Pictures (PG-13) to follow when I’m back at my computer.

We spent a few days in Jordaan (north Amsterdam) and a day in The Hague.  Mom, you would have liked the tulips.  Dad, you would have liked the houseboats/Heinekens and Benny– you would have thought the MLB Academy was cool.  Oh…and Grandma, you would have liked the food… World’s Biggest Floating Chinese Buffet.

More to come,

JBM

This weekend was pretty good.  Friday night I went out to a club called KOKO for Meri’s birthday.  The music sucked, but the girls were hot.  Saturday night I stayed in with some buddies and played pool/foosball/got some work done (yes, work on Saturday night… I know…nerd alert).  Tonight is/will be more of the same.  I plan on finishing up a Logic problem set and getting a good nights sleep.

I had a nice Sunday Roast for dinner tonight.  It consisted of roast beef, yorkshire pudding (think a savory pastry), peas and potatoes.  Delicioso!

I’m getting better at foosball, but I suck quite a bit at pool.  I wish they had a ping pong table here… they really should with all of the Asians at LSE.

On another note, I am again on twitter, so those of you who like to follow my every action and thought, you’re welcome to at:  www.twitter.com/jonathan_marcus 

Cool, right?

Stay classy,

JBM

I played cricket for the first time and, not unlike what would be expected, I was pretty great at it.  The ball we used was a hard wooden one, slightly bigger than a baseball.  It was burgundy color and had one seam that ran down the middle.  The bat was heavier than a baseball bat and less aerodynamic.  It was flat on one side and curved on the other, good for spanking.

In the Realm of Academia, all is well.  I still like Minitab better than STATA, but a current (and very basic) regression of “[How much I like STATA]” against “[TIME]” shows strong positive correlation…it also shows that I am a nerd who plays cricket and blogs about statistical modeling programs.

Last night, I went out with some friends to the J.D. Wetherspoon Pub at Angel, or as we like to call it, “Spoons,” to celebrate Shaz’s birthday.  We had a jolly good time over a few pints. Nothing like sharing a laugh and drink with a few old buddies.  There’s no time like the present to celebrate with friends and loved ones. 

Recent Thoughts:

I’m going to go get my first English haircut today.  I’m thinking I’ll try something new, maybe a little faux-hawk action like David Beckham.  I’m starting to get the Jew-Fro thing going…and that’s never a good look.  Also, some girl at a club told me that I was a bad hipster.  All I have to say is, thank God.  Why would you want to look like an Allston Hipster?

On another note, a construction company has put up scaffolding completely around my building.  If Robert Marcus was managing this property he would be getting a f*cking earfull from me.  These guys start hammering away at 8:00 AM.  AM!! 

By the way, this pick-up line works with British girls:

From the land of Tea and Crumpets,

JBM

I want to apologize for the lack of blog entries over the past few weeks.  I feel bad that I’m not updating you on my every action, but let’s face it, you wouldn’t have time to write a blog in you were studying in London at LSE.

That being said, I will try to give more frequent (and likely shorter) updates.

Cheers,

JBM

Anyway, the past couple weeks have been important.  I’ve become waist deep in work and I finally realized that time management is actually an important thing.  I’m in between a Logic class and a Stats lecture right now… nothing like 2 hours of Stats to close out a Monday.

I’m starting to feel like I actually live here.  People ask me for directions… so yes, it must be bizarro world.  I know my way around my neighborhood, and I can get around London with ease. Independency is a good feeling.

Halloween was a proper good night.  I dressed up as a Yellow Highlighter and ended up making out with a girl who was dressed like a Pokemon.  Told you I’m not gay!

We went to the Coronet Theatre where the queue was ridiculously long.  The party was worth it though… however, someone needs to let British girls know that looking good is okay… no need to dress like zombie… nurse, cop, or anything else skimpy is fine with me.  I had the best costume there.  Thank you City Sports for the fluorescent yellow shirt.

On to other news, I want to thank Grandma for her package—nothing like Charmin Ultra and Swedish Fish…mmmm…  Also, thank you to Poppa for the nice letter—I have it pinned up to my bulletin board.

I was so happy to get that package!

I have just moved my way into Stats lecture and it looks like I’m going to be on only White person here today.  This room smells like egg rolls and curry.

I tried to stay on top of the MLB playoffs, but I hate the Yankees (minus Jeter) and Yankees Suck, so it wasn’t worth it.  In other baseball news, I played catch the other day with a buddy and the wing felt good.  I have a baseball workout with the London Meteors at the end of the month and I can’t wait.  I feel like it’s going to be like playing hockey with with a bunch of black guys.  Never underestimate the Brits though, they’re quite clever.

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks to keep you updated:

New tattoo I got the other day… you like it?

A shot from the corner of Regent’s Park

View from the bench outside my hall of residence; quite a nice place to sit.

The queue at the Coronet Theatre on Halloween… the line was a good 50 meters long (that’s about 150 feet).

Some buddies and Me headed to a pub.  Me, Ashok, Jake, Arjun

Still life from my room.  Nice coins, nice angles.  I might drop out and become a photographer after this photo.

Down near the Tate Modern on the River

DONER and Arabic Soda… the doner was good, the soda… not so much

Alex Lee, it’s for you.

Johan Snatch and his new girlfriend.  You better double check if she’s 16.

On a final note, former successful blogger, Alexander Eduardo Hernandez Gonzalez Ramirez Lee would like to write a guest blog.  His conditions are: no jokes, no swears, no punctuation, no puns and no fun.  Just kidding, anything goes… but I have complete veto power—after all, it’s Jonathan in London, NOT Alex in Spartanburg.

I will be updating more frequently now that I have “Blog Time” worked into my Outlook Schedule.  Nice.

Cheers,

JBM

I’m down in the canteen studying before dinner.  I’m really hungry. 

Delisioso!

Not as good as Anna’s, Pete… but the closest I can get out here.  The guac just doesn’t have that special zazz.  Where’s it get its flavor from, again?

Anyway,  it’s been a few days and it’s time for another blog entry.  This past week has been up and down.  I had a lot of great food, met a lot of cool people and had a lot of good times.  I also got sick and was stuck in bed for the better part of 2 days.  Looks like I need to stop wearing shorts and t-shirts.

I’ve found myself getting into a rhythm, however, I don’t see this as a bad thing.  There’s a lot of work here and if I’ve learned anything in the past week, its been that all 24 hours of a day have a use.  You don’t really have any “free” time.  Anyway, it’s time right now to blog.

Every time I walk into a store here, there are dozens of candy bars that I have never seem before.  I’ve tried a few of them… all I’ll let you in on my thoughts:

Lion: This chocolate bar has been one of my favorites so far.  It’s a wafer cookie, caramel and rice krispies all covered in milk chocolate.  Great texture.

8/10

DRIFTER:  Again, Nestle brings us a treat based around a wafer cookie.  Drifter comes 2 fingers to a pack and consists of a crispy wafer dipped in caramel & covered in milk chocolate.  Think Twix, but a more flakey cookie.

7.5/10

Daim-  Daim is good and cheap.  At only 42p, it is one of the cheapest candy bars out there.  Daim is a milk chocolate bar with a crunch almond/caramel center.  Think think almond bark covered in milk chocolate.  Yum.

7/10

KitKat Dark- With my first true love being dark chocolate, it couldn’t resist this new, yet seemingly familiar treat.  The package is a little unbecoming, but the chocolate makes up for it.  If I were a coffee drinker, I’d say it would go well with coffee.  The bar is a bit crisper than the regular KitKat you know and love, and the chocolate is more mature.  It’s like KitKat’s cool older brother, who’s living in London for the year.

9/10

ToffeeCrisp-  This chocolate bar sounds like it should be good (not to mention it looks like a Reeses knockoff), but it was basically a disappointment.  It didn’t have distinctive flavors and all of the textures ran together.  I think it was toffee, rice krispies and milk chocolate.  It also kind of looked like a turd when I was eating it.  Someone with cheap taste would like this.  (Note to Alex Lee: this candybar is like the PTop of AAU baseball)

4/10

Smarties-  Ed Lee let me know before I left that Smarties and Hula Hoops were Samantha’s favorite snacks from over here.  I tried Smarties and I can honestly say that we got it right with M&M’s.  This candy is like M&M’s weird cousin (from their mom’s side).  The coolest part about the candy is that it comes in a re-sealable tube. 

5/10

BOUNTY- By far my favorite packaging.  The candy bar was  a near replica of a Mounds bar (my favorite American candy), but with some sort of ethnic twist.  For those of you who don’t know, a Mounds is dark chocolate covered coconut.  It’s only for the most intelligent and cultured taste buds.

9/10

I think I bought most of these at this little off liscense market in my neighborhood—Angels Market (no apostrophe).  I find it hard to believe that you can run a good business if you have a grammar mistake in your store title…but hey, this guy has cheap stuff and he’s  close.   He also always tries to sell me old fruit with a discount.

Tonight I’m staying in and getting some work done.  I know- sick, right?  Tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday will all be busy days, with the Pats game tomorrow (YEAH I GOT A TICKET!), John Hatch- I’ll try to find you a cool souvenir since you can’t be here.

I’m going to get a burrito right now, in honor of Benny Marcus at this place Tortilla.  I’ve had it once before and it’s pretty good… besides, you can’t really screw up a burrito.

Before I go though, I just want to make a note about the food here.  I’ve been eating more than I’ve ate in a long time.  I actually feel like a fatass (joined the gym today though).  I can’t understand how people don’t like the food here.  On a given night I could have traditional British, Indian, Lebanese, Turkish, Greek or Japanese food.  There is so much food diversity here, it is unbelievable.  In my neighborhood, I can get all of the above cuisines, plus French, Bengali, a place that specializes in bagels, three places for doner and chips.  (Uncle Mike- you were right.  I think these places have magnets after 2:00 AM.  Chili and Garlic sauce for the win!)

I’ll leave you with a couple iPhone pictures from the past week:

My view from the top of the library.  A truly cool piece of architecture.

Shisha Bar for Yasmin’s birthday.   SKILLZ!

Sick little car.  I think Dee Dee would have liked the cars here.  Think Yiddish, dress British.

Bean and Cheese Potato Jacket (with butter)… DELICIOUS.  Logic book… not so delicious.

Always accepting donations,

JBM

Another week has gone by.  Apparently I’ve been here just under a month now—part of me feels like I just got here and another part of me feels like I’ve been here for ages.  I don’t necessarily miss home, but I do miss things about home: mainly the people and the food… my doggies and my bed.

I’m starting to find out what studying/lectures/classes all mean at the LSE.  The world of academia here is quite different than back in the States.  At the LSE, they expect you to be completely self-motivated.  It has been an adjustment for me, because for most of my life I’ve felt like my source of education has spoon-fed me.  Here it’s different… you’re on your own and all they tell you is “don’t fuck up.”

I’m about knee deep in work right now, but I’ve found that a good textbook can be my best friend (some of these lecturers have THICK accents).  I also met my Logic teacher today; he looks like he’s 14, but apparently he he’s working for a Ph.D.  Anyway, I’ve found that “Statistical Inference” and “Econometrics” have become two of my best friend the last few days.  Here’s a picture of us hanging out:

Moving onto more interesting things…

This past weekend was pretty fun.  Friday night I went with two guys from my hall to get some Indian food.  We hopped on a bus and 15 minutes later we were outside the “Indian YMCA Youth Hostel.”  I didn’t really know what to expect.  My buddy Jake had told me that the place was great and that the best part was that it was 5 quid for all you can eat.  I figured I’d go in with a good attitude and just chow no matter what.  When we got in there we paid for dinner then moved into a long line (a mix of Indians, Brits, Americans and Mongrels.  When I got to the front of the line, I handed some guy my ticket and in return I got this:

Before I continue, let me just say that this was the BEST Indian food I have ever had.  I have no idea what the dishes were called, but basically there was red stuff, yellow stuff and green stuff, a pancake and some crunchy things.  The red stuff (at 6 o’clock) was a chicken dish.  It was made with onions and peppers and the sauce was delish.  The yellow stuff was a vegetarian curry.  I’m pretty sure there was tofu in it.  It wasn’t bad, but the red stuff was better.  The green stuff was another vegetarian dish that wasn’t half bad.  It was a little spicy, but good.  The savory pancake on top was great.  It had onion pieces and spices mixed into the batter.

I observed the Indians there eating and only found it right to eat like them.  I used the pancake to sop up the sauces from each of the dishes.  Apparently, you’re supposed to use the hand that you DON’T wipe with.  I didn’t get the memo until later though.  I went up for seconds of the red and then finished off my meal with a scoop of ice cream and a small pastry (almost like a mini funnel cake).

I definitely recommend the Indian YMCA to anyone looking for cheap eats in London.  I’ll be back there again.

After the Indian YMCA, we ended up mucking around for a bit before we got our act together.  We ended up heading to an LSE sponsored party which was good…not great.

Saturday morning rolled around and after hanging out with Stats and Econometrics for a little while, I took a walk up to Emirates Stadium with Jake.  Arsenal was playing Birmingham and the place was unbelievable.

Notice the size of the people at the bottom.  This place was wicked.  Now to get to a match…

I’ve got to go get some dinner right now… shawarma for Yaz’s birthday.  Check back for another blog entry tomorrow.  I have some good stuff planned.

Cheers,

JBM

Now just imagine it as a 8 foot tall crispy monoprint.

I ended the night at a local pub with some “mates” from the dorm.  I had a pretty good beefburger and chips (and an ice cold pint to wash it down).  It was a nice change from the always hectic club nights, which are not really my thing (I just don’t get the point).

Saturday was a pretty cool day.  I went with a buddy to Camden Market.  Camden is basically a GIANT flea market, but cooler.  It is the center of alternative fashion in London… you know what that means (great people watching).  I wish I brought my camera (which I will start doing more often).  Moving on, I’ll try to describe Camden:  There was the REAL London punk scene.  I saw a midget in all black leather with huge metal studs coming up from his shoulders.  His mohawk is a tale for another time (he was probably 4’0” without it and 5’4” with it).

There were women dressed in Burlesque, goths and people in 1950’s style.  The strangest style I saw is apparently called “Cyber.”  It’s very hard to describe.  One of the guys I saw looked like a mix of a Storm Trooper, a white tiger, Japanese Lolita.  He was like a weird anime cartoon.  I guess I’ll just let the picture do the talking:

Benny, please help describe these people to Grandma.  She has to picture this.  Besides, your vocabulary is better than Mom’s or Dad’s.  I like the GUY on the far left the best.

By far my two favorite groups of people were the Asians (who were just looking to make a quick buck).  They were just regular Asians, but all of their stalls and booths sold the same things: cheap sunglasses, fake Rolexes, ironic t-shirts and usually some touristy London crap.  They are really aggressive with their selling.  “I GIVE YOU GOOD DEAL.”

My other favorite were the Rastafarians, selling Bob Marley souvenirs (in London?), various smoking paraphernalia and clothing, always while listening to reggae.  Why are they always so happy?

I only listed a few types of people you see there.  It was a really cool cultural experience.  It just goes to show you that everyone is different (some being more different than others).

Next we followed the canal to Regent’s Park, which was sick.  It basically just a huge park, but you can really see the Brits tradition and attention to detail there.  At the center of Regent’s Park is  Primrose Hill.  I don’t know if its the highest point in London, but its quite a view.  You can see for kilometers and kilometers.

Today is Sunday.  I have some work to do today.  Gotta get that ed-u-ma-cation.

Cheers!

JBM

I’ve started to get into a routine.  I no longer feel like a tourist here, but an American student studying and living in London.  I’ve made a few friends and I’m meeting new people everyday.

I specifically enjoyed my Actuarial Science lecture.  The professor, Angelos Dassios, is a fast speaking Greek with terrible handwriting, however—he kept the lecture interesting and definitely knew quite a bit.

I had my only liberal arts lecture today—IT and Society.  The course looks unbelievable.  It’s looks into how the internet and information sharing have and an effect on society (I know that is very vague, but trust me, it looks interesting if you like the internet, social networking, file sharing, technology and what it all means in terms of how we as a people interact with one another.

I have quite a busy day tomorrow—three lecture totaling five hours total…four of which are in a row.  At least I like all of my courses.  Tomorrow night the LSE Student Union is holding an “American” theme party with “a selection of American beers, hot dogs, a rockabilly band and beer pong.”  I like the fact that they’re trying to make me feel at home…if home is a kitsch interpretation of mid-late 20th century American life.

If someone can send me Mountain Dew I would appreciate it.  The soda here just doesn’t cut it.  Also, some Charmin Ultra would be nice too (they think that toilet paper resembling McDonald’s napkins is acceptable.

First person to send me a letter or package will get a special gift in return!

Jonathan Marcus

Rosebery Hall (Room 627)

90 Rosebery Avenue

London, UK

EC1R 4TY

CHEERS!

“American Jon”