I don't mind it when it rains. (Good thing too, living in this sunny city and all.)
Seriously though, it's quite relaxing. Everything seems fresh, relaxed, peaceful - at least when you're sitting inside and away from it all.
What I do need to invest in? A decent umbrella!
I've gone through about three since getting here. On arrival, Jase had brought me a compact sized one; unfortunately, it quite literally blew inside out the first time I took it out in the rain. Since then, I've bought a few more, and they've all ended up in the bin.
We do have a big giant cane of an umbrella, except I feel like a grandma when I use it.
What I need, is a small umbrella that is light and easy to shove into my handbag, and that won't blow to smithereens the second the wind blows. It's got to be cheap (hey, I'm saving for shopping in the USA!) and even better, it has to be pretty.
Suggestions?
So our lease in this flat is going to be up in a few months; in actual fact, since it's been over six months since Jase first moved in, we can give our notice period anytime now really. I adore our flat, but if there was an option to move somewhere closer to work/the city and in a nicer place, let's face it: I'd take it.
I went looking at a couple of apartments after work today, just because the opportunity fell into my lap. I probably shouldn't have gone, because I am the world's most impatient person and also? I'm great at getting my hopes up. I saw a cute two-bedroom place, close to the station but not overly big. Then I was taken to a brand new block of apartments, never been lived in, very modern and flash, and shown the most amazing one-bedroom place, with a huge adjoining terrace and massive living area. That was it. I was in love.
Sadly, it was way over our budget; but I then saw the last place of the day - a nice, one-bedroom place that has a huge big bedroom, spacious living room and loads of floor space. I want it. I want it NOW!
(See? I told you I shouldn't have gone looking.)
So now it's down to Jase checking out this place, and for us to make the decision if we want to move or not. Either way, we will be spending a little more on rent, but we're closer to central London, and the flats are perfect. I just wish I had an extra fifty pounds a week to spare, because I would've put a deposit down on the terrace flat in a heartbeat.
Decisions suck. And so does waiting!
This . . . this, my friends, is why I need a pet.
The cuteness! It hurts my heart. I miss my animals.
I've lived in the UK for exactly four months as of today. Four months. As in, a third of this year. It's going incredibly fast, and some days I can't get over how quickly I've grown accustomed to calling it my home. Don't get me wrong, I have my girly melt-down moments where I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of things back home, but I would say that 95% of the time, I'm content. When I'm meeting new teachers who tell me that they only want to stay for six months before heading back home, I secretly think they're crazy; why would you come all this way and only stay a few short months?
As easy as it is to complain about the public transport here, it's actually fairly painless for the most part. I never thought I'd take to catching multiple modes of transportation in the morning, particularly coming from a place where I accessed everything by car. I don't mind it though; it's actually sort of nice being able to take a breather and read the paper of a morning on the way to walk. (Of course, breathing is highly over-rated when the person next to you hasn't brushed their teeth or applied deoderant.)
I love the cold weather, so fitting in with that hasn't been too difficult. I think I'm the only person living in the United Kingdom whose heart drops at the thought of warm summer days. Give me a cup of tea and a blanket to snuggle under, over sweaty armpits and greasy skin any day of the week!
I've tried to push myself to do things I wouldn't normally have the chance to do back home. Back home, I was never much of a social butterfly, though I'm doing my best to get out and explore while I'm here. No, I'm not going out clubbing and drinking every evening; that's never going to be me. But I am trying to do new things, experience random events, and meet new people. I hope that continues no matter how long I stay.
London is an amazing place to visit, and even more amazing to call home. It's so diverse, and often overwhelming. There are so many parts to it that I don't think I'll ever get a chance to explore, but I'm looking forward to doing my best. In four months time, I hope to have a whole stack of things to add to my memory bank.
Long story short? I think what I'm trying to say is that four months in, I'm happy.
Jason and I both did our own thing this Friday night; he had a boys catch-up night with his friends and I had a girly night with mine!
I headed with some friends to Monument, where we embarked on a 'haunted London' walk: an hour and a half of wandering around in dark alleyways, hearing about creepy stories and ghosties. After that, we headed to Brick Lane - well renowned for it's CURRY. A full meal later, and I'm home and stuffed to bursting point. Was a great night, and I'll steal some pictures from my friend Chris as soon as she gets them up.
(I also wore in my new chucks tonight, which did fairly well considering the amount of walking we did. Now if only I could stop them from being so white.
I will keep it short and sweet for now, because I have to go look after my tipsy other half, who is a cheap drunk. (Seriously, he's a lightweight!)
Seen walking down the street today;
A girl wearing black tights, brown stiletto cowboy boots, white short shorts, a fur coat over a fluoro green singlet top, and a bakerboy hat.
Only in central London, eh?
My brother turned 21 today - 21! I feel so old. And so far away.
Even though I'm over here and he's back home, he still makes me laugh. We chatted online a few weeks ago, and it reminded me that he is turning out to be such a decent guy. He'll forever be the same old frustratingly annoying and cheeky sibling that he's always been, and I love him for that. But I'm realising more and more that I actually like him. Despite his flaws (and lame jokes), he's turned into a really decent man.
(Now he just needs to grow out of the whole spending money on his car phase, and start on the whole saving money for a European adventure trip phase.)
Happy birthday, my not-so-little brother!
Had a great night out after work with friend of mine, one who I actually met via a different kind of blogging about a year ago! We went to this funky warehouse-looking pub sort of close to my work, and after being kicked out of there, headed to a cute little American style diner for a traditional milkshake - classic!
(We have emailed for a while now, but this is the first time we had met face to face. The verdict? She's my long lost twin. Non-identical, but still fantastic.)
I'm pooped now though, because going out on a Tuesday? So weird for me. Poor Jase is already asleep, and I'm trying to tiptoe around the place without knocking too many things over. Not easy when you are a clutz like I am! So while I keep this short and sweet, a big huge thank you to Jenny for answering my 'woe is me, I am so lonely, boo hoo' pleas for attention. We're so on for Friday night, my book organising and obsessive fixer-uppering new friend.
How was your Tuesday?
Lately I have felt myself becoming one of those annoying girlfriends that I've always claimed I would never be. I always considered myself to be fairly low maintainence, but maybe I'm a little needier than I thought. I'm hoping this is just a phase and that I'll snap out of it soon. I think I just need a bit of reassurance, for whatever reason.
Thankfully, J is somehow able to put up with me, so all I can do is thank my lucky stars, make him a cup of coffee and try not to complain when he puts his cold feet on me.
Oh, and I'm going to do my best to quit the whinging.
(That doesn't mean it's going to stop. I mean, come on, one step at a time here.)
But I'll try.
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