Winter Winds

My last blog expressed my feelings about changing my 'Christmas' tradition for the first time in 16 years.

As I would have guessed, my first Christmas in the UK was fabulous. Much like with my time in Long Island, the amount of food consumed was ridiculous. Only difference was that now it was spread out over three days. Doesn't seem as though I've gained any (noticeable) weight, which, after the chocolate, alcohol, turkey, duck, chicken and everything else, is rather surprising. The food, to put it simply, was nothing short of incredible.

While we were singing carols on the Green with a majority of the villagers, I realised that I was in the middle of something that closely resembled Stars Hollow (a nice Gilmore Girls reference for those of you out there). Not only is the village small, but everyone knows who you are and are beyond genuine. I can't even count the amount of times I went up to introduce myself to someone in the village and they already knew/heard 'quite a lot about [me]'.

After 18'' of snow hitting the north a week ago, the landscape was something out of a storybook; a lovely picturesque scene. Going down the pub was a great time. Once again, people were nothing but friendly and the atmosphere was lively. Over all, I had a fantastic Christmas experience. And even though I was 3,000 miles away from the Levin/Fleischhacker family in Long Island, I still was able to Skype via the computer here!

I put a few pictures up for those of you don't have facebook. We'll hopefully be staying up North until the new year (though it's possible we'll be spending our time by the Thames for fireworks). I must admit, this is the first time in three years I won't be with Salcock for New Years. Love, have a good glass of wine and a few shots in my name and tell everyone hello for me.

As usual, I'll be posting my reflection update towards the end of the week with a look back at 2010. In the mean time, enjoy this grey area in the Holiday season!

Festavis for the rest of us...

According to The Guardian, England could see a 'white Christmas' this year.

And for the first time since 1994, I won't find myself squeezed into the back of dad and Lori's car between various food items and bags of presents. We won't be dodging pot holes and snow mounds on Route 17 and 4. I will not watch as the vein on my father's neck grow larger and larger, close to the point of exploding (almost like clock work despite Lori's best efforts) somewhere between the Cross Bronx and the L.I. E. There will be no flipping back and forth between the 660 'traffic and weather' and our mixed 'Christmas tape' (All three Channukah Songs inclued) as we bound towards Melville, Long Island to celebrate the holidays once more. Instead, I'll be forging the crowds at King's Cross/St. Pancras headed north for Lincolnshire. Bags in hand rather than on seats. The vein will now be popping out of my neck (and possibly some colorful words from my mouth) as Adam now tries to calm me. Mumford and Sons will more than likely be music of choice.

And for the first time in 16 years, I will not find Amy commandeering the CD player (which changed to iPod in 2001). Kid's 'gift time', comprised of presents wrapped in both 'Star of David' and 'Christmas Tree' wrapping paper, will no longer seem like something out of Animal Planet. There will be no need to ask 'can Ashley eat this?' (regardless of not being Koshar for over a year). And while goodbyes take twice as long as normal, for we are all either Jewish or Italian, I do not know what this year's goodbyes will have in store. Instead, I'll be eating mince pies, sipping mulled wine, putting up a stocking for Father Christmas, and going down the village pub on Christmas Eve (just to name a few things I've heard about).

Goodbye Festavis Pole of Rout 110.

Hello North Kelsey Christmas Tree on the Green.

This Christmas, if you haven't already noticed, is going to be slightly different from previous years. From the traveling to the dinner itself, the Levin holiday shenanigans will be left to those out on the Island while I participate (and absurdly excitedly might I add) in the Lane family Christmas traditions. And yet, while I will miss what I've known since childhood, I am eager to experience what is in store for this 25 of December.