My first days in London

I finally made it to the student computer lab to do some homework and blog updating. The second way went much better. The Victoria and Albert museum is right around the corner from our flat. The England Natural History Museum is too, but I have yet to visit there. Here are some pics from the V&A.






This one I took and posted it for Cody because he likes eagles. or maybe this is another type of raptor, either way, if Cody had a pet with talons this is what he would look like.




These womens shoes were not made to fit a specific foot, that is, shoes could be worn on either foot, no right or left.

Wearing an armored glove...

Wearing a ruffle.

And dispite what these pictures convey, no, I am not pregnant.

Then today, the third day, we went to see the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey:

When you visit the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben is inevitably thrown in as a packaged deal.


Me outside the Abbey...


This one it Sir Issac Newtons tomb in the Abbey. These and the following pictures I had to sneak because cameras were not allowed.


I tried to take this picture for Cody to show him that his decendence are buried in Westminster Abbey, but I couldn't sneak the whole picture.

Thats it for today boys and girls. More soon.

My first day, which was a 100 hour day

***Warning, I refuse to correct my type-o's for this post. Deal with it.***

So far I'm failing at being an traveliong blogger. First because I'm missing the greatest element, my own laptop. But I'm determinded to bum my roomies laptops when ever I can, and make the trip down the street to use our student computer facility. Sorry there aren't pictures yet. I've been too dostracted to take pictures, but the next time I post I'll post pictures of these distractions.

I made it to London great, not problems. Or so I thought. Unfirtunately my baggage was not put on my flight to London with me so I had to waut at the airport for 2 hours for its arrival. Then, I got completely lost in the airport, trying to find the right Tube station (thats the subway, to all you Aamericans). After all the confusion I spent 5 hours at the airport trying to get a grip on this place. I had to Emily while she was asleep at 12:30 in the mjorning to check my email for me so I could find out where I was meant to meet my people. Thanks, Em.

The plane ride was better than I thought it would be, however, it still sucked. I didn't get any sleep. So when I took a nap this afternoon I accidentially slept through our group meeting. I woke up so disoriented!!! I cant wait for bed time, which isn't for at least a few more hours.

My flat is located on the third floor of an amazingly beautiful old building, but in London, third floor really means 50th, and the British dont believe in elevators, so I've already started working in my summer swimsuit body that will inevitably form from hiking to and fro, up and down.

Thats all for now. I'm tired. Consider this a cliffhanger ending. Tomorrow I'll put up pics from what I encounter. As far as I'm concerned, my journey cant really begin until I'm well rested.

made it

barely. horrifying details forthcoming. cody i love you, i'll call you soon.

Travel Anxiety

I've come down with a case of something really crappy. I might die. The doctor said it was allergies, but I've never had allergies that made me vomit before (or maybe it was the Brick Oven pizza). I think he knows something I don't know because he sent me home with a prescription for anti-biotics, just in case. I think its a sinus infection slash travel anxiety. I don't know exactly which ailment is to blame for keeping me awake these past few nights, but I think they're both responsible. Because of all the stress from finals and packing and work and sickness I think I'm going to spend my first twenty-four hours in London crying. I hope so, I think crying might work well as decompression therapy.

On a lighter note CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO GRADUATED TODAY! I hate/envy you. But then again, you're not the one's going to London, so I guess we're even.

So much to do, so little time. I cant believe I leave in two days. And sorry if some of this is incoherent. My typing skills may have suffered permanent damage from the past week of finals cramming. That, and the goodbye hug my boss's boss gave me left the aroma of his cologne on my blouse that has distracted me the whole time I've been trying to write this.

My London Address

If anyone should feel inclined to send me post or packages the address to send them to is:

Ashley Robertson
Metrogate House
3 -7 Queens Gate Terrace
London, SW7 5PE

Will cheer for money

During work the other day I went into my boss's boss's office, who is the Dean of Students, Bob Rasmussen. Phil Clegg was also in there. The following dialog ensued:

Phil: Is she (me) a full-time student?

Bob: Who, Ashley? Yeah.

Phil: Ashley, Do you want a scholarship?

Me: Yeah I do. What's it for?

Phil: I have some end-of-year money that I need to get rid of.

Me: Are you serious?!

Phil: Of course. You're enrolled in at least 12 credits, right?

Me: Yes.

Phil: You have at least a 2.5 GPA, right?

Me: Yes.

Phil: Okay. Expect a check in the mail.

Me: ....(dumbfounded)...

Basically the trip to England has afforded me many sleepless nights of anxiety over how I was going to pay for it, how I was going to eat while I was over there, and how I was going to support my shopping habit while over there. This pretty much takes care of that.

Thank you student affairs for giving me a CHEER scholarship! Thats right, its a cheer leading scholarship. I'll do a cheer for $1,000 dollars. You only have to ask once.

Roommate

"Don't forget about me."

I've gotten into the habit of TRYING to guilt Cody into giving me what I want because after I leave he will miss me so much he's going to to wish he had done everything for me before I left. "Cody, walk me back to my office. We wont have many more lunches like this together before I leave." To which he responds "No." Cody's handling me leaving a lot better than I am. In fact I'm convinced that he's in denial about it, and doesn't realize how hard it's going to be.

Me: I know you're in denial about me leaving. Once I'm gone, you're going to WISH you have paid me more attention.

Cody: You're right. Just like how when my mother dies I'm going to wish I had been nicer to her. I see these things, but there's no changing them.

I think in the end, he'll be just fine without me.

Last summer when Cody was studying abroad in Italy, he sent me postcards that said "Don't forget about me." So now I remind him everyday to return the favor.

Taking orders for souvenirs...

So I leave for England in less than 3 weeks. I remember when it was 3 months away and I never really thought I'd go. Well, now I have to start thinking about packing, and it's terrifying. Yes, I'm scared to leave! This is what happens when you grow up in Utah suburbs and spend the first period of your adult life in Utah county: you become afraid of the real world. PLUS, tonight I learn who my roommates are going to be--the thought of which makes me want to throw up because I gave up roommates almost a year ago for a reason.

I'll keep y'all posted periodically before I leave, and once I'm over there I promise to update this blog very regularly (except for maybe when I'm in Dublin or Paris and don't have speedy access to the net, yes, be jealous). If you want me to bring you something back you'll have to let me know. I plan on getting the most out of this experience as is humanly possible and sharing it with just as many people.