It is so nice to be staying in the city this weekend. I honestly don't think anyone left London this weekend, and it's been fun to have everyone around. Plus, loads of people are visiting from other Central programs like Spain and Wales, so it's been like a big, happy, American reunion. PLUS, it's been gorgeous out this weekend--it's been sunny and warm enough to not wear a coat. I'm sorry for all you Iowans putting up with the snow, but I'm enjoying the sunshine.
Wednesday for work Holly and I were given a research project that we could do at Vandon. We had to find every single concert in London in a nine day period in March, and find the contact information so that Julie and Beth could talk to the venues about advertisements. It honestly didn't sound that hard, but there are seriously so many concerts in London every single day. It was really interesting, but it got a little tedious towards the end of the day. There was a lot of excitement in Vandon Wednesday, because everyone was trying to figure out spring break. A bunch of us found this really awesome cruise, but most people had to go to class so they couldn't book right away. Abby and I decided to just go for it to make sure we got it--so for spring break, I am going on a Mediterranean cruise starting in Barcelona, and going to Genoa, Civitavecchia, and Sicily in Italy, Malta, Tunisia, and back to Barcelona. Am I excited, or am I excited? I am so looking forward to sunshine and seeing so many cool places. And it worked out that there are 14 of us going--craaaaazy. It should be a very interesting trip.
Thursday we had lectures in the morning, which were a little more interesting than normal. We didn't have our religion class, so Alissa, Abby, and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and ride bikes around Hyde Park. It was the best way to spend such a nice afternoon. Friday I got up and went running, and then Lindsey, Tess, Mallory, and I went to Portobello Market in Notting Hill. It's definitely my favourite market so far--it was so big and it had so many cool things. It's perfect for gift shopping, so I will definitely be going back before I go home. I also booked a trip to Paris for next weekend with a couple of girls--after booking the cruise I had told myself that that was it, no more trips. But Paris....it's the one place I really, really want to see. And after our trip got cancelled while I was in Wales, I knew I had to go at some point. So we're only going for two days, but I'm excited. I'm not getting myself get too excited though, because if my flight gets cancelled again there will be hell to pay at EasyJet. That night pretty much all but maybe 10 people from the program went out--we were that obnoxious American group that everyone loves to hate. I have to admit though, it was pretty fun, and it's good that we all like each other enough to do that.
Today, Saturday, a few girls and I decided to do our assignment in the East End--we were given a walk to do around some of the markets and streets. We started near Spitalfields Market, which was pretty cool, and ended up walking down Brick Lane and ending at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. It was so much more colorful than Westminster, which was definitely a nice change. This is what I love about London--it seems like this grey, historical, serious city, but when you get into the neighbourhoods and outside the city centre you find all these little pockets of vibrancy and different cultures and they're all so full of life and excitement.
Today is actually the 9 year anniversary of Ben dying, which is a rough day every year. What keeps me going though is that I know Ben would want me to be living life as fully as possible, and to love everyone in my life the best that I can. I'm trying. And I know my big brother is looking out for me in some way or another.
Anyway. I'm spending my Saturday night catching up with homework and our assignment blogs, so I should probably get going on that. Lame, I know.
Byeeee xx
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Work, Wales, and More Work
Hello again! I think I'm finally thawed from my weekend in Bath, and London is starting to warm up--slowly but surely.
Last Monday I finally had a day completely to myself. I know that sounds kind of silly, since basically this semester is for me, but I really hadn't had a day yet when I had complete control over what I did. So I slept in (as much as I sleep in..), did some homework, got my hair cut, read, got groceries, and basically got myself re-organized. I definitely needed that time to just sort everything out. On Tuesday Holly and I finally met with Beth and Julie after working on our own for nearly three weeks. It was really good to touch base with them and go over things. We had a few errands to run for them before we went back to Vandon House to edit some of the pieces we had written. Since Tuesday was Valentine's Day, a group of us went to go see The Vow, which is such a chick flick it's not even funny. It was fun though to experience the cinema in London. Wednesday Holly and I were able to do all of our work at Vandon House, which meant it was kind of a lazy day. I like being able to do my work from 'home' sometimes, but other times I would rather actually go somewhere so I feel like I'm doing something. Thursday we had lectures in the morning, and then in the afternoon Abby and I went to the Museum of London for our British Experience Seminar. It was interesting, but I wasn't really in a museum mood. A group of us ended up going out in Leicester Square that night, which wasn't too bad, but I definitely regretted staying up so late when I had to leave at 7 the next morning for Wales!
I hadn't been planning on going to Bangor so early in the semester, but it happened that both Molly and I had a free weekend so I just decided to go for it. And honestly, I was missing it. I love London, I really do. But Bangor has a piece of me that London never will, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone. I stayed with Molly, who is doing her postgrad there at the moment, and it was so good to catch up with her. We had really similar experiences in Wales before, and we had plenty to discuss this time around. I also got to see Regan, who is studying abroad in Bangor now, which was wonderful. I was so happy to hear that she is loving her time there and is learning plenty. Molly and I spent Saturday on High Street, and we cooked a proper meal. Then we went and saw all of my flatmates, which was a lot of fun--they're just as crazy as they were. Sunday we went and had scones on the pier--it was actually sunny out, which was kind of a miracle. I seriously will never get over how beautiful Bangor is. Every time I see it, it always looks different, but it is always incredible. Monday morning before my train out I got to see Tecwyn (the Wales director) and Maggie, who works in the International Student Office (I met her when I studied there). Tecwyn is just the best, and Maggie is super nice. Then before I knew it, I was back on the train to London. I hate leaving Bangor. I wasn't dreading coming back to London at all, but my heart drops a little every time the train pulls away from the station. I really wish I could explain what it is that makes Bangor so special--the town itself is honestly a little run-down, and there's definitely a strained relationship between the locals and the students. But it's a safe, small town, and the university is a great place to be a student. And my four months there were really, really important for me as a person--I needed that semester to grow up and just be me. I have so many ridiculous memories from that time, ones I hope I never forget. When I got back Monday I made myself go run, and it was really good to clear my head after such a short but good weekend. I ran through St. James' Park and around the area, and on my way back the sun was setting just behind Buckingham Palace. It was kind of awesome, and made being back in the city a little happier.
This morning for my internship Holly and I had to go to a press viewing of Jeremy Deller's new exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. His art basically takes ordinary things from our lives and points them out as cultural reference points. It was a little bizarre, but we got to hear the curator's tour as well as the artist's explanation, both of which were really interesting. He had a a really cool exhibit about the Iraq War called 'It is What It Is'. The best part was that in the middle there was a real cafe as part of the display where we all got tea. I love Britain and their obsession with tea. This afternoon we had to write a piece about the press viewing, and I got to proofread the entire magazine for publication next week. I love doing that kind of thing, but it is SO time consuming.
Otherwise, not much else is new. I love being in the UK for now, but I'm getting really, really anxious about what I'm doing when I get home. I graduate literally two days after I get back, and after that, I have no idea what to do. I've been job searching, I've been looking at grad schools, but I seriously can't decide which I'd rather do. I don't feel old enough to start a real job, but I'm also not sure if I want to do more schooling. I get asked what I'm doing after I graduate all the time, and I can't tell you how frustrating it is to always answer with 'I'm not sure' and then to be told that something will fall into place. I know deep down that something will, but until it does, I'm going to be worried! Oh well. I guess that all of these decisions are what make life interesting.
Hope you all have a wonderful week! Much love from London :)
Last Monday I finally had a day completely to myself. I know that sounds kind of silly, since basically this semester is for me, but I really hadn't had a day yet when I had complete control over what I did. So I slept in (as much as I sleep in..), did some homework, got my hair cut, read, got groceries, and basically got myself re-organized. I definitely needed that time to just sort everything out. On Tuesday Holly and I finally met with Beth and Julie after working on our own for nearly three weeks. It was really good to touch base with them and go over things. We had a few errands to run for them before we went back to Vandon House to edit some of the pieces we had written. Since Tuesday was Valentine's Day, a group of us went to go see The Vow, which is such a chick flick it's not even funny. It was fun though to experience the cinema in London. Wednesday Holly and I were able to do all of our work at Vandon House, which meant it was kind of a lazy day. I like being able to do my work from 'home' sometimes, but other times I would rather actually go somewhere so I feel like I'm doing something. Thursday we had lectures in the morning, and then in the afternoon Abby and I went to the Museum of London for our British Experience Seminar. It was interesting, but I wasn't really in a museum mood. A group of us ended up going out in Leicester Square that night, which wasn't too bad, but I definitely regretted staying up so late when I had to leave at 7 the next morning for Wales!
I hadn't been planning on going to Bangor so early in the semester, but it happened that both Molly and I had a free weekend so I just decided to go for it. And honestly, I was missing it. I love London, I really do. But Bangor has a piece of me that London never will, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone. I stayed with Molly, who is doing her postgrad there at the moment, and it was so good to catch up with her. We had really similar experiences in Wales before, and we had plenty to discuss this time around. I also got to see Regan, who is studying abroad in Bangor now, which was wonderful. I was so happy to hear that she is loving her time there and is learning plenty. Molly and I spent Saturday on High Street, and we cooked a proper meal. Then we went and saw all of my flatmates, which was a lot of fun--they're just as crazy as they were. Sunday we went and had scones on the pier--it was actually sunny out, which was kind of a miracle. I seriously will never get over how beautiful Bangor is. Every time I see it, it always looks different, but it is always incredible. Monday morning before my train out I got to see Tecwyn (the Wales director) and Maggie, who works in the International Student Office (I met her when I studied there). Tecwyn is just the best, and Maggie is super nice. Then before I knew it, I was back on the train to London. I hate leaving Bangor. I wasn't dreading coming back to London at all, but my heart drops a little every time the train pulls away from the station. I really wish I could explain what it is that makes Bangor so special--the town itself is honestly a little run-down, and there's definitely a strained relationship between the locals and the students. But it's a safe, small town, and the university is a great place to be a student. And my four months there were really, really important for me as a person--I needed that semester to grow up and just be me. I have so many ridiculous memories from that time, ones I hope I never forget. When I got back Monday I made myself go run, and it was really good to clear my head after such a short but good weekend. I ran through St. James' Park and around the area, and on my way back the sun was setting just behind Buckingham Palace. It was kind of awesome, and made being back in the city a little happier.
This morning for my internship Holly and I had to go to a press viewing of Jeremy Deller's new exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. His art basically takes ordinary things from our lives and points them out as cultural reference points. It was a little bizarre, but we got to hear the curator's tour as well as the artist's explanation, both of which were really interesting. He had a a really cool exhibit about the Iraq War called 'It is What It Is'. The best part was that in the middle there was a real cafe as part of the display where we all got tea. I love Britain and their obsession with tea. This afternoon we had to write a piece about the press viewing, and I got to proofread the entire magazine for publication next week. I love doing that kind of thing, but it is SO time consuming.
Otherwise, not much else is new. I love being in the UK for now, but I'm getting really, really anxious about what I'm doing when I get home. I graduate literally two days after I get back, and after that, I have no idea what to do. I've been job searching, I've been looking at grad schools, but I seriously can't decide which I'd rather do. I don't feel old enough to start a real job, but I'm also not sure if I want to do more schooling. I get asked what I'm doing after I graduate all the time, and I can't tell you how frustrating it is to always answer with 'I'm not sure' and then to be told that something will fall into place. I know deep down that something will, but until it does, I'm going to be worried! Oh well. I guess that all of these decisions are what make life interesting.
Hope you all have a wonderful week! Much love from London :)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Exhausted.
I am back in London after a short and FREEZING weekend in Bath! It was a really fun weekend, but I am definitely glad to be back at Vandon after that very interesting hostel. More on that in a bit :)
My internship work this week was a little different. Tuesday Holly and I had to go to a press viewing at Tate Modern, the modern art gallery in London, for a new exhibition of Yayoi Kusama's works. Kusama is a Japanese artist who literally has dabbled in almost every form of art, from painting to sculpture to film to fashion. Her signature style is polka dots. Personally, I thought it was all a little trippy--she did do most of her work in the 60s after all. The number of journalists and artists there was kind of crazy--it was like this inner circle of London media and hipsters that I most definitely did not belong to. We stayed for the curator's tour since Julie wanted us to, but just as it was about to begin, Kusama herself came in the room. I am not exaggerating when I say that the room erupted. Plus, this lady had a bright red wig on and was wearing head to toe red and white polka dots. Her works filled 14 rooms at the museum, but my favorite was this really cool display she had designed just for this exhibition. It was an infinity mirror room, and it was dark except for these hanging tiny globe lights that flashed different colors. I don't think I realized how big of a deal all of it was until the next day when there was a big piece on it in the Guardian (major newspaper), and I just thought, whoa, I was there! Holly and I each had to write a piece about it afterwards, and I did some proofreading for Julie.
Wednesday we had to do shopping research. Bummer, right? I spent all morning researching different shopping streets in London and finding their marketing contacts for the magazine. Then in the afternoon, Julie asked us to go to St. Christopher's Place and Marylebone High Street and write a comparative piece. Basically my job rocks.
Thursday I had class all day. For my religions class in the afternoon we visited an Anglican church near Kings Cross Station, called Holy Cross. It's in a predominantly Muslim area, but a Church of England parish (which is a geographical area here) is meant for everyone. We met with the priest, and it was really fascinating to listen to him talk about how a church functions in the centre of such a big city. The church itself was very beautiful, but it wasn't overly grand. It was so cold in there though that the priest ended up taking us to his house to warm up for a little bit. We talked about so much, most of it not even relating to Christianity, but it was still fascinating. One of the really cool things he's doing right now is an outreach project in schools. Religious education is a fundamental part of education here, but it becomes difficult when you're teaching in areas where several different religions are represented. What I found so cool was that this priest goes into the schools and works with 10-11 year old students, and instead of preaching Christianity, he teaches them to meditate on their personal faith. All I could think was, how refreshing! At Central, it can sometimes feel as though Christianity is being shoved down your throat, and while that's the faith I choose, I don't think that everyone has believe the same things that I do. I think that with the way the world is today, it can be so hard to be accepting of other faiths. But here this priest is, in the middle of London, teaching students that it's okay to be different, that it's okay to accept others, and that it's okay to think about and grow in your own faith. I think it's proof that there are still good people in the world.
Thursday evening we went on the London Eye with the programme. I was nervous--I hate ferris wheels. I'm not scared of heights, I just don't like the wobbling and rocking. Once we got going though, I was totally fine. It honestly didn't feel like we were moving. And it was so incredible to see London from so high up--my pictures do not do it justice.
Early Friday morning we left for our weekend in Bath. It snowed Thursday night, and Friday was one of the coldest days this winter. We stopped at Stonehenge on our way, which was worth going to but is a little disappointing once you see it. And because it was so cold, we were all back on the bus fifteen minutes before we needed to be. We arrived in Bath around noon, so we had lunch and then went to our tour of the Roman Baths. They were really interesting, but it honestly was too cold. In the evening we had a ghost walk, which was seriously the worst thing ever. Jen, one of our directors, came with us, and even she was holding back laughter because it was so bad. This lady literally had us stand in a circle around a tree and put our hands up so that we would feel a ghost. She kept asking us if we felt something, and everyone just kept making sarcastic remarks about how we couldn't tell if it was a spirit or the cold that was making our fingers tingle. She was genuinely annoyed with us, but it was so ridiculous. Once we'd gotten back and warmed up, a big group of us went out together, which was really fun.
Saturday we had mostly free, so Abby, Kirsten and I went shopping in the morning, had pasties for lunch, and then headed down to the rugby field. The sun was shining, so it felt so much warmer! We watched Bath dominate Newcastle, and we had fun watching the stag party sitting in front of us. Sunday (today) we left Bath for the small village of Lacock. It was pretty, but kind of...I don't know. I don't want to say boring, but there wasn't a whole lot to do or see. We did go to the abbey, where parts of the Harry Potter movies were filmed, but I wasn't even interested in that because I haven't seen all the movies (the books are so much better). Kirsten and I wandered around for a bit, had lunch twice because the first place had the tiniest portions ever, and then we were back on the bus to London. I was so glad to see my bed! We stayed at the YMCA in Bath, and it was slightly sketchy. Plus there was this group of 16 year old boys staying right above us, and they were obnoxious. So I am really looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight.
That's all for now...much love to you all!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Mixed Blessings
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!
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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