Jenny and Larissa

Hello Lovely Readers!

Apparently, I am saying lovely a lot now since moving to London. It hardly seems almost three months since I moved here, it feels like forever . . . but in a good way! Larissa arrived in London last Friday evening and I walked down to her hotel to pick her up. We caught up quickly on what was going on in her life and what was going on in mine. It was nice to have her around, giving me the third degree, like a good older cousin/sister should. I think I passed the test and convinced her of my happiness. It shouldn't take much, I am truly happy here. I can honestly say I don't EVER want to go back.

We then proceeded to take the underground, something which Larissa had gotten a crash course in earlier, by taking it during RUSH HOUR! Way to go Larissa, I am proud, I avoid the standing room only crunch as much as possible.

We reached the airport after an hour of underground madness and finally a member of my family met my John. He was sitting in the airport pub, after seeing our two friends, Steve and Nat, off to India. He ordered us beer and chips/fries, as we were both starving. Then he proceeded to work his charm, the same that won me over, on Larissa. Soon, she was under his spell and he had her full stamp of approval.

Jenny arrived a little past 10, she walked out looking disgruntled, no surprise for Jenny, and we took the long train ride back to Tufnell Park, talking the whole way, John in the background, standing silently with Jenny's luggage under his guard.

We then went to the Boston, our local Irish pub, and since it was Keraoke night, Jenny proceeded to glance through the song book with Larissa, making fun of the available songs while having their first English pint. Having Jenny there was like a ray of sunlight. I missed her, my best friend, my twin soul, my sister. I am happy, but to have her sit there, meet my John, see my new home, and live my new life with me only made it even better to get up the next morning and every morning since then.

I walked them around the next day to Portobello Road, Notting Hill, the famous antique market. We then rushed down to Green Park to walk from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and have the girls do the basics. Here we met John, who proceeded to act as a tour guide, filling in with tidbits of history and fact. Yet again, he was his wonderful, charming self and won over Jenny and Larissa.

Saturday night we went to Alexandra Palace, a community center of sorts, to witness Bonfire Night fireworks. In the back of the humongous building there was a large grassy area on a hill that we all stood around. Apparently there were fifty thousand people there and I don't blame them. Not only could you see the fireworks show for the Ali Pali as we called it, but you could see shows all over London due to our elevation. I have to say, afterwards I hung my head in shame as an American. The fireworks show I saw was the BEST I have ever seen. I saw fireworks that I have never seen in America. They had trippy ones that would be shot up, spin in the air like a pinwheel while shooting off sparks for an uncanny amount of time, then explode in a rage of color. They had others that were just unbelievable, and indescribable unless you were there. Believe me, Jenny, who lives in Washington D.C, and has seen the Capitol's 4th of July celebration agreed with me readily, the fireworks were absolutely amazing. They were also coordinated to music such as the battle theme from the movie Excalibur, the Flower Duet, the Nutcracker, works by Beethoven, and other famous beautiful pieces of music. Yet still, I am telling you, the fireworks were more vivid, colorful, and overall, breathtaking than anything I have ever seen in America. Poor Guy Fawkes . . . and he was only the pansy.

http://www.bonefire.org/guy/index.php

After that Jenny got to meet a few of my new friends. Dan, who is from Liverpool, and his dirty but funny sense of humour. His friend Simon, who for once, was not playing the sulky silent type. My girls, Nicola and Helen, who despite their size and weight, surprised Jenny in their ability to drink a few. Jenny was the hit of the night and everyone adored my sister, as well they should because she is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


By Sunday Larissa was suffering as I had once suffered when initially moving to England. We Los Angeleans think we walk, but really, we DON'T. We have no idea what it is to walk. I can confirm this by my experience with blisters, calluses, and new comfortable walking shoes. It has taken me three months to get use to the walking and still, sometimes I wake up with sore, crampy feet. We managed to make it to Regent's Park, which has beautiful Regency, Jane Austen time period, buildings surrounding it. Then we met up with Jenny and had a few pints along with the traditional Sunday English Roast. Then we got to see additional fireworks around town, since technically Guy Fawkes Night was on a Monday this year. . . . yeah, they lasted Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday people! Hello Americans . . why don't we do that!!!!!!

Overall I think the girls got to see the things I love most about this country . . .the humour, the history, the culture, the people, the pride . . . . and most importantly, my best friend and love, John. Both have said that they can't wait to come back and I told them, I am not going anywhere. I love it here and still pinch myself everyday . . . I am in London . . .living MY dream. . . . .living MY life


Next . . . I have no idea . . . but I will think of something interesting I am sure! ;-)