I had it in my head that I had just blogged a few days ago, and that I didn't need to for a while. That combined with being at my aunt's since Wednesday with limited internet access meant that it's actually been a couple of weeks! My bad.
First of all, Les Miserables, which I went to with the program way back on the 25, was literally amazing. I think I was on the edge of my seat, holding back tears the entire time, and it's a three hour show! The set was so clever and the actors were so talented. I had gone into it thinking it might be a bit dull, but I was so drawn into the story. And the music. I realized that I recognized most of it, which Mum told me later was because she used to play the tapes when we were little. So good. Really, go see it anywhere if you get the chance.
Thursday, the 26, was my first real day of class. We had our British Experience and Contemporary Britain lectures at the University of London in the morning, and then I had Religions in London in the afternoon. All three should be really interesting. They all entail a lot of writing, but I suppose that doesn't bother me too much.
I took the train to Aunt Jenny's that evening, so that we could pick Mum up from Heathrow Friday morning. We didn't do much on Friday, since Mum was obviously jet lagged. Saturday we did a bit of shopping in Kingston, which I think wore us all out. That evening, we scrapbooked. A friend of Jenny's had given her lots of different papers and scissors and things so that she could make a book for Grandad, which was possibly one of the nicest gifts she received. There were a lot of photos of Hank, and pictures of all of us from Yorkshire in 2005 that I'd never seen. It was definitely a neat thing to do. Sunday was a big day for the Jones' sisters, as they were reunited with cousins they hadn't seen in thirty plus years. And, I met family that I had only heard of once or twice. Gasp, we now have extended family. Jenny and Mum's cousin Philip and his wife Karen were there, and so was their cousin Christine and her daughter Lucy. I have a second cousin named Lucy, who writes and is a communications person for a magazine in Wimbledon. I know, how very..ironic/weird/cool. We had a long lunch in Epsom, and it was really nice to meet them all.
Monday was a seriously lazy day, and then in the evening Mum and Jenny came with me into Westminster so that Mum could see where I'm living for the semester. We had supper at Nando's and then they went back to Jenny's before it got too late. Tuesday I was back at my internship, although this week didn't really involve much work. That morning Holly and I met Beth for coffee, and it really was more just a chat than anything to do with work. Julie and Beth are so kind--I always seem to have such good bosses, wherever I go! In the afternoon Holly and I worked on press releases and did a little market research on different shopping areas/centres in London. That evening some of us went to the Student Union at London University for a couple of pints, which was fun--we do have a pretty good group of people at Vandon. Wednesday our only task for work was to go see the matinee of 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at the Haymarket Theatre Royal...what a drag. (Sarcasm..) It was a really strange show; I think the play itself was really funny but they tried to modernise it in places and it really didn't work. I have to write a review of it, so I guess at least I'll have something to critique in it. Afterwards I met Bev, one of Mum's oldest friends, and Mum in Leicester Square for supper. Then Mum and I picked up my things at Vandon House before taking the train back to Jenny's.
Halfway break for chocolate. You can have one too, since this is getting to be ridiculously long.
Thursday was the funeral. It was a hard day, for everyone. I felt really upset since most everyone else there knew my Grandad so much better that I did and I don't have that chance now, but I know what I'm feeling is so small compared to Mum and Jenny. After the service we had a small gathering/get together at the home where Grandad lived, which was really nice. Everyone there was really kind and as I've been told, did a lot for Grandad and Jenny through everything. Granny's sister, Auntie Rosamund came, and as I'd been warned, I got the interrogation from the 90 year old woman. She was very sweet and so sharp, but my goodness, can she talk. We had a long trip back to London from Northampton, and we had had takeaway fish and chips before falling into bed. Friday we wandered around the shops in Jenny's village, and in the evening we had a really nice meal at a pub with Jenny's friends Manju and Santo. Saturday we spent the day at Hampton Court Palace, the home of Henry the VIII. It was a really, really fascinating place, but it was so insanely cold. Temperature wise, it wasn't nearly as cold as Iowa gets, but I felt like an ice cube all day. We kept alternating seeing things inside and outside, and stopping for tea often. That night, we went to Manju and Santo's house and Manju cooked us a traditional Indian meal--it was delicious. And she promised to teach me to make it, which I'm excited for. And it snowed that night...poor London. They really have no idea what a real snow is. Sunday we didn't do much except pick up a few things for Mum to take home, and we had a Sunday roast dinner. If nothing else, I have definitely been eating well here! And today, Monday, we all got up at 5 am to get Mum to the airport. Luckily her flights were all on time despite lots of others being delayed at Heathrow, and she texted me a little bit ago to say she safely made it to Des Moines. It was so very, very nice to see her and I'm so glad she could come, but I know it's going to make the next three months seem a little longer. I came back to Vandon House this afternoon and came back to the reality of homework and laundry. And Jenny (and her poor cat) can go back to semi-normal life--she really is such a sweet person, and I'm so glad I have this semester to spend more time with her. It was really interesting too to listen to her and Mum's stories from when they were little, and to stories about Grandad and Northampton. A lot of them were things I'd never heard Mum talk about, so I guess I got to see a glimpse of Mum's life here that I hadn't really seen before.
Phew. I am more than ready for bed. Tomorrow and Wednesday I have my internship, and Thursday I'm in class all day. That evening the programme is taking us on the London Eye, and I am so petrified--I hate ferris wheels. But, I am going to do it because a) they are paying for it and it's like 40 pounds or something ridiculous like that, and b) there are apparently incredible views. I'm just going to try and not have a panic attack at the top. This weekend we're going to Bath and Stonehenge with the programme, which should be nice. But right this second, I am going to sleep. Much love to you all!
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