An address

Howdy!

I have an address! For sending letters, gifts, CDs, wedding invites (I'm actually expecting two different invites!) and other snail mail related items.

Email me for it :)

So it's been a few days since my last update, and as I managed to get the job within a week of arriving in London, it seemed my great London Luck didn't run out there (or careful planning and determination as my mum puts it). Yesterday I found a great flat. I move in tonight (thus the purpose of the blog- having an address...) I will be living with 3 other kiwi girls (keep it local) in Ealing (keep it local again - all the people I know in London live in Ealing). But it's perfect as I work in Acton Town, which is a 5 minute bus ride from Ealing.

I have a lovely snug room (read tiny) and the flat is modern and has a great lounge. The girls keep a spare mattress in the corner for visitors, so if you're in need of a floor to sleep on in London I have one! They seem very friendly and social so I don't think I'm going to be lacking activities over here. I'll take some photos tomorrow and put them up here. The street is something out of Coro St!

That's about all the news - though it's been a pretty action packed two weeks. Thanks so much to Chris and Sal for putting me up while I job / flat hunted. I really have had the dream run over here.

Take care

x Laura

A job!

After only one week of being in London I have a job! It's my dream job too - so many people said I'd end up having to work in a bar, or even worse, packing up and having to crawl back home with my tail between my legs... well it has all worked out perfectly. I not only managed to get a job in no time at all, but it's a job I really wanted too!

Last year I was recommended by a friend to contact a touring company called First Festival Travel. They are a small company (owned and run by kiwis) who specialise in tours to European festivals, such as the Running of the Bulls, St Patricks Day, Beerfest etc. I emailed them and was told they would have an office position available March 09 (and I'd also get to go out on the tours now and then). So we booked an interview for the day after I arrived in London. Jetlagged (on my part) and hungover (on their part - they had a Bushfire fundraising event the night before) we had a lovely interview and....

Waahlaahh I got the job.

They have their shop / office in Acton Town, which is right by Ealing- where most of my friends live. It really couldn't be any more perfect.

But most of all I'm really excited to work for them. They seem to be an awesome bunch of people and I can't wait to throw myself whole heartedly into the job. I said it was my dream job and I meant it. I get to be involved in organising trips to some of the most exciting festivals in Europe. I get some travel, and still get to be based in London.

I don't start for a few more weeks so that gives me plenty of time to find a flat and do a bit of site-seeing. Annnnnnnnd (perks already!) they have two festival events in a weeks time - and if they have a spare spot, Steve (the boss), said they'd take me along to give me a taste of how it works. Pretty effing awesome festivals tooo... St Patricks in Ireland or Las Fallas in Valencia. Yup.

I love London :)

Do check them out - http://www.firstfestivaltravel.com/

Safe and sound

Just a quick blog to say I've arrived safely in London. The flights were as ok as far as flights go. The only drama was that my suitcase was about 5kg over weight - but a quick reshuffle into my hand luggage solved that. It turns out they don't weigh your hand luggage so it was fine for that to be 5kgs over weight :)

Yesterday was a bit of a haze. I ended up sleeping for about 13 hours (broken up with attempts to get up and not sleep too much) but this has left me fully recharged at 4am. Oh well, maybe a midday nap will get me into the new time zone today.

x Laura

All packed and ready to go!

I'm off to Hamilton for the night today and then I fly out tomorrow morning at 11am! It's suddenly here and I honestly don't think it's hit me yet that I'm MOVING to London.

A big thankyou to Jess and Paul for having me to stay for the last 3 weeks. It's been great to be back in Ferndale Heights (and out of South Auckland!)

T minus 5 days

I've gotten very good at answering the same questions over and over in the last few weeks, but for those who haven't asked, here are the top ten questions and answers on my OE.

1. When are you leaving?
Wednesday! Flight departs 11.15am
2. Who are you flying with?
Royal Brunei Airlines
3. Is it a direct flight or are you having a stop over?
It's direct (ish). I fly to Brisbane, then Brunei, then Dubai, then London. Got an hour or so in each, so not bad at all.
4. Working or travelling?
Working (hopefully).
5. Have you got a job?
Nope! Got a few things lined up, an interview, my CV is with a recruitment agency, so fingers crossed!
6. Where are you staying?
With friends in Ealing till I get myself sorted.
7. Are you packed?
Pretty much :)
8. Are you scared / excited?
Yes to both.
9. What's your email address to keep in contact?
l_shackel@hotmail.com
10. Are you nuts quitting your perfectly good job and moving to London in the middle of a recession?
Yes!