Holiday changes?

After a long discussion about Hallowe'en at work today, we brought up differences in other holidays. I was shocked to find out that Mother's day is a complete different day here. It's in March - and is dependent on Easter. Why can't it be simple like Father's day?

Note: after remarking how balmy the weather is, London is in a cold snap. I'm frozen and there's a chance for snow. Good thing I'm headed south for the weekend. Not too far south, but still south.

Balmy in January

Used to the six years in Ottawa where a warm winter was about -10 and an average winter was about -20, I was a bit shocked at 'winter' in London. This weekend resulted in +10/+14 weather and my admittance that my winter coat was just far too warm for this type of weather. So I caved, despite my attempt at savings, and bought myself a new spring coat. Three quarter sleeved, ballooned and tight at the waist - it's perfect.

Too bad that the fog and the cold rolled back in. I'm sure the new greenery on the trees outside my place don't know what to make of it.

Life and Death on the Tube

You start to forget how creepy the tube is when you travel it everyday. You're underground in a severely electrical and old equipment hurdling down an enclosed tubular structure without any ability out unless you reach the next station.
I thought about all that when my tube started making serious creaking and air release noises that caused my fellow passengers and I to grip our bags in fear and look at each other with a bit of panic in our eyes. Each time you could see people laugh it off as we kept moving, but after only 30 seconds a massive groan would be heard and car behind us permanently sounded like it had been shredded.
I was glad to get off. I'm not really that keen to hop back on this evening.

ringing!

I'm a real grown up again. I have my own mobile. When I started in the city, my flatmate was kind enough to give me her old phone and pay you go line. However, now that I have a steady job and income I thought I should take the plunge and get phone and monthly plan. I'm so excited! With my new plan, I got a free phone! It's a sony ericsson wi910 phone that allows me mp3 access. I have an mp3 player but like to keep it at home to listen too. I'm prone to losing things and would prefer if things are consolidated like this phone! I can't wait to make use of the features despite the fact I barely know how to call people yet.

Tag Berlin!

Finally taking advantage of Europe's proximity I have booked a trip for three days to Berlin with a friend. I'm super excited but mainly to see the Reichstag, the broken down Berlin wall, and maybe Knut? Germany has definitely been high on my list to see in the world (Antarctica, Chile, Morocco, Cuba, Switzerland also make that list), so I feel like I'm finally making a dent into the world I want to see. I hope I get to see everything I want to - but I think I'll have to plan to maximize my time there! The Reichstag 1999 version is below and built by Norman Foster. The original burnt down in 1933 and was a pivotal moment in the lead up to WWII.

Knights of Templar

On Sunday, my flatmate, friend and I visited the Temple. The church and society are best known from the Da Vinci code. They have limited open-houses, and my f/m was lucky enough to find out about one from a friend that works there. The inner and mid temple are chambers for barristers (a type of lawyer here) and house the well known Temple church. Many knights of templar (crusaders and solider monks) are buried here and the church was built on the King Soloman site in 1185.
As you may be quick to guess, visiting the church was my favourite part. While the chambers were interesting with their older parties and family crests that filled wall upon wall - the church as a je ne sais quoi feel about it despite it being restored, rebuilt, and restored again. It's very clean and crisp inside despite the martyr burials in the round church area. But why I recommend going- the stain glass. No piece was more than an inch by an inch. And the windows were almost floor to ceiling.

The kissing situation

Hands-off is my approach. Ask most friends and they'll tell you that I'm a reluctant hugger. I've never been a touchy feely kinda girl even in the screaming annoyingly eeee phase. I like my personal space and find most people are far more willing to embrace for no apparent reason.

In Europe though I've had to adjust. People like to do the side kiss here. But as my flatmate has remarked some people go in for one, some for two, and some for three. It's all about remembering what each person likes to do and really having no choice of your own just to wave goodbye. I'm finding it difficult that's for sure.

one just spoils it

As you may have heard, Heathrow had a crash yesterday. Nothing too terrible considering it was a Boeing 777 crashing into 'Europe's busiest airport'. No deaths, eight minor injuries. However, I'm sure this will result in some serious fear-wrangling about air safety rather than looking at the stats. Last year, there was a reported 25 crashes in TOTAL for the whole year. Most of those were small African planes that probably had no sense to be up in the air in the first place. Air transportation is one of the safest transport routes you can take. Nevermind the issues with carbon emissions where planes are horrendous, there is no need to scare the public into thinking they shouldn't take a plane again because it will crash on them. Day to day successful routines don't often get the spotlight, just the one that crash and burns. It's a shame really to not remark well on this machine that allows us to see the world without taking years to do so.

Note: Some people in this plane did not realize it had crashed. Apparently, they just thought it was a bumpy landing. This means the window seat people were surprisingly calm despite wing destruction.

Paris, will I love you?

I finally booked my trip to Paris for two days at the beginning of February. I'm unbelievably excited as I'm staying in Napolean's physician's old home and steps away from the Champs Elysses. I haven't remotely started to plan what I really want to do in the two days. I should take my fellow traveller's desires into account, but any suggestions?

The typical euro family

Being in London, you don't really have the mainland European feel in the city. Maybe in some other boroughs, but my borough and the city consist more of alcohol, pub food and well dressed suits. Last night, I witnessed my first euro family clothing stereotype though and it was wonderful. The man with his jaunty cap, the women with a fur trimmed coat (I'm sure it was real), a little girl with her beret, mary janes, approriate tights and peasant style dress, and a little boy who I swear should have had a hoola hoop to roll along. They spoke in some eastern european language and all held hands. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if someone was filming them. Apparently not.

Missing cheese

As part of the new weight loss mantra (dull I know), I've given up cheese until Feb 14. After that time, I'm allowed cheese within a meal (i.e. spinach and cheese ravoli) until Easter because when I gave up cheese, I backhandly gave up pasta. And I really didn't want to give that up. However, the cravings are growing higher and higher for cornish brie. It's mild, smooth and delicious with water crackers or rice crackers. Thankfully, my flat mate has also given up cheese - and has motivated me not to give in.

Am I really going to a Dodgeball gym?

"If you can duck a wrench, you can duck a ball" - Dodgeball. A typical ben stiller movie that came out about five years ago. Unfortunately, I'm not going to the Vince Vaughan gym. I'm going to Ben Stillers - where these slogans appear everywhere.
1:1 YOU, ONLY BETTER.

I'm sorry, but a improved me is me going somewhere far more cultured than your gym. Unfortunately, as part of my lose weight mandate - I have to attend the gym. And you were the one that my company paid for. At least your slogan is free.

A winter day in London

Well, I have been here a while before I really experienced the London rain. I had consistently told people that it wasn't compared to a Vancouver weekly rainfall and really as long as the sun comes out on the weekend who are we to complain?
I'm still not complaining - but the rain and blustery days have arrived. It's a typical Winnie the Pooh horrible day outside with eeyores in the form of commuters crossing paths. It's not very pretty. It's supposed to stay this way until the end of the week. I'm wondering how long the pavement can last. A drop of rain that isn't cobblestone causes 'the city' pavement become like an ice rink for business shoes. Women in heels are like women with a bad toe pick. The picture below is courtesy of levangt.

Not quite legendary material

Decided to scare myself alongside a friend at the 'picturehouse' this past week. We decided to see 'I am legend' with Will Smith. Similar to Colin Farrel in Phonebooth or Tom Hanks in Castaway, most of the movie was Will Smith - alone or with a german shepherd. Surprisingly, Will was able to pull it off. Well enough that I only had to check my watch once. It's my mark of a good film. If I get so absorbed that I don't notice that time has past - I know it's a top 10 film for me.

The subject matter is interesting when taken into context that this story (now film) was the basis of almost any 'zombie' movie we know watch. I definitely screamed you need to go down the stairs at one point. (It was a silent scream). The ridiculous parallels with that and Night of the Living Dead was absurd. I half knew what was going to happen, because I watched a 1980's film.

If you're looking for a good apolcaplytic movie though - go with Children of Men. It's nothing like the horrible book by P.D James. It's a fantastic movie with no half humans, just humans acting with no hope left. That was far more scary.

Are you a miss, madam, mrs?

I've been doing loads of errands in the past few weeks. Apparently, as set up as I thought I was.... I was completely wrong. Savings accounts, and the attempt for a mobile phone of my own has left me a bit frazzled. Needless to say, one was successful - one was not. However, the one that was successful was the one where the lady called me madam. Apparently I'm old enough to run something.... The one that didn't work, the man consistently called me Mrs. Enough so that I corrected him. I think that's what made him not help me anymore.
Apparently, I just need to accept people's titles for me. That gets me everything I want. I'm going back tomorrow for the mobile --- I'll accept any title if the URU finally agrees with me and my card.

absence

Hello, I apologize for my short absence and not routine postings on the Monday and Thursday. Errands (a surprisingly high amount for January), sickness, and sleep have gotten in the way. I hope to be a bit more consistent this month on the blog.
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On another note, a random style difference between London and Ottawa was noted on the tube this week. Men love the white hair tuft dye job. It's ugly, and I'm on the hunt for a picture to post. But normally on the front of their hair but not quite centered, there is a significant white patch on men that are about 30 to 40 years old. I'm not too sure behind the reasoning, (distinguished?) but it definitely is not flattering. Aren't people supposed to try to look younger?

Defending and Insulting in the same breath

My day to day life always involves the London tube. It's how I get to work, it's how I get home from work and it's often taken at one point on the weekend. I've recently noticed that it's gotten quite a bad reputation amongst people who go on it everyday and people who haven't been on it either recently or never had the pleasure. I understand the everyday people's frustrations. I have my day to day frustration with the tube. I once waited 17 tubes before I squeezed myself like a mouse into a small crack between two people's legs. However, I've noticed that people really don't value this system like they should.

The tube is fantastic mode of public transport. You can live 45 minutes away from the city and still never have to own a car because the tube will always be quicker. It's a complex system that is eons old. You wouldn't expect your refrigerator to still run even half as smoothly as one tube line does. At the end of the day, the tube will always be there. It may be late - but it will come.

Finally, if you travel with regular Londoners, you'll notice there are common courtesies. On my recent escapade with my huge luggage - I never had to carry both of my luggage. Someone always helped me man or woman. People will get up and let a pregnant woman sit down and not grumble. There's a good chance that if you look faint - someone will offer you their seat before you go down like a tonne of bricks. And sometimes, men notice that women's heels aren't great for long-term standing and will also offer their seat. It's politeness and it happens daily on the tube.
So once and a while I grumble and insult the tube and the lack of air conditioning. But the commuters always renew my faith that there are good people in London.

Juno, like the city in Alaska.....

No. Not really. More like the movie written by Diablo Cody (fake name). I went to see it over the holiday season and it was fantastic. Good characters, fantastic writing, and a quirky soundtrack. However, the best thing of all - because of the very strong Canadian presence (the two main characters and director are Canadian, it was shot in Vancouver) - it is very reflective of the humour, sarcasm and outlook of a Canadian teenager. Ellen Page (halifax native) was fantastic and I highly recommend getting out to the theatre and supporting good movies.

Delightful dinner in Ottawa

To the locals in Ottawa, this is probably nothing new. However, to any of the other Canadian residents who may travel to Ottawa - the Wellington Gastropub is a must try.

Liam surprised me on Saturday night by booking reservations at one of the top restaurants in Ottawa (according to the Globe and Mail). I've never ate a more tender steak and the mashed potatoes were made with stilton and old cheddar. I'm a simple and picky eater most days (I like very straightforward food that doesn't touch any other food on the plate), and though the food was touching at times - it was a delicious combo.

The place is pretty small, but has a unique charm. The best part about the place was the lack of pretentious people and staff.
If you have a chance or are brought to Ottawa - check it out. Its a bit pricey but worth it for a treat.

New Years Goals

Like a fellow blogger (ahem Kaili), I'm also in love with making lists. However, I'm not in love with resolutions - I often break them quickly if I don't follow them to a tee.
So these are my new years lofty ambitions.
1. Lose 10 to 12 pounds by March 22. I'm now at the weight I was at the end of my first year of university. I didn't like pictures of me then, I don't like pictures of me now. Plus, I think I need to be healthier. It shouldn't be hard to do, maybe if I cut out eating a whole brie in one sitting I should be fine.

2. The gym issue. I need to go - I have ballet once a week and pilates or yoga once a week. I just have to go twice a week to the gym. Hopefully that doesn't bore me to tears to much.

3. Start the savings. If I want to ever afford big trips and a teeny tiny flat, I need to save now.

4. Finally finish those photo albums. It's the bane of my existence. I used to be so good - now I'm four years behind. I may need Liam to send me some cds and the albums to finish this though. But I want it done before the end of March too.

5. Make better use of Europe and travel somewhere new once a month. I know I can do it - I need to be motivated. The next trip planned is Paris!

6. Keep up with French classes. No letting anything lag.

7. And finally - set up the recipe book. I have way too many loose recipes hanging around - it's starting to get agitating.

I have a feeling all are attainable but the photo album...... It's not good when you know the one thing on your list that you probably won't complete as you write it down. Oh well, if I do six out of seven - I have pretty sweet odds.

Back to the grind

I was right - with all the merriment I did not blog one bit. I was barely on the computer. It was lovely. My boyfriend asked me to list a bunch of things I wanted to do in the nine days I had in Ottawa. Fortunately enough (through good weather and surprisingly smooth planning) he fulfilled my entire list. I went xcountry skiing (where the bindings didn't fit the boots but that didn't stop Liam from mcgyvering my boots into the bindings in some sort of way), downhill skiing (despite falling asleep on the chairlift), tobogganing, and the list goes on. It's lovely to have a holiday but now it's back to the working life. I figure nothing can be as bad as yesterday though. Working on the day that you arrive from the overnight flight at 7 a.m. is rather brutal. As well, it was the first day of the four months without seeing Liam. That was a hard item to swallow.
Now that I'm on day 2 - I'm super planning everything so I can minimize the time I miss him so much.