If You Like Downton Abbey...

I don't know if you like Downton Abbey as much as I do reader, but it's been a fun ride for me so far. I've always been a bit obsessed with England's aristocracy, (well with London in particular) and it's been a new adventure into the post-Edwardian era, which I have known very little about.

But alas, we moved and when we said goodbye to cable we also said goodbye to tv in general because we don't own any bunny ears. I have had to make do with my Netflix subscription over the last few months. While we were moving I fell in love with the show "Call the Midwife." I myself have a strong interest in midwifery...it's something I like to hope I will be brave enough to do when I get pregnant...you know have a natural birth, not be a midwife. :) But the show is fabulous! (Did I mention that it's based on a book?) Poor Andrew was only ever unpacking in different rooms and could hear the screams of laboring women, but the show is really a fascinating look at life in the East End of London during the 1950's.

Over the Christmas holiday we enjoyed watching the BBC's new series Sherlock. The first season was ok, but the second was absolutely perfect! They definitely hit their stride and hit the comedic marks right on cue. The third season is about to start airing!

Then this last weekend Amazon Prime recommended I watch Upstairs Downstairs. I couldn't believe it! It seemed like a perfect copy of Downton Abbey, until I found out that this series was made first. The original Upstairs Downstairs was a show in the 70's, and in 2010 they brought the show back centering around the same house, but with a new family several years later. The title refers to the life upstairs of a wealthy family, and life downstairs of all of their servants. Downton Abbey takes place during WWI, and the new Upstairs Downstairs prefaces the tension before WWII. The series is well done with fabulous sets and costumes. If you like Downton Abbey, I suggest you give it a try! The real shame is that it only lasted 2 seasons.

So this weekend I plan to catch up on the original Upstairs Downstairs. I'll let you know if it's worth a watch. I hope you like my recommendations. As someone without current tv, Netflix and Amazon Prime have been a lifesaver!

I'm starting to think that BBC can do no wrong...and Masterpiece Theater is becoming my favorite! It might be enough to make me start donating...who couldn't use a Downton Abbey tote? And just for your enjoyment, here are a few pictures of my BBC studio tour from my 2010 study abroad in London.

The building.

One of the studios.

Me in one of the dressing rooms.

Keeping Busy

Well I realized today that I have been in London for 10 days now, and what a crazy 10 days it has been! To give you an idea of how busy I have been I have prepared a list of all the sightseeing and activities I have already done so far:

• London City Bus Tour
• Visit Old Royal Naval College
• National Maritime Museum (Prime Meridian)
• Greenwich Market
• Visit to Windsor Castle
• Visit Eton College
• Saw Billy Elliot the Musical
• Went on a Charles Dickens Walk
• Visited the Tower of London
• The Victoria and Albert Museum
• Visited Kew Gardens and Palace
• Saw Wicked the Musical
• Overnight trip to York
• Toured the York Minster
• Toured an old Monastery
• Visited where the Bronte Sisters grew up

Which has really been quite a bit for just ten days. So I'm sorry for getting so behind! I have honestly been trying to keep you updated but it seems like I fall into bed as soon as I am home. I know that the next two weeks will be much better. Oh and did I mention I've done all this around the class that I'm taking? Luckily I have found time to read all of my assignments so far. It helps that the class is centered around the city itself. I am reading novels set just ten minutes away from where I am staying and I recognize street names all the time. There really is nothing quite like reading a novel set in the place where you are staying. I truly am a lucky girl. I have had an amazing opportunity and I am trying to make the most of it!

Cheers!
Lacey


(Tower of London)

London Style

Well I know I promised you guys Greenwich, Windosor and Eton...but I thought it might be nice to take a minute and reflect on the general experience I've had so far. These past few days have been incredibly HOT! I mean don't get me wrong, obviously I am used to hot weather. The only problem is that London is not. Most buildings have no air conditioning. I mean NONE! So while its nice to go into a shop to get out of the sun, you end up sweating even worse because there is no air. Which leads me to my next observation, Londoners do not use ice. I'm not sure what this is all about, but they do not keep their drinks cold. Tap water comes with about one cube, maybe three if you're lucky. London shops and restaurants have no fountain machines so they just keep their drinks in an open refrigerated display...which is not cold at all. Even the fridge in my dorm doesn't seem cold enough. (Oh and ps the whole no fountain machines means no free refills.) So it has been a pretty hot few days with London recieved record highs.

Now before you go getting the wrong impression about my feelings for London let me tell you about what I love. There is the obvious architecture and history oozing out of every corner of the city. It's absolutely fantastic. The sheer size of the city is incredible there is so much to do! For example tonight I saw Billy Elliot and I had my mind blown! Most of the museums are completely FREE. And did I mention the markets?! I had some fantastic finds. But my two favorite aspects of the city so far are of course the accent, and the FASHION. People are so much braver over here. The clothes and accessories are all done out, and no one feels ridiculous. I am free to explore different styles and genres over here. The vibe is so beautifully exciting and individualistic. There is nothing like this city and I am totally in love.

In honor of the bold fashion, here is a picture from today.

Hope you guys are enjoying the posts! Feel free to ask me questions and I'll make sure to address them in the next ones. Peace!

Lacey

Getting There

Greetings from London! Sorry it has taken me so long to post. I started to blog in the airport on the way, but my layovers were very short. (Thankfully) So for those of you who don't know I left on Thursday afternoon. My wonderful family plus Rachel came out to have breakfast with me before I had to be at the airport. Here's me, Andrew and my niece Tabby.

It was certainly a crazy morning. Being stuck in traffic, going to the wrong gate, and loosing our parking stubs. But some how I made it to my flight on time and Andrew made it out of the airport parking lot. After a four hour flight to Boston I only had about a half hour lay-over before I was back on a plane. This time it was an over night flight for six hours bringing my grand total hours in a plane to 11. I arrived at London Heathrow at 6:20 AM. And I wasn't meeting my group until 10:30. I should also mention I got absolutely no sleep whatsoever. But eventually I found my group and we were off in a van heading to the hotel.

Then we had some food, a breif orientation, a super long bus tour through london and it was off to bed. It was a crazy first day, and to be honest I'm still not quite adjusted. The jet lag has not been fun, but my trip certainly has been so far! (Despite the unusually hot weather. It's worse than Texas!) I promise to post more soon, but for now I need some sleep! Expect to hear about my travels to Greenwhich, Windsor and Eton. Also I will bring a comprehensive list of the neat "Britishisms" I have learned or observed so far.

Everyone have a wonderful day!

-Lacey

Great Expectations

Well let me start off by saying "Happy Fourth of July!" to everyone. Today is not only the birthday of America, but also my nephew Kolt's first birthday....so happy birthday Kolt!

Today is 4 days before my three week study abroad in London. Right now I am sitting in a Panera enjoying the free wifi so I can set up my netbook for my trip. I have been over all of my pre-departure materials and I am really excited for this adventure to begin. This is the last class that I will be taking before I begin student teaching, and graduating in the fall. What a great way to end my undergrad classes! I know a lot of you have been with me in the journey getting to this point, but some of you probably didn't even know I was going abroad. Well...now here is your chance! I intended to stop in a few times a week and let the people who care back home know how its going and what I'm doing. Expect plenty of pictures!! I also decided to create a blog because one of the scholarships that I received requires me to give presentations about my trip once I have come back. I think this will be a great way for me to go over the expectations, worries, concerns, and key parts of my trip.

"Nobody succeeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations" -Ralph Charell

Right now my biggest challenge is packing! I have to handle all of my own luggage so I decided to go with one of my lighter suit cases. Problem is I want to take a lot of clothes with me! So I have had to cut back, and cut back, and cut back some more. Today I have several errands to run and much more packing to do, but I wanted to take the time to set up this blog and let everyone know how excited and nervous I am for my big trip. Three weeks may be a relatively short amount of time...but its also a lot longer than most camps or vacations. Not mention I will be leaving behind my family and husband. Most people who take of these trips are not married. Thankfully I have an awesome husband who has encouraged me to go for it. (Love you Andrew!) Not to mention who has helped me stick to a strict budget to afford it. So...at this point I'm just getting everything together for my big trip!

-Lacey