Eeek it’s already been a while and I’m meant to be doing this uber regular like! Damn! Ok so today, I am going to use this as a gratitude journal; I had such an amazing birthday weekend that it seems only right to go all gooey and express my gratitude.
To start off with, 2 of my bestest friends came back from university! Emma actually made it from Cornwall and words can’t express my joy at that. And Joe came from Farnham, a fair way to come too, especially when the forecasters were threatening us with a weather front straight from Siberia..
My birthday was very special, Emma joined my parents, grandma, sister and me, Joe and Jakob also making appearances. We had a splendid lunch, I was spoilt with gifts and cards. At teatime, my uncle, aunt, little cousin and other best friend Emilie turned up for tea. And in the evening, my parents, grandmother, sister, Emma, the boys and I went to see Slumdog Millionaire. It was a harrowing, powerful story to see on your birthday, but I’m glad I did and it is certainly worthy of the huge critical acclaim it’s getting.
The evening was rounded off by a fabulous home-cooked meal, fillet steak! My favourite! And the illegal viewing of the yet unreleased video of U2’s Get on Your Boots, which is awesome and has reminded me again why exactly I love this band. Joe, Emma and I also had a late night walk on the golf course, under the new moon and stars, which was lovely. It had been a long time since just the three of us had been together like that and it reminded me of how much I missed these two U2 haters, while they were off at university.
Stella, another close friend, along with Ned, organised my partay, hosted at the latter’s incredible chapel, (I will write about the significance of his home for my group of friends soon), which was great, especially as I have been organising our weekly socials for a while now. We danced and chatted and hung out and had our photos taken by Ned, who as well as being our Venue Lord, is also our resident Annie Leibovitz! In the middle of the party, they presented me with the gift of 1 U2 ticket (for when they come on sale), chocolates, cards and a cake made by the fabulous Stella.
The weekend was nearly over, my Sunday was very relaxed and I did very little. But then Monday brought the promised Siberian weather, most of the UK woke up to at least 4 inches of SNOW! And as ever, our country, unable to cope was brought to a stand still, slowing everyone down, bringing everyone out to their local slopes and tobogganing. I am lucky enough to live on the edge of a golf course as well as own the Rolls Royces of sledges, and so out we went. The first expedition was a walk down to the village, driving was not really an option, and it did awaken in me a yearning for the simple life. In the afternoon, we joined what felt like all of Forest Row on the slopes of the golf course and had a blast!
What a birthday weekend indeed, my love, appreciation and gratitude go to all those whose love came in many different form. So a little love back to them:
Sophie, for being the coolest sister ever: late night pizza and chats, early morning Gilmore girls, make up and love!
Dad: Advice always on tap, reflecting perfectly and for unstinting support and guidance.
Mum: For always listening, even when you’d rather not hear it, the same as dad, straightening hair, domestic goddess tips and for mummy hugs.
Grandma: For always listening, pearls of wisdom and experience, great food, helping out whenever/whatever the need.
Kim, Anne-Marie and Max D-H: For being the hippest relatives with a brilliant shared sense of humour, and for coming to tea.
Emma: Words will never be enough, but for making the trip back, always being on the other end of a phone call, unconditional giving and so much more.
Emilie: For untiring patience, always ready to listen, forgiveness, walks on the forest, gentleness, determination and friendship.
Stella: For always being on the other end of msn, hearing my rants and raves, giggling a lot, catching onto my ideas and running with them. SEXXXX!
Joe: For challenging my every opinion, your goofy sense of humour, for my poem, introducing me to new music and always being entertaining.
Ned: For mindblowing photographs and for being lord of a venue that will always have a special place in ma hearrrt, d’aw!
Jakob: For your purity of mind and heart, your humour, your laughter and just being amazing.
Alex: An absent friend, for shared car journeys, eclectic music, endless conversations about beautiful people, mutual harassment, mutual respect and maple candy.
Oli: Another absent friend, for our random sense of humour, spot on impersonations, your listening skills, for surprising me at Christmas.
Will: For interesting philosophical insights, for hosting MFNs, your humour, your blog, your tenacity and being brave enough to be the first of us to go off and really see the world.
Ali, Phoebe, Christy, Annie and Billy: I affectionately call you the babies or the little ones, because in reality you are all so grown up (not to mention towering over me) and are going to turn this world upside down with your individual talents, beauty and sheer coolness.
Alicia: For disagreements over men and music, makeovers, your beautiful singing voice and impressive acting skills.
Hannah: For being kind, gorgeous, hard-working funny and lovely, we will do that coffee soon!
Vanessa: For the cinema, fabulous late night chats, the law of attraction, makeovers too and good fun.
Christina: For amazing dancing, always listening, empathetic, compassionate and caring so much.
Becca: For THERAPY, awesome dance moves, your HUGS, your honesty and Becca LOVE.
Abra and Merle: For hot chocolates, good food, listening, being on my wavelength, understanding about taking life at your own pace and so much more.
And all my daisies: Steph, Maddy, Min, Charlotte, Kelly, Irene, Lisa, Sarah and Marie-Anne: For sharing the U2 love, especially the Bono part, and being awesome friends that I’m so glad to have met, through this Irish band.
I LOVE YOU ALL, YOU ALL MAKE MY LIFE EVERY DAY!
