tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66650496225695435302023-06-20T06:03:26.436-07:00A Wee Bleatherbleather (ble-thir) Dialect, chiefly Scot. ~n. 1. person who chatters incessantly
~v. 2. to engage in conversation, long winded or idle chatUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665049622569543530.post-5647056124579945642011-11-24T13:37:00.000-08:002011-11-24T13:37:22.051-08:00Why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday...Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Happy Turkey Day everyone! My kitchen smells of sweet potato casserole and home-made gingerbread. Roll on dinner time! <br />
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It may seem bizarre that given I have only celebrated Thanksgiving for the past 10 years of my life, that it would be my favorite holiday. But it really is! Too many holidays are becoming overly commercialized, but Thanksgiving has (for the most part) retained just being about family, good food, and a little gratitude. <br />
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Tomorrow is a different story, as the crowds take over the stores for bargain deals on Black Friday. If today is about being thankful and having good manners, then tomorrow is the polar opposite! (And that is why my xmas shopping is ALWAYS completed well ahead of December!) Rude people really get on my nerves. And crowds tend to freak me out. So put my in a crowd of rude people, and I am not a happy camper (unless I come home with my 42 inch plasma TV for $199!) But somehow I don't think I'll be camping out at midnight for any goodies this year. <br />
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Given the current state of the world, I really do have so much to be thankful for! It's been a good year for me, and I am well aware of how lucky I am :) I met the love of my life, adopted the worlds most adorable dog, will get to fly to see my family in less than a month, have a job that I adore, spend my days surrounded by wonderful friends and coworkers, and make a significant difference to the world each and every day! What is there not to be thankful for?!? <br />
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To all of my family and friends, THANK YOU for enriching my life. Now go enjoy your turkey dinner! (Unless of course you are in the UK, in which case, you'll need to drool and wait for Christmas to enjoy your turkey dinner!) All the same, we can all find a little something to be thankful for, and we should each and every day. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wh4RxLNlBI/Ts64yGrJloI/AAAAAAAABL4/u60QVobJyZs/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wh4RxLNlBI/Ts64yGrJloI/AAAAAAAABL4/u60QVobJyZs/s320/IMG_3580.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mina is thankful for sweet potatoes! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665049622569543530.post-1225108230970718892011-05-15T22:40:00.000-07:002011-05-15T22:44:37.461-07:00The would be vegetarian who doesn’t like to eat vegetables<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve always said that I’d like to be a vegetarian if only I actually liked to eat vegetables! That throws a bit of a spanner in the works! To say that I was a picky eater as a child is putting it mildly. Just ask my mother. You are talking about someone who avoided yellow foods until the age of nine (just on the off chance that it was an egg). No joke. Good thing that yellow foods don’t make up the bulk of a healthy diet. And no, I am still not fond of eggs. But, banana yogurt, corn and mango have now found their way into my diet. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBYEqCPpJ6M/TdC1S1vK8mI/AAAAAAAABHg/ma9i_aIIngY/s1600/yellow+foods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBYEqCPpJ6M/TdC1S1vK8mI/AAAAAAAABHg/ma9i_aIIngY/s1600/yellow+foods.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I would have avoided these foods at all costs as a child! </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQYb30ND7mo/TdC0x8GzquI/AAAAAAAABHY/vF5ZcrTI8mc/s1600/creamegg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQYb30ND7mo/TdC0x8GzquI/AAAAAAAABHY/vF5ZcrTI8mc/s1600/creamegg.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It took me years before I would eat a Cadbury cream egg. I loved them for a while, until I choked on one once and had to have the Heimlich maneuver done on me. Now they just make me shudder. </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m not nearly as picky now as I once was, but even to this day I still find my mother trying to sneak non-preferred foods into my diet. It’s not so much that I don’t like the taste; I just have some really odd food texture issues. I should have had occupational therapy as a child! But instead I’m trying to get over some of my picky issues without professional help! And thus, the girl who doesn’t like to eat vegetables decides to go on a plant based food kick…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKDicj3R5I0/TdC0uEyieBI/AAAAAAAABHQ/2N3PlywkK4I/s1600/rainbow+potatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKDicj3R5I0/TdC0uEyieBI/AAAAAAAABHQ/2N3PlywkK4I/s1600/rainbow+potatoes.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My Mum used to feed me and my brother “rainbow potatoes” (aka mashed potatoes with a generous sprinkling of colorful mashed up veggies). I saw them being prepared once when I was about five and then refused to eat them ever again!</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been pondering switching to more of a vegetarian/ vegan-ish diet for a while now. I say “vegan-ish” because the thought of going without dairy makes me want to cry a little. A life without cheese?!?! No more fro-yo?!?! Goodbye ice cream?!?! Oh hell no!!! I mean I know that they make the non-dairy equivalents, but in the words of U2 – “<i>ain’t nothing better than the real thing</i>”. So hence the “vegan-ish” which is limited dairy versus none at all. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like the thought of eating a whole foods plant based diet. In theory I think it sounds fabulous that if you eat all these wonderful wholesome foods then you will live longer, be healthier, and generally have oodles more energy. But in order to gain the benefits, you first have to eat the healthy foods. I’m the girl with a 30+ year aversion to foods that are green and leafy. But I am up for a challenge, so here goes!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 1 of the healthy food kick: </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, well technically today can’t really count as day one, as I went to Souplantation for lunch. But in my defense, I ate a big salad and only had four slices of delicious cheese sticks. This afternoon I went to see <i>Forks Over Knives</i> and that has really spurred my healthy food kick. After the movie I was highly motivated to go shopping in Trader Joes and purchase lots of healthy veggies. Jon just watched with a bemused expression and commented “<i>you’re really going to do this aren’t you?”</i> Meanwhile I was zipping around the store like a little energizer bunny stocking up on all things healthy and wholesome (so, ironically purchasing the equivalent of rabbit food…) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8NGSpFIuy4/TdC0xHnxI9I/AAAAAAAABHU/wkh8Fizm_JU/s1600/forksoverknives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8NGSpFIuy4/TdC0xHnxI9I/AAAAAAAABHU/wkh8Fizm_JU/s1600/forksoverknives.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">For those of you who have not heard of this movie, Forks </span><span style="font-size: small;">Over Knives is a documentary that explores all the reasons that people should switch to a whole foods plant based diet. I’d highly recommend that you take the time to go see it. </span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dinner number 1: A vegetarian garden salad with a pesto-balsamic homemade dressing and a side a hummus and flatbread. It was good! I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe I can actually do this eating greens thing. We shall see… So far I’ve got so say I have way more energy than is usual for this time of the evening, and I feel good! I wonder if that will carry over to getting me through an entire busy Monday…??? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDLw24NmbU4/TdC1GzWWzTI/AAAAAAAABHc/kW3MGQFt66g/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDLw24NmbU4/TdC1GzWWzTI/AAAAAAAABHc/kW3MGQFt66g/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Who knew that rabbit food could taste so good? </i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">To be continued….</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Wish me luck!!! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665049622569543530.post-7921666146624291192011-02-20T12:16:00.000-08:002011-02-20T12:16:57.169-08:00Go adopt a shelter dog. Like now.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">I adopted a dog this month. Because when moving into a new place, adopting a dog before you finish unpacking is a splendid idea! I have had my little Mina for less than 3 weeks, and quite honestly I couldn’t imagine life without her.<span> </span>She is a little nine year old Maltese with a great personality, peppy energy levels, next to no teeth, and a slight Napoleon complex around big dogs.<span> </span>Oh, and she is a bit of a nutcase.<span> </span>So we get along great!<span> </span>I got her from the Irvine Shelter (which I HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking for the perfect canine companion).<span> </span>She was a dirty, matted little stray with horrible dental issues who clearly had been neglected over the years.<span> </span>But I still fell head over heels for her the first time she bounded up to me and licked my nose!<span> </span>For those of you that think that adopting from a shelter means that you are guaranteed an animal with issues, then I am here to prove you wrong.<span> </span>Yes, there will be some out there with separation issues, trust issues, or some other problem, but that is all easily put to bay with lots of unconditional love and consistent use of behavioral strategies (hooray for ABA!!) <span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little malteaser!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Prior to adopting her, the shelter wanted to know my experience with dogs and background with training them.<span> </span>I was like “I have a masters degree in clicker training for humans!”<span> </span>Well, it’s true… I pretty much do!<span> </span>Although I have found that I can train kids with special needs far faster than my dog!<span> </span>The irony is not lost on me that I can toilet train a kid with autism in two days, and my dog still attempted to poop on the carpet this morning.<span> </span>But we are getting there.<span> </span>Accidents are now becoming few and far between.<span> </span>Although last week two days in a row she decided that my workout mat looked like a really great place to pee.<span> </span>Hey, at least it wasn’t the carpet!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Day One of Dog Ownership….</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I took Mina home on February 1<sup>st</sup> and we had an uneventful first evening.<span> </span>The next morning I rolled out of bed at 6am, threw on my knock-off Ugg boots over my PJ’s and grabbed my leather jacket to take her out to go pee.<span> </span>While I’m standing in the freezing cold (well, by Californian standards anyway) she refused to do anything other than sit on the grass and stare at me.<span> </span><span> </span>So up the stairs we trudged to go back inside.<span> </span>It was at that point that I realized that my door locks from the inside. <span> </span>Having just moved in, I was not aware of that fact.<span> </span>I had locked us out.<span> </span>At 6am.<span> </span>In my bright red tartan PJ’s.<span> </span>To say that I was not a happy camper at that point is putting it mildly!<span> </span>After uttering quite a few choice words, and unsuccessfully trying to use my body weight to ram the door open (yes, in my desperation I actually attempted this!!) I accepted the fact that we were well and truly locked out with no phone, no key, and no means of breaking in.<span> </span>Thankfully my new next door neighbors are early risers and rather amazing people, and they let me and Mina camp out in their living room for almost 2 ½ hours!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A little bit of advice for people who get locked out:<span> </span>1) Don’t lock yourself out in the first place, 2) Give a friend a spare key and 3) if you do have to call a locksmith, then ASK them how much they will charge ahead of time!<span> </span>My locksmith who claimed that he would be there in 20 minutes took over 2 hours to show up.<span> </span>Evidently I was not the only stupid person to lock myself out that early in the morning that day!<span> </span>It literally took him less than a minute to open the door, and I got charged a whopping $200 to get back inside my house!<span> </span>Let’s just say that my behavior has been well and truly shaped, and that I will never be repeating that mistake!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Happy to see me?!?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The most hilarious thing about Mina is her reaction when I get home.<span> </span>Whether I step outside for a minute or an entire day, she is beyond excited to see me! She runs around in circles like a little nutcase, randomly leaping at me like a flying squirrel to lick my face, and then continues to spin in circles!<span> </span>She is also very jealous of my iPhone.<span> </span>If I am mid-text and she has not had at least 5 minutes of undivided attention yet, then I am not getting access to my phone!<span> </span>She is hilarious!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Extreme Makeover Doggie Edition… </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I first took her home, I was told that she wasn’t allowed a bath until her stitches came out from her spay surgery.<span> </span>So I’ve been living with a smelly little scruffy dog for the past 2 ½ weeks!<span> </span>She got a MUCH NEEDED grooming and bath yesterday.<span> </span>That made her happy and me equally as happy!<span> </span>Ah, a nice smelling dog! She is so soft and fluffy and white!<span> </span>I’m wondering how long that will last for… </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad hair day!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MUCH better! </td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>My gumsy dog… </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s a good thing that I adore my dog, as she has cost me a small fortune over the past several weeks.<span> </span>Between locking us out, getting groomed and all of her medical bills, it adds up.<span> </span>But I’m prepared to do what it takes to get her healthy and happy.<span> </span>And tomorrow that means forking out for more dental work.<span> </span>Yes, as of tomorrow I will have a toothless dog.<span> </span>Poor wee thing.<span> </span>Although I’ve got to say, it’s quite entertaining to watch her attempt to eat little pieces of dog biscuits!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m grateful that the shelter took care of most of her medical needs before I got her, and they refunded me my adoption fee when I told them about her ongoing dental issues.<span> </span>A dog is a big commitment, but in my opinion it is more than worth all of the effort!<span> </span>So if you have been pondering getting a dog, and you have the time to commit to having one, then I say GO DO IT!<span> </span>I’m now a doggie person for life.<span> </span>My little Mina should have a good 5 years left in her, and I know that we are in for some great times.<span> </span>She is the perfect little companion!<span> </span>Who needs a man when you have a fluffy wee dog to give you unconditional love?!?!<span> </span>I pity any of the future men in my life… If my dog doesn’t like you then you are out of luck dude.<span> </span>And if you don’t like dogs, then I’m sorry, we are not going to get along.<span> </span>Cat lovers stay clear!!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHvnh2NiTEs/TWFzmG5_hmI/AAAAAAAAA6k/px5YkIyDUvY/s1600/P1010651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHvnh2NiTEs/TWFzmG5_hmI/AAAAAAAAA6k/px5YkIyDUvY/s320/P1010651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why are you still reading this?<span> </span>Go adopt a dog.<span> </span>Like now…<span> </span>Hello?<span> </span>What are you waiting for?!? Do you see how happy I am? That could be YOU!! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665049622569543530.post-28835698256902059002011-01-16T10:10:00.000-08:002011-01-16T10:10:31.647-08:00Moving Horror Stories<b>I ought to be more careful about what I wish for.</b> <br />
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When I told 2011 to “bring it on” I didn’t anticipate just how intently the universe was listening! We’re not even one month into the new year, and my life is in major flux. Only a week into the new year I was informed that I would have 60 days to move out of my current home. After throwing a mild tantrum about this, I came to accept it and went about the search for somewhere else to live. Being the over-achiever that I am, I found a new place 2 days into my search (I can’t help it - I’m a planner. I don’t like leaving things to chance!) Had I known that the universe was accepting requests, then I may have started the new year with wishing for world peace or ending starvation. On a more selfish level, I may also have asked to become invincible, win the lottery, or have Mr. Right sent my way. But alas, in my zeal I stuck with BRING IT ON. And oh boy, has 2011 fulfilled that request already! <br />
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Boxes full of stuff seem to be multiplying like rabbits in my living room. I am currently in that limbo place known as packing hell. I typically enjoy packing, but when you get to that point where there are boxes everywhere and yet more stuff that needs to somehow find its way into boxes, you kind of get over it. With that said, I am an expert packer. I should be, I’ve certainly moved enough over the years to have plenty of practice! And yes, I have moving stories to share…<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No joke, this is the current state of my living room!</td></tr>
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<b>Places that I’ve lived</b><br />
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In my 30 years I have lived in two countries over two continents (the UK and USA), five different states (Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Vermont and California), and ten different cities/towns (I‘m feeling too lazy right now to list them all!) Phew. During that time I’ve moved 18 times. The longest duration in any one place spanning over a decade, and the shortest duration being 6 weeks. Needless to say, each time that I now move I utter the mantra “I am NOT moving again for a LONG time!” But, alas life, animal infestations, and month-to-month leases have a way of messing up your plans. <br />
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<b>The Bat Cave</b><br />
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One of my most negative experiences with moving happened while living in Vermont. When I first moved to the States, the ex and I lived in this awesome loft apartment in a converted Woolen Mill. (If you know me, you’ll know that I have a thing for loft apartments - case in point, I’m moving out of one and into another next week!) The apartment was amazing, but it was kind of tiny. So I pushed for moving into a larger unit in the same complex. We found one that would work perfectly. The issue was that it was on the exact opposite end of the building from our current place (and moving from the top floor to the ground floor too). It literally was a quarter mile walk from one door to the other. That move took forever! If I had been wearing a pedometer, I probably would have walked the equivalent of a marathon! So, we eventually get moved in and I get to work over the next few weeks unpacking and decorating. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought this place was super cool and unique. My parents, not so much. My Dad likened it to a prison!</td></tr>
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One month into our stay in the new place we discovered that we were not the only tenants. A lone bat appeared one day (in the MIDDLE of the day I might add) and was flying around the living room like a lunatic. Me (being a girl), did the only reasonable thing that I could when presented with a potentially rabid bat, and ran screaming out the front door. (The irony that you have to leave your house to feel safe was not lost on me). I’m not quite sure how the maintenance guys and my ex got rid of the bat, but they did. After assurances from the leasing staff that this was a bizarre one off, I calmed down and went about the continued unpacking. One week later, I’m sitting looking out of the window at the torrential rain coming down. All of a sudden this giant gush of water comes pouring down the hillside heading straight for our patio doors. And then sure enough it starts to come through the seams on the doors and windows and right into the living room. The ex is freaking out about the electrics and trying to move them away from the water coming in, and I am just freaking out in general. I run out the front door to find a maintenance man, and there is a freakin’ dead bat lying at the front door. That was it. I snapped. <i>“That’s it! We’re moving! I can’t live in this bloody Bat Cave anymore!”</i> So that it the story behind how I once lived somewhere for a 6 week period. There is nothing worse than moving immediately after you have just moved, unpacked everything, and then threw away all of your boxes. I should know. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TTMxzVd52EI/AAAAAAAAA4M/OyntH1v9NFM/s1600/bat+cave.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TTMxzVd52EI/AAAAAAAAA4M/OyntH1v9NFM/s320/bat+cave.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign posts that should have lead the way to the "Bat Cave", Winooski, Vermont! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>Damn rat ate my Harry Potter book</b><br />
<br />
When I first moved to California 3 years ago the lure of having an ocean view was just too much. So the ex and I in our infinite wisdom splurged on renting a fabulous place in San Clemente in the heart of the pier bowl. The first thing that I learned about this is that having a fantastic view makes you lazy. Very lazy. Why walk down to the beach when you can admire it from your balcony? Needless to say, friends and relatives loved coming to visit us, and frequently did. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TTMyAUl8S-I/AAAAAAAAA4U/vjhTKtKwk-Q/s1600/SANY0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TTMyAUl8S-I/AAAAAAAAA4U/vjhTKtKwk-Q/s320/SANY0104.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that view! It was a rather amazing place to live... at least for a little while!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
All was well, and it was a great place to live until yet again, we discovered that we were not alone. I was standing brushing my teeth at night when I noticed something moving out of the corner of my eye. It looked like a snake’s tail. So, of course I did what I always do when faced with unwelcome little critters. I leapt on top of the bed and started shrieking like a maniac. After calming down somewhat and now armed with a pair of big clunky knee high boots on my feet, we discovered that there is a hole under the bathroom cabinet that the “snake” has slithered into. A call to the landlord and animal control was useless. It was 10pm on a Saturday night, and nobody was prepared to help until noon the next day. “Block off the hole” is the only advice that we were given. So I grabbed some duck tape to cover the hole, and all of my Harry Potter books and wedged them into place until they didn’t budge. That night neither of us got much sleep. Our “snake” was a noisy little critter who kept us up all night. In the morning we got up and looked down at the book barricade, only to see that was no longer acting as a barricade. The books had been pushed aside and one of my books had been chewed right through. <i> “Ah, it seems we have a rat”</i> observed the ex. <i>“OH MY GOD! We have a rat?!? What the hell did it do to my Harry Potter book?!?!” </i>I shrieked. <br />
<br />
Fast forward a few hours, and we have a rat terminator giving us all sorts of information that we DO NOT want to hear. Namely, that we likely have a family of rats living with us, and that they are in the walls, and that we just need to set up rat traps and deal with it. So that’s what we do. I am now by this time an expert on finding and removing rat poo, and I refuse to walk about in bare feet at any time. I’m getting so freaked out that I feel like I am going to become a full blown obsessive-compulsive with cleanliness! Thankfully we were flying out of State for the weekend to go visit the in-laws. We caught one rat before we left, and were glad to be residing in a rat-free residence for a few days. Upon return, our flight got canceled and then the next one was delayed, and then our bags didn’t show up. We got back home at 3am with work to go to in the morning. Upon entering the apartment we were assaulted with a terrible odor. <i>“What the hell is that smell?”</i> I asked while trying not to gag. Yup, it was a dead rat in the bedroom that had been cooped up indoors for a couple of days. Let me tell you, I had a few choice curse words to utter at that moment. Needless to say, that we didn’t last much longer in that place, and as soon as our lease was up we were out of there! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Moving on... </b><br />
<br />
So I am hopeful that my new place will be free from unwelcome little critters. The only pet that I intend to have is a cute, fluffy little dog. All I need to do is get moved, settled, and then find one to adopt. Speaking of which, I really should stop procrastinating and start packing! I’m moving in less than a week… I have work to do! 2011... Be kind to me please. I’ve had enough drama so far this month!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665049622569543530.post-58531889609120466862010-12-31T18:37:00.000-08:002010-12-31T18:37:57.643-08:00Happy Hogmanay!<!--[if !mso]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span></span>If you are Scottish you will know what I am talking about.<span> </span>If not, then let me explain: Hogmanay is what us Scots call New Years Eve.<span> </span>It is arguably the biggest party night of the year.<span> </span>In fact, we tend to party so hard, that we have two days to recover.<span> </span>That’s right: <span> </span>January 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> are Scottish bank holidays.<span> </span>My Hogmanay celebrations have tended to vary from awesome to utterly disappointing over the past decade depending on where I was celebrating the New Year.<span> </span>My first US New Years experience was such a letdown.<span> </span>But before I get into that, I should explain what it is that makes a Scottish New Years Eve the event of the year.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>We have odd traditions…</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It is not enough that we like to party into the wee hours of the morning.<span> </span>There are some set customs that are typically followed.<span> </span>For example, steak pie is usually served a little before midnight (or “the bells” as it is also known).<span> </span><span> </span>People eat, mingle, bleather, drink copious amounts of alcohol and generally have a good time.<span> </span>Usually the TV is playing on the background with dedicated Hogmanay TV shows.<span> </span>(Rikki Fulton’s the Reverend I.M. <span> </span>Jolly is hands down my favorite!<span> </span>I was lucky enough to be in the studio to see him film this segment one year.<span> </span>RIP Rikki – you were a comedy genius).<span> </span>Anyway, I digress.<span> </span>As it approaches midnight some of the guests may be flung outside in the cold to ring in the New Year outside. Why do we do that you may ask?<span> </span>Well, it’s a Scottish tradition known as “first-footing”: <span> </span>it is good luck for the first person to cross your door to be tall, dark and handsome. <span> </span>They are supposed to bring a gift to bring good luck suck as coal, shortbread or whiskey.<span> </span>More often, they drunkenly stumble over the door shouting “Happy New Year!!” and hugging everyone in sight.<span> </span>It is also customary to sing Auld Lange Syne.<span> </span><span> </span>This is a more widespread tradition is several countries now, but the song is originally based on a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns (who actually has his own day on January 25<sup>th</sup> known as Burns Night – note: this is the only day of the year that you will find Scottish people willingly eating haggis). <span> </span>The Hogmanay festivities continue until the wee hours of the morning, and then people finally crash and sleep until noon.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TR6Re9PHF7I/AAAAAAAAA0c/RoJ0hH5n0nY/s1600/steak+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TR6Re9PHF7I/AAAAAAAAA0c/RoJ0hH5n0nY/s1600/steak+pie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">If you haven’t ever tried steak pie, it is beef and gravy incrusted in puff pastry and is typically served with mashed potatoes and veggies.<span> </span>It is delicious!</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Some alternative Hogmanay celebrations….</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are not celebrating at a party in a friend’s house, then perhaps you are being hardy and braving the cold to celebrate the New Year in the city center.<span> </span>In Glasgow, people crowd into George Square to listen to live music and watch the fireworks go off at midnight.<span> </span>I did this one year, but it was so incredibly cold, that I’ve never been compelled to repeat this experience!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Fortunately, being packed in like sardines helps to keep it a little bit warmer!</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another alternative Hogmanay celebration involves a good old fashioned <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">céilidh</span> (pronounced “kay-lee”).<span> </span>This is a traditional Scottish dance set to Gaelic folk music.<span> </span>There are several traditional dances.<span> </span>There are couple dances, “set” dances (with four couples dancing together in a square formation) and progressive couple dances performed in a ring around the dance floor.<span> </span>If you ever have the opportunity to attend a <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">céilidh</span> then you will have one of the most fun evenings of your life!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How to people know how to do these dances?<span> </span>Well, aside from the band giving the crowd a refresher on all of the dance moves, most Scottish people have been taught these dances at some stage in their life.<span> </span>For example, during the wintertime, gym classes in Scottish high schools teach “Social Dance” AKA every teenager’s worst nightmare.<span> </span>While I would love to have these lessons again now, at the time I hated social dance.<span> </span>The boys would have to ask the girls to dance and vice versa each week throughout the winter months.<span> </span>Being a socially awkward kinda geeky teen (this was a time prior to nerds being “cool”) I never got asked to dance by anyone that I actually wanted to dance with.<span> </span>Instead I got the guys with two left feet, and the ones that smelt funny.<span> </span>But anyway, now I have an appreciation of having a glimmer of memory of how to dance to the “Gay Gordons” or any of the other oddly named dances.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last Hogmanay I got to go to a <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">céilidh</span> with my parents and my Gran.<span> </span>It was the most fun night of 2009 for me hands down.<span> </span>I don’t think I sat down all night – I literally danced the night away!<span> </span>Now THAT is how you are supposed to celebrate New Year’s Eve!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Me and my Mum having a blast!<span> </span>I forget the name of this dance, but it was so much fun!</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>An American New Years Eve by comparison…</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">As I noted earlier, my first US New Year’s Eve was a huge letdown.<span> </span>Sitting up watching the ball drop on TV in NYC while sipping a cup of tea is not what I am accustomed to.<span> </span>Even when I transplant family over here in the hopes of livening things up, it just isn’t the same.<span> </span>I remember the year that my parents and brother came over for the holidays and we went to the festivities in downtown Burlington, Vermont.<span> </span>“First Night” promised us fun, fireworks and more.<span> </span>In reality it was colder than Siberia, boring as all could be, and a bitter disappointment.<span> </span>As summed up by my little brother: “First Night?<span> </span>Load of shite.”<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This Hogmanay I’m doing something a little different:<span> </span>I’m heading to the OC Fairgrounds to see a variety of cover bands and a demolition derby!<span> </span>Unfortunately, my jet-lag is seriously getting in the way of my Hogmanay plans.<span> </span>At this rate I will be lucky to stay awake until midnight.<span> </span>The prospect of sitting at home with a big mug of tea watching the glittery ball drop in New York is suddenly very appealing.<span> </span>How very unpatriotic of me!<span> </span>I’d better caffeine up and go celebrate the end of 2010 with a bang!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2011.<span> </span>HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!<span> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665049622569543530.post-88934607961857803002010-12-06T22:39:00.000-08:002010-12-06T22:39:09.256-08:00Why it’s never a good idea to insult the check in lady and other useful travel tips…<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span><span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Having family that lives 5000 miles away I get to rack up the frequent flier miles. I also unfortunately have more air travel mishap stories than I can count! I get to travel home again this year for the holidays, and I’m going to try to learn from previous travel mistakes in the hope that things run smoothly.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span>Tip #1:<span> </span>Travel with someone that you get along with (or alternatively go by yourself)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3TaVvjRmI/AAAAAAAAAzk/WTlAyznQimc/s1600/passenger+check+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3TaVvjRmI/AAAAAAAAAzk/WTlAyznQimc/s320/passenger+check+in.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As much as this may seem like a good idea at the time, your significant other may not agree with you.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>My ex-hubby and I typically got along great unless you stuck us both in an airport, gave us a ticket, and told us to get somewhere.<span> </span>In which case, World War 3 was typically on the brink of occurring.<span> </span>At the root of the problem was the fact that he hated airports and the actual process of traveling from A to B.<span> </span>That combined with the fact that there was a direct correlation between the last time he ate anything and his crabbiness index (and mine too for that matter).<span> </span>Also, in my case, while I usually have the patience of a saint, when sleep deprived that is <u>not</u> the case.<span> </span>Let’s just say that we could have been a highly entertaining couple to have on the Amazing Race!!<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>So, it’s always a useful plan of action to travel with someone that you won’t want to strangle two hours into the flight!<span> </span>Of course, even if your travel partner is charming and doesn’t drive you crazy, there is no guarantee that your fellow passengers will follow suit.<span> </span>Odds are that you will be seated next to the morbidly obese man with hellish B.O. and breath that would make Shrek proud. <span> </span>Chances are there will also be an overly stressed out Mom behind you with a screaming baby and a four year old who really enjoys kicking your seat repeatedly. <span> </span>But just every so often, say once every decade or so, you may encounter a flight attendant who takes pity on you and moves you up the business class.<span> </span>Even better, once or twice in a lifetime you may be lucky enough for a free upgrade to first class.<span> </span>The last time that happened I didn’t bother with sleeping.<span> </span>Why would you when you have gourmet food and wine to consume?!? <span> </span>Now that was the life.<span> </span>How the other half live… I’m jealous!<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span>Tip #2:<span> </span>When you <i>really</i> don’t want your bags to go missing, that is exactly when they will end up in Outer Mongolia</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3TkM-FLEI/AAAAAAAAAzo/20_YsRxWdEY/s1600/missing+luggage.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3TkM-FLEI/AAAAAAAAAzo/20_YsRxWdEY/s320/missing+luggage.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cartoon says it all... </td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Ah, lost luggage.<span> </span>Yes I’ve been there many times around.<span> </span>I learned my lesson that you should always have spare clothes in your carry-on luggage while on a trip to Paris.<span> </span>When selecting joggy bottoms, a jumper, and trainers to travel in (American translation: sweatpants, a sweater, and sneakers) I thought I was being sensible.<span> </span>Who doesn’t want to travel in comfortable clothing?<span> </span>I discovered that wandering about Paris in comfortable clothing leaves you feeling (and looking) like a slob.<span> </span>It took three days for the cases to materialize.<span> </span>Needless to say that after one day of slobbiness I had had enough! <span> </span>I hit the shops and got myself some Parisian fashions (and yes, I felt quite a bit better about myself after that).<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>But what if you are bringing gifts and they won’t fit into your carry-on?<span> </span>Ah well, then in that case you are just S.O.L.<span> </span>One year I was arriving home on Christmas Eve.<span> </span>I arrived safe and sound and on time, having made all of my connections (a rare occurrence indeed).<span> </span>But my suitcases?<span> </span>Nowhere to be found.<span> </span>Lamenting the fact that all of my presents where somewhere in limbo, I didn’t have much hope that I would see them anytime soon.<span> </span>So, imagine my surprise when they got delivered on Christmas morning.<span> </span>“It’s a bloody miracle!!” I proclaimed.<span> </span><span> </span>“Just call me Santa Claus” chuckled the delivery driver.<span> </span><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span>Tip #3:<span> </span>The weather has a way of buggering up your travel plans - you just need to learn to accept that</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3TqhYYyQI/AAAAAAAAAzs/t4ClNCjceq8/s1600/canceled+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3TqhYYyQI/AAAAAAAAAzs/t4ClNCjceq8/s1600/canceled+flight.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you DON'T want to see when you look at the departures screen</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Two years in a row while living in Vermont I arrived home a day later than planned for Christmas. <span> </span>The reason?<span> </span>Snow.<span> </span>Copious amounts of the white fluffy stuff raging outside.<span> </span>I arrived at the airport to be told “your flight is leaving New York on time.<span> </span>But we have no way of getting you there.<span> </span>Come back tomorrow.”<span> </span>No amount of begging and pleading can make a difference against Mother Nature.<span> </span>So you just need to learn to accept that.<span> </span>Like the time I was grounded at Bristol airport for 6 hours because of fog.<span> </span>This was <i>after</i> a long transatlantic flight, and I had a separate connection to make heading to Switzerland with my family.<span> </span>I was tired, hungry, cranky, stressing out big time about missing my next flight, and just done with traveling.<span> </span>It didn’t make for a pleasant journey.<span> </span>But it got much worse before it got better.<span> </span>The bags didn’t show up (of course), so I had some crazed last minute shopping to do.<span> </span>And then I arrived in Italy a day late only to come down with a nasty bug.<span> </span>If you were to do one of those psychological association tests on me and say “Lugano” I would tell you “stomach flu”.<span> </span>Not a pleasant association. <span> </span>I don’t care if it’s just a placebo effect – I now take a hefty dose of vitamins before stepping foot on a plane.<span> </span>Hello and thank you Airborne.<span> </span>Another useful tip is to always have extra snacks stashed away.<span> </span>It helps to keep the crabbiness at bay during those inevitable delays!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span>Tip #4:<span> </span>No matter how much they may push your buttons and provoke you, never insult the check-in lady</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3VimdHFgI/AAAAAAAAAzw/f_Hijg-o77g/s1600/push+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TP3VimdHFgI/AAAAAAAAAzw/f_Hijg-o77g/s1600/push+buttons.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps I should get this printed on a t-shirt especially for traveling? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>As I’ve mentioned, I’m not a happy camper when sleep deprived.<span> </span>So last year when I found myself at the airport at 3am having had 2 hours sleep, I was already not starting from a good place.<span> </span>Anyone with any sense should know NOT to push my buttons when I’m operating on a total lack of sleep.<span> </span>This particular check-in lady though, didn’t appear to have received that memo.<span> </span>So there I was at the airport at 3am – 3 hours prior to the flight departure as stated on the airline website. The check in desk did not open until 4:30am – 90 minutes later than expected.<span> </span>So there I was, first in line of course because I had arrived so freakin’ early.<span> </span>I gather all my bags and go up to the check in desk only to be greeted by this sour faced woman who clearly wasn’t a morning person.<span> </span>I proceeded to go through the motions of handing over my details and passport etc.<span> </span>“You’re in the wrong line” she barked.<span> </span>I gave a look of confusion, because this was the <i>only</i> line.<span> </span>“This is only for people who are already checked in online” she stated, looking at me as if I was daft.<span> </span>I explained that I had tried to check in online and that the website wasn’t working properly.<span> </span>She didn’t care for my explanation.<span> </span>“Well you’re still in the wrong line” she snipped, “and I’m not going to help you.<span> </span>You can get to the end of the queue.”<span> </span>I looked at the line of fifty or so people that had formed and thought <i>aye right</i>.<span> </span>At that point my stubborn streak kicked in and I proceeded to launch into my I-have-been-in-this-freakin-airport-for almost-two-hours-because-of-your-stupid-airline-misinformation-and-you-will-check-me-in speech.<span> </span><span> </span>It didn’t work.<span> </span>She insisted that I get back in line, to wait to be helped by the lady standing right next to her (literally right next to her).<span> </span>Letting out a furious sigh, I muttered “you don’t need to be such a bitch about it” and took my place next in line (I wasn’t about to go wait at the end of it).<span> </span>Unfortunately she heard my mutterings and glowered at me with an evil eye.<span> </span>Despite the fact that I was perfectly civil to the next lady that helped me, I still ended up with the worse seat on the plane.<span> </span>That’s right.<span> </span>The one right next to the smelly loo, with the seats that don’t recline.<span> </span>Thankfully that was only for a two hour flight and I got much better seats for the transatlantic portion. But boy did I learn my lesson.<span> </span>So no matter how sleep deprived you may be.<span> </span>Or how unhelpful and sour faced the check in lady may be, it is NEVER a good idea to insult her.<span> </span>Even if it is 100% justified.<span> </span>That is a situation where you should use your “inside voice”.<span> </span>It’s a wonder my luggage arrived at all that time!<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>So for my trip back to Scotland next week I am expecting the following to occur:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span><span>1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>My flights will be delayed or canceled </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span><span>2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>My bags will go AWOL and arrive four days later than me</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span><span>3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>I will be seated next to a contestant on the Biggest Loser with Octomom and her kids in the row behind me</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span><span>4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>The check-in lady will be the most unhelpful person on the face of the planet and will do everything in her powers to push my buttons so that I have a tantrum that would make a 2 year old proud</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>But at the end of the day, as long as I make it safe and sound then that is okay with me.<span> </span>I can handle the rest of the drama and misery!<span> </span>At least it makes for entertaining stories after the fact…</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665049622569543530.post-74205395026604592522010-11-26T22:17:00.000-08:002010-11-26T22:37:27.150-08:00I'm From Another Planet Evidently....“You’re going to study where?!?!” That was the initial reaction I got from most people upon telling them that I was going to be leaving my native Scotland and spending a semester at Northern Kentucky University. To be honest, I had no idea what was in Kentucky other than horses and more than a few hillbilly type folks (or "plinky plinky plonk plonks" as my mother refers to them), but I was eager to find out! So at the young age of 18 I squeezed the contents of my life into two suitcases and boarded a plane for Kentucky. <br />
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Upon arrival I discovered that I was sadly mistaken that we spoke the same language. Yes, technically we both spoke English, but Glaswegian and the Kentucky drawl are two very different species. Scottish people talk fast. Like, really fast. Especially if we get excited about something – then all the words just blur together into a big incoherent rambling. <i>Becausewhenwearereallyexcitedwetalklikethis!!</i> In a way I discovered that the Kentucky folks are the yin to the Scots yang. We talk real fast. They talk real s l o w. I couldn’t understand the locals, and they sure as heck couldn’t understand me! Think the cast of Trainspotting meets Larry The Cable Guy and you’ll have an idea of the predicament. After an initial adjustment period I learned so slow down the rate of my speech, but darn it, I was not going to change how I pronounced my vowels! It’s a toe-MAH-toe not a toe-MAY-toe. And certain words required major adjustment. Like if someone asked me what pants I was planning on wearing that night. “Excuse me?!?!? Oh, you mean <i>TROUSERS</i>!” <br />
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Some of the more awkward moments occurred when someone tried to complement me on how well I spoke English. I mean, how are you supposed to act in that situation?!? You really only have three options: 1) Thank them and allow them to remain blissfully ignorant of world geography and languages; 2) Call them out on being a big eedjit; or 3) Swiftly redirect the conversation onto another topic. The cringe inducing moment of all time happened when I was asked “what age were you when you learned English?” What I really wanted to say was “well, I pretty much had it mastered by age two”. What I actually said was a mumbled explanation that English was my native language. Which was followed up with a confused “but you’re Scottish”. At that point I went into conversation redirection mode and just a swiftly got the hell out of there. <br />
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Trying to order in restaurants was almost always guaranteed to be frustrating as hell (but the source of so many amusing stories afterward). Case in point: I had a hilarious run in once while trying to order a “pink cow” at UDF (it’s a mix of ice cream and red cream soda for those of you currently scratching your heads and wondering). Just so you know, Scottish people have a very unique way of pronouncing the word cow. And for the life of me I cannot pronounce it in an American twang. (<i>Just ask the kid that I was working on animal sounds with - I asked him “what does a cow say?“ and gave me a puzzled expression and asked “ What’s a cow?“</i>) So there I was trying my hardest to get my point across, while this spotty teenager looks at my with this confused open mouthed “huh?” expression. Meanwhile my Ex was cracking up in the background and refusing to translate for me, as it would spoil the comedy of the situation. That happened a lot. Especially in the Mid-West where people generally looked at me as if I had two heads while ordering something. <br />
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The one thing that would drive me CRAZY while trying to order in restaurants was trying to get a simple glass of water. Should be easy. <i>Should </i>be. I mean, how many drink options are there? It’s not like I was ordering an Irn Bru! (For you Yankees’ that’s Scotland’s national soft drink - it’s fizzy, bright orange, and heaven in a glass!) <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TPCmPzVVKUI/AAAAAAAAAzI/-mUXUrCYm1A/s1600/irn+bru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGNTejk1zS8/TPCmPzVVKUI/AAAAAAAAAzI/-mUXUrCYm1A/s1600/irn+bru.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irn Bru has the best adverts! Case in point :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Here’s an example of a typical scenario: <br />
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Waiter: “What y’all like to drink?”<br />
Me: “Can I have some water please”<br />
Waiter: “Excuse me?”<br />
Me: “A glass of water please”<br />
Waiter: “A glass of what?” <br />
Me: (letting out a big sigh) “A glass of wad-der”<br />
Waiter: “Oh, a glass of wad-der! No problem!”<br />
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This would invariably be followed up with me having a wee rant to whoever I was eating with about the fact that water has the letter T in it, not the letter D. Curiously, I only had this issue on the East Coast and Midwest. West Coast folks know how to pronounce “water” with a T. Thank goodness for that. <br />
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The best story about confusion when ordering comes from a Scottish friend who was on vacation in Chicago: he informed the waiter that he was “still deciding” what he wanted to drink while perusing the menu. Two minutes later a glass of cider was placed in front of him. Evidently “still deciding” in Glaswegian dialect translates as “a glass of cider please” to Chicagoans. <br />
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My all time best lost in translation moment happened while living in Vermont. I was working in a preschool at the time, and we had to change classroom locations prior to the school year starting. In the classroom there was this awesome wooden play house. It was far too big to fit through the door, so a coworker and I were trying (and failing miserably) to dismantle it. My coworker was trying to unscrew the roof, and couldn’t really see what she was doing. Trying to be helpful I asked “do you want me to go get you a torch?” Only to be met with a big grin as she replied “why? Do you want me to burn it down?!” That was the day that I committed to memory that a torch was no longer a torch - it was a flashlight! <br />
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It was at the same preschool that I learned that American words for body parts are quite different from some slang British words. The first time that I heard a teacher tell a little girl to “sit on your fanny” I just stood open mouthed gaping “what did you just say?!?!” I think this may have been the same day that I found out that bum bags were called fanny packs. Even now, 7 ½ years later as a US transplant, that just seems so WRONG! I mean some things I can adjust to, like spelling color without a U, or accepting that I no longer park in a car park, it’s a parking lot . And I walk on the side walk not the pavement. And I don’t eat sweeties anymore - it’s candy. And, I should never ever refer to sweatpants as joggy bottoms! Nowadays, some American words have become so ingrained in my brain that I forget what the Scottish equivalent is when I go home. And, I subsequently get in trouble as a result! <br />
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Working with little kids, I get told on a frequent basis that I “talk funny” - and that‘s with my now Americanized accent. I’ve also taught more than a few kids to pronounce words in a perfect Scottish accent! (Hey a quirky accent is better than no words - right?) One little guy that I work with went so far as to announce that he was off to visit “Nicola’s people” on his vacation to the U.K. Ah yes, my importance level is right up there with the Queen from the perspective of a 5 year old!<br />
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My favorite kid quote regarding sounding different came from another 5 year old - this time in a kindergarten class in Vermont. I was working with a little guy when some of his classmates starting asking about my accent. One of the little girls got very excited about this new foreign person in the room and while pointing at me, shouted to her teacher - “Miss! Miss! She’s from another world!” I always had an inkling I was from another planet… One where we all say “cow” funny, and we are all short and pale and talk a million miles a minute. Yup, I’m a Scottish import living in So Cal and I wouldn’t have it any other way.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0