Interesting little tidbits...

This post is pretty random, but I just wanted to pass on a few things I've enjoyed in the last week or so.


Breakfast at Exki - a really neat Belgian restaurant that prides itself on being natural and fresh.




I've decided that I really like 3-legged lamps - this one is especially cute with the mix of metal and wood. It almost feels nautical.


I've come across a lot of chalk boards in the last few days - both in stores and in peoples' homes. This was taken in a store in Brussels, but my friend in Germany had one hanging in her kitchen. How fun would it be to use as a grocery list?

This would also be a fitting use for a chalk board around this time of year!


Photographic evidence that I road the Waterloo and City line - it only goes between two stops, and I didn't really need to go between them, but it was the only line I hadn't ridden...


This is a sign that was put in the War Rooms Bunker during WWII - I enjoyed wartime environmental statement!

Christmas Time in London

With classes complete and my departure from London quickly approaching, "it's beginning to look (& feel) a lot like Christmas!" London is beautiful with snow and Christmas lights, but I must admit, I am looking forward to sitting by the fire at home with a nice cup of coffee and a good book! And I'm super excited to do a puzzle with the family!!

Here are some pictures from a little at walk I took around the city on Tuesday night - a little showcase of London's Christmas spirit.


Trafalgar Square


Covent Garden - my favorite hangout in London!


St. Paul's Cathedral

The Start (and Middle) of December

So much has happened since my last post! My goal is to do a post each day until I go home; we'll see how it works out.

But for now, here's another "make-up" post, crammed full of all the things I've been up to.


I got the sweetest package of letters from the class I was an Orientation Leader for this Fall at Drury. It will be fun to get back and see how everything has gone in their first semester at "uni."


Visiting Amy, I got to see a very snowy England! This is in Durham, a town about 20 miles away from where Amy and Michael live. The snow was unbelievable!


I don't think this picture would fly on facebook, but it really is hilarious. Michael was picking on Amy, and I just happened to take the picture at the perfect moment - Amy's expression is priceless, and Michael looks quite innocent...


This was at breakfast on Saturday. It really was lovely getting to be in their home - even if the snow wasn't in our favor, we had a great time!


This was at the Westminster Tube Stop after the N London Special Meeting. A group of people met up after meeting at Heather and Becky's house in S London. Taking the Tube, this group actually ended up beating everyone who drove cars - I think Transport for London would have been very proud.


Cassie turned 21 - and the barista at Starbucks gave her a free drink, even though they don't normally acknowledge the same promotions that are offered in the US. It was a fun birthday present.


I received a "travel journal" in the mail from one of my sister's co-workers. The point is to mail it to people you know in different places, and then see where all it has gone after a year. I filled out my page with a picture, sent a postcard back to the 3rd grader who started it, and then sent it on to one of my friends who lives just outside Dublin, Ireland. I thought it was a very clever, interesting 3rd grade project.


This is just documentation that I did study for finals! This particular moment captures the core ideology and principle philosophers in conservatism.


The Weihnachtsmärkt (Christmas Markets) in Germany were a lot of fun to explore, but there wasn't much that could compare to the view from the Dom in Köln. The view after a 100 m climb was spectacular.


The lights were beautiful - especially the ones hanging in the trees! It would be hard to find more festivity than the German Markets.


This is a picture at my last London Sunday morning meeting. I'm not a fan of goodbyes - so hopefully I can come back and visit again before too long!

A Few of My Favourite Things

I had a lovely week with my sister - and now life's started to get back to normal - not too much homework and getting to take naps!

It has gotten rather cold in London during the last couple weeks - and it has actually been snowing all day today! I love snow, so I must say it has made for a lovely day!

Tonight, a group of Regent's students are planning to walk to the Christmas markets that are set up in Hyde Park - I'll have to make another post after I go.

Until then, here are a few more lovely bits of London!


Ice Skating outside the Natural History Museum. The city is so festive!


Nothing can quite keep you warm like a cappuccino topped with a chocolate heart.


Snow! What a lovely thing to wake up to!

tourist in London- guest blogger, Kathleen Bly

Cheers ladies and gents,

Because I'm in London this week, and Molly has three assignments due over the course of the next few days, I get to be a guest blogger! Having never done a blog post myself, I'm excited for the generous opportunity of being provided an avenue to the millions of followers who enjoy "mind the gap."

This week I've taken dozens of photos, talked loudly on the tube, and been thoroughly claustrophobic while walking around the city..... I'm playing the part of the tourist to the T, much to Molly's dismay. This is understandable since she has become a local, knowing all the bus and underground travel routes as well as the best little hidden restaurants.

Due to my desire to experience as much as is humanly possible in one week, I've already been to several great spots and would like to share them with you.

Regent's Park





Notting Hill







Oxford Street





Maida Vale





Lastly, this evening we got to ice skating at the Natural History





Hope you've enjoyed these snapshots of my first 3 days in London! Tomorrow we're off to see Les Miserables

I think I'd be Ravenclaw - what about you?

This week has been exceptionally busy. I've had things going on everyday and evening, plus I've had homework!

What better way to celebrate the end of a busy week and procrastinate 2 essays than watch "The Order of the Phoenix" and "The Half Blood Prince." Afterall, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 comes out tomorrow!

There aren't midnight showings in London because of something having to do with Warner Bros. and international contracts, so a group of Regent's students are going a 9am showing in the morning! With the time difference we'll be watching it 3 hours after you lucky ducks at the midnight showing in the States - so don't post too many spoilers on facebook after you see it!

I can't believe it's already movie 7! How cute were Harry, Ron, and Hermione in "The Chamber of Secrets!"

Marylebone High Street

I ventured across Marylebone Road to Marylebone High Street and discovered several great shops!

The Conran Shop:
~A chic, simple floor lamp.
~Which would you prefer: a leaning bookshelf, one that fills an entire wall, or one that reaches to the ceiling?
~And this couch! It provides the perfect combination of comfort with a modern edge. All it needs is some big, colorful pillows (see Skandium) and perhaps a throw!

Skandium:
~Pillows! They had so many fun, vibrant prints.
There were some sweet candleholders that would be a great centerpiece for a kitchen table, but they aren't on the website.
Look around though - there's a lot of fun, random stuff!

Emma Bridgewater:
This is a completely different kind of store from the other two - take a look!
There are so many different designs to look at, but I think the polka dot is my favorite. What's yours?


Also, I saw this on the blog A Cup of Jo - and thought I would share!

Outer Circle

Since the sun has been setting around 4 o'clock (the only downside of London!) and the gates of Regent's Park close with the setting of the sun - my walk this evening was taken along the Outer Circle of the park. I am always happily surprised by the beautiful sites London has to offer - even so close to "home."

Here were a couple shots I snapped with my phone. I have walked many times along the west side of the park, but this was the first time to walk along the east.




Looking in on the park from the Outer Circle.

Reminiscing on a day in Venezia

Perhaps Venice is a city, which can best be explained through photos. Here's a small taste of the beauty that is Venezia:








Me in one of Venice's many piazzas.

What to do during a London Tube strike?

Museums and Shopping, of course!

And walking - lots and lots of walking!

I was supposed to visit the British Museum for my History of London class, so I decided to take my Tube-free, Wednesday afternoon to walk there. The room I was specifically supposed to visit was the Enlightenment Room - a collection of artifacts brought to England from around the world during the past centuries.


Entrance to the British Museum


Enlightenment Room


Rosetta Stone!

From the British Museum I walked down Oxford Street - I needed to stop by Primark to get a new pair of black tights and black flats.

Then, I finished off the evening by riding a Barclays Bike to meeting!

A rather productive day!

Beautiful Genève

After 10 days touring Switzerland and Italy, I'm rather exhausted but have so many wonderful memories - & lots of laundry!

My favorite travels would have to be my days spent in Switzerland. It's hard to describe the view of the beautiful, white-capped mountains flying into Geneva - I can't even explain my love for mountains, there is just something majestically serene about them that leaves me speechless.

Mountains - combined with getting to tour the UN European headquarters in the Palais des Nations - made Geneva the highlight of this European adventure!


Geneva from the plane!


Main entrance into the Palais des Nations - originally built for the League of Nations after WWII.


View of the distant mountains from inside the Palais des Nations.


One of the UN Chambers.

Switzerland was absolutely beautiful - now the test is going to be not booking a trip to go back before the semester is over!