Warkworth Castle

One Year Down...

Well, on Saturday it will officially be one year since in landed here in England. I would like to have a nice long note of reflection on my experience but to be perfectly honest I've been too busy since I landed to even think about it! But here are a few things I have learned:
1. Never, ever eat mushy peas
2. Smiling and nodding when you don't understand someone can lead to some awkward moments
3. There is a difference between Geordies and Makems... and don't get them confused
4. Never correct an English person's English, they just say they invented the language
5. England may have done it first but America did it better... in some cases :)
6. Driving on the left side of the road is not as scary as it seems
7. Complete strangers can be very lovely (yes lovely) people and very welcoming
8. Pedestrians do not have the right of way in England and cars will run you over if you give them the opportunity
9. The English love paperwork and meetings
10. Different doesn't mean better or worse...just different
11. If a child asks you for a "rubber" they are referring to a pencil eraser
12. Yorkshire pudding is not a dessert
13. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and stronger

Well, I wish I had something profound to say right now but I don't. I've learned so much this past year and grown a lot personally and professionally. For the most part I still think I am crazy for moving over here but it has been such a good experience for me. I still miss my family and friends like crazy and some days are much harder than others but it is worth it. I have definitely been blessed with supportive family and friends back home as well as fantastic people here who have helped me adjust and given me more support than I could have hoped for. I also have a certain someone (Andrew :) and his family to thank as well for taking me in and treating me as one of their own, I am truly grateful for that wonderful support. So in conclusion, A HUGE THANKS TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT HOME AND HERE IN THE UK, I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!!!


Katey

Home for the holidays

Well I'm currently in Idaho, I got to go home for about three weeks for Christmas. Derek has been on leave as well, so it has been very very nice having everyone around, I know my mom is enjoying it. Aside from getting the stomach flu right before flying home, it has been a relaxing time.

Scotland

I went to Scotland last weekend. The first day I went on the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was the Queen's vacation yacht. The Queen only had a single bed in her room and a single bed for Phillip in separate bedrooms. I went to Edinburgh and saw the Edinburgh Castle, which is huge and impressive looking on the outside but the inside isn't as impressive, it did have the crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny which is just a rock that was used to coronate the Kings and Queens of Scotland, which was stolen by the English of course and eventually returned however they steal it back to coronate the monarchs of Great Britain. Edinburgh the city is pretty cool, it has very gothic style architecture. I also went to Holyrood Palace which was fantastic. It has like the four poster beds that Mary Queen of Scotts used and the current Queen stays there occasionally. I also went to Stirling to see the Wallace Monument. It's on a giant hill and it has 246 steps to get to the top. It is home to William Wallace's sword which is 5'6" so they estimate that Wallace was about 6'6". Then I went to Loch Ness, which is in the highlands. The Loch is really deep and the water is black with amber coloured waves. I went on a boat tour of the Loch and it was really windy so there were lots of waves and the boat was hitting them pretty hard. I didn't see Nessy but I'm pretty sure the boat hit her as we were going over one of the waves because there was a loud thud.

All caught up

Ok well, that should get me up to date. I will post some more pictures of my latest adventures in London when I get back. I am going to see the musical Wicked which I am so excited for! Until then, cheers!

Bamburgh Castle

Here is another castle that I went to. It is amazing! It is right on the sea front and is supposedly haunted by several ghosts. There are actually 5 apartments there also where people can live, wish I could rent one of those!