Right then, back into life here. To answer some questions, i'm at Goldsmiths college, which is part of the University of London. Its a completely english school aside from Americans like me randomly studying here so most of my classmates and professors are english. I had my first class tuesday morning, 9am which is on European culture and Ideas. First off it took me forever to find the building because it wasn't on a map and the first 3 people i asked had never even heard of it. Finally i got there and its kinda like a little trailer type of place. All the buildings here (and even the bathrooms that are outside the main building) have door codes that are 7 digits long that you have to punch in. Thankfully someone else was already there so i was able to get in ok. There are 3 other americans in that class and maybe only 12 other students in general. The professor is a german man who i actually have teaching another class of mine. I think the gist of the class is studying the New Leftist (ie Marxist) philosphies of Europe in the later 1960s. I think. Unfortuantly i'm kinda jumping in the middle of the class as it started last semester.

My other class was today from 4-6 and is on European Cinema. Again same amount of students except i was the only new student. I think i'm really going to enjoy this class. Its taught by an American from New York and basically we are examing specific films (ie today we discussed Breathless by Godard), although he seemed a bit miffed at the idea that they'd allow someone to join the course midway through.

Haven't heard about my other classes yet. Its nice having classes that only meet once a week.

Theres definetly perks to living in a more colourful area (as a neighboor of mine put it "If this ghetto was salsa...it would be mild") like cheap shops to buy bits and bobs in. Finally got a pot for pasta, a frying pan, a notebook, a towel, a plate and a bowl and some silverware and hangers for £20 (which is like almost 40 american dollars, but compared to everywhere else in london that is VERY VERY cheap).

The pub next door to me, The Hobgoblin, wound up giving us loads of free stuff the other night (which was cool...i mean hell, who doesn't love free stuff like tshirts, mousepads, a cell phone holder, a giant Guiness hat, and keyrings?). Tho i've cut back on going out as this is a school week and i wanted to get settled in.

This weekend (on the offchance i don't get to update before then) i'm going to Swansea to stay with a family) for those of you unfamiliar with the UK thats in Wales, right on the coast. Which should be wonderful presuming i'm feeling a bit better.

Having a laptop and simpsons episodes is wonderful. You really don't realize how much we americans become addicted to the Internet or TV until it is taken away from you. To have a TV here you actually have to have a TV license which is something like £75 (btw, these days a £1 = 2$ more or less...grumble grumble). So very few ppl do. i'm working on getting internet hooked up hopefully although i guess we'll see. Ok i'm off for some din din.

Ciao everyone