Lovely Jubblies

The Henfield Estate - where everybody knows your name.

So ignore my last post about me posting more often because apparently not only do I break promises, I also lie.

Alright well I don't really have an excuse this time, except for the fact that things seem to happen in spurts over here. So for a couple of days I'm home every night watching Supersize vs. Superskinny and being a lazy ass which isn't worth blogging about and then I'll do a lot of stuff all at once and have to do one big, huge update to catch everyone up to speed!

So, Friday Franca and I took the train up to West Sussex to visit her family friends. It was absolutely beautiful out and the train ride was really quite nice - you slowly you see yourself moving out of the big smoke and literally, onto greener pastures. We got into Henfield at about 7 pm. When we arrived we we're greeted by Mags and Nick, the grandparents and owner of the beautiful farm house we stayed in. Seriously, the place looked like something out of a Jane Austen novel (plus a tennis court, just for good measure). Then there was Huggie and Johno, the second generation, and then their kids, Millie and Ben, those rascally little children.

Franca and I are obsessed with little British kids (in a completely legal, inoffensiev kind of way). We find everything they say hilarious (think: Charlie, that really hurt!) and we often find ourselves laughing quite openly at them in public places (probably not good for that burgeoning self esteem).

Anyway I was enamored with these kids as soon as we got in the door. When we arrived, we were told I've already been assigned a nickname and I cringe, thinking of past nicknames that continue to haunt me ('VG Vagina' was especially painful).

So apparently, Huggie and Johno had told the kids that Franca and her friend were coming to visit but they couldn't remember my name. Millie (that little firecracker) says 'Oh, I know what her name is.' And the parents respond, 'Oh yah? What is it?' And she says, 'it's sense. Frank and sense.'

Frankincense. And so the nickname was born and for the remainder of the weekend, I was cense.

Friday night we ate a delicious dinner and chatted til the wee hours. Johno, Franca and I ended staying up until 5 am, polishing off 10 bottles of wine throughout the evening. I was feeling really rough on Saturday when we got up and headed straight to the pub.

Yah, this is what they do here. They drink all night, wake up and drink all day. Hair of the dog isn't a turn of phrase - it's a daily tradition. In fact, at lunch one day, Mags actually said 'I don't like any non-alcohol drinks' and I thought, at the moment, I had met my kindred spirit.

So we headed to a beautiful pub, 'The Roayl Oak' and sat outside all day enjoying Ginger beer Shandies and a ploughman's platter and enjoying the absolutely gorgeous weather. Then we went to visit with more family members and then back to the house for, you guessed it, more booze and food!

The house we stayed in was absolutely gorgeous - old wood planks, really beautiful stone work, beautiful gardens, rolling pastures, tons of bedrooms and bathrooms with a very quaint, countryside ambiance. It reminded me a lot of Milton and the house I grew up in and it was a nice nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Anyway we ate delicious dinner that evening and though we had promised not to make Saturday night another big one, we ended up staying up til 5 am again and drinking another 10 bottles of wine.

The first step of acceptance is recognizing that you have problem.

Anyway, Sunday we went to this fantastic restaurant and drank delicious wine and had a sunday roast and my first taste of sticky date pudding (damn, pudding, where have you been all my life? That stuff was delicious!) We came back to the house and played my first, thrown together game of cricket with the kids (those years of softball definitely came in handy) which was a whole lot of fun.

So needless to say I was a total mess at work yesterday and want nothing more than to crawl into my bed and sleep for the rest of my life.

One exciting part of Saturday was discussing Johno and Huggie's pubs. They own two pubs in Essex that have won pub of the year in the UK and are quite well respected. Anyway, Johno and Huggie invited Franca and I to take part in their chef for a day program, where you get to help the cooks, shadow them in the kitchen, experience a lunch and dinner service and then enjoy a meal for two that you've cooked yourself. So I told them I would blog about it and put it up on Yahoo (and here) which is very exciting. It probably won't be for a while, but I will let you know as soon as we get in there!

We're also going to Essex to visit Huggie and Johno again in a couple of weeks so more hilarious nights of drunken debauchery are to follow! Stay tuned.

Also Franca and I are meant to go to Rome on Friday but as I'm sure you know, that goddamn volcano is getting in the way - and now another one has erupted! Even if the flight ban is lifted i London, Heathrow is going to be a nightmare - but fingers crossed that everything gets sorted out by Friday.

Alright I'm sorry that this blog post was so unfunny but my brain is like a giant pile of garbage right now. I'll get it back soon and have some more entertaining posts to keep you all happy.

Alright friends, hope you had a great weekend. The weather here was fantastic and made me realize how absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous this country is when the sun shines. Enjoy your week and I'lll be in touch soon.

Cheers,

Patsy

I got hooked up (wirelessly, that is)!

Smug grafitti, thinks it's so smart.

Alright so I apologize for taking my goddamn time updating patsy. I've been really busy with work and...

Blah blah blah shut up, Vanessa. You're not all big and important now just because you have a job. So get off your damn snooty English high horse and write some more stories about what a drunken waste of a slag you are.

Alright, geez. Damn, you guys are mean today.

Well first things first - I just finished setting up our INTERNET!

OHMIGOD WIRELESS. Where the HELL have you been my whole life? Oh, that's right, the eternal queue set up by Satan's minions down at Sky. Let me tell you something, the customer service employees at Sky definitely have my account red flagged. It's not even a flag, it's like a big skull and crossbones when you open that bitch up because I am NOT someone to be fucked with - especially when it comes to my internet connection (that's right, I'm a nerdy bitch).

Anyway I won't get into the specifics BUT we're hooked up and ready to go! Now you'll be getting so many updates you'll be like: JFC Vanessa, calm the hell down on all the updates. No one cares that you just ate a box of brownies and a sleeve of Pringles and now you're beached out on your loveseat watching Toddlers and Tiaras.

But I know you still want updates, so let's have some, shall we? We'll go back to Friday because I'm pretty slow and can't remember things if they happened more than like 5 days ago. Friday I celebrated the end of my first (shortened) work week! And hallelujah, we had work drinks to celebrate!

Every couple of weeks, if Yahoo hits their targets, they take the whole office out to a local pub, line the bar with pints and let the animals loose. So I took it upon myself to savour three delicious, free, company-supplied pints and mingle with my coworkers. Franca came along and I got to see the crew outside of the office, which was nice. Most of the time they're physically affixed to their desks so it's nice to see that they enjoy sunlight, alcohol and my witty, engaging repartee. After that, Franca and I went out for Indian food and it was SO tasty. However, we were both stuffed and sort of liquored up, so we headed home to bed.

Saturday morning was absolutely beautiful - the best day, weather-wise, since I landed in the UK. We got up nice and early and headed down to Portobello Market in Notting Hill. Yes, that Notting Hill. And you bet they capiltized on that movie like no one's business (well, I guess it was their business. Damn what a terrible choice of phrase!). I don't know how many goddamn posters, photos, framed pictures I saw of Hugh Grant's stupid face, but it was too many.

Anyway the market was incredible - tons of antiques, vintage clothes, GREAT food (we had a Greek chorizo sandwich which was AMAZING). I also had fresh coconut water AND we bought cupcakes from Hummingbird bakery which were the bomb diggity. We even sat on a rooftop patio and had a beer and enjoyed the rays of sunshine which I thought were forbidden by God himself to shine here.

Franca and I picked up some sweet prints for our living room and bedrooms and then headed home. That night we went out to see some stand-up comedy in Soho, which I have to say was pretty funny. Especially when accompanied by a pitcher of booze.

I have come to learn British people find the following things hilarious:

- Jokes about the middle class/anyone who has money (every single comedian [there were four] made jokes about where people lived and whether they had butlers/servants. Hilarity ensured).
- Jokes about Americans (although, really, who doesn't make fun of Americans?).
- Jokes about racial division in Britain (only if the comedian is Indian)

So, I mean, they were still funny and maybe every country has some go-to subject matter for their routines but it was like, alright, we get it, you like to make fun of people who drive Bentleys and live in Knightsbridge.

Despite the blatant classism that exists in the UK, I've noticed something that REALLY seperates the Brits from North Americans (or more specifically, Americans). They really don't like to brag about how much money they have. I mean sure, some live in castles that are so big they forget how to get their bedrooms, but they aren't 'flashy'. There's a sense of old money here and it sems like most people don't feel the need to be so flagrant about letting people know they are STACKED. Which I guess is why the jokes about the middle class are so popular - there seems to be an unwritten rule here that boasting is just not acceptable. Even when I was playing a drinking game a couple of weeks ago, one of the rules was don't gloat or boast when your partner screws up.

Excuse me? Where's the fun in that? Half the game is chirping your opponents!

But I digress. The main point is that the British are sort of like Canadians in that they're a little more subtle and discreet than their big, brash American neighbours (puts away her giant, sweeping generalization-making paintbrush). Anyway that's just what I think. And obviously you think my opinion is worth something or you wouldn't be reading this right now.

No wait, come back!

OK so sunday we got up SO early because Franca's godfather Peter was picking us up for a day in Chiswick! We went down to the Thames in Hammersith and went on a nice, long two hour walk by the river. The weather was gorgeous and the family dog Oscar, that little rascal, came along too. There were kayakers and golfer and sailors and runners and all kind of physical activity to be had. We had a great chat and soaked up the sunshine before heading to The Dove (where I went with my second cousin a few months back) for a drink. I had a Bloody Mary (would give my liver for a Caesar right now) and it was delectable.

After that we headed home for a beautiful lunch with some wine, sat outside reading the paper, Franca and I played some Monopoly and then had a delicious lamb dinner, more wine and watched the Masters. We stayed over night and we're off to work in the morning.

So that about catches us up! Although I have some more exciting news - Franca and I booked a trip to Rome with Jenny and Ryan! We're going next weekend for three nights and staying at a beautiful looking apartment with another couple so it should be lots of fun! We're also off to Essex (or Sussex, I keep messing those up) to visit Franca's family: either way it's beautiful English countryside so I will take lots of pictures and fill you in on our adventures upon my return. I'll update this week if anything interesting happens (probably not because I'm broke so until I get paid so I am laying low) but I'll let you know if the situation changes.

Alright friends, that's about it. Hope you're all doing well and stay tuned for more excitement!

Cheers,

Patsy xoxo

PS I'd like to dedicate this post to my sweet sweet wife, Sarah Cole. I love you!

Officially official

James Cameron, look at what you've done.

So, despite the raucous-looking image above, I did actually have a relatively quiet weekend. But not before taking the Bender Express to Bendertown!

Thursday after work I celebrated my 10 days of freelance work by heading out for drinks with some friends from the office to this pub called Phoenix (it's actually a members-only bar, but if you get in before 8 pm, you're OK. Are you confused about that? Well so am I. Have a drink.) Anyway got pre-sauced there and celebrated my last day before my first real day of full-time work!

Then I headed up to Shoreditch to meet up with Franca and her cousins for a night of boozy mayhem. We met at a PACKED pub where the gang was playing pool (I use the term play loosely as the cue ball spent more time in the air and on the floor than rolling around that soft green felt). I chugged a pint (like a good Canadian does) and then we headed for a delicious dinner of dim sum at Drunken Monkey.

Drunken Monkey was pretty awesome - a pub/bar/cool time hang out that was packed to the brim with Londoners. We managed to snag ourselves a table where we ate SO much dim sum, drank copious amounts of raspberry mojitos and for some ill-conceived reason, began playing a barrage of drinking games (never have I ever was a bad idea) until we decided to destroy another fine London establishment.

We drunkenly stumbled out into the streets and headed to one lame bar (that closed at midnight, pfft) and then ended up at Cargo, which is where the beautiful picture above is taken. My mind was a little blurry from intoxication, but I do remember that this blue breasted woman was on stilts and making the rounds at the bar like a champion.

Franca and I ditched at about 3, ended up taking black cab home because we were too drunk to find the bus stop. In a rather insane move, I decided making grilled cheese sandwiches at 4 am was an excellent idea and managed to avoid third degree burns from the open flames (but umm, I burnt the sandwiches).

Friday morning was rough and Franca and I were in no shape to do anything, so we went and got ourselves a fry-up, some snacks and watched Pretty Woman - umm, I mean we went to church and thanked Jesus for his holy sacrifice because it was Good Friday.

Friday night we went to Giraffe for dinner (had some kind of exorbitantly priced Asian salad. If there's one thing they're good at over here, it's overcharging for shitty food). Then we hit up The New Rose where we met a lovely bunch of Brits and an Australian whom we drank with for the rest of the evening. We made it home at about 4, sans grilled cheese.

Saturday I contemplated whether I should, in fact, check myself into rehab, and spent the rest of the day watching The Wire. Ditto for Sunday. Franca went to a fam jam in Bristol and I wanted to cuddle up with some Stringer Bell for the rest of my life (What is UP with season 3? Goddamn.) so the rest of the weekend was relatively low key. Sunday, met up with Dan Milano for a coffee and a catch up. And Monday I met Jenny for a drink at Angelic which turned into an all day booze fest (really should have checked into AA).

But I took two days off drinking, OK, Dad? Plus, you're Welsh so it's your fault I'm like this. Love you!

Yesterday I officially started my (official) first day at Yahoo! UK. Things are great - got my computer and my old email address back. Nothing too much to report other than that. I had Jenny and Ryan over for dinner last night where we planned a trip to Rome at the end of April, so that's pretty exciting. Tonight I am out for dinner with my sweet, rather eccentric second cousin, so that should be fun.

This weekend Franca and I are going to try and take it easy; a night at her godfather's, a night of dinner and wine with Dan and then, if she's lucky, a date night with me.

Oh and one more thing: James. He texted me on Saturday at 5:50 pm saying he was sorry for the late reply but he was going to take it easy tonight cause he had a rough one the night before. Haven't heard from him since. Lame. Whatever, you win some, you lose some. Onward and upward, I say. Maybe I'll meet some babes in Rome.

Alright well hope you're having a great hump day! Write back soon!

Cheers,

Patsy

Throw a wobbly!

She ain't a ho or a slut, she's a slag.

Well, I don't have much to report in terms of actually doing anything over the last couple of days, but I do have some eye opening and introspective thoughts to share about living in Jolly Old - and I know my sharp and witty insights are what keep you all coming back! *Unrelated, self-involved side note: the ex-patsy just broke 1,000 pageviews and I have 267 active readers, so thanks friends, for tuning in to find out about my drunken escapades on such a regular basis.

So, one of the biggest issues I'm having adjusting to life in London is the language. Sure, I thought I'd have to translate a random phrase here or there. What's a chav? Who's a minger? Sorry, a WAG?

But British English (or proper English, as they say over here. Brits are pretty full of themselves, I have to say [sorry, Dad]) is an entirely different language than Canadian english. It's not just words and phrases but it's greetings, colloquialisms, tone, delivery - everything about how they speak is so different. And the worst part is, I've come to discover I am a laughable stereotype of a Canadian: I say 'eh?', 'oh, yah?' and 'I see' constantly (not phrases they would dare utter this side of the pond). I also say things that outside of our great country sound pretty lame: awesome, sweet, absolutely (for yes), the list goes on. I had no idea how many cultural differences existed within language, but maybe that's because I am big fat ignorant North American who isn't aware of the superiority of British English.

Anyway, it most cases and in most jobs, it wouldn't be such a big deal. I would slowly pick up certain words and phrases, but most likely retain my Canadianisms for novelty purposes and as a result of my own petulancy. But I am working in an editorial capacity here, so it's actually crucial that I start saying (and understanding) things like 'cheeky' and 'dog's bollocks' convincingly.

There was an episode of 'Friends' where Phoebe and Monica try to cut out their old buddy (the milf from American Pie) who returned to New York after living in London . Anyway, she comes back and starts talking in this horrible British accent and saying thing like 'mobile' and 'arse' and they make fun of her for being such a cultural leech and a phony. I am similarly scared I will return to Canada, uttering random British slang and have all my friends say: 'Well if you didn't want to get me on my mobile, then don't call me on my mobile!'

Anyway, the guys at Yahoo really take the piss (see what I did there?) about me not speaking 'proper British' English. I say things like roommate instead of flatmate ('Well, do you live in the same ROOM? No? Then it doesn't make any sense.') and subway instead of underground (that one is sort of legit). I say dollar instead of pound constantly, which I know is annoying. I also drafted up an email to a potential columnist for the site and my coworker had to completely re-write it because they don't say things like 'guy' here.

The hardest part is that my Canadianisms are so much a part of who I am and have been lovingly cultivated and perfected over the last 24 years. How can I be expected to just drop all my pleases, thank yous, ehs and oh yahs without essentially losing a part of myself?

I guess I'll have to develop some kind of double identity: Vanessa the editor and Vanessa the unapologetic Canadian tourist.

Some phrases however, I have no problem adopting: slag and minger are my top two. 'Popping round the pub for a pint' just rolls off the tongue and is an activity I participate in enthusiastically and often.

I'm sure I'll continue to struggle with this for many years to come. But for now, I'll continue to smile when they forget Canada and America aren't the same country and remind them our beer is stronger, our winters are colder and we fucking love poutine.

Hope you're having a great hump day

Cheers,

Patsy xo

Hey big spender

Bob Bob Ricard

Well friends, I had an absolutely fantastic weekend in London - and finally, enjoyed it as an employed woman!

Friday I was still beaming from the fact that I won't have to sell myself on the street to pay my rent (still considering that as a moonlighting gig). So as soon as 6 pm rolled around, I was at Covent Garden Market getting my drink on to celebrate! Met up with Franca and we headed to Dirty Martini which was absolutely packed. I've come to learn that the Brits do not like to be too far from an alcoholic beverage after a work week so every pub/bar/restaurant/etc. is usually packed to the rafters with thirsty weekend warriors - and I was finally one of them!

However the place was WAY too busy so we had a drink and then hit up an outside heated patio for a bottle of wine. We met up with Kate and then headed over to Pasta Cafe for more wine and tons of food (Franca signed up for this thing called TopTable, and you get 50% off your whole meal, minus alcohol). Our entire bill, two starters, three mains and two desserts plus two bottles of wine came to like £60! Pretty amazing.

We were pretty tired and stuffed after our meal so we headed back home around midnight instead of hitting up the town. Needless to say, Covent Garden is a ZOO on a Friday night. Next time I think we'll opt for a liquid dinner and hit up some more pubs in the area.

Saturday morning, Franca and I got up and power shopped in the most literal sense of the term. We hit up Regent Street and Oxford Street and did some serious damage to our credit cards. I have justified all of my purchases because I now I have a job (let's disregard the fact I've been living off my credit card for the last two months and won't see a paycheck for a least one more).

Anyway, it was some well-needed retail therapy.

After that, we headed home and I got ready for my date. I was actually pretty nervous because we met (surprise, surprise) under pretty drunken circumstances and I wasn't 100% sure what James looked like. Anyway we met at Picadilly Circus (absolutely the worst place to meet for a date in London. There are about 200 tube exits and a million different ways you could get lost there). Anyway we finally met up with each other after a somewhat awkward phone call trying to find out where we both were.

So James was actually quite cute (thank god). He was wearing a really smart hat and tweed blazer and plaid shirt. He's blonde and tall and has thick-rimmed black glasses (I love a boy in glasses). Anyway we met and walked to this restaurant/bar he'd made reservations at. Immediately, conversation was super easy and he was very laid back and relaxed. Things were going well and got much better when we got into Bob Bob Ricard.

This place was so cool: super retro decor, aquamarine, 1950s chairs and diner-style booths with dim lighting and waiters and waitresses dressed in hot pink tuxedos. The table even had a 'Press for champagne' button which we didn't use but I thought was pretty cool. Anyway we stayed there and drank £10 drinks and chatted about life and the night we had met (neither of us seemed to remember very much). Anyway I immediately felt at ease around him and after our first three delicious drinks, we left and headed to this jazz and blues bar up the street.

The only thing better than Bob Bob Ricard's was The Charlotte Street Blues Bar. We walk in, pay £10 and enter this loud, dark bar with an awesome live jazz band playing: the place was packed with soused, well-dressed Londoners. I was amazed by the environment and impressed with James' knowledge of London's hidden nightlife gems. Anyway they didn't serve draught upstairs so we headed downstairs and that was even cooler! It was a swing dancing bar that looked like a speak easy. It was super dark with low ceilings, 1940s movies playing on a projector on one side of the room, awesome big band music playing and so many people in the coolest garb dancing their faces off. The coolest part was that they all switched partners for each new song, so they were essentially dancing with strangers in three minute intervals. I was so mesmerized by this place and cannot wait to go back!

James and I ended up getting absolutely annihilated - double fisting beer and whiskey all night, shots of Jager, cocktails. It was messy. I didn't get home until 5 am. At one point in the night while we were outside smoking, he asked me if I had any hobbies. Instead of saying drinking, I stupidly said, yes actually, I have a blog. He became really interested in this, asking if he'd been blogged about and what I said and blah blah blah. I accidentally told him to the name of the blog but I'm banking on the fact that he was far too wasted to remember. Anyway we have plans to hang out on Saturday. My dad informed me the Oxford and Cambridge boat races are this weekend and he lives in Hammersmith - so I think I might suggest we do that!

Sunday, feeling a little worse for wear, I managed to get up with Franca and head to the Farmer's Market to grab some food and flowers for the house. Then we made the epic journey to Camden Market which was absolutely amazing. It's an open air market with so many stalls of clothes, jewelry, art, shoes, drug paraphernalia, you name it, they've got it. It's quite beautiful too because Camden Lock is located on the River Thames and boasts floating restaurants and a great view. The food market was also amazing: giant vats of curries, chinese food, Mexican food, you name it, they have it. I had a plate of nachos which I was hoping would fulfill my cravings. Unfortunately, it was sub par and I think I'll have to resign myself to the fact that the Brits just cannot do Mexican cuisine.

After that Franca and I headed home, made dinner, watched several episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (I'm now obsessed) and I went to bed at 10 pm because I was absolutely shattered. I am back at work now, with a four day work week and then a four day weekend! I'm pretty excited for a break from my grueling two weeks of work (hehe) and excited to continue to explore this huge city some more.

Hope you're all doing well, had a great weekend and are having a happy Monday!

Cheers,

Patsy

E is for employed!

Alright so I know you're all going to be really sad that I can't bitch and moan about how terrible/cracked out/self-involved all the employers in London are. But I'm sorry to say that this chick is officially employed again!

Last night, at 5:55 pm (made me wait all day, bastards!) I got an official (and let's be real here, quite generous) offer from Yahoo! I accepted that baby like no one's business and told MSN where to shove it at the same time.

I didn't actually do that, I just really wanted to say that I did.

So my contract work ends next Thursday, then we have a FOUR day weekend for Easter and I start officially on April 6th. So things are looking up for Patsy. Looking up indeed!

I have to say, I'm sorry I've been so negligent with this blog lately - I don't want to let it run dry because then it'll be like everyone else's pet project that eventually loses steam.

I just had a sitcom-style mental image of a closet full of sporting equipment and knitting stuff and instruments and all that other shit that people buy assuming they are going to completely change their life and then give up after a week. That will NOT happen with the expatsy. I swear on my life!

So in other news, I went out in Covent Garden for drinks after work last night with a coworker and it was great. I just love this area. We went to this place called Salvador and Amandas and it was so cute - just a small little doorway that you could totally miss but step inside and it's got HUGE ceilings and with a huge bar, amazing tapas and absolutely delicious sangria. Anyway Sam (my new friend) and I had a great chat and she had nice things to say about me and she was rooting for me an she's happy I'm on board and other things I want to mention in a completely long winded, self-flagellating manner.

Anyway, I am glad I already have a friend at the office. There's a lot of boys here though, and I find them a little harder to chat to but I'll break down those walls eventually. I think I might try and start a Yahoo UK softball team over here. Now I just need to think of a clever name...

After drinks, I met up with Dan Milano for dinner at the Slug and Lettuce. We celebrated the fact that we are both finally employed. He actually writes content for a company that works with Yahoo, so he knows some of the people in my office. Small world. After that I met up with Franca for more drinks at Zizou and we celebrated that fact she won't have to listen to me bitch about being out of work! Hooray!

Tonight, surprise surprise, I am going out for drinks in Covent Garden with Franca and Kate for round two of celebrations. We're going to head out for a cheap bite and then see what this great part of the city has to offer in terms of nightlife. Tomorrow I have my date; not sure on the details yet - James said it's going to be a 'surprise' which could either be fun or totally disastrous. More to come on that front. I am also going to do some serious retail damage this weekend on Oxford Street!

Alright so I will really try to update this daily. And I know you've ALL been losing sleep over my current state of employment. So you can all breathe a sigh of relief - the madness is over.

Have a superb weekends and I will write more soon. PROMISE!

Cheers,

Patsy

Back at the 'hoo

Alright first of all, I'm so sorry it's been a week since I've updated this bad boy. I actually have been really busy and I have so much to fill you in on.

So right now I'm sitting at the Yahoo! UK office, nearing the end of my work day. It's been a lot of fun so far - researching and making spreadsheets and pretending that I'm really important. They took me out for lunch on Friday to this gourmet burger barn which was delicious! Everyone is really nice and the team I'm working with are a lot of fun. All in all, I'm pretty happy here and I find out Thursday if I get a job full time - so finger's crossed!

So I stared work on last friday, but before that I got a call back from the MSN recruiter who asked me to come in. So I got up ass early on Friday, took the bus so Borough and wrote a copy writing test. Then the guy tells me they want to offer me the job - essentially doing search marketing and content development for Bing in the UK. It's not really my cup of tea but I was pretty happy that I'd finally been offered a job that wasn't located in the ass end of nowhere at some crack factory. So I told him my situation with Yahoo - that I was waiting on them but would take the job if that didn't work out. So then I went to my first day of work and told my boss what the situation was. I told them I needed to know the status of my job by the end of next week (now this week) so thankfully, I get to know sooner rather than later if I'll be a yahooligan again! Hooray!

So in other news, Dylan didn't call me all week and broke our date on Thursday. After being sort of sad about the situation, I decided not to let this dude get me down (the guy had his birthday tattooed on his arm - is that really someone I want to be spending my time with? The answer is yes because he's really good looking and I'm really shallow).

So by Wednesday I was feeling a little down and Franca graciously offered to take me out for a celebratory dinner to Pizza Express to congratulate me on my new (temporary) job! Anyway dinner was delicious (as was the cheesecake and the two bottles of wine). So we decided to hit up an Irish pub (to celebrate St. Patty's Day) and ran into several friendly, drunken Londoners.

Then we met James and David who we ended up drinking with for the rest of the evening. James kept calling himself McNaulty (the lead detective from The Wire, for those who don't know). Anyway, under normal circumstances I would have assumed this guy was a complete loser but he kept buying me shots of Jameson so I let it go. Anyway we had a great night with them and at the end of the night, I gave him my number. He texted me Saturday and we have a date this Saturday (pending he doesn't pull a Dylan). And then who should I get a text from right after James texts me but good ol' Dylan. He said he was working 15 hour shifts this week and sorry he didn't get in touch and blah blah blah. I texted him back being like you owe me big time but I'm pretty much done with the douchebag. No one stands up Patsy! So I'm not sure what we're doing Saturday but I will let you know how it goes.

Sunday Franca and I got up and had a delicious breakfast at S & M with Jenny. Then we went to the Islington Farmer's Market and got us some groceries. After that, we went grocery shopping and cleaned our house! It was a super productive day which is a rarity for me. I feel like I've been more productive these past two months than I've been in the last year of my life!

I'm worried this blog is going to get uber boring now that I'm working (and not attending hilarious interviews where I have to pretend I'm really into foxes that play bingo). But I will make sure to do lots and see lots and take lots and lots of pictures (I've been kind of shitty about that lately).

Anyway I hope you are all well and sorry again this post took so long. I love and miss you all!

Cheers,

Patsy