Traveling Yankee

2006-11-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

BBC morning news is always on in the background as I get ready for work. Which means that I almost always awaken to bad news. This morning however....

"and the democrats have gained control of the US House of Representatives...."

It was about time. Today was also the first time since I have lived in the UK that I feel no apprehension in saying I am American. When I moved here-one month after the world watched America vote Bush Jr in for the SECOND time-I dreaded being asked where I was from. The polite people always asked if I was Canadian. But as soon as my American nationality was confirmed, the polictical rant followed. I learned to say very quickly after this fact that I did not vote for him EITHER time..well, that or say that actually, yes, I was Canadian. It gets a bit tiresome being attacked for political policies that you completely disagree with.

But now...I actually feel hopeful about the country for the first time in years. Democratically controlled house and RUMSFELD RESIGNED!!! The senate still too close to call, but it's looking good. Hopefully some serious changes will be made-and soon. But for now, I will make do with the simple gift of being able to speak in my American accent without causing offence.

2006-11-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile, so I thought I'd ease back in....thanks Jen.

100 Question Survey
1. What is the last alcoholic beverage you drank?: having a glass of wine right now.
2. Do you follow college football?: God no.
3. How many miles does your car have on it?: Don't have one in the UK...it is all about public transportation!
4. Who was the last person to send you a text message and what was it about? My service provider telling me I had a voicemail.....
5. Last time you went swimming in a pool?: Hmmmm...well the last time I went swimming was in June in the Mediterranean.
6. Are you happy? no
7. Where was the last place you went shopping?: Sainsburys
8. How do you feel about your hair?: It is what it is.
9. Where do you work?: architecture firm
10. Last thing you ate?: lowfat vanilla/chocolate mousse
11. Do you wish you were someplace else right now? yes, on a beach listening to the waves.
12. Most embarrassing thing you ever did? So many to choose from...
13. Do you have any expensive jewelry?: No
14. AIM or MSN?: Neither
15. What classes are you taking?: None
16. How many hours on average do you work a week: too many
17. What is your favorite brand of booze?: good vodka or bubbly
18. Favorite NFL team?: None, baseball fan here! LET'S GO RED SOX!!!
19. Do you watch the Olympics?: Only if there is nothing else on.
20. Last bar you went to?: The Chapel Bar.
21. Who was the last person to call you?: My husband.
22. What's your sign? Aquarius
23. Do you have a favorite number?:28
2424. Last time you did volunteer work or made any donations? too long ago.
25. What do you spend the majority of your money on?: Rent
26. Where does most of your family live?: Connecticut
27. Are you an only child or do you have siblings?: Two brothers, both younger.
28. Any big regrets in your life? No.
29. Ever been called a bitch?: Most likely
30. Got any guilty pleasures?: yes
31. Favorite comfort food: chocolate
32. Have you ever experienced true love? I think so
33. Did you ever collect Beanie Babies?: No
34. Ever order anything online? Yes
35. Blogger or Myspace?: Blogger
36. Do you have T-Mobile?: No
37. What is your favorite subject?: geography
38. What's one thing you want to do before you die?: travel everywhere
39. What would u do or say if your blog was deleted? I don't think anyone would notice!
40. Were you an outcast in high school? No
41. Last time you saw your parents? June 2005
42. Do you have any talents? i hope so
43. Ever been in a wedding? My own...and I was a witness twice.
44. Do you have any children?: No
45. Last movie you watched?: Little Miss Sunshine
46. Are you missing anyone at the moment?: no
47. Did you take a nap today? No
48. What was your high school's mascot?: warrior
49. Ever been on a cruise?: No
50. Favorite vacation spot?: Somewhere I haven't been before.
51. How many pets do you have?: none
52. Do you have any wealthy friends?: yes
53. Ever met anyone really famous before?: probably
54. Favorite actress?: none
55. Favorite actor?: none
56. Are you multi-tasking right now? Yes
57. Could you handle being in the military? pacifist here.
58. Are you hungry or thirsty? thirsty
59. Favorite fast food restaurant?: i don't eat fast food.
60. Do you have any grandparents still alive?: two
61. What is your average cell phone bill?: 30 pounds sterling ($55)
62. Do you own a camera phone?: Yes
63. Ever had to take a sobriety test?: No
64. Do you believe in Karma?: YES
65. Do you speak any other language? no
66. Last time you went to the gym or worked out? two months ago
67. How many pairs of sneakers do you own?: One
68. Did you go to college? Yes
69. Last place you drove your car: no car here.
70. What is your college mascot?: Bear
71. Ever been to Las Vegas? yes
72. Nicest Hotel you ever stayed in? no idea
73. Have you ever bought condoms?: Yes
74. How much money did you make today?: i just worked this out...and it's a bit depressing.
75. What do you think is your best feature? My eyes
76. Have you ever been gambling?: Yes
77. How old are your parents?: 51 and 53
78. When is the last time you updated your blog?: 2 months ago
79. Do you have your wisdom teeth?: yes
80. Best lip gloss?: Burt’s Bees
81. Have you been to New York City?: yes
82. Favorite sit down restaurant: somewhere in northern cali....
83. Ever been to Disney?: no
84. Favorite color? green at the moment
85. Last thing you cooked?: cous cous
86.How is the weather today?: cold and sunny
87. Do you e-mail?: Is there anyone who doesn't
88. Last letter/piece of mail you received besides junk or a bill?: A graduate prospectus from the university of edinburgh
89. Favorite store?: crossroads, a brilliant secondhand/new hybrid store in northern cali.
0. Purses, Shoes, or Sunglasses: Shoes
91. Last voicemail you received?: husband
92. Do you drunk dial?: oh yes.
93. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone: Drunk dialed
94. What is the best city in the state that you live in?: London. Of course, I live in London, which is in Greater London...so there is not much choice.
95. Favorite band?: Groove Armada
96. Last time you were sick?: Right now.
97. Favorite Holiday: my birthday
8. Next concert you plan on attending?: who knows
99. Nickname?: nelle and smell
100. What are your plans for tomorrow?: Work

ellen x

2006-09-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

I'm going home for a few days. My first time back in 2 years. I can't wait. I'm not sure I'll be able to leave. Not thinking too much about that yet. For now, I'm focusing on seeing my friends, eating good food and drinking cocktails with more than 2 ingredients. And going to the beach. Alot.

The Brit and I are living seperately, but trying to work things out. We'll see.

That's all for now.

California dreaming......

x

2006-08-11T06:37:00.000-07:00

I am still alive, just going through a difficult time. TheBrit and I have seperated, and I moved into a new place last week. It's been really hectic sorting everything out and I won't have an internet connection at my new house until August 25, which makes blogging a bit more difficult.

I've got lots to do, but I wanted to say hello and hope all of you are having much better Augusts than I am.

ellen x

2006-07-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

I'M MELTING!!!

Okay, it is seriously hot and gross. Today was the hottest day ever recorded in England in July. And since they are not used to this weather, they are not equipped for it. No air conditioners or anything that might possibly be helpful when YOU'RE MELTING. My work is no exception. It was 10 degrees (Celsius!) over the recomended highest temperature for a work place today.
Which, of course, was all my fault because I am the Office Manager and therefore control EVERYTHING. Right.

I ran around putting up additional fans and reminding people to drink water before I was whisked away in my boss's air conditioned car and driven to a very posh restaurant that I couldn't afford in my wildest dreams. It was all very nice, but I couldn't help feeling like I'd left all of the employees melting. It was quite nice to have a 3 hour lunch though. I wish she'd do things like that more often.

And the freak heat continues...

2006-07-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the year anniversary of the July 7th bombings. I hadn't planned on posting about that, but I'm presently reading a book on the Tokyo gas attacks by Haruki Murakami, which changed my mind. His book is a series of interviews from people who were there that day. His motive was to create a better understanding of exactly what it was like that day. Many people refused to be interviewed, and those that did gave various reasons. The most common seems to be that they do not want that day, and the people who died or were seriously injured, to be forgotten. There is so much violence in the world today, that it is easy to forget about individual attacks. But that does not mean that these attacks are any less terrible or tragic.

Anyway, here is my experience of July 7, 2005:

I ran across the street from my flat to catch the tube around 8.30 AM. There was a crowd of people outside the station, which is never a good sign, and I realized that the gates were closed. Living on the Northern Line, this is a fairly common occurence. You get used to the signalling failures and other issues, which cause regular delays. They close the gates to avoid overcrowding on the platform, especially during rush hour.

They think the fourth bomber, the one who blew up the No 30 bus nearly an hour after the other explosions had planned to get on the Northern Line. But he encountered the same problem I did that morning. Makes you think a bit differently about delays doesn't it? If the tube had been working properly, I would have been at King's Cross Station at 8.50 when the explosions occured.

I decided not to wait for the tube and ran to get the bus. The 390 brings me directly to Kings Cross, and from there I planned to hop on a tube for one stop to complete my journey to work. When I got to Kings Cross, however, the station was closed. They weren't letting anyone in and people were pouring out. I didn't see anyone who was injured, or blackened from smoke. It was too early, the explosion must have just occured. The time must have been around 8.50. I don't rememer being late to work, so it could not have been much after.

I was one of the few who did make it to work that morning. Most of my coworkers were unable to get in after the tubes, and then the entire transport network, was shut down. It was an eerie day. The building was mostly empty, and the dominant sounds were of helicopters flying overhead and of sirens screaming by. I spent the majority of the day fielding calls from panicked family members. Most of the people I work with are from abroad, including myself. Mobiles were not working, so people called into the office. I had very little information to give these people, but I tried to reassure them as best I could, and promised to have their son or daughter or niece phone them as soon as I heard from them. I was often asked if our office was near any of the explosions and if it was likely that anyone from our staff may have been traveling on these trains. And my first instinct was to say no, of course not, the danger is far away. But it wasn't. I work in Clerkenwell, which is in EC1 (East Central London). Kings Cross, Liverpool and Tavistock Square, where the bus exploded, are all nearby. Edgeware is further away, but anyone traveling from the West side of London may have been there.

Thankfully, no one from my work was injured.

I left work early that day, around 4. A lot of companies were closing early that day so that their employees could begin the adventure of getting home without public transportation. I walked over to where my husband works, about a 15 minute walk. A few of our friends had met up there and we all decided to begin the walk home to North London. It was about an hour walk, but we stopped for drinks along the way, so it took a bit longer than that.

It was really strange, there were no buses or trains, but so many people. Everyone was walking home. Some who lived further out, were staying at work or in hotels for the night, but many, like us, were walking. Along the walk, our mobiles started working, and the panicked calls started. My friends from California had just woken up to the news of the bombings. Again, I kept thinking that the danger had been so far away, of course I was fine. Things like this seem so surreal, like something out of a film, that it can be difficult to make sense of them.

Murakami's book is subtitled "The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche." Events like the gas attack and the London Bombings do showcase a culture's psyche. I was truly impressed by the Londoners' reaction to the bombings. They did what needed to be done without panicking or dramatics. Everday people stopped to help the injured. July 7 gave me a profound respect for the citizens of London.

2006-07-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

It's still hot and sunny! They are calling it a "heatwave," which basically means more than one warm sunny day in a row. Thunderstorms are expected tomorrow though, so that will be the end of our"heatwave." This one lasted a whole 3 days. When I remember heatwaves from my childhood, they seem a bit more extreme than 3 sunny days above 80...

Yesterday was slightly annoying, as I was working while most of you were enjoying a barbecue and fireworks. Oh well. I suppose we do get Boxing Day off and you don't, but it's not quite the same. I am going to an expat 4th of July barbecue on Sunday. Well, there are a few of us expats...it's actually being thrown by a Swede in West London, but it is in honour of the 4th of July and some of us are American. So that counts, right?

By the way, does anyone know how to make a good potato salad? I've been nominated to make one for Sunday and I just learned how to boil an egg. Seriously.

ej

2006-06-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

Endless BBQ's, birthday dinners, music festivals and a whole lot of work (I've worked the past 3 weekends) have been keeping me busy. Can't really complain as the good is far outweighing the bad.

I went to the O2 festival in Hyde Park on Friday (don't tell work, that was a doctor's appt I had to leave for!). Gorgeous weather, great music (HIGHLIGHT: THE FLAMING LIPS. UNBELIEVABLE. SEE THEM LIVE) and toilet paper in the loos. Really, what more can you ask for?

This is my one free night this week and I have been catching up on laundry and cleaning. Serious excitment. But starting tomorrow my dinner, birthday BBQ revolution starts again...

Have I mentioned that London is fabulous in the summer? Seriously. Unfortunatly, it only lasts for 2 months. So I better get going...

ej

2006-06-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

"Well, the more reasoned critiques of the liberal institutions aren't number one, and I am. I think that says enough." Ann Coulter, about 1 minute ago on the BBC.

Oh. My.

This is THE Ann Coulter? I knew she was right wing and fairly extreme, but I had no idea she was completely lacking in a decent education and expecting the same of her fellow Americans.
Seeing as the few who read here are American, I don't need to continue with the completely ludicrous quotes from her book (environmental problems are a left wing conspiracy and should not be taught in school. um yeah.)

All I can hope is that those who have purchased her book have bought it as entertainment. I, for one, have slightly more faith in the intelligence of Americans than does Ms. Coulter.

2006-06-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Apologies for being MIA, but I gotta pay the bills. And work has been especially manic recently. We've hired some more support, so hopefully after this week I will have a bit more time to blog!

World Cup mania has taken over this country! There is really nothing to compare it to in America. People try to say it's like the Superbowl, but this is much, much bigger than the superbowl.

I knew I would have to watch a few games-it's unavoidable, but I didn't think I would care at all. I told the Brit I was supporting ALL American teams, North or South America! I actually saw America play Italy the other (screaming coming from the pub downstairs-England must have scored!) night, and I found myself cheering. At first, I think it was just to be a bit obnoxious as the only non-Brit, but I got drawn in.

They weren't nearly as bad as I expected. And not as arrogant as everyone else expected. At the end of the match, one of my friends said he was "warming to the Americans."

That is what I find most fascinating about the World Cup. Everyone in the world, except America, loves Football. I mean LOVES IT. Closer to worship really. Again, there is nothing similar in America. America is much more divided with their sports: hockey, basketball, baseball, football (american style). Of course there are other sports in the rest of the world, but nothing seems to approach football. And I think the Americans are missing out. Because, as I started to say in the beginning of this paragraph-the whole world loves football. And it brings people from all over the world together. (I can't believe I am writing this-I'm a baseball fan, not a football fan!) There is actually a possibility of America playing Iran in the World Cup. I think that is outstanding. Our governments might not get along very well, but our countries can play a game of footy.

It's a start. (The singing is getting louder...England must be doing well.)

2006-06-11T02:17:00.000-07:00

Sardinia (Sardegna to the locals) is fabulous. At least the corner of it that I went to is. The Brit and I spent 4 days outside of Alghero, which is in the north of the island. Having missed 4 days of work, however, I have some catching up to do. Hopefully, I will have a few minutes later today or tomorrow to tell you all about it, but until Traveling Yankee starts paying my bills, I have to go to work. Here are a few pictures in the meantime:

At a bar on the beach, the umbrella covers are quite funny looking, aren't they?

660 steps to the Grotte di Nettune. No idea who the guy in the picture is...

On the way to Grotte di Nettune

I have never been in water this clear before. I kept thinking I was in a pool and expecting chlorine instead of salt water.

2006-06-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

I am off to Alghero, a town in northern Sardinia! I will leave you with a few pictures I took on Saturday... the first summer day of 2006! They are all taken in North London. I decided to go for one of my "wanders," with no particular direction. I started off by heading to Kentish Town to get some new batteries for my camera, and then found myself heading towards Chalk Farm. Seeing as it was sunny and gorgeous-literally not a cloud in the sky-I ended up at Primrose Hill and read in the sunshine for a few hours. Delightful. On my walk back I took a slightly different route through Camden Locks, but quickly ran from the hordes of tourists at the market.

BLUE SKY

Primrose Hill

Camden Locks

Garbage in the Locks..and Pirate Castle

Camden Locks

Camden

Blogger seems to have decided that I cannot show you any more pictures!!! I had one of the market and one of the outside of my flat (it's actually a really nice building!).

Oh well, have a great week!

2006-05-20T05:33:00.000-07:00

Early morning flights are always fun. Awake before the sun rises and, most importantly, before public transportation has begun. I suppose there are night buses, but they don't really count do they? They're only for drunk people trying to get home after the bars close. Well, I didn't include them in my possible modes of transport to Stanstead Airport at 5 AM. Which meant I had to phone a cab to bring me to Tottenaham Hale to catch the first Stanstead Express at some ridiculous hour. And the adventure begins...
Why do cab drivers feel the need to talk incessantly and ask a myriad of questions when the person they have just picked up is obvisouly half awake and pre coffee? I am sure he is a perfectly pleasant man and that his views on Germany and German people (of which he had MANY) were thrilling, but I was not so interested at 5 AM. It was difficult enough to get out of bed and into the cab, but to actually hold a conversation? String entire sentences together? No, this is asking far too much.
I made the train and arrived at Stanstead on time, just before 6AM in order to catch my 7.30 flight. As soon as I passed through security I made a beeline for the "New York" deli/restaurant. I needed coffee, and surely a place based on New York would serve a decent cup of coffee and an egg and cheese bagel. Well, you would think so. But my requests brought me a stale bagel with cold egg and no cheese accompanied by an Americano. Which, contrary to what the majority of people on this island believe, IS NOT A CUP OF COFFEE. I don't want espresso with hot water. I want filter coffee. Plain unadorned black coffee. (This is a sore point for me. When I go back to america, one of the things I enjoy most is saying "Coffee please," and actually receiving it.)
After my unsatisfying attempt at breakfast, I went to the gate to board my Air Berlin flight to Hanover. It was the shortest flight I have ever taken in my life-55 minutes. Sometimes it amazes me how small Europe is. The flight was uneventful and quick. We landed in Germany on time. I sped through the "Non EU Passport Holders" line and there I was in a whole new country. Germany.
I easily found the Train Station, and not so easily purchased a ticket. The machine which took cards, but not cash, would not take my card. The machine which took cash did not have an English version. It took me a while but I figured it. It helped that my friend had given me very specific directions, which included the price of the ticket.
The hour and a half train ride was beautiful. Sadly, I took no pictures of this part of the trip, but I assure you it was lovely. The trains themselves (I had to change once) were clean and timely. Which was a very nice change! My friend met me on the platform in Goettingen and we set off to see the town center after dropping my bags off at her office (she is a lecturer at the University there.)

I had more written, but being as un-computer savvy as one can be, managed to click on some button which made my pictures move to all the wrong places, and then clicked on another button, which I though might fix it, but instead deleted 2/3 of what I had written. So I will leave you with some pictures until I have regained the energy to write.

2006-04-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

Reality set in and I realized that even if I did manage to win The Guardian's Green Travel Blog, I would not be able to afford it. 3 months off work, which basically means handing in my notice, plus paying for the majority of the travel-it's just not feasible right now. The Brit and I are planning to relocate to California, which requires a visa for him and money for us. Both of these require savings.

After my disappointment passed though, I realized that nothing was stopping me from blogging about my own travels. Granted, I won't be published in The Guardian, but I can still recant my adventures to all of you merry folk.

Welcome to the Traveling Yankee!!!