Summer Jobs

I've decided to reenter the world via employment. Supposedly, money is a good thing, and while I am dubious in some respect, I do agree when it comes to such things as gas and food. And movies. And books. It is remarkable how much money I spend on entertainment. Do you know how many books I came back from Europe with? Well I'm not telling. It's embarrassing.

You should be proud though. I've updated my resume and applied for THREE jobs. Just this morning. One already bit (speed speaks volumes of desperation). I'm hoping for the others though. Catering mashed peas to drooling old people is only so ideal. Everyone keeps telling me internships are great for career purposes, but I don't exactly qualify for many, and others are on either coast, so.... mashed peas anyone?

We'll see, we'll see. I'll keep you updated, surely.

A Short Update

Sorry for those waiting (or not) for some more Europe update. Short story: Stupid internet. I have a video, but apparently no one gets to see it.

But Saint Petersburg is crazy! I went to the Russian Ballet (Swan Lake--oooh, so cultured), and a dead baby museum (gross--and so Russian). There was a city-wide party for graduated high school seniors, which I'm pretty sure is never a good idea. The city felt so different from everywhere else I'd been, so it was a really neat experience. Nik says I didn't even get the whole experience since I only saw a little blood and no needles, or passed out drunk/drugged people. But I got a taste.

Then I came home after a very long and arduous journey and my best friend got married! It was a gorgeous wedding, and just lovely.

Uh, more later? If i feel inclined and if anyone cares?

Welcome to St. Petersburg!

Nik and I finally arrived in Russia, after being delayed for a night in Latvia (what? Who goes there?) When we landed and started to make our way to the hotel I got very anxious. Everything when I first landed felt so foreign. The language, the alphabet, the customs. I mean, I've been a few places now, but here I felt so much more distanced between them and me.

We took a bus to the metro (buses are interesting, let's just say that for now) and once we figured out the metro I felt a little calmer. For me the metro in a new place is always the scariest aspect. The signs and directions are all different, people are going fast, and there's no official people around to help if needs be. But I conquered the metro, and feel better about life.

Here is the lovely view from our hotel room. The room is small and the bathroom smaller. It is easily possible for a person to wash their hands while using the toilet while also washing their feet in the shower. Space efficiency is key.

The first day we went to Peterhof, which is a very large palace with some very impressive fountains (as you now see). Look at this picture and notice the size of the actual people (they're small, but keep looking). Like I said, impressive fountainage.

St. Petersburg is cool, from what I've seen so far. It is very different, therefore very exhilarating and frightening at one and the same time. I rather cling to Nik. I have no idea what anyone is saying and can't even begin to attempt to communicate. I do know some of the alphabet, but that's only useful if I have 10 minutes and 1 word, and happen to know the translation.

Bugger, there's a HUGE party going on outside and I want to go, but Nik's not back yet, and I'll admit, mobs of russian people rather scare me on my lonesome.

More Italy

Voila, Italy. The gem of the Renaissance. I must be brief just cuz, ya know, I'm in Italy. That doesn't afford much time.

Here is a lovely overview of Rome. Who knew? The city can be very wind-y and at times dirty, or distincly submerged in the smell of urine. But this is beautiful! Nik and I have pretty much spent the last two days walking, non stop, up hill, stairs, or running. It is very hot, and pretty sure I'm constantly covered in a layer of dripping sweat. No worries. That just means I fit right in.

How is this for an Italian? He was our tour guide for the Colosseum, and that's right. His name was Paolo.

See?!! This is the kind of interiors all of Rome works with. You see something less than this and you just shrug like it's a sweater 2 years out of fashion.

This Piazza of statues just shows how frequent great art is in this country. Every corner you turn and every building you see is something huge, important, and artistically significant. We stood on one corner and every direction you turned there was something amazing. It's like sensory overload all the time. It doesn't help that our hotel is on the corner of a very busy street, so we never get any rest for our senses. I feel a little strung out. But it's ok. I will press on.

And how's this for fun?! I just loved it, and thought you should too. More later. Maybe.

Nik Arrives!

Nik finally came, arriving Tuesday after a much troubled flight. I was so terribly excited as it has been quite a while since I've seen any family. I showed him some bits of London, we saw some great plays. It was wonderful.

Then we went off to Paris. Instead of showing you all of Paris I will just show you a new acquisition to my list.

Voila, Le Sacre Coeur.

It was massive and beautiful. The tile work inside is highly impressive. It covers such large area of the wall and ceiling. Quite stunning.

We stayed in this area that could not seem to decide which culture to emphasize. When we first arrived the streets were thronged with Middle Eastern people, so crowded and busy. Later that night all these tourist shops suddenly popped up, and no one appeared to be a native. Then the next morning there were streets and streets selling fabric of all kinds, lain out on the sidewalk. The place kept changing on us, but it was only a collection of maybe 4 streets.

Nik and I took a sleeper train to Italy from Paris. Here was my Paris souvenir: wonderfully cute, small, and delicious. Happy? Yes.

The train was an interesting experience. We were bunked with this small, odd Frenchman with a large suitcase and cello that he could not figure out where to put. Nik says the Frenchman got up multiple times during the night to check his stuff and peep outside the cabin window.

In the morning our French friend was the first to hop down and open the door. Only the lock mechanism came out in his hand and he could not fix it. Yes, we were locked in this very cramped, uncomfortable cabin with uncomfortable, foreign, and small people. It was awkward and strange and never-ending. I feel I should also mention the bathroom facilities this train offered were so small that, according to mon frere you'd have to open the door and step out into the hallway to wipe yourself. Also there was a sign above the sink that said 'do not drink the water'. Sketchy? Yes. It didn't help that our Italian cabin manager insisted we lock our door and 'sleep wit da moneys'.

Nik took a hand at the attempt of freeing us after a while. Quite naturally he almost took the door off its hinges, except it didn't have any hinges. But this showed us exactly where the door was stuck (it wasn't the lock). We finally pulled in, all 4 of us close cabin buddies still stuck. Help came in the form of 5 Italian men, 1 mallet, 1 crowbar, and 1 audience member. After much rushed and angered Italian to each other and words of calming to us, some hammering, to the door, and some crowbar to the track the door was off, we all were freed. But missed our connecting train.

Not to worry. We made it to Florence. Eventually.

Florence!

Here is the gorgeous, unbelievable, amazing Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Or simply the Duomo.

Here is Nik climbing the dome (can you see the curve?). Those were some steep steps. Almost put the Notre Dame to shame.

Almost.

Look at its beautiful painted ceiling! It really was breathtaking.

Ok, so that, quickly, our days in Paris and first day in Florence. Certainly a lot more happened, but I'm pretty sure I have never been so caked with sweat in my life. Or my feet so dirty. Shower is much much needed. We love Europeans only so much. I'll copy their art, but never the smell.

Old Men and their JAZZIES

And you remember the original?

Every time. Such happiness.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

This week our entire program went to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see the birthplace of that one famous guy, who may be the cause of this whole program and my being in London, that Shakespeare dude.

We went to see every farm, garden, house, and piece of land connected to him and his life (or his daughters, or his mother's). It was intense and exhaustive, but I made it through the Shakespeare mania.

This house is pretty much the format of every thing we went to see. A large, beautiful garden, and an old school thatched-roof house with some old furniture and fake bread inside.

But before we went there we stopped my Coventry Cathedral, which has been a religious site since the 1100's. It has been 3 different cathedrals, and was bombed in WWII and they kept the outside standing, and simply built a new one on the inside of the shell.

There was a lot of modern art inside, and I really loved their stained glass window.

Next we went to Kenilworth Castle. It was the home of some famous guy in Queen Elizabeth's court, the one she actually liked and wanted to marry, but luckily didn't.

This was my favorite part.

I turned a corner, and who should be there but Robin Hood? Vastly appropriate.

Here is the inside. Pretty cool huh?

The British really like their gardens, and even offer books about it in the Kenilworth museum.

Then we made our way to Ann Hathaway's home. We saw the chair she and Shakespeare might have sat in. It's all very exciting.

Here is a man with an interesting shirt. I suppose his wife was glad enough to have him along so she'd take him in what ever form he came in. Look. She's so excited ("Oh look! Plants Shakespeare might have had, enjoyed, or even seen! Let's take a picture.") He's not much of a gardener, ("Yup. That one's purple.")

So Robin Hood & Gang donated this bench. They must like Shakespeare.

The Old English people were rather lax when it came to building homes. Nothing was straight, even, or even similar. Beams were whatever length suited the day, every floor slanted sharply (missing pocket change? Look to the southern wall), doors could be specific to the one person who made them. No hallways (room --> room --> room) to which our guide said, "You saw something *shrug* you saw something. But the curtains were for a bit of privacy. You'd still hear it though." (us: MAKE HIM STOP! MAKE HIM STOP!).

This is the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried. Pretty.

The last day we went to Blenheim Palace, which was a much more appropriate version of Versailles, except for this odd creature:

We are all curious as to why anyone would choose a harpy statue. "Oh please. Apollo? Again?! I'd prefer something much more original. And creepy. Yes a harpy will do quite nicely."

A lake in their garden. On our way here we found a tree someone had given to the Duke in honor of something significant. We thought it rather amusing. "Oh yes, thank you. I do love a good tree, and my yard is somewhat sparse. This will do just wonderfully."

The last bit of our trip was spent in Oxford. We went to the Natural History Museum (those are the most entertaining).

Behold giant spider crab that I attempted to pet. He was not kind.

I like mimicking animals' faces, ok? Don't judge me and my three chins. And don't stare, either.

Oh, this is a kind of stork. I call him Darrel.

This is a bad picture of some shrunken heads. I would have gotten a better one, but it was 4:28 and the guard was yelling, "The museum is now closed!" also meant as, "get the hell out of this building so I can go home." But apparently the shrinking of enemy heads was in practice up until 1960. At least that's what our picture of the caption says.