Springtime comes to London

Pictures to follow....

Light changes the buildings. Where once they stood crusting over with time, paint chipped and loathing life, they stand artful and purposeful. The dust and decay filled with freshness and emenation.

People come out into the street and they sit or stand outside the pubs. It looks like something is going on at the end of the street. I question the mob until I get up close and it's only people drinking pints, trying to grab the light when they can.

I got lost on my way home from a jaunt in the park yesterday. A neighborhood similar to my own, but disorienting because it wasn't. Through one passage and there were beautiful classic London Victorians and then further down the street, council flats with their colourful doors and gray architectual dullness loomed ahead with their inhabitants running around and chilling out in public. For awhile I walked feeling no cold, enjoying my lostness and the budding cherry blossom trees (always the first to bloom). Then I got frustrated, became tired of walking and at this point I realised where I was and jumped on a bus I knew would take me home.

Things I like

People in the park on a nice day (like yesterday on the Heath), dogs in the park, and now yes I admit, I like jumpsuits like this one from http://www.asos.com

Things I don't like

When you let a pregnant woman cut in front of you in a long line and she inappropriately berates her young daughter.

Home sweet home

Weddings are joyful, beautiful and ritualistic. One is able to dance, to eat (in this case eat great food) and the champagne/wine is constantly flowing. One gets to be with their 'people' and catch up with old friends, what more could one really ask for? I had the best time at my friend Miceala's wedding, she's an old high school friend that I've so happily kept in touch with over the years. Miceala looked so beautiful in her dress and Chris, her beau took his brother's toast, I mean ROAST, pretty well. The bridesmaids did a dance with the bride that we practiced over and over and that I had to learn in two days, but it went really well.

Not only did I have a smashing time at the wedding, the week after and before were definitely worth the plane ride. One day alone I spent quality time, albiet a bit too short of time, with six different people. It was nice to see my grandparents although my grandmother was ill in the hospital, but I think it made her feel better when I showed her my crazy high heels for the wedding. And because she was ill my father had stuck around to make sure she was alright before heading off to China so I was able to have dinner with him. It was also good to see one of my cousins, whom I haven't seen for years and his sister and I spent a nice time on a walk by the lake.

I enjoyed driving in Cali, seeing spring pass me by through my window. I was actually a bit nervous since it had been 9 months since I was behind the wheel as I walk everywhere in London. Walking for leisure is lovely around my neighborhood in Cali; at Lake Chabot and in Lafeyette where I met my friend Joanne. She told me she is becoming a shaman, she wants to be a healer. I told her she was already one in my book as she does hair and makes everyone feel good.

I love Cali. I miss friends and family already, but the good thing is I know I can always go home!

An Update

It's been a blazer of a few weeks and for the first time here in London, I feel settled and content. I've got a few more friends, I am busier at work and my home is homey again. That being said, I am off to San Fran in three days and with the thoughts of driving and just being with people who feel like HOME I am feeling the that excited BUZZ of a feeling.

The weekend before last, I visited some amazing flats, mine paled in comparison. I've always hated Victoria tube station, but my friend's flats who are located near there are so large and SO central. We went from one gals house to the others, Belen told me after I said, 'Victoria, blah', 'just you wait and see'.....and she was right, I became quite envious and I think it might be time to move.

It was also nice to have people who live in your neighborhood or a short bus ride away....like one of my coworkers who so generously made pancakes for eight of us on pancake day, a time honored tradition here in Britain. The combos were new to me, but good ol fashion lemon and sugar hit the spot. (Guinness and pancakes...yum)



My other girlfriend is so close she pops over and calls us when she's down the street at our local and we had dinner at hers last night. Last week we celebrated her birthday at a Moroccan resto. Even though the music player was currently out of commission, they still made her stand up on her chair and do a little birthday dance.




Two weekends ago Belen and I took a trip to the seaside. What a weird town Bournemouth is, but the beach was nice and so was all of the greenery we got lost in. The place we stayed had a nice sauna and jacuzzi. It was great to leave London for a break, but also nice to return. It made me appreciate London more.





As an aside, sorry I know this post is random, after seeing Vicky Cristina Barcelona a few days ago, I have a new found appreciation for Penelope Cruz. I loved the movie and it was so beautiful! I've been checking out restaurants too in my neighborhood and I now have a few more favorites.

It might be the light change, the glimmer of hope at the end of the day when you leave work and it actually hasn't yet fallen dark, but my attitude has changed to wild wonderment (and that's a good thing).

The Cotswolds

I went up to Oxford last weekend and instead of doing our usual shopping trip into town, we took a lovely day trip into the Cotswold with friends, Nuria and Roger. We were so surprised about the snow left over from a snow storm a week ago and wondered why each piece of land had different variants of it. The favorite part of my day was when we stopped at this little village by the river (it was so picturesque) and later, stopping for delicious scones and the best hot chocolate was an ideal treat.

My first movie.

For our national headquarters away day, I had to do some editing for videos that were to be presented and my video won....I think it was because of Nilton, who is featured in the video. It was my first time editing it and luckily my good friend and colleague Magnus lent me his mac. Going forward I think we will now have a yearly film festival!

Because it is such a large file, the quality isn't that fantastic (but you can get the idea)?!

White wonderland and empty office snow fights

I fell asleep last Sunday evening as a slight snow blanketed my street. At bedtime, I didn't think the snow would keep...but awoke for the second time in England, to a winter wonderland (see photo one). Ringing back and forth to colleagues, few decided to trek in. 'Its only snow' said one, but he was defeated by the cancellation of London's rail. Buses failed their routes too.

Teenagers on the news were laughing excitedly saying, 'not in my life time has there been snow like this' and it was true. For the first time in 18 years there was enough snow to 'stick' in the big smoke.

Belen and I, with boots on, treked to work, but not without a snowball fight (see photo 4). Everyone was smiling and running around, posh older people and random labourers were trying to peg each other with snow delights. When I got to work colleagues were manning the door with snowballs a ready (see photo three). I stayed for four hours, I was one of 8 or 9 out of 100 who actually made it into the office and were advised to leave as a second storm was supposedly approaching.

I went home watched scary movies and made a snowman with Belen and of course had more snowball fights.

The next day at work we shared stories and photos (Magnus and Anna made a huge squirrel) and we all went to the pub for lunch where a GIANT penquin, someone's left over fun, kept us entertained.

I know all of you east coasters are thinking, what snow??!! but it made the doom and gloom of the credit crunch seem all ok and the monday blues go away.

Obama reviews and rants

At this moment, I am proud, something I haven't been for the past eight years. I am pleased that America voted for difference, that they voted for the wild card (or wild for this conservative nation). I can only say that it was time someone moved people and enabled the masses to come together collectively. I am not sure if it is Obama or our recent hardships that led millions to descend upon Washington a week ago for the momentous occasion, but I was happy for it.

I am happy for America, but at the same time I think to myself; he is but one man. A great man nevertheless, but simply only just one man and the expectation upon him is SO overwhelmingly great.

I hope he does well. I believe him to be intelligent and forward thinking. And he's given hope when there was little and replaced a past President that has increased our deficit and never should have been in office.

I found myself thinking while Obama spoke about America being great and how America should once again be first, that we should really give up this notion of being the best. We must stop concentrating on being the best, the strongest super power externally and focus on rebuilding internally. Once we admit to ourselves that we will never stay forever in a place of power (remember Rome had its day, Britian did too), then we can be free and content with what we have.

I wish him well.

Check out the photos.

On a serious note, peace protest for Gaza 10 Feb 2009

On Saturday over 100,000 people in London met at Marble arch to protest the bombing of the Gaza strip. It was lightly snowing and so very cold, but nevertheless people came and chanted 'what do we want? PEACE, when do we want it, NOW' and 'viva palestina' What made me angry is how the peaceful demonstration with its young children, students, posh people and intellectuals, turned into a bit of a riot. I was angry that things got out of hand for a few individuals and even more upset at how the media portrayed the protest.

In truth I am impartial to both Israel and Gaza. I see both sides of the coin, but I do not support the innocent killing of children, I do not support bombing civilians and ruining homes. One reaps what they sow and I am a firm believer in history and its effects on younger populations.

I am also an idealistic in that I just want PEACE and this continued fighting with guns and bombs will never bring about peace.

Leave to remain

It's official, I'm staying in England one more year. After applying not once but twice, I heard my application was accepted for leave to remain in the UK.

I got a little note when leaving the house for a anti war demonstration yesterday that the post man had been around with the package. I was desperate to know so I could tell my work and have everything sorted. I was hating being in limbo (I went a bit mental at the mobile phone guy this week because I wanted a NICE phone, but didn't want to get a nice phone if I had to leave in two weeks time). I chased the mailman down on a neighboring street. He knew what I was coming for. After whooping and hollering when I opened the package, I went off to celebrate with friends and protest for peace. :)

I have been dreaming of home (maybe it's the cold dark days here) and although I won't be making California my permanent home till next year, I shall be home for a visit (and Micaela's wedding) in March.

Thanks for every one's support.