Week 9: ONLY One Month Left?!?!

Alright, strap in y'all... it's been a whirlwind of a week! Let's start on Thursday, November 14th and Friday, November 15th. For some reason, the classes over here started getting real. As soon as I went to class, the professors were basically like oh, by the way, you shoud have already been working on your final and only assessments this entire time?!?! During class, they broke down exactly what they were looking for and sent us home to do some independent research. So, I spent most of my Thursday and Friday in the library and on the online course resource page trying to figure out how I'm going to write these assignments.

Fast forward to Saturday, November 16th, Kellie and I took a day trip to London to hit some of the off the beaten path things. First, we went to an ice bar! I've always wanted to try one and they're few and far between in the states so I thought now would be a better time as any. So, Kellie and I booked 2 tickets reservations to the ICE BAR LONDON. When we first arrived there was a line out the door and it looked like any other expensive and upscale place. Then, when we went in we were directed to a man that was manning what looked like a coat check. Well, as soon as we said hello he said take your glasses off and I didn't ask any questions and then he proceeded to throw a warm coat-like poncho over me and said enjoy. Once Kellie got her poncho on, we pressed a button that opened the door. The door lead to a little hallway like waiting room and we had to wait for the door behind us to close until we could press another button to then open the door to the real ice bar! My first thought as soon as I walked in was, "it's not that cold". We'll it got colder, trust me. This room was filled with ice walls, an ice bar, ice cocktail tables, an ice throne for pictures, and different ice sculptures. It was so cool... (pun intended). The room fit around 25-35 people and the music was poppin'. We went up to go get a drink from the bar and to our surprise, the glasses that had out drinks in them were made of ice too!!! We had so much fun getting pictures and hanging out by the different things made of ice! However, the maximum time someone could spend in there was 40 minutes because of how cold it was! After 40 minutes we were happy to say goodbye to the ice bar and we went on to see the Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4. This attraction came as a shock to me because one would assume it's in between train platforms 9 and 10. Well, it's in an underground tube station but, it's right next to the Harry Potter store before the ticketed platforms. It was really cool to get a picture with it but I was personally a little disappointed because it took an hour to get a picture and it was really underwhelming and clearly a tourist trap. I wouldn't waste my time in line if I were you. Then, we stopped at this authentic Italian place for a late lunch and early dinner. This place was packed with people and everyone seemed to love the food but, I'm not sure if it was what we ordered or if we're just not accustomed to how real Italian food tastes but it was TERRIBLE!!! Kellie and I had a hard time finishing our extremely overpriced meals. After our linner (lunch and dinner), I decided to take us on a cute unpopulated side street and oh course, something strange happens to us. As we were walking and taking in this beautiful street, we ran into two clearly drunk men (it was 3 pm) peeing on the side of the street!! These two guys were so embarrassed and kept saying were sorry ladies, we just can't hold in our pee anymore but CONTINUED TO PEE?? Anyways, after that weird encounter, we found our way to the infamous MnM Superstore and shopped around the 4 floored delicious chocolate factory for an hour. They had everything in there, anything from cars with the MnM characters sitting in them to a body scanning machine that told you what color MnM you were. It was so much fun, I felt like a kid again! We even got a picture with the spoof of the Abbey Road with the Beatles but it was the Mnm Road with 4 MnM's! We had so much fun in London that day!

Then, on Sunday, we relaxed and did some homework. To celebrate us starting our final assessment, we went to a local pub to participate in their pitch-in music night. Our participation was in the form of drinking a beer!!! The pub reminded us of our pub crawl in Ireland and it brought back some great memories from when my family came over in October. Then, we went out to Las Iguanas and had some tapas and drinks!

Monday was considered GAME TIME for me! Since this weekend was one of the last non-traveling weekends, I needed to buckle down on my assignments! I designed a class for each day and Monday happened to be my day for the individual learning and different course. My only assignment in the class is to turn in a 2,500-word paper that analyzes the role of psychometric testing and personality in the educational setting and if it's beneficial for the learners and teachers. Later that night, I submitted the first draft to the professor for her to review and then provide feedback on. To celebrate almost being done with a course assessment, Kellie, Aimee (my flatmate), and I went bar hopping and then ended up at the club, Mosh. The most notable and funny thing that happened was when the bouncer was looking at my ID. I guess my driver's license number ends in 1986 and he thought I was born in 1986!! He looked at me and looked back down and said I'm sorry this isn't you. As I said, what do you mean? And he said you were not born in 1986 and I said no 1998 and pointed to my DOB on the ID. He then chucked and got all red and let me through. I guess I really embarrassed the guy!!!!

On Tuesday, I woke up and needed some help from my dear friend Tylenol!! After I got some coffee at the local Starbuck, I was ready to knock out my Ancient Writing course which I had been dreading!! The assessment didn't have a clear and specific prompt. It was basically like make up a question and then answer it through the things we've talked about in class! So, after weeks of trying to find a question to answer, I finally found one! I wrote my paper about how the ancient myth of Cupid and Psyche foreshadowed the evolution of love and romance (sounds fascinating right lol)!!! In order to write this paper, I knew I had to do it in one setting or it would lack flow so I started working on it around 5:30 pm and didn't do anything else until midnight when I finished typing the paper!! I spent a WHOPPING 6 and 1/2 typing this dang thing!!! I sent the paper over to the professor later that night so, it's either going to be the best thing ever or not what she's looking for. Fingers crossed it needs little revision!! I'll keep y'all posted!

On Wednesday, I woke up feeling kind of sick and it was supposed to be my day to do my Social and Cultural Landscapes assessment but I had already finished 1 out of 2 of them so I took a personal day and went to the store and got some cold medicine and cough drops!! Today has been filled with self-care and hallmark Christmas movies! I'll type that assessment in December when I get back from my vacation with my fiancé.

This Friday, Collin is coming over once again and we will be spending this week in Greece and Rome!! I can't wait to see him and squish his sweet face!!!

I may not post next week, so beware I'm living my best life with my best friend!!!

See y'all in December!!!

P.S. We only have one more month over here... what the heck. Time has FLOWN BY!! Even though the end is near, Kellie and I still have a few fun things planned, stay tuned!!

Things I've Learned This Week:

1.) I'm a forgetful person. A little background. So, for the past month, there has been three things of salami on my side of the fridge which anyone can use at any time. Now, this random appearance of the salami has been causing me to question who would buy three things of salami and why hasn't anyone eaten it! Fast forward to this week, the salami has been there for over a month probably and I decided to message my flatmates because I want to know whose salami it is. We've been calling it the mystery of the salami all week!! Well turns out it's mine??!?!?!? I'm not sure when or why I purchased three things of salami but we're all pretty sure it's mine. Thus deeming myself as a forgetful salami buying person.

2.) I think I'm getting too old to do a back to back night of drinking (I'm not even 21 yet)!!! LOL

3.) I really do love and adore all Hallmark Christmas movies!!! They make me want to cuddle up by the fire with hot cocoa and relax!!

4.) If the dryers in the students halls don't dry your clothing, just spread it out all across your room and it will dry in two days!!! (this week really was something)!!