A bit of everything....

I am just a breath away from saying good bye to London for quite a while and so I have been packing in as much as possible.  I think this has been the most random week and a half that I have had so far here.  There has been everything from a quiet night in to a boat race on the thames.  Multiple theater trips, to drinks in Soho out of tea cups after being a plus one at a CD launch party.  Seriously where do I even start with all this randomness.  Anyone who ever says that there is nothing to do or gets board in London needs to get their head checked because there is always something crazy and amazing to get into.  It can usually be done for not a huge amount of money also.  Ok well, I guess I will start with the Great River Race.  This was

The crew racing down the river!

an amazing day for a great cause.  Most of you have heard me speak about my lovely friend George.  If you don't know about him let me tell you.  He is an amazing young man who happens to have autism.  I met George 2 years ago when I started my adventure over here in London and my life as been changed for the better because of knowing him.  The school he attends was in need of some funding so his mum got a group together to raise funds and do the Great River Race.  This race is 21 miles down the Thames ending just outside of Richmond.  Now this is

Amazing George!

 not a leisurely row down the river drinking champagne and eating grapes it is hard core.  I was amazed watching.  My good friend Helly was also rowing in this boat as a part of the crew so I had 3 good friends in the boat to cheer on.  Will (Helly's boyfriend) and I met up at 3 different spots through out the day to watch the boat go by.  As the boat moved by each spot we would just leap in the air shouting and cheering.  My favorite bit was when our lovely friends in the boat would try and wave with their oar.  They did accomplish it each time with out dropping the oar.  It was really an exciting and inspiring day.  We had gorgeous weather which was a bonus.  At the finish of the race we all met up and hung out for a bit by the water.  The crew was feeling the effects of the day and many of them were unable to bend down or really move at all.  They had worked so hard but it was all worth it.  They raised all the money they had tried to get plus some which was great.  George enjoyed the race day immensely as you can see by to way he is devouring his ice cream.  It was really cool seeing so many people from this huge city lining the banks of the river to

Camden Market

cheer on all these people racing for many different reasons.  Warmed my heart!  We celebrated late into the night and each person who was involved deserved it.  The next morning/afternoon after a bit of a lie in the day took us to Camden Market.  This is one of the very famous markets in London and I had never been so Lauren and I headed down there to meet her friend Jack for a meal and a bit of a wander.  There was everything from cheesy souvenirs to beautiful hand made jewelry.  Lauren was on a bit of an earring hunt and we found the perfect pair that suited her and I am pretty sure she hasn't taken them off since she purchased them.  There was some great people watching too.  Apparently they are known for their punk scene.  There even was a couple of classic punks sitting on a bridge there with a sign saying take a photo with a punk for cash.  Cracked me up.  After the day out I just crashed.  I had been going pretty hard all week and needed to take a break.  I curled up in bed,

Matilda the Musical.

watched some Law and Order (UK of course) and rested up for the rest of the week.  This trip over I have been hooked on theater.  On my other times here I haven't taken advantage of it enough.  This time I am doing it right.  At this moment I have been to 6 shows and I am not finished yet.  All have been new shows for me except for Wicked which I did see in San Diego but there is just something different about seeing it in a theater that is fully set just for that show.  I found my self getting goose bumps during the show.  Ok so as I said I saw Wicked then followed it up the next day with another old Globe show...MidSummers Nights Dream

Best Play in London!

 which was beyond my expectations.  This week I have enjoyed another musical...Matilda.  Yes it is based on the book with that adorable little girl who has horrible parents and can make things move with her mind.  It was so adorable.  The little girl who played Matilda was really great.  Now my favorite play that I have seen here so far I just saw the other day and it is called The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night-time.  I read the book quite a few years ago on the recommendation of my sister in law and loved it.  When I saw that it was now a play I was hesitant but it had good reviews and I loved the book so much I figured I needed to give it a try.  I am so glad I did.  They way they did it was very contemporary but not over the top.  The main actor who played Christopher captured the essence of his character beautiful.  I was left at the end of the play wanting more.  So great.  Luckily that night was followed up with even more good times.  My friend Polly had asked me to be her plus one at the CD launch party for The Temperance Movement.  If you don't know who they are get to know them.  Sometimes I find it had to get into a band live if I don't know the music but they hooked me from the first moment.  I can't wait for the CD

Life is a blur sometimes but I just have to smile and dive in!

release so I can get it.  Make sure you check them out...you wont be disappointed.  The after party was at this little underground bar where they served cocktails in tea cups.  Not like the punch bowl tea cups you can get in my favorite bars in San Diego but proper tea cups and saucers.  It was really cute.  We spent the evening drinking champagne and by the end of the night I was thinking how in the world did I end up here with this life...someones plus one at a launch party drinking champagne all night in a swanky cocktail bar in London.  Unreal!
I do feel like my life here is moving so quickly it blurs behind me sometimes.  Not sure if I am just standing still and life is happening around me or if I dove in and am a part of the blur.  I have only a few short days left here is this glorious city...I guess I better make sure dive in head first and get all that I can!