One way to the UK?

Well this weekend my mate Rich, who’s from Spain stopped over in London on his way back from Kuwait (working), and on his way to Paris then Valencia – he arriving on Friday and pretty much slept all day, which was fine as I was working from home and arranging my knee appointments, and then Friday night he finally got in contact with his mate Frazer, also from Spain but who now lives in London, so we all met up at Liverpool Street then headed to Brick Lane for some drinks and a curry! Rich realised after an alcohol-free week in Kuwait he’s in withdrawal… too used to the good party life of Madrid! Anyhow we headed to Bar 1001 along Brick Lane for drinks, then to Shampa Indian for some curry – had a gorgeous chicken tikka with peshwari naan – the best ever! Then after lots of drinks there, it was about midnight so we headed to Vibe Bar for some drinks and good music, and then at closing (1am) we headed to Casa Blue.. the blue house in spanish — yet run by indians haha well it is on Brick Lane! Anyhow that place was pretty interesting… nice atmosphere and interesing interior! I had a few issues with stairs down to the bathrooms in places but survived without letting the guys carry me! Following some nice capirihanas (sp?) and mojitos and expensive champagne with strawberries courtesy of Rich’s mate Frazer .. I was ready to head home, about 3 or 4am by now, but no we continued on to the Russian Bar, up near Dalston Hackney… even I was scared going into that part of town!!! haha I think it’s actually a Polish Bar, not Russian Bar, but anyhow it was actually not bad. Would have been better if I could have gotten up to dance etc, but still fun! Finally got a cab home and into bed by about 630am! Definitely felt like it was back in Madrid.. but of course had the bad weather to contend with instead! I’m loving my electric blanket too at home, good investment to get through this winter!

Okay so Friday night (10th October, 4 days before my H&S exam) two girls from work were having their birthday drinks down at Canary Wharf, I’d decided not go go during the day, but then got convinced to go down just for one drink to finish off the week and celebrate… well, let me say that it finished off the week alright. About 1030pm (yes, early I know), I was heading out of the bar to go home, after only having 2 drinks during 5 hours (hence sober!) and a colleage grabbed me on the dance floor for a quick spin, and tried to do a ‘ballroom dancing dip’ (so i was laying over, head near the floor) when my right knee snapped!

I freaked out, thinking I’d broken my leg, but then felt my kneecap was on the side of my leg, so I shot up, straightening leg and it jumped back into place. It was the most immense pain I’ve ever felt (and don’t wanna have kids!) and I couldn’t stop whimpering!!! My body pretty much panicked, and I felt sick and broke out in a sweat; not nice. So, I was helped up the steps at Canary Wharf and got into a cab straight home – which seemed like the longest drive ever. On getting home, the flatmates were still up so helped me get ice onto my knee! They’ve decided the only safe places for me is home or the kickboxing gym as everytime I go out with my colleagues I come home injured in some way!

Saturday morning, after goading my various people, I took myself to The Royal London Hospital, where I beat the A&D morning rush and got seen to fairly quickly… and got stuck with a leg splint to immobilise my knee! Decided against the walking aid, but did get a taxi home instead of the bus! So luckily I had to study all weekend and had Mon/Tues off work for the exam anyway, so I had to be home off my leg regardless of other plans.

Well to cut to the chase… I had a checkup and got kitted with a different splint, one which has dials on both sides of the knee (ie Robocop or Bionic Woman are the nicnames from work… as well as Hoppy!) the ortho doctor in the fracture clinic said still nothing broken, but not sure what is actually wrong inside my knee so I’m currently awaiting my letter with MRI date. Hopefully surgery won’t be required, but it could still be anterior or medial crutiate ligament. According to soo many people’s horror stories, knee injuries can plague you for bloody years; so I need to listed to the doctor’s advice and keep the splint on for the 6 weeks and no kickboxing before it’s all healed AND I’ve done physio/rehab. Couldn’t have happened at a worse time, as I’d been really enjoying new redbelt classes and was looking forward to wearing my new gear and learning touch sparring! :o( 

One very unhappy person! Also the next person who pushes me at the tube stations (London isn’t disabled friendly AT ALL!) is going to get wacked! No one looks down and sees the splint, so they all push me along wondering why I’m walking so slowly cuz I still look and dress like normal! Mara and I went shopping on a weekend to get me a new winter skirt and comfortable flat shoes and new tights, as I think that’s what I’m stuck wearing well into this winter; much to the amusement of my (nearly all) male colleagues!

Well since Spain and then my studying and exams I haven't had  time for much... and things I have done I've forgotten about! haha, however one show I saw which was fantastic was Les Miserables! Andrea Collins (my old teacher ... [Continue reading this entry]

Well back in June, I started a British Safety Council Certificate 3 in Health and Safety (one step down from their Diploma as I'm not yet in a H&S role to manage at work) - anyhow I had a contact ... [Continue reading this entry]

Time to catch up on the diary entries before life gets too far ahead of us too fast! Valencia -- Bunol -- Madrid On Monday, 25 August (a bank holiday in UK), Mara and I set off to Stansted to meet up ... [Continue reading this entry]