First Month's Report

I thought I would take the time to report on my first few weeks in the Brum, a.k.a Birmingham. Please note that this is pronounced Buurrr-MING-um, not BER-ming-HAAAM.

First day back I got changed in the "loo" of a train station for an interview fora Menu Planner/ Catering Manager. Decided to get off a stop early and spend some time in town instead of rushing home and back on the public transport system that I need to learn the in's and out's of. As soon as I ventureed to the town centre, I immediately remembered how much I love European fashion. Albeit, it wasn't in the hippest of towns but the sparkly vests (tank tops) and the trendy jeans instantly made me lusty for shopping. I had an hour and some to spare before my interview, so why not relax in a familiar place... to Starbucks I went, which was not nearly as pricey as I had remembered it. Perhaps that had to do with the falling exchange rate between the pound and Canadian dollar? Nothing seems to be as expensive as I remember it, well.. except for the price of fuel for your car. I finished my latte (btw, only sugar-free vanilla syrup here... bummer) and made my way to my (seemingly successful, although not) interview and then home.

On the way home, I noticed that Mother Nature had sprinkled some of her gracious white glitter on the ground; little did I know that this was a teaser for what was to come in the following weeks... A few days later when we were due to go to a party at our friends' house, the proper snow started to come! Clusters of flakes larger than quarters (10p's) bulleted rom the sky and Craig decided that we should get started on our way to Chez Nowell for our Christmas Party! Just one thing... will the Mondeo make it? Doubtful. Hills + inches of wetish snow - winter tires (or all seasons)= wheel spins and zigzagging up the hills. It took us an hour to go a distance that usually takes 10 minutes for two main reasons: A) Lack of appropriate tires B) Just like when it snows in Edmonton for the first time of the year, people forget how to drive. In the end we made it, and good thing or else I would have had tomake my mulled wine (see recipe to follow) all for myself. FYI--> my (well, Jamie Oliver's) mulled wine is AH-MAZE-ING

To continue with the snow stories... the following day (Christmas Eve Day), I felt it my Canadian duty to show some kids the proper way to make a snowman. I'm pretty sure Craig has made an excellent case in becoming a Canadian with all the effort he put forth! The weather brightened up a bit over Christmas (it's been hovering just about zero) while the snow melted to expose the greenery (yes, green grass in December). That was until this week... record snowfalls in Britain crippling the country. Even by my standards, we have had a tonne of snow! I keep cursing to myself that I didn't bring my winter boots; however they would not really stand up to the wetness associated with this snow. Mission for next week: purchase some stylish wellies (rubber boots).

Going back to Christmas, it is pretty much the same as a Canadian celebration; however, instead of eating at dinner time, you eat at dinner time (lunch time. Explanation: in the Midlands you call lunch= dinner, and supper= tea). Same family meal for the most part and for your supper you have salads, cold cuts, dips, etc. This later meal is when you pop your Christmas Cracker (cross your arms and pull with each person sitting next to you) and don your paper hat! In your Christmas Cracker you get a toy and a joke... some are quite good ie) What do you call two robbers? while some are not: What do you call a horse in pyjamas?


Our New Year's was not any different from how I usually end up spending it. Unfortunately it was a bit lacklustre in contrast to our original plans. We were going to go to London, but didn't :( then we were going to go to Oxwich Bay, but didn't :( :( but in the end we went around to our friends, the Nowell's house :) :) :) for some drinks and good "crack" (conversation, not the drug). It was good to be with friends when Big Ben struck 12.

Since then, Craig and I have been intensively job hunting. I had two rosy interviews this week (Cadbury's and the University of Birmingham) and am due for another one on the 14th (Kraft). Craig is looking and applying but is finding it disheartening because of the lack of response he is receiving from applications. We knew this was going to be the case, but I have decided to be selfish and give it a go for my own development. In my opinion, I am not fully convinced that these online recruitment companies are that efficient in their operations because even for all of the positions I have applied for, I have also not heard any response from applications I have made from said recruitment websites. In contrast, almost any job I have applied for via the specific website has been successful in generating a response (positive or negative). Whatever the case, this is what we have been doing to pass the time and what we will continue to do until we have been successful.

As for this blog, I endeavour to write at least once a month (similar to when I was on tour). If something exciting comes along, I will let you know sooner so not to let my entries carry on as long as this one. I hope all is well wherever you may be. Keep in touch, K






















Kristyn (and Jamie's) Mulled Wine

Ingredients

• 2 oranges (not the easy to peel sort)
  
• 1 peel of lemon, lime


• 250g granulated (caster) sugar


• 12 whole cloves


• 2 cinnamon sticks
  
• 2 whole nutmegs
  
• 1 whole vanilla pod, halved and flattened with the bits that get stuck to the knife tossed in
  
• star anise (if you can find it. I didn't have it when I made it, but if I found some I would add it when I make this again)
  
• 2 bottles of (Chianti). I used some "Italian Red Wine" literally, from Sainsbury's
  
• Amaretto (if you want)
  

Directions

• peel large sections of rind from your oranges, lemon, lime


• put the sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add pieces of peel and squeeze orange juice
  
• add cloves, cinnamon, nutmegs, vanilla


• add just enough wine to cover the sugar. Let simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved and bring to a gentle boil


• boil for 5 minutes OR until you have a thick syrup. This heat helps to infuse the spices. Be sure to use only enough wine to coat the sugar because as you boil the wine, the alcohol boils off :(


• Turn the heat to LOW, add the star anise, and the rest of the 2 bottles of wine. Gently heat (don't boil) or 5 minutes.


• The wine is technically ready to serve... BUT if you dare, follow the next truly delicious step!


• Add a shot of Amaretto to the serving glass and top with hot mulled wine


• Yum!
  

Joke Answers:

What do you call two robbers? A pair of knickers mwaa haa haa haa


What do you call a horse in pyjamas? A zebra wah-wah