Happy Birthday Big Bro!

Today is Eric's birthday. So of course I've got a big birthday shout out across the pond and the continental US. I wish I could be there in person to say 'happy birthday' and give you a big birthday hug, and of course eat your birthday cake. You are a wonderful brother and role model, I hope you have a great birthday. If I could get you something, it would be Michael Jackson singing you a song that I composed with him. But I didn't. I did however, buy you Simpson shaped pasta which I will put in the mail as soon as I can afford to send it.

Make a wish!

Susan "you look like a monkey and you smell like one too" B.

M and M World

The first time I went to M and M World, I ducked in to kill time before going to a show. It is 4 levels and M and M madness, wall to wall people and photo op stations that made me stop and text my friends, telling them we needed to have a photo shoot soon (yes, I am that dork). That was at the beginning of last semester and now here it is, the photo shoot I have been waiting for:

Cody.

Shahida, Orange M and M, me, Coco.

Bending it like Beckham.

My favorite.

There's a real dude in there.

Blue is my favorite.

Susan "I melt in your mouth, not in your hand" B.

Windsor Castle

Last weekend I went to Windsor Castle. It's near Eton College. I didn't get to see the College, but the town was super cute! It was freezing last weekend and near and around the castle there was still a lot of snow. The Queen was not there for my visit. We just can't seem to get on the same schedule for some reason. Here are the highlights:

We had to hike up a hill to get to the castle, as one does.
Outside of the castle walls, I think one of those rooms is Rupunzles.
More exterior.
Here is the group of us that went.





I love Gargoyles.



How cute is that little crown on top of the lamp post?
Several times on my tour of the castle this little dog was randomly placed in the rooms. I'm not sure why. This particular one is in the gift shop. I set him out to take a picture because I couldn't take any inside the castle. I know the Queen loves her dogs and all...
Yes Please!!!

This is part of the town we were in.


From the bridge.

I fell in love with this little antique bookshop. I even bought Dickens' work for £10 in here!
A cupcake to round off the day.

Susan 'It was the best of time, it was the worst of times' B.

Musicals and Museums

This semester is a bit busier than last. Also, it's been SUPER cold in this country so I try to stay in the warmth of any heated building I can find. I am such a California girl. All I want in life is a t-shirt, jeans, flip flop ensemble, but here in the U.K. I have to pile on the layers.

A quick update: I have been successful in run/walking the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk 2-3 times a week. The cold motivates me to go faster through the park. I just found a skate shop around the corner from where I live and I'm considering buying roller skates to tackle the 7 miles.

One of my favorite classes is Creative Writing. Last week, a majority of the students from class were gone on a Paris trip so my professor decided to hold class in the cafe at the V and A Museum. I love schooling in this country.

Muffins, scones, tea and discussions on Prose poetry. (hey, I just rhymed and I didn't mean to!)

I saw Matilda the musical. I L-O-V-E-D it! This was a feel-good show. I am always so amazed at how talented the children are. This was such a cute show, the set, the costumes, all of it was well designed and the story was brilliant.
One of my favorite musical numbers in the show is called 'Naughty'. Look it up on YouTube. It's a sweet little song that will make you smile.

Susan "sometimes you have to be a little naughty' B.

Winston Churchill War Rooms

I went to the Winston Churchill War Rooms Museum. I didn't get a lot of pictures because my camera battery was dying, but who wants to look at a bunch of boring museum pictures? It was actually pretty cool, with a surprise, spectacular ending! Read on to find out what happened!

This is one of five Lifeline tables (think bigger than your dining room table), it's interactive, like a giant iPad.

You scroll on the date and it tells you what Churchill was doing.

Many years before I was born, on my birthday, I don't know what he was doing, but it was important by the looks of the length of that text.

Map room, pretty cool.

Many a meeting happened right here in this room.

OK, here is the best part: After seeing the museum tour, we were rounding the day off in the gift shop when over a loud speaker the following message was heard: "Due to unforeseen circumstance please find the nearest exit and leave the building". At first we thought maybe it was part of the tour and thought it clever. But then employees started to usher us out and told us to wait across the street.
Shortly after they evacuated us, they wrote "evacuation" on our ticket and said we would not be allowed back inside.
3 Fire Brigades showed up. Something about smoke...blah, blah, blah. We never did get an explanation. This is our fearless group leader.

All the students that went on this outing. Sorry, I don't know their names. Oh, wait, one of them is named Teal, I think the girl to the far left and one of them is named Hailey.

Evacuated from the Winston Churchill War Rooms. Awesome.

Susan "keeping calm and carrying on" B.