Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a good holiday. I decided that, instead of moping around on Christmas Eve by myself, that I would do something I have never done before. I cooked a complete dinner:

Christmas Eve Dinner

Okay, as complete a dinner one can make when one is cooking only for oneself. Stuffing, roast chicken, gravy, green beans, roast onions and garlic, red wine. I followed recipes in Nigella Lawson's How to Eat for the chicken, gravy, and the stuffing. They turned out pretty good, if I may say so myself.

I also got to decorate my apartment, with a little help from my friends. Thanks Melissa, Jon, Kelly, Chad, Trista, and Dan!

Christmas Decorations

That's my Christmas fern, by the way. I didn't get a tree. I bought a fern instead. Easier to haul home.

The New Year is always my favorite holiday of the year. It's a clean slate- a year I haven't mucked up yet. I can turn over a new leaf, and swear that I am going to clean up my act, and I mean it this time! Which always leads to resolutions. This year, like I mentioned earlier , one of my resolutions is to make some friends here in Leeds. Corollary to this, I want to get involved in some activities. I mentioned a cooking class, and an orienteering class, but what I really would like to do is take up dancing again. I did belly dancing for 2+ years. So maybe I'll take up belly dancing again, or maybe I'll take up bhangra dancing, or try tango again.

Another resolution is to conquer the public transport system here in Leeds. Believe it or not, Worcester peeps, I have NOT been on the bus yet. The fares confuse me greatly. From what I understand, there isn't necessarily a set fare based on mileage- it seems pretty random what you get charged. And I'd HATE to be that person on the bus fiddling with her money, and saying “But how much is it?!?”Because those people drove me batshit crazy in Worcester.

I just need to suck it up and GO. I'll make my first destination a fabric store. That will get me on the damn bus.

Other resolutions include the usual eat better! Exercise more! Travel! Write more! Sew more! Imbibe more gin!

What, your resolutions don't include “imbibe more gin”? Huh. Why not? Maybe you should revise your resolutions.

Comments

Daphne said…
Happy New Year - I hope you feel more at home in Leeds soon! (Can't help with the bus fares though - I don't understand them either).
January 7, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Silverback said…
Happy New Year to you too, Kat.

Just check out web sites for bus times and fares or pick up the info at bus stations or even from a bus driver on a route you'd want to go on.

And keep warm. I hear it's a bit chilly there !
January 7, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Anonymous said…
Really I'd just prefer to imbibe more brandy. Just not a gin girl.
Glad to hear your holidays had some Merry to them.
Liz
January 8, 2009 at 2:22 AM
N. Vivian said…
Toph's wa. He's become fond of gin-and-diet-pepsi's. Which I just don't get...

Hope you spent some of that downtime snuggling up and reading The Monk. Cause, y'know, you had nothing better to do, I'm sure...
January 8, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi, Kat. Great to know there is another American in Leeds. The bus fair schedule in this city is actually not as complicated as it seems. I had to unwillingly resort to using local (and not-so-local) public transportation after being forced to do so by changing family circumstances. And I had learned to use it to my advantage I have to say, even as far as getting free tickets (occasionally) after complaining about the bus service here that leaves a lot to be desired compared to the great system I've gotten used to over the years in New York City. As far as Leeds bus fares are concerned, nothing beats the so-called Day Ticket (or Day Ride in local parlance). If you're commuting to work on a daily basis, then it's a good idea to get a monthly ticket, which you can also use to travel throughout West Yorkshire. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to help
(e-mail cusks37320@mypacks.net)
January 10, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Return of the Mack

Image
Remember that man I mentioned  over a year ago?  Well, reader, I married him. Then embarked on the emotional roller coaster that is a spousal visa application. Luckily, I got my visa, and was able to join him. Also luckily, he did not have a crazy wife in his attic that set the house on fire. I have returned to Leeds after being away for over a year. I've been back for just over a week, and it's been interesting getting back into my UK groove. There's the usual things, like re-programming myself to look right then left when crossing the street, and re-learning the money denominations. But, like when I first moved here in 2008, it's the little things that trip me up. How to use the washing machine. Recipes being in weights instead of volumes. Coriander instead of cilantro. One of the more illuminating things that has come to my attention to me is the importance of an address. It proves you belong to a place. The question of "Do you have a piece of official m...
Read more

Kirkstall Abbey

Image
Oh.My.Goodness. Kirkstall Abbey was AMAZING. I was in awe. I wanted to take 4 zillions pictures, at all sort of artsy angles, but due to time constraints (and due to the weather- it started raining), I couldn't. Look at that blue sky. Kirkstall Abbey was completed in the late 12th century. It was the home of an order of Cistercian Monks until 1539. It is one of the most complete medieval abbeys in Britain. I think the reason I was so awestruck is because we don't have anything this old in the States. I could feel the history of the place. Over 800 years of stories, and past lives. 800 years of change, and yet this abbey is still standing, still recognizable as an abbey. There's a cemetery hiding somewhere on the grounds as well. I will find it. I bought some paints and some paper on a whim on Saturday. I am definitely hauling myself, my camera, and my paints out to Kirkstall Abbey again. I think I've found my new favorite place. At least until I find a new favorite plac...
Read more

I am about to become trendy. And moderately angry.

This amuses me no end. But ticks me off at the same time. I will explain. A while ago, I bought a satchel . It's big enough to fit in some papers, a book, an umbrella, and my wallet. It helps me avoid dragging a bunch of junk to work that I don't need. It has a strap long enough to put it across my body, leaving my hands free to push pedestrians walking on the wrong side of the sidewalk out of the way. It also fit in with my slightly dorky academic style, which I came by honestly by the fact a) I have a PhD in virology, and b) I have a job in academia. Now, this style bag has been on the runway. And a designer, Mulberry , has made their own satchel which means soon everyone will have one. So, I'll look trendy! Not only trendy, but ahead of the curve by a few months! That's a new sensation. However, this will mean hipsters may start carrying one as well, which cheeses me off. Those of you that know me well, or happen to be in my vicinity when I mutter "fucking hip...
Read more