Well last week had some really dull days, and then some really busy ones. By the end of the week I had 3 projects on the go! I was thrilled when work was over on Friday as I needed a break.
Of course, it being me, I didn't exactly have a 'break'. I caught a train into Essex/ Suffolk and was a tourist all weekend! I stayed with my mum's old school friends who graciously drove me around all day Saturday and Sunday. I visited Colchester (first city in the UK), Dedham (location of John Constables famous paintings), Billericay (English Peasents Revolt), Sutton Hoo (Anglo-Saxon burial mounds), Framlingham (castle of the Howards), Bury St. Edmunds (ruins of a HUGE abbey/shrine), Lavenham (awesome little town of crooked houses).... loads of driving on little English roads and probably up to 10 miles of walking, all combined.
The weather even held out for me, it was quite warm! Of course now I'm back in London with the usual temperamental stuff.
Not sure what the week ahead holds for me, but hopefully it's going to be good!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
me again
Well I think I'm fairly well settled in now - some of the days are feeling like 'the daily grind', which is a good thing? I am still thrilled to be here - there is something amazing about walking past St. Paul's Cathedral every morning on my way to work: it's kind of surreal!
I've been puttering around at work on a number of different projects, all of which are fairly straight forward but take time. It's all fascinating stuff and has shown this trip to be really worth every penny I'm spending. Hopefully the interesting work will continue!
In my time off I've been doing a variety of things. I was quite busy last week seeing tourist stuff in the evenings, or meeting people for dinner. I hope this continues! This past weekend I went up to the historic town of St. Albans (roman, anglo-saxon and norman histories) which was a lovely day out, and then took a 4 hour cruise down the Thames to Hampton Court, where I explored and saw Henry VIII (the actor was the spitting image!).
The frustrating thing about my trip is the hours - I work until 5:30 every day, and with the crush of people, I often only get home between 6:30 and 7pm. All tourist sites are closed at 5, so my weeknights are devoted to either seeing people or, more frequently, going home, making a microwave dinner and reading my books or watching BBC.
I'm starting to make some connections here, though it's a slow process. I've discovered an old friend of mine is living in the city, so hope to meet up with him in the coming days/weeks. Otherwise I'll continue to use my weekends thoroughly! This coming weekend I plan to go up to the Colchester area, where the artist Constable did much of his work. It's apparently a lovely area.
Alright, off again!
I've been puttering around at work on a number of different projects, all of which are fairly straight forward but take time. It's all fascinating stuff and has shown this trip to be really worth every penny I'm spending. Hopefully the interesting work will continue!
In my time off I've been doing a variety of things. I was quite busy last week seeing tourist stuff in the evenings, or meeting people for dinner. I hope this continues! This past weekend I went up to the historic town of St. Albans (roman, anglo-saxon and norman histories) which was a lovely day out, and then took a 4 hour cruise down the Thames to Hampton Court, where I explored and saw Henry VIII (the actor was the spitting image!).
The frustrating thing about my trip is the hours - I work until 5:30 every day, and with the crush of people, I often only get home between 6:30 and 7pm. All tourist sites are closed at 5, so my weeknights are devoted to either seeing people or, more frequently, going home, making a microwave dinner and reading my books or watching BBC.
I'm starting to make some connections here, though it's a slow process. I've discovered an old friend of mine is living in the city, so hope to meet up with him in the coming days/weeks. Otherwise I'll continue to use my weekends thoroughly! This coming weekend I plan to go up to the Colchester area, where the artist Constable did much of his work. It's apparently a lovely area.
Alright, off again!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Epic work!
Wow, this week has been full of 'epic work'. well, one day at least. When I got to work on Monday I was put on a team working on a crazy important submission to the US Securities and Exchange Commission - a HUGE deal and I was a key player in making it happen. Well, I was at least very helpful - I was the 'fresh eyes' on a number of documents and liaised with the publisher on all the edits and nit-picky stuff. It was a really interesting process and gave me a lot of insite... the 'epic' part was the fact that on Wednesday I worked from 9:30am until 4:00am... and was back at work the next morning at 9:30. It was intense.
Otherwise I'm still keeping happy and enjoying myself. The past weekend I explore Hampstead Heath, went out to see where my grandfather was born in Eltham, and went to the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum - all was well worth the visits.
This weekend I plan to see St. Albans (an historic town) and take a Thames river cruise out to Hampton Court.. I just hope the weather is nice to me. Right now there's thunder and Vancouver-style rain. sigh.
Hope everyone is well. Please feel free to email - it's nice to hear from home!
Otherwise I'm still keeping happy and enjoying myself. The past weekend I explore Hampstead Heath, went out to see where my grandfather was born in Eltham, and went to the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum - all was well worth the visits.
This weekend I plan to see St. Albans (an historic town) and take a Thames river cruise out to Hampton Court.. I just hope the weather is nice to me. Right now there's thunder and Vancouver-style rain. sigh.
Hope everyone is well. Please feel free to email - it's nice to hear from home!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The First Week
I survived it! Horrah!
After a few days if induction meetings they threw me in the deep end, giving me a massive research project on topics I have yet to study at school. I bought a text book guide to try learn quickly, and did as best a job I could. The lawyers seemed happy enough with the results, but I don't know if the big cheese liked it - that will come Monday.
It's been strange being a London commuter, especially with work ending at 530. I'm starting to get used to getting home late and eating dinner even later... I don't like it, but that's what it is.
I haven't done anything too touristy yet as it all closes at 5pm. Today I plan to go to Hampstead Heath, a big park and village within the city, and then maybe just hit down town again. Tomorrow is open for now.
Well I hope all is well with everyone. I'm mostly alright, though I do get lonely at times. Hugs to everyone.
After a few days if induction meetings they threw me in the deep end, giving me a massive research project on topics I have yet to study at school. I bought a text book guide to try learn quickly, and did as best a job I could. The lawyers seemed happy enough with the results, but I don't know if the big cheese liked it - that will come Monday.
It's been strange being a London commuter, especially with work ending at 530. I'm starting to get used to getting home late and eating dinner even later... I don't like it, but that's what it is.
I haven't done anything too touristy yet as it all closes at 5pm. Today I plan to go to Hampstead Heath, a big park and village within the city, and then maybe just hit down town again. Tomorrow is open for now.
Well I hope all is well with everyone. I'm mostly alright, though I do get lonely at times. Hugs to everyone.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Getting Here & First Day
It was a tiny bit stressful getting here due to all potential flight mishaps, but in the end it worked out alright. My flight was delayed leaving Vancouver but made up time in the air. The plane gods were smiling on me in Newark as my connecting flight turned out to be in the gate right next to where I landed. And my bags made it to Heathrow with me! Best outcome!
One cool thing about my journey: I got to see hundreds of American 4th of July Fireworks display’s from the air. It was so cool seeing all the twinkling – not often you see fireworks from above!
My place here in London seems like it’ll be good – I have a fridge, microwave, hot-plate and some tools to use with them. There are 3 grocery stores within a minutes walk, as is the underground and a huge park. My Landlady seems like a lovely lady – an ex-professional ballet dancer no less!
My first day at work was a bit overwhelming but overall pretty good. Met loads of people and had a bunch of training, all of which will continue tomorrow. The office is located near St. Paul’s Cathedral, so I’ll probably pop into it for lunch one of these days. I’ll slowly explore the area over lunches and shall report back my findings. I did pick up a mobile phone and an internet dongle, so I’ll be more connected than at first thought.
Anyway, I’ll keep you posted as things happen!
One cool thing about my journey: I got to see hundreds of American 4th of July Fireworks display’s from the air. It was so cool seeing all the twinkling – not often you see fireworks from above!
My place here in London seems like it’ll be good – I have a fridge, microwave, hot-plate and some tools to use with them. There are 3 grocery stores within a minutes walk, as is the underground and a huge park. My Landlady seems like a lovely lady – an ex-professional ballet dancer no less!
My first day at work was a bit overwhelming but overall pretty good. Met loads of people and had a bunch of training, all of which will continue tomorrow. The office is located near St. Paul’s Cathedral, so I’ll probably pop into it for lunch one of these days. I’ll slowly explore the area over lunches and shall report back my findings. I did pick up a mobile phone and an internet dongle, so I’ll be more connected than at first thought.
Anyway, I’ll keep you posted as things happen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)