Monday, April 27, 2015

Potayto, Potahto

A couple of weeks ago in our pre-departure class, Dr. Nobiling put a list of words on the board and told us how those words are pronounced in London versus how they are pronounced in America. I found that some of the ways they pronounce their words is quite a bit different than in the U.S. and some are even quite funny. For instance:
1) Vitamin. In the United States we pronounce it like VITE-a-min. In London they pronounce it just like it is spelled-VIT-a-min.
2) Aluminum. This is the weirdest one, and I shouldn't have to tell you how we pronounce it in America but just in case, we pronounce it like a-lum-in-um. Well in London, they pronounce it like al-loo-MIN-ee-um.
3) Schedule: In America it is pronounced SKED-ual, but in London they pronounce it like SHED-ual.
4) Privacy: London says: PRIV-a-see

Now not only does America and London pronounce words differently but we also spell words differently.
1) Armour v. Armor
2) Centre v. Center
3) Colour v. Color
4) Theatres v. Theaters


Those are just a few of many words that are pronounced or spelled differently. It will definitely be fun trying to figure out what people are saying while I am in London, and I bet for them it is fun trying to figure out what we are saying sometimes.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Let's do a Little Comparison

As you all know by now, I am going to London. So I have done A LOT of research about the different things I will encounter while I am in London. So here are a few things that makes the United States different from London.
1) In America we drive on the right side of the road. In London they drive on the left hand side of the road.
2) Money. In America we have $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills, and pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and the occasional half dollar and one dollar coins. In London, they have £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes, 1p, 2p, 5p, 20p, 50, £1, and £2 coins. (P means pence which is kind of like us saying 1 cent)
3) Housing is different from what I am used to. In London people will have very little yard and their houses are sometimes literally touching. I know in bigger cities in America houses are like that but I am from small towns and states so that is a big difference.
So obviously there are a lot more differences but these are three differences that I know exist. I also know that their English and my English are the same but different at the same time. While I am in London, I will be sure to make note of other differences I find!

I've got 99 Problems and Packing is one

Those of you that know me, know I do not pack lightly. So how am I supposed to fit two weeks of clothes in one suitcase that is no bigger than 62 inches (when length, width, and height are added together) and no heavier than 50 pounds. It is definitely going to be a challenge but I know I can do it.
I am going to have to limit my clothing and shoe choices. One thing that I am going to have to do is only pack a max of three pairs of shoes, which is not normal for me. I am also going to have to pack shirts that I can layer and limit my choices.
When time gets closer and I begin to pack I will keep you guys updated on how it goes! :)

Picking of the Pocket

One big issue you face when traveling to bigger cities is pickpocketing. In case you don't know what pickpocketing is I will let you know. It is simply a person that steals something from another person without that person noticing. Usually a pickpocketer will try to steal a wallet or money, I.D.s, or other things of values.
I used to think well how dumb do you have to be in order to not feel someone stealing something from you, especially if that item is in your pant pockets or around your wrist or neck!? How you can't feel, I don't know, but I guess some people are just skilled in not being noticed when they don't want to be. Pickpocketing doesn't always have to be taking something from someones pant pocket though. You can also have stuff taken from a bag or even have jewelry taken off your wrist, neck, etc.
I have my fingers crossed that I am not a target or a victim of pickpocketing while in London. But I will keep you all updated!!!!

Going to Harry Potter Land!

Hey all! So in just a short 16 days, 5 hours, 4 minutes (but who is counting), I will be loading a plane that will whisk me away for 14 days. For those 14 days I will be London for a study abroad program. While I am in London, I will be visiting multiple places. Just to name a few places I will visiting, I will be going to Stonehenge, Roman Baths, New Scotland Yard, Warwick Castle, and many more places. I will also be learning about the United Kingdom's criminal justice system and comparing it to the United State's criminal justice system.
The reasoning for the title of this post is because well I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan, and as most people should know, a lot of the movie was recorded in London. On one of my free days I plan on going on a walking tour of London that will take me to a few of the places that are in the movies.
I do have a couple of fears while I am preparing for my trip and while I am in London. Of course for me packing is a fear for me, and missing my flights, and then while I am in London I fear of being pick-pocketed or being lost. But I will get into those fears in later posts.
I will be keeping everyone updated on my time in London and what I have been doing, seeing, and learning. Keep following me to see how I am preparing for my trip, what I am doing, and what I learned.