Gitnerblog Revamp

Hey everyone,

I haven't had much time to play around on the blog in a while and in a semi-frustrating battle between Blogger and me, I succumbed to leaving all "Living in London" Gitnerblog content here and just changing the rest to be less London-specific. So... if you're feeling at all nostalgic, as I'm sure I will eventually, posts will still be here. If not, keep checking back here at the Gitnerblog for updates.

Stay tuned...

Back in the US of A

Hello friends and family!

I'm back in the US of A and in typical Gitner fashion, I've immediately caught a cold. Some cosmic force definitely has a sense of humor. On the bright side, I'm all moved into my room and it feels like home already.

I've got to run some errands, but prepare for a Gitnerblog revamp in the coming days as I'm no longer "Living in London." It's good to be back.

Lived in London

Less than 10 hours until my flight back to the states. I went to a BBQ tonight and basically everyone I've known in London was there. It was tougher than I expected to say goodbye, but it was really nice to see everyone in one place (that wasn't The Castle), ha. Walking down in Angel Tube station on my way home, the busker was playing "Bittersweet Symphony." Surreal music moment? Yes.

I hope my baggage makes weight.

List

A few things I've come to appreciate in London:

1. Phone calls and texts: Every text, every call is like an affirmation! You feel good that people are actually willing to pay upwards of 20 cents a minute/text to speak to YOU.

2. Solid deodorant: Solid roll-on is vastly superior to liquid roll-on.

3. American television/movies: This one comes with a little bit of shame, as I must admit that Gossip Girl has been a constant companion while abroad. Other favorites of the year are movies Stranger Than Fiction and Something's Gotta Give.

4. Reading: Who woulda' thunk? Semi-notorious as a non-reader among friends, I actually had time to read for pleasure here in London. Favorite reads of the year? Giovanni's Room and The World According to Garp (re-read).

5. Podcasts: The "commute" to school had a large role in my slow but steady addiction to podcasts. Favorites include the Savage Love Podcast and NPR's Bryant Park Project.

6. Buses: Much more enjoyable than the tube, the bus is a scenic and usually pleasant journey from Point A to B with unlimited people/things to stare at along the way.

7. Google Reader: This blog aggregator is my own personal newspaper each day.

8. Tea: I became a tea-drinker due to laziness (the preparation of coffee is slightly more labor intensive) and budget constraints, but I continue to drink tea for its own merits.

9. Pubs: Relaxing, social, and often ornate in decor.

10. Pounds sterling: No, not the exchange rate. I'm particularly fond of the pound coins.

11. Local music: "You know that band you read about on that blog?" -"Yeah... they're playing at Rough Trades. I'm seeing them for free."

12. Free time: Do anything you want. Anytime you want. All the time.

Alright. One more to go!

USA

Forcing people to study continuously for 4 weeks is cruel and unusual punishment, so I need to vent.

I don't carrrrrreeeeee anymore. Just let me come backkkkkkk!

Yeah, yeah. I'm leaving in four days, but the closer the day to leaving comes, the more excruciating each remaining day is. On the bright side, I've got a concert and BBQ to look forward to.

One to Go

Hey friends and family! I blog to you today from the King's College library while eating an over-priced but delicious yogurt/granola combo.

I survived my exam double header and celebrated with a walk along South Bank and a small trip to Greenwich. We walked from Waterloo Bridge to London Bridge along the river, drinking up the scenery on the first sunny (and warm) day in a long time. It's really hard to believe it's June, because temperature-wise, it seems like I've been suspended in April for the past two or three months.

Highlights of the walk were the massive street art displays on the outside of the Tate Modern building and then of course... food. We arrived to London Bridge right around noon and just in time to slip into Tapas Brindisa, a Spanish specialty restaurant that is always completely packed with a huge wait outside. Even though Jared and I didn't exactly know what the hell a tapa was (our general idea was proved wrong when the first dish was brought out), I have always wanted to eat there. It was some good eating and reminded me of the days of living it up gastronomically in Croatia. I had some steamed mussels and a pork fillet dish, Jared had mackerel and chorizo on toast, and we shared some goats cheese with grapes. And to end the meal, in Eurotrip fashion, we finished up with a shot of espresso with brandy! Mmm.

Enough about food. We then went to Canary Wharf to check out all the fuss about the other financial center of London. Big buildings, investment banks, lots of people rushing about in suits. Not much to write home about overall. But it did remind me a lot more of the United States. Streets were wider, more people were driving cars, and there was that nasty urban sprawl feeling that I get when I'm walking around San Jose, CA.

From there, we walked to Greenwich where we headed to the Great Royal Observatory. Greenwich was really pretty and had a lot of charm and its university (or some university) seemed so luxuriously campus-like compared to the schools in London. We walked past a music school and we could see a flutist standing in the window while hearing violins and drums from other directions. Surreal. These students looked a lot more happy carrying their violin bows around campus than the London students with their noses buried in the Financial Times.

We made our up the hill and walked through the exhibits, most of which were time-keeping-related. Who knew that keeping accurate time was such a complicated process? I didn't even know how my digital watch worked until I read a little blurb. Then we finally made it to the part that everyone cares about: the Prime Meridian Line. We queued up, straddled it, took a picture, and went on our merry way.

That's enough recapping for now. My next exam is on June 11th and until then, I'm studying and preparing for departure. I'm currently packed up for the most part and living out of a suitcase but more disassembling of my room will soon be underway.

Check out some pictures from South Bank, Greenwich, and the state of my room post-exam here.