british people = soulless, wasteful gits!

i've always been critical of generalizations, yet i'm about to make a huge one. and yes, it's based off of only two people, but i don't care, because it's amusing.

i'm in the land of adamant tea drinkers, and have definitely been looking for context cultural clues on how to prepare and enjoy tea. i've taken to drinking it instead of coffee in the morning, as well as having a cup in the afternoon with some biscuits (a tradition i am most certainly bringing back to the states). however, there was one preparation difference i didn't initially notice between myself and my british compadres. whereas i will use a teabag up to three or four times (basically until it can't steep anymore), they will use it ONCE, for ONE cup of tea, and throw it away! scandalous, innit?!

i thought that my flatmate chris was just "takin the piss" out of me when he said that i was a bloomin' idiot for saving my teabag. then, when alex stopped by, he derisively asked, "have you noticed that lilly saves her teabags?!" and she laughed and said she did! those soulless fools!

but enough about their carelessness. updates on life:

thursday night, some flatties and i went to brick lane to try this allegedly amazing bagel place we read about in a london foodguide. we'd been to brick lane before, when we got some "curry," but this time ventured further down the street. there were lots of random drunk people, indian restauranteers trying to beckon us inside, and multiple "shisha" (hookah) places. we also ended up buying a hookah while we were there, which was the other half of the mission. anyways, we finally got to the bagel place, which looked and smelled fantastic. i bought a plain bagel and jam donut (only 50p total!), which were actually quite disappointing. the amigos got more adventurous bagel sandwiches and the like, but they didn't particularly enjoy theirs, either...so much for that!

the bus ride home was nice, because we finally got out of the rain, and sat on the upper level of the bus (so chris could hide from the bus driver, since he didn't pay).

i'm actually a big fan of london transportation. the tube is easy peasy, and the buses run all night. although it can get expensive, it's so thorough and efficient that it's worth it. yesterday on the tube, i saw a 13-year-old girl riding by herself. if a kid can do it--or me, for that matter--anyone can!

oh, i almost forgot! on thursday, prior to the brick lane adventures, i gave myself a terrible injury! chris was stupidly flicking 2p coins at me and my computer, and i huffily told him to stop. when he wouldn't, i angrily lunged at him, resulting in my kneeing the corner of my wooden bed and screamingly falling to the floor. i started loudly groaning in pain, and didnt want to look my knee for fear i had dislodged the cap. however, after chris and i put frozen broccoli on the wound (resources, we haz dem), i found it not as bad as i thought. it was really painful at first, though. if a certain someone hadn't been flipping pence at me, it never would have happened...

anywho. happier news: i was looking forward all week to going to the westfield shopping centre (largest shopping center in london, third largest in uk), and finally got to go yesterday. i knew i shouldn't ask anyone to go with me, because i take forever whilst shopping, so i sojourned alone--and it was fabulous! it's about a thirty minute tube ride, and then a titchy walk to the actual centre.

the place was absolutely gorgeous. i didn't think to bring my camera (after all, it's a mall!), but it was so cool-looking, clean, and pretty. they just finished building it in 2008, so it's very new and modern. next time i go i'll have photographic evidence! it was especially nice because they don't have foodcourt-type eateries. instead they have classy little cafes, creperies, and restaurants. oh, europe! we could learn a thing or two from them! not in regards to tea, though.

anyways, first i went to topshop (for examples of the deliciousness, go to www.topshop.com) and spent TWO HOURS in that store alone. i ended up getting a few things, though i wanted tons and tons. i know i'll be back in a few weeks! it's very british-looking, quite chic. i felt rather stupid, at first, though--a salesgirl said hello to me, and i asked if there was a place i could put my heavy coat and jacket (need two hands for efficient, bloodthirsty shopping), and she looked at me like i was crazy. this ain't ribbons or le tete!

i'll spare you the details of my other shopping, except for the fact that i finally bought a perfume (on sale, cheaaa)...and i ended up with a J.LO PERFUME! bahahaha. it smells really nice, though! could it be i've finally found my signautre scent, after years of searching? we shall see.

well, dear hearts, i must do some actual work this weekend (shocking!). more updates to come.

much love and tired teabags,
lilly