Almost Christmas...

I know, I know, I haven't written in a while so I decided it was about time. Just has been a busy weekend and now week. Anyways though, Friday after work, was the work Christmas party that I organized. It was a complete success, as 100% of the company attended and everyone very much enjoyed it. Instead of a pub like the company normally does, I had it at a Snooker/Pool Hall around the corner from work. It was just fin, that everyone came and was so relaxed. Following the party, I went with Margaret to Jaime's school end of term service in Lincoln Cathedral. This was something that was neat to see, although they sang some Christmas carols that I did not recognize. I went home, relaxed and got a good nights sleep, because on Saturday...Erin and her mom came!!!

Bryan and I went to the train station Saturday afternoon to pick them up. I knew they would be exhausted from traveling so we took the afternoon easy, had dinner, and then went into town for a ghost walk. I had done this before a few year ago and it was quite enjoyable...the problem this particular night, it was well below freezing, the wind was blowing, and the snow was still falling. All of these combined made for a pretty miserably cold ghost walk, so we ended up not really paying attention. Afterwards, we walked to a house of one of Jaime's friends, and had hot chocolate to warm us up. On the way home, Margaret dropped Erin and I off in the village to go to the local pub. It is a short walk home and allowed us to catch up and hang out. After enjoying the quietness of the 1st pub, we started walking home, until we noticed another pub with lots of people outside. We ended up going to this one, and boy was it was. It was also quite entertaining as it was filled with about 40 guys and 4 girls. Our accents definitely were noticed and we often got made fun of, but in a joking manner. We finally wandered home in the early morning hours.

Sunday we all slept in before heading down to the Cathedral area. We just shopped and had a pub lunch, all while snow was down pouring outside! Once home, we enjoyed sitting by the fire, a warm dinner, and a wonderful conversation with the Carr's while drinking wine.

Monday was a full day. Bryan and Margaret were so kind, and actually gave me the entire day off to spend with the girls. After stopping by Castlet to show them where I have been working the last 3 months, we headed to the castle. It was gorgeous to see with all the snow on the walls and ground. Unfortunately, they did not get to see the original Magna Carta as it is on traveling display in the states. It was still a nice time though. After this, we enjoyed a very delicious Thai lunch before heading to the Cathedral. This place was gorgeous as always, and after wandering around for a bit, we joined the Roof Tour. I had never done this before either, and it was incredible. We saw some magnificent views of the inside from the roof, as well as the outside. Plus, we were able to see the rafters and how all the wood is put together to make the cathedral ceilings. Once the tour was complete, we finished seeing the rest of the Cathedral, including the exact spot where Da Vinci Code was filmed...it was not filmed at Westminster but Lincoln Cathedral instead. A few more stores and shops completed a very busy day.

Erin and her mom left Tuesday morning for London, and I headed back to work, for a quick week. It was a mini Christmas here yesterday, as I gave out my presents (Texas picture frames) to people at work, I gave the Carr's their gifts, and then they gave me mine. Tonight I am home to pack for the cruise! Merry Christmas everyone, don't know if I will be writing before then!

A Musical Filled Weekend in London

Well it has been a little bit since I last posted so here is the latest update on me. Last week was another typical work week. I was pretty busy catching up on stuff from when I was gone. And then, my trip for the weekend was to London!!

Friday afternoon I boarded the train to head to the city where I was planning on participating in what has come to be my Friday ritual when I am in London. I made my way to Trafalgar Square which had a huge Christmas tree, carolers, and lights. It was absolutely gorgeous. I then had my Mexican dinner at the Texas Embassy. It was a nice dinner, as there was a woman from the states sitting next to me by herself, so we ended up talking the entire dinner. Following the delicious food, I made my way to the Dominion Theatre for the show...We Will Rock You. It is a musical based on the music of Queen. I absolutely loved it and found the music wonderful and the story a very neat one to follow. I really want to see it in the US though, because here they had thrown in British humor, and so there would be some differences seeing it back in the states. But I left the theatre singing Bohemian Rhapsody, so it really was a great show. After this, I then went and met up with my Canadian friends. These were the girls that I met on the Wales trip. I was going to be staying with them the entire weekend and was so excited. It had been a while and was definitely great to see them.

Saturday morning the girls and I made our way to Angel Center to do a little Christmas shopping. We also just wandered around the area which was nice, as I hadn't really seen that specific part of London. Following this we hopped on a double decker bus to Hyde Park where the Christmas season really set in! It was here that Winter Wonderland was taking place. The entire park was filled with Christmas rides, German and Bavarian shops and food, ice skating and music. Although it was packed with people, the atmosphere definitely put me in the Christmas mood. We stayed here for all of the afternoon and early evening, just enjoying the sights and sounds of Christmas. Once we were pretty frozen, we headed back to the house to thaw off. I decided that since it was 15 minutes before a lot of theatre shows began that I would try and get cheap seats. The closest theatre was Wicked...so as I walked in two minutes before show time, I got cheap, front row balcony seats. Yes, it was the 5th time I had seen it...but I hadn't seen it in London and the music is just amazing. It is also such a feel good story, which is why I love going. I wandered back to my friends flat, for a good nights sleep.

After sleeping in a little Sunday morning, we got up and did some typical London sightseeing. I got to see Westminster Abbey, Big Bend, The Eye and Parliament...to me, there is no greater sight in the world then standing in the grass square looking at all the of these amazing sights...truly one of my favorite places to be. Then came, the sights of Buckingham Palace which is astonishing as usual. The queen had even put a Christmas tree outside the front doors. :-) We wandered through The Green Park and then enjoyed a hot drink at Starbucks before taking the bus back to Angel Center. It was in the district of Angel, where we met up with some more friend at a pub and enjoyed watching a big soccer match on tv. Unfortunately I had to leave at half time to make my train back to Lincoln, but I can't say enough how great it was to see the Canadian girls, enjoy the Christmas festivities of London, and see the wonderful musicals I saw.

A Surpise Trip...Home!!!!!!!

For those of you that haven't heard...my big surprise weekend trip was to good ol' New Braunfels, TX! Thanks to my dad for the airline miles, I was able to fly home to celebrate my grandmothers 80th birthday. The trip however was a surprise to all my family members, except my dad and sister. I flew into San Antonio and was picked up by a couple of my high school friends and then headed home to surprise my first victim...my mom. My friend Kaelin had the camera and my sister had my dad on the phone as I walked into my mom's room. She was fast asleep, even after I turned on the light, so I yelled "SURPRISE"!! She sat up, and literally stared at the group in the doorway for 20 seconds before letting out the most horrific scream ever, which also made the dog start barking and the baby start crying. That's when she realized it was just me, and the laughing and hugging began. Surprise victim number 2 was my grandmother. Friday afternoon we headed over to her house, and my mom, sister and the baby went inside. I waited back and then went up to the door and rang the doorbell. My grandmothers face was absolute shock when she opened the door. Victim number 3 was my uncle. We drove to his school and I went inside to his principals office. She called him down immediately and told him he had a package waiting. As he walked around the corner, wondering what package arrived, I jumped out. He couldn't believe it either. Surprise victims kept appearing though, as people visiting my house just didn't expect me to be there.

The weekend was absolutely amazing though. I was able to see my family and some of my best friends, which I had missed so much. I was also able to get a lot of things done, whether it be packing for the cruise at Christmas or some Christmas shopping. I got my yummy Mexican food (two nights in a row), I got to eat my favorite coffee cake, I got to watch the best college football games, I got to sleep in my own house, I took amazing showers (the water here in England is really hard), and I got to see my puppy dog!!

It really was a weekend I needed and now I am back in rainy, cold old England and back to work today. Surprisingly I am not tired. A have a trip planned to London this weekend for some Christmas sightseeing with some friends, shopping and maybe a play. Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

Mid-Week

Not to much has happened this week. Just giving everyone a heads up that an exciting post will be on here following the weekend! No clues or hints.

But anyways here are a few bits from whats happening...

I am officially in the holiday mood now. I went ice skating last night with two of the ladies from work, and their families. It was so much fun. It definately got me more in the holiday mood, as there was music being played, and there were Christmas lights all around us.

1 day until my grandmothers 80th birthday...Happy Birthday Grandma! Wish I could be there tomorrow to help celebrate! Love you!

10 days until my Christmas trip to London for my weekend with the Canadian girls

17 days until Erin and her mom come visit me!!

23 days until Christmas and until I get to meet up with the family in Puerto Rico.

And oh so much more! Missing everyone back that way! Enjoy the holidays!