Off with a bang..

The last week has been an absolute blast. I still cannot believe the amazing experiences I am able to see and participate in. I probably will not entirely feel as if it has actually happened until much after it is finished. Insert some cliche about not knowing what you had until it's gone, right?

I have so much to share with you about what has been happening in London (and Paris)!! It will probably take multiple posts. Please be patient with me, I promise I'll be as quick with the multiple posts as possible. But just so you know, I have an absolutely amazing and hectic week ahead! I promise I will catch you up to where I am and what I have been doing by Friday! Deal? Good.

Last week Monday was the last you heard from me. I had arrived home from Brighton Sunday evening and woke up early Monday to do laundry before class and meat pies... and Sweeney Todd! I let you know a few spoilers that were coming up (to remind you: Sweeney Todd, Martinis at the 007 Bond Exhibit, Sweeney Todd-yes twice, and Paris), which means I will begin with class and musicals! In class, a few of us were able to choose our own museum to attend because where Alan was taking us, we had been already!
We headed to the National Portrait Gallery (the huge museum in the backdrop of almost every Trafalgar Square photograph you've ever seen). We were there until we could no longer walk. Yes, really. Then we headed to Covent Garden to meet others from our class to have dinner and a show! Meat pies and Sweeney Todd, what a deal! To my complete surprise, and maybe naivety, Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball were the two main leads. Fantastic. They killed the comedy and idea behind Sweeney Todd. We were literally in the last row of the theatre, and it did not even begin to matter. If you want to hear more details, shoot me an email or something on Facebook and I'd be happy to tell you more!! Initially, my ticket to Monday's show was supposed to go to one of my flatmates, Mona. However Mona developed strep throat over the weekend and was not well enough to attend. I picked up her spot instead, which meant I still had my ticket to see Sweeney Todd on Wednesday.. when Mona decided Tuesday she was well enough to work or do other activities outside of our room, we decided she would have my ticket! And Wednesday, I went with her to have (vegetarian) meat pies and take her to get my ticket from the box-office. It was the most perfect plan!

Tuesday after work, I headed back to the Barbican Centre-- more specifically the 007 Bond Exhibit. I met up with Jessica and Adrian and we went to fetch our shaken, not stirred martinis! Adrian and I went high class and got a Vesper, only to find we could hardly stomach the gin/vodka combination. It was so bitter, and so difficult to drink. Since it was £9, we finished every last drop, or call us recent college graduates because that's a popular truth! Jessica however, who has little experience with such strong drinks, gets the sweetest martini they had. I'm not sure I can speak for Adrian on this, but I certainly am still quite jealous about this one! Here I have photographs from the entry way, of Mr. Bond, James Bond himself. Also the cover of the brochure they gave along with the exhibit! ...and of course the Vesper drink!

Wednesday and Thursday I spent more time writing post cards (upwards of 20, and I'm still not finished!), updating my resume and cover letters with the intention of applying places this week and next. As many of you know or have heard, or read.. I am literally LOVING every single second that passes here in London. I've described it to some people as a love affair I'm not ready to let go of. Which is pretty darn clear because I'm refusing to count down to when I leave. However everyone keeps asking me when I'll be home! AHH What pressure. What will London think of my betrayal??

With our class on Friday, we were able to go on a tour of Kew Gardens in Kew, London, UK.

FIG TREE

LARGE GREENHOUSE THAT HOLDS
THE LARGEST INDOOR TREE IN THE WORLD!

It is a botanical gardens connected to what used to be the Royal Palace they put King George in when he was going crazy thinking he (England) could win agains the American Revolution--- oops. Sorry about that one King G!
The gardens themselves have just about every plant, tree, and flower possible. From all over the world. I'll include a few pictures here, but if you want to see all of the pictures I took, you'll have to head over to my Facebook page and check out my most recent London album: 'Life, Love, and the pursuit of London'.

LILLY PADS SO BIG, YOU
CAN FLOAT BABIES!

PRETTY ROSES IN THE ROSE GARDEN!

There were exhibits and sculptors of works from David Nash at the Gardens. They had a number of works displayed and you were able to see his works and what he is in the middle working on in the grounds. 

After leaving Kew Gardens, I headed back to our flat to finish packing for Paris. My train left at 6:30pm and I stayed with my Wisconsin neighbor, Emily! I'll put Paris on the next page! Look for the latest update in a day or so!!

*Quick reminder that if you are interested in a post card, please email me: marshcooke1@gmail.com so I can send you one from my next two weeks of travels!!
Cheers!!
Sarah Marsh