Michigan Love

I was raised in Michigan, where you can use your hand as a map. Where Tim Allen, Ted Nugent, Madonna, Alice Cooper, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger, Eminem, Motown and Kid Rock are from. We visit Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Mackinac Island, Saugatuck, Traverse City, Leland or drive across the bridge. We love Faygo, Better Made potato chips, Vernors, Lions, Red Wings, Pistons and Tigers! We swim in lakes and camp. And we all call soda "POP"! 

Got me some new trainers and knickers

Today was a lovely day after such an exhausting week at work.  I worked at least 70 hours last week - maybe more?  Anyways - I was happy to turn in for some NON-WORK fun.  This led me to Winchester - which is south west of Guildford.  The train ride was just under an hour to get there - so pretty close.  I was recommended to go here by a co-worker and since I didn't have any other plans - why not?

The town was very similar to Guildford I felt.  Same size - maybe smaller and similar types of shops.  The first shop I went into is called BLACKS and it's sort of a similar store to Dick's sporting goods only WAY smaller.  they have outdoor gear etc.  I checked out their TRAINERS since I needed a pair.  They had an excellent sale going on and I got a pair of walking new balance trainers for 20 QUID!  I was very excited and cannot wait to wear them out tomorrow.  After my shopping - I already had 1 too many bags on my hand so I figured I better see the sights first and then carry on with shopping.  I went to this old ruins of a castle and then checked out the Cathedral!  The cathedral wasn't too much to look at from the outside, so of course once I stepped inside I was rather shocked by it's beauty!  I walked around there for about 30 minutes or so. Very nice!  After this and a little more walking around I headed back to Guildford and still had time to stop at the fruit market in town for some cheap eats for the week.

I went out for some fruit - dropped it off at home and then went back out to buy myself some knickers!  LOL.

Update on Future Trips!

Here is the new schedule

TRIPS 2011:
Jan 1 - 3rd - Grand Canyon, Utah, & Los Angeles, CA
Jan 14 - 17th - Denver, CO
Feb 26th - London
Feb 27th - Stonehenge & Salisburg, UK
March 5th - Brighton, UK
March 12th – Bath, UK
March 13th - Oxford & Blenheim Palace
March 18-20 - Oslo, Norway
March 25 & 26 - Stockholm, Sweden

April 2 & 3 – Palma de Mallorca, Spain

April 9 & 10 – HOME

April 13 & 14 – Milan, Italy
April 15 - 17th – Amsterdam, Netherlands (Tulips)
April 22 - May 3nd - Australia
May 2nd - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
May 6 & 7 - Dublin, Ireland
May 14 & 15 - Zurich, Switzerland
May 21 & 22 - Bologna, Italy
May 27 - 30 - Edinburgh, Scotland

Jun 4 – Portobello Rd. Market, London

Jun 5 – Guildford Shopping

Jun 10 – 12 – Prague, Czech Republic
Jun 17 - 19 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Jun 24 – 28 – Cinque Terre, Italy

Jul 2 – Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover

Jul 3 - London

Jul 9 & 10 – Paris, France (Liz & Sara Here)

Jul 16 & 17 – (Liz & Sara Here)

Jul 23 & 24 – Brussels & Gent, Belgium

Jul 30 – Cambridge & Camden Town

Aug 6 & 7 - Iceland

Aug 13 – York & Leeds

          Aug 20 – Bristol & Cardiff?

Aug 21 –

Aug 26 – 29 – Helsinki, Finland & St. Petersburg, Russia

Sep 3 & 4 – Megan Here (arrives on 1/9 – 11/9)

Sep 10 & 11 – Megan Here

Sep 17 & 18 – Gothenburg, Sweden

Sep 24 & 25 – Edinburgh, UK - Rachel Here (arrives on 23/9 – 3/10)

Oct 1 & 2 – Paris, France - (Rachel Here)

Oct 8 & 9 – Romania

Oct 15 & 16 – Moldova

Oct 22 & 23 – Ukraine

Oct 29 & 30 – Geneva, Switzerland

Nov 5 & 6 – Nice, France

Nov 7 – Photography Class (Mon 6-9pm)

Nov 12 & 13 – Lisbon, Portugal

Nov 19 & 20 – Rome, Italy

Nov 26 & 27 – Faro, Portugal / Seville, Spain

Dec 3 & 4 – Vienna, Austria

Dec 10 & 11 – Munich, Germany

Dec 17 & 18 - ??

Dec 24 & 25 – Michigan, USA (depart 20/12 - ??)

Leeds Market

Well after York I ventured to Leeds for a few hours.  There was nothing spectacular about this city however it did have an AMAZING market!  I love markets - and was so glad to stumble upon it since it was right next to the bus station!  Supposively it's the largest in the UK!  It was very massive, there was a large bit outside and then a space that was about 5 times the bit outside which was INSIDE!  I could belive it and I walked around for a few hours just staring and listening and people watching.  After noting all of the sweet deals on the produce and the fact that I had an empty fridge, I decided to buy myself a cute little trolley and fill it up with some produce!  YUMMY!  I had this one old lady comment and ask me where I bought my trolley because she wanted to get one just like it!  HAHA.  If i lived in Leeds, I would save so much money if I went to this market all of the time!  They had other things besides food too - which were also very good deals!  It was just nice to wander around

A Day in York!

Yesterday my travels took me to York!  A very cute British historic city.  I took the night bus up from London on Friday night and got to York in the wee morning hours.  It was still a little dark outside so luckily enough, the bus stop was right next to the train station so I was able to go in there for some shelter and took a little nap in the waiting room!  My neck was really sore after the cat nap!  Then I went to my favorite train station coffee place ''Upper Crust'' and to my surprise the coffee machine was broken - so I went from their little mini stand to there full restaurant and got a FREE coffee!  Ok lucky day now.

It was now about 630 so I wandered off into the the city and walked and walked and walked and waited and waited for the city to come ALIVE!  I got some good pictures though I must admit while there was nooone on the streets.  I went to York Minster Abbey first - of course my love for Churchs and Cathedrals.  I ended up walking all around and then came back around 9 and went inside and bought my ticket to climb the tower of almost 300 steps!  Before I did that though, I climbed the steps up to Cliffords Tower which was a look-out in the historic days over the York Castle!  After these two things - I was done with York and headed for the train station to LEEDS!  Here are some clips of York

Cliffords Tower

 Inside York Minister

 York Minister

 Inside Cliffords Tower

 View from top of Cliffords Tower

 York Abbey - Clear Blue Skies!

 Mid-Way through the climb to the top!

 On top of York Minister!  The breeze felt good

 To climb the wall surrounding the city!  Yes I also walked this

Icelandic Experience!

This past weekend I enjoyed Iceland!  Not a lot of people EVER go here so I felt really priveledged that I had this great opportunity!  The weather turned out great, the people were overly nice and the landscape and beauty of the country took me away!  I will definitely be coming back here and when I do I will rent a car and do more of the country!  The country was kind of like a mix between some other places that I have recently traveled:  YellowStone Nat'l Park and Alaska!  This country is definitely one of a kind and I suggest that everyone go here ASAP.

Gulfoss Falls

 Strokkur Geysir

 Sunset while attempt at Whale Watching

 Glacier Pools - Jökulsárlón

 Blue Lagoon

Greek Yogurt

I'm officially addicted to this stuff!  Well that is the 0% fat kind!  I buy these pots of yogurt which are 200 g.  In the entire thing there isn't even 2 weight watcher points (they have about zero sugar in them which is very good)!  So what I do is split it in half - then add in a 125 g weight watcher brand of flavoured yogurt and then some fruit - raspberries and blackberries are my favorite for this and it's not even a 3 point snack/meal and it's so filling and delicious!  How come I never tried greek yogurt at home?  It's a little expensive for these pots - but I don't care!  My grocery bills are already excessive since pretty much all I eat is fruit, veg, and yogurt!  I'm so scared for winter time - I'm going to have to resort to apples and bananas because everything else that I love (BERRIES) will be super expensive!  Or better idea - just lose weight and quit dieting then.  HAHA  - yah right.

I weighed in today and stayed flat over the course of 2 weeks.  I couldn't go last week since I was in Belgium for work.  I consider this staying flat that I'm at least - keeping with it.  I enjoyed myself a little in Belgium with a few beers and not quite DIET meals.  However this past week at home I've been a bit naughty; but I must carry on!

Time to join the GYM?  Yes - I think my weight will plateau if I don't; well in fact I do believe it is unless I starve myself.  This is where I'm considering -- http://www.thegymgroup.com/gyms/guildford/

Hot & Humid in the UK -- or NOT!

Well today was a bloody lovely day - by all means - however it was not ''Hot & Humid'' as the newspaper, TV, and TRAIN STATION recording all noted.

The British freak out I think when the mercury reaches past 25 C - which is about 77 F degrees.

As I'm on my way to work I read the paper about how it was so hot this weekend that families had to vacate their homes to the coastlines and beaches.

At work - some of my colleagues didn't even want to go outside because it was too hot

At the train station - I'm waiting for my late train and I overhear on the loud speaker ''Attention this is a Heat Advisory - if you are feeling dehyrdrated please remember to drink a lot of water during these high temperatures.  If you are feeling ill do not board a train and if you are on a train and feel ill do not pull the emergency alarm''

On the BBC news weather - hot and humid today and tomorrow is going to be another scorcher!

Well I would like to remind all that today was a GORGEOUS day.  Mildly warm - but by all means not hot!  I loved today.  Its just funny how people have different opinions of weather!  My favorite part of the day was the loud speaker at the train station though!  Priceless