This is because today, I gave myself a little unofficial tour of the backways of Parliament with another intern who is only working one day a week. The security guard let us go have a little look in the members-only terrace overlooking the Thames. Because I like to climb things, I decided it would be a GREAT idea to climb up on the wall and look down. This was an excellent idea because I had a great view. This was a terrible idea because the security guard rushed towards me telling me that I was about an inch away from setting off a building-wide alarm that was activated on the outside walls of the the building. Good times. If you've seen the movie Sherlock Holmes, there's the part where he jumps out of the window into the Thames. He did not set off any alarms. Clearly he was not as hardcore as me.
Here are a couple stalker photos, right before my phone was nearly confiscated. It was a great day. :D. I do NOT want to leave.
Anyways, the other parts of my day included meeting the work experience guy, Ben. He only works a day a week or something, and he goes to college in London. Tomorrow I get to meet the other new intern--an American! This will be blog-worthy for sure.
BOSSMAN, Dr. Sue, and Caroline are all still doing well. Today I wrote congratulatory letters, looked up zip codes, and read mail. My favorite part of reading the mail is the letters that say "Private and Confidential". At first I was a little wary of opening these because I felt like I was invading someone's privacy. That is clearly no problem anymore. I wield a letter opener like the best of them.
Also, today I was able to go watch the Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport or the "Fun Committee". It was exciting because my BOSS had a question on the docket and he did wonderfully. Also, he had a topical question, which means he can ask whatever he wants. Also nicely done. I stayed after to watch the Questions to the Minister of the 2012 Olympics. These were concerning employment and budget questions. It's really interesting to see how much work has to go into something like planning the Olympics and the fact that they think in the long-term; like the jobs this will create.
On the other part of my self-guided tour, I saw the House of Lords library, voting office, and all of these really awesome corridors and passageways. It's kind of like Hogwarts--except so much better. The highlight apart from the terrace was probably seeing the portrait of Tony Blair that hangs on the 1st floor which was very controversial (from what I've been reading) because of 1. the fact that he is not wearing a tie 2. the fact that it is so gloomy and he looks so tired and 3. the choice/style of artist.
Tonight was a special treat. I got to go have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Canzini. Mr. Canzini set up my internship and is a friend of my dad's. They are so charming and sweet and just very interesting people. We had the nicest dinner at a restaurant called Bumpkins in South Kensington. I definitely hope we see them again in the near future, for sure!
Sidenote: this is some wallpaper in the restaurant. This will be in my future home.
Today was just brilliant, (another word of British-lingo). I really honestly am not leaving. Tomorrow Dad and I are trying to get reservations for dinner at one of the oldest restaurants in London. So excited!
xoxo,
molly saint
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