Welcome to the very last day of 2009.  🙂  2009 was a really good year for me overall – I got married, signed a book deal, and continued to live my life in a way that keeps me happy and healthy.  Sure, there were some bad moments in 2009, but the up’s far outweighed the bad’s.

 

Here’s to hoping 2010 is just as good!

 

Have you made your resolutions yet?  I love resolutions – here’s my 2010 resolutions and a few tips on how to achieve yours.   Secret preview of my tips:  Don’t start your resolution on January 1 – wait until January 10! I swear it works!  🙂

 

OK, back to last night…

 

We had an AMAZING night at the Manchester United v. Wigan Athletic match!

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The Husband has been obsessed with Manchester United since he was a child, but he’s never been able to go to a game.  He was SO excited to go see his team play that we got there almost two hours early!

 

I think we were part of the first 1,000 people out of 76,000 to show up!

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It was really cool to see the famous Old Trafford stadium in real life.

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I liked to watch the players warm up.  They are SO athletic looking – not at all like American football offensive linemen.  And their warm-up activities were INTENSE!

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Other different things about football in Europe:

 

  • No advertisements in the stadium, with the exception of a few Budweiser ads and a Nike swoosh.
  • No big screen TVs!
  • No music – the audience chanting was enough.
  • The game seemed short – only 90 minutes (compared to our 4 hours!).
  • The male to female ratio was intense (like 80 to 20!) and as a result, there was twice as many men toilets!
  • They didn’t take credit cards, only cash! And there were no ATMs, which mean we didn’t have enough cash for hot drinks.

 

We did grab “chips” before entering the game:

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I froze my BUTT off at the game, but it was well worth it to see our team play!

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Once in a life time experience, truly.  🙂 Oh, and Manchester United won the game, 5 to 0, and we got to see TONS of goals in our corner!

 

After the game, I was so frozen stiff from siting outside in the cold.  We rushed to a quick Thai/Chinese place called Tampopo:

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We took our beer…

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And Pad Thai…

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…Back to the hotel room.  I drew a hot bath and ate my food and beer in the bathtub! It was delightful and I felt so recharged after.

 

The Husband ate his in bed:

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Haha!

 

We are taking the train back to London today and going to the clubs!  You know how I roll.  🙂  Hopefully, I’ll be able to get a run in before we go out tonight.  See you later!

 

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?

{ 43 comments }

 

  • Sam December 31, 2009, 5:41 am

    I’ll be in London tonight too! Are you going to watch the fireworks by the river? Where abouts in the city are you going out?

    • caitlin December 31, 2009, 9:28 am

      we are going to bloomsbury bowling! you?

  • The Hot and Fit December 31, 2009, 6:24 am

    Oh so much fun!!!

    I’ll be partying in the city – I bet London will be much funner, though!!!

    Happy New Year

  • Miz December 31, 2009, 6:26 am

    you two are so freakin cute. I lived in england for a year two different times…LOVELOVELOVED IT.

  • Jess (Fit Chick in the City) December 31, 2009, 6:50 am

    Looks like you guys are having a great vacation!
    Heading out to PA to visit my MIL. Will probably be asleep before midnight. =)

  • Nicole - Geek Turned Athlete December 31, 2009, 7:13 am

    That is one thing that I dislike about Europe- having to carry cash around everywhere! Things are not as convenient here as they are the states as you are finding out! It really makes you more thankful for the U.S. At least it does for me! Although, I think the cheese and wine is a lot better in Europe! Have fun tonight!

  • Lisa December 31, 2009, 7:16 am

    hahaha we are being completely boring as we have to be up at 4am to catch a train to the ski fields!
    Hope you have a great night!

  • Sammi December 31, 2009, 7:44 am

    That looks like so much fun! I love that you took a picture of the Husband eating in bed!

    My new years eve plans? going to sleep early so I will be well rested for my first 10k tomorrow! 🙂

  • Good Taste. Healthy Me December 31, 2009, 7:50 am

    You and your husband are just the cutest!!

    No new years eve plans this year! It actually just kinda snuck up on us. We might have a movie marathon or something. I have no clue! lol

  • Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life December 31, 2009, 7:55 am

    Looks like you had a great time! The husband and I are having my best friend and her fiancee over to ring in the New Year. Very low key and hopefully a bunch of fun!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) December 31, 2009, 7:59 am

    Looks like so much fun! Glad you guys got to experience it. That sucks they don’t take credit cards, but it looks like you found a way to get a full belly and warm up! Have a safe trip back to London!

  • rungirlrunn December 31, 2009, 8:00 am

    What a great experience!! Hope you have a great New Year’s abroad! My plans are visiting family and then friends, and trying to get to bed early enough to be rested for my 5k in the AM!

  • Carolyn December 31, 2009, 8:08 am

    London on New Years Eve!? SO awesome! 🙂

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is December 31, 2009, 8:28 am

    I love pad thai…yum. Have a great day!! 🙂

  • JAG December 31, 2009, 8:39 am

    I just showed my mum your blog as she is a massive Man Utd fan and she was so jealous that you got tickets to go! It looks like you had a fab time and enjoyed it.

    Enjoy London!

  • Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story December 31, 2009, 9:00 am

    Great pictures! I love that you ate and drank your beer in the bathtub…that, my dear, sounds fantastic and something that should be done once weekly “just because!”. 🙂

    We are hosting our friends for game night. That way we aren’t out in the bad weather (rainy in NC tonight and tomorrow) and if anyone indulges in too much booze, no one has to drive. Nice, laid back and inexpensive. I’m really looking forward to it. 🙂

    Happy New Year!!! Thanks for all of your inspiration and motivation in 2009! 🙂

  • Matt December 31, 2009, 9:11 am

    Glad you had fun at the game 🙂

    My New Years plans are far from exciting. I am going out to dinner with the family to a nice steakhouse and then I am just chilling with my friend.

  • Madison December 31, 2009, 9:24 am

    Your Man U scarf is so sweet! Those things are sold EVERYWHERE in Europe! Fun, fun! Best of luck in 2010! 🙂

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 31, 2009, 9:36 am

    lol– that wallpaper behind your hub cracks me up. Looks like a great time!

    Have a great New Year’s Eve, Caitlin!!!

  • Madeline @ GreensAndJeans December 31, 2009, 9:38 am

    I love your little jacket Caitlin! I hope you and your hubs have a very happy and safe New Year! You’ll be ringing it in before most of us!

  • Katy @ These Beautiful Feet December 31, 2009, 9:42 am

    So fun! A bunch of friends of mine spent New Years Eve in London last year. I here it’s crazy! Have the best time. 🙂

  • Christy December 31, 2009, 9:51 am

    Looks like sooo much fun!

  • Lee December 31, 2009, 10:02 am

    I think that waiting until Jan 10 to begin your resolutions is a great idea. Kind of gives time to ease back into normal, non-holiday life.

    Have a great NYE.

  • Chloe December 31, 2009, 10:08 am

    Caitin – Kristian has a double/twin!!

    I saw him today on the outskirts of Manchester, standing outside a pub on his phone – I was stuck at a red light so had a good look at him. I had already read this post this morning so knew you guys were on the train to London, so it couldn’t possibly be him. If not, I would have stopped to say hello… He was identical – same hair (style & colour), exact same beard, same face EXACTLY, same smile…everything! Same age, same style of clothes etc etc! Crazy world!!!

    Happy New Year’s Eve! x

    • caitlin December 31, 2009, 12:46 pm

      hahaha! my hubby’s twin!

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) December 31, 2009, 10:19 am

    It looks like you’re having so much fun 🙂
    But if they call fries “chips” then what do they call actual chips?

    • caitlin December 31, 2009, 1:07 pm

      we call chips “crisps” (from hus)

      • Eliza December 31, 2009, 4:34 pm

        Haha, and in Australia, they’re both called chips. Hot chips or chips. Never fries or crisps. That could get confusing for non Australians

  • Nicole December 31, 2009, 10:25 am

    Awesome recap! I’m glad Man U won!! Did you learn the chants?
    Have fun tonight and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

  • Lindsey @ Eat, Read, Run December 31, 2009, 10:30 am

    Looks like a good time. No rowdy fights at your game? The game I went to must have been a heated rivalry or something. Wish I could remember who played. I agree with the ratio. My friend and I were defintiely outnumbered drastically when we went as well.

  • Emily December 31, 2009, 10:32 am

    Looks like so much fun!

    Happy New Year!

  • ashleigh December 31, 2009, 10:35 am

    Your trip looks like you are having so much fun! Thanks for bringing us along with you. Have a happy new year London style!

  • Kalli December 31, 2009, 10:37 am

    Love the pic of your hub in bed eating! So cute!

  • Christina December 31, 2009, 10:39 am

    This trip looks like so much fun, and I love how little advertisements they have there – the amount of them in American stadiums bothers me so much!

    Have a great New Year!

  • La December 31, 2009, 10:44 am

    Singha beer! I spent two months in Thailand over the summer and we drank Singha all the time! Ahhhhh best food months of my life.
    Your trip looks awesome!

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen December 31, 2009, 11:01 am

    Wow a cool opportunity for your husband to go see his favorite team for the first time with his beautiful wife 🙂 I’m sure that was way better than getting to go as a kiddo!

    We’re just hanging out at my parent’s house, but I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the evening!

  • Penny December 31, 2009, 11:02 am

    You ate your Pad Thai in the bathtub?!?! Awesome that certainly is. 🙂

  • Carolina John December 31, 2009, 11:49 am

    they actually showed some highlights of the game on sportscenter this morning, and it made me think about you guys. have fun!

  • Jenny December 31, 2009, 2:38 pm

    I like the fact that the games seem shorter! One of my downfalls when it comes to being a dedicated American football fan is the fact that games are so dang long!

    I love that you guys enjoyed a cozy dinner in your own relaxing ways! So fun 🙂

  • Jenna December 31, 2009, 5:04 pm

    Glad u had a great night!!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 3, 2010, 9:52 am

    I spent New Years eve in the Dominican Republic … I am still there, and will be home on Tuesday.

  • Kate March 17, 2010, 1:36 pm

    It’s so nice to see fellow soccer fans! My bf is OBSESSED with Chelsea! We would love to take a trip to London to go see them! Or whenever they are in the states. We watched that Man U game on TV. How exciting to actually be there. Glad you had a great time! I love soccer players. 😉

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