On our excursions with cousins to the central London over the weekend, we have been talking about the advantages of living in a big city. Now, it should be noted that they live in a small town well north of Los Angeles, while we spent the last seven years before our relocation in the bliss of New Jerseyan suburbia. Furthermore, I always avowedly subscribed to the pleasures of peace and quiet that you can only achieve in the countryside.
But we all agree that dwelling in a big city has its advantages, as many of you undoubtedly know. It can all be summed up in one contraposition: walking vs driving.
Read more…
Chronicles, Expat Topic, London & Environs
In my posts, I occasionally touch upon subjects that could be collectively described as Things You Tend To Not Spend Time Thinking Seriously About When Making Decision To Relocate. Since I’ve gathered a few of those after all these months, I figure I can devote an occasional post to such a topic exclusively.
So, what about relocating with your kids?
Read more…
Children & Schooling, Expat Topic
Weather again. Some portions of England have experienced the worst flooding in 60 years over the last couple of days.
Watching the news last night, I’ve noticed a clear convergence of events. Deluge in England… Floods in Texas… Inundation in Bangladesh and China… Is it too late now to start building an ark?
Read more…
Chronicles, Family & Friends, London & Environs
England went smoke-free on July 1st. Smoking in all public establishments is now expressly prohibited. The word pub is actually a contraction of public house, so these quintessential Anglo-Saxon establishments are certainly included in the ban. The rooms previously perpetually filled with thick smoke are suddenly clear and breathable. In restaurants, there is no longer a question of “smoking or non-smoking”…
Read more…
Chronicles, That's England, Travel
Getting up in the morning full 40 minutes later that normal for an otherwise regular arrival at the office did nothing for my customary beginning-of-the-day discontent – I still felt denied the pleasure of staying in bed a bit longer… I also ended up staying late at work. Hope there is no correlation, or I should be worried.
Read more…
Chronicles, Travel
Becky’s school year is over. A bit more sleep in the morning for me until September (although I was foolish – that’s another word for professional – enough to agree to an 8:30am meeting on Monday, signaling to all those willing to notice that I no longer have the drive-daughter-to-school excuse to decline early meeting invites).
And if my American readers are a bit incredulous at the mid-July end of the school year, let me assure you that only going to a private school allows Becky to start her summer holidays this early. Poor Kimmy still has a week to go…
Read more…
Art & Culture, Chronicles, London & Environs, Sports
Unlike my friend Brian, who writes his blog when he really should be sleeping, I tend to value a good night’s sleep well above many other seemingly worthwhile endeavors. Which is why I often find myself unfamiliar with concepts that other bloggers have long mastered.
One of those concepts is Internet Meme. And Brian tagged me with one of those in a recent entry.
Well, a challenge is a challenge, so here goes nothing…
Read more…
Stuff About Us
Of the newly selected Seven Modern Wonders of the World, I’ve only been to one, the Colosseum – and actually was left underwhelmed by it. I have been to a few places that did not make the final cut – Alhambra, Neuschwanstein, Eiffel Tower, Red Square, plus a tour boat took me close enough to the Statue of Liberty once to count that as well, – but the list highlights how many things there’s yet to see… The only consolation is that almost every single entrant has been on my personal list of future destinations long before I became aware of the contest.
That’s not what I planned to write about today, though. Enough of idle musings, let’s go back to the family chronicles.
Read more…
Chronicles, London & Environs, Sports, Travel
So, Winter Olympics in Sochi. Manifestly due to direct involvement of charismatic Putin, who popped up in Guatemala and charmed IOC members in French and English, swaying the majority in Russia’s favor.
One of my Russian friends, whom I correspond with regularly and who is avowedly apolitical, has sent me a hyperventilating email with repeated verbiage around “our victory”, “a shot of adrenalin”, “the might of the country”… I can only imagine the hysteria in Russian mass media – actually, I’ve read a few articles, nothing to imagine there. Putin is now only an inch away from being anointed a saint. Irina Rodnina, discussing the suggestion of Putin opening the Games in 2014, agreed that it will certainly be appropriate regardless of which position he will occupy at the time; then, matter-of-factly, “In truth, people of Russia are not against him doing that in his presidential capacity”…
Read more…
From Russia
NEWSFLASH: Natasha has passed the theory test for UK driving license with flying colors.
I guess I might as well take an opportunity and describe what the test entails.
Read more…
Expat Topic
The American School in Central London costs around £20K per child per year. Unless you receive on-going subsidies as part of your expatriate package (see my treatise on relocation packages for further reference), you would probably be put off by this price tag. We obviously were, although the cost was only one of the reasons why we put our girls into local schools in England.
Read more…
Children & Schooling, Expat Topic
Recent Comments