Flying, Buns, And Things To Be Done

Things I like about flying:

• The moment of happiness when your suitcase is under 23kg and you don't need to pay a ridiculous amount of money for the extra weight
• Walking through the metal detector at security and not setting it off, then feeling slightly smug when the person behind you in the queue gets searched
• Finding fun ways to kill time before boarding, such as buying a bottle of Jack Daniels, two new books and a box of jelly beans in the Duty Free, and splashing out on some nice make-up in Boots
• Having lunch at Yo!Sushi for the second time ever, feeling sophisticated while you eat your cucumber maki and duck gyoza, and watching people walk up to the restaurant and peer at you like they think you're someone important and they're trying to figure out who
• Sitting in a row of two people with an empty seat between you, so you can both use the middle drop-down tray as a little table for your sandwiches, and bonding with them over criticising the quality of aeroplane sandwiches
• Getting off the plane and walking through arrivals to see a nice man from the car company with my name on a card, and not having to worry about how I'm going to finish my journey

Things I don't like about flying:

• Sitting on the train on the way to airport with your suitcase hidden from view behind you, so you have to keep bobbing up and down in your seat to make sure it's still there
• Getting glared at by the man who was inexplicably standing still in front of you, while you were trying to get out of the lift before it went back down again, because you accidentally hit his ankle with your suitcase
• The period of time when you're waiting for your gate number to appear on the noticeboard, and you can't concentrate on the book you're trying to read because you keep glancing up every ten seconds
• Queueing to get on the plane, surrounded by Italians complaining loudly about having to wait
• Listening to music while you read on the plane, and so not hearing the announcement that they're going to turn the lights off, and being annoyed after suddenly being plunged into darkness in the middle of a climactic chapter
• Having the jelly beans you bought spill out in the boot of the car that picked you up, and while you're apologising profusely to the really nice driver, you're secretly annoyed that you won't have any more jelly beans to eat

So yeah, that pretty much sums up my journey back. But the actual Christmas break was great! James didn't suspect a thing about my Surprise Girlfriend plan (ie telling him I'd be home a day later than it actually happened, and surprising him by appearing at his house when he thought I was on a plane), and we had some amazing days together in-between seeing the family and eating too much chocolate. 

Christmas Day was lots of fun; Mum's turkey dinner was a triumph of deliciousness, Dad had a classy moment with a cigar and a brandy, and Gary and I tried to put a Santa coat on one of the cats and failed miserably. Among other things, I got Paul Hollywood's How to Bake, a biography of Julia Child which I've wanted for months (although unfortunately I couldn't bring either of the books with me, as they were too heavy), an incredibly fluffy jumper, P!nk's latest album, and a cupcake-patterned onesie. Now, I used to think onesies were silly, but having tried it out I have to recommend them as a lovely warm snuggly bodysuit, which comes in handy when your house is as cold as mine, and because you can get some that look like superhero outfits, which is just cool anyway.

Thursday just gone, James and I christened How to Bake by creating Christmas buns - a first for both of us, but they went really well! Here is a photo:

Either I'm going to get Mum to post me the book, or she'll scan recipes and email them to me - either way, there are going to be quite a few baking exploits during the remainder of my time here! 

I have lots of things I want/need to do before I leave; wants include climbing Mt Vesuvius, visiting Naples and Sorrento, and taking a boat across to Capri once the weather is warmer. Needs include two reports I have to write in order to pass my third year, planning lessons for my official students and Simone, and directing a play with one of my classes. I have yet to think of what the play is going to be, but it must be shortish, simple, and English. I asked them to try and think of something too, so we shall see.

Anyway, that's me ringing in the New Year via the medium of blog. I'll update soon, or try to at least! Meantime,