Good times and bad times...

I haven't posted here in a long time. Le sigh, I wish I had posted during the happy-go-lucky time of when I first moved to the UK. Things have been rough lately, my mom was really sick and I had to quickly fly back home to the States to be with her. She's better now, and here's hoping she continues to improve. Sometimes things aren't puppies and sunshine. Sometimes things are really fucking hard. If I've learned anything in my 29 years, it's that things get better. Eventually.

So, for now I'm focusing on my mom improving. I have great friends. It's Thanksgiving week and there is a helluva lot to be thankful for. It'll get better.

Space Bags are...

... the cat's pajamas. The dog's bollocks. The porcupines pinafore. The ferret's frock. Ok, ok I'll stop. But, seriously dude- they're totally awesome. Yes, I just said dude, totally and awesome in the same sentence. I watch a lot of bad reality TV, so sue me. Anyway, these space gizmos are going to enable me to pack a LOT more clothes than I thought I'd be able to. Always good news for a little clothes horse like me.

I'm 70% packed as of this point. I can hear you dying of excitement at this news, but heck it's exciting for me. Currently, I feel like I hear the word exciting 100 times a day. And here's why: my lovely friend Vanessa also works in a restaurant, and she advised me to tell everyone that I'm leaving for grad school in a foreign country at the end of the week. Her *very smart* opinion was that it will increase my tips by quite a bit. And she's totally right. Here's a typical conversation between me and a customer at work. Usually, while I'm giving them their bill they'll bring up next time they'll be in or something of the sort.

Me: "Oh bummer dude, next time you come in I won't be here anymore. Saturday is my last day, because I'm moving."

Customer- "Really? Where are you moving?"

Me: "Actually, I'm moving to the UK."

Customer: "Wow, the UK! Oh my goodness, how exciting!"

Me: "Yes, yes I'm very excited."

Customer: "Well that's just great. Why?"

Me: "I'm going to Graduate School there."

Customer: "Grad School, what for? That's so exciting!"

Me: "Theatre. Yes, yes thank you I'm very excited."

And so on. The word exciting might come up 6 more times.

Then they tip me double what they would have and go about their merry way. I literally have this conversation 20 times a day. Even my regulars who've known for the past couple of weeks talk about how "excited" they are for me. It's kinda cool. It's kinda daunting.

I'm really excited. :)

Seven more days...

...Until I leave for Europe. Eeeps. This is "get shit actually done and don't spend all the time you're not working laying in the sun and shopping" week. I won't bore you with the mundane details of what needs to get done, just know that it's all the boring crap I don't want to do or it would be done already. Yuck. Oh, and my lovely job scheduled me every night until I leave- except tomorrow. So, guess who will be slinging martini's on her last night in the US?

Unless of course, I storm out of the restaurant in fury before then. You see, one of the "managers" has taken to harassing me because Jersey Shore bitch from the previous blog is her bff. Le sigh. Hopefully she won't push me over the edge before I leave, because I actually like and respect the other managers, and would hate to put them in a crappy situation. Also, if I can stick it out- I win. She tried to fire me tonight, but she had to consult with another manager and they wouldn't allow it. I think her main beef with me, (and the other staff agrees) is that I'm bubbly and I'm always walking around laughing or with a smile on my face. Yes, I know that's easy for me to do because I leave soon, but I'm pretty much cheerful in general. I may be a total worrier, but I do it with a smile.

Anyway, enough work talk. I started packing last night. Um, if you know me at all, you know I have an eensy shopping problem. And, I sorta like boots. A lot. I've decided to only take two suitcases and a carry on, and only ship stuff if necessary. :( It's hard. But, it makes me feel kinda footloose and fancy free. I can pare my life down to three bags. I'm totally zen.

All work and no play...

I suppose that's a major exaggeration, because while I am on Day Six of Seven days straight working- we all know that I prioritize going out over less important things like sleep, or proper liver function. Anyway, I was supposed to have tonight and tomorrow off, but the other bartender went all Jersey Shore on me last night, and then stormed out like a bratty child- so I'm stuck working her Thursday and Friday. Le sigh.

This did however enable me to have Saturday off (gotta love California labour laws- suck it work), which I intend to spend in San Francisco shopping and dining with Rico. And drinking fruity cocktails in fruity bars. Boo yeah.

Today, Dominic said something that really made me think. I was moaning about having to hand in my notice tomorrow, and how I feel guilty about it, and blah blah blah. I'm guessing I'll work six days a week for my last two weeks, and Dom said that I'm sorta wasting my time working so much during my last couple of weeks in the U.S. And he's right. I'm missing out on opportunities to see friends, spend time with my family, and consume lots of Sushi and Mexican cuisine. So, I'm going to try to finagle it so that I only work eight or nine more days. We'll see how that goes.

It's been a long week, so I'm going to put my feet up in front of the TV and watch Top Chef with a cold Sweet Piece of Jesus. I totally Macgyvered myself a cocktail shaker, and now I feel smug and clever. Clearly, I'm easily pleased.

I'll miss you...

I'm going through a bit of a rough patch. I know this is Karaazzy as I'm moving forward and onto a fabulous life in the UK, but things are in a bit of a turmoil in my wee little brain right now. I just got settled here. I have a job, new friends, people know me at the cafe and the grocery store, and I'm a regular at my local.

Now, I get to start all over. Ugh. It's amazing and it sucks. I'm starting to say my goodbyes and frankly, it's fucking awful. Part of me wants to savour these last 20 something days, and part of me just wishes they were over and I were on the plane. I know that really it's a "see you soon," and not a "goodbye"- but there's a fine, fine line- if you like musical theatre and you know what I mean. It's sucky/amazing and my head is totally spinning.

I don't know what the future holds. How long will I be in the UK? When besides Christmas will I be back? I'm so excited and freaked out, it's unreal. I've even lost my appetite, which sucks because I was going to consume as much sushi and Mexican food in the next 22 days possible. I guess I'll just have to live with the memory. And, I'll be home soon. Or soonish.

I keep saying things to Dom like "When I visit," or "On Vacation'" and then I realize I'm not visiting. I won't be on vacation. Wow. I'm moving to England. Hopefully, it will sink in soon.

It's so surreal...

...My visa arrived in the mail today. I booked my ticket and I leave for England in 26 days. This whole process has gone so smoothly, and I have totally sweated it the entire time. So, let this be a lesson to future Sarah- dude, chill out.

Today, I've been thinking a lot about things I'm going to miss and things I'm looking forward to. So here's a list of both, because I can hear you dying in anticipation.

Things I'll miss-

My family and friends

Jackson the Wonder Dog

Proper Sushi

Queso available everywhere

Getting lots of ice

Cheap, strong cocktails

Peet's Coffee

Mexican Restaurants

People saying "Have a nice day"

Sunshine 80% of the time

Downtown Los Gatos

Nordstrom, Sephora and DSW

The trashy TV shows I watch like Teen Mom

24 hour stores (although I think the Asda near us is 24 hour- so this may be wrong)

Lots of closet space

Things I'm Looking Forward To-

Dominic!

Seeing all my old friends and making new ones

Fish and Chips and Mushy Peas

Oh! and Nando's

Primark (Yep, I just said Primark)

Being able to wear boots most of the year

Experiencing a different culture

Inexpensive dance classes

Mussels at Cafe Rouge

Decent Public Transport

Kate Nash in October

Starting school- I'm a wee bit nervous, like should I wear a backpack?

Traveling in Europe

Sunday Crossword at the pub

Pubs in general

My first Thanksgiving abroad

Yummy Indian food

Shopping!

That's all for now. I'm going to go get ready to get a proper cocktail with a friend. I have to soak up as much of the things I'm going to miss while I can.

Can you believe it? I'm moving to another country. Crazy.

To Ballet or to Bollywood...

...I'm kinda happy right now. Even though I miss the boy, and I'm stressed about my visa- I have 2 days IN A ROW off! Wahoo! Spring Break! (To temper the excitement, I keep reminding myself that it's fairly certain I'll pick up a shift Thursday- dum-de-dum-dum) The best part is that my biggest concern for tomorrow is whether to take Ballet or Bollywood Dance. I'm guessing I'll go with Bollywood Dance because I'm cheap like that (Ballet= $15, Bollywood=Free) , but we'll see how I feel in the morning. I have a fleeting dream that I wake up to an email from the British Embassy saying my visa is issued and I go to Ballet, saving the evening for celebrating with either Mexican food or Sushi. Ah, dreams.

It's been a tiring couple of weeks. I've worked 13 of the last 14 days, and after tomorrow I'll probably do another 6 or 7 straight. I like my co-workers a lot fortunately, and many of the customers make me enjoy my job. But, it's tiring, dirty work. I want to go to Graduate School, not shake Martinis. (Unless they're for me, of course) Hopefully, the visa Gods will smile at me tomorrow.