It's official - I've fallen in love with London. The past couple days spent with my orientation group in London were some of the greatest of my life! I'm sorry this update is late but life was simply to hectic to do my first experience in England justice. The first night at my hotel, I was jet lagged, confused, and reasonably out of it, which is probably what led me to the first funny anecdote I feel I should share. As I was walking back to my room, I heard a strangely familiar/American voice coming from the room next door. Someone was skyping with a friend...a friend who I recognized as my old San Diegan roommate Rosie who is ALSO at Sussex with me this semester! Thinking that this coincidence was just too crazy, I decided to be that creep who knocked just to share the coincidence with her. My first friend in England, Vanessa! After talking about our crazy mutual friends, we decided to spend the next day together roaming around England. When I met her for breakfast the next morning, we overheard another American voice asking the hotel staff for a vegetarian breakfast - had to be another Californian. So we introduced ourselves to our third partner in crime for the day, Alison. The 3 of us grabbed our bags and headed for the streets of London, not knowing where we were or what we were going to see. So we walked...and walked...and kept turning...and walked some more. Suddenly, lo and behold, we practically walked straight into St Paul's Cathedral. Such an overwhelming feeling. Stumbling into an architectural marvel like St Paul's without knowing you're about to see it was one of the most incredible experiences that I was happy to share with me equally excited companions, Vanessa and Alison.

After St Paul's, the 3 of us had this strange feeling that the rest of the day was gonna be just as fantastic. So, deciding to follow our instincts and go where the wind blows, we kept walking.  As we turned the corner down this windy road, the 3 of us looked up at the same time only to see none other than the infamous London skyline - The London Eye, Big Ben, and the Bridge. Overwhelmed with excitement, pride that we happened to be stumbling upon every London monument that means something to anyone, and sheer happiness, we all yelled and basically jogged the rest of the way to cross the bridge.

 Trying to put this moment into words is hard. I know it sounds silly but I was SO EXCITED to have found this part of town that it is truly inexplicable. The 3 of us continued on to see the Parliament building, Westminster Abbey, a random statue of Abraham Lincoln, and then the National Gallery. After stopping for a quick bite (a typical British "jacket and cheese" otherwise known as a baked potato), we felt ambitious enough to brave the National Gallery. Inside for only a few minutes, we quickly realized that is something you don't even attempt unless you have a good 12 hours on your hands, so decided to save it for another day. 

We continued on, absolutely adamant about finishing this wonderful day with some other London highlights. We walked and walked, finally reaching St. James Park and Buckingham Palace. Exhausted, happy, overwhelmed and in awe, we spent some time walking through the park and enjoying the wonder that is the Palace and felt that we had basically covered the entire city of London in one, accidental fail swoop.

To complete the day, we ended with a ride on the Tube back to our hotel, truly feeling that our London extravaganza was a success. But wait! Bet you thought I was super tired and passed out early right...WRONGO! After a quick orientation with fellow EAP students, there was nothing left to do but PUB CRAWL! Our trusty orientation leader Austin brought us to 2 different pubs where I ordered my first legal alcoholic beverage ever! (Bulmers Pear Cider...can you seay delicious?) If this was any taste of English night life...count me in.I fell in love with the city and was so sad to leave today, but am excited to finally be in Brighton! I arrived in the absolute POURING rain with all my baggage, pulled up to my randomly located house in the center of the city, and waltzed on in. 8 other international students have been living here since September and I am the only newcomer, making the whole experience a bit daunting. Positives: my room is HUGE, i have the what I imagine to be the best view in the ENTIRE CITY (pictures soon to come), and I am a 4 minute walk from the center of Brighton, bustling with night life, shops, food, people, and most exciting...the beach! Negatives: my roommates seem to be a group of pot smoking misfits that aren't too keen on social interaction or acknowledging my existence. But, alas, I think it will all work out for the best. Tomorrow I am off to campus to figure out my whole academic life...(oh wait...I am here for school aren't I...hmm...) and then let the festivities begin! I miss you all tons and will try desperately to keep this thing up to date, whether anyone is reading it or not. I at least know I have my 2 trusty followers, Mom and Pops, who as your reading this must remember how much I love them and not to panic! I'm not an alcoholic...yet. Just kidding. Peace and Love.

 (yes I took this picture and no it is not a google image....)