Simply Me: Star Wars Day Doesn't Apply Here, Apparently

Today today. What happened today?

We didn't have kitchen duty (or dinner together, as a matter of fact. It's a bank holiday over here) so the day seemed to last forever! Remembering what happened this morning is difficult. Not that I'm complaining, of course. Busy is good.

We had our Fine Arts 270 (or some number like that) this morning and I quite enjoyed it. We talked about art and how to define it, and what do do with those definitions. Art is cool; I'm a fan.

After class Lizzie, Caitlin, Kenna, Sarah, and I headed out to the city. We went to the National Portrait Gallery (which I loved) for an assignment, and then headed out to the city to do one of the walks for our London Walks course.

The National Portrait Gallery had portraits of important people from London's history from Shakespeare (whose portrait was the first ever to enter that building, by the way) to the modern day. Most of the portraits were the typical oil on canvas or the occasional stone bust, but as the gallery exhibits became more recent we saw photography, and even a sculpture made of frozen blood! That was so incredibly disgusting, but also fascinating. I mean, I feel like I want to throw up every time I see it (so I'm posting it below for your enjoyment), but I suppose it's art? Of some sort. . . Personally, I won't be attempting any art in this particular medium.

Okay I just learned from my roommate that he redoes this every five years. It takes eight pints of blood. Some artists are weird. I will stick to my books, thank you.

Before our walk we decided to get lunch. We were going to head over to a market and eat there, but then we passed a Mexican restaurant called Tortilla, and were drawn in by the smell and the economic prices. It was delicious. I found it funny that I came all the way to London just to find myself eating Mexican food, but hey! It was yummy. I'll be more adventurous tomorrow.

On that same note, I was NOT expecting to find Mexican food or BBQ joints here, but I have seen several different varieties of both. I guess cultures are becoming more intermingled nowadays.

The walk took an hour or so, but I learned a lot. Well, I read a lot. . . We'll see how much of that is retained over the next few days. I did read a cool story about Robert, Baron Clive. He tried to commit suicide at age eighteen, but the revolver he was using failed to fire. Twice. He took this as an omen that he had a role to play in the world. He most certainly did; he became one of the most important British officers in India in the 1700s. Don't ever give up. Everyone has a role to play, even if they don't always recognize it.

The walk ended in St. James' park (which is one of the places we visited on Saturday. Actually, the last third of the walk was essentially what we saw and did Saturday, but we learned more this time around. I still don't like Buckingham palace, though) and, because walking takes a lot out of one's feet, we sat on the grass and talked for a good while.

We did finally decide that we wanted Percy Pigs (aka the BEST gummy candy known to man) more than we wanted to rest our feet, so we got up and walked to the nearest tube station. We then went all the way to Liverpool station because we knew for sure we could get Percy Pigs there. It was worth it.

We walked into M&S and got water, the candy, and I grabbed a carton of strawberries. I ate nearly the whole carton by myself (I shared three strawberries)! It was thoroughly satisfying. And it was healthy so I can't feel too sheepish.

After M&S Kenna and Caitlin decided that we should all visit 221 Baker Street (otherwise known as the residence of Sherlock Holmes). We hopped on a bus and had an absolutely delightful journey! The bus is slower than the tube, but it is so much more exciting! You see so much more of the city that way, and we've found many places we would like to visit on foot. On one street (sadly, I forget the name) we passed the British Library (I swooned), AND the Royal Music Academy (I swooned again. But that may not actually be the right name. . . It was some sort of music academy, though). We're going back there as soon as I find out where it is.

We found Baker Street and enjoyed the fangirling of Kenna and Caitlin, and then came back to the Centre where we passed a quiet few hours before bed. I don't actually know what everyone did, to be honest, but it was quiet and nice. Life here is good.

Now for pictures that aren't repulsively fascinating:

This was a monument by the Thames. I can't quite remember what for. . .

The London Eye. Because it's pretty.

Once again I can't recall what building this is, only that I found it gorgeous.

Because why not get a better frame?

This was in front of a memorial for WWI, I believe.

This is that memorial

And another part of the memorial

And another.

Memorial for the Navy

There are FISH on the lampposts!

Whitehall Garden. It smelled so good in that garden.

Once again, I don't remember the name of this building.

This is Whitehall, I believe. It was formerly known as King Street. King Henry VIII wanted to turn this area into his court, but that didn't end up happening.

The Tower of Big Ben in the distance. Our group always seems to find ourselves at Trafalgar Square or Westminster. I suppose that would make sense, though, as that's the center of London. . .

The horse guard. The red and white uniform means that he's a Life soldier. Had he been wearing blue and red that would have indicated that he was a Royal soldier.

Downing Street. It's where the Prime Minister lives and so it's heavily guarded. But the policemen are happy!

Another beautiful building which I never learned the name of.

Because maybe you haven't seen enough of St. James' park. There were no cars on the road going through it today and that was quite nice.

I told you his story earlier. He's the one who nearly killed himself but became great instead.

Beautiful buildings in a beautiful place. They help make the place beautiful.

Another memorial to fallen soldiers.

This is right on the edge of St. James' park. I don't exactly know what these buildings are for. Whoops! But I was successfully reading aloud and walking and avoiding running into people so there was some skill involved.

St. James' Park

Some of the group. Kenna didn't realize she was in the picture.

Sarah. She's adorable, just so you know.

I don't remember why (I think it was something about The Jungle Book), but Kenna started laughing so hard she began to cry. This made the rest of us laugh 'til our abs hurt. It was wonderful.