How did this country rule the world?

I have no idea how England managed to have an empire at one point in history, given how inefficient things are run here, overall. I have just, after a month, gotten a long term temp assignment to last me through Christmas. This isn't too unusual, but the way in which things have gone with the temp agencies has been a bit mind-boggling. They tend to call me with a job description to see if I am interested, then if I am, put my CV forward to the company. If the company is interested, they will want to interview me, even sometimes for positions lasting only two weeks! Whether they want to interview or not, companies take up to a week to decide who they want for the positon(s). It's a horribly inefficient way of doing things. Thankfully, after registering with eight different agencies, I found one that works well and they found me something...working for an organisation which handles NHS problems. NHS is the socialised healthcare system here, by the way. Now, the problems I mention include surgeries in which the wrong leg or breast is cut off. Need I say more?

A call for recipes

Hi all! Still doing temp work and having some chances to explore London. Got to sneak into an Australians only gathering with Steve this past Sunday (free beer and meat pies...although to be honest, the whole meat pie thing befuddles me). Also finally found a semi-Mexican restaurant with fantastic margaritas and a unique cinema (a.k.a. movie theatre). Going to see a play called the Vegemite Tales; another Australian thing...hopefully I'll get the humour;)

I'm running out of interesting things to cook, so if anyone is willing to post some recipes for me....anything hearty, healthy, spicy or Mexican...or just plain good & simple...

I sure hope Enron had better shredders

I've jammed the shredder here at work about three times in the last two days. The last time I had only put 4 sheets of paper in. Took me a half an hour to un-jam it yesterday, using a pair of scissors.

There seems to be quite a bit of inefficiency in temp work here. The temp agencies send you on interviews with companies who are looking to fill positions of only two weeks in length! It causes a lot of slow down. I'm waiting to hear back on about three things from three different agencies, ranging from 2 weeks to 7 weeks in duration.

Taxes and airline tkts

Well, I caved and sent in my P46. I was hoping to get away with not paying taxes based on student status but no go since I've already completed the program:( Tax time in England is in April, so at that point, I will be a US citizen, living in Australia, filling out income tax forms for England;)

We bought our airline tickets for Australia & New Zealand last night:)

There's nothin better than Starbucks

Boy do I feel guilty saying that. I was craving an iced mocha this morning. Never have I intentionally planned to go to Starbucks until moving to the UK, which makes no sense since they have fantastic coffee shops all over the place, many of which are independently owned. There is, however, a Starbucks on the way to work, so I popped in this morning. Coffee over here is fantstically better than that in the states, and while I try not to have it too often...as I think caffeine is a big no no, I occasionally cave.

This job may be over Friday, or may extend another week. I'm hoping to find something else, as it's only 32.5 hours a week and the rate of pay not as much as I'd like. I also found out I have to pay taxes, which I didn't expect as a student...you're normally exempt while working on holiday, but this agency won't accept my P38 (student tax form) as they think I am done with my program. Ah, temping...it's like dealing with car salespeople, honestly.

3rd weekend in London

The weather is still holding out here, amazingly. Saturday was a great day. Had a nice lunch out and braved an obstacle course of midgets, er I mean kids, at the History Museum, which was walking distance from home (long walk, but still...). Sunday I found out my boyfriend can cook a mean roast. My mouth is watering thinking of the leftovers. I don't even mind being back at work today the weekend was so good. Just doing a temp job that may end on Friday, for a charitable org. Nothing too difficult, but it's good to be busy and have money coming in. Hoping for something more perm soon;)

First few days in London

Back to having to use crappy internet cafes, but hopefully that won't last long. Had my first job interview yesterday with a temp agency, during which they had me fill out a form stating my marital status, religion and sexual preference. Bunch of wackos over here, hey?! Sounds as though I should be able to get work within a week or so though, fingers crossed. Just exploring the neighborhood and getting a few things done in the meantime. Weather is gorgeous:)

Last 2 days in Leeds

I'm out of here Saturday morning. Hard to believe it was a year as of yesterday. Been saying good-bye to people, trying to fill time, and doing a few last minute things. On to London...with job interviews lined up:) Here's a few pics from a few last get togethers.

Boycott Ryanair

Ok, this compant just needs to be boycotted. I've flown them once; they're cheap and get you from A to B, which was just fine at the time. But their response to the recent terror threats has been infantile and unproductive. First, they threatened to sue the government over the new luggage restrictions and security measures, if they did not reverse them within a certain amount of time.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/airlines/story/0,,1853247,00.html

Now, they are charging passengers for the hand luggage they have to check as a result. Ryanair really needs to get with the program. Not that I'll have the opportunity anytime soon, but I don't plan to fly them again.

Ramblings

I'm becoming slack at this blogging thing. Perhaps that's because there's not much going on at the moment. Actually, that's not really true at all, but I'm just really sitting around waiting for things to happen. I have about three weeks left in Leeds, then I'll be heading to London, so I'm starting the job hunt while waiting for my advisor to get back from holiday so I can wrap up my dissertation. So, these days consist of watching telly and....erm, not a whole lot else other than getting ready to pack for the fourth time in a year. My 30th is on Monday, which means the summer is almost over, and we only had a couple weeks of real summer temps here in England (it's in the 60's this entire week...what rubbish!). It was in the 80's and the news was warning of heat wave problems (roll of eyes). Savouring the last few outings with new friends made this year, but looking forward to finally getting back to Chicago for a couple of months. Cross your fingers for a mild winter please;)