As Of Lately...

Hello from 2013! Actually, everyone is in 2013 right now so that's not really a unique statement.

I've been super busy.... Doing a whole bunch of nothing! That's only kind of a lie. But I've been neglecting the blog a bit in favor of eating, drinking, more eating, and spending quality time with the Fiance.

But specifically, here's what I've been up to lately!

Becoming a wizard - Obviously. What else do people do in their spare time? The Fiance and I decided to buy "Harry Potter Book of Spells" for Play Station Move with some Christmas money.

It basically turns this:

Boring.

Into THIS:

I'm on the telly! And I'm a wizard!

It turns that plain blue book into the Book of Spells and the Move remote into a wand.

Mind = Blown.

It's for ages 7 and up. I definitely fit the "and up" part of that. Three times up as a matter of fact. But I don't really care.

I'm levitating a frog. That's cool at any age.

The pages change when you turn each page as you can see above. Clearly there's a vortex of doom on that page, and I'm levitating a frog. All in a day's work.

Seriously, if you're an HP fan or just mind boggled by technology, you need this in your life!


Rocking a Christmas jumper - Oh yes, I was jolly for jumpers! So was the fiance.

Christmas Eve Party! Love our clashing patterns!

Wedding Prep - It's January. I get married next month! The wedding prep is practically all done. Little things like shoes, jewelry, and finalizing numbers had to be done over this nice little Christmas/New Years break.

Running - Duh! Lots of running has been happening. Did I mention it's January? That means I run a half marathon next month, too! Holy crap! But I got the Garmin Forerunner 110 for Christmas (thanks, Fiance!) and have loved staring at all the statistics it shows me!! I will run my first double digit mileage this weekend, and I'm kind of excited!

Shopping for the necessities - Necessities have so far been the Book of Spells and new running clothes. I needed some warmer running gear for winter. Except for this one shirt that matched my Team Sparkle skirt....

No I'm not trying to look like Tinkerbell... It's just my fave color!

Reading at a dreadfully antisocial rate  - I got 3 books for Christmas and finished 2 of them before the New Year. I promise I interacted with human beings during that time. I just get sucked into books so easily! #BookwormStatus

Going to Football (soccer) games - SFC drew against Arsenal yesterday (1-1). Very pleased with that result considering Arsenal is one of the best teams in the league!


I hope 2013 has been treating you well so far!

(Note: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. I purchased every item with my own money and have not been compensated in any way by mentioning these products.)

What have you been up to?? Shopping? Defeating Voldemort? Tell me!

Gifted

It's Christmas Eve! 

I can hardly wait for tomorrow. I love watching everyone open their presents more than anything. And I'm especially excited this year because it's my first Christmas where I don't have to be sad about going back to America. (Yes, I live here now. Do I mention that enough??) 

And I think this new "home status" for England is my favorite present of all time. 

It can't be wrapped or put under the tree, but I know it's there!

I say that it's a great present, but I've also had some amazing and thoughtful presents throughout my life. 

The one that stands out in my mind is from when I was 8. (Side note, it was around the time cassette tapes were becoming obsolete and CDs were becoming increasingly popular... I didn't have a CD player yet though...) The first present I opened was 'Nsync's Christmas CD. 

(You know the one I'm talking about...)

Talk about #90sGirlProblems

Anyway, I was so upset. How could Santa not know that we didn't have a CD player?! He knows everything!! What was he doing giving me CDs for?! Clearly, he was losing his touch. 

The last present I opened, however, was a 3 CD disk changer stereo. Well played, Mom. I mean Santa.

That was quite amazing. 

I've also gotten some absolutely dreadful presents, too. 

When I went to England for the first time, it was also the first time I spent Christmas away from home. Maybe my parents were trying to spite me, because when I returned home in January all jet lagged and sad (from leaving the Fiance for 5 long months), I got the worst presents of my life. 

I asked for a Blackberry, but instead got just about every item from Walmart's "As Seen on TV" section. 

I got a Pepto Bismol colored Snuggie, a picture frame, some twist hair clip thing, and.... (I'm not even kidding) Smooth-Aways. If you don't know what Smooth-Aways are, look it up, but don't judge me. (Just because I'm Italian, it doesn't mean I'm an overly hairy individual.)

In the most grateful but curious way I could, I asked WTF they were implying with the Smooth-Aways. They said that I like cosmetic things so they thought I'd want to try it. I wanted to say, "When I say Urban Decay, do you misinterpret that for Smooth Away?!" 

But I didn't.... 

Hope you don't get any Smooth-Aways in your stocking this year! (Seriously, they're worse than coal)

Whether it's an object or something completely intangible, what is the best present you've ever received? Have you ever gotten any really terrible presents??

Fa La La La La La Florida

Before we get to the meaning behind my cheesy post title, I'd like to say a major thank you to Melissa at Smitten by Britain. She allowed me to do a guest post for today!

I've been thinking a lot recently about the differences between Christmas in Florida and Christmas in England. This year will be my fourth Christmas in England, so I decided to write about my 5 favorite things to do during Christmas here in England! 

So please make your way over here to read it!

I also had a good think about what I liked to do during Christmas in Florida. Instead of focusing on the cultural and weather differences between the two locations, I thought about what I liked to do the most. And while "going to the beach" and "sunbathing" didn't make the cut (but so should have!), I also wrote my 5 favorite things to do during Christmas in Florida!

1. Putting up the tree - In my family, buying the tree and decorating it is a pretty big tradition. We have to find the perfect tree. Decent height, no "bald patches" as my step-mom likes to call it, and a strong smell to fill the house! Then, we spend an entire night decorating, eating, and drinking while listening to Christmas music. My parents fight and threaten to divorce each other while trying to put up the lights while I laugh my ass off and just try to keep the cats in check. The ornaments have to go up in a specific order. It's serious business, but it's such great fun! 

I'm stuck! No, I'm kidding... Gotta love doing the grunt work!!

2. Pretending 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 degrees C) is cold - Oh, yes, Florida's "cold fronts" are kind of a joke. But any excuse to wear a scarf and boots, right?? It's fun to dress up like it's winter, even fully knowing that by next week we'll be back in shorts and t-shirts. My friends and I like to have small bonfires outside and make s'mores! 

3. Driving around and seeing the Christmas lights - When I was little, there was a water tower that had the best Christmas lights display! My mom and I would drive around (sometimes twice at my request) slowly and look at them while listening to Christmas music. Since then, the water tower no longer does their massive displays. But I love going around my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods to look at the impressive lights. It feels magical!

4. Seeing old friends - Once I reached college, a lot of my friends and I went separate ways. Christmas vacation was always the best time to meet up again to reminisce, talk about our semesters, and of course do lots more eating and drinking. If the weather was nice, we'd have a pool party. Typical Florida December. My favorite thing to do, however, was go painting with my best friends. There's a local place where you can paint your own pre-made pottery. We'd spend hours upon hours there painting potential Christmas presents!

5. The local parade - One of the things I miss most about South Florida is our local parade. I was actually IN that parade for a majority of my life; first with my dance studio and then in high school with marching band. I never really got many chances to spectate it; however, when I did I thought it was absolutely amazing! It's no Macy's Day Parade, but it's still pretty good for a little beach town in Florida.

IT'S CHRISTTTTMASSSSS! I hope you said that like Slade's "Merry Christmas Everybody" song.

As you can see, Christmas in Florida and England are completely different experiences! But they both have the same priorities in mind.... Eat.... Drink... And be merry! 

Where do you normally spend Christmas? What are your favorite things to do there that make it so special and unique?

Dear Santa... Love, An Expat

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas! Hope you're not too busy to read my letter. I know, I'm 22. I'm still allowed to do this, right?

I hope you got my address change for this year. I'm in England now... FOR GOOD. You understand my love of cold weather, right? I mean, you live in the North Pole!

Anyway, I've had a pretty good year! I got engaged and had a great summer, I survived my 22nd birthday, my UK visa got approved and I moved to England, I signed up for a half marathon in February, and I'm even done with Christmas shopping before the tree is even up!

More was even added AFTER the picture was taken. Thank you Royal Mail!

I've been very lucky this year, so my list isn't going to be very long.

But now that I'm an expat, there are some new items on the list I'd like to address.

1. Can you bring Target to the UK? Don't get me wrong, stores here are great! But nothing really says "one stop shop to blow your money on things you don't need" like Target. For the sake of humanity, England is really missing out.

TRUTH.

2. I'd really like some subtitles to travel around with. Nothing fancy. But when I talk, sometimes people don't get me. Portable subtitles that people can read would be really helpful when I'm out and about.

Just like this.

3. Can add something to my sisters Christmas list, please? She probably didn't ask for one, but I know she'd like a private jet this year so she can come see me in England whenever she wants. It'll fit in your big bag of presents, right?

4. You know how tiny and crowded English roads are? Well, I'd like a car that was just invisible to damage please. That way when I am driving on these roads no cars (or people) get hurt! Or better yet, the car could be like the Knight Bus from Harry Potter (and the Prisoner of Azkaban), the way it slows down time to squeeze through small spaces and stuff! That would be a life saver (pun intended).

(More on my UK driving later in the week!)

I'm a fantastic driver in America. Look at that concentration! And that steering wheel cover! Priorities...

5. A Mary Poppins Bag. Easy as that. If I had one of those, I wouldn't have thought I packed millions of things that I actually didn't pack (like my favorite Lululemon top.... 2 months later and I'm still bitter).

Work your magic, Santa! I know you can do it!

As per usual, can't go wrong with anything with owls on it or anything Harry Potter related.

Love,

Taylor the expat

Join the fun! Write one thing (or five!), preferably whimsical or crazy, that you would ask Santa for this year!  

Not-So Home For The Holidays Gift Guide

In my X-Mas For Expats post, I talked about sending care packages to family and friends.

You don't need to spend a fortune to show the ones you love that you're thinking about them from another continent!

My parents are coming to England for the first time for the wedding. More specifically, they are leaving the country for the first time for the wedding. I don't know how they are going to take to the cold, the food, or even the accent. But this Christmas, I'm going to try to prepare them with these lovely gifts for my parents across the pond!

Passport Holders - My parents are getting their very first passports to come see me! Yes, over 40 years on planet Earth and they never got a passport. Passport holders will be perfect for them this Christmas, or any traveler in your family! (Side note, the Fiance hilariously wanted to get them holders that said "My First Passport". The best part was, it had pictures on baby toys on them and were baby blue and pink. I still say we should have done it!)

Amazon Gift Card - I'm 99% sure my step mom is getting a Kindle Fire HD this Christmas, and I'm sure she's not the only one getting on the tablet wagon this year. Gift cards are great (whether they are for Amazon or Apple), that way they can buy different apps and books for when they're on long plane journeys. Just be careful of the currency you buy it in!

Plug Adapters - Obviously a must for anyone going across the pond. Nothing worse than buying some and then finding out your plugs don't fit into the adapter (true story, happened to me many times). So giving them these as an early traveling present will spare them the hassle of buying them once they arrive (or having to buy those "kits" with every plug under the sun). And if their American plugs don't fit, we still have plenty of time to get ones that do fit!

Sweets and Treats - Of course, you have to give them a taste of what they will be enduring when they come to visit. Throw in your favorites and hopefully they will enjoy them, too! (By the way, LOVING Dairy Milk Oreo Flavor these days. Anyone else agree??)

So instead of buying your dad a tie/cufflinks set and your mom some oven mits, try sending them their own personal travel care package! The possibilities are endless (language guides, sightseeing books, a photo album for all their pictures). But these are the things I've found most practical for my family!

And how amazing is this card??

Happy Christmas from Southampton! So cool!!

Such a cute idea (from the Card Factory)! My family should definitely look out of these, too! Cards are so underrated in the States. Nothing made me happier as a kid than getting cards. I completely fell in love with sending cards again once I came to England!

What do you send home for the holidays? Whether you're across the country or across the world, what would you include for the perfect "care package" to your family that's unique and personal?

X-Mas For Expats

Well, it's December!!

And in case you didn't know, that means everything Christmas is acceptable!!

Unless your name is cranky the cat.

(That's my cat by the way. Bundle of joy, she is!)

I miss my cat. And I miss a lot of things about America. But this will be my fourth consecutive Christmas in England.

I honestly can't remember Christmas anywhere else but England! It's felt so normal since my first Christmas here in 2009. In fact, I'd probably be very confused spending Christmas in Florida.

But this year is different.

The good thing about it is that when the new year rolls around, I won't be getting on a plane and going back to America! The bad thing about it is that when the new year rolls around, I won't be getting on a plane and going back to America.

And I really don't consider it a "bad" thing that I'm not leaving by any means. Seriously, I've stopped calling Florida "home" and there's never a moment where I regret moving. But it also means that everything I miss stays very distant.

I've thought about it, and I made a list of ways to cope with not being in your native country over Christmas.

Send a care package to your family/friends - Nothing too big or expensive, but lots of things that they can't get where they live. Since my parents are coming to England for the wedding (first time EVER leaving the country for them), I'm sending them a box full of the things they will need for their long international journey across the pond.

Hope for a care package for yourself - I know this is the season of giving, but come on, you know you're craving that massive bag of your favorite sweets. It's perfectly acceptable to drop hints at your friends/family members to immediately drive to Target and buy those little things you miss.

Do something incredibly American (or whatever country you're from!) - She's Not From Yorkshire is probably the queen of doing the stereotypical American thing to dodge homesickness. I will officially announce that I will be the Vice Prez of that club. Go and order a Venti of your favorite Starbucks drink. Find a TGIFriday's (like the Fiance and I did on Thanksgiving) and order your favorite appetizers and laugh at their "flair". You'll feel so American that you'll need to get back to reality by watching a Stephen Fry TV show.

And then take a picture of it like a tourist because you're a really really cool person who takes pictures in Starbucks

Don't worry about holiday indulging - You have enough on your plate (no pun intended), the holidays are about spending time with your loved ones, and eating. And then lots of eating with your loved ones. Don't worry about having more Christmas pudding with lots of cream or drinking that extra glass of mulled wine.

Schedule a family Skype date - Hopefully your family knows how to use technology (mine suck at using technology). Plan a group Skype date so you can see everyone at once and it's like you're at a family get together! Dress up, reminisce, hint about the care package that you desire.

Do something new - Go to the zoo, eat at a new restaurant, find the town's local German market, go to a Christmas pantomime. Do something weird that you've never done before! Take pictures and tell your family that you'll take them the next time that they visit you in your new home!

Has anyone been to the London Dungeons?? Do it! It's fun!!

For me, I don't get "home sick" easily. When I was in Florida, I would say I was "England-sick" because I missed it so much (and of course the Fiance). So me being here feels right. But that doesn't mean I don't miss my cranky cat every once in a while. And these things definitely help!!

Where do you normally spend the holidays?? Do you go away? Stay at home? Where would your ideal December be spent?? 
Any other tips for spending the holidays far from your native country?

What Am I Going To Do Without Thanksgiving?

I've confessed my not so secret indifference about Halloween.

But the one good thing about Halloween was that when it was over, it meant this:

STARBUCKS RED CUPS! This is me creeping a picture last year on November 1st. That's how much these red cups please me. Don't mind the terrible "I'm using an Android phone and I'm late for my sociology class" quality of this picture.

Starbucks red cups = Christmas. So in case you didn't get the memo, if you have received a red cup or have seen the red cups, it's Christmas. If not, go get yourself one. Hot bevs only, people, don't go crazy getting frappacinos; you'll be given an ordinary clear cup.

The time frame goes like this:

October = Pumpkin, pumpkin, and more pumpkin and a little bit of Halloween.
November before Thanksgiving = Also known as "Nearly Christmas", the start of Starbucks red cups, more pumpkin with a side of pumpkin. But now it's acceptable to drink Peppermint Mocha and Peppermint Hot Chocolate.
Thanksgiving = Parade, last acceptable day to eat pumpkin (so get as much in as you can!), fighting off the tryptophan effect, and if you're my family, a hefty buffet of Thanksgiving appropriate foods (we don't do the whole "sit down and be thankful thing").
After Thanksgiving = Christmas. I don't care what anyone says... Every single day after Thanksgiving is Christmas. It just is. 

So, now that I'm in England, my time frame is all messed up!

They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here! What am I going to do about my pumpkin and peppermint ingesting time frame? WHEN WILL I KNOW IT'S APPROPRIATELY CHRISTMAS?!

I asked some cool English peeps.... They all agreed that Christmas begins with the first viewing of the "Holidays are comin'" Coca Cola advert. If you are not familiar with it, go on YouTube and type that in. If you're not smiling and dancing while it's playing, you've clicked the wrong video.

I'm sad I can't properly celebrate Thanksgiving with the Parade and a day of binge eating, but at least I have the Coca Cola advert to look forward to!

Sidenote, the trees are putting on their autumn outfits.

Don't mind me, just running around a car park taking pictures of the trees. They don't change colors where I'm from!

Florida trees keep the same outfits year round, kind of like Florida people! No cold weather to deal with for us! Trees, can you change to green and red so that I know when it's Christmas here please? Just sprout some antlers while you're at it too.

Have a great weekend! 

Which is your favorite autumn/winter holiday to celebrate? Halloween? Thanksgiving? Christmas? Hanukkah? When do you start getting into the holiday spirit? Any expats know how to deal with the lack of Thanksgiving across the pond??