8 out of 10 cats

7/14/2011

I got accomplish one of the things on my bucket list --- attend a taping of a BBC show.

If you refer to my Birthday Magic -- almost post, you will find I was thwarted in my efforts to attend Mock the Week.  A positive result of that was that I was given 6 priority tickets to a taping of a different show.

I was emailed a list of shows, dates, times, and locations and determined, after looking up some clips online, that 8 out 10 Cats was the show for me.  

Roni, Molly, Lorena, and Amy joined me for the show.  

The tubes were a nightmare, so Roni, Molly, and Lorena were already in the queue.  Thank goodness priority tickets ensure you get into the show.  As we finally made our way to the ticket guys, we all found it funny that both of the guys remembered me from the previous week.  

I made the girls stop for more pictures with the TARDIS and with some of the other things outside the entrance of the BBC.  They all decided to have a picture with the TARDIS too....I’m telling you -- when you catch the Doctor Who fever, there is no going back!

We ended up in the front row of the studio seats and it was FREEZING!!  This is the very first time I have been inside a building in London and needed my sweater and my coat!

The basic format of the show is that two teams of celebrities (with a team captain each) ‘compete’ to determine the top stories of the week.  They are posed a question then discuss what they think the answer is -- hilarity ensues.  It is hosted by Jimmy Carr and Molly was estatic to find that Jedward was one set of guests on the panel.  I had no idea who these crazy Irish kids with crazy hair and ‘kewl’ clothes were....I know now.  Words cannot describe these two, you will have to Google and you tube them.  They were an interesting addition to the show -- namely because some of the best bits of the show were the other guests and host reacting to what they said.

It was two hours straight of laughing.  The show already has aired and was condensed to 22 minutes.  

After the show, Molly and Amy were able to get pictures with the elusive Jedward as they told everyone about their new show in Sweden and that they were going to another show taping.

We went to Notting Hill and found a cheap kebob place for dinner.  We went for some delicious frozen yogurt for dessert!

Shakespeare's Globe

7/12/2011


I just had the opportunity to do something that people have done since 1599....I saw a play at The Globe.


Just a little history for ya folks, but it's not the 'real' Globe.  It burned to the ground in 1613 (it was made of wood) rebuilt and opened again in1614 then closed again in 1642.  In 1997 it was rebuilt again 230 meters or so from the original site.


We paid £5 for standing tickets and were able to be the first few people in the queue.  This enabled us to stand (yes, stand) on the very front of the stage.  I have NEVER experienced theatre like this before.


We saw Doctor Faustus which was not written by Shakespeare, but rather one of his contemporaries Christopher Marlowe.  It was written in the time of Shakespeare and is one of the few to have survived.


I discovered as we waited in the queue, that Arthur Darvill, Rory on Doctor Who, was playing the part of Mephistopheles.  This news only made me more excited for the play to begin.


The cast was fabulous.  The minstrels were wonderful.  (There was live music and the band members wore period costumes.)  The audience, me included, was spat on with spit takes, drenched with water, and hit with costumes as they swung them in your face.  It was incredible!  They ended the whole thing with a dance number!


We did sit on the ground during intermission for a bit.  BUT, the standing is well worth it!


After the show, we went to the pub that is attached to the Globe.  There I was able to get an autograph and picture with Mr. Rory -- Arthur Darvill!


It's just another one of those 'once in a lifetime experiences' that seem to be happening on this trip!  I don't want them to stop!

David Tennant, David Tennant!!!! Did I mention, David Tennant?

7/8/2011

Birthday magic was with me today.  I met up with the Winant girls for a bite a pub.  We had a good time, but it was quite hot and I was really wanting something low key – well, something mind-numbing anyway.  Roni and I decided to brave the British Cinema!

Going to the cinema is a bit more expensive than it is in the States…and that’s saying something!  Roni and I found a “cheap” theater.  (By cheap, I mean a whole £2 less.)  We decided to see Source Code and were asked if we would like the front or the back.  I recommended the back.  After climbing 4 floors we finally found our theater.  We were shown to our seat by and usher.  (Yes, we were assigned seats.)

There were SO many commercials before the movie began, more so than in the States.  Then there were preview – which I generally like, but was a bit ready for the movie to begin by the end of it.  The movie was quite good and just what I needed.

I love movies because, for just a couple of hours, nothing else matters in the world.  You are completely absorbed in a different reality and think of nothing else.

We were in

Leicester Square

, so I want to check and see if Much Ado About Nothing had finished up yet or not.  By the crowd that had already formed, I determined that it had not.  Patient Roni stayed with me as we waited for 20 minutes for David and Catherine to come out for autographs. 

I devised a plan – David needed to give me a birthday present, so a picture with him would do.  J  My first try was not the best

Me – “David!  It’s my birthday”

DT – “Oh!  Well, Happy Birthday to you!”

He  continues to sign autographs and talk to others. 

Me – “David, could I have a birthday picture with you?”

He doesn’t hear me.

The girl in front of me gets and autograph and a picture.

Me, more loudly – “David, could I have a birthday picture with you?”

DT – “Do you think you can get over here?”

The nice fans move aside for me to get closer.

PICTURE!!!!!!!!!

David then runs off and I have a small moment where I need to compose myself…..it took a while.

I had two or three sets of people stop and ask, ‘What’s going on?’  All I could do was show them my picture. 

Bless belated birthday magic!

Birthday MAGIC -- well, almost

So, I worked for the first time ever on my birthday this year.  Being a teacher, I am off in the summer, so never worry about working on my bday.  When I was younger and worked retail in the summer, I would always ask for the day off.  This year was a bit different.

The Winant girls and I were planning on celebrating together at a pub with some karaoke.  (Imagine that!)  However, I was having a conversation with one of my co-workers while we were riding the lift (elevator).  He mentioned that he was going to a taping of Mock the Week.  I responded with, “That’s one of the things I would like to do on this trip, attending a taping of a BBC program.”  He then said, “Well, I have an extra ticket!!  Would you like to come?”  Of course I said yes and re-arranged plans with the girls.

I mentioned at lunch with the staff that it was my birthday.  My supervisor said, “Well, you kept that quiet!”  I was surprised a couple of hours later with a card and a gift.  My supervisor handed it to me and said, “So, sorry about that!”  (He was referring to the way it was wrapped.)  It was so sweet of them all!!!

I headed off to the BBC studios with my colleague.  We met up with his wife and one of her friends.  We got in the queue (line), got our wristbands, went through security and headed inside the BBC building.  Before we made it in, I spied a TARDIS….a proper TARDIS!  So, I HAD to have a picture.  The holding area for audience members was quite nice.  It had a gift shop (complete with Doctor Who merchandise and a Dalek!), seating, a café, and tons of screens filled with BBC promos. 

Unfortunately, we were a bit later than we had planned to be.  Our tickets were not “sure things” and we had to wait.  It came down to only one of us would be allowed in, so the group let me go.  Unfortunately – again, I and two others were left without enough room to get a seat.  L  By that point, the group I was with had assumed I got in and left.  I didn’t have their phone numbers to call them – it wouldn’t have done me any good any way because my phone died before I could get in touch with any of the other Winants. 

It was a long, cold, rainy, tube/train ride home.  Boo hoo.

Even though the birthday magic fizzled on my actual birthday, it came back with happy times later.  But, that my dear friends, is for another blog!

My job at Providence Row

Sorry for such a delay in postings – I have been so very busy.

This past week was my last week teaching Enlgish at Providence Row.  The men that came in have seemed to enjoy themselves are learning a little too.  J  It was quite an experiencing planning for a group of 8 men who are limited with their English proficiency.  Let alone the fact that I speak “American” – “Southerner American” – and not “English”.  (There has been some debate in class about this.) 

As I was working in the kitchen one day, one of the students came up and said, “Oh hhello, Djessika!”  He then turned to his buddy and said, “She is my teacher.  My Amedican teacher!  She teaches me Amedican!”  -- this was also the same student who said I didn’t speak ‘normal’.

My days at Providence Row are filled with a number of things.  Sometimes I work in the kitchen, sometimes I manage the internet service, sometimes I working reception, and sometimes I teach.  The afternoons are a bit different.  I have been running a training program called CSCS.  (PR offers a service to the clients to practice the test for CSCS certification.  This certification allows the clients to work on construction sites.)  I also help clients with CVs (resumes) and help them search for available jobs. 

I am actually coordinating the planning of an event for the end of July.  I had the job of naming it.  I came up with M.O.R.E.  (Meaningful Occupations Reaching Everyone)  The girls on the team loved it.  I think my supervisor liked it too…he just said, “Wow.  We’ve never called it anything like this before.”  LOL  We will have offer some food and drinks and allow for the clients taking part in Meaningful Occupations services to showcase what they have been doing.  (Music, art, English class, etc.)

It has been a great experience thus far and I expect it to continue!

A Fabulous Fourth in London

The 4th of July is always filled with fun, family, food and fireworks.  This year was slightly different.

London does not have big celebrations to honor America's independence from...well, them.  Random pubs held hot dog eating contests, free drinks for American's, specials on ribs, etc.  Alas, there were no fireworks to be found.

A small groups of us Winant's ended up getting together and made homemade pizza.  I bought a chocolate fudge brownie cheesecake and we feasted!

It was nice to spend the evening with some fellow country-women and share a meal together.  I did miss the fireworks.

I did get the chance to Skype with my sis, brother-in-law, and nephews.  The boys loved watching themselves on screen.  LOL!!  It was dark outside for me and I had to explain time-zones to Max.  He's so silly.  Wesley kept asking, "Are you at London?"  They both sang "On Top of Spaghetti" and "Happy Birthday" for me.  :)

Shows, sights, sniffles, and sleep

Friday - Sunday
7/1-3/2011

In an effort to keep this post in less than epic proportions, I will only hit the highlights of the weekend.

National Gallery -- I saw paintings older than the US.  Most of them were of Lords and Ladies or of biblical scenes.  My favorite was the small collection of Van Gogh.  I noticed there was a draw and learn session if I waited around for 30 minutes...so I did.  I met a lovely French woman named Jeorgina.  We talked about my volunteering and her studies (she's working to be a teacher).  We talked about how the American school systems were set up and how they differed from the UK.  We sat together during the learn and draw.  The learn and draw was excellent.  One woman spoke of Van Gogh and explained the origins of the picture.  Another woman talked about the painting artistically and gave us some hints on how to draw it -- using only pencil.  Then we had around 45 minutes to draw!   I will post mine soon.

DAVID TENNANT -- I mean -- Much Ado About Nothing --
I FINALLY got a ticket to see Much Ado.  It. Was. FANTASTIC!  The entire cast was brilliant.  It was funny.  It was dramatic.  It was simply, well done.  I sneaked a few pictures.  Catherine Tate is wonderful.  BUT the crowning jewel of the evening was seeing David Tennant!  He connects with his audience like no other stage person I have seen.  During his monologues a Benedict, he would look out into the audience (all three levels) and make eye contact with them.  ME INCLUDED!!  :)  I think we stood and applauded for a solid 5 minutes.  The cast came out for four separate curtain calls.
After the show, I went behind the theater to attempt and autograph.  I succeeded!!  David not only signed my program but told me, in his lovely Scottish, "You're so very, very welcome," when I thanked him for signing it.  I would love to see it again, but will definitely go back to try to get a proper picture with him.

The Woman in Black --
Roni posted on FB that she had planned to go see this show called the Woman in Black.  I looked up tickets and found a front row seat for 27 pounds, so I decided to book it and go.  Although we both were a few minutes late because we were totally lost, we managed to get to the theater and saw the show.  It too was fantastic!!  It had a cast of only two people...and one more, but it was just so good!  It was almost like a ghost story.  It made the entire audience scream and jump out of their chairs on several occasions.  (This was promptly followed by giggles from the audience for reacting in such a way.)  I would highly recommend this show to anyone that has a chance to see it.

King's Cross --
Fun, but a bit disappointing.  It is nothing like the movie, but that have a little cheesy platform 9 and 3/4 where tourists can take pictures....which Roni and I did with out a second thought.

Lion King and the Globe --
EPIC FAIL for Lorena and I.  But we are booking for the next few weeks during the week day.

Tower of London --
WOW...I had no idea it was so huge!  There is a little city within the walls of the Tower.  Lorena and I joined up with a guided group.  Our Warbler was great, but we broke off about 30 minutes into it.  I loved his stories and the information he was giving, but we spied the line for the crown jewels.  We both wanted to see those, so we opted for that.  We saw the jewels and soaked in the glistening beauty.  We then roamed a bit through the courtyard and found things were starting to close.  (We had a later start than we first had set out for.)  We were able to visit the small chapel where Ann Boleyn was buried.  We also were able to walk much the of perimeter on top of the wall.

My allergies have started to act up and effected some of my progress on all of these days.  I am also suffering from some major lack of sleep -- which I did my best to catch up on this weekend as well.