Road Trip Day #4

Apologies for the delay in posting these recaps!

On day four, we had rested up from our big drive into South Dakota, we headed downtown Rapid City. 

Rapid City has statues of 43 presidents on each of the street corners that covers the main part of downtown. It is a fairly cool to turn a corner and come across a president. We grabbed a map, so that we could spot some of our favorites. 

FDR

JFK and John Jr. 

Jackson

LBJ

Downtown Rapid City

Grabbing Starbucks, we soon headed up into the Black Hills to see Mount Rushmore. When we finally turned the corner, and it came into view, it was real sight to see!

We parked and then walked around for about an hour. You can't get super close, but there are plenty of viewing opportunities to stare up at the four presidents. There is also a small exhibit about how they carved each of the presidents.

Mount Rushmore 

As we left Mount Rushmore and ultimately South Dakota, we took the drive through the Black Hills rather than immediately jumping back on the Interstate. I highly recommend this to anyone. Sure, you go slower, drive through villages, and get stuck behind a logging truck (true story), but how many times do you get to hang out in the Black Hills?

Once we entered Wyoming, we headed to Devil's Tower.

Viewpoint from Devil's Tower 

Devil's Tower

Devil's Tower

I first heard of Devil's Tower when I was a little kid playing the Oregon Trail game. From there, being a history lover, I read numerous accounts of those traveling West coming across the rock structure.

It was truly an incredible sight to view. We walked around the base of it via the trail. Each side has a different appearance due to nature's elements.

As Mount Rushmore and Devil's Tower took up quite some time, we didn't stop again until Cheyenne except for gas and Lost Springs. Lost Springs is considered a city in Wyoming. It is one of the smallest in the USA, had a population of one in 2000, and has one bar! What a true obscene roadside attraction.  We had other stops planned, but it was better that we pushed on to make it to Denver this day.

Population of 4

Wyoming

Wyoming State Capitol 

We got into Denver around 10pm this day.  We were staying at a Doubletree, so we were very excited about those cookies waiting for us after another long day of driving! 

Road Trip Day #3

Continuing to re-cap the road trip, day three was a very long day of driving.

In the morning, we toured around Omaha. 

Doing some scheming the night before, we were able to find Warren Buffet's home!

Warren Buffet's Home

Down the street from Mr. Buffet's home, we found the birthplace of President Ford. While the home was torn down many years ago, they have put in a garden and small exhibit about what the house looked like. 

Birthplace of Ford

Finally, before we left Omaha, we wandered down to where Lewis and Clark surveyed the Missouri River and stood on the state line on the pedestrian bridge. The pedestrian bridge runs over the Missouri River.

Lewis and Clark Landing

Omaha

State Line

Our second major stop of the day was in Lincoln. It was supposed to be a quick stop to see the state capitol. I, of course, got us lost in the city for a good 40 minutes. Nevertheless, we did get to see more before finding the capitol!

Nebraska State Capitol 

One of the highlights of the trip was getting to see a lot of sites that were part of the Oregon Trail. After a few wrong turns, we found Fort Kearney on our way into South Dakota following Lincoln. 

Fort Kearney

GO WEST! 

We wanted to stop and see the actual markings in Ash Hollow which was a short drive away from Kearney, but we were battling some weather. We did get to drive through parts of the area on our way to Chimney Rock. 

Phew! Nebraska Rain Showers...

Chimney Rock Cemetery

Chimney Rock 

My Car thought it was in a Chevy Commercial

Before turning North to get to South Dakota, we found one of the most amusing things on the side of the road.

What, you may ask?

CARHENGE.

Based off the one I've seen several times in England, Carhenge is well...Stonehenge but made out of American cars. It was a bit weird, but it served as a good break.

Unfortunately, the drive into South Dakota was not a pleasant one. We stopped for gas right outside the border, and we were both considering giving up driving for the evening and grabbing a different hotel. But, I started to drive into the rain, the Black Hills, a highway that while runs into Texas has no light all while we avoided deer...somehow we made it through it.

Nicola and I clearly were stressed when we got in, but we survived!

Stay tuned for day four! 

Celebrations

On Wednesday, following my last final, a bunch of us went off to celebrate. There was a group of us that had some of the last set of finals. 

Appropriately, my Congress class headed to the George to celebrate being done with the class!

A tad later, I met up with Federico and Simon. We survived capstone, so naturally we all had to celebrate being officially done with the MPA! 

Following a quick lunch, we gathered with our other friends for some rooftop drinking. 

Talk about a great view!

We all ended up watching the World Cup game that evening at a local pub. It was an absolutely lovely day spent with some close friends celebrating freedom! 

Done with LSE!

I finished grad school this week!!

(Let's out screams of woo!!)

I finished my last exam on Wednesday, shortly before noon. As soon as I put my pen down, it hit me. After going to school for 21 years, I am finally done. It's been quite a long time. 

Pre-school, primary school, secondary school, undergrad, and grad school...

I love to learn, and I will always be a lifetime learner. But, the fact I no longer have to write papers or take an exam is a huge relief. I know in no time, I will most likely miss the assignments. I know I say I'm done with school forever, but since the future is unknown, I may end up back in a classroom someday! 

As for now, I'm enjoying my last few days in London while I begin packing.  

It still hasn't hit me that I'm done. Grades will begin to come with all of them being released in July. 

But, now...onward thinking to Las Vegas! 

Studying

The month of May was truly a month of travel for me. 

It was also a month of tremendous excitement as I accepted a job offer!

However, now that June is here, I've succumb to the tool of 9-5 studying. I was lucky to have all my papers and projects due at the beginning of May. Those long hours paid off as now I can devote my entire time to my last two exams.

Both of my exams are back to back...go figure. The first is on June 17th. That is my "Cities, Politics, and Citizenship" which is 100% of my grade. Thankfully, it is only two essays on the test. My second one is the next day. That one is for my class on the US Congress, and it is only around 66% of my grade. A tad less stressful than the first! 

I'll be hitting the books straight until the 18th...but I do have a few fun plans to report on the next few weeks (polo game, birthday parties, sightseeing). Stay tuned! 

Spring Break!

As I mentioned in some earlier posts this week, I'm officially on spring break! Five glorious weeks! 

Although, these glorious weeks are going to be spent writing papers and studying. Unlike last year, where my final papers and exams were at the end of May and the beginning of June,  all my papers are due throughout April and the beginning of May.  For example, I'm wrapping up my final paper for my 'Information Systems for the Public Sector' class. My final paper is 100% of my grade...so, excuse me as I wipe the sweat from my brow. 

My other final papers are my policy paper (more on that in a future post), one for my 'Contemporary Issues in Media Policy,' and one for 'US Legislative Politics.'

And, as for exams...well I get to take a break once I write all of these papers. Both of my exams this year are back-to-back days in the middle of June. 

But for now, I'll let you in on a secret...I'll be headed back to America on Monday to work from the comfort of home. There is just something about writing and working from home that sparks my imagination! 

Ben Franklin's House, St. Martin in the Fields, and the National Gallery!

Last Saturday, I booked a  ticket to visit Ben Franklin's London home.  It's tucked on a side street near Charing Cross, and not only have I walked by the street several times. I've also walked down the street past the house before. Strange how that happens sometimes.

I booked an advanced ticket to visit his home which includes a guided tour and video segments.  The tour featured a woman dressed in period costume.

Main Staircase

The tour started in the basement or what was once the garden. There was an exhibit about the medical bones that were found in the ground during renovations of the house. It turns out there had been a boarder in the house at once that also operated a medical school.

Bones

The first video of the tour gave information about Ben Franklin's life in London leading up to the American Revolution. The house is actually the only remaining building in the world where Ben Franklin lived! 

Bad Photo- But...Ben Franklin's Eye Glasses 

While the house has been renovated, there is no furniture or furnishings. Instead, each room features a small chair or table that included what could have occurred in the room.  For example, the parlor featured a small tea table. In each room, our guide spoke to us about the history of the house which was also supplemented by videos.

It was an interesting tour and for under a tenner, it's definitely a place for all to check out!

Trafaglar Square

Since Ben Franklin's house is practically in Trafaglar Square, I wondered over to also check out St. Martin in the Fields and the National Gallery. Again, two things that I actually have never done despite studying abroad!

St. Martin in the Fields

I visited St. Martin in the Fields first where I ran into a small orchestra preparing for a concert. 

St. Martin in the Fields is famous for the alter window.

Alter Window 

Inside St. Martin in the Fields 

After looking around in the church, I wandered down to the Crypt. No longer an actual crypt, I stopped in to the cafe for a quick cream tea!

Cream Tea 

And, finally, I ended this big day of tourism at the National Gallery. I stopped in quickly to see some of Monet's work as it was too crowded to make it through any other rooms. Will have to go back!

A Whole Lot of Work...

My last post was 10 days ago. 

I have finally finished the last assignment in what could be called a midterm period at LSE. Except...none of my essays, presentations, or assignments in the last two weeks were graded. They are all formative assignments. So, I'll get feedback in terms of writing, preparation for the final summative papers, and general comments of my understanding of the course load. But, let's just say...phew! I'm tired!

Last week, I had a paper due in my media policy class. I wrote a short analysis about the increasing access to broadband in the United States and how educational policies aimed at teachers in secondary schools needs to change. It was actually a lot more interesting that I thought it would be! It might be a topic for my final essay. I also had a paper due in my US legislative politics class last week. That one was about the electoral connection! 

This week...I had an outline due for my final paper in my information systems for the public sector class. I'm writing on the organizational structures of two different web councils in the US federal agency structure and how those organizations effect the delivery of digital services to citizens. The graded essay is due in April (bit early), so I'm looking forward to getting that feedback right away! 

And, tomorrow, I have a presentation about the deliberation process in Congress for my US legislative politics class. 

Can we say "Katie needs coffee?" 

If you're wondering how everything else is going at school...

Our capstone project final presentation has been set for March 18th. It's the day after my birthday, so double the celebrations! We're aiming to have the entire 15,000 word report written by the end of this weekend. 

As for my policy paper, I changed my topic and focus, but I like my new idea much better. Plus, I think it will be much more feasible to write about. 

LSE is pushing me to the extreme, again. But, I am still glad that I chose the rigor of my program and the school. I know it's all going to be worth it once I finish in a few months!

Last Course Registration….ever?

This morning, I registered for my final courses at LSE. Weird, huh?

Even weirder? It could also be the last time I ever register for courses!

During my first year at LSE, as you may recall, there were no option courses. All first-year students have to take the same three requirements in addition to the stream requirement. All my units were clearly selected for me! This year, minus the two main requirements, I've gotten to choose what I've wanted to take. And, since last semester, I was interning, I waited for this term for the majority of my units to balance out a workload.

This term, I'm taking:

MPA Capstone: My group will be completing our project with G4S this term!

MPA Policy Paper: Started last term, but my final policy paper will be submitted.

GV4C4: US Legislative Politics 

GY439: Cities, Politics, and Citizenship 

GV477: Comparative Public Policy Change

IS479: Information Systems for the Public Sector: Digital Government and Service Innovation

It's going to be another long semester of reading, late hours, and tons of coffee. But, I'm up for the challenge. I'm excited to finish out my final two terms strong!

Weekly Recap.

If you haven't figured out by my lack of regular posts again, school is in full bloom.

I've just about got my schedule down to normal and can resume to post regularly. Compared to last year, this semester, I'm not in class for many hours. The majority of my courses are not offered till the spring term.

Ronald Reagan Statue outside the US Embassy

Fellow Interns at Borough Market

It's been a crazy few weeks.  My internship is going amazing, and I'm so glad that I have a chance to intern with the US Embassy this semester!  I intern around 20 hours a week as I'm restricted to part-time work due to my student visa.  And, the other interns for the semester and I have gotten to know each other well. We even stepped out to Borough Market last weekend.

Last weekend, I also attended a house-warming party for four of my friends in my program. They live down in Bethnal Green, so a quick shot down the Central line! It was a fun night out with the second year MPA class and a few first years!

The Girls

MPA Capstone Team!

Over this past week, my capstone group and I got going on our six-month project. We are working on accessing public accountability in services provided by private companies. Specifically, we are working with G4S. It should be an exciting project!

This week, I also got to have three mini Syracuse reunions. I first met up with my friend, Brittany, for cupcakes and coffee. We first met when we had class together...it was the same class that I got to meet Hillary Clinton in!  I also got to grab lunch with my friend, Maria, while she was in town as well as give a tour of LSE to a current SU student! Tons of Orange love for the week!

Brittany and Me at Kensington Palace

Stay tuned for an update on the MPA Retreat and other musings!