Day 3 - Paris

Today we woke up at 5 am to get to our Chunnel to Paris at 7 am. This meant getting to carry all of my stuff all over London and Paris again. I slept on the train for pretty much the entire thing. When we got to Paris, we got our museum passes and then tried to figure out the Metro system. To make a very long, painful, tiring, experience short, we got to our hotel by 1 pm. This one is much better than the last. I can actually stand up straight in it. We started our sightseeing by going to the Louvre, as any sightseeing in Paris should start. We saw everything one should see in the Louvre, namely Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, etc. We walked around outside the Louvre. The amazing thing about the Louvre is that not only is it full of beautiful paintings but the museum itself and the grounds are gorgeous. After strolling for a while we found a café and got some sandwiches but decided we still wanted more, so we took the metro over to an area with a lot of markets. Kimberlee and I went a bakery to get a baguette. When we got to the front of line they had just gotten out loaves from the oven so our baguette was hot, fresh and delicious. We went down the street to another market and got drinks and these great ice cream bars. After this we walked down the Champs Elysees (sp?) and to the Arc. We started heading to the Eiffel Tower. By the time we got there, they were just starting to light it up. It was beautiful. We all just sat in a little park and talked while looking up at the Eiffel Tower. These have been my favorite kinds of moments in Europe so far, the kind where we are just sitting and chillaxing in front of amazing architecture, history, or sights. After this we headed home, and here I am writing this blog while eating my leftover baguette. I am in bliss.

Day 2 - London

Do not let these titles scare you faithful reader, I am not planning on writing a novel for everyday over the course of the next four months. I just have so much sightseeing within the next two weeks that I have to document it. Day 2 was supposed to start at 8 am but Kimberlee and I later realized that I had actually set my travel alarm clock too late so we actually started at 7 am. We started by buying some breakfast snacks to eat on the tube on the way to Parliament and Westminster. We took some pics around Big Ben and Parliament but could not go in because it was Sunday. This fact did end up helping us in another regard, though, because we ended up doing a service at Westminster Abbey. This was very cool, because as you sit and listen to their awesome choir you also get to look around at all the cool architecture. Also, the sermon, which was on love, was very good. We walked around the abbey some more after the service and then across the Thames. We saw the London Eye and lots more from this bridge. After this we bought passes on one of those tour-guide-double-decker buses. Cheesy, I know, but we actually got to see a lot of the city that we would not have seen otherwise this way. We were able to get off and get back on wherever and whenever we wanted. Our first stop was at London Tower where we walked around, but did not go in because it was too busy and long. Our second stop was in Covent Garden to find me a bookstore. I told my group that I only had one request in London. I wanted to find a bookstore so that I could get all of my books that I can’t get in the US. This ended up being much more of hassle than I intended, but I did end up seeing a lot of cool bookshops on the way. In the end, we found a Borders (I know I am in London and I go to Borders). This ended being an ultra success, because a) I found three books (I would have gotten more but I barely had enough room in my bags for one) and b) the cashier was super cute. After that we went to a pub to get fish and chips. While we were waiting we watched a Man-U game at the bar. It was awesome. Kimberlee and I got fish and chips and Eric got a dish called toad in a hole. We felt these were pretty British. For dessert, we got this really good apple crisp and a toffee sponge cake. So good! After dinner/lunch we got on the bus again and just drove around and chatted until they kicked us off. We wandered around a little bit longer and then headed back to Chiswick. We started our quest of searching for an Internet café. We found one that was closing so I got ten minutes to email. We stopped at a café on the way home and got some ice cream. For those of you who have not experienced European ice cream, you are missing out. It is amazing. We walked back to our hotel and I got ready for bed. I fell asleep reading one of my new books. I am in bliss.

Day 1 - London

And what a day it has been! My flight started off in San Francisco where I flew to Cincinnati. In Cinci I met up with Kimberlee and Eric where we boarded the flight into London Gatwick Airport. There is not much to say for the flight because, honestly, I took Tylenol PM after a half an hour into it and I don’t remember much after that. It was fabulous. I woke up over Glasgow and eagerly awaited my London experience. Those of you who know mw know that I have always wanted to come here. It could not have been better. Our flight arrived early and customs was a breeze. (Anecdote: I get off the plane impressing my fellow travelers with my knowledge of all the slang and shops and such. Needless, to say I am feeling pretty cool… until the customs agent smiled when I said the name of my hostel, The Chiswick Hotel. Apparently the w is silent.) Anyways, we get done with customs but we still have to wait for our fourth member of our group, Andrew, who was supposed to get in ten minutes after us. Three and half hours later we met up with him. It was horrible! My first hours in London, let alone England, and I have to sit in an airport. Although, it was fun to listen to all fun accents. We took the Gatwick Express to London Victoria and it was insane. It was so busy and then none of our cards were working in the ticket teller machines. We finally got on the tube and headed for our hostel. By the way did I mention that I am doing all of this waiting and walking and maneuvering through the Underground with a very heavy backpack (or as they say here, “rucksack”) on my front and another very heavy and large backpack on my back? I am carrying at least 80 pounds. We get off at the Turnham Green station and have a bit of a walk to the hostel, so that by the time we finally get there, I am about to keel over. By the time we checked in it was six hours after we landed and then we went to our rooms. Funniest thing I have ever seen. I could have gotten just a queen for Kimberlee and I because that is how close our two twins have to be in our tiny room. I have some pics here. We got ourselves settled and then set out again. Andrew and his friend we met up with wanted to go to the Imperial War Museum, but Eric, Kimberlee and I wanted to go to the British Library. After a somewhat stressful day, this was perfect. I saw the Magna Carta, the Guttenberg Bible, Davinci’s notebook, Handel’s original composition of The Messiah and then, my Mecca. I feel like this is the crowning moment of my trip so far because it is like I have made a pilgrimage. They had Jane Austen’s letters and short stories all written by hand on top of her writing desk. THE desk upon which she most likely wrote my favorite books. It was awe-inspiring. After I had reached my Zen we went and met the others at the Imperial War Museum and then headed for Piccadilly Circus. I love this place it is like Times Square with all of the lights and shops and restaurants but set into these old buildings. It is somewhat surreal. We decided to buy discount tickets to see Spamalot and then we went in search of food. None of us had eaten anything since the mediocre bagel on the plane so this was a welcome quest. We wanted a pub for fish and chips but apparently everyone else in London did too so we went to this Italian Café instead. It was good and I probably would have enjoyed it even more if I weren’t scarfing down my food because a) we had to make it to the show and b) I was starving. Spamalot was really funny, but I probably would have enjoyed it more if I weren’t so exhausted. So after a well-deserved shower I lay in my dodgy bed, listening to football highlights on BBC 1. I am in bliss.

Passport Drama

Since this blog is being kept to document my wonderous European adventures, I figured I should record the stress I had to go through to get there. On Friday, I left work around 11 because I had to take care of some things to get ready for my trip. I feel this some good intuitive on my part considering what proceeded to happen. My passport was supposed to arrive on Tuesday so I was hoping it would be waiting for me in my mailbox so that I could mail it off with my visa application. When my passport wasn't there my mom and I were furious because I had already put three rushes on it and still needed to apply for my visa. Seeing as how I avoid confrontaion like the plauge, my mom called the passport people and boy, did she give them a piece or as Dylan later said, "she opened a can of whoop ass." Mom and I went down to San Francisco and after waiting an hour to get up to the counter to request them to pull up my file we had to wait another half hour to find out that they had not even touched my application. They told us that my passport would be ready by six. At this point it was four and I had everyone coming over to my house to go out to dinner for my birthday at 6:30 and I still had to drive from San Francisco during rush hour on a Friday. Mom ended up staying in SF to get my passport while Dad drove to meet her there and I rushed home as fast as was possible in rush hour traffic. In the end it all worked out, but as you can probably imagine it was very stressful at the time.

In birthday celebration news, my dinner was super fun and I got some awesome presents (thanks girls!). On Saturday I went and dropped off my visa application at the post office and then I got my new birthday running shoes. That night, Starr, Mom and I went and saw Stardust. It was so good and everyone must see it. I loved it!

Now, I must go because Flight of the Conchords is on!

One of life's greater joys

On occasion, while driving home from work I will have a moment of unabashed happiness. This moment is found when I am in a lively mood and for some reason, when I am in rush hour traffic. My car is stopped behind a large suburban with that stick figure family smiling back at me. Why a family with two kids needs an eight passenger vehicle is beyond me. To my right, an angst ridden teen is obviously getting off of some job he hates and feels that listening to his loud screaming music makes him much tougher than his turquoise Geo would ever convey. To my left, a woman in her 60s, who is wearing bright pink lipstick closer to her nose than nature ever intended her to, looks like she just arrived from Palm Beach where big hair, fake gold and polyester still run wild. I sit in my car with the AC running fiercely to cool my blazing hot steering wheel, taking slight notice of my comrades on the battlefield that is the freeway as some song ends. Then that moment comes. It is almost as if my iPod knows how vulnerable I am in this very moment and it plays the song. You know The Song. It is the one song that, in that moment in time, will make you want to dance no matter what the circumstances are. The Song is never the same, it will morph itself into another song entirely by tomorrow, but in that day and moment it knows exactly what it is doing. Then in front of God, the stick family, the moody Metallica fan, and the fake-tanned grandma, I dance. It is as if I have been possessed. I can’t help myself, I am dancing with no shame and singing as if I were trying to reach the ears of the people in the back of the theatre. Everyone is staring at me or at least trying to act like they are not. Situations such as this usually conjure embarrassment and dread, but not this time. I only feel vivacity and a brazen sense of disregard. My fellow commuters slowly inch past me, some laugh or smile, some give looks of pity. The Song ends. Songs that follow inspire bobbing of the head and maybe singing along with the chorus, but nothing compared to that moment. So, until tomorrow, The Song.

This may not be news to anyone, but...

I love Jane Austen. My cousins and I have been having a bit of a fest as of late, considering I have every Jane Austen adaptation known to man. I just introduced them to the ITV adaptations that were done this year (anyone who I have not made watch these, you must) and they were fabulous. Chel and I decided that I am a cross between Catherine Morland and Elizabeth Bennet. We decided that Chelsea is probably the same, but then we took a quiz which said she is Mary Crawford from Mansfield Park (this is hysterical because Mary is super promiscuous). I took a quiz that said Henry Tilney is my Austen hero which is completely fine with me. The lesser known of the Austen heroes, Tilney is a perfect blend of wit and charm.

On the European Excursion front, I have only 11 more days until I leave, which I would be completely and utterly overjoyed about if only I had my passport and visa within my possession. Seeing as how I have neither, I am stressing out a tad. Having to call the passport customer service line and be on hold for a half an hour each does not help with this mounting stress. So until that day comes when I am the proud owner of a passport and visa courtesy of the Austrian Consulate.

I went and saw Bourne Ultimatum this weekend and anytime he was in a new location running from various government officials I got to lean over with pride and tell my mom "I get to go there!" Also, I will add that the exotic locations were not the only splendor my eyes beheld in that movie, if you follow me.

I created a photo sharing site that I will be using for all of my pics on the trip, so feel free to check it out although it is not very exciting at the moment.

Ellen: Music from the Motion Picture by Various Artists

here's how it works:
1. open your music library
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every question, type the song that's playing
5. when you go to a new question, press the next button
6. don't lie and try to pretend you're cool.
Ok, here goes my soundtrack:

opening credits: "That Time" by Regina Spektor (This is an awesome song for the opening credits! I love tangerines!)

waking up: "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" by Carole King (Appropriate seeing as how I look very natural in the morning.)

first day at school: "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses (Hmm...Interesting)

in love: "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones (I would love to be in love to this song)

fight song: "Over My Head" by The Fray (I would be over my head in a fight)

breaking up: "I'm the Man Who Loves You" by Wilco (Oooh, I left him for another man! Scandalous!)

prom: "Start the Commotion" by The Wiseguys (I am starting the commotion at every party)

life's ok: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Spamalot (This needs to be my anthem when life is just ok)

mental breakdown: “The Mess Inside" by The Mountain Goats (Ha)

driving: "Jump in the Line" by Harry Belafonte (This is perfect! One time I was driving and anytime this song comes on I have to dance to it because I have done so since I could walk. A carful of guys were mocking me, but I didn't care. They were just jealous that I was having more fun than them in rush hour traffic.)

flashback: "Chiquitita" by ABBA (This does conjure flashbacks...)

getting back together: "Any Way You Want It" by Journey (That's right. I would have to have it my way to get back together)

wedding: "Eight Days A Week" by The Beatles (Interesting selection)

birth of child: "My Girl" by The Temptations (Aww, that is perfect)

final battle: "Super Trouper" by ABBA (The fact that I have so much ABBA on my soundtrack does not help its coolness level)


death scene: "Blister in the Sun" by Violent Femmes (Interesting selection again)

funeral song: "It's the End of the World as We Know It" by REM (Thats right, the world will end when I die)

end credits: "One Sweet Love" by Sara Bareilles (I like that)


Overall, I feel that this is a pretty good soundtrack. Very eclectic, which works for my soundtrack.

Ok Jillian...

I was tagged as number one, so I have to fill it out:

places I've worked
1-PGP Valuation
2-NorCal Appraisals
3-Legends Grille as part of the DW Mafia and then graduated to sandwich/ pizza maker
4-Tower Books for a total of five days when I was then offered more money to go back to PGP

movies I can watch over and over
1-Pride and Prejudice
2-Much Ado About Nothing (Damian Lewis edition)
3-Tommy Boy
4-You've Got Mail (By the way, all of the above movies have been watched over and over again)

places I've lived
1-Lubbock, Texas
2-Limestone, Maine
3-Spokane, Washington
4-Sacramento, CA and Provo, UT

favorite tv shows
1-Office (comprising of both editions)
2-Arrested Development
3-Psych
4-Currently I am going to have to go with Flight of the Conchords


places I've been
1-Hawaii
2-New York City
3-Spain
4-Seattle

favorite foods
1-Pasta
2-Mint Milanos
3-My BBQ chicken pizza with olives
4-popsicles

majors I've considered
1-Elementary Education
2-Journalism
3-English
4- Marriage, Family, Human Development

places I'd rather be
1-England
2-New York
3-Anywhere in Europe
4-In Good-Dream Land

friends i would like to tag (meaning: it's your turn to fill in the blanks)
1-Seeing as how
2-Jillian is probably my only current reader
3-I don't have anyone to pressure into
4-doing this survey

Well, I am going to go to sleep now to the dulcet tones of my mom's snoring and her blaring Ghost Hunters. Good night, reader.