It's been almost 2 weeks since I arrived in London and every day has been great. While classes can be long (we have them in 4 hour blocks), the time goes by quickly and then I'm ready to go out and have fun. In the first half of the program I'm taking British Marketing Strategy and European Capital Markets, both of which have proved to be very interesting so far even if it's hard to stay awake the whole time.
I saw all the major sites around London from the boat tour on the Thames and then walked to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and through St. James Park. Saturday I took a day trip to Windsor Castle which was beautiful! The weather was perfect and I wandered around the castle and the town with some friends taking pictures and enjoying the countryside. Seeing the dollhouses, St. George's Chapel and the grounds of where the Queen lives (she wasn't in residence that day) was amazing.
Tuesday was an exciting day for all us Americans here in London - President Obama's inauguration! The program got some tv's and pizza and threw us a party. Watching the inauguration felt great even on this side of the Atlantic. The BBC commentary was interesting to listen to versus ABC or any other station back home even if I didn't like everything they focused on. I'm so glad I got to watch it and celebrate with other Americans.
Yesterday I went on a field trip to the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising for my marketing class in Notting Hill. It was my first time in the neighborhood and I loved it. I must go back soon for the Portobello flea market on sundays. The museum was very interesting; it showed how brands and packaging have changed over the years. Some of the artifacts they had were incredible and so old!
That's about all that's new for now. I'm leaving tomorrow night to spend the weekend in Wales! I'll be sure to write all about it when I get back.

Arrival

After worrying for days whether my flight would be cancelled because of a snowstorm on the east coast, I managed to get to London fine with very little delay. The flight wasn't too bad - I slept a little; read my book The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks a little; and watched some tv. It's great to finally be here but it still doesn't feel like I'm really here. I walked around the neighborhood of Kensington and saw the Natural History Museum and Albert and Victoria Museum plus Royal Albert Hall, Imperial College and the shops, restaurants and tube stations in the area. My flat that I share with my roommate Katie is small but we have our own bathroom and mini fridge. Looks like I'm back to my olden days of being on the top bunk of the bunk bed which I don't mind at all. Hopefully I'll be more awake and less jetlagged soon and then I can start exploring London! Tomorrow we're taking a boat trip on the Thames....I can't wait! Check back once in a while for updates on what I'm doing here in London and hopefully I'll be able to put pictures up.