Sigh No More

Our first day of class was a little jarring for most of us. Dr. Foy and Dr. Facinelli by no means went easy on us because it was the first day of class in a different country. Facinelli's class covers history and the humanities, and her off-topic discussions stories are extremely interesting to listen to. Her readings are a little dry to slog through, but nothing that some decent research and note taking can't handle! Foy, on the other hand, is a man of science. His readings are tough and his quizzes are tougher. I have gone back to the days of Dr. Martin, when everyone would sit around laughing about the professor's "String Theory" jokes and I sit in the back and try to blend in with the wall (I still don't know what String Theory is. Apparently, it's hilarious.)

As the morning progressed, some plans got switched around, and instead of heading to the Leavesden Warner Bros. Studios as intended, the Houcks and I decided to have a more mellow day in preparation for an evening at the theater. So instead, we decided to do the most nerdy thing possible:

Pimpernel & Partners in Fulham, London

As fans of the band Mumford & Sons, (and as fans who are going to see them play live in Galway, Ireland in less than a month!) we did our research and found the shop where they shot the cover photo of their first album, Sigh No More (and by "we" I mean Olivia). So off we went on a haphazard venture to the south, near Fulham, were we found the store: Pimpernel & Partners. Everyone got their photo, and we only got one or two strange looks from locals!

Across the street from Pimpernel & Partners, I found a photo opportunity that I simply could not resist:

Megan's!

I had to!

Our adventures to Fulham turned out to be more exhausting than we planned (I honestly think my jet lag still has a ways to go), and we headed back to Courtfield for a brief rest. After a bit of sprucing up (I navigated myself through Tube stations in heels), the whole study abroad group found their way to Leicester Square for the main attraction of the day!

Phantom of the Opera

The show was wonderful, and I happily enjoyed it my second time around. I was lucky enough to get assigned to a seat front row, center, in the Grand Circle, so I could see everything. The whole cast did an amazing job and did not disappoint. Even Dr. Foy, an admitted man of the "oldies," confessed to enjoying the show immensely the next day during class. Everyone seemed to have a great time (although a few of the guys were nodding off in the first act...) and we all made our way home safely to study and read for a second day of class with Dr. Foy.