Nearing the End

Hi Everyone,

It's the middle of November and the temperature is starting to drop. The wind is picking up and overall it is beginning to feel like winter is here. I can't believe November is half way over already. I have just about five weeks left of my study abroad experience before returning home. 


Since my last blog post a couple of events have taken place. Obviously one of the major headlines was the attack on Paris. Although I personally was not in Paris at the time, this was still a bit frightening to have a terrorist attack so close to me. I received a number of messages asking if I was safe. I truly appreciated the support and care from those who know me personally. The attack on Paris was heartbreaking and definitely reminded me to be safe and aware of my surrounds. 


Today in my Media Arts we did a mock news talk on the attacks on Paris and two different political views. One of Republican Donald Trump and another of Jeramy Chorbyn. It was eye opening to discuss the different political views on Gun Control/Shoot to Kill policy, which was the main argument regarding the attack on Paris. I think it is interesting to see how different parts of the world handle different situations and the thought process that goes into what one should do politically in these situations. It was also fun to have more experience in front of the camera. 


KINKY BOOTS, LONDON EDITION:  Last Thursday I went to see Kinky Boots the musical which is based off a true story and the 2005 film, "Kinky Boots." The musical was very very entertaining and colorful. The story centers around a shoe company that is family owned and is on the verge of going out of business. When an unusual client comes along with a new business idea the Son of the family owned business decides to try and an unlikely partnership is formed. The musical also has a number of positive messages, but one that really stood out to me was, "Accept people for who they are." The musical numbers were creative and showcased powerhouse vocals. All the music was done by Cyndi Lauper. I definitely recommend this musical. It was a fun night in the theatre. 


TENNIS: I have to admit that I missed the 7:30am tennis practice this past Monday. I needed my sleep! But tomorrow both the Men's and Women's team have matches. I am sitting this match out as some other members of the team will be traveling and have a chance to play. I am wishing both teams good luck and hoping the Men can claim their first win of the season. The girls will be at home so I will go and support the team. I thought it was also cool that the ATP World Tour Finals is being held here in London where the top eight men professional tennis players are battling it out for the year end trophy and last tournament of the tennis season. 


SCREEN and SCRIPT: I am proud to say I have two short film scripts that I have worked really hard on to make into awesome short films. This week I will do some more editing and in class on Friday we will workshop the scripts and read each others works out loud. From there I will choose one of my two scripts to pitch to the video production students. The scripts chosen will be made into a short film and entered in short film competitions. Stay tuned for an update with this process.


BRIGHTON: Over the weekend I went to see Brighton and it was beautiful. It reminded me a little bit of Chicago because of how windy it was at this time of year. Two of the major attractions were the Royal Pavilion and the Pier. It was fun to see another part of London and the train ride wasn't too bad...just over an hour. I also went to this American Restaurant called JD's and it was nice to have a taste of home. 


THE HUNGER GAMES: This Thursday the final movie of the Hunger Games series comes out here in the UK and I am looking forward to seeing it. I will give my review in next week's blog post. 


Overall, I am trying to do everything I can...within reason before returning back to the states. It honestly is a bittersweet feeling to think that this wonderful experience is almost over. However, next week is my trip Barcelona for Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to seeing a new place and the sun! Plus my friends and I are going to cook a holiday dinner and desserts which should be really fun. I will take lots of pictures. 



That's all for now. I will talk to you all soon. 

CHEERS,

Ty G.  

Winter Season doesn't feel like Winter yet

Hey Everyone,


To start I have to say it doesn't even feel like winter just yet here in London. I mean it's a little chilly and windy, but nothing like what I thought it would be around this time of year. And back home I noticed that there have been some really nice days lately...70 degrees and up weather! I'm jealous!


Well, since the last time I blogged life has been pretty chill....for the most part. Just yesterday I turned in my first paper for my Race and Representation class. It's funny how 1500-2000 words doesn't seem like a lot, but in reality, it's not as easy as I thought it was going to be. However, I managed to pull through in the end. We were given five prompts to choose from to write about and I chose the argument that "whiteness is seen as the racial norm." Definitely, a controversial and sensitive topic for some. I did however really enjoy researching "whiteness" and statistics that could back up the argument. Now the real fun part...waiting for the assignment to be graded and it counts for 40% of my grade! Wish me luck!


CATS: The Musical: Last Thursday I went to see the musical Cats and it was truly AMAZING!! I recommend this show for anyone who hasn't seen it before and the tickets were on the cheaper side! I paid around 30 pounds and I got a really good seat. Actually, I was suppose to have a seat in the upper circle part of the theatre but I ended up having my seat moved to the stalls (floor) seats! I don't know why but I wasn't complaining. I remember when I was younger I would watch CATS all the time. There was a movie version of the show made way back in the day. They definitely modernized a couple of the costumes and some of the elements to the show. Something that was really cool was the CATS entered by running down the isles and making their way to the stage! Also, there were a couple of musical numbers where the CATS came into the audience and interacted with some of us who were sitting on the end seats! Overall it was a great show and I was on a theatre high for a couple of days after.



Next up this week KINKY BOOTS: LONDON EDITION, I cannot wait to see this show! KINKY BOOTS has been huge success in the U.S. and it won Best Musical! Cyndi Lauper wrote the music for the show as well! Stay tuned for my review of Kinky Boots in my next blog post!



SCREEN & SCRIPT: In my screen and script class I have two short film scripts that I have written and I can't decide which one I want to pitch. Coming up soon we will have to pitch our short film to the production class students and they will decide which script(s) they want to make into a short film. This week is workshop week so I will have both of mine read and see what the classes reaction is and basically which ever one they like more is the one I will go with. All in all I'm enjoying the class. I definitely plan on bringing back both scripts however and maybe the Film Club will want to work on one of them.



TENNIS: The tennis match was cancelled last week and we have this week off! I look forward to the next match  and yes we are still search for that first win to the season. Although we are 0-2 I think we have a strong team and plenty of time to turn the season around. Training has been going well.



Just yesterday I sent in my request for the Spring Semester 2016 classes! I can't believe I only have three semesters left total before I graduate!!! Time really is flying! As always, send me any questions or if there is anything you want to know about study abroad let me know!!


Until next time

CHEERS!

Ty G.

It's November already!

Hey all,

November is here! I have a little less than two months left here in London. Assignment due dates are coming up. I have a paper due next week in my, Race and Representation class. My other two classes are moving along as well. In, Media Production we are beginning the T.V. component which I am excited about. Today, we basically covered putting all the equipment together in the T.V. studio room. This included the initial set up of the cameras and learning the different cords and power sources. Finally, in Screen & Script we should be finishing up a completed rough draft of our short film scripts and we meet with the professor this week to talk about changes and editing.


TENNIS: Last week four of us travelled to an away cup match. Thankfully, the match was in-doors. Although we fought hard, unfortunately we lost 2-4. It did come down to my partner and I's double match which went to a third set tiebreaker. First and second singles won their matches while third and fourth singles lost. It was tied at two all. Next, was the doubles. Our first doubles team suffered a lost and we were down 2-3, with my doubles match as the deciding factor between a lost and tie. My partner and I lost the first set rather quickly 2-6 and knew that we could play better. We took a quick water break after the first set and then pumped ourselves up for the next set. The second set was a battle to say the least. At one point we were down 1-2 and then broke back to be on serve and then the next thing you know we are up 4-3 and then we got broke right back to make it 4-4. The other team played tough and it was 5-5. The match was becoming very very competitive with high quality hitting. My partner and I broke the other team again to go up 6-5 and then it was my turn to serve. I served out the set and my partner and I won the second set 7-5! It was an extremely exhausting and long set. Finally, we had to play a 10 point super tiebreaker to decide the winner. Again, the points were close we found ourselves down 5-8 but went on to win the next three points to make it 8-8. Unfortunately we lost the next two points and lost the set 8-10. While it was very disappointing and a tough loss, we were proud of our effort and left all we had on the court.



Last week, I stated that this study abroad experience had changed my life. I wanted to elaborate more on this statement. From the time I was little I had always dreamed of coming to London. I was fascinated by the theatre and performing. And once I learned London was the theatre capitol of the world I knew that I just had to go...someday. I never knew when this day would come. Seeing that W&J gives students the opportunity in more ways than one to have an abroad experience I figured there was no better time then while I was in Undergrad. To be honest, initially I was just going to do Maghellan. And I thought to myself, "that's not enough time." So, I went to the study abroad office and began the process. Since arriving in London, I have appreciated the culture and experiences of being out of the country. I find it refreshing to be in a new place where I am not used everything. Meeting new people has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. I am learning so much from the London natives and it is eye opening to see how we go through similar struggles. The classroom environment, while it is very different from the US, I still enjoy the different setting and adjusting to the education system here. I am taking every opportunity to gain knowledge from my lectures and other students around me. Being away from W&J has also made me appreciate my college so much more. It's honestly the little things that I have come to miss the most. Like taking things for granted like free laundry and printing.  Being in London has opened me up to a completely new culture that I am now a part of and can say I lived for a number of months. Overall, I have grown as a person through this experience and learned even more about myself. I have learned that I can be independent and what it really means to budget. I've learned how to communicate even better with all types of people from all different places, backgrounds, religions, etc. I've learned that even during the toughest of times I can over come them and rise to the challenge at hand. I am truly proud of myself for all the hard work I put in to get myself to where I am today.



CATS the musical: Ahhhhh I am so excited to see Cats this Thursday! I haven't seen this show in so many years and I know it will be a great night. Stay tuned for my review next week.


My house mates and I went to see the new James Bond movie, "Spectre" this past Sunday. It was a really good film and I high recommend it if you are a Bond fan or Daniel Craig, as this is his last Bond movie before the new guy is chosen to play the 007 agent. Rumor has that Idris Elba will be the next bond and this would make him the first Black bond in the history of the series, but we will have to wait and see.


Well that's all for now. Until next time. CHEERS!

Ty G