Sweet Southern Sounds

A few weeks ago, my coworker Hannah turned to me when I finished a phone call and said, "You're starting to sound more like us!" --"us" being the English.

"EEWWW," I thought. The novelty and the attractiveness of the English accent has gone right out the window for me. In my job, I don't hear the properest of accents, nor do they sound really pretty down here in Kent. They say and pronounce a lot of things that drive me a little bonkers. For instance, they don't pronounce their Ts or Hs in many words. And, they say "me" instead of "my". example - Where are "me" keys.

Don't get me wrong, I would like to improve my English accent during my time here, but I WOULD not like to lose my slightly Southern sound.

The redeeming factor of this story is that I got a facebook note today from roommate, Sarah from Boston, who is currently in Boston. She says her friends are making fun of her because instead of going to England and coming back with an English accent, she has come home with a Southern one!!!! Sweet North Eastern Sarah has started saying y'all like a born and breed Southerner!

That's right! At least I influence someone around these parts! :)

Espana!

As I tend to be a sporadic, slow blogger (as evident by no blog postings during the month of August), I thought I would leave y'all the link to three blog postings that Jen has already written about our Spain trip so you get a little perspective of our adventures while you await my postings! :)


Valencia


Barcelona


Madrid

To my faithful followers....

I am still here!

I'm just a busy little bee .... running around like a chicken with its head cut off at work.

Just when I thought I was getting the hang of my job, I have been introduced into a new area of work : COURT WORK.


YIKES.....here goes nothing!!!!

In other news, I have some friend YAAAAY!!!! (it's about time!)

And, I'm going to Spain in August!!!

Life is good!

Minivan Mama Han!

I felt like a mother today.

I picked up a sweet, adorable little girl from primary school today and took her to a family member's home about an hour away. What a sweetheart!

The more I work with children, the more I realize that all they want, expect, and deserve from their mummy's and daddy's is love.

They don't understands the tough things that are going on in mummy's and daddy's life. They don't care about finances, drugs and alcohol, relationship problems, or sexuality; but they do understand LOVE. Sadly, love isn't enough to adequately raise a chid ... there are other expectation of food, shelter, school, clothing, baths...etc. But showing children that they are loved is a big first step.

They want hugs, affirmation, and sweet smiles so they know they are doing a good job and are cared about.

When I met the sweet little sister, she attached her self my leg and hugged me for a long time. She just wanted love. The love that children don't receive from mummy and daddy they try to get from other people. I'm happy to give cuddles to little kids. I wish they would get them from their parents instead, but I will happily step in when needed.

I'm happy to get to transport this sweet little one again next week.

Yesu!

Tonight I experienced an American accented, German girl that grew up in Japan and learned English from an American school, explain the gospel in Japanese to a Japanese boy that is studying at a Uni in Canterbury.

It was interestingly beautiful!!!!

Nour means light

When I checked out at Asda today, I went through Nour's line. I like going through Nour's line. She intrigues me. She is a Muslim girl, which is evident by her hijab. But, she is also white---my guess is British. White Muslims are so interesting to me.

I typically don't talk to Nour too much when I am in her line because, well....people don't talk here.

However, today I asked if she pronounced her name Noor. She said yes, I said, "oh that means "light" in Arabic right?" YEP!

Then she told me that Nour was her second name and her other name is Vicky.

"Oh really?"

She said when she converted her religions, she was given the name Nour.

This was so interesting to me. I wonder if it is common to be given a new name if you convert to Islam?

I plan to talk to Nour more .... she IS at Asda every week I am!

Two thumbs up for you!!!

I love it, when I am driving and am able to let someone out in front of me.

They give me the thumbs up!!! .... rather than a wave.

Recently, I let a few young boys cross the road in front of me.

One of these little guys gave me TWO THUMBS UP!!!!

Made my day.