I Spy Friday

On one of my last few days at work, I came up from the tube station into a light rain.  As I pulled up my hood, the rain suddenly turned into big, fat, fluffy snowflakes. I walked to the bus station and instead of getting under the shelter, I stood on the sidewalk and imagined myself in a London snow globe.

It was dusk.  London must have the best lighting specialist.  Even on the worst days the lighting at dawn and dusk can take your breath away.  I was in a movie, standing on a London sidewalk with magical snow falling from the sky.  Everyone was rushing by, hunkered down under black umbrellas, anxious to get into a warm pub.  I looked out over the Thames and had a moment.  London in the snow is beautiful.  I tilted my head back to catch a snowflake on my tongue.

It landed on my eyeball. 

Aaaaand... moment over.  

Sorry, but that's kind of what my last few weeks have been like, the good, the bad and the fluffy.

The Good.

I'm done with the job.  My coworkers were so sweet I almost regretted leaving (almost).  They took me out for a curry, gave me wine and chocolate.  I was surprised at the effort considering I was only there for a few months.  It made my day.

I've attended some great blogging events recently and I'm learning so much about the technical stuff.  I have a new URL for my site.  It's www.SelenaThePlaces.com.  (I've updated my badge.)  I also installed Disqus for my commenting.  I'd love your feedback.  Please let me know if you have any trouble. 

I had some friends over for lunch last weekend which was fantastic!  It was the first visitors we've had to our apartment (great excuse to get it clean).  Friends are definitely the last piece of the Expat Puzzle and probably one of the most important ones.  It was such a fun day.  I didn't want them to leave.   

The Bad.

There was a 4am phone call that makes every mother bolt straight out of bed.  It's amazing what one can discern from that one shaky word "Mom."  My mind instantly knew this is more serious than a fender bender but less serious than an ambulance ride.  "I think I broke my foot."  And she was right.   

I could easily insert a rant here.  About US retail companies that don't give their employees full-time hours (even after 6 years of service) so that they don't have to give them health benefits.  About how expensive health insurance is in the US.  About how my daughter has had to live life without health coverage for the past 5 years.  About the orthopedist who refused to see my uninsured daughter without $500 up front, spent 5 minutes with her and then told her to come back in two weeks (with another $150).   

She just started a new full-time job a few weeks ago and her health benefits kick in in a few months.  Luckily, her new employer has been extremely helpful and it looks like she will only be out for a few weeks.  She is working so hard to get her life going and I hate to see her face these challenges.  It sucks being away from her in times like this!  But, she is one tough cookie.

I had such big plans for this first week at home.  I had lists!  But, instead I've spent the week curled up on the couch under a blanket with a chest cold.  The week has gone by in a blur of hot tea and tissues.   

And I hate to go there, but the weather is so not helping!  Spring is dragging her feet and everyone is just over it.  I just want the feel of sunshine on my skin.  Is that too much to ask?  I think I'll just end this here before it turns into a foot-stomping, full-on hissy fit.  

Here are a few more London in the snow photographs from a few weeks ago.  Hopefully, this will be the last of it. 

 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Has Spring arrived yet where you are?

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