A Free Day in London!

Summary: I did more sight-seeing than you this weekend!

Word of the day: stone
On my favorite British show, The Diet Doctors, they always talk about losing “stone,” which equals about 6 kilograms (or 12 pounds). I would like to lose about a stone while I’m here.

What I learned today: The British Library is not a public library but for archives, oops.

Next time I go to London: I will, like, bury myself at Westminster Abbey. It's gorgeous.

I am exhausted…

This weekend, I walked all over again, and every two seconds I stumbled upon a lovely park or tall, super-old steeple.

I saw the elegance of Buckingham Palace, but decided to skip a tour. (I don’t need to pay to see decadent royalty when I’m living on noodles and tuna.)

And then walked through St. James Park on my way to the Queen’s Life Guards. I like their fringe ponytails.

Then I walked next to the Houses of Parliament and ol’ Big Ben, and stumbled across the Westminster Abbey, which was unfortunately closed for touring, so I must go back another time to pay homage to Poet’s Corner.

Then I found myself strolling through Victoria Park on the way to the Tate Britain art museum, where I again spent hours absorbing art from 1400 to now. I have discovered my love of the mystical and vibrant Pre-Raphaelite art—considered to be the first avant-garde artists.

"The Lady of Shallot" by John William Waterhouse (courtesy of Wikipedia)

And then I attended a service at Westminster Cathedral, exploring each elegant chapel (St. Patrick's was my favorite). I listened to the gospel about giving to the poor in its gilded walls … Oh Catholics! (I’m just trying to get a rise out of you, Mom.)

And then of course, feet aching, I went grocery shopping, breaking my streak of spending no money in a day.

Then today my friend and I met for lunch and a long walk along the South Bank of the Thames, viewing some very creative buskers, including human statues and blue guitarists. I kid you not:

Then we took the tube up to the British Library, where I stupidly inquired about a library card. Turns out it’s just for the national archives … We saw the Beatles original doodlings of “Yesterday” and the Magna Carta, then I bought a Jane Austen book in a nearby used bookstore.

All in all, a good London weekend.

I am listening to: The Beatles. Actually I'm not, but it would be cool if I were.

[Edit: I went back through this post and added my own photos.]

Oh Amber Waves of Grain

Summary: America sucks and I love it.

Word of the day: top up (or n. top-up)
So I realize we could figure out what this means in the U.S., but like a lot of words I showcase, the English use it more. Do you need to top up your travel card? Your phone card? Your money card? Your grocery card? Your caffeine level? Your paycheck? Your hairstyle? Your sex drive?

What I learned today: Walking around all day will really make your feet hurt!

Next time I go to London I will: go back to Westminster, because I loooove it there! I will let you know all about it tomorrow.

In an earlier post, I know I said some mean things about America, along the lines of “America sucks. sucks. sucks. sucks.” And it hurt my mom’s feelings. :(

That wasn’t fair, because it’s not America’s fault that its dollar is absolutely worthless.

So, just to clarify, America has some good things. For instance, you can view all of its historical sites in a lot less time than in England. Also, America has better salad dressing, in my opinion. And the food portions are much bigger and more deliciously fattening at restaurants. And it’s just cooler to be fat in general! Also, America puts its hot and cold faucets together, because it just makes sense. And the movie Gone With the Wind, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and the musical 1776 could not exist without America’s charm. And Americans delete absolutely unnecessary letters from words, such as “color” instead of “colour.” Yeah, we don’t mess around in America, and we have the military budget to prove it! And we don’t have to pay for other people’s healthcare in America either! And we have the American Dream for everyone.

And my FAVORITE thing about Americans is actually that I am totally guilty of being one--your typical friendly girl from the Midwest that thinks she can change the world--and I just don’t think any other country manufactures people like me at such a huge gross rate. And these pleasantly cold London people in their classy fishnets and boots just have to cope with it.

So don’t worry, Mom, just because I get mad at the exchange rate (you would too if your value was cut in half), doesn’t mean America sucks altogether. In fact, I completely miss that gluttonous, self-righteous-but-friendly pile of dirt that is my homeland.

Edit: I would also like to add the following things I love/miss about America to the list:

- abundant drinking fountains
- superstores where you can get all your shopping done (I don't know if that's a good thing, but it sure was convenient)
- free refills everywhere
- visible street signs (as opposed to obscurely posting them on the side of buildings)
- oh, and people I love :)

I am listening to: I mean, I know I mentioned my trip the ol' "I miss you" ballad specialists, 3 Doors Down, but I didn’t think they’d write a song for me so quickly! (3 Doors Down, “Landing in London”)

Post from Work

Summary: I'm bored at work, but I have loads to do.

Word of the day: lift
elevator, duh

What I learned today: It sucks when the Word of the Day is broken, because you have to walk down five flights of stairs to get a cup of coffee:(

Next time I go to London I will: get a job in a building that isn't from, like, the 18th century.

Man this coffee tastes gross...Oh, that's because I was just informed that it's tea. I'm at work, and I need to get the podcast going. I am actually starting to learn what's going on in the securities industry, and that scares me...

Today was kind of long, and my co-worker wasn't here today or yesterday...So I had to take on some extra stuff.

OK break is over.

I am listening to: the gentle rainfall of London (it's ucky)

New Facebook Friends in the London Network!

Summary: I met other people as crazy (crazier) as I am.

Word of the day: dodgy
I looooove this word. Normally people in America would say “sketchy,” but I think I will say this word forever. Except I haven’t got the courage up yet to start saying it--still don’t feel British enough. I don’t even say “quid” (the slang term for pound, like buck to dollar).

What I learned today: This is an international phenomenon I’ve finally pinpointed: It sucks when people find out how competent you are. I am very busy at work with news stories and a magazine feature and a podcast and survey results and convention agendas. But I guess I’m learning all the segments of a trade magazine.

The next time I go to London I will: Unfortunately never get to be as adventurously lost as I am this time!

There are actually others out there?

If you were hoping that I didn’t blog last night because I was out having fun in London… You were right!

Over my first delicious taste of cider, I met other people in the Work in Britain program (which is how I got a visa to get over here)—including someone who went to Miami University in Ohio—just can’t get away from them!

Actually, most of these fellow students/graduates are a lot cooler than I am, in my opinion. They didn’t have a job and came over here anyway, whereas, my professor got me this job, and that’s why I came over here. They decided “I think I’m going to go to England for six months,” and showed up without a place to live or cell phones or anything. While I felt like the planned one—with an office job and a nice flat in the Docklands—it was amazing to be around other vagabond spirits with full agendas and empty wallets.

As a team, we defended the financial murder we committed and scoffed at the “normal” life other people have after graduation. We shared our constant obsession with the worth of the dollar and complained about our friends back home who tried to tell us everything before we came over here because they studied abroad or traveled over here once. (just kidding...love you all)

While it definitely felt like the first night of college, when you’ll pretty much be friends with anyone, I also found some people I’d genuinely like to hang out with again, independent of the fact that we relate on an internationally helpless level.

I’m glad I know more people in London…but the truth is I’ve also gotten rather used to loneliness. My friend Carolyn came over here last year and did this internship, and she said it made her a “confident loner.” And as a new friend told me last night, this is our selfish time. An interesting way of looking at it, and so true. But it’s nice to know there are other people out there having a selfish time as well.

I am reading: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

Boo for the News

Summary: I’m depressed about money and red tape, so I’m taking it out on the media (they can be a scapegoat for everything).

Word of the day: holiday
British people go on these all the time. It’s like a vacation, but does anyone in America know what those are?

What I learned today: There is a lovely little contraption that heats water all on it’s own and my boss taught me how to use it today! It’s called a kettle, and that’s how I get to make coffee in the office, isn’t that adorable?

Now Here’s Where I Bitch
(You will have to excuse me, I just spent 15 minutes on an international call to my bank and got no help, of course.)

Yeah OK, I get it, my trip is cursed. Exchanges rates are horrible, blah, blah, blah, and now The New York Times predicts that international travel will be great next year. And traveling around the holidays is going to be bad, so I mine as well not plan on being home at Christmas. After all, my flight over here was five hours delayed.

For the story: Flying for the Holidays? Brace Yourself

You know what, I’m a journalist, but the news just depresses the shit out of you, so why read it? It’s not helpful; it’s just vindictive. Instead of doing articles like “Experts Predict that You Should Go to the Park Today Because It’s Sunny,” they always do a story that says “Experts Say It’s Raining and You’re Wet Because You Went to the Park.”

I’m listening to: Nothing, Apple updated my iPod and so I can’t charge it anymore—does that make any sense?

Realising That I'm Tired

So finally, you got me, I’m too tired to post. I think I will be like actors and have Monday be my day off from the show.

And I need to rest up; tomorrow I have to start researching the valuation of hedge funds, including OTC derivatives (especially post sub-prime) and asset backed securities for my first article in Global Custodian. But everybody knows what those are.

But of course…

Word of the day: realise
Notice, it is not spelled with a “z,” which would make a heck of a lot more sense phonetically.

What I learned today: I finally found the McDonald’s, with the help of my English friend. And it had big leathery chairs and modern paintings—high class!

Next time I go to London I will: Apply for a credit card that doesn’t charge conversion fees—bastards.

I am listening to: Fiona Apple, “Extraordinary Machine”
Because I still only travel by foot and by foot, and by foot it’s a slow climb.

Hurray for Countries More Than 200 Years Old!

Summary: I wish I was alive during Medieval times!

Phrase of the day: "Scott free" (i.e. "He got off Scott free.")
Of course American's use this too (but I notice we don't use archaic phrases as often as the Brits). There's an interesting story that may or may not be where the word came from. The wife of a duke of Scotland visited him at the Tower of London a day before his execution. She brought in her maids, dressed him up like a woman and ushered him out without the guard blinking! And so he got off Scott free. Just one of the lovely stories I heard today at the Tower of London.

The next time I go to London I will: ... probably not go. The dollar will be too worthless.

From The Washington Post:

"Oh, the amazing shrinking dollar.

"The U.S. currency tumbled last week to a record low after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates, continuing the dollar's six-year slide. Behind the latest drop is the expectation of weaker U.S. growth and stronger overseas economies. The slump took the dollar below $1.40 for each euro and put it at parity with the Canadian dollar for the first time in more than 30 years.

"While U.S. tourists might think twice about a vacation abroad, investors are discovering a variety of ways to make a buck betting against the buck."

Ah yes, people who are already billionaires will benefit, and I’m sure I’ll put something about it on our Web site this week.

The money thing really is the only thing really weighing on me over here. And I get paid the same amount in dollars as other people who did the internship in the past, yet it is worth less, boo. I hope I can make it. And I hope they pay me ASAP before the dollar plummets like gas prices rise!

America sucks. sucks. sucks. sucks. sucks.

OK that feels better. It’s my own fault for being in London right now, so let the debt incur!

What I learned today: A lot of the eggs in the grocery store aren't refrigerated. Is it OK that I eat them?

More London Exploration!
The Tower of London is well worth the 13 pounds to enter, especially if you are a history buff like me. I saw the crown jewels, which was cool, but looking at diamonds locked up in a case doesn't do too much for me. My favorite part was definitely the history in the other parts of the tower, such as the mystery of the murdered princes in the Bloody Tower.

I’ve loved medieval history for forever, and when I was little I was fascinated by the nine-day uncrowned queen, Lady Jane Grey, who was executed at the Tower (I was a weird kid). I saw her name etched on the wall of the prison and saw the place she and two other queens of England were imprisoned.

Tower of London

[Edit: I added my own photo to replace an earlier one.]

I am listening to: Dixie Chicks, “The Long Way Around”

... Because that's what I always seem to do.

The Old and the New

Summary: Modern art rocks!

Word of the day: diary
When my boss first asked me to arrange his diary for an upcoming convention, I thought that seemed odd, but it turns out they sometimes use this word to mean “schedule.” (And yes, I found this task just as odd at first. But apparently everyone kind of bounces around these types of duties at the small office of GC, and I definitely have better computer calendar capabilities than most everyone else.)

By the way, stay tuned for British office vs. American office work ethic saved up for a rainy day.

What I learned today: Cubism. Surrealism. Dadaism. Minimalism. Physical chromatism. Constructionism. Vortism. Structuralism. Feet-hurtism.

Next time I go to London I will: Go to a show at the Globe Theatre, which I saw the outside of today. Well maybe I will do it this time, but I’m going to hit up all the free stuff first.

City of London Exploration
Today I wandered around the ornate St. Paul’s Cathedral and attended their evening song service.

Then I walked across the Millennium Bridge and got lost in the modern art galleries of the Tate Modern. I had no idea how much I adored modern art. I wish I had been the one to turn a urinal upside down, call it a “fountain,” and put it in a museum.

"Fountain" by Marcel Duchamp (courtesy of Wikipedia)

Big Brother is Watching You!
The Washington Post reports that the government keeps records of Americans’ trip abroad—down to who they travel with and what books they had. This kind of reminds me of London’s camera system throughout the city—safe or invasive?

I guess I better discard my I Hate America book before I get on the plane home! Here’s the full story: Collecting of Details on Travelers Documented

Job notes: Who knew that I would ever do a podcast about the securities industry? I really thought I was out of things to learn at internships, but now I’m learning how to edit audio (and hopefully video later on). This internship is a good thing, if only because it threw me out of my comfort zone, in more ways than just being in a foreign country. Click here to listen to the podcast I compiled, recorded and edited all by myself! It will help you get to sleep if you are having trouble.

I am listening to: Right now, the sound of Matt’s TV in Ohio. His webcam is still open. (We are totally a long distance relationship of the new millennium!)

Brits and Pieces

Summary: I had French fries today! mmm

Word of the day: pants
This means “underpants,” and “trousers” means pants pants.

What I learned today: I’ve realized not to ever feel stupid about being international, because pretty much everyone in London is. In fact, it has been rated the most diverse city in the world. But with that said...

Hunt for the Golden Arches
I was so homesick today and really wanted a burger and fries! I know I had seen a McDonald’s somewhere; it was a little red sign with just the golden arch and an arrow, like a beacon of corporate deliciousness. I was sure it was just up the street, because I remember someone stopped me to give me a coupon for a Big Mac and drink for 2 pounds.

So during my lunch break I looked EVERYWHERE for the golden arch sign, and it was nowhere! Just think of all the McDonald’s on every street corner back home, and here I am wandering around this big, old European city, passing an amazing market and countless cafes on my search for American grease. (I was envisioning myself in a McDonald’s commercial; why haven’t they thought of that?) And I never found it! And of course I wouldn’t ask, because I was too embarrassed to actually be an American looking for a McDonald’s. (And also, people don’t really talk to each other much around here. It’s very push, shove, enjoy-the-scenery-on-your-own-in-your-bright-orange-coat.) So I settled for food from a trashy chicken hut (they are plentiful here), receiving a satisfactory grease-soaked bag of fries. The pigeons I eat with everyday were totally jealous.

Oh the Brits!
How lame is this? They (yes you NBC, ABC, all of you!) won’t let me watch episodes of American TV shows online. I always thought the Internet was so global, and it’s not!

I think this is because a lot of American shows aired over here—including Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy, two of my favorite seedy dramas—are a season behind. These UKers have no idea about how many people will end up sleeping with each other shagging on Grey’s.

The good news is, they have tons of American TV over here. And I also like to watch random episodes of The Office on www.tv-links.co.uk . (Shout-out to my boyfriend for helping a girl out with that link.)

Twists and Turns
Yesterday I explored the area around here at the Docklands, which is nothing exciting, but inspiring nonetheless to my hopeless poet's soul. I walked along the Thames Path, which runs behind our flat, and then all around this area. What’s fun about London is that you never know where any walk will take you—streets lead into dead ends that lead into walkways that become twisted footpaths into wooded parks that spit you back out in front of a pub where someone sips their beer and reads the paper alone…It’s mystical everywhere here. Perfect place for lonely Americans.

I’m listening to: Bob Dylan, “She Belongs to Me”
This is a great line to move forward to: “She’s got everything she needs/ She’s an artist, she don’t look back/ She can paint the dark out of the nighttime/ And paint the daytime black.”

**SPECIAL EDITION**

***SPECIAL EDITION***

Apparently my mom is reading my blog today! And she never gets on the Internet!

In honor of this special event, I decided to do a special edition blog post compiling all of the things I know you would like to know, Mom. (Regular blog features are at the end.)

1. My flat is in the safest area of London (lame!). There are like NO criminals around, and a lot of the people are pretty normal, with a lot of yuppies and young couples. The Docklands area is quaint and quiet. I find myself wishing I was living with the artsy crowd in Camden in a fleabag flat, but I figured you’d like this better.
   

2. I am drinking a glass of wine and watching the news right now just like you do at night. But thank God they don’t have Fox News over here.
   

3. I just cooked ALL BY MYSELF. With a POT and PAN. They don’t have enough cheap microwavable stuff here. :(
   

4. I am going to actually go to MASS this weekend … because I want to see St. Paul’s Cathedral.
   

5. I still haven’t smoked a cigarette. Everyone acted like I was going to get a nicotine buzz just by being in Europe, but London just passed a smoking ban similar to Ohio’s earlier this year. So I’m still more than three months strong without cigs.

6. I haven’t been getting drunk (because I don’t have friends and haven’t gotten up the balls to sit at a pub alone yet) … and you are the ONLY person who thinks this is a good thing.
   

7. It is a lot colder than I thought. I might need you to send me another sweater…
   

8. I officially DO think America stinks in a lot of ways, and I wish we had better public transportation and health care … and medieval buildings! And I think people in America need to get the heck out of America and see other places the way people in Europe do. ESPECIALLY in the Midwest. And isn’t it sick that we spend like three times the amount on defense compared to every other country but we have so much poverty?
   

…But I miss Ohio. I am really respecting you for going off to France when you were in your 20s without knowing anyone. It's harder than it looks. Love you Mama!

***

Word (phrase) of the day: Sod’s Law
Today my co-worker James and I were trying to wrap things up at the ol’ news desk and predicted that three huge bank mandates would roll in at any second. And he said it would be “Sod’s Law.”

Apparently there’s a phrase for when you light a cigarette and, sure enough, the train comes. (Or, for you Americans without public transportation: When you light a cig and your food comes in a restaurant…Wait you can’t smoke in restaurants …You get it.)

OK I don’t know that this is necessarily British, but I don’t really hear it from young people.

What I learned today: They say "bless you" here when someone sneezes JUST LIKE US. Finally, something the same. According to Wikipedia research today, we got this from Europe. This dates back to the plague. Sneezing was the first sign of the plague, so people literally blessed you. Isn't that the most morbid thing ever?

Next time I go to London I will: Stay in a crazy neighborhood with the punks and the hippies, and try to follow Amy Winehouse around. And do cocaine off a toilet seat (JUST seeing if my mother is still reading).

I’m listening to: Plain White Tees, “Hey There, Delilah”
It’s true! I so went there. But I guessed I missed hearing it every single day on the radio. And now it sort of applies to my life. OK, enough of that.

Bridging the Culture Gap

Summary: I crossed the London Bridge and lived to tell about it.

Word of the day: stop
The little dot at the end of sentence is called a “stop.” I was telling my colleague to replace a comma with a “period,” and he looked confused. Turns out, period means something entirely different…and it’s not pretty.

What I learned today: London Bridge is not falling down, and quite in tact actually. Of course, note that London Bridge is nothing special, connecting Central London to Southwark. I walked across it today on my lunch break, found the cheapest cup of coffee in London yet (1.50 pounds), and walked back.

Parallel to and often mistaken for the London Bridge is the illustrious Tower Bridge:

[Edit: I added this picture in later after I got my camera.]

Next time I go to London I will: Bring more sweaters...er..."jumpers!" It's already cold here!

Some job notes: I'm noticing a trend: At almost every publication I've worked at, I've wished there was more editing. It turns out I am uber-passionate about it! I'm trying to make sure the stories we post to the Web site are consistent. The GC style is what I would like to call “glamourous American”—quite a mishmash of cultures, representative of its international readership. I'm getting used to saying "realise" instead of "realize" but still also using the Associated Press as a bible as always.

Of course, perhaps I am going to become a control freak with this whole operation. I’m known to get like that…

Oh, and about me: As I looked out from the London Bridge to the Tower Bridge, I realized I always knew I was going to be alone in another country looking out on the river. I felt very lonely in an extremely satisfying way.

But when I came home I had a sweet message on my computer that made me cry. My first breakdown about being friendless and across the ocean--so glad that’s over.

I’m listening to: Shannon Wright, “Everybody’s Got Their Own Part to Play”
My new favorite indie chick’s haunting sound feels like it could echo off the buildings here.

Words Can't Describe!

Really? Is this happening to me? Not only did I forget to buy an adapter for my computer, but I didn't bring the connecting chord for my camera. London is trapped in my camera. And I even had a photojournalism-like presentation prepared! I know that my words will entertain for only so long, so, here is London in Photos , which almost gives it justice.

And my battery is about to die, so cheers!

[Edit: I had other images in here, but it's not cool to use bootleg pictures, so I deleted them.]

Financial Journalism for Dummies

Summary: The Life and Times of London's Newest Journalist

Word of the day: Leicester
Leicester Square is a popular tourist spot in Central London. Today I pronounced it wrong, and my chum and co-worker James informed me that I had demonstrated what has been stand-up comedy material in London for years. Luckily I know now that it is not “LIE-cester” but “Lester.”

Next time I go to London I will (NEW!): Bring all my funky clothes! Wow, that hot purple 1980s sweater collecting dust in my closet would fit right in here. I can’t believe I tried to stay tame with my clothes in order to have the most versatile stuff. I didn’t even bring any of my prized fishnets!

What I learned today: Wendy’s might be for sale. State Street received a comprehensive mandate. Ukraine is trying to get up to international standards in the securities industry. India-focused hedge funds are doing well. Home equity in the U.S. is facing more challenges…Are you snoozing yet?

***
OK so I know you are wondering how the first couple days in the trade magazine world have gone! I have much to say, but yesterday I had too much of an overwhelming first-day feeling, so I chickened out of blogging. Plus my phone company is STILL being a bastard from across the ocean by trying to screw me out of a rebate on my new handset. As weird as it sounds, that situation made me the most homesick, because I felt helpless over here.

But it’s all worked out. Now for what I do…an interesting question. There will be much about this over the next few weeks, and my job will be becoming more diverse, including some multimedia stuff. But here’s the gist of my last two days in the teeny, messy office on a bustling street not far from Bridget Jones’ fictional apartment.

If my job were an ad in the newspaper, we could definitely glam it up. For instance:

WANTED: Computer-savvy journalist to sit on the continuous news desk of a leading international financial trade publication. Will break major financial stories, such as important multimillion-dollar mandates, investment news and personal finance stories. Must have excellent editing and writing skills as well as news judgment. Will be the voice of the magazine on weekly podcasts rounding up the most important news in the securities industry.

Or we could just say:

WANTED: Any old bloke who can rewrite press releases. Find key words such as “hedge fund,” “custody,” or “investment,” copy and paste, send. Repeat 20 times a day.

Both are completely true! And such is journalism—excitement and complete drudgery.

I am listening to: The Spice Girls! Well, sort of; they were seriously on BBC earlier today, and my music still isn't in order, trapped on my low battery computer:(

I'm giving you everything, all that joy can bring, yes I swear (Yes I swear!)

City Adaptation

Summary: The city is great.

Word of the day: pudding
This means dessert.

What I learned today: Grocery store 101
Everone else here has a chip in their credit card that makes them not have to sign receipts, so now everyone will KNOW I’m American in line at the grocery store. Oh, and they don’t have Lean Cuisines here so I have to learn how to microwave something else!

***

It’s fun to find the common thread among things you fall in love with, and I just discovered that the city is one of mine. Even the first person I fell in love with at age 18 was really just the manifestation of my love for Las Vegas. While Columbus is tiny compared to London, I loved it because I worked in the city. It could easily have been a borough in a bigger city, and that’s why I liked it. I’m all about urban life—walking instead of driving, pubs next door, the idea that an important person could be just around the next corner. Maybe this sounds silly because everyone feels this way, but, then again, I don’t think they do.

I am loving the independence over here, although I’m lonely without my usual overabundant supply of friends and only a video cam to keep me in touch with my boyfriend. But no one ever feels lonely in the city, as Carrie once cheesily stated on an episode of Sex and the City. It’s wonderful to both work and live in the city—something I’ve never experienced together.

Let me reiterate: I’m so happy to be out of suburban Ohio. I’ve now lived in both northern Cincinnati and Columbus, and I felt myself suffocating in both places. I can’t live in suburbs so far from the city ever again—and as I say that I see my life flashing forward to a boring suburb! Make it stop!

The area I live in (the Docklands) actually reminds me of Chicago, because it is where most of the London high-rises are and is right on the water. I took a ferry across the river today to do grocery shopping at Canary Wharf. It’s lovely and modern there, which is different than the rest of London, but it still has that iron-gated charm you don’t find in America. But it was definitely the most American-like part of London so far. Especially the mall. Except, the grocery store was in the mall and in the middle of the grocery store was a fancy display of home appliances like in a department store, which was strange; yet everything strange here seems to make sense when you think about it.

So grocery shopping definitely made me feel like this is “home,” but tomorrow will really be a part of the city. There’s nothing like being a part of the workforce--my travel guide to London says. I’ll be going into work at a financial magazine, swiping my Oyster card (a monthly travel card to use the bus and tube) and probably getting coffee somewhere local (for $10, haha).

I promise to have more entries actually about journalism (which is why I’m here) and more city exploration. I remind myself of this columnist at Columbus Alive who rambles and thinks she makes great revelations about life by saying things like “The city is great.”

What I’m listening to: Nothing, my iPod needs charging and my computer needs a converter to charge (I'm bumming my flatmate's), so music is temporarily out of order:(

Love at First Sight...

Summary: My computer is low on battery power, but London completely rocks my socks (maybe literally, my feet are killing me).

Word of the day: chav
Christopher says this is kind of similar to the term "redneck," although it doesn't mean the same thing at all. Basically, it's a semi-derogatory term for English northerners.

Lesson of the day: Stop doubling everything, i.e., "That beer was 2 pounds, so $4...That ticket was 10 pounds so $20...That pack of cigs was 5 pounds so $10 [true story, glad I just quit]." Let's face it, it's London. I'm going broke, so I should stop freaking out.

OK plans of telling you all about my arrival and first day in London (which was more eventful than I ever could have imagined) are thwarted by the fact that with all my planning, I forgot a converter for a three-hole plug like my computer, so my battery is about to die.

But planes, trains, tubes and buses later, I must say today was tiring and fabulous. I'll have pictures soon! It's probably better that I don't have long to talk, because I'd go on and on about how cute my flat is, how fun public transportation is, how beautiful buildings are here, how people in England have awesome accents, how lovely sans serif fonts abound on all the signage, and my first taste of the English pub with my new bosom friend and co-worker Christopher. But I'll wait and tell you most of it in pictures.

An ending note: I like how in one day I went from the girl struggling around the tube station with a 49-pound suitcase and three bags to answering a question for some one else a little while ago at the bus stop!

Now I really should unpack...

Cheers:)

The Longest Goodbye

I love how I can always look forward to a nice, hour-long conversation before I go with a special friend of mine: my cell phone company.

I knew I could count on T-mobile to screw up something on my bill so I had a reason to notice it at 2 a.m. the night before I leave for London for three months.

Aint they somethin'?

I'm deleting them from my "Fave 5."

Cheerio!

London Bridges Here I Come

Summary: I will be leaving for London tomorrow and here's why I'm freaked out.

What scares me about going to another country is definitely not the culture (maybe if I was going to someplace exotic like Israel, where my colleague Sean is, I would feel differently). It's more just the typical things that have scared me about going ANYWHERE, from my recent summer in Columbus to my stint last year in western New York. The difference is, I have no out in another country the way I (kind of) did within the driving radius of my other adventures.

So needless to say, I'm a little more high-strung than usual--and usual is pretty high-strung.

Yesterday at my last meal with my whole family I got choked up and kind of lost my cool with at all of them, because they kept talking about topics I don't want to go over anymore--namely, money (the exchange rate is pretty much $2 per pound). "You're paying $1,200 for a flat and you have a roommate??" my brother said. "You're getting paid in pounds, right?" my sister-in-law asked followed by a group-wide gasp when I said no.

I am tired of explaining to everyone that this is not a tea party. I'm going for work with some help from a scholarship I received and a stipend in American dollars from the company I'm interning for. I am not getting picked up by a tour group at the airport. I do not have friends waiting for me in a wine bar. This is not a study abroad program. (I'm not saying I'm way more badass than kids who studied abroad, but that's exactly what I'm saying.)

Obviously I'm just explaining this to myself, because actually, most people think it's pretty sweet that I'm going over there but I still feel crazy at times. I had a random opportunity that almost made me turn back recently, and I'm glad for the friends that told me that no job in Ohio, no matter how beloved, is worth turning down this adventure. It's just easy to want out when you are amid the stress of planning. But I would've resented myself in life if I didn't do something like this.

I leave tomorrow, by the way, first by flying into Atlanta and then to London, where my ship will dock and spit me out into the big city wilderness. I just want to get over there and start working so I can stop worrying and explaining what the heck I'm doing to everyone.

To return to my original thought: The common thread I've noticed about every place I've gone, there is always something that ends up not sitting well. Like when I showed up in Chautuaqua, New York, I discovered a disgusting cellar with five roommates plus billions of eight-legged friends would be my abode. Nothing ever seems perfect. But then in the end it always seems worthwile, so I just have to be prepared for the worst in a way.

As I said goodbye last night, my brother randomly asked me if I was visiting Keats' grave. Kind of random thought when you think of all the castles and countrysides and museums I must see, but it kind of stuck with me. That's why I'm going to England. To visit John Keats' freakin' grave at Poets' Corner.

I am listening to: Kenny Chesney, "Scare Me"
I heard him on the radio yesterday saying how it's good to be scared about something. Thanks, Kenny.