It's totally weird and kinda cool to be the only representative of your entire country in your office. If I told one more person how excited I was about the election results, I could have memorized my answer by heart. Everyone seemed pretty supportive, and a little excited, but it was like having a one-person party (even if I DID bake some delcious cookies to share with the team).
I woke up ridiculously early to catch the election results, only to disapointedly realize it was already decided. I tried to get Nic excited about the results, but he was just too sleepy. Where are my fellow Americans when I need them? I'm totally jealous of everyone who got to experience this in America right now.
:(
Nov 5, 2008
Oct 21, 2008
Oct 13, 2008
What do you DO all day?
Because I know you've all been dying to know...here's what I'm up to as a Graduate Transport Planner at Transport for London. Basically, the programme I'm in is a two-year "development scheme" that consists of 4 six-month placements and a graduate degree (I'm still contemplating this one...do I really want to get another master's?), before setting us up with a "real job". The cool thing about it all is that you get a good feel for the entire agency and can work in a wide range of departments. It's like the TfL taster menu.
For my first placement, which I've been on since September, I am a Network Development
Planner with the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) Planning Unit. The department basically does what its name sounds like - it's in charge of coordinating all the plans on the Transport for London road network (we own the roads!), from the various "modal clients": bus priority, walking and accessibility, road safety, and cycling. I'm currently project managing about 5 proposals right now, which means I set up and run a lot of meetings, keep track of proposal finances, and make sure the clients (who sponsor the proposals) stay in line. It's also been a good way to explore South London, which I know nearly nothing about - and the twice-weekly site vists to do so are a good way to get out of the office and see what improvements need to be made firsthand.
My department is basically a brand-new one (they've only been around a month longer than I have) as a result of some internal restructuring, so we're all really finding our feet together, from the senior managers to the new grads. It means that sometimes things can be a little confusing, but it's also presented a lot of opportunities to have substantial input into the way the department does things. I really like all my coworkers, and it's hard to think that in less than 5
months I'll be moving on to my next placement.
Perks of the job that I was delighted to discover include free travel within London, discounts on the Eurostar, and some random ones, like dicounts at the London Zoo and free membership to local gyms. My building is brand new and has all sorts of energy-saving features, which mainly seem to be centered on my floor (it's always freezing!). While it's not quite Google, we have some fun features like "breakout areas" on each floor for impromptu meetings and over 200 bike parking spaces in the basement (not quite enough to get me to cycle among London drivers, though!)
It's also cool to be part of such a huge organization. There's yoga classes in the ground-floor conference rooms at work, which means that I just have to duck downstairs after work for some exercise. There's a Transport Choir, which I am seriously thinking of joining since they do a fantastic carol service at St. Martins-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. (Finally, a way to join all my nerdy pursuits in one place...transportation and choral music!) And because a blog post wouldnt be complete without a mention of food, I also want to rave about the subsidized canteens throughout TfL - originally for the transit drivers to eat at, they're in every office building as well, and they serve cheap and pretty tasty food. Hey, I'm not going to complain about apple crumble for only 55 pence!
Anyway, that's about it...will update in about 6 months when I finally get a handle on what I'm supposed to be doing in my second placement - which is still as of now a mystery. Wish me luck!
For my first placement, which I've been on since September, I am a Network Development
Planner with the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) Planning Unit. The department basically does what its name sounds like - it's in charge of coordinating all the plans on the Transport for London road network (we own the roads!), from the various "modal clients": bus priority, walking and accessibility, road safety, and cycling. I'm currently project managing about 5 proposals right now, which means I set up and run a lot of meetings, keep track of proposal finances, and make sure the clients (who sponsor the proposals) stay in line. It's also been a good way to explore South London, which I know nearly nothing about - and the twice-weekly site vists to do so are a good way to get out of the office and see what improvements need to be made firsthand.
My department is basically a brand-new one (they've only been around a month longer than I have) as a result of some internal restructuring, so we're all really finding our feet together, from the senior managers to the new grads. It means that sometimes things can be a little confusing, but it's also presented a lot of opportunities to have substantial input into the way the department does things. I really like all my coworkers, and it's hard to think that in less than 5
months I'll be moving on to my next placement.
Perks of the job that I was delighted to discover include free travel within London, discounts on the Eurostar, and some random ones, like dicounts at the London Zoo and free membership to local gyms. My building is brand new and has all sorts of energy-saving features, which mainly seem to be centered on my floor (it's always freezing!). While it's not quite Google, we have some fun features like "breakout areas" on each floor for impromptu meetings and over 200 bike parking spaces in the basement (not quite enough to get me to cycle among London drivers, though!)
It's also cool to be part of such a huge organization. There's yoga classes in the ground-floor conference rooms at work, which means that I just have to duck downstairs after work for some exercise. There's a Transport Choir, which I am seriously thinking of joining since they do a fantastic carol service at St. Martins-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. (Finally, a way to join all my nerdy pursuits in one place...transportation and choral music!) And because a blog post wouldnt be complete without a mention of food, I also want to rave about the subsidized canteens throughout TfL - originally for the transit drivers to eat at, they're in every office building as well, and they serve cheap and pretty tasty food. Hey, I'm not going to complain about apple crumble for only 55 pence!
Anyway, that's about it...will update in about 6 months when I finally get a handle on what I'm supposed to be doing in my second placement - which is still as of now a mystery. Wish me luck!
Aug 24, 2008
What I've Been Up To Since My Internet Disappeared...
I moved into a new flat! It's a really cute one-bedroom in Camden Town (the neighborhood I lived in before) that Nic did a fantastic job of finding on the first day he went flat-hunting. It's a little cozy but plenty of room for us both, and the kitchen is fantastic, which makes me and Nic very happy.
Pictures here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.4rx81scz&x=0&y=cijr3k&localeid=en_US
And before that, I had my last hurrah in NJ and had a fantastic weekend trip to Boston, where Chava and I spent endless hours entertaining ourselves with our impressions of North Shore accents.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.cfsfhu5v&x=0&y=-9dwugj&localeid=en_US
And before THAT, I spent a rainy but fun long weekend in Seattle with Erin and Barb, exploring the city and all the local delicacies - Erin's food blog habit has finally paid off!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.2244z4bv&x=0&y=nxxgsw&localeid=en_US
And to get there, I took a roadtrip from Ohio to Seattle with former roommate Zak. In addition to finally getting to go to the fabled Cedar Point, visiting the Spam Museum, seeing Jon Spader's family's RV park, and marching through snow in June (!), I also had an awesome time visiting some states I've never been to before. Pics here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.94s05naj&x=0&y=t8whyo&localeid=en_US
Pictures here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.4rx81scz&x=0&y=cijr3k&localeid=en_US
And before that, I had my last hurrah in NJ and had a fantastic weekend trip to Boston, where Chava and I spent endless hours entertaining ourselves with our impressions of North Shore accents.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.cfsfhu5v&x=0&y=-9dwugj&localeid=en_US
And before THAT, I spent a rainy but fun long weekend in Seattle with Erin and Barb, exploring the city and all the local delicacies - Erin's food blog habit has finally paid off!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.2244z4bv&x=0&y=nxxgsw&localeid=en_US
And to get there, I took a roadtrip from Ohio to Seattle with former roommate Zak. In addition to finally getting to go to the fabled Cedar Point, visiting the Spam Museum, seeing Jon Spader's family's RV park, and marching through snow in June (!), I also had an awesome time visiting some states I've never been to before. Pics here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.
Aug 19, 2008
Cultural Exchange
Today, in addition to visiting a lovely little medieval French town and buying 20 euros worth of cheese at the supermarche, I had lunch at what has to be one of the most authentic little French eateries of all time. That would be the Buffalo Grill.
Yes. France apparently has a chain of pseudo-American West steakhouses, decorated with fringy saloon lamps and festooned with totem poles, plaster life-size sheriffs, and other Western artifacts. The menu features "Cow-boy burgers" and "Poulet Kentucky," and one can even sample the dubious "Montana" salad, complete with cajun chicken.
That said, I had ribs and they were delicious. But I think the best part of that meal had to be the kitsch. I mean, this is one of a chain. This is what French people think America is like. And if the atmosphere wasn't good enough, the country music station playing in the background (internet radio?) was the icing on the cake. I nearly fell out of my chair when "Play Me Some Mountain Music" came on. Priceless.
Yes. France apparently has a chain of pseudo-American West steakhouses, decorated with fringy saloon lamps and festooned with totem poles, plaster life-size sheriffs, and other Western artifacts. The menu features "Cow-boy burgers" and "Poulet Kentucky," and one can even sample the dubious "Montana" salad, complete with cajun chicken.
That said, I had ribs and they were delicious. But I think the best part of that meal had to be the kitsch. I mean, this is one of a chain. This is what French people think America is like. And if the atmosphere wasn't good enough, the country music station playing in the background (internet radio?) was the icing on the cake. I nearly fell out of my chair when "Play Me Some Mountain Music" came on. Priceless.
Aug 13, 2008
Jul 6, 2008
Things I Forgot
Camera USB cable - no new pictures ever
American-British plug adapters - no power for fun things
Appropriate summer clothes - COLD
American-British plug adapters - no power for fun things
Appropriate summer clothes - COLD
Jul 1, 2008
Jan 21, 2008
Back in Action
Ah, Blog, I've neglected you for so long. Living in North Carolina may not be as exciting as traversing Europe, but it still deserves some attention. So here's what I've been up to for the past six months or so.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.6n3rdycf&x=0&y=-gvch4a
= :)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.6n3rdycf&x=0&y=-gvch4a
= :)
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