1.3.11

I feel like I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Yesterday I went to Karen's ward for Sacrament meeting. It was testimony meeting, which I love when I visit other wards because it always gives a good idea of what the ward is like.

The meeting was really great. It's amazing because I always thought New York was so diverse, but it's really not- London is. Everyone is from another country, it's so cool.

After the meeting we chatted with people for probably close to an hour and then headed to the Tower of London. Because of some changes to the tube we got behind schedule. We got there at 3:45 and it closed at 4:30. I decided I still wanted to go because we'd gone all the way out there. Karen had just done this a few weeks ago so I told her I didn't mind if she'd didn't pay the steep entrance fee to come in.

I was amazed by the size of the Tower of London! The Tower Bridge was also really amazing to see.

The Tower was honestly incredible. It's everything you imagine an old English castle to be, as a child. The cannons, the rigid concrete roofs, the protective walls, etc.

I went straight for the crown jewels which did not disappoint. They were amazing! It's hard to believe the jewels are real.

While I was there I ran into an old coworker from HSBC and his girlfriend. Such a small world. He's from Bath, England and they'd been traveling the last two weeks.

After seeing the jewels I headed out and walked around a bit more and then had to exit. I will definitely be going back next time.

Next, Karen and I headed to Westminster Abbey for the Sunday organ recital. Sadly, it was canceled last minute (I figured this would happen a lot with it being a holiday weekend.) It was, however, AMAZING to see at night. I don't know that I've ever seen a more beautiful church. I think the cathedrals in New York are beautiful but London takes the cake. The Abbey was just SO massive and gorgeous.

We took some photos, and then walked a little, and took photos with Big Ben and the London Eye.

I know it doesn't sound like it, but it felt like a really full day. I was hungry and tired.

We headed back to Karen's flat and there were about 20 people over for dinner for Karen's flatmate's birthday. Once again, everyone was so nice and so welcoming. I quickly felt like these were my friends.

There was only one other American there, a girl from California. The other countries represented were South Africa, Ireland, France, England, Wales, Canada, Denmark...that might be it. But I just thought it was SO COOL having all these people hanging out from all over the world. The girl from Wales is a midwife and I was fascinated chatting with her. I recently watched a documentary about home births vs. hospital births and it's pretty amazing how much I didn't know and how Americans are so different from the rest of the world.

We ended up playing Signs and Celebrities and had so much fun and a ton of laughs. I felt like I was in college again, and honestly felt as comfortable around these new people as I do my friends in New York.

I'm not saying now I want to move here, but I could definitely be open to it.

Once again...too tired to write about today...

Off to Paris tomorrow! Where the real adventure begins...

I mean, I know I'm biased but...

Try and tell me you've seen a cuter 4 month old (obviously besides my other nieces and nephews...) Seriously, I dare you.

I miss you little Huddy Buddy.

FYI Going private temporarily

As I mentioned, I was recently laid off, which means now that the holidays and my travels are over I'm officially job hunting. It's a known fact potential employers are googling prospective employees, so I think it's best to go private, at least until I've locked down a new job.

I hate going private, which is why it'll just be temporary. Sorry guys.

I went private a few years ago, so if you gave me your email then, you'll be fine to be able to get in. Otherwise, let me know your email and I'll add you to the list. I'll be doing this soon, like in the next couple days, so leave me a comment or email it to me at raehope1 @ gmail.

Thanks guys.

1.2.11

I can't get over what an amazing time I'm having.

Yesterday Karen and I slept until 11am. Neither of us could get up. I felt so guilty for sleeping half the day away, but on the other hand, touring around when you're thrashed isn't fun, so I forgave myself. Plus, we ended up having a phenomenal day and night.

We headed to Notting Hill to go to Portobellow Road where they have an outdoor market. OH. MY. GOODNESS. I could spend all my money there. They had tons and tons of antiques, silver, souvenirs...tons.

We went to brunch on Portobellow at Electric which was recommended by Maria. She told me to get the Nutella crumpets, which I did, and they were life changing. So dang good! Then we headed over to St. Paul (where Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married.) There was supposed to be an evening choir, which is supposed to be so cool because of the acoustics, but sadly, it was canceled. We listened to their evening prayer meeting, which was nice, and then walked around a little. I'm hoping to go back tomorrow because I'd really like to take a tour and climb to the top of the dome.

Then we walked over to Covent Garden for a bit, which is a shopping area. Then Karen's friend Andy, his brother Mark, their friend Mike, and a girl named Brydee met up with us. We chatted at a Starbucks until they kicked us out and then Brydee left so it was just us with the boys. These Brits were cute, and so cool, and funny. We walked through Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, Leicester Square, etc. We stopped and hung out at a bar for quite some time to chat.

We had tons of laughs but it was hard to understand those Brits with their accents and the loud noise! We wandered a bit more until we stopped to get some dinner at a dive restaurant. It was okay, but it'd be like eating at a restaurant in Times Square.

Acting super excited to see Trafalgar Square, London's Times Square.

We chatted more, laughed more, and then were on our way home. The boys are supposedly coming to New York in May so hopefully I'll see them then.

Mark, me, Andy, and Mike. Loved these guys.

Now here I am, a day behind again, too tired to write anymore.

1.1.11

I made it to London in one piece and have been going pretty nonstop since I got here.

I was so exhausted and hungry after I landed so I got some food at the airport and then hopped on the tube to meet Karen. We met near her work and then she took me to her flat. She's only been in London six weeks but she seems to adjust pretty quickly.

We got back to her place and chatted with her flatmate for a bit, and then I took a nap, which was so needed.

After I got up and showered we got ready for New Year's Eve. The party we were going to was circus themed so we dressed up like marionette puppet dolls. It was pretty cute.

We met six of her friends at the party at South Bank Centre at 8pm and didn't leave until it ended at 2am. It was a total blast.

The building was huge so there was lots going on. There was a great band called Bellowhead playing. There was food, circus acts, and other bands, and my favorite part, a silent disco. Everyone was given headphones and could listen to two different stations being DJed. So there we were, all dancing and singing, but if you took your headphones off it was silent except for random scuffs, claps, and some voices singing along. It was SO FUN. I danced like a crazy woman.

Karen's friends were great. Very friendly and welcoming. I found it very easy to be myself.

At about 11:30 we went to a room that had a great view of Big Ben and the London Eye. At midnight we counted down and then watched the best fireworks show I've ever seen. It was ten minutes long.

Then we spent the next almost two hours at the silent disco and then listening to the band. I was exhausted. It took us probably 40 minutes to get on the tube because so many stations were closed and there were so many people out in the streets. Definitely thousands. Luckily the weather was mild.

We finally got home around 3am or so. What a great New Year's Eve.

I'd love to write about today but I'm so tired...I may have to play catch up tomorrow.

Today was also a great day!

12.30.10

*I'm sitting on a plane waiting to go to London. My friend Karen (with whom I traveled to Australia) moved over there about a month ago and told me I could visit, so I am!

London and Paris have been on my short list for travel since I moved to New York (almost) four years ago. I didn't have enough time off though, so I just planned to do London and swore I'd still do Paris sometime.

And then...

On December 12 I was laid off. That's a whole other story, but basically, seeing as how I'd have some free time, I changed my ticket to fly back home from Paris, and I'd take the Eurostar in between. Hurray!

I asked Karen if she wanted to come, and a few other friends, but, understandably, no one could travel to Paris Tuesday-Friday right after Christmas.

I have to admit, part of me (okay, 90% of me) is super excited to go alone. Taking a solo-cation has been on my bucket list for about two years. I always figured it'd be a three day trip somewhere in the Caribbean, but I'm really excited it's going to be in Paris.

I'll be in Paris for 3 1/2 days. Maybe I should have made it 4 1/2, but I didn't know if I'd get lonely. I ended up booking an apartment for my stay, instead of a hotel. Apartments are cheaper, have a kitchen, and seemed much more "American girl seeing Paris on her own" to me than a hotel. I think coming home to an empty hotel would be lonely, but coming home to a charming pied-a-terre seems lovely.

So excited for this adventure. It's be a weird year, and even weirder last four months. I think this trip is coming at the perfect time.

I am ready for my Holiday/Eat Pray Love moment!

*From travel journal.

Paris, je t'aime

London

It's been better than I could ever have imagined.

Tomorrow, off to Paris.

My first Christmas tree!

I will be the first to admit, ever since I've lived outside my parents' house I've been a total scrooge about getting a Christmas tree. (Cindy, Chelse, and Chelsie will back me up on this.) It just always seemed like too much work, extra money I didn't have in December, too much mess, etc etc etc.

Then this year I found myself contemplating it when I realized there happened to be a little area a tree could go, ya know, if I felt like going through all that effort. I thought about getting a fake tree because a real tree would be too much hassle and I didn't want to deal with all the pine needles falling everywhere. But no, I thought to myself, if I'm getting a tree it's going to be a real one! But then I thought to myself, but no, there's all those pesky pine needles.

Then last night something happened. I'd happened to be in Macy*s on 34th Street and saw Santa (which is a whole other story in and of itself) and I was just feeling especially festive. So as I was walking through Lincoln Center on my way home I decided to walk through the tree lot on 67th. And then I saw it. My tree. I knew it when I saw it. I guess you could say I didn't choose this tree, it chose me. (Sadly, I'm serious.) So I talked to the tree lot lady for a few minutes and then boom, the tree was mine! It would be delivered by 10pm that night. Hurray!

I then went home to drop some things off, and happened to get three Christmas cards in my mailbox. Yay! Then as I was walking to meet some girlfriends for dinner, listening to some Christmas tunes, I realized I felt so incredibly happy!! Seriously I felt like I could burst, I was so happy about my tree and Christmas in general. I would never have thought in a million years I could be so happy about a 4'10" plant in my small space. But I was.

After dinner Court and I stopped at Duane Reade and Bed Bath and Beyond, and sadly, to my extreme disappointment, there wasn't any white lights or boxed ornaments. Lame! So I settled with the idea that I'd decorate tonight instead. Sigh.

So today during work I took a little break and bought lights and ornaments. I had a hard time deciding what to get. I just cannot pick out things that involve committing to colors. In my mind, my Christmas tree should be either gold and silver, or multi colored with homemade ornaments. (Hm....maybe because that's what I grew up with?) If there is a color scheme, it should definitely involve Christmas colors, like red and gold, or red and green. Definitely not non-Christmasy colors. (I don't mind it on other trees, just not mine.) And then I found myself purchasing a big gold bow (for the topper) gold ball ornaments, and pink and purple ball ornaments. Whaaaaat?

I kept telling Courtnie over and over, "I really don't want to have a slutty tree." (The check out people got a kick out of this.) But really though, a tree with pink and purple ornaments?

But, it worked. I texted a picture to Courtnie and got a confirmation. SO CUTE! Not slutty at all! YES!

So I added in my travel ornaments (I collect ornaments from places I've traveled to....except I only have a few at this point...and the one I got in Australia, the one that started the trend, is at my parents' house.)

So.......now that you have the background, meet Tanya (the Tannenbaum.) I can't help it. I love it so much I wanted to name it. :)

When I first moved here I decided I would buy an ornament every year, choosing something to symbolize that year. So far I've only bought one for 2009, woops. For the life of me I could not get a clear photo of this one.

My cable car from San Francisco this summer with Becky and Chelse.

From my trip to San Antonio with Dad last year.

With the lights out.

Merry Christmas!!!

You should be totally jeal'

Today I finally got to meet one of the most special girls in the world, Piper Jane. Little Pip is a giant in a tiny body. She touches the hearts of hundreds, probably thousands, all over the blogging world (and real world.) Her mama is a friend of mine, Reagan. Reags writes one of my favorite blogs, Reagan's Blob. She is entertaining, funny, has amazing fashion sense, and inspiring. I love her blob because it always lifts me up, makes me laugh, and shed a tear or two (the good kind.)

Reag and I met right after I moved to New York, and I'm so glad we did, because years later we reconnected on the blogging world and realized we'd already met and were already friends.

She's now my hair stylist (which is a huge deal because I'd been going to the same girl back in California since I was 15 and was scared to find someone new.) She also has a hair blog, which I love, Hair Dresser on Fire.

Anyway, I love this family. We don't get to hang out as much as I'd like because we live a good distance from each other (but thankfully not as much now that I moved!) and because life just gets insane. We've been trying to nail down a date to get together for weeks, but something always comes up. Luckily, when Reagan asked me yesterday if I was free this morning to go see Piper I could say yes! I was so excited to finally meet this little darling I've been loving to pieces through piptures and stories thanks to her mom and dad, Jake, who I should mention was one of the nicest, first people I met when I moved here.

It's no surprise this family is so loved in the real world and blogging world. Okay, enough gushing, thanks for being my friends Reagan, Jake and Piper! You are some of my favs! (PS Did I mention they totally inspired my this year by running the NYC marathon? They're hardcore.)

Piper giggling with her mama, in their matching stripes.

Piper taking a nappy.

When we had to leave Piper was still sleeping. Reagan put her in her bed and she immediately pulled her blankie over her head. How adorable is she, and how jealous are you of her cute shoes? I know. You should see her entire collection. I died over them.

PS Sadly I don't have a pipture to prove it, but you better believe I mauled little Piper. Thankfully she was super friendly and let me. (Don't be too deceived though, she is a spunky sassy little thing, and I did get backhanded once. And I loved it.) :)

Loving:

The changing leaves (as documented below from my girls only Berkshires trip last weekend.)

Living alone.

Trying out new classes at the gym (pole dancing, boxing, yoga.)

Meeting new people, especially new men.

Living on the Upper West Side.

Post season baseball (even though my Yankees are now out.)

Staying much more busy than I anticipated in my life without roommates.

All moved in.

Don't know where it's all gonna go. Happy as a clam.

Moving day!

Sitting on the floor of my very own place while the under the table, cash only, very little English speaking Craigslist movers unload the truck. (I'd help, especially since I'm paying by the hour, but it'd be one of those "too many cooks" situations.)
So so excited and so so happy. Feeling very blessed.
Happy Moving Day!