the Regatta season has begun

Everywhere in town you can feel this sense of preparation and excitement building up. The streets, cafes and shops are becoming more crowded and more international by the day. People from all over the world are flocking into Henley to either take part in the competition themselves, cheer on loved ones or to simply enjoy the show. And this feeling is contagious! I mean, before I came here I'd hardly even heard of the Regatta... and now I'm just as curios and excited as the rest of them. :)
I guess, its one of those things that is only really a big deal if you move in those circles or if you happen to live or work in Henley. Two of my co-workers actually came to Henley for the purpose of rowing and more precisely of rowing at the world renowned Leander Club. Both of them will be competing this year. So cool! Gives us the inside scoop! :)

Apart from the Regatta I am afraid there isnt a whole lot else goin on in Henley. Saturday night we went to check out the local "club". Which isnt really a club at all. You see, once a week, on Saturday night one of the hotels here turns their entire first floor (ground floor for my European friends) into one big club with DJ and dancefloor... very entertaining I can tell you that! All in all it was actually quite a good night, if you dont take into account a slight falling out i had with one of my male colleagues. :)

This Thursday I had a special treat. I attended ROYAL ASCOT!!! That one I've heard of before! :) and to make it even more special. This year Royal Ascot is celebrating it's TRECENTENNIAL!! 300 years! And as one of my fellow on-watchers noticed I even got to witness it with the traditional English weather. :o) rain, rain, a little sunshine, rain, rain, some more sunshine, followed by even more rain. The only thing missing was the HAT. I'll get one for next time...

it's almost 10pm over here, which means its about time to start the End Of Day and then i can finally go home (which incidentally is a 2 minute walk, down the corridor and out to the courtyard into the annex building) in 62 more minutes.
xoxo,
Hanna

for a special friend

This song goes out to a very dear friend of mine. I hope this blesses, encourages and strengthens you tonight. I wish with all my heart that I could be there with you, hold you, cry with you, pray with you. But since I can not I trust that OUR FATHER will do His BEST:

The light at the end has faded away
One terror after another
Somewhere in the fire
The embers of faith
Will burn through tomorrow
You're breathing

It's worth the pain
God's in the rain
It's not too late to start again
It's worth the pain
So hold on tonight

Your passionate eyes try to explain
All the blindness you're feeling
The six feet of lies exposed in His fire
Resurrecting your sunrise
You're breathing

There's grace
When you're at your wit's end
Begging for it
He'll take you by the hand
There's grace...

love you lots, my dear friend
Hanna