At home...

We are all moved in, and... finally have Internet and TV at home! So, Expect updates and posts much, much more often! We live in Hampstead, which is WONDERFUL!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampstead , check it out! And, about a 10-15 minute walk from our flat is Hampstead heath... which is so great, because it feels like you are removed from the chaos and crazy bits of central London! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampstead_Heath

We took a few photos the other day that I plan to load later today to show what our London is like! It is so different than being here on holiday! I see everything in such a different perspective than I did when I was here visiting and the novelty in things such as riding the tube, the taxi's, the buses etc are all somehow not as... glamorous! Take last night for example... my tube ride is usually 12 minutes, (yes, i have timed it!) though on the weekends, they like to shut down lines to do "work" so, i succeeded in planning a route to get to work which worked very well. Then, on the way home, I walk so confidently over to Piccadilly circus station, through the crowds of people, only to be shouted at and met with closing gates, that they were not allowing admittance at the time. (I later learned due to over crowding). So, I headed toward my usual station, green park. Determined an alternate route form there, with several transfers and waited only to be packed like a sardine, breaking all personal space barriers and basically snuggle with other tube patrons. They announce about every three minutes all the lines that are closed, all the places they won't be stopping, etc. One of these being no stopping at Piccadilly due to the overcrowding. So, I finally make it to my first destination to switch... a station I had never been too, Hammersmith, where you have to leave the station, walk across the street and enter another to get to the line I wanted to take. At this point I called Alex to let him know I was on my way, since I should have been home 30 minutes before. (This is at about an hour into my attempted journey home). I then board a train, wait about 5 minutes for it to depart and then go for a while, I was intended to go to baker street! But... then we stop, and sit, they continued to announce something about how the train would only be going to a certain spot, that it wasn't running past it (for repairs of course) then I realize, (it took me a while because a ton of other people stayed sitting) that the train would take me all but one stop short of baker. There are so many different accents and some are very strong, so when the middle eastern man had continued to say that the train wouldn't be running I could only make out the second stop, and was unable to realize that we wouldn't be making it to baker street. At this point, I leave the train, find an attendant and try to hold back the tears, I was getting so frustrated and was tempted to just walk the rest of the way! He gave me direction to catch the bus to baker street (no cash on me, he said they would let me on because of my Oyster card and the tube troubles) he asked where I was from and I said Hampstead. He kind of laughed and said, no, where in America! haha he had not been to Missouri or Texas though, but he was quite nice. I made my way to the bus stop, and decide I might as well try to walk, there were so many people waiting, i begin my trek and realize I am now on 15% IPhone battery and walking in the wrong direction (IPhone gps is not the best). So, I go back to wait, I managed to help some French guys find their way, which I was quite proud of. I climb on the bus, again far to close to everyone and wait for baker street to come. Needless to say, I managed to make my way home... 2 hours later, but home! Which was wonderful! It was made all the better to come home to TV, Internet, and a wonderful husband ready to make whatever my heart desired for dinner. He suggested a stir fry so we tried something new and he made a wonderful Chinese noodle style stir fry! I am getting hungry just thinking about it! I was able to skype with my wonderful friend Lauren last night and my parent's this morning! Which made such a difference! It really is beginning to feel like home! I will post some photos and give information about work and other thoughts soon, maybe in a few hours! And, we have our address, so anyone wanting to send a letter or anything, e-mail me and I would be happy to give it to you! Love and miss you all!