Window on the World

I’m sitting here cooking Indian for dinner, watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with Gwen on TV, and having a hot toddy. The latter is because I fear I’m getting a cold, so best to prevent it if possible! Besides, the high today was about 50-55 degrees, so it’s a nice warm-me-up. Trying to remember what I did last week is proving to be somewhat difficult…Monday and Tuesday, as I recall, were relatively uneventful. And sometimes, that’s the best one can ask for!

Wednesday brought Intermediate French class – cripes! However, I amazed myself with how much I actually remembered, and how well I could understand the instructor (nevermind that he was speaking extremely slowly and enunciating perfectly). Still, I haven’t spoken French in literally four years! Now, I have homework due this Wednesday, and of course I haven’t started.
(sidebar – the French classes are sponsored by Suez since we are a French company and it never hurts to know the home office’s language!). Overall, it feels a bit like Thunderbird. The central cubicle area where I sit includes 3 Americans (1 Texan / Mississippian), 1 Trini, 1 Belgian and an Irishman – sounds like the start to a bad joke, eh? Not to mention the French, other Belgian, South African, Australian, and Trini people in the office; oh, and some English as well.

That evening, Gwen (colleague, friend, current ‘landlord’) and I went to look at apartments in her area (Kilburn, West Hampstead type area). That was entertaining. It’s always amazing what estate agents (not called real estate agents here) will show you with a straight face. And, the fact that this kid didn’t look a day over 15 made it even more difficult to take him seriously. However, he was honest and down-to-earth, so that was nice. The first place I liked the most – top floor, lots of light. It was a bit small, but a 1 bedroom. The problem was it was completely furnished, no bargaining. Actually, that is common here – Londoners don’t seem to own their own furniture. Well over half the flats all come with a bed, table, dresser, chair/couch. I think that is standard even for an ‘unfurnished’ place! Since all my stuff (bed, dresser, chair, etc.) just arrived and made it through customs, I don’t want a furnished place. The second place we saw appeared to have been an old stable area. Beautiful location with gardens and lawn, and right next to the Hampstead Heath park. However, it was top floor and the closet and pantry were only hip high as the wall above that was slanted in toward the ceiling. I’m short, I know, but if I have to bend over to look in the pantry and closet, that’s a bi much! The other two places weren’t anything better. But, at least I looked and gave it a shot. If you're curious about what your money will get you here, look at Foxton's website or Find A Property for an idea. Things rent by week here.

Thursday was a good day. Three of us in the office (Jane, my boss, the COO and Olivier the CFO and myself) met with two people from Gaz de France (GdF), Suez’s soon to be merger partner, in our offices. That was good just for the exposure and to get a better idea of the opportunities and challenges that will be facing us after the merger finishes this year.

That evening, I went to the Royal Victoria Docks area (East, just east of the Canary Wharf / Isle of Dogs area) to re-see an apartment I saw the previous weekend. I still liked it so I signed for it – yippee! Something else crossed off my list of things to do (and if you know me, you know how I love to keep lists). More about the apartment in another post.

Friday was low key – casual in jeans and another Starbucks chai latte splurge. Overall, I’m doing really well on my basically no-caffeine life here. Considering I was going to Starbucks twice a day back in March/April just to stay functional due to the inhumane work hours I was keeping, I’m doing quite well now. I didn’t go out after work – preferring to come home and relax. I slept for 11 hours that night!

Saturday was a productive, domestic day. I did 2 loads of laundry (thank goodness Gwen showed me how to use the machine – she said the first time she tried, the machine ran for, no kidding, FOUR hours. Sure, it washes and “dries” but all it does is steam your stuff so it’s still wet). And I went to the grocery. Since I didn’t wake up until 10:30, that was basically my whole afternoon. I met Joe (coworker) at his place in the Westminster part of town (just south of Hyde Park) and picked up two jigsaw puzzles that were in his place. (I had already done the other two Jane gave me). Then, we met Gwen and Fred (from Houston office in town for business) for dinner. They went out to a club after; and, if you know me, you know I don’t enjoy clubs, so I came home. And, of course, I started and nearly finished one of the puzzles – I just couldn’t help myself!

Sunday I got up and went to the American Church in London for their service at 11 a.m. Overall, it was pretty good, but I’ll write more about that in another post. This is long enough and if I don’t post it now, I might never! That afternoon, Gwen, Amy & I went to Deb’s place for ‘supper’ where we made fajitas and margaritas. That is an accomplishment in and of itself because if you think it is easy to find (1) tequila in this town; (2) margarita mix; and (3) tortilla chips, you are sadly mistaken! And of course, that night, I finished the puzzle. (It was only 500 pieces and a picture of London's Tube map.)