7:57 AM August 23,2011 Gatwick Airport Boarding Area
It's pouring rain outside.
Last day in London :(
I am reluctant to go home.
Spent the last day waking around Oxford and Regent Street. I did get myself a dress from Top Shop.
Watched Les Miserables (again) because Chelsea hasn't seen it. As always, AMAZING show! It was sold out. There were 2 famous people on the show: Alfie Boe, a Classical/Opera singer, and Matt Lucas, the actor from Shawn of the Dead and he played Twiddle-dee/dum from the new Alice in Wonderland. Also, actress that played Elphaba and Fiyero in Wicked 3 years ago played Eponine and Eljoras. Cried the entire time.
Despite being tired, had a great time these past few weeks :)
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Showing posts with label london. Show all posts
Showing posts with label london. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
London Day 5
11:50 PM August 21, 2011
Went back to Victoria and Albert Museum today. The exhibit I wanted to see, history of fashion, won't reopen until spring next year :/
It's a lot of design exhibits, ranging from theater, furniture, ceramics, etc. They also have statues and paintings and such. I did enjoy the theater and performance exhibit which shows the techniques and methods of how a show gets produced. They had a Kylie Minogue's dressing room and a costume Mick Jagger wore and costumes from Lion King and set designs.
Afterwards, we were going to go bike riding in Hyde Park. The bike sharing system in London is fairly simple, it's the actual acquiring of the bikes that's difficult. The code locks are picky and the bikes are hard to get off the lock. After several frustrating tries, I gave up (Chelsea and Alvaro got their bikes already). I decided to walk and look for the Princess Diana memorial fountain and the Peter Pan statue. Found them both. The Diana fountain isn't actually a fountain, but like a small lazy river that runs around a small mound where you can dip your feet or walk along it. The Peter Pan statue was further away, but I found it (finally! Didn't find it 3 years ago). It's a pretty tall statue, but Peter himself is pretty small. He is portrayed as a young child blowing a horn.
Supposed to go to The Tower of London, but we missed the last entrance. It's not a big loss to me because I've been before. I just felt bad because Chelsea hasn't been. Oh well. Next time. But, we did wall across the Tower Bridge and that was cool.
Jack the Ripper tour was awesome! We took a tour stoic the area of White Chapel where Jack the Ripper murdered his victims. Obviously it's very different from what it was in the 1870s, but it'll always be a mystery who Jack the Ripper was. It was kinda scary because the tour was at night and all the info and places we saw were facts. And now I hope I don't get nightmares.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Went back to Victoria and Albert Museum today. The exhibit I wanted to see, history of fashion, won't reopen until spring next year :/
It's a lot of design exhibits, ranging from theater, furniture, ceramics, etc. They also have statues and paintings and such. I did enjoy the theater and performance exhibit which shows the techniques and methods of how a show gets produced. They had a Kylie Minogue's dressing room and a costume Mick Jagger wore and costumes from Lion King and set designs.
Afterwards, we were going to go bike riding in Hyde Park. The bike sharing system in London is fairly simple, it's the actual acquiring of the bikes that's difficult. The code locks are picky and the bikes are hard to get off the lock. After several frustrating tries, I gave up (Chelsea and Alvaro got their bikes already). I decided to walk and look for the Princess Diana memorial fountain and the Peter Pan statue. Found them both. The Diana fountain isn't actually a fountain, but like a small lazy river that runs around a small mound where you can dip your feet or walk along it. The Peter Pan statue was further away, but I found it (finally! Didn't find it 3 years ago). It's a pretty tall statue, but Peter himself is pretty small. He is portrayed as a young child blowing a horn.
Supposed to go to The Tower of London, but we missed the last entrance. It's not a big loss to me because I've been before. I just felt bad because Chelsea hasn't been. Oh well. Next time. But, we did wall across the Tower Bridge and that was cool.
Jack the Ripper tour was awesome! We took a tour stoic the area of White Chapel where Jack the Ripper murdered his victims. Obviously it's very different from what it was in the 1870s, but it'll always be a mystery who Jack the Ripper was. It was kinda scary because the tour was at night and all the info and places we saw were facts. And now I hope I don't get nightmares.
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Saturday, August 20, 2011
London Day 4
So, I'm back in London.
OMFG! Got tickets to the sold-out show, "Much Ado About Nothing," with David Tennant and Katherine Tate and it was AMAZING! Hilarious!!!! Katherine Tate's character, Beatrice, was kinda chav and David Tennant was speaking I his Scottish brogue! I die!!!!! Awesome team!
Unfortunately, they left right after the show, so I didn't get them to sign my program (apparently, David and Katherine had a "previous engagement"). However, I did get the actor who played Claudio to sign my program. He is a hottie.
It was a slow day(?)....and by that I mean we weren't running around town trying to do everything. Chelsea and I met up with Alvaro and we went to the art museum at The Somerset House. It was pretty small museum but they had great stuff--a few Van Gogh, Monet, early Picasso, Rodin, Gaugin....afterwards, we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum but we got there at closing time and so we were only there for a few minutes. And then, it was show time. :)
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OMFG! Got tickets to the sold-out show, "Much Ado About Nothing," with David Tennant and Katherine Tate and it was AMAZING! Hilarious!!!! Katherine Tate's character, Beatrice, was kinda chav and David Tennant was speaking I his Scottish brogue! I die!!!!! Awesome team!
Unfortunately, they left right after the show, so I didn't get them to sign my program (apparently, David and Katherine had a "previous engagement"). However, I did get the actor who played Claudio to sign my program. He is a hottie.
It was a slow day(?)....and by that I mean we weren't running around town trying to do everything. Chelsea and I met up with Alvaro and we went to the art museum at The Somerset House. It was pretty small museum but they had great stuff--a few Van Gogh, Monet, early Picasso, Rodin, Gaugin....afterwards, we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum but we got there at closing time and so we were only there for a few minutes. And then, it was show time. :)
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London Day 2 and 3
5:05 AM August 15, 2011 Gatwick Airport on the way to Amsterdam
They've change Gatwick Airport! It's so much nicer! More shops and places to eat, clearly marked signs, nice lighting. It's so much better from what it was 3 years ago!
I love traveling, but it's rather difficult when you have to lug all your shit everywhere. How do they do it? I'm a horrible packer.
Anyway, London Day 2.
Changing of the Guards. That was awesome! I enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance of it all. What I did not enjoy are the people who don't follow directions as simple as "don't block the walkway," "keep moving" and "don't stop." Seriously, how hard is it to follow directions, especially from a police officer on a horse?!? But anyway, it was cool.
London Eye. Well worth the price. It was AWESOME!!! And that's saying something because I hate ferris wheels. You can barely feel it move and when you get to the top, the views are amazing, especially on a sunny day.
Tea Time at St Paul's Cathedral. It was alright. The scones were a bit dry. It's no Mock Turtle in Brighton.
St Paul's Cathedral. It was closing when we got there, but we got to go in for a bit. Very pretty. Very baroque, but in a British way.
Walked across the Millennium Bridge (a personal fave) over to the Tate Modern Museum. It was...umm very interesting. It was very modern...and some of it I did not understand, but some were really cool.
The Wizard of Oz The Musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber, you've done it again! Amazing, amazing show! It's still based on the original movie, but ALW added new songs and music to the score. It was fantastic! Michael Crawford (the original Phantom) played the Wizard. Got pictures and autographs from the cast! Yiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!
Day 3:
London Boat Tour. We got the combo deal with the London Eye. I love boat tours because it's a different view of the city. Plus it's a great way to see the city without walking hahaha
British Museum. Greek antiquities and Parthenon frieze and pediments, Egyptian mummies, Assyrian gates, Rosetta Stone, and the best part is that it's all FREE! I love British museums for this reason. But I do love British Museum. I love the "Enlightenment" section, which is basically a giant library with the world's knowledge and a bunch of cool Greek or Classical statues.
They've change Gatwick Airport! It's so much nicer! More shops and places to eat, clearly marked signs, nice lighting. It's so much better from what it was 3 years ago!
I love traveling, but it's rather difficult when you have to lug all your shit everywhere. How do they do it? I'm a horrible packer.
Anyway, London Day 2.
Changing of the Guards. That was awesome! I enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance of it all. What I did not enjoy are the people who don't follow directions as simple as "don't block the walkway," "keep moving" and "don't stop." Seriously, how hard is it to follow directions, especially from a police officer on a horse?!? But anyway, it was cool.
London Eye. Well worth the price. It was AWESOME!!! And that's saying something because I hate ferris wheels. You can barely feel it move and when you get to the top, the views are amazing, especially on a sunny day.
Tea Time at St Paul's Cathedral. It was alright. The scones were a bit dry. It's no Mock Turtle in Brighton.
St Paul's Cathedral. It was closing when we got there, but we got to go in for a bit. Very pretty. Very baroque, but in a British way.
Walked across the Millennium Bridge (a personal fave) over to the Tate Modern Museum. It was...umm very interesting. It was very modern...and some of it I did not understand, but some were really cool.
The Wizard of Oz The Musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber, you've done it again! Amazing, amazing show! It's still based on the original movie, but ALW added new songs and music to the score. It was fantastic! Michael Crawford (the original Phantom) played the Wizard. Got pictures and autographs from the cast! Yiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!
Day 3:
London Boat Tour. We got the combo deal with the London Eye. I love boat tours because it's a different view of the city. Plus it's a great way to see the city without walking hahaha
British Museum. Greek antiquities and Parthenon frieze and pediments, Egyptian mummies, Assyrian gates, Rosetta Stone, and the best part is that it's all FREE! I love British museums for this reason. But I do love British Museum. I love the "Enlightenment" section, which is basically a giant library with the world's knowledge and a bunch of cool Greek or Classical statues.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
London Day 1
7:55 AM August 13, 2011
Pints of strongbow and pitchers of pimms did me in...and a couple of shots of sambuca. To be fair, we started at 6 before dinner. Ok, here's the story. We get a message from Alvaro to meet up by the London Eye because everyone was there. Chelsea and I walked from Trafalgar Square to meet up. We find Alvaro and Pete at a pub, Tessie and Katie and everyone were in line for the London Eye. Alvaro said line was WAY too long so Chelsea and I decided to stay at the pub. At the pub we met this couple asking us about American politics and they bought us drinks. And kept buying us drinks. They were really cool, really nice people. After the pub, we had dinner and met up wit Alvaro's friends. And went to a bar...for some pimms. Both favorite drinks in one night....oye.
We were productive prior to drinkfest. Since we are staying at Piccadilly Circus, we are SUPER close to Chinatown. So, for brunch Chelsea and I had a shit-ton of chinese. Ok not really a shit-ton just fried rice, chow mein, ha gao, spring rolls and some other dim sum noodle dish. And it was HEAVEN! I've been craving rice for so long!
Afterwards, we did the Westminster thing: went to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St James' Park, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and walked Whitehall (and that is where we found Alvaro and Pete at a pub).
We paid the entrance fee to Westminster Abbey and it was worth it. You can see the progression of British Gothic Architecture throughout the abbey. AND poet's corner is awesome! All these people in literary history are buried or have a plaque in their honor.
We didn't really go inside Buckingham Palace. It's about the same price and you can't take pictures and it's only the state rooms. The Queen wasn't home. She's hanging out in Scotland right now. Walked The Mall to Trafalgar Square, passed Clarence House (I was looking for Harry. He wasn't home).
National Museum was cool. It's pretty much a bunch of paintings from 1500-1900s.
National Portrait Museu has a new exhibit up: Hollywood Silver Screen from 1920s-1960s. It was awesome!!!! <3 also="" and="" br="" harry.="" le="" of="" portrait="" sigh.="" wills="">
Pints of strongbow and pitchers of pimms did me in...and a couple of shots of sambuca. To be fair, we started at 6 before dinner. Ok, here's the story. We get a message from Alvaro to meet up by the London Eye because everyone was there. Chelsea and I walked from Trafalgar Square to meet up. We find Alvaro and Pete at a pub, Tessie and Katie and everyone were in line for the London Eye. Alvaro said line was WAY too long so Chelsea and I decided to stay at the pub. At the pub we met this couple asking us about American politics and they bought us drinks. And kept buying us drinks. They were really cool, really nice people. After the pub, we had dinner and met up wit Alvaro's friends. And went to a bar...for some pimms. Both favorite drinks in one night....oye.
We were productive prior to drinkfest. Since we are staying at Piccadilly Circus, we are SUPER close to Chinatown. So, for brunch Chelsea and I had a shit-ton of chinese. Ok not really a shit-ton just fried rice, chow mein, ha gao, spring rolls and some other dim sum noodle dish. And it was HEAVEN! I've been craving rice for so long!
Afterwards, we did the Westminster thing: went to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St James' Park, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and walked Whitehall (and that is where we found Alvaro and Pete at a pub).
We paid the entrance fee to Westminster Abbey and it was worth it. You can see the progression of British Gothic Architecture throughout the abbey. AND poet's corner is awesome! All these people in literary history are buried or have a plaque in their honor.
We didn't really go inside Buckingham Palace. It's about the same price and you can't take pictures and it's only the state rooms. The Queen wasn't home. She's hanging out in Scotland right now. Walked The Mall to Trafalgar Square, passed Clarence House (I was looking for Harry. He wasn't home).
National Museum was cool. It's pretty much a bunch of paintings from 1500-1900s.
National Portrait Museu has a new exhibit up: Hollywood Silver Screen from 1920s-1960s. It was awesome!!!! <3 also="" and="" br="" harry.="" le="" of="" portrait="" sigh.="" wills="">
Hello London!
1:52 AM August 12, 2011
London, finally!
Hostel situation: meh. I'm slightly disappointed because our room looks nothing like the rooms on the website. The website rooms have art on the walls and the seem a little bigger; our room looks like an old dorm room. It's decent enough. It's right on Piccadilly Circus so I'm not complaining.
Chelsea and I have a dilemma. How the hell did we accumulate so much stuff? And how are we going to drag it around??? Must find solution.
But anyway, I'm glad to be back in England. I've missed it so much.
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London, finally!
Hostel situation: meh. I'm slightly disappointed because our room looks nothing like the rooms on the website. The website rooms have art on the walls and the seem a little bigger; our room looks like an old dorm room. It's decent enough. It's right on Piccadilly Circus so I'm not complaining.
Chelsea and I have a dilemma. How the hell did we accumulate so much stuff? And how are we going to drag it around??? Must find solution.
But anyway, I'm glad to be back in England. I've missed it so much.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Last Week in England
I'm home now. I got in to San Francisco at 8:30 last night. My flight from Houston to San Francisco was delayed a few hours because it was raining in Texas.
I am happy to be home but I really miss England. I wasn't ready to leave yet. I had enough money to last me another month! hahahaha
I still have 13 pounds in my wallet. I need to get that changed!
My last week in the UK went by too fast....
Thursday:
I was late for my Econ final because I got lost in the building where the final was being held. I'm kinda iffy about my final. I think I did OK. I finished in 35 minutes [multiple choice test with 50 minute time limit] but I didnt want to be the first one to turn in so I played games on my calculator [hahaha nerd].
We left for London around 1ish or something like that. On the way to the train station, I got a lamb shawarma.... mmmm lamb.
We went to Oxford Street [it's a major shopping street in London] and did some window shopping. I wanted to buy something from TopShop but CANNOT AFFORD! and the stuff on sale is just weird.
We finally had our afternoon tea [not cream tea, that's different] at Marks and Spencers. SO MUCH FOOD.
Ice Bar
the experience was worth it! The cover charge comes with a thermal parka with a hood [that makes everyone look good], gloves and a drink. Everything was made of ice except for the floor [that would be bad...]. I understand why there is a 40 minute limit to the bar...it's freakin' cold [-5 degress celcius] but it doesnt feel that cold because of the body heat from the other people and the bar is pretty small, so they cant shove as many people in there without melting the ice. The glass they gave us is pretty much a giant ice cube that's hollowed out. The bar is owned by Absolut so all the alcoholic drinks are vodka drinks.
I got this drink called Lazuli...sooooo GOOOD! Tastes like lychee!
I finally got my Wicked program signed! YAY! I have the entire main cast except for the actor who plays Fiyero [sad].
It really started hitting me that we were leaving when I was saying good-bye to Christina and Aurora. I started getting a little teary-eyed, but refused to cry.
Friday:
Our last Brighton day! Jeany, Margaret, Ruhi, Carolyn, Emily and I spent the entire day at Brighton. We walked around the North Laines and got our fudge....mmm.... best fudge ever! I dont know how I'm going to look at other fudge anymore.
I bought 3 books at Borders. I'm gonna buy more when I get home. [I still have books I havent finished at home!!!] I know, it's a problem...but I love books! YOU CAN'T STOP ME! hahaha
Besides, I like the UK covers better...US covers suck! OK, I'm gonna stop before this turns into a full-blown rant.
I got scarves for Mary and Jamie and Primark...I would post pictures but then it wouldn't be a surprise! haha
We finally had our time at the beach. We bought sandwiches at Marks and Spencers and broght them to the beach. HELLA PEOPLE! It was a really nice day though. The sun was out, very light breeze. After eating, we just laid out. I fell asleep hahahha!
The rocks at the beach were actually really comfortable. It's better than getting sand everywhere LOL.
We went to Donatello's for dinner. It's the place we all ate our first night out in Brighton. It was like a full circle kind of thing. I ordered the exact thing I had our first night.
Saturday:
I went to sleep at 2:30 and woke up at 4:00. Not fun. I couldn't go back to sleep so I started cleaning up my room and stuff.
Checked out around 6:00. Jeany and I got to Gatwick around 7ish and we had the hardest time finding our terminals. Someone who worked for Continental took me to the Continental counter.
My luggage was over-weight by 2 kilos [idk what that is in pounds hahaha], but the lady at the counter let it slide! She's so nice :D
My carry-on luggage was killing me...The plates I bought were all in there because I didnt want my check-in to be too heavy.
It felt weird being in a car again. I think I'm going to miss really efficient public transportation, but I am excited to drive again :D
I had Pho and boba for dinner after my dad picked me up from the airport. BEST FIRST MEAL EVER.
I am now doing laundry because I am out of clean clothes.
I am happy to be home but I really miss England. I wasn't ready to leave yet. I had enough money to last me another month! hahahaha
I still have 13 pounds in my wallet. I need to get that changed!
My last week in the UK went by too fast....
Thursday:
I was late for my Econ final because I got lost in the building where the final was being held. I'm kinda iffy about my final. I think I did OK. I finished in 35 minutes [multiple choice test with 50 minute time limit] but I didnt want to be the first one to turn in so I played games on my calculator [hahaha nerd].
We left for London around 1ish or something like that. On the way to the train station, I got a lamb shawarma.... mmmm lamb.
We went to Oxford Street [it's a major shopping street in London] and did some window shopping. I wanted to buy something from TopShop but CANNOT AFFORD! and the stuff on sale is just weird.
We finally had our afternoon tea [not cream tea, that's different] at Marks and Spencers. SO MUCH FOOD.
Ice Bar
the experience was worth it! The cover charge comes with a thermal parka with a hood [that makes everyone look good], gloves and a drink. Everything was made of ice except for the floor [that would be bad...]. I understand why there is a 40 minute limit to the bar...it's freakin' cold [-5 degress celcius] but it doesnt feel that cold because of the body heat from the other people and the bar is pretty small, so they cant shove as many people in there without melting the ice. The glass they gave us is pretty much a giant ice cube that's hollowed out. The bar is owned by Absolut so all the alcoholic drinks are vodka drinks.
I got this drink called Lazuli...sooooo GOOOD! Tastes like lychee!
I finally got my Wicked program signed! YAY! I have the entire main cast except for the actor who plays Fiyero [sad].
It really started hitting me that we were leaving when I was saying good-bye to Christina and Aurora. I started getting a little teary-eyed, but refused to cry.
Friday:
Our last Brighton day! Jeany, Margaret, Ruhi, Carolyn, Emily and I spent the entire day at Brighton. We walked around the North Laines and got our fudge....mmm.... best fudge ever! I dont know how I'm going to look at other fudge anymore.
I bought 3 books at Borders. I'm gonna buy more when I get home. [I still have books I havent finished at home!!!] I know, it's a problem...but I love books! YOU CAN'T STOP ME! hahaha
Besides, I like the UK covers better...US covers suck! OK, I'm gonna stop before this turns into a full-blown rant.
I got scarves for Mary and Jamie and Primark...I would post pictures but then it wouldn't be a surprise! haha
We finally had our time at the beach. We bought sandwiches at Marks and Spencers and broght them to the beach. HELLA PEOPLE! It was a really nice day though. The sun was out, very light breeze. After eating, we just laid out. I fell asleep hahahha!
The rocks at the beach were actually really comfortable. It's better than getting sand everywhere LOL.
We went to Donatello's for dinner. It's the place we all ate our first night out in Brighton. It was like a full circle kind of thing. I ordered the exact thing I had our first night.
Saturday:
I went to sleep at 2:30 and woke up at 4:00. Not fun. I couldn't go back to sleep so I started cleaning up my room and stuff.
Checked out around 6:00. Jeany and I got to Gatwick around 7ish and we had the hardest time finding our terminals. Someone who worked for Continental took me to the Continental counter.
My luggage was over-weight by 2 kilos [idk what that is in pounds hahaha], but the lady at the counter let it slide! She's so nice :D
My carry-on luggage was killing me...The plates I bought were all in there because I didnt want my check-in to be too heavy.
It felt weird being in a car again. I think I'm going to miss really efficient public transportation, but I am excited to drive again :D
I had Pho and boba for dinner after my dad picked me up from the airport. BEST FIRST MEAL EVER.
I am now doing laundry because I am out of clean clothes.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
At The End of the Day There's Another One Dawning
one of my life goals is now complete: I have finally seen LES MISERABLES!!!
IT WAS ...omg...beyond AMAZING! The cast is really really good. I really like the actor playing Valjean...he sounds Colm Wilkinson, the actor who played Valjean in the original London and Broadway cast and Anniversary Concert,but with a bit of an Irish accent [but his last name doesnt seem Irish]...and OMG! The actor playing Marius is really good and HOT!!! hahaha He's not Michael Ball, but he has a really amazing voice. Enjolras is hot too!
Pretty much the actors playing the students are all hot! The lead actresses are really good as well...Fantine could have been a little been stronger, but she's still really good. I have high expectactions for Eponine and Fantine because of Lea Salonga...but I was not disappointed...YAY! The actress playing Eponine is cute hahaha.
Yes I did cry. OF COURSE I CRIED! hahahaha I started crying at "I Dreamed a Dream" and the water works were pretty much on and off the entire show haha. It's not the "tears running down my cheek" type of crying; it was more of a "tear drops falling" type of crying.
The set was really cool! The set rotates ...it's kinda hard to describe on a blog hahaha
It makes it seem like the actors are moving place to place with the rotating set, instead of pretending that they are moving from place to place.
I also liked how before explosions, jumping off bridges, etc. the actors movements are in slow motion...then goes into normal speed...it's REALLY COOOL!
The music is already amazing, but hearing it live is sooooo much better! I got shivers down my spine...especially when they sang "One Day More". I really loved Eponine's death scene...I didn't really know how to picture it in my head from listening to "A Little Fall of Rain" but now I can see it in my head and it makes it so much more sad. Fantine's death was just heart-breaking.
We sat in the very front row...literally [and only cost us 25 pounds each]. So we were right next to the orcestra pit [specifically, the drums]. The drummer was cute hahaha.
It was pretty cool being that close to the stage because you can see EVERYTHING! I know where the actors have their mics [it's on their heads, near the hair line and it's very small and blends with the make-up]...you can see them spit while they sing! It was great.
After the show, we [Ruhi, Margaret and I...I forgot to mention who I went with] went to the stage door to get autographs. Since it's a HUGE cast, we didnt get everyone, but we got the actors playing Eponine, Fantine, Cosette, Marius and Valjean [and those are ones I really wanted haha]. When we were getting autographs, I mentioned we were sitting in the very front, and the actor playing Marius asked me it I was the one singing along [YES I WAS!...well, lip syncing]
TEEHEEEHEEEE. He's really cute.
AHHH! SOOOOO HAPPPY!!!
IT WAS ...omg...beyond AMAZING! The cast is really really good. I really like the actor playing Valjean...he sounds Colm Wilkinson, the actor who played Valjean in the original London and Broadway cast and Anniversary Concert,but with a bit of an Irish accent [but his last name doesnt seem Irish]...and OMG! The actor playing Marius is really good and HOT!!! hahaha He's not Michael Ball, but he has a really amazing voice. Enjolras is hot too!
Pretty much the actors playing the students are all hot! The lead actresses are really good as well...Fantine could have been a little been stronger, but she's still really good. I have high expectactions for Eponine and Fantine because of Lea Salonga...but I was not disappointed...YAY! The actress playing Eponine is cute hahaha.
Yes I did cry. OF COURSE I CRIED! hahahaha I started crying at "I Dreamed a Dream" and the water works were pretty much on and off the entire show haha. It's not the "tears running down my cheek" type of crying; it was more of a "tear drops falling" type of crying.
The set was really cool! The set rotates ...it's kinda hard to describe on a blog hahaha
It makes it seem like the actors are moving place to place with the rotating set, instead of pretending that they are moving from place to place.
I also liked how before explosions, jumping off bridges, etc. the actors movements are in slow motion...then goes into normal speed...it's REALLY COOOL!
The music is already amazing, but hearing it live is sooooo much better! I got shivers down my spine...especially when they sang "One Day More". I really loved Eponine's death scene...I didn't really know how to picture it in my head from listening to "A Little Fall of Rain" but now I can see it in my head and it makes it so much more sad. Fantine's death was just heart-breaking.
We sat in the very front row...literally [and only cost us 25 pounds each]. So we were right next to the orcestra pit [specifically, the drums]. The drummer was cute hahaha.
It was pretty cool being that close to the stage because you can see EVERYTHING! I know where the actors have their mics [it's on their heads, near the hair line and it's very small and blends with the make-up]...you can see them spit while they sing! It was great.
After the show, we [Ruhi, Margaret and I...I forgot to mention who I went with] went to the stage door to get autographs. Since it's a HUGE cast, we didnt get everyone, but we got the actors playing Eponine, Fantine, Cosette, Marius and Valjean [and those are ones I really wanted haha]. When we were getting autographs, I mentioned we were sitting in the very front, and the actor playing Marius asked me it I was the one singing along [YES I WAS!...well, lip syncing]
TEEHEEEHEEEE. He's really cute.
AHHH! SOOOOO HAPPPY!!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
It's Thursday
I can't believe I will be leaving in a week. Sad.
Wall-E
really cuuute! WALL-E! EVE-AH!
It has a [political] message and it was very explicit about it:
we should should do something to save the planet...we can't just do nothing.
I agree.
Tuesday:
Margaret, Jeany and I went to the King and Queen for our last karaoke night at the pub.
I am never getting a martini ever again. I got a Blue Martini [it's pretty], but it was just PURE ALCOHOL! I felt like I drank 3 shots of different spirits. So yea, martinis are not going to happen again.
Wednesday:
Margaret and I spent the day in London. We mostly spent it at Harrods. HARRODS IS AMAZING! very expensive, but I do love the free samples of food :D
The lady working there kept giving me free samples of marzipan...VERY GOOD! She said it's to be eaten after dinner with coffee.
I wanted Christian Dior sunglasses, but I didnt buy it because I wasn't sure how much money I had on my debit card. I should have bought them because I had enough money. BALLS.
I finally got to see the Paddington Bear statue at Paddington Station and Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross. YAY me!
When we got back, we went to a jazz club with Ruhi, Jeany, Emily and Carolyn called Casablanca. It was pretty fun...there was a live band that played good music. The lead singer was HAWTTT!
He looked like Orlando Bloom's brother.
AAAHHHHH! I'm going to Scotland tonight! I gotta pack.
OMGGG! I'm going to watch LES MISERABLES on monday! WHOOOOHOOOO!
ugh...school. I dont like econ.
Wall-E
really cuuute! WALL-E! EVE-AH!
It has a [political] message and it was very explicit about it:
we should should do something to save the planet...we can't just do nothing.
I agree.
Tuesday:
Margaret, Jeany and I went to the King and Queen for our last karaoke night at the pub.
I am never getting a martini ever again. I got a Blue Martini [it's pretty], but it was just PURE ALCOHOL! I felt like I drank 3 shots of different spirits. So yea, martinis are not going to happen again.
Wednesday:
Margaret and I spent the day in London. We mostly spent it at Harrods. HARRODS IS AMAZING! very expensive, but I do love the free samples of food :D
The lady working there kept giving me free samples of marzipan...VERY GOOD! She said it's to be eaten after dinner with coffee.
I wanted Christian Dior sunglasses, but I didnt buy it because I wasn't sure how much money I had on my debit card. I should have bought them because I had enough money. BALLS.
I finally got to see the Paddington Bear statue at Paddington Station and Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross. YAY me!
When we got back, we went to a jazz club with Ruhi, Jeany, Emily and Carolyn called Casablanca. It was pretty fun...there was a live band that played good music. The lead singer was HAWTTT!
He looked like Orlando Bloom's brother.
AAAHHHHH! I'm going to Scotland tonight! I gotta pack.
OMGGG! I'm going to watch LES MISERABLES on monday! WHOOOOHOOOO!
ugh...school. I dont like econ.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED AT THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
2 musicals in 2 days. BEST TWO DAYS EVER!!!
The Phantom of the Opera:
OMG it was BEAUTIFUL. I already love the music, but it's so much more powerful live! I cried twice! hahaha! First time was during "All I Ask of You" [favorite song!] and then I cried again at the last song "Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer"
We sat the last row of the balcony, literally! But even from there, we could see the stage [we did use the binoculars they offered to see the faces of the actors].
The set was amazing! The stage looked smaller from high above, but it looked really pretty. I really love what they did with the pyrotechnics and fog machines and the speakers making you think that the phantom is everywhere!
The actors did very well, especially the Phantom and Raoul. I liked the girls playing Christine and Meg, but there very shrill voices kind of annoyed me a little bit [but it didn't really take away from anything...I think I'm just used to the movie soundtrack]
After the show, we went to the stage door really fast to get autographs! I got the lead actors' autographs! YAY ME!!! The actor playing Raoul is really really cute! hahaha...this is his West End debut and he's only 25! The actor playing the Phantom is good looking, too. He smelled like sexy man [like acqua di gio by armani].
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA = LOVE.
Wicked:
I've never read the book, but I have listened to the original broadway cast soundtrack and it's really good. I didn't really know much coming into the show, but I did know that it's another take of the Wizard of Oz.
THE SHOW WAS FANTASTIC! The cast was really great! The set was ...WOW! I loved how they used lighting and the giant puppets like the dragon and the "wizard"of oz. The flying monkeys looked creapy.
Again, I cried twice. I cried sometime in the first half...I forgot when [I think it was during "Defying Gravity"] and then again in the 2nd act during "For Good".
I cannot stress how AMAZING this show is! I wanna watch it again!
The Phantom of the Opera:
OMG it was BEAUTIFUL. I already love the music, but it's so much more powerful live! I cried twice! hahaha! First time was during "All I Ask of You" [favorite song!] and then I cried again at the last song "Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer"
We sat the last row of the balcony, literally! But even from there, we could see the stage [we did use the binoculars they offered to see the faces of the actors].
The set was amazing! The stage looked smaller from high above, but it looked really pretty. I really love what they did with the pyrotechnics and fog machines and the speakers making you think that the phantom is everywhere!
The actors did very well, especially the Phantom and Raoul. I liked the girls playing Christine and Meg, but there very shrill voices kind of annoyed me a little bit [but it didn't really take away from anything...I think I'm just used to the movie soundtrack]
After the show, we went to the stage door really fast to get autographs! I got the lead actors' autographs! YAY ME!!! The actor playing Raoul is really really cute! hahaha...this is his West End debut and he's only 25! The actor playing the Phantom is good looking, too. He smelled like sexy man [like acqua di gio by armani].
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA = LOVE.
Wicked:
I've never read the book, but I have listened to the original broadway cast soundtrack and it's really good. I didn't really know much coming into the show, but I did know that it's another take of the Wizard of Oz.
THE SHOW WAS FANTASTIC! The cast was really great! The set was ...WOW! I loved how they used lighting and the giant puppets like the dragon and the "wizard"of oz. The flying monkeys looked creapy.
Again, I cried twice. I cried sometime in the first half...I forgot when [I think it was during "Defying Gravity"] and then again in the 2nd act during "For Good".
I cannot stress how AMAZING this show is! I wanna watch it again!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Greetings from England! Day 29
So tired. Session 1 is over. Let Session 2 begin.
I finished my paper [which was due on thursday at 4pm] at 2:30 am that day. Thank goodness I am done with that class because I don't know how I could handle any more philosophy. I AM DONE WITH PHILOSOPHY!
Friday:
Tiffanie and I went to Winchester. We missed our first train, but our tickets were open-ended so we just took the next train. Winchester is very nice. It's how I imagined smaller English cities to be...it felt like we stepped into a book. There were not very many tourists so Tiffanie and I were able to just walk around and explore. We went to Wolvesey Castle...it's not really a castle anymore...it's more like a castle ruin. The guide book says its a Norman castle ruin. That was really fun! No one was really there so Tiffanie and I were just running around the castle!
best part of the trip....
VISIT TO JANE AUSTEN'S HOUSE!!!!!! We took the bus to Chawton, a village outside of Winchester, where Jane Austen lived her last years. She rewrote Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility here. She also wrote the last of her books here. It's not a very big house. She lived there with her mother, sister and her brother and his family. It reminds me of the Collins' house in Pride and Prejudice. I can imagine Mr. Collins working in the garden while Charlotte stays inside the drawing room. I bought 2 books: Tea with Jane Austen and Being Elizabeth Bennett Create Your Own Jane Austen Novel [it's like a create your own adventure books but involving all of Jane Austen's books]
Saturday:
Jeany, Carolyn, Ruhi, Margaret, Tiffanie, Emily, and I all went to Bath. LONGEST TRAIN RIDE EVER! ok...not really, but it did take about 3 hours. I slept most of the way...but there were girls behind us that were very loud at 9 AM. We went to see the Roman Baths. It was pretty cool. The water in the baths was green...kinda gross. I liked how the museum gave us giant cellphone looking things that was part of the audio tour so you could listen to a tour guide without having to crowd around a tour guide. Apparently, the hot springs have curative properties. In the 17th century it became fashionable to drink water from the springs. The Pump Room opened and drinking the spa water is now kinda like a thing to try when you go to the Roman Baths.
It was gross. It was pretty much drinking warm mineral water [and yes, the do filter the water].
We headed over to Sally Lunn's for Tea. It's the oldest house in Bath. Sally Lunn was a baker in Bath and made really good buns and bread. IT IS THE BEST BUN I HAVE EVER HAD! The bun is HUGE [it's as big as my face]. Anyway, I had the Jane Austen Cream Tea [Jane Austen lived in Bath for a while--she hated it, but her last 2 books involved being in Bath]. It was half a bun with raspberry jam and clotted cream and a pot of tea. The bun was so soft, and perfectly toasted...the jam was just right, not too sweet, not to tart.
Charles Dickens also visited Sally Lunn's.
Sunday:
We went to London. We went to the Covent Garden market. It sold a lot of crafts stuff. I thought it would be more like a market market--with fresh fruits and veggies, food, arts and crafts--that sort of thing.
We split up and Ruhi, Margaret, Jeany and I went to the Tower of London. That was really fun! The tower is just a tower. It used to be a town in the middle ages, which became a prison and fort. Narrow, stone, spiral steps in towers are great exercise! [and can make you feel very claustrophobic] We also got to see the torture devices they used on their prisoners--like manacles, the rack, scavenger's daughter and something used for quartering and drawing.
The Crown Jewels. I..yea...WOW.
We got to take a picture with one of the Queen's Guards...he was off duty and was just walking around when Ruhi asked if we can have a picture with him. He was kinda cute....hahaha
I need to do laundy. Very tired.
I finished my paper [which was due on thursday at 4pm] at 2:30 am that day. Thank goodness I am done with that class because I don't know how I could handle any more philosophy. I AM DONE WITH PHILOSOPHY!
Friday:
Tiffanie and I went to Winchester. We missed our first train, but our tickets were open-ended so we just took the next train. Winchester is very nice. It's how I imagined smaller English cities to be...it felt like we stepped into a book. There were not very many tourists so Tiffanie and I were able to just walk around and explore. We went to Wolvesey Castle...it's not really a castle anymore...it's more like a castle ruin. The guide book says its a Norman castle ruin. That was really fun! No one was really there so Tiffanie and I were just running around the castle!
best part of the trip....
VISIT TO JANE AUSTEN'S HOUSE!!!!!! We took the bus to Chawton, a village outside of Winchester, where Jane Austen lived her last years. She rewrote Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility here. She also wrote the last of her books here. It's not a very big house. She lived there with her mother, sister and her brother and his family. It reminds me of the Collins' house in Pride and Prejudice. I can imagine Mr. Collins working in the garden while Charlotte stays inside the drawing room. I bought 2 books: Tea with Jane Austen and Being Elizabeth Bennett Create Your Own Jane Austen Novel [it's like a create your own adventure books but involving all of Jane Austen's books]
Saturday:
Jeany, Carolyn, Ruhi, Margaret, Tiffanie, Emily, and I all went to Bath. LONGEST TRAIN RIDE EVER! ok...not really, but it did take about 3 hours. I slept most of the way...but there were girls behind us that were very loud at 9 AM. We went to see the Roman Baths. It was pretty cool. The water in the baths was green...kinda gross. I liked how the museum gave us giant cellphone looking things that was part of the audio tour so you could listen to a tour guide without having to crowd around a tour guide. Apparently, the hot springs have curative properties. In the 17th century it became fashionable to drink water from the springs. The Pump Room opened and drinking the spa water is now kinda like a thing to try when you go to the Roman Baths.
It was gross. It was pretty much drinking warm mineral water [and yes, the do filter the water].
We headed over to Sally Lunn's for Tea. It's the oldest house in Bath. Sally Lunn was a baker in Bath and made really good buns and bread. IT IS THE BEST BUN I HAVE EVER HAD! The bun is HUGE [it's as big as my face]. Anyway, I had the Jane Austen Cream Tea [Jane Austen lived in Bath for a while--she hated it, but her last 2 books involved being in Bath]. It was half a bun with raspberry jam and clotted cream and a pot of tea. The bun was so soft, and perfectly toasted...the jam was just right, not too sweet, not to tart.
Charles Dickens also visited Sally Lunn's.
Sunday:
We went to London. We went to the Covent Garden market. It sold a lot of crafts stuff. I thought it would be more like a market market--with fresh fruits and veggies, food, arts and crafts--that sort of thing.
We split up and Ruhi, Margaret, Jeany and I went to the Tower of London. That was really fun! The tower is just a tower. It used to be a town in the middle ages, which became a prison and fort. Narrow, stone, spiral steps in towers are great exercise! [and can make you feel very claustrophobic] We also got to see the torture devices they used on their prisoners--like manacles, the rack, scavenger's daughter and something used for quartering and drawing.
The Crown Jewels. I..yea...WOW.
We got to take a picture with one of the Queen's Guards...he was off duty and was just walking around when Ruhi asked if we can have a picture with him. He was kinda cute....hahaha
I need to do laundy. Very tired.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Greetings from England! Day ....uh..start of week 4
Week-end:
On Saturday, Jeany and I went to London via Coach. We have been craving Asian food really bad, so we decided to find Chinatown. It's not very big compared to the Chinatowns in major cities in the US. It's just like one block or something like that...food was pricey. If you changed the pound sterling sign to dollar signs, they'd still be pricey. Anyway, Jeany and I got dimsum [SOOO GOOD AFTER BEING DEPRIVED OF ASIAN FOOD FOR WEEKS]. ...felt like we were being judge [Jeany felt it more that I did]. We wandered around Chinatown in their grocery stores [I bought more instant pancit canton because it was only 20p]. We also bought some pastries that we ate in front of the British Museum.
British Museum is HUGE. [also free :D] It's overwhelming how much stuff they have! We were in there for at least 3 hours and I don't think we finished the entire museum! I think we saw most of it, but we didnt get to finish looking at the some of the exhibitions. They have several rooms and floors dedicated to their Egyptian collection. It was kinda creepy being in the same room as real dead people [even if they're mummified]. The terra cotta warriors went back to China :( But, GOOD LORD! Their majority of their Asian collection had something to do with BUDDHA! THERE ARE SO MANY BUDDHA STATUES!
So, while booking our coach tickets, I printed out the wrong page. When we got back to the coach station, the bus driver wouldn't let me on the coach because the page I printed did not have the ticket number [even if the other bus driver did]. So, I had to cross the street to the other terminal to use the internet to check my email. By the time I was able to check my email, the coach already left. I WAS STRANDED IN LONDON! Hahaha! No worries. It gets kinda funny.
So, apparently I didn't finishing booking my coach ticket because I didn't have the ticket number in my email or any form of email from the coach company. So, I got to go to London for free!
I just bought a one-way ticket back to Brighton at the station and I left an hour later.
Once I got back to Brighton, I barely missed the bus going back to the Universities, I wasn't that worried, there was another one coming in 15 minutes...THAT ONE NEVER CAME! So I had to wait another 15 minutes for the next bus. That was not fun. I was hungry and cold.
Yesterday, we went back to Primark. I bought 3 camis for 1 pound each and 2 more necklaces for 2.50 pounds each. They even gave me the hangers! We didn't know there was a parade going on so it was kind of hard navigating our way through the crowds.
We made it to Mock Turtle to have cream tea...I figured out the difference between Cream Tea and Afternoon Tea [ok wiki told me] ...both usually take place in the afternoon [between 3-5 pm]
Afternoon Tea: a pot of tea with milk and sugar, served with various sandwiches, scones and cakes
Cream Tea: a pot of tea with milk and sugar, served with scones [with clotted cream and jam]
I love tea time! I really want to learn how to make the Mock Turtle Scones and I want to bring home clotted cream [I'll milk a cow and learn how to make it myself if I have to!]
My final paper is due on Thursday. I have an outline, but I don't have a thesis. It's an opinion/philosophy paper on "must 'good' architecture be beautiful". UGH. I DON'T KNOW.
On Saturday, Jeany and I went to London via Coach. We have been craving Asian food really bad, so we decided to find Chinatown. It's not very big compared to the Chinatowns in major cities in the US. It's just like one block or something like that...food was pricey. If you changed the pound sterling sign to dollar signs, they'd still be pricey. Anyway, Jeany and I got dimsum [SOOO GOOD AFTER BEING DEPRIVED OF ASIAN FOOD FOR WEEKS]. ...felt like we were being judge [Jeany felt it more that I did]. We wandered around Chinatown in their grocery stores [I bought more instant pancit canton because it was only 20p]. We also bought some pastries that we ate in front of the British Museum.
British Museum is HUGE. [also free :D] It's overwhelming how much stuff they have! We were in there for at least 3 hours and I don't think we finished the entire museum! I think we saw most of it, but we didnt get to finish looking at the some of the exhibitions. They have several rooms and floors dedicated to their Egyptian collection. It was kinda creepy being in the same room as real dead people [even if they're mummified]. The terra cotta warriors went back to China :( But, GOOD LORD! Their majority of their Asian collection had something to do with BUDDHA! THERE ARE SO MANY BUDDHA STATUES!
So, while booking our coach tickets, I printed out the wrong page. When we got back to the coach station, the bus driver wouldn't let me on the coach because the page I printed did not have the ticket number [even if the other bus driver did]. So, I had to cross the street to the other terminal to use the internet to check my email. By the time I was able to check my email, the coach already left. I WAS STRANDED IN LONDON! Hahaha! No worries. It gets kinda funny.
So, apparently I didn't finishing booking my coach ticket because I didn't have the ticket number in my email or any form of email from the coach company. So, I got to go to London for free!
I just bought a one-way ticket back to Brighton at the station and I left an hour later.
Once I got back to Brighton, I barely missed the bus going back to the Universities, I wasn't that worried, there was another one coming in 15 minutes...THAT ONE NEVER CAME! So I had to wait another 15 minutes for the next bus. That was not fun. I was hungry and cold.
Yesterday, we went back to Primark. I bought 3 camis for 1 pound each and 2 more necklaces for 2.50 pounds each. They even gave me the hangers! We didn't know there was a parade going on so it was kind of hard navigating our way through the crowds.
We made it to Mock Turtle to have cream tea...I figured out the difference between Cream Tea and Afternoon Tea [ok wiki told me] ...both usually take place in the afternoon [between 3-5 pm]
Afternoon Tea: a pot of tea with milk and sugar, served with various sandwiches, scones and cakes
Cream Tea: a pot of tea with milk and sugar, served with scones [with clotted cream and jam]
I love tea time! I really want to learn how to make the Mock Turtle Scones and I want to bring home clotted cream [I'll milk a cow and learn how to make it myself if I have to!]
My final paper is due on Thursday. I have an outline, but I don't have a thesis. It's an opinion/philosophy paper on "must 'good' architecture be beautiful". UGH. I DON'T KNOW.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Greetings from England! Day 8
I had one of the most amazing days in my life today.
WIMBLEDON!!!!
My friend Margaret and I went to London [Wimbledon Village] to watch The Championships at Wimbledon and it was AMAZING! This was the first time I actually freaked out in UK! hahaha
I was really really excited. It took forever to plan, and I thought things weren't going to follow through...BUT IT DIDNT! We planned on leaving by 7:00 but Margaret didnt wake up in time so we left at 8:30. It took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to the Wimbledon Station ...but it didnt seem that way. Once we got out of the station, we weren't exactly sure where to go, but luckily, we found the bus that was going to take us to the Wimbledon grounds. It took FOREVER to find the parking lot to join "the queue" for buying tickets that day...it was probably about 20 minute walk.
One of the "official stewards" told us that we'd be in line ALL DAY [and i started to freak out in my head...]. Thankfully it didn't take all day--it took 2 hours, which again didn't seem like 2 hours. The line was very organized and CLEAN. The staff had people line up and broke them up in different sections and they would move the line section by section. I learned a catching game while waiting in line:
you have a group of people and you throw a spherical object [those people were using a grapefruit]...if you drop it once, you get down on one knee...if you drop it twice, you drop down on both knees...if you drop it 3x, you sit on your knees...etc. it looked kinda fun.
Margaret and I only waited for 2 hours...then we got to the turnstiles and HOLY FREAKIN' SHIT IM IN WIMBLEDON! Grounds tickets cost 20 pounds and you can watch all the games except for Centre Court, Court 1 and 2 [which have reserved seating and cost more].
First thing we did was buy food[and we were craving hot dogs]....we got the closest thing: a "duchee"--it's sausage with onion marmalade on a baguette...it's not as weird as it sounds...it's actually pretty good. the marmalade tastes like denny's syrup...hahaha
we watched several tennis matches...Zheng vs. Szavay, Ancic vs. Verdasco, the beginning of Rederer vs. Hewitt, the beginning of Petrova vs. Kudyavetseva...I got to see Centre Court [evevn if it was just for a minute] and take a few pictures :D
A very nice lady gave me and Margaret her court 1 tickets, so we got to see Nadal vs. Youzhny and Safin vs. Wawrinka [but got really bored and left to watch the Murray vs. Gasquet match...Andy Murray lost].
Souvenirs were EXPENSIVE! I only bought 2 things because I was charging them to my credit card[which my dad is paying for so I dont use it]...I got my dad a wimbledon shirt and i got myself a shot glass. IT'S PRETTY. im not sharing. special occasions only[with expensive alcohol]. All-in-all, I still can't believe that I got to watch a day at Wimbledon. It feels like a dream...BUT IT'S NOT! happiness.
WIMBLEDON!!!!
My friend Margaret and I went to London [Wimbledon Village] to watch The Championships at Wimbledon and it was AMAZING! This was the first time I actually freaked out in UK! hahaha
I was really really excited. It took forever to plan, and I thought things weren't going to follow through...BUT IT DIDNT! We planned on leaving by 7:00 but Margaret didnt wake up in time so we left at 8:30. It took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to the Wimbledon Station ...but it didnt seem that way. Once we got out of the station, we weren't exactly sure where to go, but luckily, we found the bus that was going to take us to the Wimbledon grounds. It took FOREVER to find the parking lot to join "the queue" for buying tickets that day...it was probably about 20 minute walk.
One of the "official stewards" told us that we'd be in line ALL DAY [and i started to freak out in my head...]. Thankfully it didn't take all day--it took 2 hours, which again didn't seem like 2 hours. The line was very organized and CLEAN. The staff had people line up and broke them up in different sections and they would move the line section by section. I learned a catching game while waiting in line:
you have a group of people and you throw a spherical object [those people were using a grapefruit]...if you drop it once, you get down on one knee...if you drop it twice, you drop down on both knees...if you drop it 3x, you sit on your knees...etc. it looked kinda fun.
Margaret and I only waited for 2 hours...then we got to the turnstiles and HOLY FREAKIN' SHIT IM IN WIMBLEDON! Grounds tickets cost 20 pounds and you can watch all the games except for Centre Court, Court 1 and 2 [which have reserved seating and cost more].
First thing we did was buy food[and we were craving hot dogs]....we got the closest thing: a "duchee"--it's sausage with onion marmalade on a baguette...it's not as weird as it sounds...it's actually pretty good. the marmalade tastes like denny's syrup...hahaha
we watched several tennis matches...Zheng vs. Szavay, Ancic vs. Verdasco, the beginning of Rederer vs. Hewitt, the beginning of Petrova vs. Kudyavetseva...I got to see Centre Court [evevn if it was just for a minute] and take a few pictures :D
A very nice lady gave me and Margaret her court 1 tickets, so we got to see Nadal vs. Youzhny and Safin vs. Wawrinka [but got really bored and left to watch the Murray vs. Gasquet match...Andy Murray lost].
Souvenirs were EXPENSIVE! I only bought 2 things because I was charging them to my credit card[which my dad is paying for so I dont use it]...I got my dad a wimbledon shirt and i got myself a shot glass. IT'S PRETTY. im not sharing. special occasions only[with expensive alcohol]. All-in-all, I still can't believe that I got to watch a day at Wimbledon. It feels like a dream...BUT IT'S NOT! happiness.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Greetings from England! Day 7
I am tired. I possibly have a cough/cold.
Groceries:
majority of British groceries are "all natural" or at least don't have preservatives and so you have to keep buying food. They don't buy in bulk like we do in America.
Metric system much, much smaller than imperial system. I'm almost done with one litre of orange juice that i bought last thursday.
I miss rice.
British coins:
the coins vary in color and size depending on the denomination. While that's all good and dandy, it can still be confusing sometimes. 10p is bigger than 20p. 5p and 20p are roughly the same size, except different shape [20p is septagonal]. 2pound coins are the same size as 2p coins...however, 2pound coins are silver in the middle and gold on the outside. 1pound coins feel like tokens.
Cell phone:
i love my phone because it's unlocked and i can use any sim card from any country, BUT DAMN IT! the sim card i bought from platform 3000[it's an american company that caters to students abroad] suuuucks ass! it's t-mobile UK...but i don't really get reception indoors or my room. I got service from my at&t sim card from the states, but that's HELLA EXPENSIVE. i didnt set my phone to international roaming. oh well, whatever.
Cravings:
i really want asian food! hahaha...i dont want to make it myself because i dont want to buy ingredients myself...i'm scared to try the asian take-out places here. this is want when i get back to the states...when i get back to california, we have to stop at pho house at san jose and get the meatest pho there is! [size small...]
Internet:
my internet here is much slower that it is at home. it's not dial-up...but it makes my facebook act weird and everything is just slower...make me a little sad.
Yesterday:
we went to LONDON!!!! AHHH!!! on the way to the bus, i tripped, hurt my ankle and broke my shoe[eh...it was 5 pounds...i'll live]. We did a walking of London starting from London Dungeon to the House of Parliament [about 7miles!]. I was very,very trigger happy in London. I just took lots of pictures of interesting things, mostly architecture. London has no exact architecture style...it's like a hodge-podge of different architecture styles: neo-gothic, tudor, victorian, modernist, industrial...
We saw lot's of major tourist spots [but not all! haha]: Buckingham Palace, Trafalger's Square, Westminster Abbey, House of Parliament and Big Ben, and other stuff... hahaha
The river cruise was really relaxing. It was great to sit down and not walk everywhere. One of the staff[who was acting like a tour guide] had a cockney accent...i was kinda excited coz I havent heard it since I've been here. LOL NERD.
By the end of the day, everyone was really tired. We ended the river cruise at Greenwich...I had no idea it was near London at all...hahaha. I wanted to go see the meridian line...but that was not on the tour agenda. oh well...maybe one day.
Today:
have done NOTHING ALL DAY! well i did do my readings for class :D...then took a nap.
i absolutely want more meringue cookies[nest]! They are delicious! it's just egg whites and sugar! even though andy roddick isnt playing at wimbledon anymore...IM GOING TO WIMBLEDON TOMORROW!!!
Groceries:
majority of British groceries are "all natural" or at least don't have preservatives and so you have to keep buying food. They don't buy in bulk like we do in America.
Metric system much, much smaller than imperial system. I'm almost done with one litre of orange juice that i bought last thursday.
I miss rice.
British coins:
the coins vary in color and size depending on the denomination. While that's all good and dandy, it can still be confusing sometimes. 10p is bigger than 20p. 5p and 20p are roughly the same size, except different shape [20p is septagonal]. 2pound coins are the same size as 2p coins...however, 2pound coins are silver in the middle and gold on the outside. 1pound coins feel like tokens.
Cell phone:
i love my phone because it's unlocked and i can use any sim card from any country, BUT DAMN IT! the sim card i bought from platform 3000[it's an american company that caters to students abroad] suuuucks ass! it's t-mobile UK...but i don't really get reception indoors or my room. I got service from my at&t sim card from the states, but that's HELLA EXPENSIVE. i didnt set my phone to international roaming. oh well, whatever.
Cravings:
i really want asian food! hahaha...i dont want to make it myself because i dont want to buy ingredients myself...i'm scared to try the asian take-out places here. this is want when i get back to the states...when i get back to california, we have to stop at pho house at san jose and get the meatest pho there is! [size small...]
Internet:
my internet here is much slower that it is at home. it's not dial-up...but it makes my facebook act weird and everything is just slower...make me a little sad.
Yesterday:
we went to LONDON!!!! AHHH!!! on the way to the bus, i tripped, hurt my ankle and broke my shoe[eh...it was 5 pounds...i'll live]. We did a walking of London starting from London Dungeon to the House of Parliament [about 7miles!]. I was very,very trigger happy in London. I just took lots of pictures of interesting things, mostly architecture. London has no exact architecture style...it's like a hodge-podge of different architecture styles: neo-gothic, tudor, victorian, modernist, industrial...
We saw lot's of major tourist spots [but not all! haha]: Buckingham Palace, Trafalger's Square, Westminster Abbey, House of Parliament and Big Ben, and other stuff... hahaha
The river cruise was really relaxing. It was great to sit down and not walk everywhere. One of the staff[who was acting like a tour guide] had a cockney accent...i was kinda excited coz I havent heard it since I've been here. LOL NERD.
By the end of the day, everyone was really tired. We ended the river cruise at Greenwich...I had no idea it was near London at all...hahaha. I wanted to go see the meridian line...but that was not on the tour agenda. oh well...maybe one day.
Today:
have done NOTHING ALL DAY! well i did do my readings for class :D...then took a nap.
i absolutely want more meringue cookies[nest]! They are delicious! it's just egg whites and sugar! even though andy roddick isnt playing at wimbledon anymore...IM GOING TO WIMBLEDON TOMORROW!!!
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