Long but great day. First real day with responsibilities. Got up and went to NYU with Dawn to get acquainted with the building and get some things fixed. We wandered around and found the computer/printing lab as well a the study lounge.

After that we went to Blackwell's (bookshop) so I could return some books and get others that I should have bought the other day at the book sale. At the end of all of that I had gained back £6.71 even though one of the books I had to buy was new instead of second-hand. They were much lighter too. It was rather difficult for Dawn and I to make it down there because there is major construction going on at the Tottenham Court Road underground station. So half of the road is closed and there is a fenced off pedestrian path but you are very restricted in your access to it. Luckily we had still had a few hours before we had any obligations.

Then we went back to the flat where we had lunch and relaxed for a little bit before I headed off to my first class.

I really enjoyed my class (Architecture in London: Field Study). My professor seems to be very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Every other week we have a field trip instead of classroom construction, with a couple Friday trips as well. Next Monday we are going to St. Paul's Cathedral and climbing the dome and then making our way to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (only to look at it, I'll have to go another time to see a show). While our professor was giving us an overview I started recalling some of the terms and concepts I had learned when we studied architecture in art class in high school. I am very much looking forward to learning more.

After class I went for an exploratory run throughout Regent's Park. It is so beautiful and every day I am finding a new section of it. I am going to go for longer run tomorrow to find more, hopefully I'll stumble upon the zoo.

Then I made burritos for Dawn, Ellie and I for dinner. It was, of course, quite splendid. We all enjoyed it very much. I have still be unsuccessful in my search for fake meat. We were told that there are a few Whole Foods throughout London, so I'm sure I can find it there.

We had our first English rain after dinner. It sounded pretty heavy too. Haven't been outside in it yet, but there will be plenty of time for that.

Today was the first day of a three day underground strike. People are freaking out. Many commuters have checked into hotels for the next few nights to ensure that they can make it to work tomorrow. The buses were overflowing at the end of the work day and the queues were enormous. If demands aren't met, there are three more strikes planned until November. I am rather fortunate that I only need the underground for site seeing and field trips. Many people need it to get to work every day as well, so this is presenting quite a problem for them, with bus commutes over an hour.

Time for sleep, to the sound of light rain.