Monthly Archives: February 2010

Representative of the USA

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I re-read a few of my emails from when I lived in Paris in 2004 – just before Bush was re-elected. There were many emails surrounding the topic of Bush, since the French were so adamantly against him being in office, but this entry reminded me of a sort of duty that I, and other expats, have to represent America (if I may be so bold.). (Thank you, Charlie, for keeping them all safe.) I came across this particular entry:

I had a guy at a party Friday night ask me if it was true that Americans thought that we were the only country that existed.  I explained that for many people that is true, that Americans can be very egocentric, etc.  He said that he had a very bad taste in his mouth from Americans because they didn’t seem to know about anything, and that he heard this and that about us, and how can that be possible if we are such a dominant country in the world.

I tried to explain that many Americans have never been outside of the country, but we’re also not as fortunate to have many other countries surrounding us as in Europe.  We continued talking about the differences, and he was a little surprised at my knowledge of his culture and history.  He brought up the fact that Americans helped the French at the end of WWII, and that is a big reason he doesn’t understand our lack of compassion in the world at this point of time.

He asked me why I would want to come to France to study if I was already located in the most powerful country in the world.  I could only say that I didn’t really know, but there was something wonderful I felt when thinking about France and its people, and that’s why I was here to find out why I wanted to be here.

I was very humbled by the way he asked me questions and was really concerned about learning why he would hear such things about Americans.  It just made me think how important it is when going to another country to represent  your country well.  Had I been rude or loud and ignored what he had to say without listening, he would have continued to think that no wonder Americans have the reputation they have.

As the conversation was coming to an end, he looked at me and said…”You have saved a French man from thinking ill of your country.  I will now think differently about Americans.”  I felt at the time like I was in some amazing back to school special on different cultures mingling.

I ask myself this often. Do I have a duty to represent our country well, or is that too big of a task to put on myself? In the end, people are going to think what they think about me, and perhaps I can only be the best person I can be. That bodes the same for living life even if I were in the USA, doesn’t it?

It Caught Up

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This entry could be called “Random Thursday Thoughts” (not to be confused with “Random Tuesday Thoughts” by 3 Bedroom Bungalow.)

Last year, I got here in December, so winter only lasted three or four months…max.

I had forgotten how long winter is! Last year, I said, “I don’t know why everyone complains about winter. I think it’s nice to have a break from the heat every once in a while.”
This year, it’s February, and I’m already in month four or five? And, it’s not looking like it’s going to be dissipating anytime soon. Yes, I have to say that after a year and two months in England (officially today!) that I am over this weather. Many thought it would take only a few months, a few days. I have outlasted most perhaps. But, I am so over it.

What I wouldn’t give for Los Angeles right now.

Although, tonight I had a nice brisk walk, and it felt nice. At least I wasn’t sweating. I don’t like sweat very much either.

Oh, and it’s my half birthday. So, feel free to wish me a very merry half birthday! Why do half birthdays stop as soon as you enter double digits?

Did I mention that I got my first for-real freelancing job? I did. I am now a professional writer (the first time I wrote that sentence, I accidentally put a t instead of a w after no. That would have been awkward.)

I met up with an American who found me through my blog. She just moved here, and we went for lunch on Tuesday.

I love her. No, seriously. She seems amazing, and I hope she becomes my friend. Internet friend dating can be creepy, but this girl rocked my socks off in a purely platonic girl-love way.

Perhaps I’m American-person starved? I keep thinking I hear an American accent everywhere I go, and yesterday, I actually got it right. It can be embarrassing when I go up to strangers and ask them if they’re American, and they tell me they are Scottish. That has happened. Jock says I have the worst ears for accents ever.

Probably true. But, yesterday, at the cinema (or movie theater as we Americans say), I met two girls from New Jersey! How random is that? I think they may have thought I was crazy when I kind of stalked them for a minute in the ladies room, and then finally got the guts to ask. The worst part is I left mid-way through our conversation. What was I supposed to do? There was a stall opening, and I couldn’t stand around all day while we discussed the fact that I used to live in New Jersey when I was 8 years old.

What else?

I think I may cut all my hair off tomorrow. Will let you know after hairdressers. Thinking bob a la Katie Holmes. Or possibly Meg Ryan a la City of Angels. Or Frankie Sandford from The Saturdays.



Valentine Surprise

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As much as I tempted him to reveal the location, he wouldn’t. It was going to be a surprise. I was intrigued. I can count the number of times I’ve been surprised on my pinkie finger.

As if there was a tree with lights and presents underneath it outside our bedroom door, I awoke early. Early on a Sunday morning is rare, if not illegal, in MAL’s world. It was Valentine’s Day, and I couldn’t believe I had someone who was planning something special and secret for me.

I knew this much – it was an hour away, my attire needn’t be fancy, and it closed at 2:30PM. No idea, but the tummy was doing flip flops.

Radio was blaring as we got dressed, and packed a lunch. “Did you hear that?” he asked me. “No, why?” I replied. A man had phoned in on Radio 1 declaring he would be taking his girlfriend to the same place Jock was taking me. All I heard was the radio announcer praising him for his good idea.

The car wound through the countryside, past Bath, past Frome. The houses got bigger, and the architecture more elaborate. The sun was being ambitious – shining all the way through its work day, not giving up once – a shame mister wind and cold didn’t want to take a break.

“Have you heard of Longleat?” he asked me as we passed the first sign.

“Never. Should I have?” I answered. The card he gave me read “I hope you enjoy your little piece of Africa today.” I had no clue what that was supposed to mean. I was about to find out.

The Marquess of Bath decided to build a large safari in 1966 on the 30 acres of land that he owns. It was the first safari park outside of Africa. It’s an echo of old royal animal collections (as an association of wealth) and the first of a new type of zoo. Lions and tigers roam free in large enclosures that cars are allowed to drive through (as you’ll see in my pictures below when they can easily cross in front of your car), monkeys climb on your roof, camels stop traffic and wolves hunt you down.

Since Jock traveled through Africa right after we met in March 2008, this was his way of showing me what I missed while he was away. I am smiling from ear to ear as I write this.

I am in awe of this land. The animals seem happy, well taken care of, and it’s an incredible way to see them up close and personal.

There’s another area of the park. There is a large house that the Marquess still resides in with his family – he lives in the penthouse, and the public can tour the first floor. It’s an incredible example of the Elizabethan era, and has been owned by the same family for over 400 years.

We ended the day eating delicious food in a country pub – the Blathwayte, just outside of Bath. There weren’t many other Valentine’s diners, and we had our own fireplace to ourselves. We relaxed over a glass of wine and a pint of cider, and mulled over how horrible the idea of Valentine’s Day actually is – but secretly loving the way we did it.