plumandjello - version 2.0 (stateside)

Greetings from Washington DC! And version 2.0 of the blog. So ok, I am not in England anymore ... and not by choice. Jobs were scarce - and Battelle came calling. The job is in Crystal City - ironically I got a job from a Columbus-based company to come to DC. It's been two weeks so far and I would love to tell you all about it, but there are major security clearances. About all I can tell you is that I am public relations consultant for different government agencies. It is definitely interesting to say the least.

I will begin updating the last couple of months since the last blog - as lots has happened - holidays and an amazing trip to Thailand to start. Also check over to Flickr as I have posted photos of Cardiff as well as some older photos from Columbus from my old computer.

I hope you'll enjoy version 2.0 as much as the UK one!

The flying week (no pun ... ok, pun intended)

This week is a little mad - since I am packing up my stuff to come home for the holidays and simultaneously putting stuff aside for Thailand. To add a little interest, Katie and I have decided to travel off to Cardiff Sunday through Tuesday evening. So, if you are trying to email me (hint, hint), I may not answer it right away. Here's my schedule for the rest of the week.

• Sunday - Tuesday: Cardiff
• Tuesday (late) - Wednesday: Home in York
• Wednesday (late) - leave for Manchester
• Thursday - Flying back to Ohio
• Friday - Interview in Columbus at 10 a.m. (hello jet lag! But I'll be available for lunch - anyone???)
• Saturday - Home in Mount Vernon, plus a Miami Men's Glee Club concert

After that, til the end of the year you say? Well it involves a lot of doctor's appointments, dinners in Cincy, Thailand, and maybe a side trip to Chicago to get Katie's student visa (long story). Oh, I almost forgot ... Christmas! It's going to be madness, but I'll have my trusty US mobile if you are interested in catching me. Got to be at the train station in an hour - off we go!

Signs Lisa is getting old ...

Yesterday on the bus (after a v. long day in Manchester museum viewing), there were some students making a lot of noise. Apparently, songs played on mobile phones without headphones is quite popular. Plus, it isn't good music - usually techno crap. I turned to Katie and said "don't those kids have respect for the rest of us on the bus?" I might as well have my senior bus pass. Ugh - I am old!

In museum news, we visited the Imperial War Museum of the North while in Manchester. It is a very interesting museum, from the actual building (designed by Daniel Libeskind) to the exhibits. Interestingly, the museum itself actually makes you disoriented just from the way it is designed. But it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Funny but true ...

I came across this via a Yahoo! story. The woman who does the 'Mind the Gap' announcements on the London Underground was fired because she had posted these announcement spoofs on her Web site. I really wished they would have play some of these, especially the American one. You don't realise how loud Americans talk until you've been here a while!

http://www.emmaclarke.com/fun/mind-the-gap/spoof-london-underground-announcements

Master of Public Relations

After a year of studying, I finally was awarded my master's of science in public relations this weekend in Edinburgh. Pictures from the weekend (which included touring around Edinburgh and visiting Lissa in St. Andrews) are posted up to Flickr.

York Minster at night

Last night, we ventured over to the York Minster which has been illuminated for the upcoming holiday seasons. Pictures of the crazy lights are posted to Flickr.

And yes, those are actually the colours!

Pumpkin patches and sugar cookies

Photos from our recent house trip to Farmer's Cart, pumpkin carving, and sugar cookie decorating have been posted to Flickr ... Spooky!

New photos!!

Photos from my recent trip to California have been updated to Flickr. It was a great trip - I got all my fav foods in, plus a side trip to Disneyland to see the Halloween-modified Haunted Mansion. Fantastic.

Life back in England is chilly! I went through a 60+ degree drop coming back. I left Ohio with a sinus infection (thanks mom and dad!) and soon as that left, I caught a cold here. So in the time that I have been back, I have hacking and sniffling. Lovely. On an education note, all my library books have been returned and gown/hood have been hired for graduation next month! I am v. excited and the place where graduation is held is amazing. Not going to let you see for now, you'll just have to wait!

Also, York has become infested with Americans. While in town today, I got stopped by 4 groups of Americans looking for the Minster. I've always attract people - I swear 'tour guide' is written on my face ... apparently now, I also attract lost American tourists.

Something else to do with Buckeyes ....

Ohio State fans take note - buckeyes (or their cousin, conkers, in the UK) can be used as a weapon or in a game. The 43rd annual World Conker Championship is taking place today. Although conkers is a very popular school-yard game in the UK - the candy version is not.

Visit the World Conker Championship Web site photo gallery for new buckeye fashion ideas ... be ahead of the trend!!

So funny ...

So Katie and I were watching new episodes of QI this evening and this Manakin bird was one of the segments. I swear, I laughed so hard I was coughing and crying. This may be due in part to my fantastic, recently acquired sinus infection - but still funny!!!



On an unrelated note, this is my 100th post. Wow - how do I have enough exciting stuff to write 100 posts about. Must look into this ....

The happiest piece of mail ...

With my dissertation completed in August, I had a waiting game for my results. This past Sunday they found me in the U.S. .... I passed all classes and my dissertation! Whew! This officially gives me a master's of science in public relations! I am v.v. happy.

Currently housed in Mt. V but going back to England tomorrow. Can't wait to be back in York and do autumn over there. Had a great time back stateside - saw lots of people and took a side trip to California with mom. Pictures will be uploaded to Flickr when I get back to the other side of the pond!

Quote of the evening ...

"... Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Distiller, which I think makes the alcohol..."

- Quote from Katie while she was loading new software onto her new computer.

FYI, Adobe Distiller does not make alcohol :)

Day at the Races

Another successful day at the races! I won £29.60, not as much as last time, but still not too shabby. With half of my winnings from last time, I bought a fascinator at the Hat Company in town. What is a fascinator, you ask? It is like a hat (see picture), but usually feathery and some sort comb. Katie wore my fascinator this time and I wore my £9 one I discovered at Marks & Spencers during their sale last week. Excellent! We also enjoyed Pimms and Lemonade. V. yummy!

New pictures from both race days and Katie's birthday cake (a v. large German chocolate cake) can be viewed on Flickr.

Off to finish packing - tomorrow is my last day before going stateside for a few weeks!

Watching football from afar - week 2

First off, I haven't disappeared ... I finished my dissertation! It cost me one all-nighter (which practically killed me), but it went the mail and it looking rather smart in its laminated cover and comb binding.

With that out of the way .... Ok, like last year, I am resigned to watch my Buckeyes as a little red line going back and forth on the the ESPN Gametracker. Sigh. However, a glimmer of hope emerged last week when I found 1430 AM Fostoria, who actually lets me listen to the game commentary. Thank you! To be quite honest, today's game wasn't worth listening ... 3-2 at the half?!? What?!?

While OSU lollers about on the field, I continue to be extremely pleased with 'that team from up North's' performance. I cackled with glee last week's score and I found this today's on ESPN regarding the Oregon game. Fantastic.

"This is so sad the Michigan fans will need to shoot botox into their face for the next 2 years to smile again."

Anyway, enough of football! Me and Katie are off to the races tomorrow to see if I can continue my good luck from a few weeks back. This is just tiding me over until I make the trans-continental journey to the States on Wednesday. I will be home until Oct. 9 and this jaunt includes a trip out to LA!!

Ok, back to football :) ... I am home for only one (!) OSU football game, v. Northwestern, and Dad and I need tickets. Help! Anyone?!?

P.S. Tough loss today by my Miami Redhawks (or Red Storm Rising, if you are Jeff) - triple overtime at Minnesota. Heading down to Oxford next Saturday for the Cincy (Battle of the Bell) game - hold down the fort until I get there!

It's almost football season!

American football that is, as soccer has been playing for ages silly! - especially my favorite, college football! While I get ready to watch my silly ESPN Gametracker on Saturday for the OSU game (go red line go!), I'd thought I'd share this Top 25 game preview, courtesy of ESPN:

No. 16 Rutger (0-0) vs. Buffalo (0-0)
Piscataway, NJ7:00 PM ETCan Rutgers build off last year's Cinderella season? The Scarlet Knights have a great chance to get off on the right foot facing perennial doormat Buffalo.

Aww .... poor Buffalo. Being a MAC-school based girl (Go Miami!), I should be feel sorry for them. Instead I giggled. Oh well ...

Duffman loves the racecourse - Oh yeah!

Since it was so nice and warm out today (we've been suffering with autumnal weather, chilly!) - we decided to go to the York Racecourse and the Ebor Races. Lucky for us it is two minutes to our house. We got a bit dressed up, since it was Ladies Day, and headed to track.

I don't think I've ever been so lucky - I won £47.90 on two horses, Duff and Want to be Posh! I pick horses on two things: 1. jockey jersey color and 2. horse names. Duff was picked because of Duffman from the Simpson (which gave me the greatest return 33/1 shot and he won!) and Want to be Posh because, well ... who doesn't and her jockey was smartly dressed!

New Photos

Pics from my Yorkshire jaunt in July (with Katie and her parents) have been posted on Flickr. Apparently all my Yahoo! photos have been moved there as well. Enjoy ... we certainly travelled a lot (810 miles - thank you Enterprise and sorry about the hubcap!).

This photo was from our day out at Brimham Rocks. I was feeling particularly Elizabeth Bennett-y ... and the answer to the next question from 2S and Leslie, yes, Katie and I were careful not to fall so we could face our fathers!

Start practicing your bows ...

I have a title ... Lady of Glencairn. It was purchased for me by Katie for my birthday. I think I'll head off to my retreat in the Highland later this summer!

Our new houseguest

Two nights ago when I was locking up the house for the night, I noticed something creeping along the sideboard next to the garden door. Those of you who know me, know I hate spiders, and was very cautious as I turned on the lights to discover .... a slug!

Yes, a slug had somehow trudged it's way in from the back garden, up the side of the house, over the door jam, and into the tiles of the kitchen. It must have taken him ages! Anyway, he was directed back to the garden, where I presume is living out his days amongst the moss growing on our cement patio.

In other news, I am writing, and writing, and writing. Dissertation = blah! Hence the no blog updates as 1. I am completely worn out and 2. My life is boring and warrants no update! Back to writing!

Last night was really Harry ...

Of course I'm referring to Harry Potter. I had reserved my copy of the final book back in April (I know, nerd!) and went to pick it up last night at the Borders in town. Katie and I went around 11:15 p.m. to get in line for the midnight release. Having experienced two other HP parties at the Polaris Barnes and Noble, I was expecting games, handouts, etc. ... none really to speak of! How sad. Also I have to give B&N credit for letting us pre-paid and giving out numbered bracelets for standing in line ... not here! The queue wound around the store, up and down stairs, in and out of the dvds, circling the travel section, and finally back to the registers where we had to pay. I got the book around 1 a.m. and finally made it back to the house around 2, when I started reading until about 4 a.m., woke up around 10 a.m. and finished the book around 2 p.m.

So? Is it worth a read? Definitely!