Christmas in Indiana!

Nineteen hours after leaving my temporary Baker Street abode I finally found myself at my cat's house. Noria was very pleased to see me, while Mr. Cornflake ran away! :( He has since chilled, but is still holding a nice grudge against me.

The next morning I woke up to the absolutely fabulous news that I overdrew my checking account the last day I was in London! It was totally my fault, but I still had to try my luck to talk myself out of overdraft fees. In order for success I had to get worked up, and by the time I was in the car driving I was raging mad! The song "Locomotion" came on, and for some reason that really worked well with my anger! If I am ever cast in a car chase scene in a movie, I will definitely insist that song be the background music. ...At the bank I lied alot and looked otherwise pathetic, and it worked!

Then I went to see my American boyfriend. A nice chap named Gabriel, age 4. We had a great time playing with his remote control helicopter. That is until he drove it into my hair.... "GABRIEL, it is stuck in my hair, PLEASE stop pushing the buttons!!!"

Then we played "rave." A nice little inappropriate game I made up one night while I was babysitting. He was crying for his dad, so I did what any normal babysitter would do: Find flashlights, turn of the lights, and play radio 1 while jumping up and down on the bed dancing. When he sees me now, he asks to 'play rave.' Ooops!

Then I had a nice visit with Kris and the cats. Afterwards, I had a lovely dinner with my Aunties and Uncles from Florida and Evansville! I had a Styrofoam snow fight with an adorable new cousin I hadn't met yet and spent time with the family. A. Lovely. Christmas.

I'll post more later. My pumkin pie is cooling and it is time to eat!

The artists of London.

Kababists.

Watching them work.... is like heartburn in a coke can.
But, whatever. It's terribly amusing, and worth the pain.

I'm totally against sharing personal stories on blogs... but

Since last Thursday evening, when I changed into my clean black T-shirt, and the next day, when I put on my already not-so-clean IU shirt, I've worn no other shirts since.

I am gross, and can't wait to finish my paper - hopefully tonight.

Bah humbug!

Nutrition? Yes.... nutrition!

My papers are coming along, not that anyone is the least bit interested in their progress.
But today was just like yesterday, and the day before. Writing all morning, then in the afternoon, then a break, then writing again all evening.

But today's break was different! I saw Kate Middleton (the chick who is doinking the prince). Technically I just saw her feet. But my Wembley friend saw her face and confirmed it was her. I was looking at the ground because I was too busy talking to be celebrity sighting. I wonder how many famous people I pass everyday because I am too busy watching my feet and singing nice songs in my head?

My friend brought me nutritious study snacks, then then we went through the weekly grilling as to whether I have been eating properly, locking my door when I am out, and stressing the need for basic hygiene like cleaning out my hairbrushes. ... or anything else that makes me feel like less of an adult and more like an indignant child. ... but in reality it's probably true because the entire time I just kept smiling, replying "OK, Grandma," and enjoying my sandwich like the cat who got the cream, as all the advice went swish, right through my head.

In public transit news, I had to politely ask two people today to stand on the right. I you are too lazy to walk down the escalator you annoy me. If you stand on the left while you are being lazy on the escalator, thus blocking my constant hustle, you just piss me off!

I can be pleased sometimes, too!

On Friday I ended up going to Tino's Christmas party, which was pretty fun, except for all the Europeans there. Just kidding! My cheeks were kissed about 50 times by people I very well likely will never see again. I like affection, and I like Europe, because they're going to kiss you whether you like it or not! I took my second pie to the party, but four of us (including Tino, don't worry, I'm not completely rude) ate 3/4 of it before we put set it out for other guests.

My next attempt, in January, will be to cook an apple pie from scratch. I will develop domestic skills! - just in my own time.

I am incredibly ready for this week to be over so I can start enjoying a stress free London and a bit of Indiana. What is more incredible is that I have somehow managed to stay pretty upbeat and cheerful in the midst of all this schoolwork! I have so many (welcome) distractions, and I think they are helping me stay on top of things when I am writing my papers.

.....Completely unlike the times in college when I would get really shitty with Kris when he moved the peanut butter. "HOW am I supposed to study without PEANUT BUTTER!?"

Yeah, I am much more chill this time... maybe I am turning into a pro student? That would be lovely. I'd like to never not be a student. And if someone wanted to sponsor me in this goal of mine, that'd be great!

OK, 7 days until Indiana....

The countdown begins.

Only 4,000 words left to write. I planned ahead, and I think it actually worked. I must finish before Thursday evening, because....... the clothes-swap party is going on that night, and I vowed to never miss that fun ever ever again.

So, in addition to trying to get through my last week of 'uni', I'm also preparing for a loaded weekend.

Can you believe I've been in London for 3 months!?
I'll update again later today.... sigh.

Technology is my friend... not my friends...

Ashley and I were chatting on G chat a while ago, and then we both grabbed a snack in the kitchen at the same time. We chatted very briefly, said good night, then went back in our rooms and resumed internet chatting with much fervor.

"OK, where were we?"
"Tino's Facebook photos! ....Oh my God!"

Young people these days....

Pumpkin Soup

I have the most wonderful MSc advisor ever! We are required to turn in a 3,000 word rough draft of our proposal and literature review by Friday, but he looked over my outline and said it was fine. He said to focus on school work right now and he would look it over again after I had a chance to write over break! It is completely against the rules, but who am I to tell my advisor he is breaking the rules when it makes my life so much sweeter...

This YouTube clip is of the most annoyingly infectious song that I keep hearing everywhere in London. I'd like to download it, but it hasn't been released in the US, and I can't buy anything from iTunes UK. lame.

Click here for Munich and Bavarian Alps photos that I should have posted ages ago.

From A-Z (pronounced zee)

I got a bit of writing done today, but I have only chewed away at a little bit of what I need to accomplish. Ah well, at this time next week I will be in the most joyous of moods!

Unlike yesterday, when Camille and I spent 7 hours in my kitchen and I wrote only 51 words.
Also, I have forfeited my invite to Tino's holiday party this evening. That is the whole reason I made the pies. But, now I have a whole other pumpkin pie all to myself.... and those who keep insisting on having some, even though they are not welcome (see roommate Josiah).

After spending seven hours in the kitchen, the rest of my evening was spent at a quiz night, where I was drilled on state nicknames. Ohio: Buckeye State. Indiana: Hoosier State. This concludes my knowledge of state nicknames.

Little else is new here. My friends are very busy this weekend, which is great since I could do without any distractions. I'd really like to finish these papers by Wed. night, so that on Thursday I can take photos of London for my mom, and go shopping on Friday. Most likely I will finish Friday at 5, then go straight to the pubs with my coursemates. Shucks!


PHOTO: That man is the Sullivan, Indiana "fat Elvis" impersonator. During the day, however, he has the rough task of being the mayor of Sullivan, Indiana. I'll be home soon!

What is the first thing you think about when someone says "London"?

If it isn't Big Ben or Harrods, it's probably rain.

It does rain an awful lot here. Mostly it isn't a big deal. You carry an umbrella, you get wet, you get over it. What is strange is that people who actually live here seem to think it is a strange phenomenon.

Just this morning I looked out my window and thought, "Alright, it's raining. It is a boots and umbrella day." But when I was leaving Warren Street Tube station the exit was blocked by people waiting to unfold their umbrellas (because rain water CAN kill you) or just simply waiting for the already mild drizzle to die down. This really annoys me. You live in London. It rains here. What is the problem?

One specific incident of this nature happened last Friday, when I was meeting a friend for dinner. I won't name this friend, but I will say that he is an abnormally tall, mildly anal retentive Indian man. The first thing he said was, "I am warning you, it's raining." No sh*t, I was just outside! After dinner he nearly insisted we stay at the restaurant for drinks "because of the weather." It's not like there is lightning, or strong winds, or anything else outside that could possibly pose a threat! There was no way I was staying at a Mexican themed bar all night, plus I had agreed to meet Ashley just a hop away in SoHo. So I convince him to step outside.

So, he actually "prepares" himself for the rain (again, because it will KILL you) before he leaves the restaurant. Then he pouts like a child for about five minutes while walking to SoHo in the rain (no umbrella, because WHY would you carry an umbrella in this town?). He actually makes some kind of comment about what it is going to do to his hair, which is about three-quarters of an inch long. Just hours before I actually used a hairdryer to make mine "straight and pretty," but I wasn't upset, because again... sometimes it rains here.

This concludes my rant about British people.
The photo: That is of my bus stop on Oxford Circus. It often looks like that. You know, wet!

















UPDATE 1: I finished my chlamydia paper last night. Now I am having a hard time getting into the HPV mindframe. Uhhh, is it the 14th yet?

Cellophane's Dead.

I don't want to read anymore journal articles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HPV HPV HPV HPV HPV times infinity!

On the upside it is 55 and sunny outside today. On the downside I am stuck in the library. At least I am next to a window on the 4th floor and I can stare up at the sky and the BT tower...

Making pie tonight for Tino's Christmas party on Friday that I most definitely shouldn't be going to.

UPDATE NUMBER 1:
I am thinking of things that I would like to have with me in London that I foolishly left at home. Can someone please find my stuffed microbe Borrelia burgdorferi? I'd really like to have a snuggle with it when I go to bed.

.... and I definitely got a B on that presentation... you know, the one I did on the wrong type of vaccine! Anyway, it could've been worse!

Pies are cooling in the window.

I am currently in a campus computer lab...

And the guy in front of me is wearing an IU Hoosiers sweatshirt.

odd.

My Christmas Plans.

Dear Mastercard,
I love you.
And you will soon love me, too.

I am coming home! I will arrive in Indianapolis on the 17th at approximately 5.15 pm! I will have 10.5 days to eat at Denny's, Taco Bell, Dat's and consume many a drink in the Video Saloon and Diamond Barbecue.

Cornflake and Noria!!! and ted.
--very exciting, indeed!

That extra inviting photo was taken in my home town... oh well, at least the people I love are there!

PS: Someone phone Dunkin' Donuts and ask them bump up production. I will be in Chicago for 4 hours total.

My brother is a YouTube Superstar!!

He is the guy on the far left in the blazer and blue shirt. The best shots of this dashing young man, who is half me genetically, can be found between 28 and 41 seconds. He then cheekily moves to his left and gets out of frame.... Terry!

I am really busy.

I have 7,500 words due next week, as well as a 15 minute audio presentation. Therefore, I will be very busy and updating my blog with greater frequency to escape my studies.

Recently, I've been working on a ten minute presentation on polysaccharide conjugated vaccines. The research is exciting because I get to venture back into the microbiology section of the library, a part of my life I miss. And I love it, and mycobacteria, no matter how wrong that is. It's. Just. Cool.

Anyway, I was trying to organize my time earlier and found some interesting entries in my student planner. Many don't even make sense to me. See below.

10 Sept. - ARRIVE IN LDN!!!
11 Sept. - f*ck around 'till 5. eat food.
2 Oct. - M@~5. food.
4 Oct. - Dance socks off.
5 Oct. - Sleep socks off.
*9 Oct. - Laundry
Donald Rum.
1 Nov. - Wear a dress. food.
2 Nov. - Get Krunked?
3 Nov. - Sparklers! Jo's tea house. Streatham.
- Manish @ 8.
- Camden 4 Shar's birthday.
- sleep 4 eva.
**15 Nov. - Mad fix $. (Unhappy face) (Student loans crossed out twice).
26 Nov. - Donald Rum.

* My personal favorite. As you can see, Donald Rumsfeld gets 2 mentions in my student planner. Once right under the chore of laundry. I have no memory of writing Donald Rum. in my diary once, let alone twice. Nor do I understand why I would have done this. Thoughts?
** I believe I was to ask my friend Manish to organize my student loans. That never happened, and I am only a fraction of a percent sure that's what it means.

A nonsense blog. You like?