HREinternational’s Weblog

I’m starting to settle into things a little more over here now. I’ve figured out the train/tube/shuttle situation for the most part (at least it doesn’t freak me out anymore) and i can get around town without getting too lost.

Changing of the Guard parade - i had no idea it was coming.

this past weekend included a lot of flat hunting (i feel silly saying that because everyone I know says “Apartment”… but whatever. the lingo the natives use over here is “FLAT”, so it’s a flat i’m looking for. I learned a new term – “purpose built housing”… that means “giant box like accommodation stacked on top of and to the sides of one another”… think giant complex, but usually more office building like. I will not be living in one of those (i also said i wouldn’t live in the “Disneyland” of the UK – Windsor, but it’s looking more and more like that’s where i’m going to end up).

I saw one i really like – it’s about a 20 minute walk to the train station though. that isn’t far generally speaking, but i’m thinking on a dark, rainy, windy night it will just suck. But, it’s really cute – looks like a little cottage, has a garden… not too big, but not too small (sounds like i’m sizing it up like the 3 Bears or something ). We’ll see. there are a couple more i need to look at. I’m in like, not love, so i will see what else i can find.

The funniest thing about Windsor is all of the Disneyland-ness about it. The touristy part of it is truly annoying, i’m not going to lie, but some of it is really funny – and fun. i enjoy it. So, i’m waiting for my appointment with the leasing agent and i’m standing on High Street just past this big church at the top of the hill. Off in the distance i hear marching band music – for some reason i think it’s just someone listening to someone in their house and that the sound is coming out the window.

Not so… the sound gets closer and a full-on marching band rounds the corner and passes right in front of me. It was fun to watch – there were a bunch of tourists and kids chasing after the band. so cute. Apparently that little parade is a daily occurrence – changing of the guard. Quite a lot of pomp just to change work shifts.

nice entertainment to stumble across

I’m keeping a list of things like this to entertain all of my friends and family who come over to visit me. Don’t worry – i’m learning plenty of the locals things to do, so it will be a nice mix.

The other big find i made over the weekend was that i stumbled on an AVEDA salon – right in Windsor! YES!! that is a score like you don’t even know. I have to keep my ginger locks shiny and pretty and Aveda is the best place for that (any women reading this will understand).

Well, i’m supposed to be working right now, so i’m off. H

Another UK weekend under my belt. i had a fantastic time (a very full calendar) but i don’t think i can pull that off every weekend…. I did learn some good lessons though.

Friday night after work: went to the pub by the office with some guys from work. Very good time. Got home early and i think i went to bed around 8 p.m.
Lesson Learned: Do not tell any British natives that you will “have what they’re having” in a pub environment and expect to be able to keep up. Not possible.

Saturday: So, Christian was thoughtful enough to introduce me to one of his university friends, Simon, who lives in London. Simon invited me out for a night with a lot of his friends. Obviously a very nice guy to extend that to a complete stranger really… so i meet him late afternoon at the tube station near his house. that was at about 5 p.m…. two pubs and a house party later we’re in a cab, finally going home, around 4:30 a.m. The SUN WAS COMING OUT! Didn’t wake up again until noon.

Lesson Learned: When anyone tells you with enthusiam that there are a few pubs and parties you all are going to go to, understand that is an all-night commitment and you’re likely to feel it for the next 3 days.

Here’s a pic of me and Simon (btw Christian, everyone says hi… i met Doug (he and his girlfriend Rebecca were along for the duration as well – loved them), another Simon… and a few others… heard some stories that included cowboy boots and tight shirts?? And one where you were posing as a lawyer and buying pricey champagne on £1 beer night – which is appalling when in college you know – ? All i can say is – Really? At any rate, everyone had the best things to say about you and after being out with them all night, you really do have some great friends out here.

Sunday: finally got home around 3 p.m. from London. Cleaned house, took a nap. Then met one of my new friends for dinner in Windsor. There’s this great little restaurant right on the Thames. It was fun. One of the few new people i’ve met outside of Quest, so it was interesting to get to hear about another life. Anyway, guess what i had with my dinner… mushy peas. shocking, i know. that’s ok. nothing a few pints can’t wash down (seeing a theme here?)

Overall lesson learned this week: Just because the Brits can drink pint after pint doesn’t mean i have to. I’m getting used to it, and that is NOT good. Must stop!

I’m in Germany this week – rode on my first “real” train. i’ve been on the little commuter trains… too many of them in the past 4 weeks, that’s for sure. But this one went FAST, had a restaurant and everything.

We had a meeting in Hanover. It was a really good day. the meeting went really well – i even got to participate and answered some questions, so that was good for me (luckily the meeting was in english or i’d have had quite a time). The train ride home wasn’t as fun… there was no AC and it was about 85 degrees out. At one stop the train braked pretty abruptly and Timo’s beer dumped all over me and the guy sitting behind me. Oops. And, when we finally got back to Cologne and were walking out of the station, the heel OF MY VERY FAVORITE SHOES got stuck in a grate and let me just say i was about a nanosecond from having a repeat incident of my “first-day-at-the-office” tumble. Fortunately Timo was standing there and if i was going down, so was he.  I didn’t go down, but i ripped a nice hole in the back of my skirt and completely shredded the heel of my shoe (i might cry)… very inconvenient, let me tell you. THEN it immediately started to rain the second we got out of the station… all i can say (it seems i say it a lot) is ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I really need to give it a good think to figure out why the universe doesn’t take a break from harrassing me. At least the universe can’t take my sense of humor. i still have it, and i know this stuff is funny. even i can laugh.

Hey Sasha, look! Pictures!! This last one is from the window in my hotel room in Cologne. You can’t really tell but there is a massive thunder storm going on right now. I love it!