Team America, F*&$ YEAH!
Happy 4th everyone! There’s nothing more ironic than being in England for the fourth of July. The Brits actually think its pretty hilarious. This morning when I was sitting at the hotel for breakfast “Yankee Doodle Dandy” came on the radio. The Brits here at work have been making a big deal of telling us “Happy 4th” today, which is nice, and in the cafeteria they’re serving ‘Americana’ food, whatever that is. As cafeteria food is universally bad, we’ll be skipping that bit. For our part, we celebrated by renting Team America on Fri night and had a little movie party, then on Saturday we were invited to a 4th of July party at an American ex-pat’s house. There were fireworks and everything! Today we’re planning on celebrating the day by eating at either Burger King or Pizza Hut. Hey, don’t laugh, Burger King tastes like the best thing you’ve ever eaten after eating British food for 3 weeks. (no offense to the Brits out there, its just that I’m used to American food w/ its big flavor)
So I’ve been here for 3 weeks and it feels like forever. I think people are under the mistaken impression that this is something of a paid holiday. I’d say its nothing like that. I’m going to touristy attractions on the weekends simply to make the time pass. Truth be told, I really just feel like hiding myself somewhere with a book and a COLD beer (which doesn’t exist here). And eating out every meal? Yeah, I’m never going to a restaurant again when I get home. I really do feel like I’ve fallen off the face of the earth. My email has been reduced by about half and I’m suddenly not on the funny email distributions at work anymore.
I imagine I’ll probably be here at least another 3 weeks, although at the rate we’re going it could be well into August. My company has decided (well, actually ONE person in the company) that the policy about spouse visits after 30 days doesn’t apply unless you’re going to be stuck somewhere for 30 days past the 30 days. But, as I have no idea how long I’ll be here, they won’t send Ryan out. I’m so angry I’m tempted to say what company I work for on this blog.
I did visit Windsor Castle yesterday (to pass the time), but there was only one other guy around who wants to travel anymore, so I was stuck hearing about inhabitation of space, work gossip, what he’s learned lately listening to his philosophy tapes, and the hydro-nuclear-something-or-other design for a new space shuttle for 2.5hrs there and 2.5hrs back. Non-stop. Like seriously, not one second of silence. AND he kept turning down my music (the only thing keeping me sane) so I could better hear what he was saying. The steep cliffs were looking REALLY tempting by the end of the trip. Not to mention the fact that its a little weird traveling with a man who isn’t my husband. It got confusing when the ticket guy at Windsor was chatting w/ me about my last name, I said it was my married name, he asked were the hubby was, I said he was in America, then he looks and sees that I’m there with the nerdy engineer guy. I think next weekend I’ll leave town for the WHOLE weekend solo. I’ve got to get away from these people.
I have more pics of Windsor, but haven’t loaded them yet. Until then, here’s me with my new boyfriend looking miserable from being in the rain and from being inundated with non-stop babbling about nothing for hours on end.
