Happy Anniversary!

Today is September 30th. I arrived in London on August 30th. I have been living here a whole month! Everyday when I'm out, I look around and think, 'Wow. I get to live here?' Awesome. I have seen and learned so much in the past 30/31 days. My original plan to celebrate was a Rock 'N' Roll London walk. It's a tour. But, I ended up on the wrong train (not my fault) and didn't make it in time. *tear* I was really upset. I had my heart set on that tour. Don't fret! I will walk the tour next Friday (they only do this tour on Friday's). So, instead I got off at Picadilly Circus (they aren't kidding) and walked and got lost and saw things I didn't know I wanted to see. I mostly shopped. I headed down Regent Street. It is lined with stores. This shopping area is so 'posh' it makes Fashion Island look like The Mall of Orange. I ended up in SoHo, (twice) which was fine, because I wanted to see that area. Then, I hoped on the underground and headed to Harrods! I have been anxious to go there. Mainly because that is where my brother, Jason, worked when he lived here. Also, it is the gnarliest store EVER! Harrods is so posh, it makes Bloomingdale's, look like JC Penny.

Ooooohhhh! Aaahhhh!
They have a pet department. It had a pet spa and a pet bakery and pet beds that even I couldn't afford to sleep in. I loved this pet pillow/bed. Sniffany & Co. Haha!

At 4:30, (16:30) I had tea at an Italian cafe. When in Rome...err, London.

What child doesn't want to play with Wills and Kate Barbie Dolls?

This is actually down the street from Harrods, but I thought it was a cool window display.

There is a Christmas department, where I spent most of my time, after I left, it looked like my hands went through a glitter bath. I make it a point to buy a Christmas tree ornament when I visit someplace. So, her is my I heart London ornament. I also bought a nativity set.
Here is a closer look. It's one that fits inside of each other. I know there is a name for it, but I can't remember it. Fun though, right?

The sales guy convinced me to get a Harrods rewards card. If you stare at this picture too long, I start to look SUPER creepy.

Here are my two favorite London friends! Notice the sun. It's been out for the past 2 days!

Some fun facts about Harrods:

Harrods covers 4.5 acres, and boast over 1 million square feet of selling space.

On a busy day, over 100,000 people visit the store.

It takes over 12,000 light bulbs to illuminate the famous facade of the store.

Famous English playwright Noel Coward once bought an alligator for Christmas at the Harrods Pet Shop.

On Wednesday the 16 of November 1898, Harrods debuted England's first "moving staircase" (aka: escalator)

Harrods was established in 1834 in London's East End as a tea merchant and grocery store.

Author A.A. Milne found the original Winnie-the-Pooh for his son Christopher Robin in the Toy Department.

Harrods once hired a live Egyptian Cobra to guard a £62,000 pair of haute couture ruby-sapphire and diamond encrusted sandals.

A baby elephant named Gertie was bought at Harrods as a present for Ronald Reagan.

Susan "I tried to buy an elephant, but the guy in front of me got the last one" B.

London Temple

England is on military time. I have to think really hard about what time it is after 12:00 noon. It's something I am still getting used to. One of my first purchases was an alarm clock (can't be late for class). It too is military time so that helps a little. I always that that 12:00 o'clock midnight was 24:00. Not here. It goes to zero. This is my alarm clock at 12:14 a.m.Sorry, it's not a very good picture, but you get the gist of it.

This beautiful building is the London Temple. It's not at all in London.

This sweet girl is Alyssa. She is one of the first people I contacted before I moved over here. She helped me acclimate and get my groundings. What a wonderful friend to have!

This little pond is in front of the temple. See those two little kids? Times them by 100. After you are done inside the temple, the majority of people congregated out in front. Some brought picnics, others were just chatting and sitting in the sun.

Susan "what time is it?" B.

And Many More

Guess who's birthday is today? Yup, my pretty mom. I did find time in between classes to have some birthday cake (I got the corner piece), with my more than willing friends. We all send out a big birthday shout out from across the pond.

Did you know Cadbury makes cakes? Well, they do. Incredible!
Me, Shahida, Faith and Alice

Needs milk

My mom is the bestest mom ever! When I decided to make the move over here, one of the questions that I had to ask myself was 'Can I live that far from my mom?' She does more for me than I deserve. I love you, mom. Happy Birthday!

Susan "I'm the favorite child" B.

Covent Garden Shopping

I heart Friday's. It's my play day. Since I don't have any classes that day, I try to go into Central London and explore. I also recruit friends to go with me. Last Thursday I was offered a job position here on campus. I am hoping that they don't make me work on Friday's. (Finger's crossed). Friday, Shahida, my good friend here at Richmond Uni, escorted me to Covent Gardens. She has been living here the last two years and I hope to be as train savvy as she is one day. She knows her way around this place like a native. I digress. We went shopping in Covent Gardens, it's pretty big. There is a market, of sorts, where you can buy usual touristy stuff. As the day went on, we walked a little further and saw some more sights.

On the train ride into London

We stopped and had sushi. Last Saturday, Shahida and I went to see The Lion King, the musical. AWESOME!!! It was UH-mazing. But, I wanted sushi that night and we couldn't find a restaurant near the theatre so we ended up at a pizza joint. After the show we were walking back to the station and of course we found a sushi place. That's where we went before shopping.
I know it might seem like I hang out in candy shops. I don't. I just pop in to look around and grab a quick photo.
I love London

This quartet (of five) plays in Covent Gardens often in the outdoor food area. You can find them on YouTube.

That is where we entered to start the shopping.

Do I really have to explain?

In case you missed it the first time, here it is again.

Shahida, trying on a Sherlock Holmes hat.

The guy selling the hats yelled at us and told us not to take pictures after I snapped this one.

I saw this sign and thought of Kaylene's (my bestie) son.

Trafalgar Square fountain.

Cool intersection. I can't remember what it's called.

Cool building

Walking down the street, in the middle of traffic, stood this monument. It reads: The Women of World War II

It was a bit windy. Can you tell?

Westminster at twilight.

Susan "hakuna matata" B.

Ham House

Right in my own backyard is an old, creaky mansion called The Ham House. Alice and I found it one day on a walk and the security dude said if we came back on Sept. 17th, everyone can go in for free. It's not just a big old house though. It has this monster garden in the back. This house was used in the movie Never Let Me Go (2010), staring Keira Knightley also based on the best selling novel. Another fun fact: Keira Knightley was born in Richmond, the city I now call home.

Creepy right? It's supposedly haunted by some old lady and her dog. Patrons have claimed to see the two of them running through the corridors.

See this hill? Alice and I ran up it. It was a beast.On our walk to Ham House, we found a couple of horses hanging out. Doesn't it look like this horse is wearing a toupee?We found a tree with a giant hole in it. Alice said, "I dare you to get in the tree." I'm not one to back down from a dare.This is the back of the Ham HouseThis is a small part of the garden.Don't mind if I do.I think I saw the White Rabbit run through here.I want to make-out in this gazebo.I love this tree.This is inside the house. Most of the shots didn't come out too well because they ask you to turn off your flash.My favorite room.Another part of the garden.A little path on the way out to the house.Alice used iphoto to pretty up some pictures.Alice.A closer look at the outside wall.On my walk back, I saw this cute little old couple, sitting by the river's edge, just hanging out.

Too cute.

Susan "I double dog dare you" B.