2 shows and Mat's ship

Mat turned 29 years old on November 24th and I missed him more than ever that day. Apparently he did have a good day (eventhough he didn't tell anyone on the ship).

The week for me was decent. I had some trouble classes three days in a row and after the 2nd crazy class I needed a cheer-me-up....so I went to see London's #1 musical (and possibly the best show I've EVER seen!!!!) Wicked!!!!!

It really is wicked. A great story, score and an AMAZING cast! Eventhough it's over 3 hours long, I loved every second of it and it didn't hurt that my tickets were 8th row centre!

Wicked had me in such a good mood that I went to see another show the next day. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

It's a crazy show, complete with a calypso number, Elvis as the Pharoah Ramses, and a boot stomping hillbilly tune. It is a fun show...and it really ends on a high note. With Joseph as sexy and talented as he is, I understand why most people in the audience had already seen the show. It wasn't my favourite show, but it was the best seat I've ever had (5th row!!!)

While all of this was fun, the highligh by far was taking the train to see Mat when he docked outside London on Friday night. Due to a repair, they were spending the night there, so I was abel to see him for a whole 12 hours. Here are some pictures of the ship....and his SUPER room.

This is Mat meeting me with a hardhat and jacket to board the ship.

Here's the ship tied up on the Thames.

The Sand Falcon again.

This is Mat on his favourite set of stairs. They are pretty cool.

and here is his personal library.

and his 'lounge'. It really is an awesome setup he's got. I'd quit my job to do his if I could. He's definitely liking it too, which is the most important thing of all.

Once I returned to London, I stumbled upon the Southbank Centre. There was a wondeful World Photography exhibit.
This is a paper model in the Southbank centre completed by an inmate at one of Her Majesty's Prisons.

It's quite impressive, as it is a model of an orchestra made out of sheet music.

My visit to the Southbank Centre was followed by a stroll down the Southbank and a look-see at the German Christmas market that has appeared.

It's not quite as busy or spectacular as I hoped, but it did smell good (German sausage, waffles and pancakes).

I did manage a good view of the London Eye...

and the Parliament buildings.

that's been it for this week so far.

On a very happy note, Jessica and Kevin just had their first baby. As I write this, they are welcoming their bundle of joy, Juliet Isabella Rain into the world, who was born at 2:04pm on Friday, November 28th after over 14 hours of labour and 40 hours on contractions. Well done Jess!!! I know it couldn't have been easy either, since Juliet was a whole 8lbs, 12 ounces of a bundle. I hear that mom and baby are doing great!! I can't wait to meet her!

The place

So Jessica wanted to see where we live. I'm sorry I didn't post earlier, but here they are now.

Our $1100/month room in East London, "just steps from the tube."

This is Leyton High Road...the road we live off of. This is my daily route.

The outside of our place.

The very messy kitchen, shared by 6 of us (7 if Mat is home). My housemate is in the middle of his weekend cook.

The washroom down the hall from the room. It's about 2 feet wide and it takes 2 flushes to flush.

The stairway up...



And our door.
The bulk of our room.

The office/dinner table/kitchen.

The travel centre....and my OCD plans.

So...this is where we live.

A slow weekend

Not much exciting has happened since celebrating my mom's birthday.

I've spoken to Mat a bunch and he LOVES the new job, which is wonderful.

After drinks on Friday and a visit to the Tate Modern Art Gallery Saturday night, I awoke to the slightest amount of snow outside today. It lasted about an hour, but it got me in the mood for winter...and Christmas, so off I went to purchase my one and only christmas decoration, a 1 foot high, pre-decorated Christmas tree. I also bought a Santa Clause hat...just because it's fun.

So for your pleasure, some of the photos from this weekend.

xoxo

The Tate Modern Art Gallery

Just one reason why I don't go to modern art galleries. What does this giant plug actually mean???

And this???? I really don't get it, but I enjoy seeing how crazy it all is.

A blury picture of the River Thames at night (view from southbank).

Do you see it? It looks like the green car is dirty, but no...that's London snow. Not really snow...not really. Not like at home, but it'll still devastate people here.

...And me getting ready for Christmas. Just remember, size does NOT matter.

The Hills Are Alive for Mum's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday dear mommy!!!

Happy Birthday to you!

On Wednesday, November 19th my wonderful mother had a birthday. As her birthday present my sister agreed to watch the stage production of The Sound of Music. Since the show is also playing in London, I decided to watch it as well, making it a joint celebration.

Kelly Baker joined me in the celebration eventhough she's never seen the movie. Crazy, I know.

The night started with a stroll around the area surounding the theatre in admiration of the gorgeous Christmas decorations.

Dinner and a show was the plan, but no borthday celebration is complete without a great piece of cake.

And no blog is complete without a cheesy picture...

With an even cheesier sign.

The birthday cakes were delicious though. Yum!!

We didn't get the usual 'taking a bite' picture, but I guess that's because I was too busy stuffing my face with cake to think of posing.

Even the guys at the show wanted in on the action. Look at how happy they are to be celebrating!!

The show was great! The staging, the acting, even the new songs. I would have loved to take a picture of the theatre, but this is as far as I got before getting in trouble.

Just know it was a gorgeous theatre.

All in all, it was the best birthday celebration I've ever had for my mom in another country.

Everyone here says Happy Birthday, so I hope it was!

I'm sorry I couldn't be there to celebrate with you. Believe me, I'd much rather have been up in the rafter because my favourite woman in the world.

I love you mom!!

Christmas at Harrods

With the temperature starting to fall, London has begun to find some spirit. I don't quite know if it's Christmas Cheer (since you're still guaranteed at least a few grumpy looks), but the city is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas (well minus the snow).

On one of my days off last week I decided to visit London's famous department store, Harrods. With sections dedicated to Gucci and Armani, it's clearly nowhere I'll be shopping, but it certainly is a must visit while in London.

Taking up almost a full city block, Harrods is hard to miss.



There are several Egyptian Pharoahs throughout the store. I still can't figure out why, but they do add a bit more glamour.

There is even a wax statue of the of the Chairman, Mr. Al Fayed, wishing you an "enjoyable visit to Harrods".







Known for stuffed bears, Harrods is not short on displaying them...and considering they cost a mere $50, who can blame them.

Much like the Bay at the Eaton Centre, Harrods is sparkly and shiny as they try to weasle every last penny out with your holiday shopping. We know it happens...that dim light, happy music, smell of cookies trick they come up with around this time. Most stores do it, but Harrods does it well. Not quite there with the window displays (Selfridges takes the cake there---must remember to take pictures!), but inside is simply...impressive.

Christmas Harrods Style!

I found myself just standing and staring at things. It truly was beautiful and it definitely felt like Christmas.

Harrods at night

So Mat is now on his new (and permanent) ship. In a strange and wonderful twist of fate, he found himself having to spend a night in London while transfering from one ship to the next and his company paid for a hotel room. (note: Travelodge is really very stingy here---only 1 tiny bar of soap and a 10 by 10 room.) In an even bigger twist, I found myself scheduled at a school located just a short walk from his hotel for both the day preceeding and following his hotel night. How wonderful. A 15 hour, high quality visit with my husband and only a 10 minute walk from the school. We really do have good luck.

Apparently Mat's new ship is wonderful. He has his own apartment, complete with a double bed in the bedroom, a living room with a couch and a coffee table, his own fridge and his own washroom...and the best part is...they pay him to stay there. Besides the incredible jealousy that pops up as I look around my exceptionally overpriced room, I am so happy for him. He's said it is the best ship he's worked on (admittedly it's only been a few days), but I do hope he still feels this way in 6 weeks.

Miss everyone and wish you the best

xoxo

Sabrina

Canada Day with Kelly

Back in London this week and it was a pretty good one. As I've already announced, Mat is working, so I've got a lot of time to myself. Since I only had 1 day of work this week (typical the week before or after a break if you're doing supply work), I spent the week keeping myself busy.

Friday night I went to see a new musical entitled Imagine This. Now the thing that got me about this (besides the fact that it was in previews and so was really cheap) was that it takes place in the Warsaw ghetto and is a love story. How can this be a musical? Turns out it is, and eventhough the critics are trashing it, it's really quite good.



Saturday was the Lord Mayor's Show. Whenever a new Lord Mayor of London is chosen (this happens each year) there is a parade and fireworks (it's an 800 year tradition). This year it was pouring rain, but there was still a good turnout. If you decided to stay inside everytime in rained in London...you would rarely leave. So, like a true Londoner, I put on my ugly as sin raincoat (though they all have umbrellas and very nice coats) and stood in the rain to watch a parade much like any other.



(Not my picture---my battery was dead)



It had a pipe band, soldiers, random community organizations...but unlike any other parade this parade has the Lord Mayor, who most importantly is travelling in the Lord Mayor's Coach (which is 250 years old, and more expensive than the Queen's Coronation Coach).








Sunday, was spent in an unplanned ode to Canada. Kelly Baker and I met up to go to the Remebrance Day service held at the Canada Memorial in Green Park (near Buckingham Palace). Because of a customer alarm on the tube, we were delayed and ended up arriving just as God Save the Queen finished and people started to leave.



I did manage a picture with a Canadian flag at the memorial.





After the missed show, we wandered through London, grabbed a coffee and had some fun...



Kelly had some fun with a British....sheep?



I had some fun with the Invisible Man.

Pretty Cool eh?





I suppose to make up for our lost Canada moment, Kelly showed me the Canada Shop (literally an aisle in a small shop shared with the NewZealand Shop and the Australian Shop), which has food from home that can't be bought here (ie. Kraft Dinner, numerous chocolate bars, Maple Syrup, Fudgee-Os, Maple Beans, Aunt Jemima pancakes and syrup, Swiss Chalet sauce, and Tim Hortons coffee).
Just feel happy knowing that you can buy Nibs for less than $6.

As always, I wish everyone at home the best. Mat says hello. He's been enjoying his time on the Sand Weaver, and will be leaving for the Sand Falcon in a few days, where he'll start his permanent job.