A Year Without Rain and Some Sunshine

a blog post on how to think like everybody else

 

Today, on New Years Eve, I thought I should write something that would still be this year. It's all relative. It depends on where you are. I hear endless fireworks already outside celebrating its coming. In some places folks have already gone to bed and in my city it hasn't arrived yet. So, I still got time.

This past years has been difficult, but also full with so many good things. From the news I know it's been hard for many and brutal in some places. As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad I'm not a celebrity and that I'm still alive. I'm sad for those whose lives have been interrupted by war or loss of close ones.

Next year I want to start a vblog. It's been on my mind but I never pursued it fully. Been thinking what will I say and hasn't it already been said enough. Will people like it? Would it make any difference?

Maybe it will. Maybe I will. ;)

Sometimes I want to be silly, but then I'm thinking isn't there enough silliness in this world. Then, I find out that people like it silly. Why take it seriously. Where is the balance? Why would I be concerned about it anyways?

I believe this is a temporary patch over the problems. It's convenient. In the moment, one doesn't want to think about it. Why ruin it. Is the one thinking of it better off? No. Vanity it's all. Solomon concluded and it all makes sense. Sometimes it's good to be oblivious. For some it's the preferred way. Subconsciously...

"I'm afraid I will collapse and get lost like last time, so I close my eyes and get comfortable where I am. I don't want to think of peaks and valleys. I pretend they are not there or they are not for me. I blend in. I'm like everyone else. I've got my shortcuts to getting high." They are not the real thing.

But the way to the peaks lies thru deep valleys. Do you like it real?

Escaping the Sun

One day I have decided to move to London. Seriously. And the day of the move came. It was in August last year. I started writing this post on August 28... Uh! Life caught me in a tumble.

Many Londoners won't like hearing this, but I actually like the rain. It's cool.

Everyday there are new things happening. And everyday I'm thinking to write them down. And everyday that doesn't happen.

Besides new curious things to see, there are some new words to learn as well. For ex. people use serviette for napkin, underground or tube for metro, lue for bathroom (not sure even how to spell it) and so on.

It Does Say Underground and Toilets after all

The accents are something else. But that would be impossible to express in writing. The only case that I remember, just because I could not get it even for the 5th time, is the word "cutlery" that sounded 100% "calorie".

That's because this place is a big jungle where monkeys from all over the world gather and each thinks they know how to speak the language. At first I was worried about my accent and wanted it to sound British. I would be very surprised when people said it's beautiful and even found it sexy. I'm OK with it just being beautiful. Now, I think I will keep it. It's part of the journey of self-acceptance after all.

Part of the London Jungle

Attempts at Keeping it Green

Fascinated

One of the Bridges

People here were very helpful from the first time I stepped on this land. Some offered to help me with the luggage on the steps out of the underground. And no, they did run away with it. Others helped me figure out the payment system for the transportation.

The Real Jungle

People here complain. After all this is not paradise and all the PR and marketing in the world can't hide the real. I heard they complain like nowhere else. I even heard someone feeling bad about complaining prior to coming here. But then, after coming here, he discovered it is actually trendy. 

It Looks like People Here Are Not Too Fond of This Place and Their Politicians

Speaking of transportation, very soon I learned it's a money drainer. But not without limits. It's a pretty good service after all. Considering it moves around over 8.5 million people everyday and more.

USEFUL TIPS : If you come to London, even for a short time, get an Oyster card for traveling on any type of transportation (ask the assistants at the tube station). It costs 5 pounds, which will be refunded if you return your card at the end of your trip. With this card you will get a daily cap on your travel so you're not spending endlessly.

You can top it up at any underground station as well as at various convenience shops around the city.

If you don't have enough money for a trip, you can still take a bus for just one trip and then the money will be deducted when you top it up next time. Click for TFL travel fares and more.