Friday, 22 July 2011

To My Family & Friends

It's been a month since I left the comfort of my hometown Chicago life, and I realized it's probably best to start a blog after sending a few lengthy e-mails about the trials and tribulations of getting settled in a foreign land. Please stay in touch however! I want to hear about you as well!

The past month has pretty much been all about obtaining those basic things that you take for granted when you already have them. A bank account, a cell phone, an address, a social security number (national insurance), a car (learning to drive it!), internet access... I'm happy to say I found a flat to live in rather quickly, and the other essentials have fallen into place although not without some of those inevitable annoyances.

After living in my own condo alone for the past year, the thought of going back to communal living initially detered me. However, after speaking with more people and doing more research it seems its really common to rent in houseshares in England due to the high cost of living. People do this at all ages, whereas in the U.S. we might think it odd for a 33 year old man to be renting a room in a house with 4 people, here nobody bats an eye. It is especially common in Oxford, with a more transient community than others. Even better, the majority of flats come furnished in this country which was perfect for me.

The decision to give the flatshare a go was an easy one...it will save me loads of money, it is a built in way to meet people, and it will be distracting to the "I'm alone in a foreign country what am I doing?!" thoughts. I'm sharing with two other English "professionals" in the neighborhood of Jericho a short walk to the city centre.  It's probably been the best decision I've made so far.  Thanks, http://www.gumtree.com/

In standard English fashion I will leave you talking about the weather for now.

It's not hot. It can rain anytime during the day and then the sun comes out. I feel it is perpetually September and I've missed my summer.

But its fine because if you know me, I hate hot and who loves living in a city with 2 feet of snow and the fun of digging out your car and claiming parking spots and bundling up head to toe in sub-zero temperatures? I think the English weather and I will get along just fine...


Love you. Miss you. Follow me on this journey...


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