Comments (0) Less than 10 hours until my flight back to the states. I went to a BBQ tonight and basically everyone I’ve known in London was there. It was tougher than I expected to say goodbye, but it was really nice to see everyone in one place (that wasn’t The Castle), ha. Walking down in Angel Tube station on my way home, the busker was playing “Bittersweet Symphony.” Surreal music moment? Yes.
I hope my baggage makes weight.
A few things I’ve come to appreciate in London:
1. Phone calls and texts: Every text, every call is like an affirmation! You feel good that people are actually willing to pay upwards of 20 cents a minute/text to speak to YOU.
2. Solid deodorant: Solid roll-on is vastly superior to liquid roll-on.
3. American television/movies: This one comes with a little bit of shame, as I must admit that Gossip Girl has been a constant companion while abroad. Other favorites of the year are movies Stranger Than Fiction and Something’s Gotta Give.
4. Reading: Who woulda’ thunk? Semi-notorious as a non-reader among friends, I actually had time to read for pleasure here in London. Favorite reads of the year? Giovanni’s Room and The World According to Garp (re-read).
5. Podcasts: The “commute” to school had a large role in my slow but steady addiction to podcasts. Favorites include the Savage Love Podcast and NPR’s Bryant Park Project.
6. Buses: Much more enjoyable than the tube, the bus is a scenic and usually pleasant journey from Point A to B with unlimited people/things to stare at along the way.
7. Google Reader: This blog aggregator is my own personal newspaper each day.
8. Tea: I became a tea-drinker due to laziness (the preparation of coffee is slightly more labor intensive) and budget constraints, but I continue to drink tea for its own merits.
9. Pubs: Relaxing, social, and often ornate in decor.
10. Pounds sterling: No, not the exchange rate. I’m particularly fond of the pound coins.
11. Local music: “You know that band you read about on that blog?” -”Yeah… they’re playing at Rough Trades. I’m seeing them for free.”
12. Free time: Do anything you want. Anytime you want. All the time.
Alright. One more to go!
The weather is amaaazzzing here in London. There’s a little breeze and it’s sunny, so I’m busting out the Rainbow sandals and Ray Bans (does that make me a brand whore?). London has really come alive with the great weather. I took the bus home from The Castle today and people were out in swarms walking home or to the tube from work. The after-work pub crowd was spilling out onto the sidewalks pints in hand on every street. Soooo nice. One thing, among many, that I will miss about London is this casual attitude toward alcohol. People enjoy the beer. They have a conversation over a pint or two, whether it be at noon or nine. It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling to see everyone so relaxed and happy on a Wednesday afternoon.
Then… I opened the London Paper. Newly elected Mayor Boris Johnson has announced an alcohol ban on the Tube, bus, tram, and train in an effort to reduce “small crime,” which he says will reduce “large crime.” God damn. This is infringement on the culture that I have come to love about London! Unless they can stop drunk people from using the tube or bus, they can’t prevent the type of crime that they’re targeting. In my experience, the passengers drinking on the tube are having their Stella like a cup of coffee: casually sipping while reading the London Lite. They are not behaving aggressively or violently.
I suppose that in time, we’ll see if the booze ban leads to any positive results. But until June 1st, find me sipping a Kronenbourg on the Northern Line with the other sexy people, haha.
Living on a tight schedule of school and work is a tough adjustment following 6 weeks of flying by the seat of my pants. It’s not so much that I have a lot of classes or lectures… I don’t. It’s just that the sense of urgency and anxiety about revision is creeping up and days are just going by. Combined with the impending doom of exams, I really want to savor this last month and a half in London by hanging out with people who I potentially will never see again for the rest of my life. That’s dramatic, yes, but also a real possibility. I haven’t seen some high school friends for a few years because we’re on different coasts. Different continents could prove an even greater obstacle.
That’s all gloom and doom, I know, but I’ve been almost all smiles since coming back to London. I returned to work today for the first time in 2 months and was unfortunately greeted by a notification that I need to have over 100 pounds deducted from my salary for running a credit note incorrectly through the system almost 3 months ago. Yes, I am pissed. And no, I have no real idea how to accept a credit note at the till. And that’s why, as a part-timer (and an irregular part-timer at that), I always ask someone else to do it for me. And now… here I am in the red and owing the damn company money. So for the next three days I work, I am paying off debt. Bollocks, as they say. Bollocks, bollocks, bollocks.
Still, the day turned out to be good. Selling spring merch is far from the hassle of eager ski-loving shoppers. I could relax a little bit more and have fun with co-workers. Anyways, work again tomorrow. Afterwards, I’m heading to Waterloo with an LSE climber/co-worker (yes, my two worlds merge) to check out the Cans Festival. It’s a street artist exhibition featuring Banksy and other artists. Oooh, I walked by one of Banksy’s newest pieces (shown above) the other day while walking to a friend’s flat on Essex Road… cool stuff.
Another thing. I’ve learned that in situations where you can grin and bear it OR complain, you should always complain. When my showers were perpetually lukewarm, I just accepted it and took cold showers. Then I complained and I had warm water. But still, my water pressure, even water volume, was sub-par. Only now with a month and a half left did I complain. And now I have amazing water volume. You can actually hear water running now when I take a shower. Soooo glorious. Lesson learned: complain. Always complain. Haha.
Alright. That’s all for now. Take care everybody.
I am nearing real personhood. I opened my own bank account and started a mobile phone contract all by myself (but with some parental consultation). Those small accomplishments make me feel like I can survive out here by myself.
I’m not sure who knows this, but I’ll be staying in the UK over Christmas break doing… something. Most people have had really surprised reactions to this seeming sentence of loneliness and homesickness. Don’t worry, everyone. I’ll be fine. I’m working 20 hours a week now and it may increase to 40 over the term break, which will keep me busy. I am still considering going on the climbing trip to Morocco, although I’m not sure if my skill level is up to par yet. Also, I’m up for some winter exploring.
Ok, once again, I’m blogging on my lunch break. I have to go now. So perhaps a more thorough recap later.
I can shampoo, rinse, and pee all at once! All in my tiny bathroom cubicle. When I first turned on the water, I thought, “Maybe this shower curtain will work.” No. The water was basically going into the toilet, so I had to put the seat down. The mysterious water stains outside the bathroom door are no longer mysterious: they’re from water leakage, which short showers will hopefully limit.
I’m a little overwhelmed by moving to London, mostly because I don’t have everything all under control. I’ve blown a fuse twice now, despite following directions on the pamphlet, etc. I give up on that, because I can’t bear to hear the fateful *POP* again and have to walk down and ask them to reset it. Having an aunt who lives here and my mom to help me are immeasurable luxuries. A car. Amen. People to buy me toilet paper and dinner? Oh. my. god. At least I can speak English. I’ve already been frustrated with the LSE housing staff not knowing how to help me with plugs, the internet, etc. Thank God I have the internet right now or I would be flipping out. The internet is my comfort, my connection to the world and my former life. I have only had 2 hours of sleep in the past 24 hours and I need rest. It’s 8:45PM London time. Did I mention that my room overlooks the entrance to The Atlas, the on-site student pub? I hear the dull hum of conversation.
I’ve met no one here so far, but I don’t care. I was too tired to make a good first impression and I’m feeling good about going to sleep. First entry complete. I’m a bit frantic about meeting up with other Georgetown LSE people and man, I wish I was in High Holborn Hall with Jared and JP.
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