fancy (slightly expensive) salad dinner (at least it wasn't Rutherford) and then live music at Woody's pub.
• Started watching Friends on Netflix.
• Started to drink warm lemon water in the mornings (look up the benefits).