The turkey has all been eaten, sad times

Well, I'm back in Wales now, after my flying visit home. I had a great time though, and possibly ate my weight in food, plus a bit more. What is it about the festive season that makes us eat so much? And so much nice food? It never occurs to me to have pate at any other time of year, but I munch away at the stuff at Christmas time. It is baffling, but perhaps that's what makes us all so jolly?

And Santa was good to me this year. I got my GHDs! And a sewing machine, complete with a book from my lovely parents with loads of ideas for bags. I just need some fabric now! I got a stocking ful of cow print joy. I think my obsession is getting a bit out of hand. But hey, it makes me smile!

I also got a swish new haircut. I only popped in to Pisanis to say Merry Christmas (I used to work there in my school/college days). I no longer have long purple hair, but rather a shorter look. I feel that it makes me look sophisticated, and it's not so short that I get mistaken for a boy!

But I am happy to be back in Swansea, as much as I love being at home and catching up with people. I've spent a lovely few days with Mike and now it's back to work. Although it is my last week there, so it's not all bad. I'm feeling happy with life right now, looking forward to the new year and new opportunities. Fingers crossed it'll last!

AND I've finished my scarf!

So, here are some festive photos of snow, new hair and family and friend times back in Surrey...

8 hours on a coach...

leads to a numb bum, especially in the cold, when you're stuck in traffic... This Christmas had better be worth it!

Driving home for Christmas

Ho ho ho! I am feeling all festive as I'm going home tomorrow for Christmas! This will be the first time I've been home since August, and I'm rather excited. Home cooked food, a warm house that isn't full of mould and PRESENTS! I think that when you move away you appreciate Christmas a lot more as a time of family rather than a time to get drunk. Of course, I'll be getting drunk too, but that'll be with my family!

So, for nostalgia purposes, my Christmas last year (where I had red hair! This year it's purple!):

I'm not looking forward to the time when I have a Christmas away from home. It's going to be weird. I am looking forward to openening the present from Mike however. I love surprises! He's just left mine and I now won't see him until the 28th, which seems aaaaaaages away, but in reality it isn't. I am impatient!

Snow snow snow... sort of

This is Swansea's attempt at snow... pretty lame, isn't it? I want proper snow! Just not the cold temperatures please!

Ill ill ill

My flat is trying to kill me. I swear. My throat is swollen so badly it feels like I'm swallowing knives. My nose is running permanently, and my ears are getting blocked. It's so cold here! I've got the heating on quite high now. We've given up caring how much it's costing.

In an attempt to escape this freezer, I have spent the weekend at Mike's. Not that his attic room is much warmer, but the shared body heat is good! And he was such a funny drunk on Saturday night! Honestly, the "I'm taking my jeans off but I'm too drunk to stand on one foot so I'm hopping all over the place" dance was amazing, and I couldn't stop giggling. The more time I spend with him, the happier I am, and I'm falling for him in a big way.

For my birthday, 3 good things happened. Numero uno: I got taken for a birthday breakfast by Natalie, a girl I work with. I love hashbrowns. I really really do.

Numero dos: I got the job! Start on 4th January, and I'm rather excited. I must buy thermal underwear first though. Just to survive the sub-zero temperatures of South Wales.

Numero tres: Mike took me bowling! And I beat him! Oh yes! We also went on the big wheel, even though it was really cold. I'm quite partial to bowling shoes. I think my new mission is to find a pair I can wear as trainers that don't make you slip everywhere.

Also this week, I went shopping in Toys R Us with my friend Kieran, as he wanted to buy his brother a jigsaw puzzle. Seriously, I discovered why my mum would never let us go there when I was little. It's AMAZING!!!! Although I saw many toys that I would have loved as a child, and suddenly felt really deprived. Also, the range of toys available to kids these days is mind blowing! We felt like children again!

Keiran loved the kitchen

Look at the battery operated cars!

It spells MIKE... something to brighten his day

Foam toys are the best!

All in all it's been a good week. I'm going home for Christmas on wednesday, although my Christmassy feeling has gone. Hopefully when I get on that coach it'll come back.

Aaaaand, that's a wrap!

I've wrapped up all of my Christmas presents now. This is a huge achievement for me. The fact that I've managed to buy them this early is also another acheivement. They're usually bought the day before I go home and wrapped up on Christmas Eve. But not this year! Oh no, I'm ahead of the game this year. And they're under the tree as well!

Yes, I'm well aware the tree is tiny, but it does make it look like we have giant presents!

And so, on the last evening of being 23 I am feeling contemplative about life. I've had my weekly phone call with my mum, who was getting a bit emotional. I think maybe the fact that she has a daughter who is about to turn 24 is making her feel old. She says the same thing every year before my birthday, about how this time however many years ago she was in hospital with the doctors telling her she wasn't in labour, but she was. I was an impatient baby, popping out 6 weeks early. I still am impatient.

I'm just in a pondering mood. Had one of those days where you feel kind of sad for no reason. Nit really sure why. I guess maybe I don't want to get older. I'm quite happy with my life as it is at the moment. Yes, I know money is constantly a struggle, and I have a flat that likes to leak water and eat my clothes and shoes with mould, but I'm loving the independence and the feeling of just being me. I am in control of things I do, the only person I have to rely on is my self, and it's a great feeling. However, I got out of my funk by wrapping presents and watching Santa Claus the Movie. And also knitting. I am becoming a big knitting aficionado. It's very relaxing.

So, this is my last blog as a 23 year old. And how will I be spending my birthday??? I have work at 7am, a stupid 3 hour shift. And then training for my new job. So yeah... fun. But Mike is coming over in the evening and I do have some presents and cards so it's not all bad!

Hangover from hell

Just a note that rosè wine, tequilla and malibu do not mix well together. I haven't been that ill for a looooong time. I wish I could remember the night. I'm sure it was good. I'm clearly getting older :(