Phew! It's been a long time since I've written on this blog, but I've finally come to the conclusion that I need to practice my writing. I've become a terrible writer in the past 10 years. I must practice. I've also become inspired by my friend Chris, as he's a fantastic writer, and well, let's just say I've recently become aware of how far I've fallen. Eeek.
I'm going through an interesting transitional period at the moment. After a long pause of uncertainty, everything is finally working out! I've finally gotten a real job, a thesis going, and a peaceful living arrangement with my beloved cat Chai. I have also become acutely aware of what unbelievable friends I have here in Houston. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many people with good and loving hearts. It's just nice to have so much love in the air.
My MCAT is coming up next Thursday and I am quite literally crippled by the stress of the whole thing. Like a deer in headlights I just cannot seem to move. I need to study more, review content, but I can't eat or study...just sleep and relax. (I know this is bad). As if this test weren't bad enough, I haven't been prepared for the effects of the month long absence of my beloved boyfriend Parag, who has been quite the jet setter! Sometimes it's disturbing how one link in the chain missing can really weaken one's resolve. I guess this is an ultimate test in self-reliance. We all know how self-reliant I am, or I should say you all...since I seem to forget that I'm actually made of steel. :)
It's Saturday night, just sitting in my room with my cat and staring over at my exam books. I think I'll cook up some dinner and then go sit with them for a while. Here's to taking an exam that I've been putting off for 5 years. Can't wait to cheers when it's over. Thank you to all of my amazing friends and supporters during this difficult time. I am really thankful for you.
With love,
Lauren
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, June 17, 2010
:D
Hi Everyone!
It's the mark of the second week and FINALLY I've reached some kind of down in my trip. I have no explanation whatsoever...just woke up a little depressed, and no reason behind it. The only things I can think of are the addictive substances I've been exposing myself to...mainly beer. We all know I'm sensitive, but could I be that sensitive?? Anyway, yesterday was INCREDIBLE! Juraj picked me up in his car and we spent all day (like 10 hours) driving to 3 castles outside of prague. It was so gorgeous. You all might not be surprised that I'm in heaven here with all the poppy flowers. They are my favorite color, and they are everywhere. The first castle belonged to Franz Ferdinand, and he had the most insane collection of hunting trophies I've ever seen in my life. Thousands of animals! There's even a bear that lives in the front of the castle. There was a garden with a lot of peacocks that was quite entertaining...it's spring so all the male animals are chasing around the females.
There were two more castles to follow...I have pictures, and I'll figure out the names and let you all know. I'm still worn out from the day, so thinking about it is actually making me tired all over again! Today will be some sight seeing and shopping...now to figure out what will improve my mood.
Love you all!
Lauren
It's the mark of the second week and FINALLY I've reached some kind of down in my trip. I have no explanation whatsoever...just woke up a little depressed, and no reason behind it. The only things I can think of are the addictive substances I've been exposing myself to...mainly beer. We all know I'm sensitive, but could I be that sensitive?? Anyway, yesterday was INCREDIBLE! Juraj picked me up in his car and we spent all day (like 10 hours) driving to 3 castles outside of prague. It was so gorgeous. You all might not be surprised that I'm in heaven here with all the poppy flowers. They are my favorite color, and they are everywhere. The first castle belonged to Franz Ferdinand, and he had the most insane collection of hunting trophies I've ever seen in my life. Thousands of animals! There's even a bear that lives in the front of the castle. There was a garden with a lot of peacocks that was quite entertaining...it's spring so all the male animals are chasing around the females.
There were two more castles to follow...I have pictures, and I'll figure out the names and let you all know. I'm still worn out from the day, so thinking about it is actually making me tired all over again! Today will be some sight seeing and shopping...now to figure out what will improve my mood.
Love you all!
Lauren
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
In Praha!
hello all!
Haven't written in a while. Berlin was short and sweet...next time I will stay longer. In the interest of staying places longer I will be in Praha until Saturday. I'm having a wonderful time here...the people are lovely, tall, beautiful, and they don't smile when they walk around...who does that remind you of? Needless to say, I fit in very easily, and have been enjoying the cheap and delicious beer. My friend Juraj (friend of a friend from home) showed me around the city yesterday...we went all around, and I had traditional dinner of candle sauce...which is sirloin in root veggie/cream gravy with dumplings...with beer of course. Apparently I'm a much better eater than most Czech girls...cause I showed up my dinner partner in the eating department...and I think the guys at the other tables were pretty impressed. I ate it all...and it was sooo good...and then I wanted to take a nap. The food is so heavy, it's the kind of thing you want to eat and then curl up by a fire and take a long winter nap.
Juraj is a local, so he took me to all the non-tourist places, secret gardens, and best spots to people watch. And...so I could participate, he's listen in on people's conversations and then translate it for me...so I could fully people watch as well. He's picking me up wednesday to travel around the outskirts of town to the castles...so I get to experience the driving here...yay. And for any of you who get wind of anything...he's moving to LA next month and I'm trying to find a room he can rent in a house or a cheap place to stay, so if you know anything let me know. LA is a much scarier place than Prague :D
Signing off!
Love!!!
Lauren
Haven't written in a while. Berlin was short and sweet...next time I will stay longer. In the interest of staying places longer I will be in Praha until Saturday. I'm having a wonderful time here...the people are lovely, tall, beautiful, and they don't smile when they walk around...who does that remind you of? Needless to say, I fit in very easily, and have been enjoying the cheap and delicious beer. My friend Juraj (friend of a friend from home) showed me around the city yesterday...we went all around, and I had traditional dinner of candle sauce...which is sirloin in root veggie/cream gravy with dumplings...with beer of course. Apparently I'm a much better eater than most Czech girls...cause I showed up my dinner partner in the eating department...and I think the guys at the other tables were pretty impressed. I ate it all...and it was sooo good...and then I wanted to take a nap. The food is so heavy, it's the kind of thing you want to eat and then curl up by a fire and take a long winter nap.
Juraj is a local, so he took me to all the non-tourist places, secret gardens, and best spots to people watch. And...so I could participate, he's listen in on people's conversations and then translate it for me...so I could fully people watch as well. He's picking me up wednesday to travel around the outskirts of town to the castles...so I get to experience the driving here...yay. And for any of you who get wind of anything...he's moving to LA next month and I'm trying to find a room he can rent in a house or a cheap place to stay, so if you know anything let me know. LA is a much scarier place than Prague :D
Signing off!
Love!!!
Lauren
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
In Bruges
Hello!
So, here I am...made it to Belgium (yesterday), and tomorrow will be off to Berlin. First day was fun...I met one of my roommates in the hostel when I checked in who I went around the city. His name was Chris, from Toronto, a year older than I am, and works in the toy business. We went to the chocolate museum first, where i tested my chocolate allergy, and I seem to be fine. I've also been fine with the bread and the beer here....so I'm getting my figure back...yay curves...and yay for delicious food. mmmm. The beer here is really really really good, and it's pretty strong too :D Then we went and climbed the bell tower in the middle of town, which was nice exercise. We then went to a few churches in town, one which has one of the only Michelangelos outside of Italy. It was beautiful, and small, of course of mary and jesus. This place is amazing, incredbily old and quaint. It's nice to walk everywhere, and I think it's the perfect place to start my solo traveling experiment.
We ended up going to this local place that Chris had heard about from someone he met in Paris. He had this ridiculous map that just showed a lane between two chocolate stores (there are tons here), but we managed to find it. To our delight, it was almost tourist free, and the beer was cheap and came with some really nice cheese. Then it was off to get french fries which were enjoyed in the square with some great entertainment that made me feel at home...a mariachi band. Can you believe that??? It was really funny, but it was comforting somehow.
We came back to the hostel and met all the other solo travelers and made a little band. There was Natalia from Mexico, and Gina and Diane who are both flight attendants from Korea, but who didn't know eachother. We drank lots of beer, played cards, and then ended up going out for more beer at a local place. It was nice for me to meet other beatiful women traveling solo successfully....and it was really funny when we left the local club and a huge group of guys sighed in disappointment when we left. It's was amusing.
Today was pretty relaxed, I had a picnic in the park, and played on a local swing set. Then I went to the only local brewery that's been around since the 1500s and had a tour of that. While I was waiting for it to start I sat by the canal and watched a huge group of older japanese people doing watercolor. There are also TONS of swans here. The beer tour was amazing, and made me want to move to Europe to apprentice to open my own brewery. I espcially liked the labs! We got a free beer with the tour so I had a seat in the courtyard by myself and identified another solo traveler and invited him to join me. Eric is a chemical engineer from australia but living in tolouse in town for a conference. It was good times...and now I have an invitation to the south of france :D I love making new friends...
Anyway, my time is running out on the computer...talk to you all soon!
Love,
Lauren
So, here I am...made it to Belgium (yesterday), and tomorrow will be off to Berlin. First day was fun...I met one of my roommates in the hostel when I checked in who I went around the city. His name was Chris, from Toronto, a year older than I am, and works in the toy business. We went to the chocolate museum first, where i tested my chocolate allergy, and I seem to be fine. I've also been fine with the bread and the beer here....so I'm getting my figure back...yay curves...and yay for delicious food. mmmm. The beer here is really really really good, and it's pretty strong too :D Then we went and climbed the bell tower in the middle of town, which was nice exercise. We then went to a few churches in town, one which has one of the only Michelangelos outside of Italy. It was beautiful, and small, of course of mary and jesus. This place is amazing, incredbily old and quaint. It's nice to walk everywhere, and I think it's the perfect place to start my solo traveling experiment.
We ended up going to this local place that Chris had heard about from someone he met in Paris. He had this ridiculous map that just showed a lane between two chocolate stores (there are tons here), but we managed to find it. To our delight, it was almost tourist free, and the beer was cheap and came with some really nice cheese. Then it was off to get french fries which were enjoyed in the square with some great entertainment that made me feel at home...a mariachi band. Can you believe that??? It was really funny, but it was comforting somehow.
We came back to the hostel and met all the other solo travelers and made a little band. There was Natalia from Mexico, and Gina and Diane who are both flight attendants from Korea, but who didn't know eachother. We drank lots of beer, played cards, and then ended up going out for more beer at a local place. It was nice for me to meet other beatiful women traveling solo successfully....and it was really funny when we left the local club and a huge group of guys sighed in disappointment when we left. It's was amusing.
Today was pretty relaxed, I had a picnic in the park, and played on a local swing set. Then I went to the only local brewery that's been around since the 1500s and had a tour of that. While I was waiting for it to start I sat by the canal and watched a huge group of older japanese people doing watercolor. There are also TONS of swans here. The beer tour was amazing, and made me want to move to Europe to apprentice to open my own brewery. I espcially liked the labs! We got a free beer with the tour so I had a seat in the courtyard by myself and identified another solo traveler and invited him to join me. Eric is a chemical engineer from australia but living in tolouse in town for a conference. It was good times...and now I have an invitation to the south of france :D I love making new friends...
Anyway, my time is running out on the computer...talk to you all soon!
Love,
Lauren
Monday, June 7, 2010
Magic Monday
Hello all!
Today was a lazy and busy day. I finally got my phone working...those of you who need to reach me, contact my dad...he'll give you my number. (dad, I'm sending it). So...today was about errands...T Mobile, getting the itinerary together, sending emails. Then I went to (or tried to go) to the Victoria and Albert Museum. I took the wrong tube stop and got a little lost walking around Kensington. It was nice to see all the posh houses and private gardens, though i was dying to find a place to eat my lunch. My favorite lunch here is a cup of hummus, a package of tomatoes (fresh or sundried), and a bag of wild rocket. It is SO good. The produce here is so much better than at home...everything tastes the way it should, and so good that people would eat it instead of junk food if they had an option.
I finally made it to the museum and saw an amazing fashion exhibit...which I think is their regular collection. And...my taste was flattered when my favorite dress I've seen in years was featured in it's own case (Alexander McQueen 2010) at the end of the exhibit. :D I took several pictures which the fashionistas can see later. After the museum closed I walked down the road (I realized I can only do my city wandering in places where people speak english, though I did not ask for directions...yes). I wandered down the road and stumbled across Harrods which was a trip. I actually got lost inside. I've also never seen so many rich and made up women in my life...I was feeling a little like dirty harriet in there...though i do pride myself on looking good sans make-up...and while I do look good in nice clothes...eh...special occasions only.
I have been trying to reassure people who are worried about my safety that I have a legendary mean face while walking around. Many of you know that without any animation I look seriously disturbed. Anyway, on my way out of Harrods (since I was lost) I stopped to ask a (easily) 6'6" security guard how to get to the tube. First thing he said after I asked was "smile" and so I did...and then he said, "my god, I thought you were coming over to hit me, you should smile." haha. So enough said...I will be fine! If I can scare a giant security guard who's in charge of guarding bajillions of dollars worth of luxury goods I should be able to scare off a petty thief...plus no oil shiek would pay good money for an angry looking girl, right? haha. I kid.
Anyway off to dinner for Sri Lankan food...mmmm, can't wait. Off to Belgium really really early tomorrow...hopefully will write from there.
xox,
L
Today was a lazy and busy day. I finally got my phone working...those of you who need to reach me, contact my dad...he'll give you my number. (dad, I'm sending it). So...today was about errands...T Mobile, getting the itinerary together, sending emails. Then I went to (or tried to go) to the Victoria and Albert Museum. I took the wrong tube stop and got a little lost walking around Kensington. It was nice to see all the posh houses and private gardens, though i was dying to find a place to eat my lunch. My favorite lunch here is a cup of hummus, a package of tomatoes (fresh or sundried), and a bag of wild rocket. It is SO good. The produce here is so much better than at home...everything tastes the way it should, and so good that people would eat it instead of junk food if they had an option.
I finally made it to the museum and saw an amazing fashion exhibit...which I think is their regular collection. And...my taste was flattered when my favorite dress I've seen in years was featured in it's own case (Alexander McQueen 2010) at the end of the exhibit. :D I took several pictures which the fashionistas can see later. After the museum closed I walked down the road (I realized I can only do my city wandering in places where people speak english, though I did not ask for directions...yes). I wandered down the road and stumbled across Harrods which was a trip. I actually got lost inside. I've also never seen so many rich and made up women in my life...I was feeling a little like dirty harriet in there...though i do pride myself on looking good sans make-up...and while I do look good in nice clothes...eh...special occasions only.
I have been trying to reassure people who are worried about my safety that I have a legendary mean face while walking around. Many of you know that without any animation I look seriously disturbed. Anyway, on my way out of Harrods (since I was lost) I stopped to ask a (easily) 6'6" security guard how to get to the tube. First thing he said after I asked was "smile" and so I did...and then he said, "my god, I thought you were coming over to hit me, you should smile." haha. So enough said...I will be fine! If I can scare a giant security guard who's in charge of guarding bajillions of dollars worth of luxury goods I should be able to scare off a petty thief...plus no oil shiek would pay good money for an angry looking girl, right? haha. I kid.
Anyway off to dinner for Sri Lankan food...mmmm, can't wait. Off to Belgium really really early tomorrow...hopefully will write from there.
xox,
L
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The First Weekend
Hello Everyone!
Thanks to those of you who are reading this and bugging me to update. It's difficult to find the time to write about what you're doing when you're doing too much! Friday was a lovely day...I caught up on my sleep until 3 in the afternoon...which was sort of a shame on such a gorgeous day in London...but hey, I needed some serious rest. Then I made some quinoa and zucchini, and enjoyed a beer on the patio with the local kitties. There are so many stray cats here, and I have a favorite one who has not been coming around since I started getting desperate to see it. It's small, black, with green eyes, the cutest face I've ever seen, and a missing tip of its left ear.
Then I was off to Vinoteca where I enjoyed a Pinot Noir that didn't give me a headache! In fact, I ended up drinking most of the bottle along with some cured meat, marcona, almonds, and some olives. mmmmm. mmm. mmmmm. It's a cute little wine bar and we sat outside on the little sidewalk. It was such a nice evening. We also had this really funny French waiter that kept insisting, when asked to take a photo of us, on taking one regular one, and one "wis za legs." Oh frenchmen....
Then we were off to Movida, an apparently posh night club where we had an in to the VIP of the AKS party. We had no idea what that meant, but went along with it....and ended up in a Kazakh party...which was all good. We made some friends...which ended up being quite a global group. There was the French Panamanian, his gorgeous Kazakh girlfriend, her Russian friend, and his Venezuelan friend...and no, I don't remember any of their names...but I do have an email address and several pictures to mail them...so perhaps we'll all be friends by the time I make it back to London in July.
Needless to say I danced my socks off...and was carefully warned by Ida when we returned that my American dancing would not be looked on favorably by Brits...to which I said, "well at least I was dancing with a south american." So...that was very very fun...and I've decided I think I'll only go to clubs where I can go to the VIP room...it was ridiculous how they were treating all the other club goers.
Saturday morning we had Adam's (Ida's husband) friends over for breakfast. A lovely couple expecting their first baby in 3 weeks (the baby put on quite a show moving around in the belly so we could see...so strange to watch...IT'S ALIVE!), and his friend Guy who is a really interesting and funny Belgian guy. There are several great stories that are incredibly funny, but that I must tell in person...so ask if you'd like some story telling. Then we went to a Thai festival, which was sort of boring, but where I got to eat a coconut so I was a very happy camper.
We quickly lost interest in the festival and headed over to Portabello Market in Notting Hill which was really fun. There were tons of antique vendors, produce stands, and food stands. I tried some Ghanian food which was AMAZING...spicy spinach with this grain that is Lauren friendly that I cannot remember the name of. mmmmmmm. PS I'm starting to get fat...just in time to go hosteling where I wont be eating as well (I think).
When we got home Ida made a gorgeous dinner for us...pork loin with parsnip puree and asparagus and raspberry salad...AND rhubarb sorbet....and she made almond cookies that I can eat. She's a major talent in the kitchen, and I'm being completely spoiled.
Today was a lazy day. I started out at the Spanish festival, and then we went on to the only Swedish pub in london to watch the French Open. The Swedes were all sad, understandably, when Nadal won...but it was nice to go drink beer and eat in the middle of the day. Ida and I left and went to the Royal Academy of Art and saw an exhibit of Paul Sandby, a brilliant and under appreciated British drawer. It was really beautiful, and he did some amazing landscapes of really beautiful trees. You should google him! Next we spent some time laying on the grass in Green Park before heading back home for dinner.
I've spent most of the evening planning for the next leg(s) of my trip...so far leaving early Tuesday for Bruges, then off to Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest....I'm getting too tired to start working on getting to Croatia....it's really really really late here...yay jet lag!
I hope everyone is doing well! Love you all!
Lauren
Thanks to those of you who are reading this and bugging me to update. It's difficult to find the time to write about what you're doing when you're doing too much! Friday was a lovely day...I caught up on my sleep until 3 in the afternoon...which was sort of a shame on such a gorgeous day in London...but hey, I needed some serious rest. Then I made some quinoa and zucchini, and enjoyed a beer on the patio with the local kitties. There are so many stray cats here, and I have a favorite one who has not been coming around since I started getting desperate to see it. It's small, black, with green eyes, the cutest face I've ever seen, and a missing tip of its left ear.
Then I was off to Vinoteca where I enjoyed a Pinot Noir that didn't give me a headache! In fact, I ended up drinking most of the bottle along with some cured meat, marcona, almonds, and some olives. mmmmm. mmm. mmmmm. It's a cute little wine bar and we sat outside on the little sidewalk. It was such a nice evening. We also had this really funny French waiter that kept insisting, when asked to take a photo of us, on taking one regular one, and one "wis za legs." Oh frenchmen....
Then we were off to Movida, an apparently posh night club where we had an in to the VIP of the AKS party. We had no idea what that meant, but went along with it....and ended up in a Kazakh party...which was all good. We made some friends...which ended up being quite a global group. There was the French Panamanian, his gorgeous Kazakh girlfriend, her Russian friend, and his Venezuelan friend...and no, I don't remember any of their names...but I do have an email address and several pictures to mail them...so perhaps we'll all be friends by the time I make it back to London in July.
Needless to say I danced my socks off...and was carefully warned by Ida when we returned that my American dancing would not be looked on favorably by Brits...to which I said, "well at least I was dancing with a south american." So...that was very very fun...and I've decided I think I'll only go to clubs where I can go to the VIP room...it was ridiculous how they were treating all the other club goers.
Saturday morning we had Adam's (Ida's husband) friends over for breakfast. A lovely couple expecting their first baby in 3 weeks (the baby put on quite a show moving around in the belly so we could see...so strange to watch...IT'S ALIVE!), and his friend Guy who is a really interesting and funny Belgian guy. There are several great stories that are incredibly funny, but that I must tell in person...so ask if you'd like some story telling. Then we went to a Thai festival, which was sort of boring, but where I got to eat a coconut so I was a very happy camper.
We quickly lost interest in the festival and headed over to Portabello Market in Notting Hill which was really fun. There were tons of antique vendors, produce stands, and food stands. I tried some Ghanian food which was AMAZING...spicy spinach with this grain that is Lauren friendly that I cannot remember the name of. mmmmmmm. PS I'm starting to get fat...just in time to go hosteling where I wont be eating as well (I think).
When we got home Ida made a gorgeous dinner for us...pork loin with parsnip puree and asparagus and raspberry salad...AND rhubarb sorbet....and she made almond cookies that I can eat. She's a major talent in the kitchen, and I'm being completely spoiled.
Today was a lazy day. I started out at the Spanish festival, and then we went on to the only Swedish pub in london to watch the French Open. The Swedes were all sad, understandably, when Nadal won...but it was nice to go drink beer and eat in the middle of the day. Ida and I left and went to the Royal Academy of Art and saw an exhibit of Paul Sandby, a brilliant and under appreciated British drawer. It was really beautiful, and he did some amazing landscapes of really beautiful trees. You should google him! Next we spent some time laying on the grass in Green Park before heading back home for dinner.
I've spent most of the evening planning for the next leg(s) of my trip...so far leaving early Tuesday for Bruges, then off to Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest....I'm getting too tired to start working on getting to Croatia....it's really really really late here...yay jet lag!
I hope everyone is doing well! Love you all!
Lauren
Thursday, June 3, 2010
solstice
means sunshine...early! Woke a little after 5am...and I'm so happy :D I forgot to mention in my last post how happy I am to be in a place that has food for me...and doesn't stare at me. AND HAS FOOD FOR ME. Dear God, thank you thank you thank you. And don't let me forget to bring home a bottle of heinz. mmmmm m mmmmmm.
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