The Patterns

LONDON--Alright, alright. I'll admit it. I'm a slacker. Two weeks without posting anything is a bit long.

Have you heard Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee"? That's the pace of my trip. Sixteen days in Europe already and the tempo hasn't slackened in the least. If fact, I'll argue life is a bit more crazy now with four classes and travel plans for the next three weekends.

As soon as I got here, I immediately began looking for patterns. Any composer, including Rimsky-Korsakov, will tell you that patterns are created by repitition, and more importantly, patterns can greatly enhance a musical piece. The first week in London was exciting, tense, and certainly overwhelming to all the senses. Everything was new and chaotic. By the first weekend, I was looking forward to the patternized schedule forced on by classes. Finishing up my second week of class I feel that I'm living in minute 2 of "Bumblebee"--still a frenzy, but now with some reliability. And, of course, my experience is enhanced. I feel more like a local.

Since we're on the topic, the public transportation system in London is FULL of patterns. I can count on seeing three types of people riding the tube at just about any time. Type number 1: the content, British man. Simple in presentation--button-up shirt, some type of bag or jacket in lap, reading material, slightly overweight, balding to some degree, and with the 5 o'clock shadow (if it's 5 o'clockish). Like everyone else on the tube, he keeps to his quarters and doesn't make eye contact. Type number two: the oddball. Dressed to be different, the oddball sports black attire, possibly black makeup (not to the extent that some Americans wear), and has a posture and presentation that's more rebellious. Type number three: the potential criminal. No one knows his story, but either a sketchy childhood or a bad day leaves this guy with a facial expression that makes me believe he's going to kill someone. Be careful not to make eye contact with him.

Patterns are telling me I should study BLAW.

The Knickers, the Discount, and the Homemade Dinner with Scotch

London -- Needless to say, a red-eye flight with only 15 minutes of zzz's has left me beat. Although, a handful of events in the last 28 hours keeps me from shutting down (it's 10:31 pm and I'm reclined).
My first run-in with an English accent led me to pursue small talk about London and weather. After commenting on the cold temperatures (low 60's), the accented girl asked if I brought plenty of knickers. That caught me off guard.
There are always two types of people to be avoided as neighbors when it comes to flight seating: 1) the excessive talker, 2) and the "overflow" neighbor. In short, I feel a 15% reimbursement is due since 15% of my seat was not occupied by me.
After picking up luggage and going through customs, we tripped over to our U house via coach buses and waited for hours upon hours.
My three roommates and I finally met our taxi and drove a terrifying drive to our Muswell Hill abode. The street lines seem to be more guidelines than restrictions.
We're very fortunate to have such great host parents. Mags made pasta with chocolate muffins, and we toasted over some scotch to a good semester.