Rocket Salad

Food:

So here's something I don't know if I've ever had and that is quite common here, Rocket Lettuce. It's a spicy lettuce that is a weed I guess. And it's got some punch to it! I've had it in side salads and sandwiches and in my home-made salad tonight (YES, I actually shopped stuff up) I added it and it's so yummy in a normal salad. You'll see it on a menu as "side salad of rocket and tomatoes."

Was doing some grocery shopping today and saw in the frozen section a reminder of home and of my old staple: Amy's Organic foods. I used to stock up on those every week at home, but there are so many more vegetarian options here (Quorn foods especially) that I didn't even feel the need to consider buying any. But it was somehow comforting to see them.

Not really about food but about doing the dishes or as they say here, "doing the washing up"...did you know that the British don't rinse their soapy dishes? It's true. They wash them in the soapy water and put them in the rack to dry. I remember this from my first life here and I even eventually ended up doing it. And I never noticed a difference - no soap taste or anything. This time, though, I do rinse my dishes, I am rarely doing a load of them so can just leave the water

TV:

Been watching the Olympics a fair amount, and there are usually several things on different channels to watch. As usual, I mostly enjoy gymnastics, some of the swimming and even on occasion, rowing! When does indoor volleyball start and if it has started, why haven't I seen it? I love that!

Splashed out on a DVD player last week and joined a Netflix-type of service. My first discs to come were the first two of Battlestar Gallactica's 3rd season (Shannon, has Devin been into this?) Man, this show is dark! I like it! So interesting how the humans believe in the Gods (as in Greek mythology) while the Cylons are more zealous and believing in "one true god". It is also deep, as Sharon (an "enemy" Cylon who feels more human than machine) is promoted by Odama to do a super-duper daring and important mission:

Sharon: Can I ask you a question...how do you know you can trust me?
Odama: I don't...but that's what trust is.

POW! I loved that.

I have also continued to download from iTunes Big Brother (the US version) and can't wait for America's Next Top Model to return in September followed closely by Survivor. Yay for iTunes!

Abby:

6 days and counting! I faxed over the documentation to the Cargo company at Heathrow today and they said it looked good (except for one question I have about the USDA needing to sign it - I think my vet is authorized to do that but will double check) and no other paperwork needed. So that's a relief! I am driving to London on Saturday and staying at a friend's flat (he only uses it during the week and is up here at the weekend so he's always said any of us could use it and I will!) It's about 20 minutes from Heathrow and has good, ample parking so I will be able to not stress Sunday morning. Her flight arrives at noon and they suggested I call them to see how the processing is going to know when I should get there. Then I'll drive back home Sunday evening with Abby! You can bet I'll be posting more than a few pics once she's here!

Guests:

No houseguests for a long while (since my coworker camped out here for one night) and my guest room is open to anyone who needs it! But I have finally had a couple girlfriends over for coffee the last couple of days. Surprising, I hadn't done it before now and yet it's not something I'm used to so I'm not entirely comfortable. I kind of feel like I'm responsible for monitoring how the conversation goes and when it's time for the visit to be over. I don't know why! Guess I'm just not used to it! I would like to have the front room (currently known as the "office" but for all practical purposes is the junk room) to have some seating so I could invite groups over for game nights etc. That's in the plan though not in the budget at the moment!