The Belle of the Ball

I had an AMAZING time at the post-grad ball with Paul last night! I didn't know anyone there, but I met some great people and even got some nice comments about my dress!

All of the post graduate students at the University of Surrey were invited to this evening of dancing, eating, and gambling (not with real money, just chips).

The jazz band was really good, and I spent most of the time out on the dance floor or mingling with new acquaintances. The James Bond theme was present all around the room, with red lighting and mini squirt guns at each table.

At midnight, the hotel moved us to the upstairs restaurant where we spent some time before heading back to the flat.

I See the Sea!

I am in Guidford at the moment and thought that it would be a good time to update. I have been staying with Paul since Thursday night, having quite a few adventures along the way!

I arrived Thursday evening and we took a taxi back to Paul's flat. I always seem to go places when the weather is the worst.....windy, rainy, and cold. After a quick dinner, Paul took me to my first dance lesson ever!

For two pounds, anyone could come and take pat in this recreational dance class There were six people there, along with a dance instructor named Mal.

I was lucky that most of the people there were beginners! Mal walked us through some basic steps of the waltz and the cha cha. I doubt I am going to be the next champion, but I will definitely take my new skills back with me to States, maybe even get Brad to try!

After a good sleep, we woke up on Friday morning and made plans to visit Groombridge (the location of the Bennett house in Pride & Prejudice). After discovering there was no train to Groombridge that day and getting a phone call from Paul's step-mum, we changed our course to Brighton!!!!!


They say that Chicago is the windy city, but after visiting Brighton, I think I found a windier one! Paul took this picture on the water front. This main street is one of the only ones you will see heavy traffic on in the area. Many of the other steeds are one lane and lined with quirky
shops. Fancy hotels and venues line the water front, making ideal places for weddings. We saw at least 13 limos pass by during dinner alone!!!




The architecture in Brighton is quite interesting. Do to royal influence, many of the buildings here having an Indian style. I didn't get a picture of it (because Paul's phone died), but the Royal Pavilion in the center of Brighton looks just like an Indian palace.



In this picture, Paul and I are siting on a bench right next to the flat of his step-mum, Val. Val's flat is tucked away along a side street close to the water front. We arrived and were immediately lead next door to interrupt a lunch party being hosted by Val's neighbor Annie (who interestingly enough was Paul's grandad's brother's ex-wife). Keeping the Hutcheson family tree straight is easy enough if you pay attention!

After some wine (and watching Paul finish chocolate pudding), Val took us around the center of Brighton, stopping to look at the little shops along the streets. My favorite was this shop devoted to making things out of e. There were people sculpted out of chocolate, life size soccer balls, and all sorts! To top it all off, Val treated us to fudge at one of the local fudge shops! We walked to the Royal Pavilion and then ate dinner (again treated by Val) at this amazing Belgian restaurant on the water front. They brought us each a pot of mussels or "Moulese mouse," chips, and bread. For desert, I had something called "Mess," which consisted of meringue, strawberries, and cream. Paul had a chocolate mouse.

After a windy walk back to Val's place, we had a cup of tea and Vatl took us to the train station (which I was grateful for because I was so full).

Paul and I were knackered, but we managed to squeeze in a game of air hockey and race car driving at the station before our train back to Guildford arrived.

Today will be a relaxing day. This evening, I get to go to my first English ball!!! There will be a champagne reception as well!

I will update mroe when I get back to London!

Brad's Visit Continued...

Brad left for the States yesterday, but I can hardly be sad about it now that I have a sparkly diamond to keep me company until I see him again!

On Friday June 29th, Brad spent most of his morning trying to track down his luggage at the airport. Meanwhile, I was at the British Museum collecting my things and saying goodbye to my team. A few people from the office took me for tea before lunch and talked about all sorts of things. I was so sad to leave the museum behind, but I will always have a reason to come back. The moment when things really hot me was when I had to hand over my security pass. It made me feel like I had played the role of someone else during this experience...a different me. I would like to think that I will take that person back with me next week. It will feel so strange to be working behind the counter at Kohls or siting behind a school desk after having such a "real world" experience.

I left the museum in a reflective mood and was quite excited to meet Brad back at my flat that evening. Aleshia, Brad, Rob, and I went out to dinner together for Brad's birthday. We spent a long time just walking along the bank of the Thames taking pictures and talking to each other. It was nice.

Brad and I went back to my flat so I could pack some things and spent the night at Brad's hotel. I started to get sick just after dinner that night and spent all of Saturday attempting to recover. What a great thing to happen on such a happy occasion (note my sarcasm here) haha.
I was feeling better on Sunday, so (after getting lost on the bus) we eventually made it to Hyde Park. Brad had noticed in my blog that I wanted to do paddle boats a few weeks ago but didn't have a partner. He jumped at the chance, and rented a boat for us. I was treated to some icecream and a lovely walk through the park after floating around for an hour.

We wet back to my fat for dinner and spent the night there. In the morning, we made plans to see Windsor Castle. Long story short, that didn't happen, and we changed course to see the Globe Theater. Brad is a poet, and I really wanted him to see a bit of Shakspere before heading back to the States. I think he really liked the tour, and we would ahve gone to a show if they weren't sold out! Before dinner we went to St. Paul's Cathedral. We arrived just before an evening service (which surprised me since it was Monday). Brad and I stayed to listen to a visiting choir from Princeton. I can see why people spent years and years building cathedrals. The voices echoed all around us and it felt like angels were every where. I know that is an extreme vision, but it's hard to describe something that sounds so beautiful.

A storm opened up on us moments before dinner, but we arrived safely to The Real Greek for Brad's final meal with me in London. The rain put a damper on our plans to go up in the London Eye, but I still treated him to icecream in Leicester Square. Sufficiently soaked, I led us back to my flat and we retired to Brad's Hotel. We woke up around 5am and headed to Heathrow, where I said my goodbye and made the journey back to Willesden Green for a long long nap.

My voice is gone, I have a cough, and so many of our plans were foiled by transportation and weather issues BUT I will never ever forget the effort my new fiance went to so that I would have the proposal of a lifetime. I hope everyone who reads this will appreciate just how special Brad is and what he did for me. He worked his whole summer away so that he would get just four days with me in London. To say that I feel loved and adored is an understatement!

I can't wait to see you all soon, and thank you for being avid readers! Toomorrow I begin my three day tour of Groombridge, Tornbridge Wells, and Hartfield with Paul. I will have an update for you Sunday night!

Take care x0x0x0x!