Tuesday, June 27
There's no place like home, there's no place like home...
And that's exactly where I'm headed!!
I fly home on Saturday, and while I've had a marvellous experience in London, I can not WAIT to be home. : )
I suppose that means the end of the blog. It's been fun.
Oh! Oh! Oh! Let's pretend it's like a yearbook!
Leave me a comment with your favorite highlights from the last 3 months. Or what you'd like to see in the last post -- whenever that may be!
Thursday, June 22
i deserve sleep
I have been sleeping so bad lately. It's like I can't quit yawning, all day long.
And today was yet another long one (but fun-filled).
I spent the majority of the day pretending to be very intelligent and important. BK UK partnered with the Miami of Ohio study abroad program, so they have had students working on an advertising project for the last 6 weeks. Today was the culmination of their hard work, where they presented to a panel of judges. It was pretty interesting.
Then I met up with Pat V (St. Louis kids may remember him as one of Annie's SLU friends). He has been in town for a bit for a Botany project with Kew Gardens but he leaves tomorrow. We went to this great, quirky, little restaurant called the Langley. (Carolyn, remember it??)
The food was good, but the sticky toffee pudding was awesome.
They also had a random Moulin Rouge dancce at one point where 3 girls, in costume, got on the bar and danced to the Christina Aguilera song. Very, very, very weird.
And now I'm as tired as ever. There goes another yawn.
Monday, June 19
Pictures & Captions per request
It's been a few days since I've posted an update. And that's because I've been having a BLAST with Mom and Kathy (visitors 003 and 004 to my loyal blog followers).
We've seen everything. Well, a lot, at least.
Here are some pictures -- click here to check them out!
However, we weren't able to capture EVERYTHING in pictures. For instance, we ran into Mark Linn-Baker at the V&A Museum. (For those not up on your 1980's sitcom actors, it was "Larry" from Perfect Strangers. Remember the show with Balki?)
We saw Mary Poppins and Blue Man Group -- both fantastic.
We've shopped at Harrod's and Portabello Market and Old Spitalfield's and a million stores in between.
We watched the Germany v Poland game at a pub.
Kathy learned the reason why you don't talk about your "fanny" pack in England.
We listened to Organ Recitals at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral. We went to mass at Westminster Cathedral and said shout outs to our various family saints: St. Joseph, St. Andrew, St. George. (Surprisngly, there was no St. John or St. Timothy there. Sorry boys.)
Kathy planned out a fantastic DaVinci Code walking tour, which we've yet to take.
We ordered Domino's. Mmmmmmmm. Nothing like Americans in London. (Okay, the Domino's idea was mine.)
Oh! And the favorite part of any day during the Visitors 003 & 004 trip is... HIGH CAPPUCCINO!! Mom and Kath aren't too keen on tea. But 3pm cappuccino is delish! A new British tradition in the making. :)
I'm sure there's loads I'm forgetting, but needless to say, after all my rambling, we're having a great, great, GREAT time. And 2 days left. Another blog posting might be winding itself up as you read!
Wednesday, June 14
Eagles 003 and 004 have landed!!!
I'm so excited! Mom and Kathy are here!
Yahoooooooooo. Let the fun times begin...
Yahoooooooooo. Let the fun times begin...
Sunday, June 11
Old Spitalfield's Market
So, today I went to quite possibly my favorite place since I've been in London. (Yes, I still love the British Library, but this was pretty cool.)I'd been to Portabello Market many times. It has lots of fancy antiques and random jewelery. Very interesting and great for people watching.
But, today I went to Old Spitalfield's Market. This is MUCH more bohemian than Portabello Market. I loved it. I wish somebody would just give me £500 and tell me to change out my whole wardrobe. Will somebody please nominate me for "What Not to Wear"??
Beyond really cool clothing, they also had antiques and knick-knacks and artwork. One of the absolutely COOLEST things I saw was what you see to the left. This guy took Coke bottles, wine bottles, beer bottles, etc. and would saw off a portion of them and sand the edge to a smooth finish so you could actually use them like a drinking glass. How COOL is that?!?!? He would also take wine bottles and turn them upside down, then hack off the top and attach the handle of the bottle to a flat piece of glass, essentially turning the handle into the stem of a goblet. So, so cool. Unfortunatley I bought a Diet Coke glass to match the Coke one, but it broke on the way home. I remember setting my bag down and hearing a CRLINK and thinking it was bad news.
But the Coke glass survived and I think I can still use the Diet Coke glass as a vase or something fun.
Woo hoo Spitalfield's.
Friday, June 9
Miscellaneous photos
I hadn't uploaded the pix from my camera in a bit, so here's a mishmash of some random photos including the British Museum, St. James Park and Westminster Cathedral.Click here to view!
Also, today we had a party at BK to celebrate the start of the World Cup tournament. We were all encouraged to wear attire supporting our favorite team. Being the ultimate partyline-player I opted out of pledging allegiance to a single team... heehee.
Thursday, June 8
Josie waz ere
I was waiting for the bus today after dinner, since I'm now such a metropolitan girl I even take the bus, and noticed some graffiti on the sign post. It read:
Angelina waz ere
And I couldn't help myself but giggle outloud. In America that would likely say "wuz here" because our teenagers are so hip and trendy they couldn't possibly spell "was" correctly. But apparently this graffiti proves that the English are even MORE hip and trendy than Americans.
And if you're familiar with the Ali G show, I bet you found it impossible to read "waz ere" without falling into his accent in your head. I constantly find myself eavesdropping on teenage Brits and laughing to myself about how they really do talk like Ali G.
Anyway, just my random thought that I felt might be worthy of a blog post.
In other news, I'm getting SO excited for Visitors 003 and 004 -- I can't wait!
Angelina waz ere
And I couldn't help myself but giggle outloud. In America that would likely say "wuz here" because our teenagers are so hip and trendy they couldn't possibly spell "was" correctly. But apparently this graffiti proves that the English are even MORE hip and trendy than Americans.
And if you're familiar with the Ali G show, I bet you found it impossible to read "waz ere" without falling into his accent in your head. I constantly find myself eavesdropping on teenage Brits and laughing to myself about how they really do talk like Ali G.
Anyway, just my random thought that I felt might be worthy of a blog post.
In other news, I'm getting SO excited for Visitors 003 and 004 -- I can't wait!
Monday, June 5
H20
When you were little did any of you ever have to get your ears cleaned out? They use a big syringe full of water and blast it into your ear. Well I have little, tiny ears and so as a kid, when they were littler and tinier, I had to get them cleaned out.
Now if you've experienced this, you'll recongize the sensation I'm about to describe.
As the water is blasting into your ear you suddenly feel this bizarre feeling directly behind your eyeball. It's as if a cool breeze is rushing by. I suppose it would be more logical to say it's like a cool wave of water splashing by. Either way, it's an incredibly odd sensation.
WELL. It's been years since I've had a syringe of water in my ear, but today I had that sensation again!
But I've figured it out. Starting last week I've been making a concerted effort to drink more water. Anyway, I realized, my eyeballs are floating!
And I wonder how this is possible, when the recommended daily allowance is 2.5 liters and I can only bring myself to drink 1.5 liters. If my eyeballs are floating after 1.5 liters, I'm scared to imagine what would happen with the addition of another liter!
Anyway. I realize it's not a very travel-oriented post. But I just felt like sharing. Thanks for listening.
Now if you've experienced this, you'll recongize the sensation I'm about to describe.
As the water is blasting into your ear you suddenly feel this bizarre feeling directly behind your eyeball. It's as if a cool breeze is rushing by. I suppose it would be more logical to say it's like a cool wave of water splashing by. Either way, it's an incredibly odd sensation.
WELL. It's been years since I've had a syringe of water in my ear, but today I had that sensation again!
But I've figured it out. Starting last week I've been making a concerted effort to drink more water. Anyway, I realized, my eyeballs are floating!
And I wonder how this is possible, when the recommended daily allowance is 2.5 liters and I can only bring myself to drink 1.5 liters. If my eyeballs are floating after 1.5 liters, I'm scared to imagine what would happen with the addition of another liter!
Anyway. I realize it's not a very travel-oriented post. But I just felt like sharing. Thanks for listening.
Friday, June 2
Dan Brown: Bullhonkey. Horsecrap. Rubbish!!
Okay. I realize I'm probably the last person of everybody I know to read the Da Vinci Code so it's not my most timely and relevant blog.And don't get me wrong, I loved it. Great pacing, interesting storyline, packed with details -- great.
But why do these writers feel they need to also interweave a love story? "I will only go with you if you quit calling me Mr. Langdon." Sophie blushed, "Of course, Robert."
Now I get that I sound a bit like Fred Savage in the Princess Bride, but c'mon.
Do publishers really think a story as fascinating as the Da Vinvi Code would not have sold if it weren't for that love story component? Did Dan Brown feel it was critical for Robert to have feelings for Sophie? Yes, there were portions of the story where the storyline twisted because Robert wouldn't abandon Sophie. But that could have just been because he was a nice guy and she was in danger. It didn't have to be because "He could sense the heightened connection between them and longed to shout out to her..." Blah! Blah! Blah!
It's just like The Firm. I've only read one Grisham novel (that one) and I was so annoyed at the predictable, cheesy, love-story finish at the end I threw the book down and likely said somthing similar to the subject line of this post.
Thank goodness for the Epilogue, otherwise Da Vince Code would have ended with 2 characters kissing on a hill at night. Really? That was the best you could do Danny boy?
Now, is this just me? Does everybody love a good, suspenseful, crime drama with a shot of romance? Maybe the love story is meant to balance the intense, fast, mystery aspect. But couldn't something less-predictable and cheesy like "Sitting under the trees of the park, while waiting to slash his would-be attacker, Mr. Jones detected a whiff of roasted peanuts taking him back to his childhood days vacationing on the beach. But he couldn't linger in the memory, with Mr. F approaching, his task was at hand."
See what I'm saying? Now if I were Dan Brown or John Grisham the above paragraph would be peppered with flowery, emotional thoughts and longings about the heroine of the book.
My final review of the book? 80% Riveting. 20% Bullhonkey. Horsecrap. Rubbish.
Sunday, May 28
Photopalooza
What a fantastic day! This bus thing is the way to go. You take a nap and then boom, you're at a castle. Take another nap and then boom, the Roman baths, another nap and Stonehenge appears. I highly recommend it.
However, you should be sure your watch is set correctly. Otherwise you'll face the shame of walking on to a completely full bus as the tour guide is running around the square trying to find you. Whoops. I was just leisurely enjoying a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. I thought I still had 5 minutes to wander. Apparently not...
Because there are SO many pictures to see from today, I thought it would help if I broke them up a bit. Enjoy!!
Click here to see my Windsor Castle pictures.
Click here to see my Roman City of Bath pictures.
Click here to see my Stonehenge and Countryside pictures.
However, you should be sure your watch is set correctly. Otherwise you'll face the shame of walking on to a completely full bus as the tour guide is running around the square trying to find you. Whoops. I was just leisurely enjoying a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. I thought I still had 5 minutes to wander. Apparently not...
Because there are SO many pictures to see from today, I thought it would help if I broke them up a bit. Enjoy!!
Click here to see my Windsor Castle pictures.
Click here to see my Roman City of Bath pictures.
Click here to see my Stonehenge and Countryside pictures.
Saturday, May 27
Plans for tomorrow
Guess what I'll be seeing tomorrow...
Check out all the details by clicking here!
I also just found out that my visitor ticker is about to see 003 and 004. Mom and Kathy are coming to visit in June!! Who would have EVER thunk it? I'm so excited. :)
Check out all the details by clicking here!
I also just found out that my visitor ticker is about to see 003 and 004. Mom and Kathy are coming to visit in June!! Who would have EVER thunk it? I'm so excited. :)
Thursday, May 25
Back in the Old Country
Well, I'm home. Maybe not home, but home for now.
It is funny that I find myself walking around the neighborhood in London and feeling like I'm at home. I'm in London. How can that be my home?!?? I crazy.
Nothing much to report. Customs was an absolute nightmare. I don't want to even get into it. If you've got an hour to spare call me and I'll talk your ear off!
Hope all is well and everyone has fun Memorial Day plans. It's a bank holiday here too, yippee! Anybody have suggestions for what to do with myself?
It is funny that I find myself walking around the neighborhood in London and feeling like I'm at home. I'm in London. How can that be my home?!?? I crazy.
Nothing much to report. Customs was an absolute nightmare. I don't want to even get into it. If you've got an hour to spare call me and I'll talk your ear off!
Hope all is well and everyone has fun Memorial Day plans. It's a bank holiday here too, yippee! Anybody have suggestions for what to do with myself?
Sunday, May 21
I met hulk hogan!!
Today, for lunch, I went to my favorite mexican place on the beach. (Locals, let me hear it for Lime. Yeah, yeah!)
While I was munching away on my veggie taco, I looked up and saw this really buff guy. He seemed a little older but was in incredible shape. Normally at this point I'd look away and go back to enjoying my veggie taco. But something stopped me.
He had this crazy moustache. It was white-white. Made even more white because his skin was 100% Miami tan. So then I realized, HOLY CRAP, that's Hulk Hogan!
Okay, so saying that I "met" him might be a bit of an exaggeration. But still, it was pretty cool.
I also think I saw Nick Lachey at Lime last time I was there, but there was nobody else around to confirm the sighting so I won't claim it.
While I was munching away on my veggie taco, I looked up and saw this really buff guy. He seemed a little older but was in incredible shape. Normally at this point I'd look away and go back to enjoying my veggie taco. But something stopped me.
He had this crazy moustache. It was white-white. Made even more white because his skin was 100% Miami tan. So then I realized, HOLY CRAP, that's Hulk Hogan!
Okay, so saying that I "met" him might be a bit of an exaggeration. But still, it was pretty cool.
I also think I saw Nick Lachey at Lime last time I was there, but there was nobody else around to confirm the sighting so I won't claim it.
Tuesday, May 16
My boy...
The CLIOs are an advertising award show. They're a pretty huge deal. And our lil' Larry worked on 2 projects that won awards! He so smaaaaaart.
Congrats, Larry!
