Mum. Camden Market.

Now I know where to go with Mum the next time she visits: Camden Market/s.

It's just great. A really big area with everything from jewellery to clothes and home decor to delicious food.

Mum, you'd love the place. 

We walked around the place just to see what there was, because we'd never been there before. There are lot of different sections with different things and you could spend a day there. And when you walk more towards Camden Town tube station, you'll find other stores as well. 

In my opinion it seems like a better place to shop than Oxford Street. Not just chain stores, you can find real bargains and unique things. Hand made locally. And then there's the food. 

There always is. 

There are a lot of food stalls selling Chinese, Turkish, Mexican, Italian foods, fish&chips, Indian. Polish. So many different options! And they give out tasties!

That's when I tried the best food I've ever had. Turkish pizza thing. (A bit ashamed that I didn't make a note of the name of it...But I do know where to find it there next time we go!)

It.Was.DELICIOUS.

Even now my mouth waters. It was SO good.

And the food's quite a bargain there. I bet you can get better food there than in a restaurant, and for a lot less.  Everything costs pretty much the same, so there's not so much a competition of prices, but of flavours. And that's never a bad thing. 

That Turkish pizza thing. I'll have you in my belly in January. You just wait.

..................................

In other news, going back home for Christmas in two days. The flight leaves at the crack of down on Monday (7.30), so we are heading to the airport tomorrow night. 

Yes, the night will be spent comfortably at the airport.

Maybe this time photos of me looking like I'm dead won't appear...

Maybe the peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks will help. 'Cause that's what I'm getting. Best hot chocolate (that's not homemade) that I've had.

Done. For now...

Violets were blooming in October/November.

I think my summer job changed me. I notice flowers so much more now than before. 

There aren't really flowers blooming anymore. But there's no snow either. But the sun has been shining. But there should be a storm coming up, I hear. We shall see.

But for now, I'm done. I've printed out my essay which is due tomorrow. Just need to bring it to the office tomorrow and that's it. Till January 9th when the next one is due. 

Won't these ever end? 

No. They won't.

So I probably should go and research for the next essay, right?

I kinda love it..

We've been having this interesting weather here.

Let me explain. 

It has been wonderfully sunny during the day, but in the evenings and during the night it rains and the wind blows.

I'm now listening to the wind blow outside and the rain hitting my windows. 

And remember, my windows aren't double-glazed. They're old. 

I can hear the wind hitting the windows, how it comes inside. I can see my curtains swaying in the wind.

This doesn't make me angry or annoyed at my windows or this house. 

This I love to hear. 

I love strong wind. Strong rain. 

It's so powerful.

But I'm protected. 

Traditions.

I am a fan of traditions. 

Christmas is full of traditions, and it's my favorite holiday. And favorite time of year. 

I've mentioned before that this year has been a bit difficult for me Christmas-wise. Don't seem to be able to feel the spirit. Where I get my Christmas spirit, are our traditions. Be it family or Finland. 

Come December 1st, and usually I have a batch of gingerbread cookies baking and a mug of glögi in my hand. 

I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year. To bake gingerbread cookies, to plan the menu for Christmas eve with Mum and cook. Ham will be left for M to handle, but this year I think I'll be taking notes. At least mental. 

Christmas eve. It has a schedule. I love it. It is so familiar and safe. In the morning, me and bro decorate the tree. Then it's sauna. Then church. And from church I'll walk back home with H. It's a great little tradition that we have. Little time for both of us to spend with a friend during an extremely family-oriented day. Once at home, we eat. Ham, casseroles, sauce, cheeses, Carelian pies, potatoes, dessert. Then it's gifts. And eating. And relaxing. And eating. 

Got to have your priorities right at Christmas. Eating. 

Or maybe there is a more spiritual message in Christmas...

A nest.

I made a nest of my blanket. I'm in it now. It's the only warm place in the house.

Outside this blanket, it's freezing. 

It's the coldness INSIDE houses that makes me not like London. 

It's like they choose to live in cold. They're not doing anything about it. They're not even trying to figure out a solution to their leaky windows and absolute lack of insulation. 

It's normal that you can't keep the heating on all day, because it would just go away.

NO, it's not normal. Normal is having a warm house. Having a well insulated home. Normal is when you're not freezing in your room. That's normal.

Winter Wonderland

This made me think of Harry Potter. And You-Know-Who.

There's this huge big Christmas fair thingy in Hyde Park. 

Some parts reminded me of German Christmas markets, which I love. Some parts were a bit more extravagant. 

The Bavarian Village was the best. They even had poffertjes. If you don't know what it is, you are missing out! Google it. OK, I'll let you in. Poffertjes are mini-pancakes. It's a Dutch thing. And freaking DELICIOUS. Love them. Ate them last year in Germany multiple times and had to have them now. This time they were a bit under cooked though. But gooood. Mmm.

There was a lot of food on offer. Lot of German stuff, then some English stuff. Prices were, however, in true London style, ridiculous. I mean, seriously, who's going to pay £4 for a bratwurst?!

December 1st

There should be snow here. I should have a mug of glögi in my hand and Christmas tunes should be playing in the background. Instead, I'm eating a pineapple. (mind you, cost me only 35p - one whole pinepple, so i'm not complaining). 

December is bumming me out a bit. And the essays are stressing me out, so put those two together and good things do not ensue. 

But let's try to be positive. The weather has been great here. It's not cold. 

That's Occupy St. Paul. 

And no, it's not always sunny here. I just don't take pictures if it's not.

PS. I remembered I have Christmas music and I feel better already. Christmas, I love you!