Happy Christmas!

Today was my last day at work until the New Year and I can definitely say that the city is becoming a ghost town. I can easily get on the Tube, no pushing, no shoving. I might take the train to the airport instead of a taxi. My colleague said that the roads might be crowded and I'd be better off travelling by train.

We had some "bad" weather here. A light dusting of snow on Monday and a little colder than normal. My poor friend Jacqui's flight was cancelled to Prague but her husband was determined to give her a great holiday and rebooked on another airline. I was checking the local papers online for any word that Heathrow was having problems.

Right now I am watching some cheezy BBC Christmas show. They are playing an ABBA performance from an old segment...Since when does ABBA know Spanish - Chiquitita???

Anyway, less than 12 hours before I head out for my flight! Can't wait...

Happy Christmas as the Brits say!

I'm Dreaming of a Chicago Christmas

Two Sundays ago, I booked a trip back home to Chicago on a whim....Maybe because Sofia was here and telling me about how excited she was to go home to see her family and friends. Maybe it was because I really haven't felt the Christmas spirit here yet. I miss the houses being decorated with Christmas lights (and not taking them down until the following year.) I miss the anticipation building up to Christmas - figuring out the Christmas menu, Juanie's kids making their Christmas lists, and just the overall Christmas feeling. Maybe because I just wanted some really good Mexican food....

Whatever it was, I decided I was going to come home for Christmas and I really made my aunt's day! While I am excited to go back home, I am also nervous. I wasn't supposed to come back until Easter. I wanted to give myself enough time to get used to living in London. I figured six months would be enough time to miss Chicago. It'll be 3 months on January 2nd. I think I'll be alright. I still have many things to accomplish in London and in Europe overall. Today I was just invited on a ski trip in February to the French Alps. That would mark one item off my To Do list.

So while I'm home, I plan to do some major shopping. This Saturday, I'll head to my favorite mall - OakBrook to check out the post-holiday sales and buy some works clothes. I am treating myself for Christmas and my birthday (I have to justify it somehow) to a MacBook.

I'll hit the Mexican food store and get Mesca and a few dozen tortillas. I'll then swing by Walmart or Target to get my beloved Dove body wash and facial products that they don't sell here. I also have to pick up my summer clothes from my mom's friend's house because I am definitely going to take a Beach holiday soon.

I can't wait to have some great food! COMIDA MEXICANA....Rosie's mom is cooking Tamales and posole. I love her mom's cooking. I may have to stop by Zaca T's in Berwyn for some good tacos.

Whatever, I decide to do, I'll be home for Christmas....(as Kanye West's song "Homecoming" is playing through my mind)

2 days and dreaming....I'm coming home again....

Around Town

I didn't do too much this weekend. I am trying to keep it low key since I am going back to Chicago in 4 days! I did manage to go out and do some window shopping. There's something about shopping that fascinates me. I try to look for things that are different or similar to the States. I look to see what the best bargains are.

On Saturday, I went to the Kensington High Street. I wanted to check out Whole Foods and see if I could get Stanley some organic treats. There wasn't that big of a selection there but it will hold him over until I go back home and get him some 'real' treats. Like many Whole Foods in major cities, it was bustling. It felt a little like home.

Today, I went to Oxford Street. This street has the most concentrated area of stores in London. It reminds me of our Michigan Avenue and State Street combined in one. The windows are decorated. It was super crowded today but that's to be expected as everyone is doing their last minute shopping. Good thing I'm not in that boat. With moving to London and originally thinking I was going to be here for the holidays, I wasn't really gifting this year. While I'll miss getting everyone a gift, it's definitely less stressful.

I checked out a small Christmas market. Nothing like the chalets in Belgium. I am really glad that I had that opportunity. It didn't stop me from having roasted almonds and hot chocolate.

Here are my observations/revelations from being out around town and over the last week:

I really love the Victoria Tube line. It's closer to me than the Clapham North stop in the neighborhood that I actually live. This line is super fast and has really good connections. It left me right in the heart of Oxford Street in under 20 minutes.

Watching movies is not that bad after all. I didn't think that I had the attention span for it. Now that I have more time on my hands, I've watched: Sex in the City (yes definitely behind the curve on this one but just in time for the new one), Dirty Dancing (an old classic I've seen a gazillion times), Yes Man, Edward Sissorhands (I couldn't be bothered with it before) and Transformers (I had already seen it but was good). Not all this weekend but I did watch a few.

I'm being opened minded to music. I am listening to The Smiths, Morrissey, Depeche Mode, some UK hits, Sting, the Police, and the Beatles. Now I never thought I would like British music or even that really clubby stuff. I used to call Depeche Mode, cranberry music...(inside joke) But it's not bad...I guess when in Rome....

Nigella is awesome and inspires me to want to cook! I love her cooking shows especially the Christmas themed programs. When I get back from holiday, I think I'm going to have a housewarming party / post-NYE gathering with my new friends. I want to make her crab cakes. YUM!

Daily Wisdom from the Clapham North Tube Stop

So I had to create two posts today because every day since I moved to Clapham, I've been bestowed a bit of daily wisdom on the Clapham North whiteboard.

As I make my way down the Tube escalator, there is the thought of the day written up on a small whiteboard. Really good ones in fact. The board is positioned so you almost have to stop and read it. I usually read as much as I can from my vantage point and then I look forward to reading the rest when I return back from work because I have a better view coming up. But then that makes me ask...why don't I just stop on my way down in the morning??? Anyway....

I'll take a picture and post the good ones.

Here was today's quote:

“I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams” - Jonas Salk

How powerful is that...

Another one that really stuck in my mind was, "Don't make someone your priority, when you are their option." (not sure who quoted this) I love that one!

London Snowflakes Falling Down, Falling Down

Today, I experienced my first snowfall in London. Everyone stopped to look out the window. They were amazed and scared....For a Chicago girl like me used to this, I was like oh...bring it on! However, it was a very light snowfall. Enough to get people worried about getting home. London is not used to having snowfall nor are they very equipped to handle it. Last year, my project team in London worked from home because the city shut down. Out of 20 people only 1 made it to the office and that was because she was in walking distance. I was getting worried that I might be stuck in the office rather than my house and poor little Stanley would be home longer than he should be without a walk.

The temperature is starting to get colder...about 30 degrees. I went for my morning run. I must admit I was proud of myself for running in the cold. It was just in May that I started running and here I am now a seasoned runner. I love it!

On the way to work, I noticed alot of brown pebbly stuff on the sidewalk. It looked like something your high school janitor would put over vomit before he cleaned it up. As I looked closer, it was salt mixed with mud...or grit as they call it.

My First Business Trip

Last week Monday and Tuesday, I was on a world tour to Dublin and Rotterdam. My day started at 4:15a.m. I had a car service pick me up at my flat. We headed to the Gatwick airport. We must have took the side roads to a major expressway. I was not impressed with the surrounding neighborhoods. They looked dingy.

I arrived at Gatwick around 5:00 a.m. (yes, almost an hour later) and as I looked up at the departure board, I noticed that there was no flight leaving out of Gatwick for Dublin at 6:50a.m. Hmmmm, I wondered....I then checked my itinerary and realized that I was at the wrong freakin' airport! Leave it to me to get things wrong the first time. I suddenly panicked because this trip was a string of bookings that would ultimately lead me to Rotterdam. A very important meeting that I was coordinating.

There was no way I could cancel my trips. So I did the only thing I could do, I had to phone my manager. I embarrassingly explained that I was at the wrong airport and there were no flights to Dublin. He laughed...Thank god...He said that I should try and take a cab to Heathrow.

So it was kind of funny going up to the taxi post and asking for a cab to Heathrow. 95 pounds ($154) and an hour later I was at Heathrow. The taxi driver was so nice and said "Oh sweetie, I would have thought Gatwick myself." Those polite Englishmen....Apparently, this airline is synonymous with leaving out of Gatwick.

I arrived in Dublin for a 6 hour meeting. The clients were really nice. It is amazing how their business is so tied with history. Without divulging too much information about my client, they made references about how they run their business and how it dates back to World War I when Ireland was considered neutral. I found this very interesting and have taken an interest in re-learning European history. I found it boring and as I got older, realized that the history I learned was party biased because it is from the American point of view. Anyway..in these situations, I sometimes feel so ignorant with history and geography. Especially when I don't know where a particular country or city is. So this one goes on my list of 'To Dos' while in Europe. This one will be sooner than later. I didn't see too much of Dublin but at first observation it is definitely greener than London.

Around 4:00p.m., my manager and I headed to the airport to catch a plane to Amsterdam and then took a train to Rotterdam. While waiting for the train in Amsterdam, my manager reminded me about these really great waffles that have caramel in the middle. You put them over your tea and the steam makes them really soft. A client brought some for us last week and after having one, I had been eyeing the rest of them that week. So we found a store that sold Dutch goods and I started off buying 3 but apparently it was a 12 euro minimum on your debit card. I ended up with 6 packages of waffles and they weren't light either. Seriously, what am I going to do with 6 dozen pack waffles??? I guess I'll have to add it to the shortbread cookies from Belgium and the chocolate Sofia brought me from Russia. I have a whole international stash of goodies.

We arrived to Rotterdam around 10:00p.m. and had a late night dinner. I had a traditional Dutch dinner - Braised Beef and mashed potatoes. It was really good. Later our Director and another colleague joined us for drinks and we stayed up late talking about everything from work to music to the stages of leadership development. I really enjoyed the conversation.

Tuesday was the big day for me because we had several clients coming for a very important meeting. The office is really cool because it is an open concept with no assigned seating. In fact, they don't have cubes. Most offices in Europe don't have cubes. That took some getting used to for me the first few weeks I started working. I see the benefits. I am more likely to turn to my colleague and ask her something than if I were in a cube.

Going back to Rotterdam - Colleagues come into work and choose an available seat, kind of like a restaurant booth and they do their work. The environment felt so relaxed. Very modern and chic. The executives don't have offices. They have really nice conference rooms or booths for privacy and client meetings.

The meeting went well. Afterwards, we entertained our clients at a nearby hotel for drinks. It was really empowering to see that I was the only female among not only our clients but other business men at the bar.

We ended the evening by heading to the airport and debriefing on our meeting. I flew into a totally different airport - London City. Supposedly this is a really small airport, similar to what Midway used to be back in the day. What I thought should have been a short ride turned into an hour long taxi ride. I think that the London grid system is not as great as ours and driving definitely takes longer than taking the train. The good thing that came out of this is that I had a sense of where I was at and was able to put a "face" with the name of a town. When you travel by the tube, at least for me, I only know where it's dropping me off. You don't get a feel for how the towns are connected.

I really enjoyed my first business trip. I always learn something different about myself and it reinforces why I came to London.

2 months, 8 years

Yesterday was my 2nd month anniversary since I moved to London. The time has flown by. It's too early to feel one way or another about London but I am definately enjoying it. I am still learning about the great things this city has to offer. I have my first official visitors coming at the end of the month and spending NYE with me. Mari doesn't count because I have a feeling this is going to be her second home.

Today is my 8 year anniversary with my company. It has afforded me to take various positions and grow within the company and it has brought me here to London. I can't complain. I've had great opportunities so far.

Monday, I am flying to Dublin for business and then I fly to Rotterdam for a meeting I am organizing. Two more countries to mark of the list. Three countries visited in a matter of a week. Life is definately good.

The London Underground System

I really feel the need to blog about the London Underground system aka the Tube today. Monday was really hectic on the Northern Line coming back from the St Pancras/Eurostar train station. I wondered if I was going to get on the train with my carry on and shopping back full of chocolates and biscuits (cookies). I also wondered if my biscuits would be smashed by other passengers on the train.

Then today I came across this article in the paper today - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23777648-tube-overcrowding-is-turning-londoners-into-selfish-animals.do

Before I start with the bad things about the Tube, I must say that I am completely in awe of how smooth the transit system works. I was a little intimidated by the Tube map and the various lines but Mari really broke me in the first week we were here. I kind of panicked when I left her at the Paddington station but I got back to my place with no problems. After that, I knew I could do it.

The Tube system is amazing. I can get to my destination fairly quickly. If one train doesn't go directly to the area I need to be at, I can easily connect to another line, and make yet another connection within 20-30 minutes. When there are events, people always give the nearest Tube stop to help with directions. I use www.tfl.gov with google maps to help me get to my destination. TFL is a very useful trip planning tool.

I always know when the next train is coming. There is a sign that tells me how many minutes until the next train and it's not only one train, it tells me the next 3-4 trains. I also know the current time. I always feel safe on the Tube no matter what time it is. (The Tube closes at 12:30a.m.) There are cameras everywhere and staff ready to help you. When you push the information button on the platform, you actually get a prompt answer back. It's not there for the purposes of being there. The train conductor tells you if there are signal problems or issues and apologies in the ever so charming English way. Way more than what you would get in Chicago on the CTA. Sometimes the bus will come, sometimes it won't or you'll have 3 buses to choose from at once.

However, during rush hour it's a different story. The Tube turns into a major nightmare. Going back the article above, it says that between 7-10 a.m. one of the major tube lines transports 60,000 people. My line - the Northern Line just so happens to be the oldest and most crowded lines in London.

Every morning, I feel like I am jumping into a big mosh pit. Here is a picture of what it's like to attempt and get on the train - http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniemole/2452500747/ I am not sure who's photo this is but my friend Jason advised that I should not try and take a picture. I guess I understand because of the bombings that occurred some time ago.

Sometimes, I can get on the Tube the first time. Other times, I have to wait for two to three trains or walk to the next station over where there are other connections so your odds are pretty good that you are going to get on as people connect to other lines. I have to deal with being shoved or someone trying to cut in front of me to ensure they get on the Tube.

Immediately upon getting on the train, I strip down to just my work clothes because it is so hot. Today it was one of the coldest days since I've been there. I started off by bundling up with my warmest scarf, a hat and gloves. By the time I got on the train, my gear was off and my coat was unbuttoned. Another article I read says that in the summer, the temperature levels are so bad, it exceeds European standards for cattle transport. Geez....I've heard this several times and laugh every time but seriously, I don't think I want to be on the Tube in the summer.

To distract myself, I listen to my iPod as I read someones paper over their shoulder. You notice everything about the neighbor right in front of your face....Like the man who missed a spot shaving, wondering how that girl does her makeup, the booger stuck in someone's nose. Luckily, I haven't bumped into too many smelly people. What grosses me out the most is when someone sneezes and then touches the rails. You can't help but worry about swine flu or other airborne diseases in such a confined place.

So what are the alternatives? Not too much. I have thought about cycling to work but London drivers are not very respectful of cyclists or pedestrians. I am sure one day on the Tube in the summer will drive me to chance the roads. Overall, I love the Tube system and I don't miss having a car. It feels good not to worry about car maintenance, insurance, designated drivers. I leave that up to my friends at the Tube. Cheers!

My Thanks Giving

This year I spent Thanksgiving working most of the day. It really didn't feel like Thanksgiving nor did I have a Turkey dinner or sandwich. My colleague and I educated our colleagues on Black Wednesdays and Fridays, American football, and the Macy's day parade that is part of the American tradition. Thursday was the first day I actually looked online at the NBC5 website to catch up on Chicago happenings. It will be two months on Dec. 2nd since I've been here and I've been trying distance myself from Chicago happenings. I don't read Chicago newspapers and I delete most of the email blasts I receive about Chicago events. Not that I don't miss and love my friends and family. It just makes it difficult to start a new life in another country when your foot is still in another door.

After work, I headed to Belgium on the Eurostar. An hour and fifty minutes later, I was at the Midi-Du Nord train station headed to the bed and breakfast that I was sharing with my friend Sofia from Paris and my friend Vicky from Chicago. It was cool that we could reunite in Brussels for a weekend. I was a little shocked at first as the bed and breakfast was situated in an area known for prostitution. The owner, Carmelo assured us it was safe. And it really was....It just made for a more interesting trip.

On Friday morning, we headed to Bruge. It was a one hour train ride from Brussels. We were told we wouldn't need more than one day to see Bruge. Vicky was on a mission to go to the Frite museum. We learned how French fries were named as such when they came from Belgium. During the first World War, French speaking Belgium soliders offered an American solider some chips(fries) and the Americans assumed they were French thus the name was born....Leave it to the Americans...



At the end of the tour, we were treated to a batch of Belgium style frites with ketchup and mayonaise.

We finished off Bruge by walking around the stalls at the Christmas market and then heading back home.

In Brussels on Saturday, Sofia and I toured the city by bike. We signed up for a guided tour and braved the rain and cold. The first stop was the Manequin Pis (pronounced Piss). No one really knows the story around it but there are three tales. Here is the link to read more about the legends - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis They dress him up for special causes or holidays and we were even told he sometimes pees beer. This statue is really big in Brussels. They have fine Belgium chocolate molds made from this statue.



Towards the end of the ride, we got silly and started taking pictures while riding.

We had many other adventures including hanging out at the Christmas market and drinking hot beer, Jagermeister, eating Brats, the tranny prostitute making fun of Sofia's plastic raincoat in French, Delrium cafe, and the Sunday flea market.

Being in Europe for Thanksgiving wasn't so bad afterall. It makes me even more thankful for the opportunities that I have to explore the world and share my experiences. It was the perfect holiday.

City Break

This weekend I am going on a city break to Brussels and Bruges. This is what Europeans call a short break to a city in Europe as opposed to the 2-3 week long holidays they typically take around Christmas and Summer.

My manager told me that when Europeans go on holiday, they really go all out. It is meant to be a getaway where you relax. They don't believe in taking a day here and there unless you actually go somewhere. Nice...

Fridays on the Tube are so easy because Europeans leave on Thursdays to make the most of their city break. Typically you can get on the Tube right away, perhaps get a seat and be within a comfortable distance of a fellow passenger without feeling they are invading your personal space. (I am saving these adventures for a later blog about my morning commute and the tube system).

Travel in Europe is so easy. That is what I had always been in awe of from the first time I went to Spain and part of what drove me to relocate.

This weekend I will be travelling on the Eurostar. It is a high speed train that gets you to Paris or Brussels in about two hours. The beauty of it is that you can board the train fairly easy. You don't have to go through as many hoops as you do in the airport. There's security and the Border patrol check but you don't have to take your shoes off. It is much more relaxed.



The Eurostar leaves you in the center of the city so you don't have to waste time and money travelling by train from a major airport. You don't have to check in your luggage because there are racks in every carriage for all size luggages. The best thing about the Eurostar is that if you buy your ticket way in advance, you can get a great deal. My ticket to Brussels cost me 109 pounds and I bought it pretty late. Usually I see fares for 29 each way.

I'm excited. I have never been to Brussels. I am also excited to meet up with my friend from Chicago and my friend from Paris so we'll definately have a great weekend.

I am travelling like a European. Now if I could only pack like one (or more efficiently)...I always seem to overpack. I know I am going to suffer as I lug it up and down the stairs and get on the Tube with my things but at least I'll have options.

A Taste of Chicago

Last week I really started to crave Mexican food. My colleague went to Colorado and was really nice to ask, (especially the expats) if we wanted anything from the States...Boy did I have a list for her.

The first two weeks when I arrived I started a running list of the things that I noticed where not available in London (Neutrogena skin wash, Dove Cherry Blossom Body Wash, Miracle Whip Light, Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce, Q-tips) that I had come to love in Chicago...Number one being Mexican food and the ingredients to make it.

I did some research before my move on what items I should bring. It was recommended that take Maseca to make corn tortillas (haa..I can just imagine myself making homemade tortillas), chipotle peppers because they can get expensive if you find it here, and your spices. Well I never leave home without my Adobo and Sazon so I was sure to pack that with me. Somehow the chipotle slipped my mind in the midst of packing up my life in 4 suitcases but I did pretty good.

Anyway, back to my colleague....She returned with Miracle Whip and BBQ Sauce. I was definately grateful but I still did not have my chipotle for Mexican food. So from that point, I was on a misson to find ingredients. I googled Mexican food in London and found a little stand that sells chipotle, tortillas, pinto beans at the Borough Market - http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/ The Borough Market is one of many fresh open markets throughout London. You could call it a Farmers Market. On the weekends, they are packed with the locals and tourists buying their fresh fruit and veg. They also have specialty stands that sell cheese, olives, homemade breads, empanadas, pastries, ready made curries or paella.

Over the course of Monday and Tuesday, I made my chicken using British chicken. Now I am not really sure what other chicken there would be in England but I think they feel the need to brand their chicken or meat as British. It's hilarious....I also made Mexican rice and beans. I took my time because usually it's a 2-3 hour ordeal, start to finish and I usually get home by 7:00p.m.

So here is my final assessment of the meal. The chicken is a lot flavorful here. I'm not sure what they do to their British chickens. ...So I think the freshness of the chicken made the dish really good. The chipotle in adobo sauce I bought was good but I tasted a little splash of vinegar in it which doesn't surprise me because the Brits use vinegar on many things. It was missing the deep smoky taste that I am used to buying but it was still really good. Mari sent me a can of Chicago chipotle with Vicky so I'll it soon enough.

I used long grain rice but I think the texture is different from the States. The rice wasn't bad but the grains were really big. I'll probably try a different type of rice. The torillas tasted better when I fried them into tostadas. I guess Chicago Mexican food will always be number one in my heart.

Overall it was a good meal and my friend Jason didn't get sick! :)

It Never Rains in....

Honestly it doesn't rain too much in London. I was expecting to have rain every day, all day and that it would be gloomy. Since I've been here, the weather has been great with the exception of yesterday. The weatherman warned we would have of one of the worst rain and wind storms and he was right. I ran out early in the morning to go to the cash machine and on the way home got soaking wet....I mean really wet. My shoes are still drying out today. But today was beautiful...as if nothing happened the following day. I can't really tell you the actual temperature because I am still learning the conversions but it's pleasant compared to Chicago's standards and sunny.

Today I had my first proper afternoon tea at The Orangery in Kensington Gardens - http://maps.google.com/maps/place?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS316US316&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=the+orangery+london&fb=1&hq=the+orangery&hnear=london&cid=17365645029516330284

It was really nice. I met up with a fellow American Expat, Anna. She's the niece of my cousin's husband. We shared stories about livng and working in London and she gave me some good places to go for cupcakes, Thai food, Suishi and Korean food. Of course on the way there I got lost. I never seem to get to my destination on the first try. I walk usually walk too far or in the opposite direction or both. (Sound familiar Mari....) But I guess that's how you get to see other sites. Even though Mari and I walked by Kensington Gardens the first week I was here, I didn't realize that the Royal Albert Hall was right across the road from the park. See...a new place discovered from getting lost.

Shopping on the High Street

As I unpacked my suitcases last weekend I realized that I really didn't have that many clothes. I guess I got wrapped up in purging my things which is a good thing. Just another reason for me to go shopping and there is plenty of it here. In London, they call the main avenues the High Street.

So on a few occasions this week, I went shopping on the High Street! I went down to Oxford Circus aka the Michigan Avenue of Chicago. Can you believe it, Christmas decorations were already up? The big theme this year is a Christmas Carol. Brits are very much into Christmas. And it is called the Christmas holiday. There is no Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa or trying to be culturally correct. That was made very clear to me by my colleagues when I started working and was trying to sort out my Christmas holiday. When I arrived in October, the restaurants were already taking reservations for Christmas. I am already invited to a handful of Christmas parties and I've selected my dinner for our company party.

Anyway....I bought some quintessential London gear: Leggings, flat boots, a sweater dress, and a T-shirt dress. I already had the tights. I just need a cute rain coat, a few more pairs of boots in black and brown and ballet flats. When I walk to work, I put on my New Balance running shoes. They are comfortable as heck but not the most stylish.

Flat shoes are a must here. Sofia warned me but I still came with 10 pairs of high heeled shoes. Not happening here in London. I ended up using only 2 pair out of the house and for short distances. You walk everywhere so you have to be comfortable. Luckily, the London chicas sport some really cute low heeled boots and you can find them pretty easily in the shops. I'll have to post my new look soon.

Happy Hour

A customary drink or two or three seems like the norm here. I often find myself IMing Vicky or Rosie saying that I have to go because it is the end of our day and my colleagues and I are having a drink after work. I'm not complaining but it's definitely something different here. A drink turns into 2 or 3 hours later and great conversation.

Today I went out with my manager and another colleague. I see the point in socializing over a drink after work. You get to know your colleagues on a different level and chat about work too.

I heard someone talking on the train about the difference between London and Paris. In Paris, you smell urine on every street. In London, you have to avoid the vomit. That was definitely the case when I visited Sofia in Paris and on Friday mornings in London, you have to watch where you walk along the pubs.

First Edition - Welcome to My Blog

Welcome! I decided to chronicle my adventures of being an expat in London as a way for me to remember and look back on all the things that I will experience living abroad. I also love to journal so it only seemed natural to start a blog that I could share with my family and friends and the world...

So here's my story on how I got to London. It might be a little long. In April 2007, I had a major life change that made me realize that you only get one life to live and I need to live it doing the things that I've always wanted to do. I had always loved to travel and always said I wanted to live somewhere different...I just didn't think it would be in London.

Fast forward to the winter of 2008....I remember it as one of the coldest, worst winters in Chicago. It was so cold that my poor little Shih Tzu Stanley (you'll hear a lot about him) refused to walk a few steps out of the door. I started thinking....What would it be like to live somewhere warm. I approached my manager in the Spring and asked to be transferred to our LA office. She was receptive to it and I had planted the seed. Once I started to say something, it was as if I was daring myself to go through with it. I went to visit a friend in San Diego...not quite LA and it was freezing for being a warm place. Now I'm sure California is a nice place to live but it really didn't have the appeal I was looking for.

Then a few months later, I started managing projects in Europe and my colleague in London said, "Oh, if you were here, you'd be able to attend the kick-off meeting in Spain or Paris." I was jealous! He dared me. I thought how cool would it be to live in London and to have all the opportunities for travel at your disposal. When I graduated from college and could actually afford travelling to Europe, I fell in love with Southern Spain - Andalucia. I coupled my trip to Spain with meeting up with a different group of friends in Paris. It was amazing. I promised myself that every year I would start taking a trip to Europe or somewhere outside the US.

Back to 2008.....One of the final factors....My friend Erica and I co-chaired a woman's event. We were researching topics when she sent across an article by a woman executive. This article said that sometimes women need to go abroad for career growth and opportunities. After 7 years with my company, this would only add to my tenure there and overall career growth. There were definitely signs everywhere telling me I had to go and pursue this dream of mine.

In August 2008, I approached my manager and said, I'd like to go to London. This is the right move for me and I gave her the business case for it. She agreed there was a need and told me that she would do everything she could to help me get there.

After a few obstacles, I'm in London! Almost a year to the date that I approached my manager....It still feels surreal.

I arrived on October 2nd so I have plenty of stories to blog about for days! Stay tuned for my adventures in London!