My New Digs

I have made the move to the big city. After eight miserable (ok maybe not miserable but boring) weeks in Woking I arrived in Chelsea on a Sunday. Somehow Tenielle and I managed to stuff all our crap, which was about six suitcases, boxes galore, trash bags full of clothes, a giant fan and ourselves into a sedan. A sedan people, like a Subaru wagon. What we needed was a proper moving van. Poor Tenielle was stuffed in the back under a pile of duvets and pillows. All you could see was her the top of her hat. Moving day is never fun, but add rain and wind to the mix we're talking a whole 'nother ball game. Not a very fun one at that. We got everything into the house as quick as possible. Most of it managed to stay dry, thank god.

Over the next few days, Tenielle and I unpacked. I had to be at work during the days so Tenielle was a god send and did most of the unpacking. I'd come home everyday and another box was tackled. If it wasn't for her I'd still be living out of my boxes. The best part of moving to the city was receiving all my things from home. My pictures, my dishes, my clothes, my shoes, oh and my bed. Yes, I brought my bed. It's one of my favorite possessions. I'll admit right now bringing that bed was a huge mistake. The damn thing wouldn't fit up the stairs to my place. No matter how the movers tried to maneuver the thing it was stuck. At this point I had two choices, chuck the bed I loved so much or find a way to get it through the door. So I did what any sane person would do, I asked the movers to saw the bed in half. I know I'm crazy!!! But, it worked and while my bed isn't in the best condition I get a great nights sleep still. Lesson learned, don't bring a bed from the states to London. It's like putting a square peg into a round hole. No I remember why I hate moving!

My place needs a little work in the way of decorating and storage. I'm working on it with Tenielle slowly but surely. She's got some great ideas on how to spruce it up. All in all I love it. It's an awesome location, it's got London written all over it, and best of all it already feels like home. Here are few pictures of my new pad. Enjoy!

Kitchen for one!

Bathroom all organized, thanks T!

My favorite room in the house, my family room!

My bedroom, a lot needs to be done with this room.

Hangers left over from all the clothes I won't be needing here.

Guestroom for all you peeps who are coming to visit!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey day to all my friends! I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday with your family and friends. I miss you all so much! It doesn't feel like Thanksgiving here today at all. I had to work, they don't sell turkeys in the supermarket, and worst of all no Black Friday tomorrow. But don't fret my friends, T liz and I have created our own Thanksgiving celebration. More details to come later.

Also, quick update on the housing situation. I have left dreaded Woking and moved into my my own flat; finally!!! I absolutely love it. I will post a ton of pictures to soon. I'm just in unpacking hell so things have been crazy. I promise to post tons of new stuff soon.

Winter Olympics Here I Come!

In addition to tea on Sunday T Liz and I thought what the hell lets go ice skating too. Cause that's how we roll! We also decided to invite "V" to join us. As Christmas gets closer, ice rinks begin popping up all over the city. At home you usually see them at the mall or in front of a big complex but not here. They go big! This puppy was in front of the Natural History Museum. It was gorgeous. Picture it lights all over the trees, winter white tents, and a ten thousand year old museum as your backdrop. Behold!

I have been skating once in my life so let's just say I was a bit hesitant to get on the rink. All I could think of was falling on my ass in front of V and hundreds of other strangers. After procrastinating as much I could I got myself on the rink and held onto the side immediately. I didn't let go for a good half hour. Next thing I know I'm doing double axles and spins, J/K! Here's a short clip of my so called moves. I'm no Oksana Bauil but I could give Tanya Harding a run for her money.

Once I got the hang of it I enjoyed every minute. V got on the rink and showed us some of this moves as well. Now the moment you've all been waiting for, a picture of V. Here are the three muskeeters at the end of our skating session.

Two for Tea

Nothing says Sunday in England like afternoon tea. What better place to try this tradition then at the one and only Harrods. T Liz and I took a train to the city on Sunday and made a beeline for Harrods. We also wanted to take in all the Christmas stuff. Harrods is known for their Christmas shop and now I know why. The shop was ridonklous! Room after room of decorations separated by theme. There was Candy Candy Land, Black and White, Log Cabin, Toy Story, etc. It was like Santa threw up! I wish I had pictures to share but they wouldn't allow any photography in the shop.

We sat down for tea in this beautiful room called the Terrace with windows all lined up on side with views of the London skyline. The only word I could use to describe it is enchanting. The tea service itself was amazing. You got to choose from six different types of teas and then the food; they're not kidding around with their tea sandwiches and pastries. It was a smorgasbord of delights. I felt like I had eaten a meal for six by the time were done. We had little cucumber sandwiches, egg sandwiches, ham sandwiches. then scones, then chocolate eclairs, tarts, etc.. the list goes on and on. Even though I wanted to puke afterwards I would do it again in a heartbeat. So whoever comes to visit, guess what we're doing :)

Only When T Liz is here...

Tenielle or as she now likes to call herself T-Liz made it through her first week in Woking. She was a great sport and made the best of it. All in all we had a great first week. We caught up on the last five years of our life, motivated one another to work out, attended our first pub quiz together, and watched lots of trashy British TV. Some of you may be asking, what is a pub quiz? I had no idea either. It's basically playing Trivial Pursuit while you drink in a bar. It's a big to do here. People go every week, play the quiz, and get pissed (aka smashed). Both T and I sucked at the quiz but not so much the drinking part. Exhibit A.

The real fun began this weekend. We headed into the city Friday night. T Liz got the first train she could out of Woking , poor thing she was ready for the city, and I met her there later in the evening. Our plans were all set for the weekend. Dinner/drinks Friday night with a friend/old colleague of mine who was visiting from home (Andrew Still from DraftFCB for those of you know him), going to the famous Borrough Market Saturday morning, then doing a little shopping, Bonfire Night (big British holiday) Saturday evening in Blackheath and finally lunch in Chelsea on Sunday and a quick stop by my new flat so she could check out my new digs. I'd like everyone to know that we ONLY managed to accomplish one of those items and you know why??!! Two words for you; champagne cocktails! Exhibit B.

Friday night was supposed to be mellow. Just dinner and a drink or two afterwards with Andrew and his friend Brant. Well dinner was had, along with two bottles of wine and a glass of a champagne to top of our meal. Exhibit C.

Then we all were having so much fun we decided to hit a pub. Drank some more there, ended up chatting with some randoms on the street and got kicked out of the pub at closing time 12:30. After bidding farewell to Andrew and his friend Brant, I figured T and I would stumble back to our hotel. Somehow, and I still don't remember how, we ended up in a club dancing until 4 am. Club Umbaba to be exact. Everyone there was either Eastern Europe or African American- and then there was T Liz and I who owned the dance floor. Naturally, we fit right in. What killed me was the Europeans couldn't dance to save there lives and all the AA just sat at their tables and watched everyone else dance, they didn't even get up when Snoop hit the sound system. All I know is , after what I think was 5 glasses of champagne cocktails at the club, T Liz and I made our way back to the hotel and didn't emerge until Sunday morning.

When did I get so old? I guess, when in Rome...