Off to Notting Hill!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Hey y'all!

London is absolutely amazing! I love everything about it, minus the lack of sun. It's been a while since I've written a post, but that's because I'm having so much fun here! Okay that's probably half true, the other half being that I'm incredibly lazy. 

As of yesterday I have been in the great city of London for 6 weeks! Time has gone by so fast, and yet it seems like yesterday since I got here! I've met so many nice people and have made some wonderful friends. Rocío and Mao being two of the best. Rocío is from Argentina and Mao is from Japan. They are both awesome people and are unique in their own ways. I'm so lucky to have met them. 

Rocío is truly one of a kind. She is probably one of the best friends that I have. We have such fun adventures together. Yesterday for example, we went to Notting Hill. We first dad lunch at Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria. It was amazing!

Cute little restaurant in Notting Hill.

From the restaurant we went to Bubbleology! It's this really hip, cool tea shop!

It's somewhat like the bubble tea that is sold at Zen Cha in Columbus. You first choose a kind of tea, either herbal based or milk based. I went with herbal. From there you choose your flavor: White Peach, Kumquat, Strawberry, and some others. You then can either add Popping Bobas or Jellies. I went for the Passion Fruit flavored Popping Bobas (these are like the bobas at Menchies!)  

So, the final product. White peach herbal tea with tapioca pearls and passion fruit popping bobas. It was good at first, but by the time I drank about half of it I wanted to throw up. The mix of flavors was a bit overwhelming. I would recommend NOT getting the large. 

Half way through...don't know if I can finish it. 

Rocío's awesome glasses at a shop in Notting Hill. 

Funny sign that we saw going through Notting Hill Market. 

Mr. Bean shirt! I wanted it, but it was 20 quid! Way too much.

View of Notting Hill. 

Paddington Bear. I will come back for you 'lil buddy!

Clothing store that was full of sewing machines! So amazing! I was in love <3

Cath Kidston...need I say more?

Now I feel like a real London woman! A much needed new wallet! Love love love it!

So much has happened and so much is still to come! I will update you when I can! Love to all :) 

A Month and Counting...

Sunday, February 3, 2013

This post was written a while ago...a must for my scholarship. So here it is...

My first experience abroad has been wonderful so far. That’s not to say that it hasn’t been hard sometimes and there haven’t been times when I wanted to go home. Leaving my home and settling somewhere that is unfamiliar to me filled with people that I don’t know is hard, but it has been an adventure.

            I never thought that I was good at making friends, but I’ve learned since being here that I need to be outgoing sometimes and even when I’m not I can meet people that are similar to me. I’ve met some really great people here from all over the country and all over the world. My best friend since moving here is called Rocío. She is from Argentina and she is one of the kindest and funniest people that I have ever met. Meeting her has made the transition of moving here so much easier. It’s a journey that I’m so glad I decided to take.

            I’ve learned that even though people seem to be different on the outside, they are similar on the inside. People aren’t so different when you get to know them. The most important thing I’ve learned so far is that people are never really what they seem. Some put up a front because they are afraid of letting people in, which is where I found myself when I first arrived here. My goal for the rest of my time here in London is to continue to open up to people and let them in, as well as to be a good friend to others.

            My other goals include making the most of my internship and learning all I can from my modules. So far I like both my internship and my modules. The modules are quite different than those at my home uni, but they are good none-the-less. I don’t particularly like the way that uni is set up here, but I like what I am learning and the people that I’m meeting. It’s worth the confusion.