I just realised that its been over a month since I last did a post. It doesn't seem that long but apparently it is. I have been busy working (only as a temp) and trying to find something more permanent. Firstly the temp job has been good - I have been working for Westfield Shopping Centres - yep the Aussie company - and they have been great to me letting me go to interviews. I have been there about a month now and of course since it is an Aussie company there are plenty of us working there as well so I hear the accent all the time. They also have beer o'clock that they put on every Friday arvo at 5 - gotta love those Aussies. I have introduced Brad (the other temp I work with) to Tim Tam's since I don't believe that UK bikkies are that great so had to prove that Arnotts are superior. I am at Westfield for at least another week at least then will see how it goes from there.

Regarding the search for permanent work its going OK but not as fast as I like - I think partly its because its summer holidays over here so no-one is hiring at the moment (that is what I am telling myself anyway). I wasn't successful in the job with the web development company but I am in contention with two other jobs. The first is based in Twickenham while the second is about 10 walk minutes from where I am currently living in Hammersmith. Both are great sounding jobs and do pay well but I just want to get on with a real job so I can stop feeling like I am in limbo!!

Re the limbo feeling its that I have been putting off finding a place to live permanently so have been mooching off Belly and don't want to wear out my welcome but she is not complaining..... Anyway with the Hammersmith job I get to have a second interview on Friday so will be studying hard beforehand to be as prepared as possible. For awhile there I was getting so disheartened about the job front I thought about going back to Oz then got emails from Madge and Steve that cured that in 2 seconds. They said nothing has changed and gave me all the goss to show me that literally nothing has changed. Always good to have those sort of friends to fall back on to tell you the truth!!

So apart from the job front and housing issues I have been seeing a fair bit of London and can navigate my way around without getting too lost which for me is great (I have a street directory permanently in my bag) I have seen a fair few things. I:

• went to a play (the complete works of shakepseare in 97 minutes - was v.v. funny).,
• went to an Antipodean day at Fulham where I saw Kath and Kim, Killing Heidi and a few other bands and saw lots of stalls with an Aussie/ Kiwi flavour to them. Even got sunburnt!!
• went to Harrods and nearly threw a punch since everyone kept ramming into me.
• met up with Susie from the Middle East tour (yestersday in fact) and we had a great day wandering around Portabello St Markets in Notting Hill then went walking and caught a bus from High St Kensington to Oxford St and then wandered down Oxford St.
• saw Harry Potter's latest movie as well as Die Hard 4. The latter was going well until they did the whole fighter jet thing which was WAAAYYY over the top.
• have gone shopping alot to replace a non-existent wardrobe.

Re the travel front we didn't get to Dublin but its still on my list. I am keen to find a job and place to live and as soon as I do I am off and away for some weekend breaks. Actually re the place to live my new found friend Brad loves this stuff so has promised me he will find a studio for me and all I have to do is show up and view the property. Sounds like a bargain to me!! He is even going to sell me his old TV cheap since he is going to upgrade his to a flat screen.

That'll do for now - except to say I have yet to really experience summer yet and feeling a bit ripped off since last year was the hottest on record while this July has been the wettest. I am starting to feel a bit waterlogged although today isn't that bad. Luckily I had those 45 degree days in Egypt to appreciate the cooler weather now.

Bye for now.

Toni