Last Week in London

Love my UK friends!

Things have been a little crazy the last two weeks so I haven't really had the opportunity to wrap things up.  I can't believe just two weeks ago I was sitting in London revising for my Thermo & Fluids exam... and now here I am in Savannah!  A few of my UK friends asked that I keep the blog going over the summer so that they can keep up with my southern shenanigans.  At the moment it feels like I'll be working a lot but hopefully I'll be able to escape away for a bit to Charleston or even just a few fun nights downtown in which case I'll post a short blog here and there.  I'll also be travelling to Vancouver at the end of the summer before headed to RPI so I guess my travels aren't quite finished yet!

Anyways, my last week in London was amazing!  I couldn't have asked for a better end to my stay.  After my last exam which went quite well, my friends (Devin, Elisabeth, Sonia, and Sonia's boyfriend Floris) all went over to the farmer's market for a tasty lunch before hitting up the ULU bar for a round of celebratory pints.  After that I headed over to Ramsay to meet up with Jack and we headed over to the Science Museum!  It was incredible in there--I absolutely plan to go back the next time I'm in London!  Unfortunately, it closed rather early so Jack and I Boris biked back to Ramsay (with a little bit of running) just in time for Ramsay dinner with the dinner crew (Jack, Natashia, Ellen, and myself).  Afterwards, we hung out for a bit and got ready to head out to Proud, a cool club in Camden Town with student nights on Thursdays.  The club was awesome and I got to see a lot of people since everyone went now that exams were finished.

Friday began with my last Ramsay breakfast with Jack and then I had a few hours to myself during which time I mostly packed and printed out crossword puzzles for the long journey.  I stopped by Sainsbury's with Beatrice before headed over to the hockey picnic in Regent's park.  It took me about an hour and thirty minutes to find my team largely because I hadn't had a cell phone for about two months but fortunately I found them in the end! A bunch of us from the team shared a delicious lunch and they presented me with the nicest picture frame collage and a jubilee key chain (which I have on my car key now!).  They were simply the nicest friends and I was glad to have known them for the entire year.  That night was our last dinner crew dinner and then my corridor headed off to Emma's house for her 19th birthday.  It was a really nice evening with the whole 2nd floor gang.

Saturday was filled with more fun activities beginning with a walk down to see the changing of the guards with Elisabeth and then a tube ride over to King's Cross to finally see "Platform 9 3/4".  We then grabbed some lunch and chatted a bit.  Before meeting up with Devin, one of my friends from my  Shorter Narrative class, Lorenzo, wanted to meet up to say goodbye before I left so I chatted with him for a bit at Warren Street Station.  He is from Milan and told me that if I was ever in Italy that I'd have a place to stay with him ("even if I didn't like him" haha).  Of course I told him to please let me know if he was ever in the States, especially since I love showing people around DC.  He said that he didn't care for the US before his year abroad but that after meeting people "like me" he felt like he had to go to the States because it must not be so bad if people such as myself live there and let me tell you I think that was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me in my life.  What a nice guy!

After Lorenzo left I met up with Devin and we went for a spot of afternoon tea, my first pot ever!  I'd had sips of tea before but never really liked it but we had some delicious Earl Gray tea and crumpets. :)  Elisabeth met up with us and so we hung out in the library quad for a bit before saying goodbye :(  That night was the Summer ball so I hung around with Natashia and Ellen while they got ready.  I tried my best to see if I could get a last minute ticket after seeing how cool the decorations in the quad were but I couldn't get one. I was kind of happy I didn't though because that meant that I got to have one last Coldplay jam session with Gwijde!  He came to see the girls before the ball as well and so we hung around and jammed in the music room one last time (although I had sold my guitar so it was just the piano).

The next morning, my friend from the hockey team, Beth, was so kind and showed up to help me carry my bags (a total of around 175 pounds!) to the airport.  I was really sad to walk out of Ramsay for the last time knowing that I'd miss all of the people and places from this past year in London and also knowing that I wouldn't be back for quite some time.  We thought the Piccadilly wasn't running (because of tfl.co.uk) so we took the tube over to Paddington but then accidentally took the Heathrow Express which was rather pricey. I made it to the airport though and got to check all the bags I needed, none overweight, and still had a few pounds to spare for lunch in Iceland (my flight had a layover in Iceland).  My flight left London around 1pm and landed in Iceland where I boarded another plane 2 hours later for DC.  My mom picked me up in DC at 7pm and I was back in the sweaty, muggy, mid-Atlantic summer.

One thing I had forgotten while I was away was how rude Americans were.  Maybe I'd never noticed it or maybe I got used to how polite people were to me in London (strangers offered to help me carry my bags when I got to London and friends offered to escort me to the airport as I left London) but I experienced three rude Americans before I even got through boarder patrol.  On the plane I asked one fellow if I could get by because I had to put my luggage further down in the aisle and was trying to get back when he said sharply, "well I don't know where you want me to go."  I was like, "into the row for a second...?"  And then at the boarder patrol the gentleman, as they always do, asked me what I was doing in the country, "studying," studying what? "Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering."  But then this was unusual... he asked me what I was going to do with that.  "Uhh... Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering?"  Yeah but what kind of job are you going to get?  "I don't know, I have an internship with an Aerospace company I--" --alright, go make money.  And he put my passport on the desk.  I didn't quite know how to respond to that.  But anyways, the people I've met in Georgia have been very kind.  I'll write more about that later though.  Sorry if I rambled on too much about my last few days but I just never want to forget them!  Maybe I'll add some more later... hah, thanks for reading!

P.S. sorry these photos are a bit out of order.

My study buddies!  Sonia and Devin :)

After our first exam we grabbed some tasty lunch at the farmer's market before hitting up ULU.

After our last exam ended Sonia met up with her boyfriend and joined me and Devin for celebratory pints at the ULU pub (after lunch).

Unfortunately I had to sell my guitar at the end of the year :(  But I think it went to a good home.

Then Jack and I hit up the Science Museum!  It was really cool--a must see.  I didn't see enough of it so we're planning a return trip :)

 Jack lookin flyy :)

The globe in the Science Museum was pretty neat.

The Dinner Crew in Ramsay

Elisabeth and her cupcake.  Also please note the flapjacks and how they're not pancakes!

A picnic with some hockey mates! :)

The medics (and Will) at Emma's party.

Proud (located in an old stables / by the Camden Market)

The Court!  Where Brendan and I spent every Sunday night losing the pub quiz.  They redid the place a bit over winter break.

My tube station!

The archie mess in the common room of Ramsay.  Ohhhh archies.

The changing of the guard with things set up for the Jubilee.

Check out number 62 down!  Been doing a lot of crosswords.

Devin and my first afternoon tea :)

Devin and Elisabeth in the quad (left) and Devin with our tea and biscuits (right).

Gwijde during our last Coldplay jam session!

Going to Hogwarts :)

King's Cross St. Pancras

I forgot to mention this a long time ago--they have switches on their power outlets!

Ever wondered what Icelandic looked like?

Iceland!

My room just before I moved out and Beth helping me take my things to the airport on the tube :)

Me and Gwijde!

Woodward Visitors

Me on the prime meridian (left) and the Shard is almost done (right)!

I think my weekend with Graham, Tim, Thom, Beth, and Kiley was the most fun I'd had in a long time in London!  Granted, I'd been studying a lot and was looking to get out for a bit but it was also nice to tour around a city with friends on vacation because it makes you feel like you're on vacation too.  I also liked touring with people who were new to London since they reminded me of all the things I was amazed by when I first got to there like the length of the phone numbers, etc. haha.  Anyways, I spent two days with this crew and had a blast.

I met up with Thom at his office and then the rest of the gang joined us a bit later.  We cruised around town for a bit and hit up a pub before headin over to Thom's new flat.  The next day we met up at Saint Paul's (although I didn't know there was something going on there so Kiley was cracking up when she found me with a look on my face like "Ohhhhhh shit."  See I hadn't had a cell phone since before Spring Break so I couldn't just call people haha).  Anyways, we headed over to Borough Market for some tasty lunch and pints before catching the ferry over to the GMT where we passed by the polo Olympic grounds.  By the GMT line we had a picnic in the park with foods from the market and it was delicious!  After a few pints at the Meantime Brewery we headed over to this pizza place that shared it's bathroom with a... drag club?  I dunno what it was called but Tim had an interesting experience in the bathroom apparently hah.  Anyways, it was a super fun weekend! :)

Borough Market

Borough Market

Tower of London from the River Thames

Tower Bridge and the Shard (nearly finished!)

Maritime Museum

Thom, Graham, and Tim (left), Graham and Kiley (right)

The Olympic Polo Grounds

Photographers :)

Picnic in a royal park!

The Park

Pints at the Meantime Brewery

Sunset over the Thames

Graham and Tim after dinner.

Westminster Abbey

Elisabeth snapped a photo of me and Devin.  Parliament Square is so much nicer without the construction now!

My friends, Devin and Elisabeth, and I took a study break to head over to Westminster Abbey.  I'd walked by it many times before but hadn't gone in (it costs 13 pounds so you can't really just saunter in there hah).  It was quite a sight though.  I didn't really know what an "abbey" was per se.  I knew it meant people were burried there but I always just assumed they had a little courtyard where people were buried but actually, while they do have a tiny courtyard (where no one is burried), people are entombed indoors under the floor and in, what are essentially, statues.  I know that sounds strange but I'm not sure how to describe it.  The cathedral itself was incredibly brightly lit by the sunlight and very nicely decorated like most churches I've seen throughout Europe.  But as you walk around the perimeter you'll find small rooms to the side with one or two giant stone boxes with statues of a king or queen laying in the same position that I imagine the bodies were laid in.  There are small rooms for the royalty, a small room for the Royal Air Force, the poets corner, a place for prime ministers, etc.  Poets corner had writers such as Chaucer and Dickens with statues honoring people like Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde (who are not buried there).  The cathedral also had the place where the Knights of the Order of Bath (I hope I got that right) have their.... seats?  I don't know how to explain what they are because I'm not terribly aware myself but basically these special people, chosen by a committee that meets at Windsor Castle, have their own seats.........  Sorry I can't be more informative.  Any who, it was a really good time and I'm glad I had some friends to come along with me.  I suppose I should get back to studying... thanks for reading!

Some hail and rain was passing through so the sky was really dark on one side and quite blue on the other.  It was really cool looking...

The BT Tower is right outside my bedroom window so for the most part I stare at this all day while I study.  Not a bad view :)

Just one more week of exams!  But leaving London in 10 days :(

Harry Potter

Me in Potions class witih Snape (that pot in the background actually stirs itself).

Brendan and I have been to quite a few Harry Potter spots over the year.  I still have yet to go to "platform 9 and 3/4" at King's Cross but for my birthday my parents got me tickets to the Harry Potter Warner Bro's Studio Tour!!!  It was amazing, absolutely amazing.  I would even return there a second time in the future because it was that cool.  It was basically a Harry Potter museum with all the sets and props.  You also get to learn all about the people who helped work on the set, design, script, etc.  For example, there were 20 make-up artists working each day, the film had it's own engineering team, and there are SO MANY PROPS that had to be made for these films.  You simply wouldn't believe how many things were not just computer generated.  My friend Elisabeth (from Austria) came with me to tour the studio.  We spent about six hours there so honestly, if you go, make it an all day event haha.  Well, if you like Harry Potter.  Anyways, hopefully you'll recognize the spots below.  I'd go into more detail about the studio but I don't want to completely spoil it for anyone who has yet to go and if you don't want to know how the magic of the films is created, then don't scroll down... :)

Courtyard at Oxford

Stairs at Oxford that were used for a few scenes inside the castle.

The infirmiry and the place where McGonagall teaches them to dance for the Yule ball. 

The infirmary / door that Harry and Hermione run through after using the time turner.

Me in the room that inspired the great hall and the tree in the courtyard where Moody turns Draco into a ferret.

The bridge that the death eaters destroy in London (the Millenium Bridge).

Harry Potter Warner Bro's Studio Tour

The cupboard under the stairs!

Gryffendor Table

professor's table

The Great Hall

from the Yule ball 

Dumbledore's hair and the jackets Daniel Radcliffe wears for the scene in the seventh film.  He had four jackets that got progessively more torn and burnt.

Umbridge's decrees

The common room and a hallway that wasn't actually a hallway.  The chair is only about five feet from where I was standing and far too small to fit a person.

The moving picture frames!

Hagrid's hut

A stair case, the entrance to the chamber of secrets, a Gringot's vault door, and a door to Hogwarts.

Hagrid's Hut

The Weasley's

Magic is Might and Umbridge's Office

Death Eaters and Voldemort

Chocolate Frog!  You could buy one--for 8 pounds...

Harry's Letters

The Hogwarts Letter

Plastic coins (from Harry's vault)

Marauder's Map

Ministry of Magic and Umbridge's Office

The thing with the hoarcrux in the 6th film.

Over 3000 Wands were made for the film!

Moody's trunk with a mirror showing a small photo of Moody in the bottom and the door to Hogwarts with a stair case (used for close ups).

Hoarcruxes!

Dumbledore's Office and Pensieve

The Snitch!

Step into my office... the stairs that come up are actually functional.  They had to have a 12 foot deep well under what you see.

The mirror of Erised

Gryffindor Common Room

The Black Family Wall Paper

Tom Riddle's Tombstone

The bridge!

The Potter's

The chess pieces!  Some of them actually move/explode.

Butterbeer!  So good--basically it's like butterscotch-y cream soda with whipped cream.

 Elisabeth with her butterbeer.

Elisabeth trying to flag haha.  The Knightbus!

Elisabeth infront of 4 Privet Drive

4 Privet Drive!  And then we entered the third stage with the animatronics/masks--this is fenrir greyback's mask.

Harry masks, Griphook, Voldemort/Quirrell, and Dumbledore's hands.

Hagrid's animatronic head!  This was only used when they needed Hagrid to be walking somewhere or something.

Engineering!!  If only I could've helped build these things... they actually had engineer's on site to work on these things--even Scabbers was animatronic!  For the werewolves they had someone wearing that head and those feet.

More animatronic items.

Grawp's head.

Buckbeak was animatronic too!

More models.

Diagon Alley!!  So cool.

Shops in Diagon Alley

Owls in Diagon Alley

Models of The Three Broomsticks and The Burrow

The castle!  The lights changed the "time of day".  A day was probably two minutes long.

More of the castle grounds.

Sunset?

Daytime?

The entrance to the studio.

 The gift shop.

That's all!  Thanks for reading :)