| Remember me? |
Ok, so it's been exactly 5 months since I've posted. Which is sad but life happens! Let's see I'll be graduating in May. I have my own apartment now and it has been exciting decorating it on a budget. I will post some pictures when I have my camera nearby. Let's just say that HomeGoods has become my new favorite store. I still need to buy some organizational gear so my closet doesn't look like the hot mess it looks like now! Here's a bullet list of what's been going on with me and what I plan on writing about:
- applying to (and hopefully getting into) graduate school
- The never ending diet
- Finding a real job (in this recession though...that will probably be a humor post!)
- Couponing (which I need to get back into)
- Posts that just list some favorite links
- Decorating my apartment on a college student budget
- Planning my annual Valentine's Day Dinner (it's more than a dinner y'all, it's an EVENT)
Happy Holidays!Labels: about me |
|
|
|
| London Days 2-5 |
Life in London has been going well. I'm learning my local neighborhood okay. Although my most favorite memories so far have been getting lost on the bus. I've found that by getting on the bus you can see parts of the city you don't see on the tour. Although, for some of the areas you are probably missing out on them for a reason!
So far I've visited the British Museum twice, a few pubs, Tate Modern and Oxford. I have officially decided I want to go to Trinity College for grad school. It probably will NEVER happen, but I am inspired.
But my trip to Oxford was really cheap. The roundtrip bus cost a little under $22 roundtrip, I paid $2 to walk around Trinity. I brought a walking tour book for $2 and I paid a $3 bottle of water so I could eat in Starbucks without feeling cheap. I also brought a Oxford sweatshirt for $20. It cost $6 for the tube right back and forth from the Bus station. My total for the day was $55!
Tomorrow I really need to start on my class. The reason I'm really here!
(At Oxford)Labels: London |
|
|
|
| London Day 1 |
Whew. What a trip. My flight from Charlotte was delayed by 30 mins, but at 610 I was finally heading out to Toronto. I had a 3 hour layover in Toronto which was pretty boring because it was later in the evening and most of the shops were closed. My flight to Heathrow was on schedule. The flight was packed but I took an ambien and went on to sleep!
When I woke up it was around 9 am and the flight attendants started to pass out breakfast (omelet, toast, fruit and a croissant) and drinks. Soon we landed and after finally getting through customs (why was I getting the third degree. The guy acted like I was trying to illegally immigrant to the UK. Um ok.) I brought a ticket for 6.90 (unless otherwise noted, all prices are going to be in pounds..times it by two and that's the USD) to board the Heathrow Connect. It's a cheaper, slower version of Heathrow Express, but I got to Paddington Station fine and it was nice to be able to sit down for a while (the trip took about 25-30 mins).
Once I was in Paddington station, I brought a pre-paid Tube/Metro card called an Oyster Card. It costs 3 and comes with 2BP credit. I then added ten pounds to the card. I can use this card on any tube or bus and the fair is just deducted from my credit. You can also get 3 pounds back if you're done with the card and turn it in. Also, you can sign up online and register your card. So if its stolen, you can get a replacement.
I then had to make three connections to get to Hampstead. Stairs + 50lbs of luggage is not fun!
I finally got to the house (proud of myself b/c I walked or took the tube the entire way. I saved a lot of money by not taking a cab). I unpacked, showered and headed out to explore the neighborhood.
My first stop was to Orange (a UK prepaid phone company). Through research I figured it was cheaper to buy a prepaid phone through orange, b/c I can sign up for their camel plan. This allows me to call the USA for only 6 pence (or 12 cents). The phone put a 10 pound credit was 20 pounds or $40.
The store was about 1.5 miles from the house. I decided to take a bus to the grocery store to take a break and do sightseeing (CHEAPER than a tour coach!). However, I got lost and ended up in a slight shady part of London. But I just exited the bus, ran across the street and hopped onto the one going in the opposite direction. I was back where I started!
I then walked to the grocery store which was maybe a 2 miles away. I went to Morrisons which is just like a large American grocery store. They had good deals and a lot of produce that was about nearing the expiration date. I was able to buy frozen chicken breasts, bag of apples, bag of carrots, bagged salad, pb, jam, bread, rice, pasta sauce and cookies for 11 pounds (I just noticed that my actual grocery bill was LESS than my estimated bill). I think this is because Morrisons isn't as pretty as Sainsbury and passes on those savings to it's customer (think a larger, less sketchy ALDIs).
One thing I have noticed is that my debit card does not work as a debit in London. They have to do it as a credit card.
After that I headed back to the house, unpacked my groceries and just became lazy. I don't know a lot of people in my class. But they all know each other and so it's just two groups of friends and me. Basically everything I did today was by myself.
I know a lot of people don't like to travel/dine out/do anything by themselves. Y'ALL IT IS FUN. You can go where you want when you want.
Ok I am beyond tired from walking and hauling luggage/groceries all day.
Goodnight!Labels: London, London -Transportation, london-mobile |
|
|
|
| London Grocery Budget |
While on my trip, I'll be responsible for all of my food. I made a list and looked up the items on Sainsburys.com (an English grocery store). Here's what it will cost:
(All prices are pounds)
Rocket Lollies (ice cream..10 pack) .99
Frozen Chicken breast fillets 4.69
Bag of 6 apples .99
Spaghetti Sauce..2 for 2.00
Boil-Bag Rice (4 pack) .98
Strawberry Jam 1.18
Peanut butter .78
Cheddar Cheese BOGOF 4.06
Tortillas 1.39
Total (Pounds/Dollars): 17.06/34.12
Of course some of the prices will be different because of the sales, but it's nice to know that even with the exchange rate the bill wont be insanely high!Labels: London preparation |
|
|
|
| Conversation between my mom and I |
Me- Can you look for some sales for phone cards? I want some before I leave
Mom-Yes, but you need a phone.
Me-Ma, I went to England ALONE when I was fifteen and didn't have a phone. I'll be ok
Mom- mmhm
So in conclusion I am now researching cheap pre-pay cell phones for my time in the UK.Labels: london-mobile |
|
|
|
|
Name: Renee
Home: United States
About Me: I'm 22
I like to read non fiction
I love politics
I like good beer
I pay too much for purses
Being happy is the only goal in my life!
See my profile...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Background by EM
|
|
posted by Renee at 
