Learning to be British Lesson #1

The Cream Tea- One fatty scone (with lots of fruit jam and cream cheese smeared all over) and one cup of my favorite English Breakfast tea. Eat it with friends on lunch break or afternoon tea time.

week 8- Londontown

Moved out of Sussex and into London with the beautiful bride to be Aunt Jackie; took me to dinner with her friends who happen to be getting married as well... and seriously made me wonder how many years I can waste around being single.. her friends have been dating for the last 12 years no joke! literally been dating since middle school and they are going to get married soon! Such a fairy tale story :]

anyhow as we were finishing up dinner, a magician stopped by to show us some tricks and really made my night! (sorry for bad pictures)

went into Chinatown to get some legit chinese food after 8 weeks of starvation and hunger and eating off of sandwiches... Oh did i mention i got boba???? Oh how i miss you so!

Covent Gardens: This guy is by far my favorite! what i realize in London is that Londoners really do know how to relax and chill; sip on coffee or tea and enjoy/ appreciate street performers and musicians play; im going to call them street artists because its part of the London culture and the Brits dont look down upon these people; its what makes London so lively

Ended my week 8 going to Harrods... Seriously kicks South Coast Plazas Butt and I would go the extent to declare that it kicks the Fashion Show Mall in Vegas... Harrods has been around for almost 200 years and for its age, this place has some of the nicest decorations and brands ive seen... makes American malls seem so pathetic and dull (not that I hate it) This place has memorials and Egyptian statues... Have you seen these before in department stores? But like most high end places, its really for looks and it seems that this place was sold to Qatar Holdings recently since its hard to maintain business

Cant believe its almost the end of August :[ but enjoying the fact that I got to meet different people from all walks of life -sz

week 8- The Little Things

In the midst of writing my essay about witchcraft and purging demons :[ wanted to dedicate a post just to the little things that I will miss from Sussex.

1. Arts Cafe- because when i walk in every morning all tired and grumpy, the guy who makes my latte always draws a heart with the milk; nothing like starting the day off with good coffee... did i mention the guy memorized my drink and the way he just says "cheers" just makes my morning that much better?

2. Not the greatest picture of the view from the lab, but my lab really does get the BEST VIEW of the hills and trees of Sussex.

3. The bipolar Sussex weather-because I LOVE rainy (minus the wind) weather, but I think its the same in all of UK and probably will experience it in London... still something ill miss (every so now and then)

week 7/8-So what is left?

This coming week would mark the end of the Sussex program and as i look back to week 1, I realize how much happier and relaxed I have been. And its been awhile since I felt like this. And when I get back to California, its reality once again, stressing about this and that, and working towards a very bleak and uncertain future that I have set up for myself. Not going to get into the philosophical blah blah blah and what I learned about myself, but I am glad that got to come here and wouldnt trade it for anything else for the summer.

This weekend, I went back to where it all started--London. And finally got to see some city night lights and it is super pretty.

Thanks to Deanna for saving me photo since my camera just happen to die when we were at Abbey Road.

A must-do thing if you are in London; super cliche, but reliving my childhood dream to be a wizard and have super powers. cant believe it was back in 2000 when the Harry Potter books came out and now its been 10 years! im feeling old.

At the moment, trying to loose some weight...

week 6- Paris

Paris is too pretty for words. It definitely is the city of lights and love. Despite the fact that these Parisians hate and i mean HATE HATE HATE americans, they definitely have the skills to build gorgeous statutes, plazas, and palaces. And these things are hard to miss every time you turn the corner. Theres something to look and awe at every corner, on every bridge, and just about every turnabout.

The first thing i saw when i stepped foot onto Paris streets was the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, built for those who fought in the Napoloenic wars. It's interesting how the French still honor and celebrate Napoleon, who I guess is pretty heroic and a huge accomplisher and a man of many talents.

During this Paris weekend, I took so many Eiffel tower pictures that we eventually gave up taking pictures of it. I might as well name it the Eiffel tower album in my camera. Im sorry, but the French were right in the first place for hating the tower. It is pretty ugly and grotesque compared to all the other Parisian buildings in the city. and ontop of that I was looking at the tower on a quite gloomy day so for me, the tower looked like an ugly shaped pin needle. It's just the lights at night that bring the best out of Eiffel. And if paris was to ever have a blackout, the Eiffel would and will be just about the ugliest structure on the block. (no offense, please dont use my judgement to change your impressions of the Eiffel)

Musée du Louvre: only the one of the biggest and the most visited museum in the world. Saw the Mona Lisa, who by the way HATES HATES LIFE right now. Seriously, i bet it can win "Most Pictured/ Photographic Painting." And the paintings housed with the Mona Lisa probably hates her too.

The Wedding Feast at Cana (which i thought was the last supper, but is not)

was literally facing the Mona Lisa and no one bothered to take a few snapshots of it and everyone squeezed and crowded around just to get a few terrible bad pictures of the Mona Lisa who is no larger than 3 feet long.

Just thought it was a very awkward pose for not one but 4 men statutes to do. Try it yourself at home and have people looking at you while you are posing... its pretty awkward.

And Paris trip would not be complete without Château de Versailles. It is THE PALACE of all palaces and its gardens are THE gardens of all gardens. And its no wonder why Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette got guillotined. This place is too grandeur, even the gates were and little edges of each room inside the palace was gilded with gold paint.

There's a lake inside the palace and Versailles doesn't even include Marie Antoinette's estate. Seriously, the French royalty really know how to live life. Just looking at the gardens makes my day just so much better :]

So this concludes the use of my euros and now im left with leftovers and sad that I didnt use them all, but Ill be back one day to use them again... and I hope soon.

-sz

week 5- Amsterdam & Bruges

Infamous Amsterdam: If every guy had a common fantasy land, that would be Amsterdam. In the morning, this city is infested with tourists, but comes nighttime the city just lights up red with guys browsing for some women and drugs. It's hard not to spot a nonsmoker, nondrinker, non substance user, non sex worker, nonANTYHING for that matter. Anyone who goes, who lives, who visits Amsterdam is a something. Every corner of this city, there is a coffee shop. And when I say coffee shop, they arent just selling your alternatives to Starbucks, they are selling Amsterdams favorite Mary Jane.

yup, and they sell these too OPENLY... This city is just too liberal about ANYTHING.

We also made it to the Heineken factory (the ORIGINAL) and got a taste of fresh, crispy, chilled beer made direct from the factory. The legal age to drink for the Dutch is 16 and its scary to think when they actually drink. So when I saw these short little 16 year old looking teens in front of me, I was so surprised. Anyways, once we did make it towards the end of the tour, it was embarrassing (and I think rude too) not to have finished my drink on the spot. but OH wells....

And of course, Amsteradm would not be complete without having to walk through the red light district. Girls were literally standing openly behind glass windows underneath red lights, tempting guys who just wants to get some. And for 50 euros for 15-20 minutes i guess they can take experience the REAL AMSTERDAM. After seeing this place, I realize how liberal the Dutch are. Every other shop sold at least some sort of sex toys, sex shows, weed chocolate, weed ANYTHING, or just simple sex. and it was real business (no shady underneath the table) it was all out in the open. I was only able to take a good picture of the area sitting next to the canal, but only be forced to leave after a man walks up to me to ask If I was Chinese and If i wanted to sleep with him? Do I look like I want to sleep with him?!?!?! Anyhow, red light district would mark my conclusion of the Amsterdam trip.

Day 2: Bruges

It was hard for me not to stop and look at every chocolate shop in Bruges. As you walk through this medieval town, you smell the aroma of the chocolate that runs through almost every alley and lane. After a funfilled day at Amsterdam, it was nice to walk through something so serene and cute like Bruges. Got to try some legit Belgium waffles and got tons of chocolate for the homies back home. It was a short stop here, but it was still good and Im happy with week 5.

*Always need to remind myself to update and jot down all the cool and fun things in these european cities. At the moment, I need up upload for paris...

-sz

Week 4-Italy

I refuse to post pictures of the Vatican not because its holly or sacred (which it is); its more about me finally seeing it in person which made me realize how pictures cannot depict the grandeur and scale of this place. So its better for me not to post them and just let others imagine/see/experience it themselves.

But what I am willing to share is that I found the most romantic place... Venice. I was only there for a day, but within that 24 hours I left my heart there. This place is just gorgeous and filled with so much culture, love, art, and friendly people.

I was able to wake up early to beat the crowds and millions of tourist to actually see and really seeee Venice for itself and its so much better than having people standing around taking pictures.. and me holding my camera, taking pictures of people taking pictures, which is the ugliest, most unartistic scene ever. And once I made pass the narrow alleys, pass the gorgeous canal I made it to Saint Marks Square. Soooo taken back by its beauty (but not the ugly construction that was going on).

My Venice would not be complete without some yummy gelato. Gelato is THE Italian fast food. I probably had gelato from morning to evening after every meal i had, and it was so worth it. Honestly, would not mind having low fat italian ice cream as fast food; its much more healthier and tastier than MickyDs.

Venice is totally worth the 2nd trip, breakup trip, honeymoon, etc. Totally sad that I am only recalling memories of my trip and writing this entry. So I rewatched Casanova to reminice about it and heath Ledger. Venice, I will be back... sz

Week 4-Barcelona

I finally see why people in Europe in general are much more happier than people back home. Its not just their nightlife that makes Spain one of the hot spot destinations for many, but its also their lifestyle. It doesn't seem like people are constantly stressed working a 9 to 5 job or just constantly in a rush to get to places or the fact that they have to drive in 2 hour traffic to get home... they just enjoy their life and dance the night away and start again the next day. I personally would not mind. I wished I paid more attention in AP Spanish, otherwise, I managed to use my limited and broken Spanish to converse with locals.

finally got my hands on legit paella and it was soo yummy, actually made me realize how bland and boring Asian rice is (not trying to say it’s a bad thing) But sitting by the harbor, eating paella with the wind blowing away sweat accumulated from a hard day of walking- it’s a feel good day

Before this trip, I had no idea who Antoni Gaudi was until I arrived, seeing his distinct and unique architecture… I am officially a fan of his work and after spending a whole day in Barcelona, I was able to just spot them from miles away and know that it was the work of Gaudi.

And it didn’t hurt that people in Barcelona are just so good looking both males and females… definitely a country I want to come back and chill the F*** out when im so tied up with the stressful school life back in sd

Week 3- Beautiful Brighton

Brighton is one of those towns that go unnoticed because of all the hype people hear about London and how fun it is. And as much as I love the sights in London, it is nothing like the shops and goodies at Brighton, which I adore.

Ive been living off of sandwiches for the past week and finally found a coffee shop that I love. Its no corner bakery, but its definitely yummy and fulfilling.

Love seeing parents pushing strollers around all over Brighton. English babies remind me why I love kids and hope that one day Ill have one of my own. This little girl was just staring at me when I was looking through pictures and I decided to capture her.

And it doesnt hurt that the Royal Pavillion is just shining at night in Brighton.

Week 2-YO SOY ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL

Finally got the chance to watch the world cup finals at a pub and i was totally shocked at how big the spanish culture here... The crowd and its chants totally got me going; i find myself chanting with them every though I didnt know any of the lyrics or what they were chanting about, sigh really wished I could use some of my four years of Spanish learning back from high school.

Tried to blow the horn to wake this knocked out Netherlands guy up; and we tried multiple times and he was still asleep... must be too ashamed knowing that his team would loose. Seriously, the Netherlands were playing dirty in the 1st half of the game.

The pub was jam packed with tons of Espana fans and this was nothing like watching the NBA finals and cheering on the Lakers. It was way bigger than that... Most of the time i was singing YO SOY ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL even though I was Asian American. Since the game, I find myself attracted to Spanish futbol players hot just from the way they move on the field. Have you seen their legs? HOTTTTTTTT

Any single soccer players out there? -sz

Week 2-Some Stones and Finally, The England I Know Of

Seeing Stonehenge is one of those things you would only go once, but definitely not the second time or anymore times. The only fun thing about seeing the stones was that there was an audio guide with it so I got some interesting facts, but otherwise, stonehenge is pretty much what you see in pictures and in my pics--just stones. In fact, I found the surrounding area with grassland and sheep much more interesting and beautiful. I would post more pictures of the stones, but every picture angle is the same--just stones.

Once I got to Bath, I realized it was the epitome to represent England in pictures and media. Buildings were ancient, but so well preserved and its awesome to see that the Brits actually built a cute little tourist like town around the Roman Baths.

The water is actually much more dirtier than what it seems. Lydia tells me that she actually saw mold in the corners, which is disgusting. Hope the Romans back in the B.C. era did not bath in that SH**.

Went to a candy store (just like the one from Harry Potter)... Total fantasy land for me and I got to buy some mint chocolate treats for homies back home, but only to find that it melted on the way back. On top of that, I am so tempted to eat it myself. I think Ive come to realize that ice cream stores and sweet shops are Bath's version of Arcadia's Boba stores. And for the Boba addict that I am, this is good, trying new sweet drugs.

-sz

Week 2- Food Fantasma

For the past week since I landed in UK, I think Ive been living off of sandwiches, sandwiches, and more sandwiches. Really miss the days when I actually cooked and actually had the materials to cook. Not that food is bad, I'm just skeptical about what the Brits sell here... Should I try it? What is in it? And when I do go out to eat, I usually find the diamond in the rough

Went out into town to try some English Breakfast at Bubble Kitschen and Yes, they actually serve grilled mushrooms for breakfast.

Spanish Tapas for dinner... Just cant get enough of it even when I promised myself that I would not try the same restaurant twice. Had to break this rule just for La Tasca...
And with a cup of Sangrias, my dinner is good to go!

-sz

Week 1- Art Appreciation

Whats so great about the UK is that they preserve their historical buildings and they actually promote art along with these buildings and its no surprise that people actually stop by at art galleries and observe them for hours (I actually stood in front of my favorite Van Gough's Sunflower, appreciating the artistry and reminiscing my 3rd grade replica of it)

Amazed at the intricacy and detailing of these art pieces, and what about the time to sit there to draw it and paint it under this weather? Props to this guy

So jealous that these dancers got to dance in the fountain with the 1000 year old Somerset Mansion surrounding them; this is art blended with history at its best

Missing dance

-sz

Week 1- Whats in Town?

Because my school is located in the countryside, well i wouldnt say farm, but its pretty secluded, the closest town that has shops and a actually a LIFE is in Brighton, which is ___ (fill in the blank and decide yourself)

Pub crawl: ink, lucky voices, geisha, and honeyclub

Weekend Excursion- London Exploring

I have to remind myself that it is summer and London is flooded with tourist so Im bound to be pushed and shoved in lines and in crowds, but its disappointing having to get bad shots of these nice places because of, well, American tourists, who dont know any better; oh well, this will not be the end of London trip

Highlight of the trip would have to be going on the London Eye and getting breathtaking views and our accidental stumble into Piccadilly Circus, but only to discover that it is the UK and the English people like to close shops at 7 or 6 even if its a Friday. I just dont get it: they love to drink, smoke, get tattoos, have awesome nightlifes, but they cant afford to keep food and shops open a lil longer? I dont get it...

Props to the Brits for preserving history and showcasing it to the public; WA is definitely something they should be proud to showcase

View from the London Eye of the great city of London, which by the way has been standing for a good 1000-2000 years and preservation of these historic buildings is just gorgeous

Ended the day tired, exhausted, and just trying to find some peace and happiness...

-sz

Week 1- The Exploring

The time that I was on the plane till the time I set foot into Sussex, it was complete exploring for me since everything was so new and different. Driving on the left side, dinky small cars, shirtless guys randomly walking around, and to top that terrible dorm rooms- this was a total setback and now i have a deeper appreciation for dorms back home.

I dont quite understand why my window OF ALL WINDOWS must have bird poop that makes it look like my window got egged... total disappointment to look out the window.poooooo

Apparently 80F here is a heatwave to the English people and when I said I was freezing at night my prof thought I was crazy and told me its one of the hottest summers lol

Anyways, went out to explore beautiful Brighton- cute little shops and restaurants in small alleys with open patios- such temptations to go broke, but i like :]

Lick reminds me of froyo at home... its good to know that it's going global and that I dont have to craze for this delicious treat anymore :]

The Anxiety

Counting down the hours till I leave arcadia/LA/Cali/sunny weather/US/fast food nation


and thats pretty awesome :]