A Viennese Christmas

Sure, I whine about living in London, but, I know how lucky I am. I  love London and it's so amazing because hi, continental Europe is RIGHT THERE.

To celebrate finishing our first term (kill me now, I'm still so exhausted and to punish myself I've been going to work at 5am every.single.day), the roomie and I hopped a flight to Vienna to see the Christmas markets, be festive, and rest.

We did 2 out of 3. (we did not sleep, like, at all)

Molls's has several friends from Cambridge who are studying in Germany this year and as luck would have it, they were in Vienna the same weekend as us! Which was amazing on several levels: 1) They speak German 2) It's so nice to catch up with friends 3) Ruth LIVES in Vienna so we had our own tour guide!! 4) I have new friends!!! It was a win all around.

I have really bad flight juju and our flight was delayed an hour, so, we landed in Vienna late late late and hungry and grumpy so instead of fancy dinner, we did champagne bar and sandwiches. Lesbihonest, it was amazing.

With Rosie and Liam, celebrating end of term

The following morning we met up for a wander and breakfast at a local little shop.

I was obsessed with this building! 

Austrian breakfast of champions 

The girls had apferstrudel and einspanner, which translates to heaven, and Liam had an omelet, because he is boring.

We then did a tour of several churches real quick, which was amazing because it was Sunday services!!

Ruth took us to all the Christmas markets

You know my thoughts on carousels 

My people. This was one of the happiest days of my life!

Rosie and Liam modeling their Christmas hats 

Where we had all the food, and all the punsch.

Rosie and Liam had to catch flights home, so, Molly and I had a little snack break at the hotel (MOAR FOOD) and then went out to see the city at night.

Gorgeous.

As it was a mild night, and we had no plans, we decided to take a horse drawn carriage ride. As one does at Christmas. Now, remember that we don't speak German. So when we booked, we were told we'd have an English speaking guy. Notsomuch.

But, it all worked out.

After about 20 minutes of our ride, we were going through a park when the driver starts speaking to a man walking beside us. Before we know it, he's in the cab of the carriage and translating for us, because he, the attractive random stranger, speaks German, and English.

See, I'm not lying!!

Blurry markets 

He's actually French. And took us for coffee afterwards. I'm trying to arrange a marriage between he and Molly, because, I mean, COME ON.

Everyone say hiiiii to Augustin. Our new bestie. 

Then we had dinner and drinks with he and his roommates the following night and we're all (hopefully) going to one of the famous wintertime balls in Vienna. Which is basically an excuse for me to get all dressed up and pretend to be Maria dancing with Captain Von Trapp. Duh.

Augustin is too cool for pictures 

I mean, what the heck?!

We had Turkish coffee to warm up.

I laughed at basically everything, because I am a child.

Wiener. Heehee. 

We saw Klimt's The Kiss.

Yeah, so, it's not a picture of The Kiss because that's 17 different kinds of wrong, but, this is the Belvedere, where the painting is. 

more Belvedere 

We ate Greek food in Vienna.

We learned how to kind of get around on the subway.

We laughed a lot.

We had, basically, the best Christmas ever.

I love Vienna.

Oh. And, in case you were wondering, I did run around singing The Sound of Music. I know it takes place in Salzburg, NOT. THE. POINT.

I hate the Atlantic Ocean: my whining on long distance relationships

So, I miss this guy.

Like, a lot. A lot, a lot.

Great, now I want hug him. But, I can't because I live in effing stupid London. 

We basically rock at this whole super major long distance relationship thing, but, after a very rough month and a rather exhausting last week of term, I'm really missing being near my boyfriend. Damn it. (felt like it needed some emphasis). 

He means so much, and we have a really kick ass relationship which I am so grateful for, but, sometimes, sometimes, I really hate long distance. 

I miss being able to do what normal couples do!

I miss not being able to get home from work, give him a call and say "hey, want to come over for dinner tonight?". I hate not being able to show up at his house when he's had a bad day and cook dinner and watch movies and chat. I hate not being there.

This was my happy birthday text. He wins. 

I hate not knowing when we'll be in the same city again. I hate that our chats are dependent on a five hour time difference.

I hate the Atlantic Ocean.

But, I know it's worth it. I know that this experience is only making us stronger, and better. And I know that in two weeks when I get off the plane and see him, it will all be ok.

FaceTime dates are my favorite thing right now. (that is so sad) 

Because he'll hug me and kiss me and all will be right in the world. (I know, I can't even believe I just wrote that, it's so gag inducing)

And, I know that in 2014, I get to introduce my favorite guy (him) to my favorite city (London). Oh, and we're also going to Italy, so, HECK YES, ROMANTIC VACATION WHAT! And that my friends, that is because I live in effing stupid London. +1 for London.

Ugh, hurry up, time!

An American Thanksgiving in London

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are happily recovering from food comas and too much shopping!

I won't lie, it was actually a lot harder than I thought to be away from my family on actual Thanksgiving. I took pies to my lectures as requested since I am the token American, but, then I just came home, drank Diet Coke and watched movies. And cried. It was really hard to see everyone on social media with their families, happily sharing memories, eating food and being festive. I really struggled with not being around those that I love and having that experience. Yes, we all complain when we're together, but, being away makes you really appreciate it all!

But, I was lucky enough to get an unexpected and unplanned FaceTime from my best guy for a few minutes which made a huge difference. He's a good one, oh yes he is.

He was in Queens and I was in West Hampstead--gotta love technology!

And I taught my parents to FaceTime so I could watch a few minutes of the parade. My priorities are in check, obviously.

On Saturday, Molly and I hosted our own American Thanksgiving holiday dinner at our home and that was really, really great. Having our UK family here to celebrate and share was wonderful.

These guys have my heart. Living here wouldn't be the same without them. Happy happy girl!

It could have only been better if our families could have met them and if T had been here--but, he was! He called us so he could "meet" everyone (I know, I die). (it was very rushed as I was welcoming guests, but, he got to wave to my best friends and I got to "meet" his cousin which was pretty dang special)

27 days, have I mentioned we get to see each other in 27 days?

I made a kick ass turkey. 17 pounds of citrus and rosemary infused goodness. Basically, I win at Thanksgiving-ing.

Here's the before....

Frenchie included for size comparison 

I was so excited my friend Lauren could join us. She's a southern gal too and we've bonded over missing the humidity, Sonic and dear God where is the sun?! She's a great friend and I'm so lucky our paths have crossed here in London.

She understood why I had to make mac & cheese for Thanksgiving. 

Moneypenny was quite the belle of the ball and had a heyday tormenting everyone and slept like a little baby all night. We ate too much, we laughed too much--it was a great, great holiday.

MP is obsessed with Moses and Tom. Our Brits who wore their Christmas finery--because why not. 

 I don't have an electric knife here and I've never carved a turkey with a regular blade, so, I handed the duties over to Tom.

The girls were thrilled!

It was a such a fun day! I'm still eating ALL THE PIE and bread (thank you my love LovelyJubblyLondon for bringing me all the bread that Whole Foods has, you are seriously the best and I love you!) (why don't I have a picture of us? This is dumb) and trying to find ways to look like I didn't eat a massive meal when I have to fit into lulu for work. But? That said--worth it!

And now, it can officially be Christmas! (for us Americans, Thanksgiving is the official start of Christmas).

As evidenced by my and Lady Relocated's adventures to the St. John's Wood Christmas Fayre on Sunday.

It's Christmas!!!

I got to see reindeer, my life is officially complete.

Thankful Thursday

Yes, yes, it's Thanksgiving for y'all, and yes, yes, I have to be cheesy and write a "thankful" post. If for no other reason than to just say "I'm grateful for all the lovely people who read this blog! Thank you for coming to my little piece of the internet! You all rock!"

But, tis the season and all, and while I'm away from my friends and family during this time of year and battling mucho mucho exhaustion and stress, I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to blab about the things that I'm truly grateful for this year.

These idiots.

Hard life. 

Butchie's burrito bowl

I don't have children, I have dogs. They're my babies.


My other half.

I love this girl!!

The Gus to my Shawn. The voice of reason to my crazy. The girl who understands the true value of $1.08. The person who truly gets ME. You know that's right.

This girl.

Adios 28 Date Night to see Mojo. The weirdest play ever, but, it had Q, Mr. Bates and Ron Weasley in it, so, ya know.

My roommate is better than your roommate. It's just honest fact.


This guy.

Y'all. I can't. 

I miss our date nights, our random adventures, laughing until I cry, holding his hand, and so much more, but despite the distance, he's mine and I'm his, and for that, I am thankful. (I know, gross, I almost just gagged too, it's fine)

Pixalated FaceTime is better than no FaceTime

He also gives really good birthday presents.

He went to Anthro. And sent me chips and salsa. He gets me.

Now I'm screwed cause I was gonna get him a scarf or some such bullshit for Christmas. Jerk.

This mama to be and her amazing friendship.

After her gender reveal party she sent me the kindest email! I'm truly blessed to call her a friend. 

We were friends before I moved to London, and now I'm basically her personal stalker. But, in a less creepy way.... I hope.

This mama and our BFF-ery.

You know everything there is to know about how much I love this girl. She's my person, my separated at birth sister, my confidant, my heart. And she gave me the greatest gift ever, my nephew!

She and her family have my heart.

This city and the opportunity I have to live here.

(blurry) London, baby!

My job.

These babies sat in the back and watched me teach my last pure barre class with tears in my eyes

My last day of work with my angel girls--daughters of my soul sister, Ro. They are the lights of my life.

From her birthday last year--still my favorite of us 

And my new job.

Please note the squinty face after my boss said "No! Smile for real!"

And for all the wrong turns, the mistakes, the oops moments that got me to where I am in life. I don't have it all figure out, it's not perfect, but, it's pretty dang good.

Oh. I'm also thankful that there is a Chipotle and Five Guys in London. PRIORITIES.