(Mid-)September Already!!

Alright so while it has been about two months since my last post, in my defence I haven't left London so nothing's really been that exciting to write about!

Well, that's not true. I've been pretty busy, but I have a spare moment so I thought I'd write a little update for anyone who is curious as to what I've been up to. 

Much of my summer has consisted of pubs and good people and I've been having a blast living here. I feel like I've really fit into my own groove and I can honestly say I'm very happy here. I was hired on a year-long contract at the start of June at a company which manages property for the City of Westminster, and while it sounds sort of dry it's a really interesting job! I'm picking up a lot of transferable skills and it's always busy and changing so it doesn't get boring. 

My friend Heather and I (after a great deal of stress and worry) found a great 2 bed flat and we moved in about a month ago. It's such an upgrade, both the flat itself and the area, to my old place! I've taken some pictures to show off:

This is the outside... So many trees for London!

As much as I really miss everyone from home, I'm having too much fun here to come home as quickly as I had originally intended. As it stands I'll be here for another year and I can't wait to see what this year brings for me :)

Munich and Dachau

Okay okay, I was in Munich about a month ago and I'm only just getting around to posting about it now. In fairness I haven't been home much! I'll try to get an overall update up soon but for now please just enjoy my little Munich post.

The famous glockenspiel in Marienplatz. Adorable but definitely overrated!

Berlin

To sum Germany up in a word: incredible. I flew into Berlin with Kaeli from back home, and then we met Jeff and I think we covered a pretty good size of the city. I really loved Berlin, it was clean and green and had a nice alternative non-touristy feel for the most part. Everyone was pretty friendly, and there was even one night where I got lost after the bar and a few people directed me home despite claiming they barely knew English!

Versailles Picture Post

Paris!

Okay another long overdue one, I know! In all fairness, I have had a crazy past few weeks consisting of lots of overtime at work, and then a pretty bad flu. Unforeseen circumstances aside, here are some of my favourite pictures to highlight my trip.

This was taken from the window of where we were staying--incredible!

Brian's Visit + Dealing with Homesickness

I apologise for yet another lag in posts, I can say that it has been due to a combination of both being extremely boring and very busy. 

Easter Trip Days 3 and 4: Amsterdam & Bruges

Okay and here is the last instalment of pictures from my Easter Weekend trip.

Easter Trip Day 2: Zaanse Schans & Amsterdam

A slightly awkward pose of me in giant clogs welcomes you to Amsterdam!!

Easter Trip Day 1: Travel & Brussels

I am back from a 4 day trip to Brussels, Amsterdam and Bruges which I took with BUNAC/a tour group over Easter weekend. I have given it a little bit of thought as to how I'd portray this trip, and I eventually just decided that chronologically is best for me. So please do enjoy the massive upcoming picture posts! 

The beautiful white cliffs of Dover were technically our first stop as we had to go through French Immigration.

A Day in the Life

I meant to make a post a little earlier (I had it set up and everything, honest!) but we were without internet for a few days and it messed my whole schedule up. Anyway, I just wanted to use this post to discuss the first posting I had through a recruitment agency and show some pictures from the gorgeous area I was in (Belgravia/Victoria which is quite posh as they say).

Borough & Camden Markets

We have had absolutely beautiful weather in England as of late. I'm talking really perfect, sunny spring weather.

Last Saturday my friend Sarah and I decided to take advantage of it and hit up a few famous markets while we were at it. We first went to Borough Market, located around London Bridge which is where the hostel we met at is.

St Patrick's Day

I decided to spent St Patrick's Day in London, rather than Dublin, mostly because I was unsure of what my work situation would be like but also because I hope to see Ireland with warmer weather. In light of that, I spent a pretty low key day in London, but I can assure you the rest of the city centre seemed to party enough for everyone!

I met my friend Sarah at Piccadilly Circus and grabbed one picture. You can't really tell but it was packed full of (mostly drunk) people.

Cotswolds 360*

Okay okay, I know I went to the Cotswolds about a month ago and I'm only just getting around to uploading a little video I took. Anyway, this is just a little video I took standing in one spot in Bibury, it isn't very exciting but it's gorgeous!

I left the sound in to show how quiet it is there, compared to London. I also added a clip of a little duck swimming because he was cute.

Birthday!

Sunday, March 4th was my 23rd birthday.

Cotswolds Picture Post: Bourton-on-the Water & Stratford-upon-Avon

Bourton-on-the-Water was probably the most picturesque village we visited, but because of that, it was packed with tourists and overpriced shops. It was still fun to wander around, though!

Cotswolds Picture Post: Burford & Bibury

Ahhh yes, a relaxing day trip to the English countryside. I came across a Groupon deal too good to pass up: three Cotswold villages, Stratford-upon-Avon, a two-course lunch and creamed tea in the afternoon, all for 39 quid. I met my friend Amanda nice and early last Saturday morning to catch a bus with a very eccentric tour guide and we started our adventure.

I'll start with the big 1000-year old church in Burford. We unfortunately did not get to go inside, but an interesting fact about it is the church is about 10 times bigger than what is necessary for the town's size... Why? Well, all of those indulgences of course! Also because the sheep farmers who made a ton of money before they died basically gave most of it to the church.

Good News!

Yes, as the title says, I have finally found some work. It's only temporary (for now), but it's Monday to Friday administrative work and it pays quite well so I'm quite pleased about this. I start Wednesday morning so wish me luck!!

Aside from that, I've been keeping busy enough. I wanted to first link you guys to this video of my roommate Gemma singing, from the night I went to go see her and her choir. I've taken a few random pictures as well, so I'll start with one of my little street:

Settling In

So yes, while I have had a "lull" as far as going out and exploring and taking pictures, I can say week has been quite busy anyway. Since getting back from Scotland I have been settling into the new place, getting to know the roommates, and building bonds with new friends (hanging out with people a lot).

So far I am on the right track to never really being bored, because I've managed to meet enough people from totally different walks of life that it feels like there is always something to do to or talk about! So that's great. Even if I am alone though, I'm in London, so there is always something to do and it can even be free a lot of the time. I like that I've already been here because there is less pressure to do all of the "tourist" things. I am really enjoying exploring what the different Boroughs have to offer and I think if I hadn't already been here to visit all the must-sees, I would be feeling guilty!

With that said, I still am without a job so even though part of me is going "You shouldn't spend your day online looking for jobs, you should go somewhere!" I know finding a job is now my absolute priority. Which sucks, to an extent. It's really tough not to get discouraged when you send out 100 CVs in a week and hear back from one place. But that was the situation I knew I'd be coming to, so I can't give up hope just yet!

Some of the cool things I've been up to include going to see my roommate sing in her choir (she's a classical singer in addition to her day job which is awesome!); going to see some independent movies at this neat independent theatre; going to a community production detailing the history of their church in Friern Barnet which is the riding Margaret Thatcher was MP for; having amazing dinner parties with incredibly welcoming friends!; and trying not to spend all of my money on beer and food, etc...

I'll have to start taking my camera around more often, though, because there is a lot of interesting stuff just floating around. 

Scotland Video

Just a wee video of some scenery in Scotland. I tried to find Scottish music to play but I couldn't find anything I liked enough so I just used some good ol' First Aid Kit.

Scotland Picture Post Pt. 2

And the rest of my pictures. Enjoy!

Scotland Picture Post Pt. 1

Here is just a round-up of my trip to Scotland, through pictures. I am going to try and let the images speak for themselves but if you have any questions please feel free to ask me in the comments!

First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit is a band I’ve loved for a little while now, and since they’re two somewhat-unknown Swedish sisters, they don’t often come to North America. I was quite excited to see that they were coming to London in late February, but then one of my friends here saw on a poster that they were playing a free show in a record store in Camden so we decided to go.

I put together just a short video of 3 very short sound clips for anyone to watch. Mind that I was using a digital camera and you’ll really get a feel of how incredibly talented these two sisters are! 

First Day in Edinburgh

I am just catching up on a few posts that I wrote but couldn't actually post because I had no internet. 

Friday January 27^th, 2012

I am sitting in my hostel bed in Edinburgh right now. I have been dealing with shaky internet connections since arriving to the UK, but this hostel takes the cake right now! (Otherwise I have no complaints so far—the hostel itself is huge and cozy and incredible, I got TWO pillows, and the showers are superior. I actually took pictures for anyone who cares.)

This was taken from the bathroom window of the hostel!

 

Slowly Becoming a Londoner?

Wednesday January 25^th, 2012

This past week I’ve been able to integrate myself more into the different communities within London, as opposed to focusing on major tourist activities. 

That didn’t stop me from taking a picture of the beautifully lit London Bridge at night though!

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

I got to take a nice walking tour about Jack the Ripper this week. It was a really great way to see some older parts of London, as well as learn some hypothetical theories on one of the bigger mysteries in history.

I took a bunch of pictures but unfortunately don't remember a whole lot beyond "He killed a prostitute here," but if I do remember something I will include it with the picture description!

My living quarters...

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Today I woke up feeling much better (though still a little sick). I got an early start and headed to the BUNAC office to start applying to some temp agencies… Not an idea I’m wholly keen on, but I will take any work I can at the moment until I find something a little bit more permanent. I ended up getting a call right away and arranged an appointment for 4pm.

I came back to Southwark and had lunch at Belushi’s… Belushi’s is the bar beside the hostel which gives discounted food to the hostellers, and tt’s sort of an on-going joke with the hostellers and the friends I’ve made that Belushi’s will make you sick. So far I feel fine :P.

Finally some photos!

Sunday January 15^th to Tuesday January 17^th, 2012

Jobs jobs jobs. I applied to 7 office/administrative assistant jobs on Sunday morning. I came down with a cold, actually, so I figured it was best to rest up and I’d be good by Monday if I took it easy.

For a late lunch/early dinner, Cynthia (a girl who is doing SWAP and is from outside of Montreal) and I went looking for some fish and chips. We went to one placed which was closed, despite what their hours outside said, so we wandered around Southwark and found a little gem of a pub http://www.thetrinity.co.uk/.

We were disappointed to discover that they were out of fish for the day, but ended up getting a full on Sunday roast beef with vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and tons of gravy. Oh my lord. It was very much worth it and I regret nothing. Actually, that’s not true; my only regret is forgetting my camera in a fit of hunger and not taking a picture to share.

First few days in the city

Saturday, January 14, 2012

10:51 AM (GMT!!)

And so I made it to London safe and sound. It has been a sort of whirlwind the past few days, and today I have decided to take it easy this morning so I finally have time to sit down and write out how my first few days here have actually been.

Saying goodbye

January 10^th, 2:20 AM

Oh boy, goodbyes are tough! I have officially said goodbye to my closest friends now that tonight is over, and I can happily say I don’t feel like I won’t ever see them again.

Planning a Future

Monday January 2^nd, 2012

4:21 PM

I am sitting here on my bed with lots of lists and papers and documents spread all around me. I feel like I have so much to continue planning, but I already need a break. I am leaving my home, my family and my friends here in Canada in just 10 days for a “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” kind of adventure to the United Kingdom. London, England, more precisely.