I have friends!

I haven't updated in awhile because I've been very busy with school presentations, reading, essays, etc. Not much fun but I guess that's what I'm here for! So I don't have many exciting pictures. This is one of me and some friends from class. We went to a coffee place and to a pub after class one day (by the way I tried Guinness and love it!) So I made sure we took a picture to prove I have friends. Although I guess this could be a random picture of some other people.... but really, it's not!
One funny story -- I tried on a short jacket at Zara on the weekend, and size large is too small for my shoulders! Guess I'm too muscular and need to stop working out. =)

Here is Mansion House where my friend was working. I don't know what it is but I think it's a big fancy place that has a dining hall and stuff like that. I also took a picture of the Royal Exchange. This was in the late afternoon after a big parade that day to welcome a new Lord Mayor (?) which included lots of army dudes who ate at the Mansion House after. That night we had Starbucks and saw fireworks on the Thames, it was pretty cool.

Inside the Temple Church

This church was in the DaVinci Code novel (Dan Brown) and it was believed to have once housed the Holy Grail (with the knights). I went here the other day and luckily it was open inside. Here are some pictures of the Knights' effigies. Unfortunately we can't get close but it's still a really cool place. The knights' shields and armour are visible and they were really small people! The Round Church (where the effigies are) is nicer than the gothic part of the church (where the altar is).

CAMBRIDGE

Yesterday I went to Cambridge with my friend Yunxiao. We took an express train which meant we were there in 45 mins. It was a very sunny day, kind of cold, but very nice overall. We did lots of site seeing of the university colleges which are styled in traditional English with a court yard and perfect grass that no one can use. It is definitely a different feel that LSE. The town itself is very nice and full of shoppers.

This past week has been good. I went to see a scary play on Monday night called 'A Woman in Black' which is based on a Victorian novel/ghost story. It's been on stage in London since 1989! It was very well done and we had really close (but cheap) seats.

I also did my first presentation at LSE and was very nervous. Everyone is a good presenter here and is at ease, so hopefully I can learn that. I do get to practise 3 times/semester!

This weekend is Guy Fawkes day, or Bonfire day, where the British celebrate a 400-year old act of terrorism - Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the parliament to overthrow the government/monarchy. Didn't seem to be successful but everyone now uses fireworks. So right now (and all weekend at night) I've been hearing fire works! I went to the Thames River briefly after studying at school but couldn't see any from there.

Also, I got my first student haircut! She did an ok job but it took forever (more than 2 hours) plus cost me $10. Hopefully I won't have to do that again!

Tomorrow I will go to a museum with my friend in residence who is from the Netherlands. I haven't been to a museum in awhile so hopefully I don't get too bored! Enjoy the pictures below.

King's college

Here is a large college that allows visitors. It is very close to the river and there are cows there too!

River boat ride

We rented a canoe (the second time I was in a canoe this year with a beginner.... good thing I survived!) and did our own tour of the River Cam and the backs of the colleges. The old bridge is the supposively the first bridge built using mathematical analysis.

Churches

Here are two churches in Cambridge: St John's (side view) and the Round Church.

Trinity College

This is an old and very nice/large college. The sign outside says 'no visitors allowed' but everyone we saw inside was a visitor! Also, the grass in each college was PERFECT, so made us think "what's the point of having it if you can't use it?" There is no touching the grass, but I was a rebel and touched the grass (though I didn't stand on it).