This is the front window of our flat. One guy must have crawled through the skinny top window! How he fit through and left the blinds untouched is beyond me.

Here is the creepy part. The forensics woman came and dusted for prints and found these glove smudges on our front window. Creepy! They are still there!

my poor bag.

Yay all my stuff is back! It is still unreal because it was all resolved so soon. Here's some shots of my laptop all wrapped up in evidence bags.

Hey all,
Glad to report that the snacks remained unscathed although we could have caught them "orange handed" if they dug into the cheetos. I imagine they took one look at the peanut butter and wretched.

The landlord's mum said she'd work out changing the locks and fixing the door inside that was broken into. Still haven't gotten our stuff returned. I may not have internet this weekend, but I am planning to finally see the wallace and gromit movie this weekend. Tonight we go to a pub and thai food before.

Thanks for that link Jan. I'll look into it.

Hey all,
I am stealing away time to blog while at work. So they caught one of the two guys who broke in through our front window and we still don't have our stuff back because it may have to be used in a trial if he pleads not guilty.

I am still relieved that he has it anyway. I got my first paycheck and it feels good. But at this rate I have a whole £4 left over after rent and transport. Geez.

I guess that's all the news I have for now. We are changing the locks and buying a fake alarm box for the outside of our house.

Hey all,
My place got robbed yesterday when everyone was out of the house. They ransacked the house and took my laptop and digital camera!! On the bright side they caught the guy and we had to ID our stuff last night. Will give more details later.

WoO! More goodies! Thanks, mom for the candles, cookies, and chocolate! Good thinking on the Clorox antibacterial cleaning wipes. Surprisingly, I actually wanted something like that seeing as the dresser drawers are quite skell. SO much for leading a healthy life here. I eat more junk here than at home!

Hey all. Got another box in the mail today!

This weekend James and I did some touristy stuff because I was starting to feel like I wasn't really in London. We went to look at Big Ben, the house of Parlaiment, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham palace. We also popped into St. Martin in the fields and I bought a british cookbook. Then we met some friends on Brick Lane for indian food! Pics will come later.

This morning I went grocery shopping and had to trek a 12 pack of TP through town back to my place. I bought some sausages and potatoes and perhaps I will make "bangers and mash," the traditional british supper.

The tv here is strange. They seem to be crazy about Diagnosis Murder so I feel like I'm watching PAX tv all day. Spiderman is the feature movie tonight. woo.

Also, I haven't seen the wallace and gromit movie yet and I really really want to this week. Arg!

Haven't heard from the other job and won't hold my breath. On the bright side I enjoy my current job and the people. In case you're interested go to the website below to see where I live.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=538450&y=186494&z=0&sv=e10+5rq&st=2&pc=e10+5rq&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

Had my first day of work today and although I was happy for work, I didn't enjoy the tube packed like a sardine tin not to mention the peak time travel ticket worth an equivalent $12!!! And I thought NYC was bad! I do a lot of computer stuff with documents so it is pretty easy for me and they were impressed with my speed.

Also, when I got home I got a call from a company asking if I still needed a job. Turns out my CV got to a guy looking for a marketing junior for a law firm in the city. Wooo! I would love to do this! I hope to God I get this new position and I can ditch temping. When it rains it pours and I find myself eating way too many bags of mini cheetos and reese's cups for my own good...

YAY! Thanks April, John and the boys! Nobody does snacks like the US! I am set for a while. Honey peanut butter... yumm! James was able to witness this miraculate box of neverending goodies and we tore open the cheetos and reese's cups straight away!

To my surprise I get a parcel in the mail today. What could it be? hmmmm....

This was taken on the way back from a pub in Canterbury. I look like a street thug out of the "Bad" video.

Here is a pic someone took of James on the day that the Morning Star (his newspaper) played a game of football against the National Union of Journalists.

These are my keys to my place, no lie. The old ass one looks good next to my USB drive.

So the so called marketing job consisted of rolling around a huge black suitcase full of cheap goods all around London selling to anyone who would buy. Yeah right! My host was an ex-Trinidad hustler and I had to watch as he tried to sell to anyone who would listen. It was awful.

Then at the end of the day, he came back to me after a huddle with his colleagues in the office and asked me to specify exactly why I should be allowed into the third round of interviews. I started explaining about my marketing work experience and my degree in advertising. This is when he looked at me and said, "We consider ourselves a full training company, so all that really doesn't count." EXCUSE ME!!??? I thought to myself. Seeing that this was the kind of SHAM company that doesn't value actual office experience and a freakin' relevent college degree, then I don't want any part of it! That is when I just looked at him and said I was taking myself out of the running and I just left. FREAK that.

On the bright side, while I was out shadowing this fool all over London, I got a call from a temp agency giving me a position with the West London Cancer Network. They needed a good PC person and I am the woman for them. I think this office sounds cool and I can learn a thing or two from them. Also, it pays well- better than most office temping gigs.

So, alas, today was pure hell but I got a job finally! Yay! I think I need to buy a celebratory bag tomorrow. :)

I got called back for a second round of interviews for a marketing company for a full day interview thing tomorrow. Sounds grueling but I hope it goes well. Then after going out for Morrocan food! I deserve a night of good food and fun after these past weeks of crap.

Callec a US based marketing company today in London and secured an interview for tomorrow. It was good to hear people speaking my language for a change :)

Hope it works out.

Hey all,
Am applying to many temp agencies this week. Glad you like the pics of my flat. The landlord is a landscaper so he is the one that does the garden. Also, those weren't fake oranges. I think they are quints growing off the gazebo.
I'm starting to feel better, but I sniffed through my interview today. ick.
Also, seems I have made a good contact with the Democratic Party's international press secretary who is giving me good advice on jobs and the whole country. Well, time to continue the search.

Also, here is a pic of my fireplace.

Hey dudes,
So I am all moved into my own flat and it feels good to have a place to call my own. I think I dreamed of canolis the other night which was very odd. There is no internet at my place for now so I occasionally go to James' to place to pirate wi-fi on my laptop.
here's a pic of james and his 3 other brothers. This was taken when we went to Canterbury. Hope I get better for tomorrow's freaking interview.

Here's the really cool garden in the back. There;s a gazebo and a pond thingy. Click on my picture link to see the whole lot of pics.

tv in my room = never socialising with my flat mates. No letterman here :(

Here is the kitchen. Very nice and modern

Here's the outside of my flat. My room is on the top floor. Gets lots of sun and lots of noise. Let's go inside!

I just had to show you these awsome japanese socks i bought. They are flip flop friendly!

So I hit the streets again and got another interview on Tuesday but for some lowly tempting gig. Either way I have two appointments next week and hope something will come of it. 2 weeks have passed and I haven't bought any new shoes yet! YIKES! I did however buy some bedding for my new flat today. I am looking forward to moving into my own place and unpacking all my stuff. It is finally setting into my brain that I am here for a long while, but I am still happy though it sometimes feels that I am merely in manhattan or something.

Watching the TV here is funny because despite the fact there are only 5 channels, the programming is such that I would want to watch it anyway. Lots of documentaries, trashy reality shows, cooking shows, etc.

I think I'll ease off tomorrow and seeing as next week I'll be going all over the place on the job hunt. On the bright side I got my new bank card in the mail for my british bank account. Woo spending!

So I sent my CV over to Democrats Abroad UK with a nice coverletter inquiring about a possible job and the woman called me back and said the nicest things. She said my CV and coverletter were the best she's seen in a while and she wishes she could offer me a job, but the office seems to be all volunteer work. But it turns out she has lots of contacts so she may try to pass my CV along to her friends in PR. I just thought it was nice that she called back and talked to me about my job interests. Ah well. I hit the streets tomorrow in search of a job and also to pick up my UK bank card. Woo! No exchange rate fees anymore!

Last night James and I went South of the River to meet some friends for Sri Lankan food. Good lord was it good! Yumm! It's kinda like indian but a bit spicier and less sauces with more egg and coconut influences. I would definitely go again. I am still following all thes eleads for a job.

This is what happens when your country only has 5 channels...

The evening ended with fireworks over the Thames.

Some bootleg ice cream truck.

Here's a shot of the famous Globe theater.

James and I got some Cuban food from a stand.

Here's some posts that are a bit happier.
This is a pic of a festival on the Thames. You can see Tower Bridge in the back.

James to the rescue.... after work he brought home some yummy indian food and a pint of Ben and Jerry's half baked ice cream to make me feel better.

Hey all,
Unofrtunately, I didn't get the job. The guy called me and was really nice, but alas I had almost no experience in this particular field and they couldn't scrounge something else up for me due to a hiring freeze. Blast. I do think he genuinely wanted to find something for me, but he said he would keep my resume if they actually start turning a profit.

Anyway, I am going to start the real job search full steam ahead. I am not worried because there are lots of things always being advertised. This is what I'll be doing the entirety of this coming week then. Will let you know how it goes.

Sorry dudes. Right after I had my interview, James and I went to Canterbury to celebrate some birthdays there. They only have a dial up connection plus for some reason blog sites were blocked.

My interview went very well and I had it with 3 of the top people in the Daymon team. They asked me the boring old standard questions of what my strongest qualities were and what I have learned from my past experiences with GE what I can bring to Sainsbury's.

I think I did well and I will here back as soon as Monday morning says the guy in charge. I will let you guys know how it goes.

Also, I paid my deposit and first months rent to the guy and I move in this Saturday so I can send pics then.
See ya dudes.

Things are finally falling into place. I successfully opened up a bank account here and the Sainsbury's guy called back and I have an interview tomorrow! woo! Rught after that James and I will be going to Canterbury for the weekend to celebrate some birthdays in the family. Hopefully I can get online after my interview and have some good news.

Well I found my perfect flat today! It's really great! It is super close to the tube station and has all modern kitchen stuff. My actual room is huge with great windows and an old fireplace (not functional)! There are also 2 wardrobes and some dressers and a tv in the room! woo!

The flat mates are cool and there is a tv lounge downstairs. The best part is the garden outside that is neatly landscaped with two lagoons added and a small gazebo with some fruit growing off it. It is borderline tropical! Hopefully when I meet the landlord to give him the deposit, I can take pics for you all because it is so unreal.

Rent is about £378 each month and that is everything. This is about $680 which is a better deal than my friends in Brooklyn get and my room is practically double their size! I am so excited about this!
I am told I can pirate some wireless internet with my laptop and that was practically the deal sealer.

My new road is St. George's Rd and it is all the way out in zone 3 which is far from central london. But I love it and should be able to move out once the person living there packs up and leaves.

8£ ($15) for a travel card this morning!!!! AhhhhH! Where did my $2 nyc subway go?

(click on pics to enlarge)
APARTMENT HUNTING DAY #1

So I bought a paper today and decided to start looking at flats for rent. There seemed to be some good ones out there right near the tube stop, a good safe distance of one minute away.

Ahhhh... Here's one off the Bethnal Green stop. Ohhhh.. it's pretty affordable. Look! It's very close to the tube and it's in Holly Bush Gardens... What a sweet, quaint sounding address... Holly Bush. I like it. So James and I go to meet the landlord to show us around at 6:30.

Hmmm, I see no houses. Say, is that barbed wire? Is this is PRISON?! No!!!! It's the projects!!!!!!!!


So I look around stunned thinking there is no chance in Hell i am about to walk home each night passing 4 different kinds of barbed wire home. I took some pics as you can see above. Thank GOD James was with me on this awful wreck of a street!

Long story short, the landlord never showed up and we left. (He was 1 hour late!)
Finding the right place will be harder than I thought. I also have a 9:30 am appointment with a bank to open up a bank account tomorrow. Also, the Sainsbury's guy said he'd call me tomorrow. We'll see about this....

Went for a yummy indian food dinner in Brick Lane on Friday night as seen above. Also, there is a pic from the top floor of a double decker at night. Too bad you can't see much outside of the windows.

Then we went to meet friends at a club we used to frequent. They played Heya for some reason so it felt like it was still 2004.

On Saturday we went to this small concert in a pub in East London. The place was decked out in way kitsch cowboy decor which in no way made me feel at home.

Today, who knows. Maybe some markets or some shopping God help me. But I know the job hunt continues tomorrow!

Off to an early morning of attending a BUNAC orientation. This is where they'll help us open bank accounts and talk about getting a National Insurance number here kinda like a SS number for work.

After I got up at 6pm last night from crashing we went to a supermarket, got some Chinese food, then I crashed out again. This jet lag better end. I think we're getting indian for dinner tonight!

SAFE AND SOUND!

Hey all, Well I made it to England alive on 1 hour of sleep cause I was too busy eating the 2 on flight meals and watching the movies in the built in TV in front of me like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Unleashed, and the Aviator.

One meal served was a beef dinner with mashed potatoes, carrots, broccoli, tea, soda, a roll, key lime pie and a mini chocolate car. Then breakfast consisted of a muffin, fruit, and coffee.
The flight attendants seemed a bit crabby this time around, but whatever.

I got in 1 hour late due to our flight leaving an hour late so it was 4AM your time when I arrived. James was there to pick me up and we trekked all the way to East London with my huge bags which somehow fit within the limits of checked baggage.

Surprise, surprise: it was raining today. So all my stuff is wet. Ick.

I am sleep deprived so I am going to crash this second. Just wanted to let you all know that I am safe and well. I think I'll make a PB sandwich now (or 10).
Love to all.
-Kim

Last night in town, people!
Thanks for all your warm wishes and thoughtful gifts. Looks like it's PB&J for the first weeks I am there.
I'll tell you about the journey when I can connect to the internet next!
Love you all,
Kim

Here is one pic of my coworkers hamming it up.

View my pics to see me and my whacky coworkers on my last day of work.

hey all,
I forgot to mention that I posted some vegas pics on my old silvertank site. click on viedw my pics to the right and then on the folder that says Vegas. Enjoy!
One month to go until i leave!

Hey all! Bought my tickets to London for September 14th! Woo!

James is safe just so you all know. Good thing he told me he was ok before I even read about the bombing.

Thank you all for such a lovely time on Saturday! Please refer to April's blog for the only pics that exist from the day. A great time was had by all.

Thank you cards are coming soon!

Kerry on the jumbotron.

Yay! Got one degree and we're about to eat Thai food!

Snipers on top of the buildings add to the ceremonious occasion.

Me and my roomies lining up to walk out to the big ceremony.

Finally the pics from my graduation! This is us on the rainy, carbon monoxide poisoned trolley ride!

Hey all! Just want to thank all those who made it to my graduation ceremonies! I am winding down still not unpacked here in Danbury. Will hopefully post the pics soon once I figure out this internet with my laptop!

Yay! got my grades and I got and A, 2 A-'s, and 2 B+'s! This means i have a 3.61 gpa and graduating magna cum laude from both schools! wooo!!! graduation!

Yay! I got the job at Daymon Worldwide as a "junior designer!"

I start June 1st! woo!

Another pic of the cut!

New haircut!

The crowd parted and it was like Rivers was singing to me!

Went to a Weezer concert last minute! I'm so lucky!

Happy Mother's Day, all!

Here's the inside of the CD case plus the CD!

Here is my final project in my design class. We had to design everything for a CD. I did mine about London buskers singing in the tube!

Phone interview moved to Friday... uggg.

Got your card, April! Thanks all!

Also, I have telephone interview for a sweet design job in stamford. Wish me luck!

You heard right! I passed my French test by 10 points! Yay! I'm officially graduating!

Happy Birthday Lorraine! Woo Tauruses!
check out this aritcle dudes: http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-hockey/stories/041305aae.html

BU got best mascot (rhett) best student cheering section and best pep band!
woo!

Thanks Janice and Keith and Chris and Lorraine for your birthday cards! I got them both in the mail today! I will keep you posted on other things that trickle in as the mail at BU is a little slow. But that only prolongs the Birthday celebrating!
My birthday dinner was great and then we went out to sing Karaoke. Raj sang "You can call me Al" and Brian sang "Land downunder." We also played old maid and I got a new version of Windows! I have my French test tomorrow so lets hope I can graduate. Will keep you posted!

Happy birthday to me!
22 Oy-vey. I am offically closing the school books for 24 hours.
My friends and I are going out to a Cambodian-French restaurant for my b-day. Such a Taurus!

view from above.

new birthday shoes!

us cheering on randoms at the boston marathon!

the backs of runners going into kenmore square

on the stoop on Beacon street

Yes this cap and gown is a keeper. As for Vegas, I can hopefully go. Still depends on a summer job and wheels. Speaking of which, I have and ambition to become a card counter which brings me to the topic of some specific Blackjack books I want for my birthday!

The flashiest Klansman of all or on my way to a Baptist gospel? Here's the graduation kit, people. Let's hope I pass that French SAT II.

I think my phone is broken. I can't make any calls. I guess I'll have to take it to a verizon store or something. Rats.

On a happier note, on the other side of the lantern is a serene mountain scene. Very zen...

Here is a lantern I painted at a Taiwanese fair that a BU student group held on Friday. It's an apologetic ghost saying "I'm sorry" in Chinese. Looks like it could be the next Prozac ad campaign!