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.

Things I can't make up

Basically, I need to have a hidden camera on me at all times because the things I see daily on TfL are pretty hilarious but they don't sound it unless you see for yourself. There was also the cab driver who had NO IDEA where NW6 was andI basically had to direct him to my apartment from Covent Garden, which was FINE, but, really, it was unfair to make me pay twenty pounds (why doesn't my computer have the pound symbol?!) when instead of giggling with my roommate in the back seat, I was having to pay attention to which road and which turn and meh.

But! Then there are the conversations that T and I have. Which usually lead me to laughing until I cry. These cannot be made up, I am honestly not that creative.

Via FaceTime....
T: "What on earth are you wearing?!"
Me ::looks down, realizes I am wearing a purple lulu tank top:: "Oh! It's a work shirt. You've never really seen me in work clothes. I think you'd like it, I mean you have a girlfriend who wears spandex everyday. FOR WORK."
T: "No. No, I don't like it."
Me: ::dumbfounded::
T: "It just means other people get to see your shape and I don't. I don't like that."
Me: "I work with a bunch of women, it's fine! Not like I'm running around the high street in leggings!"
T: ::sighs:: "Yeah, but one of them could be gay. You don't know. Just wear a sweater, all I'm saying."

And later....

T: "I got to brag about you again yesterday!"
Me: "Oh yeah?"
T: "Yeah! This new guy at work just got back from Italy and asked me if I've ever been. 'No, not yet, but, I'm going to visit my girlfriend in Europe this spring and we're going.' 'What's she doing in Europe?' 'Oh, she goes to King's College in London and is getting her MA in Roman History as it pertains to England...(I always get it wrong, what's your degree in?!).' 'Oh wow, that's great! What does she do, is she a professor or a writer or something?'....'No.... She teaches yoga.'"
Me: "I hate my life."

Despite the fact that we are currently living 3,600 miles away from each other and yes, I am getting my master's in CLASSICAL STUDIES, FOCUS ON GREEK LITERATURE and yet I do in fact, just teach yoga, I'm so grateful to the laughs and random conversations we have.

I can't believe he's mine.

Dear Universe, well done.

British babies, OMG

Over the weekend, I had the amazing honor to be part of Briana and Barry's gender reveal party. It was, the most fun night! I laughed, I got teary (who are we kidding, I cried), we celebrated, it was all just beautiful and perfect and celebrating all the love in the room for Baby Meredith was just so sweet!

And Bri is basically a rock star and organized this whole thing and it was pretty much perfection. Bri, when I finally rope some poor soul into marrying me, I want my wedding to be exactly like your party--can ya help a sister out? ;)

Anyways, it was a brilliant night and I loved every minute of it. I felt so lucky that they included me in their special evening and I cannot wait to see these two crazy kiddos grow into the BEST PARENTS EVER!

Look at this space!!

The Embankment restaurant/pub/hotel looked amazing

The party was held in a gorgeous little hotel pub in Bedford that I am now obsessed with and want to take everyone to, because omg, so cute! (oh, and amazing food and drink!)

No detail was spared....

Yeah, she made all the favors and name tags! I can't even manage to curl my hair on a semi regular basis.... 

The proud parents to be! Seriously, are't these two the sweetest?!

Funny story, when I walked in we both squealed we were so excited to see each other. #friendship, yo. 

Y'all. This is how you do a menu.

I'm still dreaming about the risotto 

BABY WELLIES I DIE

With one of my most favorite Floridians (they're the best people, I have three of them in my life that I love dearly) and cutest mama to be ever!

Let's discuss her dress because it was FABULOUS!

A night away from the city surrounded by loving, happy people was exactly what this little Scrooge MGrinch needed. It was a really special evening and I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it.

And also, YAY LITTLE BRITISH BABIES OH MY GOD!

London love

It's no secret that living over here is kicking my ass. Between school and missing friends and family, some days I feel like throwing myself off Millenium Bridge. But, I don't, cause, ya know, Thames water is gross and I don't think the fall would actually kill me.

But, some days, some days are really good.

Some days I take my dogs for a walk, go to the studio (oh haiiii I have a job!), run errands, and come home to find an email that my dissertation topic was approved and my advisor is my most favorite professor (she quotes The Sound of Music and Harry Potter) and remember that I get to live here:

My city is the prettiest city

When it's nice, I take the long way home and walk along the Embankment to Westminster. It's a long, tourist filled trek, but, the views are always worth it 

So perfectly London. And I'm wildly jealous of the couple I randomly snapped here--how cute are they?! (I miss my other half of my coupledom, clearly)

It's even pretty in the fog 

It's the most wonderful time of the year.... 

Those days? They aren't so bad.

But, I'd still cut a bitch for some In N Out. And REAL Diet Coke. With ice.

Birthday Month!

Somehow, this year has nearly come and gone and we are gearing up for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the eventual making of New Years Resolutions (obviously, mine are repeat from last year, including six pack abs, and making fetch happen).

Which means, my birthday is right around the corner.

Cue panic attack.

I've never handled birthdays well. Pretty much after the age of 18, it was all downhill for me. I do not age gracefully and few things send me into a shame spiral quite as easily as knowing another 365 days have come and gone and I've basically not done a damn thing. (although 28 nearly killed me, there were some awesome highlights!)

This one is especially hard. My last year in my 20s. With nothing to show for it. I've no husband, no children, no current job (hoping I can rectify this one as I have a job interview today!). It's actually wildly depressing. Yes, I have SO MUCH in my life and SO MUCH to be thankful for and love, but, ya know, it's still startling that at 29, I'm no closer to the life I thought I would live than I was at 19.

Remember when you were a kid and birthdays meant presents and cake? I think I'd be all over the big 2-9 if someone could promise me a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake and every dress in Anthropologie (the US stores, not this bullshit the UK tries to pass off, seriously). Sadly, I don't think that will happen... (Hugh, are you reading this? It's the least you could do for taking your wife to the Oscars instead of me!)

But, that's ok. It's ok because this year, I get to celebrate my wrinkles and gray hair in London! I get to ring in 29 with the best roommate anyone could ask for. I get to go to sleep with my beagle and my bulldog. I get to wake up knowing that 3,600 miles across the sea in Maryland, there is a very special guy who is waiting for me to finish grad school and get back to him.

And that? That's probably the greatest gift ever. (gag me, I know. It's disgusting, I'm embarrassed for me)

But, I mean, if you wanted to buy things for me, I accept Burberry, J Crack--I mean Crew, Kate Spade, and of course, British Airways miles to get this nugget on a flight from Heathrow.

Goofy nugget 

Just a suggestion...

Oh. I also accept baby otters.

LOOK AT THOSE FEET OMG OMG I NEED ONE

GET ON IT.

It's not always sunny

Well, I live in London, so, it's rarely really sunny, but, hang with me here.

I'm not even going to try to pretend--I mean, this blog has always been an honest place, this isn't the time to change that. The last week as really, really sucked. Leaving Baltimore nearly killed me and then I was thrown head first into stress about exams and dissertations, and essays and reading and all the other joys that come with graduate school. To which I say, I'm sorry, why did I decide to do this again? I gave up my life of watching reruns of Bones and eating an endless supply of In N Out and Chipotle for what again?! Right now, I'm not entirely sure!

Damn artists getting me sucked back in! 

Coupled with the fact that it's my birthday month--which is usually a big excuse for me to buy everything at J Crew and round up my girlfriends for a sugar and carb coma. But, not this year. Which is really sad because it's a big birthday--last one in my 20s. And my roommate wants to celebrate BIG. Which I adore about her. But, I had the horrifying realization that I have no one to invite. I mean, I have two friends locally here, TWO, but, alas, they are both married, professional women who live out of the city. I can't ask them to schlep into London on a Saturday night to keep me company while I stand outside the stage door of The Queen's in an effort to steal Tam Mutu, I mean, I just can't. (that said, if y'all are reading this, please come, I really, really, really want you to!) (don't worry, that's not actually the birthday plan. Dinner and drinks in Covent Garden, that's fun!)

So. That bummed me out.

No one to share my birthday with was a very hard pill to swallow. Plus, the debilitating illness I battled for years and had surgery to temporarily fix has come back--just like they said it would. I'm a bushel of fun!

Because of all that, I decided that I needed to get out of my head, get out of my house and go enjoy this amazing city that I live in, and took Sunday afternoon to hang out at my favorite place: the V&A Museum.

It always does the job!

My favorite view at the museum--from the interior courtyard

Even though the V&A has no focus on the classic/ancient world, it's still the damn V&A and it.is.awesome!

A new light installation (saying that makes me think of Carrie and Alexsander Petrofsky) (duh) at the Cromwell entrance 

I mean, how can you not love it? 

A blurry shot of the hanging sculpture in the grand hall. I need a tripod, evidently. 

I even put on makeup and everything for the outing!

Sometimes I look presentable.... 

Straightened non hobo fro hair? It's a miracle! Oh, also, art! Look:

Better detail of the lights--I am kind of in love 

For whatever reason, of everything found in the museum (except the art library, but that is closed right now--I CAN'T EVEN) the cast courts is my favorite place. It's a little creepy, but, I love it. 

Well. Until I stumbled upon this. 

It's Joey from Warhorse. NO BIG DEAL OR ANYTHING! I love that play so much!

After a few hours hanging out with the art, my roommate came down for an early dinner and we did a walk and talk before sitting down to eat. 

Fun fact, I love carousels. As in, if there is one, 99% I will buy a ticket. Which, I did. 

Christmas at the Natural History Museum 

We made a quick trek into Hyde Park so I could wave hi to my favorite venue in London....

Royal Albert Hall will always, always be Phantom 25th for me!

And a lovely little view of the London Eye and the Shard

A quiet evening back at home, and I'm feeling better. Not 100%, but, better!

Illegal picture taking Shabbs, over and out! 

(I got yelled at for taking a picture in the jewelry room, but, he didn't ask me to delete it, and also, we've done this same picture SO MANY TIMES) (rude)

Babes did Baltimore

And we did it up right!

Good morning, Baltimore!

Seriously, if you ever go to Baltimore, do what we did because we basically won at life this weekend.

Not so secretly, I had some feelings about him taking the job and moving to Baltimore, because hello, I live in Dallas, and, also, Baltimore? But, this weekend proved us both (he wasn't so sure either) wrong and basically, Maryland has won me over and I cannot wait to go back!

I arrived late Thursday night to this face.....

Received as part of a "I can't believe you're almost here!" text message. 

Upon arrival, I was armed with a list of suggestions from the amazing Duchessbelle (dude, I need your new blog address lady), who I've hung with in NYC so I KNOW girl has good taste. Plus, she's a little fireball Italian, like someone else I know and she would never steer us wrong.

On Friday, T went to work and I set up shop at Starbucks hogging their free wireless to write essays and work. It wasn't incredibly exciting, but, it was good and I managed a bit of sightseeing and of course, Chipotle-ing while the boy was busy designing buildings and some shit.

That night, despite the freezing weather, I gussied myself up for my first date in 8 weeks! T and I do dating really, really well. There is nothing better than a nice meal shared with someone you adore and catching up on good conversation. Friday, we did just that! After a trip to meet the roommates we headed to Annapolis and wandered the streets for a bit and just held hands and talked. Basically, heaven.

Sushi dates have always been "our" thing, so, we found a sushi joint, over ordered on the food (standard practice) and chatted for two hours. I'm telling you. There's nothing better.

We killed this entire thing

Post dinner demanding girlfriend screeching "SMILE FOR PICTURE!" resulted in this

Saturday we slept in--or, well, he slept in and I was awake at 5 am working because I am an insomniac, and also really know how to win at romantic vacations, obviously. When it was a decent hour, we trekked to Woodberry Kitchen, which, just, oh my god. T is not a brunch person, as most dudes aren't, but, he likes good food and I wanted a damn eggs Benedict so off we went. Again. Oh. My. God. It was the best food I've ever had and the building was gorgeous. Naturally, T being a designer was in heaven with the exposed brick, the old silos, the copper pipping. It was gorgeous. And, again, best food ever--T even found a bloody mary he liked!

Food dreams come true here

No more Bloody Mary!

How cute is this guy, seriously?!

Because designers need to take pictures of everything. 

Parking garage. I mean, it was pretty rad. 

From there we walked around the area, taking pictures in an old abandoded factory and finding townhomes to buy in ya know, dreamland.

We went back into the city where someone took a little redhead to the Peabody Conservatory and she died because MUSIC, and then to the George Peabody Library which was basically Belle's dream and I twirled around like Belle and geeked out for a good hour and a half. It was absolute magic.

Peabody Library 

Y'ALL. Belle is jealous.

 I may have twirled....

First books I found when we walked in. T thought this was HILARIOUS. Which, it kinda is. 

From there, we wandered a bit to the Walter's Art Museum and both got to geek out on art. It was SO fun to be there with him and watch him get excited about brush strokes and lighting and! And he allowed me to spaz out over the Roman world and Byzantine Empire. He really gets me and I absolutely love that (mostly he just likes to brag that his girlfriend is getting her MA in Classics at King's College London and she writes about Homer all day).

Classicist geek moment here. 

 Reflection selfies while admiring the jewelry....

I adore us together. We are nerds of the first degree! (seriously how cute?!)

 I adore this guy more

The real guy, not the knight. I don't know him, but I'm sure he's lovely. 

We did a little walk and talk in the Inner Harbor before dinner at Chinghiale, which was amazingly recommended by the Duchess. Y'all. Basically, it was to die for and awesome and I got to have a fancy dinner night with my guy. I have no pictures because I ate too much and was way too happy enjoying the company of an extremely handsome Italian man, that for some reason actually likes me!

Sunday was total Sunday Funday for the Italian and Scot! Breakfast in Little Italy (all.the.canollis!), followed by running around the harbor and eventually the National Aquarium and Federal Hill, coupled with dinner with the duchess and her man. I couldn't have created a better day if I had tried!

Nevermind we'd just eaten paninis the size of a small house 

We ran around the parks in the harbor, I proved I could stand up in a tunnel, he could not, we jumped on merry go rounds, made Finding Nemo references, took a paddleboat out, and enjoyed drinks on the docks. I've not laughed so hard or smiled so much since I don't remember when.

Giant men cannot stand up in a tree tunnel, as demonstrated by T

Maybe I quoted Finding Nemo a time or two. Or, two hundred. 

"Smile!" "Stop laughing and just take the picture!" "We look stupid." (WTF with my squinty eyes and mouse nose? WTF is he doing with me?!) (don't answer that)

I found a cannon (and a very cute boy) on Federal Hill (y'all know my love of cannons, yes?)

Hiya, harbor!

Baltimore view from Fed Hill aka where I'm trying to get him to move 

Dinner with Duchess and J was perfect. We laughed, we enjoyed great food, we got to learn a little more about the area--it was just, anything you could have wished for. After dinner, we spent some time at the bar just talking and he gave me a present. Because he's the best boyfriend ever.

Which basically killed every gift ever for the rest of my life.

He had his friend, a jewelry designer create the charms for me--one for each of my pups so that they are always with me even if I am in London. I mean, y'all, seriously. Sweetest thing ever.

Monday I ran around town, went to a proper mall, found a McDonald's, drove a car--basically, awesomeness--before I had to pick my love up from work and head to the airport. So, the worst day ever. But, he took me out for oysters before I got on a plane and that made me happy because, ya know, OYSTERS! I think I'm going to like visiting Baltimore...

But, we ate amazing food, we saw museums and FISH and made dirty rowing jokes ("you'll never catch a crab from me!"--only rowers will get this), caught up, laughed until we cried, and I got to hold my boyfriend's hand while I walked down the street, OMG!

Can't wait to go back and see this idiot again.

Can't wait to explore DC with him on my next trip (Christy. End of December. I'm there. Let's make it work!). Can't wait to celebrate his birthday and New Year's. Can't. Freaking. Wait!