Reason # Infinity As To Why This Country Sucks

Lost my student oyster card the other day (my fault completely), which I paid 720 pounds for in October so as to be able to travel within zones 1-2 unlimitedly for the next year. Unbelievably enough, the fare that I paid for the year cannot transfer onto my new card. So basically, I'm losing 100 pounds b/c this country is retarded. Dead serious about that. I'm going to have to pay monthly from now on (which ends up costing a lot more)-if I had wanted to do that in the first place, London, I WOULD HAVE.

The ridiculous thing is that, had I had an ADULT annual oyster, the fee would have transfered over no problem. It's the discount of my student card that creates the issue. WTF? Essentially, though, it's not the discount that's the problem...it's YOU London Transport. Jesus get it together...I swear this country is run by idiots.

I'm going to have to wait at least 3 weeks to receive a check from TFL now, which I will then have to cash and then put back on my oyster card to cover the next few months (although it wont cover the rest of the year b/c I can't do another annual...). How medieval. Seriously.

If they can transfer from an adult card, they should be able to transfer from a student card just as easily. My throat is choked up right now, I'm that frustrated.

It's the equivalent of losing a phone, and not being able to use the same plan once you've received a new phone.

This honestly makes me want to go back home for a bit. I just can't deal with this new expense on top of everything else that's happened since I've moved here.

And did I mention that I STILL haven't gotten my box?

Back Stepping

I've only just realized that I failed to document my first British Christmas. And as I would hate to leave you all in the dark, I figure it's only right to dish. So with that said...

It was really great! I had work Christmas Eve (which was actually kind of nice, but it made the day feel less festive), and took a train up north to Derbyshire to stay with my Mom's cousin Jo (and her hubby Andy), her Mom and Dad Di and Terry, and an Aussie named Sam (who's firstly a female and secondly a friend of Jo's).

While it didn't quite feel like Christmas, it was nice to experience something a bit 'out of the norm' persay (i.e. Boxing Day). It was a really layed back kind of holiday, and it was just what I needed actually-t'was nice to get out of the city and into the country.

I also vid-chatted with the fam in NY Christmas day, so I wasn't completely in the dark. The event that was the video chat took place during my Dad's annual Christmas breakfast, and it made me miss home a lot :( It's funny b/c I generally dread that damn breakfast-I'm usually paranoid about the state of the house and thus stress like no other as I run around cleaning/yelling at everyone to clean. But I guess I kind of missed that paranoia/stress this year...

Happy New Years

So low and behold, 2010 has been off to a flying start. I have lost my oyster card. Ugh. I also lost my debit card. Nice. And finally, I cut my dress open b/c i couldn’t get out of it. Fist pumps all around.

I’m hoping that these instances don’t foreshadow the remainder of the year, but i guess i’ll just have to wait and see.

In terms of new years resolutions, i have distanced myself from the usual (cough lose weight cough), and have come up with two that are a bit more...therapeutic if you will?

Firstly, I’m going to try and keep a journal (which I’ve tried to do, oh i don’t know, A MILLION times), and secondly, I’m going to try and stretch every day. I have yet to begin either of these, but I promise to start once I buy myself a pretty diary (because I don’t want to start one resolution when I physically can’t start the other, ‘wink’).

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