Days 26-29: Study all Day, Party All Night... and Day.

Monday:
Ah, Monday morning- the start of another week, and this one contains midterms. Gross. Made it through History class without nodding off too many times. I think sleeping in super late all weekend helped me out a bit in the whole exhaustion department. Took advantage of the break between classes to hit the gym (definitely needed that after last night's gorging on Mexican food), got a little more studying done, and then moved to Fine Arts class. This was followed by a ridiculous adventure home in which the teacher didn't really give us directions and the Tube strikes were going on... Can I please explain how aggravating that is? We're left in some completely random place at some museum we've never gone to before, completely pressed for time after getting out of class late, and we can't take the Tube. End Rant. Kind of... So, after finding the appropriate bus and missing our free group dinner (huge bummer, because it was My Old Dutch again and they have bomb crepes), we dropped right off at South Kensington Station, grabbed some quick asian food, and met up with the rest of the group. After consuming food at a rapid-fire pace, (I'm pretty sure I've never eaten a jumbo spring roll and noodles that fast in my life) we danced off to Camdon Town for the Kook's concert! At least half of the house got tickets for this brilliant affair, so that was a blast. The venue was fantastic, and it turned out to be a show with about a dozen different British groups playing about 3 songs each, all to raise money for a charity and in memory of a guy who recently committed suicide. A much deeper affair than we expected, but it was really good and all of the bands were sending great messages and were so supportive. And the crowd was great too- altogether a really fun step into London music culture while supporting a great cause. It was a ton of fun, with pop, grunge, rock, alternative, techno, among many other genres, interspersed with awesome dance parties and hyperactive DJs, sparkling robots, and a fun, crazy crowd. After the concert, Craig, Sinjin, Kalie and I made our way to Pizza Hut (we were the only ones to stay for the duration of the concert- so glad we did), and then caught a Tube train, where we then had to find the correct bus (yet again), and finally managed to make our way home. Oh, and this was after realizing Craig had no money on his card so we had to play nicely with the Tube attendants to get him through for free (which worked, amazingly, especially considering we were there about 15 minutes til it closed). All in all? A really fun night out with friends. More studying tomorrow! Bleh.

Tuesday:

Okay, seriously, this sickness needs to bite the dust. Waking up with what feels like multiple rocks in my throat does not cut it. Yuck. At least I got to sleep in til 11:30 today. I swear, all I do is sleep. Not really, because I was out at an epic concert last night, which definitely does not constitute as being lazy and sleeping... but if I can sleep in, boy, do I sleep! We had Convo today, got to learn all about our upcoming trip to Greece (ye-AH!), then I headed downstairs to make a most excellent quesadilla with chicken, cheese, and black olives and grilled to perfection in the house's panini maker. After that? The ever-fun joy of studying and studying and studying some more, with a How I Met Your Mother episode thrown in to save my sanity. This was followed by another quesadilla for dinner because I really don't have anything else to make right now. And then? Well, we know the drill. More studying. Geez, if this isn't repetitive and mundane I don't know what is. I can't wait until 6pm tomorrow when all the midterms are done and all we have to do is have far too much fun until Greece... and then have more fun. Yeah, definitely like the sound of that. Bring on tomorrow night! 

Wednesday:

So, for the sake of my studies, I actually got up at 7am today. Woah, huge deal right there. But seriously, 7 am no? Not really my thing. At least I got to wake up to the sound of rain and some horse clomping along the street somewhere nearby. Yes, the cadence of those two mingled together definitely helped me get over the fact that it was way too early to be a fully functioning human being. Anyhow, touched up a bit on my studying, slowly got ready and had a delightfully warm croissant for breakfast with some OJ (go AWAY sickness!), had a lovely conversation with a friend via Facebook in which I was again reminded of how pale I'm going to get over here, and then... History of the Modern Middle East! Cue dramatic music? Dun dun duhhhh. Brilliant. I should become a musician. Anyhow, ran off to that class and pretty much blew that essay out of the water. At least the the whole memorized pieces bit. But seriously, I know my Islamic Law (Shari'ah- sacred law, people!), and don't even get my started on the 5 Pillars of Faith! Wha-bam. Got that stuff down. Anyhow, ignoring my sudden fit of insanity as I type this, I kind of BS'd my conclusive evaluation, but the question itself was so general so hopefully my splendid writing skills (please, note the intentional use of immodesty for the sake of continuing my ridiculous tangent) did me justice. Next in line? Studying for Humanities and memorizing the crap out of the 100 Years War and Gothic Art. Good thing I have 6 hours until that midterm. Maybe I'll go to the gym? Maybe... Our hours are awful since we're not Imperial students, but I guess I could go at 2.... We'll see. For now, lotsa studying in my future. Bring it on. 

Studied Humanities until my brain wanted to fall out of my ears. Even a lunch break couldn't keep me from running around my room like a maniac, because I returned to my room and studied for another half hour and then found myself wondering why our gym hours are so awful. Oh well, definitely made a visit to run off the craziness before the final. I swear, I hit a massive wall from this repetitive studying. I definitely wasn't used to such shenanigans. Honestly, school? Mehhh... Fun. Sleep. Food. I like those much better. Whatever. After the immense 6 hour break, my midterm finally reared its ugly head and I, well, I dominated it like the English dominated the Channel when fighting the French. Seriously, 100 Years War and Gothic Art? You are my... well, we all know what word goes there. We'll keep it G for all audiences, here. But seriously. I. Am. Done. Midterms: check. Da Mario's for dinner tonight (swordfish in pasta last time, delicious sauceless pizza tonight!), horses tomorrow morning (why the heck have I not received my package yet? I swear, the postal service ate it and I need my gloves cause my hands are getting torn up by the reins), and then the weekend begins its absolute fantasticalness. That's actually a word. No red squiggly line. Wow, this was possibly the most sporadic post I've made so far. Hiatus now. I'll finish once I get back from whatever I do tonight to sum up this very, very long day. But at least I've got a ton of energy from my gym workout and finishing those midterms. I haven't handwritten that much in a long time. Anyhow, 5 minute coma time before dinner. Yahoo!

Gotta love the bathroom posters

Mmmm dinner was delightful. Kalie and I watched Glee before we headed out with the gang to celebrate the conclusion of midterms (and basically the first academic thing I've really had to do here so far... I'm obviously missing something...).  Glee was super sad this evening so that was a nice start to the evening... but not really. Anyhow, past the emotional drama of the show, we hit up the park with the boys and ended up having a fun time as groups joined at the bar right across from our house. Literally, it's like 200 yards from our house... So, after a fun time there, we peaced after a very early last call, went back to the house, where Kalie ended up hitting the club with a few of the other girls, and I ended up (being lame?) staying in while a few of the guys cooked up some midnight munchies. Yeah, free food. I accept. Anyhow, early equestrian tomorrow, so I fully accept my choice of staying in and getting some amount of sleep. There's always tomorrow for the full-on craziness. But, for now, I crash out. Because I am tired. Yay fragmented sentences. Anyhow, while my roommate parties tonight, I am enjoying the absolute comfort of my bed and the change jingling in my pocket. Goodnight, London! 

Thursday:

Texas friends! haha

Woke up nice and early for equestrian today and was greeted by an absolutely beautiful day! Carrie and I walked to the stables, and I got the pretty liver chestnut with the super uncomfortable saddle again- Figaro, I believe. But hey, nasty saddle or not, at least I got to ride one of the nice horses again. I'm loving that. Carrie and I got to split off from the group and go on an extended trail ride today all over Hyde Park. It was fantastic! Tons of trotting and cantering and we were actually on responsive, active horses, so it made it all the more fun! Got back to the house and made some leftover pizza for lunch (food of champions, right there...) and some tortilla soup, then headed off to the gym. Yeah, I WILL get into a better habit now that my stupid knee has stopped being angry. Watch a little ANTM after the gym, painted my nails, got all clean, then went downstairs for some baking and dinner making (rhyme!) before chilling for a bit before the group went out. We decided to go back to The Rocket (I feel like this might become a regular place. I mean, I do recognize the bartenders and DJ at this point... now just to make friends with them... hm). Anyhow, it was a very fun evening in which we met some people from Texas (oh yeah, meeting the locals... not) and chatted with them for quite a long while. Why not? I love meeting new friends! All in all, a good night, which yet another adventurous evening. Good thing I've got such an awesome roommate to go through all of this with me!