Everything is so calm...
After an INSANE couple of weeks at work, where I found myself having to de-stress several times a day, it was suddenly arrival date for Em and the boys. It's been a long time since I lived with that level of anxiety, anticipation, hypervigilance - I forgot how much it can mess with you... Saturday the 10th felt so long! I arrived at Heathrow at about 4:30am to pick Emily up. She and the boys arrived safe and sound, though all were exhausted and the boys were understandably unsettled when they arrived at the flat, a few hours after Emily. I burst into tears when I saw all three of them (Em, Shadow, and Charlie respectively). Within a couple of hours, a few treats and some lovin' from the mommies, both boys settled in nicely. Shadow is showing his age more and more, but is otherwise doing very well.
I have this week and the following week off of work, which has been wonderful so far. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to sleep in, have a leisure morning, and go explore with Em and the boys. We have been able to go around London a bit, meet some new friends, and explore even more of Chiswick.
Today we went to Stonehenge - I misremembered the actual day of the solstice, but only by a day.. It is really a holy place, as there is a calm and reverent quiet that washes over people when they approach the stones. Although the weather when we left was warmer, sunny, etc., by the time we got to Wiltshire (where Stonehenge is), it was a positively English afternoon - cloudy, windy, with a moist slightly biting cold. It seemed really fitting though. The rolling grey sky made the green of the grass that much brighter, and thus the stones, more stunning. Mom had wanted to see Stonehenge when she was alive, and I felt her there with me/us. I managed to scatter a little of her remaining ashes near a bench, facing the winter solstice stone. What an extraordinary experience, and now a lovely memory....
Pictures to follow...
Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year to you all - may your season be safe, warm and abundant...
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
London Fog, Markets, and Preparations...
I sat down to update this blog a couple of weeks ago, then I was interrupted by the various life things of that day, and here we are, another two weeks having passed. This inevitably happens... I start out strong, with the intention of weekly postings, then the weekly becomes every two weeks, every three weeks, etc. I am thrilled that the growing distance between postings is due to being able to go and do so much, but I always feel badly when I don't maintain the consistency I had intended. Oh well...
Soooo... Every weekend for the last three weeks, I have dove into the markets here. Markets in the UK (and in Europe, for that matter) are quite common... Some are year-round, some as seasonal. The Christmas markets are very sweet, REALLY crowded, and smell like pine, mulled cider, and cookies. It makes me feel the Christmas spirit for the first time in a few years. One of the many great things about the markets here is that most of the stalls and shops are individually owned, the goods are made by locals, and much of what you find are one of a kind. AND, though prices are posted, for some of the goods, it is not uncommon to barter a bit (within reason, of course). Each of the markets I've been to has taken me to different parts of London, so by virtue of the journey, I am getting to see more and more of the city. I expect to be a ready and useful tour guide by Spring - for those pondering a visit :).
A few weeks ago, I made it to SoHo - the slightly seedy (in some blocks, but you get that anywhere in a big city), vibrant theatre and queer part of the city (thank you Leah and Rachel for your expertise and fabulous company). I went there on a Saturday night, and liked it so much I got up early the next morning and went back. It was a fascinating contrast, walking the streets on a boisterous Saturday night, and a quiet Sunday morning. I can't tell you how I love to be able to do things like that - get up and go explore new and different places.
The following weekend, I woke on a Sunday morning, opened the curtains in the living room (reception room, in Brit-speak), and it was like a friggin Sherlock Holmes novel.. The fog was so thick, I could barely see across the street - and it stayed like that ALL DAY. I loved it!! It was so eery and weird. I'm sure those dealing with travel found it less novel, but wow - another first for me.
Thanksgiving was, well, Un-Thanksgiving. For the first time in my life, I worked that day, and it was another regular day to anyone not from the US. In fact people asked me the origin of the Holiday. I felt embarrassed to tell a half-ass version of the Pilgrims, etc. as my recollection of the story I was told as a kid is a little distant. That night it was the annual lighting of the tree and Christmas lights in Chiswick. I met a few friends for the occasion, had my first mince-pie, so there was a celebration of sorts. I was grateful to get home and be included in the family blessing of Thanksgiving dinner in NH via Skype. Though I have missed loved ones very much since I left, that was the first day I missed home.
The last couple of weeks at work have been incredibly busy. The days fly by, and I find myself with a little too much on my plate. It is preparation for exams, which for me is always a very busy time. I am also preparing for Emily and the boys arrival. They will be here in 7 and 1/2 days. I am so very excited to be reunited, and for the next and fuller part of this amazing journey to begin. I am VERY nervous about the dogs traveling - I know they will be fine, and that people fly with their dogs all the time, I just hope they aren't too scared, as it will be a long, weird day for them. All the parks, smells, and new experiences that await them here - not to mention a local butcher down the street who can cut me a couple of fresh bones for them ;). For those who follow this blog, please say a prayer for safe travel for Emily, Charlie, and Shadow sometime between 1:30pm Sat. Dec 10 to 6:00am Sun - Dec 11. I am grateful that after they arrive, I have just a few short days of work, then 2 weeks with Em and the boys to explore, celebrate, and land. As much as I have loved my independent journey here so far, it has felt incomplete without them. Soon :)
Well, below are a few pics of the recent adventures... Should I be delayed again in posting, I wish you all a wonderful abundant holiday! May you feel loved, comforted, and blessed!
Soooo... Every weekend for the last three weeks, I have dove into the markets here. Markets in the UK (and in Europe, for that matter) are quite common... Some are year-round, some as seasonal. The Christmas markets are very sweet, REALLY crowded, and smell like pine, mulled cider, and cookies. It makes me feel the Christmas spirit for the first time in a few years. One of the many great things about the markets here is that most of the stalls and shops are individually owned, the goods are made by locals, and much of what you find are one of a kind. AND, though prices are posted, for some of the goods, it is not uncommon to barter a bit (within reason, of course). Each of the markets I've been to has taken me to different parts of London, so by virtue of the journey, I am getting to see more and more of the city. I expect to be a ready and useful tour guide by Spring - for those pondering a visit :).
A few weeks ago, I made it to SoHo - the slightly seedy (in some blocks, but you get that anywhere in a big city), vibrant theatre and queer part of the city (thank you Leah and Rachel for your expertise and fabulous company). I went there on a Saturday night, and liked it so much I got up early the next morning and went back. It was a fascinating contrast, walking the streets on a boisterous Saturday night, and a quiet Sunday morning. I can't tell you how I love to be able to do things like that - get up and go explore new and different places.
The following weekend, I woke on a Sunday morning, opened the curtains in the living room (reception room, in Brit-speak), and it was like a friggin Sherlock Holmes novel.. The fog was so thick, I could barely see across the street - and it stayed like that ALL DAY. I loved it!! It was so eery and weird. I'm sure those dealing with travel found it less novel, but wow - another first for me.
Thanksgiving was, well, Un-Thanksgiving. For the first time in my life, I worked that day, and it was another regular day to anyone not from the US. In fact people asked me the origin of the Holiday. I felt embarrassed to tell a half-ass version of the Pilgrims, etc. as my recollection of the story I was told as a kid is a little distant. That night it was the annual lighting of the tree and Christmas lights in Chiswick. I met a few friends for the occasion, had my first mince-pie, so there was a celebration of sorts. I was grateful to get home and be included in the family blessing of Thanksgiving dinner in NH via Skype. Though I have missed loved ones very much since I left, that was the first day I missed home.
The last couple of weeks at work have been incredibly busy. The days fly by, and I find myself with a little too much on my plate. It is preparation for exams, which for me is always a very busy time. I am also preparing for Emily and the boys arrival. They will be here in 7 and 1/2 days. I am so very excited to be reunited, and for the next and fuller part of this amazing journey to begin. I am VERY nervous about the dogs traveling - I know they will be fine, and that people fly with their dogs all the time, I just hope they aren't too scared, as it will be a long, weird day for them. All the parks, smells, and new experiences that await them here - not to mention a local butcher down the street who can cut me a couple of fresh bones for them ;). For those who follow this blog, please say a prayer for safe travel for Emily, Charlie, and Shadow sometime between 1:30pm Sat. Dec 10 to 6:00am Sun - Dec 11. I am grateful that after they arrive, I have just a few short days of work, then 2 weeks with Em and the boys to explore, celebrate, and land. As much as I have loved my independent journey here so far, it has felt incomplete without them. Soon :)
Well, below are a few pics of the recent adventures... Should I be delayed again in posting, I wish you all a wonderful abundant holiday! May you feel loved, comforted, and blessed!
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