So I am officially being bullied. Yes that's right...bullied. I am working at a Secondary School in Central London and it is rough. I cop the wrath of cruel comments daily. Last week I was getting lunch from the kitchen and filled my tray with sloppy goodness. As I wandered away one handed the tray flipped and spilt all down me crashing on the ground. The hall went silent. I heard muttering, "Who the hell is that?...Is that a teacher?...How embarrassing, Miss just dropped her tray." O the humiliation. I bent down to try scrape up some of the mess but instead my bag dropped in it and quickly soaked right through, acting as a substitute mop. Could it get worse? Indeed it can. That afternoon as I walked to get my bike I dropped my beanie on the ground and turned around to see 3 girls running away cradling my beanie and giggling. Stolen! Just like that. Thieves! As I walk the corridors they stare, hands raised hiding whispering mouths.
However, I must say, I find it ever so amusing. It makes joyful stories to tell when I return home. Plus I finish at 2:30pm! Everyday! Just in time to see the last bit of light for the day. (Yes sunset is around 3:30pm)Oh the price I pay for bullying. High School is a scary world and to be on the "staff side" is mean!

A very Parsifal Christmas

It was Monday night. It was cold outside. Mariah Carey Christmas tunes were blasting. Paper snowflakes were made and hung. A recycled, half dead Christmas tree was decorated. The turkey stuffed. The Parsifal People had all arrived.
Secrets were spilled around the dinner table followed by the exchanging of gifts which got Elliot into his tiger onesie and Emily making balloon unicorns. The night went on and games were played ending with chocolate covered faces from the after 8 mint game and Elliot passed out on the ground after Murder in the Dark. I have a lot of love for everyone in our home. Dave sits next to me now serenading me on the guitar, Megan and me have girl talk where the name "Ian" is dropped just a few times and Elliot and me cook eggs and I burn the plastic handle and he lectures me about poisonous fumes. Then there is Emily and me who seem to always get on the topic of marriage and finish our days with an episode of One Tree Hill. Larissa wanders into my room when she wants the goss saying "so Erika, who were you out with last night?" and Mike and me argue about everything but also we are great friends and he gives me some of the best advice.
I went to bed that night with a full tummy and cramps from laughing way too much. Christmas time is incredible. I am so thankful for my mum who forced christmas upon us until we were all obsessed with it. I can honestly say that I am obsessed!

Oh I have been so neglectful towards my blog. So many times do I say to myself "I should write that in my blog" but now I can't remember many of those moments. London life is still joyful and wonderful and far better than I imagined.
No longer do the autumn leaves make me at peace but now the falling snow flakes. I have completely embraced the winter season with two hot chocolates daily, my ski gloves when I ride my bike and my mustard sweater and "hobo" boots occasionally making an appearance. It is chilly. The smell of winter is truly in the air. I am layered up and happy.

Goodbye England, Bonjour Paris

We ventured over to Paris for the Tour de France final. The highlight for me was the ferry crossing. We ran around the deck like excited children. Salt spray, playing in the wind, soaking up the sunset,and sneaking up to the restricted area made the long journey to Paris quite the excitement.

Rooftops, Chimneys and BBQs

We are enjoying the last days of summer by having numerous BBQ's on our roof. The nights have been clear, the air slightly cool, the 'deal' games endless and the food absolutely delicious.

I would very much like Frankie back in my life, thanks. There is nothing of the sort here.

Wheat Fields, Parks and Berry Tea

Dear Grum.

So I just found out that my Grandma (grum) reads my blog.
Wonderful! she suggests that I begin filtering it now. We spoke for over an hour on the phone last night! I enjoy the fact that Grum is a dear friend first and a Grandma (in her bright outfits and pink lipstick) second.

And in January, we're getting married.

The Retired Life

So it’s not a good thing that I did not get work for three days straight but I could not help but enjoy spending the days at home with Mike and Emily acting like we were in a retirement village. We would wake up late, play cards, spend an hour preparing a gourmet lunch, eat lunch, play more cards, lie on the rug and possibly squeeze in a nap. Every activity would revolve around this making of the lunch. Mike even arranged the tomato and avocado slices in an artistic way. We would then wander down to the newly built apartments and inquire about a possible investment. In Mike’s Hawaiian shirt and flip flops the agent may not have been convinced that he owned £500,000.
Although I will say that we were also productive. We pulled apart our bed and helped Mike saw it so that it now fits tightly into the crevasse. When we had successfully finished the job we all cried the classic Mike line “he’s done it, he’s only gone and done it!” We now have ample space and our room has become the second lounge room. We are thinking about getting couches, putting in a kitchen and cutting a door to the bathroom so we won’t ever have to leave the bedroom!
(photos will come when and if I clean my room)

Stornoway

I have been driving everyone mad by repeating this song over and over. But it is just so wonderful.

I'll sing a haunting refrain.

Now, I want to introduce you to my dear roommate Emily. She is perhaps up there with some of the coolest people I know. She has been a little non-existent over the last month but came back to London and stayed a whole week before returning back to her family for the summer. It did not take us long to get into the shared interest of the guitar. Emily used her creativity to make a capo out of electrical tape whilst I whipped out ‘Ashton’ and we began learning “Lady in Spain” by Ingrid Michaelson for three. whole. hours. driving Megan partially insane. It turns out that Megan does not like that song at all and was trying to sleep at 2am. I mean, who sleeps at 2am... We were banished to the boys’ room where we continued our jam session. We were busting out harmonies, by ‘we’ I mean Emily and when Mike got home we serenaded him to sleep. We then went and climbed into bed chatting like giddy school girls till early hours of the morning. Unfortunately, our lack of sleep resulted in a little rudeness to our lovely guest, Jeremy. I am not fully aware of what was said that morning but it did involve refusing a suggestion to join him for a breakfast outing before heading home to Sydney. I do apologise Jeremy.

As my mother would say: "I'm a working woman!"

So I have had a joyous experience with my first temping job in London. It has allowed me time to catch up on some emails, do some bloggging and write shopping lists. I feel a tinge of annoyance when the mail man comes and I have to get out of my seat, draw my self away from my facebook and actually do some work. I've never had this kind of work before! It's the type of work that only Brianna experiences.
On my first day I had to sit in an IT induction which was presented over the phone. My eyes couldn't even stay open. It didn't help that I had gotten 4 hours sleep the night before. The only thing that was keeping me half awake was the shape of Mohammad's beard, who was sitting across from me. The artwork he had created on his chin was ever so interesting.
On my third day I was locking up and it occured to me that I was alone in the same room where the cookies were stashed. How convenient. I grabbed a handful of cookies, by a handful I mean six. Yes six. I darted for the lifts ready to make a quick exit with my stolen goods. The doors were closing when I hear my boss come running and yelling at me to hold the doors. She entered the lift and her eyes were drawn to the pile of cookies my hand had wrapped itself around. It was too late to hide them behind my back so instead I just stood there like a stunned mullet with a look of horror on my face while she began to make small talk.
Ah such great moments in the office.

Through the Streets of London

Last night I had several near death experiences. It seemed like a great idea at the time to cycle to institute on the roads of London. But as a result I was rather frightened. There I was dodging the traffic, changing lanes, skimming buses and knocking over small children. Dave may not have been the best leader for first timers due to the fact that he casually ran red lights and rode in between lanes. I learnt that I don't have to follow his every move as it will end in near death experiences. It was terrifying yet exciting all at the same time.

A New Home

So here I am sitting as a receptionist quite relaxed due to the one call per hour. I am thoroughly enjoying my time thus far in London.
I have been quite busy doing nothing at all really. My days have been filled with spontaneity. Sketching in the park, attending a music festival, running through the heath, swimming in the Serpentine at Hyde Park and camping on a sandy beach (yes, sand!) near Colchester.
I enjoy coming home to a house full of people, sitting on the green rug (due to a lack of couches) all sharing our favourite parts of the day. I love when Mike offers to cook his jacket potatoes, when Megan talks and I listen, when Larissa invites me to monday fun days, when we stay up late for Emily to come home to whisper happy birthday, when Dave knows exactly the adventures I am interested in and lets me tag along, forgetting my name on numerous occasions,and when me and Elliot fail to find the heath and fail in setting up the soccer in time and when we are too tired to go to bed so we stay up lying on the rug.
This was the fun I needed.

And so it begins

There is something about travelling that makes me quite the friend. As I sit at the airport I have the tendency to become acquainted with everyone around me.
I am a lot happier leaving my study books behind. Instead I embrace moleskin drawing pads, felt tip pens and a fresh set of tunes. (Indeed I like to think I can draw. The boy next to me who can't speak english thinks so also. I could tell by his continuous nodding)
The amount of disposable time I have on this long journey is just wonderful. I am in my elements.

The One That I Want

The following is the latest edition to my repatoire. If I could do as good a job as her I would post myself doing it...but I can't. So I won't.

Up to the Rigs of London Town

Dear London,
3 weeks my friend.
Get your fine self excited.

For Emma

Thankyou to Rosie for introducing this wonderful version into my life.
Bon Iver- For Emma (Acapella)

I Can Fix That

so the rain has taken it that tiny bit too far. It is now currently raining in my room. Brianna even felt an umbrella was necessary.

Winter Rain

I am loving the rain! It brings me great joy.
I think it is so exciting.
Today Mum called the shots and made Devonshire Tea for us.
Scones with berry jam and cream and our favourite herbal tea.
It was perfect in every way.

Wonder

Another wonderful experience was my outing with my dear friend Rosie. For a belated birthday present she surprised me with tickets to see Lisa Mitchell who was supported by “Boy and Bear”, a recent developed love, and “Georgia Fair” who quickly converted me to their Australian, Acoustic tunes.
It was held at the Enmore theatre. I quite enjoy venturing into Newtown. I waited at the station to meet Rosie and her brother. I saw many interesting beings as I stood there. I think we would have got on, me and these people.
We were in Newtown so a Thai dish was in order. It was delish. Rarely disappointed with Newtown Thai.
Lisa sang well. Her puppy dog head movements got a little old by the end of it. Rosie and I were more excited about the supporting acts. Boy and Bear covered “Flume” once again and I was glad Rosie had the same amount of appreciation.

About the Future.

I have become slightly shy with my blog writing as this is more read than I thought it was. Anyway I need to write about my music experiences I have had over the last month.

My friend and I went to the Yves Klein Blue concert at Mona Vale Hotel. The whole night was an interesting experience. We arrived and waited in the down stairs bar/bistro as we waited for the doors to open. We settled on a comfortable bench with our soft drinks. Next minute the room grew silent and a woman in minimal clothing came out and began to swing upon a pole in the centre of the room. We were shocked! It was only 7pm. We could not wait for the concert to begin so we walked briskly and waited outside the show room. First in line. After that unexpected experience we went upstairs with a feeling of escape.
From this point on the night was brilliant. I especially liked the supporting act "Cloud Control" who we knew quite well from the Josh Pyke concert last year.

We met lovely friends who were splashed in vintage clothes and wearing red lipstick.
Then Yves Klein Blue. How wonderful they sound. His denim on denim attire reeled us both in quite quickly. The intimate space made his wandering eyes fix on ours a fair bit.
Michelle won his love as he grabbed her and transferred his pick into her hand. She went a little wild, making us stay to chat with him after the show. She got his number and we left feeling wonderful. It ended alot better than it started.

My favouite song live is still "Getting Wise". It reminds me of Mckenzie and our night trip to the beach with Jake and Jordan. Mckenzie and I giggled as we continued to put the song on repeat causing a little tension within the car.

Dress Ups.

Brianna came across this photo in one of her old albums. Every time we look at it we burst out laughing and don't stop. I do not really remember this but I am sure we were having such fun!
Anita use to live up the road from us and we made great childhood memories in our cosy little cul-de-sac of Badenoch Ave.
Anita had obviously stolen all the "good" dress ups first and left Bri and myself to rummage through the duds. Hence Brianna resorting to a basket on her head and Me ...What on earth is on my head?! I can just imagine them both saying to me "Put this sheet over your face...yeah that looks better!"
I might get Anita to show me how to apply make-up more often.
I am glad someone took the time to capture this.

Joys of Templates.

Well Michelle and I are just full of ideas. I seem to talk alot about michelle. Maybe because she is just so brilliant. Anywho. Seeings as I am heading away for a year I wanted to seriously begin journal writing. We then decided to come up with a brief template that we have to fill in daily and send to each other. "The Travelling Template". That way we shall know what is going on in the land of each others existence. We are both thrilled about the idea. We already started it as we could not wait. The template is as follows:

Date:
My first thought this morning was:
The weather today was:
I wore:
My favourite part of the day was:
The best thing I ate today was:
I saw:
Current crush (other than Johnny):
My musical experience of the day:
Tonight:
My day can be summed up by this word:
PS: (max. one sentence)
See you in _____________.

Its quick, easy and fun and will be such a laugh to look back on.