January 15
th – (the morning of the) 16
th 2011
WENT TO CAMDEN MARKET! What did I purchase? Well…a tapestry, a shirt, THE BEST BURRITO EVER IN THE WORLD, my cute owl bag evennnnn, AN “OH MY GOODNESS BRIT!!” dress with a wolf on it, DA KOOTEST CUPCAKES EVER, gorgeous earrings…and that is all I can remember at the moment (and hopefully all).
But I had to be back by 5 PM because I was to have dinner with my boyfriend’s father who is a pilot for Delta. What an amazing thing! I got back and got ready (cleaned my room so that it was presentable…barely) and then Mr. Rowan, a man I have only encountered in the states, was knocking on the window of my London flat (after getting no answer from the doorbell for I am in the basement and had my music on). So obviously I SPRINTED up the stairs, flung open the door and greeted that kind and familiar figure. From then on it was nothing but pleasant conversation and phenomenal food.
 |
| The Churchill Arms |
We ate at The Churchill Arms that Mr. Rowan had apparently been to four years ago during a layover before his next flight…that is a bit bizarre. Funny that four years ago, let alone a year or so ago, I was not even friends with my boyfriend. Four years ago, I did not know that I was going to attend Arcadia University or study abroad in London. I had no idea that I was going to be studying Accounting and Graphic Design. I never imagined that during my first semester I would find out so much about myself and become such a leader with projects (not to mention put together an entire event for my seminar, Words of Mass Destruction). Tangent.
 |
| The Fountains Across from Marble Arch |
Back to the visit…it was so surreal seeing him standing in my doorway when just the other day the only way we could communicate was with Facetime while Brandon and I were speaking. I rambled on and on, poor fellow, about anything that popped into my head about the last two weeks I had LIVED in London. I spoke about my classes and friends and funny occurrences and how grateful I was to be here. HE ALSO DELIVERED A SUITCASE CONTAINING MY MATRESS PAD FROM HOME ALONG WITH SOME LOVELY BIRTHDAY PRESENTS (from the Rowans…well, Mrs. Rowan), CREST WHITESTRIPS, Q-TIPS, AN EYE MASK, AND PHENOMENALY HEART-WARMING CARDS FROM MY FAMILY, BOYFRIEND AND THE ROWANS. That was just the MOST exciting…I’m a winner…and one of simple pleasures.
But we walked to The Churchill Arms and were told that we would have to wait 30 minutes to eat in the back (where the butterflies were) and only stay for one hour, or we could find a table near the bar (towards the front) and stay as long as we pleased. Good thing we found a table towards the front because after ordering our delicious Thai dishes and drinks (Pear Cider for me, wine for him), we chatted for about three hours respectively. After amazing conversation and a delicious meal, we walked from the pub, past Palace Court and down Bayswater Road. We ended up at Marble Arch that was incredibly exciting because I have always wondered (while on the Tube) if there truly was a “marble arch.” Good news…there is. Along with a giant statue of a horses head and a creepy statue of smiling gummy people…but the lovely fountain definitely was a highlight for me.
 |
| Inside the Zoo Bar |
THEN!!! After all of this, Mr. Rowan helped me get to a means of transportation to take me to Leicester Square so that I could meet up with Dana, Emma, Dani and Angela at the Zoo Bar of Bear Street. After missing the first 390 and then waiting for the next I said goodbye to Mr. Rowan and got onto the first night bus I had ever ridden…that was fun. Anyways! Zoo Bar. Music. Dancing. Fun. I was the only one who wore flat shoes and so I was the only one not crying and taking off their shoes as we walked to the night bus to take us home (the Tube closes at 12 AM). I walked slowly as to not lose the hobblers of uncomfortable shoes and upon reaching the bus stop we were greeted by a slightly intoxicated but very funny gentleman named Ian…then his brother…and he gave me some advice for what I should do on my birthday. Ready? Go bungee jumping or get a lap dance… So after bidding Ian and his brother “Adieu,” we went to a different bus stop, got off near Palace Court and entered our humble abode which was accompanied by the removal of shoes and exasperated sighs.
And thus began my birthday in London. I am so grateful for Skype…because of it I was able to talk to Brandon, Bud, Alex, Jeremy, Tom and others back at home. That lasted for hours and was the perfect start to a perfect day.
January 16th 2011
And here it was! MY 19th BIRTHDAY!!!!!
I woke up expecting nothing…preparing myself for a day lacking excitement or surprise (truth be told I had never been surprised on a birthday…or in any way for that matter). So I woke up at 12 PM, took a shower and exited our lovely bathroom to find that Emma and Dana were absent from their beds…this is when the surprising began.
With hair wet and outfit not yet picked out, Dana, Emma and Dani paraded into my room with a carefully crafter mushroom and pepper omlette (actually just my favorite! – by Emma), whole-wheat toast with strawberry jam and a smiley face made of blueberries (thanks Mrs. Waldman for teaching your daughter well!), milk and coffee. They walked in and I was so unprepared my face turned beat red within seconds. I was so happy and that was (I thought) the first and last surprise of the day.
I got ready and then consumed my breakfast in our little “chill-times” area in the basement with the girls and checked Facebook and looked at pictures and literally just sat in the basement until about 3 o’clock. I, again, thought nothing else was going to happen on my birthday. I did not think that Dana had anything planned. I was wrong…she had a surprise in store for me. Here is an excerpt from her blog
www.mrsbaurxo.blogspot.com:
"I knew that I wanted to surprise her somehow, but I couldn't throw her a surprise party, seeing as we don't nearly know enough people in London. And she's told me in the past about how she's always wanted a surprise on her birthday, but that every time someone tried, she always found out, and was henceforth disappointed. I was not about to let this happen..
So. I devised a fool-proof plan. Not really, but we'll pretend. So Grace has a friend that's studying abroad in London this semester, and she met Dani and Ty at the market the other day. So we came up with an alibi that Grace's friend invited the three of them to a really expensive restaurant and she already made reservations, and there was really no way to get out of it. Dani researched some really prestigious restaurant called Gordon Ramsey in South Kensington, and we stuck with that. So, Grace, being the amazing liar that she is, almost broke down in front of Brooke after she told her the news. Brooke totally bought it. She was mad. We were all so surprised that she bought it. So, naturally I was acting angry at them as well, all the while standing behind Brooke, cheering them on!"
- Dana Waldman
 |
| Our Table Number |
They fooled me. I was angry and literally almost started to cry when Grace began her “scene.” After cooling down as we walked to Boots I got more and more excited about the night ahead (even though my “friends” had abandoned me). Emma and Dana told me, when we got to Palace Court, that I had to wait upstairs while they got a blindfold and Angela (SO HAPPY SHE CAME WITH US!!). They then, after getting both the cloth and the lovely lady, blindfolded me, led me down the steps and twisted me around so that I had absolutely NO IDEA where we were…all I know is walking blindfolded is horrifying…street noises are scary even when being guided by beautifully lovely people that I completely trust. Anyways…I thought that I knew exactly where we were going but then they brought by blind self into a semi-noisy place and carefully led me down the stairs to our destination…
 |
| Strawberry Cider :) |
They then took off the blindfold…and…THERE WERE DANI, GRACE AND TYLYN SITTING IN THIS CUTE LITTLE CORNER OF NONE OTHER THEN THE CHAMPION! THE GORGEOUS, LITTLE PUB THAT IS LITERALLY RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM OUR FLAT! AH! I was overwhelmed…so much that I almost started crying. I absolutely love my friends…Dana, Emma, Grace, Tylyn, Dani and Angela absolutely made my birthday so magical.
We all got our drinks, rum and coke and a strawberry cider for me, and our meals (fish and chips!) and then had the most fantastic time laughing and sharing stories and making jokes and talking about the OUTSTANDING veggie burgers compared to the quarter sized beef patties as well as the prospect of Midnite cookies. They all paid for me. Score. I love birthdays.
 |
| Veggie Burgers and a Job Well Done |
But! After The Champion we headed home and I Skyped with my family and with Brandon until the Midnite cookies arrived. So literally…Baileys and milk…the best cookies I have ever had in my entire life (Triple Chocolate Chunk and one other that I cannot remember the name of! HOW DARE I?!) and then we broke out the cupcakes from our adventure in Camden market…Toffee Banana, Gingerbread, Coconut and Coffee………SO SWEET AND SO GOOD! And oh yeah…we also had shots of cookie dough…literally just tiny amounts of dough…but the most amazing kind ever!!! They even put candles in my cookies and sang to me! But really…I am so blessed to have such kind, generous and thoughtful (not to mention CLEVER) flatmates and friends and I got so many birthday wishes and so many amazing and unexpected (obviously but I find the word necessary) surprises!! Oh and the other surprise?? When we were in Camden Market I found a jacket for 15 Pounds that I absolutely fell in love with but was not sure about purchasing it because of its price. Now…I literally pictured at least fifteen different outfits I could wear with this jacket and almost cried when Dana convinced me it was not worth it…I definitely thought about it into the next day. BUT! When I was looking at earrings Dana secretly (SO SECRETELY) bought it for me…and with the help of Emma I did not see or suspect anything. So…after cookies and fun they gave me a bag…with my scarf inside it…except there was something wrapped inside the scarf…it was the jacket…I almost cried. J
 |
| Lauren, Dad and Mom Singing "Happy Birthday" to Me |
This birthday is definitely going to be one I will never forget. Oh…and also…it was sort of, kind of, totally, utterly, completely, and FEROCIOUSLY SPECTACULAR because BRANDON! my boyfriend of six months covered the song “Ain’t No Sunshine” and put a link on my wall and I thought that it was just the song from YouTube so I played it and then all of the sudden IT WAS HIM SINGING NOT SOMEONE ELSE! And the little blurb was dedicated to ME! And he made it for me! And at the end of the song he had a picture of us from Prom 2010 (which we didn’t go to together but WHATEVER) and then had “Happy Birthday Brooke!” appear at the end…and his voice was amazing…and he played all of the instruments…and he made a video for it…and when Dana, Emma and Tylyn watched it with me, after I had realized it was by him and ran with my laptop into our room from the kitchen are and proceeded to repeat obscenities and finally fall on the floor in shock and complete and total JOY, and they cried.
I was in London…I got surprised 3 times by Dana (and the crew)…was given the most personal and romantic gift by my boyfriend…ate amazing food…and I didn’t need to go bungee jumping. It’s funny that I prepared myself for an uneventful day…it was just all I could have wished for and more. J
January 17th 2011
 |
| Funny Looking Balloons...I don't judge... |
Day after the birthday and I, of course, woke up incredibly late. Dani, Dana, Emma, Angela and I left the flat around 12:30/1 PM and headed to the British Museum where we were to sketch an “architectural detail of the Parthenon” for Introduction to British Art and Architecture. I chose to sketch a foot. As I studied the foot and shaded I was reminded of how easily art takes me into a whole new world (yeah I thought of Aladdin too…) where nothing else matters but perfecting a piece of work. I explored a bit by myself and then met up with Dana. AND THERE WAS AN EXHIBIT THAT HAD TO DO WITH NUBIANS AND EGYPTIANS!!!! YEAH AIDA!! We left around 5:30 PM, had dinner (which Dana made) while I had a mini-panic attack, listened to music and cleaned my side of the room (again). Then I attempted to start researching my presentation due the following day…I gave up when mother Dana called me to supper.
The littlest chef made dinner. It took an hour…but gosh darn it, it looked just like the picture and was incredibly delicious! I was so proud!
January 29th - First, woke up super late after our celebration the night before and Emma (my beautiful mummy <3) made Dana, Dani and I crepes. We had the most fun even though we were inside until 7:30 PM that night! Went to Thoresby to visit our friend Dan, made it back to Palace before the Tube closed, and hung out in the kitchen for hours. Emma made me a grilled cheese with tomatoes on it and Dana made me toast with Nutella, PB, Strawberry and Apricot Jam. Sure we went to bed super late and with full bellies, but it was a lovely evening! <3
I hadn't been feeling to well the whole day and finally Dani, Dana and Emma sent me to my room to lie down. Thank goodness they were persistent. Dana made the dinner I thought up (sauteed peppers, mushrooms, onions, carrots and potatoes baked on top of wheat bread with mild cheddar cheese on top of that) and I had that with a cup of tea that she made me too. :) Lovely, lovely.
Eh. You know when you have those days that just aren't amazing but at the same time phenomenal? Well...these past two days were just them...that...those.
Well...I'm a bit of a bum and proud of it! I was able to sleep for 12 hours (1AM to 1PM) which is all well and good but I felt like I wasted a perfectly good day. I had a bunch of trouble that kept me inside (UNFORTUNATELY! GRRRR SO INCOMPETENT ARE PEOPLE!!!). But, today I was able to finish up some work and make a "to-do" list...which I love doing. I also went upstairs to the "above ground" lounge which was stupendous and I saw the sunset (of course, because of the shadows cast on the buildings I could see) which I haven't seen in a very long time. We were planning to go to Sorena's tonight and party a bit, but as we were making our WONDERFUL pre-drinking/Monopoly/chill time Dani found out some awful news and therefore we had to cancel.
Today was my 2nd Date Day with Dana! <3
Dana and I decided (after the preparation of our lovely snack: baguette, strawberry jam, apricot jam, Nutella and sliced apples) to enjoy our snacks and tea outside on our stoop today under the overhang and read. We had such a lovely time. :)
Then travelled with Emma, Dani and Dana to class and made it just on time! Had another amazing class...really though it is so inspiring and travelled back to the flat and just chilled out like the mangiest of herms...but not. Never will I ever consciously "herm" or "mang" ...sorry loves who know what that means. WHATEVER CAUSE I MAY ALSO BE (IN ADDITION TO AMSTERDAM AND PARIS) GOING TO BELGIUM WITH EMMA! <3 WHO IS EXCITED?! THIS KID! 
LAST DAY IN CHESTER! Absolutely one of the most lovely experiences I have had this whole trip. I felt at home there! :)
Got back to the flat and then made dinner with Dana. EPIC! Mashed potatoes with onions and peas and also vegetarian sausages, carrot sticks and Dana's two-day old, rock-hard bread...yum.
Today was absolutely mad in the most delightful way! I woke up around 9:30 AM and got ready for the day. I ate breakfast (sunflower seed and pumpkin toast with homemade jam and tea) with me host mum and watched Miss Potter (with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor...ugh so good). It was such a lovely way to slowly wake up. Sitting on a couch, watching a heartwarming movie, drinking a cup of tea and being snuggled by a little kitty, even. :)
Me host mum, Dan and I then walked around the walls of Chester (gorgeous, moss-covered walls that run around the city) which was fantastic! We walked and walked along the wall and passed the Cathedral again and passed under the famous clock and ended up at the river. By the time we got into the rows (second story shops) my body was so frozen. We did shop though! We went to one store which I cannot remember the name of and then we went into H&M...I do like the Chester H&M. Indeed. We found a pub and I had a veggie burger, chips and Strongbow cider which was divine! Then we made our way back to the car and stopped in a drug store and I purchased my hair dyeeee (semi-permanent!) and shampoo. I cannot wait! But I got some fantastic items for a very good price. 
Around 8:30 PM Dan and I were taken to the pub by Christine (host mum) and enjoyed a night with the whole FYSAE crew and I tried some lovely drinks...and had my first shot with Dana. :) Apple Sourz...and then also tried some Archers with lemonade and others...nonetheless divine! There was karaoke which was oodles of fun and the atmosphere was completely relaxed and encouraged the outlandish singing of "Toxic" by Britney Spears with Dana... 
After a lovely and loud (couldn't hear out of my left ear for a bit) evening (around 11:30 PM) we were taken home by Christine and hung out with Abbie and her other friend. We drank with them and showed them where we lived in New Jersey (one kid who stayed here before gave a book of New Jersey as a gift!) and chatted/laughed with them in English accents. They say "Cheers" instead of "Thank you" and say "Hey-yah" instead of "Hello." It's quite darling! It was so nice hanging out with people my own age who are actually from the UK! They really were amazing and it is a darn shame that we were only here for two nights and leave tomorrow. I am very sad about it really... 
I ended up sitting across from Tylyn and found out that, "HOLY WHAT?! THERE IS FREE WIFI ON THIS TRAIN!" That's right...free wifi on a moving vehicle...
BETTER THEY DID, though, because I am now staying with the Hardings of Chester and Mrs. Harding is so incredibly cute and sweet! First of all...when she drove us (Dan and I) to her home I sat in the passenger seat on the LEFT side of the car...big deal. We got to her house and found out that her son lives at home and is married but cannot be with his wife (in America) because he is still waiting on a VISA!! :( She has two daughters also! One of which is married with a little girl named Amber and and another who is 18.
After I escaped the gallery I made and ate my lunch (sauteed peppers, mushrooms and spinach with think pancakes and milk) and then, sick of the dark basement, brought all of my things upstairs and had the pleasure of relaxing in a light-filled room on a small couch with the view of connected brick houses with different colored doors. So cute!
The actor who played Hamlet was SPECTACULAR (and so was the entire cast except for Gertrude...she was wretched)! Now...I am not the biggest fan of Shakespeare...but holy moly this production was by far one of the most amazing things I have had the pleasure to see. Thank you Play Critique. It was so good I was overwhelmed by naughtiness and snuck a quick picture of the bows!
Oh, what an excruciatingly glorious day! Why in the world would one describe a day...the Tuesday after the "bleakest day" of the year...like this? Well, it is because I opened the blinds (before 12 PM) of our flat to find that the golden sun, having battled so long with these silver skies, had victoriously taken charge of the heavens. Yes, when I opened the curtain, only expecting to see the cool, pale gray background to our neighboring, brick flats, the sun was shining with the jubilant might of a beaming child having gotten its way post-tantrum.
Selfishly, I washed up and eased Dana and Emma out of their much preferred sleeping state with an "accidental" activation of my ihome. While my lovely ladies prepared for the day, the jubilant Dani and I ran a few errands. During this time we captured glorious proof in the sky with our clicking lenses.
Once ready, the ladies (Emma, Dana and Dani) and I ventured to Notting Hill Tube station and made our way to the Tower Bridge. We ended up taking a detour into a quaint Christmas shop, through a GLORIOUS shopping area and to an amazing walkway that ran parallel to the Thames River. While searching for a cafe we captured our silly selves and the glorious architecture of London with our cameras.
Cold and hungry we entered the Cafe Paradiso and I had the most delicious sandwich (for a lovely price)! I then left the cafe (and the ladies) and went to City University to get help from IT to connect to the internet (fail) and get a book for my Visual London Something Whatever It's Awesome class. Again...we had absolutely phenomenal discussion in this class and I presented the idea of a "Flaneur" by Baudelaire with my partner. I love discussions...I really do. I also love leading discussions. It was really cool to just sit in the front of the class and converse with my professors as if they were students.
It is sad that ever single one of my classes are all that I have wanted (course wise) for as long as I can remember. They are thought provoking and challenge my ideas/opinions and are actually encouraging me to explore and make knowledge something to be desperate for!
I woke up expecting nothing…preparing myself for a day lacking excitement or surprise (truth be told I had never been surprised on a birthday…or in any way for that matter). So I woke up at 12 PM, took a shower and exited our lovely bathroom to find that Emma and Dana were absent from their beds…this is when the surprising began. 
