Bits and Pieces

Just a brief update into what’s new with me and what I’ll be doing in the future. On Monday, I went to another football fixture, this time between Arsenal FC and Blackburn Rovers. This game was at the brand new Emirates Stadium, which was very impressive. Unlike traditional stadiums that have a North/South/East/West stand, the seats at the Emirates blended into one another. The game was great as Arsenal scored twice, and despite some late Blackburn advances, held on for a 2-0 win.

On Wednesday, some bad news at work led to me and my team drinking at a pub at 3pm. There’s some real uncertainty right now, which really kills everyone’s drive and motivation to get work done. My boss noticed this and realized if no one is getting anything done, we might as well call it a day and try again tomorrow. After the pub and a quick power nap, the group of us in London went to a place called Absolute Ice Bar. It’s basically a freezer, where you drink. Appointments for 40 minute blocks are made and after paying 12 quid, and receiving your thermal jacket (with attached gloves), you enter the walk in freezer, grab your ice drink and proceed to photo-op. I had a fun time, but the place is just a novelty, obviously. I couldn’t see myself going back, unless friends from home really wanted to go. However, I would like to go to the Ice Hotel.

I’ve finally finished all of my travel bookings. I thought I was finished, but after putting my expenses together, I have realized that I have enough for another trip, while still leaving myself very comfortable for next term. The final list is as follows:

Feb 23-24: Renting a car to travel around South-east England (Cliffs of Dover, Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton)
Mar 1-2: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Mar 8-9: BUFFER
Mar 15-16: Dublin, Ireland for St. Patty’s Day
Mar 21-24: Milan and Venice, Italy for the Easter Long Weekend
Mar 29-30: BUFFER
Apr 5-6: Munich, Germany
Apr 12-13: Krakow, Poland
Apr 19-20: Paris, France
Apr 26-28: BUFFER
May 3: Fly Home :D

Lots of traveling, but all within reason, I believe. I knocked out Turkey and Spain, in replace of Northern Ireland and Poland. I had such a good time in Scotland, I wanted to see the rest of the British Isles. As well, on one of my buffer weekends, I plan on hoping on a bus and heading to Cardiff, Wales. It’s only a 3 hour bus and apparently the city has cleaned up really nicely. For some reason, I don’t have a strong desire to go to Spain. I’m sure I’ll go one day and have a blast, but I didn’t want to go when I wasn’t excited to be there, as it could ruin a great country to visit. Definitely going there next time I’m back.

Anyways, I’m almost at Manchester, as I’m writing this post on the bus. The 6:30am wakeup call this morning was well worth it, as I’ll be at Old Trafford for the fixture today between Manchester United and Arsenal. I am sooooo excited and can’t believe that I actually am going. Photos to follow!

Cheers,
Scott