English vs. English

Coming over here, I knew that there would be differences in my English vs. the British English but I never realized how many differences there really are. Between trying to understand the Brits with their accents and trying to decipher what they are saying in American terms it is actually one of the trickiest parts about living here. Obviously there are the well known terms like "loo" for restroom, "queue" for line, "holiday" for vacation and "football" for soccer...but I have also picked up on many others that I find both interesting and funny. Below is a list of words in both English languages (American on left and British on Right)...enjoy!

Friend - Mate
Dessert - Pudding
Thank You - Ta
Butty - Sandwich
Chips - Crisps
Tennis Shoes - Trainers
Rain Boots - Wellies
Dinner - Tea
Truck - Lorry
Jello - Jelly
Trash Can - Bin
Trash - Rubbish
Mail - Post
Mom - Mum
Flashlight - Torch
Band Aid - Plaster
National Holiday - Bank Holiday
Schedule - Diary

Hope you get a laugh out of these, because I often do. Its interesting that some of ours make much more sense (line instead of queue) but then some of theirs make more sense (football instead of soccer). I have picked up on a few of these and have begun using them more frequently...but my Texas accent is rubbing off and "y'all" is becoming a popular phrase for some of the girls at the office!

New updates on me...my flight to Puerto Rico to see the family at Christmas is officially booked (YAY!!). And, I am off to Amsterdam on Friday to meet up with a friend from SMU who is travelling with friends from her study abroad in Denmark! S0 much happening here...I love it!

Wonderful Weekend in Wales!

Another week has passed and another wonderful weekend trip took place! Friday after work I caught the train to London. I decided I wanted to visit all of the Harry Potter film sites in London, and so upon my arrival at Kings Cross Station I made my way to Platform 9 and 3/4 where there is a sign and a trolley going through the wall. After getting my picture taken at this famous storybook site, I made my way to the hostel to leave my bag behind. I then adventured to Diagon Alley, or as the Londeners call it, Leadenhall Market. It was very neat to see this, and so easy to picture as Harry Potters shopping center. I continued my walk, past St. Paul's Cathedral, to Gringgot's Bank, otherwise known as the Australian House. While most of the bank scenes were filmed inside (which is not open to visitors), the outside doors did look familiar and it is still great to say that I went Harry Potter's bank. My night only got better from here. I made my way to Trafalger Square and to the Texas Embassy ( a Mexican restaurant that my parents and I eat at every time we visit London). This made me feel right at home as I enjoyed a delicious meal of queso, chips, and quesadillas...boy do I miss this food. Following this I was able to secure 8th row tickets to Mamma Mia...yes I have seen it 7 times before...but it is still amazing. I actually think that the audience in London was more involved with the play than anywhere else I have ever seen it. I left in the best mood, after really an incredible night. It honestly was a night that I needed, as the past week (being on my own as the Carr's were away on holiday in Portugal) was hard for me because it made me miss everyone back home so much.

But Friday nights amazingness wasn't the end of it. Saturday morning I met up with about 30 other people, boarded the bus and headed for Wales. After crossing the Wales border, we stopped in Chepstow. It was here where we enjoyed walking around a castle, a small museum, and a quick bite for lunch. There was also a bridge where you could stand with one foot in Britain and one foot in Wales. After this stop, the bus headed for Tintern Abbey. This abbey, very very old, is not a usual tourist spot as it is off the beaten path, but was really incredible to see. All that is left is mostly the stone outline/structure with grennery growing in some spots. We wandered around the old abbey and then did a little souvenier shopping. Following this stop, the bus mades its way to Hay-On-Wye a small town known for books. Within a 1/2 mile strip of street, there are 26 book stores. We wandered around the streets and stores for an hour before making our way back to the bus. It was then that we made our way to the hotel/hostel that would be our residence for the night and boy was it neat. It was an old mansion, in the middle of no where, on top of a hill. If you picture a haunted house that just sits with nothing but trees and hills around it...that is where we stayed. After a cheeseburger dinner, I just hung out with the other people on the trip and got to know them. It was really great getting to know other people my age, that are away from home doing the same thing I am. The only difference is most of the other people on the trip were from Canada. Around eleven that night we made our way to a disco/club that was on the property behind the hotel. We were told by our sponsers that we needed to experience this place, as all of the local people are actually bussed in every Saturday night to attend the disco. This was a very fun night and awesome way to experience the nightlife, hang out with my new friends and meet some of the local people.

On Sunday morning (after a great nights sleep and an extra hour as daylight savings time started) we enjoyed a great hot breakfast buffet and then headed to the riding stables. It was here where we were split into smaller groups, where we were fitted with riding boots and hats, and then assigned to a horse. My horse Buckley, was a brown and white one, that was very well behaved. We rode for 3 hours, in mostly sunny weather, all through the mountains and fields of Wales. It was honestly breathtaking, seeing the scenery and all of the free land, rolling hills, lakes, and wandering animals we encountered. The ride was adventerous as previous rain had made the muddy trails slippery for the horses. We went up and down hills, over rocks, through rivers, through fields and on roads. By the end of 3 hours I think everyone was ready to get off as the last 15 min. of the ride consisted of a slight rain fall, cold wind, and sore bottoms. But it was an amazing ride. Once we got back to the stables and gathered all our stuff, we took the bus to a local pub where a traditional Sunday roast was waiting for us. The meal consisted of roast beef, yorskshire pudding, potatoe, cheesy cauliflower, carrots, peas and to top it all off, warm fudge cake with ice cream. It was absolutely delicious and very filling. It was now time for the long drive back to London, with a short mandatory stop in Oxford for the driver to rest. We watched a bit of the movie Australia before most people, probably all, fell asleep. Everyone was exhausted from the late night and long day. 3 hours later we arrived in Oxford where we enjoyed a 45 minute break just walking the streets and sipping hot chocolate. By the time we were there most shops were closed so it was a nice time to just talk and stretch. After getting back on the bus we made our way back to London, where I told my new friends goodbye, and hopped on the train for my ride back to Lincoln.

The trip was absolutely amazing. Whether it was my adventures, the scenery or the people I met, it was all great. Now I have people to travel with and people to visit. Another adventure starts on Friday....destination (already booked) to be announced soon!

Another week gone by...

Well, another week in Lincoln has gone by and it was a pretty relaxed week. Not to much to blog about. Work was good, a little busier than the past few but I still had those days where I didn't have to much to do. I didn't get to go dancing this week because they lady that I usually go with was on her holiday so instead I went to bed at 830 on Wed and boy, did I need it. Thursday I did go back to field hockey, and it was much more enjoyable then the first week I went. It is still not my favorite sport, but I definately did a little better this time.

Friday after work I went to a mall outside of Lincoln with two of the girls from work. I didn't by anything but a thing of lotion at my favorite store, Lush, but it was still alot of fun to spend time with the two girls. On the ride home we were discussing the many differences between here and Texas which was quite entertaining. They were both dying laughing when I said y'all.

This weekend I have taken it easy. Just did a few errands and watched tv, which included the best football game of all...Texas vs OU. I convinced Bryan to get ESPN America in order for me to watch the game...I was so excited. The Carr's left early this morning (Sunday) to go to Portugal, so I am house sitting this week. That is about it for now...one week until my Waled trip!

LIVERPOOL...an AMAZING weekend!!

Warning: Long Post (but there is so much to tell about!)

Friday after work I caught the train, arriving in Liverpool around 6 or so. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, I headed to the hostel to get settled. It was here that I met some guys from Australia and Germany, and around nine or so we decided to see what the nightlife of Liverpool was like. It was a really fun evening and was interesting to see the different clubs, pubs, and bars and the mix of people. We met a guy from Ireland who hung out with us as well.

Saturday I got up early as I knew there was so much I wanted to see and do that day. I headed first to the Anglican Cathedral which is unbelievable. It is the 5th largest cathedral in the world, it has the largest Gothic arches in the world, the highest and heaviest bells in the world and the largest organ in Britain. It honestly is so hard to describe how magnificent it really was. I wandered around the inside a bit, and then took part in the tower experience. 2 lifts and 108 stairs later, I was standing on top of the tower of the cathedral looking over the views of Liverpool. I also was able to see the bells in the tower as I climbed. After taking in the amazing sites here, I headed to the Metropolitan Cathedral. This one was a more modern one but was extremely neat, as it was very different. It had a very unique shape, and the neon blue lights inside made it different as well. As I walked around the inside, I got to listen to the organ being played, which was pretty awesome, although I would have loved to hear the organ at the other cathedral too.

Following this I started making my way to Albert Dock, where I would be meeting for my Beatles tour. But, on my way, I passed through China Town, which has the largest Chinese arch in the world, outside of China. The detail on this arch was so fascinating, I can only imagine what the ones in China look like. I then got to Albert Dock and hopped on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus. This Beatles Tour was the highlight of the trip and was very fascinating, even for me, who did not know that much about the Beatles. The guide narrated the journey as songs of the Beatles were played. We visited sites such as Ringo and George's childhood homes, drove down Penny Lane, saw the church hall where John and Paul first met, saw John and Paul's homes (now historical sites), visited the gates of Strawberry Fields, and ended at the Cavern Club...the place where the Beatles got their start (and played aver 289 times). It really was an unbelievable tour that I would take part in again.

After this, I made my way to St. George's Hall, a place known for its neo-classical architecture. The buildings size and columns were incredible and inside the Great Hall, was even more amazing. The artwork, designs, size, ever thing made this place extremely neat to see. It was so great that I couldn't get a decent picture...but got a postcard of the place. At this point I met up with Felix, the German, and the two of us headed back to Albert Dock where we did a little shopping and then got on a boat tour that took us through the many docks, as the guide told us the history. It was an interesting tour.

We then walked back to the Cavern Club and boy am I glad we did. At this point in the early evening the place was packed and there was a singer on stage. As we enjoyed a drink and the sing a long music, it was really hard for me to believe that on the very stage I was watching, the Beatles had played many times. The atmosphere reminded me alot of a cave too, as you had to walk down 6 flights of stairs to get to the place, and then it was all old brick and archways. By this point I was completely exhausted, so Felix and I headed back to the hostel. After taking a break for a while, we then went on a ghost walk through the night streets of Liverpool. Following two guides in costume, we made our way through dark alleys, historical sites hearing ghost stories and tales. They made it interesting, scary and humorous...a great way to end the night.

Sunday morning I headed to the train station...but not before passing a cathedral that had been bombed during the war. They had left it like it was, and it was interesting to see it with no roof, a missing clock, and straight through the windows.

The entire weekend was really one of the best I have had in a while. The people I met, the places I visited, and the things that I learned made my experience an unbelievable one. I will post a few pictures on here later today. For those of you that have Facebook, I have put all of my pictures from my time in Lincoln so far on there. Enjoy!

Another week of Work...

Well another work week is over and the adventures definately begin this weekend. But to lookback at the week...Wed I attended the dance class again. It was alot easier this time and still very enjoyable. For those of you who don't know what jive is, I learned it was really a combination of salsa and tango, not so much ballroom. It is an upbeat style of dance with a variety of moves. This week we learne the catapault, side 2 side, and the leaderspin. Won't be able to go next week unfortunately as my ride is going on holiday.

Last night (Thursday) I attended a local theatre with one of the girls from work and her daughter. It was an enjoyable girls evening as the theatre was an old one seating only about 100 people, if that. The show was called Deck Chairs, and was 4 different short plays each with two different female characters. There was one about cruising, dogs, a girl who took money from widows, and one about cooking. It was their idea that everyone would relate to the characters in some way. For such a small company, it was a wonderful evening.

After work today I am off to Liverpool...the home of the Beatles. I will be taking the train, staying in a hostel and adventuring on my own, but I think it will be a great time. There will definately be updates on Sunday...as my trip will include a Beatles tour, cathedral visits, a possible ghost walk andwhatever else I find that might intrigue me.

That's about it for now, more after my adventures...Cheers!

Laid Back Weekend

Let's start with where I left off on Thursday. After a nice 3.5 mile run home from work, I then headed straight to field hockey practice. It is a very interesting sport to play. During the 2 hour practice, we did warm ups, passing, shooting and defensive drills, and then played a short game. Let's just say this sport didn't come as natural to me as most others have. It really is a difficult sport to describe, but I would say its got the positions of soccer, uses a ball the texture of a golf ball but size of a tennis ball (or a little bigger), and then there was the stick. It has a small curved end and unlike in american hockey where you can use both sides of the stick to hit, in field hockey you only use one side...which is the tricky part. I think it might get better with more practice, but lets say I actually liked dancing on Wed. much better.

This weekend I decided to take it easy and get things done that needed to get done. Saturday involved cleaning and doing laundry, then I decided to go into town for the afternoon. This was very enjoyable as I started off at the Lincolnshire Musuem, which was all about the history of Lincoln. It showed every aspect of life, home, industrial, war, farm, etc. I will say that there were two things that really struck me as very fascinating. First of all...the military tank was invented right here in Lincoln...and they actually had one of the first ones ever made and taken into action in the museum. And second, the fact that the printing press, used world wide but mainly in England and the U.S. was built with an American Eagle on top. Following my hike around the museum, I headed towards the Cathedral and took in its ever amazing site. I made a short stop to the gift shop then headed around the town looking at shops and just taking in the sites.

Today I rode with Margaret to drop Jaime and a friend off for a hike for school. We went to Louth, a town about an hour from Lincoln and drove through the village. It was here that we saw the oldest thatched pub in Lincolnshire (we were still int he county of Lincolnshire although a different town), and then the interesting steeple which I have included pictures of. After getting home, I have started my research of trips throughout the UK. My goal is to visit the top ten sites in the Uk before I leave...I've done one (London).

Another week begins tomorrow...Cheers for now! (Also I have added pictures to one of my first post...so scroll down!)

New and Exciting Things

Well the week is off to a great start and I am so happy! Although it is now beginning to sink in that I am here for a long while and not just a vacation, new and exciting things are happening which make it even better.

I have been non stop busy at work this week with project after project so at least that is getting better, as at times it was quite slow. The people continue to be absolutely amazing and I realy do like all of my coworkers. We had a film crew in yesterday to take video footage of the company, as we are one of five finalists for Englands Company of the Year.

Bryan came home Tuuesday night from climbing Mount Kiliminjaro, and it sounds like he had a fabulous time, although he said it was very difficult. It is great to have him back! Last night, I had an absolute wonderful time doing something I never thought I would. One of the girls from work invited me to go with her to a dance class, which is actually taught by another one of my guy co workers. It's the style of jive, and was quite fun but tough to learn. It was an awesome experience though and I will be going back next Wed to learn more. Tonight I begin plaing field hockey. It will definately be a new experience as I couldn't even tell you the object of the game...but they have told me it is alot like American ice hockey, but on grass.

That is about it for now. Hope all is well back in the states. Missing everyone alot!