Been Busy II

So, day two trip to London. Again, not near the sight seeing places but it is still in London. Last time was West London, this time was Northwest London where Jonathan's brother resides. We were celebrating Jonathan's sister's birthday. This was a special situation where I was able to meet all of Jonathan and Jodi's England family. 

Over supper, cake, and fizzy drink we laughed and talked about many things. Its surprising how many people remember my sister from Jodi and Jonathan's wedding and they all think that I'm her. So it turns out that this beautiful vision of a lady who is married to Jonathan's brother does hair. She, after my gentle prodding, happily agreed to do my hair that very night and then do a total make up make over. Twas quite the experience. 
 
I loved seeing the family all together. Their dynamic was so familiar to how I react with my own family. I also love seeing a group of guys communicating together and I got to see that in a wonderful way. I feel so honored to have met Jonathan's father. He looks so different than what I had expected. Such a jolly soul with a bright smile and yet a commanding presence. 

As someone who has constantly been mistaken as Jonathan's sister, it was nice to see both his sisters in one place. They are so different in so many ways and alike in so many other ways, very much like my own brother in comparison to my sister and I. Their other brother reminded me so much of my dear sister. Quick and ready to laugh, sarcastic and light hearted. It was only in that moment, being surrounded by Jodi and Jonathan's family, that I became a little homesick.  


Then I found a cat friend that I named Sir Tuffington. Still trying to find out how to take him home with me. 

Also...I committed an abomination...and I liked it. Beloved, I have put peanut butter and nutella on bread. I ate it. I saw that it was good. I am ashamed.

Been Busy I

A Beautiful building in Oxford

So, lots has been going on. Lets see, we had Jodi's birthday party. Cake and all that goodness. Found out the difference between a cupcake and a fairy cake. Traveled off into the land of Oxford and found out that there isn't exactly a campus but a long line of buildings that stretch all over the town. Beautiful old buildings of wonder and history. 

Then there was the trip into London. ADRA had a concert to raise money for their many activities. Some of which I'm very interested in. Many talented singers were there, the drums could be felt right in your chest which people keep telling me is normal. Further testing is needed... The part of London that we went to was mostly Arabic and so busy with wonderful sounds and smells. 

I saw a blue phone box and it was not indeed a tardis but I have not given up hope. Mostly all I've seen is red phone boxes. The search goes on. 

After the glorious trip to London, a night to remember indeed, we went out to the allotment and began playing in the dirt. This is what it must have looked like anyway. In all honesty we got a lot done for the three of us and two kids rummaging around not knowing exactly what we were doing. In the end, three older gentlemen came out and talked very kindly to us about our options and how we could tackle this gardening space with the least amount of hassle. 

One of these gentlemen were nice enough to give us a crap ton of plums and baking apples! Promises of plum apple crumbles have been made repeatedly, none have come into being. But, being the amazing people that Jodi and Jonathan are, they did make jam from the plums and it is very tasty. It taste like peach jam though. Still super good. 

Next I shall talk about the second trip to London.

My Party People

Sometimes its hard to believe I'm here. I find myself telling Jodi and Jonathon 'I'm here in England' or 'I came to see you!' and they just laugh and say yes you did. Being here with them and the girls is amazing. Planning my trip to London, getting to know the people they introduce me to, listening to these amazing girls talk about everything and anything that is of utmost importance. I feel so blessed to be here. 

Upon the arrival of my host back to their home we went out and ate at Nandos. Shame on me, I didn't get the chicken. We'll have to go again before I leave. Twas a lovely place and we had a blast. The girls kept trying to escape and that was hilarious to watch. After we ate, we

walked around town and like a tourist I took pictures of everything...like...everything. Statues, pipes with cloves growing on them, more statues, the girls running about, and more statues. 

Next day we went out and ventured to the park, the girls, Jodi, and I. This was quite the event. I realized that child socializing is a stressful thing for me. I become very concerned with their social experiences and how they will scar them for life. The girls had a blast though, they eventually(after careful consideration) found friends and played with them. It even got to the point where there was a bit of screaming about lack of fairness when one of the new friends had to leave. 

This brought us to the swings where I stood by while Jodi pushed tiny princess on the swing. There was another mother pushing her darling baby on the swing. This neighboring mother was noticing bigger princess being a bit shy trying to find new friends. We got to talking, the three of us adults, and then the question was asked. 
" So...how did you two...I mean...how did you guys get two mixed babies between the two of you" Said the interested neighboring momma
" Huh?" Said Jodi and I in confusion
" I mean, how did you guys have two mixed raced babies together?" She asked again, looking a little less sure in her questioning
" They're not mine." I said laughing
" They're mine." Jodi says with a laugh
" Oh! I just thought, you(pointing at me) were so invested in them. Oh goodness. Can we just forget I ever asked that?(not on your life)" 

We all had a good laugh about that. Probably a story I'll tell for the rest of my life. So far I've flashed half of Aylesbury my bum, been confused for a lesbian, and have had tea and pudding which had nothing to do with actual tea and actual pudding! This has been amazing. 

It has been asked how this whole adventure began, why did I come to England. Well, its simple, I missed my peeps. They moved to England so I saved up and it was either buy a ticket to England or buy a car. I got the ticket, told my job I'd be gone for three months, got on the plane and here I am! No man, no kids, no responsibilities. Off I went and I'm so glad I did. 

Today found me in a pub for the first time in my life. It was pretty awesome, the bar tender ladies were nice. They talked slowly to me after they found out that I was from America. First time that has happened. Usually they just laugh at me and then ask me how I'm liking England. Didn't end up getting a drink but I got some fish and chips which Jodi and Jonathan said was sub par in comparison to where I could get real fish and chips. Which I find funny since they're both vegetarian. 
 
Went to the library and inquired about books on the last Russian empire, the Romanov family. The librarian was very confused about that. A walk around downtown brought us to a little mall where these two walking advertisements were holding hawk like birds and directing people to the Aylesbury exhibit with dress up! The market street was covered in little tents with nick knacks and clothes and fresh fruits and vegetables. There was also a random guy selling Native American stuff in a not so authentic Native American garb and pretending to play a flute.

Very random day. I loved it. I'm gonna call it Freddy.

Happy Sabbath Adventure!

Be warned my sweet atheist friends of wonder, this post has lots of loving on my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Skip it if you want.

So we went to church today and that was actually really nice. I haven't been to church in a long time, kinda been avoiding the whole scene since my last church went for the long sleep and everyone I went to church with kinda moved away. I think its easier to go to church when you're just visiting cause you know its not a commitment. Hopefully this will start me back in the habit of getting myself to church on sabbath. 

After church, the lovely family that gave me a lift took me to their place and we had "tea" cause it wasn't quite lunch time and it wasn't quite dinner time. Sadly there wasn't exactly any tea involved. Just...the word "tea". It did however involve a lovely meal and "pudding" which isn't exactly pudding. It was however a great cake like thing with jam and some kind of custard in the middle. It was really good. 

Turns out I'm an answer to prayer. This lovely couple were looking for someone to baby sit their amazingly funny son and here I am with a long history of working with children. It all works out wonderfully. I of course said yes, it would really be an answer to my prayers as well! So its possible that I could have a little working gig thing while I'm here which would be nice for a few more pounds(currency, not weight....I don't need more weight). Another plus, out their kitchen window is a gate that I'm in love with and I could stare at it all day if I baby sat for them. 

Their child, who is so funny and quick with a come back has this painting that he did. Story is that there was a penguin in the background, but the child has named the painting "the penguin is gone" since you can no longer see the penguin. I personally believe its genius and I agree with the mom that its gonna be worth millions when this kid is a professional painter.

Back to the adventure, we drove all over town and saw lots of houses that looked like little story book houses, a taxi cab that had the funniest name, and more of the strange driving habits of the citizens of Aylesbury

Anyhoo, it was a great day and I really felt that God touched the hearts of everyone at that church today. There was a wonderful speaker there today and she gave a great message about seeing God again soon. I'm so grateful to be here and I'm loving every minute of it. I thank God for being here today and all the opportunities that come with it. I'm so excited to see what happens tomorrow. 





Also, this soap is the truth. I need it in America. Like, yesterday. 

It has an amazing spicy smell and it sticks with you for hours after you use it. I usually only smell soap on me for a little bit but then I dry off. I smell this for so long. I love it. Also, it has a crown on it. 

They aren't paying me to post this soap...but they should...cause I love it.

World's Longest Panini

Just as I can't prove that these are pterodactyls I'm seeing flying around town, I also can't prove that I ingested the world's longest panini today. Maybe I'm just really American and didn't know that a panini can be a foot long. Twas a delicious panini though.

I walked down to the tiny shopping area again and went into some stores I hadn't the last time. Found this adorable little coffee place and I was called 'Love' more times than I ever had been in my entire life. Felt much more confident this time with the purchasing and being handed coins instead of paper bills. Had some interesting lemon drink from Italy. The lady at the store made an amazing face while explaining to me how this lemony goodness would taste.

This building be so close to where my host of wonders live, I'm sure I'll stop here a few more times. Must have more ridiculously long panini goodness. 

More awesome things learned about England! Cars actually stop when you approach a crossing lane. Like...they just stop and stare at you like you should just expect the ability to cross to be available to you. Its awesome. 

No wardrobe malfunctions today which is great. I was brave enough to take a picture of someone's roses. I was afraid some old lady would come out with a cane and beat me if she caught me canoodling with her beautiful roses. 

Mama, I found the hair salon for me. Be super proud of me.  

Church tomorrow. Time to figure out what to wear and await the return of my dear Burnetts. Gonna squeeze those little princess. 

Also got the bus route times. Shall be interesting to follow up with that on Monday(they don't go out on sunday and I shall be busy on Sabbath).

First Day(awake) in Aylesbury

I spent most of day one in Aylesbury asleep cause jetlag will always get you. I'm not sure if I slept in till 12 or 2 today but whatever. First thing I did was try to take a shower. This didn't go so well. I figured out the monster shower head thing but then I spent fifteen minutes picking everything up around me asking "Is this soap?". I figured out that nothing in the bathroom was soap since my host had to travel and most likely took it with them, like sane people do. I decided not to do this when I traveled for reasons unknown to me. 

So I got dressed, thought I was looking cute, made myself all purty to go walking about the town. Its drizzling, not to worry, I stole my mother's umbrella. I'll be fine. My hair had retained some of the straight properties from my friend flat ironing it and I thought, 'what the hay, lets wear it down'. My hair now stands three inches all around my head in poof and my umbrella is inside out. Not to worry I forgot all my hair bands at home! So I twisted my hair into a bun in an alley way that I found by a fish and chips shop that I shall visit tomorrow. 



On my walk of wonders I found a few awesome things. Roses! Roses everywhere. Every other house had rose bushes. I thought that was awesome. I'm pretty sure I saw a pterodactyl, can't be certain cause it flew by really fast but....it was a pterodactyl. Found a pub, really big building. It was across the street from a church, little building. Found that hilarious. All the shop keep boys were adorable and I was sweating like someone has dumped a bucket of water on me. 


Found out they don't bag your stuff for you. I was staring, smiling sweetly at the cashier guy after he rung up my food and soap, waiting for him to bag my stuff. He just stared back. Then I realized...I bag it. So I laughed and told him that this is my second day in this country and I am still figuring it out. He told me I'd get the hang of it. Then he handed me my change. I expected one pound bills but apparently not. I got coins and I stared at him again making strange meow sounds. He laughed and said we have coins here too. So I stammered about and said that I shall stop acting like a tourist any moment now and ran laughing out the store. 

After walking around a bit, going into a thrift store and a martins which turned out to be a pharmacy, I started on my journey home. This eluded me to a very funny fact(one that I will laugh about later...not now), my dress that I was so excited to wear has a slip under a lace part. I had been tugging at the lace part all during my adventure but apparently that's all I had been tugging at. The slip part had ridden up to my underwear and had been up there for God knows how long. This might be why I was honked at, people where staring at my dress funny and a old lady grumbled saying cheeky as she walked past me. 

(the stove almost won)

I have flashed all of the Queen's England half my bottom and my entire left leg. And what a leg it was. I always liked my left leg best, which is funny cause I love my right hand. Any hoo, I'll laugh about that one day. Now I'm going to eat pizza(since I finally figured out the stove, see picture to the left for rare sight of me dying by a strange stove monster beast), drink a whole jug of cranberry juice and have a proper shower. (Don't worry mom, they were very clean undies that so many sweet innocent bystanders got to see)


I'll have to venture out there again. Maybe take the bus to downtown Aylesbury. I will wear a dress that requires less tugging. Maybe something with leggings. Up side. I found a flower on the street. It had fallen off the bush so I thought it was okay to take it with me.
So all in all, I think this was a successful adventure! I'm pretty sure that I exceeded my own expectations and usual abilities when it comes to outgoingness(not a word). I'm excited to see what happens tomorrow.