Author: kuang.56

Yujia’s London Reflection

Although I already back in America, but my mind still in London. The culture and the landmarks was very memoribale there have one thing I cannot forget. It is the food in London. Before 1997, Hong Kong was still a British colony. Therefore, there have many Hong Kong’s people emigrated to London. You can see Hong Kong influence in many of the food that I ate in London. Everytime I am able to eat Cantonese cuisine, It cause me to remember my hometown Cong Hua, and how much I miss my family there. I am glad that I am in the foreign country. I feel that I am not far away from home. It goes to show you the power the food have.

While Hong Kong influence was something that i cannot forget I was amazed how delecious the local London was. Before I am coming to the London, I continous heard people say how much i need to try England breakfast. I did not have high hopes because i thought how much different can England breakfast can be compared to a regula the America breakfast. However, I was definitely wrong after I tried the England breakfast that the hotel provided. I would never concider myself is a morning person, but i would look forwark to wake up every morning, so i can enjoy the delecious Englian breakfast.

Yujia’s Day 4

I have always wanted to experience Stonehenge as it have been one of the sites that I have been looking forward to during this trip. When I was finally able to see the site in person, I was surprise as it was much smaller than what I imagine it to be and what I saw in media and photos. Although, the site was much smaller, I really appreciated the road that was constructed for us to be able to see such an historical site closed up. It made me felt as if I was part of the era that the Stonehenge was first constructed. I am impressed that people during that age were able to come up with the concept of the Stonehenge and actually able to successfully build the site. What is more interesting is that the site can withstand so much centuries and still exists for people to experience in the modern day.

Yujia’s day 3

The most attractive place for me in Britain museum is the ceiling. A clear and bright ceiling provides a good natural light inside the building. The transparent material makes the space expanded. The roof covers the whole area of the Great Court spans from the room in central to the edge of the buildings. The structure of the roof is formed by different size of triangular in a curve shape, such as a net full of triangular. This ceiling gives a strong sense of visual space. I thought I could draw the ceiling along the lines, but it wasn’t easy.

Yujia’s day 2

Today I saw a very interesting exhibition at the History of Tate Modern. The second floor of exhibition is related to color. Although the display on the video has failed, which should show the yellow and purple shadows in the front and back of the circle, I still feel very cool. I can understand the principle of light refraction, but what I am curious about is how the designer turns all the people’s shadows into yellow. If this idea is considered part of the landscape design, it should be very interesting.

Yujia’s Day 1

What a long and exciting first day it was in the city of London. As I am sitting on my hotel bed, I finally realized how exhausted I actually am from the first day of London exploration. We did not get to the hotel until late last night, therefore, after unpacking and getting ready to get to bed, there was not much time left for me to rest for today. However, even with jetlag and less than 6 hours of sleep, I still made myself wake up and used the minimum energy I still had left to get ready to meet with the other OSU London explorers. Starting with what I presumed as a traditional English breakfast at the hotel prepared me as we start our journey at the city of London. The breakfast was delicious, but it did not energize me as I thought it would. However, that all changed as I took my first step out of the St. Giles London Hotel. Suddenly, a rush of energy took over my body as the buildings and cultures that was surrounding me amazed me. This is the London that I dreamt about and I was ready to experience the sites that had scheduled for us.

Out of the London sites we visited, I was most excited about the St. Paul’s Cathedral as I heard from many friends and classmates that London’s cathedrals are the most astonishing compared to other countries. It definitely did not disappoint as I am could not control my excitement as I admire the details within the St. Paul’s Cathedral and I am about to experience something that I used to only see in movies and television. I attempted to keep a memory of the St Paul through a sketch, so I will be able to admire as we finish this trip in the city of London.

Pre departure

What a crazy week this has been as I attempt to pull myself through all the midterms and projects that I have to complete before I head out for my first study abroad experience. I have been waiting for this moment ever since I signed up for this class this semester. As I attended each lecture for the class, it has gotten me more and more excited about being able to go to London and experience the cultural city that I have always wanted to and always dreamt about. However, now that I have survived all the midterms and projects and will be heading out to the airport soon, I am more nervous than excited. Moreover, I am also extremely exhausted with a minimum of sleep this week.

As I am going through my packed luggage one last time, I am freaking out as I don’t know if I packed everything I need and if my luggage has passed the acceptable weight for the airline. Also, I have been told by some of my friends in London that it has been cold the last couple of weeks, so I am nervous that I did not pack enough clothes and accessories to keep me warm as I explore one of my dream city with my fellow OSU friends and classmates.

Nervous or not, ready or not, London here I come for you!

Yujia Personal Post

Hello All,

My Name is Yujia Kuang. I am a Junior currently majoring in Landscape Architecture. I was born in an urban district of Guangzhou called Conghua, which is known for its relaxing hot springs and lychees. My hobbies include exploring and experiencing a place’s culture and culinary cuisine. I have always been a big fan of London’s historical and rich culture ever since I can remember. However, I have never had the chance to travel and experience the City of London. I am excited to be able to attend this course as I will be able to travel to London and also will be able to experience London’s architectural setting that contributes to the city’s  rich and unique culture that exists today. During this course, I plan to enhance my drawing skills by being able to use the most simple elements including line and points to construct the most relevant design, which is what I see from London’s architectural settings. Before I attended Ohio State University, I was initially going to attend a college in London, but decided to attend Ohio State University instead. This course will help me fulfill that regret that I have always had by not going to college in London by learning about London’s political and cultural architectural environment.