amo-nymous:

[  Own. From the archives.  ]

*Hipster vintage filters need not apply

So instead of continuing reading about financial analysis for a minute longer, I decided to do the next best thing and leave my first post! It’s going to be almost two weeks since I arrived on this brand spankin’  chill country and so far so good.  While sippin’ on some hot chocolate from TESCO (gotta love TESCO!) and listenin’ to Bruno Mars (who knew?), I’ll let the stream of consciousness flow; and it begins…

First, the view from where I am currently: le flat

It oddly enough reminds me of the view from rubin back in ‘08. Up on the 2nd floor of 26 Mecklenburgh Square (I believe that is the address) the tranquility is crazy.  The neighborhood of Bloomsbury is not what I had expected.  Although I knew I wasn’t looking for another New York, deep down I still conceived more bustling.  However, I was wrong- dead wrong. 

In one way or another, it does feel like I’m back to being a freshman.  Everything is new: new schools of thought, new people to meet, new residences. Except this time I am more comfortable with all the new changes. After two years of pseudo-soul searching, it is prime time to abandon all that is known, sort of speak, and start anew; ala descartes.  

What are some of the reasons I chose to study abroad?

• leave New York City & the square, and move to a different country for a couple of months
• experience “independence” 
• gain clarity as to what I want to achieve after graduation (scary thought: less than 2 years to go!)
• meet more people and absorb different lifestyles
• TRAVELTRAVELTRAVELTRAVELTRAVELTRAVEL! 

What I hope to gain from this experience:

• the ability to say that I pushed myself from my comfort zone and developed a European sensibility
• appreciate tranquility and the upside of not having to take the subway everywhere and walking instead
• to perfect my British accent. (It’s going to be an annoying semester for everyone else as I keep working on it)
• know the balance of pushing myself sans focus, and knowing what my strengths/opportunities are in order to persevere 
• eat a fair amount of fish & chips and taste other beers
• develop a close network of friends whom will make this experience unforgettable

Couple of highlights thus far:

• attending orientation sessions this time, making up for not doing them freshman year 
• trying to update facebook, twitter, tumblr (still a work in progress)
• getting lost countless of times, but still getting to my destination and discovering new paths 
• completing a first day of work in a different country and surviving!
• visiting the West End & SOHO
• CHINATOWN w/ Jess! Although we could have done without those nasty/fake soup dumplings.
• History of London w/Carol! First class together since freshman ‘04, or fall ‘07! 
• visiting GREENWICH! an inspiring and awakening place 
• finding local pubs ahemfriendathandahem

Upcoming trips to look forward to (already booked):

• PARIS! 
• Oktoberfest!
• Bath & Stonehenge
• Cambridge 

- Dio

Nuyorican Poets Cafe…