This week hasn't been too eventful, but here is the update.
We worked all this week. Getting close to the festival start date, so things are getting a little busier around the Diorama. Wednesday, we met all of our flatmates and another friend Shivam for dinner at Tortilla, which is London's equivalent of Free Birds/Chipotle/Qdoba. It was delish. After that we headed to see a new musical at the theatre our roommate Sarah works at. It was called Betwixt and was really great. The theatre is small, just 120 seats, but many famous actors have gotten their start there (Alan Rickman!) and lots of their productions go on to the West End, Broadway, or to tour. Our tickets would normally have cost 20 quid, but Sarah got all 8 of us in for free! It was a fun night.
Today, Sally and I had the day off work. We woke up this morning and while we were getting ready the housekeepers came in. Shortly after two people from the Anglo American staff showed up, apparently to fire the housekeepers! It was really awkward, so we hurried on out of the flat to Waterloo station, where we bought tickets to Hampton Court Palace, which is in a town about 40 minutes south of London. Ascot is this weekend, and the station was overrun with men in top hats and women in fancy dresses and hats all waiting for their trains out to the races. It was fun to just people watch as we waited for the train. We got to Hampton Court Palace and spent about 3 hours touring the huge compound and gardens. It was really interesting and a good way to spend the day off. We headed back to London and stopped by Covent Garden for a little shopping before we headed back to the flat. Now we are just hanging out here with our flatmates, who are all so much fun.
Tomorrow, Mark and Lawry are taking Sally, Ayumi, and me to a gallery opening at Roche Court that they were invited to. It is about two hours away from here, and we are stopping at Stonehenge on the way home. Tomorrow is the summer solstice, and people come to worship there at sunset or something like that, I'm not sure what religion it is, but it I will have to google it before we go tomorrow. Hope all is well back in the US!!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Super Noodles
Well, Sally and I just enjoyed a nutritious dinner of Super Noodles. Britain's version of Ramen Noodles, except more expensive. I really love Super Noodles though, so I'm not complaining.
Last night, we headed over to to the home of our boss, Mark Ross, and his wife, Lawry, for dinner. They spend about 4 months out of the year at their home in Tulsa, and the rest of the time here and traveling abroad. They just arrived into town last week, so Lawry invited Sally, Ayumi, and I over for dinner this weekend since they are back in town. They are lovely people, and have a beautiful home in Hackney. It is four stories, which may seem huge, but the houses here are rather narrow, too. Lawry cooked us a feast. We had bean salad, carrot salad, green salad, tabbouleh, chicken, and potatoes, with fruit and yogurt for dessert. Last week we told her how we missed iced tea and pretzels, and so she had that for us, too! We ended up staying until past 10pm just talking with the two of them, and then they drove us home instead of having to navigate on the bus system out of East London. Mark drove by Prince Charles home at Regent's Park near where we live on the way home, but we couldn't get up the street- it was blocked off because President Bush was visiting. Over 2,000 police officers are on duty for his visit here, and there was an enormous anti-war protest on Parliament Square yesterday to coincide with his arrival. As Lawry put it "If he hadn't been such a bad boy, then maybe we would be happier to have him here!" She is originally from London, a retired school teacher (but going back to get her Ph D), and a lot of fun to be around. Mark is, too!
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23494613-details/Security%20for%20Bush%20will%20shut%20centre%20of%20London/article.do?expand=true#StartComments
Today we went into work, and right after lunch, the power went out in our building. I don't think I have fully described our work situation, but the Diorama is currently in between locations. A new space complete with cafe, theatre, studio and gallery space will be completed in August of 2009, but until then the offices are scattered about London. We are currently operating out of the Bovis Project Space, which is where all of the architects for the complex where the new Diorama will be work. We are the only 4 women (Nisa included) in the building, and things definitely get rowdy in there sometimes. The power went off twice today and each time the British and Scottish architects in the building just yelled and cried and cursed at their computer screens. It was an entertaining afternoon. That is all for now, we are off to the park!
Last night, we headed over to to the home of our boss, Mark Ross, and his wife, Lawry, for dinner. They spend about 4 months out of the year at their home in Tulsa, and the rest of the time here and traveling abroad. They just arrived into town last week, so Lawry invited Sally, Ayumi, and I over for dinner this weekend since they are back in town. They are lovely people, and have a beautiful home in Hackney. It is four stories, which may seem huge, but the houses here are rather narrow, too. Lawry cooked us a feast. We had bean salad, carrot salad, green salad, tabbouleh, chicken, and potatoes, with fruit and yogurt for dessert. Last week we told her how we missed iced tea and pretzels, and so she had that for us, too! We ended up staying until past 10pm just talking with the two of them, and then they drove us home instead of having to navigate on the bus system out of East London. Mark drove by Prince Charles home at Regent's Park near where we live on the way home, but we couldn't get up the street- it was blocked off because President Bush was visiting. Over 2,000 police officers are on duty for his visit here, and there was an enormous anti-war protest on Parliament Square yesterday to coincide with his arrival. As Lawry put it "If he hadn't been such a bad boy, then maybe we would be happier to have him here!" She is originally from London, a retired school teacher (but going back to get her Ph D), and a lot of fun to be around. Mark is, too!
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23494613-details/Security%20for%20Bush%20will%20shut%20centre%20of%20London/article.do?expand=true#StartComments
Today we went into work, and right after lunch, the power went out in our building. I don't think I have fully described our work situation, but the Diorama is currently in between locations. A new space complete with cafe, theatre, studio and gallery space will be completed in August of 2009, but until then the offices are scattered about London. We are currently operating out of the Bovis Project Space, which is where all of the architects for the complex where the new Diorama will be work. We are the only 4 women (Nisa included) in the building, and things definitely get rowdy in there sometimes. The power went off twice today and each time the British and Scottish architects in the building just yelled and cried and cursed at their computer screens. It was an entertaining afternoon. That is all for now, we are off to the park!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The least anticipated event of the Summer- Harvey Leaving
Good morning, everyone! Sally and I are actually awake this morning because Harvey was off to the airport at 7:30am. The past month with her has been amazing, and we were all very sad to have to part ways again. But, the last few days have been fun, so here is the update.
Wednesday, we didn't do a whole lot of anything other than come home from work and make dinner when Harv got into town. Thursday we went to work, then met up with Harv at our flat that afternoon. We tried to catch a Thames River cruise, but the Circle line was delayed like always, and we missed the last cruise time. Friday, we worked again and then met up with Harvey at Hummus Bros. for dinner and headed to see Jersey Boys. It was just unbelievable. Kell and Molly- Glenn Carter from Jesus Christ Superstar was in it!!! It was a really great show.
Yesterday, we went out to Hampstead Heath which is this 800 acre park in North London. It was a nice day, so we just wandered around the park for a while. There were stables, a zoo, flower gardens, and plenty of walking trails. After that we wandered around Hampstead for awhile, before heading back to the City. We got dinner, and actually made it to the Thames river cruise this time! We got dropped off at Tower Bridge, and wandered for a little more before heading back to Kilburn. Last night we just hung out at the flat with our roommates and one of Kyla's friends that is visiting.
Harvey, we have had so much fun with you this past month and hope you have a safe trip home! Skype us soon, girl- and see you in two months!!
Wednesday, we didn't do a whole lot of anything other than come home from work and make dinner when Harv got into town. Thursday we went to work, then met up with Harv at our flat that afternoon. We tried to catch a Thames River cruise, but the Circle line was delayed like always, and we missed the last cruise time. Friday, we worked again and then met up with Harvey at Hummus Bros. for dinner and headed to see Jersey Boys. It was just unbelievable. Kell and Molly- Glenn Carter from Jesus Christ Superstar was in it!!! It was a really great show.
Yesterday, we went out to Hampstead Heath which is this 800 acre park in North London. It was a nice day, so we just wandered around the park for a while. There were stables, a zoo, flower gardens, and plenty of walking trails. After that we wandered around Hampstead for awhile, before heading back to the City. We got dinner, and actually made it to the Thames river cruise this time! We got dropped off at Tower Bridge, and wandered for a little more before heading back to Kilburn. Last night we just hung out at the flat with our roommates and one of Kyla's friends that is visiting.
Harvey, we have had so much fun with you this past month and hope you have a safe trip home! Skype us soon, girl- and see you in two months!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
what a JOYful birthday!
Yesterday was great. We came into work and Ayumi had snuck into the office the night before and left gifts on our desks for each of us- flowers and japanese hand mirrors! We went to lunch with her at Pret right across the plaza and then came back to work and finished out the day, and then headed back to the apartment to meet up with the flatmates.
For dinner, we decided to go to the Texas Embassy, after AJ (that is Auntie Jinger who is MJ's {miss joy} sister and our bestie Kelley's aunt for those of you that don't know them) suggested that we try it out. They got the atmosphere and music just right, and it was definitely the closest thing we have encountered to Texas so far. The only music they played was country, so we heard Shania, LeAnn, Garth, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Dolly...it was perfect! The food was far superior to our first encounter with European Tex-Mex at Chiquitos, but we are still looking forward to the real thing when we get home! Thanks for the recommendation, Auntie Jinger!! After dinner we wandered around London for a while, and then headed to TigerTiger where Kyla and Nikki showed us all up with their amazing dance skills. Since it was a Tuesday the club was pretty tame (except for some Swedish girls and a large number of 40 year old creepers), and all of us had to work, so we left by 12:30 thinking the tube would still be running. We were wrong. So after asking at least 6 different people for directions, we made it back to the flat in about 1.5 hours by walking and taking the night bus. It would have been a 15 minute tube ride, but oh well, it was an adventure.
So anyways, we had a great birthday, but missed celebrating it with all of our friends and family! There will plenty of time for that when we get back though. Thanks for everyone's emails, phone calls, facebook messages, and to Justin (margherio- our friend from Tulsa) for sending us hilarious snail mail birthday cards- we loved them all!! We miss y'all!
For dinner, we decided to go to the Texas Embassy, after AJ (that is Auntie Jinger who is MJ's {miss joy} sister and our bestie Kelley's aunt for those of you that don't know them) suggested that we try it out. They got the atmosphere and music just right, and it was definitely the closest thing we have encountered to Texas so far. The only music they played was country, so we heard Shania, LeAnn, Garth, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Dolly...it was perfect! The food was far superior to our first encounter with European Tex-Mex at Chiquitos, but we are still looking forward to the real thing when we get home! Thanks for the recommendation, Auntie Jinger!! After dinner we wandered around London for a while, and then headed to TigerTiger where Kyla and Nikki showed us all up with their amazing dance skills. Since it was a Tuesday the club was pretty tame (except for some Swedish girls and a large number of 40 year old creepers), and all of us had to work, so we left by 12:30 thinking the tube would still be running. We were wrong. So after asking at least 6 different people for directions, we made it back to the flat in about 1.5 hours by walking and taking the night bus. It would have been a 15 minute tube ride, but oh well, it was an adventure.
So anyways, we had a great birthday, but missed celebrating it with all of our friends and family! There will plenty of time for that when we get back though. Thanks for everyone's emails, phone calls, facebook messages, and to Justin (margherio- our friend from Tulsa) for sending us hilarious snail mail birthday cards- we loved them all!! We miss y'all!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Birthday Eve!
Well, things are significantly less exciting today than they have been for the past several days spent with Greg, Ken, Dave, Jason, and Harvey. We are back to work again, trying to work out the last few details for the festival. But here is the update for the rest of the weekend...
We loved Avenue Q!! We quoted lines and lyrics from the show all weekend. Definitely worth seeing, even if you have to lean over a balcony to see the stage! Sunday we woke up and went to the Imperial War Museum, had a picnic lunch in the adjacent park, and then headed to London Bridge. We walked up and back down the Thames, and then headed to the Tate Modern and the Globe. We tried to get tickets for the Merry Wives of Windsor, but unfortunately it was sold out. But that was fine, and we enjoyed another leisurely walk down the Thames stopping to take pictures and watch street performers. We ended the night with a lovely pub dinner near Trafalgar Square before heading back to Kilburn. Our friends left this morning when we went to work- the guys back to the US and Harvey back to Canterbury for her last final.
Tomorrow is the big 21st birthday, but it isn't really as significant here in the UK as it is back home. We are just planning on going out to dinner with our flatmates, I think. All of us have to work everyday this week though, so the celebration will not get too rowdy! We also got our last roommate on Friday- Kyla from Indiana. We really like her, too, and the apartment is a loud, busy place when we are all around in the evenings. Well, our lunch break is almost over, so it is back to work for me!
Also-- Happy Birthday Molly!!! We are sad we won't be celebrating together, but make Mom and Dad take you out to Cellarmans or something!!!!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
The 1631 does London
Well these have been an eventful couple of days. Since I last posted, four of our friends from Tulsa arrived to stay with us in London for a few days. Ken, Dave, and Greg have been traveling for the past couple of weeks all around Europe, and Jason joined them for the last leg of their journey- London. We met up with them on Wednesday after we got finished with work, and after trying to get somewhat reasonable tickets to see Wicked, returned to our neighborhood and had a picnic in the park. Thursday, we woke up and went to the National Gallery, ate lunch on the steps of Trafalgar Square, and then headed towards Parliament Square. We decided to get in line to go see the House of Lords debate, which would have been about a 45 minute wait. As soon as we got passed security and into the building, we got lucky, because MP Colin Burgon from Leeds noticed our group on his way in and whisked us away on our very own personal tour of Parliament. So while everyone else waited in line to watch a debate from the balcony, Colin escorted us throughout the building and into the restricted access areas as well, with one of our stops being the members only patio looking out onto the Thames river. He entertained us for about an hour, and we decided a personal tour from a member of parliament couldn't really be topped and skipped seeing the debate.
After that we moved on see Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Knightsbridge and Harrods, and the Natural History Museum. It was a full day! After we got back to the apartment and had dinner, we went next door to Young's because it was Kassy's last night in London. We had fun with her, and were sad to see her go. Yesterday we woke up and hit up the Science Museum before hopping on a bus to Canterbury to visit Harvey! It was a lovely little town and a beautiful campus. After Harvey and Jason made breakfast this morning, we decided to walk into town to catch our 11:45 bus back to London. Jason, Greg, and I headed up the front, with Sally and Dave in the middle and Ken and Harv bringing in the tail. The three of us made it to the stop with a couple minutes to spare, so we figured the other two groups would be shortly behind us. So when a few minutes later Ken and Harv showed up, we began to wonder where Sall and Dave were. Well, turns out they took a wrong turn and were a little lost. So the two of them missed the bus, which was fine because they were able to make it on the next one. Just a fun little adventure. The boys went exploring in London this afternoon while Harv and I waited on Sally and Dave to get in, and now all of us are back at the flat, getting ready to go see Avenue Q! Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.
After that we moved on see Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Knightsbridge and Harrods, and the Natural History Museum. It was a full day! After we got back to the apartment and had dinner, we went next door to Young's because it was Kassy's last night in London. We had fun with her, and were sad to see her go. Yesterday we woke up and hit up the Science Museum before hopping on a bus to Canterbury to visit Harvey! It was a lovely little town and a beautiful campus. After Harvey and Jason made breakfast this morning, we decided to walk into town to catch our 11:45 bus back to London. Jason, Greg, and I headed up the front, with Sally and Dave in the middle and Ken and Harv bringing in the tail. The three of us made it to the stop with a couple minutes to spare, so we figured the other two groups would be shortly behind us. So when a few minutes later Ken and Harv showed up, we began to wonder where Sall and Dave were. Well, turns out they took a wrong turn and were a little lost. So the two of them missed the bus, which was fine because they were able to make it on the next one. Just a fun little adventure. The boys went exploring in London this afternoon while Harv and I waited on Sally and Dave to get in, and now all of us are back at the flat, getting ready to go see Avenue Q! Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
a rainy day in London town.
It is a rainy Tuesday morning in London. The weather here is really the only thing I don't like about this city. But we are starting to get used to it, and are learning to keep our umbrellas on us at all times!
Yesterday, we got off work early, so Sally, Ayumi and I went to Notting Hill and Portebello Market, and then Oxford Street for the afternoon. We were all starting to get hungry, so we stopped in at Hummus Brothers to get take away for us to eat with our flat mate Kassy, who finished up her last final yesterday. When we got home, we had four new roommates! They live in the two double bedrooms on the top floor. One is from Montreal (but originally Israel) and doing an internship with a designer, one is from Brooklyn and doing a technical theatre internship, another is from Madison, Wisconsin and doing a child psychology internship, and the last is from LA and doing some sort of fashion marketing internship. Kassy moves out on Friday, and someone else will be moving into her room that same day. Things are a little crazy at the flat right now! Everyone seems really great though, it is a just a big change from the way we have been living these past couple of weeks. We will keep you updated though.
Sally and I have also found a really great park just a few minutes away from our flat, and we have been using the trail there in the evenings. It is technically called Paddington Recreation Grounds, but they have gardens, dog runs, soccer fields, a gym, cafe, track, trail, tennis courts, and lots of open green space. Some parts are sort of secluded and sketchy, but we go before dark and stay together for the most part, so don't worry, Mom! Last night we saw a three legged dog hopping around...you would be surprised at how well he could get around for having only three legs!! And no one keeps their dogs on leashes here, but all that we have seen have been very well behaved, too. Well I should get to work, but below is a link about a hot topic in London right now, the banning of drinking on public transportation. Child gang violence (think kids as young as 10 or 11) is also a very real problem here, and is always on the news- there have been 16 deaths since January. Apparently the police are trying to crack down on gang crime, but efforts haven't been very successful thus far. Maybe the lack of sunshine here just gives people year round seasonal affective disorder.
http://news.scotsman.com/uk/-An-Underground-party.4140341.jp
OK, back to work for real now.
Yesterday, we got off work early, so Sally, Ayumi and I went to Notting Hill and Portebello Market, and then Oxford Street for the afternoon. We were all starting to get hungry, so we stopped in at Hummus Brothers to get take away for us to eat with our flat mate Kassy, who finished up her last final yesterday. When we got home, we had four new roommates! They live in the two double bedrooms on the top floor. One is from Montreal (but originally Israel) and doing an internship with a designer, one is from Brooklyn and doing a technical theatre internship, another is from Madison, Wisconsin and doing a child psychology internship, and the last is from LA and doing some sort of fashion marketing internship. Kassy moves out on Friday, and someone else will be moving into her room that same day. Things are a little crazy at the flat right now! Everyone seems really great though, it is a just a big change from the way we have been living these past couple of weeks. We will keep you updated though.
Sally and I have also found a really great park just a few minutes away from our flat, and we have been using the trail there in the evenings. It is technically called Paddington Recreation Grounds, but they have gardens, dog runs, soccer fields, a gym, cafe, track, trail, tennis courts, and lots of open green space. Some parts are sort of secluded and sketchy, but we go before dark and stay together for the most part, so don't worry, Mom! Last night we saw a three legged dog hopping around...you would be surprised at how well he could get around for having only three legs!! And no one keeps their dogs on leashes here, but all that we have seen have been very well behaved, too. Well I should get to work, but below is a link about a hot topic in London right now, the banning of drinking on public transportation. Child gang violence (think kids as young as 10 or 11) is also a very real problem here, and is always on the news- there have been 16 deaths since January. Apparently the police are trying to crack down on gang crime, but efforts haven't been very successful thus far. Maybe the lack of sunshine here just gives people year round seasonal affective disorder.
http://news.scotsman.com/uk/-An-Underground-party.4140341.jp
OK, back to work for real now.
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