For obvious reasons, we don't get Monday off to properly celebrate the 4th of July, and both J and I will be in the office tomorrow. Boo. Luckily, J works for an American firm, and they threw a "summer" party today at one of the partner's houses near Fitzroy Square. The weather decided to be cooperative, and it was fairly warm all day even though the sun disappeared around noon behind some innocuous looking clouds.
The square is only a ten minute walk away from our flat, and the firm rented out the garden for the day and the place was decked out with red, white and blue decorations. I figured they pretty much gave up on the thin disguise of a "summer party" when I saw the American flag napkins and little desserts with mini American flags sticking out of them.
The whole shindig was a pretty classy affair with temporary awning put up in case the sun decided to show, and the catering staff were everywhere offering up various goodies to eat and drink. But keep in mind that this was a 4th of July celebration in London so there was an interesting mish-mash of American and British things. For example, we had brisket and baked beans (American) but we had clotted cream on a scone with berries for dessert (British). We were throwing around a football (American) while we were drinking Pimm's (British). I guess that's how my Independence Days will be from now on. =)
I had a lovely time - the people were fun to talk to and the food was delicious so the three hours we were there pretty much flew by. And the celebrations don't end here! Now that I'm back home, I'm baking some Independence Day cookies - basically oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with red and blue M&M candies mixed into the batter. All of my British friends have agreed to eat them, but they don't know about the secret plan the other Yanks and I have formed to eat said cookies while pelting the others with used tea bags. Team America, f*ck yeah!
Showing posts with label Americans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Americans. Show all posts
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
What is America?
McDonald's is currently running an ad campaign here in the UK advertising the "Great Taste of America" featuring five different American cities. They've covered Miami and Chicago - I'm still waiting for LA.
The commercials show the following:
Oh, and another thing Americans are famous for? Obesity. I think it's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black since the UK is the fattest country in Europe. Their defense? At least we're not as fat as the Americans. Touche.
I think I also thoroughly confused a South African girl in my office when I told her I didn't like "frankfurters." She sputtered, "But Americans love hot dogs!" To be honest, I don't think she believes that I don't like frankies.
The commercials show the following:
- American footballers
- The cast of Baywatch
- Monster trucks
- A marching band
- Showgirls
- A drop top convertible with some major hydraulics
Oh, and another thing Americans are famous for? Obesity. I think it's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black since the UK is the fattest country in Europe. Their defense? At least we're not as fat as the Americans. Touche.
I think I also thoroughly confused a South African girl in my office when I told her I didn't like "frankfurters." She sputtered, "But Americans love hot dogs!" To be honest, I don't think she believes that I don't like frankies.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!
Not that I believe in the holiday or anything, but it's nice to hope that everyone has a little extra love in their life today. J and I are not celebrating, since I think it's kind of a fake holiday requiring poor guys to shell out for overpriced flowers and chocolate. Besides, every day is a bit like Valentine's with J (you can stop gagging now). Our big Valentine's Day plans are to eat chili and watch Glee re-runs at home. Besides, we covered the basics - J bought me flowers on Friday and I baked him chocolate brownies last night. =)
I haven't been really good about blogging lately because there just isn't that much going on right now. The weather is still cold and gray, and I'm still prepping for my half-marathon coming up in 3 weeks (eek!). I'm running about 5-6 miles a day now, and I'm happy to report that I have not gotten crapped on by any birds lately. Thank God for small blessings.
We did go to a party last Friday that was thrown by J's group at work. I was dreading it a bit - I wasn't quite sure what to wear, and how much fun could a bunch of lawyers in a room could be? Turns out, a lot! No one really talked about work (thank goodness), and everyone turned out to be American expats.
Pretty much everyone's married, and none of the lawyers' wives work. That was pretty awesome, because I hate going to parties where I'm the only wife that's not working. The conversation inevitably turns to Hollywood gossip, because the others figure that's about as much as my pea-sized brain can handle. Not so this time - we're all unemployed, yay! I was a bit surprised that I'm the one who probably works the most, and it's only as a contract attorney. Which makes me very curious as to what they do most of the time... I suppose I may find out this weekend, since they suggested getting together for drinks sometime this week.
I haven't been really good about blogging lately because there just isn't that much going on right now. The weather is still cold and gray, and I'm still prepping for my half-marathon coming up in 3 weeks (eek!). I'm running about 5-6 miles a day now, and I'm happy to report that I have not gotten crapped on by any birds lately. Thank God for small blessings.
We did go to a party last Friday that was thrown by J's group at work. I was dreading it a bit - I wasn't quite sure what to wear, and how much fun could a bunch of lawyers in a room could be? Turns out, a lot! No one really talked about work (thank goodness), and everyone turned out to be American expats.
Pretty much everyone's married, and none of the lawyers' wives work. That was pretty awesome, because I hate going to parties where I'm the only wife that's not working. The conversation inevitably turns to Hollywood gossip, because the others figure that's about as much as my pea-sized brain can handle. Not so this time - we're all unemployed, yay! I was a bit surprised that I'm the one who probably works the most, and it's only as a contract attorney. Which makes me very curious as to what they do most of the time... I suppose I may find out this weekend, since they suggested getting together for drinks sometime this week.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Proud American... Or Not?
J and I were hanging out at the lounge area Heathrow Airport the other day, and a younger woman sat down next to us and started a conversation with the Swedish/ British family sitting across from us. Let's call her Sandy for our purposes.
Apparently, Sandy's original flight had been cancelled, and she was now at the airport a bit early in hopes of catching her rescheduled flight. She wasn't quite sure how to figure out which gate her flight boarded at, and the mother of the family kindly informed her that the gate assignment would be posted on the digital board. To which Sandy responded, "Oh, okay. Forget it, I'll just ask someone." Why ask?
Sandy took the opportunity to continue the conversation, and in doing so, embarrassed all Americans everywhere. But I will confess that I inwardly prayed that the Swedish family would mistake her for a Canadian. Hey, it could happen.
The conversation went something like this:
Sandy: So where are you guys going?
Mother: Copenhagen.
Sandy: Oh... I don't know where that is.
Mother: It's in Denmark.
Sandy: Wait, is that Dutchland?
Mother: Um. No. And where are you headed?
Sandy: I'm going to America.
(Last time I checked, America was a continent. Cringe.)
Awkward silence.
Sandy: What language are you talking to your kids in?
Mother: Swedish and English.
Sandy: How do they know which language to use?
Mother: They can usually figure it out.
We didn't want to overhear them talking, but J and I couldn't block out the sound of ignorance betraying itself over and over again as the conversation progressed. It was only the second time I've been embarrassed to be an American. (The first time was when we were standing in the queue for Edinburgh Castle, and a rather large American couple standing behind us complained loudly about the small size of the the ice cream cones and expressed wonder at how the locals were so thin. Hint: It may have something to do with those ice cream cones.)
I don't travel with a cover for my passport, and I don't try to adopt a faux British accent. Like Popeye said, "I yam what I yam." I like being an American, and I don't see any percentage in trying to erase or hide it. But just this once, it sure would've been nice to be a Canadian, eh?
Apparently, Sandy's original flight had been cancelled, and she was now at the airport a bit early in hopes of catching her rescheduled flight. She wasn't quite sure how to figure out which gate her flight boarded at, and the mother of the family kindly informed her that the gate assignment would be posted on the digital board. To which Sandy responded, "Oh, okay. Forget it, I'll just ask someone." Why ask?
Sandy took the opportunity to continue the conversation, and in doing so, embarrassed all Americans everywhere. But I will confess that I inwardly prayed that the Swedish family would mistake her for a Canadian. Hey, it could happen.
The conversation went something like this:
Sandy: So where are you guys going?
Mother: Copenhagen.
Sandy: Oh... I don't know where that is.
Mother: It's in Denmark.
Sandy: Wait, is that Dutchland?
Mother: Um. No. And where are you headed?
Sandy: I'm going to America.
(Last time I checked, America was a continent. Cringe.)
Awkward silence.
Sandy: What language are you talking to your kids in?
Mother: Swedish and English.
Sandy: How do they know which language to use?
Mother: They can usually figure it out.
We didn't want to overhear them talking, but J and I couldn't block out the sound of ignorance betraying itself over and over again as the conversation progressed. It was only the second time I've been embarrassed to be an American. (The first time was when we were standing in the queue for Edinburgh Castle, and a rather large American couple standing behind us complained loudly about the small size of the the ice cream cones and expressed wonder at how the locals were so thin. Hint: It may have something to do with those ice cream cones.)
I don't travel with a cover for my passport, and I don't try to adopt a faux British accent. Like Popeye said, "I yam what I yam." I like being an American, and I don't see any percentage in trying to erase or hide it. But just this once, it sure would've been nice to be a Canadian, eh?
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