'Tis the Season

Its that time of year again, for parties, eating, drinking, spending time with family and friends. It always comes with mixed feelings, as I am grateful for the friends I have here, but always miss my family, who are so far away.  I have met lots of new people over the past couple of months, and am feeling that my surrogate family is expanding.  I am very fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life.  Both those that I know in person, and those that I have met through the virtual world.

I lived in the US for almost 8 years now (It will become 8 on Jan 5th).  My first Christmas here was spent alone, in my small apartment in downtown Portland.  I remember being unable to reach my parents by phone, as they were on vacation in South Africa, and sometime in the evening the power went out, so I was all alone in the dark.  It was quite possibly the worst Christmas I've ever had. 

Since then I have invited friends over to my house every Christmas day, and have had anything from 2 people to close to 20 stop by.  It makes Christmas feel like Christmas to me, if I am able to open up my home, cook for people and share the day.

I could of course go back to the UK for Christmas, but now I have made my own tradition here.  It might not be a conventional Christmas spent with family, but my friends out here in the PNW have become my family.  I still get so excited about Christmas day that I wake up around 4am (as you can imagine, my husband is not really impressed by that).  I try and stay queit as I make my way downstairs and start to prepare the turkey and trimmings.

Then around 8am, when I can stand it no more, I go back upstairs to wake up the husband.  He cooks a wonderful breakfast, and we have memosa's, eat then beginning the gifting process.  Presents are pulled from under the tree and placed in the relevant piles (myself, hubby and of course the cats :) ).  We make our way through, topping up the memosa's as we go.  Then its time for me to get back in the kitchen.  By now the Christmas music is blasting.

As our friends start to show up, the party begins, with food and drink to spare, we have a merry time, drinking, talking, dancing, drinking, dancing, drinking sleeping.

Other than Christmas day it's self, my favourite holiday moment, is decorating the house.  I have boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations, and put up several trees.  I love going through the ornament boxes and finding all those memories. Ornaments that my mum and I bought when I was going through a rough patch in life, and my mum was there to support me.  Items from my childhood, decorations off the family tree from 30 years ago.  We were recently able to add to the collection, ornaments from Ryan's childhood, there are homemade ornaments in there, one's that move, and ones from his grandma. 

As bittersweet as Christmas can be, it is certainly a time when you remember loved ones, it's a wonderful occassion to be surrounded by family/friends.

On this day

On this day twenty years ago, my life changed for the better.  On this day twenty years ago my brother was born.  It was the happiest day of my life.  I'd always wanted a brother.  When he entered the world I was 12 years old.
My mum went into the hospital 2 days prior with contractions, labor had begun.  I went to stay with a neighbour.  Finally I recieved a phone call.  My brother had entered the world.  I ran down the street to my house, met my dad and headed to the hospital.
My brother and I have been close ever since that day.  There may be many miles between us, but not a day goes by where I don't think about him.

Sorry I can't be there in the UK to share his birthday with him.  But Happy Birthday brother of mine.

Yummy/Scrummy

Last night after work, we stopped by the Hotel Monaco to see a friends photographic art exhibition. His photo's are incredible, and if you are in the area you should go and check it out, his work will be on display I believe until August 31.

Once home I made a scrumy lamb dinner. A person at work raises lambs, and I bought half a lamb from him, last night we ate scrumptious lamb steak and a vegetable medley. The vegetable dish that I make in one of my favourites, as it's so easy and tastes so good. I chop up a variety of vegetables (carrots, onion, mushrooms, potatoes, celery, bell pepper), place them in an over dish, cover them with olive oil, white wine, herbs and garlic, then stick them in the oven for over an hour. They taste so good.

For some reason I am very tired this week. I am not sure if its due to the busy weekend, work, emotional roller coaster or what. Realistically, its more than likely a combination of all the above, and some other things that I just can't think of right now. I am fueling myself with coffee, and hoping that helps. I think the excitement of going to the UK is also adding to things.

I spoke with my mum this morning, we are trying to get plans all worked out, so that I actually get the best out of my time there. I want to see my friends, but I also want to be able to spend some quality time with my mum, dad, brother and granddad. Its my brothers birthday while I am back too, and I have no idea what to get him, I mean what do you buy a 17 year old that has everything?

London Calling

Well this is a pointless post. I have been very busy today, and I haven't had a chance to think of anything to write about.

But, it is only 2 weeks till I am back in England. I am going to be spending a couple of nights in London. I've never really spent more than a few hours down there, and I am unsure what I am going to be doing - other than spending a few hours at the consulate.

My family is deciding whether to come with me down there or not, and one of my friends from the Netherlands will be flying out there to spend one night, but that still leaves 2... I have some friends that live there, but I am unsure of their availabilty at the moment.

Well, whatever happens, I'll have fun, I am sure of that.

The other 2 weeks, I'll be spending most of the time up North in Durham, other than a weekend in Wolves... I am so excited, its going to be so great to see everyone again.

We Are Family

Well here I am again, stuck not knowing what to write about. It's been a little while since I was here, however, I know by now, that once my fingers hit the keyboard something will come.

I went to a(nother) happy hour last night, to meet a friend of mine who was in town for the week from The Netherlands. It was great to see him again, and there was a good turn out. We had quite a lot of fun. We met up at a Brew Pub, which of course only served beer and wine. I really enjoy drinking beer, but it doesn't like me so much. It normally messes with my allergies... but last night it did not. So after a few beers I was having a pretty good time.

This afternoon, I am planning on heading down to the Oregon Brew Fest at the riverfront. I volunteered at the event a couple of years ago, and still have a bunch of beer tokens left over... so they'll be getting all used up today and tomorrow. I just hope my allergies continue to stay at away, so I can enjoy it.

On another note, my mum just sent me such a lovely message. I am going to be over there for 3 weeks within 3 weeks, and I am really looking forward to it. My mum, is also looking forward to "taking care of me". Even though I am 29, I still like to be taken care of by my mum. Of course that doesn't get to happen very often as I only see her once or twice a year... but still... I love my family oh so much, and I really enjoy it when I am over there with my mum, dad and brother.

See, I knew I'd be able to write a post, once I got started :)