08 June 2016

Sunshine, Steel Drums, and So Much Rum


Its summertime in London and you know what that means!  Rain, rain, and more rain.

This cold, rainy summer weather has left me wanting to escape to a warmer, tropical location with fruity drinks and the sound of steel drums. Luckily, I had to go no further in  Central London!  Caity and I were lucky enough to be invited to a tropical  Jamaican getaway pop-up in the heart of Soho Square by Sugar Dumplin' Rum Shack. As we walked in sound of steel drums and happy chatter filled the air. We were greeted by a tropical bar with more drink choices than we could choose from. They had a Jamaican Mojito with Golden Rum Appleton Signature, a Bahama Mama which has spiced rum, bananas and tropical fruit juice and so many more. We both decided on a Rum Runner which consisted of dark rum and banana and blackberry liquor. Delish!

As we passed the steel drums to the back we could smell the delicious Jamaican BBQ that was being prepared outside. Our options available were some of the best pick from their menu. The Jerk Chicken was covered in Jerk Sauce and topped sliced chilli and spring onions. For the veggies out there, Sugar Dumplin has a delicious Butternut Squash & Chickpea Creole. This had roasted butternut, chickpeas, spinach and coconut in a creole style tomato sauce. Their third dish was Escovitch Fish which consisted of a lightly friend red snapper served with an Escovitch Sause. All dishes were served with Rice ‘N’ Peas and had the option to be topped with some delicious slaw and sweet and spicy sauce. After licking my plate I decided that BBQ Jamaican food was now at the top of my favourite food list.

 
Surgar Dumplin currently have locations in Glasgow and Camberley and looking to expand into London Territory. Our escape into Sugar Dumplin Rum Shack was a tropical destination in the heart of a cold bustling London and it was jusdt what we needed. If you have the opportunity to visit one of their locations around the UK I highly recommend it, you wont be disappoint. Watch out for a London based Sugar Dumplin near you!
 

15 May 2016

So -- What Happened?


 A study abroad semester in 2012 is what put me in full force to make a life for myself in London. A year and a half after that, we spent a month in the city working to speak to everyone we could that would give us a chance at a job to bring us back to the city. A year after that, we bought a one-way ticket and a spot at Westminster University, as confident as I could be that it would somehow work out.

The last time I wrote in here - I was finishing up a Master's Degree, well into an internship I was hoping would take me somewhere, and still in that anxious uncertainty of wondering where I would be in 4 months time.

So - what happened? 

It was a few jobs through, a few more internships after that, one hell of a final paper, and a rejection or two from the UK government, but to be able to say this makes me prouder than anything I've ever done in my life.

WE DID IT.

Two crazy Americans with even crazier dreams, moved across the world together to accomplish something that not many folks can pull off. And not even one of us managed it - but we both did.

I've been with my company since July, and got my work visa in January. We're in a new flat in Fulham. We started a music events company and have put on some pretty wild gigs. I work 5 days a week and complain about how busy the tube is at rush hour. I grab a few pints at the local bars around for post-work happy hour. We spend weekends at the parks, or wandering around a market. Life is so normal - and I couldn't be happier.

I've always said I felt like I belonged here. But now, it's a reality. London is my home.

Damn that sounds good to say.

09 August 2015

BRB

Working, writing a dissertation, finding a new flat, and trying to LIVE!
Taking a quick hiatus for about two weeks until this is all sorted.
Be back soon!



26 July 2015

London: In Photos



Oh yes, of course we're ending this with pizza.


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