Videos

Catching up!

I know I know. It has been far too long since my last post. I hate to make excuses, but I have been so busy living life that I haven't been able to comfortably sit and write everything down on the computer. Even now I feel a bit rushed because I should be finishing my summer job emails and packing for Paris tomorrow.

So since my last post I have visited Scotland for the weekend, Alex came to visit me in London, and I took my final exams. Whirlwind of activity. It's funny cause I gave myself a day off to do nothing before going to Paris and I'm at a loss. Somehow nonstop activity is just ingrained in me now.

SCOTLAND:

Me and my roomates along with a friend from upstairs stayed in Glasgow together for the weekend. Ugh, we spent over 8 hours waiting at the airport because our flight was canceled and then our rescheduled flight was delayed. Ryanair is a cheapy airline. Once we got there we took a bus to the hostel which at the top of the hill looking over Glasgow. We had a beautiful view of the University. Such pretty architecture!

The next day we spent walking around University Glasgow and even walked in on a Scottish wedding. So many kilts! The weather was really sunny (something I'm not used to in london) and I got some great photos.

At night we walked around Sauchiehall Street and Ashton Lane and went to a few clubs. One night I was there I met up with Lucy Amon, one of my buddies from Marblehead. It was really great to see a familiar face.

The next day we went on a daytrip to Edinburgh. SOO worth it. The train ride was really beautiful with rolling hills and sheep. The train was packed though because there was a rugby game that day and EVERYONE was going. I'm talking painted faces, kilts, scarves, they had everything going on.

Upon getting there we found the top of a hill overlooking Holyrood Road and the city. Please see video post...And we also walked up to Edinburgh castle to try haggis at a store and look at the white mountains in the distance.

Overall it was a pretty adventure. I'll have to write more about it when I have more time...

ALEX'S VISIT:

Oh man. There's a lot of pressure writing this post. I don't know how we packed so much activity into such a short amount of time. I think I crossed everything off my London To Do list pretty much.

Here's what we did!

Day One –

Caught the first train to Heathrow Airport at 5:54 am. Couldn't sleep cause I was too excited. Turns out Alex's plane got in early at 5am and I didn't arrive there till 6:30am. That train could not get there fast enough.

We napped real quick at Glenna and Robin's (my aunt and uncle's where we stayed for the week) and then headed over to Buckingham Palace. The queen was home, cause the flag was raised. We also walked around St. Jame's Park and then up to Parliament and Big Ben. After assuring me that he would take NO PHOTOS if I gave him the camera, Alex went snap happy. :)

Then I had planned a surprise for us that evening. I still have the music from it stuck in my head as I'm writing right now. We went pub hopping for a bit before coming to the Dominion Theater to see the musical We Will Rock You! The theater itself is a spectacle, let alone the performance. The singing was enough to make me want to immediately download the soundtrack off itunes. The plot was redank - it's set in the future when rock music has been banned and a group of bohemians try to get it back. At one point a sparkling guitar breaks free from a pile of rocks so they can rock out. It was basically a giant concert. I was so tired at intermission but during the second act I believe I was doing the double fist pump during some of the songs. That says something.


Day 2 –

Loves it. We went to Westminster Abbey and each took one of the audio guides. I can't believe the people that are burried there! Dickens, Lyell, Newton, Chaucer, Darwin...It was Darwin's 200th birthday the day before so we missed some of the activity. The cloisters are really beautiful too, it looks like the courtyard in Harry Potter. We also took a sneak peak at the gardens which were closed. People actually live there! So beautiful.

Just as we were leaving the sun was starting to poke through so we decided today would be the day to go on the London Eye. Please see slideshow. There are really no words to describe it. Alex, can you help me out in the form of a comment?




After that we had dinner with Glenna and Robin and went out on Fulham Broadway. We went to three places: a salsa club, a college bar, and a crazy club. It's such a contrast to Boston where I have to wait at home while other get to go enjoy the nightlife. And, they played Bohemian Rapsody that night. Perfect!


Valentines day –

I'm sorry, but no one elses valentines day can top this. I am still in disbelief that Alex came all this way and we got to celebrate while exploring! We started off the day at the Tate Modern. Saw works by Picasso, Miro, Manet, Diego Rivera, Salvador Dali...The list goes on.

On the way out we took pics of the Thames and the view of St. Paul's Cathedral. Shakespeare's Globe Theater is right next door so we stopped to see that too. After crossing the Millenium Bridge, we walked in St. Paul's. We didn't get to climb to the top because of mass, but seeing the inside is still spectacular. After that we got a bite to eat and stopped for coffee at a cute cafe. Alex got me a rose.

Then it was time for my valentine's day gift/surprise (I am full of surprises). We made the walk down to Tower of London where we could see the Tower Bridge. Alex kept begging to go on it but that was actually where I was taking him later after dinner. So, to kill some time we walked along the wharf and stopped to talk and drink some wine. The night was absolutely clear and something I will not forget.

After dinner we headed to the bridge for champagne and a jazz band at the top. It was all lit up in red and there were about a million couples. I'll post the video so you can get an idea of what it was like.

Day 4 –

Museum hoppin' day. We went to Exhibition Road at hit up the Natural History Museum and the V and A museum. They were packed with people! On the bus ride over from Glenna's Alex took pictures of the Chelsea Football Club to brag to his buddies back home.

The museums were great but there was just not enough time or energy to do it all. The V&A helped me study for my British History exam because I was able to recognize some of the monarchs and the context of the paintings. I felt really special. And somewhat prepared! Thank goodness.

On the way home, we stopped by my flat so Alex could get to see where I live and meet the roomies. After that we took a slight detour to platform 9 and three quarters! Yup. Alex HAD to go. Such a photo op! The pics are cute.


That night we were pooped and went to bed relatively early.

Day 5 -

UGH FINALS. I woke up early to write my final paper for Journalism while Alex slept in. Then I had a meeting for my internship while Alex explored Hyde Park. Then I had to go finish the paper and attend the second part of the meeting. Why BU schedules two separate meetings during my final is beyond me. Alex and I did manage to find the time to go to Hyde Park together to feed the swans, pigeons, and squirrels. We had too much fun. Hahaha, I'll post those videos too...

Because I had those stupid meetings all day we didn't get back to Glenna's until 7ish so we picked up pizza and beer on the way for dinner. Pizzahut, just so Alex could get back into American mode again. We spent the night packing and relaxing while Alex helped me study for my British History exam.

Day 6 -

Not really much of a day. We woke up early got the stuff together and headed on the long ride tube ride to the airport. Sigh. Back to the real world...

When I got back to the flat I had about 1.5 hours to study before my test, but I fell asleep in the study lounge with my papers on my lap. A friend from class woke me up.


And now, I am done with two out of three classes. Tomorrow I leave for Paris to visit Kaitlin Bishop, one of my best friends from home and my nextdoor neighbor. More adventures await...

Love you Alex.

<3 A


ps. More videos, photos, and slideshows are yet to come for this post. Stay tuned! Also, I have posted ALL my pics from the trip on facebook if you wanna see them.

Some Scotland Video

Snowstorm

So it snowed today! The most in London since 1991. Me and some friends from the building walked over to Hyde Park and built the most enormous snowman ever. It was funny because crowds of people would come over and watch and take pictures next to it. I felt like I was back in Boston. :)

Chinese New Year

I had to narrate.