update

last week we went to stratford-upon-avon and then to oxford. i really should write more about it. i will. but the sad news is my computer got stepped on. the screen is broke. so, no more pics. maybe i can find some way to get them on here, but don't expect anything from me. i'm still grieving.

seriously?

this is my view of hyde park walking home from the v&a after a few hours spent on the 6th floor[full of ceramics] and a little stop by the science museum.

is this really my life? seriously? i love it.

pictures of brighton

these pictures are the only ones i have of brighton. this day we went to greyhound stadium and watched 12 or 13 races. oh it was only about 4 hours. it was a great 4 hours. so relaxing. why didn't i take pictures of the dogs? don't ask me. i'm a fool.

that's hot cocoa in my hand. i think laura has candy.

our books. baha. even though bryn was trying really hard, the dog she picked to win lost. every time. literally. came in last place. it was hilarious. natalie thought so.

gummy lips.

gummy gums.

just really funny to me. these signs were at every entrance to the beach. had to snap a pic.

brighton

i just came back from brighton. it was wonderful.

i read a book in waterstone's bookstore. the whole book. in 3 hours. it felt so good.

our hostel was a little gross. and there were soooooo many people in that room. it was muggy.

the beach was beautiful. i ate a burger and chips and a soft drink for 4 pounds. brilliant. also, i saw the adventures of tin tin in 3-d and it was so good!

great weekend.

pictures maybe?

real feelings

today we went to see the gerhard richter show at the tate modern. i wasn't expecting to enjoy it, to be honest. the only work i had seen of his was stuff i wasn't really impressed with. so, i just wasn't expecting to love it.

it was prefaced by a really enjoyable walk with brooklynn. we talked about real things and shared real friend details about our lives. boys and families and future and problem solving and decision making. it was just real. and lovely.

so, we arrived at the tate and got tickets for the exhibition and went in. he is still alive and still painting. there were 13 different rooms with paintings and installations. there were two abstractions of lions that began the effect. the next room had richter's first attempts at using a squeegee to paint and i was in awe. i stared and i thought. for the very first time in my life, i was inspired to paint. i feel empowered by these paintings. and i can truthfully say that i have not been affected by paintings this way before. i'm not even sure i really love all of richter's work, but the idea of his lifetime of work, his continuation of work, his exploration and his dedication to art and painting and life, is inspiring to me. so inspiring that i will paint tonight. paint and use a lot of paint, and take risks and use colors i may or may not be comfortable with. i feel hopeful about finding a niche and living with a passion for the rest of my life. this may not make a ton of sense to someone not engaged with art every day, but this is a breakthrough for me.

i feel so good.

i've got just over a month left in europe and i am doing my best to continue this fake dream life i'm living. i have so much to see and do. i am so happy here. and i know that i will come back to europe. i feel the fire for seeing the world and i feel very hopeful about loving every inch of it. i can't wait.

back to real life in january. not going to think about it.

another note: i think it's really the fall leaves that make thanksgiving so full of gratitude and love. the colors of thanksgiving are the best of all the colors. and i am grateful for color, and for the season that has claim over the best ones.

paris

i went to the: tour eiffel.

arc de triomphe.

champs e'lysee.

sacre coeur

saw a man do impossible things with a soccer ball.

found the moulin rouge, well, laurie found it, actually.

visited oscar wilde's grave. and was devastated to find it wrapped up to be cleaned... i was very upset.

but got over it slightly when i saw chopin's grave.

ate a creme broulee flavored macaron and it was INSANE. got it at the galeries de lafayette.

saw the round about of round abouts. this is the top of the arc de triomphe.

went to the louvre.

saw notre dame.

sat by the seine on the most beautiful fall day with brooklynn and ashley and laurie.

not pictured: visiting the musee rodin, musee d'orsay, the orangerie, the quai branly museum, the pompidou, the boat tour, and my entire trip to versaille. oh, and the 7 crepes i ate. 5 days? yeah... yeah.

back from paris

paris is where it's at. i have really really enjoyed my time in london so far, but paris.... that is a real place. wow. a furious 5 days and i feel exhausted but fine. i did so much. i'll post pictures real soon.

just sittin by the seine, watching the leaves fall. it was a beautiful week.