Hello all! Here is a quick entry to tide you over until I return from my last round of traveling. My parents and brother arrived yesterday for a few days in London, followed by an Italy tour starting tomorrow! We will be going to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Pompeii, Venice and Marostica. The last city, Marostica, is where my family (mom's side) comes from. Everyone in the family has always wanted to go to the town where my great-grandparents came from. It's sure to be a great experience.

Last night we went to the midnight premiere of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in Leicester Square. We paid 19 pounds each for the tickets, in the most amazingly huge tiered theatre I've ever seen. It was an awesome experience in itself, and especially getting to see Indy back in action. It was also the Championship game between Manchester United and Chelsea (Man U won). That's always really cool to see all the enraged and overjoyed fans battle it out. Today we went to the British Museum to see the Elgin marbles and the mummies (although I must say, I am totally on the Greek side of the debate- the Parthenon needs its pieces back). We tried for the London Eye, but of course it was the only time it has been closed since I have been here. We had a really nice dinner with my boyfriend Alex, and took a nice stroll along the Thames. All in all it was a really lovely day in good ole London.

Last week, Alex and I went on holiday in Seville, Spain, getting to put that Spanish minor to good use once again! We had a great great time, leisurely wandering around the city, which is clean, calm, quiet and very relaxing. We saw El Torre del Oro, El Alcazar and the giant Cathedral. The city is full of vegetation, with lush trees and parks everywhere. It was absolutely beautiful. Tapas are fantastic. The real way to do tapas is you go out around 9 pm to a bar, probably with a big tapas menu. You order a few dishes to split between yourselves, which come out to you very quickly- and I'm talking about cheeses, lamb, chorizo- basically anything. Then you can order a few more, or mosey on to the next bar. Everything is very casual and relaxed. It's all about enjoying your food, your drinks and your company. We loved it. Spain is definitely the country I would live in after the United Kingdom.

And yes, I know that I still haven't posted my amazing celebrity story. But patience, my friends. It will come. In the meantime, I have another one!!! The other day I went out to Greenwich for lunch with Alex, and decided that, even though I didn't feel well, I should go to the National Portrait Gallery to see a great exhibition by Vanity Fair. When I was done, I wanted to take the tube back, but told myself "No Mandy. Do not be lazy. It's a beautiful day and a 15 minute walk. Do it". So I walked through Embankment Station, crossed the bridge and walked along the bank to get to my turn at the National Theatre. And that's when I noticed the area was all blocked off, because they were filming a movie. So naturally I got right up to the rope and asked who everyone was looking for- Dustin Hoffman. I called Alex to imdb the film- turns out it's "Last Chance Harvey", which also stars Emma Thompson (LOVE her). Clearly no one was thinking about the best possible Dustin viewing vantage points, so I went into the theatre bookshop, looked out the windows and was staring at the back of Dustin hanging out, waiting to film. Several times he turned and looked directly at me......in which case I waved and grinned like an idiot and then ducked behind the bookshelf out of embarrassment. Man, what a loser. Then Emma came onto the set. I was in heaven. The next day, when I was showing my parents around, they were still filming, and we got to see them again. I got an even better view of them taking a stroll together. I know I've said it so so many times....but I love this country.

Ok ya'll, another post when I return from beautiful Italy!