Silent Sunday - Shard

Silent Sunday

Crikey!!!!

An old friend recently left a comment on my Facebook page.

The message read, "crikey, there's no stopping you lady".

I had to laugh as she was right.

Since returning from our trip, I have managed to fill every day with something different for my child to do, from punting to archery to scrambling over a climbing frame.

And that's not even the half of it.

Looking back on it all, I can safely say that we have had a good time with some very wonderful friends.

But I am so glad that school is starting again on Wednesday, because yes, there is something stopping me.  I have almost run out of steam.

One more day, a day with various friends and my mother and a trip to a museum.

Oh this is a fabulous city go exploring in even if you are a 43 year old going on 8.

Such fun is had by all!! 

Birthday pampering!

This year, I managed to celebrate a small birthday over the course of a week.

It wasn't intentional, but every time I met up with a friend or two, it became a 'special treat'.

I think yesterday was the final day for it.

I went with a friend to the Royal Academy of Art to see the Summer Exhibition.  I try to go every year as I find the experience of being surrounded by so much art an amazing and stimulating feeling.  I love being immersed by it all and try to absorb as much of the diversity as possible.

I had already gone to see it a couple of weeks before but had no problem going again.

My friend wandered about at her own pace, as did I and when she had had enough, we went back out on to Piccadilly.

She turned to me and said, "Ok, lets go to Fortnum and Mason for lunch."

Who was I to argue?  So off we went.

Fortnum and Mason is one of those quintessentially English places, that screams of Britishness!

We went to the Garden Restaurant and was greeted warmly by the Maitre De.

I asked if we could have a window table as it was my birthday.

And OH MY GOSH!  it was as if I were someone famous.

We were ushered over to a table with a view, albeit of the side street, but it was bright and sunny and it made all the difference.

Menus in hand, we perused the food items.

The Maitre De returned and we were handed a glass each of champagne, for my birthday.

Oooh....nice way to start.

Lunch was ordered, with a glass of Rose and was most delicious.

And then the waitress returned with more champagne, for my birthday.

Followed by the Maitre De with a large piece of chocolate cake and a candle, singing 'happy birthday'.

I felt flushed, my cheeks went bright red.  Not sure if that was the champagne or the embarrassment of being sung to.

But all in all, it was an amazing way to wrap up a wonderful birthday week.

I couldn't eat the chocolate cake, so they graciously boxed it up for me.

Now that is what I call a doggy bag!!!

Volcanic ash GRRRRRR!!!!!

Why me?
Oh and why me plus the other 1000s of people stuck here?
As much as I enjoy Chicago, I really need to be somewhere else.
Namely London.
I need to be at home being far more productive.
This is not the hiccup that I had anticipated.
I can only hope that I will make it through the next few weeks.
Fingers crossed.

Unexpected...

Last week, on Tuesday to be precise, I was invited to Thanksgiving.
To set the scene, last week was one of the maddest weeks that I've had to date, in a long time.
I had two assignments due.
One was a 5 minute speaking presentation on Thursday and the other was a multi-faceted, 2 part 2000 word essay, with references and bibliography for Friday.
Plus I had normal work, normal chores and normal running around after child's busy social life.
Having made the decision to go to Thanksgiving, I suddenly realised that I needed to 'bring' something. I couldn't go empty handed.
Quickly, what should I do?
Why...make biscuits of course.
And that's what I did, a quick, batch of fresh chocolate chip biscuits.
Now to the problem of what to wear???
That was the easy part, black tuxedo trousers, patent mary-janes, sparkly black top, fitted wool jacket, long cashmere coat (also black), pale pink pashmina scarf and big silver ring.
Slightly over-dressed but that was remedied by throwing my black turtle neck jumper on, mainly to keep me warm. It was a freezing night, not good for the walk from the bus stop to their house.

But Thanksgiving was wonderful and I soon warmed up. The hostess is a new friend, an American who married a Londoner. She and her family welcomed me into their home, along with 5 other friends. It was such an interesting group of people. A journalist, a research doctor, a social worker, an architect, a top hair stylist and me........a newbie student. The conversation was, for the most part, riveting and the food divine.
Sitting there, it occurred to me that I had a lot to be thankful for.
I've been healthy for almost a year.
I've started dancing again.
I'm on a path to a new career.
My child is happy and well, except for a stinking cough.
I have a plethora of amazing friends.
And I've met a lovely man.
I am where I want to be at this moment in time.
This was my first Thanksgiving since my divorce.
And for all of the above, I am truly thankful.

Shall I dance?

Yesterday, I woke up feeling incredibly nervous.

I woke up with mild butterflies and I had them all day.

The only thing that I can think that would cause this, is me being taken out of my comfort zone.

The Windy City seems to have a nice array of dance classes.

So on Sunday, my friend and I went to a beginners West Coast Swing/Hustle class.

I was so nervous.

Did the class and then it was freestyle.

Oh no, who would I dance with?

Would anyone want to dance with me.

I felt like I was on a mission.

I needed to learn WCS.

My New Man (NM) could dance this style and was forever trying to teach me and I'd get so frustrated at not being able to 'get it'.

So I needed to come home with at least the basics under my belt.

That being said, the class was simple enough and I managed to grab a teacher or two for a practice.

But the whole thing was so different from my normal dancing.

The room was much lighter and there were a lot fewer people, but overall, they were very friendly and helpful.

I'm going to pluck up my courage and go again next Sunday.

Last night, was another class, this time it was the Tango.

It was in a little cafe called The Ritz Tango Cafe.

Our teacher for the night, was a wonderfully charismatic man called Jorge (please pronounce with a Spanish accent).

He had a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step.

He flirted, without being lewd, never stepping beyond the boundaries of decency.

My friend and I did the beginners class for an hour and then he invited us to participate in the next level.

It was fantastic.

Again, everyone was so friendly.

Questions were asked and answered.

It was a small, intimate environment and with tango music playing, it felt very atmospheric.

I loved it.

I want more.

I'm going to sign up for a level 1 & 2 class next Monday night in Tango.

I'm so glad that I brought my sparkly dancing shoes, they are certainly getting a work out!!

At this rate, I'm going to go back to London a 'dancing queen'!!!!