Manhattan

Today we went to New York.
UN tour, Times Square, Empire State Building, Soho, Chinatown, Little Italy, Ground Zero, Brooklyn Bridge etc etc
Prolly missed out lots, but I guess that's what photos are for

Phillies

We went to a Phillies baseball game today. Super duper amazing atmosphere there. Don't quite see the difference between baseball and rounders yet. It looked scarily similar to baseball on the Wii though. Met yet another creep on public transport today. I guess in that sense, Philadelphia's no different to London at all.

Philabundance

Today the US Department of State visited us. They were really nice, and no, they did not bribe me to say that.
Civic engagement - we were helping out in West Philadelphia, giving out food to the poor and needy. It was in the least shady place possible - a car park, and I think now I'm almost as brown as Brown Bear. It was definitely more fun than the Summer/Winter Community Garden though. A little bit shocking that some of the volunteers couldn't name the apricots or the mangos...

Check

Today I received a really big 'check', or 'cheque'. Either way, it was pretty cool.
Otherwise, the day was pretty uneventful. Just lots of essay writing. Ooh, I got my book list done. That was fun!
This is dinner hall food - I put a napkin on a slice of pizza, and this happened:

Just Keep Swimming

Today I went swimming in the pool at the gym. Reeeeeally nice pool. Finally a day of relaxing! Beautiful day today. This is the view from my window:

Mall-ing

Went to the mall, played on a Steinway, had a great day. Back to work.

 

Homestay

This morning we went by train to suburban Pennsylvania. So incredibly different to the city.
Some of the houses are just huge - we went swimming in a friend's pool (that had a waterfall...) and watched Avatar in her own movie theater.
I also went to an American supermarket for the first time ever. I bought shampoo.
Oh, and we went to Tanner's - this place that makes ice cream from the cows on their farm.
Late at night, we went to a diner. I'm gonna be huge tomorrow.

Marcato Italiano

After a relatively easy morning of classes, we went to the Italian Market, where we all melted under the Sun.

Later, I went shopping avec Thibault und Vëllaznim. I need new shoes.

Philadelphia: The city of brotherly love

Mosque

Speech in Reese's class was horribly nerve-wracking, but I'm so glad it's over and done with. After classes, we went to a Mosque in West Philadelphia. I don't think it's right that a woman should have to oblige to sex whenever the man demands of it. I don't think it's right that a woman commits a sin if she doesn't adhere to the dress code, whereas men are only 'recommended' to wear a hat and beard. I don't think it's right that a woman has to ask the man's permission to leave the house, spend money, and even fast (for she should be available for sex if the man wants it).
Backwards.
In the evening, I went out with Thibault to explore Center City. He is such an amazing artist - it was great to finally have an evening outside of Millenium Hall!

Rape Garden

Civic engagement day again. Back to weeding in Summer Winter Community Garden, aka Rape Garden (because it used to be a place where girls were raped...)
In the scorching Sun, I wore long trousers and a cardigan. Yes, a cardigan! It was to prevent more mosquito bites, which I've been itching non-stop all week. However, even with that, I was still stung twice - on my forehead and on my neck. No one else was stung. Maybe because they were all guys, whose blood just wasn't sweet enough. I think I've served the mosquito community pretty well today.
We live right next to fraternities and sororities. As a former Greek fan, this is amazing. 

King of Prussia

After classes, we went to the mall - apparently the second largest in the US. It was pretty good, but unfortunately it did involve a one hour bus journey:

Culture Fair

After normal classes in the morning, we had a small culture fair in the afternoon where we presented some 'interesting' information about our respective countries. Us Brits made scones last night, and as far as I can tell, they were pretty well received.
Today we had thunderstorms. Really strong thunderstorms actually. However they cleared up within an hour or so, and left a very pretty sunset over Philadelphia:

Rocky

I haven't seen the film, but today we went to the Philadelphia Art Museum, up those 'famous' steps. Rocky has big feet - US size 9. The gallery was really good - unlike most galleries in the UK where they just have paintings, and the odd vase, here they had whole rooms and even building structures that were exhibited. Somewhat few 'American' artists though. Oh yeah, America didn't even exist until the 1780s. Silly Americans.
Afterwards, we took a cab to the city centre and finally did some shopping. So should've gone to Ralph Lauren...

Libertas

Today was surreal, seriously. Had a coach journey to New Jersey/New York, then took a boat, first across to Ellis Island. The museum there was so cool - it was actually part of the Registry Room. Almost every single "American" would be able to trace back to when their family first migrated through here.
If a picture could be cliché, this would be it. I can't really go to Liberty Island, visit the Statue, and not blog it, can I?!

Preamble

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Yay! America!
After classes this morning, we headed into Center City to visit the National Constitution Center, Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, followed by a tour of Society Hill, and South Street, Philadelphia. All very beautiful places, and I was with all very beautiful people.

China-nom

Today we made s'more. That was really quite amazing. Somewhat messy, haha but only for Say. Yay for learning about American culture!
Classes were not so cool. More homework, more reading, more essays.
In the evening, we went to Chinatown for dinner. Really cool. Seems to be less busy than London though. More of a Chinatown, less of a tourist attraction:

Mosqu-eat-o

Civic Engagement = Community Service = Lindsay Lohan and the like.
Ok, maybe not so far... I don't hold too many crack parties as of yet.
Anyway, civic engagement gave me 10+ gnat/mosquito bites, as we were gardening, and I decided to wear shorts. They've calmed down since, but really, they must've been starving! Haha if my gardening wasn't up to scratch, I guess I served the mosquito community pretty well.
Twas fun though, and the civic engagement class I think could be really useful as a personal reflection of all these wonderful good deeds, even if they are to the blood-thirsty amongst Phillies.

Class

"Class", or "lessons", as I'm more used to, started today. They were good, but it was just a little bit weird starting lessons again when it's really, technically Summer for me. The topics we're covering are interesting, and probably will be quite useful for future use, so I should probably feel a little bit more motivated than I am at the moment. I guess part of it is also due to me not really studying essay/reading-based subjects, almost ever; all three classes involve reading... Unfortunately, I can't really claim I'm illiterate here.
After classes finished, we had an opening reception at the Paul Peck Center. "Somewhat formal" - sounds simple, but there was just so much kerfuffle with us Europeans about how formal "somewhat formal" actually is. It began a little awkward - wasn't too sure whether to eat or not eat, mingle or not mingle, be there or not be there... Haha oh dear, my humour is deteriorating rapidly. Anyway, I eventually got talking to this really nice professor who was the Dean of the graduate school at Drexel. Something I found really different to UK professors, (or I guess it could be between secondary school teachers and university tutors worldwide), was that since we got on really well together, I was invited to go and visit him in his office one day. To me, that's so not normal. I don't know if I'll ever be able to actually find his office though. No clue how to find my own way round yet. I'll just follow the shoes for now:

Howdy!

The journey was ok - there was a slight delay in Toronto due to stormy weather, but otherwise, nothing majorly went wrong. Oh, apart from hearing that there was an extra delay for our flight due to there being a hole in the cabin that had to be fixed with 'paperwork'.
We got to our dorms at around 1am, and I passed out at 2am. The day was horribly exhausting to be honest. Really, the only thing that kept us awake was the whole excitement of everything.
First thing we noticed about Philadelphia was that they had defibrillators at lots of places on the walls around the airport. Also, the roads are really big, and the weather is humid, and people talk American here.
Today we had orientation. It was long, but I guess useful, and a little bit of information overload. Breakfast and lunch have been pretty okay so far. A little worried about the severe lack of edible vegetables here though.
The Drexel Dragon:

Kthxbai

Today, I'm flying to America.
Gosh, that's crazy.
Leaving home at 10am.
Flight is at 3pm.
Arriving at about 10.40pm.
Very. Excited.
Mustn't forget my passport.

Ohh not those two, must go and find my new one...

Pack. Now.

Leaving packing till the last day isn't such a good idea, especially for a five-week long trip. I hope I have everything, I've spent almost all day panicking about it.
I'm going to miss everyone so much, really. Really, really, really. Family, friends, bus drivers. Five whole weeks. But... I'll be meeting new families, friends and perhaps even bus drivers during my time there.
Must brush up on my American-English, not that that really should be an actual language.
I'M SO EXCITED!
Back to some mundane flower photography to zenify myself:

Bus Buddy's Birthday

This morning I went back to the visa place, for like the 5th time this week, and at last picked up my passports.
I spent the day in London with Layla and Louise. Hottest day of the year - it's a wonder no one passed out really. We went on a failed search for a white dress for Layla. It was really good to see Louise again. It's been like more than a year since we last met up! We will definitely try to make plans to visit one another at university though.
In London, we also bumped into Shiran, Anya, Lindsay, Rachael and Clare! They were queuing up outside some theatre in the hope of meeting Nick Jonas. Kevin and I actually saw this queue on Wednesday and were quite confused as to what it was for. Anyway, turns out it was for some 'famous', 'talented' 'artist'. (In my honest opinion, it really was quite facepalm. They queued for at least 6 hours.)
After coming home from London, I went round to Rebecca's house for her 18th. It was a really lovely party, and the evening weather was just perfect. Rebecca's my 248 bus buddy. We first started talking when one morning, in Year 8, we were both late for school due to traffic, and were quite worried about what we were supposed to do about being late. Ahh we were both quiet, shy, and very very worried. The bus journey eventually became almost an essential part of our day. We had good times.

Bon Chance!

My amazing friends threw me a surprise Good Luck for Americaland party today. It really was pretty epic. I think we could all become Guitar Hero and Singstar professionals, to be honest. The card they made for me was the coolest ever, and it was just a really really super nice day. I will miss them so much!!!
To compensate for yesterday's early blog: my attempt at trying to look my age failed, but it was ok, as I was already crippled from the day out with Kevin. Hmm... that single sentence sums up my day yesterday quite well actually.
Today's picture is of Kruti, totally acing Guitar Hero. Kruti is a future medic, hopefully at UEA. She's one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I have no doubt she will succeed in becoming the most amazing doctor, ever. Kruti has an amazing singing voice, as well as a natural gift for making everyone in the room smile. She is always positive, and never has a bad word to say about anyone or anything, unless perhaps it's about Bomber Bear... I kid, I kid. Anyway, Kruti is a wonderful person, and I am so glad she joined us at SHOM in Year 12. I will miss her dearly when we all part ways for university!

Megabus

Blogfail. I'm still bloggering, don't worry. Access to computer is somewhat limited though, so yeah, fail. Anyway, on Aug 7th, I took the Megabus to New York and got lost on the subway. Yay! More fail.
Photo will be here once I am reunited with my dear old iBook.

伦敦

Last week I went to Thorpe Park, then London twice. This week I will be going to London every day, apart from Thursday and Saturday. It's not that I don't like London, it's just... it gets a bit tiring, and annoying having to constantly wait for public transport/be stuck in traffic.
I'm not too sure when I'll be getting back home tonight, hence early blog. It'll probably be early to be honest, because of the whole ID thing, but you never know. Today I'm meeting up with Kevin for lunch. It was stupidly difficult to organise - it took us over an hour to decide where and when to meet. We haven't even started considering where we could go from there yet. But then also, it's not as if it'll be difficult for us to meet up, if I get into Cambridge. His college is like right next door to my first year accommodation anyway I think.
So, should be a good day. It's rather cloudy though...

Third Time Lucky

I went back to the visa application centre today, only to find that I had accidentally booked my appointment for tomorrow, rather than today. The lady in charge of all the appointments recognised me from yesterday, and saw how distressed I was, so very kindly arranged for me to go later on in the afternoon. At that point, I hadn't realised that there was only one hour between 1.30pm and 2.30pm; I thought there were two, thus I was actually almost late. Traffic didn't help. Anyway, I made it, 5 minutes late, but it was okay.
What was not okay was that they took all three of my passports - two expired, one current, which means I technically don't exist at the moment. I have no form of ID, at all. Which sucks even more because I was supposed to be going to an 18+ comedy night thing at Koko in Camden tomorrow night with the bears. It's somewhat unlikely that I'll be allowed in, which is just poo. I'm actually pretty annoyed though - it doesn't say anywhere on their website, nor even at the centre, old passports will be required. I guess 3 must be their lucky number... though actually, on Friday when I go to pick up my documents, it will be the 4th time I've gone there. TFL must really be loving this.
Oooh what was most surprising about today was that when I went up to the counter, the lady just automatically started talking to me in Chinese, and I responded in Chinese without realising! Whilst I was waiting, I was actually just thinking, and wishing, that I'd get away with just using English, but I actually managed to make comprehensible conversation in Chinese! Yay! I guess that's one less thing to freak out about for China.
This is my pile of notes for the June exams, which really need to be taken up to the loft now (or burned). The piles seem to be getting smaller and smaller each year, or is it just my handwriting shrinking?

Another Era

It's the end of another era! Last ever orchestra rehearsal, and my A string just had to snap. Obviously, I didn't have any spares, but luckily, Daniel was there to save me! We played slaughtered Dvořák's Symphony #9 In E Minor, Op. 95, "From The New World", and some random composition by some random James guy.
This morning was uber fail. I got to the Chinese embassy without knowing which address it was at. I didn't think I'd need to look it up, because I thought that there would just be lots of Chinese people who I could follow. Oh how wrong was I. I kinda missed the point that it was more likely to be non-Chinese people who'd need a visa to visit China. Chinese people would probably already be in China, or at least have a Chinese passport.
Anyway, after panicking a reasonable amount, I queued, and waited, and queued some more, and then found out that I needed my old, old, old passport, which I obviously didn't have with me. It so did not say on their website that it would be needed. But also, it expired ages ago - my photo on it is still in black and white, and I look like a boy. It really could be anyone's passport. So anyway, I'll be going back there tomorrow, as I really need to sort it out before I go to Americaland.
On my way home, I did the sudokus on the Metro. I did the first two fine. They were really easy actually. The third was going well - I did about half, when I noticed that I had two 6's in the same box. So annoying! Also, one more 6 and I'll get 666.
Probably the worst day I've had in a very long time, but it's ok, at least it was productive.

HYO Leavers, with our beloved conductor

Free Day

Today is my first free day for the first time in 6 weeks. I actually have nothing planned for today, not even homework, or study, or revision, or even procrastination! I guess I could tidy my room... but that would kinda ruin the rare "do nothing" mentality I'm getting at the moment. That's so weird - the only thing I can think of to do is tidy my already somewhat orderly room. That's not happened for years, seriously.
I've decided to do a separate blog for when I'm in America - it didn't seem too right mixing Fulbright stuff with rants about Hannah. I'll put a link up when I've set it up properly.
So yeah, super excited about it. I'm jetting off next Sunday! I'm pretty scared too, but I'm really glad for the orientation session - that did actually help a lot.
This week won't be as busy as last, but still, I have a few things planned:
Monday - Another trip to London to do my Chinese visa, and then last ever orchestra in the evening
Wednesday - Live at Koko with the bears
Thursday - Collect my passport, hopefully, and then a day out with Layla and Louise, who is just back from Oxford. Yay!
Friday - (Bus buddy) Rebecca's 18th birthday celebration
Ooh, not sure when Shiran's movie night will be yet.
So.. not as busy as last week, but still quite a lot planned. Not today though - I think I'll nap today. Wow I'm getting old.............
At 5am this morning, the sky was really quite pretty. I really need to find something to do. Only 24 hours with no plans, and I'm already freaking out majorly.

生日快乐！

Happy birthday Mother! For some strange reason, I still see my Mother as a 33 year old, which is when I was 8. I remember that birthday quite well, and it's just how I see here. That's also the year my sister was born... Maybe that's why?
Anyway, this is my Mother and my sister with the cake I bought from Chinatown yesterday, and did not drop on the way home:

Summer Science

Today, Brown Bear, Vanilla Bear, Greek Bear and I headed down to the Southbank Centre to see the Royal Society Summer Exhibtion. It was much better spaced out this year, but there were definitely fewer stalls, and much fewer freebies. However, we could actually understand a lot more of what they were saying, and even more surprisingly, it was much less patronising!
Tonight will be the Sacred Heart Year 13 Leavers' Dinner. It's the end of an era! I really must stop saying that... I've decided not to go clubbing afterwards, so I guess it's not quite the start of the next era yet either.
I attract too many weirdos. It's really not just me being paranoid - Layla noticed it yesterday, Frankie noticed it today. When I'm out on my own, I do doubt whether or not it's just me being hypersensitive, but it really isn't. So, in response, I decided to do my own bit of perving in Leicester Square. Well, technically it's Henry doing the actual deed:

Barn Street

This morning was the orientation session for the Fulbright Special Programme participants. Everyone was so lovely, but quite scarily, the prospect of traveling to America actually seems somewhat real now.
The US Embassy is perhaps one of the most scariest places I have ever been to. Far more scarier than Thorpe Park! The security people are just so unnecessarily angry - I would really hate to have their job!
In the evening, Layla and I went to see the LSO's last concert of this season - Bruch & Bruckner, with Daniel Harding and Renaud Capuçon. Brilliant concert, as always.
Oh, today some American tourists asked us where "Bond Street" was. Because of their accent, I heard "Barn Street", and so said to them, "Sorry, I haven't heard of a 'Barn Street'". According to Layla, this was really quite facepalm. No idea how I'll cope in the US for 5 weeks.