So?
How was the trip overall? That's a good question. Considering I was not looking forward to it when I first left...it ended up going much better than expected. There were a few moments that were very uncomfortable and extremely upsetting but I'm not going to bother focusing on them. Not worth my time at all.
The trip was amazing!!
My Original Goals
- see the beach
- have fish and chips on the beach
- go to the Doctor Who exhibit
- see the Imperial War museum in London
- watch Doctor Who on television the moment it airs
- get a Doctor Who figurine and Sonic Screwdriver
Overall: ACHIEVED!!
Plus, I made great friends!
Went through a volcanic experience.
Went on a pub crawl in Dublin.
Discovered I love cider.
Had a Starbar.
Was impressed with food costs.
Rode a double decker bus.
Lived 4 months without a cell phone.
Went under budget by 300 pounds.
Saw Wicked in the West End of London.
Went to 2 Tim Hortons.
Went to Jane Austen's home, went to Shakespeare's birthplace and grave.
Went inside Windsor Castle.
Visited the pub where J.R.R. Tolkien frequented.
Had fish and chips.
Tried Estonian foods.
Tried Vegemite (never again!).
Went to bars.
Discovered the movie Kung Pow.
Learned about the Estonian musical festival.
Survived English university.
Had a professor bring wine to class to share with the students.
Had the professor invite all students out to the pub after lecture.
Was flirted with.
Went on a ferry.
Took trains.
Went on the London Underground.
Saw the Hogwarts Express.
Touched the Tardis.
Laughed until I cried.
Overall...I give this experienced the highest marks it could achieve. Amazing!!
There's not much else I can say!!
Thank you to those who read my blog and commented. Thank you for supporting me in taking this big leap and thank you for paying attention to my ramblings. I really appreciate it.
I guess this is goodbye!!
:: Julianne ::
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Final Week Recap!! [Pt 2]
Day 118
Mood: Bitter sweet
Weather: Slightly overcast but by this point I'm used to it~
Quote of the Day: I believe inputting the song 'Blame Canada' would fit this section well.
So by Thursday my darling flatmate VT was back and it was time to go to Eastbourne for our final day trip. It was bitter sweet. I really enjoyed spending the entire day with the three loveliest ladies in all of Oxford. But it was my last full day with them. Southern Belle, California Girl and VT were the greatest friends I could have hoped for. Even though they decided to roast me the entire day (picking on poor Canadian me) I didn't mind...it only displayed how upset they were to lose me. Though having them continue to proclaim this fact didn't make me feel all too well about leaving the next day.
We took a 3 hour train to Eastbourne. We had to take the London Underground part way through. Thankfully we got a group rate and it only cost us 20 pounds for a return trip to Eastbourne!! That's half the original price!!! Plus, I got to go on the London underground. Well worth it!
The beach was beautiful! There was a pier with shops and an arcade. Needless to say I think there were a few people wasting some of their coinage. I was not one of them. XDD
We also had fish and chips on the beach! This was one of those goals I had set out for myself in going to England.
We also took a bus tour up to the Chalk Cliffs of 'Beachy Head'. (Beachy Head is a skewering of the original name which was French) Eastbourne was very significant during the wars, as a port town across the English channel.
Nice view huh!!
The chalk cliffs are also unprotected, which means the country allows erosion to naturally take place. The beach is protected but not the cliffs. In 1999 20 feet of the cliff fell away. We were told not to get too close to the end. We kinda did. We couldn't help it!!
We took the 3 hour train back and had a blast together. Though once home...we saw something spectacular. Unfortunately I did not get great pictures buuuuuut...
HOGWARTS EXPRESS!!
I don't know if you can make it out...but that, my friends, is the actual Hogwarts Express. They store it in Oxford (apparently) and were bringing it out for filming in London. So yes, I saw the actual Hogwarts Express.
Jealous?
I believe you should be!!
Day 119
Mood: Overflowing with Sadness
Weather: Sunny, warm, gorgeous
Quote of the Day: Insert tears here
This was the day I left my friends...it was full of tears and sadness. It was horrid. That is all that can be said.
I then headed to Watford, my final stop before going to Heathrow.
Day 120
Mood: Sad but a little excited
Weather: Sunny, warm, gorgeous
Quote of the Day: none
120 days in England...and it was time to go home. Family friends dropped me off at the airport 5 hours early. I hung out outside Terminal 3 for 2 hours with three suitcases and a backpack. Have you ever tried to shove all your suitcases in a single stall cause you really had to pee but couldn't leave them 'unattended'? No? I did. It sucked.
3 hours prior to boarding I dropped off my suitcases, paid the fee for a second bag and used up some of the leftover cash I still had on me. Then I lounged in the airport, bought 5 magazines and lunch and just chilled. It was okay, nerve wracking. I didn't want anything going wrong.
I boarded the plane and then realized...
I didn't want to go home. At all. I wanted to stay. Luckily I didn't cry but I was really upset upon take off.
I arrived back home at 6:00 pm local time. About....11:00 pm England time. I got through customs with NO QUEUE!! Yeah, arriving in London I had the same situation. No queue whatsoever. It was awesome. I picked up my bags, came out and...
No one was there. There was no one there to greet me. I had to stand there for 15 minutes before my parents and sisters finally showed up. I then cried cause I was happy to see them and gave my mom a big hug. We went out for dinner and I fell asleep at 9:00...2:00 am. XD
And thus concluded my trip to the UK!
I can say for sure that I will make it back one day. Hopefully with family so that I can show them around. There's a sense of pride there. I usually end up talking about England a great deal and irritating the people around me but...it was a big part of my life for 4 months and I couldn't simply shut up about it.
As for my goals?
Tune in for Part 3!! Final thoughts!!
Mood: Bitter sweet
Weather: Slightly overcast but by this point I'm used to it~
Quote of the Day: I believe inputting the song 'Blame Canada' would fit this section well.
So by Thursday my darling flatmate VT was back and it was time to go to Eastbourne for our final day trip. It was bitter sweet. I really enjoyed spending the entire day with the three loveliest ladies in all of Oxford. But it was my last full day with them. Southern Belle, California Girl and VT were the greatest friends I could have hoped for. Even though they decided to roast me the entire day (picking on poor Canadian me) I didn't mind...it only displayed how upset they were to lose me. Though having them continue to proclaim this fact didn't make me feel all too well about leaving the next day.
We took a 3 hour train to Eastbourne. We had to take the London Underground part way through. Thankfully we got a group rate and it only cost us 20 pounds for a return trip to Eastbourne!! That's half the original price!!! Plus, I got to go on the London underground. Well worth it!
The beach was beautiful! There was a pier with shops and an arcade. Needless to say I think there were a few people wasting some of their coinage. I was not one of them. XDD
We also had fish and chips on the beach! This was one of those goals I had set out for myself in going to England.
We also took a bus tour up to the Chalk Cliffs of 'Beachy Head'. (Beachy Head is a skewering of the original name which was French) Eastbourne was very significant during the wars, as a port town across the English channel.
Nice view huh!!The chalk cliffs are also unprotected, which means the country allows erosion to naturally take place. The beach is protected but not the cliffs. In 1999 20 feet of the cliff fell away. We were told not to get too close to the end. We kinda did. We couldn't help it!!
We took the 3 hour train back and had a blast together. Though once home...we saw something spectacular. Unfortunately I did not get great pictures buuuuuut...
HOGWARTS EXPRESS!!I don't know if you can make it out...but that, my friends, is the actual Hogwarts Express. They store it in Oxford (apparently) and were bringing it out for filming in London. So yes, I saw the actual Hogwarts Express.
Jealous?
I believe you should be!!
Day 119
Mood: Overflowing with Sadness
Weather: Sunny, warm, gorgeous
Quote of the Day: Insert tears here
This was the day I left my friends...it was full of tears and sadness. It was horrid. That is all that can be said.
I then headed to Watford, my final stop before going to Heathrow.
Day 120
Mood: Sad but a little excited
Weather: Sunny, warm, gorgeous
Quote of the Day: none
120 days in England...and it was time to go home. Family friends dropped me off at the airport 5 hours early. I hung out outside Terminal 3 for 2 hours with three suitcases and a backpack. Have you ever tried to shove all your suitcases in a single stall cause you really had to pee but couldn't leave them 'unattended'? No? I did. It sucked.
3 hours prior to boarding I dropped off my suitcases, paid the fee for a second bag and used up some of the leftover cash I still had on me. Then I lounged in the airport, bought 5 magazines and lunch and just chilled. It was okay, nerve wracking. I didn't want anything going wrong.
I boarded the plane and then realized...
I didn't want to go home. At all. I wanted to stay. Luckily I didn't cry but I was really upset upon take off.
I arrived back home at 6:00 pm local time. About....11:00 pm England time. I got through customs with NO QUEUE!! Yeah, arriving in London I had the same situation. No queue whatsoever. It was awesome. I picked up my bags, came out and...
No one was there. There was no one there to greet me. I had to stand there for 15 minutes before my parents and sisters finally showed up. I then cried cause I was happy to see them and gave my mom a big hug. We went out for dinner and I fell asleep at 9:00...2:00 am. XD
And thus concluded my trip to the UK!
I can say for sure that I will make it back one day. Hopefully with family so that I can show them around. There's a sense of pride there. I usually end up talking about England a great deal and irritating the people around me but...it was a big part of my life for 4 months and I couldn't simply shut up about it.
As for my goals?
Tune in for Part 3!! Final thoughts!!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Final Week Recap!! [Pt 1]
Oh my goodness I'm already back in Canada. It feels really surreal. Feels like I never left at all and at the same time...England in still in my heart. It feels like the entire adventure was a dream. One of the best dreams of my life.
I remember back to January and debating if, because of finances and such, if I should even go on exchange at all. I'm glad I did. Despite every stressful occurrence it was the best experience of my life. I don't even care about my eventual grades. I made friendships that will last forever.
Buuuut~ I should recap my last busy week in Oxford and around.
Sooo~ Here's a post about my trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Day 115
Mood: Thrilled
Weather: gorgeous ~
Quote of the Day: "The train leaves at 5:40." [Sorry...if you're not one of the 4 you'll never get this]
I did do a post on the same day I went to Stratford-Upon-Avon but I never recounted the trip. Southern Belle and I waited for a train and then went to the sleepy little village where Shakespeare was born. SB has got to be one of the coolest people in the world. She knows she's nuts and isn't afraid to show it. See the thing is, everyone is crazy. Everyone is weird and if you try and hide that you're not fooling anyone but yourself. SB, like myself, recognizes the craziness in herself and isn't afraid to be totally nuts in public. It's awesome and really makes you feel good.
So we caught the train, arrived in SUA and went to the place of Shakespeare's birth.
Well, it's assumed to be his place of birth. No one is really sure so we didn't pay the ridiculous money to go in. Instead we had lunch and went to speak with ghosts at a haunted house [a real one btw].
It was quite the scenic area to be honest.
We then went to a definite place where Shakespeare was actually located, his grave. There were the parish records of his birth and death to view as well as family graves. It was amazing. To think I had been within arm's length of Shakespeare's actual body!
His grave is the one on the right, the one on his left is that of his wife.
Mind blowing!!
There were some weird sayings on the ground like: 'watch that pidgeon' and such but there was one that seemed very well placed.
We were indeed. The last 5 days of my time in England had begun!!
Coming up next:
EASTBOURNE!!
I remember back to January and debating if, because of finances and such, if I should even go on exchange at all. I'm glad I did. Despite every stressful occurrence it was the best experience of my life. I don't even care about my eventual grades. I made friendships that will last forever.
Buuuut~ I should recap my last busy week in Oxford and around.
Sooo~ Here's a post about my trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Day 115
Mood: Thrilled
Weather: gorgeous ~
Quote of the Day: "The train leaves at 5:40." [Sorry...if you're not one of the 4 you'll never get this]
I did do a post on the same day I went to Stratford-Upon-Avon but I never recounted the trip. Southern Belle and I waited for a train and then went to the sleepy little village where Shakespeare was born. SB has got to be one of the coolest people in the world. She knows she's nuts and isn't afraid to show it. See the thing is, everyone is crazy. Everyone is weird and if you try and hide that you're not fooling anyone but yourself. SB, like myself, recognizes the craziness in herself and isn't afraid to be totally nuts in public. It's awesome and really makes you feel good.
So we caught the train, arrived in SUA and went to the place of Shakespeare's birth.
Well, it's assumed to be his place of birth. No one is really sure so we didn't pay the ridiculous money to go in. Instead we had lunch and went to speak with ghosts at a haunted house [a real one btw].
It was quite the scenic area to be honest.
We then went to a definite place where Shakespeare was actually located, his grave. There were the parish records of his birth and death to view as well as family graves. It was amazing. To think I had been within arm's length of Shakespeare's actual body!
His grave is the one on the right, the one on his left is that of his wife.Mind blowing!!
There were some weird sayings on the ground like: 'watch that pidgeon' and such but there was one that seemed very well placed.
We were indeed. The last 5 days of my time in England had begun!!
Coming up next:
EASTBOURNE!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
May 17/2010 :: Romeo & Juliet are Not in Love
Day 115
Mood: Thrilled
Weather: gorgeous ~
Quote of the Day: "Alas poor Yorick!"
Today I visited Stratford-upon-Avon. It was the birth place of William Shakespeare and it is also his final resting place. It was a beautiful and quiet little city. My camera doesn't want to download pictures to my computer fast enough so instead of posting pictures and just breezing things over...I'm going to talk about something I think is important.
Shakespeare's most famous play, "Romeo and Juliet", is not a story about the passions of true love.
And the fact that most people see it as thus makes a mockery of the story itself. It is not a story about true love, it is the story of the stupidity of teenagers.
Let me start off by giving everyone a brief history lesson of the Tudor period. William Shakespeare was born into common life. He was not a noble, he was a common man. And common people had a very distinctive way of behaving and thinking. The marriage age of the Tudor couple was approximately 25 for women and 29 for men. This is because it was seen as beneficial to patiently wait until the man had a stable job and enough money for a house to properly support a family before marrying. The only people who married as remarkably young ages were the nobles. How foolish they must have looked to the commoners, marrying off mere children simply because they had the money to do so.
Marrying at the age of 14 and 21 was not seen to be 'true love'. It was seen to be irrational and far too quick. Real love was patient.
The other hints are in the story itself.
The setting is Italy, the period is the summertime. Italians were stereotyped as being 'hot-blooded'...that is, full of unnatural lust because of the heat. The English viewed their dreary weather as the perfect weather to keep the soul pure and clean. The hotness of Italy, in their opinion, created orgies and sexual wanderings.
Then we have our characters: Romeo, a man who (at the beginning of the play) pines for a girl named Rosaline...but as soon as he meets Juliet the other girl is forgotten. This is not true love. This is the fickleness of the young heart that cannot focus on one being for long. Juliet is a girl of 14 who is impatient with her family, not at all what a good Christian child would be. All children were taught to respect their elders. It was not a time when 'being yourself' was seen as a good thing. Respecting your parents was much more desirable to audiences.
Romeo and Juliet are not in love. They are in lust with one another. They are impatient children who cannot wait for sex. The reason for their hasty marriage is because Juliet refuses to have sex with Romeo without being married. Romeo is in lust with Juliet enough to agree to this sort of thing and Juliet is so clouded with feelings of 'puppy-love' to go along with things. She has a crush, he wants to do her.
Certainly doesn't look like a true love story to me. It doesn't fit the mood of the times and it certainly gives enough hints.
Problem is that current day feelings are almost the opposite of those of the Tudor period. Children are encouraged to be rebellious against controlling parents, passionate romance is desired and people rarely wait years for marriage.
But the point of the matter is that Romeo and Juliet is not a story about true love. It's a story about stupid teenagers who fell into lust so quickly they got themselves killed.
I think the lessons still stand.
:: Julianne ::
[sorry for a rather 'thoughtful' posting today...I'll be back to brainless picture posting soon enough~]
Mood: Thrilled
Weather: gorgeous ~
Quote of the Day: "Alas poor Yorick!"
Today I visited Stratford-upon-Avon. It was the birth place of William Shakespeare and it is also his final resting place. It was a beautiful and quiet little city. My camera doesn't want to download pictures to my computer fast enough so instead of posting pictures and just breezing things over...I'm going to talk about something I think is important.
Shakespeare's most famous play, "Romeo and Juliet", is not a story about the passions of true love.
And the fact that most people see it as thus makes a mockery of the story itself. It is not a story about true love, it is the story of the stupidity of teenagers.
Let me start off by giving everyone a brief history lesson of the Tudor period. William Shakespeare was born into common life. He was not a noble, he was a common man. And common people had a very distinctive way of behaving and thinking. The marriage age of the Tudor couple was approximately 25 for women and 29 for men. This is because it was seen as beneficial to patiently wait until the man had a stable job and enough money for a house to properly support a family before marrying. The only people who married as remarkably young ages were the nobles. How foolish they must have looked to the commoners, marrying off mere children simply because they had the money to do so.
Marrying at the age of 14 and 21 was not seen to be 'true love'. It was seen to be irrational and far too quick. Real love was patient.
The other hints are in the story itself.
The setting is Italy, the period is the summertime. Italians were stereotyped as being 'hot-blooded'...that is, full of unnatural lust because of the heat. The English viewed their dreary weather as the perfect weather to keep the soul pure and clean. The hotness of Italy, in their opinion, created orgies and sexual wanderings.
Then we have our characters: Romeo, a man who (at the beginning of the play) pines for a girl named Rosaline...but as soon as he meets Juliet the other girl is forgotten. This is not true love. This is the fickleness of the young heart that cannot focus on one being for long. Juliet is a girl of 14 who is impatient with her family, not at all what a good Christian child would be. All children were taught to respect their elders. It was not a time when 'being yourself' was seen as a good thing. Respecting your parents was much more desirable to audiences.
Romeo and Juliet are not in love. They are in lust with one another. They are impatient children who cannot wait for sex. The reason for their hasty marriage is because Juliet refuses to have sex with Romeo without being married. Romeo is in lust with Juliet enough to agree to this sort of thing and Juliet is so clouded with feelings of 'puppy-love' to go along with things. She has a crush, he wants to do her.
Certainly doesn't look like a true love story to me. It doesn't fit the mood of the times and it certainly gives enough hints.
Problem is that current day feelings are almost the opposite of those of the Tudor period. Children are encouraged to be rebellious against controlling parents, passionate romance is desired and people rarely wait years for marriage.
But the point of the matter is that Romeo and Juliet is not a story about true love. It's a story about stupid teenagers who fell into lust so quickly they got themselves killed.
I think the lessons still stand.
:: Julianne ::
[sorry for a rather 'thoughtful' posting today...I'll be back to brainless picture posting soon enough~]
Sunday, May 16, 2010
May 16/2010 :: Doctor Who 5x7
Day 114
Mood: content
Weather: drizzling~
Quote of the Episode: "Let's go poke it with a stick."
In all honesty...I was not looking forward to this episode. I saw the preview and perceived it to be a case of 'memory loss'. I hate things that play with the concept of memory loss. I simply do not like them. I did not like the 'Family of Blood' arc in Season 3 simply because of this reason.
But overall the episode was better than expected. Really nervewracking.
And funny.
I enjoyed the throwback to the ending lines of the previous episode where Amy refers to the men as 'her boys'.
Though the silly girl thinks she's the only one the Doctor trusts. The one he'll tell everything too. Sorry sweetie but there have been great gals in his life. I love Amy to death, she's the companion I would want to be. But she's not the only one.
I know this probably won't happen because RTD isn't head writer anymore...but I'd like Martha to come in and set things straight. He won't love you. He can't love you. Even the Doctor knows this and brings Rory along so the two can reconnect.
But Amy needs the reminder that, in actuality, she's not special.
But overall, amusing episode but not something I'll be keen on rewatching frequently.
The darkness in the Doctor and everything.
:: Julianne ::
[no images, sorry. Not a visually stunning episode. Pretty normal. Either in a quiet town or a frozen TARDIS]
Mood: content
Weather: drizzling~
Quote of the Episode: "Let's go poke it with a stick."
In all honesty...I was not looking forward to this episode. I saw the preview and perceived it to be a case of 'memory loss'. I hate things that play with the concept of memory loss. I simply do not like them. I did not like the 'Family of Blood' arc in Season 3 simply because of this reason.
But overall the episode was better than expected. Really nervewracking.
And funny.
- [the Doctor sees that Amy is pregnant]
- The Doctor: You've swallowed a planet!
- Amy: I'm pregnant!
- The Doctor: Look at you, you're huge!
- Amy: Yeah, I'm pregnant.
- The Doctor: Look at you! Oh, when worlds collide!
- Amy: Doctor, I'm pregnant.
- The Doctor: Oh, look at you both, five years later, you haven't changed a bit! Apart from age, and... size.
- Amy: It's good to see you, Doctor.
- The Doctor: [pause] Are you pregnant?
I enjoyed the throwback to the ending lines of the previous episode where Amy refers to the men as 'her boys'.
Though the silly girl thinks she's the only one the Doctor trusts. The one he'll tell everything too. Sorry sweetie but there have been great gals in his life. I love Amy to death, she's the companion I would want to be. But she's not the only one.
I know this probably won't happen because RTD isn't head writer anymore...but I'd like Martha to come in and set things straight. He won't love you. He can't love you. Even the Doctor knows this and brings Rory along so the two can reconnect.
But Amy needs the reminder that, in actuality, she's not special.
But overall, amusing episode but not something I'll be keen on rewatching frequently.
- Rory: Oh, a poncho. The biggest crime against fashion since lederhosen.
- Amy: Ah, here we go. Oh, my boys, my poncho boys, if we're going to die, let's die looking like a Peruvian folk band.
The darkness in the Doctor and everything.
:: Julianne ::
[no images, sorry. Not a visually stunning episode. Pretty normal. Either in a quiet town or a frozen TARDIS]
Saturday, May 15, 2010
May 15/2010 :: Exams Finito!!
Day 113
Mood: Elated
Weather: the most gorgeous day ever
Quote of the Day: "Boo yeah x2"
So I was waiting for my last exam...
It was so close and yet so far.
Just like how this dog wants the cupcakes...so bad!
But finally this morning it came time to write my exam!
I aced that suckah so bad~~!!
Like this girl, totally acing at parking
And now I feel...
Yeah, that great!
Mood: Elated
Weather: the most gorgeous day ever
Quote of the Day: "Boo yeah x2"
So I was waiting for my last exam...
It was so close and yet so far.
Just like how this dog wants the cupcakes...so bad!But finally this morning it came time to write my exam!
I aced that suckah so bad~~!!
Like this girl, totally acing at parkingAnd now I feel...
Yeah, that great!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
May 13/2010 :: 3 Classes Done
Day 111
Mood: pleased
Weather: not too amazing, which makes studying easier
Quote of the Day: "Boo yeah"
One exam done!!
Boo yeah!!
...
That is all!
:: Julianne ::
Mood: pleased
Weather: not too amazing, which makes studying easier
Quote of the Day: "Boo yeah"
One exam done!!
Boo yeah!!
...
That is all!
:: Julianne ::
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May 11/2010 :: Exams
Day 109
Mood: my stomach hurts...owie
Weather: mild~
Quote of the Day: "Owie"
I wish more people were like me. It would keep me from feeling so horrid the night before an exam.
Here's my problem:
I don't procrastinate. I start an assignment two weeks before it's due (unless the topic is given to us closer to the due date) and I start studying for an exam at the most two weeks before the exam. I write study notes, I do practice essays, I write and re-write notes to myself. Every day I study a little bit and then more on to something else. I'm not a fan of cramming and I have only pulled on all-nighter in my life (on my trip to Dublin) and it left me so horribly tired and grumpy that I'm going to avoid more of those.
But the thing is...no one else seems to do it this way. Everyone else I know procrastinates. So I see them cramming the night before an exam, just breathing and eating their material for the next morning.
And I get a guilty feeling in my gut. (That could just be the horrible stomach ache I have this afternoon but I'm going to say guilt is contributing.)
My body feels guilty is isn't studying. Does it remember all the studying we've already done that my friends haven't? No. It just thinks we should be cramming.
One of my friends just bought the textbook for her exam on the 13th yesterday! That gives her two days to read it, write notes and absorb the material. I don't have that problem. My exam tomorrow has all the notes I need to briefly scan right before the exam. Most of the material is in my head.
My class even went over the essay question (or as much of the question as possible without our teacher actually revealing the question itself...which was weird). I know what to do! I've read all my notes, I've done everything.
I need more people like me to hang out with the night before the exam. Who are just as confident and happy with the amount they've studied. But I think that's wishful thinking. Because in the world of students it is those who procrastinate that are normal...the ones like me are weird.
=_=
And why does my tummy hurt so bad?
:: Julianne ::
Mood: my stomach hurts...owie
Weather: mild~
Quote of the Day: "Owie"
I wish more people were like me. It would keep me from feeling so horrid the night before an exam.
Here's my problem:
I don't procrastinate. I start an assignment two weeks before it's due (unless the topic is given to us closer to the due date) and I start studying for an exam at the most two weeks before the exam. I write study notes, I do practice essays, I write and re-write notes to myself. Every day I study a little bit and then more on to something else. I'm not a fan of cramming and I have only pulled on all-nighter in my life (on my trip to Dublin) and it left me so horribly tired and grumpy that I'm going to avoid more of those.
But the thing is...no one else seems to do it this way. Everyone else I know procrastinates. So I see them cramming the night before an exam, just breathing and eating their material for the next morning.
And I get a guilty feeling in my gut. (That could just be the horrible stomach ache I have this afternoon but I'm going to say guilt is contributing.)
My body feels guilty is isn't studying. Does it remember all the studying we've already done that my friends haven't? No. It just thinks we should be cramming.
One of my friends just bought the textbook for her exam on the 13th yesterday! That gives her two days to read it, write notes and absorb the material. I don't have that problem. My exam tomorrow has all the notes I need to briefly scan right before the exam. Most of the material is in my head.
My class even went over the essay question (or as much of the question as possible without our teacher actually revealing the question itself...which was weird). I know what to do! I've read all my notes, I've done everything.
I need more people like me to hang out with the night before the exam. Who are just as confident and happy with the amount they've studied. But I think that's wishful thinking. Because in the world of students it is those who procrastinate that are normal...the ones like me are weird.
=_=
And why does my tummy hurt so bad?
:: Julianne ::
Monday, May 10, 2010
May 10/2010 :: Doctor Who 5x06
Day 108
Mood: pleased
Weather: sunny~
Quote of the Episode: "Funny how you say something in your head and it soun fine..."
So another Doctor Who episode under my belt and this one had Vampires in Venice. Or rather...aliens that appeared to be vampires but were actually aquatic lizard-fish things. XD
The plot was all together pretty well structured and had some pretty amusing exchanges of dialogue between Amy, Rory and the Doctor.
The villains were decent but not really scary. There was the whole creepy factor when all the girls spoke together but that's about it. I also found it very sad when Guido's daughter (whose name escapes me) was murdered for helping Amy and the Doctor out. Very sad.
The designs of the aliens were interesting and I like the gross looking fangs. That's what a vampire's fangs should look like! Really creepy!!
The Doctor was electrocuted and knocked out at one point and that was hawt~ Other than that there was a real flair for his dialogue. I enjoyed it immensely! Plus, he was the one to save the day and crawl up to the top of the tower. Bravo~
Very amusing episode overall. But I couldn't help but be reminded that some of the stuff had already been done. The whole 'climbing to the top of a tower to save the world' had been done before with Ten and done better! 11 just had to flip a switch and the problem was solved. Both times Ten had to climb up high he was in a race against the clock and got injured both times! Come on!!
I enjoyed Rory's character as well. I feel sorry for the guy though, you can really tell he loves Amy and she's absolutely cruel to him with disregard for his feelings. Geez girl, give him a break! I know the Doctor is fantastic but you're engaged! Respect your fiancee a little! Plus, Rory is hilarious!!
And the bit with the Doctor's library card...flipping hilarious!!
In all it's glory!!
Lolz!!
Pretty good episode in my opinion but I'm not looking forward to the next one. I hate memory-loss themed episodes. Hate them.
:: Julianne ::
Mood: pleased
Weather: sunny~
Quote of the Episode: "Funny how you say something in your head and it soun fine..."
So another Doctor Who episode under my belt and this one had Vampires in Venice. Or rather...aliens that appeared to be vampires but were actually aquatic lizard-fish things. XD
The plot was all together pretty well structured and had some pretty amusing exchanges of dialogue between Amy, Rory and the Doctor.
- The Doctor: Can't see a thing.
- Rory: Well, its a good thing I brought this then. [He produces a tiny torch.]
- The Doctor: [Produces a rather larger light] Ultraviolet. Portable sunlight.
- Rory: [Stares at the item] Yours is bigger than mine.
- The Doctor: Let's not go there.
- Rory: [sarcastically] Funny.
The villains were decent but not really scary. There was the whole creepy factor when all the girls spoke together but that's about it. I also found it very sad when Guido's daughter (whose name escapes me) was murdered for helping Amy and the Doctor out. Very sad.
The designs of the aliens were interesting and I like the gross looking fangs. That's what a vampire's fangs should look like! Really creepy!!
The Doctor was electrocuted and knocked out at one point and that was hawt~ Other than that there was a real flair for his dialogue. I enjoyed it immensely! Plus, he was the one to save the day and crawl up to the top of the tower. Bravo~
- Amy: Hey, look at this. I got my spaceship, I got my boys... my work here is done. [struts into the TARDIS, head held high]
- Rory: [scoffs] We are not her "boys."
- The Doctor: Yeah we are.
- Rory: Yeah, we are.
Very amusing episode overall. But I couldn't help but be reminded that some of the stuff had already been done. The whole 'climbing to the top of a tower to save the world' had been done before with Ten and done better! 11 just had to flip a switch and the problem was solved. Both times Ten had to climb up high he was in a race against the clock and got injured both times! Come on!!
I enjoyed Rory's character as well. I feel sorry for the guy though, you can really tell he loves Amy and she's absolutely cruel to him with disregard for his feelings. Geez girl, give him a break! I know the Doctor is fantastic but you're engaged! Respect your fiancee a little! Plus, Rory is hilarious!!
- [It is Rory's first time in the TARDIS]
- The Doctor: It's a lot to take in, isn't it? Tiny box, huge room inside; what's that about? Let me explain...
- Rory: It's another dimension.
- The Doctor: It's basically another dimensi... what?
- Rory: After what happened with Prisoner Zero, I've been reading up on all the latest scientific theories. FTL travel, parallel universes.
- The Doctor: I like the bit when someone says "It's bigger on the inside!" I always look forward to that. [The Doctor looks annoyed, then smiles]
And the bit with the Doctor's library card...flipping hilarious!!
In all it's glory!!Lolz!!
Pretty good episode in my opinion but I'm not looking forward to the next one. I hate memory-loss themed episodes. Hate them.
:: Julianne ::
Saturday, May 8, 2010
May 8/2010 :: English Sweets Pt. 2
Day 106
Mood: Relieved!Weather: chilly
Quote of the Day: n/a
So, this week has marked the end of my classes. I couldn't be happier!! In other news I went with Southern Bell and California Girl to a very famous pub. It's called the Eagle & Child and was the hangout spot of famous writers like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. It was a quaint little place, very nice and old. The taps for lots of the beers were old fashioned where you had to continually pump it to keep the beer flowing. They had a green beer on tap, that was neat. I finally had my first try of English fish and chips with mushy peas.
I must say it tasted just as good as the fish and chips I get down the road back at home. They must be doing something right in Canada! And the mushy peas were...interesting. Not delicious but...interesting.
And now, on to my little candy review.
Treat? Star Bar
Rating? 9/10
In One Word? heaven !!
In a Few Words? This thing is amazing. I've only had one but it is absolutely amazing!! It's got peanuts, caramel and something like the inside of a Reese peanut butter cup all mashed together and covered with chocolate. Heaven!
Treat? Milky Bar
Rating? 7/10
In One Word? mediocre
In a Few Words? I bought a little snack pack of these, 6 little tiny bars. It was milk chocolate. Nothing special or amazing.
[no image]
Treat? Rolo pudding
Rating? 8/10
In One Word? favourite
In a Few Words? This was a little personal favourite of mine, rolo pudding. You could buy it all over the place and it came with 4 cups of pudding with the perfect rolo swirl. Yummy! One of my favourites.
Treat? Dairy Milk turkish delight
Rating? 3/10
In One Word? eww
In a Few Words? I only had this in milkshake form but I think it needs discussion. The rose flavour with the chocolate was an interesting but not too palatable combination. Wouldn't actually buy it.
Treat? Dairy Milk Caramel
Rating? 6/10
In One Word? faker!
In a Few Words? I love Caramilk chocolate bars back home and I hoped that a Dairy Milk Caramel might fit the bill. They looked very similar but the inside caramel was too stiff. It didn't run properly and it just didn't taste right. It was a fake Caramilk and I was disappointed.
:: Julianne ::
Sunday, May 2, 2010
May 2/2010 :: Doctor Who 5x05
Day 100!!
Mood: n_n
Weather: mediocre
Quote of the Episode: The Doctor: Anyway, that's not the plan. River Song: There's a plan? The Doctor: I don't know, I haven't finished talking yet.
Here we have a conclusion to the awesome two-part story of the Weeping Angels. I was very impressed!! Moffat sure knows how to weave a story into a series with expert precision.
So let's dive into what I liked about the story, and spoilers be aplenty!
So we have the angels coming after our heroes in the ship. It's terrifying when you realize that Amy has been counting down without realizing it. Turns out the image of the angel in her mind is becoming a real angel and coming out of her. And the solution is this: close your eyes. When fighting against an enemy that you must look at in order to keep yourself alive...closing your eyes seems like a terrifying thing!! And it is!!
And we also have the return of the crack from her bedroom wall. We've seen it in every episode but here the Doctor really sees it and recognizes it. We now know what caused it, an event so big that it cracked the fabric of time and space! And the Stone Angels are scared of it because once you enter the light...you never existed.
Ever.
People forget you existed completely. You were never around. Ever.
Terrifying!!
The Doctor took much more charge in this episode and he was the hero I've been looking for. Amy couldn't solve the problems this time, he did. He solved all of them. Even when Amy had to walk to find him with her eyes closed he was the one in charge. He was guiding her. It was brilliant.
There was a scene that confused me. It was when Amy was returning to find the Doctor and she came across angels...frozen. And the Doctor told her to pretend she could see and they'd leave her alone. What? I thought angels ceased to exist when you saw them and came to life when you closed your eyes. I didn't know this was a game of 'What time is it Mr. Wolf?'. But I can forgive this because you finally get to see the angels move for real and it was freaky as hell!!
We save the day and there's something else I don't like. River Song admits to killing a man, the greatest man she's ever known. Wouldn't that be the Doctor? I swear to god Moffat, if this is the case you will have pissed off every Doctor Who fan in existence, including me! Let's hope it's not the case. You already angered me with the Tardis noise thing.
Now we finish off my plot synopsis with the best thing. I've finally fallen for the 11th Doctor. I am in love with him!!
They return to Amy's time, the night before her wedding. The Doctor realizes that there must be something significant about her wedding. The cracks follow her around through time and space. There's something going on. Why did she know the pond was a duck pond when there weren't any ducks? Why couldn't she remember the Daleks?
But THEN Amy makes a move on the Doctor. Not just a kiss, she's trying to get in his pants. It's the most hilarious scene ever! He's so flustered, trying to resist her. He can defeat Daleks and Stone Angels but when a girl wants into your pants...he's miffed on what to do.
Overall, great development!!
One of the best ones!! I love how Moffat has weaved the story line of the series throughout every episode. While I loved many episodes from the old series and they're near and dear to my heart...this series seems to have a much better flow.
Btw...a neat little note...the 'base code of the universe' is seen to be Amy's time. But it's a specific date: 26/06/2010. The air date for the finale for Season 5.
Also the episode ends with River Song commenting: "You, me, handcuffs... must it always end this way?", unknowingly referencing her own death in Forest of the Dead when she handcuffs David Tennant's Doctor.
:: Julianne ::
Mood: n_n
Weather: mediocre
Quote of the Episode: The Doctor: Anyway, that's not the plan. River Song: There's a plan? The Doctor: I don't know, I haven't finished talking yet.
Here we have a conclusion to the awesome two-part story of the Weeping Angels. I was very impressed!! Moffat sure knows how to weave a story into a series with expert precision.
So let's dive into what I liked about the story, and spoilers be aplenty!
So we have the angels coming after our heroes in the ship. It's terrifying when you realize that Amy has been counting down without realizing it. Turns out the image of the angel in her mind is becoming a real angel and coming out of her. And the solution is this: close your eyes. When fighting against an enemy that you must look at in order to keep yourself alive...closing your eyes seems like a terrifying thing!! And it is!!
And we also have the return of the crack from her bedroom wall. We've seen it in every episode but here the Doctor really sees it and recognizes it. We now know what caused it, an event so big that it cracked the fabric of time and space! And the Stone Angels are scared of it because once you enter the light...you never existed.
Ever.
People forget you existed completely. You were never around. Ever.
Terrifying!!
The Doctor took much more charge in this episode and he was the hero I've been looking for. Amy couldn't solve the problems this time, he did. He solved all of them. Even when Amy had to walk to find him with her eyes closed he was the one in charge. He was guiding her. It was brilliant.
There was a scene that confused me. It was when Amy was returning to find the Doctor and she came across angels...frozen. And the Doctor told her to pretend she could see and they'd leave her alone. What? I thought angels ceased to exist when you saw them and came to life when you closed your eyes. I didn't know this was a game of 'What time is it Mr. Wolf?'. But I can forgive this because you finally get to see the angels move for real and it was freaky as hell!!
We save the day and there's something else I don't like. River Song admits to killing a man, the greatest man she's ever known. Wouldn't that be the Doctor? I swear to god Moffat, if this is the case you will have pissed off every Doctor Who fan in existence, including me! Let's hope it's not the case. You already angered me with the Tardis noise thing.
Now we finish off my plot synopsis with the best thing. I've finally fallen for the 11th Doctor. I am in love with him!!
They return to Amy's time, the night before her wedding. The Doctor realizes that there must be something significant about her wedding. The cracks follow her around through time and space. There's something going on. Why did she know the pond was a duck pond when there weren't any ducks? Why couldn't she remember the Daleks?
But THEN Amy makes a move on the Doctor. Not just a kiss, she's trying to get in his pants. It's the most hilarious scene ever! He's so flustered, trying to resist her. He can defeat Daleks and Stone Angels but when a girl wants into your pants...he's miffed on what to do.
Overall, great development!!
One of the best ones!! I love how Moffat has weaved the story line of the series throughout every episode. While I loved many episodes from the old series and they're near and dear to my heart...this series seems to have a much better flow.
Btw...a neat little note...the 'base code of the universe' is seen to be Amy's time. But it's a specific date: 26/06/2010. The air date for the finale for Season 5.
Also the episode ends with River Song commenting: "You, me, handcuffs... must it always end this way?", unknowingly referencing her own death in Forest of the Dead when she handcuffs David Tennant's Doctor.
:: Julianne ::
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 1/2010 :: English Sweets Pt. 1
Day 99
Mood: Pleased with how much work I've done, feeling productive
Weather: chilly
Quote of the Day: "You jumped off the bridge?!"
So I thought, seeing as there are different sweets and snacks here, that I should do some mini reviews. I've got some candies, some chocolate bars and some crisps collected over my stay here. If there's something someone back home wants to try give me a quick shout out and I'll see if I can get them in my luggage to take home.
Treat? Double Decker chocolate bar
Rating? 9/10
In One Word? combo-tastetastic
In a Few Words? Described on the packing as 'milk chocolate with a soft, chewy nougat top and crunchy cereal bottom'. Basically it's chocolate with almost a rice-crispie bottom. There's nougat on top that's firm and tough to bite into. But goodness what a mix! Super Delicious!!
Treat? Millions
Rating? 7/10
In One Word? jaw-locking
In a Few Words? These little suckers are addictive! Not the greatest taste but goodness you need more after you've started. There's strawberry and blackcurrant and mint flavours. (I haven't tried the mint). They're chewy and resemble nerds...really chewy nerds.
Treat? Curly Wurly
Rating? 9/10
In One Word? quick-fix
In a Few Words? These are cheap at about 20p a bar. They're tiny strands of a hard caramel that's covered with chocolate. Neat shape, really inexpensive and nummy.
Treat? Jelly Babies
Rating? 6/10
In One Word? eeeehhh
In a Few Words? I know these from the 4th Doctor, who always offered them to friends and foes. "Would you like a jelly baby?" Now I can say I'd probably respond with, "All right but only because it's you offering them." Let's just say that they're 'interesting'. They have a dusting of what seems to be corn starch because it's not sweet. The exterior of the jelly baby is firm, so much so that it seems like it's gone off. It's crumbly but the inside is really smooth and soft. An odd mix. The flavours are okay but nothing spectacular.
Treat? Prawn Cocktail Crisps
Rating? 8/10
In One Word? better
In a Few Words? First time I had a bag of these I was expecting shrimp flavour. That's not what I got. I got the flavour of the sauce that goes with shrimp rings. At first I was repulsed but as I continued eating...they got better. They got to be quite delicious. They're official my second favourite UK flavour of Walker's Crisps. (Walker's and Lay's are the same thing)
Treat? Steak and Onion
Rating? 1/10
In One Word? repulsive
In a Few Words? These crisps are disgusting. I'm not kidding. Really salty, almost like trying to eat a bullion cube. They just coated some crisps with beef stock. It's disgusting.
Treat? Roast Chicken Crisps
Rating? 2/10
In One Word? ugh
In a Few Words? These don't fare much better than the Steak and Onion crisps but I could at least eat one bag of these before I felt sick. I think it's because chicken stock is often a milder flavour than beef stock. But it's basically the same premise.
Treat? Smokey Bacon Crisps
Rating? 10/10
In One Word? orgasmic
In a Few Words? I thought for sure these would be gross. They weren't. You know those little bacon bits you put on a salad? Think about that...but in crisp form. Simply amazing. I tried them and I was absolutely in love with them! It's a pity I've only been able to have 3 of the little individual bags cause I could eat these all day! But if you don't like bacon-flavour...I wouldn't advise them.
Mood: Pleased with how much work I've done, feeling productive
Weather: chilly
Quote of the Day: "You jumped off the bridge?!"
So I thought, seeing as there are different sweets and snacks here, that I should do some mini reviews. I've got some candies, some chocolate bars and some crisps collected over my stay here. If there's something someone back home wants to try give me a quick shout out and I'll see if I can get them in my luggage to take home.
Treat? Double Decker chocolate bar
Rating? 9/10
In One Word? combo-tastetastic
In a Few Words? Described on the packing as 'milk chocolate with a soft, chewy nougat top and crunchy cereal bottom'. Basically it's chocolate with almost a rice-crispie bottom. There's nougat on top that's firm and tough to bite into. But goodness what a mix! Super Delicious!!
Treat? MillionsRating? 7/10
In One Word? jaw-locking
In a Few Words? These little suckers are addictive! Not the greatest taste but goodness you need more after you've started. There's strawberry and blackcurrant and mint flavours. (I haven't tried the mint). They're chewy and resemble nerds...really chewy nerds.
Treat? Curly Wurly
Rating? 9/10
In One Word? quick-fix
In a Few Words? These are cheap at about 20p a bar. They're tiny strands of a hard caramel that's covered with chocolate. Neat shape, really inexpensive and nummy.
Treat? Jelly Babies
Rating? 6/10
In One Word? eeeehhh
In a Few Words? I know these from the 4th Doctor, who always offered them to friends and foes. "Would you like a jelly baby?" Now I can say I'd probably respond with, "All right but only because it's you offering them." Let's just say that they're 'interesting'. They have a dusting of what seems to be corn starch because it's not sweet. The exterior of the jelly baby is firm, so much so that it seems like it's gone off. It's crumbly but the inside is really smooth and soft. An odd mix. The flavours are okay but nothing spectacular.
Treat? Prawn Cocktail Crisps
Rating? 8/10
In One Word? better
In a Few Words? First time I had a bag of these I was expecting shrimp flavour. That's not what I got. I got the flavour of the sauce that goes with shrimp rings. At first I was repulsed but as I continued eating...they got better. They got to be quite delicious. They're official my second favourite UK flavour of Walker's Crisps. (Walker's and Lay's are the same thing)
Treat? Steak and Onion
Rating? 1/10
In One Word? repulsive
In a Few Words? These crisps are disgusting. I'm not kidding. Really salty, almost like trying to eat a bullion cube. They just coated some crisps with beef stock. It's disgusting.
Treat? Roast Chicken Crisps
Rating? 2/10
In One Word? ugh
In a Few Words? These don't fare much better than the Steak and Onion crisps but I could at least eat one bag of these before I felt sick. I think it's because chicken stock is often a milder flavour than beef stock. But it's basically the same premise.
Treat? Smokey Bacon Crisps
Rating? 10/10
In One Word? orgasmic
In a Few Words? I thought for sure these would be gross. They weren't. You know those little bacon bits you put on a salad? Think about that...but in crisp form. Simply amazing. I tried them and I was absolutely in love with them! It's a pity I've only been able to have 3 of the little individual bags cause I could eat these all day! But if you don't like bacon-flavour...I wouldn't advise them.
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26/2010 :: Doctor Who 5x04
Day 94
Mood: Happy
Weather: Colder than it has been...but awesome nonetheless
Quote of the Episode: "Yeah? Well, it's boring now, isn't it? They're boring-ers! Blue boring-ers!"
All right so~ The Time of Angels is upon us and, I must say, it's been the best episode yet! This is what I love about Moffat, this kind of gritty and terrifying storyline. It's epic and bone-chilling. It was magnificent!
Here lies spoilers!!
So let's start off with a brief storyline along with all the great bits that I enjoyed. We find ourselves introduced to River Song once more, the second time we've seen her but definitely not the first time she's seeing the Doctor. She's quite a ways through their story together but he's still a little hard done by after her death in season 4. His first meeting of her along with her death. It was quite sad.
But here she's alive and well still and they've been tracking a stone angel. It is quantum locked so, when people look at it, it is made of stone. But look away, or close your eyes, and it moves and can kill you. Usually it sends you back in time and consumes the life force you could have used into the future. Really neat. But this time it's vicious...
Scary!!
It killed 3 characters by snapping their necks and then using their voices to communicate. It was absolutely chilling to have Bob, a sweet and innocent guy, tell someone that the angel snapped his neck...in the most nonchalant and casual way. Really eerie.
Another eerie and totally shocking moment happened in the catacombs. They're trying to find an angel statue amongst many, many statues. And I realized...the people of the planet they're on had two heads...why do the statues only have one head? As soon as I realize this the Doctor realizes it as well and we find out that every statue is an angel! It was so scary!!
Plus the ending was a very epic cliffhanger!
The Doctor: There's one thing you never put in a trap if you're smart. If you value your continued existence. If you have any plans about seeing tomorrow, there's one thing you never ever put in a trap.
Angel Bob: What would that be, sir?
The Doctor: Me.
AWESOME!!
There was one thing I wasn't fond of and that was the whole 'the image of an angel becomes and angel' bit...and the whole business that we're supposed to assume Amy will become an angel. Meh. Not a big fan of the idea.
Character-wise I was super impressed!
River Song is so casual and up front with the Doctor. I love how she calls him sweetie and that we're positive now that she'll be his wife one day. Well...she already is but he isn't yet. The time line is super confusing but that's what makes it awesome. But I did not like that she could fly the Tardis better than the Doctor. The sound it makes when it lands is not a mistake! It's the proper sound! Don't you dare take that away from me Steven Moffat or I will hunt you down.
There's the Professor...or Doctor as the case may be in this episode.
Loved the Doctor in this episode as well. He got to be the hero a few times! It was awesome!! So very awesome! His ending line was so wicked that it gave me chills. Furthermore I realized that I really like how he examines things. He ducks around and is very tentative with touching things. He pokes and prods but doesn't grab. David Tennant's Doctor was very different. He grabbed, turned and licked anything when he was curious. He sure loved to use his sense of taste. He was very hands on while Matt Smith's Doctor seems to hold back a little and is very gentle with things.
Amy was awesome, again. I've finally come to the conclusion as to why I like her so much. She's the companion I would like to be. If I could be the Doctor's Companion I'd like to be like her.
The Doctor: A weeping angel, Amy, is the deadliest, most powerful, most malevolent life-form evolution has ever produced and right now one of them is trapped inside that wreakage and I'm supposed to climb in after it with a screwdriver and a torch, and assuming I survive the radiation long enough and assuming the ship doesn't explode in my face, do something incredibly clever which I haven't actually thought of yet. That's my day, that's what I'm up to. Any Questions?
Amy: Is River Song your wife?
Seriously? Hilarious!!
Amy: I don't need you to die for me, Doctor; do I look that clingy?
So awesome!
It was such a creepy and awesome episode and I can't wait for the second part. And I have questions that need answering.
Why did the angels snap the necks of those men instead of transporting them in time?
How did they originally get to the planet of the Aplans?
It'll be good to see.
:: Julianne ::
Mood: Happy
Weather: Colder than it has been...but awesome nonetheless
Quote of the Episode: "Yeah? Well, it's boring now, isn't it? They're boring-ers! Blue boring-ers!"
All right so~ The Time of Angels is upon us and, I must say, it's been the best episode yet! This is what I love about Moffat, this kind of gritty and terrifying storyline. It's epic and bone-chilling. It was magnificent!
Here lies spoilers!!
So let's start off with a brief storyline along with all the great bits that I enjoyed. We find ourselves introduced to River Song once more, the second time we've seen her but definitely not the first time she's seeing the Doctor. She's quite a ways through their story together but he's still a little hard done by after her death in season 4. His first meeting of her along with her death. It was quite sad.
But here she's alive and well still and they've been tracking a stone angel. It is quantum locked so, when people look at it, it is made of stone. But look away, or close your eyes, and it moves and can kill you. Usually it sends you back in time and consumes the life force you could have used into the future. Really neat. But this time it's vicious...
Scary!!It killed 3 characters by snapping their necks and then using their voices to communicate. It was absolutely chilling to have Bob, a sweet and innocent guy, tell someone that the angel snapped his neck...in the most nonchalant and casual way. Really eerie.
Another eerie and totally shocking moment happened in the catacombs. They're trying to find an angel statue amongst many, many statues. And I realized...the people of the planet they're on had two heads...why do the statues only have one head? As soon as I realize this the Doctor realizes it as well and we find out that every statue is an angel! It was so scary!!
Plus the ending was a very epic cliffhanger!
The Doctor: There's one thing you never put in a trap if you're smart. If you value your continued existence. If you have any plans about seeing tomorrow, there's one thing you never ever put in a trap.
Angel Bob: What would that be, sir?
The Doctor: Me.
AWESOME!!
There was one thing I wasn't fond of and that was the whole 'the image of an angel becomes and angel' bit...and the whole business that we're supposed to assume Amy will become an angel. Meh. Not a big fan of the idea.
Character-wise I was super impressed!
River Song is so casual and up front with the Doctor. I love how she calls him sweetie and that we're positive now that she'll be his wife one day. Well...she already is but he isn't yet. The time line is super confusing but that's what makes it awesome. But I did not like that she could fly the Tardis better than the Doctor. The sound it makes when it lands is not a mistake! It's the proper sound! Don't you dare take that away from me Steven Moffat or I will hunt you down.
There's the Professor...or Doctor as the case may be in this episode.Loved the Doctor in this episode as well. He got to be the hero a few times! It was awesome!! So very awesome! His ending line was so wicked that it gave me chills. Furthermore I realized that I really like how he examines things. He ducks around and is very tentative with touching things. He pokes and prods but doesn't grab. David Tennant's Doctor was very different. He grabbed, turned and licked anything when he was curious. He sure loved to use his sense of taste. He was very hands on while Matt Smith's Doctor seems to hold back a little and is very gentle with things.
Amy was awesome, again. I've finally come to the conclusion as to why I like her so much. She's the companion I would like to be. If I could be the Doctor's Companion I'd like to be like her.
The Doctor: A weeping angel, Amy, is the deadliest, most powerful, most malevolent life-form evolution has ever produced and right now one of them is trapped inside that wreakage and I'm supposed to climb in after it with a screwdriver and a torch, and assuming I survive the radiation long enough and assuming the ship doesn't explode in my face, do something incredibly clever which I haven't actually thought of yet. That's my day, that's what I'm up to. Any Questions?
Amy: Is River Song your wife?
Seriously? Hilarious!!
Amy: I don't need you to die for me, Doctor; do I look that clingy?
So awesome!
It was such a creepy and awesome episode and I can't wait for the second part. And I have questions that need answering.
Why did the angels snap the necks of those men instead of transporting them in time?
How did they originally get to the planet of the Aplans?
It'll be good to see.
:: Julianne ::
Sunday, April 25, 2010
April 25/2010 :: 21 Years of Awesome
Day 93
Mood: Awesome
Weather: Yesterday was 20 degrees, today is cooler but still nice
Hello everyone! Welcome to my birthday post!
Yes, April 25th is my 21st Birthday! 21 years ago my awesome mom took the time to give birth to me. Very sweet of her and she couldn't have picked a better day. I love having this date as my birthday. Classes are usually ending up, it's ANZAC day -which means something to me as a history buff- and it's spring!! It's definitely spring by this point!
So this post shall be a long one today, going over what I've already done for my birthday. I might do something tonight but last night was the real party.
But before we do all that...let's look at a year in review.
My 20th Year
Good times, bad times, my 20th year was pretty intense! I've met new people and lost others.
My year started off with an awesome bowling birthday party with 6 of the most awesome people in existence. I had finished up school at Guelph and had a summer to look forward to. I took 2 summer courses and got a little promotion at work. The summer of 2009 was when I started working as a Deck Supervisor at the pool. I now had new found responsibility. That also meant some of the most challenging work experiences in my life occured.
But I handled them, I handled all of them.
I had outings with people from the pool, went to movies and held events at the pool like 'Pirate Day' and 'Hawaiian Day'. It was awesome.
My 20th year was also the year that I commuted to Guelph for the first semester, took the bus every Tuesday and Thursday to get to class. It was strenuous but it was fun. I enjoyed staying at home with my family.
My 20th year also had lots of stress on my as Oxford-Brookes continually sent me information late or didn't send enough information at all. I remember there being times that I considered dropping out of the whole program and just living at home. (I'm so glad I didn't though.)
My 20th year was also the year when I lost someone dear to me. A close friend from high school, with whom I had regretfully distanced myself from during my university years, passed away of a long term illness. It was a very intense time but I was able to attend the funeral and hopefully make amends. I was also able to bridge a friendship I'd never thought would be bridged -but always hoped to-. It was a learning experience and very difficult.
My 20th year also had me going abroad to England!! My 21st year will finish up that experience in 4 weeks. But my 20th year had me flying out to England and meeting new -and very awesome- people. In my 20th year I visited Wales and Dublin, visited London and Bath. Took new classes in a new country. Had a rocking time!
So overall, my 20th year has been a mixed experience but overall I've enjoyed it!
Now for what I did to celebrate my birthday. (Due to homework concerns of my friends I pushed most of the festivities forward to the 24th.)
We went on the bus to London and walked past Buckingham Palace. I hadn't seen it yet. It was gorgeous!!
We then had a picnic at St. Jame's Park. The weather was GORGEOUS! We could sit in the fields and admire all the pretty foliage. We brought our lunch with us and it was a very nice day. I enjoyed it immensely.
We then walked through a big party. Yesterday was St. George's Day (he's the one that slayed the dragon). There was a concert and performances. It was pretty wicked! Then we walked up to a comic store called 'Forbidden Planet' where I was able to buy something I'd been looking for. My life was then complete.
However, then VT and Syd took over and said there was a 'special location' we had to go to. I enjoy surprises as much as the next person, if not a little more. I played along, without a clue as to where we were headed. And then we arrived at the most awesome place ever!
The Maple Leaf! The only Canadian themed pub in the city! All the bartenders were from Canada and I had a lovely conversation with a girl from Kitchener and another from Guelph. Apparently Canadian girls tend to talk fast (with a strong accent) because the one girl's boyfriend had to stop us because he couldn't understand anymore. It was awesome! I had some Moosehead lager (which was okay but a little too much...I didn't finish the last mouthful). We also shared a platter of poutine. It was so awesome.
I'm so lucky to have such awesome friends here!
We then went to the London Eye. One of my best friends from back home was abroad last semester and for her birthday she went on the London Eye. I wanted to do the same. So we bought our tickets, watched the 4D prep show, and then got in line. It was a pretty short line and we were soon in the London Eye. It was awesome!
There I am!! Awesome view right!!
After that we went home and some other dear friends came over. They decided we would do cake that night. I have noooo problem with early cake. And I had been told it was an epic cake. It was quite curious. Turns out it was more epic than I could imagine! They had somehow managed to fashion a picture of David Tennant, the Tardis and a Dalek (from Doctor Who) out of icing! It was amazing!
Obviously,
I got the piece of cake with David Tennant on it. And Then I ate him. I look a little crazy in that picture but I assure you it was all because I was happy.
Then I skyped people from home and watched the newest Doctor Who episode [which was the best one yet]!
All in all an awesome day.
It's currently the morning of my birthday and I'm not planning on doing much. Perhaps going out to eat tonight or something of the like. But it doesn't matter because my birthday has already been awesome!!
Thanks to all my awesome friends!!!
:: Julianne ::
Mood: Awesome
Weather: Yesterday was 20 degrees, today is cooler but still nice
Hello everyone! Welcome to my birthday post!
Yes, April 25th is my 21st Birthday! 21 years ago my awesome mom took the time to give birth to me. Very sweet of her and she couldn't have picked a better day. I love having this date as my birthday. Classes are usually ending up, it's ANZAC day -which means something to me as a history buff- and it's spring!! It's definitely spring by this point!
So this post shall be a long one today, going over what I've already done for my birthday. I might do something tonight but last night was the real party.
But before we do all that...let's look at a year in review.
My 20th Year
Good times, bad times, my 20th year was pretty intense! I've met new people and lost others.
My year started off with an awesome bowling birthday party with 6 of the most awesome people in existence. I had finished up school at Guelph and had a summer to look forward to. I took 2 summer courses and got a little promotion at work. The summer of 2009 was when I started working as a Deck Supervisor at the pool. I now had new found responsibility. That also meant some of the most challenging work experiences in my life occured.
But I handled them, I handled all of them.
I had outings with people from the pool, went to movies and held events at the pool like 'Pirate Day' and 'Hawaiian Day'. It was awesome.
My 20th year was also the year that I commuted to Guelph for the first semester, took the bus every Tuesday and Thursday to get to class. It was strenuous but it was fun. I enjoyed staying at home with my family.
My 20th year also had lots of stress on my as Oxford-Brookes continually sent me information late or didn't send enough information at all. I remember there being times that I considered dropping out of the whole program and just living at home. (I'm so glad I didn't though.)
My 20th year was also the year when I lost someone dear to me. A close friend from high school, with whom I had regretfully distanced myself from during my university years, passed away of a long term illness. It was a very intense time but I was able to attend the funeral and hopefully make amends. I was also able to bridge a friendship I'd never thought would be bridged -but always hoped to-. It was a learning experience and very difficult.
My 20th year also had me going abroad to England!! My 21st year will finish up that experience in 4 weeks. But my 20th year had me flying out to England and meeting new -and very awesome- people. In my 20th year I visited Wales and Dublin, visited London and Bath. Took new classes in a new country. Had a rocking time!
So overall, my 20th year has been a mixed experience but overall I've enjoyed it!
Now for what I did to celebrate my birthday. (Due to homework concerns of my friends I pushed most of the festivities forward to the 24th.)
We went on the bus to London and walked past Buckingham Palace. I hadn't seen it yet. It was gorgeous!!
We then had a picnic at St. Jame's Park. The weather was GORGEOUS! We could sit in the fields and admire all the pretty foliage. We brought our lunch with us and it was a very nice day. I enjoyed it immensely.We then walked through a big party. Yesterday was St. George's Day (he's the one that slayed the dragon). There was a concert and performances. It was pretty wicked! Then we walked up to a comic store called 'Forbidden Planet' where I was able to buy something I'd been looking for. My life was then complete.
However, then VT and Syd took over and said there was a 'special location' we had to go to. I enjoy surprises as much as the next person, if not a little more. I played along, without a clue as to where we were headed. And then we arrived at the most awesome place ever!
The Maple Leaf! The only Canadian themed pub in the city! All the bartenders were from Canada and I had a lovely conversation with a girl from Kitchener and another from Guelph. Apparently Canadian girls tend to talk fast (with a strong accent) because the one girl's boyfriend had to stop us because he couldn't understand anymore. It was awesome! I had some Moosehead lager (which was okay but a little too much...I didn't finish the last mouthful). We also shared a platter of poutine. It was so awesome.I'm so lucky to have such awesome friends here!
We then went to the London Eye. One of my best friends from back home was abroad last semester and for her birthday she went on the London Eye. I wanted to do the same. So we bought our tickets, watched the 4D prep show, and then got in line. It was a pretty short line and we were soon in the London Eye. It was awesome!
There I am!! Awesome view right!!After that we went home and some other dear friends came over. They decided we would do cake that night. I have noooo problem with early cake. And I had been told it was an epic cake. It was quite curious. Turns out it was more epic than I could imagine! They had somehow managed to fashion a picture of David Tennant, the Tardis and a Dalek (from Doctor Who) out of icing! It was amazing!
Obviously,
I got the piece of cake with David Tennant on it. And Then I ate him. I look a little crazy in that picture but I assure you it was all because I was happy.Then I skyped people from home and watched the newest Doctor Who episode [which was the best one yet]!
All in all an awesome day.
It's currently the morning of my birthday and I'm not planning on doing much. Perhaps going out to eat tonight or something of the like. But it doesn't matter because my birthday has already been awesome!!
Thanks to all my awesome friends!!!
:: Julianne ::
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19/2010 :: Doctor Who 5x03
Day 87
Mood: School started again...how do you think I feel?
Weather: It's spring baby!
Quote of the Episode: "KBO: Keep Buggering On"
So, Doctor Who episode 3 from season 5. "Victory of the Daleks" was its name and that means we saw the return of the Doctor's long standing foe...the Daleks.
Ye be warned that spoilers be following.
I enjoyed the pacing of this episode. Having the Daleks working for humans was so unsettling for me so it was nice that it didn't take long for their true plans to be revealed. I don't like games and I wasn't too fond to see them pretending to be something they're not.
The setting was WWII England, a setting we've seen before in the first season with Doctor 9 and Rose Tyler. However they were viewing it through the eyes of the poor abandoned children during the Blitz and here we're focusing on the War Cabinet during the same time period. I saw the barrage balloons and couldn't help envisioning Rose hanging off of one and having good ol' Captain Jack come and save her.
Having the Doctor on their ship was also fun. That jammy dodger trick had me very, very amused. The Doctor threatened the Daleks with a self-destruct button but he was truly waving about a biscuit...the Daleks weren't the wiser for quite some time.
In this episode new Daleks were revealed, a great hail back to the original Daleks from the classic series. Boxy, smaller knobs and bright colours. Never thought I'd see a bright yellow Dalek. Not the most menacing you'd think...but a Dalek can pull anything off. They're just that intimidating.
Taste the rainbow!
The final twist of the episode sent me with chills though. Amy should know who the Daleks are. They've invaded the Earth on two other occasions in the series. They were there at Canary Warf...though I admit maybe they didn't get up to her little town. But in series four they stole the entire Earth. Everyone saw them. Everyone knew that they were there. But Amy doesn't remember...
Why?
I suppose we'll find out.
A few new characters this episode. First we had Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister. He had quite the chin I have to admit but he was fun. He had quite the personality but he was a tad pushy. I understood it though. He wants to win the war with the Nazis desperately. I can understand that feeling when things feel so desperate.
My favourite character of the episode was the scientist, Bracewell, who believed he had invented the Daleks. Turns out he was an android who had been created by them. The dynamics of his performance were riveting. Imagine finding out your whole life is a lie? Though in the end we found that his life was not a lie, that this was merely a hiccup and he shouldn't doubt his own human existence. It was very touching.
Bracewell on the left.
As usual there were parts of the episode that confused me and took away from the overall experience. First of all I want to know how the three original Daleks survived after the events of the Doctor/Donna at the end of series 4. The Doctor clone destroyed all of them, dissolved the entire fleet. How did 3 escape that? It wasn't explained. I know for convenience sake we must continue to revive the Daleks but still...I'm disappointed.
The next issue I have is with character development. I adore the character of Amy Pond, absolutely adore her resourcefulness and her innovations. She's quite the little genius. I know that, as the companion, she provides the human side to the equation and is supposed to pick up on human emotions better than the Doctor. But this is the second time in a row that the Doctor has utterly failed in realizing something and it ends up being Amy saving the day.
In the last episode she was the one to realize the Star Whale had volunteered to save the Starship UK. In this episode she realized the proper way to convince Bracewell of his own humanity.
It's not that I have a problem with the companion being the hero. I love it when it happens. I love having Martha save the Doctor in 42 or having Rose fly in to save the Doctor in the Pilot. I love those moments but they shouldn't be the norm...they should be the deviation, the one every so often. It makes me wonder if this Doctor can actually handle himself at all. That's twice now that he's failed to be the hero...
And he should be the hero.
Let's hope that, when the Stone Angels return, he has the heroic moment I'm waiting for.
But overall a strong episode with lots of enjoyable moments.
:: Julianne ::
Mood: School started again...how do you think I feel?
Weather: It's spring baby!
Quote of the Episode: "KBO: Keep Buggering On"
So, Doctor Who episode 3 from season 5. "Victory of the Daleks" was its name and that means we saw the return of the Doctor's long standing foe...the Daleks.
Ye be warned that spoilers be following.
I enjoyed the pacing of this episode. Having the Daleks working for humans was so unsettling for me so it was nice that it didn't take long for their true plans to be revealed. I don't like games and I wasn't too fond to see them pretending to be something they're not.
The setting was WWII England, a setting we've seen before in the first season with Doctor 9 and Rose Tyler. However they were viewing it through the eyes of the poor abandoned children during the Blitz and here we're focusing on the War Cabinet during the same time period. I saw the barrage balloons and couldn't help envisioning Rose hanging off of one and having good ol' Captain Jack come and save her.
Having the Doctor on their ship was also fun. That jammy dodger trick had me very, very amused. The Doctor threatened the Daleks with a self-destruct button but he was truly waving about a biscuit...the Daleks weren't the wiser for quite some time.
In this episode new Daleks were revealed, a great hail back to the original Daleks from the classic series. Boxy, smaller knobs and bright colours. Never thought I'd see a bright yellow Dalek. Not the most menacing you'd think...but a Dalek can pull anything off. They're just that intimidating.
Taste the rainbow!The final twist of the episode sent me with chills though. Amy should know who the Daleks are. They've invaded the Earth on two other occasions in the series. They were there at Canary Warf...though I admit maybe they didn't get up to her little town. But in series four they stole the entire Earth. Everyone saw them. Everyone knew that they were there. But Amy doesn't remember...
Why?
I suppose we'll find out.
A few new characters this episode. First we had Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister. He had quite the chin I have to admit but he was fun. He had quite the personality but he was a tad pushy. I understood it though. He wants to win the war with the Nazis desperately. I can understand that feeling when things feel so desperate.
My favourite character of the episode was the scientist, Bracewell, who believed he had invented the Daleks. Turns out he was an android who had been created by them. The dynamics of his performance were riveting. Imagine finding out your whole life is a lie? Though in the end we found that his life was not a lie, that this was merely a hiccup and he shouldn't doubt his own human existence. It was very touching.
Bracewell on the left.As usual there were parts of the episode that confused me and took away from the overall experience. First of all I want to know how the three original Daleks survived after the events of the Doctor/Donna at the end of series 4. The Doctor clone destroyed all of them, dissolved the entire fleet. How did 3 escape that? It wasn't explained. I know for convenience sake we must continue to revive the Daleks but still...I'm disappointed.
The next issue I have is with character development. I adore the character of Amy Pond, absolutely adore her resourcefulness and her innovations. She's quite the little genius. I know that, as the companion, she provides the human side to the equation and is supposed to pick up on human emotions better than the Doctor. But this is the second time in a row that the Doctor has utterly failed in realizing something and it ends up being Amy saving the day.
In the last episode she was the one to realize the Star Whale had volunteered to save the Starship UK. In this episode she realized the proper way to convince Bracewell of his own humanity.
It's not that I have a problem with the companion being the hero. I love it when it happens. I love having Martha save the Doctor in 42 or having Rose fly in to save the Doctor in the Pilot. I love those moments but they shouldn't be the norm...they should be the deviation, the one every so often. It makes me wonder if this Doctor can actually handle himself at all. That's twice now that he's failed to be the hero...
And he should be the hero.
Let's hope that, when the Stone Angels return, he has the heroic moment I'm waiting for.
But overall a strong episode with lots of enjoyable moments.
:: Julianne ::
Sunday, April 18, 2010
April 18/2010 :: The Adventure Home
Day 86
So my little story continues~
When we last left off we were waking up @ 3:00 am to catch a cab to the airport. We got there, got through security and were set about to wait. However the flight right before ours was canceled due to "adverse weather conditions". I couldn't get a wink of sleep...fearful ours would meet the same fate. But the weather looked fine, gorgeous and clear, I couldn't imagine England [being an hour away] would be so significantly different. We got ready to board but -10 minutes before boarding- we recieved the awful news. Almost every single flight had been canceled.
We were trapped in a mad house.
Luckily we had VT with us and the girl was a savior. She had already researched alternative routes when we were planning the trip originally. She had everything ready. We raced to a computer and bought tickets for the ferry. Then we were off in a taxi to the docks.
Off and away!
The ferry was gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. It's a pity I was so exhausted. I slept for most of the 2 hour journey. But it was amazing.
Not our ferry but...you get the idea...gorgeous!
We got to Holyhead and were then faced with another challenge...how do we get to Oxford? Doing this last minute meant we had to throw worries about cost out the window. There was only 1 option. Buy an 80 pound train ticket. It had to be done and I had no qualms about it. In dire situations you need to do whatever you can.
At this point I finally phoned my mom to tell her I was safe. By this point I knew for sure what had happened, I know more now as well.
In Iceland, for the second time this month, a volcano was erupting. It sent ash into the sky and, due to high pressure systems, the ash was not moving and dispersing. The ash could clog up a plane engine and -apparently- scrape paint off an aircraft, get into the air system and choke the passengers and potentially even break the windows. It was real luck that we didn't fly that day. Real luck indeed. [Even now as I write this I have friends still trapped in Europe with no way to get back.]
We got on the train and traveled through Wales. It was gorgeous. I love Wales. It's my favourite. It took hours but we finally got home. 12 hours after our flight was canceled we arrived back in Oxford. I've never been so relieved in my life.
The view from the train along the Welsh northern coast
Got home, phoned my mom again, and then crashed. I don't even remember falling asleep and turning off my light and computer. I was simply so tired.
So there's my Dublin adventure in its entirety. It was exhilarating, enjoyable and harrowing. I had to really buck up and make decisions on the spot and not care about the costs. I had to get home. And I did. I got home. It proves that Oxford really does feel like home.
I couldn't have done it without some people though. Thanks to VT for being so resourceful and knowledgeable about routes. Thanks to Syd and her BF for being there for support and a smile [they're so positive it's amazing]. Thanks to my parents for believing in me even when I was anxious...and for telling me they were proud of me. Really means a lot to know you have the love and support of your parents even when they're across the ocean. Also means a lot to survive such an adventure on your own.
[[expect one more blog post for today...for my position on the newest Doctor Who episode~]]
:: Julianne ::
So my little story continues~
When we last left off we were waking up @ 3:00 am to catch a cab to the airport. We got there, got through security and were set about to wait. However the flight right before ours was canceled due to "adverse weather conditions". I couldn't get a wink of sleep...fearful ours would meet the same fate. But the weather looked fine, gorgeous and clear, I couldn't imagine England [being an hour away] would be so significantly different. We got ready to board but -10 minutes before boarding- we recieved the awful news. Almost every single flight had been canceled.
We were trapped in a mad house.
Luckily we had VT with us and the girl was a savior. She had already researched alternative routes when we were planning the trip originally. She had everything ready. We raced to a computer and bought tickets for the ferry. Then we were off in a taxi to the docks.
Off and away!
The ferry was gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. It's a pity I was so exhausted. I slept for most of the 2 hour journey. But it was amazing.
Not our ferry but...you get the idea...gorgeous!We got to Holyhead and were then faced with another challenge...how do we get to Oxford? Doing this last minute meant we had to throw worries about cost out the window. There was only 1 option. Buy an 80 pound train ticket. It had to be done and I had no qualms about it. In dire situations you need to do whatever you can.
At this point I finally phoned my mom to tell her I was safe. By this point I knew for sure what had happened, I know more now as well.
In Iceland, for the second time this month, a volcano was erupting. It sent ash into the sky and, due to high pressure systems, the ash was not moving and dispersing. The ash could clog up a plane engine and -apparently- scrape paint off an aircraft, get into the air system and choke the passengers and potentially even break the windows. It was real luck that we didn't fly that day. Real luck indeed. [Even now as I write this I have friends still trapped in Europe with no way to get back.]
We got on the train and traveled through Wales. It was gorgeous. I love Wales. It's my favourite. It took hours but we finally got home. 12 hours after our flight was canceled we arrived back in Oxford. I've never been so relieved in my life.
The view from the train along the Welsh northern coastGot home, phoned my mom again, and then crashed. I don't even remember falling asleep and turning off my light and computer. I was simply so tired.
So there's my Dublin adventure in its entirety. It was exhilarating, enjoyable and harrowing. I had to really buck up and make decisions on the spot and not care about the costs. I had to get home. And I did. I got home. It proves that Oxford really does feel like home.
I couldn't have done it without some people though. Thanks to VT for being so resourceful and knowledgeable about routes. Thanks to Syd and her BF for being there for support and a smile [they're so positive it's amazing]. Thanks to my parents for believing in me even when I was anxious...and for telling me they were proud of me. Really means a lot to know you have the love and support of your parents even when they're across the ocean. Also means a lot to survive such an adventure on your own.
[[expect one more blog post for today...for my position on the newest Doctor Who episode~]]
:: Julianne ::
April 18/2010 :: Dublin
Day 86
Mood: Refreshed and relieved
Weather: Beautiful...I'm surprised I'm in England
Quote of the Trip: "I'm as cute as a camel raised by seagulls....with crabs." [make of it what you will!]
So we're starting off with my Dublin adventure!
It began on Tuesday April 13th @ 1:00 am. We stayed up that late and walked to the bus station where the English bus driver played a very cruel joke on us. Turns out we'd read the ticket wrong and should have picked up the bus at a different stop. The driver proceeded to tell us our seats had been sold and we had no way to get to the airport. He then told us that he had been lying, I refuse to accept that this was some twisted humour, and let us on the bus. We were quite angry. Sleep was attempted on the bus but it was very difficult.
We arrived at Stanstead airport at around 4:00 am and got in line. It went very smoothly through the airport and we got on our Rynair flight without hindrance. Slept and then arrived in Dublin! 40 minute bus ride later and we arrive at Avalon House [our hostel]. I ended up in a loft bed...I didn't care either way...I was just tired.
My little loft~
We had a walking tour of Dublin at this point, free of charge~ Our guide Cillian was adorable! 3 hours later we were in St. Steven's Park. We sat and enjoyed the atmosphere before heading to Oscar Wilde's park.
Overview of Dublin!
Then it was back home. I finally ate my first meal in 24 hours. [food in Ireland is really expensive]. Then at 6:00 in the evening I fell asleep...until 7:00 am the next morning. I was really exhausted.
Day 2~
We started off the day with free breakfast at the hostel. We then went to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. I realized, according to cost, I could either see the book or eat that day. I decided food would be my best decision so unfortunately I missed out.
But then we went to the Guinness factory and I had my first taste of Guinness. For 11 euros you got entry and 1.5 free pints of Guinness. Luckily I tried the first half pint and decided I did not like Guinness so I was able to use my ticket to get a free soda instead of another pint. We had a great view of the city from the top of the Guinness factory. It was gorgeous!!
At the Guinness factory
Then we wandered around some more and finally, that evening, we went on a pub crawl. We had some Tapas at one pub and then walked around to find another. Finally we headed back and spotted a pub with live Irish music. We stepped inside and proceeded to have the best time ever!
We randomly met a group of people when a Scottish girl at the table next to ours drank the rest of her boyfriend's Guinness. A group of Irish at the bar spotted her and hence began a hilarious slew of accusations. It was hilarious. Eventually those two tables and ours joined together and we had an absolute hoot! The Scottish and the Irish are so friendly!
Me at the pubs!
Then our evening ended and I went and had a 2 hour sleep...prepared to leave Ireland @ 3:00 am and return to Oxford.
Little did I know how hard that would end up being...
[stay tuned for Part 2 when Iceland ruins our travel plans!!]
:: Julianne ::
Mood: Refreshed and relieved
Weather: Beautiful...I'm surprised I'm in England
Quote of the Trip: "I'm as cute as a camel raised by seagulls....with crabs." [make of it what you will!]
So we're starting off with my Dublin adventure!
It began on Tuesday April 13th @ 1:00 am. We stayed up that late and walked to the bus station where the English bus driver played a very cruel joke on us. Turns out we'd read the ticket wrong and should have picked up the bus at a different stop. The driver proceeded to tell us our seats had been sold and we had no way to get to the airport. He then told us that he had been lying, I refuse to accept that this was some twisted humour, and let us on the bus. We were quite angry. Sleep was attempted on the bus but it was very difficult.
We arrived at Stanstead airport at around 4:00 am and got in line. It went very smoothly through the airport and we got on our Rynair flight without hindrance. Slept and then arrived in Dublin! 40 minute bus ride later and we arrive at Avalon House [our hostel]. I ended up in a loft bed...I didn't care either way...I was just tired.
My little loft~We had a walking tour of Dublin at this point, free of charge~ Our guide Cillian was adorable! 3 hours later we were in St. Steven's Park. We sat and enjoyed the atmosphere before heading to Oscar Wilde's park.
Overview of Dublin!Then it was back home. I finally ate my first meal in 24 hours. [food in Ireland is really expensive]. Then at 6:00 in the evening I fell asleep...until 7:00 am the next morning. I was really exhausted.
Day 2~
We started off the day with free breakfast at the hostel. We then went to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. I realized, according to cost, I could either see the book or eat that day. I decided food would be my best decision so unfortunately I missed out.
But then we went to the Guinness factory and I had my first taste of Guinness. For 11 euros you got entry and 1.5 free pints of Guinness. Luckily I tried the first half pint and decided I did not like Guinness so I was able to use my ticket to get a free soda instead of another pint. We had a great view of the city from the top of the Guinness factory. It was gorgeous!!
At the Guinness factoryThen we wandered around some more and finally, that evening, we went on a pub crawl. We had some Tapas at one pub and then walked around to find another. Finally we headed back and spotted a pub with live Irish music. We stepped inside and proceeded to have the best time ever!
We randomly met a group of people when a Scottish girl at the table next to ours drank the rest of her boyfriend's Guinness. A group of Irish at the bar spotted her and hence began a hilarious slew of accusations. It was hilarious. Eventually those two tables and ours joined together and we had an absolute hoot! The Scottish and the Irish are so friendly!
Me at the pubs!Then our evening ended and I went and had a 2 hour sleep...prepared to leave Ireland @ 3:00 am and return to Oxford.
Little did I know how hard that would end up being...
[stay tuned for Part 2 when Iceland ruins our travel plans!!]
:: Julianne ::
Friday, April 16, 2010
April 16/2010 :: Doctor Who 5x02
Day 84
Mood: Worn out (I don't even remember how I fell asleep last night...)
Weather: Pleasant
Quote of the Episode: "Sorry, checking all the water in this area; there's an escaped fish."
I have a LOT to talk about with regards to my trip to Dublin. However, due to technical issues half of my pictures are on other people's cameras. Therefore I shall be waiting a little bit to write a blog because I require the pictures. Let's just say it'll be a 2-parter though: Dublin + the trip back home.
However, I wanted to do an update with my thoughts on Doctor Who Season 5 Episode 2, The Beast Below.
Okay, so I have rewatched the episode and I have my opinions.
Be warned...there be spoilers ahead!
So the episode focuses on the above, the Smilers. They seem to be running a ship out in space. It takes place after the sun expands and roasts the Earth. The people of Earth take to large vessels and move to space to find a new home. The UK is the ship the Doctor and Amy land on. But something seems to be wrong...there are no engines but the ship seems to be running.
There's some sort of conspiracy going on and every 5 years, when people vote, they always choose to forget the information they learned and continue their lives oblivious of the dark secrets of the ship.
This episode once again brings up concepts of human beings as a weaker species. So powerful and intelligent but capable of such darkness. It also brings up a dark choice in the end...who do you save? A single alien, the last of its kind, or a million human beings that chose to hurt this alien? It's an awful question that the Doctor has had to face many a time...this time though it's the humans that were the villains.
I found it riveting! The writing was amazing. There were moments of humour mixed along some really dark themes of torture, responsibility and memory.
On to characters.
In this episode we followed along with the Queen of the UK
Elizabeth the 10th. She is trying to find out the secrets of her country but it turns out she's been a part of it all and has chosen to forget about it time and time again for the sake of her people. She was powerful and very 'kick-ass'. I've probably mentioned this before but I really like my female characters to be 'kick-ass'. She definitely was!
Matt Smith further separated himself from David Tennant in this episode and solidified his position as the Doctor. At the end he's faced with a difficult choice and he does something I can't imagine Ten ever doing. He tells someone he's taking them home because they've made a mistake. He doesn't put up with crap and I like that...though it's a bit painful to watch sometimes.
It's Amy who saves the day in this episode and she's quickly becoming a favourite character of the entire show. She's fiesty and she's the smart one in this episode. She's the one who solves the problem. I was very proud of this.
I only had a single problem with this episode. Amy knew something she shouldn't know. She knew that the Doctor was the last of his kind and an alien, he told her these things. But how did she know he was 'very old'? I don't recall him telling her his age. Maybe I missed it but I don't think I did.
But that's a minor problem.
Altogether a strong episode and very enjoyable.
Mood: Worn out (I don't even remember how I fell asleep last night...)
Weather: Pleasant
Quote of the Episode: "Sorry, checking all the water in this area; there's an escaped fish."
I have a LOT to talk about with regards to my trip to Dublin. However, due to technical issues half of my pictures are on other people's cameras. Therefore I shall be waiting a little bit to write a blog because I require the pictures. Let's just say it'll be a 2-parter though: Dublin + the trip back home.
However, I wanted to do an update with my thoughts on Doctor Who Season 5 Episode 2, The Beast Below.
Okay, so I have rewatched the episode and I have my opinions.
Be warned...there be spoilers ahead!
So the episode focuses on the above, the Smilers. They seem to be running a ship out in space. It takes place after the sun expands and roasts the Earth. The people of Earth take to large vessels and move to space to find a new home. The UK is the ship the Doctor and Amy land on. But something seems to be wrong...there are no engines but the ship seems to be running.There's some sort of conspiracy going on and every 5 years, when people vote, they always choose to forget the information they learned and continue their lives oblivious of the dark secrets of the ship.
This episode once again brings up concepts of human beings as a weaker species. So powerful and intelligent but capable of such darkness. It also brings up a dark choice in the end...who do you save? A single alien, the last of its kind, or a million human beings that chose to hurt this alien? It's an awful question that the Doctor has had to face many a time...this time though it's the humans that were the villains.
I found it riveting! The writing was amazing. There were moments of humour mixed along some really dark themes of torture, responsibility and memory.
On to characters.
In this episode we followed along with the Queen of the UK
Elizabeth the 10th. She is trying to find out the secrets of her country but it turns out she's been a part of it all and has chosen to forget about it time and time again for the sake of her people. She was powerful and very 'kick-ass'. I've probably mentioned this before but I really like my female characters to be 'kick-ass'. She definitely was!
Matt Smith further separated himself from David Tennant in this episode and solidified his position as the Doctor. At the end he's faced with a difficult choice and he does something I can't imagine Ten ever doing. He tells someone he's taking them home because they've made a mistake. He doesn't put up with crap and I like that...though it's a bit painful to watch sometimes.It's Amy who saves the day in this episode and she's quickly becoming a favourite character of the entire show. She's fiesty and she's the smart one in this episode. She's the one who solves the problem. I was very proud of this.
I only had a single problem with this episode. Amy knew something she shouldn't know. She knew that the Doctor was the last of his kind and an alien, he told her these things. But how did she know he was 'very old'? I don't recall him telling her his age. Maybe I missed it but I don't think I did.
But that's a minor problem.
Altogether a strong episode and very enjoyable.
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