Thanksmas

So first off, yes I know Thanksgiving was a while ago.  But this needs to come before Christmas posts, and we've been off travelling to Portugal, Spain, and Rome for the last two weeks--More than that in these next few days. 

Hall dinners are excellent here.  Just saying.  It started early this year when introductions were being made.  Jenny and Zoe, my two wonderful Chinese hallmates each independently offered to make dinner for the hall.  When they realized that great minds think alike and that they had both offered to make dinner, they joined forces to make the best Chinese dinner I have ever (and probably will ever) have.   Here's a few pictures of the amazing-ness.  I'm afraid the pictures do no justice to the wonders of this Chinese dinner.

The best Chinese EVER

Dessert: British sticky toffee pudding by Lauren

This of course left the Brits and the Americans to reciprocate.  Nothing is more American than Thanksgiving, but due to class schedules everyone scattered by Christmas.  This resulted in the best possible plan --combine American Thanksgiving foods with British Christmas foods to make the best ever Thankmas.  Both have meat, potatoes, veggies, dessert.   Practically the same meal anyway.




Or maybe not... Many conversations leading up to the biggest most epic dinner ever went along these lines.

Me: "So.  I just realized we might have different ideas of potatoes."
Representative of Britain: "Yah, like what?  Don't you roast them?"
Me:  "For Thanksgiving?  Nope.  Definitely mashed."
RofB: "Hmm.  They are definitely roasted at Christmas."
Me:  "Two kinds of potatoes it is, then."

Not nearly as many things crossed over as we originally thought they would.  This resulted in making two different versions of roughly similar things, which in turn resulted in about 4 meals worth of food.

The resulting bellyache and lack of appetite for two days afterward were so worth it.  Check out what we had for dinner....

Photo by Jenny

Rosie made these paper chains, its British tradition!

Specifically American  (Sam and I were in charge of procuring these)
Turkey breast --which I roasted with apples, and covered in foil to keep it from drying out
Mashed yukon gold potatoes
Biscuits  --the American kind, not British cookies
Pumpkin pie and whipped cream --neither is typically eaten here
Eggnog --Homemade, couldn't find any in the store, also rather unheard of here
Olives --The big black ones I always stuck on my finger as a kid
Corn --my family always serves this at Thanksgiving.... so it must be traditional, right?

Both British and American
Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, and Advent Calendar




Specifically British (Rosie & Jack, Lauren & Nick in charge of these)
Ham --which was done in the most fantastic way, with honey and chili flakes/paste/something spicy
Roast potatoes --these are cut into large cubes and roasted to have a tough/crunchy/amazing exterior
Brussel Sprout --You have to have one on your plate at Christmas, even if no one likes them
Peas and Carrots --Self explanatory.  Peas. And. Carrots.  Nothing too fancy. (Very good though!)
Yorkshire Pudding --not a pudding.  See previous post.  Kind of like a biscuit??
Pigs & Blankets --These are the epitome of Christmas dinner.  It simply isn't Christmas without them.  Lest you think they are sausages wrapped in dough, these are tiny little sausages wrapped in BACON.

Also we enjoyed our Christmas crackers, Har-de-harded at our awful puns included in the crackers, and wore our lovely paper crowns as if they were made of gold and sapphires.

Needless to say, much fun was had.  Are you jealous yet?  Good.  You should be.

Photo by Jenny

Thanks Garvins for the CUTE Indian & Pilgrim finger puppets

How to Sound British

The short answer:  Be a native Brit

Perhaps you thought we'd come home with a British accent.  That would be kind of fun, but its not too likely, especially after we found out that Bill Bryson lived here and worked with Durham University for TWENTY years and still doesn't sound British.  But we have had a lot of fun picking up new words, or using words in ways that are not used in the States.  Here's a sampling of words and their British meaning.  (British friends, please feel free to correct me if these are wrong)

Are you alright? --To execute this one properly, tilt your head to the side, and look very concerned when asking.  It translates roughly to the American "How are you?"  And the expected answer to "Are you alright?" is "Yah, you?"  Don't be caught off guard, and don't assume you must look as if you are in pain. Its a standard greeting.
Proper--because there is a proper and improper way to do everything.  Use this to describe just about everything. "I'm going on a proper walk" "I need to make a proper cup of tea"  One brand of tea I saw bore the slogan "Let's have a proper brew" to advertise its tastiness.
Right -- Could mean: Correct, okay, sure, I'm listening, that's disappointing, yah,  ... just make sure to use it all the time
Brilliant --reserve this for things that are really great, awesome, wonderful, delightful
Cheers --Thanks, bye
Dodgy -- means about the same as it does at home, just make sure to use it every so often
Burgled-- Instead of saying your house was burglarized, make sure to say it was burgled.  Its just more fun (and more British) to say it that way.  Also can be used "I didn't want to get burgled", "I didn't think anyone would burgle me".  Burgle.  Burgled. Burgle.  Haha.  I really enjoy this word.  Burgle. Burgle. Burgle. Burgle. Burgle. Really, try saying it a few times, its hilarious.  Actually, I dare you to say "Burgle" out loud ten times in a row.
Stodgy --Nebulous term.  Used to describe certain foods.  Very unclear what this actually means, even though I think I could use it correctly in a sentence....maybe...well, maybe not.  When I looked up this word the proper definition is "dull and uninspired" or (when speaking of food) "heavy, filling, and high in carbohydrates".  But there is a lot of food that could fall under that second definition, but only certain foods are actually referred to as stodgy.
Posh --Don't use this one unless you are sure you know how to use it, and I'm not.  It has a negative connotation, generally means someone or something that is overly fancy and somewhat stuck up.  I understand (sort of) how this would be used when referring to a person, but I definitely don't understand what inanimate objects and places are posh.  You'll notice your British friends using it frequently.
Tea --Could mean a cup of tea.  Could mean dinner.  Make sure you know what you are invited for if your friend invites you for "tea".
Pudding --does not refer to pudding as you know it.  I've been talking to my hallmates, and it sounds as if American pudding does not exist here, or if it does, its called Angel's Delight (update: tried Angel's Delight and it isn't pudding).  Anyway, pudding can be synonymous with "dessert" or it can mean a moist cake like treat, or it can mean other things.  Honestly, only the British know what they are talking about when they say pudding.  If they say its a pudding, just trust them and memorize what it looks like.  That's pudding.  Same with stodgy.  Just memorize which foods are stodgy.
Jelly --Jello.  They don't have jelly as we know it, apparently.
Noodles -- This always refers to long stringy Chinese or Thai noodles.  It is not interchangeable with "pasta" which is what the Brits call anything that is not rice, Chinese or Thai noodles.
Ages -- used in conjunction with "ago", always refers to the past.  Not surprising, just make sure to use it, and always emphasize the word "ages" in a sentence.
Loads -- lots.  Again, you already know what it means, just make sure to use it loads of times.
Pants --this one is rather important to understand.  "Pants" means men's underwear to anyone British.  Don't compliment a girl on her cute pants or you might offend and embarrass someone, especially yourself.  The word you want is "trousers".  Just eliminate the word "pants" from your vocabulary in Britain if you want to avoid the chance of embarrassment
Rubbish --Because no one will understand you if you say "trash" or "garbage".  Plus you can use this to describe just about anything you are unhappy with.  "That's a load of rubbish!"
State school --public school, just because that's how it is
Public school -- really fancy private school, just because they can.  Pretty sure they switched these two just to make things confusing.

Another note about "sounding British".  There is a discernibly different accent every 25 miles.  I'm told there are some advanced vocal forensic scientists here that can actually determine which street you grew up on.  So if you want to "sound British", you'll have to decide what part of Britain.  The North, the South, York, Nottingham, London, Durham, Newcastle, Berwick upon-tweed, Pity Me, Once Brewed..... The list continues on and includes every city and village in England.  Be sure that once you've decided to sound British that you maintain a consistent accent with your supposed place of origin.  As it is, its a common pastime in Britain to guess where a person is from based on accent, so be prepared to make up a good story about where you are from if you really want to pass as British.

Not Homesick Anymore

Not homesick anymore? Not homesick.... why would I even be homesick in the first place?  Strange thought, even for me.  I was definitely not expecting to be homesick.  I travel all over, and I've been overseas for a month or more at a time.  I have earned my place as a seasoned traveler, never to be affected by travel woes.

Wrong.

Homesickness happens.  And it really stinks.  Please accept my sincerest apologies if you were ever homesick and I didn't show much sympathy.  I definitely didn't get it before.  Regardless of how prepared, how many times you've traveled before, how exotic and far flung your travel has been, there is nothing comparable between going on a trip for a month (or two, or three) and being gone for a year or more.   You probably knew that already.  Somehow, I didn't have any idea that it would be different. I haven't even gone anywhere that crazy.  I'm not in danger where I live, I speak the same language at home as I do in my new country, and I usually know what food I am buying before I buy it.  Life works pretty much the same way here as it does at home.  So why be homesick?

Oh right.  All my friends and family are at home.  It really all boils down to that.  I do miss various physical things, like my cute little apartment in the States, or my car (I still expect to go home and see it sitting there even though I sold it), the church I attend and got married in, the beach, the mountains...  But more than the physical things I miss my upstairs neighbors, all the friends and family I drove to see, the people that I attend church with, and the friends and family I have gone adventuring with.

Its all about the people.  So, no surprise that homesickness would begin to abate once I started connecting with people here.  Friends in my hall, friends at church, friends I met at various international student events (I'm the international! WEIRD!), friends I go running with, friends I watch movies with, friends I drink tea and talk for 5 hours with, friends I go grocery shopping with....

So.  I'm not homesick anymore.  I'm happy to say it, because it means I can enjoy the history and culture of England without the burning desire to hop aboard the nearest plane, boat, bus, submarine, sea turtle or snail that looks like it might be headed west.

If you haven't heard much from me in the last two months, I think you can safely assume that I was rather homesick.  And it made me feel rather antisocial, especially for those that I care the most about.  So please forgive me, and just know that you
are incredibly missed.  See you in 10 months!

PS.  Sam's not homesick anymore either

Woods -5 Sam and Kaitlin - 0

            The first time we found the trails in the woods we intended just a short walk of about a half an hour.  We entered the woods and found that the woods in Durham are not like the woods at home.  Here there is very little undergrowth, and unmarked, unofficial, well-traveled trails crisscross the main trail regularly.  With a thick carpet of newly fallen leaves, the path of the main trail becomes more difficult to determine.  Not only that, but there are points where one is forced off the main path by layers of thick muck.  Additionally, the signs provided along the trail very helpfully have forgotten to tell you where on the map you are.  Adding all these conditions together, you get one very confusing wood.

The first "half hour" walk took an hour longer than intended.  We got in the woods, quickly got confused by above mentioned conditions, and when we exited the woods we found that we had nearly walked to Shincliffe (a neighboring village).  We turned toward the assumed appropriate direction, wandering along rather lost (and discovered along the way that bus stops are equally unhelpful in finding your way) and finally came out near the Bill Bryson Library, which is north of our home at Ustinov College (we had started our walk to the south of our home).

Next time, we went for 15 minute run, again got lost, and somehow ended up walking through a farmer's very large (and fenced) field in the dark (still don't know how we ended up there).  When we got out of the field we had gone quite a bit further south, and though we knew the way home, we were rather "hangry" by the time we arrived back at the start. The following times followed roughly the same pattern.  Look out the window, decide it's a decent day for walking, forget previous lost times in woods, enter woods, exit much later and in a totally different spot than expected, eventually find way home, devour everything in fridge.  Repeat.

This last time, however, we followed a slightly different pattern.  Looking for a homework break, Sam suggested a walk through the Botanic Garden.  Great idea!  We both love the plants and birds found in the garden  (see previous post). We merrily walked along, snapping pictures as we went, when we discovered a wooded area of the Garden.  No problem.  The whole of the Botanic Garden is fenced (therefore ostensibly impossible to get lost in).  We found a fenced corridor of wood and followed the path to a gate.  Gates are not uncommon in the Garden, so we walked right on through.  On the other side of this gate we found a herd of 20 ..... Goats?  Sheep?   Not sure what they were, but they each had four horns, shaggy brown hair and completely ignored our presence so we moved on.

About this time I recalled a story my mom tells about her Grandma Wright.  Grandma Wright lived in a little house across a field from my mom and her parents.  As any good Grandma would, she visited often.  The official route between the two houses went as follows.  Exit house, walk down long driveway, walk along road, walk up long driveway, enter house.  Probably at least a 1/2 mile walk.  Grandmas have no time for such things when there are grandchildren to spoil NOW!  So of course everyday she cut through the field that separated the two houses.  In the field lived a big bad goat with rather large impressive horns, and everyday the family warned Grandma that the goat would charge her.  Taking no heed to their warnings she continued along her well beaten path between the two houses.  One day however, the big bad goat did charge.  Spotting him coming, quick footed and quick thinking Grandma Wright stepped behind a large stump, and flipped her apron over the stump (thereby making the stump look like her).  The goat whomped the stump hard, stumbled about, looked at her with confusion and wandered away, never to mess with Grandma again.

But to return to England.  As we've almost reached the other side of the field, we spot a rather proud looking rooster.  Seeing us, he gives a little cock-a-doodle.  Sam looks over his shoulder at me to make some comment about the rooster when his face suddenly registers concern and terror, and he points behind me.  I whip around to spot 80 pointy looking horns cresting over the hill and headed for us at an alarmingly rapid rate.  We flee, fumble with the gate (which is wired shut) then decide to awkwardly attempt to hop the barbed gate.  Somehow we made it over in one piece.  Hearts thumping, goatsheepmonsters bleating angrily, rooster cock-a-doodling.... we realize after about 10 minutes (and talking to the farmer that appeared just moments after) that the goatsheepmonsters probably had no intention of goring us, but actually thought we were about to feed them.  We walked away laughing, but soon realized that we were again lost in the woods outside the Botanic Garden, and this episode ended as all the others have--raiding the fridge after a longer and more eventful than intended walk through the woods.

Rawr!

We are angry goatsheepmonsters!

Creation at its finest

Click on the picture to enlarge

Just down the road from our apartment is a strange looking metal gate.  We didn't know exactly what it was when we first arrived, and our initial investigation of the gate resulted in a strange and menacing sounding beeping noise.  We hurried away.  After we established that it was actually a botanic garden affiliated with Durham University, we hurried back to see what lay beyond the gate.

When we first made our way through the garden, I have to admit, I wasn't too impressed.  "These are pretty boring trees.... looks just like home".  That would be because I was in the North American arboretum, which of course I didn't realize at the time.  As soon as we got past all the "boring" maples, pines, and spruce trees, we hit the Brazilian, African, tropical, and desert sections of the garden and understood what a gem we had found.

(FYI.  None of these pictures have been altered from their original form.  The garden doesn't need any help being beautiful)

These guys made me miss my own goldfishies, still in Oregon

These birds weren't actually in the garden,
but I can't help but group them in 

Seagull?

These leaves were about three feet across

Pheasant