Where time starts

Great news...I got the internet where I am staying to work. Bad news...now I am behind on my updates. :)

So although it's Wednesday here...I will catch y'all up on Monday.

I have a friend that lives here, so he came and met me on Monday morning. My request to him was to see stuff around that I wouldn't see normally....aren't the normal tourist trappy things. He took me to Greenwich. It was a short train ride outside central London. Just a quick history note...this is where Greenwich Mean Time originates. It is 0 degrees longitude (I think) and where the east and west hemispheres 'connect'. I am sure you can look it up on Wikipedia and get a way better explanation of what it's all about.

We ended up going kind of later in the day, so didn't have tons of time to wander around. Cute little town. We walked through the park there, and I saw the Royal Observatory.

We went into the park and saw a lot of police and a bunch of people in white t-shirts. Didn't know what was going on. Looked like some sort of photo shoot. When i went to take some shots of the observatory, I was informed that I 'couldn't take pictures' because what they were shooting in this commercial was 'top secret'. This was kind of dumb, because first, it's a public park. Second I was obviously not interested in the commercial thingy. But anyway....managed to get a couple of pics.

Greenwich is also the birthplace of Henry VIII. In case you wanted another quick fact.

After wandering around there for a bit, we headed back to central London. On the train ride back, my friend asked if there was anything else I wanted to do. I said that I wanted to go to see the place 'with all the lights'. (Which turns out to be Piccadilly Circus). Since it was a nice night, no rain, we headed over there for dinner. Got to see the 'lights' (which were less impressive than I thought they would be.) And since this is apparently the hub of the shopping district (or at least one of them) we headed over to Marks and Spencer. I was sent on a mission by my friend to pick up underwear for her Dad....seriously, not making that up. Once the underwear had been secured, we went out for dinner.

So that was my exciting Monday. The best part of it was...since I was with my friend, I didn't get lost once. :)

Sunday Roast...(meant to have posted for Sunday January 25

Since I don’t have access to the internet, I thought I would start ‘blogging’ anyway...then post when I can. I am writing this on Monday morning...day 3 of my London adventure.

For some reason, I can’t get my bearings here. I am constantly getting lost. I am really hoping that I can get that sorted out sooner rather than later...it’s wreaking havoc on my feet.

Yesterday I decided to sleep in a bit, get up and have a leisurely breakfast at home. (I thought that having one English breakfast here was enough.) Then headed off to the Tate Modern. It was rainy...actually more drizzly. I did have a moment of grrrr....but then realized, it wasn’t snow or ice and was actually fairly warm out. I checked the map before leaving the hotel...thought it looked pretty straightforward. I did get lost, but thankfully there are signs for us wayward tourists on most street corners to direct us to the nearest tourist friendly location. So followed the signs and found the gallery....finally.

All (or at least most) galleries and museums here are free. And you only have to pay if you want to go to a special exhibit. There was a Mark Rothko exhibit at the Tate, which I did pay to see. I haven’t been a modern art fan in the past...but I have to say, I was quite impressed.

Now maybe they have this at all galleries and I haven’t taken the time to notice, but with all the pieces of art, there was a description of what it was, and information about the piece, or art, or whatever other relevant snippets. So I spent a lot of time just wandering around and reading about the works. As much as I am a fan of impressionist art, this was way more interesting. So spent most of the day there.

I decided to have lunch at the gallery. The restaurant is on the top floor. Both sides of the restaurant are glass, so you can see the city. As I got seated, I looked to my right, and there was the dome of St. Pauls. Quite beautiful. Had lunch (potato and garlic soup, penne with pine nuts and pumpkin...and a glass of wine, of course). Then trundled off to see the rest of the gallery.

Since St. Pauls looked so close, I decided to go and check it out. It was ‘just across the river’. I have to remember that large objects (such as a cathedral) look a lot closer than they are. And, me being directionally challenged doesn’t help at all. But...ended up finding it. As it was Sunday, there was ‘no sightseeing allowed’ inside. (Especially since there was a service going on.) I decided to sit and listen. (I am not a church going gal usually, but figured since I was there...probably wouldn’t do me any harm.) It was quite lovely. And apparently I picked a good day...it was the 2,000 birthday of St. Paul. Who knew.

After that, I walked back across the river and decided to hit a pub. Grabbed a pint of beer and a ‘Sunday Roast’. Quite delicious. (That would be roast beef, potatoes, veggies, yorkshire pudding and gravy.) Then it was time to head back....

Ended up getting lost. Surprising!!!! After wandering around for about a half hour...decided to break down and take the subway. Since that was the only ‘known’ quantity for me. (I know that my hotel is down the street from Borough tube station.) It was a success!!!!

About the lack of pictures....I have been either too tired, or it’s been rainy to take any (or a combination of both). Am hoping to have some very soon!!!!!

London Calling

Am sitting in a cafe in London typing this...since for some reason, my ability to use technology has left me since I crossed the pond. I can't get the Internet, TV or phone to work in my accommodation. Oh well......

I arrived last night around 8:30 pm London time. Trundled off to the place am staying...dropped the bags off. Luckily there is a small grocery store just down the street, so got milk, cereal and tea. The problem was, my body was already on London time, but my stomach was on Toronto time. So had some cereal...then was off to sleep. Got up this morning and headed out for breakfast. I went for the traditional English....beans, eggs, sausage, bacon, toast and tea. Probably not the healthiest way to start the vacay...but when in Rome (or London, as it were.)

After the breakfast of champions, went across the street to the Borough Market. This place is awesome....kind of like St Lawrence Market, but better. I can't even begin to describe it. Tons of fruits, veggies, meat, bread, pastries....you name it, they seem to have it. Wandered through there looking at the wares. Then decided to walk along the River towards London Bridge. It's always cool to me, at least, seeing landmarks in person, that you see on TV or in the movies. Makes it a bit....surreal.

If any of you know me, you know how directionally challenged I am. And heading out alone in a new city....doesn't make for happy travels. So really just spent today getting acquainted with the city and getting my bearings. Am admittedly still pretty tired...so didn't attempt the Underground or the buses. That will have to wait for tomorrow.

Have spent the rest of the afternoon just wandering around....pretty aimlessly. Tried to find the houses of parliament...but apparently I am way more directionally challenged than usual. So just ended up.....wandering. Which was actually pretty cool.

I think I will have a pretty low key evening....maybe hit a pub for a pint. Then off to bed.

Tomorrow...who knows. I think I will try and get to the Tate Modern gallery. It seems close (at least on the map) and doesn't involve me using public transit. Might be the safest bet.

Since I can't figure the internet thing out....I might not post or email as much as I would like. Mom, Dad....doesn't mean that I am not ok...just means that I can't make it to a place where I can get an internet connection. :)

Oh yeah....the weather. It is actually pretty nice. NO SNOW!!!!!! I think it's about 6 degrees or so. Quite pleasant actually. Although it's damp....so my hair is a bit...unruly to say the least. Oh well!!!!

Toes

I decided to get a pedicure yesterday. I find them to be fairly indulgent. It is quite lovely to be able to sit for an hour and have nothing to do except relax and read trashy magazines. For me, it's heaven.

The colour selection. Now I used to be a strictly pink kind of girl. But I have recently ventured out into red. (Am I the kind of girl who can have red toes????!!!!)

Yesterday I decided to go with pink. Now, you would think that would be easy, once you narrow it down, but it's not. Do you want something frosted, or plain. And you don't want it neon, but candy floss isn't good either. And sometimes I just pick the colour based on the name. The colour you see here is Strawberry Margarita.

As I was sitting waiting for my toes to dry, a woman sat down in the chair beside me to get a pedicure done. Apparently she wanted something 'more brown' (brown, seriously????? That's a colour for slacks, not toes). Anyway...so this went on for a bit. Then she asked the woman that was administering the pedicure if you could have pink toes in the winter. The answer was 'yes' but the woman wasn't convinced. (As I glanced down at my Margarita painted toes, thinking 'well, at least they aren't brown'.) Then someone comes over with an armful of polish so she can choose. I found the whole thing amusing. Sadly, I didn't pay attention to the colour she did finally choose.

Wow, now that I wrote that down, it doesn't seem nearly as amusing as it did yesterday. :)

Too much coffee...

I realized today that I haven't updated this baby in a while...but there hasn't really been much excitement to report. So here is what I can come up with:

1) Yesterday was a very exciting day - I have recently taken up chess and am playing online. I won my first game yesterday. It has only taken 30 games for me to rack up my first win. A small victory, but a victory still.

2) I have also taken up knitting. Wow, knitting and chess - I am SO boring. Am on the way to actually finishing a scarf. Yes, the excitement never ends. It might be ready for wear the winter of 2015.

3) The good news is I did survive my 40th birthday with very little trauma. There may have been some tears in there somewhere, but all in all, I didn't do too badly.

The picture today is my desk at work. Apparently I have been collecting coffee cups for the past couple of weeks. (Or at least I hope it's been from the last couple of weeks.) You know it's bad when people actually make comments when they enter the office. I did have some companion cups on the other side of my desk and table...but was too embarassed to show them.

My Birthday

Well folks, today is the day!! It's my fortieth birthday. That sounds so crazy!! 40. For some reason it makes me smile.

In some ways it's just a number, another day in a life. I am not so sure. I think I have said it before, that birthdays are a time to reflect and take stock. And when you get to a milestone day...the reflection and taking stock is a bit more intense.

What can I say....I am happy. I am good with where I am in my life. I can honestly say I am not looking at today and wishing I was somewhere else along the path. I am content to be here, and that can't be bad.

I wish I had something really insightful or profound to say...but I don't.

I guess what helps a bit today is the fact that yesterday I once again realized the fragility of life. Someone where I work (I don't work with them directly, or ever even actually met them) died in a car accident yesterday. Totally random. That, more than a 40th birthday makes you think about life and where you are. You get up for work in the morning, usual routine, thinking about the day ahead - then it's all gone.

I know it sounds cliche, but it puts things in perspective. Even though I didn't know this person, it touches a chord in me. I definitely need to treat my life as a gift and remember not to squander it.

The picture today is from November 6, 2007 - my birthday last year, with my friend Lindsay. I look at that picture and smile, thinking about how much I have changed, and all the things that have happened to me in the past 12 months.

I think I might actually be growing up.

Gearing up...

It's my birthday this week...a big one! Yes ladies and gentlemen, I will be 40 this week. Yeah, I know all the stuff about 'age is just a number' and all that jazz. And to a certain extent, I agree. But I do think birthdays in general (and especially 'big' ones) are a time for reflection and assessment. And I think that's the stuff that gets people upset more than the actual age. (Maybe I am stating the obvious, here.)

So here I sit on the cusp of 40 - what reflection and assessment will I be doing this week?

I think that the ultimate question, and the one that really matters is, am I happy? At the end of the day I lead a very fortunate life. I have a good job, I have a great apartment, great friends and family. I think it's really easy to look at all the 'bad' stuff in ones life, and focus on that. But really, as I sit here, I don't have much, if anything to complain about.

This past year for me has been one of growth, learning and adventure. 365 days ago, I never would have imagined all of the stuff that was to transpire. Some of it was great, some of it was not so great. As much as this year has been adventurous and amazing, it's also been somewhat difficult at points. All of it together (the good and bad) have led me to being a stronger and happier person than I was last year at this time.

Bottom line, isn't that all it's about - being able to recognize growth and progress in ourselves? For me, that's the key. I don't mean it to sound like it's a race, or something to beat year over year. It's more like, on the 'path of life,' am I making progress. (Wow, am I sounding new-agey or what???) By nature, I move forward, because time does. But, am I making the most of the time I am given? I have to say....a hesitant yes. Could I be better at living in the moment? Yes. Could I be better at living my life more fully? Yes. So....I guess I have the things I need to work on for the next 365 days.

To kick off my birthday week...yes, I have a birthday week, don't you??? Some friends and I headed to Niagara Falls for the weekend. (As I write this, I am in the lobby of the hotel sipping coffee....friends are late sleepers.) Took some pictures of the falls yesterday. The pic today is of the dessert from last night...creme brulee. It could possibly been the best that I have ever had.

Niagara Falls

So....happy birthday to me!!!! And let the festivities begin. :)