Saturday 7th June

Hey Leeds,

I don't even want to think about our time coming to an end but the preparations for China are taking up quite a lot of my time at the moment. I guess I should start a China blog soon...
But I'm not gone yet!
I've tried a lot of new things since coming here, big things and little things. A while ago I went to the Leeds Community Clothes Exchange to participate in my first ever clothes swap. Together with shopping at charity shops that was part of my sustainable living plan. That day we had the heaviest rain all year I think so walking around getting drenched trying to find the place wasn't fun but my mood got a lot better after I found four really nice pieces. Yay.
The light in the place wasn't great and I didn't want to draw too much attention with a flash, so the pictures were very blurry.

Remember the Rugby League Wold Cup last year? Singing with CHANT at the Leeds matches was also a new experience which I really enjoyed. So when they asked us to sing again for the Tetley Challenge Cup (or something) I said yes of course. Here are some pics from last night's match.

These fans were pretty excited and loud. Their team is called Centurions so they're doing a Roman salute, I think, not the other one...

 There's some rugbying going on.

 In the break the little ones get to play. So cute.

That Yorkshire Tea kiosk thing sells tea at a sports event. Not beer, not coffee, just tea! And there was quite a queue. England, you are awesome.

And a sunny day ended with a lovely sunset.

Today we're back to grey skies and rain, boooh! We didn't mean it when we sang "sunshine, she's here, you can take a break" yesterday.

Talk soon.

Love,

Anna-Maria

 

Monday 12th May

Dear Leeds,

I've been so busy lately and the weather hasn't exactly been great, so I haven't taken a lot of pictures.
I have my last class on Wednesday, possibly my last class as a student ever :o Well, I'm not any less busy...

So here are some photos starring: today's sunset!

Not much time left for me here...

Love,
Anna-Maria

Friday 18th April

Dear Leeds,

Spring is here and rainbows are back! Now if we can keep the sunshine and get the temperature up a few degrees, wouldn't that be great?

Time flies...

Love,
Anna-Maria

Saturday 5th April

Dear Leeds,

If that fricking ice cream van with its stupid "music" comes back a 9th time today, I will throw something down at it! It's not even ice cream weather, far from it...

Apropos weather, the weather during our trip to Edinburgh was particularly bad but we still really enjoyed our stay. Which makes Edinburgh truly awesome. Take away the cold, the fog and the rain, and I would seriously consider cheating on you, Leeds!

It was my first time in Scotland and I tried everything I felt I should. Haggis is delicious and not at all gross, Irn Bru on the other hand is fizzy liquid bubble gum water and I suspect the bright orange colour is to warn people about its potential toxicity. I don't think ginger beer and hog roast are typically Scottish but I love both. Frying Mars bars is completely unnecessary and a trick to sell them for triple their price.

We also went inside the Scottish Parlament to listen to some lovely Scottish accents and hear a little about Scottish independence. I don't know whether I stand on the Yes or No side, but it's their decision anyway, not mine. I just hope they can make a rational decision about what's best for Scotland and not be blinded by chauvinistic, nationalist sentiments.

Picture time!

 Unlike this one, most of the pictures I took are half covered by fog...

 We escaped from the rain to the National Museum, which is a pretty amazing museum!

 The most depressing clock I have ever seen, the Millenium Clock depicts human suffering. Be glad you can't see the details...

 Portobello beach...

 Part of Edinburgh castle from inside one of its buildings

Edinburgh is amazing and if you're planning to go and you're the hostel type, you should know that Castle Rock Hostel is by far the coolest hostel I've ever stayed in. Seriously, stay there.


Now I would really appreciate some sunshine, Leeds. Please?

Love,
Anna-Maria

Sunday 23rd March

Dear Leeds,

just wanted to post a picture of last week's LUUMS charity concert. We sang our little hearts out but the orchestra was still louder...

 Leeds Town Hall looking fabulous as usual...

My monkey also likes that Leeds is full of daffodils. I adopted some.

That's all for today.

Love,

Anna-Maria

Monday 17th March

Dear Leeds,

I left you for the day on Saturday to go on a road trip to the lovely Whitby. I didn't meet Dracula but it was pretty cool anyway. Best fudge I've ever had! The weather got progressively better during the day.

Look at the pretty pictures!

Driving on the wrong side of the road was pretty stressful, but we made it! (I didn't actually drive but reading the map was a challenge, too!)

Love,
Anna-Maria

Friday 7th March

Dear Leeds!

My last letter was ages ago but I haven't forgotten you, don't worry! I've been very busy and at the same time nothing particularly exciting has happened. Today I'm taking the day off.
I'm still waiting for winter to actually happen but now spring is coming. No snow for me this year either I guess.

The clouds were very pretty this morning.

And a few days ago the sunset on my way home from uni was incredible. It makes me want to get  closer to it, to just take off and fly until I can touch it. Same with rainbows. But it's just light...

Hey Leeds, do you know anyone who has (as in owns) an English language video of at least 45 minutes that needs subtitling into German? Could be TV, documentary, film, corporate video etc. Tell them to get in touch. My "dissertation" is looming...

Talk to you soon.

Love,
Anna-Maria