The Butterfly Maiden

On being a lodger…

I’ve been living at my new place for a week now. A week! And I already feel that I’ve been living there for months. MC, my landlady, has been a kind and hospitable host to me since I’ve moved in. MC works for a local college in the disability unit and does yoga in her spare time. She has four very beautiful children, 2 daughters and 2 sons and has recently become a grandmother to a half english and half singhalese girl, Skyla. Skyla is an absolutely adorable lil girl, who I can imagine will grow up to break the hearts of many, many men.

With her children grown up and moved out, she now takes care of two lovely dogs; a short haired, golden American Bulldog named Hootchie and a long haired, dark Dachshund named Sookie. Hootchie and Sookie spends most of the day asleep in the garden or on the front door mat. When they’re awake, they’ll gingerly approach you with a ‘please-feed/pet-me’ and sorrowful eyes, which melts even the coldest of hearts and you can’t help but give into their demands. Manipulative indeed! 

Just 2 days before moving into her quaint and cozy lil home, she found a part-time job for me as a carer for a 21 year old girl with cerebral palsy, B. The pay is pretty good, 7 hours every Sunday for £11 per hour. My probation day is this coming Sunday. I hope it’ll turn out fine because caring for a disabled is heavy burden; emotionally, spiritually and physically. I hope I’m strong enough (emotionally, spiritually and physically) to carry this burden. It is only once a week and the money does help.

On being vegetarian…

MC is also a full-time vegetarian, with semi-vegan tendencies hampered by her love for cheese. Respecting her kitchen and taking advantage her vegetarianism to alter my lifestyle, I’m attempting to be a ‘Flexitarianism‘, where I still drink milk and eat eggs and fish. Come to think of it, I haven’t had any fish in ages. I had been successful, so far. One week without meat! And also without beer, wine or hard liquor. What an accomplishment! 

On London transportation…

Despite the rent being £40 (per month) cheaper, my budget for transportation has dramatically increased! You can’t survive in London without a personal mode of transportation; car or scooter or bicycle!   Alright, I must say that Zone 4 is a rather large area and is considered quite far from central London (3-5 miles?). For me to leave the Whetstone area to reach campus or to B’s place takes 1.5 hours, door to door. B’s place is in Zone 3, not far at all if you look at the map. Because London’s transportation system is built as such that all underground lines run in parallel towards Central London, like a MayPole,where you need to reach the Central London to switch to other lines, even if its next to each other. A long and unnecessary way round. Am seriously contemplating on getting a bicycle. Since I’m only going to stay here for 3 more months, is it worth it? 

Despite transportation inconvenience, I’m glad there’s a green grocer, a pub, a salsa club, a park, bus stop, tube stop, train station and a greek take away within a 15 minutes walk. Its unlike living in the halls where it takes 30 minutes to walk to Asda (UK version of Walmart) and the train station, 30 minute by bus to the closest salsa club and no access to the Tube! Still alot of walking, nonetheless. 

On salsa and yoga…

I’m glad that living out of the halls has given me easier access to salsa and yoga. I followed MC last Sunday to her 3-times a week Yoga session with her guru, K. It was the most challenging yoga session I’ve gone to and it left me feeling fatigued afterwards. The yoga session does not require excessive cardio stamina of any kind, but it requires muscular strength to hold your positions, acute awareness of your body positions and unwavering focus to balance your body. My most spiritual class yet! And the fee is based upon each person’s kind-hearted contribution, roughly £2 per session. What a steal! Am going to make it a habit of going for at least 2 sessions per week (2 x £2 = £4).

As for salsa, I’m finally going tonight! Its held at a community hall, next to a church, just around the corner from where I’m staying. I haven’t asked how much the entrance fee is, but I reckon it wouldn’t cost more than £10. Apparently, the London salsa community has a reputation for being snooty and are reluctant to groom beginners into true salsa dancers. Competition? Money? Who knows? Dancing in London is an expensive hobby indeed. 

On free things…

I must say, it has been an eventful first week living off campus! Also, if you haven’t noticed yet, I’ve created a new page called ‘Free!’. Its a page on anything and everything free. Do have a browse and leave a comment or two.