Amazing.

On Thursday we went to the V&A Museum for our seminar. We had the choice to either go there, or to The Natural History museum and we chose the V&A because we though we'd learn more to have our seminar leader there with us rather than the Natural History. The V&A is hands down the best museum I've ever visited. It reminded me of the museums that we went to in Chicago, Dad! While I enjoyed the British Museum, the V&A was structured in a way that was easier for me to follow and I was therefore able to learn more rather than simply walking around looking at artifacts that I had no idea what they meant. For seminar, we were instructed to pay attention to questions like, "How have the exhibitions been assembled?-e.g. are there information boards/scripts at the beginning? What is the relationship between objects and text? Is the emphasis on text or objects?" Knowing to pay attention to these things before entering the first room really set a good groundwork for how I was supposed to look at the exhibitions in order to gain the most information. That's what this course is really about .. learning how to look at museums in the most information-gaining manner. I love it. After we had two hours to explore the museum on our own, I went to lunch with Cori and two girls in our module. We went to a local pub and had fish and chips and a beer. It was the first time I got fish and chips since I've been here and it was delicious. (This is completely random, but I think it's interesting to share that people here have baked beans with their breakfast haha). After lunch I came home and hung out with Taryn for a bit. My flatmate Richie's brother was visiting, so we hung out in the kitchen with them for a bit and then a few of us went to Blu (a local pub) and had fishbowls (look at facebook for photos). Then we went to Roadtrip with a few people and had a drink and then I came home and relaxed.

On Friday, ISA had arranged a trip for us to go have afternoon tea at Harrods! We arrived at the tube stop right outside of Hyde Park and took a quick tour of the park and then proceeded to Harrods. This was the first time that I've seen Harrods and it blew my mind. When we walked into the restaurant where we were going to have tea, I've never seen such a fancy place. Massive crystal chandeliers everywhere, and huge flower arrangements. Everyone was dressed to the nines .. and in walks a group of 20 Americans. I'm sure they loved that haha. We had all you could eat sandwiches (cucumber, ham and mustard, salmon, egg, and aged cheddar and balsamic), desserts (with fruit, with chocolate, mini cheesecakes), crumpets, and all you could drink tea. It was phenomenal and we all DEFINITELY took advantage of the "all you can eat" haha. After tea we went and explored Harrods. There's a huge pet store in there where you can buy puppies. There's also a "puppy spa" that has a mini massage table and fluffy pillow for the puppy to pay on, surrounded by candles and aromatherapy. There's also a treadmill in the puppy spa, that has a 42 inch flat screen LCD television at puppy eye level. Your puppy can happily enjoy the spa for only 1,700pounds for two hours ..... ridiculous haha. I also saw a 94,000pound cell phone that was encrusted with diamonds .. and a 164,000pound ring. We then went to the "cheaper" section of Harrods, and saw 80pound socks ...... we then left haha. It was just beyond ridiculous to even imagine being able to shop in that building .. but it was certainly fun to look around. Friday night we hung out with Richie's brother again, and just hung out at the flat to save money.

On Saturday, ISA arranged a tour of Parliament for us. When we got to our meeting place, we were told that Parliament was closed because of the riots. There were at least 200 police officers lining the streets around Parliament and Westminster Abbey and a TON of people picketing. It was cool to see this in action. The riots ended just in time for us to be able to continue on our tour. We were handed our tickets, and then proceeded down a long walkway that lead us to the entrance of Parliament. We were only allowed to enter 4 people at a time, because once you walked through the doors you had immediate screening. I'm talking full body metal detector, shoes and jackets off, scanned bags and cell phones .. every safety precaution that would be taken at the airport. We then had to wear a lanyard around our necks the entire time with a sign that said, "VISITOR HAS BEEN SCREENED." Once we were appropriately screened, we were able to proceed to the next room, Westminster Hall (the oldest building on the Parliamentary estate). Westminster hall has been the center of the Parliament since the 11th century and it holds about 900 years of England's history. It is an EXTREMELY huge room with a very high ceiling. This was the only room where we were allowed to take photos, but it wasn't well lit so I didn't get any good shots besides the one of the stained glass window that I posted on Facebook. We waited for about 20 minutes in the hall, and then met our tour guide, Helen. We then proceeded through the doors into Parliament and began the tour right inside the entrance where the Queen enters when she comes to Parliament once a year to begin the Parliamentary year. We walked the route that she walks from that door, into her Robing Room. The Robing Room had a red velvet chair with a red velvet foot rest at the end of the very long room, surrounded by velvet red curtains .. all were extremely tattered from age, wear, and sunlight. When the queen arrives at Parliament, she wears a long, white dress and a diamond tiara. Her crown arrives 45 minutes prior to her arrival in its own carriage. When the Queen enters her Robing Room, she puts on a red robe and then proceeds into the room where her crown waits. We went into this room, where there was a decent throne made of gold. The Queen would then put on her crown and begin her procession to the House of Commons. We walked in her footsteps, and entered the House of Commons, where her MASSIVE THRONE resides. Seeing the throne was legit the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Her throne is surrounded by walls that are laden in gold and exquisite detail. The King's throne (which is right next to hers) is 4 inches shorter than hers, because the Queen needs to be at least a head taller than the King at all time to symbolize her stature (although the current King and Queen end up about the same height when sitting down because the King is very tall). We were allowed to stand in between the seats that would usually be filled with people appointed to sit in the House of Commons (we, of course, were not allowed to sit down because we are not worthy). Once the Queen takes her seat in her throne, she gives what is called the "Queen's Speech," even though she does not write the speech. It is in fact written by the Prime Minister and it entails all of the laws that he wishes to be passed during the newly begun Parliamentary year. Once "her speech" is finished, a guy who holds a 6 foot long white staff signals the House of Lords by waving his staff. The two houses are separated by what I would estimate to be about 100 yards, and through MANY MANY doorways (that are perfectly aligned) another guy is standing next to the Prime Minister (who sits in the House of Lords) with a 6 foot long black staff. Once the House of Lords receives the signal, the members proceed down the long walkway to the House of Commons. Upon reaching the entrance, the House of Commons slams the door in their face and the House of Lords has to knock on the door to be allowed entry. There is nowhere for the House of Lords' representatives to sit, but they are permitted to stand in the back of the room below an overhang. The two houses then listen to whatever needs to be listened to, and then separate to discuss what they think about what was discussed when they were together. (Sorry if this is vague .. there was a lot to remember). I really like the next step in the process. England is all about history and preserving traditions. When Parliament first began, there was obviously no electronic counting devices to tally votes .. so obviously once electronic counting devices were invented, this had no impact on how Parliament counted their votes since traditions DO NOT CHANGE HERE. After the two houses split to discuss how they believe the joint discussion went, they have 8 minutes to cast their vote for any laws that are up for voting. They proceed to either the "Yes" room or the "No" room. Once inside their respective rooms, they check in and then leave the room through doors that are situated in a way that only one person can go through at a time. This is how they vote. No "miscounts" no "recounts" no bullshit .. you either vote yes or no, and that's it. Everyone in Parliament is required to vote, and they NEED to be there within 8 minutes (I'm not sure of the consequence). Something interesting that we learned when we were inside the House of Lords was that you are 1. Not allowed to call someone a liar and 2. Not allowed to insinuate that someone is drunk. Winston Churchill got around both of these rules by, rather than calling someone a liar, claiming that something that someone just said was a "Terminological inexactitude" ... he also, rather than calling someone drunk, claimed that someone was just "tired and emotional" so in England if anyone calls you tired and emotional, they are insinuating that you are drunk. Haha I love it. This was a random rant, but interesting. After we left the "Yes room," we walked down a few more halls and then back into Westminster Hall where we finished our tour. I loveddd this tour and it really changed my view of America and it's government. I want to learn more about the government here and the government back at home before I make any claims regarding which government I like better, but my view of America has definitely changed as of right now. After Parliament I came home and took a nap and then all of us headed to a nightclub by Green Park called Aura. We were there for all of 20 minutes and then came home and drank there because one drink at Aura could cost up to 16pounds (about $32).


Yesterday (Sunday) ISA arranged a tour of Tower of London. We walked across Tower Bridge to get there, and that was pretty awesome. Tower of London was beautiful and it was really cool to be inside of the walls. We saw some torture rooms, and torture devices. There are ravens that live all throughout the grounds of the tower. I forget the exact reason why they are kept there, but they even have cages and homes which they can live in .. something historical regarding a tradition, I'm sure. The royal jewels are in the tower, too. We saw a 500+ karat diamond the size of a fist that is conveniently placed inside of a crown. All of the crowns are placed about a foot away from each other in a long narrow case. On either side of the case are moving sidewalks (like the Jetsons) that you stand on and go very slowly past the crowns. You're not allowed to stand and look at them at your own pace .. the pace is set for you as to allow everyone their fair share of viewing time. After the tour of Tower of London, we went on a tour of  the history of Jack the Ripper. We saw where some of his victims' bodies were found and walked the streets where the murders took place. The tour guide was really cool and he really contributed to the feel of the walk. It was absolutely freezing yesterday, but the sun was out so I can't really complain. The Jack the Ripper tour ended at Spitafields Market, so after it ended Natalie and I walked back to our flat. I stayed in for the rest of the night with Taryn and relaxed.

Today I did all of my laundry and cleaned my room. It cost me 14pounds to wash/dry my clothes .. bullshit. But it feels so good to have all of my clothes and room clean! Last week, I sent my Color Theory professor from last year a picture that I took while here in London because it reminded me of a painting of his that was hanging in his office. He responded to my email by telling me that his son was going to be in London this week with a band called "Gage the Elephant" .... this was right up there with dad's "Spacebook" or "Myface" because the band is actually called Cage the Elephant (I love them). He asked if he should have his son (Jay) contact me once he got here, and I of course said yes. He facebook friend requested me almost immediately and said that both of Cage the Elephants' shows while they are here are already sold out, but asked if he could get me on the list to a show if I'd be interested in going. Of course! So tonight they are all coming down to our area to get drinks with Taryn and I .. I'm really excited. I'll let you know how that goes, and if we'll be able to go to a show!

Love you <3