Paris, London, Stockholm, Paris

Seeing as I was galavanting and loving it, why stop in Stockholm: Going to Europe would not have been complete without spending a weekend in Paris with Nic, one of my best friends!!! What a city to meet in - Especially as she had been living there since February! She was more a local than I was!!!

What an adventure...Firstly it took me so long with train, not leaving from the station it normally leaves from, that I arrived at the airport when the plane was taking off, paid my 60 quid to change flights, and arrive later!

How cool was it to see Nic though - Worth it all! We spent the whole two days catching up, window shopping, and eating!!! On the Saturday night, along with Joris, Nic's boyfriend, we had a night picknick on one of the Paris bridges....Fabulous evening!! Loads of laughs!

As you can all see, a very serious evening indeed!!

Then back to London reality: Finding a job and somewhere to live!!! Let me tell you, a feat and a half in this big bad town.

Found a place to share, (scary!) not far from Gabs, my friend from Tafe, which was a real comfort. Hadn't flatted in years...And I have to say, I've been very lucky - My flatmate, Aysha is pretty cool, especially as she has promised to teach me how to cook real Bengali curry! Yumo!

Aysha, Tas (Aysha's daughter) and moi, when we were taken out to a Turkish meal, by Tarik, Aysha's brother!

On the work end, well, I'm not going to lie, it was a struggle - A tough one. But hey, there's a light at the end of every tunnel and then there's the experiences and the people you meet on your way there.

I met some of the most fun and lovely people in my four months of looking for work while waitressing...And am still in contact with some of them now. Upon reflection, some of the most difficult and self doubting times...But have come out so much stronger for it. And of course I had my friends, (Thanks a zillion Gabs,) my family, (Merci les Fugs pour tous les appels,) and Daniel, (Tack sa mycket min snygging,)who were there for me.

Gabs and I on a Sunday after coffee and visiting the Columbia Road flower market.

Then of course there was the visit of Katerina and Rodrigo...For those of you who don't remember, Katerina is the coolest chick from Chile with whom I celebrated my birthday two years ago, when I first left Sydney!!!
Kat is part English and was in London to help celebrate her Dad's birthday...Loved seeing her and Rodrigo who had been just recently married!!!

The light pierced my tunnel beginning of December when I received a 3 month contract to work here....

For those of you who don't recognise the building, it is the Tate Modern, one of London's most well known art galleries....In fact to be more precise, I work for the catering arm of the gallery....This means that the HR department although based in London, looks over all the Tate Catering outlets, which includes Tate galleries as well as others with our catering in different cities across the UK. The last few months have seen me go to Liverpool, (on a number of occasions,) as well as St Ives.

Apparently, I can't stay away from the food side of things!!! My team is great, the work force is so multicultural, and I am learning so much! I am having a ball!

Needless to say that when my boss offered me to go permanent, I didn't say no!

Beginning of December had me playing with facebook...And lo and behold I got into contact with Lesley and Christine, with whom I went to school with 20 odd years ago!!!! Very very very cool day, with loads of reminiscing and some scary photos from the 80's!!!

So happily employed, (finally) I took two weeks at Christmas and spent it in Sweden! A white Christmas....Hadn't had one of those in years!!! Alex was like a little child who hadn't seen snow before!!!! I think snow fights are so much more fun as an adult!

Daniel, Frederik and Mattias

I spent my Christmas north west of Stockholm, skiing!!! Hadn't done that since University - And I must say that I didn't make too much of a fool of myself...Even following the boys on some routes that had not opened yet.

Very cool, although kinda weird to have the sun set at 2.30 in the afternoon!!!!

The Swedes have this great little tradition at Christmas...For every gift you give you must write a short poem about it, without giving away what it is!!!

I love it and relished in trying out some poetry - This year I might even be capable of trying out some in Swedish! Now that's a challenge!

Thank you so much to the Sandstroms who made me feel like part of the family and let me gate crash their Chrissy.

Then off to Paris to see the New Year in with Nic and Joris....As well as some sightseeing! Will leave you with the photos!