DAH – LING

Is what Christine Townley (now Christine Lane Fox) calls her husband and the most British accent I have ever heard. Yes, that is right Pi Phi’s in London – woo woo Rock Chalk! My long lost sorority sister who I had not seen since she moved to London in 2004 is happily married to an Englishmen, Charlie, and living in Noting Hill. They had us over last night for dinner and my other sorority sister – Brab Kral-Hasty came as well! Bard is studying at Durham, which is about 3 hours away. Funny story, when Barb first told her mom she was going to Durham for her MBA her mom said “Durham, North Carolina?” – oh no Mom Durham, Great Britain.

*Side Note 1 – Someone PLEASE tell me you watched Gossip Girl on Monday night and heard The Blair Waldorf re-name NC to “North Caro-LIAR” – it was hysterical! Take that Roy!

So Burr and I LOVED dinner at the Lane Fox’s house – it was SO fun, but not so fun this morning (we stayed until 12 and finished approx. 4 bottles of wine for 4 people) so needless to say this morning Burr said “You don’t look so good this morning!” and that was after I had showered, done my hair and makeup – YIKES!

Tomorrow night we are off to Amsterdam to visit the Cooley’s! We are really excited to see them and Amsterdam, of course. I think they were a little puzzled why we are going tomorrow as you see, the biggest celebration of the year is happening in Amseterdam today/tonight and Burr said we would go for it….except we booked our tickets for tomorrow for some reason…I think its either (1) Burr really did forget and just thought it was tomorrow night or (2) Burr feels the need to be at PwC (or related client) site 24-7 just in case there is a dire emergency.

*Side Note 2 – I mean what kind of dire emergency can really happen in public accounting?! HELP HELP! My 10K – the balance sheet does not balance…RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!! (Like its on fire or something)

So, I think its more of number 2 than 1, but whatever. I’m still really excited to go! Bring on the mini pancakes and fries (no mayo please).
Holla for Holland !

London Barbie

Do you know those emails that go around that are “Charlotte Barbie in Myers Park” and “Wichita Barbie in Eastbourough” – well I definitely met “American in London Barbie” last night, OMG!

I had my junior league meeting and while walking in a met, Barbie’s friend who was carrying a HUGE Hermes bag and had and Hermes belt on, and a Hermes bracelet…come to think of that she either works there or keeps the people at Hermes working, but prob. the latter. Anyway, e and Barbie’s friend walk in together and there is not 1 of 5 doorbells to choose from, infact there is only 1 doorbell…hmm this seems a little odd, this place is 5 stories high! Once you walk in you realize quickly that yes, Barbie does in fact live in the 5 story building. It was INSANE. The light fixtures (aka chandeliers) everywhere could have paid for a college education and then some. There were this fantastic floral arrangements everywhere – that rival my offices, but I would have to see the weekly change to truly be able to decide what is better, anyway.

Barbie was also in a Hermes belt

*Side Note 1 the belt is like the one with the "H" on it - like Will Smith wore in the movie Hitch, and I just happen to do a great (makin the pizza, and Q-tip throw-it away move, WAY better than my belly dancing skills - Kacie please come soon, we must dance!)

oh, and the best part was both Barbie and her friend are wearing 7+ carat rings, no I’m not joking, skinny dark jeans, white blouses,

*Side Note 2 – Note to self: buy white shirt, and not a normal white shirt one with features like ruffles, wraps, and pockets.*

and Tory Birch flats – is this some sort of London uniform I was not aware of? Oh, and yes Barbie had big blonde hair and was beautiful with a 1year old!

*Side Note 2 – I think Barbie must be from Texas originally, she appeared to be very “High Class Texas” to me, infact she looks like this girl Stephanie who is Kirsten and Troy’s (my cousin) friend from college or something – and yes lives in TEXAS.

So we walk to the 2nd floor where everyone else is sitting and thank goodness there are no more white shirts but there are even bigger rings, more chandeliers, more floral arrangements and the best part was pictures on the wall of their wedding appears to have taken place in Lake Como! ( I wonder if George Clooney was there?!)

In the end, the girls were so nice and 90% of them were American’s who were working or living here so I’m very glad I went and I’m excited about the new committees I can join.

I have to go now and figure out where to buy said “white blouse”, I think I should start with the shirt because I doubt Burr is going to for a new engagement ring, chandeliers for our tee tiny flat, another wedding but- this time in Como, or an Hermes bag (at least not right now) Wish me luck!

Leggings are NOT pants

That was a quotation from The Blair Waldorf herself (extra bonus for knowing who I am talking about)….which obviously explains that Gossip Girl is not on here in the UK. I mean really, everyone thinks that LEGGINGS are PANTS – but leggings are not pants they are actually just the equivalent of wearing 5 pairs of pantyhose so why do girls insist they are pants. This actually does not happen at work , as everyone at my work dresses very conservatively, but on the streets the leggings are EVERYWHERE.

*Side Note 1 – Of course.... I did purchase some leggings this weekend so I could be “in” but, I will be wearing them with dresses not just little shirts!”

In the office this morning I say this post-it on a heavy-duty stapler “Why do we have this big stapler if we do not stock proper staples for it!!!!?” - This is a perfect example of a couple things.
(1) The English are soooo passive aggressive, I mean they right a mean post-it instead of just complaining
(2) Our office must spend all our money on HUGE flower arrangements every week so we cannot afford such essentials as staples or to even give a stapler to the new girl

*Side Note 2- Yes, I’m still mad that I cannot have actual office supplies (see previous blog)

(3) The word “proper” is used everywhere – do you have a “proper bag?” “ I need a proper chair”, etc. etc…..and the bag question is what the grocery store man asks me because every bag is .05£ (basically 7.5 cents a bag in the US equivalent) so its better to bring your own and not only save the tiny but of money , but better is not to get the TERRIBLE looks people give you when you have not in fact brought a “PROPER” bag – hhmmmph!

Tonight is my first Junior Leauge meeting and its in-house, meaning I get to go to someone else’s house in London and see what it looks like and everything – I’m SO excited. I used to LOVE these in Charlotte because they are always in some fabulous place…and get this….this one is literally down the street from us too! Of course the meeting was “full” but I emailed the host to tell her I was new and asked her if I could “squeeze-in” She emailed back and I said I could in fact “squeeze” in, but I think she might have been mocking me, because I’m pretty sure no one here actually has to “squeeze in” anywhere….

*Side Note 3 – Here is another phrase I must stop using in addition to YUMMY! So, from now on no more “squeezing”

More later
MUUUUUAAAAWWWW (More kisses)!

Achy Breaky Heart

"Don't tell my heart, my achy breaky heart"...come on now sing it with me! No, not really. I had the pleasure of hearing my admin sing this, 60 seconds of it, full out on Friday morning. No, there was not a karaoke contest at work she was just trying to tell the admin next to her about how her daughter likes Miley Cyrus and when the other gal did not know who that was the "Singing Admin" went on about how Billy Ray was her dad and then said "You know that song..." and so it goes.

I mean seriously?! Hearing Achy Breaky Heart with an English accent was absolutely hysterical, but I could not laugh at her!
The only reason I overheard her is because my "desk"
*Side note 1 - remember tiny weeny cubes that come up to waist high EVERYWHERE are equivalent to desks (see previous blog)*

So, my "desk" is moved everyday because they do not have enough space for me so literally everyday I show up and have to sit in whomever is gone or working from home that day desk - its terrible, but at least today I did not have to sit next to the singing admins - yikes.

As you probably read on Burr's weekend re-cap (for those of you who fell asleep half way through it, you're not the only ones - but don't take it out on Burr, he just a little too Mr. Genius to write the kind of stuff I do - thank goodness he has me - haha!!) Anyway, we had a great weekend and I finally got to go shopping with my friend Jessica- yeah! And buy the earrings I wanted at H&M without getting turned away - whew.
*Side Note 2- of course I did have to go to a different H&M because I'm WAY to embarrassed to go back to the other one, what if I was "that" girl there - um, no thanks.*

I realize I have not blogged in a while and think this is for a few reasons
(1) Internet - I no longer have to write all my blogs in Word on my computer and save them to a flash drive to publish them, instead I can wander around the Internet all night!
(2) Phone - I can actually call people on the phone instead of staring at it thinking "How mad will Burr be if I just make one tiny bitty phone call home that probably costs $50?" (Side note 3 - remember we had no GBP's to our name at that time)
(3) I actually have work to do - not only do I have work but I worked on Saturday and I keep having to eat lunch at my desk while trying to understand Sec.382 (any help out there please?!)
*Side Note 4 - Burr will endlessly make fun of me for quoting the tax code, but I really don't care - that is really a true stmt, again HELP please!
(4) No love - yes I have not gotten any "I love Anne's blogs" or "We think Anne is funnier than Burr" or "More anne, please?!" emails or notes or IM's or anything..I mean where is the love? I think I need some love in order to spend 3o-60 minutes a day writing for all my fans.

Well I will continue to blog a little bit more often even without the love. I mean, if Burr is the only one who writes I'm a little scared what will happen to my fans:-) Other than getting a little nap in...
Holla is for Holland
(Points for remembering where that phrase came from!)

Weekend Recap

Hello all. We were more low key this weekend since Anne had a long work week and I didn’t get much sleep upon hearing that the Panthers extended Jake Delhomme’s contract through 2014 following the epic stink-bomb against the Cardinals (kidding – sort of). That said, there was great weather in the city.

After making time for a trip to the UK’s version of Bed, Bath and Beyond, Saturday’s highlight was dinner at Fakhreldine in Mayfair with Jignesh (a senior manager at E&Y that Anne worked with in Charlotte) and Kat (I think it’s with a K). Yes, we are becoming connoisseurs of Lebanese cuisine (when in doubt, go with the schwarma). Being the quintessential Lebanese restaurant, the belly dancer arrived promptly at 10:30 PM. Anne and the cocktails she’d imbibed apparently felt that the aforementioned dancer shouldn’t have to rock out alone.

Sunday morning, we grabbed Starbucks and posted up right outside the gates of Buckingham Palace to watch the end of the London marathon with Jess C. and the Iliffs. The weather was perfect, though the men’s and women’s races were blow-outs. Since the races weren’t close, I was hoping that the rumoured (pretentious spelling I know) attempt of the Tamil Tiger sympathizers to impact the race would lead to someone trying to tackle an exhausted runner near the finish line, but no such luck. As a group, we decided that the marathoners had burned enough calories for us to go and drink beer and eat chips (fries) at our local pub, the Beauchamp. Anne and Jess did a bit of shopping (sorry ladies, you will have to ask Anne for details) in the PM, while I took a nap / worked / tracked the NFL draft online.

We promise a more exciting update after Amsterdam next weekend. Cheers!

No, plastic does not go in the oven

This is the phrase I told Burr tonight when he was starting to cook one of the 2 pound pizzas we bought at the store in the oven. He actually did not even ask, I was looking at what he was doing and said "Hey - that plastic on the bottom - yeah, you can't cook it!" And to think, we almost got kicked out of our adorable flat after just 2 weeks if he would have cooked that plastic....ahhh. Thank goodness Mrs. Genius was around, whew

Work today was alright - Glad to be home. We are still experimenting on what is good and bad from the store - well the microwave meals are NOT good, only the pre-pared ones - in case you are wondering. Burr had the "Chicken and Asparagus Risotto" - sounds good right? Yeah, not so much - ick.

Lee - I ate a Bounty bar today and thought of you! We promise to bring back lots when we come visit.

I am starting to get a serious shopping itch. Everyone keeps telling me about sample sales and these great stores and I would LOVE to go but there are just a few road blocks in my way (1) the stores close at 7 or 8pm - I mean I barely get off the tube at 8pm (2) We still have a mortgage in Charlotte (hopefully for another 3 weeks) (3) I have absolutely NO where to put the clothes unless we want to sit or sleep on them (4) Burr may kill me. We will see if these 4 reasons hold me back, but I'm guessing only #1 is really a problem.

*Side Note - I wish I was a "celeb" so they would open the stores for me only and I could shop peacefully, maybe they would even play the music I wanted to hear while I shopped...ahh how fabulous.

Alrightly, I'm going to go back on watch on-line television now. THANK GOODNESS for INTERNET!!!
Mhhhhuuuuwwww (that is a kissy noise for those who don't know!)
Anne

Would you like smoothie with that?

Its like the UK’s version of “Would you like fries with that?” – Seriously everyone here is obsessed with smoothies! They drink them constantly and with their meals, like water. I do not understand the smoothie craze – and they think they are all healthy. But, if you took the fruit out all you have is a vanilla milkshake – it really baffles me, this smoothie craze.

Last night I finally had my Mexican fix – Thank you Jessica!! We went to this funky Mexican place called Wachaca where they have little miniature Mexican dishes and you order mini tacos and quesadillas, it was not near as good as Carlos O’ Kelly’s or Cantina 1511 (or even Mexicafe) but at least it was chips, salsa, and guac. Whew – I and thought I would never see if for 2 years. That would be terrible.

Now, what is going on with the time here. What I mean is in Charlotte it was perfectly normal to be at the gym at 6am working out. This morning my new gyms (yes the 37 degrees one) first class was at 7:30am. Really?! At 7:30 am in American you should be on your way to work! But here, if I walk in at 9am I am one of the first people in the office….so strange. Anyway, I thought I would go early and do some cardio so I got up and went to the tube about 6:30 – little did I know the part of the tube that is close to us is closed off at 6:30 in the morning and literally it was like a ghost town in the tube so early in the morning, it kind of scared me.

Tonight I am going to the gym to get what is called a “programme” where every 4 weeks they measure you, tell you what types of classes, cardio, weights you should be doing and then they give you a new one in 4 weeks based on your progress, sounds great right?! Well….yesterday I got on the treadmill it seemed to be going SO slow. In the US I am running at about a 6.0 on the treadmill and sprinting at about a 9.0, so I go to 4.0 to walk first, but I’m barely moving. When I am ready to run I go to 6.0 and I’m thinking “wow, I did not realize how much I was walking around London, this is easy – I must be getting in better shape” – then I look over at everyone else’s treadmills and notice there are people walking at 7.0 running about 11/12 – hmmm….what is the problem… Oh these are not in miles per hour they are kilometres per hour – darn! Not in shape after all…. LaDuree macroons do not increase your running speed just in case you are wondering :-)

Yummies in London

BTW - I have picked up the word "Yummy" - you should try it. So while we have been here I have had the opportunity to try some delicious sweets and I thought I would share. In descending order.

4. Percy Pigs - They are these these gummy candies they only sell at this grocery store called "M&S" they are delicious

3. Cadbury Egg McFlurry, yes from McD's - but its the only thing we have gotten here that is fast food and I saw the poster - just had to try it

2. Harrods gelato - Yes, Burr finally took me to Harrods to get some! We did not sit at the bar though and get a sundae, we will sometime. We just got a couple scoops and they were very yummy. I would recommend the banana/chocolate combo!

1. LaDuree Macaroons - are by far the best food I have ever tasted in my life. If I was stranded on a desert island and could only eat 1 thing for as long as live I would totally pick these. We tried the lemon, raspberry, chocolate, Carmel, vanilla, and lady finger with our favorite being Carmel....if you come visit I will buy you one, promise!!!

PS - Thank goodness Burr liked the cookies as much as I did because he could not believe how much cookies cost - but LaDuree is in Harrods, what did you think would happen?! SO WORTH IT.

PPS - Now come visit us so I can have an excuse to go back to LaDuree!!!
Love ya
sugar lovin' anne

What was she thinking?!

Seriously the crack and smack band on Saturday was not even half the fun. There were some ridiculous things going on, most of all people's fashion sense. I will start with the best...this fairly cute purple dress (eggplant), to the knees, good material with the most heinous pair of Keds covered in neon pant I have ever seen....see for yourself.

Yes, I had to sneak behind the girl to take a picture. YIKES! I mean I know its all about comfort here but really?! My Mom needs to tell her the signature line from my childhood "You must suffer for beauty" and buy some shoes that are not TERRIBLE.

Other pictures - are the weird people from the festival walking around on stilts...speaking of stilts its "Environmental Week" at Ernst & Young and I guess in promotion of it the security guards today were in stilts all covered in leafs and trees - I thought I was walking into a circus! Oh wait...its work, boo no Elephant shoes or trapeze artists for me today.

My last blog today is going to be about the amazing delicacies I have had in London thus far...get excited. LaDuree Lovin' Anne

PS - Burr got hit - see the paint on his face?! This lady just came up and attacked him while he was waiting in line for Beer....you can see where his focus is....and she striped him with her face paint at the festival - awesome colors hun!

Greenwich

Isn't that view amazing?! Yes, it was a little bit of a walk up the hill but totally worth it. And...we got to see where the prime meridian so that was cool. Its in this town called Greenich. That is what we did Sunday during the day...it was really nice weather out.

Now its after work on Monday and Burr not only beat me home but started dinner! Isn;t that amazing!!! I was pleasantly surprised :-) The only reason I was not home was because I finally bit the bullet and joined a gym. I attended this class called "Body Attack" - I tried to ask the front desk person what it was before I went and she just said (in a complete cheerleader voice) "Oh, its great fun - really good for people who used to dance, you will love it!"......so on I go.

OMG OMG OMG - I mean seriously who signed me up for the engergizer bunny with wanna-be rockstar Barbie. It was serious. She yelled at me that my high kicks were not "High Enough" - I wanted to say "Hey Lady - All I've done for a year is hot yoga and you just had me do 1000 jumping jacks, squats, and push-ups while running around the room like a crazy person so if you tell me one more time that I can get my leg higher I will kick you!" - I wish I could have taken a picture of her yelling at all these ladies in the class "You need to run faster girls, NOW RUN!" - while doing sprints.

I think Burr may have to buy one of the full size strollers for me so he can wheel me to work tomorrow because I promise I am not going to able to mo've. But, at least I know the expensive gym wasn't kidding when they said the classes were good.

The gym is named "Thirty Seven Degrees" - What is up with that?! I'm sure they mean Celsius but I don't even know what that is in Fahrenheit - like 80 to 100ish - I bet I could look it up , but whatever....I thought it was strange for a gym name.
More to come later.
Hugs,
Anne

Weekend Recap (aka Burr's first post)

Greetings, everyone. Many thanks to Anne for handling the majority (or all) of the postings to this point. To balance responsibilities, I will take the "weekend recaps" and Anne will provide the daily insights that you (and the potential online advertisers) have come to love.

Friday night, Anne met our friend Jessica and KU Phi Psi couple (the Illifs) for happy hour at Madonna's The Punch Bowl. By the time I caught up with the group at AutoMat for American cheeseburgers, everyone was in pretty good spirits. Turns out, Anne learned that the British pint of ale (or cider) in this case, is not only bigger than her traditional Miller Lite bottle (19.3 oz. to 12) but also contains more alcohol (5.3% to 4.2%). Despite my best efforts, I was not able catch up. We then had this exchange when we got home:

Me: "Do you want to go to this Dutch festival in Trafalgar Square tomorrow?"
Anne: "Yeah. (change to sorority party girl voice) Holla is for Holland"

We are going to run that line into the ground before our trip to Amsterdam.

Saturday, we finally got the internet set up and then attended said festival with some of Anne's E&Y colleagues. The food was decent (best thing was the stack of mini-pancakes with powdered sugar and chocolate on top).

The highlight of the afternoon was the concert, which was headlined by the world-famous band "Crack & Smack." Now we try to keep this blog for the kids (what would baby Clare think if she knew her godmother were listening to a band), so please forgive us for the band name. I would link you to the band's homepage, but I get a message from PwC telling me that even trying to locate such a title through Google violates corporate policy. I mention this pillar of the music community only because of the hilarity of the bandmembers.

So apparently, Crack & Smack's gig is that they have two lead singers (one male and one female) and they cannot be on stage at the same time. So at first we are treated to this Sheryl Crow wanna-be, complete with a leather mini-skirt over faux-leather tights.

Following a less than smooth transition, we are blessed by the arrival of the long-lost Euro Blues Brother, who (I am not lying) in the picture is singing the Constant Sorrow song from "O Brother Where Art Thou," backed by a synthesizer. The Dutch / Brit crowd ate it up.

I could take you through the whole band, but really my favorite was the Chris Statham look-a-like who apparently was a good enough musician to remember and lip-synch the words to every song, but not a good enough singer to earn a microphone to sing back-up. He is the keyboard player, but is not satisfied with playing a stand-up keyboard. I almost choked on my Heineken during the guitar keyboard solo.

Dinner was quiet sushi and tempura affair.

Sunday was also beautiful, so we went to the Prime Meridian in Greenwich. Nothing crazy to report. I would imagine a picture or two will make its way on to Facebook.

One quick (or not so quick) note: much has been made of our decision to start our tour TV-less. Apparently, having a TV is equally important to both Americans and Brits. That said, the quality of what is shown on that TV is not of a similar caliber.

When we were in Corporate housing, I watched the Fast and the Furious trilogy over three nights on one of the major public channels. I can watch the first installment without too much detail. The second and third movies are all-out rubbish, but I still had them on because (a) I was making a futile attempt to figure out whether Paul Walker or the unknown guy in the Tokyo Drift movie was a worse actor (side note: they tie) and (b) the other TV-viewing options were no better. I feel showing all three movies on three consecutive nights is acceptable for TBS or TNT, but not for one of the 6 major stations in the land. During night two, I channel-surf and find a Jay Leno episode, which I don't believe is too common a sight on BBC2. Of course, his lead guest for the evening is none other than Mr. Vin Diesel.

Now that you understand what rests at the centre (sp) of the British TV universe, our decision to go TV-less makes a lot more sense. DVD box sets and ITunes gift cards will be high on the Christmas lists.

Have a great week!
Burr

It's gonna be a good day!

So, some AMAZING things happened today.

(1) My admin actually asked me if I needed anything and then booked me a cube for next week - terrific progress from last week! YEAH

(2) Our bank account finally recognized Burr and I were the owners of our money and we can finally get some GBP's!!! (*)

* T-Rex is back! I can go back to H&M and claim the dress that I waited in line to by for 30 minutes and got brutally turned away when they did not take AMEX last weekend, wahoo.

(3) It stopped raining (TOTALLY joking, I live in London - hello?!?!)

Lots of Love
Anne

I'm sorry, I CANNOT move

I do not know if I have expressed how extremely packed the tubes are here in London. I mean, I'm not talking about every seat taken, I'm talking about every single square inch of the train is full. I guess I should talk in the metric system - ummmm every single bit was taken (they said bits all the time).

This morning, for example, I was pushing and shoving to get on the train. I was standing in the line/queue but NO one stands in the queue correctly - they all cut in line, so this girl cut me off... I gave her one of my 'signature' mean faces and said "Ah, excuse me!" (In that really mean sorority girl voice - I was angry anne¬!) and she gave me a pretty good look back I may add, but she still let me in the line. So just when it looks like the tube is so full no one else in the line can get on 5 more people shove themselves onto the train....so I thought why not 6?!

I stepped up onto the train and noticed if I did not squeeze in quickly I was going to have a tube door in my side so I grabbed a pole up high and used all my strength to pushed the 5 people around me into one another so I could shove myself onto the train. It was actually so full it hurt because people were pushing on me from all sides, and I was standing on other peoples feet! My purse was so close to my chest I think I'm bruised! Anyway, This girl that I shoved goes "Um, excuse me - could you please move?!" and my response....

"I am sorry, I CAAANNNOOOTTTT move" - because literally I could barely blink.

Phrases

Walking down the street this morning I noticed the recycling truck and on the side it read

"Don't just bin it, recycle!" - I had to laugh because "bin it" just sounds so funny to me!

This was followed by me passing the Harrods windows and one of them read

"Please excuse us whilst we redecorate our display" - Whilst is just the funniest phrase.

On the Harrods window displays - I think when people come here we should just walk around the building before going in - some of the displays are insane! Seriously some have sound effects! Like this one that is showing off "hiking gear" *

*Side Note 1 - I think it is hiking gear, I've never actually been hiking so I am really not quite sure - I guess it could have been camping, or boating, or anything really that has to do with the outdoors.

*Side Note 2- When did I become such a girly girl? At camp I would pick daddy long legs off my arms and be fine, and I survived 2 summers at camp with no heating or air conditioning, but all the sudden I am such a wimp....I think this is changing as Burr refuses to turn the heat on - but I kind of agree temps between 1 and 10 - what is that?! (See previous blog)

Anyway, the hiking gear window had this big thunderstorm sound going on, and then there are a beach themed window with wave sounds - how cool is that!?

I will keep you up to date on any other cool ones.
PS - Keep your fingers crossed that Burr takes me to get a £12 gelato sundae this weekend...yummy (*)

* YUMMY - Is a new phrase I have picked up while here. Last Saturday at dinner I said it at least 15 times and now Burr hates it when I say YUMMY.

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!!!! ( Just checking you are reading the blog-haha! )

This Weekend

YeaH! It is Friday! I don't know why that is a big deal since it was a holiday Monday and I stayed home on Wednesday, but still - YEAH!

So tonight I am going to " Punch Bowl" - which is Madonna and Guy Ritchie's bar in Mayfair with my friend Jessica and one of her Junior League friends, Joanna, then Joanna's husband David and Burr are going to meet us later - should be fun.

Tomorrow Burr and I have plans to go to the Queensday celebration -
http://www.holland.com/uk/hollandhouse2009/ On 30 April the Dutch celebrate their national day, but this Saturday they are celebrating early and since all my friends here are Dutch Burr and I will be joining them.;

*Side Note 1- I think all my friends at work are Dutch are because this is the only happy hour I have been invited to. Funny thing about the happy hour is a harassed a Dutch guy there about dating his girlfriend for 6 years!!! He thinks he is going to be able to buy a car before he buys a ring, OH NO. So , we chatted about that for a good 2 hours. I think I persuaded him the girl was more important than the car and the girlfriend would last longer too. YEAH for ANNE!

So we are doing that Saturday at 4pm.

Sunday we are going back to the church with the cushions on the floor, this time to meet Burr's fraternity brother, CJ.

I am excited we have plans, hope its fun.
PS - Call us this weekend on our new home phone!!!

I don't think its going to work

Unfortunately Crystal has insisted Joseph be a registered democratic and go to Georgetown while little Ms. Clare is going to be a 5th generation Jayhawk and be a republican, unless she goes goth on us.... (Just kidding Johnny!)

But I will post their ADORABLE pics anyway, just to show how truly cute they were going to be ahhhhhh.

Hugs,
Anne

PS - I would kill for Joseph's eyelashes and I think I know some other girls who might too!
PPS - I would like to note I am no longer T-Rex, as I got no GBPs to my name, still :-(

Cutest Person Ever = Clare Bear!

CLARE ANNE ZIEGELMEYER

This is my niece, my God-daughter, and now my new stalk-ee. I look at her picture all the time - so I thought, "Why not share her adorable-ness with friends and family?" Isn't she SO CUTE?!!!

(Crystal - I think she and Joseph are meant to be together, send me a pic of his smile and I will put them side by side)

(Johnny/Meg - Don't worry Joseph will be a banker, no thugs for Clare Bear!)

YIPEEE - We do own clothes and plates!!!!!!! JOY!

Yes, the movers have come our sea shipment arrived yesterday. Burr, being the smartest man alive, claimed that he just “had to work” while I unpacked everything. Everyday, his geniuses amazes me. So the movers came at about 9am and by about 9:12am they were gone. I was left thinking “ It took me over a month to deicde what I would bring on the boat, and another 2 weeks to pack it – and you just throw it around like its dirt – hmmmgph!”
I could not be happier to own more than the suitcase of clothes I have been living with for a month now, but on the other hand I am ready to go shopping so I can look more “London-y” – unfort. our bank over here is not being so kind, thus I will have to live with my “ American” clothes until I have some GBP to my name. That did not however, stop my husband from calling me “The T-Rex of spending money” this morning.

*Side note 1 – Do I get a price for being the biggest money spender?!”

Anyway, I unpacked everything, hung curtains in the bedroom, ironed our cleaned sheets, and found a place for every last little item. The good news is: all our things fit. The bad news is: all our things fit. Meaning, there is not 1 place for an extra serving spoon, plate, or pan in the kitchen. Nor is there space for an extra sock, tshirt, or pair of pants in our closet. Its kind of like playing that game, Battleship, where you put in a peg and hope it stays and then sometimes “KABOOM” – an entire stack of perfectly folded tshirts comes crashing down on you and I quickly realize, this is not the right place for those. So, needless to say it took hours on end of Battleship until things stopped “ KABOOMING” on me. *Yes, I made Kabooming a verb”
After unpacking yesterday was really pretty outside so I went for an evening jog. Hyde Park is beautiful. I love it! Its always filled with people running, cycyling, boating, and little children running around. On the jog I took my keys and wallet – just in case I thought of anything we needed! So, while running I decide that we need these special kind of granola bars (larabars) that are only sold at Whole Foods here, so I run to whole foods and buy 8 of them. The only problem….well I don’t want a bag b/c I’m running but how am I going to get them home??? hmmmm

*Side Note 2 – If Mr. Genius was with me he would have told me to run the distance I wanted to BEFORE purchasing an additional 4 pounds of food! This thought however, did not cross my mind until already purchased.*

So I stuffed 4 bars in each fleece pocket and ran home with my pockets stuffed with food. It was fine, I think it just looked like I was shoplifting coming out of Whole Foods.

*Side note 2 – If I were going to shoplift at Whole Foods in London I would not buy £1.37 granola bars, I would go for the £12 guacamole! I am not even kidding – that is like $18 for a TINY thing of gauc that I could probably eat on 5 chips.

*Side note 3 – A word to the wise, whenever we come back to the states I would like to be greeted with chips, salsa, and guacamole because it seems in my quest for good Mexican food is going to die a sad death, no mexi for anne :-(
So our things are here – yeah. Now I just need to decorate…and it appears Silver Sage is in the lead!!! Thanks for voting.

TTYL
T-Rex

Burr as Barney?

When Burr and I were walking this weekend and off from the bus….a walking Barney!!! Ok not really, he had a regular face and regular hair and then….here is the kicker….PURPLE COURDROY PANTS… I don’t mean that new eggplant color, or maroon I mean BRIGHT FLAMING COURDORY PURPLE pants with this green overcoat, I am serious when he has to be the man that plays Barney on tv , no one in their right mind would EVER EVER wear that outside. It was awesome. Speaking of awesome, where do you buy pants like that?!

*Side Note 1 – I’m thinking Burr could be Barney for Halloween and I could be that little chubby dinasour girl on the show, what is her name Bee Bop is something like that?! Wait….is there Halloween in London? Oh great, there goes Barney/Bee Bop combo or better…Zach/Kelly …or my all time dream….Belle and the Beast! *

*Side Note 2- I think Burr may kill me later for suggesting he should be Barney for Halloween! Shall I put a vote on the blog for this one too?!*

*Side Note 3 – Where did I get the “Shall I?” from in side note 2??? Ummmm…I’m thinking I’m turning British is just 16 days since I’ve been here, save me before my teeth become crooked and brown!

So the majority of Friday and Sunday was spent wandering around, we walked a ton! We saw a few different things and we went to church on Sunday which was very interesting.
Burr’s other frat bro, CJ* ,

*Side Note 4 – Yes, Burr’s frat bro’s are coming out of the woodwork – let’s get a move on it pi phi’s!*

suggested this casual church for Easter service. So , Sunday morning, after a long night of listening to MJ oldies (see previous blog) Burr and I get up and all pretty for Easter Church and Brunch! We look cute…we should have taken a pic, oops. Anyway, Burr is in a khaki suit, pink shirt, and blue tie and I am wearing a ruffly white blouse and brown pants*

*Side Note 5 – If you were British and reading this, you would think I was wearing Brown underwear, but I believe everyone is American and yes I was wearing Brown pants/slacks/trousers – whatever you want to call ‘em. *

and heels (as usual). So we walk into church and not only is Burr the only one in a tie but he is the only one in pants and so am I! EVERYONE is wearing jeans and there are these cushions and couches everywhere, no pews.
So Burr and I look around and think “What have we gotten ourselves into?” If we did not fit in in London before, we REALLY don’t fit it now*

*Side Note 6 – This reminds me of that time Burr was invited to his partner, Jay’s house, for a wedding shower Saturday 6pm so Burr and I show up in full dressy outfits (me in black cocktail dress, him in suit and tie) and his partner is in khaki shorts, a Tommy Bahamas shirt, and flip flops – we almost died!*

Anyway, church was different, there was a rock band that played and other things but the message was still good. I think we are going to try a more formal church next time. Even if I am in jeans, I’m not really a “floor sitting” type of person unless I’m playing Scrabble at my house!
The rest of Sunday was spent at brunch and wandering around. Monday we went to work – yes it was a holiday and Burr and I were the only people in our entire offices, but we are Farrar’s so we work, in the words of Burr’s other frat bro, Jared Gould I believe, “It’s what I do” (in an entirely Yankee accent).

Our sea shipment comes tomorrow; we will see what is broken. (Please don’t let my ramekins be broken - they are my fav! - and they keep my from eating an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's!)

I’m out for now…..no go vote on the color!!! (See previous blog)

Contact Information

Hello to all - Please see our new contact information below:

Anne Farrar
Cell: (calling from US - US COUNTRY CODE + 44 + 07769590915)

Burr Farrar
Cell: (still waiting on it, call Anne's)

Anne and Burr at HOME = Best Number to reach us at
020 7584 0002 (but don't forget the US country code and 44 before)

New Address: (Mail/Letters only)
34 Walton Street Flat C
London, SW3 1RD

best email: afarrar@uk.ey.com and burr.farrar@uk.pwc.com
Lots of Love!
A & B

Shout Out ....Happy Bday Dad / Mr.Z

Hi Dad! Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday. I will try to call your cell phone later. Have a good one!

Love,
Anne / Burr

I’m taking a poll…..

I’m trying to determine how to decorate our new tiny apartment (flat, flat ok I’ll call it a flat!) and I cannot decide which color scheme to go with. Please look to the right side of this blog and vote for your choice.

(PS – I have to do this because Burr might kill me if I keep asking him questions while he is trying to work, but seriously we have no phone, internet, or TV, what am I suppossed to do?)

So last night I was sketching our apartment out with different curtains, pictures, bookshelves, etc. and trying to ask Burr what he thought. But, if anyone has ever seen my drawing skills that would be like asking someone what is the difference between these 2 stick people I drew!

*Side Note 1 - There is a reason I am an accountant, my artsy side is just not there*

Plus, I only had a black pen so everything I pointed at to Burr, I had to qualify with “That is silver sage”, “ That is a crimson” and Burr is thinking “What is the world is silver sage?”
(Bonus points for those who know where that color stems from!) And I cannot decide, so I need your help.

Also, I have no ability to pick out anything on my own – I need force behind me saying “Hurry up” or “No, that is AWFUL! And then I can make a purchase or proceed to the next, but without either I’m stuck in “AHHHH – I have to pick out everything on my OWN¬!”

- I should note that I think if Burr had his way we would just leave the ugly white thin curtains up with the hooks on the walls but no pictures for 2 years and he would say “ Isn’t this place great!” – or maybe he would decorate with bulletin board pictures like he did in college….actually that is not a terrible idea.

OK anyway…here is what we got

1. Dark Brown leather sofa
2. White/Cream carpet approx. 8*10feet under the coffee table and in front of the sofa
3. Black wood coffee table
4. Black end tables with silver legs
5. Kitchen table (wood – kind of the lighter color though)
6. Wood floors (again, lighter color wood)
7. All white paint everywhere
8. Kitchen is brown/black with silver appliances.

So, I know we need new curtains, couch pillows, pictures, etc. but what color scheme do I choose with the black/brown/tan combo we have going on?! I keep seeing the brown couch with some darker red pillows and it looks good, but I also see the silver sage colors and I really like that too.

(PPS – If you still don’t know what silver sage is go to restorationhardware.com)

Hurry up and vote, I'm giving you 2 days...the clock is ticking!
(PPPS - If you have another suggestion email me: afarrar@uk.ey.com)

Our new flat!

YEAH – We moved out of Tee-Tiny apartment and moved to Tiny apartment! YIPEE. So, yes Burr and I moved into our new flat on Saturday. We had to flag down some poor cab driver to drive a mere £3 drive , but wait approx. 30 min for us to load and unload all our stuff from the cab – oh well!

I will post pictures of the flat once I feel it is decorated properly….and seeing as it is moving quite slowly it could be a while.

Its 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom. There are a couple very strange things about it…

1. Its shaped just like the Johnny and Kaye’s house in Charleston where the floor slopes (Yes, literally one side of the bedroom is about 8 inches higher than the other side)....but since I love Charleston I thought this was a good sign.
2. There is no dishwasher (Unless you count me, and I would send me back and ask for a newer version that does not complain while washing!)

3. There is no disposal

4. As of now there are no plates or silverware…
- Funny story…so we move in Sat. am and I have the delivery grocery service bring us an order sat. am (I think I am so smart to have had toilet paper, paper towels, and food!) and we decide let’s make the spaghetti so we don’t have to go out. I am boiling the noodles and have the sauce heating up when we remember* WE DON’T HAVE ANY PLATES OR SILVERWARE..hmmm what shall we do. So, Burr and I eat our spaghetti in Tupperware containers with gigantic serving spoons…def. should have taken a pic
- Then, last night we make fajitas ( I have been craving Mexican, and the more I try to find good salsa the more I crave it). So anyway, we are making the fajitas and again we remember *NO PLATES* - so I tear the box that the tortillas came in in half and Burr and I eat our dinner on half a cardboard box. Again I should have taken a pic…so funny.
- Good news…our plates and silverware are supposed to come tomorrow- yeah!

5. There is a ½ fridge, yes just like the one you had in college (But this one has actual food in it!)

6. Our separate dryer* is in our closet. So, no we do not have room for it to stay in the closet and no, there is not a plug in the closet for it to go to…so guess where it is? Its our new bedside table. I will buy some sort of tablecloth and lamp to go on top of it, but still hilarious that our dryer doubles as the bedside table.

*Side Note 1 – Yes a SEPEREATE dryer means that the dryer does not have identity crisis and actually dries – wahhooo! (Steve – catch the UVa reference!)

7. Our heater is connected to the wall and the temperature dial on it reads numbers 1 through 10. Now what the heck is that!!? How do I know if I would like my temperature to be set at 6.5 please,?! Oh joy.

8. The great news is trash i picked up 2 times a week. I LOVE that, everyone needs trash day 2 times a week - yippeeee.

Again, I will try to send pictures soon.
Xoxo - Anne

(PS – The next blog I’m going to write is about the Human Barney we saw this weekend = AWESOME!)

The 3 B's and Ed

Sorry to all my fans out there….

I know, I know! I have not written in days. What did you do without Anne’s blog!?

*Side Note ½ - I know its Anne and Burr’s blog – but he has yet to write anything so I’m going to change the name to “Life in the eyes of Anne or Ian….”

Well I promise to write enough today to make up for it. But, seriously we have no internet in our house (This coming Friday its getting set up) And it was holiday** on Friday and Monday so what is a girl to do?!

**Holiday = Vacation days here in the UK. I was not going to argue – holiday it is! No work for me.

I’ll focus telling you about my weekend for this one.

So Burr’s frat bro’s were in town. And I had just enough drinks both Friday and Saturday to get there 2 VERY SOUTHERN names completely mixed up. Its BRADLAUGH and BRADFORD. To parents out there, What is wrong with BRAD?! So, I called BRADFORD - BRADLEY for a good 2 hours until he corrected me finally (Sorry BRADFORD!) And Bradlaugh I think I just kept saying ~”Hey you” – (again apologies). I should be able to remember this seeing as my husband’s name is Burr, but I just get used to people calling him “Burt” constantly it does not even bother me anymore. I think my dear old M imi back home in KC still calls him Burt and we have been dating for 4+years and married for 1.5+ years. I mean, if you are 90+years old I am not about to correct her. She can call him what she wants. But, me getting their names confused after the Ian incidents! I should know better. I am going to vow to memorize their names – come back boys I promise I won’t butcher them next time (I hope). Ed, no worries I never got your name wrong (whew 2 for 2 - and yes Burr counts)

Anyway, there were in town and we did dinner and drinks both Friday and Saturday nights. One of my favourite quotes was from Ed, who said to a lady “Excuse my friends, they’re American” – hahahaha. And what is wrong with being American? It was hilarious. The 2 Brad’s just looked at him and stared.

Mags and Rieke – We almost got caught in another “Sure, I’ll have bottle service” moment. Where we walked into a club and the bouncer asked me “ Do you have a table?”, of course my answer was “Yes, now let me in and the 4 gentlemen behind me too” – like I owned the place and they did

*Side Note 1 – I wish this actually happened everywhere in life, like the tubes – I would just say “Now move, I don’t want to wait in this line (aka queue) *

*Side Note 2 – Here standing in line is called “ Standing in a que” - yes like the letter “Q” – I do not understand the difference but if I say “line” people just look at me and stare, and NOT in a good way – so I will change for them and say “Q” but I’m not paying a TV license (See previous blog)

We sat down in the VIP section and then noticed….oh we actually have to buy a bottle of £300 vodka to stay here, maybe we should leave. So we did and found another fabulous bar with a band playing old school MJ (Shout out Kacie Doll, totally dancing by myself wishing you were there!)

I should probably note that after the “bottle service” club the three B’s (Burr, Bradlaugh, and Bradford) – ha – I got it RIGHT! All went back to our flat while Ed and I went in search of alcohol to bring back to the flat. ( I must be a good hostess they need more drinks stat!) I was convinced I could just walk into a bar say “ I want a bottle of wine” and then walk back to our flat bottle in hand. *

*Side Note 3 – I really think this is acceptable in London*

So Ed is walking with me, probably thinking I’m crazy after the “Yes, NOW let me in” moment he just encountered at the club and we stumble upon music….I hear the music, I believe its “Brown Eyed Girl”

*Side Note 4 – For those of you who are not CFAB then this story is new to you, at summer camp when Burr and I met - we had a night off and we were at a bar and dancing to this song….Burr was singing and pointing at me and all the sudden - I closed my eyes and demanded he tell me what color my eyes were right now, his response was “Of course, BROWN” – oh fabulous, This one is perceptive, this is really going to last* (PS – my eyes are green/hazel) – haha

So anyway, we hear that song and I follow the music so-to-speak. I go inside this building down the stairs and through the door. VIOLA! A fun club! I immediately go to the bar and order a drink and start to make friends, Ed follows suit and we call the 3 B’s and tell them the booze are not coming to them, just follow the music. (OK, not really we told them the name of the bar – but it made the story sound better- ha!)

That mainly capped off our weekend with the frat guys. It was fun, come back soon!

Anne gets a phone, I mean IAN!

It happened again this morning, first thing I meet someone from South Africa…

“ Anne”
“Ian?”

“No, AAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEE”

“ Nice to meet you IIIIAAANNN”

WAGHHHHH (tear, tear)

The good news is that our phone gets set up tomorrow!!! Which means I can call the US anytime and its only £5 extra a month on our phone bill. Isn’t that amazing!? I’m so excited!! I bet my phone will get hooked up at 10am and I’ll immediately call my mom and it will be like 4am her time. I can just hear it…..

“ANNE! – Are you okay?”

“ Yep, I just got a phone – what’s going on? Doing anything fun?!”

Mom – I promise I will try to restrain myself until at least noon my time. After that, all bets are off! (But, seriously I have talked Burr's ear off for the past 2 weeksand I think he is just as excited for me to get a phone as he is to have peace and quiet again - haha!)

More to come on this weekend….

Top Ten List

So, its hard to describe how my yesterday went. I was all over the place trying to work and trying to get the flat set up. I think I will explain my day/excitements for the weekend in a top ten list…

1. I received a “You’re only a senior I’m not your admin” response at least 2 times from the lady who is supposedly – the desk admin (i.e. my admin) and a “I cannot do that for you” to which I would respond “No problem, who shall I ask then” as to which she would walk off – fabulous, we’re going to be best of friends.
*Side Note 1 – All I wanted was a freaking stapler and some scissors, maybe even some tape if I was really going to push it. But, no I’m stapler-less still – thinking I’m going to have to wait around to late tonight and swipe one from someone else’s short tiny cube (see previous blog regarding wee tiny cubes)….shhh don’t tell

2. I was on the phone with a company called BT for over an hour attempting to order phone service, internet service, and television. In the end I just got phone and internet. Did you know that you have to pay for a “Television License” to own a television!!! (This sounds as silly to me as the yearly car inspection test they made me do when I moved to North Carolina).
*Side Note 2 – To my friends who know the story, yes I still believe a car horn is only used for rude purposes and thus should not be required for the inspection and to this day I want my $80 back for the tiny little horn button I had to buy for my Saturn….stupid driving test. Sorry, off way subject…stupid TV License.

So out of spite we are not getting a television – SERIOUSLY?! a license for the TV? whatve.

3.The manager who I will be working for was explaining things so quickly I interjected “Just so you know, I have not done any XYZ’s before” – the look she gave me after this was priceless. I promise I would have taken a picture of it, if I could. I would frame it and put it on my desk so I can remember to learn everything possible and NEVER have to see that face again.

4. Out of the grace of God I was finally asked out for work happy hour – YEAH!!!! (See previous blog for the time when Anne was not invited to drinks…shortly after that she got beer spit all over her, not a good night). So, I went out for drinks with the Netherlands tax desk here and while drinking one of the Dutch gentlemen was explaining to me (for 30 minutes mind you) how AMAZING the U.S. was because there was AIR CONDITIONING EVERYWHERE! EVEN IN CARS AND SHOPPING MALLS- HOW FANTASTIC!!! (at the time, it was hysterical)

5. Also at the happy hour I was invited to (YES, I got the email, was not asked passing by, but actually got the initial email – yeah for me!!!) another Dutch girl I was talking to told me about SAMPLE SALES! I have heard about these in New York but never actually attended any – she told me there is even a website you can check for where, when, and what brands will be at the sample sale. YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - I knew there was a reason I moved here!!!

6. I did not get to see Burr too much, he returned home about 11 and I was on the couch watching desperate housewives. When he walked in the door of course I have at least a hour of talking to do, because I have not spoken to a soul in over 4 hours and I tell him about my “No you may not have this and that day at the office – ugh followed by the how long I was on the phone today attempting to set up different bills for our flat”. Burr said his work is going all right. I have a feeling that Burr just thought he would magically leave his role in Charlotte and find the same type of niche in London – but its just not going to work like that.
*Side Note 3 – I have not watched DH in at least 2 years but it was the only show that was not in another language – and yes, British English is another language – it takes so much of my concentration to actually listen to the British English shows that I cannot actually watch the show, I’m just trying to understand their accents the whole time – and I thought I moved to a country where I knew the language, oh contraire my friends! *

7. I’m super excited for this weekend!!! Which leads us to the rest of my list….

8. We move in to our flat Saturday and I have to leave early today to go meet the “Inventory Cleak” – I laughed so loud when I heard they are doing an “Inventory” of our tiny little flat what are they going to write on there? 1 bed , 4 closet doors, 5 doorknobs, approximately 117 pieces of wood that make up the wood floor! – I mean seriously.
*Side Note 4- This inventory person, probably has no idea that I used to do inventories at my time in audit at EY. Maybe I could ask him if I could join him in a “cycle count or two” (haha Crystal & Katie you better remember these days)

9. Burr’s frat. Bro’s are in town this weekend they are having “guys night Friday night” but they are letting me make the reservations for dinner on Saturday night!!! YEAH – Maybe we could all just go sit at the gelato sundae bar at Harrods for dinner – that would be hysterical…sorry no alcohol boys, but there is plenty of sugar to go around!!! (PS – No, sadly I have not actually enjoyed the gelato bar yet but I’m up to 4 times at staring at it!!!)
10. I’m most looking forward to getting on Sykpe and talking to all of you this weekend.

PS – Did you know we have Friday and Monday off? Yes, its for the Easter Holiday

Cheers!

Anne

PPS - The Cheers was for "Cheers, Anne was finally invited out for drinks with her team" - if you could not catch how elated I was the other 3 times I mentioned it!

Its Anne, Not Ian

So, apparently when I say my name hear all they hear is “IAN.”

This morning for example someone says “Hello, are you new to the desk here?” and I reply “Yes, I’m Anne Farrar its nice to meet you.” – (Pretty normal response please note).

Later in the day the same person comes up and says “Ian, I would like you to meet ____.” And I say “Its nice to meet you, and its Anne not Ian”

He says “EEEEE----AAANNNN”

I say, “No, Anne”

He says “EEEEE----AAANNNN”

I say, “No, AAAAA-NNN—NNNN-EEEE”

He says “Spelled I-A-N, right?”

UGH.

I wish I could say this is the first time this has happened, but no it was approximately number 12 in this week alone. So when I do finally spell my name out they pronounce it “Ahhhhhhhh-n”

So I guess for the next 2 years I have the choice between Ian or Ahhhn, but definitely not Anne.

Lost in the City

Well, we all knew it would happen….

Anne got LOST!!! – SHOCKER, I know! With my amazing sense of direction I cannot believe I got lost – haha. Here’s the deal:

On my 5th workday (but actually 6th day of coming to the office) I leave the flat walk to the South Kensington tube and get on as usual. I am on the crowded train listening to my ipod/half eavesdropping on 2 co-workers conversation.

*Side Note 1 – I wonder if the girl likes the guy co-worker or vice versa but I cannot tell. For some reason, I am dying to tap the girl on the shoulder and say “Do you like him? How long have you had a crush on him?” – but, thank goodness I hold myself back*

So, I’m still on the train 4 stops later getting ready to exit and the conductor comes on the loud speaker (which, btw – not so loud you seriously must strain to hear – another British thing everyone speaks so softly – I think my own voice is actually louder than the loud speaker itself) and announces “ No change at Westminster station due to due police….” WHAT?! That is the station I have to switch onto the “Jubilee line on!” – what am I supposed to do?! No¬! Please let me off – where is Burr when I need him? Waghhhhhh.

*Side Note 2 – For those peeps in KS this is equivalent to telling me the turnpike is closed and to drive home from Lawrence, now I’m sure there is another way of course I would never find it. For those in CLT, this is equivalent to telling me South Blvd, Park, Sharon, and Providence Roads from Southpark to uptown are all closed– how would I ever get to work?!” Again, I’m sure there is another way but come on – this is the only way I know – ahhhhh*

So, I’m freaking out – I keep turning and looking at all the tube maps attempting to figure out what other route will get me to work. (Given there are maps of the tube stops that are exactly the same every 2 feet but for some reason I think an answer will appear if I look all 4 within my vicinity, however it does not). So for a while I think I’ll just follow this girl I’m eavesdropping on – she looks cute and she must be going towards my office. (Now, that I write this I figure out this thought was really unintelligent, but at the time – perfect!) So, I watch as she gets off at this super random stop, with no other connecting tube stations. Thank goodness I had enough sense to not follow her off the tube. I would have to had to shop at H&M all day instead of going to work (actually I should have followed). So I keep riding until I figure out a new plan – I will exit at Monument and take the Northern line to the my stop – YEAH! I’m a genius….
Oh wait – I’m direction retarded = not genius.

So I get off at Monument and I’m looking around for my new “Northern Line” – and I keep following the signs, and following the signs, and following the signs. YIKES – I’ve reached the road – where am I?! and there are still signs – so I walk for seriously .5 miles before I reach my new stop (Whew – at least I made it! So - I go with the RUSH of people onto the train (this was really where I went wrong, again following other people). YEAH I did it, I’m thinking, just 1 stop and I’m at work…..and then I hear “ The next stop with be BLAH” – (Blah because this meant nothing to me). I’m thinking NO! WAIT - this must be my stop, I only have 1 stop left, but I cannot check the map because I’m literally kissing the glass door its so packed. So I have to wait through that stop until the next BLAH stop and I finally see a map - whew a map. So I look up and realize that I went back backwards, yes I went west (towards home) and I wanted to go east (towards work). So, infact I did get on the right train, just backwards.
I finally get off, switch trains and make it to work….

Just an hour and a half later….whew exhausted from the commute. Is it time to go home yet?!

PS- Burr - I think you need to accompany me on all rides to and from work, sound good J ??? (Actually if you could either (1) accompany me everywhere to avoid this situation or (2) just wire me with a permanent GPS – I miss my Garmin girl)

Anne's 2 days of Training

Well today I had the opportunity to learn about my companies values, strategies, etc. for the 3rd time in my career. It would be nice if I could stop moving offices and actually not have to spend an entire day listening about “People First” – ahhhh.

The most interesting thing that happened during training was there was a 10 minute video on the ART WORK in the ERNST & YOUNG office. Yes, I actually had to spend ¼ of an hour listening to an art critic go around the London office and comment on all the different pieces on the wall. Really?! If you are at work should you really be staring at the wall paintings? And….during our economic downturn should we really talk about how nice, expensive, lovely, etc. paintings we have in our office. This baffled me, but maybe I’ll actually notice a painting or two in this office. The only thing I noticed in Charlotte were all the pictures of people up on the bulletin board – does that count as art?

At the very end of my oh-so-exciting training day I got invited to this women’s networking event. I was thinking “Oh, perhaps 30 minutes of drinking wine would be nice” BUT OH NO , 2 hours later I still did not have a drop of alcohol in my body.

*Side Note – As soon as my co-workers and I made it to the event we high-tailed it to the wine, except we were told “NO WINE until the speaker is finished” – well this will make you stay at the event, FYI for all those planning events.

The event turned out to be about health and fitness. The speaker went into such disgusting detail about “non-organic meats/lean produce” I don’t think I will be able to eat another chicken sandwich ever again. The speaker also told us to basically not eat out – really?!

*Side Note 2 – This is when I started thinking about other things, such as what I was going to eat for dinner because seriously my fridge in college fit more in it then the fridge I will have for the next 2 years – it barely fits enough food for the tiny amount of food we have now (which is 6 apples, a pack of strawberries, OJ, milk, and asparagus) – no way am I packing my lunch everyday. Furthermore, I moved to LONDON – the food here in amazing and my cooking – well lets say it leaves something to be desired. So, no Mr. Exercise dude I will not not be eating out. *

Then the speaker actually made us do an entire minute of squats in full out heels

*Side Note 3- No, not everyone was wearing heels, but obviously those who were (a) got a better 1 minute workout and (b) looked cuter*

just to see what the difference was in our resting heart-rate. At this point I’m thinking “I was SO wrong in thinking I was on my way to enjoy a glass of wine instead of being subject to working out in heels!” ARGH. By the time I got out of there it was 2 hours later and I needed to rush to the store and home because it was my night to bring home dinner.

*Side Note 4 – Yes, Burr and I rotate each night going to the store and brining home dinner – see side note 2 for size of fridge and why this must occur*

*Side Note 5 – Anne, trying to be the oh-so-wonderful wife rushes through the store, and through the tubes – including going up the the LEFT side of the escalators , which means yes more working out of approximately 100 stairs(see previous blog for how upset Anne is when she is forced to physically move on MOVING STAIRS – please see the emphasis in “moving”). She arrives home throws the salmon in the pan and wonders where burr is when he calls and says “I’m staying at work for dinner” at which point I think “How in the HE#& did you find 10+ hours of a work a day in literally 3 days at work, ONLY BURR, he probably wears some sign at work “PLEASE GIVE ME WORK – OTHERWISE I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF or perhaps…”PLEASE GIVE ME WORK OTHERWISE I HAVE TO BE SUBJECT TO ANNE’S COOKING, SAVE ME!!!” - Don’t worry Lee – My cooking is not that terrible for your son – ask Anna and Sally - although it did include broccoli tonight (and no, steve I do not make your son actually eat the broccoli)

Question to Steve– Are all the Farrar men ”allergic” to cooked green vegetables or just ones named Steven?

So after dinner I’m watching my wee-tiny TV. No joke, it may be a 10 incher and nothing is on so I am subject to the move “Because I said so” – you know with Mandy Moore and Diane Keaton, normally I would love this film except it was in a different language I’m my television. (I’m still not sure what language it was in, I think maybe Russian) So, yes there was such horrible stuff on TV that I actually watched a movie in Russian – PLEASE EVERYONE join SKYPE and then log on about 4pm East Coast time so you can save me from Diane Keaton’s awful Russian accent.

Well I’m off until tomorrow….all day of IT training, waaagh

Last one to sign up for SKYPE is a rotten egg!

I used to hate that in school, "Last one is a rotten egg..." blah blah blah...so what if I was slow and I little uncoordinated?! at least I had cute clothes - haha. Burr probably loved that game being so competitive. Whatev.

Anyway, in this case you really are rotten if you do not go download SKYPE ASAP! I mean it. It took me approximately 5 minutes to get mine to work and I was so excited, I could talk, see myself in the camera, etc...all through my computer...except I had NO FRIENDS (hello work all over again). So please everyone who can go sign up for this tool. We could talk on the phone and see each other at the same time! We could even have online coffee and dinner chats - oh fun!

Here is a list of things I am dying to see:
1. Clare sleeping
2. Clare awake
3. Clare smiling
4. Clare having tummy time
5. Clare in all her cute clothes
6. Clare with parents

Johnny, that was a hint to get SKYPE ASAP or I might die of "Clare-sadness." PS - Sorry you are number#6 in my tops things I want to see, but I think this is how things may go for you for about 18 years now that Clare is here. (or longer)

Continuing my list:
7. Emmy in her wedding dress (oops, ring first dress second)
8. Maggie in wee-tiny studio apt in DC
9. Kristen with Mr. Bear
10. Kacie getting ready for her marathon - good luck
11. Nicola's house in Ohama we never got to see:-(
12. Melissa's new decor downstairs, don't worry you have time
13. Katie's house renovations - best of luck!
14. Sally's new rabbit or doggie!
15. Anna's pre-wedding pics! -super sad we won't be there


MOST OF ALL I JUST WANT TO SEE ALL THE PEOPLE WE LOVE, FACES!!! So, of course our parents would come first - Mom this means you need to get this soon:-) Steve, Lee, and Dad I have faith you can figure out how to download this very soon. (Sorry Mom I worry about you because you still cannot work the DVR without calling me).
Side Note *Extra bonus points if you can add grandparents*
Side Note #2* Mom - feel free to call and I will walk you through the download happily - ps - how is texting going?*

So download it and let's chat!

Love
Anne

PPS - You will all be happy to know I no longer smell of Heineken, only took 3 showers!

Weekend Fun

Yesterday was awesome in London. We slept in and I found a hot yoga studio while Burr went for a run. After that we walked over to Harrods food hall and just stared at all the yummy food there!

There were honestly too many people in the place to actually purchase anything. I'm still waiting on my $20 gelato sundae though! We then walked across the street picked up lunch to go and went to Hyde Park for a picnic! It was gorgeous outside, we ate lunch and listened to the Jason Mraz CD in preparation for the evening.

Yes, we went to the Jason Mraz concert last night with 5000 other Londoner's. It was really fun and surprisingly easy to get to. Tonight we are going to "Sophie's Steakhouse" with our friend Jessica, which should be fun.

Hope everyone is doing well.
Love
Anne

PS - Burr has yet to write on our blog. Everyone bombard him with emails until he complies!!!!

"You don't smell very good"

Set up of story: So after work yesterday Burr and Anne are waiting to be invited by co-workers for beers, but sadly this does not happen - since we are either (1) the newbies around the office or (2) completely unpopular

Side Note 1* I pray it is option (1) as I have not been this un-popular since middle school and I don't think my ego can take it - And I was wearing a really cute outfit yesterday *

So since neither of us are invited we decide to get drinks on our own with Anne's new co-worker, Elizabeth who is also a newbie. We have drinks and then run home to change before we go to meet Burr's fraternity brother, Ed out.

Here is where it gets interesting: Anne puts on her pretty going out clothes with cute heels, 3" mind you. Anne and Burr walk about 10 minutes to the tube

*Side note 2 - the trip might have been 15 minutes - b/c Anne is in her adorable (shout out Katie Williams - love Off Broadway) high heels and Burr is whining, as usual, that Anne is moving at a snail's pace due to said heels. *

So, we finally arrive at our train and there is 1 seat left - yeah! Anne sits down and notices the man next to her. She thinks, "He must have had a hard day" b/c he has paint all over his hands and clothes, he is holding a large Heineken in his hands, and he is slouched so low in his seat his legs are taking up 3/4 of my leg space. Anne, being nice, squeezes in and is very careful to make sure to let the man continue to have his legs in her leg space. They sit in peace for about 2 minutes and then all of the sudden there is a SHOWER OF BEER coming out of the man's mouth and projected ALL OVER ANNE. He literally just SPIT beer all over her, from her hair to her shoes. Anne sits for a moment, looks at the man and wonders if he is (1) on drugs (2) on his 30th Heineken and choaking to dealth or (3) did it on purpose - and gives him the dirtiest look she can conjure up at that time.

Side Note 3* For those of you who have had the pleasure of seeing Anne mad, you know I can make some nasty faces. He should have been scared! *

Anne immediately gets up and walks over to Burr, who did not notice the incident at all, and Anne says "Um, I just got an entire beer SPIT all over me" to which Burr's response is

"Yeah..... You don't smell very GOOD!!!"

Where are my computer keys?

Um....I knew there would be some weird changes when I moved here. Such as loo = bathroom, crisps = chips, and chips = fries but no one warned me that the English would switch my computer keys around. Today I though I was just tired when I was typing an email address and I wrote afarrar"uk.ey.com instead of afarrar@uk.ey.com, but no someone is playing with my mind!!!

This is a BAD JOKE to play on someone. Look at your keyboard (Yes, really look). Above your #2 button is there an "@" symbol? Well, not on English computers! Oh no, they have switched the "@" for the quotation mark. And a few other items. The Function key is now the key that locks my computer for the user to enter their password. So I probably entered my 55 times today alone. I feel that I should have been warned about said computer keyboard switches. Shouldn't there be a universal keyboard?

If anyone is looking for a job, I think this invention could win some sort of award!
Missing my keys....AMF

Anne's first day of work

So, have you all ever seen cubes that come waist high? Well they are ALL OVER my building. Literally everyone can see what you are you doing at any given time and vice versa. Its a very different environment.

I was given some girl named Katherine's cube today, apparently she is on maternity leave and they are short on cubes (Side Note * Yes, short waist high and short as in they have none left). My question is - what happens when "said Katherine" returns? Are we going to share the wee little waist high cube??? This shall be interesting.

The strangest thing that happened today was the man singing on the tube. The tube is packed, mind you, and this crazy man with a guitar is full out playing and singing like he is Bon Jovi - super long hair and beard and thinks he is fabulous. Every time he finishes a song (Side note * Yes, unfortunately I heard more than 1 song, 3 to be exact) he looks around waiting for applause. Now you would think on a tube where you cannot move someone would get mad that the guitar singing wannabe is taking up space but no one seems to mind? How very strange.

The other interesting thing I saw was SKINNY on STREETS, LARGE and IN CHARGE at the gym. What does this mean exactly? Well....you will notice that every Londoner is tiny! They walk everywhere and eat 80% bread at every meal so they are super skinny (Side note = don't ask me about the full carb diet - it appears to work here). Then I go to take a tour of a gym and every single girl working out is overweight, what?! Yes, every treadmill, bike, stairmaster, etc. is taken up by a larger person. So, I am now distraught. Why join a gym when I could walk all day and survive on mostly bread? This whole dilemma is just confusing. Any thoughts?

Shout out - HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE

Steve /D -
We hope you have a great rest of your birthday ! We ate some cadburry chocolate easter eggs to celebrate for you :-)

Love you,
Anne / B

HH Love = Hyde Park & Harrods

To all our CFAB friends out there, no HH is not Happy Hollow - they are Anne's 2 favorite new places in London!!

Today, instead of working I took a walk in Hyde Park. Its about the most adorable thing I've ever seen. The flowers are HUGE and pretty, there are a million little soccer teams out playing with these miniature little 3 year old boys speaking in British accents running around the field. Or you could just take your lunch and eat in this huge park, or go see Prince Albert's gi-nor-mo statue.

In addition on each side of Hyde Park are all these amazing shops, including Whole Foods - one of my favs, 2 different H&M's, and Zara's followed by Harrods.

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit I spent most of my time looking at the HUGE selection of foods in Harrods. You can have a 12 GBP (British pounds) sundae, or sit at the sushi bar, or get a hot lunch, or go get the prettiest chocolate Easter egg, what about the Thai bar and Chinese food takeout menu - literally I could go on for days.

If there was any way I could get these HUGE Easter eggs to all of you, I would. You have to see it. Its a chocolate Easter egg the size of me that is 600 GBP, its amazing. And all these painted eggs too!

I heart H&H.

Identity Crisis

So...in London your washer is your dryer and your dryer is your washer. Confused? So is our dryer. Apparently there is 1 machine that does both the washing and the drying. Sounds great right?! Put it in dirty, comes out clean and dry. WRONG.

Apparently dryer's in the UK have identity crisis because our dryer really wishes it could be a washer because it sure doesn't dry anything!

Literally, our clothes will come out "burning our hands" hot after 3 full hours in the "dryer" and be SOAKING WET.

So in addition to the wee tiny apartment are mounds of clothes on hangers, chairs, couches, doors, etc. attempting to "air dry" - I would take a picture but I'm too embarrassed we will end up on the TLC show about getting your fithy house clean.

Here's to hoping we get a place with an "identity crisis free" washer and dryer.
MOAH - Anne

Scratch that...Burr starts today. Anne sent home.

Hello friends and family!
Brief synopsis of Working Day 1:
6:30 am - alarm goes off - Anne and Burr get ready for work in wee tiny apt
7:35ish - Anne and Burr leave to walk to tube, get on tube, switch tubes, etc.

*Side note - Burr gets on "left" side of escalator in tube station with Anne following and Anne has to walk up 100 moving stairs - HELLO! This is what MOVING STAIRS are for? So you don't actually walk up them, hopefully we will not make that mistake again*

8:30ish (ish is because we have no phones, no blackberry's, and no watches) - Burr finds wireless at the Hilton across from EY office and waits for Anne because EY needs Burr's passport at 8:45 and PwC needs Burr's passport at 10am

*Side note #2 - We note the tube is really busy and Burr is sweating quite a bit from the gazillion people and gazillion stairs we just climbed (see side note #1)

8:45 - Anne checks in at EY office.

*Side note #3 - While waiting in the lobby of the super swanky EY office Anne checks out every person's outfit/shoes to make sure she is in place. The best person to speak of was the guy who came in all sweaty with super short bike shorts and a workout top on, I hope there are showers at EY otherwise I'd hate to have him as my cube-mate.

9am - Anne is greeted by EY HR person. Anne sees her cube, Anne notices that all the cubes come to waist high and everyone in the office can see you, including all the partners

9:30am - Anne speaks to head of HR US, apparently no one was expecting me to work today - GO HOME and maybe come back tomorrow, maybe the next day = yikes.

9:45am - HR person says there is a large riot that is going to happen about 11am right at my tube station and I better leave ASAP!

*Side note #4 - HR person says "Didn't you notice that no one was on the tube and it was not busy in the city, everyone is working from home because Obama is in town" Anne thinks to herself - "It was NOT busy today?!?!?! - oh my gosh I'm really in for it and I'm going to be stuck on the left side of the escalators for 2 years! ahhh"

11am - Anne is home and attempts to figure out how to work the Internet

*Side note #5 - Internet costs about $2/minute so please feel free to write personal emails to farraranne@gmail.com or steven.b.farrar@us.pwc.com but do not expect a response:-)

Wish me luck that I get to STAND on the right side of the escalators tomorrow! That is, if I return to work.
XOXO