The First Thirty Days- What it really feels like to live on hyper-speed

This almost feels like a dream. One month ago, I was driving home from Worcester in a "hurricane" (Irene, you really were not that bad) , and now I am trying to plan how to get to Oxford, England to help out with press coverage of the Autumn ballet tour of Strictly Gershwin. Some one needs to wake me up before I start believing that this is all actually happening...

But before I begin, let me explain what this is even about:
For my fall semester of college, I have chosen to live and work abroad in London, England.  Over the next four-ish months, I will be taking classes at Birkbeck College (a branch of the University of London), interning in the marketing communications department of the English National Ballet, and some how find time to explore this glorious city as well as see some other interesting places. To all of my friends who have begged me to keep an account of my adventures (especially The Moes)- here it, finally, is! Welcome to my first real attempt at a blog! My intentions for this are pretty straight forward: tell you about life in London from my perspective. I'll try my best to add in as many excellent "London-isms," funny moments, and, of course, pictures. Though, I'm also hoping that by keeping this, it will help me (and maybe even you, fair reader) learn something more about appreciating and understanding other cultures as well as my own. And to take it a step further, possibly reflect on some of the experiences I have had and learn something about myself.
Enough with the heavy, let me take you back to what I was saying earlier...

It seems quite surreal that only a month has transpired, when it feels like I have been living life on hyper speed. For one of the first times in my life, I am struggling to find any free time to simply sit and do nothing:

--> When I think I have time to sit down and relax, someone messages me to come and meet them at a pub or a park to catch up. 

--> After putting my key in the door after work, friends will grab me and take me some place cool for drinks or a new type of cuisine.

--> Leaving my last class on monday, I'll contemplate starting my homework right away and then take a detour to the park and people watch (better put, dog watch. You would not believe the crazy things I have seen dogs do at Russell Square park... but I'll get to that later.)

--> Once I get out of my half day of classes and think I should get some rest, I quickly realize where I am and go on a solo adventure to a local museum or walk around a different area of London. (May I add, only to get hopelessly lost and embark on another great adventure of finding my way home... yes, only me. :P )

Besides the general feeling of being tired, one must ask, is this really such a bad thing?
My answer is no. As long as I can stay as healthy as possible (and avoid passing out in public places or falling asleep in class), I think that this life style of exploring is pretty great. To me, there is nothing better in life than having a daily dose of adventure. And better than that is being able to share that adventure with those around you.

All of this really does feel like a dream... and I fully intend on living in it for as long as I possibly can. :)

Seeing that it is now well past midnight (gah!) and have a LOOOONG day of classes in aprox.10 hours, I will give you a brief overview of some of the things I have done during my first 30 days:

1. Working for the ENB and getting to experience a new realm of athletics that I have never before been exposed to
1a. Take a flight on the London Eye
2. See a fantastic show in the West End-War Horse
3. Legally buying my first pint...
4. ... and then celebrating my 21st (might I add with some of the greatest people EVER!!) marking me as a "grown-up" who can drink in the US
5. Touring some of the finest art galleries and museums (The British Museum, National Gallery, V&A Museum, and The Royal Academy of Art)
6. Walking around historic landmarks of London
6a... and while doing so, running into David Cameron the Prime Minister. No big deal or anything.
7. Visiting the Cotswolds and getting a taste of the English country side
8. Mastering the underground tube system by taking random adventures to all sorts of places
9. Cooking my own meals (successfully!!) and feeling really healthy
10. Meeting some of the greatest people, who I hope to keep as some of my close friends. :) :) :)

Please stay tuned as I will be, now that I have this blog, frequently posting more and more about my adventure!!

Until next time, you stay classy London.

Me at the British Museum... which is less than 5 minutes from my  flat. This really must be a dream.