smile!

A few pictures taken in the past few days of me and some of my friends on our journey around London.

1. Umbrellas up in Hyde park outside of a Kings of Leon concert
2. Emily and I at London's own marble arch
3. Me frolicking in the water in the courtyard of the V&A
4. Our own private street concert
5. Making our own night fun- interpretive dance

SO many reasons to smile...

tourists

We could be tourists...

Yet recently i have been feeling much more confident in my abilities to navigate the streets of London. The tube is super easy to use and we can go anywhere with our oyster cards!

About to head to Brick Lane to the Sunday market. Apparently it is home to some of the best Indian food around, can't wait!

Stones and Baths

Photo credits: Brandan Young [since currently I am camera -less]

Yesterday we woke up bright and early to travel to the ancient stones at Stonehenge and then on to the city of Bath to view the healing Roman baths. This trip was provided free from FIE and so even though we we were quite tired we made sure to attend.

I was pretty certain Stonehenge was made without human hands but as myth would have it I was utterly wrong with my assumption. These stones took thousands and thousands of men to just move them and they carried them quite a long way. The circular formation has to do with ceremonial practices and when standing inside the circle with 100 men singing the sound is supposed to cancel out all the outside noise of the world!

I found Stonehenge to be very touristy, as one might have guessed but it was still an experience to see those stones so close up. Quite interesting.

Then we moved onto the city of Bath all the while traveling around winding roads with luscious green farm land rolling on until forever on either sides of us. Sheep, pigs and cows roamed the land as if they owned it and sporadic fields of flowers made the 40 minute trip from Stonehenge to Bath quite enjoyable. I had not been informed that Bath was actually a current city that housed many and that was quite up to date with shops, boutiques and restauraunts so as we pulled up into this city on a hill I was overly thrilled. Apparently when Bath was built the young 21 year old architect made sure that Bath residents upheld many strict rules so as to keep it a civilized place. Swords had to be given up at the entrance and there was to be no funny business in the streets. The classically inspired architecture made me feel like i truly was in the heart of Europe, quite reminiscent to a town in Italy.

After visiting the Roman baths, which I highly propose anyone skip upon their visit, we had free time to roam the streets, eat lunch and shop! I wish we had more time in Bath since it was so gorgeous. Fun fact: the flowers and foliage in Bath are so nice that they win most beautiful city in England for flowers every single year and one year the judges asked Bath is they could for just once not enter the competition so that another city could win!

Overall the day was lovely, only about 2.5 hours to get back to our flat and everyone enjoyed a mid-day snooze along the coach.

When we returned, the sun was out finally for the first time in our whole trip so far. We relished in this delight, put on shorts and ventured of into the park...

The Cult of Beauty

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Aubry Beardsley



Today we spent our History of Modern Design class at the Victoria and Albert museum, just a short walk from our flat. We went to see 'The Cult of Beauty' exhibit on the Aesthetic Movement in the 1860's to the 1890's. The exhibit was filled with paintings, furniture, home decor and the like from the aesthetic movement which focused on the idea of art for art's sake. The founders of the movement wanted to escape the ugliness of the materializing world and have everything be about beauty without having it have a purpose. I love the ideals of the aesthetic movement not to mention that Oscar Wilde, my favorite playwright, was a big part of this movement. The ripeness of beauty and the satirical wit involved in the aesthetic designs and writings are so fantastic and I am glad to have seen this exhibit.

This is London.

Well, they certainly don't lie when they say London is full of petty crime.
Sad to say I was victim to this and that my entire purse got snatched from right underneath me.
All is fine just a glitch on my trip. I have to give it up to those professional thieves who managed to sneak by me since I happen to be quite paranoid and utterly vigilant over my belongings.
They sure got me! The entire incident was caught on security tape but I doubt anything will come of it. So joyous to know that I have wonderful family and friends to help me get back on track and re-gain all my belongings.

Thank You All!

Snapshots

Just snapshots of my days and things I saw.

1. Nikki's last stand and Mojito from Queen of Hoxton bar in East London
2. Loo stall from Queen of Hoxton Bar
3. Snake skin boots from store in Soho
4. Johnny Cupcakes LONDON
5. Etro scarf display at LIBERTY department store. [amazing store]
6.you're just my type stationary from LIBERTY
7. a window in South Kensington
8. The Queens Arms pub across the street from my flat
9. Malted milk biscuits from Sainsbury's with cardamom white chocolate from Rococo chocolates

Having such a blast.

Soaking it all in and trying to explore as much as I can, as often as I can.

the magical world of HARRODS

Well, pictures were prohibited in this wonderland so I was only was able to snag a few.

We went to the world famous Harrods department store the other day. I had been warned that it was magnificent but never in my wildest dreams would I have anticipated something as grandiose as I witnessed.
The food halls were filled with exotic fruits, herbs and seafood. There were rooms solely devoted to chocolates from all over the globe and a separate candy shoppe as well. Food from every ethnicity was featured and it all looked better than the next.

There was even a LAUDREE macaron and pastry shoppe in Harrods and I don't think I have ever been speechless in my life, but my my was I incapable to speaking as I stood in the most gorgeous of rooms filled with every color of macaron and deliciously decorated sweets. I propose I go back soon and actually order something now that my vocal cords will allow me to speak again.

We also ventured up to the toy hall where every single toy in the world was and there was so much to look at i just felt like an A.D.D 5 year old again not knowing where to look or what to play with next.

With 7 floors of decadent and ostentatious showings of fashion, home decor and the like, Harrods is most definitely the most extravagant store I have ever shopped in.

Highly recommend everyone a visit to this magical wonderland. I know I will be back!

BIP LING

Met Model BIP LING at The Joiners Arms Bar last night in East London.
She is such a sweetie!

Happy Birthday BIP. We love you!!

FAYRE

Well, I got my wish. I wanted to visit a carnival and I suppose i did.
However, this fayre was more than a few rides but a farmers market, street festival, dancing, food vendors, live music and best of all it was all for charity. The proceeds went to support Teen's suffering with cancer and I am glad I had to opportunity to contribute.

The fayre was in Marylebone so we hopped on the tube and quickly arrived.
I love having my oyster card so I don't have to pay each way on the train.

Kensington Gardens

Walked around the beautiful Kensington Gardens today.

Want to come back on a sunny 75 day with my book and a good pastry !

I think I will and soon.

I guess I'm still a Tourist

WESTMINSTER ABBEY






CHANGING OF THE GUARDS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE



Did Touristy stuff today. Woke up and went on a 3 hour Coach Bus tour of London.
Saw a lot but there is still so much to see.

Then ate lunch at Pret and went on a 2 hour guided walking tour of the city.
Ventured around High Street Kensington afterwards and realized I've been there every day since I have been here.

The Whole Foods on High Street Kensington is absolutely breathtaking. 3 stories of delicious food and goodies. I have a feeling I will spending much of my money there.

I already am getting acquainted with how to get where, at least the close by places.

I'd say in two weeks I will officially be able to say I am a resident and not a tourist.

Sounds delightful!

CRETE

Just Purchased my Flight to the island of Crete in Greece.

I have always wanted to go there in the summer time and enjoy the blues, the sand and the food.

I am traveling with three of my friends during the end of July when we have a 5 day vacation.

I love the Mediterranean and I feel so fortunate that I have this opportunity.

It was just a dream

Still feeling as if this is one big dream and I don't want to wake up from it.
Yesterday a few of us roamed about the city, got lost, then got found again.
Only brought us to hidden gems and gardens we would have never seen.

At Night time we ate at a delicious pizza bar on our street, it was quite misty and we did not want to go too far. After trying to organize all 12 us with makeup/ hair and getting ready we finally strolled out on the town to go to the local Imperial College Bar.

There I met kids from all over Europe, actually only found one true Brit. No wonder they all were so friendly!

Indeed the culture here is a bit cold, the only kind ones we soon find out are not born on this British Isle. That does not stop me from smiling at them all in the street, what is there not to smile about?

It truly is a millionaire's dream location here in South Kensington. Found out a new apartment just sold for 500 million pounds.

I ask my self plenty, "where am I, and how did I end up here?"

and the answer I know is not, 'this is only a dream'.

view out my window

View out my window.

Amidst the fog and the scatters of rain I still seem to find my new home magical.
The cobblestone streets, white painted apartments with perfectly cured topiaries in front and the wild roses growing up and down ancient lanes all make me feel perfectly at ease.

a bunch of us walked the streets today [after our drawn our treks to Metrogate] searching for food but found much more than that. Our eyes were widened with each unexpected turn we took in South Kensington and our mouths filled with awe as it finally sunk in that is this is our new home.

welcome welcome.

tulip me.

[Dazed&Confused]
I think if i could frolick in these tulip fields i would go mad with delightful joy.
perhaps a bike riding and tulip prancing adventure to Holland is in order.

Jet setters are on the go

outlaws are on the run,

fries are on the side,

prices are on the rise,

jet setters are on the go

and you are on my mind. [UK tomorrow].