Adventures in London: Issue 149

This week kicked off with a new dish. Statistically I am significantly behind on my mission to cook 53 dishes in 351 days. We are 41% into the year and I have only achieved 24% of my goal. It is time to start cooking!! Now that I am a bit more mobile, I am hoping to add more dishes to the list. This week I added dish #13, seared scallops in balsamic vinaigrette served with scotch carmalised red onion, Worcestershire asparagus, and mashed new potatoes. I think the flavours could use some work...still trying to figure out how to make a sauce reduction without complete burning the sauce. I will learn sauces...I will..

This week has seen some interesting weather. Still not accustomed to bringing an umbrella with me at all times. You would think that after 4 years in Boston and nearly 3 years here I would have gotten the memo...but nope I am continually amazed by the weather. The beautiful thing about the rain is the rainbows that appear with the random rainfalls. Our new offices offer a great view of this. May be 360 degrees grey when it is raining, but when the rainbows appears you can see the full half circle over the city. That is a sight that never gets old. I had another hydro session. Things are moving in the forward direction so looking to the day that I am 100% functional. Just need to remember to be patient right now and enjoy rocking the walking stick and B&W wingtips ;-)

On Friday, a bunch of us went to Galvin at Window; a French restaurant located on teh 28th floor of the Hilton hotel in Mayfair. I was rather excited for this booking as I have heard some great things. The weather cleared up offering us some beautiful views of west London. Overlooking London from the limited sky-rises is definitely a site worth seeing. There are few buildings that offer such a view so it is best to enjoy it. To celebrate the occasion I thought I would wear proper shoes (rather than my converse trainers) and attempted walking sans walking stick. It pains to walk, but with each step I get closer to fully walking! Back to Galvins... I highly recommend this place. I would certainly go back if I had the chance..maybe before I do, I will start eating beef (the beef dishes were extremely tempting, but not enough to make me break my 'fast').

Saturday was burrito date with KV in Angel. It had been a while since we chilled out together, so we all caught up for a burrito in Angel. Nothing like a burrito in the park to catch up on our busy lives. Every time I hear about someone's new job, I cannot help but think that I should move jobs. I reckon like everyone else, I would be happier if I left. Tempting indeed. The rain starting falling so we re-treated to Waterstones for some booking and founding of a book club. Don't know why, but the idea of a book club always fascinates me. I had one with Bhai and Jamila... we got through 2 books and it died. Hoping we can make something from this book club. Our first book is 'My Last Duchess' by Daisy Goodwin. Fingers crossed...the last time KV and I tried to read a book together it was 'The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo' which failed miserably as both of us could not get through the book. I have struggled ever since to find a book that I could sink my teeth into.

On Sunday, we had a small BBQ to kick off the summer. It was a low-key gathering but it allowed me the opportunity to try out some new recipes. It has been ages since I BBQ-ed....forgot how much coordination is required. Also learnt that when BBQ-ing for Brits, they like all the food at once....no courses. I was not aware of this tradition and therefore was not prepared for it. That said, I think things went well. We had kebabs, tandoori lamb chops, burgers and sausages with grilled veggies.

It was a stressful morning preparing, but once things kicked off it was a grand evening of laughing, grilling and ended with singing and some Raving Rabbit! Now that is an awesome night!!

Hope you all are well

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 148

The road to recovery starts with one step -- literally. Physiotherapy & Hydotherapy are going well. I cannot remember if I have told you. Hydro is essentially physio, but in a pool. It is a new recovery experience and one that I am enjoying. Being in the pool has given me confidence to put weight back on my ankle and walk more.

On Tuesday, I spent the evening with LC and other work colleagues. It was a relaxing evening of drinks in the Mindshare bar followed by an amazing dinner at Dishoom. Truly love this place. It was a great evening catching up with LC. Reminds me of the NYC days...those were the good times, but they have changed now. The family is growing apart :-(

The weekend kick-off with the purchase of a Nintendo Wii and a bonfire. I don't know which one was more exciting. Whilst shopping for food for dinner, the Wii just called to us and I had to buy it. The excitement of playing games at the arcade the previous week continued to echo.

Before diving into the Wii, a bonfire and dinner in the garden was enjoyed. The last time I had a bonfire was in 2003 in Albany when a few of us from the ARE running club went to the HMRC's president's place for dinner. There is something joyful about have an open fire outdoors (and when that is not available a fireplace is grand). After burning everything that could be found (note: bonfire are a great way to get rid of rubbish), we went indoors to set up the Wii. Oh this console is going to be dangerous and yet sooo much fun.

Believe it or not, but I did not spend the entire weekend indoors playing Wii. Shocking I know, but I am going to be disciplined with the console and only try to play it in the evenings or when it is raining (which should be more than often enough).

Not really the warmest of weathers, but the sun was out so it was off to Finsbury park to chill while Tye was walked. I am pleased that I am no longer being rolled through the park, but am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can walk around the park. Until that day, I will have to settle for sleeping in the park and soaking up the sunshine. Not really a bad way to spend the day and really I should not complain :-)

In Morocco I played my first game of Chess in AGEs and lost...so tonight I had a rematch. We went to our favourite local, The Noble for dinner and some chess. I love the Noble. It is like chilling in your own flat with great company. It is an ordinary pub with an extraordinary menu.

Back to the rematch. I know you are keen to know, so settle down...drum roll please..... I WON!!! The match was not as intense or fun as the one in Morocco, but then again what is? Can you ever beat a chess match in the mountains with cold beers and cigars?! I think not!

On Sunday we took another trip to the park. We brough some toys for Tye, but she did not seem interested so instead we played. Playing 'HORSE' with a football (soccer) ball is a rather interesting game. Especially when you cannot jump cause you are anchored down by a boot. Oh how I cannot wait for the day for this boot to come off and when I can walk/run again without any discomfort or pain.

Until that day

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 147

This week I have been 50/50 WFH and working from the office. I have had to adjust my hours slightly to avoid the traffic times. It has not been easy these past couple of weeks of adjusting from immobility to full-time. Thinking back, I maybe should have eased into things. You don't realise how much energy is diverted to recovery and healing...i realise all that now. Work has been really supportive with travelling to work (that said it has been a rather expensive week of commuting).

On Thursday we were delighted with a mini Ellie Goulding concert. It was a nice little change up and afternoon delight...nothing like a live concert to spruce up the day :-)

This week to cheer me up a bit, I was treated to a lovely family visit from my uncle and aunt from India. Okay...the trip was planned already and was supposed to be a pre-wedding reunion in London, but since I was no longer going to the Austin wedding this was the closest I was going to get to the official family reunion.

It has not been easy dealing with this broken ankle. I feel like I am missing out on so much...in particular I know I am going to be missing out on this upcoming wedding in Austin. I was really looking forward to seeing my family in NYC as well as Austin. I think this is the longest I have gone since moving here without going home so definitely missing the mom, bro, sis and baby Kadin!

To commemorate their visit and kick off their London stay we went to dinner at Bam-Bou, a Chinese, Thai, French Vietnamese food. Leaving aside the two story stair climb we had to undergo to get to our table, the food was out of this world. There was a lamb shank curry that I could have taken a bath in. Okay perhaps not literally, but you get what I mean.

On Sunday we met up again for a great Brown's lunch. Brown's is a classic for Neil Mama and I so it was great to introduce Aarti Mami to 'our place'. The ankle has gotten in the way of going around London, but on Sunday I was determined to show London to my family. We couldn't go too far, but I did introduce them to Covent Garden and more importantly Candy Cakes. Candy Cakes is a cute cupcake shop with a few locations around the Covent Garden area. It is heaven!! No other way to put.

From having a month of inactiveness, I have certainly made up for it this week. In addition to a mini-concert and family visit it also included Hanna (the movie starring Eric Bana & Cate Blanchett). What a crazy film! I cannot go into my thoughts on the movie except that I wish I was Hanna somethings ;-) Plot is a little interesting, but the performances are great so would definitely go and see it.

On Saturday I finally went to see Chicago! I have been wanting to see this musical for years; probably since I moved to NYC and would walk by the Ambassador theatre everyday to work. We were supposed to the week of my surgery, but we postponed the tickets to a date when I would not be in a hospital bed :-) It was certainly worth the wait! What a great show! I thought I was going to be tainted watching the movie first, but nope. It was a brilliant casted and performed show!! Definitely had all the jazz to it ;-)

You know what makes a top night for me?! Would it be a visit to the theatre? The cinema? Or perhaps eating at a new restaurant? All those guesses would be normally true, but in this case...the answer is going to the arcade! The evening was filled with air hockey (air english football actually), shooting games, and driving games. It definitely makes me want to purchase a gaming console. I miss having my Artari/Sega/PS2. Okay, yes I do have them, but cannot use them since the UK has a different video format from the US. Gotta love the battle between PAL and NTSC...joys.

It has been a busy and lovely week. I am not yet mobile, but I made the most of the week. It is getting easier moving around with the boot and crutches. That does not mean however that I am not counting and looking forward to the day I can fully walk.

Well until that day

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 146

I have returned to work this week. It was rather surreal returning to the office and the world of mobile people. To be honest, I wish I stayed away for another week. I was definitely eager to return to normality, but don't it was best for me to return to the office when I could not walk or move around properly. Think I may have jumped the gun slightly.

Don't get me wrong. I was definitely welcomed by everyone in the office. Naturally people could not resist the jokes and such, but it was all in good fun. All things said and done, I may not be a 100%, I may not be able to do simple things (get my laptop, take my note book to a meeting, get lunch, a cup of coffee), but it is good to be back. I have missed everyone. I certainly timed my returned well with the officially opening of our bar! I am proud to say that I was the first to have a London Pride in the office :-) It is the little things that count!

I go my cast of this week!!! What a great feeling that was! I was rather nervous to tell you the truth though. I personally did not think that I was ready to be weight baring nor did I think I was ready to start physio, but that said...I was. I got the red cast taken off and was put in a moon boot. Amazing how far technology has come since I partially tore my Achilles. The new moon boots come with air compartments that you fill/adjust with a pump to mold the boot perfectly to your foot. GENIUS!!!! The air compression technology of the boot enhance muscle repair and blood circulation therefore increasing recovering time. Again...GENIUS! It was nice then returning to work as it meant that I no required to have my leg elevated. Took a bit to get used to having my leg on the ground, but it is also felt nice to feel 'normal' again.

To commemorate the cast coming off and the recent birthday I had a little gathering to celebrate the occasions. We booked an area at Barrio North (a cuba cocktail bar) in the Angel/ Islington area. It was a great showing of friends and laughs. I was extremely touched by the turn out and the wishes. Everyone is so busy so it was great to see everyone. It has been a while since we all gathered together. We all have our own lives, but it is always a great time when we meet up. We may not meet up as often as we once did, but we do gather when it counts. That is what is important at the end of the day isn't it? At first I felt the discomfort of my foot, but after a few cocktails it was....foot...what?!?! I am really looking forward to the day when I can walk and dance like I used to. Oh that will be a great day!

The following day was spent chilling out and enjoying the great London weather (no sarcasm there, it was actually lovely out). I was knackered from the day before and still getting used to this new boot, but it was nice to take a stroll in the park. May have been a way four steps, take a break for 2, but it was the closest I had been in months to walking so I was going to enjoy it. Tye was certainly enjoying the weather and the pond. Stopping every time I did for a drink it was only a matter of time before she fell in. I really wish I had my phone ready for that once cause it was LEGENDARY!

Well on that note, I hope you all are well!

Miss you dearly

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 145

There are no words for this week, so I am not going to attempt to put it in words as I will only ruin it. Instead, enjoy these photos and captions:

Monday: Day spent touring through the souks in Marrakech. We ate lunch at Cafe Argana (2nd photo) which was bombed 3 days later. In the evening we ate at the night market in the Jemaa El PnA Square.

Tuesday: Made our way to Kasbah Tamadot (a Richard Branson hotel) in the Atlas Moutains. First day was spent chilling by the pool and later with dinner where the staff brought out a surprise birthday cake and sang to me.

Wednesday: Went to spa at the Tamadot and then slept by the pool reading. In the evening we went to the restaurant for a tasting menu and wine pairing.

Thursday: Day 1 of our 3 day 4x4 trek from Marrakech to Fez through the high atlas mountains

Friday: Day 2 of our 3 day trek traveling through the Turda Gorge, oasis, and ending in the Sahara desert where we took a 20min camel ride and camped in the desert. (We were supposed to do a 90 min camel ride to a campsite, but due to my ankle, we were provided an alternative option).

Saturday: Last day of the trek going north to Fez and arriving at the Riad Arabesque where we had a 5 course meal involving over 2 dozen dishes

Sunday: Site seeing around hilly Fez which did not last long due to the numerous stair and scary alleys. Ended up just chilling at the Riad which was smart as it quickly went from blue skies to down pour!

It has been an amazing week, one that cannot be described in words. We were unable to do everything that we originally planned (quad biking, camel riding), but we did make the most of the trip. I am glad that this trip happened. Not only was it a great change of scenery, it was.... well speechless.

If you have a chance to go, please do!! Morocco is well worth the visit.

xx

T