Kind of lazy on this trip so I did some lists of the things I saw. Will update this in the next couple of days (I promise).
Amsterdam, Netherlands
1. Anne Frank Museum
2. Van Gogh Museum
3. Blew lots of smoke
4. Sex Museum (2nd time)
Berlin, Germany
1. Mould (Hot) Wine
2. Berlin Wall
3. Potsdamer Platz Plaza
4. Brandenbrug Gate
5. Holocaust Memorial
6. Fernsehturm (TV tower)
7. Email I sent out.
I sending my best wishes to you and your families for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Berlin, Germany. Trust me it is not as cold as you may think.
I spent my Christmas ice skating for the first time, which was not too bad except that I could not let go of the wall. My friends and I brought tears of laughter to the onlookers, but my pride is intact...I did not fall. We ended up going down a steep snow slide. Which was cool until I used my foot to stop myself from going into the wall. My foot and I ended up in a German Hospital. The best souvenior I have gotten so far is the xray of my foot. The doctor was a little cutie...Mr. Muller. I am out now and hobbling on crutches, but still going to a nightclub later on tonight. I refuse to be laid up in bed on my holidaz. In two more days I am off to Prague and then back to England to celebrate New Years.
Prague (Praha), Czech Republic
1. St. Charles Bridge
2. Astronomical Clock
3. St. Nick's Church
3. Prague Castle
4. Old Mill
5. The Old Town Square
6. Communist Museum
Ok, so here's the story line. Roughly 1 year ago, an amazing woman from South Central Los Angeles decided after receiving her Master's degree to expand her horizons and venture off to London. So over the course of the next couple of years she will hope to bring two continents together through the eloquence of her words...ok that is complete and utter bullshit! Your not doing shit so just stay a minute for the hell of it!
Location: In a London borough not far away from 3 tube lines, England
About me: 1. Lover of all things Chocolate 2. Terrified of Texas flying Tree Roaches 3. New lover of roundabouts 4. The world is my oyster...w/out the fishy smell 5. God, does not like ugly...so rearrange yourself and your face
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
While the girls explored the Asian side by boat with some other hostellers, I stayed close to my temporary home. I chilled out at a local cafe talking to an Asian guy from Australia that used to live in England for couple of years. Good convo, but the purpose was to hook him up with a very close gay friend of mine back in England. He did not seem that interested in my friend. His loss. The rest of my time was spent finishing up Harry Potter. Great book! One of the girls is pissed that I read the last book without reading the two previous books. Oh well. My intention to buy the last three books in hardcover form, since I have the first four back home in the States.
Once the girls came back we packed up our rucksacks (aka backpacks) and headed out the door. We had to take two local trains to get to the bus station. We paid for our bus tickets to Skopje which is located in Macedonia. The bus (think Greyhound) was more comfortable than I expected, however it had a deficiency in its design.... no bathroom. As I had hoped there were stops along the way. Unfortunately toooooo many stops. How the hell is someone supposed to sleep on a 12 hour overnight bus trip if there is an almost 2 hour stop at the Turkey/Bulgaria border! I was so damn tired of getting off and on the bus as well has having to give up my passport and wake back up again to get it back. Ugh! Oh let me tell you about the bathrooms. So at the Turkey/Bulgaria border you have to pay to use the bathroom. The bathrooms were nasty and would you be surprised about the lack of toilet paper. Not I. I was prepared...baby wipes are blessings from on high. I did take a pictures of the bathroom sign, the bathroom, the toilet and the guys out front who collected your money. We had to get off the bus again at the Bulgaria/Macedonia border. This time we had to take our stuff from the storage area on the bus and put them on tables. I was a bit upset that no one checked our stuff, but more happy that I did not have to unstrap my rucksack. I got a chance before heading back on the bus to do a quick swish in the mouth with some toothpaste. Loved that minty flavor.
Once we made it into Skopje we took another bus ride, this time only 30 minutes, to Tetovo where a friend of mine is in the Peace Corps. He was not in town yet when we arrived, so we hung out at some local cafes. Lemme just say that Tetovo is not on any tourist map. It is a small town with mosque and a couple universities. Nothing really going on out there. I think that we actually shook the town up. Folks were probably calling there friends to tell them about the wierdos wearing backpacks walking through town. Also...just in case you were wondering...no one looked like me at all. So I know that the majority of folks were checking me out in all my luscious goodness enclosed in sweaty clothes.
We met my friend at a bus stop near his home. This is only after one of the girls had a beggar child attached to one of her legs. I mean attached like his arms and legs were wrapped around her leg. I had to extract him after she called out my name in fear. I was not very social worky extracting him considering the language barrier and locals in their cars just staring at us. I will just say that he and the other beggar children left us alone. This incident happened after the girls gave food to two other beggar children who then told a friend.
Anyway, my friend, who will hence be called Gandhi, had another friend in town visiting him as well. Another Peace Corps volunteer on vacation from Dubrovnik (located near Croatia). One of Gandhi's local friends came by to say hello. So me, the girls, Gandhi and his two friends enjoyed a lovely evening at his home. We (or should I say I) did a bit of drinking while eating some delicious nachos. The best part of the night for me, had to have been finally being able to take a decent shower. That is after I cleaned the bathroom. Gandhi's definitely is living a bachelor's life.
The night ended with me falling asleep on the couch in a drunken stupor. Lovely way to end an exhausting day.
Once the girls came back we packed up our rucksacks (aka backpacks) and headed out the door. We had to take two local trains to get to the bus station. We paid for our bus tickets to Skopje which is located in Macedonia. The bus (think Greyhound) was more comfortable than I expected, however it had a deficiency in its design.... no bathroom. As I had hoped there were stops along the way. Unfortunately toooooo many stops. How the hell is someone supposed to sleep on a 12 hour overnight bus trip if there is an almost 2 hour stop at the Turkey/Bulgaria border! I was so damn tired of getting off and on the bus as well has having to give up my passport and wake back up again to get it back. Ugh! Oh let me tell you about the bathrooms. So at the Turkey/Bulgaria border you have to pay to use the bathroom. The bathrooms were nasty and would you be surprised about the lack of toilet paper. Not I. I was prepared...baby wipes are blessings from on high. I did take a pictures of the bathroom sign, the bathroom, the toilet and the guys out front who collected your money. We had to get off the bus again at the Bulgaria/Macedonia border. This time we had to take our stuff from the storage area on the bus and put them on tables. I was a bit upset that no one checked our stuff, but more happy that I did not have to unstrap my rucksack. I got a chance before heading back on the bus to do a quick swish in the mouth with some toothpaste. Loved that minty flavor.
Once we made it into Skopje we took another bus ride, this time only 30 minutes, to Tetovo where a friend of mine is in the Peace Corps. He was not in town yet when we arrived, so we hung out at some local cafes. Lemme just say that Tetovo is not on any tourist map. It is a small town with mosque and a couple universities. Nothing really going on out there. I think that we actually shook the town up. Folks were probably calling there friends to tell them about the wierdos wearing backpacks walking through town. Also...just in case you were wondering...no one looked like me at all. So I know that the majority of folks were checking me out in all my luscious goodness enclosed in sweaty clothes.
We met my friend at a bus stop near his home. This is only after one of the girls had a beggar child attached to one of her legs. I mean attached like his arms and legs were wrapped around her leg. I had to extract him after she called out my name in fear. I was not very social worky extracting him considering the language barrier and locals in their cars just staring at us. I will just say that he and the other beggar children left us alone. This incident happened after the girls gave food to two other beggar children who then told a friend.
Anyway, my friend, who will hence be called Gandhi, had another friend in town visiting him as well. Another Peace Corps volunteer on vacation from Dubrovnik (located near Croatia). One of Gandhi's local friends came by to say hello. So me, the girls, Gandhi and his two friends enjoyed a lovely evening at his home. We (or should I say I) did a bit of drinking while eating some delicious nachos. The best part of the night for me, had to have been finally being able to take a decent shower. That is after I cleaned the bathroom. Gandhi's definitely is living a bachelor's life.
The night ended with me falling asleep on the couch in a drunken stupor. Lovely way to end an exhausting day.
posted by ReJoYcE at 3:58 pm
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1 comments
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1 comments
Monday, August 13, 2007
This morning we got up and headed to the Blue Mosque, which was closed for prayers. We did get to peak through the windows like the nosey, disrespectful tourists that we are. The mosque was absolutely beautiful. No, I did not have a spiritual awakening, but I was definitely overwhelmed. It was huge and the architecture was awe-inspiring. The reason it is called the Blue Mosque is because the tiles are blue. (See your history lesson below.)
We then headed off to the Grand Bazaar. Basically it was a big indoor shopping centre with a maze of little shops selling you the latest designer knockoffs. Anyone need any Prada, Dolce, Chanel, or Gucci? It was disappointing, because I stupidly thought that I was going to find merchandise from the locality. I went looking for a water pipe, a gift for Jackie, and something touristy for one of the kids I work with. If yall ever go, be prepared to haggle your ass off. So I found a cute blue/yellow water pipe for 65 lira-- I paid 25 lira. I found some cute brown knockoff Pumas for 55 lira---I paid 30 lira. I got Jackie's gift, now I just need her address. (JACKIE, I NEED YOUR ADDRESS! LOL!) . Please don't think that you won't find Turkish scarfs, clothing, rugs and knicknacks, but just be ready to be overwhelmed by the western junk.
After the Grand Bazaar we headed for...gasp!...gulp!...Starbucks. I personally was ready to sit at a cafe under a leafy canopy surrounded by some local folks. However the girls needed sustinence and coffee. So we chilled out with our desserts, iced caffeine and read our books. Around 7pm we headed back to the hostel to meet up with some folks that were interested in doing a fieldtrip to the Turkish Baths. The girls bailed on me at the last minute due Aunt Flo paying them a visit. So I headed off with 19yr old chick from Canada that had just checked into the hostel and about three guys. Once at the Bath we separated into our respective gender specific areas. Me and the youngster were not pleased when we realized that we had to get butt ass naked for the Bath. Poor North American females are not automatically able relinquish our cloth armor that protects us from showing the world are not so perky breasts, chubby guts, thunder thighs, stretch marks, and cellulite. Oh well when in Turkey do as the Turkish. LOL! So after giving the 19yr old a pep talk and bestowing on her the wealth of my 11 extra years of wisdom...we...gulp...shed our towels and laid butt ass naked on a circular marble platform with all the other naked women in the room while our bodies sweated profusely. Very liberating experience. Yes, there were some beautiful women with bodies I would have killed for in the room, but there were more regular 'love handles' having women there as well. So the expectation is for you to lay out for a bit on the marble while you sweat. Then a woman wearing only panties slaps you either on the leg or the ass and gestures for you to move to the edge of the platform. She scrubs (exfoliates) and washes you without placing her hands in those 'wait til the lights are out' areas. You could have her wash your hair, but yall know me...that shit was not happening. Yes, I was the only person in the room that looked like me and had a nipple ring. Talk about standing out. The 19yr old and I both left feeling clean and relaxed. We felt that we had a accomplished a great feat that we would rub in the faces of our North American friends in order to show just how worldly and culturally adept we were at having a Turkish Bath. So...ha!
Once back at the hostel we each shared our experiences with the other hostellers. The guys I went with were not that impressed with the Bath and wanted it to be longer. So once conversation moved on to other topics, I turned my attention to reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Gallows. I only stopped reading to take pictures, sip on some alcohol, and have short chats with folks nearby.
Blue Mosque History Lesson
After the humiliating Peace of Zsitvatorok and the unfavourable result of the wars with Persia, sultan Ahmed I decided to build a large mosque in Istanbul to placate Allah. This would be the first imperial mosque in more than forty years. Whereas his predecessors had paid for their mosques with their war booty, sultan Ahmed I had to withdraw the funds from the treasury, because he hadn't won any notable victories. This provoked the anger of the ulema, the Muslim legal scholars. The mosque was to be built on the site of the palace of the Byzantine emperors, facing the Hagia Sophia (at that time the most venerated mosque in Istanbul) and the hippodrome, a site of great symbolic significance. Large parts of the southern side of the mosque rest on the foundations, the vaults and the undercrofts of the Great Palace. Several palaces, already built on the same spot, had to be bought (at considerable price) and pulled down, especially the palace of Sokollu Mehmet Paşa, and large parts of the Sphendone (curved tribune with U-shaped structure of the hippodrome). Construction of the mosque started in August 1609 when the sultan himself came to break the first sod. It was his intention that this would become the first mosque of his empire. He appointed his royal architect Sedefhar Mehmet Ağa, a pupil and senior assitant of the famous architect Sinan as the architect in charge of the construction. The organization of the work was described in meticulous detail in eight volumes, now in the library of the Topkapı Palace. The opening ceremonies were held in 1617 (although the gate of the mosque records 1616) and the sultan was able to pray in the royal box (hünkâr mahfil). But the building wasn't finished yet in this last year of his reign, as the last accounts were signed by his successor Mustafa I.
Labels: Turkey
posted by ReJoYcE at 2:51 pm |
1 comments
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Sunday, August 12, 2007
Well the flatmates and I have just arrived at the first leg of out eastern europe trip last night. We are currently in Istanbul, Turkey. To be more specific Sultanahmet. So the itinerary is for the three of us to stay in Turkey until Tuesday. Then we will take a bus to Tetovo to see my friend Blake who is a part of the Peace Corps in Macedonia. We will hang out with him until Friday. Blake and I will travel to Bulgaria, where I will take a flight back to the England. The girls will continue on to Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia.
So the plan today is to visit the Blue Mosque, Roxelena Bath, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi palace and the Galata Tower. The trippy part is that we will be able to travel over the Galata Bridge in order to cross over into Asia. Look at me touching down on multiple continents. One of my flatmates just joked that that we should take a boat ride to Africa.
Well I gotta go...will give an update later.
History Lesson
Istanbul historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. The city covers 25 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located on the Bosphorus strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul (Constantinople) served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922).
UPDATE
Okay so it is going on 6pm out here and I am beat. We made it to Hagia Sophia and the Galata Tower. Yes I did cross over into Asia. We walked by the Blue Mosque and the Roxelena Mosque. We put off going to the Topkapi palace until tomorrow, because we are exhausted. The whole point of going on vacation is to relax. So that is my plan for the rest of the evening. To chill out, read and have a couple of drinks. I might even fit in dinner.
So the plan tomorrow is to make it to the Grand Bazaar to do a little shopping. I am in the market for a water pipe. I priced one today at 30 lira. Which is roughly 10 pounds or 20 dollars. British pounds go a long way out here. We are also going to visit the places we missed out on today. At the end of the day we are heading to the Cemberlitas Bath aka Turkish Bath. There is a hot area where you are supposed to sweat out the impurities in your body. Then comes the massage. I am so excited!!! The cost is about 40 lira.
I will catch up with yall tomorrow.
So the plan today is to visit the Blue Mosque, Roxelena Bath, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi palace and the Galata Tower. The trippy part is that we will be able to travel over the Galata Bridge in order to cross over into Asia. Look at me touching down on multiple continents. One of my flatmates just joked that that we should take a boat ride to Africa.
Well I gotta go...will give an update later.
History Lesson
Istanbul historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. The city covers 25 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located on the Bosphorus strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul (Constantinople) served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922).
UPDATE
Okay so it is going on 6pm out here and I am beat. We made it to Hagia Sophia and the Galata Tower. Yes I did cross over into Asia. We walked by the Blue Mosque and the Roxelena Mosque. We put off going to the Topkapi palace until tomorrow, because we are exhausted. The whole point of going on vacation is to relax. So that is my plan for the rest of the evening. To chill out, read and have a couple of drinks. I might even fit in dinner.
So the plan tomorrow is to make it to the Grand Bazaar to do a little shopping. I am in the market for a water pipe. I priced one today at 30 lira. Which is roughly 10 pounds or 20 dollars. British pounds go a long way out here. We are also going to visit the places we missed out on today. At the end of the day we are heading to the Cemberlitas Bath aka Turkish Bath. There is a hot area where you are supposed to sweat out the impurities in your body. Then comes the massage. I am so excited!!! The cost is about 40 lira.
I will catch up with yall tomorrow.
posted by ReJoYcE at 9:27 am |
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0 comments
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
So for the last month or so we (flatmates and I) have been planning a Big Summer BBQ blowout for Lynn's 28th birthday. We picked up ideas from other parties we have attended so far in order to put ours together in the best possible way. Here is a hint--- don't leave your unmentionables out to dry while guests are roaming around. LOL! We met a guy at a spoken word event out in Shorditch (London) who was stationed on an American military base out in Midenhall. He quickly informed me that roughly 20,000 Americans are stationed in the England. The good deal is that he got me on base and I was able to pick up groceries and liquor at the commissary. I spent $300 or 160 pounds which was way over my 60 pound budget. I felt like I went back to the States. It was a weird experience being surrounded by Americans and spending dollars...I felt like I went back on my word about not returning to the States. This is not to say that I did not appreciate being able to pick up pancake mix and Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. All you get out here is crepes. Some places claim to serve American style pancakes...do not be fooled by imitators!
Friday
Went to work--- came home---marinated chicken---cleaned my part of the house while intoxicated. Yall, should know that when I drink I have this thing about cleaning. That's probably why I get invited to parties. Hehehehe.
Saturday--Summer BBQ Bash
The game plan was for the flatmates to clean their part of the house while I put the chicken on a slow cook in the oven. Then they would head to the grocery store (Sainsbury) to pick up the last bits for the party. Remember our fridge is pretty small. I decided in my infinite wisdom to mow the grass. Lord, what the hell was I thinking! For the next 30-40 minutes I sweated and was covered in grass. At the very least our yard did not have that wilderness feel anymore. I promptly headed for the shower. The girls came back from the store and put the hors d'oeuvres together. I eventually headed out to have a mini day of beauty. I got my eyebrows threaded and then a spa pedicure. Ohhhhh vibrating chair!!! I was ready for a party. I came back home to get
the grills situated. I got the two grills started with Matchlight charcoal. That shit is great...quick and easy! The Brits have regular charcoal that you need lighter fluid to kickstart. We had one grill for vegetarians and the other for the meat.
The guests started to arrive slowly but surely. We had a head count of 30+ which included neighbours and their Bebe's kids (refers to any group of misbehaved children). Guests included friends, friends of friends, folks we met in clubs, and coworkers. A real international mix as well (Lithuanians, Iranians, Brits, Italians, Yugoslavia, Americans, and some other countries). Fun was had by all! Everyone laid out on the grass, drinking and eating. My chicken went over real well! I received many kudos. It was the whiskey marinade. I was heartbroken when my Lithuanian neighbor produced chicken in a beer batter. Hell, I actually had to steal some to eat later. Alas, I waited too late to return to my chicken...my vegetarian flatmate gave it away to another neighbour. Heifer! LOL!
My silly ass invited a guy that I almost dated in the past. By the time he arrived I was already a bit pissed (British for drunk) and was performing my hostess duties. Right before he left I asked him for a kiss. Another bad decision on my part. He was horrible and humped my leg. Double Ugh!
By the end of the night (2am), I ended up passing out gracefully while the rest of the company played a rousing game of Twister. Lynn got it as a birthday present. She mentioned to us earlier in the week that she used to be a Twister champion. I heard that she didnt do too bad.
Sunday- Recovery
I woke up this morning without a hangover, alone on top of my bed, with the same clothes on from the night before. Bummer. I crawled out of bed and stumbled towards the bathroom. Why is it after drinking all night the day after piss is so glorious? I checked out the damage in the living room and found three men camped out. One said good morning and I shut the living room door without responding. Not quite ready to talk. Went to one flatmate's bedroom and found both flatmates sharing the same bed and another strange man on the floor. I closed that door as well. I did not even bother going into the last bedroom. The kitchen looked like a disaster zone and the urge to clean became overwhelming. The 'good morning' guy came to help out as well as the birthday girl. We called ourselves The Clean Up Crew. The rest of folks slowly wandered into kitchen with a total of 4 stragglers. We left two folks that could not be roused from the beds as the rest of us ventured off in search of sustenance.
Baby News
I have decided that I would like to have a baby before the end of this year. Preferably with a conception date within November or December. I have asked a couple of male friends and an ex boyfriend if they were willing to be donors. The good news is that one of them has come back and agreed to father my baby. Yipppeee!!!!! Now I have to get all my bits and pieces in order---charting my ovulation, legal stuff, quitting smoking, and getting in shape. I have been on prenatal pills for months so I have that covered. I have been online and figured out how to do it at home without the turkey baster. So look out for more updates on the baby front. By the way...what do yall think of me having an Asian baby? How cute will she be!!!
Love yall,
Friday
Went to work--- came home---marinated chicken---cleaned my part of the house while intoxicated. Yall, should know that when I drink I have this thing about cleaning. That's probably why I get invited to parties. Hehehehe.
Saturday--Summer BBQ Bash
The game plan was for the flatmates to clean their part of the house while I put the chicken on a slow cook in the oven. Then they would head to the grocery store (Sainsbury) to pick up the last bits for the party. Remember our fridge is pretty small. I decided in my infinite wisdom to mow the grass. Lord, what the hell was I thinking! For the next 30-40 minutes I sweated and was covered in grass. At the very least our yard did not have that wilderness feel anymore. I promptly headed for the shower. The girls came back from the store and put the hors d'oeuvres together. I eventually headed out to have a mini day of beauty. I got my eyebrows threaded and then a spa pedicure. Ohhhhh vibrating chair!!! I was ready for a party. I came back home to get
the grills situated. I got the two grills started with Matchlight charcoal. That shit is great...quick and easy! The Brits have regular charcoal that you need lighter fluid to kickstart. We had one grill for vegetarians and the other for the meat.
The guests started to arrive slowly but surely. We had a head count of 30+ which included neighbours and their Bebe's kids (refers to any group of misbehaved children). Guests included friends, friends of friends, folks we met in clubs, and coworkers. A real international mix as well (Lithuanians, Iranians, Brits, Italians, Yugoslavia, Americans, and some other countries). Fun was had by all! Everyone laid out on the grass, drinking and eating. My chicken went over real well! I received many kudos. It was the whiskey marinade. I was heartbroken when my Lithuanian neighbor produced chicken in a beer batter. Hell, I actually had to steal some to eat later. Alas, I waited too late to return to my chicken...my vegetarian flatmate gave it away to another neighbour. Heifer! LOL!
My silly ass invited a guy that I almost dated in the past. By the time he arrived I was already a bit pissed (British for drunk) and was performing my hostess duties. Right before he left I asked him for a kiss. Another bad decision on my part. He was horrible and humped my leg. Double Ugh!
By the end of the night (2am), I ended up passing out gracefully while the rest of the company played a rousing game of Twister. Lynn got it as a birthday present. She mentioned to us earlier in the week that she used to be a Twister champion. I heard that she didnt do too bad.
Sunday- Recovery
I woke up this morning without a hangover, alone on top of my bed, with the same clothes on from the night before. Bummer. I crawled out of bed and stumbled towards the bathroom. Why is it after drinking all night the day after piss is so glorious? I checked out the damage in the living room and found three men camped out. One said good morning and I shut the living room door without responding. Not quite ready to talk. Went to one flatmate's bedroom and found both flatmates sharing the same bed and another strange man on the floor. I closed that door as well. I did not even bother going into the last bedroom. The kitchen looked like a disaster zone and the urge to clean became overwhelming. The 'good morning' guy came to help out as well as the birthday girl. We called ourselves The Clean Up Crew. The rest of folks slowly wandered into kitchen with a total of 4 stragglers. We left two folks that could not be roused from the beds as the rest of us ventured off in search of sustenance.
Baby News
I have decided that I would like to have a baby before the end of this year. Preferably with a conception date within November or December. I have asked a couple of male friends and an ex boyfriend if they were willing to be donors. The good news is that one of them has come back and agreed to father my baby. Yipppeee!!!!! Now I have to get all my bits and pieces in order---charting my ovulation, legal stuff, quitting smoking, and getting in shape. I have been on prenatal pills for months so I have that covered. I have been online and figured out how to do it at home without the turkey baster. So look out for more updates on the baby front. By the way...what do yall think of me having an Asian baby? How cute will she be!!!
Love yall,
Labels: Birthday
posted by ReJoYcE at 4:36 pm |
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0 comments
Sunday, May 27, 2007
I think that I am getting accustomed to throwing a couple of days of my life into one blog entry. I think this should actually work out well in our fast food society. Y'all want it fast and in hearty amounts. So away we go...
Friday
Today seemed to drag on. This is not to say that I was just sitting at my desk twiddling my thumbs. I do not how I could waste any time at work. Especially when my phone won't stop ringing. British folks seem to want to talk to me about how they are not abusing their children and want to know if they can speak to someone actually born in their country. Hello!!! So, since my accent is different does that mean that I am mud! I do understand where they are coming from, have y'all in the States tried to understand the folks manning the call centres in India? My flatmate believes that it is due to the phone connection crackling and the accents on the other end. My day actually dragged due to me being oh so excited about my arranged after work activities. I have become cool with a solicitor (British term for lawyer) from my job. After bustling my flatmates out of the house, heading off to the tube in order for my solicitor friend to hop on at the Mile End stop and walking through Soho; I arrived a hip Moroccan restaurant. The place had a totally out of the country feel with lots of soft ton
es which includes tons of pillows and the pièce de résistance being the hookah pipe in the middle of the table. I have not hookahed since Houston. I loved it!!! I had the apple tobacco and a drink that came with a pineapple attached to my glass like bird of paradise. The service sucked but the intention was not to remain there the entire night. We headed off to a Chinese restaurant that had an out of place jazz singer strutting her stuff on a second floor balcony. I am not making this up. I thought the environment did not quite match the ambience. She sang wonderfully and I was impressed with her performance. She (name unknown) has been involved in big name movie projects such as the Constant Gardener. The restaurant had wonderful service that literally you could not get a word out and someone would magically appear. We met my solicitor's friends which included an American couple and an English/Nigerian lady named Dae. Dae and I got along well due to us being a bit wary of the food. We ended trying certain things that caused her to run to the bathroom and me to pretend that I was on the Fear Factor. I will say now that I am not a fan of fried shrimp heads! One of my flatmates had her fairytale fantasy fulfilled when she realized that the American couple were living in two separate places when they started dating and took a leap of faith to be with each other. It would have been okay any other day to hear my flatmate gushing and having a Disney moment, but after a couple of expensive drinks I was not in mood. After dinner my flatmates and my solicitor headed our own way. The rest of the group headed home. We were in the mood for one more drink which took us to a packed pub. I was walking through the crowd at one point and this short bloke asked me 'do you like it in the ass?' WTF?! I turned to him and told him that his dick was too small for all that. I was pretty much ready to see my bed at that point.
Saturday
Typical crummy English day...gloomy and rainy. No problemo! Lynn and I headed off to St. Paul's Cathedral. We walked up roughly 530 steps to the golden galley to enjoy the view of the London. I had to stop several times on the way up to give my nicotine covered lungs a break as well as my overworked heart. I met folks who started off conversations with me by saying 'we paid money for this torture?' I remembered that The Critter and I visited St. Paul's when he was around in the early days of me being in England. We only made it into the entrance where we snuck a photo. Too broke at the time to spend the 9.50 to rome around.
Lynn and I spent the rest of the day in a coffee shop in which I finally finished The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Great book, but the ending pissed me off a bit, but I understood the point the author was trying to make. I will do a blog with excerpts from the book that caused me to have 'AHA' moments. Tiffany, is reading his other book "The witch of Portobello.' I surprised that we were actually reading books by the same author. Lynn and I ended up back home in time for movie night. We watched Pan's Labyrinth and the graphics were amazing with a unique storyline. I wholly recommend the movie, just be prepared for the subtitles. There was some other movie we watched afterward that I can't remember...which means that it probably is not worth mentioning.
Here is your history lesson...
A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604AD, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Its architectural and artistic importance reflect the determination of the five monarchs who oversaw its building that London’s leading church should be as beautiful and imposing as their private palaces. Since the first service took place here in 1697. Wren's masterpiece has been where people and events of overwhelming importance to the country have been celebrated, mourned and commemorated. Important services have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the launch of the Festival of Britain; the Service of Remembrance and Commemoration for the 11th September 2001: the 80th and 100th birthdays of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer and, most recently, the thanksgiving services for both the Golden Jubilee and 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Over the centuries, St Paul’s has changed to reflect shifting tastes and attitudes. Decoration has been added and removed, services have been updated, different areas have been put to new uses. Today, the history of the nation is written in the carved stone of its pillars and arches and is celebrated in its works of art and monuments.
In the crypt are effigies and fragments of stone that pre-date the Cathedral, relics of a medieval world. From Wren’s original vision, Jean Tijou’s beautiful wrought iron gates of 1700 still separate the quire from the ambulatory; children still test the acoustics in the Whispering Gallery; and the 1695 organ which Mendelssohn once played is still in use. The magnificent mosaics are the result of Queen Victoria’s mid-19th century complaint that the interior was “most dreary, dingy and undevotional.” The American Memorial Chapel stands behind the High Altar in an area that was bomb-damaged during the Second World War – a gesture of gratitude to the American dead of the Second World War from the people of Britain. An altar has now been installed on a dais in the heart of the Cathedral, bringing services closer to those who attend them. Throughout, St Paul’s has remained a busy, working church where millions have come to worship and find peace. It is a heritage site of international importance which attracts thousands of people each year, a symbol of the City and Nation it serves and, above all, a lasting monument to the glory of God.
Sunday
I do not know how I managed to get out of bed this morning. My legs were still killing me from walking the St. Paul's steps. Ugh...I wanted to crawl around all day. Lynn and I went to see the matinée of Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Decent film...action...death...amazing graphics...not on my top 10 list. Pretty average flick. The plan for the day was to come home relax a bit and head out clubbing. That did not happen at all. We did nap, but ended up watching Pirates of the Caribbean 2, while sipping hot chocolate spiked with Bailey's. Leanna ended up coming home early from a musical festival with a friend. I failed to mention that she left on Saturday. She was supposedly feeling a bit miserable having to sleep in a tent while the wind and rain were making a mess of things.
Bank Holiday Monday
No work. That means lay around the house in my pajamas, drinking coffee while the work I brought home surrounds me. I may actually have to get something done today.
Shoutouts
Ms. Jackie....I got your email. You caused me to have a minor breakdown after reading about the pregnant girl that did not know that her baby had been dead for three weeks. That was some shit.
Tiffany--Can you send me an email about your book after you have finished it? I want to blog it.
Charlotte-- miss ya much babe. Have fun moving our children.
Corinna- you probably won't read this blog for months...can't wait for you to come out here. Amsterdam here we come!!!
The Critter-- you are only roughly 4 weeks from being back out here. We have to find me a good backpack for Bologna. Can I say that I am soooo excited about going to Venice?!!!
Kelly--- Congrats again on your upcoming nuptials!!!!!
Everyone else...love and miss y'all
Friday
Today seemed to drag on. This is not to say that I was just sitting at my desk twiddling my thumbs. I do not how I could waste any time at work. Especially when my phone won't stop ringing. British folks seem to want to talk to me about how they are not abusing their children and want to know if they can speak to someone actually born in their country. Hello!!! So, since my accent is different does that mean that I am mud! I do understand where they are coming from, have y'all in the States tried to understand the folks manning the call centres in India? My flatmate believes that it is due to the phone connection crackling and the accents on the other end. My day actually dragged due to me being oh so excited about my arranged after work activities. I have become cool with a solicitor (British term for lawyer) from my job. After bustling my flatmates out of the house, heading off to the tube in order for my solicitor friend to hop on at the Mile End stop and walking through Soho; I arrived a hip Moroccan restaurant. The place had a totally out of the country feel with lots of soft ton
es which includes tons of pillows and the pièce de résistance being the hookah pipe in the middle of the table. I have not hookahed since Houston. I loved it!!! I had the apple tobacco and a drink that came with a pineapple attached to my glass like bird of paradise. The service sucked but the intention was not to remain there the entire night. We headed off to a Chinese restaurant that had an out of place jazz singer strutting her stuff on a second floor balcony. I am not making this up. I thought the environment did not quite match the ambience. She sang wonderfully and I was impressed with her performance. She (name unknown) has been involved in big name movie projects such as the Constant Gardener. The restaurant had wonderful service that literally you could not get a word out and someone would magically appear. We met my solicitor's friends which included an American couple and an English/Nigerian lady named Dae. Dae and I got along well due to us being a bit wary of the food. We ended trying certain things that caused her to run to the bathroom and me to pretend that I was on the Fear Factor. I will say now that I am not a fan of fried shrimp heads! One of my flatmates had her fairytale fantasy fulfilled when she realized that the American couple were living in two separate places when they started dating and took a leap of faith to be with each other. It would have been okay any other day to hear my flatmate gushing and having a Disney moment, but after a couple of expensive drinks I was not in mood. After dinner my flatmates and my solicitor headed our own way. The rest of the group headed home. We were in the mood for one more drink which took us to a packed pub. I was walking through the crowd at one point and this short bloke asked me 'do you like it in the ass?' WTF?! I turned to him and told him that his dick was too small for all that. I was pretty much ready to see my bed at that point. Saturday
Typical crummy English day...gloomy and rainy. No problemo! Lynn and I headed off to St. Paul's Cathedral. We walked up roughly 530 steps to the golden galley to enjoy the view of the London. I had to stop several times on the way up to give my nicotine covered lungs a break as well as my overworked heart. I met folks who started off conversations with me by saying 'we paid money for this torture?' I remembered that The Critter and I visited St. Paul's when he was around in the early days of me being in England. We only made it into the entrance where we snuck a photo. Too broke at the time to spend the 9.50 to rome around.
Lynn and I spent the rest of the day in a coffee shop in which I finally finished The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Great book, but the ending pissed me off a bit, but I understood the point the author was trying to make. I will do a blog with excerpts from the book that caused me to have 'AHA' moments. Tiffany, is reading his other book "The witch of Portobello.' I surprised that we were actually reading books by the same author. Lynn and I ended up back home in time for movie night. We watched Pan's Labyrinth and the graphics were amazing with a unique storyline. I wholly recommend the movie, just be prepared for the subtitles. There was some other movie we watched afterward that I can't remember...which means that it probably is not worth mentioning.
Here is your history lesson...
A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604AD, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Its architectural and artistic importance reflect the determination of the five monarchs who oversaw its building that London’s leading church should be as beautiful and imposing as their private palaces. Since the first service took place here in 1697. Wren's masterpiece has been where people and events of overwhelming importance to the country have been celebrated, mourned and commemorated. Important services have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the launch of the Festival of Britain; the Service of Remembrance and Commemoration for the 11th September 2001: the 80th and 100th birthdays of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer and, most recently, the thanksgiving services for both the Golden Jubilee and 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Over the centuries, St Paul’s has changed to reflect shifting tastes and attitudes. Decoration has been added and removed, services have been updated, different areas have been put to new uses. Today, the history of the nation is written in the carved stone of its pillars and arches and is celebrated in its works of art and monuments.
In the crypt are effigies and fragments of stone that pre-date the Cathedral, relics of a medieval world. From Wren’s original vision, Jean Tijou’s beautiful wrought iron gates of 1700 still separate the quire from the ambulatory; children still test the acoustics in the Whispering Gallery; and the 1695 organ which Mendelssohn once played is still in use. The magnificent mosaics are the result of Queen Victoria’s mid-19th century complaint that the interior was “most dreary, dingy and undevotional.” The American Memorial Chapel stands behind the High Altar in an area that was bomb-damaged during the Second World War – a gesture of gratitude to the American dead of the Second World War from the people of Britain. An altar has now been installed on a dais in the heart of the Cathedral, bringing services closer to those who attend them. Throughout, St Paul’s has remained a busy, working church where millions have come to worship and find peace. It is a heritage site of international importance which attracts thousands of people each year, a symbol of the City and Nation it serves and, above all, a lasting monument to the glory of God.
Sunday
I do not know how I managed to get out of bed this morning. My legs were still killing me from walking the St. Paul's steps. Ugh...I wanted to crawl around all day. Lynn and I went to see the matinée of Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Decent film...action...death...amazing graphics...not on my top 10 list. Pretty average flick. The plan for the day was to come home relax a bit and head out clubbing. That did not happen at all. We did nap, but ended up watching Pirates of the Caribbean 2, while sipping hot chocolate spiked with Bailey's. Leanna ended up coming home early from a musical festival with a friend. I failed to mention that she left on Saturday. She was supposedly feeling a bit miserable having to sleep in a tent while the wind and rain were making a mess of things.
Bank Holiday Monday
No work. That means lay around the house in my pajamas, drinking coffee while the work I brought home surrounds me. I may actually have to get something done today.
Shoutouts
Ms. Jackie....I got your email. You caused me to have a minor breakdown after reading about the pregnant girl that did not know that her baby had been dead for three weeks. That was some shit.
Tiffany--Can you send me an email about your book after you have finished it? I want to blog it.
Charlotte-- miss ya much babe. Have fun moving our children.
Corinna- you probably won't read this blog for months...can't wait for you to come out here. Amsterdam here we come!!!
The Critter-- you are only roughly 4 weeks from being back out here. We have to find me a good backpack for Bologna. Can I say that I am soooo excited about going to Venice?!!!
Kelly--- Congrats again on your upcoming nuptials!!!!!
Everyone else...love and miss y'all
Labels: Hookah, Paulo Coelho, St. Paul's Cathedral
posted by ReJoYcE at 2:25 am |
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Monday, May 07, 2007
Friday
Work was irritating...not anywhere near close to being one of Leanne's purgatory days. She views her days at work to be hellish and some days it turns into purgatory. My only purgatory day was when I removed my first baby from the hospital about 7 months ago. By the way, my yoda (that is what I nicknamed him) baby is doing just fine. He is on his way I believe to being placed for adoption. However I forgot a major step in the adoption process and had to scramble to correct this. I was fearful that I would affect yoda baby's timescales (basically shit you need to get done within the first year). I breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the day, but I do not think that I am completely out of the woods yet. Once the day ended I took to coping with my day by allowing myself to sink into a fantasy realm via movies from the video store and consumption of a couple of glasses of alcohol.
Saturday
I could of sworn that I planned to sleep in as much as possible today. I received a text from my next door neighbour informing me that I needed to move my car or pick up another ticket off the windshield. I dragged my ass out of bed and threw on some clothes that were never intended to be put together in an outfit or see the light of day. I stopped by my neighbour's house and had a bit of chat about helping her clear her back garden on Monday. I spent the rest of the day tidying up and preparing to go to a house party/birthday party in London. I drove into London, later that evening, thinking that it was similar to driving in any epicenter of a major city. No biggie, except for the agitation suffered following my printed directions that did not match the missing street signs. The party was amazing and the people I met were so interesting. Italians, South Africans, Americans, Brazilians, Finnish and some Brits. Of course I was intoxicated, but I was fine up until I hit the couch at 3 am. I met my nerdy white guy* and we chatted about cartoons and old school RnB. He was animated and funny. We flirted back and forth. The bummer is that he has a girlfriend and gave me the 'I am interested in you, but...' speech. One of my roomies had a great time swapping spit with a Brazilian in her ex-boyfriends house. The Finnish girl I met married a black military man and lived in Hayward, California for a couple of years before divorcing him. All night her drunk ass kept saying 'that is my girl from Hayward.' I happened to have lived in Hayward for a couple of months. Cool beans. Only hiccup was some Italian bitches (which does not include the Italians that I have known for the last 5 months) attempted to take over the party. Did not go over well with others.
*Nerdy white guy- I have realized that I am attracted to this type of man because they have a wealth of inane knowledge that is gleanable. I am not attracted to nerdy types in other races and can not give explanation to why that is. Let it be known that I am attracted to all races and consider myself to be an equal opportunity dater.
Sunday
I woke up hung over and having major second thoughts about the road trip Lynn and I planned for today. After some water, advil and coffee that all changed. We headed home to quickly change clothes and went on a three hour drive towards west England to the quaint city of Bath. We stopped in service station and got back on the highway to have a '28 days later' moment. There was only one car behind us and there were no cars in front or on the other side of the highway for at least a couple of miles. Creepy!
We made it to Bath and here's a little background info...
Bath is a city in South West England most famous for its baths fed by three hot springs. It is situated 99 miles west of Central London.The city is founded around the only naturally occurring hot springs in the United Kingdom. It was first documented as a Roman spa, although tradition suggests that it was founded earlier. The waters from its spring were believed to be a cure for many afflictions. From Elizabethan to Georgian times it was a resort city for the wealthy. As a result of its popularity during the latter period, the city contains many fine examples of Georgian architecture, most notably the Royal Crescent. The city has a population of over 80,000 and is a World Heritage Site.
We came back home and watched more movies.
Monday-Bank Holiday
I woke up this morning with a groan knowing that I am supposed to assist my next door neighbour with clearing out her backyard. It has a foresty look to it. The groan quickly turned to a smile when I realized that it was raining. No lawn work for me. I gave Jennifer a call to confirm that my services would not be needed for the day. Hallelujah! We talked a bit about Lynn bday party she is having in June. She is the first invited guest and she has earned a place in my heart. She said that her mom would make coleslaw and potato salad, and she would pick up some liquor and bring chairs. Thank goodness. I hope the rest of our guests will be as considerate. But I made it a prerequiste in order for folks to attend that they had to bring something. We can not afford all the fixins on social worker's salaries.
Heading out to watch Spiderman 3...continue as you were
Work was irritating...not anywhere near close to being one of Leanne's purgatory days. She views her days at work to be hellish and some days it turns into purgatory. My only purgatory day was when I removed my first baby from the hospital about 7 months ago. By the way, my yoda (that is what I nicknamed him) baby is doing just fine. He is on his way I believe to being placed for adoption. However I forgot a major step in the adoption process and had to scramble to correct this. I was fearful that I would affect yoda baby's timescales (basically shit you need to get done within the first year). I breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the day, but I do not think that I am completely out of the woods yet. Once the day ended I took to coping with my day by allowing myself to sink into a fantasy realm via movies from the video store and consumption of a couple of glasses of alcohol.
Saturday
I could of sworn that I planned to sleep in as much as possible today. I received a text from my next door neighbour informing me that I needed to move my car or pick up another ticket off the windshield. I dragged my ass out of bed and threw on some clothes that were never intended to be put together in an outfit or see the light of day. I stopped by my neighbour's house and had a bit of chat about helping her clear her back garden on Monday. I spent the rest of the day tidying up and preparing to go to a house party/birthday party in London. I drove into London, later that evening, thinking that it was similar to driving in any epicenter of a major city. No biggie, except for the agitation suffered following my printed directions that did not match the missing street signs. The party was amazing and the people I met were so interesting. Italians, South Africans, Americans, Brazilians, Finnish and some Brits. Of course I was intoxicated, but I was fine up until I hit the couch at 3 am. I met my nerdy white guy* and we chatted about cartoons and old school RnB. He was animated and funny. We flirted back and forth. The bummer is that he has a girlfriend and gave me the 'I am interested in you, but...' speech. One of my roomies had a great time swapping spit with a Brazilian in her ex-boyfriends house. The Finnish girl I met married a black military man and lived in Hayward, California for a couple of years before divorcing him. All night her drunk ass kept saying 'that is my girl from Hayward.' I happened to have lived in Hayward for a couple of months. Cool beans. Only hiccup was some Italian bitches (which does not include the Italians that I have known for the last 5 months) attempted to take over the party. Did not go over well with others.
*Nerdy white guy- I have realized that I am attracted to this type of man because they have a wealth of inane knowledge that is gleanable. I am not attracted to nerdy types in other races and can not give explanation to why that is. Let it be known that I am attracted to all races and consider myself to be an equal opportunity dater.
Sunday
I woke up hung over and having major second thoughts about the road trip Lynn and I planned for today. After some water, advil and coffee that all changed. We headed home to quickly change clothes and went on a three hour drive towards west England to the quaint city of Bath. We stopped in service station and got back on the highway to have a '28 days later' moment. There was only one car behind us and there were no cars in front or on the other side of the highway for at least a couple of miles. Creepy!
We made it to Bath and here's a little background info...
Bath is a city in South West England most famous for its baths fed by three hot springs. It is situated 99 miles west of Central London.The city is founded around the only naturally occurring hot springs in the United Kingdom. It was first documented as a Roman spa, although tradition suggests that it was founded earlier. The waters from its spring were believed to be a cure for many afflictions. From Elizabethan to Georgian times it was a resort city for the wealthy. As a result of its popularity during the latter period, the city contains many fine examples of Georgian architecture, most notably the Royal Crescent. The city has a population of over 80,000 and is a World Heritage Site.
We came back home and watched more movies.
Monday-Bank Holiday
I woke up this morning with a groan knowing that I am supposed to assist my next door neighbour with clearing out her backyard. It has a foresty look to it. The groan quickly turned to a smile when I realized that it was raining. No lawn work for me. I gave Jennifer a call to confirm that my services would not be needed for the day. Hallelujah! We talked a bit about Lynn bday party she is having in June. She is the first invited guest and she has earned a place in my heart. She said that her mom would make coleslaw and potato salad, and she would pick up some liquor and bring chairs. Thank goodness. I hope the rest of our guests will be as considerate. But I made it a prerequiste in order for folks to attend that they had to bring something. We can not afford all the fixins on social worker's salaries.
Heading out to watch Spiderman 3...continue as you were
posted by ReJoYcE at 3:44 pm |
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