Weeks 3 and 4
Good afternoon everyone
Well, today marks my first month anniversary in London.. Before I started this trip, I always said that I needed a month to find a job and a permanent place to live.
Well, today Thursday August 10th, exactly a month after I arrived I have started a new position with Transport for London (TFL) as a Project Manager. It is a 6-9 month contract depending how long they want me to assist with a project that is currently taking place within TFL. So thats one tick in the box, yesterday after a week of looking around different places I have found myself some accommodation. It is in Willsdeen Green (some of you might know it!), it is a quiet suburb that reminds me a little of Northcote.. its borderline zone 2, but in a very beautiful area. As most of you would know I love living out in the sticks anyway...
Im living with an Irish boy (23) , Irish chick (30ish) and a British chick (27) who I havent met yet as she is on holiday as she is a school teacher. I was very keen to move into a place where there are no Aussies etc.. not because I dont like Aussies- I love you guys!, more so I wanted something different than what sharing would be like back home. They all seem really nice, and I have a super room and the whole place is very 'homely'. Although the shower needs some work.. I think I woke up half the neighbourhood this morning when I was having a cold shower!
So in the space of 24 hours, I have moved in and started work... no wonder Im tired today!!!
Work wise, I was offered two positions within 24 hours after I wasnt given much of a sniff from anyone for 3 weeks.. it was a tough decision choosing one of the roles.. I ended up going for TFL due to the possibilities of future opportunities.
It is strange to be back into an office environment with a suit etc. after not being in work for 4 months.. although it doesnt take long to get back into the groove of it.
Well, what else has been happening since I last wrote....
The other weekend, I went to Oxford and some castle that Winston Churchill was born.. very cool.. Christina and Kate were going to Cardiff for Madonna's concert so I decided to tag along for the first part of their road trip. We had a wonderful time checking out Oxford, everyone does rave about Oxford and I can see why.. great little city. We also went to another neighbouring town, which Shakesphere was born! The three of us also decided to hit the nightlife of Oxford, and once again I dont think they were ready for my crazy dancemoves.. fun night!!
I have also seen my first musical, I checked out Footloose and loved it.. though the theatre was built for people that are 5ft nothing.. I had the flu and was going to go home to bed afterwards but after seeing that, the four of us decided we must go out dancing..
On Saturday night, I went to a traditional Swedish crayfish party.. we ate crayfish, sang Swedish songs and had shots of snaps.. gotta love the Swedes! It turned out to be a crazy affair..
On Sunday, we went to Fruitstock in Regents Park.. I expected people to be smoking peaches or something.. (Fruitstock... Woodstock) but no it was a free music festival.. I was off drinking and still feeling the effects of the night before. Heaps of fun, and as they say London is full of festivals during summer.. great time of year to be in this happening city..
As I was saying, I moved out of the hostel... yay!!!! Funny story, one of the French dudes I was sharing with asked me if I could make a compliant.. I asked why of course?? Apparently, the guy that was sitting below him decided to sleep naked and Mr.Frenchman (a muslim by the way) woke up at 5 and pray like he does.. and lets just say he got an eyeful and was not happy.. I was trying to not laugh when he was telling me this.. for the record the naked guy did move to another room..
So thats it, I have now finished my first day of work and have found a place to live.. as everyone attests to the first month in this city is tough!!! Especially with the new visa regulations, cost of living and trying to find a place thats not a dive.. Once you know how to make it work for you, its heaps easier..
I hope everyone is well, and stay in touch via a comment.. they keep me sane!
I will post some pics real soon!!
FYI I have cut my hair and Im slowing going as white as an Englishman!
Cheers
Troy
Well, today marks my first month anniversary in London.. Before I started this trip, I always said that I needed a month to find a job and a permanent place to live.
Well, today Thursday August 10th, exactly a month after I arrived I have started a new position with Transport for London (TFL) as a Project Manager. It is a 6-9 month contract depending how long they want me to assist with a project that is currently taking place within TFL. So thats one tick in the box, yesterday after a week of looking around different places I have found myself some accommodation. It is in Willsdeen Green (some of you might know it!), it is a quiet suburb that reminds me a little of Northcote.. its borderline zone 2, but in a very beautiful area. As most of you would know I love living out in the sticks anyway...
Im living with an Irish boy (23) , Irish chick (30ish) and a British chick (27) who I havent met yet as she is on holiday as she is a school teacher. I was very keen to move into a place where there are no Aussies etc.. not because I dont like Aussies- I love you guys!, more so I wanted something different than what sharing would be like back home. They all seem really nice, and I have a super room and the whole place is very 'homely'. Although the shower needs some work.. I think I woke up half the neighbourhood this morning when I was having a cold shower!
So in the space of 24 hours, I have moved in and started work... no wonder Im tired today!!!
Work wise, I was offered two positions within 24 hours after I wasnt given much of a sniff from anyone for 3 weeks.. it was a tough decision choosing one of the roles.. I ended up going for TFL due to the possibilities of future opportunities.
It is strange to be back into an office environment with a suit etc. after not being in work for 4 months.. although it doesnt take long to get back into the groove of it.
Well, what else has been happening since I last wrote....
The other weekend, I went to Oxford and some castle that Winston Churchill was born.. very cool.. Christina and Kate were going to Cardiff for Madonna's concert so I decided to tag along for the first part of their road trip. We had a wonderful time checking out Oxford, everyone does rave about Oxford and I can see why.. great little city. We also went to another neighbouring town, which Shakesphere was born! The three of us also decided to hit the nightlife of Oxford, and once again I dont think they were ready for my crazy dancemoves.. fun night!!
I have also seen my first musical, I checked out Footloose and loved it.. though the theatre was built for people that are 5ft nothing.. I had the flu and was going to go home to bed afterwards but after seeing that, the four of us decided we must go out dancing..
On Saturday night, I went to a traditional Swedish crayfish party.. we ate crayfish, sang Swedish songs and had shots of snaps.. gotta love the Swedes! It turned out to be a crazy affair..
On Sunday, we went to Fruitstock in Regents Park.. I expected people to be smoking peaches or something.. (Fruitstock... Woodstock) but no it was a free music festival.. I was off drinking and still feeling the effects of the night before. Heaps of fun, and as they say London is full of festivals during summer.. great time of year to be in this happening city..
As I was saying, I moved out of the hostel... yay!!!! Funny story, one of the French dudes I was sharing with asked me if I could make a compliant.. I asked why of course?? Apparently, the guy that was sitting below him decided to sleep naked and Mr.Frenchman (a muslim by the way) woke up at 5 and pray like he does.. and lets just say he got an eyeful and was not happy.. I was trying to not laugh when he was telling me this.. for the record the naked guy did move to another room..
So thats it, I have now finished my first day of work and have found a place to live.. as everyone attests to the first month in this city is tough!!! Especially with the new visa regulations, cost of living and trying to find a place thats not a dive.. Once you know how to make it work for you, its heaps easier..
I hope everyone is well, and stay in touch via a comment.. they keep me sane!
I will post some pics real soon!!
FYI I have cut my hair and Im slowing going as white as an Englishman!
Cheers
Troy
posted by Troy Aitken | 9:14 AM
3 Comments:
congrats on the job!
so, not united states for a few months then -hey?!
lemme know when you'll be crossing the atlantic!
keep working hard mr. business man
Congrats Troy my friend, i knew you would do it! Keep climbing that ladder xx
Must be an omen your new job... The picture of you with your friends on your last entry to blog standing on the English road with the Flag shop behind you, did you notice the building behind you...
"London Transport Museum!"
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