Author: Christine Rose
-
A Meaningful Valentine’s Day
Today was a good day. A little sad, perhaps, but good. Of course it’s Valentine’s Day, which is difficult for most single or heartbroken people, but it’s also two other things for me: It’s Buster’s birthday, and I miss him so much. It’s the day my husband proposed 17 years ago in 1999. After the great…
-
Stepping Out of Hell
Yesterday was an important day. February 12th. That date has haunted me for the past four years. I’d see it everywhere, and I’d remember. Even if I hadn’t thought of it for quite some time, I’d remember when I’d look at my watch at 2:12. When my coworker from extension 212 would forward a call,…
-
The Loneliest Christmas
This morning I made myself a cup of coffee and warmed a powder sugar-topped pastry after I had fed the cat I’m sitting. The two of us enjoyed our Christmas breakfast in silence, other than the crackling fire (complete with holiday tunes) playing from my iPad Mini 2, compliments of Netflix. Once we finished our breakfast.…
-
Do You Believe in Ghosts?
If I had any doubt before going on this City of Edinburgh Underground Vault tour, I don’t anymore. This was the first paranormal experience of my life! We missed the last tour by 15 minutes, but the guy at the City of Edinburgh Tour stand on The Royal Mile said we could try to catch up. He walked…
-
Stay Left, Hug Right: Driving in the UK
If you want to venture outside of the cities and towns, you might need to rent a car. There are coach tours that take you around, which are a great way to see the country’s main attractions, but if you crave more independence and solitude, you can hire a car. The first time I drove…
-
Top 10 Suggestions for a Unique London Experience
London is a magnificent city drenched in history and mythology. As a first time tourist, you will undoubtedly want to see the main attractions, and so you should. See Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. Go into Madame Tussauds, if that’s your thing. Ride the London eye. Cross…
-
Major Changes in the Autumn of Life
The past five years have been the most difficult of my life. The person I was in 2010 is dead, but it was a slow, agonizing death brought about by deceptions, betrayals, and even sexual assault. Just when I thought I couldn’t lose anymore, after having lost my community, my faith, my job, my home,…
-
London Travel Tips & Helpful Apps
London is expensive. I mean, really expensive. The prices exceed that of New York City and San Francisco for living arrangements. The exchange rate makes it even more pricey for Americans. Even the competitively priced AirBnB (app) has rates at £120/night, which equals close to $200 in Zone 1. Plus, space is extremely limited in…
-
An Open Letter To Benedict Cumberbatch
Dear Benedict, Last night, I saw you perform Hamlet for the second time. Unlike so many of those around me, I did not travel to London just to see this performance. I come to London every year because London is the city of my soul. Although I recognized your talent and have greatly enjoyed your…
-
Goodnight Sweet Prince: A Reflection on Hamlet
Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Hamlet at the Barbican Center, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. This show has been sold out for over a year. People fly in from all over the world just to see this performance because they are huge fans of Benedict Cumberbatch, mostly from his work in Sherlock. Me?…
Christine Rose 