"Nah, that's just down the road!"

"And it's off to the city I go - yet again!"

Once upon a time, I was a virgin Brit Gal in the USA and I thought making the trip to Oklahoma City was a mammoth haul, that usually justified an overnight stay. After all it's just under 3 hours drive each way and I would never have considered driving about 6 hours just to shop in England!

But those days are long gone it seems. Now I flit to the big lights of the city on a whim and a moments notice, with nary a motel booking in mind.

Just last Tuesday I made the trip with a couple of girlfriends for the annual boob mashing checkup, followed by some well earned and husband free retail therapy - an almost perfect day.

Then this Tuesday the Hubster and I made the same trip for my Naturalisation interview, followed by a little more retail therapy, a meal at Chili's and home.

In the morning I am headed back to the city again, this time in the good company of work colleagues for some computer training. So that's twice in three days, my mother would shudder at the thought!

Then next week it's my birthday, so to celebrate the Hubster and I are planning another trip to the downtown area of the city to witness the annual Red Earth Festival. A Native American Indian arts festival with a colourful full dress parade (excellent photography opp'), arts and crafts, and a dance display.

So if nothing else tells me how much I've adjusted, the fact that I now think a 6-hour road trip is no big deal, certainly makes the point I'm a changed woman!

Sacre Bleu - Traffic!!

If it wasn't for the fact I'm trying to stick to 'Oprah's no cellphone meddling in car pledge', I would have photographic proof too. Returning from 'town' (as in the closest thing we have to shopping civilisation that's not a 3-hour drive away) last week, I happened upon some TRAFFIC!

Now let me hasten to add this is not traffic like most of you are used to. And it's another planet compared to what I drove in everyday back home, 4 solid lanes nose to tail for 60 miles twice a day, at speeds ranging between 1-88mph.

But I suddenly found myself on the tail end of a line of not 2, not 4, but oh my good god - 5 other cars tootling along all in very close proximity. A line of traffic where some were actually holding up others, a rare sight indeed in rural NW Okieland.

My first reaction was to giggle to myself and marvel at the sight. My second and more natural response after a few minutes at a decreased speed was a building frustration. My third response was I should take a picture for posterity, followed closely by a mental picture of the big 'O' wagging her finger at me.

I then realised I was on the especially straight spot of road, where no-one will turn out unexpectedly and I can see for miles.

So my next response - I floored it and took all 5 in one swoop, grinning as I powered by them all safely and left them in my gas fumes! I have no doubt I passed someone I knew, because it's like that around here, and no doubt they shook their head at 'that impatient Brit'.

But what the hell, it made me feel like a Brit driver again, all masterfully aggressive and ruling the road. Damn I almost miss traffic - NOT! ;-)