Once upon a time, in a land far away...

Like most, I grew up on a healthy diet of British literature, history and pop culture.

It all starts with fairy tales and goes from there, doesn't it?  In elementary school, I devoured the biographies of Florence Nightingale and other famous Brits.  And what prepubescent girl doesn't love the stories of King Arthur, Guinevere and Sir Lancelot?  One of my favorite authors is Jane Austen and I've read The Mists of Avalon series by Marion Zimmer Bradley twice. I often read nonfiction books on British history just for fun.  (Then there was that whole historical romance phase, gotta love a good bodice ripper.) 

My first 45 was Hey Jude.  I recently went to see Love in Vegas and was verklempt throughout.  And of course, I was lucky enough to be around during the best MTV years ever and the Second British Invasion... Adam Ant, Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, The Human League, Wham!, Dexy's Midnight Runners.  

Favorite movies... Three Weddings and A Funeral, A Room with a View, Bridget Jones, Love Actually, Nottinghill... My Fair Lady.  During the recent Royal Wedding, Jess and I got up early, donned tiaras and had mimosas as we watched hours of coverage (don't judge).  I guess you could call me a bit of an Anglophile.  

 

And now this long-distance relationship is taking the next step and I will be living in this land far away.   And I am thrilled.  I've always wanted to live in Europe (although, I must confess, I always thought it would be Italy a la Under the Tuscan Sun.  Spaghetti Bolognaise is much sexier than Bangers & Mash.)  

I'm excited and also nervous.  When you pull back the curtain, you are usually met with the ordinary.  The reality of this place will likely not stand up to the ideals that are instilled in me.  I'm sure there will be days when I think "What the hell am I doing here?"  But, I also know there will be as many days (hopefully more) that I will think "I can't believe I get it live here!" 

So, with my head in the clouds and my feet firmly on the ground... I am off to the United Kingdom with my Englishman.  I would adore him if he was from anywhere else, but the fact that the man that I love madly whispers sweet nothings with a British accent is the bomdiggity.

xoxo
Selena