Wednesday, too early am

For some unknown reason I have woken up a full 40 minutes before my alarm today...so I have a little extra time to blog. I imagine I woke up because last night I was concerned about sleeping through my alarm and missing my appointment with my landlord...I think this is the main culprit. Anyway...today is my long day when I work until 21h but it's not so bad as tomorrow is my last day before a much needed 4 day weekend with Danielle and Megan.

When you live abroad you really start to realise which of your friends you truly appreciate, and which appreciate you in return. My university girls have shone through, always being there (even at 3am...sorry Dani), sending funny (and sometimes slightly crazy) messages that always get us laughing and having group chats on our phones that have become the closest we can get to pretending we're still at university....living carefree and irresponsibly. For these reasons and many more I'm very excited to see the girls this weekend. We all deserve a weekend off traipsing around Paris, mid-winter, drinking gluwein and just being totally British in every way. Oh la di da.

My American colleagues do some fantatic impressions of my British-ness...I only wish I could imitate them too to make it even. Will have to work on my accents (if you know me at all you will understand how difficult this may be. Yesterday I tried to do chinese it came out italian...need I say more.

The next post will be more cultural/informative/insightful blah blah but for now this is about all you're getting from me at this ungodly hour. Hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go.

à Londres

Finding the time to blog is not easy when you don't have the internet in your apartment (that's right I STILL don't have the internet) but...I think it's starting to come together so I shouldn't have to wait too much longer.

I want to write about all my recent experiences but I just don't have the time unfortunately...however here is a quick update.

Last weekend I went to London. Yes, that's right, the Devon born and bred girl who has avoided London her entire life whilst driving a tractor (metaphorically speaking) finally made the trip to the capital of England. I didn't do all the traditional tourist sites as my main priority was spending time with the girls and seeing old faces but I did manage a small trip to Oxford Street which I thoroughly enjoyed. The house the girls now live in is amazing. With it's high ceilings, modern kitchen, tall windows and 42 stairs to the top (complete with a gorgeous wooden hand rail) it's a far cry from student living in Loughborough. Not that we didn't love our house in Loughborough but the fire doors constantly slamming or blocking you out of a room weren't the best idea ever...I am also happy to say that everyone seemed content and all doing well (we're all employed wahoo - two fingers up to the failing economy. I also laughed more than I have in a really really long time so I am very grateful to the girls for such a wonderful weekend.

I am happy at work as always and my personal life is not a complete mess which is always a plus. I will be in the UK again this weekend visiting my grandparents, sister, aunt, uncle and cousins (and little Thomas who is totally new to me!!) which I can't wait for. This week is pretty busy so I'm glad I found a short time to blog before my week is over before it begins (the time is flying by).

When I was at Clapham North station they have 'a thought of the day' on the wall. I had to write it down because it really meant something to me after everything i've experienced the last few months, so now I'll share it with you as your thought for the day (if you're reading this)...

"If you don't know where you're going you will probably end up somewhere else."

Oh and have a bit of Jason Mraz to cheer us all up in this miserable winter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=acvIVA9-FMQ