Driving on the wrong side - Part 1

So, my UK license is only valid for about a year in the land of the free.
That's fine. I know how to drive and cars being mainly automatic - no problem (my beloved peaugot was an automatic).

Knowing that I'd have to get a US license, I ventured into the nearest bookstore thinking that I'd purchase the US equivalent of the Highway Code. I looked and looked but to no avail; so I spoke to the lady at Information. Luckily, she was English and understood me saying "do you have the American version of the 'Highway Code'?" It seems no, but if you go the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) site I can download it for free (as opposed to going to the DMV office and paying $5?!! Go figure, someone missed a trick there!)

Whilst chatting, she (Information Desk lady) said the road test was very easy - 10/15min it's nothing to worry about. Excellent, I thought but then again ten or fifteen minutes road test? No wonder there are so many bad drivers around. No wait, that's due to them driving, whilst on their cell phones, around corners, ignoring/getting annoyed at pedestrians on the crossing.

Moving on. Hubby, the gem that he is, printed out a copy of the Massachusetts Drivers Manual for me to start revising. I should point out that every state has their own set of road regulations and signs as well as the 'doesn't matter where you live, these are the road regulations'; and if you move to another state, you need learn their state laws, re-take your test and surrender your previous state driver's license. Geez...

I start to read/memorize road signs and regulations. And, although I've driven a few times on American soil, reading said material made a lot of things clearer! having said that, common sense plays a major role in driving - where ever you are in the world (lesson over, ahem).

There isn't a lot of difference in US signs to UK, just different expressions. For example, the 'Give Way' sign is 'Yield', the motorway is called the interstate etc; oh and of course, driving on the right hand side of the road. That's not too much of problem...it's the fact that the drivers sit on the left-hand side of the car. Thank God an automatic car means no shifting gear otherwise I would be doing moves from Saturday Night Fever trying to remember that the gear stick is to the right of me!

As I continued through the book I came across the section on 'Rotary Systems'. And in English...that's a roundabout; but bizarrely enough a smaller 'rotary' is called a roundabout?! In my world, ain't that the same thing? I have no issues with roundabouts, but being over here...well, I'm not overly keen on them. Firstly, I'm approaching them from the right hand side of the road and then giving way to the left. It was clearly stated that the car travelling in the rotary has right of way. Well, duh! otherwise you'd go ploughing into them?!

Anyway, I found a free online testing site and worked through the test papers getting between 80-95% (who had the right of way at an intersection always tripping me up). So between reading the manual and taking the online tests, I figured I'd pass the written exam.

I arrived at the DMV office, sat around waiting for my ticket to be called then realised after 40mins that the receptionist didn't tell me that I had to go to the 2nd floor. She claims she did. I refrained from pointing out that if I had heard her would I have not trundled up there? So, having cursed her with a miserable day, headed up to hand over my paperwork. This aforementioned paperwork consisted of -

my passport
my UK license
my application for a drivers permit
my birth certificate
a letter from the social security office stating that I don't get benefits and documentation with my current home address

I'm only getting a drivers license...not a renewal of my visa!!

Anyway, the guy at the counter didn't take long to go through all of that stuff. Unfortunately, he mumbled so I felt like I kept saying "Hmmm?" and "Sorry?", "Ah..um, excuse me?" all time and thought he'd insist on my taking a hearing test. He was interested and pleasantly surprised that I was from Guyana and recommended that I go to South Africa - although he hasn't been himself? (shaking my head in a perplexed manner)

I then entered the room where you take the "written" test. It is in fact a touch screen set up. I had 25mins and had to get 18 questions correct. The first 8 questions, I sailed through (they tell you straightway if you got the question correct), got the next 6 wrong only because they were blithering on about if you're 16 what's the minimum fine for driving without an adult, what's the fine/sentence if caught with an illegal substance. I don't know...I completely forgot reading about that and who cares if a 16yr old gets done...it's their problem for getting caught! The next 10, fine...they were road signs and before I knew it I had passed (yeah me!)

I now have the road test to endure. And for that...I need to have a sponsor. What's that? I hear you cry. No, it's not someone I will call in the middle of the night when I have a crisis about why it can't be called a roundabout instead of a rotary, no, it's someone who will be with me in the car as I take my test. Yes, in the car with me as I take my test. Crazy, I know. It's bad enough I'm worrying about taking a test on American roads, but I have to have a passenger with me? beyond comprehension, I tell yah.

Oh and as for my 'curse' to the receptionist who claimed she told me to go to the 2nd floor? As I left the DMV offices, she was talking in an exasperated manner on the phone and had a queue of 12 people, looking bored and annoyed, waiting for a ticket...



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Location:Chauncy St,Cambridge,United States

What, No Cheese?

Americans have an obsession with cheese; and not in any 'la-dee-la' have you tasted this sheep's milk cheese infused with a hint of garlic and a sprinkling of chive way. No, it's the square, processed can be used as putty type of obsession.

Once you get over the initial cloying slightly plastic taste (oh and the luminous yellow color) it's not that bad. It actually has a nice flavor to it - but am I just lovin' the processed part? Plus it has a good melting consistency to it - all gooey and stringy - very nice.

But, what I want to know is - does everything have to have cheese in it? Let me enlighten you...

Like its 'rival' state NYC, Boston is well known for its sandwiches. Call them what you may - subs, panini's, grinders...they'll make whatever you want...all with added cheese. And to be fair, it's not just the great American slice that's your choice; there's also provolone, pepper jack, swiss and non British cheddar (Cor, do I miss a nice bit of British cheddar...said in my best Wallace voice). Picking up one half of a sandwich requires both hands and that's not to do with just the size but more to stop the filling from falling out.

Once you've accepted the cheese in your sandwich - comes breakfast and cheese. Even if "America runs on Dunkin' (Donuts)"...there's a plethora of other breakfast items like croissants, bagels and English muffins (yes, you can find English muffins over here - they love 'em). And whilst you can get it plain (the offer of some sort of cream cheese or butter is never far behind), the most popular way to have these breads is with sausage (flat patties - not the bangers that we're used to), bacon, egg and of course cheese! Sometimes because of our 'deep' English accents, they mishear us and forget the sausage altogether and we've ended up with just an egg and cheese muffin.

Pop into a restaurant for brunch and the scrambled eggs come mixed in with cheese. I'm not convinced how much flavor this adds - chives yes, spring onion or red peppers definitely, but cheese? Hubby doesn't mind it too much...I've yet to be convinced.

Why this post on cheese? Well, the other day I popped into get a sandwich from a local place. A sandwich of turkey on rye, black pepper, lettuce with mayo and the following conversation ensued...

Me: can I have a turkey on rye, lettuce, mayo and black pepper please?
SL (sandwich lady): did you want cheese?
Me: No (otherwise I would have asked for it, I thought)
SL: OK. So, that's turkey on rye, lettuce, mayo, black pepper.
Me: Yes, thanks
SL: No cheese
Me: (oy-vay), no...thanks
SL: OK
SL to assistant: Turkey on rye, mayo, lettuce, black pepper - no cheese
Assistant: no cheese?
SL: no cheese

For the love of all that is good! I'm asking for a sarnie without cheese not an assault rifle (although I'm sure that wouldn't be given a second thought if I did ask for one!) So, now the word will spread around all Cambridge sandwich proprietors...watch out for the woman with a funny accent who doesn't like cheese in her sandwiches.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good bit of cheese as much as the next person...just not in everything...America - please forgive me!

Madeline

I despair!


Over the years I've always been drawn to the appeal of madelines...or rather
the tins in which they are baked. The shell-like pattern is what defines the madelines from other cakes. (Also the use of melted butter - melted to the point of just browning that adds to the distinct flavor). But for me, it's mainly to do with the baking tins.

I confess, I love baking tins - I'm slightly obsessed with them. At any given opportunity I will amble into a kitchen shop and peruse their collection of tins in quiet contemplation. Ah yes, as I pick them up be it a muffin or bundt tin, I'll think of recipes that I've come across and how lovely they would look in said tin. My tenderly holding them has led to some sales assistant sauntering over and asking me if I need any help. No thank-you, my gentle caress of the tin doesn't mean I want to pilfer the thing!

Not that I'm some sort of strange person that needs psychiatric help to understand why I love baking tins. I won't be appearing on an edition of Taboo or anything like that (Taboo for those who have not seen the program is about people who have strange loves; like a man who likes being dressed up as a baby or a woman that's in love with an object, which is a wall I believe). It's just a healthy appreciation.

So whilst visiting Williams & Sonoma (anyone not knowing what the shop is about, you must pay a visit to their site. They have the most divine things for all kitchen/dining related items. Pricey, but my piece of heaven on earth!) Anyway, I sauntered over to the baking section and whilst I mulled over how much use I'd get from the Star Wars pancake moulds I spotted the madeline tin. Now, I have one back in the UK; unfortunately, it's neatly packed away metaphorically gathering dust in storage. So my dilemma - should I get another one? The last time I baked said cake, they didn't turn out the way I expected. To say they were a little dry and 'heavy' was an understatement!

As I contemplated whether to buy or not, I noticed that they had a mini version. It looked so damn cute that my failure hurtled to the back of my mind as I reached for the shiny metal object. Ahh yes, I have a home you my mini madeline tin.

Fast forward to my day to bake. I looked in my cookery books for a good recipe with doubt settling in quickly about how good they'll turn out. Now the US don't really do 'self-raising' flour; they do 'self-rising' which to me is the same thing, but they mainly use 'all purpose' flour to which you add baking powder/soda/helium - anything to make the cake light. But they also have 'cake flour' - which I used for this recipe. I promise I followed the method and although it said to use self-raising/rising I thought cake flour should suffice - wouldn't it? But maybe there is a huge difference in cake flour and self raising? Back in ol' Blighty I used sponge flour for all my cakes to no ill effect - Lord I miss McDougalls!!

Cutting this saga short, I baked 32 mini madelines and were they light and fluffy? About as light and fluffy as a hippo on a tightrope.

The recipe that I used advised: "best eaten on the day made - except if you're Shalini, in which case, give up all hope and find another use for your madeline tin".



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Chauncy St,Cambridge,United States

Starbucks, Apple & A Good Idea

Forgive the interruption in service. There really is no excuse for not making regular posts. But, being a new 1950s housewife is very time consuming ahem...

So, where was I? Ah yes...

...Hubby has hit upon a brilliant idea. Whilst passing by (my beloved) Starbucks, we looked in to see if there was any room. Alas, on a Saturday afternoon, it's nigh on impossible to find room for one, let alone two people.

I suggested to Hubby that we loiter and stare at people so those sitting with empty cups and half eaten brownies will feel guilty and vacate their seat/table. Admittedly, I lack the courage to actually carry that 'threat' out, so we stood for a moment contemplating where to go for a cup of java.

Whilst standing there, Hubby surveyed the tables. And smiled, "you know", he said to me "Apple needs to open up a 'Genius Bar' here...or at the very least PC World should sponsor this place. Actually make that Best Buys."

Brilliant idea! Each time I enter SB, I don't see tables laden with used paper cups or crumbs from a devoured coffee cake, but rather laptops, i-pods, and i-phones. With the amount of Apple laptops that adorn the front window benches, a Genius Bar would do very well. How many essays, thesis' or notes have disappeared or a web page not loaded properly? Their frustration would be resolved in an instant. But, would having a Genius Bar encourage folk to stay even longer and therefore deprive me from leaving crumbs of coffee cake behind?

Still, I reckon Hubby is onto something - I should get in touch with Apple & SB to suggest the idea...and obviously get some sort of compensation...

My Hubby, not just a handsome bloke


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Location:Cambridge

Take A Hint

I was reading the Metro section of the The Boston Globe recently and happened across the agony aunt section. I normally read these (problems) just because I'm nosey and possibly, selfishly, feel better about my life because at least I don't have their issues.

And, after reading them it does make me wonder why people feel motivated to write in and share with the world their dilemmas. Yes, I appreciate that 'talking' to a stranger allows a little perspective, but why do it so publicly?

Mind you, writing in about a problem is much better that airing them on national TV - need I mention, Jerry Springer, Trisha and the like? Why people, does finding out that your best friend slept with your mother's best friend's daughter make for interesting viewing? (rolling my eyes). Moving on...

...this particular problem...this woman wrote in saying that (in short) her husband has changed his Facebook profile picture from the two of them to just himself. When seeing his friends she doesn't get invited along, although sometimes the friends wives do; on occasion their dog attends events. She asks what she should do, as the relationship has changed.

I can't remember what the agony aunt's response was but this is what I would say (and I appreciate that it may come across as a tad harsh but..)

"Dear Unsure,

Lord have mercy, how thick do you have to be?

The DOG gets invited out but you don't. Er, let me think - yeah love, I'd say your relationship has changed!!?! Maybe he's not 'man enough' to leave you, but girl...get the heck out of there!

Hope it all works out for you.."

Yeah, I know...maybe a career as an agony aunt is not quite for me...

The Power of Body Shop

I'm always amazed at no matter how determined I am to just "pop in" to The Body Shop to pick up what ever it is I need at the time, I end up with eight things that I liked but had no intention of buying and didn't really need it at that particular moment.

With the whole spiel of "if you spend $40 now, you'll get a point which means 15% off your next purchase..", they really know how to make their money. Really, a whole point now...oh well if you said earlier...

The training they receive must be fantastic. I can just imagine they're all sitting in a large conference room, the trainer is looking at the latest recruits saying "remember ladies and gentlemen, sell, sell, sell...it's all natural, good for them, for the planet and if they still won't purchase the bath lilly...tell them about the stop cruelty to children petition..."

The other day I went in for some bath wash and was pounced on. I did avoid eye contact, but the sales assistants have grown wise..yes, customer dear, we've been trained...we know you're not looking at us, but we're still going to ask you if we can help!

So, the young man asks "is there anything I can help you with? By the way, the mango wash (which I had in my hand) is so refreshing." I smiled, as he chatted away about "have I tried satsuma". I tried to quell my mind and my mouth from asking a question, but I rarely listen to anyone, so why would I listen to me?! "Actually, I was looking for an exfoliating face wash". His eyes brightened...no, could it be true, she wants something else. Oh you've done it now, I chastised myself. "Of course" he replies practically jumping up and down. He takes me to a shelf with said product, "try this one, with camu camu seeds; its really good and I just love saying that - camu camu seeds." Ok, I get it you like saying "camu camu"...he goes on to ask if I want a hand exfoliator...dragging me to a bowl of warm water, where he applies a salve and starts massaging my hand; "doesn't it feel lovely?" I smiled, "yes it does, but no thanks." That's it girl stand strong.

Then he says, "can I interest you in a make-up case, with make-up brushes? Only $15..if you buy one more thing...?" Nah, mate, suckered into that one last week I almost respond...but smiled and say "thanks, but I already have that." Disappointment flashes in eyes.

I wanted to reassure him that next time I'm in, he can corner me with another offer that they are promoting and that I will no doubt succumb to. But refrained...then felt a tad guilty so I added to my bath lily collection...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Cambridge MA

The Golden Globes

I'm not a huge fan of award ceremonies. I like to know who won what at the BAFTA's, the Oscars, Grammy's and even the Raspberries (is that the correct name?), however, that doesn't mean I'm inclined to sit and watch actors and musicians alike picking up their well deserved piece of display for their mantelpiece. But, like my love for country music, being in America, you can't help but get drawn into the glamour.

So, Hubby and I (well, Hubby kept one eye on the proceedings, whilst I had both firmly glued to the screen), settled in and watched the Golden Globes. And, to be perfectly honest, I was much more interested in who was wearing what. I love fashion but I'm certainly no fashionista! To be honest, I like seeing who's wearing what and 'avin' a bit of b*tch about whether they should be wearing that on the red carpet. C'mon on now, don't tell me you wouldn't do the same thing.

I tuned into E! on the red carpet with Ryan Seacrest, who was interviewing the likes of (OMG!) Justin Bieber, Brad and Angie as well as Michael Douglas and CZJ (Michael, by the way looks so good after all his chemo...). Ryan would ask who the designer was and well, I didn't actually know all the designers they mentioned (did I say I'm not a fashionista?!) but I recognized the usual like Prada and Armani. My observation is that green is the new purple which was the new black. Some great designs and as always the jewelry was er, blinging! (can you use that word as a verb?!) Anyway the highlights for me (oh and don't expect some elaborate description detailing the cut and flow...sorry!) were:

Angelina Jolie: Long vintage looking green sparkly dress (Versace)- very nice, demure and understated...and did I mention green? And what's with the draping/leaning constantly against/over Brad? Angie love, we know you're together, no need to stick to the man like glue...are you that worried about Jen?!

Sandra Bullock: Hmmm...pink, sparkly, off the shoulder, crystals flowing across the length of the dress...but her fringe was a little too long and detracted from the dress. Although Ms bullock is one of my fave actors, I expected something that didn't look so dated. Lets just say it wasn't her best red carpet look!

J-Lo: white dress, gathered at the front, strapless with a chiffon, sequin studded 'shawl'. She looked goddess like, beautiful as always...although e! seems to think she looked matronly?!

Olivia Wilde: Gorgeous, gorgeous, chocolate colored tulle ball gown which was packed with sequins from the bodice to a gentle cascade over the skirt. And the heels - divine! Gold sequined Louboutin shoe/boots!

Halle Berry: some didn't like her basque and chiffon number, but I thought she looked stunning. And her skin...flawless.

Natalie Portman: beautiful in a pink empire waist number with a red appliquéd rose across the sweetheart neckline. It showed off her bump in a lovely, demure way.

Megan Fox: Stunning! This was my favorite dress of the evening. It was a pink number (actually, they call it 'blush'...looked pink to me!) with the bodice part 'sections' of material criss-crossing with some of those strips of material studded with sequins/rhinestones (couldn't quite tell! But see the picture attached!) It was by Armani Prive.

Lea Michele (Glee): looked very sweet in a Oscar de la Renta ruffles and flowing fabric. Some say she looked a little twee; I didn't think so.

Jane Lynch: Considering how tall she is, Ms Lynch looked elegant in her black, dazzling dress.

Tilda Swinton: hmmm...it looked like she dropped something on the top part of her dress at home, didn't have time to don another dress, so put on a white shirt (crisply ironed!) with a lemon (duchess silk?) full length skirt. Eh? Sorry...not a red carpet combo at all!

Helena Bonham Carter: for starters the hair. She looked liked she had just left the HP set. So, her coif was Bellatrix crossed with someone getting dressed in the dark - she wore two different colored shoes. I appreciate wearing Westwood means being a little out there...but there's "out there" and then there's "can I hitch ride back to Earth?"!

Overall, I thought the majority of the women looked so beautiful...as for the men; unfortunately, there's only so many ways to wear a tuxedo! Which is worse for them as if they don't have the stature to carry it off, they can look odd. Justin had to wear sneakers with his ensemble...ok Bieber, we get it, you're young, you need to stay hip. But mate, this is the Golden Globes...dress for the occasion. Johnny Depp...suave as usual without a tie. But as Hubby put it, that man can wear something from the reject bin in Oxfam and still look good.

Check out www.eonline.com for pictures for some of the ladies mentioned above.

With the glitz and the glamor all over, I must say, I'm looking forward to the Oscars...