Friday, November 5th - breakdown

Don't worry - not in the mental sense. In the 'must have diet coke' sense.

When I came over here it was a chance to start with a clean slate - no chocolate and no diet coke. The chocolate isn't a big problem since the recipe for any chocolate made in the UK is just, well, not right - too sweet is the only way I can explain it. And, believe it or not, M&M's are actually hard to find! My supervisor is from Belgium and has a stash of chocolate from the continent that is to die for, but it's soooooo gooooood that all you need is a little bit and you are done. Can you imagine - actually putting down half a chocolate bar??? It has happened to me! YUP! Believe it.

As for the diet coke... I did ok for the first month or so. The soda machine in the residence hall only had Coke Zero (which, for aficionados is not the same). When the cleaning lady found out she had the delivery guy load the machine with DC just for me. It's been downhill ever since. I'd have a can of DC with my Fish & Chips and slowly I found shops around town that sold cans and bottles but it's always a pound here, a pound there (so @ $1.50/20oz bottle). My budget just can't afford it.

This morning I woke up and just knew I had to go to TESCO's - the little grocery store in town that is in the opposite direction from my office. There must have been some subliminal messaging going on last night while I slept! The store sells 8 packs of the cans and they were 2 for 6 pounds. I can't do math in my head at any time of day, but I think that's a deal. I picked up two! Plus a fresh bagel and am now happily ensconced in my office writing this and procrastinating my day of studying.

Well, at least the chocolate addiction seems to be on the back burner for now. Cheers!