Here's me cutting into the first piece! For her first try, it was pretty authentic to me!

Vikki holds up her homemade pumpkin pie that she made for the office. Poor thing had to lug it on the tube during rush hour.

I turn on my computer and to my surprise they changed my wallpaper to a Thanksgiving montage!

Well, we don't really do balloons on Thanksgiving, but it was a good try!

This is what I came into work too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So just as the day started off on the wrong foot (as in the Tube was extra slow AND I had to work on Thanksgiving Day) I come into work and it's decorated for Thanksgiving just for me!

After I left last night, my coworkers blew up balloons and decorated my computer station with cut outs of the Stars and Stripes and turkeys!

Then one brought in a homemade pumpkin pie and we all ate it with our coffee in the morning. It was an extremely sweet gesture and I'll post pics when I get home after dinner!

I'll miss you all at the dinner table!

Thanks Mum for the comfort food! Cornbread yum! Floss, hooray! Tonight the new 24 hour drinking law goes into place in London. Police fear a rise in drunken arrests all over the city. Should be interesting to see how the weekend goes! Tomorrow we go to the Hard Rock Cafe London for Thanksgiving dinner. I'll miss you all! I can't believe I have to work on Thanksgiving day!

This thanksgiving thing is not so bad....

My plate is heaped full of Thanksgiving goodness.

Stove top, yaaay!

Sorry but the Spurkey was AWFUL! Here is james cooking some turkey chops we got from the store...

Sunday afternoon I prepared the cheesecakes first. Yum!

April to the rescue! Thank you April and John and boys for providing Instant Thanksgiving. I know for fact you would never find SPAM turkey (shouldn;t it be SPURKEY?) in all of the UK. I can't wait to break into these packs and make my own dinner! Thanks guys! I really appreiciate it!

Hey all,
Tonight James and I are going to a Democrats Abroad event where they will show the Documentary 'the End of Suburbia' and then have some kind of discussion afterwards. Should be a good time. I hope to go to Camden on Saturday where lots of punk hipsters and hippies hang out. But there are good shops there so it will be fun.

I look a bit drunk, though I only drank soda all night. The party went on until 7am but I went to bed at 3. So nice not to have to travel back anywhere!

Our friend steve contemplates eating the worm..

James singing to my DJ playlist of wonders.

My housemate Denise marvelling at the sweet corn pancakes she is making for guests. They were great!

pics from my mexican party! here are some starters. I made the fresh guac and a 5 layer dip!

Tomorrow is my Mexican Housewarming party! I will def have pics to post of that. should be interesting to make mexican food with british resources.

I think we'll have about 25 people, 5 of which are there for me.

Hey all,
yesterday was James' bday so I got him tickets to a lecture his favourite author was giving in London and then I treated to a meal in Chinatown! It was a really fun time.

I think we are finally going to a disco on friday!

Politically, looks like Blair is in big trouble and the news is reporting on the notion that he may be booted from power any day now.

These past few days I have been getting desperate to find a place in London that does a Thanksgiving dinner. Obviously they don't have our pilgrim holiday here and the ones I am finding are all fancy pants ones. I just want your basic stuff yourself silly meal with tinny cranberry sauce with can indentations on the side!!!


I will let you know how my search goes as I join fellow expats in the search for a turkey dinner.

Last night I went out with coworkers because one is ending work tomorrow. We went to a really nice place that over looks the Thames and I got a free glass of champagne. Then I went to a play in South london that one of James' friends was in. It was great, a bit of a downer, but I almost needed subtitles because the English accents were so thick!

Happy Halloween, all!

You would think it wasn't a holiday at all cause there's nothing festive in London. I wanted some crappy orange stop and shop cupcakes but was too tired to go to the store for some.

No trick or treaters are coming buy but then again they are mostly muslim around here. Enjoy!

Last night we went to the greyhound racing track at Wimbledon and it was super fun. I bet about £5 all night and din't win anything. James however won twice which yielded about 3 pounds in profit in all. It was weird to see the amount of families there and the little kids that new how to bet and gamble better than most adults.

Tonight we are going to a Halloween party, but I have no costume.

I bought a cute Laura Ashley tea cup and saucer set yesterday. How posh. I now have my eyes peeled for a nice tea pot from here. I think tomorrow I am going to the Wimbledon dog racing track! Woo! Maybe I'll win it big! (foreigners are always the ones that win anyway)

Hey all. Not much to report on here. I am paranoid everytime I leave the house. I now hide my laptop under my pillow seeing as the robbers left my unmade bed alone. Hoping it will get lost in the shuffle. Still working hard at the moment, but also looking into other jobs on my own.

I am doing a lot of planning like for my housewarming party. Uggg.

Thanks for the pics of the boys, April. I will hang them up in my room. Tonight I am finally going to see the Wallace and Gromit movie. Woooo!

On the bright side I got a new haircut finally to celebrate an extended income and the return of my stuff. I went to a really high end place and got a free goodie bag! No people trying to sell me add ons!

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.