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nah nah nah, hey hey hey....goodbye

I have packed up and am shipping out! Blogger is no longer a friend of mine. Please visit me at my new home with Xanga.

xx Island Girl

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Well, I swanny!

I have had my husband all to myself the last two days as he has been off of work. I cannot express how wonderful it has been to spend an entire day with him. Today, the english air was mild and fresh. We had an afternoon walk along the river, fed the ducks and swans and went for a drive along the countryside. It is days like this that gently remind me why it is that I left a comfortable life in America and traded it all in for a new way of living.

I made the most perfect trade. I am one lucky girl.

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Marmite Blobbing

As mentioned before, the bonfire-ish tasting toast spread has been given disapproving votes (once again) by children and their concerned mums. Apparently, the television advert for Marmite is terrifying the pants off of small children according to BBC News. The comical advert is a spin-off from the 1950's science fiction film, The Blob, and is actually unsettling at first, yet has become a favourite of mine.

Yet, my opinion still stands. This yeast extract delicacy not only taste of drunken puke, it is now the scariest phenomenon since Chucky.

However, good news kids! Kitties love marmite! And so should, you!

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My best friend...

IS GETTING MARRIED!!!

I recieved the call around 10:30 p.m. London time. She was thrilled, over the moon, in love and lugging a diamond on her left hand the size of Texas. I could not be happier for you, my dear Amanda Lauren!

May I just say, "I told you so!" I mentioned to Amanda that I knew who her future husband was and that all she had to do was take a road trip to my hometown to meet him. Phillip and I have been close friends since high school and I have adored him for years. I always knew the two of them would be perfect.

They met. They dated. They fell in love. They are now getting married.

I love you both and am incredibly happy for you two! Darren and I will try our best to fly to America in September for the blessed event! I have bridesmaid duties to fulfill!

Love,
One happy matchmaker

PS- I have made the announcement in the blog world before she has! Go share the love & congrats!

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V O T E!!

Not for me--My photography is complete shite! However, meet my American Expat friend, Beth aka jigglebox. This girl doesn't take clickin' a flashing box lightly (pun intended). Go check out her work! After discovering that she is just as fantastic as I mentioned, go to 2005 Photobloggies and please nominate her for Best British Photoblog, or Best Kept Secret Photoblog (no doubt she should be discovered by more bloggers!!), or even better nominate her for Best New Photoblog!

Go on, be a part of someone's happiness! This girl deserves to be recognised! Browse the rules. We want your vote to count!

Hurry! Only two days left to nominate!!

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I Am

Inspired by the talented, Michael Nobbs. (go check out his site!)

I AM

A dreamer
An inspiring children's book author
A risk taker
A wife
A newlywed
A friend
A daughter
A sister
A soon to be Aunt
A grand-daughter
A great grand-daughter
A daughter-in-law
An artist
A musician
A lover of jazz music
An American Expat living in England
An okay cook
Horrible at saving money
Neat
Organized
Afraid of fire
Patient
A Cat lover
Cold natured
Christian by faith
Non Judgemental
Proud of my accomplishments
A coffee drinker
A traveller
A lover of the city
Inspired by the ocean
A night owl
A teacher
A wine sipper
Thankful
A non-redmeat eater
Addicted to antique shops
A bubble bath taker
A snorer
A Texan by birth
A horrible driver
A Champion at thumb wrestling
Painful to watch play tennis
Learning to dress casually
Fond of MAC's "oh baby" lipgloss (but can't seem to find it in the UK!)



Who are you?

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British Offbeat Observations Of An American

Instead of going to the toilet, one goes to the "loo."

Yorkshire Pudding doesn't look anything like pudding. It's more like a dinner roll.

A lift is an elevator.

The expression "chips" means French fries.

The expression "crisps" means potato chips.

Marmite is concentrated yeast extract paste, enjoyed at any time of the day, whether on toast for breakfast, in sandwiches at lunchtime, or as an added ingredient in stews and casseroles. It tastes like bonfire.

A dual carriageway is a divided highway.

A traditional "English Breakfast" looks like this.

A lorry is a truck.

A chemist is a person who works in a drugstore.

A vest is an undershirt.

Aluminium/Aluminum. The Brits really do say "ahl-yoo-minn-yum."

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"I guess I have something that you want, and you have something that I want"

That statement from a dear friend brought instant chills to my body. There I sat, as my eyes were glazing over with brackish tears and the lump in my throat started to throb. Her comment was in response to an email I sent to her mentioning that my father had been having heart trouble and the thought of losing him was numbing. She lost her father a few years ago. I can almost bet my new life in England, that it feels like yesterday. I still have my father and that is the "something" she wishes she still had. She has gorgeous seven month-old, Gabriel Allen. That is the "something" I want that she has.

I find myself feeling defeated when I hear bad news, particularly bad news that involves people dear to me. My father and I have never been close and this lack of relationship cripples me in the tiniest of ways on a daily basis. As a child, I longed for him to take interest in my sandcastles, ballet recitals and school plays. As I became a teenager, I wanted nothing more than his support at my basketball games and cheerleading competitions. So many of my friend's fathers were so protective of their newly dating daughters, yet my father took no interest at all. And despite the lack of affection my father revealed to me throughout my childhood, he still remains so dear to me. In knowing that he had a tough life, I pardon all what seems to be a lack of effort to take part in my life and continually want to help us become friends in our adult lives. I see how hard it is to tell others he loves them. I can also count on two hands how many times my father has taken the initiative to wrap his arms around me for a tight embrace throughout the twenty-six years of my life. Yet, it has been that handful of instances that were hopeful and the very reason I traveled home on the weekend throughout my college years. I longed for that returning favor of an embrace before I left home to travel back to my college town.

"...at least you have a chance of having your own child," she wrote.

The realization of my self-pity became an instant feeling of guilt and disgust. It was then I realized that I still have the opportunities. I have the opportunity to show my father an abundance of love and make things right between us. I also still have the opportunity to have a child, no matter what doctors may say because of a life changing word, miracles. Yet, miracles will not bring back my friend's father. It all became very clear that I have no room to complain. In the grand scheme of life, I am blessed. There is so much in my life that I have the power to change instead of kicking my feet up and watching desperately as it passes me by. I really must be true to myself and the life I lead.

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98%

I once read,

"A great writer spends 98% of his time writing and 2% being distracted by the internet."

My percentages have not been reading that lately and I have decided to do something about it. I am going on a break. No, it's not a holiday to Paris. However, it is transformation as far as inspiration goes. I need to get out my paints and canvas, go out and take in fresh air and enjoy just being in a new place with new surroundings. And, of course, to write. After all, it is a passion that brings happiness to my life.

I'll be back in a week or so.

Ciao,
xx Island Girl

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