Katie's here!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its an instant relief when a friend walks out of the arrivals hall. I knew it would be no different with Katie. Since Katie lives in DC, hours away from the rest of our group, we are used to going months without seeing each other. By the time we boarded the tube, it was pretty clear that we would jump right back into where we left off. There was a year of stories and details to catch up on but we had a whole week to be brought up to date. With limited time, we dropped off her bags and headed out for a day in my life….a very hectic day.


To take advantage of the nice weather, we started the day at Portobello market for some low-key antique browsing and hummingbird cupcakes. With jet-lag setting, we slowed down for food and coffees before meeting up with some of my girls from Uni. A martini or two is a perfect cure for jetlag. Of course all my visitors need to see the sights of London,but equally important is meeting all the people I spend my time with. So Day 1 was all about the people. First the girls, then as always….the Albanians!
There was no doubt the Albanians would love Katie, they have a weakness for women, especially beautiful blond ones. I think I have single-handedly upon their games. Almost all my American visitors have fallen willing victims of their huskey accents and dark features….It’s only a matter of time before one of Beni friends will understand the joy and agony of dating a lady of liberty. I can’t say I wouldn’t be anything less than ecstatic!!!

After a couple martinis and celebratory champagne, it was time for a break before a night out. While Katie rested I joined my flat mates and Albanians for some unnecessary pre-gaming. A whole lot of booze later, my flat mates were drunk and ready to join in. It didn’t take long before my male flat mates threw their hat into the ring for Katie but their drunken slurrs and bad lines, were no match for the understated Albanians. My flat took us to an overcrowded excuse for a trendy bar…it took two rounds before we couldn’t take the mind numbing display of bad techno. By following another suggestion of my flat mate, Katie saw first hand the overpriced London nightclub. As if promising a kiddie pool in the club was an excuse to charge £15.…but we made the most of it with drunken dancing.

Over the next couple hours, I watched the competition, the Albanians hung back and waited for their moment, while my flat mate attempted to bulldoze right in. It was a new level of cockblocking….

By 3 our wallets were empty and we were the perfect level of kebab drunk. Good way to start off a London visit if you ask me. Of course the classier folk would disagree.

Day 2 started with a hangover and some much needed brunch. I’m mad it took me this long to realise the greatness that is a Bloody Mary. They are my new favorite Sunday drink. The rest of the day was spent with Beni and his darling walking through the city. Beni entertained the group while Katie got a glimpse of some of the sights. I couldn’t have been happier with how Beni and Katie got along…I know he likes someone when he wants to take a million photos with them. We ended the night early, after a couple of pints by the water.

Lots more to come..............

A much needed visitor!

The last couple of months people on my London contact list seem to be shifting categories...friends becoming acquaintances, acquaintances becoming just another notch on my Facebook bedpost, and some of those I rely on heavily for friendship are getting ready to return to their respective homelands. But as one of the few, staying in our adopted home, I can’t help feeling slightly left behind and lost.


Some of my friendship took a lifetime to build, I know those cannot be replaced or replicated in a year. I have created some amazing relationships abroad but when all is said and done, and my closest London buddies board their planes, will I become that girl that only has her boyfriend? I mean he’s a great one to be stuck with but a girl’s gotta have people to run to when he’s being a twat! Maybe it’s just the idea of more changes that have me shaken but a visit from a friend could not be more needed at the moment. Thank god I don’t have to wait much longer for Katie’s visit, I can really use some good old fashioned quality time with a close friend.

One for the Girls

When Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wrote 'Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History', in her study on Puritan funeral services, she had no idea it would take on a life of its' own.  Emblazoned upon magnets, t-shirts, and a whole host of feminist tchatchkes, it has become one of my personal favorites.  After it's the naughty rebels that make headlines and shake things up.  I don't think its worthy of the likes of trainwrecks like Lindsey and Britney...but it is worthy of the well intentioned badass ladies.  And since its Women's Day....and Pancake Day, Faschnaut Day, and Mardi Gras.... this one is for all my girls, even those who have earned their beads the honest way...

I am very lucky to be surrounded by amazing women both home and abroad.  Ones that have picked me up after a drunk fall, wiped my beer tears, opened their doors, and lost hours of their lives listening to my latest drama at a diner.  My ladies are the girls that take down Christmas balls with shots from a BB gun.  The girls that boot (in the closest cup) and ralley.  The girls that rock langerie and aren't afraid to admit they like a little youporn.  The ones that can pull off pearls and the ones that can bark just as loud as they bite.  The ladies that out drank the boys, danced on bars, and walked barefoot home through the city.  There has been bottle service in a strip club, drunk disney sing alongs, road trips, tailgating and plenty of day drinking.

But they are more than great drinking buddies and excellent wingwomen, they are the most amazing gals I know.  They ride, run, and work in hopes of making a difference for charities.  They work tirelessly to educate little bastards.  They are resilient and able to rebuild when life changes.  They create beautiful things from nothing.  They somehow find a way to continue to make leaps of faith.  They follow dreams across the country and put their dreams on hold when they are needed at home.  They turn personal tragedies into a lifetime of helping others.  They are funny, smart,  independent, compassionate and of course ridiculously good looking!  They haven't always been angels but if we are going to make history, we need to be a little naughty!

To all my favorite girls:  GAME ON!

Ding Dong...

The Big Bad Bitch is Gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It only took a month or two of awkward silences and passive aggressive manuevers to get our way....well those in addition to a legal document giving a 30 day eviction notice.  The terrible dirtbag, finally gave in, and moved on.  With the help of 5 trips in a moving truck, I came home to a new flat.  A quieter, cleaner, hostility free home! 

Of course the empty room, only meant we were in store for a flood of potentials.  A sea full of characters filled the flat:  The Turkish guy who tested the faucets, flushed the toilet, and stayed way past his welcome, The Morrocan man with two translators in toe, made sure his love of clubbing and women was passed on in his broken english, while measuring space for an extra bed in his room.  The Chinese interpreter, who said next to nothing.  The polite Spanish boy who seemed shy but sweet.  The French girl who sat and chatting, promising wine and some homecooked meals.  Those in addition to about 10 others made our place feel like a whore-house....a less entertaining whore-house, of course! 

Sal and I debated,  well Sal debated, my pick was clear:  The French girl.  Maybe its because I have a soft spot for anyone who recently moved to London, someone who doesn't have a base of friends, or maybe its because I will be slowly losing my London buddies to their home countries...but  I liked her, she seemed like someone I could be friends with.

And after a week, it is pretty clear, our flat is now feeling like a home.  We spent Friday, eating, drinking, and watching movies together.  It seemed only fitting to invite them both out on Saturday and to my surprise they came.  Unsurprisingly, we had a great time!  I'm liking the new flat, we all chat, eat, and things are becoming more shared.  Thank god, the bad witch is out,....it made room for a good one.....