Weekend 1. Surreal, but nice.
- Jess Thompson
- 7 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Are you familiar with the reference of this blog title? It comes from the movie Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Naturally, I watched it on my first night in my apartment on Notting Hill Gate, right in the center of Notting Hill. (How many times will I mention "Notting Hill" in this post?)
This blog is for my friends and family. This is such a fun and unique experience at my oldish age of 37 that I want to write it down and never forget - and share it with those I love. Most of my friends and family don't travel that much, and I understand why... It's expensive - many of us have mouths to feed, homes to pay for, kids schedules to juggle, pets, and work with limited PTO. Plus, it's a beautiful thing to be at home with those you love and not spend exuberant money. I am grateful to God that he's provided me with a path to travel with work because if not, I wouldn't be traveling like this either. I'm not sure if yall know this but I didn't travel much as a kid - living in northern VA, I went to Florida and Texas to visit family, and once to Colorado to visit a close friend whose family moved there. I didn't start traveling, traveling until I was in my late 20s for work, and Europe for the first time in 2021.
Disclaimer
Before you read, remember that comparison is the thief of joy. This is really cool, but it comes with sacrifices like being homesick and missing out on things with friends and family. And, there are seasons in life - this is a really cool season for me, but let's not forget that I was on food stamps and Medicaid, living in a tiny apartment with parents, trying to raise a kid at 19. SEASONS - good and bad. Don't compare! You have things and dynamics in your life that I don't. You have different seasons coming for you, and so do I. This won't last forever.
I hope you read this and feel inspired to live life to the fullest, whatever that looks like for you. Live with a little zest and adventure, even if that is as simple as committing to getting out and walking each day, joining a book club, or exploring new foods. There is joy and experience in the big and the small. Don't miss it.
How did I get here?
If you didn't know, back in April 2024, I was promoted to a Global Director position within our marketing organization. While it has been, hands down, the most challenging role of my career so far (first six months phewww, now better), it has also accelerated my growth, afforded me with an incredible opportunity to travel to places I never dreamed of! I've been to Bangalore, India; Mumbai, India; Helsinki, Finland; Prague, Czech Republic; London multiple times; and various places in the U.S. I also went to Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, Japan on PTO after India, which is easily my favorite country that I've been to. I stan for Japan. (Older folks, "stan" is a slang that means to exhibit fandom to an extreme or excessive degree: to be an extremely devoted and enthusiastic fan of someone or something").
This particular journey to London for three months started with a conversation with my boss in Mumbai, India, on the 24th of March. (Long story short - a lot is happening in our European market in Q2, and I'm needed here for a bit.) On the 26th of March, I was on PTO in Japan and had spent the flight from Mumbai to Japan with one thought: how can I make this work? I emailed my boss what I would need from my company, given that I have a 17-year-old son and two dogs. By Monday, the 7th of April, I had a plan for Noah visiting two weeks on and two weeks off, a budget for housing and transportation, and a date to start work in the London Office - Tuesday, the 22nd of April. Within three days, I had a place and a plane ticket - and here I am! I left the great state of Texas on the evening of the 17th and landed at 2:00 pm on Friday, the 18th.
Side note: I barely saw anyone before I left so please don't be offended. I had no time and prioritized my direct family only. If anyone wanted to see me, I told them to stop by my house and help me choose my outfits!
Day 1. From Zero to a Bazillion Stairs
April 18, 2025
After landing and traveling in from Heathrow, I was greeted at the door by my Airbnb host, Teresa, an adorable business professional renting out her flat to move in with her boyfriend. She's from San Francisco, and we immediately "bonded" over being excited for each other's fun new life changes. She was kind enough to bring muscles with her, aka her boyfriend, to help me carry three suitcases up four flights of stairs. (And, not to mention, he was kind enough to come - what a Saint!) My thighs and bum better have a nicer shape after this summer, given I went from zero stairs in Texas to a bazillion here.
The place is SO cute, and I can't emphasize enough that the location is perfect. I have local markets, restaurants, pubs, gyms, cafes, clothing/bagel/art/nail/spa/book shops, a cinema, and the Underground directly outside of my front door. And, the famous Portobello Market is a quick 6-minute walk away. Everything is at my fingertips here.
I took a short nap, and my friend Tulin came to see me. She lives about a two-hour tube ride from me and was already in Central London visiting her son. How serendipitous? I was pretty tired, so she came to my flat, we chit-chatted, and had a quick dinner together.
I finished off my night by relaxing and watching... guess...
Day 2. Browsing and Some Buying
April 19, 2025
I slept in until 11 am. How glorious? I needed it. One thing I committed to myself while being here is to use this time to grow closer to God and read my Bible each morning. I kicked it off by reading the first few chapters of Esther. Then, I got ready and headed out the door for Portobello Market.
PSA: If anyone wants something like this LMK. Easy to pick up and easy to pack back to the States. I have paypal/venmo/zelle. I love the kittens in the top right corner! $24 for that one. So cute for a kids' room.
I'm very excited about having options within walking distance of me for delicious and fresh food. I found the cutest places by me...
After grabbing some groceries, cups, and pictures, I headed out for my Trieu Nails BIAB nail appointment, Builder in a Bottle, a type of gel nail that isn't as common in Texas but I love. It doesn't harm your nails and is painted onto your natural nail. I had a spicy/sassy Lithuanian girl do my nails, and I WILL be going back to her. I had an idea and she ran with it!
My flat is about a 1-minute walk to the Notting Hill Gate Underground. I took the tube to Bethel Green, which took about 30 minutes and was the first taste of my weekday life. I'll be taking it to the office during the week as well. I'm lucky that I'm on the Central Line, which makes it very easy because so is my work! "The Underground" or "the tube" is like DC's Metro or NYC's Subway. It'll be my main method of transportation, which I'm pleased about. I will be taking the opportunity to read! I read 30 pages of my book today while riding on it - Just for the Summer by Abby Jiminez.
After my nails, I took the tube to Tottenham and walked to Primark to grab hangars, slippers, and Tupperware. I was proud of myself for resisting buying clothes - "I DO NOT NEED CLOTHES" - I am coaching myself by chanting this inside my head when I see clothes. I needed an Apple Watch charger and some UK plugs for my place, and since I only have one converter, I walked through Covent Garden to the Apple store. On my way, I saw a party trolley blasting John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," and a Wingstop. I could tell that I was in the tourist area. haha.
On my walk, I found my way through an area with Japanese and Korean food markets. I was thrilled to see this because I love all Asian food. I picked up some snacks and frozen goodies there.
Day 3. Hillsong and a Sunday Roast
April 20, 2025
The jetlag is hitting. Last night, I was so exhausted. By 11 pm, I took a long bath and laid down with a horrible headache. I turned on a sleep story on the app Calm, and usually that knocks me out if I'm having trouble sleeping - it did not work. I took a TRAZODONE and I STILL tossed and turned. Finally, I remembered my friend gave me this cold head wrap, so I put it on. It immediately relieved my headache and was so calming. I fell asleep sometime after 2:30 am. Unfortunately, I didn't wake up until 1 pm today, and now I desperately need to get on track because I have work in the office in 2 days! Ahhh.
I piddled around today and ignored the fact that I have a large bag filled with clothing that I need to iron and hang up. Usually, I unpack on day one, but I had no hangars until yesterday and got home too late to do it. I didn't eat enough yesterday and hardly had any protein, so I prioritized that for breakfast (lunch).
Then I got ready and headed out for an Easter Sunday Church service at HILLSONG CENTRAL LONDON at the Dominion Theatre!!!! The Dominion Theatre is home to The Devil Wears Prada, featuring Vanessa Williams as Miranda (I WILL be seeing this while I'm here)!
When people ask, "How do you know there is a God? How do you believe in Jesus 100%?" It's experiences like this, when the Holy Spirit is so strong that it feels like your body is tethered to Heaven and you can feel from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Not to mention all the incredible alignment God has put in my life - and, who I am as a person. I have true joy in me from the Lord. I don't have just general happy or sad - even in the trials, there is peace that passes understanding and a joy that cannot be uprooted.
It's really sad to me that Christians have ruined Christianity by not leading with Love and Loving thy Neighbor. God wants everyone, he loves everyone - every, single, person. That means everyone from your sweet grannie to your baby to criminals... murderers... hard to grasp? It is. Cause God's love is for his children and we are His Children. When you look at relationship with Jesus Christ outside of "religion," thats when it gets real.
I haven't been as close to the Lord in the last few years - still a believer but distracted. But, I feel a calling to get back to where I was and I'm on the way there.
After church, I went out for my first Sunday Roast. Okay, Americans - a Sunday Roast in London is like THE THING. You either host or attend a Sunday roast at home, or you go out for one. A lot of the pubs have a specific Sunday Menu. And the roast isn't necessarily beef - a roast could be lamb, chicken, beef, pork belly, etc. I asked this chef at a fancy grocery store where she'd go if she were looking for a good roast, and she recommended Parlour in Kensel Rise. So, I booked my seat for a Sunday evening roast at 7:45.
I was a nerd and under "Special Info" with my reservation, I noted that I was new to the area and had just moved here from the States three days ago. The host, Alley, was so excited to greet me - she immediately welcomed me from the States. She was so FUN & sweet; I didn't order it, but she brought me this gorgeous appetizer (above). It was delicious. What a sweetie!
I ordered a glass of Malbec and the Sirloin of Shorthorn Beef & Fresh Horseradish. Plus, with Alley's recommendation, I ordered the cheesy cauliflower and broccoli. YA'LL... THIS MEAL WAS INCREDIBLE! I can't wait to take Noah here next weekend. It had steamed carrots too but they're hidden under the beef. EVERYTHING WAS STUNNING! I have leftovers I plan to eat tomorrow.
By the time I finished, I headed back to my flat and decided to tackle my first load of laundry and put my trash out by the front door of the building on the street. That's how it works here - Sunday night and Wednesday night I take it down.
To finish up the night, I finished this blog that I've been writing for three days. :)
Tomorrow, I'm going to put all my clothes away and then I have AMER work calls starting at 3:30 pm and ending at 7:00 pm. Tuesday is my first day in the office. I doubt I'll blog during the week, but maybe? We'll see.
LOVE YOU ALL <3 This was long.. if you made it to here, "you a real one."
Aww, Jess, this is wonderful. I love that you are going to do this blog while you are there. I’m glad to hear that you are going to strengthen your relationship with God. So many people have turned away from Him in your generation. Just remember that Jesus said we need to be ‘fishers of men’ and that he gave us a new commandment besides the ten to love one another
Awww my Jessie! I love this more than you know <3 I'm so glad I got to read this tonight. Been thinking about it all day since you told me you were publishing it. You sound happy, excited and ready for this fantastic adventure!! Love all the pics!! The flat is so stinkin cute & what a perfect location for this kind of stay. I know it's hard stepping out like this, outside the safe bubble for an extended time, but the sheer fire it adds to life is priceless. A couple of days, and all those experiences, you will have lifetime stories by the time it's all said and done. Saying you're being pulled toward God is so awesome…
Wow!! I couldn't stop reading!! I absolutely love that you are able to have this amazing opportunity living & working in London! This is right up you're alley & you are going to make so many unforgettable memories & experiences. So proud of you for never being afraid to step out of your comfort zone & continue to be your passionate & beautifully authentic self! Looking forward to reading more of your journey. Love you so much!! 🥰