Mommy Dearest

It's been awhile since my last visitor, although Shawn and Joe were here for less than 10 hours last weekend, so they don't really count :) Now, this is no ordinary visitor, it's my mom!!! She is coming to visit for almost two weeks starting today!! I am really looking forward to showing her my new home, literally and figuratively. Last time she was here, which also happened to be her first time, it was more about getting me settled into my new life and finding a place to live. She really didn't get to experience this city in it's all glory. Back then I was a rookie, barely willing to venture far from my flat, refusing to go on the tube, complaining about the food. Now I'm pro, well sort of, I know exactly where to take her, what to show her. I want this trip to be really memorable for the both of us.

On top of visiting London, my mom and I are going to Rome next weekend!! Woo hoo!!!!! I can't even begin to describe how excited I am to go to Italy. Rome has been at the top of my list in terms of places to visit while living in Europe and I finally get to go. I can cross that one of the list.

So, there will be lots to report back in the next few weeks.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

When I first got here their were so many things I missed back home especially in terms of food. For example Pria Chocolate Bars, Bean and Cheese Burrito from El Ranchito, the fries at Islands, Diet Coke (for some reason I didn't think I could get here), The Tuna Special at Gary's Deli, string cheese, Mint Milano cookies, the list goes on and on. Nothing here seemed to fill the hole nor did I think it ever could. Twelve months later I have found things that have become part of daily repertoire and have become my favorites.

At least twice a week I go to Pret a Manger. It's nothing fancy, just your everyday sandwich shop with multiple locations all over London. I always get the same thing; a Avocado Salad Wrap and a bag of Vegetable Root crisps. It's like my Gary's Deli just more convenient and unfortunately more expensive!

Now that I can't drink Diet Coke (stomach issues) I had to find a suitable replacement. A girl can only survive on water so long. Along comes Ribena. Ribena is a brand of juice like Ocean Spray and comes in several flavours. My favourite is the Pomegranate and Raspberry version, but it has to be the light version, which they call Really Light. It's like the nectar of the gods.

Next comes Digestives. I know weird name! I didn't get it either. These things are like crack. They are cookies that people here drink with their afternoon tea. I eat them morning, noon, and night. They come in milk chocolate, chocolate, caramel, ginger, plain. They are so good. You can't eat just one. I need to bring a case home with me next time.

Last, but not least is Fruitella. You know when you eat Starburst or Skittles and you only pick out the best flavours? In my case that would be the strawberry pieces in Starburst and the red and purple Skittles. Fruitella is like having a strawberry starburst everytime. They are real fruit chews made from real fruit, I swear. At least that's how I justify having an entire pack in one sitting. I eat these things almost everyday. I have a problem, I can't stop