On the Verge of Traveling and Fighting This @#$?% Flu

I’ve come down with the flu, and though I felt completely disgusting yesterday, I went to Greenwich with Kate. It probably didn’t do me any good health-wise, but it was worth seeing, especially as I’d put off going for so long. When I got home, it became much worse (and I’ll spare you the icky details).

The weather has been particularly wild these past few days. I’d gotten the impression that spring was on its way judging on the sunshine that persisted for a while previously, but I think winter just had one last statement to make before it becomes spring properly. About an hour ago, the sky was bright blue; and now, judging by the storm howling and beating against my window, you’d never guess it to have been true.

I stayed up nearly until dawn again, watching some insane post-midnight television programs with Agneta while I took care of some my travel bookings. Usually, we’d be watching some movies or old TV shows through the connection to my laptop, but as I needed my laptop, we just let the TV run its course. I’ve discovered some new films that way in the past; more often than not, they’ve been quite different from the films I’m used to seeing on TV back home. Anyway, this time it seemed to get stranger as time went on. Examples: I’m A Cyborg, But That’s Okay (a Korean film about a mental hospital patient who believes she’s a cyborg and fantasizes about killing everyone, but is cared for by another patient who believes he can shrink); Hello Friend (about a killer computer part); and some stop-motion children’s show with magic poo that transforms into a triangle that teleports people and animals into another dimension. Sometimes we just watched sports (OMG, sports!) to escape from the madness for just a little while. I think Adult Swim will seem quite tame after this.

Anyway, during all this weird TV-watching, I finished booking my flight back to LA (round trip was HALF the price of a single ticket!) and my flight and accommodations in Paris. I still have to book for Barcelona. I don’t think I could have possibly done any more comparing. I’m trying to stick to a very strict budget, as well as I can.

For now, I’ve got plenty to do, but my first priority is to get rid of this flu. I have a bath waiting for me now, and it’s been getting cold. I’ve already had some meds, but I need some tea, too. And possibly soup.

Loath to Make Plans

I keep clicking on the calendar in the bottom-right corner of the screen… considering my tentative travel plans. One week in Paris, and another in Barcelona. Or maybe splitting the second week into Barcelona and some other place. Exciting, isn’t it? It is, but the one thing holding me back from making all my reservations is a lack of communication… Wouldn’t it be so much better if I could share the experience with friends? I have three friends in Paris who I would like to see. I’ve sent them notes through email and Facebook – days ago – but I haven’t received a reply. Janice and I have been talking for ages about going to Barcelona together. I’ve been trying to meet up with her to discuss it, and that’s been a problem; finally, I asked her if she’s even still interested – via email – and she told me that she’s got some plans coming up that conflict with the dates I need to travel on. I’d put it off to accommodate her plans… really, I would… but I’m spending a lot of money and wasting a lot of time as it is. My parents gave me a very nice sum of money at the start of this adventure, and most of it’s gone. London’s an expensive city, and the economy is pretty unforgiving, especially to someone who intends to stay only temporarily. But let’s not go into that. It’s too depressing a thought, and I’ve already been there, many times.

I’m still holding on to the notion of sharing my travels… So clicking the “Send/Receive” button on Outlook and refreshing Facebook is becoming a semi-obsessive habit. I’m anxious, and I’m beginning to get a little paranoid. Am I being ignored? Is there something wrong with me? Is something wrong with the website/my email/their computers/etc.? I’ve thought about a few people that I’ve lost contact with over time, and have begun to ask the same questions all over again. It’s unsettling. And if in fact there is something technical at fault, or my messages have simply gone unnoticed, what if it all comes together after it’s too late? I *hate* making decisions like these…

I’ve also got to book my return flight to LA. And even in that case I’m having doubts. Just one little click decides how much time I’ve got before I close another chapter in my life. As much as I love my family and friends back home, I am truly reluctant to return. I felt so stuck there. Especially after graduation. Sitting in my bedroom, I was in the one place where my world felt unchangeable, in a very negative way. It’s a place for clinging to childhood and feeling guilty for not suddenly transforming into a productive adult. And god, in that place, I really hate that phrase.

And so, my browser remains on a dozen or so travel websites, reservations just a click away… and it’s been that way for two or three days, exactly the same. I’m considering clicking a fairly distant date – a week or two after my supposed return from the continent. Agneta assures me that she’ll have a flat by then, and I can stay with her. I just don’t know how many days will be an excess, especially on my finances. And by the way, just why have round-trip flights come up on these websites at incredibly low prices than the single trip ones? I mean, really… it’s ridiculous! I may have to buy a round-trip ticket and then feel a bit guilty for burning the second trip.

Oh, and also: I haven’t done ANY packing, nor any shipping yet! I’m sure I’ll be rushing it all at the very last minute.

TOMORROW’S PLAN: Greenwich Observatory, with Kate (11:30 AM). One of a few places I’ve long intended to visit.

Ups & Downs

I’ve done it again… another ridiculous all-nighter, going to bed as the sun rises. The previous 12 hours or so have been another roller-coaster ride. I woke up some time after noon, took a bath to soothe away some of my anxiety, enjoyed having the ability to eat in the bedroom once again, and returned to my previous anxious state, with extra nerves to spare (almost to the point of being nauseous) before it all went away, replaced by a silly kind of bliss for a while until I was merely excited, in a calm sort of way.

Perhaps this needs some explanation.

Cristina is at large once again. Fearing she will fail to return our deposits as she did with Oscar, Janice, Giulia and I have peaceably requested that she accept our deposits as rent in lieu of this, our final month’s, payment. She angrily declined. Janice moved out yesterday morning into a single room on Queensway with a “big bed” and a “verrrry big wardrobe”. More texts and phone calls with Cristina… more stress, more ridiculous claims and insulting statements on her end… She announced a day before that she would be arriving at 8:30 PM. I talked with my dad on the phone. I told him about the situation, and he warned me not to hand over any more money to Cristina. Abby, Agneta, Giulia and myself chatted in the kitchen, anxiously watching the minutes pass. Cristina called Giulia some 15 or so minutes after the appointed time (another messy conversation ensued); her accountant would be in the lobby soon to collect payment. No go, there. Giulia and I wrote a letter for the accountant to pass on to her, but the rotund fellow would not take it; she would be coming the following evening anyway.

At 10 o’clock, Janice suggested to Agneta (via Skype) that we all meet her at the Black Lion pub. Ryan, Giulia, Agneta and myself went, and Janice brought her German boyfriend (I still can’t remember his name… we all still refer to him as “German guy”, though). We all had a great time – perhaps all the more because of our stressful encounter previously. It was just what the doctor ordered. The atmosphere couldn’t have been more perfect, right down to the ancient oil paintings and leather lounge chairs. It’s a shame the kitchen was closed already, though. The place is less than a minute away; we really should have visited it a lot more often during these past several months.

Next stop for Agneta and I: Subway. She, with her classic veggie sub, and I with my regular Italian B.M.T. No chocolate chip cookies, this time. By coincidence, we saw Janice and the German guy there, too, but we separated after that. At home, Agneta and I indulged in all manner of goodies (edamame beans, pretzels + Nutella, Allsorts, and our sandwiches) and watched Dirty Pretty Things.

We talked for hours after that… About her new job, Cristina, the past, the future, Disney World, etc. Both of us have some pretty grand goals, but things aren’t looking too peachy at present.

Cristina has promised to come meet today, at 8:30 again. This time, however, I’m pretty sure I will ask for my deposit back so I can leave London a few weeks earlier than previously planned. I’ve spent a lot of my money here for lack of a job (and it’s not as though I haven’t tried my damnedest to get one). I won’t find a job in the time I have remaining, so I may as well move forward and use what money I have left towards a little traveling before I head back to California. I will challenge myself to spend as little as possible while making the absolute most of it. Can I do it within $500? Paris and Barcelona are musts. I’ve begun a list already, which I intend to make quite thorough. I’ve also got a few places left seeing in London that have been put off.

That said, I should see if I can get by with just a few hours of sleep – I would really like to check out the Royal College of Surgeons of England today.

Oops, I can already hear the horses on Bayswater Road…

A Few Good Days

I’ve had a few really good days, even though the situation in general hasn’t been great.

On Friday, I went to the British Museum (I was in awe for most of the time, and I only covered a tip of the iceberg; I need to go back and see more) went to The Strand in search of an elusive tea at Twinings (still didn’t find it; I was looking for a summer blend that I became addicted to in Disney World and never saw again), ate a meat pie (a Cornish pasty, to be specific) in front of the supposed location of Sweeney Todd’s barber shop, explored the crypt at St. Bride’s Church, had a roast hog sandwich (with Venezuelan hot cocoa!) underneath the London Eye, and walked all the way home via the scenic route through St. James and by Buckingham Palace whilst listening to the Sweeney Todd soundtrack on my iPod two times in a row. I got loads of fabulous pictures.


On Saturday (Valentine’s Day), I went to Trafalgar Square to witness a Guinness world record attempt for the most couples kissing (there were quite a few people, but they didn’t exactly fill the Square), though my best photos came of the street performers and artists. I ended up chatting with an older American gentleman standing next to me for a very long time; he’s traveled the world on business, and he had some interesting stories to tell. I thought I’d have enough time to go home to switch shoes and drop off my camera, but, well, I didn’t. I went straightaway to the Highgate Cemetery after that, where I volunteered in the landscaping working party for the second time; it was a little less tiring this time, but it was still very satisfying. I’m planning on going to the next one on March 1st.

Monday was less eventful, but pleasant. I slept in (unintentionally), but in the evening, Agneta, Giulia and myself had a cozy time watching Pleasantville. I’d ordered the DVD on Amazon after the film became a topic of conversation some time before, and the craving to see it became ever stronger; besides, it’s a great film. I think they both really enjoyed it. To make the occasion all the cozier – sort of slumber-party style (we were in our jammies, after all) – I splurged and bought sweets and soda for everyone: Jaffa cakes, white chocolate, Turkish delight, pretzels with Nutella, coke (mainly for Agneta; it still tastes like cough syrup to me), and sparkling apple juice (not quite Martinelli’s, but very good). And with the lights dimmed, candles lit and fleece blankets spread, the evening was just made. We chatted late into the night after that. When Giulia went to bed, Agneta and I doodled by candlelight, and talked at length about the main questions we ask ourselves, and how our minds work.

Today… Tuesday, I went to Camden High Street for an appointment to get my National Insurance Number, at 9:30 AM. A little early for my taste, but it was over and done much quicker than I thought it would be, in just over 15 minutes. I told Giulia I’d join her with Sabrina in a trip to Ikea around noon, but I still had plenty of time. I’d never been in that area before, so I just wandered. At first, I was unimpressed. It was as dodgy as I’d heard it was, and there wasn’t much life going on. Eventually I came upon a channel with a path running by it; remembering that the same channel wound past Regent’s Park, I headed upstream. In probably less than ten minutes, my entire perspective of Camden had changed – mainly due to the Horse Tunnel Market. My first view was from the channel, and it was pretty interesting at that point. As I ventured ever further in, it went on to become by far the most impressively eccentric market I've ever seen! I actually wore out my cell phone battery taking snapshots. Long story short, I bought two plaid, woolen skirts on sale for £15, plus a really cool Austrian felt hat from a vintage store that played 80s and soul music; a very nice French girl with short, brown hair helped me with sizes. I also got a California license plate (used!) and some vintage-style postcards inside a tunnel that used to be for horses way-back-when (the horses' stalls remained). I’m planning on going back with Kate later this week.

It’s getting late and I want to watch some “Pete & Pete” and perhaps play a little “Caesar II” before going to sleep (I’ve been in such a nostalgic mood lately), so I’ll wrap this up: I got a ton of candles and another coffee press (the glass from the previous one went missing) at Ikea with Giulia and Sabrina (Claudio’s sister), and saw a Japanese-style version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Kate at the Southwark Playhouse by the London Bridge (it was also her first time in the area, so we strolled across the bridge, to the Tower, and back before the play started). I very much enjoyed the play – it was a clever blend of Shakespeare with traditional Japanese styles, customs and language; the actors were very charismatic, too. I might even see it again. After that, Kate and I went to a pub next to the theatre (it had some kind of nautical name, and there were loads of fancy knots in frames all over the place); she didn’t have anything (her taste for alcohol is limited to very few options), but I had a Scotch whisky (Bell’s) – which I seem to have developed a better taste for since Scotland, by the way – and we chatted about anime and conventions for most of the time until heading home.



Things that suck…

1) I still haven’t found a job. Not even a crappy one.

2) The internet in the flat is still non-existent (for three weeks now), so I still have to go to McDonald’s for a connection.

3) Cristina (the landlord’s stand-in… I’ve never met the real landlord) has been lying about there being a bi-monthly cleaning lady this whole time. And we still pay for it.

Celebrating Winter!

Janice didn’t make it all the way to the Brompton Cemetery with Agneta and I; she made it only as far as Cromwell Road before the cold got to her. I was the only one with good rain boots, so wet feet became an ongoing issue for the both of them, though Agneta was kind enough to accompany me for the rest of the day (despite later complaints).



After the Cemetery, we went to the big Tesco’s near Earl’s Court to buy a few sweets and have a leisurely chat with hot chocolate, tea and the aforementioned goodies in the Costa Coffee café upstairs.

Back at the flat, I actually felt a little stiff from the long trudge, and I was quite anxious to shed all the layers heaped upon me. They did their job formidably out in the snow, but back inside, it was all a bit much.

The rest of the evening, I got a few minutes in at the nearest internet café, passed the rest of the time paid for to Agneta, and went back to spend the rest of my evening editing the photos of the day.



Looking out the window now, last night’s glorious wonderland has largely deteriorated into brown slush and foot/vehicle tracks. Much of it has melted and fresh snow must have stopped falling some time in the early evening. I must have seen a few dozen snowmen today, in all sorts of varieties – huge, teeny, carrot-nosed, rabbit-eared, on top of doorsteps, stone railings, gravestones, etc. And snowballs were flying everywhere we went, from Hyde Park to Kensington and the Cemetery. Occasionally, we had to be vigilant for sneak attacks. Snow fever seems to have taken over London… most of the businesses were closed, schools were closed today (they’ll be closed tomorrow, too), and large chunks of public transport were closed off. Gatwick Airport announced its closure last night as well. If fresh snow fails to cover today’s remaining slush, I doubt the thrill will be quite the same, but I may go for a walk in what's left tomorrow anyway. It was nice to have gone out in the snow with friends today, but I’d like to try the same solitaire-style tomorrow.

Snow, Glorious Snow

It’s nothing to Agneta, but for myself (and Janice, too), it’s absolutely amazing outside. At the beginning of the day, I never would have believed it. The weather wasn’t exactly summery, but it was bright and nearly clear-skied. The only snow I’d seen in London thus far was a dusting that lasted no more than an hour or two. By morning, all the evidence had melted away. Now, it looks like a blizzard out there.

It snowed a little a few times while Janice and I were in Chinatown for the Chinese New Year festivities, but it came down more with the effect of light confetti. We were pleased to no end then, of course. Later on, we went to a movie (Revolution Street). The snow had persisted until then, creating a fine layer over everything. We took some pictures on the way to the cinema, enjoying the apparent winter wonderland. When Janice and I exited later, we entered something twenty times more impressive. And we weren’t the only ones… Lots of others were standing in the middle of the white streets, taking pictures, throwing snowballs, and generally having a grand ol’ time. A dozen or so Italian students were having a snowball fight and singing loudly outside the hostels, on the street below our bedroom window. It went on till almost 3 AM.

…

I’ve taken over 900 photos today, and saved over 40 new Photoshop edits. I’ve made a couple videos on my cell phone, too. But no matter how I try to fix the image, the reality just won’t permeate. It looks so much like a dream outside. I’d hoped to go to bed at an early hour so that I could go out for pictures in the morning, but I’ve just been too excited by it all. I’m almost afraid to go to sleep lest I wake to find it all gone. I’ve set my alarm for mid-morning; hopefully I’ll feel inclined to roll out of bed after all.

The Gaza Protests Were Outside My Window!

I was in the middle of doing a photo shoot in my flat (the first in months!), and we got a great view of a HUGE protest outside. At first we only saw police cars (loads of 'em!) followed by a couple dozen protesters. So upon first impression, I thought the police had seriously overestimated their numbers. But then a phalanx of marchers came into view, waving their flags/signs and chanting replies to a muffled chant-leader (it sounded something like "mmmffmm!!!" "PEACE!" "mmfffmrrrmm?!?!" "NOW!!!") and an endless tide of protesters and police followed for a good long time.

I took a lot of pictures, leaning out the window -- and jeeze, was it cold! It even started to snow at some point! (Note the snowfall in the third-from-the-last image.)

My Journalism background kicked in a little... My first reaction was to call up the London papers and see if I could sell some of my photos. So, while my model, make-up artist and her friend waited, I rang up some editors and got some email addresses. Chances are they won't be run (I think that's a certainty, as they would have responded back by now), especially since I didn't get any fire or violence in my photos. I found out about that stuff later. If it had all ended peacefully, my uniquely-vantaged photos might have had a better chance in print.

Snow!!!

‘Twas four in the morning, and all through the flat
Not a creature was stirring, ‘cept myself, as I sat.
Agneta was dozing, so deep in her sleep,
And I rose to the window, just for a peep.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But fresh-fallen snow, the first of the year!

Random Days at Dusk

Back home, in California, dusk doesn’t really end the day. And at half-past four, as it is now, it’s certainly not this dark. I’ve missed an entire Saturday to sleep; we stayed up playing computer games, and I talked to Kim on MSN all the while till somewhere around 7:30 in the morning, when the sky looked pretty much as it does now. Parks, museums, and some stores are getting ready to close; some busses are finishing their run, and anyway, it’s not very interesting to explore in the dark. Back home, I might now consider still going to the beach, or going to a concert (maybe a free one at the Jimmy Kimmel show, or to the Troubadour), or just driving to some place at random; Kim, Lacy, and one or two of Kim’s friends would be there, and we’d be stuffing our faces with Hawaiian bread and listening to loud music. Or, if I were with Megan, we’d probably be going out for onion soup at the French Market while planning the next day in Disneyland.

Maybe it’s because I don’t know enough about London quite yet that I could be so bored at this moment. Maybe it’s because the only novel thing that I’d like to do at this moment is to finally visit Regent Park (and it must be closed by now). But at this moment, the reddening sky is a most depressing sight.

Christmas Is Strewn Across the Foyer

The foyer looks more lived in than I’ve ever seen it. Decorations are still up on the art and door frames, the little gold tree has just been switched off, the table is covered in mostly empty glasses, bottles, pastries, Uno cards, a green poker mat, and the remains of Christmas crackers and presents. The chairs have all been left askew and the sulphuric scent of blown-out candles hangs in the air. Amazingly, the kitchen’s nearly spotless once again (thanks to Agneta, who cleaned while the rest of us watched/sang along to Sweeney Todd in Ryan's room). It’s just after 6 in the morning now, and the full force of Christmas seems to have reached its climax and leveled out.

I didn’t go crazy with my camera today, but my memory card has got images from last night’s prolonged present-wrapping (done in Oscar & Chloe’s old room; I used most of my time typing back while Kim, Jason, Kaitlyn, and everyone else at home talked to me on a webcam) the award-giving ceremony for the London Swimming Club’s annual Serpentine swim (though none from the event, unfortunately), and a few snapshots from the many phases of the Christmas dinner, from last-minute prep to aftermath. It’s not a complete picture, but the results include plenty of happy faces.

I’m sleepy in a very nice way… exhausted from activity and still at a point when I can easily close my eyes and expect them to stay closed for a good while. So I think I’ll finish here for now. What a novelty to call the now post-midnight day “Boxing Day”. Sounds like a good day to rest.


I must mention, however, that it was something of a Christmas miracle that I was able to find a whole chicken today. Yesterday I went grocery shopping with Ryan, hoping to finish up on ingredients for the dinner. We went from Queensway to Shepherd’s Bush to Marble Arch and back, and not once did we find a chicken (among other things). Not that we came home empty-handed (far from it). But even though Agneta’s a vegetarian, and we weren’t 100% sure that Kate would be able to make it, the missing item meant something – to me, anyway.

[This morning I woke from about two-three hours of sleep (twice… there were two alarms, an hour apart), but like on other Christmas mornings, I woke with enough optimism to shake off the sleepy feeling. As also on other Christmas mornings, the familiar view outside looked somehow novel; the air felt a little fresher, too. Agneta was already awake, and just as I was rising from bed, was heading out for a run through the park (for the second time ever, I think). I remembered the Serpentine swim race Ryan had mentioned the night before, and when Agneta came back, I made some coffee to-go and convinced Agneta to go with me to see crazy people racing in a muddy, freezing lake. We missed the race by ten minutes or so, but, as mentioned before, I got a couple pics of the aftermath.

For the rest of the morning, I had a mission.] I prayed to some higher power that the dinner would go off without a hitch, and that something of that cheesy “Christmas spirit” movies are always going on about could be restored. For God’s sake, it’s friggin’ Christmas, and for the most part it felt like I was the only one willing organize anything. Last night, I had to literally beg Agneta to leave the empty bedroom behind and join Ryan and I in watching A Christmas Story (with homemade cocoa and caramel chocolates!). At one point, she even left the room. I don’t know if it comes from having different values or what, but sometimes… jeeze, Agneta! I really felt insulted. Anyway, the point is… today, after searching through numerous Asian stores and the local Spar (the only places open on Queensway), it felt like Santa himself had delivered a chicken to me when I found a Halal market with a butchery open today. I went home with my own made-up Christmas carols of joy bouncing around in my head, just barely able to keep a stupid grin off my face.

Agneta slept till 7, and Ryan slept during a lot of the day, too, though he also helped me cook (and in his defense, he’s been ill). I spent hours in the kitchen pulling together a feast worthy of home, watching downloaded Christmas classics all the while (e.g., the"Grinch", "The Year Without A Santa Claus", & Home Alone). The phase “If you build it, they will come” echoed though my mind once, and every time I got a text I prayed it wasn’t bad news from Kate. But sure enough, even though all public transport was shut down and a cab fare was rather pricey, she came.

In the last steps of cooking, everyone lent a hand, and I swear that when I tasted everything on my plate, I was transported back home to every Christmas I’ve ever enjoyed. I’m proud to say that everyone enjoyed the meal, and quite a few extra helpings were had afterwards. The leftovers are being looked forward to as well.

Untraditional though this Christmas was, I had an unforgettable night. I hope tomorrow is full of rest, leftovers, and card games. I was even sad for a bit, but even now, with a new morning’s sun just waiting to rise above the horizon, the warmth of an evening well spent remains.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(NOTE: Sorry for the messy, long-winded post... )

A Farewell Dinner

Christmas is almost upon us, and I can hardly believe it. It’s been present in the lights and window displays on the high streets, and I’ve done my small part to get a few decorations up here in the flat, but being a very untraditional year, the actual date has thus far seemed always just out of reach. Two days?? Seriously?! And now it’s a matter of hours before it’s truly just three of us left in this flat.

We all had dinner together at the Thai Terrace in Kensington (Agneta’s suggestion) tonight. It was a really nice place – it felt like it was in a house, and the waitresses were all dressed traditionally. The food was delicious and plentiful – we all ordered set dinners which came in a number of courses, with the entrées arriving all at once in a colorful assortment covering the table like a Christmas dinner. It felt a little like Christmas, in general, come to that. The mood was so warm and light. There was even a big lit-up tree next to the table. We had a nice walk home, too; we took the private road behind Kensington Palace.

I’ll be sad to see Oscar & Chloe leave. I’ll visit them in Paris sometime, and they’ll be visiting London for Valentine’s Day weekend, but it won’t be the same. Agneta was saying that she probably won’t want to like whoever moves in after them… and I’ll probably have the same tendency.

Regarding our plans for Christmas… Ryan and I have discussed cooking at home. He’s offered to cook the bird (either turkey or chicken), and I’ve offered to do desserts. We’ll probably both do side dishes. The three of us will be exchanging gifts (shopping tomorrow), and maybe we’ll get some others to join us for the evening, too.

Practically Perfect

Today has been (to borrow a phrase from Mary Poppins) “practically perfect in every way”. I’ve almost entirely shaken the cold of the past week (I needed a tissue just once), and today I rose early, showered, and paid my rent. I made myself a cup of tea to go (weird note: that precise bag of PG Tips was taken from a hotel room on The Strand last spring, made its way home to California and was mailed back to London along with other teas from home), and had a very good interview – which included a series of tests with good results – at an office temp agency in The City. I then bought myself a hot brie sandwich at Eat and walked round the corner to the Tower of London to eat it by the Thames.

Being only just after 2 PM, much of the day remained and I felt inclined to wander. I wandered across the Tower Bridge, bought a cup of cinnamon-coated nuts from a cart, explored the area in search of an elusive tea & coffee museum (the website now tells me it’s closed till early 2009 anyway), took a dozen or so pictures of the Thames and converted warehouses in the fading light, and spontaneously walked into a beautiful setting of lit skylines, passing yachts, cherry mulled wine, and carolers putting on a Cinderella-esque show (it was office-themed, featuring a temp up against three snobbish sisters whose last name didn’t sound unlike “ugly”) in an outdoor amphitheatre outside City Hall.

I met Agneta at Primark after that; she needed some work clothes, and I wanted Christmas decorations (and a nice pair of Victorian-style heels). She had to head home to switch shoes before going to a trial shift at a champagne bar in West Kensington, so we parted ways for a time. Two hours were spent in search of wrapping ribbon and the game Sequence, and as it happened, I only found one of these and gained a couple other treasures along the way. The day had already gone so well… productivity seems to add an extra spring to my step… and the search felt a lot more like a journey through the best place for Christmas shopping in the world, as it just may be. From Oxford Street to New Bond, to Old Bond, then Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, then Regent Street and then back to Oxford Street, I became a connoisseur of Christmas lights, abusing my poor cell phone’s battery in pictures and videos – not that the quality is top-notch; maybe I’m just in the mood for boasting… I want to share some of the wonders of Christmas in London with everyone at home. It’s just about impossible to imagine that Rodeo Drive could have ever impressed me. To compare, now, is just unthinkable.

By the way, I bought something at Selfridges for the first time ever – some colored sparklers to surprise my flatmates with later, and I explored Henley’s on Regent Street for the first time, seeking Sequence but leaving with Uno.

[Pardon me if my writing starts to sound a little fragmented now… It’s almost 5 AM, and I’m starting to drift.]

I was late to meet up with everyone (Oscar, Chloe, Agneta, Giulia, Ryan, and Ryan’s friend) at the Italian restaurant in Notting Hill… and my tardiness was increased by 10 minutes as I put up some of the decorations as a little surprise. When I finally did get to the restaurant (which took a while to walk to… and thank goodness for my A-Z book), what followed was well worth the £30 bill eventually accrued by my credit card. The whole dinner was perfect. How could I put it without sounding too corny or too plain? I was very glad for the company; we really did have a lovely, intimate gathering. And the food and drinks were appropriately both lavish and like comfort food, and so authentic. I’d like to see the Olive Garden just try to cook this way. And somehow having an Italian friend be the one to introduce me the restaurant added to its value. She even worked there for a while; and for a very short time, so did Agneta.

We walked home in clusters, some leading, some meandering behind; Giulia, Oscar and Chloe formed the caboose. For a time, the three of them were singing something in Italian for a while; Agneta and Ryan were talking about some club, and Diana & I chatted about books and personal libraries. Back at the flat, I had the pleasure of watching their reactions to the decorations I set up in their absence. It turns out that Agneta spent about 3-4 hours cleaning and reorganizing the kitchen earlier, and my decorations were like the icing on the cake.

Oscar and Chloe went to bed first. Giulia stayed for one game of Uno before getting some rest for hers and Claudio’s morning flight to Italy. (I’m envious now just thinking about it.) The rest of us played for a couple hours, with Christmas music and tea (I had cinnamon and anise seeds; the others had mint). None of us had played the game for a long while, and we referred to the rules a couple times, but it felt like childhood renewed and reinterpreted among the four of us. It wasn’t like other late nights in the flat… there were no drinking games (the "Tesco vodka" has become an ongoing joke), no pervy jokes. It was all coziness and fun… the sort of innocent, wicked fun that that comes from attacking other players with “draw 4” wild cards (“the evil card”).

It was a day and a night I shan’t soon forget.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Despite Appearances)

Things have changed a bit since I last wrote here. I lost my job at Pho (the manager said it was because I was 5 minutes late, but I suspect it was because of a certain inconvenient friendship), Janice is back in Brazil (till Jan. 12), Oscar & Chloe will be back in Paris soon (permanently!), while Claudio & Giulia will be back in Italy for Christmas, and against all odds, it's actually "beginning to look a lot like Christmas."

Along with the general malaise that comes with feeling a bit under the weather, I've been noticing the differences between London and home a lot more than usual and it's made me feel a bit homesick. The details get to me. Things like familiar foods, TV specials, Christmas lights, and music. They reinforce the distance. I got a box mailed to me from home early this week, and it made me happier than I've been for a long while. (Not that I've been depressed or anything. It beat out a lot of good moments!) Along with a good dose of love, it contained primarily goodies from good ol' Trader Joe's: trail mixes, chocolates, vitamins, crunchy snacks, and the best lip balm in the world (the "music to your lips" one). I may still have had my feet planted firmly on British soil, but for that one moment I felt more at home than ever. By just looking at the lables, it was as though I was standing in the kitchen in Reseda, perusing the pantry for a snack. And the tastes were more heavenly than any treat at Marks & Spencer.

Before that box arrived, I'd found my one bit of home at Whole Foods. It's ridiculously expensive compared to any other grocery store (even it's US counterpart), but for the small bits of comfort it was worth it. It's the only place in London I've yet to find eggnog (though it doesn't taste much like the kind I drink at home... it's much too much like nutmeg-flavored whipping cream, and not at all thick). Bisquick doesn't seem to exist in the UK, so I got some pricey buttermilk pancake mix. Other goodies included Reed's ginger beer (I've tasted the British equivalent and came away pretty dissatisfied... it's waaay too sweet), pumpkin pie (just one lousy slice!) Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap (£4 for one bar!), and aloe vera body lotion (not nearly as nice as TJ's Midsummer Night's Cream).

Tonight, I've become a lot more optimistic about spending Christmas here. It's amazing what a little atmosphere can do. I lit a few candles, dimmed the lights, switched on the little gold Christmas tree I bought at Woolsworth's (I didn't know those still existed anywhere till coming here, but it won't be around for much longer), and played some holiday music on iTunes. I also made some chai lattes from scratch for both Agneta and I, and munched some almond bark (Trader Joe's!) and chocolate-covered Turkish Delight (Marks & Spencer). Agneta and I made a big paper star together and chatted about Christmas memories and other things. Ryan came in occasionally, and we watched some silly videos on YouTube, too. Something "clicked" and made this place feel a lot more homey; Christmas was in the air (please forgive my cheesiness). A couple weeks ago, I was hoping that either 1) by some Christmas miracle Kim would be able to visit for the holidays or 2) I could rent a cottage in the English countryside with a few other people, preferably where there's snow. The first option seemed possible for a while, but was eventually vetoed by my mom. The second left the picture when Agneta became aware of her dwindling finances and Janice left. Now, I just need to buy some garlands to hang over everything, and maybe get a little tree. Maybe we'll go see a traditional pantomime. Nothing is for certain, but at least the three of us remaining in this flat are optimistic.

Nah, needs garlic!

This probably sounds like a really silly thing to miss, but last night I dreamt I had DVR again and thought it was the most awesome thing to be able to rewind TV. I also dreamt about a whodunnit mystery in a monastery, but that's beside the point.

Also, here's a list of food-related things I wish I had in London:

• eggnog
• pumpkin pie
• sourdough bread (I always have to settle for "farmer's bread")
• clam chowder in a bread bowl
• avocado (they're here, but not quite the same; you definitely won't find it being sold off the backs of trucks!)
• buttermilk
• Trader Joe's misc.
  

Restaurants:

• PF Chang's
• Brent's Deli
• food court at The Getty
• Marie Calender's
  

I have found a few things that remind me of home. I found a number of foods that I'm used to getting at the Asian supermarkets in California - e.g., gummy fruit (no lychee, but they had my second-favorite: melon), Pocky (!!!), and the same brands of Tofu and soy paste. My "tea cabinet" has been filling up, too. The top shelf has acquired a reasonable variety since I moved in. I'd still love some "Paradise" iced tea, however. Also, I've tried to make some oven fries like my mom's, but they weren't quite there. I didn't even have garlic salt - I couldn't find it in stores anywhere, so I had to make do with garlic powder and salt (which, as Wikipedia will tell you, is not the same).

Thanksgiving - Annotations

The following are some notes typed before and after Thanksgiving; they say very little about the day itself and the events that transpired. Perhaps there will be a part 2 containing more.

4:28 AM (Thursday)

I have no rational reason for being awake now, as ever it’s been when I’m conscious after 4 in the morning. I’ve been doing some internet browsing… getting inspired by some photos on Flickr, writing out ideas (outlining general concepts and ideas for photo shoots), writing emails, streaming from one Wikipedia article to the next, and generally accomplishing no one thing in particular but getting a lot of ideas nonetheless. I’ve got to be at work (yes, work!) at 10 AM, and my alarm is set for 8. I’ve got Thanksgiving plans, too. So I’ve got every reason to be asleep right now.

There’s a lovely view outside, however. Oh, it’s the same landscape I described before – the unlit park, a spire or two on the distant horizon, loads of brick buildings, chimneys, and Georgian facades. Double-deckers and red phone boxes, too. I appreciate it every time I look outside; the total London-ness is ever-present. Just this moment, though, a few more stars are visible than usual. Most of the time it’s overcast or too obscured by smog and city lights, but this time I can make out Orion’s Belt. When was the last time I did that? Wheathampstead? California? I’d like to fix the view to my memory, even with the unseemly empty lot, on the corner below (it adds some extra dimension).

The birds are already calling.

9:24 AM (Thursday)

Jeeze… How I hate to get up in the morning. In six minutes I have to leave. So much for needing a shower and a cup of coffee! And now my laptop’s ability to keep a connection with the power cord has become annoyingly elusive. Great.

Out of the blue, I feel like watching Beetlejuice right now. It would sure be lovely to call in sick and watch movies all day. I should have requested the whole holiday off.

5:14 AM (Friday)

I need to sleep. I really, really need to sleep. In sum, however: the first part of the day, to put it bluntly, sucked. The second part was lovelier than I could have imagined. There are lots of photos, too (cherry on top). My computer cord’s still annoying, though. I’m not moving it from this position on the floor. At all. Also, the sky’s back to being overcast, but there are some interesting bright wisps being blown across the sky below the ceiling.

Oxford Street Christmas Lights

On Wednesday night, I went to Oxford St. to see the Christmas lights switched on but just barely missed the official pushing-of-the-button. I still took a lot of photos of the lights and the window displays. Later that evening, I went to the Queen Boadicea pub in Clarkenwell for a BUNAC pub meet. There were some people I hadn't seen in a couple weeks, so it was nice to do some catching up.

Settling In

It’s been about a week since I moved into Porchester Gate, but it feels like I’ve known my flatmates for far longer than that already. It’s quite a big group; there are several bedrooms to fill. We’ve already gone out for dinner, dancing, and clubbing; we’ve had late-night card games and YouTube movie fests into the wee hours; we’ve gone out shopping and out for coffee. It’s like one big international family, with roots in Lithuania, Brazil, France, Italy, and Australia.

Tonight, all but Claudio, Julia and Agneta went out to the Chinawhite club, near Piccadilly Circus. It cost £20 to get in, and we had to be on the guest list, but it was quite an experience. I rarely go to clubs, but in this case, I agreed to go because 1) I was curious, and 2) I enjoy hanging out with my flatmates. It was a really posh place, but it was intimate and cosy, too. It had an overall Eastern theme, with lots of statues, incense and candles. When we arrived, we were almost the only people there (it was around 9:30; Ryan also brought some friends, so our group came to about a dozen or so), but it didn’t take too long for the place to become packed. My favorite room was chock full of cushions and had sparkling stars on the ceiling behind lengths of colored fabric. It was there I tried my first taste of absinthe, mixed in a martini. It was amazingly flavorful… It tasted like a sweet, spicy glass of liquorice. I only recommend it if you really, really like liquorice, and I do.

I’m not much for r&b, or most pop music, but among friends, I make an exception. I also don’t do a lot of dancing, but I had a lot of fun at it. I had a genuinely good time, and it makes me all the more glad that I chose the flat I did.

Being very tired, I’m sorry that I can’t be much more descriptive. It’s going on 4 AM (which is becoming kind of a normal bedtime, unfortunately). We left the club a couple hours ago, and I made 4 grilled cheese sandwiches (burnt them, though… I’m still not used to electric burners), and that’s pretty much it. The rest of the day, I stayed in mostly, but went to the Brompton Cemetery to take pictures, only to find it closed 10 minutes after I got there. I’m still anxious to edit the few photos I took, however.

Halloween In London

Too busy/tired/lazy to write a complete, original blog for Halloween, I've put together bits of emails and phone photos from the day. Sorry, but it'll have to do.


Oct. 31, 5:50 P.M.
The Clink hostel, basement kitchen

There are so many cool events going on tonight... I wish I could go to all of them. :)

http://www.timeout.com/london/halloween/

But, since I'm going with Katie (and her boyfriend, and some other friend of hers, and possibly other BUNAC people...), it has to be after 8, which already limits my options. It looks like we're going to the "Halloween Ghost and Murder Walks" one.

I'm in the hostel kitchen right now, and I put together a quick late lunch/early dinner with some pasta and steak, but there are some Italians sitting near me who totally put my pathetic little meal to shame. They're having pasta, too, but with some kind of a veggies and cream sauce thing, and lots of bread (it's only toast, but I guess it wouldn't be a meal without some kind of bread). Earlier one of them took my pepper grinder without asking, and I complained (I explained that they could use it, but I wished they'd ask next time), but their English was very, very limited, and as a nice gesture, they shared some of their wine -- so now I'm having a sweet, fizzy Italian wine to go with my substandard pasta dish.

Also, I stopped by the St. Pancras church today on the way back to the hostel. I've been wanting to check it out ever since I noticed the big pink banner inviting entry to its crypt gallery, and I figured what better time than on Halloween, right? God, it's truly the creepiest church I've ever seen... it's got huge gothic women statues/pillars, massive grey stones, a really unkempt garden and heavy wrought iron gates. I followed the signs to the "London crypt" onto the grounds; nobody else was there, but the gates were open. I wandered around the building, but I couldn't find a single open door; I tried pulling, but they wouldn't budge. So much for that Halloween idea. There was a list of gallery exhibitions -- I may have just missed the last day of the previous one; the next one opens on Nov. 6, and it's to showcase the work of some costume designer. Not exactly what I'd have expected in a creepy place like that, but I'll go when it opens anyway.












Nov. 1, 4:36 P.M.
Porchester Gate Flat, Bayswater

Well, I ended up going on the "ghosts and murders" walk, which was fun, but unfortunately Katie was unable to make it, and everybody else I know was at the BUNAC event. After the walk, I went to where I thought the event was, but was completely wrong... There are a number of pubs called the "Walkabout" and by then it was already too late to go back and look up all the other locations, so that was pretty much the end of my night. So, yeah, that part sucked. After that, I went to a convenience store, bought a couple candy bars (my only consolation: I've never seen those particular ones in the US), and took the bus back. I met a nice Australian guy and some American girl on the bus back, and they were really nice to chat to... the American girl came from Pasadena, of all places, but now she's a student at Cambridge (she agreed with me that London is so tame in the Halloween department... It could use some excitement like the WeHo Halloween Carnival!). It was also weird that I seemed to be an information dispenser from the moment I got that bus stop... I directed some British girls (not from London, I guess) to the Embankment station, and I told the Aussie which buses he needed to get to Angel Station in Islington. Yay, people are assuming I know stuff about this city! It keeps happening a lot, actually.

So... today I've moved into my new flat. I'm emailing you from Tatiana's laptop (I'm taking her place, actually) in my bedroom. I did lots of shopping today, mainly for bedding things; I've yet to do some grocery shopping, too. I hit up every department store on Oxford St. (OMG, Selfridge's is AMAZING!!!); what I wouldn't do for a simple Bed, Bath & Beyond or Linens 'n Things... it took me forever to get a decent feather pillow for under £25.

The Hostel Blues, Again

Yesterday I left the hotel with a full stomach and a healthy dose of optimism. Breakfast was included with the room, served buffet-style in the restaurant downstairs; it was delicious, filling and had a full variety of goodies. I read a complimentary copy of the Sunday edition of The Daily Telegraph with my meal, and as I left, I didn’t feel a great deal of disappointment for having to stay at the hostel again, mainly because I knew things would be much better in a week. For most of the remainder of the day, I was at the British Library, and in the evening I saw Burn After Reading with Nicole at a theater in Islington (INSANELY good, by the way; it was the kind of movie that left my mouth hanging open, aghast, for most of the time, and laughing during the rest of it).

Right now, however, I wish I were at the hotel. It’s almost 4 PM and the most I’ve accomplished is buy some groceries at Tesco* and eat a grilled cheese sandwich. I don’t know whether it’s because I haven’t showered, or because I might be on the verge of catching a flu or something, but I feel really down right now. Things are nicer now, since last night I didn’t have to sleep under that French jerk raining spit from the top bunk; my new roommates are more sociable, and even the nearest bathroom is a bit larger than the other one (which certainly makes dressing better). But, it’s still a hostel. The air smells vaguely of cigarettes and body odor, most of the inhabitants speak a foreign language, I’m constantly trying to make sure my things don’t get stolen, I’m afraid to use the shower (it’s filthy and not in any way private – it’s completely co-ed), and the internet’s not free to use (it costs £2 per hour). I’m unwashed, uncomfortable, and feeling generally pessimistic about finding a job (truthfully, I haven’t even looked since last week; moving around has taken its toll time-wise, and the search has gotten so monotonous… I really can’t wait to move into my new flat, when the comforts return and I’ve finally got my own address).

I can barely imagine doing anything tonight. I texted both Nicole & Katie last night about the movie, and Katie wasn’t able to come but offered to go somewhere tonight. I have no idea where or what I’ll be doing… maybe another movie? None of the other movies were too appealing. Maybe I’ll see Wall-E again? I’m not in the mood to go to a pub, and it’s really the only thing I can think of at this point. Oh, how nice would it be if the hostel had a spa… Or even just a private bathtub. I feel so grubby right now.

You know what? Forget it. I’m paying the 15/week unlimited fee and getting some internet usage…

*I completely forgot about the hostel’s “no outside alcohol” policy… I bought some California (yay!) red wine to make some Italian food with; there’s a £50 penalty fee if it’s found. Guess it’s staying at the bottom of the bag until I can move it to my new flat. Oops.

From Panic to Indulgence

I’m quite cozy right now… Earlier today, I was a little panicked. I don’t like the feeling of not having a plan; it definitely puts me on edge. But, a couple things have been settled that put me in such a good mood that I was humming random melodies for some time, feeling rather swell.

For one, I called back about a flat I saw a couple weeks ago, located just across the street from Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens. The only reason that held me back from a decision last time was the concern of sharing a bedroom with two other girls. It’s a really big bedroom, actually, but I wanted to do the research and see if I couldn’t find myself something comparable but with more privacy. Well, even with the change in strategy (trying to get a shared flat with Katie), that didn’t happen. And over time, I came to regret my hesitation over this one. (When I walked the length of Hyde Park on my birthday, I felt it the most; I was already kicking myself over it.) I thought it’d be long gone by now, but by luck or destiny, it was still available today! So… I went to see Tatiana this afternoon, and now that I’ve given her the deposit, I’m set to move in next week, Monday!

Meanwhile, I’ll be living in the hostel for another week, only this time with the knowledge that I’ve got a beautiful flat waiting for me. I’m going to be moving some of my stuff over there already sometime soon.

The second thing that was nice to take care of was a bit expensive, but necessary, and kind of a treat, too. The hostel I was staying at was booked solid for tonight, as were all the other hostels. The only really cheap accommodations available on such short notice were located in Greater London (e.g., Heathrow) and neighboring towns (e.g., Luton). So rather than go far away, I opted to spend a bit more; and I could have spent a LOT more, but I got lucky. So, right now, I’m sitting atop a comfy bed in the Waverly House Hotel in Bloomsbury. I’ve just had a lovely bubble bath with hot cocoa and “Viennese whirls” (vanilla biscuits). I even watched some “Strictly Come Dancing” and Stephen Fry’s American travel show earlier. It’s very clean, well proportioned (I really like the high ceiling), with all the necessary conveniences, and it even comes with breakfast, served till noon. The building itself is quite old, but well kept (it does wonders for my imagination).

It’s easy to feel a bit smug right now… So cozy in my pajamas in this hotel, with my own privacy, knowing that some of my friends are in hostels at this moment; and for those that aren’t, knowing that the flat I’m going to be living in is much swankier than theirs (I’ve even got a porter and a cleaning lady!). Ah, sooo cozy…

By the way, in between watching TV and having a bath, I walked towards the West End to check out Chinatown. It’s nowhere near as big as the Chinatowns I’ve seen before (Los Angeles & San Francisco) – it’s only a few blocks across, actually – but it had plenty of Chinese restaurants. I had dinner in a sort of mixed Asian restaurant; it had Chinese, Japanese and Thai food on its menu. I wanted something filling, so I opted for pork ramen and a green tea. I read some of Steven Pinker’s The Seven Words You Can’t Say On Television meanwhile, and I can’t say the part I was at was particularly appropriate for dinner-reading. Perhaps I would have preferred to read some manga with my ramen.

(Nothing like a little CSPAN to encourage sleep… I downloaded an episode of “This Week In America” on the BBC iPlayer. By the way, I’ve appropriated all the extra pillows in the closet… There’s a down pillow, too!)