missing brighton

I read through my old London journal today. I'm so happy I kept one while I was abroad. It was wonderful to relive those experiences for an afternoon. One of my favorite days, which I don't think I ever shared, was my trip to Brighton Beach. I took a train down in the morning and spent the whole day wondering the beach, the pier, and through the town. It was the most romantic day and I so wish I could go back. Just for another day.

makin' grown men cry

A few weeks before Christmas, Boyfriend and I roadtripped up to Cabela's to experience the wonder that is the world's largest outdoor goods store. It was a pretty awesome day--although by the end of it I was ready to head home. My favorite place in the world was the fudge shop because there were over thirty different types of fudge and my bribe for going was six different types! It was a nightmare to chose but I was pretty happy with chocolate, andes mountain, vanilla, peanut butter chocolate, maple, and one other that I forget. Also, the town that Cabela's exists in is beautiful--especially in the rain.

calming

My current roommate is on her way out. Literally, everything is gone but the bed frame. The kitchen has been emptied (by half), the hall closet is bare, her door is empty of crayon drawings (from kids she babysits), and the living light is gone. Last week I graduated--no more Marymount for me. I no longer identify as a college student. I work a job now that will have to pay rent, electric, wireless, and food. Everything is different.

So today, we need calm.

I'm in state of constant flux. I bounce between "freedom! freedom! time to focus on photography and cooking and vintage selling and the future" and "i'm frozen! how do I deal when all my structure has vanished with the delivery of a diploma." I'm in a post-graduation funk. Hopefully I will kick my way out of it soon. I'm focusing on kicking ass in sales, editing photos, growing tomatoes, and cleaning my room.

white out

Last week, Boyfriend and I went shark tooth hunting. We drove two hours (he drove, I slept) to meet his Mom for a day of coming the beach for treasures. It was warm and a little windy, perfect. I like the bleached out quality of these photos but I took some others where the blue of the water (the Potomac River) is crisp. I also took some film photos, which will one day be developed.

blue skies, i don't need them

I've only recently been able to work up the nerve to start looking through photos from Boyfriend's visit. These were taken our first night in Carlisle, England. We walked up a country road from the B&B to a charming restaurant for a late dinner. The English countryside is like something out of a beautiful, Hollywood dream.

amstercats

Amsterdam is full of cats. They wander the street and almost every establishment seems to have one lying around. Apparently they are for the mice; or rather, to catch and eat the mice that run rampant in the old Amsterdam buildings. We didn't see any mice but I managed to snap a few photos of the cats.

This one was asleep on this bear every time we walked by this window on Saturday. When we walked past the window Sunday morning the cat had been joined by another cat. Lovebirds?

We spotted this marmalade cat within the first ten minutes of arriving in Amsterdam. He was trying to climb in an open window. Cat burglar or just a cat returning home?

This beauty (who looks a lot like my cat at home) is named Poncho.

Luckily, Poncho lives in a bar not a coffee shop. All the coffee shop cats looked stoned out of their minds (DON'T GET YOUR PETS HIGH! It's cruel and they are wired differently. It's like getting a baby high--they don't have a choice in the matter). Poncho just tries to steal Bullet (like Redbull).

This is Poncho's person. The owner of the bar, he was very nice and drew us a map to important places like the Van Gough Museum and the Sex Museum. He also explained what space cakes are (cupcakes with marijuana inside). Only in Amsterdam.

vondelpark

On our last day in Amsterdam, Ellie and I took the tram to Vondelpark and spent a few hours there.* Like the other European parks I've explored (i.e. Hyde Park and Holland Park in London) Vondelpark is a fantastic mix of open green space and wooded areas. There are a number of little ponds and lakes where ducks and swans were playing. It is a beautiful park and on Sunday it was filled with people biking, picnicking, and frolicking.

A magic gazebo on its own island :D.


Ellie and I tried to picnic by the water but the grass was too wet and within minutes had soaked through my furry bear of a coat. We moved ourselves to a bench and enjoyed a pepper chedder, a mild chedder, brie & jam, half a loaf of bread, and apples. We had purchased the cheese and bread earlier that day and we had so much that it ended up serving as both lunch and dinner. My favorite combination (introduced to me by Ellie) was brie spread on the fluffy, white bread with jam on top. Yummy!


After our picnic and when we were tired of meandering aimlessly through the pretty park we stopped at this statue to bask in the sun (like iguanas). It was a sunny day but cool enough that we kept our coats on most of the time. I think the natives considered it a warm day; everyone but us were dressed in short sleeves or light jackets.

On my next trip to Amsterdam I want to explore the park further. Apparently there is an arboretum and many more acres than we made it to.

*Why am I posting about my Amsterdam adventure starting with the end? Because it was my favorite day there and I'm getting sick and prefer to reflect on the best part!

home

I am back from Amsterdam. It was amazing and I'm already planning my next trip. I've seen Boyfriend's face and heard his voice. I've uploaded and given a cursory glance to my photos. I haven't slept in days (or so it feels). I'll do a million proper updates later; for now, I'm curling into my freshly made bed (iloveelle) and sleeping until sometime past noon.

Oh Mom, there's my new hair. Iloveyou.

magic, mystic, celtic rocks

I realized that I listed Stonehenge as my favorite adventure in my monthly looking back but that I never posted photos. I took a million; everything was so beautiful how could I not. These are a few of my favorite

Well, Burke took this photos! A tourist jumping photo with my university ladies. Frame worthy, I think!




Stonehenge was amazing. I was so overwhelmed by the history of the place. It was also my first time out of the city since I'd arrived. I loved looking across the open expanse of nothing but green grass. It was refreshing to be out in nature. Unfortunately, Stonehenge is cordoned off so it's impossible to get within 30 feet. They do let "pagans" up close to the rocks during "religious" services at times like the summer solstices. Our tour guide told us the pagans do crazy things and a lot of the time graffiti the rocks. How rude! I'm tempted to play pagan just so I can get close ;).

eye in the sky

Thursday night, we went up on the London Eye! The study abroad program offered discounted tickets so we bought them. Our ticket time was at 8 pm and we were high above London by 8:20. The view was great and it was amazing to see the city lit up.


All of my home university girls went. It was great to have the whole group back together. Once classes started we all kind of drifted (even though we live next door)! I love hanging out with all three at once instead of just one-on-one time. Don't you love the fur?


I'm proud that I even got on the wheel. I was we were approaching it I realized how high it goes and I was very nervous. I almost didn't go on but the girls refused to let me waste 10 pounds. I'm very glad I went on! You're completely sealed in the bubble-container and the wheel moves so slowly that it doesn't feel like it's moving at all. In fact, sometimes it's a little boring. Haha



I'm glad I went just so I can say I did. It's so London!

The Streets of Cardiff

Ellie and I didn't do much planning before our trip to Cardiff. Since we were only going to be there for 10 hours we felt like we should have a true adventure! But since I'm a bit anal about lists I wrote down a few things I thought would be fun. We ended up doing a couple of those things but mostly by chance not planning. When we got off the bus we bought a one pound map and made our way to Cardiff Castle (one of the things on my list). After the castle we decided to wander in the direction of Cardiff University. On our way we stumbled across Cardiff City Hall (first and second photos). How beautiful is the building! I took a million photos.


We also stumbled on the National Museum, which was a combination of geology, history, art, and everything Welsh. We spent about one hour inside. While I was in the cafe getting a water I noticed something called a 'welshcake'. They were only 60 pence each and since I'm determined to try native food in every country I visit I bought one. They were so amazing! Ellie and I had four each! I found a recipe online and I think I'll make them around Christmas.


After the museum we spent about four hours walking around Cardiff. Everything was new and interesting. It's great to travel with Ellie because she's so easy to talk with. Walking, talking, and exploring a new city with a friend is a great way to spend a Saturday!

Plus, Ellie is totally cool with impromptu photo shoots!


Cardiff actually reminded me a lot of Richmond. There were some beautiful, old townhouses that would be positively amazing if they were taken care of. Instead they look grimy and a lot of them are trashed.

On our way to dinner (pizza at a real Italian place) we crossed a very sketchy bridge. We joked that it looked like a crime scene from SVU. Even though I was eager to get a cross I had to stop and take a picture. The full graffiti says "support local shops;" how socially conscious!

Speaking of graffiti does any one know anything about this little dude? I saw this exact art about five places throughout the day; the same color and everything!

Cardiff was a good time and it was great to get out of the city (even if it was just to another, smaller city). I'm glad to find a good travel companion in Ellie. I'm looking forward to the rest of our weekend adventures! Amsterdam this weekend!