Really settling down in London

Well the hustle and bustle has defiantly died down. My life has become a lot calmer but will get crazy again once school starts. I seem to have a good routine going. Lately I have woken up and done a pleasant walk down Church Street ( the cool hip street) and keep going till I hit this nice park. It's good to know that no matter where I am in the world, I still LOVE going on long walks with my music! I also have gotten into the habit of drinking lots of tea while studying! It feels very British of me. I sometime get overwhelmed with all the reading I have to do, but that is why I have nice roommates to chat with and a whole city to explore.

Something very random and fun the other day, was being part of a potential 7UP commercial. My friend who is a talented filmmaker is taking part in a Ireland competition. It was shot on the Southbank, right near the London Eye and across from Big Ben! The main plot was a singer/street performer sees this girl holding a 7UP bottle while playing, so he starts singing the 7UP jingle. I was part of the crowd and ended up harmonizing with him! It was quite fun!

 I am also looking forward to using one my roommates discount Group On coupons. We will be having tea and pastries at a 5 star hotel, for 6 pounds!

i was feeling a little homesick and discouraged. I think it was really hitting me that I am here for the long haul and I am not used to sitting around reading all the time. I think things will get better once I start going to class, interning at theatre companies and babysitting for some families.

I am overall doing splendid and miss everyone from the States a bunch!
I will leave you with this funny story. I was at the National Gallery with my roommate Lauren, and we saw a group of young elementary students sitting in front of a portrait of Henry the 8. The tour guide was reciting a poem with them about him. It was a poem talking about him chopping off the heads of all of his wives!!!!! I was shocked and thought it was hilarious. An American child would have never known that poem and probably would've been inappropriate. I thought it was fascinating.

I am also attaching photos of my walks in the park, the commercial shoot and my new home/area!

Not living out a suitcase party!

Hello All! 

 I can finally say through many toils and troubles, I actually have a place to call my own, an address! I will not post my actual address on here, for security sake, but if you would like it feel free to email me ( howardjohnsons@yahoo.com) or ask on facebook. 

 I can say that I live in the town of Stoke Newington, which is in North/East London, between Islington and Hackney, Zone 2.  I actually live in a Victorian Home! My roommates are Lauren,  the girl I have been with since my arrival at the airport, this girl named Kari ( also American,  I am meeting her tomorrow, and our land lady named Milly. She is a wonderful older woman, who's heritage is Jamaican, but she was raised in England, so more importantly she has still has a British Accent. She just told me she was about to take out the rubbish, the trash! I technically live on the second floor, and its a tinier room than the others, and I LOVE IT. I will post pictures, once I have it set up! 

 The area I live in is very diverse, and actually has a lot of Turkish restaurants around! There is also Church Street nearby, that is known for vintage stores, used book stores, and the best curry in London, DO I NEED TO SAY MORE? 

I have to admit, that the past 6 days here have been stressful and exhausting, but I am truly very happy to be here. I like being in a new place because I can look at life in a new perspective. The city of London has so much diversity, beauty, culture and history. 

My roommate and I took a tourist day, yesterday and went EVERYWHERE: Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Big Ben, Oxford Street,  Leicester Square, The London Eye, The National Theatre, National Portrait Gallery, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens ( Peter Pan Statue!!!!) 

Whoooooooo, it was fun.Within the past 6 days we stayed at two different hotels. Our second hotel was above a pub! I was excited about this because I had been going to the Mayflower Pub in San Rafael, CA but now I was actually living above a true BRITISH Pub! 

I am getting used to the tube stations, the currency, and the lingo! 

I have to say that I love that Brits always say, "Cheers." For example, this woman dropped some change on the ground, and Lauren ( roommate) handed it to her, and she responded, "Cheers." I also am already starting to say Brilliant a lot. 

Well my laptop is about to die, so here from me soon! 

CHEERS, and love to all. 

I am here!

Well,
 I somehow made it! I have to say it was physically exhausting to pull around 3 suitcases! I will be sore for the next few days. Anywho, I am currently at the Langland Hotel, in Central London, Bloomsbury to be exact. I am already in awe of how beautiful and regal this city is! I have already purchased a phone, but I don't think any of you will be able to contact me..  but here is my number just in case.. 07580315565
I have also already purchased postcards and stamps, so be ready for me!

I just wanted to let everyone know I have made it here safely. I am also already really excited about being surrounded by British Accents. The flight attendant at the end of flight was passing around candies and said: " Madam would you like a sweet?" LOVE IT!  The one thing I still not crazy about is that they use the word "toilet" for restroom.. eww, hehe.

Other highlights so far, I already have used the tube, and getting used to paying with pounds! And will be eating a Traditional British Breakfast in the morning.
I love you all and hope to talk with you. Also I have a application on my itouch where I can text anyone in the U.S. for free! And again my skype name is : chelsealoveslondon

I am grateful to God that I am here safe, and with good company, my roommate Lauren Sale from North Carolina.  Cheers

Last 2 Days in America

Well Folks,

 My time in America is coming to a close. I leave from JFK Wednesday evening at 10:30 pm. I will be arriving at Hethrow Airport at 6:30 am. I am so grateful that my future roommate ( Lauren.. of course she has the same name as my twin sister) will be meeting me 25 minutes later in the same terminal!
From there my adventure begins. I will be staying in Central London at a the Langland Hotel for a few days. I am already going to view a flat on Thursday, and if it works out move in automatically!
As I have said before I will post my address as soon as I find it out!

 I have to give praise because my prayers about finances was already answered! My Grandparents were able to contribute money to my trip/schooling. I also received a bigger pay check from my summer work than I expected. This is proof that God listens to people's prays.

Sooo I know this is really cheesy but I have found the theme song of my journey, well at least I think it is. It's the song "Inner Smile" by Texas from the film Bend Beckham. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfzbVTQE3iw.  Go ahead listen to it, you know you want to!

Anyways,  it has been tough saying goodbye to people these past 2 months, but it's good to remind me of the people I love and care about so much. I was able to make a trip to New Hampshire and see my grandparents, here are some pictures from that trip.