Hiya!

It's quite common to use "hiya" when greeting someone in passing here. I also feel like it's more common to use "quite" instead of "really" to describe something compared to in the US, and find myself using it a lot ha. (It was quite lovely outside today.)

I'm getting ready to turn in for the night after another eventful weekend. Usually when I'm not traveling to another country I'll spend at least one full day of the weekend in London but I decided to mix things up these past two weekends.

Last weekend, I finally got the chance to go to a rugby game! The London Irish were playing in a semi-final game at their home stadium right here in Reading, and a coworker who loves rugby took me and my college friend Sara who is here for the time being as well. We were fascinated with the game! My coworker briefed us on the rules on the walk there and then we were lucky to have him sitting with us to ask any additional questions as the game went on. The one challenge while watching was that the referee does not take time to signal or share in a microphone what it was they blew the whistle on and the call being made like I'm used to in American football. I know we weren't the only ones confused at times! It was a fun atmosphere and I'd definitely go again!

Last night the Eurovision Song Contest was on TV so we tuned in for that. It's the longest-running annual international TV song competition. Participating countries perform live and then cast votes for the songs of other countries. I learned that Celine Dion was the winner in 1988 for Switzerland. Today, Sara and I headed out for an 8 mile hike up and around Box Hill. It's an hour train ride from Reading and was recommended by another coworker. We loved it and always enjoy soaking up some vitamin D while just chatting about life. Makes me so happy to get out into the countryside and do some hiking! Normally, I do get close to 15 miles walking in without thinking while touring cities, but the 8 mile hike was up and down hills so it actually was a workout and it turned into 12 or 13 miles by the time we made it there and back to Reading. I'm hoping I can make it back there again. I shared small snidbits on my Snapchat story.

Upon returning to Reading I got to video chat with my momma to wish her a Happy Mother's Day :) She was at my Grandma Fahey's house so I got to see her as well, and there was even a visit by an aunt, uncle, and two cousins! When I stay in England for the weekend I'm usuallly using some time on the weekends to catch up with some family and friends with video chats while the 6 hour time difference is manageable. Love catching up with people back home!

Favorite things right now:
Reading has a farmer's market that's open Wednesday through Saturday and only a 5 minute walk from my place. I love getting fruits and veggies there, and it's even on my route to and from work :)

I finally got signed up with a gym membership the other week - yah whoops about time! Excited to do some swimming and have workout equipment.

I can tune into the Bobby Bones Show back home for country radio and a talk show and I love it haha.

I've received some mail from family back home and it makes my day every time :)

There was a period of time in the winter when I first arrived that it was chilly and I was wanting some apple cider but could not find it anywhere. My cousin Alicia came in clutch and sent me the best care package with lots of apple cider, Valentine's/colorings from her boys, and other goodies. I've confirmed that 2 other coworkers have no idea what apple cider is and one was wondering if I meant the alcoholic cider - which is good as well!
My friend and visitor Briann, as well as mail for my mom have stocked me up since.

There really isn't any food or drink I crave now or couldn't live without here. I'll have to share my work's weekly menu sometime because while it's not drastic there are definitely subtle differences on what they eat here. Can you believe beans on toast is a big thing here? Also, a majority of fish and chips are served with mushy peas. Not going to lie, I eat a lot of tuna here. Tuna mayo baguettes are very popular and I love it, as well as tuna mayo in a baked potato. It sounds weird but it is very popular amongst my coworkers as well. More seafood here in general than in Iowa which definitely makes sense lol.


Friends:
I've been able to make friends!!
We don't always become Facebook official but it's someone to socialize with while I'm on alone on my travels and that's perfect.
-Lady and 2 sisters in Iceland mentioned before.
-2 guys in Reading Sara and I had drinks with
-Guy in Luxembourg I ate supper with and went for a walk with afterwards.
-Guy on the bus ride to Munich (extended an invite for me to come back and visit sometime so I extended an invite to Iowa but warned him I love it but it probably won't be his first place to visit in the States ha).
-2 girls my age in Rome I chatted with on my walking tour.
-Waiter at one of my two favorite restaurants in town.
It's nice to make friends along the way while traveling in another country, especially while alone but don't worry I'm careful.

Madrid is one country where I traveled alone but was able to meetup with my second cousin Craig and have a personal walking tour from a local. Craig has lived there 7 years and it was so fun to have his companionship while casually strolling the city and stopping for drinks and tapas, a very traditional Saturday. I was able to really soak up the local culture this way and learn from him while sightseeing. I've finally posted pictures from this trip in my "Madrid" album!! I might have added the Oxford and Windsor Castle ones since my last blog, as well as a few rugby pics to the Reading one!

Visitors:
Grateful for all the visitors I've been able to have thus far. Made some pretty cool memories with all of them. Last ones left are my parents in June and I cannot wait!!!!

All of my visitors have noticed that there is more smoking here and in countries that we've traveled to than back home. I wasn't sure if it was just me since I don't use as much public transportation back home.

All visitors have reconfirmed that the men dress sharper over here. It's not very often that you see people out and about in athletic clothes over here unless they are working out. If they are wearing trainers, (tennis shoes) Addidas and Converse are definitely the most popular. New Balance are even up there in popularity and Kate Middleton has been photographed wearing them.
Quick summarized story:
When Sara first arrived we went to Oxford together and she wanted to wearing leggings and tennis shoes, so I decided I was game to dress comfy, casual as well and really hadn't in public yet. We spent our day out and about dressed like that which was great. Then, when we came back to Reading that night we stopped to eat something at a cafe and our waiter asked us if we were out cycling that day or something. We told him no and he clarified again that we hadn't been out exercising and decided to stop in to eat haha.

2 visitors have brought European straighteners with them and therefore I have only halfway straightened my hair twice since over here. Good thing it is getting long or it would really be an even hotter mess! My straightener would probably work with the converter but it's risky because hairdryers definitely can't be used in them. I'm also terrified to use my new electric toothbrush in it so if gone back to a simple toothbrush.

Random coverage in this post but I think that covers very basically covers all my latest updates for now. I'll be stateside in less than 2 months, oh how the time has flown! For now, looking forward to Switzerland next weekend - might have a little adventure up my sleeve yet!


Vocab lesson:
trainers = tennis shoes
caravan = camper?
hot jacket/jacket potato = baked potato
courgette = zucchini (worker at the self-checkout and I were confusing each other)

Cheers,
Jill