My greatest Christmas wish was to have a magnificent and memorable final three weeks in London, week's I'd not soon forgot. I got that in every beautiful way. There was a bit of emotion and drama this week not worth going into (transitions and goodbyes can be complicated), but all and all, I feel so blessed and the good was worth every second of angst. I wouldn't go back and change a thing.
Monday started as a rough day (long story), but ended in the most wonderful and fun three hour phone conversation with one of my new UK friends. I've truly enjoyed getting to know folks this month, even if I can only keep them in my life for a short season.
Tuesday was Christmas at my flat. I'd brought a tree over all the way from the States and bought all sorts of twinkle lights to decorate all around. I cooked up a feast, in my silly little kitchen. Huge challenge, but I pulled it off! The night was a delight, with 13 of us just eating, drinking and enjoying one another's company. I'd be told later in the week that my party was far better than our company party, so that made me happy. I love to entertain. I love people having fun in my home.
Wednesday I met up with a friend for what we hoped would be a night at this fun Belgian restaurant, but I guess we're 0:2. This is the same friend from the failed jazz event, ha, ha. Instead, we wondered about. I was hankering Mexican, and then out of no where, there it was! We had a great night, with decent food, amazing drinks (best coffee of my life!), and of course really good company/conversation. I finished the evening with my final stroll down The Thames. Its one of my favorites of London.
I was happy on Thursday that work was quite busy, because it kept me from realizing that it was my last day in London. I continued to be torn between excitement to be home with family and friends and a desperate sadness over leaving London and my new friends. It was good to have no time to think too hard about it. Its never good to think too much on such struggles.
Thursday night, I truly ended my stay with a bang. It was the BearingPoint Christmas Party. We all dressed to the 9's. The guys wore tuxes and all looked so handsome! The party itself was only ok (they'd canceled the dancing!), but we found a way to still have a good laugh (though it did involved a small fire, ha, ha). When it ended at midnight, we decided we sure weren't done and HAD to get our dance on. 10 of us went to Tiger Tiger, a club in Leicester Square. Almost 30 more BE people would meet up with us later for a crazy night until 3AM. Drinks, laughs, and lots of dance. It was a wonderful way to close out with my friends (and I made a few more!).
Got home at almost four and it was time to pack. I can't believe I got my whole flat packed in three hours! Then home...
Its now Saturday. I've been home a day. Its good to be home. I miss London, and especially a few key friends, but I'm where I'm meant to be and eager to see all my friends here tonight. I think it will be shock to my system in a few weeks when I don't go back, but I have so many memories to treasure, that though I can't be there, each thought of London and my time there will always make me smile.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Christmas in London, Week Two: Starting to Say Goodbye
Hmmm... you can tell from the title, that this week, especially weekend, has been full of conflicting emotions. Work was a bear, but outside work, I had a truly delightful week. This weekend I've spent a lot of time reflecting, which has been a bit difficult, as it requires a letting go of London that I'm not sure I'm ready to.
Well... in the spirit of fun, each night after work was full of delightful events. My British coworkers are fully a delight and I so wish I'd had the opportunity to get to know them better before now. I don't look back with regrets, b/c as I look back, I know things in the UK played out as they should. I wasn't meant to build deep relationships here in the UK, b/c it would make it harder to say goodbye and this move was never meant to be permanent. In spite of all the uncertainty and anxiousness, Virginia is my home, where I'm supposed to be, even when I don't want to be.
Anyway...
Monday night I relaxed but Tuesday night was the BT Christmas Party (my client). I didn't know many folks, but it was still nice and fun enough. The good fun though was really to be had on Wednesday. There are about 9 of us that will be gone from BearingPoint UK by the 17th... we we had a great big leaving party. It was a blast. We laughed, played, met some new people... it was A+.
Thursday was the lighting of the Trafalgar Christmas Tree. It was raining and the event was fairly anti-climatic, but I'm still glad I went. From there, I met up with a male friend to go to one of London's most famous jazz clubs. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a booking and then struggled to find somewhere else to go on late notice. But in the end, the evening turned out an absolute delight. We had wonderful conversation (we've know each other for months, but never had really gotten to really chat much before) and an amazing meal. After that, we went for a walk through central London and then down by the river. London is truly gorgeous at night and the weather was actually fairly warm. We both had our cameras b/c of the tree lighting and got some nice evening shots.
Friday night I stayed in to relax but then woke up at dawn on Saturday to do some early morning photo touring. Got some nice Christmas shots around town and then had a lovely brunch at this little restaurant we stumbled on. Another A+ time.
The rest of my day I shopped and then went to the carol service at my church. It was really nice and helped me to process some of all I'm feeling about leaving.
Today (Sunday), I went to Hillsong Church in the AM and then did some more shopping (including these awesome leather boots!). I'm normally not a shopper, but its fun in a city like London and makes me feel so trendy, ha, ha. Tonight... I'll got take some more pictures before Internet Church.
It seems that RockYou has changed some of their uploading policies, so I'm moving my Europe photos to Flikr. You may have noticed that some of my prior postings I said I was posting pictures and they're not there. They'll be on Flikr soon.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21648605@N05/
So... one week left. Hmmmmm.....
Well... in the spirit of fun, each night after work was full of delightful events. My British coworkers are fully a delight and I so wish I'd had the opportunity to get to know them better before now. I don't look back with regrets, b/c as I look back, I know things in the UK played out as they should. I wasn't meant to build deep relationships here in the UK, b/c it would make it harder to say goodbye and this move was never meant to be permanent. In spite of all the uncertainty and anxiousness, Virginia is my home, where I'm supposed to be, even when I don't want to be.
Anyway...
Monday night I relaxed but Tuesday night was the BT Christmas Party (my client). I didn't know many folks, but it was still nice and fun enough. The good fun though was really to be had on Wednesday. There are about 9 of us that will be gone from BearingPoint UK by the 17th... we we had a great big leaving party. It was a blast. We laughed, played, met some new people... it was A+.
Thursday was the lighting of the Trafalgar Christmas Tree. It was raining and the event was fairly anti-climatic, but I'm still glad I went. From there, I met up with a male friend to go to one of London's most famous jazz clubs. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a booking and then struggled to find somewhere else to go on late notice. But in the end, the evening turned out an absolute delight. We had wonderful conversation (we've know each other for months, but never had really gotten to really chat much before) and an amazing meal. After that, we went for a walk through central London and then down by the river. London is truly gorgeous at night and the weather was actually fairly warm. We both had our cameras b/c of the tree lighting and got some nice evening shots.
Friday night I stayed in to relax but then woke up at dawn on Saturday to do some early morning photo touring. Got some nice Christmas shots around town and then had a lovely brunch at this little restaurant we stumbled on. Another A+ time.
The rest of my day I shopped and then went to the carol service at my church. It was really nice and helped me to process some of all I'm feeling about leaving.
Today (Sunday), I went to Hillsong Church in the AM and then did some more shopping (including these awesome leather boots!). I'm normally not a shopper, but its fun in a city like London and makes me feel so trendy, ha, ha. Tonight... I'll got take some more pictures before Internet Church.
It seems that RockYou has changed some of their uploading policies, so I'm moving my Europe photos to Flikr. You may have noticed that some of my prior postings I said I was posting pictures and they're not there. They'll be on Flikr soon.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21648605@N05/
So... one week left. Hmmmmm.....
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Christmas in London, Week One
This may be the first of my last three weeks in London. I'm not certain how I feel about that. When I was home last week I was thrilled to be there. And then as I packed and head to the airport, a wave of anxiety washed over me. I didn't want to return to London. And yet, within a few days of my return, I remembered all over again why I've fallen in love with this city and a big part of me isn't ready to go. As the choice is not entirely my own, I've reconciled to mere take in every moment I can, savor each day here, knowing it may be my last. And knowing that whatever is next, in London or in the US, is completely God's plan and will be good.
And its Christmas! The second I landed, I put up my 4 foot Christmas tree that traveled with me to London all the way from Reston Target.
We had a new person join our project Monday... Heather. Heather's been here all along, another American, but on another project. She's looking to transfer here permanently, so she like no other understands my love for this town. I arrived on Tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed working with her. We walked back to the flat and had a delightful chat. The walk itself was just wonderful... as though it got colder here faster, it seems to have stopped in the 40's. Its just cool enough to wear cozy coats, beautiful scarves, and fun hats... but still warm enough for pleasant walks along the river at night.
Wednesday night I went for drinks with two of my friends, Andy and Mark. We chatted literally for hours and hours. It was a really neat evening for me, as these are truly two of the men in London who I consider truly friends and who have been a huge blessing to me. I'm still getting to know them both, but I just really enjoy both of them so much. I think one of the best things about them, is that though we have a lot of fun, conversation is always quite real. We're never lost in the shallow but talking deep about life, its good parts, its challenges, our points of view. Good stuff. We grabbed some dinner and then finished the night with another walk along the river.
Thursday was another delightful dinner... good food and fantastic company. Who can ask for more? Its nights like this, that make me never want to leave this fantastic place. Its been so hard to meet people and I feel I've spent so much time alone (and hating that). I've only now have two weeks left, but am finding some of those friendships and that companionship I've longer for. If only this had been offered a few months ago... but again, God knows best and all is as it should be, even if it feels strange and out of synch. But oh how I am sure know I'll love these last weeks.
Friday was a busy work day and then I just stayed in in the evening... Relax...
Today, Saturday, I spent the early part of the day at home, but then decided to shop a bit and see some of the Christmas decorations around time. I love how big cities decorate for the holidays. I love that London doesn't hold back and isn't shy about using the word "Christmas". Its is indeed Christmas here and though the religious tones are minimal, the joy and festiveness of it all is every where. I met up with Heather and another coworker for a delightful Thai dinner in Covent Garden and then Heather and I took a strong to view more lights. Everything is lit up! We went by one square with a great big tree and ice rink and just watched a bit.
Its all a winter wonderland here. I wish I could stop time and make these last three weeks last forever. I've many more fun evenings planned... and I can't stop smiling.
And its Christmas! The second I landed, I put up my 4 foot Christmas tree that traveled with me to London all the way from Reston Target.
We had a new person join our project Monday... Heather. Heather's been here all along, another American, but on another project. She's looking to transfer here permanently, so she like no other understands my love for this town. I arrived on Tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed working with her. We walked back to the flat and had a delightful chat. The walk itself was just wonderful... as though it got colder here faster, it seems to have stopped in the 40's. Its just cool enough to wear cozy coats, beautiful scarves, and fun hats... but still warm enough for pleasant walks along the river at night.
Wednesday night I went for drinks with two of my friends, Andy and Mark. We chatted literally for hours and hours. It was a really neat evening for me, as these are truly two of the men in London who I consider truly friends and who have been a huge blessing to me. I'm still getting to know them both, but I just really enjoy both of them so much. I think one of the best things about them, is that though we have a lot of fun, conversation is always quite real. We're never lost in the shallow but talking deep about life, its good parts, its challenges, our points of view. Good stuff. We grabbed some dinner and then finished the night with another walk along the river.
Thursday was another delightful dinner... good food and fantastic company. Who can ask for more? Its nights like this, that make me never want to leave this fantastic place. Its been so hard to meet people and I feel I've spent so much time alone (and hating that). I've only now have two weeks left, but am finding some of those friendships and that companionship I've longer for. If only this had been offered a few months ago... but again, God knows best and all is as it should be, even if it feels strange and out of synch. But oh how I am sure know I'll love these last weeks.
Friday was a busy work day and then I just stayed in in the evening... Relax...
Today, Saturday, I spent the early part of the day at home, but then decided to shop a bit and see some of the Christmas decorations around time. I love how big cities decorate for the holidays. I love that London doesn't hold back and isn't shy about using the word "Christmas". Its is indeed Christmas here and though the religious tones are minimal, the joy and festiveness of it all is every where. I met up with Heather and another coworker for a delightful Thai dinner in Covent Garden and then Heather and I took a strong to view more lights. Everything is lit up! We went by one square with a great big tree and ice rink and just watched a bit.
Its all a winter wonderland here. I wish I could stop time and make these last three weeks last forever. I've many more fun evenings planned... and I can't stop smiling.
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