Goodbye

A song to fit the mood:

I was reading through my blog posts from last fall when I was terribly homesick for Bentonville. I remember feeling so lost and yearning for all the comforts of home. The experience of arriving in London alone, having never been, with two big bags on the doorstep in South Kensington was so surreal. It took a few months for it all to sink in. Now that I've been here for over a year, I don't want to go home. 

I miss my family and friends, but London is so full of life and unending places to explore. I don't think I've taken much for granted now as I'm contemplating  all I've done. I knew that this year would be one of the best years of my life, but I'm not sure I was expecting to be so heartbroken at the end. There is nothing better than just walking through the streets and getting lost. Until you live in London it is hard to explain the draw that the city has. This last week I've been saying goodbye to all my favorite places and taking mental pictures so I can think back to it; I think those can sometimes be better than pictures on a camera. I'll never forget the way Embankment looks at night when the water is lit by St Paul's, Parliament, and the Southbank lights, or the way it smells when you walk through Borough Market in the winter.

I feel so blessed for the friends I've made here- you all know who you are- and I know that even though our lives are taking us in different directions we will still be lifelong friends. 

I stepped away from Bentonville last August and was on my own for the first time in my life. Since then, I've learned what it means to stand on my own two feet. There is a song by the Weepies that says:

"Yesterday when you were young everything you needed done was done for you. Now you do it on  your own, but you find you're all alone- what else can you do? You and me walk on, walk on, walk on, cause you can't go back now... The only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself."

I'm going back to Arkansas and moving forward, but I think part of me will always consider London a home. I can look back on this year and know that I worked my hardest in school, experienced the city (and plenty of others in Europe) and made friendships and memories that I'll never forget. 

By fall the clothes of the town changed 

and I found a new place to call home

I fell in love with a city-

Places and moving water,

The changes in weather,

and the curve of the streets like the 

contours on a face.

With veins full of red boxes

and a clock tower to show me back to the bank

Lit up bridges led me straight to her heart

I saw the city moving sideways 

through a window of blurred lines.

I took London Town as my own,

and she showed me how to Live. 

Now home is not home,

and my left is right

I left part of my heart in the Thames

and promised I'd return.

Cheers, y'all

Carly 

Hampton Court Palace

Today I was on my own since Kate worked, and since it was my final day in London I decided to venture out into the country to see Hampton Court Palace. It is about an hour train ride from where I live. The weather wasn't the best (the last few weeks I've been going 'Oh, there you are London weather, I've been wondering where you went') 

Hampton Court is best known for being one of the main homes of the Tudor family, namely King Henry VIII, who reformed England from Catholic to the Church of England and had several wives beheaded. I was able to tour through to see all the royal paintings as well as the bedding and tapestry from the 14th century. They had the palace set up to look like it would have 500 years ago. I saw the kitchens, servants quarters, and royal bed chambers. They had a special exhibition on about the royal bed chambers- apparently there was a system to how kings and queens woke up and went to bed! 

The best part of the entire experience, however, was seeing the gardens around the palace. There are so many fountains, mazes, and flower beds. They also have the largest grape vine in the world.

I walked into the first open area, and saw this guy from across the yard card. I thought he was real and he was staring right at me- he gave me a fright!

Selfie galore on my own in the palace gardens

So lovely! Even though the weather is turning cold I thought the gardens looked great.

Found some of the prettiest, unique flowers in the gardens today

Ceilings in one of the staircases

Lisa's boyfriend, King Henry VIII- portrait by unknown artist after Holbein.

Family portrait, notice his two daughters are on the ends. 

King Henry VIII's chapel- I got in big trouble two seconds after I lifted the camera for this. Luckily, I pressed snap before she stopped me. 

It was a great last day!! I had such a good time walking around the grounds, seeing the swans swimming around and exploring Tudor life. I don't know if I'm ready to get on the plane tomorrow morning- guess we'll see!

Cheers, y'all

Carly 

Grad School Barbie, London Special Edition (Accessories Sold Separately)

A new gift idea for your loved ones: Graduate School Barbie (TM).
Graduate School Barbie comes in two forms: Delusional Master's Barbie (TM) and Ph. D. Masochist Barbie (TM).

Every Graduate School Barbie comes with these fun filled features guaranteed to delight and entertain for hours: Grad School Barbie comes out of the box with a big grin on her face that turns into a frown after two weeks of reading 80 pages a day or her first advisor meeting (whichever comes first). She also has adorable black circles under her bloodshot eyes.

Comes with two outfits: a grubby pair of blue jeans and 5 year old tank top, and a floppy pair of gray sweatpants with a London tourist t-shirt. Other accessories include Barbie's own passport for European travel, reading glasses, and a Kindle for tube travel. Grad School Barbie talks! Just press the button on her left hand and hear her say such upbeat grad school phrases like, "Yes, Professor, it'll be done by tomorrow", "Gender is a social construct", "These views are being perpetuated by binary points of discourse", "I'd love to rewrite" and "Why didn't I just get a job, i could've been making 40k a year by now." (9v lithium batteries sold separately.)

Grad School Barbie is anatomically correct to teach kids about the exciting changes that come with pursuing a higher education. Removable panels on Barbie's head and torso allow you to watch as her cerebellum fries to a crispy brown, her heart races to 200 beats per minute, and her stomach lining gradually dissolves to nothing. Deluxe Barbie comes with specially designed eye ducts. Just add water, and watch Grad School Barbie burst into tears at random intervals. Fun for the whole family!

Other accessories include:
Grad School Barbie's Fun Fridge (TM) Well stocked with microwave meals, Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Healthy Choice Ham (99% fat free!), and a small bottle of Mattel Brand Rum (TM). 

Grad School Barbie's Medicine Cabinet comes in Fabulous (peptobismal) pink and contains Barbie sized bottles of Tylenol, Zantac, and your choice of three fun anti-anxiety drugs! (Barbie Medicine Cabinet not available without a prescription).

Grad School Barbie's Computer Workstation. Comes with obsolete Macbook in pink, rickety desk, and stacks of class readings to decorate your workstation with (Tech support sold separately).

And Grad School Barbie is not alone! Order now and you'll get two of Barbie's great friends! Graduate Advisor Ken (TM), Barbie's mentor and advisor in her quest for knowledge, higher education and decreased self-esteem. Grad Advisor Ken comes with a supply of red pens and a permanent frown. Press the button to hear Grad Advisor Ken deliver such wisdom to Barbie as "I need an update on your progress," "It could be really great, or really really boring", and "This is no where ready for publication."

Buy 3 or more dolls and you can have Barbie's Thesis Meeting Committee! (Palm Pilot and tenure sold separately.)

Real Job Skipper (TM) When Barbie needs to talk, she knows that she can always count on her good friend Real Job Skipper, who got a job after getting her bachelor degree. Press the button to hear Skipper say, "Sometimes I wish I'd went for my masters degree" and "Work is so hard! I worked half an hour overtime!" and "I went to bed last night at 8 o'clock!" Real Job Skipper's Work Wardrobe and Savings account sold separately. 
(Warning: Do not place Grad Student Barbie and Real Job Skipper close to each other, as there have been several cases of children leaving the room and coming back to find Barbie's hands mysteriously fused to Skipper's throat.)

Our thesis is officially due today, so I thought I'd repost my own version of this parody.
Negative?- maybe. Funny- yes! While I've enjoyed traveling and exploring London, I am SO GLAD the academic side of it is over! YAY!!!

Cheers, y'all!

Carly 

Don't Worry 'Bout a Ting- Notting Hill Carnival

Lisa, Kate and I woke up at the crack of dawn yesterday on one of England's bank holidays (aka there is a big event going on, and no one wants to travel around the city because of it). Bank holidays are absolutely the BEST around here- everyone goes to the nearest beer garden and soaks in the sun and enjoys life for the day. People in England seem to generally take things much easier than in the States, and I totally dig it. Anyway, I digress.

We woke up at 8am to pop a bottle of champagne (aka cheap bubbly white wine- we're students, we're poor- sue us.) We made some mimosas and ate some muffins (that we hadn't made... lol ain't nobody got time fo dat) and jammed the early morning away to some reggae. We left for Notting Hill and when we arrived it was already packed! 
We bought whistles and composed a tune so we'd be able to find each other incase we got separated.. (*long, long, short- short, long*) It actually came in useful a time or two! 

We started walking and found several streets set up with gigantic speakers, street food, and venders selling reggae wigs and t-shirts. There were also dancers of all sizes dressed in feather and jewel adorned bikinis. I LOVED that all the girls were ROCKIN' their costumes, no matter what their size or shape. Girl power. 







We ate a few lunches- why? because we could- and the jerk chicken was DELICIOUS... both times. We also found tasty drinks that got progressively smaller and more expensive as the day wore on. Those first big pint glasses were to die for, though! Cheers!




A parade was moving through the streets the entire day, I don't know how the girls kept dancing. The floats were so colorful and alive. 

Each street we walked down was so unique from the last. One of my favorites had so many cool street art boards. All of the residents and shops in the area had boarded up for the event. Apparently, it can get pretty rowdy with fights and riots? We saw a little bit of that when we were in line for the portapotties and a group of people got in a HUGE fight over who was next. You haven't lived until you see a large dude punch another large dude out over a portapotty. Good Lord. 

Kate & Liis
in the streets!
Put the lime in dat coconut, girl!







By 2pm you literally couldn't move on the streets. We met up with our friends, Tom and Lilly, and it was a miracle we found them. By 5pm we couldn't stand the rowdy crowds, and I was stepping on bottles of Hennessy more often than I was asphalt. However, I will never forget the experience, or the sense of community I felt from the Afro-carribbean peeps. I'm glad we were able to join the party. If you want to see more pics from the day go to my album on Facebook. 

Cheers, y'all!

Carly 

Day in the Life of a Writer: As Told By Cats

Most of my days lately have been dedicated to getting this dang thesis FINISHED. 

I roll out of bed early in the morning (lol.. okay, maybe like 10 or 11am, but Stateside that is like 5am!)

Drag myself down the stairs...

Get some breakfast

...and start reading or writing on my dissertation.

Writers block IS a real thing, and I have gotten in a few tight spots.

Okay. A LOT of tight spots.

I've found that with writing, it's all about thinking outside the box.

But it doesn't take much to distract me, as many of you know from my consistent Facebook posts.

Most of the time during my dissertation research I felt pretty lost.

But somehow I've finally completed 60 pages- now for the edits!

Progress is progress, y'all- pound it!

The ladies of 170 do more than just write. We have a lovely park right around the corner, Clapham Common. On sunny days we go and sit on the lawn with some wine and cheese and try to look as posh as possible. 

Sometimes at the end of the day I bathe...

..buutt some days I'm like.. meh, maybe not.

Cleaning is usually a pretty good distraction from writing..

So is eating :)

Kate and Lisa try to get me to go on long leisurely walks, but I'm usually a "view from the backporch" kinda gal.

We end our days with a glass of wine or two, but usually fall asleep in between. PARTY ANIMALS!

At the end of the day, whether we were productive or not, we're still bad A cats.

Cheers, y'all!

Carly

Tips for the London Traveler

Many of my friends from home have asked me whether or not I've learned how to be a true Londoner, and the answer is- I hope so?
It is pretty obvious when you're out on the streets of London who the tourists are, and Londoners aren't exactly known for being the friendliest bunch 

(to all of my London friends apologies, you're lovely, but I know even I can get really snarky when its 40 celsius on the tube and you just want to get home from work)

So, I've devised a list of things travelers need to know before making the leap over the big pond. 

1. Know where the queue (line) ends and where it begins and NEVER cut it- if there is one thing you can do to piss off some Londoners, it is to try and skip the queue. No exceptions! You've been warned. 

2. When you're walking on the sidewalk, pull left not right when someone is walking towards you. This has become second nature to me now, but at first it was really weird.

3. When you're in the Tube stations, stand to the right on escalators, people continue to walk on the left! People who want to get to work or home quickly will be speed walking on the left side and aren't too happy when they have to ask by.

4. There is no ice- like... ever. It is rarely served in water or sodas. So, if you want ice ya gotta ask for it, and lots of places don't even consider keeping it, so you might just be SOL.

5. People are genuinely helpful most of the time, so if you're lost just ask someone who looks like they know where they're going.

6. Unspoken rules of the tube are don't stare at someone for more than two seconds, don't talk loudly if you're with another person or a group, if you're standing super close because it is crowded look down at your feet so people don't feel uncomfortable. These are dumb rules, but you're trying to fit in, right? 

7. ALWAYS let people OFF the tube before you try to get on. This is what I most commonly see people getting told off for. If you're blocking the doors and not giving a clear path, you might get yelled at and no one wants that scene with fifty other people around you.

8. Walk briskly not leisurely on sidewalks.

9. Tipping at restaurants is different here- 7-10% max is given, sometimes they automatically include 12% into your total. Don't tip in cabs unless they were especially friendly or efficient. You're going to feel like a jerk, and that never goes away. I still haven't gotten past it!

10. Adapt  your vocabulary:

UK                                 vs.                 US

Where is the 'toilet'?--------->  bathroom?

going on a 'bender'----------->we're 'partying' hard 

A 'bobby'-------------------------> Policeman

Look at those 'birds'!---------------> 'cute girls'

I'd fancy some 'mash'------------>mashed potatoes

"How have you found London?"--> How do you like it

'mobile'------------------------------->  cell phone

'Cheers'------------------------------->'thanks'  

chips---------------------------------> fries

crisps-------------------------------->chips

Pint of cider----------------------->hard sparkly apple cider, it is as popular and well stocked as the draft beers

Pint----------------------------------->beer, they don't use the word 'beer' here at all

cab------------------------------------->taxi

cabbie------------------------------->taxi driver

lift---------------------------------->elevator

flat----------------------------------->apartment

biscuit---------------------------------->cookie

diary------------------------>pocket calendar/planner

trousers-------------------------------> pants

Pants--------------------------------->underwear
(I learned this one the hard way when I told a girl at church that I liked her pants...ugh. Shoot me.)

Pudding----------------------------> dessert

fag---------------------------------> cigarette

"would you fancy"-------------->would you like

first floor----->one above ground level, aka 2nd floor

"Its 40 degrees out!"--------> really hot, boiling

"Its 25 degrees out!"---------> perfect weather

"Its -2 degrees out!"-----------> cold

Holiday-----------------------> vacation



11. You're gonna want to have this map with you at all times until you can memorize it...

12. London runs on military time, might as well get used to it, or risk missing ticket times...
13.00= 1pm           
14.00= 2pm
15.00=3pm
16.00=4pm...
You get the idea.

13. Americans care WAY more about the British Monarchy than the British do. I'm guessing this has something to do with our obsession with a fairytale ending. Meanwhile, this picture about sums it up..

14. And finally, a lesson on how to make a British person a cuppa (cup of tea) for teatime.

1. Turn on water boiler
2. Put tea bag in cup
3. Once water boiler has clicked off, pour water slowly over the tea bag (this allows for more teabag contact and therefore more caffeine)
4. Stir with spoon and let the teabag sit for a minute or two
5. Once it has been allowed time to sit, take out the tea bag (unless requested to leave it in) and add sugar and milk or cream per request. 

This is an important step process for the English! They find that Americans usually don't do it right (myself included before I was taught) and there is NOTHING worse than a bad cuppa!!

Cheers, y'all!

Carly