Jet Lag

Hi Everyone, i'm back in the States again....

As the title suggests, i'm experiencing some jet lag.

"Jet lag, also jetlag or jet-lag, is a physiological condition which is a consequence of alterations to circadian rhythms; it is classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Jet lag results from rapid transmeridian travel, as on a jet plane.

The condition of jet lag may last many days, and a recovery rate of "one day per time zone" is often mentioned as a fair guideline."

Last time I traveled to the UK, it took me about a week to feel like I was back in my body again.

I'm hoping it will be less time this go round.

I tend to get a bit whiny and depressed until I am myself again, so i'll try not to complain too much.

My trip was wonderful and filled with lots of interesting adventures.

Mostly visiting with my friends' family. If I had to pick one moment of fun i'd have to say Games' Night. The English love to play games and I made sure that I was included in some game playing.

My favorite one to play is a game called Articulate. Its similar to some American games where you have to describe to your partner the subject given to you depending on what category you land on. The Person category was not my favorite due to having mostly British people to guess or explain.

One night we got to go to London for a surprise event that my friend Dan had arranged as everyones' Christmas present. We had a lovely meal that we had cooked hours before, including Lamb shoulders with many roasted veggies, then some champagne followed by a stretch limo bringing us to London. There were 11 of us. The surprise event was a show involving a stand up comedian named Bill Bailey. He is well known in the UK. Very funny chap.

Apparently John Cleese was in attendance as well, though I never set eyes on him. When Bill Bailey mentioned Obama I couldnt help myself from shouting out. He heard me and made some comments on my lack of volume. He heckled me back. Very funny.

One special moment was when I was included in the scattering of Dans' mums' ashes around a beautiful tree in one of my favorite parks, called Bushey Park. It was a cold morning. Seven of us walked to the tree that Dans' step dad and Dans' mum used to sit under to gaze at the river and wildlife. I was extremely honored to be there and be a part of this ritual. Emotions took over more than I had imagined they would. It was a last minute change of plans. I believe things work out the way they are supposed to. The people that ended up scattering Annies' ashes were the exact people who were present at her passing.

We went for breakfast afterwards at a cafe Annie liked to go to. I got to have my Full English Breakfast which is basically a heart attack waiting to happen. Boy is it good though. There is one fried egg, ham, sausage, beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato, and toast, yum yum!

I drank so much tea on my trip over but what I loved to have was a Shandy. I like the Bitter Shandys the best. I only had 3 on my whole trip. Its basically beer with a lemonade mixture. Its not like our lemonade. Its a syrupy lemon/lime concoction added to beer. That may sound gross but its actually really refreshing.

I will write more about my trip soon.....part two to come.....back to napping and getting grounded in my body....

cheers all!

Happy New Year 2009!

I leave for London today. I woke up at 4:45am and realized I hadn't checked in online last night.

So, I got a not so good seat. Could have been worse. If anyone does any kind of traveling, especially over 5 hours, you'll understand that whatever you can do to make the flight more relaxing the better.

Getting an aisle seat is important to me. I have to wear my compression sleeve and glove, which I hate, and so I also need to get up quite frequently to stretch and keep my lymph system moving.

I also requested a low salt meal. The benefit of ordering a special meal is that you get it before all the regular passengers. People look at you and wonder why you are getting your meal before them.

Once I get there, I'll be able to relax, but until then I tend to be pretty nervous.

I will focus on New Years Eve and being in London.

2009, a new year, a new President (thank the goddess!), another birthday, another new year of holidays to come. Its a time to reflect the past year and all the events that occurred. Both personal and public memories.

I won't be too sad that 2008 is over. I am certainly looking forward to 2009. Nine is my favorite number so it HAS to be a good one!

Happy New Year ! I'll be posting after the 8th when I get back to the states.

Boxing Day

Happy Boxing Day!

I remember celebrating my first Boxing Day in England. It was my first trip there and I had just met Stuarts' best friend (he was holding a sign up with my name on it), we went directly to his Dads' house for Boxing Day celebrations.

I knew no one and they were so lovely, very inviting. They were in the middle of playing games. The British are big on playing all sorts of games.

They got me to play as well. There was one game that involved some kind of charades (pronounced Sher-Rahhds). I had to get up in front of everyone and try to get them to guess what was on my card, or get my partner to guess it. Most of the trivia was of British history. I didn't know the majority of the subjects given. Such as Queens and Kings and the history behind them. I knew I should have paid more attention in class. It was quite funny but also embarrassing.

From what i've gathered, Boxing Day is usually spent eating and drinking way too much, oh and of course playing games. What I love is the wonderful Port and Cheeses that are served after a big meal. Port is a great digestive. The cheeses are stinky but in a scrumptious way. I found a new appreciation for moldy cheeses. Stilton is fantastic!

This year I introduced English "crackers" to my family. Not the edible kind, the type that involves a popping sound and wearing funny paper crowns. Another interesting Britain tradition. They look like big pieces of fancily wrapped candy. Two people tug on the cracker to see which one gets the bigger half. When its broken in two, the cracker pops like a firecracker (hence the name). Inside are little gifts or jokes or both. There are different levels of crackers. If you pay a lot of money you get nice presents inside.

I do love seeing family during the holidays, but to be honest i'm pretty glad they are over with. I'm looking forward to relaxing in England and perhaps drinking in the New Year with a glass of champagne. Maybe i'll even have a funny paper crown on.

Cheers!

Snow A Flying

Well, I made it through another blizzard. Yesterday was quite the storm. My area got at least 13 inches of snow. The winds were over 30mph. A Nor-Easter for sure!

I am grateful that my power didn't go out. It would have been very cold seeing that it was only in the teens outside and wind chills way below zero.

I am cozy and warm and very thankful! I hope all of you readers out there stayed warm and cozy too!

This cold is certainly giving me a run for my money. Where does that saying come from I wonder?

I was able to go to a holiday party that involved a Yankee Swap, or some people say Chinese Gift Giving. I wonder if the Chinese really do give gifts that way?

There are so many expressions that we use and I'm betting most people don't know where they came from, how they started.

Lately the new expressions seem to come from famous people who start the trends.

I love the stories of how certain things come to pass. Some local guy in some small English town had a couple of pints and decided to say something that someone wrote down and there you go, it stuck!

I appreciate the fact that some sayings are kept local. I live in Maine and there are many Maine expressions. Wicked Good was a popular one when I was growing up.

I wonder if someone is writing a book documenting all the popular sayings of the past?

Is there an expression you find yourself saying a lot?

One that I tend to say that I'm trying to stop is "Cool!" I'm getting older and it's not exactly fitting my age group anymore. I need to come up with another expression to replace that one.

Maybe I can use "Fantastic!"

Happy Yule! Happy Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Holidays!

Snowflakes Are Falling On My Head

Hi ya'll

I'm still sick.

So tired of being sick. It's a waiting game.

I ventured out to get a small Christmas tree, fake one this year, and took some pics. Stewie loves to sit under the tree.

The snow is falling outside, luckily not on my head. I was supposed to go to my Oncologist today. I don't have a car and with me being sick and all I thought better of it. Don't want to get even more sick or delay my getting well.

I'm going to London for New Years! I'm very excited!

Every year my friend from London and I go somewhere for New Years. This will be our 9th year!

I HAVE to be well for my trip! I am determined and stubborn!

Cold cold go away! Come again some other day! Or year! :)

Hope you all are staying warm and toasty!

Sick :(

I've been sick for almost a week now and i'm going stir crazy! It stared out as a sore throat and then progressed to my sinuses and now my lungs. fun times!

Here's a link I hope you can check out! I had fun doing this one! I believe you'll have to copy and paste the link...sorry, i'm still learning how to add things to my blog. I've got foggy brain today.

I wish I was in a snow mans' outfit instead but oh well. its still fun!

http://www.dancingsantacard.com/?santa=199398

Dancing Tonight!

I am going to see a show tonight to see one of my favorite musicians, Mike Doughty!

I'm looking forward to dancing and having a great time!

My physical issues can take a back seat for now.

It's nice to have an escape from reality once in a while.

Let's hope my physical issues won't get in the way tonight, I want to live in the moment and have a good time.

Fingers' crossed!