I would hate to jinx myself early on in the piece, but I think I've settled in fairly well to the London time zone. I ended up going to bed at about 8pm last night and woke up this morning at 6.30am. Other than the silly head cold, I have been feeling positive.
I forgot to mention this yesterday, but dear old Jason has been ill since I arrived. (No, it wasn't me who made him sick - he was sick while I was still in the Southern Hemisphere, I swear!) Needless to say, my waking up bright and chipper in the wee hours of the morning was probably the last thing he needed, so I left him alone and kept myself amused by wandering around the house for a while.
We had made plans to head to Canary Wharf and set up up a bank account for me as well as a couple of other errands, but weren't in a great rush to do so.
When Jason emerged a little while later, he looked terrible. After mentioning that he would see how he felt about going out later, I did something really bizarre and unlike myself: I offered to just head in and do things myself. I realise that makes me sound about twelve years old or something, but I am not a very confident person. It takes me a while to warm up to new things at the best of times, so even catching the flight here on my own was a big step for me. As for figuring out the trains and layout of a giant shopping mall, well, let's just say it was an interesting day!
A couple of hours later, I stumbled home feeling a little bit worse for wear. Jason opened the door for me, all dressed and ready to come out - he was worried I'd gotten lost and was preparing to come rescue me! In actual fact though, I was fine. I managed to get my way around the light rail, and didn't get lost doing so. I did however, get lost in the shopping centre, which was spread out everywhere and all over the place, but I eventually found my way.
Here's what I ended up achieving on my random day out:
- I opened up a UK bank account, which will be ready in a week or so.
- I purchased a pink (!) fluffy dressing gown, which I'm smitten with.
- Bought a whole lot of toiletries for home that I didn't bring with me.
- Hunted around for a cheap hair dryer and straightener.
- Got a UK simcard for my mobile phone, and organised a new number.
So there you have it: I got out and about on my second day here. (Yes, I'm proud of myself.) I think that I'm settling in fairly well so far, though I do miss home already.
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38 comments:
Wow, I am impressed! I would have been wary of venturing out to do all that on my own, too. Good job!
Woo! Happy new-city day!
I'm quite impressed. It would have taken me a week to get all that done in a new place! Well, maybe not a week, but I wouldn't have ventured out on my own and I don't care if that makes me a 12yo. :)
Hopefully you and Jason are both feeling better and he can show you around a bit more.
Woo, go you! That's a great start.
That is amazing! Good for you for venturing out on your own! And missing home is only natural so try not to let that get you down. I hope the both of you are feeling better soon!
Congrats girly! You and London seem to get along fine and I'm sure this is just the beginning of a fantastic new phase of life!
Love you!
xox
by dressing gown do you mean robe? like what you wear when you get out of the shower? at first i thought you bought a pink fluffy dress and i was beginning to question your fashion sense ;)
Wow! That's awesome! I'm the same way about going places like that by myself....and for you to do it all in a completely new country is just plain impressive! Glad to hear you are settling in!
I am very impressed!! I don't think I would have been able to do all that on my own. I definitely love to try new things, but in unfamilier cities, I turn into a wuss if I'm by myself. And I am so jealous of your new dressing gown! I want a pink fluffy one!
That's great!! It sounds like you're getting settled in! I can't wait to read all about your adventures! :)
Great! Getting a SIM card was the first thing I did when I moved to Spain. I haven't gotten myself a bank account yet but I may if I decide to get a job in February. You should let me know your cell #, we could send each other text messages sometimes (and send me your mailing address too)! :)
I remember I spent a lot of time in that mall in 2001 when I was in London.
Now you'll have me singing that Kelly Clarkson song all day!
Congrats on your new-found courage!
Our little Aly is all growed up!
I'm so excited for you!
I'm so happy for you! I have to admit, I would have gone out anyway as well. If for nothing more than sheer curiosity!
(Still awaiting the "reunion at airport gate" story!!!)
You're a superstar, Aly! I'm glad that you're safe and sound and on your way to becoming acclimated.
Good job! I know EXACTLY how you feel about doing things on your own - I'm that way, too.
Plus, that's a lot to get done in one day - you rock!
Way to go! That's especially impressive when you're in a brand new city, jet lagged, and without a cell phone! How exactly was Jason planning on finding you? And how did we live without cell phones?
Wow. A new bank account in a week?! How on earth did you manage that? It took me 3 months and 2 referral letters to get one!
Well done, soon you'll know 'nary wharf like the back of your hand!
I am so freakin' proud of you! And I'm a little bit envious of the adventure that lies ahead for you!
Good for you! Good luck getting the rest of everything all set.
You are so cool! There's really something to be said about being anonymous in a new place though. It's a great learning experience and kind of fun to pretend you're a grown-up.
Well done you!
WOW
now i am REALLY impressed - cos I know how huge that is for you !!!
and PINK dressing gown - i'm even MORE impressed LOL
MISS YOu (and yes - i'll be saying that for the full two years you are gone !!!)
yeh well done! canary wharf can be a bit confusing even for those of us who've grown up here! seeya hugya *G* sorry the grinch got you guys too!
Good for you for getting all that stuff done so quickly! And by yourself! I know how nervewracking it can be just doing those errands in your OWN country...let alone one you've just moved to! :)
that's a good start that you were willing to do that stuff on your own. Plus I'm sure Jase appreciated it!
The pink fluffy dressing gown was the most important item on the list! :D You did well - even in a place where they speak English, it can be a bit daunting to find your way around! I hope J is feeling better soon - has he started speaking with an English accent yet? You know you will start to do it soon! :D
You're all set up in London! I think uberproductive days like that can be miserable and lonely, but doesn't it feel great to have everything done??
Yay, UK!
Wow Aly, way to get things done! I love London and I know you will have so much fun finding your way around. Have a blast! Beth in CA
It's exciting to be plonked into the deep end of things isn't it? I was almost as excited as you were from just reading this because I have been through these situations before. :)
I am so happy that you made it to London!
And I am very jealous! I would love to live there!!
Can we see pictures of your new place once you get settled in??
Pleeaasseee!
nice work! Maybe you can make a London "List" too?
Miss you heaps already!
A pink dressing gown? WOW! That's very unlike you. And you're very brave heading out on your own! I probably wouldn't do that for the first six months! lol...
I love the new layout too :-D
YAY!!! WOOO HOOO!
Well done, you! Well done. :) I am glad that you arrived safely and are settling in.
You are not a very confident person? I would have never thought that but I am glad you seem to settle in nicely. Hope you and your man are feeling better soon. And congrats on getting all these things done in no time. That is pretty cool.
WOOT! haha I'm so impressed! You got yourself settled in quite nicely :)
And my gosh you got something pink! :D good work! hehe
tell jase i hope he gets better soon :) i also expect some sort of phone number from you missy :P cos I can send sms' overseas I can! :D
wow cant beleive you are on the other side of the world..photos of everything you do and SEE SOON please!!!
You should be proud! That's great. (I'm catching up on my blogs after being gone for 5 days. Hi again!)
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