hoping for a hat trick

Last year over Christmas, my flight coming back to London was threatened by the greed of striking BA staff. Thankfully, the crisis was averted and I was able to return back to work on my scheduled flight. To be fair, I really wasn't all that worried about being stuck at home for a bit longer, but I also didn't want to waste any precious vacation days on staying in Canada.

In April, I was due to fly to Vancouver for my brother's wedding when a volcano I dubbed 'Iggy' decided to erupt and spew ash all over the hemisphere causing cancellations galore.

Working in the travel industry at the time, I couldn't escape the possibility that I might actually have to partake in my brother's wedding via Skype. My stress levels and disappointment were so severe that I was whisked out the night before my flight was due to leave to drown my sorrows in 2 for 1 cocktails.

But the miracle swept in, and they opened the airports that very morning and I walked down the aisle after all.

Now a measly five inches of snow and more forecasted bad weather is threatening to leave me stranded and alone in London for Christmas. After I busted my ass to get all of my Christmas shopping done in time and braved the streets of Oxford Circus...

So I'm crossing my fingers and hoping like mad to score a hat-trick. Because despite my flatmate offering to wrap up random items in our house for me to open up on Christmas Day (Thanks Suey) - I really want to go home this year.


A photo of the very empty Heathrow Express train carriage the morning the airports opened after the ash cloud crisis. I showed up 4 hours early expecting a mad mob - this is what I was greeted with


My ride to my brother's wedding - I'd never been so happy to board a plane.... I'll be even happier when/if I board a plane this Friday afternoon

and so it begins...

oh the weather outside is frightful, and my bed is so delightful (and warm!) and since we've got no place to go....

actually no, screw that I have a million things to do and I seriously need to get out of this bed.

One week til Christmas. I can't believe it's crept up on us so fast.

And as for gifts? I've gotten a zillion things for my two adorable nieces and nothing for the rest of the family. Sorry family.

And London Marathon training? I've only missed a few of my runs... and by a few, I mean half. Thankfully I'm ahead of my 16 week schedule, but that doesn't mean that I should slack off.

On some more positive news, I am now 1% closer to my target goal of raising 1,600 GBP for the London Marathon - go me!