Greetings, from across the pond!

I finally made it back to England and the smile that has been planted on my face since last week Tuesday is enough to tell me I did, in fact, make the right decision.

I landed midday on Tuesday and met up with my old flatmate (and Vancouverite) Annie in the customs line. We collected our baggage and boarded a coach bound for Brighton. Two hours later, and a little bit groggy, we found a spacious taxi that brought us to Allison’s flat in Hove (actually). After discovering that a week without heat had made the flat cold enough so we could see our breath we turned on the heaters and left for the pub in hopes that they would warm up by the time we returned… they sort of did. The trouble with Alli’s flat is that it’s an older building and the insulation isn’t fantastic. So despite the electric heaters’ best efforts, we had a chilly first night back in England.

The following morning, New Year’s Eve day, I helped get Annie off to catch another coach at 6am. Spent a couple hours online (and should’ve update my blog, but didn’t think of it) and went back to bed. Only to wake up some hours later to catch a train to London for the end of year festivities at my friend Jack’s place.

The night was full of cheerful people, wine, good music, champagne, interesting conversation, beer, and a flat full of some old but mostly new friends. Now, I realise I may never see some of the people I met that night ever again (and honestly hope I don’t see a couple of them), but it was an enjoyable way to ring in 2009 and I was glad for the invite from Jack.

New Year’s Day I made my way back to Brighton, slowly. Spent the rest of that day relaxing and catching up with Allison (who arrived earlier that morning from Ottawa). Friday I spent enjoying the sunshine in Hove and went for a little walk around. In the evening caught up with my dear friend Rupert over some pints and a few rounds of Deal or No Deal (the electronic pub game, not the television show) and ended the evening with some chicken wings and the film GONE BABY GONE chez Rupert. A very enjoyable night indeed.

Saturday and Sunday were very relaxed. Allison, Chris and I went for some drinks and chips on Saturday afternoon and while we had planned to go out later that evening with Rachel, plans fell through when both Allison and I fell asleep around 7:30. It seems it takes a few days for the jet lag to really kick in when you’re keeping busy enough. I slept through the night because when I woke up around 10 with a sore throat and stuffed up nose I opted to catch up on sleep and try to will the sickness away. No such luck. Sunday was spent mostly in bed trying to stay warm and while we ventured out around 3 to pick up some food and such from Tesco, both Alli and I were full of sniffles all day.

And now it’s Monday. The sun is shining, apparently it snowed this morning (and of course I missed it) and though it’s a bit chilly outside, I think I will go for a walk. Might even make it all the way to Brighton (which for those of you who don’t know the geography of Brighton and Hove, is only about fifteen/twenty minutes down the main road until you’re magically in Brighton).

No big plans for the rest of the week other than going to London on Thursday to take a look at a flat near Finsbury Park. I wasn’t planning on looking for a flat until I found a job, but this one is an excellent price for all that is included and if the couple who live there are as nice as they seem and the place is in a decent location it might be wise to get in while I can… I think everyone can agree that finding an affordable place to live (especially in a city like London) and good people to share it with is not an easy feat.

Happy 2009 everyone. I hope your year is starting off as happy as mine. (I will write a New Year type entry in the next day or two).

friends - the eighth

Back to my tribute to the wonderful friends in my life, with a few words about a really great guy who lives (yup, you guessed it) across the sea.

He and I became friends through a classmate of mine and while it took me a couple of months to really warm up to the other 'extended friends', his warm spirit, unintentional charm and unique brand of humour pulled me in almost immediately. He makes me laugh when I'm being a grump, teases me constantly about my inexplicable crush on Matt Damon, encourages me to move forward when I'm trying desperately to drown in my sorrows, and joins me in far too many pints when there's just nothing else to do.

We've shared many good times in just two years and while the past year has been spent mainly on different continents he always makes an effort to remind me how much I mean to him. He is a true friend and someone who surprises me with a phone call when I need it most. Just tonight he called me and said, "I just wanted to make sure you were happy."

He shares a lovely flat by the sea with his wonderful girlfriend (whom I also adore!!) and I cannot wait to be back in their company! Charming, sweet, caring friends like them are the kinds of friends I cannot live without.

A very Christmas blog

It has been AGES since I've written, yet again... two weeks have passed and though I haven't done anything spectacularly exciting within the past fourteen or some odd days, I feel I should update and report what has happened around me.

Sunday December 16 we (Toronto) got hit with a BEAUTIFUL snow storm. Well over a foot on the ground and a nice blanket of white over everything for the holiday season.
I somehow managed to get all of my Christmas shopping done with only two days off last week (and I must admit, I am very pleased with the gifts I've chosen for my family). We didn't get a chance to drive north and cut down our Christmas tree as planned because of the above mentioned snow storm. Instead, we drove around the city and ended up getting a really nice tree from Loblaws... tree photos to follow (as I've not taken any yet).

Work has been really busy. I am, however, still enjoying it. I like watching people frantically search for Jamie Oliver's cookbook and LOVE being called an angel for finding the correct issue of Naruto for someone who was too lazy to walk into the store and find it herself. I am working later today, Christmas Eve and will be sporting my oh-so-wonderful Santa hat.

I have been asked many times what I want for Christmas this year and haven't really been able to come up with an answer. I think it's because what I want for Christmas I will get in a month when I am in England: I really just want to be with my friends who are there while I am all the way over here. Today I spoke to Chris for his birthday. Even hearing his voice made such a huge difference, and I am going to make a better effort to phone my dear friends overseas more often because it had me smiling all night at work. (Despite the fact that I made my first mistake at work by showing up at 2:30 instead of the scheduled time of 2... oops).

In terms of actual gifts, I am hoping to get one item: "The Lonely Empress" (the book on Sisi of Austria that I've been trying to find for the last few months, and kicking myself for not having bought it when I was holding it in my hand in Vienna).

I think that is enough for now. I had more to say, but as this is already quite long I will end it here... most likely I will write more later on today.

Giving thanks...

This weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving - the holiday designed to make you overeat, over drink and to look back and reflect on all of the things you are thankful for in your life. We had a very traditional turkey dinner (albeit sans potatoes) at home with three guests. It's always nice to have family over at the holidays, and despite the fact that we were actually expecting six quests and only half showed up, it was a very good evening.

Keeping with the spirit of the holiday, I got to thinking about the things I am thankful for in my life. Correction: I got to thinking about the people that I am thankful for in my life. I have been blessed with a wonderful brother, wonderful parents who have been encouraging and supportive my entire life, a great extended family and probably the best friends a girl could ask for. This week I took a moment to really think about the newer friends in my life who helped me get through a really challenging year in Brighton. I experienced so many ups and downs over the year and am so thankful for all of the support and laughter that my friends were there to provide me with.

I have already posted a few notes about my flatmates and my high school friends on my Facebook profile (which I will copy into a blog later this week), but I want to take this moment, and use this space, to address the new friends (and old friends) who made my year in Brighton so amazing ...

Allison Fan
Alqwai Majidah
Chris Walters
Claire Chester
David Mason
Donna Hetherington
Jack O'Connor
Jessica Ainlay
Jessica Getz
Jordan Niel
Krys Kamola
Mark Brownsey-Joyce
Maya Ganesh
Nick Ceadel
Nick Christian
Nick Goulds
Nicole Barry
Sarah Odams
Sean Carroll
Simon Mussell
Rupert Swayne
Rachel Watts

I am hoping to send a proper letter to each of you in the upcoming weeks, with an update, a thanks, and a hello... but we'll see how far I get with that.
You really mean the world to me, and I hope that whatever you are doing and wherever you are doing it, that you are happy.

x