Christmas in Luton

I thought it was going to be a tough time being away from home for the holidays. Come to find out I have a "Luton family" that made sure I had a holiday filled with smiles and laughs.

I made it to Luton on the 23rd of December. Roma and Neil's home was warm as always and beautifully decorated. The first evening was spent relaxing with some great classic movies.

 

On Christmas Eve me and my friends went out and spent time together before everyone had to split up for holiday with families. I saw friends I hadn't seen in awhile and also met several new people that day. I had a great time relaxing and talking with everyone. We played pool, air hockey, a game of bowling and even had a few runs on the bumper cars before the day was over!!

I spent Christmas afternoon with Roma and her family and the evening with Neil's family. They were all so very kind and even had gifts for me.  We all played some really great holiday games throughout the day and ate LOTS of amazing food! 

 

On the next day,Boxing day, I spent the afternoon with Willow and his family. I really enjoyed talking with his family. His father was very interested in taking another trip to the US and asked many questions about Texas. 

I ate Christmas pudding, sometimes called plum pudding, for the first time and found it quite delicious!  Willow actually made the pudding almost a year ago for the event. It is tradition to make them weeks, even months before the actual holiday. The aging is what gives it its rich taste. They then poor a bit of Brandy over it and light it on fire before serving with custard or rich cream. 

The top of Willow's family tree...

..Later in the evening we made our way to another friend's home and played games for the remainder of the night. We played Bingo, which was a bit different than I am used to, but just as fun nonetheless! We also played an online trivia game that was so much fun...such a riot!! 

Neil and Roma gave me my very own coffee mug, which is there whenever I come to visit! Knowing I have a place to go to whilst so far away from home, The best gift! 

I love you and Happy Holidays "Luton family"!!!

An exciting birthday present this year!

I found out about a week before my birthday that my cousin and my best friend in the whole wide world, is having a baby. I am so excited for her and her husband Josh! 

I am in London, so I won't be able to see her during this time, which makes me sad. I will have to rely on an occasional phone call and images she will send me. I spent a few minuted with her on the phone yesterday and it was so nice to hear her voice and know that she is doing well. She told me she thinks the baby is a girl, but I think it will be a boy, maybe even twins. Regardless, I am looking forward to hearing all about it in the months to come!!! 

I love you Lisa!!!!!!! 

My mom is the best!!!!!!!!

I received a package today; a birthday present from my mom. She sent me an insane amount of pasta and pasta sauce, along with grated parmesan cheese, garlic, spices and a garlic press!! I know it cost her more to send it than what the contents were worth, but the idea behind it was so awesome! I keep telling her I miss her spaghetti, so she sent me stuff to make it!! My mom is the best mom in the entire world. 

I was also able to chat with her on yahoo messenger for awhile. Each year she tells me the story of how I came into this world and all of the trouble the doctors and nurses went through to get me here. It was a tough time for both of us. My mother had pneumonia and they had to take me cesarian section. My mother lost a great deal of blood and at one point, had to be brought back to life. She speaks of all this with such love and warmth for me, that I can't help but smile each time I hear it. Regardless of how much trouble it was she you can hear in her voice that she would do it all over again if she had to. I never get tired of hearing the story! Ever!! 

Some people never hear "I love you" or get hugs from their loved ones. I am so grateful to have grown up in a home with such love, patience, warmth and understanding. 

I am a lucky woman indeed.  

Christmas time at Trafalgar Square

Somerset House

I wanted to go ice skating at Somerset House for my birthday, but wasn't able to purchase a ticket. I decided to go the day after to take in the scenery anyway. When I got there and saw people on the ice and decided it worked out for the best. I am sure I would have broken something. 

Tiffanys Comp. decorated the tree as well as sold refreshments, including little Tiffany blue-coloured cup cakes! The skating rink, lights, tree and decorations were spectacular! I think the evening turned out just right. 

Thursday, December 18th

This morning I woke up to an odd noise. I got out of bed to find water dripping from my ceiling. The man living in the apartment above me decided to take a shower even though it was clogged. Because of the clog and the leaks, the maintenance and cleaning crew were called in to my apartment. All of this before I could finish a cup of coffee. After an hour of assessing and cleaning up, I was able to get ready for the day.

I spent the day out shopping at Spitafield Market, off of Liver Pool St., looking for treasure. This market is full of great finds;antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry and many different crafts. I bought some fabulous black leather boots for only £40.00 and a few fun badges. Afterwards I made my way to Carnaby Street and ate at Cha Cha Moon. They have the best hot tea!

Even though the day started off a bit aggravating, the rest of the day was simply wonderful!

A trip to the Design Museum with Amelia

I went to the Design Museum a few week back for my class. I told my friend Amelia about the Alan Aldridge exhibit at the Design Museum. We both decided to make a day of it. The day was great. There were grey skies, but no rain. We even took advantage of the dry weather and took a walk along the Thames River for a bit. 

The Aldridge exhibit is spectacular and I didn't mind at all seeing it again.  After the museum we stopped to eat at Cha Cha Moon, just off of Carnaby Street, which was recommend by my instructor. It is a bit like Wagamama restaurant, with the long tables and large serving bowls. The food was just as good, but a lot cheaper! I totally recommend this place!

 

Recycling on campus...or the lack there of

My roommates and I have been saving our recyclable items throughout the week so we can bring it to the bins on the weekends.  It never fails, each Sunday the trash man comes in and throws our recycling in the trash!! The past two weeks along with the recycling they took my reusable bags the items were kept in. I went to the office and let them know. They simply told me that I needed to put my items away so they could not be taken. This is a kitchen with 7 people and barely room to put our groceries in the shelves let along our recycling too! 

I asked about recycling when I first came to campus and most of the staff didn't know anything about it or that there was even bins on campus. They do have recycling bins on campus, but no way of getting it there. 

So, back to story..This week I organized the recycling in different bags , plastic in one bag, aluminum in another,etcetera. I put my reusable bags away and used a few plastic bags we had around. 

The trash man still took all of it and I doubt he walked them to the recycling bin! It looks like I  will have to make a schedule around the Sunday trash person....

I am on a mission!  GGrrrr!

Sunrise at Harrow

I usually get up early enough in the morning to see this outside my window.