Tag: Routine

The Wonderful Walk to School

The Wonderful Walk to School

by ericmistry ♥ 2 Comments

It never fails to amaze me how incredible it is to be going to school in the heart of London. My daily walk to the teaching site seems designed to make sure I stay impressed. I get off of the bus at Museum Street and walk directly north to Great Russell Street. As I turn onto Great Russell Street, I am greeted with the sight of the majestic British Museum. It's impossible not be impressed by its immense size and incredible architecture. I continue walking down Great Russell Street, a wonderful road lined with shops, restaurants, and miniature museums all encased in beautiful and old buildings until I reach number 99. This is the teaching site, and even it astonishes me daily. It is housed in an ornate historical building, and has a massive mural lining its ceiling in the entrance foyer. It is absolutely incredible to see all these amazing sights and it boggles my mind that this is my daily routine.

 

The British Museum is One Block Away

 

 

Great Russell Street

 

The Teaching Site, #99

 

Just Inside the Front Door

 

Another Pleasant Day

Another Pleasant Day

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

Today was another ordinary, exciting day here in London. It was routine, but routine in this city is rife with little surprises and twists. I slept in pretty late today, as we've been really busy this week and I was pretty exhausted. I woke up, had breakfast, and went to the YMCA to work out.

On that note, I am, as of a few days ago, an OFFICIAL student member with full access to all classes and facilities! There are a huge range of classes, and I'm starting out next week with a free session with a trainer, as well as yoga and kettlebell classes. In addition, I am training on Thursdays and Sundays with the swim club, and on Tuesday evenings with a triathlon/distance swimming group. Between the classes, clubs, and my regular training regimen (including exhilarating runs on the Thames, which is surreal to think is real life), I should get in even better shape! Check out my fancy new YMCA card below!

Beautifully Blue YMCA Card

 

The YMCA was followed by a trip to the British Museum to study and explore. It was immense and totally mind-bogglingly amazing. Highlight of the day? A carved crystal skull from South America. Originally thought to be an exquisite Aztec specimen, it was proved a fake by microscopic analysis that showed use of tools that post-dated by the Aztecs by a few hundred years. Fake or not, it was a beautiful specimen, and brought to mind Indiana Jones and that adventuresome theme song. (Which, incidentally, is my alarm clock song…)

Cue the Indiana Jones Theme…

After puttering around the British Museum for a fair amount of time, I made my way down the street to Mr. Brainwash's art exhibition. This was the exhibition I visited earlier in my adventuring. Mr. Brainwash, I learned after some research, was a prominent follower of the famed graffiti artist, Banksy, and part of the film Exit Through The Gift Shop. The show, with its playful twists on classic pieces, was amusing and thought-provoking as before.

John & Yoko, With a New Message

I returned home on the bus (which I actually love riding) and cooked a supper of Carribean-style rice and beans. It was extremely filling and so very flavorful! I'm learning so much more about cooking and manipulating different types of food. It's an adventure within this big London adventure.

After dinner, we went to the Last Night of the Proms, broadcast in 3D to a nearby cinema. It was a beautiful production, filled with amazing music and a uniquely British style of patriotism. The 3D was quite nicely done and the production was incredible for being streamed live. The music was spectacular, especially two younger virtuosos, one on the violin and the other a terrific tenor opera singer. The enthusiasm and patriotism were infectious, leaving me humming Rule, Brittania all the way home.

Even the Cinemas Are Gorgeous

 

I came home and Skyped my parents and Emily. It was so nice to just chat for awhile and be reminded of all the treasures that lie back home. And now, onward to sleep!

 

Sushi Lunch in the Park

Sushi Lunch in the Park

by ericmistry ♥ 5 Comments

I had sushi again for lunch with a few classmates in a nearby park. Wasabi, the restaurant we picked the sushi up from, was cute and efficient as usual. The sushi was also phenomenal. There is something just so incredibly enjoyable about eating a great meal in the middle of a park on a beautiful day that just makes the world seem awesome.

…and if you factor in the fresh raspberries (picked up from a street vendor en route to the park) that served as the ending note to my meal, the experience is indescribable. Pictures may have to suffice!

 

 

 

The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, & More!

The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, & More!

by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Yesterday we visited the Trafalgar Square area for my Cultures of Empire history class. Though the iconic square was covered in a set-up for celebrating and watching the Paralympics, we could still walk around it and enjoy the sights. It was incredible to see the historical buildings I have read about for years up close and personal. Nelson's Column is an awe-inspiring sight to see, towering overhead and guarded by sculpted lions. The ability to see Whitehall (and Big Ben) directly from the National Gallery's steps is also so impressive to me. It will be a great deal of fun to keep returning to the Trafalgar Square area, as I need to come back to the National Gallery at least weekly for my art history class. It will be interesting to see the square change as the seasons change along with events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Little Bits of Home

The Little Bits of Home

by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

My post about the Indian food set my mind thinking about what other little details bring me home. I looked for them today. It was somewhat surprising to see how many pieces of home are with me, no matter where I am in the world.

(In no particular order…)

  1. My workout bag: (shampoo, sandals, shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, suits, goggles, iPod, towel, water bottle.) It never changes, and packing it each night is nearly a ritual.
  2. My Uniball ballpoint ink pen. Black ink, 0.7 mm point, these are the only pens I use.
  3. My leather journal/notepad/doodlepad. Though the actual notebook will vary, I have gotten into the habit of always carrying one. It's comforting to have just one nice place to keep my thoughts.
  4. My cup of tea in the morning and at night. Nothing is quite the same as a perfect cup of tea, with just the right amount of milk and sugar. It wakes me up in the morning, and puts me to sleep in the evening.
  5. The feeling of calm that swimming continuously brings to me. Even though I am in a different pool, swimming meters instead of yards, and swimming clockwise instead of counterclockwise, there is a beautiful feeling that rushes over me at a certain point. Swimming becomes effortless, and the water just surrounds me and shuts out all other distractions. It's just me and the pool, no matter where I am.
  6. The joy I find in food. Whether cooking or eating out, I get so much pure enjoyment out of food. I find myself getting surprised by different flavors, discovering new foods, and indulging in the most unique of experiences when I seek out good food.
  7. My pictures. I always have pictures of my friends and loved ones with me, whether digitally on my tablet or physically in my little pouch of photos. I also have a few pictures of Emily and me next to my bed, and it's a great thing to wake up to every morning. It's so comforting to see those moments caught in time, those memories of happiness, laughter, and love eternally perserved with pixels or ink.
  8. Being behind a camera. Though I picked up photography as a more serious hobby beginning last year, I've always loved taking pictures. I love looking for the perfect angle for a shot and finding so much more. Photography has helped me discover hidden things that lay in plain sight, waiting to be found by someone who is truly looking. There are treasures and memories everywhere, and the camera lets me capture it all with the click of a shutter.
  9. My music. Whether its an intense playlist for the gym or my usual mellow music for everywhere else, my music is another thing that keeps me connected to where I am from. Hearing certain songs brings memories and people directly into my mind. It's nice when to hear a bit of home in a faraway land.
  10. Grinnell. Not only am I surrounded by Grinnellians in this program, but Grinnell is constant in other ways. I met with an alumnus, Ed Senn '79, who treated me to a great dinner, Paralympics velodrome experience, and great conversation. I'm also still receiving so many emails from my various Grinnell groups, which is bittersweet in that it makes me miss Grinnell and everyone there, yet it makes me excited about returning for the spring and happy for those who are there now.

 

The list could go on and on, but that's what immediately springs to mind. London is absolutely amazing and a totally life-defining experience. It's just also nice to notice that I managed to bring a bit of home with me.

 

 

Live(ish) From London

 

Little Lessons from Life in London (thus far)

Little Lessons from Life in London (thus far)

by ericmistry ♥ 4 Comments

1. Walking around without too much direction during the day can lead to some amazing discoveries; little food markets, hidden art galleries, and amazing pieces of architecture are literally around the corner everywhere.

2. Get some foods from the market and talk to the vendors. The food is fresh, delicious, and has a great local quality. Great deals abound, especially with produce. Also, the stand-keepers are incredibly friendly and knowledgable about their products. A meat vendor who sold me some sausages told me how best to cook them, and an extremely enthusiastic Italian cheesemaker gave me samples of his various cheeses before I chose the cheese pictured below. It's a cheese infused with wine, giving it an initial nutty, sweet flavor that fades into a mild creamy taste. It's among the tastiest (yet simplest) things I've ever eaten in my entire life, yet I only found it because I decided to walk the market route on a whim.

The Best Cheese I've Ever Eaten

 

3. People love to have a little chat, and it makes the tube ride go more quickly. Londoners are quite generally friendly, and everyone we've talked with on our tube rides or in the pubs has been delighted to carry on a short conversation between the stations. Any topic will do, but the Olympics seems to be a great one, especially if you compliment the success of it. They are so very proud of their city, and rightfully so. Everything seems well organized and there is a festive spirit in the city. A well-dressed businessman whom we asked directions from was positively bouncing as he spoke about what fun it was to have the Olympics here. A side-note on conversations that we noticed quite early: your name and other personal information are rarely, if ever brought up in a conversation. The conversation begins, and names are exchanged later if the conversation is going incredibly well, but the casual tube talks don't ever last that long.

4. Speaking of Americans… Americans are loud. Really, really loud. Now that we have started to acclimate to this environment, we tend to blend in much more, talking quietly and not raising much noise. The Americans who are tourists, passing through for a matter of days, tend to stick out quite dramatically due to their volume. It's not a judgment either way, but just something that I wouldn't have noticed had I not been living here.

5. Adventure is out there! We have already engaged in so many spur-of-the-moment decisions, and they have led to great food, great experiences, and great stories. In London, if you don't act, you may not get the opportunity again.

6. Efficient public transportation is absolutely incredible. I bought an weekly travel card (unlimited use of the tube and buses) this week to last me until I can apply for a student one, and the sheer freedom it gives is incredible. I can get all around the city so quickly and easily. After a little over a week, I feel totally comfortable and confident reading the tube and bus route maps, transferring stations, and switching lines. I was surprised at how quickly it became almost unconsciously easy.

 

 

More lessons to come as I learn and adventure!

 

Lunch Munch at Home

Lunch Munch at Home

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

I got home from class today and decided to treat myself to a nice, healthy little lunch after a good class, some long walks, and another morning of working out intensely. The special treat of the day was market-fresh strawberries I got at a nearby market. They were ripe, red, and totally delicious.

Strawberries, Utterly Delicious Strawberries

The lunch was rounded out with some low-fat yogurt, some pita strips I warmed up, celery, Brie cheese (surprisingly inexpensive here), a few tea biscuits, some pepper hummus, and of course, a nice cup of Assam tea, with two toffees for dessert. It was delicious and quite enjoyable. The simple food was a nice change of habit from the rather more extravagant flavors of late.

My Mini-Feast

Tea, Glorious Tea.

 

Sushi Lunch From Wasabi

Sushi Lunch From Wasabi

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

We started our first day of classes today. My first class was with Professor Prevost, a history class entitled Cultures of Empire. It seems like it will be a really engaging and interesting class. It is designed so we have to venture all over London and immerse ourselves in the historical sites we are reading about. Tomorrow we have to visit the Bank Junction (an area where seven major roads converge, and also the site of the Mayor of London's home) on our own, and then write a 1-2 page response to some discussion-provoking questions about it. I am getting really excited, and can't wait to dive into this class head first.

In any case, post-class, we were really hungry and wanting a good lunch. I had seen a variety of interesting and inexpensive places for lunch on Holborn Street on my way home the other day, so Claire, Hannah, and I headed that direction in search of nourishment.

We found it in the delightful sushi from a small, clean place called Wasabi. I had seen this chain and was impressed by how orderly and beautiful and inexpensive their food options were. Trays of sushi lined a wall cooler, and individual pieces could be bought for two pieces for £1. I went for a combo plate, the better value, and was excited to dig in!

Wasabi, a great little sushi place

I had to wait a few minutes to dig into my sushi, as we decided to save money by taking the food to go (or takeaway, as it's called here) because many places charge more to eat in, as that uses space. We ventured over to the nearby Bloomsbury Square, a nice patch of green grass, gardens, and benches, a perfect spot for lunch. There was a cool breeze and warm sunlight, giving our little park bench some great lunchtime atmosphere.

Our Lunch View

The sushi, once we finally dug in, was phenomenal! It was outrageously fresh and absurdly delicious. I had been expecting decent, but distinctly packaged sushi, but this was amazingly good. It was all tightly packed by an obviously practiced hand, and had perfect proportions. It was beautifully organized and accompanied by a delicious edamame salad. The thing that stood out the most though, was the tantalizing texture of the sushi, the rice, seaweed, and fish all stood distinctly apart. No sushi I have had in Iowa can even compare. The cool breeze, the superb sushi, and the feeling of accomplishment that came from completing my first class in London made this a supremely satisfying meal.

Awesome, clean food packaging

DELICIOUS Sushi

Sushi Detail

 

Going to the YMCA!

Going to the YMCA!

by ericmistry ♥ 3 Comments

I started out my morning at 6:00 AM, when the theme to Indiana Jones roused me from my slumber. I had packed my bag the night before and was so excited to get back in my daily exercise routine. It felt oddly comforting to put together an exercise bag, filled with the same set of equipment I've been using for years. Suit, drag suit, goggles, running shorts, shoes, socks, shirt, shampoo, protein bar, and my towel. After splashing some cold water on my face to wake up, I left on the twenty minute walk to the YMCA.

 

It was an nice, relaxing walk. The city's hum was rising as the cafes opened and people began their morning commute. I made it to the YMCA and walked on in.

My YMCA

I walked down to the front desk and chatted with the attendant. I can use my US membership five times for free, but will have to get a student membership after that. (Which, at £107 for the remainder of my time here, seems pretty reasonable.) After checking myself in, I toured the facility. It's a great place, and well-designed for the city. Space use seems to be really maximized, yet it seems quite spacious and clean as well. There are weights, cardio machines, a basketball court, spa facilities, a juice bar (reminded me of home and FUEL!!!), a lounge, a lending library (which supplied me with a copy of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime), and, best of all, a lap pool!

The Pool

Swimming turned out to be quite an adventure in itself. The lanes were sorted slow to fast, but some of the lanes were set to swim counter-clockwise, which is totally different from how I swim in the US. I also was not allowed to use my snorkel for safety reasons, which kind of bummed me out, but the pool is really nice and has courteous guards and fellow swimmers. I'm also planning on joining the swimming club which meets twice a week, so that will be a fun way to meet my fellow aquaticly-acclimated Londoners.

 

It was a perfect way to start my day, and I plan on making it a daily routine. Tomorrow I will also have time to check out the weights and cardio machines, which should add even more to my workouts. Exercise is a great way for me to zone out and completely remove myself from city noise and chaos, which is a nice break sometimes. I can't wait to get into my full routine, and live a healthy English semester.

The Front Doors