Paris & One Day

Dear Friends & Family,

I made it to and back from Paris, despite lots of snowfall around Europe and England.  Paris was my favorite trip out of all of them and I have to say Paris is the most beautiful city I have ever seen.  It was unfortunate that I had such a short amount of time there but more the reason to go back in the future.  Mainly I am just glad to be back safe in Manchester as I am going home tomorrow.  I am very excited, but yet sad to see all the great people leave and go home as well.  It is sad to know I may never get to see this great people again, but I am sure I will so I am not to worry yet.  

In Paris, Danielle and I hit up the main tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame, etc. We had so much fun walking around the city and may I clarify, more like trudging through snow. We were so cold and wet both days it was nice to go sit in cafe's or restaurants and get warm.  The food in Paris was to die for.  I will show you some of my photos!

The view from our hostel.  The French
are very proud of their flag!

A ferry on the Seine River that divides Paris.

Eiffel Tower!!!

Merry Christmas from France!

Arc de Triomphe, in the middle of one of
the biggest round a bouts I have ever seen.

Blizzarding out while we visited Notre Dame, the famous
cathedral in Paris.

The famous painting Mona Lisa, housed
in the largest art museum, The Louvre.

A few photos from the Manchester Christmas Market.  I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year from my family to yours.  God bless you!

Merry Christmas Manchester!  The biggest part of the
Market is held near City Hall.

One of the Market booths, this one was selling French
biscuits.  It is very common to divide the booths into
areas depending on what they are selling!

Can't wait to see you all tomorrow in the States.  I look forward to spending Christmas with the best family a person could ever ask for.  I love you guys!


Peace and Love,

Allie

teacup4one

Santa came a little early to my flat in England.... Santa's helpers aka my flat mates gave me just what I have been raving about since the day I got here: the teacup for one.  Pictures are the best way to show you what I have been loving for so long.  I no longer have to be jealous of Melody!!!

Teacup for one: cup, pot, and saucer

I am totally so excited I am cheesing out!

Until next time.  Peace, Love, & Faith,

Allie

Almost done....

ALMOST DONE...


is the only saying that can sum up my studies and trip to England....It's almost done, which is making me sad, but also joyous as I will be able to see my family during this holiday season.


First off, the past few weeks have been filled with early nights, days at the library, and just working on assignments.  My fashion buying assignment is done and turned in and now I am finalizing my other classes.  I have my Financial Management and Product Technology Management exams tomorrow at 2pm and 3pm. Wish me luck. :) And then my CAD projects, #1 my moodboard and #2 my packaging workbook, are due on Thursday, Dec 16th at 1pm.  I am finishing up my fashion theory worksheet right now as we speak, I needed a 5 minute homework break, and that is technically due on Friday, Dec 17th, but I will be turning it in on Thursday since I am leaving for Paris on Friday.  Thursday by 3pm, I will be totally finished with all my assignments.


All this being said, I am still very said that I will be leaving England and leaving behind so many great friends here and all over the world.  I hope I can stay in touch with them.  :)  I will sure miss everyone.


My mind is telling me to get back to work.  Until next time, seasons greetings and warm holiday wishes.


Peace, Love, & Faith, allie

Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW

Well as you may have figured out already, Manchester got its first snow during the overnight of November 29th and 30th.  Even though there is less than a 1/4 of an inch, I can already tell the people and the city are moving slower than usual.  Manchester is not exactly equipped for snow, so I am waiting for them to get a couple inches and the city shuts down.  I would have to laugh!  hahaha, but I also come from a place that is fully equipped and ready to get us moving in several inches of snow. 


The snow here today was more like icy snow so it was just at that freezing point.  I bet it came down almost like sleet.... Here are some pictures for you to see.

Decided the BEAR hat was appropriate
for a cold snowy day.

A view from my window this morning when I woke up.

A little icy snow in my hand.  I had to feel it.

All Saints park about a block from my home.

I had to feel the snow up one more time :)

Well I am sure there is more of this to come.  I will keep updating you on the things that are happening in Manchester. 

Peace and Love, Allie

p.s. Everyone, I finished my buying paper. Whoo Hoo... now just need to turn it on DEC. 6th

BEAR hat....

So for about the past 2 months I have been looking at what I call the 'bear hat' at River Island.  And guess what.... I finally purchased it.  I loved it in the store, but I seem to love it even more now that is in my closet.  It is really getting cold here in the 20s so it seemed necessary.  I will be wearing it tomorrow.

It is BEARyy Warm!!!

Love, Allie

MUFC vs. Blackburn

Manchester United 7 - Blackburn Rovers 1
Attendance for today's game: 74, 850 people

Side of the stadium

People walking around before
the game

Our game!!

Vendors selling merchandise

The front of the Old Trafford Stadium

Me with the Stadium

Man U ticket :)

Police on horses patrolling the area

People everywhere getting ready to
go into the stadium

Consessions

Inside from the East End

MANCHESTER UNITED

Me with the field 

From our seats, we were high up, but
but helped during the game!

Flat Stanely made an appearance

Warm-ups

Warm-ups

Warm-ups

Man U warm-ups

Watering the grass before the match?

As they came out, they shook hands.

During the match

Crowd and scoreboard

7 - 0 baby 19 minutes left in the 2nd
half. Blackburn did score one.

Manchester United kicked Blackburn's butts today wining 7 to 1.  In my opinion, the atmosphere was great and it was very exciting to score that many times, especially considering the first score happened with in a minute and half.  I have never been to a profession 'football match' before so this was an experience of a lifetime considering it was the Manchester United (one of the most respected and well known football clubs in the world)! The attendance was just about sold out.  I looked it up on the internet and it seats around 76,000 people so the stadium was about 1,150 people from being completely sold out.  There were lots of die hard fans by us screaming and chanting Man U chants.  Even though we sat 5 rows from the very top of the stadium, I felt like we had awesome seats. I will talk to you soon!

Love, Allie

p.s. click on any of the photos to make them larger

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving family and friends!


I am so thankful for many things in my life and I wanted to express them through words since I will not be at home with my family going around the table saying what we are thankful for!

1. I am so thankful for my amazing FAMILY.  I can't express in words how thankful I am for them and I am not sure what I would do without them.  Well, I kinda do know what I would do without them - go crazy - or that's how I feel here in England.  I miss seeing them everyday and can't wait till that is back to normal!
2. Also, this year I am super thankful for this study abroad experience in Manchester, England.  It has truly changed me as a person from the inside.  I have learned so much about myself, other people and cultures, and the world.  
3. I am also thankful for the amazing friend I have worldwide.  My friends are so lovely and I wouldn't be able to replace any of you - so with that being said I am extremely thankful to have you in my life.  You have helped me through hard times and celebrated the good.  Thanks for being one my true friends.
4. I am thankful for books.  Books are something so silly to be thankful for but, I think books have made me the individual I am.  They help me relax, but they are also a key item to learning.  I am also thankful for learning.

Just a few of the things I am thankful for in my life.  I hope you take this day of thanks to say a little prayer about what you are thankful for.  

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

love, allie

In My last 30 Days....

Hey Everyone,

Wow! Time is surely winding down here in Manchester. I can't believe I have made it to this point of saying I only have one month left. Just yesterday it feels like I was hugging my mom goodbye and now soon, I will be back home for Christmas.

In my last thirty days here in Manchester, I am going to accomplish a lot!  First off, I have a report for Fashion Buying I am finishing today (even if it kills me), a writing worksheet for Fashion Theory, a Financial Management test, and 1 CAD project and a test for Product Technology Management.  And all of those things are due between December 6th and December 17th. But enough with the work and on to the fun things.  First off, I am having my first Thanksgiving away from home and some of us Americans are having a semi-traditional meal.  I will upload some photos after Thursday evening. And then one of the things I am most excited about is the MANCHESTER UNITED game on Saturday, November 27th against Blackburn.  Supposedly, they aren't the greatest team, but I am just excited about the atmosphere and going to a 'match'.  And last but certainly not least, I am going to Paris with Danielle on Dec 17th - Dec 20th, which will be a great way to end my trip.  

Lastly, I want to wish everyone a lovely Thanksgiving back home in the USA.  I am very thankful for my family and friends around the world. You people have blessed my life and I hope some how, I can touch your life as well.  I am also very thankful I got to have this experience in England as it has opened my eyes to so many new things and opportunities.  Last but not least, I thank the Lord for everything he has blessed me with a good family, lovely friends, and food on the table.  

Miss and Love you, Allie

p.s. this seems unreal, but this is my families first Thanksgiving not all together.  :( mom and dad will be in warm L.A. and robby will be in sunny Florida and the girls will be home with their families.  as robby quoted we are just jet setters. :)

North Wales -- Caernarfon Castle & Portmeirion Village

Hey Everyone,

I had an awesome video that I made just talking a little about my day yesterday in North Wales.  It is currently not loading and I think its because of the internet so for now I uploaded a bunch of photos, but if I get the video to work soon I will share it with you.  Hope you like these....

Me with part of Caernarfon Castle.

Part of the city Caernarfon Castle is located in.  I was standing
near the top of the castle!

At one of the highest points of the
castle!  It was so interesting walking
around and seeing all the parts inside!!

Another picture from the castle!

Had to take a picture of this
window, would like to have
these in my house some day!  (Robby
keep this is mind -- you can be the
architect.)

On the inside of the castle!

The dried up water area by Portmeirion Village.

Some of the building in the village -- it
is made up of restaurants, shops and bed &
breakfasts!  Nice area to have a holiday at.

Part of the village on the side of a hill -- I was at the bottom!

More of Portmeirion Village!

Starting our hike through the woods!

In the wooded area :)

Near the coast, this area was very dry

4:30pm and the moon was already out -- Full Moon!

My conclusion for today was I would have loved to spent about another week or so in Wales.  They had such cute shops and may I say my weakness -- thrift stores.  The first I had found in the UK -- unfortunately by the time I found them we were leaving the castle area to go to the village, but maybe thats fortunate for my wallet!  haha :)  

Peace and Love from England,

allie