So I am starting off todays blog with my embarrassing work story. We all knew there was bound to be atleast one....
So I helped host one of the bigger and fancier events of the year with one of the girls from the events team on thursday. The event was a black tie Motoring dinner with 210 guests and the guest of honor formula one driver Christian Horner who is now the principal of the red bull team.
so anyways to the part where you get to laugh at me... my boss sarah told me my job for the night was to greet the guests take their names and show them to their seats. Basically just be lovely and welcoming haha. So in my eagerness to do well, the first two guests approach the reception hall and are talking to some of the other staff. Which is not uncommon because all of the guests usually know the staff as they all see each other all the time. So again just trying to do my job I give the two men a big smile and say to the man standing closest to me "Hello! welcome to the motoring dinner with christian horner! May I take your name please?"
He responds "Yeah, I AM Christian Horner.... and my mate here is the Chairman of the Motoring club"
To add insult to injury the head of catering was standing behind them waving his arms trying to get me to shut the hell up.... but of course. I did not.
Anyways they both just laughed at me as I turned bright read and basically hid behind my clipboard. AND before you all start saying oh Lea you should have looked up Christian Horner before the big dinner! I DID!! I googled him and looked at some pictures but I challenge any of you to try and match a race car driver to a fancy fellow in his tux. Its harder then it sounds I swear. oy.
Other work news: (I know there are a few select people reading my blog who would like to hear about this so..) I have also helped set up and host a Bordeaux wine tasting (no I didn't get to drink it all... I was working ya know!) I am pretty much given the responsibility of keeping the website up to date and such, I also help with the hanging room. which is an area of the club where we display artwork from either a group of artists or a specific artist. Right now we have the royal photographic society in the hanging room. So i make all the order forms and have shipped a few that people buy. My boss called me "A Star" becuase I wrapped a giant picture to be shipped to Chicago. I credit my abilities to my mother who gives me the challenge of wrapping christmas gifts every year haha. I also help with our magazines and general communication with members. I helped set up a ski trip that we are sending a bunch of members on. On friday I went shopping for work! They decided to send the skiers off with goodybags so I went out in search of hand warmers chapstick tissue packs whiskey nips chocolates. Cant complain shopping on company time! haha.
CAN YOU BELIEVE I have been in london for almost two months!?!!? Yeah neither can I. But on that note i think we are all starting to become very comfortable here and feeling like true Londoners. I find myself getting annoyed with the people on the tube who dont understand the rules. Such as ... on the escalator you stand to the right and I walk on the left. Please dont stand in my way while im trying to run to work haha. OR when the doors open and people try to push on when not everyone is off yet. Haha this makes me sound like a jerk but I think everyone who lives here gets annoyed by that stuff
Just a few things about London I could do without.... The constant rain. It kinda gets to you after a while. and whats kinda funny/annoying is that you can go into one tube stop and its nice out and come out another and its pouring. or visa versa. That does some serious damage on the hair day haha. ALSO. When I am Queen (yes I have arranged for that, the paperwork should go through in a few weeks) I am going to instate a nation wide side of the sidewalk to walk on law. It took me forever trying to figure out which side the brits pass each other on when walking. Then it occurred to me, I dont think there is one.....
One would assume its the left because thats the side they drive on here...but no... they appear walk in zig zags and its very unsettling doing the "oops sorry just trying to pass you" dance many times a day. haha.
A Brit recently said to me "Yeah the English...welll... We dont get too emotional or excited" and its VERY TRUE! But funny because london could be burning down and i feel the general opinion would be "well thats a damn shame... going to be a real hassle to clean up". And London did burn down once....
WHICH leads me to another point I have thought about. People talk about that a lot here... haha. The great fire is a big topic especially when talking to tourists it seems. Which I find interesting and funny all at the same time because it was in 1666.... you do realize you werent there for it and it seems its been under control for quite some time now... yes? But it is a very interesting topic!
... this is the blog of random thoughts apparently haha...
It also seems ive been doing a lot of complaining in this post but that was not my intention. Just my observations!!
In the past two months I have had such an amazing time I cant believe how fast both my time and my money are going. But that is to be expected when youre trying to do it all in a matter of four months!!
So tomorrow I am off to ITALYYY!!!! First stop Venice then Florence then Rome. Im sure I will have lots to talk about then! But hold tight because I wont have access to the internet until next sunday!!
Love you all thanks to those of you who are still loyally reading the blog!!
<3 Lea
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Hello Lovey, You Alright!?
SO sorry its been a week since my last post but I unfortunately spent this week with a stomach virus so there wasn't much to report...
Given that I dont have anything to say about the week I thought I would use this time to share with my american followers a little english to american translation dictionary!
Que- Line (like getting in line)
Boot- Trunk of a car
Pants- UNDERWEAR this is a big one because talking about ones "pants"...not acceptable
Trousers- Pants
Lift- Elevatory
Bloak- Guy, man, boy
Till- Cashier
Cash Point- ATM
Crisps- chips
Chips- french fries
Flat- apartment
Aubergine- eggplant
rubbish- trash
Tube- subway
biscuit- cookie
motorway - highway
car park- parking lot
banger- sausage (bangers and mash!)
jumper - sweater
Quid- slang for pound (as in pound sterling, their money)
Just a few ive picked up along the way! Im sure ill think of eighteen more once i post this.
Other small news; I went to see some family friends in Purley yesterday! Just a little outside of the city for a nice dinner and reunion. It was very nice I like having people to see here! It makes things more interesting!
Hope this keeps you tide over until I have more news to post!!
<3 Lea
Given that I dont have anything to say about the week I thought I would use this time to share with my american followers a little english to american translation dictionary!
Que- Line (like getting in line)
Boot- Trunk of a car
Pants- UNDERWEAR this is a big one because talking about ones "pants"...not acceptable
Trousers- Pants
Lift- Elevatory
Bloak- Guy, man, boy
Till- Cashier
Cash Point- ATM
Crisps- chips
Chips- french fries
Flat- apartment
Aubergine- eggplant
rubbish- trash
Tube- subway
biscuit- cookie
motorway - highway
car park- parking lot
banger- sausage (bangers and mash!)
jumper - sweater
Quid- slang for pound (as in pound sterling, their money)
Just a few ive picked up along the way! Im sure ill think of eighteen more once i post this.
Other small news; I went to see some family friends in Purley yesterday! Just a little outside of the city for a nice dinner and reunion. It was very nice I like having people to see here! It makes things more interesting!
Hope this keeps you tide over until I have more news to post!!
<3 Lea
Sunday, February 13, 2011
the Dammed Amstel
History Lesson!! Amsterdam was named after the dammed river Amstel ... a long time ago. Okay so im not the best history teller.... anyways..
So I went to Amsterdam this weekend!! We left friday BRIGHT AND EARLY and arrived friday evening. We took a coach over the english channel....yes... a bus....over the english channel. Well a nice large ferry helped us out a little with the floating aspect I suppose. The ferry was really cool cause we got to walk around the boat while in the channel. Never thought id be doing that! Oh and we ate croissants in french water. How appropriate.
Arriving in amsterdam we took the tram in to the center of the city to get some dinner, keep in mind we had to decode dutch to find our way there, not as easy as you may think. Anyways much to our surprise we had stumbled into the red light district, not on purpose so trust me it was a big surprise haha. I don't know how appropriate it is to write about this in a public blog but it is part of the culture.... so I'm going to take the risk haha. Anyways this was the most culture shocking thing I have seen yet. To see the girls standing in the windows, and better yet the people looking at them was very....interesting. But the whole cultural custom seems to be very laid back and no judgement whatsoever. I think the laid back aspect might be influenced by other legal things in the country... haha.
SO the rest of our trip consisted of doing a river boat cruise through all the canals and the harbor. VERY cool. The house boats are amazing. When the city became overcrowded they made it legal to live in your boat to save space...so all over the waters you can see people just walking around in boats or even in house shaped things just floating on the water. Not something you see in america thats for sure. Plus all the bridges are amazing * another history lesson! there are 100+ canals in amsterdam and over 1000 bridges. cool right!?! ALSO the houses in amsterdam have a very long narrow look to them with really cool tops (see pictures those of you who haven't seen this already!) anyways the tops are called gables. My favorite was the bell gable. but there are lots of different types. And they are long and narrow because they were taxed based on their width. Which is why they are all built tall and deep! I know you feel more worldly already don't you? I sure do.
random: more then one car a week drives into the rivers and canals of amsterdam. haha funny.
We also went to the heineken brewery. For those of you who know me know I dont like beer, OR DO I!?!? This was an especially rewarding trip because GUESS WHAT!?!!? no seriously guess. I drank a beer (two actually) willingly...and liked it!!! I know there are multiple people reading this who will be more the proud haha.
Now Momma Derrick: I have a bone to pick with you. all these years of your poor daughter not liking beer and you never thought to point out HOW to drink beer?!
They told me that most girls dont like beer because they sip their drinks (like me) which means they are only tasting the head of the beer. Which is the most bitter part and you are getting none of the sweetness. SO you have to gulp in order to get the sweetness of the beer which comes from the 'Wort'. Basically sugar water.
ALSO Momma Derrick: I won their quiz question cause they asked what makes the beer bitter and I was the one who knew to say Hops. Be proud.
so yeah the tour was great very very cool so much to see and do in there. We got brewed...yep they took you through this interactive show and brewed us like beer. We also got two free beers and some samples. At which point we met some brazilians who made fun of me for drinking too slow. Little did they know however that I was only just learning to appreciate a beer at all. They also said that canadians are great but americans not so much haha. we did convince them to give americans a shot though. Spreading acceptance one Heineken at a time.
So yeah thats pretty much all the excitingness of Amsterdam to tell! I kinda wish we had more time I would have tried to see more but I got all the things I really wanted to do done. So all over a success!
Today (sunday) we woke up bright and early ... again but this time we took the coach to Bruges! I LOVE IT. I am moving there and you cant stop me!!! Its like a fairy tale! Its all so quaint and beautiful cobblestones horses and ponds and green and castles and beautiful gabled buildings. AND DONT FORGET GREAT CHOCOLATE!! Oh and of course waffles. We had both, don't you worry. yum yum yummmmmm. So yeah if I don't arrive back in New Jersey as scheduled, you can come find me in Bruges.
So we ended the trip in a chocolate factory/shop (cant complain) and then took the long journey back home! and now I'm back in London! I loved Amsterdam and I REALLY loved bruges. But I have to say coming back to London felt a lot like coming home! (Don't worry I'll still return to real home again haha)
Other slightly older news: We saw the 39 Steps on thursday. A play put on by four FOUR actors who played like hundreds of characters. it was VERY impressive. And very funny. Highly recommend it.
So I know this was painfully long but it had been a while and I apologize for that but people gimme a break I was in the Netherlands!!
Love you all and miss you!!
<3 Lea
So I went to Amsterdam this weekend!! We left friday BRIGHT AND EARLY and arrived friday evening. We took a coach over the english channel....yes... a bus....over the english channel. Well a nice large ferry helped us out a little with the floating aspect I suppose. The ferry was really cool cause we got to walk around the boat while in the channel. Never thought id be doing that! Oh and we ate croissants in french water. How appropriate.
Arriving in amsterdam we took the tram in to the center of the city to get some dinner, keep in mind we had to decode dutch to find our way there, not as easy as you may think. Anyways much to our surprise we had stumbled into the red light district, not on purpose so trust me it was a big surprise haha. I don't know how appropriate it is to write about this in a public blog but it is part of the culture.... so I'm going to take the risk haha. Anyways this was the most culture shocking thing I have seen yet. To see the girls standing in the windows, and better yet the people looking at them was very....interesting. But the whole cultural custom seems to be very laid back and no judgement whatsoever. I think the laid back aspect might be influenced by other legal things in the country... haha.
SO the rest of our trip consisted of doing a river boat cruise through all the canals and the harbor. VERY cool. The house boats are amazing. When the city became overcrowded they made it legal to live in your boat to save space...so all over the waters you can see people just walking around in boats or even in house shaped things just floating on the water. Not something you see in america thats for sure. Plus all the bridges are amazing * another history lesson! there are 100+ canals in amsterdam and over 1000 bridges. cool right!?! ALSO the houses in amsterdam have a very long narrow look to them with really cool tops (see pictures those of you who haven't seen this already!) anyways the tops are called gables. My favorite was the bell gable. but there are lots of different types. And they are long and narrow because they were taxed based on their width. Which is why they are all built tall and deep! I know you feel more worldly already don't you? I sure do.
random: more then one car a week drives into the rivers and canals of amsterdam. haha funny.
We also went to the heineken brewery. For those of you who know me know I dont like beer, OR DO I!?!? This was an especially rewarding trip because GUESS WHAT!?!!? no seriously guess. I drank a beer (two actually) willingly...and liked it!!! I know there are multiple people reading this who will be more the proud haha.
Now Momma Derrick: I have a bone to pick with you. all these years of your poor daughter not liking beer and you never thought to point out HOW to drink beer?!
They told me that most girls dont like beer because they sip their drinks (like me) which means they are only tasting the head of the beer. Which is the most bitter part and you are getting none of the sweetness. SO you have to gulp in order to get the sweetness of the beer which comes from the 'Wort'. Basically sugar water.
ALSO Momma Derrick: I won their quiz question cause they asked what makes the beer bitter and I was the one who knew to say Hops. Be proud.
so yeah the tour was great very very cool so much to see and do in there. We got brewed...yep they took you through this interactive show and brewed us like beer. We also got two free beers and some samples. At which point we met some brazilians who made fun of me for drinking too slow. Little did they know however that I was only just learning to appreciate a beer at all. They also said that canadians are great but americans not so much haha. we did convince them to give americans a shot though. Spreading acceptance one Heineken at a time.
So yeah thats pretty much all the excitingness of Amsterdam to tell! I kinda wish we had more time I would have tried to see more but I got all the things I really wanted to do done. So all over a success!
Today (sunday) we woke up bright and early ... again but this time we took the coach to Bruges! I LOVE IT. I am moving there and you cant stop me!!! Its like a fairy tale! Its all so quaint and beautiful cobblestones horses and ponds and green and castles and beautiful gabled buildings. AND DONT FORGET GREAT CHOCOLATE!! Oh and of course waffles. We had both, don't you worry. yum yum yummmmmm. So yeah if I don't arrive back in New Jersey as scheduled, you can come find me in Bruges.
So we ended the trip in a chocolate factory/shop (cant complain) and then took the long journey back home! and now I'm back in London! I loved Amsterdam and I REALLY loved bruges. But I have to say coming back to London felt a lot like coming home! (Don't worry I'll still return to real home again haha)
Other slightly older news: We saw the 39 Steps on thursday. A play put on by four FOUR actors who played like hundreds of characters. it was VERY impressive. And very funny. Highly recommend it.
So I know this was painfully long but it had been a while and I apologize for that but people gimme a break I was in the Netherlands!!
Love you all and miss you!!
<3 Lea
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
You've got Fringe!!
So new lesson for the week, bangs are called fringe!! How did you learn this you ask? Well, im glad you ask! (you did ask, you may not realize but you did ask....trust me.) anyways...on saturday. My friend cut my hair off. yep she did just took some scissors and snipped until I had some sweet side bangs. Or so you'd think, cause so did I. I thought they were bangs, so when I went to work and my boss said "Oh you've got fringe!!".... I was quite confused. Took a while for us to get on the same page, but don't worry we got there. I know you were worried....
In other news, the group took a little trip to chinese new year on sunday. Which would have been a good time if it hadn't been like herding cattle through trafalgar square... but still an experience!!
Saturday night we decided to go to the enchanted forest...yep there was an enchanted forest bar in which we danced with people on stilts. One of these people on stilts was covered in vine... so yeah! That was a lot of fun I'd go back there any day haha. Though I wouldn't be volunteering to walk around on the stilts... anyone who knows me could definitely imagine the kind of disaster that would be.
Work yesterday was fun got to explore more of the amazing building I work in (I can't get over it). Including the trophy/ gun closet? I had to get the trophy's engraved (of course) ... which involves finding the trophys.... which had descriptions like "silver trophy with two handles and a lid"...... yes THANK YOU cause clearly that isn't the description of EVERY trophy on the planet.... just saying. But between my boss and I we hunted them down and took them across the city for some engraving (woo hoo!!). For those of you keeping up...this weeks car is a Lotus 21.
As you all know, sunday was the superbowl. Well we all stayed up (it started at 11 here) to watch the steelers lose (ha HA) but much to our disappointment THERE WERE NO COMMERCIALS!! I mean I know the BBC doesn't believe in commercials, and normally I wouldn't complain but they need an american to inform them that the commercials are part of the superbowl. Its more then the game basically.... especially when the Jets aren't playing :'(. But anyways we made some great nachos and had a good time.
Until next time!
<3 Lea
In other news, the group took a little trip to chinese new year on sunday. Which would have been a good time if it hadn't been like herding cattle through trafalgar square... but still an experience!!
Saturday night we decided to go to the enchanted forest...yep there was an enchanted forest bar in which we danced with people on stilts. One of these people on stilts was covered in vine... so yeah! That was a lot of fun I'd go back there any day haha. Though I wouldn't be volunteering to walk around on the stilts... anyone who knows me could definitely imagine the kind of disaster that would be.
Work yesterday was fun got to explore more of the amazing building I work in (I can't get over it). Including the trophy/ gun closet? I had to get the trophy's engraved (of course) ... which involves finding the trophys.... which had descriptions like "silver trophy with two handles and a lid"...... yes THANK YOU cause clearly that isn't the description of EVERY trophy on the planet.... just saying. But between my boss and I we hunted them down and took them across the city for some engraving (woo hoo!!). For those of you keeping up...this weeks car is a Lotus 21.
As you all know, sunday was the superbowl. Well we all stayed up (it started at 11 here) to watch the steelers lose (ha HA) but much to our disappointment THERE WERE NO COMMERCIALS!! I mean I know the BBC doesn't believe in commercials, and normally I wouldn't complain but they need an american to inform them that the commercials are part of the superbowl. Its more then the game basically.... especially when the Jets aren't playing :'(. But anyways we made some great nachos and had a good time.
Until next time!
<3 Lea
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Life of a Londoner
Hello all!
I am very sorry that it has been a while since my last post BUT reality has set in and I'm living a londoner day to day now. I work a full day at the RAC on mondays, class on tuesdays work wed thurs morning class wed thurs afternoons/evenings. Its so weird to think that I am just living in london! doing day to day things! no big deal or anything.... hahah
So I have decided that I really do love this city, but the problem with me is that I am way to interested in everything. So I spend all day in a daze staring at everything around me haha. All the excitement of city living makes for some pretty exhausting days. But its worth it!!
I have started some projects for work and things are going well! I have done a lot of work on the website and some stuff that will be used for the next magazine issue. good stuff!!
What else what else. hmm well we went to portobello market today in notting hill. I have to say this is one of my favourite outings yet! Very cool place with lots of antiques and other cool stuff cool people. Pastel houses pretty streets pretty everything! I will definitely be going back there. We ahd baguettes for lunch SO good. I have to say whoever said england has bad food was just looking in all the wrong places. They have lots of things! from lost of places. its great. oh and now we have conquered all the big markets to see. Camden, spitalfield, portobello and borough.
anyways I think I'll be heading down to china town tonight to walk around and see all the chinese new year things! should be goood!!
Till more stories arise!!
<3 Lea
I am very sorry that it has been a while since my last post BUT reality has set in and I'm living a londoner day to day now. I work a full day at the RAC on mondays, class on tuesdays work wed thurs morning class wed thurs afternoons/evenings. Its so weird to think that I am just living in london! doing day to day things! no big deal or anything.... hahah
So I have decided that I really do love this city, but the problem with me is that I am way to interested in everything. So I spend all day in a daze staring at everything around me haha. All the excitement of city living makes for some pretty exhausting days. But its worth it!!
I have started some projects for work and things are going well! I have done a lot of work on the website and some stuff that will be used for the next magazine issue. good stuff!!
What else what else. hmm well we went to portobello market today in notting hill. I have to say this is one of my favourite outings yet! Very cool place with lots of antiques and other cool stuff cool people. Pastel houses pretty streets pretty everything! I will definitely be going back there. We ahd baguettes for lunch SO good. I have to say whoever said england has bad food was just looking in all the wrong places. They have lots of things! from lost of places. its great. oh and now we have conquered all the big markets to see. Camden, spitalfield, portobello and borough.
anyways I think I'll be heading down to china town tonight to walk around and see all the chinese new year things! should be goood!!
Till more stories arise!!
<3 Lea
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
You're havin a laugh!
Please say the above title with a british accent because it is one of my favo(u)rites of their sayings. From what I have gathered it means something like "you must be joking" "oh, you're havin a laugh!"
Well the reason for the title today is that I have a funny story to tell...
I have apparently gotten way to confident in my londoner ways, because today I thought I was being very clever and hopping on the tube a little late....just as the doors were closing. Well, I got stuck. I had to fight my way into the train while the doors were squishing me and my bag/arm got stuck. So some man on the inside had to jump up and pry the doors open so my arm and bag could break free haha. Meanwhile the London tubes are silent during commuting times and I was laughing the whole time, AND I had my ipod in so I'm pretty sure when my arm finally broke free I basically screamed thank you at the man trying to help me. Then I had to ride it for many stops while everyone stared at the stupid american haha.
I hope you laughed, cause then its a funny story instead of just plain embarrassing
~Lea
<3
Well the reason for the title today is that I have a funny story to tell...
I have apparently gotten way to confident in my londoner ways, because today I thought I was being very clever and hopping on the tube a little late....just as the doors were closing. Well, I got stuck. I had to fight my way into the train while the doors were squishing me and my bag/arm got stuck. So some man on the inside had to jump up and pry the doors open so my arm and bag could break free haha. Meanwhile the London tubes are silent during commuting times and I was laughing the whole time, AND I had my ipod in so I'm pretty sure when my arm finally broke free I basically screamed thank you at the man trying to help me. Then I had to ride it for many stops while everyone stared at the stupid american haha.
I hope you laughed, cause then its a funny story instead of just plain embarrassing
~Lea
<3
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