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Harry Potter Day

by Jill

We spent the day being “off-the-beaten-path” tourists. Our plan had three stops; Kings Cross Station to see Platform 9 3/4, Leadenhall Market, the location where some of the exterior Diagon Alley scenes were filmed, and House of Minalima to see an exhibition that showcases graphic designs from the Harry Potter films.

Kings Cross Station was quite crowded, but pretty fun. We waited in line to have our photos taken pushing a trolley through the wall at Platform 9 3/4. The attendants took their time with each family and we didn’t feel rushed through the line. Everyone got to pick their house (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff) and which wand you wanted to use. It was a pretty entertaining time.

Next was Leadenhall Market. It is a beautiful covered market. Several scenes from the movie were shot here. We had a lovely lunch, and walked around the market. We even found the blue door that was used as the entrance into the Leaky Cauldron.

Next we stopped by the Palace Theater to pick up tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It is a two part play that takes place 19 years after the final book. Several months ago while Rob was here on a business trip, on a whim he stopped by the theater to inquire about tickets and he was able to get two tickets. The oldest gets to go on a very special date with Dad to celebrate her 8th grade graduation. It is a sold out show so they are super lucky to have gotten tickets and they are very excited about their special day.

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Our final stop was at Minalima which showcases the work of Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, graphic designers on the Harry Potter Films. The shop is full of props and many designs from the movies, like a Hogwarts Express ticket, Harry’s Hogwarts acceptance letter and the Marauder’s Map.

We had a really fun, different sort of day.

Observations

Observations

by Jill

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Here are several random observations from our 10 days of living in London.

  • High waisted booty shorts are a fashion trend.
  • I’ve never seen so many ads for Listerine in my life.
  • Cars don’t really slow down for pedestrians.
  • There are many runners in the morning, and the majority of them are wearing large backpacks. Running to work perhaps?
  • I assumed the “drive on the left” rule would translate into walking as well, but no.
  • Lots and lots of smokers.
  • I still can’t figure out how people know when it’s safe to cross the street. They all cross even when the pedestrian signal says to wait.
  • The pubs are literally filled to overflowing with people.
  • Public transportation isn’t as complicated as I was expecting.
  • The Challenge channel on TV airs extremely old episodes of games shows.
  • On the UK version of Wheel of Fortune, before you can spin the wheel you have to correctly answer a trivia question. If you get it wrong you don’t get to spin.
  • Condiment options are ketchup, mustard and “brown sauce”.
  • The weather has been really nice, so the parks are full of people playing games, walking and running. But the thing I love the most is seeing all the families and friends who are picnicking in the park. They have their blankets, wicker baskets and wine glasses. It looks lovely.

That’s all for now!

Cheers.

 

Expectations

Expectations

by Jill

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Before we arrived we had many people give their thoughts and advice on what we should expect from living in London.

  • it rains everyday
  • it’s cold
  • the food is terrible
  • beverages aren’t cold – they don’t use ice

So far we haven’t experienced that. It only rained for a short time on the day we arrived. Since then it has been clear skies and hot. Not just warm but actually hot. Today the expected high is 90 degrees. I know this weather will not continue but it has been a nice introduction to London.

We have also been surprised at the great food we have had, and quite a variety; Thai, Indian, great pizza, sandwiches, breakfast cafes, and juices. After so many people told us that restaurants did not serve water with ice, we were surprised to have ice cold water delivered to our table.

It’s been a great first week. I hope that this week brings confirmation of a rental home and our days falling into a bit of a routine. Hotel living is fun, but I am looking forward to unpacking my suitcase and having food available in the kitchen.

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We Arrived

by Jill

The last few days have been a whirlwind. It’s really hard to believe that after all the months of planning we are finally here. The first night we got to the hotel and settled in a bit and then headed out for a walk in an attempt to stay awake. We stopped for dinner – Fish-n-Chips of course.

We have been in London for 3 days and I think we might be getting close to adjusting to the time. The kids slept exceptionally well the first night, however the adults were awake by 2:30am. That made for a very long day. Our first day we spent some time looking for a rental. There are several good options and hopefully we will be able to make a decision in the next few days. The remainder of the time we have been attending Star Wars Celebration Europe. There are so many things to see; vendors, exhibits, presentations and it’s a great place to people watch! The costumes people wear are amazing. Over the next few days Rob has a few presentations to do at SWCE, so it will be fun to see him in action.

For many who know me, ya’ll know that I am terrible at directions. I can get lost in a city I have lived in for years. So, you’ll be proud to know that I navigated the girls and I from the convention center back to the hotel on a train with a tube connection and I only made one wrong turn while walking back. After one block I realized my mistake and got us back on track. I was actually very surprised that the journey wasn’t a total disaster. I just might make it in the big city after all.

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Awumbuk

by Jill

 

The oldest was given a special gift, a handmade book. Each page is special and unique; a biscuit recipe, a British dictionary page, a pressed Poppy, and this passage.

Awumbuk

(adj) The feeling of sorrow when someone leaves

The word Awumbuk comes from the Baining people of Papua New Guinea. When this feeling occurs the mourner is given three days in which all are kind to them, they are treated nicely, and they do no work. During these three days a bowl of water is placed by their doorstep to soak up the Awumbuk. After these three days the mourner throws out the water as a way to get rid of the sorrow, then they are expected to get back to work.

Awumbuk is for all to share, and I’m sure it’s what all of us will feel the day you leave. So when you get to England be sure to leave out a bowl of water and don’t forget to text us.

May Awumbuk never be too close.

We are all very excited to start this new adventure, however there will be a period of mourning. We will miss the familiarity of our home and neighborhood, we will miss our friends and being apart of your lives and we will miss the ease with which we were able to communicate (dang that time difference!). So, we will set out our bowl of water and after three days we will fling away the Awumbuk.

Adventure Awaits.

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Friendship

by Jill

When we first moved to San Francisco I was worried that my kids would have a hard time making friends. Now that two years have passed I can see that I didn’t have anything to worry about. Both of my daughters have the sweetest group of friends. In this time of transition for our family they have treated my girls so well. They have loved on them, given very special gifts, given their time so they could make a few more memories and they have made sure to let my girls know how important they are to them. It makes my mother’s heart so joyful and thankful that they have made such supportive friends.

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If I could thank each of them I would say,

Thank you for treating my daughter so well. Thank you for loving her and telling her so. Thank you for being true friends, people who make her laugh, hold her when she cries and encourage her to enjoy her next adventure. Thank you for being her people. Thank you for sending her off well and letting her know you’d be there when she returns. I am so grateful for each of you.

 

 

 

The Firefly

The Firefly

by Jill

I read this post today and it struck a chord in my heart. Below is the full copy of her post, with my pictures added. Maybe it’s something you need to read today too.

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“What’s your favorite insect?” my seven-year-old daughter asked as we took an evening walk on the first night of her spring vacation. “You can’t pick butterfly. Everyone picks the butterfly,” she quickly added before I had a chance to respond.

“Hmmmm,” I thought out loud. “I guess mine would have to be a ladybug,” I finally answered.

“Mine’s a firefly. I love the firefly,” she said wistfully.

We kept walking. Talking. Enjoying the rare treat of alone time—just my younger daughter and me.

And then:

“Am I okay? I mean, am I fine?” she asked looking down at herself.  “Sometimes I feel different.”

I immediately stopped walking and searched her face. Without saying what she meant, I knew; I just knew.

I bent down and spoke from a painful memory tucked away since second grade. “When I was your age. I felt different too. I felt uncomfortable, self conscious. One boy said really cruel things about the way I looked. He said I didn’t belong. His words hurt me for a long, long time,” I admitted.

As she looked at me sadly, her previous words echoed in my head. “Everyone picks the butterfly,” she’d pointed out a moment ago.

I placed my hands on her sturdy little shoulders as if somehow this could make her feel my words right down to the bone. “I want you to know something. You can always talk to me when you feel different or uncomfortable. I will never laugh. I will never judge you or tell you it’s no big deal. I will never brush away your feelings because I understand. I remember how it hurts. And some times you just need someone to understand that hurt.”

“I love the firefly,” she had said a moment ago. I then realized I had something she could hold on to.

“You mentioned that you love the firefly,” I reminded her. “Well, I think you’re a lot like a firefly. You know why?” I asked.

The worry on her face lifted. She looked at me hopefully. “Why, Mama?”

“Because you shine from within,” I said touching my finger to her heart. “Not everybody sees it, but I do. I see it. And my job is to protect that light. So when people say mean comments that squelch that light, I want you to tell me. I will protect your light by listening and loving you, my brave, courageous, and unique little firefly.”

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My daughter stepped forward and wrapped her arms around my neck.  She still said nothing—not one word. Maybe it was because she was on the verge of tears. Maybe it was because silent comfort was all she needed in that moment. I can’t be sure. But what I can be sure of is this: this story is not over.

You see, as weeks have passed, I haven’t been able to stop thinking of our firefly talk and the timing of this message. The end of the school year can be hard for kids, especially the Fireflies—those who shine from within. And it’s that time—time for awards, banquets, recognition, and applause. The Butterflies will be noticed. So brilliant. So colorful. Their talents so obvious. But let us not forget the Fireflies. Their triumphs are quiet and unsuspecting. Their gifts might even go completely unnoticed.

A firefly might be a seat saver on the bus so someone doesn’t have to go to the intimidating back row.
A firefly might be a songwriter who pens music in his nightly dreams and hums away his days.
A firefly might be an artist that creates pictures you can feel with your soul.

A firefly might save his money for years just waiting for his heart to tell him, “That’s the one who needs your help.”
A firefly might stay up past bedtime calculating numbers beneath the covers because he was born a mathematician.
A firefly might be the I.T. kid of the school who jumps at the chance to help teachers with their computer woes.

A firefly might get lost in a cloud of flour, delighting in culinary arts.
A firefly might be a horseback rider finding peace in the company of animals and nature.
A firefly might devour a 357-page book in one sitting.

A firefly might have eyes for the lonely, looking for someone who wonders if she’s invisible.
A firefly might stick up for the lost, the rejected, the alone.
A firefly might be the lost, the rejected, the alone … just waiting for someone to notice his light among all the bright, fluttering wings of the Butterflies.

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Maybe you know a Firefly. Maybe you love a Firefly.

If you do, please don’t wait.  Don’t wait for someone to hand him an award or a give her a certificate to make their talents and gifts “official.” That day may never come. So say it now. Say this:

I see your light.
I see it when you pick up your guitar.
I see it when you make brushstrokes of yellow, green, and gold.
I see it when you sing with your eyes closed.
I see it when you laugh with your mouth open wide.
I see it when you stand along the water’s edge dreaming of your future.
I see your light, my brave and courageous, firefly.

You shine from within.

And regardless if anyone else sees it or not—you know it’s there, and I know it’s there.

So keep shining.
Keep singing.
Keep creating.
Keep dreaming.
Keeping caring.
Keep adding, subtracting, and multiplying.
Keep making your magic.

And just you wait. Someday the world is going to see what I see. And your light will be so beautiful, so brilliant, so bright that the world is going to stop and wonder where such a light comes from.

And you and I will both know that light, well, it’s been there all along.

Because you are a Firefly.

You shine from within.

And I am here to protect that light, my brave and courageous firefly.

-Rachel Stafford

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Dating the Kids

by Jill

Our kids are at a great age. They are independent and creative thinkers and it is really fun to talk with them about lots of things. They are becoming their own people with their own thoughts and opinions about things. They are realizing that it is ok to have different ideas than Mom and Dad.

While we love doing things together as a family we also enjoy splitting up and taking the kids on separate dates. This last weekend was kid date night. Our activities couldn’t have been more different, and I’m actually not sure who had more fun.

The oldest got to go on a very adventurous date with Dad. She went indoor skydiving! While she was very hesitant at first she tried it and had a blast. They had such a great time together. The afternoon ended with a trip to Krispy Kreme for hot donuts and even her first coffee. She is such a grown up now.

 

The youngest and I had an evening at the theater. We went to The Orpheum in San Francisco to see Wicked. She has wanted to see it for a long time, so she was super excited that the day had finally come. It was so much fun to see the joy on her face and the delight in her eyes with each set change and swell of the orchestra.

We love being their parents. We feel so…I don’t know what the right word is, lucky, blessed, fortunate…that we have good relationships with our girls. We can only pray that as they grow up the relationships we are building now will continue to grow.

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Unreal

by Jill

After living here for almost 18 months, I am still in awe of the beauty around us. I thought that by now I wouldn’t even notice the views…it would just be normal. But that is not the case. I still pause to look at the horses. I stop on my run to look at the view, the creek and the waterfalls. What the heck…I live where there are waterfalls? It’s unreal. I really do love living here.

 

 

Options

Options

by Jill

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Looking ahead to being in London, the next item on our to do list is figuring out school. There are many options, so now is the time to research all of them and attempt to make the best decision for our family.

Option #1 – Attend school in London

Pros: A great opportunity to meet a variety of people, have an incredible educational experience.

Cons: Our schedule will be determined by the school calendar, less travel opportunities. Big adjustment for the girls for only one year.

Option #2 – Homeschool

Pros: Completely flexible schedule, choose any style of curriculum we want, travel whenever we want, explore the city – field trips!

Cons: We have to be more proactive to meet people & make friends, US High School may not accept homeschool classes for transfer credit.

Option #3 – Virtual school through a US based school

Pros: Completely flexible schedule, travel whenever we want, explore the city – field trips! School is accredited and all classes will transfer to any US high school upon our return to the states.

Cons: We have to be more proactive to meet people & make friends. The curriculum is chosen for us. Online education may be harder to learn from.

Option #4 – Take the year as a “gap year” and have our oldest start back to school once we return

Pros: Completely flexible schedule, travel whenever we want, explore the city – field trips! Our oldest could choose any homeschool course to take without worry about whether it will be accepted by a US high school.

Cons: We have to be more proactive to meet people & make friends. Upon our return to the US, our oldest would be one year behind her friends and that will be a tough transition.

Right now we are leaning towards Option #3.  It seems like the best of both worlds, homeschooling and attending public school. We can have all the flexibility of homeschool with all the benefits of traditional school. In the next few weeks we will be learning more about this option and hopefully be able to make a decision.