Tuesday, September 30, 2008
good bye
last day:
harrods. make more money to at least look like i can afford anything inside. enjoyed the experience. wish my retail spaces were more amazing like that.
rain. bring an umbrella.
oxford square. i want to live at top shop. or have top shop come to me. next time must visit primark and selfridges. block a whole day for oxford street next time.
british museum. best space to have a serious conversation with a friend. the library in the museum is the place to be. a sense of self-worth and realization of one's own insignificance in the grand scheme of things. a sense of calm in the parthenon rooms. transcendent moments and peace.
belgo. chambar could learn a lesson on how to do belgium atmosphere right. i heart belgos and mhh belgium waffle and mussels.
good bye.
harrods. make more money to at least look like i can afford anything inside. enjoyed the experience. wish my retail spaces were more amazing like that.
rain. bring an umbrella.
oxford square. i want to live at top shop. or have top shop come to me. next time must visit primark and selfridges. block a whole day for oxford street next time.
british museum. best space to have a serious conversation with a friend. the library in the museum is the place to be. a sense of self-worth and realization of one's own insignificance in the grand scheme of things. a sense of calm in the parthenon rooms. transcendent moments and peace.
belgo. chambar could learn a lesson on how to do belgium atmosphere right. i heart belgos and mhh belgium waffle and mussels.
good bye.
Monday, September 29, 2008
last minute thoughts
my time in london is quickly coming to a close. i'm venturing off by myself tomorrow for a day of shopping!! hells YES it's about time. i've been a good girl, didn't buy anything this entire time, not that i've had time to stop and shop seeing as how we've been motoring thru the city like tourists on crack, but before i forget or not have time tomorrow night, here are some thoughts.
it's a dirty city. love it, but it's dirty. my hair is gross every day and let's just say when i blow my nose it's not quite the right color... then again i came across the same problem in rome, so i'm glad it's not just me being a fruit here.
the tube system is fantastic and super easy to use. though i should probably hold off on saying this one as i'll be navigating myself tomorrow. sadface. i want my reliable friend to guide me around!
4.5 days is just simply not enough days to see london. there's SOOO much to see and do and i don't care what all you've i've been to london and hate it people think, really, i wish i had another week to see and do everything... wimbledon (oh don't get me started on that, i wanted to but it really really did not work out), tower of london, more plays and musicals, more shopping, more museums and churches.
food. i could eat at a different restaurant every night and still not discover all that there is. there's soo much to eat i wish i could eat my way thru the city. the little piggy in my wishes it so.
it's a dirty city. love it, but it's dirty. my hair is gross every day and let's just say when i blow my nose it's not quite the right color... then again i came across the same problem in rome, so i'm glad it's not just me being a fruit here.
the tube system is fantastic and super easy to use. though i should probably hold off on saying this one as i'll be navigating myself tomorrow. sadface. i want my reliable friend to guide me around!
4.5 days is just simply not enough days to see london. there's SOOO much to see and do and i don't care what all you've i've been to london and hate it people think, really, i wish i had another week to see and do everything... wimbledon (oh don't get me started on that, i wanted to but it really really did not work out), tower of london, more plays and musicals, more shopping, more museums and churches.
food. i could eat at a different restaurant every night and still not discover all that there is. there's soo much to eat i wish i could eat my way thru the city. the little piggy in my wishes it so.
sunday edit
right... more recap of sunday.
design museum and shad thames street. little hidden gem of a street and museum in the city. after a maddening day of saturday culture, seeing modern design again felt like a breath of fresh air. seriously, you all must visit this place. it felt like the inspiration i needed and was craving for after a a couple of years of being out of the scene. am i going to turn on illustrator when i get back home? no. but my appreciation level for the 'joy of use' has definitely elevated. that and my computer can't support CS3. yes i know, i'm so living in 2004.
i still can't believe i saw a real mondrian red blue and yellow, a work by kadinsky, and pollock's i feel as though my education was validated by that visit.
ok i'm tired. don't want to remember sunday anymore.
design museum and shad thames street. little hidden gem of a street and museum in the city. after a maddening day of saturday culture, seeing modern design again felt like a breath of fresh air. seriously, you all must visit this place. it felt like the inspiration i needed and was craving for after a a couple of years of being out of the scene. am i going to turn on illustrator when i get back home? no. but my appreciation level for the 'joy of use' has definitely elevated. that and my computer can't support CS3. yes i know, i'm so living in 2004.
i still can't believe i saw a real mondrian red blue and yellow, a work by kadinsky, and pollock's i feel as though my education was validated by that visit.
ok i'm tired. don't want to remember sunday anymore.
i'm super keane on you
O M G keane at the forum tonight was the best night i've had on my trip so far.
the forum is great, it's in north london in a shabby area, building looks like shit from the outside, even the awning that says forum is horrible, but once you go in, after a super long line up, wow what a great space. think of a theatre, not a movie theatre, but play and opera theatre space. this is really how going to concerts should be like!
transcendent moments were everywhere. singing with alex and the crowd to bedshape, somewhere only we know, and everyone's changing while drinking my carlsberg, swaying back and forth to the last song from their new album, epic. absolutely epic night.
one of the best concerts i've been to in awhile!
the forum is great, it's in north london in a shabby area, building looks like shit from the outside, even the awning that says forum is horrible, but once you go in, after a super long line up, wow what a great space. think of a theatre, not a movie theatre, but play and opera theatre space. this is really how going to concerts should be like!
transcendent moments were everywhere. singing with alex and the crowd to bedshape, somewhere only we know, and everyone's changing while drinking my carlsberg, swaying back and forth to the last song from their new album, epic. absolutely epic night.
one of the best concerts i've been to in awhile!
mexicana
okay so a day's worth of culture washed down by a bottle of corona and a tequila shot. hey, when in rome do what the romans do... except i'm in london and we were eating at a yummy mexican place, so when in a mexican joint, drink tequila?!
:( and yes i became the little piggy when i out ate alex at dinner... sigh... i hope i'm not a rollypolly when i come home.
:( and yes i became the little piggy when i out ate alex at dinner... sigh... i hope i'm not a rollypolly when i come home.
british museum
okay, so i appreciate the british museum a bit more than the V&A, even though both places are really just spectacular ornate buildings filled with 'stuff' that the british had pillaged from every city and town they had visited... but the british museum has the elgin marbles so i feel like i've come full circle with the parthenon. i've seen it in person, i've seen the 'real' objects in the museum in athens, and now i've seen what the british has.
except, some heads of some statues are in the neatherlands... go figure. close enough i guess.
okay, so i'm not trying to dumb down my experience, but it's SOOO MUCHHH culture to take in, in 3-4 days. it's over load. ALL over london is sensory overload. i need longer in this city!
except, some heads of some statues are in the neatherlands... go figure. close enough i guess.
okay, so i'm not trying to dumb down my experience, but it's SOOO MUCHHH culture to take in, in 3-4 days. it's over load. ALL over london is sensory overload. i need longer in this city!
V&A
i'm quite museum out. if i see another silver spoon that's worth over 1000 quids i'm going to scream. okay, i get it, people back in the day lived outrageously and luxuriously, but to see every ornate dish, clothing, furniture that existed back then makes me realize how antique roadshow will never go out of style! oh ya. i love that show.
the V&A aka victoria and albert building is great, fantastic, great open space, great little garden, i just don't know if i have the patience to spend the whole day there going over every little item. instead, we spent. 1.5 hrs trotting thru the halls.
oh one fab discovery was some modern industrial design. hello joe columbo and ettore sottsass. i shall never be tired of you! how i heart thee.
the V&A aka victoria and albert building is great, fantastic, great open space, great little garden, i just don't know if i have the patience to spend the whole day there going over every little item. instead, we spent. 1.5 hrs trotting thru the halls.
oh one fab discovery was some modern industrial design. hello joe columbo and ettore sottsass. i shall never be tired of you! how i heart thee.
harrods
can i leave home and just live at harrods? it would be like living at charlie and the chocolate factory, except there's a 'factory' of sorts for every food and consumer good type under one roof. oh, and i would need a black american express card...
buckingham
buckingham, schmuckingham... i wish my house was that ornate and spectacular. i'd throw a party everyday just to shove it in people's faces how awesome my house is. so awesome, it should be on cribs.
totally missed the changing of the guards due to some st. paul adventures. oh well. i heckled the still-standing guard behind the gates. apparently i shouldn't call them 'bobby'
totally missed the changing of the guards due to some st. paul adventures. oh well. i heckled the still-standing guard behind the gates. apparently i shouldn't call them 'bobby'
st pauls
me - "so seeing how old st paul's is, how long do you think it took them to realize they needed to put those spikes up so birds won't sit on the building and shit on it all day? and then wouldn't it suck to be the guy who has to clean up hundreds of years of bird poop?"
alex - "goooood question, good question. there has to be answer for that. pay a guy 20 thousand a year just to research that exact fact. it's important!"
it took over 500+ steps for us to get up the dome of st pauls. pretty freakin' spectacular. though perhaps not the same as the vatican's duomo. still... 500+ steps, i'd say i got my exercise in for the day and burnt off the beer calories already!
(sad face.. actually probably not as i sit here typing with cankles. dehyrated, too much walking, not enough resting!)
the whispering gallery is quite neat. i 'spoke' to alex from the other side of the circumference. it was like talking to a ghost. they should call it the ghost circle.
alex - "goooood question, good question. there has to be answer for that. pay a guy 20 thousand a year just to research that exact fact. it's important!"
it took over 500+ steps for us to get up the dome of st pauls. pretty freakin' spectacular. though perhaps not the same as the vatican's duomo. still... 500+ steps, i'd say i got my exercise in for the day and burnt off the beer calories already!
(sad face.. actually probably not as i sit here typing with cankles. dehyrated, too much walking, not enough resting!)
the whispering gallery is quite neat. i 'spoke' to alex from the other side of the circumference. it was like talking to a ghost. they should call it the ghost circle.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
note to self
sunday:
st pauls. must revisit when fully open.
tate modern. mondrian, polluck, and kadinsky my favourite. can't believe i saw the famous red, blue, yellow original by modrian. absolutely floored.
gherkin 10 min random photo shoot.
walked over tower bridge.
design museum. absolutely epic. must share location with all design friends.
random church.
globe theatre. merry wives of windsor. funny. standing in the yard not recommended after a long day of being on the feet.
pint of beer at porterhouse.
must revisit mexicana restaurant when it's open.
hope alex doesn't hate me for tiring him out.
st pauls. must revisit when fully open.
tate modern. mondrian, polluck, and kadinsky my favourite. can't believe i saw the famous red, blue, yellow original by modrian. absolutely floored.
gherkin 10 min random photo shoot.
walked over tower bridge.
design museum. absolutely epic. must share location with all design friends.
random church.
globe theatre. merry wives of windsor. funny. standing in the yard not recommended after a long day of being on the feet.
pint of beer at porterhouse.
must revisit mexicana restaurant when it's open.
hope alex doesn't hate me for tiring him out.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
sun in my bum
if only. we got lucky yesterday and today as it was bright blue skies with beautiful sun. i could've worn a t-shirt and shorts today if i wanted, instead i was wearing a long black coat. ya i'm s.m.r.t.
and... it looks like i get more sun tomorrow!!!!
for those of you not reading this right as i type it and should that url change, that's 1 big sun (icon) for sat, 1 sun w/half cloud on sun and mon and then rain tues, but hopefully it'll change to big fat sun again.
EDIT: sad face. i was just informed today is saturday... so really... tomorrow is half sun half cloud?! sad face.
and... it looks like i get more sun tomorrow!!!!
for those of you not reading this right as i type it and should that url change, that's 1 big sun (icon) for sat, 1 sun w/half cloud on sun and mon and then rain tues, but hopefully it'll change to big fat sun again.
EDIT: sad face. i was just informed today is saturday... so really... tomorrow is half sun half cloud?! sad face.
absolutely tanked
but not drunk tanked, just incredibly tired. alex estimates that we've walked about 2-3 miles today, but not in distance, just from walking ... and running to and from destinations, thru tube stations, thru westminster abby...
oka okay so the day started off with us running thru waterloo station ala jason bourne from the bourne films. no joke. we had 3 mins from the railway train to get to the london eye for our 'flight' b/c we booked a time online. actually, b/c we're such geeks we may renanct the running except this time film it b/c seriously, it looked crazy, we were jumping around and dodging people left right and centre. quite ridik. also found out how incredibly out of shape i am!
well it turned out the time we booked, as long as we validated our tic by 1030 we could ride it whenever we wanted until 9pm. the morning was super, b/c the weather was extremely hazy, thought we would've wasted an eye trip on poor weather, luckily as we got closer to the city the sky was clearing up, just not as clear as we wanted it ot be at 1030. b/c we had our tix from the bus tour, yesterday, we decided to wait out gorgeous weather and take a river tour on the thames instead.
that turned out excellent. our commentator had the great british wit, droll humor, and very knowledgeable about all the buildings around us. the boat dropped us off at the tower of london and we were going to take the tube over to westminster, when we came across a naval memorial and park. quite a surprise, yet extremely sad. the memorial was for rememberance of all the naval soldiers during ww1. all the boats and the sailors names were inprinted into the walls of the memorial with rememberance day-like wreaths around. it's incredible the amount of boats that were used the war and how many had been lost. as i walked around reading all the names, a bell pealed in the background and my entire body got goose bumps. standing in the memorial (open space with surrounding name walls), albeit sad, was peaceful despite being right next to a road.
next we went to westminster abby, holy cripes, that thing is huge. like hi, can we build any higher?! quite an enginnering feat, i'd like to see man build something that crazy WITHOUT the machinary we have today! this was around noon time, we were starving so we went into a corner store to grab food, btw the corner stores sell liquor! love it, but did not buy it. we sat on the lawn in front of the abby eating our lunch. i dont know if it's b/c i've been to italy a couple of times and the vatican a couple of times, that though the abby was impressive, i still felt that nonchalant, de-sensitised feeling... i was impressed, but i didn't get the same WOW moment i got when i first walked into the vatican. anyways, abby awesome. up next, portobello market!!
portobello market is great, it's in notting hill. the area is beauuuttifful. the architecture is different, a lot more modern facades to the buildings, but still has that georgian-english field. the market stretches on for blocks selling everything from clothes, jewelery and compasses. it was lke walking thru an antique road show episode or just a super huge and awesome garage sale.
after the market we went back to the london eye to try to get on it before we had to go to picadilly circus for our play.
sigh sorry, brain getting tired, details of the day starting to get more difficult to jot down, but we do have plenty of photos and videos!
we just got back from seeing the play, the 39 steps (hitchcock movie turned into a comedy play...), it was funny, but i was so tired i think i might've noddded off intermitantly.
oOOooo i found the best ramen so far, not that i was actively looking for it, but we went to a restaurant called waggamamas (waggamamas.com or something like that, go google it), but it was a great eating experience, cheap, and yummy all at once!! i would go back again and again. i have pics of that as well, those will follow shortly...
okay i can feel my eyes sinking further into my face. i can't believe i lasted 32+ straight hrs yesterday, today was literally non-stop 13 hr day, tomorrow may be even longer. going to st pauls, harrods, tate modern, design museum, albert and victoria museum, and seeing a play at the globe theatre.
ciao.
oka okay so the day started off with us running thru waterloo station ala jason bourne from the bourne films. no joke. we had 3 mins from the railway train to get to the london eye for our 'flight' b/c we booked a time online. actually, b/c we're such geeks we may renanct the running except this time film it b/c seriously, it looked crazy, we were jumping around and dodging people left right and centre. quite ridik. also found out how incredibly out of shape i am!
well it turned out the time we booked, as long as we validated our tic by 1030 we could ride it whenever we wanted until 9pm. the morning was super, b/c the weather was extremely hazy, thought we would've wasted an eye trip on poor weather, luckily as we got closer to the city the sky was clearing up, just not as clear as we wanted it ot be at 1030. b/c we had our tix from the bus tour, yesterday, we decided to wait out gorgeous weather and take a river tour on the thames instead.
that turned out excellent. our commentator had the great british wit, droll humor, and very knowledgeable about all the buildings around us. the boat dropped us off at the tower of london and we were going to take the tube over to westminster, when we came across a naval memorial and park. quite a surprise, yet extremely sad. the memorial was for rememberance of all the naval soldiers during ww1. all the boats and the sailors names were inprinted into the walls of the memorial with rememberance day-like wreaths around. it's incredible the amount of boats that were used the war and how many had been lost. as i walked around reading all the names, a bell pealed in the background and my entire body got goose bumps. standing in the memorial (open space with surrounding name walls), albeit sad, was peaceful despite being right next to a road.
next we went to westminster abby, holy cripes, that thing is huge. like hi, can we build any higher?! quite an enginnering feat, i'd like to see man build something that crazy WITHOUT the machinary we have today! this was around noon time, we were starving so we went into a corner store to grab food, btw the corner stores sell liquor! love it, but did not buy it. we sat on the lawn in front of the abby eating our lunch. i dont know if it's b/c i've been to italy a couple of times and the vatican a couple of times, that though the abby was impressive, i still felt that nonchalant, de-sensitised feeling... i was impressed, but i didn't get the same WOW moment i got when i first walked into the vatican. anyways, abby awesome. up next, portobello market!!
portobello market is great, it's in notting hill. the area is beauuuttifful. the architecture is different, a lot more modern facades to the buildings, but still has that georgian-english field. the market stretches on for blocks selling everything from clothes, jewelery and compasses. it was lke walking thru an antique road show episode or just a super huge and awesome garage sale.
after the market we went back to the london eye to try to get on it before we had to go to picadilly circus for our play.
sigh sorry, brain getting tired, details of the day starting to get more difficult to jot down, but we do have plenty of photos and videos!
we just got back from seeing the play, the 39 steps (hitchcock movie turned into a comedy play...), it was funny, but i was so tired i think i might've noddded off intermitantly.
oOOooo i found the best ramen so far, not that i was actively looking for it, but we went to a restaurant called waggamamas (waggamamas.com or something like that, go google it), but it was a great eating experience, cheap, and yummy all at once!! i would go back again and again. i have pics of that as well, those will follow shortly...
okay i can feel my eyes sinking further into my face. i can't believe i lasted 32+ straight hrs yesterday, today was literally non-stop 13 hr day, tomorrow may be even longer. going to st pauls, harrods, tate modern, design museum, albert and victoria museum, and seeing a play at the globe theatre.
ciao.
Friday, September 26, 2008
alive but still awake
hi i've been awake since the last post i sent off.. . i thnk i've been awake for about 30 hrs straight now, but my mind is so fucked up i can't even do the math. anyway london is awesome, i went on the double decker tour 2 hrs. sorry, just came back from indian food, and lots of wine. a bit drunk, hair wet from shower, so tired, yet full day tomorrow. want to sleep, can't, must blow dry hair, and oh so.. well just hasn't really hit me i am in freakin' lndon. actually some of the places remind me of london.... oh i have pics i've taken about 20o pics so far, weather is amazing. i climbed a lion statue at trafalger park. hah... man i am so editing this post tomorrow when i am not this sloshy. generous family my friend has, amo amo amo.
london eye tomorrow, thames cruise and a bunch of other fun things!! yay for sunn weather in london. ciao ragazzi......tiamos lots
london eye tomorrow, thames cruise and a bunch of other fun things!! yay for sunn weather in london. ciao ragazzi......tiamos lots
Thursday, September 25, 2008
au revoir!!
i like how my mum yells out to the house that i am leaving... almost... like a song? prayer like? i guess it's a buddhist thing??? random.
i went pee and queen elizabeth was staring back up at me. hah no joke. i can see the pounds thru my money belt that will be strapped around my waist for the next 18 days. mmhhh hygene. bet you're questioning the location of the cash you have in your wallet now, don't ya?!
alright, time to leave for the airport.
hearts you all. miss you already.
i went pee and queen elizabeth was staring back up at me. hah no joke. i can see the pounds thru my money belt that will be strapped around my waist for the next 18 days. mmhhh hygene. bet you're questioning the location of the cash you have in your wallet now, don't ya?!
alright, time to leave for the airport.
hearts you all. miss you already.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
come play with me
okay so i've created a travel blog for those who would like to follow me around london, paris and vienna.
am i excited? HELLLSSS YAAAA
as it hit me yet? actually no. still not really.
i think it doesn't help that i haven't packed yet, and i'm sitting here in gross work out clothes after an intense 2.5 hrs of tennis playing... seriously, my hair is dripping with my sweat. my mum thought i went swimming in my clothes. mmhhh i wonder if the french loves sweat?! bonjour boys.. boOOOOnnnJOUR!
and i'll actually try to update this while i'm actually over there. pictures may have to come when i am home.
please hope i come home with the same amount of underwear.
am i excited? HELLLSSS YAAAA
as it hit me yet? actually no. still not really.
i think it doesn't help that i haven't packed yet, and i'm sitting here in gross work out clothes after an intense 2.5 hrs of tennis playing... seriously, my hair is dripping with my sweat. my mum thought i went swimming in my clothes. mmhhh i wonder if the french loves sweat?! bonjour boys.. boOOOOnnnJOUR!
and i'll actually try to update this while i'm actually over there. pictures may have to come when i am home.
please hope i come home with the same amount of underwear.
cheerio!
london bridges is falling down, falling down, falling down, looonndon bridges falling down, my fair lady... as long as i am the fair lady and it doesn't fall down on me!
t-17 hrs before take off.
t-17 hrs before take off.
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