Quick update

-No work yet
-It's raining so I am staying in and reading HP 3 with lots of tea
-The ensembles at the university are for students only... lame
-I bought some things at Ikea yesterday!
-My parents are the best
-I'm going to Poland on October 12th to the 16th! Woo!
-If you are reading this, I probably miss you

Hope you are well!
xo

i'm happy

Conductor Herbert von Karajan said that when one hears Mahler's Fifth, “you forget that time has passed. A great performance of the Fifth is a transforming experience. The fantastic finale almost forces you to hold your breath.”

...this post is to be continued.

I've never heard music like that before. I don't even know how to describe it and how I felt in the moment, but I will try.

We went to the pre concert talk and in my opinion that should happen at every concert!! It was so great! Only a half an hour with the man from Colston Hall and the principal flute player. He was wonderful! He used to play with the Bournesmith Symphony before playing with the LSO and had many funny stories. He explained what it has been like being with the LSO and the experiences he has been having. He talked about their role with film music and how they have been lucky to play for some major films (Star Wars, etc.) AND he also said that they are working on a film right now that he cannot name but it is coming out in November... any guesses? I have one. They then moved on to talk about the conductor, Valery Gergiev. Now, I may not be up on all the conductors in the world but I knew his name. They laughed a little when they brought up his name and looked awkward but then this thing came over him while he was talking about him. The man conducting the interview asked him "how can you follow him?"and in my head I was thinking "this man is in the London Symphony Orchestra... he doesn't need someone up there to beat time for him, come on now." Just as the thought entered my mind the man replied with a more polite version of the thought that was in his head. He did however mention that everything you need from Valery Gergiev is in his eyes, if you look there, you can't go wrong. Then we heard a touching story of some rough London teenage boys hearing Mahler for the first time and how it changed them. It was wonderful. There was a little break and Hilary and I had a cider. Side note, you can bring your wine, beer, pop, etc. into the hall AND during intermission they sell ice cream. I don't know about you guys but I've never seen that before, ever.

Then the music started. The first half they played Shchedrin's Carmen Suite and it was really great! Then they reorganized the stage for Mahler. Throughout the whole piece I didn't think about whether I would have work tomorrow, how I haven't had a days work yet meaning no pay, I didn't really think about anything but the people I miss and love and but not in a sad way. Having Hilary to go to these things makes all the difference in the world! Two girls who just spent six years in Nova Scotia and now we are going to see the London Symphony Orchestra... it blows my mind on a daily basis.

I get daily reminders of how lucky I am. Yesterday I saw Mahler 5, Wednesday I spent the day in London with Hilary and then we went on a boat cruise that work planned... on the Thames. And to top it all off Hilary has started to read Harry Potter and is on the hunt for book 2 at the library.

Girls weekend is just hours away! Morgan and Tegan arrive this evening and it will be a much needed dance/pretty/good food/laugh/etc party!

I started this post off with a quote to I will end it with one.

xo

I'm broke but I'm happy

I'm poor but I'm kind

I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah

... and I'm giving you all high fives!! I hope you are all happy and well!

roommateless no more

Hilary made it safe and sound! It was so nice to see her come off the bus! It seemed like the craziest idea at first that we would move to England together and here we are, exploring, having meetings with work, her falling in love with all that Bristol has to offer (which is a lot) eating good meals together, drinking wine and just picking up where we left off in May! It's so nice be to sharing this experience with someone again (other than the people in my tv shows.. ha..).

I stopped by work yesterday to pick up more time sheets and then I left to wait for Hilary to finish up in her meeting. I was walking up and down the road taking in the market and the little stores. There are all kinds of charity workers who ask you to stop for 5 minutes of your time to hear what they have to say. They are usually young and trying to get messages out there. I admire them because it must be hard not wanting to be heard or sometimes even seen by rude humans who are consumed by where they are going in the next hour, not where they are going long term. So as I was walking down the road I saw this young girl from Amnesty International stop this business man all suited up for a days work and he looked at her with a death stare and said "if I wanted to talk to you about this nonsense I would have stopped, I'm heading to actual work!" and he stormed off. I'm sure that happens frequently but I can see it just knocked her confidence down a bit. It's not like she was selling knock-off hand bags or fake gold watches, mister crankypants. ANYWAY, cause I really had nothing to do and I am interested in this organization I went up to her and said "I'll talk to you". That I did. So we talked about where I was from, she asked if I was American, I asked why people always assume we are American (which was a dumb question... I know exactly why they think I am because the US is all you hear about. Not hating on the US at all, I'm just not American) Then she told me about some of the things they are working on and somethings I didn't know about (note to self start reading the news in the morning). It was great! Two people having a conversation until she said I could help out by donating just 25p a day. I would but my income at the moment is not flowing into my bank account so I made a note that once things are under control, etc. that this would be something I am interested in. All in all, I'm glad I stopped :)

Then as I was waiting by the building for Hilary to come out one of the Protocol people came out, the one I liked the most. He just talked to Hilary and got her all sorted out. He apologized that work is so slow at the moment and said to keep on calling in. It was reassuring that he cared or pretended anyway haha. But he did mention my Canada connection again and how he was on strict orders to take care of me so I am glad he didn't forget that :)

After all of that we walked to the bank, to a couple of phone stores and then we got Hilary a library card! We headed home, I did some window shopping and I showed her some of my favorite stores. It was a lovely day!

Now, It is 7:23am and I am waiting again. Still have the nerves for some reason. I think its the unknown that scares me, will I make it to the bus? will the school be nice? Will I want to fall asleep by 10:30 because 6:00am is not my best friend? One thing I do know if I am loving my 10:00pm grandma bedtime again. Routine = good.

Miss you all!

xo

things.

Things I'm alright with:
-Watching tv all day if it means saving money! You do what you have to do... besides I have put Brothers & Sister and Dexter on hold for far too long.
-Buying tomato soup at poundland (our version of the dollar store).
-Rainy days
-Drinking tea to kill time
-Hilary's arrival tomorrow!
-My need/want to call my mother everyday just to see what the news is
-My brother (maybe) coming for Easter?! Tylerman times = good times
-The kind plumber in my bathroom fixing my tub. He asked if I was working today and I told him my sob (over reacting, coombs) story.
-Gaga being on Ellen *see below for not alright comments

-My oatmeal phase... any chance I can eat brown sugar is more than alright with me.

Things I'm not alright with:
-Gaga's meat dress... but I suppose it was bound to happen. But Ellen almost couldn't look at her which is sad being as I usually don't care about celebrities (only when Marlz travels across the country and brings those fantastic magazines home which hasn't happened in a year... yep.) but these two ladies are different. And Oprah, I'm an Oprah lover... don't hate. Ellen being vegan could have something to do with her disgust of of the outfit. It made sense, I get why she wore it but I'm pro veggie outfit that Ellen gave her. Alright with: her dates to the VMAs! I've only seen pictures but I'm alright with it in a big way.
-Not getting work. I almost got day this morning but they thought I had a car and the drive would have been 50 minutes anyway. On the bus that would have been... forever. So no work today.

Two not alrights! not bad! I'm sure there are more but I won't bore you with those.

Life isn't overly exciting these days but that is all about to change as Hilary arrives tomorrow! It's hard with all of the goodbyes and see you laters when you don't know when later is. I did it, hell I had a doozey of a day in Wolfville where I said see you later to 8 of my favorite people in one day (note to self... don't do that again). For me the excitement took over the sadness, the beautiful greenery made up for the lack of Nova Scotia love I so miss and I'm in England.

I hope you all have a great day! I will! :)

Miss you

xo

we used to wait

On days like today I listen to Lux or O Magnum when I know they are doing auditions at Acadia. I think to myself “it’s ok, you had a good run”. That I did. I was a lucky bugger when it came to that ensemble, I got what I needed from it: friends, challenges, knowledge, confidence and so, so much more. I am looking forward to playing again with a group here in Bristol. I will have to wait until ensembles start back up in October but more than anything I’m glad I want to continue playing. My music degree nearly kicked the love I had for my instrument to the curb. My education degree changed all of that when I started to play for myself and not for grades. I am not the best oboe player in the world, I never claimed to be but I did improve over the past 2 years and I am thankful I have fallen in love again with playing.

Bristol news! Our shower has been leaking and it’s running down into the flat below. Needless to say they aren’t very happy with it and my father isn’t around to fix the problems BUT my landlord’s father is! They are also friend with a plumber so after three trips and different things to stop the leaking (from where we thought it was coming from) they sent the plumber. He tore off the panel on the front of the tub and is going to come back next week. That, my friends is one of the most interesting events that took place this week! AND someone other than myself was in the flat. Almost asked if he wanted to stay for tea but I thought that would be weird and he seemed busy. (Kidding... I wasn’t going to ask him in for tea)

Last night I went to a local pub with my friend Natalie! We had an amazing ice cream fudge thing and some cider! I’ll be going back there for sure!! It was so nice to spend time with her! We knew each other from Acadia but are just becoming good friends now. Timing is everything:)

I am preparing for a wonderful season of concerts!! Being in a city where people actually come is amazing and if they come to London I’m only a bus ride away. Let’s see what is on the agenda:
September 23: London Symphony Orchestra in Bristol! Malher 5! Eight pound for that ticket, baby.
October 7th: Dan Mangan in Bristol!
October 24th: Eric Whitacre with LSO in London.
November 16thThe Goo Goo Dolls (a band I have wanted to see since jr. high)
November 24th: The National in Bristol (or the end of the month in London)
December 1: Arcade Fire in London!
AND
December 16 or 17: Lady Gaga in London (Merry Christmas, Coombs <3)

Now I realize I will have to pick and choose but if I can manage most/all I surely will. AND those are just the ones I have come across so far.

There was an envelop on the floor outside of the main door that said “please read: from 19 Dundonald” It wasn’t addressed to anyone maybe everyone? I thought since I was the newest member of the building I shouldn’t open it. Now I wish I had cause I have been thinking about it all day.
So Morgan introduced this to me. It’s from the Arcade Fire and Google Chrome. You should do it. I tried to do it with my home in CB but there isn’t enough on Google Earth to support it so I used Wolfville (of course). I suggest you try it out!! It’s pretty amazing.
Instructions:
-put in your address
-let it load
-don’t touch anything, just watch.

thewildernessdowntown

Happy weekend everyone!!

xo

Coombs

i want your everything... as long as it's free.

I had a great day! I called my mom and got things sorted out. She is the greatest. After I called her I was in such a good mood I thought "I'm going on a hunt for a pumpkin spice latte"! Surely fancy-pants Starbucks would have one! They are all about the fancy stuff. Here's how my conversation with the worker in green went:

Me: Hi!! Do you have the pumpkin spiced latte?! (Need I mention that I had a smile on my face as big as Canada waiting for "of course we do silly, we're Starbucks!")

Him: No, we don't. You're the second person that asked about that today. It must be an American thing. Are you American?

Me: No, I'm Canadian

Him: Well it sounds Halloween-y and we don't really buy into Halloween here... (what was it he he said... I think he said it was silly or something)

Me: It's not Halloween-y at all! It's more Fallish (looks at me funny) Err... Autumn themed? Anyway, it's great and you should think about

getting it.

Needless to say I didn't get my favorite drink, for the 100th time someone thought I was American AND he basically pooped on Halloween. Lame. So I got a regular coffee and a blueberry muffin .

After I was done I headed down the road a little bit to one of my favorite stationary stores. I bought a nice black pen for school because I always go looking for a black pen for my paperwork but I only have blue or a funny colour. Problem solved! After that I thought I would go to Clifton Village which I always happen to find by chance or by bus. It's like a secret place I always stumble upon. Today, I wasn't so lucky and I couldn't find it for the life of me. Instead I found this walkway with a very old graveyard on either side. Brenna told me about it one day and I always kept my eyes open for it. So I walked for a while and chose left or right whenever I felt I should turn. Turns out I walked in a complete circle and ended up where I started, by the music building (which by the way looks like University Hall). I went in hoping someone would be at the main desk to tell me about their ensembles and when they start but I couldn't find anyone at the moment. I need to make it back to Clifton Village because there is a bag there... let's just say it was love at first sight and some day, if it's still there sitting lonely on the shelf and my wallet isn't empty I'm going to give it a good home.

So I decided to head to the grocery store to buy some food for lunches if I get work tomorrow and the rest of the week. 6am comes early... and I didn't practice getting up early like I planned. But that just means that I will end up going to bed earlier and I will get back into a routine soon!

Now I am off to read the last chapter of my book. I have been reading since 8:30 this evening and it's almost 11:30 now. This has been one of those books where I'm scared to finish it because I don't know what I could possibly read next that would hold my interest. I'll get over it soon but holy moly it's wonderful.

Cross your fingers for work tomorrow (at a good school...)

lovelovelove xo

with the hits and the misses

Tonight I took myself on a date to the movies. It was my first time going to a movie with myself and I very much enjoyed it. I saw Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky for £3.30 (woo Monday cheap nights!) and I bought popcorn for £1.90. I got there early as I usually like to do when I go to the movies, how else are you going to get the best seats!? Well, I had no problem because I was the only one there for about 15 mins. I sat thinking "it's ok you can do this, it's not weird going to the movies on your own". I heard this familiar song they were playing in the background... it was Hanson. Yes folks I am a Hanson fan! Even after the Mmmbop phase (did you know that mmmbop means faster than a millisecond?) It was one of their newer albums that I adore so I sat there becoming more comfortable with my surroundings and I new I made the right decision. People started filing into the theatre but it wasn't full at all which is kind of nice sometimes. I didn't have to awkwardly sit by anyone, bonus!

The movie was amazing. So amazing. Go see it! Err... rent it as the UK is usually behind the times here aka Never Let Me Go comes out in January I think. Womp. Anyway all I want to do is listen to Stravinsky, buy Chanel No.5, run off to Paris, and drink wine.

Truth be told I have been in somewhat of a rut. I think I am coming out of it though and work is just around the corner. I have been reading like mad which is really good for me!

I might have to take a break from the True Blood books as I have to sleep with the light on in the hall because I get spooked easily. Thankfully I finished that book the other day and Never Let Me Go is filling my days.

I may be a bit confused but I think that's part of the point. You discover things with Kathy (the main character) as she remembers her past. Sometimes I finding myself sighing at parts because they are so, so beautiful.

I think My rut might be brought on by missing the past a little bit. Silly things like pumpkin spice lattes from the Coffee Merchant on the way to wind lit., they way you go into Just Us and always know at least one person there, seeing people for the first time in a couple of months, the first music party of the year, f

iguring out what you should play for your audition and wishing you practiced more over the summer, Saturdays with your FH, the smell of the home away from home that I adore, and maybe more than anything those two little people (who aren't so little anymore) who bring me so much joy.

Please don't think I'm not enjoying myself. I just think too much and this might be the first time I am homesick. I think it's the mix of mom and dad being here and then in a blink of an eye they were gone then Brenna leaving the very next day.

Shake it off! Tonight was just the thing I needed. There are bike/walking trails that I discovered and I might pack a lunch and test some of them out. Although it looks like it is going to rain but this is England so I better get used to that.

Now off to bed I go!

Miss you all!

xo

happy sunday

New room!

i am not lonely i swear to god i'm just alone

I had a nice conversation with the neighbour yesterday while I was checking the mail. Her name is Monica! No, I don't see us turning into the series Friends, besides my name isn't Rachel or Phoebe. She was very kind! We talked about our summers. She went to Austrailia and New Zealand to visit her daughters and I told them about the visit my parents had. She recommended some places I MUST see. Everyone says Cornwall and I am not surprised. Remember my vacation to Newquay? Cornwall. "Best beaches around" she says and little did she know she was talking to someone who loves the ocean no matter what side of it I am is on! I collected my junk mail and stuff for the former tenant I went back upstairs to my book.

I remember when we were getting used to being here and Brenna said that the mornings were sometimes the hardest. It's the time change. Right now it's almost 8am at home, 7am further west, and in BC it's almost 3am!! Not to mention it is Saturday so unless I want to talk to my aunt Valerie who wakes up at 5am every morning or go-getters in Ontario, or people arriving home from a night out on the west coast I'm outta luck.

I think my lack of human contact is starting to get to me. My budget plan until I get paid next: stay inside and you can't spend money. Not really working out. But I put aside enough money to go to the cute little theatre in Henleaze to see the Igor & Coco movie! This love affair was not in my wind lit course... shocked it wasn't? No. Haha. Anyway, I'm a sucker for a forbidden romance so I will go see that on cheap night and who knows, maybe I will meet a friend!

I think some window shopping is in order for this afternoon! I think I will stop by the library first and pick up Never Let Me Go just. I want to read the book before I see the movie.

I hope you all have a great day!

Miss you all.

xo

So you ain't living 'til you're living it

It's September.

I'm not in Wolfville for the first time in 6 years and I feel... ok with it. Actually, I'm more than ok with it. Oh I do love that place something fierce but it belongs in my memory for now. It's amazing how things can change so fast right before your eyes.

To my friends in Canada who are dying of heat, maybe the hurricane will shake things up. To my friend in Paris who is putting her sandals away, you'd look so cool in a wooly sweater in a french coffee shop. To myself in Bristol, enjoy

your sun... it will rain soon enough.

Tomorrow, I am going to find a nice spot in the park and write a letter to a loved one. Or maybe an email since it's free and free is in the budget until school starts.

School! I'm on the other side of the desk!! I've been waiting a long time to say that. I may not be changing the world, making lasting impressions or getting to these people. If they only knew that I am exactly where I want to be... a classroom. Maybe they would give me a chance. If not... I'll fly to Ireland for 12 pounds and thank God I'm doin

g crowd control.

Happy September.

For those experiencing change of any kind... embrace it! It might be the best thing you ever do for yourself.

xo