2 Weeks. One-Third.

Whoa! So apparently it's been nearly a week since I've updated, but life is fast-moving here! I've now officially been a Londoner for 2 weeks, and this makes for a third of my time here.

As I last mentioned, I was going to see a production called "Psy" which united circus acts with a theme of mental disorders. For example, addition, amnesia, multiple personality, etc. I did enjoy it. Did it blow my mind, nah, but I think there were definitely a few key moments where the performance and the concept united.

http://www.sadlerswells.com/show/The-7-Fingers-Psy

The show has since closed and moved on the Switzerland, but wonderfully I was able to have lunch with a few of the performers and chat them up about what they'd like to learn more of, how long it takes them to warm up and just spend some time with people who love their art.

Then on Sunday I went to the one and only HARROD's!

It is like the crack dealer for the shopaholic. I bought some chocolate from the chocolate bar, but mostly just walked around for the atmosphere!

On Monday I saw one of the best shows I've ever seen. In my life!
Ruined at the Almeida is a gorgeous play written by Lynn Nottage about a ladies house in the Republic of Congo during the war. Brilliantly performed. Delicious! I highly recommend it, if you're in town.


The following evening, I saw a play that didn't so much change my life. It was Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice. Not so great. Could be a great script, but you can't necessarily tell with the performance. I believe the actors were afraid of being sentimental and as a result, they were completely dishonest on stage.

Then! Kim and I set out for the famed "Jack the Ripper" walk with the company, London Walks. It was fun! I'd say I mostly enjoyed the fact that I got to see where everyone was, but unfortunately because most every building was a tenement house or brothel, they've either been destroyed by time or WW2. However, I did get to see the famous "White Chapel" (the white chapel district is where all the murders took place, east of the London Wall). And I got to see the Ten Bells pub, which is apparently the "Jack the Ripper" pub. Very cool.


Today, Thursday, I had some time off classes, so Angela and I went down to Portabello Road. Unfortunately, the market was closed for the day, but there were many stores to fill our appetites. My favorite was Yumi (http://www.uttamdirect.com)!! Some of the cutest things I've ever seen. I bought a sweet little ring with a cockatiel, since it's my favorite bird.

I realized lately I've seen so many shows that I decided to cool it a bit and see more of the sites. I need to go to some museums! Especially the British Museum which is a mere block from where I live. I also need to go to the Tate and the Victoria and Albert. And this weekend I may see Iron Man 2! We'll see :-)

Until next time,

Cheerio!
-L

We're Traveling to London to London to London...

While leaving my husband behind was most likely the hardest thing I've done since I met him, as the Beatles say, "I get by with a little help from my friends."

Until I get my financial aid on May 17th, I've got roughly $1275.00 (don't be alarmed, over here that's only 840£. Which is basically 70£ per day, or $100.00 per day. Again, I am not here to spend all the money I ever had, but it's good to know your maximum. And it was nice to walk into a nearby deli and order a sandwich and drink and pay 5.80£ and not worry too much.

Also, I am in complete awe of British Airways! First, I love that instead of "bathroom" they say "washroom" and instead of "double knot" they say "double bow". We were given a huge list of useful terms from our Offices here, and they're hysterical. Apparently, instead of "band-aid" they say "plaster". Someone tell me how that one happened! Secondly, they furnished us with so many useful accessories such as socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, blanket, pillow, headphones, etc. etc.



Took off at 7:40 and could see the sunset in the distance.



Had a little white wine with dinner, which was lovely. They gave me 2 in fact. I saved one for later.



Then, I saw the beautiful sunRISE! Which I've never seen from a plane!



And in the next photo I'm telling you how many hours of sleep I actually got!



But once I got on that coach from Gatwick into the city, and saw the English countryside, I knew I was in for a beautiful trip.



And seeing how beautiful the houses are in this city was just amazing. The architecture is fantastic here.

I'd say that my friend, the lovely angelaacts.com (classmate and flatmate) greatly explained how the housing situation went.

But here's the long and short of what I've done (as I started this blog yesterday, and did not finish it until today, May 7th.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Went to the grocery store: Sainsbury's: they do not have shopping carts and they make you bag your own food.

Found a great burger joint called THE ULTIMATE BURGER. It really was. I paid 10£ for a Eggplant burger and fries. Delicious!

Also, got a coupon on the street for McDonald's. 1.99£ for a Filet o Fish and Fries. I went for it.

Visited the famed Top Shop, H&M, and Miss Selfridge of Oxford Street.

The deli less than a block away has awesome paninis (I went for goat cheese, tomato, carrot and spinach) for 5£ !

Also, tonight Angela, Kim and I are planning on visiting a pub called the Princess Louise! Beer for only 1.66£ !

Also got a phone (to call my classmates in the UK for much cheaper) and an Oyster card (to ride the Tube!). I have never ridden a subway, so I'm most excited!

Plans for tomorrow: Perhaps go on a tour of the history of our district (Which is Bloomsbury) and then go see a show! We're thinking Miss Warren's Profession at the Comedy Theatre!

Cross your fingers that we get cheap tickets.

Cheerio!
-L

Prepare for Take-off

As my departure to London quickly approaches (3 days!!), all the last minute details start to fall into place and you've got to make sure you don't leave anything behind. Especially because I'm gone for 6 weeks and it's expensive to ship.

I started creating a checklist using a table in a word Document.

I've got my guidebooks and have made notes and dog-eared galore.



I've got my fabulous little adapter from Target for about $7.



My husband and I figured out the whole Skype-webcam thing to keep in touch for less.

I've got my 100GBP in Cash (which cost $165).




I've made copies of my Driver's license, passport, student ID, and credit cards and given them to someone I trust.

I haven't started packing yet, but I've been grouping things here and there so I can throw it all in.

I'm excited. And scared. I'd say its 50/50 right now. I'm just got a great traveler. Once I get there and I've overcome jet lag, I'm sure I'll love it! Not to say that I won't get homesick every now and then, but thankfully I've got some lovely classmates I know I can lean on from time to time and they can do the like with me as well.

See you across the pond!

Cheerio!
-L

A New Shirt and Camera

'ello!

While the next exciting London happening is not until April 5th (the tea), I thought a couple of recent things were blog-worthy.

Firstly, last night I was shopping at Walmart and came upon this fantastic little shirt for a mere dollar!




Yes, $1! How many pounds is that?! 0.67? Crazy! Anyhow, I had to buy it.

Secondly, I have been looking at my digital camera that has been with me a fair while and boasts a 512MB card and 5 megapixels with a 3x digital zoom (impressive, right?). I've been fairly happy with the Kodak Easy Share program, but wanted something with an optical zoom, video and audio capabilities, more megapixels, and not 8 years old.

This is what I found:



The Kodak EasyShare C160 Teal 9.2MP Digital Camera & 4GB SDHC Memory Card Bundle
For only $79.00 (53 GBP) at Walmart! I must be a real fan of Walmart.

Anyhow, I'm going to wait a bit, but I'm pretty happy with this decision. London grows closer and closer! Only a bit over a month now.

Cheerio!
-L

Tickets in Hand...

Last we spoke, I was searching for tickets to the A Fine Frenzy plus Owl City concert in Shepherd's Bush. Well, I found some! The usual ticket websites were not too helpful. So, I turned to ebay. Ebay.co.uk, that is. Found the cheapest tickets on the web! I've got myself the standing "mosh pit" section tickets for £29.50. Which translates to about $45.00! Great deal! Plus, the seller was able to email them to me, so I just print them out and take them along. Fab! I'm looking to getting some of my classmates some tickets in the same fashion. My first official London purchase!

Cheerio!
-L

Owl City and A Fine Frenzy in Concert!

The first event that I want to pre-order tickets for has been spotted. My favorite (or perhaps I should spell it favourite, as I'll soon be in London) band, A Fine Frenzy will be playing at Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 9th with Owl City!

I have never been able to see her live because I'm in graduate school in Florida and no one ever tours here. So, London has opened up a new and wonderful world for me already!

I'm hoping others of my class will be interested!

Cheerio!

-L

And so it begins...

Hello and welcome!

I am currently a second year student at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. I am working on getting my Masters degree in Acting from this fine establishment and as a part of our training, we are shipped off to London for 6 weeks in the end of our second year.

This trip is quickly approaching and for all those interested (family, friends, supporters of any kind) I decided to update and keep a blog of this trip to document (in word and image) all of the wonderful things that are sure to take place!

Be ready to see London from an American actor's point of view.

There will be theatre.

There will be museums.

There will be shopping.

We are set to leave from Orlando Airport on May 5th.

Upcoming events: A Tea on April 5th with the previous second year women to pick their brains about the beautiful place that is London!

Cheerio!

-L