The Christmas

For anyone who is not in Cardiff, a few weeks ago, they turned on the Christmas lights. It was quite the event, the Dr. Who cast was there and "pressed the button" so to speak... Bob the Builder sang some songs and most importantly, they turned on the lights. The Christmas is what I'm calling the beautiful decorations all around town. The lights, little stands, it's like Christmas Town at Bush Gardens... but real! (and minus the Amy and Steph and the worst snow storm of 2009) Songs were being sung, the lights dance and sparkle everywhere. Its just so exciting every time I walk into town. I want to go to the ice-skating rink and ride the ferris wheel, go to Starbucks and get hazelnut latte, have roasted chestnuts... they are frickin' everywhere! I have only heard of them in the Christmas song, not actually seen them in real life! I'm pumped... but sadly I can only participate so much in all the festivities. Now as an American, I am strictly banned from listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.

Here is the problem: there is no Thanksgiving here. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays. Maybe that is because I bounce back and forth between my two families: one where a house of almost 100 people gets together and you vaguely remember that you are related to every single person in the room (isn't that terrifying) and then the other I get to go to the beach and hole up with the Bitto side of my family and have a great time at the Outer Banks, NC and just sit around, shop, and eat for a week. The best part about Thanksgiving is seeing most of my family in such a short period of time. There is also the food! I love Thanksgiving dinner, don't get confused... dinner is not at 6 PM, oh no, its at 2 or 3 at the latest. That way you essentially eat everything you can at that meal and you don't eat dinner. I mean can you really stop someone from finishing off that turkey leg and I mean, the Cranberry Sauce! That is hands down my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. I don't want any home-made with the cranberries still being all crunchy on the inside of my sauce, give me the can and i'll open it and cut it into slices based on the lines from said can. Yes, I know, it sounds horribly lazy and frankly American, but hey... we are the ones who celebrate this holiday of feasting!

But as Thanksgiving is coming up this Thursday... I will be missing my family. I will not be in the Outer Banks with my siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and my granny. I will miss them, but this also means I have something to look forward to. Christmas. I get to go home and see them, I get to listen to my Jackson 5 Christmas CD that my mom mailed me a month or so ago, I get to do everything but decorate the Christmas tree because it will already be done by the time I get home. I have already made the Christmas playlist on my iTunes, and I'm psyched! Come this Thursday night, my flatmates will be sick of me because Christmas is all that will be coming out of my computer's speakers for a quite some time.

So now, something to look forward to.... The Christmas

American Halloween vs UK Halloween vs Fancy Dress

If you haven't seen the movie Zombie Land... do. That is the only way I can describe the UK Halloween. Now in America we do it... well right! We put on the least amount of clothing, or possibly the most creative we can acquire and we put on a show. Everyone looks crazy, and it is just so much fun! Ok, maybe there are the few (or many) girls in College who dress up in the scankiest outfit they can (usually just a bra and a pair of hot pants) and grab a hat of sorts and say they are _______ (insert Firefighter, Policeman, Disney Princess, Fuzzy Animal, etc here). Its a good time. Girls are excited because they let out their inner freak and guys are happy to look. The best part about it, it is totally acceptable! Also, we don't dress up on just Halloween. In the college scene at least, you get Halloween weekend. If Halloween does not fall on a weekend night, then you get the weekend either before or after (depending on which it is closer to) and the actual day to dress up! Thats at least a weekday,  plus a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and occasionally Sunday to dress up!

On occasion you do get the people who just shouldn't be dressed that way at all. You know, the girl who has her bum hanging out of her skirt, or worse, skirt not even covering half her butt. Maybe you have a drunk person who has had 3 too many and now they have a costume that is falling apart and they don't care. Then there are the people who just went to the costume shop and bought the dorothy costume that involved the thigh high socks, poofed out skirt and corseted top. They just lacked creativity! And there is always the cross dressing male. They are there to make me smile, and I am greatly appreciative of it. Now while I really wish that I was posting pictures of Halloween from last year, I'm pretty sure I lost them all in my computer switch. Sorry to those I facebook stalked to find ones of me from last year, and if you so desire, I will remove it if you ask me to :)

Good variety here: cute, super hero, slutty, and cross dressing male

Super Hero Home Made costumes... thats how we do it

Now here in Cardiff, I did not know we only do scary. You can put on a Buzz Lightyear suit, but you better have some face paint and plan on giving yourself the face of a someone who has contracted the T-virus (for Resident Evil fans) or look like Bill Murray (for Zombie Land fans).  Everyone is dead, everyone has face make up on, and everyone has a bit of fake blood. How does that happen? There were quite a few girls dressed as animals of sorts, or maybe a dead pirate, or the occasional cop or something, but they all looked like they were dead. That is a lie, there were many cats. They kinda took over the population with Zombies. It was kinda creepy. I didn't really like it much, but I understand the need to be something scary on the scariest day of the year.

Flatmates dressed as fuzzy animals... notice the fake blood to the right and the creepy clown...

Well, I have to say these Britons have us Yanks beat in one aspect at least...

They know how to fancy dress. They go out on regular nights in a theme, such as Golf Pro's and Tennis Ho's, or Back to School (wearing school uniforms), or Cops and Robbers. Granted, we are doing it this week for me and a few friends birthdays, but I still enjoy it. You could just grab everyone you know, tell them you are all dressing in a theme, and people actually do it! The only time that works in the US is halloween if you have a group costume (Legends of the Hidden Temple contestants, for example), or a Toga Party. Even at the Toga party I had to provide togas to some people, even if they were out of town. When we had everyone who was dressed appropriately for the toga theme, it turned out to be one of the best parties ever. It was so much fun and no one cared what we looked like. Now only if I can get people to do that all the time in the states.

So it comes down to this:

American Halloween vs UK Halloween: America wins. We have better candy (don't believe me, come get some candy corn from my room), better costumes, and we make it anywhere from a 3-5 day event. Like everything else it is bigger :)

American Halloween vs Fancy Dress: Fancy Dress wins. Everyone in a single theme looking crazy together, why the eff not?

UK Halloween vs Fancy Dress: Fancy Dress again... Its just better, more fun, and can fit any type. You can choose to be super slutty with the choice of outfit or you can cover up all parts you deem appropriate to do so. What I wouldn't give to do fancy dress every day (and plus, then I don't have to try to look good, I can just go and say i'm doing fancy dress and i will be accepted) Plus, I really don't like dead clowns, so halloween looses here...

Embarrassing, why yes I think so...

It's funny. As it is stated in the great American film What a Girl Wants, Amanda Bynes' characters grandmother states, "No hugging, dear. I'm British. We only show affection to dogs and horses."


Well stated. The people on this island are insanely private. I will show my case and point: Karaoke night. Now let me say, that the Optom's I went with were more or less tone deaf. Granted, some did have a good voice here and there, but either they were too embarrassed to sing, or they could not be heard overtop of the 15 other people in the room singing with them. Now, as we all know in the US, it usually involves copious amounts of alcohol, a DJ and a stage with many lights. Who doesn't love karaoke night? Lets grab 15 close gal pals and we'll split the 3 microphones when DJ Tim calls our name to come to the stage to sing Spice Girls "Wannabe." This way, american girls can only slightly embarrass themselves while looking brave and sexy up on the stage. It's a win for all! It is how we show our wild side, rebel a bit, and put ourselves out there for love and fame. It is how we express our inner, slightly inebriated, beautiful selves... how else am I to do that? Painting? Poetry? Photoshop because of my lack of a seriously awesome camera? NAH!


Oh the Britons, leave it to them to make sure that you can only embarrass yourself in front of those whom you care about and probably whose good opinion of you needs to stay standing... Well they found it, private karaoke booths. Not like we don't have them in the US, it's just that here in Cardiff, it's the only way to do it! Gotta go to Tiger Tiger on Monday nights and drink cheap drinks and  book a karaoke booth! We got a 15 room one and we sang some amazing songs, of which I only knew 5 because I didn't grow up here.... Luckily Ashley was there to back me up and get some Billie Jean on the machine!

Oh yes, red booth... did I forget to say

Now there will be some similarities... We do have some man love that happens, as it usually does in the platonic sense. Now the entertainer of the night was definitely Scott. You couldn't steal the mic from him if he was blindfolded and handcuffed! I'm sure Greg just loved all of it!

To give you an idea, they are singing "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" you know that song in Top Gun?

I must say that my case has been proven. As soon as we left the sound proof room, everyone was fine and no singing was done the rest of the night. But yet, they do fancy dress... Maybe I should change my argument: They will only embarrass themselves in groups of people or privately. It's alright, these islanders have class, demur, sophistication, and an accent that will automatically make them sound about 50 IQ points above me. (Even the 5 year olds sound smarter than me... maybe I just sound dumb, but as this is my blog, it will not be a presented argument here)

There was so much power in those off pitch, amazingly wonderful, loving, laughing voices that it convinced us to do some Journey. As any night should end... Thanks to the peeps at 1910 JPA who convinced me that before this song was popular again, it was the only good way to end a night involved dancing, air guitar, and amazing 80's music. Now I will leave you with this short clip, as my camera battery was running low and so was the memory space.

When you're lost look for signs, when you're on this island, laugh at them

I always say: "I'm never lost." Now is that because I'm the great-granddaughter of a milkman, as we say in my Dad's family? Maybe because my sense of direction is just that awesome? Maybe because I wander until I find where I want to be... therefore never lost.

This past weekend I was in London with my girl Ashley. She kept asking me how I knew where I was going and when did I learn this. The answer was simple: There are some really noticeable signs at every tube station, most street corners in central London, and when all else fails, sometimes on the pavement. Not even kidding. If you are ever on Borough High Street, look down. You'll see little copper circles telling you which way the tube station is. It's pretty great, maybe thats because they don't want little North American Tourists coming and bothering the Londoners by walking the wrong way and getting confused.

So this has since lead me to always be looking at/for signs to be sure I know where I am going. They are such useful things... But when I was in London, I saw some pretty amazing ones. I mean  who would think to put bird feeding and alcohol together? Now let me take you back: Mary Poppins, the lovely Julia  Andrews singing Feed the Birds. Did anyone think to ask, was that woman homeless? She sure looks homeless while she feeds the birds. What does she do with that money afterwards? Go to the pub of course! Now while I just ruined a perfectly amazing childhood memory for many people, and especially for all those that I drag to the lovely steps of St. Paul's to feed some much hated pigeons and maybe even sing the song myself... think of this sign next time you do it:

On Buckingham Palace Road right by the Apollo before Ashley and I saw Wicked

Wow, ruins that song for you now doesn't it? Well let's take it a step farther... A few years ago I was doing a few short weeks in London for a study abroad experience. Considering the partying that we kids did, we found this sign outside of a church to be rather lovely:

Outside of Church 2008

Salisbury cathedral. Absolutely beautiful! Please go visit as soon as you can! The place is lovely, the town is lovely, the bus system is kinda stinky, but thats ok because there is Stonehenge nearby. While at the previously mentioned cathedral we walked near the graveyard section. Seriously, you are going to go walk in a graveyard... now realize that the ground will not be even. Does that have to do with the people they just buried? Maybe... Now check this out:

I am assuming that people fall often here. I have managed thus far to not take a terrible tumble... but judging by the signage, there are some pretty bad falls. But at the same time, maybe if the sidewalks were actually made of pavement (which is what they keep asking me to call a sidewalk) and not stones, then I would be 100% behind the removal of all signs that include falling. But since that is not the case, I will continue to laugh at these signs when I see them. Well I have a few others that just crack me up here for you entertainment...

Don't trip up the stair I think??

Do they think I can't manage to walk up stairs? Well they are right... I tend to fall up them on a regular basis. Not as often as my sister, but I do have the scars to prove it.

On the sight seeing tour bus in Cardiff

DON'T YOU DARE STAND AND POINT AT THE SITTING GUY! Pointing is rude, and rude is one thing the people on this island are not. They will go strangely out of their way to apologize to you even if you are the one that is stepping on them.  But we will save that for another post...

There are many more that are just funny and I do enjoy them, and as I find them... there will be pictures that will be posted. I mean, this comes from the country of "Due to a person under the train, the Picadilly Line towards Cockfosters is experiencing delays..."

It's all about the little things that make you smile every day :)

Looking the other way

Ok, I've been here for almost 3 weeks now and I walk everywhere. I have successfully taken the bus once, and the train once as well... but other than that I am walking. Leave it to me to find a way to still look the wrong way while crossing the street...

I know, Americans do it wrong. Or, according to those around me, at least 75% of the world does. Yes, I also know that it was the Roman way to drive on the left side of the road. But that theory is based simply on the ruts in a Roman road just outside of Swindon... no where near Rome! Swindon, for those who are wondering, Swindon is a ways west of London on the M4... Who knows, someone may have been special like me and not know their right from their left until they graduated from university. I don't know how I ever got anywhere unless Julia was tapping me on the shoulder to tell me which way to turn my wheel. When the middle ages came around, the entire world rode in their carriages on the left. Did you know this was so then you could grab your sword with your right hand and stab a guy? (... And then Steve stabbed a guy, great way to end a terrible story for the record)

In the 1700's, France and the US started driving on the right based on the carriages used to haul goods. All so then they could control and lash their team of horses with their right hand. This also came in handy when Napoleon came to power, as he was left handed. Therefore his armies marched on the right to keep any foe that he may meet on the road at bay with his strong hand ready for his sword on the left side of his body. Man this guy sure did change a lot just to suite him and his small stature. Granted, when this started happening in England (circa 1756) they created a law about it for the London Bridge (which eventually became law everywhere within the empire). This became official law in the UK around 1835 with the highways bills that were passed.  So who passed the bill first? Americans: 1792, passed a bill that would keep travelers on the right side of the road to avoid and traffic problems and movement of sellable goods.

Moving on..

So I have discovered that we have essentially kept to whatever side of the road for reasons of violence. For protection when we were still carrying around swords and lances, or to whip the team to get them to move faster, or because Napoleon was left handed to keep one small man protected at all times.  I have also discovered that when you should be cleaning your room, making dinner, or organizing school work, that you can learn a lot from Wikipedia.

There are many places that drive on the left, and even more that drive on the right. Will I ever start to look the correct way while crossing the street? I'm not sure, but I do hope that every time I come to an intersection, there will be some sort of car waiting for me to walk in front of them for the sole purpose of giving me a clue on which was to look to avoid oncoming traffic.

Sounds like a horrible racist joke

How much you learn from one house of people...

So you put a Chinese, Frenchie, Englishman, American, Canadian, and a German all in a room... Sounds like a really bad joke right? Nope just another night in 3 Colum Road. What more can a group of 6 people from all over the world do rather than listen to each other talk. Thank the gods that everyone can speak English.

It's amazing what a bottle of wine and a wok full of pasta and chicken and garlic can do to a group of people. After Ashley (Canadian) cooked dinner for Scott (English) for his birthday and I (American) provided wine, soda, and garlic bread, John (German) started us off with a nice ballad for the meal. He was genuinely amazing! I loved it. He was so good, not only with guitar, but his voice as well. No matter how much he wants us to believe that he can't sing, Scott, Ashley and I strongly disagree.

When a plate of pasta was done, the other two members of the house, Paul (Chinese) and French girl whose name I don't think I've ever learned, joined us. We kept the music going, the conversation entertaining, and the laughing floating. It was just an amazing night! When conversations come up about student riots, how the chinese government will just take your house, strikes going on in paris, how to say words in other languages... It was mind blowing, and so much fun. So much so, that I became an honorary house member... I only live about 200 m away, but it's still far enough and not close enough at the same time :)

I would have never had this experience back home, or at least it would have been very difficult. Consider it reason # 37 to love Cardiff. The multitude of people that come from every type of background. I have only met 2 other Americans: one living downstairs (Taylor from NC) and one from WV on the tour bus... It's kinda amazing. I love it

Just another day with the nuns and the chickens

For those that don't know, I live in probably the smallest room in the world. Ok that is most likely a lie, compared to those in NYC, but it is still relatively tiny. Don't get me wrong, I love it! It's pretty cute, I live in a good place, and I'm going to try to keep myself together organized in a way. Once I figure out how to organize myself! But I do get quite a view from my window in the morning: chickens and nuns.

Nun at her gardening

I'm not quite sure the religion, but I do see them wearing the proper head attire to be a Catholic nun. (Expect further investigation) They have some beautiful roses, a nice park with some paved paths, and most importantly: chickens.

Chicken, that we have named Chuck

These chicks are mostly brown, but there is one white and one black rooster. I'm sure that they lay their eggs somewhere where I can get them, I just have a thing about stealing from nuns... Every once in a while you do see someone else walking around in the park. They tend to be gardening when they are there. I want to find out more, but then I'd have to jump the wall... and I just have  thing with breaking into a park run by nuns.

It's the Catholic in me, as Julia (Gulia) Taylor says: "Caitlin, it's the Catholic in us, and we have to get rid of it. Or else we will feel guilty the rest of our lives..."