On the Road Again

Hampton Court Palace-Tudor Facade

Well hello there, all.  It's been almost exactly a month since I last posted.  In some ways a lot has changed and in other ways, very little has changed!  First and foremost, I am back in the United States.  This is no surprise, it was always part of the plan, but it certainly did not make things any easier as the months turned to weeks and the weeks whittled down to days.  J and I made the most of our time together in the first weeks of June and the weather cooperated with us!  We had absolutely beautiful days full of sun and even some warm-ish temperatures.

Hampton Court Palace-Baroque Facade

We visited Hampton Court Palace and were lucky to run into our friends Efraim and Laura on the train platform at the beginning of the trip.  We spent a fun filled day together exploring the playground of Henry VIII.  Hampton Court is an odd palace because it has 2 very distinct architectural styles.  One can find Tudor and Baroque facades represented.  Personally, I liked the Tudor.  It was the older part, the part that Henry VIII would have lived in.  The Baroque wings were part of a failed renovation by King William III.  It was halted upon the death of his wife, Queen Mary II of smallpox.  Yikes!  After a lovely day strolling around the grounds and exploring the Royal Bedchambers; J, Efraim, Laura and I made our way back into London.  Laura made an amazing Italian feast for us and we found ourselves eating, drinking, and chatting til after midnight.  It was a perfect "Funday Sunday".

I needed a nap.

The day before I was to leave for the US, J and I were excited to receive the couch that we had ordered back in March-on the day we got engaged!  The delivery arrived early Monday morning, only to never quite make it into the apartment.  Our couch simply would not make a crucial turn needed to get it up the stairs in our flat to the floor that the Reception Room is on.  It was like some bizarre and very un-funny 'Friends' episode (PI-V-OT!).  As if we weren't already feeling a bit blue about my impending departure, this really took the cake.  We had already sold our old couch and had been sitting on the floor for about a week-so the prospect of continued camping out did not appeal to J.  The most disappointing thing was that this was a piece that we were both very much looking forward to having in our apartment.  The issue has since been semi-resolved (we were able to find a smaller model of the same couch) and Harrod's was nothing but helpful.  Our experience with their customer service department was extremely positive.  It really has to make you laugh.  Can't ANYTHING just come to us without some roadblock being thrown up in front of us?  Apparently not!

Couch of Tears

I have been having a lot of fun since I have been back in the States.  I have had the chance to catch up with friends, meet some new additions and start in with wedding planning.  This weekend I was able to get together with three of my bridesmaids, two of whom were able to come with me to a bridal shop and chose their dresses for the wedding.  These days, every little step forward feels like a huge win!  This week, my parents and I are on our way to Chicago to celebrate my Grandmother's 90th birthday.  I can't wait to spend time with my family.

Alpha Delta Pi NYC Alumni Group Barbecue

Me and my gorgeous cousin... anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Girl E.

We summer in Conshy!

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Independence Day.  I may be an ex-pat in London, but my heart will always belong to the good ol' US of A.

Click on Me!


 
That's right.  I just Miley-bombed you.  Happy 4th!  Hope everyone has a fantastic party in the USA!