Moving on to 2008

My dear friends,
First of all, let me re-introduce Aakanksha who has long been absent from this space:

This is me after a year in London. Happy, enthusiastic, at peace, very busy trying to lead a balanced life between work, sport and play, brimming with optimism, overflowing with poor jokes and cheekiness, with my laughs coming easy, coming quick.

The last year gave me a lot of what I needed. New place, new work, new friends, new colleagues, new environment. Though I missed my family, good friends and Mark, a lot, it was a year filled with phone calls, video calls, cards, postcards and parcels from those who love me dearly, a constant reminder they are with me and I am in their thoughts and vice versa.

The year was full of visits too - meeting an online friend of 4 years who also lives in London, Davo (in the first pic) paid me a visit on his way to Canada (ski team coach at Mt. Whisler) (he just told me yesterday that he sadly lost all our photos of Davo's Day Out in London), I flew home twice in the year - in August and December, and the year ended with my sister flying in from Chicago and spending new year's with me.

New Year's Eve and Day

Two of my colleagues (a lovely French couple), my sister and I had an evening of cocktails and finger food in my apartment, watching videos of old songs (that we now find extremely funny) and singing and dancing along to a good few. We started quite early in the evening and as three of us were jet-lagged, we were quite sleepy by 10:30 but my sister (running on US time) was wide awake and upbeat. Though it was a struggle, we managed to make it to midnight!

Wishing you the best for 2008!

The mic was for communicating with another member of the party:

On New Year's day, in the evening Ruchi and I headed out to Southbank (with the hope that the mess of New year's eve had been cleaned up). We got out at Westminster Tube Station right in front of a well known clock.

Ruchi in front of _ I_ _ E _

The houses of Parliament are right next to it. (Can you spot me in this pic?)

From the bridge, we had a lovely view of the Thames and London Eye

We walked down Southbank, along the lane next London Eye. Soon after we passed it we spotted a delightful ride, one of my favourites. How could I possibly resist? I coaxed Ruchi into joining me in some New Year's Day silliness. Yes, I did a few amateur stunts too. No, I will not put those photos up.

Next to the carousel was an amusing street performer - Hitler in a ballerina's skirt. The kids loved him.

We walked past the Royal Festival hall and took the tube from Embankment to Leicester Square (it was too dark and too cold to walk the distance). In the garden at Leicester Square, food stalls and rides had been set up.

Further on, I manouevered her towards Trafalgar Square where sits this beautiful building
full of art,
The National Gallery.

Also marked by the well known Nelson's Column (Mark, remember your promise?)

The Christmas Tree at Trafalgar Square was still up.

Clearly, the festive spirit is still in the air. I hope you have a lovely year!!

With Affection, Aakanksha