Saturday, December 15, 2007

Ice Skating at Somerset House

How cool is that? I have always wanted to go ice skating in a scenic setting so we did! Every year they set up an ice skating rink in the middle of the court yard at Somerset House where you can go around and around for an hour. I had never been ice skating before and it was a very strange sensation stepping onto that ice. I was a bit nervous. After being dragged around for a little while I felt confident enough to give it a go on my own and I wasn't bad. I did fall. It hurt. But only once. Other people around me fell a lot more. I like to think my years on roller skates gave me a good foundation. I am not sure how to describe how happy ice skating made me. It was so much fun to do something I had never done before-I kind of felt like a little kid. Something I can honestly say I will always remember. I'm smiling just thinking about it!

It is cold cold cold right now. No rain or snow so that is good I guess but getting up in the morning is less than fun, especially since it is still dark. It is pitch black by 4:30 as well which encourages lazy habits and evenings in. Christmas is fast approaching and I am looking forward to a week of doing nothing! The plan is to take my bike for a spin over the winter holidays but as I like to preface every bike ride-rain cancels!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Brighton



This weekend Martin took me to Brighton as an early Christmas present. Like any young girl, I had grand ideas about what this sea side town would offer after reading too many Jane Austin novels. I think when the Bennets went to Brighton however, it wasn't in the middle of winter...


The second day was much calmer than the first. We managed to take a walk on the beach and visited the Royal Pavilion which reminded me a lot of being in Spain. A pleasure palace built in the 1800s it was a beautiful building and if it weren't under construction I am sure a delight to take in at night as well, all lit up. The gardens were not too grand but I am sure in bloom would be lovely.

I was mostly excited to see the sea. I miss the ocean and large waves and frolicking freely on the beach. When I ever did this while living in San Francisco would have been limited to one week a year when it was actually warm enough to be on a beach but it was always nice to know I could if I wanted to. Plus, being an active individual I always came across the Pacific on a bike ride or two. And Brighton did feel like a beach town. When we actually managed to get to the sea front-torrential rain and hurricane like wind conditions not with-standing-it felt a lot like what I wanted it to feel like. A beach girl at heart I love it when it is calm and serene and stormy and threatening as well. I could have looked at the waves crashing for hours but not soaking wet and freezing cold as well. It was really nice to get away and go some place I have always wanted to see. Even though the sun didn't really shine and it was advisable to stay inside, I loved walking the streets,the drama of the weather and the nice cup of tea with yummy cake. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the penny arcade! They still have old fashioned penny machines where you stand the chance of winning a pocket full of change and a sweet. This was EXTREMELY exciting the first pound I played. It may have been a mistake to play the other pound as it did get a little boring but I like to win, even if it is only a couple of two pence coins!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Distinction

Just got my grades back for my course and I am graduating with Distinction, the highest honour my university bestows upon its graduates. I am so happy! I wanted to do well and I worked hard but you never know with these things. Just because I thought my dissertation was well done doesn't mean they would. Yay! Thanks to everyone for their help and support! And thanks for the beautiful flowers Martin!