tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54611336438112748072024-03-04T21:53:02.727-08:00Team Hunleysome notes about our adventures abroad...jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-79895047965402044752011-02-07T03:42:00.000-08:002011-02-07T03:42:35.965-08:00Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">December 2010. Snow Day in Worcester</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ilbJzAdpDzjH7aSYRqE-dTLAsp7xp2nbp6zR6v5A64Cmp7Dz1B5Gbci3uJsD6HkMcRR2vISu9Av2Ea6u4z0uhk-1q0sakrIzkplc0F_0tl7a0vjKbKcn1fWwNp4PGjfWcdJD0YLsGZE/s1600/DSCN3427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ilbJzAdpDzjH7aSYRqE-dTLAsp7xp2nbp6zR6v5A64Cmp7Dz1B5Gbci3uJsD6HkMcRR2vISu9Av2Ea6u4z0uhk-1q0sakrIzkplc0F_0tl7a0vjKbKcn1fWwNp4PGjfWcdJD0YLsGZE/s320/DSCN3427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our Sunday afternoon pub where we go for a nice mulled wine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's always warm and cozy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Vmg25GyEJkqtLzieFvFB0flsACv_Wr6VxPw06m61wH7_bzfpvlYH11lBNViSrPXBa_RVO5RNlCMN0QR52yCbYdubs_U68wQYlnBQFrtfEL3TVb0V4sHpLvm_7JBKai6A2i6iS4Qgvag/s1600/DSCN3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Vmg25GyEJkqtLzieFvFB0flsACv_Wr6VxPw06m61wH7_bzfpvlYH11lBNViSrPXBa_RVO5RNlCMN0QR52yCbYdubs_U68wQYlnBQFrtfEL3TVb0V4sHpLvm_7JBKai6A2i6iS4Qgvag/s320/DSCN3433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We flew home to the States on Boxing Day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While there we had a great time with family and friends. I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I did get one of Dad's birthday party! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQItDyOpg1l-RPhyphenhyphenBQOOHhts29RICMq3eEedSnLrvAtaziLkAyuvkUOmQlcstFPDLIpsbsVbeQgNB2CE-4uiQ6O64G2VVXx8ODAvYZsPafVMCIB7sTqTyHoaZs8OyLa6NaaKCiee9qVU/s1600/DSCN3459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQItDyOpg1l-RPhyphenhyphenBQOOHhts29RICMq3eEedSnLrvAtaziLkAyuvkUOmQlcstFPDLIpsbsVbeQgNB2CE-4uiQ6O64G2VVXx8ODAvYZsPafVMCIB7sTqTyHoaZs8OyLa6NaaKCiee9qVU/s320/DSCN3459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Catching up with our buddy Soren after a long year away!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyw3qtbO2QtcMBbwiFHVFMJn-gEIKF-aDuPQ2nPH-EkyjFYtk6vbddOgHeRh6CA0dWK9S7Ey3j4lGP3G4pYYLtwWC65qyHFMqEFa3dk0frwN9uNJn8sfN_4ONADdxiZCeVVRZL0OszIo/s1600/DSCN3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyw3qtbO2QtcMBbwiFHVFMJn-gEIKF-aDuPQ2nPH-EkyjFYtk6vbddOgHeRh6CA0dWK9S7Ey3j4lGP3G4pYYLtwWC65qyHFMqEFa3dk0frwN9uNJn8sfN_4ONADdxiZCeVVRZL0OszIo/s320/DSCN3557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting to know Eva! We met our newest niece while we were home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was born last summer while we were in England. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRfycK5sReU7u8RULynnKovQmvZe7J33KuRoFBapxD28QgL9_b0UBKpksHl98lgneYj-xof1JxRtDGRPLcTsXEkff5w4E73kg8t79AEeT0cdk-fbt0B58YLCFxbNuaZlEcZj9xmY_eCE/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRfycK5sReU7u8RULynnKovQmvZe7J33KuRoFBapxD28QgL9_b0UBKpksHl98lgneYj-xof1JxRtDGRPLcTsXEkff5w4E73kg8t79AEeT0cdk-fbt0B58YLCFxbNuaZlEcZj9xmY_eCE/s320/DSCN3486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ma B in the snow in Gig Harbor the night before we flew back to the UK. We went for a walk in the snow down to Rosedale Street to see how the roads were and if any cars had gone in the ditch. None had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRfycK5sReU7u8RULynnKovQmvZe7J33KuRoFBapxD28QgL9_b0UBKpksHl98lgneYj-xof1JxRtDGRPLcTsXEkff5w4E73kg8t79AEeT0cdk-fbt0B58YLCFxbNuaZlEcZj9xmY_eCE/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBombHcEpkHzwac033Pr0vl_5IGtKBCGkwUdRUdX0ZnLZgE6RM87Y9WGCObn3QMB_CgZxUTBuq0r-U5bON2lU2nHDo4ktqJHkc8XnMD9zU5E5TCce6i7749oiJGJC_biIdtsPfeQZSUdg/s1600/DSCN3566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBombHcEpkHzwac033Pr0vl_5IGtKBCGkwUdRUdX0ZnLZgE6RM87Y9WGCObn3QMB_CgZxUTBuq0r-U5bON2lU2nHDo4ktqJHkc8XnMD9zU5E5TCce6i7749oiJGJC_biIdtsPfeQZSUdg/s320/DSCN3566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">All in all it was a great trip home. And it's been back to business in Worcester. I can't believe how quickly time goes by. It feels like Thanksgiving just finished and then December was crazy with work and getting ready for our trip home and then we flew back and now it's already February! </div><div style="text-align: center;">We are looking forward to Spring now! </div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-6600794953367654032010-12-09T01:18:00.000-08:002010-12-09T01:18:21.778-08:00Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We celebrated Thanksgiving this year with our church group. Praise God, by some miracle we all fit into our small lounge and even had room to play Turkey charades. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(After we moved the tables out and rearranged a bit.) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have been so thankful for our group and the friendships we've made. They are our family away from home! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(From Left to Right: Geoff, Josie, Sheila, Tony, Derek, Kirsten, Jerr, Isaac, Jess, Jane, Joel, and Hanne)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fs3iIU5SqcwXaul3wI_fQkOOEq7l4MeJZ5umwLwudBcOZKG4zfmjXPMcP2Ja5rjAfqLnEVU-ZMmEXoKrbWlaYc1B1lXkVVsaTTGGZ4QkR0lyoiOYNQhFBgEcxM4TSqy-HcqkPr3V2Lg/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+Worcester.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fs3iIU5SqcwXaul3wI_fQkOOEq7l4MeJZ5umwLwudBcOZKG4zfmjXPMcP2Ja5rjAfqLnEVU-ZMmEXoKrbWlaYc1B1lXkVVsaTTGGZ4QkR0lyoiOYNQhFBgEcxM4TSqy-HcqkPr3V2Lg/s320/Thanksgiving+2010+Worcester.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was so proud of the turkey. Nice little 17lb bird that I brined and roasted. When you spend 30 hours getting it ready, I guess it's natural to become attached. Jerr said we should have turkey more. I don't think he knows how long it takes. Last year my one regret was that I didn't make my own gravy. I used store bought and it was disappointing. So, this year I enlisted the help of Sheila and Josie and we whipped up a fantastic gravy from the drippings. Sheila even came prepared with her own apron and oven mitts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qi7SkvgN3OdDlIeYzXsFqXPD7TIBQKXn7SLQnoW6hkOaMzdPecdVaTSmIUMCw4pp2GYh9nGx0kqTxecBIPzxpxIz0binuiiurr7WJsX4Oom3OAceC4e_hd67rzfbHbbH2Witns7crLg/s1600/jess+turkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qi7SkvgN3OdDlIeYzXsFqXPD7TIBQKXn7SLQnoW6hkOaMzdPecdVaTSmIUMCw4pp2GYh9nGx0kqTxecBIPzxpxIz0binuiiurr7WJsX4Oom3OAceC4e_hd67rzfbHbbH2Witns7crLg/s320/jess+turkey.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The table decorations courtesy of Poundland (aka the Dollar Store). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And some leaves that had fallen on the ground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P1hpfpcQMGUgF2eO00YPjuc_QVWWjqfVviABTxA61_3fZZZm75zfda6f8OSeQoQz3elnSua6wjwXEy1bK2CARjINVnCo9yX6g0bIZn7HDfYZY7iJvzyWVQI4dwh12PaBTHXoqL3UKdg/s1600/IMG_4524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P1hpfpcQMGUgF2eO00YPjuc_QVWWjqfVviABTxA61_3fZZZm75zfda6f8OSeQoQz3elnSua6wjwXEy1bK2CARjINVnCo9yX6g0bIZn7HDfYZY7iJvzyWVQI4dwh12PaBTHXoqL3UKdg/s320/IMG_4524.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-26567037165115915002010-11-13T04:10:00.000-08:002010-11-13T04:10:47.057-08:00bonfire night.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bonfire Night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> On November 5th the English celebrate Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes day. According to <a href="http://www.bonfirenight.net/">http://www.bonfirenight.net</a>, Guy Fawkes was England's greatest traitor and is famous for trying to blow up parliament. Bonfire night is celebrated by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire and lighting off fireworks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year we went with a group of friends to the racecourse in Worcester to watch the blaze and fireworks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOhZQ9qgkWJi9Lt2ydVwdQqXanSFJY1mp1qiY7ezM_8OzD_XQTFF9Id0XS6dFrD97XviR6Js2x0gv2ZKt_LRNg62tj3XzV7AC6VPY97S9Bl7olYwvNJ00XHV6s6mMR1URsu-bE7d1ItE/s1600/DSCN3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOhZQ9qgkWJi9Lt2ydVwdQqXanSFJY1mp1qiY7ezM_8OzD_XQTFF9Id0XS6dFrD97XviR6Js2x0gv2ZKt_LRNg62tj3XzV7AC6VPY97S9Bl7olYwvNJ00XHV6s6mMR1URsu-bE7d1ItE/s320/DSCN3354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUha2arr7EmYwbQRSed2x96UcewCBdvJreKw_DB6DyAteUb0a_Qawuph4ukXKT8jnzHogGjMUTQpDB4zMGDPX1ST2OseCorFAPZcKUKML_XuUPrbax-u3I8yW4TmvMKnqDlgvagpU9phI/s1600/DSCN3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUha2arr7EmYwbQRSed2x96UcewCBdvJreKw_DB6DyAteUb0a_Qawuph4ukXKT8jnzHogGjMUTQpDB4zMGDPX1ST2OseCorFAPZcKUKML_XuUPrbax-u3I8yW4TmvMKnqDlgvagpU9phI/s320/DSCN3346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sadly, we missed the lighting of the bonfire and burning of Guy Fawkes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But that's because we stopped at the chippy first. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMbUHomxcuCtIlcCS42R5RvAMbhrMkyoiqZJDMx_Xb4mWQP7RngLzcnHDtCksAfhKu8zrs2elmCtIVMdMbcWCncwfVmHNCePHXhuBg-LyzOaFxzOYaqCCP-zfZNZWkj9APxoUg21oQks/s1600/DSCN3342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMbUHomxcuCtIlcCS42R5RvAMbhrMkyoiqZJDMx_Xb4mWQP7RngLzcnHDtCksAfhKu8zrs2elmCtIVMdMbcWCncwfVmHNCePHXhuBg-LyzOaFxzOYaqCCP-zfZNZWkj9APxoUg21oQks/s320/DSCN3342.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan-uxmqFHgInop0Ivvf3KZGO5qMFNVybGP3HSZHX8E8PqXNApyggBdCBfst565atn4YaVB7AeRPTz2utM9ANkVSJEd5spXHJLQiBIWQi9I5aKvuvgKkk-rCRo5PA84nKhlHxhQgZik7Q/s1600/DSCN3343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan-uxmqFHgInop0Ivvf3KZGO5qMFNVybGP3HSZHX8E8PqXNApyggBdCBfst565atn4YaVB7AeRPTz2utM9ANkVSJEd5spXHJLQiBIWQi9I5aKvuvgKkk-rCRo5PA84nKhlHxhQgZik7Q/s320/DSCN3343.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was our first proper chippy since moving to the UK. I will tell you why it has taken 18 months to enjoy this national delicacy. When we arrived in the UK, the very day, we went to a pub and ordered fish and chips. Classic rookie mistake, we have since learned. The only way to eat fish and chips is from the local chippy. And the only way to tell how good a Fish and Chips takeout is: the quality of the chips. I'll be honest, these were a bit soggy. I'm told the good ones are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-57937217777681396042010-11-13T03:39:00.000-08:002010-11-13T03:39:37.266-08:00Norway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MRXJj8aHC1WG9qaV0o7gC7PUTaQwJZ7omplB6QhVQDFHz2u0CRMSzNFwi38a852M2IAwHBhFSM30TKwZClYPDP0C9ScNhvJwxSphnFWjjkn_4RRcR9n4X1GolUo-lSIgeYbOrxtRAyA/s1600/DSCN3003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MRXJj8aHC1WG9qaV0o7gC7PUTaQwJZ7omplB6QhVQDFHz2u0CRMSzNFwi38a852M2IAwHBhFSM30TKwZClYPDP0C9ScNhvJwxSphnFWjjkn_4RRcR9n4X1GolUo-lSIgeYbOrxtRAyA/s320/DSCN3003.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGojUGhQFBNNPAxlPdDh8VRk1wm4WD-5bHqJqx0jD1moltrjh0a1qC69vLxq8qzrE4r27x3CQU7oNbZNJi_oSZaBIW5CgnMzFDo0JwX2Tyw7U01CLa4FSa1l2FMahCHDiHjqJDegIBu4/s1600/DSCN3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGojUGhQFBNNPAxlPdDh8VRk1wm4WD-5bHqJqx0jD1moltrjh0a1qC69vLxq8qzrE4r27x3CQU7oNbZNJi_oSZaBIW5CgnMzFDo0JwX2Tyw7U01CLa4FSa1l2FMahCHDiHjqJDegIBu4/s320/DSCN3053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu8N81Uba9iC6w_sbrxpSXLrh3QNpkM-Tfb1RboGgKWf904VDN_F2vlFNsQ8oNEUwz3Km65QO31R-WKqtRRwFcTdA5SVZMi5g_NP8P8aFhi5npc5Fh5KNIRehl6U1A3Z8aI3MiAk23DU/s1600/IMG_4221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu8N81Uba9iC6w_sbrxpSXLrh3QNpkM-Tfb1RboGgKWf904VDN_F2vlFNsQ8oNEUwz3Km65QO31R-WKqtRRwFcTdA5SVZMi5g_NP8P8aFhi5npc5Fh5KNIRehl6U1A3Z8aI3MiAk23DU/s320/IMG_4221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AjRh4tA2Qx-eZFCObxfbyE1jzog8xfZRs6v9BnYHkHxyjLgQZYQq3DCIgjExWy5AvBslK7WVg__PrEJ2AK5Yr8q2IJv4hV5Hv7Vsh5orR6_T1grnvesE4_ftugamAjUXTSGu6wg9j7g/s1600/IMG_4087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AjRh4tA2Qx-eZFCObxfbyE1jzog8xfZRs6v9BnYHkHxyjLgQZYQq3DCIgjExWy5AvBslK7WVg__PrEJ2AK5Yr8q2IJv4hV5Hv7Vsh5orR6_T1grnvesE4_ftugamAjUXTSGu6wg9j7g/s320/IMG_4087.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITvmfYh0SAaGFNcrCMn4hgx0glmxj2EM79jWbn2TrYeYfPEyrOITZMIOCp-2hw3OIwCYRF_tftMh8lQKdGNGLY4OjaJ0Epp6_XUCjgZjSs3p4oOqI0z2X-ysW4koValUoQP2oNacT1ck/s1600/IMG_4046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITvmfYh0SAaGFNcrCMn4hgx0glmxj2EM79jWbn2TrYeYfPEyrOITZMIOCp-2hw3OIwCYRF_tftMh8lQKdGNGLY4OjaJ0Epp6_XUCjgZjSs3p4oOqI0z2X-ysW4koValUoQP2oNacT1ck/s320/IMG_4046.JPG" width="320" /></a>When Mom and Dad came out in September we took a weekend trip to Norway to see Mom's cousins. It was one of the best trips we have taken. Our relatives took us around Bergen and showed us 'Norway'. We took trains through the countryside, buses along the steepest, curviest road in Norway, and a ferry through the fjords. Spectacular is the only way to describe the country. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_iawih11mYlpcBrqHEceDNF3NUILlcVx0HiNgUHYsvMYsuiXzAXFw2AS_wiAgaWapTNaUQJuCOgTZZx-L5neFXlkxmDezmnQQSE8EeDao_iVdttWM0BAn-bcwLsjvzUoV7frXroUfNA/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_iawih11mYlpcBrqHEceDNF3NUILlcVx0HiNgUHYsvMYsuiXzAXFw2AS_wiAgaWapTNaUQJuCOgTZZx-L5neFXlkxmDezmnQQSE8EeDao_iVdttWM0BAn-bcwLsjvzUoV7frXroUfNA/s320/IMG_4004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-17046032496959633802010-10-09T11:32:00.000-07:002010-10-09T11:32:33.881-07:00Ma and Pa's Big UK trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In September my parents came for a much anticipated visit. We went to Norway (a separate blog) for the first weekend and then spent the rest of the time around England and Wales. It was such a special trip and we had the best time showing the our city and English life. We took them to a proper castle and we rode on a boat on the River Thames. We went to the Maritime museum in Greenwich. (As in Greenwich Mean Time- the starting time zone.) We stayed in a hotel overlooking Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye. We rode the Tube. We drank pints in pubs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kW34pERSK-1ufV1Ikb7yLXZjw6kDSdpZ7cDkbG9jcv8BiHG5Zxvmoep6xb02A1lPqA7A9s9sl_rNlpA1FoxJjs93ocj2R7S8-9BqngSW-T6hspUnkeMQ_dYhXzNxj6BEMOWhqyZyT6k/s1600/DSCN3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kW34pERSK-1ufV1Ikb7yLXZjw6kDSdpZ7cDkbG9jcv8BiHG5Zxvmoep6xb02A1lPqA7A9s9sl_rNlpA1FoxJjs93ocj2R7S8-9BqngSW-T6hspUnkeMQ_dYhXzNxj6BEMOWhqyZyT6k/s320/DSCN3151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom and Dad sitting in the rare English sun outside a pub in Worcester. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNpFWkhF_5zXXqfcH4bZw5Wl1tXAS4IUiC0chyytyEfoZ-WAE2XsAggHS2947c1vQsk5EPr9_AqK2Z1T6pdL3aapUhh0TU4HEjTbWARz3Rhf9JKoi_dDSnBpl3aiyMFV0hgs-xBZubHs/s1600/DSCN3267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNpFWkhF_5zXXqfcH4bZw5Wl1tXAS4IUiC0chyytyEfoZ-WAE2XsAggHS2947c1vQsk5EPr9_AqK2Z1T6pdL3aapUhh0TU4HEjTbWARz3Rhf9JKoi_dDSnBpl3aiyMFV0hgs-xBZubHs/s320/DSCN3267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In front of the Worcester Cathedral. We went on a tour of the inside. Our tour guide Rosemary was delighted to have a record number our tour-ee's: four. She said we made her day. It was Jerr and I's first time in the cathedral. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Nb1qyvYtbzQIRlmremICs3wK62wKMhFml4J_Vbjdj9kchwKLupgo2MrccOV4_9FgBhiX1sSYqdFPiePJX1Lh0yfkl6bVsQZSGB1HCIVv5p6VG8ObfKmgCQITZsIKbXRHk45RU8lSLmQ/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Nb1qyvYtbzQIRlmremICs3wK62wKMhFml4J_Vbjdj9kchwKLupgo2MrccOV4_9FgBhiX1sSYqdFPiePJX1Lh0yfkl6bVsQZSGB1HCIVv5p6VG8ObfKmgCQITZsIKbXRHk45RU8lSLmQ/s320/IMG_4451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Buckingham Palace in the background. They were filming 'Johnny English 2' and so the street was closed. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDN3ADzfeBV8eFuCEGk1axjURVFvhj3ETPqE9J2TIq18aAKhE3VhuM-YnXqbFgno7Ra2ikg0HT-71OL9Na0PHLmyTmdKxaGLTjJDs27NEIF8jF6SRIqx7GXh45kGtIfUAecpocJaYwto/s1600/DSCN2998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDN3ADzfeBV8eFuCEGk1axjURVFvhj3ETPqE9J2TIq18aAKhE3VhuM-YnXqbFgno7Ra2ikg0HT-71OL9Na0PHLmyTmdKxaGLTjJDs27NEIF8jF6SRIqx7GXh45kGtIfUAecpocJaYwto/s320/DSCN2998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brighton waterfront. We took them there on their first day to walk off the 10 hour flight and help fight the jet lag. Nothing like the sea air. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbGgIWCRyDpOaulX6joD3cG8WWr3VjPvL9iLLBWgtvV7mvVklhKsr77u6-vDgyraSnHjM5uUg9rY9i2dzDuRSPQfaUdN9gwoRH_LHr0VEZWOYCJehFvXXROrNi3habS1TztaA5Gb_gZE/s1600/DSCN3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbGgIWCRyDpOaulX6joD3cG8WWr3VjPvL9iLLBWgtvV7mvVklhKsr77u6-vDgyraSnHjM5uUg9rY9i2dzDuRSPQfaUdN9gwoRH_LHr0VEZWOYCJehFvXXROrNi3habS1TztaA5Gb_gZE/s320/DSCN3213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom and I had proper cream teas while Dad enjoyed a local brew. Thanks Ginger Pig cafe!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UbzewnjiUW3DqXx_Gq02Xz9KFJldOhr67wHnd6viXH87H_EldLa6BNehjd5KjsHfVJiHnIRgjwu1Sh69el14e6uLRE7Zw3e1o8CHNNT-gIRv6Bbm7y34zLBlrPDx0EiiUcHpa8G0Mtc/s1600/IMG_4301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UbzewnjiUW3DqXx_Gq02Xz9KFJldOhr67wHnd6viXH87H_EldLa6BNehjd5KjsHfVJiHnIRgjwu1Sh69el14e6uLRE7Zw3e1o8CHNNT-gIRv6Bbm7y34zLBlrPDx0EiiUcHpa8G0Mtc/s320/IMG_4301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking for a brief time in the Malvern Hills before it tipped down. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJbUBHhyphenhyphenibNXW6nnRPspeglSVFaZ10-VmLPljHPpFKAsPZui5Nhp7J5vnrQFb6HBZ_gkDW_XE9HUO3S4_hczRIqav-LBF4klRbLcxMg9qm3sXa3oDXuP4rTKvLtZo5uejljmlpVm-iF8/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJbUBHhyphenhyphenibNXW6nnRPspeglSVFaZ10-VmLPljHPpFKAsPZui5Nhp7J5vnrQFb6HBZ_gkDW_XE9HUO3S4_hczRIqav-LBF4klRbLcxMg9qm3sXa3oDXuP4rTKvLtZo5uejljmlpVm-iF8/s320/IMG_4332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom in the smelly phone booth. She wouldn't go into another one. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj-w3i-1y5SRchX45NJRZHsgOZ3S4s8ymvN9uqHV-J0rz2w9YRRrZK24CxXTkk0LFNFZRqR-k95c7uXZO-esZFmVbZ_eXOniLI7xkdqzXQemCIGv5e-dJKd_qLnvh_Dv9ZcAIoCw9LMQ/s1600/IMG_4445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj-w3i-1y5SRchX45NJRZHsgOZ3S4s8ymvN9uqHV-J0rz2w9YRRrZK24CxXTkk0LFNFZRqR-k95c7uXZO-esZFmVbZ_eXOniLI7xkdqzXQemCIGv5e-dJKd_qLnvh_Dv9ZcAIoCw9LMQ/s320/IMG_4445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tour guide Dan explaining changing of the guards. I'm not sure that's what we saw, but we stood around for a long time. Some guards passed on horses and about 1/2 hour later a band marched by and about 1/2 hour later some more guards and about 1/2 hour later we talked to other American tourists (identified by their white sneakers) who also didn't know what was happening. We finally gave up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for visiting Mom and Dad! </div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-41534025701540602562010-08-19T07:34:00.000-07:002010-08-19T07:34:27.916-07:0031.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlCOoR9O8WXNpSb2beCdjUFGWkS1xcZk92JP1deXZSwChfuxCsxZ5TKxkyGJzIo_0qlU7myM019NII7xe5dJKCUuMyITmtIJTRpDHEjdGwcr_9s7S_zwNH5oxbcpkxgn7q_bC2eL7HhY/s1600/DSCN2958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlCOoR9O8WXNpSb2beCdjUFGWkS1xcZk92JP1deXZSwChfuxCsxZ5TKxkyGJzIo_0qlU7myM019NII7xe5dJKCUuMyITmtIJTRpDHEjdGwcr_9s7S_zwNH5oxbcpkxgn7q_bC2eL7HhY/s320/DSCN2958.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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How else do you celebrate turning 31 than with a BBQ, a cheesecake, and a lasagna that takes four days to eat?!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Sadly, I had to work on Jerr's birthday so he had to put his own dinner in the oven. </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kirsten made a delicious Red Velvet cake for the BBQ. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSNt1slrUk4upj9f7ef_othLr1XBnHFn5sTWjKUVEpM43qowMAM5Vo-ut7pvQsENCFVW8uEZG5613xcBfZeyqvlcx5VuLte1JeiwrauAqeVCK60Z09v4Zrc7Vrh0YFKioChDq_Q5tTzs/s1600/DSCN2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSNt1slrUk4upj9f7ef_othLr1XBnHFn5sTWjKUVEpM43qowMAM5Vo-ut7pvQsENCFVW8uEZG5613xcBfZeyqvlcx5VuLte1JeiwrauAqeVCK60Z09v4Zrc7Vrh0YFKioChDq_Q5tTzs/s320/DSCN2947.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqj34PRJyadkEoslWR4N2PdQXNcRIrM6OAFpSKVInNxFvK8XDy03_QW1rLYheoJmt-jQ32cK5KbUEcgrPQOZOoPmWj2NZ1fWchGpkUcSpZr92bhGlDbpFoCMIAxa3RpMKBlNmSdbsPKQ/s1600/DSCN2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqj34PRJyadkEoslWR4N2PdQXNcRIrM6OAFpSKVInNxFvK8XDy03_QW1rLYheoJmt-jQ32cK5KbUEcgrPQOZOoPmWj2NZ1fWchGpkUcSpZr92bhGlDbpFoCMIAxa3RpMKBlNmSdbsPKQ/s320/DSCN2960.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">... Jerr's ready to take up his golf game. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to everyone who had a part in the birthday celebrations! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-69604460116111496362010-07-29T03:26:00.000-07:002010-07-29T03:26:19.897-07:00F & G<div style="text-align: center;">France and Germany. July 2010. With James and Elnaz. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjl4FbXv6pqQCz0lsF8-yZ0keF3rLhKHpxcznXL1xgDlp0-z9RJJehwYOKKzaMmaSHayyOv7CfL41tfqgWBol2ANmv74inB2Wf6cybPZh1CMcg0vg8XBa1S4mTo1UWUIALDqF_rqi16U/s1600/DSCN2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjl4FbXv6pqQCz0lsF8-yZ0keF3rLhKHpxcznXL1xgDlp0-z9RJJehwYOKKzaMmaSHayyOv7CfL41tfqgWBol2ANmv74inB2Wf6cybPZh1CMcg0vg8XBa1S4mTo1UWUIALDqF_rqi16U/s320/DSCN2860.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loading up the Golf Plus. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyDcXhPi_c3qo8NS3_NO0rDX45VQYzClXTKVE2FdnS2NPsrVlWWaOAIe4aXLoCuF6UJkZ6HmapgMOJiqKPfmVKnezYvHMY89QovthPmpVqGbAEAXeKRap3GB3VOFDBxw5a1y_lTXyhUQ/s1600/IMG_3878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyDcXhPi_c3qo8NS3_NO0rDX45VQYzClXTKVE2FdnS2NPsrVlWWaOAIe4aXLoCuF6UJkZ6HmapgMOJiqKPfmVKnezYvHMY89QovthPmpVqGbAEAXeKRap3GB3VOFDBxw5a1y_lTXyhUQ/s320/IMG_3878.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Navigating our route. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stuttgart to Strasbourg. Strasboug to Heidelberg. Heidelberg to Karlsruhe. Karlsruhe into and around the Schwarzwald and back to Stuttgart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stop 1. Strasbourg. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y3kEMsjNlwQrkCVMgKK1jl4F7rxF-KAzgc0oS2YP9KdN4o5sxpCvfVMcguZ7oQ8yZRDWv7Qw-RYQbUhOixB1vbvmCIBvAF8HKwMLV7tXqtvI5w4_0GiJ99lwFx_BqebgDEhJgKjV2dQ/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y3kEMsjNlwQrkCVMgKK1jl4F7rxF-KAzgc0oS2YP9KdN4o5sxpCvfVMcguZ7oQ8yZRDWv7Qw-RYQbUhOixB1vbvmCIBvAF8HKwMLV7tXqtvI5w4_0GiJ99lwFx_BqebgDEhJgKjV2dQ/s320/IMG_3663.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We really enjoyed Strasbourg. Some of the highlights: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Strolling around Petit France.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-The Cathedral. (I thought it was better than Notre Dame in Paris.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Happy hour Scrabble match at a cafe. We watched the commuters bike and walk through the rain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- The bad weather gave us the excuse to stop for French treats, pastries, glace, cafe au lait.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Charming photo ops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fpwHZZo9KsqmHOqvwe8AymnYqRPp8utyaP3bRfowGRxxNCzalR2aXZBNKmP4VmNyB9GWsXINGQuXPI4PktmCP6VKaIgPjFM_ljBgeaLxOZm_b_2t1K4ngO6eN6CsshKs_5BYO1W3Q40/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fpwHZZo9KsqmHOqvwe8AymnYqRPp8utyaP3bRfowGRxxNCzalR2aXZBNKmP4VmNyB9GWsXINGQuXPI4PktmCP6VKaIgPjFM_ljBgeaLxOZm_b_2t1K4ngO6eN6CsshKs_5BYO1W3Q40/s320/IMG_3672.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJwapbCFvcGHwbF65tUwDtE-DnIseA204oaUFb9rIpLs2emCGU46m3252x9Ogp07sNvaTW_uiwUUgZcIqlKo9E-enqiN37VPzNKvf9fM7MJ9MLr0G4iIXEgXBveh7Ty2gWo5zlmUY0SQ/s1600/IMG_3617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJwapbCFvcGHwbF65tUwDtE-DnIseA204oaUFb9rIpLs2emCGU46m3252x9Ogp07sNvaTW_uiwUUgZcIqlKo9E-enqiN37VPzNKvf9fM7MJ9MLr0G4iIXEgXBveh7Ty2gWo5zlmUY0SQ/s320/IMG_3617.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stop 2. Heidelberg. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We walked along high street stopping at the old city bakery for an authentic apfel strudel. A little sugar boost before the climb to the castle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ya9mV2n7mB5Aigdy9ETqqSprZawXSWBKOy_Fasnzs3XOo0WX7wNxygo73EfZyXlHHFHFs_z231B_KgJm1v3jFqF1j9LqrNuV4BhV1Xk4uNq6bB2K6WQBzTQPFoF8R4wrIFXTqj9W8XE/s1600/DSCN2916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ya9mV2n7mB5Aigdy9ETqqSprZawXSWBKOy_Fasnzs3XOo0WX7wNxygo73EfZyXlHHFHFs_z231B_KgJm1v3jFqF1j9LqrNuV4BhV1Xk4uNq6bB2K6WQBzTQPFoF8R4wrIFXTqj9W8XE/s320/DSCN2916.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Schloss Heidelberg. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It didn't look impressive from below, but after hiking up to the castle the inside was huge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4s_JOeoWLboK_mNMyodsZWBboZP6hoo_gHs8qgZJznLJ4f0GnATPmctSJmxx6_2LrxAe77v0Nqh9yV92BjQBH0b97zcehzQs0VPb3fUdWuN6EX4lzl_1W3fJcfX5QfzNIUVm-va1M2Uo/s1600/DSCN2926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4s_JOeoWLboK_mNMyodsZWBboZP6hoo_gHs8qgZJznLJ4f0GnATPmctSJmxx6_2LrxAe77v0Nqh9yV92BjQBH0b97zcehzQs0VPb3fUdWuN6EX4lzl_1W3fJcfX5QfzNIUVm-va1M2Uo/s320/DSCN2926.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stop 3. Karlsruhe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our friends, James & Elnaz, had a wedding in Bruchsal so we stayed a night in Karlsruhe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While they were at the hochzeit, we had dinner in town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjper1YcRwAdU92n-kSFU65zHvNr-pDOlYv6CryPjzecWfQURMn191EBjKhkjsdsspQmZIGJN1vsSiWldo5hPLJmtK7TZgfgWoelXGQdLGkwrv4VOTc4d61MdaGhOVvPFsyELky9N4n57Y/s1600/DSCN2936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjper1YcRwAdU92n-kSFU65zHvNr-pDOlYv6CryPjzecWfQURMn191EBjKhkjsdsspQmZIGJN1vsSiWldo5hPLJmtK7TZgfgWoelXGQdLGkwrv4VOTc4d61MdaGhOVvPFsyELky9N4n57Y/s320/DSCN2936.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stop 3. der Schwarzwald. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnaFxe_liL9eGeq6jI709QwmZkxsFz8liwtRiu8W5mwyRRjT7dgDAH6z20MkrpAc6nJKfMAaT09PuVTBwYlasQYGOgMTIeyCDHwDA2SHb4oH-mHF4r17G2UgDqnI2edQ7pXOCsmtDdoQ/s1600/DSCN2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnaFxe_liL9eGeq6jI709QwmZkxsFz8liwtRiu8W5mwyRRjT7dgDAH6z20MkrpAc6nJKfMAaT09PuVTBwYlasQYGOgMTIeyCDHwDA2SHb4oH-mHF4r17G2UgDqnI2edQ7pXOCsmtDdoQ/s320/DSCN2941.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSqfc0Ea-Tw7spWtnKcYo_aBzl1wdYxTOF1s3PfvAZ-9ugJ3jnff_ppj7RkGpH-q618ACkZfhqSc9viNmEchcaRqgtxJCvWW_82NE4HV7hPhtsBIFACtv-bqjrSaa7dgAKtws1ydqPGM/s1600/IMG_3869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSqfc0Ea-Tw7spWtnKcYo_aBzl1wdYxTOF1s3PfvAZ-9ugJ3jnff_ppj7RkGpH-q618ACkZfhqSc9viNmEchcaRqgtxJCvWW_82NE4HV7hPhtsBIFACtv-bqjrSaa7dgAKtws1ydqPGM/s320/IMG_3869.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was hard to capture the Black Forest, but it was beautiful. There are lakes, ski hills, and sweet little alpine villages in between the valleys. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such a great trip! Thanks James and Elnaz for a fun long weekend. We'll travel anytime with you guys! </div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-65626420399535870352010-07-09T02:06:00.000-07:002010-07-09T02:06:35.316-07:00to be fair......if Paris was one of my favorites, going to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt was Jerremy's. It was a great trip in May and I realize that I didn't include it in the blog, probably because I started work as a nurse (finally), Jerr was busy with his work and time flew by. How is it already July? I don't know. But here is Sharm in all it's sunny splendor. <div><div style="text-align: center;">Arrive. Thaw out after cold British winter. Head to beach.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jess plan: lay in sun for maximum amount of time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jerr spots kite-boarders. Jerr makes his plan. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Plan: kite-board every morning and snorkel in the afternoon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daily routine:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Get up at 6:45am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Eat breakfast at 7am when cafe opens, talk about wind conditions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Head to beach and stake out lounge chairs 7:20am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Apply sunscreen and start sweating 7:30 am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Start getting kite/lines ready- Jerr. Read a couple chapters in so-so book- Jess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Jerr wades out into water by 8am waves to photographer Jess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Kite-boarding to heart's content Jerr, lounging in sun and enjoying hot weather Jess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKcia3mYb0d8iOHDTEyrZGcTqdPRqZsNl4T2mo495Nom_Vab-fV8BkL4gfLgAM33uiHKtyUXP05PCGhhJJPeiP4Za0OQ55KbAEUGOPa5q5wlNf86Rn8SpX61GS24lOGAvMQj3w2glhyphenhyphenw/s1600/IMG_2762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKcia3mYb0d8iOHDTEyrZGcTqdPRqZsNl4T2mo495Nom_Vab-fV8BkL4gfLgAM33uiHKtyUXP05PCGhhJJPeiP4Za0OQ55KbAEUGOPa5q5wlNf86Rn8SpX61GS24lOGAvMQj3w2glhyphenhyphenw/s320/IMG_2762.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-47647364187507434292010-07-07T07:53:00.000-07:002010-07-07T07:53:36.084-07:00Ou e la Rue Saint Jacques?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fso-mIbnnGCtA9CGaJtWEZaQ7WuIVkPPeN9Y7FF-eitm_yOZmnNVCjalRlHX9PyIcj6RPh5JIIzHULDRsik1fn71w593o44XgDUQXB697v_4Jyu1GFB8cmJ8ubLE-f1cW98L3tDmQcg/s1600/DSCN2853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fso-mIbnnGCtA9CGaJtWEZaQ7WuIVkPPeN9Y7FF-eitm_yOZmnNVCjalRlHX9PyIcj6RPh5JIIzHULDRsik1fn71w593o44XgDUQXB697v_4Jyu1GFB8cmJ8ubLE-f1cW98L3tDmQcg/s320/DSCN2853.JPG" /></a></div>Two years ago, for my birthday, Jerr gave me Pimsleur French lessons that I could put on my Ipod. I listened on a regular basis as I commuted to work for several months. I remember having to 'Listen and Repeat': "Ou e la Rue Saint Jacques?" All the while I thought, 'How can this be even remotely helpful?' Well... just in case I needed to find Saint Jacques street in Paris. And here it is. We stumbled upon it while out for a walk. I now realize I lost the opportunity to ask for Saint Jacques street. That's okay because if I did I would have been praying they would answer simply, "E la ba" or 'Cet ici" ('over there' or 'here'). I don't know 'left' or 'right' in French. I did use a small bit of my French, but Jerr did most of the communicating.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdb4JLN90AsasPj7cWQo5_RVSAqVfxqKd8z7XbQMuH67ZCMjVy9uBvdcZ5EOHRm9vwD9VYZD5UtudDzo6E3XRXj7Dc1qhXBkl3gXy719RcO4tU8Wnon5iICwxC_kNt2GJ7msSX9PIH8k/s1600/DSCN2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdb4JLN90AsasPj7cWQo5_RVSAqVfxqKd8z7XbQMuH67ZCMjVy9uBvdcZ5EOHRm9vwD9VYZD5UtudDzo6E3XRXj7Dc1qhXBkl3gXy719RcO4tU8Wnon5iICwxC_kNt2GJ7msSX9PIH8k/s320/DSCN2806.JPG" /></a></div>I could order my breakfast and coffee. Jerr did take the mick out of my pronunciation of 'a little milk'. He thought it sounded more like I was asking for a chicken in my coffee (un peu lait' vs 'un poulet'). The barista, however, did understand and topped up my americano with milk. I've been a little disappointed with just toast or cereal after French pastries in the morning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi252b7ryvh18JN4PfnoXFOn0fxa0NStohKi49KWzBpmhIklGw5x4LjkBYwO_geG-u3PEmGhgj4Kitu4jAvTDUMQJovyEdJ3XRk3Uhok_HG4DXtjYYdYumCerx4fQGQdpO1cnyk6U2LPMk/s1600/IMG_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi252b7ryvh18JN4PfnoXFOn0fxa0NStohKi49KWzBpmhIklGw5x4LjkBYwO_geG-u3PEmGhgj4Kitu4jAvTDUMQJovyEdJ3XRk3Uhok_HG4DXtjYYdYumCerx4fQGQdpO1cnyk6U2LPMk/s320/IMG_3333.JPG" /></a></div>Realizing I am in the right place at the right time. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift2mC7-zzfzHdznDT5aEAERpwk6BMhWbOJxfH8TrYOS9JkLmjyBH-swrYEegJN5rv7mWOHaui-6_tYkDQ8GWemosmWpgZ4y9HiSM-QhoEeQVn2Lz4pJlpHfb9PKG-ALjG1I5JheMCTj0/s1600/DSCN2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift2mC7-zzfzHdznDT5aEAERpwk6BMhWbOJxfH8TrYOS9JkLmjyBH-swrYEegJN5rv7mWOHaui-6_tYkDQ8GWemosmWpgZ4y9HiSM-QhoEeQVn2Lz4pJlpHfb9PKG-ALjG1I5JheMCTj0/s320/DSCN2854.JPG" /></a></div>Our last meal at Baci in the Marais neighborhood. We met up with Jerr's family, Steve and Dede in Paris for six days. It was great to see them and catch up on news from home. We had a great time taking in the sights of Paris together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNlMXKju9Av31paXZz_IBMN8k0J3zhA4K8WiLYMLTOd5lCZrXTQ-5OrVUpnt69SMTbZDPO4bkfu9MdN6RDVbn2K-M-E76ALzuBuG-4sNWHslcHyC4UjFeMAQ-5By3YJmfBFFxXen5F2k/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNlMXKju9Av31paXZz_IBMN8k0J3zhA4K8WiLYMLTOd5lCZrXTQ-5OrVUpnt69SMTbZDPO4bkfu9MdN6RDVbn2K-M-E76ALzuBuG-4sNWHslcHyC4UjFeMAQ-5By3YJmfBFFxXen5F2k/s320/IMG_3404.JPG" /></a></div>On our visit to the Louvre Museum we managed to make it through most of the Egyptian/Ancients section and the main corridor of Italian Renaissance (including the infamous Mona Lisa painting). It would take days to see the whole building and do it justice. I was a little surprised to find a Starbucks inside the Louvre. (Could you build one in Worcester?!) So that helped refresh us after a long day of looking. In the olden days it used to be the king's palace until Louis the 14th. He built....<br />
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But the walk was really pretty and the gardens behind the cathedral were lovely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv3LaRZL2Un3I6oSMO7xcSkxUhcVXEvVHbDjxXAxViaJ6Fq9ySIeQEgcMXjTlyKBYoUkd76y2G9yJM7hvaA1bu2B2vcKIz_RmX2i7roDD9H_LC66sc_GVqYs4MR1BnTmjvwe9GVHzjFs/s1600/IMG_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv3LaRZL2Un3I6oSMO7xcSkxUhcVXEvVHbDjxXAxViaJ6Fq9ySIeQEgcMXjTlyKBYoUkd76y2G9yJM7hvaA1bu2B2vcKIz_RmX2i7roDD9H_LC66sc_GVqYs4MR1BnTmjvwe9GVHzjFs/s320/IMG_3601.JPG" /></a>One of my favorite trips we've taken so far. The weather was beautiful, the company delightful, and the sights were once-in-a-lifetime (although I asked if it could be once-a-year and Jerr said 'no', but at least we stopped for one last pastry before our early morning flight.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-26400040301029819922010-06-21T02:14:00.000-07:002010-06-21T02:14:42.764-07:00House Guest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bless her, Stephanie was our first house guest. While Jerr worked on Friday Steph and I walked into Worcester for a tour of the town. We saw the sights and had a lovely cream tea in the Greyfriar's garden. On Saturday we had a proper American breakfast of pancakes, maple syrup, bacon, and coffee. (Tea for the Northern Irish lady. But she did appreciate the smell of coffee- which is the first step.) For the rest of Saturday we walked in the Malvern's and then had a lovely curry out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks Steph for being such a good sport! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnXPiDiBN5eIt0va3G5_m1dPM2QGCzE39ZKpPWkaPCsFbBv33gEdWjJ_MGiAXJH54rX3UkkBnrhdbVfU0yGQDoBonXMG04mLhyphenhypheng7pC4sGC8pv5ihfgV0PT2epL-oxzg-G69kxj7DWKU8/s1600/DSCN2723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnXPiDiBN5eIt0va3G5_m1dPM2QGCzE39ZKpPWkaPCsFbBv33gEdWjJ_MGiAXJH54rX3UkkBnrhdbVfU0yGQDoBonXMG04mLhyphenhypheng7pC4sGC8pv5ihfgV0PT2epL-oxzg-G69kxj7DWKU8/s320/DSCN2723.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdzYe7Wsl2q_KIoY2ILEfPqgnobE3ablunQyZCMDRXIIGM0yGez6BW6pz78_SnCi8ObEkTSJcM-_YLZsj5IOIEt1g7KBY1p9shBRvWbJhIfzlLVA22nYnpH5OFuLPAv_Qb12a_AEDKvE/s1600/DSCN2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdzYe7Wsl2q_KIoY2ILEfPqgnobE3ablunQyZCMDRXIIGM0yGez6BW6pz78_SnCi8ObEkTSJcM-_YLZsj5IOIEt1g7KBY1p9shBRvWbJhIfzlLVA22nYnpH5OFuLPAv_Qb12a_AEDKvE/s320/DSCN2724.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibacsXPAAVTi5kyhG0zgcEB7xhQELGhUr0EyhVAbEajrSmVbQmuzE_2BG4FjHmmgNYUsaqTwu5dZbFM77ZVL74QBUx41f5mG5P93IQFWwMlSKcY6KrqVNJ7Ag2Vqe5h0_V9dyOMdDi0Ck/s1600/DSCN2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibacsXPAAVTi5kyhG0zgcEB7xhQELGhUr0EyhVAbEajrSmVbQmuzE_2BG4FjHmmgNYUsaqTwu5dZbFM77ZVL74QBUx41f5mG5P93IQFWwMlSKcY6KrqVNJ7Ag2Vqe5h0_V9dyOMdDi0Ck/s320/DSCN2733.JPG" /></a></div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-69052812290044808672010-06-10T04:57:00.000-07:002010-06-10T04:57:51.926-07:00Revolutionary.We moved abroad and did not move any furniture with us. We brought four bags, a carry on each, and our computer. So.... we needed furniture. At the time we made the best decision we could, which was a two-seater Ikea couch. Like so.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTBqsXjRz30FSuZATmt6lPwW7xynTkGvU62EmLzjArPbbSA1N-zp4D9HtcDGlwFARPX8zYaQauPcxYVRebgzW-p-spzMQG8m889bwbtEpe9rCFvz05vAcUYlpApc599NTFpOG2qeX57Y/s1600/DSCN2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTBqsXjRz30FSuZATmt6lPwW7xynTkGvU62EmLzjArPbbSA1N-zp4D9HtcDGlwFARPX8zYaQauPcxYVRebgzW-p-spzMQG8m889bwbtEpe9rCFvz05vAcUYlpApc599NTFpOG2qeX57Y/s320/DSCN2315.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It looked nice, and was reasonably comfortable for two people to sit on. However, when you wanted to watch a movie and spread out it became awkward quickly. And finally when I had a terrible crick in my neck we walked into Argos Extra for something different and found this couch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGdZEO9Sq4uZGSA0USKpeWvSQzJbQeIvKrHojAufxnn39vECHVh__Zn-i-uyW6NlbA5ezZbE2eijUbhDj1bPCF1C5FwE4x3oK_TLVmQ4FddQtWaVdqtwCKSYcudGqPtnx91I_dT0ovo0/s1600/DSCN2721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGdZEO9Sq4uZGSA0USKpeWvSQzJbQeIvKrHojAufxnn39vECHVh__Zn-i-uyW6NlbA5ezZbE2eijUbhDj1bPCF1C5FwE4x3oK_TLVmQ4FddQtWaVdqtwCKSYcudGqPtnx91I_dT0ovo0/s320/DSCN2721.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the first sit we were smitten. We had to wait two weeks for delivery and I can safely say: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"totally worth it." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has revolutionized watching TV, entertaining, and Sunday naps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-52987829549531829212010-06-10T04:46:00.000-07:002010-06-10T04:46:26.909-07:00Day out in Shropshire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLJ-kz8cW3DAJ8RNTs_orB58N8c0ytI3LSrnNJKmoX57ZzjD86p8dREGIGrdPzUzURNdTY_MW8B83xORHnmPOZgtQLqRrWvKI_3PLKSRrdnNTxwW1tD9-PY3tLO5lZmcflrQHeWnaKsA/s1600/Iron+Bridge+Shrewsbury+1779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLJ-kz8cW3DAJ8RNTs_orB58N8c0ytI3LSrnNJKmoX57ZzjD86p8dREGIGrdPzUzURNdTY_MW8B83xORHnmPOZgtQLqRrWvKI_3PLKSRrdnNTxwW1tD9-PY3tLO5lZmcflrQHeWnaKsA/s320/Iron+Bridge+Shrewsbury+1779.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first Iron Bridge built 1779</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_GaaWAStTGQb2mR2hYe1ANPmj1JOX1YD0ufQmUZB8D9N-_qdUleYXBWpyiAAEWnU7JaPf_ptImk44FZmopVxGyCAWAIJABHYmmO0_L2D76qfa04codcmBADFcWpFIao2xXkMaPdEh_o/s1600/DSCN2669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_GaaWAStTGQb2mR2hYe1ANPmj1JOX1YD0ufQmUZB8D9N-_qdUleYXBWpyiAAEWnU7JaPf_ptImk44FZmopVxGyCAWAIJABHYmmO0_L2D76qfa04codcmBADFcWpFIao2xXkMaPdEh_o/s320/DSCN2669.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Confirmation of date that the bridge was built. We scrutinized the Roman numerals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a day out with our good friends, James and Elnaz, in Shropshire. As it was James' old stomping grounds he gave a guided tour for Ironbridge, Shrewsbury, and all the countryside in between. Nice to see a bit more of the UK. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below: Jerr and James. And many antics. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jerr's shoes and jeans did get wet in the filming of this stunt shot. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTC8qLfW4aW1zLrZWSLDb7sOOI9dV7YUMzdWecrMjZDesbbS8gMjuq9W2-xMOpMDmy9Qhn7OL56J5x7dtofMsXJGBVomky4b3oBUc9TazZ8MmiUCiQb12uT2Ypa005c7KtktZUHIA3rs/s1600/jerr+jumps+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTC8qLfW4aW1zLrZWSLDb7sOOI9dV7YUMzdWecrMjZDesbbS8gMjuq9W2-xMOpMDmy9Qhn7OL56J5x7dtofMsXJGBVomky4b3oBUc9TazZ8MmiUCiQb12uT2Ypa005c7KtktZUHIA3rs/s320/jerr+jumps+river.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While playing extreme frisbee James did get stung by nettles and some kind of prickly bush. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLdjMkfwW9tOIB-7IXBqH6nITwVR_VNUBa97YfpS_IOq5qG_1ixJ2CC8YdFuhda_UhcEqpRHaxK-fPdYMP3VLMH_TLcicdBNhH0MxYaZqi-ZQ_kOflWfxJyD8OQUPH2D2WEyyrt3N_Kk/s1600/DSCN2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLdjMkfwW9tOIB-7IXBqH6nITwVR_VNUBa97YfpS_IOq5qG_1ixJ2CC8YdFuhda_UhcEqpRHaxK-fPdYMP3VLMH_TLcicdBNhH0MxYaZqi-ZQ_kOflWfxJyD8OQUPH2D2WEyyrt3N_Kk/s320/DSCN2677.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elnaz and I kept to the path and did not participate in the wildness. We came away with no bodily harm. </div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-13962665870261766892010-04-24T01:34:00.000-07:002010-04-24T01:34:50.567-07:00One year ago......Jerremy and I left the USA and moved to the United Kingdom. We've made our home in Worcester, England and have enjoyed living in this fine country. (We do have a small American flag framed and proudly hanging on our wall.) Over the past year we've noticed and come to appreciate certain aspects of British culture.<br />
<br />
Why we love the British....<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Learning the fine art of proper 'queuing' (forming a line).</li>
<li>Three things the British love with a reverence, four they can't do without: a proper cuppa (tea), a pint of beer, the local chippy (fish and chip shop), and a good curry. </li>
<li>The roads are smaller and much more narrow, but apparently it's okay to park on the street or on the sidewalk creating a one lane road into town. 3b. It seems like people will also pull over on the side of the road and hang out. And I don't mean the ones who are waiting for road rescue.</li>
<li>Listening to news reports. We love the passionate rhetoric and demand for inquiries. </li>
<li>Quiz night mania.</li>
<li>The sweet look on every British face when you say, "baked beans on toast." </li>
<li>In conversing with a stranger the dialog goes like this: "You alright?" "Yeah, I'm alright. You?" "Yeah. You have a different accent, where are from?" At that point I say, "I live in Worcester." But you can't fool the British. The next question is, "Well yes, but where do you come from originally?" Always very keen to know where someone is from and they can pinpoint British accents to the town. We were amazed. Even more amazing, I'm starting to hear the different accents from around the country. It's the size of Oregon, but it's like saying to someone, "Oh I can tell you're from Grants Pass" just by hearing them speak. </li>
<li>The way a proper gentleman will walk with one arm tucked behind his back and conversely, the way other British men will remove their shirts whenever the sun shines. </li>
<li>The British Breakfast: Eggs, sausage, bacon, blood pudding, tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, and toast. </li>
<li>And, finally, a sacred love of holidays and six weeks of vacation a year. (Plus bank holidays.)</li>
</ol>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-14046678878692227442010-04-22T03:39:00.000-07:002010-04-22T03:39:38.576-07:00God Save the Queen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">April 21st was the Queen's birthday so to celebrate I made coconut cupcakes (thank you Ina Garten for a delicious recipe). Also, it was my turn to bring goodies to community group. I did try asking around to find out what the Queen has on her birthday, but no one knew. Coincidentally, it's been one year since we moved to the UK and I thought what better way to celebrate our year anniversary than with cupcakes? So the Queen had cupcakes. I fully intended to add blueberries for a red, white, and blue theme, but they were four quid (over $6) for a little tub and I couldn't be bothered. In getting the other ingredients I found that Tesco's (equivalent to Safeway) does not have flaky coconut. (Or molasses, macaroni and cheese, Lucky Charm cereal, and lime flavored tortilla chips-- more's the pity.) But, despite these circumstances, the cakes turned out quite nicely. We now have an abundance of cream cheese frosting which I think is exceptionally dangerous, because what isn't cream cheese frosting good on? A great way to start another year living in the UK. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7915AL4IbgdWKjwQOb4rer71lTh4RE_odq6m1TS1amVqud7ucj8x1wXKuEfRImXU20HJgcASck9M5f07vmIyUzkHsDRX0tE6gBZgK1IQ9Q-G9-DwQNKrGI6Fg3cV_aC_1YDxYHwX8L1c/s1600/DSCN2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7915AL4IbgdWKjwQOb4rer71lTh4RE_odq6m1TS1amVqud7ucj8x1wXKuEfRImXU20HJgcASck9M5f07vmIyUzkHsDRX0tE6gBZgK1IQ9Q-G9-DwQNKrGI6Fg3cV_aC_1YDxYHwX8L1c/s400/DSCN2659.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-61999978979379291492010-04-05T04:47:00.000-07:002010-04-05T04:47:59.060-07:00Luck O' the Irish!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Patrick's Cathedral</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WyLIMWNK_53-8rLqMW3GZJp5Nk1asUwK9hepH5fl_lG06quAZfDfiVNGldGYKfNd38sN76-p6deNdEhyidIuu69CA1gTwYlM29OcPwh3uWU-enuHMnHDzhqFgdSABz0lCuG_hAJz0Pw/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WyLIMWNK_53-8rLqMW3GZJp5Nk1asUwK9hepH5fl_lG06quAZfDfiVNGldGYKfNd38sN76-p6deNdEhyidIuu69CA1gTwYlM29OcPwh3uWU-enuHMnHDzhqFgdSABz0lCuG_hAJz0Pw/s320/IMG_2661.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View of Dublin from top of Guinness Storehouse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WyLIMWNK_53-8rLqMW3GZJp5Nk1asUwK9hepH5fl_lG06quAZfDfiVNGldGYKfNd38sN76-p6deNdEhyidIuu69CA1gTwYlM29OcPwh3uWU-enuHMnHDzhqFgdSABz0lCuG_hAJz0Pw/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ1_9dbxOus-OwUIJDXLcGhA7-9gXe2GyyBV_LEamS_JaqWlaydrLcRn1vGpDH1L_6KtxQLRRgCfL3pld-VSn23sSDUyd61K1CAOIxkCvL6DIXv_yAN7DWN51wpv4BwJcS6rsXPW1Lvs/s1600/DSCN2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ1_9dbxOus-OwUIJDXLcGhA7-9gXe2GyyBV_LEamS_JaqWlaydrLcRn1vGpDH1L_6KtxQLRRgCfL3pld-VSn23sSDUyd61K1CAOIxkCvL6DIXv_yAN7DWN51wpv4BwJcS6rsXPW1Lvs/s320/DSCN2562.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ1_9dbxOus-OwUIJDXLcGhA7-9gXe2GyyBV_LEamS_JaqWlaydrLcRn1vGpDH1L_6KtxQLRRgCfL3pld-VSn23sSDUyd61K1CAOIxkCvL6DIXv_yAN7DWN51wpv4BwJcS6rsXPW1Lvs/s1600/DSCN2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTShtJX4_6UlD9S22ZQR_KHVD-FsMBgrFA8qVF7hqLENUesQB_FZmuOiY6Iby8JrhwCsFbaxiOd8QiJ3trzqQIQeniTzNala7Mj6-saTuh5Nq7-5H7tL10kF3H4qNMUOT3VleDDiTphDs/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTShtJX4_6UlD9S22ZQR_KHVD-FsMBgrFA8qVF7hqLENUesQB_FZmuOiY6Iby8JrhwCsFbaxiOd8QiJ3trzqQIQeniTzNala7Mj6-saTuh5Nq7-5H7tL10kF3H4qNMUOT3VleDDiTphDs/s320/IMG_2608.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We talked it over in the car on the way home and after much discussion decided that we liked Dublin over London. Don't get me wrong, we've loved our London trips and plan more. You can't beat London for history and things to do- it's a brilliant city. But we liked the vibe in Dublin better. It's more easy going. And for all the rain quite cheerful. We decided it's the music, the Irish banter full of stories, and the pubs which make it a delightful place to visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the short time we were there we squeezed the most out of our trip. It was one of the most relaxing trips we've taken because we're finally learning what we like when we travel. We picked a hotel in the heart of the city within easy walking distance and then walked all over. Our walks took us past St. Patrick's Cathedral where we went for Easter Sunday Service. Also to the Guinness Storehouse, Grafton Street, the Temple Bar area (for local music and pubs), the Gaiety theatre, Christ Church Cathedral, and Connolly Train Station. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took the train 2 hours north to Belfast and met up with our friends Rita and Stephanie. Great to catch up with them! Then back to Dublin for one final night. We didn't make it out to the Gaol or Hospital-- </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">maybe next time!</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-9347282134722676812010-04-01T02:44:00.000-07:002010-04-01T02:44:25.094-07:00This is good news. A month or two ago we listened to a John Piper sermon. It was the story about how Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000 people from a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. The story continues with the crowds following Jesus and asking Him to perform more miracles. I've always been hard on the crowds, why do they keep demanding miracles? Wasn't it enough that they tasted the bread? But Piper had this insight: they got hungry again. It's a simple factual observation from the text. Jesus fed them, they followed Him, a day goes by, and they got hungry as you do. <br />
The solution Jesus offers is to provide them with Himself- eternal Bread for eternal Life. John 6:51 "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." This is what we are thinking of and praising God for on Easter that Jesus died for our sins and rose for His Glory as our great Saviour to be the Hope of the world. This is good news... Happy Easter!jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-73326191453842991402010-03-20T10:17:00.000-07:002010-03-20T10:17:53.010-07:00Mothering Sunday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent Mothering Sunday, or March 14, walking the Malvern Hills. Mother's Day is celebrated early in the UK. Last year we arrived in April and in May I looked around for Mother's Day cards to send home and realized I was two months too late! I'm much more prepared this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOURcRYhvkkIadHJiYJPMihujj8aP_zSIpoMruM5RR7HnDTpwfm4jvv7lm8rXOJhBKkzYgrqKniJqQ5Ot4NV3PC9R3xfXzkx4jwpVmMyn2W6NhqTw1zNeZXm2FbZY0fR5ajMW6uCMRGFk/s1600-h/DSCN2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOURcRYhvkkIadHJiYJPMihujj8aP_zSIpoMruM5RR7HnDTpwfm4jvv7lm8rXOJhBKkzYgrqKniJqQ5Ot4NV3PC9R3xfXzkx4jwpVmMyn2W6NhqTw1zNeZXm2FbZY0fR5ajMW6uCMRGFk/s320/DSCN2528.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think we both miss the mountains and the Malverns come the closest to filling the gap. The view is amazing of the English countryside. It really is a beautiful place to live. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEZAXB-UqpRGoRi1pX5j2jN5AyKUWwF1mhuKqRQTYz94JQFj87NY6z8EsZNMjY-Ll-TrPKUMwDX6N5Bc-NUPoZN_0_xE0MdcEZYMzYdVRlLF0sErlaya_jOHja1NnXoVuy3n0lgbNyc0/s1600-h/DSCN2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEZAXB-UqpRGoRi1pX5j2jN5AyKUWwF1mhuKqRQTYz94JQFj87NY6z8EsZNMjY-Ll-TrPKUMwDX6N5Bc-NUPoZN_0_xE0MdcEZYMzYdVRlLF0sErlaya_jOHja1NnXoVuy3n0lgbNyc0/s320/DSCN2523.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOURcRYhvkkIadHJiYJPMihujj8aP_zSIpoMruM5RR7HnDTpwfm4jvv7lm8rXOJhBKkzYgrqKniJqQ5Ot4NV3PC9R3xfXzkx4jwpVmMyn2W6NhqTw1zNeZXm2FbZY0fR5ajMW6uCMRGFk/s1600-h/DSCN2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJrY9S21VhAPj58YISwwoH3eTAEQzR7FyWuQOrtdN5Anw2LkOOjyi8TzO6ygkWUmJPOlyTuLpgxQi33B5bHomv0RxpchuN09cTQcJjpzOa-2RskJsEOWw0ZqzdupA0bz9LOtN3URXjHQ/s1600-h/DSCN2530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJrY9S21VhAPj58YISwwoH3eTAEQzR7FyWuQOrtdN5Anw2LkOOjyi8TzO6ygkWUmJPOlyTuLpgxQi33B5bHomv0RxpchuN09cTQcJjpzOa-2RskJsEOWw0ZqzdupA0bz9LOtN3URXjHQ/s320/DSCN2530.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-58375700934131500602010-03-20T10:04:00.000-07:002010-03-20T10:04:52.922-07:00Hello Spring.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM65Ko6kzjhAHndg7fW3GbbTk9QifiKy1CrIiKAwPJuOpD9ZNtEMgSKq7kpXq7lUPDwkgEPreL2EK6eZOLVX6D3brYiC3-JYNM-o-k-5cKigYC2yACRbSqq34ZBpjJuYA4uEGK6bBBXvQ/s1600-h/DSCN2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM65Ko6kzjhAHndg7fW3GbbTk9QifiKy1CrIiKAwPJuOpD9ZNtEMgSKq7kpXq7lUPDwkgEPreL2EK6eZOLVX6D3brYiC3-JYNM-o-k-5cKigYC2yACRbSqq34ZBpjJuYA4uEGK6bBBXvQ/s320/DSCN2533.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's nice to see the first signs of Spring! Especially since it has been so cold. These are snowflakes and they come up around the same time the crocus does. We see them popping up everywhere right now and it gives me hope that summer is just around the corner. </div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-12511526839960642392010-03-01T04:36:00.000-08:002010-03-01T04:36:20.953-08:00the most beautiful words......the Nursing & Midwifery Council can say to you is: seven to ten working days until your pin/nurses registration arrives.jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-26919746007553850032010-02-20T02:14:00.000-08:002010-02-20T02:14:06.351-08:00ONP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Overseas Nurses Program at Bournemouth University</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBXUeoI8i76Rcl9WZVq9A54GrJWnWahfwEmRUvMvlCcRkEM4SJ_c0HtoXyVtmh3rB66s6n0sGJs9QnYi-x8mmxCZo2USh7PR_Z9oB0aJzJ7mfD8DeyX5pY9LPdoPndg9Uhj9Rq31oJ3I/s1600-h/DSCN2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBXUeoI8i76Rcl9WZVq9A54GrJWnWahfwEmRUvMvlCcRkEM4SJ_c0HtoXyVtmh3rB66s6n0sGJs9QnYi-x8mmxCZo2USh7PR_Z9oB0aJzJ7mfD8DeyX5pY9LPdoPndg9Uhj9Rq31oJ3I/s320/DSCN2503.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who knew it would take nearly a year to complete all the paperwork to transfer a nursing license? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I'm on the homestretch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is right before I picked up my graded workbook and my test results. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I passed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I watched the instructor sign off one more piece of critical paperwork and was chuffed to bits to be one step closer. Now I wait. What's a couple more days after a year process? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-76014762133346086412010-02-15T03:43:00.000-08:002010-02-15T03:47:20.854-08:00Valentine Sweetheart.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc97eidRHbIe5KEK7rsqrmJ9Ds2MckxKoPHiZT3a3g1Y4NSah0DZ7EGjsSRXo4A75ZIMHe3RQJK6oUgHoeRt_0hpsN5CBtDPC6xyQpF5ji3Ltr2DtOZQ9eMwkQip64hJDJtkw42Ye368/s1600-h/IMG_2566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc97eidRHbIe5KEK7rsqrmJ9Ds2MckxKoPHiZT3a3g1Y4NSah0DZ7EGjsSRXo4A75ZIMHe3RQJK6oUgHoeRt_0hpsN5CBtDPC6xyQpF5ji3Ltr2DtOZQ9eMwkQip64hJDJtkw42Ye368/s320/IMG_2566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Chez Hunley and watched 'Oliver Twist'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-11078368737651636542010-02-15T03:32:00.000-08:002010-02-15T03:32:25.204-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdT23jT3xTq5jSGvpLBCN-Q0fmjYQVbiPE6PphMzEzARdpM2O3BKHa4JtWqZcab686AdW82lSZUuMi0m-T9ciNz-0cImxrSWmqyMAZ4tq5UWEcwWYIjQJ3Dt9GMM9_mH8mNCY3kXwyV4/s1600-h/IMG_2506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdT23jT3xTq5jSGvpLBCN-Q0fmjYQVbiPE6PphMzEzARdpM2O3BKHa4JtWqZcab686AdW82lSZUuMi0m-T9ciNz-0cImxrSWmqyMAZ4tq5UWEcwWYIjQJ3Dt9GMM9_mH8mNCY3kXwyV4/s320/IMG_2506.JPG" /></a>Does this not remind you of Narnia? It's what I thought of when we woke up and realized it had snowed. This was back in January. I've been terrible about timely postings on our blog. The reason being, we haven't done anything out of the ordinary. It's been the normal day in, day out- work, cleaning, running errands, organising post Christmas mess, catching up with friends, and making plans for the year. We settled back into British living. There are a thousand little differences I noticed after visiting the States, when I can properly write them out I'll make a list. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-16156058512637578772010-02-04T11:33:00.000-08:002010-02-04T11:43:21.942-08:00Winter in Worcester.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxFKKCd_oTbjY6JIeepehl4R6Ld5Iu4tHjeoMxO9rp0rr7vSSO8Pupe7Gyofzz9oXD9OQy9QkKUckNg8ZCalX_j1TqNLAOD974JjSalkS_BdkG-3IZ39sgNmjdFF88fftaiN9Dv-PhOk/s1600-h/DSCN2491.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434474343770977410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxFKKCd_oTbjY6JIeepehl4R6Ld5Iu4tHjeoMxO9rp0rr7vSSO8Pupe7Gyofzz9oXD9OQy9QkKUckNg8ZCalX_j1TqNLAOD974JjSalkS_BdkG-3IZ39sgNmjdFF88fftaiN9Dv-PhOk/s320/DSCN2491.JPG" /></a> We arrived home to snow in the UK. Apparently the worst storm in 30 years. We only saw the end of it, but by that time all the stores had been bought out in a panic. There was no bread left, so I baked my own. It turned out quite well and the house smelled amazing when it was baking. One thing I noticed walking through town is that no one had snow gear.<br />But, then again, they have no mountains to ski on in Worcester.<br />More's the pity.<br /><br /></div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-64878139896521878502010-01-12T04:42:00.001-08:002010-01-12T05:32:49.903-08:00Christmas in Seattle<div align="center"> After many weeks of wondering whether British Airways would strike the day we were to fly home to Seattle for Christmas, we changed our tickets and flew home early. </div><div align="center">It felt really nice to be home for the holidays. We had a great time visiting with family and friends. </div><div align="left">Some of my highlights over trip: </div><ol><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">drinking coffee and eating Christmas bread </span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">New Year's birthday extravaganza in Seattle</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">running errands with Marian</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">playing with Soren</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">stopping in at Sam & Linnea's for a chat</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">getting a 4lb. hula hoop from Dede for Christmas</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">going to Clinker dagger's with Jerr's family in Spokane</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">bringing tea and biscuits to VMC and seeing the ol' gang. (I wish I could have scrubbed in!)</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">singing Christmas carols/ </span><span style="font-size:85%;">playing baseball in Grandpa's field (too bad my team lost.)</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">getting new running shoes</span></div></li></ol><div align="right">Some of Jerr's Highlights:</div><ol><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">getting a Costco card </span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">enjoying quality time with UW friends in Seattle</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">finding a box for the TV and bringing it home with us</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">spending time with Grandma Charlene in Spokane</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">spending time in Best Buy</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">filling a prescription for antibiotics and finally recovering from his cold</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">discovering the Seven Seas Brewery (the Amber is a favorite)</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">shooting targets with Dad B and Tyler</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">driving past the condo and seeing the neighborhood improving</span></div></li><li><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">eating a delicious steak at Ruth's Chris</span></div></li></ol><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo: Hunley's with knit hats from Ma B.</span> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425833539948516674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhpKh9sjCDa-n0qjiG8vtG2DfFg4djgmGoCr1_popygpy8YH32phPC6Uwin6ElsTcfSN0n_Ic-odoDw85oYsklH0Q9MGzY8_cDl58D02YCWUUWnddNQf02Mq77bInS7gcFBiDGJjJB4A/s320/IMG_2408.JPG" /><br /><div></div>jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03375738331378035786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5461133643811274807.post-72480346357858134782010-01-12T03:44:00.000-08:002010-02-15T03:47:47.343-08:00Seasons<div align="center">Fall. </div><br />
<div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425818992670628002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1xyZbBPvYe2SPMEzyhR6RWXqJnR9Ioopww1re2qaPZPrzNc3utJjDY035nCPLx_fE33lRm2mZsibTz_wP5z1QYsex4xxG_UKl932iYIGVT58mfNuCEFlmqjPEkFkM8DqI98MoLZl8tc/s320/DSCN2325.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Winter.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrZzoXTLkOUW0cdf3yEPvIiiYAtINOTGW7yxzi25Dpr-f-2THTlGymMoaXGNDBE5nhwJ2znmB2gNmdSLGR1wGwMa6fYBAvR68No_Rldeb0vRVxOj4NFIgoMDXTUvPY2ZBzA-UHZMzxzg/s1600-h/DSCN2355.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425818996530286786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrZzoXTLkOUW0cdf3yEPvIiiYAtINOTGW7yxzi25Dpr-f-2THTlGymMoaXGNDBE5nhwJ2znmB2gNmdSLGR1wGwMa6fYBAvR68No_Rldeb0vRVxOj4NFIgoMDXTUvPY2ZBzA-UHZMzxzg/s320/DSCN2355.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Fall.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425818988460604386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCuy9D_bsUSeu8Ck1wZjAlZC9AML08332NZGZGmZqu2Ms3y_8KrOiI6FwvD4pelO0ncnvunRSzazYmof17vQNQK4Y2ZbSm7fel3e8BSXLVUoPubv7O8sijj7FnuIJodM35N8WbfiB2vQ/s320/DSCN2320.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Winter.<br />
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