Oops I'm In India!

Just kidding actually! But I did go to Brighton this past weekend where I went to the Royal Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion is probably the most xenophobic piece of architecture ever produced by the British Empire. The palace is a Hindu-gothic styled palace inspired by what the perception perceived by British society in the early 19th century. The palace I will admit though is magnificent with massive chandeliers and ball rooms. The rest of Brighton is this charming European beach city with idyllic cobble stoned streets and cafes and has an old time carnival pier. It's like Miami with Class instead of trash. As for school it is seemingly becoming more and more ridiculous! My classes do not run a traditional semester, no, in 3 weeks two of my lecture series will be done and all I will have left is 5 hours worth of class per week the rest of the time is for our independent projects which will be done well before the last day of class. I feel i may take up a hobby, maybe knitting. I may volunteer too, surely that can't be illegal on my visa! Other than that I have kept my life to bare minimum excitement in order to recover from the last month of extravagance. Well TTFN (ta ta for now) =]

All sorts of sick

Yes I knows its been a while since I have written a new post and you all have been on the edge of your seats. I visited Jessica last weekend we went to Coventry and walked around, and also went to this magnificent ruin of one of the greatest homes in England called Witley Court, which caught fire back in the late 30's and was stripped and left as a shell. Now owned by the English Heritage its gardens and fountains have been restored and has a beautiful contrast between the ruins of palace and the refined gardens. Nothing terribly exciting school wise has happened within the past two week, just adjusting details with BBC and a few other projects. As for my social life, Thursday night all of us foreign exchange student (the future United Nations) went to a toga party. We were the classiest looking Greeks, as I designed the togas. Then on Friday I came down with a cold, probably from running around Portsmouth in nothing but a toga. Over the weekend I went to London with some friends, I had a great weekend, but as my life goes there is always some drama! As I don't exactly travel lightly I brought a suitcase which I kept at the hotel the day we checked out. Well thanks to the Olympics London is giving itself a face lift and remodeling all the tubes. So every other tube line was shut down, once I finally made it to my hotel and got back on the train and got to the station I missed by bus back to Portsmouth. I then went to the train station and bought a ticket and seeing as how it was last minute and I was desperate they were able to charge be £31.80, normally it costs £12.50. Southern Railways shall expect a letter of complaint. Anyways once I made that train, I had to change trains, thanks to whosoever divine sense of humor I missed my connecting train and got to wait 30 minutes at England's sketchiest train station! That's when my first bit of home sickness kicked in, but after a good nights sleep and being back in Portsmouth I'm back to my normal self. I am still sick though but I can feel it clearing up!

I'm From "New York"

I love cliches, actually that was a lie. Since my arrival here there has been one thing that has annoyed me. One is always inquisitive when meeting new people, especially when people meet Americans. My favorite question they ask is, " Where in America are you from?" and of course as cliches go I answer, "from New york." and let the questions begin. it always goes along the lines of, "oh wow that's so cool! Is it really like Gossip Girl and Sex and The City?" Originally I enjoyed crushing their dreams of New York while simultaneously giving them a 10 minute lecture on geography of New England. But there are only so many times I can give those lectures and late last week I gave up and just said, "yup I'm from New York, No it's not like the shows or movies. Yes people tend to be mean there." and then I just go on my mary way, honestly it's easier to let them believe their fantasies. But then they ask stupid questions after that. the best I've heard so far is, "do they watch T.V. in America?" After the person asked this I had to have a little fun! I informed them that no we don't have television in New York we also don't have cinemas and we travel via horse and buggy. The sad thing is they actually believed me for a second. But now on to more exciting news! Classes here are much more practical and hands on (recommendation to all of you send your kids here to college one its cheaper, two it takes less time and three its the most practical career orientated education I have ever witnessed.) anyways! In my professional production practices class we have been asked to shoot a video for a real world client. Well my production team and I got to pitch to The BBC for a docu-travel piece on the Isle of Wight. A gorgeous island with a world famous zoo, the grand Osborne House, a former palace to Queen Victoria. and world renowned festival that draws in musical talents by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Jessie J and the world's most current artists. And as long as it is up to BBC standards our program will be aired in 22 cities across the UK and possibly viewed by millions. All with a producers credit the reads Joshua Loden. I will also be hosting a radio program in May about student life in Portsmouth and healthy living in Portsmouth. It's only been three weeks and I'm already becoming a UK power house. I can't wait to see what the next 5 months bring! Well until next time!

Easy A?

Well I have had my first full week of school in the UK... it was interesting. Firstly not only do they do a bachelors programme in 3 years they are also the most practical and career based degree I have ever heard or seen of. From day one of your first year it is all about molding you into a worthy candidate of an industry career. There are no fluffers no sugar just spice, spice, spice. every lesson plan every project is based on getting you ready for the work force. The experience however is going to be worthy no matter what my nerves are trying to tell me. There is no homework no quizes there are only a few projects that count maorly towards your grade. My projects script produce and present my own one hour radio project. Produce, direct, film a video for a private real world client who could possibly air it in 22 cities across the UK on The BBC. Produce, Direct and present and televison studio "magazine" style programme. Thankfully though most of my peers are tecnology geeks and hate being in front of the camera they also hate being in charge and would rather be submissive. Well that really works out for me and my portfolio as I'm a camera hungry presenter and i also enjoy bossing people around and being in control! But this is unlike any schooling I've ever been in, I though university in America was sink or swim... Well I didn't know about Uni. across the pond i would say its more barely float or drowned. they tell you the projects and whats expected of you but they don't tell you how to do it! it's just figure it out, I'm not lecturing about it or anything. But as for my social calender has been expanding all of the exchange students have made really good friends with one another. I have become best friends with the French, I have also started making friends with the English, but being English they are hard to warm. actually the British people I have made friends with aren't even English they were born in other countries and moved here as children. The drinking age being 18 has been completely bizarre just going into a pub or lounge with your friends and drinking responsibly and just chatting so bizarre. In the America its just well we've got our hands on booz lets totally abuse it and end up with massive hangovers, of course I've only witnessed this never partaked! It's quite funny though because the french kids will have one drink and nurse that sucker the entire night! it's amazing how they can make one pint last 5 hours1 they should teach a course in America. Other than school not that much else has really occured! Next weekend I will be going up north visiting my sister and brother-in-law and touring some stately manors. I will be going to Windsor soon as well to have tea with the Queen. Well until next time! Wish me luck!