Expectation

Hello everyone!

A lot has happened since I last wrote, classes have finally started and I am really excited to see what this semester brings. It's going to be a lot of self-motivated work and independent studies. I have started developing some ideas as to what direction I want my artwork to go, so we will see what begins to happen! Other than art studio classes I have a British Life & Culture class (class full of mostly Americans, not so excited about) and a sculpture history course (I am the only American, definitely excited about).

Last weekend I went into London and met up with some friends to check out Buckingham Palace.

After the initial joy of seeing it, there wasn't much else to do so we went off to find Harrods. I about had a brain aneurism just from being in such a wonderful department store. The walk there alone was enough to quench any fashion obsessed's thirst for high-end clothing.

Right near my house is a park that I often cut through on my way to campus. It is right along the Thames and is a nice little break from the shop-lined streets. Lately I've taken to bringing a book or sketchbook and just sitting on a bench that stares across the river. It's quite relaxing. Not much other than class has happened this week, other than that I bought my ticket to go to Rome, Italy during my 'Reading Week' which is a week break in early November. I will be meeting Claire and Greg there.

"Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality." -Ralph Marston

miss you all!

Sunshine

Today I went out to Brighton with a large group from university. It was the most gorgeous day out, sunny and actually warm! In case you don't know, Brighton is on the South coast of Great Britain and has a large gay community. Back in the day the city was a popular destination for people looking to get treatment for gout. They would not only bathe in the sea water, but also drink it in medical concoctions. There is a large pier with carnival attractions, such as games and rides. The water looked absolutely beautiful, as well as the pebble covered beach.

We didn't go on any rides, but Claire and I did have a photoshoot!

For lunch we all had our first taste of fish and chips here in England-- THEY WERE SO GOOD!

I just about drowned mine in vinegar. After lunch we got to tour the Royal Pavilion of George the Prince of Wales, later King George IV. Spanning the years of 1775-1818, George developed what was once a small, quaint four room farmhouse into a extravagant, East Asian inspired palace. The Pavilion looks extremely out of place in Brighton, but it is gorgeous none-the-less. The outside architecture is Indian inspired, while the interior and decorations are China inspired. There is an extreme amount of history behind this building, but I do not want to bore you all with the information. It's quite interesting though, so read up!




Sorry no pictures of the inside, it was prohibited. After the tour I got some ice cream with my mates and walked around. Brighton is such a great place to be, and I am so happy that we got nice weather!

"But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement, the greater part of life is sunshine." -- Thomas Jefferson

peace out girl scouts.

Exploration

So I have been here for four full days now, and have a bit more to update you all on. The first night that I was here, I went to a local pub with Joe, Rob, and Will. I got to taste a few of the local beers that they have out here, I liked all but one! Other than that we just had some good conversation. I learned some slang, some history, and described the art of the corn dog. Will and Rob found that quite humorous. I guess a hot dog on a stick, dipped and fried does not sound that delicious, though it is.

The next day I had a day of orientation and enrollment, where there was a welcome meeting and such. It was a long, slightly boring day. I did get to walk around town and see what was around. There is a lot of nice stores, and many various place to eat. That night there was a gathering at a local pub for all of the international students. It was fun to meet so many different people from so many different places.

On Friday I got to catch up on some sleep which was nice. In the evening Claire, Greg, Joe, and I met up with Greg's dad, who is here on business, at a Japanese restaurant called "Wagamamas". It was SO GOOD. After we met up with Rob and his friends, to see his mate's band at a pub. It was cool, we caught about four different bands.

Saturday we went into London to explore. Right off of Waterloo station Big Ben and the London eye were visible.



We ended up in Soho, walked down Regent Street and Oxford Circus. There is great shopping in this area. We didn't sight see anything in particular, but did pass by the National Gallery, which I am very excited to visit. We also caught the anti Pope march that was going on that day.


Today, Sunday, I finally got to relax. I went into town to the market to grab a few things, but other than that I just read and rested up. Claire and Greg came by later in the evening for dinner and such.
“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.”
goodnight all.

mood: content

music: Temper Trap

As I look out the plane window from somewhere between the ground and 35,000 ft. in the air, it is dusk and the clouds sit protectively over the world below. I can see the scattering of life beneath me, and the lights of metropolis create an intricately patterned work of art.

Five hours or so later the sun is rising again, and I feel as if an entire secret day has passed without me.

So everyone, I am now in England at the house that I will be staying in for the duration of my stay. I am staying with a family, husband and wife (Pete and Val), and then their sons. Their sons are my age and older, so it is nice to have someone to show me around. I am also staying with another GVSU friend, Joe. The house is lovely and very cozy.

"There is no end of craving. Hence contentment alone is the best way to happiness. Therefore, acquire contentment."

I am exhausted so will update more later!

Excitement

Hello All,

I have decided to start this blog as a narration and documentation of my journey that is to happen over the next 3 months or so. It is so that I can keep in touch, as well as give you an intimate peek into my every day occurrences, mishaps, and epic ventures that lead me to taste the air of promise and opportunity...

I will end each of my posts with a striking thought from my Digest of Striking Thoughts that will relate (hopefully) to the title of that post.

"Never be afraid because the community teems with excitement.-- Silence and death are dreadful.-- The rush of life, the vigor of earnest men, and the conflict of realities, invigorate, cleanse, and establish the truth." - H. W. Beecher

That being said... London here I come!