Newbie

Today was a day of meeting new people - of being the "Newbie" of the group, just as Dr. Cox "fondly" refers to JD as (in Scrubs - which is shown on TV over here as often as Friends). My afternoon began with a meeting of minds - I met a Psychologist (holding both a PsyD and PhD) from Austria at the Serpentine Cafe in Hyde Park for a coffee. His name is Human - and I'm certain that wherever Sigmund Freud is, he is laughing at the irony of a psychologist being named "Human." Human found me on the city socializing website and appeared excited to know someone in the field. I got to hear about his current research project (which is what brings him to London for 6 months) regarding personality organization and spirituality - fascinating. He talked a bit about his articles and books published, all in German unfortunately, and discussed his upcoming lecturing topics. He appeared equally interested to hear about my clinical work with children and families, as he's never delved in that area, aside from some clinical work in addiction. Conversation was very 'shop-talk' with insights regarding the new DSM, the diagnosis of ADHD, and body modification. After two hours we said good-bye with a plan to visit the Freud Museum later in the week. I mentioned that I'd been to the Freud Museum in Vienna (where Human lives) eight years ago and unintentionally brought about a resentful tirade regarding the fact that the British stole "Freud's Couch" from Austria and have it in their museum, when it really should be in it's rightful home. Such passion! I'm hopeful that emotions will be kept in check when we actually see it in person...

And tonight was Book Club - complete with eight women who all know each other. A few had finished the book - I made a valiant effort in a day and got halfway, which I was both impressed and content with. The book was "Alone in Berlin", the conversations were quite provocative, the drinks bubbly, the laughter loud and cheerful, and the atmosphere of The Bobbin charming and traditionally British. The book is about 1940 Berlin, the Nazi regime, and taken from the viewpoint of Germans who feel repressed in their fear and isolation under such a fanatical leader - who don't really buy into the ideals but feel like they have no other choice. Ultimately, the book seems to be about the main character taking back some of his power and demonstrating resistance to the Fuhrer in the only way he knows how. All in all seems to be a decent read. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations and listening to the opinions of the varied group regarding that era. After three hours, I had met quite a few lovely people, some of whom I will be seeing soon, I had been well accepted as a Newbie into this friendly group, and had the next book and meeting place in pocket. Walking up to my flat at 10pm, after a full day's excursion of meeting people, I felt both grateful for the opportunities and relieved it was over. I like the idea that the next time I see them, I won't be the "new girl" and that we'll have some things to talk about carried over from this first meeting - quite a success! The theme may have been "Alone in Berlin" but I am definitely not "Alone in London." Cheers to that.