Anything Goes

This time I am not talking about outfits on the tube (that was another post). Instead I'm talking about food. Below, you will see the meals ordered with Nathan and Sarah at "the polish mexican restaurant" (actually called something different, but I can't remember since this is the name my coworkers and I refer to it as)

That would be a Mexican meal and two Polish on the same table. We did also order "polish nachos" (not pictured).

Was it the best meal ever? No. But is it potentially one of the few "Polish & Mexican" places under the same roof! Absolutely!

Anything goes here....

Becoming a Hoodlum

...Okay, not really a hoodlum, but it is a much better title than "I wear coats with hoods".

Let me back up. I think that there are fashion "periods" in people's lives. (or maybe just mine?). There was the headband phase (Thank you gossip girl for making that one popular....ugh). The colored shorts phase (not practical in freezing london fog). The heel phase (Is that a phase really? but also no practical on the slick yet unstable cobblestone streets of London). The costume jewelry phase (which resulted in selling Stella and Dot and losing a ton of money...)

And now? The coats and scarves phase. I think, while only being here alittle over a month, I can classify this next year into this category.

Since January 22nd, I have more than trippled my scarf collected. (that was scary to realize I couldn't write "doubled".. this is a huge realization moment for me) But what can I say? Scarves are so practical! I can wear them to work to "dress up" an outfit (or at least I pretend they do), I can wear them casually on the weekends to "complete and outfit", but more importantly, they keep me warm and provide an "old-lady-looking" head covering when its raining. PLUS they are only a pound or two at all of my favorite markets. ("favorite" markets = every market I have been to in London... and there are oh, so many.)

And Coats? well. I went if I couldn't convince you that a trip to London is a good idea for your future, the Spitalfields Market will easily do this. (you have been warned, so click at your own risk) Spitalfields Market This weekend there was a lady selling coats for THIRTY pounds. (that's $45ish dollars). You can hardly go to dinner and drinks for that amount. They are handmade coats. I fell in love with nearly all of them --- but a new factor came into the picture. HOODS! I wont buy a coat in this country without a hood attached. Who knew? I never had a coat with a hood before I believe - and now? it is a priority.

This picture is not me, and I do not look that glamorous going to work. I thought of taking a picture in my hood this morning, but due to the fact that I was in the dressingroom of the gym I decided that it would be an invasion of privacy if any of the halfnaked ladies appeared in the background of my picture. In Short: Actual picture to come.

Leeds Castle - Not in Leeds

This weekend I took a day trip with Ali and Sarah to Leeds Castle, Canterbury (and Canterbury Cathedral), and the White Cliffs of Dover. Every English person that I shared this with found it strange to go to Leeds Castle and Canterbury in the same day (Canterbury is far south east and Leeds is northwest... both bus rides). Turns out that Leeds Castle is not in Leeds. it is in Kent. I'm not sure why it wouldn't be called Kent Castle.... but the point is irrelevant.

What is Leeds Castle? I would tell you the random dates and definitions that I remember from the signs... OR I could give you an online definition so that you sound educated... AND so you can decide if you want to visit the castle when you come to visit:

Actual version:
"Leeds Castle is a castle in Kent, England, situated 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Maidstone. A castle has been situated on the site since 1119. In the 13th century it came into the hands of King Edward I, for whom it became a favourite residence, while in the 16th century, Henry VIIIused it as a residence for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The castle seen today dates mostly from the 19th century and is built on islands in a lake formed by the River Len to the east of the village of Leeds. It has been opened to the public since 1976." - Wikipedia

My version:
"Leeds Castle is awesome/brilliant (Brits don't say "awesome" by the way) because it is a mix of both "old" and "new". There are parts of the Castle that are modeled to look the way they did when Catherine stayed there. There are also parts from when Lady Baillie stayed there. Which wasn't quite in my lifetime... but close enough. The bathroom is modern, her closet is emasculate, and it makes it very easy to picture myself living in this castle. I think I would be well suited for one. Maybe I should look into the realestate market in Dallas? Either way, the snow on the ground and the ducks in the pond were the perfect backdrop for a castle." - Mallory

M&M World: London Edition

I had alittle time to kill so I wandered into M&M world. (No, I didn't go out of my way to fall into this tourist trap) How does it compare to our M&M world across they pond?

(1) Same fake chocolate smell that they clearly spray in the room
(2) Same tourists running around - well, I don't know that for sure exactly, but if you count me....
(3) The wall of M&Ms and tons and tons of M&M paraphernalia.

BUT

(4) None of the awesome flavors we have in the states - orange chocolate,pretzel, mint, raspberry, etc. They just had peanut and dark chocolate!! Maybe the Brits aren't as demanding? No, that's far from the truth. Maybe M&M world just likes Americans
(5) They did have really awesome Queen and London items. Credit goes out for tailoring the store to the UK.

They are NOT cookies!

Ali and I went to a macaroon making class tonight. We found it in London groupon and decided "why not!?" Turns out you should actually investigate groupon classes. The lady just might have been the cookie-monster. No, not cookies, "macaroon". Because (as I very quickly learned from her military-like tone) cookies are EASY and macaroons are not. It is insulting to call one a cookie. (See the picture below, the mistake is easy to make)

Over three hours later, Ali and I learned that the macaroon perfection depends on your mood, health, male and female energy forces, your relationship with your appliances, if you have a plastic bowl or metal bowl, if the weather is just right, the consistency of the "tip" on your macaroon, the cocoa levels of your chocolate, the equilibrium of your oven and on and on (ill spare you).

She critiqued our macaroons infront of the class going one by one. Two girls cried. I'm not kidding. I did almost get kicked out for reaching over and eating one of my "cookies" while she was explaining the varying temperatures of different oven brands that ive never heard of - Ali was worried. And almost potentially for tasting the batter. The evil looks from miss Michelin-star-trained chef were enough punishment.

All in all? Great night with Ali. I also now know what it would feel like to be in a strict catholic school. No more clapping erasers for this girl!

Bona-petite!!!

Tube Humor

There are advertisements in the tube and at tube stations. (Refresher course for those who haven't read previous posts or are just still confused: tube = subway in British)

When the tube hit the station, this man was conveniently placed with a nipple on his ear. (Yes, I subjected myself to taking a picture, but I had to! I like to think of it now as "anthropology" and not "creeper".)

Maybe he didn't find it as funny as I did. Or maybe he saw me take the picture since I was listening to music at the time and forgot to turn the sound off on my phone as I (attempted to) take the creepy shot and I'm 99% sure the camera sound went off.

Oh well, all in the name of humor right? Hope you enjoy!

Viva Forever

I went to see if I could go to a chorus line. It was sold out.

What was my second choice? If you've read this blog you probably guessed it... Viva forever!

It was amazing. Lets just say it is NOT a show to take a young girl to! Definitely not appropriate. Very very funny though! And the crowd? Amazing. People sang along at points. Everyone was there to have a good time.

And was it weird to go alone? No way! I didn't have to worry about if the person next to me enjoyed it or not ;) ... Although Ali did say she would have gone with me. Sigh.

Veggies-R-Us (er.. London)

Have I mentioned I love eating in London? Clarification: I do not love British food. I love how fresh, delicious, diverse, and healthy London is. (I know you shouldn't end a sentence with "is" but it's late and I can not think of a better sentence structure... Deal with it)

I treated myself to another vegetarian restaurant. (Happy content sigh). My mom always made us chili on the first cold night growing up. In her honor I had veggie stew (which is the closest I was going to get to chili here). Amazing. The meal came out looking so good that I became one of "those people" who took a picture of their food. (I know, I know, first subway stalking, then this?!?)

It is amazing that the place was completely packed. They have to quit serving as soon as everything runs out. Which. It. Does. This concept blows my mind. I am not sure if there are just that many vegetarians or if there are just that many accepting people who enjoy a good veggie-meal here and there. I'm going with the latter (hence the post title).

Always a Reason to Party

I have officially been in London for two weekends (since the second weekend I was in Brussels).

The first London weekend it was "crazy in London" (per my tour bus guide) because it was Ausie weekend/day/week/something. There were Australian flags and drunk Ausies everywhere! Or people celebrating with the Ausies.

This weekend it was then Chinese New Year celebrations (see picture of the Chinese dragon IN the EY office pictured below) it was crazy in London. (Per my own person experience and lack of ability to EVER find a cab. And I think the drugstore lady said the same thing)

I have come to the realization that it is just always crazy in London. And the city is so multi-cultural that we get to celebrate all of the other cultures as well!

Disclaimer: I am aware that New York or some other US cities might be similar, but keep in mind that I've only lived in cities with 3 main cultures: Americans, Mexicans, and Texans. (I left texas separate out if respect to other Texans. Or respect to other Non-texan-Americans.. Depending on how you look at it)

The Underground Underworld

I am a huge fan of public transit. Anyone who has asked me about London has heard me say something positive about my love of the "tube". Everytime a Londoner hears this I get a polite nod or a "just wait" or "well you haven't seen a tube strike yet" or something along those lines. I had chalked it up to the "well, Brits complain about everything" stereotype.

Nope. Ill give the Brits some credit. (Who knew they would know their own city better than someone who has been there three weeks?!? Go figure) Today, was a cold and rainy and windy day. (Scratch that, it's always cold and rainy and windy so that statement is a moot point) I took the Picadilly Line to Covent Garden. Just a few short hours when I was walking back to the same tube station I had JUST been on (tube is British for "subway), the gates were closed and we were being informed that the line was going to be unexpectedly down. For. The. Rest. Of. The. Day.

A mile walk in the cold, rainy, windy weather to the next tube station and k finally understood the Londoners all-knowing response to my love-affair declaration to the tube.

Market Madness

My Sunday goal was to "see the London markets", mind you, there are probably more than 20... But I picked 3-5ish that I was going to try to hit. (This was pre-full- day-rain) lets just say I only made it to one. I also vastly underestimated how much time I would spend wandering the market and just how big and busy they would be!

Highlight Reel:
• Homemade goods - and the artist who were so proud of them
• Yes, the picture below shows a man who is on a unicycle and also juggling at the same time. Impressive, I know. I wonder more about the slip-ups he must have had while practicing this skill
• The paella that was constantly being made and dished out to the savages. (Being a vegetarian I of course didn't participate but watching was great!)
• The giant LOVE sign in honor of valentines day for people to put a love plate with their name and the name of their significant other (pause for a unison "awww") welcome back to grade school...

Overall? Yet another great London experience. And thankfully I have months to make it to all the markets!

Ca$h Money

This country operates on coins. Most places do not even take cards (cabs, coffee shops, fast food, even the restaurant in the EY office building... and I am talking ANY cards, not just AMEX). There are also 1 and 2 pound coins (clearly TJ - I still have not gotten the pound sign down yet) As a result? This leaves you with loads and loads of change...

I had to buy a change purse - so I don't break my wallet. I regret all of those carnivals/festivals/fairs I went to as a kid where you win the cheap little coin purses - Why didn't I SAVE those!?

So Fresh and So Clean Clean

Lets talk about one of my favorite things in London ("talk" as in this is a two way conversation with my friends & family... just go with it): I LOVE how fresh and organic this city is.

• On my first week here, I was told that you wont find the words "organic" in London. That is because EVERYTHING is Organic. It is just a way of life
• When you go to a restaurant, they all boast where they got their local ingredient. I was literally at a place called Roast this week (I will take any of you who come visit - "typical" British food, but fancier than the normal pub). And on the back there was a list of ingredients that were received from the Borough Market. I looked out the window and on the ground floor (that is what they call the zero floor here, I had to ask) there was a huge sign that said "Borough Market" - NICE!
• I was walking to work and realized that one of the "fast food" restaurants (pictured below) had fresh milk outside for the day. Yes, they have their milk delivered every morning (how cool!). My British colleague informed me that they had milk delivered to their house in this manner growing up - awesome.

I also realized... that this means that it is cold enough on my walk to work for fresh milk to sit outside. Sigh. (If I start spelling realized "realised" - please, please tell me that I need a trip back home)

Not just for Goldilock's Bears..

The Brits and the Bears:

This "mush" (below) is actually porridge. I had never seen porridge before in my life. I actually laughed when I was told it existed. I then confirmed with another American colleague that it was actually something that was not popular in the states (and not just "another thing Mallory didn't know"). I imagine that it is close to grits - but since I also thing grits looks kinda bland and gross, I have yet to try either grits or porridge to get a fair comparison. (or cream of wheat).

It is not just for the fairy tales. (It is also for the Brits)

Waffles and Weenies

Last weekend I went to Brussels with Ali, Mark, and Joyce (All pictured below). Thankfully, we also got to meet up with Bryna after her 9 hour flight back to Belgium.

Weekend Summary:

• 6am Trainride - and so excited that Ali and I couldn't sleep
• Meet up with Mark and Joyce and eat chocolate
• Find Grand Place - the main square in Brussels (pictured below)
• Eat Waffles
• Find the little boy peeing - really, he is very little! We were shocked
• Drink wine
• Go to a chocolate factory
• Eat Chocolate (of course)
• Go to the giant Atom
• Drink Wine
• Eat pasta
• Drink Begium beer
• Meet up with Bryna in the morning for the market
• Eat another waffle
• Eat candy
• Drink beer and eat lunch
• Drink coffee
• Eat another waffle

In Summary? It is safe to say it was the weekend of gluttony. (I think its time to go to the gym!)

Floor Zero

Lets talk about floor zero. Every building designer thus far in London counts wrong. Maybe that's ignorant of me. Let me back up....

The buildings in London are "ground floor" or "0" and then "1,2,3..." It's not just the hotel and EY office building but even the shopping stores say "Women on 0, men on 1, children on -1". This makes sense. The problem is when the ignorant American (in this case me) gets on a down elevator and pushes "1" to exit, thus making the unfortunate Brit on the elevator wait on floor 1 as I apologize AGAIN. (Yes, I can only hope that someday I will learn)

So why could this be wrong? Well, here is what I can't wrap my head around. How do you count floors and stories? A 10 story building will have 9 floors. (Since there is a ground level). So if I say meet me on the first floor - is that floor 0 or floor 1? And if I say the office is on the first story is that 0? You can walk up 6 flights of stairs and be on the 5th level. Actually , don't think about it. No point in twisting your head around too!

Spice Up Your Life

Honestly, what level of judgment would be passed if I went to see the Spice Girls musical?

I slyly (or so I thought) tried to ask a coworker about his opinion on the musical (in a way that I had hoped he wouldn't think I would ACTUALLY consider spending my hard earned money to see the show...) I was given the response very flatly that "It would be less weird if you found a young girl for you to take with you...."

My response is that it would be MORE weird if I posted on facebook "Does anyone in London have a small girl that I can take with to a musical with me". Plus, it is very expensive to even go see Viva Forever (but then, everything is expensive in London) - why would I want to pay double? Besides, a young girl doesn't appreciate Spice Girls the way our generation does! They didn't grow up with Sport, Baby, Ginger, Posh, and Scary. (Wow, I sound old)

... Maybe I will just go see Jersey Boys (How American. Sigh)