Dear diary

I’ve decided to quit ranting for a while and use my blog as more of a diary. That way I don’t have to email people with updates (like you really want to read them!).

The weather has gotten very cold now and everyone is wrapped up against the elements. The wind here is awful and it really hits you when you go outside. There’s no room for fashion in this City in the winter – its wear as many layers as possible and forget about looking good. New York is nowhere near as stylish London and there’s a dearth of good cheap shops like Top Shop, New Look and of course, Primark.

Last week I became an Aunt for the first time. My brother and his girlfriend had a baby boy. He’s been a bit poorly with an infection and jaundice but hopefully he will be out of hospital soon. Sadly he looks just like my brother did as a baby, resplendent with red hair and a screwed up face ;) I also turned 35 which was very depressing. I’ll have to start ticking the 35-39 box on surveys etc. Oh well. Rahul keeps calling me an old woman.

About four weeks ago I managed to pull a muscle in my back which was not pleasant. Because I am an idiot and desperate to get rid of the muffin top I carried on working out until I realised that I was in quite a lot of pain. Two visits to the Doctor, four injections and 13 pills a day for seven days later I am feeling much better. It cost $500 but at least we are insured. I miss the NHS. I have no idea what you would do if you were poor and had no insurance in this country. It’s a shocking system. The Doctor prescribed Valium because it’s a muscle relaxant so I spent last week completely zonked. I have no idea how people get addicted to that stuff its bloody horrible!

We’ve had a few visitors over the last couple of weeks and have eaten out a lot. I really need to go on a health kick. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to go back to the gym in the New Year. We’re going skiing next week and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to do that – Rahul is not hopeful.

New York is really in the swing of Christmas now and the shopping areas are dreadful. I can’t for all the Europeans to go home – they are doing my head in! Lord knows how they all get through customs, some of them have so much stuff they can’t carry it!

I’ve just started working for Wango and its really interesting work. It certainly beats sitting at home. There’s also a possibility that I might start working in a Thrift shop which benefits the homeless. I’ve also bought a swanky new digital SLR camera. I have no idea how to use it but I’m reading through the manual and will be a pro in no time (!). I’ll start putting my images on Snapfish so you can all have a look.

On Thursday we’re going to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall which is going to be sooooo tacky and on Saturday we’re going to see the Knicks (basketball) play which should be good.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a great 2007!