no time to blog

Our second set of visitors has just left us, sending us scrambling to keep up with work, school, neglected studies and household chores, not to mention our own upcoming trip to Dubai. We'd intended to update this webpage regularly. Is monthly regular enough?!

autumnal musings

I was informed while helping to develop content for the website of my daughter's school that the Brits do not have a Fall term (or season); rather, it's Autumn.

There are other such words lurking in the British vocabulary, just waiting to snare an unsuspecting Canadian. No doubt some of these you are aware of from your own travels to the UK. Some are a bit more subtle.

• chips — ask for these and your host is apt to turn on the deep fryer (or chip pan, as it's referred to here)
• crisps — crisp potato snacks, so ubiquitious here it isn't funny
• pants — underpants or (for girls) knickers, not to be confused with trousers...or you (or I, certainly) run the risk of earning a withering stare from mortified offspring
• lollipop lady — far from a beneficent woman handing out treats but rather a female school crossing guard
• teatime — not to be confused with high tea, a warm dark beverage stewed in a pot and served with biscuits (otherwise known as cookies), but actually one's evening meal
• pudding — not a specific but a general reference to dessert
• "Are you all right?" — equivalent to the Canadian "How are you?" and definitely not an oblique comment as to your unkempt appearance or lack of attention
• sick — very unwell, physically so; otherwise, you're simply "poorly".

on celebrating holidays abroad

Let's face it, it's hard enough celebrating Halloween in a country that considers it a purely pagan, and therefore to many, an un-Christian holiday. Those who do answer the door are shocked to find a pink-clad fairy on their doorstep, so accustomed are they to the darker spooks and goblins commonly found out and about on October 31.

But how ever will we cope in Dubai and during Ramadan no less. Not only must we smuggle in bottles of wine but sweets as well ... and maybe even a fairy costume to the delight and consternation of UAE residents. We'll let you know how we get along!

In the meantime, we hope you all had a great Canadian Thanksgiving! Happy Halloween!