well things are settling down a bit, and i feel like i have less to tell than i did last week.
i've been in training at work all week. while i do legitimately need training, i need info on london policies and procedures, and they're giving me general new hire training. so i've heard about how to give a good testimony, why it's important to document well, etc, etc - all things i know already. it's not miserable or anything, but i haven't learned a whole lot.
i could really get used to this work ethic. we're scheduled 9:30 - 4:30. we usually have tea, start our day at 9:45 or 10, break at about 11 for tea and biscuits (cookies), have lunch at 12:30ish, another tea break around 3, then we're done at 4ish.
the thing that sticks out most from training is the concept of magistrates. sometimes, instead of one judge, they use 2-3 magistrates to make decisions. these magistrates don't have law degrees, they're just lay people with a little training. it's just really strange to me that you would have a lay person making a legal decision!
i ate mexican one night this week. you can't expect good mexican here, so i tried to adjust my expectations, but it was still the worst mexican i've ever had. no chips and salsa, sweet & sour mix in the margaritas, and carrots and eggplant in the veggie fajitas. i may just have to make my own mexican.
friday night, i went with betsy and her roommates to a noodle place in leicester square and then wandered around soho. we ended up in a little bar, good night overall. we took the train back home, and as we were getting out of the train, some guys fell out of the car in front of us fighting. it got really intense, and one guy punched another in the face really hard, knocking him back. he hit his head really, really hard on the cement. so the police and ambulance came. one of betsy's roommates is a cop, and has found out that the guy has a serious head injury and is still in the hospital. we all had to give statements and a couple of people in the group have been contacted to make more detailed statements. it was pretty scary hearing his head crack and watching him bleeding on the ground, but that kind of stuff happens in all big cities. i'm being careful, so don't worry.
saturday i went to a church barbeque, and then to a park to watch a movie that was filmed in the area. it was good, but a little chilly, and i was really tired. we went to church this morning, and i've been laying around the house ever since. this move has really exhausted me! everything is just so much effort. but i can't really complain too much. besides noelle and nikki's visa delays, and a bad first day, things have gone pretty smoothly. i haven't been lost in a week and a half, and it's starting to feel more normal to be here. it definitely seems like i've been here longer than 2 weeks, but i don't feel settled since i'm still living out of my suitcases.
i have more training on monday and tuesday, and then i'll be back in the office to shadow another caseworker. i think of a million interesting things to write about, but i forget them as soon as i sit down to write! i'll have to start keeping a list with me at all times to record all the strange customs.