Ok so I apologize for not updating...been traveling and only got internet access now! The following post was written last week but not published...I still have a lot to write about my last week in England and my first week in South Africa but at least for now, here is a summary of my time in England...or atleast my likes and dislikes...write again soon!
Things I will miss about England:
1. British Accents. They are funny but what's even funnier is how the pronounce certain words. For example, Zebra is "zeh-bra", Hyundai is "Hi-oon-day", Aluminum is "al-ih-min-ee-um", garbage is rubbish, garbage cans are dust bins, fries are chips, chips are crisps, trunks are boots, underwear is pants, color is colour, the toilet is the loo, a napkin is a sanitary pad and a serviette is a napkin, a cash register is a till, gas is petrol, tires are tyres and cell phones are mobiles. And finally, "You alright?" is "How are you?" and "Cheers" is goodbye slash a little bit of thank you.
2. That people think my "accent" is cool. Some girl the other day was like, "Wow--your accent is so cool. I'm so jealous!" Really? American accents are so...oh I don't know...blah.
3. Indian food: It's reallyyyy good here! Curry, naan bread, and bhat (that's rice!)! Mmmm...
4. The 'Royal Oak" and all the Nepalese guys: The 'Royal Oak' is the pub where I worked. All the guys there were Nepalese and I swear, they are the nicest breed of people in the world.
5. Chandy: This is half beer; half lemonade and it's amazing (and I don't even like beer!).
6. Pimm's: Yummy rum mixed with lemonade, mint, and fruit drank most famously during Wimbledon
7. Honesty in signage: The British have really funny signs in their country, like the one I blogged about before on the tube which said something along the lines of "If it's really busy, people may have to sit on your lap." Other favorites include "Elderly Crossing" complete with a picture of Grandma and Grandpa with canes and "Please don't eat smelly food" courtesy sign in the train station.
8. Old stuff: everything here is really old but really beautiful at the same time.
9. Price of Brie Cheese: It's like 1 dollar for a triangle (not on sale!).
10. Proximity to other countries: it's so easy to go to France for a weekend or Germany for a "holiday". In the same regard, people from all over Europe and the rest of the world reside in the UK so you're always meeting interesting people from all sorts of cultures.
11. Aero chocolate: delicious chocolate bars that come in regular chocolate and chocolate mint. Silky chocolate with air bubbles. Yummy!
12. Coronation Street: a British soap opera. It's ok...if I ever come back I'm sure it will be easy to catch up on...
13. Museums: so many of them are free! It's great!
14. Boot sales: imagine BARKS garage sale every Sunday---that's what we have here!
15. Bed and Breakfasts: they are cheaper than hotels here! And plentiful!
16. Radio 1: it's better than Z100---WAYYYY better. They play throwbacks and new music and have great DJs and celebrity guests and cool games. One of my favorite things they do is have each musical guest record their own version of someone elses' song.
Things I will NOT miss about England:
1. English Breakfasts: I don't know about you but I'm not that hungry in the morning. A bowl of cereal or a piece of toast and coffee is plenty for me. So I don't know how the people here eat those bloody English breakfasts! I mean who wants eggs, toast, mushrooms, tomatos, sausage, and bacon for breakfast! Yuck!
2. Tipping policy: As a patron, it was all well and good. But as a bartender, not so much. People do NOT tip bartenders here and when you eat out, it is customary to tip only about 10%.
3. Driving on the other side of the car and the other side of the road: it's wierd and scary and I can't do it, therefore I don't like it.
4. Degrees Celcius and Military Time: What can I say? I'm an American stuck in my ways.
5. Pounds: the pound is worth a lot more than the dollar (1 pound = like $1.65!) which means when you come to the UK, you automatically have less money. So not cool! And the paper money only starts at 5 pounds! And they have SO many coins...1 pent...2 pents...5 pents...10 pents...20 pents...50 pents...1 pound...2 pounds... Such heavy pockets here!
6. Teenagers: teenagers here all seem to be troubled. They all have babies and start drinking really early.
7. The weather: contrary to popular belief, the weather is NOT horrible here. However, being from NJ, I know that there were definitely more sunny hot days in NJ than here this summer, and for that, the weather makes it to my "dislike" list. But I have to give the weather some credit...it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be!
8. Eggs are not refridgerated at grocery stores. Yet the refridgerators come with egg containers to put them in...hmmm.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
10 days until SA and some Britney!
Just a quick post....10 days until South Africa! And also, if you remember me and my cousin's Eurotrip and how Venice was so boring...well, he has finally posted one of the many videos we made that day and I wanted to share it: BRITNEY LIVE IN VENICE.
If it's terribly hard for you to understand what exactly is going on in the video...here is some explanation. We are under an overhang at the train station in Venice and it is pouring so everyone is underneath the roof. There are 2 hippy guys singing horribly with a sign that says something along the lines of "Give us money and we will stop singing". Their bowl is empty. I tell my cousin to go up to them and ask if he can make them a business proposition...he joins their band and they split the "hefty" profits. The guys immediately agree and the video is what ensues!
Well, I might as well tell you what I've been up to this week. On Monday I went into London to meet up with Nancy (my mom's best friend from California). Donovan met us later on in the day. We went to Harrods and had lunch in Covent Garden. We then went to the Tower of London to do the tour (something I've been wanting to do the whole time I've been here) and it was closed! It was like the one day that they were closing at 3:30pm for repairs! Can you believe it? Anyway, it was a lovely day.
Me and Nancy:
On Wednesday night I hung out with a new friend I've made, Jackie. We drank wine and talked. She lived in Mountain Lakes, NJ for 6 years when she was younger! How crazy! It was a really fun night. When her bf got home, Donovan then joined us and we went to the pub for an hour or so. We were singing and having a grand 'ole time.
Tonight I'm working the pub. I also worked a funeral reception today at the pub. Tomorrow we are having lunch with Donovan's friend, Ashley, who he hasn't seen in 8 years and who is currently in Bible School! Saturday night I'm working and then Sunday we are going for lunch with Cynthia (woman who's kids I babysat) and her family.
We also started to clean the house this week but still have a lot more to do...
Have a great weekend everyone!
If it's terribly hard for you to understand what exactly is going on in the video...here is some explanation. We are under an overhang at the train station in Venice and it is pouring so everyone is underneath the roof. There are 2 hippy guys singing horribly with a sign that says something along the lines of "Give us money and we will stop singing". Their bowl is empty. I tell my cousin to go up to them and ask if he can make them a business proposition...he joins their band and they split the "hefty" profits. The guys immediately agree and the video is what ensues!
Well, I might as well tell you what I've been up to this week. On Monday I went into London to meet up with Nancy (my mom's best friend from California). Donovan met us later on in the day. We went to Harrods and had lunch in Covent Garden. We then went to the Tower of London to do the tour (something I've been wanting to do the whole time I've been here) and it was closed! It was like the one day that they were closing at 3:30pm for repairs! Can you believe it? Anyway, it was a lovely day.
Me and Nancy:
On Wednesday night I hung out with a new friend I've made, Jackie. We drank wine and talked. She lived in Mountain Lakes, NJ for 6 years when she was younger! How crazy! It was a really fun night. When her bf got home, Donovan then joined us and we went to the pub for an hour or so. We were singing and having a grand 'ole time.
Tonight I'm working the pub. I also worked a funeral reception today at the pub. Tomorrow we are having lunch with Donovan's friend, Ashley, who he hasn't seen in 8 years and who is currently in Bible School! Saturday night I'm working and then Sunday we are going for lunch with Cynthia (woman who's kids I babysat) and her family.
We also started to clean the house this week but still have a lot more to do...
Have a great weekend everyone!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Claire's Birthday and an Irish Bum
Another week closer to South Africa. This was a hectic week in that we first found out that we would be going to Montreal, Canada. The next day we found out that we are no longer going to Canada at all. So, as it stands now, we are leaving for South Africa on October 19th and returning in early January. Plans could change at any time but that's the plan for now.
Yesterday was Donovan's friend, Claires' birthday. So we went into London to an area called Angel about 3pm and started the festivities at The Winchester bar/club! The night ended at the Old Queen's Head Bar. The area of Angel reminded me very much of Hoboken. It was a lot of fun and a long night including some prayer to the porcelain Gods. Ugh. It was so interesting though because unlike a party in America, in Europe/the UK there is so much more variety. For example, Claire is South African, her boyfriend was Dutch, 2 guys were Italians, 2 more South Africans, 2 Brits, 1 American (that's me!), 1 Australian...all at one party! It makes for good conversation anyway instead of "Hey--where you from? North, Central or South Jersey?" It's like "Hey---where you from? Like in the whole world?"
Here are some pics from the night:
Donovan and Tony:
Claire, Lauren, me and Linda:
Chris and Zoey:
Me and Claire with champagne mojitos (good idea at the time!):
Me and Chris:
On Friday night I worked at the pub. There was this really cute old Irish man who ordered a Guiness and right away, I started asking him about Ireland. It all started out nice. He's been a lorry driver for 25 years (that's truck driver to Americans) and he has a son named Jeffrey. But as the Guinesses' kept coming, Noel (pronounced 'Nole") kept spilling more and more of his secrets. I learned he'd been to prison 5 times (but rest assured...it was all for fighting and stuff like that when he was young...). I learned that his belly button also served as the "mouth" to one of his many body-covering tattoos. Attractive. I learned that the Guiness at our pub was "very strong", that I had a "very nice accent", and when he started to pull his pants down to show me his other tattoos...well, I served some other nice guests. Apparently the rest of the bar staff had seen his ass last weekend so they weren't surprised. Irish people are crazy. I really want to go to Ireland. I got a book from the library on tracking your ancestors so I was thinking I can find my Irish relatives and go pay them a surprise visit!
Oh, and I started reading "Eat Pray Love" (recommended by many including Audra) and am really enjoying it. It's so funny because she goes to Venice and describes it exactly like me and Nat experienced it! Page 105 for anyone who has the book...
Tomorrow I am going into London to meet with Nancy for lunch and do some sightseeing. Have a great week, everyone!
Cheers! And stay sexy, NJ...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
York...and 3 weeks until SA!
Hello everyone. I'm sorry I haven't written in quite a long time but I'm just so OVER England and SO excited for South Africa! Just 3 more weeks until we're sitting on Donovan's familys' porch overlooking their lawn with elephants roaming and giraffes eating at the trees...just kidding. There are no elephants or giraffes in their back yard...only lions. No, still just kidding. There are no animals in their back yard. But anyway, last week I went with Donovan to Dewsbury and spent a day in York. York is the oldest city in England and is surrounded 80% by a huge castle wall. And I happened to be there on the Food and Drink Festival which meant I didn't have to buy lunch! I just got to sample all the delicious food from chili and fudge to curry and sausage! I also went to the train museum which is like the biggest one in England (and free too :-)). Here are some pics from York:
Big museum:
This is like some crazy Japanese bullet train:
They are remaking the Flying Dutchman (Spongebob, anyone?) which hasn't run since 1892!
Silly sign but it was true in those days:
Pics from York:
co
This is the wall that goes around 80% of the city:
The last remaining part of the original castle:
Amazing cupcakes!
Old lady getting her sweet on!
Ok, now on to more important things like me making eggplant parm. Can you say delicious? Cuz it definitely was!!!
On Saturday we went into London and met with Dononvan's Aunt Carol, Uncle Micky and cousin, Joe. We walked around the Thames and had a nice lunch on the river. Of course I forgot my camera, though!
We have discovered a really big library in the center of town where you can rent CDs for a pound! Which means burning them onto our Ipods! I've got all new music so it's pretty exciting. Also, the Curry's in town (electronics store) is going out of business so they are having a huge sale and I got Tombraider Legend (for PC) for 47 pents! That's like less than a dollar! I started playing and then Donovan kind of took over but it's still really fun! We are 33% through the game.
On Monday I am going into London to have lunch with my mom's best friend, Nancy, who will be here for a few days traveling with her husband for work.
I will try and write again soon... if I have anything good to write about that is!
Poor Donovan...while I'm out having all the fun he's working...here is a picture of an angel sleeping after work...coffee cup and all...
Good night!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Boring Blog Entry
Hey everyone! So this week we saw Final Destination 3D and it was pretty horrible. We also rented "The Painted Veil" with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts and it was pretty good. I'd recommend seeing it if you have not already.
On Thursday and Friday I babysat for the last time. The family's aupair from Germany did not work out so I had to work 2 more days until they got a new one. I was happy to see the kids again and the mother (Cynthia) wrote me a really nice reference letter. I was totally not expecting it!
On Saturday I went out to dinner at FRIDAY'S (haha) with Donovan and one of his clients and it was really fun. He (Mike) was such a nice man and really thought highly of Donovan.
Today we went to the South African Shop and got some South African cereal (Pronutro), some "sweeties" (candy), and some spice for chicken. It was super hot!
I also began writing a novel. I only have 4 pages so far but anyone I've told about it, seems to think it's a good story so hopefully it will turn out so! If so, I'll post it on here. One month until we leave for South Africa!
Sorry this entry is short and boring but I'm not in the mood to write. Tomorrow we are off on a week away in York, Leeds, and the surrounding area. Cheers and shana tovah to all my Jewish friends/family out there!
On Thursday and Friday I babysat for the last time. The family's aupair from Germany did not work out so I had to work 2 more days until they got a new one. I was happy to see the kids again and the mother (Cynthia) wrote me a really nice reference letter. I was totally not expecting it!
On Saturday I went out to dinner at FRIDAY'S (haha) with Donovan and one of his clients and it was really fun. He (Mike) was such a nice man and really thought highly of Donovan.
Today we went to the South African Shop and got some South African cereal (Pronutro), some "sweeties" (candy), and some spice for chicken. It was super hot!
I also began writing a novel. I only have 4 pages so far but anyone I've told about it, seems to think it's a good story so hopefully it will turn out so! If so, I'll post it on here. One month until we leave for South Africa!
Sorry this entry is short and boring but I'm not in the mood to write. Tomorrow we are off on a week away in York, Leeds, and the surrounding area. Cheers and shana tovah to all my Jewish friends/family out there!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sherlock Holmes Isn't Real and Other Shocking Revelations
So this week was 9/11...so surreal! It was also weird being over here because I don't think anyone really thought twice about it...the average person anyway. It's sad but 9/11 is a part of being American. I worked at the pub on Saturday night. Some drunk guy dropped his glass full of beer and it smashed making a huge sound and everyone looked. He was pretty embarrassed and we had to get out the broom and clean it. Then I thought to myself, "Wow...this is my last scheduled day at the pub and I haven't broken a single glass yet! I'm so awesome! Wait...
that isn't possible. I am so going to break a glass tonight." And I did. About an hour later.
This week I have been sick. I don't know if it's allergies or just sickness. I've had a runny/stuffy nose, headache, etc. I am a lot better now, though! I found some lady on the Internet who runs a "mobile salon" so she came over yesterday and cut our hair in our kitchen HAHA. I got 2 inches off which I desperately needed. I was trying to go my entire time in the UK without a haircut but my Mom told me that I can't meet Donovan's family with "scraggly hair" so haircut it was! I'm happy I did it though...I definitely needed it!
That night we went out for sushi and saw "District 9". I'm sure you've heard of the movie if you haven't ready seen it. It was OK and funny enough, the entire movie takes place in South Africa and all the actors are South Africans! We didn't even know going in!
Today we took the trek to London and went to Sherlock Holmes' house! "Watson" was there and was explaining that this was their sitting room and this was his bag of paraphernalia. So I asked him, "Dear Watson...was this the REAL bag used by Watson or is a mock-up that just LOOKS like the real bag?" He went into this whole shpeel but I wasn't listening. He told me I should read a story about the Bohemia because the lady in it is from New Jersey. I didn't care, though! I just wanted to know if it was really Sherlock Holmes' stuff and house or just a "mock up"!!! Turns out, Sherlock Holmes is NOT REAL!!! I mean, who knew?! He's just a made-up character from a book! I couldn't believe it!
Me with Elvis at a local "Elvishly Yours" store:
The Beatles Store:
Cafe:
Holmes' house:
Watson and some guy:
"Elementary..."
After I got over my shock, we hopped on the tubes to Harrods, the most expensive and famous store in London! We found tea for 15,000 pounds and a cake for 5,000 pounds. A daschound for 1700 pounds and lots and lots of other expensive things. There was even an opera singer singing from a balcony! Diamond dog collars and lots of insane rich people. It was a great day.
You are probably wondering what the other "shocking revelations" are. I'm not really sure yet. It just seemed like a good title. So I leave you now, with this picture to ponder...so long folks...
P.S. Here's a song that's currently on the radio that I like: Remedy
that isn't possible. I am so going to break a glass tonight." And I did. About an hour later.
This week I have been sick. I don't know if it's allergies or just sickness. I've had a runny/stuffy nose, headache, etc. I am a lot better now, though! I found some lady on the Internet who runs a "mobile salon" so she came over yesterday and cut our hair in our kitchen HAHA. I got 2 inches off which I desperately needed. I was trying to go my entire time in the UK without a haircut but my Mom told me that I can't meet Donovan's family with "scraggly hair" so haircut it was! I'm happy I did it though...I definitely needed it!
That night we went out for sushi and saw "District 9". I'm sure you've heard of the movie if you haven't ready seen it. It was OK and funny enough, the entire movie takes place in South Africa and all the actors are South Africans! We didn't even know going in!
Today we took the trek to London and went to Sherlock Holmes' house! "Watson" was there and was explaining that this was their sitting room and this was his bag of paraphernalia. So I asked him, "Dear Watson...was this the REAL bag used by Watson or is a mock-up that just LOOKS like the real bag?" He went into this whole shpeel but I wasn't listening. He told me I should read a story about the Bohemia because the lady in it is from New Jersey. I didn't care, though! I just wanted to know if it was really Sherlock Holmes' stuff and house or just a "mock up"!!! Turns out, Sherlock Holmes is NOT REAL!!! I mean, who knew?! He's just a made-up character from a book! I couldn't believe it!
Me with Elvis at a local "Elvishly Yours" store:
The Beatles Store:
Cafe:
Holmes' house:
Watson and some guy:
"Elementary..."
After I got over my shock, we hopped on the tubes to Harrods, the most expensive and famous store in London! We found tea for 15,000 pounds and a cake for 5,000 pounds. A daschound for 1700 pounds and lots and lots of other expensive things. There was even an opera singer singing from a balcony! Diamond dog collars and lots of insane rich people. It was a great day.
You are probably wondering what the other "shocking revelations" are. I'm not really sure yet. It just seemed like a good title. So I leave you now, with this picture to ponder...so long folks...
P.S. Here's a song that's currently on the radio that I like: Remedy
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Jam
Jam. This word has "12 dictionary results" but I am referring to just two of them. First of all, I made strawberry jam. I had some strawberries left over that I hadn't eaten which is wierd, firstly because I didn't eat them fast enough and I eat very fast, and second that I didn't eat strawberries, one of the most delicious things in the world. They were getting a little mushy so I decided to do something with them so I made the jam and it turned out really good! OMG how domestic is that?! Scary...
My jam (sorry it's blurry...):
The second definition of jam that I am referring to is the music one. And I have found that whenever I am in a dull mood, there is one song that will always lift my spirits. Is it because it transports me back to 1997 where the only problem I couldn't figure out was if Hanson were male or female or what the hell an "mmmbop" was? Who knows but in any case, it's a friecking catchy song and of that, no one can argue!
So nothing too exciting this week. Donovan and I went to eat at Wagamama, which is like an asian noodle restaurant that is supposively "hip" like the waiters have earrings in their noses adn it's all healthy and stuff. I know it's pretty crazy! Anyway, not at all impressed with the food.
This weekend Donovan had a show the whole weekend, like he demonstrates Q-Bond at an automotive show with all the industry people. Poor guy is so tired. I worked last night and learned some great British phrases. "Bollsock" means it's bad. "Dog's bollsock" means it's good. With an American accent the word would be "ballsack". Example: "Bitter chandy is the dog's bollsock!" (Beer mixed with half lemonade is very good!" Example 2: "That wanker is a bollsock." (That jerk is a jerk!)
In other good news, I went running everyday this week! And the weather has been beautiful---clear and sunny but windy and getting cooler. I hear the weather in NJ has been awesome too! (I'm sure a bit warmer than here though)
And I rented the DVD "The Women"---what a load of %*$#! Now I'm sure you've all watched "Sex and the City" and if not, you need to borrow my DVDs (I have every episode including the movie). But if you are aware of the greatness of "Sex and the City", then listen to this!
"The Women" is a complete knock-off of "Sex and the City"...here's some similarities that I found:
SATC main character: Cary (Sarah Jesssica Parker)
"The Women" main character: Mary (Meg Ryan)
Rhyme much?
Both have curly crazy blonde hair.
SATC awesome bitchy sexy character/bff of main character: Samantha
"The Women" not awesome but yes bitchy but not sexy character/yes bff of main character: Sylvie
Both straight blonde hair to shoulders, work in entertainment, sassy and single.
Both SATC and "The Women" have 4 friends and one has red hair but "The Women" has one black friend who is a lesbien (Jada Pinkett Smith)...so ground-breaking! Both take place in NYC. All are rich and love shoes and clothes.
Must I go on? "The Women" is just a horrible excuse for a movie and "Sex and the City" is the greatest show ever written. The end.
Today we ate a late lunch at Frankie and Benny's New York Italian Restaurant and it wasn't half bad! Thus starts another week...Happy Labor Day everyone!
My jam (sorry it's blurry...):
The second definition of jam that I am referring to is the music one. And I have found that whenever I am in a dull mood, there is one song that will always lift my spirits. Is it because it transports me back to 1997 where the only problem I couldn't figure out was if Hanson were male or female or what the hell an "mmmbop" was? Who knows but in any case, it's a friecking catchy song and of that, no one can argue!
So nothing too exciting this week. Donovan and I went to eat at Wagamama, which is like an asian noodle restaurant that is supposively "hip" like the waiters have earrings in their noses adn it's all healthy and stuff. I know it's pretty crazy! Anyway, not at all impressed with the food.
This weekend Donovan had a show the whole weekend, like he demonstrates Q-Bond at an automotive show with all the industry people. Poor guy is so tired. I worked last night and learned some great British phrases. "Bollsock" means it's bad. "Dog's bollsock" means it's good. With an American accent the word would be "ballsack". Example: "Bitter chandy is the dog's bollsock!" (Beer mixed with half lemonade is very good!" Example 2: "That wanker is a bollsock." (That jerk is a jerk!)
In other good news, I went running everyday this week! And the weather has been beautiful---clear and sunny but windy and getting cooler. I hear the weather in NJ has been awesome too! (I'm sure a bit warmer than here though)
And I rented the DVD "The Women"---what a load of %*$#! Now I'm sure you've all watched "Sex and the City" and if not, you need to borrow my DVDs (I have every episode including the movie). But if you are aware of the greatness of "Sex and the City", then listen to this!
"The Women" is a complete knock-off of "Sex and the City"...here's some similarities that I found:
SATC main character: Cary (Sarah Jesssica Parker)
"The Women" main character: Mary (Meg Ryan)
Rhyme much?
Both have curly crazy blonde hair.
SATC awesome bitchy sexy character/bff of main character: Samantha
"The Women" not awesome but yes bitchy but not sexy character/yes bff of main character: Sylvie
Both straight blonde hair to shoulders, work in entertainment, sassy and single.
Both SATC and "The Women" have 4 friends and one has red hair but "The Women" has one black friend who is a lesbien (Jada Pinkett Smith)...so ground-breaking! Both take place in NYC. All are rich and love shoes and clothes.
Must I go on? "The Women" is just a horrible excuse for a movie and "Sex and the City" is the greatest show ever written. The end.
Today we ate a late lunch at Frankie and Benny's New York Italian Restaurant and it wasn't half bad! Thus starts another week...Happy Labor Day everyone!
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