resolution inspiration #3

and now to help me with my third resolution, jacqueanne, one of my england girls and friend i think of more like a sister. we sure miss you jac. thanks for being my final guest blogger.

3 Reasons I <3 the UK

1. Public Transport: it's reliable, consistent and easy to use it. Everyone uses it, the rich the poor and those of us in the middle. Every morning I take two trains and buses to work. People from all walks of life travel with me and bonus I've made some British friends on my way to work. It's clean and convenient, also I can get loads of work done while I rock out to my Ipod, what's not to love?

2. Tea: I'm a school teacher and we have tea break twice daily. There are about 20 different kinds of tea as well as coffee and hot choc in our staff room. A tea cup is essential for people here. It's a real part of their culture. No matter where you go, Starbucks, Costa, a random trolley in the train station about 90% of the people are ordering tea. Then there are really posh teas where you go with your mates and have a proper cream tea. Each person selects a tea they bring you the tea in fine bone china tea pots and cups. The cream comes in the scones they bring with it, cut in half spread with jam and loads of freshly whipped cream, no sugar added - lovely! Even if you're just having a tea at your house there is decorum, you serve it with biscuits, round sweet crackers often topped with chocolate, caramel, etc. They are called savoury biscuits and there is an entire aisle at the grocery store devoted to the biscuits. Last but not least they have electric kettles to make tea making tea easier than ever. You feel this pitcher container with water, set it on it's base and in under a minute it boils the water for you and turns itself off. I'm addicted I've had tea everyday since I moved here. It's irresistible.

3. Brave Fashion Choices: First of all I don't live in London, I live south on the coast in a city called Brighton. So although this does apply to London it also applies to the people I see in my city and those along the way. Every where I go it's brightly colored tights, high boots, skinny jeans, flashy mini boots in all colors, braids in the hair, faux fur coats (beautiful not trashy), funky hats, gorgeous scarves, uber preppy stripes and plaid. Often I feel as if I've stepped into an add for British gossip girl. And that's just the girls. The boys where clothes much more fitted without looking punk rock. They take pride in their appearances: lovely sweaters, jeans that are much more fitted and nicer, less t shirts, more shine. This also applies to people of all ages 5 year olds in gorgeous pea coats and wellies, 50 year olds in short boots and daring jackets. Most days I feel that I could run a fashion magazine with snapshots of the styles I encounter. People are just generally more fashion aware and brave. It doesn't always work out for them, but most of the time they look pretty great and I find myself being a bit braver.