New Digs in the SW

I am all settled in to my new flat. I love the area and the commute has been easy so far (and no longer than my last commute). My flatmate is great! She is a flight attendant so is gone about half the time and when she's around is good to talk with and learn about the area from.

Speaking of area, my flat overlooks a private park which I walk through each day when I go to work. The park is beautiful and some of the trees are starting to bud so I know spring is coming! On the other side of my flat is a street that is completely lined with trees and lots of old-fashioned buildings. I live right across from a big, old church as well.

My flat is walking distance to lots of great parks and shopping and even some of the museums. Right after I do this, I plan to get out and do a little exploring on foot to see what I can find! I already went out this morning to the massive Tesco (grocery store) that is just 3 minutes away and was shocked at just how huge it was. I'm very excited to be in a new place, mostly because I have a new perspective on the city and get to explore new places!

Moving!

As has been my habit over the last few months, I took a few minutes one day this week to do some online flat hunting. I came across one that looked perfect for me and contacted the lady. I figured since it seemed so right that it would already be gone or some such thing so tried not to get my hopes up too high! However, she wrote me back and set up a time for me to come by on Saturday.

I spent about an hour yesterday looking around and having a chat with Louise. I took the room on the spot and am moving next weekend! My new flatmate is fun and outgoing and is a flight attendant on big, long British Airways flights. She and I got along well and even though I am moving into somewhere smaller, it is a much better location and the whole situation will give me a new perspective on London that I've desperately been needing!

So on top of lots of work, I have a busy week of packing ahead of me. I am currently procrastinating by writing this blog, but I suppose I should get up and attempt to pack a few boxes... I'll give you an update and some new pictures after I get settled in!

I'm alive - don't worry!

Some of you may have been wondering where I've disappeared to. The answer is - my desk. Even the porter (doorman) in my building saw me yesterday and asked if I had been gone somewhere because he never saw me coming home from work! This has turned into my busiest busy season yet but it's not all bad. I have worked some very long weeks and my brain is beginning to turn to mush, but I have learned a lot and feel that I'm settling into my new manager role.

So I haven't been able to take the day trips I was fortunate enough to take last year, or even wander around London. My weekends are generally spent at work and if I do have some spare time, I usually nap, read, catch up on emails or buy milk! The simple things. The truth is I have come to the point where I am exhausted mentally and physically, so the few hours I get on Sunday after work are so very precious.

Right before all of this started, we had a snow storm in London. It made international news, so I'm sure you heard about it. It wasn't very much snow by my standards, but it was so beautiful to see all over the city. Plus most of the transportation (well, the above-ground stuff anyway) shut down so most of the city had a snow day and I enjoyed watching people have fun in the park.

Well, I was just going to upload a picture of the snow, but apparently I don't have any and I'm too comfortable on my bed to go see if they are on my camera. Sorry, perhaps another day! For now I am going to concentrate on getting into bed and doing my best to have a good night's sleep before another very busy week.

Skiing in the Alps!

Last weekend I took another girlie trip to Switzerland and this time we went skiing in Davos. We were there just before the World Economic Forum, but didn't manage to see any famous movers and shakers. But we had a fantastic time skiing and enjoying the town. The weather was perfect all around - enough snow to have great skiing and enough sun to enjoy the lovely days.

Colorado Christmas

Just a note: I have formatted this NUMEROUS times and Blogger won't cooperate. So I'm sorry that the words get a bit out of whack farther down the page. :(

Every other year my mom's familiy all gets together for Christmas in Colorado. 2008 was a Geary family Christmas year! I was happy to be able to see all of my family at once after being away for so long...especially since they had all gotten together over July 4th without me! We always have a good time eating and catching up, as well as doing fun things together like shopping, movies and skiing.

This year was no exception as we all scored tons of presents (I brought everyone presents from around Europe which were a BIG hit!)...

had a great time laughing together...

cooked and ate more than our fair share of food...

went to tea...

played the wii...

rode the ski train to Winter Park...

did some skiing...

and generally did our best to stay warm!

2008 in Review

Well, it's a few days late, but here it is as promised: 2008 in review!

As you know, I started 2008 in Denver and moved to London at the end of January. Since living in London, I have visited 11 European countries (in order of my visits, as close as I can remember):

*England

*France

*Spain

*Portugal

*Hungary

*Italy

*Greece

*Wales

*Switzerland

*Scotland

*Spain (again)
*Germany

In England, I have taken multiple day trips to places like Bath, Oxford and Cambridge (along with a few others) and a couple of weekends away to Cornwall.

I went home in September for a weekend and just returned to London today after 4 weeks in the US attending training and visiting for the holidays.

I have enjoyed my job at Deloitte doing US corporate tax and just received a promotion to manager which I am really excited about!

I have had visits from Rachel, Aimee, Sarah, Sandra, Kara, Jessica, Ben, my parents and Craig and met up with Jess and Jaime in Athens. Forgive me if I've left anyone off...

All in all, I am very thankful for 2008 and the blessings I had! I am looking forward to some more big trips in 2009 and will of course be sharing them with you here!

Christmas Festivities

Before I left London, I was able to join in on a few Christmas festivities. We had our office Christmas party which was a lot of fun. Also, I went ice skating at an outdoor rink at Somerset House. The night was beautiful and I had a good time skating and meeting new friends. Earlier that evening, I went over to Sarah's and she and I enjoyed some Christmas treats and a chat before I left London for the holidays.

Since I've been back in the States, I've been in Denver, Scottsdale and Las Vegas! I just missed the snow in Las Vegas (that would have been festive!) but it was pretty chilly when I was there anyway. I love that all of the casinos are decorated so beautifully for Christmas. I always enjoy the Bellagio fountains and so it was an extra treat to have the show set to Christmas music! Now I am back in Denver - working, visiting and getting ready to celebrate with my family next week.

I'd like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year as well. May you enjoy making many happy memories with your family and friends this year!