Tag: london (page 2 of 12)

June 24, 2016 / 1 Comment

A Changed World

We awoke this morning to a changed Britain. A change that I feel very saddened about. Whether you wanted to remain or leave the EU, the decision now made will forever change this country. I am under no illusion, this morning I awoke in a different place. I’m not one to use my blog to discuss politics. There are plenty of people who do that and who do it far better than I could.

I know that the EU is not perfect. I know there is a lot of bureaucracy and complications. But I feel it would be better to keep working through our issues together and united. Even though we live within this union, Britain is still it’s own country, whether Britain’s feel like it is or not. It is still a unique place with a fascinating history, vibrant cities and a fantastic culture.

The margin to leave versus remain was slim. Why Britain didn’t do one of the things it is best at, which is just to complain but carry on anyway, is beyond me.

Not being a British citizen, I saw everything unfold from the vantage point of another angle. Now, I have studied in the UK, I have a Master’s of Philosophy in Art History and Connoisseurship from the University of Glasgow. My husband is British, and I have gone through all of the legal processes and financial costs to be able to live here as a legal resident. I have contributed to my community. I pay full taxes and I live by the rules.

However, for all my other rights, I have no recourse to public funds, which let me just state here, I am not after, but, I also do not get a vote. I state all this to say that I am not one of the “immigrants” that have been so nastily spoken about in the paper as of late, but from some people’s remarks I know that my being here poses a threat to them as well.

If I could have voted, I would have chosen to remain within the EU. The campaign waged was extremely ugly. Especially from the opposing side. Those that wanted to leave have lead a poisonous toxic campaign filled with racist remarks, bigotry and incorrect facts. I can’t begin to count the numerous pieces of propaganda concerning funds going to the EU that could instead be used to fund the NHS that were shoved through our postbox. All stating facts that are untrue. The vile attitudes that have gone on throughout this campaign were brought even more to light this morning when Nigel Farage, the leader of Ukip had the audacity to say that this triumph had come to fruition “without having to fight, without a single bullet being fired”.

Maybe Mr. Farage failed to remember the heinous crime that was committed against MP Jo Cox last week by Thomas Mair. Last week, when asked in court what his name was, he stated, “My name is death to traitors, freedom for Britain.”

I think we are living in a world where fear mongering is being used as a tactic to gain the upperhand. History has taught us what happens when fear is deployed in this way. Wars have been started! Maybe I live in a fantasy world where I would like us all to get along. If I was ever in a beauty pageant, I can tell you that “world peace” would feature in my speech. We’re all in this together. This outcome is a giant step back, not a step forward.

The ramifications to leave the EU might not show themselves as quickly as the financial implications for this decision have already done. But they will begin to unfold as things slowly tear apart from the seams.

March 15, 2016 / 0 Comments

Overheard

Most days when travelling to and from work my ears are adorned with earbuds; the outside world blocked out by an eclectic mix of sounds. However, over the past few weeks my ears have been earbud free, taking in the sounds of city life.

Here are a few snippets of things I have overheard as I’ve been making my way to and from the office:

– I passed a nanny taking her two charges to school. The boy (about seven) was pestering his sister (she was about four years old). It had been pretty breezy this past week and he, along with the nanny kept telling her to put her sweater on. She finally had enough. She spun around on her little heels, raised her arms up and down in the air and screamed at them, “My arms will tell me when I’m cold; they haven’t done that yet. So, my arms don’t need a sweater!” She looked so serious when she said this, that I had to look away for fear of laughing out loud at this little blonde curly headed child.

– I passed a boy humming the Jurassic Park theme at the top of his lungs while his buddy rode his bike beside him.

– I walked behind two ladies who were discussing their marriage proposals. One lady said that although he didn’t propose at that spot, her husband wanted to give her her ring somewhere that she would always remember it. So, he handed it to her at the roundabout in Shepherd’s Bush. The other lady responded by saying her ring was tucked in a bowl of corn flakes. Her fiancé had brought her breakfast in bed and she was just about to pour the milk over them when she saw the ring hidden in the bowl.

– I walked behind two little girls about seven years old, their arms wrapped around each other. They had just been picked up from school and their nanny was hurrying them along. One girl said to the other, “We’ll be best friends forever!” Her friend questioned, “Even when we get married?” and her buddy responded with a resounding, “YES!”

– I passed a girl with an unbuttoned trench coat that revealed a crinkled scarf wrapped around her throat. She was furiously smoking a cigarette with tear stained cheeks and smudged mascara. She was pacing and rapidly speaking into her phone. Her one sided part of the conversation: “Don’t make me fall in love with you and then go back to your wife.”

– A very well suited young man talking into his phone: “Well, I was in Spain for a wedding and then I had to stay for business and then I thought, HEY! I’m in Spain! So I told my boss I couldn’t attend the meeting because I had food poisoning and then I went to the beach!”

– A very flamboyantly dressed man speaking to his girlfriend who was gloriously dressed with a white beehive and a 1960s styled mini dress. She looked like a decadent cream puff come to life: “That place was so over the top. It looked like the inside of Liberace’s handbag!”

People are just the funniest things, aren’t they?

March 2, 2016 / 0 Comments

A Snail’s Pace

Yesterday Mr. Michie had a conference near Regent’s Park and I had the afternoon off, so we decided to meet. It was wonderful! It felt like we were being naughty, just walking around, taking in the world, while everyone else was at work.

He bought me a surprise and as the sales woman wrapped it, she asked if it was a special occasion? To which we replied, “YES! We are together for the afternoon!”. Just being together is special occasion enough for us. We wandered slowly, letting everyone else pass us by. We were absolutely content with our stolen afternoon. Here’s to more stolen afternoons!

January 16, 2016 / 0 Comments

Lumiere London 2016

Mr. Michie met me last night in town after work and we went on a walking adventure: Lumiere London. A selection of international artists lit up London and it was magical!

These are just a few of my shots. It was freezing outside, but the atmosphere was just incredible! They had shut down Regent’s Street so you could easily manoeuvre around, which was fantastic. Seeing Westminster Abbey lit up like that was amazing; it was surreal. I’ve had a few opportunities to work on projection projects like this, which made me appreciate what these artists have done even more. It was a really fun date night in London.

November 19, 2015 / 0 Comments

Je suis Paris!

It’s been a week since I last posted here. First, it was because school was keeping me busy, but since Friday it’s been for different reasons.

I awoke on Saturday morning to Mr. Michie sharing what had happened in Paris with me and I cried. Since then, I’ve been glued to every shred of information I can read or watch about the #ParisAttacks.

I have started and restarted this post many times. Each time I have felt like I am scrambling in the dark – searching for the right words; desperately trying to process this terrible event.

I believe that events such as these encourage us to reflect, and while blogging can be a great way to do just that, I don’t like to use this space as a political platform. I have read other blogs over the past few days that have either been flippant about what has happened, or extremely visceral, voicing their tears and thoughts. I couldn’t be either, I only felt silent and heavy hearted.

I first visited Paris when I was 16 and fell in love. I knew that I would return and I did! I spent a wonderful long weekend there with my sister when I was in my early 20s. We walked the streets, visited galleries, found the greatest fondue restaurant and ate our weight in pastry.

I honeymooned with Mr. Michie in Paris; we drank wine and walked along the river. It is a place we have visited many times, throughout the seasons. We have favourite stores, favourite restaurants, favourite places to stroll or just sit. A visit to Angelina’s for hot chocolate is always a must. For a while, Paris became a second home to us. It still is.

To see the violence that was thrust upon this magical place made me sick. Sick to my very core.

But Paris is resilient. It always has been.

As I’ve walked around London this week, it is clear that things have changed. Everyone is on edge. People stop and watch police cars passing by; they listen to the sirens – jerked out of autopilot; they jump at sounds and sights that no one normally pays attention too. People are on edge, but they, like me, are trying to keep with their daily lives. To go on as if nothing has changed.

Even though we may all be a little more wary, a little more cautious, we will continue to live our lives. We will continue to go out, to shop, to laugh, to see friends, to enjoy time with those we hold most dear. We will appreciate the little things even more. We will hug a little tighter, kiss a little longer, and savour every single word breathed from the lips of those we love.

We will not be made to cower; our voices will not be silenced. For there is no where we should fear to tread.

We appreciate the value of life; the value of living that life to the full. And we will continue to look for the good in people, to not let evil shake our faith in humanity, for that will mean the terrorists have won.

Je suis Paris! Vive le France!

September 13, 2015 / 0 Comments

Picture House Cinema

As we often use cut throughs when in London, we always discover new things. Yesterday while zigzagging around Shaftesbury Avenue, we walked by the Picture House Cinema. They are dotted around London, but this was the first one I had ever been to.

We peered through their cafe, took in the grandeur of this gorgeous old building and before we knew it, our feet were carrying us inside.

We bought tickets and walked up the stunning red tiled staircase. We peeked into the bar and then got some snacks. Popcorn and a pink striped cup of pick ‘n mix as I was in the mood for some gummy candy.

We headed toward the screens and then proceeded up two floors to get to our screen. There were carved murals on the wall depicting medieval scenes, that were just beautiful!

The theatre itself was spacious, we sat in the back on a couch seat and snuggled up to watch The Irrational Man. It was a great movie going experience and we will definitely be back!

June 28, 2015 / 0 Comments

Pears

The pears at the market yesterday were so beautiful, I couldn’t help but take a picture. They were perfectly ripe and their heady scent was the only perfume in the sultry June air.

June 8, 2015 / 1 Comment

Roses

The roses were in full bloom this weekend at Regent’s Park. We ate breakfast in the Japanese Garden and then went for a walk amongst the roses in all their heady lushness.

April 19, 2015 / 0 Comments

Pizza Pilgrims

We headed into the city this weekend to run a few errands and decided to grab an early dinner at Pizza Pilgrims. I have been following their story for awhile now and had been dying to taste their pizza. Their restaurant is situated in Kingly Court, where CandyCakes used to be.

I had the “Filetti” (a white pizza), Mr. Michie had the “Salsiccia e Friarielli” (a white pizza with fresh fennel sausage, chilli and wild broccoli). We split a scoop of vanilla gelato for dessert.

I have to say, and Mr. Michie would agree, that this is hands down the best pizza we have ever had in England. It tasted like I was back in Italy – it was that delicioso!

If you’re in London and looking for a great pizza, fun atmosphere, friendly staff, good beer and ice cream to die for then I would suggest you check this place out!

April 7, 2015 / 0 Comments

The Japanese Garden

Yesterday, we took our first official walk, of spring 2015. We headed straight to the Japanese Garden at Regent’s Park. It is our favourite park to walk in, and the Japanese Garden is the perfect place to begin.

We wove our way around the park taking in nature’s changing face and ended up on the “free” zoo tour, which stretched along a high path on one side of ZSL. We watched the kids play with the goats and sheep in the farm area and the camels munching away on hay, while people stared at them over their fence. Finally, we ended our walk by heading over the bridge to glance in at the warthogs, but they had decided not to come out, and so we watched people walk along the canal instead.

If you were in any doubt, spring has sprung. The trees are beginning to blossom and the bulbs and primroses are in full bloom. Happiness is!