A lovely Christmas...

So this was my second Christmas in the UK. The first one (4 years ago) I spent cat-sitting in a friend's flat in London.  It was very nice. I spent most of the day walking around London (had to, since the Tube is closed Christmas Day). I was alone pretty much the whole time and that was totally fine. I made a lovely roast chicken with all the trimmings watched the Queen's Christmas message on TV, got calls from friends and family and had a really enjoyable, relaxing time.

This year was a little different. This is my first as a UK resident (and the first of who-knows how many Christmases here). J was working until about 9:30PM on Christmas Eve and then came over to my place afterward.  We went out to my local pub to see friends and then brought a bunch of food back to his place. We woke up somewhat early as he wanted to have the big meal around 2:30 or 3 PM (I usually wait until later). Our friend Eddie was coming over so we spent pretty much the entire morning and early afternoon cooking. I got a turkey from a friend's farm - absolutely amazing! It was only about 13 pounds but had plenty of meat on it. We also had smoked salmon with rocket (arugula) and herbed creme fraiche, roasted potatoes, chestnut dressing (J's), cornbread dressing (mine), parsnips, carrots, sautéed brussels spouts, cheese and grapes and sticky toffee pudding. Seeing as J was worried we might starve he also made (I am not joking...) ... a ham.

J and I exchanged presents when we took a break from cooking; I had not done that with someone in a while; it felt great. I loved all my pressies and he loved his. Among other things, I got him a really nice v-neck jumper (sweater) in a beautiful blue that almost perfectly matches his eyes. He is particular about clothes but he loved it; perfect size, he looks great in it and he wore it all day - that made me very happy. He got me (among other things) a lovely big comfy jumper and a digital picture frame, something I had thought about getting but he beat me to it :).

So we ate, watched this year's Queen's message, ate some more, watched the Doctor Who Christmas special as well as the new Wallace and Gromit short, A Matter of Loaf and Death.

J had to work this morning (at 7:30!). I slept in a little, started a fire (in the fireplace, not by accident!!) and just finished cleaning the kitchen. He has to work a few days next week then we are off on January 2nd for a long weekend in London. He has never been so will be fun exploring it with him.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and wish you all peace and love in the new year!

Belated Thanksgiving post

Yes I know yesterday was Thanksgiving, but obviously it is not a holiday over here so I was working.  Still, I did take some time to be thankful. I got some emails/Facebook messages/other electronic communiqués from friends and family; I am thankful for the great people in my life even if we are physically many miles apart. 

I spoke with all (yes all) members of my immediate family yesterday; in spite of differences, I am thankful I am still able to be in contact with them.

I went out with a bunch of people last night and I reconnected with the guy who was my office mate at the Uni when I was here last. We had a few drinks and a whole lot of laughs; I am thankful for friends like him; it feels like we just picked up where we left off a few years back. I am really thankful for the amount of laughter in my life.

In spite of frustrations, I am thankful for my job; I work with some amazingly great people, am doing something I love (and am pretty good at) and am able to live in a another country and explore different aspects of my life.

From the Most Surprising Thing to Happen This Year Department, I am thankful for J who makes my heart flutter.

Finally, as a person who is very visual, I am thankful that I get to see views like this in a regular basis:

'Official' First day of work..

...after teaching for 2 days :) It is about 6:25 PM here, just got in from work

So went into the University and did a bunch of paperwork (waaaay more to come!). Ran into folks that I used to work with who seemed genuinely delighted to see me. A very nice feeling. One friend was not told I was coming and walked into the main department office and screamed (in a good way!). Interestingly, I am sharing an office with a guy who was my student when I was here last time (I even supervised his dissertation, which he plans on continuing as an MA, so we may work together even more). He is a really nice, really smart Deaf guy; so I hope my British Sign Language will improve quickly (although he wants to practice his ASL!!).

Seems like I will be getting the flat I looked at Saturday. I hope to move my stuff from Frank's to there on Friday. Since the place is furnished there really isn't a lot I need to get, but I plan on getting some household stuff, bed linens, etc.

Saturday is my birthday; the first time I am celebrating it in another country. Some of my outside-the-university friends asked if they could take me out; not sure what they have in mind, but knowing them, bail money may be required. I am actually meeting one of them in a bit for a drink; he will be the first person that I know from outside the University that I will be seeing; I hope it feels as comfortable as it has so far!

I still have this odd sense of deja vu mixed with a sense of uncertainty (regarding my new job and role, etc etc.). In some ways it feels like an incredibly vivid dream. I am using this first week or so to get my bearings around the department. My timing is pretty good, students will be on break next week so no need for lectures; I can focus on getting up to speed on the other details. Who would have thought that the teaching part would be the easy part!

I plan on taking some pictures an posting them when I am more settled in my new place.

Gonna grab some dinner now!

Ta!