So, this blog is going to totally lack any structure (as if my normal posts are so full of structure anyway) and I'm just going to tell you what's been going on and what's on the mind of this International Woman of Mystery!
So, here are my random updates:
On Halloween
The costume choice for Halloween ended up being...Drumroll please....
THE VINTAGE NURSE!So, the vintage won out over the sexy firewoman - but mostly because I got the costume on and couldn't be bothered to change again. Both were pretty good outfits and Crazy Sexy Friend S was not very helpful as she liked them both too and made me change them back and forth until I got tired and went with the Nurse one because that was what was on!
Halloween weekend ended up being fun but not really over-the-top. Actually, I found it pretty overwhelming to be out and about and meeting new people and trying to adjust to American culture - especially after a long week at work of trying to remember names.
Friday at work was total Halloween madness. Some of my colleagues were in full on furry animal suits! Yikes!
I decided to do my part in dressing up. I wore a white dress and a halo and wings and my colleague wore devil horns and we were The Forces of Good and Evil. It worked and was kind of cute. At least that's what people told us.
The day was full of candy and sugar highs and culminated in a Halloween parade and costume competition followed by drinks at the bar. The bar was packed and I stayed for awhile drinking with colleagues whose names I for the most part couldn't remember, before heading out to another bar to dance to some live music. I made my way home around midnight - totally exhausted.
And the next day I woke up with a HANGOVER. Ugh. That's what happens when you drink 5 beers and do not eat dinner. A late afternoon run shook away most of the hangover. And then it was time to get ready for Halloween take II.
Crazy Sexy Friend S went hiking on the day of the party and managed to twist her ankle. So she was not in top form. Crazy Sexy Friend S lives in South Boston (aka Southie) so I went over to her hood. We started off at a pretty low key house party which was nice but there were not too many people there - and definitely no hotties.
We then moved on to a crazy huge party at a certified bachelor pad. This apartment was home to 5 men and had an HUGE INDOOR pool. It was a scene for sure. Lots of people. Lots of crazy with people cannonballing into the pool. But Crazy Sexy Friend S wanted to leave. And she kept asking me if I was having fun. And while the scene was interesting, it's kind of hard to really have "fun" when you don't know anyone and you know your friend wants to leave. So, we decided to call it a night.
On 6 am Boot Camp Class
Because it's totally normal that when you are in the middle of a move and feeling a bit out-of-shape that you sign up for a 16 session 6 am boot camp class to whip you back into shape. Oh wait? It's not normal? It's in fact absolutely insane? Oh yeah... Right. I wish someone had told me that BEFORE I payed $250 to be tortured every morning.
It hasn't helped that it
Actually, it's not that bad. Physically it's challenging - but in a good way. Nowhere near as hard as the British Military Fitness I attended in London (which was good - I have back problems and as they didn't emphasize form or structure, I was too afraid of getting hurt).
And it's good for me to actually do something for myself. Since I have graduated college and started working for The Company, I have never ever done something like take a class. With my crazy work and travel schedule, I wasn't able too. Life was too unstable. So, I'm happy to be doing something for myself. Let's just hope the results pay off!
What was not such a good idea was starting this AND moving at the same time. Moving is rather physically challenging - especially since I live on the third floor. My body is so sore and exhausted right now. Friday was awesome because I actually got to sleep in. I never thought that sleeping until 8 am would feel like sleeping late!
Week one done - just 3 more weeks to go! Next week class meets every single week day!
On So Not Being a Morning Person
The most challenging thing about the Boot Camp is the fact that I'm so not a morning person! I never go to bed before midnight. I often don't go to bed until 2 am. I don't have to be at work until 9 and as I live close to work, this means I can get up at 8, or at the earliest 6:30 if I want to go for a run (although admittedly I tend to reach for the snooze button rather than my running shoes - which is why I'm torturing myself with the Boot Camp as it forces me out of bed).
So, getting up at 5:25 to be at Boston Commons by 6 fully dressed and stretched is a difficult one!
So, because of these EARLY mornings, I should really be in bed by 10 or 11 at the latest. But with all my trips to Ikea and building furniture and unpacking boxes, this has been a total FAIL this week. And therefore at work I've been completely exhausted yawning and barely able to keep my eyes open. Not fun! I really need to get myself on the early morning schedule!
However, it is kind of nice to be up that early. I'm back at my apartment by 7:10 and I can sit and have a coffee and read
And as the work out is done in the mornings, I have my evenings free - which is nice. I can now meet people for drinks after work without feeling guilty about not going to the gym.
On living in America again
The transition is harder than I thought in some ways and easier than I thought in others.
I don't think it's hit me yet that I'm here for good. I still feel like I'm on vacation. And I've been so focused on the move and getting settled, that I haven't really been living. I have hardly been out of my apartment or office besides my trips to Ikea and Target. I haven't had any chance at all to explore Boston or the nightlife.
I have to say though that when I have a quick moment to reflect, I feel desperately homesick for Europe. I miss my friends and I feel far away from them.
I'm afraid that when all the manic craziness of the move is over, that I'm going to look around and want to pack up and leave again.
On the other hand, there are lots of nice things about being home as well. Boston is a beautiful city. And I have a pretty nice life here. My office is great. Life is comfortable. I have more friends around then I thought... It's pretty easy to live in the US (once you get past all the moving bull shit). Although I have never been one to go for "easy."
On my new neighborhood: Beacon Hill
This might be one of the most charming neighborhoods in the world! I can't wait to explore it more. But the gaslight streets and tiny brick roads make it seem so cozy and cute. And what a great location. Walking distance to everything in Boston! Whole Foods (the best and unfortunately the most expensive store ever) is right across the street. And it only takes me 15 mins to walk to work (bonus exercise) - good thing I bought that new car!
On the loudness of city living
The only downside is that it's LOUD living in the city. My apartment in London was really quiet.
In addition to the loud constant buzzing noise from a generator on the roof of the store next door, there is also a fire station less than a block down the street. So, the wailing of fire engines is now incorporated into the daily background noise of my life.
And speaking of fires and loud noises, I learned the hard way that the fan must be when you take a hot shower or else the fire alarm WILL go off. There is nothing like loud obnoxious beeping first thing in the morning when you are naked and soaking wet!
On Downsizing from a big two-bedroom to a tiny one-bedroom apartment
This is no fun at all. My London apartment was about twice the size of my new Beacon Hill one! Last Tuesday, moving men delivered 43 boxes from London. I could hardly even fit the boxes into the apartment. Luckily Super Dad came to the rescue and helped me unpack and put together the couch that was delivered. And I sent a whole carload of "stuff" home with him (much to my Mother's dismay).
On Ikea
Well, I've hardly had any time to miss Sweden since I've practically been LIVING at Ikea!
Seriously, that place sucks you in. I have been there 3 times in the past week.
And then you get the furniture home and you have to spend hours BUILDING it! I finally finished the last piece of furniture I had to build yesterday. My apartment now has a full bedroom set plus a couch thanks to Ikea.
But at least my visits to Ikea got me a good dose of Sweden with some Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingon berries. Yum!
On Dating
Moving alone is lonely. More than ever, I'm ready to find a man. Since the Hot British Writer (who I still think about way too much btw), I've been in a bit of a dry spell. I definitely feel like I'm missing intimacy at the moment.
However... the sad sad thing is, that I have not seen one attractive man since I've been home! I know. I know. I haven't exactly had time to be out on the prowl... but in Stockholm (the land of beautiful men), I would see hot men everywhere. The walk to work alone was great for hottie spotting!
As soon as I can manage to get settled, I need to switch my Match.com account back over to the American version and line up some dates (another good thing about working out in the morning, I have evenings free to do social things - once I get my apartment settled that is).
I'm also hoping that I'm Attractive Single Friend C will soon take me out on the town and teach me the Boston tricks!
Alright. I could go on forever. But I think that's enough of my random updates for now. I hope you all feel caught up on the life of an International Woman of Mystery.
Come back tomorrow for pictures of my new apartment!
4 comments:
Love the random updates. Thank you. Bootcamp is hard already without it being at the buttcrack of dawn wow I'm impressed..GOOD for you! Yes sounds like that car you bought could have been put off a little since to live so close to everything, but might as well use it since you have it....Super dad is sweet! Glad your getting settled in and will soon be out on dates...stay safe!
I love the update! I know you have been busy (Kudos on the boot camp...I think you are insane...but kudos) and am glad you stopped by to let us know how you were doing. :-)
Even though Halloween was more low key than you anticipated at least you got out and saw some new faces. I am sure you find your social groove soon...and I can't wait to hear all about it when you do.
Oh boy, we are living parallel lives in reverse! Except for the boot camp thing. You are just crazy. I couldn't do it, my muscles don't work that early in the morning. I have enough trouble getting my eyelids working. Have heard about this british military thing though.
Have I also said that I spent today at IKEA?! Haha. I think you've had more of a moving experience than me though. My 3 suitcases and linen box plan has done me well :)
As for men, I understand that one as well. What, no cute men at the exercise class? Or at work? You need to find out where the cute ones hang out. I do as well. Good luck!
I loved the random updates! I loved your Halloween costume of choice. I love that you didn't think your life was stressful enough with the move and adjusting back so you enrolled yourself in boot camp. Maybe to distract you from missing Europe? I love that you spent so much time in Ikea and we can all agree that that place sucks you in, because it does; I spent all day there on Thursday and I was so not pleased about it. But, i'm glad that you're starting to adjust and find your nitch! keep updating!
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