Jillian making cinnamon rolls for us this morning after a late night out - yum!
28 January 2006
Jillian's Day of Domesticity
Jillian making cinnamon rolls for us this morning after a late night out - yum!
Running!
Woo-hoo! That's four times in the past week - a new record for myself maybe. I even dragged both Mark and Matt out and they are both sore for it :) But Mark on Wednesday kicked my but - we were out for over an hour, ran to the top of Primrose hill where you can look out on top of the city... it was awesome although at some points I was questioning my ability to make it. And Matt and I found all these cool new ways running by the canal. Matt even took pictures of Mark and I stretching - ha!
25 January 2006
New Year's Weekend in San Francisco
New Year's Eve - Ali, Me, Anna and Kathy
Andrew and I - NYE Eve 
Kappa Ladies Reunite in SF 
Kristen and Brandon- our brilliant NYE hosts
The Morning After NYE in Anna's Bed
Fabulous Foursome the Night Before
Dinner Party - New Year's Day
Chillin' in Our Hoodies 
Pre-brunch on NY Day - in Flip-Flops! 
Only on NY Day Does One Re-create Abbey Road*
*I promise! Hey Kathy - we are funny! And Anna - thanks for sending out all the pics! Can't wait for our European adventures...
24 January 2006
Catching My Breath
Home - and with the internet at last. I apologize for being so MIA the past few weeks and since I have come back to London.
FIRST - I had to get back and get over my jet lag which took decidedly more days than I wanted OR expected.
THEN - I had to churn out essays like it was my job - it was rough - but I finally got them in and am hoping that it was at least for the most part successful.
THIRD - I had to try and sleep to catch up with myself and my time zone...
LASTLY - I had to resume my social life which of course was the most fun endeavor of it all. Here are the details (cause I know the rest would bore you.... what if I wrote a WHOLE blog-post about my essays?! That's what I thought...):
So as soon as I got back I had a mini-session with my flat-mates which consisted of me getting toasty after just two pints - way to go jet lag - and sleeping for about 16 hours! Then post-essay and non-drinking week, Matt, Jill, and I went to Belgo's for moles, frittes bierere. Tuesday night was a bit crazier - after class all day (yes, which you will be proud Mark and I got up early to do the reading for over breakfast and lots of coffee)... we went to the pub with a bunch of ISA (Institute for the Study of the Americas - my school) students, came back for dinner thanks to Jilli, then out to the Camden pubs. At some point in the night Matt, Mark and I did a three-person piggy-back (don't ask me how) and made lots of friends on another one of our famous self-guided pub crawls.
Needless to say I spent last Wednesday reading, running around Camden (still trying to learn all the crazy side-streets) and sleeping. Thursday was another pub afternoon with fellow grad students... full of political jousting, debating, intellectual trivia and the like. A bit cliche but good nonetheless. Thursday night was spent in East London and Jack and I went to my favorite Indian food in London near Brick Lane - SO good.
Friday night was our long-awaited flat-warming party.... so after a long breakfast, a run in Regent's Park and a nap... the day was spent scrubbing our shower, kitchen floors, oven and the like. Our flat is brand-new but still - wants you start cleaning.... Then true to my Cancer nature and my years doing event-planning, I went all out with a spread of 8 different cheeses, crackers, devilled eggs, veggies and dip, fruit, chips and salsa, home-made brownies (baked from a box mix - does that still count?!) and the like while my flat-mates prepared the mixed drinks, etc. Matt and I created quite the party playlist... complete with everything to Michael Jackson to the Beach Boys, Paperboy to Kanye Brittany to Shakira, Bon Jovi (yeah Jersey shore pride!) - and just for Gretchen - Journey.
The party was great - tons of great folks ranging in nationalities, languages and who invited them (like the friends of friends of the Australian guys that live below us). Lots of living room dancing, demolishing of the food and eventually the drinks, flirting, laughing, singing and flat-warming presents. The last one to bed at 5:15am... Matt treated all 8 of us who slept here to breakfast in the am complete with mimosas. 'Cause as the Placer girls tennis team's motto goes: go big or go home.
Saturday I was off to the Tate for the afternoon, walked along the southbank for quite some time still singing "London Calling" by The Clash - or particularly the line "I live by the river!" After the Tate, my friend and I went out for a few drinks on the water as it was an amazingly clear night with little wind and we sat facing the city - it was tremendous and made me fall in love with London all over again.
Speaking of the river... there was a 30 ft. whale in the Thames last week! Crazy!
There was also this great new exhibit by Oxfam that is called 'After The Wave' and is all about remembering the Tsunami. There were some absolutely chilling photos and I was extremely impressed and confounded (once again) my support in non-profits....
Later Saturday night I headed out to Fulham for Miles' birthday party with Kasia. Seeing as it was quite late once we finished and the tube was closed (and Kasia had since gone home) - I headed back for the after-party birthday cake. Sunday we went out for a full English breakfast and I fell in love with the place if only because the coffee was included AND they had veggie sausage... I was lovin' it.
Jillian made dinner for Kasia, Matt and I Sunday night and we spent the evening debating world colonizing history - luckily Mark was gone and didn't have to hear it! No wonder he told me that my greatest flaw was that sometimes I can be an intellectual snob - damn.
Went for another run yesterday in the park and almost lost my keys but luckily was able to retrace my steps and find them... I didn't think anyone else would have a rape whistle, a red laser, and a red/white/blue donkey keychain with just one key.... but I guess you never know....
Made dinner for Matt and Jillian last night (with left-overs for lunch today), went to the store, read, etc. I also promised Matt that I would get up with him at 5am to watch the Canadian election results - I really am a politico dork - but hated having to watch the 2005 Election Returns by myself in my dorm-room and constantly IM'ing Stephen, Shayna and the Corzine crew for the latest word.
So alas - Matt woke me up at 5am and we sat in our pajamas, drinking coffee, eating oatmeal (porridge UK-side) and watching as the conservatives take-over yet another Anglo-phone country. The good news is that they are only governing with a minority and will not be able to get crazy legislation through and will have to reach out to the other parties (especially the liberals). The bad news is that it signifies a conservative shift in Canada - and after looking at some of the candidates profiles - some of them are just as deeply rooted in their anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-welfare traditions as in the U.S.
Today was class - and then class - and then errands all day before meeting Elisa to catch up. Now back at the house and finally with internet access - that is what this week is all about - catching up with my life. The past two weeks have swung from one extreme to the other and I am super excited about leading a semi-constant life with intervals of craziness just to keep it exciting... Plus, my presentations start next week!
FIRST - I had to get back and get over my jet lag which took decidedly more days than I wanted OR expected.
THEN - I had to churn out essays like it was my job - it was rough - but I finally got them in and am hoping that it was at least for the most part successful.
THIRD - I had to try and sleep to catch up with myself and my time zone...
LASTLY - I had to resume my social life which of course was the most fun endeavor of it all. Here are the details (cause I know the rest would bore you.... what if I wrote a WHOLE blog-post about my essays?! That's what I thought...):
So as soon as I got back I had a mini-session with my flat-mates which consisted of me getting toasty after just two pints - way to go jet lag - and sleeping for about 16 hours! Then post-essay and non-drinking week, Matt, Jill, and I went to Belgo's for moles, frittes bierere. Tuesday night was a bit crazier - after class all day (yes, which you will be proud Mark and I got up early to do the reading for over breakfast and lots of coffee)... we went to the pub with a bunch of ISA (Institute for the Study of the Americas - my school) students, came back for dinner thanks to Jilli, then out to the Camden pubs. At some point in the night Matt, Mark and I did a three-person piggy-back (don't ask me how) and made lots of friends on another one of our famous self-guided pub crawls.
Needless to say I spent last Wednesday reading, running around Camden (still trying to learn all the crazy side-streets) and sleeping. Thursday was another pub afternoon with fellow grad students... full of political jousting, debating, intellectual trivia and the like. A bit cliche but good nonetheless. Thursday night was spent in East London and Jack and I went to my favorite Indian food in London near Brick Lane - SO good.
Friday night was our long-awaited flat-warming party.... so after a long breakfast, a run in Regent's Park and a nap... the day was spent scrubbing our shower, kitchen floors, oven and the like. Our flat is brand-new but still - wants you start cleaning.... Then true to my Cancer nature and my years doing event-planning, I went all out with a spread of 8 different cheeses, crackers, devilled eggs, veggies and dip, fruit, chips and salsa, home-made brownies (baked from a box mix - does that still count?!) and the like while my flat-mates prepared the mixed drinks, etc. Matt and I created quite the party playlist... complete with everything to Michael Jackson to the Beach Boys, Paperboy to Kanye Brittany to Shakira, Bon Jovi (yeah Jersey shore pride!) - and just for Gretchen - Journey.
The party was great - tons of great folks ranging in nationalities, languages and who invited them (like the friends of friends of the Australian guys that live below us). Lots of living room dancing, demolishing of the food and eventually the drinks, flirting, laughing, singing and flat-warming presents. The last one to bed at 5:15am... Matt treated all 8 of us who slept here to breakfast in the am complete with mimosas. 'Cause as the Placer girls tennis team's motto goes: go big or go home.
Saturday I was off to the Tate for the afternoon, walked along the southbank for quite some time still singing "London Calling" by The Clash - or particularly the line "I live by the river!" After the Tate, my friend and I went out for a few drinks on the water as it was an amazingly clear night with little wind and we sat facing the city - it was tremendous and made me fall in love with London all over again.
Speaking of the river... there was a 30 ft. whale in the Thames last week! Crazy!
There was also this great new exhibit by Oxfam that is called 'After The Wave' and is all about remembering the Tsunami. There were some absolutely chilling photos and I was extremely impressed and confounded (once again) my support in non-profits....
Later Saturday night I headed out to Fulham for Miles' birthday party with Kasia. Seeing as it was quite late once we finished and the tube was closed (and Kasia had since gone home) - I headed back for the after-party birthday cake. Sunday we went out for a full English breakfast and I fell in love with the place if only because the coffee was included AND they had veggie sausage... I was lovin' it.
Jillian made dinner for Kasia, Matt and I Sunday night and we spent the evening debating world colonizing history - luckily Mark was gone and didn't have to hear it! No wonder he told me that my greatest flaw was that sometimes I can be an intellectual snob - damn.
Went for another run yesterday in the park and almost lost my keys but luckily was able to retrace my steps and find them... I didn't think anyone else would have a rape whistle, a red laser, and a red/white/blue donkey keychain with just one key.... but I guess you never know....
Made dinner for Matt and Jillian last night (with left-overs for lunch today), went to the store, read, etc. I also promised Matt that I would get up with him at 5am to watch the Canadian election results - I really am a politico dork - but hated having to watch the 2005 Election Returns by myself in my dorm-room and constantly IM'ing Stephen, Shayna and the Corzine crew for the latest word.
So alas - Matt woke me up at 5am and we sat in our pajamas, drinking coffee, eating oatmeal (porridge UK-side) and watching as the conservatives take-over yet another Anglo-phone country. The good news is that they are only governing with a minority and will not be able to get crazy legislation through and will have to reach out to the other parties (especially the liberals). The bad news is that it signifies a conservative shift in Canada - and after looking at some of the candidates profiles - some of them are just as deeply rooted in their anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-welfare traditions as in the U.S.
Today was class - and then class - and then errands all day before meeting Elisa to catch up. Now back at the house and finally with internet access - that is what this week is all about - catching up with my life. The past two weeks have swung from one extreme to the other and I am super excited about leading a semi-constant life with intervals of craziness just to keep it exciting... Plus, my presentations start next week!
12 January 2006
Essays - Round Two
Back in London and happy to be - though I'm stuck indoors for at least the next 5 days finishing writing essays, dissertation proposals and demographic analysis... anyone jealous? After eventually getting over my jet lag, re-connecting with my flatmates, doing laundry and going to this week's intro classes... I still have quite a bit of work to do.
The good news is that my courses for this next term sound great, especially my class on the neo-conservatives. Alright - I'm off for the next week or so - wish me luck!
The good news is that my courses for this next term sound great, especially my class on the neo-conservatives. Alright - I'm off for the next week or so - wish me luck!
06 January 2006
Old School Family Pics
It's amazing what you can find when you start
digging in the general "family pictures folder!"
Papa and my mom - so '70s! I love it!
Kristin, me and my grandparents (note: early love of Diet Pepsi!)
Kristin and our cousins, Kyle and Kerry, and I(umm - children of the '80s for sure!)
Sun Worshipper
That's me... I just had an amazing afternoon. I had to go on a few errands - driving around with the windows down - picked up some dried fruit for the plane ride tomorrow at Ikeda's (ran into some people I knew - of course), went to the bank, my mom's accountant, etc. Had the brilliant idea to pick up lunch at the Burrito Shop - a little hole in the wall near where I used to work.
Then I came home and decided to sit outside it was so beautiful. There I was - with my big-ass burrito, array of salsas, a diet coke... rolled-up my jeans, stripped down to a tank-top, with sunglasses and barefeet absolutely loving it. I doubt I got any color but my skin felt so good drenched in sun!
I proceeded to eat the whole burrito (not sure how - some sort of super-human feat I guess) and did research outside for a few hours. Eventually I was chilly enough to be convinced to come inside.
Who knew January could be so beautiful? I swear - I've only been out of California for about 18 months and I think I burried all this deep inside my brain so that I could survive East Coast and now England winters....
What is the saying? 'You can take the girl out of California - but not California out of the girl?!'
Then I came home and decided to sit outside it was so beautiful. There I was - with my big-ass burrito, array of salsas, a diet coke... rolled-up my jeans, stripped down to a tank-top, with sunglasses and barefeet absolutely loving it. I doubt I got any color but my skin felt so good drenched in sun!
I proceeded to eat the whole burrito (not sure how - some sort of super-human feat I guess) and did research outside for a few hours. Eventually I was chilly enough to be convinced to come inside.
Who knew January could be so beautiful? I swear - I've only been out of California for about 18 months and I think I burried all this deep inside my brain so that I could survive East Coast and now England winters....
What is the saying? 'You can take the girl out of California - but not California out of the girl?!'
"California's Been Good To Me...
...Hope it doesn't fall into the sea" - Tom Petty
So I'm super bummed that I have to leave California in about 36 hours. I'm looking forward to living in London for at least the next 9 months... but still bummed to leave!
It was 66 this evening in Auburn as I headed to the gym. I have been wearing flip-flops pretty consistently since I got here - even when most of the state was a few feet underwater and most major waterways were flooding. Was able to meet my goal of working out 10 times while I was home (including swimming!) and got to 4 Abs and back classes. Made many a spinach salad, ate a month's worth of Mexican food (guacamole, guacamole!), drank yummy soy lattes from Java Junction and Peet's in SF, shopped a lot (the dollar is so much better when you are actualy here instead of trying to exchange it for the pound - do'h!) and was able to spend some quality time with the family and friends.
Additional highlights of the break were:
*Sacramento Kings game with my dad and sisters (despite a depressing loss)
*Christmas with my mom, sisters and grandparents
*Our first Christmas with our new step-mom, step-sister and step-brother
*New Year's and about 5 days in SF with some of my favorite girls from UCSD (Anna, Kathy, Boot and Kendra - I ADORE you guys!)
*Chillin with Zack, Andrew, Rachel, David, Sarah, Andrew, Eric, Lindsey and some of my other favorite people that make it SO great to come home
*Sleeping (in and just a lot in general)
*Chillin' with Kris and Kath - damn it's trouble when you have the famous Lee sisters in town!
I had an absolute ball in San Francisco and for the first time in my life really am considering moving there in the next - oh I don't know - 5 to 10 years (unless I am working for the next Democratic administration in the White House... then I might have to push it back - ha!) Jack - your SF Guardian is on the way... (ps - he's British - insert tongue-sticking out smiley face HERE!)
Still working on my essays and trying to stay focused... though I have found it's hard to focus when everyone is in town, on vacation and wants your attention - especially cause all I want to do is hang out. I mean - Pistol Pete's is SO tempting! It's this amazing local bar that plays all the ACDC, Lynyrd Skynyrd and country you could want. Last week it was basically a high school reunion and it was Kareoke night - I mean -who can beat that?!
I think overall too I have just been kinda reveling in my own culture shock - lovin' the things I left here and just having a blast embracing them. My friends just about die when I tell them that I have a new-found love for country and I have been singin' "Mud On The Tires" by Brad Paisley for about two weeks (aww yeah Kris).
I have also taken up a new knack for jokes - especially bad ones - as I displayed when I initiated (and then won) a 'bad joke contest' on the cab ride home the other night. Even worse - Dario had to sit through them through dinner... he was laughing I could tell - though more at me then at the jokes... ah well. Kendra and Kathy's humor had been wearing off on me I guess... my favorite?
If you are American when you walk in the bathroom and American when you walk out of the bathroom.... what are you while you are in the bathroom?
EUROPEAN - ha!
All right...on that delirious note I leave all y'all to get back to my essays...
So I'm super bummed that I have to leave California in about 36 hours. I'm looking forward to living in London for at least the next 9 months... but still bummed to leave!
It was 66 this evening in Auburn as I headed to the gym. I have been wearing flip-flops pretty consistently since I got here - even when most of the state was a few feet underwater and most major waterways were flooding. Was able to meet my goal of working out 10 times while I was home (including swimming!) and got to 4 Abs and back classes. Made many a spinach salad, ate a month's worth of Mexican food (guacamole, guacamole!), drank yummy soy lattes from Java Junction and Peet's in SF, shopped a lot (the dollar is so much better when you are actualy here instead of trying to exchange it for the pound - do'h!) and was able to spend some quality time with the family and friends.
Additional highlights of the break were:
*Sacramento Kings game with my dad and sisters (despite a depressing loss)
*Christmas with my mom, sisters and grandparents
*Our first Christmas with our new step-mom, step-sister and step-brother
*New Year's and about 5 days in SF with some of my favorite girls from UCSD (Anna, Kathy, Boot and Kendra - I ADORE you guys!)
*Chillin with Zack, Andrew, Rachel, David, Sarah, Andrew, Eric, Lindsey and some of my other favorite people that make it SO great to come home
*Sleeping (in and just a lot in general)
*Chillin' with Kris and Kath - damn it's trouble when you have the famous Lee sisters in town!
I had an absolute ball in San Francisco and for the first time in my life really am considering moving there in the next - oh I don't know - 5 to 10 years (unless I am working for the next Democratic administration in the White House... then I might have to push it back - ha!) Jack - your SF Guardian is on the way... (ps - he's British - insert tongue-sticking out smiley face HERE!)
Still working on my essays and trying to stay focused... though I have found it's hard to focus when everyone is in town, on vacation and wants your attention - especially cause all I want to do is hang out. I mean - Pistol Pete's is SO tempting! It's this amazing local bar that plays all the ACDC, Lynyrd Skynyrd and country you could want. Last week it was basically a high school reunion and it was Kareoke night - I mean -who can beat that?!
I think overall too I have just been kinda reveling in my own culture shock - lovin' the things I left here and just having a blast embracing them. My friends just about die when I tell them that I have a new-found love for country and I have been singin' "Mud On The Tires" by Brad Paisley for about two weeks (aww yeah Kris).
I have also taken up a new knack for jokes - especially bad ones - as I displayed when I initiated (and then won) a 'bad joke contest' on the cab ride home the other night. Even worse - Dario had to sit through them through dinner... he was laughing I could tell - though more at me then at the jokes... ah well. Kendra and Kathy's humor had been wearing off on me I guess... my favorite?
If you are American when you walk in the bathroom and American when you walk out of the bathroom.... what are you while you are in the bathroom?
EUROPEAN - ha!
All right...on that delirious note I leave all y'all to get back to my essays...
03 January 2006
A Few Pics from Dublin
Me, Matt and Caitlin at the Sky Bar at the Guinness Factory which overlooks Dublin.
Catlin and me at one of the stops on our self-guided pub crawl of Dublin.Matt and I met Caitlin on our way to the Guinness Storehouse; ended up we were staying at the same hostel and so we all went out that night to tour around the city.
More pictures to come!
02 January 2006
In SF and Lovin' It
I miss this city!
This will be super quick because I am at my friend Anna's place in Russian Hill and we are about to run out to go boutique shopping....
Let's just say that New Year's and hanging out with my girls has been fabulous - Happy New Year folks!
This will be super quick because I am at my friend Anna's place in Russian Hill and we are about to run out to go boutique shopping....
Let's just say that New Year's and hanging out with my girls has been fabulous - Happy New Year folks!
20 December 2005
First (of many to come I'm sure) Party in Camden
Me and Hunter (the first person I met in London!)
A Brit Practicing Being a Cowboy(already a donut - ha!)
My Super-hero Friends
Lindsay and Shawn - Fast Friends(would you have known they just met a few hours before?)
Lindsay, Mark and Mara - Chillin Late-Night at the Post-PartyA Little (or a lot of) DCFC In My Life
So most of those who know my music tastes - or hang out with me for a few hours and I am near my laptop - know that I love Death Cab for Cutie. So... what felt like a late last night (still getting over jet lag... I got up at 6:30am today! not a usual day for me)... I indulged myself and bought two tix to go see them in London in March.
See... when I was a sophomore at university a friend offered me tickets but I couldn't go because I had Feminism 101 midterm to study for... what was I thinking?!
Then this summer Amanda and I tried desperately to get tickets to their show in NYC even though I had a volunteer night (don't tell Mike - or Chris either... who I would have had to BEG to cover for me!) Alas it didn't work out and I've tried to get tix but it always seems that I am moving away from whatever city I was living in right as they were coming...
Anyway... so I'm super stoked and am not quite sure who I should offer the other ticket too. I would like to see some more comments on here - or perhaps even a guest blogger or two - so... I thought I might offer this other ticket up as a prize or something... though I guess you either have to live in London (or the surrounding area) or pull some transatlantacism (brownie pts to whoever got that!) and get yourself over to Londres....
Anyway - just putting it out there!
Check out Plans... a fabulous new addition to their collection at www.deathcabforcutie.com.... once you open the site it also plays you continuous, shuffled songs so you can enjoy their music just by opening their website and then carrying on whatever you were doing - brilliant!
See... when I was a sophomore at university a friend offered me tickets but I couldn't go because I had Feminism 101 midterm to study for... what was I thinking?!
Then this summer Amanda and I tried desperately to get tickets to their show in NYC even though I had a volunteer night (don't tell Mike - or Chris either... who I would have had to BEG to cover for me!) Alas it didn't work out and I've tried to get tix but it always seems that I am moving away from whatever city I was living in right as they were coming...
Anyway... so I'm super stoked and am not quite sure who I should offer the other ticket too. I would like to see some more comments on here - or perhaps even a guest blogger or two - so... I thought I might offer this other ticket up as a prize or something... though I guess you either have to live in London (or the surrounding area) or pull some transatlantacism (brownie pts to whoever got that!) and get yourself over to Londres....
Anyway - just putting it out there!
Check out Plans... a fabulous new addition to their collection at www.deathcabforcutie.com.... once you open the site it also plays you continuous, shuffled songs so you can enjoy their music just by opening their website and then carrying on whatever you were doing - brilliant!
Home!
I just got home (back to Cali) last night after a hellish 14-hour venture on the same plane... it was supposed to be a 10 hour flight but over a 3 hour delay made the trip seem even that much longer.... However I was able to catch up on my movies by watching 3 of them - ha!
On the drive back to Auburn my mom and I stopped off for Mexican food in Berkeley which made up for it and then I proceeded to crash out as soon as I got home and gave my little sister a kiss... woke up throughout the night being really confused but got up early this morning and felt good. Still feeling twinges of culture shock... but nothing so bad yet.
Made myself breakfast this am (an egg, homemade bread, coffee and fresh mandarins from the local orchard) and took my mom to work so I could steal her car for the day... then spent the rest of the day working out (I LOVE having a free gym membership!), making lunch for Kath and her boyfriend, and wrapping presents.
My older sister gets in late tonight from DC and I think this week is just going to be all about chilling with the fam, finishing up Christmas shopping, catching up with emails and what not (and blog-posts!) I think more than anything I am just looking forward to one-on-one time with my fam... I feel like that hasn't happened in forever. Eventually I have to start writing my essays - but I need a few days before I can even work myself up to that.
I already have a few days planned to be in San Francisco - including New Years - in which we are going to a 1930s Cocktail Party at Swing Club with a bunch of people I went to university with - so that should be fun. And we have at least one Kings' game and a snowday on the agenda... so I'm looking forward to that as well.
There is just something I miss about California- maybe the fact that I was walking around last night in just a sweatshirt; went to the gym in shorts and a long-sleeved t-shirt... quite a difference from English weather. Caught a great sunset tonight and will have dinner with my mom... tomorrow hanging out with my grandparents and helping my grandmother with her computer and then having dinner at my dad's.
I don't have a cell phone here (nor a car) - so my social life will be a bit limited - limited at least to last week in London which was filled with a bit if Christmas debauchery (pictures to come). I am also waiting for Matt to send me shots of our week in London doing the touristy thing and of Ireland. Guess what I'm getting for Christmas? A digital camera for all of your viewing pleasures :)
For those of you in the States - give my mom's house a call - and happy holidays!
On the drive back to Auburn my mom and I stopped off for Mexican food in Berkeley which made up for it and then I proceeded to crash out as soon as I got home and gave my little sister a kiss... woke up throughout the night being really confused but got up early this morning and felt good. Still feeling twinges of culture shock... but nothing so bad yet.
Made myself breakfast this am (an egg, homemade bread, coffee and fresh mandarins from the local orchard) and took my mom to work so I could steal her car for the day... then spent the rest of the day working out (I LOVE having a free gym membership!), making lunch for Kath and her boyfriend, and wrapping presents.
My older sister gets in late tonight from DC and I think this week is just going to be all about chilling with the fam, finishing up Christmas shopping, catching up with emails and what not (and blog-posts!) I think more than anything I am just looking forward to one-on-one time with my fam... I feel like that hasn't happened in forever. Eventually I have to start writing my essays - but I need a few days before I can even work myself up to that.
I already have a few days planned to be in San Francisco - including New Years - in which we are going to a 1930s Cocktail Party at Swing Club with a bunch of people I went to university with - so that should be fun. And we have at least one Kings' game and a snowday on the agenda... so I'm looking forward to that as well.
There is just something I miss about California- maybe the fact that I was walking around last night in just a sweatshirt; went to the gym in shorts and a long-sleeved t-shirt... quite a difference from English weather. Caught a great sunset tonight and will have dinner with my mom... tomorrow hanging out with my grandparents and helping my grandmother with her computer and then having dinner at my dad's.
I don't have a cell phone here (nor a car) - so my social life will be a bit limited - limited at least to last week in London which was filled with a bit if Christmas debauchery (pictures to come). I am also waiting for Matt to send me shots of our week in London doing the touristy thing and of Ireland. Guess what I'm getting for Christmas? A digital camera for all of your viewing pleasures :)
For those of you in the States - give my mom's house a call - and happy holidays!
13 December 2005
Last Week In London
Back from Ireland and back in school mode (or getting there). After taking a few days off reading and writing - I feel I am getting thrust back into it out of pure necessity.
All I want to do is get my flat sorted, go Christmas shopping in SoHo, hang out with my mates before they journey off around the world and myself to California. BUT - this week instead is going to be spent at the library trying to get enough reading and research done for my upcoming essays... or at least which books I need to take with me back to California.
I met with both of my professsors this week about my essays that I just got back and my upcoming essays that are due as soon as I get back from California - meaning I have to do them there. Two of my marks were very good, while two were ok... which leaves me frustrated; though I know I should be motivated. I also had presentations yesterday and today... argh. Anyway - off to the library! I don't have internet at the house yet... so call my mobile if you need me!
All I want to do is get my flat sorted, go Christmas shopping in SoHo, hang out with my mates before they journey off around the world and myself to California. BUT - this week instead is going to be spent at the library trying to get enough reading and research done for my upcoming essays... or at least which books I need to take with me back to California.
I met with both of my professsors this week about my essays that I just got back and my upcoming essays that are due as soon as I get back from California - meaning I have to do them there. Two of my marks were very good, while two were ok... which leaves me frustrated; though I know I should be motivated. I also had presentations yesterday and today... argh. Anyway - off to the library! I don't have internet at the house yet... so call my mobile if you need me!
09 December 2005
In Ireland!
Blogging from an internet cafe at the prodding of a committed reader - ha! Meanwhile a protest demonstration marches by.... which incidentally closed down Dublin's entire public transportation system. We were meant to go to Howthe, a small coastal city north of Dublin to have lunch, go hill-climbing and walk around... but alas, we are going to have to reschedule for tomorrrow.
So instead our afternoon will consist of lunch here in town, going to the Dublin castle, taking silly pictures and ending up at the Guinness Storehouse (awww yeah). Tonight we are going to go see an Irish indie movie, grab dinner and go out for drinks (maybe an Irish car bomb is calling?)
The city is great so far and I have been really enjoying it. I am here with my friend Matt from the Kerry/Englin/Corzine campaigns after a few days doing the touristy thing in London. I am always impressed what a small city Dublin is and yet there seem to be an endless amount of funky little streets each filled with its own legendary pubs and restaurants. We've been fortunate to sample quite a few so far and have had a policy of not getting more than one drink at each place so we can see as many as possible.
The first night we went out to dinner at a very chill bistro in Temple Bar, the Elephant and Castle... then last night went out to have traditional Irish food at Gallagher's Boxty House. Matt had cornbeef and cabbage; vegetable and potato pie for myself that was immensely enjoyable.
We have also been trying to try as many different kinds of Irish beer as possible - which means a lot of half-pints and sharing. Kilkenny is a personal favorite so far :)
It's been fun to learn my way around the city (anyone that knows Matt knows he is still working on it!) and get a feel for the place. The people here are genuine and warm, with unbeatable accents and firm handshakes. It's also been fun to wander down O'Connell street (shout out to the fam in Jersey!) and see some history.
Yesterday we went and saw the Book of Kells, the Long Room (a fantastic old library) and Trinity College. It's amazing to see the sweatshirts that say 'since 1562' when UCSD was established in 1960 and my country in 1776 - ha! Guinness (and most other Irish brews) are also older than that!
We were also able to go to St. Stephen's Green - a beautiful park just south of the city centre that is great to stroll along in and get lost in the maze of park benches, birds and wanderers. Grafton and George streets are filled with musicians and street entertainers, shops and great for window shopping. It's especially cool becuase whole streets are decorated with Christmas lights, trees, carrollers and the like... which is helping me get in the mood for the holidays! And for those of you living in Auburn... you'll get a few fun things from here as well as I indulged in starting my Christmas shopping.
Alright... as Mark says... it is almost beer o'clock! Cheers!
So instead our afternoon will consist of lunch here in town, going to the Dublin castle, taking silly pictures and ending up at the Guinness Storehouse (awww yeah). Tonight we are going to go see an Irish indie movie, grab dinner and go out for drinks (maybe an Irish car bomb is calling?)
The city is great so far and I have been really enjoying it. I am here with my friend Matt from the Kerry/Englin/Corzine campaigns after a few days doing the touristy thing in London. I am always impressed what a small city Dublin is and yet there seem to be an endless amount of funky little streets each filled with its own legendary pubs and restaurants. We've been fortunate to sample quite a few so far and have had a policy of not getting more than one drink at each place so we can see as many as possible.
The first night we went out to dinner at a very chill bistro in Temple Bar, the Elephant and Castle... then last night went out to have traditional Irish food at Gallagher's Boxty House. Matt had cornbeef and cabbage; vegetable and potato pie for myself that was immensely enjoyable.
We have also been trying to try as many different kinds of Irish beer as possible - which means a lot of half-pints and sharing. Kilkenny is a personal favorite so far :)
It's been fun to learn my way around the city (anyone that knows Matt knows he is still working on it!) and get a feel for the place. The people here are genuine and warm, with unbeatable accents and firm handshakes. It's also been fun to wander down O'Connell street (shout out to the fam in Jersey!) and see some history.
Yesterday we went and saw the Book of Kells, the Long Room (a fantastic old library) and Trinity College. It's amazing to see the sweatshirts that say 'since 1562' when UCSD was established in 1960 and my country in 1776 - ha! Guinness (and most other Irish brews) are also older than that!
We were also able to go to St. Stephen's Green - a beautiful park just south of the city centre that is great to stroll along in and get lost in the maze of park benches, birds and wanderers. Grafton and George streets are filled with musicians and street entertainers, shops and great for window shopping. It's especially cool becuase whole streets are decorated with Christmas lights, trees, carrollers and the like... which is helping me get in the mood for the holidays! And for those of you living in Auburn... you'll get a few fun things from here as well as I indulged in starting my Christmas shopping.
Alright... as Mark says... it is almost beer o'clock! Cheers!
01 December 2005
Pictures from Scotland!
1) Mara and Shawn re-united!
2) Matt, me and Shawn scotch-tasting..
3) Suzie and Shawn with our chocolate soup in Edinburgh - yum!
4) Me, Shawn, Venu and Matt in St. Andrews
5) Shawn showing me the ways of the Scots :)
6) Mara, the boys and whiskey: what more could a girl want?
2) Matt, me and Shawn scotch-tasting..
3) Suzie and Shawn with our chocolate soup in Edinburgh - yum!
4) Me, Shawn, Venu and Matt in St. Andrews
5) Shawn showing me the ways of the Scots :)
6) Mara, the boys and whiskey: what more could a girl want?
Halloween at LPH
Hey - better than never - right?
The Crew
Jillian and Mara the 1970s Ping-Pong Player
Pre-Party in My Room (Dorm-Style)London Girls
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Some people sing about Deutsche girls
And girls from California...
They might be alright
For a night alright
But don't trust them I warn ya
I've been to the east
And I've been out west
And I've been the world around
But I ain't seen no one anywhere near
A girl from London town
Give me a London girl every time
I've got to find one
I've made up my mind
Give me a London girl every time
I want a London girl
Marry a girl from London town
You know that you can trust her
She'll darn your socks
And wash your--
Even then your trousers won't bust 'em, yes
And they're all good cooks
And they've got good looks
And they won't lead you down
Said I gotta find a London girl
If I ever get to have a chance
Oh give me a London girl every time
I've got to find one
I've made up my mind
Give me a London girl every time
I want a London girl
You know that you can trust her
She'll darn your socks
And wash your--
Even then your trousers won't bust 'em, yes
And they're all good cooks
And they've got good looks
And they won't lead you down
Said I gotta find a London girl
If I ever get to have a chance
Oh give me a London girl every time
I've got to find one
I've made up my mind
Give me a London girl every time
I want a London girl
London girls are the best in the world
There ain't no doubt about it
If you can't find a girl from London town
You're better off doin' without it
They don't grate
When you come home late
And you're crawlin' up the passage floor
They won't mock about you
When you're going out
With the geezer from the house next door
Oh give me a London girl every time
I've got to find one
I've made up my mind
I said honey give me a London girl babe
Every little day
Your legs turn to jelly
And I got a little smelly
But I know it's just what I want
'Cause I need a London girl
Oh, every time
They've always got a pound
To buy their round
There ain't no doubt about it
If you can't find a girl from London town
You're better off doin' without it
They don't grate
When you come home late
And you're crawlin' up the passage floor
They won't mock about you
When you're going out
With the geezer from the house next door
Oh give me a London girl every time
I've got to find one
I've made up my mind
I said honey give me a London girl babe
Every little day
Your legs turn to jelly
And I got a little smelly
But I know it's just what I want
'Cause I need a London girl
Oh, every time
They've always got a pound
To buy their round
When it's their turn at the bar
Tori Amos - "London Girls"... Pictures from Impromptu Girls Wine Night
26 November 2005
A Week (or two) of My Life in London
So I think I've been meaning to write this post for some time... and like many things are easy to do - have been putting it off... So first and foremost what is great about my life here is that no two weeks are the same. After coming off of a 10-day hiatus from being anything resembling social, this week was all about relaxing, catching up with my life and friends, and celebrating.
The 10-day hiatus was because of two things: deadlines and a ridiculous cough. The essays I knew were coming... they have been instilling the date in our head since before I even arrived in the U.K. All of our professors kept referencing to November 21st as if it was doomsday. To make it worse, after running in Hyde Park 2 weeks ago in the cold, (gloves and all) I developed a super painful chest cough that was making news around both my hall and the institute. One professor offered to give me an extension because I was so disruptive in class that there is no way anyone could have ceased to realize I was sick. I finally went to the doctor (way to go universal health care!), but alas I was told it was viral and therefore I just had to suffer through.
I really don't think I've ever been so anti-social and so academic in my life... it was rough. The only benefit as I saw it was that I was actually able to meet some new people around the hall - including one of my new favorites, Kate. I heard Modest Mouse being played in the Red Room Bar downstairs - so I asked the bartender where in America she was from. Modest Mouse has definitely yet to break into the mainstream UK music scene. She laughed and said Chicago - and turns out she and her roommate were both from there. Soon enough her roommate walks in and is the same girl I connected with at the Student Rep. meeting the week prior - small world. So now it's cool because I get to switch music tastes with Katherine and get to chill with Kate.
That same weekend I also was introduced to my new favorite pub in Paddington - The Victoria - which is a very traditional English pub, fully outfitted in Victorian decor - and they serve Leffe Blond - a super yummy Belgian beer that I was introduced to this summer with Kerry at the Belgian Beer Garden in NYC. I also was introduced to a girl from Puerto Rico who makes some damn good coffee after dinner and also hooked me up with some honey drops her dad sent her from home and some lemon-ginger tea. And it was so sweet - my neighbor Augusto (from Mexico) heard me coughing (yes, through the walls it was that bad) and offered to go to the market for me... so it was really nice how caring and concerned everyone was. The guy at the market (don't worry - he knows my name and calls it out even if I am walking on the other side of the street) gave me free lemons (saying it was to keep my business) - ha!
But 2 essays and 2 research projects later.... I finally started feeling better and the day we turned our work in we went out that night. We all met at school at 5:15pm (just after the deadline) and went to Guanabara - a great Brazilian bar/club with 1/2 priced mojitos ( = fun) and carparenas ( = trouble) on Monday nights. I had a fabulous time celebrating with about 25 of my colleagues, mostly Brits, Continental Europeans and Latin Americans. Elisa (Spanish) , one of my closest friends here, and I had a dance off; Matt and I pretended we were professional dancers; and Mark and Charlie entertained us all by break-dancing and doing handstands on the dance floor (with support of course). The picture above is the 4 roomies-to-be: Jillian (Canadian); Matt (Canadian); me; Mark (British); plus Kasia on the right (Polish) - just cause she is my girl.
After we got ourselves home (Mark was staying at mine for a few days) - slept - and then had to drag ourselves to class the next morning. After not having eaten in way too many hours, Mark and I then joined a 'mature student' in our course (Mark - another Brit) for a pint and comfort food (macaroni and cheese - reminded me of Danielle!). We then wondered back to mine, picked up KFC for Mark ( he had a craving), then just hung-out eating greasy chicken, chips (fries), etc. and eventually had a late-night ping-pong match that night.
Wednesday we slept in, got coffee and went to Camden to go see our flat, check out the area and sort out our paperwork. The flat is great - small - but brand-new and very stylish (see pics in the post below). Camden is a very funky area with a lot of character(s), restaurants, pubs, shops - but is best known for the markets it has everyday. It's also right on the canal - I think it's going to be great. We then went to Belgo's for moules, frittes and bier - and they were the bets mussels I've ever had. They have this thing called 'beat the clock' - so at 6pm we got a full dinner for 6 pounds - though Mark treated me :) Right after Mark left that night, Angela (Canadian) and Hunter (American - Connecticut) came over for tea and distracted me from preparing for my presentation on Thursday.
Alas, Thursday I had to get up early and work on it and then met Angela downstairs to walk to school. It was Thanksgiving and after trying for weeks - unsuccessfully - to find canned pumpkin to make pumpkin pie for my class, we found a bakery to buy mango cake. After our presentations we had a Thanksgiving party in our class and everyone remembered what I told them to bring and more! It was great - Californian wine, doritos, guacamole, salsa, candy corn and Liz (British) even showed up with a pumpkin pie just for me! Apparently she had to call ahead and reserve the very last one at one of the most expensive store in London (on Oxford St.) and paid a fortune for it... and it was damn good (though doesn't compare to Mom's recipe). It was great though to explain Thanksgiving to everyone (again - the only American there) and all the professors came in and were chatting - it was really nice.
I then carried the left-over pie with Mark and I to Camden to go sign for the flat - back to Paddington - and then invited Kate and Vanessa (1/2 Spanish, 1/2 Mexican but grew up in Pennsylvania until she moved to Madrid at 8) for pie and tea to celebrate Thanksgiving. I then had to run to go meet Jack (East Londoner) and his friend Fred (French) in Queen's Park for a few pints.
Friday morning I slept in, got a coffee and read before class, went to learn about research methods, then went to the market and to pick up another round of cough drops. As I walked out of the store at 4:40pm it was already dark - so strange. Got home, cleaned my room, did laundry, had carrots and tsaziki (straight from Greece!) and then met Kasia and her friend from Poland who is here for the weekend, Pablo (Brazilian) and his other friend from Brazil who is studying at LSE at a place I discovered a few weeks ago called Cuba Libre in Angel. The new 24-hour drinking laws just went into effect Thursday night here - so instead of all the pubs having to close at 11pm, many are now open to at least 12 and often 2am. After vetoing the idea of meeting Charlie and Matthew (both Brits) in SOHO an paying 11 quid to get into a club - we stayed there. Only problem is that the tube still closes at midnight, so I had to find my way back to Paddington by night bus - though Pablo was kind enough to come with me, walk me home before heading to Chelsea... super sweet of him.
At long last I went to bed at almost 4am, slept until after 1pm (crazy!) and then went to go have 'breakfast' with Hunter because we had long-missed the restaurant hours downstairs. We ended up at a Lebanese place which was both really good and cheap, walked back here and am now spending my afternoon blogging and emailing before I actually have to read for class.
Later tonight Nick (American - Thousand Oaks, CA), a Marshall scholar and mutual friend of April, Jesse and Vivian (all through different connections, randomly) will be coming down from Oxford and we'll go celebrate Thanksgiving. Each year all the Marshal scholars in the UK come to London for a big dinner and I just get to be his guest. It'll be funny to be with so many Americans - there are a few here in my social circles and I've met friends of friends, but I came to London not knowing one person in the entire city. Last time I was around so many was when about 7 people from my hall went to Oxford for the day last month and Peter, who I worked on the Kerry campaign with in AZ and then we were both in DC, took us to one of Rhodes scholar parties. There I was at this party that felt like an American fraternity party (complete with beer-pong), with my 3 friends Peter, Nick, and Hunter - Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholars respectively.... in the words of Mike Moffo, it was tremendous.
18 November 2005
One More Reason To Join Friendster...
My good friend Nicole in California sent this to be - a few weeks old - but definitely worth the read - Mr. Bill Maher is just one of those people I want to have dinner with (this is where I get jealous of Matt)...
New Rule: George Bush must meet some new people. You know, when Americans see their president giving every job to the same old cronies, they use words like "loyal to a fault" and "stubborn" and "close-minded," "lives in a bubble," "sock-puppet," "asshole." "Worst president ever." But they're missing the point. The problem isn't his political philosophy - "kill people and animals and take their gas" - the problem is he has to expand his circle of friends beyond his mom, Karen Hughes and the House of Saud. Which is why before George Bush makes another political appointment, he has to join Friendster.
This week, President Bush had to nominate a Supreme Court judge, and he picked the most qualified person within 30 feet of his office. Her qualifications: well, she is a lawyer and former commissioner of the Texas State Lottery. And she's seen every episode of "Judging Amy." Abortion, affirmative action, separation of church and state. Yeah, let's ask the lady who peddled scratch tickets to liquor stores.
Does he just go with the first person he sees? I wouldn't be surprised if Laura was his sister. Now, of course - I keep checking with him - of course, George Bush isn't the first politician to hand out graft gigs to his pals, but he doesn't seem to understand that that's what the bullshit jobs are for: ambassador to the Bahamas. The Recycling Czar. Head of the CIA. But George Bush puts stooges where they can do real damage: Director of FEMA? That guy from the horsie show is available. U.N. Ambassador? Dick Cheney knows a guy with a mustache and anger issues.
Supreme Court justice? Lady down the hall. Labor Secretary? The guy who helped me move that hooker's body at Yale could probably do it. You know - you know, Mr. President, when you got elected, we all figured you were no genius, but smart enough to hire qualified people. But it turns out you're just a dimwit who enjoys feeling superior. And the only way to accomplish that is to surround yourself with the likes of Mike Brown and Harriet Miers: Goober and Aunt Bea. Unspectacular souls who make you feel comfortable and unthreatened. Kind of like when Madonna used to hang out with Rosie O'Donnell.
Well, I hate to burst your bubble. But real friends are the ones who tell you the truth. They're also the ones who work hard so as not to embarrass you. These people who work for you aren't behaving like friends. They're behaving far worse. They're behaving...like family.
New Rule: George Bush must meet some new people. You know, when Americans see their president giving every job to the same old cronies, they use words like "loyal to a fault" and "stubborn" and "close-minded," "lives in a bubble," "sock-puppet," "asshole." "Worst president ever." But they're missing the point. The problem isn't his political philosophy - "kill people and animals and take their gas" - the problem is he has to expand his circle of friends beyond his mom, Karen Hughes and the House of Saud. Which is why before George Bush makes another political appointment, he has to join Friendster.
This week, President Bush had to nominate a Supreme Court judge, and he picked the most qualified person within 30 feet of his office. Her qualifications: well, she is a lawyer and former commissioner of the Texas State Lottery. And she's seen every episode of "Judging Amy." Abortion, affirmative action, separation of church and state. Yeah, let's ask the lady who peddled scratch tickets to liquor stores.
Does he just go with the first person he sees? I wouldn't be surprised if Laura was his sister. Now, of course - I keep checking with him - of course, George Bush isn't the first politician to hand out graft gigs to his pals, but he doesn't seem to understand that that's what the bullshit jobs are for: ambassador to the Bahamas. The Recycling Czar. Head of the CIA. But George Bush puts stooges where they can do real damage: Director of FEMA? That guy from the horsie show is available. U.N. Ambassador? Dick Cheney knows a guy with a mustache and anger issues.
Supreme Court justice? Lady down the hall. Labor Secretary? The guy who helped me move that hooker's body at Yale could probably do it. You know - you know, Mr. President, when you got elected, we all figured you were no genius, but smart enough to hire qualified people. But it turns out you're just a dimwit who enjoys feeling superior. And the only way to accomplish that is to surround yourself with the likes of Mike Brown and Harriet Miers: Goober and Aunt Bea. Unspectacular souls who make you feel comfortable and unthreatened. Kind of like when Madonna used to hang out with Rosie O'Donnell.
Well, I hate to burst your bubble. But real friends are the ones who tell you the truth. They're also the ones who work hard so as not to embarrass you. These people who work for you aren't behaving like friends. They're behaving far worse. They're behaving...like family.
17 November 2005
Rumor On The Hill Has It...
Democrats just defeated the awful Labor Education HHS Appropriations Bill!
To quote my inside source on the house-side: "This is the first major victory for the Dems on a big piece of legislation in decades (ok maybe one decade!)"
Apparently it just closed half an hour ago and has yet to hit the news.
According to Laurel, the Republicans are all in a meeting right now because they were going to vote on the budget but now it looks like moderate Republicans might be in revolt.
They were still a few votes short- they made changes this morning but they were not that extensive, and so moderate Republicans are still upset.
They are concerned with $12 billion in cuts to Medicaid (reduced to $11 billion this morning).
John M. McHugh, R-N.Y., a fence-sitting moderate, said that he still has problems with the Medicaid copayments, because they will have to be paid by more poor people than in the past, and most of the savings would come not from the charges but from an assumption that people would forgo medical care rather than pay.
The vote on the labor approps was 209-224 - and the only two votes missing were Dems.
One year out (yesterday) to the 2006 Elections and the Democrats are looking stronger than they have a year out from an election than they have in years.
*Thanks to Laurel for the inside info... I already promised her part of the lawyer fees - ha!
To quote my inside source on the house-side: "This is the first major victory for the Dems on a big piece of legislation in decades (ok maybe one decade!)"
Apparently it just closed half an hour ago and has yet to hit the news.
According to Laurel, the Republicans are all in a meeting right now because they were going to vote on the budget but now it looks like moderate Republicans might be in revolt.
They were still a few votes short- they made changes this morning but they were not that extensive, and so moderate Republicans are still upset.
They are concerned with $12 billion in cuts to Medicaid (reduced to $11 billion this morning).
John M. McHugh, R-N.Y., a fence-sitting moderate, said that he still has problems with the Medicaid copayments, because they will have to be paid by more poor people than in the past, and most of the savings would come not from the charges but from an assumption that people would forgo medical care rather than pay.
The vote on the labor approps was 209-224 - and the only two votes missing were Dems.
One year out (yesterday) to the 2006 Elections and the Democrats are looking stronger than they have a year out from an election than they have in years.
*Thanks to Laurel for the inside info... I already promised her part of the lawyer fees - ha!
16 November 2005
A Flat In My Future
Good news - we might have a flat! Don't want to jinx it.. but after a few weeks of looking with different combinations of possible roommates - different parts of London - and many friendly but ultimately unhelpful estate agents: we might have a winner!
It's in Camden - an awesome part of town that (supposedly) feels like a community, with a market every day and great jazz club. AND it's in walking distance to school - so I'm crossing my fingers. See - I've never actually been there :)
Though really - the colder it gets - the less appealing walking becomes. I went running twice this weekend in Hyde Park (which is something that I will truly miss if I move) - but got a horrible chest cough after! I actually had to go running in my full REI gear - gloves and all - it is getting COLD here! Seriously, this week the temperature dropped really quickly and I've had to bust out my winter coats, gloves, scarves and boots - reminds me of DC last winter! Though let's just pray it doesn't get as cold as New York...
Anyway, so hopefully all y'all will have a place to rest your pretty little heads when you come visit and won't have to experience grungy orange walls. I've come to the realization that no matter how many prints, photos, maps I put on the wall - it's still a rubbish color.
Ah well - here's to hoping! And to getting over this nasty sickness... I thought I was going to get kicked out the library today, my class on Monday and the lecture I went to last night on Reagan's foreign policy - I mean really... it's so not fair to be sick when you are also trying to write all these damn essays!
It's in Camden - an awesome part of town that (supposedly) feels like a community, with a market every day and great jazz club. AND it's in walking distance to school - so I'm crossing my fingers. See - I've never actually been there :)
Though really - the colder it gets - the less appealing walking becomes. I went running twice this weekend in Hyde Park (which is something that I will truly miss if I move) - but got a horrible chest cough after! I actually had to go running in my full REI gear - gloves and all - it is getting COLD here! Seriously, this week the temperature dropped really quickly and I've had to bust out my winter coats, gloves, scarves and boots - reminds me of DC last winter! Though let's just pray it doesn't get as cold as New York...
Anyway, so hopefully all y'all will have a place to rest your pretty little heads when you come visit and won't have to experience grungy orange walls. I've come to the realization that no matter how many prints, photos, maps I put on the wall - it's still a rubbish color.
Ah well - here's to hoping! And to getting over this nasty sickness... I thought I was going to get kicked out the library today, my class on Monday and the lecture I went to last night on Reagan's foreign policy - I mean really... it's so not fair to be sick when you are also trying to write all these damn essays!
13 November 2005
Why Have One When You Can Have Two?
As I left the pub, Eva just told me that my response was typically American. Waldo gave me one kiss good-bye, Eva two.
I said - "Waldo: why only one?"
He said - "Because in Panama it is only one."
Eva responded - "But in Denmark it is two."
I responded - "Why have one when you can have two?"
Eva laughed - "That is very American. To me - that is American
thinking. Why drive a manual when you can drive an automatic?
Why walk when you can drive?"
I laughed - "I drive a stick shift and am damn proud of it."
Eva smiled - "You are different."
I asked - "Why?"
Eva said - "Because you moved to London. Because you have a
passport."
Then I remembered that in order to move to London, I had to sell my precious, bright-red Jetta. It's not that it was particularly nice or new or anything... but it was a symbol of freedom for me. It had a sunroof, a bike-rack and a bumpin' stereo. It got me up and down the California coasts; me and everything I owned to Arizona... then Las Vegas... and back up the West Coast. It weathered a DC winter and the New Jersey turnpike all summer. It still had the original John Kerry bumper sticker from the Spring of 2003... along with all of the other Democratic candidates I had worked for since then. It still had its' California plates, the Liz Phair sticker and a lai that had been around the stick since I bought it - in the '90s. What more could a 20-something girl ask for?
But besides just reminiscing about my car that defined much of my existence - this conversation struck me. Not because it was profound, or so unusual. It's that is typical.
It is a common understanding that people often identify more with their country when they travel abroad. They become more nationalistic, more proud because they are able to compare their culture to others' way of life. Naturally, people feel the most comfortable in the culture they were raised in.
Is this feeling what creates a rise of identity politics and strong ties to people's country of origin when they live elsewhere - such as in the States?
I have been reading the work of Samuel Huntington, an insightful and well-established scholar at Harvard who studies American identity and cultural issues in the U.S.
In his 2004 work, "Who Are We? America's Great Debate," Huntington writes at length of the identity crisis that America faces in light of the demographic challenges presented by immigration, the lack of a cohesive 'other' due to the collapse of the Soviet Union (and therefore the end of the Cold War) and the decrease in a consistent American identity.
I disagree with him on most of his conclusions, such that in order to rescue America from decline like that of Rome and Sparta we must recommit ourselves to Anglo-Protestant culture. But I am fascinated by his study of American identity as it stands.
What is American identity? Do we identify most with the governing principles of our Constitution? A shared history? A common language? A certain religious belief?
Or is it is exactly what Eva is referring to: a way of life, a way of thinking?
For me, she is right. It's not that everyone wants to drive used red Jettas, regardless of the bumper stickers that grace it. It's not that you can drive sleepless nights across the U.S. like Kerouac and Ginsberg. It's the symbolism that both represent: everyone wants to have a piece of Americana that is theirs.
It might be the SUV, it might be the road trips. It might be the single-family house or the cliche white picket fence. It could be the mom and pop diner or the stock options in Microsoft. These are things that I don't necessarily identify with... but as an American... I am identified with.
In all these examples, they are material posessions that are only temporily satifying. But if nothing else - it's theirs. It's this sense of identity through ownership and property that seems to be extremely American. If you can claim it as territory, than you have something to be proud of. You have something to invest in, something to work toward. And once we have that - why have one - when you can have two?
*also published at www.woodshavingsdaily.blogspot.com
I said - "Waldo: why only one?"
He said - "Because in Panama it is only one."
Eva responded - "But in Denmark it is two."
I responded - "Why have one when you can have two?"
Eva laughed - "That is very American. To me - that is American
thinking. Why drive a manual when you can drive an automatic?
Why walk when you can drive?"
I laughed - "I drive a stick shift and am damn proud of it."
Eva smiled - "You are different."
I asked - "Why?"
Eva said - "Because you moved to London. Because you have a
passport."
Then I remembered that in order to move to London, I had to sell my precious, bright-red Jetta. It's not that it was particularly nice or new or anything... but it was a symbol of freedom for me. It had a sunroof, a bike-rack and a bumpin' stereo. It got me up and down the California coasts; me and everything I owned to Arizona... then Las Vegas... and back up the West Coast. It weathered a DC winter and the New Jersey turnpike all summer. It still had the original John Kerry bumper sticker from the Spring of 2003... along with all of the other Democratic candidates I had worked for since then. It still had its' California plates, the Liz Phair sticker and a lai that had been around the stick since I bought it - in the '90s. What more could a 20-something girl ask for?
But besides just reminiscing about my car that defined much of my existence - this conversation struck me. Not because it was profound, or so unusual. It's that is typical.
It is a common understanding that people often identify more with their country when they travel abroad. They become more nationalistic, more proud because they are able to compare their culture to others' way of life. Naturally, people feel the most comfortable in the culture they were raised in.
Is this feeling what creates a rise of identity politics and strong ties to people's country of origin when they live elsewhere - such as in the States?
I have been reading the work of Samuel Huntington, an insightful and well-established scholar at Harvard who studies American identity and cultural issues in the U.S.
In his 2004 work, "Who Are We? America's Great Debate," Huntington writes at length of the identity crisis that America faces in light of the demographic challenges presented by immigration, the lack of a cohesive 'other' due to the collapse of the Soviet Union (and therefore the end of the Cold War) and the decrease in a consistent American identity.
I disagree with him on most of his conclusions, such that in order to rescue America from decline like that of Rome and Sparta we must recommit ourselves to Anglo-Protestant culture. But I am fascinated by his study of American identity as it stands.
What is American identity? Do we identify most with the governing principles of our Constitution? A shared history? A common language? A certain religious belief?
Or is it is exactly what Eva is referring to: a way of life, a way of thinking?
For me, she is right. It's not that everyone wants to drive used red Jettas, regardless of the bumper stickers that grace it. It's not that you can drive sleepless nights across the U.S. like Kerouac and Ginsberg. It's the symbolism that both represent: everyone wants to have a piece of Americana that is theirs.
It might be the SUV, it might be the road trips. It might be the single-family house or the cliche white picket fence. It could be the mom and pop diner or the stock options in Microsoft. These are things that I don't necessarily identify with... but as an American... I am identified with.
In all these examples, they are material posessions that are only temporily satifying. But if nothing else - it's theirs. It's this sense of identity through ownership and property that seems to be extremely American. If you can claim it as territory, than you have something to be proud of. You have something to invest in, something to work toward. And once we have that - why have one - when you can have two?
*also published at www.woodshavingsdaily.blogspot.com
11 November 2005
I Don't Fool Myself with Romance...
what was I in the mood for tonight?
coming up...
our father who art in a penthouse
sits in his 37th floor suite
and swivels to gaze down
at the city he made me in
he allows me to stand and
solicit graffiti until
he needs the land i stand on
i in my darkened threshold
am pawing through my pockets
the receipts, the bus schedules
the matchbook phone numbers
the urgent napkin poems
all of which laundering has rendered
pulpy and strange
loose change and a key
ask me
go ahead, ask me if i care
i got the answer here
i wrote it down somewhere
i just gotta find it
i just gotta find it
somebody and their spray paint got too close
somebody came on too heavy
now look at me made ugly
by the drooling letters
i was better off alone
ain't that the way it is
they don't know the first thing
but you don't know that
until they take the first swing
my fingers are red and swollen from the cold
i'm getting bold in my old age
so go ahead, try the door
it doesn't matter anymore
i know the weakhearted are strongwilled
and we are being kept alive
until we're killed
he's up there the ice
is clinking in his glass
he sends me little pieces of paper
i don't ask
i just empty my pockets and wait
it's not fate
it's just circumstance
i don't fool myself with romance
i just live
phone number to phone number
dusting them against my thighs
in the warmth of my pockets
which whisper history incessantly
asking me
where were you
i lower my eyes
wishing i could cry more
and care less,
yes it's true,
i was trying to love someone again,
i was caught caring,
bearing weight
but i love this city, this state
this country is too large
and whoever's in charge up there
had better take the elevator down
and put more than change in our cup
or else we
are coming
up
coming up...
our father who art in a penthouse
sits in his 37th floor suite
and swivels to gaze down
at the city he made me in
he allows me to stand and
solicit graffiti until
he needs the land i stand on
i in my darkened threshold
am pawing through my pockets
the receipts, the bus schedules
the matchbook phone numbers
the urgent napkin poems
all of which laundering has rendered
pulpy and strange
loose change and a key
ask me
go ahead, ask me if i care
i got the answer here
i wrote it down somewhere
i just gotta find it
i just gotta find it
somebody and their spray paint got too close
somebody came on too heavy
now look at me made ugly
by the drooling letters
i was better off alone
ain't that the way it is
they don't know the first thing
but you don't know that
until they take the first swing
my fingers are red and swollen from the cold
i'm getting bold in my old age
so go ahead, try the door
it doesn't matter anymore
i know the weakhearted are strongwilled
and we are being kept alive
until we're killed
he's up there the ice
is clinking in his glass
he sends me little pieces of paper
i don't ask
i just empty my pockets and wait
it's not fate
it's just circumstance
i don't fool myself with romance
i just live
phone number to phone number
dusting them against my thighs
in the warmth of my pockets
which whisper history incessantly
asking me
where were you
i lower my eyes
wishing i could cry more
and care less,
yes it's true,
i was trying to love someone again,
i was caught caring,
bearing weight
but i love this city, this state
this country is too large
and whoever's in charge up there
had better take the elevator down
and put more than change in our cup
or else we
are coming
up
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