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Published: August 21st 2005
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Can you tell it's a self portrait! Well, I certainly had a lovely start to my holiday, despite the fact I woke in a pretty foul mood on Monday morning!
I had
not had a good night in the stifling London summer weather, with the fan whining all night in what may possibly be the hottest flat in south London. After a hot, noisy night I woke with a banging headache and to top it off I had to log on to my laptop and finish off some work! So what does Russ do..? Well, he went out to the Italian bakery at the end of the road and brought back croissants and orange juice for breakfast. With a bunch of yellow roses and lillies (to put me in a sunny mood). Which you have to admit is lovely.
So after I had finshed my work we headed off to London Zoo, where I have never been before - although I used to read all the animal stories from London Zoo as a kid. It was very strange and a bit unreal to see all the famous enclosures (did you realise that the old penguin pool - aka the porcupine enclosure is now a grade 1
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Rock hopper penguin. Apparently bullies all the other penguins listed building?). Which was pretty fabulous - particularly watching the penguins feeding time. Very cute, only spoiled by all the little kids (school holidays you know). Humbug.
Actually it wasn't the kids so much, but the pushy parents that got on my nerves. We got to the penguins about 10 minutes early so we could see, and let lots of little kids in front of us to see, who all started fighting and pushing in front of us, so that we couldn't really see. And these horrible middle class parents kept propelling these children in front of us without even a "please", because we all have to remember that their children have a given right over everyone else. Hey - I'm allowed to be selfish, I'm twenty five. Besides my entrance fee cost more than theirs. And I have never seen the penguins before. Anyway the point was that they kept bitching behind us that the children couldn't see "because of the adults in the way", despite the fact we let their badly behaved demon children in front of us. And when I finally moved away so someone else could have a go, all I could hear were the
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No, it's not me.. huffy "well, finally!"-ies from the yummy mummys. Anyway the whole trip was great, including that bit, because it gave me something to laugh about.
So, after the Zoo, we went to Leicester Square to mingle with the crowds (much reduced since the bombings), and went to dinner at one of our favourite restaurants - Super Star in China town. If you are looking for Chinese food it really is very good. And the prices (though bear in mind you are in central London!) are quite reasonable - especially the set menu. Really - go try it out. Nice chilled bottle of wine, lovely environment etc. And then we went for a few drinks in Anon Anon (another great place, in the London Trocadero). Very unusual for us seeing as we are saving our cash for our trip - but Russ insisted. As it was getting quite late I was the boring voice of reason saying we had better head for home. But we took a little walk via Picadilly Circus to look at the bright lights of the city. We sat on the steps of Eros and soaked up the atmosphere for a while, and I thought about this
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Maybe they'll be at the wedding? being the reason I moved to London, and really that I hadn't done it enough. And looked at all the tourists taking photos of each other and grinning! It really was a perfect ending to a perfect day. And Russ and I started talking about our trip and future...
And then Russ confessed that he had an ulterior motive behind my perfect day... and pulled a ring from his pocket and asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him, and marry him. Which of course I said yes. Perfect day. Topped off by a bottle of champage in Tiger Tiger (so much for prudence!), followed by a big change in style when we realised we had missed the last tube home, and had to get the fright bus - sorry
night bus home (note: if you are in London - try to avoid!).
The ring did look a bit familiar when I saw it a bit more closely - one from my jewellry box, which Russ thought was my grandmother's but actually was given to me as a Christmas present from my ex-boyfriend. And it is the second time I have been proposed to using that ring! Perhaps I shouldn't have pointed that out, but it did mean that we went diamond shopping pretty promptly the next day. So know I have my very own sparkly ring, which I chose myself, to show off.
Anyway I am very happy. Have had lots of cards from my friends, and champagne from my Dad. And I have given my notice at my work, so everything seems to be going swimmingly. Picked up the plane tickets today too, so getting very very excited. And now with the added prospect of an overseas wedding to think about too. though I am just enjoying myself at the moment. Also a joint engagement and going away party to mark our departure in London. Dates and times to follow for those who want to join in!
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Syed
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We will miss you here in Moucehel Parkman
Hi Thank you for your e-mail and good luck with your travel. I just had a look at your trip plan, it seems very interesting and extensive. I was trying to find Pakistan but had no luck, however did notice that you will probably be very near or flying over karachi or Islamabad. Anyways my invitation is always valid........just in case. Setting up a site like yours is certainly a wise thing to do, helps in keeping up to date and of course the memories will always last. I've just subscribed on the journal site to receive your updates. Good to see photo of your fiancée Russell, you 2 look gr8 together. I think its a great loss for Mouchel Parkman, as you were putting allot of efforts into MP Learning. Come on....stop blushing :)) Best of Luck to both of you