New Girl

Tonight, I was that girl. A new girl.

The girl who chats to her waiter in a restaurant.

And then writes her number on the receipt, and leaves it with the tip. 

Brazen hussy! Who is this girl?!

A girl who gets results apparently.. 

'Hey its me from the restaurant. It was nice to talk to you, we should definitely hang out.'

New girl: 1 Old girl: 0.  

Absolutely Loving It

Okay, apologies in advance if this is a ridiculously hippy, happy post.

Actually no, I don't apologise. That's something I'm learning from the Americans (or from Berkeley at least) - I do not have to apologise for any feelings, emotions, or idiosyncrasies I may or may not convey.

I had a great weekend. Friday night I went to SF with M and some guys, we danced the night away (until 1 am that is, when our feet hurt and we hobbled home). Didn't sleep until 3 though, girly time. Then Saturday I woke up at 7, worked for an hour, and went shopping with M in SF. First time I've been to San Francisco in the daytime, and the first time I've felt christmassy since I moved here. Loved it.

Saturday night went to a thanksgiving meal & dance with C and M, in Concord, about half an hour away. That was a hilariously strange night in a way that only Mormons can be hilarious and strange.
We really are a peculiar people. But again, no apology necessary, we are what we are.
Some people are just weirdos, and we love them anyway.
Then I went back to C, M & A's gorgeous apartment and we all watched The Kings Speech, chatted, and braided each others hair.
'I totally feel like I'm at a sleepover right now'

Sunday was church, which was, as always, a pleasure. There was incredible food after, and it was so nice to sit down and eat with everyone. By this point however, I was running low on social and physical energy.

I hate missing out on opportunities to socialise because of tiredness, I hate it.
As Bob Wright said 'You can sleep when you're dead'.
He's so right, and I've lived by that ever since. I certainly did this weekend, by 3pm Sunday after talking with my family and friends (Ashlee, made me so happy to Skype <3) I was dead.
I usually hang out on Sunday nights with a few friends at C's house, and I wanted to go.
So I slept for a couple hours, and went over. I wasn't there for long, but I just like being with those guys, enjoying their company.

Today, back to work. It was a nice day, the extended family are here since its thanksgiving this week. Finished work at 5 and then had spanish class. Finished class at 9 (actually 930 but ditched the last bit) and had yoga at church. Lush.
Then M and I went to an adorable late night cafe. Mexican hot chocolate, good company and hours of laughter make for a beautiful end to a day.

I'm so grateful to God for sending me out here, and the people He has put in my path.
I usually enjoy life, and try to be positive.
But here, I don't at all need to try, I am completely and utterly in love with life at the moment.

Accent Strikes Again

Earlier, I parked the spaceship Americans call a car. There was a car behind me, but not in front. I am terrible at manoeuvring that thing, and I was hoping no-one would park in front of me, blocking me in.

Of course, this was the school pick-up, all bets are off. Its a vicious scene, parking spots are like the last dress in a 75% off sale.

When I returned, 3 children in hand, a mini was parked, RIGHT in front of me. Her bumper was touching my front.

This lady was just getting out of the car and looked ready to throw down. 

But I decided to take all my strength, emphasised T's, English politeness and ask.. 

'Excuse me, I'm terribly sorry but could you please, please move your car forward so I can get out?' 

I've never sounded so posh in my life. 

But results were exquisite. 

Her facial expression went from anger to confusion, as her ears adjusted. Then wonder, amusement, and finally.. Putty. 

'Oh sure! Well yes, yes of course!' 

Later, I was at the park, again, 3 children in hand. Only people around were man and son. I was somewhat on guard as it was just before sunset. Man instantly starts talking to us, the kids start playing with his kid. 

Man: 'Wait are you from England?' 

Ah crap. 

'Yep. KIDS, we're not staying long..'

'Oh cool! Whereabouts?'  

'London-Hey, you guys be CAREFUL!!' 

'London that's so great, yea, you have an accent. (This always strikes me as odd. I have an accent? Golly, hadn't realised.) I have 2 children in Germany so I often go to London (Again, I get this often. As if all European locations are within a 5 mile radius), yea I have 2 children in Morocco too. Ohh look, look at what Josa is about to do, watch, watch him!'

The kid then jumps off some beam. 

Riveting stuff. 

His dad then proceeds to basically give me the kids Match.com profile: The child can speak German, is learning Judo, can speak Spanish, loves to travel, is learning Mandarin, he does baseball, likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. Blah, blah blah.  

Point is, if I'd been American  I don't think these sorts of slightly irritating, kind of creepy conversations would take place. But I also wouldn't be treated like the queen on occasion.

So I put it to you dear readers.. Gift or Curse? 

The British Way?

Overheard an 'English' accent today from a couple, I got really excited and walked over.

'Well that's accent I don't hear everyday, where are you guys from?!'
'England. We're on holiday here.'
They then gave a curt nod and walked away.

That's awkward.

1 of 3 options here..

1. They didn't get that I was also English. (Which isn't a possibility because though initially I struggled with 'The Twang', I've been fighting hard, and now sound right as rain.)

2. I've assimilated to the Californian way and expect everyone to talk freely. I've had so many conversations here with randomers that I've embraced it. I embraced it in England too, just didn't happen as often there.

3. Most likely option: Stiff upper lip syndrome. They were being typically English, and therefore assumed that as a result of my approaching their space I was likely to kill/threaten/embarrass/hassle/beg or all of the above.
Heaven forbid we have a short chinwag and then cheerfully part ways, joyful in the glow of  fellow human interaction.

Goodness, whatever was I thinking?

My morning run..

Man oh man

Just got back from dinner with M.

Well, what was supposed to be dinner with M, but she brought some guys from san fran and made a party!

So fun.
Eating good italian food, laughing all night and being with great people is one of my favourite things in life. Always has been, turns out there's no change across the world.

Man I'm hanging out with so many guys on the regular. In england, the ysa* scene had such sad ratios, I got used to being the 6th girl to every male in any given social situation.

Here its like the opposite, men men men.

Especially with M and I, there'll be like 5 guys and us 2.
I've missed that, from a purely platonic place (honest).
Coming from an all male home (bar mama) I've always been slightly more comfortable hanging with guys, and I missed that in england.

Also, guys here will actually have a conversation with you regardless of their feelings toward you. Initially at least.
In england guys will unashamedly look past/through you if they aren't interested (gross generalisation, of course). So its refreshing, how two people can be very different and still have good, interesting conversation  I feel like its not such a meat market here, people want to be friends first, before anything else.

Not that I'm england bashing, or ever will be (obviously, since england is superior in every way).
But I'll probably end up comparing the countries by default, because england is the only other place I've ever lived!


*ysa - 'young single adults' is a term we use in my church, mormons my age who hang out and have fun together, do stuff.

Don't Judge a Book

I was walking with the pushchair earlier, with my 3 year old girl inside. We were passing a high school. 

All of a sudden a kid opens the windows of the tall building and shouts:

'Should have used a condom!! Hahahaa!!' 

He obviously thought the child was mine, and that I was around 16 years old. 

Kind of hilarious he automatically thought I was some american girl who got knocked up as a teenager. 

And now had to skip school to look after her baby. 

Couldn't be farther from the truth! 

I'm here on a visa which is EXTREMELY hard to get, working in childcare and having the year of my life in a foreign country. 

Who's the loser now?