Give Colorfully

Enjoy!

I feel like I've been kind of all about the videos lately... I guess YouTube is a new obsession. Hopped on that train a bit late... 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Watch this awesome footage of the Macy's Day Parade from the 50s!

Do not get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. 
- Galatians 6:9

An Evening at the Abbey

Regretfully I've been slow getting around to this. A few weeks back (well actually the end of September) I attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey followed by a private after hours tour. I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity and jumped at the chance. Apart from Westminster Abbey's own grandeur and historical significance, it was the little chapel where this occurred:

Yes, THE Royal Wedding. The event of the decade adds yet another dimension to the Abbey. The Abbey is the only Abbey in England that is under direct control of the Queen, I guess when your grandmother is the Queen that makes for an easy choice regarding wedding venues. 

The evening started out with a wonderful Evensong from the Abbey's choir. It was absolutely enchanting. I was seated in the first row. Bottom left of this photograph, precisely. For the Royal Wedding, Kate's family and friends were seated in the area I sat for Evensong. I could really feel the presence of a royal extravaganza, even though it had been a few months.

The Abbey was absolutely packed for Evensong. Partly because it was the end of the tourism season, but also the Royal Wedding has increased Westminster Abbey traffic enormously.

Photographs were prohibited inside the Abbey, but I couldn't help myself from taking a few snapshots. 

This the view across and to the right from where I was sitting. Not sure why those lucky lads got to sit in the pews - I was jealous! They were absolutely breathtaking and the detailing was so intricate. For the Royal wedding the choir sat in the front of these pews/stalls. Behind them were William & Kate's friends and the Cabinet.

 

This is across and to the left from where I was seated. We are viewing where William and Kate sat during the service!!! 

Their chairs were in another part of the Abbey... which I later illegally touched! Oops! Oh and I think I could still smell her perfume. 

After the service I was treated to a phenomenal and in-depth tour. Our tour guide had actually been a choir boy for the Queen's coronation! To put it lightly, he knew the ins and outs of the Abbey. 

Here are a few highlights:

The alter floor.

This is a birds eye view of the alter area. The floor is thousands of years old and is made from Italian glass and stone. Do not think that it is a mosaic because in fact all these pieces were cut to mold together! The general public is not allowed on the steps or near the alter area... but it pays to know a few people. I was able to stand in the exact spot where this:

and this happened:

I also had the pleasure of seeing the King Henry VII chapel. This is where the Most Honourable Order of the Bath has the ceremony of knighthood. All of the Knights that were ever knighted have a stall in the chapel (obviously they overlap). Whichever Knight currently holds the stall has their armor above the stall and their plaque added to the others of that stall. 

Here is Queen Elizabeth's Tomb. Very opulent. In fact, it is on top of her sister Queen Mary's, with only a small plaque indicating it! 

I was so fortunate to have this experience. The Abbey is truly magnificent. You can feel the history around you - nearly 7,000 human beings are buried at the Abbey, which about 20 are Kings or Queens. Being at the Abbey makes you realize and appreciate God's greatness on a whole different level. I would definitely recommend visiting Westminster Abbey!

As you may or may not of heard, more than a dozen U.S. spies in Iran and Lebanon have been caught and could potentially be executed. Those kidnapped had been recruited by the CIA to spy on Iran and Hizbullah in Lebanon, a group that was responsible for the deaths of more Americans than any other terrorist organization prior to 9/11. A former CIA officer who’s worked against Hizbullah said, “If they were genuine spies, spying against Hizbullah, I don’t think we’ll ever see them again. These guys are very, very vicious and unforgiving.”

Please keep these captured men and women in your prayers this Thanksgiving season. They are selfless patriots working for the safety of our country. 

On another note, I am thoroughly intrigued by spies. I regularly watch Covert Affairs, Charlie's Angels and Burn Notice (if you know me you know that I can't fall asleep without Hulu) I know these are just TV shows, but the characters truly are working for the better. 

Just keep going

So I thought I had a little breathing room this week. Turns out I don't. Double-checked my calendar and I've got 2 papers and a project due before next Friday. I just have to keep telling myself this:

I have it posted above my desk for extra inspiration.

Meanwhile all I've been craving for the past 2 weeks is a relaxing evening in this puppy with a bottle of Pinot. 

Say a prayer for all those students working their butts off this week before their Thanksgiving holiday. And my colleagues... you deserve this:

A sampling of the finest British ales! Just as I did over the weekend. 

Girl Panic!

First and foremost, I apologize for my week-long absence. The past few weeks have been filled with countless papers and presentations, as well as a bout with the flu. I am well on my way to being mended now!

Ok, so I am OBSESSED with this video. It was shot at the ultra-glamorous Savoy Hotel, not far from LSE, starring the 'real supermodels' of the 90s taking over for Duran Duran. Naomi Campbell is lead singer Simon Le Bon, Eva Herzigova is Nick Rhodes, Cindy Crawford is John Taylor, Helena Christensen is Roger Taylor, and Yasmin Le Bon (Simon's wife) is an unknown guitarist (apparently the band has had some turnover in that role).

The styling, the glamour, the supermodels! It is SOOO fun to watch and just as inspiring. I just love it! Oh and the shoot also turned out to be an editorial for Harpers Bazaar! Check out the ladies on the December cover of Harpers Bazaar UK. 

It's the little things that make a difference

Take an extra 10 minutes out of YOUR day to make SOMEONE else's day. 

Or at least take a breath and appreciate the world around you.

A little can go a LONG way.

Have ya heard?

It has been the YEAR of the sisters. From Pippa and Kate to Beyonce and Solange, the mania prompted Vogue to birth a 'Bessed Dressed Sisters' issue. Well, it has arrived. Hello, December 2011. And which duo was crowned with the top honors? It is a no-brainer. MKA, of course. They have always been in vogue, but now The Olsens are truly in Vogue.

What I Want

I want to live here:

I want to apply this:

I want to dance in a field while glitter spurts from my head.