10.5.2014 Saturday

Hi!
My time is almost over here, one week left. A lot has happened again when I wrote last time. One week ago I was with my italian friend, who is living with me here in the host family, in a pub in Lewisham. I saw couple of her friends too, other one was from Italy and other one from Brazil. It was very nice to meet people from different countries, everyone were very nice. We left back home after couple of hours, it was raining so lot! I was happy I had an umbrella. It was a good night with them.

During last weekend, 3-5.5, I spent with my finnish friends. On Saturday we met here in Catford and we travelled by train to the central. We went to see Harrods, the luxury shopping center. Great place to visit, but way too expensive for me! After that we travelled for Kings Cross. Harry Potter films are filmed in there so it was nice to see the place. Harry Potter shop, Railway station and everything. We took lots of pictures. After that we went to Indian restaurant. The food was so good!! Honey chicken with rice.

We wanted to visit in Finnish church because there was vappu - party, nice! The church was very nice, we heard finnish songs, and drank sima because of vappu, I felt so cozy because I love finnish bank holidays and traditions. We bought some finnish chocolate as well.

We wanted to visit at somebody's host family so we went to Henna's house. Her host family is very nice, and the home was really english one, three floors and terraced house. We sat outside and drank couple of drinks. We had planned that we could go to night club called The Venue, to New Cross. And it was a great choice! I have never been in my life at the night club like that! Seven dance floors and good dancing music everywhere! So we danced a loooot. I will remember that night very long, I had such a great time. Thanks girls!

On Sunday we went to Camden town with finnish friends, to buy some souvenirs and for lunch. I bought something for my boyfriend and for friends. We had a good time, I love Camden town! Great shops and the area is very trendy and beautiful at the rivers edge.

On Monday I went with my Italian friend to visit to Greenwich, beautiful park and green fields everywhere. There is the famous royal observatiorion as well, we visited there quickly. My friend bought some clothes but I didn't buy anything, I have decided to save some money now :). There is a great view in Greenwich, from where you can see 8 km around, so beautiful! There is a picture below.

Then I have been working for four days during this week, I have done same things there than before. I have been helping other receptionists. But I havent't checked in or out the guests. But it is ok, I will do those things a lot in Finland when I start as a receptionist my job in Finland. Next week is the last week, I'm kind of sad but mostly I'm very happy because I will see my boyfriend, family and friends again. I miss them a lot. But I will miss my host family very, very much. This host family has been the best, I love spending time with them. And my Italian friend I will miss her a lot as well. They all are lovely people. I'm very happy I had a chance to live with this family, with Jamaican people and get to know them and how are they living. Otherwise I couldn't never learn to know them if I never had come here. I has grown as a person during this intership and I'm thankful that I have a chance to be here.

During this weekend I have been at home, relaxing only and I love it. I'll write later more about this weekend. I'll write again soon, have a nice weekend everyone!

By: Emmi

28.4.2014 Monday

Hi!
Today I was at work. It was a nice day, I was updating register cards and loyalty club members all day long. It was fine for me, because it was a busy day and I had lots of things to do, so the day went quickly. I saw a finnish couple and they were checking in! My collegue said for them I'm from Finland as well, so I said 'tervetuloa' for them. It felt kind of weard to speak finnish because I haven't been speaking finnish at the hotel before. But it was nice to see finnish people :). Tomorrow is starting the strike of tubes, I don't know yet how to go to work..

But I could tell a little bit of my holiday with my mum and little brother. They arrived here in London 23.4 and left yesterday, 27.4. On last Wednesday, they came to the hotel in afternoon, when I was working. It was so nice to see them! They both said that the this hotel is very posh and luxury! Yes it is very great hotel :). My boss said I can leave earlier today so we went for a lunch to the pub which was next to the hotel. And the food was very good, specially my chocolate cake! There are some pictures btw of our holiday.

After eating we went to Victoria, mum had booked the room from Best Western Victoria palace hotel. And we were so tired that we stayed at the hotel for the rest of the evening! :D Mum and brother had woke up already 4.30 am so I understand they were tired.

On Thursday we left to Oxford street straight from the hotel. I shopped quite lot, mum and Elmo not so much. We had a lunch at the italian restaurant, I liked that place a lot. Was nice to speak italian for the stuff :) Then we were shopping a little bit more again. In the evening we went to London eye, it was my third time in London eye but for mum and Elmo it was the first time :). They liked a lot. Then back to the hotel.

On Friday we went to see Piccadilly circus and walked around at the Regent street and China Town. I like China town a lot :). In the evening we went to Hyde park and Kensington Gardens. I wished I could see horses there and I saw ! It was great :). The serpentine lake was so beautiful and the trees, I took plenty of pictures.

For Saturday mum had booked tickets for Billy Elliot musical show so we went there in the afternoon. But before that we saw Buckinham palace and the parade of guards, it was fancy. And the Billy Elliot show was such a great one! About 12 year old boy was dancing and singing and acting at the same time during the show. He is very talented.
In the evening we went to Mexican restaurant. I love mexican restaurants, the atmosphere, music and the food. Love love love :). After eating and couple of drinks we went to the hotel.

On Sunday, in the morning we went to Camden town and I fell in love of the Camden Town Market! There were so much clothes and stuff and everything, I definetely will go there again! I ate with mum and Elmo at the Victoria train station and then they left back to the airport. That was so sad. I didn't want them to leave. I wanted to go with them back to Finland :D. But now I have only three weeks left anymore, I have to enjoy my stay here before going back to Finland and do things what I want to do. England is a great country, full of cultury and traditions. Everything for everyone. Thanks for visiting mum and Elmo, see ya after three weeks!

Love, Emmi

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21.4.2014 Tuesday

Hello!
It has been a while when I wrote last time. A lot have happened after that. One week ago one of my dearest friends were here in London with me, we spent four days together, on easter bank holidays. I was so so happy when she came here to London to see me! I had missed her a lot. During four days we had time to do many kind of things. On Friday evening we went out with other finnish girls, at first to the pub and then to night club. There were some spanish party at the night club I think because we were only finns there :D We were celeebrating my birthday on that evening, my birthday was few days earlier, 15.4. After partying we took a taxi with Annika and it drove the hotel. The evening was very nice, thanks girls! :)

On Saturday we went to tourist buss city tour, then we had a chance see all the city during three ours. We hopped off in Piccadilly circus and went for shopping and eating. Then we hopped back to the buss and the buss drove over Tower bridge and many other places we went through. We decided to go to see Big Ben, it is huuuge! And wonderful building :) We wanted to go to See life and London eye as well and we had a great time. After London eye experience we decided to go to hotel because we were so tired. Tomorrow is a new day again, can't wait :)

On Sunday we went to Shoreditch with Annika and Henna, for a lunch and later for couple of drinks. Shoreditch is a nice city area, very trendy. After lunch we wanted to find a nice pub and we found a club bar called "Drunken Monkey." From outside it looked like cosy but when we went in, there was a Dj playing very loud dancing music, people were dancing and drunk, and the time was only 6 pm! It was quite fun, no wonder that that place was called Drunken Monkey and it's a club bar. English people really know how to drink and have fun. We decided to move on, for a little bit more peaceful place. We found a tent and there were many drinking points, it looked like a bazaar. Very comfortable and cosy place, so we were there at least four hours! I enjoyed this evening a lot :).

On Monday then, the last day with Annika before she flies back to Finland, we went to see Harrods. It's such a great shopping center here in London, but very expensive one! But it was just nice to roam around and watch the products :). We bought a new suitcase for Annika and then went to have a lunch for a pub. Then was time to leave to the airport, I was a bit sad when she is leaving, I don't want to let her go :') I gonna miss her a LOT and this trip. On Heathrow I watched when she went through the security check and I left back to my family to Lewisham.

Here are some pictures below about our holiday. Thanks Annika for coming you are the best :) <3 Love, Emmi

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12.4.2014 Saturday

Hello!

One week has gone again after that when I wrote last time. A Week ago we met with other Finnish girls in Lewisham. We had a coffee and then we went to the pub. It was so nice to see them and catch up in Finnish! I was back home at 7 pm and I ate dinner with my host family. That was nice, I feel relaxed with them. On last Sunday an Italian girl moved here in this family after that when danish girl left on last Saturday. The Italian girl is very nice, maybe we will go out sometime. Let's hope so. On last Sunday I was only home and I went for jogging. It made good for me. The park is so beautiful so it's so relaxing just run. It was wonderful to see all the dogs can run free, in Finland dogs has to be on a leash like all the time.

The last week at work went so quickly, time is just flying. I have learned lot's of new things but I haven't checked guests in except one time. I was so nervous! I'm happy that one Swedish girl helped me with it. I don't know why I was so nervous, but she said it went very well. And the guest was nice as well, he said I make him smile and said I'm good at my job and he has honor to be my first guest :) It was a good day. I have got a nick name at work, Emely Rose :D It's funny that they are calling me by that name, and Amy Winehouse as well. Co-workers are so nice and friendly. Yesterday at work I was receiving one german group and helped them by telling them where are their rooms. It's nice that I can help more now other co-workers with groups. And maybe next week they will allow me to check guests in and out more.

Today, on Saturday, I have been home with my host family. During the evening I went for a walk to Catford center because the weather was so beautiful! I will be home tonight, it's kind of sad that I have not many friends here with who I would be able to go out at the same time, at my job my co-workers are working almost every weekend so they don't have time to go out. But I'm happy because my best friend is coming here next weekend, that is so awesome!! Then we have time to do many kind of things like celebrate my birthday, so wonderful! I'm waiting for that. I will write later again, see ya!

By: Emmi

These pictures are from google.

Me in Crofton park.

Lady wellness fields next to my house.

Me at work.

5.4.2014 Saturday

Hi!
Finally I have time to write here again. All week has been so busy and in the evenings I have been so tired so I was thinking I will write during the weekend. In the mornings I go to work 7.40 am by train and tube, and in the evenings I'm back home 18.30 pm. After work I have been talking with my boyfriend, family and friends in skype and then fell a sleep. But now it's weekend wohoo! I have been waiting for this like whole week, that I can sleep late. The plan for this day is to meet the finnish girls, I don't know yet what are we going to do but it is seen in the evening.

At work I havent done much yet. I only have watched what other receptionists have been doing and I have been standing next to them. i have wrote down some basic things about checking in and checking out. Last summer I was working at the reception of Longvik hotel so I know something about those things but it's more complicated because I have to speak english whole time. I have used to it now but there are still so much words in english I don't know yet, but I'll learn.

When the receptionists are checking guests in, basic phrases are these:

-Hello Sir/Mr/Mrs/Ms
-Welcome/welcome back to the hotel, how can I help you?
-Your name please
-May I have your passport please? (if the guest is not living in UK)
-May I have your credit or debit card please for guarantee the extra charges
-They print the registration card and the guest fill the detail, like home address, e-mail, home number and signature
-Then they tell how long is the guest staying, what kind of room they have and in which floor
-Breakfast time, internet access
-Restaurants (There are two restaurants next to the hotel, Bugis Street and Olives)
-Gym and Business room
-If guests want newspapers or wake up calls in the morning
-If there are anything you want to know, we have 24 hours reception and room service so you can call from the rooms anytime you want, we will help you
-Do you need help with your luggage?
-Enjoy your stay

And checking out:

-Hello Sir/Mr/Mrs/Ms
-How can I help you/checking our?
-Your room number and name is?
-How was your stay?
-Then they tell the guest if the room is prepaid or there are some extra charges.
-They print the receipt and give it for the guest inside of an envelope.
-They give the card of the supervaisor if they want to write down something about their staying, good or bad things
-Do you need help with your luggage?
-have a nice day/weekend/flight etc


So, maybe I can do those things next week as well, I hope so. Here are some pictures I took few days ago. There is London Eye which I see every morning and evening in the train and then few pictures about the park next to my host place.

I will write later again, have a nice weekend everyone!

By: Emmi

30.3.2014 Sunday

Hello,

Now I have spent one week here in London. And it has gone so fast! On last Thursday I became sick, I had a fever and flu so I had to be off from work Thursday and Friday. So now, the rest of the week, I have been home with my host family. Except yesterday, I wanted to go out for a walk. I asked from my host mum where I could go. She advised me to walk to Lewisham, which is 30 minutes walk from here. It was easy to find the way there, I walked through the beautiful Ladywellness park. I went to Lewisham shopping center and wanted to eat something. After that I bought a present for my host mum, because she had birthday the day before yesterday, on Friday. I bought her a scarf from H&M and of course I had to buy also a scarf for myself :) Finally I went to grocery store and bought chocolate and juice. Then I left back home. The weather was so beautiful and warm, it's almost summer in here!

I gave for Alexandre, my host mum, the birthday present and she became so glad! It was so nice to delight her, it made me happy as well. Her daughter Georgia, 9 years old, had made by herself a pink heart from fabric and gave also chocolate for her mum. She is so sweet. Alexandre said this is like mothers and host mothers day at the same time :D. I like this family a lot, they are really lovely persons each of them. At the beginning I had quite difficult to integrate because of my home sickness. But now this family feels like home already, every day more. And I'm very happy because my english has improved so much! When I came here in London, i didn't understand at all, when people were talking but now I have used to and I understand almost everything.

My little brother's birthday is today and he is 14 years old now. At home in Finland my mum has invited all relatives to spend "relative birthday" with 11 people, including my boyfriend. This day is a little bit hard for me because I would like to be there with my loved ones. But I'm happy that mum and my little brother will travel for Easter here in London and my best friend too! That's so wonderful.

This weekend have been very relaxing, I have been sick so I just want to became healthy and go to work tomorrow. Maybe next week I have more things to tell then, today I just will be home and watch a movie or something. There are some pictures below of my room, me, Ladywellness park and Lewisham.

By: Emmi