A wee bit of Scotland

After we had a fantastic week in Northern Ireland we got on another plane headed to Glasgow, Scotland. Security part took longer then we expected not because it was busy it was the total opposite. The employees were bored so decided they would do these random practice drills on us. I think I put my bag through the x-ray five times before they let us go. But it was a laugh. We got on the plane and picked our seats, got settled in with Philips iPad set up with Parks and Recreation show ready to play. But there wasn't much time for that since this was the shortest plane ride I have ever been on. It literately felt like we went up in the air for five minutes when the captain on the intercom announced "prepare for landing". When we arrived to Philips Uncle and Aunts house the streets were like typical town streets with houses attached everywhere and cars parked along the sidewalks. Cramped! The house from the outside looked small but when you entered in there was tall ceilings, massive doors and big rooms. I met Philips twin cousins for the first time. We only spent three days total in Scotland but we did as much as we could. Our first day we ventured onto a train to Glasgow City but of course it was raining. No surprise there. I really liked Glasgow City Center Train Station. The look and feel was very Victorian but also modern as well. A mix of the old and the new. 

That day in Glasgow we just walked around viewed the architecture of the buildings. We did stop into Pizza Hut (so American) for something to eat and I couldn't understand the waitress. Some of the Scottish Accents were very thick so sometimes I just smile and nod. One thing we thought was interesting was this statue.

Was the pylon suppose to be there or was it a prank made by some teenagers with nothing better to do with their lives? Either way we thought it was different. But when we went to Edinburgh and came back it was still there and we think it was for this festival or something.

You know in the movies when you see people in the rain walking on the sidewalk and a car comes along driving through a puddle leaving the poor person wet and muddy. Well this actually happened to Philip while waiting to cross the street. In the picture below you can see his pants wet, okay maybe its not terrible but it was still a funny moment.

Our day in Glasgow was good but wet. This is George Square and apparently a zombie movie called WORLD WAR Z with Brad Pitt had a scene taken here. Pretty kool. When we got back to Philips Family home we were ready for a change of clothes and a nice hot tea.

The next day turned out to be the total opposite regarding the weather. Warm and Sunny! Perfect for going to Edinburgh, Scotland's Capital. Philips cousin John tagged along with us. We first had to take the train to Glasgow and then another train to Edinburgh. All together it was about an hours journey. Love taking the train and seeing the country side of Scotland. When we arrived the first thing we decided to do was climb Scotland's Monument not knowing you had to climb these narrow spiral stairs like the ones in old castles.

I am afraid of heights so it was difficult for me to do this and I didn't make it right to the top but I made it pretty far to have this beautiful view.

 You can see Edinburgh Castle on that part of the hill. While up there I saw a huge store called "Jenners". Only some people will understand how this had an interest to me but story made short, my brother couldn't say my name correctly when he was young and he would call me "Jenner".  A lot of my friends then called me Jenner and its been a nickname I have had and a memory.

We started walking around and see what to do next. We then went inside a free admission art museum called Scotish National Gallery but I couldn't take any photos inside. It was interesting. Not all my kind of art but it was good.

Next we ventured up a hill to Edinburgh Castle. It was huge and such a great view looking over Edinburgh City. Perfect back then looking over the city they ruled or looking out for enemy's. The Admission price was a little expensive so we didn't get to look right inside but at least got to see the outside and main entrance.

Some interesting people we saw walking down the main street of Edinburgh. Mostly to shop.

BRAVE HEART

INVISIBLE MAN OF EDINBURGH 

If we didn't see a Scottish Bag Piper I would be disappointed

The next part we walked around and went in and out of buildings like cathedral and the parliament building. It was a really nice day out. We walked up this hill and found this.

We thought it was interesting as it looked like a roman or Greek building was being built in Scotland. We saw people sitting on it and we decided to try it out. When you get closer its a lot higher and I wouldn't of got up there if it was for my strong boyfriend to help lift me up.

It was a fantastic view from that hill and it was in the evening when the sun started to set. Beautiful! In Wales there is this hill we climb often called Tymbarlym. Don't worry if you can't pronounce it, it's Welsh. Anyways right at the top is this type of monument which meant to mean a high point. On this hill in Edinburgh there happened to be one there too. So now I have reached two high points in the UK. 

Our walk back to the train station was beautiful with the sunset. 

When we arrived in Glasgow to walk to the train station to catch the train home we saw this statue again but can you tell whats different from the picture above? 

It has two pylons now and the other one being on the horse. Now I wasn't sure if that was a prank or not. Oh well. So on our last day in Scotland we decided to go back to Glasgow City and look at a different part. We went to a very old cathedral with a huge cemetery.

 And then we walked into the oldest house in Glasgow. Spent about an hour in there. Very interesting.

Overall our trip to Scotland was short but it was great at the same time. Lots of history, scenery and saw some of Scotland's culture. I would for sure travel there again if I had the chance to maybe see more of the country side.

Northern Ireland

Last September my boyfriend (who is half Irish (Northern Ireland)) and I ventured to Europe. Both having british backgrounds we had family all across Britian. We first stayed in Wales, UK with my Nana, then took a plane from Bristol, UK to Belfast, UK where we stayed with my boyfriend's grandad for a week. This was my first time here and I must say getting used to the Irish Accent was difficult. It took me a couple of days to understand what people were saying to me. We did a day trip to Belfast and we both agreeed we loved it. It was small because practically walked all across the city, it had its historical history but also some modern mixed in there.



Our favourite was the Belfast Cathedral. When we walked in there was someone playing the Organ. It felt magical. I actually felt like a princess walking down the middle with the Organ playing and the high ceilings. I imagined myself wearing a beautiful wedding dress just like Kate and Will's Wedding in April 2011. I have never got a feeling like that before and I have visited lots of Churches and Cathedrals. 

The City Hall was amazing. Beautiful inside and out. We spent a good hour walking around taking in the beautiful ceilings, the amazing floor and the glass windows. Again this is one of the best City Hall's have been to. 

We were amazed by Belfast and really enjoyed our day out. On our last day in Northern Ireland before we flew to Scotland his Aunt and Uncle took us up to Port Rush, Northern Ireland. They took us along the scenic route which was breath taking. We drove along the sea wall passing small villages and always having the blue ocean on our right.






 Our first stop was the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. I am scared of heights and walking along a rope bridge over water freaked me out. But I hate missing out and was stubborn. The view was amazing on the walk up to the bridge with the water so blue and the hills of green grass. When we came to the bridge I was shaking and I almost started crying when I was standing at the middle of the bridge. I must of looked ridiculous but I didn't care. I was holding on for dear life. I finally made it over and it was worth it. The view was amazing! I didn't want to leave, I just wanted to pitch a tent and stay there all day. But everything comes to an end eventually. When we were ready to leave I forgot I had to go back over the bridge but the second time wasn't as bad. 

After that we drove to the Giants Causeway which is the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. It was so interesting that these rocks were naturally formed this way from the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Now I can say I have been there! It was a huge area of these rocks and they were fun to climb on. Yes there were lots of tourists but you can't blame them for wanting to see this. One time we climbed to a high spot sat there looking around the whole view. A little walk away from the main section is a rock shaped as a Giant's Boot. You can sit right in it and it is really comfortable. Again an  amazing rock cause by nature not man.

Then we took a quick stop at Dunluce Castle which is a ruin but it's location is marvelous. Looking over the sea on top of a small hill. We didn't go look inside but we took the time to walk around and see the view. This is my boyfriends favourite Castle he has seen so far. I do agree. If I had a castle would love it looking over the ocean. 





Our Week in Northern Ireland was fantastic. I got to see so much historic buildings, natural wonders and got to experience the Northern Ireland Accent. My boyfriends family were beyond helpful for getting us to experience these wonderful places of Northern Ireland. If you ever happen to get there Belfast, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle are a must see!

Portfolio Show 2011 Poster

Last week in my program a chunk of the class had to design a poster for our Portfolio Show in May. Whoever showed up at class on Friday voted on the Poster they liked the most. There were seventeen poster designs and it was a very difficult choice. The result was one of my poster designs that won. Yes, I was shocked because at these kinds of situations and competitions I never win. I am happy and proud of myself that my Poster was chosen to represent our class and the Portfolio Show of 2011.  My poster will be printed off and everyone at the Portfolio Show 2011 will see it plus many of postcards will be in many of people's hands. I am very happy and pleased this has happened.

Goal for 2012

One of my dreams I have had for many of years now is to travel most of Europe. Since I am finishing college at the end of April and will be broke I think doing it this summer is out but if I save money on the side I will be able to afford going next year. I would love to travel to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium and Netherlands. My plan, if possible, to take off 3 months off to travel getting an Euro Pass for the train. Depending on money probably be staying at hostels, eating at cheap restaurants and bringing one travel bag. My family is from Wales and England and I have been there many times and I love it. I especially enjoyed London, England with it's hundred of years of history. I love the countrysides, the castles, the culture and so much more. I know if I love London this much I am sure the rest of Europe will blow me away as well. Here goes for a Goal for 2012 summer.

Friends Forever

You know those friends you had back in elementary and high school and you might not talk to them any more or see them but you always remember the memories you shared with them. Looking back at photos like these one's on the right they make you smile and remember all the good and bad memories, the fun you had with them and the friendship you shared. We went to the same Elementary and High School together since grade 1 and now we are all in different places in our lives. All different colleges, different career choices and all have new friends. But doesn't mean we will forget about each other. There is a place in my heart for each of my friends I have had in my 21 years. You all know who you are and just remember I will never forget about you and will always cherish the memories we shared. I truly miss you all and I hope you do everything you dream to do.

Many of things have changed since then...

So I haven't posted a blog since November and just now I read through my older posts and seeing how confused and scared I was about the future. Things have changed since then and I am content. Last week I completed my Internship for college  downtown Toronto. It was sad to leave there but it was such a great experience. Doing this internship has really helped me to realize what I love to do. The first four weeks of being there I coded website templates that were already designed using HTML & CSS. I learned so much more of HTML & CSS and got comfortable with doing it. Before that I was struggling with all code and was getting worried that this field isn't for me but after doing four weeks of straight coding I feel confident I can do it now. It's such a relief to be better at it and now I know I can design and code websites. I also had a chance to design a school template and code it and the boss really liked my design, so that was a bonus for me. Another thing I did was design a logo for the company so that felt good inside to have done an actually logo for something that exists. This internship has also made me realize that I love designing and can spend hours putting together a logo or a website design or a poster. I know where I belong in this field. The 7 weeks of being at my internship went by really fast but now I am back at school and end of April I will be graduating from my two year college program. Hard to believe it has gone so fast and scary to finally be leashed out in the reality. Where summer jobs at a Deli shouldn't be where I am working after graduating instead I should be somewhere in my field. Finding a job in this field is what frightens me the most. Real and serious interviews where Employer's are looking for skills, talent, and a personality that will work well with the team. So many things to encounter and lots of competition. But I am confident I will find my way in this world by finding a job I love, a home for myself and doing all things I always dreamed of doing.

The New Device I Want

 

So everyone should know about the new iPhone 4 that was released in July 2010 in Canada. If you don't know about it then you must not leave your house. Apple has been coming out with new gadgets like this iPhone, iPad and the new Nano. They are new devices that are worldwide and people love and enjoy them. With the new App store with millions of apps on there, there is no stop to having fun. Its like a mini computer and phone all in the palm of your hands. You can read your favorite book, you can skype with your friend in the States, you can play games while on the train, you can listen to your favorite music, you can watch a movie and you can even check your emails. Who wouldn't want a gadget that has everything you need. No more having a cell phone, iTouch, book, laptop all separate in your bag. Its all in one and you can take it everywhere with you. This will be my next big purchase as soon as I am not a starving student anymore.  Can't wait :)