Heathrow Terminal 4

The day started at 6am. I know my flight is only at 14.15, but I was really worried about traffic!

Got up at 6.

Ate breakfast, got dressed, did the last bit of packing.

Returned Beth's scales and gave her stuff I couldn't take with me.

Checked out of halls at 7.30. Goodbye KCH.

Struggled down the road to the bus stop with my luggage.

Took the 68 to Russell Square station, because it has lifts. Got to Russell Square at 8.20.

Got a tube at 8.30. The (I can't think of what you call them) guy at the platform that holds up the signs to tell the train driver to depart- yeah him- he was really friendly. First public transport person I've seen who actually seems to enjoy life.

Got to Terminal 4 at 9.20.

Stood in a massive queue to refund my oyster.

Packed my coat into my check in bag.

Sat down near the check in desks at 9.45. Sat for around for an hour and half, checking fb, texting people, reading Frankie.

11.07, check in.

Went to the toilet then went through security.

11.45, sat down at Starbucks with a roast chicken sandwich and orange juice. And Frankie. Called home.

12.45, checked the boarding gate. Got to the gate and called Berlin. Sat here and blogged. Time for more Frankie.

Goodbye London.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Stratford Rd,,United Kingdom

On my lonesome

Thank goodness for the local pub.

Currently sitting next to the fire at a table at Fox on the Hill. I came here for dinner.

I have not seen anyone all day. I just gave Berlin a call while walking here.

This place is actually really nice. It doesn't have the horrible alcohol smell. And there's just nice simple wooden furniture. There are just little groups of old people having a drink and chatting.

Dinner was £3.52 lasagna and salad. Best. No dessert for me tonight, because I have chocolate and Schloer in my room. Gonna be a cool kid and chill in my room tonight, just me and my chocolate and my Schloer.

Early night tonight.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Last few days

This is the current state of my room.
The "Essential Reproduction" book is Susan's textbook, which she forgot to return to the library until the night before she left to go travelling in Europe. So I've gotta return it.

The last few days have just been a lot of errands and packing and sleeping.
I need to sleep because I'm sick.

Selling stuff, taking out money, changing money, cleaning up, finishing food, buying all those little things you forget you need for travelling.

Last night I went out for dinner with Joo Chew and Rachel. Yay for Malaysian food! Hadn't had some in so long. And they got me a little glass handy craft which I have swaddled in bubble wrap. I got them a little Italian chilli basket with some chilli paste, chilli oil and chilli flakes. It was from the Real Food Market that was happening behind the Royal Festival Hall.

Came home and had issues packing. Berlin pretty much tipped out my suitcase and packed it all again for me. AND SHE MANAGED TO FIT EVERYTHING IN. Genius.

The last few days have been a lot of goodbyes. Lorelle and Evangeline left on Thursday. Abigail and Sundeep left on Friday. Tor left on Saturday. Teresa, Michelle and Susan left on Sunday. Berlin left today. Beth and Michael are only leaving Wednesday, but they're in Liverpool for the day so I probably won't see them.

I will have an early early night tonight. Need to get up early to pack all those things that I still need, then check out of halls, take the bus and tube and find my way around Heathrow.

Scary.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Jamie's Italian and the Nutcracker

Today I basically lay around all day, packed a little bit, but mostly just slept. Then at 10 to 5 in the evening I went out.

Jamie's Italian

Beth, Michael, Teresa and I went to Jamie's Italian in Covent Garden for dinner. Yes, Jamie as in Jamie Oliver!

The prices are very very reasonable, especially for what you get: good food, a nice not-too-small table, dimmed lighting, and polite service, even if it was a little bit slow because they were so busy.

I got there at about 5.45, and there was a HUGE queue. Thank goodness Beth and Michael had got there at 5.30 and lined up for us. They asked for a table of 4, and were told that it would be an hour's wait :| So they asked for 2 tables of 2 instead, and they said it was a 20-30 minute wait. By the time I'd got there, Beth and Michael were already seated, and they had been given a little buzzer to let them know when the other table was ready. I got there just as Teresa got there, Beth came out to give us our buzzer, walked back to her table, and it pretty much went off straight away! Yay!

I had Wild Ragu Pasta Pipes, which was...well, pasta pipes, with a red wine sauce and game. I had an entree size, which was just nice, and it meant that I could still have dessert. 

Dessert was Tiramisu, with a hint of orange. I'd never though about combining the two before. It was nice! 

Yeah sorry it's not a picturesque dessert. I actually didn't even have a lot of time to appreciate the aesthetics, cos they took a long time to come take our dessert orders and we had the ballet at 7.30. Well it wasn't too long, we were just keeping a close eye on the time, and everytime some walked past we'd be hoping they would come to take our orders.

The Nutcracker

We hurried down St Martin's lane to the London Coliseum, pushing past the slow annoying people. Well not actually pushing. More like weaving. We went to see the English National Ballet perform The Nutcracker!

The London Coliseum was SO SO SO pretty! I want a theatre like that!

And the dresses were really really pretty. And of course the dancers were really graceful. They were really good, but I can't tell you how good because I know nothing about ballet, and even if they weren't that good I would probably not notice. Like that time at Phantom when Maddy was wondering why one of the ballerinas was really bad, and turns out that one was Christine, and obviously they'd auditioned her for her voice and not her ballet. I totally hadn't even noticed there was a bad ballerina. But yeah back to the Nutcracker... I can tell you, that the orchestra was really really really good. Nice clean classical music :)

Although... was there a story to the Nutcracker? From what I remember of Barbie Nutcracker (which I watched a LONG time ago), there was girl called Clara, a nutcracker, a mouse and a bonfire. And a sugarplum fairy. I remember nothing of the story and I'm not sure the ballet told a story. Or if it did then I completely missed it. Apart from the first bit where the children got presents and all that. After that, and especially after the interval there were just a series of dances by people in different costumes. It felt more like a string of items than a story. Well, at least they were good dances and good costumes, and I had an enjoyable time.

I returned home to my beloved Wikipedia to read the synopsis.

Pack up stress

So unprepared.

Excess baggage shipping company came this morning.

Discovered the new itinerary that the travel agent sent out to me after I arrive in England, and so I was travelling and busy,

Had a stress moment cos I didn't know how to confirm my flights.

Called home.

Called the airline company to confirm flights. (I dont understand why every single passenger has to call them up just to confirm their flight. Can't they just like... confirm it online or something?)

Still have to pack.

Stuff all over my desk.

Need sleep.

Afternoon tea at Bea's of Bloomsbury

Today, to celebrate the end of the semester, well, more for the sake of it, but also to celebrate the end of semester, Susan and I went to Bea's of Bloomsbury next to St Paul's for afternoon tea.

We were starving cos we hadn't eaten lunch (cos we knew were going to have a huge afternoon tea)

The photos aren't plentiful because I was (/am) really tired. But I can assure you that the food was yummy :)

The fare

Mini baguettes

I had blackcurrant and hibiscus tea. Tasted like warm cordial. Alright I guess.

The ginger-tasting decorations on the ginger cupcakes. 

Susan said "It's like they're falling off a cliff!"

All finished!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Snow !

It's snowing outside!

Well, it was. It's raining, but once in a while the rain turns to snow. Like when it hails in Melbourne. But... snow.

I just stood at my window just watching.

The snow turned to water the moment it hit the ground.

Today is a good day to stay in I think. Though I will be going out in the afternoon.

Random thought: Do squirrels get cold? I just saw one walking along a branch outside.

Last assignment, British Museum, Harrods and Oh Comely

Today I spent the morning at home. I have no idea what I did. I did get up at like 8.30, so there was a decent chunk of time between waking up and leaving halls at like 11.30. I think I may have just cleaned up my room.

I went to drop off my last assignment! So now I'm assignment free ! Though it's not even that fun cos everyone else still has to study for exams.

Then I went back to the British Museum. This time I went through the Enlightenment section, then the beginnings of English farming, and then I went through Roman England pretty quickly. By the time I got to Middle Ages England I was already really restless. So I decided to leave, and on my way out I found the clocks and watches section. Pretty. I love pretty clocks. I am never going to get through all of it, so even though I haven't seen a VAST majority of it, I don't think I will go back. I do want to do other stuff too.

Then I went to Harrods to pick up something. I was in and out in 10 minutes! So proud of myself that I didn't get distracted.

Got back home at about 4.30, then chilled with a pillow, Oh Comely, hot chocolate and the chocolate that Dave sent me.

Dinner was a very salty burger and some tasteless corn.

NOW I HAVE SO MUCH STUFF TO DO. STRESS.

I haven't even planned what I want to do tmrw. I have to go do laundry in half an hour. The machine was being used when I went, and there was half an hour left on it. And then I'm selling my chopping boards to someone at 10. The girl who was supposed to come at 7 to buy my clothes rack didn't turn up. Now I have to chase it up, or find another buyer. Ugh. Why do some people suck so much. And I have people to call and emails to reply to.

Secret Santas

I have the best friends in London EVER.

After the previous little drama, I pulled myself together and made it to Susan's room, but not before calling Berlin and telling her to warn everyone that I was a little bit of a mess. (Apparently they were all like "just act really happy". Oh I love them)

My Secret Santa was Lorelle (everyone kinda figured out everyone's anyway), and she got me a Keep Calm and Carry On poster, and Whittard caramel hot chocolate. At first I thought my secret santa was Evangline, because I saw her poster in her room one day and made a comment about it and asked her where she got it. But then I remembered that there were other people in the room too. My present made me smile so much. Currently feeling warm and fuzzy. (I really want to have some, but I'm not going to open it so that quarantine will let it through)

At Susan's we also had cake for Beth's birthday, which is tomorrow.

There was some left over and she let me keep it. So now I'm going to have some girlie time and eat chocolate cake while sitting on my bed and reading Berlin's Oh Comely.

Smiles :)

Printing paper

I HATE. LIVING. IN. THIS. PLACE. SOMETIMES

I AM LITERALLY SMASHING MY KEYBOARD OUT.

I'M NOT EVEN JOKING.

THERE IS NO PAPER IN THE PRINTER.

THERE IS NO PAPER THAT THEY CAN GIVE ME TO PUT INTO THE PRINTER.

I HAD PAPER IN MY ROOM BUT...

OH DONT WORRY. IT'S NOT WORTH EXPLAINING NOW.

I GIVE UP.

I'M JUST GONNA SIT HERE AND CRY.

I SHOULD BE AT BETH'S DOING SECRET SANTAS BUT I DONT EVEN FEEL LIKE IT ANYMORE.

***

11.09pm: Beth knocks on my door and hands me a pile of paper and asks me if it's my printing. And it is! The thing wasn't out of paper, it had just been turned to the wrong setting or something. And she fixed it!

I will go to sleep happy :)

***

15.12.11
So what happened was that there was no paper in the printer, so I left my computer logged on and my usb in the computer and I went to tell reception that and the guy at reception was just really mean and not interested, and had the most uncaring tone when speaking to me.

"Yeah there's no paper. We don't have any paper to give you. There's no paper"
Yes I know there's no paper. That's what I came to tell you. Obviously other people have told you this too. And you haven't bothered telling all of us who are signing into the computer room. 


Then I said that I had paper in my room, but then I had needed my keys which I'd handed in to reception (because to use the computer room you have to hand in your keys). He made me sign out of the computer room, just to get my keys. When I got to my door, I realised that the other security guy (who had been on the phone and obviously not paying attention to what he was doing) had given me someone else's keys. So I had to go back down and swap them. Then I had to go back to my room and get my paper. Then back down to reception to sign into the computer room AGAIN. Then to the computer room. I realised that there was probably a line of print jobs from other people who, like me, did not know there was no paper before printing their stuff (because it is reasonable to expect that a uni printer will have paper), so I just put a few sheets in to see if my stuff was anywhere near the front of the line. It wasn't. So after all that, I logged off the computer went back to reception to sign out, and went back to my room. Without my assignment.

And I was just so frustrated that
1) There was no paper
2) They didn't care to tell us that
3) ... and therefore people were wasting their money printing stuff that wasn't getting printed, and
4) They didn't even care.

People are so annoying sometimes.

Fox on the hill

Today we went to Fox on the Hill, the pub down the road, for dinner. It's quite shameful that I haven't been there yet, actually, seeing as it's so close.

Some people are leaving to go home tomorrow, so it was the last night where we'd all be together, which is why we decided to go out.

There was Abigail, Lorelle, Susan, David the American, Beth and Michael, Sundeep, Michelle, Evangeline and I. (I'm missing someone!... I think. I'll think of it later). Berlin already had a dinner appointment with someone else.

Susan got really amused by all the different condiment sachets, and arranged them in rainbow colour order.

I had a salmon fillet with Hollandaise sauce, vegetables and a jacket potato. With a 20% King's student discount, the meal cost me £5.76. WIN.

Yo! Sushi, the British Museum and Frankie

Currently on the bus. Standing. There are annoying school kids here. They're eating McDonald's which is making the bus stink. The bus is moving at snails pace. Worst ever.

I ended up at Yo! Sushi with the Comm Skills peeps. Giraffe had a 45 minute wait.

It was really... Japanese. Like it had odd japanese-type things like a help button, which you pressed when you wanted the waiter to come.

The things on the left are taps. Like drinking water taps.

It was like Anglicised Japanese, not authentic Japanese. I had a chicken yakisoba, which was noodles. Then Susan and I split a little plate of Mochi from the belt. (Yes, there was a belt).

Mochi is like sticky rice stuff with a sweet red bean filling. It was so good just chilling with the Comm Skills peeps without work having to be done!

After that I was going to go to the Duckie Christmas Market at Barbican. I really hadn't researched it that well, so I decided to look it up on my phone. And it said it was only open at nights.

So I went to the British museum instead. The British Museum has free exhibitions, and one paying exhibition.

It is huuuuuuge!

I just wandered around aimlessly and ended up at the ancient Mesopotamia/Turkey/Babylon section. I actually had no interest, but I had a look around for like 45 minutes. Then  I decided to leave, on my way out I found the Victorian Enlightenment section! But I'd already set my heart on going to Magma to get a copy of Frankie, so I will just come back tomorrow. I might just spend all day there tomorrow. If my attention span will let me.

The man next to me on the bus just wanted to get off. And he had his little dog. Dogs should not be allowed on buses :| what if I got really allergic?

Yes anyway. I went back to the Seven Dials at Covent Garden to

1. Get part 2 of my Secret Santa, and

2. Buy a copy of Frankie for my plane ride to Singapore!

Then the 176 bus at Leicester Square only came in 17 minutes so I decided to take the tube to Waterloo.

Then I waited for the bus at Waterloo for a WHOLE 20 MINUTES. And there are 2 bus routes that get me home :|

Now I have to rush getting home, getting my secret Santa present wrapped for tonight, and then I'm going out for dinner.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Paper shredder

Currently sitting at the couches at FWB library, hoping to get a computer, if not, doesn't matter.

OH NO I JUST REALISED I FORGOT TO BRING MY CAMERA OUT WITH ME.

Ummm yeah I just have some time to kill before meeting my communication skills group for a celebratory lunch. I came to the library to shred some of my important documents such as my King's application forms etc.

I asked the librarian whether there was a paper shredder in the library that I could use. He was like yeah sure and showed me where it was. So I started feeding my paper a few sheets at a time, and he was like oh you can just put the whole pile in. Then he took it and put the whole pile of paper in the shredder, and it jammed immediately. LOL.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Orphan sock

Today i found the other half of my orphaned sock.

I was sitting in Abigails room helping her fold her laundry as Evangeline and Lorelle picked a movie to watch.

At the end there was one random sock, and i was like... hey this looks familiar.

turns out that the sock accidentally ended up in her laundry pile when we did laundry together in like week 1. I knew I was missing a sock, but i just thought i'd dropped it somewhere along the way :)

The National Gallery

Currently sitting on a couch in Room 32 of the National Gallery. It's so... peaceful. Art galleries have such a pensive mood about them.

So this morning the amazing Dave Buntsma got me through the last little bit of my Corporate Finance assignment. It's still a piece of rubbish and Mr Lecturer-who's-having-a-baby still hasn't replied, but oh we'll. Hopefully he replies soon. Very soon. I want to be able to
Hand in my assignment on Thursday afternoon.

After doing my assignment I tidied my room a little bit. It was a mess cos I was trying to pack stuff. Speaking of packing, Susan and I have to get onto finding an excess baggage company. Apparently there's a lot of paperwork. Hmmm. Well at the very worst I will post it home via Royal Mail, or take it with me in my suitcase. I think it might work out the same cost anyway, because you have to pay an expensive quarantine fee on anything you ship back.

But anyway. Made it to Trafalgar Square and there was this absolutely amazing busker. Beautiful voice and guitar skills. He was singing Mumford&Sons. Not my favourite music (in fact I didn't particularly like it when I first heard it), but he made it sound good. I just sat there and listened for a good 15 minutes.

Then to the National Gallery, big rooms, big golden frames, red, green, purple walls. So so grand. And free entry.

And also lots of Jesus related paintings. I've spent an hour and a half here. I may or may not be starting to get a bit bored, but I have an hour till class. What to do?

Here are some views looking out to Trafalgar Square from the National Gallery balcony

They import that Christmas tree from Norwegia
(Yes, I know it's Norway. Go watch A Cinderella Story)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Removalists

This morning I have been looking at various shopping and moving specialist brochures, because I need to send stuff home.

Now I remember why planning my England trip took so long.

Weekend food

Weekend food is terrible.

Friday night started off with fish and chips.

Saturday I was at the Crafty Fox and so missed lunch.

I don't remember what was for Saturday night dinner, but I do remember that they were serving leftover baked beans from breakfast as the "vegetable". (I think Saturday night dinner was a pastie and chips)

Sunday night was pizza. And chips.

Oh dear no wonder I'm getting pimples.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A chocolate filled day

Currently sitting at a little table at Paul Boulangerie and Patisserie on the Strand, drinking a small luxury mint hot chocolate, just by myself, watching the sun go down.

This hot chocolate is rich. Thick. French style. Mmmm.

This morning, despite not feeling like it at all, I did do some wok on that assignment.

Then after lunch I decided to go out! Just wanted some time out, to just chill. I went to the chocolate festival that was happening on Southbank. So much chocolatey goodness! I tried all the free samples, of course. Twas quite crowded, actually.

But so much yummy chocolate. Then I went back to the southbank Christmas market to go buy some (more) presents. That was crowded too! But I bought what I needed to.

Then walked across Waterloo bridge to Somerset House. I've walked past it so many times cos the strand campus is right next door, but never gone in. After looking half heartedly at the 'forgotten spaces' exhibition I decided I really wasn't in the mood.

I stood by the side of the ice skating rink and watched people skate. There were 'ice marshalls' wheeling people in wheelchairs around on the ice. And there was this little kid, and she had like a little penguin with handles on the side, and she was holding onto it for support while skating! So cute, made me smile :)

Then walked along the strand to cards galore to find a wedding card for Ben and Lisa. They're getting married next weekend, yay!

Then to Paul for a refreshment :) and I was going to write their card but ended up blogging.

Now I'm going to go find some sewer-run light thing that Susan has been going on about. It's already dark outside, how depressing. Toodles!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Strand,London,United Kingdom

There's no one to catchup with

I want to do something with someone today! But everyone I know here has exams, or assignments, or essays.

Pooface.

The beginning of packing

After dinner, in procrastination, I started packing. Well not packing packing, but slowly sorting out my things.

I put some of all your presents in my suitcase. It filled up half of it. Oh no. They will probably have to be mailed back and you'll get them in a few months, okay? Because I kinda have to pack all my stuff for Singapore too.

Screwed for this assignment

On another more depressing note, now that I've finished blogging about my wonderful day, I have to get back to thinking about this assignment.

So yesterday after the non-appearance of my lecturer, I sent him an email asking if we could reschedule. HE'S NOT GOING TO BE IN FOR THE WHOLE WEEK. Which means he won't be able to help me with my assignment at all.

"I did warn all of you earlier on that you shouldn't leave it to the last two weeks to ask questions"


I'M SORRY MR. LECTURER BUT WE ONLY JUST COVERED ENOUGH FOR ME TO FEEL LIKE I COULD START THIS. AND I ONLY JUST REDID ALL YOUR TUTE QUESTIONS TO FEEL LIKE I KNEW STUFF SO THAT I COULD ASK YOU STUFF I STILL DIDN'T GET. AND YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS SO DIFFERENT TO ALL THE STUFF WE DID IN CLASS. #rage

Right. Assignment.

Crafty Fox Market

See this?

This is the first sign of frost!

And this is a partly frozen lake. Susan even chucked a stick at it.

Today I decided that I didn't want to study, and I wanted to do something creative (although I have actually done about an hour of study today because I'm too stressed about this assignment and I couldn't stop myself)

Susan and I went to the Crafty Fox Market!

We took a walk there. The market was supposed to start at 11, so we left at 10.20 (10.25 by the time you'd taken into account my normal lateness). So glad we did, because we got distracted big time by the frost on the leaves and the grass!

It is defs getting cold. Wore my gloves and everything! Though my coat and jumpers are quite warm, so it's only my extremities that get cold. Like my ears. I think the beanie is coming out with me next time.

The market was held at the Dogstar, which is a pub with three floors. It was so pretty! This is the top floor. 

Yes, just space to chill out and relax.

There were lots of independent designers, lots of cute cards and jewellery and vintage clothes and such. 

We got a little showbag upon entry, which was apparently only for the first 30 people, but I reckon we weren't part of the first 30. By the time we un-distracted ourselves from the ice and made it there it was already 10 past 11. Anyway. It was a pretty tote bag with some Etsy Christmas wrapping paper and other advertising stuff. 

Being a craft market, there was also crafty stuff!

Oh Sew was running a little stall/table, where you could make a makeup bag for £2. They are a business that run sewing workshops. I want to find one of these when I get home, and start learning!

Susan and I made a makeup bag each :) We must have taken a whole hour at least. 

 It was so fun!

So much happiness!

Then we were hungry so it was time for some food. We gave up on the "going back to halls for lunch" idea, because it was already 12.30 and we hadn't even seen much.

There was a small pop-up tea room. There was just some floor space designated to it for a few small tables.

Susan and I shared crumpets with butter, then she had a banoffee (banana+toffee) cupcake while I had lemon drizzle cake and tea. Mmmm...

While sitting down, we wrote letters, courtesy of Letter Lounge. 

The Letter Lounge table was right next to the tea room, so we just took the paper and pens and envelopes that they provided and at our table at the tea room writing our letters. They even post it for you for free! (But it had to be within the UK, so sorry, none of you will be getting that letter). But this reminded me of you, Harrison.

Then back to the ground floor to make a bracelet! We saw it on the way up, but decided we'd go look around a bit more and come back to it. You bought the charms and thread and clasps, then there were couches for you to make it!

Here's what I started with

And... the end product!

Merry. Christmas. From England. Made with love.

Today was such a good day (ignoring the hour of Corp Fi, okay?) I love taking pictures of beautiful landscapes(/leaves), cute design cards, sewing, making jewellery, chilling in a tea room/cafe, eating cake and writing letters.  Today I got to do all of that :)

***

(ps, that photo is totally unedited!)

Hysterics

Ohmygosh currently laughing so so hard...

This is what just happened

*in Susan's room, my banana peel on the desk*
Susan: "I'm going to dinner. Do you want me to chuck your banana peel in the dining room"
Me: "Yeah, or you could just chuck it in the kitchen bin"
Susan: "But then I have to wave my hand over the thing!"
I am slightly confused as to what she's talking about, but I'm trying to rearrange the chair in her room, so I don't pick up on it.

We walk out into the hall. Susan has the banana peel. When we walk past the bathroom she goes in.
Me: "What are you doing?"
She comes out of the bathroom. Without the banana peel.
Susan: "Chucking out the banana peel!"
Me: "But that's the sanitary bin!"
Susan: "But you said chuck it in the bathroom bin!"
Me: "No I didn't, I said kitchen bin!"
Susan: "You said bathroom! That's why I said I had to wave my hand over the thing!" (The sanitary bins have motion sensors)
Me: "OH NO I MEANT KITCHENNNNNN!"

By this point the both of us are laughing so hard that a random walking down the halls stares at us funny.

Me: "That's okay. Those bins get emptied every day anyway"
Susan: "OH NO, BUT IT'S THE WEEKEND!"

Uh oh.

There's now a banana peel that will be in the sanitary bin for the whole weekend.

Mah bad :|

Corporate Finance cancelled

Today I had an appointment with my Corporate Finance professor at 9.

After getting up super early and making sure I was punctual etc, he didn't even rock up.

And I just got an email saying that the lecture that was moved from 1-3 to 11-1 (they informed us yesterday), has been cancelled.

I think i might give up on this and start my holiday/packing up early. There's no point just sitting here doing nothing and not being able to get help. I'll just come back to it later.

Another winter's day

... has come and gone away.

And I'm still stuck here at my desk doing this assignment.

Today was tres windy.

Christmas dinner

Christmas makes me so excited!

Today we had a Christmas dinner in the dining room. There was a tree with lights, and decorations on the walls/ceiling, and table clothes and everything!

And there were Christmas crackers so everyone had paper hats

The queue for the canteen was massive though. Like we literally spent 20 minutes in the queue for dinner, and usually there is none. 

This was dinner

Roast turkey and stuffing with gravy and cranberry sauce, potatoes, carrots, and a weird sausage wrapped in bacon thing which was wayyy too salty. (and pumpkin soup- also salty, a mince pie, fruit salad and a mandarin). Needless to say I didn't finish it all. The turkey was sooooo good.

On a slightly related note, I am so jealous of everyone in England's Christmas jumpers! When Abigail walked into my room so that we could go to dinner, I was like OHMYGOSH I LOVE YOUR JUMPER!

The pretty much didn't die down at all.
 My paper hat was too big for my head and so kept falling off.
They played Christmas songs!
But my music knowledge is so bad that I didn't even know half the songs.

This dinner made me so so happy!

***

Now back to Corp Fi. Ahahahaha Evangelina and Abigail have gone to Sainsbury's to get a Christmas movie. We're watching it when they get back!

Project Presentations

Today we had our project presentations for Communication Skills. It was one early morning, we were out of halls by 5 to 8, and at uni by 35 past.

It went well, except for the bit where Joseph our team leader didn't appear- he was in the library printing out our report. I wonder if I can get a copy of our little video at the end summarising how we worked as a team... watch this space.

The Seven Dials

Today after my Communication Skills team meeting at the library, I wanted to do something seeing as I was already in the city.

Berlin and I walked to the Seven Dials near Covent Garden. It's basically a roundabout with seven streets going off it. Berlin called me one day, lost, and asked me to find where she was going on Google maps. She came back raving about it, so I thought I'd check it out.

Here's a map:

It has pretty Christmas lights!

The white thing is the monument in the middle of the roundabout.

It also has such cute shops. One of those is Magma on Earlham St (ummm... number 6).

 It's a design-y card/poster/random stuff stores.
So many little things to look at, and so pretty :)
The one we went into was the products store. There's also a magazine store a few doors down, which I may go to, to get a copy of Frankie for my plane ride to Singapore. Maybe, if I get round to it.

Berlin spent agessss in there, she was so excited. That's okay. I blogged.

After that we went to Covent Garden to find some dinner. Found the cutest pie shop ever, The Pie Shop,  in the bottom floor of the Covent Garden piazza, in a little corner.

It's pretty much a little alcove, low roof, nice and cosy. Probably a bit small for the Saturday night eat-out demand, but so so cute.

I had beef and guiness pie with mash.

Good portion and reasonable price, and nice staff and relatively clean table. 

I just put a serviette over the little dirty bit *fussy*

When I got home, there was a package for me! I was not expecting anything at all, so I was really really excited! It was a 6 months present from Dave.

Thank you Dave :) I think I have the best boyfriend ever.

I also got Harry's Christmas present in the mail today. It was an Adele music book!

So that makes two packages in one day! I love the people in my life.

And I also finished my Industrial Organisation essay in the morning.

AND... I made that Christmas tree from cardboard! 

Haven't got round to those decorations yet though.

Here is a picture of my newly established display shelf. From left to right, there's my Christmas tree, Emily's Christmas card, Harry's Christmas card, and Dave's card that came with the chocolate. Lovelovelove.

SO MUCH HAPPINESS!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Decentralised

I think the problem with King's College is that it is so decentralised, especially the administration. Well maybe it's not a problem. Maybe it's just that things are done a little bit differently.

In the case of timetables, decentralised is definitely a bad thing, cos no one knows what anyone else is doing and you don't know which class you're supposed to be in, at what time, in which room.

This week I was informed twice that my lecture time might change.

First for Communication Skills. Usually I have class Mondays 9-10, then 11-12.30. Last Monday in our tutorial we were informed that for our assessment, we need to rock up at 9-11. And for the group presenting first (my group), we should come at 10 to 9.

Then today in Corporate Finance we were told that the lecture might be moved to 11-1, instead of being held at 1-3 like normal. And it's not confirmed yet, he has to confirm it with the admin staff, less than a week in advance.

I mean, what if I had stuff planned, even worse what if I had important stuff planned, and you tell me a week ahead of time that I need to change it? Why are lecturers even allowed to just simply change times like that?

And the Comm Skills lecturer is still hoping for a bigger room for next week's 9-11 class. Less than a week in advance. And we haven't even received any information about this supposed room change.

Also I got an email at the end of last week saying that my essay for theology, which was due on the 5th of December, is now due on the 13th. I'm not complaining, because it's being pushed back, and even though I don't really need the extra time cos it's already done, I don't have anything against it. But still. How are they even allowed to change assessment dates on a whim? (The last theology essay's due date was also pushed back for non-study-abroad students, because at a theology department staff meeting a few lecturers mentioned that their essays were due on the same day and students were finding it difficult. I mean, how do you only discover a few weeks in advance that your due dates are the same, and what's the problem if they are the same? The students should be organised enough to get it done.)

Why are things so disorganised here?

On a roll

Between the hours of 4.05pm and 9.29pm today, including distractions, procrastinations, visitations and dinner, I managed to churn out 1453 words of my 1750 word Industrial Organisation Essay. Impressive right?

Though I have gone somewhat mad, talking to myself while I write. Also I'm pretty sure my eyes are pretty zombie-like right now.

The day actually got significantly better. I got home from uni and had a 10 minute nanny nap, then I had carrot cake and hot chocolate for afternoon tea. Best. And I got especially in the bit of my life where I got Emily's Christmas card (and yes Em, I am tagging you in this post too! ahahaha). I saw the Australian stamps underneath a few things in the F pigeonhole, and I was like that one is so mine. And then I recognised Em's handwriting. It was a personalised Hallmark card with a picture of us on the front! Made my day. I have put it on display on top of my bookshelf, to prove that I have friends. Since getting the card, I have also decided that I am going to make myself a little cardboard Christmas tree out of:

a) the cardboard from my Amazon textbook order;
b) the little round bits from my holepunching work over the semester (top quality work); and
c) Berlin's textas

Creativity and cheapness fuse and materialise in my creations.

That will be my next procrastination activity. But it will look really pretty on my Christmas display shelf, and it will make me happy! I will take a picture when it's done. Sorry for the lack of picture by the way. There actually are none. Unless you really want pictures of my books/essays/computer/tired face.

What's planned for the weekend? Study.

I am aiming to finish this essay by lunchtime tomorrow.

Then after that I can go back to the depressing Corporate Finance work I have to do. 90% assignment kill me now.


And once I get these 2 pieces of work done, I can pretend that I'm actually not in London to study.

No actually. I need to start packing. And organising.

PS, today's weather was solely single digits, still no rain (though it did rain at night yesterday). Twas okay, didn't spend too long outside, just walking to/from the bus stop/uni/halls. Still sleeping with my window slightly open though, otherwise the room gets a bit stuffy.

PPS, Happy 6 months, Dave; Happy 20th, Nathan. Miss you both.

Friday Corporate Finance

Today I was late to my corporate finance tutorial.

I was only slightly late to begin with, but then I had to wait ages for a bus because the mean bus driver wouldnt let me get on the first bus which had gone 5 metres past the stop, even though it was stopped at a traffic light.

Then when I finally got on a bus it stopped halfway and the driver told everyone to get off and get on the bus in front

So I was even later.

Then I got to my tute and wondered why I even bothered. I don't even understand anything. He talks too fast and doesn't explain anything. And neither does the textbook. And I have to do an assignment, which at this rate I'm failing.

I hate corporate finance.

I hate today.

Cold computer room

Today I went to the computer room to do my Corporate Finance assignment because I needed to access a database that only works with internet explorer and I don't have that on my computer. Also using the computer room meant I could have 2 screens, one with the data, and one with my report.

IT WAS FREAKING COLD. I knew it was going to be a little cold cos I've been there to print stuff, so I wore a warmer jumper and a scarf, but IT WAS STILL REALLY COLD. There wasn't a switch or anything to turn the air conditioning off. My hands were frozen by the end of my 2 hour study sesh.

Gosh I know computers can't overheat, but really, it doesn't have to be that cold.

Pinch and a punch

... for the first of the month no returns.

I eat, I sleep, I study.

Today's no different.

PS, it's the first day of winter!

Mediocrities

The corridor further down the hall stinks. I think it's the toilet. Thank goodness for fire doors.

Had a feedback sesh with the lecturer for my first theology essay. High A!

I'm sleepy.

2 more essays to do.

I think my eyesight is getting worse. But then again, what's new.

Worst thing to come home to? A bed that needs to be made.

My left eye is twitching. I think that means I'm too tired to be up.

Theology Lecture

Tuesday evenings 4-6.

The murmurs when the American guy speaks just that little bit too loudly- again. "He gets so excited!"

The mature age student who never says anything relevant. (But the lecturer just smiles and ignores all the irrelevant stuff and finds the most obscure link to what we're actually talking about)

The beanhead in the hijab. (2 weeks ago, she was sitting in front of Wes and I, and in the break she turned around and asked us if she had a beanhead and proceeded to go to the bathroom to fix her hijab, convinced she had a beanhead, even though her friend was like you're being an idiot. So now every time Wes and I see her the only thing we have to say is "beanhead!" and the two of us crack up)

Oreos. (...are an awesome mid-lecture snack)

The lecturer who talks at a ridiculously fast pace. (My wrists hurt by the end of class)

Wes and I struggling to keep up.

Break's over.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Strand,London,United Kingdom

Evangeline's birthday dinner

Tonight we went out for Evangeline's 19th birthday!

We went to Fire and Stone Pizzeria in Covent Garden. 

There was a massive group of 18 of us.

Evangeline's champagne popped REALLY loudly, and only like half an hour later after we'd drunk most of it they came over and told us it wasn't BYO. Apparently they didn't realise that it was actually being drunk.

Dinner was good, they had pizzas from all over the world so 6 of us shared so we could try a bit of everything.

So appreciate food that is not halls food. Also to have a meal where you don't feel like you have to have everything that is put out in front of you

They brought out ice cream with a candle for Evangeline!

Reasonably pleased with the place. Until the end when they looked really hurt and asked us why we didn't pay the optional service charge.

Ummm... Because it was optional?

***

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

An Essay on Sunday

I successfully wrote a whole 2500 word essay in one weekend. Omgosh I just want to go sleep now.

In other news, my Haagen-Dazs ice cream successfully spent 2 nights in the freezer without being stolen. It's now finished. It was half price at the Sainsbury's!

I finished my essay at about 3.30, and proceeded to spend the next half an hour cleaning up my desk, folding my laundry, doing my bed, washing my dishes. All the things I'd neglected while doing my essay...

The Comedy of Errors

Today I went to see a modern version of The Comedy of Errors by Shakespeare at the National Theatre.

Berlin and I have had these tickets booked for aaaaaages! We booked them like 2 months ago cos back then we'd just got to London and we were super excited about doing stuff! Ahahahaha it was actually good that we did that, cos now I'm actually going out rather than sitting in my room doing my essays.

We got our tickets for only £5 each, because we both had Entry Passes. The Entry Pass Scheme is for 16-25 year olds, and you get £5 tickets (they reserve a few in each show for entry pass holders) and discounts at the restaurants and cafes at the theatre. I think you do have to book quite a bit in advance, because seats are limited, but they're cheap!

The play was in Shakespearean English, as in they used the original play, but as you can see from the picture above, most of the actors were African, so they had African accents. It's so different hearing Shakespeare in a African accent!

The sets were amazing!

Twas definitely a welcome break from study.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weekend lunches end at 1.30

On the wall calendar that they gave us, it says 1. It has taken us 10 weeks to notice that the piece of paper up in the dining room says 1.30.

That's my exciting discovery for the day. The rest has been doing this second theology essay. It will be done by tmrw *hopeful*

Winter wonderland at Hyde Park

So much mulled wine, so many lights, gingerbread, snowmen... Christmas!

The people (plus Berlin, she was taking the photo!)

The entrance

The Christmas Market- packed!

So yes, Susan and I got distracted by a little stall with cute Christmas tree decorations, about 5 minutes in, and so we lost the rest of them. Oh well.

The random moose head that started singing

The pretty lights

The point where I started to feel like I'd been transported to Germany

Santa Land!

THE CAROUSEL BAR. SUCH A COOL IDEA. It was slowly spinning round, too!

The ice skating rink

The point where Susan and I began our fetish with snowmen.

The bald one

The cute one

 The one who ate a bit too much

We finally found the rest of them again...

and had donuts! :) Once again, Berlin is missing cos she's taking the picture.

Yay for Berlin! She brought her big camera cos I asked.

***

All the photos mean I ceebs typing out slabs of writing. Especially after a day of study.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone