Before the move...

Ok - let's start with some highlights. The last few weeks have to been eventful to say the least. In the middle of September we started to flat hunt in earnest - after a few days of looking at flats we found what looked to be the ideal place for us. Close to work (only 7 stops on the tube!) 2 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite); outdoor terrace; big kitchen and lounge and within budget! We gave notice to our current landlord and then I started whirlwind travel for work!

2 days in Stockholm, which I managed to line up with a Friday so Glen came out to meet me. It was the NHL season opener there that weekend, but unfortunatly we couldn't get tickets as they had been sold out long before my plans to travel to Stockholm. Instead we explored the city and went to the original Absolute Ice bar...
We also picked up the worlds biggest coin....and of course wandered round the city.

Then as the weekend of the move approached. I had to go to Lisbon for work - that's was hard - sunny and warm (I hardly remember what's that's like what with living in London). Lovely pool, sadly I didn't get to see much more than the airport; the hotel and glimpse a couple of major landmarks. A copy of the golden gate bridge and a statue in Brazil. Unfortunately this is the best shot I took...


Essentially, Glen was on his own for packing - although I did loads the night before! :-)

To be continued...

Bruges...

Sorry it's been so long since I've written...been busy. Starting to figure things out here...if only I could find a decent deodorant!

Glen and I spent the weekend in Bruges a few weeks ago...lovely hotel...gorgeous old town. It's known as an outdoor museum...which is most definitely is. Loads of interesting old building and churches. I convinced (he might say forced :-) ) Glen to do a two hour walking tour of the city, the sky wasn't a lovely blue but I'm sort of used to that now, it doesn't necessarily mean anything. Well about 10 mins in two the tour the skies opened and rain like I've never seen here came down! Torrential - think caribbean storm! We had my tiny umbrella between the two of us! But did we give up? No we carried on to the end of the tour, with loads of stops just inside buildings :-) It's like Venice in that it has canals all over the city, it's not like Venice in that you don't get totally lost the first walk you take! Here's a picture of one of the boat tours during the rain storm...

And of course as we were in Belgium we couldn't possibly avoid trying some yummy belgium waffles...fresh waffle and melted belgian chocolate with banana and ice cream...definitely didn't go wrong on this one :-)





We'll be in Toronto on the 15th of August for two nights only... see you soon!

First Week of work & Amsterdam

So had my first week of work, started on the 2nd. Everyone is really nice and welcoming. They're easing me back into working hours with short days! :-) Mostly this is due to the fact that there's been so much travel in the last week. Almost went to Brussels on my 2nd day, but unfortunately the hotel was full so didn't. But did go to Amsterdam yesterday and will be going to Lille next month probably.

Starting to figure out all the in's and out's of a new organziation. It's difficult not to know all the products, but I'm getting there. Hope everyone's is enjoying some sunshine, I hear it's absolutely sweltering in Toronto. All I can say is you people should count your lucky stars that the subway is air conditioned there! Because it's stinking hot here! (at least underground)

Just got the offer...

...and it's for more than I asked for :-D

Waiting for the official paperwork - but I'm no longer unemployed. Will be starting work June 2nd, thinking about what I can do with my 2 weeks of freedom!

Been getting to know the neighbourhood, getting lost on the way to Tesco... luckily all roads appear to lead to Tesco so not too big a problem.

Going to go shopping! Need news jeans, and shoes and knives and all sorts of other lovely things I can find at the local mall...

The job hunt and curtain rods

So all is not lost, apparently both the interviewers and I walked away last Tuesday thinking 'their process sucked' as Glen puts it. A third and final interview is scheduled for next Friday. In the mean time however another opportunity has presented itself, a bit closer to home but maybe not quite so much fun (ie. no free trips across Europe). Still we'll see what they say next week.

This morning has been interesting and entertaining. We've been attempting to install curtains - in concrete walls. It's all gone a lot better once we found out we had borrowed a hammer drill, you just have to change some of the settings. 1 rod up and 2 to go, G will be absolutely stellar by the time he installs the bedroom ones :-)

My birthday party tonight - less than a year from 30 - eek!

2nd Round

So.... had the 2nd round interview today. Not sure really. Presentation was challenging because of how it was setup, imagine someone handing you a slide deck, in a format you've never seen with content you're not sure you understand and giving you 15min to prep. Good luck with that. I guess we'll see there was a written portion which I thought went well. I find out tomorrow kids, I'll keep you posted.

On a side note, I recommend you don't go to Oxford street on a bank holiday, unless you have unlimited patience and don't mind a crowd :-) -- although Glen and I did manage to find some nice bedside lamps from John Lewis.

ttfn

Today's the day...

Well today is the day...finally the deadline has arrived. I'm either finished everything or it's not getting done. They house has been emptied, I've hardly anything left other than the furniture (I hope you all get good use out of my little presents). I realized that if you have to put a number (ie. storage cost) to your beloved possession, suddenly a lot of them become less important. I have officially been unemployed for a week, and I've been able to fill my time easily. Maybe there's something to being a bum... JK Glen, don't worry I'll be at the interview on Tuesday.

To my friends, keep in touch I'll do my best and if you're in London - you've got a place to stay as long as I'm there...

To my family, I expect to see you all at some point on my side of the pond, cheap season is fine :-)

Glen - I love you, I can't wait to start this new adventure... and please remember I'm trying to be tidier...