My brother and sister-in-law are in town, so Steve and I visited the Smoky Mountains with them yesterday and I realized the following:
1. I'm out of shape (realized while hiking).
2. Boiled peanuts are better tasting than I had recalled (realized after purchasing cups of them and a bag of cracklings at a roadside stand).
3. We're all going to die of overeating (realized while eating "Yo Mama's Macaroni and Cheese" in the backseat of the car, having already eaten boiled peanuts, cracklings, part of my brother's fried pie and heading home to eat tamales and guacamole and peanut butter fudge).
29 December 2009
27 December 2009
My New Project
I think I'm a fairly good driver. Definitely a better driver than all those drivers I have to yell at on the interstate. However, I can't drive a manual. Fifteen years ago dad started teaching me and one day as I was trying to back out of the driveway I stalled the car three times in a row and Dad laughed, so I stomped out of the car, saying, "Fine. You drive!" and contented myself with driving an automatic.
Now I have a problem, though. Steve's car is a manual, and it's the only one we'll have in Scotland, so not only will I have to learn to drive on the left-hand side of the road after we get married, I'll also have to drive Steve's car if I want to get around. Steve and I had different ideas about how to solve this problem.
MBC's solution: Cry.
Steve's solution: Teach MBC to drive a manual.
Today we had our first driving lesson, and Steve is an excellent teacher. I can change gears. I can find the "biting point." I can start on a hill. I can accidentally shift into 4th gear when I intend to downshift into 2nd gear. I can drive around the block without hyperventilating. I still need a lot of practice, but that can be my project to keep me busy after Steve goes back to the UK and then after we're married, I can begin my NASCAR career.
Now I have a problem, though. Steve's car is a manual, and it's the only one we'll have in Scotland, so not only will I have to learn to drive on the left-hand side of the road after we get married, I'll also have to drive Steve's car if I want to get around. Steve and I had different ideas about how to solve this problem.
MBC's solution: Cry.
Steve's solution: Teach MBC to drive a manual.
Today we had our first driving lesson, and Steve is an excellent teacher. I can change gears. I can find the "biting point." I can start on a hill. I can accidentally shift into 4th gear when I intend to downshift into 2nd gear. I can drive around the block without hyperventilating. I still need a lot of practice, but that can be my project to keep me busy after Steve goes back to the UK and then after we're married, I can begin my NASCAR career.
24 December 2009
Southern Fried Culture
We've been exposing Steve to Southern culture.
Mom, Dad, Steve, and I attended the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge last night. The Dixie Stampede is a dinner show event, complete with Christmas elves, camels, trick riders, and an entire chicken for each audience member which must be eaten with hands (no utensils allowed). Dolly Parton guarantees it as a good time.
Before attending the Dixie Stampede, we drove through Pigeon Forge and made all of Steve's childhood dreams come true by finding him Cooter's Place, a Dukes of Hazzard museum, where he had his picture taken in the General Lee. The General Lee!
Oh, yeah, and Steve found Dr. Pepper in the glass bottle (still bottled at the original plant in TX). And there was an awesome place called the Donut Friar.
Mom, Dad, Steve, and I attended the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge last night. The Dixie Stampede is a dinner show event, complete with Christmas elves, camels, trick riders, and an entire chicken for each audience member which must be eaten with hands (no utensils allowed). Dolly Parton guarantees it as a good time.
Before attending the Dixie Stampede, we drove through Pigeon Forge and made all of Steve's childhood dreams come true by finding him Cooter's Place, a Dukes of Hazzard museum, where he had his picture taken in the General Lee. The General Lee!
Oh, yeah, and Steve found Dr. Pepper in the glass bottle (still bottled at the original plant in TX). And there was an awesome place called the Donut Friar.22 December 2009
Today's Adventures
Steve has American ancestors in Tennessee, so we went in search of them today
and found some amazing local color
at a great restaurant
that serves traditional Southern food--chicken and dumplings, okra, turnip greens, cornbread muffins, fried apples,
and dreamy coconut pie.
Delightful!
20 December 2009
Wedding Preparations
This may come back to bite me, but I have to say that I find wedding planning very easy. All these years I've heard nothing but complaints about the trials and stresses of planning a wedding, but in my vast 4 days worth of experience with it, it's a piece of cake. (Now planning 4 months abroad with a rotating roster of traveling companions, THAT'S a challenge.) I'll admit, though, that our wedding may be easier than normal to plan, for the following reasons:
1. Steve and I don't really care that much about any of the details as long as we end up married at the end of the day, so conversations go like this:
Mom: Do you want a bouquet?
MBC: No.
Mom: Do you want napkins with your names on them?
MBC: No.
MBC: Steve, do you care where we have the reception?
Steve: No.
MBC: Okay, then we're just going to use a church.
Steve: Okay.
2. We're not registering, which eliminates one more task, because we're living in Scotland so anything we receive has to be shipped abroad. I had just a tiny moment of sadness about this the other day when Steve and I were in Target and I considered the fun I would have with a little scanner, picking out waffle irons that make breakfast foods in the shape of farm animals.
3. I'm unemployed and Steve is here away from all of his responsibilities, so we both have a lot of time to get things done for the wedding. We don't have to spend all day at work or school and then try to take care of wedding details in our spare time.
So, engaged for less than a week and the following are well in hand: wedding cake, groom's cake, ceremony, reception, photography, engagement parties. Now let's just hope I haven't jinxed us.
1. Steve and I don't really care that much about any of the details as long as we end up married at the end of the day, so conversations go like this:
Mom: Do you want a bouquet?
MBC: No.
Mom: Do you want napkins with your names on them?
MBC: No.
MBC: Steve, do you care where we have the reception?
Steve: No.
MBC: Okay, then we're just going to use a church.
Steve: Okay.
2. We're not registering, which eliminates one more task, because we're living in Scotland so anything we receive has to be shipped abroad. I had just a tiny moment of sadness about this the other day when Steve and I were in Target and I considered the fun I would have with a little scanner, picking out waffle irons that make breakfast foods in the shape of farm animals.
3. I'm unemployed and Steve is here away from all of his responsibilities, so we both have a lot of time to get things done for the wedding. We don't have to spend all day at work or school and then try to take care of wedding details in our spare time.
So, engaged for less than a week and the following are well in hand: wedding cake, groom's cake, ceremony, reception, photography, engagement parties. Now let's just hope I haven't jinxed us.
18 December 2009
MBC is Getting Married FAQ
As requested, here are the pertinent facts of MBC and Steve.
Q: How did you meet?
A: When I was traveling in Scotland, I visited Sue Anne, who was also a grad student in Bloomington. Steve and Sue Anne are friends and when we arrived at Sue Anne's house, Steve was there hanging out. He went out with all of us that night and at one point, I heard him say something about building with straw bale insulation, which, naturally caught me up short and made me think, "Wait. Who are you? And why are you talking about something I care about that no other man I have ever known has taken an interest in?" I spent that night and the next day having lots of really interesting conversations with Steve, and he came down to visit me in Edinburgh one night before I left for Greece a few days later. I then proceeded to be the worst travel companion in history, because I was always more interested in my next email from Steve than I was in ancient Greek ruins or Turkish food (I know!) or anything in Europe. I went back to Scotland to visit him at the end of my trip and then Skype became our best friend when I returned to the States.
Q: Is Steve Scottish?
A: No, he's Canadian but he's been living in Scotland for the last several years.
Q: What does Steve do?
A: Everything. Currently, he's working on a PhD. Before moving to Scotland, he worked as an engineer.
Q: Do you have a ring?
A: No. I told Steve I didn't want one. That's the way I roll. I'd rather spend that money on, say, a pair of wellies and a trip to the Orkneys or Italy.
Q: Where are you going to live?
A: Scotland for the foreseeable future.
Q: When did you know he was a keeper?
A: He sent me an email explaining functional clarity through the example of a chocolate croissant (its function, according to Steve, is tastiness). Oh, and maybe too when he sent me terrible McGonagall poetry. But I already thought he was fantastic because of many things, including: he's so smart and he keeps up with (or ahead) of me in conversations, he's interested in everything and he can do everything, he's so, so nice and thoughtful, he tells great stories (when I wake up and hear Mom laughing in the kitchen, I know that Steve is already up and talking to her). I could go on, but I don't want to make anyone gag any more than they already are. He did demonstrate another skill tonight, though, which I consider essential in a spouse--he can kill cave crickets. And you know how I feel about those.
Everybody satisfied? Any more questions?
Q: How did you meet?
A: When I was traveling in Scotland, I visited Sue Anne, who was also a grad student in Bloomington. Steve and Sue Anne are friends and when we arrived at Sue Anne's house, Steve was there hanging out. He went out with all of us that night and at one point, I heard him say something about building with straw bale insulation, which, naturally caught me up short and made me think, "Wait. Who are you? And why are you talking about something I care about that no other man I have ever known has taken an interest in?" I spent that night and the next day having lots of really interesting conversations with Steve, and he came down to visit me in Edinburgh one night before I left for Greece a few days later. I then proceeded to be the worst travel companion in history, because I was always more interested in my next email from Steve than I was in ancient Greek ruins or Turkish food (I know!) or anything in Europe. I went back to Scotland to visit him at the end of my trip and then Skype became our best friend when I returned to the States.
Q: Is Steve Scottish?
A: No, he's Canadian but he's been living in Scotland for the last several years.
Q: What does Steve do?
A: Everything. Currently, he's working on a PhD. Before moving to Scotland, he worked as an engineer.
Q: Do you have a ring?
A: No. I told Steve I didn't want one. That's the way I roll. I'd rather spend that money on, say, a pair of wellies and a trip to the Orkneys or Italy.
Q: Where are you going to live?
A: Scotland for the foreseeable future.
Q: When did you know he was a keeper?
A: He sent me an email explaining functional clarity through the example of a chocolate croissant (its function, according to Steve, is tastiness). Oh, and maybe too when he sent me terrible McGonagall poetry. But I already thought he was fantastic because of many things, including: he's so smart and he keeps up with (or ahead) of me in conversations, he's interested in everything and he can do everything, he's so, so nice and thoughtful, he tells great stories (when I wake up and hear Mom laughing in the kitchen, I know that Steve is already up and talking to her). I could go on, but I don't want to make anyone gag any more than they already are. He did demonstrate another skill tonight, though, which I consider essential in a spouse--he can kill cave crickets. And you know how I feel about those.
Everybody satisfied? Any more questions?
17 December 2009
16 December 2009
Finally, a Tree
Today we baked the first batch of holiday spritz cookies of the season. Aren't they pretty?
When we were kids, we always wanted to make the camel spritz cookie and it never worked out. Cookies made with this disk always looked like blobs. Today they also looked like blobs. We'll feed them to the missionaries tomorrow night when they come to dinner.MBC: I look crazy in this picture.
Steve: Crazy about camels.
Festive.
And we finally cut down and decorated a tree today. It smells Christmasy.14 December 2009
the one about Steve
1. Steve is here (hooray!) for the holidays.
2. I prevailed in convincing my father that I am old enough and capable enough to pick up Steve at the airport without assistance.
Dad: (For the 85 millionth time) Do you know the route I take to the airport?
MBC: Yes. You take the Parkway.
Dad: And how do I get to the Parkway?
MBC: You take the Pike (except I didn't say Pike because no one calls it that except for Marmot Dad and actually I laughed really hard before providing this answer, because I have driven on that parkway a million billion times, so it was really such a worried father kind of question).
Dad: It's supposed to rain. I'm a really good driver in the rain.
3. Steve read a quote in Sunday School today. He has a really lovely voice and a great accent and after he read his quote, the teacher stopped and said, "Wow. Okay, I think we should have him read all the quotes, because that was awesome!"
4. Tomorrow we're going to get a Christmas tree and the Christmas season will officially commence.
2. I prevailed in convincing my father that I am old enough and capable enough to pick up Steve at the airport without assistance.
Dad: (For the 85 millionth time) Do you know the route I take to the airport?
MBC: Yes. You take the Parkway.
Dad: And how do I get to the Parkway?
MBC: You take the Pike (except I didn't say Pike because no one calls it that except for Marmot Dad and actually I laughed really hard before providing this answer, because I have driven on that parkway a million billion times, so it was really such a worried father kind of question).
Dad: It's supposed to rain. I'm a really good driver in the rain.
3. Steve read a quote in Sunday School today. He has a really lovely voice and a great accent and after he read his quote, the teacher stopped and said, "Wow. Okay, I think we should have him read all the quotes, because that was awesome!"
4. Tomorrow we're going to get a Christmas tree and the Christmas season will officially commence.
09 December 2009
Why I am a Bad Patient
I went to the doctor today. I don't like going to the doctor. I spend the days leading up to the appointment worried that I don't have enough symptoms and thinking, "Maybe I should cancel. I'm fine. I feel fine." Then I spend my time in the waiting room developing symptoms completely unrelated to my condition and thinking, "My face feels warm. Maybe I have a fever. Is that a chest pain? I think I just had a chest pain." By the time the nurse comes to get me, I'm lying flat on the floor bequeathing the contents of my purse to the geriatric patients waiting with me.
And have I mentioned how I hate health insurance companies? I do.
And have I mentioned how I hate health insurance companies? I do.
08 December 2009
Why I am a Bad Blogger
All of my current activities (except for constantly complaining about health insurance and eating all of the cinnamon bread in the house) are TOP SECRET Christmas activities, so I have nothing to report.
07 December 2009
NYC One More Time
I'm back in Tennessee, but I forgot to post this picture from NY while I was there.
This is the window display for the Build-a-Bear workshop in Manhattan. I'm sure those little bears are supposed to be placing a loving heart into a teddy bear for some precious child to take home, but it looks to me like they're doing a little bit of organ harvesting.
This is the window display for the Build-a-Bear workshop in Manhattan. I'm sure those little bears are supposed to be placing a loving heart into a teddy bear for some precious child to take home, but it looks to me like they're doing a little bit of organ harvesting.
02 December 2009
Mission Accomplished
Today's Mission: Experience Christmas Cheer in the City
First, I visited the Shake Shack for a Shackburger and festive pumpkin pie concrete. If you ever talk to anyone in New York City about the Shake Shack, they inevitably mention the line. Apparently, the line at the Shake Shack is typically very long. I, however, arrived at exactly the perfect time (11:14 am). There were people sitting at some of the tables, but no one was in line when I came and ordered. It was such a beautiful day in Madison Square Park.
After my burger brunch, I headed up 5th Avenue to see the Christmas window displays at Macy's, Lord & Taylor, and Saks. The Salvation Army ringers outside of Lord & Taylor are straight up geniuses. They were singing Christmas carols, which provoked the desired result. I gave them all my quarters and I would have picked someone's pocket and given away all the cash I attained there as well, but my petty thieving skills are not what they should be. I am no match for Christmas windows AND carols.
from one of the Macy's windows
On my way up 5th Avenue, I stopped at the New York Public Library to the see the map exhibit and to consider what a beautiful building it is and that I love Christmas trees in libraries.
And then I visited Rockefeller Center, where the Rockefeller Center Christmas special was being filmed for tonight's tree lighting ceremony.
And then I came home and watched most of Joyeux Noel (but not all of it, because war makes me bored).
And then I was full of holiday cheer.
photos from Wikipedia and http://www.inform.com/photo/1956363
First, I visited the Shake Shack for a Shackburger and festive pumpkin pie concrete. If you ever talk to anyone in New York City about the Shake Shack, they inevitably mention the line. Apparently, the line at the Shake Shack is typically very long. I, however, arrived at exactly the perfect time (11:14 am). There were people sitting at some of the tables, but no one was in line when I came and ordered. It was such a beautiful day in Madison Square Park.
After my burger brunch, I headed up 5th Avenue to see the Christmas window displays at Macy's, Lord & Taylor, and Saks. The Salvation Army ringers outside of Lord & Taylor are straight up geniuses. They were singing Christmas carols, which provoked the desired result. I gave them all my quarters and I would have picked someone's pocket and given away all the cash I attained there as well, but my petty thieving skills are not what they should be. I am no match for Christmas windows AND carols.
from one of the Macy's windows
And then I visited Rockefeller Center, where the Rockefeller Center Christmas special was being filmed for tonight's tree lighting ceremony.
And then I came home and watched most of Joyeux Noel (but not all of it, because war makes me bored).
And then I was full of holiday cheer.
photos from Wikipedia and http://www.inform.com/photo/1956363
01 December 2009
Educating Canadians
I was talking to Steve today about the health care bill and about Schoolhouse Rock (which is how Canadians figure out how American health care bills become laws). Schoolhouse Rock is fantastic and I love it, but do you remember these educational TV spots? They were excellent brainwashing tools. I still sometimes find myself singing about hankering for a hunk of cheese.
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