all by meself! (a blog entry written in transit)

So today I have been left to my own devices to find things on my own (or get epically lost, whichever comes first). Typically I have quite a poor sense of direction, so the probability of getting on the tube and coordinating my underground location with my overground destination is going to be rather difficult. For me, getting really lost is the only way to eventually get found! I have already warned Ben that he may be embarking on a rescue the diva mission after he leaves work this evening. So far I think I'll be okay, I have managed to sort some things in town, thanks to England's High Streets being one road with everything on, and am now sat on the train hoping it goes where I think Ben said it goes or I'm going to have to do some recalibrating on the move (which, lets be honest, consists of just more getting-lost-inducing wandering about). The whole point of this journey is to open a bank account at the HSBC at Liverpool Street and I have left a good 3 hour window until they close. Hopefully it will be a successful trip-if I have time I may try to make my way to the Queen's House but might be a bit too daring for my first day using the rail system! Yesterday I went into London (tour guide in tow obviously!) and had some tube training-most of which I probably should have written down as it just sounded a bit like 'if your going here take this line and change here, or go this way, but if you go that way then change here, unless its at this time in which case take these lines and change here, here, and here'. Excellent. Thanks. No worries, if I get lost at least I know how to do so looking important and as if I'm in a massive hurry so no one notices how amazingly turned around I have gotten! I was soo excited to have discovered that there are a few Whole Foods shops in London and so we went down to Kensington High Street to get some Shan friendly food things. I have to say I almost died when I saw how absolutely mahoosive it was!!! Two amazingly huge floors of organic goodness including a liquor store, butcher type place with fish etc, a cheese market, a deli area, and every other food and veg and beauty and misc item you could imagine. In about 45 minutes I had done some serious damage (as I do) and was a happy girlie once again eating my dried mango, raw food bars and quinoa! Woo! I was even provided a small bit of entertainment watching Ben trying to navigate the aisles full of I-have-no-idea-what-these-are type items. All in all a very good day!

Edit-although unsuccessful in securing a bank account and thus consequently being trapped in a viscious cycle of needing one thing to get another and needing those things to get a third thing (something has got to give!) I managed to navigate the train and the city with ease thanks to my little map book and some preplanning! Next up is project London Underground...
your diva abroad x

better late than never...

Ohemgee I have finally arrived! Its still quite hard to believe that I am here to stay and it isn't some kind of temporary dreamy holiday. Getting to London was thankfully uneventful, I purchased a priority package which was amazing and makes my wonder why I don't do so everytime I fly (fashionistas take note-extra baggage allowance and champagne, yes? I think so! Extra bonus...getting to bring more shoesies!!) So after getting to check in before anyone else and getting on the plane before anyone else and after having more champagne and wine than anyone else and a veryyy impatient 8.5 hours, I arrived in London jetlag-drunk and very excited to see Ben waiting for me in arrivals after having missed him for the last 3 months! I spent the first bit of time after arriving just catching up on some much needed sleep, then it was time to get down to business and start life things in London. I am in the process of letting my own cute little flat which I am so excited about, and hope by next week I will have pictures to put up here to show you all! The flat is a little first floor studio with a bay window and two little balconies in an old character building (what building here isn't though?!) on the High Road, close to the Underground in Loughton, Essex. (For those who may visit-its easy to spot as the door to the building is lime green lol) Hopefully all will proceed as planned and I'll have some happy news to share very soon! Once I am settled a bit more I will be able to update my blog more frequently, but for those who are impatiently waiting for an update, here it is!
your diva abroad x