This one is going to be long since I've been bad and haven't written since last week!

On Sunday the 27th I went to the British Museum and got to play with some things. I also got an e-mail from my best friend Kristen which really helped since I'm getting bummed out since I am out of money. Later Chris and I went for a walk down and around Cambridge Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Banqueting House, War Memorial, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Bridge, London Eye, Southbank Walk, National Theatre, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand at night. We had a really sweet moment on the Southbank where we stopped to listen to a street performer play Ain't No Sunshine from Notting Hill (Chris's favorite movie,) leaning over the railing over the River Thames and under the lights. Late start to the day, but it turned out to be alright.

Monday took me out to Kingston-upon-Thames for an interview at a pub. Kingston is a really cute town, I definitely have to come back here sometime soon! When I returned to central London a bunch of us went to the National Gallery. I finished up everything that I had not seen a few weeks ago. Then we went for Vietnamese food for dinner. I had spring rolls, shredded pork, a crab cake, and fish sauce which was all really good. Jo is Vietnamese so she was able to talk to the staff and verify authenticity of all the food we were eating since they served other types as well. Jo, Chris, and I went and played pool at the College Arms in our PJs, who said I graduated from college?

Tuesday brought me one step closer to actually being British. I had my appointment/interview for my National Insurance number (similar to Social Security in the States.) I also found out that I didn't get jobs at either the Cutty Sark or the pub in Kingston. People won't hire me just because I'm going to be gone for a few days over Christmas, I don't get it! I did manage to book a bunch of events with Esprit, my catering company, so that's good. I was unable to make it to my event that night because I got locked out! Also managed another interview at a pub in Northwest London. Once I was let back into my room I went to the College Arms with Dave and Owen to shoot some pool. When we got home Matt was there and drunk but I was in charge of watching over his tiny little Powerbook. I want to get a Mac laptop ASAP!

Wednesday I missed volunteering because I was sick. Then I headed out to my interview in Harlesden, which is right next to the McVities factory (for those of you who have been to London.) The problem was that it was a live-in position over Christmas, boo! So I was out of Dodgy McDodgersonville ASAP! I swear I was the only white person for miles. This was probably my low point thus far since no one will hire me for a real job and I am out of money! I was down to my last 50p and went to Tesco (the grocery store) and bought a whole loaf of bread with my last 50p. You know you're poor when you're living off of bread in London, slightly Dickens isn't it? Then some of the girls decided to pre-game before the BUNAC pub meet. So we got cheap vodka, cranberry juice, and Sprite. We had a few before going to the Cittie of Yorke pub in Holborn, which was within walking distance from the hostel. This pub has been there since 1430! It's really cool with many different floors. The basement looks like a German beer hall and the main floor looked like the inside of a cathedral. At the pub meet Chris and I discovered that we really are name twins! Christopher Louis and Christine Louise, how weird is that? After the pub meet Jo, Michael, Chris, and myself headed to the original Wagamama blocks away from the hostel. Chris taught me how to use chopsticks for the first time! We had really good food. I had Chicken Katsu Curry which was really tasty, especially when slightly intoxicated.

Thursday I finally worked for money in London, exactly 4 weeks after arriving in this fabulous city! Didn't do much besides errands during the day and then headed off the work. I was working the bar and clearing for the Bank of America Christmas Party held at Old Billingsgate Market. It was a bowl party, which are THE rage for parties in London this season. There are 4 main courses served in little bowls with Lobster forks and some sort of dessert, so no seated table service just a lot of walking around with trays. The portage guys were really nice and snuck us all desserts to try for ourselves, since we are not suppose to eat the food without permission. I actually got tipped £5 for bringing some guys some beers, so on the way home I stopped by Tesco to by some groceries since I had a little bit of money again! The necessities: milk, McVities, Sprite, a Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint Chip bar, and a Bounty bar with over £2 change!

Friday brought me back to the Foundling Museum to volunteer again. I just worked the front of house today. So I pretty much drank tea, answered the phone, stuffed envelopes, talked with a co-worker, and ate leftovers from the Christmas party the night before. I had another event for Esprit at Old Billingsgate Market for Royal Bank of Scotland again tonight. This one was a reception and buffet service, so again no plated service for me! This group was a lot more civilized than the party the night before. I finally called Kristen when I got home to let her know I wasn't starving on the street. Then Jo and I tried to wait up for the drunkies to come home from partying without me, but we didn't make it past 3:15!

Yeah for the weekend! Saturday I slept in and then went up to Hampstead with Lindsey. Hampstead was somewhere that I've always meant to go to but have never managed to get to. It is a really nice neighborhood/town in North London where Jude Law allegedly lives. We found this amazing store that carries all sorts specialty foods and has a back room entirely dedicated to American products! We are talking A&W Root Beer, Jif Extra Chunky Peanut Butter, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, Hot Tamales, Mac & Cheese, Betty Crocker mixes, Hamburger Helper, chocolate chips and all sorts of wonderful other things! Then we intentionally got lost on these tiny alleys and passageways before finding our way to Hampstead Heath, which is the biggest park in London. This park really made you feel like you were out in the country even though you were still in the city. The Heath boasts Parliament Hill which provides an excellent view of the entire span of London. We had to sit up there and enjoy the view for a long time, because it was such an amazing sight! I will be returning to Hampstead and the Heath whenever I don't have anything else to do. More £3 pizza for dinner during Pearl Harbor. Then when Chris finally got home from work we decided to stay in for the night. We hadn't seen each other since Wednesday and were completely silly as a result! We decided to play cribbage at 1 in the morning!

Sunday was my first trip out of London since I got here and boy did I need it! We went to Leeds Castle and the Dickens Christmas Festival in Rochester both in Kent, which is in the Southeast of England. Leeds Castle is called the most lovely castle in the world; it was really nice and well preserved. It was traditionally the home of widowed queens of England. There was an brilliant hedge maze that had a lookout and grotto at the middle of it! This one was way better than the one at Hampton Court Palace that I went to February of 2004. Then it was on to Rochester where we ran into all sorts of people dressed up in Dickens costumes. They had a huge fair, High Street was packed with people and food vendors, there was a cool castle and cathedral. Cute town but not as cool as Canterbury or York in my opinion. Right before we left there was a torchlight character parade. More £3 pizza for dinner before heading to the Rising Sun pub just down the street for Emily's last night in London. It was really funny because Chris and were acting kinda like a couple even though straightight and he's gay. Will & Grace in London. The rest of the night we were on the couch in the lounge listening to my iPod and watching videos before bed.

Yesterday boring day of BUNAC office, laundry, grocery shopping, uploading photos, journalling, and Grey's Anatomy. I have eaten 2 1/2 loaves of bread in a little over a week!