London is great so far!! It may rain quite a bit but that does not detract from the beauty of the city. I have been shopping on Oxford Street and been to a play in the Olivier Theatre in the National Theatre. We saw The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams last night and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The play ran a bit long (everyone agreed) but it was well done. The southern New Orleans accents were not exact (some Brit English would slip out) but it was very good acting. The hotel we are staying in is nice and the beds are so comfortable. I literally fall into bed every night because I am so tired from running around all day!! I watch TV during the morning and a bit yesterday afternoon and it is quite entertaining. Everything seems silly in a British accent.
I'm still attempting to get used to the coinage here. I just stand at the counters sometimes and have to read what they all cost. On the money note, everything is so expensive. Not only is theUS dollar worth only half of the Great Britain pound, but things just cost more in general already! I just have to keep thinking, once in a lifetime experience. This will be worth it in the long run and I will be working all summer once I return to the US.
We have had class yesterday and today and it isn't so bad. It typically runs from about 9:30am to 12:30pm. We have a break in there too. The professors are both really nice and interesting. One is very laid back (Dr. Kimball King) and the other (Dr. Gerry Unks) is a bit..."anal, old, an odd mix of both cute and annoying" (quoted from my friend Rachel). They are both having a fantastic time here too. It is obviously one of their favorite (or favourite?) places in the world.
I booked my weekend trip to Paris today. We have switched the weekend that we planned on going because all the hostels/Eurostar are booked up. We are heading to mainland Europe on 1 June for 3 nights! We have yet to figure out where we are going for the longer weekend (24 May-28 May). We are thinking Ireland but still may change our minds depending on the prices! This weekend the entire group heads to the Midlands (Oxford, Coventry, Stratford-Upon-Avon, etc). Everyone on the trip is really nice so far (even the four billion Chi Psi fraternity brothers).
The weather has been a random mix of cloudy, rainy, and sunny. I dont mind the rain which is good. It has yet to really POUR down on me though, just sprinkling on my umbrella. I felt so London last night walking back from a play at the National Theatre carrying my umbrella and catching a red double decker bus back to my hotel. It was fun!!
My time is running out on this computer at an internet cafe so I must run. I love all your comments and emails! They make me feel so loved!! Hope everyone is doing well!!
CHEERS
17 May 2007
15 May 2007
I jumped the pond
just wanted to write a quick quip that I have arrived in London, England safe and sound. I have taken a few silly photos of street signs and coca cola light (diet coke) cans. It is cold and raining. I got asked for directions which means that I do not stick out as an ugly American! horray!
My parents were reluctant to let me go through security by myself (I think my mom wanted to just jump into my suitcase). Eventually she realized that I am 21 years old and can handle this by myself.
The flight from Washington Dulles to Heathrow was not as bas as I had expected. I read most of Bridget Jones' Diary but did not sleep a wink. I arrived in London around 6:00am GMT and have spent some time wandering the streets with a friend. I must use the rest of this internet hour to search for flights/trains/ferrys to Paris/Ireland/wherever.
Hope everyone is doing well
My parents were reluctant to let me go through security by myself (I think my mom wanted to just jump into my suitcase). Eventually she realized that I am 21 years old and can handle this by myself.
The flight from Washington Dulles to Heathrow was not as bas as I had expected. I read most of Bridget Jones' Diary but did not sleep a wink. I arrived in London around 6:00am GMT and have spent some time wandering the streets with a friend. I must use the rest of this internet hour to search for flights/trains/ferrys to Paris/Ireland/wherever.
Hope everyone is doing well
14 May 2007
London Calling
My family and I watched The Queen on video last night. My mother, my brother's girlfriend Vickie, and I all enjoyed it quite a bit. My dad and brother...not so much. We all thought it was a great insight into her life and job though. Helen Mirren did an incredible job (She deserves that Oscar!)
I leave tomorrow (Monday 14 May) for London. I'm currently packing up everything that I will absolutely need. If there are things that I may not need, I've been told not to pack them. I can always buy things over there (I'm not heading to Somalia or anything!) Packing is such a chore.
The hardest thing so far this past week has been saying goodbye to a lot of my friends. Many of them graduated today from Carolina and so I may not see them for a long time. Other friends I will see in a month when I return, but that does not make it any easier. I promised "I WILL BE BACK" to a few friends to settle their nerves...and my own. As much as I am excited for this trip I am extremely nervous. I have never travelled alone, I have never been overseas, I have never been given so much freedom in my life! Compared to my best friends Julie and Maggie, I am a baby when it comes to travelling. Those girls have explored the world by the time I'm heading out for my first steps.
As of now, I have not purchased any train/plane tickets to Paris or Ireland but I plan to do so when I get settled across the pond. I really have no set plans other than what the program has laid out for us.
As I have already expressed, I may not be able to post on here very often because it will cost me several pounds an hour to write. I will attempt to write on here as much as I can though. Pictures on the other hand, will not be posted until after I return. There is no way to connect my cameras (yes, I am taking two digital cameras) to the computers for uploading. I promise to post them when I acclimate back to the US.
This is my last post before I skip over the pond. Thanks to everyone who has given me tips, gifts, and love the past few weeks. I know that I will need them all.
It's only a month.
"You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." - Samuel Johnson
I leave tomorrow (Monday 14 May) for London. I'm currently packing up everything that I will absolutely need. If there are things that I may not need, I've been told not to pack them. I can always buy things over there (I'm not heading to Somalia or anything!) Packing is such a chore.
The hardest thing so far this past week has been saying goodbye to a lot of my friends. Many of them graduated today from Carolina and so I may not see them for a long time. Other friends I will see in a month when I return, but that does not make it any easier. I promised "I WILL BE BACK" to a few friends to settle their nerves...and my own. As much as I am excited for this trip I am extremely nervous. I have never travelled alone, I have never been overseas, I have never been given so much freedom in my life! Compared to my best friends Julie and Maggie, I am a baby when it comes to travelling. Those girls have explored the world by the time I'm heading out for my first steps.
As of now, I have not purchased any train/plane tickets to Paris or Ireland but I plan to do so when I get settled across the pond. I really have no set plans other than what the program has laid out for us.
As I have already expressed, I may not be able to post on here very often because it will cost me several pounds an hour to write. I will attempt to write on here as much as I can though. Pictures on the other hand, will not be posted until after I return. There is no way to connect my cameras (yes, I am taking two digital cameras) to the computers for uploading. I promise to post them when I acclimate back to the US.
This is my last post before I skip over the pond. Thanks to everyone who has given me tips, gifts, and love the past few weeks. I know that I will need them all.
It's only a month.
"You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." - Samuel Johnson
30 April 2007
FINAL MEETING: YOU MUST ATTEND
So we had our last meeting in the USA last Thursday (My mother's birthday). We filled out yet another form of our travel information (flights, ETAs, etc) and then went on to find out more information about the trip. Dr Kimball King told us about the 8 (possibly 9 or 10 if lucky) plays that we will be attending in London. Unfortunately, he only gave us the dates and times and withheld the play titles. We should be attending roughly TWO plays each week! The first one is the day after we arrive in London. Here are the dates we were given for the plays:
Wednesday May 16
Friday May 18
Monday May 21
Wednesday May 23
Tuesday May 29
Thursday May 31
Tuesday June 5
Wednesday June 6 (Shakespearian play outdoors, weather permitting)
Thursday June 7
I am so excited. We are even taking tours of many of the theatres before we see the plays! I am so excited!!!
Next, Dr. Kimball King's wife, Dr. Harriet King spoke about the trips that she will be guiding us through. She is the museum guru and so we will lead us through the British Museum and the British Library. These dates I do not know yet, but I anxiously await seeing the most popular and most exciting exhibits that these places have to offer!
The main task of this meeting was assigning roommates. There are five triple rooms (three people to one room), many "twins" (two people to one room), and a few singles (one person to a room). I am signed up for a "twin" room with my friend Meghan. They claim that these roommates do not matter because you only sleep, shower, and dress here but I figure that it will be a lot of fun and minimal stress to KNOW the person that I am rooming with beforehand.
Recently, I have bought a new raincoat and several pairs of shoes (must be comfy, supportive, able to withstand rain, but NOT SNEAKERS or "trainers" as the Brits call them). "Trainers" are the one item of clothing that make Americans stand out the most in Europe. Our advisors have told us again and again to resist the urge to take them because you will stick out and people can easily spot you. They have given many similar warnings throughout the semester.
They did provide us with our addresses though!
Melissa Perryman
Mentone Hotel
54-56 Cartwright Gardens
London WC1H 9EL
Great Britain
They still claim that the best way to communicate will be email. I hope to be able to check my email semi-regularly. Just know that I will be quite unreachable most of the month but email is by far the best way to communicate with me. Also, emailing provides a written record that we can save and print to remember this time. Please email me instead of writing or trying to call me. My email address is:
mkperry@email.unc.edu
I'm sure that everyone has heard by now that someone is trying to keep me from going to England. His name is Mr. Exchange Rate. The current exchange rate from US Dollar to GB Pound is ridiculous. It hit the highest that it has ever been in history! EVER! But not even this villain can keep me from jumping the pond! Check out the NASDAQ report on the exchange rate
My brother sent me an email a few weeks ago explaining to me the best way to travel from the US to London.
Wednesday May 16
Friday May 18
Monday May 21
Wednesday May 23
Tuesday May 29
Thursday May 31
Tuesday June 5
Wednesday June 6 (Shakespearian play outdoors, weather permitting)
Thursday June 7
I am so excited. We are even taking tours of many of the theatres before we see the plays! I am so excited!!!
Next, Dr. Kimball King's wife, Dr. Harriet King spoke about the trips that she will be guiding us through. She is the museum guru and so we will lead us through the British Museum and the British Library. These dates I do not know yet, but I anxiously await seeing the most popular and most exciting exhibits that these places have to offer!
The main task of this meeting was assigning roommates. There are five triple rooms (three people to one room), many "twins" (two people to one room), and a few singles (one person to a room). I am signed up for a "twin" room with my friend Meghan. They claim that these roommates do not matter because you only sleep, shower, and dress here but I figure that it will be a lot of fun and minimal stress to KNOW the person that I am rooming with beforehand.
Recently, I have bought a new raincoat and several pairs of shoes (must be comfy, supportive, able to withstand rain, but NOT SNEAKERS or "trainers" as the Brits call them). "Trainers" are the one item of clothing that make Americans stand out the most in Europe. Our advisors have told us again and again to resist the urge to take them because you will stick out and people can easily spot you. They have given many similar warnings throughout the semester.
They did provide us with our addresses though!
Melissa Perryman
Mentone Hotel
54-56 Cartwright Gardens
London WC1H 9EL
Great Britain
They still claim that the best way to communicate will be email. I hope to be able to check my email semi-regularly. Just know that I will be quite unreachable most of the month but email is by far the best way to communicate with me. Also, emailing provides a written record that we can save and print to remember this time. Please email me instead of writing or trying to call me. My email address is:
mkperry@email.unc.edu
I'm sure that everyone has heard by now that someone is trying to keep me from going to England. His name is Mr. Exchange Rate. The current exchange rate from US Dollar to GB Pound is ridiculous. It hit the highest that it has ever been in history! EVER! But not even this villain can keep me from jumping the pond! Check out the NASDAQ report on the exchange rate
My brother sent me an email a few weeks ago explaining to me the best way to travel from the US to London.
1. Go to www.google.com
2. Click on "Maps"
3. Click on "Get Directions"
4. Type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. Type "London" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. Scroll down to step #23
Thanks to his wonderful knowledge I think I can strap my floaties on and make it there in about 80 years.
I leave in two weeks. I am so nervous but so excited!! I
must also inform you all that I will probably post photos of my
journeys when I return state side because it will be almost impossible
to put them on the site from Europe. I promise to post some when I
return. I hope to make a website that will be linked from this site to
show much of my travels and adventures! I will try my BEST to keep
everyone informed of what I'm doing even if it is a short and to the
point post. Thank you all for reading my blog! I enjoy typing about my
emotions and meetings so far!
17 April 2007
Prince William & Princess Melissa
So the big news over in the UK is that Prince William and Kate Middleton have broken up. They have been dating for several years and there was even talk of engagement earlier this year. I think that he heard that I was coming to London in May. That must have been the reason for the spilt, dont you think? :) (You can find more information on the royal split on BBC News .)
I received an email tonight about very important information for our final meeting. We have this meeting on Thursday, April 26 (My mother's birthday!!) at 7pm. We will cover flight information, insurance, emergency contact information, and roommate preference. Our group will make up most of the residents staying in the Mentone Hotel (see link on the right side for more information) during our month of residence. There are mostly 2-bedded rooms but there are five 3-bedded rooms. I know one girl on the trip and have come to know another nice girl, but have yet to discuss rooming. I guess we can figure that out within the next week.
Today marks the 4-weeks-until-departure date. I officially leave the United States in 29 days!! I cannot believe it is so soon! I feel as if I have miles to go before I can even think of London. I have been incredibly busy with research papers, exams, and presentations lately and the final exams are looming on the horizon. The last day of classes for UNC is Friday April 27. Final exams begin the following Monday. The last day of finals (and I of course have a final exam on this date) is Tuesday May 8th. I am also inclined to continue working at my old dormitory (Carmichael Residence Hall) for many days before I leave for London. Graduation for seniors is May 13 (Mother's Day!!) but I hope to not be around for that madness!
Oh and during our trip we have two long weekends where we are permitted to travel wherever we choose! I really want to go to Paris, France and maybe Ireland or Scotland. I hope to grab a few people and hit the trains to take some exciting weekend adventures. Any suggestions of places to go are welcome!!
I received an email tonight about very important information for our final meeting. We have this meeting on Thursday, April 26 (My mother's birthday!!) at 7pm. We will cover flight information, insurance, emergency contact information, and roommate preference. Our group will make up most of the residents staying in the Mentone Hotel (see link on the right side for more information) during our month of residence. There are mostly 2-bedded rooms but there are five 3-bedded rooms. I know one girl on the trip and have come to know another nice girl, but have yet to discuss rooming. I guess we can figure that out within the next week.
Today marks the 4-weeks-until-departure date. I officially leave the United States in 29 days!! I cannot believe it is so soon! I feel as if I have miles to go before I can even think of London. I have been incredibly busy with research papers, exams, and presentations lately and the final exams are looming on the horizon. The last day of classes for UNC is Friday April 27. Final exams begin the following Monday. The last day of finals (and I of course have a final exam on this date) is Tuesday May 8th. I am also inclined to continue working at my old dormitory (Carmichael Residence Hall) for many days before I leave for London. Graduation for seniors is May 13 (Mother's Day!!) but I hope to not be around for that madness!
Oh and during our trip we have two long weekends where we are permitted to travel wherever we choose! I really want to go to Paris, France and maybe Ireland or Scotland. I hope to grab a few people and hit the trains to take some exciting weekend adventures. Any suggestions of places to go are welcome!!
10 April 2007
Videos & Exams
I went to the Undergradute Library on Monday and spent most of the evening watching the two videos and their study guides which must be completed within the next few weeks. I watched one video on Orientation and Packing for London and another video titled From Blitzkrieg to the Bomb which showed footage and discussed World War II. There is SO MUCH to learn!! The first video was created by the professors that are going on the trip with us. Because they have been so many times they know the easiest and best way to travel. They informed us not to bring too much luggage and to minimize the amount of electronics we take because of the difference in voltage and amperage in London. They also hit me with a shocker: DO NOT TAKE YOUR LAPTOP COMPUTER! ohhhh noooo!! What will I do without my IBM for a full month? This may limit the amount of posts from London on this site but they claim there are two computer shops very close to the Mentone Hotel where we are staying. They say that laptops are too heavy, easily stolen, and the electrical outlets do not work well with them. The computer shops will cost me a few pounds an hour so I hope to make it there as much as possible without spending all my money!
Tonight we took the exam on the Time Out: London Travel Guide. I did not think it was possible to test someone on their knowledge of a travel guide. I also found the exam to be extremely difficult. How does one focus their attention on every detail of every bit of history and all the sightseeing destinations for a 25 minute exam? I'm still flabbergasted by the test questions. Assuming I will still be allowed to go on this trip (hopefully that exam grade does not mean much) I am very excited still. Reading the travel guide just put me in the mindset to hop on the plane and head there right now!
I leave the US in less than 5 weeks!! Let's just pray that I can get through these research papers, lab reports, final performances, and final exams!
Tonight we took the exam on the Time Out: London Travel Guide. I did not think it was possible to test someone on their knowledge of a travel guide. I also found the exam to be extremely difficult. How does one focus their attention on every detail of every bit of history and all the sightseeing destinations for a 25 minute exam? I'm still flabbergasted by the test questions. Assuming I will still be allowed to go on this trip (hopefully that exam grade does not mean much) I am very excited still. Reading the travel guide just put me in the mindset to hop on the plane and head there right now!
I leave the US in less than 5 weeks!! Let's just pray that I can get through these research papers, lab reports, final performances, and final exams!
22 March 2007
Textbook Exam
We had our second UNC London meeting last night where we took an exam on the "textbook" that we read. The book is Brit-Think Ameri-Think by Jane Walmsley. It is a clever book comparing Britain to America in very exaggerated terms. The exam took about 30 minutes and we also filled out a form inquiring about our flight times and dates so that the professors could pick us all up at the various airports in London at the correct times.
I currently know only one other person on the trip, Meghan, but have begun to meet other people throughout the meetings. I am very excited about the trip!!! I wish I could leave right now!
We must read one other book and watch two videos that are available in the R. B. House Undergraduate Library on campus. Not much else to report except that my parents are also getting passports in case of emergency (but I bet they will want to come visit in London!!)
I currently know only one other person on the trip, Meghan, but have begun to meet other people throughout the meetings. I am very excited about the trip!!! I wish I could leave right now!
We must read one other book and watch two videos that are available in the R. B. House Undergraduate Library on campus. Not much else to report except that my parents are also getting passports in case of emergency (but I bet they will want to come visit in London!!)
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