Me? Willy Wonka's taste tester?

So a few months ago, I answered an ad in the local newspaper about chocolate tasting at the local Nestle plant. Yes, actually tasting chocolate for money. After phone interview, I was called to the plant Thursday to take part in a sensory panel trial. We spent the day in a lab and went through lots of test attempting to determine bitterness and acidity levels in water, smelling vials trying to determine the flavor, and tasting chocolate to try to determine what the difference was between them.

So in fact, being a chocolate taster is actually a big job. They are only accepting five people from the three trials (and to get there 1 in 12 were selected). If I get selected I have to once a week for three hours trying milk/dark chocolate and chocolate liqueur. Not too bad, plus amazing, I get one month paid holiday! For one day a week work!

But it was a fun morning and I got a free lunch and box of chocolate and time away from writing papers for school. Nice.

Is that smoke?

So Tuesday night I had to stay up late to finish a paper (I know, I know). I had just finished and was heading off to bed around 3 when I smelled smoke. Not cooking smoke or fireplace smoke - but real fire smoke. So I started to wander around the house ... no smoke. Hmmm ... then I started to hear footsteps running up and down the sidewalk outside of my room. Hmmm ... so minutes later - sirens! Apparently there was a house fire four doors down from us. Nothing major, lots of smoke and everyone is ok. But the house smelt of smoke for a day, but a couple of Febreeze sprays and it was gone.

Interesting note about British firefighters ... after the fire was out, people actually offered them tea! At 3:45 in the morning! Hee hee! Now I've experienced the York public safety trifecta (did I mention ambulances came to??)!

After that craziness, I didn't get to bed until 4:30 and then had to get up at 7 to catch a train to school to pick up checks and turn in homework. Definitely made for the long day - but ended on a happy literary note - I pre-ordered Harry Potter 7 at Borders! Woo!

Holiday revealed ...

So where are Dad and I going on our holiday?? After cryptic hints for the last two weeks, I finally guessed (with thanks to Katie and prodding from Dad). Drum roll ..... Bahamas cruise for four days and Disney/Orlando for three days! Woo!

I am so excited to get there, because I know once I'm there I'm done with three papers for school. Tick tock - tick tock until next Wednesday when I fly home!

Ahoy Mateys!

Only Dad could come up this cryptic hint for our mystery holiday in May. Still not sure where it is, but I know it's not a cruise! And it sounds like fun!

"There are pirates to the east of us and pirates to the west of us (some are real) but only coco knows. Yellowbirds, seahorses that's the only horse ride at a speed of two knots and tour the lost city. Ye can do all at both these places."

Any guesses??

Q: What is Britain like?

A: For all of you who are wondering, here's a fantastic description from Bill Bailey!

Mr. John Q. Public - UK style

Ever realize the names listed on credit cards in advertisements? Sadly, I do, with most going with John Smith or recently J Webb. Anyway yesterday I spied the UK-styled John Q. Public on the Lothian bus service (Mr. Len Dahand - ha ha) and at Debenham's department store (Miss Deb N. Ham).

Side notes from the Scotland trip, I had to go up to school in Edinburgh to have a meeting with my dissertation supervisor - everything went fine and I am fully approved and set to complete in August. Also my Virgin Train ride home took over four hours, instead of the regular 2 1/2, thanks to a lorry striking a bridge and a train traffic jam before York. Made for the long day. Apparently not as though as the south traveling train in the morning who struck three cows on the rail at 100 mph. According to the train staff, one ended up being thrown from the track and landed in the tree and the farmer who owned the tree couldn't be found, so for three hours travellers enjoyed a bovine tree.

Finally, I was fully convinced my friend Kim was having a baby girl in August - Katie said I was totally wrong. Well I was proved completely wrong when she found out yesterday she's having a boy. Congrats!!

Best Doctor Who description ...

While we just enjoyed our third Doctor Who episode last night, we found this description of him on a myspace account (it's someone at the BBC posing as his assistant, Martha Jones):

"He's the most amazing, brilliant, annoying man I've ever met. He's like heaven and earth all rolled up in tight trousers." Can't argue with that.

Last week and the next couple of weeks I will be tied up in school work, as I attempt to submit a pr plan, a public affairs paper, and a job placement critique before departing for the other side of the pond May 2. Fingers crossed and all will be well, as tomorrow I take the train to Edinburgh to meet with my dissertation supervisor. Fun times ahead.

And now, your stereotypical British comment on the weather ... sunny and warm! Who knew!! But it is sunny and low-70s! Yesterday we lounged by the river and enjoyed the sun. Alas, not all good things last - I saw a forecast for 11 degrees C (that's 51 degree F) for Thursday. Oh well.

Easter, the UK Way

First off, I didn't end up at Whitby yesterday. Stupid buses are still running on winter times and for me to get there and back in a reasonable (emphasis) amount of time, I would have had 1 hour in Whitby. Oh well, I passed the time doing homework, shopping in town, and watching new Doctor Who - woo!

Today, while Katie was battling the masses at Jorvik (literally - tourists everywhere!), I went to the Easter service at York Minster to hear the Archbishop of York. It was a very nice service with choirs, orchestras, and organs - and while they were processing at the beginning, the Archbishop touched my hand (I was sitting on the sides). Pictures of him greeting people, in what I think is a Joseph-esque coat, afterwards are posted to Yahoo! Some interesting notes on the service, a family from the U.S. south (I couldn't tell from where) couldn't believe there weren't any flowers in the Minster, short of some large arranged pieces. I think they were expecting the typical U.S. family sponsored Easter lily decorations. Geez, we are in an amazing Minster! No flowers needed! Also, even though we are enjoying mid- to upper-60s weather, no one had new Easter dresses on and I only saw two hats out of 1,200 people! What is England coming to!?! Bring back the hats!

Easter dinner tonight ... Katie and I might be off tomorrow as it is Easter Monday holiday, but we haven't decided yet. Also, we bought a bunny pinata, but we haven't done anything with him yet ... he's too cute to smack! Hop ... Hop ...

Easter Fun

Katie and I have been holding down the fort while Leslie is visiting friends in Aberdeen. Since it's Easter weekend (and the weather has been amazing!), we've been doing spring/holiday activities. A couple of days ago we bought kites and have been flying in the park, and caused the envy of children and passerbys alike.

Yesterday I made a simnel cake, which is rather popular in the UK. For more information on the cake, visit Wikipedia. Also, we dyed eggs today with a new color of black. Pictures posted to Yahoo!

While Katie is at work tomorrow ... I'm off to the coast and Whitby!

Attack of the Monster Mushrooms!

During a recent trip to Tesco (our UK grocery) we nabbed these monster mushrooms. And that's not just a descriptor, it actually said "monster mushroom" on the label. They were very yummy and we filled one with tomato paste, yellow pepper, cheese and one with goat cheese and yellow peppers. Photos posted to the Misc. folder on Yahoo!

They definitely go along with the ghost squash (actually called a carnival squash) from earlier this season.

A PR practitioners worst nightmare

Notice anything wrong in the picture?? One small letter missing makes a large news story (West Virginia NIT Champions Wear Misspelled T-Shirt). This is the type of thing that keeps me up at night - oh the horror.

New Shoes!

Saw these yesterday when Katie was looking for sandals. Had to go back today and get them! So comfy.

Moderator side note, Doctor Who starts Saturday. Our household is very excited, not just for show, but for the Doctor! Yummy!

Equestrian Update

For those of you unaware (or for those not remembering for one reason or another), I have been taking English riding lessons since February. I figured - hey, I'm in England, why not learn to ride English?

I usually get in about one lesson a week, unless I am at school. So far I have had three horses: Coco (slow and fat), Xando (a show horse), and today was Lysander (a temperamental boy). So far I've been able to canter and today we went over rails ... on the ground. Sighs of relief I'm sure for you safety-checkers!! Don't worry we wear helmets too!

All in all I am thoroughly enjoying getting out of town and into the stables. Plus I've got great new riding boots and a sign-up sheet for side-saddle lesson looming. One step closer to becoming a Lady!!

Curious side note from the moderator, no one commented on me going to a punk engagement party!!! Geez - what does it take to get a comment around here!!

Currently on our Sky planner

Thanks to Sky (our friendly cable box), we have the following shows marked for our viewing:

• CSI .
• Ugly Betty
• Bones
• House
• Shark
• ER
• Boston Legal
• Ghost Hunters
• Kidnapped
• Doctor Who (new season starts Saturday!!)
• Saturday Night Live (showing in the UK for the first time!)
• Top Chef
• Persuasion (Jane Austen movie of the week)

Unfortunately for us, some shows (like House and Bones) run at the same time on different channels. Thank you VCR!

In other entertainment news, quite the uproar was made last week when Terry Wogan announced a different winner than his co-host for UK spot for Eurovision. Scooch officially won and will be representing the UK in Finland in May. Katie and I saw the song they will be performing - no comment as it is completely horrendous. That being said, they will probably win with it. If you have never heard of Eurovision, read up on it through Wikipedia. Scary, yet entertaining.

Finally, go basketball Buckeyes!

Fantastic Extras!

Season 2 Extras is already over with in the UK, but they are going to start showing repeats soon. I'd thought I'd post up on my mine and Katie's favorites involving Sir Ian McKellen. Hilarious!

Tonight ...

Tonight I went to a punk engagement party. You read that correctly - a punk engagement party. Very interesting.

On the menu this evening ...

While Leslie is away house-sitting, Katie and I (ok, mostly Katie) pulled together the following menu for dinner this evening.

• Moroccan Chicken (bought on sale from the butcher today for 2 pounds!)
• Butternut Squash in the oven
• Green beans
• Plum tart (with some very old plums)

Everything was around the house, except the chicken, and we couldn't help remarking how gourmet we are for just a quiet night in. Bon appetit!

Mini-Break to London

So I am finally recapping our long weekend (including pictures!) to London for our housemates Leslie's 40th birthday. We took the train down on Saturday and munched on my homemade scones and mimosas the way down. Highlights to the weekend were:

• Going back to the swanky hotel I stayed at in November, that due to an issue gave me an extreme upgrade and free drinks. Yes!
  
• Going to Portabello Road to visit the infamous pashmina lady and on the way, seeing the BBC production of "Bargain Hunt" being filmed (I think it also makes an appearance on BBC America). Oh, and Katie's phone was stolen ... we think ... luckily she recovered a new SIM card and is back in business.
  
• Expertly navigating the London Underground since they decided to do work on three (!) routes, including the two main tourist routes. What a mess!


• Going to see "The Dumbwaiter" with Jason Isaacs (pictured above and of Harry Potter fame - read about him on IMBD.com) and Lee Evans and meeting them afterwards - so very nice - and then eating at a fantastic Thai restaurant.


• Sunday, we saw the Hogarth exhibit at the Tate Museum and Becoming Jane at the Odeon. V. good. Had dinner in Chinatown - yummy!


• Monday, we rode the slides at the Tate Modern (whee! and seen in a previous post), visited the original Twinings Tea Shop, Temple Church, the Knight Templar church, the Banqueting House, and saw the Horse Guard. Then Katie and Leslie went shopping for Doc Martins, while I met up with Lisa and Jon (my first Ohio visitors!) at the Founders Arms to drinks.

Then it was back home Monday night so I could leave Tuesday for school in Scotland. Ah, the life. Photos are posted to Yahoo! - Enjoy!

Leave it to Stephen Colbert ...

Leave it to Stephen Colbert to perfectly describe the Irish v. English clash in less than three minutes. Enjoy the clip at Comedy Central. Also, anything that mentions the Welsh language as "looking like someone who threw down a bag of consonants" is bound to be great! I wish we got this show in the UK, but seeing as it took 9 years to get the Daily Show, I doubt it will be any time soon.

I promise pictures and an update of our London weekend soon! School work is cutting in ... and baking (currently coconut macaroons).

Yesterday in class ...

We had the possible future prime minister's brother as a lecturer. Interesting.

Back in York after completing my last week of classes. I do have a few papers to finish, but it is straight on to my dissertation. Hard to believe ....

I've been neglecting my blog - partly due in fact to the fantastic weather (which has now disappeared for artic, actual arctic, winds) and an amazing trip to London. Pictures are loaded on my computer - details to follow soon!