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So write to us and let us know what you're up to, or else......we'll all come back speaking with funny British accents!!!

Snow in London

We woke up the other morning to find snow!! It melted by the time we left the house late morning but we were ready for a blizzard. We went to Rome's first playgroup at St. Paul's Church up the street. There were two little British babes, Tallulah and Sarah, Otto, a Sri Lankan boy one week older than Rome and Marc a ten month old from Sierra Leone. Rome represented America. It took him a while to adjust and he was taken a back when Tallulah tried to kiss him at first sight but by the end was excited and not even phased when Marc came up face to face for a kiss!

Putting on the Ritz

My mom & her beau arrived just in time for their birthdays so we went to afternoon tea at The Ritz. Celebrating their 100th anniversary, this was as traditional as it gets (the women's loo was lovely too as you can see in the photo). The following night we went to Rules, London's oldest restaurant. It's over 200 years old--nearly as old as the U.S.

Other highlights from the week included walks in our neighborhood through the canals, daytrips to Oxford & the Bellingham Estate where Churchill was born, Greenwhich & the Royal Observatory. Also pictured is a light installation in the courtyard at the V&A Museum done by the guys from Massive Attack. It's very groovy with sounds & colors that are activated when people walk through, creating a unique soundscape. It would be ideal set in the desert in Nevada....

Inside Harrod's Christmas Grotto

Those of you who know me won't be surprised to hear that two days into the move to our new house, the day before Christmas Eve (a Saturday no less), I decided that Rome HAD to have his picture taken with Santa at Harrod's in their Christmas Grotto. Knowing this was going to be hectic the Saturday before the biggest shopping holiday of the year, I headed out early to arrive when the store opened at 10 a.m. By the time I found my way up there (the store is so big they have maps available so you can find your way), it was ten after ten but they gave me a time slot for 12:30. I asked suspiciously "has it been that busy this morning?". He said it was and that was the first available time, although there wasn't a soul in sight. Realizing the damage I could do by then and also what a racket the whole thing was, I left and came back at my scheduled time.

At that point, they open up the doors to "the Grotto" where you then stand in line for 45 minutes to an hour before you see Santa. It was like Disneyland inside with carolers and animated creatures, videos and and decorations. Although it was very loud, Rome slept the entire time as we made our way through the snaked queue. Everyone around was dressed in their designer, Sunday best. Since I was actually in the midst of moving and unpacking, I hadn't really though about my appearance--until then. I was wearing old camouflage pants, a sweater and dirty puma trainers. I had on no makeup and my hair was so knotted I couldn't get a brush through it so I threw it up into a ponytail. (What was I doing at Harrod's looking like that anyway, right?)

As we reached the front of the second room, I asked how much longer and they replied "you're up now- go on!!" Rome was still in a deep sleep so I needed some time to wake him up. We let some others go ahead until I had Rome smiling and seemingly happy. He was fine until he saw Santa and started to cry. After a few moments, they got a quick shot and we were ushered out. I paid for the picture and by then Rome was really awake so I decided to get another shot. After explaining the situation, they let us back in without waiting again. As soon as Rome saw Santa, he started to wail. When I left him on Santa's lap, he screamed louder that I've ever heard. They tried to convince me to stay in the picture but since I looked appalling, I refused. Too late-- they took the picture and that was it!!

So, there went anther $20. All I needed was a bad photo of me sitting on a black leather booth with my boy crying and a skinny-looking Santa. With a little touching up I figure it can't be all that bad. Can anyone photoshop the photo to read "Harrod's Christmas GHETTO". Just change two letters and you're there...

Holidays & family

Chistmas in London was incredible- especially so since we had family here to share it with. We started out on the 24th walking down the street from our temporary accommodations with Jim & Gretchen to Westminster Abbey for services, then to the outdoor market to shop for our Chritmas dinner and then to a gastropub for a hearty roast. The next day, we went to our new place to open presents & celebrate. We had lots of packages wrapped under the tree and Rome cleaned up. We prepared our first meal in our new home that day and set the table with our china, crystal, and silver--used for the very first time that day. Finally, we have a home for all those beautiful wedding gifts.... Right as we were sitting down for dinner we heard a loud noise outside the back. We looked out the dining room window and, I kid you not, there was a fireworks show beginning! We stood there and watched it in awe, as if it were our own personal show being held just for us--the timing and setting was that perfect.

the Sunday roast

If you come visit us, make sure you're here on a Sunday so we can take you to one of Islington's many fabulous gastropubs for a roast. Gastropubs are pubs but with cuisine that is far superior than a typical pub, focusing on gastronomy and often organic ingredients from the finest food purveyors. Our neighborhood is loaded with some of the best and we found out today has the highest concentration of them than anywhere in the country.We spent Christmas Eve with Jim & Gretchen at "The Marquess". Last week, we went with my mom and her beau to an all organic one. Even the wine & beer was certified organic. The food was amazing-- the beer not quite so. They have great veggie options too. Even Rome who doesn't eat was licking his chops.

Englefield Road

We are loving our new place in Islington. Here are some shots of our street & flat (techically I think it's a maisonette since it's situated on two floors- three if you count the entrance). It's an 1860s building building but has been restored inside beautifully with all modern appliances. Today we tried drilling holes in the wall to put a shelf up. It was solid brick & mortar! The windows in the middle are the living room & office. Master bed & bath on the top floor.

Our neighbors have a lovely garden - we enjoy the view but don't have to maintain it or deal with the wild foxes that run through. They came out to rummage through our trash this weekend though. We also have a small rooftop terrace that we went up to on New Years Eve to watch the fireworks all over town--the entire city was going off!!

Yogi's in London

I finally got to yoga today! Sadly enough, with the holidays, the move and visitors, I've only been to 3 classes since I arrived in London. The first was at a center near our temporary housing and was only and hour-long class -- very weak. The best part was when I was leaving, I overheard someone saying "we only do this once a week. People in California work out everyday! Can you believe?" (If ony they could see most of you lazy bums!!)

The second class was at the extremely popular Tri-Yoga which everyone says is the best and where all the celebs go, ya-da, ya-da. The class was decent -- nothing great but at least a full our and a half. I thought it was odd that I was the only one who brought my own mat though. I bought a 5 class pass since they were having a December special ($22 per class rather than $28). When I returned in January with my cards they gave me, they apologized and said that they have a new system and none of my info was transfered so they had no proof that I bought a 5 class pass. They also said I had the wrong color card (i showed them what they gave me) and since the manager was away, they couldn't let me in, unless I paid for another class or showed my credit card receipt. I explained how I had to get a babysitter (ie.grandma) and take the bus across town to get there but they wouldn't budge. In all my years of doing yoga, I was appalled at the treatment to a student and have never been denied a class for any reason whatsoever. I'll be sure to get the other classes I paid for somehow and then never go back again...

Today I decided to check out a center near our new flat. They specialize in "shadow yoga". I've never heard of it but was open to trying new things so set out to take a beginner class and learn the 1st of the four part series. It was very different from any other yoga I've done. First off, no one had a mat again-- the entire floor was the mat. Then, we never did any of the asanas I've practiced but rubbed our hands together rapidly to create heat and then moved our hands around our bodies in a pattern that moved the energy around -- giving ourselves a "cosmic shower" as she called it. I didn't feel it was much of a workout but I feel much calmer now and was kind of dizzy all day so I guess it did something. (Pepe finds this funny)

There are several other centers in the area and I'm determined to try them all until I find one that fits. At $20+ per class though, I also plan to start a home yoga practice as the next step and some mommy & baby yoga with Rome as well. namaste.