1 week, and over $1000 down.

The first week on my invasion of London town has been successful to say the least.
Sitting, exhausted, hungover, and covered in glitter, I finally have a moment to post about my week.


The first couple days were a challenge not to be noticed for being American. The UK is like an alternate universe (i.e. Fringe) where everything is the same just a little different. Everything from electricity, to water pressure, to toilets, phone numbers, queuing, to ordering food, its all the same give or take a few details. 
How am I suppose to know that you need to press the button for the door to open on the tubes? or how to handle a 13 digit phone number? &that if you ask for water, you get it in a bottle. Specify "tap."

Theres a lot more to worry about than just "minding your gap."
Make sure when crossing, you look left.
and when taking the escalator, stand to the right!

We've learned not to confuse the Tower Bridge with the London Bridge,
that Platform 9&3/4 actually exists,
and that the following boys, may be hugging, they may be kissing, but they are most definitely not nancys! (we'll get to that in a moment)

We've also learned that cab drivers will only take you when it's convenient for them and no one is capable of giving you directions.

We've already be followed by someone who just got out of jail, witnessed fighting in the streets, as well as a chav (Brit for white trash) getting tackled by a couple of Bobby's (Brit for PoPo).

and we also happened to stumble upon the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

Best places so far to visit: Camden market, and Oxford street. So dangerous. I'm going to attempt to not do any shopping (unless i HAVE TO HAVE IT) until December and then spend the left over money before i go home.

Fashion update: (after the jump, click it bitches!)

Mind Your Gap!

Tonight:
Oneil's: American Bar. 
Beer
American classic rock.
Dancing.
Beer.

Girls making out with British guys.
Dancing.
Girls on the floor.
Beer.
Girls making out.
Dancing.
Beer.
Dancing.
Dancing.
Beer.
Dancing.
Fun :D
Beer.
Sandwich.
Bed.

Photos after the jump.

Day of Genesis.

Anxeity persued by excitement.
accents in the terminal.
liftoff. soaring to the future,
hours ahead of reality, into a dream.
into the black nothingness.
Stars, moon, ocean glow.
the memory of your hands.
Ingrid.
Lights out.
day break.
Keliedescope, heart.
Red, orange, green, blue.
clouds.
the rumble, the noise, the stillness.


London isn't real. The homes, the brick, the cobblestone,
the history mashed with postmodernism.
the order, the chaos, the royalty.
Today has been filled with getting lost, getting found,
Tapas, Indian cuisine, and beer.

Mischief to insue tomorrow.

T-Minus 6 hours til departure...

First of all, epic fail on the phone situation. I thought I could wait til the last minute to jailbreak which would have been possible if I wasn't so on top of updating my phone. The hack no longer works with the version of iOS that im using. I'll just have to buy a notsosmart phone to use in the meantime until the new hack comes out.

Second, a recommendation on money matters for any study abroad student: Capitol One offers credit cards with a 0% conversion fee on international use. Everyone else charges about 3%. The card I have has 0% APR until April, so I can accumulate some debt and not worry about it right away.
Unfortunately, Crapitol One lives up to its name quite well: they only gave me a $500 limit, they require you to call them every month to give them an update on where youre traveling to, and my card, without reason, has already been frozen. I had to call and get the hold lifted. When I asked why, they couldnt give me a reason as to the cause. Seriously.
I 100% plan on canceling the card after I get back. its a piece of shit.

Third, Packing is the most monumental task I've ever undertaken. I've eliminated quite a bit. Theres plenty of room in the physical suitcase, but it's exceeding the weight allowance. My shoes alone weigh 11 lbs, and thats after eliminating two pairs!

Swiss Army Bag courtesy of Dante R. Russo.

I honestly dont think I'm being too excessive. Looking at all that stuff and deciding what to eliminate is very difficult, and my mom saying "you sure you dont want to bring that" doesnt help either.

*shoots self*

Therapy and Valium

Massive packing anxiety. I unfortunately am unable to sleep the week before major life events, so I'm sure that isn't helping much either.
I leave tomorrow and I can honestly say that I've only managed to pick out my suitcase and pile the shit that has to be washed into my hamper. Fab.

Tomorrow I'm going to perform a magic act trying to fit all my shoes into a suitcase.
(p.s. every single pair is Aldo, shocker)

Oh, and a weather update: SURPRISE! Rain every day!
"If you don't like the weather in London, wait 5 mins."

New York vs London

Goodbye to my iPhone for 3 months? I THINK NOT

One of the biggest questions I've had is "what am I gonna do about a cell phone!?" "mobile" in English, cause apparently we dont speak English in America. -.-

I've heard various opinions from different people, most of which have encouraged me to get a "go-phone."

Being a victim of a serious iPhone addiction, I get anxiety just thinking about sleeping without my iPhone next to my pillow (shutup, you know you all do it!)

SO, ive come up with a solution!
Jailbreak my iphone and buy a UK SIM only tariff. (once again, Tarriff = plan. I know... it sounds like we've gone back in time to the Boston Tea Party)

How to Use Your iPhone in the UK: A Guide by The Queen

(click "read more" bitches!)

I wish I could write in a British accent...

Dozens of applications, phone calls, emails, and lots of money later, I've arrived at the most difficult part of preparing to go abroad: waiting. 

T-minus 43 days until I'm jet-setting across the pond.

How many more pairs of heels do I have to try on to make time go by faster?