Bonjour Paris!

Last night, I got back from a 3 night/4 day trip to the beautiful Paris! My friend Lauren has been visiting Europe these last few weeks so her and I decided to meet in Paris for a long weekend. She lived there in college and did study abroad so she was the perfect travel companion as she knew where everything was and spoke French! We couldn't have asked for better weather...the sun was shining the whole time and it was never miserably hot. Our hotel wasn't great but that didn't matter since we were out all day anyways. Here are some pictures of what we saw and did during our trip!

The Eiffel

Notre Dame

Fontaine Saint-Michel

Eiffel at Night - it sparkles every hour on the hour after the sun sets.

The Opera House (the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera)

Lauren in the Marais - a really cool part of Paris!

Eiffel

Lauren and I cheesing in front of the Eiffel!

Fountains in the parks of Paris

Arc de Triomphe

The library in Paris...talk about a gorgeous building!

The Louvre Museum at night

and...Notre Dame!

Lots of love from London,

Kristen

the heat is on!

Hi everyone! It's been a couple weeks since my last post so I wanted to update you all on what's been going on here in London.

The hot weather in London has not let up yet! It's been gorgeous with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s everyday for the last 3 weeks. I love seeing the sunshine and being able to wear shorts and tanks outside. But like all good things, nothing is ever perfect. Our "not perfect" in this situation is NO air conditioning (I can hear you all gasping now!) I'm not going to lie...there have been a few times where it's just miserable. I've avoided taking the tube as much as possible because that's the hottest place to be these days...locked up in a carriage with hundreds of other people and no breeze. Yuck! But cold showers and oscillating fans have been my friends since the heat wave started. I heard the other day that more than 700 people have died since the heat wave started. I think that's just a little proof of how rarely hot weather like this happens and how unprepared the British are. Many deaths have been because of dehydration and exhaustion. Needless to say I've been drinking lots of water (and not much of anything else) because I don't want to get dehydrated!

In other news, I recently finished my full draft of my dissertation! I submitted it over the weekend to my supervisor who will then read it, correct and make suggestions, and then send it back over to me. I hope to have a final copy handed in by mid-August. I can't wait to have that load lifted off my shoulders...it has been a HUGE task! My draft was 40 pages alone! 

I'll be doing some traveling over the next few weeks that I am very excited about! This weekend, I am meeting my friend Lauren in Paris and we will stay for 4 days! Then she will come back to London with me and stay for another 5 days. On August 14 I am heading to the coast of Portugal with Adam. I've heard its gorgeous so I can't wait to experience it for myself. The other night a guy asked me what my favorite part of living in London is. Right now, it's being able to easily travel around Europe (and to other destinations). This was something I've always dreamed of doing and I am so happy that it's turning into a reality! I would happily wear the same old clothes for years and spend my money on seeing this beautiful World we live on! 

And finally, today will mark the day the new prince or princess is born! I'm surprised that people aren't more excited around here but I guess British people are not overly excited about anything. I am thrilled to see this baby. I am going on a tour of Buckingham Palace in a couple weeks and I hope that they'll have something special set up in honor of the new little one! 

Here's some pictures of the last few weeks for your enjoyment! xoxo K

Me and Ads at Wireless Festival in Olympic Park 

Lauren looking stunning in the Hyde Park Rose Garden

Sitting at Serpentine Lake at Hyde Park with Lauren 

beautiful London

The weather in London over the last couple of weeks has been, in a word, gorgeous. I can not believe how beautiful it can be here when the sun is shining and the breeze is blowing! It's a completely different city in the summer than in the winter. Everyone is smiling and taking in the beauty (albeit still rude and will run you over if you are walking 'too slow').

Anyways here are a few pictures and captions of the last couple weeks in London!

Last Saturday, Adam took me to a new restaurant called 'The Lockhart'. The chef is from MasterChef and they serve southern food. It was the best meal I've ever had in London! 

Last Sunday, laying in the park, Adam decided to put flowers in my hair and make me look like a little hippy.

I took the long way home on Thursday after work because it was so beautiful outside. Above are pictures of the Arch at Hyde Park Corner (can't remember it's exact name!) and Buckingham Palace (hurry up royal baby!)

This past Friday night, a group of us went to FEAST London. It's a festival of street vendors who serve really good food! The weather was perfect so I was happy to stay outside and stuff my face with things like Venezuelan cornbread and deep fried Oreos. :)

And finally...yesterday was spent watching Adam and his friends play in a TWELVE hour football marathon to raise money for medicine and programs, as well as awareness, for AIDS in Africa. They were the top fundraisers this year at £4000! Very proud of these guys for supporting such a worthy cause. 

That's all for now! 

Sending lots of love from London,

Kristen

a new job

This post will bring a smile to my face (and hopefully one to your's too). I am VERY happy to announce that I have found a job in London, as a teacher, and working with children who have special needs. I seriously couldn't be more ecstatic about this new adventure!

I will be a full time teacher starting in September. From now until the end of the school year, I am working as an assistant and intern and learning the ropes of the school. The school is in probably the most beautiful part of London (Chelsea) located near Sloane Square and right off of Kings' Road. My new students are simply incredible and I feel blessed every day that I get to be a part of their lives. The children all have severe special needs (including Williams syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy) but they each have these amazing personalities! Its truly beautiful. I am sure that as this blog continues on, you will hear me speak about these little ones a lot.

I will share as much as I can but I already know that it'll be hard! They have amazed me so much in just 4 short days so I know that every day will hold something special and exciting for me and them. This also means that I will be staying in London for at least a couple more years. I am very happy that this has happened as I am not quite finished with this amazing adventure I've been on! :) So please come visit if you can! I have a day bed and a sofa with your name on it!

Sending loads of love from London xoxo
K

busy body

Hi everyone! WOW I have been so busy over the last month and I apologize for completely neglecting my blog. I really have no excuses except for that I have been applying for jobs, working, writing my dissertation, visiting my family in NC, and attempting to have some sort of a life!

I am having a really hard time finding a permanent job here in London. Right now, I do supply teaching (basically substituting) in primary schools across London. I am OVER it and desperately want a job where I can be with the same kids on a daily basis. I've been on 4 interviews...3 schools said "no thanks" and another one has asked me to come back this Tuesday for a day at the school. I have another interview this Friday, too. I am wanting to work in a special school so I can use what I've learnt over the last 9 months in my classroom. The reason it's been so hard for me to get a job and interviews is two reasons. First, I don't have Qualified Teacher Status here in the UK yet. It's been a continuos battle since February. Second, a school would have to be willing to sponsor a visa for me in order to hire me as a full time, permanent teacher at their school. Hopefully in the next few weeks it will all be sorted and I will have a job at a school that I love and that loves me! I'll keep everyone posted on this.

On top of trying to find a job, I've also had to start work on my dissertation. It's going great so far and I am very glad I picked a topic I am interested in! I'll need to have my "draft" completely finished by mid-July so that I can submit the final copy in August. It's 20,000 words so it is certainly no little task.

All this stress has me desperately missing my family and friends back home! So last weekend I went home for 4 nights for some much needed love and relaxation. It was my parent's 60th (surprise) birthday party and they had no idea I was going to be home for it! It was so much fun surprising them and seeing the looks on their faces! I got to see one of my best friends and her new baby, Beckett, too. All in all, it was an amazing 5 days!

This week, my friend Alyson is coming to London and staying with me and another one of our friends. This weekend, Adam and I are going to a ball that is held by the Army. It'll be absolutely beautiful and really fun! I'm definitely looking forward to it!

The last month has certainly brought some ups and downs. I am very lucky to have a wonderful boyfriend and friends here in London (and in NC) and a great family who have been really supportive.Thank you all for your love over the last few weeks....I couldn't have made it through without you guys.

No more slacking on the blog...I promise! I'll post pics soon :)
Lots of love,
K
xx

Lord's Cricket Grounds from a fun day out in May

Me and Ads watching the England versus New Zealand Cricket game

My beautiful family last weekend in Charlotte