I put this as the title of our blog, because that is what I feel that we are doing over here. In the US, we spent nonstop hours on our cell phones, going out to eat, working ourselves to the core, and constantly on the go... that I felt disjointed. Part of the problem was the stress of residency, but I definitely took advantage of all the luxuries and conveniences that the US has to offer. Here, there is no starbucks...am making my own coffee; no dishwasher....have to wash all dishes by hand; garbage only comes everyother week....so I have turned into a recycle maniac (they have a compost bin (for vegetables,fruit,etc) and a large dry recyclable bin for almost everything else); no Target/department stores (that i have discovered yet)...resorting to "common beauty products" (dove, cetaphil, etc); there are fewer eating establishments...am cooking at home; no cafeteria in the hospital...bringing my own lunch. It has definitely caused me to step back and reflect on how I was living my life and realizing that I really can do more with less. I have had a "reawakening" with regards to wanting to be even more "organic" and be more environmentally conscious. I have been doing a lot of reading on different topics such as household cleaning chemicals, and, even though I have made some of my own nontoxic cleaners in the past, I am definitely switching to all nontoxic! There was also this article on minimizing purchases and buying used items...some people went to the extreme on no new purchases (except toiletries/food) for one whole year...I am not quite that hardcore...but have bought items from a Craigs list-like thing on base for our house (coffee maker, alarm clocks, TV stand). I am also doing a lot more "greener/healthier/organic" cooking at home...I feel so much healthier and I have discovered that I love cooking! Don't get me wrong...I am sure I will dive right into somethings when I return back to the US for various trips (Caribou/starbucks/chipotle/chilis here I come!), but I am enjoying the "simple life" over here in England.
I have volunteered to become an assistant coach with the swim club on base. I am really excited and will have my first practice tonight! The swim club travels to Italy, Germany, and France for their swim meets...don't know how much I will be traveling yet, but at least the meets are on the weekends. And, I am joining a Master's swim program in our town that practices a few nights a week. My hope is to do some triathalons over here...but, I am afraid to ride my bike on these narrow roads with no shoulders (cars line up behind you as you are riding and pass when it is safe to do so...). I figure the first step is to get in the pool...baby steps.
Aaron has been golfing a lot over here...I think he played the last 7 days straight with at least 18 holes each day. He has met a lot of people and has even played in a few tournaments on base. We got a membership at the course, so he has definitely gotten his monies worth so far. I took a lesson a few weeks ago and have another one this next weekend. I am at least hitting the ball now...its amazing how much more enjoyable golf is when that happens. Aaron and I are going to play around one of these days...hopefully it will not be too busy!
Brittany arrives on the 11th. We are very excited to have her staying with us! We are all planning to take a trip the first week of October somewhere...don't know where yet. We found this website www.lastminute.com that you can get flight/hotel for super cheap if you wait until the "last minute" for travel. There are several discount airlines over here, but are going to try the "last minute" site for something spontaneous and cheap! We will keep you posted.
Well, I hope all is well back in the states. We miss you all!
4 comments:
Hey guys!! Sounds like you are adjusting VERY well and becoming involved with several things. How much fun is that?! I can't wait to come visit you soon...need to talk with my dr to see when the best time would be as well...maybe January---cold, but it is my birthday month! We miss you so much! Noah is enjoying his birthday week, can't believe he is ONE! We will send you photos from his party that is this Saturday.
Anyways, we are so excited for you both and think about you often. This is a joruney of a lifetime for you! Now you can start working on KIDS!!! He he he! HAD to throw that in there!!
Love always,
Hilary, Tom, Noah and baby Pooley....Zoe the dog too!!!
Hi,
Just finally got on to your blog again and got all the updates. I knew some of the news already but it is very interesting! I really miss you and wish I could visit sooner but spring would be best. It sounds like life is different but healthier! Take care and Lots of love, Peg
Hey guys, the place looks great! Glad to hear you are settling in well.
Thanks for the well wishes on our anniversary (the now infamous September 11th). It is always hard for us to celebrate given the gray cloud that hangs over that day. Like you Courtney, I was recently recollecting the events of that fateful day. Unlike you, I knew right away something was up when the first plane hit.
Due to ground school training I took in high school, I know a bit about elevation restrictions and flight patterns that avoid air traffic over downtown areas. No airplane should ever be in that air space, and even if it was there due to distress or mechanical failure of some nature, it would take a concentrated effort on the pilot's part to hit a target of that size at that low elevation and cruising speed. Not to mention, a pilot would do everything in their power to avoid one of the largest and most populated office towers in the world. This was not an accident as it was initially being reported.
I was in my car on the way to work when I heard of the first plane on the radio. Although I knew right away it was an intentional act and not an accident, I couldn't fathom what was about to unfold on that horrible day with the additional planes and the buildings giving way under the intense heat. I hammered the gas and drove about 100 mph the last few miles to work to notify co-workers and get to a TV to watch.
When I arrove, I could hardly talk due to the adrenaline and being short of breath from running in from the parking lot. I stuttered and stammered to some co-workers that the World Trade Center had been attacked. Some went about their day not comprehending what had just happened. A few of us went directly to a conference room to watch the news coverage of the event. That is when, to our horror, we watched as the 2nd plane follow suit. Shortly thereafter, it began to register with others in the office and with the media that this was an attack, and more and more people made their way into the conference room to watch in disbelief. We spent the whole day there glued to the TV.
After the towers collapsed, I went home and continued to watch the horrible events continue to be reported. I stayed up nearly all night watching; still in disbelief, imagining what it would be like to be one of those poor people caught in those dire situations. God Bless the souls of those that were murdered that day!
Hey guys, the place looks great! Glad to hear you are settling in well.
Thanks for the well wishes on our anniversary (the now infamous September 11th). It is always hard for us to celebrate given the gray cloud that hangs over that day. Like you Courtney, I was recently recollecting the events of that fateful day. Unlike you, I knew right away something was up when the first plane hit.
Due to ground school training I took in high school, I know a bit about elevation restrictions and flight patterns that avoid air traffic over downtown areas. No airplane should ever be in that air space, and even if it was there due to distress or mechanical failure of some nature, it would take a concentrated effort on the pilot's part to hit a target of that size at that low elevation and cruising speed. Not to mention, a pilot would do everything in their power to avoid one of the largest and most populated office towers in the world. This was not an accident as it was initially being reported.
I was in my car on the way to work when I heard of the first plane on the radio. Although I knew right away it was an intentional act and not an accident, I couldn't fathom what was about to unfold on that horrible day with the additional planes and the buildings giving way under the intense heat. I hammered the gas and drove about 100 mph the last few miles to work to notify co-workers and get to a TV to watch.
When I arrove, I could hardly talk due to the adrenaline and being short of breath from running in from the parking lot. I stuttered and stammered to some co-workers that the World Trade Center had been attacked. Some went about their day not comprehending what had just happened. A few of us went directly to a conference room to watch the news coverage of the event. That is when, to our horror, we watched as the 2nd plane follow suit. Shortly thereafter, it began to register with others in the office and with the media that this was an attack, and more and more people made their way into the conference room to watch in disbelief. We spent the whole day there glued to the TV.
After the towers collapsed, I went home and continued to watch the horrible events continue to be reported. I stayed up nearly all night watching; still in disbelief, imagining what it would be like to be one of those poor people caught in those dire situations. God Bless the souls of those that were murdered that day!
Dave
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