Mulled Wine, Mince Pies, Crackers, and Bank Holidays

Hello dear world,

Long time, no contribute!  Thanks for holding out while I finished my thesis, had a minor meltdown, and spent Christmas with mi familia.  The beginning of December proved more difficult than anticipated but luckily the much-needed break consisting of family time, friend time, drinking, dancing, and various UK holiday traditions has helped me forget the pain of the paper.  Even more lucky, I have a break until Jan 5th! That's pretty hunky dory!!!

Let the blogging resume!

Love,

N
 

Thoughts While Studying

Bras.  Bras are why men are more "successful" in all things that require long-term sitting: computer programming, executive meetings, courtroom squabbling.  They don't have to wear bras!  Today is a no bra day and let me just say,  I'm much more focused.  Other than writing on this here blag during short breaks, I have been plugging away since 8:00 am with far less distraction than normal.  I am 100% sure this is due to the fact that I have no article of clothing that insists on constantly reminding me of its presence.  Yes, I am wearing clothes.

I have a desperate desire to play my flute.  Embarrassingly I would probably start with Christmas music.  How horrible is that?  I am not a fan of 80% of the Christmas music on the market.  I've been jaded by years of it being sung to me year round.  But I've sat in cafes for two days with nothing but horrible X-mas pop pumped into my ears.  It's making me crave the good, classic melodies.  Also I haven't played for a few months now which always creates a panic because I don't want to forget how to do it.  This should be rectified next year with my 30/30 challenge though as it includes "play in a band again."  

I was just publicly defeated by the complexity of my sweater. 

I am looking forward to spending entire days in cafes reading words someone else wrote. 

When I see old people who are bound by the limitations of a dilapidated body, I feel the need to run out the door and not stop until I'm young again. 

The fact that plates and slaves are the same in text-speak doesn't seem like a big deal, but it has led to some near misses lately. 

- I know it sucks!!!  Maybe we could buy some cheap plates and smash them to bits tonight!!!

How to Make Promises

Is there a list which better highlights the uselessness of management-speak?

"The commitment focuses on:

• Ownership
• Alignment of aid
• Harmonisation
• Mutual accountability
• Management for development results"

ONE WEEK!!!!!!

My thesis is due one week from today.  One week, four hours from fifteen minutes ago, to be precise. Which I suppose would be one week, three hours and forty-five minutes from right now!  I'm at the BL eating a large bowl of overpriced yogurt with museli and fruit and getting set up to write for the rest of this time.  I am only working one day between now and then and, because of the wonder that is the UK mentality re: reasonable work/life balances, I am getting paid for one of those off days.  SWEEEEEET!!!!!    

See you again very soon!!!

OH!  And only 21 days until Ma and Pa Poulson land in the UK!  :D

Sooooo Close!

Here is a list of things I want to do/places I want to (re)visit the second I am done with this paper.  Yes, all at the same time.

List in progress...

Museum of London
London Transport Museum - MAPS!
Map Reading Room at the BL
Brixton Market
Broadway Market
Columbia Road Flower Market
Brick Lane
Chelsea Physic Garden
Science Museum
V&A
Wellcome Collection
National Gallery
See some theatre
Get a massage
walk walk walk walk walk walk walk through London
read read read read read read read books!!!
Kew Gardens
Ice skate
Take in the Christmas lights and maybe some caroling


Any look appealing to you?  Come join me!