Christmas Day

I was so tired last night that I was in bed by 8.30. That of course did not bode well for my internal alarm. At 1.54am I was awake, and could not go back to sleep despite my body feeling really worn out and exhausted. My body sucks, man. So here I am. Awake and tired. Lovely.

Anyway, the 4-day Christmas weekend is not done yet. We had family over yesterday and today the onslaught continues. Tomorrow will probably be the worst (lol) as I have friends over and that means I am taking charge of everything. Luckily, it is a two-day work week for me. Don't get those very often. It should really be a zero-day work week. I find it absolutely criminal that anyone should work at all during the last 2 weeks of the year, but it is what it is.

It was a lovely Christmas Day with the fam though. Lots of laughter. Gotta love people who can make you laugh.

Today, Boxing Day, also marks the (un)official start of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. The party goers have been waiting for this moment all year and now it is here. Let the games begin. The vibes are still mellow as we close the year, but the pace will pick up in 2012.

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Beating the Funk

I have been in a funk the past few days - a funk I have been unable to shake. I think between this dissertation, this shitty weather (thanks for summer, London!), and other miscellaneous stuff, I am just a bit tired emotionally. Sitting in an office, making tedious and mind numbing RSVP calls to people who clearly did not want to attend the event in question, for the better part of my afternoon, did not help to put any spunk in my step either. I have also had to tolerate the rudeness of people here via phone, email and in person all week. I don't do well with rudeness - not well at all and I often really have to take a moment, or two (or 50!) to compose myself before responding to or interacting with people who have no manners or who do not understand common courtesy.

Yes. I am a bit stressed. I don't like the word "depressed" cause there are people out there with REAL problems. I am a bit stressed for sure, and maybe a bit bored. Uninspired. Not even these little babies could cheer me up, which spells big trouble. I only had one, which is a major first!

Chocolate covered mini doughnuts. They are literally bite-sized!

Still, the weekend should be promising, once the weather changes. Taste of London starts tomorrow and I will be attending the Saturday sessions with my girlfriend. I love culinary festivals - just anything involving food really. I love great food and I appreciate people who take time to really prepare something awesome, creative and divine. And socialising with food as the nucleus is just a great time!

Some of London's top chefs will be on hand at Taste of London
Photo credit: Taste of London

The demonstrations and masterclasses will hopefully be exciting, the food should be fantastic (!) and most importantly, once God grants me sun, which usually perks up my mood, it will be a fabulous opportunity to pick myself out of the funk and look cute! No...fabulous!

As an aside, I noticed under the list of exhibitors, under "T" (cause you know I went looking after I saw Barbados and Jamaica), there was indeed Trinidad and Tobago! But just that - Trinidad and Tobago. So I have no idea if it is the Tourism Development Company, the Ministry, a company. Please...I don't want the suspense to kill me.

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Checking In

Stress is not something any of us like feeling, but it happens every once in a while, when the world is too overwhelming for your inner fortress. This has been one of those weeks where the wrecking ball has been battering my walls. I am tired, annoyed, conflicted and anxious. But I am alive, so just thought you should know that.

My life is on hold at the moment, including vacation, but will let you know when it starts back up. In the meantime, I am going to be an aunt within the next few days, and I have a high school reunion in a week's time. Both events remind me constantly that I am no longer a young and untainted spring chicken, but they also remind me that the passage of time brings wisdom, maturity, beauty and grace, and the right decisions will come.

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