random thoughts

The past few days have been a bit rough... a lot has happened. I have accepted a new job and resigned from my current. I have dealt with over zealous co-workers, crazy customers, lost my favorite earring, found my favorite earring. Had my first experience with the national health care system... which at first went horrible, though after the redemption of the manager, went wonderful. Celebrated yet another holiday away from the states, this one even less recognized than Halloween. My thoughts have been all over the place, and I have thought of so many things to share with everyone. Though at the moment they seem to escape me outside of random bits and pieces. So, I guess I will share some of them.

- Buskers, they are the people who sit and play music or sing for donation instead of simply begging. Did you know that to preform at the tube stops they must apply for these positions. I was amazed by this. They are quite good though, so that does make sense. I love it when they are there. It makes everything seem so much more... welcoming, not as cold.

-We have put up our Christmas tree... it is small, doesn't take up much space, and is really all we need. It is decorated with lights purchased from the home and garden store down the road, one strand from b&g. And ornaments that made the trip from Missouri. I managed to fit quite a bit in our luggage, and knew that these small reminders of comfort would come in very handy. I like to think I have outgrown the small homesick girl that I once was, but who am I kidding. It is made much easier with Alex, but there are still a lot of tough times. There at the top, front of the tree is the sacred Texas ornament so often  debated about between my father and I. :)

- I can see my breath as I type this. It is cold! I never realized how much I appreciated central heat (and air... but for me more heat), I find my fingers and toes turning white more and more, be it at home or work. We have a few heaters we cold plug in more, but then it drains through the money for electricity much faster. We light candles, bundle up in layers and sit with blankets on. Here they have hot water bottles instead of heating pads or such, so I am considering getting one of them. Though I think we may begin to resort to the heaters soon.

-For some reason, I always had this idea that I wanted to know what it was like to have to really watch my money. Not just a bit, but where it really mattered. To have to choose between food and the month's issue of vogue. Silly I know, but it was something I saw as a positive, something to really make you learn and grow. There are so many songs, television shows and movies after it, I wanted to know what it might be like. And when you don't have to, no matter how strict or tight you try to be with your money, I have now learned it is simply not the same, because it doesn't have to be. I now have realized, it is true, it does make you learn and grow a lot. I appreciate parent's now more than ever, for providing money (when the decision was between food for a few days, or our phones being cut off) and so much more. In my little dream scenario I was never married so of course my decision always went to vogue. I saw me curled up eating roman noodles or something random like my meals of pickles, cheesy noodles and frozen peas. when you have someone else in your life, someone else to consider and someone you put before yourself.... vogue goes out the window.

- It is the random things that I find myself missing, and it comes without much warning at all. On the way home tonight I felt the extreme desperation for a route 44 diet Dr. pepper from sonic.... or a diet Dr.. pepper period for that matter. I miss the warmth of being able to run around my apartment in shorts and a t-shirt, my exercise ball and the comfort of all things clean and welcoming. I miss Nakato and walking into somewhere that you are known. Having a place to go buy all the things I needed, even if it was in Kansas City, St. Louis, Dallas or some other more distant location. I miss being able to pick up my phone and call a friend, a parent, anyone. I miss not depending on the tubes... (which are on a 24 hour strike starting tonight at 6:30 pm) though, I am so glad I don't have to deal with car issues, re-payments, de-icing and the like. I miss black Friday and all of the chaos and fun that it was.

I will leave with this as I am exhausted, cold and a bit home sick once again, tomorrow I am sure will turn for the better, and I will remember again why it is I love London so. If not tomorrow, I know it will on Tuesday when I get the day off again with Alex to enjoy this wonderful city we now call home.