Free day with my sister

Today is my sister's 19th birthday; I bought four mini cakes for her. We had a really nice steak lunch at Harrods. We went to see Princess Diana's diamond ring, then we did some window shopping. My sister went to see the phantom of an opera with Derek, and because I have already seen it with Jesi, I went to do my own things.

Cambridge

Cambridge was combined from a few small towns, and because there is a bridge called Cam, people just naturally call it "Cambridge". We were divided by two groups, I am on the restrooms group, also a girls term (our great guide is an old lady), and because most of us wanted to go to the restroom before we start the tour. Our guide was so good and knowledgeable; it seems she knows everything about Cambridge, even a little story about 'a window never close' and 'the car on the root'. King's College has a lot of amazing sculptures and windows; we also went to the cathedral and museum. I had no idea why I had two meals for lunch, after that, I was totally stuffed and I could hardly move, ha-ha. We went to All Saint's Church and the Fitzwilliam Museum. Inside the church, their wall paintings and windows are colourful and detailed. Of course we got on a boat; I was so relaxed on the boat. After all, we still have one hour left for shopping, but the weather was so bad, it was raining heavily. When I got to the train station, I was totally wet, look at the picture I took with Chelsea.

At the end, I went to China Town to meet up with my sister and her friends. We had really good Korean food, after that I stopped by their hotel to chat. By the way, my hair style was done by Carasa; she is such a lovely girl.

Hardwick Hall & Haddon Hall

We had to wake up early again to catch the train on time to get to Hardwick Hall and Haddon Hall. Hardwick Hall was built in Elizabethan age, and it was designed by Robert Smithson. There are an old and a new Hardwick Hall, the old Hardwick Hall is only left with some stairs, a fireplace and some sculptures. In the new Hardwick Hall, There are some great designs of 16th centre, such as Embroidery, furniture, portraits and tapestries.

After Hardwick Hall, we went to Haddon Hall which was built as a fortified medieval manor house in existence, and it was a home of Lord and Lady Edward Manner. I really liked the house, because they have really pretty ceiling and garden, nice wooden detail and great wall paintings.

Wilton House & Salisbury Cathedral

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY TO CASSIE!

Today we went to Wilton House and Salisbury Cathedral. We had breakfast in Wilton House, after our guide lead us through this 460 year old building. I was interested because this house has remained in the family since the time of the Earl of Pembroke. Also there has a nice garden and playground; I was playing with Chance and Chelsea like a kid in there.

After that, we went to Salisbury Cathedral even though I had been there with Jesi last week, I was still excited to visited there once again, and because last time we didn't go up the top. This time I was walking much better than yesterday, and St. Paul is taller than St. Mary (Salisbury). Both places have really nice views and interesting architectures, I have learned a lot from the guide.

At the end, we had dinner together in an Italian restaurant, the food was good, I really enjoyed there, and the waiter was nice and funny. Maryam bought a card for Cassie, and she asked all of us to sign it and also we sang the birthday song to Cassie, I hope Cassie had fun at the dinner with us.

Design Museum, Tate Museum & St. Paul

After the weekend, I was still tired, but I wasn't the only one, take a look at the picture I took on the train. First, we crosses the London Bridge to visit the Design Museum where I bought a book talked about patterns; the museum has some cool stuff, but it's a much smaller than I thought, MOMA is definitely better.

Tate Museum has a national gallery of International modern and contemporary art, and showcases of art. There have a lot of nice photographs and paintings I like. Because I didn't go into St. Paul yesterday, today I went to St. Paul with Cassie and Chance again. There is a great and magnificent building; I think its golden ceiling and wall printings are perfect work of art. As we walked up to the whispering gallery and stone gallery, we saw the Dome and whole view of London. I think we probably walked about 600 step stairs to get there, so after I am back to the floor, my legs were shaking. I was so glad that I had Chinese food for dinner, and I found out that Chance uses chopsticks better than me.

GUESS who they are? It's the Brook's family and we were barely on time to catch up with the super stars. Everyone there was so excited and they went crazy.

Weekend

During last week, I didn't take any break at all, on Saturday; I went out with the girls to go shopping in Notting Hill Gate and Oxford Street. Please pay attention to my eyes, Maryam did my make up, do I look pretty? Also, We went to Natural History Museum, I learn a lot knowledge from there, there are so cool.

Yesterday, Cassie, Chance, Maryam and I went to National Museum and St. Paul, those places were really cool. After that, we went back to Oxford Street to shop some more. I had a dinner with Maryam in a japanese sushi bar called "YO!" the food was great and the best thing was Maryam learned how to use chopsticks.

Hampton Court, Sir John Saone's House & British Museum

Today I had a lot of fun, I really liked where we went. First we took the train to Hampton Court, we joint the little tour inside there, the lady is really funny and I learn more about history. Everything is old, but they are really pretty. Sir John Saone’s house is awesome; they have really cool and pretty things. His rendering is prefect, color window is so good, I love their ceiling a lot, and the detailing is all about flowers, dots, and Greek patterns. Also he used a lot of mirror in the house; create the interesting reflecting, the space plan is really good too~!

After that, we went to British Museum, I liked the ceiling it was all glass, and made the sun come through which brightened the whole museum. Everything inside is so cool, mummy and etc. before we get back to the hotel, me, Maryam, Cassie and chance ate in the restaurant called plaza express, the plaza and pasta was really good.