Overloading

Man, so much I've been up to since my last post. I'm sure I've forgotten a lot of it but I'm still smiling so I guess that's a good sign. I've seen musicals, plays, street bands, archers and pubs (of course). Most significant events the past week or so...our first trip with the London Centre.

This past weekend we spent two days in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford. What an incredible trip! We visited the castle at Warwick which dates back to William the Conqueror. What just blows me away is how old everything is and how it doesn't seem to affect the natives. I guess if I lived here all my life something nearly 1,000 years old would seem pretty typical...
We mostly wandered about the castle. They keep it up very nice for the all the tours. The most memorable event of the day (sorry Laura) was Laura being quite smitten for the archer doing a Bowman demonstration. We never caught his name but Andrew dubbed him "Cupid McDreamy" This may be my last post because I'm sure Laura is going to kill me. Since I'm already marked if you happen to see her feel free to bust out "You Give Love a Bad Name"

It was pretty miserable weather all day. The rain didn't really stop so what a better time for a cup of tea! We stopped at a tea house for a drink and soup. Now I know why they love it here. There's nothing better than a cup of tea on a dreary day. On to Stratford!

Oh Stratford...birthplace of Shakespeare. It was a really nice town. Felt good to get out of the big city...and a lot cheaper. We went to the church and took a walk around town. The highlight of the day was seeing a Shakespeare play, Midsummer Night's Dream. As the Irish say, Absolutely fab. It was hilarious. Just like watching a Monty Python bit. I had read the play and seen part of a movie and was not really looking forward to it but it was very mordern and fresh rendition. Afterwards we went to a pub a few doors down that all the actors go to after shows. I left by the time most of the cast showed up because at this point I was basically swimming in my shoes.

We stayed at a B&B that night. The next morning both my socks were nearly dry but itwas great to have a proper English breakfast. We only had a few hours to wander about so we hit up a little market and ate a pub. mmm Steak pie in a beer gravy with chips. Delicious. That afternoon we took the coach to Oxford.

Man what a great town. All the colleges are disperesed through out the whole town. Their all in these medieval churches. We wandered around in a pretty good sized group but eventually split up. By the end of the day it was me, Erin and Robin. Best stop of the day... a bakery. I bought a Grand Venetian Finger. Basically the size of a half-Wegman's sub, each side dipped in chocolate. Oh...my...God. Enough about that. We got back on the coach, I fell asleep and we were back in London. YAY

The next day I went out to play softball with a bunch of ex-Pats (mainly buisnessmen and Bill) in Hyde Park. I'll be smug for a minute and say I ROCKED!!!! My moment came in the 5th when I slammed a home run. My luck has followed me and I was published in the widely-read (throughout the London Centre) publication, Skint. I just can't get away from the publicity :P. Bill wrote a nice article. Later that evening we went to see a football game. It's a lot less boring than on tv! The fans were pretty much the main attraction. They have so many chants and songs...typically directed at the other team and their fans. The most memorable was (to the tune of the grandfather clock chime) "Sit down shut up, Sit down shut up..."

Aaaand that was my weekend. Phew. I crashed pretty early that night.

This past week I started my internship. We're doing demonstrations next week but I met the other teachers I'll be working with. I picked up a trombone yesterday and Erin helped me learn a few tunes. Also played the Mozart Requiem lick with her. Good times. Well, I figured I should update this because 1) it's been a long time and 2) I'm going on holiday this weekend. Mike, Andrew and I are heading to Salzburg tonight! Mike's birthday is tomorrow so we figured we should have a proper celebration. Saturday is what I'm looking forward to most. OKTOBERFEST!! We going in on the opening day so hopefully we'll see the tapping of the keg by the Mayor of Munich. Well, I'm off. I'll see you on the other side of the beer stein.

Cheers
O