London

Flight back from Jeju to Hong Kong, the switch of the suitcase and straight back to Hong Kong Airport. The red eye flight into Heathrow, the black cab through the centre of Oxford Street, the swift hotel check-in in Shoreditch and a brisk walk into the office. It's a cool 7 degrees, that's cold in my language. Everything feel so foreign, the Liverpool Street area has changed, but has the same feel. It's like a new car model, familiar but different. Everything from the Old Street kebab stores to the storefronts on Bishopsgate, same same, but different. Highlights include: Dirty Chinese food with Isa, morning run along the Thames, dinner at Gauchos, visiting the London office.

There is an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, I really wish I could have spent more time here. It almost feels like not having enough time at a school reunion. Productive work trip, plenty of networking, product strategy and plans for 2019 dominance. I forgot how much fun London can be. Would I move back? Could I move back?

Currently reading "The Dark Forrest"

The remainder arrives

3 months later, the shipping has arrived. The contents of the package just goes to show how much of a hoarder I am. Time to visit the clothing bin.

The Dirty Bit

Up until recently my mobile phone provider would automatically save all sent and received text messages for my mobile number to an online repository. Think of it as an archive of all SMS communicated to and from your handset. So with the penultimate closing of my London Chapter, it's interesting to read through all the messages that I sent and received. They represent individual moments over the last two and half years. Starting with the initial messages introducing myself to my friends with my new +44 number, moving to the various dinners, catch ups, trips, birthdays, visitors, farewells, drunken text, random messages, congratulations and salutations. With enough thought I can recollect why I sent or why I received each message.

The question that comes up the most is "Why are you leaving?". I'm thankful to not be bound by ultimatums that many expats face, the most common being Visa issues and family commitments drawing them back home. The luxury of being able to decide to leave on your own accord is something that burdens many expats in London. From my experience there are two types of London Expats. The first are those who are in the UK to experience life abroad and dabble in European travel (2-4 years abroad). Secondly are those who have moved to the UK to establish themselves financially, these people usually get caught up with the appeal of Permanent Residence (> 6 years). Given that broad classification I fall into the former of the two.

To be able to travel all of Europe would require determination of epic proportions. For me, the idea of weekend trips no longer excited me and I was content with the amount of European coverage I experienced. The other factor was that of work and lifestyle, I needed a change that could only be satisfied by moving away from London.

With that being said it's only fitting that my final night in London would be spent surrounded by the familiar faces that have made my UK experience enjoyable. The night consisted of a trashy venue (Ruby Blue), cake, shots, conversation and of course, HK Diner. So with the 41 kgs (31 kgs luggage + 10 kg carry on) I left London with a small farewell party at Heathrow. Farewell London!

Bogans of the world unite

Strange that I've never celebrated Australia Day in London. Although after last night I have a suspicion that it is just an excuse for Bogans to let loose, or more possible to let loose of our inner Bogan. Happy Australia Day!


Friday 28th Jan. Last day of work.

Rumspringa

I speak from an almost wistful point of view. It's taken me somewhat unexpectedly, I always assumed leaving the UK would be a moment of anticipation, excitement and the reunification with all things Australian. The reality of it all is that I'm petrified and riddled with an insurmountable amount of anxiety almost to the point where I'm scrapping the bottom of the barrels for excuses to stay in London.

I fear the monotony of being back in Australia, an Australian in Sydney, that's nothing special. An Australian in London, well that's nothing special either but there was a inkling of uniqueness. Not even that, London was my haven from responsibility and all about living in the now. When I left Sydney I had the expectation of returning, it was an interim in life. Without sounding melodramatic, this could be the last time in London.

With this in mind I roam London with a certain sense of finality. I have limited amount of time and a list of things that I want to do. It's true, I've become a London Tourist! Deciding what to pack is another challenge stirring a lingering sense of nostalgia. Things that I want to bring home and those that I can safely toss out. Each item in my room represents a different time, a different encounter, a different moment. I go through the photos and SMSes since 2008. The LOL moments, outings, random adventures, relationships, work, travel. London was about redlining the human capacity for emotions. A maelstrom of excitement, doubt, laughter, love, appreciation, regret, sadness, betrayal, frustration, anticipation and happiness.

"I want to know if that place that I've been once before. Hasn't ever changed and remains the place that always will be there for me" - Boyz II Men, Flowers Bloom

Basement Affairs

The beginning and end of many nights.

Merry Crimbo!

"He's making a list, and checking it twice"

Employment & Relationships

One, finances the expedition known as life. The other, makes life worth living for. Yet despite the similarities, it becomes obvious that both definitions can be used interchangeably to describe either employment or relationships. In spite of this generalisation, many can go an entire lifetime without one, the other or even both. The thing about jobs and partners is that they occupy and consume a large percentage of our life. Knowing this, we tend to invest a considerate amount of time searching for what we consider our ideal. With this in mind the parallels suddenly become more apparent between both.

Recruiters and friends both play the middle man (or woman) in bringing the two parties to each other's attention. The application, the ice breaker. The resume, the initial conversation, or would that be the cover letter? Then comes the first round interview, the first date. The aptitude tests or meeting the friends and parents. Each challenge eliciting enough information to determine if a suitable fit has been found or if the chemistry is there. If all goes well, you receive a job offer thereby making it official, you're a couple. Three months down the track the probation finishes as does the honeymoon period and the relationship grows.

Similarly enough, just as it can happen in relationships, you can outgrow jobs. When this happens, no amount of negotiation, bargaining or promises can make you change your decision or your feelings. It's then when you have to let the other party know. It begins with a "When you have a spare moment, could we have a private chat?" or a "Listen, we need to talk". Ultimately, the end result is the same and then, it's over.

"It takes a few seconds to say 'hello', but forever to say 'goodbye'"

Blah

Females emotion tendencies have been linked to weakness. Males aren't so lucky either, they have to deal with the pride and 'face'. Which can be self-sabotaging. Whereas emotion is an outward display ego is perception or inner. Which is more destructive?

"Emotion is a strong engine but a weak steering wheel"

Friday Food

We've moved from emails to webforms.

Bah Kuh Teh

Lovin' London

I am, without a doubt thoroughly enjoying my time here in the UK right now. Not too sure, if it's the impending depature date and my incessant need to make the most of my remaining time but everything right now is fitting together. Weekends, will always be weekends but it's the weekdays, musicals, live sport, gym, sports, mid week catch ups. There's so much going on, I fear the routine that awaits me back in Sydney.

The English eat and breath sport and there's nothing more they love than giving it to the Australians. Nothing beats being an Australian living in the UK during the Ashes - I cannot wait.

Tag it, tag it real good

And with that the 2010 Finsbury Park Tag Rugby Autumn competition draws to an end. The two juggernauts Jugs in Motion and East End Paddies, clearly the best two teams of the season finished first and second, respectively. However, special mention goes to the third place team, Lord of the Wings.

8 weeks ago, 2 Poms and a handful of Australians (mostly from Melbourne, AFL heartland) got together for some social, after-work, sport. For a lot of them rugby was a foreign concept. Calls of "play the ball", "take the tap" and "offside" were met with raised eyebrows and clumsy attempts. Their season opener exposed their lack of fitness as well as lack of game knowledge and with that were soundly defeated 13-0.

The dire conditions coupled with the previous week's flogging was not enough to dampen spirits as they came out with proper boots and posted their first try and more importantly, first win of the season. With the change in result, came a change in name, Lord of the Wings was born and on the back of flat, one in, one out attack, solid rush defense and individual flashes of brilliance saw them finish the regular season 4th on the league table. The first week of the semi finals saw them line up against the competition favourites, Jug in Motion and were simply outclassed.

With a near full strength squad they entered the Bronze medal game against the same team they had drawn against 2 weeks earlier. This game, was no different. Once again, they found themselves down 6-1 at the half, only to come back at 8-8 at half time, winning the game in golden point after a run away try to the team's leading try scorer. Excellent season to the rookie team - congratulations!

Since 1982

Celebrating 10 years of legalised hedonism

NRL Grandfinal

Temple Walkabout. 6 am, plenty of Dragons and Rooster's supporters out early morning in London

London Rat Race!

What are you doing tomorrow from 3pm to around 7pm? There’s this challenge race that’s on and my friend is looking for a team member – would you be keen?

So I agreed. Come 2 pm Saturday I found myself surrounded by hundreds of competitors who were about to embark on London's Mean Street Rat Race. The rules are as follows. Each team is a series of challenges that must be completed within a certain amount of time. A map and a list of clues are given to each team one hour before the start of the race where you have to decide which route and which tasks you can complete. Failing to get to the finish line by 19:30 would result in a penalty.

So for the next 2 and half hours we ran around London. We decided to take the route down from Tower Bridge, down to the Bermondsey Tank, Imperial War Museum, up through Waterloo and through the streets of Soho, up to Farringdon, via Monument. We sung, danced, played pool, foozeball, climbed, jumped our way through the challenges. We must have covered at least 15 miles in the 150 minutes. Both my quads cramped up and my legs and body feel absolutely ruined. Don't think I've had quite so much fun in some time and managed to see so much of London. Placed 25th out of 125 teams! Not bad for a last minute call up.

"I'm coming out of my cage and I've been doing just fine" - The Killers, Mr Brightside

Airplanes

My suspicions lie with the pressurised cabins, the high altitude, the overly nice cabin crew and my appetite for aeroplane food. Whether it is specifically, or a combination of the afore mentioned, there's something about long haul flights that causes my penis to detach and become replaced with a massive vagina. It's only a theory, but the more I fly, the more I subscribe to the idea that airlines are pumping some kind of hormone-laced sedative into the cabins. My perceived estrogen levels sky rocket and I'm reduced to what can only be described as a Spider Woman experiencing her periods (I can only imagine). Spider senses tingle!

There's something about flying that makes me react to the following scenarios in the same manner. A young infant with no desire to sleep but to make as much racket as humanly possible. An elderly couple sitting together holding hands on take off. Or even the simple smile of a stewardess. It makes me smile and think. So with this hypothesis, I decided to test this out. I sat through the following: How I Met Your Mother, Date Night and She's Out of My League just to see how I would react to each. Sure enough, each and every one managed to make me tear up; much to my own resistance. The conjecture being, that two of the three were Rom-Coms, but How I Met Your Mother? C'mon now!

The sample space is hardly warranted and you could easily argue that this is far from conclusive. It could have benefited with perhaps a different genre of movie. Unfortunately, I don't have the attention span or the willingness to concentrate on anything more than a comedy. Especially when an action or thriller would only be dealt an injustice on the 6 inch entertainment unit. Perhaps it's a coincidence - business trips, my initial flight out from Sydney, my flight to Singapore, my flight back to London. One thing for sure, I can honestly say I've welled up at some point in time to something insignificant and probably less stimulating on the ground.

It must be noted, this is not a symptom exhibited by short flights through Europe. The early morning starts, the group of familiar faces and the excitement of a new country coupled with the sheer fatigue of traveling weekends overwhelms all emotions. Invariably, it is the trips between home, family and old friends. Perhaps it's not the actual flight, but the transient nature of flying from point A to Point B. Where at some point there is an emotional attachment to the destination. It reminds us of who we will see, or alternatively, who we are leaving behind.

"Can we pretend that air planes in the night sky, are like shooting stars, I could really use a wish right now." - Hayley Williams

Long weekend: Flame on!

Departing London with the 4 day weather forecast of:



To hopefully, something a little toastier:



Screen shots courtesy of BBC Weather (source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/).

Wee!

Continuing with the theme of things to do in London, I finally decided to register with an NHS doctor. First things first, I need to fill this cup with urine. This is not as easy as it sounds.

I tried to get a photo of the finished result, but somebody had walked into the bathroom and I didn't want to look like a weirdo. The good news, there's no sign of diabetes or kidney failure (yet).

Is that it?

After 2 and a half years, I've decided to go a head and complete my London bucket list. First thing's first, Green Park, Buckingham Palace and the traditional Changing of Guard.

This also marks two years of working in London.