Fortnights, Aubergines, and Sleeping Policemen

The title of this post was almost the original name of my blog! Here are the definitions of these Englishisms…

Fortnight: Two weeks (i.e. I’ll be away a fortnight.)
Aubergines: Eggplant (i.e. Mmmmm…Aubergines!)
Sleeping Policemen: Speed bumps! (i.e. I lost the entire bottom of my car when I flew over that sleeping policeman…thank goodness it’s a rental!)

And a few of the most basic Englishisms you’ll find around here. I should have blogged about these months ago!

Englishisms – the Basics

Sweetie: That would be me! No, actually it’s the term used by children for “candy”!(i.e. Mummy, can I have a sweetie after dinner?)
Zed: There is no letter “Z” in Britain…it’s “Zed”.
Sorted: Resolved (i.e. Get it sorted!)
Speciality: Gotta love extra “I’s” in words like “specialty”.

The Movers

Well, my stuff is gone. The movers (two friendly blokes who made fun of the packing spreadsheet I had made for them!) came today and took everything (well, most things!)!

It has been an absolutely crazy week trying to finish up massive amounts of work and also make sure everything is set for my move home…planning to turn in my Pugeot, having the movers pack and ship my stuff, saying “farewells”, planning the time mom is here and our trip! The toughest part has been making sure that I have just the right things with me for the next few weeks until I get home…BUT not too much stuff, because I have to carry whatever the movers haven’t taken onto the plane with me!

2 more weeks!

A Few Highlights from Easter Travels

I can’t believe it’s my last full work-week! It is truly amazing how fast the weeks and months fly by.

During the past two weeks, Ry and I spent time in the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. We literally traveled England coast-to-coast.

Listening to the songs of the boys’ choir echo through the famous cathedral in Canterbury; the beach in France; driving a UK car on the Continent…interesting; growing lasting friendships in Antwerp; antique shopping; drinking lots of Belgian beer (officially some of my favorites in the world! Thanks to Ry, I feel like a beginner beer connoisseur!); walking EVERYWHERE!; amazing food; theatre; road trip music; lambing season in the Lake District (One night we stayed on a beautiful farm estate…they had 750 baby lambs born this year! The little guys were ALL OVER THE VALLEYS! We must have at least 50 photos on the camera of sheep. Hehehe!),etc, etc etc. Great times.

I am working hard this week, finalizing some major projects at Rohm and Haas (I mean Dow), and trying to pack up most of my stuff to send with the movers this Friday. Mom arrives next week, so with mixed emotions, I am trying to start to say my goodbyes now.

Have a lovely Tuesday- it’s another beautiful, sunny day in the Midlands!

An Englishism…when to say “Pardon me…” and when to NOT!

I certainly owe you a blog on our Easter weekend adventures! Wow- we've had some great experiences!

In the meantime....

By popular demand, I’ve been asked to do a blog on the socially acceptable use of the phrases “excuse me” vs “pardon me” vs “sorry”…

Did you know that when you say “pardon me” in Britain, it translates to “Pardon me (I just farted!).” Hehehehe!!! I have been saying it for months when I bump into someone in the grocery store, or need to pass someone in the aisle and all along I should have been saying, “Sorry...” instead!!!!!

WHOOOPS!

Furthermore, “excuse me” is also a “no no”, too! It translates to “Excuse me, (I just burped!)”

Seriously, I’ve been saying “pardon me” for months and months over here!!! I am so embarrassed!

KISMET!

OMG! Ry and I just got home from dinner at Kismet…

Auntie Rita recommended this place to me 6 months ago, and I figured it was time I checked it out! Now I am regretting waiting this long! I think I have to agree that it’s the best place in Leamington Spa for a “curry”!

P.S. Did you know there is a Warwickshire Curry Club, and they test out all the Indian places in Warwickshire, taking their business VERY seriously! Great stuff!

The Countdown Begins!

I can't believe that today is the one-month mark...in just one month, I'll be en route back to the States! :o)

(Photos: A few of my favorite places nearby my British home.)

Fun in Scotland and Busy Week Ahead!

Had a fabulous weekend with Molly in Scotland. Great sights, food and drink, strolling, shopping, and best of all: company and conversation! The only bad thing that happened is that my camera broke (which could be seen as a good thing, depending on how you look at it! After all, that thing was OLD!) . So you will have to wait to see pics, as I have to get them from Molly.

Back to work fun for a few days, and then Ryan arrives (!) and we head south and across to the continent for the Easter holiday!

Indiana Jones!

I miss little Indy so much! With a face like this, who wouldn't? ;o)

(A mix of baby and adult pics for your enjoyment!)

Scotland!

This week flew by, but when I think about it, last weekend seems so long ago! Probably because so much has happened this past week...

Anyway, this weekend I'm off to Scotland! So excited to see Molly!

More on Monday...

Not an April Fool's Joke...

Today we were purchased, so now I work for Dow Chemical Company. It's very strange that Rohm and Haas doesn't exist anymore. We are all trying to look at the aquistion as a positive change, whilst (<--the British LOVE to use the word "whilst!!) recognizing that there is much uncertainty still to come.