Whew, Getting Better – November 10

I had a busy day! After a cold shower, I marched to the hotel reception and told them everything was unacceptable. Of course, I said it with a honey voice so the lovely Irish lad at the desk said he’d get on it. Long story short – he did. I now have hot water, a hot flat, and am moving to a bigger flat one floor above ground on Thursday!

I headed over to the Bayswater tube station – a mere block away, and bought my first Oyster card for Zone 1 & 2. On familiar ground (the tube), I went to Victoria Station and you guessed it…bought a pass to get to Epsom. So, I made my way south. On the train, we passed Clapham, and Wandsworth and I thought – ya, I could live there. After my train suffered some injuries to the rain, and I was delayed in Sutton for 30 minutes, I was back on my way to Epsom. I finally made it. Thank God I played ‘find dodo’s office’ with Jonah because I was able to find the office with ease – I just followed the A24! Thanks little guy!

I stopped at the HSBC and opened my bank account. I met a guy named Scott who helped me open my account, and he thought it was fabulous that our birthdays are 2 days apart. I just said ‘yay’, now is my account open? Ha ha. Just kidding. I wished him a happy bday, although deep down inside I was thinking ‘that’s madison’s day….’ He looked like he was turning 12.

In the piss pouring rain – and I’m talking MONSOON of a downpour – I made it to Newplan House on East Street. Everyone was so welcoming. I first met Jan Cleary at reception, and she was so lovely…now, just so you know, she’s the fourth Jan I’ve met to date. There’s Jan the receptionist, Jan the manager, Jan the coworker and Jan the product manager – mind you, the last Jan is a man, and is pronounced Yan. But I digress. In an email, it’s all ‘Jan’. I saw some familiar coworkers like Dave, Natalie and Aleksandra, and I got some hugs too – they were so welcomed. I believe in getting a quotient of hugs per day so its good to know there are some peeps here that are touchie feelie.

I got my laptop to check some email and check in with some loved ones. I sat at my desk – more like my third of a long table that I share with Tanya and Dave. I’ll need to get a headset! Can I tone it down???? Its so against my nature.

Several things came out of that 2 hours at the office:
- No one could tell me where to get my national insurance card (update – there’s a job centre across the street – found that out on my own)
- Gina’s in town next week and staying at a 5 star hotel…I’m packing up and spending the weekend with her. I need some poshness
- I was an enigma – the person who was always ‘coming soon’ but never did. Ha ha!

I got back from Epsom in higher spirits. I can do this after all – I just need a routine. I came home, and made my first dinner at home. I had some wine (love the small bottles for 1 pound) and checked out Whiteley’s (the mall) close by. Tomorrow is my first full day of work and Jan Noakes is coming into town for it. Then, I heard the magical words that have become my beacon for today. My turning point…said by Troy Bolton: I’m not gunna stop, that’s who I am; I’ll give it all I got, that is my plan; will I find what I lost, you know you can; bet on it….you can bet on me.

Sigh. Troy is so wise.

Hey – paracetamol at tesco is only 24p!!! Wow!

I felt like normal…now if only it would stop raining.