I’m In!

Joy of joys (it’s turning out to be a bloody good week I can tell you) I have the keys to my new apartment! I’m frankly ecstatic. It was tense because of my trip to Bali – for which I leave tomorrow – and the logistical nightmare of moving in when you’re in Indonesia and your flats are in Manhattan. But it’s OK. Because I’m bloody in!

Aron and I took a stroll over earlier to get the keys. A landmark moment, and he liked it and let me tell you – he’s picky, v e r y picky. In fact he summed it up with a laugh and the phrase ‘this is a bachelor pad’. Yes I think it is. 

So, thanks to good friends (Rachael) who will oversee my movers and watch them destroy all my cherished posessions, and my cleaner, Kitten – who has now offered to do all my laundry, run errands and COOK FOR ME, I’m in good hands.

I liked the fact that Kitten the cleaner told me that I was not to eat any more ’send-y out-y junk’ and she would make Uruguayan food for me, whatever the hell that is. I’m excited. She’s also going to pre-stock my fridge and do stuff like that. So Kitten is now a Maid, not a cleaner. Fact.

It’s been a shitty couple of weeks, so what with this, Holley graduating, and my trip to Bali – I feel like a corner is being turned, a cloud lifting and a new beginning, er, beginning.

Hurrah! All that remains now is another trip to London to catch up with dear friends and we’re all set!

 

Shot below is my new living room.

 

Proud? You don’t know the meaning of the word.

My little sister graduated yesterday. She graduated! In a gown and everything! And there’s a picture of her throwing her mortarboard in the air!

I’ve got to tell you that ever since Holley was born I’ve adored her. From bouncing her to the point of concussion in her bouncy chair (I’m sure there’s a proper name for that device) to taking pictures of her by Golitha Falls in Cornwall when I was getting into photography, I just adore her.

I want to lavish praise on her because she’s so very special. It’s rare that you find someone with the perfect trilogy of wit, intelligence and beauty – and she has it all – in buckets.

I’ve always had the biggest laughs with her, we’ve always had almost precisely the same sense of humour (although she is funnier) and she’s always been incredibly wise. During the recent ‘upheaval’ I’ve felt so supported by her and Mom and Paula too. My family feels very close to me – a paradox given I’m so geographically far away.

I think you ‘grow into’ your family as you get older, old wounds heal, you realise that time together means more than time apart and frankly, you get over yourself a bit. You’re better as a team than individuals and I’m proud that my sister has done so well, and that we all (MY family) have come together to witness and celebrate her brilliance.

I could not be more proud of her – and us.

My sister’s vegan birthday cake.

I’ve been in New York for just shy of 2 years now and both of those years my sister has sent me pictures of her birthday cake; which was yesterday.

There’s nothing wrong with that you might think, but she’s vegan, therefore each cake is masterpiece of culinary crafting, with absolute care and attention given to ensuring each and every ingredient is careful screened for any rogue meat or dairy based ingredients.

I think Holley has truly cracked it this year. Happy birthday sister, love you lots as ever.