City Streetlights, Busy Stoplights, Blink a Bright Red & Green...

Hi all,

There is much to update in a few weeks – seems like an eternity has gone by everytime I sit down to write a blog. As you all know, my mom came over to visit for the week of Thanksgiving. A wonderful time to have her here – sharing her daily adventures around London each night when I came home from work (over a beer and some homecooked food) and spending the weekends out puttering around the markets. Mom and I actually managed accidentally get drunk on Thanksgiving! We went shopping in the morning at Selfridges and started out the early afternoon with a bloody mary at the bar (how many department stores in the US have a full bar for when your feet get tired and your packages too heavy??), continued with a whole bottle of vodka at home, and finished with a turkey which was overdone, gravy which was oversalted, and mom and I having giggle fits playing Skip-Bo (I still think I won!).

After mom left, an unexpected wave of loneliness hit me. I knew eventually living in a country alone would affect me, but in the begging, things were just too exciting to be lonely. I remember coming back from Heathrow on the day she left and as the day ticked along, it seemed to go by slower and get more lonely with every minute. The bummer is that I felt in a fog for about about 2 full weeks – asas lovely as London is, you don’t realize how much you miss having people around who really know who you are, and make you feel like home. I think I missed all of your laughter the most.

The good news is, I am happy to report that after a lot of thought, and a lot of walking around London by myself, and a lot of help from my three friends here in London, I think I’ve kicked the hardest parts of it (helps that I am coming home to see all of you for the holidays). Nothing can replace having you guys around, but I am not one for moping (you know me – cannot stand to stay still for too long. I have started new plans and new adventures to keep myself busy and to make sure I get out of the house more (especially during the long winter days). I am really looking forward to a myriad of adventures after I come home from Christmas. My first is with a trip around Scotland and Whales for the New Year, follwed by lots of weekend outings in London in January (girls night out included!). I am hoping to hit Italy by February, Spain in April, and Africa with Paul in May or so (depends on work and all). If you are planning on coming to visit, and haven’t had time to think about when – nows the perfect time to get a vacation to look forward to on the calendar.

I wish I could share with you all how truly lovely London is during the holiday season. The holiday hustle and bustle in the crisp cold air makes it perfect. I spent the entire afternoon with my friend Charlotte shopping along Kings Road – might have been one of the more pleasant December afternoons I’ve ever had! I promise, after I come home and buy a new digital camera – there will be more pictures on the blog.

Happy Holidays! --- Love you all!

Suzy

PS – I will be home from Dec 8 to Dec 27. f you want to catch me in the US over the holidays – call my mom’s home phone (you can email me for the number).