Will the REAL Bridget Jones Please Stand Up

Me again!

Well hello to everyone, I hope all is well. I am posting from my new job!! I’m sure it’s old news by now but for those of you who haven’t heard, I am officially living the Bridget Jones London life and now work for Harper Collins Publishing in the Children’s Publications area. Really not as exciting as it sounds and apart from being surrounded by children’s books and toys (which I love) it’s pretty average but everyone is so nice and they have an awesome cafeteria with good coffee so I am happy J

The commuting to and from work though is complete torture. It takes me about 1 hour to get into work and 1 ½ hours to get back (go figure). I get the express train in the morning then run for my tube where everyone seems to be professional contortionists and insist on cramming themselves into places they shouldn’t be crammed. Honestly, it is so jam-packed in there and it amazes me how many people can fit into one carriage. I have been uncomfortably close to too many strangers for my liking, with bags and elbows in places that bags and elbows should never be – I feel like saying ‘hey, I’m an old fashioned girl! At least buy me dinner first’….haha I actually just laughed out loud in the office – rather embarrassing but totally worth it.

I must admit that I am finding it rather difficult adjusting to the way the office works around here. Everyone in the publishing world is so quiet and people rarely speak to each other. I am so used to coming to work for a laugh but all I seem to do here is sit quietly and work... what’s that about?? Anyhow, enough on work as I am starting to get bored even blogging about it.

So yes, back to life in London. Well, seeing as though my life seems to be taking a turn in the Bridget Jones direction I have decided that I am completely ok with it especially if it entails finding my very own Mr Darcy. The only problem is though, everyone is married! When I say everyone, I mean everyone! I saw a cute little boy on the train the other day… married, well no, not really but you get the picture. I have now mastered the art of slyly looking for wedding rings.. I know I’m sad but honestly when you have as much wasted commuting time on your hands as I have what else is there to do but to fill in your time checking out potential Mr Darcy’s on the train. I must admit that I have been busted a couple of times and have copped a few strange looks as if to say ‘stop picturing what our kids would look like’ which I am totally doing of course but as I said it fills in the time.

What else has been happening…. Not much actually. I think I may go into London again this weekend and do my walk along the Thames. It has started to get a bit cold here so I want to get as much outdoor stuff done before the rain starts, though I am rather looking forward to that as I am buying a pair of gumboots. You should see all the styles they have over here! I am deciding between plain baby pink ones or a pair that has jelly bean pictures all over them – will let you know the outcome of this rather important quandary and knowing me I’ll probably post a picture of them so you can see my new gumboots in all their glory J

One awesome thing about England (other than their fashionable gumboots) are the pubs. Gosh I love the pubs! Sheridan, Reg and I went in to Harpenden on Sunday night and had the best pub meal ever! I loved Harpenden so much that we are all going back to celebrate my Birthday, so excited! Will make sure I get some pics to post on the site. Will take them early on in the night though for vanity sake – we have some heinous pictures of me in Bath after one too many ciders…

Anyhow guys, I had better get going as I have wasted far too much time writing this Blog. I have come to the conclusion that I am not allowed to read over my Blogs more than once because I keep re-reading things I’ve written and think Oh my God, what did you say that for and by the time I re-word everything I am down to 1 paragraph all about the weather. So apologies in advance for any boring/over exaggerated/verbal diarrhoea moments J

Love to all and will Blog again soon!

Flick xxoo

The Real London

Hello All,

Well, I am not sure if anyone is reading this Blog anymore but I did promise to post a more interesting entry this time round and I have pics of London to-boot. It's Tuesday night and I am trying not to scream too loudly as I watch the Hawthorn v Adelaide game... looks like the Hawks have won and are in the Semi Finals... trust. I have been waiting for this moment for years, I leave the country and then they get into the finals!!

Oh well, I might drag Shez to the Walkabout Pub to watch the finals in true Aussie style. Anyhow enough about football and more on London.

I went into London yesterday and had an absolute ball. I have been meaning to go in and see the sights since I got here but I am glad I held off as it was the most perfect day to go in: warm but with a great breeze. I got off at Westminster Tube station and then walked from Westminster to Tower Bridge. It was AMAZING to say the least! I walked along the River Thames, first stop was the London eye which is massive, I have seen photos of it but honestly until I stood underneath it and saw how big and high it goes I had no idea...

Then I walked past the British Museum which is currently hosting a Star Wars exhibition (note to self I will be going back there to visit OB-1 and the gang before it leaves town.) From there I walked past the Globe Theatre and got goose-bumps, I am the biggest Shakespeare fan and have wanted to see this theatre since high school. It's so amazing sometimes when I think back to places and things I have wanted to visit and see and I am actually doing it. I stood out the front of the theatre in awe for nearly 10 minutes, it was a lot smaller than I imagined and unfortunately I had just missed the tour so did not go inside but will head in fairly soon to see the entire thing.

I then wend on to follow the signs through streets that looked as though they were borrowed from the set of Oliver. Old cobble stone roads (which sound romantic but after walking on them for an hour you feel as though your feet have golf ball lumps on them) and beautiful old buildings and alley ways... So I followed the signs to this tiny little staircase and walked up and BAM I was on Tower Bridge. Now, if ever you arrive in Jolly Old England and don't feel as though you have experienced the 'WOW I'm in the UK' feeling, go on this walk and when you end up at the Tower Bridge you cannot help but feel as though the Queen herself has smacked you in the face with the London stick. I stood on the bridge and stared back at the Thames, part of me still cannot believe that I actually made the move over here.... today it feels like it was the best decision I ever made... tomorrow may be a different story, but for today I love it :)

After my 2 hour walk I caught the Tube back to Lester Square to go to the markets which I love. Then down Oxford street and home again.

I hope everyone is well and everything's ok. I am loving every minute of my time here and am just enjoying finding little pockets of London. I spoke to Mum and Dad this morning as they finally got a phone connected, I miss them so much and wish they were here. I am loving exploring by myself but sometimes when you see something amazing and get really excited, it would be nice to have someone there to get excited with so you don't look like the freaky Australian girl laughing and screaming to herself in a packed street.... yes it does happen quite frequently I'm afraid and I usually jump and clap if I am really excited - just to add to the image:)

Anyhow, enough from me. I hope you are all well and enjoying my Blog site. I have some exciting news about my new job which I start on Friday but will wait to post.

Until then. Stay well, all my Love, F xxoo

St Albans - Where the cool kids hang

Hello All!

I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a while but honestly not much has been happening. I have been for a few interviews and registered with Agencies and was hoping to be at work this week -but like in all great metropolis's there is a tube strike on - so I really have no way of getting into London for work that doesn't involve me getting up when it's still dark out and catching 5000 buses... sorry, this chicken is not that dedicated.

So I have been dividing my time between housework and watching copious amounts of cable. I have been glued to the Disney channel and am now shamelessly addicted to the Hanna Montana Marathon, followed by Sponge Bob Square Pants. For those of you who truly know me will no doubt realise that I am in Seventh Heaven... which funnily enough is another corny show I catch up on after my Friends and Just Shoot Me sit com avo special... ah cable there's nothing better.

Anyhow, today I actually left the house and went up the main street of St Albans. It was such a beautiful day so I walked home through my favourite park and saw a squirrel which I took a photo of as I have never seen one before. It is so pretty here and I am definitely settling in well and now have the local bus and train system down to a fine art. I am going for another interview on Thursday and then to another one on Friday. I know I have to start working soon and I got a bit down last week and started to worry I wouldn't get a job, but this week I am just chilling out and enjoying my time off.

What else have I been up to.... um... Sheridan and I went into town on Saturday as they have markets up there every weekend. It was so awesome, we bought fresh fruit, flowers and freshly made brownies from the bakery stand. We also found the newest member to join our small family, Harriot the Chariot! I have attached a picture so you can see her in all her beauty. The story behind Harriot is basically I got sick of having to cart groceries home, especially when it comes around to Red wine Friday's and I pick up the wine... I now have arm muscles from lugging stuff home from the shops and decided we needed a trolley..... So whilst we were at the markets we both saw Harriot and couldn't resist... I named her and am slightly proud to tell you the truth :) We have already taken her to the supermarket for a test run and she handles like a dream, I did some doughnuts at the traffic lights and copped a few strange looks from this little kid in a pram, I put it down to wheel envy.

So I am now sitting on the couch waring my Happy Days T-Shirt with a picture of The Fonze on it, watching CSI and cringing over how boring this blog is. I cooked an awesome cabonara sauce tonight over pumpkin pasta and have just finished off my last glass of red wine.

I hope you are all well and apologise for my overly boring blog and promise the next one will be slightly more interesting. Have a great week and I'll speak soon.

Luv Flick x