Pints of Cava
Irish dance lessons.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
St Paddy's Day
In London there are big St. Patrick Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, in 2008 I went with some coworkers and their friends, it was a great crowd that was out and good fun.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Extra Curricular Activities
So when I'm not spending my free time working over time I have lots of options in London for fun and entertainment.
I have taken dance class (mostly ballet) at Pineapple Dance studios who have a drop in set up which is great for me as I never know when I am going to leave work one day to the next. There have been stints in the Gym, we have quite a nice one at work and when my work load allows it makes a good break for lunch.
I spend time when it is nice going on walks exploring different parts of London getting to know it better. As well in the summer there are lots of picnics in the fantastic parks around London. Anything to get out when the sun is shinning.
Most of the museums and galleries are free in London, so I stop by and explore bits of them at a time, it's nice not to have the pressure of seeing the whole thing at once as some of them like the British Museum are huge.
There are lots of friends birthdays and nights out, going for dinner, dancing, or just a few pints in a pub are all a big part of life in London. There is always a great restaurant and yummy food just around the corner!
I have taken in lots of musicals, plays, and even an opera. If you keep your eyes open you can get tickets for very reasonable. I've been to many concerts, some at small bars, up to the big venues for some big names. My first ballet was an event to remember, the dancers are amazing and Swan Lake is such a beautiful ballet. Of course there are sporting events (being that I work for Sky Sports) to go to, darts, football, rugby and the London Marathon to name a few. I'm hoping to go to some horse races this coming summer.
I also do reviews for a web site called Qype, they have events which might include going to sample a menu and or drinks at a restaurant/bar, going on tour, move screenings, afternoon tea, or just about anything. Since it is a great way to get out and try new things, meet new people and see new places I take advantage and put my name down for events whenever I can. All they expect in return is that I write a review, easy! Through Qype I have eaten my first jellied ox tongue, scallops with truffles, Springbok, salmon row and much more. I've learned about vodka, explored St. Paul's Cathedral, and met lots of interesting people along the way too.
Lots of time is spent shopping but over the years I started to do what I can on-line and avoid going out in the crowds if possible and save my energy for other things.
Of course I still enjoy the more relaxing activities that I have always enjoyed, reading, knitting, organizing my photos, and watching the occasional chick flick at home. Currently I have rediscovered the joy of baking, but miss the lovely bright kitchen my Dad and Grandfather built in Canada that I learned to bake in.
And of course there are all the things a single girl does, dating and going out to meet new men, but more on that in another post!
I have taken dance class (mostly ballet) at Pineapple Dance studios who have a drop in set up which is great for me as I never know when I am going to leave work one day to the next. There have been stints in the Gym, we have quite a nice one at work and when my work load allows it makes a good break for lunch.
I spend time when it is nice going on walks exploring different parts of London getting to know it better. As well in the summer there are lots of picnics in the fantastic parks around London. Anything to get out when the sun is shinning.
Most of the museums and galleries are free in London, so I stop by and explore bits of them at a time, it's nice not to have the pressure of seeing the whole thing at once as some of them like the British Museum are huge.
There are lots of friends birthdays and nights out, going for dinner, dancing, or just a few pints in a pub are all a big part of life in London. There is always a great restaurant and yummy food just around the corner!
I have taken in lots of musicals, plays, and even an opera. If you keep your eyes open you can get tickets for very reasonable. I've been to many concerts, some at small bars, up to the big venues for some big names. My first ballet was an event to remember, the dancers are amazing and Swan Lake is such a beautiful ballet. Of course there are sporting events (being that I work for Sky Sports) to go to, darts, football, rugby and the London Marathon to name a few. I'm hoping to go to some horse races this coming summer.
I also do reviews for a web site called Qype, they have events which might include going to sample a menu and or drinks at a restaurant/bar, going on tour, move screenings, afternoon tea, or just about anything. Since it is a great way to get out and try new things, meet new people and see new places I take advantage and put my name down for events whenever I can. All they expect in return is that I write a review, easy! Through Qype I have eaten my first jellied ox tongue, scallops with truffles, Springbok, salmon row and much more. I've learned about vodka, explored St. Paul's Cathedral, and met lots of interesting people along the way too.
Lots of time is spent shopping but over the years I started to do what I can on-line and avoid going out in the crowds if possible and save my energy for other things.
Of course I still enjoy the more relaxing activities that I have always enjoyed, reading, knitting, organizing my photos, and watching the occasional chick flick at home. Currently I have rediscovered the joy of baking, but miss the lovely bright kitchen my Dad and Grandfather built in Canada that I learned to bake in.
And of course there are all the things a single girl does, dating and going out to meet new men, but more on that in another post!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tis the Season - 2008
So my second holiday season arrived quickly with all the excitement of Tweasel arriving, moving and the normal busyness of London life. This year as the year before there were many parties, all during the week, ouch.
Then there is NYE which I normally avoid going out if possible and the year before I took on call duty for work and managed to stay in quite happily. This year was convinced by Nat that for NYE it would be a good idea to book tickets on a boat, better view of the fireworks etc. Being that I was living in London I thought I should give going out ago. Below are pictures as proof, I did venture out. It did not convince me that in London going out is any better idea than in Halifax, just a bit warmer. House/cottage parties are definitely the way forward.
My Departments xmas party.
Having a laugh at the Football department's xmas party.
The Football Department party was on a boat, that is Big Ben and Parliament going by in the background.
New Years Eve party, on the boat. It was chilly out that night.
I did take my coat off for a bit after warming up with some dancing.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Move to Camden
Tweasel settled into her new home nicely, enjoying the view of the garden out the window and making friends with my 2 flatmates winning them over to her cuteness in no time. It seemed she remembered who I was and we were back to our old routines.
But there was trouble, it turned out my flatemate/landlady meant I will see how allergic I am go to your cat (not I will deal with my allergies). So after 2 weeks she informed me she was reacting to Tweasel too much and I would have to move. I spent the night awake stressed at the thought of another round of flat hunting with a cat. When the morning finally arrived I decided there was no point worrying about it, it would work out, and all would be fine.
On the way to work I posted on my facebook "Flat hunting again". By the time I got to work a friend of mine Nat asked if I would like to join her and another friend of ours Tez in looking for a flat. Living with people I knew sounded like a nice idea so I said yes. By the end of the day Tez said she knew of the perfect flat and we should meet up the next day and she would tell us about it. So in just over 24 hours I had a flat and would be living with people I knew and liked. Tez's idea was that Nat stay in the 4 bedroom town-house she was in (a place I had stayed over at myself on occasion, smack in the middle of Camden Town and all the markets) and we would find a 4th person. The landlord said a cat would be fine and so all was sorted, 2 weeks later I was moving to Camden!
But there was trouble, it turned out my flatemate/landlady meant I will see how allergic I am go to your cat (not I will deal with my allergies). So after 2 weeks she informed me she was reacting to Tweasel too much and I would have to move. I spent the night awake stressed at the thought of another round of flat hunting with a cat. When the morning finally arrived I decided there was no point worrying about it, it would work out, and all would be fine.
On the way to work I posted on my facebook "Flat hunting again". By the time I got to work a friend of mine Nat asked if I would like to join her and another friend of ours Tez in looking for a flat. Living with people I knew sounded like a nice idea so I said yes. By the end of the day Tez said she knew of the perfect flat and we should meet up the next day and she would tell us about it. So in just over 24 hours I had a flat and would be living with people I knew and liked. Tez's idea was that Nat stay in the 4 bedroom town-house she was in (a place I had stayed over at myself on occasion, smack in the middle of Camden Town and all the markets) and we would find a 4th person. The landlord said a cat would be fine and so all was sorted, 2 weeks later I was moving to Camden!
Friday, December 10, 2010
The one where Tweasel (my kitty) arrives from Canada!
After being in England for 18 months it was time to make a decision about Tweasel, find a place for us to live, or give up on having her join me in England. Giving her up was too sad so I went on a new search for a suitable flat that would allow a cat. I found a lovely flat that was bright and spacious and had a cat living in it, the catch it was about £100 over my budget. I would have Tweasel but I would struggle and have no life. I turned it down, gave it a weeks break and started again. This time I found a flat that fit my budget was in a good location and I would be sharing with only 1 other person.
I gave my current flatmate/landlady my notice. The next day my flatmate/landlady said she would rather have me and Tweasel and deal with her allergies than lose me. Very sweet of her to say, and I was ecstatic not to have to go through moving, and stay in Notting Hill. So other than having telling the other flat I wasn't moving in after all it was ideal.
I gave my current flatmate/landlady my notice. The next day my flatmate/landlady said she would rather have me and Tweasel and deal with her allergies than lose me. Very sweet of her to say, and I was ecstatic not to have to go through moving, and stay in Notting Hill. So other than having telling the other flat I wasn't moving in after all it was ideal.
Tweasel recovering from jet-lag.
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