Last Night Abroad

Tonight is our last night in London! We are watching All About Steve with Libby which is stupid and fabulous and so funny. The past couple of days have been pretty mellow and uneventful. We went to eat at our favorite places- like La Brasserie on Brompton Road for breakfast- and we walked around Hyde Park and Notting Hill today. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I am going to miss London- I absolutely adore it! My experiences here have been invaluable and I will never forget a single second of it. I have found a definite direction for my career and, more importantly, I have found myself. I have learned more about myself in this past month than in my entire life. I am more thankful than I could ever express! Thank you, Libby! I will still be writing more on France when I get home, with details of all the best places- so look out for that! Peace, Love, London. Xxxxx

Theme song for my experiences in London:

Wicked- For Good:

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good!

Bye Putney Bridge!

Je t'aime

For those who haven't heard, I am still in Paris. After a lot of sobbing and panicking and unnecessary stress, I made the decision not to spend the rest of the summer in Italy. My mom and I were already sick over leaving each other and life is too short for stress- especially in my last summer before I hit the "real world." I was lucky enough that Glenn and my mom were understanding enough to let me come home early and change my flight to return home with my mom. I am so thrilled to be coming home- I feel as though I have already accomplished a lot this year/summer and I need a little bit of time to refuel before I go back to school again.

The past few days in Paris have been amazing and beautiful and full of worn-out tired feet. We have done a lot of walking- taxi drivers apparently decided who they will/will not pick up and where they will/will not go and are pretty rude about it. We have seen Notre Dame, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomph, the outside of the Louvre and the Jardin du Luxembourg, and all kinds of fabulous streets and shops. When we went to Notre Dame, we were confused because there were hundreds of armed officers with shields and machine guns surrounding a group of people who seemed to be protesting. Later that night we researched and found out that it was a protest against the new Burka laws and that 75-100 people were arrested. Pretty interesting. Libby introduced us to this amazing department store: BHV- which has everything from a home-depot-like section to a library to light fixtures to clothing and jewelry. It was extraordinary. We have had delicious food and desserts and I will post a list later when we go through everything else.

On a sadder note, Libby and I were pick-pocketed on the metro today. The two of us and my mom had been on the metro for under a minute when all three of us felt tugs on our bag. They couldn't get to my mom's wallet before I started to make a commotion so that was good. My wallet: credit cards, ID, traveler's cheques, etc. was thrown on the ground with my phone and the pick-pocket only took cash- which I suppose is a good thing. Libby had just taken Euros out of the machine about 5 minutes before. It was an incredible violation and both of us are still pretty devastated. These people must practice a lot because it was so quick and you could not feel it until they were gone. At least no one was hurt.

We just got back to London and boy oh boy has this been a rough day. Our train stopped mid-track for "electrical difficulties" which isn't any better to hear in French than in English. Then when the train finally was ale to run again, it had to run 100 mph slower than before so we got in much, much later than expected! Now we are exhausted but I will try to write more about Paris tomorrow! Love you all! C'est La Vie! Xxxxx

Beautiful Paris!

Bottom of the diamond from the Da Vinci Code!

The Louvre!

Notre Dame!

The protest we witnessed!

Abercrombie and Fitch- with two cute boys as guards and an extremely long line to get in!

The Hangover = Very Bad Trip 2 in Paris!

Mom in front of Louis Vuitton!

Arc de Triomph!

Our comically small room!

Delicious souffle from dinner!

A Day in Paris

Bonjour! We arrived in Paris early this morning and had a beautiful day walking around exploring the city! We stopped at the Eiffel Tower and it started to pour but it was still amazing! We walked down many streets, ate several crepes, and asked for a lot of directions. I am finding myself quite capable of using transportation in new cities! We took the underground here from the hotel to the Eiffel Tower today! It is really late here, 12:30 AM, and I still have to shower and be up early to get to Italy tomorrow! So not much time to write but HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD AND GLENN! I love you both so much! C'est La Vie Paris, Bonjourno Italia! Xxxxx

Tour Eiffel!

Nutella and Banane Crepe!

Last Day in London

Best 36 days of my life here in London! I am so terribly sad to be leaving, but I am so grateful for the experiences that I have had here. From living with Libby to working with those beautiful and amazing children- I could not imagine anything more wonderful. My last day in London was spent running errands in the rain but in a beautiful city and with my mom- who could ask for more? I had to get random items from a swim cap to a beach towel and- of course- some books to read along the way! Now everything is packed up and ready to go on its way. I thought I would leave off my London part of the blog with my favorite parts of the trip for you all to enjoy and experience if you ever visit London!

So here they are- my favorites:

Favorite Area- Putney

Burger & Chips: Duke's Head Pub

Drink- Pimms and Lemonade

Breakfast- La Brasserie

Pizza- Portobello Organic Kitchen, Portobello Road

Department Store- Harvey Nichols

Market- Portobello Road

Park- Hyde Park

Vintage Shopping- Brick Lane

Cupcakes- Hummingbird Bakery

Bookstore- Hurlingham Books

Museum- Victoria and Albert Museum

Discount Shopping- Primark

Candy Shop- Sweet Memories, Tottenham

Outdoor Dining- Church Street, Tottenham

Massage- Sanctuary Thai Massage

Beautiful Church- St. Paul's Cathedral

Patisserie- Patisserie Valerie

So that is all for London and hopefully I will still have some internet in Italy to keep you updated! Love you all from the bottom of my heart! Xxxxx

London: Day Thirty-Five

I didn't get to post yesterday because we got home really late! Mom and I had a late start and overslept and when we woke up it was pouring rain. So we relaxed and watched some Glee before we left. We had a plan to go to the museums and galleries like good educated tourists but, instead, we stopped in for lunch at Carluccio's for some homemade pasta and bread- it is a chain restaurant in London and it was not bad! By the time we finished our meals and gelatos- we were definitely not feeling like going to the museums! So we walked around and shopped in some pretty great stores on Oxford Street- good shopping- go there! We each got one thing and it was a great time! Then we practically ran home to make it in time for our wine tasting with Libby!

The wine tasting was at the Chiswick House in London- where apparently parts of Pride and Prejudice were filmed inside! The grounds were absolutely breathtaking- there were statues, a small river, a waterfall, beautiful trees, and the house was magnificent. The wine tasting, however, was awful. I have never been to one so I have no standards but Libby and my mom were not having a good time so after our 3rd tasting, we left for dinner! We ate at the High Road Brasserie in Chiswick which, according to my mom, has the "best pot pie ever" but the rest of the food wasn't that great. My burger and my mom's steak were not good at all! The calamari was really good though! We drove home and I had a lot of packing to do! I am really sad to be leaving London- I hope Italy is as wonderful! Cheers! Xxxxx

Pretty gelato at Carluccio's!

Pretty momma at Putney Bridge!

Love you!

The mums!

Chiswick House!

Little Red Riding Hood?

I Got It From My Momma

Yesterday my mom arrived! I had to wake up at 5:45 AM- a difficult thing for me to do- and pick her up from the airport while Libby went to work! I became one of those embarrassing people who runs screaming down the runway when they see the person they're waiting for. But hey, it's been a month right? Then we made the trek back home and dropped off her suitcases (which weigh more than both of us put together) and we went to breakfast! I took her back to where I had my first meal in London- La Brasserie- and my mom said it was the best eggs benedict she'd ever had in her life! So if ever in London, definitely go here for breakfast or lunch- they serve all day! Then we walked down the street and took a look around Harrods until we both became exhausted and we came home and took a 2 hour nap (I set an alarm). For dinner, I took my mom back to the Duke's Head Pub for a delicious burger and, in my opinion, the best "chips" in London so far! My mom is apparently the champion and superwoman of jet lag because she stayed up until after 1 AM, way later than me and is still awake tonight after waking up early this morning!

Today was a pretty exciting day! We woke up and went to Buckingham Palace and it is absolutely beautiful! We didn't get to dance around and make faces at the guards so that was a bummer but that's okay! In front of Buckingham Palace is the Queen Victoria Memorial (my favorite queen) and that was really fantastic as well. We also walked around the parks that are next to Buckingham: Green Park and St. James's Park. I adore walking around the different royal parks and I think my mom enjoyed it too! For lunch, we met Libby at a Lebanese restaurant, Noura, and all ate enough that nobody was hungry enough for dinner tonight! Then Libby went back home and my mom and I went to look around Harvey Nichols, the high-end department store. We made Glenn proud and did not buy a thing except for make-up that I needed and food for home! We stopped and had a snack and a drink on the top floor before heading home again! Now we are all just relaxing and talking and snacking! I am so happy my mom is here I could explode! Xxxxx

Like mother, like daughter!

YAY! Reunited and it feels so good!

Mom and I in front of the Buckingham Palace gate!

Palace Gardens!

Palace from Green Park!

Buckingham Palace!

Queen Victoria Memorial!

Green Park!

St. James's Park!

Pelican in St. James's Park!

Beautiful view of the London Eye behind St. James Park!

Mom's afternoon tea and champagne snack!

London: Day Thirty-Three

MOMMA IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!

London: Day Thirty-Two

Not much to report! Went to work today and helped Libby in the office! After work, we came home and cleaned for "our guest" AKA my momma! I am so excited for her to be here tomorrow! Finally! I missed her too much for words! Tonight we went out to a little Italian restaurant and it was delicious! We just watched the season finale of Glee and now we're finishing Vanity Fair! Then off to bed to get mum in the morning! Xxxxx

London: Day Thirty-One

Wow! A month already! I totally forgot to post today but it was, as usual, a lovely lazy Sunday. I did not go anywhere special- I was cleaning for my mom to come tomorrow- but WAIT- we all had the date wrong so she will not be here tomorrow. Bummer. I cannot wait to see her though, I could jump for joy. Today was overcast and rainy. We went to a late lunch/early dinner at the Duke's Head Pub and I got a burger and chips and Libby had a steak and chips. The burger was delicious! But these were literally the best chips (french fries) ever! We actually ordered another round because they were so good! Then we came home, got into PJs, and turned on a movie- Gentleman's Agreement- but we both fell asleep! I should never watch movies in bed! Then we watched Definitely, Maybe and part of Vanity Fair! Now off to bed and work tomorrow! Xxxxx

Day with Ashley

Phew, I am almost too tired to write anything but I know that my dear Granny would be none too pleased if I missed another day! Today, I woke up at 9 AM because Ashley had to move out of her hostel and needed help with her bags. Apparently she was staying in a dangerous area and Libby didn't want me taking public transport to that area and being a target so Ash took a taxi to the school and I met her there! We brought her things back to Libby's and embarked on our day's adventures! We took the tube to Brick Lane, an Indian ethnic area (and apparently the site for the Jack the Ripper murders? I just saw online. Scary.), and immediately got lost. We were walking and literally only saw a bunch of ethnic restaurants and nothing else- no shops, no nothing. I got my mom on the phone and she gave us directions. We were trying to find this bagel shop that a girl from work recommended to me that was supposed to be amazing! It took us at least 30 minutes but finally I saw a sign for a bagel and I screamed "Ash, there it is!" We went in and got bagels and sat in the street to eat them- they were to die for! It was the best bagel and cream cheese I have ever had! I stood up to take a picture of the building and realized that this was, in fact, not the bagel shop we were looking for- the right one was two doors down! What are the chances? We could not stop laughing- only I would do that. Hey, at least they were good, right?

Then we took off for some shopping adventures. Brick Lane Market houses vintage store after vintage store- it is heaven! We went in at least seven vintage stores and they were all amazing! It was a really great experience. By about 3PM we were exhausted and I needed to take my medicine, so we sat down for a drink. We went to a little crepe shop and I got a chocolate and banana crepe which was delicious! This was a really beautiful area called Old Spitalfields Market- I would definitely recommend going here! Then we looked into a couple of more shops, but we were too tired to really function. We hopped on the tube and decided to go look at St. Paul's Cathedral- which was absolutely, absolutely, absolutely beautiful and amazing. We were in awe of how huge and magnificent it was when- BAM!- there drives by thousands of naked bikers. Yes, naked bikers. Apparently, London has a Naked Bike Ride to raise awareness for biking rather than other modes of transportation. It was easily the most funny/appalling/hilarious/shocking/wonderful thing I have ever seen. We could literally not stop laughing. Everyone at the cathedral stopped to stare and wave at the bikers driving by. I took some special pictures to tease Glenn with (absolutely disgusting) and if anyone would like to see these- let me know! HA!

After the shock wore off, we did go inside the cathedral. It was amazing. That is the only word that fits! The architecture and ceilings are just magnificent. We walked in right when the chorus had begun a service so we were lucky! We were still laughing too hard to stay though so we left! Our next stop was Primark, which is basically the UK's version of Forever 21. It is officially my new favorite store- everything is CHEAP but not poor quality! There were so many people inside that you can hardly get to racks- very overwhelming- but worth it. They actually have to give you baskets like in the grocery store because so many people shop there and it is as cheap as Walmart! I got three pairs of shoes, a shirt, two pairs of pants, a watch, Spankx, two belts with wallets attached, and one regular belt- all for 54 pounds! Amazing! This was pretty much the best shopping experience of all time! We were tired before and after this we were literally about to pass out.

We still had to go back to Libby's, get Ashley's suitcases, and move her across London. Let me tell you- if you all thought I overpack- my best friend is the worst packer in the world. These suitcases were HEAVY! But trust me, I have no problem whining the entire time I walk up stairwells so that men all around stop to carry the bags. Thank you to the gentlemen in London! The trip actually went by pretty quickly even though it was a far distance and we got Ashley to her new home safe and sound! I got home around 10:30- finally- Skyped my mom and now I am watching Modern Family with Libby! I will definitely sleep well tonight! Xxxxx

Brick Lane!

The two bagel shops!

One of the vintage shops: Vintage with Love!

St. Paul's!

Statue of St. Paul!

The Naked Bike Ride!