The Parents Came to Town

The three best buds. Back at it. 

Words cannot even begin to express (so why am I blogging about this am I right?) how grateful I am to have these two as my parents. They have given me the world (except for that Celine bag I wanted in Harrods) for letting me do this study abroad experience. They're amazing! Every single part about them.

My dad has never been to London so I knew I wanted to pack as many things into this weekend as possible, even if that meant repeating all of the touristy sights I obviously saw during the first week. These two knuckleheads got in on Friday morning but didn't meet up with me until about 4pm, which was fine because they were tired due to lack of sleep for 24 hours and I was getting my drink on with my co-workers at my internship for Rosie's last day. So, after lunch, people from the office and I made our way over to Kettner's, where my parents met me. We ended up spending the night with all of them. First going back to the office for more drinks and ping pong and then we made our way to the Groucho Club. It is a member's only club to the arts and media. HARRY STYLES IS A MEMBER AND GOES THERE LETS JUST SAY THAT. We had a fantastic dinner just us three and then went outside for more drinks with everyone. Let's just say that my dad and I barely remember saying goodbye (thank god for Ms. Responsible, Wendy.) Lisa did say "Your parents are ROCKSTARS." Safe to say, I am proud.

Saturday was rough but we finally made it out of the hotel room around 3:30pm, catching The C3 bus to Earl's Court and then the tube (those two things were godsends this weekend). On our way to Tower Hill to do a Jack the Ripper tour, we decided to get off at Westminster, considering we had four hours to spare. So mom and dad got to see Big Ben, Parliament, and the London Eye. We then made our way  and walked along the Thames River so they could see the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and Tower of London, followed by dinner at a nearby pub. 

Sunday ended up being a rather crappy day weather wise, but it was eventful. I showed them around where I live, we cycled in Hyde Park past the Kensington Palace, strolled down High Street and ended in a cafe. What really makes this comical is that my dad noticed that we were sitting right behind his old boss. In London of all places, how crazy? We then caught the bus and ventured into Harrod's to keep dry (and to check out everything we can't afford!) After that, we were off to Piccadilly Circus where I wanted them to see Waxy O'Connor's, the first pub I ever went to in London. After a few beers, we decided to call it a night. I mean, I am with 57 year olds so I decided to give them a break.

Last but not least, Monday has arrived and we are all feeling uneasy about leaving each other. My dad even used the word "queasy" at the thought of leaving me. Dats right Nikki and Dani. QUEASY.

We went to Buckingham Palace to see the change of the guards and then to Borough Market for some yummy food. After that, we took a tube back to the Tower of London for a tour. I had no idea the size of it until I was in there. It was amazing. From the Crown Jewels to the torture devices, we were all amazed. 

I wanted to end the trip with a pint at one of the oldest pubs in London, which I knew my parents would appreciate, The George Inn (Charles Dickens used to go there!) I loved being able to share this city that I now hold so close to my heart with the two people I love most in this world. They may have gotten annoyed from all of the constant public transportation and hearing me go on and on about so and so, but I just wanted to let them in on as much of London as I could, and they beared with me.

I didn't want to get tooooo sentimental but seriously, I feel so lucky and proud to have you two as my parents. Couldn't imagine being this close with anyone else. Everything I do, you are there 100% supporting me. Not many kids are able to say that. 

As much as I missed going to the pubs with my friends back at the flat, there is no where else I'd rather be on a saturday night than laying in bed with my parents on either side of me, eating Milano cookies and Grandma Utz chips, while watching mindless television. I miss you guys already and it hasn't even been a day yet. See you in two months! And remember, "you're obsessed with me" and "do youuuuuuu?" (inside jokes, people)

 LOL I'm too heavy now for his old back

Ash Wednesday

I'm going to start off by saying that I am not religious. That doesn't mean that I don't believe in God, I just don't practice a religion. My mom has been trying to get our family to go to church for years, but you know how hard it is getting up on the weekends as a teenager, even if it is just for one hour once a week, but I'm trying to put the selfish days behind me.

Today I had a change of mind. I thought "Why not go to a service for Ash Wednesday for the experience of going to a church in a different country?" And let me tell ya, I am SO happy that I went.

Alex, Rachael, Joy, and I went to St. Martin's-in-the-Field in Tralfalgar Square and I honestly felt refreshed after going. I put my phone away (obviously, I'm not THAT attached to it), didn't think about it for an hour and a half, and just fully immersed myself into what Reverend Richard Carter was talking about.

I've never particularly enjoyed church and always thought that just because I don't go doesn't mean that I'm not a Christian. And it doesn't, but actually listening and understanding what he had to say (because let's face it, when I was younger I had NO idea what was going on) interested me in the biggest way possible.

A lot of people I hold close to my heart are religious and it was interesting to finally have a clear perceptive of where they are coming from. Now I'm not saying I never understood religion, I just never fully engrossed myself in a conversation when it came to religion, and this time I actually focused 100% and thought about what was being said.

For lent, I'd rather give to other people than give up something for myself. Which I guess can be perceived as selfish and unselfish at the same time. As discussed during the service, ideas for lent that he gave us were….

• Take off your shoes
• Admit a recent mistake
• Pocket an insult
• Behave as a child
• Step across a boundary
• Give up Grumbling
• Practice hospitality
• Do something for someone else
• Encourage other

While all of those are great, I decided that I am going to do something for someone else. About a week ago I bought a homeless woman a meal who was sitting outside Tesco Express. She was old and had a dog. I went into Boots and as I was staring at the food I had the urge to make a difference in someones day. I bought a water bottle, a sandwich, some chips, walked out to her, knelt down, and asked if she was hungry. Now I didn't do that to LOOK like a better person, I did that to FEEL like a better person.

So anyways, I decided to buy something for someone less fortunate and without a home every week while I am here in London, and even extend that to when I get back to North Philly. Whether it's a bottle of water, a piece of fruit, or a full on meal, I will be happy with myself and I hope they will appreciate it as well.

So, tonight was amazing. I felt good being in that church, and not that I felt like I was doing a good deed by being there, I just felt like everyone was in good spirits, which made me extremely happy and content. It made me want to do good for the world. I honestly can't explain it without me sounding crazy and expressing about religion for all to read kind of scares me because I feel as though I will say something wrong without me knowing so I am just going to end it here. But honestly, I had a great Ash Wednesday experience and I hope you all had the same.

Are you part of the Elite? Because I'm not.

Burger King, McDonalds, and KFC: the backbone of America. No? Sadly, half true. America is known for its obesity rate and as much as I ate fast food in America, I’m eating it twice as much here. My new figure (where’s the gym) is telling me no but my taste buds, or drunken taste buds, are telling me yes. On every corner there is a fast food place of some sort. Being a broke college student studying in London, the exchange rate here is k i l l i n g me. Rewind to before I even arrived in London when I took out $300, which converted to £180. Pure tragedy. Even to do 2 loads of laundry makes me $14 more broke. *trying to hold back tears while typing this*

So why is every drunk food expedition (sometimes sober as well) mustered up of fatty, greasy foods? Because a KFC snack box is £2. Because there is nothing like a taste of America when you are feeling those homesick blues. Because a salad isn’t going to soak up the alcohol. BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THAT TASTES BETTER THAN FRIES AND A WHOPPER. Except I’m not going to lie, and I’m kind of being confusing because I just talked about how cheap fast food is, but on Monday night Janice and I went into Victoria Station and a whopper from BK was 8 US Dollars. So naturally, we each got one.

The thing that blows my mind about the fast food restaurants here is how elite they are. They all have security guards standing at the door. Sometimes two of them. And this takes me to why I love the fast food restaurants in America.

In America, they hold the door for me as I walk in. They wave to me and greet me with a “Hi Taylor! How ya doing?” They even ask if I want “the usual.” And while that’s all a boldfaced lie, they sure as hell don’t act as if I need to be on a guest list or know somebody of importance to get into such a mediocre establishment.

Here in London, I haven’t been allowed into a Burger King two times already. While the first time was hilarious (me waving my arms to my friends in a “look over here!” manner, or so they told me, and then trying to trick the security guards by going through a different door, which didn’t work), and I told that story before, but the second time was literally just because. It wasn’t even completely full! They must have my name and picture taped up in the back or something because this Burger King in Piccadilly Circus is EXCLUSIVE, let me tell you.

After not being allowed in Burger King, we headed on over to KFC. Here, there are two security guards standing in front of the door with their hands crossed if front of their bodies. I don’t think they realized that they are literally guarding fried chicken, not the President of the United States of America (similar in importance though). Once we got to them, they obviously told us it was up to capacity already. Being the annoying girls we are, Janice and I said, “We hate England!” Ugh, I take it back because after we walked away, we went back and snuck right on passed them with our heads lowered and a smile on our faces. We are so annoying.

Now today as I am on my lunch break during my internship, I pass Five Guys. This is the most legit establishment there is. There is a red rope outside lining the wall as if it were the most prestigious club in the city.  A security guard is slowly letting people in from the line. Once someone goes out, another can go in. I cannot make this stuff up, people. It’s real. It’s happening. It’s fast food: London Edition.

This was after sneaking in. Sad how genuinely happy I look.

I miss

It's weird that I'm feeling this way exactly 1 month after landing in London. For some reason, today only, I'm feeling very homesick. Like stupidly homesick. For both Lititz and North Philly.

I miss Temple. I miss North Philly. I miss the cracked sidewalks, especially the one on Berks I have to jump over because it's literally a hole. I miss my bed. I miss my own bathroom. I miss my mirror because it made everyone look skinny. I miss leaving my door unlocked while I go to bed on weekends only so my roommates could come in and we could all just lay in bed for another hour discussing what happened the night before. I miss Dunkin. I miss Philly Style fries. I miss Jimmy Johns. I miss my roommates yelling at me because I constantly put songs on repeat for days. I miss pre gaming in the kitchen. I miss Bliss, Cj, Justin and Randy trying to break into our backyard. I miss dirty frat parties. I miss kegs. I miss the Hugh Grant lookalike from Philly Style. I miss walking to campus. I miss the tech. I miss J&H. I miss seeing the skyscrapers from my stoop. I miss laying on the couch with my roommates. I miss smoking hookah.
I miss puking in Quabs bathroom. I miss her telling me I'm every ethnicity under the sun. I miss her asking me stupid questions like "What do you check off on paper when you're asked your ethnicity? Because you're not white." I miss Quabs yelling at me like she's my sister. I miss hearing Kelly's laugh from her bedroom, knowing that she is laughing at Vine's (who still vines?). I miss Kelly barging through the front door and screaming "I FOUND MY HUSBAND TODAY!" I miss Becky constantly asking me to get stuff for her because she is always in her bed. I miss doing tickle massages with Becky. I miss Steph always being 2 hours late. I miss hearing Steph say my name in her New York accent. I miss Rachel. I miss Nick calling me a guy.
I miss day drinking. I miss driving. I miss downtown Lititz. I miss my family. I miss Mia. I miss my curling iron and straightener. I miss how easy it was to get ready at home. I miss seeing Luke, Ritchie, Jake and Harrison throwing the football on Berks Street. I miss sitting in Fox School of Business in between classes so I can scope out the cute boys in suits. I miss Turkey Hill. I miss slushies. I miss waking up still drunk and barging into my roommates room. I miss going to Owl Breakfast & Lunch. I miss 30th street station.
I miss working the basketball games. I miss the pizza they'd give us there. I miss going into the office and having Aaron and Korey make fun of me the whole time. I miss Wilbur. I miss going to Gob and Gramps house. I miss Gobbie sandwiches. I miss everyone at Temple. Literally everyone, even the people I know enough only to say hi to. I miss having the option to go home for the weekend. I miss Val, Stork, Sav and Emma. I miss my guy friends from home. Honestly, I just miss everything in America. Very tough day for me today. Super homesick. I have nothing to complain about because everything and everyone will be there when I get back. Ugh. Need my parents right now. Only 2 weeks until they're here. Hurry up.

I Don't Even Know What to Name This

The British workplace – where you drink on the job, swear whenever you please, and play the unedited version of Anaconda by Nicki Minaj on the speakers early in the afternoon. I’m not in America anymore and I can tell you right off the bat: I love it.  The atmosphere of the American workplace is stiff. It feels stuffy. Especially after experiencing both cultures it’s evident that us Americans are doing it all wrong.

As a matter of fact, I’m at my internship as I type this. It’s on the second floor of an old banana warehouse in Covent Garden, London. Cobblestone roads and brick walls surround it. Family Traveller Magazine shares its office with Captify, an up and coming ad Tech Company. As I said earlier, music plays throughout the whole room. About 10 of the guys just unexpectedly all sang lyrics in unison and, naturally, everyone started laughing. It’s just so laid back here. They’re all friends. Like actual friends. Not just office friends.

It’s 4pm and many beers are already cracked open. But the thing is, it’s such a norm for them that it doesn’t affect their work. Just like how talking, laughing, and taking breaks doesn’t either. They still get the job done (from what I assume I mean I’m looking at them in awe because I can’t get over all of the leniency in the work place so who really knows).

I love my internship so far. Everyone is very sweet and Family Traveller is a lot different than from what I thought it would be. Andrew just sat down a bottle of white wine on the table and said to Lisa, “Here is one for you and Swifty to split.” That’s what he called me. Swifty. You know, like Taylor Swift, but I’m not complaining.

Then my boss goes, “Would you like to top off?” I respond with “Sure!” And while filling my glass up she goes, “I like you.” Now some people are playing Ping-Pong (the table is in the middle of the office) and it’s just fun ya know? I never want to work in an American office ever again. Maybe I’ll start my own company and we will just go by my rules. I like the sound of that.

For some odd reason every time I leave on Friday (or any day) I put ‘From Eden’ by Hozier on repeat and literally smile the WHOLE way home. It’s not even because I’m done for the week. I’m just happy. I’m listening to my favorite song, people watching, walking home from my internship in LONDON. Unreal.

I even walked all the way to the bus (the tube is right in front of the building I intern in) and realized it wasn’t running to that stop at the time. So I had to walk all the way back to the tube and I WAS HAPPY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I COULD JUST WALK MORE IN THE COLD AND LISTEN TO MUSIC. I got on the tube and caught myself smiling at this couple. The guy reminded me of Ryan Bertrando (hi Ry Guy) and this couple literally could not be more lovey. Their faces were touching the whole time. They couldn’t get enough of each other. And I couldn’t get enough of them. How creepy am I? But seeing two other people feel that way made me ecstatic. Like I was happy that they were happy. And they were complete strangers. Does that make sense? Maybe I should just stop talking. I'm done. 

Bringing America to the UK

You can take us out of America but you can’t take America out of us because SUPERBOWL 2015. I sound like I’m interested in the actual game, don’t I? Really I just participate in the most enjoyed football game of the year because who doesn’t love a night filled with friends, beer, and food?

Let’s rewind to freshman year of college when my roommates and I pigged out while watching the game (Kelly was the only one interested). Kayla and I literally voted for the team with the hotter coach. They were brothers too, which made the situation just that much harder. Luckily, WE WERE RIGHT. Hottie for the win woot woot! And to be honest I couldn’t even tell you who the team was….

This year, I focused on just having an American filled night from 11pm-4am with my study abroad buddies. Being away from home and Temple, it felt great to finally be the ones with our time to shine. The biggest game of the year in America.

We went to Imperial where it was filled with British college students. It was interesting to see them enjoy something so much from where we are from. We got drunk off of beer and cider and full of off fries, wings, and terrible hot dogs.

I will tell you one thing though that ruined my night. As I was wearing a beanie and an oversized sweater, just minding my own business while “watching” the game, this guy mentioned something to me that truly broke my heart. “You know who you remind me of?” He said. “Who?” I replied. “Have you ever seen ‘Cheaper By The Dozen 2?’”? I already knew that this was headed in a bad direction. I disappointedly said yes and he said, “You remind me of Alyson Stoner.” Kk the fact that I remind him of a 12-year-old Missy Elliot backup dancer in not only ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ but ‘CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2’ is unreal to me. So folks, let’s just say my night wasn’t the worst, but it certainly wasn’t the best either (thanks A.Stone).

#blessed