I can't believe that we're already to the end of July and just one more month of summer to go. But that does mean that tomorrow morning, Paulster, Drama, Blondie (who's on the verge of being renamed Drama2) and I will set off on the Eurostar for a week in Paris.
That part of the adventure isn't what I'm looking forward to...been there, done that.
The part that I'm looking forward to is watching Drama and Blondie discover Paris, as a city.
Blondie has gotten to work on learning the french names for all types of fruit and a few other words. Some of it she'd learned in school, but she's definitely interested in it. Favourite French word so far...Pamplemousse.
We'll see how much she's willing to say out loud to a french waiter!
We've watched Dr. Who's encounter with Vincent Van Gough and of course they want to go up the Eiffel Tower. With a whole city to explore and a day or two in Disneyland Paris, we might need a vacation to recover from our vacation when we get back!
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Friday, 16 July 2010
Forgetting Something Important
Ok, so things have been a little quiet lately on the 'ol blog. Before I get any more wise cracks from readers who have been really, really patient waiting on a post...
It's not like there's been nothing to report. (you may have to read that sentence twice...excessive use of negatives)
In the past few months, there's been almost too much going on to keep up with.
Here's a list...in the order in which my brain pulls it up:
1) Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood in concert
2) Norah Jones in concert
3) Rob Schneider's stand up show in a giant upside down purple cow...yes, there will be pictures of that posted. You kind of have to see it to believe it...
4) Watched Paul and his sister run a 10K
5) Flown back and forth to Texas twice...one time routing through Canada to see Banana and Sven and the splendour of Niagara Falls
6) Watched my brother marry a lovely, sweet woman who complements him beautifully
7) Hugged ALL 4 of my nephews and their parents
8) Eaten sushi with my mom
9) Experienced the wonders of XpresSpa in the airport
10) Shopped with my favourite Aunt
11) Read several books (Julia Child's My Life in France was a highlight--thank you LB2!
12) Laughed hysterically while watching Total Wipeout
13) Had a great night out with several girlfriends and their friends
14) Went to my 20 year High School reunion
15) Recalled some of the most fun moments of my life that I would never, ever want to repeat
16) Baked (and ate) lots of chocolate chip cookies and even shared some of them with the neighbours
17) Planned my summer holiday to Paris and a weekend trip to Zurich
...and countless other things.
All that...and no blog posts?! What's up?
The truth is, I've been feeling a little sorry for myself...mainly due to a health issue that is NOTHING compared to what many people I know and love have been through...but nonetheless has impaired my running and other activities I enjoy, my overall energy levels and generally left me feeling blue. I'm not real good at coping with situations that I cannot control and this is one of those things that I can't fix on my own. (I know that the fact that I'm a control freak will be quite a revelation to all my blog readers out there!...sorry for springing it on you like that).
I was walking to the bus stop the other day to go somewhere...when I was reminded to count the blessings in my life rather than focussing on the negatives. The road where I catch the bus has a Crematorium/Funeral Home on it, so seeing a funeral procession isn't an unusual experience. But this day, a hearse rolled past with a gleaming white casket in it... I didn't need to know who she was to know she was someone special. The faces of the people in the family cars and trailing vehicles said it all...
I am grateful to the woman in the casket who was obviously so dear to so many for reminding that I have my life, my friends, my family and I need to be grateful for that, living my life to the fullest. And with that, it will be a good long while before I revisit the pit of despair I've been allowing myself to crawl into lately.
It's not like there's been nothing to report. (you may have to read that sentence twice...excessive use of negatives)
In the past few months, there's been almost too much going on to keep up with.
Here's a list...in the order in which my brain pulls it up:
1) Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood in concert
2) Norah Jones in concert
3) Rob Schneider's stand up show in a giant upside down purple cow...yes, there will be pictures of that posted. You kind of have to see it to believe it...
4) Watched Paul and his sister run a 10K
5) Flown back and forth to Texas twice...one time routing through Canada to see Banana and Sven and the splendour of Niagara Falls
6) Watched my brother marry a lovely, sweet woman who complements him beautifully
7) Hugged ALL 4 of my nephews and their parents
8) Eaten sushi with my mom
9) Experienced the wonders of XpresSpa in the airport
10) Shopped with my favourite Aunt
11) Read several books (Julia Child's My Life in France was a highlight--thank you LB2!
12) Laughed hysterically while watching Total Wipeout
13) Had a great night out with several girlfriends and their friends
14) Went to my 20 year High School reunion
15) Recalled some of the most fun moments of my life that I would never, ever want to repeat
16) Baked (and ate) lots of chocolate chip cookies and even shared some of them with the neighbours
17) Planned my summer holiday to Paris and a weekend trip to Zurich
...and countless other things.
All that...and no blog posts?! What's up?
The truth is, I've been feeling a little sorry for myself...mainly due to a health issue that is NOTHING compared to what many people I know and love have been through...but nonetheless has impaired my running and other activities I enjoy, my overall energy levels and generally left me feeling blue. I'm not real good at coping with situations that I cannot control and this is one of those things that I can't fix on my own. (I know that the fact that I'm a control freak will be quite a revelation to all my blog readers out there!...sorry for springing it on you like that).
I was walking to the bus stop the other day to go somewhere...when I was reminded to count the blessings in my life rather than focussing on the negatives. The road where I catch the bus has a Crematorium/Funeral Home on it, so seeing a funeral procession isn't an unusual experience. But this day, a hearse rolled past with a gleaming white casket in it... I didn't need to know who she was to know she was someone special. The faces of the people in the family cars and trailing vehicles said it all...
I am grateful to the woman in the casket who was obviously so dear to so many for reminding that I have my life, my friends, my family and I need to be grateful for that, living my life to the fullest. And with that, it will be a good long while before I revisit the pit of despair I've been allowing myself to crawl into lately.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Breaking the Silence
So, have you heard the crickets chirping from this blog lately? I have not one good excuse for not having updated the blog lately. In fact, We've had several blogworthy events since the marathon in April...some day, I'll catch it up.
I really just wanted to do two things, say Hi, and break the blog silence.
So, the CyninLondon blog is not dead, it's just been in a coma for a while.
There's some stuff on my mind, so you'll be hearing from me soon!
Hugs, Cyn
I really just wanted to do two things, say Hi, and break the blog silence.
So, the CyninLondon blog is not dead, it's just been in a coma for a while.
There's some stuff on my mind, so you'll be hearing from me soon!
Hugs, Cyn
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Thirteen
This past Sunday was the 30th Annual London Marathon. My friend and colleague, Hachie Gal, was one of the 40,000+ competitors. It was her 13th marathon. Like last year, she ran in support of the Guide Dogs. It's not too late to donate. Here's the link where you can donate online.
Here's Hachie Gal with a Guide Dog at the marathon expo.
There goes our girl from the first pit-stop. Spot the flag.
And here comes our girl at mile 18. Texas flag shorts a blaze!
Despite the vast numbers of Road Crew members, we managed to miss our girl at two consecutive stops. You just can't get the help these days. We were disappointed with ourselves for leaving her without supplies for nearly half of the race.
This is the third marathon I've witnessed and I continue to be in awe of people who can muster the strength that making it 26.2 miles to the finish line requires. It is truly amazing.
Blondie and Drama and other friends/family of Hachie Gal joined the Road Crew this year. And we made posters:
Like last year, many of the competitors were in fancy dress [costume]. The full complement of characters were around. The most odd was a giraffe that had to have suffered when the wind picked up.
Of course, a few celebs were on the course. The only one I spotted (thanks to his giant butterfly wings) was Sir Richard Branson.
A highlight of the day was pushing Drama and Blondie out close to the runners with bags of Jelly Babies. For the US contingent, these are pure sugar gummy bear-type candies that make perfect fuel for runners. We had our poster up and called out to the runners that we had Jelly Babies for them and they ran past, grabbing candies and trucking on. It took a bag getting dumped on the pavement to perfect the technique...but we managed to give out 6 bags or so throughout the day.
Road Crew members: Martini, C1, & K gearing up for the day ahead.
And Crew Chief, Budman with newbie, M2.
And post-race, M&M flanking Hachie Gal and Budman.
Again, an awe inspiring event with energy that sets the whole city on fire.
Hachie Gal, you are simply amazing! Congratulations on completing number 13.
Here's Hachie Gal with a Guide Dog at the marathon expo.
There goes our girl from the first pit-stop. Spot the flag.
And here comes our girl at mile 18. Texas flag shorts a blaze!
Despite the vast numbers of Road Crew members, we managed to miss our girl at two consecutive stops. You just can't get the help these days. We were disappointed with ourselves for leaving her without supplies for nearly half of the race.
This is the third marathon I've witnessed and I continue to be in awe of people who can muster the strength that making it 26.2 miles to the finish line requires. It is truly amazing.
Blondie and Drama and other friends/family of Hachie Gal joined the Road Crew this year. And we made posters:
Like last year, many of the competitors were in fancy dress [costume]. The full complement of characters were around. The most odd was a giraffe that had to have suffered when the wind picked up.
Of course, a few celebs were on the course. The only one I spotted (thanks to his giant butterfly wings) was Sir Richard Branson.
A highlight of the day was pushing Drama and Blondie out close to the runners with bags of Jelly Babies. For the US contingent, these are pure sugar gummy bear-type candies that make perfect fuel for runners. We had our poster up and called out to the runners that we had Jelly Babies for them and they ran past, grabbing candies and trucking on. It took a bag getting dumped on the pavement to perfect the technique...but we managed to give out 6 bags or so throughout the day.
Road Crew members: Martini, C1, & K gearing up for the day ahead.
And Crew Chief, Budman with newbie, M2.
And post-race, M&M flanking Hachie Gal and Budman.
Again, an awe inspiring event with energy that sets the whole city on fire.
Hachie Gal, you are simply amazing! Congratulations on completing number 13.
Friday, 2 April 2010
It's a Good Friday
...for baking cookies!
My little helpers are here for Easter Weekend and today and Monday are "Bank Holidays" (officially no work). So what are we to do when it rains all day in London?
Bake, of course.
Thanks to Nigella Lawson, the UK's Domestic Goddess--we have a recipe for butter cookies with icing for our inspiration.
So off we go...
Dough made, check. Dough rested in the fridge, check.
Roll out the dough to start the cutting, check. Here's Drama doing her bit.
And Blondie with her cut outs ready to pop in the oven.
The fun part is making the icing different colours, as you can see by the grins.
And then of course, putting the yellow, orange, red, purple, and blue icing on the cookies.
Here are a few shots of the finished project.
You can see the resemblance, can't you?!
Random ending to the blog post!
And during all that...a squirrel visited the backyard to eat the birdseed.
(Of course, I had to take the picture through my filthy kitchen window so as not to make him run off) Unlike Texas, this is the ONLY squirrel in my back garden. They aren't overunning the place--thankfully.
My little helpers are here for Easter Weekend and today and Monday are "Bank Holidays" (officially no work). So what are we to do when it rains all day in London?
Bake, of course.
Thanks to Nigella Lawson, the UK's Domestic Goddess--we have a recipe for butter cookies with icing for our inspiration.
So off we go...
Dough made, check. Dough rested in the fridge, check.
Roll out the dough to start the cutting, check. Here's Drama doing her bit.
And Blondie with her cut outs ready to pop in the oven.
The fun part is making the icing different colours, as you can see by the grins.
And then of course, putting the yellow, orange, red, purple, and blue icing on the cookies.
Here are a few shots of the finished project.
You can see the resemblance, can't you?!
Random ending to the blog post!
And during all that...a squirrel visited the backyard to eat the birdseed.
(Of course, I had to take the picture through my filthy kitchen window so as not to make him run off) Unlike Texas, this is the ONLY squirrel in my back garden. They aren't overunning the place--thankfully.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
I Want to Be...
Your Sledgehammer! Why don't you call my name?
Lyrics from the most fabulous Peter Gabriel. But do you think that he sang that iconic song during the concert in London on Sunday night? NO, HE DID NOT! Are Paulster and I angry about that? YES WE ARE!
We're getting over it, but how in the world can a musician who was defined by an album get away with doing 2 songs from that album during a concert? The songs we wanted to hear...In Your Eyes, Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Big Time...you get the idea...pretty much anything from the Album So that was released in 1986.
It's like Michael Jackson doing a concert without singing Thriller, or Madonna without Like a Virgin--what the heck?!
Before I go on too much of a rant, I must say that on the whole, it was a good show. He had the "New Blood" Orchestra with him and some great female backing singers. I guess it's a sign I'm getting OLD, when I enjoy having rocking 80's tunes set to orchestral arrangements. Whatever. It was pretty magical at some points.
Here's a sample from Salisbury Hill:
Admit it, it sounds pretty darn great, doesn't it?!
Here's a pic of Mr. Gabriel on stage:
And another of a cool backdrop.
So, iTunes, here I come--there are some songs I still want to hear!
Lyrics from the most fabulous Peter Gabriel. But do you think that he sang that iconic song during the concert in London on Sunday night? NO, HE DID NOT! Are Paulster and I angry about that? YES WE ARE!
We're getting over it, but how in the world can a musician who was defined by an album get away with doing 2 songs from that album during a concert? The songs we wanted to hear...In Your Eyes, Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Big Time...you get the idea...pretty much anything from the Album So that was released in 1986.
It's like Michael Jackson doing a concert without singing Thriller, or Madonna without Like a Virgin--what the heck?!
Before I go on too much of a rant, I must say that on the whole, it was a good show. He had the "New Blood" Orchestra with him and some great female backing singers. I guess it's a sign I'm getting OLD, when I enjoy having rocking 80's tunes set to orchestral arrangements. Whatever. It was pretty magical at some points.
Here's a sample from Salisbury Hill:
Admit it, it sounds pretty darn great, doesn't it?!
Here's a pic of Mr. Gabriel on stage:
And another of a cool backdrop.
So, iTunes, here I come--there are some songs I still want to hear!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Quality Time
It's been a VERY long time since my twin brother and I got to hang out and have a significant amount of quality time. But last weekend, we made up for lost time. Clinton came to London to look at an airplane for some colleagues who were considering the purchase.
Having gotten business out of the way during the first 10 hours after he landed, we had all day Saturday and Sunday to play.
First--stock up with Starbucks. Check.
Second--stop on the Jubilee Bridge and take pictures with your iPhone. Check.
You are the ultimate American tourist!
And I join in...with my Starbucks cup! (You can take the girl out of Texas...)
Here's a shot of Paulster, Drama, Blondie and Clinton on the Jubilee Bridge.
Cyn's Standard 48 hour First-timer Tour includes a River Cruise, "flight" on the London Eye, and a visit to the Tower of London. So...true to form, off we went.
Here's a self-portrait from the deck of the cruise. It was sooooo cold--but beautifully sunny!
A shot of Clinton and the girls...before we all retreated to the warmth of the inside of the boat!
On to the Eye...
Blondie...
And everyone...
I never get tired of that view...
Day 2: The Monument to the Great Fire of London (1666)...you can almost see Clinton down there.
Clinton modelling his Howls for Haiti shirt at the Tower.
On the walk back to the Tube...City Hall and a look back at Tower Bridge.
Long overdue, but what a great visit!
Having gotten business out of the way during the first 10 hours after he landed, we had all day Saturday and Sunday to play.
First--stock up with Starbucks. Check.
Second--stop on the Jubilee Bridge and take pictures with your iPhone. Check.
You are the ultimate American tourist!
And I join in...with my Starbucks cup! (You can take the girl out of Texas...)
Here's a shot of Paulster, Drama, Blondie and Clinton on the Jubilee Bridge.
Cyn's Standard 48 hour First-timer Tour includes a River Cruise, "flight" on the London Eye, and a visit to the Tower of London. So...true to form, off we went.
Here's a self-portrait from the deck of the cruise. It was sooooo cold--but beautifully sunny!
A shot of Clinton and the girls...before we all retreated to the warmth of the inside of the boat!
On to the Eye...
Blondie...
And everyone...
I never get tired of that view...
Day 2: The Monument to the Great Fire of London (1666)...you can almost see Clinton down there.
Clinton modelling his Howls for Haiti shirt at the Tower.
On the walk back to the Tube...City Hall and a look back at Tower Bridge.
Long overdue, but what a great visit!
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