Today we went to my cousin's birthday party. I met a lot of people who are related to my cousins out here but on their dad's side while I'm related to them on their mom's side. I don't know if I've mentioned this before but teenagers out here are extremely independent and grown up. They're very free to do what they like and come and go as they please. So today I met my cousin who's 14 and I honestly thought she was about 19 or 20 until people kept saying how big she was and asking what form she was in school. I also met her cousin who is 13. Aside from them it was all older people my cousins' age so I ended up talking to them most of the night. I should explain here that the person I refer to as my 'aunt' who I'm staying with is actually my mom's cousin and she's older than my mom, then she has kids who are 15 and 20. The cousin's birthday party I went to was actually a second cousin who turned 48. The cousin who was 14 was the 48-year-old's daughter. Confusing. I may just refer to everyone as a cousin from now on. And it was nothing like talking to two young teens at home and I picked up some fun British facts! I don't remember them all, but I'll share what I remember with you:
-British teens start having serious relations with one another at around 11 or 12.
-British people greet each other and say goodbye with either one kiss or two kisses, one on each cheek. I'm not sure if they're interchangeable of if one is appropriate only in certain situations. All I know is that I've accidentally nearly kissed several people on the lips when they went for two kisses and I stopped with one.
-The man who plays Snape in Harry Potter lives just down the road apparently and is my cousin's godfather!!!! Crazy, no?? I love him! He's also in Love Actually which is one of my all time favourite movies.
-American Apparel is quite popular here.
-Topshop is not that cheap. I always thought it was super affordable.
-When a Big Brother season is on tv, there is a channel that actually allows you to tune into the Big Brother house at any time to see what's happening. The edited shows air everyday I think or twice a week or something, but you can tune in anytime and watch people sleep or whatever. I don't actually like Big Brother but that aspect certainly makes it more interesting.
-Idris Elba is not popular here, even though he's British. Or at least not with the 13 and 14 year olds. I was sad they couldn't give me a tip on where I might go to "accidentally" bump into him so that we can fall in love and get married.
-Pop music is huge here. Even their rap music is quite poppy.
-Police officers are not well liked here. I guess that kind of goes for everywhere, but here if you're a police officer it's not something you would share with people. Or if your dad is a police officer you wouldn't want people to know. Like it's something to be ashamed of. I don't like that at all.Clearly.
-Everyone goes away for "uni" or university here. No one stays in London because there are only two universities and they're quite specialised.
-Most words that we would put a 'z' in use an 's' over here. Ex. organise, prioritise, specialise.
-There is rumour over here that Beyonce, Jay Z and Snoop Dogg all worship the devil and apparently that Snoop actually died and then was brought back to life by the devil and it's the devil who's made them all famous....ya...I'll just give you a sec to let that one sink in.....ya. Very intense, I have no idea who could have possibly started that rumour or who could believe it!
That's it for the Fun Facts for now. More to come later.
I still can't get over that Snape is my cousin's godfather and I might meet him at a dinner party here. I would die inside, while keeping a very cool exterior. Very cool indeed.
So after all the hype and 'advice' regarding how expensive London is, so far the prices have been not too bad at all. I must mention here that income gets taxed about 30% here which is horrifying. I nearly screamed when the orientation woman said 11% plus 20%. I think I'd rather just live without healthcare, thanks. And minimum wage is 5.77 which is way below ours. Please do not convert it to Canadian dollars because people living in London are paid and pay in pounds so the conversion is pointless unless you're a tourist. Also rent can get pretty expensive and the tubes seemed kind of expensive but you can get a monthly travel pass for 99 pounds and that allows you to ride the tubes, the bus or the night bus (not really sure what that is but apparently it's perfectly safe to ride at night) unlimited for that entire month so that's actually quite good. Our bus passes at home are 75 bucks and that's just to ride the inefficient, cheap-as-borscht transit. So in comparison it's quite reasonable.
Also, regular things like food are really cheap too. And there are so many restaurants here, it is insane. Tons of random shops too. The prices range but you can find dresses for 15 pounds and shirts for 5. You can also get takeout from a buffet for 3.5 or grab a gourmet flatbread pizza for 8.50. Today I happened upon a market during my search for a flat iron and bought myself the makings of dinner. For 2 pounds 65 pence, I got:
-3 peppers (one green, one orange, one yellow)
-4 heads of garlic
-4 heads of green onions
-1 red onion
-1 large piece of garlic (about 4 inches long)
Then at the supermarket, I got the following for 6 pounds 85 pence:
-2 packs of fully cooked, sliced chicken breasts with about a 1 1/2 cups of chicken breast in each pack. They were 1 pound each.
-1 bag of pasta. Enough for about 3 servings
-1 medium sized jar of creamy tomato sauce
-1 self-grinder spice (garlic and chilli pepper--great combo)
So for under ten pounds, I made dinner for myself tonight, had seconds (it was delicious!) and I still have enough left over to have for lunch and snack tomorrow. AND I used less than half of my ingredients so I can make this delicious meal again! If I was working, I could have lunch for a week. All in all, I won't be starving here as I thought I would. But all the walking will make up for it. I'm pretty sure I walked at least 12 miles today, which is insane. Thank God for flats. I'm sad for all my pumps that I brought cause they won't be worn unless I am certain I won't have to walk any further than the tube station. No getting lost in 3 inch heels for me, no thanks.
This morning started off wonderfully with the memory of yesterday and ran smoothly until....breathe Delly, breathe....my muther freaking flat iron went beserk!!! ARGH! Just the memory of it incites my rage all over again. What the hell Wal-mart?? Why sell a voltage converter and adapter in one if it DOES NOT WORK BUT INSTEAD MAKES PEOPLE'S VERY EXPENSIVE FLAT IRONS GO APESHIT?! Damnit! I can't even tell this story, it makes me want to throw things and I'm trying to make a good impression on my relatives. Bottom line: Wal-mart's converter/adapter does NOT work and may have killed my 1 year old expensive titanium plated flat iron. It's reasons like this why people hate you Wal-mart. Every time I caught a glimpse of my limp, part wavy, part straight, part frizzy hair and fly away bangs, I wanted to scream. And of course today is the day I'm wandering around Central London seeing all sorts of beautiful men with lovely accents. I'm pretty sure one guy actually gasped in horror at my hair and then his friend had to hold him back as he tried to run into the street to get hit by a bus and away from my hair. I will never forgive you Wal-mart. Never. Nevah!
*shaking it off and moving on*
NEVAH!!!
......
With my aunt's advice yesterday on when to leave, I made it to my orientation on time this morning without getting lost. I was quite proud actually. The orientation was useful with tips on where to get a bank account and tips on the cultural differences, how to find a job, how to find accommodation, etc.They also took a look at my CV and cover letter template and reassured me that the reason I've been so unsuccessful in finding a position is most likely because I wasn't in London yet and had no local phone number not because both my CV and cover letter utter crap as I'd feared. That really relaxed me. I'll be following up on all my job applications (there are over 20 out there) from my last two weeks at home next week to see if I can get to talk to some recruitment consultants and "form a rapport" so they remember me and send some jobs my way. Fingers crossed!
After my orientation, I took the long walk up to Barclays bank on Islington Green only to be told that they can not accept my drivers' license as a second proof of address because it's a two-part document (thanks Manitoba). Needless to say I was NOT impressed. I'm pretty sure I scared poor Nicholas (my bank advisor) by showing my anger. I momentarily forgot that the British are not emotional people. He looked worried when I went on a mini rant, like he was scared I was gonna whip out a gun and shoot up the place. What's funny is that I still kept myself pretty in check, nothing compared to what I might have unleashed at home. Had I really let loose, poor Nick would've probably jumped crawled under his desk and called 999 (the UK version of 911 as I learned today at orientation). Anyways, I'm still wandering around with a crap load of cash and travelers cheques on me feeling like a I have a huge "I'm a tourist, mug me please" sign glowing above my head. I'll be leaving the cheques at home until I get that account set up.
After the bank disaster, I went on the search for a new flat iron. I asked at one salon and they directed me to another salon and that salon directed me to a hair and beauty wholesaler. This is where Irony decided to come smack me in the face. So I enter the wholesaler and let the saleswoman know I'm looking for a flat iron. I let her know that I prefer titanium plates. She gushes to me that they just got the newest, top of the line flat irons in and they're 120 pounds ($200). The price makes my jobless wallet squeal in fright, but I decide to take a look anyways. Low and behold the lady comes back to me holding MY flat iron. The exact same one that suffered a stroke this morning. It was too soon for me and I had to actually look away as the anger filled me again (similar to what happened at the beginning of this post). The lady kept going on and on about the wonderfulness of the flat iron until I told her that I know how wonderful it is, I own one and it nearly died this morning.
After much deliberation and mental budget finagling, I decided that I just could not afford a 120 flat iron right now and instead purchased another one specially designed for curling that was on sale for 52 pounds down from 99. I haven't tried it yet cause it's still too soon for me, but I'm hoping it will be alright. If I hate it, I'll just re-buy my flat iron when I get some $$$.
The journey back to the house was eventful as I got too confident too fast. I was so proud that I figured out where and how to transfer tubes that I didn't realize I need to make two transfers not just one. I ended up heading into zone 4 before I realized what had happened. I got off quickly and made my way back and made the correct transfer. But that lovely little detour got me home about a half hour later than I would've if I hadn't been so busy patting myself on the back.
I arrived early today and took a cab to my Aunt's place. The cab driver was NOT friendly but he did pack and unpack my three 50 pound suitcases and my 35 pound carry on so I tipped him well. The house I'm staying in is so great! Very British. My room is up on the third floor and it's a great space with nice big windows. I'll post pictures tomorrow. It's got a fireplace with a mantle and a cute little desk and chair and another white leather lounge. The whole house is nice with interesting artwork and neat little touches.
One strange thing: the "toilets" and "bathroom". The "toilet" refers to the two rooms in the house that contain a toilet and nothing else. No sink, no mirror, nothing. Just a toilet and some toilet paper. The "bathroom" is a large room with an old school bathtub in the centre, no shower curtain. No toilet here, but there is a sink. I was so confused. I didn't use the washroom here all day cause I wasn't sure what to do. I waited until I went out to tinkle. I did shower though. The tub is great and it has a detacheable showerhead, thank God, so I didn't make a mess. I'll post a pic of the bathroom too. My cousin said that the toilet and bathroom situation is the general Victorian style and that it's very common out here. It will take some getting used to for me though. Apparently you use the toilet then go into the bathroom to wash your hands. My question is what do I do if I need to wash my hands and someone is in the bathroom taking a shower?? I'm thinking hand sanitizer will take up a whole new meaning here.
Anyways, this afternoon my aunt and her husband dropped me off on the famous Portobello Road to get my 'mobile' set up. The Orange store ( a UK carrier) I went into didn't have the phone I wanted in the colour I wanted so I ended up walking all the way up to Nottinghill Gate to the other Orange store to get my phone. Then I walked back and home, stopping to get my Oyster card for the tubes! Portobello Road is wonderful, there are tons of cute little shops and vendors. I resisted buying about 25 different adorable (and affordable!) dresses. It was tough, but I did it. The streets here are so interesting and dangerous. I nearly got hit by several cars cause there are no stop signs and a lot of intersections have no light.
My night was surreal. I went to the screening of a BBC miniseries that my aunt's husband is starring in. The screening was held in Soho which definitely lives up to its reputation. You can practically smell the fabulousness in the air when you get nearby. It was crazy. Just a bunch of producers, actors, composers, writers and BBC people networking and hobnobbing and then there's little old me! I kept wanting to pinch myself. I was quite intimidated but I did meet a young actress who had a role in the 3rd Harry Potter movie as Pansy Potts which was pretty cool.
The miniseries was fantastic. They showed clips of the first four episodes and then showed the entire fifth episode. I got sucked in. It airs next week on the BBC every day at 5:15, tune in! My aunt's husband was wonderful. I was worried, but needlessly so because he is one great actor! I was sitting next to him during the screening, I kept wanting to gush about how great he was but I thought that would be uncool. I tried to appear relaxed like I go to screenings back home all the time. I'm pretty sure I fooled everyone.
So basically today was pretty much indescribable, it just did not feel real. It felt like I was living someone else's wonderful life and then every once in a while I would realize THIS IS MY WONDERFUL LIFE!!! Ack! So excited for what's to come. All I need is a job and everything will be perfect :) Tomorrow I'm off to my SWAP orientation all by myself on the tubes! If you don't hear from me it's cause I'm lost wandering somewhere in London so alert the police!
I had originally wanted to book a first class ticket so that I wouldn't have to spend 7 hrs in the air scrunched up in a ball in coach, but then after noticing the thousands of dollars difference in price, I decided coach is good enough for me. Turns out coach is actually pretty great! The plane was massive, I'm sad I forgot to take pictures (be patient, I'm new to the blogging thing). It had a row of two seats along either side of the plane and then a row of three seats down the middle. The first class and business class sections were ridiculous. First class had actual beds, I was jealous but I just don't have first class kind of money.
The plane ride was good though. I started reading I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb and it's got me hooked. I tried to sleep but I really couldn't very well. The highlight of my plane ride occurred before the plane even took off: this flight attendant was walking down the aisle like they do before take off, just making sure that everyone is seated and closing the overhead compartments. I was sitting in the very last row on the aisle of the middle row. So the flight attendant is coming towards the back and this older lady three seats up from me in the centre waves a plastic bag at him. It looked like garbage. The flight attendant smiles jokingly and makes an "eww yuck" face and shakes his head as he walks by. Then after he's passed her he turns and asks "what did you want me to do with that?". The woman then throws the bag AT THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT and says "throw it out". The bag missed the flight attendant and nearly hit the the woman across the aisle from me. I distinctly heard the flight attendant say "stupid b$%*" as he bent down to pick up the bag.
The lady across the aisle from me looked at me and we couldn't help snickering. It was just so ridiculous, as if the lady threw a bag of garbage at the flight attendant. So funny!
The only bad thing about the flight was the dumbass infront of me who reclined his seat as soon as the plane took off. He was about 5'4 and clearly did not need any extra leg room but he still opted to recline his seat all the way back, forcing me to do the same. His wife looked back at me when he reclined his seat and I shot her such a dirty look that she did a double take. She actually kept glancing back at me periodically through out the flight and I kept looking right back at her. But she didn't seem to clue into why I was giving her the looks. Kinda funny actually. I caught her looking at me in the customs line too. Hehe! I know I'm mean but looking back it was pretty hilarious.
All in all, a great experience!
I'm packed, I'm showered, I'm dressed, I'm hungry so I'm gonna go get some food, then I'm off.
I turned on my computer this morning to check my email and such and to my absolute horror, it would not start. I can not explain to you how shit scary this was for me. I nearly cried ( a tear or two might have slipped through). And then I had a revelation: this computer will be my only connection to my current world! Without it, I will not be able to afford to keep in touch with everyone I want to. ACK! The pressure was building in my chest.
Anyways, I started freaking out and pressing all sorts of button combinations that probably only made things worse. Then I started praying like a banshee. It wasn't pretty. I finally shut down the computer and restarted it and some message came up recommending I have the Windows find the problem and repair them which "might take several minutes". 15 minutes later, I start to feel my left arm go numb and my heart is pounding harder and harder and suddenly a message appears telling me Windows can not fix the problems! Things are starting to get hazy and I'm feeling as though there is less oxygen in the room than there should be. The message tells me to click finish to shut down the computer. I do it.
I wait as long as I can (about 1.5 seconds) and restart the computer. I wait with baited breath, mostly because I am still hyperventilating. The computer starts as normal. Holy mother freaking shit, pardon my francais. I may never shut down my computer again, just on the off chance this happens. Could there have been a worse way to start the day I leave for London? I can't think of one right now. I really really hope this is not foreshadowing for how this day will turn out cause if it is, I'm just gonna stay in bed.
5 - That there will be lots of foreign bugs everywhere...even in my bed
4 - That London will be smelly...like a faint odor of vomit hanging over the city
3 - That all the water will taste funny and I won't be able to afford bottled water
2 - That I will get fat
1 - That all British people will take an immediate and strong dislike to me, not because of anything I say or do but just from the look of me. Ex. they'll look at me and say "You know, I don't like the look of that one..."
Excellent, I've now finally found a template that I like. I was told (by my brother) that the stockinged feet are creepy, but I disagree. Any thoughts from anyone? I think the template overall gives a nice feel and captures the essence of what this blog will be*. I'll keep looking though and if I find anything better I'll change it.
*hopefully
It took forever but I've finally decided on a blog name, thanks to urbandictionary.com. So welcome! Starting Thursday I'll be a quasi-Londoner living and working amongst the most proper people on Earth. It's very likely this blog will become very boring very quickly but I'm hoping I can keep things fresh. And since what I post here will be what's happening in my life, once the blog goes south, it means my life has gone south too. So if you're noticing things are getting dull, have some pity on me, keep reading and make some comments cause this blog may be the only thing keeping me going in my sad, grey life....BUT hopefully that won't happen :)
-The man who plays Snape in Harry Potter lives just down the road apparently and is my cousin's godfather!!!! Crazy, no?? I love him! He's also in Love Actually which is one of my all time favourite movies.
-Idris Elba is not popular here, even though he's British. Or at least not with the 13 and 14 year olds. I was sad they couldn't give me a tip on where I might go to "accidentally" bump into him so that we can fall in love and get married.
