Across the Pond and Things are Going Swimmingly

I landed in London at 10am this morning, rather disoriented and jet lagged. I was hoping to get sleep on the plane, and though I caught a few hours, the two kids beside me where squealing with laughter playing video games so I wasn't able to rest as much as I'd like to. They don't tell you how worth it business and first class start to look on flights like those, when you are in an awkward seat you have to sleep in for several hours, but one day when I'm a fine well to do woman I know I wont travel any other way on long flights. When I arrived I wrote out three separate customs papers because I was so out of it and couldn't quite get in the habit of writing in all caps. The man who collected my ticket was a silver fox of sorts, tall and slender, semi balding with a nice smile and eyes that lay suspect on the words "five months" scribbled in the box marked duration of stay. He proceeded to ask me several questions, what was I doing, why was I planning to stay for so long, all of which I answered calmly and directly. I gave him all the proof he needed, even said that I had a fiance at home, so he wouldn't be suspect of me trying to marry to stay in the country. As he stamped my passport he said, your coming up on thirty I see. Yes, I am. Having a crisis? I responded, something like that maybe.... And then he laughed and said you're too young, as if he was joking but not. There is something about this time of life that seems to scream crisis. Some would call it the Saturn Return, and others, just plain growing up. I don't know why growing up has been something Ive resisted for such a long time, but being here is a little taste of that and I'm looking forward to all I find within the city, and within myself.
After gathering my things, I walked out a bit unnerved that I was not able to use my phones wireless calling plan like I had so hoped. I thought I might have to figure out my way back to the flat solo, which would have been quite overwhelming. Luckily for me I was greeted with a big smile and open arms, as Nichi was there to greet and collect me. It was such a relief I almost wanted to say a prayer right out in the open because I was starting to feel a bit stressed about the situation. We hopped on the tube and chatted, arrived at Balham station, the hood Ill be in ;) And I seriously felt like I was on the set of Universal Studios. Everything seems so small and quaint, as trite as that might sound. The storefronts are short in stature and so diverse. In the small block we walked on there was a mini casino, a post office, a library, a drug store, a yoga studio, several restaurants, clothing shops, cafes, pubs, a natural foods store, and two large grocery stores. It was semi remarkable that so much existed right outside the flat (like that I'm using all these British terms? ;P) I actually think its funny because a lot of the words that I like to use already are somewhat British culturally or more commonly used. I always call the bathroom "The Loo" and I often say "Pardon" instead of excuse me. I always say "No Worries!" and "Take Care!" I adore using the words "Proper" and "Lovely" so I feel like its kind of familiar to hear them so much, as if other people are speaking my language now. Of course there are a lot of words that I am learning, like "Cushy" (Comfortable), Cheeky (Sassy) and Sausage Dog (dachshund ;p) this has to do with a situation on the tube where Nichi was talking about her love of "sausage dogs" and I thought she was referring something entirely different...what you like hot dogs, like to eat?

Things I didn't know:

Gambling at casinos is considered sketch and not really the thing to do, most people who gamble make sports bets, like on football (soccer) and horses.

British folks don't customarily take home a to-go box after a meal.

Everything because its European in nature is smaller, portions, furniture, kitchens etc.

Prostitution is legal (Don't worry I'm not hitting the corner)

And Netflix doesn't work out here :( boo.

Pancake Day was today, its the day before lent and youre supose to eat a fatty flat flapjack to sustain you before then I guess ;P

(the waiter kept saying happy pancake day, and i thought he was off his rocker)

Fun things that I'm looking forward to:

Being a typical American and getting giddy off proper high tea

Signing up for Bikram at the local studio down the street

Free Museums (every day!!!)

Bikes that you can also rent for free and bike around the city (okay a little terrified about this one but interested)

The day when Ive figured out how to get around (this might take awhile! just the map Nichi gave me is overwhelming ;P)

Being my first glimpse/semi-day in London I can say that I am very pleased and looking forward to the time I'm here. Now I'm going to eat chocolate and drink tea and settle in to bed so that I can wake up tomorrow and go to Hyde Park and the Freud Museum!