4 Countries within a week...Not even on the same Continent

Cheers Mates! Its been a while since I have made a post, mostly because we have been soooo busy but I thought I better not fall too far behind! So this post will be a re-cap of the past few weeks.

First, we had a wonderful time at home. It was so great to see so many of you and spend quality time. I definitely had a bit harder of a time saying goodbye this time knowing that I won't see many people for quite some time and when we first got back I had my first feeling of being homesick. Fortunately though, I was able to get past it...just pebbles, right dad? With the help of being completely busy at work all the time and making such great friends here already, London is starting to feel a bit more like home. I was a little concerned about not being with family for Christmas, but we already have received an invite to spend Christmas with another American couple and their parents who are flying in for Christmas. We accepted as they live just across the Clapham Common from us and they have whipped us up some good meals in the past too :) I think it will be nice.

London at Christmas time is GORGEOUS! I am loving all of the Christmas spirit that just seems to be every which way you turn. There are decorations everywhere! Last Thursday (4th of December), Chris and I went and watched the annual tree lighting of the tree at Trafalgar Square. But this is no ordinary tree lighting....each year Norway gives England a Christmas tree as a symbol of thankfulness and in remembrance of England helping Norway in WW II. It was beautiful!! They had people singing Christmas carols and it was chilly and just felt very "Christmasy".

We arrived back in the states on Monday 1 December and were exhausted! The last thing on our mind was traveling somewhere again, especially since Chris is back in the states for training as I type this. But our friends from Amsterdam who joined us for the Charger game (Pete and Azure) invited us over to Amsterdam for the weekend. And what a fun weekend that it ended up being. On Friday night we flew in and went to a Christmas party at another PwC San Diego couples house that are on tour in Amsterdam. Saturday Chris participated in the first annual moronathon...yes an all day thing filled with events that are for morons. I think my favorite event was where one at a time they had to hang from a tree branch while everyone else pelted them as hard as they could with exercise balls. No I am not joking! I didn't actually witness this as myself and the other girls drove about 45 minutes outside of Amsterdam to a Polish pottery (bake ware, serving pieces, etc) store where I pretty much was in heaven. I bought some WONDERFUL pieces that I know I will be able to use forever. I was so excited!

Sunday we decided to drive to Cologne, Germany to partake in the Christmas markets. It was about a 2 hour drive from Amsterdam and well worth every minute. It was soooo much fun and like Azure said if you don't feel into the Christmas spirit after partaking in a German Christmas market then you are just a scrooge! We went to 3 markets, drank mulled wine, bought Christmas ornaments, ate at a traditional German restaurant, and took in all of the sites. It was wonderful!

We flew out from Amsterdam on Monday morning (EARLY and almost missing our flight) and went straight to work. Chris left yesterday for Phoenix and will return next Monday. I however participated in my office's Christmas party. When I say participated, I mean more than just enjoying the company, the food, and the beverage. This year the firm hired this band and each group in our office had to put together a small group of people to sing and dance along with this band (are you seeing the karaoke theme here...). I had absolutely no intention of participating and thought I was in the clear....until yesterday! I came back from being at a meeting all morning and having no Internet access. When I walked in everyone was looking at me and smiling/laughing. I said "what?" and thats when they broke it to me. I would be participating as a back up singer in our rendition of Mustang Sally. Yep, not joking...again! So I was nervous, but we did it. We came in 4th out of about 12 groups...not too bad. We got beat out by a male version of britney spears, a girl in a leotard singing its raining men while a bunch of guys danced around her, and Abba singing dancing queen..outfits and all.

So thats about it for now. Going to spend time with the gals this week as Chris has left me all by lonesome in London for a week! What was he thinking???

I miss you all very much and can't wait to hear from you/see you/email you or however else we communicate very soon!

XO

Ang