June

6.21.2006

home sweet home

I arrived after what seemed like a short flight because I kept falling asleep (thank goodness). My creative patriotic mother welcomed me with opens arms, a massive Canadian flag sign saying "Welcome to Canada" and to top it off had a maple leaf dress on. I was laughing and crying at the same time. I slept in my brother's room that night as he was still on his journey, gallavanting around Europe, and my shared room with my sister was too messy to step into. Yup, I'm definitely home. I was awoken the next morning by my sister at 7:30am pouncing on me and couldn't fall back to sleep. That day I spent talking with my closest friends, unpacking very little and being at ease in my home. I sailed that night with my family under a consistent wind. It was nice, I've missed it. There's nothing like being out in the open with nothing around you for miles. The same feeling of freedom as you get when you're in the wide open country side or on a mountain top.

The following day I got completely burnt under the cloudy sky chatting for hours with my best friend Joy. She and I have been best friends since diapers, living only a block apart. We're the biggest dorks around each other, it's impossible not to forget about my worries and simply laugh in her presence. I was happy, Joy does that to you! She's now off to Newfoundland working for a month, then traveling to Denmark to visit her family. I miss her!! I tried not to think about my partings in the recent days, only at what I needed to do in the present moment. I knew that if I dwelled too much on the past I would break down and on my third day home it finally hit me. To not see my friends again for who knows how long, UGH, awful, awful feeling even though I always knew it would happen. I needed to call Aleks, and so I did. I didn't even recognize her voice when she picked up her mobile!! We talked about trivial matters, about the weather possibly, about her crappy bus ride to London. Nothing sentimental at all, but good. I just wanted to know she was doing better, because Chris told me she was in an awful state after I left and especially after Ralph and Eugene left.

In the weeks to pass, I'm continue to keep busy. Cleaning my room, unpacking, catching up on TV, reading. Being inside all that time made me want to escape into the country again, for it was such beautiful weather! But infortunately I do not have my own car, and was stuck in suburbia for the time being.

6.14.2006

AU REVOIR MA BELLE LEEDS

On the Tuesday my British exchange friend to Canada last year, Richard, came in the afternoon. I showed him around campus, picked up a missing buckle in the Hiking Gearstore and headed to Tetley to start packing. Richard was such a great help!!! I had so much to finish up that he basically packed my whole suitcase and was wonderful to know when I needed time to myself, or to say goodbye. He always managed to talk to people without needing to be introduced. That night a whole lot of us went to the Oak and Eldon for a pint, then off to the Courtyard in town (though it closed soon after we got there). I couldn't be happier!!! Having everyone(well most) I care about under one roof to say their last goodbyes meant so much to me, I can't even describe it.

It was fun up until they actually said it. First it was Dave P, then Martin. Those two guys are simply fabulous!! They constantly make me laugh and taught me so much about their home country of England! Oh how I'll miss Dave P's banter and complaints, his hilarious and random stories, and of course I can't forget calling people a "twat." I'll miss Martin's long sighs as though eveything's on his shoulders, but he does it in such a comical way for me I can't help but laugh. He was a good friend, even if he can't read a map very well, I'd always hope he was on my walk. As we gave our last hugs, out of the corner of my eye I saw Francois, just standing there, waiting. I almost wanted to run away so I didn't have to say goodbye to him, but it turns out the only thing I could say was goodbye. I became too choked up to tell him how much he had come to mean to me or how much I'll miss his annoying jokes that I ALWAYS fell for, or how I'll never forget making him laugh then hearing his distinctive pitched "nooooooo!" I keep thinking, it's a shame I only got to know these people well into the second semester. I ponder what was the purpose (aside from the good times--even if they were short on time) and most of all, will I see these people again? That thought in particular was what was running through my head as I glanced back at Francois walking away. On to the Courtyard we went, with Alex comforting me most of the way.

WEDNESDAY, June 14th-- the day I've been dreading my whole stay in England--send off day. UGH. I still don't want to think about it in detail because it still stings. How can I put into words how grateful I am to each and every person I have grown to love and admire. How can I show completely how much I will miss them and long to just hear their laugh or a simple hug! I made a small token for my dearest friends, by printing out some pictures and framing them with all individual, specific quotes I deemed appropriate and a goodbye letter. It took me awhile to finish everyone's, but was very glad I put in the effort because I wanted to give them something material to remember me by.

Aleks made her special pancakes for lunch. Too quick the morning passed by and it was soon time to headout. I felt as though I was marching in my own funeral procession...in a way I was I suppose. About 12 people, if I'm counting correctly, accompanied me to the bus stop. Alex cycled off first. There was no words for the saddness I felt. One last grip and all I could think, "when will I see this guy again?" Four more left me at Uni--Eugene included. My Russian 'baby', I don't why I called him that. Oh well, I shall forever miss his innocent smile and the words "katherine you're crazy" in that deep Russian accent of his. Six of my housemates accompanied me right onto the platform for 20p/ticket. The tears did not hold back, and poor Will was left to comfort 5 sobbing girls. As the train pulled away from the platform--my housemates and perfect memory with it--I started sobbing, more like gasping sobs. The lady next to me wouldn't move when Richard and I kindly asked to sit beside eachother. She eventually felt worried for me and let Richard sit beside me to comfort me. However, there wasn't anything, or anyone could do...only time can be my consolement. We both fell asleep for most of the train ride and chatted a bit over a coffee near Kings Cross Station. WOW, how things come full circle! I was the last to say bye to Rich just a year ago. Who knew we'd be in the same place, only this time it was he who was saying bye to me from his country. I also slept for most of the plane ride, even though I regret not talking more to the interesting Brit beside me who teaches English in Indonesia. As the plane took off, my heart sunk and the tears fell down my cheek. I can't believe it is over....

the last goodbye..sigh.

6.12.2006

THE 24hr. ROUNDER---a day trip, a evening out, and an all nighter

Monday June 12th. My second (technically 3rd) last day in Leeds. And what better way to say goodbye thnt to the delightful countryside with which I have simply fallen in love . Willa, Aleks and myself met at the bus station on time (yeah, I know, finally on time I was!) for our bus to Nostel Priory, just outside of Wakefield. The only thing...Willa was not on time (yah, I know, the one time she wasn't!) Aleks and I snooped around the Leeds Market in the meantime. After a bit of bus confusion, we found ourselves on the outside of Wakefield at a bus stop in the scorching heat with a very chatty elderly lady who was clearly not wearing a bra. It was funny. We waited about 25min waiting for a bus to get back to the town--we could've walked the 10 or so walk, but decided to wait for a bus because we had a day rider. Bad idea.

We finally we dropped off at the gates of Nostel Priory, and to our disappointment the gates were locked!!!!! CRAP. Just when I thought all hope was lost, we saw a sign down the street directing traffic to the main entrance. woo hoo!! However, once inside, a groundstaker broke the sad news that the house and gardens were closed. Willa and Aleks had collapsed on the grass to the side of the house while I investigated. I don't think the news was too terrible because they, and myself, we content with lying in the grass all afternoon. After an hour or so conversation, we walked around the estate to a large field--FULL of daisys! We made daisy chains in the heat and gave up walking to an Egyptian type of monument because we were too hot. Aleks boyfriend, Pawel, randomly called and so Willa and I frolicked around a bit before heading back to the bus stop. We were complete dorks, singing and dancing along the way. NO ONE was around so we could scream as loud as we wanted on the extensive estate (not as large as Harewood House though). It really was a lovely afternoon where you felt as though there wasn't a care in the world and I just relished the opportunity to be amongst my closest friends on the beautiful country estate as though I owned the place!

You can't tell in this picture, but the house is not symmetrical!!! That really bothered me for some reason..all stately homes are symmetrical! I asked the groundskeeper why it was called Nostel Priory, when it clearly wasn't a church Priory. He said there was a medieval Priory on the site and was therefore named after it. The rich owners still live on the far end of the house.

We went for a walk around the estate because low and behold, the house and gardens are closed Monday and Tuesday!!! BOO EARNS!!

What am I doing?!?! Panting like a dog probably..this field was inbelievably warm! erhhhhh.

Look what we found in a field of daisys!!!! A one-legged pole dancer! haha

That night a whole gang of us went to an Indian cuisine restaurant--Baracas. Aleks and I already ate at Tetley, but went along anyway. It was a fabulous night, loads of conversation and sheesha. I don't remember why we left when we did, but Aleks and I accompanied Willa back to her place to "help" her pack for her trip to Greece. Francois also joined us for a bit seeing as he lived rather close (and of course because, well, who wouldn't want to hang out with us? haha.) The rest of the night consisted of watching Sex and the City on her computer until 6:30am--though Franchose was long gone by 2am. After a quick goodbye to Willa who was off to Manchester airport with a car full of our friends, Aleks and I walked the long way home for the last time.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeella!

6.11.2006

HYDE PARK & HI-FI -- Sun. June 12th

Tetley Hall was having its fun BBQ day today!!! My house and I went for lunch, but it was so freakin' hot outside I didn't want to stay outside. There were sumo-suits, a bouncy castle, rodeo bull, and mini blow-up child's pool people threw themselves in to cool down. Everyone was just on the lawn, lazing around. A large group of hikers met up later Sunday afternoon for one last BBQ in Hyde Park.

Paul bet me that if I could shot-gun 3 beer in 3 minutes, he'd pay for my beer. I kind of did it...large burps emerged and everyone backed up because they thought I would bring up the beer. Thank goodness I didn't!! I did 2 1/2 cans, it was hard!! My stomach was just too full of gaseous liquid.

Me and James!!!!

There was soo much food!

@ Gino's!! No, this isn't an Italian Pizza Restuarant, it's actaully Thai. hehe. right around the corner from Tetley.

Mauricio--the partying Mexican machine!!! Francois knows him better and saws Mauricio NEVER fails to be at a party..even if he's not invited! He's always out and about, partying away. He came to Willa's BBQ too, haha, and she didn't even know him! Very friendly and happy guy!! Wish I could've got to know him better.

Me and Lucas! I met Lucas--from Spain--in my Developmental Politics course in the fall. I wish I could've spoken to him more too!

Dom and smiley Aleks.

attractive Willa. haha. Aleks is always distracting by Willa's tongue ring.

Martin was on stage watching these breakdancers..I thought he was going to show us his moves!!! Unfortunately not. sighhhhh.

dancing up a storm in Hi-Fi

6.10.2006

Tetley Ball Extravaganza!

Aleks and I came back from the Scotland trip early to attend our Tetley Hall Summer Ball on Friday. It was well worth it! WOW!!! The decorations were fantastic! You couldn't recognize it was our dining hall or common room. The hall was lined in black and white striped fabric, shaped how a circus tent would look. Downstairs in the square common room, fabric was attached from the ceiling in a circle with red diamonds, making it the perfect setting for our casino. The night started off with a champagne reception to a string quartet, followed by a buffet dinner. I managed to spill my wine all over my food. I know, smart. A Surely Bassey imitator came on, and she was great! Aleks and I danced creatively to her songs infront of everyone. That was definitely one of my favourite parts of the evening. My housemates looked amazing dressed up so nice! They looked so much older and exquisite, I couldn't believe it! I especially loved the colour of Fayes's dress, bright turquoise! Myra had a wicked pattern/lace dress that was extremely flattering and Anna's fit perfectly with the black and white James Bond theme. I'll post pictures soon. I wore my dark blue halter yet again, but I don't care, I like it! We danced the night away until 4am, at which time I was so exhausted no convincing could make me stay.

It's Saturday night now, Aleks and I just got back from watching Sex and the City at Willa's after a night out with the hikers. We met up with the troopers, who literally hours before just got back from a full week in Scotland! Aleks didn't think many would show, but almost everyone was there from our trip!!! When we left on Thursday morning, I was skeptical I'd see the lot of them again, so it was just so pleasant to be together again. That and I also found out there's another gathering tomorrow in Hyde Park. woo hoo! I had to say bye to Kristian today...it became harder than I thought. He biked and met us in front of Somerfield in Headingley and walked with us down to Hyde Park before meeting a friend. It didn't seem like a big deal until he stoped in front of the Hyde Park pub saying he was leaving us there!! I started to tear up saying "noooooo!" I didn't want to say our last goodbyes on a busy street corner in front of pub goers! But we did. I got tongue tied for last, all-encompassing remarks, but I couldn't. After we waited forever to cross the street Aleks and I continued on to meet the rest of the hikers for curry. It was then it finally sunk in we wouldn't see him for quite awhile, and especially the four of us together. We both started sobbing loudly, just in time for Alex to bike up beside us. Heart-wrenching, how minutes apart we were, or else we could've have been the 4 of us together one last time.

Where's the good in goodbye one asks?? Well, I can't tell you at the moment because I'm still upset when I think about it. I suppose the good is the hope in knowing that you will meet again someday, for we always have to say bye before we can meet again....

Yes, this is our dinning hall. Spectacular eh? And I had no part in the set up (except for balloons) because I was frolicking in Scotland. I did help take it all now, all the staples from the fabric, then fold the fabric--multiply by like 100 and that's what I helped with too.

Downstairs in the JCR Common Room, it's really a square room, but they used to fabric to create a circle. WOW. This room was used for our casino.

The gang!!! Together looking amazing!


me and my hubby!

Will and the ladies.

Ralph and Aleks

Ant(hony) and me! He's coming to Toronto, Canada soon!! YAHHHHHH!

It did taste that much better being fed to me :P yum yum!

hot stuff, sitting down

6.09.2006

GLEN SHIEL -- Scotland June 4-8

Man oh Man. It was ages ago Aleks and I would get so hyped up talking about the hiking summer trip and now all there's left to do is to write about it...SIGH. Our 3 days in Scotand were simply amazing! The weather was perfect, and the company even better. I was with all of my closest friends I've meet in Leeds which made it even more of a special last week in Britain. I'll write more later, but now I need sleep!!
LATESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
XX
katherine

Me and Kristian cutting in style! I cut too small..but I don't like large chunks of mushrooms and onions...oh well, I changed my ways, or tried to for the hikers.

Our first peak. boiling hot!! But it was gorgeous just to lay under the sun. The guy that said not to bring sunscreen ended up not coming on the trip, so I didn't want to use anyone else's all up, so just did my face. Bad decision, I got completely burnt --shoulders, back of the arms, ankles around the boots, NECK! It hurt to move my neck the next day! There were loads of deer running the the valley below, but it took my forever to find!

Aleks and I conquering the world...well Scotland to begin with, but you just wait and see!!! ;)

Beautiful sunset amoung the trees descending the never-ending mountain. OWWWW.

Willa and the ladies! :)

DAY 2

'The Saddle' A nice skinny ridge, no wider than 3m. It was fun, not too tricky at all!

Cool rock. I didn't attempt to climb that..I would like to live longer! :)

Francois climbing up the ridge, Kristian cose behind to fall on in case Francois has a mis-footing. :)

Random snow on mountain top. On the first day it was much needed. Not only did I throw myself in it to cool down along the way, Mark used it to fill his platypus (water bag) when many people were out of water and dehydrated on our last peak. I stil don't understand how the patches were still there, I mean the sun was scorching us everyday!

DAY 3

My prince in shining armour! Alex kept telling Kristian there was a princess waiting for them at the castle we were searching for. And Kristian said she'd have long blonde hair flowing from the window. However, when we finally got to the castle, it was closed and we could only walk around the outside. Kristian climbed over the walls and there's a funny picture where he's pretending to be haning from the outside walls. It looks very real, but his feel are standing on a rock.

Laying on the beach, catching a few rays.

Me and Willa

The beach at the end of our hike. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! We all ran into the water in our underwear, but some people had their bathing suits. I ran in mouth gapping open with laughter, when it hit me, rather I tasted it--salt water! BLAHHHHH! And yes, the water was freezing! There was great sand, no rocks or gross seaweed so we swam out a bit trying to keep warm. We found it was warmer by the shore so swam back in. There wasn't anything to do in the water, except linger until the sand sunk into every corner of your suit. The sun was shining ever so brightly I didn't want to leave the water! It's not every day you get to swim in a Scotland Loch! The boys meanwhile played a game of cricket on the beach, while the girls gossiped and sang Scottish songs (ie. "you'll take the high road and I'll take the low road, and I'll get to Scotland before you..and me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonny shores of Loch Lomond" ) Willa and I 'sun tanned' but the cool wind started to make my teeth chatter and goosebumps. It was the group leaving the made me get ready though, and I held the van up because I was so slow to change and put my blistered feet back in my boots.

Eilean Donan Castle...oh la la! I saw this famous castle on the National Trust website, sighing because I knew I'd never have the chance this year to see such a remote castle in the highlands of Scotland!! You can imagine how stoked I was to see it! We first saw it across the river on our starting point of our coastal walk. The most anti-climatic visual! From the minibus window I see it's greyish walls low on the dark water. I expected something grandeur, but we were across the river, so it was rather small. We started walking and I was disappointed we weren't going to walk by it. I had expected, after a 2hr. hike to stumble across it, deep in the wilderness and small lake. Oh well, we ended up driving to it after the hike and frolicked around the rocks then, just as cool! :)

Me and my guns!

Our last night stroll to the pub. It was about 10 o'clock but there was still from light in the cloudy sky.

Me and Herdie infront of the infamous mini-bus! It fits 15people. This is the lovely vehicle that transports us 9hrs. to and from Scotland. Mainly people sleep, listen to cheesy music, and some of the time get into deep conversations about everything and anything! It's a great bonding moment, just depends who you're sitting around.

6.02.2006

SUMMER BBQ & LEEDS BALL -- Friday June 2nd

The title says it all really. Friday night was a full one! The gang headed to Kristians, who was celebrating after finally finishing his exams! The BBQ was at his place, full of food and friendly people. I admit, I didn't make much of an effort to meet new people, but I have limited time with my friends left, so I cliqued. After the 3 of us --Willa, Marina and me--left, that's when the party took off, or so I heard. I think we would've been content either way, but we payed for our Leeds Summer Ball ticket, so there was no way we were missing out. We missed our bus at Uni because we wanted more time at Kristians. It turned out fine and ended up hitching a ride with the hiking minibus who were shipping a load of hikers from another BBQ straight to the Lotherton Hall estate, just outside of Leeds. We ran through Hyde Park, accompanied by Alex for some reason, and waited for the van to claim us. We took about 40 pictures during the waiting period, I think we're too camera happy!

At the ball, the group of us hikers managed to split up inthe first few minutes!! Marina, Willa, myself, and Martin just danced the night away until 2am when we all got too tired and cold to keep going. There were 4 large tents with different music, some amusement rides (but the queue was too long) and loads of food and drinking venues. The alcohol was ridiculously expensive, especially for how much we paid to get in!!! We ended up just sharing a bottle of wine. The funniest part of the night had to be when we lined up to use the toilets, but the line was too long, so we went to a grassy area by a fence and Marina pulled open her large dress like a fan to cover us. hahaha. Martin also helped enclose with 'barracades' for us with a large shawl. It wouldn't have been complete without Willa previously 'borrowing' a toilet paper roll. We really impressed this one girl who couldn't get over how efficient we were! :)

On the bus ride home everyone fell asleep, including Dave P whom I was sitting on. I was afraid he'd wake up not being able to feel his legs and start screaming! haha, that didn't happen. We made a short stop in at a large, mostly international, house party on Otley road. It was prety sweet! There were 2 rooms playing this neat techno music, full of people just enjoying themselves. The front yard outside was no less packed and it wasn't hard to recognize someone you knew. By this time it was after 3:30 in the morning and couldn't be bothered, or rather have the energy to stay longer. Marina and I ran up to Headingley in the cold, switching my sweater every 5 min.

Walking to Kristian's BBQ through Hyde Park. This is just a small idea of how PACKED Hyde Park gets with students and their portable, one time use BBQs (i haven't seen them in Canada, but they're so convienent and handy to have!), playing sports and chilling amongst their fellow students.

Aleks, the poser. Enough said :P

Marina (in her exquisite long and flowing dress!) and Franchoseeeeeee! These two hiked Scotland together over the Easter break--and I mean hiked with tents and everything the needed on their back! What troopers, I don't think I could do that.

The fab four! :) YAHHH!

haha, Kristian's never looking at the camera...it seems my eyes are too mesmorizing!

The fridge babes! You can't see, but on th fridge is our 4 names, spelled out. At first it was just me, Willa and Marina, but then Aleks came in and was upset she wasn't up there! hehe, so we included her.

Willa and Jacob (Norwegian) It was funny, when him and Alex signed up for the Wild Camping hiking trip, their names on the bus list had "international" beside them. Way to alienate them!! As if they were so strange they needed to be treatly differently. haha, but we just laughed about it!

I tried on Kristian's infamous long, army style jacket. Francois kept telling me to pose, but I couldn't stop laughing.

MUAH!!!!!

We all agree this is the best picture of us, so I just had to put it up!

Protecting myself on the hiking mini-bus. They were just in hte backseat, so I randomly put it on. Better safe than sorry :P

A beautiful sunset to start off the evening. Actually it was going after 10pm at this point. I can't believe how late the sunsets here!

The hikers!! Transported by the mini-bus: top left: Martin, Dave P, Siobahn, James, Sam, Willa, then me, Martin and Ma in front
what am I doing?!?!

Me, Ma, Martin

oh no! Dave fell asleep!

6.01.2006

Willa and Katherine's Excellent Adventure! -- Thursday June 1st

What started out as a very well planned day with loads of people turned into a rainy one, too early for most and ended up being me and Willa, the troopers! The two of us were out really late the night before, but I'm so grateful Willa followed through, because what a fabulous day!!! Being me, I missed the bus we needed out of the bus station in the city centre to catch out connecting bus in Ripon. We caught the next bus and unfortunately got into a little fender bender behind a driving school driver in Harrogate. Willa and I were on the second storey right at the front and were able to see how fast we needed to stop to avoid accident. We actually didn't hit the car, but the bus slammed so hard on its brakes that people were jolted around and after hearing much commotion downstairs I could see a man who practically bit off his bottom lip. My stomach went topsy turvy and the ambulance was called. I felt obligated to help, being a lifeguard and all, but they started escorting us off the bus to another one. He seemed quite calm, with another providing him with Kleenex and thankfully the ambulance soon arrived. I couldn't get that thought out of my head all day. It was pretty bad.

Right, so that wasn't the 'fabulous' part of the day, but some 10 minutes later Willa and I arrived at the gates to a stately home, only 25minutes outside of Leeds by bus!!! The only reason we stopped at Harewood House was because we knew we missed our connecting bus to Fountains Abbey and therefore could spare some time...turns out there was too little because I didn't want to leave Harewood House. At first I just wanted to see the house, but on the long road we were stopped to pay! UGH. Even for the grounds. That pissed me off..just the grounds!! But we got half off with our bus ticket. UNBELIEVEABLE it was!!! I understand why they make you pay for the grounds...it had the most extensive bird gardens, playgrounds and amusements for children, a lake, a riverboat, the most beautiful waterfall, a walled garden, the widest array of plants/flowers I've ever seen, including a large Asian inspired section. We spent the first hour walking around because the house did not open until 11am. The Bird gardens we complete with caged birds from ALL over the world--the Toucan, that large Red one w/ the raindow feathers, some really funny looking and cute ones, and to top it off, they even had PENGUINS!!!! Martin told us he went 4 times in his life, and all those times the penguins were on 'vacation' and not a home there. After he told us that, I consider myself VERY lucky! hehe. We ran, and I mean ran, to catch the tour at 11:30--we ventured too far in the gardens and it took us 15min to get back to the house!! That's just a small piece of how extensive the grounds were. Inside had the most ornate and detailed ceilings, vibrant wall colours with such delicate furniture. I was in heaven, it was sooooo beautiful!

We knew all good things come to an end, so we started the 15min. walk back to the road to catch another bus up to Ripon, the closest town to Fountains Abbey. Unfortunately we knew we missed the only bus out of Ripon to FA, so we started walking and eventually got a drive from 2 mothers and their 2 little girls. Fountains Abbey was an 11th century12th-century Cistercian Abbey and elegant ornamental Georgian water garden. It was HUGE! It dwarfed Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds, by far, for this is where the Cistercians came to live a simple life full of prayer and contemplation--very quiet and peaceful it must have been, because even in this day, there wasn't anything for miles!! Willa and I ate the rest of our lunch--french bread and cheese--we had to knaw off the cheese because we had no cutlery. I love it, Willa and I share everything! It's so much better that way--you have variety! After our lunch sitting on the ruins of the old building, we walked through the extensive river which was shaped ever so thoughtfully, with waterfalls and plungepools, fountains and symmetry. There were old Greecian like Temples in certain areas and memorials and statues that we didn't see the extent of. Oh well, time was a ticking and soon we were driving back to Ripon with a nice older couple who offered us a drive. Thank goodness, because I wasn't looking to the 4mile walk back....even it was was through the open countryside and deer park. My feet hurt and it was beyond 5 at this point. I went to Willa's for dinner that night--she cooks me food :) Marina and Francois soon joined us for another little dinner party like the fun night before! awwwwww these are the sweet memories and get togethers I shall miss the most!!

View from the house onto the back estate....DROOL** I stood there feeling as if I was in Pride and Prejudice! It was so surreal!

The penguins!!

The Himilayan Gardens, complete with this monument thing I forget the name of. Supposedly it's one of kind in England.

The most beautiful waterfall in the Asian inspired part of the gardens.

We couldn't resist dressing up as a servant...and it wasn't just for kids because there were adult sizes!!

FOUNTAINS ABBEY

I love tihs pic!

CREPES AND COOL WALLS!! -- Wed May 31st

After a day shopping for Willa and Marina's dresses/shoes SUCCESS was made!! And oh so pretty! We headed over to Francois after being an hour late--shopping's hard!! He made crepes for us and brought Nutella and jelly to eat them with! Francois was sweet enough to ask others in his block for contact solution b/c my contacts were so dry and REALLY bothering me. I washed up--it cleans underneath my finger nails--and got carried away, only to be invited back to clean again! haha. Even his flatmate noticed my cleaning and asked for me back! We headed to Willa's afterward to watch a couple episodes of Sex and the City, drinking our Belgium beer and chilling like villains before heading to Herdie (from hiking) house party. His place was fabulously decorated with multitudes of postcards and scenic pictures..wow. He's gotten around the globe!

Ma (rina)

Frenchie Francois and his yummy cooking--but if you call him French he'll give you a death look and a smack. He's from the south of Belgium you see, where they speak French.

Trying REALLY hard to open the bottle..Francois had to open mine in the end. I'm weak.

Willa is imitating me here...I kept looking into this dark bottle..as if I could see how much is left!?!?!

Herdie's cool wall