Allow Me To Introduce - Sarah Rogers McCluskey

[this post was suppose to go up last week while I was away but I must have hit the save button instead of post, ooops]

What a fun few days with blogging! As I mentioned I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to Sarah Rogers McCluskey. She is wonderful Mother, Wife, Daughter and Friend. Someday I will get the nerve to hop on that plane and visit. But, without further ahhhhdoooo:

This picture makes me laugh! I just don't get to Baltimore as much as I'd LIKE TO!

sorry love, had to put it on here [taken from Sarahs FB account]

Tell Us a little bit about who you are. [+ career, hobbies etc.]

Hi Renee! Well I am a 39 year old New Englander, who is now residing in Dover, England. I have been here for nearly 15 years. I work part time as a waitress in a tea room, (well its this old converted barn that was used for storing grain many many years ago, its renown for good old fashioned home cooked meals, homemade cakes, scones, ect) In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friends, cooking, keeping house, and just overall trying to look glam. I love makeup and clothes. I also love walking, people watching and napping in the afternoons. Not for long though, just a quick 20 minuter otherwise I miss out.

Why did you move to England?

The decision to move to the UK wasn't taken lightly, however due to the circumstances at the time, it was clearly the right thing to do...that being Jason's father hadn't been well at the time. He had had a stroke that left him disabled. The other factor was Jason being a professional drummer, and had a better chance to work in bands, and network...He is still in bands, and now teaches his passion full time. And he also makes a jolly good living out of it too :-) Sadly his Dad passed away in April 2002.

What is culturally different in England for your kids vs when you were their age living in the US?

Ahhh now this stumped me a bit!! Firstly, I must say the educational side of things without a doubt. I still find the whole thing confusing but I will explain it the best I can. When I was 15-17, (Connor and Abbeys age) I would have been in highschool. 4 years of Highschool, looking forward to things like, pep rallys, spirit week, proms, graduations, partys..ect. Kids here leave primary school at 12 years old, to enter secondary school. At the age of 16 children can opt out of further education and just leave.Some go to College, and some just find work and that's it. They only just changed the laws this year and HAVE to stay at secondary school until they are 18. What a shame our Connor missed this one out!! Proms are now just being introduced. There is no such thing as graduation, unless you have finished university, then you are given the ol' cap and gown. The school systems need a lot of work, times have changed so much families have changed, society have changed, there seems to be a distinct lack of respect and discipline in the schools. Teachers no longer want to stay in one place. Theres no longevity. But all this isn't just one country's problem I am sure its a global one.

What is your favorite Pub? Why? Do they have a link?

Sooo many pubs to chose from. 2 minutes walk to the east, and 2 minutes to the south of our house is the closest, However we like to walk a whole 15 minutes to go to our local, which is the Red Lion.

 Jason and I often meet up with Karen and Colin. (jasons sister, and her husband)

 Its a friendly, pretty pub "Where everybody knows your name." Can you guess what people call me? Yup you guessed it, American Sarah :-) Our other favourite one is called the White Horse. I LOVE THIS PUB..Its soooo old. 1300ad. You can almost feel the ghosts in there. Seriously, its fantastic! It boasts so much character!

It sits next to old church ruins.

Lets shift gears for a second. I would also like to introduce you to Sarah's Mom and Dad. My other parents.

What is it like having a piece of your family living in a different country?

. Having Sarah, Jason, Connor and Abbey living in England is tough at times, very nice at other times. Obviously, it’s wonderful to visit them and “live” in their home, being part of the daily routine. We see Jason’s family frequently and have done some amazing things (“Phantom of the Opera” at the Queen Victoria Theatre, visited the British Museum, Madame Tossaud’s, ridden on the London Eye) and celebrated birthdays with them. We also have traveled to other parts of the country while visiting them.

The difficult side is what one might expect. There is a sense of incompleteness at holidays and other special occasions (however they have been with us either by surprise or design several times!). Communication is ever so much better now than early on when phone calls were quite expensive. Having the computer with all of it’s treasures really keeps the communication open.

How often I wish that Sarah would “pop” in for a coffee or a shopping day. Or the kids come over for a swim. Or that we could go to Jason’s gigs.

It is comforting to know that Sarah has her family, and her home and is happy in England. But durn it, wish they were closer!!

The Roger's Family has strong roots in Southern Maine - What has been your experience with US culture [Maine culture] and UK culture?

About the cultural differences.....not many that we can see. After all, Connor enjoys his flannel shirts just like his Papa, and the Brits would love to have a Maine coon cat but they are way too expensive!

What challenges do you see the younger generation faced with today vs. when your kids were younger?

Challenges are there for all generations. It’s difficult raising a family anyway, but we seem to manage. Pa and I remember deciding to “choose our battles” when the long hair fad hit the family. We didn’t fight it as long as the hair was clean and not unruly. A few years ago Steve was looking at some old pictures of himself, looked at me and said: “How could you let me wear my hair like that???” Tattoos came when they were on their own.

We only had Pong and later Mario Brothers (still a huge favorite of the grand kids!) We only had a line telephone so we didn’t have the expense etc.of today’s electronics. Sears was a good place for clothes, now Hollister and American Eagle are budget breakers.

Parents today have so much to deal with including the safety of their children (bullies, predators,etc ) God bless them all.

You have visited the UK numerous times. What is the one meal they don't serve over there that you wish they had? What is the best meal you have had?

The Brits have interesting sea food winkles, welk, cockles but NO FRIED CLAMS!

You can get a lobster if you want to sell your car or your kid (from Scotland). Our favorite restaurant meal is roast loin of lamb yum. Home cooked Sunday roast dinner which is an English tradition (but not so much now we’ve found. Used to smell the roast cooking all over the town!)

Name the one memory [good or bad] that stands out in your mind when you think of Me and Sarah :)

Memories, many. Can still see you two sitting on the steps waiting for a taxi that never came. A trip to Quebec with many frequent stops for poor Sarah. You guys had a night out as we recall, and didn’t feel too great the next day. Never mind.....Also remember the trip to the White Mountains on Columbus Day weekend, the day was beautiful, the traffic horrific!! [ahhhhhhhhhhhh the foliage aaaagukgukgukguk] 

OK lets get back to the US Brit shall we!!!

If you could have any physical object as a reminder of home what would that be? Why?

Ready for this? Captain Simeons Restaurant. haha!!

A.) Because I miss New England Seafood, and no one does it better this place.

B.) I have some nice memories of going there with my folks when I was growing up!

What song are you listening to right now?

"Ruby" By the Kaiser Chiefs. Not by choice, its on the radio. [very Morrisy esque. scoobiedoobiedoobiedoobie!]

List the top 10 Things you love about being a converted BRIT

1.) I love living in a country so chocka filled with history. Its sooooo OLD!!


2.) Where we live is in walking distance to the town, pubs and family

3.) I love the british. They are extremely honest people who are not afraid to tell you how it is.

4.)The British tradition of Sunday Roasts, Fish and Chips, and Curry.

5. I love the fact that its very difficult to get your driving licence. The roads here are crazy and you must be very skilled to drive. The laws are strict, and everyone must where seatbelts. I have mine :-)

6.)I like my weird accent.

7.) British fashion

8.) British humour

9.) British television. It just cracks me up, especially the adverts, you'd be amazing what they get away with.

10.) The National Health Service. It has its problems, but I must say...Its not so bad.
 
If you could run your own business what would that be?
 
Probably something in hospitality, a Bed and Breakfast maybe? or a little cafe...

What is your favorite english dish

ITS GOTTA BE ROAST LAMB, with all the trimmings ie: roast potatoes, carrots, swede (rutabaga), cabbage, minted peas, yorkshire pudding, and Gravy!

If you were to sing in front of 50,000 people. What song would you sing?

 

There is about a billion songs to be sung by me, but i think that I could make a good job out of "Feeling Good" (Originally sung by Nina Simone, then Michael Bublee, and muse)

I want to look like Michele Phiefer in that film The fabulous Baker Boys, and belt one out. haha!

So now you have a little culture from the UK and the families that bind us all together. This post was amazingly fun and challenging! Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer all these ridiculous questions! I love you all..

xo