Flat sweet flat

I know its taken a while to get this post up but I have been busy moving into a new flat and getting used to a more settled life in London. So it's been a month since I moved to the great gray city and I can't believe how fast it seems to have gone by. Lets start with the flat hunt. After having said yes to moving into a flat with a lovely couple, two weekends ago ( I was supposed to move in Nov. 5) I decided to follow my gut and see one more flat. I wasn't one hundred percent convinced that living with a couple in their 30s would be the best London experience I could ask for so I kept an appointment to see a final flat on Tuesday night and made my way to Lancaster Gate to meet three Greeks...little did I know that this final meeting would bring me to where I sit today. The meeting of the roommates went well except for the fact that I got lost on my way to the flat- which now seems ridiculous since it it located about 2 blocks from the one with the couple I was supposed to move in with. But I followed my footsteps in circles and finally made it to my ultimate destination. The roommates were all nice, friendly and I instantly knew they were great people who I could see myself living with. Of course me being late put me face to face with the last person they were supposed to see that night ( who was early) an older foreign man who was sitting in the kitchen. We played the interview/get to know each other game and little by little the uncomfortable you're a stranger game seemed to pass as we all got to know a little about each other. I learned that Nikoletta the girl with a big friendly smile who opened the door and showed me around was from Connecticut but originally born in Greece. She had just finished her masters and was in the search of a job. (which she has since found) Natassa, a Greek PHD student and Marketing teacher sat beside me and spoke in somewhat of an accent that made me think she was Portugese (from portugal not Brazil) but of course she was born and raised in Greece in a town called Thesaloniki.. she is a great source of knowledge and an excellent cook! We have decided to teach each other our native tougnes so while I will finally learn Greek she will learn more spanish that just the phrase "No soy espanola soy Griega" which she had to learn because everyone seems to think she is Spanish. Then there is the man of the house Spyros- yup you guessed it Greek number 3- He just turned 27 a couple of days ago (pictures below) and works in Marketing as well. He loves himself a computer game which keeps him occupied most of the days and nights a thing about boys and video games I will never understand but living with someone that holds such a regard for them will hopefully help me. After I spoke a bit about Bolivia and los Conneely's I left to treck back in the cold to Turner House and as I walked down the block I heard my name through my ipod's loud singing and as I turned I saw Nik running to catch up with me.. as I took my earphones off she let me know that they wanted me to move in. She was still smiling and said "we are pretty fast" and I thought. Perfect. I said thanks.. which I assume is what you tell someone when they say you are cool enough to move into their house and walked back with a similar Nikoletta smile on my face. Mainly because I finally felt that I had followed my gut to the right place and because I was tired of relying on Turner house. The move happened that weekend after I called the sweet couple and told them I had found a cheaper place... ( I still fear I might see them as I walk in our neighborhood) but hey you can't compete with 3 greeks~ and a cheap ass rent in the middle of cenral london. The best part about the move was of course the 3 great roommates, but also the fact that I can walk to work in about 30 minutes. It's a wonderful thing for such a big city! The neighborhood is lovely right beside Hyde Park and close to the famous Portobello road which I still have to venture towards. The move was painless except for a minor ankle injury caused by one of my heavy body bag of a suitcase falling on poor Nik's ankle ( I think she just got rid of the bruise) we celebrated my move and Nik's new job with a bottle of Champage, then in true international fashion, we sat around in Spyros' room and watched YouTube videos of Shakira, Juanes, and several Greek artists- none of who I can remember well enough to pronounce or write names for- they were good nonetheless. We talked about the similarities between spanish and greek and continue to find them. Today I found out that pucha-aa word we use a lot in spanish.. or at least in bolivia mean a completely different (a bit more dirty) word in Greek... pucha! Danica knows the real meaning hehe... pero that's the fun of international households.. and I've definitely gotten used to the sing songey greek words that are still meaningless yet pretty to hear.

Since moving in I've been exploring a bit more to places like China Town, Covent Garden, Leinster Square and the famous Soho night life. (Natassa and I went salsa dancing last wknd) Parecia como si baje las gradas a un club en la habana con pura salsa desconocida y movidas prohibidas jeje pero la pasamos bien bailamos y regresamos a la casa. On the way home we found a Saxophone player on the street who was playing to his hearts content and helping the silly drunks on the way home get one final dance in before calling it a night... a fun sight to see and take pictures of! Despues de eso no mucho mas.. el trabajo me esta matando dia a dia pero taking it one day at a time. The final accomplishment worth mentioning is I finally purchased a ticket home for the holidays. Watch out Santa Barbara here I come :) But not before another month of discovering more of what London has to offer. Esta semana tengo bastante trabajo al igual que playtime on Friday meeting up after work with Mia and Klaus and thier kids for dinner at their place after work and then Sat tengo dos cumpleanos que atender un almuerzo de la chica del Spencer(amigo de la Dani) at a restaurant itsallgreektome- that's the name porque obviamente la chica del spencer tambien resulta ser griega jeje.. despues en la noche celebraremos el cumple de mi roomate at paradise.. hmm if only paradise came with a beach and a tropical drink.... I may have to wait until December and home for that. Or perhaps I can make it happen.

Here are some things I thought about these weeks that I think are worth mentioning

Obama winning- of course History in the making must be mentioned and celebrated (in my office's case with little blue cupcakes)

Mami's sesame chicken- because I love it and thought about making some but afraid I'll destroy the taste for myself.

Going back to Chicago- mainly because I miss the people there....:)

Lallopalooza and making it a yearly occurence mainly to see Ash and Joey every year :)

Heather finishing her 4th? marathon this time the infamous NYC marathon- woo hooo
Watching Kobe walk for the first time!! (me watching not him walking) apparently at 9 months he's an expert. Bello mi sobrino!

Acting... Writing... Art in general- then again when don't I think about this.

CNN Digital and the days that were oh so much brighter

California! Because the sun finally came out for a day or half day in London and it made me miss the west coast

Looking forward and onward to who knows what the future will hold ahead... until next time-

Cheers!