My funny friend Kate

My friend Kate from Southampton was (kind of) in my area this weekend and she came to visit. We had a super nice day in Blackheath and hanging out at my flat for awhile. Check out the Christmas present she made me - she's a riot! And her boyfriend gave me the stuffed monkey you can see a little bit in the picture of us.

For dad

When I got back to London at 6.30 in the morning, the first thing I saw outside the airport window were these trees with blue lights. My dad loves blue lights at Christmas for some reason.

Snow day

They've gotten tons of snow in New England this year but London is historically snowless. The day I left Connecticut to come back to London it snowed, which was great. I got to clean off my mom's snowy car and drive in it and everything. Just like old times!

My parents' house looked really pretty.


I had no camera and all I had to take this picture with was my laptop. That's why it's wonky ... I was trying be quick because the laptop was getting wet in the snow, and I was standing in the street in my pajamas.

Italian-Americans being British

My Scottish friend Sarah was appalled to learn that we don't have Christmas crackers in the United States, and sent me home with a package of 12 for my family. We had a great time with the quirky British tradition on Christmas morning.
(Click link for more info on Christmas crackers)







I brought home an additional 24 crackers for Christmas day with the extended family. It warmed my London heart to see all my relatives participating in the crackers tradition! My sister-in-law has some pictures of that which I'll post one of these days.

Oh yeah, my blog

Sorry - I've all but forgotten about the blog since before Christmas. I'm going to post a few separate entries from the past couple weeks.

Incidentally I hate when people apologize for not updating their blog, as if the masses are so distraught over not having it to read.

All an ESFJ needs

This week was our Christmas party at work, which I had coordinated and put a lot of effort into, sometimes begrudingly. Once this bouquet of flowers was presented and I was applauded twice, everything seemed a lot more worth it.

The party was an amazing success by the way, but I can't help but wonder if 65 bottles of wine drunk by 60 people had anything to do with that?

Hint hint

I've decided anyone who sends me a package will get a much-coveted shout out in the old blog.

My sister (the most wonderful person in the world) sent me this today, for no reason whatsoever.


Edit: nearly forgot that I'd already hung up the cute wreath that was also in the package.

I'm Trying to Make London My Home

I made this video over a few weeks' span. Just me on trains or the top of double-decker buses filming on my cell phone what I see most days.

The song is "I'm Trying to Make London My Home" by Sonny Boy Williamson, c. 1964.

The Festive Menu

My local McDonalds is serving mincemeat and custard pies this season. Hmm.

How lovely are your (plastic) branches

Bought a tree and the trimmings this weekend! Very pretty if I may say so myself.

I have my many years in the fire-safe dorm to thank for the fact that I now think of fake trees as totally normal. I almost forgot buying a real tree was even something some people do.