The Joys of the British Housewife

Yes, I'm back to being a housewife. Apparently my availability from now 'til Christmas doesn't suit the temp agency, so I'm back to being unemployed until after Christmas. They didn't say that exactly, but I get the feeling that I won't get called now until the New Year. So, what's a girl to do with all this time on her hands? BAKE! I'm doing Christmas cookies this year! Today is day one of my baking spree, and I'm making peanut butter cookies! It's hard to find ingredients, so I started with those as I could find everything I needed. I think before I continue, I'll have to drop by the American food store to pick up some other ingredients!

Next week we're having our annual Jingle Bell Blast that we usually have for all of Mike's team. However, apparently people don't socialize with people they work with here, so I think it's just going to be us expats! Fine by me! I don't think we'll pull out the beer pong table this year, much to our dismay, but it would have to go outside, and it may be a little cold!

What a Nice Surprise!

Yesterday when we came back to the flat and collected our mail, Mike had a note from the Royal Mail that he had a package to pick up. Today I went to get it, wondering what it could be as we weren't expecting anything. Lo and behold it was a package from one of the partners that Mike used to work for in NJ filled with GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!! It was really nice of him to think of us over here across the pond!

I heard from the temp agency today. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) wants me back. After I told her my availability between now and the New Year, she said she'd have to call me back. Well, I haven't heard back from her yet! Between now and Christmas, I'd only be able to work 1 full week, so maybe the passed on that!

This weekend we're going to Berlin from Saturday to Monday, and then in 2 weeks we're going to Helsinki, Finland from Saturday til Monday as well. Doesn't leave much time for me to actually WORK!

What a Whirlwind Weekend!

While I have to say it was WONDERFUL to see everyone at Thanksgiving the toll the trip is taking on me is crazy. We rolled into Peterborough yesterday around 9:30 AM. Mike decided to walk from home, so into the living room and to his computer he went. I, on the other hand, went to bed. I know I should have fought it and stayed up, but there's no way I could have. I slept until 3:00, when Mike woke me up to eat something. He made the American favorite Mac and Cheese for us. I was then determined to stay awake, and lasted until about 6:00PM when I was falling asleep on the couch. Mike sent me to bed for the night. I woke up again around 10PM and was worried I wouldn't sleep through the night again, but took some Benedryl and I was A-okay! Mike keeps telling me that you're not supposed to sleep like that because it will be harder for me to get back on track, but I'm not sure I could have stayed awake even if I tried!

This weekend we are off to Berlin to see their Christmas Bazaar and all the sites the city has to offer. I think we're most excited about seeing the Berlin wall and checkpoint charlie. We get back from Berlin around mid-day on Monday, so it should be a nice trip!

That's all from me for now, I need to go and do some food shopping--we don't have anything in the house!

No Electricity!!!!

This morning, as I was going through my usual routine on the computer, email, myspace, facebook, news. The power went out! I figured it was a normal power outage, and it would come back on shortly. So I waited. Then I called Mike to tell him to call me on the landline if he needed me because the power was out. He directed me to the circuit breaker box. The circuit breaker box is about 8 feet up (yes, we've got very high ceilings) so needless to say when I stood on a chair, I still couldn't reach. I literally had to move the entire kitchen table over to check it out. There weren't any switches flipped to off but the main one, and STUPID me, didn't realize that was a bad thing. I went back to my conclusion that the power had just failed and if I was patient, it would come back on. So I waited, and waited. Finally, about 4 hours later, Mike called to check on me. I told him that all the switches were on "on", but the one that's separate, which I later found out is the main. At this point I called the property management company, and they had an electrician out in about 15 minutes...It helps that it was considered an emergency because our heat is run by electricity. The electrician came and as it turns out, there was one circuit that was a short, the rest were okay, and luckily it's our backyard motion sensor that's out. He's supposed to come back tomorrow to get everything up and running, but for now, at least we have lights and heat! Just when I thought it was going to be a nice relaxing day at home....

Ice Skating at South Kensington

So the expats tried something new last night...something that didn't include alcohol as the main event...though we did hit up the pub afterwards! We went ice skating in South Kensington next to the Natural History Museum. One thing that I learned last night is that I freaking HATE ice skating. I went around the loop a couple of time and I was ready for a nice hot chocolate! I sucked it up for the sake of the group for the entire hour...feet hurting and all! Mike was a show off as usual, spinning and doing everything short of a double sow cow. It was fun, once I got my skates off and had a chance to sit down in a nice warm pub.

Last Day at IMechE...

Or is it...when I was leaving today, they gave me a bottle of champagne and said they would love it if I came back after my holiday. The people there are bloody mad, so it makes going to work interesting so I think I will give them a call when we get back next Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm really excited about having Monday and Tuesday off!

English Word of the Day...revised

So, I have been set straight by Queen Maureen. Bollocks does not mean shit or crap, but "balls". I suppose that it doesn't make much difference in usage.

PS...don't worry mom...no more bad words for awhile!

English Word of the Day...

Bollocks...

Meaning, crap, shit, etc. Most likely used when something hasn't gone your way...'Oh, Bollocks!' I've also heard it being used as in 'That red wine kicked the bollocks out of me last night!'

Promise to have some more 'non-curse' words next week!

Scotch Eggs...

Have you ever heard of a Scotch Egg? Probably not, right? Let me explain what it is...In essence, it's a hard boiled egg, in the center of a spam like substance that they call 'veal ham' wrapped in a pastry like a pot pie. This is served cold as part of a salad! A few months ago, Mike and I were faced with Scotch Eggs at my relatives' house, but they've recently popped again at the salad bar I sometimes go to for lunch. The Brits rave about it!!! They can't understand why I think it's weird at all. Although, when I explained to them what Macaroni and Cheese was, they were a bit disgusted...'Macaroni in a box?' 'Powdered Cheese?'...Needless to say I'm making some and bringing it in tomorrow! These people don't know what they're missing!

English Word of the Day...

Tick...

Translated to American it's like 'second'. Like the tick of a clock. Mostly used in phrases like...'I'll be there in a tick' or 'Can you call me back in a tick'. Another word used interchangably with this one is tinkle. Tinkle just cracks me up, as I think of a little child going wee wee when I hear tinkle.

English Word of the Day...

Knickers...

Some might call them underwear or pants. Don't call pants, pants though, pants here are underwear. LOL! You can use knickers in saying 'Don't get your knickers in a bunch', or 'Always make sure you change your knickers daily'.

Knickers = Underwear
Pants = Underwear
Trousers = Pants

While we're talking about underwear...sometimes they call a bra a vest but they also call it a bra as well.

Parliamentarians are schlebs...

Well at least the ones I met today. They were actually poorly dressed and carrying burlap sacks. At least one of them was! The Secretary of State was not nearly as well spoken as I thought he would have been, but I did get to shake his hand. He was kind of snobby as well, and came after the presentation started and stayed only a half an hour. I realize he's a busy man and all, but really. His speech was boring at best and he was literally reading it word for word from the page. On the upside, they let us out at 4:00 today in celebration for the event being over, and the whole department went out for a couple of pints. We'll see how long my stint lasts at this place. I can picture them having much more work for me to do after this week.

English Word of the Day...

By popular demand... BUGGER!

Yes, I actually am taking requests now. Bugger or buggar (not sure of the correct spelling) is another word you could use in place of fuck. For instance, "Buggar off!" or "Oh Buggar!". Lisa, the requester reminding me of a funny "buggar" story. When we were in 6th grade, and my uncle was coming to visit from the UK, my mom repeatedly told Lisa not to say the word "Booger" because it might sound like buggar and then our relatives would think she was saying a REALLY bad word! Could you imagine a 6th grader saying..."F this and F that" Thinking she as talking about boogers?????

Tomorrow's a Big Day!

So, I've been working at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for the past few weeks as they are having a huge launch of allowing Engineering Technicians into their society. (Exciting Stuff I know). Tomorrow's "EngTech" Day and the best part about it is that I get to meet 3 members of Parliament AND the Secretary of State, The Right Honorable John Denham! Mike keeps telling me to bring my camera, but I think I may just have to take mental pictures of this one!

On another note, I am getting SOOOO excited to come home for Thanksgiving. The anticipation is making me a little homesick though, and I would think it would be the opposite. The whole weekend is going to be a whirlwind, but at least we'll get to see most of the people we'd like to. At least at Christmas we'll have a little more time and hopefully get to make all the rounds.

This past weekend we went to see "We Will Rock You" which is a West End show that features the music of Queen. Though the story line could have been better, the music was great. We went with our friends from Ohio, Chris and Kialee, and went and had dinner afterward at a place called The Texas Embassy, which was one time just that--before Texas became a part of the USA, they had their own embassy in London. So a few margaritas later, Mike and I were trying to find our way home. The tubes were closed, we were tipsy, and the cabbie wanted 45 quid to take us home...needless to say we took the night bus and had to wait 45 minutes for it.

English Word of the Day...

Rubbish...

Mike's been bugging me to use this one although it's not very interesting. Rubbish meaning trash or garbage. They also use in in place of crap when describing something they don't like..."That's rubbish"..."Can you believe the rubbish on TV?", etc. I promise to have a better word tomorrow!

English Word of the Day...

Cheeky...

Mike and I have had a discussion of the actual definition of this one is real American terms. We've both heard it used in differnt ways. My definition is that it's when someone is "fresh". Mike's is when someone is being scandalous. Either way it's a funny word to describe someone's actions!

For the Toyota people, it kind of reminds me of when Lisa Pluta says, "You're freshy, freshy, freshy!"---"You're cheeky, cheeky, cheeky!"

English Word of the Day...

DODGEY--

This is one of my favorite English words and one that I've adopted into my own vocabulary. Dodgey, another word for sketchy or shady, can be used in describing something or someone who is not quite right. For instance, the South Bronx might be considered dodgey. I think what I like about this word the most is the pronounciation with the English accent--'dudgy'.

English Word of the Day...

Jumper...While this one isn't nearly as crass or controversial as the last one, it's a word that messes me up nearly everyday. In 'English' english a jumper is either a sweater or sweatshirt, which is a little annoying in that they don't really make the distinction between the two. When I think of a jumper, I think of a sleeveless dress that you would wear a shirt underneath. Similar to a little girls Catholic school uniform. So yesterday, when a woman at work complimented me on my jumper, she was speaking of my sweater, and then last night at the gym a woman suggested I put my jumper in a locker, meaning sweatshirt.

A Foggy day in London town...

Well, no it's actually quite sunny and nice, but I will tell you one thing that's actually drab and gray--the Londoner's wardrobe. I suppose I hadn't thought of it before since I wasn't in the business world, but now that I'm back at work I'm finding the business clothes of the Londoner boring at best. People don't wear color. They either wear black or gray and on a day the want to get a little crazy they wear navy blue. Yesterday I think I noticed it the most as I was wearing camel colored dress pants and a hunter green sweater. I might as well have been wearing day glow yellow and hot pink! No wonder why Mike won't wear his tan suit to work! Today I've decided to rebel against the norm and am wearing my pink tweed 'Legally Blonde' suit! I'll be sure to get a few stares on the tube! On another note, while I'm still talking about the Londoner's wardrobe, I completely understand the concept of not having a lot of clothes here. One, there isn't anywhere to put them in your house and two, they are super expensive. However, I think the average person should at least have enough to make it through a week's rotation. There's one particular guy in the office I'm working at who has been wearing the same pair of pants since last Wednesday. There's another girl who wore the same outfit 3 days in a row, but just changed her shirt! Perhaps I was spoiled from a young age, but I think that's just a bit gross! Okay that's all from me for now....Stay tuned for today's English Word of the Day!

English Word of the Day...

FAG--

Get your minds out of the gutter! No, no, no, it isn't a derogatory name for someone of homosexual orientation as it is in the states, but rather another word for cigarette. I still chuckle everytime I hear someone say, "I'm going to have a fag," or "I'm going to pop downstairs for a quick fag before my meeting. Care to join?" He he he! I actually thought long and hard on whether to post this one or not due to its American political incorrectness, but it was too good to pass up! Hope I didn't offend anyone!

Guy Fawkes Day

Today is Guy Fawkes Day. Who is Guy Fawkes and why does he have a day you may be asking? Well Guy (Guido) Fawkes was the mastermind behind a Roman Catholic plot to blow up the houses of Parliament and kill the king in 1605 by rolling a gunpowder keg into Parliament. This they thought would end Protestant rule! Unfortunately, the plot was unsuccessful, and people in England rejoice in the day.

What does this mean to two yanks living in London? Well, I can now say I can imagine what it was like to living in London during the 2nd world war. There are amateur fireworks going off all over the place! They aren't organized by the city or even the neighborhoods. There are just rogue displays going on all over the place! My brother Michael would be in his glory! AND no cops are chasing them! In trying to describe this, it's not like the fireworks you get at "South of the Border" driving down I95, these are serious shells! And they're really loud. We're actually wondering how long it's going to last as this has been going on since last weekend! Today is Guy Fawkes Day, so we're thinking it will be over shortly--hopefully! Walking to the gym today, I really could have thought there was an air raid going on if I didn't know any better!

English Word of the Day...

Along with my regular posts about the goings on in mine and Mike's lives, I'm going to post an "English Word of the Day". Today, I'm making an easy, not-so-controversial one. "BRILLIANT" Like the Guiness commericials may illustrate, this word is completely overused. In the American English language, you may use this word in describing a particularly intelligent person or even something that is very bright or shining like a star. Here on the other hand, it's used in place of words like excellent, great, super,fantastic. Where we would intersperse each of those, the English have simplified it in one word....BRILLIANT. And yes, the English even jump around when they shout "Brilliant" like the chaps in the Guinness commerical. More on chap at a later time!

XFactor vs. American Idol

I know that the US ripped off American Idol from England's Pop Idol all those years ago, but I have to say, I think the UK has the market cornered on talent shows. The Xtra Factor or X Factor for short is a show similar to American Idol--Hell, Simon is even a judge, but the format of the show is just far superior to Idol. For instance, they don't limit the talent's ages, but put them in 4 categories ( under 25 girls, under 25 boys, over 25s, and groups). The judging panel is way better and they have a vested interest in the talent. Each judge is given a group and each is trying to get their group to win. Sharon Osborne has the girls, Dani Minogue (the prettier of the Minogue sisters if you ask me) has the boys, SImon Cowell has the groups and a guy named Louie has the oldies. Now, the 2 best parts of this show are that 1) you only have an hour to vote and then the results show is on an hour later! No waiting till the next day in anticipation of who will go home. Furthermore, the results show is only 15 minutes long! They don't drag it out! 2) They bring it down to the final two "unsafe" contestants and then it's up to the judges who goes home. This would certainly have eliminated Sanjaya from the get-go last year!

More on the Squirrels...

Yesterday I was walking back from my lunchtime jaunt to Victoria Street and was strolling along St. James's Park when I saw a large group of tourists standing on the sidewalk staring up into a treet. I thought, "wow, there must be something cool up there", so I stopped to look and joined the twenty or so tourist staring up into the tree, taking pictures. When I stopped to look, I thought at first I wasn't seeing the thing everyone else is seeing. All that was there was another one of those pesky squirrels. I continued to stand staring at the tree because I figured there had to be SOMETHING else up there, but no. I've never seemed so many people so entralled with a stupid squirrel. When I took further notice, I saw several people chasing the squirrels, trying to feed them etc. I suppose it never dawned on me that squirrels could be such a novelty. When I got back to the office, I was telling the people there about the silly tourists and the squirrels, and one girls said--very excitedly I might add, "Yes, and if you stand very still, they will even climb you legs!". Who wants a squirrel to climb their legs!?!?!?!?!?!

Halloween in London

I was so wrapped up in our horrible commute yesterday, I neglected to tell you what Halloween was like in London. People here definitely know what Halloween is, but they really don't go "all out" with it like we do here. On my 3 mile walk home, I did see a few trick-or-treaters, but their costumes were like k-mart specials with the crappy masks. and plastic, garbage bag like shirts. The closest we came to trick-or-treaters were two slutty devils who rang our buzzer trying to sell Mike the services of a new gas company-- Though we're not sure that's all they were selling! Our neighbor upstairs let them in and they were up there for a little while...I suppose the could have been just pitching their product, but I'm a little suspect of that!

My temp job got extended through the end of NEXT week, so I'll be at this place for 2 weeks. The people there are nice enough (you can't expect much more from the English), and though the work is completely mindless, I did do my first mail merge today which I was pretty excited about---doesn't take much these days!

Finally, this weekend we're just going to chill out both days. We literally have had something to do every weekend since we've been here---Yes, August 3 was our first day here, so this is a much needed and deserved break in the action!