tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60400567649416669032024-02-06T19:05:40.767-08:00jude law and a semester abroad.rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-64186954230851615332010-03-21T18:51:00.000-07:002010-03-21T19:45:03.565-07:00tulum.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGwHa-FN928iiSbfs7x5VTX52yMCwmq6rG-mTwMpNbyOEzPgLPPytXvPnyZ_JWXsqLDfgJ1kx8YmiWu7y0QRX02D75pqYMJCwGE8bik9HjvJj8T_sOG6IfoGJqXTYH3eSYzHSx8htFBZx/s1600-h/P3090615.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGwHa-FN928iiSbfs7x5VTX52yMCwmq6rG-mTwMpNbyOEzPgLPPytXvPnyZ_JWXsqLDfgJ1kx8YmiWu7y0QRX02D75pqYMJCwGE8bik9HjvJj8T_sOG6IfoGJqXTYH3eSYzHSx8htFBZx/s200/P3090615.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451275777085017730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ0qWFXSttZZhtOBEL-o8vcp4X6BeNNp_XGJsMUKPSEf7e1aNFlehOZvWDu5nAxLlH7WK5o2yduZu7Qn-sRdoJAmEeigkwq22kajABBAKPWRYROKAl7fTUBh71fqI59Be5pdiaQRCM3jb/s1600-h/P3090601.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuptIJxYxrCdb4476XmvG4cZE4dYMyDWoZA7gA7Lt0xxtqAfcpppwtHC20DP979dTmRvmQlddxyqoxFqLnh1dHHsoGY1IMqqpl4PUQUKMM1a5VgZ_r6FGz5LZhLzY-FZ-0GFmnva3mlZxL/s200/IMG_6769.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451275242865521250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15QEfy66NbldvkwxDzRLXcm5mkVnv9wydFe4qpPr0y0Y8yX7lDS299RdHnZNSu1JXjmM4acEYcV4bLQbuojQrhPwfSNzml0wROEp2x5Yq9n-kJPXPG67AM5S5a7tUlgrlMfAegJZogItv/s1600-h/IMG_6759.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15QEfy66NbldvkwxDzRLXcm5mkVnv9wydFe4qpPr0y0Y8yX7lDS299RdHnZNSu1JXjmM4acEYcV4bLQbuojQrhPwfSNzml0wROEp2x5Yq9n-kJPXPG67AM5S5a7tUlgrlMfAegJZogItv/s200/IMG_6759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451275234272643618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaK0Y-SVDTTctEik4wysLQCYyU-Klugm2xUlJoFsYMMfSdtREHbP2yI-jmg8nG32LVS1NGGeOfXpxZ6lSymwjg75Vvpj_ZfZscvERqCw2rUkrWUz95ljRD10cLvmnmvfhU8wihRau2lHfA/s1600-h/IMG_6709.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwm0rnDFcjh14ddRH1NUgPFvGpHrEsyw2PT3u3g-mGZ_JLpSgo6w5rBOIiyYpNotXu8DWV8XPSsuQEuNj4MdjylK82IzrDc8gdnvCTb5exq1F3aKc8Gf5Twmw6StjKNJVNPuyX1Sl_BIW/s200/IMG_6697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451272773031901778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp99Rk1SACsIsgoOQp40IO5k7YOhOhJ4772EjQ2phvVVjRSykwoD5Hr09Siyas7gh0LLl3KY4-Wgc7GedtPyJ8tQsisM_izw9aRbnn_dwnZB8BLmrk989GXVVt46kI9q8ZvmuLtpZjZ-lG/s1600-h/IMG_6683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp99Rk1SACsIsgoOQp40IO5k7YOhOhJ4772EjQ2phvVVjRSykwoD5Hr09Siyas7gh0LLl3KY4-Wgc7GedtPyJ8tQsisM_izw9aRbnn_dwnZB8BLmrk989GXVVt46kI9q8ZvmuLtpZjZ-lG/s200/IMG_6683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451272761047067890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsk3Xdmg8YguIEYKph764D1uLvROkXDIVxeShbAysLNZ9Ll0lE9gsN6alhcLsdQoPUWI9C-N5weweKTibL8Ta7qh3lDFErdEJUJv7jChCxnOjC5ZGVSnMDXz2Do90aAfgxeifaTWpT16m/s1600-h/IMG_6654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsk3Xdmg8YguIEYKph764D1uLvROkXDIVxeShbAysLNZ9Ll0lE9gsN6alhcLsdQoPUWI9C-N5weweKTibL8Ta7qh3lDFErdEJUJv7jChCxnOjC5ZGVSnMDXz2Do90aAfgxeifaTWpT16m/s200/IMG_6654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451272612828031122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqb1BWW5wVnr55q76A8-QztoKQIsNv5r-OlA8YrWby4Ijb8s-ZGaT_Gw0bzr1ogWQhAHvFwE5wCAm7NKYaL1UweN0ssfL4BD9g07tMCK4MNsq179daXUoMQAPJbRulQSpT70a84OcLlCF/s1600-h/IMG_6674.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqb1BWW5wVnr55q76A8-QztoKQIsNv5r-OlA8YrWby4Ijb8s-ZGaT_Gw0bzr1ogWQhAHvFwE5wCAm7NKYaL1UweN0ssfL4BD9g07tMCK4MNsq179daXUoMQAPJbRulQSpT70a84OcLlCF/s200/IMG_6674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451272606349102226" border="0" /></a><br />can't really bring myself to record all the details of this trip as i usually do. it was extremely difficult to put this experience into words. it was everything you could imagine a yoga retreat in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mexico</span> to be. but better.<br /><br />i have a journal where i tried my hardest to capture what i was seeing and feeling. if you really, really want to know some details <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">i'd</span> be happy to let you flip though. the thought of transferring those written words into binary code pixels seems a little forced.<br /><br />the basic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jist</span> of the everything, in my life and in the world:<br />over the week, i, for some unknown reason, was able to focus on myself. entirely. i meditated every day. i had some of the most amazing conversations of my life. yoga was so healing. what a perfect spring break we planned. timing-wise and activity-wise. everything i did made me think about myself and my well being. i got a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">reiki</span> treatment done by an old shaman healer. he told me sentences at the end that were the thoughts i had been thinking all week but put into someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">else's</span> words. he told me that i had a heavy heart. and that i needed to let light in to it. i needed to become more confident in myself because once that happened i would be able to share so much more beautiful energy with the world. he told me i needed to trust myself. and listen to my third eye and my intuition. he said my heart was always telling the truth. and the beliefs i tend to ignore and disregard are my reality. and that i need to listen to them. at the time i took it for what it was. it felt emotional and spiritual and real and unreal. and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">couldn't</span> really process everything and put it into words. i still cant. i tried to memorize it all, but nothing i will ever say or write will give justice to that interaction with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">mayan</span> medicine man.<br /><br />i found those elements and lessons in every thing i did, saw, smelled, ate, touched and breathed. ultimately, that is the best description i can give of what i learned and what i <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">anticipate</span> remembering for the rest of time.rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-28275478112959473702010-02-13T19:06:00.000-08:002010-02-14T19:13:36.000-08:00italy, in retrospect.during the first few days of being in italy i finished a book that i had begun reading 10 times over the last 5 years. i dont know why this time was the time i finally finished it. maybe i was at the right place in my life. maybe i was able to appreciate the meaning more than i ever would have. maybe its because i was spending so much time on airplanes and trains.<br /><br />regardless, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Road-Jack-Kerouac/dp/0140042598">on the road </a>by jack kerouac severely changed the way i looked at friendships, traveling, memories, music and life, basically. (buy it if you don't have it. i linked to amazon).<br /><br />"they danced down the streets like dingledodies, and i shambled after as i've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn..."<br /><br />this book is split in to five parts. and when i was in italy, i decided to do the same thing... describe my adventure across a country in five parts:<br /><br />part 1 - katie, me, milan, venice, cinque terre, pisa & florence.<br />part 2 - katie, me, fontana liri, family, naples, rome, max, vicky & goodbyes.<br />part 3 - me, on my own & lots of rain.<br />part 4 - james, me, sardinia, a rental car & being in love.<br />part 5 - the last few days, a funny concert, the last few goodbyes & coming home.<br /><br />here goes part one.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ58POyo8e7P7gu3zESEzfzfDbh4sp4XqWA9Ld6jWB-odL50_pXm4hiu_Dw_WXYsA8OHFm5h-dwp_WL9Ahif6cmRAJMkAwgsL1hJDOR3Ff6yxUglGYqNh84KK-qYz9LhVKzdvIU-qGmT7g/s1600-h/IMG_3208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP3x6F0aMUnWnY9lWROyZWd4GeASGog2Tuih9fkPVMhsKiM0iWjn6NY9unBw7G-i_EMEfsEsnwzxHhoZu2gBJaakinvwkIh2gSof7soWy7_QOSA59PQSZGasdNJai-5tINR45kUYBOJo5/s200/IMG_3369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437936882997677202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIg6IxoOY7s1PPc2xA32Hr73IZnE03IA9rHU5AQvsJqMaby1RRT-niQgr9Ly1fq7mkwweQ3-BgK6wH2GB3fvqpswaiiChjzTCp_4bYc0MYSdRcAwpoAelsBJkk9ilLbAt4FbYPU1XA5vF/s1600-h/IMG_3371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIg6IxoOY7s1PPc2xA32Hr73IZnE03IA9rHU5AQvsJqMaby1RRT-niQgr9Ly1fq7mkwweQ3-BgK6wH2GB3fvqpswaiiChjzTCp_4bYc0MYSdRcAwpoAelsBJkk9ilLbAt4FbYPU1XA5vF/s200/IMG_3371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437936871910866130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTNfqPee-iR80D-v6o9-xlGIZaKGwmckmd1psIsxbzWz4naPrSf5w1Jcd21BWIXXEgre0x-W1BD-azymb_8F1aItDuUkbTYFfgGFo4cs1WVPpb2RZPpUVoKAnqmT1z7wXWK1u0K6PYMmw/s1600-h/IMG_3393.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfx88iIKTcR8WHCbETTTLBABPgz58-uItGlcgInggpMCbpYo7Z-xomBTWSOwpI2SZoiQG13sxHM8wlgC3PNzUS5Zr6WTRTwTM2V17Bxskj5EjITeFTSH-583qigCVjx-zyenbCFHvH6nQ/s200/IMG_3462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437936597836984338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7J8vhIOAigd5SJnTrmu3Y4gJ6Iu8ifMD0cymZEHX8QMgbxWo54LzLFOqhWrZ7XRHvZHFMgEOlfPCAPUaXr_8-BVEHCTyKx55CTBjtK-89Y9iveNXTY0VVt75KIVmosBJoohgnVt418kb/s1600-h/IMG_3508.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7J8vhIOAigd5SJnTrmu3Y4gJ6Iu8ifMD0cymZEHX8QMgbxWo54LzLFOqhWrZ7XRHvZHFMgEOlfPCAPUaXr_8-BVEHCTyKx55CTBjtK-89Y9iveNXTY0VVt75KIVmosBJoohgnVt418kb/s200/IMG_3508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437936413595904274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlq9XMNybf-xh6w2Izo-SGwuttXuPwW2lnLgIH_K4KXP6jPLzLgbBF4JlHUX1EJBvLu2rpCq1d5iRnIJn0_QUWLsnw7DQc3lrLY_EByQmZC6wiQHo-IELe5U57em88R39KnMmXMQp7bUZ/s1600-h/IMG_3571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlq9XMNybf-xh6w2Izo-SGwuttXuPwW2lnLgIH_K4KXP6jPLzLgbBF4JlHUX1EJBvLu2rpCq1d5iRnIJn0_QUWLsnw7DQc3lrLY_EByQmZC6wiQHo-IELe5U57em88R39KnMmXMQp7bUZ/s200/IMG_3571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437936421017578530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx_I30F4RDyBpsuGFhUBb1nY4iz8z6iBcTCu_awrViRL7gvWhLcNx2SqkF2nje2HOFg19MzU_oENf0Ro8qWyLXaiAqSqkJEaH7jRZR6XXJzwAFv56eRGkOhxhHbSVU177cq5WfUH63mwd/s1600-h/IMG_3587.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx_I30F4RDyBpsuGFhUBb1nY4iz8z6iBcTCu_awrViRL7gvWhLcNx2SqkF2nje2HOFg19MzU_oENf0Ro8qWyLXaiAqSqkJEaH7jRZR6XXJzwAFv56eRGkOhxhHbSVU177cq5WfUH63mwd/s200/IMG_3587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437936256283052242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdtpwTv56GEfoJP7awV1gV1PKYJkBj-aXCsHVgQgsVsxgRuMXClVO2i2qmMUXcAoJMRRMWWivjaasFybCnPYWz2Zwa8cAnrOGcFaeGpK-PTyKomWXBW_ZMeHHRr_M1v9QYtth_WCZJib_/s1600-h/IMG_3617.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdtpwTv56GEfoJP7awV1gV1PKYJkBj-aXCsHVgQgsVsxgRuMXClVO2i2qmMUXcAoJMRRMWWivjaasFybCnPYWz2Zwa8cAnrOGcFaeGpK-PTyKomWXBW_ZMeHHRr_M1v9QYtth_WCZJib_/s200/IMG_3617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437936252288135618" border="0" /></a><br />milano.<br />where to begin. katie couldn't find me. we were in the train station. i was pretty much standing underneath her feet. she was a level above me. and for two hours we simply couldn't find each other. (kate, i feel like enough time has gone by that if your family finds out about this story they won't get mad). she was dragging around her luggage and duffle bag, crying and literally screaming "rachellllLLLL?" i was reading and thinking her flight was delayed and drinking this funny orange soda and barely functioning on no sleep and jet lag. finally, "some really nice man" charged her like 10 euros to make a call using his phone card. we found each other with a sigh of relief and started our adventure.<br /><br />milan was cool. we walked around for the day. we saw some beautiful churches and architecture. we saw fancy shopping centers. we went out to a romantic dinner at this beautiful outdoor resturant. i had the most perfect capresse salad. and for the first time we drank homemade italian wine in italy.<br /><br />this dinner marked the first of many, many, many amazing conversations. anyone who knows kate and i, knows we are polar opposites. we always have a lot to talk about. to say the least. and by mixing wine, best friends, foreign cities, dinners that last for hours, new thoughts, crazy ideas, honesty, trust, appreciation and complete and utter attention... we were able to speak of the world and the way we thought it worked. through these conversations we both found things in each other and in ourselves that we may not have noticed otherwise.<br /><br />after we ate, our waiter gave us a yellow rose and we were off. we walked all night. the streets were filled with young people. all so happy to be alive. everyone was somehow communicating even though they spoke different languages.<br /><br />when we woke up in the morning we decided we were ready for the next city. we packed our bags and set off to venice.<br /><br />venezia.<br />trying to describe the beauty of this city is impossible. we got there around lunch time. we carried our stuff up about 1000 stairs and crossed a bridge directly under the sun and then dragged our stuff down about 1000 more stairs. it was hot. we were sweating and cranky. but it was perfect. we found a hostel and we met franco. !! he showed us our room, cooked us spagetti, gave us a map and sent us on our way.<br /><br />for some reason, italians do not like to make their lattes cold. at every cafe in every city we asked for an iced latte and in every cafe in every city they thought we were crazy. but we kept asking. and on this afternoon we drank the most perfect iced latte as we sat next to a canal, watching gondolas float by, surrounded by beautiful colors, drenched in amazing smells of freshly baked bread, listening to the magic of the italian language of love and embraced by the warmest summer breeze you could ever imagine.<br /><br />for the rest of the day we walked. everywhere. we saw it all. the rialto. san marcos square. the masks. the museums. the basilicas. the political propaganda. we got gelato for the first time. we saw the sunset. we we ate dinner next to the grand canal. we went on a gondola ride. we drank another iced latte. we talked for hours. we sat down in front of an opera house and all of a sudden we could hear applause and then... an opera. it was beautiful. that memory is so perfect in my mind. sitting in a square on some old italian looking steps, watching the stars, seeing little kids run home to go to bed, and hearing an opera.<br /><br />we stayed there until it finished. until we saw people spill out the front doors in fancy dresses and floating on happiness. it was late. but we weren't tired. we had no concept of time. we walked around some more. drank some wine with our feet dangling over the edge of a dock. we let the night get old and we watched it grow into morning. we attempted to find the water bus. we had bought a ticket and hadn't used it yet. we got on the first one we saw and before long, we realized we were going the wrong way. since venice is basically a circle, we figured we would eventually end up at our stop. almost two hours later, after an unintended tour of the island and the most breathtaking sunrise i had ever seen, we got back to our hostel. franco was amused. he thought we were crazy, crazy americans. we were strolling in as he was waking up.<br /><br />we slept for a few hours, took showers, repacked our bags and decided our short stint in venice couldnt have been more perfect and we were ready to trek across the country sideways and end up in cinque terre.<br /><br />monorola.<br />knowing very little about cinque terre except that we had, had, had to visit it, we basically put our fingers on a computer screen and picked whatever little <span style="font-style: italic;">terre</span> it landed on. when trying to book a hostel, i accidentally called a bed & breakfast. and what a beautiful mistake that was. we got to monorola pretty late. maybe 9:30. we met an adorable couple on the train who were also coming from venice. we chit chatted for a bit, and almost missed our stop.<br /><br />we got to the bottom of a hill. there is absolutely no one around. my eyes adjust to the darkness and the sight i saw before me was unbelievable. any preconceived notion i had of what italy would look like suddenly appeared. times ten. i could smell salt in the air. i could feel the energy of the world. i could hear water running from the top of the hill, under the road we were standing on, back down to the sea. i was stunned.<br /><br />we surprisingly found our little b&b. the woman who owned it stayed up late because she knew we were coming. we put our bags down, freshened up and decided we were hungry. we walked out by our patio, up some cobblestone steps and started looking for a restaurant. but that was the problem. we were looking when we needed to be listening and smelling. i heard the sounds of kitchen. pots, pans, sizzles, water bowling, bread being cut. then i smelled it. garlic, butter, tomatoes, pasta, muscles, cheese. we found it. exactly where we were meant to be at that very precise moment.<br /><br />that dinner was amazing. our waiter kept bringing us course after course. i can still remember how the muscles tasted. i can also remember how every one there was so happy on wine and so in love with the night. i literally felt gravity pulling me into the center of the earth. i didnt want to leave. ever. the waiter and his friend drank with us after they cleaned up. the lights went out, but the fireflies kept everything bright. another night where we forgot what clocks meant. we talked about love. the conversation was a mixture of italian and english... a mixture of understanding the words in a language and the emotion and intention behind them. it was insightful. it was intriguing. it was beautiful.<br /><br />the next day we went to the beach. got pretty burnt. ate tons of cherries. we didn't have a care in the world. our day was based solely on what it was we wanted to be doing in the moment. we were literally going where ever the wind blew us. we visited 3 or 4 of the 5 villages. we talked to people along the way. we absorbed everything that was before us. the only indication that the day was moving along was the fading sun and the ringing of church bells on every hour.<br /><br />we had another perfect dinner where we both fell in love a little bit. (oh, those pizza shop owners & crazy ocean eyed boys. stop.) the seafood was the most delicious i have ever tasted. the desserts were undeniably the epitome of tiramisu perfection. we were full. our stomachs, our hearts and our minds.<br /><br />we went back, crawled out the window, laid on the roof, looked at the stars, listened to the faint sound of the ocean mixed with some drums (we thought), played <a href="http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858742228/">this song</a> over and over and appreciated life because in this moment it was perfect.<br /><br />pisa.<br />the next day we left for florence. we stopped in pisa on the way. nothing special. we literally hopped on a bus to take us to the leaning tower. took some funny pictures. and hopped back on the bus to return to the train station. the biggest thing that happened was a gypsy woman and her baby almost stole our passports, money, and cellphone. but luckily, by me screaming "HEY" really, really loudly, she took off. and what could have been a terribly tragic incident was lost on the wind.<br /><br />frienze.<br />we got major, major florence advice from miss. birnie. so we knew this city adventure was going to be filled with checklists. and it was quite nice to have some sort of structure because otherwise i think it all would have been a bit overwhelming.<br /><br />we went sightseeing. we went to the leather markets. we went to duomo square. we went to museums. we spent a bunch of time on ponte vecchio. we bought mannelli bracelets. we ate a delicious lunch over looking the arno. in the late afternoon, when we were almost out of steam, we trekked up to michelangelo square. (this feat can't be appreciated unless you yourself have done the very same thing). we saw the sunset behind the city skyline. i saw "ti amo" written every where i looked. i consequently thought of james every where that i looked. i was so happy to be traveling around italy with my best friend. and i was so anticipating traveling around italy some more with my boyfriend. i remember getting this feeling as i was looking over the rolling tuscan hills and thinking, "it really doesn't get any luckier than this."<br /><br />that night we got dressed up and went out to a fancy dinner. i don't even think we were hungry, so we just ordered dessert and iced lattes. (confusing order). we walked around, shooed away some invasive fake louis vitton selling creepers, and tried to find a night club for the first time. we figured this was a city of students and there must be a good party somewhere. but nothing inspired us. so we bought a big bottle of red wine, climbed up a fire escape and watched through a window at a family across the way. they were playing card games. and yelling at each other. it was awesome.<br /><br />the next day boarded the train for rome termini. we had successfully and safely zig-zagged our way across nothern italy, floating in the wind, forgetting about time and leaving behind us a trail of memories and iced lattes.rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-61441650852789897212010-02-13T18:47:00.000-08:002010-02-13T20:05:39.365-08:00live to tell the tale.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFr9djiRizR9OT0pRO98bMuL7dbSUsCsO3d7G9TL8NzMiLN-LH5Uw4Szt8l3ag6VPkjqcWKb5F4lG9CMx3uehSOmtYKUeDVT_zK6yjK8clXR0tvgy_mXlW8k6H3lZYpCqZ0LuNE0KpQGw/s1600-h/476017456708d8f98d66802dd4ffde66c1e5e5d2_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFr9djiRizR9OT0pRO98bMuL7dbSUsCsO3d7G9TL8NzMiLN-LH5Uw4Szt8l3ag6VPkjqcWKb5F4lG9CMx3uehSOmtYKUeDVT_zK6yjK8clXR0tvgy_mXlW8k6H3lZYpCqZ0LuNE0KpQGw/s400/476017456708d8f98d66802dd4ffde66c1e5e5d2_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437925413470918562" border="0" /></a>i don't write anymore. and i miss it.<br /><br />just because i am not traveling quite so much, doesn't mean i can't write about the beauty and appreciation i find in every day things.<br /><br />i'm going to twist the purpose of the blog around. it won't be simply to document trips. it will be to record memories and emotion and the life that i find everywhere i go.<br /><br />this will give me a good excuse to keep a camera close by. (if i really needed one). this will be another creative outlet for me to invest time and energy in. it will be another source of inspiration.<br /><br />i will start with italy, in retrospect. i will use the past to remind me about the present. and hopefully after those words finally spill out of my fingers, they won't stop.<br /><br />you don't have to leave where you are to travel to another place.rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-8603858432791001412009-06-17T08:19:00.000-07:002009-06-17T14:20:10.796-07:00italy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNpUnTIaoGeeNhe2_sOhBal0Zr9_QSQB98OwxXX45KlHIfhauJuWcCFN2sNj9c2DiTHdwRvQriVAlN-6kE4ZJ927s_YGG5dP9_dvgds5XcZkh2WQV5Fem3VZjkybVRPeiT7MoNySGWTuZ/s1600-h/IMG_3508.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNpUnTIaoGeeNhe2_sOhBal0Zr9_QSQB98OwxXX45KlHIfhauJuWcCFN2sNj9c2DiTHdwRvQriVAlN-6kE4ZJ927s_YGG5dP9_dvgds5XcZkh2WQV5Fem3VZjkybVRPeiT7MoNySGWTuZ/s200/IMG_3508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348409352414592050" border="0" /></a><br />full length stories and tons of photos coming soon. promise.rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-61693811925716102312009-05-15T11:19:00.000-07:002009-05-15T11:54:10.059-07:00home is where the heart is.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qHlThZ03oKE8c7sknS3dF9NiFCSeS1daYZS1AK5aBEAU0_dQZKhvGHdQbIoWjtzPX-P_-wSsM-todBvolXygwhsW2Edb1xwDQnqpPpraZ0aKSO3DlmCJE9tRQ-mm8pjFDgW-LMZSmNv9/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qHlThZ03oKE8c7sknS3dF9NiFCSeS1daYZS1AK5aBEAU0_dQZKhvGHdQbIoWjtzPX-P_-wSsM-todBvolXygwhsW2Edb1xwDQnqpPpraZ0aKSO3DlmCJE9tRQ-mm8pjFDgW-LMZSmNv9/s200/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336118431653857138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwkjMhiQK31DYpAZDwkE3ithuJ3u7Z3uGwaBtAjJRqf1ThbI6tYnhLJVqltpyVCrMcQXpK4tn3l9KbnAtMUzDFrcaueMu-OOIjnKtbJ2A-fwXWVfT4MRFFdXry-yJKoI4A9B2JFEfYY_Q/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwkjMhiQK31DYpAZDwkE3ithuJ3u7Z3uGwaBtAjJRqf1ThbI6tYnhLJVqltpyVCrMcQXpK4tn3l9KbnAtMUzDFrcaueMu-OOIjnKtbJ2A-fwXWVfT4MRFFdXry-yJKoI4A9B2JFEfYY_Q/s200/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336118235978694482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpcAOQqm_idUTlE8B8HW6uoS2mCFAfdLHa0CljYSW_V0E4ldG8njIG1_TJy6jeEJcfoHfOa4DhisZMVrLvjewwMO_ROPL7uUD27evSjewEwnDVqNrLN2FUrVuMn-b1sb782PknQPzBHpB/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpcAOQqm_idUTlE8B8HW6uoS2mCFAfdLHa0CljYSW_V0E4ldG8njIG1_TJy6jeEJcfoHfOa4DhisZMVrLvjewwMO_ROPL7uUD27evSjewEwnDVqNrLN2FUrVuMn-b1sb782PknQPzBHpB/s200/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336118432202466930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yukE4d4qiF2o0U_L-wl40HvHl5PTzQEnMFn0rXy6ejtgHzlKAYHXkoQ6D0eHV9GhpkURAot2z6534bBAQY4Ryez3aOZECZx_YPQ1apU-cA7H4DSNw89dHYlhmQX0mvuBhz3q9ruCXZeB/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yukE4d4qiF2o0U_L-wl40HvHl5PTzQEnMFn0rXy6ejtgHzlKAYHXkoQ6D0eHV9GhpkURAot2z6534bBAQY4Ryez3aOZECZx_YPQ1apU-cA7H4DSNw89dHYlhmQX0mvuBhz3q9ruCXZeB/s200/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336118236398591042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFrA3RLTRS6kPHr1aT0GQcBBBuU7bjgxkMG92k9rQiGYnu1AVz_zqeMgK4ffboiYk5kypeROH_I2pxVLHL2XSlgqau-LGArQ45OGVmlmrjvNZOtQ0OnRbUwP3LuJXoT6Z5SQqW5qMXDGv/s1600-h/n45301933_31157551_6362321_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFrA3RLTRS6kPHr1aT0GQcBBBuU7bjgxkMG92k9rQiGYnu1AVz_zqeMgK4ffboiYk5kypeROH_I2pxVLHL2XSlgqau-LGArQ45OGVmlmrjvNZOtQ0OnRbUwP3LuJXoT6Z5SQqW5qMXDGv/s200/n45301933_31157551_6362321_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336117700692089490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL1VrOn4KkKEM_dydFH5VC3fuyZD8QjUmV5SwW6DFIZbK3r-u7pyD1eagUr72eGCdNuFHMUvs7sksM7O310tjmqgBO_iMSCxjRwHJ0Xa0wYa2_GvCStSK9B_6tzAass-RY7RpqchwqKcK/s1600-h/n45301933_31157552_1799178_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL1VrOn4KkKEM_dydFH5VC3fuyZD8QjUmV5SwW6DFIZbK3r-u7pyD1eagUr72eGCdNuFHMUvs7sksM7O310tjmqgBO_iMSCxjRwHJ0Xa0wYa2_GvCStSK9B_6tzAass-RY7RpqchwqKcK/s200/n45301933_31157552_1799178_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336117698105702098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ntOoh4ZRtdj53udfFAowC4dvFTtzoyZFzjJSFqfPVrefWts8nhPCj72Ghg7yxIiPw-tbYmVhIGLEmFd36zcNPw_typr4-14xpkdymjsm02uwo7j-3f3oeLZPkVC3XRlka6CVhKIqvt2t/s1600-h/n45301933_31157542_5573420_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ntOoh4ZRtdj53udfFAowC4dvFTtzoyZFzjJSFqfPVrefWts8nhPCj72Ghg7yxIiPw-tbYmVhIGLEmFd36zcNPw_typr4-14xpkdymjsm02uwo7j-3f3oeLZPkVC3XRlka6CVhKIqvt2t/s200/n45301933_31157542_5573420_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336117507413204450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDGmQepgUIZcdYKC9yX1b6Gv8ZtUSUIdp38JeWvbtvgprkxX4smDhm6jxIENDuLqzsfMoIH5cFUqK-9Vl90yxEVAsR0rFHbmnmErIZIM2OmkrN2gIwLlODHfvE2OFxSjYHDsAX7GZuTZl/s1600-h/n45301933_31157484_3629040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDGmQepgUIZcdYKC9yX1b6Gv8ZtUSUIdp38JeWvbtvgprkxX4smDhm6jxIENDuLqzsfMoIH5cFUqK-9Vl90yxEVAsR0rFHbmnmErIZIM2OmkrN2gIwLlODHfvE2OFxSjYHDsAX7GZuTZl/s200/n45301933_31157484_3629040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336117501054782850" border="0" /></a>so for almost the last two weeks i have been traveling... back and forth from boston to taunton. and its been great. at the last minute i decided to come home during the down time i had between being done with london and meeting katie in italy and i couldn't have been happier with my decision...<br /><br />since i booked my flight home pretty close to the day i acutally left, i was able to keep it a secret from james. with help from vicky, max and heather, i was able to get tickets for the graduation and senior ball and have a perfect long weekend. james' face was priceless when he opened his apartment door and saw me standing on the porch. and, just as i had hoped... i was able to pick up my heart from the spot on the hill in boston where i left it four months ago.<br /><br />watching james graduate (well, really playing connect four and the box game with his brother...) was really great. hanging out with the mannings for the weekend was such a pleasure, as always. and my heart floated around the whole time because the happiness i felt was hard to contain within my chest. the weather last weekend was absolutely perfect. i'm glad i didn't miss spring time in boston. mother's day was great, too. i really find solace in the fact that i have managed to fill my life with the most amazing people.<br /><br />reuniting with kate was obviously amazing. we sat in her car, turned up the radio, looked at eachother, smiled, drove off and realized we were back in action. about to embark on an italian adventure, nonetheless. anticipation is bittersweet.<br /><br />speaking about anticipation for the upcoming italian chapter of my life... james' dad just bought his graduation gift... a round trip ticket to rome.<br /><br />the rest of my two weeks in the states has been filled with family, friends, cookouts, going out for ice cream, forever 21, target, watching the office for hours, smores, pizza, fruity pebbles, gold fish... really everyone and everything i missed while i was away. and though somethings about my life may have changed, everything happens for a reason and things work out excatly how they are supposed to. i am about to repack my suitcases, charge my ipod, pick out a book i haven't read yet and continue traveling around europe enjoying what has inevitably been the most life-altering, action packed, perfectly amazing few months of my life.<br /><br />see yah in june!<br /><br /><3<br />rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-11527264420892413692009-05-03T22:28:00.001-07:002009-05-03T22:39:49.912-07:00we all love you lots.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLVpp-_CfbGE5yT9XwRzCWAiUPySGu9cRP_JWqlbY_hcfBNTg0fF2QZTrXSPyvSVZqFfyf5COhgwuIvGHJJQ60IJgPAFWcz6PLLl5GqTR9jqL498zkZ_Sop9cESqJCbhy_lvCVcvVCvQ7/s1600-h/IMG_2860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLVpp-_CfbGE5yT9XwRzCWAiUPySGu9cRP_JWqlbY_hcfBNTg0fF2QZTrXSPyvSVZqFfyf5COhgwuIvGHJJQ60IJgPAFWcz6PLLl5GqTR9jqL498zkZ_Sop9cESqJCbhy_lvCVcvVCvQ7/s200/IMG_2860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331836698331814066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMWDXEF-ZdSNMeVpzgiU9E4j_-YuYASLTPwrR1xA_vuekadRUSj3brnQwyMZtG4rskLKDhnpaqln9Ng_xoHsDC4Qgs6udnhk4IpiXTzI_CJHrpKfJ3Jl0p4UxxDlh5zq58Zn3lQj_5ECf/s1600-h/IMG_2833.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMWDXEF-ZdSNMeVpzgiU9E4j_-YuYASLTPwrR1xA_vuekadRUSj3brnQwyMZtG4rskLKDhnpaqln9Ng_xoHsDC4Qgs6udnhk4IpiXTzI_CJHrpKfJ3Jl0p4UxxDlh5zq58Zn3lQj_5ECf/s200/IMG_2833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331836588057241298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk-nufj-Kvt3nU5u8fPnJlXO6rSIOWwLAryI9FFpConyvuvVFThUM2LbUyxbpk4JFmX7UzcoCtOrHV5p8kw4eZs-Yf7eN5XiZnQm8hze9r08yI5gyGN-FABhzUp4KD_LZBf081vsG8Znd/s1600-h/IMG_2824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk-nufj-Kvt3nU5u8fPnJlXO6rSIOWwLAryI9FFpConyvuvVFThUM2LbUyxbpk4JFmX7UzcoCtOrHV5p8kw4eZs-Yf7eN5XiZnQm8hze9r08yI5gyGN-FABhzUp4KD_LZBf081vsG8Znd/s200/IMG_2824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331836584948131810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FxBk2RmbiWLZjaa8hNpGZ1TRKz-S5WZovxzhC93hmo90QUnAB-MCVq5Sq2l137hCrCdn9fMZMGuaFso8BWvNAajPz9m7T24fkJj4evEm1j6kt5HyJS_MCG0szlXkrlgq0jD_an50MTti/s1600-h/IMG_2818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FxBk2RmbiWLZjaa8hNpGZ1TRKz-S5WZovxzhC93hmo90QUnAB-MCVq5Sq2l137hCrCdn9fMZMGuaFso8BWvNAajPz9m7T24fkJj4evEm1j6kt5HyJS_MCG0szlXkrlgq0jD_an50MTti/s200/IMG_2818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331836480535001474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU7CohuRKD7n-C9_j3EyzD7RVXOlIvx1mx9Tcy7cNKyPymhtPXNLHYMKqrpTaV3r3GipPCSwE6TAQYfodO4LCbtr732apMlYQktGFS5BwEwgr_WvC30QR8gBDxy7AlC0zpHHDg7G-n_fI/s1600-h/IMG_2785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU7CohuRKD7n-C9_j3EyzD7RVXOlIvx1mx9Tcy7cNKyPymhtPXNLHYMKqrpTaV3r3GipPCSwE6TAQYfodO4LCbtr732apMlYQktGFS5BwEwgr_WvC30QR8gBDxy7AlC0zpHHDg7G-n_fI/s200/IMG_2785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331836476588616034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N17sg9iMPhnlhqDqLAas2Y1nV_RHniAKZiTiLZfnJ_tihtw1VM-i1xhRi4U3iwGxrXhq6E7LFKkc6i_N68oSmVucRX6TDClPhcGzQqOkiTRMqnOAEMnT3wVb0m3B7maWCJ88M4RK4jsP/s1600-h/IMG_2902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N17sg9iMPhnlhqDqLAas2Y1nV_RHniAKZiTiLZfnJ_tihtw1VM-i1xhRi4U3iwGxrXhq6E7LFKkc6i_N68oSmVucRX6TDClPhcGzQqOkiTRMqnOAEMnT3wVb0m3B7maWCJ88M4RK4jsP/s200/IMG_2902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331836703904136834" border="0" /></a>i said goodbye to modus and to all my friends. its so weird to think that i have spent basically everyday with a group of people for the last 3 months... and now i will probably never see them again. we'll keep in touch through the internet, but the likelihood of them visiting or me coming back and seeing them is very small.<br /><br />my last day at work was really great. everyone signed a card for me with really sweet, sincere messages. they got me a cake and gave me a gift card to a cool london store. they let me listen to whatever music i wanted to all day. we all went out for dinner and drinks afterwards. it was a lovely last day. im going to miss it very much.<br /><br />this past weekend i have spent wandering around from one part of london to the other. i have spent precious time with amazing people. this was my last weekend in london. everything that i did had a sense of finality to it. i don't think i have ever appreciated a city more than i appreciate this one. london is beautiful, it pulls the stars from the sky and wears them around it's neck.<br /><br />as for where i'm off to next... i'm about to pack my bags, go to the airport and figure that out...<br /><br /><3 Rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-37051156983846418482009-04-26T16:14:00.000-07:002009-04-26T16:55:21.982-07:00athens.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLQ8E86zjnbUjFd4UnmcT51s_SLHsizyXnEtJSGjuDu-a7mUB2T3W4dB2Ktm89KJgorbWLcGVwujLweRxkxiWCNlmcdJ_SWLfUkOPEb3HLJDz__2-5WJ2vJVWcGiiHdRAe_rwM3syGDjR/s1600-h/IMG_2748.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RbjLtf9Si_iuWiSFl7GVk70_e3HDyLrldoh2y3XOxMdjXPqICpfEMSj71sciwF5wDKlv0NNw-oxMlcF0w7LbaFbuJrdZ7XeG7QWK-F1CS3Fw94wnOyAmxYqcaWquDq5vpHKgtvJNK_wN/s200/IMG_2732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329143199428204978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LZuVz1UIGYuz8tASJuuZnTP8bIiYq4twyQvnxrSTZ5-f-_LjZKHjT99fsMqzOLgp5-mJxw5PmSyPKfA4qmjCK9RWrqB_kA4UFQMFthy8KNGZBoNuVkCQtD2LnNDM71o_KEJGYJrAUfm0/s1600-h/IMG_2729.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LZuVz1UIGYuz8tASJuuZnTP8bIiYq4twyQvnxrSTZ5-f-_LjZKHjT99fsMqzOLgp5-mJxw5PmSyPKfA4qmjCK9RWrqB_kA4UFQMFthy8KNGZBoNuVkCQtD2LnNDM71o_KEJGYJrAUfm0/s200/IMG_2729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329143197455386722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjwEaR4OTcrFgvWAeFKz7nrhpb6wPGm4aStrlo7IayryNfFKWjf8Tfg3jgzFB-jygIYKT_qAPrSomHyxXIOIHCZLVlGW-eG-NqnUuJujRxxYPAqCk5jT8hm8214iWCOUMUOKpCQA7iWMd/s1600-h/IMG_2724.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjwEaR4OTcrFgvWAeFKz7nrhpb6wPGm4aStrlo7IayryNfFKWjf8Tfg3jgzFB-jygIYKT_qAPrSomHyxXIOIHCZLVlGW-eG-NqnUuJujRxxYPAqCk5jT8hm8214iWCOUMUOKpCQA7iWMd/s200/IMG_2724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329143092955189010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c_xkzvO0OCwr3f2QqdBb89boaBdu5kJSDX4UODYsfCh8EAiDKuapHVZSbgATWwC_mYQ-qyc3xaExqRTaNoGjw3A7yIIOovUfUYZJIqMsvaFksrhb1KGi_HwtK5giCAMKl2kh1SR_wlAF/s1600-h/IMG_2691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c_xkzvO0OCwr3f2QqdBb89boaBdu5kJSDX4UODYsfCh8EAiDKuapHVZSbgATWwC_mYQ-qyc3xaExqRTaNoGjw3A7yIIOovUfUYZJIqMsvaFksrhb1KGi_HwtK5giCAMKl2kh1SR_wlAF/s200/IMG_2691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329143090097822050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmGEIkSdsgkSBllmHJylTC5GhWhATDtP3JLcrxtxWQohFPn_BlGyP2dQvXmWQfRhzKnoSFS_zthEZ4xWDZwKnWMQAM7i38TiRe-_rNRFr4Jzo0AWBU2EZOUHnASRRXQUktJYYHWp8FN1I/s1600-h/IMG_2687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmGEIkSdsgkSBllmHJylTC5GhWhATDtP3JLcrxtxWQohFPn_BlGyP2dQvXmWQfRhzKnoSFS_zthEZ4xWDZwKnWMQAM7i38TiRe-_rNRFr4Jzo0AWBU2EZOUHnASRRXQUktJYYHWp8FN1I/s200/IMG_2687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329142823736683746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw4trnrDfkziqEuMS8R-mu9if4ramwcbiWHNYUMU4vtl_qqtPG9THXHe9zQROwe5cSpxWzSBQPkOl6nxBdnqd2v9CF_D1MIhEVuiWRmojjYxDR3KT0-BS8xrKb27uyGa_ilp3Zh9mXJGA/s1600-h/IMG_2669.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw4trnrDfkziqEuMS8R-mu9if4ramwcbiWHNYUMU4vtl_qqtPG9THXHe9zQROwe5cSpxWzSBQPkOl6nxBdnqd2v9CF_D1MIhEVuiWRmojjYxDR3KT0-BS8xrKb27uyGa_ilp3Zh9mXJGA/s200/IMG_2669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329142730021715186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy98KHArzPJ4bjSVka1ZZ5MFJdeU-5lUPmJIuDNFsc_kpv2m0BV1FzlgD7R5ZcoShsJzbmMVGUkzO1xM8J17mF42-aKPz8vcpB4cyRtSgn9ga41LC1gJP-Ll4KKwUkpwCFLHUEtNanqgpw/s1600-h/IMG_2653.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy98KHArzPJ4bjSVka1ZZ5MFJdeU-5lUPmJIuDNFsc_kpv2m0BV1FzlgD7R5ZcoShsJzbmMVGUkzO1xM8J17mF42-aKPz8vcpB4cyRtSgn9ga41LC1gJP-Ll4KKwUkpwCFLHUEtNanqgpw/s200/IMG_2653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329142722429759138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3VNiLjKjJejlrNxLwJjm7xKGMCRD8gX4XkVNr8UJbKBrOVyxJZWum6NYNSz-8FW-kwbZqJHmy_YHkvEg6lfxAxrgzJk6CHch6SbEiJTQwKgWirZ-Eh0bc0ZN7GK2yKqTzL-IX-G2wAvH/s1600-h/IMG_2648.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3VNiLjKjJejlrNxLwJjm7xKGMCRD8gX4XkVNr8UJbKBrOVyxJZWum6NYNSz-8FW-kwbZqJHmy_YHkvEg6lfxAxrgzJk6CHch6SbEiJTQwKgWirZ-Eh0bc0ZN7GK2yKqTzL-IX-G2wAvH/s200/IMG_2648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329142637708577570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i don't think i really need to say how beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">greece</span> is on a warm weekend in the end of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">april</span>, but...<br /><br />the city was stunning. it was everything i had envisioned. the ancient monuments were breathtakingly overwhelming. i felt honored to be able to see them for real. i kept closing my eyes and having flashbacks of what it all must have looked like during 400 BC.<br /><br />the world's oldest city proved to have stood the test of time. the amount of knowledge that came from this place... all the philosophers, all the ideas, all the concepts... unfathomable, really.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dana</span> and i spent the weekend on our own. which was totally fine. we napped in the national park, surrounded by flowers and ruins and covered in a blanket of sunlight. we found an amazing cafe under a canopy of vines where we sat for hours drinking iced cappuccinos and writing in our journals and looking at maps and pamphlets about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">athens</span>. then we hit all the tourist hot spots. (the temple of zeus, hadrian's arch, the first olympic stadium, the acient agora, parliment, the national library, the acropolis and more).<br /><br />on our way down from the acropolis, we stopped to eat dinner at a traditional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">greek</span> restaurant. we obviously ordered <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">greek</span> salads and smiled at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">eachother</span> as we ate the most delicious feta either of us had ever had. the owner of the restaurant came over to our table to clear our plates and bring us our check and he started talking to us really fast in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">greek</span>. we smiled and shook our heads and said, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">yeaaaaaaaa</span>... it was.... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">greaaattt</span>..." he started laughing and said (in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">english</span>) "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">i'm</span> sorry girls, you look like you are from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">greece</span>. you are visiting? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">i'll</span> be right back." so he took our plates and when he returned he had a dessert for each of us in his hands. baklava... it was perfect (and free)!<br /><br />later that night, we found this really cool street in the neighborhood called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">psirri</span>. we sat at an outdoor bar and listened to traditional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">greek</span> music and absorbed the culture. there were so many people hanging out on the street. so many lights. so much buzz. the energy of this city was unforgettable. it seemed as if everyone was so happy and grateful to be alive enjoying such a beautiful spring night. i know we were.<br /><br />we spent the next day at the markets. obviously i can't go to a city and not go to a market. the strawberries were amazing and i think i had about 4 more iced cappuccinos. the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">jewelry</span> was so beautiful and i wished i could have bought everything i saw.<br /><br />we met back up with lindsey and kristen for a big lunch before we headed back to the hostel and then to the airport. another lovely weekend for the books.<br /><br /><3 Rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-45852065203798250482009-04-22T13:12:00.000-07:002009-04-22T13:13:55.033-07:00rachel duarte photography.my <a href="http://www.richmond.ac.uk/studentsweb/adm372/sp09/f042109/index.html">website</a> has been launched. i built it from scratch and it took forever. hope you like. =)rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-45615934410604677302009-04-20T09:38:00.001-07:002009-04-20T16:15:35.453-07:00amsterdam.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46YWMzr_bLgdZJUQiF5B28jAqVkw5kuyldw7Wp2wsnoFbgS7Qy8o37BxxZvAA2_Ck-E0iXDVNrLBHumDDLiHT97FgupU4UEoQo2QqfY7EZiIYPslIlWGbYA2n4b0-NT0qM2UwOBtyQ2qX/s1600-h/Picture+6.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46YWMzr_bLgdZJUQiF5B28jAqVkw5kuyldw7Wp2wsnoFbgS7Qy8o37BxxZvAA2_Ck-E0iXDVNrLBHumDDLiHT97FgupU4UEoQo2QqfY7EZiIYPslIlWGbYA2n4b0-NT0qM2UwOBtyQ2qX/s200/Picture+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910836324099554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95Hjan7IgRuuSB6GRmX56GwHxbX1zaVt0Gbz2PIKq-uSO50juCaldQ_WlwEdlVlYSPiTsPN_gIOG10YgNphfoGHpFASmhCsF1DZZ8jhcS7xXM26jWRm3uMe2EIhI69Yn1sywLSoxq8eQ8/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95Hjan7IgRuuSB6GRmX56GwHxbX1zaVt0Gbz2PIKq-uSO50juCaldQ_WlwEdlVlYSPiTsPN_gIOG10YgNphfoGHpFASmhCsF1DZZ8jhcS7xXM26jWRm3uMe2EIhI69Yn1sywLSoxq8eQ8/s200/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910733531701650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPrLX_RQsXs7i_GOiXvgkEqYGm59hVWxNMqU8bD7f6mJSI1VVFY1QvAe0HEYaqMXiIQV6jIXm30wNK9FZWJ7fn3gS2hEAJSUdQ7Z13TTZ-gw7L9e5pVN1FwHWnnRwwf1i0b3Qj4BMMmKq/s1600-h/Picture+7.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPrLX_RQsXs7i_GOiXvgkEqYGm59hVWxNMqU8bD7f6mJSI1VVFY1QvAe0HEYaqMXiIQV6jIXm30wNK9FZWJ7fn3gS2hEAJSUdQ7Z13TTZ-gw7L9e5pVN1FwHWnnRwwf1i0b3Qj4BMMmKq/s200/Picture+7.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910841701642162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMkJIkJrbU5Q-kGU-Xl_dKYMx546kOvaw7dpHzOb5W_GXPDWC8QAqQJJOBFwPTl4mdcQAkGeJo1CEnqlBI0s_dLEBLW6TmQw-I_KyfPz-kawj8Pc1rodhr0K2gMETvfyUKxW_XsYSu8SX/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMkJIkJrbU5Q-kGU-Xl_dKYMx546kOvaw7dpHzOb5W_GXPDWC8QAqQJJOBFwPTl4mdcQAkGeJo1CEnqlBI0s_dLEBLW6TmQw-I_KyfPz-kawj8Pc1rodhr0K2gMETvfyUKxW_XsYSu8SX/s200/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910725816403666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCogaxKNo8s6gH3d1F1HSyukoqmBjQLdt7lS7ujGQtUtwXw8uqrfFtCktlwV9_nQQ6hUv3QlwSasEqC-5QVzY-MALsQCwyxAfwhBcARl-M3S6tjeW_43xiBOO9jScJB9bRgXCAaYC5snuC/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCogaxKNo8s6gH3d1F1HSyukoqmBjQLdt7lS7ujGQtUtwXw8uqrfFtCktlwV9_nQQ6hUv3QlwSasEqC-5QVzY-MALsQCwyxAfwhBcARl-M3S6tjeW_43xiBOO9jScJB9bRgXCAaYC5snuC/s200/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910609152687234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvb9afwOS1qKCVGYgMy5vUJirNAqgEGPfHyC-kos6Dsi66qfSd_h26ZktyZIstllV5qQSR2jXH8lmWgH6vk6zoOzAx70zN768cQV33zs5gMH92XLuMKW_bzMYE0ia_yPVrQL6KwJHnYGZ/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvb9afwOS1qKCVGYgMy5vUJirNAqgEGPfHyC-kos6Dsi66qfSd_h26ZktyZIstllV5qQSR2jXH8lmWgH6vk6zoOzAx70zN768cQV33zs5gMH92XLuMKW_bzMYE0ia_yPVrQL6KwJHnYGZ/s200/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910597492795186" border="0" /></a><br />i fell in love with another city... and i didn't see it coming. i wanted to visit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">amsterdam</span> because i thought it would be something fun to do while i was young and traveling around... but i didn't have high expectations. i actually anticipated a grey city with with smog and smoke hovering around all the buildings. i thought the sun wouldn't shine and the trees would all be leaf-less. i imagined there being a lot of litter because i thought the residents of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">amsterdam</span> would be too lazy to do anything about it. i was wrong.<br /><br />not only was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">amsterdam</span> not what i had expected, but it seemed to be a parallel universe. comparable to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">truman</span> show... it was perfect in every aspect of the word. the people were all so friendly. everyone was so environmentally conscious. everyone rode bikes... everywhere. there were canals that ran through out the entire city. it was beautiful. the weather was amazing. the park was green. the flowers... the flowers in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">holland</span> are possibly the most beautiful flowers in the entire world. the children all seemed so well behaved. the city itself was quiet... peaceful. there were so many shops and restaurants... and they were all quirky and cute. the laws are progressive and liberal. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">amsterdam</span> seems to be booming. i truly think it would be a great place to live and raise a family and i think to agree with that statement you need to visit the city for yourself.<br /><br />so we rented bikes. which was probably the best decision we could have made. the canals were breathtaking... and we rode up and down them for hours. we hung out in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">vodelpark</span> and basked in the sun. we went to the van <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">gogh</span> museum. we found this amazing bagel place that we ended up going to every day. we went to a street market... because i love them... and we walked through the floating flower market. i stole a tulip from the garden in front of the airport. its currently being pressed in my journal. we met so many young people who were traveling around the world and just happened to stop in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">amsterdam</span> on the same weekend we did. its really weird to think about the decisions and circumstances that influence the people who end up being in the same places at the same times...<br /><br />anyway, i had a lot of time to think and realize this weekend. and no matter what my thoughts started out with... they always finished with images and memories and ideas about being home. i came to the conclusion that i am absolutely thrilled about all the things... all the people... basically the future... that i have waiting for me when i get back.<br /><br /><3&miss,<br />Rrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-15157449466240228742009-04-17T08:31:00.000-07:002009-04-17T08:34:42.976-07:00etro aw09 press day."you know, we have never posted an <a href="http://modusdowalwalker.com/latest/permalink/978/">intern's writing or photos </a>on the website before..."<br />-louisa, senior account director, big wig<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />ps. check out the rest of april 09 to see all the cool events we've been doing at modus!!!rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-42305561922098627662009-04-11T12:49:00.000-07:002009-04-13T03:11:08.408-07:00easter weekend.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6kjS0yfmfmd1FQdJ842QKT61Rr9nZyXx5-N7ihsKJXlHSHXuloaXApG9WDvwFqNmfmfBXBCPT0D0uOT4589fHm13cx3Xd0vsKupw4OOX70wOwm-r5v3FxBYyN_B4CSuzT9i8kP65KoVO/s1600-h/IMG_2348.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6kjS0yfmfmd1FQdJ842QKT61Rr9nZyXx5-N7ihsKJXlHSHXuloaXApG9WDvwFqNmfmfBXBCPT0D0uOT4589fHm13cx3Xd0vsKupw4OOX70wOwm-r5v3FxBYyN_B4CSuzT9i8kP65KoVO/s200/IMG_2348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955939851761090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzrOYJZwLb-vHNpwjE8CwvHaG8EYT7qO2N20szSchA4U2QTfQe8iPsgF_mgufWDEQqBla3JJaKTCq4WgL3OPo7-9vguLVIFfv45qn6ETvz4peMbSRdMUW51aWa7kzlFg8KUATTBSei-P9/s1600-h/IMG_2367.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzrOYJZwLb-vHNpwjE8CwvHaG8EYT7qO2N20szSchA4U2QTfQe8iPsgF_mgufWDEQqBla3JJaKTCq4WgL3OPo7-9vguLVIFfv45qn6ETvz4peMbSRdMUW51aWa7kzlFg8KUATTBSei-P9/s200/IMG_2367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955938615528418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QD4VEYB8OuAy3ERuwwC0se0weDwYsI9QR7wB181y2TzURCH7yOl_QFQzTNRSVp7i8v7vCimCKhvtmv87NCYvByZ4jNCBPO0VBdsIalFcTtK6aVraFSYc16JWGxi6NYyp0nQwAjSxx_F7/s1600-h/IMG_2374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QD4VEYB8OuAy3ERuwwC0se0weDwYsI9QR7wB181y2TzURCH7yOl_QFQzTNRSVp7i8v7vCimCKhvtmv87NCYvByZ4jNCBPO0VBdsIalFcTtK6aVraFSYc16JWGxi6NYyp0nQwAjSxx_F7/s200/IMG_2374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955813597317250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8TR0gs7tck9ucXBiATpirhAJHEc-rqGJJQUisNm7iFa4Nsr5J0KlBeqdB4KBAbznmKMR2QQ5IlK0nUNhj14CGq1pmeVxCLW7UoPJjOwiez6OslZQ6eFF7CqgI-gJOlZSM7-yvWtBt-g_/s1600-h/IMG_2387.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8TR0gs7tck9ucXBiATpirhAJHEc-rqGJJQUisNm7iFa4Nsr5J0KlBeqdB4KBAbznmKMR2QQ5IlK0nUNhj14CGq1pmeVxCLW7UoPJjOwiez6OslZQ6eFF7CqgI-gJOlZSM7-yvWtBt-g_/s200/IMG_2387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955808803978258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD9f0piSVwJDQHsyRQRulNwm-eO62yPm1IhbJLNxov38ZLZb-TDjy6bG4a_disa584EhlXgynXPBAhZwW4_RjeFPWPX3i0Y1c5r6PwUXaZUCbMS4oyvS4PZdIHtmvmCNJJjeDIsf7Y-Q7/s1600-h/IMG_2403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD9f0piSVwJDQHsyRQRulNwm-eO62yPm1IhbJLNxov38ZLZb-TDjy6bG4a_disa584EhlXgynXPBAhZwW4_RjeFPWPX3i0Y1c5r6PwUXaZUCbMS4oyvS4PZdIHtmvmCNJJjeDIsf7Y-Q7/s200/IMG_2403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955290214571330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_TNkl1pngi2J6cdJr7nZtEp3f90RdPbwVcCR-HniHtN2hgCbEBDmTl1w3dosQNPdLBw_PNtIV_YxW0rQFGwcGr9ppA86ByVGC48ceKcIOlticKZUNuuIZcXVSM0qkTsR2d_qLd8tw4YS/s1600-h/IMG_2407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_TNkl1pngi2J6cdJr7nZtEp3f90RdPbwVcCR-HniHtN2hgCbEBDmTl1w3dosQNPdLBw_PNtIV_YxW0rQFGwcGr9ppA86ByVGC48ceKcIOlticKZUNuuIZcXVSM0qkTsR2d_qLd8tw4YS/s200/IMG_2407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955286388321986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SRQ4AaxXK0WiTlByM1B0dgks4NqhRFkjJr_CNFBIP4TwTtz0AguuYyGIGZ4AQb8yF4SyYU8RpqwkhH9zM5b_Zw-NGkwqEhj1j66t8rt7p_8kHwvgwdACO5BeyAanbYxjHjIxXUDUoJ94/s1600-h/IMG_2435.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SRQ4AaxXK0WiTlByM1B0dgks4NqhRFkjJr_CNFBIP4TwTtz0AguuYyGIGZ4AQb8yF4SyYU8RpqwkhH9zM5b_Zw-NGkwqEhj1j66t8rt7p_8kHwvgwdACO5BeyAanbYxjHjIxXUDUoJ94/s200/IMG_2435.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955143544218322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O_72XMHHfraGF261oEvuzA5dDzilsvh5Ky5RYZXtt7n1T__-WEDmcRp8VAg6ZPhA4F5FXaF6lOzIQqC0S_W9rISk4Gi7ezGaIyyaVT8BIIcnoCbbm0Uqz7aAnC8O7RNaJvqj3liipCR0/s1600-h/IMG_2442.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O_72XMHHfraGF261oEvuzA5dDzilsvh5Ky5RYZXtt7n1T__-WEDmcRp8VAg6ZPhA4F5FXaF6lOzIQqC0S_W9rISk4Gi7ezGaIyyaVT8BIIcnoCbbm0Uqz7aAnC8O7RNaJvqj3liipCR0/s200/IMG_2442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323955137006460066" border="0" /></a><br />when our weekend trip to spain got cancelled and we found out the forecast for the weekend in london was nothing but drizzle, our hopes were sort of crushed. almost ever person in london has traveled out of the city for the weekend... whether its to the family's house in the country or to a warm beach in italy. kristen, etosha, lucy and i remained here, though. in drizzly london. for the weekend. but we had loads of fun anyway.<br /><br />on thursday we went out for a big dinner in richmond. we each got 3 courses and hung out in the resturant for hours. its nice when you find a group of girls that have good chemistry and can talk and talk about love and life.<br /><br />on friday morning i met etosha under london bridge to go to a market. it took me forever to get there because the tube system gets confused on the weekends. it was worth the effort though. the market was amazing. there was nothing to buy there but food. delicious food. i went starving and left completely stuffed. the smells were indescribable. the tastes were perfect. i have such an appreciation for markets. i think they are the best way to see the local culture of certain parts of what ever city you are in. cheese was the main focus of this market... cheese and bread. and the samples were to die for. im so glad etosha forced me into going with her. i never would have known about it otherwise. it also made my brand new white plimsols not so brand new white anymore... which is good because i looked like a dweeb.<br /><br />the rest of the weekend sort of all melted together because there was nothing too distinguishable to separate day from day. i went to see a movie by myself at an old movie theater in richmond on the thames. it was really lovely. i went groccery shopping. i picked some flowers. i read my book under an umbrella in the park.<br /><br />a penny fell out of my purse and landed heads up. a little boy picked it up and started to hand it to me. i told him it was from america and he could keep it if he wanted to. as he put it in his pocket i told him not to loose it because it was good luck. he ran to find his dad, holding his hand on his thigh to make sure the penny didn't jump out.<br /><br />i spent another night with a bunch of friends drinking down by the river. it was devans birthday. it was nice to be surrounded by a group of people who love being together. the river is amazing. once it gets warm so much of life revolves around that river. it doesnt matter if its drizzly. as long as the night is nice and the breeze is warm, the river is amazing.<br /><br />and yes, kate, every time i walk down there i think about that bruce song.<br /><br />i went out to east london one day. i saw the tapestry replica of picasso's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_%28painting%29">guernica</a>. it was amazing. never has one image captured to much despair. i guess the original painting was displayed at the very same gallery in 1939. it was the beginning of all anti-war protests and propoganda. it made east london the artsy-liberal side of the city that its known as today. picasso is amazing.<br /><br />i had an easter dinner with some friends from work. we went to a pub and ordered the easter dinner special. it consisted of roast beef, pototoes, yorkshire pudding and veggies. it was ok. we also played monopoly, so that was cool.<br /><br />i have half of a chocolate egg left to eat. some homework to do. and a bunch of magazines to look through. im hoping tomorrow is sunny so i can find a park to go to.<br /><br /><3 Rrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-60644613380545573312009-04-06T02:13:00.000-07:002009-04-06T02:36:43.398-07:00londontown.this weekend we stayed in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">london</span>. it was nice. we definitely had that relaxing feeling of hanging out at home and getting errands done and just chilling out. the weather has been absolutely amazing. spring has always been my favorite season and being over here during this time of year just confirms that.<br /><br />so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">jules</span> bought a house. its insane. and ginormous. he had a housewarming party on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">saturday</span> and it was so much fun. we cooked out and got tossed in the pool. very typical. but as i was sitting in the sun, watching people talk and catch up or bring out another tray of freshly grilled hot dogs it made me realize how much i miss my friends from home. the excitement i feel for summer is welling in my chest. i can't wait for the familiarity of having a cookout and a fire and spending precious time with people who you know inside and out.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">saturday</span> night we went to international night. it was put on by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">richmond</span> students and it was amazing. there were dances and performances from all countries that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">richmond</span> students represent. it made me realize how incredibly small and insanely huge the world can be and how crazy where i am going to school this semester is. the production was all about raising money for <a href="http://www.invisiblechildren.com/theMovement/">invisible children</a>. i bought a bracelet, and i recommend doing the same if you can, because it is such a great cause!<br /><br />yesterday i went shopping on oxford street. i bought some new key pieces for my wardrobe... which, i have decided, i am going to completely revamp when i get home. i am going to simplify, streamline and purge.<br /><br />last night, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">dana's</span> parents took us out to dinner. the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">resturant</span> was beautiful and our meals were delicious. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dana's</span> parents were so sweet and i invited them to stop at our house when they are on their way to the cape this summer. (i still assume the only way to get down the cape is 495). seeing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">dana's</span> with her parents and sister made me feel a little homesick for the first time.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">im</span> bummed about missing opening day. but, since i will be living so close to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">fenway</span> next year, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">im</span> sure <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">il</span> run into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">jacoby</span> all the time.<br /><br /><3<br />Rd<br />xrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-80496581876889554412009-03-30T05:04:00.000-07:002009-03-30T22:38:14.330-07:00wales.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1x2uJolvHoC3XVZUaIl3aiaiesIWo3B8KF7jN3TJCUX5kuyLREF-k85JvuY9qQtzcKthfPu6OBuQTZqjAUJVrxiAZnci7YQtmwE6647q7IeQHaimL-1W8bM_mlQtPrdJVSdM3VDa_k0U/s1600-h/IMG_2157.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1x2uJolvHoC3XVZUaIl3aiaiesIWo3B8KF7jN3TJCUX5kuyLREF-k85JvuY9qQtzcKthfPu6OBuQTZqjAUJVrxiAZnci7YQtmwE6647q7IeQHaimL-1W8bM_mlQtPrdJVSdM3VDa_k0U/s200/IMG_2157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319221165459705234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgGJ2UgcCvFq0vaip_6PZOmYWGeyMVFtceizbpvLUCKALMvEbmg1EFA7KBiAz3nofp5_Cgh0ZHMSyTLzotkxIpzA2ldiU6G9T3XEA_h7Sfs2BenjSyjSb7IWmCHqiCf56bV1EDNfMjqwZ/s1600-h/IMG_2113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgGJ2UgcCvFq0vaip_6PZOmYWGeyMVFtceizbpvLUCKALMvEbmg1EFA7KBiAz3nofp5_Cgh0ZHMSyTLzotkxIpzA2ldiU6G9T3XEA_h7Sfs2BenjSyjSb7IWmCHqiCf56bV1EDNfMjqwZ/s200/IMG_2113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319221087767946338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6CX6rBBiaVLvcfMfrzpvuhRAY5xo6P0lzTRFuwr9g4AgSx-aMGTXqn5OrC3KM7qu8w0eDbgo0XMSyBqTv5xqte_vxu5vYs6raLR4q1ViAb-mavAZegs6KR59DybM_YLts04__vgrvKrC/s1600-h/IMG_2102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6CX6rBBiaVLvcfMfrzpvuhRAY5xo6P0lzTRFuwr9g4AgSx-aMGTXqn5OrC3KM7qu8w0eDbgo0XMSyBqTv5xqte_vxu5vYs6raLR4q1ViAb-mavAZegs6KR59DybM_YLts04__vgrvKrC/s200/IMG_2102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319220994041942626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukr0kJtIOi8RtELais-M8ENsrOP1rkViUDf7N1bgYSWc7ZnJXI4T7F_XMtpYnkS3cqNHsfsAyeqZXn9dmLg3SRYTziY6p-bqQoJlXAZE-E1Yn5P6C92VflS0ve22J4PRN_c9AE-Yk-aKE/s1600-h/IMG_2093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukr0kJtIOi8RtELais-M8ENsrOP1rkViUDf7N1bgYSWc7ZnJXI4T7F_XMtpYnkS3cqNHsfsAyeqZXn9dmLg3SRYTziY6p-bqQoJlXAZE-E1Yn5P6C92VflS0ve22J4PRN_c9AE-Yk-aKE/s200/IMG_2093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319220975853013170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_VU9mj1uN_epAc0S4iMPYR6rctnAfTLU68YF9Y_AROMcdkWCsSRWkI5uZM0bjw2hGJZNdppOwQhW9JE96KnLXnGAf97ckkWfuD9hpcZVHx4mUrKdxU7eeTlO5RaKaEypUWjM_8GIBbfc/s1600-h/IMG_2082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_VU9mj1uN_epAc0S4iMPYR6rctnAfTLU68YF9Y_AROMcdkWCsSRWkI5uZM0bjw2hGJZNdppOwQhW9JE96KnLXnGAf97ckkWfuD9hpcZVHx4mUrKdxU7eeTlO5RaKaEypUWjM_8GIBbfc/s200/IMG_2082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319220873468521298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8-wF5vpyMvliQe4aHTqPAJGO9OSv6rkInQSHC07GNI5WQAz8J6rNXu0okJj1oqbVBqy1L0D5xu_kigULxZk-R-Nrrh0TCzgMEcYHLG-ySjaDNe9vxRgY-hEkAJ9hXXt52OSWiEEa6LKh/s1600-h/IMG_2086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8-wF5vpyMvliQe4aHTqPAJGO9OSv6rkInQSHC07GNI5WQAz8J6rNXu0okJj1oqbVBqy1L0D5xu_kigULxZk-R-Nrrh0TCzgMEcYHLG-ySjaDNe9vxRgY-hEkAJ9hXXt52OSWiEEa6LKh/s200/IMG_2086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319220883357899234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pmdxm6lz-67a2p1fPXq-aKTMtiBzuZyeKpv3vnztTnGOpuKUETQB0aUxYqwapPGvwQshqcccPTCnPq5j_CjiGc3H09xB1bf002Xq4rVC93KqBxJL3U9j2A5XvA27Avv3wI8vXQmOKc6O/s1600-h/IMG_2154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pmdxm6lz-67a2p1fPXq-aKTMtiBzuZyeKpv3vnztTnGOpuKUETQB0aUxYqwapPGvwQshqcccPTCnPq5j_CjiGc3H09xB1bf002Xq4rVC93KqBxJL3U9j2A5XvA27Avv3wI8vXQmOKc6O/s200/IMG_2154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319221092773178514" border="0" /></a><div>as i sit here, my butt muscles, thighs, calves, shoulders, forearms, triceps, biceps, pectoral muscles, upper back, lower back, abs and knees are all in pain. it was worth it though. </div><br />our adventure weekend started out with an adventure at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">paddington</span> station... we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">couldnt</span> find <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dana</span>... she had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">kristen's</span> train ticket, but was no where to be found. she forgot her phone at the flat... as she usually does... and it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wasnt</span> until 2 minutes before our train was about to depart that we saw her, in her little red jacket, wandering around the station looking for us... we also had to run and jump on to a moving train at our switch over in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">swansea</span>... we really were quite the daredevils these last few days.<br /><br /><div></div>we get to <a href="http://www.preseliventure.co.uk/index.shtml"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">preseli</span> venture</a> at about 11 on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">friday</span> night. we walk in to the only building with lights on. it was the bar/ game room, and it was filled with about 30 guys. they all went silent when we walked in... us with sleep marks on our faces from the train ride, huge backpacks with our trainers dangling from the bottom... them with pints and pool sticks in their hands... we stare at each other for about 20 seconds until charlie (the bar man/ concierge) comes to great us. the guys go back to their party and we follow charlie to our room. the encounter was very awkward and funny. come to find out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">preseli</span> is hosting a bachelor party this weekend.<br /><br /><div>anyway, this place was awesome. its called an adrenaline junkie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ecofriendly</span> adventure lodge. (which, by the way, screamed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">alex</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">koerten</span>. they talk about moon cups in the bathrooms, which have showers that only allow water to pour for 1 minute before shutting off and you have to push the button again. there is a compost in the kitchen where you put all your apple cores and banana peels. and loads of the guides had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">dreds</span>). our room was so cute. it looked like a room right out of the parent trap. it smelled of cedar wood and i chose the bed which was up against the wall, nestled in a little corner, just the way i like it. the ceiling was slanted because we were in an attic, basically, and there, right above my head, just a few feet away, was a sky light... it was a dream come true. that night it rained like crazy and i felt like i was teasing the water as it violently hit the glass creating the most perfect sound. i slept soundly listening to my favorite noise in the world. </div><br /><div></div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">saturday</span> morning, at the crack of dawn, a lady ran up and down the halls knocking on all the doors, "breakfast is ready, come and get it." later we found out she was called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">libby</span>, and was the sweetest, coolest lady in the world. but at that moment we hated her.<br /><br /><div></div><div>after breakfast, which was delicious and painstakingly made for about 50 people by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">libby's</span> mum (all the meals were), we spent about an hour trying to get all our wetsuits on. we piled into a van and went down to the shore. the weather was chilly and windy and grey. the sea was choppy. but we were going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">coasteer</span> anyway. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">coasteering</span> is a combination of rock climbing, swimming and cliff jumping. the cliffs were huge, unreal actually, and every once in a while when a big wave would crash against one of these huge cliffs, it would cause a bunch of little foam bundles to fill the sky. they looked like little pieces of a cloud, good enough to eat. and watching them fly through the air and land back in the ocean reminded me of life and death almost... beautifully and tragically poetic. we slid off smooth rocks slides into freezing a ocean. we jumped off a cliff into waves and swam with all our might against the current, trying desperately not to be carried away into the unknown. we jumped off an even higher cliff, and then when we climbed up to the highest one, everyone hesitantly held back. our guides looked at us like we were sallies so i walked forward, with out a word, and jumped. i felt like i was falling for hours, and even more, i felt like i was underwater for hours. it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">wasnt</span> until i surfaced and gave a thumbs up that everyone started cheering. </div><br /><div></div><div>the next bit was hilarious and i wish we could have recorded it... picture us... 10 girls trying to get our wet wetsuits off... in the middle of a car park. when we were all in the mists of undressing, with our hands and arms stuck above our heads trying to get our vests off or with our legs glued together unable to walk because the waist of the wetsuit was around our knees... the other van... filled with those bachelor guys pulls up... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">theres</span> nothing we can do. and the guides just start cracking up. there i am... trying to get my damn wetsuit booties off and my fingers are numb and i can't breath from laughing... i have managed to get the top half of my suit off though... and one of the guides (his name's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">brumble</span>) comes up and tells me to just sit down. he pulls my booties off for me. he tells me to stand up... he yanks the wetsuit down to my ankles and i stand there... in shock... freezing... and have no idea if my bathing suit bottoms came down as well... all i can do is put my hands on my butt cheeks to feel if its skin or fabric... it was fabric, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">fewh</span>. "hurried that right along, didn't i," he says. and he goes along helping the rest of us wetsuit novices because hes hungry and wants to get back. </div><br /><div> </div>piping hot vegetable soup for lunch and homemade bread. to. die. for.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>after we've eaten and changed into warm, dry clothes - its time to pile back into the van. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">libby</span> drives us 10 miles down the coast, gives us a map, kicks us out, and tells us to make it home for dinner in 5 hours or we will have to eat it cold. i didn't realize this was part of the adventure, but it was fun just the same. the southwestern coast line of wales is unbelievably stunning. miles and miles of barbed wire, sheep, these bushes with yellow flowers, cliffs and the sea. there is nothing like hearing ginormous waves crash against massive cliffs. it was quite majestic really... and once the sun started to set the sights were sublime. there were moments when the 10 of us were chatting away, talking about places and people from home, cities we want to visit, things we want to do. and there were other moments when we just walked... in a straight line, along a path, looking out onto the ocean, deep in our own thoughts. we made it home in four hours.</div><br /><div> </div>piping hot curry chicken and steamed rice for dinner. there is nothing like the satisfying feeling of eating a delicious, warm home cooked meal when you are starving and cold. i will absolutely start putting in more effort at soup kitchens during the holidays.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>later that night we had a bone fire and hung out with the bachelor dudes. they were funny. the stars were so bright and the air smelled faintly of salt water and sheep. such a nice break from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">london</span>, really. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">dana</span> and i went up to go to bed a little earlier than everyone else. i fell asleep listening to laughter from outside and looking up out the sky light window at the most beautiful stars, wishing i new what was so funny and what the names of all the constellations were. i slept soundly knowing that everyone i love from home would look at that same moon in a few hours. </div><br /><div> </div>crack of dawn. breakfast is ready. gotta love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">libby</span>.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>sea kayaking with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">brumble</span> and johnny. another hour getting out wetsuits on, really, i don't understand why its so hard. then we drove down to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">abercastle</span>, got a quick tutorial about how to row and what to do if you capsized, and we were off. it was amazing. and so much fun. johnny said i was the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">kayaker</span> of the bunch. i winked at him and then almost tipped over. we spent the next few hours going in and out of sea caves, rock jumping in our boats, having races and playing games. at one point, i stopped, turned my kayak in the direction of the sun, closed my eyes and just relished in the fact that i just partook in an adventure weekend, in wales, and it was an unbelievable amount of fun. </div><br /><div> </div>we returned to the lodge for one more meal. we packed up our stuff, said goodbye to everyone, and jumped back on the train. it took forever to get back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">london</span> because of signal failures and what not, but i finished another book (the hours, so good!) and took a nice long nap. over this weekend i ate the best i have since coming to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">uk</span>, i had the most sound sleeps, i dreamt really cool dreams, i saw beautiful stars, i did things i have never done, i met a bunch of interesting people and learned even more about myself.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>everything in the world is a lesson and i have never had my eyes and ears open this much, i <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">dont</span> think. i wish i had a waterproof digital camera so i could have captured everything i did. believe me when i say the cliff we jumped off was epic. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><3<br />Rd<br /></div>rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-5909143051958817642009-03-25T06:14:00.000-07:002009-03-25T06:25:51.238-07:00sunny day.the weather here has been great. its been sunny during the day, a little breezy, beautiful really. there are often rain showers at night, but it helps me fall asleep.<br /><br />i have to say, i love getting all these emails from home. the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span> really is unbelievably helpful for keeping in touch with people on the other side of the ocean. every time i read a message or speak to someone from home, i am overwhelmed by the way i have some how managed to surround myself with the most amazing people. my friends and family are always there for me. my life is filled with people who care about my growth, my experiences, my health and well being... you guys still miss me, you guys haven't forgotten about me... thanks! i appreciate the fact that i have big, heavy rocks in my life and i take solace in the fact that no matter how hard the world or life may try and push those rocks away, they aren't budging. (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">jesus</span>, my analogies have been so cheesy lately).<br /><br />time for me to go eat my lunch and drink my tea in the park... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">turning</span> my cheeks up to the sun, thinking about how much i miss everyone from home, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">reminiscing</span> about all my happy memories and day dreaming about how nice summer will be.<br /><br /><3Rd<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ps</span>. cliff jumping in wales this weekend!!!rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-53898496527934727972009-03-23T02:06:00.000-07:002009-03-23T05:55:10.355-07:00luck of the irish.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIW_KcmvX7dVqFSQKlVb9xkg83kcns8Q5xx0jTK6cPvpKlesGVENT-g5il1oE1IRDQT435peXW0D5jXbKFOFASJwwFyWN3MOA7YKnzLBilhyz9eVB89Xz-lWh-W32EfqaNqFEVYJIWq24/s1600-h/IMG_2012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIW_KcmvX7dVqFSQKlVb9xkg83kcns8Q5xx0jTK6cPvpKlesGVENT-g5il1oE1IRDQT435peXW0D5jXbKFOFASJwwFyWN3MOA7YKnzLBilhyz9eVB89Xz-lWh-W32EfqaNqFEVYJIWq24/s200/IMG_2012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316308187222851154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc8BBazhq3Q_DwkC2RrV36epKg3kCb3-biHi9XxJwJIG0ObCj5EaWF4JWfCg51EMnkZQ6cQfF_8_sC3x1aiyHxqADsYwpr7nyaPofdwEuYhaPo4iIMRJE97_04pomGaHuP_ViYYYTB4F3/s1600-h/IMG_2076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc8BBazhq3Q_DwkC2RrV36epKg3kCb3-biHi9XxJwJIG0ObCj5EaWF4JWfCg51EMnkZQ6cQfF_8_sC3x1aiyHxqADsYwpr7nyaPofdwEuYhaPo4iIMRJE97_04pomGaHuP_ViYYYTB4F3/s200/IMG_2076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316308184608318962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu9vMAASAkmHeuuP6WwAJ6Gy-NWtRc8lWRBu2295hecndI2pXKX2V3Q93rUoiPTP18Y1lyxlpXodWSw9bYBDs4URWqsKaNti3rbli2Y622weG8dTT2Dp4OVtzQHRIpM0zKpKHYbZVGr3T/s1600-h/IMG_2011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu9vMAASAkmHeuuP6WwAJ6Gy-NWtRc8lWRBu2295hecndI2pXKX2V3Q93rUoiPTP18Y1lyxlpXodWSw9bYBDs4URWqsKaNti3rbli2Y622weG8dTT2Dp4OVtzQHRIpM0zKpKHYbZVGr3T/s200/IMG_2011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316308067679050706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eEQR0ZqpjBK-TuAtzPbK6Fh338GByo_R4d-OMRKS3utVuzSjergz1OQgHQ633hneXk6Vfd4iGRA4DbY5-HK-Ua3kvIyjnYrE6XoCNRUjfkX0CHqvRN3NNCqddwmXOwLiUNf-0MplfMbF/s1600-h/IMG_1970.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eEQR0ZqpjBK-TuAtzPbK6Fh338GByo_R4d-OMRKS3utVuzSjergz1OQgHQ633hneXk6Vfd4iGRA4DbY5-HK-Ua3kvIyjnYrE6XoCNRUjfkX0CHqvRN3NNCqddwmXOwLiUNf-0MplfMbF/s200/IMG_1970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316308066158502034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_B-IYkXdXyJp1L5vCX5ZH1rLHbh2vNje12zb-H1kCTGJYU47ke5KuMd1RYa21mXtNRRVRBVHnIhXQMEzSckGeI0K4Jkk2-FK0lnm970hDfk33adTN-9YkHUtB6LFyycIrgVERcwXYiOb/s1600-h/IMG_1897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_B-IYkXdXyJp1L5vCX5ZH1rLHbh2vNje12zb-H1kCTGJYU47ke5KuMd1RYa21mXtNRRVRBVHnIhXQMEzSckGeI0K4Jkk2-FK0lnm970hDfk33adTN-9YkHUtB6LFyycIrgVERcwXYiOb/s200/IMG_1897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316307979483752946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR9vZbeB_40mKx0bh5EuCxT8hn2wVi4gPx3gf1YvF1X1uEzOJhzBjANl9NnK8ktNP2-LoDKpT3CgN0Q9l2ky0gIXurxIB_KzDwn7-H5aLgZPqqgMnVfg55PXMhkgXFR5obcyQRK4i1RXG/s1600-h/IMG_1859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR9vZbeB_40mKx0bh5EuCxT8hn2wVi4gPx3gf1YvF1X1uEzOJhzBjANl9NnK8ktNP2-LoDKpT3CgN0Q9l2ky0gIXurxIB_KzDwn7-H5aLgZPqqgMnVfg55PXMhkgXFR5obcyQRK4i1RXG/s200/IMG_1859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316307964637572466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvksJDIM22D1yyfvHs27VBPi_uf6kJzOgYKFFssIPAARD_hMSl6-zFudtrRkbOWkPqVFVItywuDIA99Bhr5soxKeWBQkVmd98DJ8QJfhnb_R6S94N_bFnP3JGRCpnKgue7IUzUg3xLWDP/s1600-h/IMG_1817.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvksJDIM22D1yyfvHs27VBPi_uf6kJzOgYKFFssIPAARD_hMSl6-zFudtrRkbOWkPqVFVItywuDIA99Bhr5soxKeWBQkVmd98DJ8QJfhnb_R6S94N_bFnP3JGRCpnKgue7IUzUg3xLWDP/s200/IMG_1817.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316307779701203938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVF7ybalVVMR_y2TilWuzvDV5kJFwsTu6IfiBzuZXVMoA5iKU87l8G854NZtl2Ny9joJGdtSV4qFFpXHnRhx-BeCTlM7etLJZD8tZkQ43bATdGAw71LrI566oVJoSBvm2uMGmxLIwh4pa/s1600-h/IMG_1792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVF7ybalVVMR_y2TilWuzvDV5kJFwsTu6IfiBzuZXVMoA5iKU87l8G854NZtl2Ny9joJGdtSV4qFFpXHnRhx-BeCTlM7etLJZD8tZkQ43bATdGAw71LrI566oVJoSBvm2uMGmxLIwh4pa/s200/IMG_1792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316307770913242722" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dublin</span></span>, what can i say. you are a unique city and hard to describe. let me quote <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">jim</span></span>, an old, chubby, red-nosed, white-haired <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">irish</span></span> man we met at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">o'sheas</span></span> while we were eating dinner last night... "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dublin</span></span> is the best of all the capitals in the world. the technology is more advanced than anywhere else in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ireland</span></span>, there are more people, more things to do, more business... but everyone knows everyone. you always feel like your at home no matter where you go."<br /><br />starting back from the beginning... we arrived in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">dublin</span></span> at 8 in the morning on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">saturday</span></span>. we easily found a bus to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">o'connell</span></span> street, which is basically the center, and went to breakfast. 1 egg, 1 piece of bacon, 1 piece of toast, a cup of coffee and 10 euro later (not joking) we started venturing off to find our hostel and make our weekend plan.<br /><br />after storing our bags until check in time and talking to the woman at the front desk of the hostel, we decided to walk the city. it seemed small enough. we went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">grafton</span></span> street which has a bunch of shops and street performers. we went to the little park at the end of it. we went to st. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">patrick's</span></span> cathedral, we found a parking lot with cool <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">graffiti</span>. we went to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">guinness</span></span> factory. and then we took a cab back, because it started to rain, and the city was, in fact, a little larger than we anticipated.<br /><br />my favorite part of day 1, sightseeing: the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">guinness</span></span> factory. it was really cool inside. definitely not what i was expecting, seeing as i have no interest in beer what so ever. but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">kristin</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">dana</span></span> and i found <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ourselves</span> pursing our lips and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">nodding</span> our heads as we learned a lot about something we knew little about. at the end of the tour, you are on the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span></span> floor of this cool old factory, over looking the city, and they give you a pint of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">guinness</span></span>. you watch it change from an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">orangey</span></span>-caramel color to dark black-brown. and the put a little shamrock in the foam. it was nice, but not very enjoyable. i tried my hardest to quickly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">acquire</span> the taste and drink my pint, but i got about 3/4's of the way down and just couldn't go on anymore.<br /><br />back at the hostel, we met up with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">lindsey</span></span>, my friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">kristin</span></span> from home and her friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">sam</span></span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">boston</span></span>. we were hungry so we decided to go to a pub... little did we know what we were getting <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">ourselves</span> into. we sat down, ordered some burgers and jacket <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">potatoes</span>, and wondered why on earth all the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">tv's</span></span> were so loud and all the people were standing on chairs. through further investigation, we realized that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">ireland</span></span> was playing wales in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">championship</span> rugby game as we ate. two huge rivals. one big game. when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">ireland</span></span> beat wales in the last second, winning the title for the first time in 61 years, we jumped out of our seats and joined in with the cheers, hoots and hugs. what a scene. typical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">irish</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">i'll</span></span> tell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">yah</span></span>.<br /><br />after that we went to a bunch of pubs in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">temple</span> bar. every one was completely different. one had a band singing old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">irish</span></span> songs. (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">i'd</span></span> never heard of them, but them seemed like old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">irish</span></span> songs.) one pub played <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">american</span></span> 80s and 90s songs and was filled with trinity college students jumping up and down. one pub had these two old men singing rockabilly and you could hear them from outside. everyone in there was just sitting down, drinking, listening, laughing and swaying their upper bodies in perfect beat with the songs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40"><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">dublin</span></span> is not the most pretty of cities. the architecture isn't very interesting, the landscape is quite average, the river is a little dirty. there doesn't seem to be much emphasis on art. but i think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">dublin</span></span> holds its beauty in the people. never have i seen a culture so content with being merry. everyone was so laid back and full of a love for life... no doubt all of this was aided by beer. but nonetheless, it was fun to get caught up in the happiness of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">ireland</span></span> on the night that <span style="font-style: italic;">their team</span> just won <span style="font-style: italic;">the game</span>... we couldn't have planned a more perfect <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">irish</span></span> evening.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">sunday</span></span> morning we boarded a little 14 person tour bus and took off on our trip to the country side. we went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">wicklow</span></span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">glendalough</span></span>... and believe me when i say... we went the scenic route. it was utterly breathtaking, though. i tried to take photos, but they just didn't do justice... so i resorted to putting my camera in my bag and trying my hardest to just memorize everything. to fully appreciate the sights we saw, you would need to breath the fresh country air, hear the trickling streams and smell the grass and the ponds. we ate beef stew and mashed potatoes for lunch. we saw the ruined churches and towers at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">glendaough</span></span>. we watched our tour guide do a jig and we saw a group of people in kilts playing bag pipes.<br /><br />there is no other place like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">ireland</span></span> in the world. its very hard for me to describe the feelings and emotions that i <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">experienced</span> there. while laying on a big grassy field, in the middle of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">irish</span></span> countryside, looking up to the sun... i wondered if anyone from home would look at the same sun in a few hours and be able to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">appreciate</span> it as much as i was in that moment.<br /><br />we went back into town and ate dinner at a pub across the street from the bus that took us to the airport. we met old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">jim</span></span>. he told us about life in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">ireland</span></span>. about his wife, his kids... he told us about the beauty of the 60s and about his hopes for our generation to point the world back in the right direction.<br /><br />we arrived back in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">london</span></span> at 11. i fell asleep in the same clothes i had travelled around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">ireland</span></span> in.<br /><br /><3 Rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-21865617254660048302009-03-14T21:11:00.000-07:002009-03-15T03:55:13.096-07:00you may say i'm dreamer.this week was jam packed.<br /><br />i went out for indian food for the first time with some girls from work. it was delicious. now i know what the big fuss is about chicken tikki masala. and there goes another "to do in london" thing i can cross off my list.<br /><br />i did hot yoga again.<br /><br />i went out to lunch by myself. i asked for a table for 1, and sat down, ordered. i stayed their for my entire lunch break. i read my book and i people watched and it was a lovely afternoon.<br /><br />i went to a school play that my flatmate was in.<br /><br />i had an amazing conversation with my boss at work about life and traveling and careers. i now may possibly be going to south africa for an extended period of time after i graduate.<br /><br />i met dana for lunch at cha cha moon, and we began planning out our after the term adventure. tentatively, we plan on going to nice and to morocco.<br /><br />i started researching the best places to go on a tour of italy, and the best ways to get there. and kate has officially bought her plane ticket. i will be meeting her in milan on may 17th. words can't express my excitement.<br /><br />i went to a play in the west end called three days of rain. it was the best live performance i have ever seen. james mcavoy was phenomenal. it rained real rain on stage. it tugged at my heart strings. it brought tears to my eyes.<br /><br />kristen and i ate mexican food and drank margaritas on friday and ate italian food and drank wine on saturday. we went to two restaurants that were on our list of things "to do in london".<br /><br />i spent the day working at modus on saturday and made a little bit of money. the winter 09 collections are in and they are beautiful. burnt orange is the pantone color of the season.<br /><br />we went shopping in east london, on brick lane and to the spitalfield markets. it's hipster central, full of artists, designers and street fashion. i got some great vintage stuff, went in to some beautiful old book stores and saw some awesome painted brick murals. as i was browsing through the stands with old coats and boots and dresses and skirts, i couldnt help but wonder why on earth you threw/gave away all your old clothes, gagi. what i would do to go back in time as you were bagging them up and getting rid of them and tell you, "don't do it... save them. save them for the granddaughter you are going to have someday." conclusion: east london is a great place to be, i want to live there someday and going shopping there yesterday is just another thing to cross off that list.<br /><br />the boys from next door came home from their holiday last night. they had a bunch of stories to tell us and were talking a mile a minute. in the 15 minute span i was over their listening to them... i think i laughed more than i have all week. i miss them when they're not around.<br /><br />today is sunday, and i am not leaving richmond. its sunny and beautiful and i am going to spend the day reading in the park, doing homework and appreciating what a beautiful, little english town i live in.<br /><br /><3<br />Rd<br /><br />ps. dublin next weekend!!!rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-58488499482511921702009-03-07T13:50:00.000-08:002009-03-10T16:59:34.785-07:00little pieces of boston.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEIVLVevxLOCrjJkEnErlq2FlRXIo9RMKDnWz8RitTi9Dz9o8WEDzGX6yPJTKiNqNnxs6NLx_NQVqKmnI00AmcUYL1QWVMHlNdk-TrfO-Q7ezgSK_Oq1PPS0xMz9rSQVn3LJH0fgvDKhl/s1600-h/IMG_1689.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEIVLVevxLOCrjJkEnErlq2FlRXIo9RMKDnWz8RitTi9Dz9o8WEDzGX6yPJTKiNqNnxs6NLx_NQVqKmnI00AmcUYL1QWVMHlNdk-TrfO-Q7ezgSK_Oq1PPS0xMz9rSQVn3LJH0fgvDKhl/s200/IMG_1689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311705275131838242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_8ZwezGXuD5Lp6MfGCr7nxWSLeWPLYN0qOnGZbwQVUB0-_lgcPPfjWDvRGiXO7sj5HEtMl45r10JrQ0IeSzzYjBvnq4y9Q9Gi44Y3I-PEAp9CV5IK09OT1q4gyfxf5BY-d3C9fgGWbST/s1600-h/IMG_1679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_8ZwezGXuD5Lp6MfGCr7nxWSLeWPLYN0qOnGZbwQVUB0-_lgcPPfjWDvRGiXO7sj5HEtMl45r10JrQ0IeSzzYjBvnq4y9Q9Gi44Y3I-PEAp9CV5IK09OT1q4gyfxf5BY-d3C9fgGWbST/s200/IMG_1679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311705273228843266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzdsmwCMQSWy48PNfdDjaZp-QBCySCNObdPHC_ta5rmQ3rvprWRqa8ZN7szk6Gkv5aG52mhFfUVDiAk6AmktXqvJ4tTMLcJgCKHASFH86EjrPN52drqW-V2Q-TSmeb9sASNpNT1xNDogD/s1600-h/DSCF9611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzdsmwCMQSWy48PNfdDjaZp-QBCySCNObdPHC_ta5rmQ3rvprWRqa8ZN7szk6Gkv5aG52mhFfUVDiAk6AmktXqvJ4tTMLcJgCKHASFH86EjrPN52drqW-V2Q-TSmeb9sASNpNT1xNDogD/s200/DSCF9611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311705023364397138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqbBvq0GsyHO5JX67me4565raJ7jNpPUz8qjVwDXiB2GGOX_cUbFVuozDQyxU9Q5_uW4t767n57leZYAWSkI_Zxz3I8w9XGckWVroM-EIegEna6qJbcTt-AGb_Zfs85mL9eOlLUlo8Q9g/s1600-h/DSCF9553.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqbBvq0GsyHO5JX67me4565raJ7jNpPUz8qjVwDXiB2GGOX_cUbFVuozDQyxU9Q5_uW4t767n57leZYAWSkI_Zxz3I8w9XGckWVroM-EIegEna6qJbcTt-AGb_Zfs85mL9eOlLUlo8Q9g/s200/DSCF9553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311705017700208642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjVwO8hOoBowQ75xB5IxcXQc56A1S2xztdsdiqd2K_Ihu7Utx0Ej0kX6cSi_MDQc0CJn8T9L8Tbol5VTl0_EGiFmYCslZRfh2UaBcwZhPQB-NtGqyCkaVzSRkAhmDvnjiz9oZszl0GJjw/s1600-h/IMG_1711.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjVwO8hOoBowQ75xB5IxcXQc56A1S2xztdsdiqd2K_Ihu7Utx0Ej0kX6cSi_MDQc0CJn8T9L8Tbol5VTl0_EGiFmYCslZRfh2UaBcwZhPQB-NtGqyCkaVzSRkAhmDvnjiz9oZszl0GJjw/s200/IMG_1711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311705348197087554" border="0" /></a><br />so the girls visited. it was great. i brought them to our favorite pub, around richmond, around london... we saw big ben, westminster... we ate fish n' chips, we went to a rugby game... we got dressed up and went out for the night in kensington... we went shopping on sunday, and the boys cooked us dinner.<br /><br />having a part of home visit was a really comforting feeling. i think the thing i like best about my emmanuel friends is we are so used to being apart for a couple months out of the year that we can go a while without seeing eachother, but it never feels like any time has passed. we always pick up right where we left off. it's great.<br /><br />miss them already. and everyone else from home, too.<br /><br /><3 Rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-56317871942863886512009-03-03T05:59:00.000-08:002009-03-03T07:57:05.404-08:00enamored with paris.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CfSyf7FVnDGD2bgxm-p0h1-r7mXGkKr7GSkHbTqaTLQ2hWaxIdJIjyDCFlE5w0Y3VRkO2457iY5ReJZ8bDtvT0e-pjgOHCrMobxKqbSjg8rLRnqIVVmvobUBCQ2wXN0Gvm4rnAj77-m6/s1600-h/IMG_1368.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CfSyf7FVnDGD2bgxm-p0h1-r7mXGkKr7GSkHbTqaTLQ2hWaxIdJIjyDCFlE5w0Y3VRkO2457iY5ReJZ8bDtvT0e-pjgOHCrMobxKqbSjg8rLRnqIVVmvobUBCQ2wXN0Gvm4rnAj77-m6/s200/IMG_1368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308986234500109842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TiecYXCh3yWg-p-MdsNL7wHETGsNBr3s0_CWaDYVWBY6OgB-RVekl2TTawIEWpRPzfDbQV6lTwIzKBV-bu1PBRRl-ZbxcqCw9Os0ia9hnJI5-oyiadPkVker3Dy9whq34V3CdpnuwY5R/s1600-h/IMG_1378.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TiecYXCh3yWg-p-MdsNL7wHETGsNBr3s0_CWaDYVWBY6OgB-RVekl2TTawIEWpRPzfDbQV6lTwIzKBV-bu1PBRRl-ZbxcqCw9Os0ia9hnJI5-oyiadPkVker3Dy9whq34V3CdpnuwY5R/s200/IMG_1378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308987054126970658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" 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text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxcm_cWofPTQEJm9Hv-4F6ltCdKpSvDyfn1CBdOFvGOfnPmLHtxlPEFGzZYAgha6XcKVU_P1yjScZ03hgdmpo_e-fSz_GjgDV2ONEd3OYxz_QGSX3x5nUmTpC1SAMe2ZrahV3XFwV4K1L/s200/IMG_1444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308989475700716626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IroVntrLos69JvVC9690KMqoDy8kadyLu8KRCdzGYQ8oD_wqHXwgK8VcVzWtzMhoWrZ5ERuIMEPZzb-F-l4ei5UBKd4-H4grVnQnw4aot60_H_F9JUERiyQLLlTJutRztTwwrP0FlNwr/s1600-h/IMG_1530.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IroVntrLos69JvVC9690KMqoDy8kadyLu8KRCdzGYQ8oD_wqHXwgK8VcVzWtzMhoWrZ5ERuIMEPZzb-F-l4ei5UBKd4-H4grVnQnw4aot60_H_F9JUERiyQLLlTJutRztTwwrP0FlNwr/s200/IMG_1530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308987079993085554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrQLm_SEaUkbjYB7wknyNw_YkNe1X5QlktnepGMa6f3wJZn92xF7wSYVJpcPRIiX7yZ-k1WtN9sm76N0WWsxpkXYkvzst5QshEMmcvjHuaTJWvoxMlwGmNSyZUH5j5M60XKmVdGRdeNjn/s1600-h/IMG_1612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrQLm_SEaUkbjYB7wknyNw_YkNe1X5QlktnepGMa6f3wJZn92xF7wSYVJpcPRIiX7yZ-k1WtN9sm76N0WWsxpkXYkvzst5QshEMmcvjHuaTJWvoxMlwGmNSyZUH5j5M60XKmVdGRdeNjn/s200/IMG_1612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985865527630018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGgvKpN05OZnUO_39hF_Fy85s8AMn9Toryv7D5Oqk3xyy4bkxDjVkceCd8apBaSBfa8g5yXQ8eO9VepXWR9q-vKayKwV5tCkdy_cHwBDlt_7_RxC8mc01Rvc8sHjrED2fjMLef3J3vRe5/s1600-h/IMG_1620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGgvKpN05OZnUO_39hF_Fy85s8AMn9Toryv7D5Oqk3xyy4bkxDjVkceCd8apBaSBfa8g5yXQ8eO9VepXWR9q-vKayKwV5tCkdy_cHwBDlt_7_RxC8mc01Rvc8sHjrED2fjMLef3J3vRe5/s200/IMG_1620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985859384118898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHDWJViVFbt-ydVlwTXOYyyaeXX19TgESnTrS4Hsc6HRIb7Ow_Prs16EkxLfQmJbLYAVK6gbOkQ46u4icqVkorzySlWx4R-wXrM-jud2fX7FvWxF5OJsc3oOY8xNafg3vMrZ2zPO9YVL7/s1600-h/IMG_1641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHDWJViVFbt-ydVlwTXOYyyaeXX19TgESnTrS4Hsc6HRIb7Ow_Prs16EkxLfQmJbLYAVK6gbOkQ46u4icqVkorzySlWx4R-wXrM-jud2fX7FvWxF5OJsc3oOY8xNafg3vMrZ2zPO9YVL7/s200/IMG_1641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985634104257442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQm0e7IblR2MKeTtKdpgo130D2SvXoHti2ptpXm4zqzfQw2cP0S55p2R31jmTGMDS2Ihgcum3ul4dOgv5peSPBEpMQCqOOiYCDu3T-izAKrH_trzwb19SZu9kGF7Y3M4-yWbAyboeAs98/s1600-h/IMG_1662.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQm0e7IblR2MKeTtKdpgo130D2SvXoHti2ptpXm4zqzfQw2cP0S55p2R31jmTGMDS2Ihgcum3ul4dOgv5peSPBEpMQCqOOiYCDu3T-izAKrH_trzwb19SZu9kGF7Y3M4-yWbAyboeAs98/s200/IMG_1662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985632204467810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbC39MR0qdy7rjS3FfGdv5eEJQXOBeLy5Yd09jorg4HLgVMwMywPIKTCdCsoxA0cfFfSiW19C_d1RNE92IT1w_ooJ45vtpMZNOKazvktrmfzkEHVbp82KBZ5GMoQeshUjm-r2XqiQC61e/s1600-h/IMG_7198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbC39MR0qdy7rjS3FfGdv5eEJQXOBeLy5Yd09jorg4HLgVMwMywPIKTCdCsoxA0cfFfSiW19C_d1RNE92IT1w_ooJ45vtpMZNOKazvktrmfzkEHVbp82KBZ5GMoQeshUjm-r2XqiQC61e/s200/IMG_7198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308985456758490018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />this past weekend was amazing. i am going to try and make you feel like you were there...<br /><br />the eurostar was great. i have never ridden on a train for longer than it takes to get from south station to mansfield, so i wasn't sure how it would be. but, it was comfortable and there was a little cafe where you could stretch your legs. and, most importantly, i was happy to get more stamps in my passport. the landscapes i saw of france and england's countryside were utterly breathtaking. the sky was grey and misty, but the ground was bright green.<br /><br />when we arrived on friday afternoon, we dropped our bags off in our room and a group of us headed out. we had no idea where we were going, we just started walking.<br /><br />we went out to dinner and tried to make a plan. our mission was to find the eiffel tower and we wanted to walk around. we eventually made it to the arch de triumph and jumped in front of it. and when we turned to the left... we saw it... the eiffel tower. it was beautiful. and i think my heart stopped beating for a second or two.<br /><br />what i thought would be a 10 minute walk to the tower, ended up being about 45. but when we finally reached out ultimate destination, it was more amazing that i could have ever imagined. there were people everywhere. and all these men, trying to sell 3 dumb little plastic eiffel towers for 1 euro. when i got to directly underneath the tower, i positioned my camera to look up at it, and right as i was about to snap a photo, it started sparkling. it was as if the push of my shutter release button caused the lights to sparkle. i started jumping up and down. my neck hurt from looking directly up for so long. it was the most perfect eiffel tower experience... ever.<br /><br />oh, and the air smelled like crepes and waffles. we obviously bought some waffles with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. and they were scrumptious.<br /><br />later that night we met up with the rest of our group (there were about 15 of us) and we went to this cool, french bar. the atmosphere was great and people all seemed cool. as soon as we sat down at a booth and settled in, this man got up with his guitar and started singing old american songs from the 90s... like natalie imbruglia and third eye blind. it was awesome. we all sang a long and became fast friends.<br /><br />the next morning we woke up at the crack of dawn and jumped on a bus to begin our tour of paris. i think the notre dame was my favorite part of the tour. it was such a humbling experience. the cathedral was beautiful. the fact that <span style="font-style: italic;">people</span> sculpted all the sculptures is sort of insane. outside, looking at the building, everyone was quiet. inside, looking at the paintings and the alter, everyone was quiet. music was playing and we were informed by our whispering tour guide that the crown of thorns was being displayed. we obviously couldn't see it, but i guess you just had to believe it was there... after, when we walked outside again, we could hear the music. just a few minutes before we couldn't, even though we were outside in the same exact spot. (i hope that makes sense).<br /><br />the tour ended at the louve. yea, yea.. i saw the mona lisa. but that museum is far to large to really appreciate. next time i go to paris i am headed straight to the d'orsay which has the kind of artwork i really enjoy...<br /><br />from there we went to pere lachaise, a huge cemetery, and i was thrilled. it was the most beautiful cemetery i had ever seen. all the love stories that were written on the tombs broke my heart and at the same time gave me a warm hopeful feeling about the beauty of the world. i think for my next photo assignment, i want to document graveyards. i am slightly obsessed with the tragically poetic insanely calm feeling i get when i set foot in one. (kate, you'll never understand...) the weather was beautiful. sunny and about 65. my coat was stuffed around my purse and my sunglasses were guled to my face. i was also beginning to run low on camera battery...<br /><br />after dinner we went to montmartre. the streets were packed with people and the smell of crepes and waffles filled the air again. we obviously bought some crepes with strawberry jam filling. they were scrumptious. we walked up to the top of sacre core and saw the entire city of paris at sunset. there were so many things going on on the steps.... a man singing and playing guitar (the same man from the bar the night before... so ameile like), break dancers, people kissing and people smoking. kids, old people, students, artists, french, american... you name it. it was diversity at its finest. and i at that moment i fell in love with paris.<br /><br />after that, we started walking down the hill and found this perfect little cafe resturant. there were big italian lights strung from the gutters to the trees. the picket fence and tables and chairs were painted all different colors. the inside walls were green and blue. there were old mirrors and pictures everywhere. in my dreams... if i could have lived in paris and owned a cafe, that is what it would have looked like. lindsey, kristen and i got their at 6:30, but they didnt start serving food until 7. our waiter was this cute french guy with a black hat and stripped shirt (i swear). he spoke english and said some of the most beautiful things about paris i had ever heard. he was in love with this city, too.<br /><br />we sat for hours, drinking homemade wine, having intellectual and though-provoking conversation, watching this empty cafe fill up into a hustling, bustling resturant. our waiter brought us over chocolate cake, and then espresso, and then more wine... all on him. he liked our american accents, and the way our eyes lite up when we listened to his stories... or atleast thats what he said.<br /><br />i can honestly say we spent our saturday night fully embracing the french culture and having one of the most amazing evenings i have had since i've been here.<br /><br />and sunday morning we went to the market at bastille. another great way to take in the french way of life... i was overwhelmed at how fast the world seemed to be moving at that moment, so i stood, with my arms by my side and my eyes closed, in the center of the market. i took a deep breath and tried my hardest to memorize the smells. i listened to a plethora of different languages being spoken, but somehow i seemed to understand what everyone was feeling. i heard cheeks being kissed, little kids running around, dogs barking, flowers being sold, ukuleles being played... i bought 4 pillow cases. i can't wait for someone to compliment me on them and i can say, "well, at this little market in the middle of paris...."<br /><br />we got back to london around 4 on sunday afternoon. the train ride home was filled with chatter among these 15 people who left on a trip sort of knowing who everyone was, but returned from the trip with 14 new friends. if i had a penny for every laugh...<br /><br /><3 Rd<br /><br />ps. i am in the middle of the alchemist. i dont think i could have picked a better time in my life to read that book.rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-35302492496420850272009-02-23T13:44:00.000-08:002009-02-23T13:58:23.381-08:00lfw, shopping & clouds.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3iENnD8pVKluXvSfrhzJapM1QhuNrOWSMTlLyNbMD7bUGG1cWIZBt5XocylfEvYDJ7QsArQQZkObax_026ueayRyp95oCoQw3N-X45l4n1a6DbQxxnZ4hAkS1XHlTh26emPueMmRvIx3/s200/IMG_1252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306112378063442658" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7bfDZc2y___gGCeJbefErL2RqN6YNukJ69N-HqYuQjJtN915sqoBNBQSHjrZIaTDYEMij7ICxVRouclxhWKDKBDU_vm4UMJQc0HMhDAd-WlGsk5bvqG5xqBEVgojrLpLBMIwoTaNuX1c/s200/n200902555_33304456_7954-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306112378957543842" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Jd1pNeNwTn_M7kUS-OM_FNIOGE8MPyM6qALH2axrL6StotYjrQH6xDrzpzMPgbsRMr48Oea2Jf9z0aEjR83sddvWQiJ8ZgT7IaPYExsd9o_6IJDfMiJOL-_n97GTYeM1elwMbcOpexfG/s1600-h/IMG_1248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Jd1pNeNwTn_M7kUS-OM_FNIOGE8MPyM6qALH2axrL6StotYjrQH6xDrzpzMPgbsRMr48Oea2Jf9z0aEjR83sddvWQiJ8ZgT7IaPYExsd9o_6IJDfMiJOL-_n97GTYeM1elwMbcOpexfG/s200/IMG_1248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306112347416552962" /></a>this weekend i attended london fashion week, i met tyson beckford, he kissed my cheek, i went on a mini shopping spree, i feel in love with this new kind of drink which is made from rain water and fruit and has no artificial sweeteners or additives, i went to the most exclusive club in london with pretty much everyone i have met so far, i went grocery shopping and cooked dinner for my flat mates and neighbors and i have been learning an insane about about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme">memes</a> which is such an insane topic. <div><br /></div><div>also, byron visited on saturday (he is a friend from emmanuel who is studying in a different part of england who came to london for the weekend). he was the first familiar face i have seen since i've been here, and the only word i can use to describe seeing him is comfort. he reminded me of everyone i missed from boston. he picked an absolutely amazing night to visit and we had an epic time. </div><div><br /></div><div>but i must get back to my paper on memes. </div><div><br /></div><div><3 </div><div>Rd</div><div><br /></div><div>ps. paris on friday!!!!</div>rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-8031802607365076682009-02-17T05:44:00.000-08:002009-02-17T08:37:00.853-08:00ugly betty wears prada.my internship started this week. and i have loads to write about my weekend in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prague</span>. but this is all running through my mind a mile a minute right now...<br /><br />i wore charcoal dress pants and a black shirt to work yesterday.. and i was far to over dressed. everyone wears what ever they feel like, but definitely not business dress. (mom - i might be shipping back all my professional clothes in hopes you would ship me some of my every day clothes... but we'll chat about that later).<br /><br />i am the youngest intern at the moment. but there are new interns every couple weeks or so because the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">modus</span> internship program lasts 3 months at a time. the accounts i got put on directly include <a href="http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/?gclid=CJq17P7Z45gCFYQI3wodSUuqcw"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">uniqlo</span></a>, <a href="http://www.etro.it/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">etro</span> </a>and <a href="http://www.larabohinc107.co.uk/start.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lara</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bohinc</span></a>... but i work closely will all the other fashion clients, as well. i spent my first day hanging out in the show room organizing clothes by color... trying on breathtakingly beautiful shoes, wearing expensive designer sunglasses and holding hangers up under my chin while twirling around imagining myself in one of these couture gowns.<br /><br />i desperately wish i would take photos of the show room. its stunning. and its just one more part of my life that allows me to literally be surrounded by art.<br /><br />the people are great. the girls are hilarious. and so stylish. and absolutely beautiful. one of them used to be an intern when she was a junior (and went through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">AIFS</span> program, as well), went home to finish school, and then came back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">london</span> and to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">modus</span> because she loved it so much. i don't know what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">i'm</span> implying... i just thought that ought to be mentioned.<br /><br />our crazy office is like a librarians desk... only with shoes, clothes, bags, scarves, magazines, hangers and boxes.. everywhere. it is the absolute definition of organized chaos. we have to be very meticulous when booking items in and out. the system is exactly like a library. editors and art directors come to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">modus</span> and pull items they want from the show room. then we pack them up and either ship them through ups or deliver them if they are close. and everything is close. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">piccadilly</span> circus is the center of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">london</span> fashion world. in my first day i made deliveries to glamour, vogue, and the puma store. i also drank about 5 cups of coffee because i worked from 9 to 6 and was absolutely exhausted.<br /><br />after lunch, the list was posted saying who's working at what fashion shows. picture the anticipation and anxiety associated with the list posted saying who gets the lead role after and intense audition... needless to say, there was a lot of drama (don't mind the pun). i was absolutely thrilled on my part, though, because on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">friday</span> night i will be helping out at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">london</span> fashion week puma runway show. the founder of the company made an announcement regarding the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">pissy</span> moods of some of the girls. he said that he gets at least 20 emails a day from fashion school students and really just people from all over the world asking if their assistance is needed at any of the shows and he kindly declines their offers because he saves that terribly chic role for his interns. i was absolutely thrilled.<br /><br />another cool thing... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">keira</span> knightly stopped by the other day to pick out some make up from the beauty department. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">emma</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">watson</span> was in last week to get a dress to wear to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">bafta</span> awards. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">eva</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">mendez</span> was in a few days before that to pick up a <a href="http://www.salvatoreferragamo.it/en/#folderId=/en/women/bags&"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ferragamo</span> </a>bag. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">siena</span> miller pops in sometimes because her line, <a href="http://www.twenty8twelve.com/">twenty8twelve</a>, is one of our accounts and she drops off new samples.<br /><br />all our clients are constantly seen in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">london</span> papers and magazines. i had to put pack a <a href="http://www.bally.com/">bally </a>shirt yesterday that had just come in from a shoot with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">sheryl</span> crow. the moment i hung it on the rack, an editor from bazaar came in and pulled it for a shoot shes doing later this week with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">kate</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">hudson</span>.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">i'm</span> sure there's a bunch more details <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">i'm</span> leaving out at the moment, but i will be sure to write another novel post after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">lfw</span> is over.<br /><br /><3 Rd.<br /><br />ps. my english accent is getting quite good.rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-67291585507321719102009-02-16T16:23:00.000-08:002009-02-17T12:18:09.547-08:00prague.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7XeYhHPzjCnND_LbE1wlJOaRZDCJa0pJ9tv8uaQou0uwjpRVwD_K1QnticZ23DltEIHkvF_yzvI_8Jp-zMSDPG0PboVzTDyRgL5wlaPCJyjVh3ip-UGSJRTskHna2qZQwd14EuLd4WI0/s1600-h/IMG_1073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7XeYhHPzjCnND_LbE1wlJOaRZDCJa0pJ9tv8uaQou0uwjpRVwD_K1QnticZ23DltEIHkvF_yzvI_8Jp-zMSDPG0PboVzTDyRgL5wlaPCJyjVh3ip-UGSJRTskHna2qZQwd14EuLd4WI0/s200/IMG_1073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303851220859315506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjzH5-rX4iYenZ08rnewxU_Q-O3Df7rgxp167LhIa_7G1MudMCOwdbyzak3Guh-Km7jVmXOF1O4FHG3F2HHzAsFJNHDA5YlnqmDu0pP5ssCPW6H1Av9tka9U4BBCpLeqEyUGDjj5dR6B9/s1600-h/IMG_1082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjzH5-rX4iYenZ08rnewxU_Q-O3Df7rgxp167LhIa_7G1MudMCOwdbyzak3Guh-Km7jVmXOF1O4FHG3F2HHzAsFJNHDA5YlnqmDu0pP5ssCPW6H1Av9tka9U4BBCpLeqEyUGDjj5dR6B9/s200/IMG_1082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303851202411409762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6EchTtB72-_oEIGICiBQVaBMts6YpoDMmOcxe1LnNo2bxSI8XAledjbbLkRvOjcgXaHfBVi5itKhPkftzupJ8Lq6Q-iPS9pHzYDq-OZj_wTyixwTtqkRCeKzvOoht48GTE62A0cJOrtQ/s1600-h/IMG_1131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6EchTtB72-_oEIGICiBQVaBMts6YpoDMmOcxe1LnNo2bxSI8XAledjbbLkRvOjcgXaHfBVi5itKhPkftzupJ8Lq6Q-iPS9pHzYDq-OZj_wTyixwTtqkRCeKzvOoht48GTE62A0cJOrtQ/s200/IMG_1131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303851054131250818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWu93lN4J5RHwk5g-F85b1EGKgiHnJtxMOciUqprExcAG9itbZ9_gFjn9A41XZrJfT-_lJRyS5XvvrRrO4IdpokNwc4rWpbevkUBomAhXo_Gpko3fevQIV96zI6WEverHqM3UkbSfBMpG/s1600-h/IMG_1150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWu93lN4J5RHwk5g-F85b1EGKgiHnJtxMOciUqprExcAG9itbZ9_gFjn9A41XZrJfT-_lJRyS5XvvrRrO4IdpokNwc4rWpbevkUBomAhXo_Gpko3fevQIV96zI6WEverHqM3UkbSfBMpG/s200/IMG_1150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303851045674407170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-a-0OD5k5WwzI9rtrfnLaRZJ7Hxx0OZgiRnxRW9Kud8UJz4Gs7qt5XFmAnXIf04x9WN3yvgFS3FpuV759BnlgrmqdAi2_mJhBie_SQuJx4c96hFcLMYffTtrOxfmljQ6Ea0XhhIRi6pt/s1600-h/IMG_1188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-a-0OD5k5WwzI9rtrfnLaRZJ7Hxx0OZgiRnxRW9Kud8UJz4Gs7qt5XFmAnXIf04x9WN3yvgFS3FpuV759BnlgrmqdAi2_mJhBie_SQuJx4c96hFcLMYffTtrOxfmljQ6Ea0XhhIRi6pt/s200/IMG_1188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303850740977654402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfuCZibOnoSoP8zBOT788lNwnLeZYrhi1uX1_iWImR9ZS4isKERslu-imbaqxn71CxllOfTXXvOBBRnLgJ6T26m4QUFyV3YlSKS2vAM-0ZKcgqYCIFmH6IvKCjidpYQdHxgm04aR82IfJ/s1600-h/IMG_7004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfuCZibOnoSoP8zBOT788lNwnLeZYrhi1uX1_iWImR9ZS4isKERslu-imbaqxn71CxllOfTXXvOBBRnLgJ6T26m4QUFyV3YlSKS2vAM-0ZKcgqYCIFmH6IvKCjidpYQdHxgm04aR82IfJ/s200/IMG_7004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303555477866572082" border="0" /></a><br />valentine's day 2009 may have quite possibly been my most favorite valentine's day ever. (last year's is a <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> close second, though!) not only did i have a valentine from home send me flowers (thanks james<3) but i was in prague with three girls who i have come to call my new best friends. we danced the night away in the city that is home to the fred and ginger dancing building and we laid on the ground to look up at brillantly white stars in the city that is home to the most beautiful astronomical clock.<br /><br />i did think a lot about last valentine's day, though. boston... the girls... thortons... all of which don't seem to be very prevalent in my life at the time being... which makes me sad... but happy at the same time, because the amount that i miss said things means that they must mean an extreme amount to me. (let it be known that i miss boston and the girls much more than i do thortons!)<br /><br />but back to prague... our flight was great. our hostel was so nice. the people we met were insanely interesting. on saturday night we were on our way out the door, and all the people staying in the hostel were waiting on the sidewalk outside about to go into town... so we walked down with them. as we were walking, i looked around at them and realized that i was part of a group of travelers. we were from all over the world, speaking different languages, all here for different reasons, all at different points in our lives, but at that moment, we were all united by this walk we were taking in the center of prague. we were all about to experience a new city and new people. we all had open minds and open hearts. and we all had an amazing saturday night.<br /><br />prague is such a gorgeous city. absolutely breathtaking. ever where i turned it seemed as if i was in a painting. the colors were muted, mostly, but at times, splashes of intensity caught ones eye. the astronomical clock was truly memorizing. we went to a torture museum which was utterly disturbing. we went to the prague castle and felt incredibly tiny. the vastness and eeriness of the city at night was quite humbling though, a nice break from the chaos of london.<br /><br /><3 Rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-18959849561074608502009-02-12T10:28:00.000-08:002009-02-12T10:41:29.508-08:00cirque du soleil.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek6JO1c6uZzxf_jAUV4TeAOpOPAyG2UP4gcm7jW295_67_kT9AyKSW52x5mYtsprkwhNsvSCGraQinKjqT75jrjgBjk8Lt1UAL34P8OYfttODfrugDlGyz4Zf0KPjcaGWmmkJ3gBl_3SU/s1600-h/IMG_1038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek6JO1c6uZzxf_jAUV4TeAOpOPAyG2UP4gcm7jW295_67_kT9AyKSW52x5mYtsprkwhNsvSCGraQinKjqT75jrjgBjk8Lt1UAL34P8OYfttODfrugDlGyz4Zf0KPjcaGWmmkJ3gBl_3SU/s200/IMG_1038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301980256772794882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoJZnii5NBGVZ3KHVYCBUzI6bypL_eVb6_MTaQmTCS1bkj-rDjo5-4m5FQCar99GmlxjU0YYYqW8Nj69F6GJuc83jw85V3oJ1CwjUbhvmPsX9iV14q65gCfhiImrgpAUeqEZcTlc2uCAL/s1600-h/IMG_1046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoJZnii5NBGVZ3KHVYCBUzI6bypL_eVb6_MTaQmTCS1bkj-rDjo5-4m5FQCar99GmlxjU0YYYqW8Nj69F6GJuc83jw85V3oJ1CwjUbhvmPsX9iV14q65gCfhiImrgpAUeqEZcTlc2uCAL/s200/IMG_1046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301980371723612402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g03NQl70q55d3oEP5GFyVXvh4raIlz8wNau-TlZjqnwFJ7Zomqu3Ga2mhk_iH6CbD7y9QAaQdBivljS1pP8UUT4aeUK4qe1PsC0Rr88rVtjpOoZnszqtfLPamLy-cmlE6EJqYgX-shOa/s1600-h/IMG_1045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g03NQl70q55d3oEP5GFyVXvh4raIlz8wNau-TlZjqnwFJ7Zomqu3Ga2mhk_iH6CbD7y9QAaQdBivljS1pP8UUT4aeUK4qe1PsC0Rr88rVtjpOoZnszqtfLPamLy-cmlE6EJqYgX-shOa/s200/IMG_1045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301980360667963250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkcMc9g7HDrUqkVTYSYr_RWfjWSMCt03v-xlIBVrSS9QMCf0odo8FPtyNjCGN2INIXpIlnoWY6CuIHsXDa4LH_85wQjlhxPkBgiepWoBNsmOhRBimAOt5_2huaXnMXN0euSwcmiHcVfkq/s1600-h/IMG_1042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkcMc9g7HDrUqkVTYSYr_RWfjWSMCt03v-xlIBVrSS9QMCf0odo8FPtyNjCGN2INIXpIlnoWY6CuIHsXDa4LH_85wQjlhxPkBgiepWoBNsmOhRBimAOt5_2huaXnMXN0euSwcmiHcVfkq/s200/IMG_1042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301980261026907474" border="0" /></a><br />So, we saw Cirque last night. It was pretty sweet. The Royal Albert Hall is absolutely stunning. The show was called Quidam. This was the description:<br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Quidam</em> meaning a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming, going, living in our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the "quidam" that <em>Cirque du Soleil</em> is celebrating.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">A young girl fumes; she has already seen everything there is to see, and her world has lost all meaning. Her anger shatters her little world, and she finds herself in the universe of <em>Quidam</em>. She is joined by a joyful companion as well as another character, more mysterious, who will attempt to seduce her with the marvelous, the unsettling, and the terrifying. </span></p><p><br /></p><p>I wanted to take more pictures because the figures and movements were so visually pleasing, but while I taking the last photo shown above, an usher ran up the stairs at full speed, stopped in front of my chair and with his teeth clenched he sternly said, "Put Your Camera Away... You Know The Rules." My immediate reaction was to almost jump out of my seat because I thought there was an emergency. Then after he walked away, I looked at Lindsey and started laughing. "Power trip," we decided. </p><3<br />Rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-61389291742408495732009-02-10T02:46:00.000-08:002009-02-10T02:53:45.825-08:00hey deejay.in my opinion, these are the most popular songs out here right now....<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VkSq2Zn2XoY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VkSq2Zn2XoY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bIEOZCcaXzE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bIEOZCcaXzE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w9KnuJZkBjg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w9KnuJZkBjg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C_UlkrzhAbw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C_UlkrzhAbw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-90263016751343815892009-02-09T12:12:00.000-08:002009-02-09T15:44:00.813-08:00yearbook.Due to a recent request, here is a photo and description of the people I spend most of my time with. Hopefully more sense will be made in your head, and you will be able to put a face with the characters in the story of my life.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyUDwnppppWmYkCL8l6ntd1X3qj5oTwQqkDHvgY1ToEBAkQgjE8i0NgLYRv84xwdkkmfwSxNYw8kfbPPJoRM4KNxUQ-Pk0J8y6jVzaKlsIeX_zGIk85sUZ-7ueNuO8GaaNyideMHYzj4b/s1600-h/DSCF5050_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyUDwnppppWmYkCL8l6ntd1X3qj5oTwQqkDHvgY1ToEBAkQgjE8i0NgLYRv84xwdkkmfwSxNYw8kfbPPJoRM4KNxUQ-Pk0J8y6jVzaKlsIeX_zGIk85sUZ-7ueNuO8GaaNyideMHYzj4b/s200/DSCF5050_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896464885226034" border="0" /></a>This is my roommate, Lindsey. She is from Pittsburgh. She goes to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Duquesne</span></span> University. She was very happy when the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Steelers</span></span> won. Her major is Communications Marketing and she is interning at Marie Curie Cancer Research. She studied in Rome last fall, so she has a lot of experience when it comes to traveling and booking flights and hostels. We like the same music and food and clothes and are basically the same person. One down fall.. her shoe size is one size bigger than mine...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPN_4nJbUqu-HFleBOafCPdvYOpA_JFwwqHJjLcJoxiVcAgZt4GIN5463NQ3G1u0UcowWfc-mdxvGU5TLnMPOaTVrgJnr5Umb5r6FO4Qmcdz4MI7r3Jqa98iXZbjZhtDucteKTK7Q_Bcdh/s1600-h/IMG_1438_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPN_4nJbUqu-HFleBOafCPdvYOpA_JFwwqHJjLcJoxiVcAgZt4GIN5463NQ3G1u0UcowWfc-mdxvGU5TLnMPOaTVrgJnr5Umb5r6FO4Qmcdz4MI7r3Jqa98iXZbjZhtDucteKTK7Q_Bcdh/s200/IMG_1438_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300898059641230034" border="0" /></a>This is Kristen and Dana. They are my flatmates. They share the room down the hall. Kristen is from Texas and goes to Texas Tech. She is a Business major and is interning at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Radisson</span></span> Hotels. She is hilarious. She always tells it like it is. Her obsession with CocaCola is borderline unhealthy. She owns 500 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dvds</span></span> and she wears a red coat. Dana is from New York and studied at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">McGill</span></span> in Canada. She is not an intern. Her major is Neuroscience. She loves to dance. She is the youngest out of all of us so we have adopted her as our little sister. Her phone gets the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Internet</span> anywhere in the world so she is always sharing it with us so we can check our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">facebooks</span></span> when we aren't around computers for a while.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEics4OYK2JTctl5zfCqJgPW2GvtjA5fv1PrjcceFK0Nvmgb1bWePgc4_kbhu3QmO9f4Hfy0B8gGoTD15p5ZZq2lVbGJSU87vUFSHUyFeGzgurFKV_hQiin54p1-uISM6S8fEJ_PIyKIPRBs/s1600-h/n35107883_32547328_6770.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEics4OYK2JTctl5zfCqJgPW2GvtjA5fv1PrjcceFK0Nvmgb1bWePgc4_kbhu3QmO9f4Hfy0B8gGoTD15p5ZZq2lVbGJSU87vUFSHUyFeGzgurFKV_hQiin54p1-uISM6S8fEJ_PIyKIPRBs/s200/n35107883_32547328_6770.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896465914130242" border="0" /></a>This is Elizabeth. She is my other flatmate. She lives in the single room between us. She is really into theater and Harry Potter. She has an awesome sense of humor and a bunch of colored tights that she lets us borrow. She is a healthy eater which has been a good influence on me. She is from Michigan and is interning at the National Archives (I'm not really sure what that is). She went to Richmond last term, too, which has been a big help when we have questions about the tube or sightseeing around London. Her hair is orange.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDIguTdUek5Eu0ZjKCUM65-8Y_ffkc4pvGDhKtTmqbt-axiwtRsbKO46J3ygCIE846mW-sMALaZqoUWhTwL1c9n3pmwVuFkgnLGuOZOGgrYyPaNfsGu72f-ZRmokYFKRfFDP165z2f550/s1600-h/n193102396_37464556_9951.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDIguTdUek5Eu0ZjKCUM65-8Y_ffkc4pvGDhKtTmqbt-axiwtRsbKO46J3ygCIE846mW-sMALaZqoUWhTwL1c9n3pmwVuFkgnLGuOZOGgrYyPaNfsGu72f-ZRmokYFKRfFDP165z2f550/s200/n193102396_37464556_9951.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896665855627186" border="0" /></a>This is Tom and Jules. They are our British friends. They have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">brought</span> us all around London and Southern England. They have introduced us to a bunch of their friends and family members. They love Americans. They are perfect gentleman and have really taken us under their wings. Jules goes to Richmond and is an amazing Poker player (He won 100K pounds last night). Tom goes to uni in Bristol. He is going to be a dentist. They have taught us so much about the English Culture and we talk for hours about the differences between our lifestyles. They're great.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUjwrWWHRKfRjy4vCfUV9Ohoelu1xzo0qGCwkksb89vKD6c5FJ06g7Nbf_u2JUx_9xohLjfmgvFkg-_b8LpITW0JvWZWIYLuJ4XSpoX03UcvEgVrq9YEoWXHBmVnEUIS9kIw7qZXWri5v/s1600-h/n1374240376_30291730_9555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUjwrWWHRKfRjy4vCfUV9Ohoelu1xzo0qGCwkksb89vKD6c5FJ06g7Nbf_u2JUx_9xohLjfmgvFkg-_b8LpITW0JvWZWIYLuJ4XSpoX03UcvEgVrq9YEoWXHBmVnEUIS9kIw7qZXWri5v/s200/n1374240376_30291730_9555.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896675296910002" border="0" /></a>This is Eric and Devan. They live in the flat next door to ours. They both are degree students here at Richmond, which means they will go here all 4 years. Eric is from New Jersey. He is very responsible and considerate. He always lets us know when they are going out to eat or to the pub down the street. He is always laughing and asking questions about everything. Devan is was born in Detroit, but has lived in Shanghai for the past 11 years. He speaks <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mandarin</span>. Its so cool to listen to. He is a really good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">graffiti</span> artist and rugby player. He has a bunch of movies, ones that are even still in theaters, so we have movie nights with him all the time. We cook dinner together, a lot. They are the H Flat boys and we love them to bits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT_oO4LNCGA3Gb1qSHv2v4NGKVUrU49iY3loODKSUyJc75-wvGLblE2gRUlCIj1SdLKtTsyCdBfNU49vHRJltHkv216QyS8psn-qWbL4q5WEiNhNstDgQQDbQ857kUIu_xTQYuyFrPsqx/s1600-h/n500786687_1877593_5239.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT_oO4LNCGA3Gb1qSHv2v4NGKVUrU49iY3loODKSUyJc75-wvGLblE2gRUlCIj1SdLKtTsyCdBfNU49vHRJltHkv216QyS8psn-qWbL4q5WEiNhNstDgQQDbQ857kUIu_xTQYuyFrPsqx/s200/n500786687_1877593_5239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896671142561346" border="0" /></a>This is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Piet</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Seb</span>. They are also degree students. They live down the street but hang out at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Montford</span> all the time (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Montford</span> is the name of the house we live in... every house in England has a name). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Piet</span> is from Italy and he knows how to play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">scopa</span>!!! He is such a sweetheart. Even though he is only 19, he said he thinks of us as his little sisters. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Seb</span> is from Madrid. He is always looking out for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Piet</span>, Dev and Eric. The things he says in his accent are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">hilarious</span>. The 8 of us go down the street to our pub, sit, drink and laugh, for hours. It's awesome.<br /><br /><br /><br />Though I have met and befriended many more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">people</span>, these are the friends I am going to miss the most when I leave.<br /><br /><3 Rdrcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040056764941666903.post-25544885853504214012009-02-08T05:56:00.000-08:002009-02-08T05:58:47.678-08:00flowers.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnHnsYVHQQfMb17PnP_y3A3grLiAhWOWyGQBHhg8C81xE7Ae6UJMy93bS1mNOkN32fbXFyc5o6wfMrArPYwGPZhrWZi5006RZWRyHbRQsknhYsm-0ZsmNXZBzM78-0X5fRSUP5ztF8tW0/s1600-h/IMG_1034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnHnsYVHQQfMb17PnP_y3A3grLiAhWOWyGQBHhg8C81xE7Ae6UJMy93bS1mNOkN32fbXFyc5o6wfMrArPYwGPZhrWZi5006RZWRyHbRQsknhYsm-0ZsmNXZBzM78-0X5fRSUP5ztF8tW0/s200/IMG_1034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300425599056622290" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">spring has sprung!</span><br /></div>rcd826http://www.blogger.com/profile/16089161109582869925noreply@blogger.com2