hello loves!
I am back from Italy, a little more cultured and a few pounds heavier after eating nothing but delicious Italian delicacies all week! Ten days in Italy was ample time to soak up a sense of the lifestyle, and I loved every minute of it (even the cumbersome ones, which I will get to eventually), but I am glad to be back. Now I am embarking on my last half of the semester... only about 6 more weeks to go before I head back home to the States. I have to say the longer I'm here, the more I'm missing home and all of its comforts. Especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner. I'm already feeling the pressure from school, as classes are going to start pouring more work onto us as we approach the end. We start our bake sale business for EEE on Wednesday, and we are starting a PR campaign project in my PR class, which is going to prove difficult I think. We have to come up with a year-long campaign for a real client and present it to them in a few weeks. In Syracuse, we have a whole class dedicated to that... a semester long class... and we're pulling this off, supposedly, in 3 weeks... eek. We will be starting exhibition prints in my photo class to get ready for our photo show at the end of the semester, and of course I will have a good 2000-3000 word essay for my History class, which is something I am going to have to really work at to pull a good grade with my professor. The stress is piling up.
I decided I'm going to do three separate entries for my Italy trip, one dedicated to each city I went to. Each city had a very different vibe and made for a different experience everywhere I went. Rome was all about sight seeing (and celeb spotting), Florence was very art and religion-focused, and Venice was romantic and charming. I loved them all... I definitely can't pick a favorite. I can say, though, that Italy is not cheap, and my bank account is completely tapped out. So I suppose its good I filled up on such delicious food while I was away, because I will be making my meals from bread, cereal, apples, cheese and milk for most of my remaining weeks here. Ah, the life of a broke college kid. At least I get to go broke in such a beautiful place, and not, oh, say, Syracuse, New York...
Look for my entries coming up this week... and keep an eye out for loads of photos from my trip. Miss you all, wherever you may be.
Cheers!
28 October 2007
16 October 2007
it's been awhile...
hello loves!
So sorry it's taken me so long to get back to writing... things have been pretty crazy this week what with midterms and all. But luckily I'm all finished with that, and things went well (I got an A on my history paper!) and now it's time to get back to leading my five-day weekend, charming little London life.
I couldn't cram too much into this weekend so that I could have a good amount of time to do schoolwork, but I did manage to accomplish visits to a select number of places. Thursday, Elsa and I went to Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana used to live. With the 10-year anniversary of her death, the Palace is doing a tribute to her, so all of the walls on the bottom floor were being used as movie screens, and each wall had a different movie or photo show on it. I realized how much they love her here even when I was back in the States (and really, who doesn't), but you don't quite recognize the scale of it until you're actually here to witness it first-hand. It's a national obsession, and with good reason, don't get me wrong, but it's hard to relate when I come from a country that for the most part despises it's leader. To see a nation so united around one specific person is quite astonishing and rather inspiring as well. Think of the things the U.S. could accomplish if we could just elect someone that everyone found so agreeably! But that's another discussion for another day... On top of the movies, they also had an exhibit of a selection of Diana's dresses, which really brought things to life. I was thinking about it, and for example, I find Audrey Hepburn to be absolutely timeless and elegant and just one of the most admirable individuals to live, and I think that that's what Princess Diana will be for my children's generation. Someone with a legacy of accomplishing so much during her lifetime and maintained so classy and humble that you still hear about her and admire her, even though you never witnessed her when she was alive. And the whole tragedy aspect of her story adds to the obsession factor. Anyway, the rest of the palace was nice though I often find myself getting sort of antsy by the end of the palace tours I've been on, I feel like I thrive more off of interaction and hands-on exploring, rather than walking through a building and observing an object or room while I listen to a headset about it. But I digress. I also enjoyed Kensington Gardens... I liked that the lawns weren't overly-maintained, they were a bit overgrown and the way the leaves had fallen all across the ground was so real to look at, if that makes any sense. So often these palace gardens are kept up so meticulously that they don't look real. There was a nice little patch of wildflowers in the garden as well and there was a whole group of little school children running around and picking flowers and I stopped to watch them for a little while. I love the innocence and life that little kids have, it's invigorating.
Friday I went on a day trip to Cambridge, about 2 hours outside of London. Cambridge is home to 31 universities, none of which are actually called Cambridge University. Contrary to popular belief, that is not an actual school. It's kind of interesting how it works, really. You apply to one of the 31 schools in the town, and when you're accepted your loyalties are to that college, but when you graduate your degree says Cambridge University on it. Also, if you leave your name "on the books" for something like four years after you graduate, you get a Master's Degree, without even doing anything! These crazy Brits, I know. It was quite refreshing to see so many people my age walking about the town. I also saw the labs where the electron was discovered and where DNA was discovered, and I saw an apple tree that was grown from the seeds of Newton's apple tree, and I took a tour of the amazing Kings College chapel, which was stunning. We had a cheap lunch at a nice little pub and stopped for a quick drink at a WWII pub that still had names on the ceiling that soldiers burned into it so many years ago. Sometimes I'm really taken aback by the amount of history that I am literally just sitting in by being here.
Saturday Alli and I ventured down to Regents Park, and I fell in love. Definitely my most favorite part of London, hands down. We hiked up to the top of Primrose Hill and the view was breathtaking! Pictures will be up soon (by the way, check out my photo album- I updated!). There were all sorts of sports fields around and it was fun to watch people playing rugby and football. Almost made me want to be athletic myself... almost. Speaking of which, later that night I met up with Amy on her side of the river and watched the England-France rugby match at this pub called Roebuck's. Above the bar was just a huge empty room with some chairs and tables and a big screen TV. It was jam-packed, so we snuck up to the front and sat on the floor (something Brits don't do, I guess)... The atmosphere was intense, with people singing and dancing and drinking and cheering, it was almost like being at the actual game! England won and people just went crazy. I didn't even understand what was going on in the game and I was getting excited.
So Friday morning I'm off to Italy for 10 days. I'll be touring Rome, Florence and Venice, which I suppose is the "standard" fall break trip. Regardless, I'm excited. Some people are trying to cram so much in to 10 days, travelling to like 5+ cities and really, I think they're just doing it to say they've been there. But what are you really going to get out of the trip if you're only there for a day? It's not going to be something you can vividly remember in two years. I think we're definitely going to have ample time to do the touristy sightseeing and also soak up some real culture, going for walks and visiting markets and people watching at a cafe... those are the things I like to do more than just visiting the attractions. After all, it's a break, so it should be relaxing, right? I'm getting antsy to go as I'm running out of things to entertain myself with here and I'm running out of food. It's pointless to go grocery shopping when I'm only here for two more days, so basically I'm down to meals consisting of rice and/or soup, apples, and some orange juice. Ah, the life of a poor college student.
Will try to write at least once while I'm gone, providing I can find a computer/internet somewhere. Keep in touch, and don't miss me too much!
Cheers!
So sorry it's taken me so long to get back to writing... things have been pretty crazy this week what with midterms and all. But luckily I'm all finished with that, and things went well (I got an A on my history paper!) and now it's time to get back to leading my five-day weekend, charming little London life.
I couldn't cram too much into this weekend so that I could have a good amount of time to do schoolwork, but I did manage to accomplish visits to a select number of places. Thursday, Elsa and I went to Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana used to live. With the 10-year anniversary of her death, the Palace is doing a tribute to her, so all of the walls on the bottom floor were being used as movie screens, and each wall had a different movie or photo show on it. I realized how much they love her here even when I was back in the States (and really, who doesn't), but you don't quite recognize the scale of it until you're actually here to witness it first-hand. It's a national obsession, and with good reason, don't get me wrong, but it's hard to relate when I come from a country that for the most part despises it's leader. To see a nation so united around one specific person is quite astonishing and rather inspiring as well. Think of the things the U.S. could accomplish if we could just elect someone that everyone found so agreeably! But that's another discussion for another day... On top of the movies, they also had an exhibit of a selection of Diana's dresses, which really brought things to life. I was thinking about it, and for example, I find Audrey Hepburn to be absolutely timeless and elegant and just one of the most admirable individuals to live, and I think that that's what Princess Diana will be for my children's generation. Someone with a legacy of accomplishing so much during her lifetime and maintained so classy and humble that you still hear about her and admire her, even though you never witnessed her when she was alive. And the whole tragedy aspect of her story adds to the obsession factor. Anyway, the rest of the palace was nice though I often find myself getting sort of antsy by the end of the palace tours I've been on, I feel like I thrive more off of interaction and hands-on exploring, rather than walking through a building and observing an object or room while I listen to a headset about it. But I digress. I also enjoyed Kensington Gardens... I liked that the lawns weren't overly-maintained, they were a bit overgrown and the way the leaves had fallen all across the ground was so real to look at, if that makes any sense. So often these palace gardens are kept up so meticulously that they don't look real. There was a nice little patch of wildflowers in the garden as well and there was a whole group of little school children running around and picking flowers and I stopped to watch them for a little while. I love the innocence and life that little kids have, it's invigorating.
Friday I went on a day trip to Cambridge, about 2 hours outside of London. Cambridge is home to 31 universities, none of which are actually called Cambridge University. Contrary to popular belief, that is not an actual school. It's kind of interesting how it works, really. You apply to one of the 31 schools in the town, and when you're accepted your loyalties are to that college, but when you graduate your degree says Cambridge University on it. Also, if you leave your name "on the books" for something like four years after you graduate, you get a Master's Degree, without even doing anything! These crazy Brits, I know. It was quite refreshing to see so many people my age walking about the town. I also saw the labs where the electron was discovered and where DNA was discovered, and I saw an apple tree that was grown from the seeds of Newton's apple tree, and I took a tour of the amazing Kings College chapel, which was stunning. We had a cheap lunch at a nice little pub and stopped for a quick drink at a WWII pub that still had names on the ceiling that soldiers burned into it so many years ago. Sometimes I'm really taken aback by the amount of history that I am literally just sitting in by being here.
Saturday Alli and I ventured down to Regents Park, and I fell in love. Definitely my most favorite part of London, hands down. We hiked up to the top of Primrose Hill and the view was breathtaking! Pictures will be up soon (by the way, check out my photo album- I updated!). There were all sorts of sports fields around and it was fun to watch people playing rugby and football. Almost made me want to be athletic myself... almost. Speaking of which, later that night I met up with Amy on her side of the river and watched the England-France rugby match at this pub called Roebuck's. Above the bar was just a huge empty room with some chairs and tables and a big screen TV. It was jam-packed, so we snuck up to the front and sat on the floor (something Brits don't do, I guess)... The atmosphere was intense, with people singing and dancing and drinking and cheering, it was almost like being at the actual game! England won and people just went crazy. I didn't even understand what was going on in the game and I was getting excited.
So Friday morning I'm off to Italy for 10 days. I'll be touring Rome, Florence and Venice, which I suppose is the "standard" fall break trip. Regardless, I'm excited. Some people are trying to cram so much in to 10 days, travelling to like 5+ cities and really, I think they're just doing it to say they've been there. But what are you really going to get out of the trip if you're only there for a day? It's not going to be something you can vividly remember in two years. I think we're definitely going to have ample time to do the touristy sightseeing and also soak up some real culture, going for walks and visiting markets and people watching at a cafe... those are the things I like to do more than just visiting the attractions. After all, it's a break, so it should be relaxing, right? I'm getting antsy to go as I'm running out of things to entertain myself with here and I'm running out of food. It's pointless to go grocery shopping when I'm only here for two more days, so basically I'm down to meals consisting of rice and/or soup, apples, and some orange juice. Ah, the life of a poor college student.
Will try to write at least once while I'm gone, providing I can find a computer/internet somewhere. Keep in touch, and don't miss me too much!
Cheers!
11 October 2007
my ode to london
Found this Jason Mraz song that I've been obsessing over and I'd like to dedicate it to the love of my life, London.
Jason Mraz- I'm Yours
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p6WfU_un8nk
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p6WfU_un8nk
Well, you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that i melted
I fell right through the cracks, and I'm tryin to get back
before the cool done run out I'll be givin it my best test
and nothin's gonna stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some
I won't hesitate no more,
no more, it cannot wait I'm yours
Well open up your mind and see like me
open up your plans and damn you're free
look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love
listen to the music at the moment maybe sing with me
Ah, la peaceful melody
It's your god forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved
So, I won't hesitate no more,
no more, it cannot wait I'm sure
there's no need to complicate our time is short
this is our fate, I'm yours
I've been spendin' way too long checkin' my tongue in the mirror
and bendin' over backwards just to try to see it clearer
my breath fogged up the glass
and so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what I'm a sayin'is there ain't no better reason
to rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
it's what we aim to do
our name is our virtue
I won't hesitate no more, no more
it cannot wait, i'm sure
there's no need to complicate
our time is short
it cannot wait, I'm yours
no please don't complicate, our time is short
this is our fate, im yours.
no please don't hesitate no more, no more
it cannot wait, the sky is yours
well open up your mind and see like me
open up your plans and damn you're free
look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love
listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
ah, la one big family
it's your god forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved
open up your mind and see like me
open up your plans and damn you're free
look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love
listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
ah, la happy family
it's our god forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved
listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
ah, la peaceful melodies
it's you god forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved... 06 October 2007
playing at the royal palace
hello loves!
Just got back from an amazing run in Russell Square. What amazing weather we've had so far this weekend! The sunshine and cool breeze make autumn here just that much better. As I was running I was taking in the scent of the fallen leaves and the moist dirt from the morning dew. I find it all so relaxing.
Yesterday was possibly a most perfect day. I went on a day trip to Hampton Court Palace, about an hour away from central London. This place was absolutely gorgeous!
Hampton Court Palace, 5 October, 2007.
Its history dates back to the 15th century, when Henry VIII used it as a home away from the hustle and bustle of dirty London. He had really bad asthma so the palace was in an ideal location. Henry married six times in the palace (in the most gorgeous chapel, but I couldn't take a picture of it), and almost all of his wives died or were beheaded by him. Some are said to still haunt the palace. In 1689 King William III hired Sir Christopher Wren (the guy who built all the churches we walked around to see for my history class last week) to knock down the palace and build a new one. Unfortunately, William's wife Queen Mary II died before construction could be finished on the palace, so today Hampton Court stands as half-Tudor, half-Wren design.
sunbeams on Hampton Court, 5 October, 2007.
Just got back from an amazing run in Russell Square. What amazing weather we've had so far this weekend! The sunshine and cool breeze make autumn here just that much better. As I was running I was taking in the scent of the fallen leaves and the moist dirt from the morning dew. I find it all so relaxing.
Yesterday was possibly a most perfect day. I went on a day trip to Hampton Court Palace, about an hour away from central London. This place was absolutely gorgeous!
Hampton Court Palace, 5 October, 2007.
sunbeams on Hampton Court, 5 October, 2007.One of the most spectacular things about Hampton Court was the gardens. They were breathtaking. Gorgeous flowers, amazing landscaping, and the greenest grass I have ever seen.
gardens at Hampton Court Palace, 5 October, 2007.
gardens at Hampton Court Palace, 5 October, 2007.Check my photo album for more amazing shots.
After we toured all of the rooms and gardens, we had a few hours to kill so we plopped ourselves down on the grass and basked in the sunlight for a good hour or so. So relaxing. The sun eventually tucked back behind the clouds and we got a little chilly so we headed over to the tearoom and enjoyed a nice cup of tea out on a patio. Everything was all so charming and perfect, sometimes it's hard to believe that this is really my life.
Today I'm going to Borough Market, which is a huge food market here with all sorts of the finest in food. I'm planning to cook a big dinner today for the flatties and some friends, so I hope to pick up some of the ingredients there. I also have to finish up my roll of film, so the trip is really two-fold. Should be yet another charming day (charming is becoming my choice word here).
Cheers!
After we toured all of the rooms and gardens, we had a few hours to kill so we plopped ourselves down on the grass and basked in the sunlight for a good hour or so. So relaxing. The sun eventually tucked back behind the clouds and we got a little chilly so we headed over to the tearoom and enjoyed a nice cup of tea out on a patio. Everything was all so charming and perfect, sometimes it's hard to believe that this is really my life.
Today I'm going to Borough Market, which is a huge food market here with all sorts of the finest in food. I'm planning to cook a big dinner today for the flatties and some friends, so I hope to pick up some of the ingredients there. I also have to finish up my roll of film, so the trip is really two-fold. Should be yet another charming day (charming is becoming my choice word here).
Cheers!
05 October 2007
can i stay a while? you can stay forever.
hello loves!
Where I went to Portobello Road.
The buildings were really colorful.
My grandfather would have loved it because the whole beginning of the road is antiques.
I visited the travel bookshop where Hugh Grant went in Notting Hill.
I bought a delicious carrot cake cupcake from the famous Hummingbird Bakery.
Today, I ventured to Notting Hill.
Where I went to Portobello Road.
The buildings were really colorful.
My grandfather would have loved it because the whole beginning of the road is antiques.
I visited the travel bookshop where Hugh Grant went in Notting Hill.
I bought a delicious carrot cake cupcake from the famous Hummingbird Bakery.
All-in-all, a fabulous afternoon.
Cheers!
04 October 2007
i shop where the queen shops
hello loves!
Yesterday, after Lucy and I booked our train tickets for Italy, we stopped at Fortnum & Mason. Fortnum & Mason has a Royal Warrant, which means basically, it's where the royal family gets their groceries, china, accessories, beauty supplies, etc, etc. This place was crazy! Four floors of nothing but the best in literally, everything. This is not your average grocery store. Lucy and I of course had to explore the entire store, trying on £300 hats and such, no big deal, really.
The grocery section was obviously my favorite. They had a whole part of the store dedicated to exotic foods (and by foods, i mean bugs)... chocolate covered scorpions, aphrodisiac lollipops from Morocco, lollipops with tequila worms in them, roasted ants, crocodile curry, delicious! Ha, they actually had a little American corner in the store that I was excited to find because they have things you can't get in the regular grocery stores here. I bought some pumpkin pie puree so I can make some later on. I also bought strawberry tea, just to say I bought tea from the same place the queen shops.
After F&M, we went to yet ANOTHER grocery store, Waitrose, to pick up food to make dinner. I hadn't been to Waitrose before and I have to say, I am never shopping at Sainsbury's or Tesco's again! This grocery store is the British equivalent to Wegmans, and for any of you that know me, that means I can literally spend hours shopping in there. For dinner I made basil lime chicken and roasted cauliflower and it was delicious! Then I had Elsa, Alli, and Tuan come over and the rest of the flatties and I had homemade (by me) apple crisp a la mode... SO good. Just the kind of fall treat I needed to keep me going. I really enjoy cooking and baking when I have the time to do it. I'm really going to try to perfect my skills and learn some new recipes while I'm here so when I get home I can blow you all away with my cooking talents (I know my grandmother is probably chuckling to herself at this ambition).
Cheers!
Yesterday, after Lucy and I booked our train tickets for Italy, we stopped at Fortnum & Mason. Fortnum & Mason has a Royal Warrant, which means basically, it's where the royal family gets their groceries, china, accessories, beauty supplies, etc, etc. This place was crazy! Four floors of nothing but the best in literally, everything. This is not your average grocery store. Lucy and I of course had to explore the entire store, trying on £300 hats and such, no big deal, really.
The grocery section was obviously my favorite. They had a whole part of the store dedicated to exotic foods (and by foods, i mean bugs)... chocolate covered scorpions, aphrodisiac lollipops from Morocco, lollipops with tequila worms in them, roasted ants, crocodile curry, delicious! Ha, they actually had a little American corner in the store that I was excited to find because they have things you can't get in the regular grocery stores here. I bought some pumpkin pie puree so I can make some later on. I also bought strawberry tea, just to say I bought tea from the same place the queen shops.
After F&M, we went to yet ANOTHER grocery store, Waitrose, to pick up food to make dinner. I hadn't been to Waitrose before and I have to say, I am never shopping at Sainsbury's or Tesco's again! This grocery store is the British equivalent to Wegmans, and for any of you that know me, that means I can literally spend hours shopping in there. For dinner I made basil lime chicken and roasted cauliflower and it was delicious! Then I had Elsa, Alli, and Tuan come over and the rest of the flatties and I had homemade (by me) apple crisp a la mode... SO good. Just the kind of fall treat I needed to keep me going. I really enjoy cooking and baking when I have the time to do it. I'm really going to try to perfect my skills and learn some new recipes while I'm here so when I get home I can blow you all away with my cooking talents (I know my grandmother is probably chuckling to herself at this ambition).
Cheers!
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