how to take a London study break

A quick side note for starters: this past weekend a girlfriend and I went to see Usher in concert at the O2 arena. The O2 arena is a famous venue in London for concerts and large events of the sort and is on a peninsula in a beautiful area. I swear Usher sounds ever better live than on my itunes and he put on an incredible show! So much fun!                     This week, however, consisted of midterms and I spent most of my week studying, but mid-week it was two of my good friend's birthdays. So we went to dinner at a !place called The Texas Embassy (not an embassy) because they wanted mexican food and then we went to  an Irish pub for a beer after - home by 8:30 and back to studying. BUT I have a pretty good feeling I aced every single one of my midterms! I definitely studied a lot, but compared to Wofford exams they were practically along the lines of Aiken High material. Needless to say it feels good to have the loads of studying behind me and Ireland ahead this weekend!
Now back to midterm week though. As a reward after each midterm I had I treated myself to seeing 1 of the millions of wonderful places in London. 1st stop was the Courtauld Art Institute. I know I haven't been in half the museums here, but so far, this has definitely been my favorite venue. Having an art history minor, it is absolutely fascinating to me to see a famous 16th century work on the wall that I spent weeks studying in a textbook at Wofford. Anywho, I was astonished and absolutely shocked with every other painting in this institute. They had works by Picasso, Rubens, Monet, Manet, Caravaggio, and so many others - it was absolutely breathtaking and definitely my kind of study break.

Next stop: the London Bridge! I walked the bank on both sides and the bridge itself. It really is absolutely gorgeous and as most places in this world, nothing until you actually see and step foot on it. Of course it was tourist central and packed with runners and dog walkers, but the structure, architecture, and feel of the bridge and it's surroundings couldn't be more British. There are coat of arms everywhere you turn and between those the guards and the Thames underneath your feet you can't help but feel and know the importance of the British establishment you're standing on - such a neat experience.

Finale stop for midterm week - St. Paul's Cathedral. I know you're not supposed to take pictures and every establishment I have ever been in I have respected that rule fully...until today when I snuck in 3 photos. It was too gorgeous, and it's St. Paul's! I walked around the enormous and immaculate structure for a while and then headed to the stairwell that lead to the top of the dome. The man checking my ticket said, "Get your adrenaline and knees ready." I knew climbing to the top had 528 stairs, but I didn't think it could be too bad and come to find out it wasn't. I definitely felt a some burn in the legs and had a little perspiration going on, but it wasn't near as bad as I thought - only 528 stairs. On the way up you stop at the Whispering Gallery which is the roundabout at the bottom of the dome, and then you go up to the outside top of the dome which is breathtaking and has the best and most brilliant views of London I've seen thus far. It's not everyday you can say you took a study break by climbing up and down to the top of the St. Paul's Cathedral dome now is it?
So on top of acing the midterms and being thrilled they are over, I would say I had a pretty successful week. Leaving for IRELAND at 7am in the morning!!!! ...I love being a busy Londoner