Stonehenge (It Rocked) and More

People. Whoa Nelly. I am so sorry I've been absent for a week! Here comes a mega-entry to compensate.

Monday I had another full day of school (9-5).  I haven't been taking classes for 8 consecutive hours in the same building since high school, and let me tell you, it's a rough adjustment back.  It's a harsh realization that an internship here really is an imposition on your schedule.  However, I have no doubts that it will be worth it:)

That night, I went with a flatmate and a few boys downstairs to the Kensington Symphony Orchestra.  I live on the South Bank in London, home to London's theatre and music centres.  With a student discount, it only cost me £6 to hear a gorgeous three hour concert!  How cultured.  It also brought my heart such joy when I saw the boys' faces light up when the orchestra began playing themes from Star Wars.

We were bored Monday, so we went to the Orchestra.  It's casual.

Tuesday I worked a full day in the House.  I dug through old PQs (Parliamentary Questions), which MPs submit to secretaries of state and ministers on a variety of topics ranging from foster child care to drunk driving arrests.  MPs are not required to submit any number of PQs, but they are an easy measure to track an MP's interest in holding higher government accountable.  Since 2015 marks another Parliamentary election, my MP needs to start asking more questions to stand apart from his opposition.  I must have looked through nearly 500 questions, picking out ones that I thought might apply to my constituency.  Once certain ones were approved, I submitted them using some very official-looking paper.  I'm getting the feeling it's one of those office tasks that is mundane to full-time employees, but it excited me nonetheless haha.

On Tuesday night, we hosted a flat of boys downstairs for flat dinner.  We're talking tons of tacos, fun and dishes.  I'm really starting to get the hang of searching out people who cook and offering to pay them to cook for me.  More than that, "family dinners" are an amazing way to build community and get to know the amazing kids I'll be living with for the next four months.

Dinner for 18, anyone?

Wednesday was class…sounds boring, right?  WRONG.  I found a cheap coffee shop nearby that will spike your drink with an extra shot of espresso for only 20 pence, and it kept me up all day!  I've never been so engaged in the intricacies of British Philosophy and Macroeconomics haha.  This mysterious coffee mixture will without a doubt be my secret to success this semester.

Thursday I worked a half day in the House searching for more PQ's.  I set up a date to attend PMQ--so many acronyms!-- officially known as The Prime Minister's Questions.  Once a week Prime Minister David Cameron is questioned by the opposition in a loud and rambunctious Parliamentary session.  You can't attend one of these televised sessions unless you are in, and because of my job, I'm in! I'll be in the gallery on March 20, so look for me if the camera ever pans to a full house view:)  

Thursday night ROCKED; one of my roommates turned 21!  Now, it is true that in the UK the drinking age is 18, but we still had great reason to celebrate.  Our 12 flatmates all cleaned and decorated the apartment.  We made a traditional Italian dinner (salad, pasta, the works), topped off with THREE ROUNDS of desert.  Now that's what I'm talking about, people.  After dinner, we all dressed up and headed to Picadilly Institute, a classic European club.  (And by classic, I mean techno music and mannequins hanging from the ceiling.  Totally normal here, apparently.)  

The birthday girl is in the top row, third from the right.
We were so happy to celebrate together :)

Friday we had another session of Inside London, first taking us to the Museum of London Docklands and later the Liverpool Street Station.  At the museum, we learned about the history of the slave trade in London, but undoubtedly the coolest part was when we walked around Liverpool.  The area heaped with history, and I was amazed at the tales of migrant boroughs, Jack the Ripper, and more.  We walked past the Spitalfields Market, where celebrities who live in London are known to purchase antiques, clothes and fresh food.  I can't wait to return on a warmer day!  

Yesterday (Saturday) the program took a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath.  There were only 15 spots for students not in a specific Archaeology class, so I was extremely lucky that I was chosen to go!  Stonehenge was beautiful but relatively basic.  I mean, when you get there, you stare at the monument for about an hour, but there's nothing more to do in that area.  Now hop in your coach bus and drive two hours Northeast to Bath...that's where it's at.  This tiny town, known to exist starting in 60 AD, was established by the Roman empire.  Therefore, all the architecture was extremely intricate, very reminiscent of Italy.  The most breathtaking part of the city was the Roman Bath, where priests, emperors, slaves and commonfolk all gathered to bathe and worship.  I couldn't believe the advanced craftsmanship of the Bath...my skills extend to Legos. 

Stonehenge Solo Shot Success.

My roommate and I in the heart of the Roman Bath.  

And that concludes another amazing week in Londontown!  Weather forecasts predict mid-50's this week, so keep your fingers crossed for me :)

Cheers,

C

Yes, Please

Ready for the great story behind my title?  Well first, you'll have to hear what I did this weekend:)

Friday began with another session of Inside London.  Here's how this class works: for three Fridays, we explore London as different "centres" (note the British spelling!)- London as a legal centre, theater centre, music centre, etc.  We have to find our own way there, so we normally leave our flat around 9, only to return around 5.  Needless to say, it's kind of a pain, but in the end we're thankful we went because we've explored amazing parts of the city we never would have otherwise.  Friday was no exception.  We spent the majority of the day at the Victoria and Albert Museum marveling at totally random yet amazing collections of art.  For lunch we fled to a local pub and divulged in comfort food: CHEESEBURGERS.

If you think we look happy in this pic, just wait until after we got our cheeseburgers.

After lunch, we spent more time at the V&A looking at original costumes and set designs from famous plays such as Hamlet or A Midsummer Night's Dream.  We hit the tube for a ride home because it was snowing again!! (We learned later that some of the Inside London sessions were actually outside, so we were thankful and stopped complaining)

On Saturday we woke early for a day trip to Oxford.  The rector here at Conway attended Oxford for his undergraduate studies, so we had quite the knowledgeable tour guide!  The group of 70 wandered the streets for a few hours before breaking off into smaller groups for lunch, shopping and sightseeing.  The coolest part was crashing King's College, a residential community for students only. *Key word: students...meaning we pretended like we actually attended this institution in order to sneak into the buildings haha.  My huge camera bag wasn't quite that conspicuous, but thankfully I have a killer British accent, so we were all good.

Oxford was spectacular.  We look like we go here...right?

SATURDAY NIGHT IS THE BIG KAHUNA.  We arrived safely back to London and immediately started prepping for a fun night out!  One of our roommates' sisters were in town, and she graciously volunteered to take our flat (12 girls) out to dinner at the gorgeous Bar Boulud restaurant.  When we arrived at the restaurant, we were floored…this place was insanely gorgeous!  The food was nuts (read: the meat melted in my mouth) and the free wine wasn't too bad either!  It was so amazing to have a night with the girls.  It makes me so grateful for the great status of my living situation:)

With two of my beautiful roommates at dinner!

CAN YOU BELIEVE I ATE THIS? WAHHHH

And finally, I began today by going to mass at Westminster Cathedral, about a 30 minute walk from Conway.  Now this is not the church where Will and Kate wed last April-- that's an Anglican church located near Parliament and Big Ben.  Westminster Cathedral is Roman Catholic but unfortunately it was a much longer walk.  We were virtually freezing when we arrived at the cathedral only to find the building wasn't headed.  Oh.  BUT everything ended up worth it because we were chosen to bring the Eucharist up to the altar during Offertory.  Approaching the grand altar with the famed Westminster Boys' choir providing background tunes was an experience I will never forget.  

The rest of today has been anticlimactic in comparison.  I did laundry, read some textbooks, went grocery shopping, worked out (I'm starting Insanity! GONNA GET RIPPED) and have of course written this fine entry!  Not a bad way to start another amazing week:)

Cheers,

C

PS "Yes please" was my roommate's response when the waiter asked her if she preferred white or red wine.  And although that's a little goofy, I think it's a great metaphor for how we're responding to London.  Every opportunity that comes by we seize!  Can't wait to continue saying "yes please" to all that comes my way during this magnificent semester.

One Week In

Hey!  So now that all my work and school commitments have ended for the week, I wanted to give a brief update on everything I've been up to!

Classes: I start out my day in British Empire, a history class.  I've been assigned Gender and the Empire as my research topic, so I'll be writing a few essays on it and even giving a formal presentation.  I'm excited-- as a sociology major, I've studied a ton of gender relations, so hopefully my background knowledge will come in handy!  My British Philosophy class is crazy, but honestly, when is philosophy not crazy? Then I have a class in Government and Politics, which I'm really enjoying.  The professor is super snazzy, and studying the UK political system will be super useful with my internship.  My last class is Macroeconomics... oy vay.  It's a requirement I can't get out of if I hope to graduate one day.  My thought process is, oh well, if I have to hear someone drone on about GDP and graphs, I'd rather listen to a British accent.

Work: As evident by my last blog post, I am really digging my job.  Today I only worked a half day, but I still had fun.  I dug through databases trying to find evidence of the Labour party (the opposition) in support of increasing probation work in the private sector.  No such luck.  However, I was able to accompany my MP to a roundtable Q&A with interns working for Canadian ambassadors.  The interns were great for two reasons: 1) when I see adults my age with a passion for politics, it really inspires me, and 2) THEY SOUNDED LIKE ME!  It was so nice to actually understand what people were saying!  Their accents brought me back a little taste of home, and that made me inexplicably happy:)

Also, before I left to head back home I managed to run into Ed Miliband, leader of the opposition. I remember watching him during PMQ (Prime Minister's Questions) when I was trying to familiarize myself with Parliament prior to my interview.  And now here he was, right in front of me!  Way too cool.

As a "Tory" (Conservative), I'm supposed to hate this guy...but he held the door open for me, so no complaints here!

Everything else: Things are still going well at the flat!  Tonight I am headed to an ND alumni networking event at a nearby pub.  Hopefully my friends and I can pick up recommendations for local hang-out spots and maybe even score an invite to a future dinner (free food=winning).  Tomorrow I have two sessions of "Inside London"-- this will involve me touring the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Institute Francais Cinema.  Saturday the program is headed to Oxford, so that will be a great day trip!  Get excited, because that means I should be taking more pictures soon:)

Cheers,
C

Working Girl

Today was my first day working for a Member of Parliament at the House of Commons.  This is super nerdy, but it felt cool walking to work all dressed up-- I was fitting in like a real Londoner!

I began my day with a tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.  I stood in the exact spot where Spencer Perceval became the only Prime Minister ever to be assassinated (1812).  I saw where the Queen gets dressed every year before she opens Parliament with the Queen's Speech (last year it was on 9 May, so fingers crossed she speaks before I depart back to the states on 4 May!).  But without a doubt the coolest part to see was the Chamber.  I've seen it YouTube so many times before, it was simply maddening to see it in person!  Little did I know my MP Andrew would be attending a questioning for the secretary of health there later today, so I would actually get to observe in the Gallery.  

The Monarchy, as we've learned in our Government and Politics class, serves as the Head of the State, not the government.  Her annual Queen's Speech opens Parliament and is written for her by the Prime Minister (currently David Cameron of the Conservative Party).

Our office observed an interview at the College Green and then went out to lunch-- we managed to buy sandwiches and water for only 2.30 pounds!  Winning.  However, I did buy two coffees today so I think that brought my expenses right back up :(.  When we returned to the office, I was assigned to research probation reform so we could educate ourselves before drafting letters to constituents.  I closed the day there by looking up political figures on Facebook and identifying strategies we could use to strengthen Andrew's page.  

Overall, I LOVED my first day at work.  Not only did I feel like I immersed in meaningful, interesting things, but I really clicked with the people I worked with.  Andrew is a hoot and has worked with many interns before, so you can tell he's got the drill down.  The other two staff members in his office are equally as nice and funny, and they have a great vibe where they pick on each other like a group of brothers.  I don't share an office directly with them; I'm in an overflow room with another intern who works for a different MP.  Still, the two of us get on well too, and I had fun explaining America to him haha.  I feel so lucky…I could NOT be working for a better office!

After work, I returned to the flat and cooked some pizza quesadillas!  Total success, and I feel like a boss, I must say.  I then finished a quick homework assignment, checked my bank account info, and now I'm here.  Hoping to end the night watching The Bachelor on Hulu or going out to a local bar with friends.

Cheers,

C

PS Today marks the forth time in four days that my accent has lead people to believe I'm Canadian.  Weird haha.

London-O

So it's Sunday night and we are done with orientation.  The flight over to London went perfectly.  The Notre Dame kids were grouped in the back of a huge plane, and I ended up sitting next to two kids I've never met before.  They were both awesome and MUCH better than me at sleeping on planes.  Therefore, while they got their rest I watched Pitch Perfect and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  

Once in London, we were ecstatic to find we weren't the only ones who successfully made the trip…our luggage did too!  WOOO CLOTHES!  We were driven by coach bus into the city and arrived at Conway Hall.  Conway is pretty cool- its a renovated building that served as the Royal Universal Infirmary for Children in the 1800s.  It's even designated as a Grade II building, so it's on a federal list of historic buildings in the city.  

Considering our lack of geographic knowledge here,
we're pretty grateful for Conway's distinctive color.

BUT it looks completely different on the inside.  My apartment is extremely minimalistic-- think Ikea.  12 girls share a common area (two couches and a table), a kitchen and a dining table (only 10 seats though).  We only have two bathrooms, but that hasn't been an issue so far.  The bedrooms contain a lofted bed, a desk and a closet; there are four rooms: two triples, one quad and one double. I ended up in the double-- woo woo!!  Overall, my roommates are very cool, and we're gelling well.

Our kitchen! Kinda cute, huh?

Yet, meeting each other was only the first step in a very hectic orientation process.  Throughout all of Thursday and Friday we were ushered from one session to another, learning all about residence life, academics, religious opportunities and more.  The jet lag and the fact that we are ALWAYS LOST certainly didn't help the process.  However, we have a great support system here. The staff in the London Program is small in number, and they've been very proactive and helpful as they get to know us.  They are very welcoming and love sharing any inside information about the city. 

After Orientation ended, we still had organized activities planned.  Yesterday, a professor took a group of 25 of us to the Museum of London.  Wow, was that cool!  I've never been a museum person per sé, but I was floored by the extent of London's dynamic history.  The most interesting exhibit showed the rapid changes in London's population.  (In 1150 AD, London had 20,000 residents-- less than my hometown!).  Tonight was great fun too.  The University hosted a welcome mass for us in a nearby chapel.  This may seem corny, but it's times like this I especially love Notre Dame, because the fact that we can share our faith with our peers is extremely cool.  Afterwards, we were treated to a pub dinner at the beautiful Knights Templar pub.  I hadn't eaten anything besides toast and other peoples' leftovers for four days, so I ate my chicken faster than the media reported stories of Kate Middleton's baby.  Dang, is it nice to feel full again haha.

Now we're sitting in our flat, prepping for tomorrow's first day of classes.  (On a similar note, I dropped my Holy Spirit theology class and picked up Global Romanticisms. YOLO)  I apologize for the delay in this first post; it's been a hectic last few days!  I hope to have fun stories about my classes and internship when I write my next entry.

Cheers,

C

Call me maybe?

Revving Up For Departure

In a little under four days, I'll be halfway to London, where I'll spend this upcoming semester. WHAT!?

Right now a few things are on my mind...

1) The flats! All University of Notre Dame London students live in Conway Hall, located on the South Bank in Central London.  Students recently received their assignments, and I'll be rooming with 11 other girls.  So, odds are at least one of them will like me haha. Apparently quarters are pretty tight, with 3 per bedroom and 4 per bathroom.  I'll be sure to confirm those details and post pictures of the flats in an upcoming post.

The flats will also be fun because they'll be my first induction into the "real world." There are no meal plans in London, so I'll be buying my own food and cooking daily.  Here's to grocery shopping like a big girl and trying not to burn down my hall.  Can anyone say "ham sandwich"?

2) My classes!  Unfortunately there's that "study" component of study abroad.  I'll be taking four classes this semester: Government and Politics in Britain, Themes in British Philosophy, The Holy Spirit, and Macroeconomics.  ND kids take classes at the London Centre, located in the heart of Trafalgar Square.  Luckily, it's only a mile walk from our flats, so I'll have a good 15 minutes every morning to scope out future husband Prince Harry as I waltz on over to Theology.  My schedule is great, and there are no classes on Friday.  Prime travel conditions!

3) My job!  I am one of six Notre Dame students interning at the Parliament.  I'll work ten hours a week for MP Andrew Percy.  We know he's a big deal because he has his own Wikipedia page.  In the past, MP interns have performed a number a variety of duties ranging from research, drafting letters, attending Parliamentary sessions and even performing secretarial work.  Therefore, I can't say for certain what I'll be doing there, but I can say that I'm ecstatic for this opportunity to burst out of the ND bubble and immerse myself in British politics.

4) Packing... the only thing on my list without an exclamation point after it.  The program pays for one suitcase-- joke life.  I'm no crazy fashionista, but of course I'm bringing two.  Afterall, I'll need to have something to contribute when my flatmates and I all raid each others' closets!


That's pretty much it at the moment.  I leave this Wednesday from O'Hare with 60 other ND kids.  I hope you'll join me on my journey!  I promise to stay as up-to-date with this blog as possible, and I can't wait to share all my adventures with you.

Cheers,
C