FOODIE FRIDAY AND WEEK AHEAD!

HAPPY PASSOVER!

Last night marked the first night of Passover.

Passover is a very important Jewish holiday that celebrates our Exodus from slavery in Egypt and gives thanks to God for protecting us from persecution then and always.  In recent years, Passover also reminds us to think about other people (Jews and non-Jews) who are still unable to celebrate freedom and encourages us to combat tyranny where we may find it.

President Obama gives us a shout out...

In brief . . . We were persecuted as slaves, now we're free, praise God, let's eat & drink!

Initially Kieran and I were going to have a quiet seder at home, but I started thinking about it and decided to invite our friends with young child.  Passover just doesn't seem as fun without a little one.  And I also didn't feel like "finding" the Afikoman that I hid myself.

It was a very successful and fun Seder!  Our (nearly) three-year-old guest was very active in the Seder which was so cute I could have vomited.  She raised her sippy cup of juice when we blessed the 4 cups of wine, she dipped her parsley in the salt water and ate it (then promptly spit it out and looked at us like we were crazy), she found the Afikoman (I still owe her a quid for that), and she "opened the door for Elijah" then stood out in the hallway looking for him.

Passover is my favorite Jewish holiday because it's a time to share a delicious meal with loved ones and tell the time-honored story of our people.  The smell of the sweet red wine and pickled horseraddish reminds me of all the different and memorable Seders I've been to over the years.  Having a little one at the Seder table this year got me thinking about future Seders--our own little ones at the table eating Matzah ball soup and reading the story of Passover.  Even though Kieran isn't Jewish, he has always supported and happily participated in my traditions.  We have decided not to raise future children in one particular religion, but I always envisioned giving these Jewish holiday memories to my children and offering them the opportunity to learn about it if they were interested.  It will likely be another 5-10 years before we're at that stage in our lives, but it makes me smile to think about it.

Four cups of wine and a three-course dinner (four courses if you eat Gefilte fish...nom nom nom)--that's the easy part of Passover. Now the challenging part begins.  I can't eat anything that resembles bread, pasta, or cake.  I can't eat anthing with yeast in it (yes this includes beer!) or any food item that has a "leavening agent" in it.  When our Jewish ancestors fled from slavery in Egypt, they left in such a hurry that they did not have time to let their bread rise.  We now commemorate this by abstaining from leavened bread and other products for the next week ahead.

In it's place, we have this...

It's only been a day and I'm already sick of you SOURCE

This is Matzah.  It's exactly what it looks like--a big tasteless cracker.  Make sure you eat this with laxatives because it tends to bind in your colon like cement.  No lie.  Eat at your own risk.

It's not all bad, we now have leftovers for the next few days like Thanksgiving's Jewish counterpart.

Wishing all my Jewish friends and family a very happy Passover and thanks to all the non-Jews who have participated in Seders with us (we love you for it!) !

Next year in Jerusalem!

SOURCE

<3  Amanda

Springtime Changes!

Whoa, where did April come from?!
Springtime is certainly upon us and with it has brought some personal changes.

In January I started a new job which has kept me really really really busy with my 2-month-long induction. I've finally completed my official induction programme now which means I'm off on my own (eeek!).  This new job is really a much-needed career change for me which is already affecting my life in positive ways.  I'm really excited about it and can't wait to see where it takes me!

I've finally committed to kick-starting my personal fitness.  After avoiding anything sweat-inducing since our wedding, I eventually got tired of being tired and slightly blubbery and decided to take control.  I've set my sights on  Triathlon training.  Specifically I'm training for a Sprint Distance Triathlon in the fall which includes a 750m Swim, 20km (12.5 mi) Bike, and 5k (3.2 mi) Run.
I'm slightly scared shitless at the prospect of it, but I've been taking one thing at a time.  My first goal was to learn how to swim properly as my last swim lesson was at the age of 7 and therefore I still swim like a 7 year old (picture an injured fish...lifeguards don't know whether I'm joking or drowning). I just finished a 5 week swim lesson class and am feeling more confident!  Plus I met some seasoned triathletes willing to help me with my training!
Next thing is to get my bike in working order...starting with that flattened back tyre :-)
I'm hoping by posting this on a public forum, it will keep me honest.  I'll keep you guys posted on my training progress!  I've noticed that other bloggers are inspired by the Springtime weather and embarking on their own fitness goals--let's swap notes!

Yeahh...not quite there yet.  I'm working on it.  SOURCE

A week from today will be our first wedding anniversary!  I can't believe it.  Where has the time gone?  Don't worry I'll be posting a sufficiently sappy post next week to commemorate our milestone.  For now I'll just tease you with this-- I've purchased an anniversary gift for my hubby which either makes me the best wife ever or the worst (and slightly crazy).  I'll let you know next week when I get his reaction! :-)

This time next week I'll also be packing for a week-long visit to Maryland/D.C. and New York!  It's the first time I've been home since Thanksgiving.  Really looking forward to it, although my Canadian bestie won't be there :-(  Maryland has been on my mind ever since that Head & Shoulders Shampoo commercial featuring Michael Phelps launched.  Ahhh...the Olympics are a'comin'!

Bye for now!
Amanda

Hump Day History!

Source

"Glory, glory, Man United . . . And the reds go marching on, on, on!" 

Last Saturday I was fortunate to experience my first professional football game, starring the hubby's favorite team.  We (I mean Kieran's mate who generously volunteered himself to drive) made the 5 hour trek to Manchester early in the morning and travelled back the same way late that night.  The whole thing was a bit of a blur, but overall a great experience.   Some interesting differences I noticed to American sporting events I've been to...

1) No booze allowed in the stadium.  WHAT.  How do you enjoy sports without a cheap plastic cup of Budweiser in your hand?

2) Due to issue #1 stated above, you're more likely to see fans holding cups of tea.

3) No vendors selling food, drink, or merchandise in the stands.  Oh well, I always found them distracting anyways.

4) Betting agents stationed outside the stadium door helping you empty your wallet in hopes of winning some bets on the sporting event.

5) So much singing!!  They had people selling Man United songbooks outside the stadium.  It was brilliant.

6) Not as much unnecessary merchandise (i.e. foam fingers, blow-up bats, beer hats/helmets) on sale.  


However, I did find the abundance of junk food and post-game traffic to be similar to what I'm used to!


In addition to the new cultural things I learned and experienced, I also found out that Manchester United's home stadium--Old Trafford--has an abundance of history, too.  Next month, Old Trafford will turn 102 years old.  However, the team itself goes even further back, to the 1870s!


Man United's story began in 1878 by employees of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company wishing to form a recreational football club.  Thus, New Heath LYR was started.  In 1902 the club was saved from near bankruptcy and re-named Manchester United Football Club.


The club has come back so many times from adversity and near destruction. It survived early financial problems and poor public opinion.  It was all but destroyed by German bombs in May 1941.  In 1958 a horrendous plane crashed killed most of their star players and critically injured the manager at the time.  You have to commend the spirit of the team and the fans that kept them going all these years.  


Like me, you might not be the biggest sports fan ever--but everyone can enjoy a good game atmosphere and an interesting back story helps, too!

The massive hot dog--an international sporting event tradition

Nothing is happening yet

Stretch it out, boys!

Goodnight, Old Trafford.  Thanks for a great day!

Laters!
xxxxx

Worthing News Flash

Here's what's happening in my neck of the woods...

I guess I can no longer complain that nothing interesting ever happens in Worthing, West Sussex--this morning they found a dead body near the pier!

My co-workers and I knew something was up when we heard the pier was roped off and cops were everywhere.  Not long after, the local paper (the Worthing Herald) reported that a 54 year old local man was found dead on the beach this morning between the pier and the lido.

Crazy stuff for an otherwise calm seaside town.  My heart goes out to the gentleman's family and friends.

Hope the news has some more cheerful things to report tomorrow.


Amanda

Hump Day History!

Show me the money!

11 January 1596 marked the first state lottery to be introduced in England. Lots were sold the the public at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.  The state-funded "national lottery" in England continued until 1826 when the government decided it was immoral and perpetuated poverty.  The state-franchised lottery we know today was established in the 1990s and although it was established by the government, it is privately operated by the Camelot Group.

What would you do if you won a chunk of the cash??

Top 5 things I would spend major lottery winnings on:

1.  Help our families pay off any debt/mortgages/student loans/medical bills
2.  Buy a few houses outright--a few in the US, UK, and in a few holiday destinations.  Rent out the properties when we're not living in them
3.  Quit our jobs and go on a holiday!
4.  Give our family and closest friends whatever money they needed
5.  Donate to charities that mean a lot to us and become more involved with charity efforts

The rest would go in the bank and we'd live on the interest and the money we get from renting out our properties.


Ahhh, that'd be the life.  It might help if we actually played the lottery. 
Until then, I'd better get some sleep for work tomorrow! 

xoxo
Amanda

Fresh Start for 2012

I'm back!!  No good reason for my absence besides general winter malaise and laziness.  Sorry, folks.  I'm gonna be better in 2012!

Winter is cold, dark, grey, and sometimes rainy here in the UK which is a recipe for general blah-ness.  I wake up and it's dark and when I leave work it's dark again.   Thank God for windows at my office or I'd get no sun!  I turned to the husband today and said with desperation, "is it Spring yet?!?!"

Even so, I do like the idea of January--the new year.  A chance to make changes you were too scared or lazy to do just months before.  A perfect opportunity to leave the regrets and bad memories of the previous year behind you in the dust.  A time to reflect on all the positive memories and achievements you've made but were too busy keeping up with life to notice at the time.

2011 was a crazy year!  I started 2011 in Worthing (visiting Kieran and his family last Christmas) with Kieran and our UK friends ended it just the same, but perhaps a bit drunker this year.  In between I . . .

• Went to an amazing gig I always wanted to (DC101 Kegs & Eggs 12)
• Planned a wedding
• Married my dream man--the Ken to my Barbie...except not as skinny and wearing sweatpants
• Sold and/or gave away all my possessions except for 2 suitcases and a box
• Said painful goodbyes to the people I loved the most and to the place where I grew up
• Immigrated to a new country
• Lived in my first place in the UK...and then moved 6 months later with all our new (and heavy) possessions.  FML
• Adapted to driving on the left side of the road (not quite ready for manual cars yet, though)
• Came back to DC in November and had the best Thanksgiving I've had in years!
• Despite challenges early on, found success with new and exciting career opportunities
• Made new friends and nurtured relationships with old friends
• Fell in love with being a wife, with a country, and with my new sense of "normal"

The other day I was Skyping with my mom and she said, "people always ask me how you like living in another country and I never know what to tell them."  Sometimes I forget I'm living in a different country when I'm concentrating on boring things like work, domestic stuff, bills, etc.  I guess that must mean I'm settling in better than I thought I would!  

It's been a wild and mostly cheerful 12 months (though I admit I've had a few pity parties where I'm the only attendee) and I've learned a lot about myself and my ability to adapt to new things. I'm really excited to see what 2012 has in store for us!  There's already a few items on the agenda, including a Caribbean wedding (and belated honeymoon!), Passover and Thanksgiving in DC, a new job for me, and at least 2 other weddings to be scheduled.

Yesterday also marked 9 months since we got married--hard to believe!  We also finally received our professional wedding pictures today!  It makes me smile to look at the pictures, it was such a happy day with everyone we love around us.  I think we clean up nice, eh?

 

I have to go, The Grudge is on TV and Kieran has turned out the lights and making scary sounds to freak me out.  Ohhh just a normal weeknight at home! <3

Thanks for your patience as I prepared my re-entry to the blogosphere.  Hope you'll continue to check my blog for 2012 updates.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year to come!  What are your wishes for 2012?

Amanda

FOODIE FRIDAY!

Sometimes a girl just needs an American pancake...

This joy brought to you by my parents who so graciously brought a box of Bisquick with them on their September visit!  Yum yum!

Sometimes presentation is everything:

 The hubby made some "cheesy straws" with a little artistic license!  <3



As promised, last weekend was brilliant!  We took the rental car for a spin--visting the Weald and Downlands Open Air Museum on Saturday and Littlehampton harbour on Sunday.

Vroom, Vroom!

Why do my pics keep coming up sideways on this blog?? hmmm....This is when some IT savvy would be helpful

Unfortunately the weather has taken a turn.  I can't believe that a week ago I was wearing a cute sun dress and today I bought a winter jacket!

We've gone from this:

To this:

Source: Daily Mail ---This was Scotland yesterday, no joke!!

brrrr!!

This weekend is for doing nothing (AKA "fuck all" as the Brits say).  Aside from laundry, of course.  I examined our new washing machine today to find horrible red/brown gunk in the detergent tray.  I screamed and then gagged.  Nothing a little Fairy Liquid and bleach can't help.  Glad to have seen it before cleaning my clothes in it!!!  bleechhh.  Anyways I'm looking forward to a cozy weekend!

Later!
Amanda xxx

Sizzling September!

Dear readers I am quite late in my updates.  As you may know, we've just moved house, albeit only a 45 second walk from our old place.  I've barely had the time to stock my kitchen cupboards with food in all the kerfuffle (poor hubby and I have been living on ready-meals, takeaways, and meals cooked by kind friends/family) and our internet situation is no good due to Virgin Media being a douche at the moment.  I'm currently making do by using my iPhone as a "personal hotspot" but I'm trying not to make a habit of it as I'm sure the "fair use" internet enforcers will probably not be happy with me.

Last weekend we packed like mad and I discovered I had gotten carried away when, on Monday morning before work, I fancied some toast and coffee only to find I had already packed the toaster and kettle. It was hard to believe that that just four months earlier I arrived with only two suitcases and a box with all my worldly posessions.  Suddenly I had a two bedroom flat with furniture to move.  Thank goodness Kieran took charge with the dis-assembly and re-assembly of the furniture cause I didn't have a clue.  Even more fortunate was the army of friends and family who helped us all afternoon/evening to transport our stuff.  Amazing help, definitely made the process go faster. 

Despite our current issues with Virgin Media causing us to rely on iPhone hotspot tricks and subsisting on Freeview TV (not so bad, I still get to catch Eastenders and Come Dine With Me), things are starting to get back to normal.  Both of us love the new place and are excited about putting our personal style in it (once we unpack everything, of course). 

On a different note, I've been griping all summer long about England's apparently lack of summer weather.  Suddenly we're due for a heat wave at long last!  Looks like we'll be getting that Indian Summer that has been predicted.  Better late than never, eh?  It happens to be quite good timing for us, as I booked a rental car this weekend so the hubby and I can take some fun day trips as a little "stay-cation." Looks like we'll have the right weather for adventure and photo ops! 

Next week I get my first paycheck! I can't believe next week will be a whole month since I started my new job, it's flown by!  Incidently, next week will be our 6 month wedding anniversary.  Dang, we've made it further than most celebrity couples!  Given my paycheck and some important milestones, we have good reason to celebrate! 

I'll leave you with some pics from the last few weeks...

The Worthing Mayor (in yellow) giving a pep talk to the Alzheimer's Society volunteers before our charity walk

This dog supports the Alzheimer's Society in style

Most amazing sunset I've ever seen in Worthing on an evening jog

Kieran and I used to sit on these rocks when I would come visit and talk about the future and feel bad for ourselves about having to say goodbye again.  Now we live just a few miles from this very spot! <3

 

Moving the last bits out of our old place :-(

A new place to rest my head :-)

Ta ta for now, readers!  Those of you in the British Isles, enjoy this lovely weather while it lasts!

Love,
A xoxox

FOODIE FRIDAY!

Yay! The weekend is here!

What better way to thank your new colleagues for their help in your first week than home baked cookies?!

My original plan was oatmeal chocolate chip (my fave!) but for some reason I couldn't find a single chocolate chip in my whole town, so I went with M&Ms instead.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups of dried oats
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or M&Ms!)

Directions

1. Mix the butter, sugar and brown sugar together until smooth. 
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla. 
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture.
4. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart ontogreased  baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 Degrees Celsius) for 11-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

 For a final sweet touch, I added a bit of golden ribbon and personal "thank you" notes for my new team-mates

I hope my efforts in the kitchen gave the recipients a nice boost before the weekend!  Try out the recipe to welcome in a sweet weekend yourself!

Bon apetit!

 

I hope to get some R&R this weekend but my "to do" list is about a mile long already, including a charity walk for the Alzheimer's Society, collecting boxes for moving, a laundry pile nearly to the ceiling, booking our Thanksgiving flights (ow, my bank account), renewing my Maryland social work license (ow, my bank account again), and hopefully some Skype calls to my besties to catch up.

 ta ta!

 

Amanda xoxo 

UK Employment

Hey, everyone!

I hope you are having a good week so far.  I just finished my 5th day of work (woot woot), hopefully the first week of many :-)

I thought I'd take an opportunity to point out some key differences I've noticed in being a worker in the UK.  Obviously some are specific to my company, but still a comparison to what I'm used to!

• Colleagues offer you tea and coffee constantly.  Literally, I get offered a cuppa about 5 or 6 times a day.

• The tax forms are call P46 or P45 instead of the W-2.  Still the same necessary evil, though.
• Background checks are called CRBs and I will be happy if I never have to fill another CRB form out again
• I get an hour for lunch.  Literally 60 minutes.  Not 20 minutes to inhale a sandwich at my desk whilst I continue to work.  Not 30 minutes "in theory" but getting disapproving looks from colleagues when I try to use it.
   In fact, co-workers will remind me when it's time to take lunch and won't let me skip!  60 minutes!  Once this week I even walked home and did dishes on my lunch break.  Brilliant!  Okay I am seriously too excited about my lunch break, moving on...

• No health insurance issues with picking plans that will inevitably lead to headaches and financial doom
• Home care visits are called "calls" and work schedules are called "rotas." Cute
• You sign emails with "kind regards"  Still sounds too formal to me

Anything else you expat workers have noticed?  

 

FOODIE FRIDAY!

Summer may be winding down, but there's still time for some homemade Pimm's.

For you non-natives, Pimm's is a refreshing summer beverage which is often referred to as the British Sangria. 

source

One part PIMM'S no1
Three parts Lemonade (AKA Sprite)
Add fruit, mint, and cucumber
Kick back and enjoy the last delicious sips of summertime!

HUMP DAY HISTORY!

Hi there!

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the places we visited when my parents were in town was Rye, East Sussex.  What a remarkable place!  The town feels like it's been frozen in time, as it boasts having the oldest and most original landmarks/buildings of any other British town.  I'm not sure if that's true, but it certainly felt like it.  Rye was titled "Rye Royal" by Queen Elizabeth I after her 1573 visit.
A tiny village, you could easily drive right past in a blink of an eye.  But tucked away on the cobblestone paths are historical treasures!

(I tried to upload my own pics but the blogspot picture uploader thingie keeps turning my pics sideways for some reason)

St. Mary's Church



source

The magnificent church has stood atop the hill of Rye for more than 900 years.  Unfortunately the church was ransacked by French invaders in 1377.  In addition to setting the building on fire and doing extensive damage to its structure, the cheeky French enemy absconded with the church's bells to add insult to injury.  A year later, a group of men from Rye sent a message that they would not be defeated--they stormed into Normandy, set fire to two towns, and took back their stolen loot, including the bell!  The bell is still housed in the church today.
This historic church also boasts one of the oldest working church turret clocks in the country, with a large pendulum that swings in the church hall.

Rye Castles/Ypres Tower

The castle and tower were built in 1249 after permission was give by King Henry III to build a defence against the French invasions at the time.  The tower has had many roles over the years--a fortification to protect the town, a private dwelling, a prison ,and a mortuary. It is the oldest building--except for St Mary's church--open to the public in Rye.

source

Famous people connected to Rye

Rye has produced the works of many fiction writers including Conrad and Joan Aiken, Malcolm Saville, Henry James, and E.F. Benson.  Other notable residents include former Doctor Who actor Tom Baker, Sir Paul McCartney (whose children attended school in Rye), and reportedly the ancestors of Bob Marley. 

I highly recommend if you're in the Sussex area (if not, you should plan to be!) to check out Rye.  You won't be disappointed!

My first day of work is tomorrow, eeek!  I'm mostly excited but obviously a little nervous.  It's like the first day of school except more responsibility, a paycheck, and no homework.  It always happens that when the Universe delivers me a job, then the offers start pouring in.  So now I've had two interview invitations this month that I have to decide if I'm gonna take.  I'll let you know how it goes!

source

Naughty blogger!

Goodness gracious, forgive me for my absence!

Last week my parents were in town and there was so much going on I barely had a moment to nap, let alone sneak away with my lappy to blog.  My apologies!

My parents decided to come a day earlier than scheduled to avoid delays that Hurricane Irene inevitably caused in the DC area.  It seemed like a good idea at the time, but we were doubting its value when their flight was 12 HOURS LATE because of an unexpected stop in Iceland due to mechanical problems.  I find it ironic that I've made the DC to London trip many many times and have only been inconvenienced by lost luggage, screaming babies, malfunctioning entertainment units, and cramped seats.  But my parents, who only got passports in 2007 to visit me in London, and who are quite content with their yearly vacation on the Eastern MD shore, traveled to London Heathrow via Iceland.  I'm impressed, that's one passport stamp I don't have!

We had a lovely week together and were lucky to get decent weather.  It's been 90-100 degrees F in the DC area this summer so Sussex was positively freezing in comparison to them!  I was just glad we didn't get too much rain, as it's been pissing it down ever since they left!

On our itinerary was Sunny Worthing (and surrounding neighborhoods), Brighton, Arundel, and Rye.  We had a lovely BBQ at the in-laws', went antiquing in Arundel, saw The Lanes, Museum, and Royal Pavillion of Brighton (and got donuts on the pier...nom nom), walked and cycled around Worthing and saw the museum (yea my mom likes museums, she's a history nerd), saw "That'll Be the Day," a rock-n-roll revival show in Worthing, saw a Bank Holiday Weekend parade along the seafront, and took an incredible trip to Rye (Eastern side of East Sussex).  Plus, I had fun cooking for everyone and showing off my culinary skills to the man who showed me the way! 
Cheers to the hubby for taking the week off from work and renting a car so we could see all that and more!  It was great fun.

I sure hope they had a fun visit and will come back again so we can explore more of England together!  It was sad to say goodbye, but it won't be long before Thanksgiving will be here and I'll be there! 

EXCITING NEWS!

Last week I had an interview with a nearby domiciliary care/home care agency and it went very well.  On Friday I got the call that they wanted me to start ASAP!  I thought my eyeballs were gonna pop out of my head from excitement.  I'M AN EMPLOYED PERSON IN THE U.K.  This has been the missing puzzle piece in my settlement here and I'm so chuffed that things are falling into place.

The 411 on the job:

• Domiciliary/Home Care agency providing care and support to older and disabled adults in the community out of their own homes
• My role is a team leader/manager who will support and supervise the direct care workers and work with the local community residents and health/social care agencies to develop new referrals/business
• 5 MINUTE WALK FROM OUR FLAT.  Amazing! 
• That's all I know right now, I'm sure it will develop as the weeks go on!

I'm so chuffed, I start Thursday!  I'm nervous, y'all!  I left my last job in March to finish planning my wedding and deal with all the immigration stuff, I am SO READY to get back to work, but just anxious to find my place and settle in.  It's always a bit weird starting in a new place, I guess.

In other news, things are coming together with our new flat, we have a moving date now (3 weeks, eek!  Gotta find boxes!).  I'm pleased that we won't be going far, it's literally right next door to where we are now.  I just hate the process of moving, it's a pain in the ass.  But we'll get through it!

Suddenly last Sunday I had this feeling like things were finally settling in.  Since I moved to England and have struggled to find a job and find my place here, I always felt like I was just living in my husband's world sometimes.  Like I was just visiting.  But now I feel like I'm developing my own life, schedule, friends, goals, etc here and it feels good.  I suddenly feel kind of grown up for the first time ever.  That's weird to say.  But it's fun, I'm so excited to see where the next few months takes me and takes us as a couple! 

As always, thanks for reading. 

Amanda <3