Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Rosedale v. Rosedale Challenge

T-minus 5 weeks until our August vacation (that's holiday for you folks here in London). Matt and I have challenged each other to a friendly competition of super shape up by the end of July. I have birthday this week, Matt has a birthday in September, and we have an anniversary in September...and let's just say we're both noticing our age! Remember the line from Steel Magnolias? "Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin' across your face." Yes, Truvy, it is!

We're both avid runners and could run circles around most people, and neither of us really need to lose significant pounds, so we're talking about each of us maybe losing in the single digits. Progress will be measured in body fat. Doesn't that sound fun?

We've instituted a no chip (aka french fries) and crisps (aka potato chips) policy for the month of July. We've also stocked the fridge with plenty of food choices. So what's cooking this week?
Note: I should caveat this with the fact that we don't believe in low fat, fat-free, or sugar-free foods unless they occur that way in nature...lucky for us we're in Europe where the idea of fat-free cheese would make some poor soul die of a heart attack.

Monday: Bacon, cheddar, leek quiche + Fresh green salad w/ walnuts and chevre
Tuesday: Broiled chicken + Rice pilau + Steamed veggies
Wednesday: Zucchini and shrimp pasta w/ freshly grate parmigiano reggiano and pine nuts
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: We'll be on a flight, so I'll bring fruit, nuts and other snacks

Monday, June 28, 2010

Wimbledon and Bon Jovi...

I don't think a weekend can get any better than that! A very busy, very hot weekend here in London without much air conditioning, but well worth it.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Wrapping up the week!

We have a new MacBook Pro and I have no idea how to use it! I barely found my way on to internet. Our old home computer was a Dell from when my husband went to B-school seven years ago. You can imagine how slow that thing is by now. But this things is way too fancy for me. Seriously, I just got an ipod this time last year for my birthday...technology isn't my "thing."

We have a busy weekend ahead of us, a little too jam packed for my taste if you ask me. Some fun things planned though, so I'll have something to blog about next week.

Word from Camp Rosedale (aka Matt's Mom) is that Vella is one angry little dog right now. Matt was in NYC last week, so he stayed through the weekend to spend some QT with his family. Vella didn't take too well to Matt leaving and has expressed herself by destroying silk pillows and going #2 in the house. I feel terrible for my MIL and wish we could put her on a flight tonight. I'm sure my MIL will be very happy to put Vella on a one-way flight on August 10!


Sunday, June 20, 2010

Anyone else hate Sunday nights?

It's 7:30 here and I'm winding down my day. I need to do some work tonight, which is never a fun way to end the weekend! What did I do today? It was very exciting...
  • Ran 6 miles this morning as I officially kicked off my 1/2 marathon training.
  • Made a trip to Marks & Spencer for groceries, and managed to plan an entire week's meals from breakfast to dinner (::patting myself on the back::).
  • Cleaned. Cleaned. and Cleaned.
  • Finished the laundry. I could write a whole post on my little tykes washing machine and how one weeks worth of clothes for two = 6 loads.

Better get back to work and watching the How Clean is Your House marathon. Happy Sunday night and hope your Monday goes quickly!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Me Time

It's chilly and cloudy here today, feels like Fall. It should be a nice day to walk around. I have a much-needed hair appointment (I'm not fooling anyone right now!), which I plan to follow with lunch at Taqueria. The rest of the day is mine, so there may be a little retail therapy at Selfridges. And if I'm really brave, I could make my way to Harrods for its BIG sale...not sure I have the mindset for that today, but we'll see where the day takes me.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Bordeaux

No words needed, I think these sum up the weekend quite nicely! When can we go back?!? Next stop, Shannon, Ireland for my birthday weekend in early July.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Gone Fishin'

We're headed South tomorrow evening. Should be a fun weekend. There will be wine, lots of wine where we're headed. The tour kicks off at 9:30am on Saturday. Are they serious? This will be interesting. And, hopefully we'll be able to find a spot to watch the USA vs. England game on Saturday night.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

What do I miss?

I get this question fairly often. To be honest, I don't miss NYC. In a way, our time there had expired. We lived and worked in the City, but there wasn't much about it that got me excited every day. We do miss our house in WH, and escaping on the weekend to the peace and quiet. We know we are lucky to have this opportunity to live abroad, work and travel. Will we ever go back to NYC? Yes, and I predict we'll feel renewed and energized. But there aren't any plans to return until we feel ready.

That said, I miss some really silly things. Here goes...
  • Ice. Europe isn't in to ice. I seem to always forget this.
  • Boars Head cold cuts. We were a honey maple turkey and ham family. Your only cold cut sandwich option here is Subway. Blech. We move on and find alternatives.
  • Nail salons on every corner. A pedicure will set you back £45. Eek!
  • Air conditioning on public transport. There is no AC on the tube here. It gets pretty stuffy and smelly. I could write a whole post about personal awareness and hygiene, or the lack of for that matter.
  • Dunkin Donuts coffee. I'm an addict. I hate espresso, which is the drink of choice here. I predict the stash of french vanilla I shipped over will run out in about 2-3 weeks.
  • Equinox. Don't get me going on the gym situation here. As my friend Adrienne put it, "It's all about finding the best of the worst."
That said, there are so many things that make life wonderful here. I can't really complain. If these are the sacrifices we're making, I think we're doing OK.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Polo in the Park

I'm missing my UVA reunion this weekend. What I wouldn't give for a drink at Coupe's and a sandwich from Take it Away. Flying all the way back to the US from London wasn't in the cards so soon after arriving here. Matt is missing his B-School reunion next weekend at Cornell. We'll be there in spirit.

So we carry on enjoying life here! We spent the day at Polo in the Park here in London. It was really hot and humid, but I've learned not to complain about sunny weather since I know it won't be around later in the year.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Life is Good





We spent Memorial Day Weekend (called May Bank Holiday here) in Marbella, Spain. We spent our days on the beach, and ate our way through Puerto Banus and the old town at night. It was just what we needed! We have more settling in to do, so we'll spend this weekend in London. Our home computer is finally up and running, and I'm looking forward to being more connected to the world!