A Lady in London

Today marks my one year anniversary of moving to London. A year ago this evening my Eurostar from Paris pulled into Waterloo station. I was met by my boyfriend, who was holding a big bouquet of welcome-to-London flowers and had a surprise dinner reservation for us.

Since that day I have traveled all over the world, made a lot of great new friends, and gotten to explore London thoroughly.

The last year has treated me extremely well, and I’m looking forward to the next one being even better. Here’s what I’ll have to top:

24: Number of countries I have been to since moving to London (some of them–including France, Spain, Italy, and the USA–more than once!).

5: Number of continents I have been to since moving to London.

9: Number of friends and family members that have visited (this number needs to go up!).

19: Number of UK cities I have visited.

4: Number of wonderful weddings I for which I have gone back to North America.

1: Number of modeling competitions I have been randomly scouted for and have unexpectedly won.

2: Number of 3-Michelin-star restaurants at which I have dined.

4: Number of places I have lived in London, including:

1: Number of months I spent living in a hotel in Belgravia.

1: Number of months I spent living in corporate housing in South Ken.

6: Number of months I spent living in my first flat in Hampstead.

4: Number of months I have lived in my current flat. I hope to be here for a lot longer!

1: Number of foxes I have attempted (unsuccessfully) to befriend.

4 and 3: Number of zoos I have visited and number of continents on which they were located.

2.0523: Closing spot rate for GBP/USD one year ago today. All my savings were in USD.

1.5537: Current spot rate for GBP/USD. My salary is paid in GBP. Sigh.