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