The cost of convenience

I have discovered one thing about Mauritius so far... It's not America. :-) Profound, I know.

This Christmas I took up the task of cooking a traditional American Christmas dinner in another country. Now, last year, I did this to a certain degree in England, but it's certainly not the same task in Mauritius. There are so many ingredients that are readily available in America that simply aren't sitting on the shelf of my local grocery store. Examples you say? Cream of anything soup in a can. Now, they do have cream of chicken soup, but it's a dried soup in an envelope. Not quite the same thing. Other examples? Certain seasonings like sage and thyme. There is certainly no "Stove Top" stuffing on the shelf. No canned cranberries... No "Pillsbury" crescent rolls in the whole place. Hmm... What's a girl to do? As it turns out, I was able to find another stuffing mix made by the lovely Paxo, and I am very thankful to them for this. I bought rolls to avoid any yeast disasters, and I used yogurt to give a creamy texture to my dried soup mix... In the end, it was a really yummy dinner complete with lemon pepper chicken (the first chicken I have ever baked in my life) and creamy mashed potatoes with chives.

I realized after this experience and a week of cooking meals in Mauritius, that I am simply a lazy cook. I am used to buying packets and mixes and already made ingredients that I simply reheat and voila. Here these things simply don't exist. Want Mexican? You have to mix your own taco seasoning and your own tortillas. Want spaghetti? You must make your own marinara (which I am proud to say I have mastered already). Things just aren't as "convenient" here... Food takes time. Maybe that's why they drink so much tea here... You have to fill up on something.

Now, please don't get the wrong impression. There are larger supermarkets in other places on the island. I have a feeling that a place called "Shoprite Hyper" will be one of my new favorite places... But these types of stores are much farther away and generally are more expensive than the local "Winners" supermarket. My husband will likely be taking me on dates to our fancy up class supermarket so that I can get some of my lazy conveniences, but as a whole things are taking a different shape here.

On one hand, I am proud of myself and the ingenuity I have come up with already. I am also proud of the good cooking I have been doing. (At least I think it's good). I even made a yummy curry the other night... I guess I just realize what a spoiled American I am.

I have been reading a book set in the 1800's recently and I can't help but be enticed by the "simple life". Working with your hands from sunup to sundown to supply your basic subsistence. There is something so romantic about it, at least in books, but now that I can see a bit more clearly how that really looks, I think I'll keep my washing machine and electric oven. Not to mention, the microwave we are planning to buy on Saturday. :-)

For you Americans reading this blog, hug your appliances. Eat some hamburger helper for me and thank people like Betty Crocker, Uncle Ben, Chef Boyardee, and Aunt Jemima. Convenience never tasted so good.

A long time coming

I know that it's been forever since I have written. What can I say? Getting married got me a little busy. Now the dust is beginning to settle in my new home. I suppose I'm gonna try to do this blogging thing more regularly. Perhaps I can get some motivation from fellow bloggers who do a better job. In fact, I am recently inspired by the movie, "Julie and Julia" that I watched on the plane ride here. In addition, I stumbled across the blog of another expat living in Mauritius. She is from Minnesota and though I know nothing about her, I enjoy reading what she has to say. I can certainly understand her "American" view of things. :-)

With that said, here I go... So far, we have mostly gotten our apartment settled. There are still a few small things here and there, but nothing we can't live without... We also have the ever present list of "like to haves". These are the things we can't justify spending money on right now, but we'll keep them on the list until we either decide we truly don't need them, or simply don't want them anymore. Only the most lucky items will ultimately be acquired...

Right now I am working from the hubby's parents house. It will take a couple of weeks to get the phone and Internet lines transferred to our flat. The fact that it's Christmas time doesn't help either, because people will be on holiday. Not to mention speed in customer service isn't a priority here, so they will get to it when they get to it... Tonight we are going to discuss acquiring mobile broadband to allow me to work from home sooner and also to keep as a back up for days when the electricity goes out. No electricity = no modem = no internet. Ah, the joys of island living.

In an unrelated topic, Christmas is on Friday. How can that be? I'm wearing shorts and flip flops... I guess the closest thing to a White Christmas that I will be having will be the one I share with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. I won't be eating turkey or stuffing, likely instead I will be eating curry or biryani... But I am convinced that after Jesus, I've gotten the best gift... a truly wonderful husband. I don't mind giving up snow and turkey if it means being with someone who truly loves me. I wouldn't trade him for all the stuffing or crescent rolls in the world. :-)

Okay... the randomness is over. Merry Christmas

I know... I am terrible at this blogging thing

So, life has been busy and I have been a bad blogger...

Lots has happened since I last wrote.

I have been to Mauritius to see my future home and meet the future in-laws. I have celebrated a birthday. I have seen "Oliver" with Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) staring as Fagin with my mom and brother. I have queued at Wimbledon, and watch a men's doubles match. I have ordered a wedding dress and invitations for the big day... Wow, that's a lot of good stuff.

I have also struggled with being here in London, when everything I love is somewhere else. Out of this struggle, the Lord has shown me several things. The one thing that stands out concerns the fruit of the Spirit. If someone were to characterize your life, would they use words like, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control? I am not talking about your friends or the people that are easy to be with... I am talking about your co-workers, your families, and the people who really get under your skin. What would they say? I have to admit that if I am honest the words they would use would probably be something along the lines of moody, impatient, frustrated, and quick tempered. That is not good fruit.

So... what kind of fruit are you producing?

Driving...

In just 11 days, I will be packing up and making a trip back to the U.S. There are several things that I am looking forward to about this trip... In fact, I was just day dreaming about them today. A suprising thing to you may be that I am really looking foward to driving...

Because I have been here in England for a year now, I have found myself living without a car for about a year now... I have had the opportunity to drive on my two prior visits home and I had about a week that I drove here in England. Unfortunately, when my colleague went back to the U.S. the car became an un-necessary expense. Fair enough...

Anyway- sitting here today at work, daydreaming about my trip, I began to think of driving with the windows down and the spring air filling the car... listening to the radio and letting my hair go wild. I REALLY miss that. Most trains don't have windows and the windows that they do have are not condusive to this kind of feeling... I've been missing out. :)

Now my mind is continuing... the last time I road in a car was January when Yvan rented a car for us... before that, I literally can't remember. Car rides are so few and far between that I don't know... For a country like the U.S. that has mostly been built around the automobile, this may be hard to imagine, but for a country like England that was primarily built before cars, this is not an unusual thought...

So finally, I come round full circle and think again about my trip home...

A few things I am really looking forward to:
Seeing family and friends (including meeting Baby Girl Harless)
Eating Mexican food
Shopping at Target
Sonic drinks
American T.V.
Knowing that when I come back I only have 11 days before leaving for Mauritius
Taking care of my taxes (getting my return processed)
Finding people who would not pronounce Toucester the same way we pronounce "toaster"
And you got it... driving :)

Swan Lake

I am sorry. I know it has been a while since I have written. Life for the past few weeks has been quite busy.

Spring is coming to England and it is welcome change. The sun is rising earlier and staying out later. Not that you really get to see the sun, due to the clouds, but at least there is light in the sky... Everywhere you go, there are daffodils and other flowers blooming. I noticed this morning that even some of the flowering trees are beginning to bloom. It doesn't get as cold here as I am used to, so the grass stays green all winter long and most flowers are safe to stay outside. If there is frost, it's usually not too heavy. At any rate, I am enjoying the changing of the season and am thankful that the longer days of summer are on their way.

Last night, I was able to see the Royal Ballet present Swan Lake. I found a ticket online for 10 pounds and decided that I could not pass up the opportunity... I knew in advance that the ticket would be for a standing only seat and that the view wouldn't be very good. Despite these things, it was worth going. The music and dancing were wonderful. I am really thankful for the opportunities I have had to see live productions of some of my favorite things...

I am also thankful that the Lord has given me the personality that he has. I don't mind doing things by myself... Last night I left work and had a nice dinner before the ballet and then attended the event alone. A lot of people would quickly pass up the option of doing these kinds of things knowing that they had to do them solo, but I am thankful for a my adventurous disposition that doesn't mind trying something new. I think that Lord has really blessed me by letting me do some of these things here in England.

Well, I guess that's all. I could easily sum up the rest of my life by saying three words, work, reading and commuting. They seem to be how I spend the bulk of my time. Hope things are going well in your neck of the woods.

Lots going on

It's been a while since I have posted a blog and for you regular readers, I apologize. I suppose that if you read this regularly, you already know what has been going on with me for the past month I have been absent. During this time I got engaged and am now planning a wedding for April of 2010. He's wonderful and we are both so excited. I guess that sums it up!

The Shack

If you know me, you know that I am not one to get on a bandwagon. Music, a book, a movie... whatever it is, I tend to avoid things that everyone else finds "Amazing" and "Wonderful"... Even to this day, I have not seen the movie, "Titanic"... Too much hype.

While I was at home in October, several friends recommended that I read "The Shack". I was reluctant at first because it was the new "Christian book" that needed to be read. I don't really get into those things... "The Prayer of Jabez", "The Purpose Driven (insert word here)", the latest book by Joel what's his name.... These are certainly not books that have made their way into my library, because I generally find they are full of hype and a 5 step plan. What is interesting is that I don't really feel like God works that way. I don't think that God creates recipes and formulas for spiritual life. He calls us to respond to his Spirit. I don't believe that looks the same for every person. If it did, I am sure he would have written these formulas himself and he would have published them in the Bible. A 5 step plan for everything...

Ironically, I used to work at a Christian bookstore, so I always knew what the latest "must read" book was. As I got recommendations for this book, I was certain it was just another of these books.... I couldn't have been more wrong.

If you are reading this blog, you need to read this book. It is beautiful. It speaks truth in such a sweet way. It is a fictional novel, not something that only a deep theological mind, or "good Christian" can understand. It challenges some of the things that we think about God, but might be too cowardly to express. It is a good reminder of the true character of God.

If you can't afford a copy for yourself, I will be happy to purchase one for you. That is how much you need to read it... Don't take my word for it. Read if for yourself.

Unexpected places

Sometimes the Lord speaks to us from unexpected places... I am sure that this is no surprise, or certainly it shouldn't be a surprise, but today I was blessed in this way. Let me tell you about it.

It all started with an email...
Here in the UK I can literally count all of my friends on one hand. Don't take the opportunity to feel sorry for me. I am okay with that. :-) The odd thing is, none of these friends are Christians. They all know that I am a religious person and that I believe in the Bible and in going to church etc... I have one friend, Sanette, who is South African. Her mother is a believer, but from what I understand from Sanette, she is really intense and judgemental about her religion... No room for fault in others. Sanette herself has said that she sees me differently because I am not judgemental of others. At any rate, this past week Sanette sent me an email about the clip below.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

The email contained a link to listen to this real radio call in from a 13 year old boy in Nebraska... Let me preface this by telling you that I have been feeling a bit lonely the past couple of days and really missing all of my Christian friends and family back home... I have really missed having encouragement from Christian people...

Listening to this young boy explain that God understands how we feel really spoke to me. And from all places, this message came via a non-believing friend. Isn't it amazing how God works?

I really feel like God is working in Sanette's life right now and I am praying that I will have more opportunities to share with her about my faith. Anyway- just be reminded that God can speak to you from unexpected places... just when you need it most. God gives you just what you need when you need it. He can give me words of encouragement through non-believing friends, just like he can through those who believe... That's just awesome.

Extension...

If you have not already heard, I believe I will be extending my term here for a further 6 months. This should bring me up through September of 2009. Ironically, this is when my work permit expires. Coincidence??? I think not. There are still some outstanding details so this isn't carved in stone, but it is pretty much a done deal. Hopefully as a part of staying longer, I will be moving a little closer to the city. Not because I really like the busyness and hustle and bustle, but because it will make my commute considerably shorter... We will see how all of the details work out. Hopefully this will give some folks a chance to come visit, or perhaps come again... Although, in this economy travelling is not the first thing on everyone's minds.

Anyway- That's the latest on me. I'll be sure to give an update soon.

Christmas with Sarah

This year for Christmas, my friend Sarah came to visit me. I am so glad she did. Otherwise I would have been a sad sack. :-) We did everything there is to do, and then more. We saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tate Modern Museum of Art, The Tower of London, the British Museum, the National Gallery, two West End Shows, Brick Lane, Chinatown, the Portobello Road Market, the Camden Market, Lloyd's of London, Fuzzy's Grub (my favorite breakfast hot spot) and lots of Starbucks and other cafe's. We also went to Oxford one day and did a self-guided tour. It was pretty fun. Don't worry we had plenty of time to goof off and do nothing too. Not to mention the food. We had Thai, Chinese, Nepalese, Indian, Italian, Mediteranean... You name it, we tried it. :-)

This will certainly be a Christmas to remember...

Wish you could have come too...