Ciao Bella!

December 14, 2011

Today after work Heavens and I met up and went to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and looked around a bit. We drank some mulled wine and tried to stay warm by eating a crepe and shopping a bit. Then we headed to Bayswater to wait for Karlo and Guiseppe. It was really cool that they had come to London and we were going to meet up since the last time I saw them/first time I met them was over the summer on the Eiffel Tower in Paris! When they arrived we thought about a place to eat. As a joke I motioned to the Italian place across the road. They thought it was a good idea so we went there for some Italian food. After dinner we decided to wander around London a bit and figure out what to do. We headed to Piccadilly Circus and decided to go to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. We knew from the moment we walked in that this was a good idea. The woman standing at the door not only spoke Italian but she was quite fond of teachers and decided to give us the student discount on top of the coupon we already had. Once in there were so many things to look at. The building had 5 floors! Plus we got tickets into everything they had to offer! We began and saw so many cool things I don’t think I could describe all of them! Some of the amazingly cool things were: the giant rocking chair (of course we sat in it!), we pretended to have no legs! (since one of the believe it or not things was a guy tight roping across two buildings on his HANDS!), we pretended to wear chastity belts (PRETENDED), and we attempted all the crazy things they asked us to do. For example, trying to roll our tongues in a mirror……a two way mirror hahaha. We didn’t realize that until we got to the other side lol. Once on the other side they also had a video of people who had come through Ripley’s and attempted to roll their tongue lol. It was great! Once we were finished looking at all the amazing things in the museum we went through the mirror maze. The first thing you needed to do was put plastic gloves on because they didn’t want you to leave smudges when you bumped into the mirrors. I was wondering why we didn’t have plastic on our heads haha. The maze was crazy because it literally looked like the person in front of you was directly in front of you but in reality they were miles away in the mirror! The best park though was finding a bit in the mirror that someone had obviously bumped into it haha. We did make it through however! After the maze we got to walk through the spinning tunnel. It was so funny because you start off walking normally but because it’s neon and spinning you feel like you are tilting so you lean to stay on balance lol. We all walked through together to get our picture and then got magnets of the picture J. Then we moved onto the LASER CHALLENGE! This was super cool! Like everything else in the museum. We each took turns going into this room filled with light lasers. We had to get through the lasers and touch two points on the walls then touch the vault on the way out and we were timed while doing it. It also counts how many times you touch the lasers. Guiseppe decided to go first. What an interesting first attempt haha. He went in and we all could watch on the screen what he was doing. He started off fine but then randomly disappeared. We couldn’t find him on the screen! We are all staring at the screen wondering where he went when all of a sudden he showed up standing next to us! HAHA It was soooo funny! He somehow managed to find an exit lol. Needless to say his time wasn’t very good haha. Next went Karlo, then Heavens, then Me. Finally, Guiseppe went again. We compared scores and needless to say I won lol. Of course! I’m just that agile! I did notice at one point that I did an amazing move to get through the maze. I like jumped over and under the lasers together. But, yup I WON! J After that hilarious adventure we got a Cinnabon YUM!! And said our sad goodbyes L and headed home. It was so great to see them and I hope we get to again. They are so cool and I’m so glad we became friends after an unlikely meeting.

Until next time, 

¬D¬

Covent Park

December 3, 2011

Today we got up early and went to the post office to sort some stuff out then went to the café for some breakfast. It is our favourite little café and they make the best coffee. Then we went to Covent Garden to meet up with Val and her friend Eve. We decided to go to Covent Garden because we wanted something Christmassy and we knew that Covent Garden had REINDEER!!! AHHHHH! When we got there the first thing we saw was the ginourmous, mahousive Christmas tree in a ginourmous, mahousive, bucket! We decided to get our picture taken by it even though we looked like ants compared to how big it was! Then we walked around to find the reindeer! They are sooooooooooo cute! We were hoping to pet them but they were sleeping (at least that is what the woman working there said but they weren’t ACTUALLY sleeping they were just laying down) either way they were cute and we took some cute pictures with them. Next to the reindeer there was a red sleigh so we decided to take our picture with it and put it as our Christmas card this year! J YAY my first Christmas card with someone!! We walked around a bit more after that looking at all the shops and stands. We found a Ben’s Cookies and shared a wonderful peanut butter cookie that had real peanuts baked into it! It was lush! We wandered some more and decided to have some mulled wine- yum, yum. Then what we found next is one of the best, awesomest, amazing things I have ever seen in my entire life! Now prepare yourself because what I am about to tell you is top secret! Mainly because I don’t want everyone going there and eating all the deliciousness up! We found an ice cream store that specializes in making its own flavoured ice cream. Now you might be thinking, hmmmm that could turn into a disaster!! I mean some people come up with really BAD ideas. However these were really, really, really, good ideas! They also had a badge and since Heavens is collecting them we had to get one, especially when it said Lick Me. We tried some of the flavours before picking our top two. We got once scoop peanut butter (now you might think oh peanut butter…I’ve had that before! Well no you haven’t! Because this was peanut butter ice cream with peanut butter chunks. Yes I said chunks!) and one scoop Ferer Rocher (again you might think how can that be that good, well this was Ferer Rocher ice cream with the Ferer Rocher balls inside). How fricken awesome and delicious!!! We finished that quick and surely wanted more but it was time to head to Hyde Park for the Winter Wonderland. Once at the Winter Wonderland we walked around a bit and bought some tickets for the rides. The main reason we got tickets were for two rides. One- the giant ferris wheel that you just HAVE to go on if you got to Winter Wonderland and two- the spinning out of control awesome looking scary ride. Now Heavens was all for going on the ferris wheel. We’re both scared of heights but the ferris wheel is enclosed so not too scary. The second ride needed some convincing. But I finally did it and off we went. Heavens and I got in line and met up with another girl who was going on the ride by herself. She decided to sit with us because as we stood in line the ride looked even scarier. Not only did it spin you around and upside down but the whole ride spun around and upside down as well! Once on the ride we took off our shoes (just in case so we didn’t lose them) then hopped on. Now let me tell you, I don’t normally get scared on rides and if I do it is only at the beginning of the ride. However, this ride was like death. It was soooooo scary!!! We screamed the ENTIRE TIME! Just when you think it’s over, it goes even longer! However, even though it was super scary it was also super awesome! It was soooo much fun! I absolutely loved it although my voice didn’t afterwards! Once finished with the scary ride we walked around a bit more looking in all the shops and stands before getting in line for the ferris wheel. That was interesting to say the least. We got in the line for ticket holders but there was a separate line for people to book their seat! Book their seat?? For a ferris wheel?? Yup! You booked a time and you could skip the line. That sounds nice as the line was long, however I’m sure it was expensive to do that. We waited our turn and once we were up in the ferris wheel it was really cool. It had gone dark so all the lights from Winter Wonderland were on and it was just so cool! After our adventure on the wheel we went with Val and Eve for them to get food. We decided to stop on our way home and get fish and chips and eat them while we watched a movie. It was really nice hanging out with Val again and we have a great time at Covent Park.

Until next time,

¬D¬

 

Our Engagement Party

November 19, 2011

Sorry it has taken me so long to write this, very busy times but I’m catching up now. So what better way to catch up than to start where I left off- Our Engagement Party!

Ok so we got all dressed up and looking our best and met up with Terisa and Dan. We made our way to the O2 Arena and out in front saw this massive giant swing. I begged Heavens to go on it with me. It spun you around up in the air. She was scared but said yes. We did it and it was so cool! Heavens was scared but it was awesome. They best part though was after the ride when we met up with Terisa and Dan who had been taking the pictures and video and they told us that Heavens butt had been showing the entire time!!! HAHA. After we went inside and realized the place we wanted to go wouldn’t be enough room for everyone so we decided to go to TGI Fridays instead. We got a cocktail and waited for the rest of the group to show up. Robin, Clare and her friend, and Rachel met us and we all had dinner together. It was really nice chatting with everyone and telling them about how we got engaged. The girls had told the waitress we were engaged and asked if they did anything special for it so late in the night the waitress brought out a chocolate cake and ice cream and they all sang to us for our engagement. It was so sweet! We shared our cake and ate our lovely food and had some yummy drinks. Afterwards, everyone went to the Sports Bar (where we were going to go for dinner) and we did a round of shots (slippery nipples) and chatted some more. Then we all made our way back home. It was a lovely night of catching up and celebrating our engagement with the people we love <3

Until next time,

¬D¬ 

Heavens Birthday Surprise

November 4-5, 2011

Well as all of you know I am now engaged! YAY! So here is the story of how it happened, since I know you are all very curious. I promise this blog will be more interesting that some. Sometimes I get a little lazy and just summarize my days but I think this blog deserves some special attention. My surprise began the day before on her actual birthday. After work I surprised her with a series of gifts. Number 1 was a word puzzle where she had to solve clues giving her the word France. Next was the Eiffel Tower cut into puzzle pieces that she had to put together. Next was a list of the people who helped give her this gift. Finally was a card from me with flowers. All she knew was that we were going to Paris, France. After a nice cooked meal by me J we went to the pub for a few drinks and glow in the dark glasses; then headed home to get some rest before leaving at 4 am. The next day we got up early and headed to St. Pancras to meet up with our tour and travel on the Eurostar. We met our tour guide- Charolette and got information on our tour. This is when Heavens found out the days events: a guided bus tour around France, a boat cruise on the Thames, Up to the first level of the Eiffel tower for a champagne lunch (then optional excursion to the second level), and finally a trip to the Louvre before heading home. We decided on the Eurostar we were going to skip the Louvre and go all the way up the Eiffel Tower. Once in France we began our guided bus tour of the city. We drove around, taking pictures, and listening to the history of the City. It was cool because even though I was seeing things I had already seen, I was learning new information about it all. Heavens loved it because it was all new to her. After the guided bus tour we made our way to the Thames River for our boat cruise. We decided to sit near our favourite couple from the trip; an older man and his wife. His wife was absolutely hilarious and was constantly complaining about one thing or another. So funny! On the boat cruise we had a tour guide that spoke many different languages- about 7 to be exact. It was really cool. We cruised along the river- you could go inside the boat (with glass all around) or stand outside the glass. There were little phones attached to all the seats that you could pick up and listen to commentary along the way. We went along the river starting by the Eiffel Tower and going all the way past Notre Dame by the Louvre; then around and back again. We even went under the magical bridge where you make a wish and kiss while going under……I wonder what I wished for?? After the cruise we went to the Eiffel Tower. We went up to the first level and looked at the history before making our way into the restaurant. We got a small table for the two of us in the back right next to the window. I ordered our meal then we got our champagne and I decided I wanted to give Heavens her gift before eating lunch.  I gave her a little speech I prepared about how much I love her and couldn’t see my life without her. Then I gave her the gift bag. Inside the bag was a jewellery box. She opened it up and there was a note that said ‘Will you marry me?’  When she looked up I had pulled out the ring box and opened it. I was shaking! I was so nervous! And of course she didn’t help because instead of answering me right away….she paused….PAUSED! She looked from the ring to the box and back again. Me still waiting! Finally I said, ‘Please?’ She finally answered with, ‘Oh yes! Sorry honey, YES!’ I was soooooooooooooooooooo happy! I was smiling from ear to ear. I put the ring on her finger and kissed her! Then we had a little toast with the champagne before eating our lunch which was really good! After our lunch and some pictures we walked to the second level to look around and potentially buy tickets all the way to the top. However, because it was so crowded they had closed the top and there was a huge line to wait to get tickets. We decided we wouldn’t have enough time and it would be difficult to meet up with the group again so we looked around on the second level and bought some souvenirs (even some champagne glasses for the WEDDING!!!) Then we met back up with the tour and went to the Louvre. We decided to not go on the guided tour but instead walk around the garden and take some pictures then get some coffee. Once the group was done we boarded the bus and began to make our way home. Along the way of course Heavens and I planned our entire wedding lol. Once back in London we immediately began calling and texting people to tell them the exciting news then we met up with Clare and her friends at a bar. We drank and talked about the trip and the wedding plans. Finally we headed home. It was a wonderfully, awesome day. Can’t wait to continue to plan our wedding!

Until next time,

¬D¬

October Break

 October 22-27, 2011

*Sorry it's so late*

October break was a much needed break. School work has been frustrating and very tiring and everyone was counting down the days to a week-long vacation. So as you can imagine the Friday of our break was a very good day indeed. We counted down the hours to school being over and enjoyed every minute of the night, mostly getting ready for Saturday. Saturday morning we got up early (as in 5:30 am) to get ready to go to Stonehenge and Bath for the day. We took the train into London to Victoria Coach Station and found where our bus departed from. We waited there until 8:30 am when we met our tour guide- Myrtle and our bus driver- Roger. We boarded our bus, making sure to sit together as Myrtle directed. We hit the open road off on our way to Stonehenge. It was about two hours to Stonehenge and we got lots of history advice along the way, including the different theories of how Stonehenge got there and what it was used for. Once there we followed Myrtle around the monument listening to her describing different parts of it. It was really cool and amazing to think nobody knows why or how it got there. We took lots of pictures. After Stonehenge we got back on the bus and made our way to Bath. Bath is absolutely gorgeous and huge! We walked around a bit looking at different shops and the outsides of churches and beautiful buildings. We ate lunch in the smallest pub in Bath and saw a football match from across the park. Lastly we got some ice cream before making our way back to London. Overall it was a great day!

On Sunday we did some relaxing from the day before then at night we headed into Romford with Kiddy and Conor to meet up with Thomas Arnold people. We got some dinner and a drink at the pub (my new favourite drink- Toffee Apple Cider) then headed into Brentwood for Hadleigh’s gig. He did a really good job. It was fun seeing everyone again and we drank and danced and had fun….some of us a little too much fun! Towards the end of the night Heavens was talking with someone she works with (not someone I knew) and all of a sudden the girl leans in and kisses her neck! I couldn’t believe it! Therefore, I had to go tell her that Heavens was my girl and to back off! LOL. Everyone thought it was sooooo funny. Poor Heavens.

Monday we got ready to go to Laura and Louis’s house. We packed and skyped mom and then took the train in. Once there we went to the store to buy some things to make pizza. We each made our own pizzas- they were really good! Then we hung out and chatted and watched The Shining.

Tuesday we got up and ready and went with Laura and Louis to Felixstowe for the day. In Felixstowe there is a beach and the ocean so there are a lot of shops/arcades along the beach. We went to play mini golf at an awesome mini golf place. It was only 2 pounds but I was really cool. It was Team America versus Team British; me and Louis against Heavens and Laura. We all know who won this one; of course, Team America. Then we got some sausage and chips and sat on the beach eating and skipping rocks. Next we went to the arcade on the beach and played lots of games to win tickets so we could get prizes. It was a lot of fun and our prizes are really cool! We got a couple nerf guns and I got a ball with the sticky paddles to catch it! Once home we changed and got ready to go out for dinner. We ended up going for Japenese food at Mizu. It was really good. But poor Heavens got the biggest portion ever so unlike the rest of us who finished our meal, her food beat her. Afterwards we went to a bar and had a drink while playing pool. We kept teaming up to see who won and unfortunately Heavens won lol. She is really good at pool. We went to another bar for a drink and I was so excited there was Tequila Rose there! Yum. Then home to start the movie Waterboy before going to bed.

Wednesday- Today we went into town to do a bit of shopping before sadly saying goodbye to Laura and Louis and heading back home.

Thursday- Today was an amazing day. First we met Robin at the O2 for lunch. We ended up going to TGI Fridays. It was absolutely delicious. We had a good giggle too. Afterwards Heavens and I made our way to the London Aquarium which was amazing! We saw all kinds of cool fish and sea creatures, we got to touch a star fish, and walk under AND over the shark tank! It was really cool and we spent most of the day there. After the Aquarium we headed to Piccadilly to meet up with Rachel and Val to go see Phantom of the Opera. We were a little early so we grabbed dinner at McDonalds then headed to the show. Heavens was so cute, she was so excited to see it. It was amazing. The set was so cool and the show was really good. Heavens even had her little binoculars to look through lol. She is so cute. Then we headed home. What a great way to end our break together 

Until next time,

¬D¬

        

A month flies by:

September 2011

Well it’s been almost a month since I’ve been back in the UK after my trip home. It definitely has been an interesting month back. I think I’m going to change up my blog here for this blog, only because I don’t want to bore you by documenting every single day since I’ve been back. Therefore, this time I think I’ll just highlight the exciting events without bothering you with the meaningless dates of them. Well of course the biggest event of coming back would be re-uniting with my girlfriend. J It was wonderful, of course. I really missed her! It was so good to be back, even though I really missed everyone from home. The first weekend back we went into Romford to do some clubbing with Redgrave. It was lots of fun. The pitchers were 5 pounds each so we each got our own pitcher. We danced and drank and ran into lots of people from Butler Court. It was a good night. The next day we decided to make our own version of the song Billionaire by Bruno Mars and call it Romford Girl. It was hilarious, lol. The next big thing that happened was starting school at a new school with a new job. The first week of school I was not really impressed by my new job or the school itself. It was very chaotic, I didn’t know what I was doing, where I was going, or anything. I was hoping it was just this way because it was the first week of school and that things would get better after. That weekend Val came to visit. We ended up going into Romford Friday night to Ciao Bella for dinner then to the bowling alley to meet up with Mad Dog and Jo for some drinks and bowling. It was fun arguing with Heavens over who was going to win. I of course, beat her both times J Even by one point the first game J Then we went to the pub for some drinks. It was nice catching up with everyone. The next day we just hung out all day, relaxing. Then Sunday we went to the Thames Festival in London. It was a pretty good day. We walked around, ate lots of food, and left when it started to rain. This brings us to the second week of school. This week was better than last week, however I still got barely any time to work on Nuture Group which is supposed to be my new job title. I did get to work in Reception with Brandy for most of the week which was fun, but not what I was hired to do and a little annoying that I couldn’t get any work done for my actual job. That next weekend we went to pub club for a bit on Friday then on Saturday we went to Romford to do some shopping then to a friend’s house for a house-warming party. Finally on Sunday we went to the gym and started a new aqua aerobics class. It was really fun! We are going to start doing it every week. This last week again was frustrating as most of the work I would like to get done for my job I can’t do. I was basically a supply again for whatever classes needed me. It’s not what I want to do, but apparently what I have to do at the moment. This weekend was a great weekend. On Friday we went to pub club and have lots of fun. Saturday we went to the Portobello Market for the morning and then Heavens and I had a date night. We went to Frankie and Benny’s for dinner and then to see the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. It was a really good night.

Overall the past couple weeks have been great on the weekends, but not so great in school. Hopefully this gets better when my nurture group actually starts.

Until next time,

¬D¬