So this post will conclude England, and I just thought I would wrap up everything. A year ago, I was so excited about going, I was unsure about what I was getting into, and naive about the opportunities soon to be available to me. Not long after getting to England, I started to realise what the year would contain, and I knew I was in for a good time. I guess the best thing I can say about England is I lived. I was alive the whole time, I took advantage of every opportunity, I didn't hold back, and I had the most amazing year of my life. I think I learned and matured a lot, I found something that I enjoy that is not hockey, which is amazing to me. I just remember being at Logan on 12 September and asking, "Okay, so I check in here... and then do what?" I didn't know that much about flying, or going to another country... but now all of that is routine. I can handle being in a new country, with no idea where I'm going, I transition right into city touring mode, and I'm good to go. As I told Danielle when we were in Greece, that this might be her first time in a non English speaking country, but it was not mine or Kathleen's, and she had to drop the age superior tone that she always uses, and start trusting and listening to us. She half listened.
As my travels go I must say Norway was probably the coolest trip because of the two girls I went with. That was Jenna and Kathleen, and the whole trip we kept quoting the Boosh, and singing Bright Eyes. We especially quoted Old Gregg since we had just seen the clip seconds before leaving. That was a fun time, we never got on each other's nerves, and we saw a lot in a little amount of time. It was really good.
Overall best trip of course was Greece and Rome, and that is because of the history of the two places. Rome was amazing, I still cannot believe I've been to the Colosseum, the Vatican, Marcus Aurelius lane... all the different sights in Rome. What an amazing city. I cannot wait to go back. Of course Athens was so cool with those sandwiches we got that I still dream about at night. Ohhh wow. Sitting in the square eating them.. yummy. Or looking down at the Acropolis and eating our dinners... just amazing.
What else can be said about London? I love it, I know it well, and I feel I did it right. I went almost every chance I could, I walked all the parks, saw all the statues, and ate all the gelato I could in Leicester Square. What more do you need in life? I'm glad I was there for the year, I feel it gave me more time to learn the city, instead of being in Europe every weekend trying to see all of it in 10-12 weeks. I did things at my own pace, found my favourite spots in London, and enjoyed just sitting there and taking it all in. London has my heart, what can I say?
I've talked a lot about Amaya, Kathleen, and Jenna, but I don't know if I ever mentioned how much I adore them, I guess is a good word for it. Jenna basically lived in our flat, but I never minded. She was always great to have around, always showing us new shows, and making us laugh. Kathleen and Amaya are brilliant too, I do miss them. The boys I miss too, I miss seeing Martin come in rubbing his eyes at 6:30pm from his afternoon nap. LOL. Oh Martin.
I'll never have another year like this past one, it was once in a lifetime experience, but I'll always have my memories, pictures, and my friends to talk to. I text or skype them, this morning I sent the tragic pub episode to Amaya via skype, so they were very excited about that. Oh Hollyoaks, I would cry if it was not in my life anymore. Thank you BBC America.
There's no point dwelling in the past, I enjoy telling the stories, and looking at the pictures, but there is no point in wishing I was still there, or being mad that the year is over. I have no regrets, I lived fully, I had a good time, and now it's time to look to the future. I have hockey again, I just played my first games last night. I scored about 4-5 goals, and I think I did well. I should look forward to the summer, and going back to Maine, even though I know I will miss the Bridge House, and being so close to London. But that year is over, and I'm so glad I went. I have talked to many college graduates, and that is one of their biggest regrets... not going abroad. I can see that, it's a wonderful experience.
So it's been brilliant sharing my adventures, but without London, and the constant entertainment that is Kathleen, Amaya and Jenna, I'm not really sure I have much to write about. I'm back in the normal routine of life, going to St. Bs and doing work for them, playing hockey, and watching the Boosh. That of course, is now in the list of normal, every day activities. That is one of the best things about this past year, I was introduced to some great TV, and a whole new world of actors.
So that's it. Good bye to this blog. It's been a good time.
20 June 2007
18 June 2007
The final day in London
I started writing a post about this day right before leaving England, but found myself unable to get past the first few lines. Even now, a few days later, I wonder if I can put into words exactly what it felt to know that this would be the last time I would be seeing some of these places that I have fallen in love with, well it won't be the last time, but for awhile. It is one comforting thought that has helped since leaving, but my heart is in London, and nothing can change that.
My last day in London started early, I met Monica around 1o:15am in Trafalgar Square. She had gotten to London about 15 minutes before me, so she walked around Buckingham Palace, and St. James Park. When we met up, we walked down to Green Park since Monica wasn't sure she had seen it before. As we walked, we talked about London, leaving... the usually topics. I mentioned Camden Town, and she said that she had not been there before. You cannot leave London without visiting Camden Town, so upon reaching Green Park, we took the Underground to Camden. Monica liked it, she is a fan of those kinds of markets, and Camden is the biggest market around. We walked around, and I gave her the Boosh tour... just pointing out where Noel hangs out, the pub from Sweet, and just pointing out that the main street was used in Sweet too. We walked through the markets, and then got lunch. I, of course, got pizza, and it was so good.
After Camden, we went to Oxford Circus, which we figured out was close to Regents Park. Monica had not been to Oxford Circus either, so I showed her that big shopping street, and of course Topshop. (Topshop... Topshop) Sorry, had to write in the Boosh reference, when I was writing it, I said it the way Noel does... hahaha. Anyway, so we walked away from the Pic, and the touristy sites, and came upon Regents Park. It was really lucky actually, I just had an idea where it was, but it was right down the street from Oxford Circus. We passed the BBC building, which I had not seen before. How much I owe the BBC...
Anyway, Regents Park. So beautiful!!! Fountains and flowers everywhere!! Of course, there was many people around, having picnics, or just people watching on the grass. We walked around the park for a few minutes, taking in all the different sites, and it was really nice. A good way to end the year. We stopped and sat under a tree for awhile, we had been walking for a while, and my feet killed. We sat and talked, just thinking about how weird it was when we first arrived in England, and how we didn't know anything about London, or the Underground. Monica showed me around that time, she had been to London before, and now I was taking her to Camden and Regents Park. I know London now like the back of my hand... and it has taken lots of time and effort. Heheh, all time well used.
Walking through Regents Park, we came upon the London Zoo, but we didn't go in. We didn't really have time, but it was nice to see another place used for the HP movies. They used it in the first movie of course. Of course, by the Zoo, we reached the main road, and we both just wondered where we were, and how to get back to Victoria, or somewhere in the area. Monica was planning on going back to Oxford around 3ish, to get back before her friend left. We found a sign to stuff nearby, and we started walking toward an Underground station. I saw a sign for St. Johns Wood, and JOKINGLY I said we could go to Abbey Road. Monica though being a Beatles fan, did not see it as a joke, but a really good suggestion. She asked, I relented, and we walked to St. Johns Wood. It was about a mile, according to the sign, but in reality it was more like 2- 2 1/2 miles. It wasn't that bad, though my legs killed!
At Abbey Road, I of course had to take Monica's picture as she walked across the crosswalk. We had to do it twice, since I guess the first time I took it from the wrong angle. I had no idea, I really don't look at the picture much. After looking at Abbey Road, and thinking, "Um cool", it was time to go. We took the Underground down to Green Park, where Monica switched lines for the Victoria Line. That is where Monica and I said good bye, and see you in the States. It was a little hard to say good bye for now, I mean, we dreamed about going to England for so long, and now we were leaving. Where did the year go?
After I left Monica, I walked around Green Park, then up to the Pic, where I said good bye, and then over to Leicester Square. I got gelato one last time, and ate it on the steps of Trafalgar Square. I started to walk over to Buckingham Palace, but I saw a big group of people going to the Horse Guard Academy, so I followed. There was about 5 or 6 horses with riders standing in a straight line just waiting for something. A few minutes after waiting, another group of horses came, and their riders were dressed a little differently than the group already there. The group came up and walked around the horses, and the stopped opposite of them. I'm not completely sure what was going on, but I imagine it was some practice thing for the Queen's Birthday which was a few days later. It was a pretty cool thing, I liked when the horses backed up, their rider did not look, and no horse hit another. Though when they were trying to move over a little bit, the horses did not like when they were hit by the other. That was funny. After watching that, I went over to St. James Park, walked around a little bit, but my feet were still tired, so I sat on the grass and fell asleep for about 40 minutes. Opps.
I took pictures of the park, and then walked back to Trafalgar Square where I took a few pictures, but then just stared at Nelson, and the National Gallery. My favorite place in London, well one of them. I have spent so much time on the steps of Trafalgar Square just staring out at the people, the kids climbing on the lions, Big Ben in the distance... Oh Trafalgar Square. It was probably the hardest good bye... I always have a hard time leaving the square, even when it won't be the last time in London. I fell in love with Trafalgar the first time I saw it, there is something about it.
I walked down to Westminster Abbey, said good bye, and then sat down below Big Ben and waited. The hour was coming up, and I wanted to hear the bells one more time. I took a video of it, just to always remember it, until I see it again. I sat there for a few minutes after the hour, and then walked over the Westminster Bridge. I stood on the bridge and just looked out at London and the Thames one last time. I love the Thames, and the boats that go up the river... it's just a beautiful sight to me. I stood by the banks for awhile, unable to walk away from Big Ben, the river... the sights that I love so much. I finally did, it was hard, very hard. I went to Waterloo one last time, boarded a train to Surbiton, and left London. It was ten times harder than leaving Rome, and I thought that was unbearable. I will see the city again, I know this, but it was still so hard to leave. I love London so much...
I got home around 7ish, and finished packing. That is when I tried to write, but found myself unable to think. I instead watched Snuffbox and Darkplace, trying to take my mind off the next day. I have dreaded these days since I arrived, I fell in love so fast, that I knew departing would probably kill me. I keep reminding myself that I will go back, but until I do, I have my memories and pictures to remind me of the times I had.
Well that is my last day in London. I'll post again, as a good bye. I'm not sure I will continue the blog, it's for England, and now I'm home. What's the point?
My last day in London started early, I met Monica around 1o:15am in Trafalgar Square. She had gotten to London about 15 minutes before me, so she walked around Buckingham Palace, and St. James Park. When we met up, we walked down to Green Park since Monica wasn't sure she had seen it before. As we walked, we talked about London, leaving... the usually topics. I mentioned Camden Town, and she said that she had not been there before. You cannot leave London without visiting Camden Town, so upon reaching Green Park, we took the Underground to Camden. Monica liked it, she is a fan of those kinds of markets, and Camden is the biggest market around. We walked around, and I gave her the Boosh tour... just pointing out where Noel hangs out, the pub from Sweet, and just pointing out that the main street was used in Sweet too. We walked through the markets, and then got lunch. I, of course, got pizza, and it was so good.
After Camden, we went to Oxford Circus, which we figured out was close to Regents Park. Monica had not been to Oxford Circus either, so I showed her that big shopping street, and of course Topshop. (Topshop... Topshop) Sorry, had to write in the Boosh reference, when I was writing it, I said it the way Noel does... hahaha. Anyway, so we walked away from the Pic, and the touristy sites, and came upon Regents Park. It was really lucky actually, I just had an idea where it was, but it was right down the street from Oxford Circus. We passed the BBC building, which I had not seen before. How much I owe the BBC...
Anyway, Regents Park. So beautiful!!! Fountains and flowers everywhere!! Of course, there was many people around, having picnics, or just people watching on the grass. We walked around the park for a few minutes, taking in all the different sites, and it was really nice. A good way to end the year. We stopped and sat under a tree for awhile, we had been walking for a while, and my feet killed. We sat and talked, just thinking about how weird it was when we first arrived in England, and how we didn't know anything about London, or the Underground. Monica showed me around that time, she had been to London before, and now I was taking her to Camden and Regents Park. I know London now like the back of my hand... and it has taken lots of time and effort. Heheh, all time well used.
Walking through Regents Park, we came upon the London Zoo, but we didn't go in. We didn't really have time, but it was nice to see another place used for the HP movies. They used it in the first movie of course. Of course, by the Zoo, we reached the main road, and we both just wondered where we were, and how to get back to Victoria, or somewhere in the area. Monica was planning on going back to Oxford around 3ish, to get back before her friend left. We found a sign to stuff nearby, and we started walking toward an Underground station. I saw a sign for St. Johns Wood, and JOKINGLY I said we could go to Abbey Road. Monica though being a Beatles fan, did not see it as a joke, but a really good suggestion. She asked, I relented, and we walked to St. Johns Wood. It was about a mile, according to the sign, but in reality it was more like 2- 2 1/2 miles. It wasn't that bad, though my legs killed!
At Abbey Road, I of course had to take Monica's picture as she walked across the crosswalk. We had to do it twice, since I guess the first time I took it from the wrong angle. I had no idea, I really don't look at the picture much. After looking at Abbey Road, and thinking, "Um cool", it was time to go. We took the Underground down to Green Park, where Monica switched lines for the Victoria Line. That is where Monica and I said good bye, and see you in the States. It was a little hard to say good bye for now, I mean, we dreamed about going to England for so long, and now we were leaving. Where did the year go?
After I left Monica, I walked around Green Park, then up to the Pic, where I said good bye, and then over to Leicester Square. I got gelato one last time, and ate it on the steps of Trafalgar Square. I started to walk over to Buckingham Palace, but I saw a big group of people going to the Horse Guard Academy, so I followed. There was about 5 or 6 horses with riders standing in a straight line just waiting for something. A few minutes after waiting, another group of horses came, and their riders were dressed a little differently than the group already there. The group came up and walked around the horses, and the stopped opposite of them. I'm not completely sure what was going on, but I imagine it was some practice thing for the Queen's Birthday which was a few days later. It was a pretty cool thing, I liked when the horses backed up, their rider did not look, and no horse hit another. Though when they were trying to move over a little bit, the horses did not like when they were hit by the other. That was funny. After watching that, I went over to St. James Park, walked around a little bit, but my feet were still tired, so I sat on the grass and fell asleep for about 40 minutes. Opps.
I took pictures of the park, and then walked back to Trafalgar Square where I took a few pictures, but then just stared at Nelson, and the National Gallery. My favorite place in London, well one of them. I have spent so much time on the steps of Trafalgar Square just staring out at the people, the kids climbing on the lions, Big Ben in the distance... Oh Trafalgar Square. It was probably the hardest good bye... I always have a hard time leaving the square, even when it won't be the last time in London. I fell in love with Trafalgar the first time I saw it, there is something about it.
I walked down to Westminster Abbey, said good bye, and then sat down below Big Ben and waited. The hour was coming up, and I wanted to hear the bells one more time. I took a video of it, just to always remember it, until I see it again. I sat there for a few minutes after the hour, and then walked over the Westminster Bridge. I stood on the bridge and just looked out at London and the Thames one last time. I love the Thames, and the boats that go up the river... it's just a beautiful sight to me. I stood by the banks for awhile, unable to walk away from Big Ben, the river... the sights that I love so much. I finally did, it was hard, very hard. I went to Waterloo one last time, boarded a train to Surbiton, and left London. It was ten times harder than leaving Rome, and I thought that was unbearable. I will see the city again, I know this, but it was still so hard to leave. I love London so much...
I got home around 7ish, and finished packing. That is when I tried to write, but found myself unable to think. I instead watched Snuffbox and Darkplace, trying to take my mind off the next day. I have dreaded these days since I arrived, I fell in love so fast, that I knew departing would probably kill me. I keep reminding myself that I will go back, but until I do, I have my memories and pictures to remind me of the times I had.
Well that is my last day in London. I'll post again, as a good bye. I'm not sure I will continue the blog, it's for England, and now I'm home. What's the point?
12 June 2007
A Day of Goodbyes
Hey, so I just said good bye to Jenna and Danielle. I had a really good bye with Jenna, I spent the day with her. Some time ago Jenna asked if I would help her get her sleeping bag into it's bag it's L.L Bean so it's really handy and convenient, meaning it can fit into a Ziploc bag basically. It takes two people, and she thought my strength would be helpful, and of course I agreed. I went to school today to pick up a paper, and meet Jenna, but I asked if she wanted to do lunch, so when she finally got to school, we went to Pizza Experts once more. That place could pay for my education, actually for 3D's education. Jenna and Danielle met Bas in there the other day... lol. Oh well. So we got pizza, and sat by the river and ate it, talking about everything under the sun. Out of everyone here, I'm probably going to miss Jenna the most, well along with Kathleen. It was really fun to sit by the river and devour the pizza. Lol. Over the course of our day, we had a discussion about Matt Berry's pointing ability, and how much we love it. When I showed Monica the Boosh, it was the episode where Matt Berry does this great point at Naboo, and I commented about how great of a pointer he is, and Monica looked at me really weirdly. Jenna understands though, we were walking down the street pointing at each other, and doing the point he does during the Diary song. So great.
Anyway, I helped Jenna put her sleeping bag in it's bag, it took awhile, a few restarts, but we did it. She bought me ice cream for it, because she wanted some, and it was my reward. She could never have done it by herself. After ice cream though, I went home, I really had to pack. She did too, since she is leaving tomorrow. I agreed to meet her and Danielle at Wag's later, Danielle wanted to say good bye, and she had my Rome and Greece Photo CDs.
So I actually just left them, I sat by the river for a few minutes after, but then I got hungry. The whole time I sat there, I kept playing One Track Lover by Matt Berry over and over again. No matter how sad you are, it makes you grin, and then Richard Ayoade's part makes you laugh. Actually, the whole song puts me in a good mood, it just hit Garth's slow part... it's amazing. This and Love Games, from the Boosh put me in a good mood, which of course only lasts 3 minutes.
I am looking forward to going home, there are some things I miss, but there is something about England, and Europe too. I love it, I love sitting in a pub for hours just talking, or walking everything. I love the walk between Seething Wells and the Bridge House. London of course has my heart, and tomorrow I have to say good bye to it. I've met so many amazing people here, that it is hard, but I do have to remember that I have friends in the States who eagerly await my arrival.
Oh I forgot to mention this morning. Amaya and Cassie left, I never saw Cassie leave, not sure how I missed that one. I was really sad about Amaya leaving, and she woke me up at 7:45am looking for toilet paper. When I heard her calling me, I jumped up out of bed thinking she wanted to say good bye. But then she told me it was 7:45am, and I had not slept through my alarm, and she still had about an hour an a half before it was time for her to go. I was a little angry. Anyway, Nye and I just sat in her room, and laughed at all her bags, and the stuff she had to keep donating because she had no room for it. I will be donating stuff too, but not as much as Amaya. But she got picked up by a private car, she had like 5 bags... and that was sad saying good bye to her.
Oh well, I think my dinner is ready.
Anyway, I helped Jenna put her sleeping bag in it's bag, it took awhile, a few restarts, but we did it. She bought me ice cream for it, because she wanted some, and it was my reward. She could never have done it by herself. After ice cream though, I went home, I really had to pack. She did too, since she is leaving tomorrow. I agreed to meet her and Danielle at Wag's later, Danielle wanted to say good bye, and she had my Rome and Greece Photo CDs.
So I actually just left them, I sat by the river for a few minutes after, but then I got hungry. The whole time I sat there, I kept playing One Track Lover by Matt Berry over and over again. No matter how sad you are, it makes you grin, and then Richard Ayoade's part makes you laugh. Actually, the whole song puts me in a good mood, it just hit Garth's slow part... it's amazing. This and Love Games, from the Boosh put me in a good mood, which of course only lasts 3 minutes.
I am looking forward to going home, there are some things I miss, but there is something about England, and Europe too. I love it, I love sitting in a pub for hours just talking, or walking everything. I love the walk between Seething Wells and the Bridge House. London of course has my heart, and tomorrow I have to say good bye to it. I've met so many amazing people here, that it is hard, but I do have to remember that I have friends in the States who eagerly await my arrival.
Oh I forgot to mention this morning. Amaya and Cassie left, I never saw Cassie leave, not sure how I missed that one. I was really sad about Amaya leaving, and she woke me up at 7:45am looking for toilet paper. When I heard her calling me, I jumped up out of bed thinking she wanted to say good bye. But then she told me it was 7:45am, and I had not slept through my alarm, and she still had about an hour an a half before it was time for her to go. I was a little angry. Anyway, Nye and I just sat in her room, and laughed at all her bags, and the stuff she had to keep donating because she had no room for it. I will be donating stuff too, but not as much as Amaya. But she got picked up by a private car, she had like 5 bags... and that was sad saying good bye to her.
Oh well, I think my dinner is ready.
11 June 2007
Ely
Hey, so it's Monday evening, and it's Amaya and Cassie's last night. Cassie is out, and Amaya I believe just finished packing... all 5 of her bags. Um.
Anyway, I'm watching Darkplace right now, I turned it on while I was packing, but now I'm writing in my blog. Um. Tomorrow is my big packing day, and I actually have done a lot, well thrown out a lot. Let me describe Ely though.
I went up early on Saturday, and got up there around 1:15ish. I got to Kings Cross, and left from Platform 9. I was really excited about that... my last time going to Kings Cross, and I got to leave from near the Harry Potter platform... coolness. I got to Ely just fine, and interrupted Jenn's paper writing for her online class, but she came and picked me up. I had my bag that has wheels and Carmen with me, both filled. Carmen just had the tree, some clothes, and a few DVDs, while the other bag had my printer. I was glad to get to Ely though, it's a pain to be on the underground with so much stuff.
Jager was very excited to see me, what can I say dogs just love me. I also constantly play with Jager, so he saw fun times coming. I had only been there for a little bit, when Jenn asked if I wanted anything for lunch, well we ended up having hot dogs. I was so excited for hot dogs, I don't eat them here. The boys bought them once for the Superbowl, and they came in a can. WHAT? I don't think so. So it's been a while since I had one, and it was really good. American food is one thing I am looking forward to when I come home.
There was a BBQ that afternoon for Arthur's graduating class at work. So we went to that, and everyone was really nice. One of the guys is like three months older than me, he was happy that he wasn't the youngest, but wasn't pleased at the 3 months. Hahaha. It was fun, though for a lot of it, I was texting Jenna and Amaya. At Jenn's I saw the Matt Berry commercial where he's a volcano, it's for some water company, and I got really exciting. When I first saw these commercials I didn't realise it was him, but Jenna sent me the youtube link, and though it took like 5 hours to download I saw it, and realised that yes he is the volcano. I was in the kitchen talking to Jenn, and I heard his voice, and I basically ran into the living room. I texted Jenna, and she basically texted back the commercial. It was a little sick. She was a little bored I think, she sent me one text saying, "Howard, Howard, Howard....Hoowaaarrddd. Howard. Who do you think would win in a fight? Dr. Sanchez or Dixon Bainbridge?" Um same guy plays both, so I voted for the volcano.
Worst comment of the day goes to the someone at this BBQ! I had my hat on (OF COURSE), and when in London, if someone asks where you got it from, you can say, "Camden." And they know exactly what you mean. You don't need to add in the town, or "This cool market in northern London." No you can just say Camden. So when I was asked, I said "Camden." Someone asked, "Where?" And before I could reply, someone else said, "New Jersey." OUCH! I felt wounded. I was in a heck of a lot of pain. I looked in horror at the person who said that, and finally was able to say, "No in London. It's a market, it's so COOL!" But they did not understand. Alas. Of course I had a good Noel Fielding line to go along with this, but I held my tongue.
Sunday was good too, I watched The Simple Life while I packed three boxes, and Jager got really crazy. He doesn't like boxes or something... I don't know. Actually that morning, he kept stepping on me. He wanted to look out the window while I was still asleep, and instead of walking around me on the bed, he just stepped on me. It hurt. He's a silly dog.
Their neighbours came over for dinner though, it was the same family that invited us over for Christmas dinner. I talked with Ali, who loves me, she kidnapped me for a while at Christmas. Lol, it was okay. I played with the baby, she took a liking to me. We had some thing that I helped make... basically it was a cheeseburger but the ketchup and mustard were put in as the meat was cooking. It was a little bit like a sloppy joe. I tried to eat it, it was good, but I quickly got sick of the cheese in it, and it had melted so I couldn't take it out. Er. Stupid cheese. I cooked myself some hot dogs instead.
I really delayed my leaving... I left around 9pm. That kinda hurt me, but I know London well enough to be all right. Being the weekend the Circle and Northern Lines were shut down, and I needed the Circle Line. I got back pretty late, and took a tour of the Underground, just trying to get home. Thankfully I didn't have a big bag with me, so it was easier than coming.
But my last trip to Ely was good. It was sad to say good bye to Jenn and Arthur, I do like visiting them. When I go up, I do nothing all weekend, but it's fun just to sit and relax. Jager is fun to play with, he brings the ball back to you, so I spent a lot of time with him in the backyard playing catch. He seemed to enjoy it.
Anyway, I'm watching Darkplace right now, I turned it on while I was packing, but now I'm writing in my blog. Um. Tomorrow is my big packing day, and I actually have done a lot, well thrown out a lot. Let me describe Ely though.
I went up early on Saturday, and got up there around 1:15ish. I got to Kings Cross, and left from Platform 9. I was really excited about that... my last time going to Kings Cross, and I got to leave from near the Harry Potter platform... coolness. I got to Ely just fine, and interrupted Jenn's paper writing for her online class, but she came and picked me up. I had my bag that has wheels and Carmen with me, both filled. Carmen just had the tree, some clothes, and a few DVDs, while the other bag had my printer. I was glad to get to Ely though, it's a pain to be on the underground with so much stuff.
Jager was very excited to see me, what can I say dogs just love me. I also constantly play with Jager, so he saw fun times coming. I had only been there for a little bit, when Jenn asked if I wanted anything for lunch, well we ended up having hot dogs. I was so excited for hot dogs, I don't eat them here. The boys bought them once for the Superbowl, and they came in a can. WHAT? I don't think so. So it's been a while since I had one, and it was really good. American food is one thing I am looking forward to when I come home.
There was a BBQ that afternoon for Arthur's graduating class at work. So we went to that, and everyone was really nice. One of the guys is like three months older than me, he was happy that he wasn't the youngest, but wasn't pleased at the 3 months. Hahaha. It was fun, though for a lot of it, I was texting Jenna and Amaya. At Jenn's I saw the Matt Berry commercial where he's a volcano, it's for some water company, and I got really exciting. When I first saw these commercials I didn't realise it was him, but Jenna sent me the youtube link, and though it took like 5 hours to download I saw it, and realised that yes he is the volcano. I was in the kitchen talking to Jenn, and I heard his voice, and I basically ran into the living room. I texted Jenna, and she basically texted back the commercial. It was a little sick. She was a little bored I think, she sent me one text saying, "Howard, Howard, Howard....Hoowaaarrddd. Howard. Who do you think would win in a fight? Dr. Sanchez or Dixon Bainbridge?" Um same guy plays both, so I voted for the volcano.
Worst comment of the day goes to the someone at this BBQ! I had my hat on (OF COURSE), and when in London, if someone asks where you got it from, you can say, "Camden." And they know exactly what you mean. You don't need to add in the town, or "This cool market in northern London." No you can just say Camden. So when I was asked, I said "Camden." Someone asked, "Where?" And before I could reply, someone else said, "New Jersey." OUCH! I felt wounded. I was in a heck of a lot of pain. I looked in horror at the person who said that, and finally was able to say, "No in London. It's a market, it's so COOL!" But they did not understand. Alas. Of course I had a good Noel Fielding line to go along with this, but I held my tongue.
Sunday was good too, I watched The Simple Life while I packed three boxes, and Jager got really crazy. He doesn't like boxes or something... I don't know. Actually that morning, he kept stepping on me. He wanted to look out the window while I was still asleep, and instead of walking around me on the bed, he just stepped on me. It hurt. He's a silly dog.
Their neighbours came over for dinner though, it was the same family that invited us over for Christmas dinner. I talked with Ali, who loves me, she kidnapped me for a while at Christmas. Lol, it was okay. I played with the baby, she took a liking to me. We had some thing that I helped make... basically it was a cheeseburger but the ketchup and mustard were put in as the meat was cooking. It was a little bit like a sloppy joe. I tried to eat it, it was good, but I quickly got sick of the cheese in it, and it had melted so I couldn't take it out. Er. Stupid cheese. I cooked myself some hot dogs instead.
I really delayed my leaving... I left around 9pm. That kinda hurt me, but I know London well enough to be all right. Being the weekend the Circle and Northern Lines were shut down, and I needed the Circle Line. I got back pretty late, and took a tour of the Underground, just trying to get home. Thankfully I didn't have a big bag with me, so it was easier than coming.
But my last trip to Ely was good. It was sad to say good bye to Jenn and Arthur, I do like visiting them. When I go up, I do nothing all weekend, but it's fun just to sit and relax. Jager is fun to play with, he brings the ball back to you, so I spent a lot of time with him in the backyard playing catch. He seemed to enjoy it.
08 June 2007
Packing
Hey,
So right now I'm packing. It's really depressing, so I'm also watching the Mighty Boosh Live. Tomorrow I'm going to Ely to send some stuff home, aka my printer, some sweatshirts and my Christmas tree. With this lot going, I should be able to fit everything, but it doesn't seem like it. I'm not sure why, I haven't bought everything that Amaya, Kathleen and Cassie have. I have collected some stuff, more DVDs, some presents, but I should be alright.
Since getting back from Oxford, I've just been packing. I like to pack beforehand unlike Mary Kate who cannot pack beforehand to save her life. I don't need Mom and Dad to come and pack for me. Hahahaha. Or my sister.
Elyse leaves tomorrow morning. I talked to her today, and she was saying that she, her flat mates and her friends have basically been crying all together. Okay I get it, they are going to miss each other, but they haven't been together for a year. Saying good bye to Kathleen was so weird, and I didn't do it properly because really it doesn't seem real. I wrote her a letter, and left it under her door. Hopefully that will be more of a proper good bye. Tuesday morning, I'm going to be up early, have to go to London with Monica, but also that's the day Cassie and Amaya leave.
I hate saying good bye, it's because one thing that I am so afraid of doing. I know I will see everyone again, but if Oxford showed me anything, I'm really going to miss everyone. So many references, so little time.
Oh well, tea time, and then maybe some more packing. I should go to bed at some point, Amaya is making pancakes again tomorrow for us...woohoo. Early of course because I'm off to Ely.
So right now I'm packing. It's really depressing, so I'm also watching the Mighty Boosh Live. Tomorrow I'm going to Ely to send some stuff home, aka my printer, some sweatshirts and my Christmas tree. With this lot going, I should be able to fit everything, but it doesn't seem like it. I'm not sure why, I haven't bought everything that Amaya, Kathleen and Cassie have. I have collected some stuff, more DVDs, some presents, but I should be alright.
Since getting back from Oxford, I've just been packing. I like to pack beforehand unlike Mary Kate who cannot pack beforehand to save her life. I don't need Mom and Dad to come and pack for me. Hahahaha. Or my sister.
Elyse leaves tomorrow morning. I talked to her today, and she was saying that she, her flat mates and her friends have basically been crying all together. Okay I get it, they are going to miss each other, but they haven't been together for a year. Saying good bye to Kathleen was so weird, and I didn't do it properly because really it doesn't seem real. I wrote her a letter, and left it under her door. Hopefully that will be more of a proper good bye. Tuesday morning, I'm going to be up early, have to go to London with Monica, but also that's the day Cassie and Amaya leave.
I hate saying good bye, it's because one thing that I am so afraid of doing. I know I will see everyone again, but if Oxford showed me anything, I'm really going to miss everyone. So many references, so little time.
Oh well, tea time, and then maybe some more packing. I should go to bed at some point, Amaya is making pancakes again tomorrow for us...woohoo. Early of course because I'm off to Ely.
07 June 2007
My last day visting Oxford
My last day in Oxford started early, well around 9ish, so early for me. We got to go to breakfast, though we caught the end of it. No big deal, there was food, though the tea was cold. Oh well.
After breakfast, we went to find Tolkien's grave. This was something we both were interested in doing, and we thought at first we would not be able to, the buses didn't go there, or they went at weird times. However, the bus leaves every like 5 minutes, and goes right to the cemetery. It was great. So we got on the bus, and it was great because Monica had not been been up this way yet. There is really no need, it's more of a residential area. But we had a purpose this day. I want to say we were on this bus for like 10-15 minutes, and then we saw our stop. The bus let us out right by the cemetery... it was great. We entered, and at the entrance there was a sign for J.R.R Tolkien Author with an arrow. Monica commented that she didn't know his last name was author. We followed these signs though, there was one every two feet, like those trying to find the grave are idiots or something. But we did find it, and it was nice.
The theme of this little trip was coming full circle, and I never felt that we came more of a full circle than here at Tolkien's grave. I remember when we first talked about coming to England, back in oh high school, we thought it would be amazing just to see Oxford, go to The Eagle and Child, and seeing his grave. Monica of course always wanted to go to school in Oxford, but I just wanted to see the city. And then we both applied to schools in England, we got in, and we got to see Oxford. We then went to The Eagle and Child, we ate there, and saw Tolkien's houses, and Pembroke where he went to school, and Merton where he taught. Now in the last time at Oxford, we saw his grave. Full circle. It was a good experience.
After that we headed back to the centre of town, and tried to go to Magdalen College, but it was closed to visitors until 1pm. So we walked around, saw Merton College where Tolkien taught. We then went to this really interesting but disorganised museum. It's the Pitts Museum, and it's basically these old guys donated their collections to this museum, and they just threw it into this room. Lamps were next to torture devices... the usual. The guide says there is a method to the order of the museum, but I do not see it. There was shrunken heads, and directions about how to make one. Interesting. We were there for a little bit, laughing at the order of everything, and just what was there. Random stuff.
We saw Keble College next, and went in search of lunch. We thought about going to the Lamb and Flag, a pub that Tolkien and his friends went to, but no one was in there, so we figured out that they didn't serve lunch. Next to The Eagle and Child was a bakery/sandwich place, so we got food there. I had tuna with cucumbers on it... what cucumbers are doing on tuna I have no idea, but it was good.
We went back to Magdalen College then, and wow. It's a very impressive college, but my favourite part was the walk we did. Lewis and Tolkien did this walk, and they call it Addison's Walk. Apparently it's named after someone, but I don't really know the story. All I do know is I walked in the footsteps of Tolkien and Lewis. It's basically where they talked about their books and religion. It was so peaceful. It was right around where we punted the day before. We walked, and talked, and just listened. There was no noise, well one noise, a humming annoying one, but as we continued the walk we didn't hear it again. It was quite a walk, I would do that walk everyday if I was in Oxford.
After Magdalen College, we went back to St. Peters, it was the middle of the afternoon, and I decided it was time to go. I thought Monica's paper was due Friday, but no the next day at noon, and she hadn't even finished reading the book. I figured I should get going, and let her work. We had also been everywhere, and seen it all. We did so much in the time I was there. I was pretty impressed with us.
But that was Oxford. It was so much fun, and I'm going to miss it.
06 June 2007
Oxford Day 1
Hey.
So as I said in my last post, I was in Oxford. I went to visit Monica, and say good bye to the great college town. I had to go back, and see The Eagle and Child again, and of course Monica, the girls I've met there, and just the sights. Monica realised that she could take me into the different colleges, since she is a student of Oxford. So that is what we did before we went punting. Well we started to.
The first one we went to was Christ Church. I had wanted to see the inside of this college for awhile, they use this campus for parts of Harry Potter, the Great Hall, the staircase, and different outdoor scenes. They use another college too, I believe it's called New College, and it does not live up to it's name, it's pretty old, like 600 years old. Something like that.
I am right now labeling pictures, but I thought I would put up a little quiz for everyone. Tell me where you have seen this tree before, and who was it in? And who got chased around it, while a lot of people stood around and laughed. Then tell me why I took the pictures below.
Well while you work out that, I will be labeling pictures, and then will return to finish my day in Oxford.
Alright, back. Day 1 of Oxford is labeled, so back to describing my day.
Christ Church was cool, a lot of kids out. Er. Group tours and all of that. Christ Church is where they have filmed some scenes from Harry Potter, such as the Great Hall, and the stairs from the Entrance Hall. It was so brilliant to finally see these sights, I mean ever since Monica and I started talking about going to England, and her to Oxford, it's been the home of Harry Potter. I also got my picture taken on the stairs, a few times... lol, and it was really cool. Christ Church is huge, and really old looking, and kind of intimating. I mean colleges in the States are ohh maybe a hundred years old, this college is 500 years old, and that's not even the oldest college. After seeing the other colleges, this one isn't even the prettiest, but it is one of the most well known.
So then we went to New College, a very nice campus, so pretty, with something a little strange on the grounds. There is a mound, full of dead bodies that makes noises. When you clap at it, it makes a noise back at you. I didn't really believe this, or understand what Monica was talking about, but we went to the mound and she started clapping. I didn't hear anything. I clapped, and then I heard it. It's an echo of your clapping, but sounds really weird. When I finally heard it, I couldn't believe it. It's so weird! If I went to this college, I would love to sit and people watch, and just watch people go up to the mound and clap at it. It's really weird!
After New College, we visited, okay well I'm starting to forget the order. We visited Oriel College, and then over to the Radcliffe Camera area, with the Divinity School and the Sheldonian Theatre. Sheldonian Theatre is where Matriculation takes place. Monica was not allowed in during matriculation because she is a study abroad student, and not there for the full three years. She did get to dress up though. Monica had never been in the theatre before, or the Divinity School. We weren't sure we would be able to get into either, but yes we did. The Divinity School is where they filmed the hospital wing scenes from Harry Potter. It was cool to see that! In the Sheldonian Theatre, we climbed up to the top, and we got to see all the gargoyles and tips of the towers of Oxford. Beautiful. Up there, we both kept repeating that we don't want to leave England. It was such a nice day to be up there, and looking out at Oxford. I feel that is my last tower/a lot of stairs that I will be climbing in England or Europe. I climbed my first tower in Oxford too, we climbed the Carfax Tower when we first came to Oxford. It was another feeling of coming full circle. I have climbed my share of towers/a lot of stairs/mountains, and the first and last time it happened in Oxford. It was sad to climb down the stairs.
After that we went back down to Christ Church to go down to the River. This is where Monica spent her mornings while she was rowing. Hahaha, she had to wake up insanely early to row, about the time I was going to bed. She only did it for the first term though. But it was nice by there, I love the Thames. It's where I spent my first few hours in Kingston, and in London, so I love to see it whenever I travel.
After Christ though we went back to Monica's place to meet the other girls so we could go punting. I was so excited to go punting. It was free because we had to punt ourselves... hahaha. What a show though, having to punt by ourselves. I preferred that to having someone punt for us, I mean what an experience to get to punt. We went with Meg, Ann, and Amelia, three friends of Monica's. I've met Ann before, she lives next to Monica. She's really nice.
So punting... yeah. We went punting down by Magdalen College. So now I have walked around Oxford at least once... nice. Anyway, Magdalen College is the most beautiful, really hard to get into, and they stay inside their college. They don't associate with the rest of Oxford apparently. But C.S. Lewis taught here, so I was glad to see it, and the next day I would be going inside. Oh yeah. But to punting. IT'S HARD! You have this big metal poll that is huge, and bigger than two people. You have to put the pole into the water, and push it into the ground, but not too far because it could get stuck. The pole pushes the boat along, and then you just let it go behind the boat, and then repeat the process. If you need to turn, you move the pole in whatever direction you need to. Yeah that is a horrible description of punting, but it's hard to describe. It was fun though. Ann had some trouble at first, but she figured it out, and all was good. It was so funny to begin with, our boat would not stay straight. It did a lot of 360s.. we hit a few bushes, the bridge, but not other boats. No one got wet either which was really good! Amelia was really good at punting, she has experiences with boats. Meg and Monica were good, they had some tough spots, and Amelia helped them out, but they did fine. I had a nice straight part of the river, it was good, though I couldn't keep the boat straight. I didn't hit the bank though, so all is good. It was so much fun, I am so glad we did it.
After punting, Monica and I went to The Eagle and Child for the last time. Well my last time. Monica goes there often... wish I could. We got dinner, and I just love being in The Eagle and Child, there is good food, and I just love the fact that Tolkien and Lewis and their friends use to go to the pub. Another feeling of coming full circle. Going to The Eagle and Child was one of places we couldn't wait to go when we took our first trip to Oxford. Now Monica goes to The Eagle and Child all the time, and I go whenever I come to Oxford for some great food.
After eating, we got ice cream, walked down by the River, and just talked. We mostly talked about how different we are now, I mean when we first came to Oxford we thought The Eagle and Child was an hour away, we would need 3 buses to get there, and no it's up the street. We didn't know anything about Oxford, and our first trip to London was just as amusing.
So that was day one in Oxford of my last visit. We went back to Monica's room, I showed her the Boosh, a Snuff Box episode, and The IT Crowd. I think she liked the Boosh, and The IT Crowd. Snuff Box is an acquired taste for some, but those with weird senses of humour like me, Jenna, Kathleen and Amaya we liked it almost at once. Well when Matt Berry did the whole throwing down the fish tank thing and yelling. heheh.
Wow long post.
So as I said in my last post, I was in Oxford. I went to visit Monica, and say good bye to the great college town. I had to go back, and see The Eagle and Child again, and of course Monica, the girls I've met there, and just the sights. Monica realised that she could take me into the different colleges, since she is a student of Oxford. So that is what we did before we went punting. Well we started to.
The first one we went to was Christ Church. I had wanted to see the inside of this college for awhile, they use this campus for parts of Harry Potter, the Great Hall, the staircase, and different outdoor scenes. They use another college too, I believe it's called New College, and it does not live up to it's name, it's pretty old, like 600 years old. Something like that.
I am right now labeling pictures, but I thought I would put up a little quiz for everyone. Tell me where you have seen this tree before, and who was it in? And who got chased around it, while a lot of people stood around and laughed. Then tell me why I took the pictures below.
Well while you work out that, I will be labeling pictures, and then will return to finish my day in Oxford.
Alright, back. Day 1 of Oxford is labeled, so back to describing my day.
Christ Church was cool, a lot of kids out. Er. Group tours and all of that. Christ Church is where they have filmed some scenes from Harry Potter, such as the Great Hall, and the stairs from the Entrance Hall. It was so brilliant to finally see these sights, I mean ever since Monica and I started talking about going to England, and her to Oxford, it's been the home of Harry Potter. I also got my picture taken on the stairs, a few times... lol, and it was really cool. Christ Church is huge, and really old looking, and kind of intimating. I mean colleges in the States are ohh maybe a hundred years old, this college is 500 years old, and that's not even the oldest college. After seeing the other colleges, this one isn't even the prettiest, but it is one of the most well known.
So then we went to New College, a very nice campus, so pretty, with something a little strange on the grounds. There is a mound, full of dead bodies that makes noises. When you clap at it, it makes a noise back at you. I didn't really believe this, or understand what Monica was talking about, but we went to the mound and she started clapping. I didn't hear anything. I clapped, and then I heard it. It's an echo of your clapping, but sounds really weird. When I finally heard it, I couldn't believe it. It's so weird! If I went to this college, I would love to sit and people watch, and just watch people go up to the mound and clap at it. It's really weird!
After New College, we visited, okay well I'm starting to forget the order. We visited Oriel College, and then over to the Radcliffe Camera area, with the Divinity School and the Sheldonian Theatre. Sheldonian Theatre is where Matriculation takes place. Monica was not allowed in during matriculation because she is a study abroad student, and not there for the full three years. She did get to dress up though. Monica had never been in the theatre before, or the Divinity School. We weren't sure we would be able to get into either, but yes we did. The Divinity School is where they filmed the hospital wing scenes from Harry Potter. It was cool to see that! In the Sheldonian Theatre, we climbed up to the top, and we got to see all the gargoyles and tips of the towers of Oxford. Beautiful. Up there, we both kept repeating that we don't want to leave England. It was such a nice day to be up there, and looking out at Oxford. I feel that is my last tower/a lot of stairs that I will be climbing in England or Europe. I climbed my first tower in Oxford too, we climbed the Carfax Tower when we first came to Oxford. It was another feeling of coming full circle. I have climbed my share of towers/a lot of stairs/mountains, and the first and last time it happened in Oxford. It was sad to climb down the stairs.
After that we went back down to Christ Church to go down to the River. This is where Monica spent her mornings while she was rowing. Hahaha, she had to wake up insanely early to row, about the time I was going to bed. She only did it for the first term though. But it was nice by there, I love the Thames. It's where I spent my first few hours in Kingston, and in London, so I love to see it whenever I travel.
After Christ though we went back to Monica's place to meet the other girls so we could go punting. I was so excited to go punting. It was free because we had to punt ourselves... hahaha. What a show though, having to punt by ourselves. I preferred that to having someone punt for us, I mean what an experience to get to punt. We went with Meg, Ann, and Amelia, three friends of Monica's. I've met Ann before, she lives next to Monica. She's really nice.
So punting... yeah. We went punting down by Magdalen College. So now I have walked around Oxford at least once... nice. Anyway, Magdalen College is the most beautiful, really hard to get into, and they stay inside their college. They don't associate with the rest of Oxford apparently. But C.S. Lewis taught here, so I was glad to see it, and the next day I would be going inside. Oh yeah. But to punting. IT'S HARD! You have this big metal poll that is huge, and bigger than two people. You have to put the pole into the water, and push it into the ground, but not too far because it could get stuck. The pole pushes the boat along, and then you just let it go behind the boat, and then repeat the process. If you need to turn, you move the pole in whatever direction you need to. Yeah that is a horrible description of punting, but it's hard to describe. It was fun though. Ann had some trouble at first, but she figured it out, and all was good. It was so funny to begin with, our boat would not stay straight. It did a lot of 360s.. we hit a few bushes, the bridge, but not other boats. No one got wet either which was really good! Amelia was really good at punting, she has experiences with boats. Meg and Monica were good, they had some tough spots, and Amelia helped them out, but they did fine. I had a nice straight part of the river, it was good, though I couldn't keep the boat straight. I didn't hit the bank though, so all is good. It was so much fun, I am so glad we did it.
After punting, Monica and I went to The Eagle and Child for the last time. Well my last time. Monica goes there often... wish I could. We got dinner, and I just love being in The Eagle and Child, there is good food, and I just love the fact that Tolkien and Lewis and their friends use to go to the pub. Another feeling of coming full circle. Going to The Eagle and Child was one of places we couldn't wait to go when we took our first trip to Oxford. Now Monica goes to The Eagle and Child all the time, and I go whenever I come to Oxford for some great food.
After eating, we got ice cream, walked down by the River, and just talked. We mostly talked about how different we are now, I mean when we first came to Oxford we thought The Eagle and Child was an hour away, we would need 3 buses to get there, and no it's up the street. We didn't know anything about Oxford, and our first trip to London was just as amusing.
So that was day one in Oxford of my last visit. We went back to Monica's room, I showed her the Boosh, a Snuff Box episode, and The IT Crowd. I think she liked the Boosh, and The IT Crowd. Snuff Box is an acquired taste for some, but those with weird senses of humour like me, Jenna, Kathleen and Amaya we liked it almost at once. Well when Matt Berry did the whole throwing down the fish tank thing and yelling. heheh.
Wow long post.
Quick note from Oxford
Hey, I just thought I would write quickly. Monica is reading a novel so I thought I would quickly tell what we did today. Well the main feature, we looked at about 5 different colleges... so many pretty buildings.
WE WENT PUNTING! It was great. Monica, her three friends, one who I had met before Ann, and I all went punting. We got to stir the boat. I was pretty good, I couldn't keep the boat straight, but I didn't hit any walls, or other boats. We had a little trouble at the beginning, but we figured it out, and had a really good time. Punting can only be done in Oxford, it's such a leisure thing, and who else would think of stirring a boat using a big metal pole????
It was great though, when I get home, I'll post a picture of me punting!!! Monica and I are having fun. Coming to Oxford is us coming full circle basically. Monica said that she would come to the Bridge House once again, so then that is completely coming full circle. She started here, and then we came to Oxford. We ate at The Eagle and Child today, and went to the ice cream place where I first had tea. We keep talking about how silly and foolish we were in September, we didn't know anything. I saw a whole new part of Oxford, sections that Monica didn't know about when she first got here. It's all so amazing. Love Oxford.
I'll be home tomorrow night, not really eager to say good bye to Oxford. It's just so peaceful here, well peaceful with tons and tons of people slowly walking the streets, getting in the way, and annoying the heck out of us.
WE WENT PUNTING! It was great. Monica, her three friends, one who I had met before Ann, and I all went punting. We got to stir the boat. I was pretty good, I couldn't keep the boat straight, but I didn't hit any walls, or other boats. We had a little trouble at the beginning, but we figured it out, and had a really good time. Punting can only be done in Oxford, it's such a leisure thing, and who else would think of stirring a boat using a big metal pole????
It was great though, when I get home, I'll post a picture of me punting!!! Monica and I are having fun. Coming to Oxford is us coming full circle basically. Monica said that she would come to the Bridge House once again, so then that is completely coming full circle. She started here, and then we came to Oxford. We ate at The Eagle and Child today, and went to the ice cream place where I first had tea. We keep talking about how silly and foolish we were in September, we didn't know anything. I saw a whole new part of Oxford, sections that Monica didn't know about when she first got here. It's all so amazing. Love Oxford.
I'll be home tomorrow night, not really eager to say good bye to Oxford. It's just so peaceful here, well peaceful with tons and tons of people slowly walking the streets, getting in the way, and annoying the heck out of us.
04 June 2007
Black Books
So today Jenna and I were in London. I thought we could read each other's minds, but apparently we cannot. We didn't discuss the time, I just figured it was 1pm, because that's the time we always meet in London. So I was in at 1pm, and she texted me while I was on the train, and yeah, we agreed to meet at 1:30-2ish. I went to the Thames, sat on a bench and just stared at Big Ben. It was good. I love that view, with Ben, and the bridges, the Eye... all the stupid tourists.
Jenna showed up though, and we went to Harrods for a good bye to the very expensive store. There was one thing we looked at it, it was either a shawl or a skirt... not really sure. We couldn't find the price though, and Jenna said that it was worth more than both our lives, and yeah I found the price... 2000 quid! AH! For something that was really ugly, and I'm not sure what it was. Gotta love Harrods. We walked all over the store, and then departed for Russell Square.
Jenna googled where Black Books was filmed, or what bookstore front was used for the show, so we went to see it. Yeah we know, we are obsessed, but Black Books is funny. It use to be on Comedy Central I believe, but I'm not sure it did well there. I love it, I watched all three seasons in a short amount of time. Dylan Moran is the main actor in it, when we were in Ireland, Tara showed us his stand up work. He's so funny.
So we walked basically the wrong way, but we did end up finding it. We found a house of Charles Dickens first, and a line of houses that reminds me of Bath, and then we found it. We tried to go inside, and it was somewhat closed, but the owners were inside. We didn't realise it was closed, and Jenna tried to open the door. It didn't open, but one of the owners came out, and asked what we wanted. We looked at each other, and said, "Just browsing." She let us in, but we got to the door, and looked in... the store is as big as a box. And there was barely any books in it, so we just looked at each other again, and said, "Nevermind, bye." We ran! It was a little scary, and embarrassing. Oh well. It's probably has rare books in it, or something of importance, but it freaked us out that it looks nothing like the store in Black Books. Not that I was expecting it to, but it's the size of a box.
Oh well. We figured we would walk to Covert Garden, and either see it again, or go home. It was now like 4pm... time to go home. We had walked a lot, seen enough. It was walking home that I realised my biggest problem with going home... well other than leaving London. No one is going to understand me when I get home. I'm going to have to watch what I say every second, unless I'm with Elyse. I quote the Mighty Boosh/Snuff Box/Darkplace/Black Books/The IT Crowd ummm a hundred times a day. Wait, that's just the Boosh. I've been quoting Snuff Box a lot recently, Matt Berry is our new obsession. We love his voice, his pointing... everything. I hear the word cheese, I think of the Cheese Song, I see David Beckham, and I think "Stand back everybody." The name Noel makes me look all around me wondering if he is around. I can't even think of google.com without thinking of Moss from The IT Crowd. The answers to problems is "WHISKEY!" And pointing into the air. Not actually drinking it, but Matt Berry with his loud voice says that all the time in Snuff Box. I hear the word Lover, and start singing, "One track lover" by Matt Berry with Richard Ayoade. We quote everything so much, and we know these shows too well, it's rather sick. But it's so natural. I greet Kathleen some mornings with, "How are you this fair morn?" In my best Howard Moon voice. I'm going to miss this, I don't have to say what I'm referring to, everyone knows. I'm not going to have anything to say when I get home. Elyse thankfully watches the Boosh, and now I have to show her Snuff Box, but no one knows it like Kathleen, Amaya, Jenna and I do. I'm going to call Jenna, and just leave a message with, "I'm Old Gregg", and then hang up. She will do the same to me. It's one of those things that will happen. We need to have a release, but I'd rather see them face to face.
Alright so there's my biggest problem of my life right now. Tomorrow morning I say good bye to Kathleen, and then I go to Oxford. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning.
03 June 2007
Portobello Road
So I finally went to Portobello Road. It wasn't the market that got me there, but um the cupcakes. There is this bakery... I want to own it. It's amazing. Well first I walked the length of the market, and that was cool. The amount of people though... ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. People walk so slow. I mean, I know they are looking, but I was too, but yet I can walk faster than a snail. Argh. So after I walked the market, I called Kathleen, and said, "Cupcakes.. where are they?" She told me, I found it, I died and went to heaven. I, of course, got the double chocolate.. ah heaven. There was so much icing on it too... ohhhhhh. I want like 100 right now.
Portobello Road is something else. I was reminded of Seafood Fest actually. There was a lot of stalls, and even more people. It was so crowded, and I loved it when a car decided to drive down the road. There's barely room for people. The stuff that was being sold was pretty good though, I was almost tempted to buy some stuff.
I saw George Orwell's house... er. Not my favorite person in the world.
After that I decided to see Harrods one more time. I grabbed a bus that said it was going to Knightsbridge, and yeah it didn't. The bus had it's last stop right by Royal Albert Hall. I got out, caught another bus, but then I saw this statue, and I got out. It's the Albert Memorial, and it's really nice. I had not been to this side of Kensington Gardens yet, so I eagerly looked around, and then I decided I would walk through the park. I looked at the palace, went by the little lake, and ended up ohhh basically where I began earlier that day. It always happens... somehow.
It was a good day though. I sat on a park bench, and just thought how I would love for all of this not to end. I always look forward to the next adventure, in this case it's going home, but I do love England, and I am so going to miss everyone.
On the way back to Waterloo, I took a bus, and got out around Westminster. I got some cool pictures of Big Ben alone and with the Eye. I, then witnessed this.
Not in a million years would I do this, and I have jumped from a bridge probably just a little smaller. I've also jumped from a cliff into water, but distance doesn't matter, it's the water that does. The Saco river is fine, but this is dirty. A few people were looking on, and basically everyone said the same thing: Ew.
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