LOVE

BANKSIDE, LONDON, UK -- Greetings from a dark and dreary London! Low clouds, fast-moving, wind whipping. It's not raining, but it looks as if it will burst at any moment. Such is winter in London. But get this - we have received exactly 0, that's right - ZERO, inches of snow all winter long. Sure, almost the entire rest of the UK has gotten their fair share of snow, but here in temperate London town, zilch zip nada. Just some flurries and the occasional dusting, but no actual accumulation at all. Temperatures in general are in the 40s, so not terrible on that front either, even if the average is already the low 50s (it has been a "colder than average" winter here - seems warm to me!). Also, it's no longer super-depressing darkness, which is a welcome change. Daylight extends to around 5:30pm, and the extra few hours make a huge difference from a mental and Vitamin D standpoint.

Besides this, I've actually received a grade that counts, which I am very happy with. I also have been receiving good feedback that is right in line with what I want and what I've been expecting, which is also good news. It's nice to know where I stand, and to know that where I stand is where I want to stand. Also on the academic circuit, I have come up with a dissertation proposal! I'm meeting with my advisor this coming Friday, so we'll see what she says, but for now my proposed title: "Do Politicians Listen to Public Opinion? Lessons from the Copenhagen Climate Summit." What do you think? It's original because it's current, it's a simple and easy-to-understand question (you know what the purpose of the dissertation is), and it integrates my interests (environmental policy) with my degree (public policy and administration). I think I can definitely come up with 10,000 words on the subject as well. Let me know what you think and I will keep you posted after I meet with my advisor.

Can you believe that my second term is already halfway over? Week 5 ended yesterday, which means I only have 5 more weeks of actual instruction to go. WOW does time fly! Also, I have booked two trips in the last week and a half! So I now have an itinerary, which is awesome! I finish my last class March 18, then March 22-26 I'll be in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt! After a few weeks back in London, I'm off to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Naples, Pompeii, and Capri in Italy April 14-21! The Giza Pyramids and The Vatican, the Library at Alexandria and the Colosseum. Should be an amazing spring break! I'm going with other students in my program at LSE, who have never been before. We got cheap fares too - $400 return to Cairo, and $130 return to Rome (not too shabby!). Hostels in Egypt are so cheap that it makes up for the relatively higher airfare cost. Any suggestions on things to see in Egypt and Italy are much appreciated. Obviously we're seeing the pyramids - but any other suggestions?

Besides the mad travel circuit (and I'm trying to book a trip in between those two, depending on my budget and progress with my studies - currently in the mix are Athens, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, Istanbul, Lisbon, Madrid, or Prague), the music scene is heating up. Angels & Airwaves just released their third studio album, LOVE, yesterday. And get this - they released the entire album for free - how incredible is that? Rich musicians releasing a free album, and if you like it, then you can make a donation. If not, no pressure - you get the same 11 tracks clocking in at over 53 minutes for free like everyone else. Check it out here if you are interested in downloading it: http://www.fuel.tv/ava. I would highly recommend it - I'm listening to it for the 3rd or 4th time right now already!

The Winter Olympics started last night in Vancouver. I was actually recommended to help manage the logistics of the games, and had I not gotten into LSE there is actually a pretty decent chance that is where I would be right now. Alas, I will watch from an Ocean and a Continent away. The opening video was really impressive - I tried to find it on youtube but they don't have it on copyright grounds. I have it here in the UK on BBC, but that link will only work with a UK IP address. If you want to check it out it's probably on the NBC website in the US. The US men's hockey team plays at 2pm CT (12pm PT and 8pm GMT) on Tuesday for their first game and I'm planning on watching that here.

Well that is all for now - just keeping up on all my readings, starting to plan ahead both academically with my dissertation and travel-wise with my time off.

OH! Mark Kirk smoked the GOP primary - so thank you to all who voted for him. It is going to be an incredibly close race into November, but I do think he is the best candidate and should win for the reasons already stated. We will see as the campaign goes along!

Lastly, an early Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, but most specifically to you Sarah! I love you! :)

Have a nice week everyone!