December Looms

So, arriving in the post today was this...

I won't deny, it was a good addition to the day!

Today I froze in a cafe whilst trying to do some reading, chatted to Bridgette about medieval literature, translated some medieval literature, went to a lecture and seminar about feminism, walked to the market and bought 18 bananas for a £1 and did a Sainsbury's shop.

We may have had to get the bus home to save our arms from falling off. 

Mushroom Risotto for dinner for Sue and I and now time for some poetry.

It's a usual Monday for me.

Apart from the smell of burning issuing from one of the cupboards in the hallway... C'est la vie!

x

Thanksgiving

Living in close proximity to Americans meant that Thanksgiving was kind of a cert for this year. We've been discussing it for a while, but the day has finally arrived. And somewhat finished actually, I notice as I glance at the clock.

Anyway, work required my energy, so I was intending to get lots done today before dinner.

Didn't go so well.

A need for milk for tea for essay writing required a trip to the shop. And then it was the farmer's market. And then a friend popped over to enjoy the coffee and cake we'd bought.

A couple of hours later and Ryan (American) arrives back, announcing he's off to Saisburys and as a consequence of NO one nearby selling pumpkins for centre pieces, we decided to join. A little walk down to Whitechapel market and it feels like we're in a foreign country as we wander around the market.

Safe to say I don't have a clue what half the veg is that those market stalls sell. We found some crazy pumpkins though, green and stripy, and tiny. A mad run around Saisburys for gravy and rolls and table cloths and tea lights before the military operation that is cooking for Thanksgiving began. 

I think we totted up something like 14 kilos of food was cooked altogether. For 9 people. We decorated the table, decorated ourselves with nice clothes, and the americans from downstairs joined us for some GOOD food.

Civilised and mature. It was very strange. But definitely the best first Thanksgiving I've ever had.

Pudding involved apple pie. One of which fell out of the oven. The other of which later became a weapon as Ellie and I were paid £10 each to pie one another in the face. Maturity may have gone out of the window, but the whole situation was pee-yourself funny.

I've done no work, am incredibly full and am fairly sure my hands still smell of apple pie despite the shower.

However, I could not be more pleased that I get to live with such people.

I love London life.

xxx

Accomplishment

So over the past year I've been working my way through nearly 140 episodes of The West Wing.

It has got to be one of the best TV shows ever produced.

It's incredible and I LOVE IT.

A year on, and I'm three episodes from the end. Of everything.

And I still love it.

In fact, in the way I wanted to cry my little heart out at the end of Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter, that's how I feel now.

Ridiculous, yes. Cool, no. Normal for me, correct.

Unfortunately a poetry essay on the sublime and order calls to me, and demands more of my attention than Josh Lyman can. Definitely unfortunate.


Until then kids, check out the American politics system. Through fiction. I recommend!!!!!!!!!

xxx

A Saturday in the City

I think they're meant to look like this.

Wake up at a friend's house following a lovely evening of chilling, eating and catching up, as the sun is pouring in the window, after you've slept for a sufficient time that you're no longer tired. 

Enjoy breakfast with her and her housemate. This should involve porridge, nuts, coffee and juice. Maybe some raisins if they can find them. 

Travel home, managing to catch the train as it arrives at the platform, and not get stuck with mess ups on the tube, despite crazy construction work.

Arrive home, check emails, and such, and then settle down to do some reading. Possibly get distracted by the beautiful sun that, though beginning to set, is making the sky the colour of candy floss and golden syrup as it lowers behind the gherkin and the rest of the London buildings you can see from your window.

Chat about cheese, being a bird and budgets with your Norwegian flat mate. 

Have a tea break with some Earl Grey and English Muffins, listening to some folk music.

And then write about how much you love the City.

I think that's a pretty good achievement by four in the afternoon. 

x

Musings

I'm often surprised by the capacity of the human brain to contain so many thoughts and ideas. 

I know that my head can often be overflowing with the madness that it stores within, hence the need for a blog, a journal and some friends that I can blather too. 

Since I've been in London I've probably not written as much as I was used to doing, and I'm fairly sure it's a bad thing, so I'm trying to change the habit. 

Sometimes it's good just to splurge my thoughts. Sometimes not. Like now, I'd like to say things but I think they deserve the diary. 

I've been reminded of Romans 8:6 over the past two days, and this verse:

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 

So often I allow my thoughts to affect me in a really negative way. My mind, whilst incredibly useful, can also be my own worst enemy when I don't use it properly.

I'd like to know more life and peace.


And those my friends, are the musings for the evening.

Time for bed.

x

I know I've said it before.

But, I just can't get over the incredible truth of this song. That this is my life.

That I am free to live as a daughter in His house. Outrageous love and grace, oh how you transform a life of brokenness into one of hope!

x

When You Find a Mouse in the Flat.

The Return

So I'm back in London, have been for just over 24 hours, and although none of my flatmates are here, I'm really quite enjoying myself.

Last night a friend popped over for a cuppa and to watch Moulin Rouge. We did lots of chatting and such and generally babbled about how good visiting home was for each of us, but the confusion it leaves us in when returning to the big smog.

Today was really productive. I took back clothes, went to the bank, went to Boots, finished a book over a frappucino in Starbucks, did LOADS of washing, cooked dinner for a friend and had a wonderful evening catching up with my favourite ginger girl. We were rather decadent, with red wine, strong coffee, Hagen Daaz and Toblerone. Lots of chatting and hilarity and discussing the future and how ridiculously old we feel, although trapped in the bodies of twenty year olds. 

What can I say, it's been a fun few days. Tomorrow I'm off to Eastbourne for a church student weekend away! Which I'm hoping will be full of Jesus, meeting new people, and generally enjoying myself and building community. I need to pack and hunt around for the stopper to the air mattress...could be problematic!

On that note, I'm going to continue to blast Jesus music and dance around my room. If you want to join me, take a little listen... 

Lots of love xxx

Researching...

....this.

I'm looking into what is involved in spending a semester abroad in the USA. I would love to go but trying to work out if it's a good idea/worth it/if I'm able to.

Yesterday I went on a bit of a road trip to collect some friends from the airport. They didn't know I was going, so their response was rather loooooovely. In fact, I've felt very loved this weekend. Today I had lunch with a friend in this incredible little vegetarian cafe. The soup of the day was parsnip and apple. Mmmmmmm! It's also my sister's birthday so we went shopping and for coffee and are about to have some indian food. 

Hurrah!

I am seeing another friend tomorrow. She's a little like a leprechaun so I think we'll have some fun. HA!

LOVE x

Home. Ish.

Home is where the heart is. I think I may have more than one heart or perhaps two halfs of one fairly large one.

I'm not sure, but today was beautiful and I loved being back at church and seeing people that I love. A lot.

This cat is me.

Perplexed.

I'm back on the south coast.

I'm in my old room.

I feel like I've been living a dream for the past two months.

I'm writing an essay about knowledge in Shakespeare.

I can hear fireworks and birdsong and cars.

It's nearly 3am.

Perhaps I'm going mad.

Personal Shopper

After an insane few days of work, and a busy timetable, we decided that we deserved the morning off, and it was time to go to Westfield and do a little shopping. I had a couple of things I needed to do for my sisters birthday, Ellie had a top to return...was all going to be very quick.

And then the Topshop Personal Shopper found us.

And instead of a quick trip, we were given a private room, Topshop water, and had this lovely woman wait on us hand and foot and recommend every kind of colour, size and style of clothing.

I bought this stunning full length dress which I need to find an excuse to wear. If I wait too long I might just start walking around the city pretending to be elegant. I also got a rather nice teal blouse...so I have a reason to wear something other than a dress on the odd day!

Anyway, after that I had an encouraging chat with one of my seminar leaders, and have had a spot of late lunch. It's now pouring with rain in a wonderfully English way and I think I'm going to have a nicely busy evening.

Love x