So much rain!

The weather so far hasn't been ideal! Definitely below average temperatures for London for this time of year! Since it's been particularly cold and rainy, it's been a little hard to get outside and see all of the tourist attractions. Today, my roommate and I spent the rainy day indoors visiting some museums! I could spend all of my time in museums, so I really have no complaints about feeling forced to stay inside for the day.

We went to the Victoria and Albert Museum, aka the V&A, first. It's huge and they have a ton of different kinds of things on display... not only paintings, but jewelry, sculpture, textiles, furniture, ceramics, and I could just keep on listing things! So many different cultures and time periods all put into one place... it's a history nerd's dream come true.

Only completely excited to be in this design gallery!

 

 

 

 

 

Loving the V&A!

 

 

 

Next, we walked over to the Natural History Museum, which was pretty cool! It was more of a hands-on kind of museum that had a lot of stuff about the formation of the earth and how we've arrived at where we're at today. Pretty interesting stuff! Most impressive was the entrance...

 

Natural History Museum

My first few days...

Pretty much anyone who would be reading this probably already knows that I've made it safely to London! I'm staying with a host family in zone 2 of London, which is about a 45 minute commute by train and underground to get to the main city center. Things are slightly different, mostly how everything is smaller and more condensed than in America, but it's pretty similar to home. I don't really feel like I'm out of the U.S. still.. maybe once I get more settled it will feel a little bit more real.

So far I would say I've mostly just been learning my way around the area that I'm living in and how to get to and from the areas that I'll be working and going to school (we take a once a week British Life and Culture class). I'm kind of waiting until better weather/more free time/when I get to know the tube system better before I try to venture out to the tourist sites! I'm hoping to do some of those things on Friday or Saturday.

There hasn't been much time during the day yet for sightseeing because I've been in orientation/class today and then tomorrow I start my internship! I should be working 3 full days a week, one day I'll have class, and then one day during the week we'll have time to go to museums and explore a little more. I'm also hoping to go on a few trips outside of London at some point, and it seems like a lot of the other interns in my group want to do the same thing so hopefully we'll be able to make plans for some weekends soon!

I miss being able to talk to everyone at home really easily since the time difference is six hours, and I miss being able to text whenever I want to! Oh and I miss my own bed and bathroom. But overall, it feels like I've been mostly busy this first few days and I still haven't quite realized just how far away I really am!

You sound like you're from London!

I can't believe that it's just a matter of days before I head off to London. Most things are finally starting to come together... I got my housing assignment, and all I really know is who my roommate is and the names of my host family. They're a retired married couple who hosts exchange students regularly, and they seem really nice and welcoming!

Today, I got the news of the architecture and design firm that I'll most likely be working for. It's not 100% finalized yet, but they said that they would have written confirmation of it by tomorrow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed--it's been a long and stressful process and knowing that I have a guaranteed placement would be a huge relief!

I'm still working on getting everything together before I leave... what to pack, how the stupid outlet adapters work with different voltages (believe it or not, that seemingly minor detail is a BIG source of stress), exactly how I'm going to spend money while I'm there, so many things! On top of getting everything ironed out for my trip itself, I've been trying my best to spend at least a little bit of time with my family, friends, and as much time as possible with my boyfriend before I leave. I'm going to miss everyone while I'm gone, but I'm so excited for this opportunity and can't wait to have this experience!

Oh the Anxiety...

Well, I'm terrified. Just TWO WEEKS until I leave for London for the rest of the summer! I'm excited, but nervous and anxious to travel to a brand new city and country on my own. I'm sure that once I get there most of my fears will disappear, but right now it's a lot of stress thinking about what I need to take, flying out of the country by myself, where I'll work and live. Most of it is out of my hands at this point, so I'm trying to calm down my control freak self and just let things take their course...

I'm going to attempt to blog while I'm gone, depending on how much time I'll really end up having. So check for updates regularly, I'd love to be able to keep in touch with all of my family a little bit through this!

I can't believe I'm almost there!!!

 

 

Back to School...

I definitely got used to this.

Well it's back to my real life after getting used to sunshine and warm weather in the Caribbean. I had such a good time with all of my family... Occasionally there were times when we got annoyed with each other, but overall, I'm sad that it's back to normal. I got pretty used to seeing everyone just about nonstop for an entire week. And I definitely dread being back in Oklahoma with cloudy skies, snow, and below freezing temperatures. I was ready to get back home though--I missed Mexican food, Dr. Pepper, and Chinese food. I've already had all three of those things more than once and it's only been a couple of days. Then it was back to school today... I've been to one class so far, and I'm already overwhelmed. Back to my responsibilities...

So excited that she's going to be my sister-in-law!

Counting Down the Days...

Well, another semester has finally come and gone, and I can now say that I only have THREE more left until I'll be done! {Three more semesters until I'm out in the real world, scared and jobless.} I'm still upset that I should be graduating this May, if not earlier, but whatever... I'll try not to dwell on that too much.

Overall, as far as how most semesters have gone since I've been in design school, this one wasn't too bad. I technically had only one studio class, which really was terrible, but I came out alive and with straight A's! I got to take a couple of pretty enjoyable classes, stepped out of my comfort zone a little bit and got involved as an officer in our ASID chapter (American Society of Interior Designers), and sort of figured out what I would like to do with my life. Not bad as far as being productive...

ASID Trip to Bartlesville - Price Tower

Super fun trip to Bartlesville!

I've finally discovered that the thing I should have studied in the first place is Art History, but I'm lucky enough to be able to squeeze that into my schedule and minor in it. Unfortunately, I had to take Drawing for it, but actually had a pretty good time because unlike in design, your work is allowed to be a little messy. It was sort of liberating to break out of the precision and technicality we're always required to have in interior design. My favorite drawing assignment was choosing a drawing from a master artist and recreating it and enlarging it using a grid. I chose a sketch by Raphael, and I'm pretty proud of how it turned out...

Now it's on to enjoying a much needed, but way too short break, and preparing myself for next semester (16 hours! I'm going to be really upset with myself.)... It's been a busy break so far and it'll go by so fast::: Christmas with my extended family in Tulsa just this last weekend, actual Christmas with my family this weekend, Christmas with all of the Vaughns on the 27th, and somehow plan a get-together with my dad and that side of my immediate family. Then it's on to New Years Day when we'll be getting up bright and early to head out on a family vacation where we'll get to cruise the Caribbean! Can't wait!

Christmas socks are my favorite.

It's That Time of Year!

I just have to say that UCO's campus puts me in the best mood in the winter. Even though I'm usually freezing and carrying a million presentation boards, portfolios, or supplies that are blowing in the blustering wind, my school's Christmas lights on campus make me happy. No matter how stressed out I get about end of semester projects and getting everything done, seeing Old North all lit up makes me "feel it in my fingers" and "feel it in my toes!" Our pretty lights are one of the many things that make me proud to go to Central! I love my school everyday, but I definitely look forward to Christmas on campus all year long!
{Sorry in advance for having to Google some not-so-great images. I don't love my school enough to look dumb taking my own pictures on my own campus.}

Good work, Pitzer Lawn Management?