2012: The beginning of a new year

I thought about titling this entry with something about the end of 2011 but I usually prefer to look forward at New Years and to what lays ahead. 2011 was an interesting year with definite highs (traveling, my move to come back to school, and spending time with great friends) and lows (leaving great friends, moving farther away from my family, and of course the mediocre Iowa football season among more personal others).
--------
I enter 2012 with a lot of unknowns: the topic of my dissertation, what I'll be doing after September 15 (when I turn my dissertation in), where I'll be living. This is also exciting because it's the next phase in my life and I'm really looking forward to the direction I will go. My experience at graduate school so far has been exactly what I was looking for; a small specialized school in which students are engaged and I'm learning about the Middle East region from an anthropological perspective.
---------
My holiday has been eventful so far and I need to post about it! My sister has been here for a week and activities included: seeing London, Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Les Miserable and excellent Christmas Eve dinner, 2 days in Edinburgh, Scotland. And now my cousin is also here and activities included: Wicked, Camden, and Brick Lane. Upcoming activities include fish and chips, New Years Eve, New Years Day parade, and Covent Garden. It's been a full schedule but that's why it's fun to have people come and visit! Pictures and more entries will definitely follow soon.
---------
I know 2012 will be a stellar year with new experiences and dealing with new changes. Best wishes to everyone for a Happy New Year!

Showing some support!

My friend Lorenzo Evans has made things happen. He's created a brand for himself and has recently created the newest line dance phenomenon - Soul Food Line Dance. Dancer, Choreographer and Owner of goLo World Dance Company in the Washington DC area, Lorenzo has taught masters classes at both the Kennedy Center in DC and the Lincoln Center in NY. He has also worked with Chuck Brown, the 'Godfather of Go-Go' and opened his own dance studios in the DC area.

-------

Lorenzo and I met when we both worked at Smithsonian Journeys (now under Smithsonian Enterprises) together and it's been fun to hear about his adventures ever since. Lorenzo will be coming to the UK to teach a masters class in Manchester. He's featured on the cover of Linedancer Magazine http://www.linedancermagazine.com/magazine.html.

--------

Making a name for yourself in the dance world is very hard to do, so I want to give props to Lorenzo for continuing to make things happen and gaining international recognition for all of his hard work!

--------

You can see his Soul Food Line Dance here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn306f5yUcs

Already the end of Term 1

These past 3 months have flown by. It seems like I just arrived in London, not that it could already be the end of my first term at grad school. So much has happened in such a short period of time that it really makes my head spin. Leaving my job in Washington DC to move to London and become a student again after 5 years of being in the working world, entering into dorm life (something I NEVER thought I'd do again!), and being in a constant state of 'studying.' I've loved every minute though. From the 6 hours I spent waiting to check-in to my room with 3 suitcases, being sick for a month, and finally experiencing the London weather, ie spitting rain, colder weather, and wind in my face to meeting amazing people who want to help the world, studying the Middle East at such a pertinent time in history, and exploring the fantastic areas of London.

---------

The end of Term 1 means I am halfway done with my courses, that I now have 3 weeks to write 2 papers and study for an Arabic exam AND that my sister is coming in a week and my cousin is visiting in 2 weeks! It will be so much fun to have visitors and do things that I don't normally get to do. And then begins Term 2 which will fly by: courses, writing 2 more papers, studying for end of year exams AND beginning my dissertation. Some of my classmates went out for dinner earlier this week and it was so nice to socialize outside of the classroom but it also meant we talked about paper topics and the upcoming dissertation ideas. It's so interesting to hear what people are thinking of researching and while I have a few ideas they definitely need to be played around with and narrowed in scope. After the end of Term 2 and exams in early May, I will spend the summer researching and writing 10,000 words! I'm actually looking forwrad to it. Yep, I did just say that!

Christmas Tree Lighting

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Festive lights adorn every building and on 1 Dec tradition continued with the 65th tree gifted from Norway and lit in Trafalgar Square. The tree is presented as a token of appreciation to Britain for assistance during World War II. Rain had just started to fall so we huddled under umbrellas with the rest of the crowd to hear speeches, singing, and a flick of a switch to light the tree! Of course the Christmas tree lighting was followed by dinner in Chinatown, right down the street.

30 November Day of Action

On the 30 November, the biggest strike in 30 years hit the UK. The public sector (teachers, civil servants) around the UK was protesting to defend cuts to their pensions. Predictions put the number of workers striking at 2-3 million and 90% school closure. The number of strikers was much less and only about 58% of schools were closed.

--------

Much of SOAS was on strike for the day: the shop and pub were closed all day, classes were canceled and there were picket lines. I went to campus around 10am to check out the scene and it was really just a handful of people milling about. There were picket lines in front of the doors to the main buildings and people huddled around coffee. And the city was surprisingly quiet. Although to be fair, people who were striking were all outside of their own institutions and buildings. The rest of the day was spent in a coffee shop with my flatmate studying!

--------

Last week I was running from one class to the next when I ran into a crowd of people standing outside of the building I needed to get in to. Apparently, there was another protest (just a few people with a loud speaker) and the building had gone on 'lock down.' No one in or out. It was more amusing than anything since I missed all the action. Fortunately, the lock down ended and I was able to make it to class....spoken like a true student!

Experience with the NHS

I was sick for a few weeks and I hate being sick. Low energy and stomach pains. Exactly what I did not want to deal with right after coming to London and starting school. Fortunately there is a great health care system here (the National Health Service - NHS) and then the tests began. After about a month of dealing with the pain and going in for tests and results, I had my third and I hope final appointment today for awhile! I'm used to going in to the doctor, telling her what's wrong and walking out with a prescription....not here. Test after test was negative ending with the same negative results today! Of course. Finally I am feeling better though! The doctor told me that I probably had some type of infection (I did have heightened levels of white blood cells) but now that I'm ok, all is well again. Go figure.

Video about SOAS

This video is all about SOAS, from the learning environment to the type of students who attend. And it's all so true! Makes me laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pijH2AyGiSQ

A much needed visit to Germany

I love Germany. When I'm asked what my favorite place is that I've visited it's of course very tough because I have enjoyed so many places! But, I will also make it a point to mention that I truly enjoy Germany with it's beautiful landscape, small villages, and wonderful people. My visit to celebrate Thanksgiving was just what I needed!

---------

Highlights included:

--Spending time with my aunt, of course

--A little relaxation in the form of sleeping in and a massage!

--Playing with my aunt's pets (2 cats - Chancey and Shelia and a dog - Charlie)

--Really yummy food - Thanksgiving dinner was fabulous, tapas, and German food

--The Dudeldorf Christmas market with Gluhwien (spiced wine) and really great stalls that weren't on top of each other but around the village in people's barns and garages!

---------

Sigh, and now it's back to reality. A busy week indeed! Extra lectures and a very big public sector strike all across the country. Class themes this week include 'Authoritarianism' in Politics, 'History Remembered, Recovered, Disputed' in Culture and Society and my first Arabic quiz! Plus it's almost December which seems unreal. I can't believe I've already been here for 2 months although it is amazing how you adapt and settle in to a routine in no time.

Chancey. A loving cat who loves attention!

Happy Thanksgiving

I think this is the first time ever I will not be spending Thanksgiving with my family in Iowa. That has been my holiday to 'go home' where we celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas all together.

This year, being in London it is harder (and much more expensive) to get home. I am very thankful to also have family in Europe! I am spending Thanksgiving with my aunt who lives in Germany. I love coming to visit and it's nice to spend time with her and be outside the city. I love the Germany countryside and how beautiful it is. I arrived yesterday and we flew over a wall of fog so thick it blanketed the crevices of the winding roads and filled the gaps between mountains. Once it burned off, it was a gorgeous day! Sunshin and warm weather which meant I didn't even need a jacket. Quite unusual for late November! Today is a relaxing day with Thanksgiving dinner this afternnon with my aunt's friend and daughter who is going to culinary school next year....should be amazing!

I will miss Black Friday though...as has been our tradition, we start relatively late (arrive by 7am) and a mall either Southpark in Moline or head to Iowa City and then are done by 11am and looking for lunch! I'm not about to go wait in line at Best Buy or Target and deal with the crazy crowds! Usually people don't make it to the malls until later, so I can get all of my shopping done fairly easily!

I am thankful for so much:

-Wonderful Family and Friends (all over the world!)

-The opportunity to go back to school and in London!

-That I'm feeling better! (I've been feeling unwell for awhile and am finally starting to feel normal again!)

-That I can spend the holiday with my aunt

-Among so many other things. :)

I hope everyone enjoys the holiday!

What happens when there's no Thanksgiving?

Well, Christmas comes November 1! That's what happens when there is nothing between Halloween and Christmas (although Christmas supplies started going up at stores before Halloween!). The lights went up on Oxford Street (a major shopping area) November 1 or 2 I believe. They are quite beautiful and the window displays are wonderful. It's just SO early. Haha

Such a beautiful day and great view of the London Eye and Big Ben

Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day and I ended up stumbling upon a Christmas market on the South Bank of the River Thames. I was quite delighted to see the festive atmosphere. Everything from German bratwurst to gingerbread houses to a snowglobe with Santa that you could get your photo taken in; the market started off with a bang! There were a ton of people out and the market is right near the London Eye which was packed. Street performers lined the sidewalk with various acts. Some were much more successful than others...the breakdancers, the bubble guy and the guy juggling on needles definitely had a larger crowd than spiderman or the Viking.

Totally felt real

So many gingerbread houses

Of course there were carolers

Sweets galore!

Definitely a big crowd for the guy juggling on needles

Wreaths made of oranges and other good smelling things

Back to work

Hello Monday morning. :) It's always hard going back to work/school after a break. Last week being reading week meant no class, but it also means I'm halfway done with my first term! It's crazy how fast time flies. Now it's time to buckle down and focus again...

-----

Topics for this week include:

Comparative Politics: Gender and Politics

-----------an interesting article on our reading list was about female suicide bombers in Palestine

Culture and Society: Textual Authority and the Power of the Law

-----------articles focusing on apostasy in different Middle Eastern countries

History: Reform in Iran

----------or lack thereof under the Qajar rulers

Arabic: more work with verbs (can't wait!)

Kenwood House

I wanted to do something to end the week on Friday and something FREE sounded perfect. Kenwood House is located in Hampstead and right next to Hampstead Heath Park. It was a typical London day with mist and fog but a perfect setting to view the sprawling neoclassical mansion originally built in the 17th century. The Suffock Collection is quite impressive with works of art gracing every wall of each room. The library is stunning. One I can only dream of! The view of the property from the mansion is quite impressive. Wide open space leading down to a river. It's a little piece of greenery in a city full of buildings and exhaust fumes. And I loved it. It was so quiet and peaceful and like being back in nature! Don't get me wrong, I do love London, but it was certainly nice for an afternoon break.

Entrance to Kenwood House

The Library! My heaven

Another view of mansion

View from the mansion from the perspective above. Quite a backyard

Tree on the Kenwood property

Chicago in London

I love musicals. And being in London, so close to the West End (theatre district) is like heaven, especially when you can find student deals! The deal I found for Chicago was actually on Groupon...but you get the idea. Chicago opened at the Garrick Theatre earlier this week (I saw the show on 10 Nov) with America Ferrera as Roxie Hart and Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly.

From the moment the lights came up I was engaged. The singing was wonderful, the dancing was amazing, and the set/lighting were one of the best I've seen! Professional is the word that came to mind from the smallest hand placement to the interaction with and performance from the band. It was really nice to see a good show and be entertained. All of the actors have had a ridiculous amount of experience and it definitely showed.

I only had 2 issues....the guy's big head in front of me and the train station under us! But, neither of those can be helped and had nothing to do with the show which I really loved!

The scene was set in the lobby

Hampton Court Palace and Birthday Dinner

I haven't been feeling well for a couple of weeks and felt even less like doing anything that would require me to exert any type of energy. SO, I was so excited when I finally started to feel better this week. I'm in London! I want to explore! Especially since it's my birthday! (Wed 9 Nov) I decided to forgo the demonstrations in which thousands protest the rise of education costs in the
UK. The demonstration was tightly controlled by police with 4,000 on hand to maintain the peace. Education fees are set to triple which is ridiculous. Many Britons decided to go back to school this year so they could sneak in before the increase....and I don't blame them!

So, rather than stay in the city, I decided to get away to Hampton Court Palace. I started to watch The Tudors show before I left for London and really got in to it. Hampton Court was a great place to visit! I arrived after taking the underground tube to an overground train. The weather was fairly overcast, but cool and perfect for walking around.

Main Entrance to Hampton Court Palace

The palace, in Richmond upon Thames and right on the river, was given to King Henry VIII in 1529. It was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey who fell from the King’s graces. You can see the influence of Henry’s many wives prior to being beheaded! Not to be outdone by the French in
the next century, William III started a major expansion project which stopped when he ran out of money.

Fountain in Base Court. Now spouts water, but would've spouted wine

The palace is massive with Henry VIII, William III and Mary II, and Georgian apartments. Not to mention the stunning palace gardens. I can’t imagine having so many people in your home at one time…although you’d never have to do anything except socialize, although not even that if you didn’t want to! There were a series of rooms in which William III could become more and more secluded in which less people had access. If he wanted ultimate privacy, he went to his wife’s bed chambers, which by the way are magnificent. Long corridors, grand staircases, beautiful artwork and furniture; it’s like a mini city. Everything you needed right at your disposal.

The Bed Chambers

My weather luck changed when I went outside to wander the gardens. The sun came out and offered a beautiful backdrop to the well-kept English gardens. I would love to look out my window and have that view every single day. Unfortunately the tennis courts were closed for the season…although I did make my way through the maze to the center and back out again. I felt a bit like Harry Potter although without the demons and fog wafting about.

Views of the Palace from the Gardens

My birthday was certainly off to a wonderful start! It continued with a partial flat dinner (minus 1 flatmate who had to actually do school-related activities). We went to Jamie’s Italian, a Jamie Oliver restaurant. I had mushroom ravioli with a side of brussels complete with red wine and ricotta cheesecake, to share, for dessert. It was such a nice evening! I think I have my new go-to restaurant in London. I loved the atmosphere, very laid-back and active but with really good food. It’s been so interesting comparing lifestyles with my Asian flatmates. The topic of the evening was about living with your family as you get older. Both my parents (I am speaking for them) and I couldn't wait for me to move out. Me living on my own has certainly made our relationship much easier and closer. Sarah (from China) mentioned now that she's away from her parents they have started saying how much they miss her and want her to come home.

A lovely day indeed!!

Yummy!

Reema (one of my flatmates) and Me

Two of my flatmates, Sarah and Veronica

Birthday/Reading Week Extravaganza

I wanted to do something fun. To say I was excited to see the Michael Jackson Thriller Live show at the Lyric Theatre is an understatement. What more could I ask for than 2 1/2 hours of pure Michael Jackson greatness?

I was a little underwhelmed by the first number, ‘Jam.’ The choreography was just ‘eh’ and the performance seemed a little lackluster. But, I was not to be disappointed for long. Michael Jackson had such a long career that lasted decades and over many genre changes. The young guy who sang the parts in the Jackson 5 hits was quite a performer! He stole the show – charismatic, stage presence, a great voice and smooth dance moves. He definitely has a great career ahead of him.

The show progressed through the times and 4 main singers divided the songs. It seemed like a Tuesday night cast, not the starters, but the female singer among the guys stood out. She was incredible and had a great command of the stage. They got the crowd participating at a couple of points even though it was like pulling teeth…it was hard not to want to get up and dance though! In the second half of the show a few extra dancers appeared and a guy who sang some of
Michael’s famous songs like Smooth Criminal. He really stole the dance move show. Very Michaelesk. He had the hat tilt, white socks, and moon walk down.

The encore included Bad, Thriller, and ended with Black and White. It was quite a show! I left the theatre thoroughly pleased and in such a good mood just remembering all that Michael Jackson did throughout his life and for music. I remember one of my Arabic professors telling us that he learned English because of listening to Michael Jackson songs. He certainly is an icon and will never be forgotten.

Fall Leaves

Fall in London. The weather has finally changed and I haven't seen the sun recently...however, the leaves are still changing and create beautiful scenes like this one in Brunswick Square which is on my route to campus.

It's November!

I realize it's been a week since I've written...since I haven't been up to much, a couple of fun facts:

--Tickets are assigned seating (like a sporting event) at the movie theater and you can buy VIP tickets for the 'good' seats!

--You have to put a 1 pound deposit in a cart to use it at Sainsburys grocery store; fortunately you get it back when you return the cart.

--It gets dark at 4:30pm. Seriously.

--Guy Fawkes Night is more like a week-long celebration rather than a night...fireworks have been going off all week!

--A fake tan ban has been instituted on the rugby team, The Ospreys. Gavin Henson, a Welsh player and most recent Bachelor can't get his spray on anymore. http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/15190/7288840/Ospreys-impose-fake-tan-ban

Brighton and White Night/Halloween

I went on my first 'trip' to Brighton!! It's so easy to travel and just about an hour train ride to Brighton from London. This seaside town is best described as vibrant! My friend and former co-worker, Jessie lives there and invited me to come celebrate White Night, a festival commemorating the end of British Summer Time which also fell on the same weekend as Halloween this year. So, I got to make the most of my costume by wearing it again!

-------------

I arrived early afternoon and Jessie and her boyfriend, Dan showed me around the main part of the city. There were so many people out and so much around: restaurants, shops, markets, graffiti! We stopped by a really cute vegetarian restaurant for an afternoon snack and my almond and lemon cake was amazingly fresh and refreshing!

Tea and Cake

One of many graffitied walls

The Pavillion

-------------

Costumes on, we were ready to head out for White Night. There's a huge schedule of outdoor and indoor activities around the city which go on all night. After stopping by a friend's penthouse apartment overlooking the sea, our first stop was the aquarium which offered free entrance (normally about 7 or 8 pounds). It was actually pretty good and huge! Then we made our way through the Pavillion area walking among a TON of people. It was amazing how many people were out and about. We found a tent where they had dancing and then made our way to a gallery which had a DJ playing. As an American, I don't just carry around an open container of alcohol. But, apparently the laws are quite different here. So, people just go to the local convenience store and stock up (plus it's much cheaper!).

-------------

I really really enjoyed going to Brighton. It was nice to get out of the craziness that is London and to see the Sea! I love water and love that it is so close. Although my long night out really made me quite tired...time to catch up on sleep especially since Reading Week is coming up next week! Literally, a week to do reading...catch up or get ahead! Although there were certainly be some fun activities to come.

Halloween...London Style

I think the best costume I saw was on the tube...this guy was dressed as an Australian (Crocodile Dundee style) but the part that made his costume was a blow up kangaroo! Apparently Halloween has been growing in popularity here in London; although I have to admit, it was kind of hard to determine if people were dressing up for the holiday or if that was just their style! Since Halloween was on a Monday, festivities were going on beginning Friday night. Stores even had quite a selection of Halloween decorations, candy and costumes. I had a great time at a house party on Friday evening to kick off the weekend!

Betsy and I all dressed up!

Love the Jack O' Lanterns!

Seen on the Tube

Sunday October 30 at 11:45am

--a guy pulling out and reading a Jodi Picoult book (I'm not judging!)

--a guy with a killer mullet

Camden

I needed to put the finishing touches on my Halloween costume and the first place that came to mind was Camden! It's got to be one of my favorite parts of the city. It's a great area with shops, a huge market, food stalls and an extremely diverse mix of people. It's been described as 'alternative' and I love it. From Chinese food vendors begging you to try a bite of chicken to girls wearing black tights over underwear and a shirt not long enough to cover anything, Camden is like a melting pot. I was able to find a cowboy hat and bandana right after I stepped out of the tube. The shops were all decked out for Halloween and there was certainly some fun/crazy/wild outfits available.

Belgian Waffle shop

Awesome bench

Stall in Camden market

I remember seeing this mural when I was in London in February...it has a bit of a different meaning now

Store fronts in Camden

A timely look out the window

The weather has been quite interesting since I've arrived in London. I was told to expect cloudy, rainy days most of the time. And yet, I got a month of sunny, warm, beautiful weather. People kept telling me this was abnormal and yet it persisted. However, I think reality is back...ah well, it was to be expected. But yesterday I saw not once but twice a rainbow (not a double rainbow, but 1 at 2 different times) from my dorm room window. Being on the 7th floor provides a pretty nice view!