I'm winding down my fourth full day in London. Nick and I just got back from IKEA where we purchased various items that we (foolishly?) hope will help us magically make space for my belongings. In all honestly, I really didn't bring too many bags--I managed to turn a fully furnished one bedroom apartment, complete with years' worth of books, CDs, mementos, clothes, shoes, bags, kitchen items, two cats, and a car into 6 packed bags. Granted, one of these bags was the biggest duffel bag created by man (I crawled inside of it, lied down, and could hear my echo from one end to the other). But, 6 bags is still a lot when it needs to find space in an already full flat, hence the pilgrimage to IKEA.
My first few days have been spent unpacking, opening cupboards and drawers and trying to get a sense of the existing "system" Nick has going on here (and looking to see where I can improve it!), getting adjusted to the 5-hour time difference, and generally just getting used to the feel of life here. I've been to London several times, but you look at things differently when you're on vacation than you do when you're starting a life somewhere. Things that were cute, charming, and adorably different, are suddenly threats to the way of life as you knew it. I'm slowly accepting the fact that I am not on vacation, and that I will soon adapt to the way of life that right now seems very foreign.
Last night, Nick had a softball game--he plays on the London Business School team. I went along to watch, and within seconds of arrival I was drafted to the team as they were short a female player. I haven't swung a bat since I was 8, so after making sure they were OK with the fact that I was just as likely to score a run for the opposing team as I was for them, I donned a jersey, grabbed a glove, and was assigned to second base. Turns out, I'm not half bad :) Since there were plenty of men playing but only three women (rules state that three women need to be in the field, and batting order must alternate male/female) I got more playing time than Nick did. I scored two runs, caught a couple balls and made an out at first, and managed to NOT embarrass Nick or myself. It was a lot of fun! Next week, I'll wear more suitable shoes and hope they need me again.
Once this first week is over, I will officially start my job search. After breaking out in tears Sunday afternoon from a combination of homesickness, fear, and frustration at the daunting task of integrating myself, I realized that I need to take my time adjusting and not throw too many changes at myself at once.
So...things are going well in London, and each day I am getting a bit more comfortable. I miss my routine in Boston, but soon I'll establish one here. The eight-hour time difference makes it difficult to call my family, but I'm sure we'll work something out. I miss a furry face waking me up each morning, but soon I'll get used to Nick :)
That's all for now...
