The 4th of July is a Holiday???

It is hard to forget in America that the 4th of July is a day of BBQ's, friends, family, hot weather and fireworks.  It is kind of easy to forget, or try to forget, here in England (especially since the weather was in the 60's and RAINY).
I didn't forget, don't get me wrong, how could I when I miss the country so much and probably start a good percentage of my sentences with, "Well in America..." or "Back home in Utah...."
But then comes the problem, there is no celebration here...  well not close by, there was a big firework display in Kent, England but that is 3 hours away, £25.00 per person, and £40.00 in gas money... so that was a "no go" not to mention I HAD TO WORK - ON THE 4TH of JULY...
So needless to say I was missing home quite a lot and decided not to do anything that has to do with the 4th and just treat it like "another day" that is until I came home from work to, what has to be the most thoughtful thing I've seen in a LONG time...
                    

A View From the Top                                          A Slice...

                 
A Side View... a TALL cake                   In Red Frosting "Happy 4th of July!!!"
Want to be even more impressed?  Made by my ENGLISH husband, from scratch, in 3 hours while I was at work.
That cheered me up quite a bit....
And after a while I finally let myself think about what I miss about America, you see I had to give myself permission because if it just creeps up on me I am overcome by emotion, not just because I miss my family and friends and lets see.... Taco Bell, Low Gas Prices (Low Prices Full Stop), Automatic Cars, Mountains, I-15, Big Meal Portions, 4 Distinct Seasons, etc, etc, etc....  but I miss my country, the pride that comes with the title of being "American", the buzz you get when you put your hand on your heart and sing (or listen) to the Nation Anthem, the flags proudly displayed everywhere, and the feeling of belonging that I have yet to feel here in England.
I love England, but my loyalty and heart belong firmly in America.   
So then I thought what can we do to celebrate the JOYOUS holiday???
And then, we went to KFC!!!
Happy  Birthday America!!!  
P.S. My favorite 4th tribute?  http://mightygirl.com/2007/07/04/god-bless-america-please/

Just Another Flaw...

Back in America I would get comments on my red hair quite often.  People love it, and I moved to England thinking it would be the same.... boy was I WRONG -- they hate red hair here -- they call us "ginger" and trust me, it isnt anywhere near a compliment!  And now I have family that have red hair and are getting teased about it, so bad they have to come and visit March for a while.  They are even going on Englands answer to Jerry Springer in the next few days....  Its crazy how my best asset has turned into my greatest flaw...  Just another reason to miss America.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6725653.stm

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_method=full%26objectid=19234213%26siteid=89520-name_page.html

Kids!

This is what I told a child at work today....
"Thomas!  No, We do not lick our friends tongues."

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

Tonight I was reading through my old journal and I found this entry from my first trip to England in September 2001:
"The day I have dreaded the whole trip.  I have to go home tomorrow.  I am here catching up on my writing, but, not really wanting to go to sleep because I know it ends tomorrow.  I love England.  I belong in England.  The feeling I get is one of peace when I am here.  I am so surprised I am not homesick but I think, how could I be homesick when I am home?  That is what I feel.  I came on this holiday to figure things out, and I have.  I dread tomorrow, I don't want it to come because I know I have to leave.  And I know when I get home I will be homesick then.  Homesick not just for my friends but for this place.  You know it is funny - I think now I am realizing why I am so drawn to British boys.  It is because they will help me be there.  I am so glad that I got to come here and to discover this place and to fall in love with this place.  I will miss it terribly, more than I have missed anything in my life."
I remember writing that entry through tear filled eyes.  I REALLY felt that way.  I really felt something about this country that I couldn't quite describe, it's deep feeling that has never left me.  I guess what I need to do now is remember those feelings.
How do you think that quote would look on my bathroom mirror???

Appendix, Migraine, and Colds - OH MY!

Hello Internet....
I don't have a lot of time tonight but here is my update -
Chris was in the hospital all day yesterday with a "grumbling appendix" - it sure has been grumbling, but no bursting so now we are just waiting....
While we are sitting in the "hospital" I snapped some pictures....

A "Hospital" Corner                    An Air Vent - No Air Conditioning    Hospital (Prison) Sink

Behind the "Dirty" Curtain    Cardboard Barf Buckets     Chris on a 1970's "Bed"
Other updates:
* I have had a week of constant headaches, wait scratch that, Migraines - I need a massage.
* Chris and I have both christened the toilet by barfing in it (thought you might want to know).
* We both have colds too...
Good News????
IT IS SUNNY!!!!!!  It only rained a little bit yesterday (we were stuck in the hospital anyway so it didn't matter) but today I couldn't have a nap this afternoon because of the sun shining through my window and I didn't mind the lack of sleep at all -- especially since it was because of the sun!!!
And in other news....
I had an appointment at the Doctors Surgery today - the nurse's name that saw me ---
Janet Jackson!

1,000,000,000,000th Day of Rain...

Last summer when I got to England it was HOT and SUNNY - awful by all standards... but all the English were in heaven.  News stories bombarded the television of hot, humid, sunny weather.  Everyone was enjoying themselves, everyone except me.  I was MISERABLE.  I was living in Chris' parents caravan and dreaded waking up to the heat and spent all of my time sitting in front of fans.   I prayed and prayed for rain, something to cool me down something to give me relief to the awful weather.  To my surprise it started to rain, just pour down, and I was so pleased - nothing could be better than this rain.  10 months later and I feel like it hasn't stopped.  I feel like the rain is a really good parable to my life.  I know that there has been sunny days here in England - I cant remember them (probably because I was too busy wishing them away).  I know there have been days without rain, but I cant remember what it is like.  That is how I feel now too with my life - I know there has been sunny, happy days in my life, I know it - I lived it, but I just cant remember it.  The rain doesn't help with a person's mood, as welcome as that rain was back in July, the sun is now.

The Shortest Weekend EVER...

Hello Internet!  How was your weekend?  Mine?  SHORT!
Friday night Chris' friend Taylor came over to spend the weekend. 
Saturday we ventured down to London to meet up with my cousin and her husband who are visiting England.  We didn't take any pictures because well, we have all the pictures from London that we need.  We went to a museum and got to see Michelangelo 'David' (yes the real thing....) I probably should have taken a picture of that.... oh well... Then we met up with my cousin and spent a very nice evening with her.  It was strange to know that I am halfway around the world, but I had dinner with a family member.  

Sunday we skipped church and just hung out.  I made dinner.  It was a great weekend but went quite fast.
I wasn't expecting the surge of homesickness that seeing a family member would bring.  I feel like I've been set back months.  It is a strange feeling knowing I have a life here and most of the time I can put it out of my mind, you know the fact that I live so far away, but actually seeing family and then having them leave and knowing that they are flying home and not  just driving for 20 minutes really has thrown me.  I miss home terribly, I know this feeling is one I will always have - but it has been a hard day with those feelings so close to the surface.
I start my new job tomorrow which I am a bundle of nerves for too... I am sure it will be fine, but like always, I am working myself up over it.
So today has been a yucky day.  I am sure that the constant week of rain hasn't helped either.  Yesterday I saw a patch of sun, I moved on the couch so it could shine right in my face, but no sooner had I done that, it was gone.  Here is the view today out of the window....

I should've Learned by Now...

Chris and I often joke that when I say one thing... the opposite happens.
For example:  Where we live we have a common parking lot, meaning, no reserved spots and anyone can part there.  People shopping in town or at the town market often park in the car park.  People who work in nearby offices often park in our car park, and yet, Chris and I have never had a problem finding a great parking space.... that is until the other week when I said to Chris, "You know when we moved in here everyone said we'd have a hard time finding a place to park and we've been so lucky!"  Like clockwork ever since I said that we have found it VERY difficult to find a place to park.
So you'd think I'd learned my lesson, to stop, and don't say ANYTHING.... but what do I do?  I open my mouth and say, "I get to take 2 University classes!" and I top it off with, "I am so excited!"
BAM!!!
I cant get financial aid to study there because I haven't lived in the country long enough. I am so disappointed, who would have thought I would be disappointed about NOT going to school.
Good thing I am not too excited about starting work or else I know I'd loose that too.
From now on - I am keeping my opinion to myself...
Man!  I was really looking forward to school.....

How Much Would you Pay to Feel more at 'Home'?

Good News.... Keep it Coming....

Hello Internet!!
I said I'd update more often and I feel myself slipping and not updating so here is the good news...
Good News #1 - I got a job.  It is at a day care right here in the town that I live!  I got offered part time or full time work, but I choose part time so I can still be a happy housewife some of the time.  I start next week and I am already thinking of all the ways I am going to confuse those poor English children.  I will be working with the toddlers - children just learning to talk.  I have tried since I have been here to keep using my "American" words, but I don't think I will be able to with them, for example:
American -
"After you are done with those cookies could you please throw the trash in the garbage can and then go lay in your crib for a nap - thank you."
English -
"After you are done with that biscuit could you please throw the rubbish in the bin and then go lay in your cot for a kip - ta."
I can see it now 10 toddlers with eyes wide open looking at me like I am speaking another language - because, well, I am! 
Good News #2 - As if getting a new job wasn't enough, I have decided to go to school at the same University Chris is working through, and am taking 2 classes.  It is nice to do school when, one, I want to, and two, I get to pick my classes.  Because Chris has had everything paid for through financial support, we are thinking I will too!  So I have to wait and see but 'Watch this Space' and hopefully that will work out too... oh yeah, the courses are 'Creative Writing and a Music class.  What more could I ask for?  Writing and music - this is a school they MUST have in heaven.
Good News #3 - Speaking of Heaven.... this last Saturday was me and Chris' 1 Year Anniversary!  We made it, sometimes I thought we wouldnt but, I am so pleased that we have, and I am looking forward to more and more years with him!!! 
So there is the update....  Keep posted and check out the weekend pictures...  with more snaps of - Bella the Car and our Crazy Bank Holiday Weather!