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December 18, 2006
Loppukiri - Last days in London
After a lovely holiday in France, enjoying all the delices de France starting from Montpellier, ending with my favourite city Paris, I'm back for Christmas preparations in Highgate. We bought these branches in the village to decorate the hallway, and carried home a mini tree from Muswell Hill. With the sun and green in France, and here, we experienced the first flow of the season's spirit in the lovely small Highgate library next door. They hosted a fair on Saturday, with decorations, peaceful music, drinks and snacks, and a very cosy, intimate atmosphere.
It's only ten days now before I leave and it makes me sad. It's been so good to work and live here. I'll miss our flat, the area, the daily routine with walks in the parks, taking out DVD's from the Highgate library, shopping for food at Muswell Hill, and having the pint at the Prince of Wales in Highgate. On the other hand, I will have the beautiful Finnish spring ahead of me, an exciting phase with the thesis, and, of course, I'm looking forward to seeing my friends, family, and especially their (new) children.
The autumn has been extremely rewarding workwise. Like in Tokyo, I never thought I would get so much done in only three months. In Tokyo, it was a quantity surprise, the number of interviews, while here, a quality one: I was going to get much done, but my thinking as well as methods used evolved more than I could expect. Good supervision and working environment (quiet home) does wonders. However, this is only the beginning and I begin my post-holiday week a bit overwhelmed with multiple tasks. Taking the drafted chapter further, drafting structures for others, writing the Data and Methods one, and finishing my "autumn at LSE"-report. All asap, while arranging the departure.
Later in the week I will first stress myself with last-minute shopping (a nightmare in London, anytime), and then relax with a pie meal to mark the Christmas pub dinner. Being Finns, even in London we will start celebrating on the 23rd already, roasting whatever the piece of meat will be (in Finland, it would be ham, here, some kind of bird) focus on the big day, 24th, with a grand meal, music, tree decorations, and presents, and tune down on the 25th, the lazy day of staying at home, reading books, and eating, of course. From over my plate of English Christmas pudding, I wish everyone a Happy Christmas. See you in Finland for the New Year.
Posted by hrantavu at 10:39 AM