Mallory Mershon

I’m finally home again and trying to get back to some degree of normalcy. When you spend 2 months in a new place, just when you manage to achieve a sense of comfort and routine, you’re immediately thrust back into the life you used to live and that’s what is surreal about this experience. It seems like just yesterday I was excited to go to London, but sad about leaving my family and friends. Now I’m faced with the opposite experience, glad to return to those people, but regretting that my time in London has come to an end. I suppose it would be easier if I knew that I would be back at some point, but I have no idea what the future will bring.

I can say for certain, though, that my internship at 3 Fish in a Tree and my London experience was the opportunity of a lifetime that it promised to be. I’ve never met a nicer group of people. Ricky is the kind of guy who will go out of his way to help you in any way that he can and he is an excellent contact and friend to have as a new designer. 

At 3fish, I had the chance to dabble in a little of everything, from photography, to image editing, to illustration, to conceptualization, to typography, etc. I’ve learned a great deal about using the tools of the Adobe programs in faster and more effective ways, which I’m hoping will mean less time working on homework for me this year More important than the tools, I had the opportunity to sit in on brainstorming sessions with all of the designers and see how an idea is first born and how it evolves through all stages of the design process. It is always an interesting experience to see all of the initial ideas, and then find out which one the client has chosen to go with, even if you are not always happy with the choice. Graphic design is a business after all, and I’ve learned the importance of not getting too attached to any of my work, especially in the beginning, because it will change over the course of the project, if it even gets used at all.

It’s been a big help in my own work to get the criticism and feedback from the 3fish designers on any given project. One of the hardest parts of the whole ordeal was probably opening up my work on the screen, with all of the designers crowded around, and waiting to hear what they had to say. It was very similar to how we put our work on the wall in class, but it’s extremely intimidating to do the same thing with a room full of professional designers. Difficult though it was, I survived, and I know I’ll be a better designer as a result of taking their advice.

The best part of the internship was that it was more than just going to a job every week. I made friends, I got to live in London for 2 months, and I have memories of an experience that I’ll never forget!

It’s hard to believe, but my time in London is drawing to a close and even though there are still tons of places I’d like to go and things I’d like to see, there just isn’t enough time. It is my mission this week to fit in as much as I possibly can so I can leave with no regrets!

This past weekend was busy busy busy! Friday was my last day of work It’s so surreal to meet all of these new people and get comfortable in an internship and then realize 2 months later that you may never see those people or have any experience like that ever again. I’m very sad to be leaving, but the 3fish gang is coming out for a farewell dinner this Tuesday so I won’t be truly sad until that is over and it really feels like the end. 

After work on friday, a few of my friends met me at Southbank and we toasted to the end of our internships at the oh-so-posh Oxo Tower restaurant. You couldn’t ask for a better view because it overlooks the Thames river and you can see from Westminster in one direction to Tower Bridge in the other. It’s particularly beautiful at night because much of the area lights up.

Saturday was a beach day, although you wouldn’t know it if you saw the weather. We hopped on a bus to Brighton and explored for the day, the highlight being a carousel ride. I don’t care how old I am, I don’t think I’ll ever stop enjoying carousels. This one was nice because it was right on the beach (which is composed of stones, not sand, by the way). I also ate the best (and cheapest) burger since I’ve been here at a little shack called the Burger Bar located in the Lanes. For only 4 pounds and 50 pence, I got a burger, fries, and a can a soda. Continuing on the topic of food, I also indulged a little at a cupcake shop, I want to say it was called the Angel Food something? Anyway, VERY tasty cupcakes!

Sunday was a nice outing as well to Greenwich for the 2nd time, but this one was for a beer and jazz festival at Greenwich University. It was a relaxing day of varieties of jazz music, people dancing, and hundreds of ales to choose from.

So depending on the day, I can never decide whether I’ve packed the right variety/amount of clothes. This past week, London was experiencing a heat wave.  It was kind of funny actually, because Londoners are always hoping to have a nice sunny day to get a break from the rain, but when they had a whole week straight, they didn’t like that either. I must say, even though I’m used to hot summers at home, getting on the tube in 90 degree weather is one of the worst experiences. The tube is always hot anyway, but when there’s a heat wave, it’s almost unbearable. Meanwhile, I was struggling to find outfits that would keep me cool all day (There’s no AC at 3Fish.. or anywhere really)

This weekend though, I got a chance to walk around Portobello Market and was excited to buy a new dress which would be perfect in the heat. Ha, the weather was one step ahead. Now the heat wave is gone and there is instead rain, rain, and more rain. Today, for example, we were supposed to get 4 cm. Looks like I might have to save that dress for when I get home

On a side note, I went to visit a museum about brands, advertising, and packaging with Ricky and his wife, Claire, on Saturday. It was small museum, set back from the road in this little alley. You would never have known it was there if not for a small sign. Anyway, it was interesting to see how the brands/packaging of everyday items have evolved through the decades.

It’s so ironic to be celebrating your country’s independence day in the very country you gained independence from. What’s even funnier, is that when you speak of “Independence Day” here, you’re more likely to get responses about Will Smith or aliens than anything related to July 4th. 

It took a little online searching, but the arcadia interns and I managed to find some American-themed events this evening.  We settled on a New Orleans style restaurant called The Big Easy. It was fantastic. American flags hung on the walls, a band played American tunes, and even the margaritas were red, white, and blue. My ribs, beans, and coleslaw really hit the spot. 

Work this week was a lot of fun. We got another intern, Lauren, who will only be there for 2 weeks. It’s really nice to have someone else there who is on the same level as me so I’m not the only inexperienced one anymore. We’ve gotten to work on some cool projects.. right now I’m working on a proof book cover as well as designs for a 3fish giveaway. Of course now that I’m at the point where I finally feel comfortable, I only have a week left. I’m going to miss it.

That’s what the sign said at Greenwich.

A few friends and I ventured on a day trip this past Saturday, and I have to say it’s one of my favorite places I’ve been so far. Other than the Prime Meridian, I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I got there… but a few Londoners I spoke with raved about it so I knew it would be worth going to see for myself.

What a cute town! The market was exactly the kind of shopping I had hoped I would find in London; booths of clothing, food, art, jewelry, and much more. It wasn’t very big, but the quality of the merchandise was much higher than I had seen elsewhere. It was hard not to go crazy and buy a little of everything, but I managed to stick to just a necklace for myself and a gift for my boyfriend.

After a nice lunch and shopping, we headed through town to the Queen’s house and walked up a giant hill to the observatory where you can stand on the Prime Meridian. The walk sucks, especially in the heat that London has been experiencing these past few days, but the view is incredible and well worth the hike! When you’re up there, you see a huge lawn leading to the Queen’s house. On this hot day, people were scattered everywhere just lounging and soaking up the sun. Behind the house is the skyline of London and it’s beautiful, definitely a good spot to have your picture taken.

On Sunday, I finally had the traditional “Full English Breakfast” that I had seen on just about every cafe sign since I’ve been here. Mmm, soooo good! It comes with 2 eggs, toast, a fried tomato, sausage, and bacon. That was the highlight of my Sunday, considering the rest of the day was spent at City University working on my 20 page paper for Arcadia  

Work has been going really well. I had a nice talk with Ricky at lunch the other day about my internship… what I’ve been learning, what I can do the last couple weeks, how the work I’ve done here can be used/talked about in my portfolio, and just design in general. He’s been extremely helpful throughout this whole process. 3 fish in a tree’s 9th birthday is this Saturday coming up (along with America’s Independence day), so it should be a fun weekend of celebrating.

I haven’t been able to post a blog for the past few days because of issues with my laptop. I’m currently at City University working on my 20 page paper, but I should be able to give an update tomorrow

not-so-subtle Bon Jovi reference…

Now that I’ve reached the halfway point of my London adventure, I’ve had a lot of mixed feelings. On one hand, I’m realizing how much there is still yet to do and how little time I have left. I thought about going on a weekend trip to Amsterdam or Barcelona, but on top of the money it would cost, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I did that I would be missing out on parts of England that I would like to see. I’d rather experience one country fully than leave with a small glimpse of another and regrets about not exploring England as much as I want to. On the other hand, though, the halfway mark has made me realize how much I do miss the people and comforts of home. When I think about them, the trip seems quite long to be away. The countdown has begun, and it’s time to make sure I get all out of this experience that I possibly can. I’m so lucky to be here getting firsthand experience with a fantastic group of people. I may be missing home a little now, but I know as soon as I get back it’ll be the other way around and I’ll be missing everything about London and 3 Fish in a Tree.

Anyway, enough of the sentimental rambling..

This past weekend I went on a bus trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath, three incredible sights crammed into just one afternoon. I definitely wish I would have had more time in Windsor and Bath, but you couldn’t beat the price to see all three. It’s so crazy to go to places that have been there for hundreds of years or more. It’s like stepping back in time and it blows my mind to think of what it must have been like to live during the periods in which the sights first existed. Stonehenge in particular is insane to think about because what those unknown people accomplished with such little technology seems impossible. They managed to move 4 ton stones 250 miles without any wheels whatsoever. It had to be aliens, lol.

A bit of advice for anyone who goes on a bus tour in England… be on time! They will leave without you. Several of the people on our tour who didn’t make it back to the bus within ten minutes of the meeting time were left behind. It was a little shocking to me, but we were on a time crunch.

I’m not always into taking tours, because the quality of the experience all depends on the guide that you get. Luckily, we had a very knowledgeable guide who managed to be mildly entertaining as well. He knew a lot of interesting, random facts which explained how history has affected the way we say or do things to day. One example off the top of my head is the phrase, “getting off Scot-free.” I never knew the meaning behind this, but apparently in Scotland there was and possibly still is a third choice when getting sentenced in a trial. You are either innocent, guilty, or the case is unproven.. hence, getting off Scot-free.

This evening I got to experience a little bit of life in London outside the main part of the city. Paul, one of the owners of 3 fish, was throwing a birthday party for his son and I was lucky enough to be able to tag along with some of the guys from work. Paul lives in Southwest London in the Richmond area. Unlike the flat-style housing which I had become accustomed to, this area was dominated by historic homes and more greenery. His son, Ralph, is probably the luckiest 10 year old in England, as his house is directly next to a common area with loads of space for playing and football matches. Last year’s intern Justin attended Ralph’s football birthday party, and the tradition continued as I followed in his footsteps. I was excited to be able to relive a little bit of my soccer days, as well as hang out with some of the 3 fish staff outside of work. The game was a lot of fun and I’m happy to say that despite my usual position at defense, I still managed to sneak in 2 goals

I also must say, that it was a nice change of pace to have a home-cooked meal. While I do buy groceries and eat in every now and then, none of my heated frozen dinners come close to the pizza Paul’s wife made from scratch! It was incredible and I think I might still be salivating over it. Overall it was a wonderful evening, as I was in awe of the cooking, the beautiful architecture of the home, and the hospitality of Paul and his family.

This week I also discovered that Parliament has pubs within it, and since I have several friends interning with MP’s, I actually got to hang out there one evening! It was an unexpected experience I got to add to my list of London adventures, and I think I’ve found that I enjoy playing darts quite a bit.

On a completely random sidenote… The show/musical act Flight of the Conchords is very popular here. While I have heard of the group, I was told recently that they perform a song on one episode about epileptic dogs. Needless to say, my coworkers were very amused when I shared that I, in fact, have an epileptic dog.

Need I say more? Those three words sum up the highlights of my weekend.

Bears- So I’m sitting in the tube station waiting for the next train when I find myself looking at the ads on the walls. To my surprise, there was actually an ad for visitpa.com encouraging tourism to Pennsylvania. Having lived in Pa my whole life, my interest peaked. It went a little something like this:

“Pennsylvania, home of tax-free shopping.
And Bears.”  –then there is a picture of a grizzly bear holding shopping bags.

I chuckled. Besides the absurdity of a shopping bear, who wants to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to visit Pennsylvania?? Don’t get me wrong, it’s where I grew up and I do love the state, but of all 50 states in the U.S., it is one of the last places I’d choose for a vacation.

Nudity- I was a little worried that this weekend might be on the boring side because a lot of my friends here intern at Parliament and they were away for  a trip to Scotland. As it turns out, it was anything but boring. I decided on Saturday that I wanted to explore on my own, so I picked  a tube station, Tottenham Court, in a general area that I hadn’t been to yet. I was enjoying walking around and doing a little shopping when I noticed a commotion on the streets. Bicyclists.. there were hundreds of them! At first I thought they were wearing bathing suits. Oh No. They were nude!! Some were painted from head to toe in gold or silver, others were tattooed all over. It was insane. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable it must be to ride a bike naked. I still have to find out what that was all about, because at the time it wasn’t clear what the event was for.

Frisbee- Today I got some much needed exercise when I went to Hyde Park with my flatmate for a pick-up Ultimate Frisbee game. It was fantastic! There were people from all over who just happened to find themselves in London for one reason or another who like to meet up for some frisbee on Sundays. Everyone was friendly and understanding of different skill levels and ultimately just out to have a good time. I think I’d like to make a habit of going when I can, but I need to get better sneakers. Keds aren’t made for athletics of any kind. 

Besides all of the craziness, I also went to see a local band on Friday night, something I’d really wanted to do since getting here. They were called The Anomalies, and I had a blast! They’re worth checking out.

Wednesday of this week was probably one of the craziest days I’ve experienced since I’ve been here so far. Just when I became very comfortable with the tube and navigating around the city, the tube workers went on strike. Ah! Instead of my regular 45 min tube/walking commute to work, I had to figure out a route which consisted of 3 buses and mobs of people trying to get on those buses. Up to this point, I was always intimidated by the bus system because it just seemed way more confusing and time consuming than just hopping on the tube. I had been told, however, that as a tourist, it’s nice to take the bus because you get to see different parts of the city.

Oh I got to see the city alright! I left my flat at approximately 9:10 in the morning. I knew I would be a little late to work, but Ricky had already said that if I was late or couldn’t make it under the circumstances that it was okay. So I figured maybe if I left just a little bit after the main rush that I might have a better chance fighting my way through the crowds. 

I got on the first bus okay, but it was extremely crowded. People were practically standing on top of each other, and all rules about  standing behind the line or not standing upstairs were disregarded entirely. Most people kept their cool, but there were stories later about bus fights and people getting into disputes over the inconvenience the tube strike caused London.

After the first bus, the rest of the journey didn’t go as well. To make a long story short, I ended up by the London Bridge, which was kind of cool because I had yet to see it, but not where I needed to be. Twenty minutes of walking later, I finally arrived at 3 Fish in a Tree, at, I’m embarrassed to say.. around 1:00. I have definitely learned to appreciate the subway!