Change – Poem

My colleague was walking to work and passed by a poetry noticeboard where people can put up their poetry. It can be found where Chepstow road meets Portobello road. She took a photo of a poem on her Blackberry for me and I thought it would be a great poem to share – especially as we are nearing the new year. Enjoy!

We change our lives

And change our minds

We change our feelings

And change the times.

A change can be

A short term thing,

Or a change can be forever.

I don’t think there’s anything

Wrong in changing,

To try and be somebody better.

But I think with change

Comes a lot of blame.

A lot of courage,

But a lot of pain.

Afraid to be someone

Who’s always the same.

Boring, plain,

Predictable, mundane.

I think a change is a push

To help you move on.

Whether it’s what you want

Or life’s gone wrong.

Coz change is what keeps us going

To strive for something more.

We spend a lifetime asking questions

That we have no answers for.

A change can be a make or break,

A risk to take, or a big mistake!

But who cares anyway?

If the change wasn’t what you saw,

The beauty of change is that

You can change back-

To the Life you had before – Chang

Falling in Love with Notting Hill…again

For some strange reason I always end coming back to Notting Hill. I have made and sold jewellery in Portobello market, worked for a lifestyle company called Unlisted London just off Kensal rise, worked at clothing exhibitions such as The Fashion Box Sample Sale, which was recently held at Westbourne Studios, the list goes on and it all streams back to Notting Hill. And now I am back again – at Notting Hill Properties. It just highlights the diversity of culture, events and businesses in this small but electric part of town. Never a dull moment even when I am walking to work I see such a mix of people that work and live in the area. From the residents that have been here for decades, this is home to them, they live, breath and create the vibe that makes Notting Hill a worthy place to live in, to the tourists that feed off the cool London vibe and bring diversity and vibrancy to this place. And then you have those that have just moved into the area that instantly become enthusiastic about their new found home. It attracts a mix of people, whether working, living or just visiting, that will fall in love with the area and let it become part of their London life. Well it has done that to me – I just can’t seem to get away. On starting my new job I was told we would be moving office and my heart dropped. It must of showed cause it was followed quickly by a “don’t worry were only going round the corner”. Phew…so I am here to stay in my beloved Notting Hill and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

~~~Festival of the Week~~~

It’s Notting Hill Carnival!  At the risk of being redundant with our earlier post, we would be remiss not to comment on this grand fete going into the weekend of its occurrence.  This is just one of those events that makes me give a double-take to the Notting Hill neighbourhood.  Just when you might fear it will become too gentrified to appease tourists, its diverse background rears its head and strikes out with a lashing of eccentric, multicultural festivities to remind us of the Caribbean demographic that once dominated these streets and celebrate the general joy and debauchery of life.  This is a time when Notting Hill really lets its hair down and decks itself out in color and glitter, entertaining the masses with vibrant costumes and ethnic music and cuisine.  Sunday is Kid’s Day, which will appeal to you if you’re looking for a lower-key experience of Carnival; otherwise, if you’re ready to swim in the sea of parade-watchers, mark down the bank holiday Monday in your diary.

If you come to the area this weekend, commit to the Carnival experience–your other favourite shops and eateries will likely be closed if not boarded up to brace against the onslaught.  Cheers to those of you moving to the neighbourhood this week–what better way to kick off your new tenancy!  If you’re looking to move to the area after things settle down a bit and you can actually view the buildings, Notting Hill Properties will have braved the eclectic storm and still be here for your call!

Deli Delights

Deli recommendation for the day:  Mr. Christian’s Delicatessen.  We’ve been following this lil’ establishment on Twitter, and its delectable daily tweets finally broke me down today.  You temptress!  But I’m glad I submitted to its Siren song, as it brought a goat’s cheese, artichoke, sundried tomato, and rocket sandwich on a poppyseed bun to my lips this afternoon.  Sweet temptation!  They can also brew a fine cappuccino, which is not helping me get over my caffeine addiction that makes me crave it fortnightly…In any case, make your way over to the deli at 11 Elgin Crescent just off Portobello Road (you’ll see the Duke of Wellington right on that corner).  It makes for a pleasant afternoon stroll, and you’ll have more than just an array of prepared sandwiches out for the purchasing–fresh breads, pastries, meats, and a long wall of packaged foods and sauces stocking its floor-to-ceiling shelves will satiate any appetite, any day.  Notting Hill Properties can situate you near the deliciousness–give us a ring!