I am now living in my beautiful new house. :) It is empty except for my luggage, the boxes I mailed to myself, and a borrowed air mattress, but I am living in it. My household goods (furniture and stuff) will be delivered on Tuesday and Thursday this coming week. It's kind of nice to have some time to decide where I am going to put things, because there are a lot of options when you expand from a 1-bedroom apt to a 3-bedroom house.
The landlords left me a lot of nice things, like a washer and dryer, bathroom stuff like cleaning supplies and toilet paper, decorative light fixtures, some mirrors and paintings on the walls. I like having some things to base my decorating scheme on, because I am sort of clueless in that area, but I would like this house to look a little nicer than my previous apt's "dorm-room" look. (Never fear, Penn State fans, I think I am going to make my computer room all blue and white for a "Penn State room"!) I really like the landlords, they are both teachers and have two cute little boys, and they have been really helpful and nice to me in this process. The wife's name is Jo and she is a runner too, so she gave me a lot of great suggestions for running in the area. :)
I tried to explore Downham Market a little this morning, but I only made it as far as the market and the town information center before I was carrying so much in plastic bags that it was cutting off the circulation in my fingers and I decided to go home. The info center was a gold mine of free tour books and magazines! I can't wait to read them and plan more adventures. Tomorrow I am going to church at the one on my street, even though it is Church of England and I may not know exactly what is going on... I think they'll let me in, hehe. It is a beautiful church on the outside and it will be cool to go inside and see what the service is like. I'm curious. Then in the afternoon, I'm going to explore Ely with my friend Cassie from OCF, and I will finally see the cathedral everyone is talking about. Then I'll have some pictures to post!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Pictures, Car, and House
This will have to be fast, because I have to get to work for swing shift, but there is so much going on that I didn't want to skip a day. :)
First, I finally convinced Facebook to upload my pictures from Castle Acre Priory and Castle, which I visited on Sunday. Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299868&id=701905001&l=49101b3128
Second, my Cabrio is here!!! So happy, can't wait to get it legalized so I can enjoy some of this beautiful weather with the top down. I have the rental car until next Wednesday, so I think that should be enough time to get the light conversion, inspection, and registration done.
Third, I get my house tomorrow night! The lease starts on Friday, but the landlords wanted to meet me on Thursday night to hand over the keys and do inventory, which works wonderfully for me because we have Friday off and I am still considering a full-day adventure. Drove over to the agent's office today to turn in the deposit, and drove by the house on the way back since it is right around the corner. I am really excited to explore Downham Market once I am in the house, there is so much there right outside my door.
Must run for now, taking Cabrio to the Auto Craft center on the way to work to make an appointment for light conversion.
First, I finally convinced Facebook to upload my pictures from Castle Acre Priory and Castle, which I visited on Sunday. Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299868&id=701905001&l=49101b3128
Second, my Cabrio is here!!! So happy, can't wait to get it legalized so I can enjoy some of this beautiful weather with the top down. I have the rental car until next Wednesday, so I think that should be enough time to get the light conversion, inspection, and registration done.
Third, I get my house tomorrow night! The lease starts on Friday, but the landlords wanted to meet me on Thursday night to hand over the keys and do inventory, which works wonderfully for me because we have Friday off and I am still considering a full-day adventure. Drove over to the agent's office today to turn in the deposit, and drove by the house on the way back since it is right around the corner. I am really excited to explore Downham Market once I am in the house, there is so much there right outside my door.
Must run for now, taking Cabrio to the Auto Craft center on the way to work to make an appointment for light conversion.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
UNBELIEVABLE
I cannot believe that this is happening. I can't even sit here and type it because I don't believe it's happening and when I start to think about it I want to jump up and dance around the room or scream or go run 10 miles. Oh my goodness. Okay, breathe... on Sep 6th (12 days from now), I am going to the USAFE Weather Conference at Edelweiss Resort in the German Alps. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jose and MSgt Bianchi, as the flight commander and flight chief, were supposed to be going, but Jose just found out on Friday that the OSS/CC is giving him a high-level tasking that will take most of his time for the next few months. So I am going to the conference with MSgt Bianchi. I don't believe this. Just so you understand what this place looks like, check out the link: http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/ Now, add to this that it is located less than an hour from Neuschwanstein castle, and if you know me at all you will understand why I am going through the roof about this. Neuschwanstein is THE fairy tale castle, what Disney based his castle on, and the central fixture in all my dreaming about Europe. Picture:
It's perfect, it's real, and in 12 days I will physically be less than an hour away from it when it has been nothing more than a dream or figment of my imagination for so long. MSgt Bianchi has pretty much agreed to go with me if we get out of the conference in time on Friday and can find a way there. If he helps me get to this castle, I think I will owe him for the rest of my life. I've already warned him that he might have to tie a string to me on this trip to keep me from floating away, but he doesn't seem too concerned. He is definitely getting his share of laughs from my excitement, which I am happy about because I am afraid he will get tired of me bouncing off the walls. I don't think my feet have touched the ground since yesterday. It's a good thing I was exhausted after a 16-hour busy work day or I don't think I would have slept.
Even without Neuschwanstein in the picture... I am getting paid to spend a week waking up to the German Alps outside my window. I cannot imagine why God has given me this opportunity, on top of everything else, but I guess that is the overwhelming beauty of grace. I think back to the day in my last semester of college when I found out I was going to Barksdale (last on my list) instead of Germany. I remember it like it was yesterday because I thought it was the worst day of my life. It felt like all my dreams had been ripped away from me. I cried for an entire weekend, and was angry at God for much longer. It's actually embarrassing to think about now, because it makes me sound selfish and shallow and ungrateful, which I suppose I am. Especially because I LOVE the people I met and the memories I made at Barksdale, and I wouldn't trade those relationships for anything.
I think this is one of the hardest things about faith... when something bad happens, all you see is the pain and the last thing you want to hear is "it's part of God's plan", or "rejoice in suffering", because it feels mocking - like your pain doesn't matter. I don't think that's how God wants us to feel. I don't have all the answers and I never will, but I do believe that blessings can come through pain, that God takes bad things and brings good out of them... it just may take time for us to see that. Like I see now.
I am working swing shifts this week (3-11pm), and now I have to run and pick up my car (yippee!) before work, but I had to get a quick blog in with my news. Bye!
Jose and MSgt Bianchi, as the flight commander and flight chief, were supposed to be going, but Jose just found out on Friday that the OSS/CC is giving him a high-level tasking that will take most of his time for the next few months. So I am going to the conference with MSgt Bianchi. I don't believe this. Just so you understand what this place looks like, check out the link: http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/ Now, add to this that it is located less than an hour from Neuschwanstein castle, and if you know me at all you will understand why I am going through the roof about this. Neuschwanstein is THE fairy tale castle, what Disney based his castle on, and the central fixture in all my dreaming about Europe. Picture:
It's perfect, it's real, and in 12 days I will physically be less than an hour away from it when it has been nothing more than a dream or figment of my imagination for so long. MSgt Bianchi has pretty much agreed to go with me if we get out of the conference in time on Friday and can find a way there. If he helps me get to this castle, I think I will owe him for the rest of my life. I've already warned him that he might have to tie a string to me on this trip to keep me from floating away, but he doesn't seem too concerned. He is definitely getting his share of laughs from my excitement, which I am happy about because I am afraid he will get tired of me bouncing off the walls. I don't think my feet have touched the ground since yesterday. It's a good thing I was exhausted after a 16-hour busy work day or I don't think I would have slept.Even without Neuschwanstein in the picture... I am getting paid to spend a week waking up to the German Alps outside my window. I cannot imagine why God has given me this opportunity, on top of everything else, but I guess that is the overwhelming beauty of grace. I think back to the day in my last semester of college when I found out I was going to Barksdale (last on my list) instead of Germany. I remember it like it was yesterday because I thought it was the worst day of my life. It felt like all my dreams had been ripped away from me. I cried for an entire weekend, and was angry at God for much longer. It's actually embarrassing to think about now, because it makes me sound selfish and shallow and ungrateful, which I suppose I am. Especially because I LOVE the people I met and the memories I made at Barksdale, and I wouldn't trade those relationships for anything.
I think this is one of the hardest things about faith... when something bad happens, all you see is the pain and the last thing you want to hear is "it's part of God's plan", or "rejoice in suffering", because it feels mocking - like your pain doesn't matter. I don't think that's how God wants us to feel. I don't have all the answers and I never will, but I do believe that blessings can come through pain, that God takes bad things and brings good out of them... it just may take time for us to see that. Like I see now.
I am working swing shifts this week (3-11pm), and now I have to run and pick up my car (yippee!) before work, but I had to get a quick blog in with my news. Bye!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Living a dream
This weekend, I walked on castle walls, climbed towers with winding staircases, and explored the ruins of a majestic 12th century priory... I think I took off from Dallas last month and landed in a dream. There have been so many times in the last 3 weeks that I have wanted to pinch myself to make sure this was actually happening, but then I don't... because if this is a dream, I don't think I want to wake up.
I spent today in a town called Castle Acre, the site of an 11th century castle (now in ruins) and a 12th century priory (aka monastery, also in ruins). The castle part was not as impressive as Framlingham Castle, which I visited on Friday, but the priory blew me away. The site is managed by English Heritage, mentioned in my last post, and they offer audio tours at most of their sites. You get a little walkie-talkie thing to carry around with you, and it's totally self-paced; you just press certain numbers that correspond to parts of the site, and it talks about whatever part you are in front of. I love it because it tells you exactly what to look at and explains the background of everything you are seeing, like a personal tour guide.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day - sunny, bright blue sky, few clouds. As I began walking through the priory ruins, my friend the audio tour began the incredible story of the priory's rise in the early 1100s. The first part of the ruins that you walk through happens to be the church. I wince at the term "church" here, because it feels like it needs a much more majestic name to give you the best visual description, but after learning the technical definition of "cathedral" last week, I will use "church" as applicable here. The church was the largest part of the priory, and built in the shape of a cross, typical of the time period. The entrance wall is the most intact part, and is at the "bottom" of the cross shape. The wall is just incredible to look at - massive arches form holes where stained glass windows used to be, the top just seems to reach all the way to the sky when you stand next to it. Once inside the walls, the audio tour plays haunting music with voices of monks chanting, and paints a scene of what the inside of the church looked like hundreds of years ago.
In the middle of the cross shape, where the north and south transepts meet, there is an altar. It is made of stones, and sits alone in the expanse of bright green grass enclosed by the walls, where intricate painted tile used to cover the ground. Maybe it was the music from the audio tour, or the rays of sunlight shining through the ruined walls, but standing in front of that altar... I felt like I was on hallowed ground. I was all alone in the ruins at this point, and the gravity of everything I have seen here all rushed through my head at once... imagining a 12th century monk kneeling at this same altar, the forces of history that changed this church from the way he knew it to the ruins I stand in today, so many lives lived between his and mine... yet here the altar stands. It might be the most beautiful physical representation of the omnipresence of God that I have seen with my own eyes. The 12th century is almost unfathomably long ago for me, yet the same God I worship today was there, and was there before history even began. I knelt down at the altar and said a prayer, thanking God for allowing me to be here, to experience all the incredible moments that I could never hope to deserve, to kneel at this altar and somehow feel like a part of the hundreds of years of history it has witnessed.
I'm not sure I will ever get used to seeing things like the priory ruins. I mean, I feel like I walk and drive around in a constant state of awe at the things I see and what they represent. I don't want to lose that, I don't want to ever take things like castles and cathedrals for granted, to see them as commonplace just because there are so many over here. I've been warned that I'm in the "honeymoon phase", that once winter comes and it is dark and cloudy and rainy all the time, I won't be so in love with England. I really hate that thought. If I was to ever complain about being here, it would be like snubbing my nose at the unbelievable gift I have been given. I know some of you (maybe all of you) reading this may think this sounds ridiculous, may not believe it is possible to feel so connected to a place. And I can't really blame you, because I'm not even sure I can explain to myself why it means so much to me, much less someone else. All I can say is that I am thankful for every day I have here, and I don't ever want to forget that.
Pictures from Friday's trip to Framlingham Castle: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299235&id=701905001&l=3f1995dad6
Pictures from Sunday's trip to Castle Acre Priory and Castle: Unfortunately Facebook is not cooperating with me tonight and I can't get them posted... will try again tomorrow, sorry!
I spent today in a town called Castle Acre, the site of an 11th century castle (now in ruins) and a 12th century priory (aka monastery, also in ruins). The castle part was not as impressive as Framlingham Castle, which I visited on Friday, but the priory blew me away. The site is managed by English Heritage, mentioned in my last post, and they offer audio tours at most of their sites. You get a little walkie-talkie thing to carry around with you, and it's totally self-paced; you just press certain numbers that correspond to parts of the site, and it talks about whatever part you are in front of. I love it because it tells you exactly what to look at and explains the background of everything you are seeing, like a personal tour guide.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day - sunny, bright blue sky, few clouds. As I began walking through the priory ruins, my friend the audio tour began the incredible story of the priory's rise in the early 1100s. The first part of the ruins that you walk through happens to be the church. I wince at the term "church" here, because it feels like it needs a much more majestic name to give you the best visual description, but after learning the technical definition of "cathedral" last week, I will use "church" as applicable here. The church was the largest part of the priory, and built in the shape of a cross, typical of the time period. The entrance wall is the most intact part, and is at the "bottom" of the cross shape. The wall is just incredible to look at - massive arches form holes where stained glass windows used to be, the top just seems to reach all the way to the sky when you stand next to it. Once inside the walls, the audio tour plays haunting music with voices of monks chanting, and paints a scene of what the inside of the church looked like hundreds of years ago.
In the middle of the cross shape, where the north and south transepts meet, there is an altar. It is made of stones, and sits alone in the expanse of bright green grass enclosed by the walls, where intricate painted tile used to cover the ground. Maybe it was the music from the audio tour, or the rays of sunlight shining through the ruined walls, but standing in front of that altar... I felt like I was on hallowed ground. I was all alone in the ruins at this point, and the gravity of everything I have seen here all rushed through my head at once... imagining a 12th century monk kneeling at this same altar, the forces of history that changed this church from the way he knew it to the ruins I stand in today, so many lives lived between his and mine... yet here the altar stands. It might be the most beautiful physical representation of the omnipresence of God that I have seen with my own eyes. The 12th century is almost unfathomably long ago for me, yet the same God I worship today was there, and was there before history even began. I knelt down at the altar and said a prayer, thanking God for allowing me to be here, to experience all the incredible moments that I could never hope to deserve, to kneel at this altar and somehow feel like a part of the hundreds of years of history it has witnessed.
I'm not sure I will ever get used to seeing things like the priory ruins. I mean, I feel like I walk and drive around in a constant state of awe at the things I see and what they represent. I don't want to lose that, I don't want to ever take things like castles and cathedrals for granted, to see them as commonplace just because there are so many over here. I've been warned that I'm in the "honeymoon phase", that once winter comes and it is dark and cloudy and rainy all the time, I won't be so in love with England. I really hate that thought. If I was to ever complain about being here, it would be like snubbing my nose at the unbelievable gift I have been given. I know some of you (maybe all of you) reading this may think this sounds ridiculous, may not believe it is possible to feel so connected to a place. And I can't really blame you, because I'm not even sure I can explain to myself why it means so much to me, much less someone else. All I can say is that I am thankful for every day I have here, and I don't ever want to forget that.
Pictures from Friday's trip to Framlingham Castle: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299235&id=701905001&l=3f1995dad6
Pictures from Sunday's trip to Castle Acre Priory and Castle: Unfortunately Facebook is not cooperating with me tonight and I can't get them posted... will try again tomorrow, sorry!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
English Heritage
Okay, so this part has nothing to do with the title, but I have to give you the best news of the day first. The AF SSgt promotion list came out today, and one of my top airmen from my flight at Barksdale was on it!!! This guy just put on SrA in November after earning SrA BTZ, and got his 5-level just before the cutoff for testing this year... and he made it!!! I was so excited I literally jumped up from my desk and cheered (garnering a few amused looks from around the office). Then, I thought, what are the chances he is working today, or at least came in to check the list? (This was 2pm my time, 8am Barksdale time.) So I called one of my forecaster desks (gotta love DSN), and he answered! That made it even more exciting, to get to congratulate him personally so quickly, even though I am in another country. :)
Now, about the main topic. When I in-processed with our OSS/CC two weeks ago, of course I mentioned how excited I was to be in England and all the things I wanted to see, so he gave me a magazine-type guide book about England from an organization he is a member of called English Heritage. I didn't really look through it too much then, but I picked it up again today as I was still debating where to go this weekend. Turns out, this organization is amazing! They support the upkeep of over 400 historical properties in England, and if you are a member, you get FREE admission to all of them! Membership is only 43 GBP (pounds, I don't know how to make the symbol) per year, approximately equal to $70. If you look at the individual properties, admission is generally 5-10 GBP each, so if I visit 5-9 properties in a year, it will easily pay for itself. At the rate I hope to go, it will pay for itself in 3 months!
The web site and guide book are awesome, they divide the country into regions so you can see what is near you, and they have all kinds of information about what is available at each site, and pictures! They have a big feature on Dover Castle, which I have decided will be next weekend's big adventure. This weekend, I was already too committed to evening events on Friday and Saturday, and Dover will take a full day, being 3 hours away. So this weekend, I will choose from the previously mentioned Ely cathedral, the highly recommended Warwick Castle, or these two I found in the English Heritage book/site: Framlingham Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12586/chosenImageId/1) and Orford Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12638/chosenImageId/1). I am leaning towards Framlingham for tomorrow.
I had a beautiful run tonight - the weather was just amazing... cool and a little windy, then the sun was setting just as I ran around the west side of the runway. Gorgeous. I might actually become a runner again here. :) Time for a shower and bed... then a weekend of adventures!!!
Now, about the main topic. When I in-processed with our OSS/CC two weeks ago, of course I mentioned how excited I was to be in England and all the things I wanted to see, so he gave me a magazine-type guide book about England from an organization he is a member of called English Heritage. I didn't really look through it too much then, but I picked it up again today as I was still debating where to go this weekend. Turns out, this organization is amazing! They support the upkeep of over 400 historical properties in England, and if you are a member, you get FREE admission to all of them! Membership is only 43 GBP (pounds, I don't know how to make the symbol) per year, approximately equal to $70. If you look at the individual properties, admission is generally 5-10 GBP each, so if I visit 5-9 properties in a year, it will easily pay for itself. At the rate I hope to go, it will pay for itself in 3 months!
The web site and guide book are awesome, they divide the country into regions so you can see what is near you, and they have all kinds of information about what is available at each site, and pictures! They have a big feature on Dover Castle, which I have decided will be next weekend's big adventure. This weekend, I was already too committed to evening events on Friday and Saturday, and Dover will take a full day, being 3 hours away. So this weekend, I will choose from the previously mentioned Ely cathedral, the highly recommended Warwick Castle, or these two I found in the English Heritage book/site: Framlingham Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12586/chosenImageId/1) and Orford Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12638/chosenImageId/1). I am leaning towards Framlingham for tomorrow.
I had a beautiful run tonight - the weather was just amazing... cool and a little windy, then the sun was setting just as I ran around the west side of the runway. Gorgeous. I might actually become a runner again here. :) Time for a shower and bed... then a weekend of adventures!!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where to travel?
Because there were more exciting things to talk about on Monday (like my house), I did not mention the PTL class I went to that afternoon. (For non-AF, that means Physical Training Leader, the person who leads group workouts.) I was a PTL at Barksdale, so I only had to do an afternoon "refresher" course to be certified here. The class involved a 45-minute presentation by the base exercise physiologist (or whatever his title is), then a 45-minute workout led by him. Aerobically, this was not a challenging workout... we ran around the aerobics room for about 5 minutes to warm up. Calisthenics-wise... different story. Holy cow, this guy was crazy. Among other things, we did EIGHT sets of 20 body-weight squats. In front of a mirror to ensure you went down all the way every time. If this does not sound hard, just try... and only rest 10 seconds in between sets. Long story short, I have been ridiculously sore for two days and have not gone running, which irritates me. But I am sure I can start again tomorrow.
Today was a fun one at work. Yesterday, I conspired with the flight chief, MSgt Bianchi, to surprise Jose for his birthday today, which involved us going into work last night, blowing up almost 300 balloons, and stuffing Jose's office with them. It was fun, and the other flight members seemed to enjoy watching Jose's reaction this morning. He was surprised and I think he liked it. Then around lunchtime we had a farewell BBQ for an airman who is separating. After that, no one was really motivated to do more work, especially since some families had come in and there were little kids running around the building chasing Jose's balloons and popping them, screaming with delight. I got to sit and talk to MSgt Bianchi for a while, which was cool, I enjoyed getting to know him better and hearing stories about his experiences.
Next on my to-do list is to figure out travel plans for the next 2 or 3 weekends. Don't hate me for this, but it just so happens that we have three 3-day weekends in a row coming up. This Friday, 21 Aug, is a "Goal Day" for the wing, which means we met our goals for EPR/OPR timeliness, PT test pass rate, etc, for a certain period of time, so we get a day off. Next Friday, 28 Aug, is a family day because there is a British holiday on Monday the 31st (don't ask me why we don't have Monday off instead, I don't get it either). Then Monday, 7 Sep, is Labor Day. So, obviously, this provides many opportunities for travel and exploring.
These plans are complicated somewhat by base-related events already planned, such as OCF on Fridays at 6pm and Jose's flight BBQ this Saturday at 5pm. I'm not going to miss the flight BBQ, but I'm not ruling out missing an OCF meeting if I need a day for a full-day trip. I really, really, really want to go to Dover, for the castle and the cliffs, and that would require a full day. I want to go before the end of August, because on the web site it says that the tunnel tour only goes through August. I am leaning towards one of the Fridays, since it might be less crowded than a weekend. I also really want to go to London with Kathryn and Mark, but I am not sure if a trip will fit into their schedule soon. That would also be a full-day trip, and would have to be on a weekend for their schedules.
There is also the issue of a traveling buddy. There are pros and cons to having one, depending on where I go. I would not want to do London by myself, for example. However, for places more open, it is kind of nice to be able to wander around and explore and not worry about the other person possibly being bored. I am not sure anyone would have enjoyed following me through the meadow footpaths in Bury last weekend, but I loved it. Also, other than Kathryn and Mark, who I have known for years, I don't really know anyone well enough here to ask them to go somewhere with me, without worrying about whether they are just saying yes to be nice or if they really want to go. That is not meant to be a sad statement, just a fact that I have only been here for less than three weeks, you know? I'm sure as I build friendships, that will change, it is just early now.
So, plenty to consider, I will let you know tomorrow what I decide. (Those who have been here, I'd love to hear more suggestions for my next 3 weekends!)
Today was a fun one at work. Yesterday, I conspired with the flight chief, MSgt Bianchi, to surprise Jose for his birthday today, which involved us going into work last night, blowing up almost 300 balloons, and stuffing Jose's office with them. It was fun, and the other flight members seemed to enjoy watching Jose's reaction this morning. He was surprised and I think he liked it. Then around lunchtime we had a farewell BBQ for an airman who is separating. After that, no one was really motivated to do more work, especially since some families had come in and there were little kids running around the building chasing Jose's balloons and popping them, screaming with delight. I got to sit and talk to MSgt Bianchi for a while, which was cool, I enjoyed getting to know him better and hearing stories about his experiences.
Next on my to-do list is to figure out travel plans for the next 2 or 3 weekends. Don't hate me for this, but it just so happens that we have three 3-day weekends in a row coming up. This Friday, 21 Aug, is a "Goal Day" for the wing, which means we met our goals for EPR/OPR timeliness, PT test pass rate, etc, for a certain period of time, so we get a day off. Next Friday, 28 Aug, is a family day because there is a British holiday on Monday the 31st (don't ask me why we don't have Monday off instead, I don't get it either). Then Monday, 7 Sep, is Labor Day. So, obviously, this provides many opportunities for travel and exploring.
These plans are complicated somewhat by base-related events already planned, such as OCF on Fridays at 6pm and Jose's flight BBQ this Saturday at 5pm. I'm not going to miss the flight BBQ, but I'm not ruling out missing an OCF meeting if I need a day for a full-day trip. I really, really, really want to go to Dover, for the castle and the cliffs, and that would require a full day. I want to go before the end of August, because on the web site it says that the tunnel tour only goes through August. I am leaning towards one of the Fridays, since it might be less crowded than a weekend. I also really want to go to London with Kathryn and Mark, but I am not sure if a trip will fit into their schedule soon. That would also be a full-day trip, and would have to be on a weekend for their schedules.
There is also the issue of a traveling buddy. There are pros and cons to having one, depending on where I go. I would not want to do London by myself, for example. However, for places more open, it is kind of nice to be able to wander around and explore and not worry about the other person possibly being bored. I am not sure anyone would have enjoyed following me through the meadow footpaths in Bury last weekend, but I loved it. Also, other than Kathryn and Mark, who I have known for years, I don't really know anyone well enough here to ask them to go somewhere with me, without worrying about whether they are just saying yes to be nice or if they really want to go. That is not meant to be a sad statement, just a fact that I have only been here for less than three weeks, you know? I'm sure as I build friendships, that will change, it is just early now.
So, plenty to consider, I will let you know tomorrow what I decide. (Those who have been here, I'd love to hear more suggestions for my next 3 weekends!)
Monday, August 17, 2009
One step closer
My house passed its base inspection! Woohoo!!! :D For those unfamiliar with this process (which was me until 2 weeks ago), when you rent a property off base, it has to have a "Life Safety Inspection" by a DoD contractor. I am told the main points of this are to check for smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, broken windows, electrical hazards, etc. I am not completely sure why this is done over here and not in the US, but maybe because the average age of buildings over here is older. I don't know. Anyway, point is, now I am approved to sign the lease and move into my house on Aug 28th - next Friday!!!
I also think I found a new trip destination for the near future. I was looking for something on the Lakenheath web site today and stumbled across this article: http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123163279. First thought: How do I get that job? I could handle traveling to places like that and writing reviews. Second thought: I need to go there! If you know me, you know how I feel about castles, so that part is a given... but castles with secret tunnels?!?!? That is what dreams are made of. PLUS, this is at the same place as the White Cliffs of Dover, which look almost unreal online. Here is a picture:
Yep, definitely need to go there. According to Google, it is just short of 3 hours from here, so it would be nice to have a travel buddy... I'll have to see what I can do about that. I want to go soon, though. I have been in England for 2.5 weeks and have not yet seen a castle, so I'm getting a little itchy. I am also hoping to go to London in the near future, just waiting to hear from Kathryn about whether there is a good time for them soon. So exciting!!!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Bury St Edmunds
Wow, what an amazing couple of days. I had heard that Bury St Edmunds was scenic, but I wasn't expecting so many incredible historical stories to be part of it... I guess I should get used to that over here! Yesterday, I went on a newcomers' bus tour to Bury as part of in-processing, sponsored by the Lakenheath Airman and Family Readiness Center. We were on a pretty tight schedule, so once we got there we got a quick glimpse into the Abbey Gardens, then went to a pub for lunch. After lunch, we had a tour of the Edmundsbury cathedral, then had 45 minutes to walk around the gardens and abbey ruins.
The story of the Abbey and surroundings is just fascinating. It was built beginning in the 1000s by Benedictine monks, and was one of the most prestigious religious centers in the country. Here is a painting of what it supposedly looked like:
The story of the Abbey and surroundings is just fascinating. It was built beginning in the 1000s by Benedictine monks, and was one of the most prestigious religious centers in the country. Here is a painting of what it supposedly looked like:
Now here is the amazing thing about this painting: remember how big the cathedral was in my pictures from yesterday, how high the ceiling was? That cathedral is the seemingly tiny building along the wall just left of center. Just look at how HUGE the abbey was!!! It completely dwarfs the cathedral! It must have been as big as a castle, just imagine that central tower... geez.
So after you see this incredible size comparison, you walk out the back door of the cathedral, and you see... ruins. Maybe I am weird, but all of a sudden I felt really sad. The majesty of what was once there, reduced to barely recognizable rubble. The story about the fall of the abbey is what makes it even sadder. (I hope I get this story right.) It is part of the infamous story of King Henry the Eighth wanting to divorce Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn. When the pope would not consent, Henry took control of the Church of England and the abbeys were dissolved in 1536. When the abbey closed, there was so much hatred towards it that the townspeople ransacked the structure and carried away the very stones that made up the walls. It's hard to imagine something so beautiful being destroyed piece by piece.
I was so glad I decided to go back today, because I discovered signs scattered around the ruins that described what part of the abbey they used to make up. I also found some public footpaths behind the Gardens, which ended up being a giant circle around a nature preserve that I loved exploring. Then I spent almost an hour in the St Mary's churchyard looking at the ancient grave markers and memorials. Some of you may think this is morbid, but I just think it is amazing to read the names and dates and imagine what those people might have been like, what their lives were like soooo long ago.
Oh, I almost forgot the other cool story I promised in my picture captions yesterday, about the Angel Hotel, the one with all the vines covering the front. After the too-short tour from base, I knew I wanted to go back and see more, so I went by the Lakenheath Hotel to ask Paul for suggestions, since he lives in Bury. It turns out that he actually used to work at the Angel Hotel, and it is so much more interesting than it first appears. It actually dates back to the same time as the abbey, and when the monks were being persecuted, they built tunnels underground from the abbey to the hotel, which is across the street from the ruins. The tunnels are now closed, but the hotel still has a basement restaurant where you can see the old entrances. I really wanted to see them, but the hotel is very upscale and did not appear open to tourists. Paul says that celebrities stay there a lot; he met Reese Witherspoon, Angelina Jolie, and that blond guy who plays Hugh Grant's annoying flat-mate in "Notting Hill".
So here is the link to pictures from my solo outing to Bury today (Saturday): http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=295872&id=701905001&l=7abc35a6cf
I noticed that my blog entry from yesterday just showed up in my email, so I guess those of you following by email will be a day behind... but that's okay. I am not expecting tomorrow to be as interesting, hehe. Trying an off-base church in the morning with a girl from OCF, then laundry will be necessary in the afternoon. Fun...
Friday, August 14, 2009
Late
I intended to write a nice summary of the tour today, but all of a sudden it is almost midnight... how did that happen? Anyway, I did manage to post and caption my pictures, so here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=295495&id=701905001&l=3ce27213c8
I mentioned in a couple of the captions that there are stories to tell, but I will include those in tomorrow's blog because... I am going back to Bury St Edmunds tomorrow for my Saturday outing. I decided that there was too much there that I did not get to see, and Saturday is one of their market days. So it only makes sense to choose going back for my adventure tomorrow. (I will definitely go to Ely another time, however.)
Hope you enjoy the pics, more to come tomorrrow!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=295495&id=701905001&l=3ce27213c8
I mentioned in a couple of the captions that there are stories to tell, but I will include those in tomorrow's blog because... I am going back to Bury St Edmunds tomorrow for my Saturday outing. I decided that there was too much there that I did not get to see, and Saturday is one of their market days. So it only makes sense to choose going back for my adventure tomorrow. (I will definitely go to Ely another time, however.)
Hope you enjoy the pics, more to come tomorrrow!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Running Again :)
So, I have decided there are both pros and cons of moving to on-base lodging this past week. First, the cons: I miss Lakenheath Village and having the culture of England right outside my door. It may be a small village, but every day I was there I walked around and found something new. I miss my beautiful unique room in the historic hotel. I miss Steve and Trudy and Paul and chatting with them every time I walk through the lobby. BUT... soon I will be in my beautiful house in a market town full of culture, and my hotel friends have said I can stop by and talk to them anytime. :)
So on to the pros of being on base: I am actually learning my way around the base. I walk pretty much everywhere except to work (on the other side of the flight line), so that gives me more time to read signs and notice where buildings are. I have also started making use of the gym, track, and running trail. The weather this week has been just perfect, mid-60s in the evenings with gorgeous sunsets, I almost felt guilty the one time I used an elliptical inside. The run Tuesday was kind of rough (not running for 3 weeks will do that to you, I guess), but tonight I did 4 miles and felt like I could go on forever. I love that feeling, and it will only get better as I run more and get back in running shape. I was so excited to find that Runner's World (my favorite magazine) has a whole web site dedicated to their UK community, and it has tons of race listings! Can't wait to pick one out. :)
The last couple days were fairly productive. I am done with all my inprocessing except for a couple random appointments later this month. I have met everyone in my weather flight and today I even went with the briefer to the wing staff meeting, to see what I will be doing in the future. A little intimidating in such a big fancy room with a lot of rank in flight suits walking around, but the briefing itself was fairly quick and painless, I'm sure I won't have any problem now that I know what to expect. I also succeeded in bringing my cell phone back to life with a UK sim card, so I can use it over here without paying an arm and a leg. My new number is a UK number, so most of you will never use it, but let me know if you want it. When I move into my house, I plan on getting Vonage with a US number, so you can call me on that. :) (Sorry for all the smiley faces, running put me in a good mood...)
Tomorrow I get to go on the newcomers' bus tour to Bury St Edmunds, a supposedly scenic town to the SE of the base. I am very much looking forward to this, and it will give me more picture opportunities! Then there is a Sq gathering in the afternoon after I get back, and OCF meeting in the evening. I like having plans. :) I have not decided where to go on Saturday, however. It is going to be a gorgeous day and I refuse to waste it, so I am currently thinking of visiting Ely, a village that is supposed to have the most impressive cathedral in this part of the country. I also saw a few signs while driving around last week for Weeting Castle, which I suspect is just ruins, but still would be cool to go look at. Of course, pictures will be posted of whatever I see! :)
So on to the pros of being on base: I am actually learning my way around the base. I walk pretty much everywhere except to work (on the other side of the flight line), so that gives me more time to read signs and notice where buildings are. I have also started making use of the gym, track, and running trail. The weather this week has been just perfect, mid-60s in the evenings with gorgeous sunsets, I almost felt guilty the one time I used an elliptical inside. The run Tuesday was kind of rough (not running for 3 weeks will do that to you, I guess), but tonight I did 4 miles and felt like I could go on forever. I love that feeling, and it will only get better as I run more and get back in running shape. I was so excited to find that Runner's World (my favorite magazine) has a whole web site dedicated to their UK community, and it has tons of race listings! Can't wait to pick one out. :)
The last couple days were fairly productive. I am done with all my inprocessing except for a couple random appointments later this month. I have met everyone in my weather flight and today I even went with the briefer to the wing staff meeting, to see what I will be doing in the future. A little intimidating in such a big fancy room with a lot of rank in flight suits walking around, but the briefing itself was fairly quick and painless, I'm sure I won't have any problem now that I know what to expect. I also succeeded in bringing my cell phone back to life with a UK sim card, so I can use it over here without paying an arm and a leg. My new number is a UK number, so most of you will never use it, but let me know if you want it. When I move into my house, I plan on getting Vonage with a US number, so you can call me on that. :) (Sorry for all the smiley faces, running put me in a good mood...)
Tomorrow I get to go on the newcomers' bus tour to Bury St Edmunds, a supposedly scenic town to the SE of the base. I am very much looking forward to this, and it will give me more picture opportunities! Then there is a Sq gathering in the afternoon after I get back, and OCF meeting in the evening. I like having plans. :) I have not decided where to go on Saturday, however. It is going to be a gorgeous day and I refuse to waste it, so I am currently thinking of visiting Ely, a village that is supposed to have the most impressive cathedral in this part of the country. I also saw a few signs while driving around last week for Weeting Castle, which I suspect is just ruins, but still would be cool to go look at. Of course, pictures will be posted of whatever I see! :)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Gratitude
Have I mentioned that I love England? Seriously. I was driving over to Downham Market this morning, and it was a gorgeous day, I had the window down, sunroof open, radio on, admiring the bright green fields and beautiful houses and cottages, thinking about all the places I'm planning to visit... and I was so happy I thought I might just explode. I'm not saying this to brag or make you jealous, it's just... what did I ever do to deserve this???
The answer, of course, is nothing, and that's why being here is that much more amazing. At church on Sunday, the pastor talked about the passage in Exodus where Moses took the Israelites out of Egypt and into the desert. They were free, but they started complaining that they had nothing to eat. So God sent them manna. What did they do? Yep, complained about the manna. God was giving them everything they needed (freedom, food), but all they could do was complain. This struck home a little bit, since I had spent the majority of the morning and afternoon being infuriated at my computer for not connecting to the wireless internet. I mean, come on, here I am in paradise, and I ruin my day by getting upset about internet? I think the world will go on spinning if I can't check my email or post a blog.
Point is, I have been thinking about that a lot this week, and the gratitude I feel for God allowing me to live out this dream (that was just a dream for sooo long) is overwhelming. I want to make the most of it and not waste any time being grumpy about silly little things.
Today was very productive, which makes me very happy. I turned in the housing paperwork, got to sit down with the agent face-to-face, and even drove by my house to make sure it was still beautiful. (It is.) After the inspection is done, I will get to sign a lease and move in as soon as the landlords are ready! I did some birthday gift shopping, sent a couple packages, and talked to a very helpful person about a cell phone. I have to wait for AT&T to send me the unlock code for my phone, but after that I'm pretty sure I know what plan to go with.
Tomorrow, I get to go to work! I am not sure what I will be doing other than getting computer accounts and things set up, but I am looking forward to learning my job. Jose says I will be more into ops and he will be more into admin, which is cool, definitely a change from my last job. I may have to actually remember how to do weather... haha, j/k. It will be different, though, I realized at WFDO that it's harder than I expected to forecast for a new area. After having the SECONUS weather patterns ingrained in my head for the last 2.5 years, forecasting for an island only 14 degrees latitude south of the Arctic circle will be a completely different animal. I just hope I learn fast!
Speaking of latitude, I don't think I have mentioned yet how long the days are here. I didn't realize (or I guess really think about) how far north England was and how the daylight would be affected. Because it is summer, it begins getting light around 4:00am, and does not become completely dark until around 10:00pm. In the winter, it will be the opposite... Jose says you can drive to work at 8:00am in the dark and drive home at 5:00pm also in the dark. Weird. Anyway, I am going to take advantage of the light this evening and go for a run... SOOO do not miss the heat and humidity of Louisiana. I love England! :D
The answer, of course, is nothing, and that's why being here is that much more amazing. At church on Sunday, the pastor talked about the passage in Exodus where Moses took the Israelites out of Egypt and into the desert. They were free, but they started complaining that they had nothing to eat. So God sent them manna. What did they do? Yep, complained about the manna. God was giving them everything they needed (freedom, food), but all they could do was complain. This struck home a little bit, since I had spent the majority of the morning and afternoon being infuriated at my computer for not connecting to the wireless internet. I mean, come on, here I am in paradise, and I ruin my day by getting upset about internet? I think the world will go on spinning if I can't check my email or post a blog.
Point is, I have been thinking about that a lot this week, and the gratitude I feel for God allowing me to live out this dream (that was just a dream for sooo long) is overwhelming. I want to make the most of it and not waste any time being grumpy about silly little things.
Today was very productive, which makes me very happy. I turned in the housing paperwork, got to sit down with the agent face-to-face, and even drove by my house to make sure it was still beautiful. (It is.) After the inspection is done, I will get to sign a lease and move in as soon as the landlords are ready! I did some birthday gift shopping, sent a couple packages, and talked to a very helpful person about a cell phone. I have to wait for AT&T to send me the unlock code for my phone, but after that I'm pretty sure I know what plan to go with.
Tomorrow, I get to go to work! I am not sure what I will be doing other than getting computer accounts and things set up, but I am looking forward to learning my job. Jose says I will be more into ops and he will be more into admin, which is cool, definitely a change from my last job. I may have to actually remember how to do weather... haha, j/k. It will be different, though, I realized at WFDO that it's harder than I expected to forecast for a new area. After having the SECONUS weather patterns ingrained in my head for the last 2.5 years, forecasting for an island only 14 degrees latitude south of the Arctic circle will be a completely different animal. I just hope I learn fast!
Speaking of latitude, I don't think I have mentioned yet how long the days are here. I didn't realize (or I guess really think about) how far north England was and how the daylight would be affected. Because it is summer, it begins getting light around 4:00am, and does not become completely dark until around 10:00pm. In the winter, it will be the opposite... Jose says you can drive to work at 8:00am in the dark and drive home at 5:00pm also in the dark. Weird. Anyway, I am going to take advantage of the light this evening and go for a run... SOOO do not miss the heat and humidity of Louisiana. I love England! :D
Monday, August 10, 2009
Paperwork
Leave it to the letting agent to make everything complicated. I thought the process of renting my house would begin speeding along today, but instead, I have to fill out a bunch of paperwork and pay the application fee before they will even let the base inspectors do their inspection. This makes no sense to me, because if the house were to fail (which I am sure it will not), the housing office would not let me sign the lease... so why bother applying first??? Sigh. For those who have never rented overseas, it is wayyy more complicated than CONUS.
Most of today was spent running errands all over the place on and off base. Driving is becoming less stressful (as long as I avoid the "five ways", the gigantic roundabout), but I am sure it will take a while longer for it to feel natural driving on the left and turning into the other side of streets, etc. The car is a rental from the same guy who owns the little hotel I stayed in the first week, and today I had to stop by there to ask about getting the driver's side mirror fixed. It had two big cracks when I picked it up, but I didn't realize how big a problem this was until I was driving back from Cambridge on Saturday night on a road with three lanes and headlights were reflecting in different directions and I couldn't see a thing.
I didn't mind stopping by the hotel, because as previously mentioned, I really enjoyed the owner and his wife and their new manager, Paul, who started working the same week I arrived. Paul is so much fun to talk to because he is a younger guy and very interested in all things American, while I, of course, am very interested in all things British. I think he gets a kick out of me because I get so excited when he tells me about things I need to see here, like castles and cliffs and beaches and all kinds of interesting things. Today he told me about a bar in London where everything inside (tables, chairs, glasses) are made out of ice. I sort of wasn't sure whether to believe him on that one or not, but I Googled it later and sure enough, check this out: http://www.urbanpath.com/london/cocktail-bars/ice-bar.htm
I did succeed in impressing him once last week, while proudly describing Penn State's legendary (American) football tradition, I happened to mention how big Beaver Stadium was (107,000 people). He insisted that I Google Image it so he could see what it looked like. I did, gladly, and he looked somewhat awestruck, especially after learning I had marched with the band on that field in front of all those screaming people. I guess football (what we call soccer) fields over here are not quite so big. Go Penn State! :D
Anyway, Steve (the owner) ordered a new mirror for the car and it should be fixed soon. My other mission today was to make progress on getting a cell phone. Like renting a house, this is much more complicated than you may think, if one plans to call both US and UK numbers with the phone. I think I found a pretty good plan for a home phone line when I move into the house, but the cell phone issue is still very confusing. There is no such thing as unlimited minutes or free nights and weekends, or any of the plans we are used to in the US. In fact, cell phones do not seem to be intended for international use over any long periods of time. This will require a little more research.
Tomorrow I will be headed over to Downham Market to the letting agent's office to hopefully get everything straightened out on the house. I was hoping to start work tomorrow (though I am supposed to have this week off for "Personal Readiness Duty", a fancy way of saying get all your random stuff like housing, phone, finance, etc. done), but looks like that will have to be Wed instead. Friday I get to go on the newcomers' bus tour to Bury St Edmunds, a town to the SW of the base which is supposed to be very scenic. Can't wait!!! :)
Most of today was spent running errands all over the place on and off base. Driving is becoming less stressful (as long as I avoid the "five ways", the gigantic roundabout), but I am sure it will take a while longer for it to feel natural driving on the left and turning into the other side of streets, etc. The car is a rental from the same guy who owns the little hotel I stayed in the first week, and today I had to stop by there to ask about getting the driver's side mirror fixed. It had two big cracks when I picked it up, but I didn't realize how big a problem this was until I was driving back from Cambridge on Saturday night on a road with three lanes and headlights were reflecting in different directions and I couldn't see a thing.
I didn't mind stopping by the hotel, because as previously mentioned, I really enjoyed the owner and his wife and their new manager, Paul, who started working the same week I arrived. Paul is so much fun to talk to because he is a younger guy and very interested in all things American, while I, of course, am very interested in all things British. I think he gets a kick out of me because I get so excited when he tells me about things I need to see here, like castles and cliffs and beaches and all kinds of interesting things. Today he told me about a bar in London where everything inside (tables, chairs, glasses) are made out of ice. I sort of wasn't sure whether to believe him on that one or not, but I Googled it later and sure enough, check this out: http://www.urbanpath.com/london/cocktail-bars/ice-bar.htm
I did succeed in impressing him once last week, while proudly describing Penn State's legendary (American) football tradition, I happened to mention how big Beaver Stadium was (107,000 people). He insisted that I Google Image it so he could see what it looked like. I did, gladly, and he looked somewhat awestruck, especially after learning I had marched with the band on that field in front of all those screaming people. I guess football (what we call soccer) fields over here are not quite so big. Go Penn State! :D
Anyway, Steve (the owner) ordered a new mirror for the car and it should be fixed soon. My other mission today was to make progress on getting a cell phone. Like renting a house, this is much more complicated than you may think, if one plans to call both US and UK numbers with the phone. I think I found a pretty good plan for a home phone line when I move into the house, but the cell phone issue is still very confusing. There is no such thing as unlimited minutes or free nights and weekends, or any of the plans we are used to in the US. In fact, cell phones do not seem to be intended for international use over any long periods of time. This will require a little more research.
Tomorrow I will be headed over to Downham Market to the letting agent's office to hopefully get everything straightened out on the house. I was hoping to start work tomorrow (though I am supposed to have this week off for "Personal Readiness Duty", a fancy way of saying get all your random stuff like housing, phone, finance, etc. done), but looks like that will have to be Wed instead. Friday I get to go on the newcomers' bus tour to Bury St Edmunds, a town to the SW of the base which is supposed to be very scenic. Can't wait!!! :)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Cambridge
I love England. (Despite the fact that I am now having internet problems in base lodging.) Yesterday, I spent the day in Cambridge with Mark and Kathryn. Mark is in his second year of a Ph.D. program at Cambridge University, and Kathryn works several jobs including one for the psychology department of the University. One of the perks of being a University employee is that you get more access to the buildings and attractions than the general public, and this includes anyone accompanying you... which yesterday was me. :)
Cambridge has the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen in person in my life. It is mind-blowing to walk around and look at all the intricate detailing on every inch of these massive buildings, and to imagine how much time and how many people it took to build hundreds of years ago without modern tools and equipment. I took something like 90 pictures over the course of the day, because every time you turn a corner, there is another awe-inspiring sight. Plus, we had the most perfect weather day since I have been here, sunny and low 70s.
The drive over in the morning was easy, about 40 minutes. I met Kathryn at their flat (Mark was in the lab working on a presentation), and we began the tour! We started at the American war memorial/cemetery, which was interesting to see our flag flying. Then we drove into the University grounds, parked at Kathryn's building (another perk), and walked from there. We started at King's College, the most prestigious of the University's 30-something social groupings. (Kathryn said to think of Cambridge's "colleges" like fraternities, not academic groupings, but every student is a part of one.)
King's College gets its name from the several Kings of England in history who attended Cambridge. To be part of the college now, you must be royalty, extremely rich, or extremely well-connected. The buildings are just staggering in size and beauty (yes, I'm going to run out of synonyms for "beautiful" and "gorgeous" before I'm done with this post). We got to skip the line at the gates (thank you, Kathryn) and here is the view when you first walk into the college grounds:
Then we went on to the King's College cathedral, one of the most famous buildings on campus. Unbelievably huge inside, with gigantic stained glass windows. (Pictures are in album link at end of post.) From King's College we went to Queen's College, then met Mark for lunch at the most popular pub in Cambridge, The Eagle. Originally an RAF pub, it has stickers inside from all the military units who have visited, including many USAF flying squadrons. On the ceiling are writings from WWII flying crews who wrote messages there before leaving for battle. I had my first pub drink, a Kopparberg cider. I was worried about not fitting in at a pub because I don't drink beer, but the cider was very good and Kathryn assured me that they are available at every pub in many different varieties.
After lunch, we went to the Round Church, built by the Normans in the 1400s, if I remember correctly. We also visited two different outdoor markets, which had so many things I could use to decorate my house... there will definitely be a return trip. We watched a lot of people on the river in the Britsh version of a gondola, called a "punt". You can hire a professional punter to drive the punt, or you can do it yourself. Kathryn says this results in many amusing instances of people falling off the punt into the river, of which Mark was one. Unfortunately, we did not get to see anyone fall in this time, hehe.
Then we went to St John's College, and saw the famous Bridge of Sighs. Supposedly, if you float under this bridge on a punt with your significant other and kiss while you are under the bridge, you will stay together forever. Interesting. Then I found my favorite building/view of the entire day, also part of St John's College:
Doesn't it look like a palace? So unbelievably gorgeous... there was a wedding going on so we could not get inside, but the outside was enough for me. You probably have to marry into the royal family or something to have your wedding here... but a girl can dream, right? :)
After walking around some more and a trip to the grocery store, we headed back to Mark and Kathryn's flat for dinner. What a great day, I can't wait to go back! Pictures are posted on Facebook (I was getting complaints about webshots) here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=292517&id=701905001&l=5489d507af
You should be able to access it even if you are not on Facebook, but let me know if it doesn't work and I will try to fix. Church tonight at 5pm (contemporary service is in the evenings here), but other than that a relaxing day. Housing process continues tomorrow.
Cambridge has the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen in person in my life. It is mind-blowing to walk around and look at all the intricate detailing on every inch of these massive buildings, and to imagine how much time and how many people it took to build hundreds of years ago without modern tools and equipment. I took something like 90 pictures over the course of the day, because every time you turn a corner, there is another awe-inspiring sight. Plus, we had the most perfect weather day since I have been here, sunny and low 70s.
The drive over in the morning was easy, about 40 minutes. I met Kathryn at their flat (Mark was in the lab working on a presentation), and we began the tour! We started at the American war memorial/cemetery, which was interesting to see our flag flying. Then we drove into the University grounds, parked at Kathryn's building (another perk), and walked from there. We started at King's College, the most prestigious of the University's 30-something social groupings. (Kathryn said to think of Cambridge's "colleges" like fraternities, not academic groupings, but every student is a part of one.)
King's College gets its name from the several Kings of England in history who attended Cambridge. To be part of the college now, you must be royalty, extremely rich, or extremely well-connected. The buildings are just staggering in size and beauty (yes, I'm going to run out of synonyms for "beautiful" and "gorgeous" before I'm done with this post). We got to skip the line at the gates (thank you, Kathryn) and here is the view when you first walk into the college grounds:
Then we went on to the King's College cathedral, one of the most famous buildings on campus. Unbelievably huge inside, with gigantic stained glass windows. (Pictures are in album link at end of post.) From King's College we went to Queen's College, then met Mark for lunch at the most popular pub in Cambridge, The Eagle. Originally an RAF pub, it has stickers inside from all the military units who have visited, including many USAF flying squadrons. On the ceiling are writings from WWII flying crews who wrote messages there before leaving for battle. I had my first pub drink, a Kopparberg cider. I was worried about not fitting in at a pub because I don't drink beer, but the cider was very good and Kathryn assured me that they are available at every pub in many different varieties.
After lunch, we went to the Round Church, built by the Normans in the 1400s, if I remember correctly. We also visited two different outdoor markets, which had so many things I could use to decorate my house... there will definitely be a return trip. We watched a lot of people on the river in the Britsh version of a gondola, called a "punt". You can hire a professional punter to drive the punt, or you can do it yourself. Kathryn says this results in many amusing instances of people falling off the punt into the river, of which Mark was one. Unfortunately, we did not get to see anyone fall in this time, hehe.
Then we went to St John's College, and saw the famous Bridge of Sighs. Supposedly, if you float under this bridge on a punt with your significant other and kiss while you are under the bridge, you will stay together forever. Interesting. Then I found my favorite building/view of the entire day, also part of St John's College:
Doesn't it look like a palace? So unbelievably gorgeous... there was a wedding going on so we could not get inside, but the outside was enough for me. You probably have to marry into the royal family or something to have your wedding here... but a girl can dream, right? :)
After walking around some more and a trip to the grocery store, we headed back to Mark and Kathryn's flat for dinner. What a great day, I can't wait to go back! Pictures are posted on Facebook (I was getting complaints about webshots) here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=292517&id=701905001&l=5489d507af
You should be able to access it even if you are not on Facebook, but let me know if it doesn't work and I will try to fix. Church tonight at 5pm (contemporary service is in the evenings here), but other than that a relaxing day. Housing process continues tomorrow.
Friday, August 7, 2009
My future house is...
Bexwell Rd in Downham Market, assuming all the paperwork goes through next week. :D I decided (with some helpful advice), that I wanted to be part of a real British community, and that the house on Bexwell Rd offered the best combination of privacy without isolation, and unique style without sacrificing modern interior. See previous post or Facebook for pictures.
Too late for a longer post, because I have to check out of the hotel in the morning and move on base. This is sad, but I should consider myself lucky to have been in this beautiful hotel for as long as I was. I am also going to Cambridge tomorrow to visit Mark and Kathryn, friends from Penn State tailgating (cousins of my college rommate Carrie)! Very excited about that, but now it is time for bed. Thanks to all who provided comments on the house. :)
Too late for a longer post, because I have to check out of the hotel in the morning and move on base. This is sad, but I should consider myself lucky to have been in this beautiful hotel for as long as I was. I am also going to Cambridge tomorrow to visit Mark and Kathryn, friends from Penn State tailgating (cousins of my college rommate Carrie)! Very excited about that, but now it is time for bed. Thanks to all who provided comments on the house. :)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Soliciting Opinions
Okay, I think I need help. I need to make a decision between the house I saw yesterday and the house I saw today. One of the two is my house, but I don't know which it should be. I will be soliciting opinions from you, my prospective visitors(!), until tomorrow morning my time (probably early tomorrow morning your time).
House #1: Brickfield Lodge
Photo albums on webshots and my Facebook page (I am told webshots doesn't always load all the pics): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573900940oEzWks
Pros:
- Rural location next to stud (place that raises horses)
- Private driveway with over-arching trees
- 20 minute drive to work
- Front and back garden
- Big bedrooms
- Traditional older English style house
- Utility room for washer and dryer
- 5 minutes from Newmarket, all the bigger-town conveniences and attractions
- Available in 2 weeks
Cons:
- Somewhat isolated, not really part of a village community
- No downstairs bathroom
- No dishwasher
- No sidewalks on roads, not withing walking distance of any services/attractions
House #2: Bexwell Rd
Photo albums on my Facebook page and webshots: http://travel.webshots.com/album/573926772xIXmLd
Pros:
- On a residential street in Downham Market (within walking distance of train station, restaurants, shops, scenic buildings, etc)
- Newly remodeled kitchen includes dishwasher
- Bathroom with shower upstairs and half bath downstairs
- Includes conservatory and outdoor "summer house"
- Garage for my convertible
- Unique window styling in front is attractive and lets in a lot of light
- Better insulated, would save on energy costs
Cons:
- 30 minute drive to work
- Not as much privacy or quiet
- Newer more modern style, less traditional English
- Smaller bedrooms
- Small stairwell, queen mattress may not fit going up
- Not available until Sep 1st
That is all I have come up with for the lists... please let me know what you think (comment or email heidi.keller06@gmail.com). Time is short on both, so I may have to decide very soon: Brickfield Lodge has been shown three times in the last two days and seemed well liked by the others, someone might steal it from me. Bexwell Rd already has an offer, but the landlords (a very nice family with two kids) would rather rent to me because the offer is from a family of 6 and they think I would take better care of the house, they will give it to me instead if I want it, but I have to tell them ASAP.
I am about to get kicked out of the on-base cafe where I am using my laptop (oh the joys of being able to drive myself!), so I better post this before they close... thanks for your help!
House #1: Brickfield Lodge
Photo albums on webshots and my Facebook page (I am told webshots doesn't always load all the pics): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573900940oEzWks
Pros:
- Rural location next to stud (place that raises horses)
- Private driveway with over-arching trees
- 20 minute drive to work
- Front and back garden
- Big bedrooms
- Traditional older English style house
- Utility room for washer and dryer
- 5 minutes from Newmarket, all the bigger-town conveniences and attractions
- Available in 2 weeks
Cons:
- Somewhat isolated, not really part of a village community
- No downstairs bathroom
- No dishwasher
- No sidewalks on roads, not withing walking distance of any services/attractions
House #2: Bexwell Rd
Photo albums on my Facebook page and webshots: http://travel.webshots.com/album/573926772xIXmLd
Pros:
- On a residential street in Downham Market (within walking distance of train station, restaurants, shops, scenic buildings, etc)
- Newly remodeled kitchen includes dishwasher
- Bathroom with shower upstairs and half bath downstairs
- Includes conservatory and outdoor "summer house"
- Garage for my convertible
- Unique window styling in front is attractive and lets in a lot of light
- Better insulated, would save on energy costs
Cons:
- 30 minute drive to work
- Not as much privacy or quiet
- Newer more modern style, less traditional English
- Smaller bedrooms
- Small stairwell, queen mattress may not fit going up
- Not available until Sep 1st
That is all I have come up with for the lists... please let me know what you think (comment or email heidi.keller06@gmail.com). Time is short on both, so I may have to decide very soon: Brickfield Lodge has been shown three times in the last two days and seemed well liked by the others, someone might steal it from me. Bexwell Rd already has an offer, but the landlords (a very nice family with two kids) would rather rent to me because the offer is from a family of 6 and they think I would take better care of the house, they will give it to me instead if I want it, but I have to tell them ASAP.
I am about to get kicked out of the on-base cafe where I am using my laptop (oh the joys of being able to drive myself!), so I better post this before they close... thanks for your help!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
So excited!!!!
Let me begin by warning you that this will be a very long post. I have a lot of things to be excited about today. You are by no means obligated to read it all. :)
It amazes me how God can turn a bad situation into a good one. I locked myself out of my room earlier tonight when I went to the lobby to use the computer. Now, in a hotel with a 24-hour desk, this would not be a problem. However, in a small family-owned British hotel where the family lives off-site and no one mans the reception desk at night, this is a big problem, especially when they leave a British phone number to call for emergencies and I have no phone. I did not have my wallet to go use a pay phone, and even if I had, I would then be locked out of not just my room but the hotel, as the outside doors are locked at night.
I figured my best option was to wait for someone to come into the lobby who had a British cell phone I could borrow. A middle-aged woman finally came down the stairs, and though she did not have a British cell phone, she offered her iPhone to me to try. It didn't work, so then she asked if I had tried using the phone behind the desk. Of course I hadn't, because I assumed the door to the desk area was locked, and I didn't want to climb over the desk and risk setting off an alarm, being arrested, etc. So she says, "Oh no, you can walk back there, I asked the guy earlier if I could get back there to plug my USB drive into the computer to upload pictures and he said yes." I stared at her in shock as she opened the door and walked behind the desk. "You can put your USB drive in this computer?!?!?"
I was so excited I almost forgot I was locked out of my room. To make a long story short, I then used the phone to call the emergency number, and one of the owners told me how to find the spare key. So my pictures are all uploading as we speak!!! SO happy I met that lady, which I probably would not have if I hadn't been locked out.
Next exciting thing... I really liked the house I looked at today. Could it be the one? :-O I am also nervous, because the guy that showed me the house mentioned two other people he had showed it to who also liked it... what if they take it before I decide??? Here is the picture of the house that is posted on the company's web site:
It is located on the edge of a stud, which I learned today is a place that raises horses. The front and back gardens are both beautiful, and over the hedge on the side is a field with pretty horses, which you can see out the second floor window. It has three big bedrooms, and a big kitchen which has everything I need except a dishwasher, but there is a space with hookups for one so I can easily buy one if FMO does not provide them. On the other side of the fence in the picture is a small road that goes into town, but the house is actually accessed from the left down a beautiful private driveway that looks like this:
The rest of the pictures from the house are posted here, if you want to see more: http://community.webshots.com/album/573900940oEzWks
Also, if you want to see the Chapel House I saw on Monday, pictures are here: http://travel.webshots.com/album/573898696xcBuAS
So... I really really liked this house. As excited as I was about seeing the one tomorrow, I now think this will be some competition. We shall see!
Next exciting thing... I will be driving tomorrow. :-O I passed my British licensing test this morning with a 49/50 (you only had to get 80%). However, because I am under age 26, I have to take an extra "behind-the-wheel" class with a British instructor tomorrow morning. I actually think this will be a good thing... I will be a lot less nervous the first time if there is someone telling me what to do. Then tomorrow afternoon, I get to pick up my rental car, a Rover 416. Google Image it or I will take a picture tomorrow. Not bad looking.
Last exciting thing... tonight I called the number the chaplain gave me yesterday for the couple who leads OCF. They say the AF is a small world, but the leaders are the OG/CV and his wife, who I randomly happened to meet earlier today (just him, not her) when Jose was showing me the OG building! (For those not familiar with AF terminology, that means the Operations Group deputy commander, a Lt Col who is my commander's boss's deputy.) Crazy, isn't it? Anyway, I talked to his wife, who was very friendly and invited me to their house for the next OCF meeting this Friday evening. She says there are even a few other Lts who have just started coming! Woohoo!
And now, I will post the pictures I mentioned yesterday of my walk on the public footpath near my hotel. Mostly open fields with wildflowers and horses, but there is also the narrow way between bushes I squeezed through for about a half mile, and a beautiful house I saw on the way back. http://community.webshots.com/album/573908095rCdJpm
I think that is it for now, (pause for your sigh of relief), I will post pics of the next house and my car tomorrow!
It amazes me how God can turn a bad situation into a good one. I locked myself out of my room earlier tonight when I went to the lobby to use the computer. Now, in a hotel with a 24-hour desk, this would not be a problem. However, in a small family-owned British hotel where the family lives off-site and no one mans the reception desk at night, this is a big problem, especially when they leave a British phone number to call for emergencies and I have no phone. I did not have my wallet to go use a pay phone, and even if I had, I would then be locked out of not just my room but the hotel, as the outside doors are locked at night.
I figured my best option was to wait for someone to come into the lobby who had a British cell phone I could borrow. A middle-aged woman finally came down the stairs, and though she did not have a British cell phone, she offered her iPhone to me to try. It didn't work, so then she asked if I had tried using the phone behind the desk. Of course I hadn't, because I assumed the door to the desk area was locked, and I didn't want to climb over the desk and risk setting off an alarm, being arrested, etc. So she says, "Oh no, you can walk back there, I asked the guy earlier if I could get back there to plug my USB drive into the computer to upload pictures and he said yes." I stared at her in shock as she opened the door and walked behind the desk. "You can put your USB drive in this computer?!?!?"
I was so excited I almost forgot I was locked out of my room. To make a long story short, I then used the phone to call the emergency number, and one of the owners told me how to find the spare key. So my pictures are all uploading as we speak!!! SO happy I met that lady, which I probably would not have if I hadn't been locked out.
Next exciting thing... I really liked the house I looked at today. Could it be the one? :-O I am also nervous, because the guy that showed me the house mentioned two other people he had showed it to who also liked it... what if they take it before I decide??? Here is the picture of the house that is posted on the company's web site:
It is located on the edge of a stud, which I learned today is a place that raises horses. The front and back gardens are both beautiful, and over the hedge on the side is a field with pretty horses, which you can see out the second floor window. It has three big bedrooms, and a big kitchen which has everything I need except a dishwasher, but there is a space with hookups for one so I can easily buy one if FMO does not provide them. On the other side of the fence in the picture is a small road that goes into town, but the house is actually accessed from the left down a beautiful private driveway that looks like this:The rest of the pictures from the house are posted here, if you want to see more: http://community.webshots.com/album/573900940oEzWksAlso, if you want to see the Chapel House I saw on Monday, pictures are here: http://travel.webshots.com/album/573898696xcBuAS
So... I really really liked this house. As excited as I was about seeing the one tomorrow, I now think this will be some competition. We shall see!
Next exciting thing... I will be driving tomorrow. :-O I passed my British licensing test this morning with a 49/50 (you only had to get 80%). However, because I am under age 26, I have to take an extra "behind-the-wheel" class with a British instructor tomorrow morning. I actually think this will be a good thing... I will be a lot less nervous the first time if there is someone telling me what to do. Then tomorrow afternoon, I get to pick up my rental car, a Rover 416. Google Image it or I will take a picture tomorrow. Not bad looking.
Last exciting thing... tonight I called the number the chaplain gave me yesterday for the couple who leads OCF. They say the AF is a small world, but the leaders are the OG/CV and his wife, who I randomly happened to meet earlier today (just him, not her) when Jose was showing me the OG building! (For those not familiar with AF terminology, that means the Operations Group deputy commander, a Lt Col who is my commander's boss's deputy.) Crazy, isn't it? Anyway, I talked to his wife, who was very friendly and invited me to their house for the next OCF meeting this Friday evening. She says there are even a few other Lts who have just started coming! Woohoo!
And now, I will post the pictures I mentioned yesterday of my walk on the public footpath near my hotel. Mostly open fields with wildflowers and horses, but there is also the narrow way between bushes I squeezed through for about a half mile, and a beautiful house I saw on the way back. http://community.webshots.com/album/573908095rCdJpm
I think that is it for now, (pause for your sigh of relief), I will post pics of the next house and my car tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
I want a British accent.
Really, I do. The more I interact with British people, the more I want an accent. In a conversation, I just sound so boring compared to them! I mean, even reading the Traffic Code book for my driving test tomorrow makes me wish I talked like that. "Look round and use your left indicator when moving off" or "give way to road users in the roundabout"... doesn't that sound so much cooler than saying "use your turn signal" or "yield"?!? Sigh. I think I should have been born in England.
Anyway, I must warn you that this will be another photo-less blog, thanks to the internet being out again. Last night I was too tired to stand in the lobby to write anything, especially since I was depressed about house-hunting. The Chapel House was not quite what I expected... though beautiful inside and out, it was squished up against other houses, and instead of front or back gardens (what we call yards), it had a small square of pavement in the front and a small rectangle of bricks in the back. No grass. So... I was very discouraged, as that house had been one of my favorites online. Two out of three favorites have not been what they seemed, so I started wondering if my perfect house really exists. I am trying to remind myself that I have only seen three, so don't give up. I have high hopes for the one I am seeing Thursday.
Funny story... I was standing in the lobby earlier this afternoon looking at the housing website, and the hotel owner (very friendly and funny older British guy) noticed and asked me how the search was going. The brand new hotel manager (younger British guy, today was his second day) was sitting at the desk listening as I described what I was looking for in a house, and when I was done, he says "So you want the cottage from that movie with Cameron Diaz?" My jaw almost hit the ground, because I am sure I told many of you before I left that I wanted the cottage from "The Holiday", and to hear someone else come up with that from my description (especially a guy), was hilarious.
Anyway, let's see if I can come up with something other than house hunting to talk about. The past two days I have been inprocessing on base. Monday was nice, only one briefing and then I got to hang out in the weather station a little and meet the OSS/CC. My new desk is next to a door with glass paneling that overlooks the flight line, so I can watch all the beautiful F-15s taking off. It's so much fun being back at a fighter base. :) The OSS/CC seems pretty cool, very enthusiastic... it's just a little weird that the squadron has so many random pieces, a very different feel from the OWS where all of us on staff were so close and did essentially the same things in our different regions.
Today was pretty much death by briefing and powerpoint. The chapel served us lunch, which was nice, and I found out that there is an Officer Christian Fellowship (OCF) chapter here that meets on Fridays, so hopefully I can check that out this week. Tomorrow is the driving class and driving test, then some random to-do-list stuff in the afternoon before my appointment with a letting company (to see several houses) at 4:15.
If I could upload pictures, I would post a link to a bunch I took on Sunday, when I discovered a "public footpath" off the main road down the street from the hotel. Of course I went exploring, and it took me into the middle of a bunch of fields with wildflowers and pretty horses. Will post as soon as my computer decides to pick up the signal again, or when I find a computer I am allowed to stick a jump drive in. Off to study for my driving test!
Anyway, I must warn you that this will be another photo-less blog, thanks to the internet being out again. Last night I was too tired to stand in the lobby to write anything, especially since I was depressed about house-hunting. The Chapel House was not quite what I expected... though beautiful inside and out, it was squished up against other houses, and instead of front or back gardens (what we call yards), it had a small square of pavement in the front and a small rectangle of bricks in the back. No grass. So... I was very discouraged, as that house had been one of my favorites online. Two out of three favorites have not been what they seemed, so I started wondering if my perfect house really exists. I am trying to remind myself that I have only seen three, so don't give up. I have high hopes for the one I am seeing Thursday.
Funny story... I was standing in the lobby earlier this afternoon looking at the housing website, and the hotel owner (very friendly and funny older British guy) noticed and asked me how the search was going. The brand new hotel manager (younger British guy, today was his second day) was sitting at the desk listening as I described what I was looking for in a house, and when I was done, he says "So you want the cottage from that movie with Cameron Diaz?" My jaw almost hit the ground, because I am sure I told many of you before I left that I wanted the cottage from "The Holiday", and to hear someone else come up with that from my description (especially a guy), was hilarious.
Anyway, let's see if I can come up with something other than house hunting to talk about. The past two days I have been inprocessing on base. Monday was nice, only one briefing and then I got to hang out in the weather station a little and meet the OSS/CC. My new desk is next to a door with glass paneling that overlooks the flight line, so I can watch all the beautiful F-15s taking off. It's so much fun being back at a fighter base. :) The OSS/CC seems pretty cool, very enthusiastic... it's just a little weird that the squadron has so many random pieces, a very different feel from the OWS where all of us on staff were so close and did essentially the same things in our different regions.
Today was pretty much death by briefing and powerpoint. The chapel served us lunch, which was nice, and I found out that there is an Officer Christian Fellowship (OCF) chapter here that meets on Fridays, so hopefully I can check that out this week. Tomorrow is the driving class and driving test, then some random to-do-list stuff in the afternoon before my appointment with a letting company (to see several houses) at 4:15.
If I could upload pictures, I would post a link to a bunch I took on Sunday, when I discovered a "public footpath" off the main road down the street from the hotel. Of course I went exploring, and it took me into the middle of a bunch of fields with wildflowers and pretty horses. Will post as soon as my computer decides to pick up the signal again, or when I find a computer I am allowed to stick a jump drive in. Off to study for my driving test!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Internet is back!
After two days of severely limited communication (yeah I know that sounds pathetic, but I don't have a phone yet), my computer has suddenly decided to pick up the hotel's wireless network again. I thought it was a much bigger problem with my computer, but that is a long story you don't want to hear, especially since it is working again.
What this means is that I finally finished uploading and captioning my webshots albums, which I will post links to at the end for your viewing pleasure. First, quick recap of yesterday... I went to see the cottage I loved so much online. Here is a picture of the front so you know what I mean:
Now here is the bad thing about this picture: only the right half of the cottage (door and two windows) would be mine. The other half belongs to the landlord's mother, who will be staying there. That part was definitely not made clear online, at least to me. Now, there is no arguing that the cottage is beautiful, but after 4 years of apartment living, I was really hoping not to share walls again. Moving on... it is as beautiful inside as out. So much so that I feel my furniture would look fairly tacky in comparison, but not a dealbreaker, I guess.
The thing I noted most inside was how very small it was. Now, I had been warned by at least 50 people before this that British houses are much smaller than American houses, so I was not exactly surprised. The thing is, the house I looked at on Friday was SO much bigger, and I didn't even think it was that big at the time. Also, the layout of the Friday house was a lot more convenient... the cottage only has one bathroom, and it is downstairs. Also, there is really nowhere to put a washer and dryer in the cottage, and no dining room or space for a kitchen table, whereas the other house had rooms for all these things, plus an upstairs and downstairs bathroom.
Okay, so the cottage is tiny, you get the idea. On to the back garden. I literally felt like I walked out the back door into The Secret Garden. There are actually three areas to the garden, separated with wooden archways covered with vines. Here is a picture of the farthest back area, my favorite part:
Note the cute little covered bench with vines all over it, which the landlord says blooms with violets. Now, as storybook-beautiful as the garden is, here is my concern about it: it is already overgrown and full of weeds in many places (which the landlord promises to fix before she leaves). I have never been a gardener, and you'll have to look at my photo album of the place to see just how many plants there are, but it's sort of overwhelming. I am not sure I want to commit to spending as much time as it would take to keep this garden up. The other house had a massive yard and beautiful trees, but I can mow grass a lot easier than tend to a million different types of little plants and flowers. Just something to think about.
So I rambled about the cottage longer than I intended to... so much for a quick recap. After we saw the cottage, Jose stopped at the fish and chips place down my street so I could get lunch, then dropped me off at my hotel, just before a parade came down the street. I still have no idea what it was for, but of course I went outside with my camera to watch. Then I walked down the street to the cute little grocery store and bought a few things. It took every ounce of self restraint that I had not to take pictures of food in the grocery store, because there were so many unique and interesting things, but I decided to avoid looking completely ridiculous.
Later in the afternoon, Jose and his family picked me up to go see the movie G-Force on base, then we went to the commissary and then to their house for dinner. I LOVE their house! It is huge, with a huge front yard, and gorgeous inside with a lot of woodwork and exposed ceiling beams. The only downside is that it is about a 40-minute drive from base. I spent the evening playing on the swingset with their adorable 3-year-old daughter Arwen, then we all watched Bolt, which you should definitely see if you haven't already - so cute!
I guess it's about time I post the picture links, huh? Okay, here goes:
England Day 1 (includes plane ride, hotel, and walk down my street): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573839036xEaeru
England Day 3 (includes parade): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573837346TDoXSs
Church Rd (first house I looked at): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573846079jVXmuA
Gothic Cottage (described in this post): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573837351hmEmGZ
Probably more pics than most of you will care about, but I know I have a few loyal followers... hi Mom ;-)
What this means is that I finally finished uploading and captioning my webshots albums, which I will post links to at the end for your viewing pleasure. First, quick recap of yesterday... I went to see the cottage I loved so much online. Here is a picture of the front so you know what I mean:
Now here is the bad thing about this picture: only the right half of the cottage (door and two windows) would be mine. The other half belongs to the landlord's mother, who will be staying there. That part was definitely not made clear online, at least to me. Now, there is no arguing that the cottage is beautiful, but after 4 years of apartment living, I was really hoping not to share walls again. Moving on... it is as beautiful inside as out. So much so that I feel my furniture would look fairly tacky in comparison, but not a dealbreaker, I guess.
The thing I noted most inside was how very small it was. Now, I had been warned by at least 50 people before this that British houses are much smaller than American houses, so I was not exactly surprised. The thing is, the house I looked at on Friday was SO much bigger, and I didn't even think it was that big at the time. Also, the layout of the Friday house was a lot more convenient... the cottage only has one bathroom, and it is downstairs. Also, there is really nowhere to put a washer and dryer in the cottage, and no dining room or space for a kitchen table, whereas the other house had rooms for all these things, plus an upstairs and downstairs bathroom.
Okay, so the cottage is tiny, you get the idea. On to the back garden. I literally felt like I walked out the back door into The Secret Garden. There are actually three areas to the garden, separated with wooden archways covered with vines. Here is a picture of the farthest back area, my favorite part:
Note the cute little covered bench with vines all over it, which the landlord says blooms with violets. Now, as storybook-beautiful as the garden is, here is my concern about it: it is already overgrown and full of weeds in many places (which the landlord promises to fix before she leaves). I have never been a gardener, and you'll have to look at my photo album of the place to see just how many plants there are, but it's sort of overwhelming. I am not sure I want to commit to spending as much time as it would take to keep this garden up. The other house had a massive yard and beautiful trees, but I can mow grass a lot easier than tend to a million different types of little plants and flowers. Just something to think about.
So I rambled about the cottage longer than I intended to... so much for a quick recap. After we saw the cottage, Jose stopped at the fish and chips place down my street so I could get lunch, then dropped me off at my hotel, just before a parade came down the street. I still have no idea what it was for, but of course I went outside with my camera to watch. Then I walked down the street to the cute little grocery store and bought a few things. It took every ounce of self restraint that I had not to take pictures of food in the grocery store, because there were so many unique and interesting things, but I decided to avoid looking completely ridiculous.
Later in the afternoon, Jose and his family picked me up to go see the movie G-Force on base, then we went to the commissary and then to their house for dinner. I LOVE their house! It is huge, with a huge front yard, and gorgeous inside with a lot of woodwork and exposed ceiling beams. The only downside is that it is about a 40-minute drive from base. I spent the evening playing on the swingset with their adorable 3-year-old daughter Arwen, then we all watched Bolt, which you should definitely see if you haven't already - so cute!
I guess it's about time I post the picture links, huh? Okay, here goes:
England Day 1 (includes plane ride, hotel, and walk down my street): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573839036xEaeru
England Day 3 (includes parade): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573837346TDoXSs
Church Rd (first house I looked at): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573846079jVXmuA
Gothic Cottage (described in this post): http://travel.webshots.com/album/573837351hmEmGZ
Probably more pics than most of you will care about, but I know I have a few loyal followers... hi Mom ;-)
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