May Goal Update - Amber

Despite the incredible awfulness that has been finals, I am proud to announce that I too have followed through with my goals! And accomplished quite a few other things in the meantime.

As far as new things in the last four weeks:
A. I saw a ballet at Sadler Wells
B. Went to the Experimental Cocktail Bar in Soho that the girls and I have been talking about for months.

C. Finally did the St. Pauls and South Bank Walk with Leiley complete with sweets from Miss Simms.

D. I bought a pair of Kurt Geiger shoes, which now officially makes me a Londoner.

Other new things: Eaten al fresco (yeah, this was definitely new with the improved weather in London,) eaten ice cream (again the weather has finally allowed it,) and finally taken photos of my neighborhood since I'm moving soon - sadness.

New things planned: the walk from Regent's Park to see the rose gardens and through the canals to Camden. Also, my roommate Seda is coming for a visit and I just booked our ticket to Bath, which I have been meaning to visit this entire year. In addition, the girls and I are planning on hitting up The Mayfair Club, which is where the royals have been rumored to hang out. (Plus, IBIZA!)

Less related new developments: Seda and I found an apartment, so that is a relief for sure. Although apartment hunting and choosing was nerve-wracking from across the world, Seda was absolutely amazing. I've finished all my law school paperwork and decision-making, so J.D. here I come! In addition, I've sorted out apartment furniture, summer plans, which includes birthdays, a wedding, house-warming, a trip to Portland/SF and maybe even a cruise to Mexico :-)

As far as my other goals, I've been pretty good with posting on BohoBeat, but my personal blog certainly needs some attention, so I need to refocus on that once I'm done with finals on Tuesday. I'm counting down the hours.

I think I am most proud of my gym routine. I have been going almost everyday (minus three days in the last month), upped my mileage for the half-marathon goal, and increased stamina and strength, despite an ankle injury.

I have to say that I am so proud of Carrie and I and I really like that we have been working on these goals together. Love you Care-Bear (and I am so so so so excited for our trip to Portland!

xoxo

[Art] The Northern Ballet - Cleopatra [Review]

As part of my goals for this month, I decided to do something new in London every weekend. Last night, I saw Cleopatra at the Sadler's Wells Theater. The Sadler's Wells theater happens to be literally across the street from me and it is a shame that I have just taken advantage of that :-/

But enough of the Debbie Downer-ness because Cleopatra, directed by David Nixon OBE, was effing amazing. In fact, I don't even know where to start with my thoughts. Obviously, the dancers were some of the best I have ever seen. But I wouldn't really expect anything less, especially from the lead. And of course, because I am a fashion fiend, the costumes had to go through an extremely skeptical and thorough evaluation. The verdict: the pared-down Monique Lhuillier royal costume with the glorious white chiffon and beaded bodice had me at first glance. And the summer look with the teal shorts made me wishing that it came in a ready-to-wear bikini style. (I freely admit I sound on the brink of idiocy right now, but you know you love it, so shush.)

Onto the music, which was specially composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) and played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, was a little up and down for me. However, I really enjoyed the heavy, active beats of the scenes with the Roman soldiers as well as the scene with the Senate members and the doomed Julius Caesar. The slower, melancholy pieces seemed to drag out a little, although all in all, the music seemed a perfect fit for the story line, alternating between upbeat tempos of passion and violence, with the slower, introspective breaks.

The set and lighting impressed me to no end. I loved the interplay of shadows and minimalist set pieces. Every moment framed the bodies of the dancers in lit frames and silhouettes. The most stunning was the blindingly white ending scene, which just now reminded me of Black Swan's ending scene. The stark, harsh scene abruptly brought Cleopatra to a close in a beautiful way.

I also have to say that the ballet was a perfect length and didn't drag on, which sometimes happens to me. And the theater is world-famous for a reason with space for mingling, multiple bars on multiple levels, and of course, a plethora of places to chill at after, such as Exmouth Market and our favorite pub, The Harlequin. Ending the week with a pint and cheeseboard after an amazing ballet? Priceless.