The Italian Job: March 2009

Monday, March 30, 2009

Cork Pictures

Brunch at Hayfield Mannor

Mary's Mother, Margaret

Leo

Liam

Bill and Mary

The entire gang

Mary and Grace

MM's

Just returned from a great weekend in Cork, Ireland, home of University College Cork, the Creedon family, and what now truly feels like a part of my family. As crazy as big families can be, the small Fliegelman foursome always seems to be welcome and loved by this bunch.

I arrived Wednesday night to the most adorable new cousin, Liam, sleeping soundly (as he then did for basically the rest of weekend) on the couch, and Bill and Mary alongside (who had been waiting for me for over two hours. No worries, now that I'm 21, I know how to navigate time differences...not).

The next morning, I awoke to a truly "Irish" morning. Blustery winds, a bit or rain, green pastures, and cows. MM's (Margaret Mary), my 2 1/2 year old cousin promptly whisked into the room with the panache she most certainly acquired completed from Mary. Since the last time I had seen her, she has turned into the most delightfully, perceptive person. It is amazing. All my friends are dying right now as they know I tend to basically hate all children and have no interest really in having any myself. However, as I told Mary, I may not like children, but I love my family.

The Christening ceremony and brunch took place on Saturday. My big part in the ceremony, A risky responsive reading, went off without a hitch...phew. The brunch once again was a delightful Irish mess of celebration: crazy children, wine, lots of food, family. I loved every minute of it. Afterwards we retired to Mary's mothers house for Hot Totti's (after dinner Whisky drink...duh, we're in Ireland after all!).

Sunday came all too quickly and I was soo sad to leave. I can officially say that that small taste of home life made me realize again just how much a miss my family and Chicago. As insane as it is to say, there are only about five weekends left until I return home. Where has the time gone??

Nothing planned this weekend exactly. There is the potential for a day trip to Siena (still trying to make this happen!). Maybe some beaches here in Rome. Later this month, Croatia for Easter weekend and the Amalfi Coast at the end of the April.

Best, Lauren

Sadly, no music of the week...my iTunes account seems to be putting a large hole in my bank account lately...more next week!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

St. Andrews

Chicago Girls + Sally (NY)

Old Course again

Patsy!

The Old Course

Dublin!

Trinity College

Literally the closest we could get the parade

Scott!

St. Patrick's Cathedral/Nicest day ever in Ireland

Flower's from St. Stephen's Green

London Bridge is Falling Down

Andrew, Eric, me, Sally

Tower Bridge

Tate Modern

Millennium Bridge

Buckingham Palace

View from the top

Monday, March 23, 2009

The UK with a Side of Potatoes

Traveling words to live by: you cannot travel in the UK and go a single meal without some sort of potato....I dare you to try!

Well, I've made it back from a ten day spring break trip throughout the UK. I think I can officially sat that the UK trumps Rome in basically every aspect (minus the weather, the Mediterranean is just the rock the UK's scissors in the proverbial "rock, paper, scissors" of weather game). Ok, Rome has some other redeeming qualities...maybe (first bus I got on this morning after 10 days, goes three stops and then the bus driver kicks everyone off...unofficial bus strike, whooo!!!).

London's superior qualities: The tube/underground, Indian food, Topshop.

True to form, the first thing we did in London was make a b-line for Harrods (hate how predictable two smart, cultured girls can be). Don't fret, I got more Laduree Macaroons. The next day, we did all the touristy things (London eye, Westminster, Parliament, etc). All very fun and ridiculous. I will never forget my trip to Buckingham Palace as I accidently put a block on my debit card over a five dollar charge to iTunes (fml). Questions I'm wondering about...UW Credit Union, does a five dollar charge to a "record store" in California really sound so suspicious that you have to call me up and ask me personally about it through an automated teller device...I think not. Later that day we met up with the lovely Grace Creedon in Richmond (a super posh suburb of London where Mic Jagger's family lives) and got a pint and then had delicious Indian food. The Next day, accompanied by my old Lab School pals, Eric and Andrew, we ventured to the Tate Modern. Afterwards, we all proceeded to make our way to the

Noting Hill area where we spent literally the rest of the day in a pub...How I love a good Bulmers over ice. It was soo nice seeing some Chicago faces again so far from home. It's like getting a little piece of home in Europe...now if only I could get someone to bring me some Chipotle, I would seriously love them forever!

Dublin's superior qualities: Ease of transportation to a from the airport, lack of rules on public drunkenness, Irish breakfasts.

St. Partrick's Day in Dublin...as the Irish would say, we were a bit pissed (drunk). Our first day in Dublin was centered on the temple bar area and partying. Our second was centered on avoiding those two things. We arrived to find out hotel was literally on top of a bar....normally this would have been a serious drag but boy were we wrong in our doubts. If anyone ever travels to Dublin, stay in the Faringtons of Temple Bar hotel....it was outstanding, great price, and in the perfect location. I'm telling you, even Margarita and Roberto would have liked this room. We met up with our fab friend Scott and his two friends...the rest is sort of a blurr. I can safely say though that Guinness is just not my thing. The next day was the city wide parade. After attempting to be festive and participate, we succumbed to our inability to see anything (and our hangover headaches...thanks Guinness) and watched the parade on TV in our room haha. Our last afternoon, in an attempt to escape the ridiculous hats, green clothing, and Guinness, we took in more of the sites around the city. The weather was unlike any other day I've spent in Ireland...Sunny, warm, and beautiful. That evening we left for Einburgh.

St. Andrews's superior qualities: unbeatable charm, golf, Kraft Mac and Cheese.

We stayed with the uber fabulous Patsy Wagner...my long distance friend from Wisconsin who up and decided to transfer half a world away to St. Andrews for school. She and her wonderful friends made us feel so welcomed and showed us an amazing time. The entire time in the back of my mind I couldn't help but think about Roberto (dad) and how amazing he would have thought this place was. Literally a golfer's paradise. Don't fret guys, I bought him a hat from the Old Course pro shop (he can pretend he played the course). Once again, an abnormally large amount of potato and Bulmers were consumed in a three day period (not to mention Jeagermister at a Scandinavian afterski party...no joke I've never felt so short or less blond in my life!). After traveling for something like 10 hours, we made it back to Rome on Sunday night (gotta love economy travel). I would be sad except that it is supposed to be 65 and sunny again for the rest of the week!

Wednesday, I'm off to the UK again, this time to Cork for the Creedon family reunion. Can't wait!

Best, Lauren

p.s. I'm sitting in bed eating potato chips....why???

Songs of the Week:

The Fear - Lily Allen (I know she sucks but this song is actually good!)

Beggin' - Madcon

November Blue - Avett Brothers

Day n' Night - Kid Cudi

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Shakespeare's Portriat???

Interesting article I found today. In short, a family owned a possible portrait of Shakespeare (only one) for something like 300 years. Now, it is available for the public to view.

Best, Lauren

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article5864845.ece