Hello!
So I am about to leave for Scotland in about 10 minutes so I thought I should probably write my blog about London last weekend. London was in one word...amazing. I have wanted to go there my entire life and it was well worth the trip. To sum it up it was about good sights, good food, good friends. Alyssa, Annie, Britt, Jenni, and I headed to the Copenhagen airport a bit early in the morning last friday. Our flight was a 1:15 so we just relaxed for a while and talked, got massive amounts of food, it was all good. I consumed a whole box of pringles, sour cream and onion, which I think was worth it due to my deprivation of chips over here.
Also, security here in CPH is a lot more 'lax than at home, you don't even need to remove your shoes and they don't even check your passport really (maybe once). So we get to London where we are supposed to me Alex, Britt's freshman year roommate, who also goes to Gettysburg. So we are wandering around Heathrow baggage claim trying to find her, and Britt is suprised she is nowhere in sight because she always sticks to promises (and she said she'd pick us up). SO, we finally get in touch with her via phone and turns out the tube was broken (the line to the airport) and she had tried to get there for over an hour before they kicked off everyone on the train alltogether. So the 5 of us took a very expensive cab to her apartment. I think split between 5 of us it was about 20 pounds each.
So expensive, but we got to see some of London as we navigated there. We finally got to her, she felt really bad, then we crammed all into her little single apartment with the greatest location right by Waterloo Station. I was already in awe as she took us around, across the bridge, to trafalgar square, big ben and parliament...all beautiful as the sun was setting. I was already in love with London and it had only been 3 hours.
Scariest thing ever was trying to climb this lion statue for perfect photo-op at trafalgar square. Thought I was gonna die and fall to my death on to the hard cement, but somehow made it.
We continued to just tour/walk around. Alex was the best touguide, and was all weekend. She was so good to us and we would have been horribly lost without here.
We decided to head back to her apartment, change, go out to the cheapest london dinner we could find, then went out to this place called Oxygen Bar. We stayed there the entire night, where we encountered many strange things such as a Bachelorette's party, sketchy old men, spaniards both by the name of Javiar, Australians, and much more. I probably have the least amount of stories from this night, but ask the others, they'll tell you.
So we head back pretty late, but we were ready to make the most of saturday. We woke up kinda late and didn't get out of the apartment until noon. But thankfully there are starbucks and a tube pass to get us all around London all day. So we head to Kings cross station, see platform 9 and 3/4...my dream is complete. We also head to Buckingham palace and walk around the park a bit. It was so pretty and the weather was perfect and sunny. A nice change since it's always overcast and cold in Copenhagen. Thankfully it didn't rain!
We also headed to Abbey Road and tried to mimic the infamous album cover. Harder then you think, considering it's a real street with a good amount of traffic. Also hard when you have this creepy man who waits for someone to take a pic (loiters near you) then puts on this sketchy white murderer mask and his black hood up..and follows you..only to ruin your picture. Happened multiple times, I wanted to kill the guy.
I believe we ended Saturday with a trip to Westminster Abbey which was so beautiful. The sun was just setting and I got some amazing pictures. It was a nice day to just walk around and explore with friends. I'm probably forgetting some things now since it's a week later.
Saturday night we headed to chinatown for some good chinese good to celebrate the chinese new year. So many lanterns everywhere, it was so pretty. We then went out to this place called O'Neill's with 4 floors and a live cover band which was amazing. Of course we were in the front row, intensely dancing, which I don't think anyone else in the crowd did. We looked a little crazy, but I guess that's what Gburg does to us.
We ended the night a little bit earlier so we could wake up in time the next day sunday, go out to breakfast, and hang out before leaving England.
Overall, it was a wonderful weekend. I am rushing now because I am off to Scotland for a week with my class!
Will update then...and Eddie will be here!
xoxo
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Short Study Tour to Århus, Esbjerg, Roskilde and more.
Hi,
I have been bad about updating the last couple weeks, I know. I think it is because my work is picking up and there is so much to do and well...sleep is precious.
I have not had the chance to detail my trip to western Denmark to the lovely towns of Århus, Esbjerg, and Roskilde. I posted pictures on facebook from the trip which involved visits to organizations semi-related to my core class, the Psychology of Happiness (the fluffy term...known in the field as Positive Psych).
We first took a bus to Århus, where we did a workshop at this special type of school called the KaosPilots. It is a program for entrepreneurers (can't spell that) who learn business and life skills. Basically they help them find their passion in life while teaching them process management etc. It was a cool workshop, we did these relaxation exercises and got to know our classmates better, talked about our feelings, you know..psych stuff. One exercise I enjoyed was we were asked to list the top 7 things we are passionate about in life, then the top 7 things we are angry about in society, then the top 7 things we are great at. It is pretty difficult to write down things you are great at, which was the toughest part for me. Anyways, after compiling these lists...we got in groups of 3, shared them, then worked to give each other suggestions about what each could be themed. So, for instance, my top 7 passions...the common theme among them (we decided) was "cultivating/finding beauty in life and relationships"...so yeah, I guess that's me.
We stayed at a hostel that night, and also go to go out to a nice dinenr and then experience some Århus social scene. There was a scottish bar with trivia in english that basically alluded to the fact that Americans are dumb. Not much excitement with this night, I was so full from dinner (in a good way) I thought I might puke. SO on to the next day.
We then journeyed by bus to the lovely town of Esbjerg. There we were introduced to this school containing a program called the SKILLS program. On the way there, however, we go to stop at these really cool statues called "Man Meets the Sea"..essentially these 4 white, stone giants overlooking the ocean. It was SO cold and SO windy...pretty much unbearable...but still so beautiful.
Anyways, this SKILLS program took in troubled youth, teens with horrible pasts and gave them a 8 week course on essentially...life. They ate together, exercised together, learned about proper nutrition and taking care of yourself. They also were taught all that grown-up stuff no one teaches us in the States, such as banking, taxes, etc. Additionally, they had classes in Psychology as well to learn about its uses and applications. There were 17 and 18 year olds who stood up in front of all us and shared their incredible stories and abusive pasts and how this program changed their life. It made me feel indrecibly grateful for who I am and how I got here. They were so inspiring, and I wish we ahd programs like this in the United States. It may seem like we do from the description, but trust me, we do not.
After our emotional day, we checked into our hostel and then headed to a...bowling alley... for some dinner and cosmic bowling. Kind of bizarre. It was interesting to say the least. Bowling came with a free drink and there was a bar so everyone could relax, have some fun, and...bowl.
The final day was spent traveling. We then had a lovely lunch at a restaurent on the water with a traditional Danish dish called "shooting star" in english. Fish, Shrimp, Caviar. Next we headed to the Viking museum next door, had a very boring lecture on viking culture and Danish Hygge (coziness). I only say boring because we were all so tired at that point, no one was paying attention, and the man lecturing sounded like he should be employed by those companies who make "put you to sleep tapes." He had a soft, soothing voice that just, well,...put you to sleep.
So I was so tired when we got back from this trip, but it was a Saturday, and an opportunity to go out..so my friends and I decided to. I mean, we are in Europe, right?
Well I was not very pleased when this one bouncer rejected me and told me that in order to get in I needed to carry around a copy of my passport.Meanwhile, I had shown him an ID with my birth date on it. Anyways, there is no way I am doing that. So that made me mad. Luckily, when we went elsewhere, we were able to have fun. Though Danish Clubs play some really bizarre music. Like techno about bouncing kittens. No joke. I asked them to play some Lady GaGa, but no cigar.
Alright, well, there is more to update on. Essentially, it was Fashion Week in Copenhagen this past weekend which was cool. We put our names on the guest lists of some shows/events but never made it there (and lines were long). We also with with Britt's host sister to see Valentine's Day...the movie with a billion famous people in it. It was good, since I technically have a valentine, but probably depressing for those who don't. It was no where near as good as Love Actually (same premise), Taylor Swift was a horrible actress and painful to watch, and Patrick Dempsey's character was mean (so obviously didn't approve of that). Also, forgot to mention we had a mexican buffet dinner pre-movie that was amazing.
Sorry this post is all over the place but I had a lot to fit in. I will try to be better next time. I am going to be in London this weekend (!!) and then the next weekend I'll be in Scotland for a week with my core class. I will update after London!
Hilary
I have been bad about updating the last couple weeks, I know. I think it is because my work is picking up and there is so much to do and well...sleep is precious.
I have not had the chance to detail my trip to western Denmark to the lovely towns of Århus, Esbjerg, and Roskilde. I posted pictures on facebook from the trip which involved visits to organizations semi-related to my core class, the Psychology of Happiness (the fluffy term...known in the field as Positive Psych).
We first took a bus to Århus, where we did a workshop at this special type of school called the KaosPilots. It is a program for entrepreneurers (can't spell that) who learn business and life skills. Basically they help them find their passion in life while teaching them process management etc. It was a cool workshop, we did these relaxation exercises and got to know our classmates better, talked about our feelings, you know..psych stuff. One exercise I enjoyed was we were asked to list the top 7 things we are passionate about in life, then the top 7 things we are angry about in society, then the top 7 things we are great at. It is pretty difficult to write down things you are great at, which was the toughest part for me. Anyways, after compiling these lists...we got in groups of 3, shared them, then worked to give each other suggestions about what each could be themed. So, for instance, my top 7 passions...the common theme among them (we decided) was "cultivating/finding beauty in life and relationships"...so yeah, I guess that's me.
We stayed at a hostel that night, and also go to go out to a nice dinenr and then experience some Århus social scene. There was a scottish bar with trivia in english that basically alluded to the fact that Americans are dumb. Not much excitement with this night, I was so full from dinner (in a good way) I thought I might puke. SO on to the next day.
We then journeyed by bus to the lovely town of Esbjerg. There we were introduced to this school containing a program called the SKILLS program. On the way there, however, we go to stop at these really cool statues called "Man Meets the Sea"..essentially these 4 white, stone giants overlooking the ocean. It was SO cold and SO windy...pretty much unbearable...but still so beautiful.
Anyways, this SKILLS program took in troubled youth, teens with horrible pasts and gave them a 8 week course on essentially...life. They ate together, exercised together, learned about proper nutrition and taking care of yourself. They also were taught all that grown-up stuff no one teaches us in the States, such as banking, taxes, etc. Additionally, they had classes in Psychology as well to learn about its uses and applications. There were 17 and 18 year olds who stood up in front of all us and shared their incredible stories and abusive pasts and how this program changed their life. It made me feel indrecibly grateful for who I am and how I got here. They were so inspiring, and I wish we ahd programs like this in the United States. It may seem like we do from the description, but trust me, we do not.
After our emotional day, we checked into our hostel and then headed to a...bowling alley... for some dinner and cosmic bowling. Kind of bizarre. It was interesting to say the least. Bowling came with a free drink and there was a bar so everyone could relax, have some fun, and...bowl.
The final day was spent traveling. We then had a lovely lunch at a restaurent on the water with a traditional Danish dish called "shooting star" in english. Fish, Shrimp, Caviar. Next we headed to the Viking museum next door, had a very boring lecture on viking culture and Danish Hygge (coziness). I only say boring because we were all so tired at that point, no one was paying attention, and the man lecturing sounded like he should be employed by those companies who make "put you to sleep tapes." He had a soft, soothing voice that just, well,...put you to sleep.
So I was so tired when we got back from this trip, but it was a Saturday, and an opportunity to go out..so my friends and I decided to. I mean, we are in Europe, right?
Well I was not very pleased when this one bouncer rejected me and told me that in order to get in I needed to carry around a copy of my passport.Meanwhile, I had shown him an ID with my birth date on it. Anyways, there is no way I am doing that. So that made me mad. Luckily, when we went elsewhere, we were able to have fun. Though Danish Clubs play some really bizarre music. Like techno about bouncing kittens. No joke. I asked them to play some Lady GaGa, but no cigar.
Alright, well, there is more to update on. Essentially, it was Fashion Week in Copenhagen this past weekend which was cool. We put our names on the guest lists of some shows/events but never made it there (and lines were long). We also with with Britt's host sister to see Valentine's Day...the movie with a billion famous people in it. It was good, since I technically have a valentine, but probably depressing for those who don't. It was no where near as good as Love Actually (same premise), Taylor Swift was a horrible actress and painful to watch, and Patrick Dempsey's character was mean (so obviously didn't approve of that). Also, forgot to mention we had a mexican buffet dinner pre-movie that was amazing.
Sorry this post is all over the place but I had a lot to fit in. I will try to be better next time. I am going to be in London this weekend (!!) and then the next weekend I'll be in Scotland for a week with my core class. I will update after London!
Hilary
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Hello everyone!
I'm trying to update this more frequently, but I have been dead tired. As a matter of a fact, I am currently contributing to this excessive tiredness due to the fact it is 12:30 am here and I decided to post a blog. Keeping the blog seems to ground me, so I enjoy doing it. I also enjoy sleep though. I have to keep like 3 diaries of other sorts for some of my classes, which I have yet to start. I feel like those will be pushed aside more than I'm willing to admit because the blog is much more fun. I changed the title of my blog as well....now it is a little less intense, and more along the definition of 'to cavort' aka to have boisterous fun, says dictionary.com.
Last week I decided to focus on the wretched blizzard, but low and behold..it blizzard-ed again today! Had to leave the city early so our train wasnt canceled or delayed. Train delays in freezing cold are not very fun. I do not have class tomorrow, but If I am forced to go into the city I plan to explore a little bit...which I do need.
This weekend was fun. We went out to a club on Friday, stayed the same place the entire night. Danced a lot, though didn't get back until very late. It was nice to just dance though. More normal. Saturday night was Deirdre's 21st. A bunch of us gettysburgians trekked over to her and Tara's host family/house to enjoy about a 7 course meal (including cake before the appetizer, ahhhh) after which I gained about 20 pounds. But soooo yummy! Salmon, shrimp as appetizer...steak, potatoes, salad as main course...all so familiar. Then brownie and ice cream for a second dessert. I was in heaven, until the next day when we were fed a huge breakfast and then a second brunch...felt like I was gonna hurl on the train home due to excessive eating. Guess all that exercise went to no use.
This week we have class Monday and Tuesday, our usual no class Wednesdays (except if you have a field trip) and then on Thursday we leave for what is called our 'Short Study Tour' to western Denmark. You go to different cities out west depending on what program you are in (Jenni and I are different). I forget a lot of specifics but I leave Thursday morning for Århus, which is a 4 hour bus trip away from Copenhagen. We go to another city Friday and then another on Saturday before returning home. I will update you all on how it went, because hopefully after the fact, I will have knowledge as how to describe it.
Also, exciting news...5 of us: Jenni, Me, Britt, Alyssa H, and Annie all plan to go to London on Feb. 19th! Can't wait. Though booking travel is probably the most unorganized messy thing I've encountered..and this was for one city. Should be interesting when we have to do our Spring break MArch 27-April 11 travel plans.
Although I have been sooo tired and irritable this week, I am glad to say this blog is a bit more on the positive side..which this site in general definately needed.
I will write again soon! Probably Sunday.
xoxo
Hilary
I'm trying to update this more frequently, but I have been dead tired. As a matter of a fact, I am currently contributing to this excessive tiredness due to the fact it is 12:30 am here and I decided to post a blog. Keeping the blog seems to ground me, so I enjoy doing it. I also enjoy sleep though. I have to keep like 3 diaries of other sorts for some of my classes, which I have yet to start. I feel like those will be pushed aside more than I'm willing to admit because the blog is much more fun. I changed the title of my blog as well....now it is a little less intense, and more along the definition of 'to cavort' aka to have boisterous fun, says dictionary.com.
Last week I decided to focus on the wretched blizzard, but low and behold..it blizzard-ed again today! Had to leave the city early so our train wasnt canceled or delayed. Train delays in freezing cold are not very fun. I do not have class tomorrow, but If I am forced to go into the city I plan to explore a little bit...which I do need.
This weekend was fun. We went out to a club on Friday, stayed the same place the entire night. Danced a lot, though didn't get back until very late. It was nice to just dance though. More normal. Saturday night was Deirdre's 21st. A bunch of us gettysburgians trekked over to her and Tara's host family/house to enjoy about a 7 course meal (including cake before the appetizer, ahhhh) after which I gained about 20 pounds. But soooo yummy! Salmon, shrimp as appetizer...steak, potatoes, salad as main course...all so familiar. Then brownie and ice cream for a second dessert. I was in heaven, until the next day when we were fed a huge breakfast and then a second brunch...felt like I was gonna hurl on the train home due to excessive eating. Guess all that exercise went to no use.
This week we have class Monday and Tuesday, our usual no class Wednesdays (except if you have a field trip) and then on Thursday we leave for what is called our 'Short Study Tour' to western Denmark. You go to different cities out west depending on what program you are in (Jenni and I are different). I forget a lot of specifics but I leave Thursday morning for Århus, which is a 4 hour bus trip away from Copenhagen. We go to another city Friday and then another on Saturday before returning home. I will update you all on how it went, because hopefully after the fact, I will have knowledge as how to describe it.
Also, exciting news...5 of us: Jenni, Me, Britt, Alyssa H, and Annie all plan to go to London on Feb. 19th! Can't wait. Though booking travel is probably the most unorganized messy thing I've encountered..and this was for one city. Should be interesting when we have to do our Spring break MArch 27-April 11 travel plans.
Although I have been sooo tired and irritable this week, I am glad to say this blog is a bit more on the positive side..which this site in general definately needed.
I will write again soon! Probably Sunday.
xoxo
Hilary
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