Weekend Twenty-five / St. Pauls & Nottinghill Carnival

Picture from on top of St. Paul's Cathedral

Weekend Twenty-four / Kelly & Alex at Parliament and Wales

Kelly and Alex came in on Monday. They went out and about all over London all week. It was so great to see them and get to spend some time with Kelly. I took Friday off so I could hang with them and we got tickets to go see Parliament. It's only open in the summer like Buckingham Palace. Parliament is basically their government building containing the house of lords and the house of commons. blah blah blah it was super cool and worth the tour. After lunch we headed to the Tower of London. It was one of the only touristy hot spots I haven't hit yet. We got right in and headed to the Crown Jewels (insert joke here). It was really cool to see the jewels. I think Kelly and I rode the conveyor belt by like 5 times. The diamonds, rubies, emeralds, were the largest I have ever seen in my whole life. Most impressive had to have been the largest diamond ever found, 3, 106.75 carats to be exact. It was amazing.

After the tour we took a late train to Cardiff, Wales. Alex went to college in Swansea for a year. His roommate picked us up and we crashed at his place. The next day we headed for Worm's Head Island which sounds a little weird. It's actually the tip of this peninsula. There is a rocky jagged causeway leading out to the 'Worm'. It's only exposed for two and a half hours before and after low tide. We got there at the wrong time but it was cool all the same. Alex stayed on another day and Kelly and I left for home. Sunday was Girls day for Kelly and I. We had a blast at Spitafields Market. Yes, I am totally obsessed. I feel like I go every weekend. Anyway, it was great having them here to visit. They left today and so it's quite again at 103 King Henry's Road.

I am in wedding overload. Yesterday I almost flipped out and decided to take today off. I can't even tell you what I am stressed about. It's a strange feeling. Then I felt really bad that yesterday was Mat and my 5 year anniversary and I totally didn't remember. He reminded me which was nice. And also reminded me that it's just one day and we have the rest of our life to be together.

I am working on our invitation wording. But still need to pick out and order invitations. I am also working on our trip to Switzerland. I am really looking forward to it. Getting away. Vacation. So nice. Anyway, email me if you can!

Weekend Twenty-three / Holland Park & Cotswolds

Last weekend I took an i-pod tour of Holland Park. A cute little park near Notting Hill. It was nice to be out and about on a sunny Saturday. That night I went to have some drinks at a pub right close to me with Wynne and Maria. Maria just moved into a flat about 2 streets away from me with her American boyfriend. Fun times! Anyway, Wynne and I decided to go to the Cotswolds kinda last minute. My mom really wanted to go here but it's really difficult to get to. Train, coach, etc. As you saw, I got lots of good pictures and met a really cool group of girls. The train was nice but Wynne and I were totally "OC" as we were calling it. Over the Coach. The rolling hills + the pints of Hoegardden consumed the night before were not fun. All and all a good trip.

Weekend Twenty-two/ London Triathlon and inside Buckingham Palace

So I did it. Just call me Kenzi Aaren Davis, IT. IT = international triathlete. Sounds pretty cool! I did get lost 3 times on the bike. I didn't realize that you had to make 2 running laps rather than 1. And I did have to cycle another 45 mins after the tri when the train we were riding on suddenly had "engineering work" and everyone needed to leave. But still managed to shave a little over 10 mins off my time. Same distance as St. Anthony's in Florida that I did in April 2005 so I was really happy. And my parents were there so that made it really special.

Anyhoo this week was super fun. Another 4-day week with my parents. We ran all around. Mat's Aunt Nancy and cousin Jill were in town as well so we all went out to dinner last night. Saturday Mom, Dad and I went to this great Tiffany's exhibit at the Summerset House. It was the most comprehensive exhibition of Tiffany jewellery ever mounted. We walked around with magnifying glasses and looked at all the amazing jewellery. That night I rested and got up bright and earlier for the Triathlon.

Wynne and I had to hire a car cause we had no public transport that could take us. But the guy showed up on time and we were off to the Excel center. We were there way early and got all set up. Lubed up and wetsuit on we heading down to the docks. I saw my parents right before I hit the water so that was nice. Wynne's mom and my parents wore red/orange so it was easy to spot. We hung out in the water for a bit before the horn blew and we took off! Water was salty and cold but not too bad of a swim. Didn't get kicked in the face so that is always a plus. Out of the water and we had to take our wetsuit off and put it in a baggie before going into the building.
Not something we were used to but we were prepared and ready. Up the flight of stairs and a mad dash for our bikes. Wynne is well ahead of me at this point. She is an excellent swimmer. Onto my bike and I am off. Heading out I knew in my mind where I had to go. But as I was riding and settling into my groove I noticed signs for "Lap 1". What does that mean?!?!?! So I pulled in and was like "I just started the cycle, where am I supposed to go?!?!". They told me to keep on going. So I backed out and continued on. Nice ride past the Tower of London, past Westminster, etc. It was really nice. On my way back I noticed this "Lap 1" again. Confused I thought about it for the rest of the ride and decided I had to do this mysterious "lap 1". As I past the transition I thought I had made a grave mistake. I started to panic and got kinda scared. There was no one around and it was quite. I stopping for the second time and asked some dude who kinda looked official. He didn't have a clue so I continued on. Stopped and asked another guy who I found out was not an official but a BBC cameraman but was really nice and showed me where to loop around. All and all I just did the BIG loop first and the small loop second. Backward of everyone else. Rrrrgh! Anyway, onto the run. My legs were hurting and I knew it was going to be hot and long. I caught up with a girl who was going my speed and we ran together for a while. Then a training friend Karen passed me and was like, "Wow you are doing great, are you on lap 2?!?!!" I was like Sure! I had no idea what she was talking about. As I came back around I realized my fate. One more lap around the docks. I saw Wynne and the look on her face as she started out on the second loop. I HATE RUNNING! Anyway, I finished strong and probably could have done a bit better on the run but I still did better. When looking at my overall times, my swim and bike were almost exactly the same. My run was 10 mins faster so that is great.

Finish line was fabulous and my parents were there to greet me. Mat's aunt and cousin made it to the finish line and it was one big happy family!



After the race we all got things together and headed for the train. This train in particular has given Wynne and me many troubles but we just had one last ride. We all boarded and got about 3 or 4 stops from where we were all going to have a nice lunch. And the train just stops and tells everyone they have to get off. Everyone starts yelling and complaining. We had NO idea where we were and had no maps. We had these bikes, all our gear, and 4 people from out of town! Anyway, to make a longer story shorter…we shuffled the parents on a bus and Wynne and I had to cycle home. Exactly NOT what we wanted to be doing after the race. But 45 mins later and almost killed a couple times, we made it home. Showered, chowed down on some Chinese food and took a big nap. Chowed down on pizza and went to bed. All and all it was a good day. IT forever!

Monday I took the day off and wasn't quite as sore as I thought I would be. Knees were killing me but not too bad. We had tickets for Buckingham Palace and I had been looking forward to this all summer. When the Queeny is gone she opens her house and we get to see the good stuff. Plus to celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday we got to see the largest ever exhibition of Her Majesty's evening dresses and personal jewellery. It was amazing! Buckingham was great as well. That night we went to family dinner with Mat's aunt and cousin and had a ball.

Back to work today! My parents left this morning and I was sad, yet happy, to see them go. It was time and the little house kept getting smaller. But it was certainly nice to have your mommy "mommy" you for a month. Great food, laundry washed, house cleaned, etc. They are good roomies for sure. Next visitors are my friend Kelly and her boyfriend Alex. They come on Monday. Then off to Switzerland with Mat!

I have less than a month now. September 7 will be my last day here. I should be back in the states around September 18-19 and then back to work on September 20. Yahoo!

Weekend Twenty-one / Cambrige and Navarro Wedding

I took off yesterday so I am settling in today. Reading all my stupid work emails and then happy to see some friendly ones.

My weekend started off quite odd. Mat got in on Thursday morning. I came into work and all the lights were off. There was an unexpected power failure and tons of the city center blocks were out of power. So they were sending everyone home cause it was going to get to hot without the A/C on and such. I stuck around and got some things done and left around 12:30 or so. I met up with Mat and all of his friends who had just flown in and hung out and drank with them all afternoon! It was great!! Friday it was back to the daily grind but the day off was such a great surprise.

Anyway, so you may remember that Jose and Pavan's wedding was this weekend. Mom, Dad and I had the entire Saturday afternoon free until we had to be in a little city call Hitchin. We took a little trip to Cambridge which was much like Oxford. It was cute and we had a nice day. That night we met all the boys had had a big ole Chinese chow down.


Sunday we got up early and got dressed. My friend Manashi had sent over a Sari for me to wear but it was lots of hard working getting into the thing so I opted for my pink dress. But it worked out fine. The wedding was quite an experience. I will post my pictures tomorrow and give you the play-by-play. Jose and Pavan look wonderful and they had so much fun. Damn those Indian's like to get their groove on!! It was 99% Indian music with a little Luda and Jay-Z thrown in. Jose had some Latin music that was great. My dad threw my mom into a spin and missed her hand. She went flying into our table and knocked every glass with liquid. It was quite amazing but she recovered! They had a great time. That night we all went to a bar and continued drinking with the "locals". Kinda scary!

Monday we were invited to a dinner with Pavan and her family at their house. We came home that night and went to dinner with Mom/Dad. Mat left this morning (boo) and Mom/Dad are out gallivanting around England again!

i am uploading the pictures and will have them online by tomorrow. there is lots of describe and my pictures totally don't do it justice. Mat's friends were on thier best behavior but still were OOC. It was GREAT! They all hung out with my mom and dad and it was wonderful that they all got along. I think everyone is looking forward to out wedding now. Mat left this morning and it was another teary goodbye. But he will be back next month for one final visit.



Mom and dad are set to leave next week. kinda sad but it will be nice to have my house back to normal. but they are great roommates and i am already sad thinking about them going. My friend Kelly Messerly and her boyfriend Alex are next to come and then Mat for the end of my rotation. I think we have picked Switzerland to go to. I can't wait!!!

kinda sad this weekend as it was one year ago that we lost baby davis. kari and family went camping and seem to make the best of it. mom sent her flowers and they made her cry. i wasn't really sure what do so i didn't do anything. not sure what was quite appropriate. she and jarrod made a donation to the group of folks, at the hospital, that provided him a christening gown and a nice box for his ashes. it was a really nice and comforting thing to have. i am thinking about making a yearly donation as well. i need to do something, just haven't figured out what to do yet.

On a VERY happy note, just wanted to wish Kelly and Tom a happy ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Hope you two are very happy and enjoyed your special day. We did lots of wedding stuff at dinner last night. only some 152 days left now. yikes!