Ambassadorial Scholar Tobin Postma Writes
"It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it." Albert Einstein - Tobin Postma has written again, possibly for the last time. I think he should have been a comedian. Enjoy
Russ
I haven't written an update in quite some time so due to overwhelming popular demand (thanks mum) I will take one more shot at it...
Its 2009, Im living/working in London and living in a very cool apartment in an area of London called Little Venice. My housemates are an Aussie called Ben (who has just recently broken up with his girlfriend and is now on the prowl - apparently in Australia that means waxing your chest and taking copious amounts of protein) and my cousin Henry from the UK - he has already proven to be a welcome addition as he has set up a DVD shelf and a bookcase (he managed to put the bookcase together backwards). We call our place the Commonwealth as we have a Canadian, English and Australian living together...some smart ass asked us where was the Indian contingent, needless to say we have banned Ben's brother from ever coming back.
In the 6 months that I have been living in London, the four most important events that stand out in my mind are as follows (from least to most):
1) my first trip to a UK dentist: as the english have quite a reputation as possessing poor dental features I was quite hesitant to go, however all of my fears were put to rest as my dentist walked in wearing socks and sandals.
He then proceeded to take x-rays, he wore a nice protective leather coat while I was guarded by a tough paper bib. walking out of there, my wallet and my head never felt lighter
2) weekend trip to the Alps: It all started so well, our plane was delayed by 2 hours....thank god one of the guys had a lounge pass and the three of us proceeded to drink two full bottles of Vodka. The lounge host then question our ability to fly to which we shrugged off, stole two more bottles of beer each from the fridge and then ran to our gate. The Alps were amazing, powder that reached to your knees...apparently the French don't like going off the designated trails - but then again, what do the French like?
3) 6 inches of snow in london: this huuuuuge dump brought london to its knees, i made it into work only 1.5 hours late (only because i was up till 3am watching the Superbowl) to find only 3 other people had made it in...i then proceeded to make fun of these weak english, right before i left for the day at 1pm to meet my cousin for lunch and so that I "could make it home safely"
4) I bought my first plants: I feel like I have reached a new level of maturity as over the weekend I bought my first two plants ever. They are proudly displayed in my bedroom and they are pretty much the most important things in my life right now. In my mind this is my opportunity to show that I can take care of and nuture a living thing and I will not let them die (mainly because they cost so much money, who would have thought plants would be so expensive...i mean they are all around us for free). So as a treat, on their first night in my room I bought us each a bottle of Evian water (I know, Im spoiling them...plain water is good enough, but first impressions are key). Every night, I take a sip from my bottle and they each get a squirt from their own...i hope they appreciate this because after the evian runs out, its tap water all the way (but i may just keep using the Evian bottle to fool them, they are just plants anyways). I have even caught myself talking to them on occasion, surely a sign that I need to get out more....
Other than that, life is good...but I better hurry up, its time for my plants' evening drink
t