I'm friends with an ex-convict?!

We'll despite him being found not guilty, his named is ruined in Scotland and thus, he moved to London and is now my one of my best homies and chef at my pub. My Scottish homie chef and I had a heart to heart last night. I basically asked him why he came to London. He's been through a lot. I can tell he's been through a lot simply from all the scars all over his body, especially on his head. He always tells me, "you're such a breath of fresh air" "you're absolutely darling"- He explained to me, the people in Scotland he hung around did a lot of drugs and drank a lot and he came here to get away from all that. (Mind you, he's told me he's calmed down his drinking habits, but I think he's mad! He drinks sooo much and well, I've never really seen someone drink as much as he does.) Think of a Scottish Popeye without the "gugugug" laugh and a pint of beer as spinach. 

What's wild about the whole thing, I looked his name up and this dude's name is seriously ruined. There's articles about him for years. His face was plastered as a murder for over a year in Scotland. I even found an article about him in USA Today! Poor dude is a mess though. He was basically there when he watched another person kill a friend of his. It was a dispute over a woman and things got ugly one night. The woman smashed a bottle in the guy's face and killed him. My Scottish dude witnessed the whole thing. He watched someone die in front of him and spent a year in prison. He's only told two people his story since he's arrived here, the other chef he works with in the kitchen and myself. He went to see a psychiatrist today to talk about everything and to get help. Mentally, he's not been well. I can't even imagine. He has a good heart though and that's what matters. I told him about my situation out here... and he's been really understanding. He even tried to get Al a job at his sister's pub. He's a good dude. It's crazy the people you meet when you travel. Scottish dude wants to write a book about all the stuff he's been through. I told him I would help. Maybe it could be called Trainspotting 2.

It's everywhere

The owner of the pub I work at wants the managers to cut people's hours. The credit crunch hit everyone. I tried to be a pleasant little bumble of joy today and I brought in some croissants and fruit for the everyone.  But I think I take people too seriously, and I just felt at times that people I worked with were talking down to me. On top of that, it was such a stressful day at work. There was a leak in the pipes and I got rubbish pipe stuff all over me in the morning. 

It was one of those days. I think it hit me today how alone I really am out here now. At least before, I had Al living with me so I could come home and talk to her about my issues and stresses. But I don't live with her anymore. My plumber homie was my only other real friend I had here, and now his wife or whatever thinks I'm shagging her man, so I can't even call him! Damn broad pissed me off! I actually feel really bad for her, because I don't think she'll ever trust plumber dude, and he's actually a really nice guy. He actually told me he wanted to work things out with the threatening mad woman just for his little girl's sake. But anyway, it's not about them, this is about me... So yeah, I really take things to heart here as well. Apart from being alone here,  I get really sensitive knowing I'm not from here. I feel like an outsider at times, and then when customers at the pub are rude to me, I take it personally. I don't know why, in New York when I dealt with rude mo fo's, I just brushed it off, but here, especially today, I really took things to heart. And it was at the point where it really bothered me the most, when I realized, I am so alone out here! YIKES. I mean, yea I have great flatmates, but at the end of the day, they still have lives that have nothing to do with me. I'm not part of their system yet, or enough for them to care about me and wait up for me, to hear about my day and know that I got home safely. 

I do think I'm taking strides however. I am still happy. I just realized new things about myself I didn't know. I like coming home with that security of knowing there's someone home to listen to you and care. Peter is almost like that, but not enough. Plumber dude was that, but not anymore. Al is I'm sure struggling herself. Although she has a hot room now that I moved out. FYI, Hugo is a terrible flatmate now- he uses up 8 thousand shelves in the fridge for his food, mind you, there's 3 other people living in the flat! Poor Al. 

No way Jose!

My flatmates are so messy! AHH. See, I'm kinda on the neat side and well, they aren't! 

Peter got wasted the other night, like super wasted. The British word for wasted is pissed, which confuses the hell out of me because I use to think everyone was a really angry drinker.

Yeah, and everything got thrown all over the place and well, it's still all over the place. 

He did buy everyone Krispy Kremes this morning though, so I mean, I guess I can overlook the huge mess in the living room, bathroom and shower. Damn those Krispy Kremes, they're everywhere!

I've become really passive to the British accent these past couple weeks. I honestly don't even notice it and I think it's making me less conscious of my own accent so my New York accent is coming back a lot stronger and everyday this week I've been asked where I'm from.

So wild story but I need to explain this...

I'm a bit of a risk-taker (not sure if you noticed) and in my ridiculous efforts to try and stay in this country, I decided to email some companies I thought would be interested in sponsoring a gal like me. In my research efforts, I stubbled across a certain media company and basically feel in love with them! I had emailed them once before and never heard back from them. So about a month ago, I tried again, but this time, I thought I would try and directly contact the CEO of the company. Unfortunately, his email was not easily accessible to the public, aka me. So, I turned to my stalker practices on good ol' Facebook, and lo and behold, the CEO of the company had a profile. Now, before you jump to conclusions, I want to make it clear that I hesitated to contact him this way, I actually just wanted to see if his email was viewable on his profile; it wasn't. So yes, I sent him a facebook message explaining who I was and that I loved his company. I've been feeling like an idiot for a month now, until just a couple days ago. TELL ME HOW DUDE CONTACTED ME BACK!? I'm still flipping out about the whole thing. I just met with him the other day and he explained that he's trying to branch his company to New York and LA! He's forwarding my resume to the head of his production department, and we shall see where this leads. Honestly, dude made my time here that much better just by answering my message. If nothing else, I made a contact out here, and well, I just feel like anything is possible after he contacted me back. 

I work all day tomorrow... AHH, but I'm still happy! 

(still trying to load cribs london to youtube... don't think I forgot!)

I'm happy!

I am Happy. Just simply living and happy. I have no agenda and it's amazing! I have fully engulfed myself- living in Zone 3. Working in Zone 2. Meeting interesting people. Seeing interesting things. Getting interesting phone calls. 

My friend A.D. who works at the pub I live above just lent me some music. He is a professional drummer and lent me all these crazy rock groups... they are good! I'm rocking out as I type! I also asked him for some posters to put up in my room, so he gave me some posters he had lying around, which makes my room quite interesting. Peter already left a stupid mulled wine poster at my door the morning after I threw up from drinking too much wine. YUCK... (I will get into that in a bit... ) So now I have hanging on my walls, A mulled wine poster hanging next to a rock group named AMEN.

Back to me throwing up... No it was nothing like THIS. It was like a cat throwing up a hair ball, like a straight gag outa nowhere and it was all out. I was fine really. I went with Al to get a couple drinks, but to be honest, I am such a light weight out here. People drink so much out here! British, Scottish, Irish, Australian... AYE! they all drink like crazy people... I had two glasses of wine and a big cocktail drink and went to bed about 2 hours later. I really don't remember how long I was asleep for, but I only recall waking up and just puking. I couldn't even hold it in to get to a garbage or toilet or anything. Disgusting... It was like red yuckiness! 

But yeah, like I said, I'm happy!

I am a Westender

I watched it on a small television in my pub, but nonetheless, I was able to catch our 44th president get sworn into office. It was amazing. It was all over the newspapers here. Everyone in London is happy with Obama. Every paper had it's front page with Obama. 

Today they were talking about it in the pub. It makes me laugh to myself because I hear a lot of my customers talk about Americans this and Americans that... and it isn't until they hear me speak, do they shut up. 

Na honestly, it's been great to speak to my customers about cultural differences and how they feel about America. To be honest, it's wild, but I'm the first American some of these people have ever met or befriended. 

I work pretty far out from Central London, which is nice and kind of what I wanted. I like that everywhere I go I hear a British accent. I love that my customers nag me for my accent and joke with me about things. I almost feel like they are just as excited as I am to be here. 

I really love my flatmates. Peter is my favorite... we often watch season two episodes of Dexter before going to bed. He looks out for me a lot. 

I also realized that I am now fully engulfed in this country. I am a true Londoner. I had a phone call from my homie plumber dude's girlfriend. She threatened me because she thought plumber homie was cheating on her with me! AHH geeze, it was baby mama drama to the max! Plumber dude has a kid and is trying to work things out with the mother. But somehow she got my phone number and called me screaming and cursing up a storm! I told my manager because the phone call stressed me out. She told me, "I don't even have to watch Eastenders now!" 

SOO TIREDD!!!

TOMORROW INAUGURATION! The newspapers made a big deal about it here.. I think everyone is pretty happy about Obama here.. 

I will have full coverage tomorrow after work!!!

What would be better...

Honestly, I am happy. 

I've hit this point in my life. I feel amazing. I am making rubbish money. I am doing rubbish work. And I feel absolutely amazing. 

I'm working at a pub and living above another one. 

I now live with two Australians who drink way too much but are just so sweet and an English guy who is one of the funniest and most pleasant people to be around. He's kind of like this older brother to me. 

We watched Dexter tonight. He has all of season two on bootleg. Na, I'll call my English dude Peter. He's awesome. He recently went to Boston and now has all this stupid ugly Red Sox memorabilia. Knowing that I'm not cool with the whole Boston thing, I woke up this morning, to find a huge Red Sox towel hanging on his door. Now every time I leave my room, I see this American sign of stupidity and evilness hanging on my flatmate's door.

I really am just living an alternative life. It's amazing how different your life can be just across the pond, or anywhere for that matter. I mean, I feel the same, but I have just met the greatest people who are just making this whole journey a whole lot better and much more interesting. Take my two Chef's at the pub. One is from South Africa and the other is Scottish. Both young dudes. The South African is married and has a kid. He has a beautiful heart. I can tell he's not happy in London. He told me yesterday he's not and he's actually flying his wife and kid to New Zealand so they can set up a new life there. He'll be working at the pub for a while however, because he needs to save money. I can see the anguish in his eyes when he talks about it. I don't know how well he will be, living without his wife and kid for such a long period of time. 

The Scottish dude is awesome as well, but he drinks too much. It's funny I can understand him really. He has the roughest accent. Al didn't even understand him. I don't think many people do, but I do. I don't even understand British accents. He makes me the best meals at work. Which is great because I'm always hungry! I'm actually just thankful I can eat again! I have been full everyday this week! It's glorious, my stomach feels like I'm back home. 

Today I had a rough day at work. It was really busy and hardly any help. I felt my manager was a little rough on me, then again, I'm not sure I can take her seriously at this point, she's going through a rough breakup with her ex-boyfriend who she's been with for two and a half years. YIKES. She's going to Egypt next Tuesday for vacation. 

My Scottish homie chef made me feel better after work however, and told me to keep my chin up. 

I saw two foxes on my walk home from the bus. TWO! I was like.. wat the... ?! 

Things are good... I am happy. 

My internet is working now! More daily blogs to come! Cheers

So far so good

So to now fill people in...

I started working at a pub, a real cute one! They have a lot of regulars (which I like about it most.) 

There's this guy Michael. He's a little crinkled old man. He uses a walker with wheels to get around. He wears the same red wind breaker jacket everyday. His face is red from drinking. He can't hear very well either. 

Michael sits in the same seat everyday with his Guinness. He looks around or watches television, but he comes in so often, it bothers me when someone is sitting in his seat when he arrives. 

I've been opening the door for him when he leaves at night, and the other day he looked at me and said, "hey I don't know you" "Yeah, I'm new here, I'm Sarina" I tried to lean down close enough for him to hear me without struggling. "Oh, well hi. I like to come in here and drink Guinness, thanks for helping me." 

There's also another group of regulars that stand on the left side of the bar and play a game called Shove Ha'penny. About four guys play, two are brothers. They drink Fosters and bring their own peanuts. They are Chelsea fans. I like them a lot.

It's weird being an outsider working at a bar. I don't know all the beers. I can't understand pronunciations. Half the time I just pretend I'm deaf so I can get customers to repeat themselves. Other times I try and trace their eyes to which beer they want and then guess. It will get better. 

I am also doing a live-in position. I will be living above another pub not too far from the one I work at. I'll live with two Australians and one English guy. All young. They seem like good people who like to drink, which I can handle. I'm supposed to move in Saturday. 

Tonight I am going to a Chelsea match. It's against Southend- and I will be going to the away team's stadium. Should be interesting.

I'm starting to lose my New York Accent

               
I like my accent, it makes me different and stand out.

But I definitely lose it at times.

It's been a month since I landed in London. 

To be honest, I have to pat myself on the back. 

I've been on non stop since arriving and it's only now coming together. 

It's really not easy to just pick up and leave. 

But nonetheless, I am happy. 

I'm learning.

Say I did things the "easy way" I might have taken the first job I was offered.

Which may or may not have been the best fit for me. 

I really think people that decide to just pick up and leave to a new country need to buy a 80 packet of red bull or these energy drinks because I'm exhausted! 

So far, I've made some really great friends out here. 

Our plumber homie especially. 

He's been there for Al and I every single time. 

It's amazing how you can just pop into someone's life unexpectedly and turn out to be a prominent person in their life as a whole. In the case of our homie plumber, he's not only helped Al and I with advice and food and things of that nature, but he actually calls us to hear about our progress. We are actually going to the Chelsea match this Wednesday together! 

I noticed today on the bus how weak the pound is getting. The pound, usually being one of the stronger currencies, has noticeably dropped it's value. The euro is actually almost the same in value. Anyway, you can tell how weak the pound is because all I see and hear on the bus are a bunch of Spanish speaking Europeans from Spain and a bunch of shiny jacket gucci sunglass wearing Italians. They are all over now that the pound is down. 

One of the managers at the pub (I may or may not be working at) made a comment about how lucky he was with hiring staff this year. Since the pound is down and the economy is so weak here, he's had a higher standard of people coming in looking for work. He said usually he gets a bunch of Polish and Romanian people coming in, but since the pound isn't as strong, they aren't as many looking for work. 

Isn't it amazing how people work and send money home? Imagine kind of traveling ever year to a different country where the currency is stronger in order to make a profit working. Maybe I should look into doing that to pay of my student loans. 

One thing I can't stand about being in Europe is the smell of cigarette smokers. It's everywhere. It's not as bad since they placed a ban on smoking indoors, but it's still pretty bad. 

I'm still having trouble understanding accents. 

Americans need to learn more global geography and Europeans need to stop looking at Americans as stupid for not knowing it. Unlike you Europeans, we aren't bordered by 10 different countries. 

Every European listens and loves American music. Then again, what do you expect, we have amazing music!

I can still spot an American from a mile away. We all look alike and carry ourselves the same way. I wonder if they can tell I'm American??

I'm really excited about my future in London over the next couple months! 

Also on the bus today... 

A dude threw up. He was like hiccuping, and then just kinda, threw up. It amazes me how much people drink out here. No one like goes to a bar and has one drink, people have like 10 drinks! It's Sunday and people are on the bus throwing up from drinking!? Like, dude, you have work tomorrow mate! 

FYI: We have a new flat-mate and his name is Hugo. He's Portuguese. 

I felt bad for him. He moved in earlier today. I opened the door and he introduces himself, "Hi, I'm Hugo, I am from Portugal."  I didn't know what to say really, so I told him to come in and wait in the kitchen until our landlord came to set him up in the flat. Ahh, the poor dude was just sitting in the kitchen. Like, he really listened to me and didn't move. Poor Hugo.  

Chelsea VS Man U

Tomorrow is the big match! And I'm excited!

I'll be doing a shift tomorrow but I think that makes it even more exciting because I'll be in the middle of it all...(not the middle of the soccer field, but you know what I meant) (FYI: I'm still not giving full details on work until it's been sorted out! Sorry)

I did a trial shift today and it was funny. I never saw myself working behind the bar before, but I was! I was just making drinks, serving Ale and making mistakes! It was marvelous! I literally was learning and pretending I knew at the same time. I was embarrassed because I never really poured an Ale from a tap before, and wowzers do you need some arm strength for that! I feel great though, because I really learned a lot.

Chips are fries. Crisps are Chips. 

Aye Aye Aye! I was a mess but it went well apparently!

People bought me drinks which was nice too... 

The most interesting thing I found, was the way I started to say things with a British accent. 

It was only some words or like the Ale's especially! Ale's aren't really popular where I'm from. People just like their Coronas and Guiness' and Heinekens. Nothing too crazy. So since it was the first time I was saying some of these Ale names, I learned to say them with a British accent. Which kinda weirded me out! Here I was offering one dude a "cough-fee" and another dude a Deuchars IPA,  pronounced "aye pee eya" 

I took the bus home after, everyone was drunk. Two dudes were drinking bottles of Beck's on the bus. One guy had some fries and was offering them to other people. He later ended up falling on the floor and spilling his fries all over him. He actually fell because he was on his cell phone and he couldn't hold on because he had his fries in his other hand. Despite his fall, he kept his conversation on the phone completely normal! He was applauded on the bus for his graceful but not so graceful fall. 

Police in London are way too polite too. If I wasn't so tired after my shift, I think I would have appreciated the situation more. A dude on the bus gave the bus driver a problem before she pulled away, so she grabbed two police officers and told them to kick the guy off the bus. Now, not to hate on London Police officers, but yo, if that happened in New York City, the dude would have been thrown in jail by now. It took the cops 10 minutes to ask the misbehaving dude to get off the bus. And for such a hostile moment, the conversation sounded nicer than a couple arguing about what wall paper to put up in the living room. Literally, the argument between the two officers and the young man went on for a good 10 minutes and the officers were being so polite. "Please sir, the bus driver requested that you get off this bus, we are going to have to escort you off this bus right now." Like bro, you're the cops, just take the dude off! It prolonged so much, it kinda reminded me of this: REMINDER

Baby It's cold outside!

It's been really really cold here in London. Not to take away from all you Americans who are facing negative temperatures and high winds and icy roads. (I honestly don't have it that bad) But it's funny, because London doesn't get very cold, so having temps in the 20's has been an issue for my fellow Londoners.

As far as my updates, I will be bluntly honest, I've been trying to upload my Cribs London video for the past 3 days and it's taking forever to load to youtube... it's half way done... so who knows really what will happen with that?!

Theme Park Guy was very interesting, I don't know how he has so much money, but basically, I was one of his favorite 3 people so I ironically will be tutoring him in English. Apparently, he said "I like your simplify-message, your English and your international background." So on top of me, he is also hiring two other dudes, one British guy and one Australian. It will be interesting.

I have been working on getting some work, but I haven't spoken about it, so i don't jinx anything!!! So bear with me, I will explain it all when it's all said and done...

For now, until cribs loads, enjoy some pictures I loaded of my cute little neighborhood!

MY HOOD

Quick update more to come!!

I have had limited internet access this week thus, my lack of blogging and fun pictures and random references to Family Guy.

Quick update which I will gladly elaborate on later...

I've been doing a lot of trial shifts, trying to stay on my grind.

It's true, I've been pretty bummed about things!

I still love 80's music...

I will start writing for an online media website this coming week which is good!

The interview with theme park guy went really well!

THEME PARK GUY CALLED ME!!!!

I really am starting to feel like Ron Burgundy when he loses his mind...

I just turned down that au pair position with that family. Probably the stupidest choice I've made so far in my life. I need to start listening to my own heart instead of what people think I feel or think I should do. 

I asked a lot of people about my decision and I had a really large mix of opinions and I guess it made it a lot more difficult for me to decide. It's funny, I still remember leaving that interview and getting to the train station and just wanting to cry. I knew I had to take it, I was just scared about the move into a family's house I hardly knew anything about. Yet, I was still more than willing to try it. I could have done that and I would have been fine and happy and I would have worked things out. But I turned it down for some odd reason I'm still trying to figure out in my head. Not only was that the only employer thus far that was cool with the fact I had no bank account in the UK, they were going to deposit the money directly into my US account. They were also cool with the fact that I could only work for 5 months (for visa reasons, my need to leave the country) and were even willing to help me figure out a way to extend it. 

I turned it down. 

I told her that I wasn't sure I could commit to her for 5 months because I felt I should start looking for employers that would sponsor me for a longer period of time and I wouldn't feel right leaving her family before the 5 months were complete. It wouldn't be fair.

OMG, what was I thinking, no one is going to hire me!!? Have you seen the economy?! 

Spain

England

USA

I need to start listening to myself. It's fine, I need to just get past this. 

My issue is, I know nothing is going to give me what that family was willing to offer me. I can't be picky at a time like this. 

On a lighter note, Theme park guy randomly called me back. I'm meeting with him on Thursday. 

I also have 5 other interviews to go on, although I'm this close to calling them all off by explaining my situation so they can all just tell me to go home. What did I just do? 

YIKES! 

I need more 80s music... 

I wish I was Australian

Australians just get everything they want... 

They have their own country, their own continent, they can get a visa in a day and they make it on to cool websites like this one: COOL WEBSITE THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS BLOG

I am struggling people. This is not an easy task. Do not try this at home. 

I just threw away a great opportunity to stay in the country with this family. 

I turned it down, well I am tomorrow when I call the woman back. 

Basically, I called immigration today and they told me there is NO POSSIBLE way of getting a visa unless I went back to the US. The only way I can get a visa by not leaving is if I get sponsored. 

It's a catch 22. In order to get work here, I need a visa, and in order to get a visa here, I need to get work. Why do they make things so complicated. My mom says it's because of 9/11, but I feel like everyone uses that excuse. Couldn't they just say they don't like Americans? The French do it.

Oh, and about the people that moved into my flat! I don't where they went or if they shrunk since yesterday, but Al and I have no idea if they are even still living here! Last night I had a sneezing attack and I went upstairs to blow my nose and I think I woke them up in the process. When I went to lie down, I could hear them talking loudly and I thought, Hm, maybe they are trying to get back at me for waking me up by trying to keep me from falling back asleep... but that failed! Hello, I'm from the Bronx, noise is my lullaby! I don't know what their current status is, their light hasn't been on in a good 24 hrs. Unless they're mimes for fun, I haven't heard a peep from their room. 

Oh, and by the way... I LOVE 80's MUSIC!!!

Dont You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds

Alleluia!

I went to Church today to pray about my decision with all this stuff... 

I've had a stressful time deciding on what to do. 

I figured I could think about it better at Church. I was kinda hoping for some type of sign on what to do when the wildest thing happened... the priest started talking about leaving your comfort zone and traveling and exploring and taking chances!! Like, talk about a sign?! I mean, I took the homily completely out of context, the priest was actually referring to the Three Kings traveling to see baby Jesus, but still, I was just so flabbergasted. I was like... OMG I'ma take care of Jesus!

Haha, okay okay, I'm not that special, but it did make me feel better about everything. 

I'm not going to be making a lot of money. I am going to have to give up a bit, but you know what... it's something different and new and that's what I wanted. Plus... my mom said why not! So... the woman is going to call me tomorrow to tell me if she wants me for the position. I'm going to be calling the Embassy for a visa. And Al is going to figure out who moved into the flat... because someone definitely did... and they're supposedly short... real short. Nothing against short people, but hey, when you're short, people are going to notice. 

FYI: The Theme Park Guy never called me back...  

Fran Dresser Moves to London

It never crossed my mind to apply to something like this, but I did. 

I didn't expect any response back, but I got one. 

I applied for a live-in "Au Pair" position. 

Basically, I would live with a family and help look after their kid as well as help around the house. 

My housing would be completely covered. I would have my own room with a bathroom and tv.. blah blah blah.

The pay sucks, but my expenses would be a lot lower having my housing covered. 

Ah, and here is where things get difficult. 

I decided I wasn't going to wait around for the job I thought I initially got since the dude never called me back. 

But, being a nanny was never my intention. It would be a year commitment, although I'm going to see if I can cut it down from that. I mean, this would really just buy me sometime with my visa thing. 

The pros to this are, I'm gaining a ridiculous life experience plus, the family might be a really great family and what's it going to really do me if I decide to stay for 6 months to a year? Another thing, I didn't come here for the money, I came here to leave New York and get another perspective. I'm going into media, if I am going to be anything of an influencer, I think I should engulf myself with a different and new culture don't you? 

The cons are I am going to be their slave, and I am scared that I really would be. The hours are supposed to be 30-35 a week, but I'm scared that might stretch out to more. Yikes! Maybe the family is evil? Maybe I can't stand someone in the house, maybe they can't stand me? This would be quite a culture shock for me! Maybe the little boy is the devil! AHHH

What it comes down to is, what am I doing!? 

I need to decide by tomorrow but I'm going to try and ask for an extra day to really think this one through! 

This is a really big commitment for me, and I'm just not sure what to really do about it. 

HAHA, imagine me, mary poppins?! I thought usually it was the other way around, sending a british woman to watch american kids, haha, this could get ugly. 

What a Fella!

Yes there is a reason I haven't mentioned anything about men in my blogs. Oh, I've met a number who are all fun and charming, but I think the cultural differences here make it a bit difficult for me.

Let's take my most recent encounter, an Italian named Francesco. (haha I would meet a Italian dude named Francesco.) He's got the look and the chivalry going for him, but the dude is wayyyyy too forward with women. For example, dude invited me to go out with his friends to a club called Koko later on tonight. I honestly wasn't planning on going out because I have an interview in the afternoon, so I texted him back suggesting we could meet sometime earlier (assuming we would get coffee or something of the sort).

He replies: "If you want I can meet you now...I'll be in my hotel in one hour... do you wanna come with me?"

Wowzers Francesco, take it easy!!! We just met! I hardly know how to spell your name!

I assumed that this was a cultural thing and he wasn't really intending for me to actually go up to his hotel, so I texted him back, "Well, Where is your hotel, I will be heading to Covent Garden in a couple hours, would you like to meet me there?"

Francsco: "My hotel is at _____ on the grey line, if you want I can meet you at the station and we can go in the hotel... it's ok for you?"

HAHAHAHAH WTF?! Aye ve Francesco.. "Oh, no I'm sorry I'm not going to be able to go to meet you to go to your hotel with you. Sorry!"

Yea and that's just Francesco! No, it's been weird for Al and I to go out for drinks. We've made some great guy friends however!

Avoid the Jubilee Line for a couple days...

OMG... JUST IN!!! A WOMAN GIVES BIRTH IN A LONDON TUBE STATION!?

geeze... it was on the grey line too... 8 stops away from swiss cottage station! (maybe she gave birth as an excuse to not meet up with Francesco!?) 

FULL STORY: 

A Polish woman has become only the second person to give birth on London's Underground rail network since it opened 146 years ago, the capital's transport authority confirmed on Friday.Julia Kowalska was travelling with her sister on the network's Jubilee line on December 19 when her contractions started. She got off at Kingsbury, in northwest London, and gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the station supervisor's office, assisted by an ambulance crew. She was taken to the nearby Northwick Park Hospital and was discharged after four days, a hospital spokeswoman said. Brent Council, the local authority, said social workers were in contact with the woman, who was reported to be homeless. The only other birth recorded on the 275-station underground network happened in 1924 when Marie Cordery was born at Elephant & Castle, operator Transport for London said.

We need to figure out what to do with the Francesco's of the world... maybe we could learn a thing or two from this woman... she says no pretty well!

New Years... and new friends

Unlike New Yorkers who go and see the ball drop on New Years on 42nd Street, London has an amazing fireworks display right on the Thames River next to Big Ben and Parliament.(No one actually understands the ball drop thing here- and to be honest, I couldn't really explain it to them, I think I like fireworks!)

Anyway, people filled the streets and I unfortunately could not get close enough to see any fireworks, but here is how they looked on the Tele (they call the tv the tele here): LONDON FIREWORKS

It's funny because I've actually just seen the fireworks myself for the first time as I'm posting this blog and i'm relieved to say that I am not upset as I was before about the London Eye being shut down on New Years Eve. Al and I tried to take our new plumber homie up to see it, but it just happened to close down when we got there. I had no idea it's the center piece of the damn fireworks show, so yea, I'm now cool with it. 

I've been hearing a lot of people make fun of my accent. Which is kind of funny because I really have been working on being able to pick up a british accent. Not to lose mine, but to at least not stand out like a sore thumb when I don't want to. Something I can turn on and off when i'm out eating or at a store or in a cab. Here is a audio take on how much people laugh at the thought of a New Yorker saying coffee... trust me if I carried a recording device everywhere I went, I'd have a lot more of these to post...

COFFEE NEW YEAR.aif -

I love the accents here... hahaha 

Please note, every man I've spoken to here watches Sex in the City! EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!!

Overall, I continued to look for more work. I applied to many many jobs and I have ANOTHER interview on Saturday. Ugh lets see how this goes... Happy New Year!