Time Out

I recently took a time out from being Mama.  It was time I definitely needed to refresh and recharge, and to remember what life was like before having children.  My adventure started with a flight to London Heathrow, then a train to Paddington, then a car ride through the countryside of England.  Wouldn't you know travel is so much easier without carseats and strollers.  My first two nights were spent at an incredible place in Somerset called Babington House where I was reunited with some of my best high school friends (we shared a boarding school experience that bonded us for life).  Jet lag really worked in my favor considering California was 8 hours behind England - this meant I rallied the troops into a late night in the lovely bar and drank two of the local boys under the table (okay it hit me hard the next day that I probably shouldn't have ended my night with those two zambucca drinks).  I was free from responsibility and made the most of every minute.

My second day in England was my good friend's wedding and it was incredible.  What a gorgeous couple, beautiful family and friends, and an incredible setting.  I was giddy with all the love.  We all had another late night, dancing the hours away and enjoying quite a party.  Some people might think that going to weddings would be wierd for someone going through separation, but I have to tell you I find great comfort in seeing the strength of love and the hopefulness of new unions forming.  I love weddings and marriage and saw first hand in this particular union two people who lift each other up, each making the other a better person.  Coming home from this wedding I realized this to be my definition of success in a relationship - when two people together equal far greater a sum than the value of each individual alone. 

I spent a total of 6 days in England and had a really fantastic time away.  Here are some fun facts that I took away from my "time out:"

• Being hung over is not so bad when you don't have kids to care for
• I really like to dance
• Sitting around with friends talking for hours into the night is so much fun
• Claw footed tubs set in bathrooms of marble are very luxurious
• The exchange rate on the Pound is depressing
• Telling someone you aren't wearing "pants" (ie, you are wearing a skirt instead) actually means something quite naughty (think Britney Spears on TMZ)
• I enjoy English accents

Since I didn't take photos of myself in front of famous London monuments, I leave you with these images of very English things: