Last full day in London

so it was my last full day.... and i decided that i have done barely anything in London.
there is so much i still wish i could do and see!!!

so i decided to go to Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge....
i booked a full-day tour and went by myself.

you know i have become much more independent this trip.
i mean i went on a tour by MYSELF.
who does that ?!?

so anyways.
saw Windsor Castle.
looked like a castle.
Queen Mary's dollhouse was cool.
everything else was quite castle-ish.
all ornate and gold and such.
saw the cathedral--- again so incredible ornate i cannot even describe it all. (and we couldnt take pics-- sad)
i did buy 2 beautiful china teacups there--- i was super super excited.
i also had tea with a fruit scone, clotted cream and jam. yum.

then we headed off to Bath.
which was by far my favorite place of the day.
the whole town is made of this Bath Limestone.

i mean everything is so uniform its crazy. but it is so uniquely stunning.
saw the Roman Baths--- and they still work!
which was the best part!!!
drank some of the water.... supposedly adds years to my life- added bonus.
walked around the town- got some of the best fudge ive ever had in my entire life.
amazing.

again-- i wish i could describe the town better- and i wasnt so tired.
i mean it all is made of the same stone and architectural style.
so so gorgeous.

then we headed off to Stonehenge.
i was warned it was a let down.

well.... we drove out to literally the middle of nowhere aNd got off the bus.
i mean you see the rocks on one side of the street and sheep on the other.

saw the big pile of rocks that no one has any clue what they are made for.

pretty cool though. i mean how they moved all those huge rocks before the wheel was invented..... and its lasted like 5,000 years. insane.

couldnt get very close though which was a bit disappointing.
glad to say i was there and saw it though.

then we just headed back to london where i wandered through Harvey Nichols store for a while before heading home to pack and clean.
exciting i know.

i had a really good tour today--- made some friends. one from India and one from South Africa.
going off by yourself isnt too terrible i suppose.


and yes mother and father.... my pictures are FINALLY updated.

so check them out!

sorry for another cheap rundown...

soo busy!

monday went to work than off to our last day of class... very sad

tuesday- went into work and got to take the day off to do a course on TV Presenting-- which was a lot of fun and pretty cool. then met up with Max in covent garden for some dinner.

wednesday woke up sick- so went off to the doctor-- then got my perscription filled at Harrods- yes they have a pharmacy. and wondered around their food hall it was like a huge big candy shop. amazing full of any and every type food possible. it looked so beautiful.... but i was sick and not hungry- sad.

then after work i went and met up with emily, megan and megans brother at Tuk Tuk a thai/chinese food place in picadilly. it was actually quite good. then i headed back over to victoria to see Billy Elliot.... and it was amazing!!!

Thursday was our last day at work: our coworkers all gathered and said goodbye to us-- and gave us cards and gifts and we had bananna bread--- it was amazing. after that we headed to the pub for a while it was so much fun--- and so very sad to have to say goodbye to such a wonderful group of people

Friday: i slept in till noon because i was sick. ear infection/sinus infection + who knows what else. not fun. but then i got ready and joined the group on a river cruise to Greenwich - and we got off and saw the Prime Meredian-- which was pretty cool. then headed back and got some Bens cookies yum and headed home. the doctor made a house call cuz i was really sick-- then i just went to bed. boring.

Saturday- didnt sleep too well- so i woke up early and went to the Tower of London. did part of a tour with a Beefeater and saw the crown jewels- which was all pretty cool. Then i went to Westminister Abbey--- which in all honesty seems more like a cemetary than a church. it was beautiful-- the celing and stained glass and such. but the rest was so gaudy and full of dead people. not really my thing.

then i went to portobello road --- my last saturday there--- quite sad. had a great nutella/strawberry crepe yum.
then met up with jen and some of the flat 1 girls and headed off to Abbey road. we did a nice little photo shoot there and i wrote "kian, kiera and kaylin krashesky" on the wall by Abbey studios.
then came back and took a nap before a great italian dinner with the roomies and then stopped by the pub to say goodbye to everyone and then bed.
and it was my sisters 13th birthday---- happy bday kiki!!!!!!

so weird they all leave today-- jen and i arent off on our adventure until tuesday so i still have some time here which is nice.
very sad.... you spend 3 months with people and learn everything there is about them then simply pick up and leave....

so i went off and explored London on my own. I went to Selfridges-- a Harrods type store. made one last purchase at Primark (a suitcase!) wandered down to Picadilly Circus-- got a beautiful coffee table book full of London photos - using the gift card from my work.... and started packing.

very sad. and its very empty here.
flat 5 you will be missed....

more to come...

heres a cheap run down of my life..... sorry ive been busy and not able to update:

last weekend--- traveled up to Copenhagen, Denmark- Malmo, Sweden and Oslo, Norway.

came back late monday night.

Tuesday i went to work then came home and caught up on life.

Wednesday i went to go see Marguerite- a west end musical. by myself. then met up with the roomies and went to the ice bar.

Thursday - I went on a car video shoot with motoring research and pulse 8. lots of fun.
then i came back and went to dinner at pizza express by myself then met up with maneeza and saw Romeo and Juliet in the open air theatre at regents park.

friday- worked a bit later then sleep. felt great.

saturday- woke up early and did portobello road. so hard to do with 15 pounds in cash.
bought some cute things though and some great veggies. big dinner.

sunday- woke up early and stew and i went to cardiff wales for the day. we toured cardiff castle then there was some free outdoor music festival/ carnival with rides and we chilled there for a bit before walking down to cardiff bay (mermaid quay) and having a great dinner.

then last night my roommates and i did all kinds of fun IQ tests and such. oh the ways we amuse ourselvs..... although--- according to online tests my intelligence is "higher than average"

maybe there is hope after all.


anyways like i said--- will do this all in detail later when i have time. but now i am off to work.

(pictures will be up later as well)

t-minus 2 weeks until USA.
not ready....

i've turned into a car

pretty much lived at the British Motor show this week.

woke up at 6a and got home around 11p or so for 3 straight days.
might not sound like a lot- but when you aren't getting paid- it is a bit rough...


http://cars.uk.msn.com/britishmotorshow2008/

i did a lot of the pictures and such on there.
please click around it.

it was a lot of fun though. got to see really cool cars and there was an outside boat show area and such. lots of fun things to see/do.
i learned a lot as well.

bit sad to leave the small room we had. it was the bane of my existence for about 40 hours or so. we all felt a bit of remorse.

i cant even think coherently right now.

i am procrastinating writing my final paper and my brain is still in "cars" mode.

so if youve been wondering where i was recently that was it.... down at the Excel center learning about cars, finally seeing the cars that i have edited multiple photos for, and doing all sorts of hard work.

we had a "runner" and at one point he went out and got all of us drinks.
US! the interns! got drinks brought to us.
crazy.


learned lots. was able to have an intelligent convo with one of the Bentley reps about the interior of the car and special features. i even used the proper terms. daddy you would be so proud!

now physically/mentally exhausted.

did a bit of shopping today. because in the real world after working a lot- you get paid more and can afford to shop.
and seeing as im only half in the real world- i figured i would celebrate by getting a few new adorable dresses! :)

off on a scandinavian adventure in a few hours. super excited.
i hope i stay awake.

seriously though. click around the BMS show website.

mi amor

so my pictures are updated... so you can check those out!

so..... mi amor.

im in love with barcelona.

from the minute i laid eyes on its beautiful beaches, city skyline, and mountains silhouetted in the sunset..... l o v e

we arrived and went to our hotel- which was in a wonderful location- right off of Las Ramblas- one of the main street areas.
we met up with Jens dad and brother and had a great dinner of Sangria and Tapas. we sat around until it was after 1am and then headed off to our hotel.
our hotel was actually quite nice- it was a triple room- so we were unable to unpack and we had our own bathroom.

saturday morning we woke up and headed down to the olympia beach and sat on the beach all day. by sat i mean i napped. in the sun. listening to the waves crash on the sand. it was bliss.

we went for a wonderful lunch - i had roasted vegetable pizza with artichoke hearts, eggplant, zucchini and mediterranean spices. it was like i was tasting all of the culture i was experiencing.
finished it off with bitter chocolate mousse with hazelnut cream and pineapple.

then we continued to lounge around on the beach- not a care in the world.... it was wonderful.

after a lazy day we went back and got ready for dinner. jen went out with her fam- so Megan and I went to this place called Rey de los Gambes.... we ordered a seafood platter. there was prawns- mussles, cuttle fish, hake and monkfish. it was HUGE.
megan and i had so much fun with our sangria and our amazing waiters. and for dessert i had some type of creme brulee-- but it was frozen? like ice cream with a thick caramel like topping-- its difficult to describe. but it was absolutely amazing.

after watching the sunset over the marina -- megan and i wandered around and went and met up with some other girls from our london program. they ate dinner on this boat on the water and we met up with zima, christy and caroline. meredith was also there with her... boyfriend? meredith also goes to mizzou- she was in barcelona for the weekend as well as other MU kids who are studying in alicante.

we ended up getting some dodgy directions on the way to meet the rest of the alicante group- and split ways. so i went off with meredith to go meet up with the other MU kids. always nice to see fresh faces. we went to some super local bar then wandered around a bit before i headed home around 4am. crazy.

sunday megan was going sightseeing and i decided to join her. (aka didnt want to be left alone in barcelona...) i wasnt against the idea--- i just had wanted to sit on the beach all day.
but megan surprised me and we had a great time!

we started by heading off to the Sagrada Familia--- or as megan said... " a cathedral on shrooms". it was under construction of couse- which is part of its allure- being under construction for like 100 years or so. but all of the cranes really made my pictures much uglier- so i didnt like that. the details in the church are incredible amazing. i dont know how gaudi could NOT have been on drugs. i mean the stone was made to look like it was melting at some points- there were faceless people and there are random animals and fruits and shapes and such everywhere.

we waited forever to take the lift to the top--- but it was so worth it. we were walking outside on the top of la sagrada familia and were able to see the city in its entirety. we saw the mountains, the high rise buildings, the beaches and other little towns. the day was clear so it was absolutely breathtaking.

then we started our fateful decent down the spiral staircase/maze. there was no direct way down. you could turn and go anyway you wanted to. i got a bit claustrophobic and freaked out for a bit.... but then it was over. eventually.
we went across the street to eat lunch- which was a wonderful pizza place with a great view of the cathedral. (from the ground- which was nice because i was still catching my balance)

after that we went down to port vell and went on a catamaran for an hour and a half out on the Mediterranean sea.
i napped there too--- just lying on the netting- with water occasionally splashing up and the salty wind blowing in my hair.
again.... in love. absolutely perfect.

after that wonderful experience megan and i headed out to see Parc Guell... another one of gaudis creations.
we had to take the metro- to a bus then walk like a mile up hill. it was a bit rough.
but again--- so worth it.

i felt like i was in the entrance to an amusement park- or some part of disney land. the colors and shapes were imaginative and fun to look at. there were mosaics everywhere- and there were again beautiful views of the city.
also one part of it was where americas next top model season finale was filmed with melrose and caridee wore those bridal gowns... so megan and i strutted our stuff for a while it was quite fun.
after that we simply headed back home to shower and get ready.

then we went off to some old building- which is now a museum and saw a brilliant fountain show. which was set to music and with different lights and such. the area was PACKED. it was so mesmerizing-- watching this beautiful show with many different elements while the sun was setting behind the city in the background. truly magical.

after that we headed off to jaume I area and went to Taller Tapas for dinner. we had spanish wine and a bunch of different tapas.
finished off with catalan creme brulee and port wine. it was another altogether lovely night that didnt end until 2 am or so.

sunday we were lazy and slept in a bit--- then jen and i went and met megan at bogatell beach.
another lazy day of reading, napping and swimming. megan and i even went topless for a while. i mean figured it was just part of the culture!

jen and i had some GREAT seafood paella for lunch which was so great eating and overlooking the crowded beach.
after a long day of doing absolutely nothing i went back and shopped around the markets at las ramblas a bit.

then got ready and jen and i went back to the jaume I area and had a great meal and people watched and listened to some live music.
after that we just went back and passed out.

monday we woke up a bit late and walked around the corner to a fresh food market. i got fresh mango, kiwi and cherries and it was delicious. we saw fresh veggies, seafood, meat--- all of it was there. it was quite cool to see. then we wandered around Las Ramblas a bit more before heading back and sadly packing up.

of course we made it home on time--- although i was seriously debating accidentally missing my plane and staying in barcelona.
it was just a perfect weekend.... an amazing beach- beautiful city that was filled with culture.
wonderful rich culture, history and tradition

needless to say- im in love with it and plan on going back.

look at my pictures and maybe you can understand.

departures

way back to saturday i met my fam at harrods.... got some sweets and headed off to portobello road.

love portobello road. all of the people and colors and food.... everything one of a kind.
had crepes and just a wonderful time.
after that we stopped by my flat-- my parents saw that i wasnt exaggerating when i said it was small and such.

then we went to dinner with jen and megan at The Wosley- by the Ritz. had an amazing dinner- probably best of the trip. with champagne of course to continue to bday celebration!

then the 7 of us went to see Grease.

i cannot even describe it.... i think the nicest way to say is it was High School production quality. at best. but there were a few laughs.... thankful i went. but would not reccommend it.

then we met up with the flat 5 crew and went to On Anon a club and hung there for most of the night. really fun. not terribly eventful.

then i wanted to go meet my parents back at their hotel-- but could NOT find a taxi for the life of me. so my roommates headed home on the night bus- and im wandering around london thinking i have some clue as to where im going.

i was walking in the right direction-- but my shoes were killing me and i was tired. too scared to get into a private taxi though. and i didnt want to get into a bicycle taxi alone.
then this bicycle taxi driver says- you look lost- where are you headed. and i go well.... holburn- ill walk can you point me in the right direction. and he said- thats where im going! he asked the girls in the back if i could ride along and they said yes.

so i rode in a bicycle taxi with 2 french girls for about 10min. just the 3 of us all in dresses. we had so much fun--- so random but worked out quite nicely.

sunday had an AMAZING breakfast then said goodbye to my fam.

went back to the flat and slept and did homework. not super exciting.

monday was work and class. tuesday was work. and today was work. suprise suprise.

getting ready for the British Motor Show which starts next tuesday-- and so lots to prepare. i have put over 300 pictures up online with proper captions and such.

doesnt sound difficult.... you would be amazed. that and staring at a computer screen for hours on end really gets to you at some point.... (hence my reluctance to run home and blog)

but my co-workers are great so that makes the day much more entertaining.

today was christy's 22nd birthday- so we met up and went to Ping Pong- a dim sum resteraunt in oxford circus. we walk downstairs to our table-- and Kelly Rowland is there with some girls. just chilling and eating dinner. Em said hi to her as she left (she was really excited)

and the people sitting next to us took a group picture of us- then were talking about different models and such- i think they were talent agents by the photos they were looking at and such. weird.

anyways we had a wonderful dinner- we truly are a family here.

gotta get off to sleep. off to barcelona until monday. yay for summer vacay on the beach.

p.s. look at my fams new puppy !!! Baci !!! she is so beautiful-- cant wait to go home and meet her! (i call her bacci ball.... my dad doesnt like that. guess you shouldnt have named her after an east coast game!... although he claims she was named after the italian word for kiss "baci".....)

the big 2-1

woke up at the hotel and we went and ate breakfast downstairs.....
then i went back to my flat to shower and get ready for the day.

had to run across the street to the hair salon and have them help me do it because our straighteners and curling irons all broke last week!

then i met up with my fam and we went down to victoria place- and they got to see where i worked-- and we ate at zizis for lunch. i had really good rissoto.
after that we walked back by st. james park to Churchill's War Museum.
basically where WWII was planned. it was reallly cool.

although my audio guide somehow changed into german halfway through ... so that was no fun.
i cant believe that so many people literally lived underground for multiple years!

then we found our way to our resteraunt for dinner. i ordered champagne! (yay!)
and had what was called gnocchi-- but was like circular potato cheese somethings.
it was realllly good though.

after an intersting dinner we all made it to the London Eye. it was raining by then... of course this is london---. mom was freaking out because she didnt like the heights (im not sure what she thought she was getting on...-- i mean you see it before you get on...)

and when we were at the very top my parents handed me a birthday present.
i expected simply a card (and i didnt even get that!) because this trip is my present.

but i opened a pretty little box and got STUNNING diamond earrings. they are perfect and beautiful. i was shocked.


after that we went back to my parents hotel and had great dessert- and i was able to order a "dessert cocktail" which was interesting--- and really cool.
then i found my way over to earl's court and met up with some of my roommates at a local pub.

we sat there for only like 15 min before deciding to head back. we were all so tired.
we knocked on the boys door and i went and woke stew up and we were only there for about 5 min when jen got a phone call and is like kaylin.... we have to go upstairs now. something happened with morgan and she wants us there now. (she had been having not the best day). so we literally ran up 6 flights of stairs.

we get to our door and all the lights are off--- i turn the lights on and streamers go off- and popping things and all this cool stuff. my roommates yell happy birthday and i see lights on a cake --- and this HUGE poster on our wall saying happy 21st and my roommates all signed it and it was AMAZING.
i blew out the candles... kind of- they were trick candles and the cake was AMAZING.
and they popped open champagne and we all sat in the common room eating cake and drinking champagne with streamers all over the floor and talking. probably one of my favorite nights here.

i had NO clue this was coming and it was absolutely amazing.
i expected nothing of the sort and it was so awesome.

i guess what had happened was megan got excited and lit the candles on the cake thinking they wouldnt melt as fast as they did- so someone called jen and was like- hurry come upstairs now or our house is going to burn down--- so that is why we had to run upstairs.

it was such an amazing birthday full of so many surprises.
thank you to my family for my beautiful earring that i will have forever and to my roommates for making my birthday so special and fun.

family times

Thursday i got to meet the UK secretary of state!!! Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP.
i didnt even know she was a cabinet member until after we left--- but she was soooo nice!

after that i went out to deen city farm and shot different farm animals.

how opposite can you get.... Parliament to farm....

it was a great day though.

met up with my family at Simpson's where we had a wonderful meal.
the worlds like first chess tournament was held there and thats where food carts became invented.
no jeans were allowed though so i had to buy black pants on my lunch break.

after that we went and saw Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat. lee mead was joseph and he was amazing! very good for not being donny osmond!
after that i spent the night at my parents hotel....
didnt want to wake up in a bunk bed on my 21st!

the fam

so the fam is in town.
they came in town yesterday.

i went to christmas in july at work in the morning....
which was a toy expo showcasing the toys for the upcoming christmas shopping.
so basically i played with toys all morning.
and got an AWESOME goody bag with free toys. (i gave them to my bro and sis though)

then got off work early because i left my keys and computer at home (im super intelligent)
and stopped and got hummingbird cupcakes to take to my family.

did some work from home and went to the train station to pick up the fam!!!!

it was so great seeing them!!! i really missed them.

we headed off to the hotel- then walked down to covent garden for dinner. (to some seafood place that looked really good... but looks can be deceiving)
and walked around a bit and finished with cupcakes in the room!

this afternoon we had an off-site for work and it was actually a ton of fun.
MSN is a great company to work for.
we started planning how to cover Christmas and such.
it was cool how some of the ideas i helped come up with today might show up on the website in like 3 months!

after that i met my parents in picadilly for dinner at aberdeen steakhouse (haha) and then we went off to see Les Mis! which was FABULOUS.
i love les mis and tonight was no different.

it was so great sitting with my family and relaxing and having a wonderful evening.

much to do--- and i need much sleep--- so i am off to bed.

what a crazy week. love it.

wish it werent raining so much though

Dublin

soo went to Ireland this past weeked-

it was not what i expected honestly.
we got there and walked around a bit and ate lunch at this place where our waiter didnt understand english... then went to the jameson wiskey factory- which was pretty cool actually.

then we walked around and found our way to the guiness factory. we ate dinner there then walked around the 6 story building- and on the top was a 360 view of the city- which was pretty cool.

then we went back to our sketch hostel and got ready and went out.
we went to temple bar area--- which was acutally very cool.
we first went to this really weird place. then we went to a SUPER crowded bar that played American music (they all play US music!)

then we found a local pub that was 95% irish people and they only played irish music-- which was really cool- and i finally felt like i was having an irish experience ! (even though i was falling asleep while i was there)

the next morning we went to the Jail --- famous for something.
ate an ammmmazing lunch. i had fried mushrooms and a great pizza. (not very irish-- but good nonetheless)

we tried to go to St. Pats-- but it was closed for services.
so we walked to Dublin Castle-- which is also city hall.
it doesnt look like a castle at all.... well parts of it do. but it is a bit of a let down. looks so normal!

then we tried to walk down to the docklands.... got a bit lost. ran into kids spraypainting graffiti--- and gave up and turned back.
went back to St. Pats- walked in and realized it was over $5 to get in. we did get to walk in the foyer and look around- which was pretty cool.

then stew caroline and i just did a bit of shopping before we all met up and headed off to the airport. our flight was delayed-- but we eventually made it back.

overall i feel like Dublin had a big reputation to live up to and it was really a big let down.
i felt more in Ireland in Edinburg than in dublin.

there were a couple really cool areas in dublin--- but they were surrounded by other areas. i mean the walk from jameson to guiness we were walking through neighborhoods.
it was just different.

i expected to be surrounded by celtic symbols and irish dancing and irish pub culture--- and i feel like i got only a little bit of that.
i would go back to Ireland-- maybe see the countryside more... but i wouldnt go back to Dublin.

it just seemed like a very generic city--- you could have told me i was anywhere in europe and i would have believed you.
Prague was way cooler than dublin.

yesterday was rough at work. although all i did was shoot a video game review of a cooking game with maneeza--- so we spent all day cooking and eating scallops, apple crumble and some salad. yum. then i went it and shot a video podcast with Big Brothers Kemal---- who knows my name-- which i kind of cool.

it rained a lot here yesterday so i hope it doesnt do that here today because my family comes in tonight!!!

Uh- Mer-uh- KAH

sooooo MSN is microsoft--- obviously.

well microsoft is an American based company--- obviously.


what i didnt expect was for the cafeteria (loosely used term)- to be decorated full out with American flags everywhere. lunch was Burgers (tribute to America) with little US flags in them. it was so adorable.

our co-workers played the speech from Independence Day on youtube as well as US songs. it was very patriotic.

after a suuuuper long day at work i headed out to Texas Embassay (bar/grill) for dinner with some mizzou kids! it was sooo much fun. there was live music-- and a ton of Americans. and there was a wall that everyone wrote stuff on--- so of course i wrote "ZTA mizzou" and a 5-pointed crown! (there were other sorority stuff up everywhere--- i had to represent)

so all in all it was a pretty decent holiday!
minus the fact that there were no fire works....


off to dublin tomorrow!

Fourth of July

Well this is one of the many years i have spent away from chicago for fourth of july.
my 2nd time out of the country for it.....

last night at about midnight we all sat down in the boys flat and watched Independence Day - i had never seen it- (and i slept through parts of it last night) but it was fun. and blake said the pledge of allegiance at midnight - it was funny.


soo ive been in the UK for a long time (almost 2 months)

and in tribute to America i decided to list of some of the things i miss:

watermelon
grilling
corn on the cob

the beach (MICHIGAN!)
bluberry muffins

baseball games
the pool
the beach
reading a book on the beach
fresh berries

popsicles

drumsticks (ice cream)
summer night bonfires on the beach
summer movies (movies cost $16 dollars here... needless to say- we dont go)

fireworks
pizza on the beach
my michigan house
popcorn.
old navy $5 4th of july shirts

water balloon fights.
apple pie.

columbia
outside patios in columbia
sitting out on the quad

wandering around downtown columbia
cherry hill pool

zeta
having a summer VACATION rather than working.
4th of July parades
the ability to afford living.

my friends. and my family (they are coming to see me soon!)
my new puppy baci - ive never met her
i really just miss lazy summer days and fun summer nights.
and summer food. and the beach.
thank you America for great summers.

happy independence day!
im wearing a redic combo of clothes today to make sure i am in red, white and blue.
after work i think we are all meeting at Texas Embassy bar/grill for the evening.

miss you America!

off-site

i went to the offsite on thursday and it was so much fun.
MSN really cares about its employees and making them happy.

we sat through a bunch of different presentations and even learned top secret MSN stuff which was cool.

then we got free hors d'oeurves and drinks.
the whole afternoon was pretty cool.
and everyone reallly liked my video!

after that i just went out with jordon nora and sydney- because they are leaving tomorrow to go back to the US. sad. so we went out in covent garden for a bit.

night

video 2

today i went and shot a vox pop for news about some protest against gas prices...

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-GB&brand=&vid=840b83e3-3374-431c-9ff3-059b2787b78b

a bit light.... oh well.

and a video for an off-site that i get to go to tomorrow!!!!




...yes those are my co-workers and they are amazing.
also FY 08 means financial year 08 and it just ended june 30th! just fyi... took me a while to figure out...

sooo basically i have been working on video stuff. pretty fun actually.

megans boyfriend kevin is in town and we met them out at o'neils after work today.
then off to bed before another super busy day tomorrow!

my family will be here in less than a week !!! YAYYY!

M&Ms video

so this is a video i shot and edited all myself !
(its copyrighted to me and microsoft--- so dont steal it please)

MSN is trying to pair up with M&Ms for something or another.... and MSN is making a pitch to M&Ms about having these games or something..... and instead of simply telling the company what they wanted to do- they planned on showing it.... hence the video.


so watch it. enjoy!

off to a SUPER long week at work...... all of my roommates are done with work for the week tomorrow and i have to work allllllll 5 days. but then july will fly by with dublin, my family coming in, barcelona and possibly another trip. and my birthday which is coming up super soon.... and i am really really excited !!!!!!!

but enough looking ahead.......- off to work.

Praha!

wow where do i begin ?!

jen and i literally woke up at 130am to shower and get on the bus to stansted airport.

we got into prague around 9am and got picked up by tanner and joseph (who works at their uni) at the airport and went back to their uni campus.

it was an interesting campus and their dorms are a bit smaller and interesting. they do have sand volleyball and other things to do.
we stopped and had breakfast while we waited for the bus and jen and i had a cinnamon/sugar crepe. YUM. tanner and alan had ice cream! for breakfast!

then we took a bus to the train station... then got out and walked through the city to find our hostel and finally dropped off our bags.

then we found our way to wencesles square and saw the statue and museum.
we met bradley at the beer factory. there were taps on the the table- and you get a glass and you pour your own drinks and some electronic thing counts how much you take and you pay at the end. it was very innovative. (of course i only watched and did not participate)

after that we wandered off to Prague Castle!
when we got there we saw changing of the guards!
we also saw like a birds of prey "zoo" which was interesting. we walked around the castle a bit and then decided to go into St. Vitus Cathedral. it was beautiful. i think bradleys comment was "see doesnt this make you want to convert to catholicism?!"

we almost didnt go in because the line seemed too long... but the line moved quickly and we made it in.
i am impressed i came out with decent pictures.... seeing as my camera can be a bit sketchy on focusing--- and i didnt have a display screen to check.

after that we walked back and saw charles bridge . it was sooo pretty and perfect. it was filled with people and artists selling unique pieces of art. i even went and rubbed something on a statue that is supposed to mean good luck. (hey ... cant hurt right?) it was a great atmosphere!
then walked around to get some lunch. we ended up at a place called something and we had the "SOS" pasta. yum.

then we split off and jen and i checked into our hostel and went shopping in old town.
jen got a beautiful necklace/earrings set of bohemian crystal and i got a beautiful bracelet! it caught my eye. sorry mom--- ill let you borrow it :)

we also walked down to designer row and got gelato at Cremeria Milano. yum.

we got ready for the night then walked around old town (which is in the jewish quarter- which is a world heritage site!) and got dinner. jen and i split mushroom pizza- at Pizzeria Giovanni.

then we met up with the boys and stopped by some mexican restaurant before heading back to charles bridge. and the 5-story club.
each story of the club had a different theme and was decorated accordingly.
we started on the 80s/ disco floor. saw the floor that was filled with couches, and some other dance floor with really cool chairs and a waterfall we sat in for a while. we also went down to the hip/hop ish / modern dance floor for a while as well.

prague was great. it was my first eastern europe experience. everything was really cheap because they still use the czech crown. it wasnt as poverty stricken as i expected--- but it was not like london at all. reminds me a bit of turkey... it was a great atmosphere though. everyone sat outside because the weather was beautiful and was drinking beer and socializing.
beer is literally cheaper than water there. apparently the czechs drink the most alcohol per capita than any other country in the world. fun fact.

it was fun and beautiful and filled with gothic buildings and rich history. im sad we were only there for a day because i feel like there is so much more to be discovered and we simply scraped the top.

in the mornign we simply woke up and got on a plane then a bus. (spent our left over crowns on belgian chocolates!) we stopped by some shop at victoria coach station and i got dreamtime hot cocoa (im drinking it now) and a SUPER cute mug with stars on it for reallly cheap.
headed back home and i got to skype michelle and alissa !!! and michelle showed me what our house looks like.... i am soo excited to move in. i miss my roommates lots.

ally megan and i went to a pub down the street then and watched the finals of Euro 2008 germany v spain. germany lost :( (im german i had to root for my ancestors.... who knows someone on the team could be a long lost cousin!)

now simply off to bed before a full week of work tomorrow!

p.s. my pics are finally updated !!! czech them out........... hahaha. wow.

MY Photo Shoot

sorry for the lack of updating--- but of course i have been quite busy~!

so to all of my loyal readers (mom and dad) here's what has been happening this past week...

wednesday i shot a bunch of internal videos for MSN then i met up with the Holmbergs and we went to eat in Green park. we were going to go to this one pub... but there was a reservation mix up and we went next door. i had deep fried brie with rasperberry sauce and garlic butter shrimp. (not together) it was sooo good ! it was such a nice resteraunt... i kind of didnt know how to act.
after that just stopped by o'neils with some MU kids after the big football game.

Thursday i spent the morning shooting video for MSN to use while courting M&Ms for some big collaboration or something. which was fun. then maneeza and i walked around st.james park getting some video then Kelsey and i jetted off to Greenwich. (we didnt see the big clock)
we went to see the wheel in greenwich. like a smaller less impressive london eye.
we rode around in it lots and got free pims and lemonade.
i dropped by digital camera and the screen broke.
i do still have a viewfinder.... but it is very sad. i bought this camera with my graduation money right at the start of freshman year. good memories....


then we stopped by work and i met up with the holmbergs and we went to cafe pacifo- a really good mexican place. then britt and brie and i got some gelato then came back and sat in my flat for a bit.

today was the most fun of them all!
today i was photographer extrodinnare.
seriously.

I shot stills for MSN cars--- a twin test- which is basically 2 cars compared against each other.

i was out in my jeans and black t-shirt and professional still camera snapping away over 400 photos. i directed the shoot and the way the cars drove and were posistioned.


i even rode in the bosses Porsche Boxter RS60 Spyder and kneeled and shot photos out the back while we were all moving.
it was SOOOO cool.

i was with CJ from motoring research (this took place in SE london by their office) and Kim- from MSN autos in seattle-- and he used to be the senior editor at Road and Track and he races high performance cars. hes pretty much sooo cool.

the Motoring Research guys took us out to lunch at a local pub before i headed home and saw my video online ! http://news.uk.msn.com/nelson-mandela-celebration-of-hope.aspx

just skyped a bunch of people and now off to nap before our 130am wake up to head out to prague this weekend !!


not only did i have good food and good compay this week.... i was also a photographer for MSN !!!!!!! it was so cool.

too bad i want to be IN FRONT of the camera rather than behind it. because i might not make a bad still photographer.....

well i guess next summer on my break ill have time to figure it all out.
im taking the summer off next year--- i havent had a proper summer holiday in a long time. and NEVER a full summer in bethany.... so i am living in Bethany next summer until sept when i finally agree to start my job at whoever hires me.

see i didnt have bethany as a kid.... gotta make up for those lost summers.... better now then never !!!! :)

WOW

so WOW.
my life..... has been busy (obviously) hence the no updating.

friday. i worked. then went out with jordon and emma and some knaresbourgh girls.

Saturday jen and i woke up early and hopped on a train down to Brighton.
it has been so far my favorite day this summer.

it was like a real vacation.... like it was REALLY truly summer.

we got there after about a 40 min train ride and walked around the beach- which was big pebbles- but beautiful none-the-less and saw the pier. which reminded me a bit of navy pier. we decided to walk down the pier and saw....... RIDES.

we bought wristbands and spent the morning riding rides. roller coasters- spinning things- even a ride which jen said looked kiddish- but was incredibly scary! yet amazing. i felt like i was 5 and it was pure fun.

no learning or history or anything. absolute fun.

after our adventure we headed off to go shopping and weaved our way in and out of streets and stores.
we took a break and sat on the beach for a while.... reminded me of bethany! and then went off to a great italian/seafood dinner.
after that we came home and crashed because we were sooo tired!


sunday we woke up early again and did a free tour of Old City London.
haha weve been here over a month and we are still touring and learning about the city we live in!

after a great tour we stopped by spittafeilds- really cute mainly clothing market in Liverpool. we came home and made another AMAZING dinner.... if i must say so myself!
we are getting to be quite the chefs!

after that im pretty sure we just went to bed!

Monday was work. then class.

today i woke up at 6 (boo) and traveled with kelsey out to east london--- degenham? and watched a theatre troupe from south africa perform something quite similar to MWAH! with the theme of HIV/AIDS.
after some video of that and the trek back just worked on some stuff at work before heading out to meet the Holmbergs!!!!

they are in town (obviously) and we went to this great indian place for dinner (where i even tried things!!!!) and then went to see Hairspray!
Hairspray was different here than it was in NYC but still fabulous. and we had amazing seats as well!

then we went back to the their club lounge and had cookies and fruit before i headed home on the tube with my HUGE duffel bag full of enough food to last me the summer !!! (yay more money for traveling :)

i got the biggest size jar of peter pan ever made (pretty sure my mom had it custom ordered)
an incredible drawing from my brother!!!! (thanks so much kian!)
and all kinds of other fabulous snacks and breakfast foods and packets of rice mixed with veggies and shake and bake and other great things.... also KETTLE CORN !!!!!!! (which is one of my favorite snacks EVER!)

thanks sooooo much mom and dad i am soooo greatful and happy for the surprise package!!!!
also thanks to the Holmbergs for an amazing evening.

off to sleep before.... you guessed it--- work!
:)

celebrity

tuesday i worked. 

wednesday .... surprise-- i worked.

wednesday after work i met up with my roomies at lecister sq to watch the red carpet for the London premiere of Hancock.

it was crowded. but cool. we saw charlieze- will smith who was really cool. jason bateman pretty much RAN down the red carpet so we have no pics of him. also Kim Kardashion and Reggie Bush were there along with a sleu of british "celebrities" that we had no clue who they were.

then i just came home and went to bed.

today worked again. then morgan somehow got us all tickets to the Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian. which is the largest premiere in london.

it was at O2 dome which is like the United center-- but bigger. and with an entire town inside. any kind of shop pub/bar/club/resteraunt you could ever want is inside.

emily, ally, danna and i were seat fillers. the stadium was HUGE and we were on the floor in the middle section 13th row from the FRONT. it was absolutely amazing.

the screen was so big and we shook everytime there was noise because the sound was so intense.

we got to see the director and producers and actors (william is even cuter in person) come out before it began and talk about it. 

movie was really good. shouldnt be rated PG though.

afterward we saw the guy who was 5th runner up on the UK apprentice. we also were walking out and saw the 2 lead girls from the movie just chilling in the crowd. literally like 1 foot away from them. we tried to get pics with them but it was crazy- and we thought the 10 year olds should get them over us.

overall it was an amazing experience.

just makes me want to work hard - and find a talent. then do well at it -- and be the best. one day ill be up there. ("there" remaining very vague so i can actually accomplish that goal... because really "there" could be anywhere)

youll see me on the red carpet one day. wait and see.

one month anniversary

well- happy one month anniversary london town!!!

i have lived in good old flat 5 for a month now.

CRAZY

sunday after sleeping in Jen and I went up to covent garden and went shopping.

and we helped 2 different people out with directions! we knew what they were talking about and how to properly get them to their destination! i felt like i actually live here!

after a frustrating day of shopping (i couldnt find the dress im in love with in my size)

we came home- made dinner and hung about.

today was work. went to a conference type thing with Nick Clegg- leader of the liberal democrats- 3rd largest party in the UK (i was so excited!)

then we met up with our roommates who work at bauer and saw The Twelfth Night at the courtyard theatre outside in Regents Park.

and it was amazing.

who knew shakespeare was so great ?!

(lots of people)

anyways much to do this week and i need sleep! night!

p.s. im hoping my flat will give me a cupcake or something tomorrow for our special day (ill even settle for a shower with constantly warm water)

we made friends

friday woke up and went to work.

got off early at 415--- which was a great welcome to the weekend!

just hung about until my roommates came home from work

then we all walked up to notting hill- and we went to some tex-mex/spanish resteraunt 

my roommates were very happy to have their mexican craving fixed.

i had garlic/lime shrimp.... yum!

saturday was an amazing day!!!!

we got up really early and went down to the Royal Horse Gardens to see the celebration for the Queens Official birthday. i guess some King a long time ago had his birthday in the winter or something and wanted to celebrate it outside- so he made an official birthday. its one of the 1st 3 weekends in june.

so we got there WAY early (but got great seats) and we made friends with some girl from Alabama and 2 girls from Germany. we all shared a blanket and made room for each other to take pictures and shared fun london knowledge. i was really great.

after we saw Prince William and Harry, Prince Charles and Camilla and of course... the Queen we decided to walk up to Picadilly Circus- and we bought theatre tickets for the night.

then Jen and I went to Portobello Road (a saturday staple) and got ingredients for dinner.

we also stopped by Hummingbirds- which the girls said had the BEST cupcakes ever.

they were right. yummmmm i even had a nutella one for breakfast this morning !

(so mom and dad if you cant bring over cheesecake from Juniors, or Portillos chocolate cake for my birthday.... we can just get a bunch of these AMAZING cupcakes instead!!!!)

jen and i got 4 ears of sweet corn, a head of broccoli, 2 HUGE new potatos, a ton of fresh string beans, and jen got a portobello mushroom--- for under 4 pounds!!! total!

then we stopped by sainsburys and got spices to put on our chicken and chicken (haha i finished checking out and jen was just about to be rung up and we remembered that we hadnt gotten chicken yet! so she had to run around and get us chicken.... the whole point of going to the store was to get chicken and we almost forgot it!)

we came home and made the most AMAZING dinner ever.

we started off with applewood smoked cheddar then had sweet corn-- baked chicken marinated in spices, caramelized onions and garlic, hand mashed new potatos, string beans sauteed in butter.... and ciabatta break with butter and spices that was cooked in the broiler.

it was absolutely amazing.

hahaha and we didnt have any left overs..... i cannot believe we ate it all. (i took pictures) but we did. AND had a cupcake for dessert :)

then we got ready and went to the west end to see a show. we saw Into the Hoods. (www.intothehoods.com  - go watch some of it)

it says its a musical-- but really it is like a performance. like a hip-hop ballet.

there is a story line- but no one ever speaks or sings.... the music is all recorded and is like kanye and mariah carey and such. there was video and all other sorts of media integrated.

it started off with some guy doing a stand-up act then went into all this crazy hip-hop stuff.

it was actually very cool.

speaking of hip hop.... if you watch americas next dance crew on MTV--- one of the teams - Xtreme Dance Force- is from Chicago--- and i know JC Renzentti- one of the dancers.

so go and vote for them online so they win !!! (www.dancecrew.mtv.com)

after the show we stopped by Scoop- an amazing gelato place- and had- of course- a mix of chocolate and hazlenut. yum.

today we just slept in then who knows what we are up to !!!

happy fathers day daddy !!!!!

i love you soooo much and miss you and cannot wait for you to come visit !!!! (and the rest of the fam too!)

hope you guys have a wonderful day !!!!!!

off to make kraft mac and cheese for lunch...... yum!!!

wicked !

wow. busy week!

wednesday i worked on filming video for some MSN corporate video.

i shot employees saying "i believe in MSN because..." 

well i got to shoot Tom- my supervisor and he wanted to say- because we review really nice cars. so we thought it would be a good idea to get him saying that IN a car.

so he got the keys of our big boss's new BMW convertible (really really nice).

but- darn- it was too dark to film in the parking garage--- so we just HAD to take the car out for a spin! we drove around for almost 45 minutes with the top down passing Buckingham palace and Big ben like there were just regular buildings. it was so cool.

just chilled then. did some more work for the cars site.

oh i got told i am the "video" girl. and when there isnt video work i help out cars. so thats cool.

wednesday just stopped by a pub on the way home with a couple of the guys from the entertainment department. it was so much fun.

finally finished booking weekend vacations and such --- now i can start getting excited about them !!!!

today just did more photo galleries and articles up on msn cars. 

morgan, ally, emily, danna and i went and saw Wicked tonight.

i have seen it before--- but it was absolutely amazing.

i cannot believe i have been here almost a month and havent been to the theatre yet!!!

i absolutely love the theatre- and wicked was just amazing. the actors did have accents which was a bit different- but the cast was phenomenal. it was a Perfect ending to my day!!!

i am trying to think of what else to say.... but really my life has consisted of work and sleep. in alternating orders. and its only week one.

is this how the real world is ?

as fun as work is- i might decide not to join. :)

Carz...

this is where i work http://cars.uk.msn.com

yes. i work at MSN.

yes. i work in the Cars department.

its actually pretty cool... despite the fact that i have almost no knowledge about the subject.

i am trying though- and i have a lot of work and i have done so much so far!

i am actually doing hands on work and my name has already been put up on a site !!!

i also get to spend 4 days at the British Motor Show (http://cars.uk.msn.com/britishmotorshow2008)

monday i just went to work- there are 4 other people from mizzou who are working there with me - so it is nice having the company ! we got cool name badges- the security is super tight there- you need a pass to get in and out of every single door there. its crazy.

we ate lunch in the little cafe downstairs and it was really good- and importantly cheap!

anyways i had lots to do on monday then got off work a bit early to go off to go to class.

we had some guest speaker then i came back to my flat where chris and steve were hanging out!

we went on a walk for a bit and met up with some MU kids and stopped by the pub across the street for a bit. then we came back and watched a movie and fell asleep.

said goodbye to the boys this morning.... it was extremely nice having them here. i had a great time with them and i hope they enjoyed London as well!

just worked today. Carl and i ate lunch at a cafe outside and it was beautiful.

my computer froze and i had to restart it right before saving my 1st finished article design.

it was extremely frustrating- but hey- i learned a lot.

i also got added to the "tall wall" today. its a white board wall with ideas and such- but on one side it has everyones height- and i was added today... apparently its a rite of passage. (i felt really cool- im not going to lie)

came back and booked final travel with jen!

all we need to do is book 2 trains next week and i need to get my time off work approved to book another trip and then all the booking (and paying) is over... other than that it is all sorted out which quite relaxing.

just chilling before going off to bed before another day looking at cars all day!

i have MSN messenger kaylinrae@live.com (which is also my work email address) which i use at work all the time. so download MSN messenger and we can chat!

i am very happy that i am enjoying my internship. there are so many opportunities presented to me even so far that i feel like i will learn so much. and all of my co-workers are extremely nice and helpful- which is always a plus.

also: i got the most AMAZING care package from my family ever. my brother sent me an incredible drawing of a mother golden retriever and a puppy (possibly our family's new puppy!) and my sister wrote me a beautiful note on a handmade card. and my mom and dad wrote me fabulous notes and gave me the best present ever-- kraft mac and cheese, peter pan peanut butter, trader joes australian soft licorice, packs of nuts and dried berries (good snacks at work!) and all kinds of other fabulously american items that i have been craving!!!!

thank you sooo much! 

oh what a weekend

friday night after all those who were working (not me) came home--- we made dinner and got ready to go out.

Chris and Steve came in at 10pm friday so i went and met them at the train station. i was soo incredibly glad to see them. we dropped their stuff off at their hostel before going to ArchAngel- a pub-ish place up on High Street Kensington with my roommates. we hung out there and caught up a bit before going back to bed.

saturday morning we woke up early and chris, steve my roommate megan and i went on a free walking tour. it was actually pretty cool. we did the "Royal" tour so we got to see all of the Royal places. usually they stop and watch changing of the guard with the tour groups.... well its the Queens Official Birthday this coming saturday- so instead they were practicing Trooping of the Colors. 

trooping of the colors is some sort of parade that shows off all parts of the military and apparently takes upward of 4 hours.... the practice version we watched only took 15 min though.

and we found out that Prince Charles would be riding in the parade!!! soo we kept looking for him and we saw him!!! he was riding a horse in a uniform like everyone else- but wearing a blue sash. dont worry- i took lots of pictures. it was sooooo amazing though. i mean yeah changing of the guard would have been cool--- but i saw Prince Charles!!!!

after the tour we took the tube station to Portobello Rd. market and megan and i got crepes for lunch and we walked around there a bit. then we came home and all pretty much took naps. (well i finished my last book.... once i start a book i am socially awkward until i finish it because all i want to do is read the book...... those who tried speaking to me last summer during my Harry Potter marathon know what im talking about...)

anyways after that we all met up with the other kids from our program and went to Cheers!. it was a pub-ish place with a dance floor. it was a lot of fun....until they started playing American music on overkill. still- we were all dancing and meeting people and it was great roommate bonding! and the boys were like our bodyguards all night- always watching out for us and such. did i mention yet that they are amazing ?!

today we slept in then the boys came by and made jen and i big omelets with onions and peppers in them. after that we walked up to Kensington Gardens and met my other roommates and sat outside and people watched a bit. but it was really hot outside so we decided to get up and walk around. 

we went to Imperial College union to get some cold water- and we watched the end of the mens (french?) finals something in Tennis. we took the boys around campus a bit before going down to the grocery store. the boys grilled and amazing dinner for jen and i. their hostel has a grill- and it sounded so good- and unfortunately we do not have access to a grill.

so the boys made us chicken and potatoes and fruit salad. it tasted sooo good. and was one of the most balanced meals i have eaten in a long time !!!

then we went to a pub by their hostel and watched the 2nd half of Euro Soccer--- germany v. poland. poland lost :(

it was very crowded though and a great atmosphere. i love how they all have songs that they sing. its cool.

then we came back and just played card games in my flat.

it was a perfect weekend and it was so nice to have them here. they are great amazing people and i wonder why they still hang out with me !

they dont leave till tuesday morning --- although i start work tomorrow so i wont see them until after class late at night.

soooo yeah i start work at 10am. wish me luck. i will need it !!!

also jen and i booked our 2 day- 1 night trips to Prague and Dublin today. i cannot believe it is actually booked and we will actually be going there !!!! we are going june 28th-39th to Prague and July 5th-6th to Dublin. i think both trips are going to be beyond unforgettable !!!! (thanks mom and dad!)

well off to finish my paper for GK -then bed, so i am wide awake tomorrow when i go to my internship !!!!

hope everyone had as great of a weekend as i did !!!

p.s. when i talked to my dad last he was out looking at new golden retriever puppies from the breeder we are buying from.

i cannot wait to come home in august and play with our new puppy my family gets in July !!!!!

thanks dad for finally giving in the the other 4 of us in the family!! a puppy is always a great idea!

me, myself and i

while my roommates are off at their wonderful internships..... i am sitting alone in our flat.

i found out this morning that i do in fact have an internship. although the details are sketch.

im doing something at MSN. supposedly video work?......

but i dont start until monday at 10.

therefore i have had way too much free time on my hands.

woke up yesterday and made cinnamon/sugar french toast. 

then i walked to Kensington Gardens with my book and read outside for over 3 hours.

it was so beautiful. i could have been at a park anywhere in the world.

i was surrounded by green grass, flowers and an array of people. some were tanning others playing frisbee and most sitting reading books.

i almost forgot i was in London.

then occasionally my peripheral vision would catch a glimpse of the gold on the gates into Kensington Palace only meters away from me and remind me of the european adventure i currently find myself in.

after a great relaxing time away from all things technological and all things... period, i decided it was time to get up and join the real world again.

i walked up and down high street kensington for a bit- then i spent literally an hour wandering around Whole Foods. everything was just so pretty.

the store itself was arranged perfectly and all of the fresh food was simply inviting me in for a healthy dinner- or a tropical vacation with all of the fresh fruit jumping off the shelves at me (and landing in my basket)

after saying goodbye to quality foods i know i can never afford i came home and watched some reality TV before reading some more and going to bed.

this morning i have really not done much anything of significance.

i read a book, played around online and have been looking up travel info for the future and places to go this weekend.

Chris and Steve come into London tonight and i cannot wait to see them.

that will be the highlight of my day. and week.

now to only find something to occupy my time between now and 10 pm ...... 

kid in a candy shop...

today was fabulous.

we started off talking to an MP from the House of Commons at parliament then we got a tour.

i loved it. i mean i got to stand inside the house of commons and house of lords. and we got to see the processional of the Speaker. and see all of this really old historical stuff... and see where the Queen sits and it was just amazing.

we had a quick tour through the house of commons because it was wendnesday and they do Question Time wednesday afternoons so they had to set up.

i guess i am just a dork and like government stuff. needless to say i thought it was very cool.

i am a political science double major--- give me some credit.

then we went to BBC and got a tour of BBC.

so i went from politics to tv news. seriously i was a kid in a candy shop.

the past few days ive been a little nervous- because i dont seem to be as excited about my internship as my roommates. but when i walked into BBC and saw the newsroom my heart beat just a little bit faster.

and it reassured me that i am in love with tv news.

i love the way the newsrooms are set up- and the buzz and the different TV screens and inews and reading AP wires.

although i must say--- i havent watched BBC much... but i am obsessed with Sky News over here. i think it is just so fabulous and i love the way they format their shows... dont judge me

after that i came back and took a nap before jen, megan and i went to De Mario's- an italian place known for its pizza-- (i had 4 cheese pizza with roasted sweet peppers) and Princess Diana used to take her boys there often. and it was sooo good.

now im just chilling and reading a book before bed.

my internship doesnt start tomorrow (haha thats because i still dont know what it is.... dont ask)

so i have the day free.

not sure what to do.... we shall see.

so recap of the day: love parliment- obsessed with tv news- and pizza= amazing.

i know i am a nerd. but i love it. 

top chef

well after watching the entire season of top chef season 4 (while... not the finale- its not on yet!)

i have decided to start cooking.

i know. frightening.

sunday night we bought chicken breast cut into cubes and came home and marinated them in olive oil and mixed herbs. jen cooked the chicken and i sauteed fresh bell peppers and onions in butter. i also made basmati rice. yum ! amazing chicken with fresh veggies over rice. great dinner!

monday i got my hair cut ! and the girl who cut my hair, Lindsey, was from Canada and gave me some great tips on places to go out. she was so much fun.

then we had some lecture on british class system came back made pasta for dinner then went to our night class. we had a great guest speaker from the press complaints commission. he was super knowledgeable and easy to talk to and gave us great examples.

stopped by a pub and just chit-chatted for a while. came home and prepared for my interview this morning.

i had the most difficult interview i have ever had this morning at MSN.

i sat in with the editor in chief and the head of the money/travel/tech department.

they asked really challenging questions. 

still havent heard if i got the internship or not. 

if i do it will be the most challenging, most rewarding summer internship ever.

also the building MSN is in is fantastic and super modern. and there is great shopping and a bunch of cute cafes and restaurants and bars close by.

after that i came home and passed out for a while. then my roommates and danna and i walked to kensington palace in the pouring rain in our dresses with no umbrella.

we get there and see a helicopter flying and one of the guards told us it was Prince William and/or Prince Harry in the helicopter and it was landing on the estate. it was quite cool. we did not see them in person though

we did high tea at The Orangery at Kensington Palace. i had cinnamon spice english breakfast tea and a fruit scone with clotted cream (butter?) and fresh jam. it was sooo great.

we were all quite soaked- but the tea was warm and atmosphere amazing.

now im just getting ready to make shrimp in white wine/garlic sauce over fresh pasta with peas and grated parm. yum !!!

(i got 10 fresh shrimp for only 1.89 pounds!!!)

so i am excited about that !!!

tomorrow we are touring parliament and the BBC before our last weeknight of freedom.

(we are supposed to start our internships on thursday) but i still dont know if i will start thursday with the rest of them or not because i havent heard back the company yet. (no one has who interviewed with MSN though so who knows ...)

crossing my fingers !

lazy sunday

so yesterday we just chilled around after our portabello road adventure.

i attempted to make berry cobbler. and while the berries were good.... i put them ontop of jen's digestive cookies (dont ask) so it ended up more like a mush.

didnt taste bad- just an awkward texture.

then we got ready and decided to go on the tube. it was the last night that alcohol was allowed on the tube so it was PACKED. people were just going crazy, it was certainly an experience.

then because it was so crowded and such they shut down some lines and even some stations it was insane.

then jen stew and i took the bus to south ken to meet up with our other roomies.

then we took the tube to some new area to meet up with mitch davis- who is in town.

we went to this crazy nightclub called AKA before realizing mitch was at the much more chill one upstairs. we stayed there for a while then jen and i took the bus and ventured home.

this morning we made awesome cinnamon/sugar french toast and are now just relaxing.

gotta love lazy sundays !

always busy...

Well lets see.... thursday we just had class. found out i have a face-to-face interview with MSN in the travel, money and tech department tuesday morning. the head of the department and the editor in chief of MSN are interviewing me... scary.

then we all went out to celebrate our placements- because we all pretty much got what we wanted! so we went to tiger tiger... a club in piccadilly circus. it was quite fun. still a bit of an older crowd out though....

friday we had a guest speaker- the guy who writes from London for USA Today.

got out and did laundry. blah. at 5 pounds a load! just for the washer. it was insane. so basically i am never doing laundry again.

its almost cheaper to just buy clothes !!! (yay!)

then we got dressed up and went and saw Sex and the City the movie. and it was FABULOUS. it was absolutely wonderful...

came back made dinner and just chilled.

Today we woke up early and went down to Portabello Road in Notting Hill. 

its a big market and its absolutely amazing.

at first i thought it was going to be all vintagey stuff- which isnt my fav.

but after the bananna/nutella crepes- the day just got sooo much better.

i am in LOVE with every purchase i made today. i got some really cute clothes for work and a couple other awesome things. it was cool because we got to meet some of the designers. one dress i tried on the designer even picked out a belt and helped me fit it properly. it was soo cool.

then jen and i were just wandering and saw this guy taking his pictures in front of a sign. 

so i waked behind the photographer and in front of what turns out to be a body guard.

jen pulls me back.... uuuh kaylin. thats Chris Rock.

i turned around and sure enough- it was!

we were going to ask for a picture but then his bodyguard wisked him away.

it was still pretty cool getting to see him out though!

now back to make lunch (we spent our food money on super cute one of a kind clothes!)

before getting ready to hit up the town tonight.

cheerio!

who knew shakespeare could make me feel so uncomfortable ?!

seriously.

so today we had an academically enthralling day.

we had a field trip for our british life and culture class....

we started at Warwick Castle.

which wouldnt have been so bad if it werent misty... so wet and cold.

it would be have been a nice little tourist attraction with all of the dressed up staff-- but everyone just wanted to be inside!

the figures in the castle.... which is the UKs best preserved fort- were all wax figures made by madame tussand's- so that was pretty neat.

but we really were just hungry and such when we were there. rose garden was pretty though.

then we got back on the bus and went to stratford-upon-avon.

well we started at Anne Hathaway's house. (NOT the actress... much to my dismay)

really it was william Shakespeare's wife. (who was 26 and pregnant when they were married and he was 18.... scandalous)

it was very.... old house like. imagine. kinda cool. not worth spending an hour at.

then we ventured on to Shakespeare's birthplace. 

yes... they have not only his house preserved... but also like a museum/exhibit attached.

it was quite shrine-like.

SO i loooove theatre dont get me wrong. 

but is it really necessary to take everything he touched and preserve it ?

i mean i was in the room where he was BORN.

to be honest. thats a little creepy.

then we were finally done with our Shakespeare-athon we got free time.

from 3-7.

four hours.

im not sure if you can gather.... but stratford-upon-avon..... not a great metropolis.

and right before we stepped outside it started pouring.

all the Londoner's say... it never pours- just drizzles.

this= pouring. (although... to give them credit.... it wasnt london)

we ate what was supposed to be lunch (oh yeah- no lunch break from 8a-3p)

at a great fish and chippery.... where i had really good shrimp.

at sat there and read our homework and books.

then we got up and moved to a pub and did the same thing (more comfy chairs)

before finally we had to head off to the theatre.

we were going to see Taming of the Shrew.

which i thought... wow seeing a Shakespearian play in his hometown--- pretty neat. must be awesome.

well..... just because Shakespeare wrote it one way- does NOT mean that is how everyone interprets it.

the play started off present day time with a bachelor party and a stripper pole. (NO JOKE)

and then went off onto the play... which was full of awkward, unnecessary sexual innuendoes. oh yes.

and the way the tried to modernize the play... with actions and certain accents and such--- just pulled from the plot rather than helping it further along.

it was confusing to follow (although- it is shakespeare...)

it was just uncomfortable at times and inappropriate.

acting was good just again.... im not sure that is the interpretation Shakespeare (or anyone ever before) had in mind when reading the play.

finally got home at 1am our time.

lovely.

off to sleep before much to do tomorrow.

fab.

"time goes by so quickly when you are sitting on this couch..."

haha sooo true megan.

i love our big red couch in our common room. we just sit on it and time seems to fade away.... and when we finally pull ourselves away from facebook, skype, perez.... or ultimately homework and time kicks back in- unfortunately what seems to be hours later.

today was another fabulously boring day.

just class followed by intern orientation where we learned----pay attention now--- dont chew gum when being interviewed- dress properly and ask questions.

who would have thought to do that in an interview?! Ms. V would have been so ashamed.... 

after that i felt like i was in supermarket sweep.... we went into primark (aka walmart) to buy some shirts- rain boots etc. because i cleverly enough didnt pack anything but going out clothes,  work clothes and shorts... none of which ive worn yet. obviously.

we had 30 min. in the store.

now imagine walmart on the day after thanksgiving sale.

yup that crazy. even on a tuesday afternoon.

i got to the point where i wasnt even looking what i was grabbing i just saw the size and threw it in and ran ( and amazingly got some really cute clothes out of the process...)

the lines are incrediously long- but im telling you they have it down to a science- its incredible.

american stores would do well to take notes from them.

anyways after that extravaganza- we went to Sainsbury's- our grocery store and went up and down every aisle buying stuff to store up so we never have to go out to the store again--- or for that matter go out to eat.

this whole money thing is insane. but i am learning how to properly budget. because being broke (my current financial situation until sunday rolls around) in week 2 of what... 16? is a bit rough.

i guess its teaching me good skills though... like cooking. (jury is still out on that one...)

so now we are all just chilling in our flat.

well some of my roomies went out tonight- but i bought a good 600 page socialite novel turned murder mystery for 3 pounds (i was REALLY excited) and i opted to stay in and read.

yeah i know im a dork.... get over it.

MY PHOTOS !!!!!!

http://web.mac.com/krashalan/iWeb/Site/London-%20the%20beginnings....html

my pictures !!!! finally !

and you can click on the different tabs to see different adventures !

Edinburgh, Scotland

how do i even begin...?

well when we were deciding to go to Scotland i was like.... well lets not waste a weekend- i mean i guess Scotland might be cool to visit. but really-- i was going to say i went.

when we got there... i had very little expectations and i was completely blown away.

edinburgh is absolutely beautiful. and the weekend turned out being one of my favorite vacations and cities of all time.

the city is all old... every building is hundreds of years old. to the point of where you are like...psh another old building who cares- and you lose some of the beauty in it all.

we got there friday evening and really just dropped our stuff off at our hostel- which was acutally pretty nice (had better showers than the one i have in my flat.... sad?)- and went to a pub and had dinner and drinks.

we didnt realize that we went to an irish pub... and i ordered fajitas... in scotland ! crazy.

but the weather was perfect and the people were friendly.

saturday we woke up and just did our own thing. we found breakfast then went and walked around the outside of Edinburgh Castle (which was literally right outside the door of where we were staying) we didnt end up going in though because it was 9 pounds. and well... thats expensive.

then we went on "the scotch wisky experience" (there it is spelled wisky) and it was actually super interesting. i had no idea scotch was just scottish wiskey.

we got a free sample and a free glass and instructional videos and a ride. it was great.

then we meandered our way down the Royal Mile... which is like the main street with shopping etc. and we saw Hollyrood Castle... which is the Queens Summer residence.

again didnt go in due to 9 pound fee.

we also stopped by the Elephant Cafe- which is where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. I took pictures. it was great.

we stopped for a quick lunch and took a nap before going out for a really nice italian dinner.

then stew and jen wanted to go on a ghost tour. which i did not.

but hey--- 2 against 3... going on the ghost tour was better than staying alone... right?

well our tour guide seemed like a sweet old grandma at first.... but things got scary as the sun went down.

and we ended up walking through underground vaults that were incredibly creepy.

after that we stopped by a pub before heading home. the name of every pub there had to do with some ghost, killing or death of some sort... it was really weird.

also there were a lot of irish pubs and irish stores and such- not really what i expected.

as well as a ton of american music everywhere. it was great sitting in an irish pub, eating mexican food listening to call on me.

also there were sooo many bachelor/bachelorette parties ! or stag and hen parties as they called them. it was really weird. you would have thought we were at vegas or something... and edinburgh doesnt seem like that crazy of a town to me...  but hey i guess you never know

then sunday we woke up early because we set up to go on a tour. we drove and went through the highlands and stopped at random places. we also go to see Ben Nevis- the UKs tallest mountain.

main highlight was Loch Ness. we went on a river cruise there and it was truly spectacular. the lake is like pitch black.

we really lucked out our whole time in Scotland with great weather- and this day trip was no exception!

our guide said usually you cannot even see the top of the mountains--- and we saw everything and it was clear and gorgeous.

we did NOT see the loch ness monster .... stew was quite upset about that one. (i was a little relieved - i mean it could have come up and capsized our boat. and ruined the pictures on my camera- and i was not going to have that)

then we just wandered back to edinburgh through quaint little towns and it was really quite enchanting.

also one thing -- every where you go there are sheep. im not kidding. like the most sheep i have ever seen in my life. just chilling on the hillsides.

the highlands were absolutely breathtaking. we got to even see the guys house who invented the stretcher (what they use in ambulances...) no joke.

but really they were so serene and natural (well...duh)

but it made me want to buy a house and move there and denounce all technology and sit and read and write novels by a fire place.

if i actually had the ability to write novels... or go more than a weekend without my comptuter/iphone that might also be possible.

but really i think one day when i make money (in a career that is obviously not journalism- because there is no money in that) i will have a vacation home out in the highlands and only take a CD player and get a newspaper subscription and sit around all day writing fabulous intriguing novels and cook amazing food all day. (crap... that also means i have to learn to cook)

maybe ill just marry a capable highlander and ill allow a coffee machine in my house too and ill count making coffee as my daily domestic duty.

today we woke up- had some brunch and hopped on a train back to london so we can do our homework for tomorrow...ugh and just errands and such.

so thanks mom and dad for an unforgettable time !!!

pics will be up soon somehow!

off to have yet another healthy dinner of pasta and butter w/parm.

if you guys have easy recipes made with CHEAP ingredients let me know.

seriously.

i feel like i need more in my body other than carbs and cheese everyday.

although... those 7 flights of stairs i have to walk up and down to my flat might work off most of it...

off on holiday

Jen, Stew and I are going off to Edinburgh, Scotland today until monday evening for May Bank Holiday. (which is monday- so no school or anything!)

again, not really clear on what a bank holiday is.... but i am grateful for the 3 day weekend so i'm not asking any questions!

so have a good weekend... and ill return soon with lots of fun entertaining stories!

its been less than a week ?!

crazy to think ive been here what... 6 days ?!

feels like ive been here for forever.

columbia seems so far away.... and the great spring time at mizzou seems like they were a year ago.

well we finally learned the short cut to class. so we pretty much just went to school and did homework yesterday.

then it was the big chelsea v. manchester united football match. it was the championship for all of europe !

we happen to live in the kensington/chelsea borough so we just hopped on the tube and went a couple stops and got off at Kings Rd which is like the main road in Chelsea.

we saw some guys in blue tshirts and just followed them to a pub.

the pub was INSANELY crowded. like you literally could not even move.

but it was one of the coolest experiences.

chelsea lost... :( but it was awesome to say we were in chelsea watching the game.

instead of cheering--- they sing. they have a bunch of different songs and they all sing them.

its quite disorientating at first, but very spiritful.

today we just went to school then we walked through kensington gardens for a while.

its very serene. and much greener than i expected. i guess i expected more flowers-- but it was beautiful none the less.

then we wandered home and have just been doing homework and working out weekened/life plans.

hope all is well back home.

xoxo

kk

another day of adventures

today we had our first real class.

it lasted the full 2 hours. blah.

then we hopped on the tube and rode over to St. Paul's stop.

we had lunch at an AMAZING cafe and sat outside in the little plaza where the stock exchange is located.

there were so many people dressed in suits and all proper and then we come in looking like total americans in our jeans and polos trying to figure out exactly how to order.

it was a very classy place and is one of my fav spots in london so far.

then we went to the Museum of London. which was a total bore and a waste of my time.

it was less than half a floor full of exhibits and lame ones at that.

i see now why museums are free.... 

just kidding. kind of.

then we walked around a bit before wandering across the millennium bridge (beautiful views of the London bridge) and we ran into the Tate museum of Modern Art. 

before going in- we decided to stop at a pub on the Thames River and took a break for Pimm's and Lemonade which comes with cut up lemons, limes, oranges and oddly - cucumber. it was a great break with awesome views. 

then we went into the Tate which was free as well-- and that was actually pretty cool. Ally has this thing where she puts on her ipod and walks around the museum- so i tried that and it was actually very cool- completely different experience.

then we took forever to find our way back to a very crowded tube station- and ended up back at our lovely flat.

had another fab dinner of noodles, butter and parm before sitting down with some gossip girl!

think i am going to go to bed early tonight because it is the Chelsea v. Manchester football (soccer game) in Moscow tomorrow and its something big - like some championship and its the first time its been 2 teams from England? i think... who knows.

but we are going out to Chelsea tomorrow to watch the game at a local pub! (chelsea is quite close to us)

so- sorry today was very academic filled ... well i guess thats the reason im here --- right mom and dad ? ;)

and my family decided to come visit me- for which i am very excited.... they just need to give me some dates so i make sure im around ;)

xoxo

goodnight darlings.

p.s. just kidding mom and dad-- ill be here..... but really dates would be appreciated ! (and its also cheaper to book sooner rather than later !)