The whole xmas/new year period!!

Now to try and recap everything... apologies if I forget something/someone!

Wednesday 21st December - I had my exam. It went ok I think, I had revised the right information, and had an idea of what to write for each question. When the exams man said we could leave the hall was literally the most exciting moment in a long time - it was officially the start of xmas for me!!! So after a rather brief goodbye to all my OT ladies. I headed home to finish packing. Bus ride to the station and an hour and a half on the train later and I was on the bus to the ferry. An hour and a nice cold pint, and my chocolate polar bear from Katie, and I was finally on the isle of wight. Driven home by my dad, it was an amazing feeling!!
Obviously I was joined by my special child hours after arriving home!!! ♥

Thurs - I had my hair cut, see previous pics. Short!!!!
Headed over to my lovely Boyfriends to have a bit of dinner down the pub and watch a band!

Friday & Saturday - Just a blur of lots of food and many drinks!

Christmas day - Was perfect! So chilled out, it was great. We eat out at a restaurant, great food and great company, could I ask for anymore?

Boxing day - Tom's birthday, we were down the local for something to eat, again a lovely chilled day!

Wednesday - Dinner with my mum and nan. It was yummy!!

Now at some point between then and NYE we went out with my special child and some of Ben's friends, was good even if she threw a hissy fit as there was no fast food places open! ♥

NYE was brill!!! All dressed up, Bugsy malone theme, and Liv joined us. Had a fab night!!!
Shame about the walk of shame the next morning. But was treated the most yummy dinner cooked, of course by my nanny! Beef wellington, mmmm!!!!

I have managed to see everyone I had hoped to. Thank you all I had a fab time!!!
It's just a shame not to have see Kim & Michael (however hope to see them soon!!) and my sister et al. Sooooo weird not seeing my baby niece on christmas day! As it is all about the kids, the only factor that made up for that slightly was seeing bens 3 nephews opening their presents.

Bring on 2012!!!!

xx

First night out in Oxford- and it was a quiet one!

I did a bit of shopping yesterday, so got up early to try and avoid the crowds that the city centre always attracts on a Saturday morning! It was busier than usual due to students enrolling? and graduating from Oxford uni, the same weekend as last year when Ben was up with me.
Paid my first 3 months rent, and will pay the rest of when my loan comes in, that way I know any money I have after that can be used, and I won't have to worry about finding the money for the rent - So glad I worked and was able to save a lot towards my rent this year!

So I met Katie at the Sainsburys (a convenient meeting place as its literally a 30 second walk from where I am), as she lives about a 10 minute walk away. We walked into town and went to The Grand Cafe, I love it there, it's so pretty, and a great place for people watching! Had a Cosmopolitan in there, which is Katie's favourite I think. As much as I like them, I don't think I could have more than one as they taste too dry for my liking, probably due to the cranberry juice. Then we heading further into the town, but as it was a Saturday night it was very busy out, not full of students, but of every other person that lives in Oxford, weekends aren't student nights, as they aren't cheap! So we struggled to find anywhere to go as it was so busy, so pondering the idea of going to Freud's we headed towards Jerico. Instead we stopped at a place called The Eagle and Child, apparently J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and fellow writers met here. It was pleasant, and had a proper 'pub' feel to it, I liked it save the strange man who asked to sit at the other side of the table, we soon left after he decided to grace us with his odd, and rather drunk presence (you know when you're drunk, and despite how hard you try, you still sorta slam your glass down on the table? He was that kinda drunk!).
And finally we headed back along Cowley rd (which I had never really walked along last year as I had no need, but I have found all sorts of fun looking places to try out already haha), and we popped into Cafe CoCo, home of the £4 cocktails from 9pm onwards! I had Peach Bellinis, which are probably my favourite - I like the bubbles, and the sweetness of them! And Katie had a 'limonada moya' I believe, which was also rather tasty. Looked at the menu and it sounded great, nothing too complicated, and the prices weren't at all expensive; there were pizzas, pastas and salads, all the things I like! Additionally there was nice sounding breakfasts, and the desserts sounded equally yummy!

So I had a fab night and found some lovely places to go, places I'd be happy to take friends or family, rather than your usual student dives!