Time For You to Go Home to the Places You Will Be From

And just like that, it was over.

I'm sitting in Cafe Nero, just around the corner from my flat. For five weeks now, I've lived and worked in London, arguably the biggest and most influential city in the world. I've poked around most of the corners of this city, met unbelievable people, and had experiences I would have otherwise never had.

This city has become my home, if only for a few weeks.

I've grown in so many ways on this trip. Professionally, I've moved my career forward at a fun and rewarding internship and been able to get recognition for doing what I love. I've seen what the entertainment industry can be like. I've seen how to act in a professional setting, and conversely, how not to act. I've also been given the amazing opportunity to continue with Verge in the states and keep possibilities open in the future. With every project, I became even more passionate about journalism and  convinced that I am doing the right thing.

Personally, I've seen all sides of people. I've learned the importance of speaking up for yourself and fighting for what you want. I've also earned the importance of not caring what other people think of you, and that being alone is okay. I've always known and acted accordingly, but its fascinating to stand back and watch the consequences of both standing out and going with the crowd. I have a better understanding of the importance of being true to who you are and sticking to your values and acting based on them, even if it's not what is mainstream or cool. I've relearned the most basic things I was taught as a child, but seeing them in action and the consequences of people's and my own action have really struck me. I've made great friendships and secured my existing ones. It's really been a great, life-changing experience.

So, as I sit alone in this hip, European cafe, surrounded by people making their way through their lives, I feel good. I am thankful that life is so terrible and beautiful, that people are so friendly, that there are people in life who always have your back, that there is never a point in life where you stop learning, that it's so cold and dreary in London, and that sunshine always follows the rain.

I guess I would like to thank everyone who has read this blog and supported me in my experiences leading up to and during my time in the UK. I'm not sure if I'll continue writing this blog (I'd really like to), but if I do, I encourage you to continue reading my updates. I mean if you want to. We have to be ready to go to the airport at 4:30 tomorrow morning, so that will be an experience.

It's with a heavy heart that I leave London and the friends I have made here. It really isn't goodbye, I'm sure I'll be back. I am excited, though, to get back to that American summer and sunshine.

Until then, we'll meet again.

My last week

Monday unexpectedly turned out to be a wonderful day.

I say unexpectedly, because we had no real plans.

We went to Westminster Abbey, where my favorite couple (Will and Kate, of course!) was married. I though it was going to be so-so, but the intertwining history of Catholicism and Protestants was fascinating! I saw so many famous people's graves, like Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth I, Alfred Lord Tennyson, George Handel, Geoffrey Chaucer, Sir Laurence Olivier, and more! There was a section called Poet's Corner, where the artists I mentioned are buried, along with memorials to many great British writers, etc., such as Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austen.

Kaidy and I went to Covent Gardens to explore! I love all of the little shops, patisseries, and street performers there! There was a really neat bar called The Verve, where we took advantage of the happy hour specials. We also ventured (of course) to Oxford Street to House of Fraser and got our makeup doen (for free!) at the Benefit counter. It's a really funky make-up company from San Francisco. We bought foundation and such (big girl make-up!).

Dr. Stewart was in town, so our group met him for a late dinner. He's bringing a group to Oxford to study, so he took them to the Globe Theatre and to Greek food after. We met him at the restaurant he took us to! It was great talking to him. It was also a weird metaphor: we had come full circle. about a month earlier, I was at the same table making awkward conversation with people I barely knew. Now, I had great food with great friends.

Tuesday, we filmed another acoustic session, which I am also going to edit! I'm so excited. That night, I'm pretty sure I just sat at home on Facebook, but it was really nice to catch up on what's going on at home and to just veg.

Wednesday, we filmed a fashion look book! Morgan organized it. It was at a speakeasy in a fancy hotel in Chelsea. Seriously, I'm sure one night there costs more than I do. The venue was so awesome though! It seemed as if each quirky piece of decor has it's own, awesome story.

That night, Kaidy, Ardath, and I went to East London! East London really is one of my favorite places on Earth. It's so original, gritty, and it doesn't care about what's mainstream or cool. The people there set trends by just doing their thing. Kaidy went and got her hair cut at an awesome salon, so Ardath and I accompanied! They served us free cocktails while we waited! I got, what else, an espresso martini! After, we went to Nando's. At first, Nando's, was described to me as a British KFC, but it's so much more than that (and better!). Nando's is actually a classy, sit-down restaurant. They serve barbecue chicken and peri-peri chips (fries) that are so delicious!

Afterwards, we made our way to Kingsland Road, a Main Street of sorts for Shoreditch. We went to a wild club I've been dying to go to since the first day, The Shoreditch. Two cocktails for ten pounds AND free entry? I'll take it! We got wild drinks with such names as a happy buddha, planet of the apes, velvet mai tai, and our favorite, a bunny with a gun. The latter consisted of rum, strawberry juice, and... absinthe?! Yes. It was exquisitely delicious. We watch the live band downstairs finish playing and then went upstairs. The DJ was playing 80s music. Really, this place was made for me. We grooved to some of my favorite songs, and I had to be forcibly dragged (by my friends!) from the dance floor during "Karma Chameleon." I was just so in my element!

Thursday was a fairly normal last day at the office; it was nice. Andre took us to an event previewing Forever 21's Christmas line (look out, Mom, I've already picked out what I want!). The hors d'oeuvres and free champagne really made the event, though. I ended up going to Leicester Square for one last night out with everyone. We never got into a club, though. It was pretty late. We did, however, go to the fountain right in the middle of Picadilly Circus. We sat on the steps for almost an hour and just took in our surroundings. All of the lights and cars and buses were so beautifully overwhelming juxtaposed against the night sky. It was my favorite moment of the week.

Today, we had an awesome sushi lunch in our neighborhood, and we're going to Abbey Road! Nothing like waiting till the last minute, eh?

A Lazy Last Weekend in London

I really can't believe this was my last weekend in London; it really has gone by terribly fast. I've had so many great times, been to so many memorable places, ate so much delicious food, and met so many interesting people.

Although I am excited to come home, eat a salad with some iced tea, and exercise my butt off. The hotter weather will definitely be a weird (but welcome) adjustment. In case you couldn't tell from my pictures, it averages 55-60 degrees here. It's colder in Liverpool and even colder in Edinburgh. It's perfect weather for comfort food, but five weeks straight of meat pies and bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes) puts a damper on your vitality and waistline. 

Also, nowhere in Europe are iced coffee drinks a thing. It's bad enough having to pay for coffee over here (#firstworldproblems) but Starbucks is the only place that serves iced coffee drinks. I may be a Starbucks snob, but it's really only because I am guaranteed a tall iced coffee for 1.50 at every location! Europeans also kind of discourage just plain coffee. They prefer espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, which are a pound or so more expensive than "filter coffees." Coffee with milk is called a flat white, and is half weak coffee and half heavy cream. They charge more for take away (take out) and you actually have to ask for a to go cup. Although I could get used to croissants being everywhere.

Ah, the things you learn as an American caffeine addict in European cafes.

So on Friday, we went to the Tower of London. I'm said to say that I was underwhelmed. It was very touristy and the workers weren't very helpful. They got snippy when we asked about torture and prisoners (since the tower wasn't meant to be a prison, that's just what the world has taken from its story) and denied seeing any ghosts. At the Tower of London. It also took very quickly to get through. It was probably due to the masses coming in for the Olympics.

Or that the fact that I was supposed to go on a guided audio tour went over my head.

The omnipresent Olympics are more of an influence than I expected, however. With each passing week, security and the long arm of the law get tighter and the number of clueless, loud tourists painfully grows.

So we went to Wetherburn's (a pub chain that we frequent in London and Scotland) and I got, of course, a meat pie with mash. It was good, but the steak and ale pie with chips I got as my first meal in London was the absolute best. I compare every meal in this city since to it. 

We meant to go the British Museum for the rest of the afternoon, but quite honestly, we were too tired. We went home and napped in preparation for the Ministry of Sound, the biggest nightclub in the world. Well, we all overslept and ended up staying in that night. It was actually a great time: 10 Things I Hate About You was on, which is funny, since Dr Stewart is back in town and taking us to see Taming of the Shrew (the Shakespearean play that 10 Things was based off of) at the Globe tomorrow.

Saturday was another great day to sleep in. By mid afternoon, Ardath, Andrew, Kaidy, and I made our way to Picadilly Circus and got last minute tickets to see Les Miserables. It. Was. Beautiful. I had never seen a professional live production before, and I was blown away. Every character was played amazingly, and the music was so symphonic and spot-on. I cried throughout the show. It was that good.

Before the show, we caught an Asian buffet in Chinatown, which was...authentic.

Ardath found a pub crawl in Camden last night, which is what we decided to do. Overall, it was awesome! Like I've said before, if I lived in London, it would be in Camden. It's literally the one neighborhood on planet Earth that is most suited to me. It just oozes cool. The crawl was a flat 12 pounds and we got a free shot at each bar with free entry. Not bad.

The first bar we went to was okay – just normal. We then walked to a bar in Camden Lock. That's where the awesome market is, and also where the old stables are. So the private rooms in this club were old stables. It was way cool. The walls were adorned with quirky paintings and decorated deer heads. Black lights and neon lights were everywhere. It was a great atmosphere.

The next club was my favorite. It looked like an old bar off of Rt 66 or something, smack in the middle of Camden Town. After a few lame instrumental songs, I saw that the DJ specialized in oldies and soundtrack music. Okay for me, but will it translate to a club? 

Oh hells yes, it did. 

In what surpassed Scotland in my favorite nightclub experiences,  we danced the night away to, yep, Jailhouse Rock, Jolene, Sweet Home Alabama, I Wanna Be Sedated, London Calling (quintessentially Camden, if I do say so myself), and of course, Take Me Home, Country Roads. I had such a blast! 

The last club, The Lovebox, was awesome like the Scottish club. We stayed in the alternative section, but there was a Top 40 section and an untapped 80s room, which I desperately wish we made our way to. We also took the wrong bus...into the burbs. We finally got home after 3 a.m.

On our last weekend day in London, we went back to Shoreditch for the markets. It was nice to come full circle. The first issue of Made In Shoreditch came out this week, so I picked up a copy. I'm proud of the work that went into it! I showed the group Boxpark and got the greatest smoothie I ever had.

As we walked through the crowded market streets, I was again baffled by the phenomenon of so many different people and cultures in one place. I almost got some fresh fruit for a pound. There were really great deals. We went vintage shopping again along Brick Lane. We eventually made our way down to the food section, which was so amazing, as expected. I got some chai that was being made in front of me from scratch. I also got some freshly squeezed kiwi juice! We also got asian food (a go-to around here). I probably won't eat Asian food for a long time – we get it way too much here, and it's overpriced and not as good as at home (coincidentally). We checked out Old Spitalfields Market, where I got a cute ring!

After, we came home. Tonight will be chill. Everyone else went to a pub theatre, but I'm enjoying my lazy weekend in London.

Jack the Ripper, George Harrision's plaid shirt, and...tapas?

Tuesday was just another day at Verge – making all kinds of amazing things happen!

Last night, some friends and I went on a Jack the Ripper tour, most likely one of our greatest decisions yet.

For those who don't know, Jack the Ripper was the first highly publicized serial killer. He killed five prostitutes in London in the 1880s very viciously. I won't go into detail about how he managed to do it, but from the bodies, it was evident that Jack was probably a doctor or surgeon because of his methodical way of mutilating his victims.

Also, prostitution was not a taboo in those days; it was a way of putting bread on the table. Around 1,200 ladies of the night roamed East London in those days, and  the still creepy-as-hell narrow streets and alleyways were drenched in darkness. In other words, it was very easy for things to go wrong when wandering the streets of East London at night.

Oh, and he was never caught.

Our tour guide was so great. He was descriptive and drew you in, and he was a master at the dramatic pause. He took us around to the five murder sites, and at the end, gave us possible theories on who Jack really was. It happened to be near where some of the external shots of Diagon Alley were taken. Also, our guide was Liverpoolian, so I almost proposed to him on the spot (just kidding!).

Afterwards, we got Indian food on Brick Lane. Brick Lane is a street that's world renown for its awesome and authentic Indian food. We went to the Sheraz Indian house, which our tour guide pointed out that was the spot of Ye Olde Frying Pan, the pub where Jack the Ripper's first victim drank her last pint of gin. Needless to say it was amazing, and we were constantly looking over our shoulders into the darkness on our way home.

Wednesday was another day at work, but it was still another day at Verge, so it was obviously exciting and fun. That night, we all decided to go to the original Hard Rock Cafe. The drinks were disgustingly overpriced and cost as much as the food, but it was delicious and so worth being at the original Hard Rock. There was so much memorabilia that my head was almost spinning! Everything from John Bonham's drum set to Bob Dylan's guitar to Prince's cuffed shirt. It was a fun night.

Thursday, I had finally finished my music video I made for Verge! I can't wait: it's going to be seen by major industry execs and might even see play on MTV! Kaidy and I went to Oxford Circus to shop for going out outfits that night and ended up stopping by a tapas restaurant for dinner. Mind you, these tapas are way better than in the states. There was a huge Spanish influence, and the price was great! It was 9.95 per person for three dishes and a glass of wine. So, we each got some red wine and split six different tapas! It was great. That night, we actually ended up staying home and hanging out with our group.

In my life, I've loved you more...

I fulfilled a life dream of mine on Monday. That is, I traveled to Liverpool, the hometown of the Beatles. If you din't know, they have been my all-time favorite band for my entire life.

And if you know me and didn't know that, I think you've been wildly inattentive.

It was such a great day. My friend, Anna, and I met at 5 a.m. (yep, in the morning) and caught the 6:24 train to Liverpool. One thing that's funny about Great Britain is that its always light. That's because we are so far north that it's really only dark for a few hours at this time of year.

I guess the sun really doesn't set on the British Empire.

So, we arrived in Liverpool just after ten. We made our way to Albert Dock, where Ringo Starr worked for about a week. There, we got onto a bus tour, "The Magical Mystery Tour."It was an amazing two hours. We got out a few times to take pictures, as well. Such as at the Penny Lane street signs, which have to be bolted into the pavement because they are stolen so often, or at Strawberry Fields. 

We drove past the barber shop where the barber shows photographs of every head he's have the pleasure to have known, the bank where the banker never wears a mac in the pouring rain, and shelter in the middle of a roundabout where a pretty nurse sells poppies from a tray. My mind was blown.

We passed the boys' childhood homes, their schools, the hotel where they played their last show in Liverpool, and much more. We ended at the Cavern Club, where the group played 292 times! We then walked to the Beatles Story, the official Beatles museum. It was an amazing audio tour filled with awesome info and memorabilia. I was beside myself with Beatlemania. There was also a spot chronicling the boys' solo careers. 

At the end was an all white room, with a white piano and John's orange circular specs on it. One wall had the words to "Imagine" written on them. It was a very solemn scene, so much so that I got goosebumps.

We also went to the Starbucks (two of my favorite things: the Beatles and coffee!) and the gift shop.

After that, we went to the Philarmonic Pub. John Lennon was quoted as saying it was that pub that he missed the most about Liverpool, so of course we had to go! We learned that day that the group's favorite drink was a scotch and coke, so of course that's what we ordered. The pub had all sorts of gold accents and had such an old world charm.

On the train ride home, I reflected on the surreal day I had. I kind of can't believe it was that awesome, and that I went to the hometown of my lifelong idols.

I shall leave you with this, my favorite Beatles song and undoubtedly my favorite song of all time, ever.

VERGE

This week began my first full week at Verge, and it has already been a wild and awesome ride! Tuesday, I got Final Cut Pro and went out for drinks with my boss and coworkers at a bar in Oxford Circus called The Social. It had a cool, underground vibe.

Wednesday, I got to film a music video! It was a n acoustic session with Sophie Delila, a musician who is really big in France and is breaking in to the UK music scene. Sophie was very nice, too! We almost went to Paris this weekend, so she was telling us good places to go. That was also the Fourth of July! Morgan and I went to House of Fraser and got our makeup done (for free!) at the Chanel counter! We then went to a pub for dinner and a nightclub. We were in Leicester Square starting the “U-S-A!” chant for a while; we got it going in the club too!

On Thursday, Morgan, Kaidy, and I went to the Disney Store in Oxford Circus to preview Disney’s Christmas 2012 collection! It was so magical, and I’m sure my Aunt Dawn would have loved it. I’ll be writing a piece on it for Verge! There were snow cones, Mickey-shaped mince pies, and cupcakes with glittery icing! We also got a swag bag with some Disney merchandise. That night, Kaidy and I went with our boss, Andre and some other people to a bar or drinks.

Friday started out terribly. For starters, I lost my iPhone on the tube. The guys that work there said I have a fair chance at getting it back, if it wasn’t stolen. I did get a pay-as-you-go phone for £10. Thing is, I’m out of a phone with all my contacts, camera, alarm clock, tube map, wifi, and basically everything else.

So, needless to say, we won’t be seeing any pictures for a while.

Kaidy and I also worked the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park. I got to see Childish Gambino, Metric, Santigold, Deadmau5, and more for free. I mean. It was a great opportunity for networking. And it was free. And there was free beer in the Press Room. Also, we got to meet Metric! Kaidy and I got a lot of networking done and got to meet some cool people! We also had jacket potatoes…basically huge baked potatoes smothered in cheese and whatever else for cheap.

Mmmmmmm.

We also learned how nice and relaxed British police are. Kaidy and I went up to a policewoman speaking into a microphone and let us sing Take Me Home, Country Roads! We also were holding cups of alcohol and were totally not breaking the law!

Yesterday, Hillar took us on a trip to Hampstead. It’s a region where a lot of famous people live.  We went to the Spaniard’s Inn, a pub that’s something like 500 years old and saw Ricky Gervais, an actor who was on the British version of The Office and is in movies! We also trekked through mud to get some good views in the woods. We went to the cemetery where Douglas Adams and Karl Marx are buried. Last night, we went out to Shoreditch, finally!! We went to a club that played cool hip hop from like the 80s and 90s (Rapper’s Delight, anyone?). It was in a building with awesome fuzzy wallpaper and it looked like it was in someone’s apartment.

So now that we’ve seen Buckingham Palace, we had to see another home of The Queen, Windsor Castle. It was so old and beautiful. We talked to some of the people that worked there and found out the Her Majesty is actually pretty cool: sometimes, she’ll take a car and drive around the town of Windsor by herself!

Tomorrow, I go to Liverpool.  I’m SOO excited to go where the Beatles grew up and got together!

I’m beside myself.

Haggis, The Red Hot Chili Pipers, and JK Rowling: My Weekend in Scotland

Scotland was one hell of a weekend, in the best way.

It all began with the great train disaster on Friday. We got to King’s Cross station, but severe flooding in the English countryside made the railways impassible.

So our train was cancelled.

By the time we got to another train after running to another train station, we realized we had left some people behind, so most of our group got off before it left the station.

But some kids were still on the train.

We caught another train and wired the first, and we all ended up getting on the same train. Our train was, however, delayed because of rain.

We should be counting our blessings, though, because mudslides actually damaged one of the later trains from London to Scotland that day.

After getting to the first train station at 9:30, we finally arrived in Scotland around 4:30 pm. Four hours later than intended.

We then went on a walking tour of Edinburgh (basically pronounced “Edin-burough”). It’s split into two sections: old town and new town. We stayed in nice one-bedroom rooms at the university in old town. It was weird not having a roommate.

Hamish, the highland cow!

We went on a walking tour of Edinburgh and had dinner at a pub. We saw the Greyfriar’s Bobby, the Elephant House (where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone), and other sites.

After a terrible day and miles of walking the town, I ate like it was my last meal. We also had a British staple: Pimm’s (a sort of gin- it’s sold in the states!), with British lemonade (it’s clear and carbonated here) and some fresh fruit.

Then we went to a local pub, called the Drouthy Neebors. We had some great beer and Iron-Bru, a Scottish energy drink. It wasn’t too great. We ended up befriending the bartenders there and went back every night since!

The highlands of Scotland
were so surreal

One guy explained to me a main symbol in town: a lion (powerful Scotland) and a unicorn (beautiful Edinburgh). The unicorn’s neck is chained, signifying the crown jewels of England. This year, Scotland is going to (again) vote for independence from Britain. If that happens, the chain will have to be broken from all of the unicorns in Edinburgh!

It sounds like an exciting time, until you realize that the Scots and Brits hate each other and the Scots have been trying to gain independence for literally hundreds of years.

Saturday, we went on a bus tour through the highlands of Scotland. Our bus driver, Jamie, told all about lochs, clans, glens, Scottish history, and a bagpipe band called the Red Hot Chili Pipers.

HAGGIS!

We also learned that there are about 5.5million people in Scotland, outnumbered by about 10 million sheep. We visited Hamish the highland cow (who has his own Facebook page!) his wife, Heather, and their daughter, Honey! We also passed Doune castle, where Monty Python and the Holy Grail was shot.

For lunch, I had a haggis (yep, you betcha!) and brie Panini. It was delicious! We also drove through Fort William, where the train they used as the Hogwarts Express is.

It was so inspiring as we drove through the highlands, learning about each clan in the area where they lived.  The bagpipe music was awesome, as well.

Drinking scotch on Loch
Ness

Finally, we got to Loch Ness. Growing up, I always read about the Loch Ness monster thinking it would be nice to go there, even though I probably never would be able to.

Lo and behold, I stood on the shore, skipped rocks, and even put my hands in the loch itself!

I also was taken by how…normal the loch was. It really was not a huge tourist attraction. It wasn’t even creepy; it was just like any other loch.

When we thought we couldn’t do anymore, we arrived back in Edinburgh in time for the pub.

Sara cannot handle being
in Elephant House!

Sunday, we went to Rosslyn Chapel. For those who don’t know, it’s where Dan Brown (author of the Da Vinci Code) and many others say the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, the Knights Templar treasure, and pretty much every other secret of the world is hidden.

News Alert: I’m writing this on the train back to London and I just noticed we’re running along the coast of the North Sea. That’s kinda cool.

Anyways, the still-functioning Episcopalian church known as Rosslyn Chapel was beautiful yet mysterious. The artwork is all carved and weathered. The sculptures are seemingly random and asymmetric. The crypt is, well, a crypt. But I find a quirky sort of appreciation for this building: after almost a thousand years, it’s still managed to keep all of its secrets.

Note from a friend

We spent the rest of the day shopping and just milling around. We had tea and cake (yeah, I do that now?) at the Elephant House. It didn’t hit me until halfway through the meal that we were sitting in the birthplace the biggest literary character of our generation.

The table we were sitting at had drawers, which we found to be stuffed to the brim with notes. To JK Rowling, to Harry Potter, to the readers of the notes. It was a magical experience. I wrote a note of my own to Jo and put it in the drawer. The bathroom was adorned with messages, as well. Some inspiring, some funny, but all centered around this woman who shared her imagination with the world.

In case you didn’t know, I’m a major Harry Potter fan.

The hills are alive!

Later, some of the group went on a ghost tour. Edinburgh is the 4^th most haunted city in Europe, after all, and they visited the vaults, the most haunted building in Great Britain. It’s been featured on ghost hunting shows.

I, however, went to the pub with the other part of the group to watch the Euro Cup finals against Spain and Italy. Football’s (Soccer) kind of a big deal over here.

Afterwards, one of the bartenders took us to a local nightclub, called the Hive. It was pretty much the greatest club ever. One section played Top 40 radio music, while the other side played anything from alternative to oldies. I absolutely loved the latter. It was such a blast!

The view from Edinburgh Castle

This morning, we climbed Arthur’s Seat at 8 am. Arthur’s Seat is a huge mountain overlooking Edinburgh. The endorphins gave me such a rush!

We then toured the Scottish parliament, aka the artsy-est, most annoyingly abstract building I’ve ever seen. Every squiggle or awkward ceiling panel had “deep symbolic meaning” to the people of Scotland.

We had lunch in a pub (I had bangers and mash: sausages and mashed potatoes!) and then toured Edinburgh castle.

I guess the relationship between England and Scotland is pretty terrible. One guy told me he got thrown out of a restaurant in London because of his accent. It’s scary that stuff like that still exists.

Now, we’re on our way back to the bustling metropolis of London. I really am sad to be leaving such a rugged and exciting country. I felt at home here. I kind of want to come back here to live someday. No kidding. Maybe be a sheep farmer and have all the warm wool I could ever desire?

Let’s just hope my first full week at Verge is worth leaving the rugged highlands of bonnie Scotland.