Wow! Can you believe it? Another year has come and gone.
2015 went by so quickly. I remember hearing my parents and adults say "time flies!" when I was younger, and now it amazes me how quickly time actually does fly by. I never realized it when most of my days consisted of waking up, going to school, coming home from school, going to bed, step and repeat. Because days were so similar and I wasn't really thinking about future plans, it seemed the years went by at the speed they should. But now, I plan a trip for us a few months in advance, and then it feels like I wake up and go, "Woah! The trip is here. Where did those months go?"
This year, we are spending New Year's with some friends in our flat. We'll be drinking caipirinhas from Brazil, port from Portugal, Fireball from 'Merica, and really gross schnapps from Vienna but it came in a cool violin bottle- we've got to get rid of it somehow!
Time is flying by, but 2015 was such an amazing year. And I have a feeling that 2016 will be even better : )
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Finally Swinging Away: Golf in the UK
Until last weekend, there was one thing left from everything that we shipped over that we still hadn't used quite yet...Our golf clubs.
Yes, Aaron and I shipped our clubs over, and then after moving here, realized we clearly didn't plan things very well: no car, terrible UK weather, and living in the middle of a city (yeah, I'm sure there will be a golf course right next to Westminster Abbey...)
But Christmas time gave me a good excuse to do some research, and I found a course that was only a 35 minute bus ride and short walk away. Last Sunday, we headed out to play a round of 9 holes, all par 3. It wasn't the most exciting course, but after I'd gone 2.5 years without swinging a club, it was really fun! Afterwards, we went to the driving range and then got a beer.
A successful golf outing, even if it was in UK weather!
Monday, December 28, 2015
Our Christmas in London
This year, Aaron and I decided to spend Christmas - just the two of us - in London. It was very different from how we normally spend the holiday, but very memorable.
On Christmas eve, we headed out to catch the carol service at St. Paul's, a massive church in the heart of London. We knew there was a minimal chance we'd get to attend the service inside, but our friends went last year and said they broadcast the service on a large screen in the square next door. Unfortunately when we arrived, the line to get into the church was wrapped half way around the building and they were not broadcasting it in a second location this year.
So we thought up a new plan and headed to the Charles Dickens museum located in one of his former homes. I had read they were doing "A Very Dickensian Christmas Eve" with a few things to celebrate the day. That was an understatement. Every room in the house had actors and actresses re-enacting scenes from Dickens' infamous novel, A Christmas Carol. We learned how to make Christmas pudding in the kitchen; spoke with a grave digger who was putting dirt on Scrooge's grave; sang carols and played games in the sitting room with Scrooges' nephews and nieces; and more. Charles Dickens loved Christmas, so naturally, the house was adorned in decorations. A Christmas Carol was published by Dickens himself and to this day it has never gone out of print. The story popularized many of the Christmas traditions we have today.
After the museum, we headed over to Winter Wonderland where we rode an amusement ride (it went so high up that it was actually really scary!), Aaron won me a little snowman by knocking coconuts off of jars, and we met some friends for a few pints and festive music.
On Christmas morning, we opened our stockings and gifts. Then we headed over to a friends house for some merriment. December 25th is the only day that public transportation in London shuts down so the roads are extremely quiet. Aaron and I ended up biking to our friend's house which was actually fun because the streets were empty! We hung out there for a while and then headed back for a lobster dinner at our place and some pumpkin pie. More friends came over to our place and we played games late into the night.
We hope that your Christmas was memorable as well!
On Christmas eve, we headed out to catch the carol service at St. Paul's, a massive church in the heart of London. We knew there was a minimal chance we'd get to attend the service inside, but our friends went last year and said they broadcast the service on a large screen in the square next door. Unfortunately when we arrived, the line to get into the church was wrapped half way around the building and they were not broadcasting it in a second location this year.
So we thought up a new plan and headed to the Charles Dickens museum located in one of his former homes. I had read they were doing "A Very Dickensian Christmas Eve" with a few things to celebrate the day. That was an understatement. Every room in the house had actors and actresses re-enacting scenes from Dickens' infamous novel, A Christmas Carol. We learned how to make Christmas pudding in the kitchen; spoke with a grave digger who was putting dirt on Scrooge's grave; sang carols and played games in the sitting room with Scrooges' nephews and nieces; and more. Charles Dickens loved Christmas, so naturally, the house was adorned in decorations. A Christmas Carol was published by Dickens himself and to this day it has never gone out of print. The story popularized many of the Christmas traditions we have today.After the museum, we headed over to Winter Wonderland where we rode an amusement ride (it went so high up that it was actually really scary!), Aaron won me a little snowman by knocking coconuts off of jars, and we met some friends for a few pints and festive music.
On Christmas morning, we opened our stockings and gifts. Then we headed over to a friends house for some merriment. December 25th is the only day that public transportation in London shuts down so the roads are extremely quiet. Aaron and I ended up biking to our friend's house which was actually fun because the streets were empty! We hung out there for a while and then headed back for a lobster dinner at our place and some pumpkin pie. More friends came over to our place and we played games late into the night.
We hope that your Christmas was memorable as well!
Friday, December 25, 2015
A British Christmas Tradition: The Pantomime
Men dressing up as women, crowd interaction and disguised adult humor sprinkled in between family fun. This is what makes up one of Britain's favorite Christmas traditions: the pantomime. Also called a panto, it is a musical or show with slapstick comedy that is entertaining for kids.
Pantomimes are a big thing in the UK. Almost all the theaters have them and parents take their kids to them in the month leading up to Christmas. I learned about it from my coworkers who told me that Aaron and I just had to go!
So on Wednesday evening, we went and saw Cinderella at a theater nearby. It wasn't exactly the Cinderella story you know- it was modernized and localized, with Cinderella first meeting Prince Charming on the banks of the River Thames while fishing. While there, he gives her crabs (hehe). The ugly step sisters, Booty and Licious, are actually men playing women (picture here). The cast sings modernized songs like "Panto Funk" (instead of Uptown Funk). In response to the fact that Cinderella might not get to go to the Ball, her friends sing to her that you can get very far in life without balls ; ) Even Cinderella's glass slipper is replaced by a glittery Converse sneaker.
I really enjoyed it and can see why it is so popular here. The performers asked us to participate in some parts of the show, they threw candy out into the crowd and my personal favorite was at the end, the fairy godmother made it snow inside the theater : ) Since it's 50 degrees in London right now, it looks like that's as close to a white Christmas as we are going to get!
Pantomimes are a big thing in the UK. Almost all the theaters have them and parents take their kids to them in the month leading up to Christmas. I learned about it from my coworkers who told me that Aaron and I just had to go!
So on Wednesday evening, we went and saw Cinderella at a theater nearby. It wasn't exactly the Cinderella story you know- it was modernized and localized, with Cinderella first meeting Prince Charming on the banks of the River Thames while fishing. While there, he gives her crabs (hehe). The ugly step sisters, Booty and Licious, are actually men playing women (picture here). The cast sings modernized songs like "Panto Funk" (instead of Uptown Funk). In response to the fact that Cinderella might not get to go to the Ball, her friends sing to her that you can get very far in life without balls ; ) Even Cinderella's glass slipper is replaced by a glittery Converse sneaker.
I really enjoyed it and can see why it is so popular here. The performers asked us to participate in some parts of the show, they threw candy out into the crowd and my personal favorite was at the end, the fairy godmother made it snow inside the theater : ) Since it's 50 degrees in London right now, it looks like that's as close to a white Christmas as we are going to get!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
A Meal for your Senses: Dining in the Dark
Imagine yourself sitting at a restaurant. You choose from one of four surprise menus: Chef's choice, seafood, meat or vegetarian. The waiter brings a surprise wine. Then your meal is set in front of you. The catch is that you can't see it. You can't see anything. You're literally dining in complete darkness.
How do you know when to stop pouring your wine? How do you use your knife and fork? What do you do if you can't make any visual first assumptions about what you're eating?
There's one restaurant in London that's based on this concept: dining in the dark. The owner is blind and opened it to show other people what he experiences while dining every day. All the waiters are also blind. Aaron and I went for dinner last night and it was a really eye-opening ... or eye-closing... experience.
First, we 'conga-lined' into the dark room with our waiter. We could hear other conversations in the restaurant but couldn't see anyone else or where the tables were. Our waiter helped us into the chair and then described what was on the table. Two glasses - one large for water, one small for wine - a napkin, fork and knife, and bread basket. He recommended that we pour our wine or water with one finger in the glass so we could feel when it was getting full.
As he set things down, he would tell us where they were or what shape the plate was. Aaron chose the meat menu; I chose the chef's choice. It was weird to have to rely on all your other senses besides sight. Aaron actually ate his meal with his knife and fork, but I ate with my hands - nobody could see me!
It was also really interesting to have conversations with people you've never met in the dark. We sat next to a nice couple - it was the guy's birthday - and we ended up talking with them the whole night. At the end of the dinner, we left the darkness and went to the bar together for a night cap. And there the waiters revealed what we had eaten.
Aaron and I both had some weird dishes, but we actually thought they were really good. I won't give it away, but again, I can't believe how delicious it was! Would we have eaten it had we known and been able to see it? Maybe not. But that's part of the experience of dining in the dark!
How do you know when to stop pouring your wine? How do you use your knife and fork? What do you do if you can't make any visual first assumptions about what you're eating?
There's one restaurant in London that's based on this concept: dining in the dark. The owner is blind and opened it to show other people what he experiences while dining every day. All the waiters are also blind. Aaron and I went for dinner last night and it was a really eye-opening ... or eye-closing... experience.
First, we 'conga-lined' into the dark room with our waiter. We could hear other conversations in the restaurant but couldn't see anyone else or where the tables were. Our waiter helped us into the chair and then described what was on the table. Two glasses - one large for water, one small for wine - a napkin, fork and knife, and bread basket. He recommended that we pour our wine or water with one finger in the glass so we could feel when it was getting full.
As he set things down, he would tell us where they were or what shape the plate was. Aaron chose the meat menu; I chose the chef's choice. It was weird to have to rely on all your other senses besides sight. Aaron actually ate his meal with his knife and fork, but I ate with my hands - nobody could see me!
It was also really interesting to have conversations with people you've never met in the dark. We sat next to a nice couple - it was the guy's birthday - and we ended up talking with them the whole night. At the end of the dinner, we left the darkness and went to the bar together for a night cap. And there the waiters revealed what we had eaten.
Aaron and I both had some weird dishes, but we actually thought they were really good. I won't give it away, but again, I can't believe how delicious it was! Would we have eaten it had we known and been able to see it? Maybe not. But that's part of the experience of dining in the dark!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Good Old Fashioned Football... The American Kind
I've mentioned that Aaron is in a American flag football league on Wednesday nights. He's now been in it for a few seasons and he loves it. He's gotten to know not only the players on his team but also the guys that he's playing against. And a few months back, he was invited by one of them to play some pick up games in Hyde Park on Sundays.
Flash forward to this Sunday when there was ...a co-ed game. Yes, everybody who is gasping right now, I played football. Aaron asked me to play, and to be honest, I was dreading it. I've never played an actual game before only thrown the ball around in a park with Aaron.
But to my surprise, it was actually ...fun. Yes, I hear you gasping again : ) We played 5 vs 5, and Aaron and I were on the same team. I hurt my finger warming up (laugh all you want) but then in the game, I did pretty well. I caught 3 of 5 passes to me- one being a deep over the shoulder grab near the end zone that looked really cool but unfortunately, my flag got pulled shortly thereafter so I never made it haha. Aaron was stellar as always- he had a touchdown where he stiff-armed his defender with one hand and reached the ball into the end zone with the other. He makes it look so easy!
Playing football also made me appreciate and understand the plays and runs in games more. Our quarterback would tell us all which routes to run and explain to me why he was having me run that route (clearing out an area in the field or using another player to block my coverage, etc).
We ended the game just as the London rain started to pour, and we ran back to the tube slightly muddy after winning 8-7!
Flash forward to this Sunday when there was ...a co-ed game. Yes, everybody who is gasping right now, I played football. Aaron asked me to play, and to be honest, I was dreading it. I've never played an actual game before only thrown the ball around in a park with Aaron.
But to my surprise, it was actually ...fun. Yes, I hear you gasping again : ) We played 5 vs 5, and Aaron and I were on the same team. I hurt my finger warming up (laugh all you want) but then in the game, I did pretty well. I caught 3 of 5 passes to me- one being a deep over the shoulder grab near the end zone that looked really cool but unfortunately, my flag got pulled shortly thereafter so I never made it haha. Aaron was stellar as always- he had a touchdown where he stiff-armed his defender with one hand and reached the ball into the end zone with the other. He makes it look so easy!
Playing football also made me appreciate and understand the plays and runs in games more. Our quarterback would tell us all which routes to run and explain to me why he was having me run that route (clearing out an area in the field or using another player to block my coverage, etc).
We ended the game just as the London rain started to pour, and we ran back to the tube slightly muddy after winning 8-7!
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Tis the Season for Christmas Markets
It's my favorite time of the year which means Christmas markets in London!
Before we went on our three week trip, we visited Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. I've written about it in the past, but it is basically an adult Christmas-themed amusement park. They have rides, an ice-skating rink, cute wooden pop up stands selling crafts, food and drinks, and different themed-bars such as a German beer hall, Alpine ski lodge, and carousel bar that rotates around.
Yesterday we went to another Christmas Market located on the Southbank of the river Thames. They had a cider lodge, music and different wooden pop up stands selling mulled wine, beer, food and crafts.
Then afterwards, we walked to Somerset House, a Tudor palace built in 1547. They have a huge ice skating rink this time of year so we people-watched and drank festive drinks. As fun as it is to ice skate, it's actually much more entertaining to watch other people ice skate : ) It's like real-life America's Funniest Home Videos!
Whenever we go to the markets, I have glühwein also known as mulled wine. I love it so I thought I'd share my favorite recipe with you below!
Mmm Mmmulled Wine : )
1 bottle of red wine
1/4 cup sugar
2 sticks of cinnamon
1 orange (need the peel in large strips and juice)
Pinch of nutmeg
4 whole cloves
Put everything except for the wine in a saucepan over medium heat (including whole cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peel). Pour 1/2 cup wine over the ingredients. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Add the remaining wine and simmer for 5 more minutes. Strain and pour into mugs. Serve hot and enjoy your Christmas-in-a-glass drink!
Before we went on our three week trip, we visited Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. I've written about it in the past, but it is basically an adult Christmas-themed amusement park. They have rides, an ice-skating rink, cute wooden pop up stands selling crafts, food and drinks, and different themed-bars such as a German beer hall, Alpine ski lodge, and carousel bar that rotates around.
Yesterday we went to another Christmas Market located on the Southbank of the river Thames. They had a cider lodge, music and different wooden pop up stands selling mulled wine, beer, food and crafts.
Then afterwards, we walked to Somerset House, a Tudor palace built in 1547. They have a huge ice skating rink this time of year so we people-watched and drank festive drinks. As fun as it is to ice skate, it's actually much more entertaining to watch other people ice skate : ) It's like real-life America's Funniest Home Videos!
Whenever we go to the markets, I have glühwein also known as mulled wine. I love it so I thought I'd share my favorite recipe with you below!
Mmm Mmmulled Wine : )
1 bottle of red wine
1/4 cup sugar
2 sticks of cinnamon
1 orange (need the peel in large strips and juice)
Pinch of nutmeg
4 whole cloves
Put everything except for the wine in a saucepan over medium heat (including whole cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peel). Pour 1/2 cup wine over the ingredients. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Add the remaining wine and simmer for 5 more minutes. Strain and pour into mugs. Serve hot and enjoy your Christmas-in-a-glass drink!
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Seattle - Denver - Mazatlan... Now, Finally Home
Tonight we finally arrived back home in London after a packed three weeks!
Our first stop was Seattle. We spent Thanksgiving with family, met our new niece when she was just a few weeks old, and got to be there for our nephew's first birthday. In between Aaron working and other home commitments, we also managed to spend some time friends and family.
Next up was Seattle. I headed a day earlier to spend time with my college friend, Lindsay, who I hadn't seen since our wedding! Then we were off to Boulder for a wedding- one of Aaron's college friends. It was a chilly but sunny gorgeous outdoor ceremony followed by drinks and dancing inside.
Afterwards we headed to sunny Mazatlan for a week! We spent it with friends, sipping drinks by the pool, taking a Catamaran ride to a secluded beach for some snorkeling and lots of eating and drinking since it was an all-inclusive.
Now we are finally home, but unfortunately, our bags are not. They decided to stay in the sun! Crossing our fingers that they arrive tomorrow because after three weeks of traveling, it's safe to say we have some laundry to do : )
Our first stop was Seattle. We spent Thanksgiving with family, met our new niece when she was just a few weeks old, and got to be there for our nephew's first birthday. In between Aaron working and other home commitments, we also managed to spend some time friends and family.
Next up was Seattle. I headed a day earlier to spend time with my college friend, Lindsay, who I hadn't seen since our wedding! Then we were off to Boulder for a wedding- one of Aaron's college friends. It was a chilly but sunny gorgeous outdoor ceremony followed by drinks and dancing inside.
Afterwards we headed to sunny Mazatlan for a week! We spent it with friends, sipping drinks by the pool, taking a Catamaran ride to a secluded beach for some snorkeling and lots of eating and drinking since it was an all-inclusive.
Now we are finally home, but unfortunately, our bags are not. They decided to stay in the sun! Crossing our fingers that they arrive tomorrow because after three weeks of traveling, it's safe to say we have some laundry to do : )
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