So it has been a full two weeks since I picked up and moved from the comfort of everything I know to the unknown of the UK. I'm slowly getting acclimated to life in London and decided that it might be a good time to start a blog. Everyone is doing it, why not me? Actually, I thought a blog would be a good way to detail my experiences, post pictures and keep in touch. Those that would rather "wait for the movie" (Shark) can just ignore me. :)
I've been keeping a running log of things that I want to write about, but don't worry --- I won't write about them all at once. I'm not feeling especially witty today because I'm tired, so I'm going to stick to some basics today.
First, the details of where I live...
I'm living in the Borough of Islington. I'm very close to the Farringdon tube station, but thankfully I can't hear any train noise. It is a pretty business focused area, so after 6pm and on weekends, it is pretty dead. I imagine it's a bit like living in the financial district of the Loop. It doesn't bother me at all, though. I'm really close to a lot of different things, so everything is pretty accessible. I'm close to the Thames, the Tower of London and the London Bridge, the artsy fartsy stuff in Soho, etc. So, depending on what I feel like doing, I can meander wherever. I have been doing a lot of meandering. I have been trying not to use public transportation (although I did buy an Oyster card). I've found that walking around tends to help me get my bearings a lot better. I've also been stubborn and haven't been using my iPhone or my map. I feel like I have a pretty good sense of direction. Unfortunately, my stubbornness and London's complete lack of a grid system resulted in me getting lost on my way home from the grocery store the first week I was here. So much for my sense of direction. Not only did I feel stupid, but the streets look like Jack the Ripper could jump out at any time, so I had my head on constant swivel. (Don't worry Mom, it's very safe.)
Attached are a few pictures of my place. It's a nice little one bedroom with a reasonable sized living room.
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For those that are going to come stay with me, the little living room is where the air mattress will be set up. Doesn't look like much, but there is plenty of room.
I'm still getting used to the electric stove and oven and I don't have a microwave (my cooking tool of choice). I'm dealing better with those than I am with the washer/dryer. It's one of those combo units (not stackable ---combo). Something about that seems weird. One machine should not both clean and dry. And the darn thing takes approximately 2 hours to do a load. I'm not even exaggerating. It's very weird...and annoying.
It's a little hard for me to believe that I'm actually living here. I don't see the London tourist sites every day, so it hasn't really sunk in yet. I'm sure it will start to sink in right around the time that I'm going home.
Cheerio and all that jazz!
I've been keeping a running log of things that I want to write about, but don't worry --- I won't write about them all at once. I'm not feeling especially witty today because I'm tired, so I'm going to stick to some basics today.
First, the details of where I live...
I'm living in the Borough of Islington. I'm very close to the Farringdon tube station, but thankfully I can't hear any train noise. It is a pretty business focused area, so after 6pm and on weekends, it is pretty dead. I imagine it's a bit like living in the financial district of the Loop. It doesn't bother me at all, though. I'm really close to a lot of different things, so everything is pretty accessible. I'm close to the Thames, the Tower of London and the London Bridge, the artsy fartsy stuff in Soho, etc. So, depending on what I feel like doing, I can meander wherever. I have been doing a lot of meandering. I have been trying not to use public transportation (although I did buy an Oyster card). I've found that walking around tends to help me get my bearings a lot better. I've also been stubborn and haven't been using my iPhone or my map. I feel like I have a pretty good sense of direction. Unfortunately, my stubbornness and London's complete lack of a grid system resulted in me getting lost on my way home from the grocery store the first week I was here. So much for my sense of direction. Not only did I feel stupid, but the streets look like Jack the Ripper could jump out at any time, so I had my head on constant swivel. (Don't worry Mom, it's very safe.)
Attached are a few pictures of my place. It's a nice little one bedroom with a reasonable sized living room.
For those that are going to come stay with me, the little living room is where the air mattress will be set up. Doesn't look like much, but there is plenty of room.
I'm still getting used to the electric stove and oven and I don't have a microwave (my cooking tool of choice). I'm dealing better with those than I am with the washer/dryer. It's one of those combo units (not stackable ---combo). Something about that seems weird. One machine should not both clean and dry. And the darn thing takes approximately 2 hours to do a load. I'm not even exaggerating. It's very weird...and annoying.
It's a little hard for me to believe that I'm actually living here. I don't see the London tourist sites every day, so it hasn't really sunk in yet. I'm sure it will start to sink in right around the time that I'm going home.
Cheerio and all that jazz!
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