Reflection Sunday: Week 8

     On this two-month anniversay of my first attempt at blogging, I have to say that I have been liking all the comments about those travelling this journey with me.  Even though the commetns are NOT posted on my blog page (excedpt for a few faithful ones!!!), I have heard by other means -- friends, family, emails, phone calls -- that many of you have been following along with me.  I want to thank everyone for thier continued support and prayers for me, especially during the difficult times.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

     This Sunday evening I am not feeling quite well due to some stuffy sinus and a sore throat.  Honestly, many people have been feeling the same way - maybe it could well be from the ash cloud filtering over the UK.  It really doen't matter to me how I got it, I still feel yucky.  However, I must tell you that I had no plans this weekend other than to go into work of Saturday morning; but the weekend turned out to be very fun and relaxing!!!  Tonight, the last person to come from the US -- she had to wait because she just got married in March -- cooked all of us dinner.  Or, should I say, she and her husband cooked us dinner.  We had stewed chicken, rice, corn, and home-made potato salad.  WHAT A FEAST!!!  Once again, we all got together, vented about our frustrations at work, and then laughed and laughed about it.  With all the difficulties have have incurred along the way, I must say that I have made very good friends whom I trust and care about.  Friends are extra special to me since I can choose my friends and they can choose me!!! 

     This reflection post is all about expecting the unexpected from God -- blessing you with something totally different -- even if that blessing is something you did not want.  This past week I have been trying to catch up on all my paperwork and tasks at work, but when the end of the day came, I would just have more work -- not less.  Walking home, I would think about all I did NOT get done that day instead of smiling at the things I DID get done.  Twice this past week, I was stopped by the triplets -  black & white kitties - on the walk to my house.  Of course I would stop to pet them.  They are funny because they all try to push the other one out from under my hands to get their backs or chins scratched.  Not expecting Moe, Larry & Curly to greet me on my way home, they were a welcomed, innocent, and blessed pleasure to the end of some very stressful days.  Then, I had two wonderful days travelling to & from Wales and visiting Windsor Castle.

     I never intended or expected any of these simple, yet wonderful blessings in my day when I woke up in the morning.  However, I was all smiles when I laid my head on my pillow at night.  I thanked God for opening my eyes to the gifts of each day.  As funny as this may sound, I now expect the unexpected to happen; and when it does, I know that God has this unexpected event into my life for a reason -- good or not-so-good.  I am just thankful that I now recognize that God is with me always and whatever He sends my way, it is from Him.  I give glory and praise to God for all that He has blessed in my life.

I AM BLESSED!!!

Windsor Castle

     On Saturday morning, I headed into the office to try and get some much-needed paperwork done.  I was to meet Valerie in there at 9:00am, but she never showed.  The day was absolutely georgeous -- sunny (not a cloud in the sky) and warm with the smells of spring in the air.  I had planned only to work until noon, so I knew that I had to focus to try to put a dent in my "cyclone of a desk."  I was able to accomplish some filing, answering emails, typing contact summaries; however, the time flew by and before I knew it, the time was 11:30am.  As I prepared to begin another report, I decided the day was too beautiful to waste indoors, so I began to pack it in.  As I was doing so, Valerie sauntered through the front door.  She was coming to do her paperwork.  As I was talking with her,  Jana and Danielle called and said they were going to Windsor Castle and invited me along. HMMMMMMM . . . OKAY!!!!!   No chance was I missing out on this awesome opportunity on such a lovely day.

     I met them at the train station to catch our train from Reading to Slough to Windsor.  A very short train ride - about half-an-hour in total. This was the last weekend of the Spring school holiday and the weather was the best in the UK this year, so one could only imagine how Windsor Castle might be -- crowded!!!  It was not packed, but just crowded.  As the train got closer to Windsor, we were able to see the castle, but then it disappeared behind the buildings.  When we walked up the hill from the train station, Windsor Castle hit me like a two-by-four across the chest -- BREATHTAKING!!! Such majesty and awe when in her close presence!!!  Jana and I could not stop taking pictures.  Flat Stanely just happened to be with me but I forgot to take him out to take pictures.  He was still able to appreciate Windsor Castle. 

    We went to stand in line to pay to get into the castle, but one would think that with all the gold and jewels sitting in this place, one would be able to get in free.  Nope!!!  Same as always -- the rich keep taking fromn the poor.  Anywho, we were able to get a yearly pass for the price of our admission since we all had addresses in the UK.  This is good for others who come over so we can use them for others to get in free as well (or not).  Once we got inside, we opted to get one of those free "guided tour" listening earpieces.  Jana and I had a heck of a time getting it to rest on our ears, so we just took the earpiece out and listen to it like a phone.  After the introduction, Prince Edward became our tour giude.  Jana and I decided we didn't need him to show off his residence, so we bagged the tour. 

     Reading all the history about Windsor Castle and the Royal Family line was just fascinating to me.  The gardens were in full bloom with tulips, budding trees, and green, green grass.  I could definately get in trouble playing as a kid in this fortress!!!  We opted not to go inside to see Queen Mary's Doll House -- we heard people's disappointments as they exited the castle, so we decided to go and bug one of the guards to get his picture.  He didn't care -- we were just "those annoying Americans" trying to get him to look at us.  Just walking outside on the grounds was so cool and beautiful!!!  For some reason, we were all fascinated by the lamp posts and lanterns, so we took lots of pictures of them.  As we headed for the exit, we were pleasantly astonished and speechless at the sight of St. George's Chapel (which is by no means a small chapel). This is the size of a cathedral!!! 

     When I entered the chapel, my eyes began to tear at the beauty and grandeur of this place.  The intricate details on the ceiling -- painting and carvings of saints, biblical history, and former shields of past kings and queens.  Inside, there were sarcophagi of kings, queens and other English notables; along with marble placements on the floor noting the burial place for relatives of the kings and queens.  I could not take in all the history or details of this chapel since it is soooooooo massive!!!  I look forward to returning to it  WITH VISITORS, so I can see it again and again.  I did not want to leave, but all of us were starving, so we headed for the exit -- again.  Once we were near the exit, we noticed a guard standing at his post.  He was so still I think most people did not even realize he was there.  All of a sudden, he went through his march routine, walking back and forth, patrolling his area.  It was so cool to see this.  The "changing of the guard" happens in the morning, so we missed that part; but he was cool to watch.  Jana and I were joking that he must be "low man on the totum pole" to have this duty.  He looked like he could be 19 or 20 years young.  He did not even look like he started to shave yet.  This whole time touring Windsor Castke, Danielle, Jana and I laughed and joked and had such a good time.  I always have fun with them.

    We finally exited the castle grounds and headed straight for food!!! There is a little "alley" near the castle which has many little food places with outdoor seating.  We opted for an Italian place sitting in the shade -- we didn't want our wine to get too warm :-))  I cannot pronounce what I ate but it had mushrooms in an alfredo sauce.  Just as we got our food, the church bells started to chime.  It was perfoect!!!!  As we ate, the church bells continued to chime . . . and chime . . . and chime!!!  This went on for 15 minutes.  The ladies sitting next to us were laughing at our comments about the damn bells!!!  They just sat there and laughed as we commented on how someone needs to get the kids off the bell ropes.  It was probably the "neighbor's kids."  Once again, we laughed and laughed!!!  After lunch/dinner, we walked down along the Thames River park and into Windsor Town Center.  Windsor is a beautiful little town.  After touring the shoppes, we were getting tired so we headed back for the train.

     On our way back to Reading, talked about the day we just had and all the fun we had with each other.  I will definately be going back to Windsor Castle several times.  I just hope I will have company from home to come with me.  I know my description of this day would not do any justice to the magnificent and awesome day I had, but there will be pictures soon -- I PROMOSE!!!  When the day was over and I laid my head on my pillow, I just thanked God for another wonderful expereince along my journey for His Will.  I am blessed!!!  What an awesome Saturday at WIndsor Castle.

Fantastic Friday

     When many of us wake up on a Friday morning to go to work, we say to ourselves, TGIF!!!!  As if to say, thank yoiu so much for getting to Friday so I can rest and have fun this weekend.  No more work after today for two days.  This, of course, is for those who have a Monday - Friday job (not counting overtime).  Well, when this past Friday rolled around, I said the same thing -- TGIF!!!  However, mine was to say that I am so excited to go to work today!!!  Why?  I was headed back to Northern Wales -- this time on a train!  Last time I went, I was driven by one of myt co-workers.  This time I could relax and just take in all the scenery.  Plus, it was one of the most beautiful days of this year -- sunny, warm, and not a cloud in the sky.

     The train was crowded since there were no planes flying due to the volcano ash from Iceland, so many people were taking trains to meetings around the UK.  I made sure to get windows seats when I first got on the trains just so I could stare out the windows.  My first train went from Reading to Birmingham; the second from Birmingham to Crewe; the last one from Crewe to Chester.  All stops within England.  The trip from Reading to birmingham was beautiful since I got to see many places from the train window.  When the train stopped in Oxford, I could see so many cathedral roofs and steeples.  I want to visit Oxford someday soon.  I did not get to see B irmingham since I had to run to catch the train to Crewe.  I had five minutes to run from one platform to another, and since I am a runner-at-heart, I was up to the challenge.  I made it as the train doors closed.  These trains leave ON TIME!!!  Don't be a minute late or you would have to wait for the next one.

     From Birmingham to Crewe, the countryside seemed to get greener and greener.  I loved this portion of my trip.  The train would lean to one side as it rounded a bend then lean to the other side to snake its way through the hills and between farmlands.  Did I happen to mention all the SHEEP!!!  I think I did in some prior blogs, but it's worth mentioning again.  HOLY SHEEP!!!!  I saw many animals as a matter of fact.  Sheep, cows, horses, swans (lots of those), ducks, and deer.  Yeah, they have deer over here too, but not like in Pennsylvania.  The deer herelook different -- more furier (sp?).  Once I got to Crewe, I had to sprint again to catch my train from Crewe to Chester, England.  While running to the train, I had to call the staff at the place where I was to visit my client so they could come and pick me up at the train station.  They were still an hours drive north in Wales from Chester.  This train ride was sort; however, still very beautiful.  I saw the remains of an old castle or church on a cliff while riding along.  I wanted to shout and share it with someone, but I knew I would probably be throw off the train for that, so I kept my mouth shut.  As I noticed the landscape and houses as I got closer to Wales, I could definately tell the difference in the makeup of the buildings.  The stones are lighter and thicker in England than in Wales.

     When I got off the train, I had to wait for my ride outside the train station in Chester.  The buildings looked very authentic and in their original style.  As I noticed this, I decided to go back into the building to see if they had any pamphlets on the town.  Turns out that this is a very touristy place to visit in the summer -- even for those in the UK.  Chester is an old Roman occupied city with walls dating back 2,000 years ago.  They also have the world's most photographed clock (second to Big Ben) which is called The Eastgate Clock built to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.  I found out from the young lady, Sharan, who picked me up from the train station that all this was located within the small city of Chester.  Chester also boasts of the oldest horrse racetrack in England.  When I told my friends about Chester when I returned home, we all decided to make this a weekend trip soon.  These countries are wonderful to visit old castles, churches, homes, pubs, etc.  I just LOVE history!!!

    Sharan drove me north from Chetser into the hills of Wales into their national parkcalled, Snowdonia.  As before, it is the most beautiful place I have visited so far.   I think I say that with every new place I visit.  But this trip was great!!!  The young man I went to visit was quite and shy to me at first, but opened up to me as we ate luch.  We got to take about what he wants to happen in his life.  I think his requestes were very legitimate questions and he did not seem too get too angry about not getting the answers he had hoped to get. The young man and I went outside in the yard to talk in private and this was a great time to get to know my young person.  I gave him some positive news, and he was very excited about this news.  After talking or about 45 minutes, it was time for me to get back to the train station.  There is more that happened; however, I cannot let you know due to confidentiality.  Anyways, it was a great visit with this young man.

     As we headed back to the train station,. I got to talk to this young man some more, and by the time I said good-bye to him at the stataion, he was asking me when I would be back.  A good sign!!!  I gave him some dates and he will be counting the days for my return.  The train ridae back to Reading was just was excitiing as the ride up, but this time the sun was setting and the countryside looked beqautiful but different than before.  I can't wait until I return in May.  I get to see this all over again.

     I got back to Reading at 8:10pm, then headed to the bar to meet the U.N. Crew where we had decided to meet for our monthly gathering.  I got there late, so I did not order food. I just picked off others as they offered me food.  Once again, I had so much fun with my friends, and I called it a night around 10:00pm.  A very long day; however, quite a great day for me.

A Fantastic Friday!!!

Trivia Answer: Steel City in England???

     During the 19th century, Sheffield, England gained an international reputation for its steel production. Many innovations were developed locally, including crucible and stainless steel, fuelling an almost tenfold increase in the population during the Industrial Revolution. Sheffield received its municipal charter in 1893, when it officially became the City of Sheffield. International competition in iron and steel caused a decline in traditional local industries during the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with the collapse of coal mining in the area. Sounds a lot like Pittsburgh, doesn’t it?


     Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the city has grown from its largely industrial roots to encompass a wider economic base. The population of the City of Sheffield is 534,500, but the wider Sheffield Urban Area, which extends beyond the city proper, had a population of 640,720 as of the 2001 census. Sheffield is one of the eight largest regional English cities in England. The City of Sheffield is near the confluence of five rivers, and much of it is built on hillsides with views either into the city centre or out onto the countryside. It is estimated that Sheffield has over two million trees, more per person than any other city in Europe.

     So, all of you who voted for Sheffield as the Steel City of England – CONGRATS!!! Everyone else, we know where the “real” Steel City is located:

 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA!!!