I don’t know a thing about this book, but man, do I like the trailer.

Please indulge me as I take on the persona of Negative Nancy.

Why I hate Autumn:

::Cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon.

::My sinuses hate autumn like a cat hates a bath. I may as well stuff cement up in those suckers. They would probably feel better than do they now.

::Pumpkin spice lattes. I love pumpkins. I love spice. But not a Pumpkin Spice latte. I think the majority of long time baristas would agree with me on this one. You know it’s autumn when your basic white girl clad in uggs, black leggings, over size white t-shirt, cardigan, scarf, and messy bun walks into a Starbucks and asks for a PSL. I’m still not too sure why baristas roll their eyes at the PSL, but a lot do. Perhaps it’s because we are snobs. We are better than that (written sarcastically).

::Daylight Savings Time. This says it all.

http://9gag.tv/p/aK1BWj/you-will-never-forget-daylight-saving-with-dramatic-movie-trailer-nacho-punch?ref=fbl9

I feel better now that I’ve gotten all that out.

In order to be balanced, I will now share why I love autumn.

::Leaves
::Brisk air
::Football
::Holidays
::Layers
::The amazing foot warmer I get to put in my bed
::Pumpkin shaped Reese’s Cups
::Christmas shopping
::World Series

I could go on, but I’ll stop because I’m just overcompensated for my above negativity.

Peace.

Occiasionally I have this lingering thought. I have a blog. Then shame slowly washes over me. Blogs are hard to keep up with. That’s right, I just ended a sentence with ‘with.’ Should that even be in quotes? I don’t know. Deep breath, let it go.

Today I’m thinking about humor. I’m a funny person. I’ll admit it. It’s a natural and easy thing for me. But from time to time dread moves into my head. It sits on my brain like a unborn baby sits on its momma’s bladder. I recognize I have no foundation for that statement. Anyway, it sits there demanding my attention. It tells me that I’m one of those exhausting funny people. You know the type, the super duper extraverted non-stop talker who’s taking sideways glances at people making sure that they are laughing and not rolling their eyes. You see this person coming and you’re like crap, I’m gonna need a nap after talking to them. They exhaust you. I don’t think this is true of me. But, for whatever reason I’m feeling it today. I wish I could tell you what I want to say to my insecurity, but I’m a Christian who professionally tells people about Jesus, so it’s probably best not to put all of my thoughts into print. So, now I’m going to quote the great (debatable) Michael Jackson, “Lies run sprints, but truth runs marathons.” These are good words and today I’m thankful for them.

I don’t know that I’ll ever actually get to update this blog with everything that has happened in my life in the last 7 months. Until then I’ll say a few things:

1. God is good, all the time.

2. Dosas and Bhel are probably my two favourite Indian foods…maybe. There’s a lot of good stuff out there.

3. I’m reading a book called “Light Out of Darkness.” It’s about God’s story in South Hampton, an area with a large demographic of British Asians.

4. I’m also reading “Joy in the Morning” by PG Wodehouse, a British writer/humorist from the 30’s.

5. I mostly speak in English over here in England, but I do say bits and pieces in Gujarati. Even though in England we speak English we use very different words sometimes. While speaking with my mom yesterday I couldn’t remember how an American would say they go to a restaurant to get food and then take it to their house. She laughed and say, “Take out?” It was the first time in 7 months that I couldn’t remember a basic American phrase. For the record, Brits say “take away.” My mom also laughs when I say trousers instead of pants. Pants in England refer to your undies. So, just imagine what it sounds like if you say your pants are dirty!

6. In addition to missing my friends and family I miss Purple Onion’s grilled cheese sandwiches and Chick-fil-A the most.

7. My most regular meal now is hummus and chapatis. A chapati is a type of roti (bread). It’s similar to a tortillia except it is made with whole meal flour. In a lot of South Asian households women make chapatis every day.

8. Several times in the last month I’ve accidentally said “can’t” with a British accent, “cahn’t.” I have felt silly every time that has accidentally come out of my mouth.

9. I recently had to buy loads of craft supplies for an arts week camp. I went through a week of culture shock as I realised how hard it was to find things here. For example, the little brown bags that I grew up using for lunches do not exist here…at all. I had to go to 4 places to find masking tape. There are craft stores here, they are just different from craft stores in the states.

10. A mango lassi is evidence that God loves us. Seriously, they are so good!

11. I can’t keep up with the variety of languages I hear on a daily basis.

12. In the winter the sun set around 3:30pm. In the summer the sun sets between 9:30-10:00pm. I cahn’t wait!

13. My London is not the London of postcards. I do ride double-decker buses, but I’m about 45 minutes from Big Ben, The Thames, Buckingham Palace etc. I work 6 days a week. So, on a rare occasion I use an off day to go and do something Londony in order to step outside of my daily life. One of my favorite things to do is to take a train to the Thames and simply walk along the south bank. My favourite walk is about 4 miles. I get to walk past the Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Tower of London, and Borough Market (just to name a few places).

For now, this is it. It’s only around 8:30pm, but I’m pretty tired. Here’s hoping to another entry within the next month or so.

 

 

One day I’ll get around to a proper update, or maybe not. Until then here’s a little jewel. I have some friends living in Shepherd’s Bush (West London). I didn’t get to to their little one’s birthday party this year, but I have watched this video over and over. You’re welcome!

BFFL

Love this.

Also, I recognized some of the words.

Grab a tissue.

Watch.

If subtitles don’t appear just click on the little cc in the corner.

Magical

Mondays are my day off. Today I was heading to Portabello Road in Notting Hill. This lovely little parkish area took my by surprise. I could have stayed there all day.

Brave

Love this.

 

First 10ish days in London!

Due to recently breaking my right wrist in 2 places this post will have less words and more pictures. Who doesn’t like that?

I’ve been in London for almost 2 weeks! I never thought the day would come, but here I am sitting in a cute coffee shop in Pinner…a little suburb on the outskirts of London.

There are plenty more pictures to come, but below I’ll take you on a quick photo journey of my last few weeks. Some are out of order. It just takes so long to do things with my left hand so I left it out of order 🙂

My commissioning at OMPC prior to leaving for London!

My unbelievably talented friend Shannon made this cake for my going away party!

My first full day in London we went to a Hindu temple. I believe it’s the largest Hindu temple in the UK and it’s in my city. Harrow is home to the largest Hindu population in the UK.

Meet and Danielle and Mary! Danielle and I serve on the same team…she’s the taller one. We get to see Mary at least once week. Mary serves on the Southall team.

On my 8th day in London I fell on a stone floor and broke my wrist in 2 places. It’s been challenging, but good. I’ve been in a bit of pain, but I have been surrounded by my unbelievable new family! This would have been so hard to do without them! They helped me navigate through the UK’s health system (which was surprisingly easy). They help me open doors, bring me water, prop up pillows under my arm, give me lifts, serve me food…the list goes on an on…I’m just thankful!

My first day off I ventured into central London. Here are a few pics!

Westminter Abbey

 

Front of Westminster Abbey

 

Danielle in front of Buckingham Palace.

 

Buckingham Palace

 

The fountain in front of Buckingham Palace.

 

Big Ben

Like I said, I have more pictures that I’ll post later. My first 10 days I just felt disoriented and overwhelmed. I’m feeling a little more settled. I’m falling into more of a schedule. I’m getting to know my housemates, teammates and church members. I’m so thankful to be here! God is good!