T'is the season?

It's been a little hectic these past weeks, but I am back with a little visual 'Christmas special'. There's been so much pain in the world recently I felt I personally needed a bit of a cheer up, as did others :). The cynic in me expected shallow responses to the question I posed all these people on the street...But in fact, I was enlightened. Enlightened by the faith we all still have in each other- direct relatives and indirect connections to other human beings. Humanity has caused so much destruction yet we still find our happiness in humanity. How strange.

What question was this you ask? Watch the video and find out *self promo*. I'm hoping to put a smile on at least one of your faces- or none if it turns out I'm just talking to myself in these posts. Regardless, it gave me great joy to edit these videos and watch all these responses to one simple question.

NOTE: I wish I could have had the professional equipment to properly record the vocals etc or have the right editing software but..... In time hopefully!

I wish everyone very happy holidays and hope you cherish every moment.

LINK TO MY NEW VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX8LVXQd1FU


xoxo,
Kiek 

Thriller London

Over the weekend my lovely grandparents took my cousins and brother to London to a) see me and b) spend one of the most memorable weekends together.
Not only is London a magical place with hidden (and conspicuous) gems, but it also proves to be perfect for a family reunion.

Last moments together by Tower Bridge

Staying in the incredible Café Royale on Regents Street proved to be very handy when showing everyone around a little bit- even if we were in a constant state of "HURRY THE FUCK UP", we managed to see quite a bit. It was a hotel like none other and basically one of those places where you lie in bed and can manage a whole room just from one remote control.
In the evening, after a lovely meal we saw the honorary tribute musical "Thriller" and I don't think I have ever been so entertained in my life. Fact? You don't even need to love Micheal Jackson to adore the show. It is inclusive, it is full of life, colour and energy and above all... the talent is absolutely incredible. We all found it very hard to sit still.
Some may say that to go to large public events would be foolish now considering recent events, and I must admit we considered all of the risks... but throughout the whole weekend we lived and laughed and let London consume us (clichéeeeeee).

Our gregarious grandfather rented a minibus so we could all take the piss and look like tourists on a whole new scale

 Embarrassingly, even after having lived in London for 3 months... I never found the time to actually visit the landmarks and famous sites. So, we saw everything there was to see "movie-wise"- aka; Abbey Road, Big Ben, Tower of London, Waterloo Bridge, Portobello Road etc... and even though we arrived like a Dutch party bus every time, I adored every second of it.

When the picture makes you look very pensive, but you were really just looking at a bird taking a sh*t

Another thing to recommend was the Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman's "Sticky Fingers" in Kensington. Basically think of Hard Rock Cafe's food... but more original (sort of). There wasn't a second to spare and my grandfather at the age of 80 planned everything until the very last hour. I was so impressed by such spirited and active grandparents, definitely exemplary. PS- If you're a BBQ Sauce lover like myself... you will never leave this restaurant.

In "Sticky Fingers"

Overall... I think London has been bringing out the best in every body. We are all very close... my cousins' boyfriends aren't blood related (duh) yet they feel like family. I realised now that the older we get, the more our values balance to the same level which is: family is everything. No matter how we look, no matter how we dress, no matter what we say or what we do... they will always be there. I'd like whoever is reading this to remember that.

NOW, TO FINALISE THIS VERY LONG POST... I filmed the two days we were together and turned it into a little video (not so little: 5minutes long) to show you rather than tell you what we did. Also really enjoyed filming/editing it... so here it is:

Until next time ;)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwNxUIwV3ok

xx,oo

Kiek 

The real fear of Friday the 13th: Paris

What I am about to write may not be of direct relevance to London, but PM Cameron and Hollande fear it soon might be. 

By no means am I aiming to make this post about some heavy political/religious debate, I just need to share a few things regarding the atrocities that occurred last night in Paris. For the second time this year, Paris has faced unprecedented terrorist attacks from the Islamic State as a response to Hollande's involvement in Syria. Although the number of dead is wavering between 120-150, the terror evoked by this attack yet again has seen social media upside down for the past 12 hours. Due to this, I feel like --perhaps more than ever-- the whole world has become involved, and this time not out of political bargaining, or coercion, but out of acknowledgment. I fear to admit it, but we are at war. Every country at least within the UN has shown movements in solidarity with Paris; notably NYC and London with their landmarks coloured in blue, white and red. 

The National History Museum last night 

 Now I was never superstitious: black cats, ladders, the number 13... especially since my best friend's lucky number is 13. However, it is coincidental that on Friday the 13th -- being a huge Horror movie fan I know it's Jason Vorhees' preferred day for man slaughter-- a real life slaughter occurred, generating an unprecedented universal fear. I don't know whether it's a mere coincidence, but it is something that will go down in the history books along side the 2004 terrorist attack on Madrid, and of course 9/11. 

To me... the fact that so many innocent and oblivious lives had to end for a war waged between hateful ideology,extremism and essentially the spurious claim of protecting one's "religion" is something I will never grasp. 

Be it Palestine and Israel, or indeed the most predominant terrorising entity: ISIS... it all  boils down to one thing I believe: man's unwavering greed and lack of compassion. It is thus, despite the horrors of last night, somewhat reassuring that the whole world is united against cowering in the face of terrorism. We may have lost (too) many, but we are united. We are compassionate. But is it too late?

NOTE: religion is not the cause. It preaches peace and stability; all religions do. This is humanity....fundamentalists....contorted versions of what they choose to believe, instead of what they really should believe.

On that note, London too has been 'warned' and been advised to take extra precautions and safety measures. Having both friends in Paris and in London -- which seem to be the prioritised targets-- it is a horrifying idea that some of them could have (or could be) affected by these attacks. Vigilance and attentiveness when in touristic locations (so landmarks etc...) and near large crowds is the only potential defence we as civilians can have. Unless you feel like locking yourself up with your own Kalashnikov for the rest of the year... that's all the advice I have.

Pray for Paris -- spiritually or physically-- and be safe. 

(I feel really bad for saying this but.... "May the odds be ever in your favour"-- just to lighten the mood a little bit haha).

xx,oo 

Kiek 

Must-see Monday

(Sorry for the crappy picture but unfortunately my camera is still at home)


If there's one thing I think that quintessentially makes Christmas so magical, it is the possibility to go iceskating in basically every city in the world accompanied by indispensable fairy lights -- along with the plausibility of breaking your wrists, your legs or every bone in your body.
I don't think I've ever seen such pure smiles when you see people gliding away with their loved ones (or alone...no judgement) or wetting themselves of laughter after yet another disastrously memorable fall.

THANKFULLY, some friends and I weren't one of those people last night (for once I managed to stay on my feet) but we did go to such a beautiful iceskating rink, the one next to the famous National History Museum. Location-wise... It was perfect. Honestly a must-see for first-time visitors, returning tourists or even locals, not only because the rink was beautifully lit in a way that made you feel like it was Christmas eve ( I've never sounded so cheesy in my life), but also because afterwards you go up to the café and order a phenomenal hot chocolate or mulled wine whilst you look at the skaters face-planting outside.
All in all... definitely a Christmas holiday 'check-list' essential.


Student discounts are Mondays-Tuesdays only :(

Here is the link to the website:  http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ice-rink.html 


xx,oo
Kiek