Finding the Familiar

While I no longer get my bagels from Zabar's (actually, I never really got them there, but Zabar's is an iconic New York reference, so you get what I mean), and you can't find Nova Scotia Lox anywhere, I have found my home here and now I get my bagels from the bakery at Tesco (they're surprisingly good - soft and chewy) and the Scottish smoked salmon is about as good as any Nova I've had. So let's make a toast together with an everything bagel, lox and a schmear to much love, happiness and peace in the world... all the world over. Happy New Year.

My Faves

I haven't mentioned it before but I just adore Jonathan Ross and his chat show, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. He blows everyone else away - you've got to see him (maybe he's on BBC America?). I really enjoy his easy style and guilelessness. Anyway, last night he featured a really interesting singer, Adele. Check her out and listen to her music here. I can think of at least a few friends and family who will like her.

Measuring Up

If I wanted to generalize based on first impressions, I'd say that the English like to have things in order. Everything, down to the thickness of one's duvet, is measured. Which is a very good thing indeed. And when it comes to cooking, the measurements in my cookbooks from home are not, errh, measuring up here. As I work with both (using a conversion table), I realize that the US system of measurements seems to have come out of the Middle Ages. Teaspoons and tablespoons; pints and gallons?? Have we not moved into more exacting technologies since the days of lords and serfs? My suggestion to US college students who want to be global leaders one day: learn the metric system!!

Englishmen in New York

I got back from my trip to New York last week and while it was fantastic, it was way too brief to see and do all I wanted to. One recurring statement I heard from everyone was that the city was filled with... shoppers from England! Apparently it is the thing to do: finance your entire trip - flights and hotel - with the money you saved Christmas shopping in NY rather than at home in the UK. That's fine, but I'm waiting on a stronger US dollar. It is sad to note that in UK currency, the smallest denominational value in paper (as opposed to coins) is five pounds (about $10) while in the US, we're walking around with a wad full of notes worth about 50p each!