February 21/2010 :: London Take 2

Day 30
Mood: Sore
Weather: Yesterday was chilly but no rain! Sunny even for some of the time!! Today it's sunny.
Word of the Day: "Excuse me children."

We visited London a second time and it was quite the event!!

Look at that view! Isn't it gorgeous!

We got there around 11:30. Etsy and Hamilton got off early to go shopping. The rest of us (Southern Belle, California, VT, Syd and myself) got off on the last stop in order to go to the Imperial War Museum. It was absolutely gorgeous!! We saw planes, tanks, they'd rebuilt the trenches and there was also a 'Blitz' experience. It was great. There was so much stuff there to see (though a few inaccuracies). In a lot of the WWI exhibits I got the impression that the Germans were made out to be 'bad guys'. That, in my opinion, is completely wrong. The Germans, like every other nation involved in WWI, was disillusioned and completely innocent of blame. In fact, Germany tried to encourage the Austria-Hungarian Empire not to start a war with Serbia. It's just a little sad to be teaching people that there are 'sides' in a war like that when both sides are wrong. Both countries get hurt.

There were pretty planes.

We also went through a Holocaust experience. It's sad that they didn't care to mention the homosexuals, blacks and handicapped people that were involved. They graced over mention of gypsies but didn't give them much attention either. But overall the experience was very heavy. I want to go back in time, kidnap baby Hitler and take him away so that he can never do those things. Even though they can't completely be blamed on him. At the time every country was anti-Semetic. Just bring to light the fact that fleeing Jews were not allowed into Canada and the United States simply because the people there didn't want Jewish people in their country. It wasn't just the Nazis...the world caused it.

But anyway, moving on~

We spent several hours there and then walked to find a place to eat. We came across the best thing ever!!

Guess what that is~~

Yup, that's right! It's the Canadian High Commission at Trafalgar Square. Can you see the Vancouver 2010 signs? There are gold maple leafs on the front, provincial flags down the side. It's a gorgeous building~

And just around the corner I discovered a little place to appease the Canadians...though I won't give it away just yet.

:: Julianne ::

February 17/2010 :: Fun Buns

Day 26
Mood: Tired
Weather: Poured rain but was then pleasantly warm and sunny
Word of the Day: "Fun Buns"

Yesterday was a day for celebration, an Estonian holiday which I cannot pronounce. Etsy had a great time preparing some buns with home-made whipped cream. Really dense, really sweet and super delicious little buckets of awesome. We dubbed it 'Estonian Fun Day'. Apparently people go tobogganing (they called it sleighing but yeah...basically same thing). They then eat the delicious little bread/whip cream buckets of awesome. Etsy spent some time whipping up some cream.

Planning on watching men's figure skating today but there is a wee problem with it being aired at midnight. That's just a wee late. Especially since I have 9:00 class the next morning as well as a presentation to do in my Work and Japanese class. Oh wait...just found out that figure skating was last night.

Lovely.

*pouty face*

:: Julianne ::

February 16/2010 :: Cute Rats and Olympics

Day 25
Mood: A little hurt, mostly ready to work
Weather: Overcast XD
Word of the Day: "Own-The-Podium"

Hello everyone~

Olympic coverage here is not as awesome as I would like. No video. Just internet news pieces to subdue the taste for it. I was never this obsessed when I was in Canada but it's a piece of home. I keep checking up the 'Vancouver Now' section of the CBC homepage.

We now have 4 medals:

1 Gold - Alexandre Bilodeau for Men's Moguls (for some reason no one I speak to knows what moguls are and I keep having to describe it)
2 Silvers - Mike Robertson for Men's Snowboarding and Jennifer Heil for Women's Moguls
1 Bronze - Kristina Groves for Women's Speed Skating

I'm excited. This is the most successful I've seen Canada's Olympic athletes in my lifetime. From the times I've watched the Olympic Games I've always had to wait for medals. Wait and feel my stomach sink as time passes. So to have them win medals so quickly is amazing. It's such a feeling of elation. However I came across an article on the CBC which quoted some UK newspapers and it turns out the country I'm in is not as supportive of my country.

What do you mean?

They claimed Canada was making a mockery of the death of Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili.

"Made by the perversion of the Olympic movement for national gain; made by a culture of worthless aggrandizement and pride."

"More immediate questions may be asked by the Canadians of themselves, who, in pursuit of their own Olympic dream … appear to have forgotten that national characteristic for which they are best known: politeness,”

- Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail

Truthfully I'm disgusted. For once I am hearing of Canada supporting her athletes. Of the countless times I've heard my dad lament the way Canada treats athletes, why most go to train in the states like my sister is. They treat their athletes properly. So for once Canada has decided to be a little competitive. To 'apologize later' as our Prime Minister Stephen Harper urged us. We've had the Olympics in Canada twice and both times have been a pathetic display, in our home country we could not win a gold. How humiliating that must have been for the country. So for once we decide to make sure that doesn't happen, to treat our athletes with respect and pride...

Then get attacked for it.

I've heard nothing but good things from the news of the world. Trust me, I have access to it. Etsy's homepage is Estonian news, I have NBC coverage from VT and Australian coverage from Syd. I've got a range of opinions in this house and no other country I've encountered has anything but good things to say about Canada, the treatment of Nodar's untimely death and our place in the Olympic games. It's just the UK...who are hosting the games next time around in London 2012. Why do they run such stories when they will be going through very similar things when they host the games? To make themselves look better? Are they jealous of Canada's success in these games? Do they think they won't be able to top it in two years? I don't know.

During the Olympic games I always thought of the spirit. I always marveled at the fact that, for two weeks, the world joined together as brethren and played games. I thought it was amazing. That adults would revert to children in a playground and play games with one another. There was a spirit of comradely and good sportsmanship. People congratulating each other and coming together. On the news when the games were in Turino I heard only good things about Italy, the same for Salt Lake and Athens.

It hurts.

But at least I have a place to vent.

I'll tell you one thing though, I will not be purchasing a copy of the Daily Mail when I'm out here. Not at all.

If anyone wants to read the full article you can find it here. I enjoy reading the comments as people continue to support their country and their athletes.

Whew~ Rant done!

Whew~ Time to rest~~

And prepare to watch the Men's Figure skating tomorrow!!

And what's with all the rat images? Well for such a heavy subject I want to spread out some cuteness~

:: Julianne ::