That’s Why I say "Hey Man Nice Shot!!!"

I love meeting new people!

Today is the first of a special Feature series I plan to start…….Like a “Spot-Light” entry!!

One day a few weeks back I was finally looking at the website of my college’s boat club. This was prompted because I never knew when anything was going on. I was scrolling down reading the older info and I stumbled upon some group photos and a link to one of the rower’s (photographer) websites.

I then realized that it was JK a nice guy on the men’s team and I noticed he had a gallery of work……so I took a peak…
What I was not expecting was to love his photos. I really really do!!!

I don’t often like others’ photos. I love taking photos (and being in photos….yes you all know this ;) .
But as I was looking at JK’s work I found myself saying, “Man I wish I took that shot”, or “Wow I want to own that picture”, and “I wish I was there at that moment”!!!!

When I do like a photo…..I often want to know about the shot and when that info is impossible to find out I like to make up a story and then I start to fall in-love with the piece. Here I know the talented shooter and I can pick his brains and ask my questions! Yeahhhhh I love this! There is nothing better then befriended really nice people who are brimming with talent.

So the next morning after I found this gem of a photo-gallery I saw JK at the boathouse and didn’t hesitate to state that I found him out. He was very humble and “ah-shucks-like” which just makes you love the work even more!!!

So readers here is the link….to website….. thank you JK!!!

http://www.jameskirkbride.com/index.html


Here are my favorites:

(note if you place mouse arrow on photo you see the title)

I love the photos on Teenage Kicks (woman on stairs) page- it is classic and timeless (that could be any year, any date)…I have made up a lovely story in my head about that pic….perhaps I will tell you sometime. I feel that JK has a great sense of the use of Black and White imagery.

Purple Dale and Untitled One--- So calming and love purple hints…

The London Eye Set is my favorite. I love the Eye and think it is so great!!! I looked at these photos and wish I was there at that moment!

Spider shots……I know this is weird but I really like spiders!!! Webs are wonderful!


The Sorrow of Love (beached boat)….I look at this photo and remember my longing for love and wanting that ship to sail again….preferably with a happy couple onboard.

Walk in Fire …don’t know where this shot was taken but I hope I see some skies like this here.

After the rain…..again I love purple….and also this could be Any-City…also I made up a story (in my head) of woman with umbrella.

Amongst the Vines and Produce and Product….Clever……enough said…

Ok so that concludes My Review Hour…..

Thanks again JK!!! BRAVO!!!!!

Moments in Time

Today I accidentally found out that someone was married……. An ex.

There are a lot of things that go through your mind when that information is discovered.
I was with this person for many years, I was going to marry him, and we ended many years ago….. As time passes those years with seem like specks. He is an important person in my life…..he is chapters 3-5 in my life book.

The first thought/feeling was shock then a second later I had a big smile on my face. I am happy for him….and kind of wish I could have been hiding in the church to watch what I could not do… happen. It was in the church that he and I went to and where most likely going to be married….(but I really didn’t want for it to happen there)…. I am happy that he got to have his day there and I hope he is happy!

Now this might seem strange to some but trust me I did have a good 10minutes of odd feelings; Like Oh my God…..when am I going to stop running and settle down, Wow does he have kids, who is she, do I know her?????? But then I realized that I am really happy and in a good place ( in life)….if I had not ended things at the moment that I did, I would not have lived the life I did/will……I would not have met the new wonderful people that are in my life and I would not have wound up in Cambridge today! I love it here and I am meant to be here at this moment in time.

Part of the problem I had when with this person was that I knew I was living a life not meant to be mine, I always felt that he was meant to marry someone else and I was meant to live a different life and perhaps marry someone else….. It is hard when someone in a relationship thinks that way.

The bravest thing I did was to be selfish for the both of us and know that we both deserved better! Sometimes when you love someone you really do have to let them go….I loved him but he was only meant to be written into chapters 3-5 not the whole book.

Trains and Pizza

Today was my first trip on the train to London….

It was so fun and I felt like I was in the third grade again on my first train ride into the city.
I had to go to a conference and workshop which was near King’s Cross. It was nice to be in a city again. I just loved the chaos and the bustling. I wished that I didn’t have to be in meetings all day, although the talks were good and informative.

We went out for lunch and we went to the cute Italian place and I got Pizza.
It was bliss because:
1. I haven’t had Pizza since in the US.
and (Most importantly!!!)
2. I stayed up late watching Mystic Pizza on TV last night…(I have seen this movie a hundred times but couldn’t help it) all throughout the movie I kept thinking ohhhhh I want a slice of Pizza. 15hours later….Poof and I am eating a great Pizza in London!! Magic! Yeah!!!!!
I do wish that I had more time in the city to contact buddies that live there….Next Time!

My Crew’s Race Costume…..seemed like a good idea…. in my head….

I had two races this weekend. A serious long distance piece which we did ok in and a short sprint piece in which crews dressed up in costumes.

Let me interrupt myself…….
I LOVE dressing up in costume….most of you at home know this and have joined in on the madness… Here in Cambridge, UK I have entered a land that I was not ready nor expecting…the land of dress-up and make-believe. I am now kicking myself for my 500lbs of luggage containing practical items, like coats, pants, sweaters…etc. AND NOT all of my costumes….such numbers as Cruellia Devil, Black Widow, Bar Maiden, Wigs Wigs Wigs, Hippie, Trinity, Scarlet O’Hara, Pageant Contestant, 80’s, HogWarts Drop-out, Flapper, Wonder-Woman….etc. I WILL be packing up as many as I can carry when home for the holidays!!!

This weekend I went to a Heroes and Villains Party…..without my Wonder-Woman costume…..ARGGGHHHHH!!! I dressed sexy-assassin-like and I wore my kick-ass Wonder-Woman Pin that lovely LL gave me as a going away gift. Everyone loved the pin and I explained that I was undercover Diana…. WW ;)

Ok back to the race…. The Captain put out the question of what the crew was going to dress up as ….without restricting the physicality of our Rowing. No-one answered the call and instantly I put out my idea. Now before I divulge this idea….I must say it was pretty damn amazing that I got 7 of the crew to go along with this considering they had NO idea of what I was talking about. (Only one other girl in boat is from US) On Sunday November 20, 2005 at 10:00am we became Blue (Wo)man Crew….paying homage to Blue Man Group.

This was suppose to be great because:
our college colors are Blue, it only requires us wearing all black, wearing blue face paint, and we wore our College Blue knit caps.
Great right? Original right? Blue Man Group is just starting to hit the UK!

Well it is hard to find lots of blue face-paint so I ordered some that I could get online/shipped in a couple of days.

Problem….. it was a bit darker than I hoped more Royal Navy Blue not Electric Blue. When I finished that last face of my Crew I looked at us and thought ….oh crap we look like Scary Creepy Thug Burglars….. Ooooopppps

The other crews start rowing by our boathouse and looked at us in Horror. There was a lot of, “What the hell are they?”

As I watch the other crews, I see all of the other billion ideas that we could have done and not interfered in our rowing…..things like Bunnies (just ears and little tails), Nurses (red-cross hats), Devils (horns), Fairies (pink wings), bees, princesses (tiaras)….I could go on….all really cute and pretty/sexy feminine costumes…..

WE looked like the Crew that is going to try to beat you and come over and rob you!!!!! God love my crew because we all looked horrible together and we were all laughing our asses off.

The highlight was the fact that we looked like the ugliest scariest women but we had the most fans and sexiest guys (our men’s team) show up and route for us!!!!
Besides at the end of the day we can say that we where NOT adding to the Miss-use of viewing females-as-sex-objects!!! Right.

I must have said Sorry a thousand times. It would have been just so great if the shading of blue was better…..but everyone loved the fact that NOONE will forget our costumes.

Also another side note….. The men’s crew teams had the best costumes. I was soooo impressed with their effort.
My favorites were:
70s disco kings
Rowing in Tuxes
Sunflower Crew
Vikings

Jam Roly Poly and An Abbey's Winter Garden.....Cure for Hang-Over!!

After Saturday night's oompahing, I woke up Sunday to get ready to check out the winter Gardens at Angleshey Abbey. http://www.angleseyabbey.org/

A lovely co-worker offered to take me and another lab-mate along with her family. I was so excited on the ride over to be in someone's car. Many know… that back in the States I was a big driver. I drove ALL the time and everywhere. Not having a car or having the courage to drive on the other side of the road was going to be my biggest adjustment. There are times that it is odd but it is nice to not have that worry….makes my life a little simpler.

We went all around the Abbey and the winter garden. It was lovely. As we walked I was feeling better....trying to recover from the Hang-Over. Then we went into the little cafe area and my friend said, "Shall we all try their Jam Roly-Poly?" I had NO idea what this was. So I said, "Is this a drink or food?" They explained it was a spongy cake with Jam and custard.

I love trying new things and went for it. Folks it was delicious and just what I needed to help cure the excessive Oktoberfesting...

Jam Roly Poly.....Loving It!!!!!

wow I finally found my kind of hat

My college's Oktoberfest was on Saturday. It was great and crazy! I had a blast. I went into it thinking everyone one raves about this event but I am probably going to go home early. NOPE Loved it!!! They converted our bar into a German-Beer hall. Lots of folks in lederhosen and bar maiden outfits and they brought in long wooden tables.

I brought two friends from other colleges with me. One (LA) was brought up in Germany (although she is British) and one (SD) is from Oz . LA was interpreting all of the songs oompah band was playing. They seemed to play 7ish songs and then repeat them in a loop the whole night, so I know now seven German oompah songs. Then when the band was on breaks a DJ would play German pop (or pop that plays in Germany).

Another friend who is German showed up wearing a Bavarian Hat. It was awesome and a huge hit in the crowd. Only two in the place so I felt honored when 30min after his arrival he placed it on my head and I got to wear it for the night. At first I was concerned. I have always looked horrible in hats, my sister has the hat wearing gift (she looks great in all hats). I look bad....the only one that is fine is ....well a witches hat________insert joke here____! I looked at friends and said, "do I look ok?" They thought i looked good and several people walking by said, "Love your hat". Finally I can found my type of hat.

Somehow the power of this hat took over and I found myself joined in a swaying side-to-side group ontop of a table screaming out German lyrics. Then "99 Luftballons" came on and all went crazy!!!!! It was awesome.

What would be great is if in some German Tradition boy placing Bavarian Hat on girl's head at an mock-Oktoberfest meant they were married or betrothed to each other.....aw shucks

Here is grainy pic of me in hat taken with phone....

Fireworks…… A year in Review

Fireworks…… A year in Review






This past weekend I went to see the fireworks and bonfires for Guy Fawkes Day.
And it was then when I realized that I have seen a lot of fireworks displays over the past year….so I give you my quick review.

It all starts with…

New Years Eve.. Sydney,

Australia Jan. 2005
Over Bridge and Opera House
Weather was perfect! My first NYE in a tank top!!! Loved It! Everyone was nice and happy! Sister and I had a great time and will always remember. We were over near Mrs. MacQuarries chair…lookout point.

It’s the largest crowd turn-out in world for New Years and one of the first places to bring in the New Year. I just loved this and tell everyone that if you are going to trek to Australia go for the New Year!

Fourth of July 2005….Cambridge/Boston MA
Over the Charles River
Nice weather…we were too tired to work to get a good view spot. So we were far away! It was nice to have my last fourth (for a while) set in the back-drop of the lovely city of Boston! Nice goodbye moment! Good company!
I did love the smiley face Firecrackers!!
The pics don’t do it justice!

Montréal International Fireworks Competition… July 30, 2005
La Ronde Amusement Park….
The final show by La Ronde the theme was The Big Bang Theory

Weather was nice! We had pre-order seats right up front! Fireworks set to music….and the music really made the show phenomenal. Lots of epic soundtrack scores. My favorite set was to the Jurassic Park theme music…..caused serious goose-bumps.

At moments you felt like the big bang was happening and the world was ending or aliens were attacking. GREAT Show!!!!





Guy Fawkes Day! November 2005, Cambridge UK
Midsummer’s Common
Weather was OK for here. Great use of colors!! Big Crowd…(didn’t realize that all of these people lived in or around Cambridge). I was just so excited to see fireworks in my new locale. I will try to recall these fireworks when there are NONE on the 4th of July here! ;)

ohhhhh i love the gong

The past two nights I went to some formal halls: one at my friend’s college...which has become a second home to me and one at my college. A formal Hall is a fancy formal dinner with three/four long tables, with pre-drinks, after drinks, courses and a head-master-type-person saying things in Latin allowing us to sit down and start eating…..all to candlelight. Everyone wears black scholarly gowns (if you are like me and some other new arrivals and visitors you can just get deck-out and not have a gown..luckily my college is not very strict about these formalities). But I will be getting my harry-potter type gown in the next few weeks as I am going to other formal halls at older and more traditional colleges.

The one at my friend’s college was lovely, great food and when we were finished GONG! I got all excited and leaned over and said, “Oh you guys have a gong too?”
To which the reply was, “oh yes, all of the colleges have gongs…it is a very Cambridge thing to have.”

Really cause that seems like a very Asian thing to do…but what the hell I love it. I really really do! It just adds that extra special moment.

Good Stuff!

Finally!!!! Boxes are here.....End Scene!

Everyone can breathe a sign of relief as my 5th and final box arrived today. I sent 5 boxes out two weeks before I left. They were supposed to be here 4-6 weeks. One box came in two weeks (probably put in airmail by accident). Three boxes came 2 weeks ago (week 6) and today the last box arrived (week 8). As you can imagine this last box was the most important of the lot and I was eagerly awaiting its arrival. It had some lab comforts, stapler, calculator, and three-hole punch…..which blows everyone away…here in the UK it is a two hole system. I knew this and packed it anyway to be a Rebel….but I didn’t pack any three ring binders…..FOILED!!!

Bless the individuals in my lab that got the calls of my packages arrivals and had to lug them up the flights of stairs to our office. Bless them! I will be baking some treats in celebrations of my things!!

This last box had my (hugely missed) flamenco shoes in it…Yup that’s me, Packing the absolute essentials. Olay!!!! It is a great feeling when you no longer have your things out there floating around. My heart goes out to those who have lost items/packages along the way. Boy if these boxes could talk I bet they would have a great blog…..

Bring on the visit from Bubbah Gannosh and my McManager! ;)

Pancakes....breakfast or dessert...you decide

Went to brunch today….and I looked for pancakes on the menu..despite everyone warning me that they would not be what I am used to.
I could not find them and I ordered something else that was tasty. After sitting for a while we decided to get “pudding”…aka dessert…..and guess what I found readers. Pancakes!!!! Pancakes with fruit, whip cream and ice-cream is in the Dessert section.
Interesting and now I know

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I really love it here. I can’t believe how quickly I fell in love with this new life and location. Trust me, I know that I will have my moments but man I love it. I was brushing my teeth this morning remember back to the time where I was brushing my teeth in the Bed and Breakfast about to check out and check into my new life as a student and I kept taking deep breaths and wondering….”Wow what am I doing?” “Is this going to be ok?”

Well it is more than OK! I feel that I have picked the perfect place and time in my life to do this. I know who I am and what I want and what works and am confident…..and that allows me to walk slower, take in and savior every new moment.

I was at brunch today with some ex-grad students who now are in the …gasp…real world working in London. They were back in town for some escape into student life and partying. Someone asked if I would ever work in London or around the area? And without hesitation I said a big YES ….. I startled myself for saying it without blinking and for really meant it.

I am just so happy!

Bonfires, Fireworks, Effigies. Oh My!!

So as I just walked back fireworks were going off left and right. Most of you know......I LOVE FIREWORKS!!!!

This weekend is Guy Fawkes and BonFire Night!
It is the 400year Celebration so this promises to be a good one!!!! I will let you know how it goes. Perhaps I will make some sort of effigy..

Check out this website and here is some info from the link....

The Gunpowder Plot ·
A secret plan to overthrow the king. A mercenary returning from war abroad. Thirty six barrels of gunpowder. . .

In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, Britain's most notorious traitor.

Bonfire Night ·
On the night of November 5th, throughout Britain, they celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes with bonfires and fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy.

http://www.bonefire.org/guy/bonfire.php

Archery Society....where are the groupies?

Archery

Archery society has been great. MM and VFJN and I are pretty good. MM is the bulls-eye king, he would nail it every time and I would cheer and “Woooo Hooo”….something I might add does not happen during archery. I did it the first time realizing that I forgot where I was and that I was not at some football or basketball game.

The Archery society instructors looked over at me and smiled. One came up to me and said, “You know it’s nice because you just don’t get any Archery groupies or cheers”. I vowed that as a new society member I would change all that.

When MM got one of his many bulls-eyes while VFJM and I were chatting he turned and said, “ Um Ladies are you paying attention, aren’t you going to cheer or anything.” ……I pretended to faint and swoon at the site of Robin Hood. He then dubbed me Maid Marian.

I do like archery and it is odd after hours of shooting you feel odd not walking around with a grand Bow in your hand.

Here are some photos of our outside outing!




Our Bulls-eyes














Moi
MM

VFJN