The Woman in Black

This post needs some explaining... Early in December, as excitement was mounting over the arrival of the moms, I decided I needed to plan some theatre outings and be a good London host. I booked tickets for 2 performances and was very proud of myself, ahhhh success! So, on the 26th of December we (The Robins, Brad and I) went out to dinner in the West End and then headed towards the theatre. As we approached, we noticed there weren't any other patrons mingling outside the theatre... then we reached the door. The sign said the theatre and box office were closed! Whoopsie!!!! After much frustration, embarassment and tears I checked my email and found that I'd booked tickets for January 26th... not December!Okay, so here we are on January 26th, back at the Fortune Theatre for the Woman in Black. This time we brought some friends from my school. The play was entertaining and it was fun to be there with friends! Long story short, we salvaged my woeful events planning experiment but my pride is still wounded!

Dinner with the Appels

A couple of weeks ago we went out with Nikki, Erick, and Emily Curin. We met for dinner at a restaurant that was connected to a theatre. Nikki introduced me to cider (tastes way better than beer), perhaps in can become my new drink of choice at the pubs (instead of the nothing that I usually get!).

Take a happy moment to notice the monstrosity on my chin... if its not one thing its another... got rid of the pimples (which are called spots here) and in come the cold sores! I'm told they go away on their own and don't leave a mark so... fingers crossed!

OK, how hot is my husband?!

Our Briliant Care Package!

Just a couple of days after my mom left we received a package from the Osbornes (Brad's Dad, Kelly, and Step mom, Sandy)! It was full of a ton of US goodies... all of our favorites as well as some sweet extras!

Thanks guys, its been so fun to enjoy some American goodies!!!

Mom's Last Day

On Friday, my mom's last day in London, we went to Buckingham Palace and toured the surrounding parks (St. James Park and Green Park).

In this picture you can see just how cold it was...the water has partially frozen over! That's Buckingham Palace in the background.

When we were done exploring, Brad met us for a Traditional Afternoon Tea Experience. We had a lovely, relaxing cuppa in a very quiet, warm setting.

Leave it to Brad to take a sexy food picture... thanks hub... you never fail me!

My mom and I were a bit more photogenic!

Just suiting up to face the cold... This might be my favorite picture from my time with my mom... I love you momma! You are an incredible woman!

Cry Day and the Lion King

On Thursday, as we realized our time was running short, we stayed in and had a cry day... just a day where we got all of our built up emotion out, told each other how much we love and missed each other, guilted each other into calling more and watched chick flicks.
Later that night, we went to see The Lion King. This is my favorite London show... the stagecraft is amazing and the music is familiar and upbeat!

The show was so fun and left us with so much energy that we decided to go for a night cap! We happened upon this crazy restaurant in London's West End. It could only be likened to entering the Moulin Rouge. We had a weird desert and a shot of Bailey's... so cosmopolitan of us!

I believe cry days are important for mothers and daughters. Somehow, crying with each other makes us feel so much closer to one another. In the end, we had our emotional breakdown, watched a chick flick, saw a fantastic show, and finished it off with dessert... how much better can it get?

St. Paul's Cathedral and Chicago

On Wednesday, my mom and I made our way to Sir Christopher Wren's St. Paul's Cathedral. We got a bite to eat in the crypt and then took a 2 hour tour. After the tour we hiked up to the whispering gallery and whispered sweet nothings from opposite sides of the dome. Later that night we went to Chicago... the musical. This was not my favorite show but it was certainly sexy (Picture dancers prancing around in lingerie)!

Mom's Birthday

On January 6th (Armenian Christmas and My Mom's Birthday!!!) we were very busy! We started our day at the Tower of London. This is the execution site of many famous Britons as well as the home of the Crown Jewels.The tower looks over a bridge... I took this picture to prove that the sun does make appearances in Great Britain... however brief and infrequent!

It was so cold that day that our extremities truly hurt. Every step was pins and needles as our feet slowly went numb. As we entered White Tower we found a little gem... a warm radiator without any workers by it!! As you can see, we did our best to absorb it's heat every way we could!

This chapel was built in the Norman style. I found its simplicity beautiful (as we've been traveling to and touring much more grand monuments to God).

This beautiful piece of stained glass was hanging over one of the windows in the chapel. I love the way the light it hitting it!
Because it was so cold, not many tourists were out... This meant that we could view the Crown Jewels at our leisure. We spent about 30 minutes going back and forth on the conveyor belt that usually moves masses of people around the jewels. This picture is provided to you by a very sneaky Mrs. Osborne, as pictures of the jewels are strictly prohibited.

After the tower, my mom and I spent some time back at our flat thawing out. Then it was back out to brave the cold on our way to Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons.

The musical was brilliant! Full of fabulous songs that you can't help but bop along to. In fact, we were in such a good mood at intermission that we splurged and got a mini carton of ice cream!

We were on such a high after the show it seemed that there could be no improving on this Birthday... then we got home and my amazing husband/award winning son-in-law had Birthday Cake waiting! Well done BO!

Westminster, Harrods, and A Bit of Masala!

We took this picture in the elevator at my flat before we went out... figured it was the only time our hair would not be crazy and wind blown!

We set out for Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey. Big Ben never ceases to amaze me... my mom however was underwhelmed. I had to force these pictures on her.

We spent most of the day on a guided tour of Westminster Abbey. Our guide was a bit like Mr. Bean but he was very informative. We now consider ourselves experts but I'll direct any questions to my mom as she retains historical facts better than I do!

After Westminster we went to Harrods Food Halls. They are truly a sight to be seen. Picture Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory... now take out the chocolate theme. It is a surreal experience, a sort of food carnival!

Here's my mom showing her excitement in the Chocolate Gallery!

We knew that it had been cold all day and this headline proved it! We saw it as we left Harrods... confirmation at last... I knew it had been unusually cold and this proved it!

After a short break at home we went for London's specialty... Indian Food at the Masala Zone.