I initially started this blog on a slow day at work (did I say that out loud?)… I was bored and had been talking to a friend who blogged and thought “Why not? I'm sure I can do that.” Pretty much anyone I moaned to was fed up listening to my reminisces, memories and comparisons of England, so this was the ideal outlet for my “creative juices” or “moody cow whining” however you want to look at it. But some of the best things have happened because of this blog:
Reconnecting
I have been able to reconnect with people I haven’t seen for over 30 years (Good grief, has it been 30 years!) Although this isn’t technically true in all senses of the word as Facebook has played a part too, I was recently chatting with an old friend via Facebook and he mentioned his brother also lives in California and he would be visiting and would I like to meet up. Well, of course I bloody would.
The day came and he gave me a ring to arrange to meet. I was totally taken aback when he said he would come to my house – I’m so used to the American culture of always meeting for dinner, lunch or the like and really never going to someone’s house. Obviously right then the conversation went typically British. “Oh” I said, “You’ll have to excuse the state of the house, we’ve just got a new puppy and it’s a bit of a mess.” To which he replied “Don’t be silly, we’re coming to see you, not the house.” How refreshingly polite.
Obviously, I rushed home and tidied up, as you do, and put the kettle on. The visit was brilliant, even more so when he presented me with this little lot
So, thank you Mr. G. Hope to see you again sometime soon.
I saw a quote on Twitter the other day which said:
“Facebook makes you hate people you already know and
Twitter makes you love people you’ll never meet.”
@SwedishCanary
That is exactly what this blog has done (well, not the Facebook hating thing). I have met (virtually) so many people through this blog and Twitter [and if you are one of them, a big hello]. I have also realized how many expats out there are having the same issues, experiences and fun as I am.
This has only happened once (so far) [*hint, hint*] and it was bloody brilliant.
As the Hershey’s debacle was in full swing, a couple of start up companies contacted me to review their service. I was asked by ChocolateMailBox.com to take a look at what they are offering and they sent me a lovely box full of Cadbury’s. My post about that is HERE.
So if there’s anyone else out there who is just dying to send me stuff – go ahead [*smile*] – Yes, I am being cheeky.
British Telly
I was contacted by the BBC, yes the real Aunty Beeb, to participate in a telly programme pitting expats and their families at home against other expats and home families. While this sounded like an absolutely fantastic idea that I would jump at, I missed the deadline (mainly due to the time difference of emails, etc) so I am a bit gutted.
Hopefully, they will have a second season and I will definitely be there, with bells on!
I’m not in any way saying, though, that this blogging malarkey is easy. Sometimes I just sit here and stare at my computer with vacant eyes and an empty head not knowing what to say. But apparently, my brain kicks into gear every now and again and here we are…
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