NO INTERNET!

Well I haven't had internet at my place for now about 9 days.  I have contacted the provider several times and they haven't even set up a DATE yet for installation!  It's been really frustrating!  To say the least, I have just been sleeping more and been really bored.  I don't have a TV either!  At least I'll be gone this weekend in Palma de Mallorca!  I'm getting really excited to hang out and relax there.

Fitness Center

Yesterday to went to check out a fitness center in Guildford.  I got home from work around 6pm and then grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed to walk for the gym.  I knew ahead of time that the walk to the gym would take me about 20-25 minutes.  I printed off a map of the gym and headed for the area.  What I didn't realize as I started out my walk that my map was wrong.  So I'm calling the gym and asking where they are located and my walk turned out to be about 50 minutes.  I finally got there and he offered me to use the pool or jacuzzi and asked me if I brought my ''swimming costume''.  LOL!  I couldn't believe how funny that sounded.  But no I didn't, just my work out clothes.  Since my walk was so long already I didn't even want to work out since it was getting dark out already and I didn't want to get lost!  Turns out that my walk home was only 20 minutes and it was in the complete different direction then what I used.  I realized that I really need to buy a bike.  So I'm going bike shopping.  It's too much walking really.  This gym does look good - they have some neat looking classes however the fee is 35 GBP per month.  Not sure if I want to spend that type of money.  Decisions!

Stockholm!

Well I can officially say that I love Stockholm so far!  It's a tad bit expensive - but really what country that is in Europe isn't officially expensive?

I got into Stockholm super late last night so I spent the night in the airport.  I got about 2 hours of sleep -- I THINK!  It was hard to get comfortable and before I knew it - the airport was raging with people who were there bright and early for their morning flights around 430am.  It was cold too even with a cover.  So my bus was at 7:50am and I boarded that and officially got into Stockholm city around 9:15 or so.  I slept the entire bus ride!  It was amazing.  So far I've been able to walk around and walk around and walk around.  The city is beautiful.  There isn't really like ''famous''things to see here; but you'll for sure be able to find thing to see if you just scope them out.  I've taken about 150 pictures in about 4 hours.  I just checked into my hostel and it's a really really nice hostel!  I think that the price was about 25 euros when I paid it online which isn't too bad.  I am writing this blog actually from an APPLE computer of 4 that they have in the common room with a big screen flat TV and couches for people to vedge out.  I will update later....


As for day 2 - I got up early (we lost an hour with the time change).  I walked around every other part of the city of Stockholm.  Really walked in some parts that weren't really the city center or part of where the tourists might hang out.  I feel like when I'm traveling sometimes this is the best thing to do.  I then was walking on one of the many islands that make of the city and I asked this friendly person to take my picture in front of the water and the background of the heart of Stockholm.  Turned out he was American and I didn't even realize it.  So he heard my accent and I heard his and then he asked me where I was from and sure enough he was from MI as well!  What a coincidence!  We walked and talked for about 2 hours and he gave me some tips on what to see and how to get around.  He  works in the Automotive industry so he was very familar with JCI.  He currently lives in Finland on assignment.

Here are some pictures from the weekend

Signed my Lease!

Today I signed the lease to my UK apartment.  Gosh it's like buying a house I swear.  There is so much paperwork and so much to do.  WOW.  Overwhelming.  Tomorrow morning I will actually move.  Very exciting.  Here are some pictures thus far.

Quote / Line of the Day

'You get how many days of holiday in the states?'  ''You're joking right?''

Well after telling a British colleague of mine the truth behind how much vacation is given to US employees-- he was rather shocked.  Definently couldn't believe that I was even telling him this ludacris statement.  While normal employees get about 26 days here (more around 30 if you've been here longer) the meager employees in the states get 10 -13 (15 if you're been around for 5 years).  Poor Americans - no wonder why no one in the US has traveled to other countries - the vacation time they do get they have to use to watch their kid's soccer game or attend a family Christmas or schedule doctor's appointments.

So I ask myself -- really why is this?  I should be allowed the same rights?  We are getting the same benefits or should be?  Politics I tell you.  I would take 2-3 weeks of unpaid time to have more vacation!

Oslo, Norway for the weekend

Oslo gave me a very salty taste upon first arrival - however it is a quaint capital city.  First off, my journey via plane was great.  Landed 25 minutes early and was the first person in the cue for customs and made it on the bus to Oslo just as it was leaving.  Everyone else had to catch the next one!  I get to the bus station in central Oslo a little confused but without asking anyone questions, I was able to only make one wrong turn and walk 15 minutes or so to my hostel.  I was amazed at first glance in the bus terminal at how 'nothing' was in English!  Now granted I realize I'm in a country where English isn't the first language, but usually places like this will have English -- not in this old city!  Anyways, upon checkin at my hostel, they ask me 'Do you need sheets' well 'yes' of course since in my tiny overnight bad I didn't bring any.  They give me my total to pay remaining from hostelworld.com and it's 50 KR (Norwegian Kroner) higher.  50 KR converted to USD is about $9 -10.  YIKES!  Memo to self bring sheets if you don't want to pay.  I have traveled ALOT in hostels and I have never ever had to pay for sheets.  This might be surprising but when I choose a place I usually always read the fine print.  I told this to the receptionist and she swore up and down that it was on the website.  Well I didn't argue really, just paid the 50 KR extra and got my keys.  Then I said ''Well does this include a towel'' -- NO - that's an extra 10KR.  HAHAHAHA what is this place I'm thinking to myself.  Well I didn't request a towel and decided to use my pillowcase as a towel the next morning.  Call me crazy - but what is the point to pay that much?

Next stop - I had about 2 hours left of daylight so I ventured out right away to the city center.  I was a little bit hungry so I started to look for a place.  I was kind of set on something fast or like a sandwich.  I wasn't going to sit down anywhere (I never do when I'm traveling).  I found a subway.  Great!  I love subway.  The sandwich artist was very nice and spoke English.  I glanced up at the menu and saw the PRICES!  WHAT!  59 KR for a ham and turkey 6 inch?  You've got to be kidding me right?  This is about 11 USD.  And this was one of the cheapest subs on the menu.  Well I bit the bullet first of all since I was hungry and was looking for a more healthy meal versus just snacking.  I choose to take away since of course this would of cost me more as well!  In Europe, you will always pay extra to eat inside at a fast food restaurant.  Also you will usually pay more for dips etc and re-fills are NEVER free.

As I ventured out of the subway, I walked back to my hostel.  On the way back I did walk by a few places to see what the prices were.  They were generally in the same price range as my lonely own 6 inch.  Unfortunately I was very disgusted and at this point I was also starting to feel a little sick with runny nose headache.  Def not starting out to be a good weekend.  I ate my sub in the common room amongst the other randoms and then went back into my room.  I was debating on going out to get a drink or something, but with all this frusteration and feeling sick - I decided to go to bed early and get a full nights rest and wake up early -- WRONG (Chapter 2).



Chapter 2 starts out with my 6 Spanish girl hostel roomies for the evening.  They barged into the room about 30 minutes after I got back.  No big deal I was just reading my Oslo book about things to do for tomorrow.  They were really friendly and gave me tips on what to go and see and then we talked a little bit etc.  They did break the Norwegian law and bring in their own alcohol.  In Norway, it's forbidden to buy alcohol and bring it into a public place and drink it.  Hostel is considered public.  Anyways, I figured they would be leaving soon to go out so amongst the 6 of them and me in the 8 bed dorm room, it was cozy and LOUD.  It was about 11 pm now and about 4 of the 6 were taking showers.  Ok maybe they weren't going to go out.  I wasn't sure.  But now I was getting to the point where I was getting a little sleepy and conjested and really just wanted to go to bed.  Lights were on, music was playing and they were literally having a party in my dorm room.  How rude right?  Clearly did they not see that I was trying to catch some zzz's?

2 hours later, the saga continues.  It's now 1am, they are still drinking and I really haven't fell asleep yet.  I've asked them once to quiet down.  I realized now that they were getting ready to ''go out'' as they were getting dressed up.  GREAT!  I was super excited for them to leave.  They finally leave -- 2 hours of sleep for Amanda and then 3am rolls around and they are back and LOUD as ever.  The 8th person is now there -- poor Asian guy I think he was and I were drowning our sleepless night away.  They blast on the light and start partying again.  No joke.  Really it's 3:30am now and you are talking loudly, etc.  I was super annoyed and this time I yelled a little to ^%$# shut up.  They listened for about 5 minutes and then I heard them same like chica, ella, americana, blah blah. they were totally talking about me in Spanish.  I wasn't impressed.

I got up early and got the heck out of there with maybe 3-4 hours of good sleep when I wanted 10.  At least I was feeling a little better in the morning.

Saturday morning was a fun filled day of sightseeing.  Finally the trip was starting to get better.  I walked and walked and walked and walked some more.  No public transportation for me - I just wanted to see everything I could.  I saw all the major highlights in one day, like the Royal Palace, National Theather, The fort (don't know how to spell the name), the Statue area, and the Parliment building.  All were very lovely and the building designs were all so unique, nothing quite like I've seen before in my travels.  I walked around for about 6 hours straight and then checked into my other place for the evening.  I had to stay in 2 different places because when I booked, the first place wasn't available on Sat night.  Now I'm realizing that was a blessing in disguise.

The 2nd place was about $25 more a night but was oh so worth it.  It was basically centrally located - only 2-5 minute walk from just about everything.  These dorms had 4 people vs 8 and there was free breakfast included which ended up to be this fabulous buffet.  Never ever had a hostel breakfast like that before.  The staff were much more friendly as well.  So I checked in - free sheets and I got warm for a little bit and took a 45 minute break.  Went back out to walk around and this time went to the opera house!  I ended up climbing the icy roof which everyone was doing.  I wasn't brave enough to walk out unto the frozen harbour like all the rest of the people were doing.  I then went to this cute Irish place for a drink after sun down.  It was cozy atmosphere and I really liked it.  Ended up going back and meeting some cool people in the common room and just talked about traveling and life!  Its USUALLY a great time meeting people in hostels when you're traveling.  They are usually so friendly and welcoming.  Actually this was my first bad experience with hosteling on Friday night, but I'm not worried as I think these 6 girls were just kind of a gang of people and didn't really care about anyone else.  They were nice -- no doubt about that -- but they were all about themselves and there for a reason to celebrate.

All in all -- Norway is a beautiful country really.  Its expensive - so make sure you bring your wallet loaded up.  I would like to go back, but this time in the summertime and travel to the western part to see the fjords!!  Anyone interested?

Here are some pictures:

Oslo's famous Church

 The fort

 The Fort

 Me on top of the fort - overlooking the frozen harbor / Oslo Fjord

 Statues!  Oslos most touristic spot!  45 minute walk from the city center was LOVELY!

 Oslo City Hall -- beautiful inside

 Angry boy -- very famous statue!

 Opera House!

 Grand Palace

 National Theater

So busy!

I haven't even had too much time to write in my blog.  Very depressing I know.  This past week at work have been very pressured to get this project done and I've just been working on it 24/7.  I'm done tonight - and going to take a much needed rest and look for some trips!

I'm planning my holiday to Australia.  Looking to see where I can go on the Great Barrier Reef!  I'm going to jam pack as much stuff in as possible in 12 days!

Oslo, Norway this weekend followed by Stockholm, Sweden!  Finally to the nordics I go!

Oxford & Brenheim Palace

Today was another excellent day of sightseeing!  The weather was brilliant and I got to see a lot!  It was a long day of walking and traveling to and from - but SO worth it.  I need to go back to Oxford though and get into some of the colleges as they weren't open on Sunday mornings.  Should of planned a little better; but now I have an excuse to go back!  Here are some pictures

How you can travel and do it frequently!

I often get people asking me -- 'Amanda how do you travel so much?'  or 'Amanda how do you have money to do all this traveling'.

Really -- it's simple.  Here are some tips:

--Pack Light.  Never pay extra for baggage on flights
--Fruit & Granola bars.  Never eat out when traveling; it's far too expensive and you'll want to use this money as entrance fees.  Go to the grocery store if you have to and buy a take away sandwich for approx 2 USD.
--Sleeping.  Don't leave on Friday night for a weekend get away if you can avoid it.  If you do have to leave Friday night - you're getting in really late and wasting your money on a hotel for 5-6 hours.  Sleep in the airport Friday night!  I do it all the time and have saved hundreds of dollars.  When you do sleep -- sleep in hostels!  They are easy and you can always make friends
--Use the same water bottle over and over.  Avoid buying water as it's usually expensive in tourist spots.
--Walk.  Subways in cities can cost a lot.  If you must use it -- look into buying a day pass to ensure you get the most value.
--Student ID!  Bring it - especially in Europe where you'll most likely get a discount
--Search multiple websites before buying a ticket.  Whether it's air, bus, etc.  Look for ways you can buy together to save money

As for saving up for these trips -- here is what I do:
--Shop the clearance racks and always buy food that is on sale.  I never buy clothing full priced or will hardly pay more then $10 for a sweater or shirt -- unless I really like it.  Think about buying before you do.  Remember that everything you buy something that you DONT REALLY NEED you're further from getting a trip.
--Don't eat out -- again rule of thumb is eating out is way expensive.  Even in the states - an average meal plus tip and maybe one drink is at least $25.  If you do this a couple nights a week - this is enough for your plane ticket easily!!  Pack a lunch.

So no everyone I'm not rich and don't make loads of money but I do know how to manage it because I know what I want to do with the money that I do make -- and that is TRAVEL.  If I didn't travel - then I would be rich!  -- well maybe not....

BATH!

Today I ventured west ward to the city of Bath.  WOW - I must say this little village is quite the place.  There were quite a few tourists so I'm glad I got the chance to visit it in the early spring when there aren't as many tourists.  And BONUS - it was super sunny and about 55 degrees the entire day.  Beautiful city, beautiful weather.  I will take visitors who come here to Bath for sure.  Here are some pictures of 5 hours in this place

Bath Abbey from Behind

Inside the Roman bathes!

Roman bath and Bath Abbey!

British Resident - 2 Weeks STRONG

I've been here for 14 days already!  Wow - I cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  I am starting to think that my body is getting a bit tired from the go go go.  I can hardly wake up in the morning - but of course I have been staying up really late looking for trips and booking flights too!  I am used to waking up at 5:30am in the states and now I struggle with 7am.

Tomorrow I am going to check out the ancient city of BATH.  Should be a good experience.

How are you getting on?

What does this mean?  Well the first time I heard it -- didn't think much of it.  I said 'what' a few times to make sure I understood appropriately.  When I hear ''getting on'' I think of what most Americans think ''GETTING IT ON''.  HA  So I heard this phrase about 6 times today!  WOW.  Basically it means ''how is everything going''.

Few random things also with the language barrier:

Chat with co-worker about what is the currency code (3 letter code).  She tell me ZAF.  Ok no problem right -- but I couldn't understand that she was saying ''Z'' ''A'' ''F''.  I said what, she repeated, I said what, she repeated again.  I then apologized and said -- I really don't know what you're saying.  The letter ''Z'' is pronounced ''ZED''  not ''ZEE''.  WOW - that was pretty difficult to pick up on.  I felt a little silly, but we laughed for about 5 minutes and the entire office knew what was going on.  Brilliant.

Holiday booked to Australia!

I'm going to Australia for Holiday!  April 22 - May 2nd!  Cannot wait.  I'm going to visit my friend Diane.  It's really random how we become such good friends or penpals kind of like!  We both love to travel and some day when we are old - we are going to own a travel booking company or something!  HAHA

Watch out Kangaroos!

2011 Trips

Here are my Scheduled / Planned / Past Trips so far!


Jan 1 - 3rd - Grand Canyon, Utah, & Los Angeles, CA
Jan 14 - 17th - Denver, CO
Feb 26th - London, UK
Feb 27th - Stonehenge & Salisburg, UK
March 5th - Brighton, UK
March 12th - Bath, UK
March 13th - ?
March 18-20 - Oslo, Norway
March 25 & 26 - Stockholm, Sweden
April 2 & 3rd - ?
April 9 & 10th - ?
April 15 - 17th - Brussels, Belgium / Netherlands (Tulips)
April 20th - May 2nd - Melbourne, Australia?
May 6 & 7 - Dublin, Ireland
May 14 & 15 - Zurich, Switzerland
May 21 & 22 - Bolonga, Italy
May 27 - 30 - Glasgow & Edinburgh, Scotland
Jun 4 & 5 - ?
Jun 10 & 11th - ?
Jun 17 - 19 - Copenhagen, Denmark

The Washing Machine

I have been dreading to do the laundry...not because I don't like to do it but because I'm scared and don't know how this machine works!  Last Friday night, I took out the manual that was supposed to help me -- right, WRONG.  I delayed this job further until I realized tonight that I must do some laundry tonight otherwise this small machine of mine is going to require 5 loads by the end of this week!  So carefully I loaded up the machine (TINY) as can be and inserted what I think to be a laundry soap tablet?  Not sure - they were here when I got here and the instructions never said where I should put this tablet.  I managed to get in 10 days worth of underwear, socks, 1 pair of jeans, and 2 shirts.  Yep -- that's all and it's stuffed.

Now as I hear my laundry machine purr - -I will wait to see if my clothes get clean AND of course how long it will take.  These foreign machines always take FOREVER to run.

The ''MACHINE''  Did you know this is a washing machine and dryer?  Pretty cool.  I will see if the dryer works

Brighton

Yesterday I took another day trip down to Brighton.  Brighton is on the South Coast of England.  It was a rather sunny day out so that adventure down there was quite pleasant but windy and still very chilly.  I reckon that this city would be much much better if it were summertime so I will have to venture down there again this summer.  When I got there bright and early in the morning there were plenty of joggers running up and down the shoreline. I joined them by walking all the way to the famous Brighton Pier.  I walked the entire Pier to find out that it was nothing more then little stands/shops to get bad food (ice cream, candy, pop, etc) video games, casino, and at the very end RIDES!  Very random I thought for a pier - very nevertheless of course very interesting and something that I'd never seen before.

Brighton is a very small town so after walking this pier and the shoreline I then saw in the distance what I really came here for -- the Royal Pavilion.  It was SO beautiful even from a distance and before I knew it I was standing right next to it.  I walked the entire yard about twice before I decided to venture on it.  I also visited the Royal Museum right next to it.  This place I couldn't take pictures inside - however it was beyond imagination and was just gorgeous!  I learned a lot of history about the royals and Queen Victoria.

I took plenty of pictures of the Pavilion from the outside (see below).  After wondering around there for a while it appeared like the only other thing to do in Brighton was go shopping and they also had out a lot of vendors and farmers market type of vendors.  I ended up getting some lunch which was some sort of Garlic and Beef sandwich type of thing.  It was ok.  I decided to end up going home when I started to get a really bad headache which ended up ruining my Sunday plans to go to Bath.

Since I didn't go to Bath like I intended today - I've so very bummed because today is beautiful outside.  I ended up sleeping off my headache 'I THINK' but I also had to take a lot of aspirin.  Not sure why I have this horrible headache - could be do to lack of sleep, jet lag, or the new environment.  It was the worst headache I think that I've ever had.  As for now - I feel much better and ventured to ASDA supermarket again for some more goodies!

English Tea 'Time'

3pm rolls around today in the office and my so kind colleagues are on their way around the finance office floor to ask if anyone wants a drink.  My cup was empty at the time so I said sure.  People will always walk around the office almost every hour or so to ask the group if they want something while they go to the coffee machine.  I  haven't had my turn yet to do this mostly because I don't know how to work this FANCY coffee machine.  So as I said sure I would like a cup of English Tea; I followed him to see how this entire machine worked.  I got the RUN DOWN let me tell you.  This button is for black coffee, this button is for coffee with milk -- but don't use that button because the powder milk is ''RUBBISH''.  This button is for Decaf black coffee and this button is for Decaf coffee with milk of course ''rubbish''.  Then there are 4 buttons for cappuccino -- I didn't get the full break down because according to him they were all now considered ''rank'' because of the powdered milk effect.  Then there is the hot water button to choose if you want to make tea with a tea bag.  But don't forget to use the button to determine how big of a cup you have.  There is small, medium, & large.  

I cannot remember the name of the English Tea that they have in the office but it is so very delicious.  This tea with a little bit of milk and splenda is so amazing!  It really gives you a good afternoon pick me up.  The tea is so much better then America and may almost top some of the Asian teas that I've enjoyed.  The English unlike the Asians will always put milk in their tea and usually a little bit of sugar.  Overall - I think that I'm really going to enjoy this fancy coffee machine and of course the english tea bags right next to it!  

JCI Aldershot, UK Office

Here are some pictures of the office.  No people in at 8:30am this morning.
The 4 Towers - JCI is the first on the left occupying the first two floors

 CSC parking ramp

 The Finance & Procurement Area

 Office Hallways

 My desk!

The UK Worklife

As I stroll into work today at 7:58, there is no one here.  Now if you all recall, I'm a very early riser for work and tend to get into the office in the states around 6:30-6:45ish.  I cannot do that here since the bus that I take doesn't first leave until 7:45.  I was planning on taking the train for my first 30 days here from Farnborough to Aldershot and then catch a bus from the Aldershot rail station to work.  Well come to find out, there is a bus that actually picks up at the Farnborough station and goes straight to the offices!  Wow does that save some time.  I did find out today that the employees at JCI in UK first start out by getting 21 holiday days (vacation) and 8 bank holidays as they like to call them.  WOW.  I'm really excited for that.

The building here is very cool.  It though the buildings that I've all worked in so far here at JCI have been really nice - but this one is above all!  There are 4 towers as they like to call them - and JCI occupies half of tower 1.  The whole Royal Pavilion is a CSC headquarters for Europe.  CSC is one of our customers in the Global Workplace Solutions group.  We therefore maintenance these buildings.  The cubicles - well there aren't cubicles really.  They are more like pods I would like to call them.  I'm in a pod with 5 other desks.  So when I look up, I can see other people working since the walls aren't more then a foot tall.  It's fine really and I like the atmosphere.

Pictures to come once I feel comfortable to take pictures around this place without anyone thinking that I'm completely crazy.

On the bright side - I put an offer on a place to live in Guildford!  The landlord accepted the offer

''Jolly Good''