On my way home today from work (yes, I know!!!!), I had the most stupid smile on my face. Because standing in a crowded tube, watching the stops roll by on my way to the NorthWest of London, and thinking about the exhausting day I had had, I could not have been happier. I was just smiling - thinking how exactly one year ago, this is not what I imagined for myself. I knew I wanted to be in London, I knew what I wanted - and now I have it. And I am genuinely, supremely happy. I feel so happy, so at home and yet thrilled with the newness and sheer oddity of it all. It is such a blast and so hard to describe but it really is the most wonderful thing in the world! And I so want to share it with all my friends.......
Without you guys, who knows where I would be but I am definitely thankful that I have you, super sad that I am not sure when next I'll be in the States but keeping my fingers crossed for Christmas time. Anyways, let me tell you about the new job. It is wonderful and I love that even though it is almost exactly like what I was doing before, I get to go home at 5:30 and stop thinking about it (they have this thing where the day actually starts around 9:30-tenish)! The people are fantastic and so friendly - plus, it is nice to argue about some academic question or the other, and the next be talking about plans for an afterwork drink or birthday celebration. Plus, with so many people from all over and so many disciplines, it really is challenging without being too overwhelming. I am loving it so much and I definitely made a good choice - the way everyone's been treating me like part of the family already, I am almost willing to believe it! smile....
Since my aunt has been away, I have also been camped out at my cousin's - doing the odd babysitting job or else helping them to organise the new house. But they leave for a bit of a holiday this week, so I am looking to fill my weekends with a little bit more fun with folks my own age. Which is perfect timing since the best bud comes into town next week and I get to have her smuggle in all the American things I can't find here (like Reese's peanut butter cups and pancake mix - seriously, they sell ready made pancakes in the supermarket bakery aisle but no pancake mix! It really is a bit odd). Plus, with the fantastic exchange rate, I may just keep all of my shopping for when I am over in America or when I can have someone bring in a couple things.
I am also loving the weather - don't think there has been one day in the eighties since I got here which makes for a really pleasant summer in my books - just pop open the window and chill, which is fabulous. I also have not really seen too much rain though I am sure I am bound to at some point or another, but that can hold off for now. I am quite happy with London, even when it is a bit windy, chilly for a summer day, and grey. It still feels like home to me, somewhere I am going to be for a very long time.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Settling In
So, I have been spending the last week before I am off to work (I know, a nine to five - scary, right?) hanging out with my cousins and helping them move from Brighton to Brixton. So, on Friday evening, I went down to Brighton via the National Rail (love it) and we had dinner right on the seaside at this great little restaurant. Hung out with them for the rest of the weekend - we went and strolled through Brighton on Saturday afternoon and then had a picnic on the beach on Sunday with some of their friends (which was fun but windy and I was not prepared for that type of weather - though it was great fun trying to fly a ginormous kite!). Went home via National Rail Sunday afternoon which was what everyone was doing it seems and got home to relax for a bit.
Monday I finally heard from the HR with a firm offer or at least, more details about the salary and I am quite happy with the proposed amount. It is enough to go looking for a place in a nice area of London and still have a little something for bills, savings, and going out. And travelling - looking forward to exploring the rest of the country and Europe. So, they asked me to come in and start next Monday (i.e. the 10th of September) and I had to wrangle some things - like a National Insurance number (think social security). Luckily, I got an appointment for nine o'clock the next morning. Not so luckily: the tube workers decided to strike that day for about three days. So, I had to find my way to the south-west of London (way way SW) by two different buses and then two seperate DRL trains. Did it but I left my house at six-thirty in the morning and still could not make it there for nine a.m. appointment. Got there, had an hour long interview, and then was free to while the time away.
Decided to go help the cousins again as they had moved into the London house but luckily, my cousin Rea was able to grab me from Heathrow (closest point we could both get to easily) and then I helped with the unpacking etc. Not surprisingly, since the tube strike was raging strong, got stuck in London with out planning to be stuck there but it was fine to "rough" it. Went home Wednesday evening, spent the night there, and then came back to the cousin's house to help some more - where I have been for the last two days putting my organizational skills to use and bumming some wireless webbing (yes, this is how you finally hear from me!).
I am excited about starting Monday and I think that I will be able to rock the job - I love the job and where it is located and I really think the group seems made up of good people - always a plus to have good colleagues surrounding you. Plus, I am going to be in London! So weird to think that just a year ago things were so different. Yes, I knew even then that I was planning to be living here at this time, but I really did it despite all the setbacks and all the things that have happened in the last year or so. And I am still looking ahead - I want my own apartment in the city by early November; I really would like to go back to Miami with the family in December and I really want my doggie to be here. I miss her so much - I miss also having a reason to be out morning, noon, and night. Much love and more later.
Monday I finally heard from the HR with a firm offer or at least, more details about the salary and I am quite happy with the proposed amount. It is enough to go looking for a place in a nice area of London and still have a little something for bills, savings, and going out. And travelling - looking forward to exploring the rest of the country and Europe. So, they asked me to come in and start next Monday (i.e. the 10th of September) and I had to wrangle some things - like a National Insurance number (think social security). Luckily, I got an appointment for nine o'clock the next morning. Not so luckily: the tube workers decided to strike that day for about three days. So, I had to find my way to the south-west of London (way way SW) by two different buses and then two seperate DRL trains. Did it but I left my house at six-thirty in the morning and still could not make it there for nine a.m. appointment. Got there, had an hour long interview, and then was free to while the time away.
Decided to go help the cousins again as they had moved into the London house but luckily, my cousin Rea was able to grab me from Heathrow (closest point we could both get to easily) and then I helped with the unpacking etc. Not surprisingly, since the tube strike was raging strong, got stuck in London with out planning to be stuck there but it was fine to "rough" it. Went home Wednesday evening, spent the night there, and then came back to the cousin's house to help some more - where I have been for the last two days putting my organizational skills to use and bumming some wireless webbing (yes, this is how you finally hear from me!).
I am excited about starting Monday and I think that I will be able to rock the job - I love the job and where it is located and I really think the group seems made up of good people - always a plus to have good colleagues surrounding you. Plus, I am going to be in London! So weird to think that just a year ago things were so different. Yes, I knew even then that I was planning to be living here at this time, but I really did it despite all the setbacks and all the things that have happened in the last year or so. And I am still looking ahead - I want my own apartment in the city by early November; I really would like to go back to Miami with the family in December and I really want my doggie to be here. I miss her so much - I miss also having a reason to be out morning, noon, and night. Much love and more later.
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