Less than one week

Everyone I see people in the hallway, elevator, gym, and anywhere else, people who knew I'm going to London would ask if I was excited. I have the same boring answer. Yes I'm excited but there are still a lot to do, a lot of moving parts before the actual D-day. From work, dog, packing, flat, bills, mail, credit card, finances.... Since I would be considered a UK resident, I have to file UK taxes. Technically not me, but PwC will. Since I have to separate my US income prior to coming to UK, I have to open a new bank account and investment account. I was busy training the new managers in US. I haven't thought about I would do in UK yet. My boss is back from her UK trip on Monday, so I'm sure I have a long to-do list when I get there after our catch-up meeting.

Packing! (Sigh). I'm not good with packing. When I went home to visit my parents, my mom would pack my suitcase for the trip back to the US. I could do it myself but why would you do it when somebody else willingly wants to do it for you? My sister is OCD when it comes to packing. Every piece of clothing is folded so neat, perfect squares. Anything other than clothes is packed in tiny mesh bags and pouches. I can't compete with that.

I forwarded my mail to Sarah. All my bills are sent to my email, so hopefully she doesn't get too many junk mail. I signed up for this service to stop pre approved credits. I had to apply for a new credit card because Europe requires chip and pin credit cards to prevent fraud from stolen credit cards. US doesn't have that technology yet but a few banks issue chip and signature cards. I heard that they are acceptable. The front of the card has a a little gold square that contains the smart chip. Plus the one that I have doesn't have annual fees or foreign transaction fees, which is huge.

Once I get to London, I can open a UK account with HSBC with some help from work. They just need to see my US bank statements that show direct payroll deposit and a letter from HR to confirm my employment. This is a big deal since a lot of foreigners have a hard time to open a bank account.
Once you have a bank account, it's much easier to sign up for services, such as Internet. I may not have a TV when I move to a permanent apartment, so I need Internet to keep me sane.

Chloe's paperwork is moving a long fine. She's supposed to fly out on the same day with me but there's no space at British Airlines. Delta doesn't transport live animals anymore. She has to fly out the next day. I'm relieved when Elishia offered to keep her until Air Animal picks her up on Wednesday morning.

Finally last Friday the relo company confirmed that I will be picked up by my agent on Thursday morning to look for a flat. I would like to start earlier than 10AM because I have to be back at the apartment around 1PM when the pet company drops Chloe off. A while back ago I went to a website for Marylebone real estate. The listing agents emailed me about two flats in the area that are pet friendly. One is really close to a small park and also to Baker Street station. It's 2,500 pounds per month before utilities, county taxes and furniture rental. Let's say it's 2,750 all in. Tube/train tickets are around 400 per month. That leaves 550 for food. I'm not sure if it's enough. I think I should get a cheaper flat or negotiate a few hundred pound off.

Ok enough about this stuff. Last week was not just all work, I had some fun time too. Beth, Karen, Regina, Katie and I went to Canoe. Really nice restaurant. The weather was nice and we sat outside. Some pics from the dinner. Karen was stuck in the traffic. I forgot to take more pics after she arrived.
Good food with good friends. They gave gifts. Funny... Before I reached inside the bag, I was hoping for an umbrella. Sure enough it was in the bag. A Union Jack umbrella. It screams 'look at me, I'm a tourist'. Haha.