Hi everyone! As many of you know, I am studying English this semester in London at Queen Mary, University of London. I will be updating this blog a few times each week in order for all of you to be able to follow my adventures throughout London and the rest of Europe!

*For those of you wondering, the title of this blog is called "Peppermint and Pipe Tobacco" because in my favorite movie, "The Parent Trap," when Hallie switches places with her twin sister Annie and goes to London, she meets her English grandfather for the first time and says that she will always remember him smelling like "peppermint and pipe tobacco."

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

I swear, Americans are smart too.

It's clear I haven't been a very good blogger lately. Let's fix that right now, shall we?

     These past two weeks have flown by.  I am now beginning to feel more comfortable with this city and I have learned to appreciate its differences from home, rather than looking at them as imperfections. 
     No matter what I am in the mood for, I can find it in London.  It's nice to know that I am only a tube ride away from great restaurants, vintage shops, the theatre and some of the best museums in the world.  Quite a difference to what I'm usually surrounded by in Lancaster, which are cow pastures and....well, that's about it.  
      So, two weeks ago I started classes here on campus. I am taking poetry, scriptwriting, art history and a lit class.  Little did I know that this literature class is a senior seminar, which study abroad students were advised not to take.  On top of that, this class only focuses on the literature written during the rise of facism and communism in Europe.  Needless to say, I have no effing idea what is going on.  
     Just to paint you a picture:  on the first day of class, I take a seat and I come to realize that I am the only American in the class of 40 students.  The tutor wanted us to each go around and introduce ourselves, along with mentioning the last book that we read.  The first girl who speaks says she just finished rereading War and Peace while the guy after her says he spent his summer reading Wordsworth poems and brushing up on Henry James' short stories.  
       Of course, the first thought that came to my mind was, "What's a good book I can lie about and say I read?", but before I knew it he had called my name not giving me enough time to whip up a highly acclaimed classic.  So, what did I say? I said I read Eat, Pray, Love.  You know how people say you always feel better after you tell the truth?  Needless to say, I don't believe in that anymore.  
       So, other than humiliating myself here on a daily basis, everything's been fine! My dad came to visit me for a few days and it was nice to see him and get to explore London a bit more.  We saw "Jersey Boys" one night and took a day trip to Canterbury on a Sunday.  It was a good five days, but it made me homesick for a familiar routine and everything that I am comfortable with.    
        This past week I saw "Sister Act" and "Legally Blonde" on the West End.  That's three shows in less than a week.  I need to stop.  
        Other than that, I have been just doing work, cooking my own meals (*sigh*), and getting lost on the streets of London.  Now I'm off to do a load of laundry. Riveting life I lead.  
Canterbury Cathedral 
The town of Canterbury

Buckingham Palace








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1 comment:

  1. Unknown17 October 2010 at 23:35

    I died laughing when I read the Eat Pray Love part omg that must have been so embarrassing but no worries kristen you're to cool for that class anyways you will do awesome

    loveee you and miss you

    - Ana {The Puertorrican} <3

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