BANKSIDE, LONDON, UK -- I'm going to sleep well tonight. You know how sometimes you just have such a busy and productive day that you know the second you hit that bed you'll pass out and sleep all night? That's me, right now.
It started off like any other day. Woke up, caught up on the end of yesterday's news cycle from the US, emails. Decided to get an early start on my trek to campus since it was raining pretty hard and it is quite the walk when dry. Pavement in Europe gets considerably more slick than your average American sidewalk in the rain, so what is normally a 20-25 minute hike is instead a 40 minute hike (imagine snow instead of dry). Anyway I made good timing regardless and started getting things done. Since today was a new class for me, I stopped in the supply store and picked up a new notebook, then stopped by the lotto store and cashed in that 2 pound note. Since I was still early, I stopped at the Garrick, which is a food place at LSE, and grabbed a banana and some juice for a snack.
DV415 is the code for "Global Environmental Governance," and I am excited for this course to say the least. My professor, it turns out, brings quite the developmental experience and ideology to the plate. When looking at climate change, for example, the solutions presented by environmentalists all address the causes of climate change (burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, etc). BUT, my professor argues, why don't we also assimilate to a pseudo-reality that frankly speaking, there will never be a carbon footprint on the planet like there was in 1800 ever again. Population and technology forbid it. Instead of focusing 100% on the causes, why not invest in technology to build better sea walls in the US Gulf Coast, diversify crops in Bangladeshi rice fields, and harness medical technology to circumvent the loss of biodiversity? NOW, I personally disagree with pretty much everything I just said; however, I'm fascinated to learn more about the ideas and reasoning behind the ideology. True, no matter what we do, we can't control sun flares or a magnetic pole reversal, however, there are other benefits besides curbing global warming to environmentalism (cancer-free air and water, for starters). Furthermore, my professor is among the scholars who will govern the December 2009 Copenhagen Summit that will develop the new framework and governing body that will replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol (which we have all no-doubt heard of in some context). The idea that Copenhagen will address these "realities" in addition to targeting the causes is what gives belief to the possibility that Brazil, India, and China (and the United States, for that matter) will also sign on. Yeah, 90 minutes of lecture were interesting to say the least.
After that mind tease, I had a delicious toasted goat cheese, tomato, and pesto panini for only 2 pounds which I thought was a fabulous deal for lunch, and then I ran back up into LSE - H (building code) to meet with my MSc advisor. Turns out all of the courses I registered for satisfy my graduation requirements, and in addition to my MSc in Public Policy and Administration, I'll also receive a stream focus certificate in Comparative Politics and Administration. Graduation is December 2010 - save the date (or month, at this point)!
I rushed home after my meeting with my advisor, dropped off some of my coursework, and then headed to the nearest medical clinic which is about a 10 minute walk away. After a wonderful 35 minute delay in the waiting room, the nurse saw me, and I'm perfectly healthy. Interestingly it also turns out I'm in the best shape I've been in for years. I weigh a solid 10 pounds less than the last time I weighed myself (which I'll admit was almost 2 months ago, but still). I'm going to chalk it up to the insane amount of walking I'm doing as opposed to eating less - in fact it's probably because there are free water fill-up stations everywhere, so I keep using those instead of buying Sprite (they call it "lemonade" here, which begs the question, if I want actual lemonade, how do I find that?) or Ginger Ale or something with a ton of sugar in it. And actually even if I do get one of those once in awhile, it's made with actual cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, so my body can actually handle it and flush it out right away (since I am doing all this walking). Okay enough of this massive tangent, the point is I'm now registered with the UK National Health Service, so if I need to see a doctor, I just go there and unless any crazy tests are needed, it's freeeeeeeeee!!!!! :)
After heading home I changed quickly and then walked all the way back to LSE for a volunteer fair, where I registered with four different groups - two environmental groups, one educational group, and then the UK Red Cross emergency response team. If things get bad in Britain, they're calling this guy to help! It's good to get involved though obviously, so if I actually only ever volunteer for two groups, that means I'm volunteering for those two groups, involved with two different LSE societies (ultimate frisbee and Israel), and standing for election for this campaign (which, the ballot went out today by the way, so we'll see what happens tomorrow or the next day). I'd say between all of that and my academic program I have a pretty good all-around plate for the year! When the fair finished I returned home, had some dinner downstairs (just some pasta with a big bowl of fresh cut up fruit for dessert), and here I am!
Weather report: like said, disgusting. Sadly the outlook does not seem to improve from here. More rain tomorrow, Friday, and Monday with temperatures not set to get out of the 50s. Hopefully they're wrong!
Sports report: no updates for now. Chelsea plays tomorrow night I believe, so I'll check that out, and then the Blackhawks play Thursday night, but they're way too late for me to stay up.
Tomorrow: my second actual "free day" since I got here. I have a ton to do as far as registering for these volunteer agencies online and whatnot, but no classes on Wednesdays and no official social events to speak of. Expect another blog entry! For now, I'm off to a wonderful world of sleep!
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