Happy New Year from London!

New Years Eve!

Oh hellooooooooo! We made it and have had terrible colds since we got here - which is why we're delayed in sending any sort of update to anyone. But we're on the mend and if you've been interested in how we're doing and what we've been up to then please do read on...

On New Years Eve we did what I assume all Londoners do to prep for the coming New Year - we went to Costco and Ikea. Aw yeah. You can't stop us from buying in bulk - we're Amurican! Jefferson drove a little truck thing to and from the stores a few times (stick shift, wrong side of the road, no rearview mirror) - and did a great job (even with all of my stressed out fidgeting and noise making).

Then we had a super fun New Years celebration at Ruth and Sarah Wild's place with a bunch of people from here and from the States. They got us all AMAZING ugly Christmas sweaters for the par-tay and Rocko sent us a bunch of Fireball swag - we look goooooood (but the Fireball lip balm was toxic). We played a game called Exploding Kittens which was weird and confusing but had some of the best art and strange sayings I've ever heard. I also enjoyed being told I was "fresh off the boat" several times that evening. Heh.

After that we started to settle into the apartment - which is crazy that we already have one to set up - woo! Thank goodness for Ruth and Sarah Wild. I have no idea what we would have done without them! The view of the Thames river from our place is cool and there are TWO BATHROOMS, people. Also two bedrooms so please start booking your flights to come visit. We'll create a calendar of some sort so we can schedule all visits appropriately. Come any ol' time - we're ready when you are.

Cooking!

Sarah Wild and I spent a day (with Alfred) setting up most of the Ikea furniture we bought so I'll send pics once all of that is done so you can see the place. We three have also been practicing COOKING. Yeah, I said that. I helped COOK. I even did our dishes one day. It's like a whole new world. We'll see how long it lasts.

I have so many questions that Sarah Wild and Ruth have been helpful in answering: How does the heater in our apartment work? Why do they have King beds but not Queens? What does cream tea mean? Why can nobody seem to understand me when I speak? Tat = junk, Tit = idiot, Apartment = flat, Sausage = Bangers, Bill = Note, Excellent performance = Blinder, Bloody = non-offensive explanative, Sneakers = trainers, Cilantro = Coriander, Thanks = Cheers, Doctor's office = surgery, Shopping cart (or just cart) = trolley.

It has rained every single day we've been here, but not all day and not a ton or a downpour - and yes, we've seen the sun! A few times! I'm excited for the shipment of the rest of our stuff to come so I can put on better shoes for this weather but other than that it's been awesome. More to come as we explore our little area and the rest of London town...