Lauren Simone Blogs

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...

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!              ...

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...

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...

Matthew went out on his first solo adventure. The girls wanted to stay home and I had to work. Matthew went to Buckingham Palace and saw the guards changing. After that he walked throught the famous St. James Park. It rained heavily which made it perfect that the children didnt go. After I finished grading students and Matthew returned home, we got ready for dinner. My family had dinner with my colleague's Dominic's family. We went to Malabar Junction which is my favorite Indian 5 star joint. We ordered just about everything on the menu and shared. We have no...