Gains and Losses - Pt. 1

I have been in the good Ole US of A almost 6 years now and an American for a year this week, so I thought I'd take a tongue in cheek look at what I have lost and gained during that time.

First the losses:

3 teeth! Seriously, I lost on average 1 every 15 months when I first got here and it's not like I don't take care of them, I'm actually a qualified Dental Assistant. It was just a combo of continued issues from the UK and then an especially nasty accident where I fell flat on my face and broke a front tooth, well a crown but it resulted in a VERY costly implant. For awhile I began to wonder if there was something in the Okie water.

Bacon Butties - to understand the full impact of this on a Brit go HERE

Some body weight, probably due in part to the above, but also see Pt.2.

Traffic and all I have to say about that is "THANK YOU GOD".

A cat called Felix, who stayed behind with neighbours who loved him very much and gave him a great home.

A Water Butt, for those not in the know that's not a physical affliction, it's a very 'green' rainwater recycling receptacle much loved in England. I have yet to see one here in what's currently the new mid-west desert area known as Okieland.

Umbrella usage, for much the same reasons as above. Although I did import 3 with me just in case when I moved here, it's not easy seperating a Brit from their trusty umbrella. Having said that, I have yet to use one of them as it's either: unbelievably windy, crazy lightening or totally mad rain as Okieland only seems to do severe weather.

Football (Soccer) fever of the nationalistic kind only seen in European countries, I'm not sure anyone here gets the true significance of Manchester United's influence on the World.

Snake free rambles across the countryside, these days it's all too fraught with potential danger for any possible pleasure to be gained.

Walkers Cheese & Onion Crisps, nuff said if you're a Brit.

Pubs, the bars over here are just not the same in either appearance or atmosphere.

The metric system and this is another 'thank god' moment, as I am of the age where I was right on the cusp of the changeover and I just never did.

Close proximity to the Sea, probably the loss I feel the most, that's not family oriented. Brits have a percentage of seawater in their veins I think due to being an island nation and I miss the ability to just go and sit by the sea hugely. If I ever do make it to the seaside here, I am likely to make a spectacle of myself running in fully clothed and dancing with joy.

The use of the word A-L-U-M-I-N-I-U-M, although I do have fun confusing the Yanks occasionally with this one ;-)

Stress free gardening, I have had to learn it all over again moving to an entirely different climate and eco-system. However I am starting to feel better as many of my gardening friends here seem to suffer the same stresses I do and there's some comfort in this.

Historic architecture around every corner. I find it hard to get even slightly excited about something that's less then 150-years old, coming from England.

Indian Curry. I have to drive 3 hours to find one and occasionally do.

Small bugs. Seriously people what is up with bugs over here, are they on speed or something?

Shopping in London on my doorstep, OKC just ain't quite the same.

British humour, nobody else really gets it.

Hats (not cowboy), people just don't wear hats here like they do in England.

Next up the gains, good and bad.

My World - England III

Wells is officially the smallest city in England and the only one in the county of Somerset. It is a very pretty and busy medieval market town at the foot of the Mendip Hills, dating back to Roman times.

 
 
Wells Cathedral was started in 1180 and completed by 1306, and is one of the most impressive Cathedrals in England. I also think it is one of the most beautiful and could spend hours just looking at its splendour.

The West Front is one of the most important and grandest in England and includes 300 of the original medieval statues. When you first walk up and see it, the detail is really quite breathtaking, even when you're English and used to ancient buildings.

All the original buildings around the Cathedral have been retained and make for an impressive walk up from the Market Square. The archway you can see above in the corner is an original Penniless Porch and is at the top of the Market Square next to The National Trust shop.

As the sign indicates it was built in around 1450 by a Bishop and it was where the poor would sit and beg for alms (money) from passersby.

Wells is blessed with wonderful old architecture everywhere you look and still holds an outdoor market in the square twice weekly. If you ever make it to England, I would highly recommend a visit.

More on the interior of Wells Cathedral next week.

To see some great sights around the globe or join in the fun, go to My World Tuesday

My World - England II

The Diocese of Sherborne Abbey was created in AD 705.

The immediate area around the Abbey has many Middle Age buildings and structures, it's very impressive.

The architecture shows many different styles, but all of it is beautiful.

This is the south quire looking to the west and the font visible is medieval.

The roof of the nave is the earliest, and claimed to be the finest fan vaulting in England.

The Great West Window at the end of the nave was made by eminent stained glass artist John Hayward and was dedicated in 1998 by The Queen.

The main quire itself is very beautiful with medieval misericords, a painted ceiling and glorious coloured glass. With it's candlelit atmosphere it just feels like a special place.

There are many lovely things to see, I especially enjoyed these old flags, but could find no explanation for them.

This is one of a few smaller chapels open to view and for prayer.

If you look at the differing window styles on the upper and lower levels in this picture, you can clearly see where the Abbey ajoins what All hallows church a later addition in the 1400's.

To see some great sights around the globe or join in the fun, go to My World Tuesday

2010 Highlights

After some reflection and in no particular order, these are my memorable highlights for the year 2010

Falling in love with New Mexico, truly the 'Land of Enchantment', I'll be back regularly

 

Realising a long held dream of starting my own photography business

Which resulted in being paid to do fun stuff like this

Becoming an AMERICAN!

 

Being a screaming teen' again for one night only, with a girlfriend at Adam Lambert in OKC!

Enjoying more success than ever in photography exhibits and competitions

Being stunned by unexpected treasures one Saturday in a local exhibit (more to come on this)

Celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary with this very special man, I(L)U

Successfully tiling my own kitchen backsplash at first attempt and getting new countertops

Enjoying a monthly 'girls night out' with colleagues

Spending time back in the homeland

Receiving a Kindle and taking my reading everywhere

Coming around a bend, to be met by this view!

Spending invaluable quality time with my dad

Not bad memories for one year!

Home is where the heart is...

I am now home in Okieland and what my trip back to England taught me is, home is most definitely where the heart is and my heart is with the Hubster here.

I spent Christmas at my dad's on the edge of the Peak District in Derbyshire, a truly beautiful area of England. The snow was bad there too, but with the rolling fields and dry stone walls abounding, it just made it all even more picturesque.

My dad's dog Ellie had a smart coat to go out for her walk in and it was definitely needed!



This was the depth of the ice on one field we traversed across very carefully!

It was nice to go back for a visit but I will never feel like England is home again, I am certain of that. As we came in to land in Chicago they showed a 'welcome to America' video for visitors and it just lifted my heart with pride and happiness to be back on American soil.

And now I am back to school which has been crazy the first week back, and life has returned to it's normal busy but happy routine.

Happy New Year to y'all!

Pretty but a pain!

A typical English church, this is why I still haven't got used to going to church in a modern building that's warm, carpeted and offers facilities!

That's Andy Williams shivering in the snow, the other Andy Williams, my brother.

Aaah it's been great to see the return of a British icon!

The only reason we have managed to get out and about, my brothers old Pickup he bought just to cart off trash and building supplies from his renovation. His main car has been superceded by this with it's 4WD!

Family dinner last night, Roast Lamb which I have missed.

Picture Book England

Well the snow just keeps on coming down and so about all we can do is take a walk around the village. We already had 5 inches when I took these pictures and today we have had another 4 inches, with more forecast.

But I am in a picture book English village and so everywhere you look is gorgeous.



And although all this snow is a pain, it does make everywhere look even prettier! 

 I am really not sure whether many of my plans for my time here will happen. But I am with family, we are warm and stocked up well.

 We also have plenty of things to entertain us and the temps aren't bad compared to what I am used to, so I am happy to go out and walk for fresh air.

We don't have to get anywhere else for Christmas now, we do need to get to a local farm for the Turkey, but my brother has a 4wd and so he can get about.

Now I am off out with a snow shovel to see if I can help clear a path out with the car!

Misty my brothers cat may have the better plan though!

British eccentric sighted!

Day 2 back in Blighty proved to me that British eccentricity is still alive and well, this was the Postman (Mail Carrier) in Yeovil today, he even obligingly posed for me. Mind you if you willingly leave the house dressed like this and wander down the High St (Main) for all to see, you're probably not shy!

Snowy England

So I am here in snowy England, the latest snow arrived early this morning and we are due to get dumped on again overnight!

This is the view from my beautiful attic room at my brothers home, I have huge picture windows facing east and west giving me glorious views across open Somerset countryside.

My flight was long, cramped but smooth and I may have slept for an hour and dozed for a little longer on and off. I managed to stay awake all day and evening after arriving and went to bed at 10:30pm. I was wide awake at 3am and starving hungry, so I snacked on some Chex from my bag and opened the window and admired the view at night. I read for a little and went back to sleep at 4:30am and my brother woke me at 8:45am. So I seem to have already converted to Brit time and feel great!

Yesterday I got to hug my 89yr old Nana and have a Marks & Spencer Prawn Mayo & a Minced Pie for lunch at her house. My mum picked me up from the airport and then my brother and I headed down to his some in Somerset. When I got here my dad and stepmum had just arrived and I met my brothers lovely other half for the first time. We had a lovely homecooked dinner, relaxed and just enjoyed each others company.

I have already had a bacon sarnie for breakfast and some Galaxy chocolate, so life is REALLY good! I have to say although I really didn't want to leave the Hubster alone for Christmas, I am already having a wonderful time and it's great to see all my family.

We had plans to go out and around today but it's snowing and as we all know, England grinds to a complete halt with a bit of ice and 2 inches of snow!! In fact my brothers partner just arrived home after spending 90 minutes trying to make a normally 40 minute journey to work. He has given up for the day due to black ice, and yet the roads don't even have snow on them at the moment. Utter madness as far as I am concerned, but that's the British and their snow paranoia for you lol!