Can we please discuss the fact that in a month’s time I’ll finally be able to check “see The Airborne Toxic Event live” off of my bucket list? If you weren’t already aware (because your life happens to be an empty void), the lead singer of the band’s talents include being a lyrical genius as well as my future husband. I have a strict no cuddling policy, but this dapper GQ looking man is one notable exception. (The same goes for you, Ryan Gosling. Call me.)
“Want to know why you’re always sick? Because alcohol is an immune suppressant.” -My dad, Tim, solving the mystery of my life in 20 words or less
Top five highlights of the week:
1. Creepy British kid achieves newfound level of creepiness by randomly texting me that he’s outside my window one night. Marti, what were you saying before about how packing my bear pepper spray is unnecessary? Right. Continue reading
I woke up to two things this morning: a text from my mom, Marti (“How are things at Hogwarts?”) and an apocalyptic blizzard of Mayan proportions. Toto, I don’t think we’re on 5998 Alcala Park anymore.
You’d think the UK would be familiar with horrendous weather – I mean, after all, isn’t that part of England’s reputation along with food that feels like acid rain in your stomach and teeth that double as can openers (see entry #2)? But no. The snow was enough to make the city halt transportation which is why I’m not snuggled up on a train to Hertfordshire right now. So my plans to spend the weekend with my aunt, uncle, cousins, and Julie (as she conveniently arrives in town this Saturday for study abroad!) were no more. Continue reading
California problems at their finest. It was another classic week here at Queen Mary: British cafeteria food remains utterly unidentifiable, I see more hijabs in a single trip to the library than I have in all two years at USD (yeah, diversity isn’t exactly their strong suit), professors are much more… um, straightforward (“You all know who Susan Boyle is, right? The Scottish virgin?”), and despite being loaded up on sketchy antibiotics, I’m already familiar with every pub within a ten-mile radius. I’d like to think I’m adaptable. Continue reading
“You’re totally right about Harry.” -some British kid I met
I dare say this was the best first-day-of-school I’ve ever had in my college career. Here’s the rundown.
9 am: Woke up to my usual alarm to get me pumped for the day. Mission accomplished.
10 am: There must be a God because I somehow managed to show up early for student enrollment. Only got yelled at by Harry a few times to be quiet.
12 pm: First class of the morning… Human Resource Management! Being a Marketing and Business major is pretty thrilling, what can I say. British courses, much like orientation, differ ever-so-slightly from American ones in the way that: Continue reading
London wasn’t what I expected. My first clue I wasn’t at the University of San Diego anymore was when I strolled into a club (without my friends… because evidently I forgot about that whole “paying” aspect) and realized I was the only white chick there. Also the only one under 30. I had a blast! However, that first night partying in Central London taught me something truly valuable: not everyone is David Beckham. Or even looks like him. I was completely outside of my comfort zone. Continue reading
As an American girl taking a flight from San Francisco to London solo, I had a good idea of how my life would play out: exactly like Amanda Bynes’ did in What A Girl Wants. According to this movie, all you have to do is hop on the first double decker bus you see and, voila, you’ve arrived at some chic hipster hostel for the price of… like, £5 a night. Oh and there you’ll meet some cute British guitarist to fall in love with. Also your dad is loaded and running for Prime Minister. It’s just that easy. Continue reading
1. Sweatpants don’t exist here.
2. All of the Italian and Spanish girls dress like Lisbeth from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Even your 200-year-old host mother will own a bedazzled skull jacket.
3. If you’re not dirt poor when you arrive in Switzerland, you will be soon. Continue reading
The Art of Being Basic 