Category: London

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Oh, hi there!

So, I haven’t posted here in about a month. Whoops!

I’m still puttering around London and am still trying to figure things out. I’ve been busy with website stuff, moving house, job hunting, etc.

It’s my favourite time of year though, and I can’t wait to explore London in the fall. The leaves are changing, there’s a nip in the air, and it always puts a smile on my face.

I wish I had something more exciting to update with, but unfortunately not! I want to get out and get some pictures in the next week or so, so I’ll try and get those posted.

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Day… I’m not too sure.

I’m not even entirley sure if it’s Wednesday or Thursday, let alone what day I’m on. And as I’m sleepy and not at my own computer, I can’t be bothered to count. Heh.

I do know that on Saturday I’ll have been in London one month. As such I’ve started reflecting a bit on my time so far.

I should mention that life took an extreme detour since my last post, so some of what I mentioned in there is no longer relevant. But I don’t care to discuss that in detail, other than to say I was about ready to fly home on Monday afternoon. But after some excellent advice from some amazing people, I’ve decided to plow through it.

Anyway!

I spent 8 months in the UK in 2005-2006, but in an experience far different from the one I’m having now. At that time I was here through a Canadian univerisity, surrounded by fellow Canadian students and instructors (for the most part), living a very sheltered life. Not to say there weren’t opportunities to become less sheltered, but as a shy, awkward 18 year old, I didn’t take any of them up.

Now I find myself emersed in the British culture and way of life. It’s exciting and challenging. Challiting, if you will.

I find being here like being in a strange alternate reality. It’s like Pete’s World in Doctor Who. Everything is so similar, while being ever so slightly different. I speak the language, yet can not understand what people are saying. It’s a strange position to be in.

There are the big things that most people know about: Driving on the opposite side, the accent, the outlets, the currency. But then there’s a million little things that I’ve just been learning through trial and error. The computer keyboard, the tumble dryer, looking the right way when crossing the street, the television times, calling landlines versus calling mobiles, and the terminology.

It’s not a store, it’s a shop. It’s not a backyard, it’s a garden. It’s not a buck, it’s a quid. It’s not a resume, it’s a CV. It’s not a cell, it’s a mobile. It’s not a closet, it’s a wardrobe. It’s not gas, it’s petrol. It’s not a pharmacy, it’s a chemist. And a million other little things.

I think I’m slowly catching on though.

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Day 23

I started work at my new job last week. I began training in one position, only to realize it was very much not for me. I told them so, and they kindly offered me a job in another department. I started training on Thursday and found it was a bit better. That’s not to say I’ll like the job- I really don’t think I will. But I’ll feel more comfortable with the new department at least. At least I hope!

I had the weekend off. Didn’t do much of anything during the day yesterday, and in the evening FINALLY made it to Pizza Express with Sally and Sophie. It was as delicious as I remembered, though I didn’t get the banoffee pie. Le sigh.

This morning I went to look at a room for rent, and Sally’s mom kindly came with. It was perfect for me. Small room with a bed, wardrobe, chair, TV, shelving, drawers, and an en suite, as well as an all inclusive price. I know they say don’t go with the first one you see, but I don’t think I’d find such a good deal anywhere else. The house was big, clean, and very nice. It’s also a close walk to the station I’ve been using. Plus, I could afford it! Always helpful! Heh.

So, I’m no longer unemployed and homeless! Go me!

(Not to say I was ever homeless. Sally and Karen have been amazing and put me up in their home for the past 23 days. I don’t know how I would have fared these first few weeks without their kindness and support and I am so happy to have been welcomed in to their home! Which brings me to another pro point on the new place- 5 mins from them! Heh.)

I’m still applying to jobs and am still waiting to hear back from ones I applied to ages and ages ago. But, for now, I’m getting settled, have some money coming in, a room to call my own, and the support of some amazing friends. What more could a girl ask for after only 23 days after moving halfway around the world?

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Day 19

I found a job today.

I wish I was more excited about that. But, it’s at a call centre, which is what I left Niagara to escape! It’s temporary though. I just have to keep reminding myself of that. Ideally I’ll stay there for about 12 weeks, save up enough money to get a flat, and in the meantime hopefully have more gainful employment lined up. But, it’ll do for now.

Unless I suck at it, and they ask me to leave… Heh.

Other than that, things have been relatively uneventful.

Last week my friend William and I went down south to Herstmonceux Castle and Eastbourne, which was a lot of fun!

Aside from that, just pounding the pavement to find work!

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Week One

It’s Saturday, which means I’ve been in London for an entire week already. It’s gone by fast and slow, all at once. I also feel like I’ve accomplished a great deal, and absolutely nothing, all at the same time. I hate that feeling. Everything seems so chaotic, and I’ve not been good with chaos this year, so it’s no surprise that I’ve started to lose my head a bit in the last few days. Today was especially bad, but I’m hoping that a good nights sleep tonight will help. We shall see…

I’ve been applying to job upon job all week. A few in person, a lot online, so I’m really hoping to hear back from something in the next week. I didn’t come here with the expectation of finding something right away. I know that’s not realistic! But something soon would be nice. There’s an amazing job that I’ve been short listed for so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Again, we shall see.

Today Sally and her mum took me to Enfield, where I’d never been. It was lovely. A very picturesque London borough with tons of shops and restaurants and parks. I handed out a few resumes while there, we had lunch, and did some shopping. Well, I looked longingly at pretty things I can’t afford until I find work, but, you know. I did buy a portable wardrobe. Woo!

No, I shouldn’t mock. I am pretty excited about it. I’m not good with living out a suitcase, so it’ll be nice to get my things out and organized. I’m hoping it will be help dampen a bit of chaos I’m feeling.

Shopping in Enfield when a rain storm came past.

I was invited out to dinner and a movie tonight with Sally, Michelle, and a friend of theirs, but opted out. I don’t think I’m very much fun to be around today, so it’s probably best for everyone. Plus I’ve gotten myself completely paranoid about spending money. This is also why a job can not come soon enough!

Not much else new. I have a lot of paperwork to fill out tonight (National Insurance, NHS, bank), and am hoping to get to bed early. My jet lag has been terrible, and I’ve been up until 3 or 4 every night. I got up early today though and am feeling quite tired, so hopefully I can get this sorted! Everything seems worse when you don’t sleep, and between that and my normal anxiety I’m surprised I haven’t booked myself a flight home in a moment of panic! Heh.

But, all in all, things are good. Aside from my moments (err, hours, maybe) of panic I’m feeling pretty hopeful. Give it time and patience and good things will come, right? Once again, we shall see.

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Checking In

I arrived in London on Saturday after an uneventful journey over. The flight was on time, there was no line up (and I mean not a single person!) at immigration when I arrived, no bags were lost, and the Gatwick Express was waiting when I arrived at the platform.

Michelle was kind enough to come and meet me at Victoria station to help me with my things. And thank goodness! We got on the underground, did our one transfer, and shortly after the entire line shut down due to a signal outage. We had to transfer to a third train and exit at the final open stop where we then had to find a bus to take us up the rest of the line. With my 100 lbs of stuff. But we eventually made it!

On Sunday I slept. And slept. And slept a bit more.

On Monday I headed in to Central London to a new arrivals orientation through BUNAC Work In Britain. It was very helpful. They told me everything I need to do to legally work, how to file taxes, where to get a bank account, employment agency recommendations, etc. After the orientation I headed to Angel to buy a mobile and open a bank account. I’d never been to Angel before, but it was so nice! And very easy to get to from where I’m staying. I’ll have to remember that.

Yesterday I started the process of getting a National Insurance Number, NHS, applied for a pile of jobs online, and checked in with a few jobs I’d applied to before leaving home to let them know I was now here.

Today I headed in to a big shopping area close to where I’m staying and handed out my CV to anyone willing to take it! Fingers crossed that something comes up in the next week or so.

That’s about all that’s new here. I’m still jet lagged and exhausted as I’ve been having a lot of trouble falling asleep. I’m hoping that that passes soon though.

Ummm… Yeah. That’s everything! I’ll hopefully have good news on the job front the next time I post. *Fingers Crossed*

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Time

728 days, 14 hours, 24 minutes and 59 seconds.

How much time I will have in the UK before my presence becomes illegal.

378 days, 14 hours, 24 minutes and 59 seconds.

How much time I will have to complete my internship upon entering the UK.

1 day, 2 hours, 32 minutes and 46 seconds.

How much time I have until entering the UK.

19 hours, 31 minutes and 46 seconds.

How much time I have until I leave Canada.

13 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds.

How much time I have until I leave for the airport.

3 hours, 6 minutes and 24 seconds.

How much time I spent tossing and turning in bed tonight before writing this blog.

3 seconds.

The time it took you to ask yourself: “WTF is this post?”

I can’t sleep. This is my version of counting sheep ; )

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HUZZAH!

Update to yesterdays post.

I woke up this morning to find the most wonderful email in my inbox:

Confirmation that my UK visa has been approved and issued. It will be ready for pick-up in Toronto in just 3 days!

London, here I come!

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10 things I need to do to survive in London Town

If all goes to plan, two months today (August 21st) will be my first day waking up in the city of London. (UK, not Ontario, which I need to clarify often). It’s come up so fast and so slowly, all at the same time. “Yikes!” it’s the best way I can describe it at this point.

Disclaimer- It’s still not official. My application and passports have been in NYC for weeks now and I’m just waiting for final word. Through this entire process I have been assured that my chances are good, but I still can’t say for sure which way the cards will fall. I’d say I don’t want to get my hopes up, but let’s be honest here- My hopes were up a year ago, the second I decided I wanted to do this!

Anyway, I’m currently trying not to succumb to heat exhaustion, and realized I hadn’t blogged in ages, so here we are!

10 things I need to do/learn to survive living in London:

1. Find a job. I’m poor. Actually, I passed by poor about 5 years ago and can’t even see it anymore. But, such is life after 6 long years of post-secondary, so I’m not going to spend too much time fretting over it. However, I’m also not going to get myself in denial about it! I need to find a job within 2 weeks of arriving to London, and I have every intention of doing so. I’ve been applying like a mad woman, and am h0ping to have something lined up with a temp agency right away. Finger crossed.

2. Become fashionable. I like to imagine that I’m not completely fashion inept, but there’s a good chance I might just be. However, Canada itself tends to be a little fashion inept, so it’s never been an issue. London, however, is not. It’s fashionable, trendy, and my poor little Canadian self will stick out like a sore thumb. Thankfully London seems to also make being fashionable very cheap and accessible, so I hold out hope of this being a possibility. Dear Primark and New Look: I see a great friendship in our futures.

3. Get over my irrational fear of public transit. I have this completely irrational issue with public transit that I’m going to need to get over if I’m to survive in London. It’s not the public transit itself- I can manage on timed things like Coach Canada and GO just fine. It’s the not-so-clear ones like subways and buses and streetcars that get me very anxious. I think I might be okay to handle the Tube and National Rail, but the buses might take some time. But, I think I can handle it! I hope so anyway… Heh.

4. Drink tea. So, I’ve never had tea. Ever. And I feel this may be an issue. I’ll work on it, I promise.

5. Don’t overdue the traveling. One of the amazing things about London is that you can travel to almost anywhere in Europe for next to nothing. As I have a bit of travel addiction, I’m going to need to work on spacing out trips, setting aside money for it, and, generally just remembering that I have 2 years so there’s no need to pack it all in the first 4 months.

6. Learn the slang. Thanks to many of my closest friends being from the UK, I have some slang down. But, I’m sure there’s a hundred more things I’m going to get there are be completely lost on. However, Orla did buy me an Irish slang dictionary for my birthday, so any trips to Belfast are taken care of.

7. See Jedward live. You’re probably asking why this is necessary as a survival technique in London. Well, I suppose in the grand scheme of things it’s technically not, but how on Earth can I spend 24 months there and NOT see Jedward? That’s just unacceptable! As such, it’s on the list. If you don’t like it, tough.

8. Get out to the country whenever possible. London is a big, lively, and sometimes overwhelming city. And the English countryside is only a short drive or train ride away. I feel that short breaks from the craziness of it will be necessary, easy to do, and good for my general mental health. Unless I wind up in that town from Hot Fuzz.

9. Stay in touch. I’ve lived away before, and have friends all over the place, so I know how easy it is to stay in contact. I also know how easy it is to not. So, I need to make sure the former is how it’ll go. If we’re not on each others Skype, that needs to change. I’m also a huge fan of snail mail, so don’t be surprised if your mailbox if constantly being bombarded. I also love getting snail mail, so, keep that in mind… ; )

10. Visitors! You! Yes, you! Come to London! I’ve had so many people tell me that they’ll come to visit, but I know that for many of them it probably won’t happen. I hope to be proved wrong, but I also know that life happens, and money stuff happens, so while I’ll be upset, I completely understand. I will be working and can’t say whether or not I’ll get time off, but you’re welcome to stay and see the city that stole my heart!

So, as you can see, if for some reason my visa is denied, I’m going to be completely heart broken. But, let’s not cross that bridge until we come to it. Which will hopefully be never!