I Can't Believe

...YIKES! I've been home from Europe for over a month - all that time I spent planning, the time I was there, and now it's so very back to the same old, same old. Wierd...

Songs From The Europe Trip

As is very usual for me, I make all major associations with music - I truly have a soudtrack to my life. All major and lots of minor life events have songs that are attached to them - the songs that I loved at a certain time in my life or that occurred during a certain event or I associate with ceratin people in my life. So, of course, I have a soundtrack to my trip this summer! Some of the songs I remember include:

Plain White T's "Hey There Deliliah"
Rhianna "Shut Up And Drive"
Fergie "Big Girls Don't Cry"
Avril Levine "When You're Gone"
Gwen Stefani "4 In the Morning"
Rhianna "Umbrella"
Avril Lavine "Girlfriend"
Maroon 5 "Makes Me Wonder"
Kelly Clarkson "Never Again"
Paul McCartney "Dance Tonight"
Lifehouse "First Time"
Timbaland "The Way I Are"
Linkin Park "What I've Done"


I'm sure there are more and I'll add to this list, but these are the one's that stick out for now.

11 July, 2007

We arrived at London Gatwick a little bit early, around 8:30. I changed some money and we got our railpasses validated. We hopped aboard the Gatwick Express to London's Victoria Station. It was SO busy and so crazy and we were so tired. I'm surprised we made it! I bought Oyster cards and we made our way to the Underground with all of our luggage. I don't really remember that first Undergorund trip, but using the map, we obviously got from Victoria to King's Cross. We both had to use the bathroom upon arriving at King's Cross and found you had to pay for it! I went first becasue A. was tired and crabby and didn't know where to go or how to use it! After waiting around the train station for nearly an hour, our train to Edinburgh came up on the sign and we made our way to the platform. It had been so long since I'd been on a train, I kind of forgot how it all worked - where to sit, reservations, correct car, etc. But we got settled and seemed to be headed in the right direction. A very nice gentleman sat next to me until York and I tried hard to be polite and carry on a converation, but eventually fell asleep and slept most of the way to Edinburgh. We had planned on CouchSurfing in Edinburgh, but for whatever reason, the emails never made it to me prior to the trip (I found them after the trip) and we stayed in a hostel instead. We arrived in Edinburgh ~4:30 and were oh-so-tired. I tried following the directions they gave us and got us started in the right direction (all uphill, I might add), but we had to ask directions several times. We eventually made it up to the top of the hill and lo and behold, we were at the Edinburgh Castle. But who cares when you are exhausted, your lungs and legs are burning from carrying luggage and climbing hills, you're hungry and REALLY need a shower?? We asked one of the guards at the Castle for directions, he turned and pointed and there was our hostel - truly at the bottom of a set of stairs at the base of the castle!

Our Hostel - our room is at top center

Our Hostel

View from our hostel

We checked in, carried our luggage up to the top floor (oh my aching legs!) and showered. Well, the showers on the top floor had very little water pressure and I couldn't get any hot water. I gave up after A. finished her shower and went to the BR on the floor below, which worked well. I think we both felt better after that! I tried out my new adaptors for my hairdryer - mine didn't work - what was up with that?? None of mine worked! Luckily, someone had left their batteries charging on an adaptor that did work and I could dry my hair that way (OK- I'm spoiled - I gotta have my hairdryer - it's my one little luxury when travelling!) We left our stuff in our room (it was a big one with 6 sets of bunk beds and a window that looked out to the castle) and climbed ALL THOSE STAIRS back UP to the castle and walked partway down the Royal Mile, looking for food. We cut through a square with lots of pre-teen and teen goths - really, not just a few, but a lot! We ate at Subway cuz I knew what we'd be eating and it was easy - I tols A. that we wouldn't be eating American the whole time, but for tonight, this would do! After a little food, we wandered part way down the Royal Mile and windowshopped. The weather was nice - sunny and cool and windy. We made our way back to the hostel, back up the hill and then down the steps. We we returned, we met some of our roomates - to A.'s surprise, some of them were male! There was a woman from NJ who was travelling with her son and nephew in our room - they had driven up from England via Wales that day - what a great trip! We were tired and went to bed fairly early. The bad things about dorm rooms in hostels is the noise, but we slept pretty good that night!

our hostel room - view from our bunks

our bunks are the 2 on the left

10 July, 2007

With many tears on my part, A. and I leave for her house around 12:30.

Us leaving!

I have a cab scheduled to pick us up at 3:00. We arrive at the airport before 4:00, get checked in and wait! We start boarding at ~6:15.



I had us in seats one behind the other, but a couple is sitting one next to me and one next to A. and they ask if we can switch with them so they can sit together. Of course we are nice and switch, but I wish we hadn't. After eating and watching "You've Got Mail", I try to sleep, but that couple is playing cribbage all night long. Urrgghhh! All I wanna do is sleep! I learned on the way back home that I actually slept more than I thought, but it sure didn't feel like much. A. claims she didn't sleep more than 20 minutes all night long (well, it was a short night)!

More YouTube Hilarity!

this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Y73sPHKxw&mode=related&search=

and this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_PILVkA0MY

and probably my favorite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgitCdbPWkw

Potter Puppet Pals

... are HILARIOUS! Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4

New Radio Station

With my awesome new car, I pick up a radio station out of the Cities that I haven't been able to previously get - KOOL 108. They play so many great songs - all oldies going back to the 50's and 60's and up to the early 90's. Just like my iPod (which currently isn't working so great in my car - the stereo has a CD player, so no cassette adaptor for the iPod. And the radio picks up so many stations that the FM receiver I have to send the iPod signal to the radio hardly works - too much radio interference). Anyway, I LOVE the variety. I love music!

My Bike

This is one of 3 bikes I own! My husband got this for me for my birthday after we had seen and fell in love with the cruiser's on the beach in California last year! I love it! I have a bell for it that I need to put on, then it'll be perfect! It's great because I don't bend forward at all and my back doesn't bother. I love my other bike's, too - my Trek hybrid and my Fuji mountain bike. (My dad has been riding my Trek for the past several years- I keep saying we need to get him his own bike so I can have mine back, but then again I don't ride it every day.)

What I'm Loving Now

1). Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest was on this weekend, twice, and I caught parts of it both times!
2). All 3 Back to the Future Movies were on this weekend and I caught parts of all 3!
3). Sadie doing the agility course 90% off lead and doing awesome!
4). Clean floors - I mopped the wood floors with Murphy's Oil Soap and did the kitchen in Pine-Sol - it' smells and looks great for a change!
5). AC - again!
6). Star Trek TNG
7). Dreaming about going to London AGAIN!!
8). Going for 2 bike rides and numerous dog walks with perfecet weather Fri. and Sat.!
10). Setting a fat loss goal of 30# by October 21, 2007. YAY! I CAN do it!

I'm Moving To London, I'm Moving to London, I'm Moving To London

(repeat as often as necessary to convince oneself!)

...well, not really, but I WISH I were. Does that count?!! I KNEW that once I visited London, I'd NEED to go back and want to stay forever. I can't wait for the next visit! I decided today that London will be MY yearly vacation spot - with or without husband or kids. I just need to go there as often as possible!

We Made A Decision

...to get a NEW PUPPY! Someone had collie pups in the paper and we thought we'd go out to look at them tomorrow. But alas, when I called to inquire about them, they only have males left and we want a female (we think a girl will fit in better with our girls). Oh well - we'll just keep our eyes open and see what turns up!

This Week...

...I took Wednesday off and went into the Cities to take A. shopping. Hard to believe that she will be a senior this year - AAACCKKKK! We hit Old Navy first and after a slow start, we found some cute stuff. A. got a 3/4 length plum shirt with a tank to go under it and a pair of brown pants. We found some shoes at Payless to match - she's looking very good! I think she could do a senior picture in that outfit. We both got striped polos (only $7.50 each!) and A. got some other shirts. I think we left there with lots of stuff and only spent $60. Then on to Payless and FamousFootwear (where I found 2 pair of shoes, but will need to return them because they are too big). Heading back to the car, I couldn't find my key anywhere. When we got there, there it sat on the passenger seat on our bag from Old Navy. OMG! A. went around to the driver's side and for whatever reason, it was unlocked and we could get in! Thank goodness! Then it was off to California Pizza Kitchen for a California CLub pizza - YUM! We went to Lane Bryant next. We found tons of stuff for A. - she got several t-shirts (a bit more dressy than her normal t-shirts), a pair of jeans (stone washed - not the really light ones she normally wears and they are much more flattering). Then we found a nice black dress shirt. And lastly, I found a red tank that we layered a white tank with red and silver stars over, then added a denim jacket - so adorable! We didn't buy the denim jacket, but have coupons for Sept. that we'll use to get that. I told her she HAS to wear that outfit for her pics she wants taken at the ranch for her srn. pics - she looked awesome! I even made her try on a headband! She said "you're gonna turn me into girl!" Yah - and a pretty one at that if she can wear something besides faded jeans and big, baggy t-shirts all the time! All in all, the total was $260, but with all the discounts and the gift card I had, I only spent $140 - woohoo!!

The Bourne Ultimatum

The first 10-20 minutes - yah - that was my trip - the EuroStar, Gare du Nord, Waterloo Station, Westminster Bridge - all of it - so very cool!

Some UK Favourites

1). Camden Markets
2). The Tower of London
3). Westminster Bridge - what a view!
4). London Walks
5). Meeting lots of friendly people
6). Edinburgh Castle
7). The Royal Mile
8). Hedge Mazes
9). Shakespeare Plays
10). OK-EVERYTHING!

What I'm Loving Now

1). Turning the AC off and enjoying some fresh air that isn't too hot!
2). Going for a bike ride without a sore back and with decent weather!
3). Cheap flight to London that I'm so tempted to buy!
4). Re-reading Tony Robbins and applying new things he says each time I read it (I'm so gonna make it all work out!)
5). Pigtails!
6). Our Girls!

TEMPTED

British Airways is having a sale that ends Friday - I can fly to London from Chicago for $209 each way - that's less than half of what I paid this summer! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I SO wanna go!

So Very Cute!

Last night at agility, we were there early to practice a few things before everyone got there. We had the dogs off leash and hubby was taking Sadie through. Miss Kami decided she needed to follow them, running the obstacles after Sadie or just going around them, tail up and wagging, ears pricked - just adorable! I think they like agility!

I Am Boring

...I have nothing to write about! OK - I do - but I'm feeling lazy! I WILL get a day-by-day of my vacation up here soon - if I don't, I may forget everything!

All I do know for sure, I WILL be returning to London someday and soon! I LOVE the UK, like I always knew I would! When I win the lottery, maybe we'll move there! (or at least visit often!)

A Needy Collie

...won't stop pestering me for pets! She has been stuck to me since I came home. And when she was outside and saw me at the door, she perked up her ears and trotted right up to me with a smile on her face! I LOVE that girl!

More Pics

Inside Notre Dame

Along the Seine

DisneyLand Paris

An English Garden at Leeds Castle

A Pygmy Hippo at The London Zoo

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

This is purely my initial, gross overview reaction to the book: LOVED IT! I had meant to savor the book and tried to hold out, but once I started reading, I couldn't stop and I finished it in record time! It is a fabulous story and I cried and loved every minute of it! I need to re-read it a little bit more slowly and try to catch all of the details. Oh what an ending to the saga of a boy called Harry!

Last Ones for Tonight!

Big Ben

It's Here!!

The Eiffel Tower (in the rain)

Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Train Station

The Louvre

I Can't Stop!

Me and A. at Notre Dame

The London Eye

The Entrance to the Ministry Of Magic

I caved - we went to EuroDisney in Paris!

Parliment and Big Ben

The Horse Guard Dismounting Ceremony, London

A Few More Teasers

The Kings' Horses at the Armoury of the Tower of London

Me at Trafalger Square

Hagrid at the Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows MuggleCast and Waterstone's Premiere Party

Tower Bridge, London

At the Tower of London

More Teasers

A Close in Edinburgh, Scotland

The London Eye

Warthogs at the London Zoo

Telephone Box at the Tower of London

Teasers

Edinburgh Castle

Woodlands Farm, Cotswolds, England

The cafe that JK Rowling wrote part of Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone in in Edinburgh, Scotland

The hedge maze at Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle