It Could Be Worse

Today in my English Experience lecture, we heard a talk on "Georgian & Regency Period Furniture". One thing I found interesting was the origin of the sofa table. We learned that sofa tables were invented when oil lamps started to be used. The table provided a handy place to put a lamp behind you while sitting on the sofa reading or doing needlework.

Modern day sofa table with lamp

Prior to the use of lamps, the only source of illumination at night was candlelight. Can you imagine trying to while away the evening hours with only candlelight? And no television or computer?

We complain in England about the short winter days when it gets dark at 4 p.m. It could be worse, at least we have electric lighting.

This got me thinking about other areas in our lives where we complain but it could be worse.

When we were in the Maldives on a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, we complained when the internet connection was slow. It could be worse, like no internet service at all.

Wah Wah, the internet is slow here!

We complain about the long flight times as we jet around the world and across the oceans. It could be worse, we could be on a ship for weeks instead of on an airplane for 12 hours.

We hear about the olden days of Ex-Pats when communication with loved ones back home wasn't instantaneous. Phone calls were expensive and low-quality. Email and texting were non-existent. News was transmitted via old fashioned snail-mail. So the next time our Skype connection with Ryan is slow, I'll just have to remember.... it could be worse.

St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel

I toured a recently renovated historic hotel in London with the Petroleum Women's Club thinking it would just be some interesting architecture to look at. Lo and behold, I was surprised to find I was walking on the same ground as royalty and pop stars.

St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel

The hotel was built in 1873 adjacent to the St. Pancras Railway Station. Today the Eurostar trains that travel to the European continent through the English Channel tunnel depart from St. Pancras.

The original hotel was luxurious with new innovations such as hydraulic elevators, revolving doors, and concrete floors. While every room had a fireplace, none of the rooms had bathrooms, but that was normal for the time.

The hotel closed in 1935 and sat mostly empty or used by British Rail for offices until the restored hotel opened in 2011. Luckily it was not torn down, and during the renovation original stenciling and paint work that had been painted over was uncovered.

Our tour group in the hotel lobby

Our Tour Guide

A few days before our tour, Prince Charles and Camilla had been at the hotel, shown around by our same tour guide. He remarked that they seem to have a very comfortable and compatible relationship.

Our tour guide with Camilla and Prince Charles

We got to walk up the original grand staircase. When I got home I looked up the Spice Girls "Wannabe" music video shot right there on the same staircase in 1996. 

Spice Girls on Grand Staircase

Among the famous guests of the hotel was American railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, my son now attends Vanderbilt University.

I love finding connections to places I've visited. My visit to a historic building turned out to have some interesting modern-day connections.

It's Time

We're moving back home later this year!

I have really enjoyed the four years in England, but I'm getting vibes that... it's time.

Top Ten Reasons I know it's time to go home...

10. I've finally figured out how to make iced tea that tastes like home. (Add Crystal Light Lemon Iced Tea powder mix to my brewed tea.) They don't do iced tea over here, except in bottles.

9. I passed my UK driving test and it feels natural to drive on the left (not wrong) side of the road.

8. I'm no longer intimidated by cooking on our Aga.

7. Lexi is graduating from High School and heading to college in the States, where Ryan has been the last 4 years. It's time for our family to all be in the same country again.

6. Our visas expire this year, don't want to go through another all-day renewal process.

5. I'm able to drive in snowy/icy conditions without totally freaking out.

4. I finished my cross-stitch project started in the year 2000. It was one of my goals to finish it when we moved here. My other goals seem so simple to me now: find a gym, set up a carpool, volunteer, get in a routine.

3. I've had it with this house's flaky heating and hot water system that keeps giving us trouble. Cold shower anyone? Water dripping from a tank in the attic through a light fixture?

2. Chris has every light bulb inside and outside the house working. That's a first!

1. I've started wondering again, "What is home"? just like when we were moving here.

You may think, if I've finally achieved some of these items, doesn't that mean I should stay on? But to me, it means Mission Accomplished, what's next?