My visit to England is going very well. I'm relaxed and having a great time. I love that I can make myself understood so easily! That I can annoy innocent clerks with my friendly chit-chat--who knew that was something that would be missed?
Other unexpected things: Learning to play Wii Lego Star Wars. You may not know this about me, but I'm not much of a video game fan/expert/whatever. I never had a gaming system growing up and except for a brief addiction to Tetris, I've never spent much time playing video games. (As a teenager, I was rather fond of pinball.)
My friend's six-year-old asked me to play Will Lego Star Wars my first morning and I agreed. Now, I'm pretty far from addicted to the game (I'm even starting to tire of it), but I can see the appeal. I am bad at it but it's fun playing with a kid who is so into it--even he is a little overly directive at times. (Alicia asked, "isn't he bossy?" I said, "Directive.")
Yesterday, we had decent weather and walked all around Hampton Court Palace. Today, it will be another field trip. On Thursday and Friday, I wandered around central London and very much enjoyed getting a feel for the place again. Fun!
Grateful for: good friends and good weather.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Home sweet home
My last day in St. Louis went well. I walked a couple of miles from my hotel to the Anheuser-Busch brewery and took the tour. Definitely worth the time.
I took a bus back from there and just rode it for a while, through downtown and up to the Central West End. When we got to a light rail station, I transferred to the train and stopped at Union Station for coffee. Walked back to the hotel and picked up my luggage, got back on the light rail and rode it to the end of the line (the airport).
All in all, the trip went well. I learned a few things, hopefully did well enough on the test to get my certificate (the three courses I took in this series are rewarded by a certificate that may or may not be valuable/meaningful/respected), and met some interesting people. I plan to get in touch with the other DC resident who was in my group.
The flight home was uneventful. I had to wait half an hour for the super shuttle, but I was the first stop! That never happens. I was home by midnight and felt totally up and awake as soon as I walked in the door. I knit on a sock for a while and didn't get to bed until 2am.
Saturday, I just lazed around. It was so gorgeous, though, that even lazy old me felt compelled to go outside. I took my huge book and hoofed it to the bank where I deposited the condo fees (finally!). (Aside: You know, I wrote to my condo-mates over a week ago, telling them someone would need to take over as treasurer. No replies. I have to give them a deadline next, I think. Stupid treasurer duties.)
I walked a few more blocks to one of my local coffee shops. It's amazing that I now have four decent coffee shops in easy walking distance of my house (15-minutes or less). When I moved in five years ago, the number was zero. I drank coffee, ate a muffin and sat in the front window reading my book. After an hour of that and I headed home.
I feel guilty because I skipped soccer clinic on Saturday evening AND I skipped going to a birthday get-together. I complain about having too few friends and then I don't take full advantage of my social opportunities. I guess I can give myself a break if all I wanted to do was stay home after a week out of town and insufficient sleep the first night back--but still. I wish I could have overcome my inertia and dragged myself to soccer clinic at least. I work like crazy and always feel elated afterwards. I need to get back to the goddamn gym. Soooo lazy!
Today was the last indoor soccer game--the first round play-off game, which we lost. We had a lousy season but I enjoyed it. Friendly group, though we didn't really "gel." We have rounded up an outdoor 7-on-7 coed team, but could use more players. If you're interested, let me know. If I do go to Paris, I'll only be able to play about half the season. And I'm sure we'll always need subs.
Tomorrow, it's back to work and the regular routine. I'm planning to talk to TR this week about my leave of absence. My stomach does flips flops whenever I think about it, but I know it's the right thing. I need to get out of there. I need a break, a change. The change is more important than it's exact form. When I talk to TR, I'll be more committed. That is good.
Grateful for: home.
I took a bus back from there and just rode it for a while, through downtown and up to the Central West End. When we got to a light rail station, I transferred to the train and stopped at Union Station for coffee. Walked back to the hotel and picked up my luggage, got back on the light rail and rode it to the end of the line (the airport).
All in all, the trip went well. I learned a few things, hopefully did well enough on the test to get my certificate (the three courses I took in this series are rewarded by a certificate that may or may not be valuable/meaningful/respected), and met some interesting people. I plan to get in touch with the other DC resident who was in my group.
The flight home was uneventful. I had to wait half an hour for the super shuttle, but I was the first stop! That never happens. I was home by midnight and felt totally up and awake as soon as I walked in the door. I knit on a sock for a while and didn't get to bed until 2am.
Saturday, I just lazed around. It was so gorgeous, though, that even lazy old me felt compelled to go outside. I took my huge book and hoofed it to the bank where I deposited the condo fees (finally!). (Aside: You know, I wrote to my condo-mates over a week ago, telling them someone would need to take over as treasurer. No replies. I have to give them a deadline next, I think. Stupid treasurer duties.)
I walked a few more blocks to one of my local coffee shops. It's amazing that I now have four decent coffee shops in easy walking distance of my house (15-minutes or less). When I moved in five years ago, the number was zero. I drank coffee, ate a muffin and sat in the front window reading my book. After an hour of that and I headed home.
I feel guilty because I skipped soccer clinic on Saturday evening AND I skipped going to a birthday get-together. I complain about having too few friends and then I don't take full advantage of my social opportunities. I guess I can give myself a break if all I wanted to do was stay home after a week out of town and insufficient sleep the first night back--but still. I wish I could have overcome my inertia and dragged myself to soccer clinic at least. I work like crazy and always feel elated afterwards. I need to get back to the goddamn gym. Soooo lazy!
Today was the last indoor soccer game--the first round play-off game, which we lost. We had a lousy season but I enjoyed it. Friendly group, though we didn't really "gel." We have rounded up an outdoor 7-on-7 coed team, but could use more players. If you're interested, let me know. If I do go to Paris, I'll only be able to play about half the season. And I'm sure we'll always need subs.
Tomorrow, it's back to work and the regular routine. I'm planning to talk to TR this week about my leave of absence. My stomach does flips flops whenever I think about it, but I know it's the right thing. I need to get out of there. I need a break, a change. The change is more important than it's exact form. When I talk to TR, I'll be more committed. That is good.
Grateful for: home.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Off I go
I have no idea why I'm nervous in the slightest about this trip. It's the easiest trip in my repertoire. No flying, a pleasant train ride and B1 (my eldest brother) to meet me at the station. I am renting a car on Thursday to drive to my cousin's wedding with Uncle Marty, but that's the only unusual transportation mode on this trip. Guess it means I can't get soused at the post-wedding luncheon. Shoot.
I was a bum about packing and only threw a couple of things at the suitcase last night. This morning, I packed in earnest and made myself much later than usual for work (that's fine, there's nothing pressing at work). I filled up my smaller suitcase and it just wasn't large enough for all I planned to take. So, I pulled out the marginally larger bag and repacked. I could barely manage packing at all, much less deciding what not to take. For this trip, everything goes.
I have a plan for Friday and Saturday. Thanks to Carol for suggesting the yarn stores. What a great idea! There are many yarn stores in the greater DC area, and I've visited exactly one so far (other than the one closest to me, of which I'm not overly fond)—but in NY, I can get to four very interesting ones that are less than a mile apart.
If I am going yarn shopping, I figure I need to focus in on some (potential) projects. I may or may not buy yarn, but it couldn't hurt to have something in mind. I have two friends who desire hats. I would like to make my father a really nice, luxurious and useful scarf for his birthday (end of February—there is time, but I have to start now). I want to make a sweater for myself, eventually, but I'm not ready for that yet. It's percolating. I'm still enjoying hats and scarves so I can stick with them for now. I want to successfully make a pair of knee socks that will stay up—I think that means I need yarn with elastic in it. (I made one knee sock—fit was ok, yarn was cool, but it did not want to stay up, even though I did the requisite calf shaping. Since it didn't come out right, I didn't make the second sock.)
While my plan is somewhat loose, I do have several things on the agenda. When I make a plan, I usually stick to it—I'm not terrible flexible post-plan making. But I like the plan because I actually take action rather than dither. Also, if I'm not enjoying it, I can ditch it.
Friday, I'll do daytime things, like visit yarn stores and see an art/cultural exhibit. Maybe get lunch or dinner and come home early.
Saturday, I'll go into the city later in the day, see an obscure movie and maybe catch a reading at a semi-obscure bar.
It feels strange not having friends in the city—and only one relative these days. I'm a little intimidated and feeling like a country mouse. I have no idea why! When I get to Manhattan, I always feel at ease. I love the vibrancy of the place as well as the grit and rush.
When B2 lived in Manhattan, I always longed for the chance to get out on my own and explore—not to be constrained by family obligations. This is a chance for that kind of experience but I'm more nervous than excited. I figure the excitement will come if I give it chance.
I don't plan on lugging my computer into Manhattan, and there's no wifi at B2's, so I expect I won't post again until Monday. Have a great weekend everyone!
Grateful for: adventure.
I was a bum about packing and only threw a couple of things at the suitcase last night. This morning, I packed in earnest and made myself much later than usual for work (that's fine, there's nothing pressing at work). I filled up my smaller suitcase and it just wasn't large enough for all I planned to take. So, I pulled out the marginally larger bag and repacked. I could barely manage packing at all, much less deciding what not to take. For this trip, everything goes.
I have a plan for Friday and Saturday. Thanks to Carol for suggesting the yarn stores. What a great idea! There are many yarn stores in the greater DC area, and I've visited exactly one so far (other than the one closest to me, of which I'm not overly fond)—but in NY, I can get to four very interesting ones that are less than a mile apart.
If I am going yarn shopping, I figure I need to focus in on some (potential) projects. I may or may not buy yarn, but it couldn't hurt to have something in mind. I have two friends who desire hats. I would like to make my father a really nice, luxurious and useful scarf for his birthday (end of February—there is time, but I have to start now). I want to make a sweater for myself, eventually, but I'm not ready for that yet. It's percolating. I'm still enjoying hats and scarves so I can stick with them for now. I want to successfully make a pair of knee socks that will stay up—I think that means I need yarn with elastic in it. (I made one knee sock—fit was ok, yarn was cool, but it did not want to stay up, even though I did the requisite calf shaping. Since it didn't come out right, I didn't make the second sock.)
While my plan is somewhat loose, I do have several things on the agenda. When I make a plan, I usually stick to it—I'm not terrible flexible post-plan making. But I like the plan because I actually take action rather than dither. Also, if I'm not enjoying it, I can ditch it.
Friday, I'll do daytime things, like visit yarn stores and see an art/cultural exhibit. Maybe get lunch or dinner and come home early.
Saturday, I'll go into the city later in the day, see an obscure movie and maybe catch a reading at a semi-obscure bar.
It feels strange not having friends in the city—and only one relative these days. I'm a little intimidated and feeling like a country mouse. I have no idea why! When I get to Manhattan, I always feel at ease. I love the vibrancy of the place as well as the grit and rush.
When B2 lived in Manhattan, I always longed for the chance to get out on my own and explore—not to be constrained by family obligations. This is a chance for that kind of experience but I'm more nervous than excited. I figure the excitement will come if I give it chance.
I don't plan on lugging my computer into Manhattan, and there's no wifi at B2's, so I expect I won't post again until Monday. Have a great weekend everyone!
Grateful for: adventure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)