In the last week, I have learned many things.

 To begin with, I have become very aware of my American accent.  I certainly don't make any effort to hide it; I don't think I could if I tried!  However, I can hear myself in a new way.  Any word ending with an "R" is a dead give away.  Water.  Sister.  Father.

Secondly, I have realized how unbelievably spoiled we Americans are.  We unabashedly waste precious energy.  People in places like Arizona and New Mexico use dryers, when if they just took the extra few minutes to hang up the clothes in the sun they could significantly reduce their energy footprint.  In such sunny places, the clothes would likely take the same amount of time to dry outside as they would in a dryer anyway.  I'm not writing this to sound moralistic or to chastize my fellow Americans.  Hell, up until last week I was doing exactly this!  It's just an awareness...and it is lacking in the US.  This week I couldn't help but be struck with the thought that Good Lord...if clothes can dry here in London, (which is sometimes a seriously soggy city), then they can dry anywhere! 

The third thing this week that I have not so much learned anew, (but rather confirmed), is that the British have words and expressions that are unbelievably fun and silly.   Some phrases here just make me giggle, so I feel compelled to share.   Some of these words I already knew, but I wanted them on the list anyway.  I have created two categories.  "Naughty", and "Not Naughty."  As you might guess..there is some overlap between the two.  Naughty double-meanings are not lost in this country.

Naughty
1. shagging:  sex
2. snogging:  making out
3. bonking: please see #1
4. giving him/her a good "seeing to": please see #1
5. crumpet:  someone's lady friend...
6. pants: panties!  (Americans:  Don't walk around London talking about your pants...say TROUSERS!   This can lead to embarassing misunderstandings...)

Not Naughty

1.  sorting it out: figuring it out

2.  bird: girlfriend

3.  crumpet: a light bread snack...similar to an English Muffin, but fluffier.  Hodge eats these with a combination of jam, butter, and marmite.

4.  done and dusted: this means that something is entirely finished/completed.  

5.  moggie: cat

6. cross: pissed off

7. sloshed: drunk
8. wankered: drunk

9.  making a dog's dinner of it:  royally fucking something up (just to give you context, this came into the conversation when Hodge and I were trying to fit our iphones with new screen protectors).

On a slightly more bizarre note, I have also learned this week that there are foxes who live in London.  Yes, that's right, foxes.  Two nights ago I heard a few distant and strange sounds...wasn't sure what it was and fell back asleep.  Last night, Hodge and I both awoke in utter terror at the sounds being made outside.  It was unlike anything I have ever heard.  It started out sounding like a baby screaming.  No, not screaming.  SHRIEKING.  Then there were deep-throated grunting noises, which were similar to a pig.  Screeching and grunting.  Right outside the window.  Hodge and I stared at each other in bed, wide-eyed and wondering.  In the morning, I asked our South African tenants what it was.  They said, "Yes, the foxes."  One then added, "But last night was quite extreme.  Might be fox mating season right about now."  So, you see, the foxes in our neighborhood were apparently engaging in naughty words number 1-4.

I have learned that I smile in public far more than is normal in London.  I was at the local grocery store, only a 10 minute walk from home.  I followed all the usual steps involved in checking out...put my things on the belt...waited patiently.  During my wait, I smiled at the grocery clerk.  She was an older woman, probably in her 50's, and clearly of African descent.  She sent a quick smile back at me.  When it came my turn at the register, she looked at me knowingly and asked "Where are you from?"  I paused.  How did she know I was a foreigner?  I haven't spoken yet and revealed my American accent.  I didn't do anything odd while waiting in line...or so I thought.

I answered, "I'm from the US."

"Ah, well you see, I knew you weren't from around here. People here don't smile like that.  When you smiled, I knew you were from somewhere else." As she said "here" she glanced shiftily around at all the people in the bustling store, and then chuckled and rolled her eyes as if to say,  "Look at all these sad bastards." I giggled, and then quietly asked her "Where are you originally from?"  "Ghana."  she replied.  An interesting little experience.

I am absolutely ecstatic to be the proud new member of a gym here in London. My wonderful Hodge has helped me with the process, and now I have access to the nicest gym I've ever seen.  There is a pool, a sauna, a hot-tub, beautiful new equipment, and free shampoo and hairdryers made available in all the locker-rooms!  I had a long workout today, topped off with a 10 minute bake in the sauna.   I feel like a new woman.  Sitting in the sauna finally helped me shake the inner-chill that has been lingering in me for the last week.  I am deliriously happy to be exercising regularly again!

I visited Kew Gardens today, which is a beautiful botanical garden that should be on everyone's list if they visit London.  As I walked through the sprawling and lush grounds, I couldn't help but feel unbelievably lucky.   I live in Europe now.  I am married to the love of my life.   How is it possible that I am this fortunate?  I would have loved and married Hodge no matter what...he could have been from anywhere in the world and it would have made no difference to me.  How is it that I am this lucky, not only to have found Hodge, but to have a husband who happens to come from such an exquisite place?  I'll never know.  But I will enjoy every single day.  :-) 

The following photo was taken at a pub down the street.  Not for my Hodge...but pretty hilarious nonetheless.  ;-)

Am I back in Arizona?  No.  Kew Gardens has a cacti room.  Very impressive!

I went to Richmond today, and apparently this is the royal boat upon which the Queen will be rowed down the river during the June Jubilee events.  Cool!