Noah Premier

A normal working day can always turn into an adventure if you’re willing to travel that little bit extra on the tube.  Today, instead of heading home, Standie (my friend that works with me) and I headed over to Leicester Square to see the premier for Noah.  Many celebrities, important people and YouTube famous people (apparently.. according to Standie) were there. We were in a terrible position and kept getting knocked around (worse than the sardine commute in the mornings to work) but we did manage to see all of the well known celebrities that were there.  However my room mate and my other house mate, Madz and Amz, were in the perfect position to see all of the celebrities front on, except for Russell Crowe :(

This photo of Emma Watson, yes IT’S EMMA WATSON (!?!?!), was taken by Madz who was right near her at the time.  Big shout out to my awesome room mate for being the best and letting me use her photo for my blog (cheers, Madz)!

Seeing Stars

Red carpet for the premier of Divergent.

Spicy rare beef soup and sparkling water.

Sitting in Trafalgar Square and watching people enjoy their Sunday.





An eventful day happens when you don’t make plans.  Okay, well this isn’t all true but it’s somewhat true as well.  Some things in life have to be planned but other things just need to happen.  Today was half planned, and half unplanned.  Maddie needed new shoes as her blisters were getting worse (I know, TMI), I knew there was a premier of some sort happening in Leicester Square today and the rest was completely unplanned.  So here’s a quick re-cap… We bought shoes in New Look (Oxford Circus), watched Kate Winslet, Theo James and Shailene Woodley strut down the red carpet (Leicester Square), walked through M&M’s world like tourists (Covent Garden), ate a beautiful meal at Eat. and also played a good half hour of table tennis, took the tube to Charing Cross Station and sat in Trafalgar Square watching people and eating our first easter egg (early, we know).

Essentially, it was a full-on but generally awesome day.  Now the plan is to head out to a pub crawl next weekend…

Chair Wars

It’s official, my weekly routine requires two games of Chair Wars on the overground.  One in the morning and one in the afternoon/evening.  Fortunately it’s a lucky 4/5 chance of sitting in the afternoon but during the morning it’s a mere 2/5 chance of being able to place my bottom on the uncomfortable (but less sardine-y) chair.  I’ve come accustomed to the way everyone places themselves evenly on the platform in order to be stood right in front of a door when the train comes to a halt.  Luckily, one afternoon, I picked the perfect spot and got the wonderful opportunity of sitting in the King Chair - possibly one of the best chairs on the overground (as seen in the picture above).

Wow, that afternoon was heaven and I felt like the winner or Chair Wars!

All Things Science

The world from a satellites perspective

3D printing, ready and raring to go!

Myself as an aged person.



Due to our 'only free things' attitude we have found some pretty interesting things and picked up many valuable vouchers (the fact that I am so alert to cheap vouchers and cheap places is due to my father - ta Dad!).  So, today we headed over to the Science Museum and learnt some pretty wonderful things but mostly went straight to the interactive areas of the museum (which is what a Science museum is all about right!?).  There was a particular level of the museum dedicated to Who Am I?  One of the attractions of this particular level was finding out what I would look like when I’m older.  We learnt many other things as well… and since I like to keep these little spiels small I’ll stop there.  If anyone ever wants to know more about the happenings in my life, just message me or contact me otherwise!

Science, science, science - this one’s for you Halz.

Hunting For Free Things

I’ve decided that London is the best place to find free things and do things for free.  For some (or most) of these free things though, there’s always a queue - which the British are famous for loovvvvvinnngggg.  Since there are numerous free events around town, every weekend Amz, Standie, Madz and I always find something to see/do/eat!  Last night we found an amazing free comedy night that occurs every night of the week and FOR FREE!  Although it’s a hike all the way up to Angel tube station and on top of that, it’s possibly the smallest stand up comedy venue you might have ever seen — it was absolutely worth it.  I would recommend it to anyone that even visits these beautiful city.

I think we’ll be heading back to Camden Head Pub many more times for this perfect, free event.  Always free… Always funny!

Rooftops at Dusk

I’m certain on one thing, dusk is so much more beautiful here than it is back in Brisbane.  It also lasts much longer than Brisbane as well, and that’s what makes it so enchanting.  Late this afternoon I decided I would race home after my half day at work (had to have my National Insurance number interview - a.k.a Tax File Number) just to be able to climb through the third floor window and sit on the roof to watch the sun set before my eyes.  It was definitely more beautiful than I thought it would be.

I can’t wait to sit up on the roof and watch the sun rise, now that would be spectacular.

Sunshine in London?

 

The people of London have been making the most of these beautiful, sunny past few weeks.  Apparently it’s extremely odd to be having such pleasant, wonderful weather?  Anyway, Londoners are crazy … at work they are so happy about the weather that they all sit outside and just bask in it, in the parks everyone is out enjoying picnics or playing around on the grass and everyone in the house are so overjoyed by the weather as well.  It’s just so odd to be hearing and seeing all of these things as a person who’s original home is nothing but sunshine (and a few thunderstorms).

Oh, by the way, this is a picture taken while walking home from the city with Madz (a.k.a my neighbourhood)!

"London Bridge"

 

I finally had a chance to go out and explore with my proper camera.  Today I met my roomie (Madz) at the Borough Markets (after a lengthy confusing and frustrating conversation on the phone as we couldn’t find each others whereabouts).  The Borough Markets were wonderful and I’m absolutely certain I’ll find myself there again soon.  After the markets (and a delicious exotic smoothie from a natural smoothie tent), we wandered on over to the what people like to call the “London Bridge,” (above).  We realised however that it wasn’t the London Bridge and instead it’s official name is the London Tower Bridge (we think…).  Anyway, it was a spectacular day and so I captured some wonderful photos and this is one of the best of them.  I’m so glad that we’re all finding time to explore the city at the same time as working so much in order to pay the bills.

Also, it was such a wonderful day that I just wore a t-shirt and that’s it.  I and a few other Aussies really have brought the sunshine with us.

Daily Commute

 

The gossip about London commuters packing in trains and tubes in the mornings and afternoons like sardines is absolutely, completely accurate. I myself have become one of these daily commuters that shoves themselves into an overground at 8:03 am and slowly shuffles from side to side every train stop until finally 40 minutes later I can breath properly again when I happily walk off at my station - Farringdon. Although, apparently everyone else gets off at Farringdon too.  So, my sardine commute on the train then turns into a sardine commute through Greville St.  Luckily enough, I have amazing views like these (above photo) on the way back home from work.

Dusk; this is the time I look forward to the most.

Cider On A Wednesday

 

My newly found friends decided to ask me to meet them at Liverpool Street tube station after work today. From there we wandered on down Liverpool Street itself while trying to find cheap pubs/cafes and also gossiping about our day and all of the new people that they had met (they all had the training for the job that I came here wanting to do — I got offered this higher paying job so I jumped at the chance instead).  After an hour or so of wandering around, we found The Bell down a side street and grabbed a cider each.  It was a perfect ending to a Wednesday night, wouldn’t have changed one bit!

Still feels a bit odd being able to take our drink out onto the street to drink.

Market Food

 

For the past week, I had been stressing about finding a job and well … a job found me.  Once my CV was sent through to a temp agency, they called immediately so they could organise an interview to make sure that I was who I said I was on my CV.  However, ten minutes later they called again to tell me they had a job for 3 months - which was awesome news and I took it right away!  I’m so happy I did, because now I work down from a little Middle Eastern market that happens most days.  So on my first day, I walked down to the markets and bought this beautiful creation (see the photo and let your mouth water … well the photo doesn’t convey anything amazing, but it was just that okay!).  

Overall, I’m happy with my Lamb and Haloumi wrap and my new (kind of exciting/fun) job.

New Room, New Roomie.

 

Today was a long day.  So long, that I didn’t actually get to move into my room until around 7pm this evening.  I was so caught up this morning, traveling from Luton to London, then to Fulham to get my keys and sign my tenancy agreement, then off to Holborn for a temp agency interview, then back to Fulham to pick up my luggage, then finally onto Tooting which is where my new abode stands.  To tell you the truth though the place is absolutely crap - the washing machine, dishwasher, oven and toilet doesn’t work and the carpets look like they need a massive clean/hoover!  Lucky I have my roomie to keep me happy, otherwise I would forever be sad in this crap hole!

Madz gets the ladz (she would’ve wanted me to say this)! ;)

Free Walking Tour

 

It really is true, London is great for free stuff!  Friday was full of fun and from now on I will rename it FUN FRIDAYS!  My friends (Amz and Standie Ambie) and I went on this brilliant free walking tour of London. We started off at Green Park Station and walked down to Buck House where the Queen was unfortunately out.  Then we wandered on down to Trafalgar Square, headed on over to Elizabeth Clock Tower (Big Ben is the bell inside of it) and we had a look at Westminster Abbey.  As a tourist still, I am so lost in regards to directions of things and which way is which but hopefully with time that will disappear.

Soon enough I will refer to my self as a local instead of a tourist!

Catching Up With Relatives

 

Due to only booking three nights in the hostel, I had the choice of either booking more nights before I moved into my new house or staying at my Aunty’s for the weekend.  Of course I was going to choose the latter option!  I enjoyed every moment this weekend, from the non-stop shopping, to the landscape views and the beautiful wine that that has been consumed (much of it as well).  On the very first day that I had with my Aunty, we headed into London for her work and for me to explore the City of London. At the end of the day we wound down with a bottle of wine and a beautiful atmosphere at a delicious Italian restaurant.  

Many more spectacular days are yet to be spent with my British rellies, no doubt.

Under The Bridge

Under the Bridge sign at the entrance to the gig!

The multiple posters that covered the walls of the gig venue.

The stage set at the beginning of the gig.

Glass City... I forget the name.  Check them out, they were wicked!

Joel Baker, definitely a singer I'll never forget - wonderful voice!

The Lottery Winners were most definitely my favourite.
They have an unbelievably awesome stage presence.



A free gig in London, why not!?  London really is the place where free things are available literally everywhere, you just have to search for them properly. So, my friend Amber (Standie Ambie) found the opportunity to get free tickets on Facebook and jumped at the chance!  She scored 4 free tickets and took Madzzzz (my roomie), Amz and myself.  The gig was held at Under The Bridgewhich is a bar/little gig set up underneath the Chelsea football stadium in Fulham.  When we walked in, it was empty because we were so early but that was fine because it meant we got the best seats in the house.  In total, we saw around 5 bands all with their own unique style.  My favourite being The Lottery Winners (seriously look them up, they are wicked and they have an awesome stage presence).

Overal, such a cool night.  We rocked out to The Lottery Winners like we had just moved to London… :)

Sunset On Putney Bridge

 

Today wasn’t as productive as the past few days but it was the perfect day to just be out and about because the weather was fantastic.  The weather was so fantastic in fact that we literally strolled around Fulham and waited for the sun to set.  Perfect blue skies meant a perfect orange/yellow sunset.  So my Swedish friend Annie and I took advantage of the perfect weather and snapped some pics of each other standing on Putney Bridge.

Such a perfect day and to top it off, we scored free tickets to a gig under the Chelsea stadium in Fulham.

Bun Day

 

For our new workplace the LADIES have to have their hair up tight and in a bun.  So, some of the girls and I decided to test it out today.  This morning we wandered past Putney Bridge and down to Poundland where they sell literally everything for £1!!!  So we bought a heap of hair ties, bun helpers and bobby pins and we walked back to the hostel and started trying out the tight bun technique!  It was super fun and I ended up with a bun as big as my hand… IT WAS ACTUALLY HUGE!

The result of my bun, above! :)

My Neighbourhood

 

I’ve been out hunting for houses all day today and well… this is our new neighbourhood.  It was such a frustrating process because there are multiple hostel “stayers” trying to view the limited housing options at the same time.  Therefore we have to compete for the houses and try and put the housing deposit down before anyone else does.  So, we (Maddie, Amber and myself) decided that we would just go ahead and put a deposit down for the one house that we viewed this morning otherwise we might end up at a place that we don’t particularly want.

Bring on living in Tooting, England.

Hanging Out In A Hostel

You can really underestimate how friendly the people are in hostels.  It’s comforting to know that other people are in the same boat as you.  At the moment, my trip has consisted of overwhelming conversations with those that are going through the exact same thing as me and helpful tips from the other people that have been staying in the hostel for a while.

Hostels are now my favourite place to meet people.

Exploring Putney Bridge

 

After arriving at the hostel, my fellow hostel “stayers” and myself explored the hostel area (Fulham) and experienced London’s crazy weather - as you can see in this photo I took today on Putney Bridge. Although the weather was slightly crazy, it’s much more pleasant than the disgusting, humid heat in Brisbane.

Overall though, I’m so happy with the colder weather here and can’t wait to fully delve into London living.

Australia to London

 

The flight here was horrific, but I was expecting that of course.  The views, as always, sensational and landing in London by myself was liberating yet slightly overwhelming.

Now to find my way around London and adjust my body clock to London time.