Suckyhall Street, Sucky All-Glasgow

Okay, the street is realy spelled Sauchiehall or something like that, but it pretty much summed up the whole city of Glasgow. There really wasn't anything to see there at all. We left the Cloisters at 4:30 Saturday morning and arrived in Glasgow around 8:00AM. When checking into the Hilton, we were given the keys to a room that was already occupied. (Strike 1)--On a bright note, the Sean McDonald look-alike we woke up, didn't want to punch Mike in the face, or at least we didn't stick around long-enough to find out! We finally got our room (ironically right next to the one we just tried) and took showers to freshen up. As we walked to the city center I could tell I wasn't really going to like it there, I even told Mike, but he told me to give it a chance. I have very good instincts about people and places, I either like them right off, or don't...and I'm barely ever wrong! I was certainly right about Glasgow. We took a Circle City Tour on a double-decker bus. Though it was raining, Mike insisted we sit outside...I only had a hooded sweatshirth with me, Mike had his windbreaker, so a little rain didn't bother him much!---I really need to teach him to be at least a LITTLE chivilrous. After our 1 hour 15 minute tour, we decided that there really wasn't a whole lot we'd want to see further, so we went to lunch I had 4 cups of hot tea because I was drenched and freezing cold. Then we felt bad that there wasn't anything to see, so we went to the Cathedral and to St. Mungo's Religious Museum. St. Mungo is the patron saint of Glasgow, and his crypt is in the cathedral---we couldn't find it---You'd think something like that would be marked. That night we decided to take the train to Edinburgh for Sunday as we weren't sure what there was going to be for us to do in Glasgow for another day.

Edinburgh was a great decision! It was really what I thought Scotland would be like. We started this day also doing the Double-Decker Tour Bus, and we saw lots of things we wanted to go back to, most notably Edinburgh Castle. After the tour, we trekked up to the castle, and had to wait in an hour long que, but it was worth it. The castle is situated on top of the city, so the the views from the top were breathtaking. The castle also housing the crown jewels of Scotland...not much to speak of, really just a sceptor and a crown, but crown jewels nonetheless. I have to say, I've seen more impressive jewels in the window at Tiffany's though.

Other than that, the castle was kind of transformed into various museums which was a little disappointing. For instance, they have the Scottish Military Museum, which holds pretty modern exhibits of the Scots in the Royal Army, etc. I was hoping to get a little more history of the castle and maybe some more swords and suits of armor. Nonetheless, it was really impressive architecturally.

On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, which is the area from Edinburgh Castle to the Queens Residence whilst in Scotland (the name is escaping me), there were lots of shops with wonderful Scottish goods. I bought myself a kilt and some Christmas presents for the folks back home. Though I tried to get Mike to buy one too, we was having none of it! HaHa! It's funny--In Scotland, Edinburgh especially, men just randomly walk around in kilts--as if they were wearing normal trousers--on top they would have anything from a sports jacket w/ dress shirt to a football jersey...weird!

There was also a festival going on "The Fringe" there were tons of street performers and musicians, and my thrist for bagpipe music was certainly quenched! Mike had to pull me away from a group of 3 little boys playing pipes and drums! We did another loop on the tour bus to take some more pictures, and then we were back on the train to Glasgow.

Today we are just back in the Cloisters for a quick shower and then we're going to the Notting Hill Carnival which is supposed to attract 3million visitors every year. We've heard it's a bit cheesy, but they say it's something you've got to go to, just to say you went.

We're going to post some pictures as soon as we get them uploaded!

Car Giant

Today I had an interview at Car Giant which just surpassed Longo Toyota as the World's Largest Car Dealership as per the Guinness Book of World Records. The position was for a Marketing Analyst and pretty much mirrored what I did at Toyota. I defintely nailed the interview and already have a 2nd interview scheduled for not next week, but the following. It would be a 20% increase in pay from what I was earning in the states, but here, it's necessary b/c everything is so expensive! The area that it was in was a bit "dodgy" as they say here, but in speaking with the girls there, they said I could get the bus from Notting Hill which takes you right to the door there. So it wouldn't be too bad, but definitely something to consider. They are going to be going through a Brand initiative which I would lead, so that it right up my alley. I never thought I would work at a dealership, in a retail environment, but it's very different here. They have all kinds of law regarding what you can advertise, etc. There's no negotiating on vehicles here. The price is the price and the rate is the rate. Although the rates rarely matter b/c it's really hard to get credit here. I felt really good about the interview, so Rajiv....they might be calling you! I really got along with the Marketing Manager, although I think the HR lady was a little frustrated b/c she couldn't converse like with us about cars and financing etc.

Tomorrow we're headed to Glasgow. We have to leave the Cloisters here at around 5:00AM...we're taking the Hogwarts,(I mean Gatwich) Express from Victoria, and then flying out of Gatwick. It's only an hour and ten minute flight, so we'll be there pretty early in the morning! I think we'll be back early enough on Monday to head to the Notting Hill Carnival, which is supposed to be the biggest carnival in Europe. We're also looking into destinations for my birthday already...looks like Spain is the front runner, with Madrid being the leading city.

You won't get a post from me until Monday...so don't get nervous! We're packing light and won't be bringing our computer with us! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Not Only am I a Domestic Diva...

But add Poker Princess to that list too! Okay, other than the 2 times I didn't raise as much as I was supposed to I did really well. SO WELL, in fact that I got a better ranking than Mike! He came in around 23rd or 21st place, and I was around 17th! That's right! Top 20! I guess all of those lazy Sundays watching Texas Hold 'Em on ESPN really paid off! Luckily, I wasn't the only girl at the tournament AND we met some very nice people. 1 guy from Seattle, 3 Canadians, and a guy from Portugal were at our 1st table. I think Mike thought I was going to do something embarressing, so he kept whispering things in my ear that I was supposed to do...Little did he know, I had it under control. LOL! The burgers were good, but we didn't stay for the 2nd round of poker, maybe when we live there, but it wasn't going to start until around 9:30, and then by the time we'd get home it would just be too late.

Today my mission is to look at gyms. We get some discounts with Mike's company, so I'm going to see the one that's best. There's one right in the Fulham Broadway Tube Station that looks good, and convenient! I think they even have a pool and tennis courts. I'm also on the hunt for a duffle bag for our trip to Scotland. We only have our HUGE suitcases here with us, and we certainly don't want to lug those all over the place! We also don't want to spend a fortune on a stupid bag that we only need b/c we don't have our stuff yet!

American Women's Club

I did some research online regarding Ex-Pat clubs. I came across this one called "The American Women's Club". The website said that they have happy hours and day trips and meetings and lots of other things. I thought it might be something I could get involved with since I do like to join things and be a part of groups. I emailed them last night for some more information on it. Well today I got my information...Information that tells me this club isn't for me---There's a "strict no denim policy". No denim? These women clearly have been out of the states too long. Picture it...women in their suits and hats with their white gloves sipping tea and eating scones. So I think I'm going to pass on the American Women's Club.

In other news, we've booked our destination for the Bank Holiday. We're headed to Glasgow, Scotland for a few days. We were able to use hotel points (though those aren't going to last for long) and get a flight that was cheaper than taking the train. What's a bit frustrating here is that the actual flight cost only about 30 GBP each, but the tax the hell out of you here, and they wound up being like 130ish GBP...no wonder we couldn't deal with them 200 years ago! Taxation Without Representation!! Apparently Glasgow is the 2nd largest city in the UK, next to London, but it's steeped in history---I'm not sure what history yet, but I'm sure after our trip I'll have a full report!

Tonight we're playing poker at The Morrison, our local pub in Fulham. It's 5 GBP each to play and we get a burger and fries with that! Normally I wouldn't play poker, but they say the welcome beginners, and I'm always up for meeting new friends. I just hope I'm not the only girl! I'll let you know if we win big!

Rosetta Stone!

So I got a late start today, and only go to the changing of the guards about 45 minutes before it started. If I had stayed, I would have been about 3 people back, and most likely all I would have got to see would have been the backs of the Japanese tourists in front of me. Another day! Instead, I hopped back on the tube and went to visit the British Museum. I thought it was going to be kind of like the Smithsonian, but I was wrong. They actually have a HUGE collection of Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artifacts. Their pride and joy being the Rosetta Stone. It was actually a little smaller than I thought it would be--about 2ft X 2ft. It was very interesting though. I probably spent about 3 hours there, but being the History geek that I am, could probably have spent 3 more. I also stopped and did a little food shopping. Now it's time for laundry--a housewife's job is never done!

Still Waiting for the Maid...

You see, I'm starting to have somewhat of an adverse relationship with our maid. I think she really hates me. When we first checked into the Cloisters, we were told that we got our linens changed every week. It seemed for the first week though, we were getting fresh towels everyday. So, the second week, Mike and I got a little sloppy with our towels and were leaving them on the floor, etc. It seemed that we weren't getting new towels everyday anymore! Now, it shouldn't have come to a shock to us or anything, but still I felt the need to ask the maid what the deal was with the towels. Her reply was very English..."you do have laundry facilities, you CAN clean them yourself!"...Okay...since then, I've noticed she's leaving us to very late in the day to clean. TODAY...I've been in and out since around 10AM. First went to Fulham to buy a trolley thing for the groceries, then went grocery shopping...Came back around 12:00...still not clean. Okay, went to the closest Starbucks, had a cup of tea and read for about an hour (how long can I sit by myself babying my tea!)...Came back, still not clean. Went back out to another Starbucks, this time a bit further, brought my laptop, stayed there for about 2 hours, came back, still not done! So here I am, around 4:00, and kicked out of my room b/c the maid just decided to show up! 4:00! Doesn't she know that I'm a domestic goddess now and need to cook dinner!?!?!? So that's why I think the maid hates me/us. We've got to be last on her list to clean.

Tomorrow, I don't have any domestic errands to run, so I'm heading out early to get a spot to see "The Changing of the Guards" it's on every other day. From what I hear, in order to get front row, I have to get there pretty early like 1.5 hours before it starts. I will definitely bring my book with me then! After that, I think I'll go to the British Museum. I think it's going to be somewhat like the Smithsonian. Mike's not really into museums, so I don't feel bad seeing those without him.

This weekend is "Bank Holiday". It's a 3 day weekend, I guess kind of like Labor Day, but there's not real reason for it. We were going to try to make a trip out of it, but it seems like in the states that they jack up all the flights for the weekend. We may take a bus to Cornwall or something though, just to see another part of the country!

The Bourne Ultimatum...

Yesterday, instead of going to see the sights, we went to the movies. Mike was really wantin to see The Bourne Ultimatum, and this was the opening weekend here. It was a really great movie, very action packed. The theatre, our local one, was really nice. It had stadium seating, which is key for me since I'm slightly vertically challenged. From the movies, we took a walk from our new place (as of Sept 15) to the Chelsea Cloisters where we're staying now. It was probably about a 4 mile walk, but it was good to get our bearings on the locations of things. Mike even found a bar that has a weekly poker tournament. I think he might do that.

It's a miserable day here today, just raining on and off, so we're not really sure what to do. We're definitely going to the pub to watch the Chelsea game--we don't get it on TV here. That's at 4:00, it's already almost lunch time, so maybe we'll just get Mike's clothes ready for the week. We were thinking of going to Big Ben, but the bells are turned off for a month for renovation, so we might as well wait for the bells, right? We'll update you on if Chelsea wins!