The Dispensary - Warwick, England '12

My aunt and uncle who live in Warwick, bought this amazing old doctor's surgery called 'The Dispensary' a few years ago. The place was a complete disaster zone when I first saw it! I finally got the chance to see it after most of the renovations have taken place and that place is super pretty.

Warwick is also a beautiful little town. They have a huge-ass castle, I mean, what more can you want or need. Let's just be honest. We took the dogs for a walk in the morning, so I took a few shots of the town. It looks a bit miserable, since it was raining... but ya know, it's England.

I've already informed them that I am moving in as soon as I finish my degree. That place is just perfect, seriously. It's furnished traditionally and conservatively, since I believe they intend to rent it out as holiday rooms or even to have it as a Bed 'n' Breakfast. Personally... I love every inch of this place.

Christmas '12 in Southampton, England

Sunday, 23rd December - 30th December '12
I'll keep this entry short, as I think it's more important I post up the pictures. After Homestory Cup, I flew straight from Dusseldorf airport to London. From London, my uncle picked me up.

So much delicious food all week long! YORKSHIRE PUDDING! 

The following week was spent, for the most part, in front of the fire watching TV in my pajamas with my cousins. It was basically all I could ever want in life. I was completely spoilt by my aunt, I didn't want to leave. She would just randomly bring me cups of tea and constantly make me super delicious food... what more could I want?? The entire week was spent in this fashion, much to the frustration of Storm (the dog), since I continually took prime spot in the living room. Sorry Storm, but you snooze you loose buddy.

I am immune to puppy dog eyes, muahaha

I really enjoyed the week with the family. It was a lot of fun to participate in all of their family traditions. The only other important details I should mention was that we spent a whole day at the huge shopping centre in town, trying to find a onesie. That was one disappointing day... also, that place was insanely busy. Christmas shopping periods man... they be cray cray. I also enjoyed a drive up to Warwick to visit the dispensary and a nice little visit at my aunt Sue in Droitwich for a hello to the portion of the family that had popped over there. 

Christmas dinner with the landlady!

Friday, 14th December '12
Ingrid was lovely enough to invite my WG over for Christmas dinner. Ingrid is my landlady and she lives in the same building as we do. She's been so nice to us ever since we moved here and I'm genuinely going to be sad to say good-bye to her and her family.

(traditional German ornament, the hot air from the candles makes the fan spin!)

Angela and I were super nervous since we were a bit worried about the conversation and maybe it being too long-a-time spent together with strangers... but it ended up being way less awkward than we thought. Celia, being her optimistic self, was all "Oh wow, I'm so excited! I can't wait!" ~__~

Anyway, we finally met Ingrid's daughter (and her boyfriend was there too). Her daughter was so nice (and so pretty!). Anyway Melina studies in the UK, so naturally her English was spot-on and strangely enough, her boyfriend could speak conversational Spanish, so we were really set. It was quite strange actually, all the languages that flew around the table.

The food was really yummy, I really liked the starter... possibly because it was prawns. The main meal was really traditionally German, a meat kind of casserole I guess, with cabbage and a bread dumpling. It looks horrid in the picture (literally looks like s...), but it was super delicious. The dessert was ice-cream and toasted almonds, plus the brownies that myself and the girls had baked for the dinner. Yum yum! 

Dezember in Berlin

Snow, omg... snowww! 

December '12 
The beginning of December came meekly along, meandered a little, and then towards mid-month... everything just came crashing down and I was just busy, busy, busy for the whole rest of the month! It started off very cold, and even snowed for a few weeks. Snow is so pretty, but it can also be such a pain in the butt, cause I kept slipping on the ice, and they put gravel on the paths to help us not fall over, and then that would get all up in my shoes. Not to mention - cold! I didn't feel that comfortable riding my bike as the snow was very slippery, so I haven't ridden my bike in quite a long time... I miss it. :(

Anyway, Berlin is super pretty around this time of year. I was especially lucky that the snow fell as heavily as it did, because apparently it's more sleet and not this nice. It's really nice in conjunction with all the christmas markets and christmas lights that popped up EVERYWHERE!