Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Contrary to popular belief, it is easy being green.

This week marked a very Irish and festive time for London and especially my group of friends. To jumpstart the festivities, this past Sunday was the St. Patrick's day parade in Trafalgar Square. It was a perfect and cloudless 63 degrees, barely jacket worthy weather, and the sun was delicious. We headed over to Trafalgar around 11, and the entire square was decked out with people in leprechaun hats and green and white striped scarves. A big stage was erected on the northwest side where bands from Dublin came and played free music for us to enjoy, very festive and fun! They also had stands set up around the perimeter that sold some mashed potatos, Irish sausage and other delicacies. Then we ventured out into the street as the parade began, and got to see a funny and exciting procession of bagpipers, Irish steppers, and other quirky characters. Here are a bunch of pictures of the day:


Trafalgar Square, while the band was performing on stage.


Some of the merchandise available for purchase.

One of the many portable pubs that were set up that day.





Some Irish step girls tapping away.

A bunch of Irish marines, I believe.

A movable float with Irish musicians playing some festive tunes.



Could it be St. Patrick reincarnated for the afternoon?


More dancers, makes me miss the Irish Step days of my youth!



By the end of the celebration, the square was PACKED!

It was such a fun day, and I heard more brogues than I ever thought could have existed in London. It was a great time to be Irish here in the UK. Cait and I shared a delicious sausage and potato sandwich, and bought some Irish donuts that melted in your mouth. DROOL!

Also this week, I got to return to the O2 arena and see one of my favorite bands, Snow Patrol! They're indie rock and from Scotland, and are such amazing musicians. We got standing room tickets, so I got to take a lot of good action shots.






It was an unbelievable show, and the lights and effects were out of this world. The crowd was so invigorating and it was one of the best concerts I've been to, hands down. They opened and closed with such great numbers, and I couldn't stop singing the whole time. A quality night!

Then, on the REAL St. Patrick's day (Tuesday), we had a soccer game that we won 9 to 3 (Gaston, Cait and I all had hatricks!) and to celebrate our win as well as the holiday, we all dressed in whatever green we had and went to Covent Garden where lots of restaurants and pubs were having celebrations.

Katie, Lex and I at Nido before going out. I broke out the big green shades for the occasion!


Hanging out at the pub, rocking the shades as usual.


Thursday marked one of the most fun nights I've had in London - Roller Disco Night!!! All my friends and I got decked out in the most ridiculous and colorful 80s outfits we could find, then we took the tube to Vauxhall and went to a roller disco rink and skated away to some classic 70s and 80s tunes. It was such a fun way to spend the evening, and a good excuse to look like loons!

my crazy outfit, before heading out to the rink.

My makeup was out of control!

Renee, Lauren, Katie and Katie G in their get-ups.

My friends Kristin & Kaila Roti (Kaila is visiting her sister for spring break!), and Lex in the funniest jacket I've ever seen!

Lex took a tumble on her skates, and I think it was the funniest fall of all time.

Katie G, Lauren and I dancing about.

Lauren & Laura!
Renee, a dead ringer for Madonna with her leather coat and skirt!

The girls, busting a move.

Trying out some new skating moves, I suppose?

All the ladies taking a breather - it's a real workout!

Friday, Lex, Marie, Katie G and I took a trip to the Borough Market. It's a huuuuge food market that sells absolutely delicious fresh bread, cheeses, fruit, meat, juices, and anything else you could possibly think of. We decided to buy some loaves of bread and cheese and have ourselves a picnic near tower bridge. After taste testing out a lot of cheeses, we settled on this yummy spreadable blue cheese and this tart swiss cheese, and bought focaccia bread, strawberries and grapes, and two big bottles of juice - one pear and one raspberry.

Our feast lasted all of 15 minutes before we devoured it all!!

The ladies, smiling because our bellies were full and content. At this point.

After that delicious afternoon, we all took Lex and Marie out to dinner because it was the last night of their visit to London. We came back, and I make them a dessert that will go down as the most delicious thing in the history of the world - Cadbury brownies, topped with a layer of Nutella, with crunched up Oreos on the top, all smothered in vanilla ice cream. I should be canonized after concocting such a miraculous thing. I've never seen people eat anything so fast! I'll have to make it again, since it's now in high demand from everyone lucky enough to try some.

That brings us to today! Lex and Marie got on their flight home at 11, and my room is infinitely emptier without their presence. But it was great to have some familiar faces from home here, and they really enjoyed their time here. Tomorrow, I get to go on a day trip to Brighton, which should be wonderful. The weather has been absolutely delicious lately, bordering on 60s every day. Before I know it it'll be shorts weather! When I got to Florence and Greece, I bet it'll be up there in the 70s. I cannot wait for some sunshine, especially on the beaches in Corfu!! SWOON!

Well, that's about all I can manage to recount for at the moment, but the past week has definitely been a memorable one. I'll return with pictures from Brighton and anything else I might do in the next few days. Cheerio!!


British term of the day:
Diddums - a condescending way of saying "Poor you," "too bad," or "how awful." Usually said out of jest or sarcasm, or said to very young children. I.e. "Is somebody cranky because Manchester lost to Liverpool 4 to 1? Aw, diddums!"