Emily's European Adventure: Day 15

Tip o' the day to ya! We woke up wonderfully refreshed at our bed and breakfast. We loved this place the minute we stepped foot in it last night and things have only gotten better since! Here's me and grandma out front. Our friend from Chanhassen, MN is also in the picture! Not only that, but his sister had just gone to the animal shelter yesterday in my hometown to get her new dog! Cue music: It's a small world after all...

Today began with a delicious traditional Irish breakfast our B&B host, Patricia, made just for us!

Then we hopped  on to the second level of a double decker bus to a village called Malahide. Our first stop was the incredible Malahide castle. It was beautiful. The castle was built in 1190 and the same family, the Talbots, lived there until 1975 (!!!) but it was sold for the inheritance money because the son and daughter who inherited it never married and had no one to pass it on too. So now it can be toured and viewed by the public. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside unfortunately, but take my word for it - it was beeeautiful. 

Prince, you know, "oh, no let's go! let's go crazy!" and "kiss" and "raspberry beret" is in town and is having a concert right behind where I was standing to take this picture. It was sold out, I did inquire. 

Then we wandered around the village of Malahide and had lunch at a pub. 

We had fish 'n chips and Guiness. YUM! 

Grandma: Hold up your fish!! Cause it is such a nice big fish!

 And it was such good fish. It didn't really have that fishy taste, either. After that we got some coffee and wandered along the coast of the Irish Sea. Malahide is a fishing village so there are TONS of fishing boats.

We went back to Swords and wandered around the shopping mall conveniently located right across the street from our B&B. Check out the shirt I found! I didn't buy it, but I think I'd better go back and get it tomorrow. I googled and this place doesn't exist in Ireland. Gotta have it.

 After shopping we went to dinner at a pub converted from an old school house. It was decidedly the best food I've had yet on this trip! Even better than Bavaria...tough call. We had goat cheese crustini and THEE best shepherd's pie. Alex and dad, you would go to Heaven if you ate this. I'm not kidding. And, duh, more Guiness. When in Rome! Dad, I think even you would like Guiness here. It's so smooth and tasty! We can't get enough of it - we're going to the factory on Monday.

Now we're back at the B&B, sipping wine, and getting excited for more fun to come tomorrow. We're going down south to see County Cork, where the country side is even more beautiful! Tomorrow's blog may just have to be a plain old picture blog. 

Slán!

Emily's European Adventure: Day 14

This post is about yesterday...you'll understand why when you get to the end.

Got got to EADS-IW early in the morning and met Stefan and Dominik there. Stefan and I did experiments for my research right away while Dominik and Doc T discussed other things of business.

The apparatus they use to do water droplet tests is really simple. The determined volume of water is dispensed into the copper tube and falls through a pipet at the bottom where it falls onto a surface of various morphology and smoothness. Depending on the surface, the water droplet will stick to it, or roll off. The white squares perpendicular to the sample plate are an array of LED lights. They serve as the light source for the high speed camera. And they are bright!! 

We ran several experiments: droplet on a flat surface, droplet on an inclined surface, among others, for various surfaces. 

Thanks to the high speed camera, we were able to get slo-mo videos of the droplet impacting the surface. Have you ever seen the show Time Warp on the Discovery Channel? It's the same concept. We take something that happens in the blink of an eye and slow it down so we can study the behavior. It's really cool and if I can get a video uploaded when I get back to the states, I will. 

The picture below is of the icing tunnel, this is what they use to do experiments with frozen droplets. It's like a mini-wind tunnel.

We played around with water...this is the kind of things engineers do. We play with toys. This next picture is a demonstration I will use for the lesson plan I am writing for the GK-12 INSPIRE fellowship. I've got several other sample plates that I can use to show students how the surface characteristics affect the interaction between the water and the surface. 

I had a great time working with the guys at EADS-IW and it really gave me a better understanding of why I am doing the research that I am for them. Always a good thing, right?

After eating lunch with them, we took the bus/S-bahn (subway) back to Munich where I caught the bus to the airport. And this is where my story begins. 

Doc T saw to it that I got it on the bus alright and the hotel said they would just bring my luggage over to the bus for me. My luggage never did show up, so Doc T went over and asked about it - yeah, the bell boy forgot. Oh yeah, oops. Ugh. So Doc T helped me haul it across the street just 30 seconds before the bus left. And I thought that was stressful...

We drove by the Olympic tower on the way to the airport so I got a quick picture of that from the bus window. 

I make it to the airport in time and get through security fine. Here is how this lays down. I had a flight out of Munich at 5:30 pm which arrives in London Heathrow at 6:30 (with the time change). I then had a completely separate flight to Dublin at 9:10 pm. Since it wasn't a connecting flight, this meant I had to get my luggage, cross the border, and then re-check-in for my next flight and going back through security. In 2 hours and 45 minutes. Heathrow is a huge airport - so, I had to hustle. 

As I am sitting there waiting for my flight in Munich reading my book, I heard someone say,

Passenger: Oy, a delay?

me: WHAT?! 

Sure enough, the flight is delayed AN ENTIRE HOUR. Shut the front door. This isn't happening.

The tears began welling up in my eyes. I rushed around everywhere looking for a customer service agent, but no one is in site. The security officer sent me back out through security (another stamp in the good ol' passport) and guess what - they couldn't help me.

British Airlines: Oh, sorry, we don't work with Aer Lingus.

me: Still bitter about the Irish, are we? [I didn't actually say that...but I thought about it]

Tears again. The flight I was on to Dublin was the last flight of the night. I'm spending the night in Heathrow. Awesome. That's just bloody awesome.


Well, I'll skip all the details, but I did arrive JUST IN TIME to check in to my flight to Dublin Soaking in sweat, hair frizzed out to here, and panic in my eyes. I had to change terminals and probably run half a mile just to get to the check in counter before they closed the flight.

I have 2 bags, and I paid for 2 bags when I booked the tickets.

Customer Service Agent: Your bags are overweight.

me: No, they're under 23 kilos! I'm fine!

Customer Service Agent: 23 kilos for both bags. 

me:  [grumble, grumble, mutter, mutter...]

Customer Service Agent: The overweight charges will be 120 pounds. What would you like to do?

She looked at me like I was completely out of my mind and I was. But I paid it, and decided to deal with the fine print about it all later. I still think she's wrong. By the way, 120 pounds = $200. Wonderful


I ran and ran and ran. Where on earth is this gate?! I seriously think I ran for 2 miles. But I made. I think the last time I was that excited to see my mom was the day I was born. Mom and grandma got huge Em hugs.

5 minutes later, we boarded the plane.

Me, grandma and my mom jet lagged, exhausted, and bushy-tailed! AND ALL TOGETHER!!

When we arrived in Dublin a short 55 minutes later, went to baggage claim. Everyone got their bags except me. Yeah, that's about right. The bag I paid for $200 to bring to Dublin isn't here. They will hopefully bring it to the bed and breakfast today. HOPEFULLY. My luck it fell out the back of the plane and is laying somewhere over western UK.

All well, Ireland is going to be amazing with or without clean clothes.

We got to our Bed and Breakfast around midnight. The owner was sweet enough to leave a key for us. I'll tell you the rest of our experience at the B&B later when I blog about Day 15, but let's just say I'm impressed! 

As they say in Irish, slán! (goodbye)

Emily's European Adventure: Day 13

I have a numbering scheme for my blog titles during this trip, but if I wasn't doing that - I would totally title this post "Germany is my favorite." Because it is.

Let me start off by saying, I slept so well last night, that I am actually sore from being so comfortable. How does that happen?! This room has a radio system piped in, so I listened to soft rock as I sunk in and drifted into a blissful sound abyss. Do not disturb.

I woke up refreshed, albeit sore from either hiking around my luggage yesterday or sleeping in a comfy bed, and honestly, either are plausible.

This morning, Doc T and I traveled via public transportation (<-- awesome) to EADS. What a great experience that was. They fund my research and so it was really great to meet with them face-to-face for a change. Each one of us took turns presenting our work and discussed future work, i.e., what Emily's thesis will be about, and it was a great experience. I appreciate any opportunity I get to present my research to a group of people. It really prepares me for my defense which I know will be here before I know it! Yikes! For those of you who don't know, the thesis defense is like your final exam of the masters program. I will present my research and then defend myself against a bunch of questions from my committee (professors) and I will most likely not know the answers to said questions, but they'll let me pass anyway. At least I hope they do...
I even go to see an EADS publication which has my picture in it! I was introduced to a fella who said to me:

guy: Oh, right! I recognize you from the picture!

Heck yes. I'm like totally famous around here. Move over Lady Gaga!

Tomorrow, we will go back and I will get to partake in experiments that I will simulate when I get back to good ol' Mississippi (but I'm trying not to think about that yet). They have been sending me experimental data over the past few months to simulate but this is excellent because I will actually get to see where it comes from. I'm really looking forward to it, and will certainly post any pictures I take tomorrow.

This evening, however, they decided we needed a true Bavarian experience. And so that is just what we did. They took us to the Hofbräuhaus, one of Munich's oldest breweries. I wasn't even asked if I wanted a beer - it just appeared in front of me. Shane, you will know more about this than I do, but it was a summer ale and it was unfiltered, so it was a little spicy. I have to say that it was truly the best beer I've ever had, no doubt about it.  

This is one of the oldest beers in Munich. Being the history nerd that I am, I asked many questions about the place and learned that the reason there is a crown on the glass is because this beer used to only be available to the royals, until the 1500s or so. You can read about the history here.


I was told that when in Bavaria, you must try the duck. So that is what I ordered.   

me: I'll have the 1/4 Farmer's Duck, please.

Traditional Bavarian waitress: No, you'll have the 1/2. 

me: No, really, I only want a quarter, I'm not that hungry.

Traditional Bavarian waitress: You'll have half.

me: I-no, I don't want that much food! Seriously, just -

Traditional Bavarian waitress: Oh, shut up. You'll have half. [Then she puts another beer down in front of me. What!!! Where did that come from?!]

me: I didn't order this!

Traditional Bavarian waitress: I said shut up!

WHOA. Okay then! Haha, she wasn't being mean, that's just the way it works there. It is all in good fun We were there for probably 5 hours and Lawrence, a guy from Canadia who works for EADS and has lived in Munich for 2 years now, told me that the waitresses will only be nice for so long. If you don't order when and what they want, well, they just get a little snappy with you. I should say so!


So, I had half a duck. This duck, was not quacking. And it was scrumptious. There are no words for this quacker...ha. Below is a picture of my Bavarian friend, Peter, my 1/2 duck and my beer.

I met a lot of great people, learned a lot about the Bavarian culture and had a great time! I also learned about how awesome Munich is and a lot about Oktoberfest (which is now on my bucket list) and I can't wait to come back here for a longer visit! On a side note, Oktoberfest is one of the safest festivals in the world. If you lose anything, they WILL return it to you. Literally...they research dental records year round to return dentures lost during Oktoberfest. I'm not kidding.

I was hoping to buy a beer mug to bring back with me (and one for my pops) from the Hofbräuhaus, but the shop is only open on weekends, so unfortunately, I didn't get one. I'm a little disappointed about that.

Another cool story about tonight. See the sign behind me in the picture? It says "Stammtisch." It doesn't really translate to English, but from what I understand, I would say it means, "regular get-together." It is a table in a bar or pub that is reserved for "regulars" who come at the same time on the same days. If you don't belong at that table, don't even attempt to sit there. In fact at the table just next to us was a group of older men who had been coming to same table for the past 22 years! We were VIP that evening, so we got reservations at that table.

I love traditions.

Here's another one, when you "prost" or "cheers" (or rather "may it be good") you must clink glasses with the bottom of your class and you MUST look the person in the eyes.

After dinner, they brought out a round of Schnapps - a popular adult beverage in Germany. America has its own version, but trust me - it is completely different. I guess it is juicer here, yeah...that's one way to put it. This was another item that I did not order. It arrived in a small glass. You know what I'm talking about. Huh. No, I definitely did not order this.

Lawrence: It is a tradition to drink Schapps after a meal in Bavaria. You sip it. 

me: Uh, okaaay. [I smelled it <-- bad call.]

Next thing I knew, everyone drank the entire thing. Gone. Boom. Just like that. Sip it, my hiney. You have got to be kidding me. This stuff is disgusting! Normally, I would have pushed it away but...

me:  When in Rome.  [Preeeetty sure this is called falling for peer pressure...]

But don't worry, no one got out of control. They just wanted us to see how they roll in Bavaria. It wasn't exactly the corporate dinner I was expecting, that is for sure and that was my point of this story. <-- disclaimer. But, off the record, after what I witnessed and learned tonight, I truly believe that typical German blood is at least 40% beer...so maybe they're all blood type B+?...I'm just sayin'. They just enjoy life. They don't need to consume a ridiculous amount of alcohol to enjoy themselves. I have a strong respect for this culture and their own respect for life. They love their lives, they love their food, they love their beer, they love their heritage, and they love their friends. How awesome is that?

The people we were out with tonight are the same peeps who gave me this glorious hotel in downtown Munich, paid for the flight and are paying for all my meals while in Germany. They covered everything tonight, too - I think I'd like to work for this company some day - and then paid for a taxi to get us back to the hotel so we wouldn't have to take the subway. Application, please?! Now!! We did talk shop, so I suppose that's how it was justified. But, still...they had me at hallo (not a type-o, it is the informal version of guten tag).

I stopped to purchase a nice selection of German chocolates (you know me) on our way to the Hofbräuhaus. I was drooling just standing at the counter. She didn't speak English, so I had to ask Dominik, our EADS host, to ask her to give me only the best, sans coconut. After she put them in a pretty container with a bow and everything, she gave me a free one to-go! I love chocolate, I love Germany, and I love German chocolate! I'm trying to save them for my mom and grandma, so they are all wrapped up in tissue paper, otherwise I'd take a picture. If I unwrap them, I'll end up eating them all. Sorry, maybe tomorrow when I bring them out to share. Two things in this world that Emily doesn't share: cheesecake and chocolates - so this is a real test for me.

Speaking of those two lovely ladies...they're ON THEIR WAY as I type!! YAY! I'm giddy with excitement. This trip has been mostly work with a little play and after tomorrow it will be all play! Woop! Not that I don't love research...

Auf wiedersehen!

Emily's European Adventure: Day 12

Guten Tag!!

Munich is AMAZING. Seriously. It is beautiful.

This morning, I took the early train at 5:15 am to get to Heathrow in time for my flight. It was a little exhausting hauling all my luggage...I was thinking I'd just packed too much, but it is actually stuff I need. 3 weeks is a long time.

I did learn one thing: I have a strong hate for above ground train stations. Because of all the stairs you can to climb to get across the tracks. UGH. I was dripping in sweat in 60 degree weather this morning. For a while, I was [eerily] the only one at the station, but some gentleman came along just in time to help me up and down my last flight.

I got to Heathrow a little earlier than necessary but I like to plan for failure. Who knows what could go wrong when you have to haul two suitcases for a mile, board a train to one town and then pick up another bus to the airport. Heathrow has awesome shopping so I figured I'd do a little browsing before my flight, anyway. So, I find my gate and decide to browse the shops nearby.

Okaay, let's see what we have here?  Prada, Gucci, Tiffany & Co....okay, so maybe not.

I wish.

I sat in an uncomfy chair and nodded off while attempting to read my book instead. Eh, well, at least I got an extra two hours of cat-napping in. I did a little people watching, too. I'm so good at that. I spotted 3 mullets and a little kid riding on a rolling cow scooter being pulled by her dad. Cutest kid on a cow I've ever seen, too. Blonde curly hair with big blue eyes. I hope my future kids are that cute. The plane ride was uneventful, it was only 2 hours, but they still served lunch. British Airlines rocks.  That's all I have to say about that.

 London town was cloudy and dreary but Germany was clear and sunny so I got to see some of the landscape outside Munich. Lots of little towns very close to each other. Lots of farming, too. I took this picture of one of many corn fields I saw on the bus ride from the airport. I felt like I was back home in Iowa.

But then someone said something to me and I didn't have a bloody clue what they said - and I snapped right back to Deutschland.

The bus stop is literally right across the street from the hotel. Seriously? I like this place already. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I opened the door to this beautiful scene:

A bed with a mattress made out of whatever mattresses are usually made out of. OHMYGOSH. I was so excited, I squealed out loud. I laid on it for a good 15 minutes, just to remind my poor body what a real bed was like. It was glorious. The room is pretty wicked, too, though. It's really country chic with the painted wood walls and wood floors. I'm not a huge fan of the skulls on the wall above the bed (what are those?!) but if I don't look at them, they aren't there. So, after settling in for a few minutes, I hit the city. 

Or so I tried. This city is Huge (with a capital H). Third largest in Germany to be exact. Since I'll be at EADS all day tomorrow, I realized that I don't have a whole lot of time to spend oot and a boot here. So I saw Munich the quick and dirty way. 

DOUBLE DECKER BUS TOURS.

Oh, yes. I was that tourist.

Here are some pictures from the tour. Please feel free to drool at the architecture. I absolutely did.

 I believe this was a parliament building. It was incredible. 

 May pole!!

 There are so many clocks in this city, you will always know the time.

I think this is Old Town Hall. Amazing old building.

I also did a little souvenir shopping. Some more gifts for mah homies so I can't show you. :)

And I had schokolade gelato, of course. You know me, I can't live with out sweets or chocolate. 

And yeah, it was really really good. 

I wandered around Marienplatz for a while. It's a shopping center in the heart of the city.

There was a children's choir singing and they drew in a huge crowd. The crowd was even singing along! I didn't have a clue what they were saying, so I just stood there with my video camera like an awkward tourist/idiot. Have a listen, it was so neat!

I went back to the hotel and met up with my advisor from State. Dr. T and I had a Bavarian dinner and wandered around to do some site-seeing. 

 Bavarian Specialty: crisp roast pork - oven fresh - with malt beer sauce, served with potato dumpling and homemade Bavarian cabbage salad --> Ohmygosh. Ahhh-mazing

Homemade Bavarian cabbage salad <-- meh. I'd rather have sauerkraut. Admittedly, I love sauerkraut.

We took the subway, so I got to experience that - it was dirty - but interesting. This is Hauptbahnhof, the main Munich station.

This is the New Town Hall in Marienplatz, and if you look closely (or in the following picture) you can see the Rathaus-Glockenspiel which dates back to 1908. I love history! I really want a Glockenspiel for my front lawn.

Also found a memorial to the King of Pop (the er, more recent one?) and am still singing "Billie Jean is not my lover..." So, I thought I'd share that with you so that you can have it stuck in your nugget for the rest of the day. You're welcome.

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped for gelato. Even though I'd already had some today, I didn't put up much of a fight...heh, heh. I had raspberry this time and oh, man, was it good. 

Well, I suppose, I should probably wrap this up. I just have too many pictures from today, I could seriously go on and on. But, I do need to get some rest since I've had a long day. I've never been so excited to sleep in a hotel bed. Oof. 

I'm so sad that I'm leaving Munich on Friday - I absolutely love it here. The Pilot doesn't know it yet, but this has just moved waaay up on my list of places I want to see (with him). 

I'm also excited about Friday because my 'mum' and 'grandmum' are coming to LONDON!! Ahh! I may or may not be doing my happy dance right now. I'm so excited!!

Another post about my adventures at EADS tomorrow, so be sure to check back.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Emily's European Adventure: Day 11

Goodbye Guildford!! It's been lovely! But I'm ready for something new and exciting. Oh, say, Germany?

I haven't left just yet - I'll roll outta here around half past five tomorrow morning. They don't say five thirty, it's half past five.

I said my goodbyes to the people in my department, promising to keep in touch, of course. They didn't let me leave empty handed, however.

I finished up my EADS presentation and decided to go to Town Centre one last time, for one last look around Guildford. I enjoyed a salad and chai latte at Cafe Nero and meandered around for a bit. I've been a little low on sleep the past few nights, so before long I was pretty worn out. I did make a few purchases, one being a coin purse since I left my wallet at home.

The other purchase I made is a gift for someone back home and it wouldn't be a surprise for them if I told you what it was, so you get to see the bag.

I'm currently waiting to Skype with Alex and then I'm going to go do laundry and read my book. Once everything is clean, I will have to pack it all up so I'm ready to go tomorrow. I am planning on getting to bed a little earlier than normal tonight.

Needless to say, I'm so anxious for the next leg of my adventure! Sorry for the boring posts the past couple of days, but I promise that it will get better. I have to get from Munich airport to the hotel tomorrow by myself. That alone should be interesting considering I don't speak a lick of German. I've been brushing up on the basics, just in case. Have a go at it yourself.

Yes --> Ja (yah)

No --> Nein (nine)

Please --> Bitte (BIT-tuh) 

Thank you --> Danke (DAN-keh) 

I don't understand --> Ich verstehe das nicht (ikh fur-SHTAY-uh dahs nikht) [HA, yeah right]

Do you speak English --> Sprechen Sie Englisch? (shprekhen zee ENG-lish?) [Oh, man, I really hope you do!!]

Hello --> Guten Tag (GOO-ten tahk) 

Goodbye -->  Tschüs (informal) (chuuss) / Auf Wiedersehen (formal) (owf VEE-der-say-en)  

I've been practicing, and I have found it really does help to spit a little when you say some of the words. I think I should be alright, because they say most everyone speaks English there. I just hope I can remember to ask them if they speak English before asking for directions or talking to anyone. I don't want to offend them by assuming they speak English.

I'm not going to lie, it doesn't get much worse that lost in Guildford in the pouring rain with two suitcases trailing behind you and no hand to hold the umbrella. That was pretty bad.

Cheers!

Emily's European Adventure: Day 10

My morning started off bright and early in this chair with this computer. I got up early to Skype with Alex before he went to bed and for some reason couldn't fall back asleep. So rather than lay there bored in bed, I got ready for the day, grabbed some coffee and went in early.

.........:::::::::HOWEVER:::::::::.........

My dear beloved readers,

I have surrendered to the constant dull, achy feeling on both sides of my nugget. It feels like I somehow managed to get a pair of vice grips stuck to my brain.

Oh, so dramatic. ;-)

I am so terribly sorry for this inconvenience. Or, maybe you don't really care and you're only reading my blog to be nice?...how sweet of you. [Looks over at the small electrical fire emanating from the sarcasm detector...] Truest me, I don't like it either.

I think it may have something to do with this bed/concrete slab I have been sleeping on for the past week with the lamest excuse for a pillow I've ever seen. And the annoying cigarette smoke drifting into my room from outside...ew.

This morning I got quite a bit done, however. I modified my presentation so it is ready for EADS in Germany later this week. I even got started on installing OpenFOAM, a software that I've been trying and failing to get my hands on here, on my laptop - but I'm having problems with getting Ubuntu to install, so it came to a screeching halt. I'll work on it more tomorrow.

I have to say, one of my favorite things about mornings here at UOS is the way I am greeted.

"Hello Emily! ('ello Emeh-lee) Are you quite well?" 

Oh, yes. I'm quite lovely, thank you! Ahh, I'm going to miss that. I leave my window open in my room so I can hear the bits and pieces of conversation of those walking by. I finally heard the line I've been dying to hear in real life since I first heard it in a Harry Potter movie.

"You bloody fool!" --> Yow bluhey fooh!

Seriously, I heard it just now. Awesome.

Anyway, since I'm in a bit of a funk with this cranium-ache, I'm going to keep the post to a minimum today and get some rest, read my book and maybe, if my eyeballs will allow for it, watch a movie. Your day may be just getting started back home - but my day officially ends now at 4:43 pm.

Don't forget to keep checking back, though - there will be something better tomorrow. I leave for Germany early on Wednesday, so there will be a change of scenery - and language - to look forward to! 

Cheers!

Emily's European Adventure: Day 9

Sunday = lazy day. At least for me. I was initially going to do laundry today, but the laundrette isn't open on Sundays. Guess I'll wait until tomorrow or Tuesday.

Guildford is such a small town, I've pretty much seen all there is to see...so...now what?

I decided I had done enough financial damage on Town Centre. I want to save some of my money for Ireland and London. I think a lot of the touristy places charge admission, but somethings, like Buckingham Palace and tickets to see the musical Wicked, are worth it.

I walked to Tesco. It is only about a mile walk.

I stocked up on enough food to get me through the rest of my days in Guildford. I got yogurt, wine gums (candy), cherries, squash containers (I'll explain later), and tiramisu. I shouldn't need to buy food for a while now. 

I spent probably an hour going down every aisle just looking at everything. It reminded me of when I used to push my purse around in a cart at Target when I lived in Colorado. They call carts "trolleys" here. I heard one father arguing with his daughter who didn't want to ride in it: "GET IN THE TROLLEY!" he shouted and picked her up and set her in it. Git 'er done. 

The squash aisle? 

Apparently, juice = squash here. It's the small things. 

So, now you understand that I bought apple squash in a container. Apple squash containers. Ideal for your lunch containers. (I don't use the three letter b-word, for the same reason I only say nugget, noggin, or cranium...only a very select few of you readers understand why.) 

Anyway, on my way back, I passed these crazy windows. So, naturally, I took a picture. 

Once back in my room, I had lunch. Crisps (tater chips), fresh cherries, banana yogurt, and Fruit & Fibre cereal. It was an interesting combo for lunch, but hey, it worked. The cherries here are just as good as cherries back home. They were good!

Tiramisu for dessert. I've really been into the sweets since I got here. I dunno why that is...

 ...aaaand mischief managed.

I rented a movie on iTunes <-- didn't know you could do that.

I watched the movie Limitless on my laptop in my makeshift couch while munching on cheery cherries. That comforter may not be the greatest thing to sleep under, but it sure is good for curling up in and watching a movie on a lazy Sunday. 

This picture brought to you by the timer on my camera.

If you were wondering, the movie was pretty good. I enjoyed all but two scenes. There is some violence and I'm not a fan, but I just covered my eyes. Definitely is not a kids movie, but I would recommend it to all you adults out there.

Well, I'm off to read my book for a while. I finished I am Charlotte Simmons (good - interesting - but good book about a very sheltered girl who goes off to college) and am now reading Kiss the Girls by James Patterson. Mr. Patterson is a twisted, crazy-minded man, but he sure writes good thrillers. I might stroll down and sit by the pond. 

Cheerio, then.