1. On a single day you will hear a variety of different languages. Chances are, you don't know which language someone is speaking {and if you're like me, you'll stare in awe}.
2. Cars are parallel parked in any direction no matter the side of the road it's on {see photo below}.
3. Everything is labeled a house {Millbank House, Somerset House, Moor House}, square {Leceister Square, Euston Square, Trafalgar Square}, garden {Covent Garden, Redcliffe Gardens, Cresswell Gardens}, or circus {Oxford Circus, Picadilly Circus, St. George's Circus}.
4. "It's all right" is how the English respond after Americans profusely thank them like excited puppies. The contrast in enthusiasm is a bit shocking at first.
5. The English eat meals and walk at the same time, even with noodles and sushi! I need to learn how to multitask; it has to be better for your metabolism {wedding dress, here I come!}.
6. Sales associates do not proactively seek customers to offer assistance; instead, customers must ask for help and they must have a very specific question, otherwise the customer will be over looked {in other words, customer service appears to be lacking here}.
7. TJ Maxx is called TK Maxx {silly me thought the Brits pronounced their j's as k's}. Same store, same products, slightly different name. But hey, at least I can still be a "Maxxinista" here.
8. Flat booties like this, this, and especially Timberlands like this, are a very popular and practical walking shoe in rain, snow flurries, or sunshine.
9. Garbage cans are few and far between {I couldn't find a trash can in 3 blocks OR in the tube/overground train station the other day!}, which makes it difficult to be Earth-friendly. However, it doesn't surprise me now that the streets of London are filthy.
10. Pedestrians may cross using the "Zebra," which are lights that act as a stop sign. At this crosswalk, cars must stop to allow for pedestrians to cross the street {see picture below}.
11. When people are on holiday or out of the office, do not expect a return email back {which is how it should be, but is nonetheless frustrating when you are trying to get something done}.
12. Sadly, I've learned that one month isn't enough time to adjust to our new home. This feeling of homesickness will not disappear. I miss my family + friends, the ability to drive or cheaply fly anywhere in the states at a moment's notice, JP Grazianos {they literally knew my sandwich and name since I went in every Saturday for lunch}, Portillos, Chicago's beautiful skyline, and my job. Starting over is hard work + exhausting {aaanndd here comes the two-year-old crying tantrum I said I would try to avoid this month...}.