Despit KR being in town (YIPPEE), I wasn't going to miss the GOLLY WEDDING!! My baby girl was getting married and nothing would stop me from being there on her special day. We talked about this days many a times over beers at The Wharf and the time has come. To say that I was over the moon when I heard these two kids were getting hitched is an absolute understatement. That's the hard thing about living here. You hear about things. You don't experience them as they are happening, you hear about them after they have been experienced. In the time that I have left NYC, my dear Molly beans has meet and fallen in love with the man of her dreams. I have met him a few times during my visits (all in about the worse sober state to meet someone special and new). 
It was such a lovely weekend in Maryland. As soon as I reached the hotel (insane story of how I made it to the hotel from the airport, but when in the South everything goes) I was greeted by the Rechen and Rodriguez family. No they were not there specifically to greet me, just good timing on my part. I am glad too cause I got to kick off "Molly/Tini" time from the minute I landed. We went for dinner nearby with the family. It was so great to see Papa & Mama Rechen and meet Gary's Parents. Again, 7hr journey and "fresh" off the plane does not make for the most joyful version of me, but I tried to be in good form as jetlagged as I was.
There are people in your life that just make sense. Doesn't matter how long its been or what, but you just pick up where you left off. There is only one word to describe it...HOME. That is how it is EVERY time not only with Ms Molly but with Mama & Papa Rechen. One of these days I am going to get a beer-pong rematch and I will prevail this time. Likely not as the Rechens are a machine...don't know how they managed it, but I got schooled that evening way back when at Whiskey River. I am glad I flew in early to spend some precious time with Molly, Gary and family!
Things kicked off on Friday with wedding rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner and then drinks for all attending. I think the big blessing in disguise was my jetlag and the "head in the clouds" feeling as it made the whole weekend a surreal experience. I could hardly believe the wedding weekend had come. It seemed like a movie that I was watching to be honest. I am pleased as if it weren't for the jet lag and all I probably would have been a lot more emotional (and we all know how I love showing emotions). I don't think I stopped smiling the entire weekend in Maryland!
It was so great to see everyone again and to have all our friends in one place to celebrate our dear friends Molly and Gary. I love weddings and the coming together of two families, two hearts celebrated by ones closest family and friends. Each wedding is a perfect celebration of the couple and this was no exception. It was...well...perfect. From the wedding, the readings, the cocktail hour, the meal, the venue, the table arrangement, the music, the dancing...everything was perfect. It may have been redunkulous o'clock in London when the reception finished and despite a detour through Washington DC, nothing says wedding like a pajama, pizza, and iPod dance party in a hotel room! I cannot say enough how great it was to see everyone, to help capture their special day and celebrate the union of two dear hearts and souls! I have never seen my Molly glow so much as she did on her wedding day and I hope that glow never fades (I know that glow will never fade). Thank you for allowing me to be apart of your special day. 
Sadly all good things have to come to an end and the wedding weekend was one of them. It was time to head back to London. It was bittersweet. I was excited about returning back to London to see KR, but was sad to leave everyone. It was great to see the old crew and to meet some of the new peeps.A trip to Maryland however is not complete without a serving of steamed Old Bay Crabs. For my last lunch State's side I treated myself to a Flying Dog, 4 medium crabs, 1/2lb of shrimp and 1/2lb of steamer clams...was pure heaven!! Though not going to lie.. a seafood fest before taking a flight is not always the smartest thing. My tummy wasn't the happiest with me, but after a few G&Ts we were all good in the hood :-)
I returned back to the Big Smoke just in time to see the Tempest at the Shakespeare Globe. Ever since I moved here I have always wanted to see a show at The Globe. After Mom and I snuck in last November it made me want to go there properly even more!!The Shakespeare Globe is magical and seeing The Tempest in there was wicked! I am so pleased that KR and I were able to get tickets for this. The show was absolutely fantastic and the set was and actors were brilliant. I am still amazed that there were no mics or anything. I was nervous as the weather wasn't the best, but our seats were well covered. It was honestly a dream come true and only fitting that I was with Kristin to experience it all :-)
Of the 3 weekends that KR has been here, it is sad that we only truly had one completely free one to play and explore. We definitely made the most of it. The weekend started with a trip to the delightful Whistable for some Oysters. I honestly think that KR is my lucky charm as for the first time ever I was able to sit at one of the 4 tables in the back rather than the counter. I think KR and I could have stayed there all day ordering food. We had a dozen Oysters, some Guiness Fried Oysters and some Cheese & Pesto Mussels. I honestly could have stayed there all day. From there we went for a much needed walk, sadly the weather gods turned on us and the skies opened up with sheets of rain! We tried to find refuge in an old book shop, but there is only so long you can stay in a book shop or yarn shop before its time to move on. Instead we made our way to the pub for a pint...followed by another pub en route to the station. The rain got in the way of our walk along the beach, but it did make for a very memorable Saturday outing.
Keeping up our momentum of London Exploration weekend on Sunday we travelled to Watford Junction to take a tour of the Magical Harry Potter Studios (again shocked that the timing worked out and that we were able to get tickets for this). Friends at work said to give yourself 3-4 hours for the tour...I thought they were kidding, but they weren't. We spent about 4 1/2 hours walking about the lot and soaking in every bit of the tour. Listening to each of the tidbit facts, admiring the detail and patience that went into making those films. It is really remarkable. If you are a fan of the books or the movies, I highly recommend you buy tickets for the tour. Allow yourself plenty of time to go through the studio lot, enjoy a butter beer (still convinced that it would have been better with alcohol, but then again what isn't), and appreciate the time and people involved in making theses books come to life.
It has been absolutely amazing having KR in town. Some may think that a month is a long time, but for us two, its not nearly long enough. I honestly cannot believe where the month went. We have had so much fun these past few weeks and truly going to miss having her here. Hurry up and find a way for you and Joseph to relocate here. I know I don't need to convince you two so get on with it :-) Plenty more roast dinners, English pies, Borough Market stalls, ales, historic sites, M&S muppet socks, amongst many others to experience here in London!!! I need my partner in crime to explore with me...we can use our Sherlock Holme pipes!!!
Nothing says Wednesday night, like a gossip session over cocktails at the Hospital Club. I have heard great things about this place and went for drinks the year before, but as its a private members club I am reliant on the kindness of others to invite me along....that said I am tempted to apply for a membership.It was nice to see H & Mills outside of work, the fact that we were surrounded by amazing cocktails was an added benefit. It was nice to have a breather outside of work and to vent a bit. Thankfully we did not stay too long on the topic and swiftly moved onto more exciting things -- love, dating and relationships. Actually between work and relationships I don't know which one is less stressful.
Work has been stressful this month..in fact that is putting it nicely. We have our big quarterly report to do and everything imaginable is going wrong. Thankfully I have had a great support team who keeping me sane. Don't know what I would do without them.Life and work is never that stressful though that I cannot take time off to see my dear Uncle. I love having him in London. Truly nothing like it (well the only thing better would be a Mom visit). We got to see a lot of one another this visit. In addition to our traditional dinner and drinks his first night in town, but we got to do a mini-Tini restaurant crawl to some of my favourite places. The rule was a drink and starter at every venue...we did not make it very far, but we did manage Sussex House, Pix, Freud's and finished with dinner at La Perla. We cover some good ground!!
It has been a nice month...a hectic month, but so very well worth it. I have started the month with a smile on my face and ended it with a larger smile!! What else does one need?
Love you all and miss you loads
xxx
T