Real Life (Outside the Box)

Alright, alright! Here it is as requested, update on my 'real' London life!!!

Let me think.... I finished my last temp role on Friday, may be needed tomorrow night... other than that Im jobless as of today. There are lots of jobs, but Im choosy (and half-heartedly looking), coz I can still afford to be choosy (and not work). Or can I really? The trips Im planning in November and next month will cost me a little bundle... a bundle I dont know if I have. Especially since my savings/earnings are being eaten, at the moment, by someone else's expenses overseas. I should really worry about it, at least regarding earning to pay for my rent and spending money. I talk about it, mainly coz there's not much other topics to talk about, but I dont sweat it, yet. Am I in denial? Confident of the future? Or self-destructive? I dont know... I dont care, yet.

My dream profession at the moment, being a professional party goer. Someone who gets paid to party, converse, socialise, look good, etc etc etc. I realised my skills are too varied and 'outside the box' for here. I understand now what my colleagues whom did working holiday before me meant. I may be sought after in my organisation and well thought of, but for temporary and contract work (a visa rule, technically I cant apply for better permanent roles) here, they prefer someone whom travelled a straighter career line. Oh well....

Life is much much simpler. One makes do with very little, or nothing. It gets frustrating, but after a little vent, I move on. For example, I miss my favourites and luxuries back home - watches/footwear/clothes/jewelleries, kittycat, bicycle, footspa, body massage, bigger fridge, fresher vegetables, meat pies, aussie burgers (with beetroot), vietnamese soup and bread rolls, my own space, herbal teas, going out for a non-alcoholic drink, wining AND dining (people here dont eat!), nature, quiet surrounds, rockclimbing, and sleeping peacefully.

I have mixed feelings about London. Its a huge city but it closes early. Very few places stay open late on a weeknight. But when alive, it is really buzzing! There's so many shops, arts, galleries, museums and theatres. There are definitely a lot of pubs, drinking is very much the culture here. I havent the chance to sample a lot of the restaurants, bars/clubs yet, pending a stable job. I have seen a few I'd love to try out. Theatre shows are expensive. I think tomorrow I will queue up for a half-price ticket. I havent met anyone yet genuinely interested, or can afford to see shows like 39 Steps, Les Miserables, concerts etc. So I have to just watch on my own, which I already expected.

Yes, Im having the same problem I had in Australia. There's just no one out there/here who would want to have a full hot breakfast at a cafe or at home, to bicycle in the morning if not having a lazy morning, then watch an afternoon play, afterwards play african drums in the afternoon, to wine and dine with a friend or a group, walk along the pier, sit by the park bench or on the grass, maybe go to a concert or a movie at night, then head back home with things bought along the way from the market like cheeses, crackers, olives, sundried tomatoes, flowers, dips, to crash in bed contented of the day's event ;-). Life full of 'outside the box' surprises and/or contented moments, away from TV. Hence why I feel alone at times. But like the energetic trooper that I am, I take it on the chin and do what I like, like lie down in bed or go to the park, or walk for hours with a map trying out different routes to get lost.

Piss Fit

My alcohol intake has gone through the roof.

I drink, maybe to tipsy stage, once or twice every 2months. I like to sip-taste wines, enjoying a nice glass occasionally. I also like to try out different mixes, more because I love watching the cocktails being made. One of my weaknesses is tequila with lemon and salt, enjoying endless shots with friends.

Hard drinking for me meant having up to 2 drinks every week. Here in London, I just drank several months worth of alcohol in the past 10 days. I lost count. Im always at least tipsy, even on a work night. Heck, Im at work now, and I dont know if I feel fatigued from drinking or still have alcohol running in my veins.

Monday night, I crashed. Tired from the night before (a few hours sleep and drinks), little food in my tummy, worked, sleepy, tired and hot, I mixed drinks (wine plus something with coke). I couldnt stand up/still. The room was definitely spinning. Didnt go home until morning, so I could shower, nap, get change and go to work.

Last night, after working for 9.5hours, I fully intended to rest (not drink and catch up on sleep). Spent time with my roomie (took a sip of his red wine to taste), watched TV and planned an awesome trip together, which I really hope I can do!! Another roomie arrived and joined us, then I had a glass of red. I couldnt resist, it tasted nice.

Took a shower after midnight, couldnt sleep until past 1am. After shower, I had another red in front of me. This time just sipped it, listened instead to Antonio Carlos Jobim on my laptop. Left the red wine on the table. Slept soundly until past 7am.

I'm pretty sure I will be drinking again tonight. How much and how long I'll stay up, I dont know. I like it (my current lifestyle). You should see the huge grin on my face now while I reflect. Mentally noting to keep my drunken states to weekends.

Barefooting

Today was a hot saturday. Feeling bored at home, I decided to do nothing outside (instead of nothing inside). Map/keys/travel card in my bag, ipod in my ears, phone in my pocket. Destination forward.

Usually I like hearing what's going on around me. It's my way of feeling the ambiance of the place, enjoying the moment. This time music was blaring in my ears and I just walked. I realised I wanted to be alone.

I ended up in Kensington Gardens. It was such a huge park. I liked that I got lost. I took my shoes off and walked barefoot for at least an hour on the grass. It felt great. I was completely immersed in my own world. It wasnt enough, I laid down on the grass, stared at the trees and the blue skies, breathed deeply and dozed.

Much later, I was woken up by the smell of marijuana. Someone decided to sit close to me and light up. Of all the vacant spaces in the park, they had to choose where I was. Refusing to be pissed off, I sat up and tried to find my bearings.I had no clue where I was, but I knew I did not step out of the park. Asked for general directions from some group practicing soccer. Then continued walking lazily on the grass, runners held in one hand.

I must have needed the quiet. It would have ended well, but when I finally had to put my shoes on to walk home, my phone fell out of my pocket. I realised it close to home, went back to where I sat down, didnt find it. Thankfully, when I rang it with my roommate's phone, someone answered and it was given back.

I've decided I will walk a lot this summer, preferably on grass. Or buy a bike to ride in the park. I stopped a man (yes... just stopped him, politely, in his tracks...) riding a folding bike. I should have taken his number, coz he was really kind and showed me the specs of his bike. He even folded it to show me how easy and light it was. Then he mentioned a sale he read about, but I couldnt remember the details. If I took his number, I would have been able to ask him again. I might stake him out next weekend... I think I know where he works... heheheh.

Next time, carpe diem.

Needs and Wants

I want:

• Chapalas
• Chipotle
• Clam Chowder Bowl
• Reese's Ice Cream!!!?
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
• Hostess' Snowballs (pink and white)
• Hostess' Twinkies
• Beef Jerky
• Rootbeer
• Sashimi
• Japanese or Thai curries
• Curried chickpeas
• Rice
• Shapes biscuits snack (pizza and barbecue)
• Pistacchio nuts
• Cadbury milk chocolates
• My cat
• More pounds (sterling)

I need:

• Huge, strong umbrella (little ones dont cut it here)
• Raincoat/Plastic poncho
• Wellies aka Gumboots
• NI number
• Employment
• Lotsa pounds (sterling)