*Mandy hangs her head in shame at her poor updating skills*

In keeping my promise of updating you on the events I mentioned in my last blog, my flat mates and I all went to King’s Truffle Shuffle together in our finest 80s gear! I got my whole outfit put together for under 10 pounds from a fabulous store called Primark (hmmm I think I've already gone on about that store...), complete with hot pink tights and leg warmers. The club pumped the best of Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Corey Hart, Michael Jackson- basically every amazing 80s song you can think of, all while The Breakfast Club and Back to the Future played on the projector. We had an absolute blast! (*Note to any Traditions/TIGER/Greek Council members reading this….our clubs would make loads and loads of money at a large sponsored 80s party*). Points go out to Emily and my brother Ryan for correctly identifying The Goonies as the movie where the Truffle Shuffle comes from. Just for fun, here is the link to one of the greatest movie dances ever- http://youtube.com/watch?v=t5whaRkuipU&feature=related

The big crazy club night at Fabric was also really fun. We got there really early, around 9:30 pm, which sounds ridiculous on American standards, but if we arrived any later, we would have stood in the queue for at least an hour. The place is like a giant maze inside. I was afraid to even go to the loo by myself because I would lose my group and never find them. Later in the evening, the club definitely picked up that crazy atmosphere you only see in movies, so that was worth witnessing first hand. And like any good Londoner, we walked all the way home when we wouldn’t find a close bus stop. I will never ever drive from Prassel to Coates ever again (yes, yes I used to do that, don’t judge me).

So all of my new friends, and one of my old ones, are all officially gone on various Euro-travels (currently I think locations include Switzerland and Barcelona). In one week, I will be meeting Bryan’s group for his birthday in Prague, and then Berlin. I am leaving them after Berlin to do Athens for a few days by myself (scary but exciting!), and then my new friends Becca and Anna will meet me and we will continue to Santorini and Ios for some sun and beach time. I am so excited! I’m currently working on my paper for Experimental Theatre (about Jean Genet and Howard Barker- again, if any of you have heard of them, another shout out will be in order), and then another about a house that both Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf lived in in Bloomsbury. Yes, I know. A little absurd. Things are going well with everyone gone, including most of my flat. I’m not as lonely as I thought I would be, as I am currently seeing a pretty darn charming Englishman. I retract any former grumbles about the English and their off-putting nature. I’m having a great time with him and his friends, despite their work-distracting nature (because let’s be honest, going to art installations and movie quiz nights with a great guy are a lot more fun than French dramatists).

I’ve been struggling the past few days with applying to internships back home. It is not easy, in the least, to do from abroad. I’ve found that many jobs I’d like require face-to-face interviews, and I just can’t go back for that sort of thing. I’ve applied to multiple theatres and some non-profits, so hopefully some of those come through! I’ve also been missing home quite a bit- congratulations to the newly initiated members of Alpha Chi Lambda’s class of 2008!

A few weeks ago, Hannah and I went for a stroll along the South Bank towards Borough Market, past the Tate Modern and the Globe. We noticed film crews in front of the Tate and thought, hmm probably filming a documentary. Of course I had to ask what they were filming, and after asking about 5 guards, it was confirmed- they were filming opening shots for Harry Potter!!! AHHH! So of course I went all the way back to my flat for my camera, and casually strolled around the filming area taking pictures- sadly, no actors were present.
HOWEVER- just two days ago, I was walking over Waterloo Bridge and happened to look up at the man walking toward me. He was very short, with a smart blue suit on, flyaway hair, a scrunched up face, and talking on a cell phone. This man was none other than Timothy Spall- the actor who plays Peter Pettigrew! He is also in Sweeney Todd and Enchanted, both as rat-like characters. I was literally in over-joyed shock!! London kicks ass.

And to finish off this post, just for fun, here are a few things I am currently obsessed with (and you should be too): Nutella, crumpets, Cadbury crème eggs, Crunchy Nut Clusters cereal, iTunes radio: Pop- Big R Radio-The Mix, Classical- Classical Minnesota, fake alpaca hats, Newton Faulkner, The Fratellis, Kate Nash and trench coats. That is all!

My flat mates and I ready for the Truf- Kim, Franzi, Ghislain, me and Lauren (missing Matt and Praveen)

Me being silly

Crews filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!!!!!!