I have been in the UK for a bit over a year now. While I do love it here, I still miss home sometimes. The recent losses in my life have made living here even more difficult. Some days I struggle to find the positive.
On that note, it’s also not generally in my nature to be depressed, or angry, or pessimistic (ok, so maybe a little pessimistic). I try to keep things light. I don’t want to be a sourpuss, with bitchy resting face. So I sat down and decided to think of some really positive things that I am enjoying in my life RIGHT THIS SECOND. And, at each subsequent second during the typing of this blog post.
1. England is GORGEOUS. I’m serious. It is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever been. And every part of it that I’ve been to is beautiful – even the closer quarters of the city of London. But I’ve been many places in the north of England, I’ve been to Scotland, and I’ve been to Wales. I’ve been blown away by the scenery. I’ve been on the school run and actually gasped at the way the clouds seem close enough to touch, or the sun shines on the bottom of them and makes the sky light up in oranges, reds, and yellows. Everything is green. Everything is gorgeous.
2. I am in a constant state of amusement and/or befuddlement at the way modern life is lived here. This really is fun – trying to figure out why people still iron everything (because the washers and dryers are so tiny that they leave major creases and wrinkles in the clothing). Or, why there are two buttons to flush a toilet. It doesn’t matter which you choose, one of them won’t work, and the best option is to always push both buttons down at the same time. The good thing is that there are almost never flush handles, so all of you sick, disgusting people who flush the toilet with your shoes would be out of luck (you know who you are!).
3. Everything is a Monty Python sketch. Ok, not everything, but enough to make me widen my eyes in wonder and then laugh. I thought the whole “It’s only a Flesh Wound” sketch from Holy Grail was a gross exaggeration. Then I watched a stoic British man break his leg, brush off all offers of assistance, sit on the side of the gymnasium watching us finish our workout, then walk to the parking lot with us, and insisted on carrying his own bag! It was only after he got home that he realized he might need to get to the A&E. So, there you have it. Monty Python is true. TRUE!
4. Roller Derby. Yes, Roller Derby. My lovely friend Rachael inspired me to try out with her, and we did it together, and then a bunch of other things happened. But I am still skating 8 months later, and hope to actually bout soon. I’ve learned a lot about myself on this journey. I will blog more about derby later. It’s enough that it needs its own post.
Those are a few of my favorite things, or at least things that I find amusing and enigmatic about the United Kingdom. There will be more, I promise. I’m off to skate now!
Great posts! I enjoyed camping out in your blog. I wish I can visit UK, too, soon! I’ll be back! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for your visit! Glad you enjoy reading the blog.
LikeLike
You are welcome! 🙂
LikeLike
Nice post… Aber falls, well Carneddua is one of my favourite places in Wales. I used to spend every weekend wandering the hills at the back of that waterfall… I think I have trod on every blade of grass. Every time I visit it looks completely different. Good luck with your blog ..its Ace
LikeLike
I am so glad you like it! The hike to the falls was lovely. We went up the wrong side of the mountain first so ended up with a little more than double the hike distance.
LikeLike
HA HA HA!!!! I am however wondering where and how you got those Coconuts to England.
LikeLike
Toilets with buttons? Mine have always had flush handles. The big difference is that the UK still uses the siphon flush rather than the valve found in US toilets. As far as I know, the siphon flush was developed because materials at the time made it near-impossible to get a good seal on a simple valve.
LikeLike
Buttons. I will take a picture later for you. 🙂
LikeLike
Pah, I thought I commented last night! I never iron a thing. All my clothes are going to get crumpled when I wear them, so I don’t see the point!
The colours are beautiful this time of year: black sky, red brick, green trees, bright sun at /just/ the right angle.
LikeLike
I am surprised at how often people iron, and what. My dryer keeps things from getting wrinkled in the US, and only dress shirts get ironed, someimes slacks but usually hanging them straight from the dryer is sufficient.
LikeLike