Two years today!
Published by on November 5th, 2006 12 Comments »
Guy Fawkes Night 2004 was a pretty special thing. Peering out of my window seat on the last flight of the night into Heathrow, I saw the dark countryside dotted with sparkling bonfires and instead of looking up at fireworks, I was taking in the explosive displays from above. County after county shot vibrant blurs of colour and smoke into the air— the tendrils of fire rapidly becoming more clear and defined as the holding pattern wound down to meet the runway. It was a visual reward for eight hours of flight from Chicago as I was beginning my new life in the UK. Neil and I like to joke fantastically that the festivities were heralding my arrival— a spectacular welcome. Flying over the UK fireworks equivalent to The Fourth of July was truly unique.
The multitude of celebratory pops, bangs, and whistles this week in our neighbourhood could be considered annoying, but to me it marks an important milestone in my life. I love it here.
Happy two years in England to me. 
Technorati Tags: expat, fireworks, regularjen, UK
12 Responses to “Two years today!”
I buy here:
My Business:
Happy two year anniversary!
- Neil.
Congratulations!
I was just saying to Bridgette that you’ve been gone 2 years. I still miss you when I go to Target, but am glad your happy.
Thanks Neil and Pete!
Jodi- I moved your comment from the “What the Font” post.
Miss you. Miss shopping at Target. Believe it or not, I think I might even miss the shitty little bars of Edgerton a little bit too… 
Wow, you even miss the crappy bars in my shitty little town. I’m sure if the Red Baron Showlounge had feelings, it would be crying just a little. I forgot to tell you that we tried the Mac & Chees bites at the Decoy, I really can’t wait for you to visit soon. There is nothing else like them.
Happy for you, but will never stop wishing you were here, too. I miss you so much.
Miss you too Mom. * hugs *
I moved here nearly five years ago and I’m still getting used to how often and how randomly Brits like to set off firecrackes. Back in Canada we only set off firecrackers on specific holidays but the bits just like to make things go boom at the drop of a hat.
This past weekend it sounded like a happy warzone down here in Brighton, it was quite nice.
Hi Jose! Welcome to my blog!
In America, it seems like from mid-June, every yahoo in the neighbourhood has fireworks of some sort and it’s common to clear up several bottle rocket sticks from your yard everyday. Then after the 4th of July, nothing. Americans seem to blow everything up and leave nothing after the 4th. Here in England, as you say, it’s much more random. For several months and then at strange times of year, Brits let off firecrackers and other festive explosives. An odd and interesting difference in culture.
Congratulations! I remember it well as a couple of weeks later I flew down to see you all and the fireworks were still going off as I flew into Heathrow.
Wow, what a way to enter the country – congrats!
Next August will be my tenth year here – providing I am still living here… I wonder if I should call it my “silver flame” anniversary? Hahahahaha!
Thanks for your thoughts everyone! We absolutely couldn’t be happier!
It’s pretty cool to think that every year, we can look into the sky on Guy Fawkes and have so much to celebrate…