4:47 London Time:
Well, I've got the whole place to myself and listen to the crazy things I've done... I've watched the tele, done some laundry and talked on the phone. WOW! MY LIFE IS WILD AND CRAZY HERE!! All joking aside, I would like to have a bit more interesting social life. I'm sure it will come, just not quite fast enough as far as I'm concerned.

Yesterday, I high-tailed it into town to open a bank account. It has been a much more difficult process than I thought it would be. Because of money laundering, they have very strict policies for opening an account here. And, because I am staying at a private residence and do not have utility bills coming to this address in my name, most banks have turned me down. I found a bank that was willing to work with me and now I am the proud owner of a current (checking) account. After I finished at the bank, I thought I would have dinner at one of the pubs in town, but 5:00 seemed too early, so I thought I would head home and worry about dinner later. By the time I got home, I didn't feel like walking back into town. [Not to be gross, but my feet are not used to this much walking, so I now have blisters on the bottom of them and holes in the back. It's really not a pretty sight.] So, I remembered that there was a pub just down the street. I packed my bag - umbrella, book to read if I was bored, change purse (since most money is in coin form) - and I was really looking forward to a pint and some fish and chips! Well, I get there and they don't serve food, so I walked a little further to the Chinese Take Away and placed an order. While I was waiting, I walked to the supermarket (not much larger than most NYC badegos) and bought two tall-boys. And that was my nice, British meal - Chinese food and a German beer (The Scottish one is still in the fridge). I top-off the evening with some British tele - I watched "Queer Eye..." And "Friends." I'm really getting the hang of this British life... :)

I was disappointed that there were no Crab Rangoons on the Chinese Take Away menu, but I ordered the Dinner for One... Chicken with mixed Chinese vegetables, Egg Rice, Spring Roll and Prawn Crackers. It was very good!! I miss egg rolls - never really been a big fan of the spring roll, but the prawn crackers were really good! They seem kinda like rice cakes, but flavored... Mmmm!!

This morning, I made myself a cup of coffee (they mostly drink NesCafe' here - the crystals that you add to hot water) and thought how much I missed my flavored coffees that used to fill the apartment with yummy aromas. Then, I ran a load of laundry and just finished hanging it on the line (they don't use dryers here, most people hang their clothes - even towels, so they become scratchy and stiff when you first use them). I talked to my parents for a while. My mom sent a package of light sweaters and some other things that I'd asked for, but she realized today that she sent them to the wrong address - she added River to the street name - so hopefully, the package will still make it here. My parents are sending a digital camera soon (my birthday present), so I will be able to start taking pictures - yea!! I also talked to Krissie today - got the scoop on all of the Charlotte happenings. I'm so jealous that I'm going to miss Will Hoge tonight!!

Today is my day to take it easy. Tomorrow I am heading into town to catch a train for London. I want to get there early so I can wander around the big city a little. Boy I hope I meet some nice people... (so my year here does not seem so dull and boring)...