Big changes.

So a lot has happened in the last couple of weeks! One big item is my relocation back to the US! It's a bittersweet move for me because I have really grown to love and care about the people and places here. London does feel like home away from home now - I no longer get lost and everything has a sense of familiarity to me. I remember, vividly, the feeling of complete anxiety and apprehension in every step the first couple of weeks I lived here. I would walk out of buildings and be completely turned around. It didn't help that I didn't even take a day off from when I first moved-in and started my job.

If I can advise anything - take time for yourself when you move to a new place. Take time to learn about the most basic of needs; ie where do you buy groceries, how banking works, transportation details. I had brushed up a bit before I moved here but I think I could have done a little bit more to be fair.

I have no clue where I will be working when I am back home at this time - there are definitely some options and since I am still 2 months out I have some time. I am going to be moving in with my sister in NYC! We have been looking for spots there and I am really looking forward to this aspect. Well there are a lot of good things to come - Thanksgiving with family, NFL, mexican food & sushi, Target, etc. Just a few things I really have missed.


In the interim, my good friends have provided me with a bucket list of things I need to complete. I really need to get a move on it. I have decided to use the bank holiday (man, will I miss these) catching up on work things and shopping for a bday gifts. Next weekend, I promise, will be for crossing items off the list.

The one I did get to was Venti 2 with Tori. Delicious Italian!

Transferring the copy from the back of the Busaba tablemat to this blog:

• Venti2
• Provodores
• Paradise 
• Kensington Roof Gardens
• Oxo Tower Drinks
• Centre Point Sky Bar
• Paramount
• Kew Gardens Picnic
• Aqua
• Bliss Spa
• Afternoon Tea - Claridges
• Harrods (I know, everyone makes fun of me on this one)
• Camrbdige
• Haka San
• Makiki "It Club"
• The Wolsley "Breakfast"
• G.A.Y

 Lucy and I went to the Notting Hill Carnival; apparently it is a very big deal; biggest street festival in Europe. Learn more here: http://www.thenottinghillcarnival.com/

It was an interesting experience. I was really expecting a lot more street vendors with lots of delicious food and drinks. Not so much. Also, TONS of prams/strollers & whistles. Everywhere. Drunk people + whistles + babies = lots of noise. Also, I wouldn't describe it as the safest environment - people smashing into each other to catch a glimpse of the parade. Definitely interesting to see but we didn't stay for very long.

I did pop-in to a comic book store to see if they had Walking Dead; also thought it would be nice to get away from the noise. It definitely was. Plus, they had a few options from the series to choose from. I picked up the fourth one and already read it. Amazing! Pics from the parade and my new copy of Walking Dead below!

I have been catching up on Dexter and Sister Wives when I have free time. Though this is definitely limited these days. I am in a bit of a funk lately trying to figure out what I really want to do and where I want to be. I guess it's just my personality to always be thinking and considering the future. I think my strong desire to be an entrepreneur is clouding any perspective to work at a stable, corporate environment. I do work incredibly hard at everything I do and put a ridiculously amount of pressure on myself to do my best whether I am at the gym, working on my projects or at work. I am usually the first or second one in and one of the last to leave each night. I find myself irritated when people stroll in at half past nine when I have been there for over an hour and feel there is so much to get done. I know this is my own hang-up but I cannot help my extreme work ethic and maybe I am envious that I cannot just let things go a bit. But then, maybe I wouldn't be here in London with a successful career path carved-out for me? hmmm.

Raining and Bursts of Sun - Summer in London to Welcome the Olympics!

People are amazing.

I didn't know that I would be so amazed by all-things "Olympics." Yet, here I am typing away on a blog post with the previous day recap playing in the background. "Background" meaning I keep stopping and staring at the screen every couple of minutes. I can't help it, OK? It's just utterly amazing to me that individuals have the dedication and passion to train for at least 4 years to only have a moment in the spotlight. I haven't been as fascinated by badminton or synchronized swimming which wasn't surprising; the surprising moment for me came when I couldn't take my eyes off of judo and the heptathlon.

I didn't know Jessica Ennis existed before this year. I saw her face everywhere I went in the city and started to learn more about her as I continued to live here. I, of course, wanted my USA team to win whenever possible. Yet, I saw myself rooting for GB athletes and teams alongside the American athletes. BBC is obviously focusing on local athletes and it's so easy to want the best for everyone who competes. Everyone works so hard and I feel as though their story is being told on the iPad, computer and TV screens across the world - a little glimpse into the life of someone with the supreme desire to do well. It feels really special being able to be a part of it in any way possible.

Here is the advertisement from Adidas on Jess Enis. One of my absolute fave ads of all time - it gives me chills whenever I see it. Like just now. Chills; right?! I just love the words:

Queen of the heptathlon, as explosive as a fireworks factory. 3 fractures almost broke her, but in sheffield they're made of steel. so here's to her comeback. now for her coronation.

CHILLS!

Unfortunately tickets are very difficult to acquire as they are very limited and extremely expensive. There are a couple of free events - such as the cycling, triathlon and marathon. I managed to trek down in the non-summer rainy weather to trafalgar square to watch the US women take on the world in a very long 26.2 miles. My spot was perfect - right next to a large group of East Timor supporters (very random, I know) and a couple of Sheffield men. Everyone was so friendly and just enjoyed the day, despite the torrential downpour and sudden heatwaves. Ahhh, London. Never fail to disappoint.

Some of the friends I was with caught even better pictures and I will be adding those later when they send them over! I cannot express how exciting it was to be "this close" to my idols, Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher. Desiree Davila ended up dropping out because of injury but ALL three of them are amazing women. They were so fun to watch and I have read and watched so many of their videos and interviews and then suddenly I was able to see them in action at one of the most important events of all-time. Even writing it now I still cannot believe it happened. They came around to our spot 4 different times and then we watched the very end on an iPhone from BBC streaming.

After that it was American girl out in the city; grabbing some food and pub hopping including a stop at a Blues Bar near Marylebone. Hyde Park was having a large, free, showing of events on big screens and I was able to watch the 100meter men's race and cheer with everyone else on the hope for Bolt to win the gold. He did.

Was such an amazing weekend that it was hard to get back to work today. I was exhausted! Unfortunately my knee has been a huge problem the past couple of weeks and I am stuck with cycling, elliptical and sometimes swimming vs running. I REALLY miss running. I think partly because I can't do it. I am actually quite nervous about it. Sometimes the pain can be so extreme that I feel like I am going to start crying or throw up. Pretty hideous feeling especially when you are out in the public. Like the hair salon for example. BOO. Wednesday I have an appointment with my doctor and I am really hoping for the best. My Osteopath has been very nice and helpful but I think I need x-rays at this point.

In other news, I have a lot of interesting life-events taking place that I cannot openly discuss as of yet. I am hoping in the next couple of weeks I will be able to talk more about that. All I know is that I have realized that I am stronger than I thought I was. I feel brave and happy knowing I will always find the positive, even if I am in a dark place. I admit to myself that I am a naturally happy person and I genuinely avoid and almost shut down a bit when faced with negativity. It makes me sad when I see that to an extreme degree in others; you have to be willing to find the happiness in yourself and the situation. It definitely makes for a better life. Just my little soapbox speech - yet, I truly believe that. As time goes forward I feel confident in the decisions I make and I think coming to London made that happen for me. I trust myself and am proud and happy with who I have become. I have met such amazing people here and cannot begin to express how they have impacted my life for the better. Forever.

So, not wanting to end on such a deep note; here are a couple of my newest favorite pop songs and an amazing video about the Mars "Curiosity" landing. Quite amazing.

People are amazing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/bigscreen/tv/episode/b01llnb2/