Dreaming of a White Christmas

It has been way too long since I wrote a blog post! Life in the big smoke has been super busy with so much going on! Since I last blogged I/we have: 

- participated in a Zombie Run where we both survived the apocalypse but I got totally freaked out!

- been to a laser dance party

- been to the most amazing Halloween Steampunk party:

- watched some exciting All Blacks rugby at Kiwi pubs 

- watched the boys play in Dublin and win in the last second of the game - we both nearly had breakdowns watching!

 - explored the city of Dublin:

 Watched the ATP World Tour Tennis Final at the O2:

-completed my first term in my classroom. A term packed with learning new systems, loving my new kiddies, crafts, trips, school reports (longer than I'm used to!) Christmas plays, Hanukkah and so much more! 

- spent time with all of our amazing friends over here! 

- cycled through London with a few thousand other cyclists as part of a "critical mass" take over bike ride on a beautiful Friday evening:

- I visited Bath again for Naomi's (my friend and flatmate) Hens Party:

- Had a visit from my Grandfather and Jacqui

- Eaten a lot of ribs! Andrew's latest food obsession/quest

-Explored Kew Gardens by night (so beautiful!):

- Bought Christmas jumpers and associated paraphernalia:

I have now finished up at school for the Christmas break (thank you private school!) And had a chance to take in the last few months. I can't believe what a busy life we have lead so far in London! I don't think I've really had much time to be homesick, but perhaps as Christmas draws closer those feelings will start to creep in. It is exactly one year ago tomorrow that I left my beloved Ngaio School and constantly find myself wanting to be back there. I probably say a few times a week "well at my old school we did this and it was really awesome!" I always miss my Ngaio family!

It has been almost a year since we first left NZ, but only 10 months since we left for good. We have been lucky enough to have my parents visit and we got to meet Andrew's family in the US. It was so amazing catching up with both but made me miss them more! Before I know it we will be back in the land of jandals and I'm sure, as is always the case, I will then miss London!

Looking ahead is very exciting though! On Tuesday 17 December we fly to Austria for 7 days of skiing and 4 days of Christmassy goodness! I LOVE Christmas and really get into the spirit, so I am really looking forward to my first white holiday!

While we are there, Andrew and I will celebrate our TENTH anniversary!!!!! It is crazy to think back ten years ago to that summer in New Plymouth. We were so young and fresh. But man, we have been through so much together, literally grown up together and been through every new experience as a team. Anyway, won't get too soppy as people don't want to read about that in a blog post!

As soon as we get back from Austria it is pretty much straight back to school then my Bestie Lizzie is tying the knot here in London town. I am SO excited for that!! Can't wait!!

We already have a weekend in Berlin booked for February and are planning a longer trip somewhere in March, as I have most of that month off (again, thank you private school!)

So it looks like life will continue the hectic pace here in this beautiful city. I am so grateful for the chance to live here for a smidgen of my life but also grateful we have a home waiting for us on the other side of the world which we also love!

Since I might not get to blog again before then, my new year's resolutions are:
1. Keep up my exercise and eat more fruit
2. Worry less, enjoy more! (For those that know me well you will roll your eyes as that is a tough ask for me!)
3. Go to the supermarket more regularly so we actually have food in the house!!!!!

Merry, merry Christmas! Love you all!
Christina xxx