My New Home...

Hi all,

It’s official – not only is my transfer to the UK office complete, but I’ve moved to a new house! After 18 months living in the whirl, whiz, blur, buzz, and madness of Oxford Circus, I now have a place that feels like home. I’ve moved just south of the Thames river in an area of London called Clapham. Although there were many great benefits of living that centrally, I have already come love my new flat and to smile each time I turn the key in the door…

There are several reasons for this – but mainly, it’s because of my mom. She came to visit on the day I moved in - we spent a week’s labour of love together, decorating, painting, laughing, and catching up. Each room reminds me of her – because it’s filled with memories we shared together. The house was a bit of a wreck when we arrived with the moving van – but it had oodles of charm. It’s an 1880 built Victorian house which has been converted into two separate flats. The flat still has the original wood floors, and the stain glass windows above the front entrance. It has beauty that only comes with age, but unfortunately had not been well kept by the previous tenants. But mom and I were up for the challenge - in 5 days time (with many trips to Ikea and the DIY ‘do it yourself’ store), we managed to paint nearly every room a fantastic colour. Each room is patterned after bowls I’ve been picking up in my travels to central Europe (green for the dining room, blue for the kitchen, yellow for the sitting room). We also outfitted the backyard with a bbq, sunchairs, and lovely flowers. I have flowers pots in full bloom on every window sill, and even have my own herb garden just outside my kitchen window!

As for my neighborhood, Clapham is a lively fun part of London. The area is made up of five massive towns all surrounding Clapham Common - a huge 20 acre park. My house is located two blocks from the Common, and only a block from a lovely little village called Abbieville. It has one local pub, hardware store, and four cafes. Absolutely adorable for a Sunday morning stroll, and essential to feed my new caffeine addiction!

An even bigger bonus is that I now live within walking distance to at least 8 or 10 of my closest friends. We properly christened the house last Saturday with a 30 person bbq that lasted well into the next day (as did my hangover!). You know it’s a good party when the morning after you have to vacuum pie out of the cracks in my kitchen table, wipe down the bbq sauce off the door knobs, and spend 2 hours washing up all the wine glasses!

Between the Common, the pub, my backyard bbq, and having my friends nearby – it’s going to be a fantastic summer!!! :)

I do hope some of you get a chance to come visit...