I'm not great at consistency unless it comes to food, alcohol or sex. Those three things I seem to do really well and very consistently! I always have thoughts in my head but always at the wrong moment like in the shower or driving. I can't imagine being a writer and having the most amazing idea come to you while you are on the toilet. I've heard that "those people" carry a little notebook all the time to jot down those thoughts. Now, if I was an octopus with a few extra arms I may be able to add that to the list of things I already carry around.
Nevertheless, I love to write. I have journals that I would write in from age 12 until about 20. Books upon books of funny memories, boys I loved, boys I planned on marrying, cheerleading mishaps, friend quarrels, you name it.. it was written down in the life of a teenager. So, one would think that as I got older and my memory started to fail by adding children, husband, moving 13 times I would write that shit down. Nope. I haven't. I hate the excuse I do not have time. In reality, we all have the time for anything we choose to make the time for. It just isn't as important as it should be. I always wanted to write a journal for my daughters and give it to them later in life. I have 4 brand new beautiful notebooks that all have a beginning with a page or two written then are blank.
So, here I am again starting a blog, journal, timeline. In all sincerity, I'm 34 and having trouble recalling events from just a year ago. I wasn't kidding when I said we've moved 13 times in 7 years. It may be more but I've stopped counting because I like the number 13 and where we are living now.
We do live in England, just outside London about an hour. It's the great experience thus far of my little life. We adore London because there is so much to see and do. It is really hard to see everything to its fullest. As routine and bills start to settle in our exploration has slowed a little, not much but some. Anytime you take a family of 4 out in one of the most expensive places on the planet, you should be prepared to spend a bit. Our first obstacle to overcome was converting money. The US Dollar goes a lot further than Americans think, well in America. Bring that dollar to the UK and it goes no where! So, we'd go out for pizza and a couple of beers. Our "bill" not tab would be around £50 (or 50 quid as the locals call it). That's not a bad bill for a family of 4 however when you pay with your American debit card and see $83.13 on your bank statement you kind of have a mini stroke. I mean it was PIZZA, good pizza but still pizza. So, we HAD to stop converting everything in our head as well as get UK accounts.
This country has some many wonderful and amazing things to offer. The quality of food is amazing even at McDonald's. However you will spend more and get less. This could have something to do with any Americans are fat. In the US you get a 32 oz soda for $1 in the UK you get a 16oz soda for £1.30. That's a massive difference. I'm not complaining, just observing.
The experiences of how the American culture is very much that of instant gratification. When Americans want something they want it now and they want it right. We like to be able to walk into a store pick something out and have it delivered the same day. That just does't happen in in the UK. I wanted to buy dining chairs for this amazing 1930's antique table I was given here. It was going to take at least 6 weeks before any chairs could be delivered.
I'm learning as much about the American culture as I am about the English. The education system is very different as well. Today was my first day volunteering in the classroom. I sat for 3 hours listening to year 1 students read. As someone with an education degree, I never get tired of seeing and hearing kids learn. It's such a beautiful process.
My challenge now is to stay focused and keep up with this blog. We shall see! I'm not making promises. Hopefully I will surprise myself.
Until next time..
~Wife
No comments:
Post a Comment