What I Miss About London:

- Beth, Lou & Jen

- Being able to WALK to work and most anywhere

- Good public transportation

- All the great old pubs

- Good beer

- The rich history and authenticity of the city

- Street markets

- Being the one with the “accent”

- Introducing the Brits to new things; pumpkin pie, peanut butter jelly sammies, apples with peanut butter, new phrases...]

- All the NON-chain shops

- Biking around the city [hope to bring this habit home with me]

- Finding a nook and cranny around each corner

- Experiencing something new every day

Home Again, Home Again

My car came promptly Sunday morning and we made our way to Heathrow. I tried to capture a few more photos on the drive - finally saw Harrods : )

Check in was pretty smooth and I grabbed a Full English breakfast in Terminal 4. We loaded onto the plane by 12:30pm. 1pm comes and goes and we are too heavy - cargo has to be removed. 2pm starts approaching and we are being delayed due to excess traffic. Sigh. 3pm approaches and we have a broken instrument so a new part has be brought out and installed. FINALLY close to 4pm we finally take off - 3 hours late!!

The flight was fine - I watched 500 Days of Summer [great], Away We Go [great], The Proposal [predictable and lame] and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince [great].

We landed in Atlanta at 8pm. However, I have to get through customs, re-check my bags AND get back through security before my 9:30 connection - ! What the what? So I get through customs very fast and over to baggage claim and thankfully got my bags by 8:35. I found the conveyor belt to drop my bags and get through security pretty well, land at my gate just before 9pm! Right by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin.

The flight to Cincinnati was nothing compared to the overseas flight. Except the two preteens behind me who couldn't stop laughing and giggling the entire time.

It was strange being on a plane with a bunch of Americans. It was considerably loud and boisterous - ! Just an observation!

Landed at CVG at 11:15 and was hugging Tim by 11:30. Again, great luck getting my bags quickly and headed home. It was strange riding in a car! All the leaves are gone and holiday lights are up. We grabbed some Taco Bell for my empty belly.

I nearly kissed my pillow - it felt so luxurious compared to the flat ones in London : ) So I got around 6 hours of sleep, woke up and it was 7am - perfect! Good time to wake up and glad my body has adjusted pretty quickly.

I'm excited to have two days to nest, get back into the swing of things, then have a short 3-day work week.

It will be interesting to see how I feel later this week after living in one of the biggest cities in the world...

2 months of mail!

Time to unpack!

What is Next?

It’s interesting how much you can learn about yourself taking risks and putting yourself out there. I’ve learned a lot and I am so proud of myself for this “experiment.”

End of This Chapter...

I’m emotional.

I’ve only seen Beth & Jen minutes ago and I’m crying.

But obviously I’m excited to come home.

But, I know my friends are coming home over the holiday so I’ll manage. : )

I don't know how to explain my feelings b.c Beth and Jen have been my family since I've moved here. You think you’re homesick but - then you think about your friends here and how amazing they are ......

Mixed Emotions...

Mixed emotions this morning. Step one down - won’t think about Step 2 until tomorrow... [getting to my gate].

And my hair is being dumb today. Look - it has two personalities.

Passport Update 11/28

It’s about 8:30am here - I’m waiting in my flat for my passport to be couriered here around 10am. I was told it would leave Sheffield, England at 5am...

Had a lovely day yesterday - a bit of work in the morning, then out for lunch at the Priory around the corner. I had macaroni & cheese with tomatoes and portobella mushrooms. But of course, it wasn’t the cheesy yellow stuff I know - much fancier with a small bit of creamy white cheese and lots of veggies - yum! Jen and I both had a Bulmer’s pear cider. A lot smoother than apple ciders, nice and crisp.

We decided it was a “Naughty Friday” so a handful of us, including a Design Director, went to another pub where I got a Fruili beer - strawberry beer! It was amazing and almost daquari-like. But a full pint was a bit much - too sweet. Half a pint would have sufficed.

My afternoon was up and down. The courier couldn’t guarantee delivery by 11:30 that night [!] so we finally decided to have them come here to my flat this morning. I guess my mind was somewhat at ease - at least I could enjoy my evening without anticipating the delivery last night.

My sweet coworkers got me a few parting gifts. The studio got me a £15 to a cool design bookstore - so I need to use that today!! My floormates got me an English pencil kit, a build-your-own-black cab kit and a Pantone 186 mug! [You creatives know what that is]

After work we went to Three Kings - our usual place. It was crowded and hot in side and very cold outside - ack! After hanging out there we moved around the corner to The Green, where we could stay inside. It was a lot of fun hanging out with the few workmates I sat with these past weeks.

Beth, Lou, Jen and I had curry for dinner and called it a night at 11:30 - wanted to be rested for today!!

My awesome gifts! Can’t wait to use them at my Cincy desk.

Pear cider

My pals: Adam [looking smirky], Ryan, Brett and Amanda

Thanksgiving with My London Family

Beth’s beautiful spread

Our holiday cocktail: The Nautilus [tequila, lime and cranberry juice with a mint sprig]

The Ohio Three

Wrestling with the potatoes while the bartender looks on.

Salad, roll, mashed taters and gravy, amazing green beans and turkey with cranberry sauce. By far my favorite meal in London.

Finish with the classic pumpkin pie.

Passport Update 11/26

From my HR Coordinator:

Idiots!! Apparently they didn’t check the system properly earlier when they told us all was well, and they have only just got the photos. That means that they cannot process it to go out today with the prepaid post we have already paid for.

They are going to get in touch with me tomorrow around 12 to let me know that it is ready for collection by a courier. From Sheffield it should get here around 7 tomorrow evening. Do you have a contact mobile number that I can give so that they can call you when they are around?

I am so sorry about this. Their incompetence is astounding.

-----------

I’m supposed to have a happy hour tomorrow, so I guess if we stick near the office, they’ll be calling me. Geez.

Passport Update 11/25

My HR girl came up to me at 4:30 today with news. Apparently when we returned my passport back in October, someone failed to mention that we needed to send two MORE passport photos with it - !! Are. You. Kidding me. I could have punched my computer screen.

Luckily around the corner is Snappy Snap, a quick photo shop. I literally ran in my heels there, got my photo taken, and ran back. Noemi and our facilities guy, Andy were getting the envelopes together to ship it out tonight.

Supposedly, I should have it Friday, but I’m holding my breath until it is physically in my hands.

Time for Tea & Buckeyes - Success?

Monday night I made my Buckeyes - It’s not hard, just time-consuming. Much props to Aunt Suzanne - I always think of you and your hard work during the holidays!

So I found all my ingredients fairly easily. I began by mixing the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectionary sugar - by HAND. My flat does not have a mixer. What a pain in my butt! So my mixture was slightly clumpy, but tasted pretty right on. And way sugary-er than I remember! I even tried heating the mixture a bit to melt, but that didn’t really work. I was nervous I wouldn’t have enough sugar, but it turned out I had too much. Remember, everything here is measured in metric system: grams! Argh!

So I rolled 84 balls and chilled them in the fridge. Then I got to melting the chocolate. Luckily had a stainless steel bowl perfect size to set on a pot of simmering water - great method to easily melt the chocolate.

Then I got to dipping! Very easy, except I had NEARLY enough chocolate and ran out to Waitrose to buy 3 emergency chocolate bars - only ended up using half of one! Too much leftover chocolate - ack.

Carried them over to work in a large baking tray and the facilities assistant brought them up at 4pm. I sent out my email with the Cincinnati Food piece and my playlist to view.

People trickled down and kind of stood around. I had to sit there and coax them into trying it b.c they all looked really nervous to try one! One guy even asked “Is it just that one tray?” Are you kidding me? I spent 3 hours making those suckers and once you bite into one, you’ll realize one is enough to make your teeth fall out, dude!

So then people started tasting them and realized it’s essentially like a Reeses Cup. I finally started getting some compliments and when I left this evening, I think there were less than 10 left - good!

And one fellow even complimented me on the music, though I’m not sure they listened to the disc in it’s entirety : )

Hand mixed. Ouch.

Hand rolled - time consuming!

Gooooeeeyyy!

Lookin’ good!

Enjoying the leftover melted chocolate!

Jam-Packed Tues Evening

I’ve hit every pub on my list now!

Beth and Lou pulled up and it was sprinkling outside - ack! Riding a bike in the sprinkling rain is BEETS! But I bucked up b.c it could be my last Tuesday night here - we hit the Bishops Finger - lots of suits there, I was surprised. And I found some weird piece of food at the bottom of my pint with debris - gross. Bishops Finger was a letdown.

Then we went to The Rising Sun - Beth was amazed I’d been there and she hadn’t - it’s a Samuel Smith pub, which according to Lou, have the best pubs - they only choose the truly authentic locations for their pubs. And across the street was the church from 4 Weddings and A Funeral!

And we finally made it to Jerusalem Tavern! By far my favorite pub - it is SO old and tiny and had The Best Beer I’ve ever tasted - a grapefruit beer! It was so amazing Beth said she wanted to use it for perfume : )

Beth and I hit the Dovetail for our final stop so she could check it out. Another great spot in my opinion. We tried to find some food but everywhere was closed, so we went to Tesco, bought ourselves frozen pizzas and called it a night!

The real deal: a fireplace at The Rising Sun

with organic wheat beer.

Best Beer I’ve ever had: grapefruit beer at Jerusalem Tavern.

Fancy dinner - frozen pizzas!

No Word on Passport...

Supposed to get an update tomorrow from our lawyers.... sigh.

On a happy note, should be trying out the Bishop’s Finger pub tonight [best name ever!] - although I felt sprinkles on my walk home....

What I’m Looking Forward to Back Home:

Again, assuming I make my Sunday flight : P

- First Friday night home with Tim and a homemade pizza

- Hugs - normally at home I get at least 2 a day!

- My friends, family members and coworkers

- My bed

- My bathroom

- Carpeted floors!

- American cable and DVR

- Watching NFL games

- Cooking in my kitchen

- Getting back to a normal exercise schedule

- My BIG American washer and dryer

- Decorating for Christmas

- My Kroger Marketplace and knowing they have what I need!

- A larger wardrobe than 2 suitcases worth

- Target

Weekend

Had a good day at work - kept busy with some fun tasks. Had lunch at The Peasant - a glass of white wine and sausage & mash! It was amazing. And good to get out with some of my coworkers.

There was a really awkward moment at lunch: a guy my age ordered a beef pie, someone made a SMALL mistake and brought him a chicken pie. He looked at the waiter and deadpan, said they brought him the wrong pie and that if he didn’t get his meal for free, he needed to talk to a manager - is this for real?? He actually got up, talked to the manager and got his lunch for free! Pardon my language, but this guy is an ass. Jen can verify that. I felt so embarrassed! No one really said anything, but I sat there aghast.

So Friday evening Beth and I helped Jen move into her new flat! I think we were all relieved when Jen realized she could call a car company that has vans and with some convincing and smooth talking, used the minivan as a bit of a moving truck with us in it. Looking back, I don’t know how us gals could have hauled all her stuff on sidewalks even if it is 10 minutes away. Two of Jen’s bags are 70lbs!! We hit a few pubs to celebrate and called it a night.

Saturday I woke up at 7:30am - !! Argh! I should have used my sleeping mask - it’s just too bright in my room. And I’m most productive in the morning; I did laundry, swept and cleaned, then went out on my bike to pull out cash and hit some stores for browsing - all before 11am.

Jen and I met up and took a bus to Stoke Newington - they have a Whole Foods there and the only place in this city to buy canned pumpkin is either at Harrod’s or Whole Foods! It was nice to check out a new neighborhood - cute cafes and shops. Whole Foods was very small, but had all American brands including Franks Red Hot! Jen and I both bought a card with the classic WW1 English propaganda: Keep Calm and Carry On. Great motto - I plan on framing it at home and printing one out at work!

We ate at a cute Mediterranean cafe and headed back, home by 2pm! I tried to nap, but could not. Did some more laundry and had nice quiet afternoon at home. I attempted to buy some Buckeye candy ingredients at the new Waitrose that opened across the street, but it’s just a little too small and didn’t have what I needed so I went to Starbucks and treated myself to a Gingerbread Latte - mmmmm! However, the price doesn’t convert here - what I mean was the number on the menu still said £3.20 for a medium - oh, excuse me, Grande - so I basically paid over $5 for a latte! Terrible.

Jen and I went out for dinner and tried a new pub, The Green, while it POURED outside. Lou and Beth ended up not meeting up with us - we didn’t blame them - they had been waiting in the downpour for a bus and wanted to be dry and warm! Jen and I also tried a really good Belgium pub called Dovetail close to my flat.

We met up with my old college friend, Jason and his two friends and hit Cafe Kick [the foosball bar] for a drink. Jen went home and the 4 of us stayed out and went to the Lexington to catch up. The Lexington is an interesting pub - they honestly are named after Lexington, KY and offer a lot of American microbrews and bourbons. Hello Sierra Nevada! They even try to decorate the pub in “wealthy” ranch décor which is humorous. They have a cattle skull on the wall - ? But we all know a cattle skull is more Texas, not Kentucky! : )

Jen and I stumbled upon a beautiful old cemetery in Stoke Newington.

My first shephard’s pie!

Jen with her can of Libby’s pumpkin!

The amount of fake KFCs in London is gross.

Perfect Fried Chicken? Really?

Lows and Highs

Thursday I hit a bit of a low - my HR girl rang me to come up - she had the passport guy on the phone. I haven’t had my passport since the first week I got here b.c they made a typo on my work visa: 11/03 instead of 11/30 - they aknowledged THEIR mistake and seem to need 6 weeks to fix this one typo?? Noemi passed the phone to me and the gentleman asked my name and birthday again and said my visa was still in process - ?! I straight up told him I have a plane ticket to come home on the 29th and I plan on flying home that day. Again, he said it’s still going to take a while to process my visa.

At this point I didn’t know what to say, fuming, and shoved the phone back to Noemi who tried calmly to tell the gentleman that she HAS a letter from his management saying the mistake had been fixed and was on its way back to me - ?? I stood there, shaking, staring into space. Noemi said she would get ahold of the woman who gave us the letter that this situation had been resolved, so I headed back downstairs. I sat at my desk for a bit, not concentrating on anything. My hands were still shaking at the thought of not being able to come home on the day I’ve had booked for months. Then I went to the bathroom and cried.

I shook it off and thought IF I were to be “stuck” here for a few extra days, it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but my sights have been set on a certain day. Noemi said our lawyers are back on my passport which isn’t odd - they helped me get here, too.

So I know “things will work out” and “you’ll make it home” but there’s still a part of me that has be to realistic of another outcome. I do have confidence these people behind the scenes will get my passport back - it’s their job!

Beth and I could laugh last night about being stuck in one of the greatest cities in the world - ha! “Wah, how rough!” So I’m glad I could come out on the other side and see the positives instead of dwelling on the negative.

AND - my camera is working again!

I'm going to teach them!

So I decided to really put some effort into my Tea Time next Wednesday. My youngest sister had the brilliant idea to make Buckeye candy!! I can find the ingredients here, don’t have to bake anything and it *should* be fairly easy!

And not only do I have to provide the “pudding” [re: dessert], but my £40 stipend also goes towards a CD to play during tea - !! Someone suggested I find something to remind the Brits of me after I leave... what a challenge!

So what’s my plan? Ohio theme! My Buckeye candies rolled into the idea for an all-Ohio mix CD! Ohio Players, Isley Brothers, Afghan Whigs, Guided By Voices, The Breeders, Black Keys, Bad Veins and The National! Good, yeah?

I also felt an urge to teach the Brits a little more about Cincinnati food [prompted by the traditional Buckeye] so I got a little creative with my invite [ I have to email everyone announcing Tea]. I gathered all the usual suspects of Cincinnati favorites and compiled them in a little layout ready to send out for next Wednesday. I got approval from Beth and Jennifer, so I’m confident I’ve hit the big food players! [click on for a larger view]

Time for Tea... by Christine.

So every Wednesday here at the London office is Time for Tea. It happens somewhere between 3-5pm and every week a name is drawn to host on their floor. And who happens to have been pulled for her LAST week here? Bingo. 

I have £40 to spend and bring in a Tea Treat [something sugary] for everyone in the office - 60 people. Keep in mind I have a tiny oven, a very small kitchen and a limited grocery store - but I would love to treat everyone to some “American” sugary treat.

Any and all ideas are welcome! Help me out!

Camera Is Done.

For those of you who haven’t heard, my camera of ... wow, I don’t even remember how old it is - 5 years?? Dropped and is broken. I’m not really sure how I’ll document the rest of my stay - maybe disposables?? Honestly, I don’t even want to drop the money here [bad exchange rate] to buy a new one.

Hopefully I’ll figure something out : (

Decent Run -

After work last night I asked if Jen wanted to go on a quick jog - she had mapped out a route that was about a 2.5 mile loop. Saturday she tried it, got lost, and had to take the Tube home! Her pace was perfect for me - I was worried she’d be way faster than me.

We got slightly lost, but luckily I recognized where we were and got us back fine. It was a short route, but I know we both needed the physical and mental release! (Rough client day)

Nothing new to report - I’ve actually been quite busy the last two days and last Friday here. Back to work!!

Productive Saturday -

Last night was low-key. Jen, Beth and I had some drinks at my local, Sekforde Arms. We had to celebrate Jen’s flat! She is sharing a house with 4 other people - it’s a remodeled home, 3 floors, a garden, GARAGE [rare], and her bedroom is huge with TWO closets and some shelving, plus it will be furnished. And it’s walking distance from the office - we are all very excited for her!

Then Jen and I got some Thai take-away [what English call carry-out], and we were asleep by 11pm. Woke up this morning at 8am and we met Beth at the Angel Tube station at 9:30 and headed to Borough Market - an enormous outdoor market with so many stalls of fruits, veggies, meats, seafood, flowers, breads, desserts - it’s a foodie’s dream come true. Beth and I got some fresh apple cider that was wonderful - a taste of fall! We were all a little peckish and got sausage sandwiches - Beth and I had pork & sage while Jen was bolder and got a wild boar sausage! I don’t eat a lot of meat at home, but I’m trying a lot here because it’s a new experience and it’d be a shame to miss out on these different foods!

Next we took a cab to Regent Street - shopping. We went to Fortnum & Mason department store - very classy - I would compare it to a Neiman Marcus. Beth got her niece a wooden double-decker bus and I bought two beauty products for work.

Lastly we hit John Lewis - another department store along the lines of a Macy’s - we found Jen sheets, pillows and towels for when she moves next Friday evening!

We’re now resting and eating before we regroup at 5pm for the England vs. Brazil match!

Cheers!

Awards Night

Thursday I was quite busy, past the departure time of 3pm for our Awards Night at a local martini bar: Dollar Bar. Very glam and cabaret-ish with lots of reds and violets in the decor. Jen and I arrived after late lunch had started, around 4:15. Luckily we still got our orders in and the white wine was promptly poured.

My tablemates were all rather strangers to me, but I was great and struck up conversations as to not let any awkward silences control us. And the digital guy, Josh, across from me was very nice and talked to me quite a bit too.

The “Awards Show” was a pre-taped viewing - essentially we have offices all over the globe and this is an internal competition recognizing great design and thinking for our clients. Landor

London was quite spirited, cheering heartily for each of the categories they won. And giggles and supportive clapping for Cincinnati when Jen and I cheered on our own for our hometown : ) There was a video capturing the Cincinnati office with our coworkers speaking and I must admit I got a little emotional from missing everyone.

The after-party was downstairs in the martini bar complete with chocolate cupcakes, a roulette table and an open bar. It was fun seeing everyone dressed up all swanky. Beth was sweet enough to offer up her cocktail dresses - Jen fit perfectly into a fun ruffly one. I thankfully had a decent dress from Target I brought that worked well. The night was a blast and luckily asleep by 10:30.

Most of the office was feeling rather “fragile” on Friday. Some people made it in by 2pm, others just didn’t show up! It’s interesting how the London office laughs and is very accepting of hangovers. Apparently it’s quite common - !

Stephanie [New York], Caryn [South Africa], me, Jen, and Amanda [New Zealand] - Landor London is very diverse!

Jen & I looking swank!

Dinner at Dollar Bar - great atmosphere!

New Food Introductions

I’ve introduced some new foods to people in my office. Monday I cut up an apple and put peanut butter on it - I got at least 4 strange looks - no one had seen that before!! Then Tuesday I was busy so I made a peanut butter jelly sandwich and the two girls in the kitchen were excited: “Ohhhh peanut butter and jelly - what do you call those? P&Js?” “No, PB&Js - we were all pretty much raised on these as children in the States.”

Then yesterday I was introduced to a “classic” English candy - a gummy pig named Percy. Gummy candy isn’t particularly new, but it was interesting that this little guy has obviously been around and has a back story.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-strangest-candy/3/

My English Haircut

I searched and searched and the best deal for a haircut I could find was £35 [so like $65??] at EXM Salon - close to my flat and open until 8pm. Ingrid cut my hair. We had the typical small talk. She was quick and very good. She spent a little too much time perfecting her cut, but I guess that’s nothing to complain about. However, the amount of blowdrying and brushing made me wince - she blewdry my hair a second time - when it was already dry. Hello, isn’t that frying my hair? Overall, though, I’m extremely happy with it - whew!

Now I’ll be all cleaned up for our Global Awards event on Thursday - the theme is supposed to be Vegas glam, but I obviously didn’t pack for that. I have a decent dress, heels and jewelry I can get by with. We leave work at 3pm to a secret location for late lunch and then the awards, drinks and dancing! Should be fun!

Got My Rural On

Jen and I were asleep Friday night by 11pm so I opened my eyes at 8am on Saturday. I rode over to Beth’s at 11:45am to meet up and Beth, Lou and myself were spending the day riding bikes in the countryside!

We rode to the Finsbury Park rail station and hopped on a train North to Knebworth - it was only a 20 minute train ride into the beautiful countryside. We rode the country lanes between Datchworth, Bulmer Green, Woolmer Green and ended at Watton on Stone. We landed at two different pubs along the way, including one with very persistent ducks in the back garden.

The weather was actually pretty cold - only into the upper 40s. But riding warmed us up a bit - gloves were a good call! Riding around the countryside was just what Beth and I were looking for - just a day out of the city. It was so beautiful and made me miss home quite a bit. Even though it is the middle of fall here, the trees even out in the country really do not turn like the species in the States - trees are still green, then they kind of go light brown and fall. I could not thank Beth and Lou enough for the great day in the country. Our next expedition will be in two weeks to the coast town of Whistable with our bikes again!

We got back into the city and decided to eat a tapas dinner at Cafe Kick - the foosball bar. Jen met up with us and we ordered two rounds of tapas; eggplant parmesan, grilled chorizo, grilled chicken, calamari, goat cheese, bean cheese tortillas, meatballs, and a quiche. It was so perfect and not over-filling.

We got a couple rounds there along with some foosball - Lou and Christine 2 games / Beth and Jen 1 game.

We rolled up to Hobgoblin [of course] and made it just in time to see the English boxer announced as the winner against that mountain Russian man. The bar erupted into cheers, it was pretty neat to see despite never watching boxing.

The Hobgoblin was fun - as always - it didn't take long for all of us to start dancing and it didn't end until 2:30am! Very, very fun.

Jen and I have been super lazy today, but we’ve earned it. Watched some Sex & The City in bed and made it out for groceries.

On the train out to the country!

Quaint country church.

The White Horse pub - lovely place!

Love the scenery! No cement or buildings - yay!

Beth and me!