nature withdrawals

one thing i've always loved about california--and particularly la/redondo--is the proximity to the beautiful ocean. it's really lovely to be able to live the city life (or redondo-townie-life), but be so close to nature. true, sometimes the beach is dirty or crowded, but just being able to listen to the waves is soothing. now that i've been in london for over two weeks, i'm jonesing for some natural beauty. earlier this morning i saw two crows fighting, but i don't think that counts.

i'd love to see some of the english countryside. hell, i'd love to see forests or woods or something (do they even have forests here??). at usc, i always missed seeing children and animals (haha, one in the same...). it's funny that no matter where you are, you're always missing something.

this past week was fun and horrible. i slept through my alarm on two different mornings, which has never happened in the past six years i've had this alarm. it resulted in my running (literally) to class barefaced and hungry, hahaha. poor peasant. my classes have been piling on the work, which i'm not thrilled about; at the same time, though, i'm learning things i never would have studied at home. i GUESS i can study while i'm here...pfff

on wednesday, alex, lizzie, and i went to primark and oxford street. i was expecting to splash out hardcore, since i left most of my clothes at home and have been recycling numerous outfits here, but i ended up only spending 20 pounds the whole day. alex and i went to selfridge's so i could buy perfume, but once i saw all the salespeople (LOADS), i chickened out. i realize that i'm technically a salesperson, as well, but i definitely don't have the saleslady personality. i always find that customers prefer to be left to their own devices, rather than being smothered. silly department stores, scaring away customers.

last night, chris and i went to see "slumdog millionaire," which i thoroughly enjoyed. i really like movies that show different parts of the world and the ways that people live and survive. parts of the movie definitely reminded me of "city of god," indian style, haha. jamal (slum dog) was so cute--i hope he appears in future films!

well, my friend sally and i were supposed to go shopping today, but seeing as everyone here is going to start drinking at 3 in the afternoon (wtf culture shock hahaha), we decided it would be best left to another day, when we have more time. tonight is "school disco" at the campus bar, meaning peeps are dressing in school-uniform-esque attire and dancing. oh me, oh my. i don't know if i'll be posting pictures.

jolly olly,
lilly