Major Updates

I'm not quite sure how to go about structuring this entry...bullet points perhaps? Why not.

1) Had a second job (at a bakery) for literally 4 hours...quit since I had to wear a polo and matching hat. Gag me. The positive=can get free bread/pastries whenever I want.

2) Applied for my passport!

3) Did well on my portfolio. Apparently I'm a good public speaker...I find this slightly hilarious. My Dad would too.

4) Have been working more at Anthro and I'm really loving it. I won a styling contest the other day and have never been more proud...don't make fun.

5) I've been contemplating what to do next year re: school...to take a year off or not take a year off, that is the question (it really depends on my financial situation I suppose-perhaps I'll start a charity in my honor...)

6) Am working on Christmas Eve, but will be spending Christmas/boxing day up north with my lovely cousin Jo and her parents. It's a bit bittersweet as it will be my first xmas away from home, but I'm excited none the less (especially since I haven't seen that side of the family in a while).

7) Bought the most amazing dress ever. T'will be my staple LBD...gah I'm obssessed.

8) It's snowing outside right now....so beautiful. Let's hope it stays that way for x-mas.

9) I've been freezing/sleeping so badly. I. Need. Sleeping. Pills. Have to register with a dr. first to do that though...ugh.

PSYCH

I miss using that word. I'ma try bring it back.

So re: the whole Christmas thing...I think I may actually stay in London. My b (I miss using that phrase too...). Since I've only been given two days off, the thought of flying from London to New York during the holiday's is daunting. And terrifying. My mom's cousin Jo invited me for Christmas with her, so I'm leaning towards that at the moment. At least I wont have to fly, right? Don't hate me people...

My life has been a bit of a whirl-wind over the past few weeks...or actually since I moved here...but it's slowly starting to compose itself. School's been driving me banana's, my wallet AND phone were stolen on Monday, I had somewhat of a restless weekend before that, and I've been working up a storm at anthro.

In the past few days, though, someone found my driver's license (and I'm semi-convinced that that "someone" is the thief who stole my shiz in the first place...bastard). I kid... But a box of mine has finally made an appearance as well (meaning I can finally apply for my passport), and I only have two more weeks left of term.

Getting back to the theft of my wallet AND phone (strong, STRONG emphasis on AND)- I almost shit my pants. Not really b/c that's kind of grosse, but you get the point. So from the beginning....

I was sitting in my beloved Starbucks, or "Starbie's" as I like to call it, (and a big "eff off" to all those who hate the place...London doesn't get the concept of the "iced" drink, ok? and it's fairtrade now so yeah), when I looked into my bag and could not see/find my wallet. Now, generally, this happens everyday, and after a few seconds of rumaging through my bag I eventually find the thing, but this was not the case Monday. After realizing that the wallet wasn't there, I reached for my phone to call my roomie to see if she had it, when low and behold it was not their either. Ok, seriously? Do you have to be THAT greedy? I'm a working girl AND a student...do me a service and leave at least one.

I'm not going to type the rest, since it's too emotional for me to re-live (code for "I just don't feel like it"), but I'll tell you one thing-I've definitely learned my lesson. Never will I EVER leave my bag open again, and never will I ever keep everything in my wallet at the same time. Not only did I lose my three bank cards (the jerk spent $2000 on one of them...at Tesco's of all places), but I also lost my library card, my gym card, my student ID, my Starbucks card (ok...that's not too big of a loss), my driver's license, and most IMPORTANTLY, a photo of my Mom :( The wallet was hers as well...sigh. If I could have said anything to the thief, I think it would have been along the lines of "Take the money, leave the wallet" (hopefully you can figure out that reference). Sadly I did not have that opportunity, and to be honest I probably would have never said that (so why I mentioned it in the first place...I have no idea). It's too witty/clever for the moment, AND I can only ever picture anything like that being said in a thick new york/italian accent. If we're talking realistically here, I probably would have kicked the guy/threw my shoe at him/her instead, because yelling "stop" (or something along those lines) makes too much sense.

Apologies for my incoherency...I'm a bit tired and dazed, but anyways, while I did end up getting my driver's license back, I'm hoping that my Mom's photo turns up... I guess only time will tell.

'Tis all for now...I'll leave you with some pics of my flat-enjoy!

Jess

Good News :)

I get to go home for Christmas!!!!!! Pump the jam people!!!

I've been given Christmas Eve and Christmas off from work, so I'll only be home for two full days (maximum), but whatever...I'd rather be with my family during the holidays than the alternative, which would involve me, alone in my flat in London, crying on my couch as I (most likely) devour a tub of ice cream. Or possibly an entire pizza. Maybe even both...

So for all of you who will be in the tri-state area during the 24th & 25th of December-while I probably won't be able to see many, if not ANY, of you during my short visit, at least be comforted by the fact that we'll be in the same time zone. That is, if my flight's get in on time, and everything runs smoothly. I guess only time will tell.

'Tis all for now.

Jess

Stress in the City

Hello people. Sorry for the delay. I'll try and update this thing more often b/c I know how eager you all are to hear about my extremely exciting life. I heart sarcasm.

So not much has happened since the disastrous spill a few weeks ago. Oh wait, no, that's a lie-my knee's scabbed over and I can walk properly now. It's still bothering me a bit though, so I think I may have to see the doctor. Thumbs up to that.

On another note, I've been effing stressed over my boxes , both of which were sent over a month ago, both of which hold my art supplies/bedding/dvd's/and my beloved Rosetta Stones, and BOTH of which are M.I.A. I've been told that I may not get them for another 2 months, so to put it bluntly-I want to cop a bitch. Not only will I have to endure several more weeks worth of pain-stakingly uncomfortable sleep, but I have to buy new art supplies-EXPENSIVE art supplies. Why it should take USPS 3 months to ship an express delivery is beyond me, but what I do know is that I will never rely on the mail again. NEVER. DID YOU HEAR THAT USPS? GO EFF YOURSELF.

Sorry.

Speaking of annoyances, the thing that bothers me most about the UK is the lack of help. No matter how hard you try to figure something out, nobody can lend a helping hand. So, for example, in my auto cad class at uni, if I ask the professor how to do something (which he's being paid for mind you), he can't tell me. He WON'T tell me rather. I'm beginning to re-think this whole "school" thing b/c of this, and am feeling like maybe working for someone in the field would benefit me a bit more. At least I'd learn more, and I'd be getting paid...

Ok, so on to bigger and better things. I went out for Halloween this weekend, and have never been so hungover in my life. I don't know if it's b/c I mixed liquors, or if it's b/c I have barely gone out/drank since being here, or if it's just b/c I drank too much (which I will deny...naturally), but I woke up Sunday morning to a battle zone. All of my drawers were open, a pair of gloves I've never seen before were on my floor, and all the lights were on...? Luckily I didn't manage to lose anything, other than my dignity. Oh wait, no, scratch that-I actually DID lose something...100 pounds. And not of weight, mind you, b/c if that were the case I'd be really freaked out. Especially since there were mysterious black gloves on the floor... But getting back to the money, I took a cab home, and I guess I gave the cabbie 100 pounds...? Seriously, Jess, what were you thinking? Clearly you weren't you moron... But I've basically concluded that I'm never going out again, although, as you and I both know, I'll probably go out this weekend....

What else, what else? Oh, well the other day some english guy ran up to me on the street and told me that I was beautiful and blah blah blah...and then, I THINK, an accomplice of his tried to rumage through my purse... Quite the modern day Artful Dodger or whatever. I suppose I will never really know what his intentions were, b/c nothing was missing from my bag (although things were moved around), but if a random guy named Peter ever comments on your looks and your outfit, I suggest clutching on to your possessions for dear life. Especially if that possession is your first born child, or something of extreme worth and value (random...). He's a ruthless son of a biatch that Peter is. I mean, seriously-it's one thing to disrupt my fast paced stride, but to then try and either 1) go on a date with me and/or 2) steal my wallet makes me sick.

Le sigh.

Funny enough, later that same day this Spanish guy in my neighborhood, who can never seem to 1) leave me alone and 2) catch a hint, started asking me about some guy named Charlie. The conversation went a little something like this:

Spaniard: Excuse me

Me: WHAT?

Spaniard: Do you like Charlie?

Me: WHAT? (with even more sass then before)

Spaniard: Charlie?

Me: WHAT???

Spaniard: Charlie means coke.

Me: What...?

Spaniard: If you ever need coke, let me know.

Me: (Cricket Noises).

Keeping in mind that our "talk" is a bit blurry to me, and that other things were said and whatnot, I'm a bit distressed. Not so much that I have a creepy stalker who's into drugs than the fact that I look like I do coke...a "coke whore" if you will. The bags under my eyes are from lack of sleep (thanks to usp EFFING s), not substance deprivation, ok?

This country's weird yo.

Ok I think that's it for now...I must be off to work.

Jess

F.M.L

Ello Ello.

I'm writing to you today not as the healthy/active girl that you both know and love, but as a gimp. Cripple. Fool, perhaps. What ever you'd like to call it, I've been hurt. Hurt bad.

How did this happen, you ask? Well, it's not like I was running really slow or anything in darkness. And it's not like a bike chain managed to wrap itself around both of my ankles, forcing me down within a matter of mili-seconds, and leaving me curled in the fetal position for a bit longer than necessary. In the middle of the road.

...Or was it...?

Yes folks, this traumatic event I've just described is, in fact, what happened to me last night, and to be perfectly blunt, I was stunned, confused, and p.o'd to the max-so much so, in fact, that I was tempted to yell "PORQUEEEEE" at the top of my lungs. I held back though, which is a good thing b/c had I actually gone ahead with it, I'd probably have to re-think my life a bit.

Anywho, I had to limp around London for 40 minutes afterwards (whilst silently damning the wrath of God) in an attempt to get back home, and hide my face in shame. And maybe cry a little... Don't judge me.

While my left knee's in pretty bad shape, you should have seen what I did to the bus lane...not. Aside from leaving a trail of blood/embarrassment, there's really not much that I could have done since the bus lane=concrete and my knee=flesh+bones. Ouchies.

But whatever, I'm coping. No need to send flowers or chocolates or pizza or anything...that would just be crazy and completely over the top...and appreciated...

As inconvenient as it may be, I've found that this "injury" has been a blessing in disguise. I was supposed to go out tonight/spend money that I don't have on bad, bad things, and now that I've been limping around/can't wear heels, I won't be doing that, meaning the money that I would have spent in a matter of minutes will manage to see the light of day for at least another 24hours. I thank you for that lord, and while your lessons may be painful and incomprehendible at first, I always manage to benefit from them. Today, I've learned to prioritize, b/c if I don't, I fear I'll get hit by a bus next time around. You've also made me symmetrical once again, as now the scars from this spill will match the scars from my last big spill (cough kindergarden) on my right knee. I salute you.

Jessica

London Calling

Hello out there in cyber land. A special hello to Matt Sundby, who's most likely the only one reading this.

Ok SO a ton to talk about since my big leap across the pond. First off, my apartment (or flat) is just adorable...I wuv it. I'll upload some pics once I have the chance since I don't feel like explaining it in written word...too complex to describe really...which is code for me just not wanting to. The area I'm in is really great as well...apparently it's "posh", something that Jonna and I realized only yesterday after exploring the town of Hampstead (which is right next door). I basically want to live in Hampstead, end of conversation.

Secondly, I got a job! Woot woot. At Anthropologie too, which is an obsession of mine (it's THREE stories here...cwazy). Hopefully they like me. And hopefully I get free stuff...just kidding. But seriously. Somewhat of a funny story though, during the interview, which was a group interview as the store is only just opening in the UK, we were all asked what our proudest moment was. Every one else dubbed a moment at work (something like, "one day I sold a shirt to a bitchy customer") as their proudest moment. Not me. No. I decided to talk about how surviving my mom's death was/is my proudest achievement, since it shaped who I am today. And then I almost cried/got choked up/had that quivery voice. And everyone was silent. How embarrassing. I wonder, though, if saying I'm most proud of myself is cocky in some way...

Anywho, I start work on the 3rd, only I don't know my schedule since I have NO IDEA WHAT MY CLASS SCHEDULE IS LIKE. Effing A man.

I don't start school for another two weeks...I think. That place (cough Chelsea College of Art & Design) is driving me crazy...it's nearly impossible to get a hold of any faculty/find an answer to a question. I have no idea what classes I'm taking, when I start, etc. etc., and in all honesty, it makes me want to hurt someone. Specifically someone who works for the school. Maybe I shouldn't write that down, on a public blog of all places. I take it back...I guess...

Anywho, I think that's it for now...I'll get those pics up of my flat asap.

Besos,

Jessica