So, life has changed since I last posted.
I've moved, but I'm sure you all guessed that. The house is very different from what I'm used to. My last two days have been the hardest so far. I'm trying to get into some kind of a routine, but it's a routine in a place that I'm not yet comfortable. When I first moved in my room had leftover stuff from the last person who lived there. There were two tables on the side of the room, a drum, and just random rubbish in the corner. There are also bunk beds on the side of the room. Catherine and I moved the single bed into my room, but it was basically just smack in the middle. So the state of my room contributed to my not feeling comfortable. It certainly didn't feel like home my first two nights. The colour of the room didn't help either - I'm not sure if I've mentioned that the walls are a semi-dark lilac and the floor boards are bright blue.
Everything that could go wrong has - the shower broke, the washing machine locked on me, my wardrobe bar broke, etc. It's just been a tough couple of days. I've felt more out of place within the last little while than I have my entire trip. It's not only the shock of things being different and being out of my element. It's getting used to living on my own as well.
Having never lived on my own before, I'm struggling a bit with the independance aspect. I have to pay for things, I have to make myself food, I have to do my own laundry. These are all basic things, but things that I haven't really done properly before. It's not that I can't handle it, it's that I don't have my mom to talk to about it. I miss her more than anything right now. I've really just got to have a proper cry about it and I know I'll feel better.
When I came home last night from dinner (Thai restaurant in Manchester), my room had been fixed up by Catherine and Sarah. The tables were gone, the furniture was rearranged, rugs had been laid, the wardrobe bar was fixed, and lights had been strung along the bunk beds. I can't remember the last time I had someone do something like that for me. The girls said that they just wanted me to feel at home. And that night as I sat up in bed reading I really did feel like there was nowhere else in the world that I would rather have been. I was comfortable and happy - even the colour of the walls and the bunk beds weren't bothering me.
God will take you when you are at your lowest and pull you back up when you feel like you can't keep going. Just when it was getting a little too hard exactly what needed to happen happened. I feel rejuvinated and, above all, at peace. This trip so far has been blessing after blessing after blessing. I'm not going to go on a great big religious rant. I'm just thankful beyond words. For everything.
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Today is moving day.
Which means that I shouldn't be on here, I should be packing.
However, I do need to mention that posts may be a little further between, as I'm not going to have direct access to a computer. That goes for people that I've been emailing as well.
So hopefully all goes well!
Oh yes, I also saw
Lucky Number Slevin last night. I recommend it, although I did figure out about halfway through. Lots of people getting shot, though, so beware.
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Tonight was an important night, as it was the first night I had a beer in England.
Two of my friends and I went to a pub called Lloyd's, and I decided that I would have a beer. I'm in England, for Heaven's sake. I had a half pint of Stella which I found to be gross but tolerable. Now some of you may not appreciate the kind of beer, but we can't all enjoy German imports, can we? Diversity is what makes the world interesting. And yes, it was a half pint - I've got to start off slow, you see. I don't like the taste of beer
that much.
And I'm moving out on Thursday. I'm moving into a house right beside the church that I go to. It's a Victorian house and not quite as nice as the first one I looked at, but the location is fantastic. The house is a little more studenty - meaning that every room has a separate feel because each one has been decorated at different times by different people. My room is medium sized and has wood pannel floors, as well as a large wardrobe and a view onto the backyard. And yes, I will be looking for Narnia as soon as I move in.
Right now the room I want has bunkbeds in it. A smaller room, though, has a nice single bed. So I'm planning on switching that around, if the bunkbeds will fit in the smaller room (I'm not sure that they'll fit through the door). We shall cross our fingers.
I'm also allowed to do whatever I want to my room. I can change the colours of it, doodle on the walls, buy artwork, anything. So Kora, when you come up, I may force you to paint something on my door. I'm afraid it's the price of being talented.
It's late now. And sorry for you North American folk for whom the comments still don't work. I'll get to it, I promise.
Edit: comments should work now.
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I just got home from a party at the house I first looked at. It's a "newly remodeled" party, showing everyone the house. It is really well done and looks gorgeous. If it wasn't dangerously close to Moss Side (bad area) I'd probably be moving in there.
The party dress was "posh evening wear". And, just so you all don't think I'm modest or anything, I must say that I look great. I'm wearing a new dress that I bought from Esprit just before I left. It's navy blue and strapless, knee length, and close to the bottom it kind of ruffels out a bit. Around the waist is a white and blue polka dotted tie out of silk. The truly impressive thing about it, though, is my accesorizing. White shall, white shoes, white purse, and silver earings. All of which took forever to find, I might add. And to top it all off my hair looks awesome.
I had a fantastic time. Everyone was a bit older than me, but they'd never know that. When I went into the kitchen a person said "I've heard about you, you're from Canada? And you're a martial arts master as well?" He then preceded to make fun of the way I say 'about'. Apparently news about me is getting around - and that to me is very odd.
So here I am, full of wine and chocolate. Of course, by "full of wine" I mean I had one glass. The noteworthy thing, though, is that I finished the glass and actually enjoyed it. I've never come close to liking the taste of wine. It must be Britain.
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It has been brought to my attention that my comments don't work. I'll fix them in a bit, once I find the desire to stare at code again (even relatively simple stuff does little to excite me). Maybe I'll get Chris to do it. Anyways, they'll be fixed one way or another within a few days.
Today I went to my cafe via public transport. It would have taken me considerably less time if I had realized that I was waiting for the 33 on the wrong side of the street sooner. The important thing, though, is that I followed directions and got where I needed to go. Mom would be so proud.
I love how independant Joy and Jan let me be. They point me in the right direction and off I go. None of the "call me when you get there!" and "call me when you leave!" and "call me when you figure out what time you'll be home!". But at the same time I know they're always there in case I get lost. At home I'm constantly reminded of how directionally challenged I am, how scary Vancouver driving is, and how I should not do something just in case something bad happens. I tell you, Vancouver driving is nothing compared to England. I'm a lot more independant over here, and it's exciting.
That all being said I love my parents very much despite their occasional over-protectivce tendancies. But on this trip I am proving to myself that things aren't actually as scary as I thought they were.
Tomorrow I meet with a potential landlord. The meeting was pushed back from Wednesday, so I'm a little anxious. If all goes well I may very well be moving out next week. Brilliant. Words cannot express my excitement.
And as far as I know, both Sarah and Kora have booked their plane tickets to London. And I can't wait. Life is perfect right now. Except that I ate too much at dinner and am uncomfortably full. But I really can't complain.
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Found a pair of jeans.
I went to a place called the 'Trafford Center'. The place is HUGE. I spent five hours in it and I only managed to scale the top floor, and that was only going into a few stores.
The jeans were actually in the first store I went into. The sizes are different here, so my first task was to figure out what size I was. I happen to be inbetween a 6 and an 8 (which makes sense, because in Canada I'm inbetween a 4 and a 6). When I asked a sales associate to get me another size I was given a dirty look. I was only given decent customer service in one store called 'Elle' and it damn well should have been considering the price of their clothes.
The pair I ultimately bought cost me £30, and are slightly too big. I then scaled the rest of the mall to make sure I hadn't missed a better pair, or a better bargain.
I also found the ugliest cut of jeans that has ever existed. It's so ugly that they don't sell it in Canada as far as I can tell. It's tapered, so that it's fitted all the way from the thigh to the calf - as in they become much skinnier all the way down. In the end the overall effect is that the wearer, from the waist down, looks like an upside down pear. I am convinced that these jeans would have looked horrible on anyone - and as support I use the European woman who once came into Esprit wearing (and looking for another) pair.
I also found an absolutely gorgeous shirt that was not at all what I was looking for (bright red and not particularily conservative) and was not even close to being within my budget. I liked it so much that I would have bought it if the sales associate hadn't been so rude. I could definitely have been convinced. It was the last one in my size as well, so I was the prime target for any well seasoned seller. I'm sure they sensed the extreme guilt I would have felt if I had spent that much money on a shirt and, therefore, were really rude and shooed me out of the store. Bless.
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So, I got the job. I start in three weeks at a cafe in Salford (I think that's what the town is called). It's a little inconvinient to get to, but I'll give it a try. It can't be any worse than driving to Richmond every. single. day.
What I'm concerned about is that I need to buy a pair of dark denim jeans. I hate jean shopping. It takes me forever to find a nice pair, and when I do they're the most expensive pair in the shop. Not to mention that I really don't have the money to buy clothes. I also need to find black shirts - I have all of two in my wardrobe.
And lastly, I have no one to go shopping with. I doubt that Chris wants to run all over Manchester to help me find a nice, inexpensive, and flattering pair of jeans. He has physics to do. And if I keep eating ice cream at this rate I'll need to buy more than one pair, because none of my pants will fit.
Why do all British houses contain sweet things? Or, more importantly, where has all my self control gone? Jan has got me craving desert after every meal. Joy has got me wanting coffee and/or hot chocolate all the time. And Chris has got me constantly thinking about chocolate. I'm going to be thirty pounds heavier when I return.
I need to get to a gym.
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One of the great things about England is their buildings. The architecture is very different than at home - everything seems old and looks like it has some kind of a history. But walking down Kingston Road today I noticed that a lot of the houses have bright coloured doors. The house will be a reddish brick colour, and will have a bright green or blue or red door. My favourite is a cream coloured house with a bright red door. I took a picture of it on my phone.
Today it didn't rain. The weather here is really not as bad as they say it is. When it's been grey or rainy it hasn't poured, it's only drizzled. However I do need to get used to bringing an umbrella with me everywhere, because the weather changes within a matter of minutes.
I also need to stop converting things to Canadian in my head, especially with food. I spent £11.70 on lunch today, which I think is the price of a nice lunch, but into Canadian it's about $23.00. Way too much to spend, even if the portion was huge. For anyone that's interested it was a cajun chicken salad.
And Chris is back. Must go now.
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An update on the job:
I talked to the manager today. He says that he would love to bring me on board, but he's just finishing up some of the details. He says I'll know for sure this weekend.
If the manager wants to hire you, that's generally a good sign.
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Ok peoples. The deal with postcards is: if you want a postcard, send me your address. One will then be sent - eventually.
A few things have happened since I last posted. I actually can't remember what the last thing I posted was. But I know that things HAVE happened.
I had an interview at a cafe. I thought that it went well. I'm calling the manager tomorrow to find out if I got the job. I know that that's forward, but I'll say it in a polite way. The thing is, if I didn't get the job I need to start looking for more work right away. I also have to be in a close distance to my work, so where I'm living also is closely linked. I figure he'll understand.
To imagine what the cafe is like, there's a cafe right by the art gallery in downtown Vancouver. It's got sandwhiches and drinks and all sorts of stuff. That's just what this place is like. The hours are perfect too, so cross your fingers for me.
I also looked at my potential house. It's really nice. If the cafe works out, I think I'll be renting the biggest room. It's got tons of windows and a great big wardrobe and bed. I've also been looking at other housing options, though. There's a house right off of the church that I can rent from one of the pastors. I'll look at that if I don't get the cafe job (because that house means that I have to work in Didsbury).
Today I went into central Manchester and wandered around. It's weird, because it's not on a grid like Vancouver is. It's very curvy. I just wandered around until I eventually ended up in Picadilly Gardens (which wasn't very gardenish) and hopped on a bus back home.
Guys, the public transportation here is fantastic. Much better than at home. A bus comes every two minutes at most times, and I can take a whole bunch of them to get home (any of the 40's), not just one specific one. Yes yes yes. And you can get a weekly pass for like £2 (or £9 if you're using stagecoach, which annoylingly enough is the one I have to take to get to Chris'...).
The worst part of the day was the feeling of being cheated when I discovered that my hot chocolate was one third foam. And it was way too expensive. Always remember to ask for no foam. Always.
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I am more or less over my jet lag. I can sleep at night and stay up all day. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be, which is nice.
Last night I spent most of the evening with Chris, watching tv and such. Saw my first episode of 24, which reminds me a lot of the game Splinter Cell (very good game, but scary at times). I missed the last bus so I had to grab a taxi, which made me feel independant (even though Chris called it for me and waited till it came).
The plan today was to sort out a bank account and phone. The bank didn't go so well. I need to call home to the BOM and get them to change the address on my bank statements to a UK address or I won't be able to open an account. The phone went a little better. By the evening tonight I should have my own phone which I am very excited about. That way I don't have to leech off of Joy and Jan anymore (for phones anyways).
I've also found a potential home for me. It's a three bedroom (shared) newly refurnished Victorian house. It's through a lady at the church and seems really great. I'll have to contact her today. Another great thing is that her husband owns a cafe and may be looking for an employee...
I'm not worried at all. I know that I'll be taken care of. If any of you guys pray, please pray that God will give me the right place and job.
Goodness these posts are boring. You'd think that being in England I would actually be able to make these things sound interesting. Apologies.
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My first little while here has been really great. Everything is very different. I never knew how scary crossing the road could be. There's a million cars and very few crosswalks. Pedestrians by no means have the right of way. If I die over here, I'm sure it'll be being hit by a car.
Yesterday was great. I went on an adventure. I took the bus to Chris' and met him. I think it's pretty safe to say that he's not a murderer or a rapist. He may just be waiting to attack me, of course, but I think he understands pretty well that I could kick his ass. He's got a great accent, and I can understand him a lot better than many of the other people that I've talked to. We went to the pub for a drink (I was very adventurous and had a diet pepsi). The building itself was fantastic. The architecture over here is very different than what we have at home. Everything is old - and if it isn't, it pretends to be.
The adventure part wasn't even that excting, it's more embarassing than anything else. So I'll blame Chris. See, he assured me that the bus drivers kick you off at the last stop. The stop that I wanted to get off at was the last one, so I was just waiting for the driver to say that I had to get off. He didn't, though, and I ended up going down into central Manchester. in the end I just hopped on another bus and rode that one till my stop. I walked home, and all was well.
Tomorrow I'm thinking about going into the center and wandering around. I love Joy. She's just a saint. She'll let me go off and explore and not be worried (or will do a good job of pretending not to be), and she doesn't mind at all when she has to give me directions or help me out when I'm lost.
It snowed again today, big fat flakes. I guess I brought Canadian weather with me. But I'll take the snow over rain any day. I do need to buy a touque, though. My ears get very cold when I'm walking at night.
See, I love England, but my hair doesn't. I think I'll be a wavy haired girl for the majority of my trip. There's no point in straightening it because it just turns crazy. I guess that's just as well beause I forgot to get an adapter for my hair straightener. It's dual votage, but I didn't even think about the plug not fitting into the wall. Mom's going to send me one because apparently you can't find them on this side of the world.
It's 11:33 pm right now, and I'm not tired in the least. I'm going to try and force myself to sleep. Gravol does amazing things.
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I have arrived!
I just got into Joy's house about five minutes ago. I explored a little bit, but there's not much to explore - England houses are small! Or, if you prefer, compact. This house reminds me a bit of the condos at Whistler with the way that the stairs are laid out.
Travelling went well. I was really lucky - I got a window seat on both flights. The first one to Chicago was about four hours, most of which I slept through. I had only gotten about two hours of sleep the night before so it was pertty easy to doze off.
The best flight was the one to Manchester. The plane was really, really nice. There were tv screens on the back of each seat (called an "entertainment unit") and it had a variety of things to do with it. I couldn't figure it out, though, but the brochure in the front of the seat made it look pretty cool. And the dinner on the flight was amazing - lasagna, but really, really good lasagna. I hadn't eaten anything but M&Ms the whole day which probably made it taste even better. I read a little bit but slept through most of the flight. And that's probably why I'm wide awake right now. One thing was odd, though - they kept offering me hot towels, and I don't know why or what I was supposed to do with it. But I graciously accepted and pretended that I knew what I was doing. I also had two seats to myself because the plane wasn't nerely full. And being somewhat flexible really helps when trying to find a comfortable sleeping position.
When I got to the airport the first thing I did was brush my teeth. Then I got in line for the "other passports" immigration officer. I was the last person through, which made it easy to find my luggage at the caracell. It also gave me the oppertunity to chat with one of the security guards about the importance of brushing your teeth. I couldn't understand what he was saying half the time, though.
And looking oustide, it's snowing. It's about -3 out right now; the air reminds me of Toronto. I want to go out for a walk but I'm afraid of getting lost. I think I might go have a shower and try to get the feeling of airport out of me.
This place is so weird. Being in the car was very odd. Everything was backwards. And I was in the front passenger's seat, which should have been the driver's seat.
Anyways, I'm off to explore. This is so exciting.
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