Just Dance, Gonna Be Okay

Wow, today I was invited to a mediation class in the form of dance. It is called 5 rhythms dance - http://beatrootdance.webs.com/5rhythmsislike.htm

You basically let your body go with the flow of the music and the emotions that you feel with it. I have to admit, when I saw a 60 year old man and a middle aged women galloping around the open area of a church, I could not help but laugh and wonder what the heck I was doing here.

But then I closed my eyes and just let the music take me away. Music can bring back so many memories, good and bad. After I left the session, I left very refreshed. I definitely recommend doing something out of the ordinary for your spirit.

It's Just the Little Things in Life that Put a Smile on Your Face

I feel the need to blog about the little things in life that we (I) sometimes take for granted. When you stop to appreciate those things, it puts a smile on your face. I think this experience in London has opened me to see things like this. Periodically, I will blog about my little things.

Here are my little things for this week:

The email that I received from one of my best girlfriends (I am lucky to have about 10) telling me about her great news. I was very touched she remembered me thousands of miles away and included me in the girl gossip.

The daily IMs during work with Vicky. We were both on holiday together and separately so it had been awhile since we had our usual chat.

My catch up call with Rosie, giving her crap for not calling me but knowing that I am always on her mind. When we talk, it's as if I am right next to her...if you can understand that feeling.

My first Christmas card received in the post yesterday. Dang US Mail or maybe Royal Mail? :)

My great-aunt posting a message on my Facebook wall asking her if I called one of her contacts in London. She knows people everywhere!

What really got me this evening and prompted me to write this blog....Stanley's slobbery kisses and his enthusiasm. It's amazing what a dog will do for a little treat and for the love of his owner. We play this game every day to see what trick he will do for a treat. When I feel he's earned it, I say "Okay" and he happily hops over the kitchen where I keep his treats...tail wagging...Happy Feet.

Right now, he's relaxing by my feet. Ah...the good life.

Christmas in Chicago

Going home for Christmas was a mix of feelings. I was excited to see everyone but what if I missed them too much and didn't want to go back to London?

I arrived on Christmas Eve around 1:00p.m. My stay was very short and every day was planned with seeing family and friends and of course shopping. I felt bad I could not see everyone in my short 4 days. My surroundings felt the same yet different. When I woke up the first day, all I could do was stare out the window at the houses and the snow. It was familiar yet foreign.

I gained a better appreciation for home. It felt really good to be home in the comfort of family and friends. Rosie made me feel very welcome in her home in the middle of her construction. My family welcomed me with open arms and my friends were happy to see me. Rosie's mom cooked tamales and posole that I ate the whole 4 days I was there. Yes, even for breakfast at 7:00a.m. I had the best coffee. I surprised my grandmother and loved the smile on her face. She even cooked my favorite dish of hers - fideo. Even though I changed up Christmas for my cousin and her kids, I really enjoyed it. I was very proud of her for keeping my mom's traditions. We shared some very emotional moments about growing up with my godson and moving forward in life. I loved sharing stories about Europe with my Aunt Diane's family. I also got to meet the newest baby in the family.

It snowed about 5 inches or so over the course of the weekend. I worried that I would forget how to drive or the main roads. Nope. If anything, I felt like a road warrior..Not only had I not driven in 3 months but I was still able to drive in the crazy snow.

On Monday, the 28th I headed back to London. Since then I've been a little homesick but I still have a lot to do in Europe. I had my first visitors, Niria and Sonia to ring in the New Year. I think it is perceived that London is so far from Chicago. At least for me, it's just a plane ride away. (I sleep most of the way) Thank goodness for modern technology to always keep me connected to my loved ones.

Happy Christmas!

Today was my last day at work until the New Year and I can definitely say that the city is becoming a ghost town. I can easily get on the Tube, no pushing, no shoving. I might take the train to the airport instead of a taxi. My colleague said that the roads might be crowded and I'd be better off travelling by train.

We had some "bad" weather here. A light dusting of snow on Monday and a little colder than normal. My poor friend Jacqui's flight was cancelled to Prague but her husband was determined to give her a great holiday and rebooked on another airline. I was checking the local papers online for any word that Heathrow was having problems.

Right now I am watching some cheezy BBC Christmas show. They are playing an ABBA performance from an old segment...Since when does ABBA know Spanish - Chiquitita???

Anyway, less than 12 hours before I head out for my flight! Can't wait...

Happy Christmas as the Brits say!

I'm Dreaming of a Chicago Christmas

Two Sundays ago, I booked a trip back home to Chicago on a whim....Maybe because Sofia was here and telling me about how excited she was to go home to see her family and friends. Maybe it was because I really haven't felt the Christmas spirit here yet. I miss the houses being decorated with Christmas lights (and not taking them down until the following year.) I miss the anticipation building up to Christmas - figuring out the Christmas menu, Juanie's kids making their Christmas lists, and just the overall Christmas feeling. Maybe because I just wanted some really good Mexican food....

Whatever it was, I decided I was going to come home for Christmas and I really made my aunt's day! While I am excited to go back home, I am also nervous. I wasn't supposed to come back until Easter. I wanted to give myself enough time to get used to living in London. I figured six months would be enough time to miss Chicago. It'll be 3 months on January 2nd. I think I'll be alright. I still have many things to accomplish in London and in Europe overall. Today I was just invited on a ski trip in February to the French Alps. That would mark one item off my To Do list.

So while I'm home, I plan to do some major shopping. This Saturday, I'll head to my favorite mall - OakBrook to check out the post-holiday sales and buy some works clothes. I am treating myself for Christmas and my birthday (I have to justify it somehow) to a MacBook.

I'll hit the Mexican food store and get Mesca and a few dozen tortillas. I'll then swing by Walmart or Target to get my beloved Dove body wash and facial products that they don't sell here. I also have to pick up my summer clothes from my mom's friend's house because I am definitely going to take a Beach holiday soon.

I can't wait to have some great food! COMIDA MEXICANA....Rosie's mom is cooking Tamales and posole. I love her mom's cooking. I may have to stop by Zaca T's in Berwyn for some good tacos.

Whatever, I decide to do, I'll be home for Christmas....(as Kanye West's song "Homecoming" is playing through my mind)

2 days and dreaming....I'm coming home again....

Around Town

I didn't do too much this weekend. I am trying to keep it low key since I am going back to Chicago in 4 days! I did manage to go out and do some window shopping. There's something about shopping that fascinates me. I try to look for things that are different or similar to the States. I look to see what the best bargains are.

On Saturday, I went to the Kensington High Street. I wanted to check out Whole Foods and see if I could get Stanley some organic treats. There wasn't that big of a selection there but it will hold him over until I go back home and get him some 'real' treats. Like many Whole Foods in major cities, it was bustling. It felt a little like home.

Today, I went to Oxford Street. This street has the most concentrated area of stores in London. It reminds me of our Michigan Avenue and State Street combined in one. The windows are decorated. It was super crowded today but that's to be expected as everyone is doing their last minute shopping. Good thing I'm not in that boat. With moving to London and originally thinking I was going to be here for the holidays, I wasn't really gifting this year. While I'll miss getting everyone a gift, it's definitely less stressful.

I checked out a small Christmas market. Nothing like the chalets in Belgium. I am really glad that I had that opportunity. It didn't stop me from having roasted almonds and hot chocolate.

Here are my observations/revelations from being out around town and over the last week:

I really love the Victoria Tube line. It's closer to me than the Clapham North stop in the neighborhood that I actually live. This line is super fast and has really good connections. It left me right in the heart of Oxford Street in under 20 minutes.

Watching movies is not that bad after all. I didn't think that I had the attention span for it. Now that I have more time on my hands, I've watched: Sex in the City (yes definitely behind the curve on this one but just in time for the new one), Dirty Dancing (an old classic I've seen a gazillion times), Yes Man, Edward Sissorhands (I couldn't be bothered with it before) and Transformers (I had already seen it but was good). Not all this weekend but I did watch a few.

I'm being opened minded to music. I am listening to The Smiths, Morrissey, Depeche Mode, some UK hits, Sting, the Police, and the Beatles. Now I never thought I would like British music or even that really clubby stuff. I used to call Depeche Mode, cranberry music...(inside joke) But it's not bad...I guess when in Rome....

Nigella is awesome and inspires me to want to cook! I love her cooking shows especially the Christmas themed programs. When I get back from holiday, I think I'm going to have a housewarming party / post-NYE gathering with my new friends. I want to make her crab cakes. YUM!

Daily Wisdom from the Clapham North Tube Stop

So I had to create two posts today because every day since I moved to Clapham, I've been bestowed a bit of daily wisdom on the Clapham North whiteboard.

As I make my way down the Tube escalator, there is the thought of the day written up on a small whiteboard. Really good ones in fact. The board is positioned so you almost have to stop and read it. I usually read as much as I can from my vantage point and then I look forward to reading the rest when I return back from work because I have a better view coming up. But then that makes me ask...why don't I just stop on my way down in the morning??? Anyway....

I'll take a picture and post the good ones.

Here was today's quote:

“I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams” - Jonas Salk

How powerful is that...

Another one that really stuck in my mind was, "Don't make someone your priority, when you are their option." (not sure who quoted this) I love that one!