Goodbye America Senior... a look back

So.. this is my final full day in London and I am taking it easy. This morning I went on a run, played advanced wars, got fish and chips for lunch (my first time while here... I know some of you are probably surprised, but seriously... It's deep fried fish and potatoes so get over yourself), got my GBP exchanged for USD, and now I'm chilling out trying to think of how I want to look back on my stay here. I suppose that I should put a disclaimer out explaining that this was a great trip and I would not trade this experience for anything. I got some great experience in the British workplace and have a great recommendation from my supervisor. Plus, travel is a great way to get perspective on your own life. And believe me, I have spent plent of time anylizing the way I live here compared to how I live in the US. I've discovered some new passions and made some decisions about old ones. Overall, it's been wonderful. So no one needs to come out at the end of this post and spam me about not having fun. It's all been fun. Plus, I'm just that kind of person. I'm not a complainer. But... it would be foolish to simply write the experience off as perfect (I'm aware that no trip will ever be perfect). I think, to be fair, it is necessary to analyze the good and bad of this city in my final post. After all, you may want to visit London some day and wouldn't you like an honest opinion? Yes you would. Let's get started.

culture culture culture
When I first arrived, I was all star eyed at the world that was London: different accents and vocabulary, older buildings, driving on the opposite side of the road, and so on. My first trip out of my flat, a roommate and I got lost and had to ask people on the street for directions (to our surprise, they had no idea where the street we needed was). Just some of the things that marked my first impressions of the country. However, I must comment that once the impact of travel lessened, it became clearer to me that London and its people are not much different from those in the US. People go to pubs (bars), they eat fried foods (yeah fish and chips), and they shop a grocery stores in the same manner that you would in the United States. Similarly, they watch Big Brother, soap operas, and sporting events on television and then talk about them at work the next day. I'll admit that everything is not exactly the same, but our two nations share similar interests and concerns from day to day in my opinion. To be honest, ignoring the landmarks, if someone moved here, it would be like moving to a city in the US. Life just isn't that different.

Transportation
I've actually already commented on this, but I'll give a bit of a recap. The tube is great for the young go getters, but sucks for everyone else. Also, it's functionality is cut in half on weekends. So basically it is the most convenient piece of garbage around. One sign I saw claimed that the latest construction work (which was closing a few stops) would be finished in 2012. I bet some people look at that and wonder if they'll be alive to see that day.

Also, the price of a tube pass is pretty steep. I think we were charged about $200 for 6 weeks. So keep that in mind against the price of gas. It's probably less... but there is an added convenience when driving a car. Except gas prices are crazy high now... so that conclusion is probably going down the hole quickly.

Price
I knew before I arrived that the US dollar was crap compared to the GBP, so it wasn't necessarily a surprise that it was going to be expensive to buy things here. However, don't let that scare you off. On the flight over, a lot of students flying over were equating it to a sitation where everything would be twice as expensive. That isn't true. Yes, two dollars is worth one pound. But, the price of items in the UK are not one to one with the prices in the US. A $3.50 loaf of bread in the US, doesn't necessarily cost 3.50 GBP in the UK. So if anyone tells you that everything in London will cost you twice as much, don't listen to them. They're idiots.

That being said, it still is really expensive here. Sandwiches (only) run at about $8 at a nice sandwhich store (EAT or PRET). Shopping at the grocery store wasn't too bad though. The biggest difference I found was the prices of eating out and media are insanely high. My fish and chips today cost me about $14 and the beer cost about $6. Those are pretty standard prices for a decent meal. I didn't buy any cds or dvds here, but from what I saw it is about $30 for a cheap dvd... the kind you see at a grocery store. Then your Sam Goody-like locations are more than that. For anyone who watches the Simpsons, when thinking about the price of London, just imagine Skinner doing the that thing with his fingers to the PTA.

Sites, scenes, and attractions
Greatest city on earth for having things to do and for reasonable prices. I saw quite a few shows while I was here and hit up just about every museum and park that this city had to offer. Plus, there are a ton of couply activities that I didn't get to do. So I'll be back to hit those someday.

Conclusion
In the end, I want everyone to know that London is a great city and you could have a ton of fun here on your own or with another person. It is expensive, but it is completely possible to fill up six weeks and spend a reasonable amount. However, I would like to point out that if you think you'll come here and experience an amazing new culture, you can throw that idea out the window. Like my title suggests.. it's just America senior. It is a bit wiser, a bit older, and (like some seniors) the stores close at 8pm and call it a night.

NOTE: It has always been my opinion that most study abroad students come back with purely positive comments and fill every person they meet with the greatness and wonder that was their trip with no negative comments about it. Therefore, my negative comments are merely my own attempt to combat that kind of person because no trip is perfect and it's okay to talk about the bad parts as well as the good.

Extra on my flatmates
The flat itself is fine. I should have titled this section: my jackass roommates. Here's the deal... (this part is going to be informal because it is purely a rant and has no impact about how I felt about London or this trip, but being the Anarchy in the UK blog, it must be addressed). Some of my roomates.. well... two of them.. are basically those children who came to London with only the intention of partying. Furthermore, they came to London with no concern about money (clearly because they've never had a concern over money because they're just plain spoiled). That being said.. every night they would go out and typically attempt to browbeat the other flat members into going with them. A typical 10pm:

Josh or Christian (actual names): "Dude, we gotta go out tonight!"
Eric: "Guys, I've gotta work tomorrow morning"
J or C: Dude so what.. I've gotta work tomorrow, I just don't care about sleep"
Eric's brain: "you're also a moron"
Eric: "Heh"
J or C: "What's funny"
Eric: "nothing"

So... this isn't a condemnation of them going out every night. It is a condemnation of them being completely obnoxious every single night about the subject. The dialogue above, though simple, would without fail occur every night. And yes, I'm kind of a square. I'm not big on going out or drinking really. I'm typically enjoying myself without spending $40 an evening. However, I am not the only one who feels this way in my flat. Just about everyone here is sick of these two and I will be glad to not have to deal with them again. Christian has informed us that he has spent $5000 dollars on going out while in London. That is insane. Also, Josh and Christian are pitiful examples of students.. which insults me just by fact that I have to be associated with them as a student. I know that something has going terribly wrong with a college student's education when they judge the quality of their essay by length. Last night, high five after high five was given about how they got eight pages.

So... I don't know what their last names are and I don't care, but if you meet a Josh or Christian who went to London in 2008 and stayed in King's Court.. spit in their faces... you'll thank me when you're done.

That felt good... and I think someone taught me that you're suppose to delete that once it's finished, but I'm not subscribing to that philosophy.

Finished

I'm done with class and my internship. Things are a bit crazy in my flat right now I just can't concentrate. I'll try to get some big ideas ready for the last post tomorrow. For now, just enjoy a pic.

Nearing the End

Hey everyone. Thanks for reading Anarchy in the UK. I'm not sure when my internet will be destroyed, so I'm writing a pre-destroyed blog blog entry to prep for the future. Today and yesterday have been really nice. Yesterday was the first day in quite some time that I didn't go on a run and let my legs get some rest. Today I hit the track for a couple miles, but I'm hoping that I can pick up the usual Regents circuit again. Today I also took a visit to the Imperial War Museum. It definitely ranks as one of my favorite places in the city when it comes to content. There isn't much special about the building itself, but I found a lot of things that sparked my interest. One of the best parts was the Holocaust exhibit. I just wanted to mention how well the museum symbolizes the experience. You enter the exhibit on the Fourth floor, and it includes discussion about anti-semitism and basically the events leading up to the holocaust. Then, you descend down the stairs to the displays discussing the actual concentration camps. Whether they planned it or not (I really hope they planned it), the descent down the stairs kind of represented the descent out of the propagandized and glorified German perspective of anti-semitism before the war. The lighting even changes once you change floors and it adds to the experience as a whole. I had actually been to the museum earlier on this trip but it was cut short due to certain circumstances. Either way, I'm glad that I returned and saw the rest of the museum. As a short note, I just want to clarify that when I go to see a museum, I go to see the entire museum. My roommates are part of that group of people who go the museum to say they went. I am that person who goes to see every exhibit and attempts to read every display available.

Okay, so it's sad that this blog is ending, but it would be stupid to continue it in the US. I'm thankful that people have read it and I hope they enjoyed it. Of course, that is assuming that someone read it. Gracias! PS... I've got some other plans for blogs in the future, and I'm not going to automatically add people to the mailing list like I did this one. It will kind of be a sign up experience. If you want to be involved, you'll have to let me know. I actually wouldn't mind it involving more people than just myself. So, if you are interest, just leave a comment or request to be added to the mailing list. Take it easy.

RIP

Don't worry. You know that Emperor is living it up in dog heaven right now. Eating steak 24/7 and peeing on fire hydrants.

The Fourth

I just wanted to make a little comment about the Fourth of July and probably about most US holidays in general. The simile that I think works is that we treat the Fourth of July like a dog would eat a steak. A dog, when given different types of food, still just eats it at the same pace and in the same manner that he would eat his plain everyday food. I think that humans are the same way with holidays. We don't really appreciate the Fourth of July any more than we appreciate a Saturday. It is just another day off and nothing more. We enjoy it, but we don't appreciate it for what it is. I could list off a whole bunch of reasons why the Fourth is more important than just free time to drink, but that would be a waste of time. You already missed the Fourth, so maybe I'll make a big deal about it in about 360 days.

America Rules England Sucks - Watch more free videos

USA! USA! USA!

It is officially the 4th of July here and I'm livin it up independently. Actually, I'm about to go to bed... but I am creating a sweet story for the book that I'd like to write. I'm having a ton of fun with this. Have a good weekend everyone. Anarchy in the UK will soon be dead.

Jacob!.. Jacob and Sons!

This evening, like a complete genius, I went and saw Joseph and the Dreamcoat at the Adelphi theater. I just wanted to give my impressions, since the rest of the day was pretty typical. I went and saw the "Great Mosque".. which ended up just being a crappy building. Then I went and got my stipend and eventually returned to eat and run. Today it began to rain right as I began running so I was drenched by the end. Although, it was one of the few times where I returned to the flat and I was wet, but not with sweat. Charming, eh? Alright, let's get down to Josephy and his jacket.

I first need to mention that due to my participation in Joseph in high school, there was absolutely no way that I could dislike this musical. It is so steeped in nostalgia (yes, nostalgia from a whopping... jeez almost 7 years.. gross) that it was a guarantee that I was going to enjoy it. I was watching it and comparing it to what our group had done. For that reason, this review is just plain bias. Now that I've destroyed my credibility, we can begin the review. Smooth...

Despite my bias, I am under the opinion that no group/company can make Joseph horrible or even mediocre. The musical is just written in such a way that it is always fun and moving. For me, the most boring part is "Close Every Door" and I don't hate that song by any means. The musical is just all around fun and the songs are catchy. However, I will admit that the musical as a whole does not demand much from its actors and actresses. I think the three emotions that you need to master are happy, mad, and silly sad. It's not that deep, but that's fine. It doesn't have to be. It has to be fun and it wins at that.

I had just a few problems. One was during the second act: the narrator changed into a dress that was sparkly and it was reflecting random bits of light around (like you do with your watch during class on a sunny day). It wasn't awful, just a bit distracting. The only other issue I had was that sometimes the actors would do really silly things that were so obnoxious that they would deter from what was actually happening. For example, when Joseph was accusing the brothers of being spies, one of the brothers is eating the piece of chicken that the narrator threw out like ten minutes earlier. It was good for a laugh, but the mood of the scene didn't support the action. It just took away from what was happening. This was hardly a deal breaker, but it's something that I noticed.

Finally, I just want to say that the pit band and narrator stole the show. They were both amazing. Joseph (the actor) was fine, but he didn't hold a candle to the narrator.

In the end, I really enjoyed the play (clearly). Here's the deal: Joseph is not the most engaging and deep story I've ever experienced. Frankly, I don't want it to be any more than just a fun experience. When the old women leaving the theater are singing the songs from the show into the streets, you know something was done correctly. End.

A little smash on London

Alright, this comes up because just about every group today in my class (except mine) made a comment on how great it is getting around in this city. Which I agree, it is great.... the tube and bus service provide a great service. However, everyone is making these claims from a very narrow viewpoint; that being of a young and healthy person. I just want to put out there that this city caters well to my type. I'm active, I run, I have no problem walking a few miles a day. All of that is pretty easy for me.

Now, the alternative position would be if a person for some reason can't perform in that manner. Say you've broken your leg.. or even sprained your ankle. Yeah.. things are going to get tough in this city and quick. Everything is quite a walk. Now, let's not even get into a person who may have to use a wheelchair, because you might as well forget about using the tube. Judging by my little map, I'd say that maybe 10 to 15 percent of tube stations are handicap accessible. Worse yet, they aren't even stops in the busiest and best parts of London. So London Transport services a wide array of people, unless they can't walk. Not a commendable situation. Also, I'd think that the buses, being as new as they are, would also be more handicap accessible. Nope! The f'ing bus sticks out a ramp for the person to wheel themselves up. I hope they have someone to help them, because if they don't?.. well... too damn bad! That's what London says to them. So remember, when someone comes back from London, touting the great world of public transportation, your grandma probably can't use it. And your grandma makes cookies. So don't let her down by falling for the lies about transportation.

Wacky WED NES DAY

"Don't say that boy.. i have complete faith in you"
"since when?"
"since your mother yelled at me"

I've been hard at work on my ten page essay for my class that I have here and I'm nearing completion. I'm about one line from reaching page nine. Exciting stuff. I don't have much to say. I'm just about done with my internship and I will miss it a lot. I mean, definitely not everything... but I had some time to think while I was there. And now that I feel like i'm finally gaining a little connection with my coworkers, it is time to come home. I'm hoping that I will be able to keep up with some of them. I am looking forward to getting out of my flat. Most of my flat mates here are very simple minded... basically they have way too much money and display that by going out and partying every single night. It doesn't appeal to me, so it's alright. Other than that, I'm going to miss a lot of this city. Like I've said before, it isn't perfect. I don't think I'd want to move here. But it's been fun living in a large city... so take that for what it's worth.

Workers Unite

Blah blah blah... iron curtain... etc

Relaxed Tuesday?

It was. I worked, ran and ate. Then I went to the pub and worked on my first book idea. I actually have a proposal written out that I have sent to someone I trust. On the news: talk about stabbings. How do people feel about the Supreme Court ruling? It was expected given the layout of the court, but I don't know how they would rule if they had to decide if the 2nd amendment needs to be incorporated to the states. Probably in favor of its incorporation with the current Court. At least they are upholding the status quo. Have a great night everyone and check out the new slideshow.