GARDEN SHOW IN 5...4...3...

Yeah, I know, I've been updating this as regularly as a Republican giving spare change to the homeless. There are a few reasons for that--one of them is just sheer busy-ness (I typed 'business' but that looks weird) and, well, I guess that's the main one.

I'm conscious of not wanting to write about work, because that sort of thing always bites people in the end, and outside of work I've just not been spending much time on the computer, which is a fairly good thing. I'm too busy during the day at work to surf or type or anything like that, so I guess in one way or another, it boils down to being busy.

This week, I'm renewing my work permit paperwork, which means that I've been here for the full 3 years that it takes for a work permit to expire. I suppose that's a landmark of sorts. Actually getting to where I am now was a bit of a baptism by fire, but now I've come through all of that and am where I wanted to be--secure enough to be able to help without injuring myself.

I've had a great week--there was a mix-up with my work permit, actually, so I've been forced to take a few days off. Which is funny, because I was desperate for a couple of days off, but conflicting schedules meant I couldn't take the time. Now it's been forced on me--mind you, it's unpaid leave, but fortunately my salary is enough to cover a little unpaid leave. And the boyfriend has said he'll help out if necessary, but I don't really want to take him up on it.

So I've spent the last few days mostly working in the garden. Funny how even the fact that they call them "gardens" instead of "yards" over here is indicative of the different cultural approach to gardening.

The other day, I had the following conversation with Michael:

Me: Boy, people in this country REALLY take their gardening seriously.

Michael: Oh, did you figure that out all by yourself?

Swine.

I've figured out what it is, though. In the States, gardening isn't really considered a "posh" hobby. If you have money and a big yard, odds are high you pay someone to be a "landscaper," it seems, to turn your yard into some kind of a golf course. There isn't the same idea that if you're wealthy you might spend hours of your week actually willingly paying attention to the things growing around you.

I guess there isn't that same notion of genteel pursuits. We're more about wanting to have a penthouse and a fast car and an even faster life. Mind you, fast cars are even more popular over here, I think, but even that is weirdly more about experiencing the skill of the drive and the curve of the landscape or something.

At any rate, all of this is to say that I'm so excited about the Chelsea Flower Show at the end of the month, I can hardly stand it. I can't believe Michael got tickets, when I know that he would secretly rather eat his own head than go. But I think it has something to do with being English--he understands and secretly almost approves of my love for gardening.

You should see my Tradescantia. I might have to take a photo.

I'm conscious now of not wanting to put down American culture when I write about our differences. I think we tend to either be arrogant or self-hating when we come over here--like we have a subconscious need, as individuals, to have the people of this other culture approve of us. It took me quite a while, but I'm fairly at peace with that now.

One of the best things I can say about Americans is that I know a LOT of people from here who went to America for the first time, sure that they would hate it/us, and they all came back being huge fans, all saying the same thing--that Americans are the friendliest and just plain NICEst people they'd ever met.

And for all of our faults, I'd say that's a pretty good strength.