A New Home...

Hi all,

Big News. Yesterday evening, I received the keys to my new flat!!! After 20 days of sleeping on an air mattress in an empty apartment, and nearly as many on a couch at Renee's, followed by 3 weeks in a hotel, you can imagine how excited I was to have a place to call home. I arrived 20 mins early... which for me is a long time since I am always running 1-2 mins late. When I arrived, I raced up the stairs to take a much anticipated look. It's a lovely place - on the 4th story of an old building. It has loads of charm, and of course, needs loads of work to make it home. But you know me... it only takes a day or two or a week and I'll have it feeling just like my place on 8th Avenue. :-) After I signed for the keys, I went immediately back to my hotel to pack up and move out. Unfortunately, all my little vaccumm sealed baggies were no longer sealed and I've managed to accummulate quite a bit more stuff since I arrived. All in all, I had 9 bags loaded on the luggage cart to the lobby and then dumped into a cab. Grinning from ear to ear, I checked out of the hotel and headed over to the flat, elated at the thought of actually 'living' somewhere and dreading the thought of lugging my things up four flights. The cabby could not park so I was racing bags into the stairwell of my place (it's only about 3 feet wide) and trying to make sure I did not lock myself out. It took me 30mins to drag everything upstairs - I ended up in a heap of sweat with the last (50+lb suitcase) bag as I literaly had to dead lift it up each and every stair. Drag, Thump. Drag, Thump. What a sight!

So... where is it that I live????... let me describe how centrally located this flat really is (and for those of you worried about my safety because I am sharing my adventure so publicly, you can rest assurred that I will not be telling the world my address - just some 'nearby' things). I live 1/4 of a mile from Buckingham Palace, 1/4 of a mile from Leicester Square (this I found out is where all the movie premiers happen), about 1 min from Picadilly Circus and a tube station (this means it's quick to walk in the rain to sit for an hour on the train to work, but since I hate wet feet...), it's 'BRILLIANT!' Pictures of all these to come after I spend the weekend with my camera.

The best part of the entire place is that I live within a mile of three of the largest parks in London - Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James park. This morning I woke up feeling absolutely refreshed after a night in 'my own bed' and went for an invigorating run in Green Park -what a great start to the day! Of course, I came home all sweaty to find that the owners had forgotten to turn on the hot water heater in anticipation of my arrival and I was barely able to contain my screams as I took a very, very cold shower this morning. Did I say invigorating??? I meant painful!

If you cannot tell, I am excited to share this little place with each of you (that is if you decide to come on over and visit). My mom is coming in 10 days time to catch up and to celebrate Thanksgiving - and we will have much to celebrate!!! I have requested some time off work and will be hunting all over England to find myself a turkey as I plan to have my first very proper dinner on Saturday, November 27th. All of my British friends are of course invited to join us, but I know all you US folks will be hitting the Christmas sales...

Speaking of Christmas - they are starting to light up the entire city of London with Christmas lights. Walking down the street this morning there were workers hanging Christmas trees from every lamppost. Although I am not personally ready for Christmas yet - I am delighted to see them - it reminds me of home.

Off to another adventure!

Suzy

PS- I had my first unofficial visitor this weekend. Dan's lovely cousin Laura was staying in London with friends and we managed to hit the town two nights in a row (Fiachra - that should answer your voice message- yes I was out causing a ruccus when you called, but was thrilled to get your message - you were the first person to call my new number!)- I enjoyed my time with her very much as although we only see each other maybe once every other year, there is just something comfortable about her that makes her feel my 'cuzzin' too.