Wicked - It Is Definitely AMAZING!

So after I went to South Kensington - I went for a bit to eat at Gourmet Burger Kitchen and had a delicious hamburger. Then, I went to the National History Museum (just a few blocks down from Manson Place). The building itself is just beautiful! It is a huge museum (and it is free!) - it is geared toward children, but we had fun - only saw only like 1/3 of the museum. We saw the the earth exhibits: planets, animals, insects, volcanoes, earthquakes etc. We then went outside for a butterfly exhibit tent where we saw some amazing butterflies and got some great shots. None of them landed on me though!

Then we went to High Street Kensington and went shopping for a bit. Then I returned back to my flat and got changed for Wicked!

Wicked was amazing and it was at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. I absolutely loved the musical. We were like 2 minutes however, someone took our seats so we got "upgraded" a few rows. It was great. They even have mini binoculars u can rent for one pound. We got the tickets for only 18.50 pounds. But it was great - very colorful and exciting. The actors did not have British accents either. There were some great special effects. The theatre was like a stadium - people were allowed to bring drinks into the theatre and they had people selling ice cream in the "stands." It is definitely up there on my top musicals! I was able to listen to the words to the songs, and they are truly meaningful - the story itself was also very interesting too! The theatre was also amazing and I took some pictures too (I also took one during the bows and got yelled at - but I still have it!)

Then we got some pictures (the people who went with me from EUSA) and I headed back to my flat. I am getting ready for my trip to Stonehenge, Bath & Windsor Castle.

Cheers!

Hello From South Kensington

So today is a beautiful day - sunny and just wonderful! I woke up and went to Gloucester Road to pick up some tokens for the washer and dryer. Then I headed over to South Kensington for my Professional Development Seminar on Teamwork.

I then went to the EUSA Office to pick up my camera and a card from my aunt!

I then headed back to Manson Place, where I am now and we might go out and enjoy this beautiful weather!

Cheers!

Pizza In London - Nothing Like The States

Today was a normal day. I started my internship with finishing up the June 2009 event header openings. I then was asked to contact organizations and ask them for the relevant person to speak to in regards to an event that GovNet/Inside Government is planned on Green ICT. I called approximately 200 contacts from various councils and asked for the correct contact to speak to in regards to the area of Green Government ICT, or those who have the responsibility to oversee the mandatory targets set by Government for reducing carbon emissions, and increasing energy efficiency. I also was asked to find a contact for those responsible for managing the data center at each organization. It was very interesting to get to know the various councils in the area and to realize how the British accent is so much different - most people end the conversation with "Cheers!" rather than "Good bye!"

I then went to Victoria to purchase my ticket for Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath. I grabbed a quick bit at McDonald's too. I am starting to feel like a local because many people are asking me questions if they are at the right station for the tube, or where the nearest tube station is located or where the nearest "toilet" is located.

I then returned to Inside Government and began calling again. I drank alot of tea today too!

After that, I went home and I checked to see if my camera arrived at EUSA. Apparently the company put the wrong address on the package and therefore it was unable to be delivered. The delivery company hung up on me many times (it was automated) because I was calling from a mobile phone and therefore they could not track the postal code. However, I did manage to get through and I gave them the correct address and they ensured me that it would be there by 5:30 pm tomorrow. I then emailed the company and asked for some sort of compensation since I do have proof that I wrote the correct address.

I then rushed to Southwark (although the tube was late and slow) to go to the Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, which was part of the EUSA program. I had tickets for standing room only, so I left early because my legs were getting tired. However, the theatre is very interesting because the seating is very elevated, while the stage is below.

I then went to a pizza place right next to the theatre and although the garlic bread was delicious, the pizza was not that good.

Also, in London, the tips are much lower - only 10% for restaurants, 15% for taxis and no tips for pubs. However, unlike the American society, there are no free refills for soda. When paying with a credit card however, the waiter comes with a remote credit card machine and does it right in front of you too! In London, they also have a right to take your credit card if you do not sign the back of it because they do check! Sometimes too, in public places, they charge to use the bathroom.

Anyways, I returned back to my flat and started to research more on France - hopefully we book tomorrow. Tomorrow, I am planning to go see Wicked too along with my Professional Development Seminar.

Happy 20th Birthday To Me!

So today started off like any other day. I woke up, got on the tube and headed to Embankment for my internship. I finished the header opening for the emails for the events in July, and then I did some more header openings for emails for September and started the ones for July. Basically my job was to research various articles and recent news about each event and relate that news to that event for marketing purposes when it is sent out to the delegates. I did have some down time between each task, but it is very interesting. While I was researching about London 2012, I read up on the highlights and updates that London plans to incorporate for the Olympics - it was very interesting to look at the plans and designs and to also look at some job descriptions that they are hiring. I then ate lunch at McDonald's - it was quite good! In London, instead of calling clear soda 7up or Sprite, they call it Lemonade.

Anyways, I returned back to the internship and made myself a cup of tea since I was tired. I then found out that another student from EUSA will be interning at Inside Government starting Tuesday. Everyone in the office is quite nice and very sociable. I finally got my computer and email set up as well. At the end of the day, I told everyone it was my birthday after they asked what I was doing this evening - they all did not know.

After looking at a few events that Inside Government plans, I noticed that a few were held in Northern Ireland - maybe I will be working those...

I then headed over to Victoria to attempt to order the ticket for Stonehenge - unfortunately, they were closed. I hope to order them tomorrow. So I headed over to South Kensington to pick up a letter that I received at EUSA from my aunt and uncle.

I headed back to my flat and had to get a new key (since they changed the locks). I went upstairs and took a nap. My flatmates did not do dinner tonight because there was a huge football game on - so we will postpone until next week.

At 8:00 pm tonight, I met some EUSA friends for dinner at Bella Italia. It was delicious and I ordered pizza. I was surprised by them that they ordered me a cake and had the waiter light candles and sing to me - it was quite touching. They even treated me too!

I then went back to South Kensington to attempt to plan the rest of the trip to France - hopefully we will book tomorrow.

My camera is coming in tomorrow (hopefully) and I will be going to the Shakespeare's Globe at night.

Cheers!

Day 1 On The Job

Today was my first day at Inside Government - a division of GovNet Communications.

I woke up at 7:00 am today and took a shower. I left my flat at 8:00 am, excited but nervous. I finally arrived to Embankment (but almost took the wrong tube line - Piccadilly instead of District). My internship started with my sitting in the waiting room. My manager, Matt, apparently had a doctor's appointment and was running a tad late. Instead, one of the other four people (including Matt) in inside government, showed me around the office, and introduced me to all of the people at GovNet Communications. Besides the seven top magazines that GovNet produces, it also hosts larger events, while inside government hosts events from 50-150 people. Events include conferences mainly that deal with prevalent issues (Obesity, London 2012, Special Educational Needs etc)

I started my day by proof reading the inside government website (http://www.insidegovernment.co.uk/) for any spelling errors, grammatical errors, and for sentences that were illogical or confusing. After that, I updated the website to take account of these errors. Then, I had lunch at an Italian restaurant - they charged me a cover charge too! I returned and finished updating the website etc. Although it was tedious and boring, this enabled me to learn about inside government and to get to know some of the events that I will be helping organize. I then was assigned a task to research current news and articles that pertain to each event in July 2009 and to write a blurb that will be used for marketing purposes. My job was to take this current news and to tie it in with the conference. These blurbs will be used in emails as headers to potential delegates (or guests). Because I looked at the computer screen so long (and since it was such a distance away), I got a little nauseous, but I ended up being fine. I hope to get my desk in order tomorrow so I can move the screen how I like it (since today I didn't have a computer - so I used someone else's desk/computer who was out today). Everyone that I work with in my department is very nice and very social too. However, the keyboard is a bit different - some keys are different like the @ sign is where the : and ; key is and the " key is there the @ sign is. And then the pound and euro sign is where the $ sign is and the $ is where the # sign is. But overall, it is manageable.

After my internship, I ran over to West Kensington to try to get my camera fixed. After waiting a while, I was told that it would be 135 pounds! I decided to buy a new camera instead. I then went over to High Street Kensington to go to Jessops, a camera store. On the way, I passed a Sony store and went inside. I looked at a few cameras and saw some similar to the one I had, but they did not have an optical viewer (one that you can see with your eye instead of the screen). I went to Jessops, but they were closed. I then went with some EUSA friends to a Thai restaurant and ordered chicken with a peanut butter dip and sticky rice. I really did not enjoy it that much - well not as much as the other Thai restaurant I went to.

I then went back to South Kensington where we looked at some flights and hotels for France for next week. We will probably book hopefully tomorrow!

I then returned to my flat and paid for my internet until July 11th. I then decided to do some research on a potential camera. My goal was to find the same exact camera (since I really do like it). I ended up ordering the same camera (since it is not available in any stores) from a website called "buyacamera.co.uk" They claim that they deliver within 24 hours. Hopefully they are correct because I would like it for Thursday's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. I read some reviews, and most of them were 10 out of 10.

I then emailed EUSA to let them know that the camera is coming and to ask when I would be able to pick it up. I also wrote down my hours for internship and my tasks that I completed today.

Tomorrow is my birthday - so I know that some EUSA students want to go out to celebrate. If I have time, I will book my trip to Stonehenge this weekend. I know that a student from St. Francis H.S. is going to be there (on a different tour though) so we will probably run into each other since we are going to the same places.

Cheers!

Oh p.s. I learned (not from experience but from word of mouth) that the peace sign (with your palm facing you) is the same thing as raising your middle finger to someone. However, the peace sign with the palm facing out, is the same thing as peace in the US.

Welcome Vincent

Today, I slept in until 11:30 am. I then proceeded to attempt to call a few camera repair shops - however, because of the holiday, most were closed. I did end up getting through to Jessops, but they said that they send their cameras out and it takes 2-4 weeks to get them back.

After taking a shower, I decided to head to West Kensington to check out a camera store that states on their website that they fix in shop and 98% of their repairs are completed within 2-10 days. They were closed, but they are open tomorrow, so after my internship at 5, I will run over there and hopefully make it in time.

I then met some EUSA students for lunch in London Bridge. There, we planned even more for our weekend trips and more in detail too. Then, I went to Piccadilly Circus to see if any Wicked tickets were at a reasonable price. I got one ticket for 18.50 pounds - which is really good. I will see that show on Friday night!

Then, I headed to Victoria to inquire about the Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath trip on Saturday. They said that they would give us a great price - hopefully we can all get it and put our money down this week.

I then went shopping to buy some detergent for laundry and went home to do some laundry. I did all of my clothes - however, the tokens for the dryer only lasts 30 minutes, so I have alot of clothes around my room on dressers and my desk to dry.

I also used the steamer for the first time - it worked great!

Another flat mate, Vincent from the University of Dallas, came yesterday and I met him today. He is working on his masters doing a research project with his professor at the London Business School.

Tomorrow, I start my internship and I will head over to see if I can get my camera fixed before Thursday - when I go to Shakespeare's Globe for a show. If not, I will have to buy a new camera - but I am sure it won't go to waste. I am also meeting with EUSA students to look at some flights to France and some other countries as well!

Cheers!

Church, Movies, Planning

So today began with me waking up at 9:00 am to get ready for church at Westminster. I met some EUSA students at South Keningston, where some of the EUSA people live (others live in King's Cross as well). We headed to Victoria and the Westminster Cathedral to have mass. The mass was an hour and a half long, and it was mostly in Latin, however the new Archbishop of Westminster, celebrated his first mass with us. It was a great sight and the choir was really good (I am thinking it is all male - with some boys for the higher parts). Afterwards, I went gift shopping and then headed to lunch.

We had lunch at another Italian restaurant - it was delicious!

We then decided to head to the movies to see Angels and Demons. However, we were an hour early, so we ended up walking to a near bookstore where I saw some great books - the book "The Angry Ladybug" by Eric Carle, that I use to read as a kid was called "The Ill-Tempered Ladybug" instead. We then went to Paul's to get a soda (or a coffee or frapé) and some dessert - I got a delicious raspberry tart. We then headed back to the movies. The ticket was only approximately six pounds. The theatres in London are nice, although they have a smaller screen, the music and the sound is much better. They have more choices for candy and they also have a café inside too. The popcorn however, only comes in salted or sweet. Also, the rating system is 12A, which is under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The movie was really good and I highly recommend it!

Next, I went back to Baron's Court to get changed out of my church clothes to put on some shorts since it was in the 70s or low 80s today. Jet leg is not bad now - I think I have gotten use to the time. The key is to not take a nap the first day you arrive and go to bed with the public and wake up with the public - then you will be right on track.

I went back to South Kensington to meet some EUSA students for dinner. We went to a great Thai restaurant - I ordered chicken stir fry with cashew nuts and some sticky rice. It was delicious and well priced.

Next, we all went back to Manson Place, where the EUSA students live (right across the street are expensive apartments - going for 3 million pounds - 4-5 million US dollars!). We started to plan some weekend trips. So far our schedule looks like:

May 29-31: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath & London
June 5-7: France
June 12-14: Oxford (sponsored by EUSA) & London
June 19-21: Scotland
June 26-28: Ireland - Dublin
July 5-7: Italy (Maybe)

The costs of the plane and youth hostels are not bad. We plan to research more tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I plan to go to a few places to get my camera fixed. I talked to a few locals and they recommended me to a few places. And then we will have lunch and plan some more and I will come back early to do laundry and get ready for my internship.

Cheers!