I've been in the British Library for about 3 1/2 hours in the same spot. The reason for this is because outlets to plug my computer into are incredibly hard to come by in the library. I've actually never found an empty space to do so. So now that I have claimed a spot, I will NOT be moving. Until hunger or nature makes that impossible.
So we only have six weeks left here in England. I'm probably more excited than I should be. I miss home! Mainly I miss the people that make my life amazing. I'll be getting back to it soon enough though :)
Tonight, the group is going to our first opera! It is called "The Tales of Hoffman" and is apparently three operas in one. We have been told to "look fabulous" as this is a dressy event, so I will be posting pictures of my "fabulousness."
Today has been very nice. I slept in (the construction workers decided to be a bit more quiet this morning) and ate a very nice big breakfast of eggs and oatmeal with blueberries and strawberries. As soon as I was done eating I packed up my stuff, walked to the bus stop, and got on board # 59 towards King's Cross. The British Library is literally about seven blocks away from where I live. I take the bus because it actually takes a while to walk because of the crossings. And it is cold outside.
Classes are beginning to pick up. I must say, this is the weirdest semester I have ever had. We are not at a university here, so it really feels like a three month long holiday with some homework assignments and lectures attached. Not really what I expected, honestly. It has been very hard to maintain a "studious" attitude here. We are constantly doing other things that are program-related that it often feels like we have no time for schoolwork! It is also hard to "care" but I am working on it! I definitely want to get all A's to keep my GPA up. I know my GPA is technically great, but I know I could have done better on some classes that I dropped the ball on. Sometimes a B is genuinely your best. Sometimes it isn't.
This Friday our day trip is Hampton Court Palace, where Henry VIII lived. Only my favorite person ever...
The architecture and palace in general is supposedly very beautiful, so I am looking forward to it. On Thursday my Music Appreciation class is going to see the Museum of Asian Music. How cool is that?! We don't often (okay, EVER) get exposed to Eastern instruments in our Western culture, so this should be a very cool experience.
Last Sunday night I attended the Budapest Festival Orchestra. In London. Great opportunity! The orchestra was wonderful. The conductor was incredibly passionate, and his faces and noises that he made were fantastically hilarious. We had seats directly to the side of the orchestra pit, so I had a great view of every instrumentalist except for the first violins and some percussion. If I leaned forward, I could just see them. Later on this semester, we are going to attend the London Symphony! While this semester has been weird, I cannot say it hasn't been incredible in terms of cultural and artistic experiences I have allowed to have! It's been very great, and a wonderful blessing.
Another aspect of this trip has been the Monday night Bible studies six of us have been having in the Common Area at the Pickwick. We called it "JTAP." Jesus is Totally Awesome Party. Silly, but pretty honest! We play an opening game, sing worship, and get into the Bible and discuss it, often praying over each other at the close of the time. It's been so cool to get to share that with my fellow students. They really challenge me to do better and to grow as a person and spiritually.
Well, the Internet is becoming spotty, and I am getting hungry, so I shall sign off for now! Hope you all enjoy being updated on my life, even if it isn't written so poetically as I would like.
Miss everyone back home!!
Cheers :)
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