Hiya

London is great so far!! It may rain quite a bit but that does not detract from the beauty of the city. I have been shopping on Oxford Street and been to a play in the Olivier Theatre in the National Theatre. We saw The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams last night and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The play ran a bit long (everyone agreed) but it was well done. The southern New Orleans accents were not exact (some Brit English would slip out) but it was very good acting. The hotel we are staying in is nice and the beds are so comfortable. I literally fall into bed every night because I am so tired from running around all day!! I watch TV during the morning and a bit yesterday afternoon and it is quite entertaining. Everything seems silly in a British accent.

I'm still attempting to get used to the coinage here. I just stand at the counters sometimes and have to read what they all cost. On the money note, everything is so expensive. Not only is theUS dollar worth only half of the Great Britain pound, but things just cost more in general already! I just have to keep thinking, once in a lifetime experience. This will be worth it in the long run and I will be working all summer once I return to the US.

We have had class yesterday and today and it isn't so bad. It typically runs from about 9:30am to 12:30pm. We have a break in there too. The professors are both really nice and interesting. One is very laid back (Dr. Kimball King) and the other (Dr. Gerry Unks) is a bit..."anal, old, an odd mix of both cute and annoying" (quoted from my friend Rachel). They are both having a fantastic time here too. It is obviously one of their favorite (or favourite?) places in the world.

I booked my weekend trip to Paris today. We have switched the weekend that we planned on going because all the hostels/Eurostar are booked up. We are heading to mainland Europe on 1 June for 3 nights! We have yet to figure out where we are going for the longer weekend (24 May-28 May). We are thinking Ireland but still may change our minds depending on the prices! This weekend the entire group heads to the Midlands (Oxford, Coventry, Stratford-Upon-Avon, etc). Everyone on the trip is really nice so far (even the four billion Chi Psi fraternity brothers).

The weather has been a random mix of cloudy, rainy, and sunny. I dont mind the rain which is good. It has yet to really POUR down on me though, just sprinkling on my umbrella. I felt so London last night walking back from a play at the National Theatre carrying my umbrella and catching a red double decker bus back to my hotel. It was fun!!

My time is running out on this computer at an internet cafe so I must run. I love all your comments and emails! They make me feel so loved!! Hope everyone is doing well!!

CHEERS