Holiday Catchup
Figured I'd do a quick update of my life since I don't only want to post things when I'm in England and I'm still taking photos I'd like to share.
My end of term was met with a huge sigh of relief and the ability to enjoy some almost deserved time off. Rachael flew in from Vancouver for a few days before flying back out to spend the rest of the holidays with Chris (yeah, we know where we rank). Since we had the whole family together, and I had pre-emptively gotten a new lens for Christmas, we decided to update the family photos. Herding cats would be easier. The fact that it was minus 20 degrees outside didn't aid in the general eagerness of the obstinate-at-the-best-of-times group. I think Dad was out there for a total of 5 minutes and for someone who mountain climbs for a hobby, you’d think he could manage the snow without grumbling about the cold. We got a few nice shots before the more goofy tendencies began creeping in and snow-throwing ensued. I’m happy with the results and will be making a family album at some point.
Sons of Fenrir, the Calgary-based Vikings group that I've now joined, had their Yule feast. While it was in a community center rather than the firelit hall of Wychurst, the fellowship of reenactment is unmistakable. While reenactment is already a subculture in England, in Canada it's even more hidden, so I feel very fortunate to have found and been welcomed to the little community. We had an amazing feast, a few skits, and I even won a drinking horn in a riddle contest (the answer is key, not what you think it is). Katya and I have been trying to expand our kit, having obtained shields and spears now and sewing hangerocs (to go hangeroc-ing around the Christmas tree :P — yeah ok that was bad). It was such fun night with this group and I’m looking forward to a year of stabbing, slashing and shows.
This semester has been rough, thinking about the adventures I was on this time last year, and going over posts on this site, missing friends, and hobbies. Between school and work, I don't get out a whole ton, which is why I've been unbelievably blessed with having a live-in best friend for the last term. Katya moved out to Calgary in October after a 32-hour drive. After having somehow stayed best friends despite 5 years and 5000 km of distance, it’s a lot easier to chat with her just in the other room. I think my long distance texting fees have almost disappeared. Travel and distance are amazing but having sections of your life scattered around makes you feel like you're always missing something. So I'm glad one more piece came together.
Christmas Eve was peaceful and warm, the snow had covered everything outside, and we sat down for an amazing family dinner before moving to the tree to open presents. I was loaded up with historical books which I look forward to reading after school when reading can once again be enjoyable. I had accidentally wrapped a gift I ordered for myself, thinking it was the one I had ordered for Steven, and given it to him. He was less than excited to receive a cute navy blue jacket. I was pleased but had to give him his Christmas present a few days later. I had used a photo I took in Prague to make dad’s gift to match the other photos in his office which I was quite pleased with and I got a Ravenclaw scarf so now it’s official.
Just after Christmas, our house was descended upon by a hoard of Steve’s Bode friends. Our once bare basement became a wasteland of blankets, sleeping bags, and scattered card games. The very-extroverted me loved the chaos, and Katya and I were graciously invited along to part of their very full itinerary. One day was lazer tagging, and codename: Valkyrie did alright for herself. Steve of course won ever time, despite various attempts to take him down. I was able to surprise Steven with his Christmas present with the group there, as I came down the stairs in the inflatable T-Rex costume. I may have plans to use this as well and the videos we took are scattered around my Facebook page. The day after, we took it tobagganing, and everyone on that hill who had a phone now has a photo of a very derpy looking dinosaur speeding down the hill and crashing majestically. Steve and I took turns in it, as it’s surprisingly warm, and the times I went down were terrifying since as soon as you sit you can no longer see anything but the zipper. It was so much fun and we got quite a few comments from people on the hill. Best Christmas Gift Ever.
Right before school started up again, Mom had another big dinner party for a group of her friends. The household was pressed into service to prepare the French-themed dinner and I plundered Rachael's and my stash of souvenirs from Paris to decorate. Before the guests arrived we were properly outfitted with striped shirts, berets, tape on moustaches, a white flag, and terrible French accents that would make Monty Python proud but make actual french people want to smake us with a baguette. The highlight of the night, which still brings a smile to my face every time I think of it, was Nigel, who had been lovely enough to bring a beautiful bouquet of flowers for mom, and subsequently placed them in the glass water pitcher Ryan had just filled up and left on the counter. It was too funny so none of us corrected him and they remain on display.
I’m back at school, actually writing this in class right now, so hopefully this semester is a bit easier. I’m still looking to new places to travel and constantly trying to find a way back to England, but this is where I am for now, with friends and family and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Facebook has it's "Year in Review" video that it makes out of your photos, but I find this blog far better than a few sparse photos. I look through my posts and photos every so often and look forward to doing more traveling and meeting people. Once I have my official degrees stating that I am a verifiable smarty pants, I can get out there again.