I’ve been “roasted”! And NL move update
japra | May 03, 2009 | Comments 40
Inside the Waterlilly glasshouse, Kew Garden
We’re in the middle of a long Bank Holiday weekend here in England. But I wanted to pop in to say the truly generous David McMahon has posted an interview of me on his blog, Authorblog. If you’ve never visited his site before, you’re in for a treat. David is a talented photographer and writer with a great sense of humour and a positive outlook on life. I love visiting his site and felt honoured when he asked if I would take part in his “Sunday Roast” series (I’m #66 ). Thank you, David!!**
In other news, I received an email the other day from a good friend of mine in Texas asking about our move to The Netherlands. I realized then that I left our chances of moving at 75%! Well, let’s go ahead and bump that up to 99.9%, shall we? The Rosetta Stone Dutch software was purchased, received and installed last week. We’re planning a trip to NL this week to see Roxi’s new school as well as try to find a place to live. As it stands, if all goes well, we’ll be moving in SIX WEEKS!
**And thank you to Sarah Laurence, Bee, Akelamalu and David’s other kind readers who totally made my morning when I read their comments on my interview. I think I’m going to print them out and paste them in my journal–lol ;-)
Filed Under: Blog • Expat Life • Featured
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I haven’t read the interview yet but will look for it. Your next move sounds exciting. I hope your daughter is happy about the move. Change can be difficult for some children but your daughter seems confident. <3
Cynthia, Roxi is excited about our move. We’re lucky she has an adventurous spirit :-) The other good thing is the expat circle is pretty small on this side of the pond. So I am sure we will be seeing her friends again–at least the ones who aren’t repatriating!
It was a great interview.
I LOVE your Kew Garden photos. I felt like I could smell the lilacs. The lily pad photo on this post is my favorite. I really should have visited Kew when I was living in England but this was the next best thing.
Good to hear that all is set to go for the Netherlands.
Odd time for me to be commenting, but I have horrible insomnia tonight. Your blog is always a most pleasant diversion.
Sarah, I like this photo very much as well. And I almost missed Kew too! At least you know you’ll have something to look forward to next time you all are on this side of the pond again.
I hope you got some sleep! Insomnia is the pits.
Congratulations! This is all so exciting! I’m sure Roxi will love the school. Don’t know how easy it’ll be to find a place but I like to stay on the positive side of things so I’m sending lots of good vibes your way!
Xoan-Wahn, I do like that you are a positive person! Thank you for your good vibes. They always help :-)
I was rather alarmed when I read the title of this post – you are aware of what ‘being roasted’ can mean aren’t you? LOL
Anyway then I realised what you meant – phew!
Congrats on your interview with David it was excellent.
WOW a move to another counytry in six weeks means you’re going to be VERY busy – good luck with it all. :)
Akelamalu, well, I am not quite sure what “being roasted” means in UK English… perhaps you can enlighten me?! I do hope it’s nothing bad.
Thanks for your kind words about the interview :-)
And yes, we’re resting up this weekend for a very busy time to come!
Now don’t start blushing…..
definition of Roasting: group sex involving one woman and more than one man.
See why I was worried? ;)
Ok… wow! No, that’s not quite what I had in mind. lol!
When one is “roasted” in the States, a person is honoured in sort of a tongue-in-cheek way.
It was that interview at David’s blog that turned me on to you and I’m glad I’m now following, although I have a lot of catching up to do.
Obviously, you’re relocating to the Netherlands and you sound excited about it, which is a good thing. Six weeks isn’t a lot of time to get all things ready, but you sound as if you’re organized enough to pull it off.
Good vibes to you too!
P.S. David has asked me for an interview as well and I’m as excited as a little kid!
Jane, I can’t wait to read your interview! I have a lot of catching up to do on your blog as well. And as for the move, I am excited about it… as long as I don’t dwell on the details of the actual move ;-)
PPS: Left you something on my post today; hop over and pick it up!
Jane
Jane, what a way to start a new friendship! Thank you :-)
I *love* the Kew garden waterlily picture! I’ve gotten really somewhat obsesses with reflection photos–have you seen my collection @ http://kathyamen.net/america/water.htm ?
Kathy, I love your America the Beautiful water photos! Especially the sly critter in the water… Your photos made me feel happy and relaxed. Might have to bookmark them for future therapy ;-)
So glad you liked them! The Everglades were amazing!
Kathy, oh, I wondered where that was… It does look very beautiful.
wow, exciting, you’re really going to NL. we’re looking forward to those posts.
glad you were ‘roasted’, you did a good job of it.
Christine, yes we’re going! I had a moment of panic this afternoon after looking at the calender, but I think that was more knee-jerk than anything. lol!
Thanks for the nice words about my roast ;-)
Congrats on the roast at David’s blog! I’ll be back to read more.
Willow, thank you! I popped by your blog too–what beautiful photos you have! And I really do adore your knitting, especially your precious bunnies!
Thank goodness for Rosetta Stone! Another adventure!!
Laurie, yes the Rosetta Stone software is great. But some of those sounds I’m supposed to make are hard!
Gosh. you are famous! I will pray for your calmness and strength as you race the clock for the big move. You all are globe hopping for sure! xox
Mimsy, thank you for your prayers. I think they must have worked already. I had a bit of a freak out when I looked at the calendar yesterday, but I am much better now. I just have to remember to breathe and to take things a little at a time. Maybe I should hide my calendar!
hello,
It was a pleasant surprise to see your comment on my blog and even more pleasant to see that you are now following me.Thankyou.I read your Interview at Authorblog and I came,I saw and I followed :).Looking forward to more correspondence
love,
chaitra
Chaitra, I’m so glad you dropped by. I really do love making new friends… and learning more about them through their blogs. :-)
This is all very confusing for a codger but I have had a lovely trip round Kew where I have never been (Shame on me !) Beautiful photos !
Hi Barbara, I’m glad you enjoyed the Kew tour. The problem with England, if it could be counted as one, is that every inch of this country is beautiful and interesting. I think it would take several lifetimes to really see it all!
Beautiful photo and great interview. Well done you! And wow – you really are moving!! It will be an adventure I’m sure! x
Thanks, Maternal Tales. And yes, it is sinking in that we are moving. I started my first Rosetta Stone Dutch lessons yesterday. I can already tell it would be most helpful to have a tutor in addition to the software ;-)
NL eh! Excitign moments to come for you. Look forward to accounts from there. Love the pictures!
Maddog, we are looking forward to our move… but I think we’re beginning to feel a wee bit sad about leaving England. I know we’ll love the NL, though. It’s just hard to think about saying goodbye this time of year.
Okay, I’m fixated on the Holland move part of this post. YOU ARE GOING! Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this. You are my only Texan in England!!
But I love Den Haag, so I’m sure to visit. Next year, we check out the tulips at Kukenhof.
p.s. Congrats on getting picked by David. That is definitely a blogging honor.
Sweet Bee, I so know what you are saying. Even though we’ve only met a few times in person, I feel like I’m leaving a good friend. Luckily we’ll always have our blogs.. and FB LOL! XO
I would love it if you and your girls came over for tulip season, BTW. Or if you ever are in need of a sand beach… Plus I hear there are a bunch of Texans in the NL ;-)
And thank you for your kind words about the Sunday Roast. I really did feel like it was a blogging honour!
Yay for NL !!
Now, off to read your interview.
I love your blog, btw.
xo
Thank you, Chris XO
I have very fond memories of Kew Gardens from when I was twenty which is SO long ago. You are moving? Oh wow!! Excitement plus. Love your blog, really one of the best I have seen. I keep wanting to try to move to WordPress but not sure if its too technical for me. How have you found it?
Thank you, Lilly! Coming from you, that is high praise, indeed. WordPress can be a bit of a challenge. I think Blogger is so much easier, friendlier, and faster. WordPress is more flexible, but I have to say it took some doing to move the blog over (a lot of the old posts are still a mess). Fortunately, my husband is quite technical, so he helped me with the hard stuff. That being said, you are a clever girl, so I’ve no doubt that you would be able to figure it out in a heartbeat! But there are people out there who you can hire to help you, if you get stuck :-)