Showing posts with label london. Show all posts
Showing posts with label london. Show all posts
nostalgia part 2
"...in greek, “nostalgia” literally means “the pain from an old wound”.
it’s a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone.
this device isn’t a spaceship, it’s a time machine.
it goes backwards, forwards, takes us to a place where we ache to go again.
it’s not called the wheel. It’s called the carousel.
it lets us travel the way a child travels.
round and around, and back home again.
to a place where we know we are loved"
"sad days"
a phrase one of my flatmates would annoyingly always use.
unfortunately, it is too true lately because we just received word that they are thinking about ending the volunteer programme.
i'm honoured and proud to have been a part of an incredibly unique programme, but sad that there is a possibility that no one else will have this experience again, and we (the former volunteers) won't be interviewing and hosting the future volunteers. we'll hope for the best, but for now...sad days. =(
quite possibly their most favourite set of volunteers of all time...
unfortunately, it is too true lately because we just received word that they are thinking about ending the volunteer programme.
i'm honoured and proud to have been a part of an incredibly unique programme, but sad that there is a possibility that no one else will have this experience again, and we (the former volunteers) won't be interviewing and hosting the future volunteers. we'll hope for the best, but for now...sad days. =(
quite possibly their most favourite set of volunteers of all time...so...how was your summer?
that's such a difficult question to answer in passing conversation
the simple answers: AMAZING, UNFORGETTABLE, AWESOME (just to use a few adjectives)
more extensive, but still brief response:
i got to spend the summer in one of the best cities in the world at a most interesting time.
to be a bit more specific...
this summer....
- volunteered with such an amazing organisation and community
- england went smoke-free in bars, restaurants, etc.
- tony blair concluded his time as the leader of the u.k.
- gordon brown came in as prime minister with people driving cars into night clubs and airport terminals
- the last book of the harry potter series came out
- saw a wonder of the world (stonehenge)
- england had the rainiest summer on record EVER which mysteriously coincided with "umbrella" being the #1 song on the pop charts
- didn't see fireworks on independence day, but watched andy roddick, venus & serena, maria sharapova, and others play on centre court at wimbledon
- went to a west end play co-starring orlando bloom
- saw works of art by van gogh, picasso, dali, degas, monet, and manet
- partied at the same club that diddy was at
- walked across the abbey rd. zebra crossing (pedestrian crosswalk) of beatles fame
- travelled to three other countries
- finally added seven stamps to my formerly empty passport
so yah, i had a pretty decent summer. and yes, of course i miss london. sometimes i find myself looking the other direction when i cross the street (not very safe...haha) or searching for the @ symbol where the " is (because they are switched on u.k. keyboards) or pondering how there are blue skies everyday.
different things in the media especially remind me a lot of london. i'm realising now there are a lot of references to it. the day after i arrived at lax, i went to watch "the bourne ultimatum" with my parents and aunt, and there was a huge sequence that was at waterloo station and another part in madrid. then while getting caught up on entourage episodes all this week, loads of english references: vince bets on the premier football club manchester united, e's favourite city is london, and finally on the latest episode kanye's marquis jet is originally london-bound.
it's good to be home too. and to laugh among familiar faces over gallon pitchers at the bears lair and say "tastes like college." =D
this concludes the london edition. as you can see from the title this is now "camilleeon chronicles - the unemployed & half-marathon training edition." haha...that's what i'm up to for the next two months, so hit me up to go for a run...or just chill. <3
the simple answers: AMAZING, UNFORGETTABLE, AWESOME (just to use a few adjectives)
more extensive, but still brief response:
i got to spend the summer in one of the best cities in the world at a most interesting time.
to be a bit more specific...
this summer....
- volunteered with such an amazing organisation and community
- england went smoke-free in bars, restaurants, etc.
- tony blair concluded his time as the leader of the u.k.
- gordon brown came in as prime minister with people driving cars into night clubs and airport terminals
- the last book of the harry potter series came out
- saw a wonder of the world (stonehenge)
- england had the rainiest summer on record EVER which mysteriously coincided with "umbrella" being the #1 song on the pop charts
- didn't see fireworks on independence day, but watched andy roddick, venus & serena, maria sharapova, and others play on centre court at wimbledon
- went to a west end play co-starring orlando bloom
- saw works of art by van gogh, picasso, dali, degas, monet, and manet
- partied at the same club that diddy was at
- walked across the abbey rd. zebra crossing (pedestrian crosswalk) of beatles fame
- travelled to three other countries
- finally added seven stamps to my formerly empty passport
so yah, i had a pretty decent summer. and yes, of course i miss london. sometimes i find myself looking the other direction when i cross the street (not very safe...haha) or searching for the @ symbol where the " is (because they are switched on u.k. keyboards) or pondering how there are blue skies everyday.
different things in the media especially remind me a lot of london. i'm realising now there are a lot of references to it. the day after i arrived at lax, i went to watch "the bourne ultimatum" with my parents and aunt, and there was a huge sequence that was at waterloo station and another part in madrid. then while getting caught up on entourage episodes all this week, loads of english references: vince bets on the premier football club manchester united, e's favourite city is london, and finally on the latest episode kanye's marquis jet is originally london-bound.
it's good to be home too. and to laugh among familiar faces over gallon pitchers at the bears lair and say "tastes like college." =D
this concludes the london edition. as you can see from the title this is now "camilleeon chronicles - the unemployed & half-marathon training edition." haha...that's what i'm up to for the next two months, so hit me up to go for a run...or just chill. <3
the last night
so this is it...the end of one of the most amazing adventures ever
at the start of my volunteer placement when i was telling joshy how much i was enjoying london, he asked "would you ever live there?"
the main reasons i said no at first was family, costs, and weather. but now considering it again, i think i would say "yah, it would be a an amazing place to be living at this point in my life." i have cousins only an hour plane ride to ireland. and it would be okay if i was making london money. finally the weather...well that's out of my hands.
london, i'll have to come back to you on different terms...but stay classic and cosmopolitan. it's been an unforgettable run. i'll considering you one of my homes away from home, always.
and to add to my abroad adorations...the travels to spain and ireland have made me realize why people love travelling so much. italy & france, i'll have to come back to check you out (when i have the $$ and vacation time).
but for the mean time...starting at 11:55am (BST), it's 11 hours non-stop: heathrow to lax.
californiaaaaaa....here we come!
p.s. if you are in the l.a. vicininity on monday evening, please have dinner with vaughn & me.
one last CHEERS! from the great city of london
at the start of my volunteer placement when i was telling joshy how much i was enjoying london, he asked "would you ever live there?"
the main reasons i said no at first was family, costs, and weather. but now considering it again, i think i would say "yah, it would be a an amazing place to be living at this point in my life." i have cousins only an hour plane ride to ireland. and it would be okay if i was making london money. finally the weather...well that's out of my hands.
london, i'll have to come back to you on different terms...but stay classic and cosmopolitan. it's been an unforgettable run. i'll considering you one of my homes away from home, always.
and to add to my abroad adorations...the travels to spain and ireland have made me realize why people love travelling so much. italy & france, i'll have to come back to check you out (when i have the $$ and vacation time).
but for the mean time...starting at 11:55am (BST), it's 11 hours non-stop: heathrow to lax.
californiaaaaaa....here we come!
p.s. if you are in the l.a. vicininity on monday evening, please have dinner with vaughn & me.
one last CHEERS! from the great city of london
baby, baby, baby tell me what's up...
oh spain, you will be remembered fondly
and ibiza...OHH
but currently chilling out away from any cities, discos, and hectic public transportations systems in the countryside of west ireland
not updated since orlando, but my flickr link is here
and ibiza...OHH
but currently chilling out away from any cities, discos, and hectic public transportations systems in the countryside of west ireland
not updated since orlando, but my flickr link is here
iHola from España!
The past week has been bittersweet, ending our volunteer placements and starting new adventures around Europe on our own.
Barcelona is the complete opposite of London in terms of weather, language, food, and pace.
Seis amigos en españa!
(this is actually us after we just watched orlando bloom in a play in london and watched him drive away...see my flickr pictures!)
Barcelona is the complete opposite of London in terms of weather, language, food, and pace.
Seis amigos en españa!
(this is actually us after we just watched orlando bloom in a play in london and watched him drive away...see my flickr pictures!)for now...
...i am still in london
...i am so glad i watched avenue q tonight, freakin hilarious muppet ish
...bush is still our president =(
...i often think i escaped from certain responsibilities and situations that await me when i return in a month
...a part of me hurts when even half way across the world the philippines is associated with internet "chat buddies" and girls who apparently just want to get a passport
...i love the quote "purpose, it's that little flame that lights a fire under your ass"
...i am off to bath & stonehenge for the weekend
...i am so glad i watched avenue q tonight, freakin hilarious muppet ish
...bush is still our president =(
...i often think i escaped from certain responsibilities and situations that await me when i return in a month
...a part of me hurts when even half way across the world the philippines is associated with internet "chat buddies" and girls who apparently just want to get a passport
...i love the quote "purpose, it's that little flame that lights a fire under your ass"
...i am off to bath & stonehenge for the weekend
how i feel about london...
...and a lot of other things.
do you ever get hyped up to go out somewhere...only to find that once you're there, you're tired of the hustle and just want to fall into the comfort of your own bed?
on a very rare occasion, this feeling brings me to wish i was where i know i am completely myself, situated in a place i call home, and among people who really have come to know what i'm about.
but then i remind myself, isn't this the best part of travelling the world: meeting new people, looking through different lenses, seeing what else is out there, and challenging yourself?
and this allows me to enjoy this unique experience of which i am incredibly grateful for.
it's just been something i've been thinking about recently ever since i read a brilliant blog that roxanne wrote. here's a little excerpt:
(that was thoroughly sentimental for a travel blog...
off to amsterdam for the weekend with vaughn & some of the other volunteers!
leave comments :P)
do you ever get hyped up to go out somewhere...only to find that once you're there, you're tired of the hustle and just want to fall into the comfort of your own bed?
on a very rare occasion, this feeling brings me to wish i was where i know i am completely myself, situated in a place i call home, and among people who really have come to know what i'm about.
but then i remind myself, isn't this the best part of travelling the world: meeting new people, looking through different lenses, seeing what else is out there, and challenging yourself?
and this allows me to enjoy this unique experience of which i am incredibly grateful for.
it's just been something i've been thinking about recently ever since i read a brilliant blog that roxanne wrote. here's a little excerpt:
"Your eyes can miss someone's smile, your sense of smell can miss the fragrance of someone's cologne or perfume, your ears can miss someone's voice calling out our name to get your attention, your sense of touch can miss someone's reassuring hand, and you can miss the taste of someone's playful kiss. Your entire body can miss someone- incorporate all those senses and feelings, and you not only miss the emotions that you've felt because of them, but your body misses their embrace, their heat, their very physical presence. You not only miss the things you did together, but you miss the person, the individual. You remember and miss the way someone made your heart smile, even though they may have made your heart cry. Still, that smile is something that you will always remember, and that person is someone you will always miss when you are apart."so i guess what i'm trying to say is that it's not that i'm homesick, it's that i sincerely with all my heart miss you wonderful people.
(that was thoroughly sentimental for a travel blog...
off to amsterdam for the weekend with vaughn & some of the other volunteers!
leave comments :P)
wimbledon: day 9
i really suck at updating this blog, but needed to share how i spent yesterday in the country we broke free from...
centre court for day 9 of wimbledon 2007!
maria!
serena
well worth queuing up at 6:15am and paying an obscene amount of money but you know...
...when in london!
well worth queuing up at 6:15am and paying an obscene amount of money but you know...FAQs of life
how long are you there?/when did you leave?/when are you coming back?
my flight left OAK at 6:25am PST on the 13th of june, with a stopover in chicago where i met up with vaughn. after a 2 hour delay, we finally arrived at laguardia at around 8:30pm EST. then on june 14th, we left jfk at 8:30pm, arriving at heathrowi am in europe for 9 weeks and have a non-stop flight from heathrow to lax on august the 19th.
what is the time difference?
i am 8 hours ahead of pacific standard time. (so when most of you are getting to work, i will just be getting off of work)
why were you in nyc?
vaughn & i wanted to spend a day, and then we had a reception and volunteer orientation.
what are you doing in london?
i am working at a day center for people who have had mental health issues. it's not a clinic...we don't even necessarily know what medical conditions people have. the clubhouse is divided in 4 "units": admin & training, education & employment, catering, and finally house & garden. it's more about engaging the members in running the house making them feel productive, building their confidence, and transitioning them back into everyday living. when i tell people this, they have responded with, "oh how interesting..." or "wow, you're working with crazy people," but really for my own personal reasons i'm very glad i got this placement. i feel like the mentally ill are often stigmatized as being dangerous. working has been great, you'd be surprised by how friendly, knowledgeable, and sweet everyone is here.
on a random closing note...
today is not my day...silly me, i set off the smoke detector this morning after baking bacon causing the fire brigade to come, and to top it off my phone got jacked...
but it's okay because there are far worst things that could happen in life
so i'll count the pleasures that brought me joy...
wimbledon on bbc1 and maria sharapova (so intense but still gorgeous, makes me want to play more tennis)
st paul's cathedral, millennnium bridge, and the thames at dusk/evening (best views of london thus far)
i'm nearing almost two weeks of my stay here and all i can say is that this experience will definitely be a test to my perseverance, patience, and most of all my independence. everyone reminds me to pray.
i already miss you all! until next time!
my flight left OAK at 6:25am PST on the 13th of june, with a stopover in chicago where i met up with vaughn. after a 2 hour delay, we finally arrived at laguardia at around 8:30pm EST. then on june 14th, we left jfk at 8:30pm, arriving at heathrowi am in europe for 9 weeks and have a non-stop flight from heathrow to lax on august the 19th.
what is the time difference?
i am 8 hours ahead of pacific standard time. (so when most of you are getting to work, i will just be getting off of work)
why were you in nyc?
vaughn & i wanted to spend a day, and then we had a reception and volunteer orientation.
what are you doing in london?
i am working at a day center for people who have had mental health issues. it's not a clinic...we don't even necessarily know what medical conditions people have. the clubhouse is divided in 4 "units": admin & training, education & employment, catering, and finally house & garden. it's more about engaging the members in running the house making them feel productive, building their confidence, and transitioning them back into everyday living. when i tell people this, they have responded with, "oh how interesting..." or "wow, you're working with crazy people," but really for my own personal reasons i'm very glad i got this placement. i feel like the mentally ill are often stigmatized as being dangerous. working has been great, you'd be surprised by how friendly, knowledgeable, and sweet everyone is here.
on a random closing note...
today is not my day...silly me, i set off the smoke detector this morning after baking bacon causing the fire brigade to come, and to top it off my phone got jacked...
but it's okay because there are far worst things that could happen in life
so i'll count the pleasures that brought me joy...
wimbledon on bbc1 and maria sharapova (so intense but still gorgeous, makes me want to play more tennis)
st paul's cathedral, millennnium bridge, and the thames at dusk/evening (best views of london thus far)
i'm nearing almost two weeks of my stay here and all i can say is that this experience will definitely be a test to my perseverance, patience, and most of all my independence. everyone reminds me to pray.
i already miss you all! until next time!
oh my god i can't believe it...
...i've never been this far away from home
welcome to the camilleeon chronicles - london edition!
yes it's true...after all the talk about coming over here, i am now living on the other side of the world. and finally you can get all the ups, down, ins, outs of my life in london on this blog.
this is just a starter entry to let you know what's up.
and if you get bored with this, check out some pics.
welcome to the camilleeon chronicles - london edition!
yes it's true...after all the talk about coming over here, i am now living on the other side of the world. and finally you can get all the ups, down, ins, outs of my life in london on this blog.
this is just a starter entry to let you know what's up.
and if you get bored with this, check out some pics.
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