Hi all
Well now I have a bit of time to write my latest newsletter. I'm sorry I didn't do it earlier but I had a bit of a hectic weekend.
So lets start with Monday last week. Monday was a bit of a crappy one. I dunno if it is the time of the year here, or maybe I'm starting to get over the whole "here I am in London, and all is new and exciting" thing, but all the homesickness I have being doing well to ignore finally hit. I basically had a little break down, but everyone at work was really great, the girls took me for lunch and made sure I would be okay. The guys at home are also fantastic, good shoulders to cry on.
Tuesday was feeling a little better, but when I got in was given the news by Julie that a friend of ours had been killed in a car accident on the Sunday. That was really not nice to hear, and I ended up the same way as Monday. My bosses were really cool and let me sit out of a few meetings, while I chilled out. Was tough, and maybe I am a bit over sensitive at the moment, but that really made me miss home. I miss having my support group and not to mention my family around, but I'm doing okay now, and just have to plod along and get through it. Met up with Tim on Tuesday night, and that helped alot cos at least I had a friendly face to chat to and just not worry about things. Making friends slowly, so any comforting face is welcomed.
So Wednesday pretty much went off without a hitch, and some of the girls on the floor below me decided we needed a night out with the two floors at work, so we organised a few drinks after work for Thursday, so that helped to take my mind of things. I love little projects like that.
So Thursday night we all went off to the Royal George just off Charing Cross Road. Its this awesome little pub that is literally at the end of this small side road. We just sat around drinking and talking and having fun. Introduced a few people to snake bites (cider, beer and black current cordial) and the tequila started to flow... oh no. There was also a live band, so that was a bit of fun added to the evening. It ended pretty early (considering what my Thursdays have been like lately), and was home by about 11:30, not very sober mind you! Once again was great to have my mind taken off things, and just been able to be surrounded by fun people.
Friday was a bit rough at work, but just put the head down and worked, got ripped off by the bosses, but all in good fun of course. Got through the day and ended up meeting Janines cousin, Amanda and her friend Neri at a bar/club in Picadilly called On Anon. Its this really cool place of just floors and floors of bars and little 'coves' to sit and relax. It becomes a club later on, so we stuck around and danced and had some fun. Bit sad to mention that the talent was SERIOUSLY lacking there, all dodgy characters! We left about 11, as I was still hung over, and the girls also didnt want to take the night bus home. Thats the worst part here, is that if you do want to go out after 12:00 at night you have to get the night bus home, which you usually wait about 1 hour for then sit for another hour before you are home, really dampens the evening. Trust me, have done it a few times now.
So Saturday we had a braai at my bosses house in Surrey, wow, beautiful place. Little cottage type feel, but much bigger and huge garden with tennis court etc. As I could not miss the rugby I excused myself for a while and watched a very nerve wracking game of Rugby, but of course was very happy to see that SA proved thier worth again!! Lets hold thumbs for the next one!! I'm watching the Oz/NZ game on Saturday, so should be good. Anyways, after the rugby managed to get in some cricket too... oh my what a weekend for exciting sport! After a few more Fosters beer, the croquet set came out and things got nasty, I teamed up with my boss Mannie, and proceeded to cheat our way through, and loosing! I mean really have you ever!!? We had a good laugh and everyone enjoyed themselves, looking forward to another few games of that, its quiet evil thats for sure. 
So after the braai (did I mention there was biltong and dry wors too? ahhh in my element) two girls from work (Jenni and Kirsty) and I went into London for a few more drinks. They were so sweet, we started at the Bok bar in covent garden (they knew I needed a little piece of home, even though it was not their scene at all!)and had a castle there. We then moved to the porthouse down the road and had some American beer. We moved to a tapas restaurant later and had a jug of sangria and some very yummy food. Deciding where to go next, Kirsty pulled over a rikshaw and we ended up taking it into Soho, giggling the whole way, it was so much fun. They really were trying to give me the whole london experience. So we finally ended up at Lab in Soho, drinking awesome cocktails in the basement... Finally having enough, we all went seperate ways, with me waiting for the stupid night bus, gettikng home at 2! But it was a great evening, and was good to have sometime with them (we are the 3 team co-ordinators, so bonding was good, and work today was very pleasant cos we all seem to be much more relaxed with each other).
Sunday dragged myself out of bed about 10 and did washing etc, watched the cricket (ahh, my nails) and just hung out at home. Got a brilliant brainwave about 4 to make dinner for the boys so trekked out to Sainsburys and got some dinner. Just as I got home my Ozzie fiend, Natasha called (she had been at the cricket all weekend) and said they were on their way to the Walkabout in Shepards Bush, so needless to say, the boys didnt get dinner. Hehe. Met tash and her mates and had yet another party with her... Aussies are dangerous I tell you. Anyways, we closed the Walkie and I crashed at her place.
So today was okay, was really busy at work, we have alot of new projects that we are starting so have alot to do there, and have to monitor the guys so developing silly little things to keep them in check, they tell me I'm a whole police force all on my own! hehe. So that has been the week. Nothing too exciting I guess, so I'm sure you wont be too dissappointed that I only sent this now!
Plans for the next week, I'm not sure, but have rugby on saturday morning and its South
Africa day on Saturday too, so hoping to get to that. My friend Caroline is meant to be here this week, so that will be brilliant. Tim leaves tomorrow, so maybe my liver can recover a bit (hehe, sorry Tim have to blame someone!), although highly unlikely!Anyways, thats all for now.
Hope all is well! Missing you all, keep me up to date with all the news. oh, enjoy the public holiday too (all those in SA).
Lots of love
Danielle