Turning American

When we moved here my friend Cat, having herself relocated from England 18 months before us, warned me about two things. One was to prepare myself for an incredibly busy social life, and to learn to say no to some invitations. The second was to avoid turning American.

So now, after almost the same time here ourselves, I confess to being defeated in both instances.

Let me deal with the busy social life first.

It's certainly a result of the good weather we have here. Sunshine radiates happy feelings doesnt it? But being busy is also atributed to not knowing how long our life in California will last. And in that, we are not alone. I know of only a handful of people who were born and grew up here. The majority of families we meet are also traveling on an adventure ticket. They are often 'A1 personalities' -ambitious, determined, and desperate to squeeze as much out of this experience as possible. That in itself is wonderfully contagious. Its a transient community. People move in for work in 'Silicon Valley' and unless they already have green cards their life here is controlled by a US Immigration stamp in their passports!  So its a countdown for three years for most people, and time is already ticking!

If you're reading this from the UK, and knew you had a few years left there I bet you'd probably start to make a list of things to do and see. We made a list when we arrived, and it is framed on our kitchen wall. We want to visit Tahoe, Hawaii and Yosemite, but the list also includes sailing in the bay, fruit picking in Napa, cycling around the Golden Gate park. It also includes spending as much time outdoors as possible with wine and friends (in that order of priority).

Wine tasting at Ghirardelli Square - the bay behind us with Alcatraz on the far right and the GG bridge on the far left

A mexican meal for Dana's birthday with Mums from church

A comedy club in North Beach a week ago. I think you need to understand cultural specifics to get it completely. It was funny, but only because lots of other people were laughing. 

The second year at the Foster City Art and Wine Festival and still no sign of art!

Helen, Hayley and I celebrating Helen's birthday. We always roll our eyes at any discussion about the night ending at the Crown Plaza, but somehow we always end up there!

Second point. Dan and I both admit to turning American. This isnt something we admit lightly as for very prejudical reasons it was something we both feared might happen. Dan leapt into American life and language a little less hesitantly than me. He explained that in the board room when you need to be heard you just say it as it needs to be understood. And to some extent I agree. We need to teach the children that it's called a 'sidewalk' so they dont keep walking when the teacher is yelling for them to stay on it!  Its just easier to ask for directions to the 'restroom'. And 'pop the trunk' is too good a phrase not to say daily!

But we've definitely stepped beyond the necessary after 18 months. We both unwittingly say 'right?' at the end of questionning sentences.  We almost always call it a 'stroller' not pushchair.  Slowly over time, biscuits have become cookies. It still varies between diaper and nappy/trolley and cart/garden and yard and I cant sit on the fence forever! 

Despite this deeper transition into American life, there are still some things that keep us British. There is nothing sneaky about them, they are trainers. Dan recently told a friend that he was going to 'poodle back home' and had to explain himself for a very long time! Telling your friends that the dinner reservation is confirmed for 'half past' will not help them know what time to arrive! You dont peg your bathers up to dry them, you pin your swimsuit up. Dont call it a hoover to Americans, it's an insult to a former President. Not knowing the difference between chips and crisps doesnt help the waistline either way. You try explaining what blue tac is to a shop assitant!!  And regardless of what currency the parking ticket is in, I can never call traffic wardens 'meter maids'.

More significantly, I am and will always be a Mum, not Mom.

Celebrating Mother's Day with scones and cream at Annie's school.
Following their European theme of the term, I offered to bake the scones and explained to the staff that they needed to be cut to be served.  I didnt imagine I would need to point out that this meant cutting them horizontally!

Annie's classroom. Hard not to miss the flag.

Additionally, I was asked by Annie's teachers to talk to the class about something European and decided it was about time I used the history degree!  So a lesson on castle warfare!

Me, totally out shining the teacher for the morning!

My daughter talking about her experience of castles, totally outshining me!

Dan has left for a months tour of football stadiums in South America. Travelling for the Confederation Cup, this is often referred to as "work" in California.  Another culteral difference.

We decided to get away for a long weekend in Santa Clara before he left. Us four, sun, a pool, cocktails and good food - totally wonderful!

Playing football before dinner

Fun in the pool

Annie loved the rides at Happy Hollow theme park.
I smiled and told her 'I had had enough for now darling' (aka 'bloody petrifying!') 

And as we prepare for Tom's second birthday it seems that Annie is very much intune with UK thinking - look at what both her and Aunty Ali bought for Tom! The same gift! Two drums! Hooray! How lucky our ears are!

Finally, its not a sight you see every day. Tesco luxury soft loo roll in front of the Golden Gate bridge. It makes sense to those of you who know where my  Dad works! After 44 years of working at Bridgend Paper Mills Dad has finally clocked off. He celebrated at Bridgend rugby club last weekend. It seemed only fitting that I send a photograph to show how small the world has become in that time, and how so much has changed. And in two weeks time he can stand in this spot himself and enjoy the view.

Totally awesome, right?