London - Day 3

Today was mostly a day at the museums. I didn't take that many pictures, but some other people did, so I hope to get some from them that I can post later.
The first museum I went to was the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is one of the most spectacular places ever. I truly think that I could be there for 6 hours and still not see everything. Today alone I only really saw two sections. The first was a really fun exhibit on English fashions from the 1500's to present. I read every sign for every item. I just couldn't stop thinking about how all the older stuff was made exclusively by hand. There was a long wedding veil of the finest lace, and it had to have been done by hand! There was also an ivory fan with the most intricate carvings. I can't even imagine the skill it would take to make it. I spent at least a full hour looking at that stuff before moving up to the British history rooms. I tried on a metal gauntlet that was really cool. I think I want one of my own.
The courtyard is magnificent! There is a wading pool (but it's freezing) and an astonishing facade (see below) that is so grand that my camera just does not capture it. My group was ready to go, so I called it quits too, but I hope to go back to see more of the museum.

The back facade of the courtyard.

 Right after the V&A museum, we went across the street to the London Science Museum. The stuff there was pretty cool. I saw a real moon rock! And a really neat lighthouse beacon - it was made out of several concentric prism rings to magnify the light without a bigger flame and a huge glass lens - the sign said that the prisms still weighed 3 tons! Also, this specific one was made to have three parallel beams shoot out across the sky - I would have loved to see it! The picture below is from the back of the beacon.

This is my Candle on the Water.

 There were also lots of different vehicles, and I thought they were fun too. Below is a stack of cars that reached to the ceiling.

 Also at the science museum, there was a special exhibit from Google called Web Lab. There was some pretty cool technology on display: there was a camera that would make a line drawing of your face, and then a robot arm would draw the picture in sand! It was pretty cool. People online at home can also interact with the people in the "web lab" too, making it extra fun.

This is the picture of the sign on the wall. Yay.

After that museum, I went to Piccadilly Circus to see about getting Phantom of the Opera tickets for this evening, but they were pretty expensive, so I decided to head back to the college for dinner. I stayed in this evening to rest up because my feet and legs are beat from walking so much (and I'm sure from climbing endless stairs to get to my room). Even my shins hurt! I did some planning and stuff for the following days, so hopefully I can rest up and have some good adventures for the rest of the trip!
It was a very educational day!
Come back for more tomorrow!

London - Day 2

By going to bed before 10 pm, I was wide awake by 5:45 am, which has never happened to me in my life. I think I was in the process of adjusting to the time change. Anyway, I had a great day and walked about a thousand miles and got really sore feet and legs. I'll suffer in silence though.
Because I woke so early, I went for a morning walk to the garden across the street, where everything smells like spring flowers and the birds are not afraid of people. It was very nice to get out and get some fresh air before setting out for the day in the city.

Queen's Garden (I think that's the name) at Regents Park.

A bird with her chicks.

 After breakfast, we set out. I rode the Tube, and I'd forgotten how loud it is! Also, I've been spoiled be Seoul's metro system, so London's was a bit more cramped and bumpy comparatively. The station we came out of was at the base of Big Ben, and we were in the area to listen to it chime 10 o'clock. It was fun to hear.

 We kept around Westminster for a bit on our way to watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham, but the guard-changing was split up, and in 3 separate pieces. If I remember right, last time there was only one "parade" and it had quite the pomp to it.

Part of the group in front of Westminster Abbey.

This is the fountain/monument directly in front of Buckingham Palace.

The Guards are changing!

Accidental shot of my foot.

Buckingham Palace! The tulips were astonishing!

 Later in the afternoon, I met up with my friend Dani, whom I became friends with last time I was here. It was very fun to catch up, as well as to go out for fish and chips and some really good onion rings.

I don't know what this place was.

 After dinner (and changing my shoes) I went on a London Walk. I chose the "Haunted West End" walk, and  had a great time. The guide was funny and told lots of good ghost tales. Parts of the walk were down spooky alleys and were lit by gas lanterns. It was a fun way to spend the evening.

I didn't catch any glimpses of ghosts, but maybe there's one caught in the picture...

After the walk, I went back to the college, but found the back gate locked. Not a big deal, I just had to walk around the side to the front gate. I WENT THE WRONG WAY! I should have gone to the right, but I was sorta turned around and went to the left. I walked ALL the way around Regents Park, by myself at 10 pm. I was just about the only person in sight the whole time too. It was an hour of walking, and wondering where the heck I was, but I figured that I was on the right block, I just needed to keep going. And keep going I did. I will never make that error again. I showered the city grit off and went to bed and was asleep before I could count to 10.
Check back soon for day 3!

London - Day One!

What a LONG day! Flying all day makes me to tired, and flying into the sunrise means that nighttime lasts only a few hours. I hardly sleep on flights anyway, so as of now (besides from a short half hour nap on the plane), I've been up for about 30 hours. I can feel my eyes trying to sleep, and I can hardly type.
That aside, I had a nice first day in London. I got minutes on my phone, my Oyster [tube] card, and even got some pictures in. Since I'm falling asleep at the keyboard, I'll post these pictures and call it a night.

This is part of the view out of my room. I'm on the fourth/top floor of an old building with many stairs and no elevator. I love it! 

Atop Primrose Hill, which looks over some of the most famous buildings in London. It was windy and a tad rainy too. Like I would have expected any different?

This old house was at the bottom of the hill, and I basically want one of my own.

So, the day was spent getting things done, and then trying to stay awake until an acceptable bedtime, which is 9:30 tonight. I'll take way more pictures tomorrow (hopefully) and write about my day, so check back!

Small Adventure

Last week I saw the worlds most famous singer live! That singer/actress/dancer/model/magician was none other than the fantastic Miranda Sings!!!

"Hey guys, it's me, Miranda"

The show was in Salt Lake City, so my friend and I drove up and met another friend there. The show was so  so so funny, and the comedy club we saw it in was packed! I don't remember seeing any empty seats in the place. Miranda sang, danced, taught people how to sing, read her hate mail, etc.... I would love to see her again.
After the show ended, Miranda treated her MirFANdas to a meet and greet, and we got our picture with her - and she liked my shirt! I hope she continues to put smiles on faces and never stops singing her precious heart out.
Afterwards, we drove to my aunties house just outside of SLC to stay the night, and we watched Les Miserables (the musical) before calling it a night.
Since their house is on the market, we had to clear out early the next morning so the house could be shown, and while the early morning sun could potentially turn me to stone or whatever, I woke up early and got ready for the day, and my two friends and I went out into the big city for day two of our small adventure.
We went to the City Creek shopping place in SLC but a couple stores were not open because we were there at like 9am. We still had fun. After that, we went to the LDS Conference Center for a tour. I hadn't been there since it was being built in 2000 or so, so it was fun to see the place again. The weather was really perfect, so we were able to enjoy the rooftop gardens as well.

That organ has lots of pipes!

Terrace overlooking Temple Square.

We ate our lunch at a place called Charlie Chows, and it was SO GOOD! we got STUFFED for like $8 and I would totally go back if I'm in the area.
After lunch, we decided to call it a day and we parted ways. The drive home was pretty good and my friend and I had good conversation and I heard new music ("Imagine Dragons" and "Killers"). It was a fun day-and-a-half adventure. I should get out more and do fun stuff! I think I'll start by going to London in a few days. Stay tuned for that and lots of pictures!

Boston - Day 3, and photo dump!

The End is Near....

Today was my last day in Boston, and I had plenty of fun. My mom and I tried to get an earlier start than we did yesterday, but due to full buses and bus delays, we weren't much better off. Nevertheless, we still got around and did some fun things. I went to the Boston Tea Party museum and did the Harbor Cruise, and I went back to the USS Constitution with my dad. After all that, we walked from the harbor all through the city back to our hotel. I learned that I'm NOT wearing the same shoes to London next month!

Fenway Park! If I was a bigger baseball fan, this would be so much cooler! 

Mom and I below deck at the Boston Tea Party reenactment ship.

Mom and I at the helm! Look out for icebergs! And other boats!

There are kids throwing tea overboard! Turns out tea floats just like Styrofoam...

Walking up Atlantic Ave. I'm getting better at self-shots! (I credit my Korean years.)

Mini-Hogwarts in front, Custom House Tower in the back.

Remember that captain's cabin I sorta sneaked into yesterday? Today it was open! 

I got to go down another level today! This is were all the stinky gross sailors slept. I would've wanted a spot closer to the portholes.

Popsicle and the USS Constitution.

I took this picture from the Harbor Cruise. Frame-able photo indeed!

Today was MUCH warmer, but it was still really windy out on the water.

Mom riding a donkey. Yee-haw!

This thing, on the USS Constitution, is what they use to summon the Kraken.

The leader at the Boston Tea Party was funny and disguised with coal dust, a feather, and a tomahawk . He looks just like a Native American to me!

Dad and me in front of some architecturally amazing old church.

Houses on either Commonwealth or the street above it...I forgot.

Pretty ironwork above the gates at another church.

Exterior of the Parrish House at Trinity Church. The deep maroon color didn't show in this picture :(

A tower on Trinity Church. I love gargoyles!

Again, the Sauron-lamps outside the Boston Public Library, which I love.

So, thus ends my third and final day in Boston, Mass. It's been great. I truly think that any student who thinks history is boring should visit this place. I'll never look at the history of my country the same, and I'm just hungry for more! The American Revolution is fascinating and I think that I'll look more into the details of it, to the chagrin of my high-school self, but hopefully to the proud smiles of my history teachers. This city is rich with history and full of talented, smart young people. I saw an orchestra premier a piece by their own classmate, I walked the halls of the Massachusetts State house, I even had clam "chowda!" I burned the fuzz outa my tongue, but it was so good!
My friends who have been here and lived here have all said the same thing: Boston's a place you won't want to leave. Well, they are right. I think there is enough here to keep a person entertained forever!
I've loved my visit here, and I would love to come back someday!
Is there a better plug for a place than that? I think not!
Goodbye Boston! I'll miss you!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as I write more about my upcoming adventures!

Boston, Day 2

My second day in this great city was way fun and a lot warmer than yesterday. I only clutched my hood around my face this morning while waiting for the bus. 

Anyway, the day was fun and this is what I did.

My mom and I waited in the warm lobby of the hotel for our trolley/bus for way too long, but when it finally came we hopped aboard and listened to the driver tell us all about the sights along the way. He told us about MIT and Harvard and the bridges we were on. It was all informative and I probably forgot most of the info.

We stopped at the State House, and I'm so glad we did! It was free, which is always a plus, and our tour guide, who looked about 20, did a really good job. The group seemed to grow as the tour went on, but at least there were no crying kids! There was some press conference going on, so we didn't get to see the actual governor's office. So sad.

This is the State House! That dome is covered in 23 karat gold leaf, and it gleams mightily!

 

This entrance, on the left side of the State House, had a name that probably makes everyone who ever sees it wonder "what were they thinking?"

This was a model of the State House. That's me standing next to it. Both points are obvious.

This is the Senate Room (I think) and it was grand and very neat. I didn't get a picture of the giant golden cod hanging from the ceiling, but it was there.

After the State House, my mom and I walked on down to the Old Granary Cemetery. It was small, but really packed! The Franklin family, sans Ben, are buried here with a giant memorial. Basically all the other graves were marked with thin gray headstones, with skulls and crossbones on them and usually an inscription along the lines of "Here Lyeth Thomas Smith, aged about 20 years, died March 12, 1775." The letters that could be combined to save space, like attaching an H to the letter E, were combined on most of the markers. Maybe it was cheaper for fewer characters?

Smile! You're in a graveyard!

 After the Graveyard, we got back on the bus/trolley and rode on over to the harbors and went to see the USS Constitution. It is a fantastic old ship that's been around for a REALLY long time. The cool part is that its still usable (according to tour-guide Seaman Baker). They were painting one of the lower levels so we only got to go down one level to the gun deck. I sorta went snooping [accidentally] into the cool captain's cabin (or is it called the gallery quarters? I don't know much about boats) but one of the guides yelled at everybody to get above deck for the next tour, so I followed. Anyway, when we went down a few minutes later, the doors to that part were closed with a restricted access sign...hmmm. I'm glad I accidentally went in there when I did!

The masts and rigging of the USS Constitution.

The Gun Deck. There were dozens of these huge cannons, and they weighed something like 6,300 pounds each!

After the USS Constitution, My momsie and I finished out the trolley tour on our way back to the hotel, and went to a reception where I met all the friends of my parents whom they always see on these business trips. My parents must have told them about their kids because a few of the others at the conference knew who I was already. Everyone was really nice, so it was nice to meet them too.

It was time to eat dinner after all that, so after mapping out all the places we thought about going, we decided on UNO, which I've only been to in Korea. Turns out I like their menu lots more in the States! My mom and dad and I all got the same thing, and we all loved it. It was a good choice and I was stuffed afterwards. 

Our evening was less busy than last night, but that was okay. Tomorrow we have more stuff planned, and I charged my camera and cleaned up the SD card, so more pictures are coming!

Come back tomorrow for more!

Boston, Mass. Day 1!

I'm in Boston! After a day full of traveling to get here (I swear, taxi drivers any/everywhere know just how to keep me anxious), we got to our hotel a little after midnight and slept like logs.
But then today happened! My dad had meetings in the afternoon, so we took advantage of our morning together and walked on over to the Boston Public Library. We happened to stumble into a guy who asked us if we arrived for the tour of the library, and we decided to attend. The tour was fun and quite informative. I learned that the Boston Public Library was the first library that was free to the public in America, among many other things. The building is beautiful with art and murals and stunning architecture. I know where I'd like to work someday!
After the library we went to a fast food place for lunch before my dad had to go to meetings, so then it was just Mom and me off to have adventures.

These Sauron-lights were outside the library and I must have them.

Me, Momsie, and Popsicle in the courtyard in the library.

This was the large study area in the library. I expected to see Indiana Jones or the Ghostbusters, but they were out on business.

The would't let me up the spiral stairs. :-(

This is the view from the front steps of the library. That's Trinity Church - we went in but the tour didn't work with our schedule...maybe later!

 After lunch, we went for a long walk exploring the area. We walked through the park, but didn't see any swan boats. The lake was also empty, except for a narrow puddle of collected water. There were ducks in that inch-deep water though. I guess they were just making-do with what they had.

The most haunted-looking tree I have probably ever seen.

This is a sculpture inspired by the ducks that always crossed the road or something. My mom says we have a book about it; I guess I'll have to read it when I get home. 

 After the park, we walked around the area some more, but didn't really stop anywhere besides a fancy-looking old church. I took pictures, but they were too dark to post.
The architecture was really fun and diverse. We didn't wander as long as we would have liked because it was really cold.

A fun blue antiques shop amid a bunch of red-bricked buildings.

Did I mention it was COLD?!

 In the evening we went to dinner at the always delicious Cheesecake Factory, and right after that we went to the New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall to see a concert by the Berklee Orchestra. It was SO fun! They opened the night with the premier of a symphonic poem written by one of their own students! The guy was born in 1991! What have I done with my life?! The piece was astonishingly good, and I hope that the piece is someday released on recording so I can hear it again.
The second piece they played was Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. I always love hearing the first section called "Montagues and Capulets" and if you're not familiar with it, look it up on Youtube and imagine stomping down the halls of your castle.

The Berklee Contemporary Orchestra. They were so fun!

The rest of the night's pieces were jazz, and I really liked most of the pieces. There was one piece with a really bizarre, experimental opening. It sounded more like a nightmare of noise than an orchestra following the written music, but the rest of the piece was nice.
The concert ended later that we expected, so afterwards we just all went back to the hotel. There is some international figure skating tournament this weekend and it seems like everyone involved is staying here. The lobby is PACKED with girls on their laptops and phones, all using the free wifi down there.
My mom and I are going to do some major sight-seeing tomorrow, so I'll take lots more pictures and write about it tomorrow.
Stay tuned!