So here is a list that I've come up with so far of English jargon:

- Hob - this is the stovetop
- Ensuite - means that there is a bathroom connected to a bedroom; pronounced "on" suite.
- Ground Floor - In America, this would mean the first floor.
- First Floor - In America, this would be the second floor. A building here that has three stories would have a ground floor, a first floor, and a second floor. 
- Garden- a backyard, regardless if it has plants or not.
- Watercloset or wc or W/C - a room containing a toilet.
- Hand basin - sink.
- Toilets - Public restrooms. There are no signs that say bathrooms or restroom, just toilets. Much more to the point!
- Litter - trashcan
- Crèche - childcare, as in I'm looking for a gym with crèche to put the girls in while I work out. Pronounced "kresh"
- Training - working out.
- Dual carriageway - a divided highway (one with a barrier in the median).
- Carriageway - roadway, a regular road basically.
- Take away - take out, as in you would order chinese take away
- Bonnet - hood of a car
- Boot - trunk of a car
- Dummy- pacifier for babies
- Pushchair - stroller
- Nappy- diaper
- Mobile -  cell phone
- Must not - do not, in books and such it always says you "must not" do this. Reminded me of Harry Potter and that he "must not tell lies" lol
- Love - an endearing term that people use in common conversations, i.e. a man would say, "That's ok love, you can sit there."
- Cheers - people say this to mean hello, goodbye, thanks, while toasting, and at the end of letters/emails (instead of sincerely, etc.)
- Hiya - hello
- You alright- hello

Big news today: Matt bought a car!! Here is a picture of him with his new ride!

2001 Renault Mégane

Ainsley waving hi! the Bob Hope Center

We made it!

Wow, I’ve got some catching up to do!

Here are some of the big things that have happened recently:

-          Matt graduated from the B-course in North Carolina. We were so happy to have lots of family come out  to support him at his graduation and we were glad we got to see them one more time before heading out across the ocean! At the graduation dinner Matt received the Academic Award in his class for having the highest test score average. Out of 690 questions he only got three wrong! Smarty pants!

Ainsley loved riding on my parents dog, Harlee! 

-          So the next big thing was, of course, the move. It was a nightmare trying to get all the right paper work done, get all the passports/visas in time, and then actually preparing our house for the move. The girls’ schedules have been all messed up but they are troopers! We stayed at our friends, the Duncans, house for one night and then we were in the temporary lodging on base for a little over a week.  We traveled down to Charleston, SC to ship our car and there we met up with Grandpa and Grandma McKelvey and Shannon! It was so nice to be together with them even if our time was short! 

        Here are some pictures from the big move day! 

Just dropped off our rental car; on the bus headed to the airport!

Ainsley on the bus

Myla on the bus

After a long, exhausting flight we made it to London!

All of our luggage (8 checked bags, 2 strollers, 2 car seats, 3 carry-on bags, and 4 people)

 

We are settled in the temporary lodging in Brandon. It was rainy, overcast, and cold when we landed, but since then it has been sunny and relatively warm (mid 50’s).

We have been house hunting this week and we think we have found the one! It is a townhouse in Bury St Edmunds, located right in the town center. It is walking distance from the restaurants, theater, and this wonderful park called the Abbey which I think the girls will love. Once everything is approved by the base and the lease is signed I will post pictures of it.

Matt’s mom, Beth, gave me the great idea of keeping a list of the differences in the language between here and in America. Tomorrow I will post a list of what I’ve noticed so far and I will add to it every week.