Ewwwww & I want a smoke break!

So, yesterday was not the best day ever. First I got up early to go to the gym and went to boot camp class, after a night with a little too much wine – so not a good a idea. (And today I can barely laugh my abs hurt to badly). Also, bad because work has been very busy due to several tax returns, but it will lighten up soon! Well it got really bad due to an extremely icky moment….. So, here in the UK you have a card for everything. Meaning I need card (like a credit card) to….
1. Go the Gym 2. Get on and off the tube 3. Get into the office 4. Go the bathroom in the office 4. Go downstairs or basically more than 10 feet outside of my cube 5. Go to the atm 6. credit card 7. library card 8. my boots and harrods reward cards. So that is like 9 cards that I have on me at all times, literally. Usually I carry them around in this cute little coach credit card holder that my mom got me. Thanks Mom!

So yesterday, being a usual busy busy day at work I grab my wallet/credit card case and rush off to the ladies room for my 15 second break of the afternoon *

*Side Note 1- Sometimes I wish I was a smoker just so I could get 15 minute breaks every hour! I mean seriously, if you smoke you get breaks constantly. It’s just not fair. I think there should be choices like (a) if you don’t smoke and want to leave an hour earlier than the smokers feel free or (b) If you want to bring your dog to work and take him out every hour that would be fine or (c) if you want to putts around with your time (i.e. reading celebrity gossip online for 15 min. every hour that would be ok, but no – all us non-smokers attempting to save our lungs get nothing!
*Side note 2 – I just thought of something, maybe I could go outside with all the smokers but instead bring my book that I read on the tube! Do you think I would get funny looks from all the smokers just standing there reading? No ciggy to light J Maybe I shall try it next week and let you know how it goes.

Anyway, I’m rushing closing the door the bathroom when suddenly my card wallet has jumped out my hand and then….AHHHHH the wallet is in the bowl, yes that bowl, it was clean but still!!! EWWWW I think “What do I do?”, “Can I order all new cards?” “What about the £20 that was in there?” “I wonder if the bathroom cleaner lady would get it for me?” Well, I think Burr would kill me if I just left it!!! So…yes I spent the next 15 minutes (i.e. my smoke break) scrubbing every credit card, pound, and other item violently with antibacterial soap in the ladies. At this point the co-worker I don’t love walks in and says “What in the world are you doing????” To which I respond “You don’t want to know!!!!” REALLY, you DO NOT want to know.

So – really you guys did not need to know that, but this is what life in London brings you. Maybe I will start wearing one of those lanyards around my neck like this guy at work, it could be a cute accessory. Burr/Kacie/Batten/Mike/CFAB - remember those name tags at camp we had to wear at all times? We would make fancy ones (or Kacie would make one for me since I cannot make anything) – it could be like that – I could start a fashion trend!) Everyone must wear your name tag/lanyard at all times.

Well today is going to be better. I’m going to the market over lunch to pick up some fresh items for the MEXICAN FIESTA we are having at the Iliff’s tonight. I am very excited. The online grocery even sells Jose Cuervo online and the margarita mix – amazing! So that is going to be fabulous.

I really have not seen Burr in a while, last night he had a PwC sports night or something but since its London it was pouring rain and Burr said they ended up soaking wet at the pub instead – go figure?! You will have to ask him about it.

Miss you guys
Lots of Love (and cleanliness sent to you all)
Anne

PS - Don’t worry I have changed wallets and am now carrying my wrislet everywhere.

Comments

Where are all the comments? I posted like 3 blogs last night and I still have zero comments,, come on people! I like the feedback I get from these!

Tonight I went to one of the best Italian places in the city, Ripe Tomato - its in Notting Hill does not have a website and only takes cash! I mean you know its good when that happens, right?! My friend Joanna and i went while Burr went out to dinner with Ed. Don't worry I will see Ed on Friday night! Joanna, her husband, our friend Rachel, Ed and Burr are all having a Mexican feast! Of course we have to prepare everything from scratch - ahhhh, but it will be fun!

Wednesday at work is always rough. I mean I'm glad its Wednesday but right now at work I actually have to think about whether I not I can take 60 seconds to go to the ladies (aka - toilet in UK) so Wednesday to me means that I only have 2 days to get everything done before the weekend. Good news about the UK - no one works on the weekends, well some people work a little but its much more rare to work on the weekends here - which works out nicely for us since we like to travel.

Which bring me to....the next subject. Does anyone have any fabulous places in and around Europe you have been to that you think burr and I should go to? Please email us if you do - we would love to hear some fabulous ideas!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Day!
Anne

PS - Its WAY harder to type after a couple glasses of wine!

Pics from Mom and Nana's visit - Thanks for coming!

Here are a few pictures that are my favorite from My Mom and Nana visiting....

This one is from when we got moved to the box seats for Billy Elliot - totally amazing.

This is Burr, Nana and Mom in the rose garden.

Notting Hill Market. (I thought I would be happy if I never had to see another anique piece of silver again!)
On the river boat

Mom and Nana in the tube station! I was so proud of Nana getting on the tube. She is amazing.

Hope you enjoy!

PS - Mrs. Mangan - all these extra pictures are for your viewing enjoyment since you have requested lots more pictures! I do hope you enjoy them.

PPS - This is my all time favorite pic of my Grandma, isn't she pretty for 82!!!

Who wants to visit us?

Isn't this picture hilarious? Burr and I look so uncomfortable and so does the guard!! We were thinking it could be our xmas card, but really? Hello white tennis shoes Anne! = Terrible. This pic was taken when Melissa and Nicola were in town. We went to Windsor Castle for the day....and you could too!!! .....

Now we have a few more visitors coming:

Mom/David in Scotland, October

Katie/Katie's Mom/Drew, October

Brooke/Ayden, November Italy

Dad, November

Steve/Lee/Batten , December

Chris, June(ish)

I am so excited! Its really fun to be in a place where everyone comes to see you:-) Those of you who have not made it over here, come on and tell me when you are coming so we can get it on our calendars!! Burr and I are trying to take serious advantage of all the traveling that can be done while we are here! Or we can meet you somewhere around Europe -that is fun too!

If you are worried about a place to stay don't worry - you can stay on our little couch (it pulls out into a double) - See on the right of the picture -

Oh, but bring (1) those blinder things b/c it gets light early (2) heavy duty ear plugs and (3) wheat thins & toostie pops - mainly because that is what I would like to snack on right now *

*Subject to change

Well as you can see I majored in marketing and advertising and I now that all of you want to come visit us I will take emails one at a time. (Don't rush now)

Miss everyone

Anne

PS - Chris Littlejohn, Burr said you were coming for 2 weeks next summer, yeah!! And since I've written it on the blog you have to come now :-)

Cheers!

No, not cheers let's drink - Cheers (London style). I still have not quite been able to come up with an exact definition b/c people use it when
1. You open a door for them
2. Answer a question for them
3. Bump into them in the hallway
4. Get out of a cab
5. Many many more

So what is the defn. then? I don't know - it must be some universal word or something. But, I tell you what....those 7 books I read on England before I arrived not a one of them said ANYTHING about this universal word and I want it documented that all these books missed the word used most commonly here! I have not started saying it yet, but Burr has. Burr has also started saying 'bits' a lot as well. Bits and Pieces is a phrse people use constantly, for instance "I am going to the store to pick up bits and pieces for dinner" - "There are various other bits I need to work out in this memo" - I mean, I think I get that bits = parts, but why?

So the past 2 days have been great. I got home by 9pm and actually ate dinner at home - this is HUGE progress for me not to be eating dinner at work - yeah! I think I have come to realize if I leave at 9pm or 11pm I will still have an enormous amount of work to do the next day and I am a much happier person when I sleep*

*And eat at home, and don't have to clean....and a few other little things

Last night I was able to watch the last episode from season 1 of 90210. (Don't even lie - you know you watch it!) I mean I realize its a terrible show, but the definition of television is entertainment so its for sure entertaining to me! So full of drama, love it.

Last night I went to this workout class called "Body Attack" where you basically just jump around the room with a crazy happy instructor until you have burned enough calories to fall over. I could not stop laughing when the class started b/c (1) the instructor had the most fake smile I have ever seen plastered on her face while yelling"Now run! high kneees! and (2) I could not understand a word she was saying. It was really hard when I first got here and took workout classes b/c everyone's accent - I would just stare at the instructor b/c I was so confused but it got better and now I'm only a couple beats behind the music, not 10....but this girl was smiling so hard I really could not understand her at all. So after 25 min. of a 60 min class I went to the elliptical, where technically I understand but I'm still not sure what I weigh in kg's. It just seems odd to weigh less than 70 of anything you know?

Well I should be off to bed (Don't I sound so British?) haha
XXOO
Anne

Monogram's on the wood floors

This weekend in addition to the Notting Hill, TV, dinner, etc. Burr and I got tickets to view the state rooms at Buckingham Palace. These rooms are only open to the public for a couple months during the summertime. So we took advantage. They gave us those audio head sets when you walk in and for me are a MUST. Otherwise I just wander around with no idea what I'm looking at. Some of the rooms were absolutely amazing. My favorite might have been being able to see the Queen's amazing wardrobe she wore to different countries. Very cool. The other amazing thing was Princess Victoria re-decorated a couple rooms at the Palace and she came up with the idea of "branding" her monogram into the wood floors. It was so cool. She even had it above the pictures frames and doorways. but the floors were the best. I told Burr when we move back I want a big AMF pasted all over the wood floors - wouldn't that be awesome?!

Here is a pic of Burr and me on the grounds at the Palace yesterday

Ugh, tomorrow is Monday which means we have to go to work again. Why can't I just live in London and not have to work? I like the traveling, etc.!

So...big news. Burr and I booked our big anniversary/big trip of the year. We are going to Split, Croatia and also Hrav, Croatia for a couple days as well! I'm SO excited. We love the beach and resorts so this will be perfect for us! http://www.hvarinfo.com/ is the website in case you want to look at pics of where we are going to. Yeah for us. We are also in the midst of booking other trips including (1) Durham to visit my sorority sister, Barb Karl-Hasty for the weekend and (2) Venice - where Brooke and Ayden Meyer are coming for vacation. They are actually doing all of Italy and Burr and I are just meeting them for a couple days. If anyone else is going anywhere in Europe let us know we would love to meet you somewhere.

Hope all is well

Anne (and Burr)

Have you missed us!?

Well we hope so! Lots has happened since we last wrote...I will only tell you the interesting things, Burr can tell you the rest!

A couple weekends ago we went out to dinner with David and Joanna Iliff, some of our American friends here - we went to Wodka (no friends, I did not misspell Vodka) but this was a Russian place where every flavor of infused vodka was on the "wine list" by the carafe. Burr and David proceeded to share a carafe while the girls stuck with wine! Here is a pic of the girls -

We also had a friend of Burr's friend Natalie, from UVa, stay with us for the night. She had an 18 hour layover in Heathrow coming back from her internship in Kenya. Now, Kenya was cool to hear about...but an 18 hour layover!! I mean airlines are you kidding me?! Now wonder people stink on airplanes. On my last 8 hour plane ride a couple weeks ago I sat by the smelliest man ever! I mean seriously every time he lifted his arm I wanted to gag it was terrible. I almost said something to him, but I did not have the heart. I feel terrible for whoever had to sit next to him on the ride home! Back to Natalie, here is a picture of her and her adorable tablecloth she brought us from Kenya - amazing!

This past weekend we went to dinner with our friends the Kents and Carvajal's at this amazing French place. I loved it! Saturday we did lots - Notting Hill market followed by a stop over next to Elle McPherson's house where Burr's co-worker resides. She and her bf* had 3 tv's and that was just one too many for them so they gave us a TV. Yes, looks like we are getting a TV!

*Side note 1 - bf = boyfriend, bff= best friends forever. Please memorize these acronyms for future blog readings :-) MUAH

Burr had to take a picture for his CV this week. (CV = resume here, yes new words for everything!) These 2 were the funniest looking to me and I thought you would enjoy them - ha! Luv ya - Don't worry he took a good one for the actual CV, which apparently gets sent out for proposals or something. EY did not ask for my picture - do you think that is a bad sign!? j/k

Doesn't Burr look funny in these? The right one he is saying "Its 7:30am, I slept with ear plugs in b/c our flat is SO LOUD, and this is the fake-est smile I can conjure up right now- hurry up and take the pic" Then I think the left one he is making his day's to-do list in his head. Yes, did you know Burr LOVES his to-do lists!!!

Well that is all for now. Miss everyone. Hugs and Kisses, the Farrars *

*Technically, I should not sign this "the Farrars" b/c its highly doubtful Burr would make fun of his pics. So, Hugs and Kisses, Anne

MUAH

Strange List

I see some strange things here in the London :

1. The other day coming out of the gym I saw these tourists, Chinese to be exact, with cameras around their neck and they were taking pictures of everything (TRUE STORY) including the sign that read "Fire door, keep shut" ...now what in the heck do you need a picture of that for?! I mean, Melissa Mangan takes pictures of signs like nobody's business but at least they are relevant, like our street sign or something not the fire door!

2. Girls carrying around fabulous bags but look like they should be wearing a bag too! I mean they don't even try to look nice...there hair is all messed up, no makeout, clothes are baggy and don't match and then BLING...there is the biggest new LV* you have ever seen on their arm. I mean given their rating went from like a 1 to 5 by just carrying the bag, but at least try!

*Side note 1 - LV = Louis Vuitton, if you did not know please peruse around their website and become familiar with Anne's Favorite Things xoxo

3. Polos at the gym. Yep that is right its completely normal to sport a "popped collar" while huffing it on the treadmill. Is this strange or what? I wonder what people would say if I walked in to the Y in Charlotte with gym shorts and pink lacoste shirt, collar up. These people are really rocking the look

4. People saying things like "And he did not even query it!"...I'm so used to words like query (question), queue (line), lift (elevator) that I barely even notice them anymore. But I should confess when I was trying to make my magnificent fajitas I need cilantro and it was no one to be found, I asked the store guy and I just stared at me and said " I have no idea what you are talking about" - now this is a usual response when talking to burr, or in my case blabbing about nothing, but not from the grocery store man! I wandered around spelling all these green things that looked like cilantro until a woman finally said "Daaahhhhlling...its coriander here" - oh well they should label these things!

That is enough strange things for now, do you think its odd that last week I spent 3 full days eating breakfest, lunch, and dinner at work! And I did it again yesterday. Wish me luck today!

I want to play Quiditch!

Yes that is right. I think it would be so fun to fly around on little Harry Potter brooms and play Quiditch on the weekends! So, if you cannot tell Burr and I went to Harry Potter on Friday night. It was our first time at "the cinema" here in London. The theatres are straight out of circa-1983 - really old school but it was still fine. Burr and I had to sneak dinner into the movie theatre b/c we did not have time to go beforehand and I found the funniest thing of the evening to be when Burr get getting mad at me for eating my salad (Yeah, yeah I got a salad to bring in the movies -whatever!) but he was saying "Can't you just wait till the lights go down!" over and over again....he was so worried we were going to get kicked out of the movies!!! Its unbelievable what a "rule follower" Burr is - its totally cracks me up, which of course makes him even more mad - haha!
Saturday morning we both really wanted french toast but of course nothing is easy here, so I had to get my bookbag and walk to the store. I got this delicious apple sourdough bread and then I had to by syrup and you know in the states there are like at least 20 kinds of syrup...well of course I always buy low sugar or sugar-free, much to Burr's dismay, but here there are only 2 kinds - yep a No.1 or 2 - meaning how concentrated - so strange and get this....it is £5 a bottle!!! Yes, that is basically $8 for a thing of syrup - are you kidding me people?! Out of control. Anyway, breakfast was fantastic about an hour and half later!
Saturday night we went to dinner with Joanna and David Iliff at this Russian place. It was very good and the night got quite interesting when the boys began to share a half carafe of infused vodka. They had all sorts of flavors - delicious!
Sunday Burr and I were both cursing our firms as we spent HOURS trying to find somewhere to invest money that kept us both independent. This is the only time in our lives we wish Deloitte and KPMG had more audit clients....it was rough...but we got through it. I have to say I made delicious fajitas for dinner and I cannot WAIT to have mexican food when I'm back in the states:-) And a filet....yum!
Miss you all
XOXO
Anne

Scruncies (sp?!)

I do not know how to spell Shruncy, is it Scruncie or Shcrunchie?? Its confusing and Microsoft Word does not recognize it as a word (how sad is that I tried to look it up!)....anyway

Do you all remember that episode from SATC about how NY woman don't where scruncies? *

*Side Note 1 - For those who don't know SATC is Sex and The City and the fact I had to tell you that is sad
** Side Note 2 - If you have not seen the scruncie episode its a good one you're missing out - I think its season 5.

Well I cannot determine if its London people that do where scruncies or foreigners, or bad American dressers, but they are EVERYWHERE! Its like the are haunting me. I mean I cannot help but notice when there is a large pink blob on the back of your head holding your ponytail in place. I stare at the women who wear these trying to figure out (1) where are you from? (2) did you save that from like 1990 when they were still cool? and if so, you must be really organized (3) why in the world do you think that looks good on your head?

All these concepts really baffle me and I would most like to ask these women if they are in fact from London so I can please start to generalize "London women wear scruncies" but I think its probably just tourists who keep their 1990 scruncies next to their 1985 fanny pack, super cool high white socks, leggings, and baggy sweaters! I know... I know...you want pictures - next time I hope to have my camera with me to document the evidence. In the meantime, enjoy cities where sruncies are banned:-)
Later Alligators
Anne