Category Archives: Expat Life

Birthday Alex

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I have to go to the Docklands this afternoon because I have to return a Karen Millen dress that I intended to wear at the wedding but I changed my mind. It’s a beautiful strapless dress but somehow it doesn’t feel right. I’ll meet up with A. after I’ve taken the dress back to the store. I have no clue where but I gave him a map of the catacombs and maze of passages of Canary Wharf, which makes navigation over the phone much easier. I can tell him which way and where to go to meet up for a drink [since he’s always in doubt I’m always the one to make the decisions]. I’ll have to cancel I. who was going to pick me up because it’s easier and quicker to take the DLR.

Then at 20.30 we’ll meet up with eleven more people since it’s Alex her 20th birthday [A.’s niece] and she invited all of us; I., C. [parents], James [brother], A. [uncle], myself, Christina [colleague from the Times], Andrew [bf] and some more friends. We’re going to have dinner at Smollensky’s, Canary Wharf. I had a look at the menu; yummy stuff and lucky me some healthy things too! I’m still suffering from a serious sinus infection so hopefully I will be able to taste something! Well I’d better sort myself out and get my stuff ready. Talk later!

ps I realise you must be thinking, why does she need to get ready now, it’s because I totally f*@%^£ up my shoulder/arm last Saturday, trying to lift myself from a low couch to reposition I reckon I’ve wrecked a tendon in my upper right arm/shoulder [yes the bad arm]. I’ve been in pain ever since and can’t move my arm in certain directions which is causing awkward situations at times. A. is not around to help me so everything takes twice as long today… *hehehe* :P

Cattle Behaviour

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Well, I managed so far, but since my other half refused to wear a surgical mask, although I kept nagging him about it, I now am victimised too. He shamelessly spread bacteria each time he had to sneeze or cough expelling viral droplets and fluid, how dare he? So now I feel like my system is taken over by influenza and there is no such thing as Norton AntiVirus to wipe myself clean…

I have to sit and wait until it’s over *sigh*. I started to become aware of my body’s breakdown last Sunday when I had to go into town to buy some jewellery tools and stuff. Walking around Oxford Street became a nightmare. I had no patience at all and became easily annoyed by the crowd and people swirling allover the place.

How come people can’t stay on the right side of the pavement in this country? Following each other in a nice line without any flaws or interruptions, just like cattle. It’s so simple and SO effective, if only… I mean if cattle does it, how come they can’t? Don’t expect me to bark too… ;)

Anyway here I was walking from Oxford Street to Carnaby Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and back to Oxford Street and back to the car trying to avoid the crowd, all in three hours, and with a serious fever. I managed to get my gemstones, wire and tools. And now I’m happily home making jewellery while fighting the fever and the bugs.

It’s very relaxing and creative and a good thing to do while being ill and not as stressful as having to go into town and fight my way through the crowd. I should’ve worn a sign around my neck: ‘be aware of virus!’ or I should’ve been the one wearing the surgical mask, just to scare some off…

Noticeable Oddities of the Day:

People in the UK tend to walk on any side of the pavement instead of sticking to either the left or the right side. It would make things so much easier if they would stay at one side of the pavement. In the Lowlands, people tend to stay on the right side because that’s what we’ve been taught as a child. You always stay on the right side, also on escalators, stairways and in elevators.

It’s likely to cause less collisions if people stay on one side of the pavement, I reckon no one has ever made their mind up about this in the UK. I’m willing to adjust and stay on the left [since they all drive on the left side as well] but in London, even that wouldn’t make a difference… Apparently there is no such thing here as walking etiquette, you’ll just have to elbow your way through the crowd.