On Wednesday, I moved back home following the end of the spring semester. I have one more semester to go at AU, so I made the decision to pack up, leave D.C. and become a commuter student in order to save some cash and get a better idea for what I want in the future. But that’s another story for another day. Point is, I moved back on Wednesday, spent most of Thursday unpacking, and by Friday I had repacked a small carry-on and was on a bus to Philadelphia.

I’ve taken the bus several times, and when things go according to plan (i.e. no traffic), it’s an easy and affordable trip. But unfortunately my trip did not have such a smooth beginning. Traffic was a nightmare and a 3 hour trip soon turned into 5 hours. So awful, but it was probably worse for the bus driver whom I felt really bad for.

Anyway, finally made it to Philly and spent Friday and Saturday with my cousin. I’ve been to the city several times before so there was no visiting historical landmarks or anything like that; it was pretty casual, just hanging around. Saturday during the day, though, I went outside of Philly to attend my friend’s graduation ceremony. I swear it was only a year ago we graduated from high school and now this?!

Sunday I took the train to New York City (as if I would go back on a bus so soon after Friday’s debacle) and spent some time wandering Times Square and going on a chocolate shopping spree. I was disappointed by how small Hershey’s Chocolate World is, but I guess that’s to be expected after you visit the real thing in Hershey, PA. M&M World on the other hand was really cool – I bought a champagne bottle filled with M&Ms to celebrate… well, I’m not sure what, but why do you need an excuse to celebrate with M&Ms?

I met up with some friends Sunday night and somehow ended up rubbing shoulders with important, artsy people at the Manderley Bar in Chelsea. It was an experience, to say the least.

My trip then culminated with the NBC Primetime presentation at Radio City Music Hall on Monday morning, which I was invited to on behalf of Poptimal. I found this year’s UpFront to be far less showy than last year’s, but it was still an enjoyable time all the same (I’m probably still bitter about not seeing Joel McHale again, you’ll have to excuse me). Following the NBC presentation, we were served some delicious lunch and I accidentally knocked into NBC Entertainment Chair Bob Greenblatt. Of course, I didn’t realize who he was until afterward. People look so much different up close than on a stage!

Check out my article about NBC’s Upfront here: The Peacock Grew a Funny Bone

So far summer is just getting started and though I don’t have any major trips planned, I hope to do a few more weekend excursions!

I’m more than guilty of this act. In fact, I probably should’ve taken it as a sign when I went through three headphones in a six-month time span. My abuse of the headphones began in 2008, when I was living in Paris and commuting to my French classes several times a week. Britney Spears had just released her first album since going crazy and it was catchy; how could I not have it on repeat?

Fast forwarding to 2012, I found myself slipping in those ear buds during my 10 minute walk to campus, having only the chance to listen to three or four songs. And whenever I would run into a classmate or friend on the sidewalk, instead of stopping to have a conversation or saying a quick “hello” to one another, it became more of a wave or nod and smile. Human interaction? Gone. Not hearing that car while you’re crossing the street? Not good.

So I’ve decided to stop wearing my headphones when just walking around the city and to and from my apartment. There are so many sights and sounds I could be missing out on by tuning out the world around me. That’s not to say I won’t ever listen to music while out and about; if I’m on metro commuting somewhere, yes, I probably will put my headphones in. It’s part of the metro culture. Is that good or bad? I don’t know. But I do know I want to make more of an effort to be fully aware of my surroundings and not consistently distracted by technology.

After all, my ears could use a break. I wear headphones most of the day when studying in the library or watching a show on my computer. My roommate would probably rather not listen to the trials and tribulations of Chuck & Blair.

Anyone who’s seen my Mac case knows that it is covered in stickers from a web site called GetGlue. When you “check in” to a TV show, movie or even song, you have the opportunity to unlock a sticker. Earn 20 stickers and you can have hard copies mailed to you. Many networks, studios and record labels have teamed up with GetGlue to produce these stickers and, overall, it’s a pretty fun site for pop culture junkies like myself.

But then I started browsing the iTunes store and came across a featured app called Viggle. It’s similar to GetGlue in that you “check in” to a TV show, but instead of receiving a sticker you’re rewarded with points every time you watch TV. If you accumulate enough points, you can redeem your points for gift cards to Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Sephora and so much more. And if that’s not cool enough, Viggle wants to make sure you’re not lying about the shows you’re checking into. The only way to check in is by audio confirmation; the app listens to what’s playing on your TV and automatically makes a match. It’s both creepy and fascinating at the same time.

I definitely recommend you try this app for yourself! Especially if you’re a TV junkie like myself.

The first season is short, with only seven episodes, but that’s the way many British shows go. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, I believe the show was only supposed to be run as a mini series, but it’s growing popularity earned it a second season.

I’ve finished the first season, but am holding out on the second one because I know once I start watching, I won’t be able to stop. Unfortunately, there is no room for procrastination these days. But I love the show because, despite having such a large ensemble cast, I felt everyone had the chance to shine. Every character’s personalities and story arcs were clearly defined, and the interaction between the house servants and the Crawley’s worked seamlessly. Plus, the time period is a bonus (pre-WWI through the first season).

And lest we not forget Dame Maggie Smith, who has some of the best one-liners on television. My favorites being: “What is a weekend?” and “Why does everyday involve a fight with an American?” Thankfully, the good citizens of YouTube have put together a video to back up this argument:

Note: “Fancy Entourage” is in reference to an SNL produced fake commercial about “Downton Abbey.” It’s a pretty appropriate title, and one of the best SNL-produced anything in a long while.

I signed up for this class for several reasons (fit my schedule, credit towards my major, etc.), but also because I love it when professors use the city as a learning device. In the past, I’ve had to attend court and congressional hearings for class and while studying abroad in London, the city was our classroom. Especially during British Life and Cultures, our teacher took us to Primrose Hill and a prostitute graveyard. Sounds odd, but it’s actually really fascinating because we learned about the history of London neighborhoods to the south of the Thames during Shakespeare’s time.

Anyway, the point of this is, I love learning in a city. It’s why I wanted to go to college in a city; there’s so much to do, see and learn. During our first session at the Newseum, I saw a real section of the Berlin Wall (photographed above) and several artifacts from news history (O.J. Simpson’s trial suit, original copies of newspapers from the early 1900s, and more). It’s a fascinating museum, the only one of its kind in the world, and as a journalism major, I’m so fortunate it’s just a short metro ride away!

In May, I drove up to New York to visit family and then stopped by the Big Apple for the NBC Up Fronts on behalf of Poptimal. Having never attended an Up Front before, it was an amazing experience. Everywhere I looked I was surrounded by incredible talent – Jason Isaacs, Will Arnett, Christina Aguilera, Joel McHale – the list could go on! I was lucky to sneak in a moment with Joel McHale, someone I’ve been a fan of since before Community, and he accused me of eating paint. I know, it makes no sense, but that’s the beauty of it!

Report from the NBC UpFront – Giving the Network a New “Voice”

In June, I thought I would be able to put my carry-on luggage back in storage for the first time since January. Turns out I was wrong. I ended up flying to Toronto, Canada to attend a set visit for two USA Network shows, Covert Affairs and Suits, once again for Poptimal. I met other wonderful TV bloggers like myself and reveled in being on an actual TV set!

Covert Affairs Set Visit: The Scoop on Season Two
Suits Set Visit: Welcoming a New Show with Open Arms

Oh, July. Where do I even start here? It was the end of an era for us Harry Potter fans, and I intended to celebrate in style. So I did. First, I headed up to New York City to meet with my other diehard Potter friends. I was asked by The Leaky Cauldron to cover the corresponding press events for “Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”  See coverage here! Then on the day the film opened to the public on the 15th, I was at a midnight showing with my school friends who were with me when I saw Chamber of Secrets for the first time in 2002. A perfect ending!

August has been my relatively quiet month – but then I became an Entertainment staff writer for College magazine. The theme for August was “Throwback,” so I’ve had fun prancing through Memory Lane and coming up with the following blog posts and articles…

Throwback Summer Reading List

Child Stars of the ’90s: Where Are They Now?

One Hit Wonders of Yesteryear

Amongst all this, I also interned at the Washington Post Express twice a week, put together a Shutterfly album about my Study Abroad semester, and created a website for my little brother. He’s quite the pianist.

On the TV side, earlier in the summer I reviewed Doctor Who for Poptimal and just this month started on Jersey Shore. You can’t ask for more diversity in terms of shows I’m reviewing! The second half of Doctor Who‘s season picks back up on Saturday, finally!

I’m moving back to D.C. over the weekend and there’s the usual excitement and dread with classes starting again. After a wonderful summer, I can only hope fall will be just as fulfilling!

Other than that, I’ve done a bit of writing, interviewing and editing for Poptimal. Here are some of my latest articles:

Doctor Who Review: The Mystery Deepens (24 April 2011)

Doctor Who Review: Insert Corny Pirate Joke Here (9 May 2011)

NBC Upfront 2011: Giving the Network a New “Voice” (18 May 2011)

An Interview with Shark Tank’s Daymond John (19 May 2011)

Part 1: Poptimal’s Best/Worst of the 2010-11 Season (25 May 2011)

Next week I begin an internship with the Washington Post Express, but I’m still on the hunt for some paid work. Seems like my summer might finally be coming together, though! Oh, and did I mention I recently turned 21? Epic.

I rode a bike through crazy traffic. Saw several West End shows. Said “telly,” “cheers,” and “rubbish.” Explored castles and palaces. Interned at Variety magazine. Ate and drank in pubs. Attended film premieres in Leicester Square and a football match. Shopped on the high street and so much more.

Some people are trying to comprehend why I didn’t stay for the wedding of the century, but let’s be real – what would I see had I stayed? It was more exciting seeing the city prepare for the event with the decorations everywhere, to be honest.

As they say, all good things must come to an end. But the summer holidays have only just begun for me; who knows what other adventures I’ll get up to in the next few months!

Photo taken by Maite Dalila.

I have just a few short weeks left in London before I return to the political mecca of Washington, D.C. There’s still a lot I want to do in London, but I’ve come to realize that it’ll be impossible to do it all. So my reasoning is just that I’ll have to save it all for when I come back! Sounds fair enough.

My plan was to visit each country in the UK plus Ireland, but unfortunately I’ve fallen two short. I visited Edinburgh, Scotland very early on and recently I flew over to Dublin, Ireland. Both great trips but of the two I think I much prefer Edinburgh, and no it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter there. I genuinely thought it was a much nicer city, more scenic, and cheaper than Dublin.

(Per the thumbnail accompanying this post, I should probably mention I went to a Fulham vs Blackpool game on Sunday and it was glorious. I’d never attended a football game before, only baseball, so it was about time.)

Dear Sir Paul McCartney and PETA,

There I was, enjoying the first steak I’ve cooked since arriving in London and reading my copy of Empire magazine when your full page ad proclaiming “I AM A VEGETARIAN” took me by surprise. There was a really sad story about a fish, and how the fish cares as much about its life as we do about ours. I glanced at the small piece of steak I had yet to finish and felt sick to my stomach.

Thank you for ruining one of the finest meals I’ve had since coming to London. I respect your wishes to be a vegetarian, Sir McCartney, and though I did not finish my steak this evening because of the guilt, I think I’ll stick to being a carnivore.

Yours Truly,

Stephanie

PS: Seeing you at the BAFTAs is still one of the highlights of my trip here. You are such a rockstar; never change!

PPS: No, I am not procrastinating on my presentation research. Procrastinating would be when I have less than 48 hours before said presentation is due. I have at least 55 hours.

PPPS: I will write about my full BAFTA experience later on, because that’s what it was. An experience.