Grilled Cheese And Sunshine

The weather has been so nice in London since I got back. I'm still wearing flip-flops! Any day in London that I get to wear flip flops is a good day. I've been trying to take advantage of my last semester here and seeing as much of London as I can. A couple of weeks ago, Shannon and I went to to the V&A late. The exhibitions were about destruction. Very interesting. On our walk there. the sunset was so beautiful!

 We found these crazy chairs to play in!

 Museum fun! 

 Borough Market is a hot London spot for foodies. It's always packed, there are plenty of different cheeses, specialty foods, and drink to taste and try plus really good prices on produce.

 About a year ago, some of the STABS (Study Abroad Students) kept raving about these grilled cheese sandwiches from Borough Market. I made it my life's mission to eat one. I had one failed attempt last summer when I couldn't find the grilled cheese guy, but this time I searched (in the pouring rain) and had an awkward conversation with a woman who knew very little English so we resorted to hand gestures. But she pointed me in the right direction and I found the queue for these Uh-mazing toasted sandwiches!

 Once I was in the right queue, the woman in front of me recognized my accent and asked where in the states I was from. She was from Denver and was visiting friends for the week. She used to live in London because of her husbands job and she came back for a quick girl's holiday. Sweet lady even let me stand under her umbrella. Everything I heard about these grilled cheese sandwiches was true! Toasted on Sourdough bread with bits of garlic and onion mixed in with the cheese. YUM! INCREDIBLE!

 I know I said London weather has been nice, but on the day we went to the market it rained, a lot, and we didn't have umbrellas. Luckily, the market is covered in most areas. Above is a shot of the newly built Shard building.

 Shannon and I found a place to stay out of the rain.

 So, I'm not a fan of taking pictures of food (unless it is cake) or seeing anyone else's picture of food. As a rule, there are three things that I will NOT 'like' on Facebook or Instagram: Food, Alcohol and work out regime. But this is a farmers market and there was a lot of really great colors so I took a few photos of my favorite things.

 Someday (soon, I hope) I will meet a boy and he will buy me roses as beautiful as the ones above.

 Then, that boy will ask me to marry him and I will choose Gerbera Daisies for our wedding flowers.

 Shannon ate an Ostrich burger. They also had Kangaroo burgers!!!

Next, we went to a great little chocolate shop and had a sample (or two).

 Wall of chocolate! Don't let the sign fool you. The wall was made of wood, which held the chocolate.

 I'm training to run the Tinker Bell 1/2 marathon in January. On one of my morning runs the weather was so beautiful I stopped and took a few photos.

Susan "Kangaroos Are Our Friend, Not Food" B.

Beck's Going Away Party...Almost

So Beck has been living in the U.K. until her visa runs out. Well, the Queen said, she's gotta go by October 1st. So we all got together for a quaint farewell. Let me back up a bit. Beck had been busy packing and getting ready to lead a student trip to Belgium. Whilst packing, she was rocking out to some Britney Spears, dancing around her room like she is Beyonce when a kick ball change gone wrong, breaks her foot. This is why they banned dancing in Footloose. After going to the doctor, they couldn't confirm that it was broke and told her to come back for X-rays. Well, she had a farewell party to go to so she decided X-rays could wait. Long story short, it's broke, she didn't get to lead the trip to Belgium and she needs to stay in U.K. to reap the benefits of medical insurance. We had a great night and I'm super glad she will be living in London for a little longer. Even if it's only a week longer.

 Tracy and Kelly.

 Beck and I.

 Silliness.

This last picture says it all.

Susan "Ooops, Beck Did It Again" B.

Touring The Houses Of Parliament

Last Saturday, I toured the Houses of Parliament. It was a very interesting tour, although I wasn't allowed to take picture inside, which is too bad because there is a great bronze statue of Margret Thatcher looking fierce. Margret actually unveiled the self statue when it was presented. She was pleased that it was made of bronze because it is indestructible. However, she would have preferred it be made of iron.

Big Ben in all his glory.

 These photos were taken while I was waiting in line to enter.

Oliver Cromwell

 Big Ben peeking out from behind Parliament

 And this was the end of the tour!

Okay, here is what you missed on the inside. We started in Westminster Hall where they broke us up into smaller tour groups. From there, we walked through Stephen's Hall which is lined with white statues of former important peeps. High ceilings, old walls and wallpaper. Pretty much what you would expect of England. Next we went through the House of Commons where we stood in between the lovely, leather bench seats. We were not allowed to sit on them. "You have to earn your seat." The same thing happened when we went into the House of the Lords. We walked the same path that the Queen walks when she address Parliament and saw the throne that she sits in. We also visited the central lobby, that's where Mags Thatcher is erected, along with Winston Churchill and two other old dudes. The tour itself was almost two hours. My tour guide talked about the history of the building and some of the art work and statues that adorn it. Very interesting stuff.

 Just outside after my tour.

 There was this one guy in my tour group, you know the one, he kept asking a million questions and slowing the whole tour down. Anyway, when I got outside I wanted a picture in front of Big Ben and he was the only one around to ask. This is the shot that he took. That's his crazy wife trying to figure out how to turn off her iPhone. It rang during the tour.

 My official visitor pass.

 The London Eye in the foreground.

 Last Friday, the sun came out! I was so happy since I didn't have any classes and I didn't have to work so I spent the whole day in Hyde Park. I love it there! I think it will be the place I miss most.

 The Round Pond. I don't know why but it reminds me of Mary Poppins. I'm not really a fan of that movie and I don't know if I have seen it in it's entirety but for some reason being at the Round Pond reminds me of the film. The Simpons did a great parody of Mary Poppins.

 Queen Victoria sitting proudly in front of Kensington Palace.

Susan "the lady's not for turning" B.

Tammy Time!

One of my favorite parts about being back home is visiting and seeing all my friends. Last week, Tammy and I went on a hike up Mount Rubidoux. It was super pretty and really hot. Tammy husband, Kevin was off of work so the three of us had a picnic at the top of the trail.

Best friends since five years old. We met in kindergarten.

Tammy was suppose to be in this picture but Kevin's Freudian slip captured just the two of us.

The three of us at the top of our hike.

The cute couple.

One day, I will be the other half of a cute couple and I wont have to take pictures alone!

A couple of days later, Tammy had me over for dinner (I brought cupcakes, of course.) and I left an art piece on her white board. If you can point out the movie reference and know the movie title, you win!

Dee Dee and I.

There was a great sunset in the hood. I'm going to miss this sky when I'm back in London.

Susan "And The Funky Bunch" B.