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!

Portobello Market

What do you get when you mix sunshine, a Saturday, and Portobello Market? A mass of people! Betsy and I braved the crowds yesterday to visit Portobello Market in Notting Hill. We have been so lucky to have beautiful weather to explore different areas of the city. And Portobello Market did not disappoint. Anything you're looking for can be found: gas masks, magnifying glasses, old boxing gloves, fruits, vegetables, breads, sweets, the list goes on. And there was certainly no shortage of of vintage clothing, silver, or antiques.

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A particular stall grabbed our attention with freshly baked breads that looked amazing! We were debating between raisin challah and ciabatta when a woman working at the stall asked if we needed help. Of course we did! I asked what her favorite was and she rubbed her hands together and said well, this bread goes amazing with cheese, this one is quite good on its own with just a little butter and this is is wonderfully spoungy. Betsy and I walked away with an onion loaf and a rye & wheat loaf to share. Some of the best bread I've had!

Week in Review: Hollywood Glam and Chopstick Ability

Hollywood Glam

I went to the National Portrait Gallery for the exhibition, "Glamour of the Gods: Hollywood Portraits." Just a few of the faces to grace the walls of the exhibit from the Golden Age (1920-1960) included (but are certainly not limited to) Clark Gable and Joan Crawford (Dancing Lady), Louise Brooks, Loretta Young, and Greta Garbo and John Gilbert (Flesh and the Devil). The vintage photos were classic, romantic, timeless, graceful. Even through the crowds of school children and older people reminiscing, the photos were a wonderful reminder of people and a time who exuded an elegance that is rarely found today. I mean, have we had another Audrey Hepburn?

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Mad Chopstick Ability

The first thing each of my Chinese flatmates asked (separately) was if I need silverware when we went to a Thai Chinese vegetarian buffet. Chopsticks were set out at the table, but forks and knives were available as necessary. I proudly said, actually, it might not be pretty, but I do know how to use chopsticks! Thanks to all my friends who LOVE sushi I have had quite a bit of practice. Assumptions are hard to bypass but it's amazing what you find out when you sit down and talk to people. Already differences are noted: the time it takes to prepare dinner (East vs. West), American vs. British accents (apparently I am hard to understand sometimes!), and the knowledge of chopsticks. It's going to be a very interesting year living with my flatmates and learning about life from a totally different perspective.

Library Stalking...

I was almost attacked today...in the library...for my chair and table space.

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Discussion has centered around use of public and private space in my courses for the first couple of weeks. Maybe I should just do an anthropological study of university students and space.

Happy Diwali

Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights is upon us again. During this time, Hindus pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, for a successful year and lamps are lit to help her find her way into their homes. Shreya, Anjana, Adam and I went to the annual London celebration yesterday and it was quite impressive. Located in Trafalgar Square, thousands of people had assembled to enjoy dance and music performances to celebrate the holiday. The sea of people, peacefully enjoying the day was refreshing and you felt as if you were a part of something bigger than just watching a stage. Again, the weather was gorgeous and a great day to be out and about!

Angel and a taste of Austria

The weather has truly been amazing. I'm told not to get used to it, but I can't help it! When the sun is shining and there are no clouds in the sky. Pretty fantastic. Another perfect day to be out, about, and exploring! Betsy and I made our way to Angel for the Islington Contemporary Art and Design Fair, a place for artists and designers to show and sell their work. The Fair takes place 0ver the 4 weekends in October with this weekend featuring Photography, Illustration, Graphics, and Printmaking. There were a few pieces I liked, some unique images of flowers and one in particular of a flower with a guitar.

After browsing the Fair, we strolled through Angel and some of the antique and vintage shops with great sequened tops from the 1950s and maps from the 1800s. We stopped for an afternoon snack of cake and coffee at Kipferl, an Austrian/Viennese Cafe and Kitchen. http://www.kipferl.co.uk/ It was a cute slice of Austria tucked away in Camden Passage.

Early Morning Run

Those of you who know me know I am a morning person. It's not even 9am and I have already gotten my run in for the morning and am ready to go for the day! Energy galore. Starting at 7:30am (and with quite a good turnout for such an early time), we started at SOAS and ran down to the River Thames and then made our way back. About 3 miles, fewer people on the streets and a beautiful morning with the sky painted oranges and pinks streaked with clouds. Next time, I'll have to bring my camera so I can get photos of Big Ben, the London Eye and with the amazing backdrop.

Finalization of Courses

Understanding not only the British education system but the SOAS education system has been challenging...to say the least. The website offers little explanation of term meanings, however I have a very responsive Chair of the Near and Middle East Studies department.

Definitions:

uni or university = college

course = class

tutorial/seminar = discussion sections

Talking with friends from other universities in London doesn't help clear much up either! It appears that each school has its own take on how many courses and credits are required to graduate. So, for SOAS I have to take 4 credits. Essentially, each year long course equals 1 credit (unless it is only a one term course and then it is 1/2 credit) and my dissertation also counts as 1 credit. Make sense? I have chosen 1 major course (Culture and Society in the Near and Middle East - Anthropology course) in which I will also write my dissertation and 2 minor courses (Comparative Politics of the Middle East and Arabic).

While I thought I had my schedule perfectly planned out after much deliberation and conflicting schedules (many courses I was interested in taking were offered at the same time as my major course), in the middle of the first week I was not sure I would be able to take what I wanted. The first week or so is all about checking out courses, lectures, and professors since one takes the courses all year. I sat in on a Turkish course and an Arabic course and worked it out to take Arabic through the Uni! So, Arabic was added to my schedule, 4 days a week. Not quite as big of a time commitment as the intensive course but exactly what I'm looking for. But to take Arabic I had to give up one of my original courses (Modernity and Transformation of the Near and Middle East - History course) which actually works out because it's over enrolled; rather than take this as a graded course, I will just be auditing. So, my schedule is as follows:

Mondays

12-1 Comparative Politics Lecture

3-5 Arabic

Tuesdays

9-10 Comparative Politics Tutorial

11-12 Culture and Society Lecture

12-1 Arabic

1-3 Culture and Society Seminar

(yes! it's a long day of class)

Wednesdays

11-1 Modernity and Transformation

Thursdays

11-1 Arabic

Fridays

1-2 Arabic

And yes, I'm here to learn! Wow, I am such a nerd. The best advice I received when researching going back to school was to just go for something I enjoyed. And I am so happy I made this decision. The reading is going to be insane, but it's all interesting which makes me want to do it. First up, public vs. private space in places like Turkey and Afghanistan and the value of subjective knowledge. What more can I ask for than to jump right in!?

Great Way to End the Week!

Up, down, and all around. But a great end to my first week at SOAS!!

First, I went to a meeting for the Running Club and talked about running for 2 hours. Then, I received the bank letters I requested so I can open an account and have access to money! And finally, (because all good things come in threes) I have a shower curtain rod to hang my shower curtain from! What a way to start the weekend!

Jury Info and Questionnaire Form

I have been living in Virginia for the past 5 years and even though I had my mail forwarded to Iowa while I am abroad at grad school, a few pieces continue to be delievered. Thankfully, Hayley, my awesome former roommate and Erin, my sister, have been saving the day!

So, what do I receive yesterday (a week and a half after I move) but an Information Form and Questionnaire to fill out to determine my eligibility for jury summons!

Out and About

Harrods in Chelsea. Beautiful store that's like a city covering a whole block!

Now that's fun wedding transportation.

Banksy, perhaps?

Such a beautiful day in Hampstead

Ice cream, but be careful!

Enjoying an authentic French crepe. Dark chocolate and banana. Yum!

Morning Awakening

The morning air is so crisp and fresh (well, as much as possible in a big city like London). Not realizing Sainsbury's grocery store opens at 11am on Sundays, my early morning start turned in to extra time to explore. It's a special and very eclectic group of people one sees walking the streets on a bright, sunny, Sunday. Remnants from the night before can still be seen for sure: trash, vomit, a slight smell of alcohol. But rolling out over last night's debaucheries are bakeries putting out their fresh pastries and breakfast rolls, families enjoying a stroll, and street sweepers cleaning up the rubbish. I love being witness to a city's fresh start to the day, a little peace and quiet before the streets are taken over with London craziness.

First Week in Review

1) "Mind the Gap"

2) You can't smoke indoors, but everyone still smokes

3) 2 fingers can mean a lot more than peace (and not in a good way)

4) Areas explored: Chelsea, Hampstead, Marleybone, Oxford Circus, Angel

5) Put in 1 pound (refundable) and get to use a cart at the grocery store

6) With all of the orientation activities I feel like a student again!