All Things Christmas and More

As I drink the last of the mulled wine that we bought for the festive period, it's a bittersweet feeling realizing that the last two weeks of good times with my close friends have come to an end, at least for now.

I had planned on updating the blog over Christmas, but P and I were so busy with our visitors Yeller Fever (from the Small Island) and the Gorgeous M (from the Land of the Free) that I just didn't have time.

The two weeks, jammed pack to the brim with activities, have flown by in a blurr. I walked more in those 14 days than I have in the last 14 months combined! We visited Brighton (our hands down favourite), Bath, Hampton Court (the summer residence of Henry the 8th), Greenwich (where time began!) and Kew Gardens. One afternoon was spent on a pub crawl around central Blundon and we whiled away time at the Christmas Market at Hyde Park another evening. We met up with friends for lunches, dinners, drinks, etc. You get the idea.

We did so much that when Yeller Fever and the Gorgeous M left us on New Year's Day, P and I promptly developed sore throats that night. I have not left the house in the last three days in an attempt to get better as we both are back at work tomorrow, groan. But that's life, bills have to be paid!

Anyway, I won't complain as my boss got me a wonderful Christmas present. She gave me a £150 gift card from my favourite Brrritish furnishing store, and I bought a lovely rug for our dining room:

I guess it's her way of telling me that I'm fabulous and to thank me for all the hard work I put in during the year. And frankly, who am I to argue with that?!

Way back in September, P bought me a cornflower blue sapphire ring and matching earrings as a Christmas present:


But as the weather turned very cold recently, he also gave me two pairs of Ugg boots and a long DKNY Jeans puffa coat. They are rather ugly but in this weather, who cares about vanity? Certainly not me! P says I look like a walking bedroom with my new coat but I honestly can't be bothered. Being warm is my first priority.

Yeller Fever got me a Swarovski mobile phone charm and Canadian Mum gave me a 2008 edition Swarovski Christmas ornament (which Yeller Fever was kind enough to bring for me). I also received a luxurious grey cashmere scarf and a funky set of pyjamas from the Gorgeous M. I got many more gifts but they are too numerous to continue listing. 'People, don't jealous hor' ha ha.

As 2009 begins, I have already starting making plans for the year. The weather forecast for tomorrow is set to hit -5 and with the flu I'm fighting off, I long to be somewhere warm. I miss wearing spaghetti-strapped tops and shorts, and eating food from the hawker centres that cost $3. I think I hear the voice of the Small Island calling me home.

But for now, it's back to the real world and as it's too expensive to eat out in this sh*thole, cooking dinner in my cold kitchen calls me louder. Ugh!