Since I booked my flights about a month ago, I’ve been telling virtually anyone who will listen that I’m heading back to America on Friday!!!!! Back to NOLA to my boyfriend, this time for 19 days ð
Having this trip booked has honestly kept me going as I see out the last of my shifts in my current role and I can’t wait to not feel anxious every day as soon as I log on.
The only downside is having to isolate as much as possible beforehand, which has meant sacrifices have had to be made. Dave’s concert was rescheduled for 1 March (tomorrow!!!!) and its proximity to the trip meant I can’t go, I couldn’t risk getting Covid and having the whole trip ruined ððð So I acted fast to socialise as much as possible the week before isolation.
I had an exciting appointment in Battersea to address one of my biggest insecurities: my teeth! Invisalign was certainly an expensive decision but I feel it’s going to be worth every penny. After my appointment I had the loveliest walk all the way to Soho to meet a good friend from uni for dinner. I hadn’t seen him one-on-one in a long, long time and it was so lovely to catch up. You know when you’d forgotten how much you enjoy somebody’s company and find yourself amazed at all the little things they remember from over the years? This was one of them ones.
We went to Lina Stores, a quaint Italian on Greek Street serving up classic pasta dishes, antipasti and dolci. I can’t recommend it enough. We polished off the carafe of white wine the waiter had recommended, marvelling at how affordable and authentic the food was and agreeing this place would be perfect for a date night. We vowed to return with our other halves.
After our slot for the table expired, we headed out into the evening in search of dessert, ending up at Doughnut Time in Leicester Square. My favourite Chinatown bakery, Kowloon Bakery, had already closed but I had managed to grab the last red bean mochi in Wasabi (my weakness!). We took our treats down to Trafalgar Square.
Another good friend, my oldest friend from school, recently moved from the distant land of south London back to NW and I couldn’t be happier! I no longer have to plan days in advance to make the trek down south – I can actually walk to hers from mine in around 30 minutes!
It was a bright and sunny day, and I had the loveliest walk along the canal all the way to the Lebanese restaurant, Beit el Zaytoun. Aside from having a lovely catch-up with my friend and her son, my little bestie, I discovered a new love: jellab!!!! A fruit syrup made from dates, grape molasses, carob and rosewater, the waiter wasn’t sure I’d like it and brought me a little to try – I practically screamed for more the moment it touched my lips! ð
I sure got in my exercise before isolation started, went for lots of runs including this beautiful one along the canal. Not a cloud in the sky and the geese were in a very friendly mood, walking right along past me before launching themselves back into the water.
And now, with my body aching (from running) and my heart aching (for Dave), I’m laying low for the rest of the week until my flight on Friday. I can’t even put into words how much I’m looking forward to seeing my boyfriend, I miss him so much. My Christmas trip was two months ago already and it feels like time has flown by, although it’s typical that time is going soooo slowwww this week ð Roll on Friday!
