It’s been one week since we packed our bags and headed to the USA. We have had such a wonderful week of reuniting with both of our families and getting acclimated to life in the United States. I knew the kids were adjusting well when the boy ran around the house today waving an American flag. Yesterday he commented out of the blue that when he was older he would be living in the United States. Needless to say, we all are enjoying our time thus far.

I haven’t been shocked by much since it has only been three years since we have lived in America. But because I have gotten used to the way things were in Wales, several things continue to surprise me:

–the size of apples are absolutely huge. I have a constant internal battle to whether I should eat 1/2, 3/4, or a whole one for lunch. They look abnormal to me.

–whoever that Ed Hardy guy is, people must like him because his name is on everything…notebooks, beach towels, fragrance, clothing, etc. Everywhere I look, there is his stuff. I am assuming he is very rich by now.

–the endless supply of hot water to shower, do laundry, and do dishes is wonderful. For the past 3 years I have been treating my use of limited hot water in my house in Wales like a new mother feeding her newborn: very scheduled. Each day I would have to mentally work out what I was going to wash and be careful not to use too much hot water in bathing or even cleaning the house, or the hot water would run out, only to be replenished by pushing “Boost” and then seeing the cost reflected in our next bill. Being able to to do many loads of laundry (quickly too), take a shower, and wash dishes and rinse them in hot water from the faucet, not the kettle, makes me giddy. I don’t even mind those once dreaded tasks.

-the sunshine is amazing. Even though we have come back at the hottest time of the year, having predictable sunshine just touches that happy place in my soul. I don’t even care that I am hot and sweating. At least it is predictable. I just simply do not know how the Brits do it with so much rain and so much grey. They are amazing people. When it is sunny in Wales, we run to the window to soak it in, we stop everything we are doing to go outside, and we cram in as many things into that time outside. Because we know it may be days (and in the winter, weeks) before we will see it again.

Enjoying the most amazing weather over the weekend, we took a little drive one hour northwest of here to the National Showcaves Centre for Wales. Caves, a dinosaur park, and little farm were experienced on and in a mountain and enjoyed especially by the small dinosaur lover in our family. I was quite amused by the monochrome plastic of it all and thought that this video was begging for some Erasure music. As lifelong fans of Erasure, we hope you enjoy the “cheesiness” of our outing.

-julie

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/4969057[/vimeo]

I live in an English-speaking country. I speak English. It should always be that easy, but it is not. Accents get in the way. I had a little instance the other day that left me as puzzled as I once was hearing Black Crows “Too Hot To Handle” -”Hey little thing let me light your candle cause mama I’m sure hard to handle” (I thought “sure hard to handle now” was “da-hi-na-nigh” until years later my husband set me straight).

A lovely gal/lady came up to meet me. She was very nice and we struck up a conversation about where she was from and where I was from. A very short pleasant chat. Then a man who she knows and I am getting to know comes up to visit with me. She remains completely silent throughout my conversation with this man which involves a bold complaint in a tasteful manner coming from me (that makes you wonder there, doesn’t it?). He leaves and it is the two of us girls once again. She is about ready to leave but says something, probably the length of a paragraph. It is done with a smile.

Here is what she said. I think.

“Piece of paper…..(dot dot dot indicate words I could not make out) paint…..(more words I can’t make out) hunch…..(still more words) art…..(another sentence or so missed) income.” And that was it. Those are the only words I got out of that paragraph. She walked away.We hadn’t talked about any of these words, she knows nothing of my background, etc. She was a complete stranger. And instead of saying, “Can you repeat that once more?” I smiled and said,”Yes, thanks, I am artistic.”

Sometimes I am good at asking others to repeat what they have just said. Other times I smile or nod or laugh, not quite sure, but afterwards I can often piece together words like a puzzle and make sense out of the conversation. This time my piecing of words did not lead me to anything. 

Here are my conclusions in no certain order:

1. She has a hunch that I am artistic and that I could make an income out of painting. (Remember, I have never mentioned anything about art nor do I paint).

2. She thinks I could make an income out of selling my clothes. (She was looking at my clothes while she was talking).

3. She thinks I like art and has asked me to paint her nursery for her not born child. If so, I’m in trouble because my answer, “Yes, thanks, I am artistic,” just got me roped into something.

4. And this may be the most far-fetched, but maybe after listening to me complain to this man she suggested that I paint my complaints on a piece of paper.

That conversation made no more sense to me than a bunch of random words in a scrabble game and I am left only wondering. But not to worry, I will have to see her again. I could leave it and act as if I knew what she said, but I am the curious sort. I will embarrassingly figure this one out. I just hope I am not painting a nursery.

-Julie

The Ad agency for Cadbury are genius. Here’s their latest ad for Cadbury chocolate. It’s my new favorite commercial. Enjoy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVblWq3tDwY[/youtube]

Cheers.

Living in Great Britain for 2.5 years, I have inevitably learned quite a lot from the Brits. I have embraced these things, especially in the area of hospitality, and now they have become a part of me. When I see you next, across the pond, you may just see a few of these in action.

1. Brits take their shoes off (most of the time) when they arrive to a carpeted house. This prevents all of the gunk and goo they obtain on their shoes from the dirty footpaths(sidewalk) from getting onto their carpet where their little dear little baby then rolls around. Or, in my case, where their 3 year old crawls around pretending to be a smilodon.
2. Brits bring a hostess gift when they are invited to dinner at someone’s home. They preferably bring wine, chocolates, or flowers to which their hostess always feels appreciated. And the grocery stores have wonderful flowers (my favourite-lilies) that they then mark down on a regular basis for quick sale. 
3. Brits wear whatever they feel like wearing and don’t give a hoot who is looking. I’ve finally found a place where I can wear my tartan skirt over my jeans with my Diesel motorcycle boots and not get any stares. They rarely wear caps and never wear those velour jogging suits (except sometimes in my part of town).
4. Close friend Brits kiss you on the cheek. Feeling awkward upon moving here I now really like this practice. In fact, now I do the Brit kiss and then the American hug. Watch out, I might do it to you!
5. Brits wait patiently in line (queue). I’m just so impressed by this and marvel every time how politely they wait and do not cut in. I no longer have to be on the lookout to confront the cutters. My friend told me there once was a law against breaking in. Brilliant.
6. Brits always invite you in. In America I was used to talking to my neighbors in my doorway especially when I was busy. But I found out rather quickly that you should invite someone in when they come to your door (if you know them of course). And you should really offer them something to drink.
7. Brits use cool words. I like that they say “trousers” for “pants” and “dressing gown” for “robe” and “waistcoat” for “vest” and “vest” for “tank top (or wife beater)”. I try to use their words often in my own Texas accent. And it is ok to laugh when you hear me.
8. Brits have a witty sense of humour. I have rarely met a person that doesn’t know how to have a good laugh. And I admittedly have to ask them what they mean sometimes. I am convinced that they have developed their humour as a way of coping with the dreadful lack of sunshine and massive amount of rain. So be prepared for me to take the “mick outta you”. (give you a hard time)
9. Brits always take time for tea. I’m not a major fan of tea all day long on an empty stomach, but I love the practice of taking a break. I went to work in the grassed area at Harper’s school one day in the afternoon, and only an hour after I was there, they were wondering if I’d like a cuppa (tea that is). In my art class we always took a tea break and had a chat. Isn’t that lovely?