Instagram Update

You know how when life gets busy and you're spinning a few more plates then normal?

How do you react?  I always feel a bit untethered and disconnected.

That's how I'm feeling about now.  There is nothing major going on.

(Don't worry, Mom.)  Just life stuff, a few things up in the air.

I thought I'd give you a little instagram update on what's going on around here

on a more personal level.  I miss connecting with you.

1//  I'm still struggling with balancing the blog with full-time work.  I made a commitment about a year ago that I would respond to every comment that you leave me and I hate that I'm so behind on that.  I hope you know that I read and appreciate every comment.  I will get caught up soon and I'm still committed to responding to each one.   As always, thanks so much for reading and commenting.

2//  Thank you to those of you who voted for me in the Britmums Brilliance in Blogging Awards. I went to the awards ceremony and it was great to catch up with some fellow bloggers. Congratulations to Gretta for taking home the award!  Well-deserved, my friend.  

3//  My job is in such a great area of London.  Taking my lunch and a book to a local church yard is a great way to break up the day.  Speaking of work, I've been there four months now and I love it.  I really respect the organization and enjoy my coworkers.  However, that's one of the things that is still up in the air. I'm currently on a six month contract and it hasn't been decided yet  if they are going to retain my position or not.  So, the thought of finding a new job is one of the additional plates that I'm spinning.

4//  Achilles tendinopathy was the final diagnosis, and my foot is feeling much better.  The physiotherapy helped immensely. As long I do my stretches and exercises, things are good.  Wearing tennis shoes (trainers) with work dresses isn't the best look.  But, I can get away with it in London.  With a three hour commute each day, usually spent standing up, shoes are pretty important.  Ballet flats just don't cut it. 

5//  That crazy commute is soon to be a thing of the past.  One of those other spinning plates is an upcoming move.  Blackheath is lovely, but we are just too far out.  The commute is cumbersome and exhausting at it's worst.  It keeps us from getting out to enjoy London as much as we would like.  So, it's back to central London for us.  We went flat hunting yesterday and saw a few possibilities.  Then our wonderful agent (Jack at Drake Lettings) squeezed in one last viewing before running off to his next appointment.  Let's just say that I might have shed a tear.  After convincing Matt that a quick decision is sometimes just the best way to go, we made an offer.  Fingers crossed!  If we get it, I can't wait to tell you more about it. 

6//   We did spend a few hours considering, discussing and exploring the area before making the offer.  And what better way to do that then a pub crawl around the neighborhood.  We found some really good candidates for our new local.  But then we found a pub with air conditioning!!!  Considering the heat wave that is baking London currently, that might have been the deciding factor.  I love London and I miss the warmth of Texas, but London at 86 degrees is a challenge considering AC is nearly non-existent and personal space is limited.

7//  I really don't want to complain too much about the heat.  It's been a nice change and we are really enjoying a London summer. We've been to some fun events with Matt's work.  He works with such a great group of people.  We attended a Bumpkin Summer Garden Party and also an A-list event at the Serpentine Gallery where there was a lot of celebrity spotting.  I was mingling with actors, models and was within a few feet of two princesses.  It was definitely a "how did I get here" moment.  I'll tell you a little more about it in a future post.

8//  We celebrated the fourth of July complete with s'mores and a campfire.  We have made some amazing friends here in London.  I feel so very blessed to have these people in my life.  They are wonderful, intelligent, creative and so much fun, from all walks of life and different countries.  I miss my family and friends from home every second of every day.  I'm so lucky to have friends who know exactly how that feels.  They make life in London so special.

8//  It looks like I'll be seeing family and friends back home very soon.  My Sugar Bear is getting married!  I know, can you believe it?  I haven't met him yet, but he seems like a terrific young man and I've never seen Jessica happier.  So a wedding is in the plans for early next year.  I might have to make a trip home before then to help with plans and meet this guy in person.    

9//  Some might say this is all moving fast, but I can't say a word.  I don't have a leg to stand on since I knew after the first day that Matt was the one for me.  We were married three months later and I love the life that we're building together.  There is no one I'd rather be spinning plates with.  Luckily, it's not all plate spinning.  We have two upcoming trips planned, a city break in Germany this month and a long weekend in Mallorca next month.  I can't wait.  Of course, Instagram will be involved if you want to follow along. 

So, that's what's up with the Jones lately.

What's up with you??  Spinning any plates?  Any big news?

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I Spy Friday

Do you remember that game

we used to play in the US called Chutes & Ladders?  

Interesting trivia...

it is called Snakes & Ladders in the UK.  

It is actually an ancient game that originated in India

and is based on the Hindu philosophy of Karma.  

Never know when you might need that tidbit at Pub Trivia.   You're Welcome.  

Sorry.  That was random, but my brain is a bit

all over the place after my first few days of work.

My initial thoughts...

amazing and inspiring organization,

solid central management structure to support the community programs,

great people that I will enjoy working with,

many new and exciting challenges for me,

opportunity for some personal career growth.

I'm excited to get in there and get going.  

Other random things...

My back is killing me.  I've gone all soft after 10 months without working.  

Nobody has trinkets, photos or chotskies on any of the desks.  Very curious?

I have a box of stuff just waiting to plop all over my desk. 

I'll have to sneak in one thing at a time to see if anyone notices.

Casual Fridays.  Yay.

Still not sure about of the Office Tea Etiquette.  So far I've turned down all offers.

I'll have to feel that one out. 

The biggest adjustment is the daily commute.

The office is probably about 10 miles from home as the crow flies.

But, my commute takes just over an hour each way.

I'm still working out the best route, but so far it entails...

 8 minute walk

20 minute crowded, standing bus ride

5 minute walk to tube station

25 minute crowded, standing tube ride

then just a 2 minute walk to the office.

Don't forget to throw in various waiting times and delays.

The workday is 7 hours + 1 for lunch (generally) and flexible,

so I plan on trying different routes and times to find the best way to go.

It's actually not that bad.  I have managed to get some reading done.

I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I miss my Hyundai so much right now!

I'm afraid I don't have much else for I Spy Friday this week. 

However, I do have 600 pictures to edit from our weekend in Edinburgh!

Everyone who has been there raves about Edinburgh and now I see why.

It's fantastic and I have so much to show you.

This weekend I plan to edit and get some posts scheduled for next week.

In the mean time, here's a teaser...

 Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!!

xoxo
Selena

I Spy Friday with a twist.

You have probably noticed that my blog posts are usually filled with photos, but this one will be all about the words.  I have so much to say this Friday.  I hope you don't mind.

First and foremost...

From the bottom of my heart, Thank you. The sweet comments and encouragement that I've received about the new job have been overwhelming.

Both family and friends back home, friends on Facebook and Twitter, other bloggers and faithful readers have all been so sweet and encouraging.  I can't even tell you what it's meant to me. I've talked before about how sometimes I feel so disconnected going through this transition. But the love and support I've received has shown me again that I'm not disconnected.  Not at all.  And that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Especially when I picture you all doing the happy dance with me.  Fabulous dancers, you are!!

So, thank you.  

In case you are curious, here's little bit more about the job search and the new job.

Job searching can be pretty overwhelming especially in London.  I applied for probably 60+ jobs online.  Most of them came back with a quick reply that I was not selected for interview but no feedback as to why.  My resume (called a CV here) is not your typical resume and I knew that having no UK experience would be a challenge.  I just needed someone to give me a chance.

A majority of the jobs here are placed through recruiting agencies. I was called in for meetings with three of them.  They were all very friendly, professional and encouraging.  They each sent me job descriptions and put me on the shortlist to be presented to the clients for various jobs.  But, only the third one actually got me in for an interview.  And I haven't heard from the other two in weeks.

It is pretty amazing how it all worked out.  I was getting discouraged and thought it would be months before I got to work.  The third recruiter (my new favorite person) said he would present my CV for this specific job.  A few days later he contacted me that they would like an interview.  This was my first actual interview with a potential employer.

It was a pretty intense two-hour interview and I spent several days preparing. They even threw in some logic and numbers testing.  I was pretty nervous but also excited.  After looking at the job specifications and researching the organization, I knew this would be a great job.  After the interview with two of their management team, I really wanted this job.  And that is the last thing I said to them after our meeting. 

Then there was a loooooong weekend wait.  I'm not sure who was in more agony, me or TE.  I kept coming up with random things I'd done or said wrong in the interview. He had to listen to me all weekend.  To say I was distracted, is an understatement.  My mind was set on replay.
 

During the interview, I'm sure I came off as very American.  Of course, I think that's a great thing and exactly who I am, but I do acknowledge that it can be a little bit challenging in a different culture.  Americans tend to communicate in a way that is confident and direct, which can sometimes come off as brash to a more reserved Brit. I was afraid I had been too eager and might have been more like a Labrador puppy than an accountant.

But on Monday, I got the magic phone call!  The agent told me that they were impressed and excited to offer me the job.  Woohoo!

I actually burst into tears.  Can you imagine?  That is such a non-British thing to do.  The recruiter was actually very sweet about it, but still.  "There's no crying in accounting."

The next day, I sent the recruiter cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery just to reinforce the fact that "yes, I am Texan and completely daft when it comes to how things work in the London business world."  I stopped just short of wagging my tail and licking his face.  And apparently, in three years of recruiting, no one has ever sent him a thank you gift.  See.  Americans aren't that bad.  Cupcakes and puppies. 

And I am now working for a wonderful charity that provides housing and services to the homeless, those with disabilities and those in need.  I couldn't be more thrilled. 

A few other details, if you are interested.  I am here on a Spousal Visa which means that I'm eligible to work in the UK.  When I arrived, I applied for a National Insurance Number which is kind of like our US social security number.  The government uses it to collect employment taxes.  Taxes here are much higher than in the States, but there is no extra deduction for health insurance so it probably comes out about even.  I do have access to National Health Insurance which I haven't used yet. And... I get 5 weeks of vacation (called holiday) per year plus 8 bank holidays!  I've only ever had two weeks a year, but 4-5 weeks is pretty standard in the UK.  How cool is that?  I start on Tuesday!

There is one thing I'm a little concerned about since I'll be working full-time (besides where the heck dinner's gonna come from every night).  I have really loved blogging and sharing my photos with you.  I cherish the connections that I've made.  I'm sure there will be some changes, but I will continue to blog about this expat experience and our travels.  I hope that you will continue to stop by and connect with me.  

For my faithful readers, if you haven't already, I'd love it if you would follow me.  I've also been selected for a 2012 Expat Blog Award.  One of the criteria is loyal readership and I'm still shocked thrilled every time one of you clicks on a post.  It would mean so much if you would pop over to Expats Blog and leave a comment with some blog love. 

If you are still with me, then you deserve an award!  This one was certainly a bit wordy wasn't it?  But, I can't leave you without some sort of I Spy Friday photos.  Monday was Guy Fawkes Day and were were out exploring Butler's Wharf and watching the fireworks, when we happened across this...

It was the Halo 4 Launch.  There was a helicopter dangling a huge Halo Glyph Logo flying over Tower Bridge.  It was massive and pulsating with red lights. Check out the link for more details and some video.

It was pretty cool.  I've played Halo with my daughter and my family loves it.  

But, it made me so homesick for SB and my dad, brother and nephew who are really into computer games.  I wish they could have been there.

(Sorry about the quality of the iPhone photos.)  

London still amazes me.  You just never know what you're going to see. 

The job feels like the final piece of the puzzle that makes London home,

although a part of my heart is always in Texas.

I promise the next post will include a lot more photos.

I get to fulfill a lifelong dream by visiting Scotland this weekend

and both camera batteries are charged and ready to go.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

xoxo

Selena

Not a sponsored post.