a British Vocabulary Lesson

Since my very first trip to Scotland in December 2010, I have had a growing list of British vocabulary in the back of my head.

I have learned that it is important to at least attempt to use their vocabulary because it could lead to some awkward situations if you do not.

For example, during my first visit. I was playing with Ian's "wee" niece, Katy, in the back "garden." She fell down on her "bum," and got really upset. We went inside to find Nana Wendy. Nana Wendy asked what happened, and, unfortunately, I replied "She fell down and hurt her fanny." Nana Wendy's eyes grew very large and she gasped.

It wasn't until months later that I found out the British meaning of the word "fanny."

Ian and I were at a theme park and I pointed out a lady with a "fanny pack." Ian's eyes also grew very large and he also gasped. Why? Well, because the word "fanny" actually means "vagina" in Britain.

Kill me.

So, I have developed a running list of British vocabulary.

British                    American

Mobile	Cell Phone
Fag	Cigarette
Bum	Bottom, ass, behind (you get the picture)
Chips	French Fries
Crisps	Chips
Boot	Trunk of a car
Knickers	Panties
Pants	Underwear
Lorry	Truck
Lift	Elevator
Chemist	Pharmacist
Trousers	Pants
Jumper	Sweater
Trainers	Tennis Shoes
Nappy	Diaper
Holiday	Vacation
Car Park	Parking Lot
Petrol	Gas
Scone	Biscuit
Bangers	Sausage
Sweeties	Candy
Ice Lolly	Popsicle
BIscuit	Cookie
Toilet	Bathroom
Bin	Trash Can
And most importantly:
Football (pronounced"fitball")	Soccer

Hopefully this list might help you if you choose to travel to GB. 

XOXO-Kels

Food Coma

Ian was off last night: yay!!

We went to Cafe Andaluz, an authentic Spanish Tapas restaurant on Byers Road. Ian has talked about this place for a long time, so I was thrilled to try it out!

The first thing I thought upon entering the establishment was "Are we in Dalton?!" The decor was very much like Mexican restaurants in the States. However, what we ate was far from the cheap tacos from back home.

My last two Tapas experiences did not end up that great. For some reason, I tend to order weird dishes like "Mexican Goat Cheese with a Chili Sauce," or "Carne Lasagna." Yes, I actually ordered those. So, this time, Ian ordered! Fried potatoes mixed in a spicy tomato sauce & alioli.

Patatas Bravas: Fried potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce and alioli (mayo-like sauce)

Fried potatoes mixed in a spicy tomato sauce & alioli.

Carne de Res Picante: Spicy beef on top of lettuce with manchego cheese and chorizo dressing

Pollo Rebozado con Miel (MY FAV): Crispy chicken in a Spanish honey and grain mustard sauce

Gambas Rebozadas: Fried prawns with a garlic-mayo dip

Mejillones a la Marinera: Mussels cooked in white wine, shallots, garlic, and finished with fresh cream.

Ian capturing my first mussels experience.

The aftermath.

The best thing about Tapas: Ian trying to pronounce the names of the dishes.

During dinner, Ian said that afterwords we could go to a pub and get a few drinks. Guess what my response was? "Let's go to Crepe a Croissant!" 

This is the Mega Marshmallow Crepe. It is a crepe (obviously) filled with warm, squishy marshmallows and NUTELLA! It comes with a cream that would make a grown man cry. 

I don't even want to know how many calories are in this thing.

So, Mom, I am obviously not starving over here. 

XOXO-Kels

World's Tallest Cinema

Last night, Ian and I had a movie date. We went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which was fantastic! He kept stressing that the cinema was huge...I thought he was exaggerating! Cineworld happens to be the tallest cinema in the world! After getting your tickets, you hop on an elevator and ride to one of the six floors that house the 18 movie screens. Each floor has a bar, kids party room and concessions.

According to Wikipedia, Cineworld is 203 ft tall with 12 stories and can seat up to 4,368 people. 

With all of that room, you would think lines would be short, seats easy to get. Nope! Apparently since the '40s, Glasgow has called itself "Cinema City." It boasts the biggest theater attendance in all of the U.K.

Quite different from Amstar in Macon, GA :)

XOXO Kels

Glasgow Glam

On Saturday, we decided to hit the town of "Glasvegas."

Going out in Glasgow is a strange and sometimes frightening experience. The fashion, smoke machines, and techno music makes the experience intimidating. Going out in the States, consists of going to a friend's apartment, then catching the trolley downtown to a bar. It is common to wear a simple dress and flats, or jeans and a cute top. It would be quite uncommon to see a girl out in 5 inch pumps and a cocktail dress. However, in Glasgow, girls are very "glam." High (high, high) heels, short dresses, spray tans, and lots (lots, lots, lots) of makeup. Basically, no matter how much makeup I put on, I stick out like a sore thumb.

We started out at Cafe November, which is a bar on top of a gorgeous mall called Princes Square. I had a delicious French Martini (that cost me an hour's wage at the Med School library).  This is where I began my search for Glasgow's most Glam Girl. Every time I go out in Glasgow, I am in awe of the fashion choices. Tube tops, barely-there dresses, leather booty shorts--I applaud the women for being so fearless!

This first young lady clearly represents why I stick out like a sore thumb: spray tans. I probably look like a ghost floating around the clubs, haha. Also, I believe I wear just as much (if not more) makeup than the average American girl. Although I apply double the amount before going out in Glasgow, I am still pale in comparison (literally, pale). 

 As we were leaving Cafe November, this young lady caught my eye. This outfit would actually be considered modest.

We then ventured to Sugarcube, a new club in Glasgow's City Centre. The age to get into clubs here is 18, so, of course, I was asked for my ID. While we were waiting in line, Ian told me that there was a rumor going around that Gerard Butler was seen at Sugarcube a few weeks ago. I'm not going to lie, my heart fluttered a little bit.


Gerard wasn't out, but it turned out to be a great night. Sugarcube played fun music and more importantly, the walls were GLITTER. Love! Ian ran into some pals from secondary school and the girl said I looked like one of the Olsen twins, which made me laugh a little bit.

People-watching is one of my favorite activities, and Glasgow is obviously the perfect place to do it. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a spray tan soon!

XOXO-Kels

Inclement weather is for pansies!

Scotland is currently experiencing really strong winds...and it's not solely coming from Ian. The trains aren't working because, according to the news, 856 trees are down. 856 exactly!

Every time I go to leave the house, I look outside then decide to go right back to the couch and curl up under a blanket. I arrived on Thursday and I really haven't left the house since! Last night, Ian's family practically pushed me out the door. I think they were starting to worry about me a little bit, or maybe it was the permanent indention I was leaving on the couch.

Ian and I went to the only place you can go on such a windy night: the pub! As we pushed through the winds, I thought to myself, "There is no way this pub is going to be open, and if it is, there is no way anyone is going to be there." Wrong!

We had a few drinks and watched Ian's favorite team Manchester United lose embarrassingly to Newcastle.  Ian thinks that Man U loses when he watches this season. They lost to Man City, Basel, Blackburn and Newcastle all while he watched.

Believe it or not, the sun is actually shining right now. I think we are going to head into town and enjoy it while it lasts!

XOXO-Kels

My diet coke in a snazzy glass bottle!