Let's face it. They are awkward, especially at work. I'm in the stall and you are in the stall and we are taking care of some business. It's really not the time to talk about wiring money or the weather. I just want to get in and out as quickly as possible. However, there are some circumstances when I think it is appropriate or I can at least handle it.
1. If we are family, it's totally okay.
2. If we are like family, it's totally okay.
3. If 1 and 2 don't apply, then I will tolerate your asking for toilet paper because your stall is out. Other than that, leave me alone until we are both finished taking care of said business. Thanks.
Bathroom Conversations
Cross-cultural game night
My small group got together last night to play some games and catch up. We had three Romanians, three Brits, two Americans and a Jamaican. Out of the selection of games we decided to play Articulate, which is a lot like Catchphrase. I never thought we really had a language barrier in our group, but it was evident last night. After playing for about two minutes we decided we had to split the nationalities among the teams, but now that I think about it, we probably should have grouped our teams by nationality. Because of the cultural differences, even the native English speakers were having trouble communicating ideas. We did more laughing than actually playing.
Their lives are so empty
Today I was at a belly dancing class (don't ask) and the teacher was explaining that the veils we were dancing with could be used as an invitation for a one night stand. She said if you drape it on a man's head, it means you want him to go home with you. The ladies in my class all started making jokes about needing seven of them so they could line up the week. Then they started discussing recent nights out. "We probably won't be allowed in there again." "Wow, that must have been a really good night." I was so sad for these ladies. They are well into their forties and fifties and they are still living like sorority party girls. How empty must your life be to act like this? My heart just broke for them.
Old guy in #10
So I live in this building that is all one bedroom flats. There are two really old people who live on the fourth floor. We don't have an elevator. So anyway, old guy always talks to me when I see him. When I first got here I couldn't understand a word he said, but now I can at least get the gist of what he is saying. The other day I was on my way out to go meet someone for a walk. Old guy is coming up the stairs with his walker so I politely wait until he gets up before I go down. When he gets to the top he starts telling me about how much trouble it is to get up the stairs with the walker. He didn't have it before. So, me being the genius that I am, I ask what happened. I was trapped at the top of those stairs for at least 15 minutes. I eventually told him that I hoped he got better and I had to meet someone. I made a small dash for the stairs and heard him still talking when I got to the bottom. I learned my lesson. When you see old guy coming, keep your head down and walk fast.
Culture Shock
I think it has finally set in. I hate going to the grocery store all the time. I hate not being able to drive myself wherever I want to go. I hate that I have mold to clean from around my windows every three weeks. I hate that mushrooms grow out of my carpet. I hate that I can't plug things in in the bathroom. I hate that everything is ridiculously expensive here. I hate that Britain is obsessed with America. I hate British accents. I hate the food. I hate the weather. I hate not being near my family and friends. I hate my flat. I hate stairs. I hate tears.
Pray for me.
Egypt pictures
Okay, so I decided I'm too lazy to really write about my trip. If you want to see more pictures, here's the link to where I posted them.
Egypt Album
Al Humdullalleh.
Walking Like an Egyptian
I had an amazing week in Egypt! It was a much needed and very refreshing vacation. There is so much to talk about that I will probably do a couple of different posts.
Here is me at the bottom of the Great Pyramid. I can't believe how big each stone is!
More to come!
Ashley
Six months already?
So I have now officially lived in this country for six months. How crazy is that? The other day someone asked me for directions and I knew the answer. I felt like I had arrived, to say the least.
Today I was realising that the more time goes on, the more I seem to think that England is like America. When I first got here everything seemed so different. I felt so lost culturally and literally. I guess the more I adjust to living here and the less I remember about being home, the more that will happen.
There are a lot of things that I have decided I really like about being here. There are several things I think will be even harder to adjust back to in America. I love that everyone walks everywhere. I like that people try to be green and recycle. I like people aren't obligated to make small talk in the post office line. I love that they don't tear down the old buildings to build new ones. They just refurbish the old ones and it looks lovely. I love the selection of cheese and chocolate. You would think we are really close to France or something. Sometimes I just feel like it is easier to be myself here. Maybe I should have been born a Brit.
The picture is of me in Cambridge last weekend. It was really a cute little town and it was a beautiful day.
List for Today....
Fun British Vocabulary Words
I have recently learned some fun words and I wanted to share them with you.
Bin: to throw away
Please bin your gum when you are finished with it.
Blag: to BS
I blagged my way backstage at the concert.
Knackered: completely and utterly worn out
After my 10 mile run I was knackered.
Pants: underwear, also to be terrible at something
I am pants as speaking with a British accent.
Rubbish: trash, also to be terrible at something, also to be untrue
When Bob told me he won a million pounds, I thought it was rubbish.
Vest: undershirt
I bought some new vests because my old ones had pit stains.
Waistcoat: vest
I never thought waistcoats would come back into fashion.
I hope you enjoyed today's edition of British Vocab Fun!
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