#5 end of may beg june cont.

So to write even more! I havent been up to too much the past few weeks really.... i took Spencer to get a needle the other day and he was a VERY brave boy! He barly cried.... but that could be because i popped a biscuit in his mouth immediatly after.

Also it has been very warm and sunny out latly!! its been wonderful! I think i even have a bit of a tan on my arms..... tho my legs are having a bit of trouble..... it might be time to hit the salon LOL...

I also went to Whitley last weekend to visit Steph! It was my first train ride ever and let me tell you trains are VERY confusing.... once you work out were you need to go and what platforms, etc and where to change trains if necessary then you can enjoy the nice air conditioned and even comfy seating. I studied my course most of the way there (its a two hour trip) and ate loads of chocolate covered raisens. The washrooms were SO cool! haha sounds rediculas saying that but really they were great! You press a button and the door opens, and it kinda slides into the wall and its like a half circle, then you press another button to close the door, and then one more to lock it..... very high tech!! also the soap and water and hand dryer are all motion detected too. Steph and greg met me at Swanwick station in perfect timing.... and then we had a LONG treck back to the hotel were they work. Its like a 25min walk... it took FOREVER.... but we did make it.... that night we went to the pub up the road... which closed at like 11.. SO early! esspecially cause it was the only pub in the whole town! ... we went up to Tescos and got more liquor (I got a 40 of Malibu... its the same price here as a 26) I learned how to play texas holdem.. i was pretty good but in the end just bet it all..... and lost haha!

The next day we went to starbucks for lunch and then looked around the french market... we also played badminton and then went to the duck pond.... the duck pond was really really cool... it was in the middle of a buissness centre and in the first section there was only one swan and no other bird... that swan was verry mean! There were warning signs up about him and he came towards you as if he was going to attack you! There were baby ducks (see pictures on facebook) and they were ADORABLE i wish i could have held them they were so precious looking. There were loads of ducks EVERYWHERE and swans too..... there were baby swans and i even fed one of the swans oout of my hands so that was really neat! I did get a photo of that too so thats good. There were also swans right up beside the buildings (shadding themselfs from the sun) though it did look as if they were 'window shopping'

When we got back we relaxxed for a while and then made tacos for dinner. They were delicious! We went out to South hampton that night so while getting ready we had a few predrinks and then once we were feeling pretty good we headed up to the pub to meet the others and cab to South hampton. Once we got to South Hampton we met up with some more people and went to a club called Orange.... the places was SO over crowded so we left and kind of split up... We (me, Steph, Greg, & Dale, and i think some otehrs went to Junk.... it was okay... deffinatly less crowded. Greg ended up getting kicked out for a reason we are yet to discouver.... so we left a bit earlier then general but it was deff a great night! we went home and drank some more. I ended up going to sleep around 530am ish... So it was not bad. The next day i woke up late and got ready slowly and packed up and then walked to the train station... Steph had to goto wwork. I had to wait at the train station for about 40min but after a long day of trains and busses i finally made it home! I had a hot bubble bath and deff. did not unpack (actually I just unpacked yesterday.... waited about 4 days LOL)


This week:

On monday i took Spencer up to the Angel and he went to the park on the slide, and swings, and this spining thing too! We played there for over an hour. That night i met up with Chris and we went for a VERY VERY long walk all around London basically here are some key spots we went to; Oxford street - Piccidilly circus - Trafaglar Square - Parliment square - Along the water in fron of the London eye -Along the water farther to the next bridge - Soho - Leciester square - new oxford street....
if you were to put that all onto a map you would see that it was a far distance!!! I took a few more pictures (will be posted later.... i cant update them ALL at once then you wouldnt have n e thing to look forward to!)
The Tuesday i met Julz for Lunch with Spencer at Garfunkles... we both had all you can eat salad bar. it was a really good salad bar i deff. enjoyed it... After me and Spencer went for a longg lonng (hour walk) walk we hopped on the bus and headed home... i didnt do much that night tho i did find out were to get rollerblades (which today i ordered from Tesco's)
Yesterday me and Spencer had a veggie day and didnt leave the house... the weather couldnt make up its mind... kinda like today so we stayed in... Me and Sandra watched the UK Apprentice finalee.... it was really good! The guy (Leigh) who i wanted to win.. did win! I was very happy about that! Then i went to bed.....

Today... well now the my blog is all caught up... i hope i can stay caught up!!! Me and Spencer havnt gone out yet... he got woken up rreally early by the lawn mowers outside so he has been very tired all day.... hes been sleeping now for over an hour.... giving me a chance to update this! The weather is very overcast out.... but 14 degrees... (or so my computer tells me) We might step out and just go for a walk around the neighbourhood but we willl see.....


Comming up in my life:
-Tommorow i am waiting for my rollerblades to come!!! I cannot wait! if they come early enough we might go up to the park and go for a spin (me and spencer... tho he will be in his pram LOL)
-Saturday a night out at Walkabout with Julz, and possible chris and his friend too?
-Sunday... nothing planned.... we will see what happens... might go up and check out the shopping at covent gardens
-Monday - Friday next week nothing planned except Spencers first hair cut on Friday
-Saturday... my hair appointment 11:45... finally! I need a trim and hopfully some blonde streaks in it... but we will see... i just know my bangs are getting unruelly! Also we will be decorating and preparing for the party!
-Sunday... hmmmm a very very busy day! Spencers christianing... and also his first birthday bbq party.... his birthdays the following sunday but its being celebrated all at once! ... more details to come!!!

Well i miss everyone back home... and i REALLY REALLY miss slurpees... and my puppy!!

Lots of Love <3
xoxo
Nicolee

#4 - End of May - Beg. of June

So these past few weeks have been verry action packed!

A few weeks ago me and Julz met some new friends and went out on Saturday morning shopping on Oxford street... we were there at TEN am!!! soo early! Then after shopping we went to this really really neat fair... it was huge.... they had really old slot machines, and carnival games, etc.. i also went on the old fashioned carisole with Julz, Jenny, & Victor... Victor did one of the hammer things to make the thing reach the top and he actually got it to the top two out of three times! After we had some really good cookies and then we all headed home to get ready to go out that night!
I think i prolly got home first considering there is a bus from practically everywhere in london that drops at me at my door step... I got ready and met everyong at piccidilly.. we found a club promoter to get cheap entry and went to Rainforest cafe.... for those of you that remember we use to have a rainforest cafe in metrotown... with all the trees, and stuff... well its the same here except its still open... at night the restraunt area turns into a night club.. It was really neat because of the decor, tho the music and crowd werent really my scene... and the drinks were VERY expensive .... As you might have guessed me and Julz left with Tori and Erin (two more girls from australia) and went to walk-about... its an australian bar/club that has really cheap drinks! It plays kinds older like 80's/90's music but its heaps of fun! I must admit tho it was verry hot inside! Me and julz got mackies and then headed home... my feet were killing me from the long day!

About two weeks ago Sandra, Jamie, and Spencer went away for the weekend to see Spencers grandad... That friday night i went out to Camden town which i found out was really close to my house... Its kind of a sketchy area... the area you go to get peircings and tattoos or to buy drugs... lol but if you know where to go then its really really fun! We first went to a pub called end of the world right by camden town tube and it was alright i guess... i mean the building was spectacular... but the music was tooo heavy metal for my taste. We just stayed for one drink and headed on to another place.. (cant remember the name) and had something call an illusion... i swear it was the whole bar in a jug... you could deffinatly feel the affects after some of that juice! After we went to this more posh place over the canel that was really nice! It was too bad we couldnt have our drinks out on the patio but me and anna and fran spent most of the time on the dance floor anyway! Around 12 we left there (it was very hot inside) and went to Barfly to see Sam Sparro live! I had never heard of him before but he has some really good songs; black & gold, and 21st century are deffiantly worth checking out! He was really good live! I was quite impressed. I wore heels out that night and my feet were hating me ALL the way home! I did eventually get there tho and it being my first night alone in the house i was kind of freaked out.... i mean ive been alone there but NEVER overnight.... i locked the bottom section from the inside (its one of those old style brass keys) and went to bed....

The next day i spent most of my time in bed until going and meeting julz at the angel around 4pm... We went to sainsbury and bought some grocerys for dinner, and snacking food for with our movies... we ate at mackies (mcdonalds) and then on our way home we rented ps. i love you... since we both hadnt seen it... That night we watched greese, and ps. i love you, also tuned in to see the end of britians got talent. It was like a sleep over from back home! It was really good to just kind of hang out and chat and things...
In the morning we got up and went up to the angel for a full english breakfast; sausage, beans, fried mushrooms, two eggs, four peices of taost, and bacon (ham)... it was deffinatly a first and a last for me... way too greasy! We also went and saw Sex in the City the movie! It was excellent... i never ever watched the tv program but i did love the movie! I spent the rest of the weekend studying my course (which by the way i got 100% on my first two exams and 90% on my third)

Europe #3 - May

So far I have been updating in the group i created... however i figure since most people just message me or write on my wall anyways it would be easier to just write notes... All my pictures will be in albums on my page anyways...
Since i last updated my group i have:
1. Gone to South End, a inlet beach along the coast about an hour outside of London... well an hour if you dont end up getting diverted half way across the world because of an accident on your way home... but we will get to that in a moment...
South end is amazing! So far my FAVOURITE place in England... it is actually what i would picture a proper beach to be.... it has a sea side fair with over 100 rides, seperate aracades, a casino, proper fish and chips, the worlds longest peir, a quaint little fishermans village with little vacation apartments, old style lawn chairs to rent (there only £1.50 for a day, which i thought was quite good!), little sea side shops, and YES of course ICE CREAM!! lol .... although on the sunny day we went parking was very hard to find it still was very pretty. (I have a few picture in my May album)
2. Had a hot spring evening out with Julz
We spend a whole afternoon/evening walking around what would be similar but 10x's bigger as downtown Vancouver... the center of London even on a Sunday afternoon gets verry busy!!! The bars are so packed that people stand along side the building and gather outside to enjoy there ice cold lager (similar to beer). We went to Soho and enjoyed a smoothie at the gourmet hot dog company... trust me they had EVERRY flavour you could imagine... even Salmon hot dogs... but at £4-5 each ($8-9) they looked to be hardly worth it! We also went to a pub called Camden and had the BEST drink ever!
Part pomigranite juicepart rasberry juicepart soda and then Vodka... it was delicious!!
Really funny thing is most people were drinking pints or just a glass of something or another but ours came in a hugge piture and the whole VERY busy pub was loooking at us and our selection....
We also went to trafaglar square, went through lecster square, and i had to buy a t-shirt because the sweater i was wearing was deff. too hot for this beautiful weather.... we then went home because after spending about 4 hours walking around london you do get verrry tired!
3. Took Spencer swimming, on a few occations now... he LOVES it! deffinatly one with the water.. we spend generally over an hour in there, but on the way home everrry time he falls asleep!! He has a little tube he can go in so he floats and sometimes he falls alseep in there... prolly cause the waters really relaxing and calming... he also has taken to going down the slide into the water.This whole swimming experience has been good for him... its alot easier to wash his hair in the bath now... he doesnt mind the water on his face at all
4. Had a picnic with julz in Kensington Gardens... we enjoyed the nice summer weather with a picnic from Tesco shopping (like safeway, saveon, etc) The park was busy... but not as busy as we had thought it would be... which was good... We also peeked in a lot of shops down kensington high street and then took the tube to goto Primark... i got three pairs of shorts and a pair of pijamas too
5. Met up with Steph and her bf for a few drinks at a few local pubs by my house... we went to the Steam Passage and then another one i think was called the works? It was a thursday night and i did have to work the next morning so i came home just after midnight... it was a good night out... i love how i can take over 4 buses home 24 hours a day that drop me basically on my door step!!
6. I took spencer to kensington gardens princess diana princess of whales memorial playgroud.. it was really lovely.. just like in peterpan... all sorts of little areas for kids to run around and hide, in the centre there was a hugee pirate ship, little indian huts, little row boats, and lots of other lovely things... the park would be perfect for 4-7 year olds that are a big more mobile then spencer... tho he is verrry verry close to walking!! he is clinging onto EVERYTHING and trying to get the motion going lol
7. I enrolled in an interior decorating diploma program online! I am quite excitied.. i already did my first exam and got 100%... so thats a good sign
8. I FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY got a UK bank account... it took nearly 2 full months to get all the correct information and documents together... but i have one now... so i must NEVER close it lol... i even got my own cheque book... first one ever... so i am quite happy about it

Europe #2 - April

So here is my update for the first bit of April....During the first week in April I took Spencer on the bus all the way down to Oxford St. It was the farthest he has every travelled on the bus, and he loved it... i like the buses here too (there all CLEAN) except when they are veryyy verryy busy! We walked around and i got lunch at Boots (kind of like Shoppers drug mart, but they sell food too like lunch food... alot of buissness people run in there to get sandwiches or wraps, etc.) We walked down towards St. James park and had lunch overlooking the park at George the VI statue... it was very pretty. After lunch we went down a whole bunch of steps (me carry the prem/push chair [ie. stroller]) and watched the end of chaning of the guard. It was really neat to see them all wearing there funny hats!! Afterwards me and Spencer walked up to Oxford st. and looked aimlessly for Primark but my feet got sore and it was so crowded and busy, but not rush hour busy so i decided to head back home before everyone got off work and the buses and tubes would be so crowded... Me and Spencer have also taken two trips to two different parks, and lots of long walks around home.... its kind of fun walking in any directions because i truelly do not know where i will end up... but i some how alway manage to make it home... usually via. bus. The first trip to the park was with Gran (Sandra's mom). It was after my long and exhausting trip to Oxford street... it should only take 25min tops on the bus... this time it took me an HOUR to get there... and i couldnt find any trainers i liked, i did manage to return a pair of trouser to H&M but not my jacket to Primark it was a complete zoo in there... instead i just bought two pairs of sunglasses, and some socks.... and at superdrug i got the new UK edition of Cosmo... once i finally made it back me and Anne/Gran walked amlessly (my speciallty) till we found this nice little toddler park. Spencer had a blast on the swing, and went down the slide a few times too. That night i went to bed i think at 930 i was soo exhausted. This month we have also booked Spencers christianing for June, Me and spencer went a checked out the local pool/gym so we can go for a swim as the weather gets a bit nicer... very strange weather; it is soo sunny and nice one moment and then next thing you know you are being pelted with hail stones....The second trip to the park was short... but we did manage to find a new park... its a really quite park just minutes up the road... its really rare to find parks were there isnt a zillion kids running around so this one was nice! I have deffinatly found my fav. food here.. baguettes... i know i know we get them at home... but here i eat them basically EVERY day with dinner... i love them....Today i signed up for my very on british library card... kind of funny, they didnt even check my id or proof of address... i was suprised... kind of dissapointed becuase i could have thought up a really cool pretend name or something, but oh well... I am starting to look at were i want to travel in europe, and what cruises, tours, and places i want to visit and see... (verry convienant that Sandra works in travel, i can get REALLY REALLY good deals!!) so if anyone would like to join me in a year and see europe just let me know!! it would be fabulous to have someone to see the continent with... Tonight im going to a midnight movie (stepup 2...) so tommorow i will probably have a lay in... and then just have a day at home... hopfully get some laundry done?With my lack of clothing here i have to do it more then once a month! Oh and also today Jamie's sister Debbi and her son came over to visit (Debbi's staying the night; her and Sandra are going to a Hen party/bachelorette party to some theatre show) So it was nice to meet some more of the family here. Anyways this next week i dont really have much planned for me and Spencer, we are hoping to go on the river thames for a little boat trip... and maybe see some more sights but we will see what happens.. I hope to write more and will get some pictures uploaded in the next week or so....I miss everyone!!!

xoxo. Nicolee.

OMG i forgot to tell everyone... Spencer got his first tooth about a week ago!!! that sucker is sharp im telling you....he also got really yummy pudding treats..... we share them.. one spoon for me ... one for spencer... haha...thats all.... for now

xoxo. Nicolee. <3

Europe #1 - March

March 19, 2008
So... when i got to the airport on Monday i found out that i had REALLY REALLY like 30kg over packed my suitcases and had to re-pack quickly at the airport. I now only have 2 pairs of shoes here.. and one purse... I guess that just means i need to go shopping!!! After a supper long flight and about an hour delay leaving YVR I finally made it to London Gatwick airport. I had my first drink at the airport at a cafe called Costa. We drove to Islington, London taking a tour through the town and seeing all the parlament buildings and driving past the london eye; which were all really neat! The roads here are very narrow and driving on the oppisite side is weird... but not as weird as having to look the oppisite way when crossing the street. I managed to stay up almost until 10:30pm London time after having a couple hours nap in the afternoon. So it helped to get me adjusted to the new time. We had chinese food take out for dinner, and suprisingly i found it better then in Canada. Today me, Sandra and baby Spencer went for a walk to the bank (Yes, me i walked!! apparently everyone here walks!!) but it didnt quite work out because i dont have any ID with UK adress its a bit of a problem, so it may be up to a month before that silly thing is sorted out! After we went to a little restraunt called Giraffe!! it was really neat. Although i found out that i really dont care for the batter on the onion rings and also thought it was weird that in my chicken club sandwich i had corn kernals; it was rather tasty! After lunch we walked back towards "home" and tried to get my registered with the doctor but at the doctors office they get TWO hours for lunch!!! lucky eh? anyways i think im going to go lay down for a bit because tommorow i need to be up and out by 630am!! i know early eh? But i will get to do some shopping!! which trust me is good.. i had to leave so many things at home hahamiss you all!!! and will keep you upated
♥Nicole

On Saturday the 29th of March:
Today i ventured out on my own and took a bus down to piccadilly circus (its not really a circus just were a bunch of roads meet up to a round-a-bout with a statue of cupid in the middle) from there i walked up regent street towards Oxford street. I stopped at Hamley's which is a famous toy store... its like 5 levels!!! It had EVERYTHING... (Piccadilly and oxford circus are famous for all the shops around there) Afterwards I wandered around a bit (but didnt go shopping because i was going on Sunday) I did pick up a "tourist" map which is actually very useful. I ate lunch at Apstrophe (a sandwich and some nasty lemonade) well actually my whole meal wasnt too good.. I DO NOT reccomend it... I wandered back down and ended up in St. James park (very nice with a big lake in the middle.) It was very pretty there and not so crowded because it has rained a little so alot of people went home.. I walked the whole length of st. james park which is like 4 or more blocks i think? and took some photos at buckingham palace and the statue in front as well. There was a police officer on a hourse out front with loads of kids crowded around and the guards were behind the gates and not in the bearskin hats i was kinda disapointed. They were in just short hats (ill add photos asap). Afterwards I was soo exhausted i just wanted to go home... i didnt really know where the tube station/bus's where so i just walked a few blocks down and caught a bus to Victoria station, from there i took the 73 back home... it was a big mistake... it took FOREVER.. it goes straight down oxford street which is really crowded with people walking everywere!! But i did eventually make it home. All in all the day was pretty great I got loads of pictures... On sunday i went SHOPPING again.... it was wonderful... they have a store called primark and it is the BEST!!! everything is like 4£ which is like 8$ canadian... i got a jacket with kinda short sleaved for only 8£ haha...great deal! I also bought two shirts, and a pair of sweat pants and some underwear, and a pair of the same idea as ugg boots (only 3£) and black flats! Then at M&S (Mark & Spencer) I got a purple shirt, At next i bought a new purse, and at H&M I got two pairs of casual "trousers" and i thinkk thats all i got... The best part of shopping here is the tax is all included so the price you see on the tag is how much you pay. So basically Sandra, Jamie, Spencer, and I were at the mall from 11:00am when it opened to 4:45pm (it closes at 5)... and again... i bought the most haha.... but now at least i have more then just three pairs of pants... On monday i registered at the doctors across the street. I also went up to woolworth and got a battery charger, and some rice krispies from sainsbury. Did you know that no one has anyidea what a rice krispie square is!! and marshmellows only come in pink and white and they are hard to find haha! I am going to make some rice krispie squares for them. Well actually barly anyone in London/England/Uk does there own baking,,, its usually all just store bought... weird eh? They dont even really have a baking isle in the grocery store. Ive also been eating a lot of ben and gerrys ice cream... which is still as good as at home... Usually every night for dessert after dinner we all have a bowl... its sooo good... or strawberries and real cream... thats good too haha! anyways... Spencer just woke up so I have to get going... ill write some more later and hopefully add my pictures on the computer in the next day or too!!! Miss you!!
♥Nicole