Some things will take some getting used to...

*Like doing my hair in the bedroom because there aren't any outlets in the bathroom. I also have to get up on the bed because the mirror is too high if I'm just standing. And there's a table in the way. There is a chance that you will see lots of pictures with my hair looking somewhat (read totally) unkempt.

*Laundry. Different machines, different detergents (biological/non-biological) the only thing I've found as bleach seemed like it was labeled for toilets, not laundry. Smaller, more frequent loads and drying on a rack. One week in and I'm ready to send half our clothes back because I don't know that they'll get worn with as often as I'm washing things.

*The bathroom. Will and I have decided that we've found a bathroom with worse lighting than we have at home and we didn't think that would be possible. There's also no ventilation so there's no way anyone can be getting ready if someone else is in the shower. Today I went from bathroom to bedroom, to girls' bathroom (we do have 2 for now, which is nice) and back to bedroom. Did I mention the mirror is set rather high? There might be lots of pictures with bad make-up, too.

*Cooking. This is kind of a big one. Some of it is because this is a rental, so even though it is fully furnished and appointed there are still some things that are lacking--like sharp knives, spatulas and whisks. These will be purchased in short order but figuring out the conversions and learning them by heart is going to take a bit. I will either end up a better cook because I will need to rely less on recipes and more on my senses or I'll just deaden everyone's tastebuds so it doesn't matter! We've had some prepared foods and I'm surprised by the amount of sodium or rather, the lack of it. I am actually hoping we'll get used to the lack of salt and won't feel it's so necessary.  I'm also contemplating the purchase of some more cookware which seems like a complete waste of money but we currently have nothing that can be used for baking, roasting, braising, etc. Haven't seen any disposables but will do a better job of checking for soon!

*Fashion. Wow. It's all over the place and so much fun. I was so worried we'd stick out like sore thumbs if we weren't dressed appropriately. Turns out, there is so much going on, I doubt anyone even notices us, the female 'us' anyway. I've noticed more than a few people checking out Will's pony tail. Yesterday, we went to the zoo--we wore jeans and sneakers--not slumming, but not fancy, just ready for a long day of walking and being at the zoo.  While there we saw women in sky-high heels, fancy dresses, skin-tight pants, see through tops, a couple of suits and everything in between. We even saw a woman in a silk blouse and skirt jogging through the park. Even the locals had to turn and look to make sure they were believing what they were seeing.
        *Nakedness. I think this should be a subcategory of fashion? Today the weather was gorgeous and we went to a local festival in Granary Square which happens to have some really great splash pads that Julia wanted to check out. The look on her face when she realized that half of the little boys were not only pants-less, but totally naked below the waist, was totally priceless. Conversations about cultural differences ensued…

*Food. It's only taken us a week but we've finally figured out that we can bring our own lunches and snacks wherever we want. Get hungry while at the Tower of London? Sit down and eat. Middle of the penguin exhibit at the zoo? Chow down! I have yet to see a sign that says 'no outside food' or for that matter one that says 'no alcohol beyond this point.' Fairly civilized if you ask me.

*TV. We have one in the flat. It even works. It is almost never on. The girls don't turn it on first thing in the morning or right when we walk in the door. Neither is Will. It's maybe on for an hour or so after dinner. But that's it, and it's glorious.

Cheers!
Libby

PS--Though this might come across as whiney, it's not intended that way. There are things that we did, and didn't think about prior to getting here and they require a little mental adjustment. Some things will require a bit more than others but we're happily working on it!