Yes, we're alive.

So our temporary internet stopped this past Friday and we don't get our permanent internet until sometime this coming Monday...so, yes, I've been disconnected from the world. It's been painful. But alas, I come to you from a delightful little cafe around the corner from our place called Mocchacafe. They aren't even judging me for sitting in front of my computer, eyes glued to the screen, for the past 2 hours. I'm afraid this post won't be long because my vision is getting blurry from staring at the screen for too long.

We continue to get settled into our new place. It's really starting to look/feel like home. We hauled a massive load home this past weekend from Ikea - Keibler-style, if you will :). I've put my freakish organizational skills to work and it's really looking homey. Pictures next week, promise.

Our friend Chris was in town last week so we headed to dinner with him on Tuesday to a pub near us called Elk in the Woods. Crazy menu, good food. Chris has something called frikadeller or some version of the word I just attempted to spell. I think it was pork meatballs? Or some kind of meat...ball? It was yummy. I had a board of pea guacamole, pita, beet salsa, feta and some other delicious things. Matt had rabbit paella, which was also good, but nothing to write home about. We ended the night with a Guinness at a local pub, where Chris was able to sample his first REAL Guinness (not the crap they pour in the States), yum!

Saturday, Chris was able to score tickets to the Arsenal/West Brom game. Arsenal hadn't lost in their own stadium to West Brom since the 80s...or something ridiculously long. Unfortunately, Chris and Matt must've been bad luck because Arsenal lost. Oh well. Better luck next time. The Arsenal stadium is only about a 25 minute walk from our place, which is pretty convenient. Matt continues on his search for the perfect Arsenal jersey...

Saturday night, Matt and I went to dinner with our friend Nick at a local Mexican restaurant...possibly the only decent Mexican restaurant in London...called Desperados. It was quite good despite Whit's warnings against Mexican food in London...which we mostly agree with. Desperados did not serve unlimited chips/salsa, but the food we ordered was good and satisfied our Mexican fix for now. However, I'm already planning on a Mexican feast when we come home at Christmas. Be ready El Burrito Mexicano!!! And all the other amazing Mexican restaurants in Chicago. We continued our night at a pub in Soho...after a short stroll through London's red light district (hey, we were curious! Cole - doesn't hold a candle to Paris)...that was apparently a piano bar. While it was crowded and full of seriously drunk people (we weren't quite there), it was really fun. Everyone sang along to the piano and we heard Journey. Enough said.

Hmmm, what else? The Kolmans arrive tonight...otherwise known as our first friends visiting for fun and not work. Hooray!! I'm excited for companions during the work week! We're planning a day trip to Bath on Saturday and other fun outings, including...YES...a Harry Potter walking tour. I CANNOT WAIT. Luckily, I brought my HP shirt that I scored at a Champaign Salvation Army shop so I can be in full HP nerd mode on the tour. You best believe I'll have a picture at platform 9 3/4 to post soon. :)

Some of you have asked about my job search. Well, not that I didn't expect it, but so far, it's been fruitless. Not that I haven't tried, but a dietitian looking for non-dietitian jobs is difficult. That's all I'll say about that for now, except that if anyone has any magical London contacts, I'll be your BFF.

One day Matt will blog and comment on his work over here. From my end, he seems to be doing quite well.

I think that's all for now folks. I am officially starting to go blind from computer-staring syndrome. Time to head out into another glorious gray, raindy London day (FYI, the weather hasn't been bad at all, lots of sunny days to combat the rainy ones and lovely fall temperatures...the scarves have been busted out!).

Cheers!!