FINALLY an update.

I know, I know, I know... It has been too long, but I've been busy! The time here is winding down and while my trip has been packed full everyday, there still seems to be so much that I still want to do.

While I've been busy there's not TOO much to report on. Last week I had to finish up all my school work (final paper, journals, readings, etc) and turn it all in... What a relief. Now I'll fill you in on the fun stuff :)

Last weekend, my friend, Jessie and I took a bus trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. It was a pretty fun trip. Windsor Castle reminded me a lot of the castles and palaces we went to in Spain... Pretty, ornate, HUGE, rooms decorated in rich colours: reds, blues, golds. The grounds were really pretty as well. DIDN'T stop The Queen herself, but she was there.... We also saw the changing of the guards which was neat. A lot of marching around and such... didn't really understand what was going on but I'm sure they did.

Stonehenge was sweet. It's actually not as big as I thought it would be. But the rocks are huge, and how they got from Whales down to southern England so long ago boggles my mind.

Last stop was Bath. The town was super cute. It's all made out of the same stone, so the whole town kind of gives off a 'glow.' It's really hilly, and has a little river running through it for some really breathtaking scenes.
The Roman Baths themselves were really cool to see as well, but the water was quite dirty. They advised us not to touch or get too close to it... Walking around and thinking about people using them so many years ago was quite cool. There was also one little bath that was bubbling naturally. It was under a volcanic spring or something so it made the water suuuuuuper hot... I wanted to jump in, but Jessie told me I couldn't.

That week, like I said, I finished up my paper and other school work; had my last day of class! :) and my last day of work :(

I was so sad to leave. If you couldn't tell by my last couple posts: I REALLY loved my coworkers and job. I couldn't have asked for a better company to work for (no, they don't read this, so I'm not trying to suck up or anything.. haha) The last day, I brought in some carrot cake for everyone during tea time, and after work we all headed to a pub 'for a laugh.'
We went to the pub that Michelle Obama took her kids to while she was in London a while ago. Next, we made our way to the company's 'classic' pub: The Goat. It was a bit different scene :) haha, but a lot of fun. We got about 10 bags of crisps and opened them all on the middle of the table to share. It was a good end to a great internship.
As goodbye presents.. which were completely unneccessary.. they framed one of my pictures I had taken, printed and toned while I was there. Antony printed out one of his favorite pictures he's taken (with his pinhole camera - sweet), and they gave me a Holga camera! I've never used one.. not too sure how to (Help, Barry?) But I'll figure it out. Rob also gave me a roll of color and a roll of b&w to start with... I'm excited to start using it.
I miss my coworkers already, but they said they'd give me a call on Friday to maybe meet up for a couple drinks before I leave the UK for good.

This weekend, my friend, Kyle, arrived in London for his last stop of his journey around Europe. On Friday, I took him around 'classic' London: Buckingham Palace, Trafalger Square, Big Ben, Parliament, London Eye, and down the Thames to the Globe, Tate Modern, and St. Paul's. It's a walk I've done three or four times now, but I still love it every time.

Saturday night, we went and saw Avenue Q... Loved it. I love musicals.. Everytime I walk out of one, I'm convinced that not only can I sing really well, but that I should sing really loudly.... I also convince myself that my life would be SO much better if it were a musical, so I try to make myself believe it is.. through doing the aboved mentioned. It works - until people start throwing things at me.

Sunday, I took a bus to Oxford for the day. I got to see a lot of the areas Harry Potter was filmed at, or the sets were inspired by.. It was quite cool (obviously) Oxford was a really pretty town as well.. Definitely a good day trip.

Yesterday, I had my 'viva.' Basically, I had to go talk to my project supervisor and internship coordinator about how much I loved my job, what I did, what it was like, etc.. Then a little bit about my paper.. I also took in the picture they framed for me to show them. They really enjoyed my pictures and my project they said... We'll see how much so when I get my grade back... Haha..
After that, I met up with Kyle again and took him to Camden, one of my very favorite parts of London (I'm pretty sure I've talked about it a couple times before) I don't know what it is about the area that I like so much. It's on a boat lock, so that's really neat. They have tons of stalls set up along the river with shirts, jewellery, cds, etc.. and the buildings are all really neat. If anyway visits London, definitely take time to make a stop at Camden Town.

For today, I'm planning on studying for my final exam. Then going to the National Portrait Gallery and British Museam. Also, going to stop by the TKTS stand and see if there are any cheapish tickets for Billy Elliot since I love musicals so much.

Harry Potter comes out tonight at midnight! Whooooooo! Get pumped... But London doesn't have a midnight premire ANYWHERE... Crazy, right?!? Trust me, I've done research and the earliest showing is 9am tomorrow morning... Obviously, I'm attending. It's at the theatre that it premiered at here... so that's pretty cool.

My time here is quickly coming to an end... too quickly... way too quickly. I'm excited to get home and see everyone, but I know I'll be missing London greatly. I get back on Saturday the 18th afternoonish.. Looking forward to my big "Welcome Home" parties I know you all have been planning since the day I left... I prefer white cake with chocolate icing (or carrot cake) and tea... in case you guys were wondering or anything.

Sorry it was so long without an update, but better late than never, I suppose.