Suburban Lush

Congratulations

My Canadian best friend Bean and her lovely husband welcomed a little (or not so little) baby boy into the world yesterday. Brown Bear is my surrogate nephew and, like my actual nephew Munchkin, sadly I have no idea when I am actually going to get a chance to meet him.

Sadly I suck at finding out all the baby statistics and all I know are that he is smaller than expected, both he and his mommy are doing well, and that my ecstatically happy best friend and husband will be some of the best parents on earth.

Congratulations guys, I wish I could be there to see your happy new family and my surrogate nephew.

 

All Quiet On The Western Front

Well, not much has been going on here and I certainly hope your life is more exciting than mine! I'm finally back into the routine of work and gym, just trying to eat healthy and not spend too much money this month. Which really, makes for a very boring life. Although I have been reading quite a bit, so may get a chance to do some book reviews soon (I know, I bet you can't wait! Especially as I've been reading three different books on the Holocaust. Which, now that I think of it, could be why I'm feeling slightly depressed).

Highlights of the last few weeks:

• Saw Twilight

• Had a cocktail night with friends

• Climbed Cave Hill

• Went to a stand-up comedy night

Hopefully February will be a little more interesting.

Insight Into My Dubious Character

I don't know about you, but I like to provide people with a fait accompli. I tend to mull over decisions and plans in my head, and then spring them on people when either my mind has been made up or I have achieved my goal. I do this a lot with big things, and it tends to shock people because they think I have made a sudden or rash decision without thinking things through. It makes me look like an impulsive risk taker, when in fact I am a silent analyser.

Example: when I was 16, I decided I wanted to change schools for my last year. I thought about it, and analysed the consequences for over a month, never once mentioning it to my parents. Then one day I made the announcement to my folks, much to their shock (and horror). I have to give them credit - after asking me my reasons and making sure I was aware of the consequences, they let me have my way.

I broke up with my first boyfriend in much the same manner. On the surface everything had been going reasonably well for the last 3 1/2 years (or at least as well as you can expect a teenage relationship to go). I had lunch with him one day at university and we had a slight argument. I headed home and on the way I ran into a friend. We had a quick chat, during which I announced I was going to break up with said boyfriend. And within the hour it was done. But, despite what most people thought, I'd actually been considering the break-up for quite some time. I just hadn't bothered to mention it to anyone.

Its always been this way. I'll be working happily at my job, or at least, I will be working happily at my job as far as anyone knows, and then I'll suddenly announce that I can't take it any more and that I'm searching for a new one.

I do this because I don't want people to think I've failed. As far as most people know, I've achieved pretty much everything I've set out to do. Little to they know the reality - I often put my mind to something and then, if nothing comes of it, I don't have to admit to anyone that I ever wanted change.

This is a long and roundabout way of saying that I'm in the midst of making some big decisions, but I'm not ready to tell you about it. If I make the decisions, you'll know. If I decide to keep things the same, then you will never be the wiser.

Except now you know, of course.

Book Review - Finding George Orwell in Burma

Author: Emma Larkin

Published: 2006 by Penguin Books

Blurb: In one of the most intrepid memoirs in recent memory, Emma Larkin tells of the year she spent traveling through Burma, using as a compass the life and work of George Orwell, whom many of Burma's underground teahouse intellectuals simply call "the prophet". In stirring, insightful prose, she provides a powerful reckoning with one of the world's least free countries. Finding George Orwell in Burma is a brave and revelatory reconnaissance of modern Burma, one of the world's grimmest and most shuttered police states, where the term "Orwellian" aptly describes the life endured by the country's people.

My two cents: A fascinating book set in a country that I know very little about. The author combines travel, interviews, her observation on the political climate of Burma, and the life and writing of George Orwell to create an interesting and informative read. I'm not usually one for non-fiction books (although I'm trying to change that) but I found this one hard to put down. The author draws some interesting conclusions and I enjoyed the focus on one of my favourite authors - George Orwell.

Berlin - A Photo Essay

From One Year To The Next

We welcomed 2009 with imminent danger and real potential for lost limbs.

The night started as we headed to a flat in Berlin to catch up with some friends. About 20 of us shared a 3 course meal - seafood soup, roast turkey and trimmings, and apple crumble, all washed down with plenty of German beer and vodka. As midnight neared we headed to a nearby park on the river Spree where we watched the most amazing (and most dangerous) fireworks display. This wasn't a professional display, but hundreds of people gathering together and setting off store-bought fireworks. And not the wimpy ones you get in most countries - German fireworks are amazing! We shared a bottle of champagne as we watched the display and when we left after over an hour the fireworks were still going. We ended the night at a club in a derelict house which had various different music rooms including a Swing & Roll room and lots of Drum & Bass, as well as a live band playing what sounded like traditional German music but with entirely satirical words (I was fortunate enough to have a friend translate for me).

2008 has been an eventful year. I've moved jobs, houses and countries; travelled to new countries; made many new friends and sadly lost my dear friend Ava. I hiked many mountains and started a blog; read good books, tried new recipes, and became an aunt.

While I'm not really one for resolutions, I do have a few things I'd like to work towards this year. I want to go see more movies and read more non-fiction books. I want to try two new recipes a month and explore local sights. I want to do more hiking and work to improve my overall fitness levels. And I want to say yes more and take all opportunities presented to me.