weekend

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While all our family in the US deals with piles of snow, and freezing days at home, we're dealing with wind so strong it knocks you over when you leave the house, and icy rain that seems to never stop.  Today, for once, the sun is out and the sky is blue, but we've given up expecting that to last.  We're lucky, and not dealing with any flooding or dangerous things, but still.  There's something depressing about a cold, wet winter that doesn't involve any snow.  We had plans for some time together yesterday, maybe browsing some stores and going to a restaurant after Sam finished his classes, but after getting soaked in the morning, it didn't seem like fun anymore to leave the house.  We stayed inside instead, wearing lots of layers and eating Indian food.  Sort of perfect, really. 

We ordered presents that haven't arrived yet, so now there's something to look forward to next week.  (Books, of course.)  Sam is done with classes at the moment, and just needs to work on his presentation, that he'll give a week from Monday.  In two weeks he starts his final placement, which I keep repeating because I can't quite believe it.  I feel like he was just starting this course, just a few weeks ago heading out for his very first placement, but here we are at the end.  (Almost.)  These quiet weekends with all our time just for us won't last, so it's really wonderful, enjoying them while we can. 

autumn leaves

Autumn happens pretty gradually here, so even now, trees are just starting to turn and leaves have only just started falling off.  It kind of drags the season on a little, but I love getting the chance to enjoy it for longer.  This week brought many rainy days (today brought thunderstorms and pouring rain, for example) and fireworks to celebrate Bonfire Night.  When we're feeling lazy (and it's wet out) we enjoy our flat's location even more, because we could see fireworks from our window.  It might be a really lame way to celebrate, but it was raining outside and we got to stay warm and dry, so I don't care.

five on friday

1.  Am I the only one who can't believe it's November already?  I loved this month so much last year, I'm really so excited.  I can't wait for all the upcoming travel fun I'm going to have.  (I know I mention this all the time, but I really am looking forward to seeing my dad's family again.)  

2.  Halloween was pretty uneventful yesterday.  Neither Sam nor I dressed up, and we didn't even buy any candy.  Then some friends stopped by (in costume!) and we felt sorry we had nothing to offer them.  Oh, well.

3.  Sam's supervisor on his placement is on annual leave right now, which is sort-of hilarious, because Sam's placement only started on Monday.  Last weekend, he got an email from the supervisor explaining that he'd be away... and it's so silly, because why did he agree to host this placement if he knew he'd be gone for the beginning?  So when Sam and his classmate showed up, the people at reception were pretty rude, not knowing that they were really supposed to be there.  Anyway, he'll be back at the end of next week, but this week was a little pathetic. 

4.  I might try writing something every day in November.  I did well on day one, anyway!  We'll see if I can continue like that. 

5.  This week has been so rainy.  Today Sam got soaked on his way to work, and (as he just let me know) has still not dried off.  Of course, it's not raining anymore...it was just perfectly timed to be a downpour as he made his way to work.  Still, that twenty minute walk is so much better than the two hour bus ride he's had at other placements. 

this week

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So far, this week has been rainy and grey and a little bit dreary.  Out flat is messy and we need to do laundry, and Sam will be finishing up his semester tomorrow.  (And then going off to his work placement starting Monday.)  I'm trying to find flights to see if I can attend my cousin's wedding, and I really hate searching through flight combinations.  But on the other hand, there's nothing I like better than sitting inside when it's raining and grey outside.  Even a messy home starts to feel warm and nice.  And it's getting closer and closer to Christmas.  There are Christmas decorations in the shops and it will be November before we know it, I'm sure.  I can't wait for snowy days (I'll hope for at least one this winter), more excuses for soup and hot chocolate, and wrapping up in layers and blankets.  There's almost nothing better. 

rainy weekend

This weekend was the best.  It started off with a date on Friday night, which my husband and I really almost never do.  We went out for Thai food at this restaurant Sam walks by everyday on his way to class, and has been wanting to visit ever since we moved here over a year ago.  And it was delicious.  A lot of the time when we go out to eat, we're like the fastest customers in the restaurant...mostly because we get full quickly, or something, and take home leftovers.  This time we purposely sat and talked for hours, eating slowly, and we even got dessert.  (Which is a first for us.)  The service was really good, and I'd been craving Thai food for weeks, so I was happy.  Then we walked home in the rain and it was perfect.
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On Saturday, I went into London to meet up with some friends.  We met at Borough Market, where we wandered around, admiring the bread and fruit and cheese and exotic meat stalls.  Eventually, we got some lunch (they have the most delicious food stalls there selling all different kinds of street food) and stood somewhere dry to eat.  Afterwards, we got hot chocolate (which was really 'drinking chocolate', meaning thick and rich) and sipped it as we wandered around the South Bank.  We eventually made our way to the Tate Modern for some quality art time.  It was so nice to catch up with friends I haven't seen in quite a while, make some fun plans for this winter, and spend time in my very favorite city.  I spent about an hour walking back to the train station after saying goodbye to my friends, and it was so nice and nostalgic.  I would move to London again in a heartbeat, even if it is ridiculously expensive and impractical

a grey day

Today, it rained quite a bit. The snow is all gone, but rainy days are nice, too. I'll take it. I love hearing rain hit the windows, particularly when I'm in our little kitchen, cooking or washing dishes.

From the window behind our sink, you can see into an activity centre for elderly people. I like to watch them, stretching and moving about (not sure what activities they're doing-- yoga? Dance? I can't tell) while I wash our dishes. We have to wash everything by hand, and then sit it out to dry, but I don't mind. Washing dishes has always been one of my favorite chores. Is that just me? It makes me feel peaceful and accomplished, so I don't even mind when several weeks go by without my husband washing a thing.

enjoy it

Well, this week was long and awful but at least it's over now. Maybe next week will be better. But for now, I'll do my best to enjoy the weekend. It's rainy and gloomy today, and I wish we'd get some snow, but for now, I'll enjoy some hot chocolate and look forward to the chili my husband made us for dinner. It's in the slow cooker now, and I love how I can smell it as I lie in bed.

So enjoy your weekend!