It has been a busy old summer. For two whole years I have socialised very little because of the pandemic, and apparently some risk assessment switch in my brain has now tripped over into "I feel good about meeting people", so I spent the last few months visiting many people and doing many things. Shows! Theatre! Exhibitions! Trains! Restaurants! I am feeling very exhausted after it all, but it was good to get out and about and finally see people again.
I will end this post with some photos I have taken on my travels, including trips to visit Isla in York and Jane in Lancashire. For now though, I need to share the traditional photos of presents from my recent birthday.
A good selection of birthday cards!
Look at the card my parents got me! I had no idea you could get "What We Do in the Shadows" cards! I am delighted.
Also a highlight is this cute little birthday dog drawn by Rene.
I asked my parents to buy me a new storage container and I got this one, which turned up filled with biscuits. They're the ginger oaty biscuits my Mum always used to make when I was a child, and they are full of nostalgia and delicious to boot.
Other food and kitchen gifts. I am trying to wean myself off of clingfilm, so my parents got me some clips and silicone lids which should come in very handy. Mariya sent me lots of Japanese sweets, including delicious pistachio chocolate, delicious mandarin mochi, and some kind of "beauty" sweets (which I haven't tried yet but which I am hoping are also delicious).
Toiletries and things, including a Yatterman sheet mask from Mariya, a lens cleaning cloth from my parents and a huge box of bath bombs from Asia. I have used one bath bomb so far. It was in the shape of a cupcake, turned the bath water lime green and has stained the bottom of the bathtub blue; it was so much fun, I have zero regrets.
Other presents, including a cute cat cactus (catctus?) bag from Mariya. She also got me the most gorgeous notebook. I want to use the notebook but I am scared that anything I write in there will turn into a magic wish which will haunt me. The blue pens write beautifully, though, so, yes, I might end up cursed but the process of writing out said curse for myself will be fun.
Finally, on request my parents got me a new DVD player to replace my old one, which was about 20 years old and beginning to complain about playing DVDs. DVD players are so small nowadays! I am impressed with all the extra space I have on my TV stand.
It was a lovely birthday and a lovely summer (if, on occasion, too hot; please, why are we going over 40C?) As promised, here are some photos from my adventures.
