a house is not a flat. a flat is not a home.

I'm creeping closer and closer to move in and I'm getting excited! I've loved my time with Lou and Katie but I can't wait for my own room. I need to buy linens, and probably some more towels, maybe a couple picture frames and a mirror, most probably from the 99 pence store (pence not cents!). I'm just gonna try my best to make it home. The people I'm moving in with seem super nice, so I'm sure it'll be fine.

In other news, I got a call back from the group interview I had last week! This means I've made it to the final round of interviews! Go me! Oh and on top of that, I have 2 more interviews! 3 job interviews in 3 days. I like my odds. I keep telling myself that someone somewhere will want to hire me. Optimism. This is new to me!

Oh and another cool thing to report. Every year iTunes has a festival in London, so for the month of July they've had a show every night. The tickets can not be purchased; only won via Facebook. When I went to Paolo Nutini, it was because Lou had won tickets. Anyway, before I left Canada I started listening to a band called The Hoosiers; coincidentally from England. Well, turned out they were slated to play the iTunes festival. So about 3 weeks ago, I entered under three different e-mails in hopes of winning. Well.. I won on ALL three e-mails! Yup, that's 6 tickets I won. Plus, Lou entered and she won! I think they knew that I really wanted to go. So tomorrow, I get to go see them live! So exciting.

I also have to add that I have these tiny moments that just seem to happen every now and then. They're teeny and random. It usually happens when I'm getting groceries or waiting for the tube where I just have a huge realization: I'm actually in London. It seems weird seeing as I've been here for almost a month, but yes, it still hasn't set in.

Anyway, I should go - cross your fingers for me on the job front!

sometimes life knocks you down.

You just gotta get back up, because who knows? There might be a flat with your name on it. Which is the case for me! After tedious amounts of searching, I have landed myself a flat! I'm so happy! Words can not express how happy I was to finally find a suitable/nice/affordable/etc one. I had 4 flat viewings set up for today (on top of the 2 I'd already seen last week). 3rd time's a charm I guess! The flat I found is just down the road from Lou's and it's amazing. It's been recently renovated so everything is brand new and in great condition. Love it. I have a double room with just enough room for the few belongings I brought with me. I'll be living with a couple, Ken and Beata. Ken is half Japanese and half English. Beata is Polish. They met in Spain and collectively speak English, Polish, Japanese and Spanish and are currently learning French. So you can imagine how pleased they were to discover I'm a French teacher.

Anyway, I move in on Saturday! Can't wait. Now just keeping my fingers crossed about the Haymarket job. That would essentially make my life perfect.

Miss you all xoxo

just like an oxford circus.

What a crazy week it's been. I would say that this week has been more of a "sorting shit out in life" sort of week. I've had 2 job interviews, been to see 3 flats and I have 2 more flat viewings later today.

So let's start this thing off with a bit on the flats. I've seen 3. 1 out of 3 was nice, but alas I did not get it. Blast my stupid age. It really is working against me -- seems that everybody looking for a flatmate is wanting somebody in their late 20's. Um, hello? 22. It's not like I'm 20. (I'm reaching here but you know what I mean). Basically, I've learned to play on my strengths - maturity, sense of humour, wit, teaching. The teaching thing always makes people think I'm older. But anyway, flat #1 was wicked. The girl, called Liz, was really nice and chatty and the flat is super close to where I am now. BUT, I didn't get it because somebody was closer to her age. Next. The second flat I saw was extremely close to a tube station and quite nice, aside from the fact that it felt like a prison. It was an East Indian woman who rented the rooms in the house out to single females and quite honestly felt a little along the lines of "Taken." Next. Saw a flat this morning and the girl who owned the house was so awkward. Pretty sure I'm capable of having a better conversation by myself. Actually, I'm pretty certain that I have had better conversations with myself. The sad bit is that her flat was gorgeous! So so nice but the conversation was so dull. But on the upside of things, I have 2 more flat viewings later today. So hopefully (fingers crossed) those go well and the people are cool.

Next topic of discussion? Work. I had 2 job interviews this week. Scratch that, 1 job interview, 1 scam. The first was an interview for a job in "marketing." Now the reason that I use quotation marks is because that's the loosest use of marketing I've ever seen. Basically, they hire you (AFTER you do an 8 hour observation session which you don't get paid for) and then you go and pitch charities/other needless things to people who don't want them. NEXT. I was a little defeated but had a feeling that it wasn't going to be a real job, but then I got an interview for a job at a company called Haymarket. They are a huge publishing company over here and the job was within sales (selling adverts/classifieds, etc). Score. I had the interview which was actually a group interview. My first of its kind and I rocked it. Just myself and another guy were asked to stay for one-to-one interviews. This was awkward because they tell you this in front of the rest of the people who are not asked to stay... Anyway, had my one-to-one and now I'm waiting for a call back to see if I got the final formal interview. So again, FINGERS CROSSED.

Anyway, that's about all that's new with me. Just trying to sort some stuff out - hence the week of "sorting shit out in life" title. It's been hectic but exciting and I'm just hoping to get the job and a flat so then it will actually feel like I'm living here and not on vacation!

Miss you all, xoxo.

culturally shocking.

Time for a quick blog post. I've been spending my morning drowning in job applications - the job hunt isn't going well. It's only been about a week though, so I still have to be a bit optimistic. If anything I might just have to take a random crap paying job to tide me over until September when I can teach. It is a bit defeating but that's what happens when you're in a global recession.

The other Canadian arrived here on Friday and I picked her up from the airport. It was nice being able to help her out and share the little insight I have. I had a flat viewing the other day as well for a flatshare with a girl called Liz. She's wicked and the flat was super nice, so cross your fingers for me! A plus is this its just done the road from Lou and Katie's, which also makes it a minutes walk away form the tube station and a supermarket!

We're going to catch Harry Potter at the Imax on Friday. Lou booked the tickets well in advance so we've got awesome seats. On a side note, when you go the movies here and buy your tickets, you actually book your seats. The guy literally turns the screen to you and asks you which seats you want. It's phenomenal. So note to Canada, get up to speed with England.

In other news, as August approaches more and more things keep popping up -- which just reiterates how badly I need a job! Lou's birthday is August 19th and she's planned a 4 day celebration for it (greedy bitch, most people get 1 day!). For her actual party, she's having a "P Party" which basically means everyone has to dress in something starting with the letter P. I've gotten my costume already for really cheap - Pink Lady! (Grease, not the apple). So excited.

Anyway, I should get back to the job hunt. It's so tedious and I've gotten to the point that I feel like a robot.

Oh and as for the culturally shocking bit, British television is awesome. For real. They have awesome shows that I've become hooked on like 8 out of 10 Cats and Chatty Man with Alan Carr. They're hysterical. Oh and did I mention they love Russell Brand here and play his stand up on cable all the time?! Yeah, I'm in heaven.

british 101.

My apologies, "English 101" because apparently "British" encompasses too many people that are not English, but British. Don't call a person from Scotland or Wales English, because they aren't.

You walk on the pavement,

not the sidewalk.

Rubbish goes in the bin not to be confused with garbage going in the trash.

Whilst watching TV with friends, you might find yourself in the lounge but definitely not the living room.

If you would like a Vodka Seven, be sure to order a Vodka Lemonade or you may just get seven vodka shots.

Be aware that a pint of Stella is actually a pint of wifebeater.

When job hunting, you hand out your CV. Whatever it is you call resumé doesn't exist here.

Remove the word "pants" from your personal dictionary, it will only get you in trouble. Pyjama pants? Goodbye. Capri pants? See ya. Pants are underwear here or commonly known as knickers. Trousers are pants. See? Trouble.

Lay's Chips are Walker's Crisps. Here chips are thick cut fries commonly seen next to a pile of fish.

If somebody asks you for a lift, they're looking for an elevator not a ride.

If you pull someone, it doesn't mean you grabbed them. Unless you grabbed them and made out with them furiously. "Pulling" is a large concept which basically insinuates hooking up with someone.

Last but certainly not least, picking up a pack of fags is not derogatory or related to a hate crime, you just need cigarettes.

how could you be so job-less.

I've spent the last couple days, inundated in job applications. I've applied to so many places I can't even keep track of them all.

Except for one. I applied for a job today as a Sales Supervisor for Virgin Holidays. Basically it would combine my sales experience at Telus and my supervisor experience at Shopper's. What's bad is that I'm unrealistically optimistic about it. Is that bad? I want it so bad. The last time I remember having this feeling was when I initially applied at Telus. The wage is decent, it's in Clapham which is super close to where I am.

In other news, I have arranged a flat viewing on Monday. We'll see how it works out. Oh and I forgot to mention that the other day Lou and I went to a screening of Julie and Julia. It wasn't the greatest of movies, but the screening itself was wicked. It was only for industry people and was right at Sony in Central London. They had a cool little theatre right in there and a full service bar. So nice.

Anyway, off to M&S today to get some new things... Not many though, just necessities.

oot and aboot.

It's been a few days since the last post, but it's still been eventful. On Saturday, Lou and I went out to Harrod's. It was craziness. We had some pizza at the pizzeria in Harrod's and it was awesome. They guys working there were actually from Italy and the one would just randomly start spouting off opera while he made your pizza. Harrod's itself was mental because of two things: a) it was a Saturday and b) there was a sale and they never have sales. We then went over to a few shops on Oxford Street but to be quite honest, I couldn't wait to get out of there. The crowds were unlike anything I've seen and I've been to Disney at Christmas.

Later on in the evening Lou, Katie (her flatmate) and I went out for a night on the town. We went out to a club called Infernos in Clapham (a hop skip away from Tooting). Overall, it was a lot of fun. I met a few random people at the club and when told I was from Canada then began talking incessantly about Shania Twain. Who knew the English associated Canada with good ol' Shania?

Monday I ventured off to the City to meet Lou for lunch and get my bank account sorted. It was a stupid ordeal with the bank, but I managed to get an account! I then managed to (on foot mind you) find my way to Piccadilly Circus all by myself. This was a task I didn't know I could handle, but managed. Met Lou at Piccadilly for dinner and then the theatre. We grabbed dinner at TGIFriday's (funnily enough) and then went off to catch my first show ever; Avenue Q. It was brilliant. It was basically a spoof of Sesame Street but was only relevant to said show in the way that they used puppets. It was amazing. So funny.

Yesterday was rather uneventful, I wandered around Tooting for a bit and checked out some flats. Kim (another girl from Saskatchewan) is arriving here on Friday and we were planning on living together, but it's halted for now. We don't have UK references so any letting agent would require 6 months rent up front. And seeing as a flat goes for 1000 pounds a month, that's about 7000$ Canadian...each. So we're gonna wait til we land some jobs.

Today has been a lazy day, just chillin' out at the flat. It's been nice. Kim gets here on Friday so I'll pick her up from the airport so she's not as freaked out and alone. But for now, gonna go watch some BBC and probably head to bed!

nutini new.

So yesterday's post was all about how relaxed I'd felt... well today was busy and exciting! Lou and I started the day off with going to the Towers of London. It was fantastic! We had an awesome Beefeater guide; he was hysterical. Lou loved him because he kept cutting down the Americans. We got to see the Armoury and the Crown Jewels. So awesome. We weren't allowed to take many pictures because it was banned in most parts, but needless to say it was beautiful.

Then we were off to Gaucho to have lunch. This is Lou's favorite restaurant and I wish she hadn't taken me there, because it is now mine! Such a posh restaurant. It was on the edge of the river with a beautiful view of Tower Bridge. And I tell you now, it was the best steak I've ever had in my life. Actually, it was probably the best meal I've ever had. So so so good. Too good for words. We were gonna go to the Dungeon after but we ended up polishing off a bottle of wine and needed to immediately go to Camden.

All of this month, there's been a festival put on by iTunes. There's a gig every night of July and all the tickets are free through Facebook. Lou won tickets to a gig tonight for Paulo Nutini (wicked famous over here in the UK) so we went to that. It was in the Roundhouse in Camden which might I say is one of the coolest parts of London I've seen yet. Such a bohemian, rocker attitude about the place and I love it. The gig was long and good and I got exposed to a few artists I'd never seen. So good. My feet hurt really bad afterwards and it was such a LONG tube ride back to Tooting. 20 stops to be exact! But now we're back, watching British TV and heading to bed. Overall, FANTASTIC week.

in a piccadilly.

Compared to the first part of my week, the last couple days have been rather relaxing. Yesterday was interesting because I had my first adventure on my own, sans Lulu, when I went to Wimbledon to the teaching agency. Took public transport all by myself and arrived in Wimbledon ok... only to get lost and overwhelmed! I eventually found the agency and did all my paperwork. It was annoying though because before I had arrived, I had been told that at my induction interview I'd get set up with a bank account and a national insurance number; neither of which I received. This was a piss-off. On the subject of the bank account thing, I subsequently went to HSBC today to get an account set up (in the words of the Protocol rep, just go in and get set up, rrrrrrrright) and was initially deceived into thinking it was an easy process. Apparently I needed proof of my overseas address-- which I had with my driver's license-- BUT because the address is on a separate piece of paper and not on the actual card (Thanks SGI), it wasn't good enough. I knew it was too good to be true when the bank guy was making it seem so easy!! I digress. So I finished my induction interview then met Lou at the train station.

We headed off to Weybridge in Surrey to meet up with one of Lou's friends, Maritez. She picked us up from the train station and we went to go for lunch. It was wicked. Surrey's more of a country type environment so there were loads of trees, grass and such. Then it was back to London. Spent another night at The Manor pub and met some crazy Australians. Very wicked night; most of which was spent getting unexpectedly tipsy.

This brings us to today. Today was eventful only in the way that after dinner in Leicester Square, Lou dragged me over to Piccadilly Circus! Hello tourists! Loads of cameras. Loads of people. Ridiculous. It was wicked though. Totally different feel when you go to a touristy place after spending time in SW London. I loved it though and will probably go back eventually.

Anyway, it's late and I need sleep! Goodnight :)

hangovers are international.

What a first day. Yesterday was ridiculously busy. I had a terrible sleep -- woke up at 3 am, and was wide awake. Gotta love jet lag. So I didn't actually wake up until around 11. Lou had a busy day (and week for that matter) planned so we just went at it. Started off by having my first tube experience, which was awesome. It's wicked that I have Lou here to help me because she gives me little insider information in terms of how not to look like a tourist. And then you witness people doing exactly what she says not to do and then laugh. Haha. Oh, and pronunciation; she's good for that too (example: Leicester Square, pronounced Lester Square). Juicy little tidbits.

So we took the tube down to Waterloo, in Central London to start off the day with a flight up the Eye. I mock the use of the word flight because it's a ferris wheel, but Lou informed me that it's sponsored by British Airways. It was awesome! The views from the top were phenomenal and it just kind of makes you realize how small a place like Saskatoon is. London goes on for ages and you literally can't see an edge to the city. And not only that, it's extremely compressed. You'd be surprised they have room for roads. Then we went to the London Aquarium which was awesome! Saw loads of fish, sharks, these weird eels and things called razor fish. All very very cool. We lunched at a place called Prezzo and had awesome Italian food. We then went to House of Fraser to do a bit of shopping. Finished the day out with a hot chocolate from Costa (Jen and Melissa; it was just as good as you described!).

After that we just came home and sat around for a bit before heading out to the pub. Lou, her flatmate Katie and I all just went to a pub around the corner called The Manor and had some awesome food and drinks. We had a little too many and stumbled the way home. That brings us to today, it's about dinner time and we haven't even left yet. Well, we left, but only briefly to get McDonald's. Hangovers are the same over here as they were back home. Shocking.

across the pond, they all know us.

So this is my first post from LONDON! I arrived here safe and sound about 5 hours ago. But before I get into that I'll share a little bit about the journey here.

The first flight was awesome, I had the best flight attendant ever and there was barely anybody on the flight so I had nobody sitting next to me. During the short two hour flight to Denver, I re-learned how to play Yahtzee! on my iPod touch (and consequently got hooked on it). Clearing customs in the States was SO quick. Then I had 3 hours to kill before boarding the flight to London.

The second flight was not so fun. It was obviously a huge plane which was filled to capacity. What I've discovered is that the worst part of being sat in coach is that they make you walk through first class, almost just to throw it in your face! But, it gets worse. I was told I had a window seat when I booked through Travel Cuts (remember Kelly?) and where was I? I wasn't in a window seat, nor was I in an aisle seat. I was in the middle seat of the middle section. Probably as far away from the windows as humanly possible! So what did I do? Took 2 sleeping pills and played Yahtzee! until they kicked in. I didn't get out of my seat once throughout the 9 hour flight.

So Lulu came and got me from Heathrow (which might I add is a HUGE effing airport!) and we somehow managed to get all of ours bags onto the train. We were gonna take the tube back to her place, but I had WAY too much shit and one of the tubelines was closed for maintenance. Instead, we took a taxi. The taxi itself was amazing. As lame as it sounds, it was just a really cool car. Rode back to her place in Tooting and I got to shower and make myself feel like a human being. We then went out to grab a bite to eat at GBK which makes the most amazing gourmet burgers! I had a Pesterella -- pesto and mozzarella on a burger. Fantastic. We then grabbed a beer at a pub (within which loads of people were watching the end of Wimbledon) which was coincidentally in Wimbledon.

Jet Lag is catching up with me and I haven't really processed that I'm actually in London! It's craziness. I think the hardest thing to get used to will be the left hand lane thing -- it's freaky. But anyway, I'm gonna go take a nap. We're probably just gonna stay in and be lame tonight. Tomorrow, it's off to the Eye!

Cheers!