London: Week one!

Hear ye! Hear ye! Princess Eugenia Megan has returned to the homeland to study abroad in London, England from July 6, 2015 to August 6, 2015! I am going to try to keep all my posts up to date for you chaps back home. So far I have survived almost a week in London and here's a little recap:

Monday, July 6:

I made it safe and sound to England after a very long 10 hour flight! My first week in good 'ol London Town has been jam packed, to say the least!

Here is the outside of my little flat. The outside certainly has more charm than the inside. But... I'm in London, so I can't complain too much!

Tuesday, July 7:

My Professor - "Welcome to London. Here's a quiz. Also you have an essay and blog post due Friday. And have to read another book by Tuesday. Now go out and have fun!"

My English class, "Coming of Age as A Global Citizen", began today. This week our class was focused on the novel Jane Eyre and the concept of coming of age as a worker in 19th century England. Our class is held at the British Museum at 9:30 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and then we head off to visit a site related to our topic for the week.

My classroom... no big deal.

Morning, Dumb Dumb! This fellow greets me every morning.

Today we visited the Foundling Museum,  to investigate the concept of Jane Eyre as an orphan. The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, Britain's first home for abandoned children.

The Foundling Hospital was founded in 1741. So it's not that old. Just older than our own country.

Foundling tokens were giving by mothers leaving their babies, allowing the Foundling Hospital to match a mother with her child should she ever come back to claim it. 

At 12:30, class ends! It was a really rough first day of class frolicking around London. Following class, my flatmates, Alyssa and Aubrey, and I ventured over to Camden Market for lunch. 

I had a grilled cheese, or "toastie" for lunch (it was glorious) and a banana, nutella crepe for dessert! 

             

Wednesday, July 8: 

Today for class we discussed Jane's role as a governess at Thornfield Hall, and our site visit was the Geffrye Museum of the Home. This museum had recreated domestic interiors from 1600 to the present, with a magical garden in the back.

Fairies definitely live here.

After class, Alyssa and I went for lunch at a pub! Since being here I have started what I like to call "The London Diet." This non-optional diet consists of eating practically nothing (because you live in a flat with no food) and walking at least 17,000 steps a day. It's so great.

WHAT. Food is not on the diet plan!!! 

Thursday, July 9:

This class focused on Jane as Beloved, and we pranced over to Tate Britain to study paintings that represented the putative dangers of female sexuality. Woo.

Fun fact: Tate Britain holds the largest collection of British art in the world.

After class we did a little sightseeing! 

Ben there, done that. *wink

Buckingham Palace: my future home.

Hi, Mama. Here is the picture you requested of my flatmates and I. Alyssa is on the right and Aubrey on the right! Also, yes. I am rocking a pair of overalls. 

Friday, July 10: 

Needless to say, after staying up until 4:00 am writing a paper, I slept in. 

By 3:00 we finally made it out the door and headed over to the National Portrait Gallery. 

These are the illegal pictures I took of Duchess Kate's
portrait and Queen Elizabeth's portraits.

No photos? What? No speak English. 

The chief reason I wanted to go to the National Portrait Gallery was to see an Audrey Hepburn exhibit! The exhibition had over 70 photos of one of the world's most photographed stars.

 

So classy, I can't handle it.

We then ventured over to Neal's Yard, a tiny alley in Covent Garden. This picturesque place has graced my Pinterest boards for years, and I had always wanted to experience it in person! 

Well. It certainly was less charming and magical than I had thought it would be. Still neat though!                               

Pinterst has deceived me.

Near starvation, that night my flatmates and I enjoyed our first big meal in Chinatown! I took them to a restaurant that I went to on my visit to London last summer! I'm such a fantastic tour guide.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

I had Pineapple Beef and it was deeeee-licious. 

Saturday, July 11:

Today we went to Portobello Market in Notting Hill, the world's largest antiques market! It's one of my FAVORITE places in London!

Of course it is acceptable to take a selfie in front of all iconic locations. (At least I don't own a selfie stick of shame.)                          

There are lots of brightly colored buildings in Notting Hill! They are adorable, and I want to live in one.

Time for Tea!

You can also buy fresh fruits and veggies at this market! I picked up some cherries and strawberries. Yum in my tum.

After breaking the bank at Portobello Market there is no telling what tomorrow's adventure will hold! I hope you enjoyed my professional iPhone photos.

Peace out, brussel sprout.

XOXO, Megan                        

P.S. If you are remotely interested, here is the link to my boring blog for class!

http://meganhawthorne.blogspot.co.uk