Another day, another pound

I’m just finishing my FIFTH week of work! It’s going pretty good so far. I think I’ve learned more in the past month at this job than I have at my past 2 jobs combined. I’ve noticed the work environment to be very different here...it’s nothing but business! I’m used to a fair amount of chit-chat and goofing off, but that is definitely not the case here. I get to work at 9am, work HARD till lunch at 1pm, usually have a nice lunch with Eryn till 2pm, work HARD again till 6:30pm or 7pm. It’s so strange, it’s like a real job or something. Oh, and code reviews are a bit intimidating. But I think this job will be great for my career and I will definitely grow as a programmer. Already have. :)

(A side note: I guess it’s not always about business at work because every Friday someone walks around and collects money for Friday beers. Then most people go to the kitchen and have a beer on at 6pm. It’s kinda neat.)

My work is in an awesome location, right in the heart of the city. I just have to walk a couple blocks to get to Oxford Street. On this street there are a ton of cool stores to shop at, including an H&M on pretty much every block. The other week at lunch while Eryn was looking at flats, I decided to stop in Topshop. Wow. I was impressed...5 stories, 2 EAT restaurants, a cupcake station and a nail salon all in one store. It actually always surprises me at how large stores and restaurants actually are. They look small-ish from the outside but then you go in and the stores go back so far and usually are multi-level. By the way Oxford street after work is NUTS! Trying to get to the tube is a pain, too many people in my way! Usually they close down the Oxford Circus tube entrance during rush hour because there are too many people trying to get in. This is supposed to help with congestion in the station. Which I guess it does, it just doesn’t help the herd of people on the street surrounding the entrance. I prefer now to take side streets or walk to the next tube station.

From Exploring the City

Although crazy at times, the tube is really fascinating to me. It’s so cool and I can’t imagine what London would be like without it. I really like reading random facts about the tube. They have these posters in the carriages with some of these facts, it’s called “Tube of False”. I love it. You can check them all out here. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/modesoftransport/tube/history/

From Exploring the City

Since the Marlow commute was too much to handle, we’ve been staying at a hotel during the week. We stay at this place called Vancouver Studios which is located in Bayswater. I get at a discounted rate of £100 a night through my work. It’s really convenient because it’s only 4 tube stops away from my work. We have met some real characters here, including our favorite guy who Eryn says reminds him of Manuel from Fawlty Towers. We have a laugh every night when he buzzes us in the door and says something ordinary which we find to be hilarious and giggle all the way up the stairs to our room. It’s great. Although we will miss our time here at Vancouver Studios, we are so excited that this is the last week we will be here. We move into our flat on Monday! We can’t wait to finally unpack and not live out of suitcases anymore!

We’ve really had a chance to see some cool stuff in the past 6 weeks. We’ve explored London, visited Windsor Castle (a proper castle), spent a holiday weekend in Bath. It’s pretty great to experience new places and meet new people. We'll have more about those little adventures coming soon!

Here are some highlights of the past month in pictures:


Portabello Road, Notting Hill, Dusk:

From Exploring the City

A Rare Ride in an Empty Tube Carriage:

From Exploring the City

Picadilly Circus at Night:

From Exploring the City

Top Shop!

From Exploring the City

One of Eryn's "Offices": Yumcha tea shop in SoHo:

From Exploring the City

-Trish