Today, I remembered an entry I wrote many months ago (back when I was updating more regularly). While in a somewhat depressed mood, feeling blue because my friends were studying abroad for the semester, I vowed to travel more. The thought was, “Hmm. I’ve got this money. I don’t really need to save it. Why not spend it on something frivilous that I will actually not regret a few days after?”. That seems a reasonable explanation, if not entirely true. More accurately, “Damn. My closest friends are moving away in my last semester, I am moving to another country soon after they return, and I am already feeling out of the loop. Emotions. Double Damn.” So, I made this semi-public assurance to myself that I would see them in one of my travels this semester, while attempting to acclimate to a life of travel and friend destabilization.
As I mentioned soon after making that promise, I had bought a ticket to London on Student Universe, which was incredibly cheap at the time (something like $450+/- round trip). Thank god, I am a student: real life is too expensive! Anyway, I put off life (Italian lectures, 4 jobs, and free meals at the dining halls) for 10 days and traveled across the pond to see Jess and Meredith, who seemed to be in their touristic element while in London, seeing every site possible and making 3+ facebook albums for each. As such, I was excited to see them (who will deny the appeal of being tagged in a bundle of facebook photos? Not Narcissist, not me!).
Nido Student Residence
It was certainly a welcome change to see them again and live an entirely ridiculous life in London together. When, but in these years of your life, can you pick up and leave your home one day, and live together with your friends in the (slightly off) center of London the very next? It is a fantastic feeling of power. To be honest, the reality of a temporary life abroad wasn’t as glamorous. Both Jess and Meredith lived together in NYU’s London housing unit, called Nido, in which each suite is roughly the size of a large walk-in closet with a bathroom (the size of a very small closet) and two beds. Situated in Islington, very nearby St. Pancras and King’s Cross Stations, Nido looks like an improved version of the monstrosity on 3rd & 13th in Manhattan: colorful, but what the hell were they thinking? After rearranging the room a bit, we had a large king size bed to share among the three of us and little standing room to move about in. Not a penthouse at the Ritz, but snazzy enough for the likes of me (Did I mention that it was a free place to stay?).
It was one of those very perfect vacations, where relaxation can somehow coexist with business and checking things off the to-do list. We never planned in advance. We went with the flow and did things that interested us all. And I loved it so very much. Here is an account of the trip (of what I remember of it, that is):
- Two West End shows: Sunset Boulevard & La Cage aux Folles.
J & M outside "Sunset Boulevard"
Sunset Boulevard: A well-reviewed revival Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical interpretation of the classic 1950’s film. With minimal sets, a small cast (playing their own instruments, as is currently favored), and an intimate theatre, this production makes an overwhelming score and story seem more gritty. Rather than a tableau of replicated scenes from the film, the small size of this incarnation gives the feeling of a psychological study, which works well in a show with two main leads. I am sure the size also accounts for the length of this show’s run, which (without a star) would not be very long if they maintained the high costs associated with the original Patti LuPone and Glenn Close productions. Overall, enjoyable (though still over-the-top). I am told it is closing soon.
Graham Norton as Zaza
La Cage aux Folles: After struggling to convince Jess and Meredith to see this production, which features Graham Norton, we saw this outstanding show on the last night of my trip. I am so thrilled we did (and even more so that it is now being transplanted to New York). Though Mr. Norton seemed to be quite ill at our showing- or else just a bad singer-, he was still absolutely hilarious in a show that is absolute heaven! Jerry Herman’s fantastic score is so moving and powerful (in spite of the melodrama of it all) that you can hardly resist singing with them by the end. Much better than the movie, I say! And I have since discovered the Royal Variety performance with the would-be Albin/Zaza in New York, Douglas Hodge. Favorite song at 4:50 min.
- Running in London. Apparently, the weather was warm enough in February to run about the town. Or maybe I had consumed a few too many fish & chips meals with Guinness and could pretend it was warmer than it actually was out of necessity. Regents Park with Meredith was probably the best place to run, where there was little to disturb us but thousands of ducks and geese. And it was very nearby Nido, which helped. Other random runs were an excellent way to explore, as well.
Regents Park
- Breakfast at the Tate Modern’s Ground Level Cafe. The girls had class one morning, and I had to throw together the final script for Julius Caesar. So, I walked myself down to the Thames, crossed, and went into the Tate Modern for a little breakfast. No art, just tasty treats. Far too many cups of tea later, I had finished editing and had successfully people watched for over two hours. Success.
Tate Modern Cafe
- Shopping on Oxford Street. One of the many benefits of a worldwide recession is a decreased Pound-to-Dollar exchange rate. While there, it was 1 Pound to 1.46 Dollars…much better than the 1 to 2 of my trip six months earlier. Jeans from Zara were roughly $10. Trench coat from Uniqlo was about $45. Spending excessive amounts in a faltering economy…priceless.
Oxford Street
- Random & exceptionally long walks! I love walking cities, and I truly believe that walking is the only way you can really get to know a city. Therefore, I forced Jess and Meredith to walk everywhere (except on Jess’ birthday when everyone was in heels and we took the tube). We discovered the lovely canal bank leading to Camden town. Small boutique shops with gorgeous clothes at cheap prices lined streets we discovered. By the end of my trip, Jess and Meredith always asked me where we were and if we were near something. Even if I had no idea, at least I could give the appearance of knowing the city from all my walking.
The canal to Camden
- Fish & Chips. So very many take out boxes of fish & chips. I nearly positive that my blood has been replaced by cooking oil entirely.
My meal of choice, Fish & Chips
Enjoy some of the other (odd & random) photos from the trip, taken from Jess.
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- Jess on the canal
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- A bit of the canal
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- The lovely canal to Camden
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- Me walking the streets
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- Graham Norton as Zaza
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- The cast of Sunset with instruments
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- Attractive Park
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- J & M outside “Sunset Boulevard”
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- The make-shift king size bed
1. Drink more. Never more so than this past holiday have I felt as though I had limited my social circle. I need to expand my social prospects. I need to go out on Friday and Saturday nights instead of going home after work or watching movies in the dorm. Seeing new places and new people is good for a busy schedule, which has been shown to increase happiness and lead to a longer life. I am not too worried about longevity at 20 years old, but it is a good thought nonetheless to keep a busy social life. And when I say drinking I really mean going out and meeting new people. Liquor is certainly part of that plan because I will likely loosen my seemingly strict requirements of friendship and downright orthodox requirements of relationships if I down a few cocktails. If nothing else, I meet up with my current and closest friends and enjoy a new bar or lounge.
2. Go for fresh veggies and fruit. The benefits of this are hard to ignore. I am not overweight nor even close to being so. I have been concerned of late, though, with the future state of my skin, heart, and metabolism. Spending time with my parents the past few weeks has reminded me of the silly way nature works. My mom, for example, eats terrifically healthy and is in peak athletic condition at 53, and yet she is taking a medication for high cholesterol and watching her blood pressure. My dad is already on cholesterol and blood pressure medications, while also being watched as a pre-diabetic candidate. Needless to say, I am slightly worried that, while I may be healthy now, nature may have its own providence. Eating bad foods may exacerbate a genetic predisposition, though no physical manifestations of their harm show on me currently. So, I propose taking the salad option more frequently and asking for fresh vegetables and fruits. I lack a kitchen in my apartment, but I can still eat healthy when I dine out. Besides my heart, I can improve my skin and get in better shape (with some exercise).
3. Take the stairs. I live on the 12th floor in my building. But my schedule is rather free this semester, and I have the time. Why not take the stairs? With the amount of times of I go to and from my apartment each day, I could likely burn off in excess of 200 calories a day. Add a little pace to the climb and that number could double. Plus, it saves me from making awkward small talk in the elevator. But even more so, I want take the stairs to mean really put an effort into being more fit. I have class at 11AM, leaving me a greater part of the morning to go to the gym (while the weather is cold) or run (when it warms up outside). A little cardio here, some weight training there (preferably when the gym-rats are in class), and I will be a brand new person physically. The extra benefit beyond the visual is all mental: exercise has been shown to improve mood and attitude. People are happier when they exercise regularly.
4. 
interests as well. Dexter- The Showtime/CBS hit that has found its way all over the internet. I do not know much about the show other than the fact that the title character investigates serial homicides and kills the ones guilty of the murders…sort of a serial killer of serial killers. Friends have recommended it, and I love the ads. Let us hope the show lives up to its reputation. Rome and John Adams- These two HBO series were extremely successful, one in popularity the other in critical praise, and I think they would fulfill my need for period pieces. I have begun the Rome series, which I did enjoy, but did not get any further into it than disc 1. John Adams does not intrigue me as much mainly because I dislike American history portrayals. But with Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, both of whom are fantastic in everything they do, I have to give it a chance. 30 Rock- I came across this while babysitting one night in October. While I was not entirely impressed by the much-priased comedy, I must admit that my focus was diverted much of the night. So I will give it the chance it deserves. If nothing else, it will get me away from so many depressing dramas about murder and corruption.
5. Travel more frequently. When reading about the process of making resolutions for the new year, I found that most articles advised against making extravagant purchases on an individual item, such as a piece of jewelry or expensive pair of jeans. Rather, they suggest that a purchase leading to an experience is a more worthwhile way to spend your money. Memories last longer than denim, and people have longer lasting positive associations with these experiences. Extravagant purchases without experience tend to lead to buyer’s remorse. Therefore, I propose to travel more and spend what money I have on experiences. I have already started checking off this item with my upcoming trip to London impending. And I will now state my committment to going on a trip for spring break (and am very interested in exploring the Aztec sites in Mexico if I can convince Ilona to do it with me). But small trips are useful too. Perhaps a ski trip upstate with Ali in January would be wise.
6. Make time for friends even if it is hard. This past semester was terribly difficult, both academically and emotionally. And every week, each and every day, my friends helped to rid myself of the stress that seemed to be bringing me down. So this is my chance to repay them by spending time with them, perhaps giving them the support they need. Regular lunches with Cathryn, getting weekly coffees with Riah, seeing movies with Carolyn: I can do these things, and I want to do these things. Why sit in my room and mope because I do not have anything to do when there are people perfectly willing to hang out and have fun. So even if I get caught up with school work, regular work, or extracurriculars, I am determined to stay in close contact with these people. Afterall, I may see very few of them after the school year ends.
