so it would appear that almost a whole month has gone by without a post...Eek. Where did the last month go? I think I was in denial for most of August about summer coming to an end. So to catch you up I'm going to write a few mini blogs.
1. The Noisy Neighbours
After what seemed like forever of feeling ignored and becoming resigned to living with horrible, inconsiderate neighbours, a police intervention happened. My incessant phone calls and complaints to the environmental health officer and the community policing team finally paid off. The environmental health officer called me and took my report and then sent me a noise diary to help build my case. The noise diary would have been more helpful when I lodged the first complaint but I suppose better late than never. Almost right away I got a phone call from the police and they asked if they could come by my apartment. Their timing was perfect since the upstairs neighbours had been playing loud bass music all afternoon.
I explained my concerns to the police when they arrived and they assured me that I had done the right thing by phoning. I shouldn't have to feel like I can't even relax in my own home. I told them I was mostly worried about the baby that seemed to cry all day and night. After they left my place, they went upstairs to speak to my noisy neighbour. I could hear them knocking on the door and because the music was so loud, she didn't answer the door right away. Perfect!
About 30 minutes later, I got a call from the officers to tell me how it went. The lady upstairs continued to deny to the police that she had any parties and she said that her daughter had not been home for a month! I didn't think that they were accusing me of making a false report or anything but it was not exactly the verdict I had hoped for. They said they would file their report with social services and to let them know if anything else happened.
The police visit worked and its been very quiet up there the past month. Finally peace and quiet...Except that the downstairs neighbours have decided to fill the noise void with a screaming baby and parties of their own.
2. The One Trip I Did Not Want to Take with Matt
During the first few weeks of living together, I had a really bad migraine. I told Matt that sooner or later while we were together, he would end up taking me to the emergency room. This was based on the fact that since the age of 16 and my first migraine, I have spent WAY too much time in the hospital. At first, it was because I didn't know how to manage to my migraines at all and so they would get so bad that I would be blind in one eye and vomiting and the only choice was an I.V. in the ER. I've also ended up in the hospital for a variety of other strange accidents and illnesses. For me it's a good year if I haven't had to go to the ER.
The streak was broken a few weeks ago during a rapid onset case of the stomach flu. I was fine Wednesday night but I woke up Thursday morning feeling so nauseous. I thought I would eat some breakfast and it would pass. It did not. I threw up breakfast. But like the crazy person I am, I still went to work. I put in a few hours, fell asleep on my desk and decided it was time to go home. I got home and fell asleep for about four hours. I woke up still feeling crappy and thought a bowl of plain rice would be safe. This was a mistake. By the time Matt got home a few hours later, I was curled up in a ball and then starting throwing up chunks of blood. At this point we called his mom and she said we should go to the hospital.
I knew that it was mostly likely that the blood was from being so violently sick all day but I guess I didn't want to chance it. And so we went to the A& E (Accidents and Emergencies - the British name for the ER). I told Matt he could just drop me off since I didn't want him to have to suffer the next few hours in the hospital waiting room with me. He said I was being ridiculous and he stayed with me. After numerous pokes, prods and x-rays, my initial diagnosis was correct. They gave me an anti-nauseau injection (it hurt to sit down for the day or so) and sent us home.
I love travelling with Matt but I don't fancy any more trips to the hospital.
3. Mandy comes to town
I refer to Mandy as my girlfriend. I also refer to her as my non-sexual lesbian life partner. This confused some people since both Mandy and I were single for a long time and only hang out with each other...and then I went home with her for Christmas. The non-sexual part was dropped and people began to believe that we really were a couple. I was with Mandy when I met Matt. She occasionally bemoans the fact that because of her so many of her friends have met and hooked up. I'm hoping that she's not still annoyed about this since thanks to her intervention I have a really great boyfriend and I live in England!
So understandably, I was very excited when Mandy was coming for a visit! Being uber-organized meant that she had done loads of research about how to best spend her two weeks in the U.K. She had looked up some very cool places to visit in London that I had never been to including: spidelfields market, hampstead heath, golders green and saw Sister Act. It was so great to have her here because it felt like no time had passed. I realized how much I miss having my girlfriends in my life just to chat and go to lunch and explore markets with. Mandy was travelling with her friend Eleanor who I had heard about but hadn't met. Mandy has so many friends in so many cities and countries! I really like that since I've moved here, quite a few friends and family have made their way over and can stay with me.
On Mandy and Eleanor's last night in England, I hosted a dinner party for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). Last year at Christmas time, so many people asked me if I was homesick and I wasn't really because Christmas is not a holiday that I celebrate with my family. Rosh Hashanah is a big holiday with my family and I decided that to help deal with being so far away from everyone, I should host a big dinner and make traditional foods. This was quite a feat as I have never made the whole dinner by myself. After two days of cooking and sending Matt to North London to pick up the special round challahs (braided bread), I hosted 7 people for a delicious dinner. I LOVED having everyone over and being able to celebrate with all of my friends. Although most of the attendants were not Jewish, it didn't matter. I liked being able to create new holiday memories living here and living with Matt (who is not Jewish but mostly open-minded).
4. Substance Misuse Prevention Worker
This is my new job title! Not very much has happened yet and I'm still doing my old role. I've been training another woman at work to take over for me but since giving her most of my work load I haven't had much to do at work. This slow time certainly makes up for the craziness of the summer. My new manager and I have only met once and then she took a leave from work because her father had passed away. I haven't been able to wish her my condolences yet because she's been out of the office. I have a meeting tomorrow with her where I should find out what the new role will entail. From what I do know, I will be working directly with young people before they become involved in the criminal justice system. I will be focusing on substance misuse, health and prevention. When I know more, I'll write about it. I'm very excited about this new opportunity and continue to be awed and amazed at my good fortune at getting a job in my field within walking distance from my house!
