It's not always sunny

Well, I live in London, so, it's rarely really sunny, but, hang with me here.

I'm not even going to try to pretend--I mean, this blog has always been an honest place, this isn't the time to change that. The last week as really, really sucked. Leaving Baltimore nearly killed me and then I was thrown head first into stress about exams and dissertations, and essays and reading and all the other joys that come with graduate school. To which I say, I'm sorry, why did I decide to do this again? I gave up my life of watching reruns of Bones and eating an endless supply of In N Out and Chipotle for what again?! Right now, I'm not entirely sure!

Damn artists getting me sucked back in! 

Coupled with the fact that it's my birthday month--which is usually a big excuse for me to buy everything at J Crew and round up my girlfriends for a sugar and carb coma. But, not this year. Which is really sad because it's a big birthday--last one in my 20s. And my roommate wants to celebrate BIG. Which I adore about her. But, I had the horrifying realization that I have no one to invite. I mean, I have two friends locally here, TWO, but, alas, they are both married, professional women who live out of the city. I can't ask them to schlep into London on a Saturday night to keep me company while I stand outside the stage door of The Queen's in an effort to steal Tam Mutu, I mean, I just can't. (that said, if y'all are reading this, please come, I really, really, really want you to!) (don't worry, that's not actually the birthday plan. Dinner and drinks in Covent Garden, that's fun!)

So. That bummed me out.

No one to share my birthday with was a very hard pill to swallow. Plus, the debilitating illness I battled for years and had surgery to temporarily fix has come back--just like they said it would. I'm a bushel of fun!

Because of all that, I decided that I needed to get out of my head, get out of my house and go enjoy this amazing city that I live in, and took Sunday afternoon to hang out at my favorite place: the V&A Museum.

It always does the job!

My favorite view at the museum--from the interior courtyard

Even though the V&A has no focus on the classic/ancient world, it's still the damn V&A and it.is.awesome!

A new light installation (saying that makes me think of Carrie and Alexsander Petrofsky) (duh) at the Cromwell entrance 

I mean, how can you not love it? 

A blurry shot of the hanging sculpture in the grand hall. I need a tripod, evidently. 

I even put on makeup and everything for the outing!

Sometimes I look presentable.... 

Straightened non hobo fro hair? It's a miracle! Oh, also, art! Look:

Better detail of the lights--I am kind of in love 

For whatever reason, of everything found in the museum (except the art library, but that is closed right now--I CAN'T EVEN) the cast courts is my favorite place. It's a little creepy, but, I love it. 

Well. Until I stumbled upon this. 

It's Joey from Warhorse. NO BIG DEAL OR ANYTHING! I love that play so much!

After a few hours hanging out with the art, my roommate came down for an early dinner and we did a walk and talk before sitting down to eat. 

Fun fact, I love carousels. As in, if there is one, 99% I will buy a ticket. Which, I did. 

Christmas at the Natural History Museum 

We made a quick trek into Hyde Park so I could wave hi to my favorite venue in London....

Royal Albert Hall will always, always be Phantom 25th for me!

And a lovely little view of the London Eye and the Shard

A quiet evening back at home, and I'm feeling better. Not 100%, but, better!

Illegal picture taking Shabbs, over and out! 

(I got yelled at for taking a picture in the jewelry room, but, he didn't ask me to delete it, and also, we've done this same picture SO MANY TIMES) (rude)