Wow

I don't really have any pictures for this post, but I thought this is a good one from Paris that Ajay sent me...


So on Sunday Sergio, my Mexican flatmate and I went to Hyde Park to play soccer. It was a lot of fun. I kicked a ball that made a 90 degree turn off the side of a tree and almost hit a little kid. Luckily it missed, but it was scary for a second.

Sunday night we went to see Oceans 13. In London you have to actually reserve the exact seats you want for the movie. The movie theater's are also very small. We found a cheaper theater and paid around 9.5 pounds for the movie ($19!!!!). As we walked in Sergio said really loudly, "Wow! My TV at home is bigger than this." It was funny. In the US you know there will be about 20 minutes of previews and then the main feature. In London we watched 20 minutes of commercials for various products followed by 20 minutes of previews then the movie. I was very excited to see the Harry Potter trailer. There are some great clips of Harry flying through London. I made a scene when he flew by Westminster. I could see my office window for a second. I now occasionally find myself looking outside the window for Harry to fly by on a broomstick. Hasn't happened yet, but I'll let you know when it does. The movie was great, but I did feel guilty for spending that much for a movie. I feel guilty just about every time I eat or do anything here, but I'm going to have to get over that. Come on US economy!!!

I have really enjoyed the office this week. I feel much more comfortable and I believe my MP is feeling more confident in my abilities. I work on the upwards of 5-10 different issues a day. I've put together a report on hearing aid waiting times (they have universal health care here, but are still working out a couple of problems with it), done accounting for a human rights group, and written up numerous press releases. It is very challenging, but in a great way. This is Tony Blair's final week in office. We watched questions to the Prime Minister on TV. In a few weeks I have tickets to watch in person. I went to lunch afterwards and saw Tony Blair in person and then 5 minutes later David Cameron (the head of the Conservative party). It was an exciting day. As I left work yesterday tons of photographers were standing there ready to take pictures. One accidentally took one of me and the others started laughing at him. It was very strange, but funny thinking back.

One or two days a week high school students from the district have come up to the office to get some work experience. It has been fun talking with them. I invite them to lunch with me. Sergio and I take them to fun places to eat in Parliament. Evidently the rumors have gotten around about our lunches. The girl yesterday told me the past students have said that I am "really safe" and that I have a "really crazy Mexican friend." From extensive research I have found that safe means cool. Or at least I hope so.

My MP asked me to make him a cup of tea (though he showed real remorse asking me to and he was very busy before a meeting) so I started going through the motions, but finally just stopped and said "Sir, well I'm an American and honestly don't want to mess up a British gentleman's tea. Will you tell me the steps so that I don't scar our friendship?" He laughed and enjoyed showing me how to make it. Evidently there is a larger population than I knew that put milk in their tea. This is completely new to me. So now I know how to make British tea. It isn't that hard, but I really didn't want to mess that up.

Jacob Guerra from Tejas came through London and he came out with some London people to get dinner and some drinks. We all had a good time. I also got to have him to lunch in Parliament. Gave him a bit of a tour, though both the Houses were in session so there wasn't much to see.

Last night some friends and I met up after work and went to the Texas Embassy. It was great to have a margarita and eat nachos. I can't tell you how much I miss Texas food. Food with some spice. It was great. On the walk back to the flat is the pub where we saw Miss Crystal. Someone had to say "Wouldn't it be funny if we saw Miss Crystal outside." Yeah, you guessed it. She was outside having a smoke. I was laughing so hard. We of course said hi and she just stared us down and kissed her lips over and over. She def. enjoys making us feel uncomfortable. I stared her down and she finally winked and waved and we continued on. Absolutely hilarious.
I got the day off today and I've enjoyed walking around town. I got a lot of laundry done and then went in search of a dry cleaners. The first place I went to asked for 3.50 pounds= $7 a shirt!?! I laughed at the guy and left. The next place asked for 4.75 pounds=$9.5?!?! I was very disheartened. Then I walked right past Tim Burton...yes I said Tim Burton. He was walking a block away from my flat. CRAZY. I'm a big fan and should have invited him up for tea. How rude of me. Walking past him made me feel a lot better about the day. I finally found a dry cleaners that only cost $5 US dollars a shirt. What a deal?!

I came back to the apt. and ate a very skimpy ham sandwich to make up for the $10 I was about to throw down for two pressed shirts. Finished up some laundry and put the IPOD earphones in for a serious walk. Total distance 6 miles. I walked from my flat past Buckingham Palace to get ticket to Billy Elliot the Musical for my parents and me. They are coming in less than 1.5 weeks. It will be great to have them here. I feel like I have a pretty good sense of this place and can show them some great spots and maybe they'll take me out to dinner. I will be able to share in the misery of the prices here. But in all seriousness it will be great to see them!

The US soccer team is playing Canada tonight and I'm very sad I can't watch it. If we win this game we will play Mexico in the finals. Sergio and I will be fighting for that one. If only I had US TV here...though it is probably better I don't.

Another Tejas guy is supposed to come into town tomorrow. It will be great to see him. Then Sunday is my friend Kendra's Birthday. Should be another fun weekend here.

British Term Check Up:
Don't say pants- It means underwear here. Trousers is the correct term.
The word "sweet" meaning cool does not apply here. They think you are talking about a baby.
The word "Smashing" is actually used often. Crazy stuff.