tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42670344493992088652024-03-13T04:32:52.662-07:00I'm Just SheilaA collection of thoughts of a Journalism student at St. Michael's College. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-74091257252124181432014-12-07T16:11:00.001-08:002014-12-07T16:20:12.817-08:00A dual post: change is good, catcalling is notYesterday I was getting changed to go to a friend's annual Christmas party and I tried on at least five outfits that I have worn before throughout my college experience. These were my go-to outfits that made me feel confident and well dressed for any occasion, but they weren't as fabulous as I'd remembered them to be. As I kept digging through my closet, the pile of rejects on my bed grew rather large and though discouraged, I realized that sometimes you just outgrow things that used to feel right. <br />
<br />
I've been thinking about graduating and how it is creeping up on the horizon pretty quickly, and for some of my friends it is happening this semester. I don't particularly look forward to paying back my enormous student loans, searching for a decent job, or trying to make new friends wherever I end up, but I also feel as though my time at St. Mike's has served its purpose in molding me into a better person than I was when I stepped foot on campus nearly four years ago. <br />
<br />
Change is hard for me, but one thing that I know for sure is that it is one of the best things for us. Even when it is hard to accept that you will never be in the same place, with the same people, under the same circumstances ever again, there is something magical about what that does for your outlook on life. I love certain experiences that I've had because they were so fleeting. That's what made them special and memorable. <br />
<br />
College flies by. It's hard to imagine being out of school and away from this place that I've come to love and consider home, but it's just the beginning of a new adventure. It's time to create new memories, try on new outfits and throw away the go-to ones. <br />
<br />
Okay, that metaphor may sound a little cheesy and I still have a semester left of school (thank God), but what I'm really trying to say here is that growth is good. Change is good. Let's embrace it.<br />
_________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6HYsXt0O6o/VITt0TN9-WI/AAAAAAAAA28/QZZctQt3G4k/s1600/catcalling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6HYsXt0O6o/VITt0TN9-WI/AAAAAAAAA28/QZZctQt3G4k/s1600/catcalling.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a>As I walked home from dinner tonight with Liz, joking about life and complaining about the cold like we usually do, a car sped through campus and a boy (choice word for someone 18+) swung open one of the passenger doors and yelled to us, "What's cooking good looking?" and then proceeded to holler and laugh with his friends as he slammed the door and disappeared from sight. <br />
<br />
I longingly gazed after them as they drove away and the boy who yelled leveled up so many bro points that fireworks shot into the dark night sky and exploded in the shape of giant male parts. I hope he's single. If only he'd left a glass slipper...<br />
<br />
Just kidding. <br />
<br />
It made me mad at first. Then I felt sorry for him. I feel sorry for anyone who acts like that. Society lets them think that kind of behavior is funny and acceptable because they're young and "just messing around." It's not acceptable. He was not threatening us or being profane, but it is damaging to people when they are treated like that. <br />
<br />
I am someone's daughter. Someone's sister. Someone's friend. I am not the butt of your joke. <br />
<br />
*End of rant that could go on for a very long time but won't because there are Christmas movies on and I refuse to give any more thought to that booger of a human being and his ignorance. <br />
____________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
As always, thanks for reading my thoughts (however random they may be). <br />
<br />
xx Sheila Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-59907805575053849292014-11-16T12:37:00.000-08:002014-11-16T12:58:28.958-08:00Make It Count<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFA75-P2ff4/VGkMkZGDQuI/AAAAAAAAA2s/bNaR06UV6zc/s1600/flowersss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFA75-P2ff4/VGkMkZGDQuI/AAAAAAAAA2s/bNaR06UV6zc/s1600/flowersss.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Sundays are usually filled with naps, movies, homework, and resting for me. Most of all, Sundays are my favorite days to pause and reflect on what's happening in my life and sort through my thoughts. I'm always thinking about decisions I've made, people I've interacted with, and opportunities I've taken or passed up on. I <strike>probably</strike> over-think, but reflecting on my life really helps me to prioritize what needs to be done and what can be changed to make bad things better. <br />
<br />
This week, my mind is mostly filled with thoughts about my senior capstone research regarding ageism and intimacy later in life. I really stressed about senior seminar all summer, but now that I'm taking the first part of the class, it's silly to me that it was ever a worry. Yeah, it's not the easiest thing in the world, but it's so rewarding. Lauren and I have been staying on track with our assignments and research so my anxiety about it is nearly non-existent. <br />
<br />
I have been volunteering at an assisted living home in Burlington since the end of October (not very long), and during my weekly visits I have met some amazing people. It's a great experience to have under my belt for this project, but at the same time it's been really good for my heart. I just recently interviewed a resident named Leo, and hearing about all of the accomplishments this 80-year-old man has made was astounding. The best part was seeing how he's retained his passion for life throughout the hardships, successes, loves, and losses that he has experienced. He joked with me about having had "many careers and many women" throughout his life, but now all he has time for is his artwork. <br />
<br />
Leo was an orphan who bounced from foster home to foster home as a kid. His peers told him that he wouldn't amount to anything, but he proved them wrong. He knew that he was capable of greatness, and he was. He started a furniture business, worked as a barber, dabbled in mechanics, opened a variety store, and spent years working as a mason. This man never gave up on pursuing his passions and even came out of retirement in Florida because he was so bored of sitting around. After a debilitating heart attack knocked him off of his feet a few years ago, he was in a wheelchair with little hope of walking again. Somehow, he powered through and recovered so that all he needed to walk was a cane. Now he paints beautiful pictures that are hanging on his bedroom wall in a variety of frames- my favorite is of two penguins. Leo meets with an art student often and learns techniques for blending his paints and what not. Last year, he had a gallery showing and sold over 60 paintings. He spent the money that he earned on more paint supplies and frames for his wall. <br />
<br />
At one point I stopped Leo and said how impressed I was with all of the things that he's done, and he replied "I haven't even started."<br />
<br />
When I'm 80-years-old, I want to tell someone my story and be able to say the same thing. My friend is living his life like it is a grand adventure, and isn't that what it is? We should be changing jobs and moving around while we can. We should rent a 33 ft. RV and take a road trip across the country. So what if a relationship doesn't work out? So what if you fail an exam? So what if you get laid-off? Take a lesson from Leo and stop being afraid of change. Embrace it and seek it out because that might just be the key to a happy life. <br />
<br />
I try so hard to hold onto the things that make me happy, and sometimes my fear of change cripples me and prevents any new opportunities from arising. The happiest times in my life have been when I have gone out of my element and tried something new, like living in London. I want to keep embracing new experiences and new people so that I never miss out on all that life has to offer. Things may get rough sometimes, and I might get scared, but what I would regret most is letting fear get the best of me. <br />
<br />
It's time to start consistently putting myself out there. It's time to live life like Leo. Every moment counts so take that chance, tell someone how you feel, apply for that dream job, or jump on a plane and see the world. Do what makes you happy and never hold back. <br />
<br />
Until next time, <br />
<br />
xx Sheila Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-80830428436440352702014-10-09T16:25:00.000-07:002014-10-09T16:55:37.028-07:00Note to Self: Love When I was a little girl, a very special person asked me what I think the meaning of love is. <br />
<br />
Back then I would have probably said something about a prince charming and a princess who run away together and live happily ever after. I did not know then, that the definition and depth of love far exceeded the romantic love that we see in movies and fairy tales.<br />
<br />
Today, I am still trying to figure out the true meaning of love, because to me it is not singularly defined by a sequence of words that are strung together in a solitary sentence. It is not always grand or magnificent, but it is unfailing and exists in the tiny cracks and crevices of our lives. When we break, love binds us back together. <br />
<br />
To me, love is...<br />
<br />
The way that my grandparents felt about each other from the time that they married, through the birth of their four children, and through some unimaginable hardships that they faced. <br />
<br />
The way that my sister feels about music, theater, and of course... The Walking Dead.<br />
<br />
The feeling that swells inside of me when I am surrounded by my family and friends. <br />
<br />
The reason why my friend's fiance could not wait to propose to her, and even though she hates the attention, the reason why she has glowed ever since. <br />
<br />
The reason why some people find their passion and cling to it until the day that they die. <br />
<br />
The reason why there should be marriage equality. <br />
<br />
The reason why the world stood still and mourned together when Robin Williams died. <br />
<br />
The feeling that I get when I watch home videos and see my grandma there with us on Christmas morning.<br />
<br />
The thing that keeps us going when life gets a little too hard. <br />
<br />
The desire for those around you to be healthy, happy, and successful. <br />
<br />
The reason why my cat drags behind her favorite toy when you try to move it to another room. <br />
<br />
The reason why my dad fought for custody of my sister and I with everything that
he had and raised us to be compassionate, smart, good people. <br />
<br />
The desire to place someone's needs before yours.<br />
<br />
The way I feel when my younger cousin, Emma, tells me that she missed me while I was away. <br />
<br />
The reason why I have lived with my best friend since freshman year of college, despite how different we are as people. <br />
<br />
The reason why sometimes, you just have to breathe and let go- even if it hurts. <br />
<br />
The way I feel when I call up my dad and he says "Hiya, Bub!"<br />
<br />
The feeling I get when I think about my time abroad, my host family, and my London friends. <br />
<br />
The way I felt about Peggy, the woman who asked me what love meant when I was so young. <br />
<br />
<br />
Unconditional love is what we all need a little more of in life. Let people love you, and love them right back if you can. Hell, even ask them what they think love means. Find love in little things. <br />
<br />
Chin up. Be thankful. Be humble. Be kind. <br />
<br />
xx Sheila<br />
<br />
(P.S) I'm back on Blogspot. Maybe. For now. <br />
<br />
Happy Birthday, Dad. <i>I love you.</i> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-21433712690126164222014-05-27T17:19:00.000-07:002014-05-28T06:50:26.585-07:00Finale<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQh5ZVmoLD8/U4Uj678GdxI/AAAAAAAAAwU/JTQeeqYcwNw/s1600/big+ben.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQh5ZVmoLD8/U4Uj678GdxI/AAAAAAAAAwU/JTQeeqYcwNw/s1600/big+ben.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“How was London?”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this question since arriving
back in the states a few weeks ago. I knew it was coming and I was excited to
talk about it, but now the only answer I can muster up is “It was really great!”
and I leave it at that. How do I even begin to explain the last four months to
someone without talking them to death? How do I convey the gratitude that I
have and the immeasurable amount of personal growth I experienced from living
independently (for the most part) in a foreign country that I grew to love and
think of as a second home? I’m still trying to figure that out and I’m not sure
that I ever will truly find the right words to encompass my time abroad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote most of the following post while I was still in London and I finally
got around to finishing it up…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi again! It’s been a while since my last post and I’m quite sad to say that
this will be my last one while abroad in London, England. I am currently
sitting in the waiting area at Heathrow Airport, awaiting the announcement of
my gate number. I feel really odd saying that because it truly seems like just
yesterday that I was sitting at the wrong gate in JFK with a ton of jitters and
apprehension about what lied ahead of me. Now, four months later, I am calmly
waiting to return home and reunite with my friends and family after being apart
for so long. I am very excited to be back but this post isn’t going to be about
that. I wanted to take the little time I have left at the airport to write
about my study abroad experience in London, and how it changed my life for the
better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think that I’ll break down my thoughts into a list of some of the top moments
of my semester abroad. It’ll be much easier to cover everything and hopefully
keep your attention. So here I go!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(These are not in any particular order…)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sXg52xbZo1s/U4UkGbERyfI/AAAAAAAAAw4/c_4AVky1Z9k/s1600/rupert.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sXg52xbZo1s/U4UkGbERyfI/AAAAAAAAAw4/c_4AVky1Z9k/s1600/rupert.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Okay so first of all I’m going to have to say
meeting Rupert Grint twice in a pub was definitely one of the highlights of my <s>semester</s>
life. Just being able to walk up and talk to someone I never dreamed of meeting
in real life in such a chill atmosphere was incredible. As a huge Harry Potter
fan it was definitely the cherry-on-top of a very Harry Potter filled trip.
Between my trip to the Warner Brothers Studios in Watford to see the making of
Harry Potter and my weekend in Edinburgh where I saw the Elephant Café and the
inspiration for Diagon Alley, the past four months have been absolutely filled
with magical adventures. My inner twelve-year-old was smiling from ear-to-ear
the whole time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHGoNZQeuDs/U4UkE2TnOGI/AAAAAAAAAwg/gL-Z8TxfwuY/s1600/cute.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The friends that I made this semester are a huge
reason why it was such a successful and happy time for me. I was apprehensive
that I’d have the same friends I made during orientation throughout the whole
semester, but we all stuck together and I couldn’t imagine what it would have
been like without them. Anna, Megan, Matt and Amy were four of my closest
friends in London and each hold a special place in my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYl_QJb4m-E/U4UkGEeP3UI/AAAAAAAAAxM/bf33FIyghd0/s1600/milkshake.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYl_QJb4m-E/U4UkGEeP3UI/AAAAAAAAAxM/bf33FIyghd0/s1600/milkshake.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>I talked to Anna on Facebook before the trip and neither of us realized that
we’d be spending so much time together over the next four months. I thought
that she was a little out of my league friend-wise because she was so pretty
and in a sorority. That sounds silly now and I think that’s another beautiful
thing about this trip, because I don’t categorize people as often. You really
shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and isolate yourself from socializing with
people who aren’t too similar to you. Anna ended up being my roommate during
orientation and we’ve been best friends ever since. She has challenged me in
ways that not many people have in my life and I think that our differences make
the friendship worthwhile. I learn so much from her every day and I don’t know
if I would have been organized or motivated enough to see as many beautiful
places as I did without her. She’s always on top of things and has a ton of
energy so on our trips she would really push me to experience as much as I
could while we had the chance. I was frustrated at times because she was so
much more athletic and able to cope with the aches and pains of traveling
better than I could. When I look back on it all I’m thankful to her because I
don’t think I would have gotten to see as much if I had just stopped to rest a
lot. The fact that we traveled so much together really made us close because we
experienced things that only we can understand and relate to. She wrote me a
beautiful goodbye letter that brought me to tears in the cab on the way to the
airport. She wrote that some people come in to your life and leave so easily
but that she doesn’t believe that will happen to us. I couldn’t agree more!
It’ll be hard to stay on the same page when we’re not living anywhere near each
other but I feel like we’ll always be able to meet up and have a great time
traveling or reminiscing. I’m excited to write her letters and send her silly
messages when we both have texting again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a special person and I’m so thankful we
ended up as roommates that first day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jF3BuIu4riE/U4UkF6EvikI/AAAAAAAAAw0/04pNx2cyefc/s1600/megan%21.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jF3BuIu4riE/U4UkF6EvikI/AAAAAAAAAw0/04pNx2cyefc/s1600/megan!.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>I met Megan at Wagamama during orientation and I spent more time with her
during the other activities we had planned. I joined her, Anna, Matt and Noelle
for the self-guided tour around London during the first week and we’ve been
friends ever since. Since her, Matt and Anna live in Alexander Fleming, I would
take the tube over to Old Street to meet up with them for travel planning,
comedy night or just to hang out. I really liked Megan from the start because
she was so easy to get along with. She’s very sweet and good at holding a
conversation. We like a lot of the same things so it’s always nice to talk to
her about Jimmy Fallon clips or how she almost went to St. Michael’s for
school. She goes to Emerson in Boston so I’m excited that I’ll be able to meet
up with her easily when we’re both back in the states. She writes for Her
Campus and I spent countless hours looking through all of the articles she’s
written and I must say that she is quite talented. I feel like I’ll be reading
her stuff in big name magazines one day. I think that as the semester went on
we definitely bonded more and more with one another. Now when I say something
silly she’ll just roll her eyes and laugh and say “Sheilaaaa!” That’s something
I’ll miss a lot. I love joking around with her and I know that she’s always
there to listen when I need her. I hope she knows that I’m there for her too,
even though she doesn’t talk as much as I do, haha! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuFY_eUx0Vk/U4UkFXtMjII/AAAAAAAAAws/dSk1IpM42ao/s1600/me+and+matt.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuFY_eUx0Vk/U4UkFXtMjII/AAAAAAAAAws/dSk1IpM42ao/s1600/me+and+matt.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a>I met Matt during orientation as well and my first impression was that he
seemed quiet and really nice. I didn’t realize that he was the same person who
had posted such a friendly introduction in the Facebook group pre-departure.
When I finally made the connection I was surprised because he wasn’t as forward
as I thought he would be. As I got to know him I realized how amazing he is at
everything he does. He’s so organized, driven and creative and hearing about
all of his experiences with modeling, acting, graphic design and everything
else he does was incredible. He really inspired me to aim high and work hard. I
also admire how he is so personable and easy to converse with. We could go on
for hours swapping stories and making jokes. It’s rare that you meet someone as
well-rounded and down-to-earth as Matt. I’m really happy that we’re friends and
I know that he’s going to go so far in life. I’m excited to see where he ends
up and I’m totally going to brag to all of my friends about how I knew him way
back when. (I’m kidding, Matt. I won’t have to brag because I’ll probably be
your manager and at the very least I’ll be “Auntie Sheila” to your kids.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvZg1irX_m4/U4UkE5kI44I/AAAAAAAAAwk/nhrFlmMtnuc/s1600/gals.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvZg1irX_m4/U4UkE5kI44I/AAAAAAAAAwk/nhrFlmMtnuc/s1600/gals.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a>Finally, I met Amy during orientation as well. She was really sweet and I
remember thinking she was so friendly and talkative amongst the group of
nervous study abroad students. It ended up that she had three out of four
classes with me and we lived in the same building. I don’t know what I would
have done without her in my film theories class and all of them for that
matter. We definitely relied on each other to get through three hour lectures
and long tube rides to Harrow. She was always really supportive and caring when
I needed a friend and I hope that I was there for her too. We had a lot of
weekend trips planned throughout the semester so I didn’t get to spend as much
time outside of class with her as I would have liked but our trip to Edinburgh
was a nice treat! I hope that since we live rather close to one another in
America that I’ll see her from time to time. She’s a great friend and I wish
her all the best! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Another thing that I loved about study abroad
was all of the little things that were easily accessible on a daily basis.
Whether it be museums, shows, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>concerts,
the zoo, or a walk through the park, I always felt like I had something new to
see and I didn’t have to go too far to experience them. All of the things I
just listed were either free, student discounted or completely worth the money
and time. I will miss that when I’m back in Wappingers because I won’t be able
to just hop on the tube and go somewhere new for a few hours. Being surrounded
by historical and beautifully maintained places all of the time was a real
blessing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">· Liz came to visit me and we go to see one of our favorite artists, Ed Sheeran, at Royal Albert Hall. It was absolutely incredible and definitely one of the most memorable experiences I had in London. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMSyvnLe4e8/U4UkFBwHl6I/AAAAAAAAAwo/zuqON22EkhM/s1600/host+parents.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMSyvnLe4e8/U4UkFBwHl6I/AAAAAAAAAwo/zuqON22EkhM/s1600/host+parents.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>My host visit was one of the best experiences I
had while abroad. I made two amazing friends when I met John and Christine and
I am so thankful for the time we had together. We bonded over Hanson and they
showed me so much love and hospitality. They even took me to see Harry's Styles old bakery in Holmes Chapel. That was really awesome to see. I couldn’t have asked for a better host
visit and I am so happy that it has extended beyond the confines of one
weekend. They recently came to London and took me to the Viking Exhibition at
the British Museum. How cool is that? They are such special people and they
will always be dear to my heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
miss them very much but I know that they will come visit me one day. After all,
I have to take John to West Point and go to a Hanson concert with Chris! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltj5XK8T5I8/U4UmmTpZ8jI/AAAAAAAAAxw/xyUif9va0JU/s1600/harry+styles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltj5XK8T5I8/U4UmmTpZ8jI/AAAAAAAAAxw/xyUif9va0JU/s1600/harry+styles.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>One of my favorite memories of the past semester
was my experience at the red carpet of the Brit Awards. The cold and suffering
we faced outside of the O2 Arena is a distant memory now and I can appreciate
our perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited outside for
over 14 hours and it was something that I’ll probably never do again, but I
will never forget it. At the end of the day I walked away having met One
Direction, so that’s definitely a happy memory for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>I still can’t get over the fact that I heard
British accents every day for four whole months. I will forever think of
elevators as “lifts,” lines as “queues,” checks as “bills,” trunks as “boots”
and fries as “chips.” I really loved the way that British people spoke and I
will definitely miss hearing their beautiful accents all of the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>I loved re-visiting The Breakfast Club and
Nonna’s Kitchen a few times during my stay because they definitely became two
of my favorite restaurants. I felt like a real Londoner once I’d gone to each
multiple times. I’ll miss the smoothies and banana bacon French toast from The
Breakfast Club and the pizza and gelato from Nonna’s Kitchen. Mmmm gelato…. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Anna and I got free tickets to see a taping of BBC
Three’s “Sweat the Small Stuff,” hosted by Nick Grimshaw and it wouldn’t have
been possible for us to get in without the kindness of strangers. We showed up
thinking that we were guaranteed entry, but we realized that we didn’t have priority
bookings. The line was so long and we were about to throw in the towel when
Beth, a girl I’d spoken to in line earlier, approached us and said that her and
her father realized that they had two extra tickets. We were shocked at how
kind they were to us and I really loved talking to them and sitting with them
during the taping. They were so funny and kind. I’m glad that I found Beth on
social media because I definitely owe her a concert or a place to stay if she
ever comes to America. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Weekend trips to other countries such as
Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy were a really huge part of my time abroad.
I got to see so many famous landmarks and experience different food, languages,
infrastructures and cultures in such a short period of time. Thanks to the
cheap airfares we found and the low-cost hostels, my friends and I were able to
spend a lot of our weekends traveling. We definitely became so much closer
while traveling and I am thankful that I got to share those experiences with
such lovely people. From the pastel-colored houses and vineyards on the cliffs
of Manarola, Italy to the green, sheep-filled pastures of Ireland, I saw the
beauty of Europe on a budget and in a small amount of time. It was thrilling
and unforgettable. Traveling ignited the spark inside of me and now I’ll live
with wanderlust until the day that I die. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptIxKIGSIhQ/U4UnIF8p14I/AAAAAAAAAyA/oraVAEU_Pgc/s1600/IMG_8085.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptIxKIGSIhQ/U4UnIF8p14I/AAAAAAAAAyA/oraVAEU_Pgc/s1600/IMG_8085.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAnhuh-Heng/U4UnJCcOumI/AAAAAAAAAyI/p1fTYLkJYww/s1600/IMG_8137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAnhuh-Heng/U4UnJCcOumI/AAAAAAAAAyI/p1fTYLkJYww/s1600/IMG_8137.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Anna and I went to the South of France and Italy
for ten days at the end of my trip. We started in Marseille, France where we
stayed at an Airbnb apartment. Basically, Airbnb is when someone rents out a
room or their apartment to strangers for a low price. It’s a great option for
low-budget travel accommodations if you are traveling with someone and are
willing to take a risk. Our experience at Sebastien’s apartment in Marseille
was far better than we could have hoped for. While we were there we met Isaac,
a teacher and poet from Nice, France (our next stop) who was writing a book about
happiness in his free time. He was so kind to us and his English was really
good. When we arrived in Nice, he met up with us and we found out that he has a
three-year-old daughter named Camille. She was precious! We spent the day with
them and walked through Nice holding Camille’s hands and listening to her
stories and songs that were completely in French. Isaac bought us gelato and
translated Camille’s stories as much as he could. At one point she gave us both
flowers for our hair and told us that she wanted us to take them home and plant
them in our gardens. My heart melted when she said that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so grateful to be spending the day with
such kindhearted people who were willing to spend time with people they barely
knew and show us around their city. I will never forget Camille’s little
giggle, her Frozen shirt, her fire-engine red curls and her cute little French
song about fish. I could see that Isaac loves her so much and that they are both
loved by the community as well. The next day, Isaac took Anna and I to a
Russian Cathedral in Nice and told us how he loves to go there because it is so
peaceful and beautiful. When we left, he gave us two tickets worth 20 Euro each
for the Aquarium in Monaco. We were so overcome with love for this man who
treated us like family and asked for nothing in return. I wish him all the best
in life and I hope that one day we’ll meet again. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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</span></span></span>The view from my room was incredible, and
definitely a highlight of living in Marylebone Hall. I saw at least three rainbows,
amazing rain clouds that suddenly appeared in the bright blue sky, and the
buildings and landmarks of London, sparkling against the black night sky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
I really enjoyed the Royal Parks and I wish that
American parks were as beautiful and well-maintained. I could stroll around
Regent’s Park for hours and never get bored. Primrose Hill on a beautiful, warm
day can’t be beat. People lounge and picnic all over the green grass and
football games are always happening all around. Parents push their children
around in strollers and buy ice cream cones at the little concession stands.
The brightly colored flowers and gorgeous fountains are breathtaking. I
especially loved the little paths that would trail off into various areas of
the parks as if you were in Wonderland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·</span></span> On our second day in Rome, Italy, Anna, Matt and I decided to visit Vatican City. We were sick of waiting in long lines and paying for entry to everything at that point but when we walked up to the piazza, we flowed straight through security into the crowd as if it were the easiest thing in the world. Amazed at the amount of people there and still reeling from our quick and free entry, we neglected to realize that it was Wednesday and Pope Francis' General Assembly day. Trumpets started to play and he appeared in his little Pope-mobile and worked his way through the crowd, blessing babies and greeting the people. Matt and I almost cried because it was truly one of the most amazing things we've ever experienced. We stayed for the small mass and got to hear the "Our Father" sung in Latin. It was so incredible to be there and witness that without even knowing that we were in for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0SmhpCz2dM/U4UkFngxBOI/AAAAAAAAAww/HyHZ4BKuaQ4/s1600/mediter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0SmhpCz2dM/U4UkFngxBOI/AAAAAAAAAww/HyHZ4BKuaQ4/s1600/mediter.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>All of those things remain in
my heart and my mind and I am so thankful that I could experience a life in
which reality was better than my dreams. London was a challenge for me at first
and I feel like I accomplished something by growing to love it there. I
flourished as a person and I hope that all that I learned about life, travel
and myself will stay with me forever. I would go back in a heartbeat and I know
that I will be there again one day. It will never be the same again, but that’s
the wonder of travel. Every place brings a new adventure and if you go back
looking for the same old thing you will always be disappointed. Travel is spontaneity
and adventure. Travel is packing enough for ten days into a small Jansport
backpack. Travel is making friends with strangers who change your life forever.
Travel is trying new food and realizing that not all pasta in Italy is amazing.
Travel is feeling like your feet are going to fall off if you climb another
monument to see a panoramic view of a city. Travel is the realization that home
is the best place in the world after months of exploring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to be a traveler. I refuse to stay in one place for the remainder of my
life. I will go back to Europe and beyond. London taught me to embrace things
outside of my comfort zone and to live each day to the fullest.
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am forever changed.
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Until we meet again London,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">xx Sheila
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-42960266091371007742014-04-13T06:17:00.002-07:002014-04-13T16:03:24.745-07:00Springtime in London <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The sky outside of my window is a bright, baby blue and the clouds are sparse but fluffy. I can hear the faint sound of cars driving past on Marylebone Road and the fresh air coming through my window is brisk and refreshing. It's about one in the afternoon here in London and I'm really enjoying my relaxing Sunday after a few days filled with little adventures. I have a few more things to get done before I leave for my trip on Tuesday, but I decided that blogging was more important right now (I'm really just procrastinating).<br />
<br />
On Thursday, Anna, Matt and I got together in Marylebone to finalize some of our travel plans for the next two weeks. Most of that meetup consisted of goofing around and buying movie tickets for that night but we still finished what we needed to do. When Matt and Anna finished printing all of their boarding passes and what not, we met up with Megan at Primark on Oxford Street. Primark is a HUGE store that is really popular in the United Kingdom. They sell clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, home goods and tons of other odds and ends. The biggest perk about Primark is that it's dirt cheap. I got sneakers for 4 pounds and a dress for 7. The items they sell aren't the best quality and they're definitely made using cheap and abusive labor practices in other countries, but it's still packed every time I've been there. It always feels like it's Black Friday in Primark. There are people speaking every different language packed into every nook and cranny of the store and clothes are scattered and piled everywhere. I thought Forever21 was bad...<br />
<br />
Anyway, we met up at Primark to get some clothes for our trip and Anna had to get some bedding for when her friends arrived this weekend. We all split up and got what we needed and then Matt, Megan and I went to Chipotle to grab some dinner. We really enjoyed our burritos and I was so happy to eat something after dealing with the crowds and lines at Primark. <br />
<br />
When we finished eating, we sat and talked for a little while and two guys approached us. They were younger, probably close to our age, and one had a half-finished Corona in his hand. They sat down and one of them asked us where to go out in London at night. We all kind of looked at each other and I honestly had no idea what to suggest since I don't go to many nightclubs. We told them that Soho and Shoreditch are two of the most popular areas for young people to go out in. I kind of expected the conversation to end there but the one guy kept asking us questions. It wasn't too intrusive or creepy but it was still kind of awkward. We told him that we're studying abroad and he said that him and his friend were in London for the weekend. He asked us to guess where they were from in Europe and I honestly couldn't figure it out by his accent. I'm really bad at that kind of thing. We guessed a few times and told him that we really didn't know and he dragged it out uncomfortably long. Finally he said that they were from Germany. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qVeaE-14wu0/U0qLXp_ieXI/AAAAAAAAAvo/m34kPxuBLNc/s1600/movies.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qVeaE-14wu0/U0qLXp_ieXI/AAAAAAAAAvo/m34kPxuBLNc/s1600/movies.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left: Matt, me and Megan at the cinema.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We chatted a little more and I mentioned wanting to go to Brighton, England for a day trip before I leave. I was kind of talking to Megan the whole conversation because I didn't want to make a lot of eye contact with the two guys. The one that did all of the talking said "Oh Brighton is were all of the gays are. You don't want to go there." I had one of those <i>Mean Girls</i> moments where I imagined myself attacking him like a lion in the savannah, but don't worry- I didn't do that. I took the high road and once I made eye contact with Matt, who just so happens to be gay (and absolutely amazing, just sayin') we kind of smiled and laughed awkwardly and he changed the subject to something else. I would have said something but it was actually pretty amazing to see how ignorant and mean it made the guy sound. I didn't have to say anything at all.<br />
<br />
We talked a little more and at that point we were kind of itching to get out of there, so I said that we better head out. The talker asked us if we wanted to join them for drinks that night and we all politely said no. The second we exited the building, Matt and I started laughing and talking about what just happened. Megan hadn't even heard what the guy said because of his accent so we told her and then talked about how awkward that was on our way to the tube. <br />
<br />
I guess it's a given that there are people out there who disagree with homosexuality and some are much more vocal about it than others. It's just surprising when you hear someone say something like that. I'm so used to spending my time and surrounding myself with loving, caring and tolerant people, so it's like a sucker punch to the gut when someone isn't that way. I feel like my generation has become so supportive and tolerant and I'm really proud to be apart of that group. I feel sorry for people who aren't because they're missing out on a lot of love and acceptance. It's much easier than intolerance and hatred. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nno3zIE2-tc/U0qLXjSY7ZI/AAAAAAAAAvk/8IrIZZoQJiY/s1600/kenz+gardens.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nno3zIE2-tc/U0qLXjSY7ZI/AAAAAAAAAvk/8IrIZZoQJiY/s1600/kenz+gardens.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__Ar0UL2Yuk/U0qLYY4T5PI/AAAAAAAAAv0/yOEg5SppaOc/s1600/tea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__Ar0UL2Yuk/U0qLYY4T5PI/AAAAAAAAAv0/yOEg5SppaOc/s1600/tea2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Anyway, that was an interesting experience to say the least. Matt, Megan and I went back to our rooms and met at Piccadilly Circus around 8:15PM that evening. We walked to Cineworld Cinema and got a bunch of snacks before our 9PM screening of <i>Divergent. </i>I had popcorn, a coke and chocolate candies. It was nice to unwind and see a movie because it's one of my favorite pastimes. I go often at home but I hadn't gone yet in England because of the high ticket prices. I'm so glad that we splurged and got ourselves the tickets and snacks so that I could experience the cinema here before I leave. It was a lot of fun! <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__Ar0UL2Yuk/U0qLYY4T5PI/AAAAAAAAAv0/yOEg5SppaOc/s1600/tea2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
On Friday afternoon, Anna, Megan and I met up with about four other girls and one of the Arcadia staff members for afternoon tea at Kensington Palace's Orangery. It was a beautiful, warm afternoon so all I wore over my dress was a cardigan. I never thought I'd see the day when I didn't have to wear a jacket in London! <br />
<br />
I ordered a wild berry tea and we all got platters of sandwiches, scones and desserts. The room we sat in was really elegant. The walls were white and there were some little trees in planters throughout the room. There were columns with ornate carvings near the entrance to the kitchen and our table was perfectly laid out with plates and silverware. They were all pretty pastel colors with royal decor. The food was lovely and the tea was so sweet and fruity. It felt like a great way to wrap up my trip with Arcadia. <br />
<br />
After tea, we walked around the gardens and marveled at the beautiful flowers and all of the vibrant colors surrounding us everywhere we looked. We took some pictures and walked through the park to get back to the main street. We walked to T.K. Maxx (exactly like T.J. Maxx) and got a few more things for our trip. I got a maxi dress and a patterned tank top and I'm so excited to wear them in France and Italy.<br />
<br />
Yesterday was probably one of the best days I've had in London. Megan, Matt and I walked through Regent's Park and spent a few hours at the ZSL London Zoo. The sky was a little gray, but it was fairly warm out again and so many people brought their kids out to the park and the zoo. We saw a tiger, giraffes, birds, gorillas, reptiles, fish, bugs, llamas, penguins and so many other animals. My favorite part was the "Meet the Monkeys" area. There were little monkeys running all over the place. We weren't allowed to touch or feed them but they weren't behind fences, glass or nets. They were popping up everywhere and it was so much fun to take pictures of them and observe how they interacted with one another. The woman working in that area warned all of us about getting our phones too close to the monkeys because they often snatch them. I thought that was really funny. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRmEVztmJ6A/U0qKzYF-4RI/AAAAAAAAAuU/7Y5ATYUHQyk/s1600/IMG_7521.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRmEVztmJ6A/U0qKzYF-4RI/AAAAAAAAAuU/7Y5ATYUHQyk/s1600/IMG_7521.JPG" height="400" width="257" /></a>After the zoo, we walked back through Regent's Park and the sky got so much clearer. The sun was shining and the route we took had a lot of fountains and flowers to see along the way. We stopped and took some photos and Megan and I got sprayed by the fountain. That made for some funny facial expressions in our photos! <br />
<br />
We were pretty hungry after all of that so we went to Piccadilly to get some dinner. We ended up at my favorite restaurant, Nonna's Kitchen, which is where we went on my birthday. We split a bottle of white wine and some bruschetta which was great because we were so eager to fill our tummies and rest our feet. We all ordered pizza and they came pretty fast. It was delicious! We talked a lot and after we finished our pizzas we decided to get some gelato. I got one scoop of kinder, one hazelnut and one vanilla. It was amazing but I definitely ate way too much. I had a stomachache and a headache for the rest of the night. <br />
<br />
That didn't stop us from going back to Baker Street, getting some snacks from Tesco and coming up to my room to watch a movie. We picked out <i>Jungle 2 Jungle</i> starring Tim Allen. I loved that movie when I was younger and so did Matt. Megan said she had never seen it so when we had to show it to her. We stopped paying attention halfway through and the volume isn't the greatest on my computer but we had a lot of fun talking and joking around. We finished the movie and watched some YouTube videos before they headed out to catch the tube. <br />
<br />
I was so tired that I slept really heavily last night and had some crazy dreams about tigers and giraffes. I still feel a bit sleepy so I may indulge in a quick afternoon nap. I think I can put off laundry until tomorrow. <br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to my ten day trip with Anna and Matt, but since I'll have spotty WiFi and no computer, I probably won't blog until I get back to London. I know, I know, you'll miss me too much. Don't worry I'll be posting pictures on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook every chance I get. <br />
<br />
Have a lovely week everyone! <br />
<br />
Write soon, <br />
xx Sheila<br />
<br />
(PS: Congratulations to Stephanie on her acceptance and decision to attend St. Michael's College next fall. You are going to LOVE it and I'm really excited to have you join the SMC community. We're going to have so much fun decorating your dorm room! Love you!)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was filmed at the The Reptile House at the zoo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbUYdlZyD74/U0qK476Wo3I/AAAAAAAAAvI/odl1ZI9cMq0/s1600/IMG_7689.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbUYdlZyD74/U0qK476Wo3I/AAAAAAAAAvI/odl1ZI9cMq0/s1600/IMG_7689.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got sprayed by the fountain when Matt was taking our picture and it was so cold! </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WohK-GnorJs/U0qK5svuaqI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/Wu9PayrQW2k/s1600/IMG_7694.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WohK-GnorJs/U0qK5svuaqI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/Wu9PayrQW2k/s1600/IMG_7694.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbQvLwP0w7w/U0SNvS2-kfI/AAAAAAAAAqs/wHDE4d7dfag/s1600/HOST+FAMILY.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbQvLwP0w7w/U0SNvS2-kfI/AAAAAAAAAqs/wHDE4d7dfag/s1600/HOST+FAMILY.jpg" height="443" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Chrissie, John and me at Chatsworth Park. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span>Thomas G. Long once said that "</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">We show hospitality to strangers not merely because they need it, but because we need it, too." My host visit this past weekend was one of the best experiences I've had while abroad in England, if not the best, and my hosts left a huge impact on me. I am so thankful for their hospitality and kindness. We had a great weekend filled with adventures and I feel like we got to know each other pretty well. I can't wait to tell you all about it!<br /><br />I knew that I would have trouble remembering the names and locations of all of the places we went to, so a special thank you to John for emailing me a rough itinerary of what we did! <br /><br />Back in January, right after orientation, I applied for a Host UK visit. Arcadia (my study abroad program) pays the application fee so all I would need to pay for would be the travel expenses once I was assigned a host family. I thought that it would be so much fun to get out of London and meet new people. Sometime in January I was assigned to stay with the Easoms in early April. We exchanged emails from time to time and I was really happy that they seemed so nice. I found out that Chrissie is a huge Hanson fan through those exchanges and that made me even more excited to meet them. I have loved Hanson since I was a baby! No one else usually knows who they are when I mention them so it was a nice surprise to find out that I'd be staying with other fans. April seemed really far away so I kept that in the back of my mind as I traveled around Europe and finished school assignments. When I realized how quickly it was coming up, I couldn't believe it! </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">On Friday, I </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">woke up </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">around 7AM </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">and got ready, which didn't take too long since I had laid out my clothes and packed my bag the night before. I headed out and grabbed a light breakfast for the train and picked up some flowers for them at the Sainsbury's outside of Euston Station. <br /><br />My train was due to depart London Euston at 9:46AM and I was there around 9:15AM so I sat down and ate my apple tart and grapes to pass the time. Eventually they announced my train's platform and I headed up to the second car. I sat near a window and felt relieved that it wasn't too crowded. I put my bag up above me and picked out some music to listen to. <br /><br />The train ride was a little less than two and a half hours long. I thought that it went by pretty quickly and the population dwindled in my car about halfway there. When they announced the next stop was Stoke-on-Trent, I put on my jacket and grabbed my bag off of the shelf. I was a little nervous to be honest. </span></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvVDtvtL-rg/U0SN16i1Q9I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/j7EvEgUmNNI/s1600/house.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvVDtvtL-rg/U0SN16i1Q9I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/j7EvEgUmNNI/s1600/house.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Chrissie's house in Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-liUIj9fDG48/U0SN668KM1I/AAAAAAAAAtc/mTa6sKIrKOs/s1600/mr+tumnus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-liUIj9fDG48/U0SN668KM1I/AAAAAAAAAtc/mTa6sKIrKOs/s1600/mr+tumnus.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">As the train rolled to a stop, I saw John and Chrissie standing on the platform right near where my car stopped. I waved and Chrissie waved back. As soon as the doors opened I approached them and handed Chrissie the bouquet of flowers and the card I made them. They were really friendly right from the start and the drive from the station to their house was really pleasant and interesting. John told me a lot about the area and how Stoke-on-Trent is a city made up of six towns (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">Tunstall,
Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">. These towns are also known as the potteries because they are famous for their pottery factories. They live in Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme which is nearby. Newcastle is a medieval market town. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">My first impression of the area was that it reminded me a lot of Poughkeepsie. It's beautiful but run down and the abandoned old factories look kind of dreary and lonesome against the gray sky. In between all of the older buildings were little shops and take-out restaurants. It seemed like a nice little area to live near. I think it is the perfect balance of town and country.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">When we arrived at their house I was really excited to see inside. The outside is beautiful and they told me that their house was built in the 1930's and that they're one of the only houses in the neighborhood with the original stained glass windows left. I noticed them right away and they really add character to the house, especially when most of the houses in the neighborhood look the same.<br /><br />Another object that jumped out at me right away was their prop mailbox from Narnia. It had "Mr. Tumnus" written on it! How cool is that? I think that was another hint to me that I would really like these people. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pAyVIpMK34/U0SN3VQat9I/AAAAAAAAAsg/C2N1OI-8Nzs/s1600/livingroom2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pAyVIpMK34/U0SN3VQat9I/AAAAAAAAAsg/C2N1OI-8Nzs/s1600/livingroom2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>We entered the house and went into the living room. The first thing I noticed was the cabinet straight ahead of me with all of Chrissie's Hanson DVDs and CDs inside. I saw her Hanson sock monkey as well and then when I examined the room a little more I saw framed photos of the band near the couches. I really liked how neat and clean the room was. It smelt nice and the way it was decorated was very simple and elegant. I loved seeing their bookshelves stacked to the top with John's science fiction novels. They have a little table near the stained glass picture window and on the opposite side of the room were doors leading to the sun room. I really liked the white fireplace as well and the decor was so pretty. It seemed like a very English home to me but it also felt familiar and relaxing. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">I went upstairs with Chrissie to put my stuff down in my room and when she opened the door I was so excited to see a Hanson pillow sitting on my bed. The room itself was so cozy and neat and the big double bed was a nice sight after sleeping in a single all semester. I really liked the butterflies on the pillows because they reminded me of Peggy, who always loved butterflies. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNBRCxtWHvQ/U0SN1AeIh-I/AAAAAAAAAsA/SiR3Cj_14lA/s1600/hanson+pillow.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNBRCxtWHvQ/U0SN1AeIh-I/AAAAAAAAAsA/SiR3Cj_14lA/s1600/hanson+pillow.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Next to my room on the right was the bathroom which had a shower, a bathtub, a toilet and a sink. It was really clean and nicely decorated just like the rest of the house. The hallway is pretty short and narrow and it leads to Chrissie and John's room and the little study. <br /><br />Chrissie showed me more of her Hanson memorabilia in the study and she told me how she started liking them in 2000. She got to interview them for the fan club in 2005 I believe and she's seen and met them many times. I was so excited to hear all about her experiences with the band because I've loved them for as long as I can remember. It was a great thing to bond over. <br /><br />We had a light lunch which consisted of oat cakes filled with tomato and cheese (yummy!), coleslaw and some other goodies. I also enjoyed a cup of tea while Chrissie prepared the meal. John showed me the Alumni magazine he works on for Keele University. I was really impressed by the content and the design of it and I admire him for writing so much of it because of their small staff size. <br /><br />After lunch we headed to town and parked at Morrison's. John went to get his new glasses while Chrissie and I walked around the shopping area. It reminded me of Church Street so much and I loved seeing the flowers which were brightly colored and in planters all over the place. We saw a statue of Queen Victoria in a garden and we also walked past one of the oldest buildings in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It was built in the 1600's. That's so old! Chrissie showed me the church they used to go to sometimes and it was really neat to see all of the grave markers that lined the wall of the car park (parking lot). There were graves from the 1700's and earlier which was really fascinating. I enjoyed the yellow daffodils in the little grassy area above the car park as well. <br /><br />When we met back up with John we headed back towards the car and Chrissie grabbed some strawberries from a farm stand. We went back to their house and watched Hanson's "Re-Made in America" about the making of their latest album, <i>Anthem. </i>I really enjoyed seeing their creative process and it was nerve-wracking to see them bickering. I would never want them to break up or give up their music. I also enjoyed unwinding in such a comfy home because I haven't been in one since December. It's definitely hard not to miss the feeling of being in a house, so I appreciated the down time. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span><br />After John got back from dropping their niece off at the train station, we headed back out to see Keele University, where John works. Chrissie insisted that I ride shotgun all weekend so I had nice views out of the car window. John was really informative about all of the places we visited and I liked hearing about the history in the area. I felt bad responding with "oh wow" and "that's amazing" so often but I didn't know how to convey my interest besides just listening and taking it all in. <br /><br />Keele is absolutely gorgeous and so very green. The university occupies </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">620 acres of rural land and it is the largest main campus university in the UK. There are close to 10,000 students there which is a lot bigger than St. Michael's but smaller than the University of Westminster which has over 23,000 students (yikes!). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span>The campus was pretty empty because most universities in the UK went on their month-long break last week. We drove around a bit and then arrived at Keele Hall, which is a 19th-century mansion house that serves as the university's conference center. It was really gorgeous and the car park was cobblestone or something like it which I really liked. I'll never get tired of cobblestone. </span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_haBtrTeSs/U0SN2VBfUUI/AAAAAAAAAsY/5UjXY7vFfqU/s1600/keele+hall.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_haBtrTeSs/U0SN2VBfUUI/AAAAAAAAAsY/5UjXY7vFfqU/s1600/keele+hall.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keele Hall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">There was a wedding going on and little white lanterns and flower petals lined the stairs into the hall at one entrance. We went into the other and peered into the rooms without disturbing the reception that was going on in the ballroom. John showed me hidden doorways behind bookcases and explained that the mirror in the ballroom has a window behind it. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">We went outside and took some pictures near the fountain and then walked down the path, away from the house and towards the little lake. I thought that it was very reminiscent of Hogwarts because when reading the books as a child I had always imagined the grounds by the lake to look like that. There were hundreds of yellow daffodils covering the green grass and the water looked murky. The ground was muddy but not too bad and it seemed fitting for a place that gets a substantial amount of rain. There were some students sitting underneath two large trees and another tree nearer to the house reminded me of the womping willow. John told me that in the '70s some students sun bathed in that area without any clothes on and when one of them went to get ice cream nearby, the young girl working called the police and it was a huge scandal. I thought that was pretty hilarious. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><br />As we walked back towards the car I thought about how lovely it would be to go to school somewhere like Keele because the grounds are just so beautiful and expansive. I would be out exploring all of the time. I know that my St. Mike's friends would love it too because it's much bigger and better than Gilbrook. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRO7IKzgGwA/U0SNxFQYfXI/AAAAAAAAArM/0ROsXNVv0k4/s1600/daffodils+lake.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRO7IKzgGwA/U0SNxFQYfXI/AAAAAAAAArM/0ROsXNVv0k4/s1600/daffodils+lake.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">After our trip to Keele, we drove to Wrinehill, Chesire for dinner. We ate at a pub called The Hand and Trumpet and I ordered a hamburger and chips (fries). It was delicious and I enjoyed the half pint that John ordered for me as well. We had some lovely conversation while we ate and I was pleased with the atmostphere in the place as well.<br /><br />After dinner we went to a pub called the Mainwaring Arms in Whitmore, Staffordshire. It's a really old and traditional pub and it was pretty busy because it is a restaurant as well. We sat at a table in the corner by the fireplace until the party who had reserved it came, so we weren't there for a long time. Despite it being a quick stop, it was the perfect amount of time to finish another half pint and talk a bit more before heading home. <br /><br />When we arrived back at the house, I changed into my pajamas and joined John and Chrissie for some television in the living room. We watched a few British shows (all comedies) and I thought they were all pretty funny. I do think that it'd be more enjoyable to watch them with full knowledge of British culture and who's who in society. I was a little lost at points but I enjoyed it all the same. I didn't tell them but I was especially pleased that they had lit candles. That's something I've missed a ton since being abroad. <br /><br />I slept really well and woke up around 8AM. After I was all dressed and ready, I headed downstairs for breakfast. John was sitting in a chair in the sun room listening to music and Chrissie was in the living room. She started fixing up breakfast right away and I sat with John while we waited. We had some cereal which was a combination of different seeds and I added in some of the strawberries that Chrissie had purchased the day before. I also had some toast and orange juice. </span></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-th1cHj2iEZw/U0SN8gCs25I/AAAAAAAAAto/mKYdlUAxiek/s1600/sun+room.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-th1cHj2iEZw/U0SN8gCs25I/AAAAAAAAAto/mKYdlUAxiek/s1600/sun+room.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun room. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">I picked out some Hanson CDs and we set off for a day of sightseeing and road tripping. We drove through beautiful farm land and I saw a lot of stone walls that John explained were pretty ancient. It was incredible to think about how long it must have taken them to build them all by hand, stone-by-stone. I loved seeing all of the sheep grazing in the fields and the foggy sky didn't put a damper on my mood. We couldn't see as far out as they had hoped but I still saw some beautiful landscapes. We passed through Leek </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">(Queen of the Staffordshire
Moorlands)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"> and the rocky crags of the Roaches, where we saw the Winking Man rock. When you drive past it from a certain direction, it appears that the hole in the rock formation that juts out is opening and closing, hence the name "winking man." <br /><br />We drove through the Peak District until we got to Buxton, which is an old Roman spa town in Derbyshire. It is also the highest town in England. While we were there we saw the Pavilion
Gardens and Conservatory, the Opera House, the Old Hall Hotel where
Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned and we walked around inside of a little shopping center. It was really quaint and despite the rainy weather, I really enjoyed walking through the town. We even saw an older man filling up two huge gallon containers with well water. We also laughed when we read a poem about a fish in the conservatory that flipped over on its back and swam upside down for a year before dying. It was sad but the poem was pretty funny. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span>
After our stop in Buxton, we drove to Bakewell and crossed over a medieval bridge to get to the car park. The sidewalks lining the bridge were really narrow and there were triangular spaces jutting out to the side because people would need a place to step into when sheep were being herded across. We parked the car and walked around a bit before eating an authentic Bakewell Tart in the Original
Bakewell Pudding Shop. I wasn't sure what to expect when Chrissie and John described the famous Bakewell Pudding to me. Pudding is much different in America. In England it is more of a pie or pastry. </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><i>"Bakewell Pudding is</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><i> an English dessert commonly consisting of a flaky pastry base with a layer of sieved jam, topped with an egg and almond paste
filling. There are numerous variations and several bakeries each claim
to hold the original recipe. The pudding originates from the Derbyshire town of Bakewell." </i></span></span></span>(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakewell_pudding" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>) <br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span></blockquote>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnS_6KWBAEI/U0SNs4_wNAI/AAAAAAAAAqM/XSuWEcTyhNA/s1600/bakewell.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnS_6KWBAEI/U0SNs4_wNAI/AAAAAAAAAqM/XSuWEcTyhNA/s1600/bakewell.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">I wasn't sure whether to have it with custard or creme so naturally, I had both. It was absolutely delicious! It was so warm and flaky and the filling is to die for. I really liked it and I enjoyed my hot chocolate as well. It was nice to try something new and authentic to England. My company was great as well! With every stop we made, John, Chrissie and I got to know more about one another. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span>After we finished up our delicious Bakewell Pudding, we drove to Chatsworth Park. We parked by the house (more like mansion) and I was super excited to get out and walk around because sheep were roaming everywhere! There were a ton just walking through the car park. A few got spooked and ran off really quickly. They left one behind and it didn't see where they went so it was making sad noises and running in a panic. I felt bad for it! </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_ivF6vF8YI/U0SNvhx-gzI/AAAAAAAAArA/LmI9m3Ih0_I/s1600/chatsworth+house.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_ivF6vF8YI/U0SNvhx-gzI/AAAAAAAAArA/LmI9m3Ih0_I/s1600/chatsworth+house.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Chatsworth House is a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Stately home">stately home</a> in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Derbyshire">Derbyshire</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="England">England</a>. It is in the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Derbyshire Dales">Derbyshire Dales</a>, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north-east of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Bakewell">Bakewell</a> and 9 miles (14 km) west of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Chesterfield">Chesterfield</a> (<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><a class="external text" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow">SK260700</a></span>). It is the seat of the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Duke of Devonshire">Duke of Devonshire</a> and has been home to the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="House of Cavendish">Cavendish</a> family since 1549. Standing on the east bank of the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="River Derwent, Derbyshire">River Derwent</a>, Chatsworth looks across to the low hills that divide the Derwent and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="River Wye, Derbyshire">Wye</a>
valleys. The house, set in expansive parkland and backed by wooded,
rocky hills rising to heather moorland, contains a unique collection of
priceless paintings, furniture, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Old Master">Old Master</a> drawings, <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Neoclassical sculpture">Neoclassical sculptures</a>, books and other artefacts. Chatsworth has been selected as the United Kingdom's favourite country house several times. </span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatsworth_House#In_popular_culture" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>).</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><br /></span></span></span></blockquote>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_vP6j3zypE/U0SNxxWXHJI/AAAAAAAAArY/uzHcjA-9b_k/s1600/dead+slow.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_vP6j3zypE/U0SNxxWXHJI/AAAAAAAAArY/uzHcjA-9b_k/s1600/dead+slow.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2bH9Yk3dfY/U0SNt18QsTI/AAAAAAAAAqo/-8XD8Zl92jM/s1600/chatsworth+WWII.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2bH9Yk3dfY/U0SNt18QsTI/AAAAAAAAAqo/-8XD8Zl92jM/s1600/chatsworth+WWII.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">We approached the house and bought tickets to go in. I thought that the sign on the side of the building that said "Dead Slow, Hoot" was really funny. It basically means to drive at an extremely low speed and honk your horn if you're in that area. We spent an hour or so walking through the house which was so much fun. I really like visiting places like that. It reminded me of the Vanderbilt Estate times a million. It was so much bigger and its rooms were filled with beautiful artwork and interesting displays. <br /><br />Fun Fact: Chatsworth was used as Mr. Darcy's home in the movie </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><i>Pride and Prejudice</i> (2005). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"> My favorite part was seeing one of the large rooms set up the way it was during WWII when the Penrhos College (Wales) occupied the grounds. The college of girls had to relocate to the grounds of Chatsworth because of the bombings. It was so haunting to see the video footage of them and the way their beds were set up. <br /><br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzTi98vtG2k/U0SNucejAOI/AAAAAAAAAqk/EWL_yeN8Jdo/s1600/chatsworth+dining.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzTi98vtG2k/U0SNucejAOI/AAAAAAAAAqk/EWL_yeN8Jdo/s1600/chatsworth+dining.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a>We exited the house and gift shop and walked around the gardens for a little while. It was so beautiful that I can't even put it into words without sounding really redundant because of my other descriptions of beautiful places. It was so green and vast. The indoor garden was really pretty and smelt heavenly. We saw little streams and mossy piles of boulders. We walked through patches of trees and across little bridges. Daffodils and other flowers surrounded us everywhere we went. We finally emerged near the entrance to a maze. We had so much fun walking through it! I kept thinking about the movie <i>Labyrinth </i>(1986) and <i>Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. </i>We kept joking that the hedges were going to come to life and drag us under so we'd need to shoot up our wand flares. We finally found the center and posed for a picture before making our way out. It was a lot of fun!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><br /></span></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGyRfupspR0/U0SN1QUprMI/AAAAAAAAAsI/l2FOwAyUB1Y/s1600/chatsworth+garden.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGyRfupspR0/U0SN1QUprMI/AAAAAAAAAsI/l2FOwAyUB1Y/s1600/chatsworth+garden.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">We walked back to the house, used the restrooms and then headed to the car. We drove for awhile and at that point in the day we had switched Hanson albums from <i>Middle of Nowhere </i>(1997) to <i>Anthem </i>(2013). It was really interesting listening to their first album and then their last album because they have really matured as a band and as people. There are still audible similarities in their style and soul which was also interesting to hear. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-127fep31a_k/U0SN44CV3DI/AAAAAAAAAtE/nM41NWKLsgQ/s1600/me+and+john.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-127fep31a_k/U0SN44CV3DI/AAAAAAAAAtE/nM41NWKLsgQ/s1600/me+and+john.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and I at Arbor Low. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><br />Next we stopped at Arbor Low, a neolithic stone circle about 6,000 years old. It was very similar to Stonehenge, but the stones were tipped over and sunken into the ground a bit. I enjoyed walking through the field to get there and the views we had from the circle. The walk back was nice too because the cat from the neighboring farm kept rubbing up against my legs. <br /><br />When we got back to the house we relaxed while Chrissie made dinner, and after we ate our sausages and sweet potatoes we got ready to go to a play. I wore my black dress with creme colored polka dots, tights and my black boots and I freshened up a bit. My boots had gotten really muddy during the day so John polished them for me when we got back. They're so shiny now and I can't stop wearing them! </span></span></span><br />
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Once we were all ready to go, we headed to the Victoria Theatre, a purpose built
theatre-in-the-round nearby and saw the play "Hobson's Choice." It was hilarious and really well performed. We were in the front row and I really liked seeing a show performed in a round theatre. It was the first time I'd seen anything like that. I also loved the storyline and it's actually an old movie if anyone fancies looking it up. The main character was named Maggie which I thought was great. I asked John and Chrissie what the word bumptious meant after the first act and now it's one of my favorite words to say.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><i>Bumptious: (adjective) </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><i>irritatingly self-assertive.</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">After the show we went back to the house and I went right to bed. I was so tired! It was nice to get such a good night's sleep twice in a row. <br /><br />On Sunday morning I slept until a little after 8AM and got all packed up for my evening departure. When I went downstairs, John called to me from the sun room and said that he had a surprise for me. I filled up my glass of water and went into the room. He showed me a little piece of paper that he had scribbled an address on and said that he'd found the location of the bakery that Harry Styles used to work at in Holmes Chapel, Chesire, which was only about half an hour away. I was so excited and flattered that he took the time to look that up. It was on my bucket list of things to see while in England so I'm really grateful that I got to check that off. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UTL8NdfoMo/U0SNzPL7jbI/AAAAAAAAArs/Gh-s2BNdSII/s1600/hanson+charm.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UTL8NdfoMo/U0SNzPL7jbI/AAAAAAAAArs/Gh-s2BNdSII/s1600/hanson+charm.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">Right after John told me that, Chrissie came into the room and handed me a little black pouch. She told me that she had it for a long time and didn't know what to do with it. She said that she finally decided that I would give it a good home and she wanted me to have what was inside. I opened up the pouch and inside was a little Hanson charm. She told me that I could put it on a necklace and I was so overwhelmed with gratitude and love. I don't think I've ever met such genuine people before and I felt so lucky to be there with them. Sunday mornings in London usually consist of me sleeping in and then eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich alone while I watch Netflix and plan my week. Sitting there in their beautiful sun room, watching the birds come and go from the bird feeder and having great conversation with those lovely people made me feel overwhelmingly happy and blessed. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWY_YEnZnb8/U0SN36JPjCI/AAAAAAAAAsw/s6LHAsbkAFw/s1600/harry%27s+bakery.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWY_YEnZnb8/U0SN36JPjCI/AAAAAAAAAsw/s6LHAsbkAFw/s1600/harry's+bakery.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></span></span>I picked out two more Hanson albums and we headed for Holmes Chapel to see the W. Mandeville Bakery. We got there pretty quickly and the town was really quiet and desolate. It was a Sunday morning so everything was closed and the occasional jogger or car would pass by as we walked towards the bakery. We peered inside and saw some pictures of Harry hanging on the walls. I took some pictures outside and a woman walking her dog laughed at us a little. I can't blame her! It must be strange for the people in that small town to see fans come by and take pictures with a bakery that's been there for years. Oh well, I was pleased to have seen it. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">We drove through the town and turned onto a small cul-de-sac </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">to see what the houses looked like. There were some posts online that made it sound like Harry may have lived on that street but we didn't know which number. It was a nice little area within walking distance of the bakery. The whole town was very neat and quaint. I can't really imagine Harry Styles growing up there after all of the glitz and glamour he's probably used to now, but I also appreciated the beauty of the place. It seemed like a great town to raise a family in. It's on the commuter belt to Manchester and John said that it's quite posh. I could see that because the houses were considerably larger and had a little more land to sit on. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2hONEKLVDU/U0SN5e9IKxI/AAAAAAAAAs8/eG0RxcEhqKQ/s1600/moreton+house.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2hONEKLVDU/U0SN5e9IKxI/AAAAAAAAAs8/eG0RxcEhqKQ/s1600/moreton+house.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Moreton Hall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">After we left Holmes Chapel, we made a brief stop at Little Moreton Hall near Congleton, Cheshire. In John's words, "Built to make a big impression, Little Moreton Hall was constructed as a
timbered manor house with a moat, the earliest part of the house was
begun around 1504-1508 and the last addition
was completed in 1610." It was a crooked old house on a large patch of land. It stood out against the green grass and the warped look of the levels made me think of Harry Potter again. It could have been a wizard's house. It reminded me of the burrow. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><br />We didn't tour the building but we were allowed into the courtyard to glance around and take a few pictures. It was so neat to see the place and some employees dressed in old clothing came out into the courtyard while we were standing there. I also loved that the land was occupied by ducks and sheep. All of the baby lambs were black, which Chrissie and I found really interesting. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQdnYUPCly0/U0SN9ATwDeI/AAAAAAAAAtw/dU7duZl2WB8/s1600/mow+cop.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQdnYUPCly0/U0SN9ATwDeI/AAAAAAAAAtw/dU7duZl2WB8/s1600/mow+cop.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">From there we journeyed up a hill to Mow Cop, which is a folly on the edge of
the hills overlooking the Cheshire plain. It just looks like the ruins of an old tower but it had the most gorgeous views over five counties. We could see the famous
radio-telescope dish of Jodrell Bank, as well as fields and houses leading all the way to the Welsh Hills. I really enjoyed that little excursion!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx19L6vscOo/U0SNszCCA1I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/dBS-kFWic00/s1600/burleigh+pottery.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx19L6vscOo/U0SNszCCA1I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/dBS-kFWic00/s1600/burleigh+pottery.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">Finally, we went to Burleigh Pottery, a preserved Victorian Pottery in
Burslem, to see their hand-crafted pottery in fine earthenware. We met a nice security guard who had just made himself a cup of tea. He graciously stopped and told us about the entire process of making a mug at the pottery. It was so interesting! I thought that it sounded like a lot of work just to make a mug but they're really beautifully crafted I guess it's worth it in the end. They're doing a lot of work to the area where the pottery is and to the pottery itself. They're improving the area for tourism and it reminded me of Poughkeepsie and Wappingers again. It looks really rundown but they're working hard to improve and preserve it. I loved seeing all of the patterns and designs of the pottery they made there in the factory shop. John and Chrissie bought me a little mug which I will cherish forever! I hope that I can keep it safe on my journey back to America in a few weeks.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">After our little stop at the pottery and the Trent and Mersey Canal, we had lunch at the Orange Tree in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It was a very modern place that reminded me of the Double-O Grill a lot. I ordered Lemon Herb Chicken which came on a huge skewer with peppers and zucchini. There was a little side salad on the plate as well as a cup of chips. It was so yummy! I followed up that delicious meal with some chocolate truffles and raspberry dipping sauce. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">Once we got back to the house, we watched some of Hanson's <i>Middle of Nowhere Acoustic</i> (2007) DVD and relaxed for a couple of hours. Chrissie told me more about the Facebook page she contributes to called Mmmboptastic. It was so interesting to compare and talk about our Hanson journeys and I can't wait to see a show with her one day. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTs0mm5Ps1Y/U0SNz0AulEI/AAAAAAAAAr8/s9UbZuzlVAU/s1600/hanson+monkey.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTs0mm5Ps1Y/U0SNz0AulEI/AAAAAAAAAr8/s9UbZuzlVAU/s1600/hanson+monkey.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span>We got talking again and before I knew it, it was time to go to the train station. I was so sad to leave but I knew that I had made forever friends and that our connection would be a lasting one. They brought me to the train station and waited with me on the platform. I waved and blew a kiss to them as my train left the station. <br /><br />Out of all of the experiences I've had this past semester abroad, that was most enriching one. I went into it hoping for the best and feeling a little nervous, and I came out of it with two new amazing friends and some great memories. I don't know how I'll ever thank them enough for taking me into their home and showing me around. They are truly fantastic, loving, compassionate, patient and fun people who I hope will come to visit me in New York sometime soon! Their son, Nathan, lives in NYC so maybe we can all meet up sometime. I would love to introduce them to my family. I know that John would love to see the Hudson Valley because he's really interested in the American Civil War and my dad could take him to see West Point. I'm excited just thinking about it! <br /><br />It was a lovely, life-changing experience and I am so happy I signed up for it. <br /><br />Now for a week of paper writing, last minute shopping, spending time with friends and planning for my South of France/Italy trip next week. I can't wait to explore more and enjoy some nice weather. Only a little more than three weeks until I'll be back in good ol' America.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr">See you soon love bugs! <br /><br />xx Sheila<br /><br />(PS: It took me the entire length of <i>The Hobbit</i> soundtrack to write this.)</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-833070649851899842014-03-31T08:13:00.002-07:002014-03-31T09:45:36.634-07:00Winding Down Hiya! <br />
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This week has been pretty great and despite feeling like I don't have much to tell you, I'm sure I'll think of things as I'm writing this out. <br />
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Thursday was my last day of Film Theories and Creative Writing. We learned about Bollywood in Film Theories and read our "What Happens in Paris" themed scripts in Creative Writing. It was a good wrap-up for both courses and I honestly can't believe that they're already over! Modern America and Photographing London end tomorrow too so after that I'll have no more classes. I have a paper due on April 10th and one more due on April 30th. Not too shabby, huh? Although I will admit that I've been struggling to get research done for those papers. I have no motivation! Especially with the weather being so warm lately. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGnrFl-FIhw/UzmC7dJv7tI/AAAAAAAAAps/QapoE6A1qoY/s1600/me+and+anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGnrFl-FIhw/UzmC7dJv7tI/AAAAAAAAAps/QapoE6A1qoY/s1600/me+and+anna.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>I finished my photo project this week and my idea was to photograph study abroad students holding signs that say where they're from and how much they're spending on coming to London for the semester. My volunteers were great and they all met up with me in various places around the city to take pictures. Most of them guessed at how much they'd be spending this semester and I can't blame them because I haven't totaled up my expenses either. <br />
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On Friday evening, Anna and I went to Riverside Studios in Hammersmith to see a live taping of "Sweat the Small Stuff," which is a comedy panel show broadcast on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="BBC Three">BBC Three</a>, presented by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Nick Grimshaw">Nick Grimshaw</a>, featuring team captains <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Melvin O'Doom">Melvin O'Doom</a> and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Rochelle Humes">Rochelle Humes</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweat_the_Small_Stuff" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>). <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ac2GtuXyHVA/UzmC6yB6s5I/AAAAAAAAApo/qtd5ji4TSRg/s1600/sweat+the+small+stuff.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ac2GtuXyHVA/UzmC6yB6s5I/AAAAAAAAApo/qtd5ji4TSRg/s1600/sweat+the+small+stuff.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a>I signed up on Applause Store's website back in January after one of the Arcadia staff members mentioned how handy it is if you want free tickets to show recordings in London. I made sure that my name was on the reserves list for "Sweat the Small Stuff" because I love Nick Grimshaw. I first heard about him when I started liking One Direction because he often interviews them on his radio show and he is best friends with Harry Styles. I really enjoy watching and listening to his interviews with celebrities because he's really funny, down-to-earth and good at his job. <br />
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I received an e-mail a few weeks back saying that the show was booking and that two dates were available for ticket requests. I requested two tickets and the next morning I received another e-mail with the e-tickets attached! I was so excited and Anna said she'd come with me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-7-PwG7Xkk/UzmC6dMS_KI/AAAAAAAAApQ/XvSWivaITBU/s1600/sunset+in+hammersmith.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-7-PwG7Xkk/UzmC6dMS_KI/AAAAAAAAApQ/XvSWivaITBU/s1600/sunset+in+hammersmith.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YMErxr6dec/UzmC5snL9AI/AAAAAAAAApM/O4TCIWeoo0s/s1600/riverside.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>When we arrived at the studios the sun was starting to set and there was a pretty bridge over the water right near where we had to line up. Anna and I snapped a few pictures and then walked over to the line. We noticed there was a longer line and a shorter line, both formed in a little tunnel/back alley area of the studios. We approached a girl and her father and asked them which line was which. They were helpful but Anna wanted to make sure so she went to ask the guys in the front while I stayed and chatted with the girl we met. She told me she really liked my accent and I giggled because I never think about myself as having an accent. I know that sounds dumb but I have been complimented on my "accent" a few times since moving here and I'm always surprised to hear that people like the way I speak, ha! <br />
<br />
When Anna came back she said that the shorter line was for people with general e-tickets (us) and the longer line was for priority ticket holders who were guaranteed entrance. We were kind of bummed but we moved to the other line and tried to figure out our chances of actually getting in. The other line was pretty long and they had all purchased tickets. We were technically back-up in case some of those ticket holders didn't show up. I had no idea that's what our tickets meant so I felt pretty stupid. <br />
<br />
While we were weighing our options, the girl we had met in the longer line came up to us. She said that her and her dad realized that they had two extra tickets because her mom and sister couldn't make it. She asked us if we'd like to have them and join her in line. We were so shocked! I felt so lucky and grateful that we had met them so briefly because normally I don't talk to many people when I go out, and the first time I really did they were so kind and generous. <br />
<br />
We walked back to her dad and thanked them both a lot. They introduced themselves as Olly and Beth and we got to know them a bit while we waited in line. They said that they're from the midlands and Beth loves Nick Grimshaw and One Direction so of course I was happy to chat with her. It didn't feel like we waited very long because we were inside the studio before I knew it. <br />
<br />
The exterior of the building was very industrial and old. The building was made of brick and it definitely didn't jump out at me as I was approaching it with Anna. It was old and worn down and did not look like a modern studio. I liked that it was older and had character.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YMErxr6dec/UzmC5snL9AI/AAAAAAAAApM/O4TCIWeoo0s/s1600/riverside.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YMErxr6dec/UzmC5snL9AI/AAAAAAAAApM/O4TCIWeoo0s/s1600/riverside.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>When we walked inside we made our way through the small lobby, past bathrooms and through a little bar/restaurant area. The door to the studio was open and as we entered we were handed laminated pictures of Nick Grimshaw that were to be used during one of the games. On one side he was smiling and blue and on the other he looked angry and was red. I could only imagine what we would have used them for since they never got to the game they were needed for.<br />
<br />
The studio was pretty small and we sat in the front row of the main audience section. The cameras moved back and forth in front of us and a small group of audience members sat in front of those cameras, right up near the stage. I could see pretty well the whole time despite the camera movements in front of me. We were really close to the side entrance where the producers and show runners were standing. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YMErxr6dec/UzmC5snL9AI/AAAAAAAAApM/O4TCIWeoo0s/s1600/riverside.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
The show was really funny and the guest panelists were all British comedians, actors and singers that I had never heard of (Khali Best, Gareth Malone, Tom Rosental and Roisin Conaty). They were all pretty hilarious though and I'm definitely going to look them all up and learn more about their work. <br />
<br />
There was one skit where they showed videos of people they interviewed on the streets of London. They asked them which celebrity they think they look like and they'd pause the video right before they would answer. The panelists would have to guess who they're going to say and it was pretty hilarious to watch because none of the people really looked like anyone famous. The first guy said he looked like Harry Styles and I thought that Nick Grimshaw was going to fall right out of his chair. We were all laughing pretty hard. He definitely didn't look like Harry. <br />
<br />
It was really interesting to see them record the show because Nick had an ear piece in and he would often pause and talk back to whoever was giving him instructions. It kind of looked like he was talking to himself, haha! He also had to re-do a few parts and one time he had to change "Louis Vuitton bag" to "designer bag." They recorded the audience portions of the show before the panelists came on and I honestly don't think you'll be able to see me but I'll share any link to the episode that I can find when it premieres this week. <br />
<br />
At one point I was looking at the audience behind me during a break, and when I turned around both Beth and Anna said that Nick had just passed right by us to go get coffee. I was so mad that I missed it! He was so close!<br />
<br />
It was such a cool experience to see a live taping of a show and I will never forget how kind Olly and Beth were to us by giving us their extra tickets. We had so much fun!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPav_YXbl1k/UzmC52nC57I/AAAAAAAAApU/pes2n8IvIlc/s1600/south+bank.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPav_YXbl1k/UzmC52nC57I/AAAAAAAAApU/pes2n8IvIlc/s1600/south+bank.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Other than that life has been pretty mediocre this weekend. I've been a little run down so I haven't done too much in the past few days. I was supposed to go to Oxford for Liz's birthday today but I don't feel well enough to make the trip there and back. I'll have to make it up to her before I leave in a month. At least I got to see her, her mom and her sister, Emma briefly on Saturday afternoon when we met up by Big Ben. I spent a couple of hours at the South Bank beforehand and it was so nice out. I got an ice cream cone, people watched and sat on a bench with a sweet elderly couple while we watched the buskers (street performers) and enjoyed the view of Big Ben, The Eye and the Houses of Parliament. We were right by the base of The Eye and as it slowly rotated the compartments would cover and uncover the sun. When it was exposed, the rays beat down on my legs and warmed me up from head to toe.<br />
<br />
I listened to one busker named Charlotte Campbell who sang some of my favorite songs from "Lego House" by Ed Sheeran to "How Long Will I Love You" from the movie <i>About Time.</i> She was really talented and I really enjoyed her original song called "Streets of London." I'll embed the video for it so you can watch! She reminded me of Maggie a little bit. I can't wait to get home and listen to her play her guitar and sing again.<br />
<br />
Can you believe that I'm leaving exactly one month from Friday? It's so bittersweet to think that I'll be leaving London and returning home to my family and friends. I'm so excited to see them and to start off my summer but it'll definitely be tough leaving the life I've become accustomed to here. <br />
<br />
It's still too early to think about that though. I have my host visit this weekend and I'm really looking forward to that! I can't wait to see a different part of England and meet new people. It'll be a great experience. <br />
<br />
After that I have a paper to work on and then my big trip to the South of France and Italy with Anna! We're going to Marseille, Nice, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome for ten days. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing some water and enjoying the nice weather. <br />
<br />
I better go get some work done but as always, I'll write soon.<br />
<br />
xx Sheila<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsLa0BKMtK0/UzmFG4vVStI/AAAAAAAAAp8/0_Y6iCopga4/s1600/cinque_terre_vernazza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsLa0BKMtK0/UzmFG4vVStI/AAAAAAAAAp8/0_Y6iCopga4/s1600/cinque_terre_vernazza.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinque Terre, Italy is one of the places I'll be visiting in a few weeks! (Google Images)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BV9dDehfhB4/UzmFGbOy4SI/AAAAAAAAAp0/7oE8jPLJ4CQ/s1600/marseille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BV9dDehfhB4/UzmFGbOy4SI/AAAAAAAAAp0/7oE8jPLJ4CQ/s1600/marseille.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marseille, France is the first place we'll be going during our April trip. (Google Images) </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-45588124096047809792014-03-25T15:50:00.000-07:002014-03-25T16:15:30.686-07:00Ed Sheeran at Royal Albert Hall <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-T6AbZOgCw/UzIE5Y-mw5I/AAAAAAAAAnU/xWCini6R1-M/s1600/ed+ed+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-T6AbZOgCw/UzIE5Y-mw5I/AAAAAAAAAnU/xWCini6R1-M/s1600/ed+ed+ed.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Christie Goodwin, 2014. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZCLnEJ5QzA/UzIFGy749QI/AAAAAAAAAos/6yqxLIcPepY/s1600/me+and+liz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZCLnEJ5QzA/UzIFGy749QI/AAAAAAAAAos/6yqxLIcPepY/s1600/me+and+liz.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Liz waiting in line for the show! </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyCbg8n0_Ck/UzIE-r7Mp7I/AAAAAAAAAoA/R0pVIkuSh8c/s1600/passenger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>A month or two back, Liz and I forked up some serious quid (pounds) and bought ourselves tickets to see the love of our lives, Ed Sheeran, at Royal Albert Hall on Monday, March 24th. Time flew by and between trips to other countries, schoolwork and planning for my south of France/Italy trip next month, I nearly forgot that the concert was coming up!<br />
<br />
As soon as I woke up yesterday I was freaking out because the day had finally arrived. I spent the morning doing some chores, met with Megan for Chipotle around 2:30PM and then picked up some groceries on my way back to my building. Liz arrived around 3:30PM and after she put her stuff down in my room, we headed out to get to the venue a little early. Liz picked up some Subway and we hopped on the tube at Baker Street. We had to switch one time at Edgware Road but once we sat down on the second train we started talking about what we hoped he'd play at the show and almost missed our stop at South Kensington. We laughed it off and walked about ten minutes to Royal Albert Hall. <br />
<br />
We approached the building and noticed a small queue (line) near one of the doors. We sat at the end of the line and waited for about an hour while listening to Ed Sheeran and watching the line grow behind us. It started to get a little darker and around 6:15PM or so the security guards told us to stand up and move closer to the door to make the line more compact. We ended up standing over a heated vent which was really nice. The doors opened around 6:45PM and the ticket collectors scanned and then kept our tickets as we passed through the entrance. I was a little disappointed because I love keeping my ticket stubs, but we got bright blue wristbands to replace them. After checking my coat, browsing the merch table and wandering around the bar area, Liz and I took our place near the stage, right in the center and about six messy rows of people back. I was really excited about how close we were! <br />
<br />
At 7:40PM, Passenger came on to open the show. He was really fantastic and I was so happy when they announced that he was the supporting act because he fits really well with Ed Sheeran's style of music. They both have incredible voices and they're really good songwriters as well. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Passenger (aka Michael David Rosenberg) is an English folk-rock singer-songwriter who's single, "Let Her Go," has topped the charts in many countries (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Rosenberg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)." </i></blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyCbg8n0_Ck/UzIE-r7Mp7I/AAAAAAAAAoA/R0pVIkuSh8c/s1600/passenger.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyCbg8n0_Ck/UzIE-r7Mp7I/AAAAAAAAAoA/R0pVIkuSh8c/s1600/passenger.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passenger was phenomenal!</td></tr>
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I downloaded his album, "All the Little Lights," last semester and listened to it on all of my drives between Vermont and New York with Maggie, Lauren and Shawn. His songs are very slow and are mostly acoustic ballads and I really enjoy that kind of music. He actually made fun of himself during his set when he said, "You've probably noticed from my first two songs that this isn't going to be the happiest half hour of your life. I only have one hit single." He had the whole place laughing after that comment, and I was really impressed by how respectful the audience was towards him even though he wasn't really playing lively, dance music. I think that Ed Sheeran fans are the perfect crowd for Passenger because they appreciate the slow, acoustic ballads more than some people. <br />
<br />
After Passenger's set there was a break and they brought the house lights up so that people could go to the bar or the bathroom. I stayed put and appreciated the architecture of the room. There were huge white, circular installments hanging from the ceiling and the balconies or "stalls" were all ornately decorated with red curtains and beautiful carvings. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxVONBy4E4M/UzIFAWVAz1I/AAAAAAAAAoM/DWYfnraECR8/s1600/royal+albert+hall.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxVONBy4E4M/UzIFAWVAz1I/AAAAAAAAAoM/DWYfnraECR8/s1600/royal+albert+hall.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><i>"The Royal Albert Hall is a registered charity held in trust for the
nation and receives no public or central and local government funding.has a capacity (depending on configuration of
the event) of up to 5,272 seats; standing areas and stage specifications
can change this. Since its opening by Queen Victoria
in 1871, the world's leading artists from several performance genres
have appeared on its stage and it has become one of the UK's most
treasured and distinctive buildings. Each year it hosts more than 350
events including classical concerts, rock and pop, ballet and opera,
sports, award ceremonies, school and community events, charity
performances and banquets (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Albert_Hall" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)."</i></blockquote>
Around 9PM they had the host of the show come up on stage again and he talked about Teenage Cancer Trust, which was the main sponsor of the concert series happening that week. <br />
<blockquote>
<i>"Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, leukemia, Hodgkin’s and related diseases by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals.
The units are dedicated areas for teenage and young adult patients, who
are involved in their concept and creation. Medical facilities on the
units are equipped with computers, TVs, game consoles – designed to be
places where friends and family feel comfortable to visit. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of rock band The Who have been intimately involved with the annual charity concerts at Royal Albert Hall (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Cancer_Trust" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)."</i></blockquote>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hBdV0ct8AEQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Ed Sheeran was their first concert in the line-up and they all raved about how he couldn't make it last year but was the only act who ever kept his word that he'd play a show next year. It was really nice to hear about the work that Teenage Cancer Trust does and we were shown a short film about it to give us a better idea of why it's so important to donate and help spread awareness of the organization. (I embedded the video so you can watch.) <br />
<br />
One of the girls in the video, Amy, suffers from a horrible form of cancer (unfortunately I don't remember the name) and seeing the before and after pictures of her from just a few years ago to now were really heartbreaking. She can barely walk now so after the film ended and the lights went up, they brought her on stage in a wheelchair with a bunch of other teens who benefit from the organization and let me tell you, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. We gave them the biggest round of applause and cheered for them as they waved and marveled at the sold out audience in front of them. A few more people spoke, including Roger Daltrey from The Who and Noel Gallagher from Oasis, then they cleared the stage and announced Ed Sheeran. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Ed Sheeran is an English <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Singer-songwriter">singer-songwriter</a> who's debut album, "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="+ (album)">+</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="+ (album)">" (2011)</a>, containing the singles "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="The A Team (song)">The A Team</a>" and "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Lego House">Lego House</a>," was certified quintuple platinum in the United Kingdom. In 2012, he won two <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="BRIT Awards">BRIT Awards</a> for <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="2012 BRIT Awards">Best British Male</a> and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="2012 BRIT Awards">British Breakthrough</a>. Sheeran began to be known in the United States in 2012. He made a guest appearance on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Taylor Swift">Taylor Swift</a>'s fourth album, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Red (Taylor Swift album)">Red</a>, and wrote songs for <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="One Direction">One Direction</a>.
"The A Team" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2013 Grammy
Awards and he performed the song in duet with Elton John during the
ceremony. He spent much of 2013 touring North America as the opening act
for Taylor Swift's <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Red Tour">Red Tour</a>. His second album will be released in 2014. He was nominated for <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Best New Artist">Best New Artist</a> at the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="56th Annual Grammy Awards">56th Annual Grammy Awards</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sheeran" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)."</i><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2"></sup></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIMfkp2o5Ak/UzIFB39VgTI/AAAAAAAAAoU/v9IQ9QiCgr8/s1600/teencancertrustDALTREY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIMfkp2o5Ak/UzIFB39VgTI/AAAAAAAAAoU/v9IQ9QiCgr8/s1600/teencancertrustDALTREY.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger Daltrey and Amy on stage during the show. <i>Photo by Christie Goodwin, 2014.</i></td></tr>
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The hall got really dark and the screaming began as Ed made his way to the stage. Right away he began playing my favorite song, "Give Me Love," which I used in my Ireland video a few weeks back. It was a great opening song because it builds up to a really intense part towards the end and he was really giving it his all. He uses a looping mic that can record his harmonies and different guitar parts so that he can layer each song without having anyone else on stage with him. It is so amazing to see him do it and each song sounded so big and incredible with the acoustics in the hall. <br />
<br />
He played almost all of my favorites and here's the complete setlist with some of my comments about a few of the songs...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccAaZDfGuGc/UzIE1l8hlXI/AAAAAAAAAnI/UFVrTjmNfxs/s1600/angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccAaZDfGuGc/UzIE1l8hlXI/AAAAAAAAAnI/UFVrTjmNfxs/s1600/angel.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">
</span>Give Me Love- Amazing way to open, like I already said. His shadow was huge on the wall to my left and it was really cool to watch it for a while as he performed. <br />
<br />
Drunk<br />
U.N.I.<br />
Grade 8<br />
<br />
Wayfaring Stranger (by Jamie Woon)- He needed us to be really quiet for this song but a drunk girl kept screaming and I felt bad for her friend who was trying to restrain her. She ended up falling at one point and just remained on the ground. Ed was cute and told us all to cuddle anyone who tries to yell out when he needs it to be quiet for the looping mic to work. He said someone punched a person in the back of the head at one of his shows once so he didn't want us to take extreme measures like that if someone yells. <br />
<br />
Small Bump- We needed to be really quiet for this one too. This is one of me and Liz's favorites. <br />
<br />
Be My Husband (by Nina Simone)- This one was really fun and he had us sing back to him a lot. He kept jumping up on the speakers and interacting with the crowd which really got everyone excited. <br />
<br />
Kiss Me- Ed mentioned that he had recently been in Afghanistan playing for the troops and that so many of them went up to him and told him that this was their wedding song. He wrote it for his aunt and uncle's wedding. He asked us not to sing along for that one. <br />
<br />
Hearts on Fire (with Passenger)- This was really nice because he prefaced the song with a little background on how he'd played with Passenger before they found fame and they used to busk the streets together. It's crazy to think that they started off playing in small pubs and busy roads in London. <br />
<br />
Tenerife Sea (New)- This is a really pretty ballad off of his new album and I'm really excited to hear more! <br />
<br />
I See Fire- You might recognize this song from <i>The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug</i>. Ed joked about how it's about hobbits and dragons and asked us if it was relatable. He said he can relate to it because he's been called a hobbit his whole life. Aw!<br />
<br />
The Parting Glass- This is an old Irish song that Ed suggested was a good one to say goodbye with. He told us that he'd play one more song, leave the stage to drink a lot of water and that if we cheered loud enough he'd come back and play a few more for us. I closed my eyes during this song and it was amazing to just focus on his voice in the quiet arena. It sounded like we were the only two people in the room. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0ysmO-dpX4/UzIE3hHkcwI/AAAAAAAAAnM/5-hmIUv8BQM/s1600/ed+sheeran+arms+up.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0ysmO-dpX4/UzIE3hHkcwI/AAAAAAAAAnM/5-hmIUv8BQM/s1600/ed+sheeran+arms+up.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Lego House- The multi-colored lights on the screens behind him looked like legos which Liz and I loved. <br />
<br />
ENCORE: <br />
<br />
You Need Me, I Don’t Need You- He was amazing during this song! It's a lot of rapping and he mixed in a little of "Thrift Shop" by Macklemore too. I think that it was the perfect way to start the encore because we were all singing along and dancing. The whole hall was buzzing. <br />
<br />
Take It Back (New)- I LOVED THIS SONG. I'm so excited to hear it on the new album and he wasn't going to play it for us initially. He was strumming his guitar and he said, "Ah f*** it, I'll play you a new one." It was more fast-paced than "Tenerife Sea" and he raps the verses. It was about how things have changed so much for him but he always comes back to his roots. He also kind of preaches how you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I loved it.<br />
<br />
The A Team- I think that we all knew this would be the last song he sang last night. It was really great to hear him sing it live after hearing it countless times on the radio over the last few years. Everyone was singing along. He had us all turn our flashlights on our phones on and we lit up the whole arena. It was really beautiful!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aIcMN9oS0I/UzIE6WZF7II/AAAAAAAAAno/IDgGIPPUo1o/s1600/lights2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aIcMN9oS0I/UzIE6WZF7II/AAAAAAAAAno/IDgGIPPUo1o/s1600/lights2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Christie Goodwin, 2014.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, there you have it. Ed Sheeran was amazing. I am completely in love with his ginger hair, his quirky tattoos, his soulful voice, his tiny guitar, his down-to-earth personality and his incredible ability to perform in front of sold out audiences all over the world. He commands the stage without the help of a back up band and he is so magnificently talented. I would definitely recommend seeing him live to anyone who has the chance and if you haven't listened to his music, DO IT. His new album should be out sometime this year and he said that last night might be the last time he plays all of those songs for a long time. It was his first show at Royal Albert Hall and he said that his parents came to see him. The last time he was there was a few years ago to see Eric Clapton with his dad. Now look at him! I'm so happy for him and I hope that I get to see him again soon. It was a huge blessing to be able to see him perform there. I'll never ever forget it!<br />
<br />
I'm still exhausted and feeling a little run down so I should probably get some sleep. I hope that I feel better soon because I have a lot of work coming up and I'm seeing a live taping of "Sweat the Small Stuff" hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ, Nick Grimshaw on Friday. I'm really excited for that!<br />
<br />
I hope that everyone is having a great start to their week! <br />
<br />
Write soon, <br />
xx Sheila <br />
<br />
Here's one of my favorite Ed Sheeran songs, "Give Me Love." <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Review of last night: "From the moment he kicked
into top-20 single Give Me Love, Sheeran dispelled any notion that he is
merely a soppy acoustic balladeer. Dressed in scruffy black skater clothes,
his ginger hair ruffled just so and a baby acoustic guitar strapped on,
Sheeran transformed this formerly forgettable strummer into whirling arena
pop-rock. Using loop pedals, he layered triple harmonies, Flamenco guitar
twang and beatboxed drums on top of his soulful croon with military
precision... The 90-minute set continued in this breathless fashion, with grime rapping, a
cappella singing, one-handed guitar riffing and hip-hop beats thrown in. Sheeran was a livewire throughout, twiddling his effects pedals manically,
or encouraging more participation from his eager audience (James Lachno,<i> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/10720993/Ed-Sheeran-Royal-Albert-Hall-review-more-Aerosmith-than-Damien-Rice.html" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a></i>)."</span></span></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-75720875223821648962014-03-23T14:00:00.001-07:002014-03-23T14:01:21.280-07:00Creative Writing about LondonFrom the time I was little I have loved to write. I still have the diaries that I filled with little descriptions about my days and my fights with my sister. Unfortunately, I stopped keeping diaries as I got older but I always enjoyed blogging and writing about my thoughts and experiences when I had the chance. <br />
<br />
I never thought that I would be a journalism student in college until the middle of my senior year of high school. Yeah, I was in the newspaper club in fifth grade but that wasn't too inspiring. I always dreamed of becoming a teacher or a rock star. Those both seemed like very attainable dreams. <br />
<br />
Alas, here I am, a junior in college and a Media Studies, Journalism and Digital Arts major at St. Michael's College. And you know what? I couldn't be happier! <br />
<br />
I've really grown to love the MJD program at St. Mike's and I'm missing it like crazy now that I'm away in London for the semester. I wrote for the school newspaper, The Defender, last semester and it was a great experience. I loved reporting on local, national and campus news and my fellow staff members became like family to me. We spent long hours writing, editing and laying out the paper and I learned so much from that class. <br />
<br />
Now I'm in London and I'm doing something much different than reporting the news in AP style...<br />
<br />
Creative writing. <br />
<br />
I wasn't initially enrolled in Creative Writing about London. I ended up switching my schedule around during registration when I first arrived and that was one of the courses that got added to it. <br />
<br />
I was a little nervous to write creatively after becoming so used to writing for journalistic purposes, but after looking through some of the writing activities we would be doing, I was really looking forward to it. <br />
<br />
My class is St. Mike's sized which is small, but not too small. We meet in a classroom at the Wells Street campus for three hours each week and our module leader is name Kate. She's really awesome and I'm not going to lie, even though I know she'll read this, I love her bright pink hair! I've never had a professor or "lecturer" who is as down-to-earth as she is. <br />
<br />
Our class is made up of study abroad students (mostly from America) and we're all girls. It's been so amazing to hear the development in all of our writing since the beginning of the module, and something I really admire is how easy it is for us all to share. I feel like we've had an atmosphere of trust in the classroom since day one and that's really ideal for a creative writing class. <br />
<br />
We've covered everything from characterization to subtext, registers, plot, narrative, dialogue and setting. I feel as though the activities we were assigned really helped my writing flow in a creative way, instead of in the formal and accurate way I'm so used to.<br />
<br />
Our grade is made up of our 3,000 word short stories and our blog, which is why I have been sticking to posting at least once a week. I've mentioned the class a few times but I usually write about London and my weekend trips instead of particular writing activities we've done in class. I figured that this would be a good opportunity to reflect on the course as a whole because this Thursday is our final class. <br />
<br />
I'm kind of sad that it's ending because I don't want to lose my drive to keep writing and imaging things based off of my surroundings, whether I'm in London or back home in the states. <br />
<br />
I feel as though the detailed descriptions in my blog posts were really inspired by the work we've been doing in class. I'm even writing my short story based off of my personal experiences in London and I'm referring back to my blog posts for inspiration. They've been giving me great ideas and I'm really thankful that I wrote so much over the past few months. I'll always have those posts to look back at and remember the way I was feeling and the places I got to see during my time here in London. <br />
<br />
It's definitely hard to stay inspired to keep a journal or to blog about your experiences, especially when they don't seem too out of the ordinary, but it's really fulfilling if you do. I'll probably be sharing my short story on here soon and you may recognize some of the things I wrote as experiences I've had since January. <br />
<br />
As always, thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
xx Sheila <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-60298200767412005592014-03-21T13:58:00.002-07:002014-03-23T09:06:54.784-07:00Borough Market Fiction<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been taking a creative writing class since January and our assignment for class this week was to write about Borough Market in London. We were asked to describe a character who was trying a food there for the first time. This is what I came up with...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Last
Sunday morning I found myself wandering through Borough Market alone, past
vendors and stalls filled with treats and dishes from varying cultures and
traditions. I made my way past flowers and fresh vegetables and fought back the
temptation to take out my wallet and buy everything that I saw. It was a
beautiful day for the market and I was happy to have escaped my small, dorm
room and the glow of my computer screen. As I wound through the pathways, my
eyes darted from stall to stall and I cringed through the crowd as people pushed
by with bags and stopped to take touristy pictures. The smell of Pad Thai and
freshly baked bread caressed my nose each and every time I inhaled. I walked
through the Scottish section of the market and stealthily slunk past the man
offering free samples of Haggis so that I wouldn’t have to politely turn him
down. As I rounded the corner and briefly contemplated leaving to escape the
madness of the market, my eyes rested upon a stall selling fudge. I made my way
towards their display and right away I was offered a free sample by the Italian
man working behind the counter. It was toffee flavored and I pinched the small,
crumbly block of it between my thumb and pointer finger and cupped my other
hand underneath to ensure its safety if I let it slip between my fingers. I
successfully delivered the tiny morsel into my mouth and right away the
sweetness danced around my tongue as the fudge slowly dissolved into a creamy
puddle and slid smoothly down my throat. I pulled out my wallet that I had been
using all of my will power to keep from using, and I handed the man three
pounds for a slice of salted caramel fudge. I watched him rip a piece of wax
paper off of the roll and slide it over the slice of fudge closest to me. He
slipped it into a brown paper bag and handed it to me in one fluid motion. I
smiled and thanked him and turned to make my way out of the market. I
impatiently rode the tube back and walked the familiar route to my dorm,
holding the bag in my hand and awaiting the moment I’d be able to open it up
and unleash the heaven inside. I keyed into my room and sat on my bed, with a
beautiful view of the London skyline right there to keep me company. I removed
the fudge from the bag and broke off a piece while the crumbs fell to my lap. I
closed my eyes and took a bite and it was as if I was standing there in Borough
Market again, trying the fudge for the first time. <br /><br />xx Sheila </span></span></span><br />
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-72845055337934291452014-03-20T09:04:00.000-07:002014-03-20T11:09:42.473-07:00 Living for the first time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gueoaPSwyv0/UysNEUaf7SI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/1uPU0WC8oLc/s1600/blog+image+NUTELLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gueoaPSwyv0/UysNEUaf7SI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/1uPU0WC8oLc/s1600/blog+image+NUTELLA.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Just a couple of hours ago I posted this photo on Instagram. My friend, Rachel, commented on it and said, "Sheila, you make independent living look downright glamorous." I smiled and immediately thought about how great living on my own really has been for me. Then my fingers started twitching and the next thing I new I was typing another short novel of a blog post. So thank you for the inspiration Rachel! Here's what I have to say...<br />
<br />
Everyone should learn how to be content with being alone. From the time we're babies, most of us are surrounded by family and friends 24/7 with only short-lived escapes into freedom and to be honest, most of us don't know how to deal with that freedom, so we reject it. <br />
<br />
I rejected independence for so long and I would have never admitted it before. The common attitude among my peers throughout high school was "I can't wait to get out of this boring town and be on my own somewhere new." I was always too comfortable to feel that way unless something upset me for whatever reason. The few "world-shattering" moments I've had don't seem so bad now that time has passed, but those were the only times that I can remember truly craving space and time to be alone. <br />
<br />
It's sad that being unhappy leads to that desire and I can't tell you if it's the cure to misery or not, because I tried something different. I tried living on my own during a good time in my life. I was perfectly happy with the way my life was going before I decided to study abroad in London. Coming here wasn't an escape from reality or depression for me. I came here to grow and experience life in a new way without the safety of my familiar bubble. I wanted to use this trip as a tool to grow as a person. <br />
<br />
I suppose a good comparison would be relationships, because we're all taught that relationships are the healthiest and most fulfilling when you go into them loving yourself. If you enter into it looking for someone to complete you, fix your problems, or make you feel better about yourself, you're probably not going to have much success in the long-term. <br />
<br />
I think that we all need to go through a few of those before we realize what's truly important in our lives. Happiness can be fleeting and attained by latching yourself onto other people with the risk of disappointment and heartbreak, or it can be lasting and rich because the source of that happiness comes from within yourself. <br />
<br />
Now I really don't mean to sound like Ghandi or Dr. Phil (strange pair), because I'm only 21 and I still have a ton of insecurities and fears about silly things. I get lonely sometimes and hope for some company. You can hear advice from people all your life or read this post and it won't necessarily help you until you experience something that throws you in a new direction. <br />
<br />
London has thrown me so far in a new direction that I'm probably going to have whip lash for the rest of my life. Yeah, I guess that doesn't sound too pleasant and I should probably quit using hyperboles and metaphors since they're really hit-or-miss kind of things, but you catch my drift, right? <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMrQ4AWf1dk/UysOmUSRDwI/AAAAAAAAAmc/S7OaMgsST-4/s1600/JFK2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMrQ4AWf1dk/UysOmUSRDwI/AAAAAAAAAmc/S7OaMgsST-4/s1600/JFK2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>Living on my own in a foreign country without any family and friends nearby to turn to (at first) has been absolutely, crazy good for me. I've learned to cook a bit more than toast and pasta, I can make phone calls to strangers without feeling pukey and shy, I can keep to a budget and stay organized when it comes to household tasks, I can plan huge trips to foreign countries and I can navigate through a city even though I've never lived in one before (and London is HUGE). <br />
<br />
Those things are all important, and they're only a fraction of the things I've learned to do since arriving here, but what I'm going to take away from this trip is so much bigger than taking responsibility for tasks like those. <br />
<br />
I have learned to love myself more and to treat myself better without depending on anyone else in the world to hold my hand. <br />
<br />
I call my dad often and I keep in contact with people from home. I have friends here who I see daily and I chat with people during class. Those interactions are important, and they make me feel more established here in London, but they're not all that time consuming and I definitely don't depend on them to make it through my days.<br />
<br />
To be honest, most of the time I'm alone. I grocery shop alone, cook alone, sleep alone, go to class alone, shop for essentials alone, read alone, explore alone and so on. <br />
<br />
Three months ago the thought of that would have horrified me. We can all pretend that being alone is great and doesn't bother us, but binge-watching Netflix with our pets during school breaks doesn't entirely count as being "alone." Experiencing life and enjoying it without the constant presence of familiar faces is the most challenging and strange task I've ever been given. Instead of feeling anxious and sad that I have no one to talk to like I would have in the past, I feel liberated and happy. <br />
<br />
I'm not afraid to be alone with my thoughts and I can entertain myself with simpler things. Of course it's always amazing to be surrounded by the friends I've made here and that happens often, but it's not like I have anyone to go home to or lounge around with on slow days. This is the first time I've truly had to rely on myself to be the decision-maker and the source of light and positivity that I need. <br />
<br />
Instead of feeding off of the group or settling into a routine of socialization, I look to myself for insight, comfort and happiness. And you know what? I'm so damn proud of myself for that. <br />
<br />
It feels amazing to be able to feel that way. I don't need people the way I used to. I don't crave constant interaction anymore. I don't even think that I realized that I did before because I would hide away in my room sometimes and then re-emerge when I was ready to eat or have a conversation. I didn't see that as dependence on others at all. I thought I was quite independent when I wanted to be. That wasn't the case and I completely see that now that I can't just hide away and then go downstairs for some company or drag my sister around when I don't feel like going somewhere alone. <br />
<br />
Besides the freedom that comes with this new mind-set and lifestyle, I have also gained some awesome experiences. Like today for instance, I bought myself some strawberries, indulged in some Nutella and watched an episode of <i>The Vampire Diaries.</i> Okay, okay maybe more than one episode... but anyways, I had a lovely little break from the hustle and bustle of the London streets and museums and the constant hopping on and off of the tube. I set aside some time for myself to relax and I even had some time to write this blog post. <br />
<br />
I've had tons of little moments like that since January and I can't wait to take that all home with me. Instead of bringing home emotionally damaged baggage, I'll be bringing home an overweight checked bag, a carry on, my camera bag and the new-and-improved me. <br />
<br />
I hope that I can continue to grow in this direction because whether I'm in Europe or not, it's something that will help me for the rest of my life. I hope that you can all experience that too at some point in your lives because it's a beautiful thing. <br />
<br />
Happy International Day of Happiness! :)<br />
<br />
Write soon! <br />
xx Sheila<br />
<br />
<i>"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” (</i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Coco Chanel)</i>
</span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-19932933506928323142014-03-17T19:02:00.001-07:002014-04-09T13:32:07.095-07:00Edinburgh Reflections <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ha05ksm5gBE/Uyej9jMrdQI/AAAAAAAAAj4/6Y0QCu3f-EQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ha05ksm5gBE/Uyej9jMrdQI/AAAAAAAAAj4/6Y0QCu3f-EQ/s1600/1.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King's Cross Station in London. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been a lazy Monday here in London and my shins hurt. Yes, my shins. <br />
<br />
Scotland beat me up like unrequited love and that's the perfect comparison really because I dreamed of going there, loved every minute of it and now I'm left alone in my bed with aches and pains that will only go away in time. <br />
<br />
That sounds terribly depressing but don't worry, my weekend in Edinburgh wasn't bad at all. I'm just feeling the after effects right now. All in all, the trip was fantastic and it was really nice to be able to visit somewhere in which my heritage is so deeply rooted. <br />
<br />
I met up with the Arcadia group at King's Cross Station here in London on Friday afternoon around 12PM. We were instructed to meet the staff members at platform 9 3/4 which is a tourist attraction at King's Cross for Harry Potter fans. The ten-year-old in me would have nearly died of excitement at the fact that we were meeting there and I'm not going to pretend like my 21-year-old self wasn't pretty darn excited as well. <br />
<br />
We boarded our train shortly after 1PM and took off for Edinburgh. It was a lovely train ride because we were very relaxed and well-rested due to the later departure time and pre-planned itinerary (for the most part). I bought a Vanilla Coke right before we left King's Cross and that alone made the journey enjoyable for me. <br />
<br />
After passing through the countryside with the occasional stop in places like Newcastle and York, we arrived at Edinburgh Waverly Station (around 5:30PM). The walk to the Edinburgh Youth Hostel was about ten minutes long and we were led by an Arcadia staff member from the Edinburgh office. It was still light out so I got to see the main rotaries and sights along the road to our hostel. <br />
<br />
We were assigned rooms and Megan and I ended up together with two other girls, while Anna and Amy were together in a room right next door. We put our stuff down and left almost immediately to grab some dinner.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSTnHyqxyZU/UyekAx3tACI/AAAAAAAAAlE/SCzfORekZQA/s1600/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSTnHyqxyZU/UyekAx3tACI/AAAAAAAAAlE/SCzfORekZQA/s1600/2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hostel was really modern and spacious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped at Al Fresco for some Italian food and I ordered lobster ravioli. It was a bit of a daring order for me because I rarely eat seafood and I've only tried a little nibble of lobster once before. It ended up being quite delicious but now when I think about the creamy orange sauce and shrimp mixed in with the filling ravioli I get nauseous. As good as it tasted, it may have been too much for me that night. Megan, Anna and I split a bottle of white wine with dinner and I snacked on olives as well. They were huge and really salty which was something I'm not used to. Sometimes I feel outnumbered as an olive lover because I've only met a few who appreciate them like I do. I used to put them on my fingers when I was little and wish that I could get away with eating a whole can one day. <br />
<br />
Anyway, back to the story... <br />
<br />
We left the restaurant and walked across the North Bridge to the Royal Mile. We wandered around and got a flyer for a comedy show at a pub down the hill. We searched for it on our walk but came across another pub called The White Horse before we could find it. They were also having a comedy night so we went right in and ordered some cider. There was a beautiful white and ginger spotted cat perched on a chair near the bar and although on one hand it seemed quite out of place, it also struck me as perfectly fitting for an old, quirky pub in Scotland. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3K0u3m9cpw/UyekBQz-zZI/AAAAAAAAAlU/G1DoNjruqNI/s1600/3.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3K0u3m9cpw/UyekBQz-zZI/AAAAAAAAAlU/G1DoNjruqNI/s1600/3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Horse Pub was really cozy! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6b8tfPrPZE/UyekBnZtAfI/AAAAAAAAAlY/NGFfcTiDXTE/s1600/4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
The pub wasn't all that busy so we went straight into the back room and sat down to wait for the comedy to begin. The room was decorated with bluish/white twinkly lights and flags from countries like Scotland and Ireland. It was really cozy and welcoming and I felt like we had found the perfect place to spend our first night in Scotland. <br />
<br />
The comedy show was pretty funny, but mostly because we were one of two groups there to see it. The other bunch had just gotten out of work at Creative Scotland and had come to have some drinks and unwind. They were really friendly and participated in the back-and-forth with the comedians often. We were sitting across the room from them and the host of the comedy show, Bob, felt sorry for us that we picked that pub on such an empty night. We laughed at the situation and it was brought up a few more times throughout the night. <br />
<br />
The comedians were pretty funny but I'm also the type of person who laughs at anything so maybe I'm not the best judge. There was one guy with a guitar, one with a really raspy voice, one who jokingly referred to himself as an "androgynous wind chime" and told stories of problems he's had with his flats in Edinburgh and finally one who told really creepy and bad jokes for way longer than his allotted time (or so it seemed). <br />
<br />
When we left the show I dropped a pound into the donation jar and we stopped in the front room by the bar to chat with Bob and pet the cat. Bob was really friendly and gave us a few suggestions for what to see and do in Edinburgh. We left in a really good mood and walked back to the hostel to get some sleep. <br />
<br />
I slept on the top bunk, above Megan and despite the creakiness of the bed, I found it really comfortable. Maybe it was just how exhausted I was but it felt a lot more comfortable than my mattress in Marylebone. I fell asleep pretty quickly and only woke up once for a little while because I was really warm and a bit thirsty. All I could taste was that lobster ravioli and it was making me feel gross. <br />
<br />
We woke up around 8:30AM and met Anna and Amy in the lobby at 9:15AM. We walked up the street a little to Cafe Marlayne and decided to grab our breakfast there. I ordered a waffle with bacon and a glass of orange juice. Sounds pretty generic but it was really the first time since my trip to the Breakfast Club with Liz that I had ordered breakfast while abroad. It was delicious! The cafe was really adorable as well and we were surprised at how empty it was for a Saturday morning. I really liked the artwork on the wall and there was one white canvas near our table with half of an older woman painted in the lower right-hand corner. Her other half is cut off by the edge of the canvas but there was just something so striking about it.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6b8tfPrPZE/UyekBnZtAfI/AAAAAAAAAlY/NGFfcTiDXTE/s1600/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6b8tfPrPZE/UyekBnZtAfI/AAAAAAAAAlY/NGFfcTiDXTE/s1600/4.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calton Hill was one of our first stops on the walking tour. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After breakfast we walked back to the hostel to embark on our walking tour with the other Arcadia students. We got split up into groups but Amy, Anna, Megan and I stuck together and followed our tour guide to our first stop, Calton Hill. It was a bit of a steep incline but it only took 10 minutes or so to get to the top. The pathway was paved so it wasn't too rough but I really loathe hills and I felt pressured to walk really quickly to keep up with the group. I was a bit nauseous from the night before and I felt dehydrated so I was really out of breath when we reached the top. It didn't help that I had so many layers on. <br />
<br />
Once I caught my breath I looked around and we had a gorgeous view of the city and Arthur's Seat. I couldn't really hear our guide over the wind so I took some pictures while she explained the history of the hill. We spent about 15 minutes or so up there and then descended back down on the other side by the government buildings. We stopped on the steps and she explained the referendum and how divided Scotland is about becoming independent from the United Kingdom. She was personally quite against it and said that the younger generations were more fond of the idea. I couldn't imagine being a part of such a historical decision. Imagine having to vote in that situation? I have a huge fear of the unknown and I'm not too fond of change so that would just give me an absolute heart attack. Honestly I don't know enough about the situation to have an opinion, but it's a crazy time for Scotland!<br />
<br />
We continued on our tour and saw monuments, museums, statues and more but it's hard to remember the names of them all. It was a nice day though so I enjoyed strolling around the flatter portion of the city for a while. The wind wasn't as bad when we were at lower altitudes. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uoda-U7PC50/UyekDZcPAzI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Aw7fE4l0DIY/s1600/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uoda-U7PC50/UyekDZcPAzI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Aw7fE4l0DIY/s1600/8.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Potter graffiti in the bathroom of The Elephant House. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Closes are little alleyways that connect streets on different levels and Edinburgh is filled with them. We climbed up through one of them and emerged in the old town area of the city. I really like that area because the buildings were older and we were much closer to the castle. The whole city was much more architecturally fairy-tale like but the new town has many more shops and main roads. <br />
<br />
We got to see a lot of Harry Potter related things in the old town such as J.K. Rowling's hand prints for the Edinburgh Award, The Elephant House Cafe where she wrote a lot of the first book, Greyfriars Kirkyard where she drew inspiration from the graves of Thomas Riddell and William McGonagall for characters in Harry Potter, a school that inspired Hogwarts and finally Victoria Street which was a huge inspiration for Diagon Alley. It was amazing to be surrounded by the places J.K. Rowling spent her time writing about. Like I've said before, Harry Potter was a huge part of my childhood and I was overwhelmed with the immensity of the series and the impact the stories left on so many people in my generation as I walked through those places. The graffiti in the bathroom at The Elephant House is a tribute to the mark Rowling has left in our hearts and minds and I could have stayed in there for hours reading the messages people left. From quotes to thank you's and drawings, there were millions of messages in different handwriting and colors scrawled in layers covering the entirety of the bathroom's interior.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7U8b8NtNRvM/Uyej9lYCrCI/AAAAAAAAAj8/iRrvwVVqi10/s1600/11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7U8b8NtNRvM/Uyej9lYCrCI/AAAAAAAAAj8/iRrvwVVqi10/s1600/11.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Street inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After we finished our walking tour, we headed towards Edinburgh Castle. It's huge and takes up the top of a hill in old town. It's everything I've ever dreamed about a castle and more. I felt so small as I approached it and the sun came out when we stopped to admire the views of the city down below. I saw a group taking pictures with their respective country's flag and families populated the plaza around us. <br />
<br />
We entered into the castle and saw cannons, war memorabilia, the crown jewels and even a cemetery for soldiers' dogs. The cobblestone covered grounds were intertwined with green moss and I felt sorry for parents who had to push their strollers up the hill and over the bumpy ground below.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp2mx32fS6U/UyekAYWa-AI/AAAAAAAAAlA/3T3W8stf6Mw/s1600/12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp2mx32fS6U/UyekAYWa-AI/AAAAAAAAAlA/3T3W8stf6Mw/s1600/12.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From right to left: Amy, Megan, Anna and me at Edinburgh Castle. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mcCXjvZwjV0/UyekCuKxqJI/AAAAAAAAAls/8AEn8evfUO0/s1600/7.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mcCXjvZwjV0/UyekCuKxqJI/AAAAAAAAAls/8AEn8evfUO0/s1600/7.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a><br />
I bought myself a Celtic ring in the souvenir shop and we headed out after spending about an hour inside of the castle. On our way out of old town, I stopped and paid to hold an owl. It was small and brown with piercing, dark eyes. Its handler shifted it into my care by slipping his glove off and onto my hand. I held one of its talons between my thumb and finger to ensure that it wouldn't fly away and I gently stroked it's feathers as it nervously looked around the small crowd in front of me. I guess we both had our nerves in common because I was nervous holding it. I didn't want to scare it or hold it captive just for a few pictures. It was such a beautiful and gentle animal and I couldn't help but feel sorry for it. It must be rough being handed from person to person continuously all day. Poor little guy! <br />
<br />
We stopped in at The Elephant House to grab a light lunch and I opted for Nutella hazelnut cake and fresh mint tea. It was alright but the cake was much too nutty for me. It was more enjoyable just being there than eating there. <br />
<br />
After we arrived back at the hostel, we decided to sit a relax for a while and then get some food at Tesco Express to make at the hostel for dinner. We ended up making bow tie pasta and we each bought our own little snacks to supplement the meal. I had some clementines, an apple and salad. It was a filling and inexpensive meal and we sat around in the deserted common room chatting about gun control and senior pranks. After a while we cleaned up the kitchen (which was huge and fully stocked with all of the necessary cooking equipment) and then headed out to grab drinks and maybe see live music.<br />
<br />
I was pretty exhausted and didn't particularly want to go out for too long but I figured we wouldn't go too far and we could be back early to get some sleep. We walked back to the area we had gone to see the comedy show the night before and after walking back and forth and going in and out of a few places we finally ended up at the Tolbooth Tavern which was located far down the hill, closer to the Queen's Gallery and Holyrood Palace. <br />
<br />
I didn't order any drinks but the other girls did and we got a table on the upper level near the karaoke set-up. I was feeling really sore and nauseous from all of the walking so I wasn't too talkative. After being there for a while I kind of wanted to leave, but the others seemed to want to stay a little longer. By 10PM I was tired of the karaoke and disco lights and I told the others I was going to walk back. I didn't think they were going to follow right away but they ended up coming and we walked about half an hour back to the hostel. Normally I wouldn't have asked to go back but I didn't feel very well and I just needed to get some rest. The pub was really cute and I would have loved to be there under different circumstances, but it was such a long day and we weren't really talking to anyone or participating in the karaoke. It kind of made me miss my friends from home who are a little more my pace when it comes to things like that. I don't know why but there's still a lack of comfort and trust here which makes me miss home sometimes. I'm definitely not saying that my friends here are bad people or not as good as my friends from home, but I often feel like I'm walking behind the pack and I miss the dynamics of my friendships at St. Mike's. I never really feel left behind or excluded there which is a real blessing that I've had in my life. I know that I'd always have someone to walk home with in a situation like that, but this time I wasn't so sure.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqMzT2IC7y0/UyekAplV65I/AAAAAAAAAlc/n6voBdwXuQ8/s1600/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqMzT2IC7y0/UyekAplV65I/AAAAAAAAAlc/n6voBdwXuQ8/s1600/19.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where we stopped on Saturday night. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't want to sound completely negative though because I am so thankful to have found and bonded with the friends I've made abroad. They've been good friends and travel companions and I've gotten to know them really well in a short time. It's interesting because we're all thrown together at such an incredible time in our lives when we get to experience living alone in a foreign country. It's a time of great transition, adjustment, self-discovery and freedom so to find anyone that you're able to grow alongside of is a really great thing. I got lucky because Anna, Megan, Amy and Matt were some of the first people I met here and I don't know what it'd be like without them. That being said, this is my reflection on my thoughts and feelings while abroad and my comments about feeling left behind or uneasy are just what I was feeling in the moment and not meant to reflect negatively upon anyone in particular. <br />
<br />
I slept really well that night and I think that helped my nausea and mood immensely. I just needed to get off of my feet and let my body recover from the walking. I decided to get up and join the other girls for breakfast and see if I could attempt hiking Arthur's Seat but I was still pretty sore and didn't have great footwear for a hike like that. <br />
<br />
Fun Fact: <i>"Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park, described by Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"></sup> It is situated in the centre of the city of Edinburgh, about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle.
The hill itself rises above the city to a height of 250.5 m (822 ft),
provides excellent panoramic views of the city, is relatively easy to
climb, and is popular for hillwalking</i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur%27s_Seat" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)<i>."</i> <br />
<br />
<br />
We ate at Cafe Marlayne again and I ordered the waffle and bacon for the second time. It took a little longer than the day before and my waffle was really overcooked. It was okay though because I was hungry and it still tasted pretty delicious. <br />
<br />
We walked the same way we had on Friday and Saturday, across North Bridge and down the hill towards Holyrood Palace. We entered the park and Anna and Amy took off walking ahead of Megan and I. Megan eventually caught up with them but I was left alone walking along the dirt path toward the base of Arthur's Seat. I walked for about half an hour and watched the others disappear into the distance. I felt a little lonely but I put in my headphones and listened to music which helped. The park was so beautiful and the hills were dressed in the greenest grass which was speckled with yellow wildflowers. Dogs of all breeds ran through the park without leashes to hold them back from enjoying the beautiful nature around them. They barked and played with their owners and it was marvelous to watch. The sky was a beautiful shade of baby blue and the clouds were white and fluffy as they floated above me in slow motion. The water was far behind me but visible in the distance and it was so breathtaking when I stopped to turn around and see it all from the highest point on the path, near the base of Arthur's Seat.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4TDzKQxOTs/Uyej_H8dhuI/AAAAAAAAAkg/zayvmjpnH3w/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4TDzKQxOTs/Uyej_H8dhuI/AAAAAAAAAkg/zayvmjpnH3w/s1600/15.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holyrood Park is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oFVmBOl9PM/Uyej_uvh6CI/AAAAAAAAAko/Yj_n40vTECA/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oFVmBOl9PM/Uyej_uvh6CI/AAAAAAAAAko/Yj_n40vTECA/s1600/16.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcqRGkop3mI/Uyej_4VC0aI/AAAAAAAAAk0/9O3w8_7cmRo/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcqRGkop3mI/Uyej_4VC0aI/AAAAAAAAAk0/9O3w8_7cmRo/s1600/17.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3ij9v17rMs/UyekAbe3HWI/AAAAAAAAAk8/_nVZJyvyVUw/s1600/18.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3ij9v17rMs/UyekAbe3HWI/AAAAAAAAAk8/_nVZJyvyVUw/s1600/18.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Like I said, I had lost the girls so I decided to sit on a rock shaped perfectly for my behind and hidden away near a big, barren tree and some yellow flowers. I had a nice view of the city from there and there was another path leading up to my spot so I watched many people venture up towards the mountain. I read more of my book, "The Book of Lost Things" by John Connolly, and enjoyed the sunshine as the warm rays shone down on me through the branches of the neighboring tree. Kids ran up the hill with their dogs and shed their jackets as their parents scurried to keep up with them. Many couples in hiking gear passed by and a young, French couple embraced and sang quietly to each other for a moment in a cheerful tone. I felt like I was interrupting their intimate little moment and normally I'd be rolling my eyes at the cheesiness of their action but in that moment I found it completely adorable. <br />
<br />
Anna, Megan and Amy were back before I knew it and they said that it was beautiful, but extremely windy at the top. I felt okay about my decision to stay behind and I felt better that we'd be going the same pace on the way down, or so I thought. Guess who walked alone yet again? Hah, of course they probably didn't mean any harm and I'm used to it by now but I watched their backs as they got further and further away from me again. I never thought I walked that slow but I can never seem to keep up with them. I put my headphones in again and enjoyed the views and the easier nature of the hike down the hill. I caught up to them as we approached Holyrood Palace and we made our way up the hill toward the North Bridge. We stopped for fudge along the way and I bought a slice of salted caramel. It was absolutely to die for! It was crumbly on the outside but melted in my mouth every time I broke off a piece and indulged in a bite. I was so happy with my purchase! I bought a few more souvenirs and we eventually made it back to the hostel to retrieve our belongings from the storage room. <br />
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We rested for a little while in the lobby and then walked to Tesco again to pick up some lunch. I got some fruit, a chicken caesar wrap, an apple, popcorn, orange juice and water. We made it back to the train station and met up with the Arcadia staff. We sat in Burger King for a little while and ate some of our lunch. I couldn't help but buy some fries because the whole place smelt like a fast food heaven. I ate half of my wrap and the fruit as well and saved the apple, other half of my wrap and popcorn for the train. <br />
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We boarded around 3:20PM and left shortly after. I slept for about an hour, listened to music for a long time and then finally ate the rest of my food. We arrived back at King's Cross at 8:00PM and it was so nice to get back outside into the fresh air. The tube from King's Cross goes straight to Baker Street so we didn't have to transfer, which was so nice. I was relieved to get back up to my room and drop my bags. I started up the shower right away and once I was all ready for bed and unpacked I drifted off to sleep fairly quickly. <br />
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Today I got some planning done for next semester and I worked on the video of our trip to Scotland. It came out pretty good but I definitely wish I had Adobe Premiere on my computer instead of Windows Live Movie Maker. Oh well, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I'll include the video below in case you're interested in seeing it. <br />
<br />
I have an easy week of classes and then Maya is coming this weekend. I'm really excited to show her around and to see her smiling face! It's always nice to see friends from St. Mike's because as cheesy as it sounds, there's such a sense of community between us all. I'm seeing Liz on Monday for our Ed Sheeran and Passenger concert adventure and I'm really excited about that too! I've been dying to see Ed for so long and when it was recently announced that Passenger was his supporting act I nearly died. It'll be a great show! <br />
<br />
Time is really flying by now that it's mid-March. I can't believe how quickly this is all going and I wish I could just hit the pause button. I still have so much I want to see and my end of the semester assignments are all hurling towards me at lightening speed which is a real bummer, especially since the weather has been so nice. <br />
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I have a lot left to plan, accomplish, see and look forward too and I'm getting closer and closer to coming home and reuniting with my loved ones for a (hopefully) beautiful summer. I'm a lucky, lucky girl! <br />
<br />
Well it's now 1:30AM here in London and I have to get up at 8:30AM to get ready for class. I probably shouldn't have stayed up so late writing this but it was nice to get it all out. If you read my blog or even just suffered through the entirety of this post, thank you so much for taking an interest in my travels. I really love writing about it all and I know my posts get lengthy but it brings a huge smile to my face every time someone tells me they read my blog. I can't tell you how good that makes me feel! So thank you wonderful readers and I hope that you all have a lovely week! <br />
<br />
Write soon! <span id="goog_1375247905"></span><span id="goog_1375247906"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8G1qt3YRa8U/UyekCDiQgwI/AAAAAAAAAl0/l47thEHB7e4/s1600/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
xx Sheila<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uUIAqMWQHqI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
(PS) I went to Chipotle twice last week... I'm becoming obsessed...<br />
(PPS) I went to Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium last Wednesday and it was a wonderful evening filled with peppermint tea and cuddly kitties. My motto is that tea and cats always make things better, so the fact that I got to have both at the same time really knocked my week out of the park. <br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8G1qt3YRa8U/UyekCDiQgwI/AAAAAAAAAl0/l47thEHB7e4/s1600/5.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-21002881192545928912014-03-09T12:40:00.001-07:002014-03-09T12:41:44.727-07:00Thanks and Thoughts <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COE4Sul_-SI/UxzA3AoxiPI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/FS7wGdyqjoM/s1600/IMG_6878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COE4Sul_-SI/UxzA3AoxiPI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/FS7wGdyqjoM/s1600/IMG_6878.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regent's Park in London, England. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>"<span class="bqQuoteLink">Make
it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation,
sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly
appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around
you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it.</span>" </i><br />
<i>-Ralph Marston</i><br />
<br />
Do you ever feel like you have to stop, look at your surroundings, take a deep breath and think about how blessed you are? <br />
<br />
Not to sound like a typical study abroad student or anything, but I've had so many of those moments in the last two months. Up until my trip to London I was swimming through life, enjoying the comforts of home and school without pushing myself to experience anything far out of my comfort zone. Of course there have been some major highlights and unforgettable experiences along the way, and I've always been very thankful, but sometimes it's easy to forget to stop for a moment and appreciate where you are, who you are and who you're with. <br />
<br />
I would spend my time waiting for the next thing or wishing time would move faster to get something better. That's not a good way to live but it's what we get used to doing when we're comfortable. I never had to stop and think about my surroundings before and now it seems foolish not to. When you're spending all of your time waiting for something great to happen to you, you are holding yourself back instead of letting go and experiencing every moment as if it were your last day on earth. <br />
<br />
Of course I'm not a super positive person all of the time and I definitely have my homesick days or days when I wish I was someone else or somewhere else. That's unfortunately just a normal part of life. It's getting over the hump of your routine and taking time to do wonderful, simple and happy things that leads to more positive reflection and gratitude. <br />
<br />
When I stay in bed all day and watch Netflix with my jar of Nutella and my phone in my hand I feel drained. I don't desire to go outside and socialize or run errands. I just want to hide away in my own little world and not deal with the challenges and uncertainties of what's outside my bubble. When you do that all of the time, you get into a funk. Trust me, I know. <br />
<br />
The darkness that can encompass your mind when you isolate yourself is a hard thing to get away from. Sometimes it feels like it isn't a choice and that you're stuck in your room because of other people or the weather or a paper you have to write. But let me tell you, the times I feel the happiest and most energized are when I break out and focus on the amazing opportunities I have every day. <br />
<br />
Obviously being in London gives me some extra things to explore but this goes for being at home in the states too. I spend too much time whining and not enough time appreciating and enjoying life. <br />
<br />
I have never longed for a sunny day in my backyard with my family and the pool more than I have while I've been away. The camper is looking so good right now and I'm excited to have bonfires and movie nights with my friends when I'm home for the summer. <span id="goog_1173771861"></span><span id="goog_1173771862"></span><br />
<br />
Even if you feel like there's nothing spectacular going on in your life at the moment, there is. You just need to go outside and find it. <br />
<br />
I'm sure you're wondering what sparked this motivational and sappy blog post. Most of what I write about on here are play-by-plays of my trips and other experiences I've had abroad. This time I felt like reflecting and my walk through Regent's Park today definitely inspired my thoughts. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kVVh-Mks-k/UxzBB6z69CI/AAAAAAAAAjY/prvQ4Mq1hqg/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
London is notoriously known as a rainy, damp, dark and gloomy place. I can't say that I argue with that most of the time, but like my friend Matt said today, we've been really lucky with the weather since arriving in January. The cold is nowhere near as harsh as it is at home and we haven't had any snow. The rain comes and goes and it has been a few weeks since our last purely sunny day. However, today was the epitome of perfection. <br />
<br />
When I woke up I opened up my heavy curtains and the sun came pouring into my room like orange juice. I immediately felt refreshed and happy to be awake. I got ready for the day and then met up with Anna, Megan and Matt in Camden Town. On my way there and while I was waiting for those three to arrive, I noticed how many people were out and about. There was a much more cheerful mood in London and the people I passed by were wearing sundresses and short sleeves as they strolled down the street and basked in the warmth of the sun. <br />
<br />
We made it to Primrose Hill which is one of the most beautiful places in London. You can see so much of the famous skyline from there and so many people were sprawled out on picnic blankets on the stunningly green grass. I had to take off my Columbia jacket because it was so warm and the breeze felt like heaven when it came. <br />
<br />
We walked from Primrose Hill through Regent's Park and it was absolutely lovely. The flowers were blooming and that brought little pops of yellow, purple and white to the green landscape. The water was glistening like the Eiffel Tower at night and swans floated past the bridge as we journeyed further into the park. Not only was the weather perfect, but the company I had was as well. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kVVh-Mks-k/UxzBB6z69CI/AAAAAAAAAjY/prvQ4Mq1hqg/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kVVh-Mks-k/UxzBB6z69CI/AAAAAAAAAjY/prvQ4Mq1hqg/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Megan during our walk through Regent's Park. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Megan, Anna, Matt and I went to Paris a few weeks ago and I think that especially since that trip we've become a lot closer. It was so nice to have them there and we were all in a really good mood. We laughed, took pictures and talked about life and it couldn't have made me feel better about my life at the moment. <br />
<br />
The simplicity of the day contributed to how perfectly it turned out. We didn't make an elaborate and expensive trip to another country or see the touristy sights of London. We just walked through a park. <br />
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If I took the time to appreciate the beauty of the world every day like I did today, I would be so much happier. I have become much more aware of the beauty out there and how lucky I am to be alive lately and my main point is that I hope you can all stop and appreciate something or someone every day. Take a walk through the park or tell someone that you love them. Treat yourself to some ice cream or a hot cup of coffee. Just stop, close your eyes and breathe. You are alive, you are beautiful and you are going to do great things. <br />
<br />
<i>"<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="view quote">The
more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the
more genuine may be one's appreciation of fundamental things like home,
and love, and understanding companionship.</a></span>" </i><br />
<i>-Amelia Earhart</i><br />
<br />
Write soon!<br />
xx Sheila <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-20080923874348416902014-03-05T08:23:00.000-08:002014-03-05T15:54:17.404-08:00A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7EewOMPQ5w/UxdJWBmFlEI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/y-4OonNuYpA/s1600/trinity+college.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7EewOMPQ5w/UxdJWBmFlEI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/y-4OonNuYpA/s1600/trinity+college.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinity College was founded in 1592. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7hzhdjxzp0/UxdJTkqNV8I/AAAAAAAAAh8/vYgF727ORS0/s1600/navigating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I put my headphones in, sat back and closed my eyes. The train began to depart from the station and I felt it slowly crawl out of the darkness and into the light of the early morning. I opened my eyes and looked out of the window. What I saw was one of the most beautiful and calming sights I have ever seen. There were the greenest pastures filled with sheep, cattle and donkeys. Small farmhouses, isolated from the rest of society, sat perched upon little hills overlooking small bodies of glistening water. The clouds allowed the sun enough room to shine some rays down over this heaven I was in and I only peeled my eyes away from the beauty outside of the train when I felt the exhaustion of the previous week creeping up on me. I let my eyes close and my mind drifted to the beautiful world outside. I expected to open them and see buildings and graffiti, but every time I did, all I saw was green. <br />
<br />
I soaked Ireland up like the rare rays of sun I've seen while in Europe and I loved every minute of it. The country was beautiful. From Dublin to Galway, I saw the most that I could see in three very short days. After spending the previous weekend in Paris, France, Ireland was an interesting change. <br />
<br />
While Paris was filled with bread, landmarks, flowers, macaroons, wine, a lot of walking, sunshine and cobblestone streets, Ireland was filled with green pastures, extremely friendly and forward people, cloudy days, rainbows, Guinness, stew, pubs, sheep and seemingly untouched land that was so picturesque that it's hard to believe I didn't dream of it all. <br />
<br />
We began our journey to Ireland early Friday morning (3:45AM), just like we did for Paris. I took a bus to Liverpool Street Station to meet Anna and Megan. From there we took another bus to London Stansted Airport to catch out flight which was close to 8AM if I remember correctly.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7hzhdjxzp0/UxdJTkqNV8I/AAAAAAAAAh8/vYgF727ORS0/s1600/navigating.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7hzhdjxzp0/UxdJTkqNV8I/AAAAAAAAAh8/vYgF727ORS0/s1600/navigating.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating our way through Dublin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we flew over the coastline I saw my first glimpse of the green I've already mentioned so many times. It was breathtaking. As we got closer to the ground, Megan saw bunnies hopping around the grass near the runway. <br />
<br />
We got through the airport really quickly and boarded a bus to Dublin. The driver and the ticket salesman were both really friendly and welcoming. We were on the bus for maybe half an hour and we got off at Trinity College. We walked around the campus for a little while and the old stone buildings were so beautiful amongst the little greens and bare trees. Students were walking to class and bikes were lined up against iron fences. It felt nice to be on a college campus like that because at home, St. Mike's is so small and familiar, and in London the campuses are really spread apart. <br />
<br />
After our stroll through Trinity's campus, we walked across the street to KC Peaches for lunch. My friend Alex, who also goes to St. Michael's, is studying abroad at Trinity and suggested KC Peaches to me before we came. It was a great suggestion because we were starving and the food was amazing! It was an awkward time to go because it was after breakfast but before lunch so we helped ourselves to the cold pasta and salad bar. I got tomato mozzarella penne, pesto penne, feta salad, and rosemary seasoned potatoes. I also bought a blueberry apple juice which I'm craving right now as I write this because it was so good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wi0-B8b4Uk/UxdJSbA-3JI/AAAAAAAAAhs/U2zL4aYWvEk/s1600/lunch+day+1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wi0-B8b4Uk/UxdJSbA-3JI/AAAAAAAAAhs/U2zL4aYWvEk/s1600/lunch+day+1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at KC Peaches in Dublin. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our way out of KC Peaches I grabbed a huge chocolate chip cookie for the road. I shared it with Anna and Megan and we all agreed that it was pretty dang good. As I finished up the cookie, we walked towards the bus stop for the Hop-on, Hop-off sightseeing buses. We bought student priced tickets from the really friendly man at the sales bus and he wished us the best during our visit. We boarded the next bus and sat on the top level. The driver was named Barry and he was really fun to listen to. He told us about the landmarks we were passing and sang some Irish tunes as well. We saw St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Stephen's Green and the statue of Oscar Wilde just to name a few places. <br />
<br />
We got off the bus at the Guinness Storehouse and had to walk a little bit because the pipes burst near the entrance and the cobblestone streets were slightly flooded. It was kind of cool to see the way the sun was glaring off of the water and we passed many horses and carriages. I felt bad for the horses because they all looked dirty and tired. It must be horrible to be cooped up in the city all of the time. I wished that they could roam around all of those pastures I saw flying into the country. <br />
<br />
We bought our tickets into the storehouse and checked our bags with the information desk. We walked through at our own pace since it was a self-guided tour and we got to see the whole process of making Guinness through their informational and visual displays. The ingredients in Guinness are hops, yeast, barely and water. I hope I'm not forgetting any! <br />
<br />
We got in a queue to taste a sample of Guinness and when we entered the bar area there were four little pillars with scented vapor coming out of them. They were all of the scents that can be found in Guinness. We were asked to smell them all because it would help with the tasting experience. When we got our little samples we moved into a theatre-like room and placed them all on little pedestals of various heights. It was a really cool sight to see once everyone had set there's down on one of the surfaces. The employee working in that room taught us how to properly drink Guinness in order to get all of the taste out of it. Basically, you're supposed to lift your elbow up so that it's equal with your shoulder, inhale the smell of the beer and then take a mouthful of it, swallow, and exhale. He advised us not to take sips because the white, foamy area on the top is the hops and it is really bitter. When you finish your Guinness there should be most of the hops left at the bottom of the glass. I enjoyed the taste of the sample but I did feel as though it was a little too bitter for my liking.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZqEb7Qzesc/UxdJVQV_XGI/AAAAAAAAAiM/6OOjFhnaH48/s1600/guinness.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZqEb7Qzesc/UxdJVQV_XGI/AAAAAAAAAiM/6OOjFhnaH48/s1600/guinness.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
Fun fact: Did you know that Arthur Guinness' wife, Olivia, gave birth to 21 children and only 10 survived to adulthood? That's really sad and I must say that it's hard to believe one woman could give birth to that many children without exploding! She was pregnant for sixteen years of her life. <br />
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When we reached the top of the storehouse, we entered the sky bar. The sky bar's walls are windows so you can look out over all of Dublin. It was an amazing sight to see. We got our free pints at the bar and the bartender made little shamrock shapes in the hops at the top of our glasses.<br />
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We found a table to rest our drinks on and took a ton of pictures of the view. It started to rain but since it was so abrupt and basically a sun shower, the most amazing thing happened right afterwards. <br />
<br />
I bet you can guess what I'm going to say...<br />
<br />
A rainbow appeared! Yes, a rainbow. In Ireland. It was the most cliche yet miraculous thing I have ever seen. The end of it came down right to the street below us. Since we were up so high we had the greatest view of it! <br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8nfyev46BA/UxdJW6ZcjjI/AAAAAAAAAik/B4ORoLC54Ts/s1600/rainbow.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8nfyev46BA/UxdJW6ZcjjI/AAAAAAAAAik/B4ORoLC54Ts/s1600/rainbow.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the rainbow?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a while of trying to drink all of our pints of Guinness, we surrendered and decided to head back down to the bus stop. We made a quick stop in the gift shop and then headed down to get our bags. <br />
On our second journey on the bus for the day, we saw more sights including the train station, Heuston, that we had to go to the next morning to get to Galway. We also saw the cast iron, Ha'penny Bridge which is a pedestrian bridge that was built in 1816 over the River Liffey. It cost a half of a penny to cross it once upon a time, hence the name (Wikipedia). <br />
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We got off the bus again at Kilmainham Gaol, which is a former prison that has been turned into a museum. According to Wikipedia, it has been run since the mid-1980s by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and played an important part in Irish history,
as many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned and executed
in the prison.<br />
<br />
We paid two Euro to get a tour of the prison and it was really interesting. We started in the museum portion and I read about how the windows in the prison were a reformation to earlier prisons. They were installed with the intention to allow the light to fill the dark cells and tame the evil within the prisoners. The large ceiling skylight in the newer, bigger room of the prison that has been famously seen in many movies and music videos was installed with the same intentions of letting God's light in to reform the prisoners. <br />
<br />
When the jail was built, the hope was to reform prisoners instead of lock them away without any hope of rehabilitation or re-entrance into society. The jails previously had been overcrowded and disgusting. Unfortunately, Kilmainham did not succeed as well as it's founders had hoped because of the rebellions in Ireland as well as the famine, which contributed greatly to the overcrowding. People thought that if they were imprisoned they'd be fed and given shelter during such hard times. This led to horrible conditions within the prison. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0CwDeKlUZw/UxdJRU4uPQI/AAAAAAAAAhg/_NceZJh9Spo/s1600/kilmainham.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0CwDeKlUZw/UxdJRU4uPQI/AAAAAAAAAhg/_NceZJh9Spo/s1600/kilmainham.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tour of Kilmainham Gaol was really interesting. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Many people were publicly hanged and executed at Kilmainham. Our tour guide said that it became a public spectacle more than anything and that the people became unnerved by the executions after a few controversial ones occurred during the time of the rebellion. <br />
<br />
We got to see the small, cold, dark cells in the old wings as well as the newer cells in the big, most iconic wing of the prison. It was interesting to hear the stories of the prisoners who were held captive there. Some were young children who were thrown in jail for petty theft. The youngest was rumored to be 7 years old. Can you imagine that? <br />
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When we finished the prison tour we hopped back on the bus and saw more sights on our way to the hostel. We saw the President's house, the Dublin Zoo and some museums as well. We were lucky because we got on the last tour of the day so we had to get off at one of the last stops and walk to our hostel. We stopped into a few tourist shops and then hurried to get out of the cold. <br />
<br />
We stayed at The Kinlay House which was located right near city hall and the Dublin Castle. It was a really big building with a winding, wooden, creaky staircase. We were in room 206 and we shared bunk beds in a room of 16 people. No one was there when we arrived in our room so we put our stuff away, washed up and headed out for dinner nearby. We ate at The Porter House a few blocks away and it was really delicious! Megan and I both got the Old Smokey Burger and I got mine without cheese and mayo. It had lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion rings and bacon on it. It also came with chips (fries) and we all shared some cheesy garlic bread. <br />
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We got back to the hostel, got ready for bed and settled in around 10PM before anyone was back in the room. Megan set an alarm for 6AM the next morning because we had to walk to the train station, and I figured I'd wake up when everyone trickled back into the room throughout the night so I put in ear plugs and rolled over in my bunk to face the old fireplace. The room was a little drafty and the pillow didn't give my head much support at all but I was asleep before I knew it. I was so tired that I slept through the entire night without waking up. When Megan gently shook my arm in the morning to wake me up I was startled because I felt like it was happening in my dream.<br />
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We quietly grabbed our stuff which we had packed up the night before and left the room. We got dressed and ready in the bathroom down the hall and headed downstairs to check out. The receptionist told us that it'd be easiest to walk to the station from the hostel, so he showed us a little map and we headed out. The walk was beautiful. It took about fifteen or twenty minutes at most and it was really calming to walk through the empty streets in the purple light of the early morning hours. We crossed over the River Liffey and saw maybe five people in passing. One older, Irish man said good morning to us with a big smile and I warmed up a little after that small act of kindness. We crossed another bridge to the station and the lights underneath were changing between green and orange. The reflection on the water was really nice. <br />
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I bought myself a cinnamon bun and some orange juice and we boarded the train around 7:30AM. That's where I began this post, so I won't ramble on too much about the journey from Galway to Dublin. It was simply beautiful and relaxing and I felt so comfortable there. I could have stayed on that train forever, staring out the window and listening to music while Anna and Megan peacefully slept next to me. <br />
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Here's some of the songs that I listened to on the train ride and later on the bus ride to the Cliffs of Moher. Maybe if you listen to them while you're reading this you'll be able to imagine how I felt while I journeyed through Ireland.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuS8bGOHWFo/UxdJWl4Wu6I/AAAAAAAAAio/x-u23ga9B0Q/s1600/view.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuS8bGOHWFo/UxdJWl4Wu6I/AAAAAAAAAio/x-u23ga9B0Q/s1600/view.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<i><b>"Good Life" by OneRepublic</b>, "Nirvana" by Sam Smith, "Home" by Phillip Phillips</i>, <i>"Wake Up" by Arcade Fire, "Before the Worst" by The Script (which mentions some places in Dublin), "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran, "Believe" by Hanson, "Big Jet Plane" by Angus and Julia Stone, <b>"Bonfire Heart" by James Blunt</b>, "High Hopes" by Paolo Nutini, "Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams, "Always" by Blind Pilot, "All We Are" by Matt Nathanson, "Glitter in the Air" by P!nk, "The Great Escape" by Patrick Watson, "Happily" by One Direction, "Heart of Life" by John Mayer, "Helium" by Plain White T's, <b>"Hey Jesus" by Tyler Hilton</b>, "Home" by American Authors, "Running" by Delta Spirit, "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers, "Gravity" by Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers, "On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons, "Open Season" by High Highs, "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton, "Over the Rainbow" by Ingrid Michaelson, "P.S I Love You" by Nellie Mckay, "Paris Nights/New York Mornings" by Corinne Bailey Rae, "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John, "Paradise" by Coldplay, <b>"Rise" by Eddie Vedder</b></i><br />
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I bolded some of the best ones to make it easier for anyone who wants to listen to some, but those are all really great songs that I distinctly remember listening to at different parts of my journey.<i><b> </b></i><br />
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When we arrived in Galway, we almost immediately boarded a bus to the Cliffs of Moher. It was a two hour coach ride through the countryside, up winding hills, past those amazing green pastures you've heard so much about, through towns and villages in the middle of nowhere and past beautiful bodies of water. We even got to see a castle and drove through a small town that was hosting a huge marathon. It was a lovely ride and I was so happy we chose to do it. <br />
<br />
When we go to the cliffs, we exited the bus and the driver told us we had one hour until he'd head back to Galway. We spent that hour well and walked all the way to the right where there was a little castle-like structure on a cliff and then all the way back to the left where we stopped at the first cliff we got to and took a lot of pictures. There was a little girl, I think she was Italian, who was sobbing her eyes out for so long. Her parents were trying to calm her down at first, but then they seemed to just be ignoring her. I'm not sure if she was having a tantrum or if she was cold and tired, but I couldn't help but chuckle at her in her pink hat and puffy little coat with little tears rolling down her rosy cheeks. She was sitting on a step while her parents walked up the path towards another cliff. I don't know if I'll ever forget her and I couldn't tell you why. <br />
<br />
We soaked up the beauty of the cliffs and the misty air. The water was so blue and the waves were smashing up against the base of the cliffs. It was pretty epic to see something so naturally beautiful. The weather held out too and it wasn't too cold. Plus we had the whole two hour bus ride back to Galway to warm up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqGii266YM4/UxdJR5xteeI/AAAAAAAAAh0/yjpQZHlO3ec/s1600/laughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqGii266YM4/UxdJR5xteeI/AAAAAAAAAh0/yjpQZHlO3ec/s1600/laughing.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a class="mainquote" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you."><span class="firstword">May</span>
God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a
sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you.
Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were walking back to the bus and I was telling Megan and Anna about this Lord of the Rings joke I had seen on the internet. I was saying "Swiggity Swaggins" to mimic Gollum's line in the meme and this older, Irish man heard me and said "Good ol' American English." I almost died. He thought I was being serious. We were laughing so hard the whole walk back to the bus. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2uQTRyaQF0/UxdMyDMzf0I/AAAAAAAAAi0/dB3vw2s_G18/s1600/musician.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2uQTRyaQF0/UxdMyDMzf0I/AAAAAAAAAi0/dB3vw2s_G18/s1600/musician.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We heard live traditional Irish music at Taafees in Galway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tGQTOzr1C8/UxdJMn75rWI/AAAAAAAAAgo/4iAWk6SM8lg/s1600/common+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> When we got back we found our hostel, Snoozles, which was located a few blocks away from the train station. Despite it's funny name, Snoozles was the hostel of all hostels. It was big, clean and decorated really nicely. It felt so homey and safe. The girls at reception were extremely friendly and helpful. They gave us coupons for a free drink each at Busker Brownes, where we ended up going to for dinner. They also gave us a map and drew a little walking tour route on it for us. <br />
<br />
We went to our room, 209, and it was so cute! It was filled with bunk beds, just like the Kinlay House in Dublin, but it was set up a lot better with cages for our belongings under each bed, cleaner bedding, a private bathroom and yellow cubbies. <br />
<br />
After settling in a bit, we walked back to Eyre Square and to the pedestrian shopping street, which reminded me of Church Street in Vermont a lot. It was really quaint and clean. People were bustling about going into shops and pubs. We found Busker Brownes and got a booth in the corner right away. We each got some white wine (free with our coupons) and I ordered the Irish Guinness Beef Stew which was insanely delicious. Besides tasting so good, it warmed me up and filled me with contentedness while we chatted about everything from Ireland to the Westboro Baptist Church (not sure how we got there...). <br />
<br />
After we paid we walked to Gino's and I ordered Ferrero Rocher gelato. It was SO GOOD. I fear that I will never taste anything as amazing as that gelato ever again. <br />
<br />
We stood near a young (attractive) street performer with a guitar and ate our gelato while debating whether or not to give him some money. He played "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz which made me happy and both Megan and I gave him some coins. He nodded and smiled at us and I melted a little. <br />
<br />
We walked towards the pubs in hopes of finding some live music and the first place we went into was Taafees. A few guys in there asked us if we were staying or leaving since we were standing apprehensively by the door and when we said we were looking for live music they laughed and cheered and said they were too. I felt as though they were just being friendly and were maybe a little drunk, and I didn't feel uncomfortable at all really. Anna, Megan and I are all pretty responsible so when we all started to follow them out of the pub I felt like we had pretty good chances of not dying. <br />
<br />
We went into another pub and lost the guys pretty quickly. To this day I still have no idea where they went. On the way into the pub a guy greeted us and touched Megan inappropriately. Nothing too serious but it put her on edge and made me and Anna more alert. While we were standing by the bar and debating whether or not to stay, a gross older guy grabbed Anna's butt. She jumped and I looked at him while he stuck his tongue out and shrugged like like it was hilarious. <br />
<br />
The people in Ireland were overwhelmingly nicer and more friendly than anywhere else I've been in Europe. However, the men were definitely the most forward of anywhere I've been and while I understand Anna and Megan's discomfort after being grabbed, I felt like the guys were just happy, drunk, disrespectful idiots. It was completely inappropriate but I did not feel as though they would follow us home or truly threaten our safety. Maybe that is a misguided feeling but it's just how I felt in the moment. <br />
<br />
We decided to head back to Taafees and we found out that their live music was starting at 9:30PM. We ordered some pints of cider and sat down near the little make-shift stage and TV screen. We talked and drank our ciders and scoped out the people in the bar. A group of German girls came in and sat at the table next to us and gradually the bar filled up. The music came at 9:30, as promised, and it was certainly a treat. There were two men, one with an accordion and one with a guitar, and one woman with a violin. They played their hearts out and the woman ordered a huge Guinness which was overflowing as it sat on the little ledge next to her. The man with the accordion appeared to be the oldest in the trio and he was very angry looking while he played. He'd stick his tongue out a little and sometimes he's crack a smile when he locked eyes with one of the dancing audience members.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tGQTOzr1C8/UxdJMn75rWI/AAAAAAAAAgo/4iAWk6SM8lg/s1600/common+room.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tGQTOzr1C8/UxdJMn75rWI/AAAAAAAAAgo/4iAWk6SM8lg/s1600/common+room.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The common room in the hostel was really cozy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blYm2xH9uXk/UxdJN18LmXI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Dhh1NcLx8Dw/s1600/galway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blYm2xH9uXk/UxdJN18LmXI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Dhh1NcLx8Dw/s1600/galway.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galway was beautiful, even in the rain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everything was going swimmingly until a really large guy fell into a table (not so accidentally) and spilled four pints of Guinness on the German girls and, of course, on me. My right leg was soaked as well as my jacket but it wasn't nearly as bad as the damage done to the girls next to us. We left soon after that because things we getting too crowded and we were tired. <br />
<br />
We got back to the hostel and were there first again so we took advantage of the bathroom and got to sleep early. We slept until 7:30AM/8AM the next morning and got all dressed and packed up. We ate breakfast (toast, juice and cereal) in the dining room downstairs and then checked our bags with reception for the day. We sat in the common room for a little while Anna played with the guitar they have and I searched for a tune to play on the jukebox. <br />
<br />
When we left the hostel it was raining. It was pretty miserable out but not bad enough to keep us from seeing the town while we had the chance. So we walked around literally the whole town in about an hour because of how small it is, and it was really nice. We went into the cathedral and heard mass being said in Irish. Then we saw the strip of colored houses by the water, which was rushing like crazy because of the rain. We saw the Spanish Arch and the museum which was unfortunately closed because it was Sunday. We made our way back to the area we were in the night before just as all of the shops were opening for the day. We went in some touristy shops and I got a green scarf from a nice, older couple who gave me a five Euro discount because the tag was missing. We also went into a bookstore and Butler's Chocolate Cafe, where I got a salted caramel and a hazelnut caramel to try. They were really good, which I'm sure you predicted I'd say. <br />
<br />
We retrieved our belongings from the hostel and walked to the bus/train station. We purchased tickets to the airport and the ride was less than comfortable. The couple in front of me smelt horrible and they were clearly hippies. The guy had a really long, gangly beard and the girl's bright blue nail polish, rings and greasy scalp were one of the main sights I saw during the ride. They both reclined their seats all of the way so I was squished up right behind them. I pulled my sweater over my nose, put headphones in and slunk down into my seat with my head towards the window.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXbBI2pXj-4/UxdJUSwXZ6I/AAAAAAAAAiE/0Z5V7db_-ao/s1600/rain.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXbBI2pXj-4/UxdJUSwXZ6I/AAAAAAAAAiE/0Z5V7db_-ao/s1600/rain.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Anna Alexander. Me on the left and Megan on the right. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The bus ride didn't take too long, thank God, and we arrived at the tiny Knock Airport after about an hour. We went through security with no other passengers in sight and sat at our gate. We had about and hour or so to wait until we could board so we talked, caught up on social media on our phones and bought some snacks. The flight itself was nice until the end, when it got really bumpy. Poor Anna was terrified. We landed safely at Standsted despite the wind and caught our bus back to Liverpool Street Station. I said goodbye to Anna and Megan and rushed to get out of the rain. I took the tube back to my beloved Baker Street Station and was showered and in bed before I knew it. <br />
<br />
It was a radically different trip to Paris in so many ways, but it's left me dreaming of Ireland and longing to go back all week. If you ever have the chance to go, I'd strongly recommend it. I'll never forget walking up the stairs from the tarmac to the plane, staring at the fields around the runway and the setting sun and praying to God that I would be back one day.<br />
<br />
Write soon.<br />
xx Sheila <br />
<br />
(PS: My dad used to sing to us every night before bed. One of our favorites was "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)" and Maggie and I sang it for the Oak Grove talent show when we were in third and first grades. It's a special thing to have a dad who sings to you and I couldn't help but think of him and that song while I was in Ireland.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUK_mGlola8/UxdJOFfslVI/AAAAAAAAAhI/mMXJ0eu7R5Y/s1600/galwayFAV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUK_mGlola8/UxdJOFfslVI/AAAAAAAAAhI/mMXJ0eu7R5Y/s1600/galwayFAV.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galway, Ireland. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IA_4-0"></sup>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-4368316012387768962014-02-26T15:16:00.001-08:002014-04-09T13:33:35.188-07:00In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines...Babe Ruth once said, "Paris ain't much of a town." <br />
<br />
Well Babe, I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic but I certainly disagree. Paris stole my heart. <br />
<br />
This past weekend I flew to the city of lights with three of my friends, Megan, Anna and Matt. We took off from Heathrow super early on Friday morning and got back late Monday night. We did a lot in those four days and I can't possibly sum it all up and describe how gorgeous the city is in one blog post. I suppose I'll break it down and write about the highlights of each day. <br />
<br />
<u>Friday, February 21</u><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQe0d1cNqpE/Uw5xSZVJhpI/AAAAAAAAAdw/nY2fkizAv9g/s1600/Notre-Dame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQe0d1cNqpE/Uw5xSZVJhpI/AAAAAAAAAdw/nY2fkizAv9g/s1600/Notre-Dame.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Notre-Dame Cathedral was the first sight I saw in Paris!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1gAgjUmBzU/Uw5xY2oHLII/AAAAAAAAAfw/eyIYp48dxT0/s1600/paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
4:45AM: Woke up (ouch). <br />
6AM: Met the others at the Green Park tube station to head to Heathrow on the Piccadilly line. <br />
8:20AM: Took off for Paris! <br />
10:50AM: Landed safely after enjoying a smooth flight and some complimentary croissants. <br />
<br />
I'm not really sure what time we left the airport or arrived at Notre-Dame, but we took a train right from the airport and I think it took around 45 minutes. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwTeO4jico4/Uw5xWd9x7ZI/AAAAAAAAAe4/6FRCjnBK-O4/s1600/lock+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwTeO4jico4/Uw5xWd9x7ZI/AAAAAAAAAe4/6FRCjnBK-O4/s1600/lock+bridge.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lock bridge was really pretty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we exited the metro and ascended towards the exit, the light shone brightly in our eyes. I emerged into the plaza right in front of Notre-Dame, and what I saw in front of me was breathtaking. The cathedral was stunning and magnificent and when paired with the bright blue sky, warm sun and chirping birds it felt like something out of a storybook. We walked around the inside of the cathedral and it was just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. <br />
<br />
After we left Notre-Dame, we walked outside along the river and found a lock bridge. Lovers and friends place locks on the bridge and throw the keys into the river to symbolize their love and commitment. It was amazing to see all of the old and new locks. Some were colorful and shiny, while others were rusted and old. Some of them had messages on them and many had names and dates written in Sharpie across their surfaces. <br />
<br />
We roamed the streets and peered into shop windows filled with cheese, bread, pastries and macaroons. We passed an accordion player and followed behind a couple holding hands as they strolled along the waterfront. Vespas and motorcycles lined the sidewalks and the smell of the fresh air mixed with baked goods.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HaQMi5BBn4/Uw5xZ1kA1pI/AAAAAAAAAgA/bpsMVDsmUYs/s1600/shakespeare+and+co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HaQMi5BBn4/Uw5xZ1kA1pI/AAAAAAAAAgA/bpsMVDsmUYs/s1600/shakespeare+and+co.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shakespeare and Company book store was so cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lunch was fantastic. I can't recall the name of the place we ate at but it was near Notre-Dame and I ordered chicken, salad, and potatoes with a <span class="st">rosé<i> </i></span>wine. I hadn't had such a good meal since arriving in Europe and it was the perfect little restaurant to relax in for an hour or so. <br />
<br />
After lunch we stopped by the famous Shakespeare and Company book store. It was really quaint and charming. The shelves were piled with books and the rooms were really small and narrow. It was hard to navigate them with my huge backpack on. I didn't make it upstairs but Anna and Matt said that a cat was napping in an arm chair in one of the rooms. I was so tempted to buy the French version of <i>The Little Prince</i> (<span class="st"><i>Le Petit Prince) </i>but alas I am a broke college student. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLGTZ8B0YYw/Uw5xXI02OoI/AAAAAAAAAfI/kB04fhh5uKc/s1600/loucre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLGTZ8B0YYw/Uw5xXI02OoI/AAAAAAAAAfI/kB04fhh5uKc/s1600/loucre.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>4:30/5PM: Checked in at Oops! Hostel.<br />
First impression: Besides the hilarious name, it was in a great area for a hostel to be located in. It was surrounded by shops and very close to a few metro stations. The exterior and interior of the hostel were modern and clean. Our room had two bunk beds and a private bathroom. It was more like a hotel than a hostel, but our beds were not all that comfortable. That didn't matter too much at the end of each day. We were exhausted! <br />
<br />
After a quick nap we headed out to see the Louvre Museum. When we arrived it was night time and the entire place was glowing. I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was from the outside. The fountains were going and the stars were out. On top of the beauty of the Louvre's structure itself, it houses the Mona Lisa and other great artwork. We got in line and entered really quickly. We got in for free since we're students and we headed straight for the Mona Lisa. Most people wait hours in line to see it and we breezed right through until we stumbled upon the famous painting. It's really small in person and it felt completely surreal to see it. There was a small crowd gathered in front of it. <br />
<br />
Walking through the Louvre was the perfect way to spend our first night. The weather had been perfect and the sights we saw during the day invited us to fall deeply in love with France from the moment we stepped foot in that plaza near Notre-Dame. <br />
<br />
<u>Saturday, February 22</u><br />
<br />
8:30AM: Woke up.<br />
9:00AM: Complimentary breakfast at the hostel (baguettes, croissants, juice, cereal, coffee, etc.)<br />
9:30AM: Back to the room to get ready for the day.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K692u6Yrt4w/Uw5xT56mKZI/AAAAAAAAAeI/XLKc0861fBA/s1600/arc+de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K692u6Yrt4w/Uw5xT56mKZI/AAAAAAAAAeI/XLKc0861fBA/s1600/arc+de.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Arc de Triomphe is right at the end of the <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Champs-Élysées. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once we were all dressed and groomed we headed out to the <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Musée d'Orsay</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg">. The rainy weather didn't make me feel any less elated to be in Paris because it still looked beautiful through the clouds. <br /><br />Highlight</span></span> of the <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Musée d'Orsay: Seeing Monet and van Gogh's paintings in person, discovering my love for </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="st">Édouard Manet's</span> paintings, the huge clock in the cafe upstairs and getting in for free.</span></span><br />
<br />
Worst part: Going through the quick security check entering the museum and having to take off my camera which was tangled up with my scarf. I pulled it off so hastily that it hit my forehead so hard. It's been four days and it's still really tender. Go me. <br />
<br />
After the museum, we walked across another lock bridge where we saw medics taking a man with a bloody hand away. I wonder if he got his hand caught in a lock...<br />
<br />
We wandered around and eventually stumbled on a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. We stopped for crepes right near a bridge overlooking the tower and I ordered a chocolate one. It was so yummy! The weather had improved a lot as well so it was a perfect little spot to stand and enjoy the views and the food.<br />
<br />
We walked down the <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Champs-Élysées </span></span>and saw so many interesting things! I noticed how elaborate the stores and hotels were, including Abercrombie and Fitch, which was guarded by two tall iron and gold fences and two very attractive models. We passed Tiffany's and many other high end stores like Dior. There were street performers dancing with kids and we stopped to watch them for a little while. <br />
<br />
At the end of the <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Champs-Élysées sits the Arc de Triomphe. We took pictures and marveled at it's beauty and I couldn't help but wonder what it looked like once upon a time when there were little to no cars and less stores nearby. They were doing some work on the top of it so the scaffolding made it in to our photos. I didn't mind though. It was just really surreal to be there. </span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXAuVWwYTJ8/Uw5xUqdLumI/AAAAAAAAAeo/0tPGQ_40trU/s1600/crepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXAuVWwYTJ8/Uw5xUqdLumI/AAAAAAAAAeo/0tPGQ_40trU/s1600/crepes.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crepe cart we went to had a great view. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">We walked under the road through the underpass and emerged on the other side of the Arc. We saw a man and a group of his friends who were about to help him propose to someone, but after waiting around for about ten minutes we gave up and mentally wished him the best in his endeavor. <br /><br />After that we walked. And walked. And walked. <br /><br />We finally arrived at the Eiffel Tower and my feet felt a little like they were going to fall off. <br /><br />Seeing one of the most famous structures in the entire world rejuvenated us a bit though and I will admit, it's worth all of the hype it gets. Did you know that it was built as the entrance to the World's Fair in 1889? It's the tallest structure in Paris and over 6.98 million people climbed to the top in 2011. That's a whole lot of people. Although I didn't climb to the top, I still felt amazed by the tower and all of the people who come to see it every day. <br /><br />We took a ton of pictures and I got some French fries at a concession stand nearby. They were delicious and the perfect treat to have while in France! The whole area smelled like fair food and kids were walking around with pink cotton candy the size of my head. There were a ton of street vendors with big rings filled with mini Eiffel Towers. They jingle them in your face and there are so many of them all over. I couldn't help but wonder how much money they make and what kind of lives they live on that income. I don't know if I feel sorry for them or if I'm just amazed at their persistence and free-as-a-bird lifestyles. <br /><br />5PM: Dinner at the hostel (pasta, bread, cheese, crackers, wine, grapes)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">After dinner we went up to our room and played games. It was so much fun getting to know Anna, Megan and Matt better and we laughed so much that my head was pounding from the earlier blow to it from my camera. <br /><br /><u>Sunday, February 23</u></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><u> </u></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogYDAlUW19A/Uw5xaWB2VJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/tWAKEkBRbq0/s1600/montmartre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogYDAlUW19A/Uw5xaWB2VJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/tWAKEkBRbq0/s1600/montmartre.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montmartre was the best part of my weekend in Paris, without a doubt!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">9:30AM: Woke up, got ready, ate breakfast (baguettes that were leftover from the complementary breakfast earlier that morning and apples we had purchased at the grocery store).</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdqkhsaGwf4/Uw5xZod_-LI/AAAAAAAAAf4/Iox9L8bLExw/s1600/sacre+coeur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdqkhsaGwf4/Uw5xZod_-LI/AAAAAAAAAf4/Iox9L8bLExw/s1600/sacre+coeur.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little Disney-inspired drawings were all over. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3mPDf55RH8/Uw5xYtlJoOI/AAAAAAAAAfg/npriuOyStGo/s1600/notre-dame+candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3mPDf55RH8/Uw5xYtlJoOI/AAAAAAAAAfg/npriuOyStGo/s1600/notre-dame+candles.jpg" height="212" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">We headed straight to Montmartre which is literally the most gorgeous place I have ever visited. I will admit, the stairs to the top were intimidating to me. I felt a little lightheaded and I was really sore from the days before so I had to take my time hiking up towards the top. When I reached it I grabbed a bottle of water and walked towards the view. It was so stunning to see all of Paris under such a blue sky. The breeze felt good and the sun provided a good, warm balance to the chill in the air. People were lounging on the stairs that led up to the </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Basilique du Sacré Cœur and many people were dressed in light jackets and sunglasses. This made me crave the spring more than ever! <br /><br />We walked around inside of the </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Basilique du Sacré Cœur and it was really nice to be able to light a candle in memory of people who I have lost. I thought of Grampy, Peggy, Uncle Michael, and Mrs. G especially and I wished they could have seen the beautiful places that I was seeing along with me. <br /><br />When we left the church, we roamed around the winding, cobblestone roads through a small market area filled with tourists. We heard a great group of musicians and Megan stopped to play with some music boxes she found. When we left the area of shops, we kept walking down the cobblestone roads past random cafes and cute houses. The view was still amazing as we caught glimpses of it through the houses. There were less tourists on each street so it was a really peaceful, Sunday morning stroll. The air smelled like wood burning fires with hints of freshly baked bread. The birds were chirping and everything we saw had an element of beauty and age that I have never experienced before in my life. Being in Europe has given me the opportunity to see history in a way that I have never seen it before and France was definitely even more ancient and picturesque-feeling than London has been. <br /><br />We finally reached the bottom of the hill after a nice walk and we headed away from Montmartre to find the Moulin Rouge. On our way we stopped in the </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Cimetière de Montmartre and I wandered through ancient and more recent graves covered in mold and flowers. It was so interesting to photograph there and my video actually stopped recording at one point unexpectedly. I'm pretty skeptical but I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. It was a really nice day so it was almost strange to think there were real graves surrounding me. </span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVipywicW9I/Uw5xVgF6_aI/AAAAAAAAAes/ZlQV5Ze-mHc/s1600/flowers.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVipywicW9I/Uw5xVgF6_aI/AAAAAAAAAes/ZlQV5Ze-mHc/s1600/flowers.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
We found the Moulin Rouge which had a large queue in front of it and we almost walked right by it. It's crammed between other theatres and really easy to miss if you're focused on where you're walking. I wasn't overly impressed by it since I haven't seen the movie, but Anna loves it and highly recommends it. I definitely need to watch it as soon as we get back from Ireland this weekend. <br />
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We stopped for lunch in a nice cafe and I ordered a hamburger and french fries. It came with a little salad and I also had a Coke. It was so good! Yeah, it wasn't really French or daring to order a hamburger, but it was honestly one of the best things I've tasted abroad. I also tried some of Anna's French Onion soup which was really good as well. <br />
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We stopped at Paul and bought some macaroons and it was my first time trying them. I got a caramel one and it was to die for. I can't believe I got to try my first one in Paris! I'm definitely a fan. <br />
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We decided it would be fun to see the Eiffel Tower at night so we went to a cafe nearby and ordered some hot drinks and waited until it got dark. My hot chocolate came with homemade chantilly (cream) and when I put it in it melted and my cup overflowed. I didn't even notice until Matt was filming it! <span id="goog_464407918"></span><span id="goog_464407919"></span><br />
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We arrived at the Eiffel Tower around 6:45PM and it was that wonderful time right after twilight when the sky isn't exactly black yet but not light either. The tower was lit up and glowed a warm, gold color. We laughed and took pictures and waited for 7PM to see if it would glitter like they said it's supposed to every hour for five or ten minutes. When it finally did I gasped because there is really no way to prepare yourself for how beautiful it is. I mean, it's really just a huge structure lighting up and it might not sound as amazing as I'm making it out to be, but let me tell you- it is. If I were to recommend seeing anything I've seen in my life to you all it would be Paris in general and the Eiffel Tower when it glitters on a clear, beautiful night. I felt so blessed to be able to see it again on such a perfect day and I will honestly never forget the feeling in my stomach the moment I saw the lights begin to sparkle. <br />
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8PM: Snacks and wine at the hostel and more getting to know each other. <br />
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We went to bed by 12:30AM/1AM. <br />
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^*This was my favorite day of the trip.<br />
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<u>Monday, February 24</u><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadows from left to right: Megan, me, Anna and Matt. This was right after we checked out of our hostel. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8f_EQUiud7U/Uw5xXmqk9aI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Zzjg2NYGayw/s1600/macaroons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8f_EQUiud7U/Uw5xXmqk9aI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Zzjg2NYGayw/s1600/macaroons.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span>10AM: Woke up, showered, packed, checked out of hostel, ate baguettes and apples in the kitchen. <br />
11:45/12AM: Took metro to an area near Bastille, walked around a bit, strolled along the waterfront and saw all of the houseboats.<br />
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We stopped at a pizza place for some wine and we sat outside because it was really nice out. We just needed to rest and set our bags down because we were all really sore and tired. We ordered various little appetizers and a small pizza and split the bill. <br />
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We walked from the pizza place to a Fruit Bar near the Bastille metro station. We ordered desserts and I got "Nougatella" which is an ice cream Sundae with Nutella and brownie chunks. It was divine. I was really impressed with all of the food we had while in Paris because it was relatively cheap and really delicious. Especially that sundae. <br />
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We said our goodbyes to Paris and descended into the tunnels of the metro. We got on a train to the airport, arrived around 5/6PM, went through security and sat in comfy leather chairs until our flight began to board at 7:55PM. <br />
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The flight between Paris and London is so short that by the time the plane fully ascends into the air we are hearing announcements from the pilot that we are beginning our descent. I really like flying. I never feel anxious despite my nervous personality. Anna on the other hand, is extremely nervous about flying. I sat next to her both ways and it was amazing to see her overcome her fear to fly to somewhere new and experience all that we did. She was really terrified but she didn't let it hold her back. I wish I could have helped her cope better but after reading some articles online about helping people with flight anxiety I could only really ramble on in attempts to distract her. The way there was super smooth but when we were going back to London we hit more turbulence and there was a man sitting in front of us with heart problems. He needed medical attention as soon as we landed and it was definitely raising Anna's anxiety as we approached London. <br />
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We landed safely, the man seemed to be doing okay, and we got through border control without a hitch. We boarded the tube and headed back to central London. I was so tired that it was hard not to laugh at the fact that the voice-over kept announcing that "this is an all stations train to cockfosters." I know, I'm twenty-one. I shouldn't laugh at that but hey, who needs maturity after 10PM on a Monday after a weekend in Paris?<br />
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It was comforting to sit on the Mike-and-Ike patterned, comfy cushions of the tube and listen to the voice-over telling us to "please mind the gap." I like the thought of returning to my own bed and my shower and all of my things on the sixteenth floor of Marylebone Hall. For once London didn't seem like my home away from home, it felt like my home. <br />
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I hope I didn't bore you all with my adventures in Paris because next week I'll be blogging about my trip to Ireland this weekend. It's supposed to rain but I'm really looking forward to seeing Dublin and Galway. What I'm not looking forward to is getting up at 3AM on Friday to make my flight out of Stanstead. Oh the sacrifices a girl will make to see the world...<br />
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Have a lovely weekend everyone! Until we meet again. <br />
xx Sheila <br />
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(P.S: Listen to "Lay Me Down" (preferably acoustic on Youtube) by Sam Smith. I've been playing it on repeat all day. It's a lovely ballad that reminds me of an Adele tune. He's got a lot of soul. Let me know what you think!) <br />
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*The title of this blog post references the poem at the beginning of each episode of "Madeline" which was a childhood favorite of mine. I still have a music box that plays the theme song.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-43257925161007602892014-02-20T05:21:00.000-08:002014-04-09T13:35:03.581-07:00My red carpet adventure <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been sitting here staring at the "write new post" button for a while now and let me tell you, it was tough to click it and start writing this. I'm exhausted. I am so tempted to take a nap until my creative writing class at 2pm, but I suppose it makes more sense to write now instead of late tonight. <br />
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The reason I am so tired is because I woke up at 4:15am yesterday morning to get to the O2 Arena in by 6am to meet Anna and Megan. We decided to try to get wristbands for the Brit Awards red carpet. Yes, I know, we sound crazy. We are crazy. But we planned ahead and packed the necessities so we would survive the day without freezing or starving to death. None of us had class to we thought, "why not?" <br />
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It was in the 40s when I left to go to the arena so I wore leggings, jeans, two pairs of socks, leg warmers, boots, a cami, a long-sleeved shirt, a huge sweater, my rain jacket, my peacoat, gloves, a hat, and my biggest, warmest scarf. I packed a sandwich, chips, water, ibuprofen, a blanket, playing cards, a notebook, a sharpie, a book, an umbrella, and a few other odds and ends. I was so prepared for the day and I think that's probably the only reason I survived it. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2oj1HslSvo/UwX_Fa_bTwI/AAAAAAAAAcU/nS2d4VDmxUU/s1600/camping+out.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2oj1HslSvo/UwX_Fa_bTwI/AAAAAAAAAcU/nS2d4VDmxUU/s1600/camping+out.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>The Baker Street tube station was abandoned when I got there and it was so odd to have the place basically to myself. I'm used to commuters, tourists, students, families and teenagers clogging up the platforms and escalators. I went straight down to the jubilee line and got right on the train that was sitting at the platform. I sat down and relaxed, and the train left about two minutes later. It took about 20 minutes to get to North Greenwich and when I got off the train I saw Anna and Megan get out a few cars back. I yelled to them and we greeted each other and started to ascend the escalators to the exit. When we got outside, we were stopped by a few girls who asked us for our names and wrote numbers 176-178 on our hands. They brought us over to the rest of the people who were already there waiting and sat us down near a huge advertisement screen which was a part of a wall covered in blue, circular lights. <br />
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It was dark and cold, but not bitter. I felt pretty warm actually! We opened Megan's travel blanket and covered ourselves with the blanket I brought. We only had to wait until 9am so we were feeling pretty good about everything. <br />
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Time was moving pretty slowly but I enjoyed having the chance to look around the O2's exterior and all of the shops and buildings that surround it. It's located on a peninsula and there are piers and a gondola over the Thames which I saw from afar. The whole place seems futuristic to me and it was really awesome to see it in person. There was also a Costa, Subway, and Tesco nearby so we used those places to get some food and stay warm for a little bit in shifts. <br />
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Around 7:30, Anna and I were in Tesco and I saw her answer her phone while she was standing in line to buy a croissant. Her mouth opened and she looked nervous and when she hung up she said that Megan said all of the girls around us started running towards the red carpet area all at once and she didn't know why. Anna threw her croissant back on the shelf and we ran to Megan as fast as we could. She was right, they had all piled up near the building and the red carpet and there were two O2 security guards with megaphones yelling at them to step back. We realized that whatever happened was definitely a false alarm and we decided to sit on the benches outside of Costa and get hot drinks since the makeshift line we had been in didn't really exist anymore. <br />
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We watched the girls freaking out and screaming and running back and forth every time they thought there was a new line being formed for wristbands. It was a mixture of sad, amusing, and terrifying to be honest. Most of the girls were between the ages of 12 and 15 and they were mostly there for One Direction. Now, I love them (which I'm sure you all know), but some of the hysterical behavior of those young girls was disturbing to say the least. I wondered where all of their parents were and why they weren't in school on a Wednesday. <br />
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Around 8:30am they actually did send those of us waiting for wristbands to an area where they wanted us to form a single file line. After being caught up in a stampede and shoved into bicycle racks, we got in line and we weren't too far back. We could see the front of the line easily but we couldn't see the back at all. It wrapped around the corner and went far back. <br />
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Eventually, the security guard called groups of 50 over and moved them to another area to get wristbands. She called numbers 1-50, 50-100, and 100-150. We were dying because we were really close to being called and then some time passed and the security guard returned. She said that they were done calling numbers and that now they'd just go by the order of the line we formed. I was so annoyed! We would have been next and some of the people in line had just gotten there. They let us in and we ended up sitting in the second row of people. We were so nervous because it was only 9:15 and we knew it would be hours until anything happened on the red carpet. We figured by 4pm there would be more excitement but that was still almost 7 hours away. There was a lot of space in the area we were in but there were high fences behind us about twenty or thirty feet. We found out that we could leave and come back as much as we wanted but when the area started to fill up they would close it off and we wouldn't be allowed back in. We took shifts and got food, used the bathroom, and warmed up a little. When we were in the red carpet area I had to keep standing up because the hard pavement was too uncomfortable to sit on for hours at a time. <br />
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I tried to read a little but I was too uncomfortable and distracted to get too far in my book. Anna, Megan, and I played some games and we even played a few rounds of MASH using my notebook. That was a real throwback and it was funny trying to remember all of the categories we used to have. <br />
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Around 2:30/3pm there were camera guys and a few reporters from CNN walking down our section of the carpet, right after the crew took the plastic off of it. At that point everyone stood up and we never sat down again after that. <br />
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I saw a bunch of crew members in blue jumpsuits up on the roof of the O2 at various times and I wondered what they were doing. I watched the red carpet come together and all of the last minute adjustments being made. Men and women in suits and business attire strolled past in large flocks and security guards patrolled the area with their ear buds and long, black coats. <br />
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Around 4:15pm, paparazzi and press had arrived. They were in their own little section within our sight, but far from our little red carpet area. There was a circular area for cars which was between us and the press and the main red carpet was just past that. We were near the red carpet for boat arrivals and people who aren't famous. <br />
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Don't worry though, this story doesn't end in disappointment. <br />
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Shortly after everyone was in place on the carpet, the first famous person arrived. I had no idea who he was, which ended up being a pattern because I know far less British music than I thought. His name was Rizzle Kicks and apparently he's a rapper. He was really nice and came all the way over to our red carpet to sign autographs and take photos with people. <br />
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After that, many cars started to arrive and more people I didn't know got out and entered the red carpet for their photo-ops. About an hour or so into it, Ellie Goulding arrived and she looked gorgeous! She turned and waved to us and blew us a kiss. She seemed so sweet. Unfortunately, she didn't come over to us, but it was still so exciting to see her outfit and to watch her pose on the red carpet. That was a pattern with the rest of the big stars we saw, like Bastille, Tinie Tempah, Lily Allen, Alex Turner, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw. <br />
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We didn't see Katy Perry, Beyonce or Lorde at all, so I'm assuming they went through the back. They didn't make red carpet appearances outside. <br />
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Daft Punk walked right by us, or at least I think it was them. It totally could have been two random guys in suits with robot helmets but they did pose for the press and Daft Punk won an award so it was most likely really them. <br />
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By 7pm we were getting really tired. I was so sore and I couldn't feel my feet. The girls around us were being really rude and some of the American girls who go to our Uni were arguing with a British girl when she asked them to please move back a little to give her more room. I was sick of hearing their rude comments and I was so close to saying something to them but I held back. They were saying how they should have just watched from home and that they couldn't see a thing. One of them said that she gets impatient at concerts and so one time she spit in some girl's hair. I was disgusted but all of her friends laughed and told her how "bad" she was. They kept complaining about the smell, and they're right- it did smell bad occasionally. It was definitely a sewer or low tide but they kept making dumb fart jokes and I wanted to smack them. My impatience, exhaustion and frustration was growing and cars basically stopped coming around 7pm. We were all getting so mad and every time a van pulled up the girls would scream their heads of thinking it was One Direction. Only publicists and unknown people would get out. <br />
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Finally, a security guard near us told some girls that they'd stop arriving at 7:30. It was 7:20ish and One Direction still hadn't arrived. We were so upset and about to give up when a van pulled in. It didn't park where the main red carpet area was. It stopped right in front of us. <br />
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My heart stopped. <br />
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Paul Higgins, One Direction's manager, and some of their other well-known crew members exited the van. The screaming began. <br />
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Another van pulled up and replaced the van before it. <br />
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The doors opened, and the first one out was Harry Styles. <br />
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Up to that point I was judging those little preteens so hard because of their crazy behavior and hysterical screaming for no reason, but when I saw them all get out of that van, look right at us and wave, I lost it. <br />
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I was so excited and they ran straight towards us. They were let into our area and they started down at one end. I was near the middle so I waited and stood on my tip toes to see who was approaching. Harry walked by us pretty quickly but I got to see him and he was so beautiful and nice to everyone. He stuck his tongue out at us and smiled a lot too, haha! Zayn was sweet as well and took a lot of selfies with the girls right in front of me. Liam did the same thing and I was trying to get my paper and Anna's pen to him but when he turned to take the selfie with that girl I accidentally stabbed him in the head with the pen. I don't think he felt it because it wasn't super hard, but I definitely could have written on his scalp since the pen was open. Anna and I were laughing about that the whole way home. Niall was on crutches because he just had knee surgery, but he was really outgoing and friendly. They all tried to sign as many autographs and take as many pictures as they could, but management was pulling them away pretty quickly. Louis walked right by me and I honestly didn't even realize that it was him because of his hair.<br />
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I couldn't believe that they were all right there in front of me. I was less than two feet from them all and even though I don't have any of their autographs and all I have is some blurry pictures of them, it was so amazing to be that close. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mV6JNjddko/UwX_FvuFfhI/AAAAAAAAAcY/ScD5t_KSXt8/s1600/harry+styles.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mV6JNjddko/UwX_FvuFfhI/AAAAAAAAAcY/ScD5t_KSXt8/s1600/harry+styles.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Styles was so nice and obviously handsome! :) </td></tr>
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<br />
It's so weird to see celebrities on the internet, in magazines, on television and in movies for years and years and then finally see them in person. They were all so small and slender. They're really good looking and you could definitely tell that they were happy to be there and see us all.<br />
<br />
When they left we all were told that it was over and that it was time to leave so we grabbed our stuff and made our way out through the crowd of crying girls. I'm not even joking, some of them were sobbing. <br />
<br />
We checked out the inside of the O2 for a few minutes and then got on the tube. My body felt so strange because I was sore but basically numb from standing out in the cold all day. I feel quite odd today as well. I'm not necessarily sick, but I definitely feel like I could get a bad cold after that. I still feel very disoriented. <br />
<br />
I don't think I would ever suggest that to anyone else and I definitely wouldn't have made it without the things I wore and brought, but it was an experience I'll never forget. Now I can say that I've been to a red carpet event and I met some of my favorite people in the world! <br />
<br />
I'm going to Paris, France tomorrow morning until late Monday night, so hopefully I can rest up and be 100% ready tomorrow when I have to wake up super early again. If you need to contact me while I'm gone just iMessage me, Facebook message me, use Viber, or email me. I will not have wi-fi the whole time but hopefully I'll be able to keep my phone charged and post when I can. <br />
<br />
Have a fantastic weekend everyone, and thanks for reading! <br />
<br />
xx Sheila <br />
<br />
(P.S: I went to Camden Town and Little Venice recently and I loved both! Definitely great places to visit for a nice stroll and some shopping. Get a crepe at Camden Market! I had Nutella and banana.)<br />
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<span id="goog_1746977843"></span><span id="goog_1746977844"></span><span id="goog_1746977850"></span><span id="goog_1746977851"></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2HowYUQJrg/UwYAzMLD3TI/AAAAAAAAAdk/EK5oJ42Y0_s/s1600/little+venice.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2HowYUQJrg/UwYAzMLD3TI/AAAAAAAAAdk/EK5oJ42Y0_s/s1600/little+venice.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Venice</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-45537359270615740572014-02-12T08:32:00.001-08:002014-02-12T08:35:42.620-08:00Harry Potter shenanigans and the late, great Shirley Temple<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RzDy4VEdAE/Uvud4mYjFYI/AAAAAAAAAbk/gWQ1yXcRC70/s1600/rupert2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RzDy4VEdAE/Uvud4mYjFYI/AAAAAAAAAbk/gWQ1yXcRC70/s1600/rupert2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Rupert! </td></tr>
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I can't think of what could be better than sitting in my cozy room on this rainy afternoon in London, drinking some tea, listening to Shirley Temple songs, and writing about what I've been up to lately. <br />
<br />
To be honest, I can't even begin to think of what I have been doing in the past week or two. Time is flying by so quickly that everything seems to mush together and it all becomes a big blur. People often ask me how my weekend was and I struggle to remember how I spent it. That leads to a lot of awkward encounters with people who assume I can't remember because I drank too much, hah! <br />
<br />
Let's go back to two Saturdays ago. <br />
<br />
I had been spending a lot of time in my room and I was itching to get out and do something, so I decided I'd meet up with Anna after she saw MOJO that night. We had talked about it briefly the day before but when I tried to reach her to confirm that day, she wasn't responding. It got pretty late and I figured she might have left her phone in her room, so I decided to go and see if I could find her. Thankfully, I got there right as the play was letting out and I found Anna standing right out front, near the corner. She was really happy to see me and told me that her phone had died earlier in the day. We talked for a bit while the crowd dissipated, and then we heard a few screams near the stage door. <br />
<br />
I told Anna to go see if Rupert Grint had come out and I stayed and watched the front door for her. She went over and waved to me to join her. Rupert and Colin Morgan (BBC's <i>Merlin</i>) were signing autographs and Anna was trying to get up to them. I decided to wait back at the front of the theatre because I had already met Rupert and I don't really care for big crowds. Anna walked back over to me and said she had gotten really close but they went back inside. I suggested that we grab drinks at the pub and I could tell she was still anxious to see if Rupert would come back out. We stood in front of the pub for a few minutes while she looked around and a guy in a suit asked, "Who are you waiting for?" I said, "Well, we were kind of waiting to see if Rupert Grint would come out but it's no big deal." He said "I think he's coming in tonight." So Anna and I looked at each other and she asked him who he was. "I'm the manager of this place," he said. We were so surprised because he was so young and antsy. He told us that he had spoken to Rupert's driver and that he was coming into the pub soon. <br />
<br />
I decided to grab us drinks so we went inside and I ordered a cider and a red wine for Anna. When I got back over to her she pulled me towards the side door and said that Rupert was outside. The manager came in and saw us and said "He's outside if you want to go say hello." <br />
<br />
We walked out and Anna went up to him. I honestly couldn't tell you the whole conversation because it's been two weeks now and I really should have blogged about it sooner so I wouldn't forget. <br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure Anna told him that she had been sitting in the way back for the performance but she enjoyed it and he laughed and thanked her. She also asked him what he was up to after the show closed (Feb. 8th) and he said he was taking a break and then filming something. He said that he really loved being in MOJO and that it was a great experience. <br />
<br />
I awkwardly said, "It must be a lot after so many performances. You look so tired all of the time... I mean, you must be tired." (Or something like that). <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlPYtPqbKxM/Uvud4XfomsI/AAAAAAAAAbo/-v-0z4QsZN8/s1600/me+butterbeer.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlPYtPqbKxM/Uvud4XfomsI/AAAAAAAAAbo/-v-0z4QsZN8/s1600/me+butterbeer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterbeer is too good! </td></tr>
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<br />
He laughed and said that he was pretty exhausted and that he was losing his voice. I noticed that the first time he spoke that night and I was thinking how strange it was that he was basically chain smoking outside of the pub in 45 degree weather after two performances. <br />
<br />
Regardless of those bad decisions on his part, he was still adorable and very sweet to us. We both got pictures and I told him that I really hope his voice gets better soon. He thanked me and said, "See you soon!" <br />
<br />
I wish! <br />
<br />
That was one of the more exciting things that happened since I last blogged. I can't believe that I met him twice. I mean, once is pretty unbelievable but twice just killed me. I feel so lucky! Especially because I met him in a relaxed environment both times. I didn't have to fight a crowd or just snap a quick selfie. I got to talk to him and take my time. It was such a laid-back meeting that I nearly forgot how famous he is. Of course that all set in when I was getting on the tube to come home. I clutched my phone for dear life so that I would safely get it back to my room to post the pictures.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The model of Hogwarts was much bigger than I thought! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
Anyway, I'm sorry for all of the Rupert stories. I'm sure that'll be it for me. The show is over so unless I randomly see him on the streets, I doubt we'll ever cross paths again. <br />
<br />
But in other Harry Potter-related news, I went to the Harry Potter Studio Tour with Liz and her friend from Oxford, Ashely this past weekend. It was such a great place and I was in heaven the whole time we were there. It was so hard not to buy everything in the gift store! <br />
<br />
My favorite parts were the exterior set pieces (the Knight Bus, Privet Drive, the chess pieces, etc.), trying butterbeer (which was absolutely delicious), the huge model of Hogwarts, and Diagon Alley. <br />
<br />
I posted so many photos on Facebook in my "Slug Club" album so be sure to check them out if we're friends. I'll include a few of my favorites on here as well. <br />
<br />
I would definitely recommend the tour to anyone who has the chance to go. It was so worth the money. It took about 3 hours, give or take, for us to walk through the whole place and every time I thought that it was coming to an end, there was more to see! It begins with a short movie introduction from Daniel, Rupert, and Emma and then the screen raises and the doors to the Great Hall are behind it. You enter into the Great Hall and then from there it's rooms filled with props, costumes, set pieces, short films to watch, and basically anything else you could think of. They had everything from the Sorcerer's Stone to the Daily Prophet and it was amazing to see the amount of hard work and exquisite detail that went into the making of each film. <br />
<br />
The tour ends in the wand room, which is basically a dark room with walls covered in wand boxes to make you feel as if you're in Olivanders. Each box has the name of a cast or crew member and there are thousands of them. It was really incredible to see how many people worked on bringing the books to life and like Emma Watson says in the intro film, "they're the real wizards" behind Harry Potter. <br />
<br />
If there's anything you'd like to hear more about regarding the Harry Potter Studio tour, please let me know. I'd be happy to answer any questions. I could go on about it all day. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9taU-yLUDZ8/Uvucl8u3wgI/AAAAAAAAAbE/SWO9_jtl7rQ/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9taU-yLUDZ8/Uvucl8u3wgI/AAAAAAAAAbE/SWO9_jtl7rQ/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a><br />
After the studio tour, Liz, Ashley, and I went to a pub near the train station and I got fish and chips. It was delicious! We took the train back and Liz stayed with me until Sunday afternoon. It was so nice having her in London for the weekend and I already miss her! <br />
<br />
On Sunday morning, right before she left, we went to the Breakfast Club in Soho and waited in line for about an hour. It was so worth the wait because the food was excellent! I got the All American which I felt awkward about ordering, but it was pancakes, sausage,bacon, eggs, and home style potatoes. I also ordered a smoothie which was made of strawberries, banana, honey, youghurt, milk, and oats. They drizzled a little heart on top of it which was really cute! The environment of the place was really welcoming and trendy. They decorated the walls with polaroids and postcards and random other objects and lights. The waiters all dress pretty casually and the music they play is mostly American but Liz and I were dancing around in our seats the whole time. They played songs like "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston and "California" by Phantom Planet. <br />
<br />
Just a few days ago I purchased my train tickets to go visit my host family in April. I'm so excited! They seem really nice and our e-mail exchanges have been lovely. I think that will be a really great experience for me because I'll get to see what it's like in a real English home, I'll meet great people, and I'll get outside of my London bubble for a while. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, my first assignment was due. I had to write a statistical analysis for my American History class. It was quite boring so I won't go into too much detail but I'm really glad that I got that done. It wasn't very difficult but I was so unmotivated after not having much due for months. <br />
<br />
I'm going to Paris in less than two weeks and then Ireland the weekend after. I'm looking forward to traveling but to be honest, it seems quite daunting right now. I have to figure out what I want to bring, make sure all of my paperwork is in order, get to the airports in time and plan out last minute details. I hope that it all goes smoothly because I want to remember these trips fondly when I look back at my time abroad. If you have been to Paris, Ireland, Scotland, or the South of France, let me know if you have any good suggestions of where to go. I could use some help planning!<br />
<br />
As far as my state-of-mind goes, I've been doing well. I think that I'm getting over the loneliness and settling into my weekly routine. I worry that I'm getting lazy because I just go to and from class and do my chores and errands without branching out too much. Of course I have trips planned and I still hang out with friends and occasionally do fun things in London, but I'm definitely getting too used to being here. My creative writing lecturer told us not to get too numb to being here because the best part of going to a new place is that buzz you feel and how alive you are to everything around you. I need to remember that when I'm walking home from class and when I'm tempted to hop on the tube instead of the bus. If you let yourself get into a routine, you start to feel as if it's groundhog day and every day becomes a repeat of the last. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XevP2qp8d98/Uvug3en_sfI/AAAAAAAAAcE/aVWb5TjBirE/s1600/shirley+temple.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
I miss home and all of my family and friends but I've been oddly okay with being away. I get little pangs of homesickness where I wish that I could hug my dad, get food from my favorite Chinese place, pet my cat, and even go to class at St. Mike's. That's all normal though and I'm really proud of how well I adjusted to life in a new country. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XevP2qp8d98/Uvug3en_sfI/AAAAAAAAAcE/aVWb5TjBirE/s1600/shirley+temple.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XevP2qp8d98/Uvug3en_sfI/AAAAAAAAAcE/aVWb5TjBirE/s1600/shirley+temple.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a><br />
Yesterday morning, I was checking my phone and I read that Shirley Temple passed away at the age of 85. I know that she was old and it wasn't a sudden, tragic death like we've seen a lot lately in Hollywood, but it still hit home. I grew up watching her movies, like many others, but she always had a really special place in my heart. I sang and danced along with her and mimicked her facial expressions as a kid. I ordered Shirley Temples every time I went out to eat (and I still do) and I had a picture of her hanging on the wall of my room last semester. In ninth grade, I did a research report on her and learned about her fight with breast cancer, her two marriages, and her work for the U.S government. The little, curly haired cherub that I had always admired was so much more than a child star. She blossomed into a beautiful and inspirational woman. I hope that everyone takes some time to read about her life and achievements after her acting career because she was truly a gem worth getting to know more about. I think that the news of her passing made me homesick more than anything else since being here. It seems like just yesterday I was a curly haired little bugger watching her movies in my living room without a care in the world and it's hard not to get nostalgic for those times. But just like Shirley did, I have to grow up and make new memories that I'll be able to look back on one day with pride. I can only hope that one day my children will be able to watch her movies and feel the same way I did as a child.<br />
<br />
Write soon<br />
xx Sheila<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LDHgg1GUNlo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><i>Check out Shirley Temple's SAG Lifetime Achievement Award tribute from 2006. </i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VAndir0tFhs/Uvud4prkXfI/AAAAAAAAAbg/bJYKZQOK8Ro/s1600/rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VAndir0tFhs/Uvud4prkXfI/AAAAAAAAAbg/bJYKZQOK8Ro/s1600/rainbow.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I keep seeing rainbows outside of my window and I'm definitely not complaining! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvvzKZEZsNE/UvucgV_rJSI/AAAAAAAAAaM/4_By2vMGnaQ/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvvzKZEZsNE/UvucgV_rJSI/AAAAAAAAAaM/4_By2vMGnaQ/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mirror of Erised</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FQmIfoajOSU/Uvuch-gXUOI/AAAAAAAAAak/aIOQMWZ0ppo/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FQmIfoajOSU/Uvuch-gXUOI/AAAAAAAAAak/aIOQMWZ0ppo/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were so many things to see at the HP Studio tour. They even had the "moving" portraits and information on how they worked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-baVNPyvDTDk/UvucmvQIyiI/AAAAAAAAAbI/SRjodsMFIjw/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-baVNPyvDTDk/UvucmvQIyiI/AAAAAAAAAbI/SRjodsMFIjw/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was surreal to walk through Diagon Alley. I saw Olivanders, the Daily Prophet, and Flourish and Blotts to name a few! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7hrp7Hf6I0/UvucjlaHWJI/AAAAAAAAAas/kqRjQT-Lu8c/s1600/IMG_5327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7hrp7Hf6I0/UvucjlaHWJI/AAAAAAAAAas/kqRjQT-Lu8c/s1600/IMG_5327.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recognize this?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f24UQ39jvec/UvuckYKSdnI/AAAAAAAAAaw/8gBIK8Db0Uw/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f24UQ39jvec/UvuckYKSdnI/AAAAAAAAAaw/8gBIK8Db0Uw/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course I had to take photos of the Daily Prophets! :) </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-28801786204674855592014-01-31T05:56:00.000-08:002014-02-01T09:00:49.846-08:0021 in London<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G57F6Da4ejI/Uuupe8rrojI/AAAAAAAAAZE/K-zEUzZ8Ong/s1600/Ed-Sheeran.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHrg_3itcRE/Uuupe42ZuuI/AAAAAAAAAZI/_wuaUH6I-To/s1600/bday+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHrg_3itcRE/Uuupe42ZuuI/AAAAAAAAAZI/_wuaUH6I-To/s1600/bday+selfie.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Well guys, as of Wednesday I am now 21 years old. Isn't that crazy? Where did all of that time go? <br />
<br />
Spending my birthday in London was really nice. I kind of worried that I'd be sad all day because being away from home on a special day like that is extra tough. I slept in, took a shower, and met up with Anna around noon to make some travel plans. We ended up booking our flight to the south of France for April. We still need to plan the rest of the trip, but I'm looking forward to it now that I know we're starting off somewhere so beautiful! <br />
<br />
After booking our flight, Anna headed out to see a play and I went back to my building. I had a package from Harrods waiting for me and I was really excited to see what was inside. I got up to my room and opened it, and I found an adorable teddy bear and lovely card from my aunt and uncle. I still have to come up with a good name so let me know if you have any suggestions! :) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12vSY53Kxog/UuupgM4rSRI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/BtlhBvQX7jg/s1600/teddy+bear.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12vSY53Kxog/UuupgM4rSRI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/BtlhBvQX7jg/s1600/teddy+bear.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
I spent most of the day being lazy and watching movies in bed (which was really nice) and then got ready for dinner. I met my friend, Amy, downstairs in the lobby and we took the tube to Piccadilly Circus. I had made reservations for me and eight of my friends to eat at Nonna's Kitchen. We had gone there during orientation and loved it so I figured it would be fun to go back. It was definitely a good choice! <br />
<br />
I ordered the 8" parmigiana pizza and it was so good! It was basically eggplant parm on pizza. I followed up the delicious meal with two scoops of Nutella gelato and it was SO good! I was almost done with it when they all started singing Happy Birthday to me. The manager/waiter placed another two scoops of gelato with a candle stuck into it right in front of me and I was so surprised! I didn't know if they did that over here but I guess they do. <br />
<br />
Some of us headed to the pub next door and I got a pint of cider. We snagged a booth/table in the corner or the tiny pub and some more of the group headed out. It ended up being me, Anna, Amy, and Megan and we had a really good time talking and sipping on our drinks. The pub we were at is the same one I met Rupert Grint at so around 10:15, a lot of people from the show were trickling into the pub. The crowd grew and thinned out again quickly, but two of the cast members were sitting really close to us. One was Brendan Coyle from Downton Abbey, and the other was Daniel Mays. Anna really likes Downton Abbey so she introduced herself to Coyle and I took their picture. Rupert didn't come in that night but we did talk to a really nice British guy named Cru, who came over and introduced himself to us. He's from Carlisle, which is in the northern part of the UK if I'm correct. He was so excited that we were American. He was really friendly and gave us fliers for his band. He wants us to come see them perform next Thursday. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkbLihBIY_c/UuupfmQWJJI/AAAAAAAAAZY/TKywE5W9VD8/s1600/me+and+may.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkbLihBIY_c/UuupfmQWJJI/AAAAAAAAAZY/TKywE5W9VD8/s1600/me+and+may.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Amy at the pub after dinner! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkbLihBIY_c/UuupfmQWJJI/AAAAAAAAAZY/TKywE5W9VD8/s1600/me+and+may.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
After about two hours in the pub, the bartender rang the bell for last call and we decided to head home. I really enjoyed the evening and even though I didn't go crazy for my 21st it was just my kind of night. <br />
<br />
Other than my birthday, I've been going to class, grocery shopping, watching a ton of movies (Her, Catching Fire, The Book Thief, Frozen, The Spectacular Now, etc.), hanging out with friends, and trying to plan some more trips. <br />
<br />
So far I know I'm going to Ireland, Scotland and the south of France. I think we're going to try to go from Nice, France to Italy, and then hopefully to Greece or maybe Croatia. I also need to plan a day trip to Paris and I'd love to get over to Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Prague, and a few other places before I leave. <br />
<br />
In early April, I'll be staying with a host family for the weekend. I just got the e-mail yesterday and I'll be staying with John and Christine in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire which is about halfway between Birmingham and Manchester. I'm so excited to meet them and to experience a different part of the UK. Turns out Christine loves Hanson so I'm sure we'll get along really well! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1cM9GqgX8Y/UuupgmUnEgI/AAAAAAAAAZs/O32KunnMzJw/s1600/thecure2014benefitposter.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1cM9GqgX8Y/UuupgmUnEgI/AAAAAAAAAZs/O32KunnMzJw/s1600/thecure2014benefitposter.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G57F6Da4ejI/Uuupe8rrojI/AAAAAAAAAZE/K-zEUzZ8Ong/s1600/Ed-Sheeran.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G57F6Da4ejI/Uuupe8rrojI/AAAAAAAAAZE/K-zEUzZ8Ong/s1600/Ed-Sheeran.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed Sheeran most recently toured with Taylor Swift. </td></tr>
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<br />
The most exciting news at the moment is probably the purchase Liz made this morning. We're going to see Ed Sheeran at the Royal Albert Hall in March and I'm SO excited! I can't believe we're finally seeing him live and in London of all places! It's a benefit show for the Teenage Cancer Trust and our tickets were quite pricey but I think it'll be completely worth it. I've been dying to see him for such a long time. <br />
<br />
The weekend will undoubtedly be a lazy and hopefully productive one for me. It's hard to resist starting another movie but I'm getting a little dizzy from sitting in my bed for so long so I might go take a walk to Waitrose for some groceries. I really need to do some laundry and start on my statistical analysis for my American history class. <br />
<br />
Anyway, this weekend might be uneventful, but next weekend Liz is visiting and I think we're going to go to the Harry Potter Studios. I'm looking forward to everything that lies ahead and I can't wait to update you guys with more exciting adventures. <br />
<br />
I always love hearing from you so send me a message sometime. Enjoy your weekend everyone! <br />
<br />
xo Sheila <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaMHYVv832w/UuupfTEvw2I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/w9_1xjJsGCA/s1600/gelato.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaMHYVv832w/UuupfTEvw2I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/w9_1xjJsGCA/s1600/gelato.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm, Nutella gelato! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGZAcV5YVho/Uuupf7bUe3I/AAAAAAAAAZc/UTFNPkTqXxs/s1600/pizza.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGZAcV5YVho/Uuupf7bUe3I/AAAAAAAAAZc/UTFNPkTqXxs/s1600/pizza.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parmigiana pizza at Nonna's Kitchen. So yummy!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-30487738251606573192014-01-25T13:20:00.001-08:002014-01-25T15:37:42.570-08:00The story of how I met Rupert Grint, and some other random thingsWhen <i>Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</i> came out in theaters, I was terrified of it. I never imagined reading the books or seeing any more of those horrifying movies. But here I am, years and years later and about a week from turning 21, and I am proud to say that Harry Potter changed my life. Countless people have said the same thing so I'm sure I don't sound very unique, but that doesn't really bother me. I'm happy to share the magic with so many other people. After reading all of the books (numerous times) and seeing all of the movies (a bazillion times), the boy who lived has a very special place in my heart. More importantly, I've always had a huge crush on his redheaded best friend, Ron Weasley, and the actor who played him, Rupert Grint. <br />
<br />
Well my friends, last night all of my dreams came true when I met Rupert in a London pub.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCPzHDbMZnE/UuQoLE93UkI/AAAAAAAAAW0/vRrPpZCjP-Q/s1600/MOJO.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCPzHDbMZnE/UuQoLE93UkI/AAAAAAAAAW0/vRrPpZCjP-Q/s1600/MOJO.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZvMQ1E3zw8/UuQoLepRALI/AAAAAAAAAW4/dxhBkFyu1_I/s1600/MOJO+view.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZvMQ1E3zw8/UuQoLepRALI/AAAAAAAAAW4/dxhBkFyu1_I/s1600/MOJO+view.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTvbKcDey8I/UuQlSL9iVEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/gOLscSvE_MM/s1600/me+and+rupert.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I've been in London since early January and during the first few days of orientation, I found out that Rupert was in a play called MOJO in Picadilly Circus. About a week ago I came across really cheap tickets to see the show before it closes on February 8th. I went for it and bought a ticket for myself for Friday, January 24th at 7:30PM. <br />
<br />
I had been looking forward to the show all week so when Friday evening rolled around I made myself some chicken parm (my favorite) and got ready to head to the tube. When I got to the theatre, I claimed my ticket and went up to the Moonlight Bar. I ordered a cider and walked back towards the stairs leading to the balcony. When the house finally opened, I found my seat in the last row of the highest balcony in the theatre. Surprisingly, I could actually see the stage pretty well. I leaned forward in my seat a lot but I didn't mind. The theatre was beautiful and I didn't even mind how steep the balcony was. <br />
<br />
The show was really good but to be completely honest, it was really difficult to understand what was going on half of the time. The accents were really heavy and the play takes place in the 50's so there was a lot of slang and fast-talking dialogue that I couldn't keep up with. From what I gathered, it was about the aftermath of a murder of a man who owned a music club in London. There were about six cast members, all male, and they were all very good. Colin Morgan (BBC's <i>Merlin</i>) was also in the cast and I think his and Rupert's were my favorite characters. <br />
<br />
When the cast took their final bows, I practically ran out of my seat to get out of the building before the crowd. I made it outside and found the stage door area, but it was raining and there were already a bunch of girls lined up to meet the cast. I remembered hearing from some other study abroad students who had seen the show that the cast all exit out of different doors and Rupert usually goes out of the front. I also heard that he goes to the pub right across the street a lot. I wanted to increase my chances of meeting him, so I stood on the corner where I had the perfect view of the stage doors, front doors, and the pub. While I was standing there I met two girls who had seen the show as well. Pheobe, 18, was from England and Juliana, 23, was from Germany. They were both hoping to meet the cast as well, so we waited for about ten minutes. Ben Winshaw, one of the other cast members, came out and Pheobe talked to him for a minute. She was so excited and while she was freaking out about meeting him, Rupert walked outside with three friends and headed straight for the pub across the street. <br />
<br />
I couldn't even breathe properly so it took a good minute for me and the girls to walk over towards the pub. We stopped outside the doors and I quickly took my hood down and tried to put my hair in a decent ponytail. I was so nervous! <br />
<br />
We finally went inside and it was really tiny. The atmosphere was really cheerful though. I saw Rupert standing near the bar and he was talking to his friends but no one was crowding him or asking him for pictures. It was a lot of older people in the pub so no one really noticed him standing there. Eventually I made my way through the crowd towards him and when there was a break in his conversation I gently tapped his arm. <br />
<br />
Breathe, Sheila. Breathe. <br />
<br />
He turned and looked me right in the eyes and watched me intently as I tried to form words. <br />
<br />
"Hi, Rupert. I'm sorry for bothering you. I honestly have no idea what to say to you except that I think you're wonderful. You did great in the show tonight." <br />
<br />
"Oh wow, thank you! Cheers!" <br />
<br />
He was smiling at me. I was dying. <br />
<br />
"Do you mind if we have a picture?" <br />
<br />
"Sure, of course!" <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjU0xGI34os/UuQtf3EJ-5I/AAAAAAAAAYs/fRPZ5mh7ztU/s1600/thunderpants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjU0xGI34os/UuQtf3EJ-5I/AAAAAAAAAYs/fRPZ5mh7ztU/s1600/thunderpants.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one's a classic. Ha! </td></tr>
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I moved around towards him and extended my arm to take a selfie, but it was awkward and not working at all so Juliana took my phone and took the picture for us. <br />
<br />
He had one hand on my back and one around his beer and I was slowly melting into a puddle of mush. <br />
<br />
"Thanks so much. I'm so sorry for bothering you! I also wanted to say that I really love <i>Driving Lessons</i>. My dad does too!"<br />
<br />
Wait... what did I even just say? I liked <i>Driving Lessons</i>? My dad does too? I was malfunctioning. I guess it was better than saying that Harry Potter rocked my world or <i>Thunderpants</i> was a cinematic treasure.<br />
<br />
"Oh yeah? <i>Driving Lessons</i>? Cool. Thanks so much! Cheers!" <br />
<br />
He was so sweet. Instead of looking at me like the nerd I am he smiled really big and laughed cheerily. <br />
<br />
Someone was trying to squeeze by me so I took Juliana's phone and snapped a photo of her with Rupert as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXgPWWJYEGY/UuQtf-fo4EI/AAAAAAAAAYw/td7BkZkGl3c/s1600/driving+lessons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXgPWWJYEGY/UuQtf-fo4EI/AAAAAAAAAYw/td7BkZkGl3c/s1600/driving+lessons.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving Lessons is in all honesty, one of my favorite films.</td></tr>
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<br />
"Thank you SO much!" <br />
<br />
I think you've thanked the man enough, Sheila. Time to go home. <br />
<br />
He smiled at us one last time and we turned around and made our way to the door. <br />
<br />
A woman stopped us and said, "Excuse me, but is that the famous guy from Harry Potter?"<br />
<br />
We laughed and told her he was and she was really excited to get a picture to send to her friend. <br />
<br />
We left the pub and stood outside and talked while Juliana had a cigarette. Rupert walked out about five minutes later and got into his car with his friend. <br />
<br />
Once she was finished, we walked to the tube station together and said our goodbyes. It was really nice meeting them and I definitely wouldn't have had a good time standing around in the rain without them. It was nice to be able to share that moment with new people. The whole tube ride home I was smiling like an idiot. <br />
<br />
Anyway, it was probably one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me and I thought I'd share it with you guys! <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTvbKcDey8I/UuQlSL9iVEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/gOLscSvE_MM/s1600/me+and+rupert.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTvbKcDey8I/UuQlSL9iVEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/gOLscSvE_MM/s1600/me+and+rupert.JPG" height="325" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eeeeeeeeeeeek! (I thought this caption out really well)</td></tr>
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Other than that, life has been pretty good. I've had each of my classes twice now and my first assignment is due February 11th. I went to Kensington Palace this morning with Arcadia and it was really cool to see where Prince William and Kate Middleton live, even though we weren't allowed near the residential quarters. I got to see Princess Diana's gowns and old items from previous Kings and Queens. It was a beautiful day as well so it was lovely walking around the grounds after our self-guided tour. I've also recently been to the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery which were both really interesting and beautifully designed. I've also been cooking a lot and I can't wait to find some more easy, affordable recipes to make. Someone actually stole my pots and forks so when that's all sorted out I'd love to spend more time cooking and baking. <br />
<br />
I think tonight I'll take it easy and Skype with Steph for a while. Tomorrow I should plan a few more trips and find the books I need for my classes. <br />
<br />
Only 4 more days until I'm 21! <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTvbKcDey8I/UuQlSL9iVEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/gOLscSvE_MM/s1600/me+and+rupert.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aioXNkt1XjI/UuQoLhjZh1I/AAAAAAAAAXA/SHoGHvyFJBQ/s1600/boroughmarket2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aioXNkt1XjI/UuQoLhjZh1I/AAAAAAAAAXA/SHoGHvyFJBQ/s1600/boroughmarket2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWI7rgHI53s/UuQoLbYGy3I/AAAAAAAAAW8/KJZxVuvJVZ0/s1600/boroughmarket1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWI7rgHI53s/UuQoLbYGy3I/AAAAAAAAAW8/KJZxVuvJVZ0/s1600/boroughmarket1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zDrRCEuv9YI/UuQoMM1tPdI/AAAAAAAAAXU/NcpSDq_Y8ec/s1600/chinatown2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zDrRCEuv9YI/UuQoMM1tPdI/AAAAAAAAAXU/NcpSDq_Y8ec/s1600/chinatown2.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinatown</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykhyEcCk1LM/UuQoPZKdtSI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/ZabtaA4uIKM/s1600/diana.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykhyEcCk1LM/UuQoPZKdtSI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/ZabtaA4uIKM/s1600/diana.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was taken at Kensington Palace. It was so exciting to see her gowns!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xktAsu-pVEg/UuQoNcu0N7I/AAAAAAAAAXo/g4jJOihxWlw/s1600/kensingtonpalace.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xktAsu-pVEg/UuQoNcu0N7I/AAAAAAAAAXo/g4jJOihxWlw/s1600/kensingtonpalace.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kensington Palace is the official residence of William and Kate. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOzg0B4FRsM/UuQoOlum5bI/AAAAAAAAAYA/QfDpkbM0yDY/s1600/londonquote.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOzg0B4FRsM/UuQoOlum5bI/AAAAAAAAAYA/QfDpkbM0yDY/s1600/londonquote.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EnVemRzlLU/UuQoO6ryNvI/AAAAAAAAAYI/GgJzEewGIoo/s1600/sithere.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EnVemRzlLU/UuQoO6ryNvI/AAAAAAAAAYI/GgJzEewGIoo/s1600/sithere.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely loved this window seat. It's located in the Queen's apartment in Kensington Palace. </td></tr>
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Write soon! <br />
<br />
xo Sheila Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-73965723243815460482014-01-20T10:58:00.001-08:002014-01-20T11:41:48.079-08:00Breathe and Adjust<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4ZxFIVjtOk/Ut1t8-Kmo8I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/JQcEj53vEgg/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4ZxFIVjtOk/Ut1t8-Kmo8I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/JQcEj53vEgg/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stroll through Regent's Park is a great cure for too much time in the city. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xwtTt1iq5g/Ut1uDcUnfEI/AAAAAAAAAVg/ON4C-DADpzk/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>So I've now been in London for nearly three weeks and I'm starting to adjust to the differences more and more each day. When people talk about study abroad, they rave about the landmarks they see, the friends they make, the food they eat, the classes they take, and all of the traveling they do. Now, there is definitely a lot to say about those things, and so many positive things can come of being abroad, but not many people talk about the negative things... Well, not even necessarily "negative," but the things that no one tells you when they're describing their glamorous life abroad. (Some of these might pertain to London more than other places) <br />
<br />
1) Smaller showers, bigger drinks: I think this one is pretty self-explanatory, but basically showering is like getting an MRI and ordering a cider or beer is expensive, but really sizable. The alcohol is stronger as well so I'm always good with one or two drinks per night out. Plus, drinking is expensive, which leads me to my next point. <br />
<br />
2) Everything is expensive: Traveling from place to place- even getting to class- can cost a fortune. I feel like I'm constantly running low on funds between grocery shopping, laundry, sight-seeing, the tube, drinks, and other miscellaneous things. <br />
<br />
3) Everything sells out: You need to get tickets for plays, movies, comedy nights, etc. far in advance or it's pretty much guaranteed it will sell out. It's hard to just see a movie on a whim unless you want to pay over 10 pounds. <br />
<br />
4) Life without a meal plan is tough in a foreign country: I'm always struggling to come up with creative, healthy meals that don't cost too much. Grocery shopping is harder here because they arrange their stores differently and I never know what I want to cook before I go shopping for the ingredients. I'm probably going to be hungry and dehydrated a lot more than I'm used to at home. Pasta every night used to be a dream of mine...<br />
<br />
5) Crowds, noise, and fast-paced living: It's weird being away in a foreign place but especially being in a huge city. I've never been a fan of crowds so going shopping, riding the tube, and going to pubs on the weekends has really tested my patience. It's hard to feel safe and calm when people around you are rushing to wherever they're going. I often feel lost and nervous when I'm out. I guess that's something I need to embrace and eventually get over. <br />
<br />
6) Public transportation: It's literally the only way to get around here in London so I've been learning to use it as effectively as possible. It's expensive to take the tube so I got myself a student oyster card. That takes about 30% off of all my tube rides. The tube is usually pretty fast, easy to navigate, and there are stops everywhere. The downside is that it's hot as hell down in the platforms and there are mice running about the tracks in most stations. Sometimes I feel claustrophobic when I'm walking through the winding tunnels to get to the right platform. It's fun people watching and seeing the occasional performer though. Buses are another beast altogether. They're nice if you want to see more sights and they're less expensive than the tube, but it's been confusing trying to figure out which buses stop where and every time I've stepped foot on a bus it has taken off super fast and I've nearly fallen on my butt. <br />
<br />
7) You're going to have down-time, so how are you going to spend it?: It's weird not having a class everyday of the week. My schedule is Tuesday and Thursday classes only so I'm off the majority of the week. There's a lot of independent studying required of us but for the first few weeks there is a lot of time to kill when I don't have classes. I'm basically alone in Marylebone so I find myself watching more Netflix than I ever planned on doing while in London. I know it sounds bad, but if I walk out of my door I'm bound to spend money on something and I don't always feel comfortable going places alone so it's probably necessary to spend a few days being lazy here and there. Today I had some down time so I headed to the British Museum by myself. It was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed it a lot, but the museum was HUGE and I'm definitely going to need to go back. At least admittance was free! <br />
<br />
8) Lack of communication: So maybe it's just me, but since I've been here I've felt like I'm constantly struggling to communicate with those around me. Whether it's trying to make plans with my friends on the other campus, attempting to text on my crappy UK phone, or leaving a note on the fridge in hopes of meeting some of my hallmates and receiving basically no responses. I'm often feeling lonely and trust me, I love my alone time just as much as the next person, but being stranded in my room or even walking the streets alone all of the time will get old really quickly. <br />
<br />
9) Independence: This is such a double-edged sword. I love being independent and taking care of myself. That's why I wanted to go abroad. I want to work on loving myself more and I want to leave here being able to live independently in any given setting. But it's also hard to be away from home. I know that it's only temporary and I'd be going nuts if I were home 24/7 but it's weird knowing that I can't just call up my dad or drive to a friend's house. All of the people I love and care about are scattered across the globe. Life goes on for us all and we will be reunited soon enough, but it's definitely not going to be easy living without seeing friends and family every day. As lame as it sounds, I need some more hugs! I also need to find someone who will be sarcastic with me and laugh as much as I do. Liz came for her orientation last week and I had a blast being with her. I felt so comfortable and happy because she waited for me at the ATM and laughed at all of my jokes. She asked me how I was and actually cared when I told her. I just want to feel that more often. I'm sure it's just because I don't know anyone well enough yet to have those connections but the fact that I'm lacking that is making me anxious and uncomfortable. <br />
<br />
10) Sometimes you're going to make mistakes: For example, I got on the wrong tube the other day even though I had taken the tube to the same place at least three times prior to that day. Also, I tried to pay with coins at a Pret the other day to practice and the cashier was clearly annoyed. I just kept putting coins on the counter and looking up at him for approval. I got it eventually. I guess the funniest mistake of all happened in my sleep two nights ago... I totally fell out of my bed. That was the first time I've done that since... maybe ever. <br />
<br />
Don't think I'm depressed or hating my time here in London, because that's definitely not the case. I'm learning to overcome and adapt to these little frustrations and differences each and every day and even the bad things make for great stories. I can't wait to go home in May with a whole new perspective on this place and all that it has to offer. I'm sure I'll be missing the tube and the crowded streets the moment I step foot on the plane. <br />
<br />
That's it for now, but you'll be hearing from me at least once a week from here on out. I'll leave you with some pictures I've taken recently around London. <br />
<br />
(PS: I booked a trip to Ireland with my friends Megan and Anna for the last weekend of February. So excited!) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFhKDQpWUvU/Ut1u0fj0U3I/AAAAAAAAAVk/OsuPX4zVeVk/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFhKDQpWUvU/Ut1u0fj0U3I/AAAAAAAAAVk/OsuPX4zVeVk/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regent's Park is really close to my building and it's so beautiful. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhY3brvsSLE/Ut1uC3XagFI/AAAAAAAAAVc/rBt9EM1sWpE/s1600/IMG_4469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhY3brvsSLE/Ut1uC3XagFI/AAAAAAAAAVc/rBt9EM1sWpE/s1600/IMG_4469.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers in Regent's Park are definitely not in their prime but I spotted a few on my walk.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_TRRS_ndhg/Ut1vNTjgvPI/AAAAAAAAAV0/dqr2HJ_nfvs/s1600/IMG_4548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_TRRS_ndhg/Ut1vNTjgvPI/AAAAAAAAAV0/dqr2HJ_nfvs/s1600/IMG_4548.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to the British Museum today and the sun was shining which made for some nice pictures!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSJK1iIIn3o/Ut1vTn96MsI/AAAAAAAAAV8/1X007on64DU/s1600/IMG_4541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSJK1iIIn3o/Ut1vTn96MsI/AAAAAAAAAV8/1X007on64DU/s1600/IMG_4541.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British Museum is home to the Rosetta Stone and other amazing artifacts. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-viJkta7gw4o/Ut1vUF8R0RI/AAAAAAAAAWA/qvFYgH__-w0/s1600/IMG_4552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-viJkta7gw4o/Ut1vUF8R0RI/AAAAAAAAAWA/qvFYgH__-w0/s1600/IMG_4552.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gates to the museum were really pretty and reminded me of Buckingham Palace. </td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpVBR5OlOxc/Ut1vVFghGAI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/8tcUwqWm5J0/s1600/IMG_4556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpVBR5OlOxc/Ut1vVFghGAI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/8tcUwqWm5J0/s1600/IMG_4556.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside of the museum was beautiful!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9LS9q9Kv7Ns/Ut1vVwGequI/AAAAAAAAAWY/jmapGcWneGg/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9LS9q9Kv7Ns/Ut1vVwGequI/AAAAAAAAAWY/jmapGcWneGg/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light coming through the window near the stairs was incredible. I had to take a photo!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcRusTqJ5m0/Ut1vIQK387I/AAAAAAAAAVs/Pzdiyvt9_qU/s1600/IMG_4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcRusTqJ5m0/Ut1vIQK387I/AAAAAAAAAVs/Pzdiyvt9_qU/s1600/IMG_4537.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love watching the sunset from my window. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hope you're all doing well! I'd love to hear from you and if you would like to know about anything specific regarding my life in London, I'd be happy to address those things in future posts! <br />
<br />
-Sheila <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-63948326304605673132014-01-09T06:44:00.002-08:002014-01-09T06:54:03.048-08:00Whoopsidaisies"Notting Hill" has always been one of my favorite movies, and yesterday I found myself walking the streets there after all of these years. It felt really surreal to be there, and I enjoyed every moment of it! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0XMxtkD-bg/Us6x80WZb3I/AAAAAAAAAUE/W352leV0evs/s1600/Notting+Hill+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0XMxtkD-bg/Us6x80WZb3I/AAAAAAAAAUE/W352leV0evs/s1600/Notting+Hill+2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Anna, Matt, Sam, Megan and I had our registration appointments on Wednesday morning (Jan. 8) and met up afterwards to take the tube to Notting Hill. My appointment went really well! I was nervous because I wanted to switch two of my classes and when I told Nicola, my Westminster adviser, what my back-up classes were she checked and all of them were either full or clashed with my other two classes. I was starting to get discouraged but we figured it out and my schedule seems like it'll be great now. I only have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays which will be so perfect for traveling. I have each class once a week. <br />
<br />
On Tuesday morning I have Photographing the City: London on the Harrow campus from 10am-1pm. I will then take the tube back to Oxford Circus and walk to the Regent Street campus for my Modern America: Social and Political Change 1850-1920 from 1pm-5pm, with a break between my lecture and seminar from 2pm-3pm. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQauhSM7Oe4/Us6x8-HL9zI/AAAAAAAAAUA/e5CqGjxPct0/s1600/Portobello+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQauhSM7Oe4/Us6x8-HL9zI/AAAAAAAAAUA/e5CqGjxPct0/s1600/Portobello+Road.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portobello Market has really great shops and food. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkxnw0ls0Uk/Us6x8_c__hI/AAAAAAAAAUI/VdnEjphYJpU/s1600/Portobello+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkxnw0ls0Uk/Us6x8_c__hI/AAAAAAAAAUI/VdnEjphYJpU/s1600/Portobello+Market.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAOWxweNFe4/Us6x9fN7YXI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/qzklO0YGgcw/s1600/Suitcases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>On Thursday morning I will be back at Harrow from 10am-1pm for Film Theories: Hollywood and Genre. I'll take the tube back to the Wells Street campus for my Writing London: Creative Writing About London class from 2pm-5pm. <br />
<br />
All of my classes are level 4, which I've heard is not too demanding. Level 4 is what most first year students here take so I'll probably be with students younger than I am.<br />
<br />
Okay, so now I'll get back to Notting Hill. We got off the tube at Notting Hill Gate and walked to Portobello Road. We saw all of the pastel colored houses and as we got further down the road we started to see the shops and kiosks. Many of the products sold at Portobello Market are very touristy, but they also have a lot of handmade jewelry, bags and clothes, as well as fresh fruit and vegetable stands. I got some asparagus, grapes, and baby spinach. I'm really excited to cook now! I was so tempted to buy some of the dresses I saw which were only about 5-10 pounds. I'm already going to have to ship a ton of things home so I don't want to keep adding things to my inventory. I'm sure I'll cave by May. <br />
<br />
I ended up back at my room for a few hours so I did a load of laundry, showered, and ran to Tesco Express around the corner for some more groceries. Laundry is really annoying here because the machines only take certain coins and they're really finicky. A load of wash is two pounds and 60 pence and a load in the dryer is one pound. I'm definitely going to have trouble with that this semester. <br />
<br />
After my laundry and shower were out of the way I made myself a PB&J sandwich and planned to meet up with Anna, Megan, and Matt at their campus by 7:30pm to see a free comedy show nearby. I was on my way down the stairs at the Baker Street tube station and I saw the train there with it's doors open. I wasn't going to run for it so I kept walking, but the two women near me started to run. I figured maybe I should too. I was literally and inch behind the second woman and the doors of the tube hit me from the side. Don't worry, it didn't hurt, but it knocked me over a bit and everyone was laughing at me. I guess I was bound to embarrass myself in public sooner or later. Oh well, at least I have a story to tell you all now. Ha!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxOKIuwNko4/Us6zyFNXJJI/AAAAAAAAAUs/vN-oYrPhu0Y/s1600/comedy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxOKIuwNko4/Us6zyFNXJJI/AAAAAAAAAUs/vN-oYrPhu0Y/s1600/comedy.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YxQKAwFWVE/Us6zyGvbfmI/AAAAAAAAAUk/op2VTrjz87s/s1600/briska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YxQKAwFWVE/Us6zyGvbfmI/AAAAAAAAAUk/op2VTrjz87s/s1600/briska.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>The comedy show was great and we saw a lot of funny people. One of them was an American woman who lives in France, so that was really cool. There was even an elderly woman who said some really dirty jokes and had us all laughing pretty hard. I also had a Briska pear cider to sip on throughout the show and it was <i>so </i>good. After the show I caught the tube back home and got ready for bed. I Skyped with my dad for a little while and couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to write in my journal. <br />
<br />
Tonight I have a boat cruise on the Thames with other Westminster study abroad students. It should be a lot of fun! I can't wait to see the sights from the water. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Since I shared my "whoopsidaises" tube moment with you, it only seems
right to leave you with some dialogue from my favorite part of "Notting
Hill"...<span class="character"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>William: </b>Whoopsidaisies! </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000210/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character"></span></a><b>Anna:</b> What did you say?</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>William:</b> Nothing. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>Anna:</b> Yes you did.</span><br />
<b>William:</b> <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000424/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character"></span></a>No I didn't.</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000210/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character"></span></a><b>Anna:</b> You said "whoopsidaisies". </span><br />
<b>William:</b> I<span style="color: black;"> don't think so. No one says "whoopsidaisies" do they? Unless they're... </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000210/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character"></span></a><b>Anna: </b>There *is* no "unless." No one has said "whoopsidaisies" for fifty years
and even then it was only little girls with blonde ringlets. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>William: </b>Exactly. Here we go again. </span><br />
<i>[<span class="fine">He falls off the fence again</span>]
</i><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>William:</b> Whoopsidaisies. It's a disease I've got. It's a clinical thing. I'm taking pills and having injections. It won't last long. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Br3zlnzLfg8/Us60l85dtrI/AAAAAAAAAU8/aPE-zDwY8Ts/s1600/NHMovie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Br3zlnzLfg8/Us60l85dtrI/AAAAAAAAAU8/aPE-zDwY8Ts/s1600/NHMovie.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notting Hill (1999) was actually filmed in London! According to Wikipedia: Richard Curtis (writer/developer) chose Notting Hill as he lived there and knew the area, saying
"Notting Hill is a melting pot and the perfect place to set a film"</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtCYu2iZBik/Us6zyFlWS2I/AAAAAAAAAUo/DeOncebj1jw/s1600/notting+hill+shopping+bag.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtCYu2iZBik/Us6zyFlWS2I/AAAAAAAAAUo/DeOncebj1jw/s1600/notting+hill+shopping+bag.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll definitely be using this for grocery shopping from now on. Love it<span style="color: black;">!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">Write soon!<br />xo Sheila </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-72339759766332517522014-01-07T06:04:00.000-08:002014-01-27T07:53:29.938-08:00Rain, knight buses and crinkly old bags. Day Six: <br />
<br />
I'm sitting in my bed, looking out of my window at the beautiful view of London on this dreary day, and I'm still full from my breakfast of Frosties (Frosted Flakes), a buttered roll and orange juice. I do not have anything planned for today so I slept in (not really, unless you consider 9:15am sleeping in). I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the transition to a new country and all of the stresses that come with it, but I also feel much better now that I have my room set up and all of my kitchen supplies are purchased. I think that I've been having a good time but it's so hard to tell how I feel because every day so far has been planned and filled with sight-seeing, shopping, walking, meeting people, etc. I think I'll be more content when the first week of classes is over. I start them on Monday, Jan. 13th. I'm sure some of you are wondering what I've been up to since arriving last Thursday, so I'll write a little about each day. <br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday, January 1, 2014 (Departure) </u><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCl3BjkDNMk/UswEyDRauEI/AAAAAAAAAQE/Rb8zibXJlVM/s1600/JFK2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCl3BjkDNMk/UswEyDRauEI/AAAAAAAAAQE/Rb8zibXJlVM/s1600/JFK2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>I packed up, said my goodbyes and left for JFK around 4:30pm. We arrived with plenty of time to spare so my dad and Maggie sat with me for an hour or so once we checked my bag. After we said goodbye, I went through security without any problems at all and waved to them one last time as I walked towards the gate. So here's where it gets interesting... <br />
<br />
I was sitting at the gate writing in my journal and thinking about how easy the whole pre-departure process had been when I realized that it was getting really close to 9:10pm, which was final boarding call for my flight. I looked around and thought it was strange that not many people were sitting near my gate. All of a sudden people started to exit from the gate that I was at. I sat there confused and all of sudden it hit me- I was at the wrong gate. I jumped up and grabbed my bags and ran as quickly as I could from gate 7 to gate 4 at about 9:09pm. I had mixed up the numbers because I was in terminal 7 and leaving from gate 4. I got to the flight attendant who asked me if I was Sheila Bogan and I said yes and told her what happened. She laughed and told me that it was fine and I proceeded to the plane. I was in row 30 and I was supposed to have a window seat. When I got to my row there was a woman sitting in my seat. I was so flustered from my mishap that I just wanted to sit so I took the middle seat. On the other side of me was a senior in college named Brad who was going to study abroad in Ireland and we ended up talking a lot during the flight. He helped me with my bag and it was nice getting to know someone instead of worrying about silly things the whole flight over to England. Plus, the window seat wasn't that great. The wing blocked our view.<br />
<br />
<u>Thursday, January 2nd (Arrival/First Day)</u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-riLvk1bo7BY/UswFJjfvxqI/AAAAAAAAAQY/rrPW3GZoD6s/s1600/pint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-riLvk1bo7BY/UswFJjfvxqI/AAAAAAAAAQY/rrPW3GZoD6s/s1600/pint.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first pint! (Princess Louise Pub)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdFMO6JdfxE/UswFJvSirjI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Vk87i0dGJEw/s1600/hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdFMO6JdfxE/UswFJvSirjI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Vk87i0dGJEw/s1600/hotel.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed at the St. Gile's Hotel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I arrived at Heathrow around 9:15am and had to make my way from terminal 5 to terminal 3 with all of my luggage. It was really easy to find but my bags were really heavy and frustrating to maneuver around. After about twenty minutes or so of lugging my bags through hallways and lifts, I met up with the Arcadia staff in terminal 3. I left my bags with them and took a seat while we waited for the shuttle to the hotel to arrive. It didn't take long, and the ride to the hotel was really fun. I didn't see any massive tourist attractions on our route, but I got to see a lot of interesting buildings and shops. <br />
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When I arrived at the hotel, I received my room key and went to the 3rd floor to settle in. I was the first one to arrive in the room so I put my stuff down and looked around a bit. It was quite small but not too dirty or unkempt. I was only there for about 15 minutes when my roommate, Anna, came in and introduced herself. It turned out that we had already spoken on Facebook prior to the trip. We both took naps and around 4pm we made our way to the lobby to meet the Arcadia staff. They had bumped the time to 5pm so a few of us walked around near the hotel to kill time. Once we met with the staff back at the hotel, we headed to the Arcadia center in Holborn and had a brief meeting about our first few days. After that, we all went to Wagamama (a Japanese restaurant) for dinner. It was very different from I expected. It was more like a fast food place and the design was very simplistic. The waiters were all English and the tables were long and thin like a cafeteria. After dinner, the girls I sat with and I headed to the Princess Louise pub nearby. I got a cider and Anna and I went upstairs to get out of the crowded atmosphere down by the bar. We found a table with some comfy chairs and stayed there for about an hour drinking our cider and getting to know one another. When we got back to the hotel we were pretty exhausted so we went right to sleep.<br />
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<u>Friday, January 3rd (Orientation/The 39 Steps)</u><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wR8W0NFpKDY/UswFzJOuRDI/AAAAAAAAAQo/uewFI_BKCUQ/s1600/play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wR8W0NFpKDY/UswFzJOuRDI/AAAAAAAAAQo/uewFI_BKCUQ/s1600/play.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8BKFXEWyvo/UswFzJSCScI/AAAAAAAAAQs/-cK3_sBAdyQ/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8BKFXEWyvo/UswFzJSCScI/AAAAAAAAAQs/-cK3_sBAdyQ/s1600/pizza.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AbTcZcqO6Zc/UswFzEmDNGI/AAAAAAAAARE/LcbiITiWWkE/s1600/phones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>On Friday morning we went back to the Arcadia center in Holborn for our orientation. We learned about Britishness, what to expect from our classes here, traveling, shopping, budgeting, health and so on. It was pretty interesting but towards the end we were all yawning and getting restless, especially because of our jet lag. <br />
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After orientation a bunch of us grabbed cell phones at the Carphone Warehouse and then took the tube to Piccadilly Circus. We had about 45 minutes until we had to be at The Criterion theater to see The 39 Steps so we rushed to find a place to eat. We ended up at Nonna's Kitchen which was absolutely delicious and we had a really friendly waiter. He made sure we were served quickly so that we would make it to the show on time. He also told us to come back for some cake sometime. When we left the restaurant I realized that there was a show called Mojo right across the street. Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley from Harry Potter) was one of the actors in the show and now I definitely want to try to see it! <br />
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The 39 Steps was really funny and definitely different than shows I've seen in America. The theater was really pretty too! When we got back to the hotel I bought an hours worth of wifi and struggled to make contact with my dad and Maggie because they were both getting ready to go out. I was just happy to be able to check Facebook and update some people on what I was up to.<br />
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<u>Saturday, January 4th (Tower of London/Move-In)</u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqPA1vR-AI0/UswGvefTOII/AAAAAAAAARg/r6tJYU1eLOg/s1600/tower+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqPA1vR-AI0/UswGvefTOII/AAAAAAAAARg/r6tJYU1eLOg/s1600/tower+bridge.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Mby1bPiJJw/UswGvr7zSJI/AAAAAAAAARo/3lypm-xX9I4/s1600/tower+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Mby1bPiJJw/UswGvr7zSJI/AAAAAAAAARo/3lypm-xX9I4/s1600/tower+glass.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tower of London was really fun to go to! </td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLp6cTql5Gw/UswGu2q4orI/AAAAAAAAARY/WEYD3qs4jo0/s1600/bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLp6cTql5Gw/UswGu2q4orI/AAAAAAAAARY/WEYD3qs4jo0/s1600/bed.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luzlFyqvDZM/UswGuykrk3I/AAAAAAAAARQ/6hTW5haVTTg/s1600/room1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luzlFyqvDZM/UswGuykrk3I/AAAAAAAAARQ/6hTW5haVTTg/s1600/room1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ayZTfWwTWoU/UswGvfVJkdI/AAAAAAAAAR0/w_BqBbUNEU8/s1600/sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>We woke up and headed to breakfast downstairs on Saturday morning. I had a bowl of chocolate cereal and then a little bit of eggs and toast. When we finished eating we met up with some others and went to the tube station. We had to get to Tower Hill and meet up with Arcadia to get our tickets for the Tower of London. It was raining most of the way there and while we approached the Tower. Once we were inside, we all split up and roamed around for a few hours. Anna and I stuck together and saw everything from the Bloody Tower to the Crown Jewels. I was really excited to see everything and I took a bunch of pictures (you can see them all on Facebook). <br />
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When we arrived back at the hotel, we packed our bags, rested for a bit, and then headed down to the lobby to check out and meet the coaches that were to take us to our respective residence halls. I boarded the bus to Marylebone and said goodbye to Anna and my other friends who are living at Alexander Fleming about fifteen minutes away. When we arrived at Marylebone, we got our room keys and waited about half an hour for the lift since only one was working. The building is twenty floors and there are normally two lifts. Each goes to different floors, one to mostly odd and one to mostly even. The one that goes to my floor, 16, was still working so I'm really lucky. When I got out of the lift I walked a few feet and then followed the sign for rooms G-L. I swiped my room key into the slot next to the door and proceeded into my hallway. My room, L, is to the right all the way at the end of the hall. I keyed in, and opened my door. <br />
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When I saw the view of London outside of my window I literally gasped and ran into my room to get a better look. All of my exhaustion and frustration faded because I absolutely loved the set-up and breathtaking view I have. Soon after I moved into my room I headed back out to get sheets and a duvet. I walked with Sam and Tori (both Arcadia students as well) to Primark on Oxford Street. It was about a twenty minute walk and when we arrived the place was swamped with shoppers. Everywhere I turned there was a person blocking an aisle or bumping into me. I felt really overwhelmed and cranky. I just wanted to get out of there. Finally, after about an hour of shopping and waiting in line, we left the store and started to walk back towards Baker Street. But nothing is easy when you're tired and frustrated so of course my bag ripped at the bottom and all of my items fell onto the muddy sidewalk. Sam and Tori helped me gather all of the things that fell and put them into their bags. I still had one big bag so I swung it over my back for more support. We walked home and I was so happy to shower and lay down after such a long few days. Unfortunately, I had nothing to distract me from my homesickness and stress because I had no wifi! I asked the receptionist about it and she said that there actually is no wifi in this building and that won't be changing anytime soon. When I was out earlier with Sam and Tori I purchased a router because the receptionist also said that many students do that to get their own wifi. When I got back I tried to set it up for a long time but the ADSL light was not going on. I was so stressed that I eventually gave up and started decorating and listening to music instead. My cheap UK phone started ringing around 9pm, just seconds after the shelf in my closet collapsed. I was sitting on the floor staring at the heap of my clothes and the stupid shelf when the phone rang. I got up to see who it was and my heart jumped when I saw it was my home phone in New York! I answered and my dad was on the line. He told me that under their Optimum plan they could talk to me for 4 cents per minute. Incoming calls are free for me so it was perfect! I slept a lot better that night knowing that I got to talk to my family. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89JPBiiiFl4/UswGvwx7aWI/AAAAAAAAARs/bOBHOU0Eo1w/s1600/view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89JPBiiiFl4/UswGvwx7aWI/AAAAAAAAARs/bOBHOU0Eo1w/s1600/view.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<u>Sunday, January 5th (Self-Guided Tour/WIFI/Dinner with Britt) </u><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Vo6FWnYCZ8/UswHe-MpmHI/AAAAAAAAASo/DJ_X6ooneKA/s1600/eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Vo6FWnYCZ8/UswHe-MpmHI/AAAAAAAAASo/DJ_X6ooneKA/s1600/eye.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ufQ7_C2_uc/UswHgH-PcYI/AAAAAAAAATM/gEhPbk8ytXI/s1600/shard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ufQ7_C2_uc/UswHgH-PcYI/AAAAAAAAATM/gEhPbk8ytXI/s1600/shard.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vzu9qzNHdNA/UswHeoSiCNI/AAAAAAAAASs/C8VNbX8Xlik/s1600/buckingham2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>On Sunday morning I took the tube from Baker Street to Old Street to meet up with Anna, Megan, Matt, and Noelle for a self-guided tour of London's main tourist attractions. I grabbed a blueberry cheesecake muffin at Sainsbury's and we all headed back to the tube to start our day. We went to the Monument, the London Bridge (which had a beautiful view of the Tower Bridge), Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. My favorites were probably Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Both were so gorgeous and amazing to see in person after years of reading about them in books. I was really tired after the tour and grocery shopping so I went back to my room and Sam and I attempted to set up the router. I had no silverware yet so I sat on my floor and buttered a roll with my finger (don't worry, I washed my hands first). I figured that would be my dinner so I continued to try to sort out the router with Sam. We spent a long time on it and eventually we gave up for the night. I had met my neighbors, Britt and Bryan, during a trip to the kitchen (which is right down the hall) and they were setting up a router too. They offered me their password for 12 pounds and I told them I'd think about it. Right when Sam and I gave up for the night, Bryan came to my room and told me he got his router working. I was clearly frustrated about having no wifi so he felt really bad and gave me his password. I was so nice of him to do and I ended up paying him the 12 pounds anyway. If this works out the whole semester that would be great and 12 pounds was a good investment. I now have wifi on my computer and phone in my room. I was so relieved! I got to Skype home and it was really nice to see my family. While I was Skyping, Britt knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to grab some dinner with her. I finished talking to my family and then met her at her door. We walked to Baker Street and stopped at a little Italian restaurant. I got margherita pizza which was so delicious and we got to know each other better. I found out that she's from California and she's a journalism major too! It was so nice knowing that my next door neighbor has things in common with me and is super nice as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NeL6LTp-0RE/UswHeUVfc9I/AAAAAAAAASw/O9wyOdur-AQ/s1600/buckingham+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NeL6LTp-0RE/UswHeUVfc9I/AAAAAAAAASw/O9wyOdur-AQ/s1600/buckingham+me.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckingham Palace was really nice and the guards were wearing blue/gray coats instead of red because of the season. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq2YJN57oG8/UswHfpx18SI/AAAAAAAAATQ/ajYCiRE5yK0/s1600/london+group+big+ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq2YJN57oG8/UswHfpx18SI/AAAAAAAAATQ/ajYCiRE5yK0/s1600/london+group+big+ben.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Anna Alexander: (From right to left) Noelle, Anna, Matt, Megan, and me. </td></tr>
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<u>Monday, January 6th (Westminster Orientation, Shopping, Rest)</u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhkPJONtgXw/UswIRov8N3I/AAAAAAAAATk/kT5KAWd0Cag/s1600/crinkly+old+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhkPJONtgXw/UswIRov8N3I/AAAAAAAAATk/kT5KAWd0Cag/s1600/crinkly+old+bag.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a Crinkly Old Bag at Pret! </td></tr>
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Monday morning was Westminster's orientation so Sam, Tori, and I headed out around 9am and walked to Little Titchfield St. which is about 15 minutes away. We stopped for some Starbucks and got to the orientation a few minutes early. We received big pink folders with our ID's, info booklets, and tons of other things that we will need this semester. The auditorium filled up and we all sat through a presentation that must have lasted at least two hours. I'm not going to lie, I was really bored towards the end, but I'm glad I got all of the information I'll need to live here for five months. <br />
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After orientation, a group of us walked to the Regent Street campus and then headed to Oxford Street to get some things at Boots (like Walgreens and CVS). After we got what we needed, we went to lunch at a Panera-like place called Pret a Manger and they are located just about everywhere I've been in London. When we finished eating we went to the tube station and some of us went to Argos for home goods. Argos is a catalog store, so you go in and order on iPads and they can deliver to your home or you can collect it there at the store. I got everything I needed, including plates, bowls, and a set of pots and pans so I had a lot to carry. I didn't know how big everything would be so I asked an employee before buying everything. I said "Will I be able to carry all of this on the tube?" and he said "Oh yes, definitely." I took his word for it and paid for my items, and then he went into the back to pull them for me. When he loaded up the bag and double bagged it, I was a little nervous but figured I'd be fine on the tube with what I got. Then he got ANOTHER sizable, heavy box out and before I knew it I was standing outside on the curb with two huge Argos bags and a Boots bag. Thank God Sam was there to help me because getting back to Marylebone was horrible. We took a bus to Oxford Circus and then a taxi to our building. It was a nightmare trying to find the right transportation and carrying around such heavy things. The bags were ripping and I was so nervous! The taxi driver we got was really nice and since we only needed to go a few blocks the fare was about 6 pounds. I was just relieved to have arrived at my building safely and in one piece. It was also really nice knowing that I had silverware and plates to eat off of finally. <br />
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I took a shower right away, set up my new hamper and unloaded my boxes and bags. I did some dishes in the kitchen and re-heated my leftover pizza from the night before. I watched one episode of Dexter and Skyped Stephanie for a long time. After we hung up I talked to my family on the phone and I spent a while on Facebook. I was really tired so I fell asleep around midnight. That was definitely the best sleep I've gotten yet. <br />
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Anyway, that was a lot of information and I won't always blog like that, but now you know what I've been up to! If you have any questions or want to keep in touch, these are the best ways to reach me:<br />
<br />
Address: <br />
<br />
Sheila Bogan<br />
Room 16L <br />
Marylebone Hall of Residence<br />
35 Marylebone Road<br />
London, NW1 5LS<br />
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UK Number: (US dial 011+44+ drop first 0 before number that follows) 077-4699-7661<br />
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E-mail: sbogan@mail.smcvt.edu<br />
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Skype: sheila.bogan<br />
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Instagram and Twitter: imjustsheila<br />
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Facebook Messenger and Viber App work really well too! <br />
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(I only really have wifi in my room so I'll answer whenever I can!) <br />
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The best time to Skype is usually between 2pm and 8pm U.S time. That's about 7pm-midnight for me. <br />
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I'll definitely be blogging again soon. I think today I'll rest some more and maybe walk around on my own for a bit. Cheerio! <br />
<br />
-Sheila
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I have been having a great- and extremely hectic- winter break so far. I've spent a lot of time at home with my family and our Christmas celebrations were so lovely. My family always comes over for Christmas Eve and this year we returned to our tradition of sandwiches and pie for dinner and dessert. After we ate, we all opened our annual Christmas pajamas and took some pictures in front of the tree. It ended up snowing a little so my cousins and I went outside to run around in it and to see the tree all lit up. As cliche and it sounds, it was pretty magical to see snow on Christmas Eve. <br />
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Christmas was full of surprises, family, and love. I got a bunch of things I'll need for my trip, like power adapters and space bags. I also get some clothes, a pair of shoes, and almost everything else I had asked for. Of course Maggie got a bunch of Walking Dead merch and my cat was in heaven because of the wrapping paper and bows everywhere. My dad made my grandma a bookshelf from scratch and it came out quite beautifully. She was so surprised when he brought it out. <br />
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After my sister and I sat down on the couch with our cinnamon buns, my dad came into the room and handed us each an envelope. He said that they were his Christmas letters to us. I didn't think anything of it so when I saw Maggie open hers and quickly slide it back into the envelope, I was suspicious. I opened mine up and there was a ticket to the One Direction concert in New Jersey this summer inside! I literally couldn't believe that my dad had gotten us tickets because everyone knows how ridiculous it is to try and buy them. But somehow, he did it! <br />
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It took a few days for the shock to wear off from that surprise, and then before I knew it there was another creeping up on me. On Friday night I drove to my friend Stephanie's house for what I thought was a pizza dinner with her, Maggie, and my other friend Kym. Her mom let us in and Stephanie was right inside waiting for us. After we took off our coats, we walked into the living room and I turned around and saw all of my friends standing in the dining room. I was so shocked to see them all there and after we all greeted one another, Steph told me how she had planned it all with Maggie and Kym. I was surprised my sister didn't let it slip because she usually can't keep secrets. Somehow, they all managed to keep it a secret though and the party was the highlight of my week. I got to see almost all of the people I wanted to see before I leave. It just reminded me of how blessed I am to have such great friends and family. I'll miss them all so much while I'm gone! <br />
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Now that I'm so close to my departure I feel like it's finally starting to seem real. I still need to unpack from school and then pack my bags for England, but I've been getting more mentally prepared and excited the last few days. I can't wait to get there and meet everyone in my program.<br />
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For now I will procrastinate and watch Dexter on Netflix with my family until I am forced to start packing. I hope everyone reading this is enjoying the holidays!<br />
<br />
The next time I write, I'll be in London. Unbelievable.<br />
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Until we meet again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gs1-Yn-e7sQ/Ur-oLmtVsoI/AAAAAAAAAN8/zTvA90KTl2Y/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gs1-Yn-e7sQ/Ur-oLmtVsoI/AAAAAAAAAN8/zTvA90KTl2Y/s400/house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My house on Christmas Eve. It snowed! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGjrZP9wbRc/Ur-oS8jimWI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/QL0Qh_CqvQc/s1600/christmasnails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGjrZP9wbRc/Ur-oS8jimWI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/QL0Qh_CqvQc/s320/christmasnails.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted my nails for Christmas. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TomUeFN9AsM/Ur-oUlSauRI/AAAAAAAAAO0/vo6fPqu0FCo/s1600/memagslisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TomUeFN9AsM/Ur-oUlSauRI/AAAAAAAAAO0/vo6fPqu0FCo/s400/memagslisa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Lisa, Maggie, me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hovu-6C9Z5M/Ur-oUyMR5jI/AAAAAAAAAO8/-kMubqAptXs/s1600/mesnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hovu-6C9Z5M/Ur-oUyMR5jI/AAAAAAAAAO8/-kMubqAptXs/s400/mesnow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing around with my camera in the snow on Christmas Eve. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MyMmIT-KfS0/Ur-oVCeYsYI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/qNKLEPRQ7mU/s1600/onedirectionticket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MyMmIT-KfS0/Ur-oVCeYsYI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/qNKLEPRQ7mU/s320/onedirectionticket.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my amazing Christmas presents. I'm so excited for August 5th! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1k96QSTb804/Ur-oTfo5_8I/AAAAAAAAAPE/QTx76y35c1o/s1600/gp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1k96QSTb804/Ur-oTfo5_8I/AAAAAAAAAPE/QTx76y35c1o/s400/gp3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends threw such a fun surprise party for me on Friday!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-38415323348042560512013-12-13T20:04:00.000-08:002013-12-13T20:06:40.338-08:00London CallingIt's been an awfully long time since I used this blog, but I thought that I'd start it back up again to keep track of my thoughts as I prepare to head to London, England for almost five months. I absolutely cannot believe that I am leaving on New Year's Day. That's less than three weeks away and I literally just got home from Vermont yesterday. Admittedly, I feel really overwhelmed. I have so much to get done before I leave and I just want to curl up with my cat and watch Netflix to ease the stress. I love Christmas but I feel like I can't truly enjoy myself until my bags are packed and all of my affairs are in order. I guess I'm just too uptight about planning things out, and I'm actually looking forward to the change of pace and unpredictability of my trip abroad. <br />
<br />
This past semester flew by and despite all of the stress from writing for my school paper and balancing all of my classes, I had a really good few months. Over the summer I worked as a deck hand on a boat and that was an interesting experience to say the least. After spending all of that time slaving away in the heat I was so ready to return to Vermont and to all of my friends. This semester I lived in a townhouse with Liz, Abby, and Erika. It was really nice living with them and getting to know them so it was pretty sad leaving yesterday. We spent our last night in the house watching "Love Actually" and painting our nails. I love nights like those and I'll miss our heart-to-hearts. <br />
<br />
Another huge part of my semester was The Defender. I was a photo editor and staff writer for the paper and it was a really great experience... even when I hated it. I guess I never really <i>hated</i> it, but it was really stressful and time consuming. I loved the staff and my professors though, and every time the paper came out it was awesome to know that we had all put it together with our own original content and designs. I'm probably most proud of the interview I did with Kelley Dixon, an Emmy-award-winning film editor on "Breaking Bad" and "The Walking Dead." I tweeted at a bunch of the cast and crew asking about an interview with pretty much no expectations of a response from anyone. It was the week before the series finale was scheduled to air. Dixon responded to my tweet asking me to sell myself a little and tell her more about myself. I was so excited! We exchanged a few more tweets, I gave her my e-mail address, and she contacted AMC Publicity. The next week, after the finale, I tweeted at her again to check and see how things were going with the publicity department's approval and she said that she was ready at that very moment if I was available. I jumped out of my bed and grabbed my recorder while awaiting her call. Sure enough, my phone rang a few moments later. She was so nice, but at first she said she only had a few minutes to talk. I scrambled to narrow down my questions so that I got the best ones answered in the short amount of time I had. I ended up talking to her for <i>fifty </i>minutes! It was so awesome to hear about the editing process and Kelley's experiences with the cast and crew. She told me about the change of environment for her on "The Walking Dead," and explained the difficulties of editing a zombie scene. Besides the awesome experience I had interviewing Kelley Dixon, I also got to cover the dismissal of two custodians/union advocates from St. Michael's for the first issue. It made the cover and caused a bit of a stir on campus. I was so nervous to write it and hearing positive things from so many people when it came out made me feel confident and excited to take on the rest of the semester. <br />
<br />
Okay, okay, so enough about academics. It's winter break now and I'm just so happy to be home with my family. My sister and I just baked and frosted some peppermint cookies and now we're watching "Portlandia" on Netflix. I'm pretty sure my dad's asleep. I should probably unpack some more tomorrow but we're expecting a huge snow storm so I'll probably just sleep in, help put up the tree, and watch even more Netflix all day. No wonder I'm stressed...<br />
<br />
As the days pass and London gets closer and closer, I worry about fitting all of my clothes and belongings in one or two suitcases, learning as much as I can about England before I leave, spending enough time with my family and friends, how it's going to feel saying goodbye to everyone for five whole months, what it's going to be like when I get off of the plane, and how well I'll transition to life in another country. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have such a great opportunity so I'm trying my best not to worry, and to embrace the extraordinary realization that I will be having the time of my life in England in just a few short weeks. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoDjycChRd4/UqvX9mJigkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/ugV6fya41m8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoDjycChRd4/UqvX9mJigkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/ugV6fya41m8/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our make-shift Christmas tree courtesy of Erika in our townhouse. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLWS51eln9s/UqvX-E2SkGI/AAAAAAAAAM4/LaShTJmRYp4/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLWS51eln9s/UqvX-E2SkGI/AAAAAAAAAM4/LaShTJmRYp4/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll miss my housemates!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywxqIvNUVaA/UqvX-LYlyeI/AAAAAAAAANQ/dxkZfUvgT1U/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywxqIvNUVaA/UqvX-LYlyeI/AAAAAAAAANQ/dxkZfUvgT1U/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Erika, Abby, Liz, and me on Thursday right before Liz and I left. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMENlCWk-MU/UqvX-ceP_1I/AAAAAAAAANM/DIkRUQ1CyJs/s320/6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cookies that Maggie and I made tonight. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'll try to update this blog often, so if you're interested in my travels, check it out! :)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506378678005694931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267034449399208865.post-53232577538396746902013-05-01T11:44:00.002-07:002013-05-01T12:51:49.004-07:00Bridging the Love Gap: Long Distance Relationships in College <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MoOH1cZmljA/UYFdaCVISiI/AAAAAAAAAKU/-aYqhNKqnSA/s1600/Long+Distance+Convo+Hearts+Map.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MoOH1cZmljA/UYFdaCVISiI/AAAAAAAAAKU/-aYqhNKqnSA/s320/Long+Distance+Convo+Hearts+Map.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="irc_hd irc_iis"><span class="irc_ho">Source: <a href="http://feminspire.com/">feminspire.com</a></span></span></td></tr>
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College is a time of major transitions, hard work, new
friends, and freedom from the chains that bound many people during adolescence.
Time seems to fly by and opportunities to socialize and network come and go
like lightning. While most students are breaking out of their familiar cocoons
and becoming social butterflies in college, some hold deeper roots at home
because of long distance relationships. </div>
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“Long distance relationship” can be an intimidating
phrase to hear. Some people cringe at the thought of being bound to someone who
is miles away for long periods of time. Others see distance as a small hurdle
in their relationship that is worth it in the end. In the age of social media,
texting, Internet dating services, and Skype, keeping in touch is easier than
ever. But is leaving for college and leaving behind a loved one still enough to
drive couples apart? Does it hinder the college experience? </div>
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“I think about it so often, how different my life could
have been if I wasn't in that relationship,” Jessica Ciulla, a student at Stony
Brook University, said. “Instead of trying to go out and meet people my first
semester of college, I would stay in and talk to him because of how much he
missed me.” </div>
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According to the former <a href="http://www.longdistancerelationships.net/faqs.htm" target="_blank">Center for the Study of LongDistance Relationships</a>, approximately 4.4 million college students are in long
distance relationships. In addition, studies show that long distance
relationships do not break up at a greater rate than couples who live close to
each other. One study found that 23% of proximal couples and 11% of long distance
relationships break up after 6 months of dating. Another found that 25% of
proximal couples break up after one year of dating, and only 8% of long
distance relationships do. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QuUOnrgPSI/UYFgD8plk6I/AAAAAAAAAK4/1neCS_unvbs/s1600/Long+Distance+meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QuUOnrgPSI/UYFgD8plk6I/AAAAAAAAAK4/1neCS_unvbs/s1600/Long+Distance+meme.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <span class="irc_hd irc_iis"><a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=fYb4EMfTy7uI_M&tbnid=z6CFDCYVTXEgyM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmemepix.com%2FjI1nc&ei=6l-BUcW6AoTc0QGkkICACw&bvm=bv.45921128,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNEgRO3JX34235z-fq6GWY7FaiFRhg&ust=1367519541389942"><span class="irc_ho">memepix.com</span></a><span class="irc_dim"></span></span></td></tr>
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“I did finally start to make friends towards the middle
of the semester but he would worry too much and didn't like that I wasn't
talking to him as much since I was hanging out with other people,” Ciulla said.
“He would get really jealous and basically didn't want me to have fun unless he
could be there too.”</div>
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According to research by <a href="http://www.statisticbrain.com/long-distance-relationship-statistics" target="_blank">Statistic Brian</a>, the average
distance that a couple in a long distance relationship lives from each other is
125 miles. The average amount of times the couple visits each other per month
is 1.5 and the average amount of time in between phone calls is 2.7 days. </div>
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“Dating someone who doesn’t check their phone or go
online often is stressful for someone like me who relies on technology for
communication,” Lisa Ritter, a junior at St. Michael’s College said. "When we
were apart, it was nearly impossible to get ahold of him to have a
conversation. We just got to the point where we missed each other too much and
didn’t want to stress out about the distance anymore.”</div>
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Matt Egan, a sophomore at Northeastern University has
been dating his girlfriend for over two years. They are long distance when he
is away at college. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx9QsGTKK1w/UYFeUycC69I/AAAAAAAAAKg/guw2zOPh7Ag/s1600/kym+and+matt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx9QsGTKK1w/UYFeUycC69I/AAAAAAAAAKg/guw2zOPh7Ag/s320/kym+and+matt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Egan and his girlfriend, Kym Van Heemst. (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200178531210228&set=a.1593170313394.81082.1359999586&type=1&theater" target="_blank">Source</a>)</td></tr>
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“Being in a long distance relationship is definitely hard
because there is always the longing to get to see that person,” Egan said. “That
being said I think the distance helps build trust and confidence that the other
person really cares enough about you to endure the same emotional longing that
you are going through in order to stay together.”</div>
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People seem to have very diverse views on being in long-distance relationships
during college, and how it affects their college experiences. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Matt Egan is in a successful long
distance relationship, not everyone is so lucky. </div>
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Jesse Suhaka, a sophomore at St. Michael’s College came out
of his relationship of over two years during his freshman year of college. <br />
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“I would certainly say that it was difficult to enter
college in a relationship,” Suhaka said. “It made the whole transition much
harder than it would have possibly been if my Father was the only one I had to
say goodbye too. In terms of my social life, I viewed the relationship as my
social life. I hardly gave a shit about the students who attend this school and
what their lives were like. I was busy counting the days down until I could get
home again.”</div>
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Matt Egan’s college experience is affected much differently
by the distance between him and his girlfriend.</div>
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“Being in a long distance relationship has definitely
affected my college experience, although in my eyes the effects are positive,”
Egan said. “For starters not having the distraction of the opposite sex on my
mind while at school because I was already taken was helpful when it came to
focusing on academics and success. Also, having such a strong bond has made me
realize what's truly important in my life and what I want for my future;
enabling me to have priorities which I believe to be above those of most
college males.”</div>
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Long distance is not as easy for some people. Jake Wexler,
a sophomore at the Purchase College, experienced trust issues and realized that
his relationship was taking a toll on his college experience.</div>
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“We never got to see each other as much as we wanted and
trust really became an issue,” Wexler said. “I do not regret it because I
learned a lot about myself, other people, and managing a relationship but I
don't think I'm ever planning on wanting a long distance relationship again,
although I’m not totally opposed if it were the right person.”</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emZuYyzMH8A/UYFfYLrmicI/AAAAAAAAAKw/f4bwxlmGNDs/s1600/Tanya+and+Clinton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emZuYyzMH8A/UYFfYLrmicI/AAAAAAAAAKw/f4bwxlmGNDs/s320/Tanya+and+Clinton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanya Marceau and her fiance, Clinton Black. (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2003356596117&set=a.1529574231854.2073350.1009660194&type=1&theater" target="_blank">Source</a>)</td></tr>
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Tanya Marceau, a sophomore at St. Michael’s College, has
been in a long distance relationship with her boyfriend for the better part of
7 years. They have been engaged for the last 2 years. </div>
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“I don’t think it’s affecting my college experience at
all, I now have extra time for homework and friends which I would not have if
he attended my school,” Marceau said. “He would have been too much of a
distraction. The benefits would have to be the free time I have, also having
the bed all to myself and being far apart helps me keep my individuality
-something that can get lost in the shuffle when couples spend all their free
time together.”</div>
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Although many people agree that long distance is not
ideal and quite difficult, there are definitely success stories like Matt Egan
and Tanya Marceau. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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“The only downside to my long distance relationship is in
its description: long distance,” Egan said. “To me the benefits far outweigh
the distance because I know that someday I will get to be with my significant
other and every second away from her will be worth the future I pray that I
will have the pleasure of spending with her.”</div>
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Long distance is a complicated thing, especially in
college. The best thing to do is follow your heart. It seems to work out differently
for everyone and even if it fails, it can be a good learning experience. Over 4
million college students in the United States are taking their chances with
long distance love. As they say in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Hunger Games</i>, “May the odds be ever in your favor.”</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bruno Mars- "Long Distance" on YouTube. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU0ihOCfxu8" target="_blank">Source</a>) </div>
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Well Cast's Advice and Statistics for Long Distance Relationships on YouTube. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqSZtaFL2hg" target="_blank">Source</a>)</div>
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Sources: </div>
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</span></span></span>(All personal interviews conducted on Facebook)</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Jake Wexler, Purchase College, 4/14/13, Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Jessica Ciulla, Stony Brook University, 4/19/13,
Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Tanya Marceau, St. Michael’s College, 4/15/13,
Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Lisa Ritter, Saint Michael’s College, 4/14/13,
Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Matt Egan, Northeastern University, 4/14/13,
Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Jesse Suhaka, Saint Michael's College, 4/14/13,
Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1703160361">
</a></span></span></span><a href="http://www.statisticbrain.com/long-distance-relationship-statistics">http://www.statisticbrain.com/long-distance-relationship-statistics</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><a href="http://www.longdistancerelationships.net/faqs.htm" target="_blank">http://www.longdistancerelationships.net/faqs.htm </a></div>
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