Congratulations on your engagement!

Wish we were there with you and the rest of the Dog Group, Katie, so we could celebrate with you!

Hair of the Dog

James is going to regale you with tales of our travels in France; so I won't mention the Fr-word again and I'll stick to an entirely different topic... I'm thinking dog hair.

It seems that the longer we're away from America, the more intense the homesickness (not quite the right word) is becoming... and the odder the things that trigger those feelings! Take the dog hair. It was so annoying to find a black Remy-hair on a clean white shirt (according to James) or stuck fast between the S and the D keys on my laptop. Let's not mention the rogue hairs that collected in really gross places like the bottom shelf in the freezer door or under the soap dish in the spare bathroom... Yeah, let's not.

Instead, let's talk about poo-bags. (Because British people don't say 'poop.') It was so frustrating to find those scrunched-up little pink bags in every single pocket of every single jacket, bag or pair of jeans I owned. We'd go to Vegas and so would sixty-six (new) poo-bags -- one in every handbag, backpack, jeans pocket, plus fifty more in the boot/trunk of the car. Someone would open a car door at the side of the road on the way to Estes, and a gazillion little pink bags would float out into the wilderness. We'd find them stuffed down behind the washing machine, folded into tiny squares and stuck under the coin dish, tied to our keyrings. Everywhere.

Now I can actually get sentimental over a scrumpled-up (clean) poo-bag -- one that mysteriously ends up on a dressing table in a hotel room in France. Or a Remy-hair inside a shoe; a pair I bought in London only three weeks ago. I miss that dog, but I suspect I'm focusing all my homesickness and missing-ness (missickness?) on him, in an effort of wimpy self-preservation. Gosh, if I can cry at the sight of a (unused) poo-bag, imagine what else might set me off...

We are happy here; I'm happy here. I'm so very grateful for a job I really love and have learned so much from already, and the most incredible scenery right on our doorstep. I just miss the poo-bags; the nasty little dog hairs; our church; our friends; more incredible scenery; the best dog in the world... and not neccesarily in that order!

***A little disclaimer: all bags that escaped with the wind were dutifully chased after and stuffed back into the car -- or a pocket, or a bag. Perhaps that's why they were so very everywhere. ***

Creatures of the Night

A couple of nights ago James jumped out of bed at about 3am, and couldn't find the light switch. That was the first clue that he was still half asleep -- he was searching all over the wall for the switch, which is actually on a different wall... I asked him what he was doing, and he just got madder. When I finally managed to tell him where it was, he turned the light on, then off, and got back into bed... I asked him what was wrong, and he grumpily told me "nothing." So, the next morning I reminded him about it and he explained that he had "woken up" to see a lobster (!?!) crawl out from under my pillow and head towards his. It wasn't until he turned the light on that he'd realised he'd been dreaming it. The funny thing... the lobster was RED! Cooked and ready to eat! (But according to James, still really scary...)

We didn't end up doing anything this weekend that we'd planned to do -- in fact, we didn't even Hash today. Yesterday we went to Ho8 -- the underground hospital -- which is a museum now but was built by slave labour during the German Occupation for use as a hospital. In the end it was never used for its intended purpose. You follow an exhibit that winds through the tunnels (no tour guides; just wander along by yourself -- in parts it's pretty creepy!) and it's all set out in chronological order, starting with an overview of the war, and then the Occupation itself (which lasted five years), right through to Liberation Day and beyond. Definitely was worth a visit, and although James had been before, he found it really interesting, too.

And today... not much. We watched the Grand Prix this morning until it was rained off, and this afternoon went to James's parents for Sunday lunch. So now I am full and sleepy, and need a nap.

Taking a Break

We might need to take a break from the blog for a while, because:

(From the Jersey Evening Post)

Jersey internet bloggers will in future have to be licensed because of previously overlooked regulations imposed by the Island's Telecommunications Law. The law says that noone may disseminate comment, opinion or any contentious material electronically without sanction from the 'broadcasting authority'. Since the demise of the Broadcasting Committee of the States, that authority is deemed to have been transferred to the Chief Minister's department. Island-based bloggers who wish to continue their online activities legally are required to lodge an application within the next seven days.

I'm pretty busy for the next seven days.

So it's lucky it was part of the April 1st issue. Of course I didn't fall for it. Absolutely not.

Hooray! It's Friday! We don't really have plans for the weekend; Hash on Sunday, nothing on Saturday, maybe a concert tomorrow night. James's best friend is a percussionist and plays in the Jersey Symphony Orchestra occasionally.

Well, while I take a few days off to lodge an application for our blogger's licence, James is going to take over the writing part. He's going to leave out the contentious material until we're sure that this blog is legal under this new law. Ok?

We're Back!

Above: Big Ben and the Thames through the Eye's spokes Top of the London Eye

Looking down to the banks of the River Thames: all those people are gathered around a street entertainer

London skyline: top right you can just make out the Gherkin.

In America, would it be called "the Pickle"?

We actually didn't go anywhere; things have just been busy. Good busy. I hope you haven't given up on us...

We've had a good few weeks -- I started my job and have been really enjoying it; the only downside is the feeling of being temporary. James started temping for HBOS (Bank of Scotland) on Friday, which is great, too. Again there's a downside... I had gotten used to coming home to find dinner made, the house clean and the washing done. Ahhh. Nice. James makes a far better stay-at-homer than I ever did/will. (And right now is a great example; James has gone to meet a friend he hasn't seen for ages and I'm supposed to be picking up the house... but blogging really is far more important, isn't it?)

Anyway. We are both grateful to have jobs! But things get better... On Friday James and I met in town for lunch, and I had to tell him some unfortunate news... That my contract runs out next Wednesday. Bummer. Right?

NO. Because I start PERMANENTLY the following week! Yippeeeeeeeeee! And -- in the role that I had originally applied for and didn't get! So they basically took me on in a vaguely "administrative" capacity for a few weeks to check me out, and I passed. It's still dependent on references, but I think I should be good to go a week on Monday. It couldn't be more perfect really; the role is Web Content Editor and so basically I will be overhauling and improving the States' website over the next few years. Feel free to go check it out -- and then come back in a few years and it should be unrecognisable! It really is pretty poor at the moment. In looks, content -- and spelling and punctuation. Ugh. I love it!

But wait, there's more. James and I finished our lunch, and called his dad to tell him the good news (Dave also works for the States, and is even in the same building!)... and then James got a phone call. A JOB OFFER! He starts at an accountancy firm as a Trainee Accountant in May (and will continue to temp at HBOS until then) -- which is perfect. They'll pay for his qualifications (and even give paid study leave!) and it should take three years for him to become fully qualified. He's pretty excited to work for a smaller firm and see how it differs from a Big Four way of working.

So Friday was a good day -- we both got permanent jobs. We feel very, very fortunate; especially with people around us losing their jobs at a scary rate. I also get to cash in on a silly bet James and I made in our last year of university; that I would earn more than him one day. Well, even a few pounds counts. That aside, we truly are just so amazed at how things have worked out.

And just to top it all off -- we have an automobile at our disposal! Actually, we have an SUV which is fairly ridiculous on the Island (at least we're car pooling, right?) although it's not exactly ours. Our landlord had a small incident involving a whiskey too many, a trip to the corner shop, and a breath test. He lost his licence for a year and we gained a car for 12 months. It's ideal really; we can take time to decide what we want and save until then, borrow a vehicle in the meantime, and our landlord gets to keep his car running.

Last weekend I went to London with James's sister, his mum, his granny and his aunty. It was Mother's Day weekend and we hung out with James's other uncle and aunty who live in London, did some touristy things (like getting lost on the Underground and irritating the grumpy London businessmen by stopping dead in our tracks on the pavement to take random photos) and generally had a nice time. I hadn't really been to London since I lived there in 2000-2002 and it was really interesting to see it by car -- I only ever got the Tube (work, home and play were all centred around the Tube map), so it was funny to see how things connect above ground. Lots of places are much closer together than I ever thought... The photos are of and from the London Eye. I hate flying/super-high heights, but this was fantastic. I don't know why I never did it when I lived there -- probably because I thought I'd freak out. But really, I was scared for about three seconds before I got too absorbed in the view to care that the people on the ground beneath us were the size of pinheads. Afterwards, we walked along the River Thames and watched the street entertainers (a better word for most of them would, indeed, be pinheads. They were cringe-worthy, but still managed to sucker the real tourists in.).

It's Sunday afternoon now and James and I came back from the Hash run just a few hours ago. Fantastic trail today -- right up on the north coast, clear views of France and lots of cliff paths and tracks through fields. The Jersey cows are calving and the little ones are so very cute. It's nice to think that they have a life of being milked ahead of them rather than the butcher's block! Lucky things. Even the males won't end up on your plate; they just get to go and procreate. The run was great, and we've certainly had an active weekend. Yesterday was the Hash Bike Bash -- basically just a Hash on wheels. Poor turnout though -- it was James and seven women! Ha, he loved it of course (there was a reference or two to Joseph Smith). We did a good 18 miles or so before ending at a pub for the day. Talk about hard work -- I hadn't been on a bike for two years! The country lanes were beautiful, views were great and the drink stops were well-earned. I woke up this morning feeling mysteriously able-bodied; of course, there may be a delayed muscle freeze come Monday morning. I'm sure I should be sore.

So there's the last three weeks in a (large) nutshell. We're still here, things are going well, and the plan is to start blogging again in earnest. In fact, James has mentioned that he never gets a word in -- so expect to find him here the next time you drop by.

I better go do those dishes. Hmmnph.

Celebrations -- March 4th 2009

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to James... Yes, 24 years ago the world was blessed with a little fat baby who grew up to become...

MY HUSBAND!!!!

Hurray!!

We had a fun day. Went for lunch at the Portelet Inn, which is just up the road. The view is absolutely SUPERB, although the food was a little disappointing. We were the only people there, so we picked the best seats in the house -- excellent view of the bay and bathed in sunshine. We watched some fishing boats battle the swells and enjoyed our Greek Platter with Guacamole (not so Greek...). Decided it was time to move on once a pair of giggling middle-agers (well they were) took the table two feet away from us -- remember the place was EMPTY. Why do people do that?!

This afternoon we hung out, played some Wii Olympics and then... the shrill ring of my cell phone shattered the silence (mm, the Wii music). I answered. James paused the Wii. I sat down. James bit his nails. I smiled.

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wahoo. Can't wait to start -- hopefully Monday. And now we're taking bets on how soon James will be offered at least one job; I reckon by the end of next week. Any other takers?

So -- a FANTASTIC day and hopefully the start of feeling much more settled. And a shout out to our friends the Thompsons (Thanks for your message and we're thinking of you guys often!) -- go check out the comment on our last post... they hit the nail on the head and James will indeed be progressing to Pull-Ups tomorrow (after I drop him at creche). It's been a big day!

This and That

It's been a few days (a whole week even?) since we last wrote; sorry! There's really not much happening with us at the moment -- which we're quite happy about given recent events.

We got some great news a couple of days ago -- get your party hats out -- REMY HAS A NEW HOME! Hurrah! For me (I won't speak for James...), leaving Remy was one of the hardest things about leaving the US. At least we knew we'd see our friends again; not so with a dog! I have to admit I tried really hard to put him out of my mind and I think I succeeded pretty well. It doesn't help that every second person here seems to have a dog or two... and I'm noticing more Black Labs than I ever have before in my life... but I am SO happy that he was re-homed so quickly, and I just hope this is his LAST home. It certainly sounds like it will be. I LOVED that dog of ours... I'm quite happy (at the moment) to consider upping sticks again sometime in the future, but on the other hand, I really would like to live somewhere, one day, long enough to have a dog again. Properly. Someday. Maybe.

Otherwise... things are quiet. I have a job "chat" tomorrow -- it's not an interview, but more of an informal talk -- for a position at the States, which is the local government. I applied and had an interview for a position there a few weeks ago; managed to get down to the final five but didn't get the job... Well, I had a feedback interview last week and then the next day someone in the same department called me about a similar but temporary role; kind of a lower-level version of the job I applied for. So we'll see where that leads... It seems like James has been super-busy with interviews, too, and he has one lined up this Friday, also with the States. (I told a recruiter recently that we'd been working in the States and she asked "Oh, what department?"... Need to start saying "AMERICA"! Seems like virtually everyone works for the States here...) So... fingers crossed! We are both SO ready to get working, earning, and start saving for a holiday!

We've had some beautiful days recently, and I walked up to the shops today, across the beach. There were a couple of girls in flipflops and shorts -- it was sunny, but not exactly warm! Funny how people do that the world over -- we used to laugh at the "Neds" in Scotland stripping off at the first hint of sunshine even when it was only 10C out. Anyway, I was considering walking up through the park, but wimped out at the last minute and took the longer route along the road. So ridiculous -- not like we're likely to have that kind of experience ever again... Right?

We've been borrowing James's sister's car recently and last week we drove right around the Island, following the coast as much as possible. There's so much to see! We nearly ran over a pheasant (well we did; but it flew out from underneath the other side of the car! James was bummed we didn't kill it; they're a pest and we would've had dinner sorted), but other than that it was easy-going -- remember that maximum 40mph speed limit... it kind of forces you to enjoy the scenery! We also stopped to buy home-grown vegetables from a stall at the side of the road. I'd forgotten about Jersey's "Honesty Boxes" -- you just throw your money in a lock-box and take what you want; there's no one around to serve you. I think we''ll try and buy some of our fruit and vegetables like that from now on -- nice to support Island growers and it's a bit cheaper than the supermarket! The daffodils are coming out, too -- Jersey has a wild variety as well as the type grown commercially (50p for a bunch at the honest box!) -- and they're just everywhere. Pretty. Snowdrops, wild pansies and bluebells, too -- all very spring-is-coming-ish.

Well, that's really about it for us -- and I resorted to talking about the weather, too. Sorry. I've heard that Colorado has been having some pretty ok weather... Yep, we're jealous. It's really starting to sink in that we're here for good (whatever that means!) and I suspect we might both be suffering from mild cases of homesickness and even SAD. People are DEFINITELY grumpier here!

Which is why we are SO EXCITED to hear from several of our non-grumpy American Friends that a trip over might be on the cards... Yeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Come and cheer us all up soon!