Sisters in the UK!

Km arrived, then Jess arrived! (Then Km left to hang out with her cousin, Molly, but comes back to Leamington tonight!) Jess and I had a GREAT weekend together. I was getting worried, because I have been feeling under-the-weather, and luckily, started feeling better when she arrived. We went all around Warwickshire arm-in-arm! We went to the German Christmas Market at Birmingham, walked the grounds at Kenilworth Castle, hung out in Leam, went to Warwick Castle, ate bangers and mash, went to a performance of Romeo and Juliet in Stratford-upon-Avon, had mince pies and mulled wine at Hatton farm, went to an Advent service at Coventry Cathedral...WHEW!!!! I'M EXHAUSTED! Dropped Jess at the Birmingham airport at noon, did some Christmas shopping and running errands.

Tonight I am going to check out a Christmas carol service at the Cathedral here in Leamington, then pick up Kmbris late tonight. I will be working a few days this week, and it's off to Ireland for Christmas, back to England, and then off to Spain for New Year's!

Bye Bye Skoda...Hello Peugeot!!!

There's a new kid in town! The car company called to exchange cars with me and brought me a Peugeot! Am now effortless kool on the roadway! Miss my Skoda, but this Peugeot is awfully zippy!!!

Leamington All Lit Up for Christmas

The main street in Leamington is called The Parade, which is all decorated up for Christmas. There was even a Christmas "Fayre", with vendors, holiday stuff, food, etc. We had a Leamington tree-lighting in town, too, with fake "snow" flakes in the air, and entertainment/food/shopping. It's hard not to get in the Christmas spirit!

The End of a Great Week

I've just put Ryan back on a plane to the States after a whirlwind week. We spent time in the Cotswolds, Oxford, Birmingham, London, and of course Leamington Spa and surrounding Warwickshire. I'll post blogs on some specifics during the upcoming days/weeks. We really had a lovely visit. I managed to work a bit, too, which gave Ryan a chance to fall in love with Leamington. I think he feels a lot better now that he knows first-hand that I'm in a beautiful and safe place.
Aunt Karen and Tony are in town, so I am going to meet up with them this afternoon. Then tomorrow I'm off to Scotland for work for a few days. More soon!

Happy Thanksgiving - Thinking of You!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to say hi and have fun! Enjoy the time together and have some pumpkin pie for me! Happy Thanksgiving!
And for all who were wondering...Ryan has just safely landed, so he'll be here soon. :o)

You've Heard of the Dollar Store...

But have you ever considered what they call the UK equivalent?

Evening Walk Through Coventry - 18 Nov 08

I've found that Coventry is under-rated. Overall, it doesn't have the best reputation for being a lovely place to visit, but I think it's a really great town! There are hidden aspects of it's history, and restaurant/bar gems that noone really talks about. I was fortunate enough to be taken on an evening walk through Cov after a lovely dinner on Spon Street this past week.

A few pics: 1. Statue of Lady Godiva- Her tyrant husband, the Earl of Mercia, imposed an oppressive tax on the citiznes of Coventry. Lady Godiva pleaded with him to stop the tax. He told her that she would have to ride naked through town before he changed anything. So, she did! The earl was so stunned, he revoked the tax and changed his horrible ways! This story is also where the phrase "Peeping Tom" originated, believe it or not. 2. A small piece of what remains of the original city walls from medieval times.

Thanksgiving Preparations - Different This Year!

I'm thinking of all my American friends and family, busy preparing for Thanksgiving this week. Not to be too cheesy, but I am thankful for all of you! xo
This year, I am preparing for Thanksgiving in a completely different way! First off, you can't buy canned pumpkin at the store, so there will be no pumpkin pie! I actually have to work on Thanksgiving day itself, but the fabulous part about it is that Ryan arrives on Thanksgiving for a visit! So, my Thanksgiving preparations include planning fun stuff to do while he's in Warwickshire! I've just booked a room in the Cotswolds town of Stow-on-the-Wold (!!! - Yes, I'm serious!). I am SUPER-EXCITED to spend time in the Cotswolds (translates to: "sheep folds in the hills"). We will also go to London for a few nights, and to Birmingham for the German/Frankfort Christmas Market (Hooray for German heritage!).
The week Ryan is here also happens to be the Rohm and Haas "Coventry Site Dinner Dance"! Yeah, you know you are already excited to read the BLOG I will undoubtably write about that!

Cheers for now, I promise I won't slack so much on my blogging this week!

A lovely day in Stratford-upon-Avon

What a great town! Am feeling quite insightful! Here's a quote from Shakespeare for your enjoyment.

I to the world am like a drop of water
That in the ocean seeks another drop.
Who, falling there to find his fellow forth,
Unseen, inquisitive, confounds hiluself. 　-The Comedy of Errors

Disclaimer: I forgot my camera back at my apartment, and so these pics are from my Blackberry camera. I aplogise (UK spelling!) for the photo quality! First photo is Shakespeare's birthplace. Second is the beautiful church where he is buried, along the Avon River.

Ruby's with Family

We had a delightful dinner at Ruby's on Friday! Ruby's is the best Cantonese restaurant in Leamington Spa, and pair that with some good Sancerre, you can't really go wrong! Couldn't have asked for better company or cuisine. Cheers!

Back in England!

Just wanted everyone to know that I'm back to England safe-and-sound. I had a great/hectic/stressful/wonderful time at home. Thanks family, friends, and colleagues for your support! It was an exciting week- with the election, getting a chance to see so many of you, working, packing, and trying to find time to sleep and relax a bit, too. Looking forward to the next time our paths cross. Cheers!

WHAT is up with this weather????

Ummm, whoever told me it doesn't snow in the UK was SEVERELY mistaken! It's October 28th! What is going on!??! Needless to say, it was an interesting commute home this evening! It seems that everyone goes a bit mad around here when it snows!

You'll get a kick out of this...meet Henry.

So tonight I thought I would do a bit of cleaning! I opened up the cardboard box in my utility cabinet, where I was told I would find a brand new vacuum cleaner. What I discovered was so much more than JUST a vacuum...I FOUND HENRY!!! (Seriously, look at the little guy!) Not only was it the MOST FUN I have EVER had vacuuming, but I feel like I have a new flat mate! I LOVE MY HENRY! (I wouldn't be too concerned, Ry!)

US SPORTS! Miss it!

I am feeling very removed from PSU football and the Phillies right now! These guys are ROCKIN' and I must resort to internet highlights! Certainly not ideal! It must be exciting at home. Any details would be welcomed! Go PHILS!

Great Restaurants and Friendly Leamingtonians!

I met some ladies last weekend, and they have been inviting me to different happenings in the area. I am lucky to have already met some lovely and welcoming Leamingtonians!

This weekend we went to a special benefit to raise funds for supplies for orphans in South Africa. It was a really great cause, and we wanted to support the local missionary (an Aunty of one of my new girl friends). There was entertainment...an English Elvis tribute band! HA! (Pic attached for your amusement!! Yes, it was held at the local Irish Club!) Needless to say, we didn't stay for very long! I ended up sharing a bottle of Shiraz and some great conversation in good company at Wilde's. Wilde's is a wonderful, cozy wine bar, with quite a history. Overall, I have been enjoying good food and drink in England. I have been scoping out good places to take you all when you come visit!

I've also been working on party preparations for when I come home, and can't wait to see everyone who will be popping by on 7 Nov. All are welcome! I am doing special shopping to bring home proper English treats for the party. :o)

An Autumn Saturday - Out and About

Today was the local Farmer's Market in Leamington Spa. All of the products for sale are from within 30 miles of here. I loved it. I bought organic cheese from Gorsehill Abbey Farm. I got two kinds: really smelly and kinda smelly - heavenly! I also visited the Leamington Spa Royal Pump Rooms (Turkish Bath), and art museum.


I live across the street from Jephson Gardens, which is beautiful to walk through. There are swans on the lake, a "glass house" (greenhouse), fountains and manicured lawns, and an ice cream shop!

Personal Goal: ROCK THE SKODA!

I have embarked on a personal mission to make the Skoda kool! I love my Skoda!

Coventry Cathedral

I attended a lovely "evensong" at the Coventry Cathedral one evening. The Cathedral was badly damaged during WWII, but they have kept some of it intact, and built a new part. It's lovely.

Funny story...true story!!!

Went to a random pub...

I said, "What is your best red wine?"
Received answer: "Pinot Grigio."
"Hmmm..." (isn't that white?? ha!)

Immediately changed order to a proper pint of Old Speckled Hen...good riddance!

Apartment Pics - Bedroom and Kitchen!

Bedroom! Kitchen!
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Apartment Pics - Living Room!

Living Room!

My Flat - Front Entrance

I finally got a minute to post the first pic of my flat! Sorry it took so long! My flat is one unit within this gorgeous property on Regency Mews. More pics soon! I move in on Friday, 17 Oct!

Good Lord! You've a Skoda!

Exciting stuff to report! I've a Skoda, and haven't run down too many sleeping policemen! Granted- you haven't much a clue what a Skoda OR a sleeping policeman is...have you!??!

Contrary to popular belief, a Skoda is not a disease, and the term "sleeping policeman" should not be taken TOO literally...it's a speed bump!

I haven't a true impression of my Skoda as of yet... All I know is that it gets me from A to B. Yes, I refer to my fine European car!!!

Will post pictures soon, but wanted to give you a day-or-so to get used to the idea of a clumsy, left-handed American driving on the "proper" side of the road. (Obviously, the term "proper" is used loosely in the UK! - Just kidding, British friends!!) Shall shop for an, "I LOVE MY SKODA" bumper sticker - PRONTO!

Flat-hunting

Today was a wonderful Wednesday. The weather was to-die-for, and it was "flat-hunting" day! Hooray- a glimpse of promise that I will eventually move out of this hotel room! (Honestly, though, it's not really bad at all.) So I was picked up and taken to about 10 properties, and a lovely lunch. The places were all in the area called Warwickshire, which is perfectly quaint in most every way. The Warwick and Kenilworth castles were both part of the tour, and proper English countryside and quaintness beyond imagination!

I am now in a position of choosing between 2 fabulous flats (after eliminating many quite decent other choices!). The 2 I have narrowed it down to are both in "Royal Leamington Spa". Leamington is pronounced "Lemington" for all of us Americans. I think I have decided between the 2 flats, and will post pics as soon as it is finalised (UK SPELLING!!).

Also, other exciting news- I'll be taking a lesson at the BSM (British School of Motoring) this week! As I scheduled the appointment, they asked if I had any disabilities or special needs...

I said "Ummm...I suppose requesting an automatic vehicle would fit into the category of "special need."" Hehehe.

My lovely Coventry cabbie

Today I took a ride in a taxi over to Earlsdon (which I loved, by the way!!). The cabbie immediately recognized my AMERICAN accent and asked me where I was from. I said "PHILLY, BABY!" (actually I said "The States- Pennsylvania). He then wanted to know if I was following American politics very closely. I told him I that I do pay attention to it, and he immediately went into quite a tirade! He told me he quite liked Sarah Palin (sarcastically), and told me that Sarah Palin should be president (let alone VP), because then the US would get what they deserved! He then proceeded to explain to me how Bill Clinton and Margaret Thatcher caused this entire financial mess.

Lovely- I shall say I am Canadian from now-on during cab rides!

xoxo

Are you alright?

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm alright.

Instead of - How are you/How do you do, it's "Are you alright?"

Why yes, thank you!

My first pint of bitter

My first pint (true pint- none of those girly-glasses!) was Greene King Abbot. It was DELICIOUS! Spent Wednesday night enjoying a lovely "curry dinner" (English people seem to call all Indian food "Curry", even if you don't actually have curry alone) at a local Indian restuarant. If anyone has advice for other local bitter (ok- or lagers!) for me to try, please advise. Thanks!

Flu Jab

Did anyone get their flu jab yet? I didn't! This is my word-of-the-day...it's so cute. For all of you dense Americans, it's the equivalent of a flu shot to us!

Cheers.

Enormous Rabbits Cause Great Alarm!

I arrived at the hotel on Sunday morning, feeling slightly delirious! I hauled all my bags up to the room, and gazed out of my window...a pleasant view of the yard/grounds. I began to pull the curtains to take a nap...and did a sudden double-take...ARE THOSE HUGE RABBITS OUTSIDE MY WINDOW??? I must be sleep-deprived, and slightly mad! But yes, there do happen to be a clan of happy, HUGE rabbits that like to frollic in the grassy area outside my bedroom window, especially before brekkie (breakfast!).

Cheers.