Week 2 in London & 1st Week of Classes Down

I've been in London for almost 2 full weeks and I've officially finish my first week of grad school. Honestly we didn't do much the first week, since I only have each class once a week essentially spent all of last week introducing ourselves and going over syllabi. However I'm very aware of the load of reading and writing that this program has in store. I'm intimidated by the course load and many of the other girls in the program have very strong backgrounds in Art History, me? Not so much. I feel a little like Julia Roberts in Mona Lisa Smile, except I'm a student or as Richmond calls us a "Junior Research Colleague"...fancy huh? 

I've spent this past week pinching pennies (a state of mind gained during my undergrad studies) and really learning to appreciate just how difficult it is to start all over somewhere. I have to admit that considering how difficult it could have been, I have had a pleasure cruise.

 Also, its incredible how many things we accumulate that we take for granted and also how many things we have, that we're certain that we can't live without. But when you are extricated from these possessions it's surprisingly liberating. I guess Tyler Durden or Chuck P said it best:  "The things you own end up owning you."  It has also made me particularly aware of my own taught consumer drive and has me harshly questioning my motivation behind my purchases. Try it some day. You'll be surprise and how much of you personal character you attach to stupid things and how much better you feel when you come to grips with the fact that you aren't the objects you own. Kill your ego a little today and let me know how it feels. 

Haha, I get it from my mum if you ever wanted to know
where I get my weird from.

I'm sure my mum will be thrilled to see this picture! I just couldn't help myself. I had to share it and I miss my mum and dad. They where the last people I hugged before going through security on my way to London and I haven't had a hug since. 2 weeks! I'm a big hugger so that's kinda lame, so I'm looking for a friend in England that gives good hugs.

Have an incredible weekend. If I get up to anything great I'll be sure and share it before next week starts. Be kind to yourselves. ♥monica

A Brief Tour of my Flat

I made a quick video tour of my flat and my building so you all know a little bit of what my life is like so far. I'm really enjoying it so far. I can't wait to decorate it up a little better so it's less spartan in feel, but that is probably just my inner interior decorator speaking. (When I was in middle school I wanted to be an interior decorator! I even did my 4-H DPA project on it...and won first place.) I'm sure that once school has start I will be posting less often, but for this first week I'll keep you all solid and in the loop. : )

 

*****

Before finishing this post I spent most of my day at the Natural History Museum, which is just a short walk down from my flat. There was plenty of traditional, but there was also a visiting exhibit called Sexual Nature and it was a frank exploration of sexuality in the animal kingdom. It was amusing and a tad awkward, but seeing as how I like awkward humor. It just made it even funnier to me. The most, um, interesting was probably the Green Porno videos that they had running around the exhibit. I included a link, but it's border line nsfw. It isn't obscene by any means, but it isn't really the thing that you want you boss or parents to catch you watching, unless they would find it funny too. Which they may! I'm off to do some reading before the first day of class tomorrow. Have a great week and hopefully by the next time I blog my loan money will have come through! woohoo! 

Be kind to yourselves ♥monica 

Sunny Saturday

Well hello there! I'm taking a reprieve from walking around all day to drop off a bunch of photos that I took today. I spent yesterday in orientation for classes that start monday! eek! I'm kind of nervous, but  that motivates me to do really well in school. Masters Degrees are no joke and I want to do well, so here's hoping for the best! Seeing as how I don't have much to say today. I'll get on with the photographs, if you  haven't already seen them on facebook.  

Albert Memorial in Hyde Park

I didn't even know that there was this gigantic memorial in Hyde Park. See what you find when you keep your eyes open and a willing sense of adventure to wander around! 

Detail of the gates surrounding the Albert Memorial

A beautiful day in Hyde Park

I have to admit it. I got couple envy seeing everyone with boyfriends and girlfriends in paddle-boats. It's really hard not to wish you had someone close to lay down with in grass that was so soft. And even more so when you see all the couples laying together and holding hands or with there heads on each other's chests. I imagine I will be coming out here all the time and hopefully having a picnic too. There where plenty of families having picnics in Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens today. The English really seem to know how to take advantage of beautiful days like today. I could learn a bit from them.

I hope that you all have been having a great weekend and that maybe you're somewhere with a loved one in a paddle-boat or a park, or somewhere inside if that's more your thing! Take care, stay excellent and be kind to yourselves. ♥monica