Granada, Spain

Twenty-four hours in Spain, but well-worth the trip! The Alhambra is fantastic!!

The fortress, Alcazaba (11th to 13th century) on a beautiful day.

Inside the Palace, Palacios Nazaries (13th to 15th century). Each room was decorated with SO much detail - it was fabulous!!

Patio de los Leones

Auto Play

I can't leave the house without the following albums:

1. Inside In Inside Out - The Kooks
2. Tired Of Hanging Around - The Zutons
3. How We Operate - Gomez
4. Eyes Open - Snow Patrol

Ahhhh...

This is the first time in a long time that I have come home from school and actually wanted to work. Things are finally starting to settle at school. My year 11s are gone and I am actually enjoying teaching again (for now). Not that I blame my year 11s for turning me off, but now I have a bit more free time and things seem less stressed in the department. This hasn't been the easiest year, but I am glad that these last few weeks are taking a positive turn...

Today I cut open a heart for my year 10s. [It's times like these that my Leo-ness really shows] There's just something about having 30 kids crowded attentively around me squealing and 'eww'-ing that makes me love my job. I doubt any of them will forget what a heart valve looks like. :)

Do you know how long it has been...

since I bought a dress???

Check out the purchase I made today:

Now I just have to find the shoes. And, an excuse to wear it.

Happy Friday ya'll.

Big Shrug

I just wasted two hours sitting in front of the tele for HBO's "Big Love." I tried to like it, but it's just NOT for me... There is really nothing in the program that I can relate to at all. I spent the whole time getting annoyed at the little churchy girl who works at the fast food place. I don't know how it's doing back home, but unless the series gets a bit more interesting, I can't see myself waiting anxiously for the next installment.

My holiday in France...

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I booked a week in France all on my own. You see, for as much as I have traveled, I've always joined a tour or met friends/family that were in Europe. So, this was a real adventure: all on my own for seven days, with a backpack and a book to keep me company.

Paris

My first three days, I was in Paris, and it had to be the BEST part of the trip! My hostel was this fabulous ancient aristrocratic townhouse in the Marais quarter, near Ile St Louis. I saw the Museum of Modern Art, located inside the Pompidou, and ate dinner near Notre Dame on the first night. The second day, I took a train to Versailles, then wandered along the Seine stopping to sunbathe in a grassy area outside the National Assembly. My last day I visited the Mona Lisa and other fine works of art at the Louvre, then walked around the Pere-Lachaise cemetery before drinking four bottles of wine with my roommates.

Paris was built for wandering. There are countless parks and benches, all filled with the perfect number of people. Just enough that you feel safe, but not too many that it feels cramped or crowded. I spent a lot of time reading and writing in these parks near my hostel. It was relaxing and just comfortable sitting there, something I will never forget.

A view of Paris from the top of the Pompidou.

The gardens at Versailles.

Saint Malo

I spent the next two days in Brittany, a couple of hours (by train) southwest of Paris. I stayed at a small hotel within the city walls of Saint Malo and spent my first afternoon exploring the quaint town. Unfortunately, that only took about an hour, so I spent the rest of my time shopping, walking along the beach and fighting seagulls for my lunch. Saint Malo is a pretty touristy place, so the shopping is great! I was good, though, only because European clothes are cut so weird that I had difficulty finding something that fit properly. I walked along the beach and wandered out to the Ile du Grande Be, an island that can only be reached at low tide.

The next morning I took a bus to Mont St Michel. I can't even begin to explain just how excited I was to see this place that my high school French teacher ranted and raved about, but when I entered the city walls, I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. The lower streets are crawling with tacky shops and tourists hog the narrow street to discuss what pre-made crepe they want while they are waiting for mom and aunt Martha to finish buying plastic Eiffel Towers. The higher you climbed, though, the better it got. And, the Abbey at the top, alone, was worth all of the crowded hassle.

Mont Saint Michel Abbey.

Bayeux

I didn't actually spend much time in Bayeux. I would have liked to have seen the Tapistery. My purpose for visiting this region was to see the Normandy D-Day beaches, so I had just enough time to join an afternoon tour that focused on the American invasion and saw Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Aramanches and the US Cemetery. The battle-scarred landscape of Pointe du Hoc was haunting, but the image that stands out most in my mind is the US Cemetery. There are nine thousand some-odd people buried there, but strangely enough, there was such a feeling of peace when you stood among the rows and rows of white headstones, overlooking the water...

The Normandie American Cemetery.

So, I made it around western France in seven days and still made it home in one piece without any real problems. Next trip, though, I am going to spend more time in hostels instead of hotels. Hotels are great if you have someone to travel with, but if you are on your own and get bored with yourself easily, then hostels are the way to go (especially if you find some real gems like the Fauconnier in Paris or the Gran Kaffee de Passage in Brugges)!! I finished two books in my time in France and had to buy English magazines for the train-ride home from Paris. Definitely one of my more relaxing trips in Europe!!

You know you've been in this country too long if...

You overhear a conversation about 'football' and are momentarily confused when you hear the terms, "down" and "yard-line."

- Normandy American Cemetery

Hooray for Half Term!!

Happy day, happy day. I taught all of one lesson today (and facilitated year 11 science revision for two, but I can't really call that work...). We had a kids' birthday party* for one of the women in the department - she's turning 50, so we had birthday hats and jam sandwiches - it was great!! Then I got my hair cut and styled (see pic below). Now, I should be packing because I leave for Paris tomorrow morning, but it seems a waste to spend the evening in when I have cute hair, so Tiina and I are headed to the local pub for a drink. I can pack when I get home... :)



The hair could be interesting when it's curly, but it's cute now and it will always grow...

* The party was "very British," We had 'jelly and ice cream' (orange jello with vanilla ice cream on top - it was lovely!) which I had never tried before and 'rhubarb and custard' flavored hard candies (they were nice, too). It was a lot of fun! *

Anyway, I leave for Paris tomorrow on the train. Then, it's off to Mont St Michel and the D-day Beaches before I catch a train home next week. Hope you all have a lovely Memorial Day weekend! :)

Update: It is now 11:30 and I haven't packed the first thing for my trip. It has been the BEST day in a very long time, though, so I am optimistic about my journey tomorrow. The pub was great - reminded me of good times in Charlotte after a stressful week! I'll have to do that more often, especially when there is a way-too-young-but-very-cute bartender pouring the ales... Thanks EJ and Ashley for the nice comments about the hair. Happy Weekend!

EWWW!!!

Why does my blog show up in a Yahoo! search for "pictures of grandpas jerking off?!?!"

Can't get this song out of my head:

Please don't go crazy, if I tell you the truth
No you don't know what happened
And you never will if
You don't listen to me while I talk to the wall
This blanket is freezing, it's been out in the hall
Where you've had me for hours
Till I'm sure what I want
But darling I want the same thing that I wanted before
So sweetheart tell me what's up I won't stop no way

Please keep your hands down
And stop raising your voice
It's hardly what I'd be doing if you gave me a choice
It's a simple suggestion can you give me some time
So just say yes or no
Why can't you shoulder the blame
Coz both my shoulders are heavy From the weight of us both
You're a big boy now so let's not talk about growth
You've not heard a single word I have said...Oh, my God

Please take it easy It can't all be my fault
I haven't made half the mistakes
That you've listed so far
Oh baby let me explain something It's all down to drugs
At least I remember taking them and not a lot else
It seems I've stepped over lines
You've drawn again and again
But if the ecstacy's in the wit is definitely out
Dr. Jekyll is wrestling Hyde for my pride

How To Be Dead - Snow Patrol

Ha Ha

Me + hotel receptionist in France = two confused parties

It's so much easier when you can book online. Unfortunately, two of the places I want to stay in France don't have online booking. So, Saturday was a hoot trying to get things arranged for my trip at the end of the month...

I had it all written-out, what I would say in French. And, despite my terrible pronunciation, I was ready to call. But as soon as someone answered the phone, I panicked and the English just flowed. With each phone call, my confidence improved and I tried using more and more French words and I think I have my accommodations squared away for the trip. Well, mostly squared away... There's a hotel in Saint Malo that may (or may not) be expecting me - And there was a comment made about "confirming via email" that left me confused, considering we never exchanged email addresses. (I think I need to make another phone call this weekend...)

So, I am looking forward to a few days in Paris, Brittany and Normandy. But, before I go I REALLY need to brush-up on my language skills...

Just finished reading...

This is the fourth Jodi Picoult book I have read this year. She really is a remarkable writer. I love the way she tackles difficult/controversial subjects and gives you the individual perspectives of each character. My Sister's Keeper is still my favorite but Vanishing Acts is a close second. As with all of her books, you start to think, "What would I do if I were in the same situation?" Nothing is ever black and white and that is what I love... I've always felt that life is much to complicated to be just right or wrong.

http://www.jodipicoult.com/my-sisters-keeper.html

http://www.jodipicoult.com/vanishing-acts.html

http://www.jodipicoult.com/the-pact.html

http://www.jodipicoult.com/salem-falls.html

"How do you feel about Health Care here?"

This is what the doctor asked me this afternoon.

I was in a great mood yesterday, enjoying life, but by the time I went to bed I felt like I had a temperature. This morning I was up and rushing to school (as usual), but when I sat down in the staff room, the world started to spin. It hasn't stopped and they put me on the next train home.

I got off the train and walked straight to the doctor's office, concerned about this dizzy, drunk-like feeling I am experiencing. The doctor took my blood pressure. Normal. He checked my ears and throat, then determined that I had a viral infection. I tried to ask questions, "Do you think it is related to sinuses? Can it be something else?" But he was determined that it is viral.

I don't think he liked my questions. Because it was at this moment that he decided to ask, "How do you feel about our Health Care system here?" I muddled through a polite answer, but the look of horror I tried to hide earlier, I know was somewhere still on my face... You see my friends, when the doctor checked my ears and throat he used his special little light - we all know the one - that usually has the disposable heads. After he had shoved it in both ears and declared them both "clean" he rinsed the tool off in the sink and set it on the side for its next use.

My flatmate works in a nursing home and has voiced her many concerns with how behind-the-times UK health care seems to be. Like the fact that when I was meeting with the nurse for my initial visit in February and she asked me to give her a sample, she sent me to a bathroom that looked no different than mine at home. Not that it was bad, just different. I am used to instructions posted, a special cabinet to set my warm vial of wee (without carrying it out into the waiting room and holding it until I am called) and sanitary wipes to use both before and after... Basically, a much more sterile environment.

So, how do I feel about health care here? I am still deciding, really, but £160 comes out of my paycheck every month so that I can walk in and out of a doctor's office without touching my checkbook. In the year and a half that I have been here, I have been in a doctor's office 4 times (5 if you count the flu shot last year). Each time, I have been diagnosed with the flu or a viral infection and told to get some rest. Back home, I paid around $100/month for Blue Cross Blue Shield, plus a $20 co-pay when I saw a doctor. I saw the doctor (maybe) 2 times in that same amount of time. Is one really better than the other? I can't really say based on my limited experience. I can see the benefits of a national system and access to everyone. However, if a co-pay meant that I wouldn't have to make a completely separate appointment just to have some bloodwork done or that the doctor would use the disposable tips before he placed the thingy in my mouth or ears, then I am happy to carry my checkbook with me...

"It'll be late evening, most likely around 6 o'clock..."

What does that mean to you? As far as I can tell, I should expect the estate agent sometime close to 6, right? Is this one of those cultural differences that I just haven't been exposed to yet? Am I naive to the etiquette of being a tenant in a flat that is for sale? I just don't get it...

At 5 o'clock this evening, as I was finishing my shower the apartment door opened to this fucker trying to show the flat. Luckily, I was behind a closed door, but still...

I just don't get it.

Fucker.

Okay, phooey on me for saving it for the last minute, but AN HOUR EARLY!?!? Couldn't he have called to say, "We're on our way now?"

And now that it is almost 6 o'clock, I am going to go run my errands that I had planned to do while he showed the flat...

Two last things, though: 1) He's still a fucker and 2) I learned my lesson.

Funniest thing I've seen in a long time...

She was a hip hop granny. I swear, I saw her with my own eyes on the 17:37 train. She wore a denim vest and a patchwork hat with squares of tan leather and denim. I had to do a double-take, then keep reminding myself that it is rude to stare. I almost lost it when her mobile rang with Naughty By Nature.

You down with OPP?

Who writes this crap?

What are you looking at, there in the mirror? Oh, you? You're looking at you? What, you say? That should be obvious, what else would you be looking at in the mirror? Okay, right. So, what do you see? Do you see somebody who's grown up recently? Who has a better understanding of themselves and the world around them? It could very well be that that good looker looking back at you holds all that (and more) in their eyes.

- my horoscope for today (Yahoo! Horoscopes)...

Under A Tuscan Sun

I have finally put my suitcase away and I guess I am ready to start talking about my trip (if I talk about it then that means that it is over, and I wasn't really ready for that to happen...)

I had a wonderful time and met some really great people (I know I say this every time, but that's just the way it happens). This tour was a little more laid-back. We had more time in each city and the overall mood of the group was a bit more relaxed. There were 39 of us, of which 24 were married/serious couples. In the beginning I was a bit disappointed with the stats, but in the end I had more fun with some of the couples than with certain single people (we had a couple of real bitches in the group!). I won't bore you with a 12 day play-by-play... Here are the highlights:

ROME
Favorite: Big hugs from Kristin as she opened the hotel room door.
Tasted: I am not a huge fan of 'weird' meat, especially if it has tentacles, but I ate THE BEST squid dish at a restaurant around the corner from the hotel!! And the octopus wasn't too bad either.
Funny: I was twice forgotten. My car service 'forgot' to pick me up for Gatwick at 4:00am. The car never showed and no one answered when I called (repeatedly). Luckily I was able to find another service and made it with plenty of time to spare. In Rome, the same thing happened... I wasn't really in a rush and was really enjoying the beautiful weather, but after an hour or so I started to get worried. The first time I was a little panicked, but by the second time I just had to laugh.

SORRENTO
Favorite: The Blue Grotto on the Isle of Capri. We took a motor boat to the Blue Grotto, then had to climb into a small rowboat. The opening was so small that we had to duck down so we wouldn't hit our heads, but inside (once your eyes adjusted to the darkness) it was beautiful!
Tasted: 1)Mozzarella/Tomato/Basil sandwich that was amazing! Mozzarella is made from buffalo's milk (rather than cow's milk) and there is such a difference in the taste!! Mmm! 2) This area is known for its lemons. They are the size of a child's football - seriously. So when they put this icy shot glass in front of me and said it was a liquor called Lemmoncello made from lemons, I thought I would love it. Can you say fire water!?! The creamy version is supposed to be nice, though.
Funny: We missed the ferry from the Isle of Capri back to Sorrento (We had beer to finish and thought we were closer to the dock than we were - there were about 10 of us). Whoops! We ran for it, but it was pulling away from the dock. It was easy enough to catch the next one and Kristin and I made friends with the over-50 tour group from England...

FLORENCE
Favorite: The Uffizi Gallery. I broke away from the group since I had seen Florence before and headed straight for the Uffizi and all of its Renaissance artMichelangelo Michealangelo exhibit that was fabulous. They had many of his machines and other inventions, not to mention his artwork. I was totally blown away!!
Tasted: Chianti from a winery in the region. Mmm!! tasty!
Funny: Our BIG night out. Three drunk American girls on the town. Oh - and Matt. Kristin and Jenny got kisses from Italian boys... I tried, but the guy's friend was drunk (I think the only english word he knew was 'tits') so he left. Oh well.

CINQUE TERRE
Favorite: Manarola, a beautiful little town in this national park. (See pictures below, even though they don't do it justice) We stayed the night in a town farther inland called LaSpezia where we went for a walk that evening to the pier. It was a nice night and we kept running into other tour members - it was a great night!
Tasted: Waiting for our boat, we grabbed a bite to eat in Porteverre. This area is known for its pesto so I ordered a pesto pizza for lunch - it was the BEST pizza I have ever tasted!!
Funny: Public toilets that are just holes infoot restsnd with footrests on either side. I couldn't bring myself to give it a try. Maybe... If it was clean... I didn't have to go THAT bad.

MILAN
Favorite: There wasn't a whole lot in Milan that caught my eye, but that night we played a card game that one of the Kiwi couples taught - it was fabulous!!
Tasted: My first taste of Nutella Gellato. Mmm!!
Funny: I have a ton of pictures from the roof of the huge cathedral, but Kristin and I got distracted and didn't actually make it insidesupposedurch (which was suposed to be amazing). Whoops!

VENICE
Favorite: This city is just fantastic!! There's nothing more I can say about it.
Tasted: My first espresso. I had to add sugar, but it was nice.
Funny: Anna was so excited about seeing Venice that as soon as we stepped outside of the train station, she had perma-grin.

ROME
Favorite: Seeing the Sistein Chapel. Pictures just can't do it justice... It was breathtaking!
Tasted: Zucchini pizza is quite tasty.
Funny: What were we thinking, trying to visit the Jewish Quarter on Passover (everything was closed)!?!

Already we've heard from a couple of people from LA (Thanks Jenny, Alfred & Andrea), so it looks like Kristin and I may have to make our way to the west coast... Damn. I guess there's more travelling in our future... :)

I Just Can't Help Myself

Your Famous Last Words Will Be:

"So, you're a cannibal."

What Will Your Famous Last Words Be?

Snapshots of Italy

A courtyard of the Vatican Museum with St. Peter's in the background. (sculpture of the world in the foreground) 

The ruins of Pompeii, a city covered in 30 feet of ash when Mt. Vesivus errupted in 79 AD.