So we were driving behind a "Choose Civility" driver who has no rearview mirror which means he's cutting people off left and right. He also didn't start moving at the green light for about 30 seconds and is wearing blue blockers. Hunh.
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Changes
It's fun to run into people we know around town. I saw my Aunt (who actually lives in Florida) in the grocery store. I see old friends everywhere.
I do not miss hearing David Cameron's voice on the BBC. However, I do miss the theater of Prime Minister's Question Time.
I love NPR, all day, every day.
Family Guy on the Telly at 6PM is not a good thing.
I know we all missed summer thunderstorms, but the ones we've had in the past week and a half are beyond intense and somewhat scary.
Air conditioning is a very good thing.
Cicadas are definitely still annoying, but the sound of crickets is wonderful. I still think those creepy spidery cave crickets that hop out from nowhere are weird.
Mosquitoes need to be wiped off the face of the earth.
Window screens are the best invention ever to grace my comfortable life.
I am pretty happy we aren't expected to recycle food scraps. I understood and supported the concept wholeheartedly in the UK, but I am just glad the program didn't follow us.
Laundry is ridiculously easier full stop.
Internet speed is phenomenal.
Utility companies are quite possibly worse. I'll get back to you on this one.
Mobile phone service is so expensive and complicated here. Gone are the easy days of pay as you go and being able to top up pretty much everywhere.
I bought an "American style" fridge that will serve us well at 8:30 PM in a store that didn't close for another hour and a half.
The choice of groceries and things like cleaning products is overwhelming.
I can shop for groceries at 10:00 PM. The vampire in me loves this.
Portion size can be gluttonous.
Fast-food restaurants give you a ton of napkins. I will never need to search frantically for a napkin whilst driving ever again.
Americans can be very, very rude. We were at a new student orientation at the high school tonight and people were talking whilst the speaker was talking during the entire meeting. I couldn't believe it.
I miss the kids' old school. A lot. The kids (and their parents) are overwhelmed by some things, mainly the size of the schools and number of students. Finn and Evan are sad that there isn't as much variety regarding their schedule of classes.
Americans really are really loud.
Nothing in our shipment was broken (so far).
I miss packing my own groceries.
My street is so quiet at night. It is heaven.
We have so.much.crap! Still trying to downsize whilst unpacking. It's working.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I do not miss hearing David Cameron's voice on the BBC. However, I do miss the theater of Prime Minister's Question Time.
I love NPR, all day, every day.
Family Guy on the Telly at 6PM is not a good thing.
I know we all missed summer thunderstorms, but the ones we've had in the past week and a half are beyond intense and somewhat scary.
Air conditioning is a very good thing.
Cicadas are definitely still annoying, but the sound of crickets is wonderful. I still think those creepy spidery cave crickets that hop out from nowhere are weird.
Mosquitoes need to be wiped off the face of the earth.
Window screens are the best invention ever to grace my comfortable life.
I am pretty happy we aren't expected to recycle food scraps. I understood and supported the concept wholeheartedly in the UK, but I am just glad the program didn't follow us.
Laundry is ridiculously easier full stop.
Internet speed is phenomenal.
Utility companies are quite possibly worse. I'll get back to you on this one.
Mobile phone service is so expensive and complicated here. Gone are the easy days of pay as you go and being able to top up pretty much everywhere.
I bought an "American style" fridge that will serve us well at 8:30 PM in a store that didn't close for another hour and a half.
The choice of groceries and things like cleaning products is overwhelming.
I can shop for groceries at 10:00 PM. The vampire in me loves this.
Portion size can be gluttonous.
Fast-food restaurants give you a ton of napkins. I will never need to search frantically for a napkin whilst driving ever again.
Americans can be very, very rude. We were at a new student orientation at the high school tonight and people were talking whilst the speaker was talking during the entire meeting. I couldn't believe it.
I miss the kids' old school. A lot. The kids (and their parents) are overwhelmed by some things, mainly the size of the schools and number of students. Finn and Evan are sad that there isn't as much variety regarding their schedule of classes.
Americans really are really loud.
Nothing in our shipment was broken (so far).
I miss packing my own groceries.
My street is so quiet at night. It is heaven.
We have so.much.crap! Still trying to downsize whilst unpacking. It's working.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
GCSE's
Evan rocked his GCSE's! None of us can quite believe it since he didn't really study much. One A* (Maths), three A's (Spanish, Physics and Chemistry), three B's (Design & Technology, English and Biology) and two C's (Religious Ed and Geography). Phew! What a relief!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
"Moving" House
We go to Egypt. We fly out. Riots begin.
We fly out of England. Riots begin.
We move to Maryland. Scary thunderstorms are rampant.
We move into our house today and our stuff isn't the only thing moving;
the EARTH was moving too!
I cannot believe we experienced an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude in Maryland of all places! I have to admit, we were all a little freaked out, but it was pretty cool as well. I was standing in my front yard opening boxes and I felt the Earth move. At first, I thought the movers had dropped something from the truck and it made the ground shake. But then the ground kept shaking and the light on our front porch was swinging and all I could think of was that I was standing under a huge oak tree and that I should move but I was too stunned to do so. Evan and one of the movers were in the very upstairs bedroom (third floor) and they both ran downstairs out of the house so fast. They both said the house was scary shaky. I guess it was a really good thing that everything we owned was boxed up at the time. Neighbors had stuff break and fall all over the place.
The Brits say "moving house" when they move. I never thought they meant it litruhlee...
So far, nothing has arrived in a broken or damaged state, but I feel like they used an entire rainforest-worth of trees to provide the paper and cardboard to pack our items. It sort of really bums me out and it's really annoying to unravel boxes filled with paper.
We fly out of England. Riots begin.
We move to Maryland. Scary thunderstorms are rampant.
We move into our house today and our stuff isn't the only thing moving;
the EARTH was moving too!
I cannot believe we experienced an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude in Maryland of all places! I have to admit, we were all a little freaked out, but it was pretty cool as well. I was standing in my front yard opening boxes and I felt the Earth move. At first, I thought the movers had dropped something from the truck and it made the ground shake. But then the ground kept shaking and the light on our front porch was swinging and all I could think of was that I was standing under a huge oak tree and that I should move but I was too stunned to do so. Evan and one of the movers were in the very upstairs bedroom (third floor) and they both ran downstairs out of the house so fast. They both said the house was scary shaky. I guess it was a really good thing that everything we owned was boxed up at the time. Neighbors had stuff break and fall all over the place.
The Brits say "moving house" when they move. I never thought they meant it litruhlee...
So far, nothing has arrived in a broken or damaged state, but I feel like they used an entire rainforest-worth of trees to provide the paper and cardboard to pack our items. It sort of really bums me out and it's really annoying to unravel boxes filled with paper.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Technology Bridges the Gap
This morning, Finn was playing an online computer game when I came downstairs. He was very happy to announce that he was playing with two of his classmates and best buds from England. The smile on his face and hearing his juvenile snickerings were priceless. It really made my heartstrings twang.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Let the Reunions Begin!
Last Sunday, my aunt and uncle had a family reunion. It was really great to see everyone that was there. It felt just like home.
We started cleaning the house yesterday and saw neighbors and it felt just like home. I can't wait to move into the house next week. I love our house. As an aside, when we pulled up to the house for the first time, Finn said, "I love this house." I know exactly what he meant.
Thursday, I will meet with some friends who have moved back from the UK and one who is visiting. Can't wait for them to be part of being home. And then Friday, I will spend some time with a dear friend just catching up like old times.
I should have my phone by the end of the week. If anyone wants my number, message me on Facebook or email me. Don't forget to send me yours as well!
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We started cleaning the house yesterday and saw neighbors and it felt just like home. I can't wait to move into the house next week. I love our house. As an aside, when we pulled up to the house for the first time, Finn said, "I love this house." I know exactly what he meant.
Thursday, I will meet with some friends who have moved back from the UK and one who is visiting. Can't wait for them to be part of being home. And then Friday, I will spend some time with a dear friend just catching up like old times.
I should have my phone by the end of the week. If anyone wants my number, message me on Facebook or email me. Don't forget to send me yours as well!
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Choose Civility
Whilst driving these past four weeks, it has become obvious that US drivers do not understand the premise behind lanes on a highway and the etiquette of overtaking or merging. I always thought we were supposed to STAY TO THE RIGHT! Don't sit in the middle and left lanes. Just don't. If you intend to pass a slower vehicle, PASS ON THE LEFT even if some moron is hogging the faster lane and preventing you from doing so. Just wait until you can pass on the left. When a car is merging into your lane from an on ramp, MOVE OVER whenever possible. It's easy and a friendly thing to do.
Yesterday, I was attempting to merge onto the highway and this driver was fixated on not allowing me to merge. Instead, he actually and obviously sped up as I was trying to enter. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt because there was another car in the lane next to him, but since he sped up so much, he could have easily moved over as well. When I finally got on the road behind him, both Craig and I noticed his one and only bumper sticker which read, "Choose Civility". Seriously. I don't think he even knew the definition of the word. Then, not two minutes later, another car merged onto the highway, not just into the slow lane, but into the next lane over which is where my large car happened to be. Right there. In plain view. I had to swerve onto the shoulder and strongly sound my horn. Really, it's not like she couldn't see me. And then she mouthed, "Just go!" OMG! That's what I was trying to do...
Driving down the West Coast started out a little better. Drivers in the northwest and Hawaii are serious law abiders and obey speed limits and lane rules, almost to a fault, although at least it's not stressful driving. The further south one goes, and especially south of San Francisco, the more fudging of speed limits occurs and from LA -> south, it's every driver for themselves. I was incredibly glad we qualified for the HOV lane because at least there no one was swerving in and out in front of me. However, we did see a serious motorcycle accident in the HOV lane because the motorcyclist was weaving in and out of traffic. He had passed me about 15 minutes earlier. I am pretty certain someone didn't see him behind them; I almost didn't when he passed me.
Although driving on British town streets is like a driver's ed movie everyday, I'd trade US highways for UK highways anyday!
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Yesterday, I was attempting to merge onto the highway and this driver was fixated on not allowing me to merge. Instead, he actually and obviously sped up as I was trying to enter. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt because there was another car in the lane next to him, but since he sped up so much, he could have easily moved over as well. When I finally got on the road behind him, both Craig and I noticed his one and only bumper sticker which read, "Choose Civility". Seriously. I don't think he even knew the definition of the word. Then, not two minutes later, another car merged onto the highway, not just into the slow lane, but into the next lane over which is where my large car happened to be. Right there. In plain view. I had to swerve onto the shoulder and strongly sound my horn. Really, it's not like she couldn't see me. And then she mouthed, "Just go!" OMG! That's what I was trying to do...
Driving down the West Coast started out a little better. Drivers in the northwest and Hawaii are serious law abiders and obey speed limits and lane rules, almost to a fault, although at least it's not stressful driving. The further south one goes, and especially south of San Francisco, the more fudging of speed limits occurs and from LA -> south, it's every driver for themselves. I was incredibly glad we qualified for the HOV lane because at least there no one was swerving in and out in front of me. However, we did see a serious motorcycle accident in the HOV lane because the motorcyclist was weaving in and out of traffic. He had passed me about 15 minutes earlier. I am pretty certain someone didn't see him behind them; I almost didn't when he passed me.
Although driving on British town streets is like a driver's ed movie everyday, I'd trade US highways for UK highways anyday!
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Thursday, August 11, 2011
So Cal
Although the traffic is pretty much a nightmare, So Cal is awesome. The HOV lanes through LA were the bomb diggity for the most part. It is really amazing to see how many single person in a car commuters there are on the freeways.
We had a great dinner with friends, OJ & Songul Block in Carlsbad and they graciously allowed us to stay at their place which made for a very relaxing day touring Carlsbad and Oceanside.
We spent a lot of the morning in Leucadia at our favorite beach called Beacons Beach. I truly forgot how wonderful the beaches are in So Cal: perfect temperature, light breeze, water was actually warm! Even Evan got into the water which is saying a lot. Being at the beach at one of our old haunts made Craig and I realize how much we loved this place and I am already planning a vacation in my head to return for a longer period of time.
We tried to see the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia which is situated litruhlee at the foot of the hill where we had our first house, but it was closed. I cannot believe we lived that close and never even drove into the parking lot! We showed the kids where we used to live and drove through Camp Pendleton to show them where Craig worked and well, just because we can.
We have almost had our fill of real Mexican food. We are in LA in a ginormous hotel and fly out in a few hours. I m not sure I am ready for that MD heat blast, but I am definitely ready to be home for good. I am extra excited to get our car on Friday. She arrived safely, yay!
Adios, California!
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We had a great dinner with friends, OJ & Songul Block in Carlsbad and they graciously allowed us to stay at their place which made for a very relaxing day touring Carlsbad and Oceanside.
We spent a lot of the morning in Leucadia at our favorite beach called Beacons Beach. I truly forgot how wonderful the beaches are in So Cal: perfect temperature, light breeze, water was actually warm! Even Evan got into the water which is saying a lot. Being at the beach at one of our old haunts made Craig and I realize how much we loved this place and I am already planning a vacation in my head to return for a longer period of time.
We tried to see the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia which is situated litruhlee at the foot of the hill where we had our first house, but it was closed. I cannot believe we lived that close and never even drove into the parking lot! We showed the kids where we used to live and drove through Camp Pendleton to show them where Craig worked and well, just because we can.
We have almost had our fill of real Mexican food. We are in LA in a ginormous hotel and fly out in a few hours. I m not sure I am ready for that MD heat blast, but I am definitely ready to be home for good. I am extra excited to get our car on Friday. She arrived safely, yay!
Adios, California!
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Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Hearst Castle, San Simeon
On our way to Pismo Beach from San Fran, we stopped at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. It was a scary drive down the PCH as it seemed that lanes of the road had litruhlee fallen into the ocean in some spots, but Craig is the man and drove wonderfully. It really is a gorgeous stretch of scenery, but I am glad it's over!
The Hearst Castle is the product of the Hearst family's fortune beginning a ways back with George Hearst who purchased the initial land in 1865 and subsequent parcels as time went on to eventually amass 250,000 acres. George Hearst was a successful gold and silver mine prospector and a US Senator. He is also the father of William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper publishing magnate and US Representative as well as the great-grandfather to Patty Hearst who was kidnapped and turned bank robber, aiding her kidnappers.
The Castle was built by W.R. Hearst starting in 1919. The architect, Julia Morgan, was very innovative and used new-fangled ideas in construction. It's an amazing place full of European and African antiquities. It was completed in 1947 and Hearst died in 1951. In 1957, the Castle was given to the State of California. The ranch is still family owned and operated.
The Hearst Castle is the product of the Hearst family's fortune beginning a ways back with George Hearst who purchased the initial land in 1865 and subsequent parcels as time went on to eventually amass 250,000 acres. George Hearst was a successful gold and silver mine prospector and a US Senator. He is also the father of William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper publishing magnate and US Representative as well as the great-grandfather to Patty Hearst who was kidnapped and turned bank robber, aiding her kidnappers.
The Castle was built by W.R. Hearst starting in 1919. The architect, Julia Morgan, was very innovative and used new-fangled ideas in construction. It's an amazing place full of European and African antiquities. It was completed in 1947 and Hearst died in 1951. In 1957, the Castle was given to the State of California. The ranch is still family owned and operated.
Turrets modeled after those in Ronda, Spain, very Moorish
The Refectory
One of the ladies in the private cinema
My favorite bungalow
The Neptune Pool as seen from my favorite bungalow
View west to the coast
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, August 7, 2011
San Francisco
Sort of not getting groovy vibes from the city today. Firstly, it's cold, colder than England. Secondly, it's impossible to get into or out of this city easily. They need roundabouts. Thirdly, Alcatraz was sold out but that was our fault for not planning accordingly. Fourthly, it was just ridiculously crowded. Lastly, a tree fell onto the cable car tracks and there were casualties, stopping all cable car rides which was a bummer all around.
At least it was scenic as the photos will show and the sun peeked out for a bit of the afternoon, making it very pleasant indeed.
At least it was scenic as the photos will show and the sun peeked out for a bit of the afternoon, making it very pleasant indeed.
Tourist mecca
Turtle sourdough, anyone?
The kids and Craig really enjoyed this arcade.
Couldn't resist this one.
Shake the wizard's hand
Laughing Sal was oddly realistic. She breathed as she laughed.
I love my nerd.
Hyde Street Pier
Big ropes for big boats
Golden Gate Bridge
Alcatraz
A standstill streetcar is a photo op in the making.
I wonder how old that sign is?
Lombard Street madness
The Bay Bridge
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Tree-mendous
We made it into California and headed straight down the PCH to Redwoods National Park.
The trees were amazing and the views were as well.
Tall tree
Fuzzy tree
Quite a wide tree
The park ranger who explained everything to Craig swore we'd see elk and we did at the very end of our drive.
The redwood pinecone is very small for such a big tree. Each tree drops approximately 100,000 of these babies each season. Yowsa!
Redwood sorrel
A whale, yes, a whale in the Klamath River! She swam upstream with her calf earlier this year. Her calf is now weaned and has swum away. She is staying put. I personally think she is stuck.
A golden bear
The only thing we didn't see was a banana slug much to Owen's chagrin. He did catch a few salamanders as compensation for his disappointment.
Sally
Sal
We actually checked into our hotel before dinner time and took the suggestion to go to a seaside restaurant in a cove town called Trinidad. It served yummy food and the scenery was great.
We saw an otter feeding in the kelp beds during our after dinner stroll on the pier. We also saw seagulls eating starfish bigger than my hand! It took a few gulps to get them down.
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The trees were amazing and the views were as well.
Tall tree
Fuzzy tree
Quite a wide tree
The park ranger who explained everything to Craig swore we'd see elk and we did at the very end of our drive.
The redwood pinecone is very small for such a big tree. Each tree drops approximately 100,000 of these babies each season. Yowsa!
Redwood sorrel
A whale, yes, a whale in the Klamath River! She swam upstream with her calf earlier this year. Her calf is now weaned and has swum away. She is staying put. I personally think she is stuck.
A golden bear
The only thing we didn't see was a banana slug much to Owen's chagrin. He did catch a few salamanders as compensation for his disappointment.
Sally
Sal
We actually checked into our hotel before dinner time and took the suggestion to go to a seaside restaurant in a cove town called Trinidad. It served yummy food and the scenery was great.
We saw an otter feeding in the kelp beds during our after dinner stroll on the pier. We also saw seagulls eating starfish bigger than my hand! It took a few gulps to get them down.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, August 5, 2011
Oregon Beaches
... are deserted.
The sand is dark but fine.
Driftwood and rocks are everywhere, but no shells.
Small bugs hop all around at the high water mark and down to the sea.
The water is freezing.
Beware of tsunamis.
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The sand is dark but fine.
Driftwood and rocks are everywhere, but no shells.
Small bugs hop all around at the high water mark and down to the sea.
The water is freezing.
Beware of tsunamis.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
PCH Road Trip: Day One
A late start
A carsick and just plain sick kid
Roadside puking
Squirrel carnage
Gorgeous sea stack views
Two decent diners; they are few and far between
A T-Rex and Brontosaurus at dusk
A great beach hotel after a ten-hour drive
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A carsick and just plain sick kid
Roadside puking
Squirrel carnage
Gorgeous sea stack views
Two decent diners; they are few and far between
A T-Rex and Brontosaurus at dusk
A great beach hotel after a ten-hour drive
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Pictures of Hawai'i
One night, we went to a luau at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki. It's specifically for the use of the military and is in a really great spot, but driving around Waikiki is not easy! I'm glad we left early. I know most of the photos are blurry, but I sort of like that.
Beginning of the luau entertainment
They moved around A LOT.
Native dress from Tonga
Fire!
We drove around much of the island to see what we could see.
The North Shore
Blowhole with rainbow
From Here to Eternity beach
Sights from Hale'iwa
This means "quick coffee" and is always a welcome sign.
Cool mailbox next to Aoli's Shave Ice
Innovative wind pinwheel
Aloha, Hawai'i and mahalo!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Beginning of the luau entertainment
They moved around A LOT.
Native dress from Tonga
Fire!
We drove around much of the island to see what we could see.
The North Shore
Blowhole with rainbow
From Here to Eternity beach
Sights from Hale'iwa
This means "quick coffee" and is always a welcome sign.
Cool mailbox next to Aoli's Shave Ice
Innovative wind pinwheel
Aloha, Hawai'i and mahalo!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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