I am known to do the Wop, also known for the Flintstone Flop.

Induction week finally came to a close today with a 2 hours course on basic computer programs (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint), projects and coursework, basic grammar do's and don't's, correct ways of referencing, and a plagiarism tutorial.  Something that could have been covered in 2 seconds really.  I think this should have been optional for students who speak English as their first language, and mandatory for those who speak English as a second, third, etc.  This packet could have simply been posted online as well.  Oh well.  Yesterday I had enrolment (this isn't misspelled, that's how it is in the UK.  Weird right?) and officially became a KCL student with an ID card and everything.  Thank goodness!  Now I can get student discounts!!!!

I'm learning my way around the streets gradually, which is very helpful, as I walk everywhere.  I think it's pointless to take a 30 minute tube or bus ride to campus when the walk is only 20 minutes and I walk past the stops I would get on and off at anyway.

Most of you, well, actually I think all of you know what a big nerd I am, so you probably won't be surprised to find out that I've got my year already mapped out with regard to what courses I'm taking, when term dates start and finish, and when things are due.  That being said, if I subscribe to everything that is recommended/mandatory to take for my particular programme, I'll have 2 classes on Friday afternoon, with a biweekly seminar/tutorial in the morning, one class on Tuesday afternoon, and then my dissertation officially starting in June or whenever my last exam is in the spring.  Honestly though, I'm going to start working on that puppy this term, so that I can get a great chunk of drafts and research out of the way, because let's be honest, 12,000 words is A LOT and I'm trying to enjoy my time here without having to cram everything in at the last minute.  This is a paper heavy master's programme, which I could not be MORE thrilled about.  Give me a presentation or a paper over a test any day!  We do have a 3 hour exam for each course in the spring time though, which sort of sucks.  But the good news on that is, everyone else in our department has exams to come back to after Christmas Break and I don't!!!!

Speaking of, as I mentioned before, I figured out my term dates.  Official uni policy says that the fall term ends December 17, but my term ends on December 10.  It also states that you have to be back for exams to start 10 January, but since I don't have them, my term will start back up on January 17, but in all actuality, it might be later than that, if we keep the classes on the days we had them in the fall.  So what does this all mean?  Well, it means that I can come home later and leave home later, equating to a longer time spent in VA with all of you fine people!  I have already booked my plane ticket back for break, as it was a round-trip deal with the one to get out here... but maybe I can change it, because I know a lot of you are leaving for various places for Christmas and New Years.  This is also good, because I don't know if I'll make it back state-side again before I turn my dissertation in during late August/early September 2011.  When I graduate is still up in the air too, so a thousand and one apologies to anyone I told that I was graduating in June.  That's just when I'm done with course work and start to focus 1,000,000,000,000,000% on the big one.

With all of that said, I'm not too keen on the course taught on Tuesdays, so I'm taking another one on a different day, but the whole point is that I have 2 days of classes.  Everything else is reserved to reading and getting my ish in order for my big finale.  So please feel free to visit whenever.  Believe you me, I would love it!  I currently only have my twin bed, but the plan is to get a blow up mattress for when people decide to visit so you don't have to pay for a place to stay.  Unless you want to cuddle, and that's fine by me, too. ;-)

Now that I'm done, and I still don't know anyone here and have a bunch of things I still need to get for my flat, I'm heading off to Oxford/Brackley for the weekend to visit with Angela, collect some packages from home, and shop at the Euro version of Walmart, ASDA.  Yes, I HATE Walmart... but as there is no Target so to speak of here, it will have to do.... well, I take that back.  Tesco and M&S are like that if you get out far enough so that they carry more than just food.  Anyway, the point is that I won't have any sort of adventuring about here until next week.  I've been meaning to take a picture of the KCL library for you all to see because not only is it massive, but it's beautiful!  I'll play asian tourist for the day and take pictures for you all around my neighbourhood and possibly along the water front, since the back side of campus faces the Thames, next week.

I love you all!!!!  I hope you have a fabulous Friday and weekend!