Bath photos up.

Well, I had an extremely great time in Bath last weekend. I haven't felt so relaxed after the full day in the spa sitting in the hot baths and steam rooms. Man, I tell you one should get pampered once in awhile. And Bath is so gorgeous. It is the only total Georgian town in england, and it shows. All the buildings are of the style, you can't help but constantly look up. The hostel I stayed at was great, I had been there before with my mom so already knew it. And all this pretty darn close to London. I have posted my pics on my photo site, link is to the right in the menu. Enjoy them and I hope everyone has a chance to visit this wonderful city.

Trip to take a Bath.

I have booked myself a trip to the town of Bath this weekend. It is an early birthday gift for myself. I am going there to soak in the new public baths there. I do love a good hot tub. These are mineral baths. I will stay in a hostel for both nights, a very nice YMCA hostel that I stayed at before with my mom. I am looking forward to this and pray for good weather. It has been quite rainy here recently with depressing grey clouds. Everyone keep their fingers crossed for me. The heath is looking really green though, which is beautiful as ever.

I can't believe I will be 31 in a couple of weeks, my how the years have flown. I hope to have a bbq on the sat before or after with a few friends, english weather permitting of course.

I will take pics while in Bath and post them when I get back. Yay for me!!!

An interview with an author by my mom.

Hello everyone. My mom is doing an interview with a book author this week on her blog. He is doing a blog tour, which I haden't heard of before. It sounds like a great idea though. The info is below for you to check out.

Coming this week on Wednesday, May 2nd I have the privilege of interviewing Eric Maisel on my blog http://childrens-book-reviews.blogspot.com/ . Eric is a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction, a licensed family therapist, and a creativity coach. He is on a world-wide blog tour to promote his latest book Ten Zen Seconds.Join me on the 2nd as I'll be asking Eric how writers, particularly for children and young adults can sustain the long effort of writing (and illustrating) a book when so many odds are against the effort, especially the internal doubts and fears.Children are so important. It is always my heartfelt interest to help children, and so I will also be asking Eric if the Ten Zen Seconds techniques are appropriate for children, and if so how can it enhance their creativity, play, and learning. See also my post from last week for a book review of the book!
From Judith, Robin's Mum!

Pictures of CA trip

Well, I finally uploaded the pictures I took when I was in CA. They can all be viewed in a new album on my photo site titled CA Trip 2007. I actually took more than I thought. I really like the new camera I had bought prior to going on the trip. With such great weather, they all came out amazingly. It totally makes me miss home.

Speaking of which, for those who don't know. I have been doing a lot of thinking and one of my thoughts is that I may, at some point, move back to the US. I really did miss my family and all the wonderful friends I had there that I got to see. I would need to find out about the kind of work I do over there. What is available, what skills can transfer over and if it is difficult to get into. I do love what I do.

Speakin of which. :) I am in a new part of the heath now. I am helping out on west heath for the summer. This is the gay area. Unfortunately, they leave a lot of sexual waste. The upside is that I am monday to friday earlies. So, weekends off. Cool. I will try to keep you all posted as things happen.

Back in London.

Well, I am back in London. I had a good flight. I almost didn't make it. I was on BART when I there was an announcment that it would terminate at 16th st mission due to a fire near one of the other stations. We had to seek alternative routes. Well, this shook me. When I got out of the station, I asked a couple who had suitcases if they were going to the airport. They were, and they were on the same flight as me. So, we walked a few blocks and hailed a cab. We did make it and got on the flight. When I checked in the didn't have an aisle seat for me, but would put me on a list to change if anything came up. It did. Once we took off my entertainment system wasen't work on my seat. After a couple of reboots, they had to change my seat. As luck would have it, it was in premium economy. So, that was a big bonus.

I got back safe and sound and am keeping myself awake. I have been to the grocery store and unpacked everything. I will of course keep posted on any new things when my job starts back up.

End of trip.

Well, I have come to the end of my CA trip. And what a trip it has been. It has been so wonderful to see all my friends and be with my family. I didn't realise how much I have missed it here. It gives me new thought about possibly coming back here for good. But, time will tell, along with a lot of research into my line of work here. So, I head back to London with lots of great memories, a number of photos and hope. Hope for myself in my life. I am happy about who I am and what I am doing, and that makes for a pretty nice life. I will post my pictures at some point once I get back so you can get a glimpse of what I have been doing.

I am also going to do some research into find a place to live that is more my own. I did a little, and found that some bedsits/studios are within my price range, as long as they are inclusive. I just can't live in a houseshare situation much longer. I will update that as well.

A last big thank you for everyone who made my trip so memorable, and I hope it won't be too long until I see all of you again, certainly sooner than 3 years.

Calistoga.

My father and I are up in Calistoga in the napa valley. We took public transport all the way. They have a bus service all the way from Vallejo to Calistoga. I was very impressed by it. We have already been in the hot tubs too. So relaxing. I always used to LOVE coming up here and that hasen't changed. We will be here until Wednesday. It is very hot and sunny. I have been extremely fortunate to have had great weather since I have been in CA. It has been sunny and clear everyday.

Also, I saw a fantastic play at my sister's theater, Theatreworks, on saturday night. It was called Trying. It was a cast of only 2, with the lead guy giving an amazing performance. He is about 74 years old and never let up the whol performance. It was opening night also, which is always a treat. I went with my friend from high school who I finally got to see after nearly a year and a half of instant messaging, texting and phone calls. It was great to see her.

It has been great to see all my friends so far. I kinda didn't realize just how many friends I did have back here. I guess I am more popular that I thought. :) And I still have more to see!! This trip will go real quick, I can tell.

Hello from CA!!

I am now in CA. I arrived yesterday to some nice sunshine. I had a great flight, watching movies the whole time. I love Virgin Atlantic for the fact you get like 50 films to pick from and can watch them whenver you want. You can also rewind, pause and fast-forward. Exceptional. I breezed through the customs (it is so nice to have dual citizenship.) Then got back to my dad's and relaxed. We did go out for a Gordo's burrito last night. Man, that was so delicious. They are still without a doubt my favourite burrito.

I woke up real early this morning, as always happens. Hopefully it won't take long to adjust. I will try to take some pictures with my cool new camera while I am here. I look forward to seeing as many people as possible.

Avenue Q

I had the pleasure of going to the theatre again last night. I gotta take advantage that I am in one of the biggest theatre places on the planet. I went and saw Avenue Q. This play uses puppets, like the muppets or sesame street, but with a adult theme. It was freaking hilarious. The audience was in stitches. And I have to give big credit to the actors, they really brought the puppets to life and sometimes you forgot they were there. Not in a bad way. And some of the things they had the puppets do, well let's just say I won't ruin it in case anyone gets to see it. Amazing. I do love the theatre. And it gives me the chance to dress up, which I do like.

It is also cool I am off in a couple days to SF. I can't wait. I have reconnected with a couple friends from elementary school and look forward to seeing them, even if it means figuring out how to get over to San Rafael. Cool.

Different job at work.

It has been a bit since I posted. It isn't always easy to remember. I have been, for the last couple weeks, helping out the ecologist at work. I have been on the computer mostly, extracting data from different sources to put into reports. It is cool because I learn more about different things like: blue green algae or swans and geese or the ponds. I also went out and took pictures of where paths cross streams to get an idea of the extent things are getting "flushed" into them and ultimately into the ponds. I think it is great to get different perspectives to the place you love to work, and meet more people. I also got my own work email account, which is cool. I doubt many temporary staff get that.

A bit of sad news. The playground attendant at Highgate Wood passed away this week from a brain hemorrage. I never met him, but since I have had work colleauges pass away on me before, it still hit a nerve. And he was well young, in his early 40's. Life is too short, we need to make the most of it, be with the people we care about. Never forget it.

Well, it is just over a week until I fly to CA. I am very excited about that. My schedule is already starting to fill. My father and I just booked a few days up in Calistoga for some relaxing in the spas. My back will love it. I still plan on meeting up with everyone. I look forward to talking with you.

Work update and more snow!

Well, I have been doing something a little different at work. Instead of my usual patrolling outside, I have been inside on a computer. I have been helping out the ecologist input data in excel and word. It is extracting data from different sources and putting it in a single report. The cool thing is I am learning more about these things, such as blue green alage, canada geese and mute swans. A lot is centered around the ponds, and I really like ponds and pond management, so this is a good way to learn more about it. I will be doing this for the next few weeks until I have my contract break, then it is off to CA.

It snowed again on thursday, and it was thicker than last time. It wasen't a massive amount, but enough to shut the schools down. This meant, of course, that all the kids were on the heath sleding down the hill. It was packed. Lots of big snowmen were made, and quite a few snowball fights. It was great to see. I was out patrolling that day due to being short of staff. I didn't complain one bit. I do love snow.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!!

I woke up yesterday morning to a bit of a shock. When I looked outside my kitchen door, the groudn was white. It had only gotten cold a few days prior. It was completely unexpected. Well, I knew right away I had to take my camera into work, as seeing the heath covered with snow is magical. And I was right, it was absolutely beautiful. Kids were out with their sleds and making snowmen. Okay, it was a pretty thin layer of snow, but it was enough for anyone of any age to have fun. I took quite a few pictures and will post the best here, the rest can be found in the heath album on my yahoo picture site, so be sure to check them out.

Coming to Cali

Well, I have cool news. I am coming to CA in March for close to 4 weeks. I will be there from the 4th to the 31st. I am well and truely excited to see all my friends. So, if you are reading this and I haven't already contacted you, give me a shout. I would love to meet up with everyone. I will also be taking a small trip up to Seattle on the weekend of the 16th to see a really good friend of mine. I have never been there, so it will be a great treat. Can't wait to see people.

Spamalot pt 2

I went and saw Spamalot yersterday as planned. Well, sort of. I got the the theatre to pick up my ticket for the matinee and saw a sign saying someone else was playing King Arthur instead of Tim Curry. Well, I really wanted to see him in it. So, I asked if he was still playing at the 8pm show. They said he was and they had one ticket left in a box seat, which has a restricted view. I asked if I could trade, but they said all I could do was have them try and sell off my matinee ticket. So, I went with it. I went out and used my time until I could come back after the matinee. Well, luckily they sold my ticket. I had chinese food with a friend, and off to the evening performance. I laughed my ass off. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. Tim Curry was amazing in the role, and it turned out to be his last performance. So, the cast gave him flowers and the end and all. I would say I laughed even more than watching the movie. I loved the music so much I bought the CD afterwards. The set was beautiful and the costumes and props were dead on perfect. The box I was in was next to one of the speakers, but it didn't bother me. I sat with 2 other people in the box who were really nice and even gave me a recommendation for another play.

I can't recommend this enough. It is currently playing in New York, London, Las Vegas and a US tour. If you get a chance to see this, GO. This should be mandatory for everyone. And dress up too, it adds to the experience.

Oh yea, almost forgot. They were selling a limited edition of SPAM with stinky french garlic. It is made in finland with chinese garlic. :) They were selling it at the gift shop. They were also selling SPAM sandwiches. What a riot. It all was hilarious. GO SEE IT!!

Spamalot

I am well excited. I am going to see Monty Python's Spamalot on saturday. This is the last weekend that Tim Curry is in the role of King Arthur and I have been highly recommended to go and see him in it. He started in on broadway. I only paid 20 pounds for the ticket which I thought was quite reasonable. It is in the highest level, balcony, but I will have some small binoculars to see a bit better. I will put a blog entry up after I see it to let y'all know what I think. I do love going to the theatre and don't do it too often. Sadly, I am by myself. But screw it, I would rather go alone than not at all. You never know who you might meet. . . .

Back in London

I am back in London after a gruelling long journey. Because of bad weather I got delayed in Austin long enough to miss both the connecting flights to London from Houston. I had to stay in a hotel overnight, which luckily the airline paid for. I got on the flight the next day and both me and my luggage made it. Man, was I glad to get in my door and put my bags down. I am forcing myself to stay awake and adjust to this time again. I was suppose to work today, but that wasen't going to happen. I will be back tomorrow bright and early. I am too tired to even stay up until midnight for new years. I do hope everyone has a happy new years and can celebrate for me. I may have to rethink coming back earlier next time. Jetlag is definately having a worse effect on me as I get older, and it SUCKS.

Christmas holidays go so fast.

Well, here I am getting ready to jet off to the airport for my return trip to London. I apologise for not writing the entire time I was here. That was pure lazyness. That and the fact we did quite a bit. And certainly a lot of eating. It was great to be with family. There is nothing quite like it. I am looking forward to getting back to my friends and workmates in London though. I have missed it a bit. The one dumb thing I did was forget to bring my camera with me, so I didn't get any pictures. The cool thing was we did all these family pictures. My aunt still has to polish them up, but I am well looking forward to getting them.

I will try to write more once I am back in merry ol' england. I wish everyone a happy new year.

In Austin

So, I am now in Austin. After a very long journey (I really wish they would hurry up and invent beaming) I am with my family again. It is really great to see them. It is also like summer here, I was out in my t-shirt after getting here. Mind you, it was quite warm in London for the time of year, so maybe it is the global warming thing. I've already had some yummy honey baked ham and went up to the supermarket for a few things. Had to stretch my legs for a bit. It is funny, but for the first time I experienced something that I haven't before. Normally, I am well excited to come and see my family, and kinda dread at the end going back. But, this time I am actually missing London a bit. Between having such great friends and an amazing job, it really has become my home in my heart. Plus, I know my housemates will do some sort of drinks which I would have loved to be a part of. Well, I am happy to be with my family and hope to contact some of my friends in CA soon too.

Sexiest radio voice.

So, I get into work today. I am having a cup of tea when the constabulary walk in. One of the first things they say, to me, is that they had a contest amongst themselves to determine who had the sexiest radio voice. Well guess who won? ME!!!! That's right, me. They said my american voice was the sexiest on the heath. The second place belong to an american woman who works at the ladies pond. Well, that brightened up my day. Now, if only the rest of me could match....

Ice skating is so fun.

Okay, so this is a bit late to post. Last friday we had the grand opening of the ice rink on the heath. It is built upon some of the tennis courts. It isn't a big rink by any means, but it does the trick. This event was for staff and press to attend. It was free, the best price, and there was also free mulled wine and mince pies (yummy.) We did have some rain, and it was on the rink, but luckily it was frozen in time. I say this, because there were complaints from neighbours about the noise of the generators that were freezing the ice and they had to be shut off. Needless to say, they weren't sure if it would be frozen in time. It was, and I had a blast. The last time I went ice skating was two years ago up at Alexandra Palace. That is a very nice rink, and operates year round. The one on the heath is there for a month. Skating is one of those things that once you do, you don't forget.

I tell you once, I tell you again. I LOVE THE HEATH!!!!!