Thursday, January 30, 2014

Treats and Sweets (cider edition)!

I have found my drink! It is strawberry and lime cider and it's the best! It is perfectly sweet and hardly tastes of alcohol :)

There are a couple of brands that make it but this one is from Sweden. Hopefully they sell it in the US as well as here! 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The best day of my life...actually.

I don't know where to begin or how to describe this night. As I mentioned before as a Christmas present my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew got me a ticket to see David Tennant in Richard II. I had planned to leave the show early and try to meet David on his way out but then I realized that once I was in there, I wouldn't want to leave.

SOOOOOO....

I decided to go to the stage door on Thursday (the day before my show)!


































I thought that with David Tennant being as famous as he is, it would be super difficult to get a photo with him...but honestly it could not have been easier. My friend and I got there about a half hour before the show let out and were in the second thin row of people. After the show got out there were around 100 people there (I think but I am actually really bad at estimating these things). Then about another half hour later, a car pulled up to the end of the crowd of people and he came out of the stage door. He started taking pictures and signing play bills for everyone in the first two rows. Not only that but be was laughing and chatting as he did it!

By the time he got to my side of the line I was freaking out! I was so nervous...I just couldn't believe he was standing there. My doctor, my favourite actor, my favourite person....after asking him to sign a picture of my nephew (which he explained he was only allowed to sign Richard II items), I asked for a photo. He laughed and said of course but I was so nervous I couldn't get my finger to press the button! We both laughed as I finally got it to work and thanked him for being so amazing!

Then after finishing the line of people, he thanked everyone, got in the car and left!




Then, after that I still got to spend a whole three hours watching him act perfectly as witty, dramatic Richard II the next day. And let me tell you...It was fantastic! I was five rows back..I could see the spit coming from his mouth every time he talked! I didn't realize it but the character of Richard II is a bit similar to the tenth Doctor. The character was hilarious and he played him perfectly. Not only that, but the rest of the cast did phenomenal jobs as well!

AHHH...I still can't believe it even as I scrolled passed the photo while writing this. It is something that I never would have thought could happen to me and I will never be able to thank my sister and brother-in-law enough!

Graffiti of London.



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

what?

More sites of London!

We are closely approaching the two week mark of being in London...so I thought getting some more touristy things out of the way was necessary! 
The Millennium Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's 

St. Paul's 

A red telephone booth 

British Food is AMAZING!

Despite our many choices at the Borough Markets, getting these meat pies was the obvious choice! All the ingredients are made in Bristol (a city in the west of England) and they are handmade :) 

There were about eight different choices and I got a 'moo pie'! It had beef and Bristol-made ale inside! Plus, I also got mash on the side with hot gravy poured all over it! I am now even more confused as to why people say England doesn't have good food...I think it is amazing!! 


All of that delciousness was only £6! Can you believe that?? I was so shocked! 


I can't wait to go back and get this again, it was a nice change from all of the chips I have been getting. And it really warmed me up from the cool morning (I know, I know, it isn't polar vortex weather here but it was a bit nippy this weekend). 


Monday, January 27, 2014

The Borough Market!!

Recently, some friends and I headed south of the river to explore the Borough Markets! Before I left for London, it seemed like every travel site I went to suggested going here! So, I was very curious to see what all the fuss was about. 

SAMPLES! So many samples...'the Costco of London' as I have been referring to it! Almost every booth was giving out a little taste of what they were serving and/or selling. Some of the best were sheep's cheese, mash, and a lemon curd! 


There were booths selling everything! Meat, fish, fruit, cheese, jams, nuts, pastries, bread...I mean everything!! Plus, you could buy take-away food too! Indian, Asian, Italian, British, etc. 








Honestly, I now understand why everyone loves it here! The relaxed feel was a very cool change of pace and atmosphere compared to the rest of London. It was crowded but didn't seemed as cramped as the Camden Markets. Plus, the vendors were extremely friendly and happy to give you suggestions on what to buy! 


Off my Pinterest Board!

Before I start getting into an eating routine, I have been trying to go to as many places that I pinned as possible! I want to try different spots and then by the time I am in a routine just go to the ones I really like!

So, last week in between classes I decided to try out a place my sister recommended called My Old Dutch! I wasn't sure what to expect but I found out that there was a branch not far from my school so I figured I would go for it! 

                                         
  AAfter looking at the large menu, for some reason I made a last minute decision to get ratatouille and spinach pancakes. I didn't actually remember what ratatouille was so I was nervous but thought to myself 'allons-y' (my new motto to replace no res). df
                  
It wasn't my favourite meal but it wasn't horrible either! The spinach was fantastic :) I think I will go back one day after I am done with classes and get some sweet pancakes! 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

I know, I know.

I have been posting a lot of pictures of places I have been going without telling you my thoughts about them. But I am trying to have my pictures do that for me.

I want to show you London from my point of view, the things I have been noticing about the city. What other people don't pay attention to. Just each element that is creating my unique London experience...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I hope this is working but I also promise to post more about how I am feeling in the future. At the moment everything is happening so fast that I am not sure what my real feelings are. Everyday they are changing dramatically!




Cool shots from the weekend.

Southwark Cathedral

Outside of the Tate Modern

The reflection of the Millennium Bridge in the Tate Modern doors

A love lock on the Millennium Bridge 

This weekend I:

Watched - The rain fall outside my window
Listened -  Flaws by Bastille (over and over and over again) 
Learned -  That King's Cross takes down Platform 9 3/4 at night 
Ate – Sooooo much!! I may be addicted to chips. 
Read -  Descriptions of art in the Tate Modern 
Drank -  Strawberry and Lime cider (twice!)
Thought -  When will London feel like home?  
Wished -  I had my friends from Rome in London
Realized: I am making new friends her
Bought - A lamb stuffed animal for my nephew..it's really quite cute!