Whoa(woe)!!

Yup, dropped the ball...again. Sorry.

Good news: I did get to go to the rugby game. I had a blast even though the team I was rooting for lost. I was super proud of myself for being able to navigate my way there (more and more lately I am becoming the navigator of trips outside of Camden, go me!).

I also completed my first term in London. Seriously. I managed an A and two B grades. Not exactly thrilled about that, but I could've done worse.

Bad news: I got to experience thievery. No, I am not the thief. My purse was stolen from me when I was having dinner at a Subway restaurant. It only had inside: my bank cards, my student ID, my driver's license, my flat key, my Oyster, my SS card, y'know, nothing big...
I have it all worked out by now except that I need to go to the US embassy to get a new SS card. Major inconvenience and I'm now slightly paranoid but I'm safe and nothing too valuable was stolen.

I'm also now the third member of the band "Jack Darcy". My flat mate started the band and now I am honored with the title of "backup singer and synthesizer". I'm glad that I'm somewhat trained musically, haha. I've only been playing piano since I was about 7 and am a classically trained singer, little things that help along the way. I'm curious to see what becomes of this. Still can't decide what I want more: rock stardom or rock photographer stardom....they both are quite enticing. If I could figure out a way to do both I would be ever so happy!

I am currently on term break and am trying to figure out what to do with all this time on my hands. It's not working too well. Tomorrow I plan on playing Sims 3, because that's a great use of my time. Tomorrow night I may possibly attend a Paulo Nutini concert, most likely not though. Not that I'd be too upset about that.

I am starting to go into America withdrawals. I dream nightly of Taco Bell, BWW, real SUVs and a place where "y'all" is more acceptable than "init?". I'm really settling in over here, but wow, I could really go for a Gordita and a Superbowl party. Right y'all?


Anyways, I can't be bovvered to go on any furver, init? Ta.

Tragedy.

To say today was a "bad day" would only add insult to injury.

Today is the England vs. Slovenia football match. I bought my ticket for this event at the end of July. I had been waiting to get an e-mail from the activities director in order to find out how to pick up my ticket for the game today.
I was in full panic-mode yesterday as I still had not heard anything from the director. So I sent him an e-mail and got an immediate response of:
"I am currently away from the office on annual leave. I return to my desk on Monday September 14th 2009 when I look forward to being able to answer your enquiry." (gee thanks!)

I ask some of my friends if they had tickets and I got the response:
"Oh yeah! We got e-mails ages ago, you just have to pick them up at school. Call them tomorrow and then stop by, I'm sure someone will be there to help you."

I woke up early this morning and I called the school. No answer. I call again. Still no answer. I call a third time. No answer.
It's nearly 10 at this point and I'm getting really nervous. I decide to go to school and hope someone is there. By 10:30 I am standing in the foyer of the school's main building and there are indeed people there. I am directed from front desk to admissions, from one admissions person to another. After trying for half an hour to get a hold of the director the admissions adviser puts me on the phone with Wembley Stadium where I am put on hold for 45 minutes. Figuring that this phone call is futile, everyone at the admissions office tells me to go to Wembley Stadium and ask if they have my ticket.

At noon I am walking to Baker Street Station to ride the underground 10 miles north of Central London. I make it and as soon as I walk out of the station I see the great stadium. I walk there, follow confusing signs for 20 minutes before finally finding the will call office. There I am told they can do nothing for me as I have no proof that I bought a ticket. However, I am "welcome to buy another ticket to see the game!" Hmm, let's see, £30 ticket...groceries...hard choice.

I walk back to the Tube station, choking back tears, and make my way back to Baker Street Station. Somehow I ended up on the wrong train and ended up riding the tube for an hour trying to get back to Marylebone so I can take a bus home.

I arrive back home around 2:30 p.m. to find one of my roommates and her friend getting ready to go to the game. Just what I wanted to see...

Even sadder still, if the director isn't back until the 14th, I will most likely miss the rugby game (Sept. 12th) I purchased a ticket for since I don't have a ticket for that either.

But hey! I can get my homework finished tonight! ...oh joy...

Vacuum Cleaners Wanted

It's about all I can do to not completely ignore my homework. Here is what I've worked out to get anything done:

Step 1: Lock the door. No one in and certainly no one out.

Step 2: A good movie. Gives you a reason to stay in this locked room. Now this can be tricky as you might be tempted to watch the movie instead of doing homework. It is best if you pick a movie you love and know and don't need to constantly look at the screen to know what is going on.

Step 3: Full stomach. No snacking during homework. This is an obvious excuse to take several small breaks. Eat well before you do homework and all you will need is water.

Step 4: (This may only work for art students) Imagine you're a wicked cool designer for some awesome company. Yes it's dorky and childish, but if it works, why knock it??

Step 5: Imagine the look on your cocky teacher's face when you've done a freaking sweet job. They don't need to know all the tweaks during the hours and hours of prep work. For all they know you whipped this out in 2 hours with not a single drop of sweat.

So, in conclusion, a healthy imagination goes further than you might think in art homework.
Now, who is going to clean the mess of paper off my floor??

They Looked Like Strong Hands

So, I was a bum today, skipped class and everything. I'm such a rebel. Or maybe I just had a touch of stomach flu...I prefer to say rebel.

My big accomplishment of the day: I, Bethany, learned the guitar solo from Bayside's "They Looked Like Strong Hands" on my violin. I totally wish I could jam out with Jack now. I think he'd actually be impressed.

School term is half over, I can not believe it! I have a math class next term. Joy. Maybe I can once and for all be done with math!! That would make my world so bright and sunny, even in foggy London.

Feeling optimistic, proud, and all giggly on the inside. No school till Tuesday!! I am one happy girl...even if I do feel like crap.

Baked Beans On Toast

There is a fine line between American pride and American snobbery. So, to prove I am not above the average Briton, I ate baked beans on toast. It was delicious. Certainly not the most aesthetically pleasing food, but then I've eaten fried chicken. Culture lines are blurring and in all honesty I sometimes forget I'm in the UK. The only thing absent are the familiar people I love so dearly. Vacation anyone?? Please? haha...

I'm still trying to remember time zones and fully realize how far away I am. This morning I thought it would be fun for me and my friends to go to The Royal Gorge. Than I realized how impossible that is. Exactly how far from home am I? 4807.813 miles, bit more than a hop, skip and a jump.

Okay, sadness aside! I think I am going to venture to Camden market by myself today. It is easier to shop (at least for me) by myself. Plus I'm feeling selfish today, haha. What adventures will I have today?

Yes!

At last, my heart is full again. I am sitting in my room with the presence of my computer and violin. Going out to Tommy Flynn's in a bit. Late tonight I will start posting picture. WOOHOO!!!!