Lauren Simone Blogs

From the canoe to the luau

From the canoe to the luau

As usual I got up at ungodly hours because I have not adjusted. I hope not to adjust too much because I don't want to readjust too much when I return home. After the exact same continental breakfast at the hotel  Pancakes and boiled eggs and sugar water, we walked to the bus stop. It rained as we were leaving but lightly. Near the bus shelter was a convenient store and I purchased a waterproof disposable camera. The bus showed up and we jumped on it. Except we jumped on the bus going in the wrong direction. When the driver...

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Visiting Diamond Crater, Hawaii

Visiting Diamond Crater, Hawaii

Our third day on the island began with scattered rains but I was hopeful. I put on my white beach dress and sandals and professed it would be sunny. My husband wore a polo and Bermuda shorts and was discouraged  and doubtful so he changed into his army casuals. By the time we left the hotel the skies dried up. The shuttle bus offered us a ride to the aquarium and I insisted it be free since we planned to walk. He agreed so we tipped him generously. Fortunately for us we got veteran admission because he was wearing his...

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My first impression of Hawaii

My first impression of Hawaii

So I have been here two days now. My husband and I left CT on Sunday morning at 4:30am and drove to NY's JFK. We connected thru Los Angeles LAX and arrived 11 pm our time. Bags took a while to come and didn't feel patient enough to take the airport shuttle so we took a metered cab ($40). Driving to the hotel we recognized every chain store: Starbucks, Subway, Mcdonalds, Chillis, Dave and Busters, etc. We arrived at Aloha Aqua Surf and Spa, which looked exactly like it did online- Thank Heavens!              ...

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Humming Bird, Spitalfields Market, Regents Park, and Brown Sugar

Humming Bird, Spitalfields Market, Regents Park, and Brown Sugar

So as I anticipated, I worked everyday the last week and was unable to go to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brighton and Hove, Dover, Calais, Paris or anywhere out of London for that matter. I also wanted to see my friend, Joe Sweetman in Cardiff. Oh well. Around 10:30 am, Dominic and I head to Nido to meet the students one last time. They need to sign their forms so we can submit their grades.  While I am meeting with the students Matthew takes the girls to Humming Bird, a really expensive and posh looking American bakery. When I am done, we head over to Spitalfields Market. When I...

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From Heathrow to CT

From Heathrow to CT

Our last day was a sad and very expensive one. First thing I did was call Dominic to say "good bye" and give him the projector. Then we took all the luggage outside and I returned the keys to the office. Next, my cousin, Kelly and I hailed a cab. After saying our good byes, we were off to London Heathrow airport. This was the first time the children had been in a London cab. Now the experience was complete!  We drove by many of the places we had visited (Baker Street, Kensington parks) and were there in about 40...

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