ducey

My family is here! The excitement started yesterday when I walked into the Starbucks down my street where I had planned to meet up with Emily. Hoping that her flight went safely and that she was able to make her way across town on the tube, I told her that I would meet her there after I got off work, and amazingly there she was! After we dropped her stuff off at my flat, and dug right into one of six huge bags of peanut butter m&ms (courtesy of the wonderful Ross) we headed off to find my parents. Coincidentally they also arrived in London yesterday and are staying at a small hotel on the West End. Emily and I ventured over there and they were waiting for us. Being the wonderful parents that they are, they were all ready for us with wine, both red and white...you can't say they don't come prepared! Later in the evening Sven and Ulla arrived, some friends of my family's from Sweden. This morning we went to Portobello Road Market and visited the Travel Book Shop from "Notting Hill". We stopped back at my flat so that they could see it, but since it's not ideally sized for entertaining we didn't stay long. After an hour or so at Harrod's we were ready to sit down and enjoy some afternoon tea and coffee. It was good to be inside and drinking something warm!
Back at the hotel Evan, Joni, Sean, Julie, and Joyce (Joni's mom) had arrived. The four kids are all sharing a double room, only there are three beds...one double and two singles, it's pretty humorous. We had a great happy hour with several different wines and cheese from around Europe that Ulla and Sven brought with them. Emily was thrown into the craziness of the Oldroyds, but she's holding up amazingly well for a newcomer. It feels really good to be with family and friends right now. Good to laugh with people I love. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Ulla and my mom's friendship-they met as camp counselors in 1965. I only hope that in 40 years from now I can celebrate my friendship with some of my friends now.
I know I've only been here for 4 weeks, but I feel like it's been forever. It's wonderful to sit and talk with people who know me, and who have known me for more than a month. While I love my friends here, it's good to have some history with those around me.