Some Christmas Time Posts

Hello All

Time for a little update..to be honest doing these weekly even becomes a bit challenging at times. Lets see where to start.....well I think I last left you all right as Chris was departing back to the states for a week and leaving me here for a week by myself. So.....

Chris had a great time back in the states. I think he feels like he learned a lot from his training....hahaha, yep he learned a lot about golf, his friends from San Diego, and spending time with his family. He was able to spend the weekend with his parents which he really enjoyed. I on the other hand did my usual, had a few nights of karaoke and a few nights out with the girls. One of the girls night out included a river boat cruise down the Thames, it was sooo much fun...a bit cold but still so great! I walked around the city a bit on Saturday and Sunday. I sort of laughed to myself because at one point I thought...here I am walking by myself, in London, its raining a bunch, and I was listening to some sort of melancholy music. What could be more depressing, right? Wrong, I was still smiling and absolutely enjoying myself. It was nice for Chris to get back as whenever he is away I always realize how much he affects my daily life.

One of my long anticipated events since before even arriving in London came and went on Tuesday...the Coldplay concert. I have been the biggest fan of their music for quite some time and for those who don't know they originated in London and have been around since about 1998. Their music is just wonderful, with lots of piano! The show was by far the best one I have ever been too. They really outdid themselves and even Chris said the next few days "that was a really good show" (hes a fan but not nearly as big of one as I am). The O2 arena where the show was held, is unbelievable. The arena is MASSIVE and it has restaurants all inside of it so you can go and have a bite and then enjoy whatever show you are going to see. Very clever!

I had my work Christmas party on Wednesday which started with a lunch for some of us at a higher level (yes I have pretty much gotten there), was interrupted by a group meeting, and ended with a great dinner/dance at a restaurant after the meeting. As the only American in the group (when I say group this is how our firm organizes people and I am in a group with about 50 people), I was put in charge of bringing eggnog. I think this was somewhat of a joke, but also serious. They spoke about it quite a few times before this event and it also appeared in one of our group newsletters...thats how I found out that I was bringing it actually. So I searched this city, high and low, and found eggnog. I personally don't really care for it and neither did many of them :) Haha, but I think a lot of people still choked it down and were really grateful. One more reason to tease the American girl.

We got our Christmas tree this week and I bought a few ornaments and also had a few ornaments that I picked up from some of our recent travels. We got the tree from a random little shop on the side of the high street and its about 3 feet tall :) Chris put the lights on (his normal job) and I decorated the tree. I think it looks really nice and we feel absolutely loved with all the gifts around the bottom of the tree from home :)

Yesterday we went to our first football game (soccer). We were fortunate that some of our friends gave us their season tickets while they are gone for the holidays. So we will actually be attending one more game next week. The game was a lot of fun, very noisy, and very quick. Made me understand why the Brits get so annoyed with our constant stopping and starting of games. We watched Fulham (go whites!) beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at Fulham Football Club, in you guessed it Fulham!!! So I had been educated that based on where we live thats probably the team we would cheer for, them or Chelsea. But I get the sense that Chelsea is sort of like the equivalent of the NY Yanks here (no offense Ash). But next weeks game is Chelsea vs Fulham, its supposed to be a crazy game!!!! We are very excited and will be sure to post how it goes!

Well I think thats all for now, Chris is out on a bike ride and I need to shower and get ready for Sunday :) We are going to a cathedral later on tonight for a Christmas service and will probably meander around the city for the rest of the day today.

Love you all soooo much and can't wait to talk soon!

XO