Meredith in London

Brighton!

2005-11-10T04:49:00.000-08:00

I love Brighton. I could spend years there wandering the little shops, laying on the beach and just basking in its coolness. I also found out that I can drink 7 pints there and that helps you take a 45 minute trip and make it 7 hours...yet I still have very fond and silly memories of my dirty weekend in Brighton.
-took the train there at 9 in the morning from Victoria tube station
-fell asleep on the way there
-arrived and wanderd through north mews and other cute places, noting adorable shops
-got a tour of the Royal Pavilion, it looks likt Taj Ma Hall, crrrazy
-I frolicked outside for a bit
-Thanks to Laura Cottler I had billions of recomendations for places to eat and things to see! I really had such a great day and I know her recommendations helped
-went to the Pier and rode a little mini roller coaster
-Jules gave away her extra coins to a mom and kid and the mom thought Jules was trying to sell her something
-played a game in the arcade room...lost
-headed back to the North mews (I think that's what they were called) and found the Pulp Kitchen where LC told us to go.
-we all got salads and they were the best salads ever and VERY cheap, and such an LA feel, just like LC said it would be
- headed over to Shakeaways for milkshakes! This place makes over 100 types of milkshakes and that doesnt even include all the combos you can make!
- I made the most delicious treat ever...flavour: apple blackberry addition: ginger nuts (snaps)
....tasted like heavan, meg got chocoalte muffin and jules got chocholate chip cookie and banana...all were quite tasty and precious at the same time
-they even make them hot if you want them to!
-wandered around Brighton and stopped in resale shop after resale shop..I was in heaven!
-found an antique gallery which was like a glorified resale shop!
-final purchases included vintage post cards and two blazers! I have worn my blazer like 6 times already :)
-found another flea market and then attempted to find a pub to enjoy a pint or two..or 7
-walked in to Ha Ha bar and realized that if we got seats in teh big red couches we would never leave
-we got seats in the big red couches, and we left 4 hours later
-we played drinking games in the couch cave we were in after we convinced Jules to go to teh news stand and buy cards
-she had radar and was back with the cards in 5 minutes
-at 10:15 we left the bar, went to the train station and boarded a train back to london, we were very proud of ourselves for finding the right train and getting on it in time! lucky us :)

The trip home:
-bought wine on the way to the train station, even bought an opener
-fell asleep on the train, took a few pics beforehand
-missed london and the train conductor came to wake us up
-found the train to London and some old creepy dude asked us if we wanted some chocolate
-I shooooed him away but he still managed to sit with
-felt sick so went and passed out on another seat
-got to Kings Cross Station and couldnt find a cab
-got a bus (we thought took us to tragalgar square)
-bus took us all the way to one stop away from Stu's soccer field..zone 3 baby
-called stu at 4am, got the taxi number, lady wouldnt send us one b/c we didnt know the zip code..i yelled at her but then we got on the right bus
-took the bus to trafalgar square and still couldnt find a taxi!....then finally got one at about 4:30am
-got home at 5am....or maybe 6...it was brutal, but we MADE IT!
-stayed up even more for a little M&M show, the finally fell asleep at 6am.

Even after our extended trip home I still love Brighton!

Wednesday of Spring Break 2

2005-11-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

-was totally going to go to the Tower Bridge with Meg but we both slept late b/c we were exhausted
-went to class with Keith, my fav history teacher
-shared with Keith that I am related to the Duke of Norfolk and that my family owned the boat of the Boston Tea Party
-watched the last episode of Black Adder which has the guy that plays Mr. Beand and the lead doctor of HOUSE in it when they were much younger
-headed home, had some salad with pesto salad dressing (homemade by me!) and planned a night at cheapskates with Jules
-got to cheapskates and realized neither of us had over 10 pounds on us
-SPOS'd at cheapskates and realized it was all 20 year olds and then decided to peace out
-found an ATM and headed to another bar, but was sucked in to THIRST, our favourite bar on Greek Street where we manage to become dance queens every time we arrive!
-Met up with Meg and danced our hearts out, hair flipping, hip shaking fun
-left thirst when we realized that we were the only females left at the club
-took pictures with the coat check sign
-performed some karate moves in the street
-Jules and Meg didnt want to wait for a bus so we got a Taxi...he did not know what he was in for that night with us gals!
-managed to take more pics IN the cab than I did the entire night out
-pretended to be a tree or pole at one point, also pretended to fly and rolled around the floor of the cab with Meg while Julia posed as cleopatra and then again as a monkey
-had the cab driver drop us off at TESCO, b/c we are that ridiculus
-Meg went hard core grocery shopping and got some corn, pasta and lettuce
-I purchased some Cous Cous from the reduced item bin and took advantage of the 3 for 3 pound deal on the taste sensations chips!
-frolicked home with Meg, Jules and our Tesco merchandise
-shared the information with BethAnne that the couscous was on sale and should buy some NOW!
-presented the M&M show for all to see, woke up beth but included her in the madness and mess making.
-BethAnne didnt know what she was witnessing but compared it to a car accident on the highway that you slow down and like cant stop watching... "it just sucks you in!"
-we all got to vent, throw things and giggle WAY too much, and thus the M&M show, or at least the title of the production was born
THen at about 4 am we passed out, me on teh couch with Meg's coat b/c I didnt want to wake up dee (such a good roommate) even tho meg tried to put me to bed, but I just love our dirty couches THAT much
-woke up ready for another awesome day of class...in the sunshine...hungover
I LOVE LONDON!

Thursday of Spring Break 2

2005-11-09T05:02:00.000-08:00

We all had decided that after break we would go wild a bit b/c we hadnt partied in London together in quite sometime. So..Me, Jules and Meg enjoyed ourselves during Spring Break 2 (Spring Break 1 being our first week in London).

Thursday:
-discussed the House of Parliament otherwise known as the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey during Architecture.
-Jules and I were hurting form the night before but still managed to add to the class discussion
-had theater class with Jean, and got to talk about The GOd of Hell
- no one wanted to debate so leave it to Jules, she threw out her opinion
-we also discussed our own opinions with Jean while she smoked during break from class
-I asked her how to get Richard II tickets and she was quite impressed that not only was I the first to ask but that I intended to go by myself b/c i didnt care and wasnt going to wait for other people
-chatted with jean some more about our political views
-headed back to Sutherland
-Jules and I made it out to the Elgin that night for some Fosters topped with Lemonade and a Vodka Tonic
-we witnessed the cheesiest pick up line known to man:#
It went like this....."hey, i have this bussiness card for a fix you bald spot company, my friend thinks I need it, do I?" and he brought out a card...oh man pathetic
- so we chatted with Marco or whatever his name was, talked about ancestry b/c I guess that's normal talk for the first five minutes you've met someone and then after the bartender kicked us out we skipped back to Sutherland Avenue.

Another night with Jules, many a topic discussed...don't know what she doesn't know about me anymore. Had some tea as usual when I got back home, chatted a bit and somehow stayed up till like 3 am as usual and then finally passed out b/c we had a trip to Brighton in the morning!!!

Siena!

2005-11-07T17:37:00.000-08:00

-arrived on time to catch the bus #34, missed it, freaked out, froze our toes off but then called the hotel and they came and PICKED US UP!! sooo nice!
-Abigale, the daughter of one of the workers came and picked us up and totally took the scenic route
-we got the Margartia Cottage and were told we would be sharing it with Raul, the Spaniard
-Met Nobuko, the owner and her golden retrievers, her husband Guido, drove us to their restaraunt, "La Trapola" and we had a 3 course meal with some Australians, made by the chef from New York City!
-tried Grapa and Lemoncello and shared 3 bottles of wine with everyone
-Scott and Zoey from Australia taught me about cheese and wine, and Zoey worked at the coffee place where J.K. Rowling sat and wrote Harry Potter!
- I had the cheese plate for an appetizer and it came with honey...soo good!
-some random dude busts in the place and we find out he's our roommate at the cottage!
-he's a journalist and aspiring actor, he also left us a note when we got to our cottage telling us about himself and such
-after dinner we went back to the cottage and he made us tea and we had white wine and tea with raul while talking about Spain and Europe
-he told us about his Ex-girlfriend and how he needs to not have girl roommates b/c he always falls in love with them
-I had duck and then Tirra MIssou for dessert, sooo good!

Thursday:
-woke up a little early, took pictures around the cottage
-Nobuko, teh owner brought us tea and crossaints
-shared the car with some new Australians down to Siena, driven by Arnando the worker dude
-totally raining in Siena, but it was still adorable
-saw the coffee shop where Mr. Harig knew the owner when he lived in Siena
-saw the San Domenica Square where they have the big horse race
-saw the Duomo or actually the big picture of it b/c they were cleaning it, what a concept?
-so many cute shops along the road
-hopped in a mom and pop grocery store and got some pasta, cheese and sauce for dinner at the cottage/villa..i prefer villa
-

Florence!

2005-11-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

-went to the Ufizi gallery the first public museum
-met a lady from Florida, traveling by herself, and of course wearing tevas
-saw Michaelangelo, DaVinci, and the largest Portrait collection in the world
-attached myself to a tour and got yelled at by some annoying short american
-saw the third and final Ucello painting of the battle between Sienna and Florence, the other two paintings being at the Louvre and the National Gallery
-went to the Acadamia
-met couple from Napa Valley
-waited 2 hours
-saw David, took an illegal picture of him
-saw tons of original casts of some famous artist's sculptures
-got some really good gelato
-got losts in Florence, saw some big park on the outskirts of town
-had pizza for dinner outside in a piazza
-wandered around the Arnos river
-at the Ufizzi saw the famous Venus painting
-came home late and got a text from Jules saying she was in florence!
-passed out mid text so ended up not meeting up with Julia
-Jules found a kareoke bar tho, heard the story later

Wednesday:
-woke up early to get to the Pitti Palace
-saw tons of art and peaked at the Boboli Gardens through the window
-saw the state rooms of the palace
-place was empty b/c we were there so early
-were the state rooms of Medici family
-saw paintings by Filipino Lippi
-Duke Leopold once lived at the Pitti Palace
-walk back to hotel, decide to try and find Julia's hotel
-about the text Julia in front of her hotel and she busts out the door and gives me a huge bear hug...great moment!
-took pictures on the Ponte Vechio with Jules and Dee, showed Jules the Hotel Brentagna
-headed to train station, trying to find bus station
-searched around and around and no one helped us, but NO WORRIES, even in the rain I still found the bus station!!
-got tickets to Siena...missed the bus b/c our watches were wrong...oh traveling on your own always has its adventures!
-packed on the bus, fell asleep on the way, saw some pretty hills along the way :)
-arrived in SIENA!

Getting to Florence

2005-11-07T15:42:00.000-08:00

Monday:
- got up and went to the center to print out everything for italy
- center was closed so I had to register at the Library and pay about 10 bucks for copies, oh well, it was for a reservation in Tuscany! :)
-picked up my camera from the camera shop
-waited at the cafe across from the camera shop stalking them out so I could get in there right when it opened
-got the camera, attempted to find a razor at boots, failed and then headed home
-finished packing, changed and ran out the door on my way to a week in Italy!
-boarded the Terravision bus at the Liverpool station, listened to some hot italian pop music and finally arrived at Stanstead, boarded the plane and met our friend Mazi, who is still in contact with Dee to this day
-Mazi is like a 20 something BEAUTIFUL Italian dude, who decided to adopt Dee and I and make sure were survived our Italy trip
-if we had checked her email during the trip he had asked to meet up with us in florence...crrazy!
-got to Pisa, boarded Terravision and was off to Rome! ALong the way saw tons of tiny churches on lit up all throughout the hills on our trip to Florence
-arrived at the trainstation in Florence, asked some Americans for directions and found our Hotel, the Hotel Brentagna, which at first looked like it actually didnt exist
-didnt have to pay b/c we didnt have cash on us and the reception lady didnt care
-got to the room, with super high ceilings, a beautiful view, and realized we were only paying 20 bucks a night to stay in a renovated mansion of an Italian merchant! holy crap!
-passed out in the mansion along the river in the middle of Florence....ooh life is wonderful

Sunday and Monday (after Italy)

2005-11-02T02:12:00.000-08:00

mon:
-arrive at airport at 11pm and sleep in the arrivals area and even tho the bathrooms were clean, the door was open
-did a crossword puzzle with a random canadian girl, dee and a girl from New Zealand
-checked in at 5:30am
-watched random italian girl with 6 fake purses strut around the airport with her tight jeans
-boarded the tram to get us to the plane (adding another mode of transportation to our trip home
-finally got on the plane and heard the magic flute ryan air theme song music and passed out
BACK IN LONDON
-boarded the Terravision bus and got to listen to some rockin Italian pop music at 8:00am
-arrived, after passing out again on the bus, at Liverpool Street Station
-boarded the tube and headed home to Sutherland Ave
-finally arrived home at about 11 after starting our travel journey at 6pm the day before
BACK AT SUTHERLAND
-had a random burst of adrenaline and stayed up till at least midnight doing computer stuff, unpacking and just getting back in the swing of things at good ole Sutherland Ave
-reunited with the rest of the program and then finally passed out in Flat K, home sweet home for the semester!
Tuesday:
-Art History class at the Wallace Collection which boasts one of the best collections of 18th century French paintings, that are quite scandolous with their Rococo style and subject matter
-went straight to the Leather Lane Market and shopped for some London outfits after realizing I had been a little too frugal and had nothing to show for my new london fashion sense
-at the market I found a store you all know I fell in love with....a resale store!!! I got awesome stuff AND I got some knitting supplies b/c I missed being crafty that much
-I proceded to the dried fruit stand and tried some dried bananas and proclaimed that one day I would try the dried bananas
-came back to Sutherland Ave to drop off my good and headed to Tesco, Boots and the Market
-felt very accomplished and very local b/c I had a really cute London outfit on and I got all my errands done and came home and had some tea
-made myself a big salad for dinner with the lettuce I bought at the Market and then headed to the play "The God of Hell"
-we left too late for the play and when we arrived at the tube stop no one knew how to get there so I took over and got us to the play with 5 minutes to spare...rock on A-Zed and my ability to use maps, perhaps it comes from being in the backseat of the car my whole life and being the last resort when and Lori got lost
-the play was insane, sooo good for democrats, written by an American, ooh it was good, almost made me cry and made me want to run for president! I recommend it to anyone who hates Bush or wants to see something that will freak you out.
-met up with stu at the warrington with Jules, Dee and Julia's sister Heather
-made stu some tea and didnt take out the tea bag
-passed out

Rest, Freak Out, and Tesco Products

2005-10-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

So I woke up late, barely left the house and felt like someone had hit me in the head with a brick, but I could swallow and knew that in a few days I was going to Italy so I was fine.
1. Woke up w/o an alarm clock again, rock on relaxing!
2. Met Meg's sister
3. Had some Tea, I had calmed down on the tea since my tea binge on Tuesday night while studying for Keith's exam
4. watched a few episodes of friends...letting my body rest and heal in the process
5. freaked out online with my fam about my health
6. kept freaking out
7. cried, explained it to Dee, then Lori calmed me down
8. went to boots, which was closed and the other tesco but decided that our tesco was soo much better...just b/c
9. Got some creepy natural yogurt and called it a night
10. Got secretly really excited b/c spiderman was on!
11. Made some tea and realized that I am in Europe, just about to backpack through tuscany!!!

That's all for now, tomorrow is busy busy with travel and such before my flight to Italy. I can't wait and it seems that I will have tour guides in every city! I'm staying along the Arnos river in Florence at the Hotel Bretagna (google it, it's freakin amazing!) and at the Castle Selvole. I'm soo excited and in Rome we're staying with one of Dee's friends! Yay for Italy and expect some great pictures and to hear me talk longingly about my trip to Italy when I get back! Enjoy your 3rd week of October, I sure will!

Thr, Fri, Sat, Sun

2005-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

After wizzing through my architecture midterm which I studied for a total of 1 hour, we walked around Bloomsbury and ended in the British Museum. It was an interesting class and I found out that all the proceeds of the story of Peter Pan, used in ANY way, go to a hospital in London. Even Disney had to make special arrangements with the hospital. Anyway... here is Thursday and the rest of the weekend as a list, not much happened but lots of planning, stressing, healing, antibiotics and yogurt.
1. Between Architecturea and Theater class Jules and I went to Tesco where I got some ice cream b/c that was the only thing I could get down my throat without crying
2. I fell asleep on the floor of the centre's computer room on top of my purse and started snoring, next to the fireplace near the soot that had fallen on the floor
3. After class Dee and I went to Victoria tube station to find the Medicentre
4. The Medicentre has free apples and coffee and also has really good magazines
*did you know charlotte church is like all over the gossip columns over here?*
5. The nice South African Doctor gave me horse pills of penicilin and comforted me when as I cried about how bad my tonsils hurt
6. He didnt have to use his hold down the patients tongue wood stick thing b/c my tonsils were that gross
7. I officially was diagnosed with tonsolitis
8. back home I made some food, and passed out on the couch
9. Dee and Meg cleaned up after me b/c I was so out of it I could barely make it up the ladder of my bunk bed to get to bed
10. I woke up later and Stu was here to visit
11. Stu hung around till Meg was ready to go out and we planned our dinner with Stu
12. I had some soup and then I passed out and b/c the next day was Friday I got to sleep as long as I wanted!!!
Friday:
1. Woke up at noon w/o an alarm clock = glorious!
2. headed to the center to do some research and plan our entire Italy trip
3. Decided on Florence...Siena...Rome
4. Lizzie kicked us out of the Centre
5. I ran to the camera store to bug them again about my camera
6. De made friends at STA
7. We stopped by Tesco and scavaged through their reduced price bin to get some great deals like 53p stir fry, 1 pound pizza, 83 p thai noodle stir fry dinner, and and a 1 pound salad..rock on
8. After finding our great deals and some yogurt Dee and I retired back to Sutherland Ave had some food and once again I passed out...sick and tired
Saturday:
1. I got to wake up whenever I wanted!!! I heart not having to use an alarm clock!
2. Dee and I headed back to Russell Square Station and headed off to do some errands
3. I pestered the camera dude again who let me know he had talked to the manager and notified me he would have the camera on time for my trip to Italy
4. The camera dudes are totally intimidated by me
5. Dee got her new ISIC card and Dee found our new favorite shop where I got tights, mints, a notebook and a cheap water bottle, everything you need in life
6. After feeling accomplished but not touristy we decided to go to Coven Garden Market
7. Saw the street performers and the awesome pubs at Covent Garden and noted when we needed to come back to find the good deals at the Markets and enjoy the nightlife at the pubs
8. Headed back to Tesco to get some yogurt and A-line to the reduced price bin
9. Headed home b/c I thought west wing was going to be on, it wasn't, BUT.....ZOOLANDER was on and we enjoyed all the american humor in its glory
10. It was also decided that Meg should be served toast while taking a bath and she might perhaps be addicted to toast
11. De and I went music download crazy
10. After some chatting, Italy research and a direct connect with the sis I passed out.

Saturday was at least a small percent tourist but remember I was still healing my tonsils and getting ready for a WEEK traveling through Tuscany and to Rome!

Wednesday and the tonsils

2005-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

So Wednesday was the day I decided something might just be wrong since I couldnt swallow anything and I had to brae myself every time I yawned, swallowed or talked. But past that I was fine and ready for my midterm and Shakespeare's Measure for Measure at the Globe Theater on the Southbank.

1. Dee and I woke up at 9 am to study and get totally prepared for Keith's midterm!
2. Since I looked like death, we decided not to head out of the house to study and instead study on the couches and quiz each other on the Duke of Wellington and his pals Peel and the Tories
3. We aced the midterm, and then we had to learn the rest of class
4. Globe theater was that night so we bundled up, put on our rain gear and headed out
5. It was raining and there is no roof, so....we got rained on while watching authentic Shakespeare with an all male cast in costumes that had no modern ammenities
6. I stood the entire time as a groundling for the best view and experience
7. I even almost fainted but kept on standing
8. Came back to the flat and pretended to study for an hour but then passed out with the light on in my bed
9. After having been lectured by everyone and my sister I decided to go to the medicentre the next day after class

I fell asleep and felt like crap but I had seen shakespeare so my had NOT been wasted!

midterms, the globe and tonsolitis

2005-10-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

WE SURVIVED IRELAND! DE, ME and JULES!

This week my body decided to physicallly let me know that I was not treating it as well as I should be...after Paris, Ireland, and no sleep.
Monday: Cork ALL day and then back here by 1am
Tuesday: Art History Midterm and then class at the British Library! I think I did rather well on my midterm and then during our class at the British Museum I saw loads of impressive pieces of paper.

Within 10 minutes I saw:
1. The King's Collection" of George III and IV
2. Handel's Mossiah
3. One of Mozart's symphonies (which had NO mistakes b/c it was all in his head)
4. THE Magna Carta
5. Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" original copy
6. Jane Austen's "Persuasion" original copy and her writing desk
7 .works of Goethe
8. Bethoven's tuning fork and some of his work
9. more work of Bach and Mozart
10. Haydn's drumroll
11. THE Guttenberg Bible
12. Handwritten lyrics of The Beatles's "Yesterday"
13. Handwritten lyrics of The Beatles's "It's a Hard Day's Night"
14. Handwritten lyrics of The Beatles's "Ticke to Ride"
15. Handwritten lyrics of The Beatles's "Here, There and Everywhere"
16. Handwritten lyrics of The Beatles's "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"
17. Other little pics of The Beatles with signatures of the band
18. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (pretty much the history of white people)
19. Some of Leonardo DaVinci's original notebooks
20. Galileo's first published scientific publication
21. Stamps from the Stamp Act
22. Elizabeth the I's letter notifying her of her succession to the throne
23. Shakespeare's first Folio of his works
24. Some of Shakespeare's sonnets
25. The original illustrated Alice and Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
ALL WITHIN TEN MINUTES!

The rest of Tuesday: (moments, activities and quotes)
1. headed back to the flat b/c I thankfully didn't have class, I think I managed to sleep, make a journal entry and veg out...but just barely
2. De and I had intense study time together late that night and became EXPERTS on Mondern British History!
3. De knows more about Duke Wellington than any of her boyfriends in history
4. I heart the BOER WAR!!!!"
5. Mrs. BethAnne Suthridge (hearts dotting the i's specifically)
6. Did you know that Queen Victoria's favorite son was named after the Duke of Wellington
7. Tom Walsh is my hero and he has spectacular notes...just glorious
8. Deirdre Lyons is also my hero...she is just incredible and happy
9. De and I managed to stay up till 3am studying and our efforts paid off!
10. No sleep once again and time for another midterm with our favorite history buff Keith!

Blarney Castle, creeptastic cave and back to London

2005-10-16T05:22:00.000-07:00

When you wake up at 8:30 am and realize you will not be home in bed in London till 2 am...it's quite a feeling, especially when you realize you have to fly home and take like 8 million different modes of transportation! But, no worries, when you are with Julia and De the giggles are constant and the stories just keep coming :)
1. Wake up and hurry to breakfast for the free toast! 6 slices a piece easily with my toast making skills and Julia and De arranging such a beautiful table.

2. Packed up and ready to head out we checked out of the precious Kinlay House, walked down our favorite dirty street with the beer can collection and got on a bus to the Blarney Castle!
3. Upon arrival at the Blarney Castle we saw cows, roses and it began to rain..something we were used to in Ireland
4. On the bus we decided that Mark and his friends were 24, 23, 27 and such
5. We still had not showered
6. Tip #1: Bring a flashlight to the Blarney Castle so you can explore the creeptastic caves and dungeons all around the castle and gardens
7. I officially kissed the Blarney Stone, which doesnt look special at all and supposedly no one besides Americans and Canadians go to kiss this thing.
8. We explored all around the castle and thanks to some random dude we crawled as far as we could through the cave under the castle and I stole a rock for my dad...an official stone from blarney
9. Sent a postcard home so it could have the Blarney Postage Mark on it...always thinking of Nanny and her collections
10. Sat at a pub while Jules got some food, I had my power bar and then we grabbed the bus back to Cork.
11. Since we were officially useless we decided to go see a movie since there was supposedly a film festival going on that weekend
12. The only film showing at that time was Tara Road....too saptastic even for the Lifetime TV. Irish people being sad about their lives, cheating husbands, Andy MacDowel being quiet and sad and in the end things are a little better....please do not go see it, even though it will forever have a place in my heart
13. After the movie, we headed back out in the rain and to the bus station in order to catch the bus to the airport and head home to LONDON!
14. By this time we had enough of Ireland, although it was lovely, and we were secretly chanting BAKERLOO in our head
15. Once at the airport we ran for table in the corner and started studying Art History b/c we had an exam the next day at 10am
16. I attempted to eat a raw potato with some salt, it was not a pretty taste or sight
17. We had some digestive tea biscuits b/c we ran to tesco as soon as we saw the sign, it felt like home and they had some good deals once again
18. Study Study Study....we wanted to make Amy proud
19. bought a present duty free and then boarded the plane
20. got back to london, still had one train and one taxi till back at Sutherland
21. Back at Sutherland we waltzed in and threw our bags down and ran to our designated showeres
22. We were glad to be home, Ireland WAS actually fun and a great weekend just very exhausting...as my body would let me know a few days later

Jules, De and I enjoyed our trip, being the only ones on the program to travel that weekend made us proud, but then it was time to study for midterms..thankfully back in London.

Good Morning Toaster

2005-10-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

Sunday at the Kinlay House began with toast...and lots of it!
1. I am the toastmaster and I can butt in any line to get in my 9 slices of toast for the three of us and don't think I won't do it twice
2. De and Julia set up very pretty table settings including a jelly tower, tea cup and silverware
3. some people really don't know how to toast bread
4. We had to reaarange our hair and makeup in order to look like we hadnt been hit by a truck
5. We ventured down to the bus station to find out that the next bus to Kinsale didnt leave for another hour..and nothing in town opens till 12
6. Burger King was the only place open for Julia to get a coffee and when she ordered her "tall coffe with skim" the worker replied "we got creamer?" and looked at her oddly
7. Hiked back to the bus stationg and pushed our way on to the bus to Kinsale, along with 30 elderly people with tour books and ready for some gourmet food
8. Arriving in Kinsale, in search of bluffs and museums we were locked out of the tourism center because like Cork, they are not open on Sundays
9. So..we embarked on our journey through Kinsale, but first stopped at the White House for a pint and Julia got some soup and a sandwich...De and I of course had packed out lunch, I just splurged for a local brew
10. In Kinsale before our trek to find the bluffs we saw the Museum of Wine which is also a Castle...the thing was like 2 feet wide and had two rooms, but heck we did it and I once again took pictures behind bars and with another wax figure...Hennesey, Mr. Cognac
11. While wandering around the town we saw some old churches and the Kinsale Museum which included some big anchors and handcuffs
12. Then our journey to find "BLUFFS! I want to see BLUFFS!" -de
12. We walked all along the coast, saw some cute boats, some jogging irish people, some more water, I stole a rock for my dad, and then kept moving forward in search for bluffs
13. Next we found the closest thing to bluffs that we could, took some pics, enjoyed the very irish surroundings and then headed back in to town to catch the bus
14. Glad we caught the bus b/c it left 20 minutes earlier than it was listed as leaving
15. Got back to Cork, our homebase and collapsed on our awesome red, 15 year old bunk beds
16. De and I were determined to us the food we had brought along with us and cooked ourselves the biggest pasta dinner ever with pasta, onions and lots of stolen salt
17. We were very proud of our thrifty-ness and made a bffr from Belfast
18. After our dinner we got ready for the night and Julia happily proclaimed "I've pushed myself to a new level of discomfort"
19. After more eyeliner and some teasing we headed out for the night in search of live music...first place lied to us and didn't have live music so I just got one pint (a blarney blonde), looked at the odd locals, and peaced out
20. Then on our way to another bar Julia yells "I hear a cover band, I hear a cover!"
21. We barged in to the next bar to hear "Sweet Home Alabama" and grab a pint in order to fully enjoy the live music at yet another bar in Cork
22. I was told I was too proper by some guy who decided to start dancing with Julia and creep us out...so, I put my pinky up while drinking my pint and asked him if he had a problem, he then walked away :)
23. Next, when I was getting another Bulmers Cider, a happy irish bloke asked me "How's the cider?" which was followed automatically by "ahhhhhr Maahhhrk what kihnd uf a liihn is tat?" which translates to "ahhh Mark, what kind of a line is that?"
24. We all chatted with Mark and his friends Bristol, someone else, another guy, and somone else...
Random Quotes/moments with Maahrk and his pals:
1. You got served?
2. How's your cider?
3. 3 is better than 1!!!!
4. Your cherry is safe with me (Julia's umbrella)
5. Never stay in the North Side
6. can you supply for my circus?
7. "He's ben staahrin at yar all nite und he thanks yar garges but he's a shy one"
8. dont kiss the blarney stone
9. explanation of a black eye = dog ate my homework
10. please steal your sister's plate for me (frank sinatra plate)

25. So our night with the boys ended up with free drinks at the bodega and such, fun times had by all, more fun by some, me with mark and Jules with someone else, De went home BUT we all made it back tho to our favorite place...the KINLAY HOUSE!
26. At 4am Julia and I happily pass out, obviusly anxious for the Blarney Castle the next day!
27. We finished Julia's cheese too b/c you nevr want to waste good cheese.

The day that began too early

2005-10-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

SO yeah, the day began at 3am...
In order to get to Cork, Ireland this was the process:
1. wake up 3 am
2. get cab at 3:45 to Liverpool Street Station
*cab company suggested by Stu and reserved by Julia
3. purchase tickets for Stanstead Express
*using my ISIC card for a student discount, which I accidently switched with Meg so I had to pretend to be Meghan McCracken
4. Board Stanstead Express to Stanstead Airport
5. Arrive Stanstead Airport, find RyanAir
6. check in with RyanAir
7. Find Ryan Air gate
8. Board RyanAir flight to Cork
9. Arrive Cork Airport
10. Taxi from Cork Airport to Hostel

AND...we arrived at our hostel at 8am in time for the free breakfast...meaning free toast, butter, jam, tea and coffee...believe me, we took advantage of the toast.

Saturday in Cork:
1. Realize that we had made it to the hostel in time for the free breakfast
2. Go straight to the Shandon Bells and ring them as loud as we can
3. De and I, after realizing we can't play Amazing Grace b/c the #3 bell doesnt work, decide to play "When the Saint's Go Marching In" soo apporprate for Cork, Ireland
4. We put on our ear protectors and climbed the stone steps up to the top of the St. Ann Church to look at our first "high up" view of Ireland
5. De and I remembered that we had already seen Ireland from high up on the plane and it was pretty impressive then because we saw bluffs....one of De's favorite things
6. After enjoying the view we headed back down to wait in line behind 2 4 year olds for our turn with the bells...these things are famous
7. We wandered around and found the CORK BUTTER MUSEUM!!!
8. Realized the museum cost a little too much for just butter so we decided to show our enthusiasm outside the museum
9. Walked to the Cork County Goul (spelling?) an old old jail that was the definition of "creeptastic" with its plentiful amount of wax figures
10. Took way too many pictures in and out of prison walls
11. Got to see the glorious video saying "remember me" by the former inmates
12. Went to the outdoor market the Coal Quay and noted that every guy at a booth that sells cheese is always cute no matter what country
13. On our way to the market we walked by George Bode's house who invented Bodelean Algebra...very impressive
14. Headed over to the English Market, bought some cheese and bread and took in the surroundings of another awesome market...although England's still win
15. Ate Cheese and Bread in the Bishop Lucey Park
16. Watched some 14 year old townies yell at each other in the Park
17. Attempted to find another touristy building but then realized it was 5pm and we had been up since 3am...therefore had been going strong for 14 hours
18. Headed back up the hill to the Kinlay House Budget Accomodation and watched some football in the TV room
19. In the TV room I literally put my head on Julia's shoulder and fell asleep for an hour
20. We then all watched "He's having a baby" an English show about newborn babies' dads
21. Taking a look at the showers, realized we would just have live without them for the weekend
22. Got ready and headed out, with tips from Paul at the desk...ps. they were not good and he led us to some random place where no one was there
23. We found another place, got a pint, requested music, and Julia and I danced hard core to Candyshop and Crazy in Love....because why not dance to 50 cent and Beyonce when in Ireland
24. Some random creeper decided to befriend us, we got a free drink and happily drifted away and right out of the bar
25. On our way down the hill and around the streets of Cork we discovered a big bar, pretty quiet but classy so we decided to stay...and THEN Michael Buble came on!..it was a sign
26. THEN they started playing live music, best cover band ever
27. So...b/c we had been there a while we wandered around, I had a Beamish (a local brew) which tasted like coffee and we decided to head back to our original place b/c we missed the good cover music
28. They played every single AZD song AND the killers....quite a wide variety
29. Can't forget that Julia had chips that were flavored, shaped and colored to look like bacon
30. After the bacon chips and live music at every bar we went to...we headed back to our favorite budget accomadation

Saturday was long but full of Touristy goodness and some advice from our Taxi driver..the next day we were headed to Kinsale, just a bus ride away to find from bluffs!

Daytrip to Southbank!

2005-10-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

Adventures with Lizzie are fun and I highly recommend them especially if Jean and Keith come along too!
Friday:
1. I cut up orange slices and packed a power bar for lunch...I'm so thrifty
2. We met up at St. Paul's Cathedral and walked over the Millenium Bridge which at one point wabbled around b/c of an engineering mistake...it's safe now
3. We got a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater from a very comprehensive tour guide who obviosly loves his job
4. I was a suck up and asked the tour guide like 3 questions just so he could keep talking about what he obviously knows way too much about
5. Wandered around the Shakespeare exhibition/museum thing and recorded my voice with an actor's voice acting out the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet...totally cheestastic and wonderful
6. Then we went to the coolest market in Southbank where they filmed a scene from Bridget Jone's Diary...I bought a baguette and some cheese from a really hot English bloke with a really good hair cut....he offered me a sample and I was sold
7. Then me, Lizzie and De snuck in to the church where a friend of Chaucer is burriend where Shakespeare used to go to church
8. Maria was attacked by the church officials and pretended she was Spanish so we snuck in behind her
9. Keith creeped up behind us and whispered that the place was haunted
ps. Keith is our awesome history teacher...he rocks
10. Then we went to the H.S. Belfast, this huge boat that was used up till the Korean War
11. Me and Deiredre took a pic in the captain and Navigation Officer's chairs
12. I said "I'm good at navigation...did you know that?" b/c I am a dork
13. The entire boat has like fake people in it to make it more lifelife including a dude at a dentist chair moaning and a guy chopping meat. There were sound effects and they even made the laundry room smell like detergent....it was creepy!
14. De and I thought they werent going to let us off the boat b/c the steps to the ramp kept moving...we made it off safe
15. Keith and Lizzie stopped for tea and we jumped on the new Jubilee line and headed home to Sutherland avenue
16. I made some tea and started updating this darn blog!
ps. I GO TO IRELAND TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy homecoming everyone!!! I'll kiss the Blarney Stone for you :)

Tueday-Thursday

2005-10-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

So, after an eventful weekend both good and bad the week flew by soooo fast! Here are some short lists of our activities.
Tuesday:
1.Art History class at the Tate Britain Museum for a special photography exhibit
2. I was partners with Amy's friend who came along with us and he was British and we got to talk about the focus and perspective in early photographs together....we were good partners and had an excellent presentation
3. When we were waiting to meet up with Amy an old British dude said "you all look smart..where is the museum" followed by "of course I would end up asking foreigners where the museum is!" He was totally precious and had one a tweed suit and a cane...totally British
4. I then went to the Sir John Soane Musuem to research for my presentation that was later that week
5. Then b/c I had to pee very badly I went back to the London Centre, peed and got a PACKAGE!!!! The package was from my GOd mother and full of Halloween candy...woah
6. I also got a letter from Lori...nice d-mail I might add
7. I then went back to Virgin Mobile, topped up my phone and headed home!
8. Got some journals done and attempted to call my father, Oh on monday I called home but couldnt get a hold of anyone so I called my god mother and we talked and it was WONDERFUL and then called home and chatted with mom for a while which was soooo great...my mom is the coolest person ever if you didnt know, and then I did some computer picture updating
*that was an extension of monday
9. Then our theater class got to go to "Death of a Saleman" staring Brain Denahey...it was SO impressive and well done but the saddest play I have ever seen and I wanted to call my dad and tell him everything was going to be ok, I literally was almost in tears the entire show....damn the American dream.....ok, moving on
ps. this show was sold out for MONTHS in the states and Brian Denahey has been doing it for 4 years....that's commitment
10. Before the show we got 2-4-1 wine at Bar Rumba...good choice to lighten the mood...a little
11. Went back to the flat, chatted a bit then passed out b/c Paris was still trying to own me and all my energy

Wednesday:
1. Couldnt figure out my alarm clock but managed to get up in time to shower and such
2. Walked to the Center with Julia but then kept going and found Camera City the camera shop where I am currently getting my LCD screeen replaced......moving on
3. I got lost on the way there and got to see a few more gardens and little sicily
4. While walking back to the Russel Square metro station an English lady asked me how to get to the nearest metro so I had her follow me and we chatted about I wanted to help everyone after a weekend in Paris
5. I...ME....gave directions to a person from England!
6. Met up with class at the Apsley House which is the former house of the Duke of Wellington and is now a Museum about him.
7. I wore jean and a dress and a big belt with a blazer over it....very fun outfit not to mention my sweepy bangs
8. Saw the sword used by Wellington at Waterloo and a HUGE sculpture of Napolean
9. Meg texted me letting me know that she had an extra ticket to the Symphony and I got to hear this amazing Mezzo Soprano sing excerpts from an Opera and then hear an orchestra play Bethoven's 4th. It was excellent and I felt very full of culture!
10. Came back, talked to some friends and then began to write my 600 work theater review and research for my presentation the next day.
11. I stayed up till 3 am researching, writing, talking and eating twix from my package
12. passed out.....

Thursday:
1. Met Amy at the Holburn tube stop but ran in to the Sainsbury's and got a box of 80 tea bags for 1 pound...score cheap brands
2. Wowed the crowed with my presentation about the architecture of the Soane Museum. I have now been to that museum 3 times...I'm such a good student
*did you know that Sir John Soane invented sky lights and also designed the dining room of the Prime Ministers house?
3. We then went to the Law Courts where they still have to wear wigs (te he he) and is the best example of Gothic style architecture.
ps. I can now tell the difference btw neoclassical and gothic architecure in a snap!
4. Walked back to the center instead of using the tube, b/c we know our way around so well :)
5. Theater class was intense b/c we discussed "Death of a Salesman" and I wouldn't shut up...sorry to those in my class if I got annoying...he he
6. Julia and I then decided FOR SURE that we needed to have a night out at the Elgin
7. We got some wine at Threshers, I ran home and we pregamed while getting ready and headed out to the oh so posh Elgin to have a few drinks.
8. Chatted with a music recruitment dude who was intimidated by us but then went and told all his friends about us...oh boys are so silly
9. STU CAME!!!!!!!! We had not met up with Stu in too long
10. Then we chatted with stu about life, relationships and he analyzed my personality
11. Then we heard a girl with an American accent and she asked us where we were from...she was from Boston, Julia is from Boston..and THEN....
12. Her Italian friend asked where I was from and it turns out that she studied at KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL!!!!! She was there in 1996 and even played tennis with Mr. Stout, thought Mr. Merrit was cute, had a Magic Market sandwich and knew where Geyer was!! wonderful moment, followed by free chips in the shape of french fries from Stu.
13. We then left, Jules and I peed at Tesco b/c we can, and Stu came back to visit, I made him tea and he yelled at me for leaving the teabag in the cup...oh well
14. Then I chatted with Kelly Murphy and went to BED after enjoing the Elgin for a nice night in wonderful Maida Vale.

Thursday ended well with some rice and tea and a wonderful top bunk with my favorite roomie just below me....oh d, sorry I snore :)

Mission: Get us out of France

2005-10-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Monday:
1. Woke up at 7, and attempted to call Eurostar to change tickets but the phone card/phonebooth would not let us call Eurostar...we tried 8 times
2. Went back to the hostel, packed up our stuff and checked out
3. As we were leaving the dude at the desk convinced us to stay for an early breakfast even though b-fast technically didnt start till 8.
4. We ate breakfast in 10 minutes and were out the door to head over to the Eurostar b/c our train was going to leave at 9:10 and we had to exchange our tickets before the train left.
5. We got in the wrong line and were then directed upstairs where there was another line and the french lady was mad that I asked her a question b/c she thought I was trying to butt in line
6. Got to the counter and exchanged our tickets (for free THANK goodness) at 9:07.
7. Then we headed over to the American Embassy and upon arrival were informed that no luggage was allowed inside so I had to split from De and go sit in a cafe with our luggage.
8. De came back with tons of paperwork and instructions and we were told that we could leave our luggage at the cafe for a certain price
9. I attempt to talk to the bartender about leaving our luggage and he doesnt speak english so I had to speak french to the dude sitting at the bar who then translated for me. I said Merci over and over...
10. We left our bags in the cafe and then had to get a picture of De taken for her new temporary passport at a photo place 3 blocks away and I had to get out more money to pay for it
11. After reading the paperwork we found out that the only way De could get a new passport was if I came in with her and signed a paper swearing she was an American who had a passport.
12. Got the pictures, said Bonjour to a little baby at the photo place and he looked up and smiled at me!
13. Went back to the embassy where they took my camera, phone, perfume and antibacterial gel...but NOT my matches
14. They also took my crossaints, apples and cheese
15. Once in the embassy we waited in line, then had to sign lots of papers and then wait in another line. We also found out that De's parents had sent the fax of a copy of her passport but it was too dark so I had to vouch for her citizenship
16. Waited in another line to pay for the new temporary passport
17. Waited again to get the new passport where we met our favorite dude of the whole trip and he used to work for Senator Biden and he was the only one EVER to say sorry to us that she had had her passport stolen
18. Me, always with my political future in mind, ask for his bussiness card and who he knows at the office...yes I do have a one track mind
19. waited again for them to give us her passport
20. Finally got her passport at 12:45 when the place closes at 1:00pm
21. Went back to the cafe to get our bags, and then saw a guy with a baguette so we HAD to get one
22. walked along the streets of some of the MOST expensive clothes and designers including Cavali, Gucci, Prada, Hermes, Long Champ, Versace and many more...
23. Found baguettes and couldnt find the nearest metro so De asked a police officer who couldnt speak English so I told her we were lost and wanted to get to the Champs Elesay metro stop (I said all of this in comprehendable french!!!)
24. She gave us directions in french and I totally followed them and we got to the Metro stop
25. We then finally got to the Gard de Nord train station and found a nice piece of marble floor on the second floor looking over all the trains
26. De ate her baguette and I looked for a bathroom and had to pay 1 Euro to use the bathroom
27. I got back, De finished her baguette and passed out on her luggage, I ate half my baguette and finished of some of my cheese from earlier that weekend
28. Then we both, arms locked around our luggage, fell asleep in the middle of the train station by the Eurostar boarding area
29. FINALLY checked in to board the Eurostar and stopped in the duty free perfume shop b/c we smelled really bad
30. Got ON the train and met Americans that also admitted to smelling bad
31. One of the Americans was from St. Louis and went to Core Jesu and lives in Soulard
32. I bonded with her about gooey butter cake and toasted ravioli
33. Soon we passed out on the train after a half hour delay
34. Also found out that all the transportaion systems in Paris were going on strike the next day
35. Woke up in England and ran to the tube station get on the BAKERLOooooooooooooooo!!!
36. Got off at the Warwick stop and headed home...7 hours after we had first intended
37. WE GOT HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
38. Told the story, had some hugs and then passed out b/c we had class the next day....

Sunday in Paris...hmmm

2005-10-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday was the day of De and Meredith and supposed to be our last day in Paris b/c our train was leaving the next morning at 9am. Here is what we did on Sunday and how our Sunday lead in to Monday and events extended our trip another 7 hours....ooh goodness. Here is a hint to the madness...we had to go to the American Embassy!
1. Got up early to get breakfast and head straight to the Muse de Orsay which was open for free b/c it was the first Sunday of the month! rock on timing!
2. Waited in line for an hour and watched the line expand 10 fold behind us and ate our cereal and apples b/c we are cheap
3. Walked through every floor and every room of the Muse de Orsay, a renovated train station along the Sienne. This place has EVERYTHING!!!!! As Amy our Art History teacher said, it's pretty much every piece of art you have ever seen before, but this time it's the actually thing!
*look this place up, there are so many famous pieces of art I can't list them!*
4. We were there from 3 hours
5. We then walked along St. Germaine and even gave directions to a french dude on how to get to the Muse de Orsay
6. We walked by some official place b/c it was guarded by lots of police and looked pretty and was along the Sienne, forgot what the place actually was :)
7. After walking along the Sienne we went to Les Invalides which included Napolean's tomb, a hospice for old soldiers, a picture gallery along the balcony and a World War II museum
8. Went to Trocadero using the RER fast train and realized the market I had been searching for was litereally 2 stops away from our hostel...bummer, so I bought a pashmina instead
9. Went to St. Chapelle, bonded with Americans, and also saw the building where Marie Entuinette was beheaded! And supposedly Christ's thorns are at St. Chapelle, impressive.
10. Walked along the Sienne at sunset and looked at all the book shops and walked across Pont Neuf and around the area of St. Chapelle.
11. Ooh I'm out of order but we ended up back at the Eifel Tower and I had a Cafe Aulait at a cafe with a view of the Eifel tower in the moonlight!
12. Around Les Invalides we walked to get a baguette at a little bakery and ate it while watching young men play soccer and old men play Bocce ball in the park leading up to the palace.
13. Also saw Notre Dame again when we were walking to St. Chapelle and along the Sienne.
14. Went to the Sacre Cour and Monte Mart area, picked up some chocolate waffle and crossaint and headed up the hills of Monte Mart. We saw the CUTEST area ever with shops and outside tables tons of people eating and drinking in the moonlight with views of Paris and beautiful Sacre Cour. We took pics and pretended we had just eaten a bowl of French Onion soup.
15. Walked to the top of Sacre Cour and sat on the steps near really cute french dudes and giggled the night away.......BUT THEN...
16. De's purse was STOLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! including her passport and every form of identification such as her passport, wallet, tickets home, camera and pretty much everything
17. We went and told the police of Sacre Cour and all they said was "Oh My God!" They were useless and told us to go to a police station which they didnt know exactly where it was AND you are not allowed in french police stations if you have no identification....the beginning of paris frustration began!
18. I give De my phone, which has 2 pounds left on it, and she calls her house which is busy, then her neighbor to go get her parents attention so they can cancel the credit card and be notified of the situation.
19. We run back to our hostel, down from one of the highest views of Paris, grab my tour book, get the address of the embassy, the phone number too and run back up to Sacre Cour b/c Rue Gabriel is the name of the street the embassy was SUPPOSED to be on...
20. After running back up to the area of Sacre Cour we find the address where the embassy is supposed to be and its a brick building that's being renovated!
21. I call the American Embassy, connect to the emergency line and then as soon as I get their actual address my phone cuts out! NO MORE MONEY ON MY PHONE!
22. We have a phone card and a tube pass from Julia and Meg b/c they left Paris early on the Eurostar...we found this our when we got back to the hostel after De's purse was stolen
23. We got the address and asked the lady at the metro how to get there, she didn't speak english and we caught the last train to Concorde, the metro station near the embassy
24. Find the embassy and it's NOT OPEN!!!!!!!! Uhmm for some reason I thought these places were supposed to help you at any time and like be your savior! Well, not the case here.
25. Some random police officer tried to help us and instead just directed us to a police station that did not exist so we then found another police officer who directed us up the Champs Elesaiy and to a phone booth. We called De's parents again, explained the situation and then tried to find a bus.
26. No buses went back to our place so we caught a cab and since I still had 20 euros left we made it home thanks to a taxi driver who took a direct route AND semi spoke English.
27. Got back to the hostel, found out you can't use the phone there, OR in your room so we went to the payphone outside in the middle of the street...ps. it was FREEZING pss. we didnt' get a hold of her parents b/c they were out faxing a copy of her passport to the American Embassy
28. Went back to the hostel, I fell asleep in all of my clothes and shoes with no blanket for 5 minutes then we went back to the phone to get her credit card number to help us get De another Eurostar ticket the next morning
29. Walked back to the Hostel and I fell asleep after we made a list of what we had to do the next day for "Mission: Get us out of France"

SO...at about 4 am we went to sleep to get up the next morning at 7am. What a day...and night...and morning.....whew!
28. Went back to the hostel, I fell asleep for

Saturday = steps, baguette and more art

2005-10-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday was another packed day of getting every tourist thing in and De and I had another pow wow to decide the events of the day. That night was Nuit Blanche and museums were staying open 24 hours a day so we did not get home till VERY late.
Saturday: In order...
1. Missed breakfast so left at 10:30 so go to climb the steps of Sacre Cour, a church with a beautiful view of Paris, its totally on 8 million postcards
2. Got to the top, walked through the church, had to fend off random dudes wanting to flirt with us, and walked around the back to see the garden area and just get a 360 degree view of Sacre Cour.
3. Walked up and down the streets of Monte Mart and saw all the shops with Monte Mart's paintings and walked by the museum. Look him up, this dude has done TONS of stuff you would recognize and not even know it and I was in his old stomping ground!
4. Walked past an adorable Cafe that was at the bottom of a hill and pink with flowers and tables outside and people drinking cappucinos and then through Square Suzanne Buisson
5. Bought a baguette at a little bakery and ate it while walking through Monte Marte and then on the Metro on the ride to the Arch de Triomphe
6. We went to the Arch de Triomphe and walked all the steps to the top and saw the Napolean Exhibit about his campaign and even got to see a canteen he drank out of...kind of random but I saw it, along with Meg and De..who were equally impressed.
7. Took pics on the top and gazed down the Champs Elysees (ps. i can't spell french stuff well)
8. Walked down the Champs Elysees and saw the huge Louis Vouiton Store...no I didnt but anything Rachael of BJ but I do have a picture of the place that you can hang on your wall.
9. Had a Cafe Aulait at a Cafe along the Champs Elysees, served by a rude french waiter wearing a blue and white striped shirt. It was heavenly and I wrote a post card as I sat there, enjoyed it and realized the rude french waiter was just part of the experience of Cafe Le Deauville!
10. Took the metro to the Trocadero stop of the Palace de Chaillot, turned the wrong way then figured out where to go and turned around and in unison we all said "holy sh*t" as we saw the Eifel Tower with a clear blue sky in the sunshine....it was impressive!
11. Walked around the Palace de Chaillot garden area, saw some kids to skating tricks, then walked across the bridge to the dock along the Sienne to enjoy a boat tour of Paris
12. Had really good ice cream in the sunshine along the Sienne while looking up at the Eifel Tower and waiting for out boat to come up the river...I had chocolate and banana, rasberry and coffee scoops...3 scoops was the better deal so why not? Meg and I enjoyed our 3 scoops.
13. Boarded the boat and had our pictures taken 8 million times by the photog who we felt sorry for b/c we obviously were not going to buy the pics. Mine turned out to look like a glamour shot thanks to my head tilt and smile method of picture taking.
14. After the ride along the Sienne we walked under the Eifel Tower and down the street to find some wine (with a twist top), a baguette and some cheese!
15. We sat on a bench along the path to the Eifel Tower and giggled while we ate our wine, cheese and hard baguettes
16. I tap danced in the middle of the path and then frollicked in the grass while swinging my arms about saying to everyone "do you realize we're in paris? let's frollick!!!"
17. Next we walked back to the Trocadero stop and ran in to kids from our trip again and we headed to the Louvre (did I mention it was free and I jammed my leftover cheese and wine in my purse along with half a baguette and a water bottle.
18. De and I had already seen some of the big things so we ran around and found:
1. Napolean's Appartments
2. the gnome with a snail(the pic of it was quite prominant in our map)
3. A billion Girodet sketches on special exhibition
4. the midieval moats that used to surround the louvre
5. psyche's cupid
6. the mona lisa (again)
7. the winged victory and the venus demilo (again)
8. a big sphinx
9. LOTS of other stuff we didnt really know about but has to be important
19. Walked past the Hotel Deville that was having like an outdoor screening of modern art/film
20. Wanderd around the Pompedo Center at 2am and saw the Big Bang exhibition of 20th century art...the largest exhibition of different types of modern art in the world.
21. When at the Pompedo Center we saw all in one exhibition all the following artists:
1. Dali
2. Picasso
3. Pollack
4. Matise
5. Warhol
22. We also saw a bean bag at the Pompedo center and didnt understand its significance
23. Then we sat in the tube station for an hour to then have some french lady yell something and watch everyone leave...b/c it was closed and the metro wasnt running
24. De picked up a map on the ground, gave it to me and within 10 seconds I had figured out which buses we needed to take home...in french!!!
25. We ran after a bus, pushed our way on and have never been so squished in our entire lives
26. After the disgusting bus ride that we don't know how the hell we even got on b/c it was so hectic and there were billions of people, we walked the wrong way at 4am in Pigale, the place that sailors used to come for entertainment, remember the SEXODROME I mentioned earlier?
26. Finally got back to our hostel at 4:15 am after having left at 10:30 am!
27. Stayed up to chat with the girls and then passed out at 5.

and THAT was ALL of Saturday!

Mission "See Everything" begins...

2005-10-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

So De, Meg and I wake up for breakfast and get to eat a crossiant, slice of a baguette and some tea...rock on light breakfast but the tea was heavan. Meg went back to sleep, Julia had a hangover and De and I had a pow-wow about our plans for the day. Thus began tour guide Mer and De style.
Friday: (In order)
1. Notre Dame, inside outside and around the back
2. Ile de la Cite: an adorable island over a bridge from Notre Dame
3. Il de la St. Louis: a part of the island and the main street was Rue St. Louis! YAY ST.LOUIS!
On Il de la St. Louis we walked down Rue St. Louis and saw cute shops and Hotel St. Louis and De and I got baguettes at a little bakery and surprised Meg through a window while she bought a huge bottle of water, they joked at how happy I looked in my cowboy boots, eating a baguette, walking down Rue St. Louis
4. Went to the Flower Market the "Marche aux Oiseaux de Fleurs" which was like 5 green houses packed with flowers, plants and little dainty things that grandparents like
5. Met up with Julia and headed over to Muse de Cluny, and old gothic mansion/castle thing that is now a museum of some of the most random stuff ever including sculptures from Notre Dame and the place used to be a Roman Bath...we saw some random stuff, but had a student discount so we didnt mind the musuem's randomness
6. Walked around St. Severne and saw the creepy gargoiles and wandered through the inside of the church to see more creepy gargoiles
7. Walked past Sarbone University where the guy that invented Pennicilin went and other really famous guys went to too.
8. De and I wandered around the Jardin de Luxumbourg and walked along the garden paths and saw the stage where I had performed with the American Musical Ambassadors 3 years ago. We also saw the palace, the orangery and old me betting on each other's chess games.
9. Saw a beautiful view of the Pantheon as we walked to meet up with Julia and Meg
10. Went to the Latin Quarter for happy hour but it was pouring down rain so we went to a little place in "Little Athens" and had french onion soup. There was a deal for a three course meal for 10 Euros so De and I had Thanksgiving 2 and ate soup, a burger and I had a waffle with chocolate sauce. This was our only real meal of the entire trip.
11. Walked along St. Germain throughout the day, cute shops and Cafes and book shops along the river Sienne
12. Went back to the hostel and realized that the Louvre was still open so De and I bolted back out the door and took the metro to the Louvre...it was FREE for people under 26 and open till 10 at night!!!
13. We ran around the Louvre and saw, in one hour, Mona Lisa and listened in on a tour with a really hot tour guide, the Venis DeMilo, The Ancient Winged Victory Sculpture, The huge entry Pyramid, a Giricault, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrosel and also found an Uccello, an artist we had discussed in class that day!
14. Because the Metro was still open we then decided to go see the Arch de Triomphe at night! When we walked out of the Metro we saw the huge structure lit up with cars bustling by and the Eifel Tower off in the distance sparkling with lights....what a moment
15. Then...we decided to head over to the Eifel tower b/c the Metro was STILL open and we walked through the park around the area and up a street that led like right to the tower.
16. THEN...we headed home, were gretted by the hostels cat and went upstairs to once again sleep 3 people to a double bed.
That day we woke up at 9 am and returned at midnight...what a wonderful PACKED day of being a tourist :)

So we left for Paris

2005-10-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

Thursday we left for Paris and boy did it start out a little hectic!
1. We left a tad bit later than we wanted to
2. We decided to take a taxi and it ended up being 10 minutes late and during rush hour
3. Also the taxi was a total sketch mobile
4. We were about a half hour late to our class
5. We never got to drop our bags off at the center
6. BUT....we made it to class and they didn't leave without us!!!
7. Greenwich is beatiful and we saw the Queen's House and the Royal Naval Acadamy, we'll be going back to see the royal observatory and all those time related things later
8. We got to see the horrible Millenium Dome and hear about how its extremely useless
9. We discovered you can walk under the Thames to get to Greenwich
10. Amy shared her stories about eating an onion she picked up off the street and also how she loves the phrase "you sleep with you die"

THEN...we made it to the train station, got a mcflurry and got ON the train to PARIS!
1. the dude next to me at a salad, huge plate of sushi and two desserts
2. Cute french dude totally kept checking me out
3. Once we go to Paris we had a huge reality check and Jules and Meg were drunk
4. We got a taxi to our place and the dude pretended he didnt speak english
5. our hostel was around the corner from the SEXODROME
6. We went to a pub where everyone was speaking ENGLISH
7. We met some locals that kepts saying "you da bomb...high five!"
8. Juila and Meg took one for the team and got bread and cheese
9. The man at the front desk couldn't add
10. We slept 3 to a double bed...easily

AND...that was Thursday

Another happy day in my cowboy boots

2005-09-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Today was just another day of life in my cowboy boots walking about London like it's no big deal. I try not to take it for granted that I'm here but it's hard to make yourself pause every 5 minutes and do a reality check. BUT...I do them anyway. Last night we went to the play "Playing with Fire" and b/c I am not British or have any real idea about racism here or about the political system and its history...it was the most confusing play in the entire world. We sat through all 3 hours of it and then happily went for drinks after with Amy my Art History and Architecture teacher and her husband. We all joked about how she is living the dream b/c she came over here for undergraduate and then ended up finding a cute husband. They were nice and since the play lasted 3 hours there wasnt much time to party. We came back to the flats, even though we did try to go to walkabouts which closes at 11 on Tuesdays, and I actually got some reading done. Tonight Jules and I and possibly De are going to go read at a local pub so we can be well rested for PARIS this weekend. I'm quite excited and I am also looking forward to the free breakfast. I think I am over my sickness which is good, but I'm still downing vitamin c like it's my job. Life is still wonderful in foggy london town and my european travels began sooo soon I just can't wait. Wish me luck with the french!

Museums, Markets and Meredith

2005-09-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

I just love alliteration so I had to use it in the title. This morning my architecture class me at the National Gallery which is right next to Trafalgar Square. I had a few mini reality checks to myself and as we were waiting to meet up with our professor I decided to tap dance in my tap shoes b/c why not? It was a hit, or at least Julia laughed at me and Lisa told me I should set up shop and accept people's change. We studied paintings of the Rennaisance and the progression of naturalism and the difference between southern and northern Rennaisance art. I was impressed with myself and how perhaps when I come home I will actually have some idea of what I'm talking about the next time I go to an art museum. After class I met up with Makeda to return her top up card, gossip and hug. After my gossip session with Makeda a took the Bakerloo home and then jumped on a bus to the Market to get some much needed apples and oranges. Yes Lori, I'm getting my Vitamin C and remembering that technically I AM sick, even though I think I'm gettting better. The market was nice and so was the Tesco Metro around the corner. It's been an easy day and I've actually been pretty productive. Tonight is another show: Playing with Fire at the National Theater. The play lasts 3 hours and is about political cuture and race relations...hmmm should be interesting. We don't know what we're up to tonight, but I know we'll figure something out.

Oh Monday

2005-09-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

Here is why Monday was Monday
1. At 1 am we realized that our hostel in Paris was nicknamed Aushwitz III
2. We booked Prague Hostels at midnight...mine is still in the process...darn computer
3. I woke up at 9 am to call Buckingham Palace and get tickets for the tour b/c it closes tomorrow!
4. After class De and I got lost and got to discover yet another tube stop
5. I feel sick and my head is pounding...but I'm in London so I don't really care
6. We booked our Hostel for Ireland AND our flights to Italy for fall break!
7. I got to wear my green velvet blazer
8. I got my camera back....the LCD screen is broken but it's back in my hands
9. Oli texted me twice
10. I wrote Meg McCracken an Ode that talked about onions

Monday was interesting and it's still not over. I am hitting the books tonight so I can enjoy Paris that much more. Wish me luck at not being sick this weekend!!!

Another day, Another Market

2005-09-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

Camden Market is amazing. So is Maida Vale. ANd our flat smells like onions

1. You can get to Camden Lock Market by boat!
2. They serve chai tea and cookies at a food stand
3. There are millions of stands selling beautiful clothing and awesome brick a brack goodies
4. This place is famous for being uber fashion trendsetter
5. We figured out how to take the bus and tube home b/c the Camden Town tube was closed
6. Bring me back there in the winter and I'll invest in the new styles...for now I'm just investigating
7. We smelled like onions all day
8. Julia finally got a school bag and Meg loaded up on goodies
9. I got home in time to update my blog
10. On my way home I ran in to our friends Chees and Stu and had a nice chat

I would advise you to look up how awesome Camden Market is. I mean Notting Hill Market rocks my world but this place was uber trendy and just thrilling. Tonight might be an easy night and I think I'll introduce De to the Warwick Castle. Tomorrow is Buckingham Palace and perhaps the black horse pub (Angelina Jolie's fav pub) or a boat to Camden for Happy hour...who knows!

Lunch with Stu, the castle and onions

2005-09-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday we slept in and then enjoyed some lunch around the corner with Stu. We were not very talkative after an awkward Friday, but the garlic bread was still tasty and we learned that rocket is a strong herb that you eat like salad. The rest of the day b/c I was once again exhausted we watched random English game shows and I attempted some reading, but instead talked to BJ online about my London adventures. Saturday night was enjoyable and Julia and I once again ventured out when no one else could.

1. We discovered the Warwick Castle pub
2. The pub has a fire place and tons of flowers on the awning and is right next to the canal
3. We met the guy that is in there every night and he showed us his house boat and how you can take a boat from Little Venice all the way to Camden Market
4. The pints are 80 pence cheaper than at the Warrington
5. There was a dog bowl for water in the pub
6. Oli texted me again
7. Julia and I had recaps of my lessons
8. herbal tea pot is fun to say
9. We came home and fried up 4 onions with salt while I yelled OLI!!!!! as loud as I could while sitting on the counter and we all ate the onions as drunk food
10. The tigers were once again back together in Flat K enjoying our randomness

Hi my name is Awkward Friday

2005-09-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

SO...Friday I slept in...and Friday I took a nap..and Friday I was still shaking from the night before. Here is a list of my adventures on a lovely Friday in London.

1. Meg and I woke up in Wimbeldon...it's in ZONE 3...that's far
2. I woke up and didn't know where meg was and my phone had no battery so I was lost
3. I found Meg in the next room
4. Breakfast was set out for us and I also enjoyed some rice and soy sauce in a coffee cup
5. We both ate 2 pieces of toast, and two mini cereal boxes
6. We had to walk, then take a bus, then take a tube home...and buy a zone extension
7. Meg, upon reading the sign in the tube yelled "BAKERLOOOOOO!" so everyone could know how excited she was that she found our tube line home
8. When we finally got home I couldnt stand up
9. We were supposed to go to a soccer game at 4:45 but my blood shot eyes told me I should not even attempt it
10. Meg and I napped and De and Julia went to the soccer game and I still woke up with blood shot eyes...rock on begin healthy

Friday night...well Friday night was...another night

1. Meg and I met up with Julia, De, Danny and Charlie, the guys from the night before at some random place that had a beer garden and a fountain
2. We met some old people that were totally having an affair
3. Inside Julia fell up the stairs, down the stairs and almost broke her wrist
4. Meg and I debated changing shirts b/c I was about to meet up with Oli and I had the same outfit on as I did Wednesday night
5. We then went to a bar called Connection and Julia got to dance with the Indians
6. She also sealed the deal with her other rad dance moves
7. Meg and I decided I can't have vodka tonics b/c they make me cry
8. We were going to go to the Roxy but then lost De along the way
9. Couldnt find De, went home, passed out, called stu, texted Oli
10. Finally slept in my OWN bed!!!!!!!!!

Friday was awkward, still tons of giggles even tho Julia felt "murderous" at one point. Life as a young lady in London is always an adventure.

Thursday...oh Thursday

2005-09-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

SO...Thursday started off with a cup of orange juice on the 24th floor of the Barbican Highrises and a nice cafe mocha at a shop near St. Pauls...this lovely description did not last long but I did get QUITE a work out...in my cowboy boots.
Thursday (DAY) Mayhem:
1. Totally felt independent and happy as I said goodbye to Oli and jumped on the tube
2. I sat on the steps of St. Pauls Cathedral and drank a Cafe Mocha...not realizing I was at the wrong place for class
3. 5 minutes before class started I found out I was supposed to be at the Monument Tube stop...so I took a bus there...but got off at the wrong place..too far
4. After going too far I walked in another circle to the Monument station and couldn't find my class
5. Then I speed walked back to St. Paul's passing 3 tube stops on the way.
6. After half an hour of speed walking and worrying I finally found my class, participated, apologized, and walked to the top of the Cathedral when class was over.
7. I got to hear the Royal symphony practice in the middle of the Cathedral
8. Don't forget I got 2 hours of sleep and was wearing what I had on the night before
9. We made it to our next class ON time
10. The entire day all I ate was one 170 calorie Pria meal bar....this was not a good decision for the rest of the night...which I would learn

Thursday day was like a trip to the gym but an AWESOME trip to the gym in your cowboy boots! Thursday night would lead us once again....to zone 3. Thursday night nonsense begins now:

1. We wanted a low key night after a day at the gym so we headed to the Elgin which we had heard served free champaign..but they didn't
2. There was no live music but instead bussiness men in suits..one who pretended to lose his bag...and we all fell for it
3. His friends became our friends and we all enjoyed quite a few vodka tonics
4. I was an emotional nutcase and began to pout, cry and take pictures
5. Julia did prude body shots with Charlie
6. we realized Mike was a coke head
7. On our way out Stu drove by and i jumped in the car crying but then got out and he then drove off with De
8. I had to puke so I puked out the window of the cab, but I didnt make a mess b/c I hadnt eaten anything all day
9. We went to 2 different flats and I enjoyed the company of the toilet, beds and couches
10. Meg and I were very intent on borrowing t-shirts...and we got what we wanted

Thursday night was an emotional rollercoaster for me...and I dont really know why, perhaps b/c I didn't eat anything all day and was shaking before I went out. No worries guys, I'm still alive!

wednesday rocked and here's why

2005-09-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was another happy day in London. We got to sleep in gloriously b/c we didnt have class till 2. History was interesting and we talked to Keith about tv, his hatred of pigeons and some history of crazy kings. I feel like American kids only know about the civil war, but...moving on. That night we went to Moonlight which has a really cheap drink special where there is a 4 pound cover charge and then you can get pints for 60 pence and other mixed drinks like vodka and coke for 70 pence! I was in heavan. Here is a list of why wednesday rocked and how it lead quite easily in to Thursday morning.

1. Drinks were cheap as hell and you don't have to tip!
2. De was sick but MEG met up with us! (De also had a presentation the next day so feel sorry for her please)
3. The bar is usually a strip club and has mirrors with lights on all the walls and has red carpeting around the bar!
4. Julia and I had another lesson which I completed with flying colors
5. My lesson led to meeting OLI, the young english accountant that became my oh so favorite dance partner!
6. When the place closed we went back to Oli and his friend's place which was on the 24th floor in the Barbican high rises in the middle of downtown LONDON!
7. Oli brought me orange juice
8. As of now (sunday) I have received 12 texts from Oli
9. Oli is really fun to scream really loud
10. The next morning I wore to class the same thing I wore out the night before and class was at St. Paul's Cathedral! (where Princess Di got married!)

Wednesday was even more fun than I am even describing. I passed my lesson and am now on to level two, Oli is obsessed with me, even though he is only in london a week a month, I got cheap drinks at a stip club with awesome friends AND don't forget...EVERYONE has BRITISH ACCENTS!

wednesday rocked and here

2005-09-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful day and thne the Sports Cafe

2005-09-21T03:09:00.000-07:00

The day was gorgeous and it started out with class in the British Museum. Here is why the day was oh so nice.
1. I had class right around the corner from the Rosetta Stone
2. My presentation rocked and I gave it while amongst marbles from the Parthenon
3. I came home and got a journal entry done!
4. After class I went to the Church Street Market and god loads of potatos, onions and apples for just 3 pounds!
5. I went BACK to the market, this time using the bus, and got a huge bag of noodles for really cheap!
6. When I got back from class I put on my favorite skirt I got at the Notting Hill Market, my jean vest, big belt and had a side ponytail
7. I signed up for the NYtimes email updates so I am not so clueless
8. We went to a play at a black box theater called The BUSH theater which is above a pub
9. The play was freaky but really really good, can't wait to discuss it
10. I didn't come home before I went out!

The night was rather entertaining and thanks to some of the flatmates Julia and I were introduced to the Sports Cafe. The Sports Cafe was an interesting experience.
1. It's ALL Americans at the Sports Cafe
2. I got such a huge piece of glass stuck in my shoe it came out on the other side
3. When I came home I got to talk to my little!
4. Julia, using her keen womanly intellect got the DJ to play all 3 of her songs
5. I met a kid who is friends with Tim Weil at Richmond
6. We found the N6 bus all by ourselves!
7. My favorite dance partner of the night was NOT American
8. We left the club when it closed and there were 5 people there
9. Karlsburgs were only a pound a pint
10. When we left Julia and I had the best hot dog known to man that they were selling literally as you walked out of the club...it was grand

So all in all yesterday was productive, enjoyable and as usual pretty darn entertaining.

ps. SARA SATULO IS COMING TO LONDON!!!!!!!!

I'm so domestic

2005-09-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

So today I accomplished everything domestic that could be done and accomplished crap that I needed to get done. I had the intent to go to the black horse tonight but since I can't travel alone in London and everyone else is tired, it looks like its another warrington night with me and Julia. I can get no sleep and still go on, what a concept.
1. I did laundry in the bath tub and hung it to dry on the roof
2. I bought some apples and potatos, or d bought them for me but I gave her some money
3. I rearranged the living room with D
4. I added table clothes, ribbons and a flower jar to our living room
5. I cleaned some of my room
6. I researched and outlined my presentation
7. I updated my blog like woah
8 I updated my pics like woah
9. I talked to my sister and my big
10. I am dragging Julia out for a pint

I am proud of myself and I have yet to use being tired as an excuse, man I've got some good genes, or maybe I'm perpetually tired and just don't know it. OH well, London is still great.

Some things I forgot

2005-09-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Here is another list for your enjoyment
1. I got another bussiness card, or actually De decided to move things along and tell him that he should give me his bussiness card
2. Stu made us soup and I've already had two bowls
3. I'm learing more about London than the average Londoner knows
4. I'm going to backpack across southern Italy and Tuscany for my fall break
5. I lost my stamps so dont expect post cards any time soon
6. I converted the extra sheets in to a table cloth, desk cover and table runner
7. Our fan in our bathroom sounds like someone is playing the drums
8. Julia is on steriods for her foot
9. Being domestic takes a lot out of you
10. watch out I might IM "talk" attack you

During my research today I found out that Greece has been asking for the return of the parts of the Parthenon that are in the British Museum since 1829 and is building a museum that will house will have a hall that will remain empty till the sculptures have been returned. Woah.

2005-09-19T04:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday, was a lazy day but filled with good food, conversation and it ended with fireworks along the Thems, a pint at the Warington and some home made soup from Stu.

Sunday was a nice day of happy people and big reality checks..and a trip to the hospital for Julia
1. After waking up late and planning an entire day of sightseeing I failed to accomplish the sightseeing but instead had lunch with Meg's parents....they are so adorable and nice
2. We sat outside at a place called Red Pepper and talked about how I miss spices and I played the trombone
3. The food was aMAZing and more than I have eaten since I've been here
4. I wore my leggings with my jean skirt
5. We went to the River Thems festival and walked along the river for 4 hours
6. There were people swing dancing to Michael Buble along the river
7. I tried Indian beer while sitting on the grass below the London eye
8. I met up with Makeda (yay penn!) and wasnt allowed in to a party with free food
9. We saw some magician that it took him 6 tries to finally juggle successfully
10. We stood on the bridge that Gweneth Paltrow stood in the movie sliding doors and watched fireworks go off from a barge in the middle of the Thems
11. We sped home and got to the Warrington just in time for last call
12. I officially bought Stu a pint, the first thing we have bought him
13. He made us soup, he said it was b/c I was hit in the face but then he said he just didnt like it so he knew we would eat it
14. Julia realized after we got home that her food had expanded and she couldnt touch it w/o it hurting her
15. Stu took Julia to the hospital and then D, I would have gone too its just stu's car is a two seater
16. We had a reality check every 10 minutes during the festival b/c we were walking and Big Ben was right behind us!
17. What would we do w/o Stu
18. The soup was really good and it has lots of vegetables in it...yay healthy food!
19. We realized that the tigers are all really tall and like being the only americans when we go out on the town
20. I have given directions to people on the tube, the street in the supermarket and I am NOT aftraid of the tube.
21. I have been her two weeks tomorrow and can already give advice about London
22. The program fee is worth EVERY penny! This program rocks and so does a tube pass :)
23. I don't have classes on Mondays

I love london, my four day weekends and all of my adventures. We're all realizing how amazing the UD london program is and how much it actually includes. We have an expert on London at our finger tips, a place to call home with a cleaning lady, day trips to amazing places, and soo much more. This coming week should be just as entertaining and tonight we're going to a pub called the Black horse which has all drinks for 1.70 pounds and you can spin a wheel and thats the special for the hour. I look forward to it and all the more stories I'll have to share in the morning.

Oh Saturday, what a story

2005-09-19T04:18:00.000-07:00

So this Saturday started off with a breakfast full of stories, laughter and smiles which I happily provided Stu and Julia over breakfast. I'm a lady so I don't let it all out, just little tid bits with a giggle in between. So as I said before we still managed to get to Kensington Palace AND go out that night. Here is why Saturday was such a roller coaster ride.

1. We got to hear ALL about the most boring stuff that happened in Kensington Palace but still had a reality check that we were actually in a place where the royal family including Prince William, Harry and Princess Di actually lived
2. I officially got ready to go out in 1/2 an hour including shower, clothes, alcohol, and even getting together megs clothes for when we met up with her later
3. We realized that our weekends are longer than our school week, 4 day weekends rock!
4. Julia and I managed to get to the club w/o asking directions AND 5 minutes before they started charging a cover fee of 5 pounds
5. I accomplished my assignment from Ms. Julia to talk to a guy on my own w/o her asking for a fag first :) It took me 20 minutes but I did it!
6. I had fun on the dance floor with another dance partner
7. MEG came out! After her mother finally said "go meet up with your friends!" b/c we had been texting her all day
8. Julia threw up b/c she had nothing to eat and a vodka tonic, but the vodka tonics were really good I can at least say that
9. WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STREET I GOT SLAPPED IN THE FACE BY SOME GIRL WHO SAID I GOT IN HER WAY. I LITERALLY GOT BACK-HANDED.
10. I had to restrain Julia and Meg from running after the girl who would have not appreciated that I was Americand that my last name was White.
11. I started crying and laughing at the same time.
12. Who knew greek street was violent but yet sooo much fun!
13. To solve the problem we got chineese food at 3 in the morning and I got Beef Ho Fun like I always do at Penn! It was like comfort food and healing food for my face.
14. I officially have so much restraint its incredible
15. We figured out that the N6 bus will take you anywhere maybe even the airport
16. You must text stu everything that happens b/c that's just how it is
17. Me, Julia and Meg never get offended about anything and are very cute ladets
18. That same night some American screamed at our flatmates for talking on the tube
19. Brie and Bread are nice after a night of violence and giggles
20. Anyone can survive a night with some tigers

SO, Saturday was something unlike any other night. The stories I have now from London are priceless and they just keep getting better everyday, even if I get backhanded along the way.

Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market!

2005-09-19T03:38:00.000-07:00

Portobello Road Market is awe inspiring and so cute. I know I'll be going back as much as I can and as much as I can afford. We didn't do the Notting Hill movie sights but don't worry, the Market is in the movie too and I can go back any time I want.

Friday at Portobello Road rocked and here is why:
1. When we walked up from the tube station I got to meet Meg's parents!
2. The Market goes on forever and the end is the best part
3. I couldnt stop thinking about how my mom and sister would go insane at this place
4. The entire far end of the market is vintage clothing
5. I got leggings at the market to wear with my jean skirt!!!!!
6. I got two skirts and really cute vintage jacket for 9 pounds
7. When I compared my loot to Meg's we ended up getting all the same things :)
8. We found the sausage and Mash place
9. They sell apples bigger than my head
10. We spent an entire day at the Market and never got bored

...yet to accomplish in Notting Hill is to find the bloor door that is actually black now and to find the travel book shop. It WILL be done b/c yes I did watch that movie at least 15 times this summer.

Friday night was also quite a night and another adventure in Soho.
1. I got to wear my new shirt..it's amazing and not even captured at its best in the pictures
2. Me, Julia and De went pub hopping on Bleek Street, totally posh bars including Alphabet bar and some other one with up and coming young bussiness kids
3. We met Stu at the ROXY and got to meet his friends who we greeted with huge hugs
4. The ROXY was packed and I danced the entire night till it closed at 3
5. Stu's friend was quite the dance partner the whole night
6. Before we headed out, Julia and I had another awesome wine party!
7. After the ROXY we all came back to Sutherland Ave for a fun sleepover
8. For your information De is an awesome roommate and bunk beds are very small and noisy
9. Even though our flat smelled like something was rotting we still had a slumber party
10. I happily slept in the next morning to awaken with no idea where my keys or friends were

Saturday day rocked because:
1. I had had a slumber party the night before
2. Julia called me to tell me where everyone was and she was with STU having breakfast
3. I wore my cowboy boots to breakfast with Stu and Julia
4. Stu was glad we liked his friends but didnt realize we would like them THAT much
5. My h-light was revamped
6. Stu gave me his left overs which included Brie and Bread!!
7. Me, Julia and De still made it to Kensington Gardens to see the palace
8. I saw at least 20 of Princes Di's dresses including the one she wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House
9. After wandering around Kensington Gardens Julia asked where Kensington Palace was and it was actually right behind us...thank you locals for realizing we are tourists
10. Because of my organization and research skill Julia and I managed STILL go out that night!

Saturday was pretty different from Friday from beginning to end but all ends well when you're with people that never stop laughing with you, loving you or almost beating someone up for you.

There is always something happening in London

2005-09-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

I havent written about Thursday yet so here we go. My sister misses the lists that I have been using and I do to so I will go back to those. Wednesday I had class and then got to do whatever i wanted so I chose to head to the British Museum to do some reasearch. Thursday started with a tour of the national museum and then a walk and talk through the Museum of London. Here is a top 10 of things that happened during the day on Wednesday and Thursday.

10. I got to see behind the scenes of the National Theater including the fake turkey sandwich and budweiser bottle that has sand in it so its weighted and looks normal when you drink from it and not throw it accidently.
9. I realized that by the end of this trip I will have sat in every theater at the National Theater
8. I almost got shut in the doors of the tube on our way to the Museum of London
7. I never had to sit in a classroom
8. I got to wander around the British Museum by myself
7. Our class walked along a bridge over the thems and had a little class discussion while looking over the river
6. At the Museum of London there is a rad video experience thing with a fake little city of London that shows how much of London burnt down while some bloke reads his diary..it's great
5. I got to experience my first london rain and I secretly loved it
4. We had to figure out how to get home w/o the bakerloo line b/c it was closed off of baker street
3. We took the wrong bus then the right one then a tube
2. There was a deal of buy two get one free wine once again at Threshers
1. After a long day Team Tiger was reunited at last

Thursday night we went to the Elgin which is right around the Maidavale tube stop. It is pretty posh and it was packed when we got there. Here's another list about Thursday night.

10. There was live music, meaning a dude with his guitar playing all songs we recognized including sweet home alabama
9. We walked to the Elgin in the rain and stopped at every tree so Julia could catch up
8. We saw Simon and walked rather fast by him to avoid awkwardness...but it didnt work
7. At the bar some guy asked Julia if she would shag him if bought her a drink
6. The guy next attempted to chat with me so we oh so calmly scooted over and away
5. Julia has no shame and sadly found out that the musician has a girlfriend
4. I stole 3 rolls of toilet paper
3. We stayed once again till close
2. I found out that from 6-8 on Thursdays you can get free champaign cocktails!
1. The night didnt end after it closed b/c STU came to meet us!

Top 10 about the rest of Thursday night:
1. STU came to meet us about 5 minutes before the Elgin closed
2. We went to Graze after the Elgin and stu recovered from his sh*t disturber status
3. Graze was having a cowboys and Indian party...but no one dressed up except the waiters
4. I almost stole more toilet paper but I didnt have room in the cave (my purse)
5. After an awesome time at Garze, we all went to Tesco and Stu treated us to drunk food.
6. When asked what I wanted I yelled "Brie and Bread!!!" I'm so classy
7. Stu also got us some "crisps" which were chicken with thyme flavored and steak flavored, which Julia and I happily devoured
8. The funniest picture of the night is of the side of some old man's face when we got in our picture
9. I am officially the happiest drinker ever, nothing makes me sad, especially while in LONDON!
10. I came home and actually talked not IM'd my sister through im "talk" I said like nothing but it was a happy moment

Thursday was grand and Friday was even more entertaining.

i've been busy, no worries

2005-09-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

SO, yes I know I havent updated in a long time but yes I will update to the fullest extent very soon. Right now I'll try to get in as much as I can before I head out once more. So that day after our history class we came back home, had some travel research time, dinner and then headed out the door. Julia knew about some place in Soho, which is my new favorite area, that served pints for 60p and was like a big fun bar on Wednesday nights. So we decided to make the trip there, not having really any idea how to get there and get in the que. Julia has an idea to go grab some fosters to drink while we are in line and the next thing you know we're drinking fosters in the middle of the line and the bouncer says there is a camera, you're not getting in! I guess its b/c we were drinking in line...so that was not a cool point to the night. But, being fun Americans, some British guys come over to us, mind you half of them are still in their suits from work, and say they know of another place thats cool and open late. We follow them around the corner and it ends up being the place that Stu had recommended to us a week earlier but we just couldnt find. The ROXY was having a beer deal of 2 bottles for 3 pounds which is actually a good deal. We danced and danced, had some conversation with more locals. I named one local swordfish but he wasnt to favorable with that idea. Meg and I were the queens of the dance floor and Julia and De found dance partners early in the night. Julia's had traveled the United States and told me I should be black b/c my family owns a farm. Sometimes I still dont understand what people think about America. Anyway, the ROXY was fun and Meg and I left early b/c she had to meet her parents at the airport and I wasnt paired so it just made sense for me to take the bus home with her. Don't worry, by going home early I mean leaving the bar at 1:30am. Meg and I get back and the first thing on our mind is food b/c we rarely eat and why not eat at 2 am. Meg makes toast and I make noodles, the toast didnt go so well and we ended up setting off the fire alarm and having to fan the smoke out of the flat with towels. The pictures of us fanning the smoke look like you could not have made us any happier or made us laugh any harder. De and Julia made it home on the bus ok after Meg and I went to sleep and once again Julia was proposed to by another British bloke.

Time to go to lunch and the festival on the Themes. More to come!

I want to go to spain

2005-09-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

First things first...I want to go to Spain. Now, about last night. The play was Romance by David Mamot. They said the f word all the time and made fun of jewish people and midwestern catholics. I LOVED it. We have a lunch time chat with Jean today to talk about it b/c she can't come to class on Thursday. I know one girl on our class almost walked out, so our chat today should be rather interesting. Last night when Meg and I got home we had our first real drunk eating party. I had noodles, a rice cake, and 2 power bars. When you are in London and paying for all your food, that right there is HUGE! It was hillarious and probably won't happen again, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. So after the play, which was at the Almedia, near the Angel tube stop, we went back to the flat and got ready to go out for a bit to the wine bar around the corner. Oh I forgot to mention, the guy that played the judge was the Dad from Frasier. So when we got to the wine bar our favorite bartender that gives us free drinks was not there so we just left and speed walked to the Warrington. Meg and I got 2 pints fosters each and we were ready to go. Stu and Cheese were there so we had fun people to talk to while we drank outside on the benches. Tonight supposedly there is a place where you can get pints for 69 p so perhaps we'll be investigating. London is still grand and I just found out that Sara Satullo is coming Thanksgiving weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you all know how exciting that is for me? Well that's it for now, time to get ready for my lunch time chat and History class. Oh most random thing ever, since I've been here, I've gotten a watch tan!..that's how amazing the weather has been! I guess that means it will start pouring soon, but for now I'm loving it!

Prince Alfred and a wonderful day of class!

2005-09-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Since the last time I posted I tried out a new pub. It's the pub that was in the movie "Wedding Date" with Debra Messing. The pub is actually really boring and not as happening as the Warrington or Lecochenet. So Meg, Julia and I went to the pub and we all had one drink and got to check it off the list of something we had done while in London. We came back, chatted online then went to bed, but of course we had had our pint of the day. Today was a much brighter and lovely day and I can literally say I was happy all day long. I started off my day with meeting at the Hoburn Tube stop to go to the Soane Museum. The Soane museum is absolutely insane but great for our lesson of the day which focused on collection of art and its display. We had to sneak in to the museum b/c they denied our entire group entrance so we pretended we had nothing to do with the University and went in two at a time. I was first and was astounded at the architecture and the vast collection Soane managed to obtain over the years. He was a collector for the British Museum and every time they said "oh no we've got plenty of those" he kept it for himself and then later in his life turned his house in to a museum which in his will states that nothing can be taken, added or changed in the museum. There are hidden portraits, roman sculpture, and even an egyptian sarcophagus...ps. I can't spell. Anyway, we had class in a starbucks, which they call BigBucks, and discussed art and how it was displayed in the museum. I love my classes and the day just kept getting better. After class I went back to the London centre to look up my trip to Belgium which I have still yet to book, and to check emails. After everyone else went to class I got to go to the British museum to wander freely b/c I didnt have class and I needed to research sculpture for my presentation next week in class. I ran in to my Professor 3 times and followed her up to more egyptian and got to chat with her even more. I really like her, she's american and says she came to school here and never left. She got a cat, a house and a husband and that has kept her here. She also teaches my architecture class and I just love her. After my adventure at the museum I sat down in a park and read my architecture reading in the sun beside a fountain. I could not have been happier at that moment. I mean if Colin Firth had come up to me and asked me to marry him I guess I would have been a little more happy, but seriously, this place is amazing. I'm off to a play tonight for my drama class and then hopefully out tonight after the show. I think I'm planning another weekend adventure to France via a ferry from Dover, England. I think it will be my last trip and only a short one b/c I actually do have finals this semester.BUT no worries Deirdre Lyons...I am going somewhere every weekend in between Belgium and my day trip to Calais, France! Today was great and I am still looking forward to even more adventures to come!

A Wonderful Weekend in Bath!

2005-09-12T03:23:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the Romans founded Bath a long long time ago and thought that it was a miracle that hot water was coming up from the ground? I guess I would too, even though now it's green and bubbles just a little. Anyway, Bath is where Jane Austen lived and wrote Persuasion, it's where the Romans erected a gigantic Bath house where pilgirms trecked miles just to Bath in the supposed healing waters, it's where John Wood older and younger built his own Rome with the crescent, circle and square buildings, AND it's where I had a glorious time this past weekend. I stayed in the John Wood suite at the Park Parade hostel which included an English Breakfast in the morning, and plenty of cereal to steal. On our way to Bath we went to Stonehenge and took many pictures looking confused, b/c anyone who says they understood Stonehenge is not telling the truth. I'm still working on posting pics ON this blog so for now just use the link that is in my AIM profile. So Stonehenge was interesting and we got to go there on a beautiful day so we could actually look at the stones instead of running around them to avoid the cold weather. Later that day we went to Stourhead Gardens. It's a beautiful piece of land that goes on forever and I felt like I should either be in a Jane Austen book or at least be wearing a corset...I was doing neither. We wandered around for a bit, had a pint at the pub, then off we went to Bath. Bath is beautiful and all the buildings are made of the same type of stone which is a light cream colored stone and it makes the whole town just look captured in the past but happily living in the now. Our hostel is really nice and easy to find from any point in the city. Before we "went out" that night Meg and I enjoyed the 1.75 pound pints at some little place on a corner and about 20 Americans walked in about half an hour after we arrived. We stayed longer than we intended but cheap pints and a kind American can be quite an influence. Our first night out we went to the Hunstman, a pub that later in the night has a club upstairs for plenty of dancing. Here is the top ten list from our first night in Bath.
1. We walked in a huge circle past the lingere shop 3 times to find the Huntsman on the same street as our hostel
2. The bouncer decided to adopt us for the night and let us pick the playlist for the club
3. After our playlist ended they played the Baywatch theme song!
4. It was an early night at 2:30, but the Norwegians kept Meg and I company
5. Subway does not deliver
6. If you are dirty you should stand in the corner
7. I Wanna Dance with Somebody is grand song to sing your heart out too on the dance floor
8. Buy 2 get one wine deals are excellent at 3am
9. 1.75 pints are key to a nice night
10. Julia and Meg are not allowed to use the elevator
Here are a few quotes/moments from our day at Stonehenge
1. hunger sets in, you'll do anything to survive
2. I'm going to eat my elbow
3. sometimes I want to be a nun
4. They were farmers..BAAAAAAA
5. I huged tarzan
6. julia to the norwegians "do you have pizza?" "do you have any food?"

Our day/night in bath was loads of fun all day and in to the night. We started off our day with a traditional english breakfast which wasnt too bad except others would not agree. D and I got to sit at a table with our bus driver who really had nothing to say to either of us. After breakfast and a quick nap, literally 10 minutes, we went to meet our tour guide for our tour of bath. Bath was beautiful and our tour guide was very informative. I took a few pics of pretty buildings but really just wanted to soak it in. We saw a girl dressed up as Jane Austen and literally her job was to stand on the stoop and wave at people, not to bad of a job I think. After the tour we walked along the shops and then walked along the river to enjoy the scenery. There was a huge Rugby game going on that day and the entire town was dressed in their Blackhorn shirts. Our tour of the roman baths started at 2 so we couldnt go to the game but we managed to catch part of a cricket game that was going on around the corner. We poked our eyes through a hole in the fence and saw a minute of the Rugby game and even that was fun. I grabbed some cheap ice cream on our way back up the river walk and back for our tour. The Roman Baths were incredible but a little creepy at the same time. Now the water is green but supposedly back then it was warm, clear and quite enjoyable. It was strange to think that the Romans and Jane Austen bathed in the same water, but it's true so that's just pretty cool. It rained right on time meaning it rained as soon as I was on the inside part of the self guided audio tour of the baths. After the tour was over we headed back to the hostel, took a nap, woke up and enjoyed some of the buy 2 get one free wine we purchased and began our night of fun. After getting ice in glasses AND a bottle opener from the bartender downstairs we were fully ready to see what bath had to offer. Thanks for D and Tom for their recommendation of the Rat and Parrot, we started off the night with cheap drinks, fun people and a great atmosphere. After the Rat and Parrot and after meeting some new friends, Meg, Julia and I proceded to RSVP and then another club even after that one. Here's the top 10 from out second and most fun night in Bath.
1. Julia got proposed to by a guy who we were told to call cheese and who later split his lip open when he was head butted
2. Andrew, otherwise known as fifty, thinks I'm "fit"
3. Meg and the cripple are good friends
4. Julia just wanted a tomato
5. french fries and pizza at 3 am help end the night off right
6. english boys love each other and make piles of happiness
7. I think andrew is quite "fit" too
8. Street performers and fire throwers work 24/7
9. Andrew and I enjoyed a fag together
10. not eating makes the night much easier to enjoy

I loved Bath and Bath loved me. It was a wonderful weekend and also a very beautiful city. On our way back from Bath, after another breakfast and some more stolen cereal, we headed to Blennheim Palace where the Duke of Marleborough still has residence. It is also the place where Winston Churchill was born and they had a nice little area set up just about him. Me, D and Brian wandered around the gardens for a long time and took great pictures. I made Brian take one in the roses so he could send a pic home to mom. While we were wandering around we saw that there was a huge horse show going on and Princess Ann's daughter was actually competing too! There were tons of beagles and boots and I felt left out b/c I had flip flops on and my scarf wasnt tartan. The best part of the horse show was that a horse was retiring and when they rode him around the show "Simply the Best" by Tina Turner came on and we danced around happily while watching a regal horse gallop around the center of the show. Quite a moment. Blennheim Palace is beautiful although the gardens at Hampton Court were a little more impressive. Meg had a good point "I would love to live here, but they cant just run to Tesco or get on the tube!" I guess that's life in palace. I also found out that the Vanderbilts are related to the Dukes of Marleborough and so are the Spencers. That is one powerful, yet not royal, list of names! Anyway, the palace was beautiful and the pictures are pretty fun too. Our weekend trip was great and now its back to London for classes, shows, museums and pints. I booked a flight to prague last night and we're booking hostels and rail to Belgium tomorrow, and perhaps a trip to switzerland and vienna soon after that. I love it here and once again, I'm just happy!

Just another night at the warington

2005-09-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

SO....yesterday was a nice day starting out with a trip to the market. We actually woke up early before we had class and walked to the fruit/random stuff market a few blocks away. I got like 20 clementines for a pound and like 15 apples for a pound. Fruit rocks, especially when it's cheap. We all had class starting at two so we decided to take the bus to class....which took an hour, but we did get to see a good amount of London by bus....for a long time. Anyway, class seems interesting with Keith the history professor that I have heard is the coolest bloke ever. Our class went to the foundling museum which is the museum they set up around the original hospital that was created for the children that were "found" in london during the mid 18th century. The tour guide was this cute little old lady that knew way too much about this place and its paintings that we ended up going a half hour past our class was scheduled to end. I nodded and smiled as usual and thanked her for the tour...I actually said "cheers" and was giggling to myself for a bit. Moving on, we took the bus back (bad idea) to maidavale and I had dinner...a huge baked potato and it was a dream! I fell in love with the baked potato it was so good. I was way too excited for my potato that cost me like 20 american cents. Here are a few tid bits about last night...
1. we met stu at the warrington but also me 3 members of the new team I
2. D got a cell phone from stu
3. we were the only ones dancing at teh bar and were told to calm down
4. julia is officially sweedish and doesnt like smelly people
5. silver mercedes will forever sketch me out
6. we got a free dinner for the next day
7. I stole two rolls of toilet paper and a hat
8. D and Meg stole one roll of toilet paper each
9. any time we say "it will be a calm night"..it NEVER happens
10. me and meg are each others husbands

Now for moments/quotes from today
1. No, I dont have a question, I'm just happy
2. Can we hug everyday
3. god uses pink toilet paper
4. stu cares about us...awwww
5. Meg is still my husband
6. Meg slept till 2:30
7. stu sang to us on the steps
8. laughing is a really good ab work out
9. we ran away and hid behind a bush to look for team I
10. The only reason we went to dinner with team I was for the FOOD

So today I had class at 10 in the morning and had to squish on the central line tube b/c there were delays and later in the day it was actually shut down. Julia was a good bit hungover and I was my normal fast walking self. We just made it to class and I get to do a presentation on the Soane museum which is the house of a famous architect which supposedly has almost every type of architecture, so that sounds interesting to me. After that class was over we went to STA travel wehre the lady was useless andI already knew everything she was talking about. I am a darn good travel booker from having to book flights back and forth from St. Louis to UD. The greatest part of my day was that on our way back from STA we still had time before class so we sat in a park in the sun and ate lunch. In the middle of london we ate lunch in a park. I did quite a few reality checks and tried to soak up as much sun as I could because it is supposed to rain tomorrow. Too bad its going to rain b/c lizzie said there is a great pub with peacocks in the beer garden if the weather isnt bad...but that's not going to happen this time. My next class was great, its the drama class and I was just smiling the whole time I was in the class. The professor is hillarious and I've been told so much about her it was like this huge buildup and she for sure lived up to every description. We're going to a show in the national theater next week and getting tour of it next week too. I'm just so excited for my classes b/c they are actually interesting and not boring requirements. After class team tiger finally reunited and I got to come home to my husband. Team I had called, of course we didnt call back, and we had our dinner dates set for 7 o'clock. Now that I've made it to dinner with Team I, the blokes we met at the pub last night it's time for another top 10.
1. we weren't going to go, then our convincing reason was "FOOD"
2. They all had faux hocks especially done today for dinner with us
3. We sat at the pub and then ran away b/c we were sketched out....and hid
4. they were definition euro trash chic
5. meg is "an irish cutie"
6. we had bread, appetizers, a main course, dessert, and bon bons
7. I got to eat chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms cooked with sage and rosemary on top baked new potatoes and some banana caramal cheesecake pie thing...dude, I eat power bars and a baked potato everyday.. this was luxury
8. Stuart got paranoid that we were dead and often pretends to be a dolphin trainer
9. I forgot to steal toilet paper therefore the night was a failure
10. once again....WE GOT FOOD!

Tomorrow we're going to stonehenge and bath and some other huge castle. Meg and I are either going to be animal planet reporters or half sisters, it's yet to be determined.

first days of class

2005-09-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

So...classes have started and I'm going to have the best semester. My first class which met today...on a Tuesday was Art History in Context. I get to do a presentation on ancient sculpture and we are going to about every famous art museum in the city during classs. I can't wait to finally be able to understand a least a little of what I'm looking at when I go in to an art museum. Last night we went to a pub, the same pub I went to with Julia the night before. It's a little posh and there were not that many people there so we finished a pint and headed over to the warington. It was enjoyable and we sat and chatted with flatmates and others while drinking a pint and taking in the atmosphere. Its not getting that cold here yet, early fall temps, it rained today but I was inside booking some travel plans. Today was a calm day but still had its entertaining moments, enough for a top 10. I've got two top 10's this time, one of why today was yet another great day, and the second of random things we've discovered, realized, or just blurted out while experiencing London as students.
Today's top 10:
1. We went on the London Eye and watched the sun actually set in London.
2. We ate dinner outside at a noodle bar along the Thames river
3. We managed to get to class in 35 minutes and rode a taxi for 1 mile to get to class on time
4. saw my first london rain
5. found out everyone from home thinks i'm a lush, yet I am still determining its definition to be extravagant, a drunkard, or voluptuous. Don't worry guys, I'm still midwestern Meredith, just having the time of my life :)
6. I booked a 4 night weekend stay in Paris including travel on the eurostar train from London for about 200 US dollars
7. I spent 4 hours researching places to go and plane tickets which w/o the taxes are free on ryan airlines
8. i heard my stomach shrink today
9. My calender is already packed with places we are going in Europe
10. We got to see ALL of a woman's lingere b/c she didnt understand the concept of a slip

Random thoughts of random people:
1. Head line reads "Tigers run wild on the east coast!"
2. Let's ride the Papa Fine taxi!
3. toe sponge protectors help sometimes
4. moldy bread is ok if you toast it
5. One pint a day keeps the drama away OR One pint a day keeps the hangover away
6. Tigers dont have posable thumbs so they can't use seatbelts
7. watch out for parked bikes
8. people stare...AT you
9. I really want a fag
10. I've got my paws and I'm not afraid to use them

night before class

2005-09-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

So...only a little tid bit for tonight, I'll update more tomorrow. Top 5 perhaps 10, same rules apply.
10. Me and Julia were the only ones to go out tonight from our whole program
9. Sometimes people are as useless as snot or boogers
8. bars close on sundays at 10:30 but that doesnt mean you cant have fun
7. peeing in the street is prohibited if there is a police car
6. being american is great = instant convo topic
5. I got an email instead of a bussiness card w/o even asking
4. I got to talk about the midwest
3. We found a new pub that has aMAZing people and cheap drinks
2. moldy rubber erasers up your nose are not cool
1. dont eat people's food man, just dont b/c god will feed you

London clubs and soccer games

2005-09-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well so we went to the the place where we were told there was a great club, got lost and never ended up there. We made a friend earlier this week named Stuart who coaches soccer we enjoy texting frequently. Stuart recommended a club to we tried to go there, failed, went to picadilly ciruces and got in to another club from a recruiter. The club played great music but was a little skeez. We won't be going back. Thankfully I got my camera back yesterday from Stuart after I lost it and he ended up having it. Anyway, last night was our intro to center london clubs and it wasnt superb but the night was still aMAZing thanks to great laughs, dumb comments and four beautiful disasters. Today we went to a soccer game in Southgate which is in northern London. It took us a bit to get there b/c we got lost on the way but we managed to get there just in time to cheer on the coach Stuart and see their goalie break his arm. Here are the top 10 things why today and last night were quite entertaining
no particular order, details upon request
1. We ate JuJu bees while watching 30 English guys play "football" in a quaint English town
2. We had real food at a pub and it wasnt super expensive...with Stuart
3. Stu didn't believe us when we texted him "we're behind a fence be there soon" yet he still asked us if we brought our pom poms
4. Be aggressive is our new fav cheer for ANYTHING
5. After stubbing her toe 3,000 times, today Meg finally lost half of it
6. We have met two gods and a sweat licker
7. There is a place called cockfoster
8. Tigers go raaagghhhr
9. We debated dressing like trees so no one could see us
10. Stew drives a "gay hair dressers car"

It's been a blast so far, we're all beautiful disasters, going out night after night having the time of our lives. We're going to West Hampstead tonight on the recommendation of our favorite bloke Stuart, should be great because no matter what, we always make something happen.

lazy day

2005-09-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

After watching the sun rise we went to sleep till at least 1 while another one of us didnt wake up till 2:30. Right away we went to the roof for a gossip session and tanning in the little sun that was left. We laughed at ourselves and our stories for a good 2 hours and made sure we all filled each other in to creat a complete story for the night. Then we went to the pub around the corner and there was a huge soccer or shall I say football game on and England won! We finally tried out the upstairs thai food place and it was spectacular...maybe because none of us had eaten in 24 hours...but, it was quite tasty. Tonight we're goign ot a club somewhere in Lester square..should be interesting.
Top 5 stupid things said today by Me, Deirdre, Meghan or Julia..details upon request
In no particular order:
1. God will feed me
2. ooh tiger....aaarrrgghh
3. you can not find god, god finds you
4. you have to eat like this b/c you dont know when you'll eat again!!!!!
5. God will feed us

Just around the corner

2005-09-03T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hello again! London is still being incredible. Yesterday we went to Hampton Court Palace. The place is beautiful, has the oldest tennis court still in play and a garden that is just to die for. ALSO, Hampton court is where the big maze is in the big shrubs. We went to a pub that was establised in the 1500's, but can't say so because pub registration was not till 1709, a random tidbit from a local. We had a pint and then headed pack in the palace. We wandered around the place for a good 4 hours and were in awe, but then after a long day and many pictures, we stopped for some ice cream and and ran on the train back to London. All of us American's are trying hard not to be SO American, but talking on the tube is the hardest one to deal with...we like to talk...and why not? After talking in the tube we walked back to our flat, stopped for a pint at the local pub and realized we were in the coolest place in the world. Anyway, London is beautiful, hasnt rained yet and with the weather, some good friends and a nice pub, what else could I want out of this town? I love it and now for the nightly bullet points. Every entry I'm going to enter 10 bullet points and once again, details upon request. Oh and these are in no particular order.
Last night rocked and here's why:
1. I paid for one drink and then found out that the bartender felt bad about charging us b/c he remembered us from the night before
2. I got to wear my jean jacket...the wrangler one
3.We had to walk another rooommate back, change her and put her to bed, but then ran the entire way back to the bar in no shoes through the middle of the street, ooh and if you forgot, this is Jude Laws neighborhood, like rich people and poor college kids are running around their street
4. We met Denise, this 60 year old woman and talked with her for about 2 hours at the pub, and she love the fact that she drank with girls as old as her granddaughters
5. We discovered the drink Pimms (its a mixed drink and quite tasty and inluced mint and a cucumber)
6. We partied in our friends' flat and danced to techno at 4 am
7. They played cricket in the hallway while we were there
8. We watched the sun rise from our roof and went to bed at 6am
9. An English guy picked me a flower from the street and put it in my hair
10. Our new favorite phrase is..."you can sleep when you die"

All for now. No worries, London is doing just fine and dandy. Now I'm off to got tan on the roof with the last bit of sunlight I expect to seen any time soon.

so we went left

2005-09-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Of course, because of our new direction we found some new adventures. We went left and meghan and I said this is too expensive we cant go there and we went to the warington. We also had our friend drew with us who went back to the warington with us. Our friend Stuart found us and asked if this was our new "local." After talking with Stuart for a long time we found out he was going to a fancy party and dressing up as Mr. T....he showed us his costume in his car which was a silver and black possibly MG little sports convertible. We were tired after that so we went home but then got in contact with Julia, the recruit from downstairs (we had left Julia and Deirdre at the wine bar from earlier) and we met them at the bar. I'll leave a few bullet points from the bar scene and beyond...details upon personal request:
1. Ewen McGreggor was at the wine bar where we were
2. We never paid for anything
3. We're friends with the bartenders and know their dating status
4. Some dude from Morocco decided to be our best friend/father figure/creeper
5. D made friends with the Moroccan dude's friend
6. They put on music and the first song they played was "endless love"
7. Meghan and I walk very fast, especially when we have a set destination
Other random tid bits to finish:
8. Meghan and Julia spent 60 bucks each to develop pics today
9. We have a pet moth
10. Spirits can sure change when you're with the right people :)

Being a tourist and running errands

2005-09-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Day 3 in the flat...started off nicely after quite a previous night. Last night we went back to the Warington after enjoying wine on the roof..a little too much but it was cheap and I'm in LONDON...so why not. We met some guys that work downtown and just got a flat down the street. They were really fun and schooled us on how to use proper English along with the fact that trash is not a word. Deirdre, my roommate, was nicknamed D-Star and I was nicknamed M-dawg, while the other girls might have received nicknames later that night. Tonight we're going to venture left of our flat b/c everyday we only go right. The Warington is an amazing pub, nestled in a corner in Maidavale just right up the street. They enjoy UD students every semester and its a hang out for up and coming bussiness men and women, yet its still pretty hip. It's become our "local" and we're venturing out tonight but I know we'll be back to the Warington soon. This morning, after not feeling so hot from the night before, was rather interesting and my last moments at the UD London Centre were spent rolling on the floor and covering my head, but, I was still giggling so no worries. For a good long time today we walked around London and saw the well known places like Big Ben, St. Pauls, Westminster Abbey, walked along the Themes, got icecream from a vendor outside of the (I forgot the exact name) Queens theater center...I'll remember the name later b/c I get to see shows in there too! It was also a day to run errands and spend money on not fun stuff like stamps, id cards, dish soap and such, but no worries, that type of spending will end soon...I hope. Yesterday we ran errands too and I got a phone charger, a flatmate got a blanket, you know, stuff you need like that, not the fun stuff. We ate lunch in St. James park and found out that one of our flatmates is deathly afraid of birds. Life is good here in London, the weather is beautiful and it hasnt rained yet! That's all for now!

The first few days...

2005-08-31T09:34:00.000-07:00

Goodness gracious. I'll just list a few things that amaze me about my abroad program in London.

1. It's 80 degrees in London right now, the hottest day in August, but the nights are beautiful and 75 degrees all night.

2. I live in the same neighborhood as Jude Law.

3. My classes are a block away from the Brittish Museum

4. My drink at Starbucks costs equal to 6 US dollars.

5. I have 4 day weekends

6. Half of my classes meet in museums.

7. I have a roof top lounge

8. The bar around the corner was in the movie "The wedding date"

9.A block away is Little Venice....it's a Venice in London

10. I get to go to a play a week.

That's all for now. We had our first orientation today and the Delaware London Centre is great. Tonight we're going to do the London Eye, very touristy, yet amazing. Talk to you soon!