I Never Knew I was a ... Pink Floyd Fan!

Several days ago while searching the web for fun stuff to do in London I stumbled across an opportunity to win free tickets to the Australian Pink Floyd Rehearsal concert in West London. I’ve never been a big music buff and I can’t say that I have a single Pink Floyd song in my iTunes. However, for some odd reason I registered my name thinking “I’ll never win anyway!”

Around 1 p.m. Monday I received a phone call from a strange number. Now, since Mom subscribed to caller ID for the first time I have been a screener of phone calls. When the phone starts to ring I hear the No Doubt song, “I gotta screen my phone calls, no matter matter matter who calls I gotta screen my phone calls” and this particular call from an unknown number was no different. I let it roll over to voicemail. I have five voicemails dating back to 2010 that I still haven’t listen to; however, for some odd reason when the phone alerted me of the message I picked up the phone and dialed straight to hear who this unknown caller was and why he or she was calling.

“Hello, this is Jo from Ticketmaster’s Live Nation and you entered to win a couple of free tickets to the Australian Pink Floyd Rehearsal and I was just calling to let you know you have been chosen the winner. Please check your e-mail for more details. I hope you enjoy the show.”

When Eastern Boy and I arrived at the event the lady at the door crossed our names off the list, and we couldn’t help but feel rather important to even have our names on a list anywhere in London. We were ushered into a small greeting area where about 50 other people were gathered eating hors d'oeuvres and drinking complimentary champagne. We felt rather out of place in the sea of mostly middle aged men, but quickly found a comfortable spot to stand back and take in the scene. There were all types of people and we got the impression that a lot of them knew each other. There was a group of business men with a few ladies, hard rocker types (one very clearly had brought his younger female escort for the night), a couple of girls about our age (they must have been random ticket winners too) and a couple of families with pre-teen aged children.

Around 7 p.m. they directed us into the auditorium and handed us 3-D glasses. There was a big pink bunny in the corner of the room and a big purple creature that sort of resembled the rabbit from Donnie Darko. The lights dimmed and a movie started. We put on our glasses and watched. Frankly, I have to admit that the meaning of the video was lost on me. Things were blowing up, there was a man’s face, some creepy laughing, drums, babies crawling, more things blowing up – you get the picture.

I realized that the Aussie Pink Floyd really doesn’t sing very much, but the instrumental was amazing and the light show to match the music was phenomenal. We even got to sing along to the only song we knew: “We don’t need no education, we don’t need no thought control.”

The rehearsal ended and Eastern Boy and I snapped a few more shots of us in the 3-D glasses and headed out the door. We were stopped before we exited and asked a few questions on video about what we thought of the show.

Camera Man: Did you enjoy the show?
Eastern Boy and Me: “Yes! It was great.”
Camera Man: “What was your favorite part?”
Eastern Boy and Me: “The whole thing; the lights, the music”
Camera Man: “Would you buy a ticket to go to see the Aussie Pink Floyd on tour?”
Long pause while thinking about the price of tickets and my student budget
Eastern Boy and Me: “Uhhh, yes! Of course. Going home to do it tonight! Thank you.”

We giggled all about our responses to the questions, especially the last one, all the way through dinner at Pizza Hut (yumm) and most of the way back to Central London.

All in all, it was a fun free night out. In the future I will be more likely to put my name in the pot for things I wouldn’t normally do, because I never know when that simple free ticket could lead to a fabulously fun evening. Truth be told, if I weren’t living on a student’s budget I might actually see them on tour.

Before I Kick the Bucket

For several years now, I’ve been soaking up other people’s stories and adventures. I’ve scrolled through hundreds of wonderful Facebook pictures of fabulous places I have yet to visit. Now, I am in no way down playing how blessed I have been to be the measly age of 24 (although, I’ll admit I am starting to feel quite old) and have experienced so many wonderful things and places thus far; but that doesn’t mean a girl can’t dream! Over a year ago I began writing my “bucket list” - a list of things I want to do before I die. It is in no way complete, but it’s gotten quite long. So I hope you enjoy everything I hope to be able to accomplish, before I kick my bucket!

1. See the pyramids at Giza
2. Jump out of a plane over Switzerland
3. Ride a camel through the desert in Morocco
4. Buy a hookah (primarily for decoration purposes!)
5. Backpack through Italy and ride a gondola in Venice
6. Drive a car on the autobahn in Germany (and live to tell the tale)!
7. Get lost in the Grand Canyon (but then find my way out)!
8. Do Vegas in style and stay in a penthouse on the strip
9. Taste wine in North Cali
10. Ride through the Panama canal

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Helen Keller

11. Take a picture with Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
12. Go to the Olympic games in London
13. Eat Chinese food in China
14. Learn to surf with the Aussies
15. Swim with Dolphins, maybe even sharks and sting rays
16. Go to the very top of the Eiffel Tour
17. See a show at the Moulin Rouge
18. Go topless on a beach in Greece (Ok, maybe a very private beach with a population of one – ME!)
19. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in three days

“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space!” Anonymous

20. Go to an outdoor movie
21. Ride in a hot air balloon
22. Go paragliding
23. Participate in The Rickshaw Run in India - a 5000km journey across the gnarliest roads while riding in a Rickshaw (As long as I am not the one behind the wagon … but in it! )
24. Take a ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway – the longest railway in the world connecting Moscow with the Far East provinces of Russia, Mongolia, China and the Sea of Japan (this will be done during the summer for sure!)
25. Drive down Route 66 seeing the country along the way.
26. Go Zorbing – This is a big plastic ball that rolls you down a big hill. For a little extra excitement water can be added to create a feeling like you are in a washing machine (That is NOT part of my list. I’ll leave that for my clothes to enjoy)
27. Adopt a litter box trained rabbit
28. Go whale-watching off the coast of Iceland
29. Attend the Kentucky Derby in style
30. Run with the bulls (ok … maybe just see them run)
31. White water raft the Zambezi river in Zimbabwe and then relax next to Victoria Falls
32. Get soaked while standing by Niagara Falls
33. See the Northern Lights
34. Lie on the beaches of Thailand
35. Hold a poisonous snake (and get a really great picture – then hand it back!)
36. Spend some time in the Amazon Rainforest

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming – “WOW – What a Ride!” Anonymous

37. Stand on The Great Wall of China
38. Take a picture “leaning” on The Leaning Tower of Pisa
39. Go island hopping in the Caribbean
40. Attend high tea in London
41. Watch a sumo wrestling match in Japan
42. Visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo
43. Spend some time taking in the lifestyle in Croatia
44. Climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty
45. Ride a steamboat down the Mississippi River
46. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
47. Ride a Cable Car to the “Full House” house and take a picture
48. Meet the President (or any national leader)
49. See Mount Rushmore
50. Throw beads at Mardi Gras in New Orleans
51. Complete a Mud Run
52. Throw tomatoes in the La Tomatina Food fight in the Valencian town of Buñol.
53. Float down a river on an innertube
54. Go deep sea fishing off the coast of Africa
55. Visit the Rockies
56. Inspire someone to do something different and experience something brand new

"If being crazy means living life as if it matters then I don't care if we are completely insane." Revolutionary Road


* These are in not particular order of importance, but just a random collection of ideas as I thought to write them down.

Taking No Day for Granted

It’s amazing to me that it is already almost the middle of January! Time passes so quickly these days and I find myself really starting to savor all my time here. I am realizing there is a possibility that I might not be able to stay at the end of my program as I had hoped and I am determined to use this year to take every opportunity presented to me.

This past Saturday I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel with a friend from home who was in London on business, to Paris for the day. We started off at the Eiffel Tower. I had tried to reserve tickets in advance but hadn’t been able to do so, which I guess is good because the very top was closed due to strong winds. However, we decided to brave the stairs to the 2nd floor. The line was a good bit shorter and the cost was half the price! However, over 700 steps later we were sure we would be hurting the next day (and yes, I was and I still am in some serious pain!). Even the view from the 2nd floor was definitely worth each and every step.

The rest of the day we hurried from sight to sight trying to take in as much as possible. We were even able to take a boat cruise on the Seine. We walked from the Eiffel Tour to the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs-Elysees, across to the Louvre, and finally to the Notre Dame Cathedral before heading back to the Gare du Nord for the train back to London.

As I walked around the city I couldn’t help but feel so blessed to be able to take a day trip to Paris; and even more blessed to be able to return to London at the end of the day. I’ve grown attached to this place - the people, the lifestyle. It’s made me re-evaluate the way that I look at my culture. I often feel that Americans rush through life to accomplish particular predetermined goals (go to college, get a job, find a honey, settle down, buy a house, get a dog, pop out some little people – you get the picture) that we often forget to enjoy each step along the way and take our time checking off the items. I’m going to draw out this adventure as long as I can, because I’m not ready to check off “live in London” quite yet.

My sublet is finally coming to an end and I have been looking for a new place to call home. I have been filled with a mix of emotions over this change. Should I feel happy, sad or just plain bothered about having to move? Many days the frustrations of the flat drive me a little bit insane; but searching for a new room in London could quite possibility drive me completely mental! The stresses of searching for a particular area, in a particular price range, with reasonable flat mates, and a certain time frame would have the same effect on most people. I never understood these people who go out one morning and come back with the perfect room at the perfect price with the coolest people. I am not one of those lucky souls! However, after days of searching, emailing, calling, visiting and countless “oh hell NOs” (pardon the phrase NN!) I have decided to move closer to the city centre, since so much of my time is spent in that area. My soon-to-be new home is about a five-minute walk from London Bridge and in a very nice, quiet little area. The house has three stories and approximately 15 rooms. Each floor has its own kitchen and bathroom. My room is a large double room with a space to create a sitting area if I wish to spend the money. I even have my own sink in a little closet area. The walls are bare and I must supply all the bedding and decorations (right now my wall decorations consist of South African flags and pictures of lions), but I am excited about having a place that is really mine.

The semester is finally winding down and I have one more assignment to complete before a “real” 10-day break. It’s the perfect amount of time to pack, clean, move and pop down to Morocco for a few days of holiday! So if I could say one thing to Father Time it would be “please slow down!”

Ringin' In the New Year

Less than a week ago, Eastern Boy and I boarded a Ryanair flight to Poland to spend some time at his parents’ home in Lubrza and spend the New Year with many of his childhood friends. We landed in Poznan around 11:30 a.m. and took a train to Lubrza. The train was packed but we were able to get two seats next to each other to enjoy the ride. Eastern Boy was exhausted from working 10 straight shifts, including the night we left. He had changed his schedule so that he could get off work at 12 a.m., run home and finish packing, and meet me to catch our first bus around 2:30 a.m. to Victoria coach station where we jumped onto a hot, sticky, over-crowded airport shuttle at 3:30 a.m. to Stansted airport. We arrived at the airport around 5 a.m. and waited in a long line for check in and security. Finally on the plane at 6:45 a.m. we passed out. So, after boarding the train in Poland Kris was out cold again. Even though I have been to Poland a couple of times already, I was much too excited to sleep.

As London has discovered the hard way, the climate in Europe is very much changing, and in Poland it is no different. Snow is not uncommon for that area but this year the country has received a significant increase in snow accumulation. The roads were completely covered and drivers were driving on at least two to three feet of packed snow while walkers pushed their way through more than five feet in places. It was like a very cold winter wonderland. Even the tree branches showed no signs of their natural color. It was gorgeous!

Eastern Boy’s parents are always welcoming and greeted us with warm food and Christmas gifts. We both received fabulous new thick fleece jackets to wear as an extra layer under our winter coats and of course, chocolates! We spent the two days exploring his little village and many of his favorite places. Then we headed back to Poznan to ring in the New Year at a Black and White party with some more of his friends.

I had quite a scare after I returned to London and discovered I had misplaced my passport somewhere between the airport and home. Panic set in as I realized the gravity of the situation. A new passport is $135 and a new visa is £200, plus the wait time in applying and receiving. I franticly began calling the airport and bus companies to see if any passports had been found. The lady at the airport shuttle company took my name and number and said she would call me if it turned up. Around midnight that same night I received a call from an unknown number, against my urge to ignore the call I answered. My passport had been found on the shuttle bus and would be waiting for me to pick up the next day at Victoria Coach Station! A perfect example of the power of prayer!

January has many exciting times ahead! While classes don’t start until February I have three more assignments due in the next few weeks to finish complete the semester. Motivation is lacking at the moment and to satisfy my need for procrastination I jumped on a tour bus to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. I am consistently amazed at the beauty of this country and the history that it holds. A couple of random facts that were learned during my adventure which I found of great interest: thatched roofs were made weatherproof by dipping the materials into wax so that rain wouldn’t destroy the straw. The roofs would hang rather low so it was common for cats and even dogs to be seen walking on the top of houses. However, when it rained the roofs would become slick, causing the animals to slip right off, creating the term “it’s raining cats and dogs.” Another old saying refers to the law allowing a husband to beat his wife. However, the stick could only be as thick as the husband’s thumb, creating the saying, the “rule of thumb.”

Later this month I have planned a day trip to Paris and a weekend trip to Morocco (both trips require a passport)! I know a little excitement is exactly what I need in order to be prepared for settling down and starting classes the beginning of February.