I love this Stephanie! It's so interesting to see the UK from your perspective - particularly the royal family and their 'saucy intrigues'. I'm actually cringing less about them having seen them this way!
I'm so glad you got to experience some great food here too (which can be hit and miss) and I love that you love afternoon tea! One of my all-time favourite hobbies. Incidentally, I was also supposed to be travelling at the same time as you (to Iceland) when that volcano hit!
You might like the post I wrote on Britpop last month. In the meantime I look forward to your post on Bridget Jones and I'm going to look up these YouTube instructions on how to mock our accents!!
Haha! What happens within The British Royal Family is perceived as a scripted daytime drama series by many outside of the UK! I've often had people here tell me what goes on with them really makes them cringe and I find it interesting how that differs, depending on whether you’re talking to someone from the UK or from abroad...
I always have luck with food here - amazing - and afternoon tea is my absolute favourite!
This was an enjoyable read, Stephanie. I'm half Brit/half American so my identity and interests straddle both places and it was so interesting to hear your take on Blighty. I will admit to being an unashamed and proudly open Spice Girls fan. In fact, you might remember this, but at one point everyone had their favourite Spice Girl (mine was Baby). I went to university in the US and in my final/senior year, Spiceworld came out in the cinemas and I was there with four of my friends - all male - on opening day. Great times.
As a massive Britpop, and particularly Suede fan, I'm not sure I'd call Suede 'upbeat', but you might be thinking of 'Coming Up', their third album. But I'm just nitpicking - I'd be curious to hear about what band/albums made an impact on you.
Oh wow! So l'm curious, do you speak with a British or with an American accent?! Haha! The Spice Girls just didn't quite fit the cool, moody persona I was trying to uphold at the time, so I didn't want to flaunt my love for them too openly... To this day, it still feels like I have to justify it! But they were great and my favourite was Scary!
Yes, you're right, I must admit that Suede's "Coming Up" with "Beautiful Ones" and "Trash" was the one that got me hooked, which was in stark contrast to my other darker listening pleasures. One of my absolute favourite albums from that era is Supergrass "I Should Coco". I also have everything Blur put out, but refused to let my adoration for them keep me from loving Oasis just
the same! I was obsessed with "Definitely Maybe" and "What's the Story", but, like many people, had a hard time warming up to "Be Here Now", although it had really great tracks, especially when listening in retrospect...
I also grew to appreciate many British artists that theoretically weren't classified as "Britrock" or "-pop", but that I discovered only because of that
whole phenomenon - Portishead, for example. I was a huge fan... "Roads" remains my personal anthem ❤️ And I went way back - The Stone Roses, The Smiths, Joy Division, The Jam - I
discovered them all because of "Cool Britannia", even though they came many years before then!
Oh, believe me, I had no shame in being open about my love for the Spice Girls. I didn't even do it ironically - I was proud of it. I have a really funny story connected to the Spice Girls, but I'll have to save that for a proper post a bit later.
"Coming Up" is certainly a good album, but I fell in love with Suede in 1993 with their first album, and their second album, "Dog Man Star", is a masterpiece. If you haven't listened to them at all, definitely do so.
Those older bands you mentioned - yeah, fantastic! Such a wonderful period for music.
As for my accent, you can hear for yourself if you like - I've done a couple of audio posts. No pressure to listen to them all, just a few seconds will be enough to give you a taste. My accent is definitely more American, though when I am in the US, and when I taught high school in New Hampshire in 2009-2010, my students loved my 'cool British accent', even though it certainly isn't. I pronounce some words in a weird hybrid way - glacier, tomato, and water are some good examples (I say 'glass-ier', 'tom-ae-To' (stressing the 'T') and 'wah-Ter' (again stressing the 'T').
I love that and yes, definitely post about that story, I'd love to read it!
I have listened to Suede's first 2 albums, but never as intensely as I did to "Coming Up". Reading that makes me want to go back and give them a proper listen and I think I will!
I'll have to check out your audios, I'm very curious... I always perceived myself as having a pretty standard American accent, but people here in the UK often think I'm Canadian 😂
2. Oh, how could I forget them?! 😂 The Spice Girls was as far as it went for me 🤫
3. Oooops 🙈 I always read over my posts 2 times and yet still end up missing something! (You're a teacher aren't you? 😉)
4. I'm glad!... I'll have to post something about Sweden (maybe a note?!) because I really enjoyed travelling there as well (especially during covid 😅)
Oh wow! Well if it's been 15 years, I'm assuming you feel at home!?
I'm on the Southcoast as well - I wanted to be by the sea and I like the mild climate. Everyone here always asks "Why here? Why not Spain or Portugal or somewhere warm"?! 😂 But I actually despise extremely hot summers and didn't mind the sometimes moody summer weather here 😊
Haha! Yes, I admit, I loved the Spice Girls, but it didn't suit the image I tried to uphold back then, so it remained my secret 😂 I was convinced that upbeat, "happy" pop music wasn't cool - a ridiculous sentiment that I have thankfully outgrown! I no longer believe that there are rules as to what's cool and what's not - if you like something, then it's cool!
Unfortunately, I haven't seen Miss Potter. It's on my seemingly endless list of "still-must-sees"... Probably because when I do have time to watch a film, I love rewatching old favourites like Bridget Jones 🙈
I understand exactly what you mean by "comfortably restless". I was in a similar situation for many years...
Yes - the humidity 🤦🏻♀️ That's what I find so unbearable about the summers in most of Continental Europe these days...
I remain more of a rock, indie and alternative fan to this day, so we probably have some favourites in common!
It's such a wholesome (yet inefficient) habit of mine - watching films I love over and over again 😂 It's very comforting though and many older movies are just so enjoyable that I can't help myself!
I was born in England, but it's been forever since I visited my homeland. Thanks for refreshing my memory. I enjoyed every morsel.
Oh wow! Glad you enjoyed it and that it brought back memories of home for you!
I don’t think I qualify as an Anglophile, but I’ve been very interested in British identities and Arthurian stories.
That could already qualify you to some extent! I don't know how strict the parametres that are applied to determine if someone is an Anglophile are 😉
This was such an interesting read Stephanie!!!
Even I feel living in a different country sometimes. Especially, because of the people I deal with here.
Great read!!!
🥰
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I hope it inspires people to try living in another country, even if just for a time!
I love this Stephanie! It's so interesting to see the UK from your perspective - particularly the royal family and their 'saucy intrigues'. I'm actually cringing less about them having seen them this way!
I'm so glad you got to experience some great food here too (which can be hit and miss) and I love that you love afternoon tea! One of my all-time favourite hobbies. Incidentally, I was also supposed to be travelling at the same time as you (to Iceland) when that volcano hit!
You might like the post I wrote on Britpop last month. In the meantime I look forward to your post on Bridget Jones and I'm going to look up these YouTube instructions on how to mock our accents!!
Haha! What happens within The British Royal Family is perceived as a scripted daytime drama series by many outside of the UK! I've often had people here tell me what goes on with them really makes them cringe and I find it interesting how that differs, depending on whether you’re talking to someone from the UK or from abroad...
I always have luck with food here - amazing - and afternoon tea is my absolute favourite!
Yes, that von volcano ruined a lot of holidays 😂
Oh yes, I'll be sure to check that post out!
I particularly enjoy the videos with Northerners!
This was an enjoyable read, Stephanie. I'm half Brit/half American so my identity and interests straddle both places and it was so interesting to hear your take on Blighty. I will admit to being an unashamed and proudly open Spice Girls fan. In fact, you might remember this, but at one point everyone had their favourite Spice Girl (mine was Baby). I went to university in the US and in my final/senior year, Spiceworld came out in the cinemas and I was there with four of my friends - all male - on opening day. Great times.
As a massive Britpop, and particularly Suede fan, I'm not sure I'd call Suede 'upbeat', but you might be thinking of 'Coming Up', their third album. But I'm just nitpicking - I'd be curious to hear about what band/albums made an impact on you.
Oh wow! So l'm curious, do you speak with a British or with an American accent?! Haha! The Spice Girls just didn't quite fit the cool, moody persona I was trying to uphold at the time, so I didn't want to flaunt my love for them too openly... To this day, it still feels like I have to justify it! But they were great and my favourite was Scary!
Yes, you're right, I must admit that Suede's "Coming Up" with "Beautiful Ones" and "Trash" was the one that got me hooked, which was in stark contrast to my other darker listening pleasures. One of my absolute favourite albums from that era is Supergrass "I Should Coco". I also have everything Blur put out, but refused to let my adoration for them keep me from loving Oasis just
the same! I was obsessed with "Definitely Maybe" and "What's the Story", but, like many people, had a hard time warming up to "Be Here Now", although it had really great tracks, especially when listening in retrospect...
I also grew to appreciate many British artists that theoretically weren't classified as "Britrock" or "-pop", but that I discovered only because of that
whole phenomenon - Portishead, for example. I was a huge fan... "Roads" remains my personal anthem ❤️ And I went way back - The Stone Roses, The Smiths, Joy Division, The Jam - I
discovered them all because of "Cool Britannia", even though they came many years before then!
Oh, believe me, I had no shame in being open about my love for the Spice Girls. I didn't even do it ironically - I was proud of it. I have a really funny story connected to the Spice Girls, but I'll have to save that for a proper post a bit later.
"Coming Up" is certainly a good album, but I fell in love with Suede in 1993 with their first album, and their second album, "Dog Man Star", is a masterpiece. If you haven't listened to them at all, definitely do so.
Those older bands you mentioned - yeah, fantastic! Such a wonderful period for music.
As for my accent, you can hear for yourself if you like - I've done a couple of audio posts. No pressure to listen to them all, just a few seconds will be enough to give you a taste. My accent is definitely more American, though when I am in the US, and when I taught high school in New Hampshire in 2009-2010, my students loved my 'cool British accent', even though it certainly isn't. I pronounce some words in a weird hybrid way - glacier, tomato, and water are some good examples (I say 'glass-ier', 'tom-ae-To' (stressing the 'T') and 'wah-Ter' (again stressing the 'T').
I love that and yes, definitely post about that story, I'd love to read it!
I have listened to Suede's first 2 albums, but never as intensely as I did to "Coming Up". Reading that makes me want to go back and give them a proper listen and I think I will!
I'll have to check out your audios, I'm very curious... I always perceived myself as having a pretty standard American accent, but people here in the UK often think I'm Canadian 😂
Critique:
1: Cover picture 10/10
2: Content 9.5/10
(Didn't mention Back Street Boys or Nsync) 8P
3: Syntax/Form/Spelling 9.9/10
Two spelling mistakes preganancies and enviornment (I think you would rather know than not know)
4: Overall 9.9/10
Very informative and fun to read, delving into the personality that is Stephanie Clemons!
1. I love that painting ❤️
2. Oh, how could I forget them?! 😂 The Spice Girls was as far as it went for me 🤫
3. Oooops 🙈 I always read over my posts 2 times and yet still end up missing something! (You're a teacher aren't you? 😉)
4. I'm glad!... I'll have to post something about Sweden (maybe a note?!) because I really enjoyed travelling there as well (especially during covid 😅)
Sweden? Where?
Stockholm and Gothenburg
Ohhh nice!
It was ❤️
Oh wow! Well if it's been 15 years, I'm assuming you feel at home!?
I'm on the Southcoast as well - I wanted to be by the sea and I like the mild climate. Everyone here always asks "Why here? Why not Spain or Portugal or somewhere warm"?! 😂 But I actually despise extremely hot summers and didn't mind the sometimes moody summer weather here 😊
Haha! Yes, I admit, I loved the Spice Girls, but it didn't suit the image I tried to uphold back then, so it remained my secret 😂 I was convinced that upbeat, "happy" pop music wasn't cool - a ridiculous sentiment that I have thankfully outgrown! I no longer believe that there are rules as to what's cool and what's not - if you like something, then it's cool!
Unfortunately, I haven't seen Miss Potter. It's on my seemingly endless list of "still-must-sees"... Probably because when I do have time to watch a film, I love rewatching old favourites like Bridget Jones 🙈
I understand exactly what you mean by "comfortably restless". I was in a similar situation for many years...
Yes - the humidity 🤦🏻♀️ That's what I find so unbearable about the summers in most of Continental Europe these days...
I remain more of a rock, indie and alternative fan to this day, so we probably have some favourites in common!
It's such a wholesome (yet inefficient) habit of mine - watching films I love over and over again 😂 It's very comforting though and many older movies are just so enjoyable that I can't help myself!