Excuses

Every day of the week there is an excuse
It starts on Sunday when people come off the booze
And is often called those Sunday evening blues
People are sad to start work the next day
Even though they still want their salary

Then Monday is suddenly here
People are regretting their weekend was full of beer
And everyone has that “Monday morning feeling”
Where no one can work and they are still reeling
From all the events that happened on the weekend

People tend to nod with understanding
As if to agree their colleagues are not being too demanding
They are paid to come in and work
But Monday seems a complete write off

Tuesdays has to be the most productive day of all
They had Monday to recuperate
And can work without getting irate
It is not mid week so they are still full of beans
And everything is just how it seems

But Wednesday is just round the corner
and now there are more reasons not to work
Call in sick or leave early with a smirk
“I am too tired it is mid week”
I cannot believe people have such cheek

Then when it comes to Thursday
There is a sigh of relief
“Only one more day” they say in disbelief

Finally Friday has arrived
Who would have thought some had survived
To the end of the week without calling in sick
Those are the ones that don’t take the mick

Tantalising Tuesdays

So what happens on a Tuesday?

The office is quiet
Everyone is at their desks
Not much is going on
and this girl wants to get up and go
and get on with the show

She wants to start doing some work
She needs to put this degree into practice
to pay off that big loan fee
from the good old University

An enthusiastic type a gal
she wants to do lots and lots
But maybe this week will go by slowly
as she sits and waits for her holiday
she goes away somewhere nice and hot
and will visit all the different cities
in the foreign country

She can speak the lingo
so dont you worry
She can talk with people from all over the world
what a clever girl
but she never seems to use the languages at work
and sometimes wonders why she learned it all

But now she has started a blog page
so watch this space as she begins to fill it well
with lots of fun things she has been and done
in the life of juliana novell

The darkness

Last week is when it began

It is that time again

When the clocks go back

And we miss an hour of the light

We hardly had a summer of those long warm nights

And now winter is very near

It has come around so soon this year



The darkness has fallen thick and fast

We leave home with it wrapped around us

And come back from work after dusk

Night time for more than 12 hours a day

It makes us want to go on holiday

But we can’t and have to wait

Till we get our Christmas break



This time of year makes many depressed

There is a certain condition that people can get

When they lack that vitamin D

Which gives their bones and skin so much energy

The dark comes first, then the cold

And finally the first snowfall

This is when I know winter has really arrived



Some love this time of year

For me it only brings a tinge of fear

Always cold, never warm

Wrapped up in my coat it seems all year long

Never wanting to part from my jacket

Despite the persistent cries

From everyone sitting next to me inside




The highlight of this season

Has to be without hestitation

One of the most celebrated festivals of them all

Friends and family you hold so dear

Come together and spread the cheer

On this day of celebration

Everyone is full of love and admiration

Trick or Treat?

It is that time of year again, autumn has come, the shops are full of Halloween decorations and sweets and chocolates. England has seen a growth in the popularity of Halloween over the past decade, but it has been a well celebrated event in the United States from as early as the 1930s. It has a very long history and originates from the Celts. Halloween derives its name from All-Hallows Eve which was they day before All Saints Day (All-Hallows) a Christian festival.

Halloween comes from the pagan festival Samhain, which the Celts celebrated on what was their New Year Eve, October 31st. Samhain marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter which brought the evil spirits. The Celts believed that on this night, the barrier between our world and the spirit world was at its weakest and the spirits would return to the earth. They built bonfires and in England carved out faces in the turnips to warn off the evil spirits. The festival was celebrated by lighting bonfires and sacrificing crops and animals. The bonfire was also believed to protect them during the winter months.

Samhaim was officially recognised as All Hallows Eve by Pope John 14th in 1006. November 1st was known as All Saints Day or All-Hollows and the following day, November 2nd was celebrated as All Souls Day to honour the dead. The three festivals together were called Hallowmans.

The Celts believed the spirits of the dead would possess people’s bodies. They dressed up in scary costumes to ward off evil spirits from taking their body. When the Irish moved to America in the 1840s they brought this custom with them. And now children dress up in all sorts of costumes, from cute little fairies to blood thirsty vampires and knock on neighbours doors going “trick or treating”.

Now, the history of trick or treating, actually comes from a mixture of different origins. One was the Celts, who believed the devil would play tricks on the living so they gave them food when they visited their homes. The ninth-century Europeans had a custom called souling. On All Saints Day, Christians would walk from village to village begging for “soul cakes” – pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes a beggar received, the more prayers they promised to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. People strongly believed at that time that the dead remained in limb and that prayers could send the soul’s passage to heaven. Lastly, the Irish peasant practice was to go door to door to get money, cheese, eggs, butter apples in preparation the festival St Columb Kill.

With commercialism, Halloween has thrived in the United States with thousands of children trick or treating, parading about in a variety of costumes. It is now the second most popular holiday after Christmas for decorating and sales of sweets.

Three weeks today is Halloween, on a Friday for the first time in years, what will you do?

Here are a list of some things happening in London and in your area.

London Halloween Parties

England Events

More exciting ways to celebrate Halloween throughout the UK

The expensive habit

July is the time it began
I can’t believe it has been well over a year
And yet there are so many people outside
Even though their habit costs them so dear
In the wet, windy and cold weather
Their kind stands alone
Huddled together to try and keep warm
But the only warmth is from a little light
That shines so bright
When they take that dying puff
To get their nicotine fix
And trying not to cough

The thing that surprises me most
Is the cost of this little packet
You hardly have much left
From a ten pound note
Out on the lash
They have to carry a lot of cash
To buy their rounds of drink
As well as their packets of fags
Which makes them really stink

Their white and brown friend
Really makes its mark
On their teeth, lungs and heart
But most obvious of all
It is their bank account that takes the toll
Twenty pound a week is over a grand a year
Which could be used to pay
For clothes, houses or more important gear

Epsom or Hull

Once was voted the worst place to live
And the other was voted the best
Someone has done quite well
To move from a council estate in East Hull
To a four bedroom detached on the downs
That has cost a few thousand pounds

What a difference these towns are
One is up north on the river humber
That never seems to wake up from its slumber
The other is down south near the river thames
A short train ride away
From the capital of the UK
It is not a fair comparison
As both places are very old
But one was a docking port
And the other famous for its salt

Epsom was always seen as quite posh
Had nice shops and restaurants with good nosh
Hull was a poor mans town
But it has certainly turned itself around
There is a lot to see and do there
Like the big aquarium on the river front
Or the princess quay shopping centre

You may be surprised find out
That Hull’s football team has a lot to shout about
Hull city is now in the premiership
And have been winning a lot this season
So now you don’t need a reason
To go up the M1 and take a trip
To the place where it is never dull
In Kingston Upon Hull

A very rainy Venice

I went to Venice last November with my sister. Looking back I should have gone with a boyfriend, but I didn’t have one at the time. Venice is a very romantic city and there were so many couples around. It is certainly not for those looking for a bar hopping and clubbing weekend.

My sister and I flew into Venice on Thursday evening for a long weekend. When we arrived at the airport, we had to wait which seemed like ages for a bus to take us to the outskirts of Venice where we caught a boat to St Mark’s square. It was such a rainy and gloomy evening, but you can’t expect great weather in November. We stayed at a 3 star hotel called hotel Paganelli, five minute walk from the Palazzo Dulce and St Mark’s Square. It was a nice little place, only about 6 rooms. Breakfast was included in the price of the double room we had and was about £140 for 3 nights.

Friday we decided to walk around St Mark’s square and the little streets just behind it. However, as there had been so much rain in the weeks leading up to our trip, we found a lot of Venice was flooded. You can see in the photo, what normally is a busy St Mark’s square is submerged under half a foot of water. Parts of Venice were flooded just in the morning when the tide was high. But we still needed to buy ourselves a pair of rain boots or “wellies”!! A bargain for just 10 euros, considering how often I was going to use them. The rain didn’t stop us and we walked for what seemed like ages around Venice.

We went to the Rialto bridge where there are lots of market stands. Here, we purchased many Venice souvenirs and Christmas presents. We also went into the Palazzo Dulce, you should go in the morning to avoid the queue. There are lots of “free” things to do in Venice. St Mark’s Basilica is free to enter, but expect to queue here as well. The Santa Maria della Salute – the main part is free. I Carmini – the Church of Santa Maria del Carmelo which has paining by Lorenzo Lotto and Cima da Conegliano is free.

The last day we were there, it was nice and sunny. We took the opportunity of this good weather and walked all the way along the waterfront to the park Parco delle Rimembranze. If it is sunny, you should take a gondola, it is about 80 euros for a 40 minute ride and some gondolas take up to 6 people. There are gondolas all lined up just outside St Mark’s square, it looks just like it does in the "movies".

I would recommend going to Venice in the early autumn or early spring to avoid the huge crowds that descend on the city. November probably isn't the best time to go, although if you are sticking to a student budget, it is the cheapest. Even the shops give you discount as it is very quiet, we managed to grab quite a few bargains when we were there.

A trip to Brighton

I went to the seaside on Saturday and it was warm and sunny. A nice change since the whole of August had been a complete washout.

It doesn’t take that long to get to Brighton, about an hour from Cheam, Surrey down the M23. However, there is a lot of traffic getting into Brighton town centre and parking is expensive so I would advise taking the train especially during the peak season, there are fast trains from London Victoria, takes just under an hour.

When we arrived, we took a walk along the beach . There was a great atmosphere, there are lots of bars and restaurants, a few clubs, and as it was such a nice day, everyone was outside. People were also playing beach volleyball and basketball on the courts.

We walked to Brighton Pier, which is home to arcade games, rides and attractions and a restaurant where you can have fish and chips, although we ate at Harry Ramsden, the famous fish and chip, opposite the pier.

We went to the Lanes, famous for its intricate maze of alleyways with antique and jewellery shops. The Lanes was the heart of the old fishing village Brighton. There are lots of buskers down the lanes and we saw two very good young musicians entertaining the crowd.

Then we visited the Royal Pavilion, which was the palace of Prince Regent (George IV), remodelled by John Nash between 1815 and 1822. The residents of Brighton and Hove have reduced entry during the winter months, but last weekend, it was £8.50 for an adult.

If you are in Brighton over the summer, there are a lot of free events to attend. This year there was the Summer Festival Week 26th July - 3rd August 2008 and the Carnival Parade and Park Event Saturday 2nd August 2008. There were french markets to visit, Pier to Pier Swim - a swimming race, a BHF Sponsored Sea Swim. This autumn, there are a lot of fun raising walks and runs. This Sunday, there is the Brighton Triathlon in Madeira Drive and in October is a 10Km Cancer run.

There is something for everyone in Brighton. So don’t hang about, get on a train to and visit the seaside town today!

Take a bite of the Big Apple

New York is everything you think it could be and more. I have been here twice and want to go back again.

There are lots of places to stay, hostels and hotels. I highly recommend staying somewhere midtown as you are right in the middle of the main attractions. Bring some walking shoes as well, you will need them. The first time I went to New York, I stayed at Chelsea International Hostel, just north of Greenwich Village and south of Midtown. It was cheap and in a good location, but quite overcrowded and the rooms were very basic. The second time I went to New York, I stayed in the Hotel Wellington, which is a few blocks south of Central Park. It is between West 55th and West 56th Street.

I was overwhelmed the first time I went to New York, there was so much to see and do. I would recommend just walking around Manhattan to get yourself orientated. Walk to Central Park, there is an ice skating rink in the winter which is open to the public for $14 (to hire skates) or a roller skating area in the summer. If you like horses, you can take a tour of the park in a traditional horse and carriage. The best time to go to NYC is in the spring or the autumn where the temperature is pleasant as winters can be very cold, and summers very hot and humid. However, January is cheaper, as it is just after the Christmas rush.

With the credit crunch sinking in, you may think that you can’t afford New York. But there is a lot to do in New York that is free. Wear comfortable shoes and walk to see the Chrysler Building (405 Lexington Avenue), Empire State Building (350 Fifth avenue – it will cost to go up the Empire State), Grand Central Terminal (42nd Street and Park Avenue), Rockefeller Centre and Flatiron Building, (175th Fifth Avenue). Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for view of Manhattan skyline and take your own panoramic photos of NYC. The Staten Island Ferry which goes between Manhattan and Staten Island is free and gives you great views of lower Manhattan, harbour and the Statue of Liberty.

Throughout the year there are free indoor and outdoor events downtown, south of Chambers Street, such as South Street Seaport which has outdoor concerts and performances. South Street Seaport is an historic district with a museum as well as shops, cafes and restaurants.

If you love shopping, New York is the place for you. 5th Avenue is the famous street that everyone flocks to when they first arrive and where you can find Tiffany’s, Abercrombie and Fitch, FAO Schwarz, Louis Vuitton and the famous Trump Tower. If you are feeling flush, treat yourself to a stay at the Plaza Hotel, on the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street.

For better shopping bargains head down to Avenue of the Americas where you will find TJ Max and Filene’s Basement, (both located 620 6th Avenue between 18th and 19th street). Alternatively, go to the Morningside Park Famer’s Market which is open on Saturdays from 8:00 am from early July to late November. Here you will find local meat products, organic locally processed nuts and nut butters and local farm produce. China town always has bargains, and Greenwich Village has a lot of quirky shops.

There is a lot to see and do here, so I would recommend going for at least 5 days. You can always find a deal online, lastminute.com, ebookers, STATravel to name a few booking destinations.

The discreet charm of San Diego

San Diego must be one of America's best-kept secrets, at least on this side of the Atlantic. Very few Europeans would put it at the top of their list of places to visit and yet is has a climate unrivalled by Florida and a location to surpass Los Angeles. It also has a diversity of culture and sights to match Washingston, New York, San Francisco or any of the other "great" cities.

When to go
With an almost perfect climate - the average temperature in summer is 75C-80C, in winter around 65C - San Diego is an all year round resort and an ideal retreat for winter sun. The added advantages of a winter break are cheaper fligths and fewer people. January and February can be wet, but early spring is good as the State Parks, a couple of hours out of the city, burst into colour as the desert blooms.

The top attraction has to be the world famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. Set in 100 subtropical acres, it's home to one of the few baby pandas to be born recently in captivity. Admission, including a bus tour and the aerial tramway, is $34 for adults and $24. Standard admission is $24 for adults and $16.50 for children. For those also wishing to go to Sea World and the San Diego Wild Animal park, with more than 2,500 animals, a three for one pass can be purchased from £60 for adults and £50for children.

Balboa Park is made up of a magnificent collection of buildings, museums, gardens and a centre for the perfomaing arts. Downtown San Diego includes to Victorian-style Gaslam Quarter along with Horton Plaza and Seaport Viallage next to the marina all of which are stops on the Trolley Tour.

Harbor Cruses from Embarcadero offers excursions that allow vistors to see one of the world's most sheltered harbours, as well as the famous Hotel del Coronada, where Marilyn Monroe cavored with Jack Lemmon in Some Like it Hot.

Food and drink
Seafood is a speciality of the area, notable in Anothony's Fish Grotto, opposite the Holiday Inn, one of the most frequented fish eateries in town, with panoramic views over the harbour and reasonable prices. Main courses vary from $14 - $30. Reservations are necessary.

Fidel's at Solana Beach offers Mexican cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. The Edgewater Grill at Seaport Village on the waterfront and serves everything from pasta to seafood. The margaritas are recommended.

Nightlife
The Gaslamp Quarter is the home of nightlife in the city. Croce's Jazz Bar has the live jazz in the Victorian-style bar and Croce's Top Hat Bar and Grill has live R'n'B nightly with an ambience reminiscent of the New Orleans French Quarter. The Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town has nightly perfomances of flamenco dancing.

Out of town
No Trip to San Diego would be compelte without a trip acrosss the boreder to Tijuana, in Mexico. The Trolley goes to the border and a bus takes you into Tijuana where you can sample bullfighting and jai alai, a tpye of pelota. But shopping is the main reason for a visit. Silver jewellery is a good buy, as well as crafts and duty-free alcohol.

So next time you are thinking of getting away, try a break to San Diego

Written by Jennifer Turnbull

Hollywood

I heard so much about Los Angeles in the media, that it was hard to believe I was actually there when I arrived.

We flew into LAX airport and took a cab to Santa Monica. We stayed at the Hostelling International in Santa Monica. I recommend staying in a private room as the dorm rooms are quite small and you never know who you can get staying in your room. However, Hostelling Santa Monica had free breakfasts and the staff were very friendly. There iare also two tv rooms and 5 internet computers as well as a library.

Santa Monica is right on the beach. We walked down to Muscle Beach which eventually lead to the famous Venice beach. Santa Monica has a lot of nice restaurants and bars and shops stay open till 9:00 pm. There are all the main shops - Abercrombie, American Eagle, Borders, GAP and ZARA.

To visit the other Los Angeles sites, you have to take a bus. We took a bus to Rodeo Drive and walked around the Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Gucci shops. It only covered about 2 or three blocks. On the other side of the main road was Beverley Hills, which you can go round if you go on a tour bus. The houses of the rich and famous tend to be older Hollywood people as the stars now a days have houses high in the hills or behind gated communities.

Hollywood Blvd is one of the main attractions in LA. You have to go down the Walk of Fame where the celebrities have their names in stars on the pavement. The Kodak Theatre is the home for the Academy Awards and tours are available. Next door is the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre where there are more than 100 Hollywood handprints, footprints and autographs in the cement. You can also do a bit of shopping in the Hollywood and Highland centre.

I have to say, Los Angeles was not very friendly for non car owners. You need a car to go everywhere. There are pockets of communities like Santa Monica, Beverley Hills, Hollywood and then there are just lanes of roads. You do need a car, so I would recommend hiring one if you want to the freedom to go where you want, when you want.

A short train ride away from Los Angeles Union Station is San Diego, another town that you must visit.

The Seven Wonders of the World

Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world and it was overwhelming when I visited in April this year.

The Grand Canyon is in Arizona, approximately 5 hour drive from Las Vegas. There are lots I took a tour which picked us up from the Excalibur hotel, took us round to Hoover Dam and then the South Rim of the Canyon.

The tour guide was very good, very informative, told us a lot about history of Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam is 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, on the border of Nevada and Arizona. A reservoir which is Lake Mead was created behind the dam. We got off the bus here and took pictures of what was the greatest dam constructed in its day. It transformed the America South West and controlled the formerly wild Colorado river.

When we reached the Grand Canyon, we were taken to Mather Point and then Yavapai Observation Station where could walk around the rim and take photos. We decided to stay over one night in the Grand Canyon. We stayed at Yavapai lodge, half a mile from the south rim of the Canyon. If you want to see the Canyon properly, I would go recommend staying over for one night. We were dropped off by the Lodge around 2:00 pm and later that afternoon, took a mini bus to Hopi Point. There is a lot to see at the Canyon which you cannot appreciate if you do not stop over.

For those feeling adventurous, you can take a mule trip down the Canyon from Bright Angel lodge. For the others, there is plenty of other routes to explore and the Apache native Americans perform dances up to three times a day. The El Tovar Hotel is an upscale hotel with views overlooking the canyon. A few metres away is a family run shop called Verkamps which sells Native American and other Grand Canyon souvenirs. It is 102 years old but unfortunately, from September 30th, it will be taken over by the National Park Service.

The bus picked us up from Bright Angel lodge at 3:00 pm the next day and we headed back to Las Vegas. We made one snack stop - another place to buy souvenirs and arrived back at Las Vegas around 9:00 pm. Then we headed down the strip to sample the Friday night in LV.

Sunny Barcelona

Barcelona is a great city. I have been here twice in a year. I went in August when the temperature can get up to 35 degrees Celcius. The evenings are cooler but still pleasant to walk around without a sweater. If you haven't been to Barcelona before, I recommend taking the Bus Touristic when you first arrive. It costs 20 euros for the day and there are three routes to take. You really do get your money's worth. It takes you round all the main sites in Barcelona, Sagrada Familia, Guell Park, Barcelona Stadium, Olympic Park, Marina and the beach.

For accommodation, the first time, I stayed in a one star hotel called Hotel Commercio which was at the bottom of La Rambla. It was very good value for money, about £200 for three nights and the flights to and from London Gatwick. The second time, I stayed in the NH Duc de la Victoria just off La Rambla, near Placa Catalunya. It was a nice hotel, but on the pricey side between 100 and 200 euros a night.

If you want really good Spanish food, I recommend Taller de Tapas on the Rambla Catalunya. I went there on my last night in Barcelona and the food and service was excellent. Our waiter John Alfano was very attentive and polite and recommended several good Spanish dishes. After dinner we went to a bar called Mojito. A very good salsa bar/club. I went on a Saturday night and it was quite busy but they played salsa music and some R&B. The bar is quite expensive, 10 euros entry fee which includes a drink. Additional drinks are 10 euros each, but in Spain they are very generous with their shots, when you order a whisky and coke you receive a double or a triple shot of whisky.

If you only have time to see one thing in Barcelona, go to Guell park. It was built by Anotoni Gaudi between 1900 and 1914 and is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is free to enter but Gaudi's House, "La Torre Rosa" is 5 euros each. From the park , you can see panoramic views of Barcelona, a beautiful view on a clear sunny day.

Japan

If you haven't been to Japan already, I highly recommend visiting this fascinating place.

There is a lot to do in Japan, shopping, visiting the famous temples and shrines. Last tme I went, I flew to Tokyo, Japan where I met my sister. We stayed in Shinjuku, in a hotel called City Hotel LornStar. It was right in the centre of Shinjuku, 1 minute on foot from Shinjuku-sanchome Station which is the busiest station in the world. Shinjuku is a major commercial and administrative centre, home to multinational corporations.

April is a great time to visit Japan, the cherry blossom known as "sakura" (桜) is out in bloom and it can be quite warm, up to mid 20s on a sunny day. There is not much rain at this time but the evenings are still cold.

There are not that many foreigners in Japan and not many people speak English so you do really need to learn some Japanese before you go, otherwise navigating your way around the subway system can be a nightmare. I recommend going to the Japan Centre to purchase some books about Tokyo and Japan before your trip.


My sister and I had not been back to Japan since we were young and a lot had changed. We went to Omotesando (表参道) in the Minato and Shibuya wards of Tokyo which has a modern new shopping area. Here you can find all the international stores such as Gap, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Next. The famous Japanese store called KiddyLand which has 6 floors of Japanese toys such as Hello Kitty is also here. Omotesando Hills, a shopping centre opened in 2006 has the world's fashion brands such as Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana and YSL.

Another place to visit is Yokohama, (横浜), a short train ride from Tokyo. Yokohama opened its ports to foreigners in 1859 and many Westerners settled in an area of Yokohama called Yamate. Motomachi is a shopping area in Yamate built for these Westerners and there are still a lot of international shops down this street. One of the supermarkets, Union stocks a range of Western food but it is very expensive. Yokohama is also home to Negishi Park, built on a former race track. Next to the park is an Equine Museum and Pony Centre where you can ride horses. Outside the park there is a street vendor selling Octopus on a stick, a bit different to hot dog vendors. If you are feeling adventurous, purchase one and a drink from a nearby vending machine. There are hundreds of vending machines in Japan dotted around on street corners.

I really liked Japan, I lived here as a child and still have very fond memories of the place. The people are very friendly and it is not that difficult to learn some Japanese to help you get by.

A Weekend in Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and should not be missed if you are thinking of visiting Espana.

There are lots of places to stay, but this time I stayed in a hostel called Residencia Alvaro in the centre of Madrid, very close to the Plaza del Sol. It was good value for money, 129 euros for 3 nights. There is free internet, use of the kitchen and washing machine. It is a small hostel, only 7 rooms, some private some dorms but the staff are very friendly. Towels and linen are also provided and there was a tv and fan in our room.

I was only here for a weekend, but I would recommend 5 things to do in Madrid:

1. Take the tourist bus around the city. This gives you an overview of the whole city, you can hop on and hop off all day which is especially nice if it is a warm and sunny day. There is a lot to see, the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace.

2. Go to El Retiro - the park on the east of Madrid. While you are there, visit the botanical gardens (Jardin Botanico) entrance is 2 euros per person. There is a wide range of flowers and plants to see - if you like that sort of thing.

3. Eat Tapas - go to Cava Baja - there are lots of restaurants to choose from - not far from Plaza Mayjor. For more bars, you are just a short walk away from La Latina

4. Go out and Party - Madrid is the party town where bars open till up to 6am in the morning.

The Penthouse is an outdoor terrace bar on the top floor of the ME Madrid Reina Victoria- in the Plaza Santa Ana. It is open for hotel guests and the public, and once you arrive at the top floor, you can see panoramic views of the Plaza Santa Ana.

If that is not your thing - I can't imagine why it wouldn't be, then just a few metres away are a whole host of bars and restaurants in the Plaza and surrounding streets.

5. Plaza Mayor

This is Madrid's most famous plaza and is worth a visit. Have dinner or even a cerveza in the Plaza Mayor, then head off to Puerta del Sol.

You can easily travel from Madrid to the other Spainish cities by bus or by train, next stop for me, was Valencia.

The Hibernating Sun

It is already August and we haven´t seen the sun
It has rained through and through
and is making everyone so blue
The clouds are keeping the sun away
and it doesnt look like they will sway
I do not know how much more I can take
It is the end of summer for goodness sake

We have to go on holiday to get some sun
It is great to go to Spain and have fun
We could even jet off to the Carribbean
Go to the beach then drink barcardi and rum
But I still need to go to work before this holiday
I am now counting down the days
Three, two and then one more day to go
Oh why is this week going by so slow

Every day is the same, there is no sun
Raining all the time so I cannot go for my run
I quit the gym as I would exercise outside
Take advantage of the summer weather
and even maybe go for a long bike ride
But it hasnt been used since June
When it was 25 degrees by 12 noon

At long last, Friday has arrived
And I am packed and ready to fly
See you all in just over a week
I cannot wait to get into that heat
Tara for now and hasta la vista
I am going to Spain for a big fiesta

Working After Hours

In these rooms, people work up quite a sweat
Trimming down their legs, bums and tums
So that they can squeeze into their little black dress
But in this room they look like such a mess
The body builders in their own area
Surrounded by mirrors, making sure they look just right
But they are never out of sight
Of all those others trying to lose that last inch or two
But which is making them feel so blue.

Some of these places have a great view
High above the city
Or out in the middle of the country
Inside, people run for minutes at a time
On a constant revolving machine
They pass the hour by staring at the tv screen
Hoping they can watch their favourite show
Or perhaps a dance music video

Who would have thought
People would be willing to pay
To go to this place
And work even more after a long day
No time for friends or family
But if you want to be fit
And all you do day long is sit
A visit to this room is a must
So you can get rid of that nasty gut.

Sometimes I wonder if people didn’t eat a lot
And ate their five small meals a day
They would have much more time to play
and spend time with people who they love
instead of a direct debit that costs so much

This is the world we live in
So we should all get used to it
For those that want to be super trim
They have to spend hours at the gym
I am one of them I must admit
I always want to get fit
But sometimes it is hard to take in
That some people will never be slim

The Credit Crunch

Oh no, we are deep in the credit crunch
Things are so bad, I cannot even buy lunch

I should have saved when we were in plenty
But now my pockets are completely empty

I don't think there will be a bonus at Christmas time
Maybe we will get some good old mulled wine

Gas prices are on the rise
Despite the public's cries

This will affect me greatly
Especially as I have a big mortgage rate
I am trying not to get irate

Everyone is in the same boat
except the traders who can sit around and gloat

I hope this crunch does not last
as I am soon losing all my cash

But at least I have my health
and as they say
when you have that you are on your merry way

Parents who mourn their empty nests

For all of you going off to University, take a moment to think of your parents..........This is one mother's feelings

As I enter the house I can feel the emptiness. No music blasting out, no shoes to trip over, no one to say "hi" as I come in. It is difficult to believe that this is how it is going to be. My daughters, who have been the focus of my life for the past 18 years, are no longer here.

Everywhere is so untouched, the phone hardly rings and the quiet is chilling. Nothing seems the same - even the cats are wandering around the house in search of company. Sitting down to Sunday dinner, which has previously been a family affair, was more depressing than I could have imagined.

This is just the rehearsal. A two week trial;. For them, or us. I am not sure. They will be back from their holiday, but this time next week they will both have started new lives in two different universities, leaving us home alone.

As thousands of students take up their places at universities and colleges next month, they leave in their wake many parents, like myself- depressed and traumatised at their departure. For some the departure of unruly and difficult offspring will be a relief: for others it represents a significant milestone in their role as parents. While parenting and ante-natal classes can help to prepare for the arrival of a child, nothing can prepare parents for that child leaving home.

While siblings may be pleased to see an older brother or sister leave home so that they can gain access to a coveted room or possession, the effect on parents is far less positive. For parents of several children the parting from the first may be offset by the fact that there are others to be cared for. There is no such distraction for parents of a an only child. One of my friends told me that when she and her husband took their only child,, a son to university for the first time, they had to stop in a lay-by on the way home to sob into each other's arms.

While many people may dismiss the notion of empty nest syndrome, those who have been through it understand the far-reaching consequences. When the last or only child leaves home, parents have to learn to be a couple again. After years of concentrating on their children they suddenly find themselves thrown together in much the same way as when one of the parents retires. Relate, the marriage guidance service, has noted that is is at this stage that many relationships break down.

It would be wrong to assume that mothers have the monopoloy on the empty nest syndrome, fathers feel the absence of their offspring just as keenly. The problem is that men are not so conscious of that it is doing to their relationship with their partners. At this stage in their lives many men may be changing direction, slowing down, facing unemployment or other major changes. The sudden moving away of their children may clash with these life events, causing depression, alcoholism and the breakdown of their relationship. While they may bury themselves in their work or play more sport to mask their senses of loss, their partners are left home alone.

For many mothers who have been the chief carers, the sudden departure of the teenager affects them on a more practical level. The quietness and solitude, the lack of washing and ironing, the absence of hungry beings to fee, make he loneliness more palpable. Many women in the 45 plus range (the age group most affected by children leaving home) who have not been career orientated will experience feelings of depression, loss and redundance because they are no longer needed.

Career women, as well as non working mothers, suffer equally the emptiness of children leaving home. The dean of the university where I worked shared her feelings of loss and loneliness with me when her last child went to college. We joked about going around the supermarkets with our trolleys half full, not knowing what to buy, unable to downsize our grocery list to accommodate two people instead of four or five. Even though her children had left home in a more staggered pattern, the effect was just as great when her youngest left.

Perhaps one of the chief ways of dealing with this condition is recognising that it exists. Lucy Selleck, a counsellor and a spokeswoman for Relate, explains the important of acknowledging the situation. "This period in a couple's life can be one of the most eventful" she says. "One of the problems is that many people do not recognise that children leaving home is a major change that can subsequently affect their relationship."

Mothers may have relied on children to keep them going. Filling the gap, once they have gone, becomes more and more difficult. While they may be looking to their partners for support, their partners may be equally miserable and unable to give it.

Individuals need to take responsibility for their relationship and not look to each other to make themselves feel better. The perception of emptiness and sadness on to the relationship makes it even more difficult to communicate and come to terms with such a fundamental change. The consequences can have far-reaching effects such as depression, alcoholism and even erectile dysfunction"

One of the paradoxes of being "home alone" is that no sooner have parents got used to ti than students come home for a weekend. While this is undoubtedly welcomed, the father hay have got used to having the monopoly on his partner's affections. Once the chicks come home he is thrown out of the nest or at least relegated to the edge. Accommodating part time parenting is an additional factor that affects the balance of group dynamics within the home and has far-reaching consequence.

"Couples should look on the period without their children as an opportunity for the self" says Selleck. "having spent so many years caring for and nurturing their offspring, they should so something for themselves - plan trips away, take up new activities".

It is important, she says, for couples to start doing something new while their children are still at home to make the adjustment easier once they leave.

Everyone tells me that it passes, that you get used to it. You spend the first few weeks stricken by the loss, the following few coming to terms with it and building a new life and the remaining time wondering how you coped with all the chores before. When the come home you find yourself waiting for them to go back. I can't quite imagine that but perhaps by next year I will have arrived at that stage where I can enjoy my free time.

But for the moment, I am still moping around the house wondering what on earth I am going to do.

Written by Jennifer Turnbull

The Morning Drink

They have become a normal sight
Enticing all from morning to night
On every street corner you will find them there
Never will you see them bare
The mono brand has arrived
while the smaller guys have not survived

small, tall, grande
how do you want your latte?
light milk, soy, half cream
they know all about their drink it seems
coming in from work, two or three times a day
lining up to recite their usual and pay
the same people come and go
it is like a clockwork show.

So many brands, so many choices
Each shop filled with international voices
Paper cups with black text
Showing which box is checked
Making sure they have the right coffee
To get them through the long day you see.

Who would have thought how fast these shops have spread
Especially in a nation where tea was said
To be the most popular drink for all
And now coffee stands are seen down the Mall.
Who drinks tea now? It is hard to think.
Everyone seems to need their coffee fix
It makes me wonder where we would be
If the coffee shops disappeared so very quickly

Everyone walking around blurry eyed
Never waking up, always tired
Like zombies swaying to and fro
The coffee has filled the black hole
Which existed long ago
But that is in the past and it is here to stay
So let’s grab a cup, don't delay
We must get to work right away!

Where dreams come true

Disneyland California is the magical place in the west cost of the US.

I had wanted to go to Disneyland in LA since I booked the trip to the United States which was back in October 2007. My sister, wasn't so keen to go to Disney, perhaps it was because we had been to the resort in Tokyo and Paris, plus now we were no longer children and Disneyland is supposed to be for kids. But to me, it seemed like a great place to visit.

So after paying for my sister and I (she refused to pay), we went for the day to Disneyland Anaheim.

It was quite expensive, about $112 per person - which included the ticket and the transport there and back. There was only just us two from the hostel in Santa Monica though.

We arrived at around 12 noon, just as the park was opening and as it was a school day, the park was not busy at all. We were able to go on all the amusement rides without lining up for too long.

We went on the famous "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride - even though this is quite old, it was still good. Splash Moutain was probably the best ride of the day and yes we did get splashed. We also went on Thunder Moutain and Space Moutain. The maximum time we waited in line was 30 minutes for Space Moutain and that was at 4pm in the afternoon.

I recommend having your birthday at Disney if you are a Mickey and Minnie fan. They come to your birthday party and spend time with you and your family and friends. Other Disney characters also come over to your table and you can have your photo taken with them. You get to eat Disney birthday cake and other party food and it costs around $10 per person.

We left the park at 6 pm and had our own private bus take us back to Santa Monica Youth Hostel. It took around 60 minutes and we tipped the driver as well. You always have to tip in the US of A. But then when it was $2 to the pound, it didn't matter as much.

Viva Las Vegas

I had never been to Vegas before this April and what a great place it was. My sister and I had booked a mini tour of the South West USA and Las Vegas was a stop over place for us.

You really have to go if you haven't been before. Yes Las Vegas is a little tacky but it is a party town and certainly the place to go if on a "hen" or "stag" weekend.

We flew into Las Vegas, Nevada airport which is in the middle of the desert and took a short taxi ride to our hotel - Excalibur. It looked like a castle from the Magic Kingdom. The taxi driver thought we both were going to find our "princes" in the Excalibur Castle hotel. The taxi ride took about 20 minutes and it cost $15.

We flew Virgin Arlines from London, it was very good, especiaially if you are only flying economy. Total cost of flight was about £520 each, including taxes.

When we arrived at the hotel, my sister and I wasted no time in walking down Las Vegas strip and stopped off at the Bellagio hotel - featured in Oceans Eleven. The fountains of the Bellagio are famous and so is the interior which includes the Fiori di Como, a vibrant flower petal chandelier by glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.

It was April but still warm and sunny - up to 25 degrees Celcius. How refreshing after coming from cold London. My sister and I continued our walk down the strip into the Paris hotel, Venetian, MGM, Treasure Island and then the Luxor on our way back.

Las Vegas has to be the city that never sleeps as there was still people gambling, playing black jack, poker, slot machines at 4 am on a Thursday morning!

One thing we didn't do which I regret, is to walk down or take the bus to downtown LV, the old town of Las Vegas. You get to see the stylish neon lights and there is an evening light show that covers the entire street. The shows are hourly after dusk every day. You can also buy lots of cheap souveniers down Fremont street and as well as on the rest of the Strip.

A Bird's Eye View

Workers lined up two by two
There are so many in the queue
What are they all waiting for?
It must be something important
as there are so many more
joining them in this strange line
That goes all the way down platform 9

8 o clock and the queue is getting bigger
It has grown by hundreds in such a short space
But they all seem to know their place
Mrs Smith with her pearls and shiny suit
And matching shoes to boot
Standing by the coffee stand
With her Chanel bag in her hand
Mr Jones over there by the vending machine
He always looks so pristine clean
He reads the metro while he waits
Trying not to get irate.

What is that I hear?
Oh it soon becomes clear
A distant sound getting louder and louder
And then the big long train appears
The queue of people shuffle about
They get ready to shout
If someone stands in their way
As the doors open they push and push
Hoping to get a seat on this expensive route.

The train leaves the station
But there still seems to be a whole nation
Left on platform 9
They have formed orderly rows
Which seems to grow and grow
No matter how many trains pass by
There are always people left waiting high and dry.

The funny thing is, they don’t have a clue
That I am up here, watching from my bird’s eye view.

(C) September 16, 2007