Holy Jesus, I'm moving to London.

[Phillycat]

So, you know how I was moving to France in September? It's been the plan for like a year. Yeah. Well, my husband's company counter-offered, and now we're moving to London. I'm moving to an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT COUNTRY THAN I THOUGHT I WAS.

I don't even know how to feel about this. Talk to me, tell me things!

[DS1]

1. assholes are now wankers and jerkoffs are now tossers

drive on the left.

that's pretty much it

[Phillycat]

3. Wow, that DOES sound easy.

So you're a wanker and a tosser? Got it. :patriot:

[DS1]

5. No, I'm a yobbie

:P

[Phillycat]

8. Man, even Googling doesn't define that one.

Is that anything like being a knob?

[flvegan]

11. Hooligan, I believe.

[NewEnglandGirl]

114. Have to try

www.urbandictionary.com as well as googling. Doesn't have yobbie but says yob is a young thug or something like that. :P :hi:

[trof]

126. I think it's 'yobbo'.

[trof]

127. Ah, yes:

In Britain, as the word 'yob' came out of the London back slang and into more general English usage, it and latterly, 'yobbo' have meant 'working class, adolescent, male person'. Within his own culture, he was not necessarily seen as uncouth, though a person writing about him rather than speaking of him was likely to be of another social class and prone to seeing him as loutish.

[BeachBaby]

25. And don't forget the most important one....

"cigarettes" are "fags". I'm NOT shitting you - and my buddy who lives in Manchester told me just last month that he's down to 10 fags a day. And then he asked me how much fags cost in NJ.

I told him that next time he visits the US, he better learn our language REALLY quick, unless he wants to die. :scared:

[Phillycat]

28. Heh.

Yeah. Thank god I quit smoking! They're also unbelievably expensive over there.

[SCantiGOP]

82. once in London

I had taken a red eye flight with two business associates, one male and one female. As we were checking in around 8 am, the guy at registration turns to the woman and says, "And what time would you like to be knocked up, Ma'am?" Even though we knew what he meant, she turned to us and said, "This is a very friendly country."
Seriously, the most impressive thing I saw was Hadrian's wall, which was built over 2,000 by the Romans. It's not really that impressive architecturally, but knowing when and by whom it was built was a mind-blower.

[Kutjara]

122. And the next most important one:

"Fanny" in the UK means "vagina" so, whatever you do, don't loudly declaim about your "fanny pack" unless you want people around you to start rolling on the floor laughing. It's a "bum bag."

[Submariner]

132. One more thing

When you go to cross the street, you got to look in the OPPOSITE direction than you would look in the U.S. They drive on the wrong side of the road over there, and a couple of times I almost stepped in front of a car stepping off the curb. Be very careful.

[murray hill farm]

135. and "Fuck" is EVERYONES favorite word!

The expression "Fuck me" is a favorite....it doesn't have the same negative attributes that it does here in the USA. They even say it on TV...and no one blinks an eye.

[Iggo]

2. In London...

...they talk a language almost like American that they call "English."

You should be able to pick up on it fairly easily.

:P

[Phillycat]

4. My husband is British. :)

So I have a translator in the house in a pinch. :D

[Iggo]

48. Sweet!

You're in like Flynn!

[flvegan]

6. GMs are Vauxhalls.

[Phillycat]

7. How pretentious!

I'm going to change my name over there too, then! Instead of Cat, I'll be known as Princess Anastasia Beaverhousen!

[muriel_volestrangler]

51. Vauxhall is just the area of London the original British company was founded in

GM bought it very quickly, many decades ago. Vauxhalls are really all Opels, these days - same range across Europe, but strangely, using the German brand is thought to be better marketing everywhere else :evilgrin:

[Phillycat]

53. But...

Can I still call myself Princess Anastasia Beaverhousen?

:D

[SCantiGOP]

87. Pretentious reminded me

of the world's shortest joke: Pretentious? Moi?

[Swede]

9. Here's poet John Cooper Clarke take on London

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEWT6pdjON8

the bloody cops are bloody keen
to bloody keep it bloody clean
the bloody chief's a bloody swine
who bloody draws a bloody line
at bloody fun and bloody games
the bloody kids he bloody blames
are nowehere to be bloody found
anywhere in chicken town
the bloody scene is bloody sad
the bloody news is bloody bad
the bloody weed is bloody turf
the bloody speed is bloody surf
the bloody folks are bloody daft
don't make me bloody laugh
it bloody hurts to look around
everywhere in chicken town
the bloody train is bloody late
you bloody wait you bloody wait
you're bloody lost and bloody found
stuck in fucking chicken town
the bloody view is bloody vile
for bloody miles and bloody miles
the bloody babies bloody cry
the bloody flowers bloody die
the bloody food is bloody muck
the bloody drains are bloody fucked
the colour scheme is bloody brown
everywhere in chicken town
the bloody pubs are bloody dull
the bloody clubs are bloody full
of bloody girls and bloody guys
with bloody murder in their eyes
a bloody bloke is bloody stabbed
waiting for a bloody cab
you bloody stay at bloody home
the bloody neighbors bloody moan
keep the bloody racket down
this is bloody chicken town
the bloody train is bloody late
you bloody wait you bloody wait
you're bloody lost and bloody found
stuck in fucking chicken town
the bloody pies are bloody old
the bloody chips are bloody cold
the bloody beer is bloody flat
the bloody flats have bloody rats
the bloody clocks are bloody wrong
the bloody days are bloody long
it bloody gets you bloody down
evidently chicken town

[Phillycat]

10. "Chicken town"?

Wha??

[T_i_B]

57. John Cooper Clarke???

He lives the same town as me, and not too far away from me either!!!!

Which means that yes, I have seen him out and about a few times.

[Renew Deal]

12. Why do you hate America?

:shrug:

[Phillycat]

18. Because it sucks?

:shrug:

[MrCoffee]

13. Head over to the Korova milkbar

to make up your rassoodock over a milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom. The eggiwegs especially are gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. Something will flash through your gulliver and you'll learn to have a dook of an idea how to comport yourself public-wise. You may be feeling a bit shagged and fagged and fashed, it being a night of no small expenditure, but bedways is rightways, so best you go homeways and get a bit of spatchka.

[Phillycat]

19. I thought I was AVOIDING learning another language!

:cry: :D

[IndianaJones]

20. i viddy well. nt.

[FloridaJudy]

140. And then you and your droogs

Can go for a spot of the old ultra-violence. Horrorshow.

[BeachBaby]

14. Brits are easier to communicate with.

;)

And Picadilly Circus absolutely RAWKS!

[Phillycat]

21. I think they're easier to communicate with, too.

I'm married to one. :D

[jobycom]

66. Not sure about that...

Seems like learning a whole new language might be easier than learning to twist your own. :rofl:

[Phillycat]

74. When my husband and I first started dating...

we had to translate for each other A LOT. The first time he called the shopping cart a trolley, I stared at him blankly until we both laughed our asses off. :rofl:

[racaulk]

15. I just got back from a trip to London.

LOVED IT!!!

Honestly, London didn't really feel all that foreign to me. I guess because the language barrier wasn't there, and London is such a huge and modern city, it kinda felt that I just in another American city. The only differences were that almost everyone had an accent (well, I guess technically I had the accent, but still...) and that I was spending pounds instead of dollars. There were some cultural differences, but it all felt really familiar to me somehow. An adjustment to living there wouldn't be too hard, I don't think.

As far as driving on the left goes, really, you don't even need a car. The subway system there is FANTASTIC. The trains are very timely, the system is very clean and safe, and everything is very well marked with signs and maps. There are also connections to trains that will take you directly to the airport or many other points throughout the UK. I was really impressed by the public transportation system there, obviously...

Seriously, have lots of fun...and good luck! :hi:

[BeachBaby]

22. Amen!!!!

The UK is beautiful....and easy to adapt to.

It's on my list of places to live after my kids are grown.

racaulk - how are ya, hon? Haven't seen you around! :hi:

[racaulk]

38. Awww...hi there, JGD!

I'm doing very well, thanks! I was abroad for most of June (Ireland and the UK), and I haven't had too much time to check in since I got back home. Staying busy, but doing well overall.

Oh, and if you liked the UK, go to Ireland. Seriously, what a beautiful country! :loveya:

How have you been? :hi:

[SacredCow]

23. All that, and they're pretty gay-friendly from what I hear....

glad you had a good trip! Hope you had a pint or 3 (or more) for me!

[racaulk]

40. Hey SacredCow.

Yeah, the trip was fantastic. I had a great time! :) Once I get with my travel companion and get the rest of my pictures from his computer, I will post some of my pics up here in the Lounge. Ireland was sooooo beautiful and London was terrific!

I had plenty of pints...especially in Dublin! You can't throw a stone in that city without hitting a pub that sells Guinness!

And yes, the UK is more gay-friendly than the US...at least they're much more progressive than we are in terms of marriage equality.

[SacredCow]

44. Look forward to seeing the pics....

I went to DC in June and STILL haven't downloaded my pics....

:spank:

[Phillycat]

26. We're definitely not going to get a car.

It's actually cheaper to rent a car for the times you need one, rather than keep and maintain a car in London - and fill it with gas! *faints*

Thanks for all the advice and the good wishes! :hi:

[TommyO]

36. I didn't think they had gas in London

I think they use a gas substitute called "petrol".

[kay1864]

16. Seriously, I hope that was a significant counter-offer

London is a more expensive place to live than France. Think NYC vs PA.

Plus it's harder to find great food there.

[Phillycat]

27. It was a monster counter-offer.

My husband is a rock star in the field in which he works. :D But yeah, even with what he's getting in pounds, we will still be very firmly middle class over there - not upper middle, the way we sort of are here.

From what I understand, the food in London is pretty awesome at this point. :) You're right it used to be terrible.

[kay1864]

32. Woo-hoo!

Monster counter-offers! :bounce:



(glad to hear about the food...haven't been there since 2002)

[Greyskye]

128. One of the best meals I ever ate was in London

At a little Indian place in the Soho district. Of course, the poor German guy that I was eating with was afraid that his face was on fire. :rofl:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

147. London restaurants are excellent, if pricey

I had great Italian, Indian, and Chinese food there, especially Indian.

Even English food isn't as bad as I remember it from the 1960s.

The only bad food I had in two trips to England was when I was stuck in a small town between trains (long story), and the only food to grab at noon was in the cafeteria at a Tesco. Now that stuff was just as bad as what I remembered from 1967.

Whatever British people say about immigration, it has greatly improved the culinary scene.

[ceile]

17. So incredibly jealous!

Eat lots of Indian food for me and proper bangers and mash. Oh, and black pudding....geez, is it lunch time yet?

[Phillycat]

29. Hee! I think you might be hungry, dear.

Thanks. :hug:

[Arugula Latte]

62. Don't forget the spotted dick, luv.

[Phillycat]

64. They make a cream for that, you know.

:rofl:

[Arugula Latte]

81. Made by a wanker or a tosser ...

;)

[GCP]

24. I hope he gets a good London allowance

Even British companies pay more to employees who have to transfer to London.
That said, I really envy you - there's so much to do there, history, culture, music scene - and the weather's been steadily improving ever since I moved here from the UK!

[Phillycat]

30. Yeah, it's a great offer - and we're STILL going to be far from rich.

But we will be comfortable, which is definitely hard to do in London! I'm very lucky, my husband is in the elite in his field, so he's very in-demand.

I am extremely excited to be in London. The museums alone... *swoon*

Thank you! :hi:

[T_i_B]

61. "the weather's been steadily improving"

No, it's peeing it down at the moment!

[Phillycat]

63. Oh, great.

:cry:

[AlCzervik]

31. Lucky!!!!!

i love London and my niece is living there right now so i'll be going again maybe next year to visit. Best of luck to you both. -------->envious:D

[Phillycat]

33. I feel incredibly lucky, believe me.

I am very fortunate to be having this amazing adventure. I never thought I'd be able to do something like this. Marrying a Brit definitely has its advantages. :D

[AlCzervik]

35. ok when you're there The Punjab at Covent Garden is my favorite place to eat

in the entire world, if you like indian fud you will love The Punjab.

Jealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous JealousJealous Jealous Jealous

[MilesColtrane]

34. Awright geeezzaa!

Just use yaaahr white bread when yer aaaht at da nuclear sub havin' a pin' an' I'm sure you'll fi' right in wiv da locals. . Sorted mate.

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/

[Phillycat]

39. My husband's already trying to teach me this. :)

I am so lost! Thanks for the link, that will definitely help! :hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

148. Or watch East Enders if your PBS station carries it

That has greatly expanded my passive knowledge of Cockney.

[Rambis]

37. Hustle and bustle

be ready the city never sleeps- good luck!

[Phillycat]

41. Yeah, we'll probably be way more social than we are here.

We're basically homebodies here, but there's always something to do in London, seems like. Thanks! :hi:

[Writer]

42. Your husband's company counter-offered?

What does your husband do?

[Phillycat]

43. He works in technology.

He's very good at what he does. :)

[Writer]

45. Wait - is he in computer sciences?

Like programming? Or is this IT?

[Phillycat]

47. Neither.

I'm not willing to share more specific information here - it would be pretty easy to deduce what company he works for here in Philly. Lots of weirdos on the internets, you know. Heh.

[Writer]

118. Okay.

Well... good luck on your move!

[Phillycat]

119. Thanks!

:hi:

[Catch22Dem]

143. My company just made an unbelievable counter for my co-worker

He didn't take it though. He was looking for something besides money.

[montanto]

46. "Trousers" are the equivalent of American "pants."

"Pants are the British equivalent of panties," so don't tell your buddies at the pub you need to change your pants. Oh, yeah, and everything is really expensive. Hope you're not getting paid in $.

[Phillycat]

49. Nope, pounds.

Yeah, when I first started dating my husband (who's English) I was very confused by the whole pants thing. He's gotten used to "underpants" now, though, from being here. :D

[FloridaJudy]

141. And panties are knickers

And a vest is an undergarment.

[redqueen]

50. I'm jealous.

Hope you like it!

I would love it just for the footie. :)

[Phillycat]

52. Thank you!

I asked my husband if we could go see a soccer game when we were there. He said, "Only if you stop calling it soccer." :rofl:

[Rambis]

54. A decent pint, football

Jesus hell :cry:

[MrCoffee]

55. Soccer...bloody Yank

It's football, woman! And tell him he has to take you to see Man U because they're the best football team in the world. He'll love that.

[redqueen]

59. You stop that right now.

Are you really a Utd fan? I don't remember that... maybe I've blocked it out...

[MrCoffee]

65. GAH! If I must pull for an EPL side (I'm a Bundesliga fan), it's Pompey

You can search the archive, I'm pro-Portsmouth even before they won the FA cup.

ManU sux. But it would be funny for janesez to tell her husband she really loves ManU.


By the by, how's your boy C. Ronaldo doing? Is he crying and diving for Real yet?

[Rambis]

71. quit talking about slaves

this is a proper forum:sarcasm:

http://www.mafster.co.uk/space/files/audio/LOM2ManUPuff.mp3

[redqueen]

78. Where did all this slave nonsense come from?

You're the second person I've seen say that!

:rofl:

[Rambis]

95. Here

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1408017.ece

[MrCoffee]

99. What a complete fuckwit he is...

Did he conclude his remarks by diving to the ground and crying?

[redqueen]

101. !

:spray:

What an utter ass that guy is... I hope they force him to stay. :evilgrin:

[MrCoffee]

86. I'm making that my new ringtone

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[redqueen]

75. How can you even pretend to like them?

Ugh... I don't know how you don't get nauseated doing that. x(


Pompey eh... Villa's better. Did you see what they're doing with their kit? Dumped their sponsor and have a charity thing going on instead. Very classy! <3


And don't call him my boy! UGH!

UGH UGH UGH!


I'm nearly positive he's going. I have thought so since before the season even ended... but now it's looking more and more likely. Did you hear about Blatter's comments? :D

[Rambis]

94. Blatter

saw it, fuckin rediculous load of shite from everyone! I wish Ronaldo would just play and not be such a jessie! I think every footballer should have to pass the Andy Gray man test before they let them on the pitch. All the diving!

[redqueen]

103. Andy Gray man test... I'm going to have to find out what that is.

:)

[MrCoffee]

96. I was all set to mock Villa

but I didn't know that they're advertising a children's hospice. I'm not a monster, that's very very cool.

You need to accept your love of Cristiano. You're all conflicted inside because of it. Free yourself to adore him and his tricky footwork and big ass crocodile tears. You'll feel so much better.


What did Blatter say? That Ronaldo should wear tighter shorts?

[Rambis]

100. Blatter mouth

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1411473.ece

[redqueen]

106. ...

:mad:

[Rambis]

68. Nasri nice pickup

Hleb was a grinder though to bad he couldn't take London-

[redqueen]

80. Yeah no complaints here.

But if Adebayor leaves I will hate him forever. x(

[Phillycat]

104. Is this still English?

I am in so much trouble... :rofl:

[T_i_B]

73. Not Man U, a proper football team!

Man U is for glory hunters who only follow them because they always win. Far better to follow whoever your local team happens to be and watch football with the real fans.

I love going to the football, but for me it tends to be quite expensive what with the travel costs, food + drink costs and so on.

[redqueen]

83. ...

:loveya:

[MrCoffee]

89. SHHHHHHHHH!

janesez doesn't know shit about football. It would be hilarious for her to tell her ENGLISH husband that she's a big ManU fan.

You're ruining my elaborate Lounge joke!!! :cry:

[Phillycat]

93. Dude, even *I* knew that Manchester U is the Yankees of soccer...

erm, FOOTBALL. :D

[KamaAina]

116. In U.S. terms, Man Utd are the Dallas Cowpies of the Premiership

Man U is for glory hunters who only follow them because they always win.

The proof of the (black?) pudding: Most Mancunians (that's the real word for residents of Manchester!) support Manchester City, even when Utd are far ahead in the table (that's the standings).

And they're not "fans", they're supporters. :spank:

For extra special fun, when discussing soccer football with your husband, go out of your way to call the league the "Barclays" Premiership. :sarcasm:

[MrCoffee]

117. LMAO

janesez: "So, hubby darling, when are we going to see the Manchester Uniteds play soccer in one of these Barclays Premiership soccer games I keep hearing about?"

janesez's husband: :banghead:


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Rambis]

121. thing is

If you don't buy SETANTA or Fox Soccer channel you get Man U, Liverpool,Chelsea, Arsenal and they are usually playing the bottom feeders Bolton,Fulham or Wigan- One night it was Reading vs Derby. Although I would rather watch those two than the USA leagues. God awful play- I would like to watch the scottish leagues but with two kids I don't have time to watch even the crap games on Chicago sports net which I TIVO. It never fails somebody will send me an email with the score in second extra time period with penalty kicks all in the subject line like happened this year:grr: I avoided all media for a week and a minute before siiting down with a pint to watch I just had to check email!

[redqueen]

56. Yes you really must!

It's natural once you start watching it because it just makes sense. Like Eddie Izzard says... there's that whole foot / ball connection thing going on in "soccer". With "American football" there is one guy who comes out to kick it once in a while... I guess to justify the name. :P

NFL = throwball. :)

[Phillycat]

58. "CarryItDownTheFieldBall".

:D

[Phillycat]

60. PS. I hope I can still get the baseball games over there.

There must be some ex-pats and British baseball fans, right?

[redqueen]

67. Not sure...

not that I know of personally... but you could see them on the net I'm sure.

[MrCoffee]

70. I was just wondering if there's a DU expat group

If there is, I can't find it.

[T_i_B]

76. You can always try watching the cricket instead!

[Phillycat]

79. But...baseball!

:cry:

Actually, I think I will probably like cricket. I enjoy the slow, sedate games. :D

[T_i_B]

84. Try watching some of the 20/20 cricket for a quicker game

[KitchenWitch]

105. You may be able to do the MLB.TV thing over there

I think it is like 15 dollars a month and you will be able to get your choice of games streamed onto your computer.

[Phillycat]

107. That's what I was thinking too.

I'll have to see if it's available over there, but then I think, why wouldn't it be? The internets are the internets, right?

[KatyMan]

142. You can get MLB.TV over here

I watch baseball all the time on my laptop. Time differences are a pain though.b

[muriel_volestrangler]

146. Late night Channel 5 for free

Starting at around 1 in the morning, they frequently have the major American team sports, live or recorded. They show all the World Series, and maybe the playoffs too (I know they show some of them, but I'm not sure if it's all). They'll also do American football (Sunday night/Monday night games, when they don't clash with a live baseball game), and hockey and basketball when they come back. The BBC showed the Superbowl live this year, and I think will do so in 2009.

If you want a lot of it, there are subscription channels on satellite TV to give you more.

[jobycom]

69. Be grateful! Ever read Tracy Chevallier's "The Virgin Blue?"

You had the makings of a good novel going for a while.

[Phillycat]

85. No, but..

Amazon.com describes it as "Chevalier's clunky first novel", so I think I'll skip it. :D I see the similarities in the main plot points, though.

[jobycom]

102. I liked it a lot. Not as polished or sophisticated as "Pearl Earring," but more

emotional. "Pearl Earring" was near genius, but it seemed stiff at points, and not just because of the stiff morals of the era.

She's one of my favorite writers, though, so I'm biased. Although I still can't finish "Burning Bright." That one's clunky.

[bikebloke]

72. Don't hang around the teens.

Lately, they've been stabbing each other with knives.

[Phillycat]

88. I read that!

That appears to only be in South London, though. We don't plan to live there. :shrug: Besides, I think we still have a waaaay better chance of getting shot here in Philly than stabbed in London! :D

[T_i_B]

136. This is the latest media bandwagon

I guess it's more of an issue in the rougher parts of London, but I do personally suspect that the national media have only just cottoned onto the problem.

I'm suprised I haven't seen more about this on here given how UK issues turn up on DU but there you go. Maybe I haven't seen it because I don't spend time in the gungeon?

[LanternWaste]

77. I am so freaking jealous!

I am so freaking jealous! I'm a bit of an Anglophile but have never been (yet-- one day... on day).

<sigh>

[Phillycat]

90. It's a lovely country.

Very expensive, and a bit overpopulated, but beautiful. I'm very excited! I hope you get there someday. :hi:

[Taverner]

91. Enjoy the 21st Century

We're on a crash course towards the 14th here, I'm afraid

[Phillycat]

108. Yeah, I really feel like we're escaping just in time.

I'd rather not be here when we go to war with Iran - not that it won't affect us over there too. :scared:

[jus_the_facts]

92. Dammit woman....

....if you can...you should go see *my castle* in Sussex...in the Village of Amberley...sigh...it's a 5 star hotel now...and beautiful from the pictures I've seen..that's probably as close to bein' there as I'll ever get. *greenwitenvy* :D

[Phillycat]

109. I will! I love castles.

When I was in Ireland, I went to one called Malahide - it was great.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malahide_Castle

[jus_the_facts]

112. Wow...that's a really pretty one....

....I bet it was great...my dream vacation would be to tour Europe...the UK...Scotland...Ireland...Italy...France...Le SIGH...but I've never flown before and don't know if I could do it without bein' drugged into oblivion with Dramamine or a Valium as big as the plane..especially all the way over there! :D

You're so luuuucky!! :bounce:

[mr blur]

130. That would be THIS one -

just acouple of miles fro us:

[jus_the_facts]

134. OMFG....that's the treehouse....

...can I come over?! If only it were that easy dammit!! :D

My name is Amberley...yet I didn't know about all the history of the name until I got a computer and Googled it...my Mom thought she'd made my name up after reading the novel Forever Amber whilst she was pregnant with me and added the *ley* to the end because she didn't think just Amber would go well enough with our last name...I tripped OUT when I found there was a village and castle with my very own namesake that goes back to the 12th century. :)

[lizziegrace]

97. My sister moved to England in August of 2001

She lives in the Midlands and is now a British citizen. She says she won't ever move back to the states for good. She loves where she is now.

:)

[Phillycat]

110. I hear that from so many people.

If they can afford it, they stay. I feel very lucky to be going! :)

Edit: I can't imagine giving up my American citizenship, though. I want to still be able to vote, etc.

[lizziegrace]

113. If you'd like

I can give you her email if you have any specific questions about being an American in the UK. She's been through it all... For her, the benefits of full citizenship outweighed what she lost when she gave up her US citizenship.

:)

All the best to you.

[Phillycat]

115. That's very generous, thank you!

I may well take you up on that, I'll PM you if so. Thank you again, that's very nice. :hug:

[Pale Blue Dot]

98. Every U.K citizen is required, by law, to be Dr. Who once.

It's like a service thingee. Unless you plan to apply for citizenship, who shouldn't have to worry about it.

[Phillycat]

111. Wow, really?

Does it matter that I'm a girl?

[Schema Thing]

120. First of all, thank you for acknowledging me as your lord and saviour

So many people these days just call me Achtung.


Secondly, Congrats! It ain't France, but it ain't the USofA either. This will be a great thing for you, I'm sure.

[Phillycat]

123. I think so too.

It won't be forever, either. We'll be well-placed to move on to France when/if we tire of the UK. Thanks! :hi:

[Schema Thing]

124. just a hop, skip, and a chunnel :)

[mnhtnbb]

125. Wow! Congratulations! London is my FAVORITE city--and I'm a native

New Yorker. You'll have to get used to carrying an umbrella, though, all the time.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

129. Damn. Now you're going to have to speak English

I don't envy you...

:)

[WildEyedLiberal]

131. I've been living in London for a couple of months now, it's a great city

PM me if you have any questions for an American sort-of-expat POV. When are you moving?

[ThomCat]

133. I hope the move goes well,

I hope you love London,
And I hope you have great stuff to post about so we can all enjoy it with you. :hug:

[bridgit]

137. hubby's niece lives in London most of the time, but travels to Spain...

in her capacity as a tri-lingual teacher. She likes it there allot. But if I were your husband, with whole countries shifting round like a lazy susan; I'd make sure they cut me a labor contract with clear delineations as to stay, realignment of duties/services/compensation and such, hiatus if any, up to and including replenishment/restitution :thumbsup:

Have a pleasant move. What will you be doing?

[QueenOfCalifornia]

138. I love London

one of my favorite cities.

Ask me anything.

But expect sarcasm.

I do love London though and I am jealous.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

139. Here ya go

I see London,
I see France
I see Janesez's
Underpants!

(I know -- too highbrow for most of the lounge but it had to be said)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

144. Take money. Take a lot of money. Seriously.

Everything will cost as much in pounds as it does in dollars (sometimes more), only a pound is nearly two dollars, so that "6.95" lunch special is actually more like $13.

On the other hand, London is a world in itself, with an amazing cultural life and history and multi-ethnic in a way that puts New York to shame. The transit system is old and creaky, but it goes everywhere, so you don't need a car. Gas (petrol) is about $8 a gallon anyway, and you have to pay a congestion charge to drive in central London.

Buy an Oyster card for getting around. It's a rechargeable debit card for the Tube and buses that gives you a 60% discount per ride.

You'll like their non-tabloid newspapers. Their coverage is more in-depth, the papers have distinctive political viewpoints, and even The Times is more intelligent than any conservative media we have in the States.

If someone gave me a sufficiently well-paying job offer in London, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

Oh, and I've read enough British mysteries and watched enough British TV series (Prime Suspect, MI-5) that I now have very little trouble with the linguistic differences.

[bikebloke]

145. And be prepared to drink a lot.

Our main office is in London. Boy, do they drink. Even at lunch. I'm such a light drinker, I thought I was going to be arrested and deported.

A colleague suggested I transfer over there. Though I couldn't live in London. It's too enclosed for me. And the bike lanes are 2 cm wide. I'm more of a Continental person anyway.

[NC_Nurse]

149. I'm glad you can't see me because I'm GREEN with envy. I hope you love it!

Keep us posted on how it's going! :hi: :loveya:

[whistler162]

150. That's short notice.....

Ya' beter tak immersion clases to lurn the languag!

Good luck and have fun.

[asthmaticeog]

151. Now you don't have to learn as many new words for things!

:bounce: