Back on Track

Hey guys. It's been a while! I've tried to go back and remember all the stuff I've done since my last post, a month is a long time though so I've just done my best! I'm at what you'd call a lull in the trip. Not boring, not at all, just sort of "in between". Christmas and New Years is gone, and I've got heaps of things planned for the next four months but the last 6 weeks or so have been mainly working, uni work and not having much money! Just like a normal student!

So, probably the most exciting thing since my last blog was Marthe's 21st Birthday! It's a big deal in the Netherlands too, and we celebrated it with aplomb. Look at my Instagram photos of cake (Ellie is truly a kitchen witch, in the Hermione way), the birthday girl herself, and some great pictures of the night- Sarah the genius got Marthe a disposable camera to document it! Such a great idea. Please admire the pics of me in a large oversized clown bow-tie. Just because.

21!

We've booked almost all of our Scotland trip now, leaving on Easter Friday, working on the accents etc etc. Very excited.

Also, Sarah and I bought a blender! More on that later.

So, to bring it to the present.

On Thursday I had to go the Australian Embassy to vote, as WA was having an election. It wasn't that exciting, but here is a snap of what I looked like (the lift took ages):

And I found the fact there is a whole floor dedicated to wine in the Australian embassy really funny.

I had high hopes for adventures on Sunday (yesterday), after skyping my parents (was Mum's birthday) I got myself ready and went to Pimlico, on the Victoria line. (Just a side note, the Victoria line goes SO fast! Honestly don't even worry about finding a theme park for an adrenaline rush.) So Pimlico for the Tate Britain, a really good art museum full of both old and contemporary art works. My favourite was a haunting painting of Lady MacBeth and her daggers,

...and a humorous set of photographs by Keith Arnatt of dogs and their owners from the 1970s.

Well worth a browse. My plan was to the walk along the Thames and visit the mixed-reviewed Tate Modern (supposed to be phenomenal, my Dad hated it), but due to an extremely stupid wardrobe choice for the day, a dress, tights and a light jacket, I was freezing!! Instead I went to Oxford Street and had a coffee at Flat White, delicious. Then Sunday was ruined beyond all repair when, after ONE use, the new blender stopped working. I just sulked for the rest of the day, which is what anyone would have done.

And then today started off terribly! I woke at 6:30 not really knowing what day it was, and I should have been on the 5:27 tube to work.... I had the worlds fastest shower, got to work by 7:30, but due to my haggard appearance and obvious tiredness, boss just let me go home. I felt really bad, but then I realised.... adventure round 2. This time wearing sensible clothes. After going back to bed until 1pm (for those that dont know me [hello readers from Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Latvia], that is very out of character, so I must have been tired), I went into the freezing, snowing London air for a mosey. After a slight hiccup when an ATM short changed me, I had lunch at Honest Burgers. Best ever. I got the chicken, so delicious, and the gluten-free buns are much appreciated. I walked up Tottenham Court Road and explored Bloomsbury! So nice! The lovely Russel Square beckoned, I appeased it's call,

and I walked past a super rad building:

I then went to all the parts in Bloomsbury from my London Style guide, it's a very peaceful and serene area, quite close to the madness that is Oxford Street. If anyone is in London (come and visit), I'd recommend taking an afternoon to stroll to Bloomsbury, it's only 10 minutes away! Bloody love London. I got another map from Ben Pentreaths (oh hello book yes I would like to own you), visited the School of Life,

who Phillipa Perry has a collaboration with, and went to, on my mothers suggestion, the People's Supermarket.

It's an unusual place, it's run "for the people, by the people", all very hippie and socialist, but is basically a fight against the Asda's and Tesco's (Woolworths and Coles). It's an independent store that stocks organic and independent produce, and if you work there got four hours a month you get 25% off! Good deal I think. So that was cool, I had to rush off to get to netball training:

Yes I know what you're thinking. Annie, why didn't you go to any of the London Coffee Guide Shops? You have 100 to get to shouldn't you have made the most of the free day?

Don't worry, I went to three. Store Street Espresso, Reynolds and Lantana. Yum! I got a soy mocha from SSE and Lantana, both Australian cafes, and a biscuit from Reynolds. This is the best task I've ever assigned myself.
[Also never fear, I'm not going to come back looking like a biscuit as I had this for dinner].

Soy Mocha- Store Street Espresso

So my plan for the week: Skype with the beautiful Jacinta tomorrow, netball, uni, a few cafes, work, Sunday is St. Patricks day and I'm going to suggest the quiz at the uni pub on Wednesday night. Liz, Marthe, Sarah if you're reading this, are you in?

Much love, sorry this was so text heavy, and one last Happy B's to my mum. She's 28, for anyone wondering.

XX

P.S. I think you'll have noticed these pictures aren't the best quality, my iPhone no longer focuses. So sad. Poor thing has got me through a lot.

P.P.S: got some new pens for my diary. Day 269!