Life at Uni

Why hello,

This is officially the second week of Freshers, although courses have begun today! We shall see how my courses go, I’m hoping they’ll be as exciting as I hope they will be. If I believe they will, they have the possibility to be, don’t they?

Rye breads. That's how it goes on.

ALSO I HAVE A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR YOU. HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR PHOTOS IF YOU’RE ON WORDPRESS.COM. IF YOU’RE NOT, WHAT ARE YOU SELF HOSTED THROUGH AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? IS IT WORTH IT? I’M KIND OF SICK OF DELETING MY PICTURES….

Add laughing cow cheese for spreadable perfection

That there is a good picture. Want to see some of the things I see?

just walking to school

I spied this walking to SOAS campus the other day.

I debated taking this picture for about 2 minutes. then finally got my camera out and did it.

I pass this Falafel place every time I go to and from Uni. It’s how I know I’m on the right route.

Someday perhaps I'll try it

I took this one just for my Mom. She loves Corgis. I know you’re reading this Mom and I hope you and Dad are safe in the States by now.

Corgis are just the cutest rolly polly little things aren't they?

SOAS has a yurt!

I'm planning to sleep in this yurt on tuesday night....maybe

There is a Hare Krishna cart that comes round every day at lunch time and I stood in the massive queue the other day. I’d packed myself that rye and laughing cow sandwhich, but somehow this seemed nicer. I couldn’t bring myself to eat all of it, but I had a bit and it was nice.

I think it's lentil dahl over basmati rice pilaf with a piece of blueberry almond grain bread.

I pass this sometimes too. It’s goodenough, I suppose

teehee

Just some lovely row houses. I love homes from the back. It’s like a little peak into what people’s lives are like.

with the sky....so beautiful

This store sells plastic/vinyl clothing. You can see where it got its name then.

hmmm

View from my window? (taken from the ground outside)

The sun lends to making it look less....concrete

And the inside of our building complex. Halls.

There's a bit of a nice courtyard in the middle

See?

round. quite pleasing.

The inside view isn’t so nice. My flatmates, lovely as they are, don’t like to clean.

alcohol and distasteful playingcards. Okay.

I actually came in this morning and they were mopping. Bless them. After I tried to at least wipe the whole thing down the other night.

Been there for about 3 days....not cool guys.

They’re even cooking dinner for the flat tonight, which is pretty sweet as well.

see?

I’m being awful and lumping them together. They’re lovely people but I guess I’m just the “weird clean one?” I don’t really know how to approach the topic of cleanliness with them.

Got this all at the Freshers Fayre

Nor do I know how to stop them from eating the food I bought. I’m not possessive (yes I am) but I pay for that!

Like this baby! Crown Prince Squash.

They gave out little Caramel Latte samples at the Fayre.

I don't think I liked it

And some fruit.

this stufff is good now I need some nuts to eat along with it. Best combo, am I right?

Has anyone tried Crown Prince squash?

More updates soon!
I’m in the process of ironing out my blogging platform and picture situation. Again, if you know anything about self hosting, please email me!
Love, Hannah

Catch Me Up!

Hello all!!

I’ve been SO busy that I’ve been here nearly a week and haven’t updated you guys with too much. I’m really sorry for that, but as I sense that the beginning of the school year is a bit hectic for everyone, I hope you’ll forgive me a bit.

So what have I been doing? I’ve been doing tons of walking around and trying to fit myself into what it’s like here. London seems to daunting when you look at a map, but when you take the tube or the bus or walk to somewhere, you find that you begin to understand how it all connects.

First British apple ever pared with some Lizi's Treacle Pecan Granola. Cute dishes? They came with little creme brule's in them that my parents ate!

For example, I walked from SOAS around past Russell Square the other day and found that I could have kept walking and met Covent Garden! I had no idea I was so close!

Note to self: get proper cutlery

Doing all the walking is making me both exhausted and excited at the same time. I’ve been getting to sleep far later than I usually do (read: around 1130pm) and waking FAR later than I usually do (the night after I stayed up until 4am clubbing, I woke at 1130AM- first time ever!) I’m hoping my sleep schedule goes back to normal soon.

Jet lagged and ready to go

Obviously I still need to pay attention to my sleep habits. Hard to make friends with people AND maintain your health on the sleep side, isn’t it?

I haven't taken as good a photo in the mirror as this since. I rather like this one. Only you can't tell I've been crying

The first bit after my parents left was rough, I’ll say it. I mean, this is my third year of college, and I spent the entire summer last summer abroad, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hit me the same every time. What I’ve learned is that the first night and next morning is awful, but I’ve got to get out and meet people, there’s no other way to do it.
Apart from looking in the mirror while your shoulders wrack with sobs and tell yourself it’s fine. and then have some Fromage Fois with a plum and Lizi’s Treacle Pecan granolaand head out for the day!

This stuff is good. Consistancy like greek yogurt, taste a bit more savoury (added a bit of stevia), but holy protein! Whole thing was 30g!

I felt a bit better after this. I also let my parents have their fun off in Bruges. I’ll do another post about living abroad and the normalcy of homesickness later this week. It is something I think many people struggle with, whether they’re homesick for their parents, friends, bed, house, school, grocery store, or their favourite spot next to the window in the morning. We all have things we are fond of and are bound to miss when we go away.

I've got to recreate this. The granola was the perfect combo in here. If you haven't tried the stuff, you've simply got to. I'd never have picked it out myself (too scared) but my mom put it in the cart. Boy, am I glad she did.

I interviewed for a Nanny job a couple stops away from here on the tube. I landed it and will now be pulling in an extra ~£90 a week to fuel Whole Foods salad bar ventures and travel. Or just to pocket and keep. I haven’t decided yet.

Sainsbury's instant latte mix....not too shabby. On reduced, so I was tempted. Night after clubbing + interview = need caffeine bad.

Any ideas of where to travel inside the UK or abroad? I’ve been to and loved Amsterdam, Scotland, Not much of Wales yet, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Dubai and Taiwan. I’m looking for anything really, I just love to travel!! I’m also a sucker for architecture, naturally and beautiful countrysides/landscapes.

And a review for you!! We went to Whole Foods on Kensington High Street, here in London, and wow, if there was ever a foodie mecca, that would be it. 3 floors of Natural goodies and food offerings. I was in total heaven. Now usually I don’t do this (reference anyone?), this being buy granola. I’m never sure if the serving size will hold me over long enough, and I’m usually too scared of their nutrient density and amount of sugar/fat. If my mom hadn’t put it in my cart, I probably would have looked longingly at it and passed it by as usual. But this time my mom was aiming to set me up well, she added this to my cart full of oats, squash and almond milk.

Lizi's Treacle Pecan Granola.

This stuff is good. I mean, I was really happy I got it. Lizi’s makes great granola inspired by years of serving it to guests in her Oxfordshire B&B. She finally made it into a business and after tasting, I can see why.  Nuts and seeds would normally turn me off in a conventional cereal but here they are presented as being a source of heart healthy fat and essential vitamins. I love the smattering of Pecans and pumpkin seeds that mingle with the treacle dusted oatsin this product!

A scenic view of the granola vista

The granola is based on oats, which are great because of their low glycemic load. Lizi explains more about the difference between glycemic load and index here. and I recommend you check out the link if you’re wondering, it really informed me and made me feel even better about what I was eating.

I'm loving these little serving dishes.

The key, according to this bit, is to eat complex carbs which will keep your blood sugar steady. I always get shaky if I get hungry and haven’t eaten, so this is key for me. The GL tells you how the food affects your blood sugar. The website says;

“The Glycemic Index (GI) is also an important factor, but it only tells you about the quality of the carbohydrate in the food. You end up with some funny choices if you just look at GI. For instance, watermelon has a GI of 72, which is very high, but its GL is only 4g per serving, which is very low. So watermelon is fine to eat – it will hardly affect your blood sugar at all.”

I’ll take that

granola-->hand-->mouth. that's how it's done.

I have a community garden meeting now. Did you know that the community garden is right around the corner from my residence hall? I know, how could I not go and take advantage of it??

Hope you’re all staying cool. I’m sure not and I’m the one who brought all long sleeves because I was prepping for cold! Gah, London!

Love, Hannah

My Superfantastical Day

getting a bit artsy....

and yes, I am aware that “superfantastical” is not a word, however, I cannot think of a word to describe yesterday better than one that combines too good words. So “superfantastical it is.”

The day began with a good breakfast. Carbs in their best form: sweet potatoes, and fats in theirs: nut butters

Talk about DELISH

The meal featured the two along with another favorite, yogurt and wheat germ.

I could see myself in the spoon!

gotta have my staples too: Vanilla O’Soy, Soy Nut Butter (this time it was chocolate!), and Once Again Sunflower Seed Butter!
and remember yesterday’s post about the full fat Greek incident? I made Chocolate Covered Katie’s Banana Butter with it!
1 container full fat greek yogurt (or whatever yogurt)
1 whizzed up banana
a couple spoonfuls of nut butter of choice
blend and voila!

no, I didn't eat it with a fork : )

JUMPING to the end of the day now.
So I’m sure you all knew that last week was NEDA week. It was all over the blogosphere and for good reason. My school hosted an event last night and I decided to go. Afterwards, I hung around and introduced myself to a couple people I simply couldn’t let get away after I’d heard them speak up. I wanted needed these inspiring people in my life. Being here has left me feeling a bit alone, like I can’t share my history/experiences with people. I did with two and they’ve since stopped asking me to hang out. That hurts.
Before long, I found myself walking down the stairs of the campus center with three other girls who got me. They were headed into the campus center cafe at 8:45 pm and, of course, asked me to come along. Whoa. Wait. What does this mean? Does this mean I have to buy something? Does this mean I have to *gasp* have a snack?
well yes, and it turns out that it wasn’t so bad, in fact, I had the best fun I’d had in awhile and made three friends in the process.
My new friends challenged me to a non-planned snack and I chose Very Vanilla Silk Soymilk (an old friend from treatment days….) and I was SO surprised at how delicious it was! Creamy and smooth and So very good for me. I’m pretty sure I would have licked the inside if I could have
I got a picture to commemorate the moment :

good friends, good fun

(I’m the one with the soy milk, obviously!)
Next thing I know, we’ve begun reminiscing about treatment days and laughing our heads off. Not to mention we’ve got NEDA balloons floating all over the place and they keep popping loudly (which only brings more laughter).
Long story short, we’re going on a Pizza Challenge on  sunday for dinner. I practically did skip home on the most wonderful natural high I’ve had in weeks.
Of course, I’m still nervous about the Pizza, but it’ll be great to share it with people for whom it is also a big deal.
More on that to come, of course.

I’m off to Boston tomorrow to visit my German Pen Pal from way back who is an Au Pair here, and then my cousin who lives in Cambridge. Should be a fun day!!

Love,
Hannah

Have you ever gotten to the point where you needed to let a friend/friends go? How did you feel and how did it go?
What is your favorite nut butter?