Today - was a great day! I slept in until about 945am - nevertheless, I must of needed it. I was twisted on what I should do - but then settled for just staying in. I drank a couple cups of coffee and got ready and ventured out to the highstreet around 11ish. I was looking for this store and stopped in a few others. I didn't get anything besides a few groceries from Sainsbury's. It was about 2 so I decided to walk back to make some lunch. I did that and then since it was SO NICE outside I had to get back outside and enjoy it. I decided to finally check out this gym that I've been meaning to for forever! I found it and realized that indeed it's very nice! The fee is 16 GBP per month which isn't that bad. They don't have classes though. They do have personal training sessions and what not. There's also a joining fee of like 20. The walk to get there was about 20 minutes - I could probably make it 15 if I walked FAST. Not sure! The best time for me to go there would be in the morning I feel since sometimes I don't get home until later. However they are open 24 hours which is really nice!
Well now for the fun part. So there I was in the new part of town. I noticed a few electronic type stores they are called ''Curry's, PC World & Comet''. I went into all 3 of them. Why they are all next to each other - I have NO CLUE! They are the same stores basically. They both had a 15 in TV for 99 GBP and between 119 GBP to get a DVD player. Well I went back and forth and then went into ARGOS. Argos is a store like COSTCO - however you page through whatever you want and then they retrieve it from the WareHouse for you. It's pretty sweet actually. I found a 16 inch TV that was PINK for 89 GBP. Then I needed to buy an antenna which was 21 and then if you spend 100 or more you got 10 GBP off! Well this was a deal for sure! Bought!
Got the TV home and am now enjoying a few channels. My favorite already is the ''SKY NEWS' which is like world news 24/7. There are a few QVC type channels and then some ''ADULT'; channels that don't come in (thank GOD) and a few movie stations and sports.
So now I have a TV and am highly considering joining a gym...I feel more ''like I'm living here''! I might as well start acting like it since I may be here longer! Its not a vacation anymore - I need to feel like this is my house and I need to make it be my HOME rather! Today was a good day of realization
Reaching UN country #100
Crossing into Zambia
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Camden Town - MARKET!
Yesterday I went and visited the 4th best thing (voted by unknown) in England! I was indifferent if it was top 4- however it was pretty cool. There was a VAST array of stores and vendors and shops! I couldn't believe the randonness! The area was super packed with tourists and people - plus the weather was amazing outside so I can see why this was.
Here are some pictures from Camden!
Here are some pictures from Camden!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Famous Quote that I live by...
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. ~Susan Heller
Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Seneca
He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin Buber
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener
Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley
“Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.” – Paul Theroux
He who would travel happily must travel light. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. - Robert Louis Stevenson
I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list. - Susan Sontag
A Pleasant Visit to Cambridge
Today I visited Cambridge and Cambridge University - and of course to see the most famous King's College. The day was perfect for this! No rain - a little bit overcast and about 75 degrees! Weather doesn't get much better then that in the UK.
The train ride was FOREVER and ago to get there. But it was indeed worth the trip (even though in the end I spent more time on the train today getting there and back then I actually did touring Cambridge).
I get easily bored with cities - so once I've walked around for a bit, then I'm ready to go. I climbed a church tour, went inside King's College and the grounds, walked around and around, did a little shopping, ate lunch, looked and watched the people on Punt rides - am I missing anything?
It was a very cute town and glad I was able to finally see it! Here are some pics
I just love this picture! Something about the pink flower boxes and this arch!
Over looking King's College
Inside the Church/Cathedral at King's College
Punting!
Me with some punters! Why do they call it punting I wonder?
View of King's College! I love how you CANNOT walk on the grass anywhere in Cambridge. Hence it looks BEAUTIFUL and plush like this
The train ride was FOREVER and ago to get there. But it was indeed worth the trip (even though in the end I spent more time on the train today getting there and back then I actually did touring Cambridge).
I get easily bored with cities - so once I've walked around for a bit, then I'm ready to go. I climbed a church tour, went inside King's College and the grounds, walked around and around, did a little shopping, ate lunch, looked and watched the people on Punt rides - am I missing anything?
It was a very cute town and glad I was able to finally see it! Here are some pics
Employment Laws in UK
Yesterday I was shocked to learn about some employment laws! They are very much so different then in the US.
First of all - if you are going to quit your job and move somewhere else - you are required (as per your contract that you sign with your company or 'offer letter' and by LAW) that you must give at least 1 months notice. Now if you are on a higher caliber of wage or skillset or position, this may be about 3 months!
To me that is crazy - if you were going to leave your job and go somewhere else, I would die having to work with these people for the usual 2 weeks notice that people give in the states versus 1 - 3 months!
First of all - if you are going to quit your job and move somewhere else - you are required (as per your contract that you sign with your company or 'offer letter' and by LAW) that you must give at least 1 months notice. Now if you are on a higher caliber of wage or skillset or position, this may be about 3 months!
To me that is crazy - if you were going to leave your job and go somewhere else, I would die having to work with these people for the usual 2 weeks notice that people give in the states versus 1 - 3 months!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
I do more then just travel....
YES INDEED!
I thought that I would write up a little blog about work! Since that is the reason why I'm over here actually -- believe it or not.
Work has been going really well since I got here now 5 MONTHS AGO! Since ive been here I've really gotten to like my colleagues! There are times when we're sitting there and we just get on the bandwagon about something that may involve English/American or traveling or just whatever! It's so much fun!
Other then the talking - I get along with them all really well! I've been working a lot. I'm the first one in the office around 7:40am and usually one of the last to leave at 6:10pm. I'm restricted to these hours because of bus times! Doesn't mean that I don't work in the evenings of course! I wish that I had a car to get me to and from work! I would be working much more I'm sure in the office.
Tomorrow is jeans day at work! I am for sure going to be participating. The office here is so BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL looking that it will be nice to see everyone in Jeans and dressed down! So exciting!
Happy Friday and Friday's always mean that I treat myself to a grande skinny latte from the amazing coffee shop in the ''canteen''.
Cheerio!
I thought that I would write up a little blog about work! Since that is the reason why I'm over here actually -- believe it or not.
Work has been going really well since I got here now 5 MONTHS AGO! Since ive been here I've really gotten to like my colleagues! There are times when we're sitting there and we just get on the bandwagon about something that may involve English/American or traveling or just whatever! It's so much fun!
Other then the talking - I get along with them all really well! I've been working a lot. I'm the first one in the office around 7:40am and usually one of the last to leave at 6:10pm. I'm restricted to these hours because of bus times! Doesn't mean that I don't work in the evenings of course! I wish that I had a car to get me to and from work! I would be working much more I'm sure in the office.
Tomorrow is jeans day at work! I am for sure going to be participating. The office here is so BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL looking that it will be nice to see everyone in Jeans and dressed down! So exciting!
Happy Friday and Friday's always mean that I treat myself to a grande skinny latte from the amazing coffee shop in the ''canteen''.
Cheerio!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sisterly Love!
It's been a while since my last 'real' post! I forgot that I actually do really like to write in my blog and if I would go a day w/o writing I just figured my posts would get TOO long because there is just so much that I like to capture in my writing. So I figure I better hop to it and start with a small summary of my sisters visit to the UK!
I went on Friday morning to pick up little Lizard from Gatwick Airport. She arrived looking very tired! I took them home and they took a cat nap while I did some work. I prepared lunch and before you knew it we were heading off that night for the bus station in london to head to Paris!
She was still extremely tired - so the overnight bus trip didn't help out that much. I slept great, but she didn't.
I wore her and the girls down on Saturday! we walked all around Paris and then some! I got the nickname ''SERGENT DOBA''
Sunday was a little more relaxed and I let the girls sleep in a little. But we still had to have time to cram in some of the major sights of Pari!
Sunday night bus ride back to London was great - I slept like a charm (well I had too since I had to work all day) but the girls didn't. too bad for them!
Monday morning the girls slept in and then ventured out to see the beaches of southern England in Brighton!
Tuesday - she ventured to Bath and Stonehenge! Success (until my sister lost her train pass coverlet which held not only her train pass but her debit card and MI driver's license) FAIL
Wednesday - she ventured into London to see Big Ben and of course the the Waterloo station to get her FOUND belongings!
Thursday - Oxford to see some Harry Potterness
Friday - Laziness
Saturday - Windsor Castle & Tower of London
Sunday - Portsmouth Harbour for some Poundland shopping and outlets!
All in all it was a fun time! It was really nice to see her and I hope that she comes back to visit me SOON. According to her - everything is fun sized in UK! or maybe that is Europe in general
I went on Friday morning to pick up little Lizard from Gatwick Airport. She arrived looking very tired! I took them home and they took a cat nap while I did some work. I prepared lunch and before you knew it we were heading off that night for the bus station in london to head to Paris!
She was still extremely tired - so the overnight bus trip didn't help out that much. I slept great, but she didn't.
I wore her and the girls down on Saturday! we walked all around Paris and then some! I got the nickname ''SERGENT DOBA''
Sunday was a little more relaxed and I let the girls sleep in a little. But we still had to have time to cram in some of the major sights of Pari!
Sunday night bus ride back to London was great - I slept like a charm (well I had too since I had to work all day) but the girls didn't. too bad for them!
Monday morning the girls slept in and then ventured out to see the beaches of southern England in Brighton!
Tuesday - she ventured to Bath and Stonehenge! Success (until my sister lost her train pass coverlet which held not only her train pass but her debit card and MI driver's license) FAIL
Wednesday - she ventured into London to see Big Ben and of course the the Waterloo station to get her FOUND belongings!
Thursday - Oxford to see some Harry Potterness
Friday - Laziness
Saturday - Windsor Castle & Tower of London
Sunday - Portsmouth Harbour for some Poundland shopping and outlets!
All in all it was a fun time! It was really nice to see her and I hope that she comes back to visit me SOON. According to her - everything is fun sized in UK! or maybe that is Europe in general
British or English?
British ----- English
Aubergine ------- Eggplant
Hand Baggage ---- Carry on Luggage
Crisps ------- Chips
Torch ------ Flashlight
Queue ------ Line
First Floor ---- Second Floor
Biscuit ----- Cookie
Chemist ----- Drug Store
Rubbish ---- Garbage
Dustbin ------ Trash Can
Lorry ------ Truck
Dustbin Lorry ------ Garbage Truck
Ironmonger ------- Hardware Store
Lift ------ Elevator
Chips ----- Fries
Diary ----- Calendar/Schedule
Fortnight ----- 2 weeks
Toilet ------ Bathroom
Boot ----- Trunk
Trainers ------- Tennis/Running Shoes
Cooker ------ Oven
Bits and Bobs ------ This or That
Give it a Play ------ To Try Something
Crack On ----- Get Moving
Natter ------ Chat
Dodgy ----- Sketchy
Pissed ------ Really Drunk
"
If you fancy a pint and a natter later about the bits and bobs of your brilliant life, let's crack on with scheduling(pronounced "SH"eduling) a time in our diaries over the fortnight. We can get pissed in a really dodgy pub with some cheeky blokes and after I would be keen to ride in a dustbin lorry to the ironmonger to nic a torch. Don't forget to wear your trainers which are in your hand baggage in your boot!!!!
Aubergine ------- Eggplant
Hand Baggage ---- Carry on Luggage
Crisps ------- Chips
Torch ------ Flashlight
Queue ------ Line
First Floor ---- Second Floor
Biscuit ----- Cookie
Chemist ----- Drug Store
Rubbish ---- Garbage
Dustbin ------ Trash Can
Lorry ------ Truck
Dustbin Lorry ------ Garbage Truck
Ironmonger ------- Hardware Store
Lift ------ Elevator
Chips ----- Fries
Diary ----- Calendar/Schedule
Fortnight ----- 2 weeks
Toilet ------ Bathroom
Boot ----- Trunk
Trainers ------- Tennis/Running Shoes
Cooker ------ Oven
Bits and Bobs ------ This or That
Give it a Play ------ To Try Something
Crack On ----- Get Moving
Natter ------ Chat
Dodgy ----- Sketchy
Pissed ------ Really Drunk
"
If you fancy a pint and a natter later about the bits and bobs of your brilliant life, let's crack on with scheduling(pronounced "SH"eduling) a time in our diaries over the fortnight. We can get pissed in a really dodgy pub with some cheeky blokes and after I would be keen to ride in a dustbin lorry to the ironmonger to nic a torch. Don't forget to wear your trainers which are in your hand baggage in your boot!!!!
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