Scotland!

Evening bonnie lads and lassies (translation: Evening beautiful boys and girls)

Scotland Beret shot right there for ya Jill!

This weekend was certainly one for the books! It all started with a 5:30 am wake up call, a 40 minute tube ride, followed by a 4 1/2 hour train ride and we were there! We first went to our hostel which was so cool. There were 50 rooms and they all had themes, our room was the Scottish Isles, and there were 14 of us. Friday we walked around the city with our tour guide Mike (who was a true Scotsman who never removed his kilt). Obviously it was raining that annoying European rain and I didn't have an umbrella, but we toured all around Edinburgh and learned some interesting facts. For example: Back in the day when they used to throw their shit out on the streets they always had to yell, "Hey watch out I'm throwing poop on the streets." But when French policeman were patrolling the streets they had to yell, "Garde de LOW" but since Scottish people are silly they couldn't pronounce the LOW and instead said LOO in their accents...aka why the bathroom here is called the Loo.

Anyways, that night we did a pub crawl to 5 of the classiest (joke) pubs in Edinburgh starting at 8 pm home by midnight haha. I was coerced into taking a shot of Absinthe at the last pub...but I have no fabulous stories to tell of from that experience, except for a nauseating morning bus ride. Saturday we got up at the ass crack of dawn, threw some breakfast down our pie holes and jumped on the huge bus with our 65 year old driver Sandy, and Mike...yelling Scottish tidbits at us over the bus microphone. And when he wasn't informing us of the wonders of Scotland, we were listening to Scottish music...loudly. It was hilarious. Scotland is exactly how you picture it: huge mountains, lakes everywhere, open beautiful green fields, sheep grazing, grayish skies...BUT we actually saw 2 full rainbows with the mountains in the background it was gorgeous! We stopped in a tiny city named Dunkeld, then I hung out with the Loch Ness monster for a while. Which by the way, maybe I am the only unintelligent person, but Loch actually just means Lake. Silly hu? Later in the afternoon we toured a whiskey distillery and I learned way more than I ever need to know about whiskey. This picture (which looks fake) is at the scene of the Glencoe Massacre...aren't we so cute?

After the Massacre we headed to our final destination for the night: Oban which Mike describes in our itinerary as "a beautiful harbour town with spectacular views of the Isle of Mull." Ya, okay, whatever buddy. That night we took it easy, went out to dinner, where at one point a fat man stood up and started banging four spoons against his bald head and stomach while singing Old McDonald had a Farm. The funny thing about that is that we were at a nice pizza place, not a nasty pub. It was definitely interesting. Following dinner we went to a pub and listened to some live Scottish band music, very enjoyable.

A typical conversation with British people after they hear your voice: Them-Where are you from? Me-America. Them-Well I know that, what part? Me-Indiana. Them-??? Me-It's in the middle you have no idea where it is. So basically I just need to start telling people I'm from either California, Florida, or New York...it'll make conversation a lot easier.

Sunday was chalk full or more touristy sight seeings: a 120 yr old church built by one dude, more and more castles (I mean once you've seen one you've seen em all...I tried to explain that to Mike but he did not appreciate that) We also saw some Braveheart action-William Wallace's spot, which was pretty cool. After Braveheart we were ready for a nice relaxing train ride home...kinda. Because once we got on the train we found out our seats had been double booked and that we actually didn't have any seats! So for the first 2 hours of the journey home we kept getting kicked out of our seats. Finally, myself, and about 5 of my colleagues got smahht. (Smart in a Boston accent) We essentially snuck into first class and said "See you later you Coach riding commoners." The last 2 1/2 hours of that train ride were fabulous. We all sat around and told hilarious stories...I almost peed my pants.

All in all it was a great weekend. This weekend Erin and I are headed to Madrid to reunite with besties Jo and Cait. We have begun researching hot touristy spots in Madrid aka oldest restaurant in the world! Our original crack pot plan, which only lasted about 12 hours (Scott and Jill you should be proud to know I was the one who smashed the dream), was to go to take an 8 hour bus ride to Cadiz Friday for the last night of Carnival (one of the biggest parties in Europe) rage all night, not getting a hotel/hostel (to save money of course) and then get back on the bus for another 8 hour journey back to Madrid Saturday morning. Right. So basically we are staying in Madrid all weekend and Jo is gonna take us around! Woo woo...well I have been writing this forever and neglecting my studies for twice as long. Love you all so much...hope snow in the SB is great because I'm going to Spain bitches! hehe

It's My Birttthhhhday!

Happy Birthday to me! Yay! The day has finally come where I can legally make bad decisions on a weekly basis. It feels amazing. Tonight we are going out to eat and then to Punk club for dancing and drinking. Great quote from me last night:
Erin-So Punk club is 21 and over club, I hope that I get in (because its really not that strict here they just want to weed out the little babies)
Me-Oh man, I look like I'm 12, not 21! I'm never gonna get in....(long pause) Wait! I'm gonna BE 21!! haha

So let's back up to Thursday. Long day at work, tired, its raining (obviously), I get home and there is a package waiting for me on my bed, which can only represent two of the greatest things in my life: grey uggs and chex mix! Jill, this batch is so on point you don't even understand. Perfect proportions of all ingredients and I definitely showed all my friends the "Party like its your birfday" line, very much enjoyed, and I've already basically finished off bag one, naturally. Also we should talk about the silly polka dotted nightie you got me, which I totally put on after my shower to appease Erin. (She's a big fan of the "after shower dress" concept) And lastly lets talk about the new blankee (Blankee Jr.) I actually took Blankee Jr. into my room last night and formally introduced the two Blankees. Erin: "That really just happened. That reeaaallly just happened." haha well of course it did, Jill understands that you just cant throw a new blankee into the mix without proper introduction. So the point of the story is that Ioved my package and I love Scott and Jill more. Everytime I look at my desktop pic I miss you ragers like crazy.

Did you realize that when I get back we can go grab a drink together? How faaabulous! And I will be very much accustomed to day drinking at that point because thats standard here so you better jack up those tolerances and make sure your drinking pants are ironed and ready to party. Anyways Erin got me a contemporary art book for my B-Day which is a perfect way to gain some knowledge and enjoyment simultaneously. And I also received a card from Ally (my other roommate) and obviously one from Erin that has a cartoon person wasted in a shopping cart with "thats you in your birthday taxi" written underneath it. Fabulous.

One last thought to share with you all: I don't get hungover here. Which is a) dangerous and b) promoting unhealthy habits (aka drinking all the time). Every morning after drinking I am hungover for about 20 minutes, I eat a bagel, and its gone! The beer here is magical I swear. I am really gonna miss that about London. I would also like to add my friend Chad just gave me a birthday card with a cat on it with its paw up in the air and this underneath "Never be too proud to admit you know all the dance moves to the YMCA" Classic. Card signed "Can't wait to carry your ass home again tonight, Chad." hahaha, love my life. But love all of you more! Hopefully this blog posting has satisfied Jessica Lynn Froshaug Larbes's traveling beret cravings!

Wait, is it Christmas again!?

hahahahahahha! Does everyone recognize, appreciate, and believe it's THE shirt?! It traveled to London to haunt me! When I saw my friend Sharday wearing it I freaked out (I obviously didn't tell her that she is wearing one of the most hideous shirts, no offense Jess, that Jill Marsh has every purchased for me!) I told her I was taking a picture of all my friends to show my parents. hahahaha. Wow, I don't have anything else to say about that.

Yesterday at work big boss Cora was gone so Giada and I essentially played on facebook alllll day...it was exhausting. Oh and another mindblowing fact for you guys: I ordered my groceries online! It was a truly amazing experience, on Monday from 8-10pm my groceries will either be delievered on my front door or in my kitchen for a small 4 pound fee! Which by the way is actually cheaper than me going to the grocery store, carrying two large back packs and getting a cab home! Wow...how my life has improved since the shambles update.

Last night we hit up the karaoke scene which was naturally a horrible but at the same time a reward winning experience. I mean look how happy this guy is! Anyways today we are going to a pub to experience some die hard Chelsea fans (jealous Riley?) I will get you a jersey I promise! Would you rather roll with the Real Madrid or Chelsea (your response: both!) haha. Annnyways I'm gonna clean up the room before we go, love you all very much!

Baby It's Cold Outside

And by outside, I mean inside...which in the case of my working environment is one in the same. Outfit for work tomorrow: leggings, jeans, two pairs of socks, a long sleeve shirt with a sweater over it, scarf, gloves, and my coat (which I will not remove from my body for the entire day.) So basically on Tuesday when I went to work I almost died...of hypothermia. My hands started to turn purple and my feet went numb. It is a rough knock life working in the art world, lemme tell you. So basically I cannnnnot wait until March. Working conditions is about my biggest update as of right now. I have no idea what the weekend has in store for me, but I am hoppping for either a comedy club or karaoke! Woo Woo! Love you all very much!

Snowday!

Bill Engval (skit about a weatherman in Texas): "Ladies and gentleman...an inch of snow is headed to your area. An inch of snow, enough snow to make, a footprint! Is headed to your area. If you are an elderly American, you will not make it through this storm. We urge you to steal food, horde gas...You guys (talking about a region in the Midwest somewhere) an inch of snow you're like, hold on I can still find my golfball"

London would be equivalent to the Texans attitude of snow. They have no idea how to handle it here. The United Kingdom economy lost 1.2 billion pounds due to the weather; 20% of the workforce didn't show up. Last night we got 6 inches of snow and the city was an absolute shit show, the busses were shut down, most of the tube lines were closed, and school was cancelled! So naturally we built a snowman. Isn't he precious!?

Tomorrow I actually have to write a paper (due Wednesday) about our homestay weekend, which everyone in our program has been putting off until the absolute last minute. Another activity I'm not looking forward to is freezing my ass off at work for 8 hours. I'm kind of getting the hang of it now: leggings under my jeans, two pairs of socks, and a heavy sweater kind of deal. Oh well, I suppose I have to do something productive with my life while I am here. Time for bed!

Love Love!