Happy 3 year Anniversary!!!

Today we hit the three-year mark! Yes, boys and girls, it's been three years of a wonderful life in one of the most amazing cities in the world. My heart is full of gratitude. We had met awesome people and visited really cool places. My eyes have seen things I only dreamed of seeing before. My heart will treasure those memories forever. I'm definitively not the same Geo who came 1,095 days ago. What has changed? not much of a physical change (other than a couple of gray hairs and happy wrinkles!) but a brand new understanding of other cultures and the world around me. I said goodbye to my twenties two years ago in London, and Ted said farewell to his thirties last Christmas.

We still have five more months in London before we move back to Houston in the summer. I want to live each one of those remaining days to the fullest!!!!!!! and then some...

Fashionista Tea!

A morning commute

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As I've mentioned before, I've been going to the gym more frecuently during the week. I wake up in the morning around 6 am, leave the house at 6:30 and get to the gym at 7 am for a one-hour class. After the class, I shower/change at the gym and then walk for about 15 minutes to get to work. Here are two pictures I took this morning on my way to work:




Under this new set-up I arrive at the office one hour earlier than everybody else and it allows me to accomplish a lot of things with a fresh mind. I must confess, it is not easy at all to wake up early and carry my gym bag all the time. But, it definitely makes me feel more productive. Let's see how long I can keep up with this!

Picnicking

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I'm really not sure why we haven't taken more advantage of picnics in London. We have had them, but it's only now that we realized we haven't had them enough. The weather has been superb and the parks are just around the corner. It would be a shame to look back one day and feel that we missed golden opportunities. That's why we're changing habits here, we're welcoming the beautiful British tradition of grabbing our books, blankets, cheese, crackers, drinks, sandwiches, fruits and head to the greens (as many times as possible).

Picnic at St. James Park

Check Mate

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The other day when I was heading home from the gym, I noticed something unusual going on at Trafalgar Square. I got a little closer and found a gigantic chess set with these lovely decorated pieces:





I learned that the chess set launches this years London Design festival. It consists 32 two metre high ceramic pieces on a mosaic glass chess board that were designed and created by Spanish artist Jaime Hayon. Unfortunately, it was too early in the morning so there were no contestants around to play with.




These are the things that make London such an amazing place to live in!

A morning walk in the park

For the first time in a long-long-long time, I've been to the gym four days in a row! It's definitely not easy to develop a workout routine, but now that I'm working out again I can't stop wondering why in the world I don't do this more often. On the days when I don't have to be at the office early, I've been walking back home through St. James Park. This picture was taken this morning around 8:15 am.

I thank God for the opportunity to live in such a beautiful city. But above all, I am thankful for health, peace and the abundant joy that only He can provide.

One of my favorite shows

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Last night, Ted and I went to see my favorite West End musical ever: The Sound of Music. Even though I had already seen it once -when my mother in law came to London-, Ted had never seen it, not even the movie! And, the show is ending next week so I was pretty excited that we were able to see it for the last time.

Ted thought it was cute but not amazing as I described it. I don't know why exactly I like this musical so much. Maybe it is because it has kids and they all sing beautifully. I just love it! It's sad that Ted didn't like it that much. I think he prefers theater.

I love both. I want to act, sing and dance forever! That would be my ideal job!

Follow the link to see part of the show. The same actress was playing Maria last night. And we had front-row tickets for only £20

The Sound of Music London


I got a picture with the kiddos who play the Von Trapp family. I will upload them one of these days :)

Always look at the bright side of life... whistle, whistle, whistlewhistlewhistle...

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About a week ago we learned that the show Spamalot was ending soon and, because we've been wanting to see it for a while, we rushed to get some tickets before it was too late.

Spamalot is Monty Python's best comedy act in the West End. If you haven't seen the movie "Holy Grail" then you won't probably find it too funny. But, trust me, it is hilarious! This is the sort of British humor I love and I will miss a lot when we move back to the States.

As usual, getting my picture and autograph from leading actors was in the to-do-list. Here is the one of little me with Michael Xavier. He plays the role of Sir Dennis Galahad, The Black Knight and Prince Herbert's Father. Check out his website: www.michaelxavier.co.uk

Only in London

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Last Saturday, we were walking out of Embankment tube station and saw this.

All I want for Christmas is YOU!

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One thing I really like about Ted's work Christmas parties in London is the fact that everyone gets all fancy for the special "do". We do too! Check us out with our Christmas spirit in full swing:

Amstercold

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Two weeks ago, Ted and I got a chance to visit the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Being there was really nice but the weather was super duper freezing cold. Lots of cuddling going on! The highlights of the trip were: Van Gogh Museum, Ann Frank's house, and a cool jazz cafe. I really hope we get to see more of Amsterdam in the future.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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This is picture of us in a one area of London called Little Venice. It was taken at the beginning of November so you could still see beautiful trees with yellow leaves. I was also able to go out in a t-shirt and jeans and be okay with it. Now, it is the end of the month and a lot colder, so it's impossible to go out without bundling yourself up.

Nevertheless, it is that time of the year that I really like because it makes you stop and reflect, evaluate, cuddle, appreciate, cuddle again, dream, think about family and comfort food... and then cuddle a little more.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!

My Fair Lady

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moar funny pictures

Rain Man

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Rain Man, the play, was great and beautifully done! the guy who plays Rain Man's brother is gorgeous Josh Harnett. He's an American actor who was in the movie Pearl Harbor. Adam Godley's acting as Raymond was phenomenal. I'm so thankful we get to see such great performances.

Lately, Ted and I came up with this little ritual where we go to the stage door at the end of a show and I ask for the actors' autographs while Ted takes a picture of me with them. It's so much fun! Most of the time there is barely no one out there so I've gotten good pictures of other productions. But last night, oh last night, let me tell you, Josh Harnett was so cute that all the girls had the same idea. It was almost impossible to get his autograph. But don't worry, I did it! We couldn't get a picture together though because it was really crowded, but I'm happy to have his signature for my collection of London playbills.

Back from paradise to a world of hurricanes?

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We landed last night from an amazing time in Greece to find out that a big hurricane is heading towards Houston. So, instead of sorting out my 850 vacation-perfection pictures, I am staring at the news and images of Galveston island being hit by Ike. We hope and pray that this hurricane dies soon so it does not hit our beloved ones... or anyone in Houston. It's so hard being away and powerless (in our own strength, that is) because in God, we are strong. Let's keep the faith!

Papaluchito

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In July, 2007, I was very excited about going to Ecuador to celebrate my grandparents' 75th wedding anniversary. Yes, you read it correctly, they got married very young and spent their entire lives together. So, the whole family was getting ready for their "diamond anniversary." However, just two weeks before the trip, I received a phone call from my parents letting me know that Papaluchito, my grandfather, had passed away. Everything was so fast and sad: the funeral took place the following day and I couldn't move my flight for an earlier date.

When I spoke to my grandmother over the phone, she was surprisingly strong. Her words comforted me when she told me how they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary at the hospital, just few days before he died. My grandfather was a great man. I know they say that about every one who dies, but trust me, he was. Boy, he had a great life indeed!

I decided to keep my flight as it was originally scheduled. This way, I could comfort my grandmother once the crisis has passed. When I arrived in Quito, I was the one who was comforted by my family. They described the funeral to me, my grandfather final days at the hospital, and the peace that surrendered the family in the mist of our loss. We threw a little memorial/celebratory dinner where I was happy to see some of my cousins, uncles, aunts and friends I had not seen in years. Together we were able to cry, laugh, cry and celebrate Papaluchito's life. And I say celebrate because we know he is with Jesus now... he graduated from life with an A+

Mamá Rosita and me

At my grandparents' house in Quito, Ecuador

Giving a speech at my grandfather's memorial

My extended family in Ecuador

Quito from the airplane

A night with Billy

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Me with the amazing Layton Williams. He gave an amazing performance last night. What a handsome and so talented young man!
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The Time Machine

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Last Saturday night we were invited to an 80's party at the Triefenbachs . It was such fun dressing up like the oldies! When we were getting ready to leave the flat to go to the party, I suggested to Ted that he should wear his mullet on the Tube. He was reluctant to do it, so I didn't insist. He then thought about it and said, "what the heck? It's London! no one will care!"

Something I really appreciate about this city is that you can wear whatever you like, and no one seems to mind. It's okay, one gets blended in the crowds of Camden's Gothics, hooligans football fans and hen night celebrations! However, Ted's mullet caught a lot of attention in the Tube and the bus. At least two people asked him whether or not his hair was real. We had a blast!



My whole outfit was put together by a friend of mine. She did a wonderful job picking my dress for the night. I won the contest! Thank you, Iona.



Can you believe the 80's was so long ago?

Bittersweet Barcelona

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In August last year, we took a four day trip to beautiful Barcelona. We stayed at our friend's flat few blocks away from Sagrada Familia, so it was easy to walk everywhere and take it all in: Casa Mila, La Rambla, Park Guell, Barcelona beach, Barceloneta... ahhhh it was lovely! We had delicious tapas, great paella by the beach plus lots of sangría. Barcelona is the place to go!

We do, however, have sad memories of the city. Actually, we had NO memories because our camera dissapeared! I want to think that I lost it (too much sangría and no attention to my belongings), but others argue it was stolen from our table at the tapas restaurant. The camera was old, but it had lived a good life and above all, it had our pictures! I hated not having backed up the pictures the night before. Oh well, we did manage to get a disposable little camera for that last day we stayed there. Where are those pictures then? As you can tell, it took me a while to:
1. Take them to a pharmacy to have them developed
2. Picked up the pictures like a month later
3. Remember to take the pictures to work since there is no scanner at home
4. Scan them
5. Save them
6. Post them
ughhhhhhhh.... It feels so old school!

Obviously, the pictures reflect 0.01% of the beauty of Barcelona. I might as well post them all here since these are the only evidence of our Spanish adventure. Oh, I wished I could have posted my pictures from Park Guell, it's such a gorgeus place!

Note to self: Next time you visit Spain, hold on to that camera!!!!!!!!!


a view from Casa Mila (you can see Sagrada Familia far far far away)

Casa Mila, or La Pedrera

Ted en la puerta de la Pedrera

The coolest roof I've ever visited (Casa Mila)

Gaudi rocks!

It's hard to take these pictures with toy cameras

Vamos a la playa!