Erin Go Bragh (most often translated as 'Ireland Forever')

Last night, I had donned my favourite pyjamas, opened my laptop and curled up in front of the couch to watch 'American Idol'. Wednesday is usually a stay-in-and-babysit night for me, so I had resigned myself to missing out on the local St. Patrick's Day celebrations. But, at last minute, I was released from my duties as The Mum and The Dad had decided to forgo their trip to the cinema. Hurriedly, I peeled off my pj's and jumped into a a basic white tank, a black cardigan, a denim skirt, my black boots and—not to forget the occassion— hulk-green tights. I texted Germany to retract my previous refusal of her invitation to join her at the local Irish pub and legged it down the hill into Moseley.

We ended up having a great time! I met some more of her German friends and we all took advantage of the free hat giveaway, all modeling leprechaun hats! I enjoyed some Irish Smithwick's shandy (beer and red lemonade) and we all sang along to some live oldies, provided by a lively tenor and his acoustic guitar. We, uh, made some friends, too. A gentleman at the neighboring table had us pose in a photo with a little laminated cut-out of his friend who had chosen to spend St. Paddy's Day with his wife at home, instead of with his man-friends at the pub. It was great! I'm so glad I could go out to celebrate after all!

Car Tunes

I've been listening to waaaaay too much BBC Radio 1 lately, so I went in search of cassette tapes. Luckily, one of the charity shops in Harbourne still has a pretty healthy collection of cassettes. So, I picked up some CLASSICS!

U2's The Joshua Tree

The Verve's Urban Hymns

Supertramp's Breakfast in America (which is actually horrible quality)

Paul Simon's Graceland

Time and Tide Concert

This weekend was so busy! I was in rehearsal all afternoon on Saturday for my concert with the University of Birmingham Choir. It was pretty rough, to be honest. We were rehearsing with the orchestra in a room completely wrong for the number of people in there. We couldn't see the conductor and it was really difficult to hear all the parts… it was a bit worrying since it was pretty much our last rehearsal before our performance!

On Saturday night, Aussie and I texted everyone we could think of to come out to meet us at the local Irish pub. We had a great time, just sitting around and chatting! I was a little disappointed at the lack of St. Patrick's Day festivities going on! I guess the real parties are happening on the 17th, but it will be in the middle of the week— not very practical for late-night partying! But I guess there were a lot of green decorations.

Sunday was the big day! Our run-through started quite early in the afternoon, so I had to leave church early. Fortunately, I was able to stay long enough to see the professional story-teller in the congregation perform her version of the book of Esther.  I felt a little better about our performance after we sang through our pieces again—plus, I saw how gorgeous the Symphony Hall is! We took a break between the rehearsal and the performance, so my choir-stall buddies and I headed over to 'The Copthorne' Hotel for some tea.

The performance actually turned out pretty well! The orchestra is full of so many talented musicians and we were privileged to be joined by a wonderful mezzo-soprano as we performed Elgar's 'The Music Makers'. Verdi's 'Te Deum' was so beautiful— and now I can't get it out of my head!!!

My Day with Youngest

Today, both The Mum and The Dad had to work today, so I had the privilege of spending my day with Mr.Youngest while the girls were at school. It was kind of fun, actually.

After some early morning television, Youngest and I took a little walk into Moseley to do some shopping for fruits and veggies. I also treated him to some chocolate milk and a magazine. He doesn't really like magazines per se, but he really likes the toys that come with them. Today, it was some kind of mini action figure, a toy gun and a 'toxic snot'-coloured pen. We stopped at the new French café beside the supermarket for a cookie (and a coffee for me). This new café is lovely! It is decorated so nicely, with Art Nouveau posters and has a great selection of pastries and baked-goods and they even play 1930's French music. I'll definitely be making regular visits… especially if they set up wifi. It started to rain on the way home, so we had to pick up the pace so avoid getting too wet.

After we dried off, I made us some eggs for lunch. I had an egg and cheese sandwich and Youngest had a dippy-egg—I had no idea what a 'dippy-egg' was before I came to England, although I'm sure I must have eaten one or two as a child. A dippy-egg is a soft-boiled egg into which you dip toasty, buttered 'soldiers'.

Later still, we went back to that giant indoor playground where we have been many times. It was a great idea, since I had to forgo my usual Friday run to hang out with Youngest. I definitely got a lot of exercise chasing the boy up the ladders, down the slides, through the ball-pits and around the trampolines.

I am exhausted now, though. Thankfully, The Mum was at the girls' school at 4pm to help out with the school's 'disco', so I dropped him off so I could have a couple hours of rest before they all arrived home. *yawn* I'll sleep well tonight!

More Canals than Venice!

Hiya! So, I went on a little run in the park yesterday and I decided to go a bit further than normal. I turned left at one of my usual right-turns and soon found myself jogging along one of Birmingham's many canals. I don't think that this particular canal is used for water transport these days, but Birmingham is home to over 100 miles of navigable canals that are still in use! Birmingham actually has more canals than Venice, believe it or not! The canals were first built during the Industrial Revolution in the 1700's and were used mainly for transporting raw materials and manufactured goods in and out of the city. This transport of good was essential for local industrialists like Josiah Wedgewood and Matthew Boulton.

Image: http://home.clara.net/rod.beavon/bham.htm

Although the canal I ran along was overgrown with moss, hidden away and a little smelly, many of Birmingham's canals are well-kept attractions. In fact, many of the main canals run through the city centre. I remember seeing restaurant-boats floating by as I ate dinner in Brindley place with Aussie in the autumn. Hmmm… maybe I'll have to visit the canal system to take a closer look!

The Sun'll come out!

Well, spring has sprung in the UK! I probably shouldn't get used to it, but the sky has been a gorgeous periwinkle blue and so sunny for the past 5 days! It is gorgeous! I guess I'd better make the most of it while it lasts…

First Weekend of March!

I had a very lovely weekend over here across the pond. On Friday, I cooked my famous 'Tortilla Soup' (a recipe that I have borrowed from Canadian Living) with Hungary and some friends from church. We had fun cooking together and laughing and sharing stories. Later, we curled up for a chick flick! It was definitely a great way to spend a Friday night!

Saturday, I woke up absurdly early because one of our neighbors' burglar alarm went off… and continued to ring for hours!!! When I had properly woken up, Hungary and I got in my car for a little road trip to a little town called Chipping Campden. We drove along the windy roads in the beautiful countryside of the Midlands and eventually reached the gently rolling hills of the Cotswolds. As we got closer to our destination, we began to see cottages and houses made from 'Cotswold stone', a sort of sandy-yellow limestone.

Chipping Campden is a town that flourished because of the wool trade in the Middle Ages and in effect displays a series of large stone houses on the main High Street. There is also a really cool 'Market Hall', where merchants would gather to sell their wares. We saw a couple of beautiful churches and also some very old cottages with thatched roofs. I really enjoyed strolling through the graveyards and looking at the beautiful lettering on each of the gravestones. In one of the cemeteries, Each grave seemed to be used as a flowerbed; many graves had sprouted flowers, plants and even bushes. I loved how new life came out of the graves… a nice illustration for the coming Easter season.

My favourite thing we did in Chipping Campden was having tea at 'The Bantam Tea Rooms'. When we first arrived, we stopped in for some tea (Hungary had coffee) and a crumpet. At the end of our visit, we returned to the tea shop, where Hungary had some cake and I enjoyed a delicious 'cream tea', complete with scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and 2 hot cups of tea.

I want to make a return trip to the Cotswolds in the future. Absolutely I do! Coming from Birmingham, it was only about a  hour's drive and it was such a contrast to the big city! It was so quiet and just lovely!

Today, I went to church and joined some friends for a Sunday lunch! I was having such a good time that I didn't get home until after 4 pm!

Well, hope you enjoy the pictures!