Missing DC

I'm back home for the first time in over 7 months and I'm a little unsure of what to make of it. My dog remembers me and my dad does too. My room is pretty much how I left it. The Target is now a Super Target across the street from its original location. I didn't notice any other significant changes on the drive back from the airport.

I wish there was somewhere I could walk right now. I am starting to fear that I'll resort to becoming one of those people that goes to Starbucks to read or write. Normally, that's fine... you walked to M Street; it took work to get there. But to drive to Starbucks and sit down for a few hours? That seems different. Repulsively different. It feels good to be back home mostly because I can be coddled by my parents and leave my stuff somewhere knowing that it won't be displaced by the rightful owners of the space. But I actually already resent the doctor appointments that are stacking up and disrupting my plans to see the people I want to see when I'm home.

This summer definitely cemented DC's place as my home. I had the privilege of living in gloriously decrepit Darnall, in the even more run-down S Street house, and in the fresh but prison-like New South. California is good, but I miss everyone already. Talk to you soon.

Bummin'

Here's a little life update for any family members that are wondering my whereabouts. I just finished moving out of and cleaning the house I lived in for the summer. It was a bittersweet goodbye to the house that mysteriously slanted to the left, that lacked central air, that fostered hours of Guitar Hero 2, but I'm glad to be out. My current belongings consist of a duffel, two backpacks, and a rolly suitcase. It feels a little unnerving to be reduced to so little, but it's good to be sticking around on campus while the rest of my friends trickle back.

Until I return to California (for the first time in over 7 months!) on Monday, I'm staying at a friend's in a freshman dorm on campus. It makes a good temporary home: the mattress that we stole from a freshman room is fully outfitted with my mattress pad, sheets, comforter, and pillow. The downside of this arrangement is that I have been stripped of the freedom to come and go as I please. So... right now, I'm bumming at the Gtown radio station with miscellaneous belongings and ceramic plates wondering where I should go next. I feel a little out of place moving out while thousands are moving in... like a fish against the current but so be it. I haven't been doing anything LSE-related and am anxiously awaiting to get my LSE email account, so pathetically, I can join the LSE facebook network. For people over age 25 who don't know what facebook is, here's a link to explain what it is. Alright. Alright. Let the bumming continue.

The Lowdown: What I'm Actually Doing

On September 29th, I fly to London to spend my Junior year at the London School of Economics. The study abroad program there is called the General Course which, as descriptive as that sounds, means that I'll be fully integrated with other LSE undergrads in LSE classes and LSE housing. So now... the lowdown.

Classes: I'm taking four year-long classes, supposedly these ones if LSE proves to be on top of things.
1. Development Economics
2. Africa and It's Economy
3. The Economics of Public Policy
4. Intellectual Property Law

This is the norm for students at LSE and differs a lot from the five classes per semester that I've been taking at Georgetown. Another major difference is that my entire grade for each class depends on an end of term exam. A major benefit of this system is that I can travel on weekends without tests and problem sets constantly looming in my future. I'll just have to be disciplined in staying on top of material and although laziness is a powerful force, the fear of failing and a subsequent nervous breakdown is enough to create the will power to study on a consistent basis.

Housing: I'll be living at Sidney Webb House located in the South Central London neighborhood of Southwark. It's a 35-minute schlep to LSE, but shorter if I take the tube or bus. Who knows? From pictures on the website, the rooms look itty bitty, but at least I'll have my own bathroom (which is gloriously cleaned for me once a week!). I haven't heard much about the area besides it's boring and expensive. I think by boring, people mean it's not close to bars, pubs, and nightlife sorts of activities. Luckily for my liver, there's a pub right in the residence! However, I hear tragically that they serve beer warm in Europe??? If that's true, then I'll just have to tough it out... and drink warm beer. Alright. That's as much general information as I can muster.