There’s No Place Like Home

Well, here we are, safe and sound and back in Toronto. It was a great, albeit very fast paced, trip.  Nathan got to experience wondrous things like IHOP, Dennys and other amazing examples of American cuisine. We ate at Panera far too many times and definitely smuggled a dozen New York bagels across the border.  Besides culinary adventures, we walked around Boston and Providence, experienced a real New York State fall (the colors are spectacular) and got to see Ellis Island and the New York tenement museum (I would HIGHLY recommend both).

As for work stuff, I think both Nate and I realized how many amazing options we have available to us, which is a pretty good feeling, but so is the comfort of your own bed.

Mix CDs

Nate and I have just about everything planned for our grand adventure this weekend except for the music. I will, over the course of 5 days be driving 24 hours in total. That is A LOT of mix cds.  Unfortunately, it is not enough time/ mix cds to warrant buying a full length audio book. I was really excited to get something knocked off my “pleasure reading” list, but cest le vie I guess.  I’ve already downloaded 5 hours of F. Scott Fitzgerald short stories but I’d like some more options.

Do you have any short stories you love? Maybe something funny and contemporary? What about advice as to how to drive lots without becoming a zombie? I assume copious amounts of caffeine is a given.

I’ve also become recently re-obsessed with this song (ignore the typography stuff, there isn’t an official video).

Oh, hai

Okay, so things got a little busy. I mean, REALLY busy. While in Oxford, being inside on my computer was basically the last thing I wanted to be doing with my time; and when I was on my computer, I was working on school. So here are some highlights from my trip since my last post:

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (completely unforgettable).

A weekend in Glasgow (and a day in Edinburgh) with a best friend!

Saw Dolly the cloned sheep at the Scottish National Museum!

Went to the Victoria and Albert Museum:

Went to the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern

And St. Paul’s

And Postman’s Park

We went on class Field Trips to Hampton Court Palace

and Blenheim Palace.

Some friends and I also saw a production of Pygmalion (it was amazing)!

I also went to the Churchill War Rooms, the Natural History Museum, played soccer, saw the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, drank beer, won first prize at a pub quiz night, ate lots of really yummy food, cried at the Imperial War Museum, bought a fantastic trench coat, made some really wonderful friends, ate at a Jamie Oliver restaurant (best polenta of my life), learned A LOT of British History and wrote a pretty good paper. Oh and I guess it was kinda a big deal, but I was chosen to sit at the high table for our honorary dinner:

All in all, it was pretty much one of the best experiences of my life.  Halfway through my flight home I asked the flight attendant for a cup of tea and burst into tears realizing that the trip was officially over (and I wouldn’t be drinking British tea anymore). Maybe I should just chalk that one up to lack of sleep, but either way, I had an amazing time.

I’m going to (try) and go back to blogging regularly now. I keep coming across things to share and then remember that my blog has been a little dormant and then I feel guilty and sad and basically things should change. This is (potentially) my last year in Canada, and I’m trying to make it count.

Jolly Good!

Even though I don’t leave for over 2 more months, I have serious Oxford fever. I’m so excited to go back to the UK! My last trip was totally life changing and although I don’t want to get my expectations too high, I think this one will be too. One of my best friends from camp, Leigh, is going to be in Glasgow while I’m in Oxford so I’ll be taking a trip up there to see her (and meet her brit boyfried!), plus I’ve already planned a day trip to Bristol for the International Balloon Fiesta! My London list is continually growing; I have no idea how I’m going to do it all (but I am!). What do you think? Any UK tips and tricks?

I love these mugs! They’re so cute! (Our Workshop)

Happy Friday!

I start my journey back to the Canadian north on Sunday. I am sad; I am excited; I am both entirely ready and never really will be. In the meantime, check out this blog and this one. They both make me smile big!

I’ve also been watching copious amounts of the TV show “Freaks and Geeks” over the past couple of days for about the millionth time. It is BY FAR Judd Apatow’s greatest work.

(photo via once wed)