#30daysofappreciation {Round 3}

The final round of my 30 days of appreciation is here! I hope you have had fun following the random and silly things I have appreciated over our time here. Obviously the list could go on, and I am appreciative of more than 30 things! I have lots to be thankful and appreciate in the next few days and weeks as we will be reunited with family and friends (most of who we have not seen in a year and a half).  We have some exciting things happening for us in the upcoming weeks, thinking about housing, cars, new jobs, etc. For rounds 1 and 2, click here!

Here goes my final tribute to my #30daysof appreciation instagram challenge...

#Day21:Pigeons
I got some "heat" on this one for posting it on instagram.  Many not understanding why I will miss them.  One of my best friends commented, "Luckily we have them in the US."  I never see them in Indy, and to most people (like Jeff) they are just an annoyance.  Jeff calls them "winged rats".  I just like watching kids chase after them, their unpredictable nature, and just the fact that they live such simple lives.  I think we could all learn a thing or two.  Pigeons just worry about eating and being their the rest of their crew.  If you think about it, getting things we need to survive and being around people we love is all that really matters.

#Day22: Bus (Public Transportation)

I have mentioned how appreciative I have been of the cheap airlines, but the bus, tram, and train systems around here are amazing.  I wish the United States had a more reliable method of getting places other than our own vehicles.  I take the bus to/from Derby-Nottingham pretty frequently.  I meet up with friends, go to the gym with Jeff, and use it as a change of scenery.  It is a really easy bus ride, and fairly enjoyable as long as it is not stuck in stop/go traffic.  Jeff has looked into how long it would take me to get to my new job via the bus (over an hour) and it would only be a 13 minute drive.  There is a perfect example of how they do not function as well as they do over here.                 

 

#Day23:  Education Courses

I was so lucky to find out that Rolls will pay for spousal education.  It has been fun, kept me up to date in the field of education, and occupied at times throughout the last year.  I am only a few weeks away from having my Certificate for Literacy Instruction (15 credit hours) through Ball State University.  This was an area I was passionate about, and I am hoping to take it back to the classroom with me in the fall.

#Day24: No Job
This one is definitely bittersweet, because I definitely missed teaching over the last year and a half.  But I really tried to reflect every single day, enjoying the freedom.  I could make plans during the day, have lunch with friends, go to the gym on non-busy hours, and complete many personal projects because I had the time to do it.  My favorite was grabbing a blanket, book, and sitting in the sun enjoying the afternoon.  Although, I will miss the freedom, I am so excited for my new adventure as a first grade (ages 6-7) teacher starting next month!

#Day25: Better Halves Club
About twice a month, a group called the Better Halves Club meets up for lunch (normally in Derby).  I had my final luncheon with the group, and they all came to Nottingham for a Mexican Fiesta at our flat.  It is so nice to have other Americans here to ask for advice whether it be general living questions or traveling tips.  We are able to comfort one another on those "bad days" that no one really understands but each other. I think we will all hold a special bond for the rest of our lives. 

#Day26: Skype
What an amazing invention!! It has been so wonderful to see family and friends on a regular basis. A few of my friends go out of their way to chat every so often (and it is always fun to meet their new additions through Skype since I can't be there in person), and my family is so sweet to dedicate an hour+ a week to chat and catch up.  It has also been amazing to watch my niece and nephews over the course of the last year and a half.  I have been able to be in the picture, chat about their lives, and have tickle fights though the tablet...which is always hilarious.

#Day27: Historic Spots
Many times we head to a place because it is a beautiful or I fall in love with the pictures online.  It is an added bonus when we visit these incredible spots that we find so much history embedded within.  Of course, we have our outings that are all about the history.  It is so neat to experience and see so many old places around just England or around all of Europe.  

#Day28: Fresh Flowers 
People over in here in England are always carrying around fresh flowers they pick up from the market.  When you go to friends' houses they will always have a vase filled with fresh flowers.  It is a nice touch! Jeff brought me home some "just because" lilies the other day...and they are just gorgeous!

#Day29: Unique [and Delicious] Cafes:
One of my good American friends comes to Nottingham quite frequently so we can try new restaurants around the city.  The quaint little cafes seem to be our favorites.  We tried one final cafe before my "deportation".  The cafe was called the Kitty Cafe, and you guessed it...it has real cats inside! You have to book in advance, but you can enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and/or lunch all while enjoying the sweet (to be adopted) cats.  What a cool idea! We had a blast, and loved continuing our destinies by being crazy cat ladies! Thanks, Emily for a great afternoon!

#Day30: Jeff
Okay, okay, I know I already posted an appreciation for him.  But the both of us have been reflecting on our journey over the last week and we truly will miss life just being about the two of us. Before you think I am a mean person or take that the wrong way---OF COURSE we are excited to see our family and friends!  Life is just so simple over here.  We don't have very many belongings, we travel on the weekends, and we eat in almost every week night.  We enjoy our nights filled with dinner, chatting, and Netflix marathons.  We will miss this quality time together, and hope the hustle and bustle of the US lifestyle doesn't take our quality time away.

Hope you all enjoyed my #30daysofappreciation through instagram and the blog.  It was a great way for me to reflect and get some closure on our whole experience.  I could have continued for another 70 days and did a #100daysofappreciation, but obviously I didn't think that far in advance.  Thank you for letting me share all my trips, the items I'll miss, and all of the items/people I have appreciated while being abroad.  I could have put each and every one of your faces on an instagram post, as you all have been so supportive...even if you are 4,000 miles away!

On to the next adventure...

#30daysofappreciation {Round 2}

If you're new to the blog, we are down to the last couple weeks in our journey abroad. I can't believe I am typing that. It has flown by, and I definitely have mixed feelings about leaving.  I am getting pumped for the events and new things planned in the upcoming months.

On my instagram account, I started a #30daysofappreciation daily picture post.  Since many of you are not followers of mine on instagram, I thought I would share the pictures and reasons behind my appreciation or "I'm really going to miss ______" posts.  Check out the Round 1 pictures 1-10, here.

#Day11: Energy Saving Outlets
This is a weird thing to appreciation...but I love the electrical outlets in England. I love how you can keep something plugged in (i.e. phone charger) all the time without it using electricity by turning the switch off.  What a great invention!

#Day12: Cheap Airlines
I LOVE the cheap airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, jet2.com, flybe, etc. They quick (although annoying during the flight at times) and efficient.  We can be in Rome for 30 pounds and in 2 hours...that is amazing! I know airlines in the continental United States are expensive, so I know we won't have this luxury when we return back. 

#Day13: Experiencing New Traditions
I have already posted about friendships, but experiencing new cultural traditions, like our friends' wedding.  It was fun wearing a fascinator (hat or hairpiece English women wear during special events), seeing the differences in the ceremony & reception, and enjoying the fun with our local friends. 

#Day14: Breads, Eggs, and Cheese
Another food obsession, shocker! I will miss the amazing bread, eggs, and especially...cheese over here.  Wow, it tastes so much better.  Not only do they all have less preservatives, but you can just tell they are made with the right ingredients.  I wish I could take all the different cheeses back with me, because I love ending my meal with a cheese plate. Such a great idea!

#Day15: Adventures with my Best Friend
Here's the one you were all waiting for...the sappy appreciation!  I have loved spending the last 18 months with my best friend, traveling around Europe.  Not only have we gotten even closer, but we also feel like we can conquer anything! What a great man I married!

#Day16: No Alarm!
This is one I can honestly say I have thought about every morning, and appreciated it every single day.  I know Jeff and my parents can attest to the fact that I despise my alarm clock.  So every morning, waking up naturally for the last 18 months (minus the early rise flights) has been amazing.  Now before you think I'm a lazy bum, I don't sleep in.  I usually wake up when Jeff leaves for work, and just enjoy my leisurely mornings.  Don't hate me.

 
#Day17: "The Gym"
I have really enjoyed having a place that gets me out every day.  The gym I go to is called "The Gym" and it is not anything special.  It is large in size with many different types of equipment.  Although, all I need are a few weights and a treadmill, and I am happy.  It has been a nice getaway during the day, and it has been nice on those rainy days....it forces me outside. Ha!

#Day18: Reading
As a teacher, I am sad to say I did not have a love for reading growing up.  I started my passion as an adult, and it has been fantastic to be able to have time to actually sit down and read a book (or 15).  I made it a goal to start reading books that were soon to be coming out as films.  I am still hitting my list pretty hard, but the local library doesn't have the ones I need to finish my list.  I am looking forward to continuing this new found hobby in the states. 

#Day19: Road Trips
Love, love, love our road trips.  It is probably easy for me to say that given, I don't have to do any of the driving.  So thankful for Jeff and his fantastic English driving skills.  Although there are times I get car sick on these windy roads, I still love seeing the countryside and being to a new place in just a couple hours.  I will miss jumping in the car, knowing I get to experience a new place and new things.  I am hoping Jeff and I continue this in the states and visit places fairly close to home on our free weekends. (P.s. The picture is from last spring at the Peak District)

#Day20: New/Favorite Restaurants
Brown's is one of our favorite restaurants in Nottingham.  The restaurant is a block from our flat.  We used to just go there for drinks, as there is a cute little patio to the side of the restaurant.  Although, we have been there for dinner quite a few times, and each time the menu has changed and it has been fantastic! It has a classy feel, but still the classic British food (fish & chips, pies, etc.).  We were excited to have our "Leaving Do" with close friends there on Saturday night to enjoy the spot one more time.

On to the next adventure...

#30daysofappreciation {Round 1}

Tuesday, May 12th was officially our one month left mark.  In honor of that, I decided to post a photo a day on my Instagram account to show my appreciation of our amazing time over here.  Pictures include anything from food (shocker), daily life, and/or things for which I am very thankful.  It really made me stop and smell the roses one last time of those things I will miss when moving back to the states.

Since many of my blog followers are not followers on Instagram (*cough, Christin), I decided to share my photos of the last 10 days of appreciation.  I will post two more times to share the other 20 photographs.

#Day1: Relocation Assessment
The relocation company came by to assess how much stuff we have to ship back to the states.  It was kind of funny it landed right on our 1 month mark.  We chatted for a bit, and then he assessed our stuff. He said we were right at our limit, so I best not go out and buy anything over the next month.

 

 #Day2: Time to Cook

I have absolutely LOVED my time in the kitchen over here.  I could start dinner at 5:30 some days, knowing Jeff wouldn't be home until 7.   It really allowed me to play with recipes, explore, and have time to make healthy foods.  I know I am going to miss that, as I will be working, and the amount of prep time will be eliminated.  I have already been trying to think about ways to prep over the weekends, so I am able to cook more clean and healthy.  Wish me luck!

 

#Day3: Mackey

Although it has been expensive to keep him over here in terms of getting him to/from the states, I wouldn't have had it any other way.  He has become even more loveable! Who knew that was possible?  His personality has changed, but for the better.  I think he has enjoyed his time over here, watching pigeons and sleeping in every windowsill possible.  I definitely enjoyed having that "piece of home" with me.

#Day4: Friends

We have made some great friends (both Americans and locals).  We have been able to travel, have nights out, girls and boys nights, and plenty of time to chat about life.  That was one thing I was really nervous about when moving over here, as we both have amazing friends at home.  We will miss our local friends, but hope to still see our new American friends in the states once we all move back. 

#Day5: Beer

I should probably point out that these are in no particular order.  As you have yet to see a picture of Jeff, does not mean he is not my #1 thing I appreciate over here.  Okay, now that we have cleared that up...beer.  We have enjoyed trying all the different kinds of beer over here.  During the first year, we took a picture of every new pint we had.  That got old pretty quickly, so we stopped taking a a picture of each pint.  Jeff had a project envisioned.  We definitely enjoyed that part of England, but in the same sense, we won't miss the crazy amount of drinking.  

#Day6: Traveling

The bag below barely made it over the one year mark before being thrown away.  I thought for sure that when we were in London a couple weeks ago it was going to completely break.  It made it home before saying my final farewell to it.  It was the perfect size, as you have to have a fairly small bag to fly on budget airlines, like we do.  It would fit in the top bin or under the seat with no problems.  I never had to worry about it! I definitely got my 12 pounds worth out of this bag, as it traveled to many amazing places around Europe.

 

#Day7: Beautiful Spots

This one goes along with #6, but all of the beautiful places we were able to see during our time abroad is something I will never under appreciate.   I will speak on behalf of Jeff (I geuss I always do that, but...) and say that were very appreciative of how many trips, whether big or small, that we were able to go on.  We were so glad we spent our money on traveling, as we will have those memories, pictures, and video forever. 

#Day8: Visitors

We had so many visitors over the last year and a half! Seventeen, but who's counting?   We have loved every visit, and each one was unique in its own way.  We tried to do something a little different with each visitor, whether it was a local restaurant, new European trip, or a tourist attraction we had never been to in our own city! We enjoyed showing off "our world"

#Day9: Tea

In the states I would NEVER drink tea. Not iced tea, hot tea, flavored tea...etc.  My friends here continued to "bully" me into liking tea. I tried it each time we were together.  Now, I can officially say I drink a cup of hot tea every morning and no longer drink coffee at all.  What a transition!

 

#Day10: House/Flat

I definitely do not spend enough time appreciating the house, which was converted into 8 flats that we live in. It is in a fantastic location with a beautiful view from every window.  If I want ice cream, I can have it in hand within 5 minutes. Amazing! It is definitely an English feeling house, which is nice.  We want to embrace the culture as much, and I think our single pane windows that make our flat colder than it is outside is embracing it! Ha!