a . g r o o v e

Bacon is everywhere here! and you can’t really complain about having too much bacon.

I started this post like 2 weeks ago, but never had a chance to finish ;/ How long has it been? It feels like it’s been more than a month or 2 already, but really I think it’s just almost one month ha (since branflakes’ bday pretty much), does this mean I’m enjoying the life in London or not? I don’t really know yet, but it’s definitely something new. I work in the day, commute on the tube here and there to work in london, or work in the local office near Essex, and I go home, eat, watch anime and tv shows, work more, sleep… doesn’t sound new at all, other than I’m just doing it in another environment. I did a lot of the touristy stuff the last time when I came over to UK and Stockholm, so now it’s just regular living, I met like 2 friends here in London so far lol, life is a bit tough depending on what you do, but you gotta make the most of it. By the way plane is a great place to meet people, just gotta remember to get their name and contact (I could’ve have… 3 or 4 friends!). I also had a chance to go up to Leicester to visit Katie, and I also went up to Leeds to visit the Snog guys Jonny and Will. Both were some awesome crazy party weekends, I kinda feel like I’m too old to hang out with these uni kids, but at least I look like one of them.

My intro to London

• Taking the bus/train sucks, tube all the way. It gets you everywhere in London, and comes every 3 – 8 min or something. Almost every time when I have to go into London, I wait 10 min for bus, and then i’d miss the train, and wait another 15 min, and then like a 30 – 45 min ride on the tube. But, the tube is dirty and hot, no air con, and gets super packed like japan, without the person pushing you of course.
• Driving here is crazy too, all these roundabouts took me a long time just to figure out how it works, and people will not stop for you if you jaywalk, everyone does it though, so my rule is – cross when someone else is crossing – hit one hit all.
• Everyone know london is expensive, I’ll give you some examples – I went to at least 10 pharmacies just to find the best deal on contacts solution, because I could’ve bought 2 big bottles + 1 travel size at costco for $15 back home, but instead I ended up paying £9 for a medium size 240ml bottle =( On the other hand, you can get a can of guiness or strongbow for about £1.05. The other day, I ate a full size sandwich and salad at a cafe for £2.60, but had a lunch at nandos for about £10 for a chicken wrap and 1 side with no drink. Also when you go eat fast food, eat in always cost most because you have to pay tax, but most places there’s no benches or a place to sit for you to eat out and save. Taking the train here is pretty expensive as well unless you book it like 3 months ahead, the train to visit Katie in Leicester was £50 for round trip, that’s like almost $90 for a 2 x 2 hr train ride.
• Most of the food here taste just fine, most of the time I’m eating a sandwich, cause it’s the easiest thing to grab and go The indian food here is awesome, and I found that a lot of english food just have no taste, pepper and ketchup to the rescue. Even bacon isn’t as good, but bacon is bacon, 90% of sandwiches have chicken and/or bacon. There’s lots of chicken and/or kebabs places here, and fish and chips are so great mm mmm. I also had one of the WORST japanese food in Leeds lol, jonny/will I have to take you guys somewhere else for redemption.
• They love their curry sauce and brown (hp) sauce.
• Sunday roast dinner is awesome.

Unexpectedly (is that a word?), I’m now coming home for xmas and new years, and I’m really happy for it actually. Now that I’m 5 or 6 years older than the last time I left the country to live on my own, my perspectives are quite different, one thing for sure is that, I really miss my friends and family ;p But, it’s not gonna stop me, cause I’m living out one of my life dreams/goals/whatever you call it (y). My fridge is just as empty as last time though.

Pictures speak for themselves, check them out on flickr

And yes I know emoticon doesn’t exist for post, and putting them in a blog seems a bit lame lol