brb

Gone for a week. No apologies.

10 bonus points if you get the reference. 

Around London Town

I've been living it up, since there's not that much time left! It's cool, though. I'm all smiles on this side of the pond...

Quite honestly, (late) springtime in London is drop dead gorgeous. Richmond is one of the best spots to live in LDN; also cause this month there was a big, kitschy fair here!

Complete with self-playing organ and midget sized cars for kids! 

 Springtime is also for bank holidays (basically national holidays) and BBQs. When the sun's out in London, you best be out too! 

Wise words to live by? 

 London might be the best big city for catching some nature. There's a plethora of fine parks.

And gardens!

 And hey, it hasn't been all party, party, party here! I also like to get my divine side on by visiting places of worship, like this neat Hindu temple. I went with my Italian buddy Giorgio, pictured above. 

Lastly, Big Ben. This whole time I haven't put a picture of this fella up. It was about damn time!

Facing the Goodbye

Now that I've had a couple days to ponder what I should do in regards to leaving London sooner rather than later, I realized that it was never about having to leave 4 weeks early. In the grand scheme of things, those extra weeks would not make or break my experience here.

What really hit me (a colossal slap across the face) is that I am going to really miss London and the people in it. By taking away that extra month, it made me face the harsh truth that I'm leaving. This is something I've known all along--but it always felt like it was "months away!"

Despite wanting to stay as looooooooong as possible, all I would be doing is prolonging the inevitable goodbye, while stressing myself out with finishing my dissertation amongst moving, couch surfing and trying to take in the city as much as possible. I've got to be a responsible grown-up now, and focus on finishing this disseration without too much distraction!

I'll always love London, but it was never going to be my forever home, so there's no need to drag out an imminent departure. So, it looks like the end of June will be my 'goodbye' date. I'm facing it now. Here's to a smashing last two months! I'll live them well.

A Tale of Two Cities

1. London
2. San Diego


I was originally planning on staying in London until the very end of July, a few days before my friend gets married August 3rd. I wanted to get every last drop of London!

But now, my landlord has informed us that our lease is being terminated earlier than scheduled. We need to be out by June 30th. A nice friend of mine has offered a couch for me to stay on the last few weeks; however, this is not the ideal condition while trying to focus on finishing a dissertation.

So, I'm faced with the decision of going home A MONTH early, or trying to finish all my work while being a couchsurfer and staying in London. Hmmm...

I feel like time is being stolen from me!!

 >:(

London: The Land of Suckiest Coffee

When I first moved across the pond, I was eager to have some great English tea. And seriously, English tea might be the very best! But after a few months of heavier assignments and increased workload, sometimes tea just wasn't enough for a self-proclaimed caffeine addict...

I'm smiling, but the coffee still sucks.

Every now and then, a girl just wants a decent cup a coffee.

Much to my dismay, it is extremely difficult to find said cup of coffee in London. I'm not exactly sure where the English have gone wrong between being the DaVinci's of tea, and being COMPLETE CRAP at coffee, but Sweet Jesus! I don't think I've tasted so many horrible cups of coffee, on a consistent basis. Sometimes the coffee has been so bad that I take a sip, and promptly throw it in the trash. Believe me, I'm not one to ever waste caffeine, but there is only so much torture I can stand!

Sometimes the beans are overcooked. Sometimes the coffee is so weak you might as well be drinking water that's been dyed brown. And asking for a cappuccino in London? Fuggedaboutit! You will get a frothy, horrible mess of a drink I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy (for those of you that know about proper cappuccinos, you know know that the foam has to be a certain consistency on top).

I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. This is because there a few places in London (and you gotta search for them) that actually know how to make a good cup of joe. Monmouth and Ginger & White are two places that are doing something right. And often, they will have signs saying, "We serve real coffee."

Above, an example of the right consistency for foam on a cappuccino. On the right, London's infamous nasty foam.

When a city has to label it's decent coffee as "real coffee," you know there is a problem. I am reminded when I visit other cities: Barcelona, Switzerland and Portugal all know how to make great coffee. London, get your act together and learn how to properly brew those beans!

***

With that said, I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE A CAPPUCCINO IN ITALY!!!!!!

Favorite Thing Thursday

Here are a few of my favorite things (haven't done one of these in AGES! Oops!):

1. My Upcoming Trip to Italy

***

I am over the moon. I haven't been more excited for any of my trips so far this year. In just a few weeks I'll be exploring Rome and sitting pretty in Sorrento (pictured above). Yes.

2. Argo

***

I finally saw it. I was biting my nails to the very end. Do I think it was Oscar-worthy? Eh, that's debatable. Although, its political nature makes it Oscar worthy. The Academy Awards loooooooove that! Either way, I enjoyed the flick. Affleck, you did alright!

3. Game of Thrones

I seriously love the Khaleesi! ***

I've only just finished season one. But I might be obsessed. I would classify Game of Thrones as a war soap opera, always bringing the (bloody) drama. Despite it being trashy warrior chic, I'm still diggin' it.


4. Getting Nakd

...bars. NAKD BARS, people! As in, food. You and your dirty minds.

***

 I don't remember if this brand is sold in the U.S., but Nakd Bars are delicious (they truly are!) wholefood bars made without gluten, wheat and dairy. I'll never be one of those people who goes completely gluten free, but I've been trying to limit the excessive amounts of gluten I stuff my face with. And it's been giving me more energy to do so!

Around London Town

All the cheeky things I've been up to in London...

 You might be asking, "Ashley, why are you standing in front a set of GIANT lips?" Well, I got into an Adobe (as in .pdf files, Adobe) conference in where Jessie J was a performer, and clearly the computer nerds took great liberty with decorating the room with WHATEVER they could fathom. Such as palm trees, wedding centerpieces, and lips. This was the most random conference/party I have ever been to...but food and drinks were free, so there ya go! 

Jessie J, with a shaved head. I will say, her voice is pretty impressive in concert! 

My lovely cousin Begum was in London for work, which meant I got to have some cousin time! Anyone who lives overseas knows there is something special about seeing family when you're so far away from everyone you love. Definitely refreshing! 

 And lately, there have been signs of the sun...and SPRING?!? 

Spring, is that you???

The night is for Brazilian bars, where I had one of my best London outings! It's called Guababara--located very central--for quite the good time!

Hanging at the National Gallery, which has loads of beautiful French and Italian paintings! Which makes me wonder if Italy and France want those paintings back? I will say, the English keep their museums impeccable. So maybe the paintings have a great home there...Food for thought. 

My New Job

With permission from my boss (yay, boss!), and since you asked...

My new position is with London SAE, a provider and specialist of study abroad and interning opportunities in London. I'm not sure what my position is called (?), but I can tell you that it is a renaissance position of sorts.

We. do. everything. We literally help the student/young professional with every step of the process, including (and what I like most) a focus on advising and helping the student with acculturating once they get here. This is key, and something a lot of study abroad programs leave out.

What's really cool about this position (for me) is I get to write ads and website content for London SAE, since they are a fairly new start-up. As a (blog) writer this makes my little heart happy. In this position, my two favorite worlds have collided! I get to exercise my creativity in writing, AND I get to help students move to a new country. Winning!

Of course, it's going to be quite the balancing act with an increased dissertation workload, but I welcome the challenge!

Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's sooooo acceptable:

• to suck whipped cream right out of the canister...and then put it back in the fridge like nothing ever happened. Like a whipped cream ninja. 

• to have pancakes for dinner. Because I'm a grown up and no one can tell me not to! Hmmpf!

• to get over the stress of balancing my dissertation and a new job I've started* by having a Jay-Z dance party in my room (or office, or the bus) and singing, "I got 99 problems but a dissertation ain't one!" Well, technically it is one, but it I like declaring that it isn't! 

*I have started a new job that I really love. But it's a whole lotta work! Still, I'm grateful to have a position I'm really interested in...maybe I'll explain more later *wink* 

Paris, Part Three: Parting Words

This was my second time to Paris. I've said it before and I'll say it again--I like French people. I really, really like French people! There are some foolish Americans (and English) that like to say the French are a rude, pretentious people. Not so!

The famous Love Lock Bridge

Montmatre

The view from Montmartre 

Some tips for getting around Paris:

• You will get lost. This is normal in Paris. Don't fret. 
• You can buy an "All Day Pass" metro card that is cheaper than buying separate cards if traveling over many zones and using different types of transportation. For example, Versailles is in zone 4, so buy a zone 1-4 pass. Also, the maps in metro stations are verrrrrry helpful for getting around, and tells you what exit goes to what street...brilliant! 

  

  traveling on the metro 

• Don't skip: Montmartre, The Eiffel Tower, a stroll through St. Germain, Buttes-Chaumont Park (it's an impressive man made park), Château de Versailles.
• Remember that is acceptable and allowed to drink wine along the river or in the park. Take advantage of this, and don't you DARE think of skipping out on French cheese and wine. If there are 2 things you MUST do in Paris, it's: eat the cheese, and drink the damn wine! 

Hanging out in Buttes-Chaumont Park with my friend Solene! 

Still in the man made park! 

In love with French windows! 

Lastly, enjoy one of the loveliest big cities ever to grace your eyes. You don't need a lover to stroll around with you in Paris; nay, the city becomes your lover! Embrace it with willing and open arms.