Its been a long time

So I know it has been ages, but those of you who really know me, know the crazy computer problems I have been having. I still cannot edit videos, but as soon as I can I will be putting up Euro Club Rachel{ECR} videos(there have been some legen... wait for it...). Also, once I get the proper cables of my external hard drives and can go through my photo, I will start writing blogs about events.

So this "blog" today is based on a LONG facebook message I sent to a friend. She wanted me to tell her about my trip to London over the holidays. When I had finished sending her the message I realized I actually could just post it as a blog. So here you are folks.

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Well, its a looooonnnnnngggggg one.

First of all, Switzerland is going great. I am not really learning French as I had hoped. The family I live with does not speak it in the home EVER. And this area is hard to find people who will only speak French with me. So, I am focusing on my other two goals, travel and met new people from other countries. Those two goals are successful enough. I have a trip planned for Egypt in less then a month. So excite.

As far as London, this was my second trip there since I moved to Europe. The first one was only for a weekend and we did a lot in that short time. This time I went for 12 days and did a lot as well, but had more time to breath.

I really enjoy the Tower of London. You could easily spend a day there and not get too bored. I have been there twice now and still have not seen 1/2 the place. I recommend taking one of the tours with a Beefeater; it gives you a lot of history about London. Also, I am not sure when it goes down, but the Henry VIII Exhibit is pretty neat as well. The Tower also houses the crown jewels.

Near the two there are several place that have some good old fashion fish and chips. My friends and I are cheap, so we went for the cheaper £3.99 vs the £8.99 place. They both are sit down, one just have a "fancier" decor and more beer options. But we sat for 10 minutes before anyone even got us menus and then after another 5 minutes of sitting, we got up and went next door. The are locate close to the place were you have to get your Tower tickets.

My friend[that Catherine] and I went to see a show in The Globe. I don't think it is still running, but if it is and you like Shakespeare's work you will enjoy the show. [p.s. To those reading my blog, I checked and the show is not still happening. It was actually the first show during the winter time since the restoration opening in 1997. I don't feel like looking for the paper about it right now, but will tell you more when I put up the {ECR} video.]

The British Museum is another place you would need many days to take in everything properly. Right now they have an exhibit on "people and the after life" or something like that. I enjoyed that room. There were some cool coffins from Ghana(I believe) [They have made one and it looks like an old school Canon camera.]and a neat piece about people and perceptions drugs in that room. Also, the China room was WOW. As a person who does graphic design, I saw so many inspiring colors and images in there.

Also, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are nice as well. [I got to see one of my favorite paintings, Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers.] When we went to the National Portrait Gallery there was a photography exhibit, and as person who does photography I really enjoyed some of it. [p.s. Catherine, I really like the one with the redhead. It has such great use of primary colors, haha. That's an inside joke, but I really hate it when I hear people in galleries trying to sound artsy.]
[p.s. For you fans of modeling or ANTM, they had an exhibit on Twiggy.]

[We also went to the Tate Modern. And I got to see some of Roy Lichtenstein's work, LOVED it. There were several amazing pieces. Although Catherine is not a fan of modern art, she did appreciate one artist, Mr. Robert Therrien. His first piece we saw was No Title (Table and Four Chairs). And yes it is a HUGE table with HUGE chairs. We both also liked his RED ROOM. There were five red owls in there and I you know I like owls. I did not get to make it to the POP LIVE exhibit, but we had to head to The Globe. So, oh well.]

However, you MUST check out the restaurant under St. Martin in the Fields church. It is RIGHT across from the National Portrait Museum. According to something, this church is the most famous non-cathedral in London. I have never been up to look at the church, but I have been to the restaurant under it both times I have been to London. It is call the Crypt and yes it is a crypt. You are literally eating on top of dead people. It has really nice ambiance, but the food is quite nice as well. It is affordable enough. I paid less then £9 for a vegetarian plate and some AMAZING bread pudding.

I almost forgot to put this in, but you can go to an evening song service at Westminster Abbey[p.s. Westminster is one word, who know]. It is nice, because you don't have to pay to take a tour of the place and you get to see it being used. The choir is AMAZING. [The fist time I went with Britney, I say an amazing quote on the podium. It said, "Attempt something great for God."]

Almost for got this as well. If you like non-traditional services as well, check out Hillsong London. They have 4 services every Sunday at the Dominion Theatre. That is right off the Tottenham Underground stop, which is off the black(Northern) line I believe. [These people know who to do some praising to our God. Catherine was a bit uncomfortable, thanks for going anyway, but Jen and I were right there in the front row getting our praise on to Jesus. Thanks Britney for telling be about it the first time we went together.]

Oh, as for The Eye, you can get your ticket online, but if you have the fund you might want to pay for fast track. The people with whom I went to the Eye did not want to pay the extra quids[we are all poor 20 somethings living in Europe], but if it will be very cold when you go, it might be worth it. Regardless, I recommend doing a sunset ride. I was great to see the city go from day to night. So beautiful. And when you get in, head to the front left part on the carriage.[Another great {ECR} video from this. Paul "joined in" on the fun.]

Well, it think that is all for now, haha. Please let me know if you have any other questions. And I want to hear about your trip as well. Maybe you will discover something new as well; let me know.

Hyvää Yötä(p.s. I have picked up a bit of FInnish.)


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Well that's all folk and sorry for any spelling or grammar errors.

peace, love, and applesauce

updates coming soon. i promise

So, I realize I have not written a blog all month, but I will give you all updates soon. Everyone know I love to do photos with my blogs and I have not had hard drive space for a while. Now I have some space, but have been very busy. The week day have been relatively similar. The only major changes are Tabea has started after school help, I have joined to Pédibus{translation: foot bus}(more about that later), and I have taken two first French classes. The weekends have been BUSY and my week nights as well. I used to blog at nights and on the weekend, but have not been home to be able to all weekend. In the future look for stuff about the Catherine and Jande reunion, my weekends with Britney G[one in London, one in Switzerland] and the girls night in weekend. Also to come, the random people I have met and the story of how I slept in a strangers house for a night.

So, I am tired but felt I had to put something up for the month of September, so goodnight.

Everything is update

So after my J.A.M.[Jesus and Me] time this morning I finally committed to making sure all promised videos and photos were added. So, I would check back a few pages and look at the new images and video. Also, I have just posted two new ECR[euro club rachael], so enjoy.

peace, love and applesauce

euro club rachael chez heather

Sorry, Hot Julie, I tried to add the song, but youtube yanked it off. Maybe next week, I think I know a way around the system a bit. Any way just play your favorite song and have me dance to it.

So I am sorry, but there is about 8-10 seconds of black at the beginning for some reason. The original video file does not have the black. I however, am NOT uploading this video AGAIN, so please just enjoy it as is.

p.s. no animals or plants were harmed in the making of this video.

peace, love and applesauce

euro club rachael au muséum d'histoire naturelle de la ville de genève

Raylen was in a bad mood and Tabea was more concern about her shoes. So, Gemma and I had to have all the fun.

peace, love and applesauce

august is over -- my churches and I

Sunday, I went to both the French church and the Westlake. The sermon at both churches were good. Rich translated the songs for me, although when we stepped out for a moment, I read teh slide and was about to understand a bit of what was written. I could always read french better then I could every comprehend with spoken language. Then a really nice girl about my age named Myriam translated the sermon. She did such and amazing job and did not really skip a beat. I was more impressed with her then I was the sermon, which was a GREAT message. He talked about the importance of evangelism. I forgot his name, I think it is Olivier Fleury. I remember Myriam told me he is the directory of YWAM French speaking part of Switzerland. I don't know much about YWAM yet, but I am going with the French church next week to a conference in Lausanne next Saturaday. It will be in all English. Anyway, he said something that got me thinking. He said there was a survey done in London and they asked people how many of them would go to church if someone just asked them. Three-fourths of the people said yes. I thought that result was pretty amazing. So I am challenging you and me to try and invite at least four people to church this next week. I know it might be a bit difficult, especially for people who say I am just in a christian bubble. Although I am in Switzerland, since I only speak English, mostly all the people I know already go to church, but I will try to see if I can do it.

The Westlake pastor continued his sermon series about "Spending a Day with Jesus." Today David spoke about spending time with Jesus in your daily activities. Such ask eating, working and washing, that what they call bathing in New Zealand(where he is from) and other parts of the world. The most interesting point he brought up was allowing your day to be interrupted by God. Jesus allowed his schedule to be interrupted all the time in order to do his father's business. Think about it, when that woman who had the bleeding issue touched his cloak, he did not just pretend she was not there. He took notice and know God wanted him to stop what he was doing in order to minister to the women. So, don't think only your schedule time with God is all He desires, he want all of your time. Well, that a wrap folks.

**I promise photos will be added, but there are not too many. This was a bland week for photos, I will be better this up coming week about taking photos**

peace, love and applesauce