Rachel Simpson
Find me through Allied Arts of Whatcom County!
  • Home
  • Art Classes
  • Art Portfolio
  • Blog
  • Exhibits
  • Student Art
  • Art Lessons
  • Contact & Register
  • Favorite Artists
  • Featured Artists
  • Painting Parties
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resume
  • Whimsy

Travels, Art, Teaching...

Stories of my travels across the globe that enrich my experience with teaching and making art. You can find me at my art studio in the FAB Studios 314 E.Holly Street, Bellingham WA, and shop with Rachel's Whimsical Art on the Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts!

Holiday Festival of the Arts

Autumn in the UK

9/29/2013

4 Comments

 
This was mostly a quiet week. As a result, I was able to enjoy the start of the autumnal changes on the trees. There has been a thick rolling fog that visits between dark-thirty and through the morning until mid-afternoon, then the sun comes into view for warm weather until dusk. I have to say, I really enjoy the fog and warmer weather while the autumn leaves begin their change. It certainly feels like the fall semester is in full swing.
Over the last week, most of the students were away on expeditions (field trips & camping to different areas of the UK), and my roomie was away for it with half the staff members. I found that I had a lot of time to visit a few other classes & plan my upcoming lessons. One of them is the perfect job for me: Heroes, Heroines & Villians themed Altered Books. A second lesson is about color theory and textiles. The third lesson is a classic watercolor seascape. Each one of these are for different classes & ages of students. While I've been recording my lesson demonstrations and examples, I am going to wait to post pics of it later on, when I am a little less tired & less distracted.

Picture
Friday night was the first time out to a local pub and my first Guiness in the UK, with co-workers from the school. It turned out to be quite the night of great conversations, hilarious stories, and walks through cobbled streets. At 8:00pm, we met at the Kings Arms on West Street in Dorking, then all 18 of us walked over to a Curry House restaurant, (where I did not eat anything to save my stomach from revolting later in the evening - I know, so sad I can't have East Indian food).

After, we headed over to the pub called the Cricketer, where they were hosting a Beer Fest out back. I was able to have a few tastes of two different ales, (one tasted like a Belgum - citris flavor, and the other was like a red), but I stuck to my favorite, an IPA, & later had a shot of Glennlivit to end my night. It was such a great time to share with new friends and get a comepletely different feel for a small town. While I enjoyed it, I will probably not be doing this very often, but hopefully there will be another night before the end of my 3 months stay.

Saturday turned into a beautiful sunny day, and I decided to go for a stroll through downtown & the antiques row for a bit of window shopping. I was able to find a few more necessary books for the Altered Books lessons at a second hand shop for a good deal. Everyone who was shopping, seemed to be in a pleasant mood... or I was just high on life and only saw people with smiles, like in a happy musical. I was lucky to have found a fabulous leather purse for myself. I just know that I'll use it while traveling and back home.

At lunchtime, I met Annie at the one Mexican restaurant in town... it was medium quality and only half-way-mexican-american-like food. But, it was filling and a fair price. Their tortilla chips were like Doritos. I may only go back there for an emergency quesadilla. When I just can't help myself. LOL

Sunday was a day of being lazy and going out for more sun-kissed walks all over town and in parks. I found myself exploring more of the town. Even if I am still a guest here, I'm definitely beginning to feel more comfortable in my travels. After, I met with Annie to go for lunch at a little cafe. A great place for lattes and sandwiches.
While talking, we decided it was too late in the afternoon to go on an hour train ride to London this time. So, instead we made travel plans for the next 2 weekends: the upcoming one, we will be going back to London to visit the TATE Museum, and a few other hot spots. I'd like to see Big Ben and Westminster Abby. The following weekend, we want to go on an all day tour from London to Stonehenge, Bath, and Windsor.

Oh yeah, the best part of my day... I got to book and plan my own trip to Paris for 2 nights later in October, during our 2 week mid-term break! This is the first time I've ever been able to book a trip for just myself to go to another country. (Aside from coming to the UK) I'll be staying in an all female dorm room in a hostel, and it's near The Louvre! It gets better.... wait for it.... since I'm an art teacher here, I will be able to get in for free! I'm so excited that I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep.

And with that... I will say good night.
4 Comments
Mom
10/1/2013 10:51:10 am

I loved your description of the Fall scenery, your evening out with co-workers, & your future planned trips in the UK and Paris!!! I know you're having so much fun, & fitting right in to the local scene there. Keep the stories coming and Great Pics, too.

Reply
Gretchen
10/2/2013 03:50:33 am

You waited that long to have a Guinness? Pfft!

Reply
Krista
10/2/2013 06:08:58 am

OMG It's all so beautiful! I'm glad you're having a great time!

Reply
Allison
10/3/2013 04:23:46 am

It is all so stunning. I feel the excitement right along with you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your adventure!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Rachel Simpson

    Creativity is key to finding a balance with a happy life.

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    June 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Classes
    Cooking
    History
    Inspiration
    Teaching
    Travel
    Video
    Website

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.