Shwarma and Beer

1. A surprising and wonderful turn out at my "Drinks in London" do this evening. Is always hard to juggle and manage to really catch up with friends while on such a brief trip, but it's seems like it is a) appreciated, and b) worthwhile to at least skim the surface of what people are up to and when they're going to make aliya! Well, for some..
2. I live in the country of kosher meat and shwarma on every doorstep. However, chips, vinegar and a lemonade shwarma still has a special ring to it, especially if it's on a rainy day in Hendon. Even better if it can be accompanied by good company and watching the Olympics.. which brings me on to..
3. Usain Bolt. What a pleasure to watch!
4. Am extending to four items today; midnight tea with the doctor. There are people you can pick up with anywhere, any time and about pretty much anything. It's the best reason for visiting London.
   

Long Absences and Overdose of Family

Have been in England for a while, and before that was in Denmark, which all gave me a lot to write about but want to stick to the brief; three things that were great today.

1. Hearing the soldiers outside Buckingham Palace play Dancing Queen by Abba. Who says they have no irony!?

2. Being a proper girlie aunt to my nieces and straightening their hair. Hearing them say, "Don't say you're not good at this!" GHDs! I'm crap at hair, just great at spending money on good products. Actually, this counts for today as well as for the whole week; watching my many many nieces and nephews getting on with one another, and yes, as cheesy as it sounds, watching my parents gain great pleasure from it. That was good too..

3. This conversation has been waiting to happen for a really long time. The one where I try to academically, objectively debate with my brother about his chareidi lifestyle and how it fits in, or rather doesn't fit in with the rest of Israeli society. Glad to have finally broached it, even though it was annoying and I don't feel any easier about his choices. But then, they are *his* choices...