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. :)