The time of Christmas has made me - once more - think about giving and getting. Christmas, obviously, is a time of giving presents and also receiving them. I, however, realised that giving gives me often more than receiving.
Probably I am odd, but I can imagine that many people feel the same way when someone you love or like very much opens your present and beams with joy. This is a real gift and much more valuable than any material gift you could get - at least it is for me. Giving can mean to not only reveal a part of yourself, but also admitting how much you know about this other person's soul. These kind of gifts mostly come with people you have known for a while, of course. For instance, I gave my sister a bag for this Christmas - not a very exciting gift for starters. However, I know she loves bags and is - as I am - girly and loves flowers, little birds and bright colours. The perfect store for both of us, therefore, is Cath Kidston London. I love the floral patterns and material of which the bags are made. I always have a look around, but, normally, buy hardly anything as bags come with prices. This pre-Christmas season I went there and, our of mere luck, there was a hug bag sale on and I not only netted a bag for me, but also for my sister. Funnily enough, as soon as my sister had set eyes on my bag, she begged me to buy her one as soon as get back to England. With a hidden smirk, I promised to do so, knowing, of course, that another bag was already lying under the Christmas tree. Yesterday evening (in Austria we unwrap our presents on Christmas Eve), I was more excited about her unwrapping my present than opening my own. She screeched with joy and her joy made me so happy that I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the evening. Of course, we also gift people we don't know that well (at least I do). However, that doesn't mean that a gift cannot be given from the heart. Three days before Christmas, I met someone whom I have seen regularly since I was fifteen, but whose name I don't even know. He is a migrant who sells newspapers for two euros of which he can keep one euro. As Innsbruck is really small and these sellers usually stand in the same place, I happened to meet him quite a lot during my school time and although I hardly ever bought a paper, I always chatted with him and we are on very friendly terms. Now, I saw him again and we were cheerful and happy to see each other again. I asked him how long he would stay, and he answered all day long as it was Christmas time and then people were more eager to give and due to the last Christmas shoppers, there were plenty of people on the streets. I finished my shopping and then bought a boy of chocolates for him. When I returned to where he sold his newspapers and handed over the box, he cheered and hugged me with genuine joy and gratefulness. I was completely overwhelmed as I had hardly ever got such a reaction for a box of chocolates. This turned out to be one of the most wonderful gifts I gave this Christmas, as the reaction was so heart-warming that I still have to smile when I think about it. Whenever I give people wonderful things - as small they may be - I always think I have to do that more often during the year, but mostly forget about it, which is a shame. So my first New Year's Eve promise to myself will be to give more in order to bring more joy and happiness not only into other people's lives, but also to my own.
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It's Christmas!!!!!
Well, it's the holy night (or the holy day, if you want to be literal...) Anyway, we're all going to celebrate!!! I apologise for the break, but I flew home on Tuesday (the 15th) and had to help prepare our annual Christmas party (in fact, it was the first time we hosted one, but it was such a huge success that I am sure we will host more). I spent three days in the kitchen baking muffins and brownies. I managed to get them done perfectly and was very proud, but see for yourself in the gallery. It was also wonderful to see my parents's new house which I have already seen in summer but not fully furnished or with Christmas decoration. I must say, the house looks amazing and my mum really knows how to make someone feel home. I captured some impressions on camera and think they're great! Two days later we hosted the aforementioned party. It was fantastic to see everyone again, my friends, family and other people. We danced through the night, ate far too much and drank punch and mulled wine. Daddy and I even gave a short concert amidst our friends and they joined as in song and joy. I realised that I have missed singing a lot in Britain and want to improve my guitar skills to be able to accompany myself on the guitar or ukulele (my first New Year's promise to myself). Although my voice was a bit rusty, I was so happy to sing again and together with my dad and my family and friends. I was very grateful when I was invited to the Christmas party of my former work place. My mum hosted the party at her school and the table was wonderfully decorated. Some of the teachers didn't come, but everyone I liked was there, so it was fine. Again, we sang and had wonderful chats and the evening culminated in my dad puking three times because he had had half a bottle of grappa. Yesterday, I celebrated Christmas with my man and it was fantastic apart from my back pains. I had one of my birthmarks removed (yes, on the 23rd, apparently, it was the last appointment they could offer) and have a two-inch-scar on my back now which stings painfully. So, I spent my Christmas celebration with my man on the sofa while he prepared all the food and everything else (he's fantastic, isn't he?). We ate fried potato patty with a garlic, sour cream sauce and it was delicious! For dessert, I had a brownie, oranges, orange cream trifle planned; however, as I could hardly move, we ate ice cream with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (at least I had that, my man despises whipped cream and chocolate sauce), which was fine, too. We enjoyed our evening together and while I watched The Holiday (great movie, by the way), he tried to solve the special puzzle I gave him for Christmas. Being with him suffices to make me happy and we had wonderful philosophical chats in between (for instance, why there is such a strong right wing movement in Europe - a very Christmassy topic, I know). Today, I went home to celebrate here and that's where we are now. I will update you on my Christmas Eve, tomorrow and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Have fun and joy!!! Today A went home and I caught the perfect day to stay in and write this - it's pouring dogs and cats. It's so wet outside that you are soaked within seconds and it's so warm. Not really a weather to make you feel a lot like Christmas, but I am in festive mood nevertheless.
I bought most of my presents so far (and, no, normally I am not that early, but as everyone wants something from Britain, I have to buy all my presents before I head home in a week) which makes me all excited about Christmas. I don't know what kind of people you are but I am more excited about other people unwrapping my presents than me getting presents. It's just such a wonderful moment when they beam and are genuinely grateful and happy (well, at least when you managed to pick the right thing). There is also another reason why I am very happy at the moment; yesterday I wrote the 100th page of my book (A4, you see) and I feel it's really progressing well (I am talking about my horror book now). It's odd, I always work on one big project and one sub-project which simply has the task to distract me from writing the massive piece. However, my sub-project has sneakily managed to become my main project now, but, hey, as long as I am writing and progressing, it's ok. Don't you think? On Saturday, I visited Richmond by recommendation of my host. Apparently, it's a very popular city and people travel there to see it. It's definitely an old town, having been founded in the 16th century and the core centre is really nice. When strolling through the town, I encountered something funny, namely umpteen people dressed up as Santa Clauses on bikes, preparing for a bike race(Photo 1) I tried to find out what this was all about, but wasn't too successful (partly because I got bored after five minutes and gave up. I probably wouldn't make a good journalist). Anyway, I watched these Santas race through the town, which was very entertaining. But I also found this wrapped in house in Richmond, which I thought was lovely and so I took a photo. (Photo 2). Richmond definitely is worth a visit; however, in spring it might be even more beautiful when you can visit Richmond Park and stroll around there. My favourite city at the moment is Kingston-upon-Thames. It's big enough to feature all the shops like Primark, H&M, etc. It has Bentall's, a cinema and still a lovely, old town atmosphere. The Christmas decoration is great, too, and if you recall, I wrote something about this marquee Christmas market a couple of days ago. The great thing about this marquee is that you can shop but don't have to freeze (as if you would, we're literally talking 15 degrees here at the moment...like, I-am-only-wearing-a-jumper-and-am-still-sweating-like-a-pig warm). But I have talked enough about the marquee and my special relationship with it, so I proceed to Sunday, when I went to London. London around Christmas is beautiful and mad. There are thousands of people who try to get their Christmas shopping done and the air is saturated with sweat, perfume and traffic gases. There is a constant pushing and getting pushed and if you're in a hurry, you'd better avoid London. I told you already about the Coningsby Gallery and HP exhibition, but also promised more pics, so here I go (Photos 3/4/5/6/7). I stayed in London long enough to see the Christmas lights at night and especially the decoration in Carnaby Street area are fantastic. Especially because this area feels like a little town itself and you feel like entering a magical, remote place compared to hustling and bustling Oxford Street. It's just beautiful with all the old houses and smaller shops. Regent Street's decoration is a bit industrial, I think, as it consists of metal semi-circles and wheels. I wouldn't say it doesn't look nice but I prefer the big pink Christmas bauble nevertheless. Here a last food recommendation to end my report with Monday night: Yesterday I ate at a pub called Barmy Arms at the Embankment of Twickenham. We had a table overlooking the river and the food was truly delicious, so if you fancy a good bite and a lovely atmosphere, go there and eat. It's not too expensive and the people are really nice and friendly. We're in December!!!
We did it finally. However, today is December, 6th, which means St. Nikolaus in Austria! Let me explain shortly. In Austria all children get a little bag with clementines, nuts and sweets on the 6th December; however, as I moved to England, this is the first year ever that I DIDN'T GET a bag. I must say I nearly cried today in the morning and missed my mum more than ever. Especially as I had prepared two bags for my protegees but they didn't seem to appreciate it in the manner I am used to, so that didn't help too much. Anyway, that's life and as I am now twenty-three I should probably stop expecting my mum to give me goodie bags (but she also sent me a Kinder advent calendar, so why not the bag???!!!) This weekend my best friend came to see me and we went to Richmond, Teddington, Kingston and London and I took some nice pics of the Christmas decoration which I will share with you tomorrow in a special edition of Christmas Season. I had never been to Richmond before and when I asked my host, she said that Teddington is to Richmond what Twickenham is to Teddington (I needed some time to figure this out myself but what it means is the following: Richmond is a beautiful, ancient city with old houses and picturesque shops and streets; Teddington is a nice street with some ok shops lined on the sides and some decent decoration; and Twickenham is a rat hole where you should only go when Teddington and Richmond are closed (you should also note that I have been to Twickenham several times and think it's not too bad...well, until I went to Richmond)). Today we went to London which was mad because there were thousands of people doing their Christmas Shopping but I, personally, like to be crushed between innumerable shoppers and feel the excitement of money changing its owner and bags rustling in the wind. But A (my best friend) seemed not to be keen on the whole crushing-money exchange-bags-experience. However, we did the most cool thing in London: we went to the Coningsby Gallery where the graphic designers of the Harry Potter movies are exhibiting their work at the moment. The gallery is just two small rooms crammed with pictures of the HP films, but it was fantastic! I could have stayed for ever and bought a book with all the graphics which I had signed by one of the graphic designers (photos are on the way tomorrow). If you are in London at the moment and have some time, go there and see yourself. It is in 30 Tottenham Street and you get there by exiting Goodge Street Tube Station, it's really worth it!! |
AuthorIn September 2015 I started a new chapter of my life by moving (temporarily or permanently, not yet decided) to England where I work and socialise now. Archives
December 2017
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