So… it’s been a good month since I updated this thing and I guess it’s time to fill in those who are just interested enough in my life to read my blog but not interested enough to skype me (no judgment, there’s a five hour time difference and all that, etc). So basically… where to begin?

School ended the last week of March. That was pretty cool. On the 28th it was my last ever Walkabout Wednesday so naturally I… well it was fun. UNTIL 5:00am when I woke up to catch the very first tube to get to the bus to get to the airport to get to DUBLIN! (Here’s some advice from me to you. NEVER fly while hungover. Because inevitably the man next to you will be quite large and promptly upon takeoff he will fall asleep and proceed to start snoring so loudly that you are left to wonder if you should remove his tonsils right then and there and he will not stop this incessant, grating, horribly malfunctioning breathing exercise until you actually land and the pilot takes off the ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign.)

Anywayyy, Dublin was lots of fun. It was my first time in a hostel (16 person room) and that was definitely an experience that I will never forget. My friend and I walked the entire city basically. Like literally, we got a map from the hostel with all the major attractions in the city and we saw ALL of them. One of which is the Museum of Natural History. And not to completely disrespect this city, because I really did enjoy it, but apparently the Irish idea of Natural History is one long room of stuffed animals. Not the cute TY kind. As in a display of Taxidermy that you have never seen/never wanted to see. But apart from that, it was a very nice weekend trip. So yeah, Dublin is totally conquered. (Side note: Irish accents ≥ British accents.) 

And now it’s Easter Break back at school so all my friends are doing this not fun revolving door thing of abandoning me to actually do my coursework. In fact, as I write this blog post I should be reading The Sorrows of Young Werther (which kind of explains why I’ve just been rambling on and on about nothingness). But yeah, so that’s pretty much what’s happening in London. Apart from the bipolar weather that seems to enjoy raining at one moment and then passing into gorgeous blue skies just long enough to make me THINK I can make it to Starbucks without it changing its mind again, but not long enough for me to actually succeed.

Also, finally, because this is actually exciting to me, I booked the train to see my friends in Paris in May!! So… that’s probs when my next blog post will be. 

Until then, cheers!! xx

you actually have to study while studying abroad. Someone please write this paper for me. Essay, let’s do this.

#abroadproblems

I’m not really a big fan of laundry list blogs with a bunch of “and then we’s…” followed by tales of visiting one semi-important historical location after another semi-important historical location. But here’s the thing: my friend Erica visited from Paris last weekend… and then we DID EVERYTHING. She arrived on Thursday afternoon and we had a nice, calm day visiting Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Park. From there we met up with a few friends and went to a pub down the street for some casual drinks. All relaxing and great while still cultural which, in my opinion, is the exact balance you want to reach in your abroad life. But on Friday… I experienced tourism on crack. Erica came prepared with a list of places she wanted to go, and I obviously had a few favorites that I wanted to show her so, with the help of our handy dandy itinerary, we managed to fit everything in.

(the first itinerary before its early demise. RIP)
 

So, Friday:
- Woke up at 9:30, left by 11 for Borough Market (where we enjoyed the best food in the world)
- From Borough Market we went to London Bridge
- London Bridge to Tower of London
- Tower of London to Tower Bridge (around here we lost the itinerary which was hugely heartbreaking, but we managed to persevere)
- Tower Bridge to St. Paul’s Cathedral (hopped on a old style bus, so quaint)
- St. Paul’s to Trafalgar Square/National Gallery
- Afternoon tea in the National Gallery (if you’ve never had a British scone with jam and clotted cream, you have not lived - go now)
- Afternoon tea to Hyde Park (took a lovely stroll around Hyde Park, almost got eaten by rabid swans, and then played in a playground designed for children half my height, but right around Erica’s)
- Hyde Park to Harrods where we obviously went directly to the Pet Kingdom and the Toy Kingdom
- Harrods to my apartment building to meet up and then go directly to Brick Lane for Indian Food
- GLORIOUS SLEEP 

AND THEN on Saturday, we did some more touristy things like go to Oxford Street, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, but we were forced to take it a little slower on account of the tourism hangover I was experiencing from the day before.

But, all in all, I’ve decided I’m an excellent tour guide because I managed to do a tour of London in two days and I’m pretty sure I had 100% customer satisfaction. Just look at that face.
 

So start booking your tour dates with me now!

Were you aware that, in England, English Muffins are just called muffins? True story. And now that I have your attention, let’s talk about me. Or, more specifically, my time at Borough Market. Because, you see, Borough Market is amazing. Everyone is trying to give you free samples and everything smells great and tastes delicious and all I want to do is be there all the time. For those of you who will never get to experience this wondrous collection of produce stands, food vendors, and wine shops… I’m sorry, that really sucks. Nooo, just kidding. You can have a look at some pictures.

Now, for all you biddies that weren’t planning on visiting me… Changing your minds?

For real though, if you need me, I’ll be frolicking in Borough Market for the next few hours/days/every possible moment. Cheers!

There is nothing like being honked at by garbage men at 1:00am on your way back from the bar. London is magical.