The return to reality

Now that it has been a little over a month since my return, I can honestly say studying abroad was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I have returned to campus with a deeper appreciation for the cultural differences that make London and Austin such different, and yet similar, cities.  Both Austinites and Londoners are vibrant, exciting, and engaging people, yet they express themselves differently through style and taste. I deeply love both cities and cultures.

Sometimes I think of London and wonder if it was all a dream, but when I look back on the relationships formed, I know that the friendships I made are tangible proof of my trip.  Studying abroad is as much about the people you'll meet as it is the food you'll experience, or the famous artwork you'll get to see up-close.  It's an overall rich, eye-opening experience that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Day 55

The trip is over!  Almost.  But I had my oral presentation today, which ends all my academic responsibility.  All that is left is the flight home.  It has been a terrific trip, but I am super excited to return back to Texas.  Hooray, America!

The things I did these last couple of days:

• Saw the Olympic Torch!
• Visited Camden Market again
• Ate at Byron again
• Had Snog
• Visited the Victoria & Albert Museum
• Visited the British Museum (and saw the Rosetta Stone!)
• WALKED SO MUCH

Opening ceremonies are tonight!  All the Olympic buzz around London has gotten me super excited.  I've even seen a couple of athletes walking around!  Wonder what it feels like to be them.

Pizza Hut

The Pizza Huts here house themselves in fancy, sit-down restaurants with posh wooden tables accompanied by a dim-lit, evening-time ambiance.  They also deliver.

That is all.

Cambridge!

I visited Cambridge on Monday and had an absolutely delightful time.  The sun was out the whole day, which was a nice change from all the rainy weather (though it was a little hot at times).  My body no longer knows what 100 degree weather feels like...

Highlights from Cambridge:

• Punting!  We took a boat down a river and casually drifted along as our tour guide meandered down the river with a long metal rod.
• Stopped for candy at a local candy shop
• Had tea and cakes at Fitzbillies
• Bought some tasty spring rolls from the local market
• Visited the Cambridge University Garden
• Dinner at the Copper Kettle

Today, I saw the Dark Knight Rises (which was so good) and noticed a couple of things about watching movies in the UK:

1. You buy your ticket with an assigned seat (which you get to pick)
2. Even though the showtime might say 15:50, the actual movie doesn't start until about 30 minutes after the listed time.  15:50 is the start of commercials, then previews, then more commercials, then the actual movie.  It was ridiculous.
3. Most movies come out later here (like, apparently The Lorax is coming out this week when it has been out since March in the States)
4. At the movie theater I went to, you buy your ticket where you buy your concessions 

Seeing The 39 Steps tomorrow with a friend studying abroad in Oxford!  Can't believe I'll be back in the States in just a few more days.

I frolicked in a field of cows

I went to the Tower of London on Friday and was slightly underwhelmed by it all.  The place is full of tall, stone buildings rich in history and information, but being surrounded by streets of traffic and lofty apartments buildings made me feel like I was in a theme park.  A lot of things within the Tower were replicas, understandably so, but still a little bit disappointing for the price I paid (almost $30 to get in).  I got to see the crown jewels, though!  Very shiny and pretty.

Today, I took a day trip to Oxford with some friends.  I made it on the train five minutes before it left!  I don't think I've ever power-walked so hard.  Oxford is very pleasant, especially the open fields (some full of cows too).  I don't know if it's somewhere I would ever live, but it's a nice place to go for a quick getaway.

Highlights from Oxford:

• Taking pictures of cows
• Taking jumping pictures next to cows
• Seeing Christ Church
• Seeing Oxford University
• Enjoying the sun (it didn't rain at all today!)
• Eating ice-cream while enjoying the scenery 
• Eating dinner at a place called Shanghai 30's - a Chinese restaurant with a 1930s decor 

A week from now, I'll be on a plane back to the States!  Surreal. 

The eats

Wednesday: Smiths of Smithfield, a trendy place where each level has a different menu. Had a goodbye lunch here with the fellow interns and our mentors.

Thursday: Dinner at Chop Chop Noodle Bar, delicious and really cheap food.  My bowl of duck noodle soup was only like five pounds!

Friday: Lunch at Franco Manca again and dinner at Ottolenghi.  Looking forward to it!

Farewell, Aqueduct

Aqueduct Interns, Summer 2012!

Last day of work today felt so unreal.  To summarize my experience, here's the final e-mail I sent to my mentor.  Already missing everyone!

Interning at Aqueduct has been much like trying out a new, obscure restaurant you found on Yelp.  You’ve been anticipating it, having looked at the website and everything, but when you actually arrive you’re unsure of how to handle yourself.  Where do you sit?  Is someone going to come talk to you?   Where are the toilets?  What happens when you go to the toilet and get locked out and have no way of contacting anyone?  The common questions everyone asks themselves, I'm sure.  

With that being said, if Aqueduct was a restaurant I could review on Yelp, I would definitely recommend it to all my friends.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and though it has been short, I walk away with much knowledge gained.  One of my favorite things about coming into the office (beside competitive ping pong matches working as my background music) was knowing that my hundreds of powerpoint slides have/had a purpose in life.  I never received any “busy work,” nothing that seemed boring and purposeless.  I really appreciate all the time that was put into individually assigning all of the interns tasks despite the un-human schedule Aqueduct seems to run on.  I remember talking to you about my interest in charity work/marketing during my phone interview, and I feel like that interest of mine was catered to through the assignments I received through Age Scotland and London Cancer. It was great seeing my work contribute to someone else’s and be part of a bigger process, a source of much joy and pride for me.  I imagine that’s what seeing your child grow up and graduate feels like, only perhaps there will be more tears.

I very much enjoyed the work environment as well.  It wasn’t awkward talking to others, and it wasn’t awkward not talking to others.  Everyone maintains a very genuine, organic feel, which allowed me to feel right at home in a matter of weeks.  Some of my favorite moments have been random run-ins at the kitchen accompanied by small chats here and there (my other favorite moment was getting a ping pong balled kicked into my face – danger in the workplace!).

In light of my previous paragraph, working more with others or even the other interns is something I would have liked to do.  It would have been great to collaborate with another intern for a project, or perhaps brainstorm different ideas with them.  The people in this office cover a wide variety of skills, and I would have very much enjoyed getting more of an insight as to what people do here.  While everyone was very friendly and kind, I felt disconnected at times because I had no idea what everyone else was doing, who was involved with which accounts, etc.  The individualization of projects definitely gave me more ownership over my work, but I think it would have been beneficial to talk over projects with some of the other interns. 

Also, even though I feel like a whiny child saying this, I would have really enjoyed more time talking with you.  One of the best ways to learn (I think) is to hear from other people who have gone before you, who have that extra experience that you lack.  Aqueduct puts out some really exceptional work, and I would have loved to hear from you about how the company has changed, has evolved, or how it is growing.  However, I don't mean to sound unappreciative. I know both of you are very busy, and I already feel like you donated a generous portion of your schedule to us.  If there is ever a clone machine in the works, I will definitely recommend you or Mario Balotelli as the first test subjects.  Both of you would make for some exciting/terrifying clones (just kidding, you're not terrifying)!

Thank you so much for everything!  I am very grateful for your guidance and mentorship these past six weeks.

Sincerely,

Deandra