(On a side note, I was up until 4 in the morning talking with my friends from the states last night, and I woke up at 7:30, so I'm horribly, horribly tired. Bear with me.)
Anyway! I don't know where to begin. How about some subheadings!!!
School
My first "official" day of classes was yesterday. This consisted of once again taking placement tests (ugh) and then spending the rest of the day "shopping" for courses. I went to Art History, Contemporary Geopolitics, and Business French. The only one I know for certain that I'm taking is Business French. I can opt to take it 3 hours a week and then take the University's exam at the end of the semester, or take it 6 hours a week, take the University's exam, and then take something called the DFA1 in January. The DFA1 is a test I can take to get a diploma that basically certifies me in the speaking of business French. I would typically take it in France, but since I'll be back home I have to find a French Chamber of Commerce in the US and take the test there. So I'm going to do that. Business French will be the death of me.
I think I've ruled out contemporary geopolitics, because I can't understand the professor.
We still have to take language classes (that's what the placement tests were for). I placed into the highest one again, and again I have no idea how, but I can't complain. The only thing I'm dreading somewhat is the fact that I have to write a 3000 word essay...in French. (That's about 10-12 pages according to the google search I just did...I think I feel faint, haha). Otherwise, it shouldn't be that bad.
I know for certain that I'm taking a French/English translation course (they also offer French/Japanese, but I think that would be a bit too challenging), and my other options are: The Politics of the 5th Republic, Art History, and 19th century literature. I have to pick two of the three, which will be hard. Art History would be interesting, but I don't need it for anything. Politics of the 5th Republic would be dreadful, but I'm tired of Allegheny's political science department and would like to finish my minor here. Taking a literature course would clear up some space in my schedule when I get home, because I need to take one more to complete the literature requirement for my major. So, the poli sci class and the lit class would make completing my psychology minor much easier...but wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable as art history. Unfortunately, I'm starting to think enjoyable is going to have to fall by the wayside, because there are only so many hours in my day.
Germany
I really didn't do all that much in Germany, which is perfectly fine with me. I went and saw the Dom, which is this amazingly huge cathedral. We strolled around the city at night, but mostly we just hung out with Didem and her friends, which in all honesty was the kind of vacation I needed. I haven't uploaded my pictures from Germany yet, so I'll put those up later.
London
Here are pictures from Day One. I'll put them up a day at a time, because there are a lot. (also, someday I will get the pictures from le Chateau d'Angers up...promise)
Here's Big Ben...not as big as I thought it would be!
Buckingham Palace, also not as big as I'd imagined.
If you've read or seen Harry Potter, this should be familiar. This is at the King's Cross train station.
This is Camden. It's basically entirely punk rock shops. I loved it.
Here's the House of Commons overlooking the River Thames at sunset...sweet.
Here's the biggest ferris wheel in the world! (The London Eye...and the technical term is "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel"...whatever that means)
So here's a sign that's in the cantilevered observation wheel. Do not lean against doors. Yeah, you see those lights outside? That's the top of a skyscraper. I don't think I'll be trying to exit this pod anytime soon, thanks.
The House of Commons from the cantilevered observation wheel (I love this term). We were up pretty high.
And here's me in front of Big Ben at the end of our first day.If you made it through all that, kudos. The next one will be easier to digest, promise.
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