Hi, from London

Damn, it's already the last day of january, 2011. This year is going by so fast.
I've been in London for three weeks already and I feel like those weeks went by so fast. It has been amazing, I'm really glad that I'm studying abroad. I'm going to comment on a few aspects of my stay here so far.

A typical street sign in Westminster

A shot from the cruise that I mentioned

I forgot to add, the art on Brick Lane is amazing

one of the stalls in the Sunday-up market at Brick Lane

Chinese food blows

Big Ben: Note the tower is called Big Ben but it is actually the Bell in it that should be called Big Ben. 

 

Shopping: Of course, you can not be in London and not cop a few things. I feel like this is the fashion capital of the world. Yeah, people rock gears in NY but Londoners have style. I already had an extra luggage coming here and I know that I will leave with nothing less than an additional extra luggage. I've tried to curtail on my expenses but it looks like there is some jazz in these stores, from those in Westfield to Oxford Street. I went to Camden market yesterday, that place is huge and I need to go back. Very close to my school is Brick Lane, the Sunday-Up market there is very nice too and I've been there twice. I think the beauty of these markets is the very diverse vintage wears and exotic food stalls. But my dear, if you coming to shop in London, better come with plenty $$$$. Since, I'm not the President's daughter, I'm always converting the prices from pounds to dollars like everytime. Things are so expensive here because what is 5 dollars in the States is also 5 pounds in the UK. Note: 1 pound = 1.6 dollars.

Academics: This is the main reason why I'm in London right? Queen Mary University of London is kinda weird to me. Well, the entire British educational system at the Uni level has been more of a relief. I have 2 in class hours per course in week and no tests or weekly assignments. This equals lots of free time for me. I'm looking for a job or volunteering position because I'm used to having two part-time jobs in the States. I have no classes on Tues, Wed and Fri. yipee! Because I'm not used to independent study, I've not been able to keep up with the readings but I need to soonest. On another note, the state of the extracurricular life in the UK is close to dead. The only thing they do really is go to the student union pub, Drapers.


New relationships: I've made a good number of new friends. My closest are fellow American students studying abroad at Queen Mary. We've gone shopping, to the movies, clubbing and typical social stuff. I'm really trying to meet British students and not to stay in my comfort zone with fellow American students. The few that I've met so far are chill peeps. I've met some men, *cough*, they've been mostly Nigerian. I'm yet to be impressed, though. I've met up with two twitter friends, one (@juiceegal) is originally from blogger. There are both interesting and nice ladies. I do believe that my blogger persona is different from my twitter one and also from the one in real life..


Living without a meal plan: I live on campus and this rarely happens in London because most Unis in this city do not have a campus. Unlike my campus in the States, this one does not have a meal plan and that means I have to cook for myself. It should be cheaper right but I think the honeymoon phase of cooking is almost over. I'm yet to get very Nigerian food stuff. So, I've just been making stew chicken/fish, rice and plantains.

Who knew vegetarian African food can be commercialized?

Night life: I've been having a very good time. One of my friends here, Michelle (her name from 12am to 5am hahaha), is my PIC. We've been out to on a cruise over River Thames and a few places in WestEnd, Leicester precisely. I'm def down to go to more places. The drinking culture is a major aspect of British social life. For example, my uni students dash into the school's bar in between lectures. Sadly, I'm not a beer/pub-going person. So, I will just stick to sipping my fruity cocktails and wine in lounges and clubs.

Summer plans: This has been a major concern for me and I'm yet to take concrete steps on it. I'm looking for an internship-like opportunity in the public health sector. I'm open to any branch but I will prefer sexual, social or environmental public health. My mum wants me to stay in the UK but I lowkey want to go to Naija. So, I'm considering both places. Sadly, I've not found anywhere yet and I need to find at least 6 places within the next two weeks to apply to. God dey, please if you know anything or have connects let me know.

I can go on and on about my stay here so far but I'll keep 'em coming in subsequent posts.

Pardon typos, I dislike editing my posts. Just for you to know, if you haven't noticed

Much love.

2010 recap. Happy New year!

So it’s 2011 and I want to do a 2010 recap for some aspects of my life that had some change. I’ve been tied up with household chores. So, I couldn’t write this up before 2010 ended. I hope y’all are having a beautiful 2011 so far. I am! I’m just really excited about going to London on Monday (Jan 3^rd), to start my semester abroad.  I’m going with an open mind, crossed fingers, and two boxes.

So here we go with the 2010 recap

Religion

I still believe in one God. I finally decided that it might be ok for some people do not believe in God. The most important thing is for them to do good, show love and not harm another person. I wish I spent more time with God in 2010. I hope to be better in 2011. Side note: that’s why I pray for a steadfast Christian husband because I need someone to ginger my religious spirit and not someone as easily distracted as I am.

[Non-Platonic] Relationships

This is an aspect that I rarely blog about. In 2010, love was a tricky thing. I easily fell in like but love took time. I narrowed down my characteristics of a partner. I learnt that you must not put a label on love and go with the flow. Also, everyone around you may seem lovey-dovey in his or her relationship but that r/ship may be going thru chronic emotional turmoil. My love is not blind; it wears glasses and contacts #igatjokes but seriously.

Travelling

I went to Budapest, Rome, Vatican City, Milan, Paris, London, Abuja, Madrid and Los Angeles, Atlanta, DMV, and of course North-East Tri-state in the USA. It was a crazy year. I’ve no regrets and I hope to travel more in 2011. Paris, France remains my favorite place. I spent only 5 days there but there was this homely NYC feel to her. The everyday style of Parisians was amazing too. French folks can cook, umm let me no get into the roadside crêpes. If I am to choose only one thing to do in France, it will be eating some crêpes.

Friendships

I developed a college friend circle tighter than a cheerio in 2010. We went to parties, had all-nighters in the library, talked about college guys, shopped and went thru so much stuff together.  My college friends may not know this but I love ‘em to bits. All of them are African-Americans but that’s the only common thing about ‘em; people with different interests – a poet, a romance linguist, an archaeologist... They can kill for my curry chicken too :D.  i’m def gon miss them ,when I’m away in London, this semester.

Finances:

I am not a full-time worker yet but 2010 is the year that I made the most money and spent the most. #dontknockmyhustle. Most of my money went on travels followed by my wardrobe. I curbed my wardrobe spending in the fall/winter though but I still have more clothing than I need.  I’ve to watch it in 2011 even though I know going to London will not help matters. I London is expensive and I don’t have a job there. But I can’t just be looking at Topshop like a lukuluku nah. So, I will be out for student discounts and will actually have a limited budget to spend with.

In sum, 2010 topped my previous years and 2011 will have to go far to beat 2010. But hey, cheers to better happenings in 2011. I believe it shouldn’t take one a whole year for one to realize that (s)he ought to change he(r) attitude. Thus, I have no New Year resolutions but I’m starting this year with more positivity.

Some of the topics in this post have been discussed on my twitter actually, so ff me @yinkuslolo on twitter and my tumblr at yinkuslolo.tumblr.com

This blog is about 18 months old now and I currently have 105 followers; I’m joyful. To those, who passively read my blog, thanks for doing so. To those who comment, your feedback is very much appreciated. I will try to get back to your comments more promptly this year.

Have a good 2011! Don’t get caught up in making resolutions, keep it moving, time waits for no one.

Feel free to leave your blog links and twitter IDs for me to check out.

Je t’embarasse