Friday, November 30, 2012

Oxford bound

Today we went to Oxford. As in Cambridge and Oxford. Well A and I did. We had a leisurely morning getting ready then headed out by car.

It was a little over an hour drive but not bad, especially since I didn't have to drive. We parked and made our way to Magdelean College. The whole town is set up with these little colleges.. Which apparently are all their own entities. Which I didn't know. So that is pretty cool. So we saw Magdelean first which was super pretty and apparently has a deer park.

Then we went to New College. Which was one of the two used for Harry Potter. Which quite honestly all of the places reminded me of the movies. So that was so fun :)

Then we went to HIGH TEA!!! It was so fun and tasty. I got English breakfast tea, and found out I at least like that kind with milk. Go figure. I wouldn't have guessed. But it was so English :) and really cute.

The last college we went to was Christ church college. The stairwell was from the first Harry potter. And the dinning hall was the inspiration for the hog warts dinning hall.

We walked around a bit, and then headed home.

All four of us went to a kabob house for dinner :) tasty tasty

Indian food in Britain.... Yes please :)

Twofer

Greetings from London. Time to update about the last two days. It's been a great two days and I can't believe I only have three more on this leg of the trip.

Yesterday I started the day by sleeping in a bit. It felt good after being so exhausted from the pace that we'd been keeping up. It was a bit intense so I needed a slow day.

I went running through A s neighborhood. And got lost. I didn't bring my tube pass. Admittedly stupid cause I ended up about a mile and a half away with the only way to get was to walk and run back. So a quick 20 - 30 min run turned into a 50 min run. Oops. And the annoying part it didn't even end up being that far.

I made it back and changed to go to central London crossfit. There again I got a bit turned around. The gym door was actually a bay door so it was a bit confusing to figure out where it was. I also ended up on the wrong street. So I ended up going to the elements class a half hr later. Which meant I was a half hr behind schedule... Which meant I was late to meet S. oops... Shit happens. I got to press series myself so all good.

Once we met up again we headed to Buckingham Palace. They only change the guard every other day but not the day we went . Still cool and got to see the guys in the fluffy hats :) all worth it. We roamed around that area for awhile.. And then I decided I needed food so we grabbed a sandwich and walked some more. Around the area.

We ended up in a shopping area that was very swanky. There was a huge burberry, among other things... Not exactly the places I shop but still really fun to walk around.

We went to a very local pub for dinner. Which had really good food. Then we went back.

The next day started off with an early crossfit workout again. 8 rounds of 200 meter run, 20 kettle bell gobblet squats and 20 sit up. So I was dead after that.

Fortunately the next location I was headed too was actually close to the gym. So I walked over to the Globe theater, or the replica of it, since the real burned down. But it was really cool to see. I mean I've never been to an outdoor theater and it was cool to see what a theater replica was like.

After that I walked along the river and over the bridge to St Paul's Cathedral. It was so pretty pretty. And I went up to this place in church called the whisper gallery. It involved a large number of stairs. I also went to the crypt... Yes dead people but it was good.

I then went to get some food and make my way to Oxford circus. I was going to take the train but I actually passed a bus. So I got my double decker bus experience. Woohoo!

I walked around Carneby st and did some shopping. I really like those shops. They are very eclectic. Which I like. :)

I went home and got ready to go to the theater. Then A, F, S and I went to kiss me Kate :) awesome blossom. And such a good show.

Then it was off to bed

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Bonjour Paris

Today started very early... We're talking 440 or so. Why you ask? Because today we were off to Paris and the train was at 7. So I rolled out of bed with very little sleep and made my way to the tube to meet S. We made it to the train with plenty of time to spare and proceeded to chill of the two and half ride.

Minus my drink tripping while I was dozing on the grumpy man across the table from me. Not too uncomfortable.... Oops... Train bends and no cup holders. Can't be faulted. Fortunately we got there about an hr after that so it wasn't too awkward for long.

Once we departed the train and did the requisite pee stop. We set about getting metro cards.

I've come to an interesting conclusion over the last few days. I'm actually a laid back traveler. I used to think I would always be high strung but traveling with someone, S, that is extremely high strung and basically goes against the flow whenever he doesn't follow something or understand completely even if I do... Makes me realize hey I'm mellow and actually very laissez faire, as the French would say. It makes me sort of miss when I visited a different S in Amsterdam. It was an awesome yet extremely chill trip. And that is what I need even while sightseeing.. Which isn't exactly the rest on the beach sort of vacation.

Anyways back to the adventure.

Once train tickets were procured we made our way to the metro to go to Norte dame. Always a favorite and always awesome. And it did not disappoint. Apparently it's celebrating its 685, or something , year which is pretty amazing. The rose window was gorgeous and I definitely felt good about going there. And with my new camera I may even have frame-able pictures... Shocker right... If you know me well you know I'm not the best photographer. I didn't light a candle this time because I didn't see st Therese. But I did internally offer some prayers up.

After that we tried to go to St chapelle. I say tried because we got all the way to the front and then found out we had to pay. Which was a downer and decided not to do it. Because we'd just come from a church. And the main reason to go is to see the sun through the stained glass. And it was definitely raining. So we pushed on.

To the Eiffel Tower... Woohoo. This was another must. And of course I've seen it every time I've gone to Paris. But i still wanted to go up. We went up to the tippy top. Which actually involves an elevator change. And we're able to get the amazing view of Paris. I can't wait to download my pictures. Now that I have the mega zoom camera I hope so of the potentially cool shots were actually cool.

We stayed up there for about a half an hr and got really cold. Then it was time for lunch. Of course by the time we found a cafe our brains were significantly hungrier then our stomachs. I got onion soup... You know what we call French onion... And it was very awesome eating onion soup in a cafe in Paris near the Eiffel Tower. Then I got a croque Madame. Basically a glorified grilled cheese with meat, it may have been rabbit but I'm not really sure. I didn't remember exactly what they tasted like but I remember it was good. So I got it but I was a lot of food. So eating again any time soon was out of the question.

After lunch we went down to the arc de triumph. Another good one. I still remember that our hotel the first time I went to Paris was right around the corner. So that area holds a special place for me. It also has the true tomb of the unknown soldier. Or well the first one I ever saw. So I think of it as the first, even though I would guess that most countries that participate in WWI have one. But who cares about the details :p

When we did that I'd sort of run out of a plan but S suggested that we go to basilica sacre coeur. Which we did. The stairs up to the top still such, because of course Montmartre is on a hill, and a big one. But it is completely worth it. Sacre coeur is really pretty and had a completely different feel then Notre Dame. So they are my favorites in Paris but for different reasons. And I saw a real nun:) I mean I've seen them before but it's always cool to see the real habits and stuff :)

After we'd seen that we didn't really have time to do much else but we walked a little and S got another coffee. Then we got a snack... Nutella crepe. YES!!!! And walked to the train station.

We got to the train station ridiculously early so I ended up doing laps around the neighborhood, essentially. Cause the idea of sitting in a train station was completely gross to me. So I didn't. And the neighborhood around Gare Du Nord... Kind of shady. But I made it work.

And now I'm reporting for the train on the way back. It was a long day with some transit foibles but nothing too bad and
We're going home to get some rest and sleep.

Tata for now... Enjoy an assortment of pictures... In no particular order... FYI. I'm officially bad at taking self portraits with a background. It's tricky





Monday, November 26, 2012

Tired tootsies

Today was another wonderful day in London. Actually it was a pretty funny day all things considering. It started off at a decent hour. I vetoed meeting S any time earlier then 9am. So we met at 9 at the Swiss cottage tube stop. Which is the one between A's house and his hotel. I got there right on time and off course had to wait because that is what happens. But he came shortly after and we were off.

The first stop today I thought would be the Olympic village. Little did we know its not open to the public again yet. As someone who's been to the Olympic villages in Montreal and Lillehammer I didn't really think about it. But I guess there is a certain amount of reprep does happen. So we were able to stand In the shop across the way and take pictures of the stadium. I mean it was a good view but not the up close an personal view we thought. We also had fun in the department store that we had to go through getting into the Christmas spirit . And buying a few ornaments. Or at least I did.

Well that took about a quarter of the time we thought it would so we headed back downtown toward Westminster abbey, the parliament building. And Big Ben. Got lots of shots of Ben in the light. Which is much easier. And then S wanted to go on the London eye. Aka the jumbo Farris wheel in London. So have I mentioned I'm sort of really afraid of heights. But I like views... Don't ask. I have no idea why that is the case but it is. But I went and it was admittedly VERY cool. I only got light headed and nauseous in the top half of the circle. So score for me. And it was awesome.

By that point it was well time for lunch so we went to the first restaurant that looked ok. Japanese bento time :) it was tasty and came with lots of veggies. Just what I needed.

After lunch we made our way back to Westminster Abby to get a closer look at it. And I wanted to go in... Which we did. And I am thrilled we did. Cause it was both kind of creepy and completely awesome! There were basically a ton of tombs all around the outside of the building. With famous people like Shakespeare, Handel, all of the Brontes, Jane Austin, Isaac Newton. To name a few. Needless to say it was pretty awesome.

We finished that and S wanted to go back to the hotel to shower before dinner. Which I didn't think was necessary. I mean its a 30 min ish ride both ways... Ill have dinner sweaty thanks. Anyway so I decided to go to harrods.

I'm so glad I did. It's just a really really fun place. It took a little work to get there from where I was both worth it. First off the outside was done up with lights and it was just pretty. The street level displays where really cool too! For some reason they were doing a Disney princess couture theme. Way snazzy regardless. So walking was a bit overwhelming but I found a guide and was better. There was actually a person giving directions which is common. So I didn't feel to silly. The architecture of the building is just amazing... I mean they have nice stuff obviously... Think sacks or bergdorf goodman (or at least that's how I think of those stores since I don't go in them) but they have this escalators that is Egyptians themed. It was gorgeous. I also looked in the Christmas section... Ogled the crackers. They had huge ones with me chains and stuff in them. And an amazing toy store. It was awesome all around. I may have to go back.

I didn't stay as long as I wanted cause I had to meet S for dinner at Jamie Oliver's restaurant 15. Talk about fine dinning. The menu was quite lux. I got scallops which were amazing. Melt in your mouth. A perfect end to a long but awesome day.

After dinner we went back to A's so that S and A could meet and possibly get a converter. And then we all went to bed... Very late to get up very early to go to Paris.



Sunday, November 25, 2012

London day 2

I've been in London for alittle over a day. Considering I got to my place of sleep around 1pm yesterday. And I've already been able to check off a few things.

Yesterday I went to the Churchill war rooms. Which were not initially on my list but recommended by F. And it was actually pretty cool. It was all the bunker rooms that Churchill used during his world war 2 days. They also had a museum of church ills life which was ok. I didn't like the way it was set up. Because I've noticed British exhibits are kind of backwards from what I would expect. So being tired and not really getting the flow of the exhibit I didn't do so hot. But the war rooms were really neat.

Oh I forgot to mention I got to see Big Ben at night. Cause it's right outside the train stop. So that was cool. Now just have to see it during the day.

After the war rooms I decided to try to get to Piccadilly Circus. Mainly cause I'd heard it looks like time square. Which I did and it does. I just got a bit turned around in doing it. So I was so tired when I got there so I basically just saw and went home (aka back to A's house) due to tired and hungry. I stopped at white rose and got some pre- made stuff. Which F recommended as pretty good. And they had an amazing selection. So I was happy.

After eating this sicko decided to try her hand at a run. Shocker that is actually felt felt pretty good and I didn't get lost. Double score.

Today was also excellent. I met up with my travel partner S and we had a bit of a lazy morning since he just got in. I was nice and let him take a two hour nap. Thank god for netflixs on my phone. Ironically my phone lets me stream but the computer doesn't... Weird right?

Anyway, then we went to the Tower of London. Aka where the Crown Jewels are . It was way cool. And I'm so glad we payed the large-ish sum to go. The only bummer, no pictures allowed. So I got stuff of the tower. But no jewels.

There was also a very extensive collection of armor in a different building in the tower complex. Which had all sorts of stuff for the ages. We had fun in there... Me mainly acting like an idiot and S capturing it on film. So that was awesome too!

Now we are off to dinner at this place called Hugo. I will say ill be eating well on this trip because S has way better taste then I do. And I'm ok with that. Off for a good meal before I eat my arm off

Friday, November 23, 2012

Thanks and Labels

Happy Day after thanksgiving. 

I know I have lots to be thankful for....health *this marks the one year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis..so i know it could be a great deal worse.  I am thankful for the good fortune and downright luck I've had in that regard because it could have been a great deal worse.

my family - i love them, i hate them but they are still my family and I'm thankful for a family that I know cares deeply for me.  Even if I don't always like the way that they do it.

my girlfriend -  Its been a long time since I felt the love and caring of another person and I'm so thankful to have found a wonderful person that I feel so deeply for even this early in the relationship. 

Yesterday also marked the fourth year that I ran the Gobble Gobble Gobble race in Davis Square.  It was great.  I did 4 miles in 43:03 min.  Which was well below my goal of 45 min.  I didn't set too high a goal for myself because I have been so stiff lately.  And had gone to crossfit two days in a row.  So my hips and knees were not too happy to be moving.  But I did well and it wasn't even that bad during.   So score one for me. 

Then we, the holm family, went to my aunts house in west newton.  and had our usual low key lunch thanksgiving.  The best part of the meal is actually after because we all inevitably end up looking at the black Friday deals.  Its kind of fun and definitely a tradition. We also finish early enough that you don't have to feel gross going to bed and you get home at a nice hour.  Its very relaxing, shown by the fact I went to bed at about 930pm. 

Today I've been realizing my immediate family is very concerned with labels.  Possibly because I'm about to go on a long trip I've had girlfriend on the brain since we will be out of touch for the longest amount of time since we started seeing eachother (over 3 months ago)  But anyway...what I'm referring to is my sexuality.  My parents are concerned that if I classify myself as something people will get confused.  Where as I think the word bi-sexual.  Which works for now..is pretty clear.  Attracted to women and men and currently dating a women.  I am quickly coming to the conclusion most people don't care about your sexuality in this day and age because it doesn't really effect them...and there is so many out and proud people.  My family is so concerned with what people will think that basically the parental's want me to live in the closet.  Which i'm not going to do.  Granted I don't know what the future holds...but no one does and I'm attracted to women and dating women.  Enough said....I wish they would just get over it.  Whats the big deal with labels anyway? 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Winds of change

So I'm such a lazy ass lately. It's not even like I've not been doing anything blog worthy. It's just I'm too lazy to write about.

Today my focus is digestion or in my case lack there of. The last few weeks I've been having more trouble then usual which has led me to inch toward a more extreme diet change. Anyone who's known me for awhile knows I go in and out of fascination with the paleo diet. It at times had felt to extreme. And others just too hard to follow. But the I started to listen to the Balanced Bites podcast and realized that I was focusing on paleo perfection. And that was unachievable. I needed to work out what I could do and be successful with. Like do I want to completely give up diet soda.... No.. And I that is ok with me. And I hate to subject other people to my dietary choice but I want to heal my gutt so off to paleo lad I go. It does help that it get rid of some excess weight too.. And who doesn't like a diet that allows you to have al the bacon you want :) I mean come on