"... education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being."

School started!!! OMGZ!111!!1!!

Well, the first day (yesterday) was easy enough. Orientation kind of thing - time tables, advisors, etc, etc. Having said, "etc, etc", my advisor, Vikki, is GREAT and our time table is adorable. This week's focus is botany, with the end of the week and next week also spending time on stories and poetry, and preparing the classroom.

The director, Lynne, is also ridiculously amazing. She gave us our first lecture - basically talking about teaching and influencing children, and how the Montessori method is the shit. Which it is.

There are about 30 women in our class, from all ages and places. Actually, a lot from Kenya, which is interesting. And India. And three Americans. And two Greeks. Greeks? Is that right? Who cares. Anyway.

Today we had a lecture on the life of Maria Montessori - and may I say, what a total and complete badass? We also watched a video about the Montessori classroom/Children's Houses are like. So cool!

We also took a General Knowledge test. Yeah. Turns out we all know nothing about everything. I sucked it at geography and plants... and although I did manage to name poets, scientists, inventors, artists, and musicians, I had no clue when they existed or what they did. Mostly.

Epic Education Fail.

Our teacher emphasized how it was for our own knowledge and not anyone else's, so I got a little sarcastic (as I do) on my answers. For example: Name 3 examples of bays. "Definitely not Bay of Pigs". You get the idea. Somehow I forgot that we were going to turn them in. So hopefully they have a sense of humor... or I get to say, "Aha... oops..."

And for the first time since I arrived, London had actual gross weather. I didn't get to escape school and eat lunch because it was raining too hard - and I have no umbrella, which I discovered a day after adamantly insisting that Yes, Mom, I Did Bring One. Luckily class got out early and Lee and I were able to make it back to Hyelm during a dry spell. It's pouring buckets now so I can pretty much guarantee I'll be indoors the rest of the evening.

The past couple of days, aside from school, have been fun. Last night's dinner was hysterical, omgz. Lyke, ur jeliss.

Okay. Well. OH, I tried putting up pictures a couple days ago of the weekend, but the internet here is shit so it didn't work. I'll try again when I feel ready to deal with a slow connection.

xoxo

Brick Lane

Whew, two days without an update and I'm getting harassed. 

Things have slowly been improving. Friday was tea at MMI (the school) where I was overwhelmed meeting the 30 other women in my course, as well as all of the teachers, and other teachers who work in MMI's schools around London. A bit much? Yeah. But luckily we'll have a whole year to get through things and meet each other, so I'm not worried. Simona, who's a second-year from China, showed me a faster way to get to the school through a beautiful path. Will definitely take pictures when class starts.

Which is Monday. So... sometime in the first week.

Also must buy books. And remember to buy notebooks. And to pay rent.

Last night, a giant group of us played cards in the bar. Learned some new ones (with no names, apparently) from the lovely Bea and also got Strongbow spilled all over me because Jeppe gets too excited. Met Nathan (from the north! love that!), who has THE MOST AMAZING movies!! Had a pajama party upstairs with lots of blankets and Oreos (seriously, Nathan rocks) and watched 10 Things I Hate About You.

Wasn't sure what today would be like. I have 208404230489 loads of laundry to do that I've been putting off for about three days, but at lunch Bea talked about a children's illustration gallery in Brick Lane, and I was like, "Hell yeah biotch!"

Okay, I said, "Can I come?" but that's not as exciting.

The ride on the tube was hoooooot, but the weather was truly wonderful today. Very fall-y. The gallery was small and cute, and there was a cartoonist competition where four teams of London cartoon artists drew on giant pieces of paper. Didn't get to see the final result but we managed some good photos of them in progress. I'll post those later, though. Outside were graffiti artists - very cool. Have photos of them, too. But you know, later, because I'm a procrastinator. (rhyme!)

Now it's really time to do laundry, and see people, and be sociable, and enjoy the last of the weekend before school starts and I really have no life outside of homework and lectures.

xoxo

And if you go chasing rabbits...

Slept for 8 hours!! Success!

Been in a miserable funk. Not busy enough, not productive enough, and generally not in the right frame of mind. Felt on top of the world a few days ago and now its hurts to leave my room. Literally. Panicking does only bad things to my body, and it's taking longer to recover this time. Having to walk up and down four flights of stairs to get anywhere doesn't help. I can barely make it up the first two before needing a break.

Had a meeting at the school yesterday. All women, as suspected. From everywhere, too - Barbados, Nigeria, India, England... very cool. Only met five but there are about 20 more. The teachers are very cool and very nice. They seem excited about teaching us the Montessori way (please note that there was a silly voice for that). Tomorrow is tea in the Children's House, where we'll meet everyone officially. I'd love to be excited about it, as I know I should be, but this funk is miserable and getting the best of me.

Yesterday I got lost getting to the school, which was ridiculous as it's ten minutes away just down the street. Missed the turn, walked all the way down to the bottom of the hill (guh), then called Kathrine who, thankfully, was on her computer and Google Mapped me back, lol. Showed up late, then realized too late I was still chewing gum. Rude American!

Had big plans for today, but still feeling like total shit. Energy level (out of 10, of course): ~1. Possibly 1.5.  I am a mess. I don't know what to do with myself. Wanted to get to the Heath, need to go back to the O2 store as my phone is being a twat, but the likelihood is slim. Luckily there's half a tub of pasta in the fridge, and carrot sticks (excuse me, batons), so I should be set for the day.

Well... that's that. It's taken almost an hour to write this, in between talking to Cari and Jeana, looking up cheap flights from Reno to London as well as the new Nano, listening to White Rabbit on repeat, and generally moping.

Time for breakfast, maybe more sleep if I can manage it.

I miss everyone. Having a good friend by my side feels like exactly what I need, but no such luck just yet. Fingers crossed that Jeana and Sara will make it out over Christmas break.

xoxo

The Finchley Road Disaster

So if you've been reading this, you might have noticed that I haven't been able to sleep. At all. Apparently now my body believes it can function on three hours of sleep a night.

Not so.

Steph and I finally made it to Argos, on Finchley Road. Which just happens to be down a big fucking hill, and all the way down the street. And it was hot. Not typical English weather, but actual sunny, real-people weather. The only clothes I have at the moment are pants. You can see where this is going.

Good news, I survived the first major panic attack of the trip so far... somewhat. My legs are still a bit like jelly and its hard to move around too much, but it is what it is. Unfortunately I feel absolutely nauseous and there's a meeting at school today. I was looking forward to it until last night and now I wish I could just not go. If it's very long, I won't make it.

Was hoping to explore the Heath today but we'll see - everybody's out and running around so I'm not sure what's going to happen.

OH! Also, have an address:

(me)

Hyelm

Arthur West House

79 Fitzjohns Ave

London

NW3 6PA

United Kingdom

Yes. So, that's that. I love mail, so it would be fun to get some :)

I also know everyone's waiting for pictures. Promise to do it as soon as I actually leave the hostel. ... and remember...

Just my luck

Jinxed it. Rain imminent.

On the plus side, got use of the fancy shower today. Downside: 5 people tried to shove the door open while I was in there. Was it worth it? Uhh.... yes. Will use again tomorrow.

For now, Steph and I are at McDonald's (again... won't Hyelm get the internet fixed? Please?), then off to run errands, for real this time. Bank, phone (yes!! Contact with people! Real people!), Argos!! Clothes hangers and knick-knacks galore. Necessary knick-knacks, anyway.

Had a real breakfast for the first time today - egg, beans, sausage. A bit English, don't you think? Met a lovely musician there and am finally feeling like it's possible to be sociable after all. But what do you expect after such a fun night? Steph and I were up until 3.30am after the Noise Nazis banged on our wall. We created a very elaborate argument in case management comes after us. In any case, after all the fun I only managed two hours of sleep. Today is going to be long and exhausting. The plan is tea, tea, tea. Hopefully the caffeine will do its job properly. If not: resort to sugar. (Let's hope the tea works.)

The downside of sitting in a McDonald's is the meaty after-smell that lingers on your clothes. Eugh. Not attractive in any way.

So that's all for now. Maybe tonight we'll go out, or at least be around people. Am finding out that people are good for the soul.

xoxo

Sunday, and no Ativan hangover... perfect!

Last night, Stephanie, Tash, Øystein, and I went to King's Cross, to a Spanish bar called Camino (pictures on facebook). We came back home around midnight and headed off to bed around 1.30, and unfortunately for me, woke up three hours later. I tried to sleep but after a few hours, it was hopeless, so I showered in the crappy showers (note: use fancy shower tomorrow) and got ready for the day. I headed out around 8:15, got a croissant from Paul's and money for rent, then ran to the Unitarian church for service. Turns out I was a few hours early. I think it's 10.30 now so I might try and make it. Also might try to hit up Argos, but I hear it's down a steep hill, and how badly do I need clothes hangers anyway?

The Hyelm internet is broken and everyone's going crazy, so I'm at the McDonald's down the road (Hampstead High Street for those interested) using theirs. Hopefully this won't go on much longer. Must also remember to pay rent.

If you want to send me post, keep holding because I still haven't figured out exactly where you should send it.

The weather is muggy and cold, but otherwise perfect. Won't jinx it by saying "no rain either". My brain is still a little fuzzy, and maybe my new glasses prescription is too high because my depth perception is a little off. Tripped on high heels a few times last night - and only half a pint, whoops.

Hopefully I'll be able to talk to everyone later, but if not, I'll keep Facebook and this updated. Going to hurry and get to church, if the clock is right.

xoxo

From Heathrow to the Hostel

Left Boise at 7.30am Thursday. Flew to Chicago, flew to Boston. Had a three hour lay-over, boarded at the back of the plane, sat next to teenage boys, couldn't sleep, watched Angels and Demons, landed. Grabbed bags (broke a nail), hauled them to a cab, whose driver thought I didn't know anything about London and so ripped me off by driving through South Ken to get to Hampstead. Found out the hostel doesn't take credit cards, so need to get to the bank quick. Rent due tomorrow. Money in my wallet? £8. ish.

Basic panicky feelings, have taken too much Ativan and can barely function. Need to get to the Apple store in Oxford Circus, unlikely for obvious reasons. Will try cheap Target adapter and hope for the best.

Dorm room = amazing. Very large with a very nice view. And open windows! My roommate has geraniums and a friendly disposition. Her name is Stephanie, she's from Zimbabwe. Will post pictures when I am sane enough to do so.

Living off £1 Tesco pasta, carrots, and chocolate milk (which I spilled all over myself last night). Sleep hit again, batteries dying, will write more when I have presence of mind.

Love and miss you.