This week was very busy for me. After the Scotland trip I was so worn down and exhausted, but had a lot of work to get done.  Along with that, I had a big weekend ahead of me because I am going to Paris. 

Monday was a class day where my first class was my sports and games class and the afternoon was canceled. In the sports and games class we went to Hampstead Heath for a lecture on stress. At the end of the lecture we meditated. It was difficult for me to do that at first because I had so much on my mind.  But regardless, I was relaxed. That afternoon I went back to the park and laid in the sun with my friend Ashley.  Tuesday I had a field trip with the sports and games class to the Arsenal stadium.  It was amazing! This stadium had a dog bathroom for blind dogs to go during the game. How crazy is that? Also, the locker room had a whirl pool bath. Must be nice to be a professional athlete. That night I came back and went to town to meet up with some friends that were visiting back from home. We went to Buckingham Palace at night along with Hyde park and it was the best time to go because all the lights were lit up.  It was nice to see friends from home because I was getting homesick.  They were visiting family the last two weeks and were flying out the next day so they stayed in London for the night.  I got back  a little late and went straight to bed.  The next day was a class day and in sports and game the discussion of nutrition came up. It was very informative because I am nuts when it comes to dieting. I always try different kinds and can never stick to the right one. Hearing about the goods and bad to food made me realize a lot.  My sociology class was okay because we talked about conspiracy stories.  Later that night I did my ghost walk and tons of homework! The next day was a field trip day and got to see the globe theatre, float down the river, and do the London bridge experience with our London passes. It was such a good day!!

Paris is going on this weekend and I cannot wait. This will be such a great experience and will most definitely talk about it in my next blog. I cannot wait to see the extraordinary sites I’ve been dreaming of since I was a little girl.

This week was a very hectic week so far me.  I was running around like crazy and had a big weekend in Scotland ahead of me. In class, we had the chance to go to Wimbledon and I was amazed by it. The atmosphere was overwhelming, just to be in such a top notch well known place.  After that we got to go to Regents Park and it was beautiful.  Over all the day was one of the best days I have had in London.  The only bad thing about the day was I was feeling sick for most of it.  But when I got to the park I felt a little better because I was outside and it just was gorgeous!

The rest of my week was really boring and not too exciting.  I got to go on a ghost walk for my one other class which was cool, and then went to class all week.  My friends and I didn’t go out much either and I was happy about that. I’m trying to conserve as much money as possible.  However, when I went to Scotland this weekend I definitely blew a lot of money.  Yet, it was worth it because Scotland was the best time I have had on this trip.  The town was comfortable, and homey.  The people in the town were so friendly, a lot friendlier than Londoners.  Everywhere we went, we made friends and had a great time.  Some of the big things we did there were: climb Arthur’s seat, toured Edinburg castle, walked the town, toured Sir Walter Scott’s house, and went to the Abbey.  I am so happy I decided to go to Scotland and am anxious for next weekend to come when I am in Paris!

Overall, this week was great.  Being here keeps getting better and better every day that goes by.  I cannot believe we are half way done with this trip. I am a little homesick but I do not want to go back to PA. I wish I could bring my family here.  However, after my weekend trip, I am definitely considering applying to University of Edinburg for graduate school next year.

 My first week of CCSA classes studying abroad was something very exciting for me.  This class, Dance, Sports, and Games: British Influence on American Pastimes had a very good impression from day one.  I enjoy athleticism, and am enthusiastic about learning health and awareness while observing British culture associated with those terms. 

                The first day we got the chance to meet the class in a different way, so the introverts and extroverts can combine.  We “speed dated” and I found that to be amusing. During that time we got to ask the class a bunch of questions to try and get to know them. Later in the class we discussed what was ahead on the syllabus and then watched a movie on ballet.  This struck my attention because I am a dancer myself.  Dr. Lewis started explaining the intensity of it and how they use all the muscles of the body naming them as we went on; this kept my attention even more. 

                Our first field trip was the day after class, and we went to the royal opera house.  We got to see performance studios, and everything behind stage. After that, we did a harry potter tour and walked around 7 miles.  This was an aerobic day, where we did movement for a consistent period of time and used our slow pitch muscles which is something I learned the second day of class.  That class, we did a fitness walk in heath park and combined numerous exercises throughout the three hours.  I learned a lot about what muscles I was using and how to properly stretch them.

                Over the past three days, I got to come in contact with a lot of “locals.”  I observed their culture and saw a lot of differences when it came to work out clothing.  I have yet to see one person wear short shorts which American girls do.  Mostly I have seen them wearing spandex capris. Just like most of the public on the streets dress up and few are wearing sweats.  When it comes to tennis here, mostly they wear really nice skirts.  Sadly, I have yet to see one really good looking British male; hopefully we will see one on a field trip ha ha! The streets are a lot cleaner here, even though they do not have public trashcans, which was a huge surprise to me. Next week, I am hoping to learn a lot more.