Father-Daughter Trip: London Day 1

Greetings! Sorry for the bit of the delay in the running blog posts about the adventures that my Dad and I are doing. We've got a lot to see, and we find ourselves a bit sleepy at the end of each day.

Monday morning, my Dad landed at Heathrow around 7am. By 8am, he had found me once he cleared the border, and we set off for Central London.  Our hotel is right by Paddington in W2. We picked that location to be close to a neighborhood I know as well as tons of options for public transport into Central London.  We were able to check in early which was great to let my Dad begin to get over jet leg. But, after a short break, we set off to begin the tourist activities.

Name was all over the Tower of London

We purchased the Hop-On Hop Off bus for the day to allow us to get to see more of the city, especially since we only really have four days here. We stayed on the bus for a few hours allowing it to make a full circuit before disembarking to check out the Tower of London. It may have been freezing cold in the wind, but we wanted to see the must-sees!  We passed by the Crown Jewels, saw the famous ravens, found the name "Walpole" numerous times in the torture chamber exhibit, and checked out the view across to Tower Bridge.

Outside the Tower of London- Tower Bridge in the Background

From there, we hopped on the tube and headed down to Westminster. Stopping along to see the war memorials, Big Ben, and Downing Street, we ended up trying to get into the Churchill War Rooms. Unfortunately, they were closing early that day.

We took an early dinner before heading off to the London Ice Bar. It was my third Ice Bar experience across Europe, and Dad's first one ever. A bit cold, but well worth the experience.

It was a somewhat calm first day, but that was mainly because of the cold weather and my Dad's jet lag. Stay tuned!

Over the Ocean...

Jack Daniels' Barrel Tree in Covent Garden

At this moment, I'm somewhere over the ocean on my way home for the holidays. I left London around  1 PM GMT, and I'll land in New York around 5pm EST. From there, I'll have a bit of a layover, but then I'll land in Syracuse right before midnight.

Looking forward to seeing my parents, my dog, and all the animals at home! 

A Final December Weekend of Fun!

Since I finished term on Wednesday, I essentially have had a four day weekend to explore and be a tourist in London. Post an advisor meeting on Thursday morning, Arielle and I headed over to Winter Wonderland. As you may recall, Winter Wonderland is one of my favorite parts of London at Christmas.  Going on a weekday has its advantages- less crowds, and no lines for mulled wine. 

We started off on the adventurous side with the world's biggest mouse roller coaster. I don't have a feel of heights, but I do have a feel of falling. Yet, the five minute ride was well worth the screaming.

Wild Maus

Arielle and me

Post rollar-coaster, we sat down for lunch in the Bavarian Village complete with cider and mulled wine.

YUM!

As we were a bit cold and both needed to finish some Christmas shopping, we headed down to Harrods. A madhouse as we expected, we still managed to find some new tea, some Christmas goodies, and eat some ice cream. It's been on my list of things to do in London to actually eat at the ice cream parlor inside Harrods, and I can now cross that off! We split a macaroon sundae, and it was to good to not take some photos of!

Arielle and Me

Thursday evening, I went to the Pi Phi London Alumnae Club Holiday Party. I hadn't had a chance to go to any of the events this term yet, so I was super excited to meet some other Pi Phis. I also got a chance to see Michelle, the Chair of the club here. We ran into each other literally on the street in 2010 when I was wearing letters one day. We had drinks and dinner at Wahaca's South Bank Experiment. I'm a huge fan of Wahaca already based off the Covent Garden location of this Mexican restaurant. The Southbank Experiment location overlooks the Thames.

Two Sisters and Me

Friday was spent running some errands and taking it easy. It was a crappy evening, and the West Wing was needed.

Yesterday, Arielle, Jenny, and I met up in Islington to hunt down this craft store called Loop. Jenny knows how to crochet, and our goal of the day was to do that. I had tried before, but failed, and Arielle wanted to learn as well! The craft store was located in Camden Passage. The street it was on was also filled with a pop-up antique market. Post shopping, we met up with Zaina at a local pub where we proceeded to crochet, drink mulled wine, catch-up, and eat lunch. My scarf is still a work in progress, so no photos yet..But I do promise once it is done to show it off! 

And, today was my last day in London before break. I took the day to run some last minute errands including a trip to Laduree and to stock up on some Cadbury for the Christmas holiday. I fly home tomorrow, and I must say that I'm looking forward to escaping for a few weeks. 

You Gonna Fly...

This one isn’t really about London, but the man certainly is: My friends, as I have discovered myself, there are no disasters, only opportunities. And, indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters. 

- Boris Johnson 

As this is a scheduled post, at this approximate time, I'm about to board my first plane on my journey back across the pond. I'll land at JFK in under an hour and have a brief layover. From there, I'll board my overnight flight to London, landing at Heathrow around 8am (London time). 

My suitcases are packed, most likely overweight as both my parents and I predicted. I've got the travel documents and books that I pre-read for my courses. Life is about to change...and so, here we go.

Bon Voyage. 

The next time I'll be writing, I'll be living in Notting Hill. 

(title of post taken from "You Gonna Fly" by Keith Urban)

Essentials of Packing....Katie Style.

I have had a disease known as over packing since I was allowed to pack my suitcase for vacations on my own.  Over packing has been a consistent family joke since I was young. In the dictionary, my name is listed as over packing. WebMD defines over packing as Katie.

My disease had become so severe that a weekend away at our lake house requires extra clothes, just in case. Keeping in mind, our lake house is less than an hour away from our home, and I have clothes there as well.

College was an entirely different case. I had a moving truck, and I'm proud of it.

Believe me, over packing for college paid off every semester. You'd be surprised at the random things I needed (crayons, a hammer, sleeping bag, etc.).

As I've noted several times before, when I went abroad for the four months in college, I packed lightly. I came home with more, but I worked very hard to keep both suitcases underweight for that adventure. It paid off as I was more comfortable packing for weekends away and had more room for souvenirs.

This time around, I will be checking three very large suitcases. I'll also have a carry-on and a backpack as well.  About a week ago, I took over the guest bedroom with the start of the packing process. I decided that rather than spend time packing by ripping my closet apart, I'd pre-fold everything that I would like to take. Creating outfits based upon a variety of different clothing pieces was essential when doing this. Usually, whenever I moved to Syracuse, I could take just about everything I wanted to. If I only wore a sweater once in a while, it was fine. This time, it's different.

My piles were of basics (socks, etc.) in addition to scarves (most purchased from the last time I was abroad) to my peacoat. Thus, today, when I started packing, I was able to move throughout the room looking at what I had pulled. No need to rush back and forth between my closet.

Piles Prepared the Week Prior...

Today, if you cannot tell already, was the day I packed. I started out putting the toiletries in all three suitcases (double bagging, of course). From there, rather than pack just one, I moved throughout the room adding in things to all of them.  One of the things that I have picked up on from traveling is too stuff shoes (including boots) full of smaller items. It seems obvious to do this, but it can be often overlooked. I laid in my peacoat towards the bottom of one suitcase and proceeded to stuff the sleeves. I did the same for my leather coat. With several of my dresses and silk blouses, I did the roll-method, but was able to place a few smaller shirts between them before the roll.

Starting to Pack

Overall, I was able to get just about everything that I wanted to take with me. A combination of relaxation clothes (new pjs!), clothes for classes, and business attire was packed. One of the nice things is that I'll be able to rotate any clothes at Christmas, if I get tired of them.  I packed the essentials- practical for the weather, comfy clothes, and, fashionable as well for London.

Finished Product

The only things left to pack are my carry-on and my backpack. My rain boots snuck into my carry-on suitcase as they weigh a bit too much. Yet, I'm stuffing them full. I've got the majority of the carry-on suitcase done with just a few minor things left to add in.  Moving into the final week, I can make sure that I have everything that I absoltuely need and make sure I did not forget something!

Final Preparations!

Tomorrow is the first of September!! 

It's hard to believe that London is less than three weeks away. I remember when I got accepted to my first university for graduate school back in December that the time to depart would never arrive. I even said that at the beginning of summer when I graduated. Yet, time flies, and here, I am, approx. 17 days away!

As a recap for the summer, I worked for my parents, interned remotely for Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, and took two road trips. When I had other free time, I spent time reading for pleasure, swimming and kayaking, and actually watching television. The television bit is more of a foreign experience to me as I hardly ever have had time to sit and watch a series that wasn't recorded on a DVD.  These last few weeks have been the most relaxing as I finished yet another successful internship, made some money, and completed my preparations.

Besides packing, my preparations are done. I have my visa stamped in my passport, my loans set, housing paid for up through February, and confirmation of my flight. New suitcases, some new clothes, jewelry repair completed, and iPhone 3 (unlocked) in my possession. My bank account will be open in the first week that I'm in London once I show proof of US residence and citizenship. I'll hopefully set up my phone, order my student oyster card, and order student discount cards during my first day.

One of the things that I am thankful for with my housing is that it comes with new sheets, a new bathroom pack, and kitchen utensils. Because of the price covering those items, I'll only be left with buying a few things here and there and not having to lug housewares across Central London.

I'm glad that I was able to have all my preparations completed by the first of September. I'll be able to take my time packing these last few weeks without a fear of forgetting something, not having something bought, etc.

Stay tuned for my packing list and my plans for my first week in London

2 Months.

I can't believe that in two months I will board my plane to head back to my favorite city. It's a surreal feeling. #excitement #nervous #adventureawaits

When I studied abroad that was an adventure, but there was still a lot of guidance because of Syracuse. This time, I'll be starting at a new school and will be more on my own. Planning wise, I think I've made huge progress in the last month. 

What's Been Completed

1. Visa Application- I mailed in my visa application on July 10th.  The current processing time is about two to three weeks according to the website. I haven't received a confirmation e-mail that many have said they receive once processing begins. But, then again, when I applied for my Visa the last time I studied in London, I never received an e-mail as well, and that went through without a hitch.  
2. Doctors Appointments- The necessities of getting contacts, teeth cleaned, etc. have all been done! It was a hectic two weeks- all the appointments seemed to run within the same week.
3. Absentee Ballot- Mailed! Anyone who knows me well knows I'm an avid supporter of civic engagement, and I wouldn't miss an election even if I was across the pond.
4. HSBC Passport Account- I received information from HSBC confirming that my passport account has been set up. I just have to show my passport and proof of a USA address once I arrive in London.  When I was reviewing the different banks to work with for the next two years, the Passport Account seemed like the best for me. It's got the online banking which will be helpful, low rates for ATMs, etc. Check out the website here: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/current-accounts/uk-bank-account .  If you're a US student studying abroad in London for more than a semester, to receive your student loans disbursement and to actually use the money, you have to bank it. 
5. Loans-  Speaking of loans, I'm all set! My first disbursement will be on October 1st! US Federal Loans are disbursed three times in an academic year. LSE will take a third of my tuition, and  I will receive the rest of the amount in pounds sterling. 
6. Flight- I bought it early before the price increases dramatically. I'll be flying out of Syracuse then JFK on September 17th.  I chose to fly on Jet Blue and Virgin Atlantic. When I studied abroad before, I flew Virgin Atlantic, and the service was outstanding for an airline! The baggage fees were waived for one of my bags when the woman found out I was studying abroad and returning home. 
7. Housing- I've reserved a studio in Nido Notting Hill. It's about a ten minute walk to Westbourne Tube Station. From Westbourne, I'd get on the Hammersmith and City Line and then change to the Piccadilly Line to Holborn. Or, I could take the bus to Notting Hill Gate and take the Central Line to Holborn. Either way, even though my housing is a little farther away from campus, it's still in zone one. Choosing between the three Nido properties (Spitalfields and King's Cross are the other two locations.), I chose Notting Hill for an escape, the location as well as what I consider a fun neighborhood. It's still in Kensington and Chelsea- I'll actually be about a 15 minute tube ride away from where I lived before! 

What Still Needs to Be Done

1. Finish Payment for First Installment of my Housing
2. Order my unlocked iPhone -  Being a person who can't go an hour without wondering what has happened on Twitter, the situation surrounding a phone abroad has been well researched. I'll be leaving my US phone home, and I will be buying an unlocked iPhone 3 from Apple. I'm currently using a 4s, but international plan through Verizon costs an arm and a leg. Buying an unlocked phone allows me to take it to O2 (the cell phone company that I plan to use in London) and join their 12 month sim plan. I'll receive a sim card and will be able to purchase a plan that is suitable for me. 
3. Review of Basic Pre-Calc and Economic Principles- Not one who likes to go into situations unprepared, I've started reviewing math concepts for my pre-semester course as well as academic year. Likewise, I've begun reviewing basic micro and macro concepts as it has been three years since I took economics for my policy studies major. 
4. ISIC Card- I ordered my card, but I just have to activate it! When I used the card studying abroad before, I received a lot of discounts including free entrances to a lot of museums, etc. on weekends away. 

I've still got a lot to do it feels like. There's plenty of small things that didn't even make it onto the above list. Stay tuned for more updates!

CHEERIO!