Getting A Stamp on My Passport!

Hello all!

Thought I'd let everyone know that Carole and I are going to Barcelona Spain Friday!  We got kinda wild and decided what the hell!  We'll be back Sunday, but I'm really looking forward to it.  Supposed to be sunny and about 70, right down balmy!  We will post pictures next week and I'm hoping they are colorful.  Tired of all the black and grey around here, and I'm not talking about the weather.  Everyone wears the dullest colors.  I have to say if I never see another pair of black tights I'll be very happy!  The women wear them with everything, including short shirts, under short shorts and all sizes and ages too.  I also don't know how the women walk around here with the spiked heels on cobblestones even.

I took a picture of the TV the other day.  Now I know that sounds weird but I just had to show all of you.  This is on BBC with a guy doing sign language.  Nothing against deaf people needing that and all the better, but really are they almost blind too!  The guy in the right hand corner, yes the one that is as large as the journalist, notice he is lower, so if he was up with them he might actually be larger.  It's so distracting.  Speaking of TV, it's horrible over here.  I'm sure we are on the cheap cable, but English people are boring.  I don't find that to be true of the actual people I meet.  In fact, all in all I find the majority of them very funny.  When I can understand them I like their sense of humor.  The TV shows have a lot to be desired.  They show Friends, Two and a Half Men, all the CSI's, The Kardasians and Hulk Hogan!  I'm really not a big TV watcher, but I'll be happy to see something that is current. 

Til next time,

Pam

Home Visit

Happy to be back in the states for a week spending a Sunday with the family lounging around the house.  Especially happy to shower in a shower that wasn't the size of a shoebox!  Admittedly, that flight home though was brutal, and I'm not looking forward to the trip back in less than a week. 

Manchester Airport security was a trip!  In usual British fashion, everyone is super friendly, and generally 'overstaffed' - always someone standing by with a smile to help you find your way.  Someone actually handed me my bins at security and helped me place my bags, coat, laptop, etc in the bins appropriately.  I was one of the lucky that was NOT randomly selected to enter the 'bad' door which would have required a full body scan (or whatever those poor suckers were dealing with next to me).  Very organized process, albeit long queues (aka 'lines').

Hopefully, customs will let me back at the end of the week...
Deb

Little Things around England

Went to the gym today for the 1st time.  Thought we'd found one about a mile past the office, then it wouldn't take our American bank numbers, but they let us work out today.  We'd like to go back, (really I don't think Carole or my feelings either one would be hurt if we didn't get in, although we need to go), we think we are going to beg them to let us pay cash. Then again if we would just walk to the gym and back everyday we'd get more exercise for free!


Afterwards we tried to find a drug store to buy a few things (supermarkets don't have things like toothpaste here).   We keep forgetting that they close up shops here at 6:00, isn't that crazy!! They even do that on Saturdays.  Deb went to the Gap yesterday and got slacks for 75% off, £9.00.  When we went by they were closed and it wasn't even 7:00.  We did stumble upon a cheap store that seemed to have odds & ends that was still open, got my toothpaste.  Then because everything is so odd here we roamed around just looking and laughing.  Of course we are loud Americans and everyone notices us.  Carole couldn't even find any hard candy!  We did buy some kind of Top Ramen, I say that in the loose sense.  We'll see what that is really like. 


We're looking for clothes because we're not sure what we were thinking when we packed!  Oh, to have our own closets again!  Not to mention a car!!  I found a fan, because my apt is always hot!  I leave the window open all the time.  I suppose I could try to figure out the air.  That will be another trial.  Everyday is a challenge.  Oh well, never boring is it?  Didn't buy the fan because it would be too much to carry home!  


Few things that are strange:


Dates, they are driving me crazy.  I work with dates, part of my job.  The day and the month are backwards and it takes you twice the amount of time to get it straight!  You'd think I'd get that by now, but no!  It is easier, but still difficult.  


Then there is the time.  It's military time and on top of that there is the time difference!   I'm always looking at my computer and it tells me CST, so I have to constantly figure out what time it really is.  Then there is daylight savings time in the states and here.  Basically I never really know what the date and time is.  I got to work the other day and my computer wouldn't work.  Our IT group is on EST and I'm six hours ahead!  I called them and needless to say they were not happy about waking up someone.  Oops!


They have this fear of fire apparently.  When we got here they had their fire marshall person tell us all the escape routes, really not one, we're on the 4th fl.  There is a fire drill every 3 months and you are not to take anything down stairs with you, even purse or they fail the test.  The guy told us as long as you get out of the building and cross the street in an orderly and quite fashion all is good.  He said it didn't matter if you got hit by a car as long as you made it they passed the test!  Anyway, every Monday sometime around 10:30 to 11:00 an extremly loud horn goes off that is situated on the wall in our small office room.  It about causes you to have a heart attack, which would take care of the being killed by fire or smoke inhalation! 


Last thing, you know how sometimes when you just can't get started in the morning? Well picture that in a place that everything is just wrong on a good day.   I've had a few of those. 


I know I don't seem happy to be here.  I'm actually fine, just miss home (comforts) and my people and my dogs. 

Pam

Finally starting to like it here

I admit I was a little un-impressed when I arrived here.  Leeds is crazy busy, messy & illogical (driving on the 'wrong' side, trash along the streets, doors opening in all directions in-out no rhyme or reason to so many things). Combined with the home-sickness, difficulty understanding the accents, and general confusion with every day things.  I finally feel like I'm fitting in, and I'm comfortable in Leeds, and I am enjoying the work.  I'm sure something will change to throw me for a loop now.  ;)

Deb

Predictable Weather

The temperature here seems to increase every day by about 1 or 2 degrees F.  When we arrived it was freezing, then it warmed up the next day, the next day and I would say every day since.  This seems odd coming from where I live where temperature swings of 20 degrees F within an hour time are not uncommon (sometimes in just 10 mins).  The weather last week in SLC was 60+ one day, and below freezing the next.  Snow a couple days, rain another and sunny skys on still another.  Here - same ole' same ole'.  Some might say boring, but I prefer predictable.  The irony is that I've heard some complain here that the weather forecasters can't get it right.  Uh, huh?  I guess the only hard part is how many clouds will be in the sky or whether it will sprinkle or rain or drizzle...

here is a photo of the four of us in York

Photos from York

 York Castle Museum

 A 'Harry Potter' Tree - much smaller version of course

 The Moat surrounding the city walls.  Now, apparently a jogging/walking trail.

Monks Bar - no, not a pub where the Monk's drink - also called a 'gate' aka entrance to the city.  There's a small doorway at the bottom left of the pic (behind the lady in black) with a narrow staircase up to the top where we walked along the walls for a bit.

 Pam on the steps of Clifford's Tower. 

 The York City Art Gallery - it was free to get in - unlike everything else we visited. 

 Parking lot security?

Pam and Carole standing in front of one of the many buildings that appear to have some issues with construction.?? 

 No, you're not crazy - that building is sagging. 

The Shambles street.  Just wide enough for a small car or wagon to fit down - pedestrians only anymore.  Once again, York showing off some of it's finest construction.  Yes, those buildings are leaning into the street.   

 The York Minster - a massive church with tons of stained glassed windows and unique architecture.  Tours are offered inside for a mere £9, and one can climb the tower for only £5 (that's around $14 & $8 respectively).  We looked around inside the entrance and decided we'd spend our money on trinkets in the gift shop instead.

Clifford's Tower.  I would imagine this was used to view incoming attacks outside the city walls.  The daffodils were wildly in bloom all over the man-made hillside.

Another Day in England

Had a little adventure this evening going to the "Supermarket" (I know we call it that too, but really don't we usually call it the "Grocery Store".  Got there later than we wanted to, about 6:00, was super crowded, again.  We were trying to be more origanized than last time, so took extra bags and backpack.  That did help and used a cart which you have to put a pound in to get and then you take the pound out when you put it back.  I was very impressed with how well the cart rolled, it was so smooth (I know funny thing to get excited about)!  Anyway when we left, very loaded down with only 25 pounds worth (money not lbs), we felt so lucky that we caught the free bus immediately!  Then we discovered that it was the last one of the day and it took as only to the train station, which was further than we were originally from the apts!   We had a good laugh about that one!  Had to take a taxi back, but we were relieved because our bags were so heavy.  What an ordeal without a car!  Oh, and we got salt, pepper and sponges!

A few things that are different:

When you get down to the lobby the receptionists always look at you when you walk their way and say "Are you alright?".  To us that means "what's the matter",  but they mean "can I help you", but we always say "well yeah, but then we have a question.

The pastries here are just out on the shelves on trays.  Very nasty, flies can get on them and sneezes!

When people are discussing things with you, like at work, when they are finished they say "carry on"!  I like that one.

We keep seeing T-shirts and posters in stores that are talking about Red Nose Day.  Found out what that was, Comic Relief for charity day, it was today.

People say "How are things Chuk?".  That means dear or love.  So they are not calling you "Chuck".

As you all know Fries are Chips, but did you know that Chips are Crisps?

Well that's it, off to York tomorrow.  I think we will have some "keen" observations about there.  Don't you hate how I keep putting everything in "quotes"?  Just seems right somehow!

Pam (that's for Ann)  Oh Andy is very funny and nice.  I'll take a picture some day.

Cheers!












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I was feeling a little left out

so I thought I would become a "contributor" and post to the blog.  I, along with the ladies, am here in the UK working and living.  So far I am finding things quite comfortable and nice other than the bitter cold.  The people here that we work with are wonderful and very friendly.  Unfortunately, as stated in previous posts, I too find myself saying "what?" a lot.  In addition to the dialect issues, my bad hearing in my left ear (even with a hearing aid) doesn't help.   We all went out for drinks on Wed night and I didn't stay long because #1) I can't drink because of this inner ear problem I have and #2) because with all the noise and my bad hearing I couldn't hear what anyone was saying so it just became too uncomfortable for me to keep asking "what"?  Maybe I'll figure out a better way to deal with it as we continue.  My son was on Spring break so he came over to London where I met him and spent the weekend with him sightseeing.  London reminds be a lot of  New York, only older.  Very fun.  Looking forward to  going to York with the ladies tomorrow and do a little sightseeing, and undoubtedly, some shopping!

Bob

Starbucks

I asked for oatmeal at Starbucks this morning twice because the girl didn't understand.  Then it hit me, porridge!  What am I Goldilocks?

To Go Where?

I asked the waiter for a 'To Go Box' last night at dinner, and he said "Where are you going?"  It's not 'for here or to go?' and it's not 'to stay or to go?' it's 'eat in or take away?' in the UK.

Still craving a midnight snack

Although I think we're all sleeping pretty well now - certainly better than the first week - my brain is still confused at the signals it's receiving from my stomach.  It seems I suddenly am alerted to the need to eat when my stomach is growling uncontrollably. Then, right before bedtime - and often during the night - my brain decides it's hungry!  At least I have some tasty snacks from our weekend grocery shopping trip.  Deb

Dreary Foggy Day

Not much happening, but thought I would let all know I'm alive.  It was foggy all day.  Fog can be heavy in the morning where I'm from in the states, but this was an all day fog. 

Hope everyone enjoyed the pictures.  Deb did a great job with them. 

We're supposed to go out tomorrow evening with the gang from work, so that should be interesting.  They keep telling us to be ready to down the pints! 

We are definately going to York this weekend.  We purchased our tickets yesterday.  It is only 25 min by train, more pictures to come. 

Oh yeah, for anyone that cares, my dryer was broke, it wasn't me.  It's finally working as of yesterday! 

Cheers!

Pam

Photos from Saturday

The Corn Exchange (restaurants and stores) - no longer trading 'corn' though

One of the many shopping malls (aka Arcades)

This seemed to be the true Center of town with the oldest buildings, and many buses passing through.

The ceiling in Victorias Quarters - One of the 'high end' Arcades

Just an interesting Mural we saw next to the Corn Exchange

May Kona RIP...

Our Chocolate Labrador/Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Kona, has passed today, after living just shy of 13 wonderful years.  May he rest in peace...  Deb

Such Polite Brits

Thought it was worth pointing out (as Carole or Pam did yesterday??) how polite the Brits are.  They always smile and say hello (HAH-lo) or cheers!  If it's not genuine, they've sure got us fooled.  We are lucky to be working with a nice group of folks.

This morning's challenges

Seems like there are challenges every day.  Some more interesting than others.  Figuring out the washer/dryer, the tea pot, the microwave, the shower, the heater, the list goes on.  I haven't even tried the toaster yet.  One would think it sould be simple, but I'm not counting on it.  They seem to use little icons/pictures to suggest which button you want, but what exactly does the little button with the sun on the washer/dryer mean?  warm wash?  or sun dry?  or the one on the microwave that looks like a piece of pie?  Where's the popcorn button?  No numbers and the dial doesn't seem to do anything. 

This morning I spent 20 minutes trying to tune into a radio station.  After finding 2 perfectly clear radio stations, only to have them completely turn fuzzy a minute later, I gave up and went to the internet -  365 Radio online!  Yay!  Apparently, Pandora is banned from here.  I'm finding a lot of things I cannot access on the internet.  It seems to recognize that I have a UK ip address and blocks the content.  Even news stories/videos I was trying to watch about the Japan Earthquake.  Not something we're used to in the states. 
Cheers!  Deb

week 1 in review

yikes - we're at the end of week 1 and all is well!  not complaining or anything - apartments are comfortable and modern but here's what's missing:  hangers, tissue, salt/pepper, airfreshner, slippers, robes, clothes detergent, dish soap, hand soap, spounge, wash clothes (yes donna, you're right - no wash clothes), top sheets omitted - just the bottom sheet & the duvet&cover, and pressure for the shower/sinks (apparentely - this is only an issue on the 7th floor and the rest of the building has plenty of pressure!) it takes me 15 minutes to brush my teeth cuz there's no pressure...and sometimes there's no water!  how uncivilized!  

weather - we've been so lucky to just head out for work and back to the apartment - timed just so, that miraculously we've missed the torrential rains and down pour that drown everything for 10-15 minutes and just as quickly - clear up!  yes, the other night we looked out and raised our pints-o-beers as we saw all the water outside!  after one early morning of violent rain, pam called to tell me to look out my southwest facing window to check out the beautiful morning rainbow over the city!  and just like a movie, the clouds pushed out and the sun came out for a beautiful walk to work!  we also discovered that the brits will walk on both sides of the sidewalk; however, unconsciously, they are definitely more comfortable walking on the left side, while we gravitate to the right side...who would have thunk it!  next time i'm going to scream at them - blimey brits! walk on the other side please!  cheers! 

yes - cheers is basically said after any and everything!  'oi mate - thanks for that memo, cheers!'  'cheers everyone! (entering the office), 'aye did you see the game last night, cheers!'  'did you want crisps with that?  cheers!  i'm sure the show did well over here!  right now they are into showing all the reruns of friends and - yep - two and a half men!  cheers! 

unable to eavesdrop on co-workers - unable to determine what they are saying unless i focus and look at them!  so all the discussions around me are just foreign!  deb pointed out that one of our brit co-worker is a near replica of philip seymoure hoffman....i'm convinced that the brits must think all americans are hard of hearing as we keep asking them to repeat themselves...we have no idea what they are saying and hope the second time around we'll understand it any better!

this weekend we're exploring leeds!  more to come!  cheers all ya' all!
-carole

Don't know how to use my own Blog!

All I seem able to do is post.  I can't figure out how to see comments.  I really need Jim, he could help me, I know he could!

Uneventful day.  Weather was much better.  I went to a bank and exchanged US money for pounds.  Seems like I lost a bunch of money.  Took $220 and came out with 126 pounds! 

Went to our local bar again!  Its right next door to the apts.  The employees are going to get to know us very well.  Waitress is Cloye.  We are right next door to the University so lots of young kids wearing Jegan's.  We did actually witness a 60th Birthday party.  Was beginning to wonder if there were older people around. 

My clothes are still wet, trying again!  This all in one washer/dryer is crazy!  I know you are all getting tired of hearing about it, so am I!!!  I  just want dry clothes. 

Deb/Carole blog something more interesting than me!  Pictures soon, I swear!

Pam

Today is much less windy.  We heard on the news that someone was killed yesterday due to the wind!  Don't really know how, but I'm thinking they were blown into the street and hit by a car!!  Actually I just heard in conversation that's what did happen!  Now does everyone understand how bad the wind is?

Yesterday Carole and I went to Boots (very large Walgreens), it was sunny and we even commented when we came out of the building that it was warm.  We were inside maybe 15 min and when we walked out it was raining and very cold.  Bone chilling wind on the walk back to the apt. 

Dryer update:  Clothes still not dry!  I believe they have been washed or at leasted rinsed 5 times now. 

I'm pretty sure one of us is going to smash into a door soon!  Doors that you should open out push in or push doors open toward you (that one is the real problem).  As Deb's comments earlier went, I believe we are in "opposite" world. 

I so hope I start talking like a Brit!!  Maybe that will help me understand them.  I spend a lot of time looking dumb.

Til next time!  We'll take a few pics this weekend.  Staying in Leeds to get more familiar and get a few things taken care of.  Maybe York next weekend. 

Pam

Cream is too fattening?

Sometimes this place seems like the US, but then as I proceed with my daily routine, I realize I'm in an alternate reality.  For instance, I go to turn on a light and I have to flip the switch DOWN.  What?  Then I take the elevator down to floor 0? No wonder it takes so long to climb 5 floors to the 4th floor!  Huh?  We're trying to cross the street and the cars are going the wrong friggin way!  Most curiously, the people here are concerned about putting cream in their coffee because it's so fattening, all while slurping down a 3000-calorie "bread pudding".  Not surprisingly, the cream I bought and put in the fridge 2 days ago is GONE!  Hmmm, maybe cream is better than milk after all...

Forget all the rain, it's the wind that'll drive you mad!

Surprisingly, the sun has shone more since we arrived than not.  The wind has been crazy rediculous though.  I don't know that I've ever been in wind this strong - except maybe at the top of a mountain ski resort on a blizzardy day.  Is that a word?  'Course one minute it's sunny, the next partly cloudy, then pouring rain, then moments later sunny again! 

Deb

Jaffa (JAH-fuh) Cakes

Mmmmm...  Super yummy chocolate covered soft-ish orange flavored cookies (aka biscuits).  I thought they'd taste even better if dipped in milk, but the Brits here scoffed at that comment - 'They're not Nilla Wafers!'  Not to be confused with actual 'cake', which gets hard when left out, biscuits get softer when left out.  They actually tax them differently here - cakes and biscuits - so apparently, that's important...

March 9th, I think

1st day at work, went well I thought.  Still can't understand most people.  Found out when I say excuse me or pardon me they think I've either burped or farted.  I've done a lot of that today! 

 

Carole, Deb and I went out for dinner and a beer after work.  The walk to work was fine today, I'm pretty sure the last 200 ft the wind pushed us there.  If I'd had an umbrella I would have been like Mary Poppins!!  I want to talk like these people, well at least like most of them. 

 

I'm now washing & drying clothes in one machine.  I'll let you know how that turns out!

 

Going to go to bed now.  I hope I sleep longer than last night.  Although I managed to get 8 hrs out of the 11 I tried, so good.  The wind is wicked on the 9th fl! 

Cheerios Mates!  Pam, Deb, and Carole have made it to the lil' island of England...and made our way from airport to train station to apartment in Leeds!  It's Day 3 of a 90-day work-cation that we will be sharing with you!  Come along with us on our crazylost adventure in this proper country...