Birthday Party

Last night I dragged myself out of the flat to go to SH's birthday party. I've been feeling pretty rubbish and run down recently, so it felt like a huge effort, but I did think it would do me good to get out there and see a few friends and be all sociable.

SO, armed with yummy make-up gift and humourous card I trudged to the station under cover of the biggest umbrella I could find. Mr V met me at Old street station, so I walked through the Broadgate centre, which is one of my favourite 'urban public spaces' because it has lots of little paths and alleys and shops and I recently discovered a gorgeous 'changing colour lights in the floor' installation. Because of the rain it looked super shiny in the dark, so I stopped to take a few snaps. We had some dinner and I finished up with a very creamy Irish coffee in an attempt to give myself a bit of 'energy' for the night. Actually everything went really well, and seeing my old pals from Germany really cheered me up, and accordingly I drank mohitos and got silly.



Today I have a headache, a toothache and am all grumpy again. BAH! nevermind we are flying away for New Years fun tomorrow so that should cheer me up. I think I should pack lots of pain killers for the event.

Happy Christmas!

Yes, Happy Christmas!, this year I have spent my christmas in the full glare of the hardcore marketing and consumerism of Great Britian. I really felt it too, the advertising, and the simmering panic as the big day grew near. Last year I was in Ranomafana, Madagascar, with my friend EC, we went trekking in the rainforest to look for Lemurs, and ate freshwater crayfish for supper on Christmas eve. It was a beautiful place, in the middle of the forest, with the overwhelming sound of the nature all around us. One day we went for a walk, and got invited into a chapel to watch the children rehearsing their nativity and carol singing for christmas day. Madagascar is largely Catholic. It was Ranomafana where I bought my remarkably sturdy 'Chicken Basket', which I love because it has such great memories and it's so useful - although I refrain from porting live chickens in it, as they do in Madagascar.

This year I managed to get all my gift buying done early, but still got swept up in the last minute shopping frenzy thanks to Mr V. and his 'laid back' approach to buying presents. I found myself comicly negotiating Romford Market on Christmas Eve clutching a huge box containing 16kg of 'DJ mixing kit' whilst in the throwes of my customary Christmas cold. The look of joy on mr. V junior's face apon opening the (lovingly wrapped) gift was indeed, worth the pain. thank goodness.

So, in-between all this crazy shopping, we have been rushing about the country visiting friends and family, trying to sell furniture on E-bay, and I have been planning my removal. Next month I am officially moving to a place I shall refer to as "luckyland" , my Visa is almost done and the shippers are knocking down the door to carry my goods off to far flung shores. Instead of being all fairy lit and festive our flat looks like some kind of Oxfam Depot, while I try to determine what I would like to keep, sell, give away or take with me. It's Cathartic, depressing and exciting all at the same time.



And yet amidst all this I momentarily recall the rainforest and the peace and simplicity of the Christmas there, and realise how lucky I am to have been there, and hope that one day I can escape it all again.