The Most Unfortunate Thing. Really. This Time I'm Not Lying.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
On top of everything that has gone awry with this trip (flu, etc), we recently received the news that one of our babies has gone and injured himself. He had a little run in with my brother's dog (the dog was after the food, not the cat) and managed to dislocate his rear left kneecap due to clumsiness.
Doesn't he look pathetic (but adorable) with that splint on?The knee is in such a condition that he does need surgery as soon as possible. In light of the news, we've changed our plans and will be returning home earlier than planned to care before before and after his surgery. My brother feels terrible, and I don't blame him or the beagle for any of it. It was just a series of unfortunate events.
For me, it seems as if its the most difficult thing to be away from the ones you love when you want to care for them... and already miss them so much. It wasn't a question whether we wanted to be home for the surgery, just a question of when was the soonest we could. Well, at least I'm getting better... which will make the trip home more bearable.
Author: Cat » Comments:
The Most Unfortunate Thing
Friday, December 28, 2007
About this trip is that it hasn't been much of a trip at all. To this day, I am still congested and ill. It has been over a week since I've stepped outside this apartment, and today is the first day that I have felt well enough to even consider going out for a meal this weekend.
During the downtime, I've discovered my new favorite television show. It's
The Lion Man. Think of him as Steve Irwin of lions. He hand raises lion cubs and trains them personally. His theme song is so cheesy, but catchy (It's apparently won a BAFTA!). If you want to catch a preview, see
this youTube video.
On Boxing Day we did have a full house for a day of eating and opeing presents. I wasn't much help in the kitchen, but it looked like D and his brother M didn't really need any help from me anyway. Their menu included roasted chicken, roasted lamb shoulder, "veg", potatoes, yorkshire pudding, and stuffing. For dessert, we had an abundance of chocolate cake, black forrest gateau (sponge cake), mince pies, and lots of chocolate boxes. We still have lots of leftovers in the fridge.
I might partake in some gateau for breakfast this morning...if I can only stop coughing
Author: Cat » Comments:
AKA as a Jacket Potato
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
For 2 and a half pounds, you can have a hot baked potato lunch with toppings of your choice. Mine included sweet corn and coleslaw. Sounds a bit disgusting, I know, but it was tasty. D has a slightly more normal one... it had baked beans and cheese on top.
In any case, it was great to have just before we rushed off for some Christmas shopping. And that, is no different from any country. It was busy.
Author: Cat » Comments:
A Little Piece of Home
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Much to my delight my first outing since the initial arrival into the country involved the familiarity of that lovely coffee lady in the photo.
It was packed like its original in Seattle. It was because of the novelty of its opening earlier in the week. However, unlike the ones in Seattle, they served the coffee in the mugs... rather than the regular paper cups. We wondered how many of them have been "nicked" since its opening.
After a bit of window shopping, we dined at the local chicken chain,
Nandos. For 5 pounds each, we had a 1/4 chicken with 2 choice sides. The boys, of course, took 2 sides of fries ... err, chips... while I had roasted corn on the cob with chips. My chicken was flavored with lemon and just the right amount of kick (it was the mildest they had). It was delicious. The chicken fell off the bone easily and the roasted corn reminded me of the summers in our vacation home in the Philippines where we used to devour them as snacks. I will definitely asking for another round of that before we go.
When we were done, I didn't want to push my luck with my still iffy state and wanted to return to home before the temperature dropped too low. Now I sit here, with a full tummy and a new Top Gear on tv. This is almost heaven. Almost.
Author: Cat » Comments:
Chicken Coop
Friday, December 14, 2007
Five days of my trip has gone, and I remain within the confines of the apartment because of this flu. However, I am optimistic for tomorrow. The coughing, sneezing and hacking up a lung has subsided... and Vicks and I will be parting ways soon (YAY!).
I wish I had more to share and blog about, but describing my dietary regiment isn't really all that exciting to anyone, even myself. The most exciting part of my day is finding that a Washington red apple had made its way into my fruit basket.
More interesting things to come soon... I hope.
Author: Cat » Comments:
Bacon!!!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Though the last few days have been tough because of this bug, I did get to partake in one of my favorite British foods. The bacon sandwich (pictured).
It's not a fantastic, mind-blowing kind of sandwich, but rather a fulfilling one: Knowing there is meat rather than fat on your bacon. I had mine with just a little bit of ketchup, though you can have it with the popular HP Sauce. The bacon prices are comparable to its American counterparts, unlike a lot of things here. (I just watched a commercial for the Xbox 360 for 299#!!!)
It was the first thing I've tasted in days. Maybe that's why I feel so overjoyed by this meal, but for the most part, this is something you just can't have in the States!
Author: Cat » Comments:
Sniffles and Skittles
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
In the town where Skittles used to be made, D & I are stuck in the apartment... completely ill. Neither of us can sleep nor breathe properly. Because I'm not allowed to take any other medicine, I've overcompensated to have D to take medicine for both of us.
Now, I'm taking these things called Lockets which are supposed to help my scratchy throat and blocked nasal packages. I've gone through most of the package, but it hasn't helped too much.
I really wish I can breathe soon!
Author: Cat » Comments:
Arrived in the GMT
Sunday, December 09, 2007
After a long Saturday of packing, cleaning and spending quality time with our kittens, we said our goodbye to the comforts of home for the time. I was quite distraught over leaving the little brats, but it's such a comfort knowing they're staying with family while we are away.
The plane departed late from Seattle yesterday because the crew was stuck in traffic. However, I'm pretty sure it was because they were out holiday shopping. They ascended to the terminal with bags and boxes from Macy's and such without any care that boarding had already been delayed an hour.
After boarding, we were greeted with a nice surprise. The in-flight entertainment had been upgraded to an on-demand model with a decent selection of movies, television and music. Economy plus brought some perks making the step up worth the while - nicely reclining seat with adjustable lumbar support and a leg rest. Plus, there were only two of us along the window, allowing me to make those repeated trips to the restroom.
The flight was pleasant, but it was difficult to sleep with the cold and sore throat still lingering. With the air being so dry and stagnant, it only worsened my condition and only allowed me a couple hours of sleep to meet the day and immigration with. This time, immigration went smoothly and the gentleman was quite nice about it. It was also a pleasant surprise to find that our luggage was in the first batch to arrive. We got through customs to be greeted by a sign (which was small to read from a distance, but the thought was great!) and balloons by D's sister and dad. It made me feel at home.
Getting settled into the apartment, however, didn't seem as easy. There was a miscommunication and waited an hour before we were let in by housekeeping. The apartment is nice, but upon settling in, have figured out there are things amiss: there was no hairdryer as promised and the bedroom window won't close without the proper key, which we were not given. Currently, it's jerry rigged to remain as closed as we could get it and have turned up the heat to compensate the difference.
It was great to see everyone at the Carvery for dinner and good converstation but I think D and I were much too tired to enjoy it completely. But I'm sure that won't be the last of those, so we excused ourselves and have since tried to sleep even with the windstorm.
Obviously, D is more sucessfull at that than I have been as I am up at 4am local time, wishing this cold and cough would be gone so I can really indulge in this trip. I guess I'll have to wait and see what tomorrow (errr.. today, I guess) brings....
Author: Cat » Comments:
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Friday, December 07, 2007
Tomorrow, we'll be boarding the plane and I am ecstatic.
Now only if I can breathe better... This stupid cold and cough has been lingering for days and no amount of vitamins or jamba juice has been able to cure me.
Maybe I'll do what I always do: stay up all night so I can sleep on the plane. With the packing and cleaning still left to be done, I'm sure that won't be too difficult. Other than the cold, there is concern about how comfortable I am going to be in the seat in my current condition. I'll let you know after we get there, I guess.
But, I do have my in-flight entertainment all ready to go. Comedy DVDs, the PSP with Lumines and lots of new albums on my iPod. Plus, they'll be showing Harry Potter on the plane. These are the little things that amuse me.
Author: Cat » Comments:
Winter Wonderland
Sunday, December 02, 2007
After days of forecasts predicting snow in the area, it finally arrived yesterday, starting at around 2 p.m..
It continued through the evening and gave us our morning surprise: about 2 feet of snow covered our garden and everything around us. The pathways disappeared and people were cross-country skiing on the road!
As we ventured through our neighborhood, we found that everyone was enjoying the winter wonderland. Kids were sledding down driveways and adults were having snowball fights. Others were riding their snowmobiles down the road to help clear the roads. Our trek took us to the neighborhood park where we found a frozen lake and deeper snow banks.
If this is how winter is every year, I'm going to love it here.
Author: Cat » Comments:
New Beginnings
Saturday, December 01, 2007
There is a desire to leave everything in the past where it rightfully belongs, and this change is simply the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
I hope you enjoy my new adventure with me...
Author: Cat » Comments:
On top of everything that has gone awry with this trip (flu, etc), we recently received the news that one of our babies has gone and injured himself. He had a little run in with my brother's dog (the dog was after the food, not the cat) and managed to dislocate his rear left kneecap due to clumsiness. Doesn't he look pathetic (but adorable) with that splint on?
