Last weeks in London town for elle.

The last week of work was bittersweet. I was given a lot more responsibility but I kept thinking about how my days were numbered! My co-workers were shocked that my internship was already over and we even tried to figure out a way for me to skip class to work extra. I was extremely sad to leave Braben. On the last day, Den (precious older black lady) made me my first cup of proper English tea and taught me her magical recipe. I brought the office cupcakes which they LOVED and they gave me a sweet sweeettt card and candy. I really didn't want my internship to end!

We tried to make our last week of work a mini-spring break by going to different pubs/wine bars on Brick Lane at night. I don't see how people go out or do anything after work haha I was exhausted everyyy single day when I got home. Kara and I cooked dinner in and London felt more like home than ever.

On Wednesday of that week a group of us saw Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi at Shepherd's Bush O2, which was really funn! The following night Kara and I went to Hyde Park to see Beirut, Mumford & Sons, and Arcade Fire. We ran into three Auburn guys who we knew were coming to London but couldn't get in touch with them! They ended up staying with us for the night. 

The following week we started class, which really wasn't too bad. It was fun to be with everyone in a room working on our simulations. We were in teams of four launching a hypothetical new micro-computer into the market. We had to design the brand, set the price, create ads, open sales offices, staff the sales offices, etc. Kara and I got into it! It was like our baby for the week. Each day you would see your progress and it was definitely up and down and up and down. Overall, I think we did pretty good for four sleepy girls.

I got some not so good news one day on the way home from class. I learned that one of my high-school buds named Gus passed away visiting his friends in Barcelona. It was my first experience losing someone close to me. My friends on the trip were so kind and kept me occupied! I decided to come home after my program ended and I went with Kara to Paris because it felt right to be home. Bill & Beth rescheduled their trip for Christmas break I believe, so it all worked out in the end.

I am going to post about Wimbledon, Notting Hill and Paris soon!

magical weekend in Split & Bol Croatia (elle)

We arrived in Croatia to find ourselves in front of a beautiful 14 person private villa with pool. It was such a good start to this dare devil trip. When I first told Bill I wanted to go to Croatia he said no....I don't blame him.  I mean I still don't even know where Croatia is on the map of the world. After he checked the travel advisories and saw that Split was cleared for land mines (haha) I booked my flight! I am so happy I didn't miss out on this amazing trip. We had to wake up at 3:30 to make our way to the airport to catch our 6 a.m. flight. I think I got two hours of sleep prior to this trip!

                                                 View of the ocean and pebble beach from ze villa.

Once we got settled in we walked down the beach and jumped in at various points. The Adriatic Sea is supaaa salty and refreshing! We also stopped and got pina coladas too.

                                                                  Water was crystal clear.

                                            First night- a view of inside the Diocletian Palace.
After we swam all day, took a nap, drank a little....we headed into downtown Split. We at a long dinner of wine, bruschetta, and pasta. We then made our way to the bar next store for a free flaming alcohol shooter and dance party. Then we walked down the road to find a huge party! There were clowns and dancers and drummers and a dj. We all danced for hours! My friend Gabi and I thought we were sneaking on to a yacht to look around, but the owners were watching and laughing at us tip-toeing around. The owner of our villa conveniently owned a party bus/rental car service so he hooked us up all weekend with rides to and from places. Sooo our party bus picked us up and we all got a short but good night's sleep.

Our plan was to wake up at 7: 30 a.m and make our way to Bol Beach. I'll be honest I did not think this was going to happen BUT the boys got us all up and we were out the door at 7:45. We took a bus to downtown Split, a ferry to Supatar, then a bus up and over a mountain to Bol. The trek was worth it because I haven't seen anything prettier.  We hiked down the rocks to the tip of the beach to set up for a day at the beach.

                                                          

After spending the day in Bol we made our way back to Split for what we planned as family dinner. We went to the grocery store and got bruschetta ingredients, 15 fish filets, veggies, wine, beer, bread, cheese, ham, ice cream, cookies etc. The boys made dinner as the girls showered. We all sat down and ate and played drinking games until the wee hours of the morning. This was definitely one of my favorite nights of my whole European experience.  We were sooooo sad to wake up early the next morning and head back to London town.