Mall to boat

I got in quite late last night, so again I had no conscious time to blog. I was pretty much gone as soon as I touched the bed.

Yeaterday we went to Tyson's shopping mall. But before that, had a big American style brunch.. I'm talking eggs (fried and drenched in bacon fat), bacon, hash browns, fried bread, fresh fruit.. The works. Too much for me though.. Seeing as though I've been used to not eating a lot for the past few months! But totally yummy.

So, we went to the mall. And this is the biggest mall/shopping centre I have ever seen in my life. It was like the bullring x 5?? Crazy. Too big though. I genuinely could not pick one item of clothing. There was too much of everything. And seeing as thought I am the most indecisive person I know, this mall was no good for me! I did manage to find a couple of presents for people though.. So it wasn't a total fail shopping trip! I also managed to get half off in a shop where Daniels friend works.. so another pro.

We got hungry. Daniel had been telling me about things called cinnabons from pretty much the first day I got here. He's obsessed with them. So he went and got one and wolfed it down. I on the other hand had already looked up its calorie content (I know, freak) and I decided I'm not willing to spend half my daily calorie consumption on one bun! I did have a bite though and Jesus Christ.. Now I know why the majority of America are on mobility scooters! It was incredible.

I decided to go ever so slightly healthier and have another frozen yoghurt.. Especially after that breakfast! (..Daniel had one too.)

So, after purchasing some Mac make up, a few sweets from the candy store and a gander round Macy's...We were pretty much good to go.

And just to top off my oh so healthy day I finally ate my Georgetown cupcake which I had been saving. Although maybe not as good as it would be fresh.. It was pretty damn amazing. I wish I could bring you one back, Brit.

Next, I was pretty much straight out the door to spend an evening with the other son, William and his friends by the lake. One of his friends lives right on it with a boat.. And these houses are amazing.. Basically on stilts, with balconies and gigantic glass windows! They all had just bought fresh crab from the market, (gross!) so they hammered away at these poor little guys and ate like a gazillion of them. Wasn't loving the sight of them all pulling out crab lungs and hearts to be honest.. But after, we went on their pontoon boat, which made up for it. It wasn't a very nice evening, weather wise, as it kept having on and off bursts of rain as well as being horrifically humid.. But in all, it was good fun. I started to get really tired though around 11pm when they all decided they wanted to play beer pong. Usually, I'd be all up for playing it.. But seriously, my head was aching and my eyes were dropping! Luckily, William was tired also, so he dropped me home. Hah party pooper much? They were all 25 though (aka able to drink and go out into DC) and I was obviously not (being underage and all..) So they all went out into town, while I tucked myself up in bed. Pah.


That was pretty much my day and night.

So today, we have decided to make it a rest day because I have a couple of VERY exciting days ahead of me!! Going to need to fuel up!

I might blog later.. Depends if I have done anything worth telling you about.

May need to 'insanity' it.


Hola'

P.S oh yeah James I don't know of they were Hannah's head phones but look at the picture below and see. Are they ones you want?

Baby's Day Out

Yesterday was extremely tiring, so I wasn't conscious enough last night to write a blog post. So this morning will have to do.. It might always have to be this way if I'm constantly as busy as I have been!

So yeah, yesterday was a day I had to myself. Daniel was studying, so I went into the town centre by myself. The metro is simple, so getting there wasn't the problem. Once I was there, then I had a problem. Washington DC is absolutely massive. The buildings are massive. The roads are massive. As soon as I got off that metro (and as a British female who is directionally challenged), I had no idea where I was. So I just walked until I found a map.. which was a good 20 minutes or so.

I then somehow came across the Natural History Museum, which was absolutely incredible! I mean, as soon as I walked in..there was a dock off elephant just chilling in the middle of the room! (Obviously not real.. But it was very life-like). So I moved through the rooms and saw a variety of things; African/Australian/American/Arctic animals, ocean life, fossils, dinosaurs, rocks, gems, diamonds- absolutely tonnes of awesome stuff (few picture below). I felt/looked a bit weird going around on my own, but it was kind of nice to just read things in detail and for once stay silent for a bit :)

Next, I really wanted to go to the National Art Gallery, so I looked at the map and decided getting around was easy peasy. So I walked up to this huge extravagant building, waited in line for about 15 minutes and then ended up in this massive white hall with signs saying things like 'learning centre', 'rotunda', 'public vaults'.. and I was just thinking what the !£&#*?! And so I continued through the building looking as though I wanted to be here and went through rooms that were full of like old American immigration documents and a whole load of stuff I just didn't get... I looked at the leaflet that I grabbed at the entrance and it said 'The National Archives Experience'.. What the hell what is this?! So I tried to find my way out and came across the 'Magna Carta'.. Okay so I might have heard of this.. Had a quick look.. Zzzzzzzzz then escaped. What a bloody boring building. So maybe I didn't get the way around DC..

Luckily, at this point I remembered that I took a few screen shots of the map of DC on my phone, and the gallery was pin pointed... I did get there.. Eventually. Unfortunately, I was really really tired at this point and my seg-leg was still aching.. So my adventure through the gallery was actually quite short as I wasn't concentrating as much as I usually do in galleries. My eyes were literally dropping as I got to the last room of 'small French paintings'. That being said.. I did see a lot of cool paintings and wrote down some artists names that could come in use when I start Uni again.

Now I was tired, hungry, hot and parched.. So I decided to get on the metro and stop off at 'Foggy Bottom' where I could go to the Wholefoods Market (Hannah, you would have loved this even MORE than 'sweetgreen') and eat something...something healthy as well.. Especially after a day of cupcakes.

After that, Daniel came and picked me up. Americans call it the 'kiss and ride'.. Where you pick/drop people off. That's really weird isn't it?

In the evening we were going to the Kennedy Centre (JFK).. Which is a place where about 3000 plays/concerts are put on each year (as JFK was such a fan of the performing arts.) So I whacked on a posh dress and went to see 'Sheer madness'.. A murder mystery where the audience get to actually interrogate the actors with questions and actually vote on who the murderer is and how the play ends! It was brilliant! (And the longest running play in American history- 27 years.) Didn't get any photos of it unfortunately.. I got my camera out and got shouted at by an old lady who worked there..

After the theatre, we (Me, Daniel, his girlfriend Jamie and his brother William) went for a bit of a night drive to see what all the monuments look like at night time. Absolutely amazing. They're all completely lit up and almost sparkle (?) whilst it's dark... Especially the Washington Monument. Wish all of you could literally see how awesome they all look.. I tried to get some good photos.. But they really don't give it justice.

- Back home to bed. Again, completely shattered (another word Americans don't understand!)

- Got another really busy day/night today as well.. My feet hate me.

Missing you guys.


Hola'

P.S- mum and dad will laugh at this. Whilst I was in the natural history museum I literally and honestly jumped out of my skin because I turned around and saw two foxes stuffed. Tears in my eyes at this point.. It was disgusting. So i looked away and took photo. Gross.

Georgetown and dirty feet.

I swear I'm still on London time. This morning I woke up at 5:30- went back to sleep, 6:30- went back to sleep, 7:30- went back to sleep, then woke up at around 8 ish and gave up with trying to sleep. I feel and look tired all day long.. so I'm really hoping my body snaps out of London mode.

Anyway, today after I woke up, Daniel and I went for a run (slash walk) around the neighbourhood just so I can get to know my way around. It was disgusting. Even walking at snail pace in the 90 degrees of heat and extreme humidity made me look like I'd just got out the shower. It really was not pretty. Surprisingly I did actually run/jog a few blocks down hill.. Absolutely killed me but it had to be done to counteract the American eating I had planned for later in the day.

So we went to Georgetown today. A really pretty town that looks slightly old fashioned.. dotted with numerous ice cream shops, cupcake shops, pizza parlours.. and some clothing shops. It was just really really.. nice. There was a LOT of walking involved to get there though. Tonnes. Just to get from metro stop to metro stop and from one shop to another.. It really killed our feet.

I'm obsessed with cupcakes. So, as this town houses many many bakeries.. I thought I should take advantage. The first cupcakery we stopped at was called 'Sprinkles'.. Which is owned by the lady who opened the first ever cupcake shop. I ordered a dark chocolate and banana cupcake. It was incredible. You can't find a cake like that anywhere.. Not even Waitrose.

The next place we stopped off at (we being Daniel, some of his college friends and me) was a place called 'Baked and Wired'.. I didn't get anything from here because I was saving the dollar for the next stop. Daniel however bought a Maple bacon cupcake (weirrrrd- apparently not in America.)

So, after buying some nail varnish from Sephora, it was time to visit the best cupcake store in the entire world.. 'Georgetown Cupcake'.. I'm obsessed with their tv show. I need to get out more. But yes, this place was the big time top banana of all places... And I only wish that Britta was there to share the time with me because we both wub cupcakes and this show too much. But anyway, I had to be a pig and order another cupcake- so I went with pumpkin spice. God know why I chose it.. But it was all on my instincts. I haven't eaten it yet though- it's in the refrigerator.

After that amazing experience, we stopped off for some dinner at 'Sweet Green'- a salad bar where Hannah (http://hannahdoeshealthy.blogspot.co.uk) would absolutely LOVE. You get to pretty much create your own salad. You pick lettuce type , 4 veggies, something crunchy, 1 protein, bread and dressing. So Hannah, you would have loved it. (I had quinoa added to mine as well! ;))

Next, I had to have another frozen yoghurt. We were stood right next to the place- why not! Hadn't eaten my Georgetown cupcake yet and I had salad for dinner, so I was good to go!

Had a long walk to the metro- then home to watch some Olympic diving. Sitting down felt absolutely incredible.. Was a very happy bunny at this point.. Then I looked at my feet. The soles were literally jet black. Disgusting.

Anyway, todays post has obviously been very food orientated..So I apologise for its boring-ness.

Tomorrow I have a day in DC all on my own... Going to be interesting..

Hola'

Seg-leg and a frozen yoghurt..

I know I have already posted- but that was for yesterday. I'm wide awake(ish) now, so y'all can hear about what I got up to today.. (except all my babes at home who are snuggled in bed, or at feva right now.)

So this morning I woke up with seg-leg. Seg-leg is apparently the terminology for the cramp on your leg after a day of riding a Segway. It's due to the fact that your legs are constantly straight for 3 hours.. and so your calves are strained. Seg-leg would be alright if I was lying in bed all day (a bit like what I usually do at home).. But today I was a proper tourist and toured round and inside the political monuments (so walking around all day long.)

So firstly, we got a tour around the capitol building- the meeting place of the USA congress and the venue of presidential inaugurations. I wasn't really allowed to take photos inside, but I got a lovely one of the outside. (FACT about the monument- the bronze statue on top had to be delivered to the states in 6 parts and the statue's torso actually sunk the ship it was being brought on because it was so heavy! Also, the dome of the building weighs a whopping 9 million pounds. Crazy!) So yeah, in all- an awesome building and extremely extravagant inside!

Next, we moved on to the Library of Congress. Again, cameras were prohibited, so I didn't manage to take any photos there. The building itself is basically used by the USA Congress and houses over 22 million books! The library is used to research inquiries made by members of the Congress. For all of you who are falling asleep right now- its just a place where government people find law books and stuff. - Again, an amazing building though!

The last political building we toured was the Supreme Court- so where all the massive, important and political cases are sorted. The building was absolutely huge (like the others) but unfortunately under a lot of construction. There were basically just loads of paintings of judges along corridors in this one. There was a bit of an awkward moment when we walked through a door and sat down thinking that we were taking part in a tourist thing but eventually looked around and saw posh lawyer like people taking notes and watching a video clip about law crap. We looked like right fools wearing practically beach wear amongst people dressed in like ball gowns! - cringe.

Moving on- at this point I was literally nearly passing out from the heat. It's been ridiculously humid today. I hadn't eaten since 9am, my Seg-leg was acting up, my contacts were itching and I had a headache- nat good.

So Daniel (one of the sons I am staying with) took me to get some frozen yoghurt. He wanted me to order so I would say YOG-urt instead of YO-gurt so that I would be laughed at.. But it turned out the person who served us was from Bristol.. So who's laughing now?! But anyway- oh my Jesus christ. That frozen yoghurt was one of the best things I have ever eaten in my entire life. It was crazy good. Had so so so so so many different types to choose from. So I went for mango and watermelon, with brownie bits, fresh fruit and honey granola. Amazing. (picture below.)

After that, we went to the Cheesecake Factory (yes, I will be getting fat on this holiday) and I bought my first ever slice of American cheesecake! How exciting. (Obviously saving it for later as I just ate a mound of what essentially tasted like full fat ice cream!)

- Got driven back to the house. Now nearly passed out on the bed.

Fantastic day- I'm a happy bunny I am. :)

Tomorrow.. Is going to be incredible. Britta.. Tomorrow is the day of all days!



Hola'

Segwaylicious

So after my long and nerve wracking flight I proceeded through customs. American customs. It really is scary. You some how convince yourself that you're going to get caught, sectioned and searched in front of the whole airport.. then finally get internally examined to expose all the drugs that you're hiding... Well in my case, it was a granola bar.. I genuinely was petrified about the fact that I had smuggled a granola bar across the border. I had read on the plane that you can't bring food into the country.. So I was like ah crap, do I declare my granola bar? And if I do, does this mean I have to hand it over so I don't get my granola bar? Or if I don't declare it and have a bag search, would I not only have my granola bar taken off me but also have a fine too? Well I wanted my granola bar.. So I bit the bullet and DIDNT declare it. But anyway, I went through customs lookin' relaxed and keepin' my cool .. Handed over my passport (that looks absolutely nothing like me by the way) and the security man looked at it with a really uneasy and irritated expression on his face.. Oh crap, they think I'm a fake. Oh Christ... "what made you change your hair colour?!" the man said winking at me! HAH. I swear Mum and James have passed their worry onto me.. Because I've been fretting about everything!!

Anyway, I grab my case off the spinning thing and head for the arrivals gate. That bit, right then, was the moment I was dreading. My heart literally felt like it was mosh pitting in my chest. It was insane. The doors open and I'm squinting around looking.. Then I finally spotted half of the family I am staying with. My nerves were unnecessary.. They're really lovely.

My first night was quite a blur actually. I arrived at the house, which is very nice, big and open plan like a lot of American houses. Then I unpacked and basically just conked out. I was shattered because I was on London time (5 hours behind you).

So the next morning, I was told that I was going on a Segway tour all day! Awesome.. What the hell is a Segway?! Its one of those motorised thingys with two wheels that you stand on and move by only the power of your balance (leaning forward and back). I thought to my self at this point, oh Jesus I cant even ride a bike, I'm not going to be able to do this.

It was easy. Yeah the first step up onto it was like woaaah I'm going to fall. But it literally becomes natural after about 5 minutes. They really are incredible. On the tour, we basically zoomed through the city of DC in single file. It was a 3 hour tour and luckily enough, I got to stop off at all the monuments. The white house, Washington monument, Lincoln memorial, WWII mural, Eisenhower's executive office building and many more. It was awesome. I've posted a few photos of them further down. One funny thing, the tour guide was obviously talking about American history a lot and at one point basically slagged off the British for things in the war. Awkward. Good thing she didn't know I was British (well at that point anyway..) A few people have pointed out my accent and I certainly got a few funny looks on the metro.

One of the sons I'm staying with doesn't know some of the words I have said. Posh- he had no idea.. he can't even say the word! Taking the piss- definitely definitely not the same slang here! I also tried and tried to explain what a chav was but I just couldn't get the message through... I thought he'd get it with 'a rough young person with chains and track suit bottoms'- nope. Just a weird stare back.

Anyway, apologies for the rambling on. I fell asleep writing this last night just like you probably are reading it. So I had to finish it this morning and probably missed out a hell of a lot of stuff.

Also, I left my hair mousse at home. So, I look like bloody Diana Ross right now. Not good.

Oh and I have a lot of amazingly cool things lined up for the next week or so.. So stay tuned!!

Hola'

Journey 2: Washington DC

Just arrived at Terminal 3 in Heathrow. It's so busy and scary. Denial is bloomin' happening again and I genuinely don't feel like I'm going. I'm standing in the bag drop queue waiting to hand over my passport. Kill me now...

Okay so I've left the fam. Thanks Mam, for crying.. You set me off! Looked like a right idiot in floods of tears at customs... More of a 'Homeward Bound II' moment.. I had a drug swab test on my bag as well. Fools. All fine now. Just browsing trough duty free... Stay tuned.

Perfume bought. Right so now I'm sitting and staring at the screen that tells me which gate to go find. Boarding is at 10, so I have a little while to go yet. Hate being a massive loner right now. Really feel like I need someone to talk to me or at least just sit by me. Which is ironic as I've moaned previously about that happening.. But right now i just feel sad. I know it will get better though because I actually love flying.. And weirdly keeno on airline food. Always have been.. I blame dad for that. There's just something about a bread roll chilling in a bubble..
Guess I'll just sit here for a while.

Gate 22. Took about 20 bloody minutes to get there. But I'm here now, sitting next to some loud mouthed American girls. Shut uuup.

Sitting in the plane now, waiting to take off. I have an aisle seat, which is exactly what I wanted.. So there's a pro. No one is sitting next to me yet...another pro. We're close to departure, so I'm hoping it will just be an extra seat for me to pass out on. Fingers crossed. Just been flicking through all of the movies and I'm a bit annoyed.. Because all these damn movies are all movies that I've had to deal with at work. Customers endlessly renting War Horse, Woman on black, ghost rider 2.. Boring boring boring. American Pie Reunion is here though, so I'll give that a try.
It's really hard to blog when I'm literally just sitting wrapped up in a Virgin Atlantic blanket. Snore.

Just started my second film- Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and I've just had a sudden rush of nerves. I'm guessing I have about 4/5 hours to go until I arrive in Washington.. That's 4/5 hours to man up and prepare myself for when I see a stranger holding up my name as I come through the arrivals gate..
Hah. Might as well mention that as I was just writing that, the air hostess fell onto my seat, resulting in her taking my nose out with her arse. Cringe.

I have been so spoilt on this flight! Virgin Atlantic is amazing. In bog standard economy, I've had free drinks, free magazines, a three course meal (which i got to choose!), a gu dessert and an ice lolly.. so far..I have a cupcake and British cheese with biscuits to come. This is some crazy stuff. Butterflies still there though.

That's enough for my airport/aircraft blog post. You can probably guess that all I'll talk about is nerves anyway.. So, you get the idea.

Speak Laters.

Hola'

Scrooge

So at 6am tomorrow morning, I will be leaving to go Stateside. That's pretty much 10 hours away from now. Got to admit, the stomach isn't feeling too great.. Still jam packed full of butterflies. But then again, it could be from the binge drinking last night. (Got to give a shout out to Jon and Selina right now- they put on a great show last night. I love drunk people.) Anyway, yeah I've now finally packed all my things together and it's seeming even more real. I am going. Denial can piss off. Not going to lie, that drive to Heathrow tomorrow morning is not going to be great..and honestly, it may even be a 'Homeward Bound' moment.. I'm going to shed a few tears. But then again, that's going to be nothing in comparison to the epic 'Seven Pounds' moment I will have when my parents leave me at customs! I'm also so pathetic that I felt the need to just stand by the counter in Blockbuster for an hour today.. refusing to leave .. Awesome. Even though I'm only going for 3 weeks.. It somehow feels like I'm going for a life time and never coming back! Weird.

One of the main things I'm nervous about is the fact that my birthday is unfortunately happening whilst I'm away. I absolutely positively HATE my birthday. It's the biggest downer of a day and I never want it to happen. I'm such a Scrooge when it arrives. I'm so bad that when my lovely friends once surprised me with balloons and cake etc.. I burst into tears and very angrily insisted that I wanted to be on my own and stormed off to take a shower. Weirdo. So yeah, I dread to think what the family I am staying with have planned (and yes, they do know). Americans are stereo-typically very friendly and bubbly when it comes to birthday celebrations.. So let's hope I don't hide under the table when the gross song is sung to me, just like I have done almost every year of my life! Did I mention I'm turning 20? I'm a big 20 year old baby. Jesus.

On a brighter note, I've been in contact with the Mother and Son of the family I'm staying with today and they both seem lovely, so that's put my nerves at ease. A little bit. Looks like I'm going to get on really well with the Son (and no, not like that). I am hoping I get to meet some of his friends though, so I can act extra extra posh so they can fall madly in love with me. Not.



Going to leave it as that. Totally pointless blog post..but I had a bit of a craving to write. I need a cup of tea.. Next blog post will most likely be written in the airport.. when I'm a loner.

Hola'


P.S I promised I'd give my bestest a shout out. Hey Loat. Don't get up to anything too naughty in Ibiza. No acting out 50 Shades Of Grey.. unless you have done already! Skype me. Lovewoo x