Really Long Post

We're in Belfast, birthplace of C.S. Lewis and the city where the Titanic was built. Pretty awesome, although a bit rainy. It strangely reminds me of the San Francisco Bay Area (it kind of feels like Oakland, actually) but with way too much brick. I mean, we have some brick, but we have to worry about earthquakes and junk. Here they just have to worry about rain. And religious tension. And junk. So they can afford to have a lot of brick. Anyway.

So, I realized while frantically typing my extremely short post the other day how much I need to catch up. So here it is.

Okay, back to the 8 day break. A bunch of really cool random things happened to be going on in London when I was there with my parents, so we got to see some cool stuff. For instance, they had this flotilla of boats and tall ships and funerary barges and floating things go down the river in honor of the (anniverary? of the) burial of Lord Nelson, and we happened to be right on the water (we were waiting for a water taxi kind of thing, but it was coming up the other direction so it was stopped for like 20 minutes). The HMS Belfast (parked on the side of the Thames) shot off a 14 cannon salute. Anyway, we thought it was pretty cool. Then we later found out that they only do this every 40 years or something, so then we decided it was really cool, since it was kind of a once in a lifetime thing. Well, hopefully I'll be alive in 40 years, but I probably won't be in London.

Then there was a random Thames festival going on, so there were lots of food vendors and craft tables and people performing and stuff for sale. We watched this guy who had performing parakeets, mostly because my mom and I like parakeets (one of the only things I got from her - side note: I have it from my mother herself that I am never going to turn into her, so I am very excited about that. I'll just take her good points, for instance liking parakeets and reading all the time). One of the bird looked like Duane (my parakeet at home), so that was kind of funny. The guy was really strange though. Anyway, way too much talking about birds for the average person, so I'll stop.

Also at the festival I picked up a really cool single edition of The Lord of the Rings from 1972, so that was exciting. Hurray for literature. And a few days later they shot off fireworks, which we watched from our hotel room since we were right on the river. Pretty awesome.

Okay, shows and stuff that I saw. Other than Guys and Dolls, I went to A Few Good Men (like the movie, but the play came first) with Rob Lowe in it (if you're into The West Wing which I am not). Then we went to see A Winter's Tale at the Globe Theatre (yay for Shakespeare) which I've only heard about recently but I really enjoyed it. The best part of going to the Globe with your parents = having real seats instead of being a groundling. Although that wouldn't be too bad. Standing for a few hours. Maybe someday. Anyway, then we saw Epitaph for George Dillon starring Joseph Fiennes (a.k.a. "Shakespeare" in Shakespeare in Love). I'm not really sure what it meant. My dad went with me and we were both pretty confused. Good show though.

Most exciting thing I went to was the RUTTER REQUIEM IN ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL CONDUCTED BY JOHN RUTTER HIMSELF!! Leave it to me to go to a choir concert. That was the night after my parents left, and pretty much the only reason I stayed in London an extra day rather than starting for Dublin a day earlier. And I'm super glad I did, because it was beautiful. Apparently it was the week of Rutter's 60th birthday, so it was kind of in honor of that. Hurray for turning 60. And now I have "When I'm Sixty-Four" stuck in my head...

Okay, other stuff I did during the break. I went to the Tower of London with my mom, which we've done before but we love it. You have to take the Yeoman Warder's Tour because Beefeaters are funny. They used the same jokes as they did last time, and we still laughed. Oh, those Yeoman Warders... We also went to Hampton Court, which is where Cardinal Wolsey lived until he gave his house to Henry VIII because that's what you do. The garden was super gorgeous, and they have this ancient grapevine (The Great Vine) that was planted centuries ago and is still around. So that's cool.

I went on a day trip to Bath (which I kind of mentioned before) which was really awesome. I've always gone to Bath when I've been to England, so it was kind of tradition. I love that city (although Jane Austen apparently hated it, but that's beside the point). It's just gorgeous, set inside all these green hills, then there's the Roman baths (which I didn't go in since I've done it before), the Royal Crescent, the river, beautiful architecture, just lovely. I think I'd live there if I moved to England.

So, been really dorky lately and kind of getting into genealogy (mostly because we're related to these two Archbishops of Canterbury). We decided to look them up online (I don't know why it took us this long to think of that), and we found tons of family tree stuff. The only problem is that the more research we did, we found our connection to them to be not as close. We thought my great-great-grandfather was the brother of one of them, but now we think they might have been cousins. Anyway, we're going to figure it out. If it all works out right, then apparently my great-great-great-etc. (seven greats in total) grandfather owned an inn/pub in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and I looked it up and the pub still exists. I think it has changed a bit, though, since apparently there are pool tables, a kareoke machine and a DJ. Still cool that it's around, though.

This entry is getting really long. I'll try to sum up quickly.

We all arrived in Dublin on the 23rd (hey, that was a week ago exactly). One of the highlights of Dublin was going to the Guinness Storehouse, where we learned all we ever wanted to know about making Guinness and then ended up in the "Gravity Bar" on the top of the building with a 360-ish degree view of Dublin and a complimentary pint of Guinness. We were all pretty happy at that point. We sat around, sipping the Guinness and talking about how happy we were. Oh happy people. We were in this glow: "Oh we're so happy to all be together again and we all love each other and what a great view of Dublin and we have Guinness and we're so happy." I don't think that it was just the alcohol...

An un-highlight of Dublin was staying in a room with seven strangers (a room for 11 and only 4 of us were BISPers). We met some Australians who were really cool, but otherwise...well, let's just say I hate being woken up at 3:30am by drunk roommates who come back, turn on the room lights and make noise for an hour. As much as I hate that, believe me, I hate it more two nights in a row. Fortunately, they left the day after that, so I only had to worry about being woken up by loud snoring people who couldn't help it (this guy had the weirdest snore...is "woken" a word?).

Anyway, safe and sound in Belfast, and very happy to have single rooms after the roommates from hell. The place we're staying at is on a hill (another way it reminds me of SF Bay Area: being on a hill with a great view of the city, esp. at night). And we've had a bit of free time so far, so I've been getting a lot of reading done (always good). Anyway, that's pretty much all I've got for now. Later tonight we're going to a youth thing with like 200 something kids from 13 to 18, so we'll see how that goes. I'm not really sure what we're supposed to do...I guess I'll tell you next time. Anyway, nice talking with you. Ciao.

You Don't Actually Crawl in Pub Crawls...I Learned That the Hard Way

We're in Dublin! But only until tomorrow, when we go to Belfast. I have to make this post really fast, since I don't know when the internet will run out (!!!).

We've been doing a lot of theatre stuff since we're taking our theatre class (makes sense, and notice the British spelling). We went to The Importance of Being Earnest and a play about a woman who survived the Rwanda genocide.

Umm...been buying a lot of books, which seems to be a habit for a good number of us on the trip. Hurray for no luggage space and no time to read anyway. When I was in Bath (oh wait, I never told you I was in Bath. I just realized how behind I am in updating...I'll tell you more about my 8 day break when I know I have more internet time!). Anyway, when I was there I picked up a copy of Persuasion and I'm almost finished, but I never have time to read, so I feel like it's taking a long time. Which is depressing, since I remember the days when I finished books in a snap! But oh well.

About the pub crawl...we went on a "Musical Pub Crawl" here in Dublin which meant we followed a pair of musicians to a few different pubs and they played for us and talked a lot about Irish music. Fun stuff, especially since my great-grandfather was an Irish fiddler. So that makes me...one eighth Irish fiddler? Is that right? My easy math skills don't work when I'm under pressure...like internet about to run out. Maybe I should just post this. Okay, bye!

Luck Be a Lady Tonight

Okay, so here's the part where you be really jealous of me. The reason being that within the last couple hours I got to see this hot Scot. Yes, in other words, I saw Ewan McGregor with my own two eyes. Here's the story.

So, we're taking an eight day break in the middle of our study abroad trip, and my parents flew out to see me (my dad has some business too, but it's really about me). They got here this morning and the next thing I knew it was the middle of the afternoon and we were moved into our hotel right on the Thames (translation: the Tower Bridge is right outside my window).

Well, Ewan McGregor is starring as Sky Masterson in "Guys and Dolls," which I've known about for months but didn't really think I'd have a chance to see. It's virtually sold out for every show, so your only chance of getting a ticket is getting in a queue (I love that) for returns at about 5:30pm or so.

So I did. No one was there that early, so we went to the pub across the street for dinner while I kept my eye on the front of the theatre (love that too). As soon as this one guy stuck around for a suspiciously long amount of time, I decided that was my cue and I jumped back in line. This is the part where it gets boring for about a half hour, so I'll just skip ahead. I ended up with a ticket in the sixth row (yes, sixth row from the stage). Unfortunately, it was on the end of the row, but I decided that I didn't need to see the back left corner of the stage anyway. Also unfortunate was that the strange guy next to me sang along under his breath to some of the songs (calling it singing is generous). But I digress (oh Katie O, I'm starting to talk like you).

For those of you who don't know, "Guys and Dolls" was the very first musical I was ever in, at the tender age of 11 at my middle school. So watching it brought back a lot of memories. I've never seen it performed. It's really weird to think that I once had the whole show memorized (yes, I was that kind of kid). That was eight years ago, though, so I must say that much of it has been lost to the sands of time (that is the best phrase). Anyway, I need to get to the point!

Oh look, he appeared again! That's the great dulce de leche scene. I almost bought a Bacardi at the bar in honor of it. But then I didn't. That was the most pointless little tangent ever. Anyway.

So, I've had a crush on Ewan McGregor since I first saw him as Obi Wan Kenobi (oh seventh grade). And I love Moulin Rouge. I was kind of in shock when he first appeared, because I was like, "I can't really be looking at Ewan McGregor! This must be a movie, duh." But then I figured it out like a second later. It was a really weird feeling though. Not a lot of celebrity sightings in my life. Not really sure I could handle it. But then I did.

Now, to answer your questions (I know you've got them), no, I didn't get his autograph. No, no picture with him either. In fact, I pretty much ran out of the theatre when it was over so that I could beat the crowd to the Underground.

Then the most interesting thing that happened was that I got asked on a date by a guy I met when I was crossing the road. Umm, yeah, wasn't too interested so I said no. But then I felt bad, so I told him I have a boyfriend. Just a white lie.

Anyway, that's pretty much all I've got. So, let's look at Ewan some more.

Wagamama

It's sure time for some pictures again, don't you think? I think I left you in York picture-wise, so let's see what I've got.

Here's the cloisters in Durham Cathedral, a.k.a. Hogwarts. Yeah, we were pretty excited about that.

Here's another view. That's Kara Hyatt in the background (probably looking for Rupert Michael Grint, if I know her. She's the only reason I know his middle name is Michael).

We took a day trip from Durham and hiked along Hadrian's Wall.

Yeah, it was pretty scenic if you're into that sort of thing.

We ate lunch under the tree in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which I don't think I've ever seen (I will now, obviously). Pretty sure the Disney version is my favorite, although I do love Carey Elwes.

Okay, so it was a lot scenic. Pretty sure I almost want to live in that farmhouse someday. Oh yeah, and this is my current facebook picture. Not that that's important...

We passed the café where J.K. Rowling worked on Harry Potter while we were in Edinburgh. I promise that's my last Harry Potter reference for this post.

Edinburgh Castle at sunset from the Princes Street Gardens.

They had an awesome cemetery outside the Glasgow Cathedral. I don't know if I'm strange, but I think graveyards are awesome. Especially the really cool ones with big tombs and crypts on a hill, kind of like, um, this one.

A picture looking out on the water in Oban. We only stayed there for a day on the way to Iona, but we all wish it was longer. Absolutely gorgeous.

The beach on Iona, with Meghan in the background. Hmm, I think that if I was St. Columba, I would have settled there, too.

Another shot of Iona, and pretty much the only other one I took. I think my camera slept in my bag for those couple of days. Yeah, technology is overrated. I do wish I had more pictures, though.

Umm...yes. Kind of inside jokey, I guess. A unicragon is a cross between a unicorn and a dragon, and tonicjelm is just awesomeness. What you get when you cross "tonic" and "elm" with a "j" in Scrabble.

They had random deer statues next to the hiking trails at Devil's Bridge (a day trip from Aberystwyth, Wales, which I forgot to talk about. I'll get to that later). This one reminded me of Bambi's dad, you know? Then I had "Love is a Song that Never Ends" stuck in my head for a little while. Then "Cecilia"...that's random.

Hiking + Wales = Beautiful. Then again, Hiking + Anywhere = Usually Spectacular. Let's face it, I like to hike.

Lots of waterfalls around Devil's Bridge.

Sunset at the beach in Aberystwyth. I didn't actually take this picture, since I think my camera hibernated again. This was an interesting night, with an underwear swim (I missed that, oh darn) and lots of skipping rocks (they go really far on the ocean, go figure. Assuming you can skip them to begin with).

This was from the hike along the cliffs at Land's End, near Penzance. There were some excellent placenames in that area, by the way. We were studying a map one night, and we found some good ones. My contribution was "Bawden Rocks or Man & his man." We were all like, "Man & his man"? And "The Greeb." LOL.

I think my quote was "sunlight sparkling on the waves" or something like that from the other day. Told you so.

Yep, spectacular.

I really liked this boat in St. Ives. I really didn't like having "When I was going to St. Ives I met a man with seven wives..." stuck in my head forever. Oh well.

Misty beach in St. Ives. We went there on a day trip to visit the Tate Museum.

That was reassuring. That was also a crazy bus ride, including Gretchen and Kristin sliding around in the back when there weren't enough seats. Interesting times.

That's pretty much what I've got, so I'll leave you with a unicragon. I drew it myself, isn't it great? Anyway, probably should go do some fun and exciting things...like be in London. Okay bye.

Aren't there supposed to be Pirates here?

Long time no update. Well, we're in Penzance, which is gorgeous. I know there's a Gilbert and Sullivan thing (they wrote like operas, right? or something...) about it, but fortunately that's all I know because otherwise I'd probably have the music stuck in my head all the time and then where would we be? Today we went on a five mile hike along the coastal cliffs...not a bad way to spend a morning. Picture, if you will (hee hee Munguia), clear water that's green when it's shallow and dark blue where it gets deep. Sunlight sparkling on the waves, white sand beaches, rocks and wildflowers. If I could find some wireless somewhere, maybe I'll get pictures up someday. Until then, you're stuck with my (kinda pathetic) descriptions...oh well.

We ate lunch in a town called Land's End (which is appropriate, because England kind of ends about there). Let's see...bought a bottle of spiced mead, to the amusement of some of the upperclassmen. I guess it's funny that I can drink here? I think the word someone used was "adorable." Still trying to figure that one out.

I should probably describe Liverpool. Well, they like to remind you that the Beatles originated there. And sell you tee shirts and coffee mugs. And the whole city is pretty much under construction at the end of summer (maybe because it's not raining?). Or maybe we're just lucky. We went to the Tate Liverpool, which was very cool (I thought). They had an exhibition on "The Summer of Love," so like psychedelia and stuff. I liked it (guess where it reminds me of? I'll give you a clue - it starts with a "B" and rhymes with Gerkeley), but not a lot of people did. Yeah, neon colors and flashing lights can do that. Gerkeley, I'm such a dork.

Hmm...I was about to start describing how great the weather has been, which is clearly a sign that I should stop rambling. I think I only bring up weather when I'm desperate. So, I'll stop here. Just two more important things!

#1: In case you haven't noticed, Whitworthians, you're in class right now. Haha. Good luck moving in and starting schoolwork and dropping Saga trays and everything.

#2: (This one is more important) My birthday is on Sunday! So, you have to have the greatest day of your life this weekend. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

Alrighty then, ciao!