Little Things around England

Went to the gym today for the 1st time.  Thought we'd found one about a mile past the office, then it wouldn't take our American bank numbers, but they let us work out today.  We'd like to go back, (really I don't think Carole or my feelings either one would be hurt if we didn't get in, although we need to go), we think we are going to beg them to let us pay cash. Then again if we would just walk to the gym and back everyday we'd get more exercise for free!


Afterwards we tried to find a drug store to buy a few things (supermarkets don't have things like toothpaste here).   We keep forgetting that they close up shops here at 6:00, isn't that crazy!! They even do that on Saturdays.  Deb went to the Gap yesterday and got slacks for 75% off, £9.00.  When we went by they were closed and it wasn't even 7:00.  We did stumble upon a cheap store that seemed to have odds & ends that was still open, got my toothpaste.  Then because everything is so odd here we roamed around just looking and laughing.  Of course we are loud Americans and everyone notices us.  Carole couldn't even find any hard candy!  We did buy some kind of Top Ramen, I say that in the loose sense.  We'll see what that is really like. 


We're looking for clothes because we're not sure what we were thinking when we packed!  Oh, to have our own closets again!  Not to mention a car!!  I found a fan, because my apt is always hot!  I leave the window open all the time.  I suppose I could try to figure out the air.  That will be another trial.  Everyday is a challenge.  Oh well, never boring is it?  Didn't buy the fan because it would be too much to carry home!  


Few things that are strange:


Dates, they are driving me crazy.  I work with dates, part of my job.  The day and the month are backwards and it takes you twice the amount of time to get it straight!  You'd think I'd get that by now, but no!  It is easier, but still difficult.  


Then there is the time.  It's military time and on top of that there is the time difference!   I'm always looking at my computer and it tells me CST, so I have to constantly figure out what time it really is.  Then there is daylight savings time in the states and here.  Basically I never really know what the date and time is.  I got to work the other day and my computer wouldn't work.  Our IT group is on EST and I'm six hours ahead!  I called them and needless to say they were not happy about waking up someone.  Oops!


They have this fear of fire apparently.  When we got here they had their fire marshall person tell us all the escape routes, really not one, we're on the 4th fl.  There is a fire drill every 3 months and you are not to take anything down stairs with you, even purse or they fail the test.  The guy told us as long as you get out of the building and cross the street in an orderly and quite fashion all is good.  He said it didn't matter if you got hit by a car as long as you made it they passed the test!  Anyway, every Monday sometime around 10:30 to 11:00 an extremly loud horn goes off that is situated on the wall in our small office room.  It about causes you to have a heart attack, which would take care of the being killed by fire or smoke inhalation! 


Last thing, you know how sometimes when you just can't get started in the morning? Well picture that in a place that everything is just wrong on a good day.   I've had a few of those. 


I know I don't seem happy to be here.  I'm actually fine, just miss home (comforts) and my people and my dogs. 

Pam