Woke up this morning and had the usual:

Human alarm clock on the mobile phone. Getting out of a warm bed into a cold morning. I haven't minded this so much anymore. I've gotten used to the freeze - (and actually, nothing is more annoying than being so hot in a wool coat in a warm train). Had the traditional Twinnings English breakfast tea with 1/2 tsp of sugar in the raw and milk for good measure. Nothing more lovely than that. Crumpets with jam and as always, since CNN is sorely missed, BBC Morning must be substituted.

Getting used to the use of celcius gauge by now, so that's a plus.

Had a steamy bath and got dressed... in layers. I wouldn't survive otherwise. Pringle-print is everywhere (argyle). My favorite. Supposedly, Scotland has quite a knack for these things, so I'll whisk myself away to argyle heaven. Tights followed over trousers and I am thankful for the cashmere sweater I got on sale before I left. Cashmere is my saving grace, it's much too cold for anything else around here.

I walk to the Underground Tube Station. The woman in her British overtones keep reminding me over and over, "Mind the Gap, between the train and the platform." I know all the stops in the Victoria Line now. While I'm reading my present book, "Strawberry Fields" - (A MUST, by the way!), without looking up I already know when King's Cross St. Pancras is coming up, or Tottenham Hale or Victoria or Euston or Green Park, etc.

I get off at Pimlico Station, in the Westminster District. Met with the director of the organization. They're expanding borders overseas. Presence in Ghana, Tanzania and parts of Southern Africa. She tells me she wants me on board - but actually, she'd be more interested if I was a part of a couple. Like, couple-couple. I tell her well, that might be a problem. I haven't been coupled up in sometime and had no plans to do so for the time being. As a sidenote, she asks if I've at least got a prospect. I smile. And she doesn't prod.

We work out some of the details for two hours.

Suffice it to say that although it will be short, I haven't been this excited about a mission in years.

After the meeting, I head off to Oxford Circus and shop for windows. They're quite nice. Even if the pound is weak at the minute, they've somehow made up for it, by escalating the price - even with the 50% off sale signs. Besides, I can get most of that stuff stateside for less anyway.

The rest of the day is stopping by shops for food. The flat is tiny, but a perfect size for two people. It's cozy and warm when the heat is on, but since space is so limited, it's an every other day effort to go food shopping because frankly, there's just no room to put it in.

Everything else seems quite ordinary to me now. The currency I carry in my wallet is brilliantly colored with foil seals, in different sizes. I was just handed Scottish money the other day - that was ace. The double decker buses are everywhere and I've gotten used to calling it "toilets" instead of "restrooms" now. The food I'm served I can ACTUALLY finish, without feeling like I have to eat it all, since I'll feel so bad if I threw it out. Portion sizes excite me. I never knew it could. My pants fit a LITTLE better - And I say little because the breads and cakes are much too good to pass up.

Besides all that, I'm pretty content. Satisfied. Even in a city like this, some things seem so simple. I've enjoyed the fact that my cell phone is out of sorts internationally and that my internet time is minimal. In terms of other things I'm learning... I'd have to say manners, sophistication and graces here are quite extraordinary. I was taken to be a beautiful bone china shop the other day and I was taught some of the rules (and games) of proper dining and entertaining. Someone has also taken it upon themselves to teach me some of the dressing classics that could sustain you (and your budget) for many years. It's been interesting.

Alternately, there's also that much more uncouthe, ill-mannered/tempered people who could use a few lessons in graceful living.

But if there's one thing I can say without any qualms, nobody swears like the English.

Even when they utter those dreadful words, it fascinates me.

Til here, (just some of me) missing the land of America.