Swedish sometimes doesn't sound like a real language. I know that it is, but there is so much inflection in the words that it really sounds silly. Don't believe me? Next time you've had a little bit too much to drink, look up something Swedish on youtube and check it out yourself, it is funnier if you're drunk, most things are!
Linguistic issues aside (it doesn't really matter as Swedes speak perfect English) Stockholm is awesome =)
We are stayed the first few nights with friends I met in Paris in '05, who have an awesome flat on a very chic island (Stockholm is bunch of islands) Our fourth day, however, they left for Barcelona and we are now house-sitting, also known as staying in their flat for free while they're gone! This is a really terrific city and although I take issue (as a part norsk) of Stockholm totting itself as the capitol of Scandinavia, it is pretty spectacular. They have a number of super cool museums, the coolest being a 400 year old boat - yeah. This boat sank on it's way out of the harbor, lived at the bottom of the Baltic for 330 years, and was then dug out of the muck and restored over a 30 year period. I understand if that sounds a little dull....but its not. This is no ordinary boat. It is the biggest wooden boat I have ever seen-massive I'm sure it is the size of my apartment building and it is incredibly well preserved. Not sure if you know, but Sweden is cold! Which helps preserve things in the water. The water also doesn't have a lot of salt which also helped the ship to stay in such good shape.
On the same island as the ship museum, The Väsa, is an amusement park, a really awesome one. Since there isn't a lot of space here, the park is very compact and everything is super close....not in a scary way, but in a you don't have to hike all over the park to get to rides kind of way! Our last night with J and N, we spent at the park, which was open until 11pm (and of the midnight sun and all) and we had a blast! The roller coasters were amazing and a little bit terrifying. I don't really remember being properly scared on roller coasters before, but I guess I'm getting old =(
We met up with some friends of Mike's the next night, who took us to this hilarious medieval bar that only serves mead. It is made on the premises, so you have no way of knowing how strong it is. It wasn't super strong when we were there, but it is so incredibly easy to drink that at regular strength you can still get drunk much faster than you were expecting. The locals were also caught off guard as the place was full of drunk swedes singing songs....yes, they get drunk and sing drinking songs...its hilarious. Although, when in a cave such as this bar it does tend to get a little loud and I'm feeling a little hoarse today for it.
We have three more days here and I'm hoping to make the most of it, I'll keep you posted!
tack tack!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Praha....Beer me baby!
Oh Man I love Czech beer!
Some of my favorite memories from my last euro trip are in Prague drinking delicious beer with my traveling companions....then, beer was cheaper than water and we figured when in Prague....
This trip was no different and for the first time on our trip we were drinking for lunch and dinner, sometimes straight through! The insufferable heat made Budvar a must! I really love this city and am not at all surprised the A, one of the girls I was in Prague with 5 years ago has moved there. It really is an awesome awesome place. Most disappointing was that A was teaching munchkins at summer camp and we weren't able to meet up =(
Prague is one of these uniquely European cities, the buildings, churches, and castles you would just never find in the USA or AUS. It is so quaint, so charming that is it hard to remember just how fucked these people and this city has been in the last 100 years. Walking around we kept saying, it just doesn't look like the commies were ever here. And it doesn't. It looks like Cinderella's hometown, the skyline is dotted with beautiful church spires and red orange terracotta roofs. On the hour, every hour, bells ring out all over the city....amazing.
I think my favorite thing in Prague was paddle boating on the river. Not only was it the most comfortable paddle boat I have ever been in, but they sold beer on the dock where we rented it, so we grabbed a few and drank them on the river =)
Our most hillarious moment in Prague was the Sex Machine Museum. What is the sex machine museum? Well, as they say, it is an exhibit dedicated to the various inventions designed to give pleasure (or pain) throughout the centuries...yes centuries. There was of course the standard fare, but they also featured inflatable dildos (mostly for homosexual use according to the notes) and my favorite, chastity belts. I had never seen a chastity belt before and I was shocked to see that around the mandatory holes carved into it, were spikes...yikes!
we did take some pictures, that will be uploaded into a private album if you'd like to see send me an email, I believe they are the kind of pictures that could get my fb account shut down!
Praha has definitely come into its own. Sadly, it is no longer an inexpensive respite from backpacking through europe. But you know what? It doesn't really matter. It is such a truly wonderful city that it deserves to reap just as much cash from the tourist trade as the rest of the continent does. Although Mike says its off the list, I'll definitely be back!
Some of my favorite memories from my last euro trip are in Prague drinking delicious beer with my traveling companions....then, beer was cheaper than water and we figured when in Prague....
This trip was no different and for the first time on our trip we were drinking for lunch and dinner, sometimes straight through! The insufferable heat made Budvar a must! I really love this city and am not at all surprised the A, one of the girls I was in Prague with 5 years ago has moved there. It really is an awesome awesome place. Most disappointing was that A was teaching munchkins at summer camp and we weren't able to meet up =(
Prague is one of these uniquely European cities, the buildings, churches, and castles you would just never find in the USA or AUS. It is so quaint, so charming that is it hard to remember just how fucked these people and this city has been in the last 100 years. Walking around we kept saying, it just doesn't look like the commies were ever here. And it doesn't. It looks like Cinderella's hometown, the skyline is dotted with beautiful church spires and red orange terracotta roofs. On the hour, every hour, bells ring out all over the city....amazing.
I think my favorite thing in Prague was paddle boating on the river. Not only was it the most comfortable paddle boat I have ever been in, but they sold beer on the dock where we rented it, so we grabbed a few and drank them on the river =)
Our most hillarious moment in Prague was the Sex Machine Museum. What is the sex machine museum? Well, as they say, it is an exhibit dedicated to the various inventions designed to give pleasure (or pain) throughout the centuries...yes centuries. There was of course the standard fare, but they also featured inflatable dildos (mostly for homosexual use according to the notes) and my favorite, chastity belts. I had never seen a chastity belt before and I was shocked to see that around the mandatory holes carved into it, were spikes...yikes!
we did take some pictures, that will be uploaded into a private album if you'd like to see send me an email, I believe they are the kind of pictures that could get my fb account shut down!
Praha has definitely come into its own. Sadly, it is no longer an inexpensive respite from backpacking through europe. But you know what? It doesn't really matter. It is such a truly wonderful city that it deserves to reap just as much cash from the tourist trade as the rest of the continent does. Although Mike says its off the list, I'll definitely be back!
Buda buda buda buda pest!
Oh man! Go to budapest! We spent an awesome four days there and there was so much to do it was mindblowing!
I'm not sure how up to date any of you are on euro weather....but it has been f&%§ing hot! In fact, most people are saying it's been the hottest summer on record. Ever. Budapest was no exception. It was sweltering...dc humid! Hungary is on the end of a long flat plan that extends from the Russia's western border from the Urals and on the other side are the Alps, so although generally very mild, it is not uncommon for weather systems to get stuck, as it were, before making it over the mountains to Austria, hence the hot hot heat and humidity. DC, I know you've been roasting the last couple days....it was about the same temperature here, with no ac =( Needless to say Mike and I enjoyed regular afternoons naps!
There are some great museums in Budapest and the opera house is really gorgeous, but I was super interested in the history!
So the Hungarian empire used to be massive but after WWI (they were the baddies) Most the of the territory was taken away, so they went from being one of the biggest euro powers with tons of coastal territory to an itty bitty land locked state. They were also invaded by the Nazis after a huge siege and then the Nazis and the soviets fought a massive battle for Budapest at the end of WWII, so the city has been blown to smithereens a number of times -although- and this is a tribute to Hungarians, they always rebuild it exactly the same! So there are these beautiful Gothic and Romanesque buildings that are only 60 years old bc they had to be rebuilt. The Hungarians were then oppressed by the commies for another 40 years - they have the highest suicide rate in europe and I blame the Russians!
Somehow though, the people are lovely and friendly and super eager to make you like budapest as much as they do. We went on a super awesome segway tour of the city (donations are currently being accepted for my pwn personal segway) and our guide, Aggie, was keen to show us the beauty of historical budapest, and she did a great job. I was super keen to ask her about the fall of the commies...she is my age, so she had sort of spotted memories. But some of you may be surprised to learn that her older relatives (according to her) are nostalgic to communism. She explained that they felt there was more dignity then. Keep in mind, that although they didn't have freedom of speech, they did have a place to live and food and fuel to keep warm in winter, none of which is guaranteed now. Perhaps it is because of the 50 years of oppression, but Hungarians take their democracy very serriously. Parliment is mostly repected and they aren't above confidence votes if they aren't happy with government, although they have had the same PM for 7 years, he has had to form almost as many governments!
Hungarians are a little bit desperate for you to taste their wine and sing it's praises, it is delicious and you should! They do so many things, music, art, architecture, wine so well it seems as though they are keen for the rest of us to acknowledge it!
Although the entire trip was fantastic, I think the most important thing we did was go to the secret police museum. It is housed in exactly the building where the secret police work from and the exhibits are incredibly chilling. It covers the horrific parts of Hungary's recent history. In one particularly moving video memory, a gulag survivor tells of how the men were starving and given barely enough calories to survive. They were forced to work 12-18 hours a day and at one point he said to the soviet guards, if you just gave us a little bit more we would be able to work twice as hard for you. The guard replied...we don't care about the work, we just want to torture you. There were also personal accounts of the great rape....although most of the (elderly) women broke down much before that point. Essentially, hundreds of thousands of Hungarians were hauled off to work camps by the Russians and less than 500 ever returned....to this day there are disproportionate numbers of men and women. Although it was quite gruesome and unpleasant, it was also fascinating and I firmly believe it is one of those places that I think everyone should go to.
There are also some awesome places in the city - its wicked old - and we were able to tour underground caves and secret passage ways in and out of the castle, which doesn't exist anymore! They even built a hospital in the cave systems during WWII so they would be able to continue treating people...another very cool exhibit.
I think perhaps the most surprising thing about Budapest was not the delicious wine, but the delicious food. I was quite expecting not to like it as meat meat meat potato potato potato...but what they did with it...YUMMY!
I'm not sure how up to date any of you are on euro weather....but it has been f&%§ing hot! In fact, most people are saying it's been the hottest summer on record. Ever. Budapest was no exception. It was sweltering...dc humid! Hungary is on the end of a long flat plan that extends from the Russia's western border from the Urals and on the other side are the Alps, so although generally very mild, it is not uncommon for weather systems to get stuck, as it were, before making it over the mountains to Austria, hence the hot hot heat and humidity. DC, I know you've been roasting the last couple days....it was about the same temperature here, with no ac =( Needless to say Mike and I enjoyed regular afternoons naps!
There are some great museums in Budapest and the opera house is really gorgeous, but I was super interested in the history!
So the Hungarian empire used to be massive but after WWI (they were the baddies) Most the of the territory was taken away, so they went from being one of the biggest euro powers with tons of coastal territory to an itty bitty land locked state. They were also invaded by the Nazis after a huge siege and then the Nazis and the soviets fought a massive battle for Budapest at the end of WWII, so the city has been blown to smithereens a number of times -although- and this is a tribute to Hungarians, they always rebuild it exactly the same! So there are these beautiful Gothic and Romanesque buildings that are only 60 years old bc they had to be rebuilt. The Hungarians were then oppressed by the commies for another 40 years - they have the highest suicide rate in europe and I blame the Russians!
Somehow though, the people are lovely and friendly and super eager to make you like budapest as much as they do. We went on a super awesome segway tour of the city (donations are currently being accepted for my pwn personal segway) and our guide, Aggie, was keen to show us the beauty of historical budapest, and she did a great job. I was super keen to ask her about the fall of the commies...she is my age, so she had sort of spotted memories. But some of you may be surprised to learn that her older relatives (according to her) are nostalgic to communism. She explained that they felt there was more dignity then. Keep in mind, that although they didn't have freedom of speech, they did have a place to live and food and fuel to keep warm in winter, none of which is guaranteed now. Perhaps it is because of the 50 years of oppression, but Hungarians take their democracy very serriously. Parliment is mostly repected and they aren't above confidence votes if they aren't happy with government, although they have had the same PM for 7 years, he has had to form almost as many governments!
Hungarians are a little bit desperate for you to taste their wine and sing it's praises, it is delicious and you should! They do so many things, music, art, architecture, wine so well it seems as though they are keen for the rest of us to acknowledge it!
Although the entire trip was fantastic, I think the most important thing we did was go to the secret police museum. It is housed in exactly the building where the secret police work from and the exhibits are incredibly chilling. It covers the horrific parts of Hungary's recent history. In one particularly moving video memory, a gulag survivor tells of how the men were starving and given barely enough calories to survive. They were forced to work 12-18 hours a day and at one point he said to the soviet guards, if you just gave us a little bit more we would be able to work twice as hard for you. The guard replied...we don't care about the work, we just want to torture you. There were also personal accounts of the great rape....although most of the (elderly) women broke down much before that point. Essentially, hundreds of thousands of Hungarians were hauled off to work camps by the Russians and less than 500 ever returned....to this day there are disproportionate numbers of men and women. Although it was quite gruesome and unpleasant, it was also fascinating and I firmly believe it is one of those places that I think everyone should go to.
There are also some awesome places in the city - its wicked old - and we were able to tour underground caves and secret passage ways in and out of the castle, which doesn't exist anymore! They even built a hospital in the cave systems during WWII so they would be able to continue treating people...another very cool exhibit.
I think perhaps the most surprising thing about Budapest was not the delicious wine, but the delicious food. I was quite expecting not to like it as meat meat meat potato potato potato...but what they did with it...YUMMY!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Down the coast....and back again!
We arrived in Sorrento via ferry and were greeted with a stunning cliff face! The city rises straight from the sea with no foreseeable way up. Luckily for us there were buses! Our hotel was charming and right in the center of the little town and I do mean little. Much of it has been pedestrianized and so we were able to walk without the normal italian fear of being knocked unconscious by a moped.
We went to pompeii, which is now crossed off my bucket list and climbed mt. vesuvais! Pompeii was really spectacular, it didn't take an active imagination to see how the city would have been 2000 yrs ago. Our guide was excellant and he made sure to point out not only the numerous bars, but the equally numerous brothels! Inside the whorehouses-they had frescos which served as menus and depending on which menu you were into that was the room you entered...brillant! However, as pompeii is an open air musuem, most of the good stuff had been sent to the Natioanl museum in Napoli, so it really is a bunch of ruins....really really cool well preserved ruins. They had plaster casts of bodies that had the expressions of terror still frozen on their faces, it was very touching.
Climbing the volcano was awesome....although I was a little afraid it would blow...this has been the longest period of inactivity in thousands of years and so it was an entirely unfounded fear! It was a perfect clear day and because it's right on the bay there was a perfect breeze!
Sunday was our day of rest and I spent mine laying in a beach chair on a dock in the medd. It was perfect and I felt much rejuvinated! I know I'm on holiday....but as most of you know, traveling is exhausting!!
Today, monday, we took a train to Napoli...which turned out to be more eventful that we'd hoped! About halfway, the engine died and we had to switch trains...luckily there was another waiting, but the train was much more crowded than when we'd boarded and so it was a struggle to fit us and our packs! I was really looking forward to the National Museum, where most of the Pompeii treasures are housed, but...stupid Naples has a stupid strike and we couldn't go in...I'm gutted. There is of course a silver lining...as I was asking the police officer (note: I DO NOT SPEAK ITALIAN!) where the museum was he started talking....I said to him (in italian) I don't speak Italian to which he smiled and nodded and motioned me closer and repeated whatever it was he had just said more slowly and loudly...I wonder if that's where Americans get it from. Anyway, it sort of worked bc I recognized the french word for strike and as I looked around it was obvious that was what was going on.
Disapointed as I was, Mike suggested, we search for the 'best pizza in Naples' as reccomened by my gf D in rome. I was excited...we had been let in on a local's secret! We were walking down this cozy street and there it was...Sorbillo! To be honest, it wasn't quite what I was expecting-which was a dirty tiny mom and pop shop with a menu only in Italian. Instead, it was a clean charming cafe with signs out the front saying BEST PIZZA IN NAPOLI! THE ONLY ORIGINAL SORBILLO IN NAPOLI etc etc. The pizza was, however, excellant, as attested to by all the travel guides and newspaper articles on the shelves.
Tomorrow we're off to Budapest, which according to Lonely Planet is more urban than Vienna and more romatic than Prague...I'll keep you posted!
xxx
We went to pompeii, which is now crossed off my bucket list and climbed mt. vesuvais! Pompeii was really spectacular, it didn't take an active imagination to see how the city would have been 2000 yrs ago. Our guide was excellant and he made sure to point out not only the numerous bars, but the equally numerous brothels! Inside the whorehouses-they had frescos which served as menus and depending on which menu you were into that was the room you entered...brillant! However, as pompeii is an open air musuem, most of the good stuff had been sent to the Natioanl museum in Napoli, so it really is a bunch of ruins....really really cool well preserved ruins. They had plaster casts of bodies that had the expressions of terror still frozen on their faces, it was very touching.
Climbing the volcano was awesome....although I was a little afraid it would blow...this has been the longest period of inactivity in thousands of years and so it was an entirely unfounded fear! It was a perfect clear day and because it's right on the bay there was a perfect breeze!
Sunday was our day of rest and I spent mine laying in a beach chair on a dock in the medd. It was perfect and I felt much rejuvinated! I know I'm on holiday....but as most of you know, traveling is exhausting!!
Today, monday, we took a train to Napoli...which turned out to be more eventful that we'd hoped! About halfway, the engine died and we had to switch trains...luckily there was another waiting, but the train was much more crowded than when we'd boarded and so it was a struggle to fit us and our packs! I was really looking forward to the National Museum, where most of the Pompeii treasures are housed, but...stupid Naples has a stupid strike and we couldn't go in...I'm gutted. There is of course a silver lining...as I was asking the police officer (note: I DO NOT SPEAK ITALIAN!) where the museum was he started talking....I said to him (in italian) I don't speak Italian to which he smiled and nodded and motioned me closer and repeated whatever it was he had just said more slowly and loudly...I wonder if that's where Americans get it from. Anyway, it sort of worked bc I recognized the french word for strike and as I looked around it was obvious that was what was going on.
Disapointed as I was, Mike suggested, we search for the 'best pizza in Naples' as reccomened by my gf D in rome. I was excited...we had been let in on a local's secret! We were walking down this cozy street and there it was...Sorbillo! To be honest, it wasn't quite what I was expecting-which was a dirty tiny mom and pop shop with a menu only in Italian. Instead, it was a clean charming cafe with signs out the front saying BEST PIZZA IN NAPOLI! THE ONLY ORIGINAL SORBILLO IN NAPOLI etc etc. The pizza was, however, excellant, as attested to by all the travel guides and newspaper articles on the shelves.
Tomorrow we're off to Budapest, which according to Lonely Planet is more urban than Vienna and more romatic than Prague...I'll keep you posted!
xxx
Roma
I was gutted to learn that it is actually much cheaper to fly between european capitols than it is to train it...so thats what we did. After a speedy 160 kph ride to the airport from Paris we boarded a plane to Rome. Now, Paris is crazy, romantic, and beautiful. Rome is crazy, romantic, and chaotic!
We stayed in the old part of the city, very close to the spanish steps and Trevi fountain. Although it was crawling with tourists, we were able to find some lovely eats down the side streets....and the wine....yummy!
Day one we had a wander, admired the fountain, the steps and the city in general, we got lost a few times, but who doesn't? Day two we went to the colluseum and the forum-we had pretty good guides to point out the important ruins, but as it was roasting hot (35/95) we mostly stood in the shade and he pointed stuff out from underneath the trees! Day three I defied logical sense and ventured to bring Mike to the vatican. Again, it was incrediably hot and the first 2 hours in the musuem I thought I might melt...keep in mind I am not overly heat sensitive but jesus christ!
The collection is spectacular, as well it should be given how much they've plundered over the years and our giude was quite good. To be fair though, I was quite dismayed when on the musuem tour he skipped right over a room full of Chagall's in favor of some others....I however, paused =)
Mike, was mostly well behaved, although he did say things like, 'is it really a good idae to bring children here?' in the direction of a family with lots of little boys...but I don't think they were english speakers, whew! In the basicalla he did a few naughty things-but didn't get caught so we I can safely say we didn't get thrown out...which as some of you know was a risk I took that day! We also met up with some friends of mine in Rome, D and C whom I had met in france in 2003! We had dinner, drinks, and lots of laughs as Mike questioned them insessently about Papal interference in Italian politics!
The day we were due to leave, there wa s train strike. So, instead of being able to jump on the metro, we ahd a to take a cab. Then, instead of taking the cheap train for ten euro, we had to take the euro star. Of course, we didn't work that out until we'd missed a number of cheap trains to naples. Luckily we finally made it to Napoli, where we boarded a ferry for sorrento for the weekend!
We stayed in the old part of the city, very close to the spanish steps and Trevi fountain. Although it was crawling with tourists, we were able to find some lovely eats down the side streets....and the wine....yummy!
Day one we had a wander, admired the fountain, the steps and the city in general, we got lost a few times, but who doesn't? Day two we went to the colluseum and the forum-we had pretty good guides to point out the important ruins, but as it was roasting hot (35/95) we mostly stood in the shade and he pointed stuff out from underneath the trees! Day three I defied logical sense and ventured to bring Mike to the vatican. Again, it was incrediably hot and the first 2 hours in the musuem I thought I might melt...keep in mind I am not overly heat sensitive but jesus christ!
The collection is spectacular, as well it should be given how much they've plundered over the years and our giude was quite good. To be fair though, I was quite dismayed when on the musuem tour he skipped right over a room full of Chagall's in favor of some others....I however, paused =)
Mike, was mostly well behaved, although he did say things like, 'is it really a good idae to bring children here?' in the direction of a family with lots of little boys...but I don't think they were english speakers, whew! In the basicalla he did a few naughty things-but didn't get caught so we I can safely say we didn't get thrown out...which as some of you know was a risk I took that day! We also met up with some friends of mine in Rome, D and C whom I had met in france in 2003! We had dinner, drinks, and lots of laughs as Mike questioned them insessently about Papal interference in Italian politics!
The day we were due to leave, there wa s train strike. So, instead of being able to jump on the metro, we ahd a to take a cab. Then, instead of taking the cheap train for ten euro, we had to take the euro star. Of course, we didn't work that out until we'd missed a number of cheap trains to naples. Luckily we finally made it to Napoli, where we boarded a ferry for sorrento for the weekend!
J'adore Paris!
God I love Paris! It was exactly as I remember, although I must say infinitely more romantic with a partner! I'm pleased to report that Mike enjoyed Paris almost as much as I did! We did all the usual things, notre dame, la tour eiffel, arc de trimophe, le louvre, d'orssay. But a few less usual things as well.
My personal highlight was the Musee De l'orangerie. It is a space sourced by Monet, specifically to exhibit his waterlillies. I literally had tears in my eyes when I walked into the first gallery. Its all natural light deflected through a skylight and the waterlillies look amazing. We also climbed up the towers of notre damen (significantly less stairs than those I've had to climb to my flat during various floods!) which I'd never done and I was finally able to pay my respects to the Lizzard King, which was memorable!
We induldged in some other truely french experiences, aside from making out all over town, which included wine and cheese along the banks of the seine as well as at the base of la tour eiffel. We also watched some fabulous buskers in the square in front of notre dame fire twirling one night...it was like magic. And oh did we eat! I love eating in Paris almost as much as I love Paris itself =)
Regrettably I don't have the words to explain my deep profound love of this city, but I'm eternally gratefuly I was able to share it with Mike =)
bisous
My personal highlight was the Musee De l'orangerie. It is a space sourced by Monet, specifically to exhibit his waterlillies. I literally had tears in my eyes when I walked into the first gallery. Its all natural light deflected through a skylight and the waterlillies look amazing. We also climbed up the towers of notre damen (significantly less stairs than those I've had to climb to my flat during various floods!) which I'd never done and I was finally able to pay my respects to the Lizzard King, which was memorable!
We induldged in some other truely french experiences, aside from making out all over town, which included wine and cheese along the banks of the seine as well as at the base of la tour eiffel. We also watched some fabulous buskers in the square in front of notre dame fire twirling one night...it was like magic. And oh did we eat! I love eating in Paris almost as much as I love Paris itself =)
Regrettably I don't have the words to explain my deep profound love of this city, but I'm eternally gratefuly I was able to share it with Mike =)
bisous
All's Well in London-town!
It is important to remember that this was my very first trip to London without being insanely hungover, and it was brillant!
We arrived in early afternoon and promptly went to meet up with one of my dear friends Z. We met in Paris and haven't seen each other since a super crazy highly memorable pamplona experience in 2005. I'm sure none of you will be surprised to hear we didn't miss a beat! She has a charming town house in Notting Hill with a very pleasant (illegal) rooftop terrace where the three of us passed a fantastic afternoon drinking screwdrivers. One of my favorite things about English summer, is that is stays light until about 10pm so afternoon generally lasts until 7.
About that time, we hopped a bus to Mike's mate's place, in Chiswick. To be fair chiswick is a bit out of town....but it is right on the water and the train station is very close....so it worked out quite well. J and H made us feel right at home and even welcomed us with a BBQ....Z came along too since she was off to birmingham the next evening and we wanted lots of catch up time! Dinner, drinks and convo were all spectacular and fun was had by all.
The next day we went back to Z's where I made yummy brunch accompained by my signature bloody mary. We had a nice slow morning and we were off! After saying goodbyes-Mike and I commenced to wandering! We had very firm plans with a strict itinary, however as often happens we got caught up in the wander and much was missed! We did in our ramblings end up at Churchills war rooms, which were very cool as they have remained virtually untouched since the end of the war.
London was a lovely mish-mash of sightseeing and catching up, as Mike spent a number of years there. His oldest friend, is a fabulous artist, and you should check him out his stuff is awesome AND he took us to a fantastic viet resto in brick lane...which is traditionally where you'd get curry...but apparently living there you get sick of it quite quickly which is understandable! He also had a fantastic rood terrace, this one legal, where we all enjoyed drinks and sunsets =)
One of my favorite London experiences was absolutely the Tate Modern...I've been a bit intrigued by modern art for awhile ( it grew from disinterest) but the Tate was fantastic! It's in an old factory so the space is spectacular, but the exhibits were really stunning....there are some pictures, look for them on picasa soon. But the highlights were defintiely the VW sculpture art and the Andy Warhols. The Warhol room begin as a total mind fuck-there is color and light everywhere-classic warhol screenprinting as wallpaper with warhol screen printing portraits behind....but once you warm up to it-it is really stunning.
Our last night in London we watched the US play Ghana and a classic english pub-I had fish and chips for dinner and then we went to a late night comedy show. The comedians were hillarious, even when they were taking the piss outta things I didn't understand, I suppose that was mostly because they hada funny accents! Late night comedy is not entirely conducive to an early start which is exactly what we had the next day boarding the euro-star to paris!
xxx
We arrived in early afternoon and promptly went to meet up with one of my dear friends Z. We met in Paris and haven't seen each other since a super crazy highly memorable pamplona experience in 2005. I'm sure none of you will be surprised to hear we didn't miss a beat! She has a charming town house in Notting Hill with a very pleasant (illegal) rooftop terrace where the three of us passed a fantastic afternoon drinking screwdrivers. One of my favorite things about English summer, is that is stays light until about 10pm so afternoon generally lasts until 7.
About that time, we hopped a bus to Mike's mate's place, in Chiswick. To be fair chiswick is a bit out of town....but it is right on the water and the train station is very close....so it worked out quite well. J and H made us feel right at home and even welcomed us with a BBQ....Z came along too since she was off to birmingham the next evening and we wanted lots of catch up time! Dinner, drinks and convo were all spectacular and fun was had by all.
The next day we went back to Z's where I made yummy brunch accompained by my signature bloody mary. We had a nice slow morning and we were off! After saying goodbyes-Mike and I commenced to wandering! We had very firm plans with a strict itinary, however as often happens we got caught up in the wander and much was missed! We did in our ramblings end up at Churchills war rooms, which were very cool as they have remained virtually untouched since the end of the war.
London was a lovely mish-mash of sightseeing and catching up, as Mike spent a number of years there. His oldest friend, is a fabulous artist, and you should check him out his stuff is awesome AND he took us to a fantastic viet resto in brick lane...which is traditionally where you'd get curry...but apparently living there you get sick of it quite quickly which is understandable! He also had a fantastic rood terrace, this one legal, where we all enjoyed drinks and sunsets =)
One of my favorite London experiences was absolutely the Tate Modern...I've been a bit intrigued by modern art for awhile ( it grew from disinterest) but the Tate was fantastic! It's in an old factory so the space is spectacular, but the exhibits were really stunning....there are some pictures, look for them on picasa soon. But the highlights were defintiely the VW sculpture art and the Andy Warhols. The Warhol room begin as a total mind fuck-there is color and light everywhere-classic warhol screenprinting as wallpaper with warhol screen printing portraits behind....but once you warm up to it-it is really stunning.
Our last night in London we watched the US play Ghana and a classic english pub-I had fish and chips for dinner and then we went to a late night comedy show. The comedians were hillarious, even when they were taking the piss outta things I didn't understand, I suppose that was mostly because they hada funny accents! Late night comedy is not entirely conducive to an early start which is exactly what we had the next day boarding the euro-star to paris!
xxx
Meeting the King & CO?
So although it's been a number of weeks....weìll carry on as if it hasn't, ok?
It was nice to be in England with Mike and visit with his parents.....don't tell him I said this ( as he gets the 'live show' he isn'tt a follower!) but it is so easy to see the connection between them all, lol. His 'mum' made a lovely dinner the first night I was there, of course he didn't tell her about the 'meat that swims' thing, so she'd made lamb lasagna....hmmm.
On day two Mike took me on one of his classic pre-gena dates. We went to this adorable village, Henley-on-thames, where Mike rowed me down the thames in a row boat =) it was all very civiliZed and romantic to be sure. Then we had lunch at this charming little french cafe, over which I was rapt until I realized a few days later that it was a chain...boo! Henley-on-thames also happens to be the town where my favorite Beatle, George settled and so we went into stalker mode and made our way up to his house....and by house I mean mansion and by mansion I mean estate. For those of you who may not have seen an estate before, it's the kind of property where you can't see the house from the road. SICK!
Day three with Mike and Fam, his parents took us to Hampton Court...home of intregiue, huge dresses, and clandistine affairs-at least is was 500 years ago! It was, at it's zenith, the most ridiculous of all the ridiculous castles stayed in by the English royal family. For those of you Henry VII fans, it was built by cardinal Wosley and became property of the King when he had 'off with his head'. Unfortunetly, it was all rebuilt in baroque style by Christopher Wren in the 18th cen-so very little remains of the original building. It can, however, boast to having the largest and oldest vine-yes vine in the world as well as the original gardens and tennis courts. To this day, you are only allowed to play on this court if you are a royal....well whoo-wee.
It was a really wonderful day and I'm so grateful that Mike's parents suggested it....after a lovely morning/early afternoon at court Mike and I hopped a train to London-town =)
xxx
It was nice to be in England with Mike and visit with his parents.....don't tell him I said this ( as he gets the 'live show' he isn'tt a follower!) but it is so easy to see the connection between them all, lol. His 'mum' made a lovely dinner the first night I was there, of course he didn't tell her about the 'meat that swims' thing, so she'd made lamb lasagna....hmmm.
On day two Mike took me on one of his classic pre-gena dates. We went to this adorable village, Henley-on-thames, where Mike rowed me down the thames in a row boat =) it was all very civiliZed and romantic to be sure. Then we had lunch at this charming little french cafe, over which I was rapt until I realized a few days later that it was a chain...boo! Henley-on-thames also happens to be the town where my favorite Beatle, George settled and so we went into stalker mode and made our way up to his house....and by house I mean mansion and by mansion I mean estate. For those of you who may not have seen an estate before, it's the kind of property where you can't see the house from the road. SICK!
Day three with Mike and Fam, his parents took us to Hampton Court...home of intregiue, huge dresses, and clandistine affairs-at least is was 500 years ago! It was, at it's zenith, the most ridiculous of all the ridiculous castles stayed in by the English royal family. For those of you Henry VII fans, it was built by cardinal Wosley and became property of the King when he had 'off with his head'. Unfortunetly, it was all rebuilt in baroque style by Christopher Wren in the 18th cen-so very little remains of the original building. It can, however, boast to having the largest and oldest vine-yes vine in the world as well as the original gardens and tennis courts. To this day, you are only allowed to play on this court if you are a royal....well whoo-wee.
It was a really wonderful day and I'm so grateful that Mike's parents suggested it....after a lovely morning/early afternoon at court Mike and I hopped a train to London-town =)
xxx
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Redcoats are Coming!
So now I'm in England and it's adorable!!
I landed on friday morning and spend my first weekend with my friend H and her fiance R. Now H & R met while H and I were traveling through Australia! Then she moved to england to be with him and now they're getting married! How cute is that!?! We had a terrific weekend and although we were all disappointed by England's terrible showing in the soccer, I managed to stay up til the end and sleep through the night....jet lag? Not this girl!
On Saturday we went for a lovely English drive through villages that look like Harry Potter could have stepped out of the door. It took me a while to enjoy it, because a regular road in England is the size of an itty-bitty side street, and the English drive like they're on the bloody autobahn! To be honest it's terrifying, then you remember that nobody wants to crash the car and you loosen up a bit! After life in the sunburnt land of oz the green of england is unbelievably refreshing! It's something you don't notice that you're missing. But my first glimpse of green had me feeling thirsty for more! Apparently it's been raining heaps in England (I hear it does that) but I've had beautiful sunny days so far-lucky lucky me!
On Saturday night we had a bit of an Australia reunion, as the mate R had traveled through oz with came out for drinks....oi was I in trouble! Two shots down and I realized I was screwed! We yanks just can't really hang when the English want to drink...even after three years in oz I was in over my head! After a long fun night came the painful morning =(
Luckily I'm a bloody mary master - J and I sucked one down and felt much better! We were able to have a leisurely morning - which I love - and then I hopped a coach (bus) to Reading (think redding) to meet up with Mike - hurray!
xx
home again home again =)
I really have to say I had the best visit home. Although, to be fair it was way too short!
I'd like to preface by saying I'm so sorry if I didn't say goodbye and even sorrier if we didn't get to meet up. My time was super scheduled and I had a very. important. wedding one weekend which made it tricky to see everyone. Chances are, if you're reading this, I really wanted to see you and I'm sorry =(
It's not you it's me.
For those of you I skipped town on, I'm also incredibly sorry. I have a hard time with goodbyes these days...so sometimes it's easier to avoid them...look for a postcard coming your way =)
Oh but DC how I love you! I had a really amazing few weeks, from the other out of town guests (thanks Kate and Kris) to the wonderful meals/drinks with friends....I don't have the words. Suffice it to say I love you all.
My first weekend back but was big blur between a huge Saturday night and then a BBQ on Sunday I felt like a giant lush all weekend! The BBQ was fun and it was even more fun bc people brought kids =) I love kids. I especially love my friend's kids....especially when I can give them back when they start crying! haha
My weeks were filled with lunches/dinners with friends. I'm really happy I was able to spend more time with my momma this trip =) We got to go to a bit of theater and had some great chats which was special. I can't tell you all how well Mom and I get along now that we're on opposite sides of the planet!
The wedding weekend extravaganza has got to be one of the best weekends in memory! Not only was one of my favs marrying a guy I'd known for 10 years, but their awesome families went out of the way to make sure everyone had a good time. Don't believe me? The mother of the bride gave us (the bridal suite) THREE HANDLES OF LIQUOR to ensure our levity and oh did it work!
Although I was definitely ready to see Mike (it'd been 3 weeks!) I was super sad to leave. I had an awesome last day...I got to meet a friend's baby - coincidently this baby has the same name as the future daughter of yours truly - and I spent most of the day with the best best a girl could have =)
DC you must know that although I chose to live away you and yours are always in my heart....I love you guys!
xxx
Better Late than Never!
Well seeing as how I'm traveling I decided I'd better do with some regular writing again =) I've been taking notes, so hopefully I'll get everything in.
I left Melbourne on 25 May and flew the long way round (through abu dhabi-it's on the Saudi peninsula look it up! ) Now, before you go judging me for going 'the long way', you should know that the planes were brand new, the food was better, AND I could charge my iphone from my seat! Oh yeah, and the flight was cheaper plus I arrived in Chicago sans jet lag. An all around score I'd say! In fact, I'm not above a little plug, as long as Etihad Airlines remains cheaper than the rest I'm happy to fly an extra 10 hours in comfort...did I mention I avoided customs at LAX?? Bonus Round for me!
Chicago was fantastic as always. Not only did I get to see my oldest and dearest friend, I got to meet her son, my nephew Grant =) I love him. I wish I could post pictures, but I didn't get my act in gear and upload before I left emerica...so we'll all have to wait on that. lociento
Chicago in summer has got to be one of the best cities around, as Liz (a childhood buddy I caught up with in chi-town) claims, the winters keep the real estate prices down which is why most people don't know how amazing it really is....I wouldn't really know about the winters as I avoid the north like the plague come snow season!
We enjoyed booze filled dinners on the deck. Booze filled dinners on the boat. Booze filled dinners....I think you get the point! My point is that for the first time ever I drank more than Cat-not Bill, never Bill :-p. You have to understand, Bill especially has relished in getting me drunk ever since I was a wee lass-something about him filling in my only child neglect or something....anyways, since they had a baby on board it was a one woman show and let me tell you, it was a good one!
In all seriousness though, all you out there should absolutely go to Chicago and take a boat on a lake! Hands down my favorite thing to do in Chicago summer as long as I'm with my favorite Chicagoans....is that what you're called?? For the first season ever I was present for the boat's first dip. Even more spectacularly I was witness to baby's first boat ride =) He loved it until the motion of the ocean knocked him out! tee-hehe
Cat's parents are my father's oldest friends, so catching up with them is always incredibly special. Her father especially has memories of my dad that no one else does, so dinner with Cat's parents was a major highlight.
As much as I love everything in chicago, baby Grant is my new chi-town love. My last day there we took him to baby music class-he was rapt! As was I-haha. There was singing and dancing and instruments and scarves....bubbles at the end whats not to love??
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
ONTO STAGE TWO!
After a craaaaaaazy week of teaching non stop I am finally home!
I have realized a few important things in the last seven days. Firstly, I love not having to drive everywhere! This past week, when I've had to drive everywhere! I've really really hated it! I've been commuting 2 hours a day...ick!
I've also reaffirmed that I would never ever live in queensland....compared to Melbourne, its just a bit boring....that said I love to visit, especially to see the girls =)
Most importantly, I've realized that I really really love teaching esl. It's fun and it's engaging. If I want to plan an awesome lesson I can, if I don't there's heaps of material on the interwebs I can use....what more can you ask for. Plus, the average english teacher works about 20-30 hours a week and makes more than I'm making now! ker-ching!
It's a really good feeling to finally be here and have found something I enjoy and I'm good at....next up: the job hunt begins!!
I have realized a few important things in the last seven days. Firstly, I love not having to drive everywhere! This past week, when I've had to drive everywhere! I've really really hated it! I've been commuting 2 hours a day...ick!
I've also reaffirmed that I would never ever live in queensland....compared to Melbourne, its just a bit boring....that said I love to visit, especially to see the girls =)
Most importantly, I've realized that I really really love teaching esl. It's fun and it's engaging. If I want to plan an awesome lesson I can, if I don't there's heaps of material on the interwebs I can use....what more can you ask for. Plus, the average english teacher works about 20-30 hours a week and makes more than I'm making now! ker-ching!
It's a really good feeling to finally be here and have found something I enjoy and I'm good at....next up: the job hunt begins!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
prac day 2
Class was great! As expected. Although, the laid back causal style of the gold coast would definitely NOT fly in melbs. We spent a good 15 minutes talking about drugs and drug laws and how stupid they are. In a language class. But, as long as the students are speaking English, what more can you ask for? Haha
I taught a 1 hour conversation class on my first full day! Eek….I was totally thrown into it. One of the teachers had made an appoitment and there was no one else to do it, when they asked if I wanted to I couldn’t really say no. It was awesome though! It went really well. I gave the students a topic, they discussed it in groups for about 20-25 mintues and then we debated it as a class for another 25-30 minutes….conversation class…check!
Tonight I had another looooong class…it’s 4 hours! I planned for 2 hours of it. I think I over did it a bit, although I’d rather challenge the students then have them be bored. To unwind at the end I had them listen to Let it Be I had created a sheet with the lyrics, taken a few words out in each stanza and then they had to listen for the words. They all knew the song, so it wasn’t too hard, but just hard enough =) Busy busy day two =)
xx
I taught a 1 hour conversation class on my first full day! Eek….I was totally thrown into it. One of the teachers had made an appoitment and there was no one else to do it, when they asked if I wanted to I couldn’t really say no. It was awesome though! It went really well. I gave the students a topic, they discussed it in groups for about 20-25 mintues and then we debated it as a class for another 25-30 minutes….conversation class…check!
Tonight I had another looooong class…it’s 4 hours! I planned for 2 hours of it. I think I over did it a bit, although I’d rather challenge the students then have them be bored. To unwind at the end I had them listen to Let it Be I had created a sheet with the lyrics, taken a few words out in each stanza and then they had to listen for the words. They all knew the song, so it wasn’t too hard, but just hard enough =) Busy busy day two =)
xx
the prac...day 1
Arriving in queensland its hard to believe I’m in the same country. Where I’ve come from its cold and rainy….clearly winter. But here its gentle and warm(er) not as warm as I was hoping, but obviously tropical.
Tiger Airways is THE cheap carrier in Australia and I got cheap flights….of course the planes were old and the concourse barely attached to the airport, but that is the price I didn’t pay. I was running late had no idea where the terminal was and ended up running halfway across tullimarine (Melbourne airport) to find terminal four, a nice phrase for the shack that houses tiger in Melbourne. I barely made it…last one allowed to check in for the flight. Honestly, for a borderline shoddy establishment, they sure do keep tight to their timetables!
After a cramped sleep on the plane (I always sleep on planes, its really the only acceptable way to pass the time as far as I’m concerned) I landed on the goldcoast. Also known as bris-vegas to aussies everywhere, I can only assume because of the overweight population, excess of temptation, and cheap and cheesy shopping everywhere.
I’ve rented a car for the week because there is virtually no public transportation here. Its quite weird to have a car. I don’t have a car in melbs and don’t want a car in mebs, we in fact, rent out our car space for $60 a week and its fabulous! The problem, as some of you may remember from the madness that was Gena in America last year, I’m not really used to being a driver anymore. I’m fine actually driving, probably safer because I pay much more attention driving than I ever did before. The problems usually arise after happy hour when someone asks “hey Gena, how are you getting home?” My general answer is “TRAM!” because where I live, I can always take the tram home and its safe no matter how much I’ve had to drink because I’m not driving. When I’m not at home, especially when I have driven this usually creates a BIG problem. Over the winter/summer when I was in NoVa, several times I forgot I had driven to the bar and had to a) take a cab home and b) ask my step-father/some other friend to drive me back in the morning to pick up said vehicile….ouch. tres embarrassing. Luckily for me, I’m on an anti-biotic so that shouldn’t be a big problem this time around.
I digress, so I get my car and the fancy gps I’ve decided to rent along with it (for $3.50/day!!) and am on my way. Since I haven’t really had a car for the past 2.5 years I have very little experience with gps, so as much as I love the idea of it, I kind of distrust it too (the robots are taking over!) My fears proved well founded when within 10 minutes of leaving the airport I was in New South Wales. The next state. I had driven across state line. THIS WAS NOT RIGHT. I am positive that the gold coast and surfers paradise are in queensland, the sunshine state! That’s where I needed to be. It turns out the gps did know best and NSW was just a detour to northern motorway. Huh, who would’ve thought? Go south to get north, leave the state to get to another city within it? TOM-TOM (that’s the gps, mom) sure had a funny idea about “fastest route”. But soon enough I found myself to be thrilled with TOM-TOM. It really knew what it was doing and how to get me around….sweeeeeet. Pretty soon I found myself talking to it, “great job TOM-TOM. Thanks for that TOM-Tom. Not sure where in NSW I’d be without you TOM-TOM.” Then I got concerned. Is that normal? Is it ok to talk to your gps? I figure it must be, because you can’t really have the music too loud or else you won’t be able to hear it. You can’t drive with the windows down (which lets be honest, is the best part) because it drowns out TOM-TOM’s voice, so what else am I supposed to do?
Soon enough I got back into the swing of being a driver and was pleased to discover that driving a stick is indeed like riding a bike….you can never forget. Wvertime I rent a car here I request a manual, but generally as soon as I open my mouth to say “thank you” they assume that:
American + female = can’t drive stick…argh. But not this time around, the fine establishment I’ve rented from, cut price car rentals (its all in the name isn’t it?) did indeed give me a stick and soon enough I was racing off lights with the best of them!
Vroom vroom = FUN!
Long story long, I made it! Hooray! I’m sitting on the camps now as I type this, under a gazebo watching horses walk past surrounded by the squawking of birds (hey! It can’t all be pleasant). The language school shares grounds with a horse riding academy. I’m wearing flip-flops and sitting outside. Didn’t exactly picture this when I woke up in rainly dreary melbs this morning. I’m a lucky one alright!
xx
Tiger Airways is THE cheap carrier in Australia and I got cheap flights….of course the planes were old and the concourse barely attached to the airport, but that is the price I didn’t pay. I was running late had no idea where the terminal was and ended up running halfway across tullimarine (Melbourne airport) to find terminal four, a nice phrase for the shack that houses tiger in Melbourne. I barely made it…last one allowed to check in for the flight. Honestly, for a borderline shoddy establishment, they sure do keep tight to their timetables!
After a cramped sleep on the plane (I always sleep on planes, its really the only acceptable way to pass the time as far as I’m concerned) I landed on the goldcoast. Also known as bris-vegas to aussies everywhere, I can only assume because of the overweight population, excess of temptation, and cheap and cheesy shopping everywhere.
I’ve rented a car for the week because there is virtually no public transportation here. Its quite weird to have a car. I don’t have a car in melbs and don’t want a car in mebs, we in fact, rent out our car space for $60 a week and its fabulous! The problem, as some of you may remember from the madness that was Gena in America last year, I’m not really used to being a driver anymore. I’m fine actually driving, probably safer because I pay much more attention driving than I ever did before. The problems usually arise after happy hour when someone asks “hey Gena, how are you getting home?” My general answer is “TRAM!” because where I live, I can always take the tram home and its safe no matter how much I’ve had to drink because I’m not driving. When I’m not at home, especially when I have driven this usually creates a BIG problem. Over the winter/summer when I was in NoVa, several times I forgot I had driven to the bar and had to a) take a cab home and b) ask my step-father/some other friend to drive me back in the morning to pick up said vehicile….ouch. tres embarrassing. Luckily for me, I’m on an anti-biotic so that shouldn’t be a big problem this time around.
I digress, so I get my car and the fancy gps I’ve decided to rent along with it (for $3.50/day!!) and am on my way. Since I haven’t really had a car for the past 2.5 years I have very little experience with gps, so as much as I love the idea of it, I kind of distrust it too (the robots are taking over!) My fears proved well founded when within 10 minutes of leaving the airport I was in New South Wales. The next state. I had driven across state line. THIS WAS NOT RIGHT. I am positive that the gold coast and surfers paradise are in queensland, the sunshine state! That’s where I needed to be. It turns out the gps did know best and NSW was just a detour to northern motorway. Huh, who would’ve thought? Go south to get north, leave the state to get to another city within it? TOM-TOM (that’s the gps, mom) sure had a funny idea about “fastest route”. But soon enough I found myself to be thrilled with TOM-TOM. It really knew what it was doing and how to get me around….sweeeeeet. Pretty soon I found myself talking to it, “great job TOM-TOM. Thanks for that TOM-Tom. Not sure where in NSW I’d be without you TOM-TOM.” Then I got concerned. Is that normal? Is it ok to talk to your gps? I figure it must be, because you can’t really have the music too loud or else you won’t be able to hear it. You can’t drive with the windows down (which lets be honest, is the best part) because it drowns out TOM-TOM’s voice, so what else am I supposed to do?
Soon enough I got back into the swing of being a driver and was pleased to discover that driving a stick is indeed like riding a bike….you can never forget. Wvertime I rent a car here I request a manual, but generally as soon as I open my mouth to say “thank you” they assume that:
American + female = can’t drive stick…argh. But not this time around, the fine establishment I’ve rented from, cut price car rentals (its all in the name isn’t it?) did indeed give me a stick and soon enough I was racing off lights with the best of them!
Vroom vroom = FUN!
Long story long, I made it! Hooray! I’m sitting on the camps now as I type this, under a gazebo watching horses walk past surrounded by the squawking of birds (hey! It can’t all be pleasant). The language school shares grounds with a horse riding academy. I’m wearing flip-flops and sitting outside. Didn’t exactly picture this when I woke up in rainly dreary melbs this morning. I’m a lucky one alright!
xx
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
brrrr
This has been the coldest week of my life in melbourne and I'm not too happy about it.
I've reviewed my previous post where I described my feelings about a week in queensland as 'mixed'....well I'm over it. I'm thrilled to be going to the warm sunshine for 7 days. Anything to get me out of the cold....brrrr
I've reviewed my previous post where I described my feelings about a week in queensland as 'mixed'....well I'm over it. I'm thrilled to be going to the warm sunshine for 7 days. Anything to get me out of the cold....brrrr
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Well, it's finally happening! I'm going to do my student teaching at the end of the month in Queensland, since I couldn't find a place in Melbourne to do it. I have mixed feelings about this, it'll be nice to get it done and I do have some girlfriends I'll get to see, which is sweet. But, I don't like having to go away and spend $$ I don't have on a non-vacation. On the other hand, autumn/winter is descending upon Melbourne and its always sunny in qld!!
Proper autumn (its not fall here!) takes so long and the 'nasty' seasons are so short I'd forgotten what its like to wake up to the sound of the wicked witch of the west landing on your house.....this morning I was reminded. This wind is fierce! ick...and its going to be like this until august....gross.
The thing that really sucks about melbourne winter is that it isn't especially cold, just cold enough to be really uncomfortable, not cold enough to freeze. And all it does is rain, rain, rain. Does anyone remember the Winnie-the-Pooh story of the blustery day where piglet gets stuck in a honey pot and the hundred acre woods floods? (I work with kids, remember?) That is what melbourne winter is like, except, they don't collect the water and as its pouring rain for months they tell us we're in a drought....grrr.....
Proper autumn (its not fall here!) takes so long and the 'nasty' seasons are so short I'd forgotten what its like to wake up to the sound of the wicked witch of the west landing on your house.....this morning I was reminded. This wind is fierce! ick...and its going to be like this until august....gross.
The thing that really sucks about melbourne winter is that it isn't especially cold, just cold enough to be really uncomfortable, not cold enough to freeze. And all it does is rain, rain, rain. Does anyone remember the Winnie-the-Pooh story of the blustery day where piglet gets stuck in a honey pot and the hundred acre woods floods? (I work with kids, remember?) That is what melbourne winter is like, except, they don't collect the water and as its pouring rain for months they tell us we're in a drought....grrr.....
Saturday, March 14, 2009
drunk in the clouds
So, I was a little drunk last night.....out to dinner bottle of wine...gm at disgestif, you know how it goes.
Anyways we get home and it's super overcast...I mean the fog had descended upon the city....and we were in the middle of it. I guess one of the cool things about living so high is that occasionally you get stuck in a cloud. It was like magic. At first I thought I had been transported to Gotham city, but after a few seconds I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the cloud and it felt more like a magical candyland.
The downside of being stuck in a cloud at night means a very cloudy day. Not sure if I'll be leaving the couch today!
Anyways we get home and it's super overcast...I mean the fog had descended upon the city....and we were in the middle of it. I guess one of the cool things about living so high is that occasionally you get stuck in a cloud. It was like magic. At first I thought I had been transported to Gotham city, but after a few seconds I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the cloud and it felt more like a magical candyland.
The downside of being stuck in a cloud at night means a very cloudy day. Not sure if I'll be leaving the couch today!
Friday, March 13, 2009
work etc....
So I've started toying with the idea of becoming an actual kindergarden teacher....not a kinder room in childcare, which is where I currently work, but an actualy kinder teacher. Whats the difference? you may ask, well, the difference is that in childcare you work with all these retards who don't know how to do their jobs . When the center is short staffed I often have to deal with much younger children who wear diapers and the pay is crap. In a kinder you're with kids 5-6 hours a day, instead of 9 and its 4 days a week and you get 6-7 hours a week to plan lessons! whoo whoo AND you get all school holidays off paid! sweeeeeeeet.....I'm kinda liking this idea. what do we think friends?
xx
xx
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
SLACKER!!
Yes Me!! I know I've been absolutely terrible, no good emails or updates or anything. As I'm sure many of you can imagine that means I'm in a bit of rut, but that's no excuse, you all are my near and dear and you deserve better!
So, as for me, I'm still working in the Kindergarten, I've basically been working on and off at the same child care center for almost a year, which is a little ridiculous! I was there for 3 months before I came home for the summer and then I've been there pretty much full time since October. I'm unbelievably over it! I love my kids to death and a lot of days are really fun. I am, however, tired of spending all day every day with people who scream whenever they don't get their way and occasionally shit themselves. Add to that the director of my center is 24 and completely inexperienced, she wants everyone to like her so she doesn't put her foot down or manage at all...grrrrrr.
I've finished my qualification to teach English and I will be highly qualified, but I can't find a place to student teach...I need 10 hours in the classroom and I'll be all set ready to find a teaching job and no one will let me student teach! I can't tell you how discouraging it is. I've called every language school and community center in the Melbourne Area and so far no luck, if any of you have ideas please let me know! I want to start my career!!
Personally, life couldn't be better =) Mike and I are starting the ground work to apply for permenant residency (pr), which means we can stay in Australia for the next 10 years if we want to and have all the rights (not a lot of the responsibility: oz has mandatory voting!) of citizens. That may not sound like a super big deal, but let me enlighten you! Australia has health cover called medicare and they way it works is the government takes 1% of your paycheck and you get covered for all emergency, contraception, doctors, etc...all the big stuff. Almost everyone is eligible for medicare b/c Australia has recipricol health agreements with almost every country in the world....except the United States. So, while everyone else gets this awesome coverage, I'm still paying for everything out of pocket AND to add insult to injury, b/c there is this awesome gov sponsered health care system, the private cover I do have doesn't cover the basics, no private cover does (don't worry mom, I've covered for emergencies etc!). When I have pr, I'll be able to get this totally awesome health care! YAY!
We've also done a bit more traveling around oz, we went to adelaide a few weeks ago, which is the capital of South Australia and is offically the farthest west I've been on this continent! It's a charming little city full of lovely sweet people and delicious food!! South Australia is a very famous wine growing region so we were able to take advantage of the local speciality! haha I'd like to think I'm becoming a bit of a consiuerr of Australian wines, so if you have any questions, let me know! I'm definitely becoming a total wino =)
As many of you may have heard there were terrible fires in Australia recently, the worst fires in Australian recorded history, almost 200 people died and thousands lost their homes. The most severe fires were within about an hours drive of Melbourne and although we could see and smell smoke in the city, it never got more serrious than that. To put it in perspective, everyone I know who is from Victoria (Melbourne is the capital of Victoria) knows at least one person/family that lost their house. It's just incridibely tragic.
As for me, I continue to enjoy some of the happiest moments in my life, despite missing you all dreadfully! I've started Bikram Yoga, which is a 90 minute yoga class in a 102-107 degree room (38-42 celcius)! I know it sounds ridiculous, but its one of the best life decisions I've ever made, I adore my classes and feel fantastic =)
I'm sure most of you have figured out that I won't be home this summer and believe me, I'm pretty gutted, but I figure its time to get real about my finances and I can't afford it. You all, however, can probably afford to fly here =)
Qantas airways is offering flights for about $600 round trip from the west coast and about $800 round trip from the east coast....when I came home last summer my flights cost $3000!! Even better, for those of you under 26, STA travel is offering roundtrip flights for under $500! I mean, come on people, I had better be seeing you this year, I don't think flights will ever again be this cheap!
I hope you all are well and excited for spring =) Contrary to my actions, you are always on my mind. I will do better and make more of an effort with this blog, so we don't have entries as long as this one!
Congrats if you made it to the end! I love you tons!
xxxxxxx
me =)
So, as for me, I'm still working in the Kindergarten, I've basically been working on and off at the same child care center for almost a year, which is a little ridiculous! I was there for 3 months before I came home for the summer and then I've been there pretty much full time since October. I'm unbelievably over it! I love my kids to death and a lot of days are really fun. I am, however, tired of spending all day every day with people who scream whenever they don't get their way and occasionally shit themselves. Add to that the director of my center is 24 and completely inexperienced, she wants everyone to like her so she doesn't put her foot down or manage at all...grrrrrr.
I've finished my qualification to teach English and I will be highly qualified, but I can't find a place to student teach...I need 10 hours in the classroom and I'll be all set ready to find a teaching job and no one will let me student teach! I can't tell you how discouraging it is. I've called every language school and community center in the Melbourne Area and so far no luck, if any of you have ideas please let me know! I want to start my career!!
Personally, life couldn't be better =) Mike and I are starting the ground work to apply for permenant residency (pr), which means we can stay in Australia for the next 10 years if we want to and have all the rights (not a lot of the responsibility: oz has mandatory voting!) of citizens. That may not sound like a super big deal, but let me enlighten you! Australia has health cover called medicare and they way it works is the government takes 1% of your paycheck and you get covered for all emergency, contraception, doctors, etc...all the big stuff. Almost everyone is eligible for medicare b/c Australia has recipricol health agreements with almost every country in the world....except the United States. So, while everyone else gets this awesome coverage, I'm still paying for everything out of pocket AND to add insult to injury, b/c there is this awesome gov sponsered health care system, the private cover I do have doesn't cover the basics, no private cover does (don't worry mom, I've covered for emergencies etc!). When I have pr, I'll be able to get this totally awesome health care! YAY!
We've also done a bit more traveling around oz, we went to adelaide a few weeks ago, which is the capital of South Australia and is offically the farthest west I've been on this continent! It's a charming little city full of lovely sweet people and delicious food!! South Australia is a very famous wine growing region so we were able to take advantage of the local speciality! haha I'd like to think I'm becoming a bit of a consiuerr of Australian wines, so if you have any questions, let me know! I'm definitely becoming a total wino =)
As many of you may have heard there were terrible fires in Australia recently, the worst fires in Australian recorded history, almost 200 people died and thousands lost their homes. The most severe fires were within about an hours drive of Melbourne and although we could see and smell smoke in the city, it never got more serrious than that. To put it in perspective, everyone I know who is from Victoria (Melbourne is the capital of Victoria) knows at least one person/family that lost their house. It's just incridibely tragic.
As for me, I continue to enjoy some of the happiest moments in my life, despite missing you all dreadfully! I've started Bikram Yoga, which is a 90 minute yoga class in a 102-107 degree room (38-42 celcius)! I know it sounds ridiculous, but its one of the best life decisions I've ever made, I adore my classes and feel fantastic =)
I'm sure most of you have figured out that I won't be home this summer and believe me, I'm pretty gutted, but I figure its time to get real about my finances and I can't afford it. You all, however, can probably afford to fly here =)
Qantas airways is offering flights for about $600 round trip from the west coast and about $800 round trip from the east coast....when I came home last summer my flights cost $3000!! Even better, for those of you under 26, STA travel is offering roundtrip flights for under $500! I mean, come on people, I had better be seeing you this year, I don't think flights will ever again be this cheap!
I hope you all are well and excited for spring =) Contrary to my actions, you are always on my mind. I will do better and make more of an effort with this blog, so we don't have entries as long as this one!
Congrats if you made it to the end! I love you tons!
xxxxxxx
me =)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
G'Obama!
Although it is tuesday the 4th here in the melbs, the election is TOMORROW!! I'm so freaking excited and scared. I kinda just want it to all be over, the anticipation is killing me!
So today is a public holiday here, for a horse race....yeah I said it. But tomorrow is a public holiday for me as I spend the day with my country people in a pub watching election returns!! it should be super fab and I have a gift certificate to the pub for doing so well in political trivia a few weeks ago!
I hope you all have voted will vote etc...I know I have although hopefully the election won't be close enough to count my absentee vote. How exciting is it that VA isn't even one of the most contested states (according to washington post today!) Go Big Blue!
and here folks....is my happy face!
So today is a public holiday here, for a horse race....yeah I said it. But tomorrow is a public holiday for me as I spend the day with my country people in a pub watching election returns!! it should be super fab and I have a gift certificate to the pub for doing so well in political trivia a few weeks ago!
I hope you all have voted will vote etc...I know I have although hopefully the election won't be close enough to count my absentee vote. How exciting is it that VA isn't even one of the most contested states (according to washington post today!) Go Big Blue!
and here folks....is my happy face!
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