As Time Goes By (Happy Thanksgiving!)

Where does the time go? One minute it is my birthday and the next thing you know... Thanksgiving! Since I last wrote a lot has happened for which I'm very thankful for. Which is why I'm using this blog post as a recap of these past two months (has it really been that long?!) and a Thanksgiving post.

I am thankful for a loving husband who likes to treat me. 

This year Luke and I had planned to go to Oxford to celebrate my birthday with a day out, however when I woke up on my birthday I was feeling incredibly lazy and decided I would rather spend most of the day lounging around the house, before popping into MK (that's Milton Keynes to most of you) for sushi. 

Luke gave me a wonderful present! He booked me into a spa day at Whittlebury Hall. It was pure relaxation from morning till night. 

I am thankful to be living in Milton Keynes, and to have such a supportive family.

Well, it's official - Luke and I have moved out of Worcester!!! We now live in Milton Keynes and couldn't be happier. When we packed everything into the moving van, it felt like a giant weight had been lifted.We are going to live with Neil and Nic (and the doggies Ollie & Doogal) until after the holidays. We saw no point in moving out before then, as we will be gone most of December. 

I am thankful for our new careers.

Not only are Luke and I in a new city, but we also BOTH have new jobs. Luke is in Customer Services for Europe for a big American company. As part of his role he will be learning German as well as continuing to use his French.I'm so proud of my little language buff, most especially because he is out of that other job.

I also have started a new adventure with a new company. I am now an Events & Digital Marketing Administrator for a Japanese/American company specialising in health and wellness. It is the perfect fit for me, combining everything I love: copy writing, social media, event planning/hosting, all with the aim at being a healthier/happier person. 

The team I work with is really lovely, we go for walks during our lunches around the lake and every Wednesday the company hosts a yoga class during lunch. I think I have found job nirvana.

I am thankful for the start of the Christmas season.

This weekend: The Christmas Lights Turn On is happening in Stony Stratford. We have never been before, but it is supposed to be pretty magical. It starts with a Chinese Lantern parade around the town (all the little shops build their own) and then of course concludes with the lighting of the lights and tree! 

This Sunday we will be our unofficial Thanksgiving, as the English government is not kind enough to acknowledge American holidays. (Don't worry I've written to the Queen). I have decided to give cooking a proper Thanksgiving dinner a try this year. I have helped my Grandma and Mom before, but never have I done the whole thing by myself with no expert supervision. Fingers crossed I don't burn the Turkey. 

Next weekend: Oh you know, just getting on a plane and flying to Florida to board a week's cruise of the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. John, Princess Cayes), no big deal. Just kidding, I am so excited it is unreal. Not only will I be holidaying in a wonderful location but I will be celebrating Christmas with my mom, Dan, and siblings in the Caribbean! Prepare yourselves for the combination of Santa hats and swimsuits!

And then, just a few more weeks until actual Christmas! I love the Christmas season and all the sounds, smells, and sights it brings. The neighbours have already started putting up their Christmas lights (sometimes known as fairy lights) which look absolutely wonderful. I've already started listening to Christmas music (the new Michael Bublé album is a must) and as I've been writing this I've also been watching Miracle on 34th Street (the original).

I am so excited for this festive period, I truly do feel like a kid at Christmas. I know for a lot of you Americans, Christmas does not truly start until after Thanksgiving, so I would like to end this post with one last message of thanks:

I'm thankful for my loyal followers and readers, I know I haven't been the most loyal of bloggers but I truly do appreciate all your feedback and support. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

cc by St0rmz

Erin x

My Favourite Books

In honour of World Book Day, I'm rehashing an old post of mine that I wrote for a blogging challenge back in 2011 when I was asked to name my three favourite books. However, naming just three books that are my favourites is nearly impossible so I just ignored it. Here are the books that I could read over and over again:

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Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass: This is an easy choice for me, I have loved both of these books since I was a small child. I keep hoping that one day I'll fall down that rabbit hole and end up in Wonderland myself.

It all started when I was three years old, I would watch the Disney version over and over again, just repeatedly pressing the VHS tape in (Remember - be kind, rewind). I even had multiple copies of the film, just in case in my haste to rewind one of them broke. I then had them read to me, and then began reading them myself. Don't ask me how many times, I don't know the answer!

My love of Alice in Wonderland is well known and the icing on the cake for me was when I was asked to pose as Alice for a fashion shoot.

Jessica Stone Photography

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series: Yes, I am one of the millions of children who grew up reading Harry Potter. I waited anxiously for every book, and was never disappointed. And I remember getting every one!

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone: At the sixth grade book fair!

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I read the first one so quickly that I was able to go back to that same book fair and purchase Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: I was in Indiana visiting my grandparents at the time. They went to the supermarket for me and picked it up. I scarcely left my room that day (pretty sure I even had my meals in there).

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: I wasn't feeling well the day it came out, and was disappointed as  I wanted to go out and get it. My mom was out shopping and she brought it back in a gift bag!

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Also a present from my mom, although I don't remember if it came in a gift bag. Knowing her, probably. :)

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: I was in Barnes and Noble Bookstore on the 20th of July 2007, waiting for the midnight bell to chime the 21st so that I could collect my order. I figured I should do it at least once! And I'm very glad I did!

For more of my thoughts on Harry Potter, please read A Harry Potter Summer.

Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones: I read this Junior year of high school in my American Literature class (thank you Ms. Starry!) and absolutely fell in love. It is not the lightest of reads, but if you don't mind being a bit unsettled then I'd recommend it! (And don't bother watch the film, it's crap -- for lack of a better word)

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One Day by David Nicholls. My newest edition to the list! I remember when it come out last year being intrigued but I had so many books on my 'to read' list that I decided to read it later. By the time later came, I forgot about it. Thankfully, the film came out and I was reminded about it. (I have yet to see the film).

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Labyrinth and Sepulchre by Kate Mosse are absolutely fantastic! I love how they dive back and forth between modern and the middle ages (in the case of Labyrinth) and turn-of-the-century (in the case of Sepulchre). These books have everything: intrigue, murder, love, a touch of fantasy, and my favourite aspect - history. Luke introduced me to Labyrinth, for which I'm very grateful or I never would have found either of them.

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Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island: Various stories from Bill Bryson's tour of England (before moving back to America) is epic. That's right I used the word epic to describe this work. I actually laughed out loud when reading this, not once but on several occasions. He's so witty! I wish I could write about my experiences in England with as much talent. (I suppose that's why he gets paid the big bucks and I don't) His other books are worth mention as well. As The Times says "not a book that should be read in public, for fear of emitting loud snorts".

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Stephen Clarke's A Year in the Merde: Another laugh out loud read! I read this while living in France, another Luke recommendation. It is all about an English man who moves to Paris. Stephen Clarke's cultural observations on the French are spot on, and most of the time barely exaggerated. The sequels: Merde Actually, Merde Happens, and Dial 'M' for Merde are also worth nods, but in my opinion they weren't quite as good as he original.

So there you have it! Some of my favourite books of all time. If you're looking for something to read, I would confidently recommend any from this list!

Erin x

Goodbye August, Hello September

It's the first day of September, and already my hopes for an Indian Summer are dashed. My bedroom windows are covered in condensation when I wake up this morning and there is a definite chill in the air. When I step outside to head for work, I can actually see my breath and I shudder as my mind suddenly flashes to thick jumpers and heavy coats that will all too quickly become a reality. The only thought I have to keep me warm is the Caribbean Cruise Christmas present from my mom and Dan.

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Now lunchtime, I suddenly feel a glimmer of hope as it is a bright, clear day now and dare I say it, actually warm! Sue at work tells me it's supposed to be 26 C (78 F) this weekend, which sounds absolutely perfect. Perhaps an Indian Summer is possible after all. Only time will tell with this unpredictable thing known as English weather.

Erin x