Show Jumping and the Lot

Not much happened yesterday really. I woke up, everyone was gone to school or work so I just lazed about the house. About the only thing I did manage to do yesterday was take the dogs for a walk. On the way I ran into Ben's Aunt and Gran and all of their dogs. The dogs played for a bit and I got to have a nice little chat with Ben's Gran for a while.

Today was a bit more interesting. I woke up and went about my daily routine. Ben's mum and sister were about and they invited me to go to Katherine's Show Jumping (horses) competition. I went and it was like any competition I've been to before...aka show choir...just waiting around until their school was up and watching and cheering and etc. It was definately the smellier bit of the day. We just got back about half and hour ago and I was glad to be back on the farm. It's much prettier and less smelly here than it was at the horse jumping arena. And frankly I was just tired of standing around half the time.

Katherine had a nice go at jumping though. She had 2 horses to jump, but she jumped one of the horses in 2 different classes. The later(much harder class) Katherine didn't manage to get very far with her horse Flynn. She cleared 3 out of 12 jumps but then Flynn waivered at the fourth jump, finally jumped it but then was bucked off of Flynn at the 5th jump because Flynn ran into the wings of the post because he was being stubborn and didn't want to jump that one either. Katherine is okay, she just took a right tumble off her horse and fell about 3 feet. Nasty fall, but again she's alright.

Now I'm back at the farm just waiting for Ben to come home from work. We may go out to the Brewery Tap later, if I can convince him to go hear Adam DJ with me, but then again I never know what's in Ben's head.

bye all!
-Jenny Mac

All leading up to another day of lonely contemplations

I thought I'd include more pictures in this one. Just so you can see the stuff I was looking at on Wednesday's walk down to the brook. ^^

I'm alone again today so brace yourself for another LONG blog. haha . ^^ Tuck in, mates.

Yesterday I got to meet one of Ben's infamous friends: DMAN. Darren aka D-man is one of Ben's closer friends. I've heard Ben talk about a few friends on a daily basis: Adam, Morg, Issy, Louise, Emalie, Vid (Robert Vidler), and DMAN. So, check two on meeting 'the friends'(first was Adam haha).

Now, those of you who know me and know about the mini solo show I wrote in Adventures in Acting 2 years ago will remember that I wrote about DMAN and Vid. I think the description I gave them was this:
"Then in walks the Anti-Christ and his little demon monkey. Robert Vidler, The Anti Christ, 19 years old, drinks like a sailor and swares like one too. DMan-the demon monkey. not the brightest crayon in the set and drinks more than vid does."

That was my introduction to those two characters. I think I go on to describe how they walk over to the table in the pub where Ben and I were (fictionally, in my solo piece) and 'plop' next to me saying stuff like "who's this then?" and "oooh American, huh?"

Well, my real introduction to DMAN was thus....Ben and I were in his "hang out room" watching TV, waiting for DMAN to come over. We hear the dogs barking, and yesp, through the door came DMAN. He came and plopped right next to me on the couch. hahah He actually plopped. Funny coincidences. He and Ben made little chit chat here and there...Dman starring at the TV and Ben and I looking between him and the TV occasionally.

Dman right off the bat gave me like a HUNDRED negs. The way he sat, the way he looked around, the way he said things, acted. There was loads of signs. oh! Negs...I don't know if you guys know what I'm talking about when I say negs. I should explian. So when I say negs, I mean shrugs offs. Ya know if you ever want to like bring someone's ego down you pay them a reverse compliment or something? or like a mild insult....like saying 'only in your dreams' when someone's being braggadocios about certain things. right, well if you not with me at this point I can't be bothered to go on. ANYWAYS! Dman kept doing that. it was rather funny and embarrassing at times, but I got him back a fair few times throughout the day so I feel good about that.

Ya see, I have to get to know someone's 'game' before I pull out my wit. I still haven't figured out Chris' game. I know Adams. I know Bens. Now I know Dmans. I also know that violence will work to a certain point with him---he has an abusive girlfriend evidentally. But in the 'oooh I like that' sort of way. I'm pretty sure deep down Dman is a masochist which is really funny and TMI at times. haha

I don't know....I guess DMAN is cool enough. He really is a dumbass at times. Talks like one and acts like one....and that's only knowing him a DAY. I mean....think of how much worse he can be….yeah we’ll get there.

Anyway, we went out with Dman to go shopping. Yeah, this kid is SO pathetically cute. He’s like a little puppy or a little kid that needs mummy to hold his hand everywhere he goes. He calls up Russ (Ben) so that he can go shopping and find snacks and stuff for his trip to Devon. We kept wandering up and down the isles of the super market having Dman ask “Russ, what do I need?” “I dunno Dman.” Me: *Laughing* He SERIOUSLY asked Ben what he needed for his trip and what he likes…as if he couldn’t think for himself. It’s kinda cute and kinda pathetic at the same time. Aw…poor sod.

So yeah….we went around with Dman in the super market…then we went to the ‘Petrol’ Station across the street to fill up the car. Dman’s cap broke so he had to buy another one and his hands were all oily from fiddling around with the car. I had my purse with me with my never ending supply of nifty things. I had wet and dry little towelettes so when Dman got back in the car and was looking around for something to wipe his hands with I said sarcastically, “You need some help there Dman? Something to wipe your hands with maybe?”

He shyly said, “yeah, well if you have somfin….” I pulled out the wet ones and gave one to him….after that, he softened up to me and the negs were more playful and less harsh. So, hopefully, I rubbed him the right way so that he’s cool with me now and not harbouring resentment for whatever reason--stealing his friend or being American…whatever.
Something that I learned from hanging out with the boys in and about town...here, the drinking age is WAY lower...that much is true, but what I haven't heard is that when you go to the market they check EVERYONE's ID, not just the buyer. So even though Dman was buying his food and cider(which was the alcohol that they needs to check ID for) the cashier had to check mine and Ben's IDs as well just because we were in line with Dman. That's really interesting, cause whenever I've been out with friends...I don't drink, but still I like going to the store and watching people argue over which brand of beer to buy...there's a whole trail of like 6 of us that some are clearly underage and the cashier only checks the ID of the buyer. THAT to me is funny.

Other stuff I've learned/discovered theses past few days:
-The UK has a product called Lynx, which is the UK equivilant to our Axe Body Spray/wash line of products.
-Ben hates Sheep, hates health food like granola bars (or at least he shutters at them), (I already knew he hates) hates strawberries, hates his picture being taken...especially when his hair isn't perfect, he's a really good friend to his mates, and he's a good kisser *winks*.
-American DVDs do NOT work over here....at least not in gaming consols (I think it's a PS3?)
-Until I started typing today's blog I haven't picked up my Ipod to listen to it At ALL! Which is amazing for me since I'm perminantely attached to my ipod. I have to have some sort of music to listen to almost 24/7...I even sleep to music! Nope, not here. I guess the natural and excitement of being here is my natural music. I haven't had to listen to it. I've always had a song in my heart for England and it's playing loud and clear now.
-I walk walking down from the stairs to go join Ben in his Hnag Out Room and I passed Ben's Mum, and brother, Richard in the kitchen. I don't know yet if Richard was just smiling being nice or checking me out in my sundress. haha It was sunny so I wore my tank-topped black sundress. I laughed at even the possibility of Ben's older brother checking me out, but I don't know Richard's character too well yet to tell. haha *sigh* good times.

There's one more thing I've observed, but it's kind of a personal thing. And internal monologue type of things, so don't think too highly into anything. This is for those who want to know how the love life part of me being here is like. So here it is, and I'll sign off with this:

Some of you know that I've had a major jones (for lack of a better term) for a lad back home, a Wes S, as it were. Well, I thought about it for a while and I figured if there was ever a chance of Wes liking me back, well that'd be amazing. Then there's the whole thing of Ben and Me--also amazing, expecially the fact that he likes me the way I like him and doesn't pull up the 'friend' barrier like Wes does.

Well I was talking to Ben yesterday about Ex's and something came up that made me think alot. It made me realize that internally Ben and I are SO MUCH alike. I'll tell you what I mean....
Well, just like I've had this long-term crush on Wes, but we've always remained friends first and foremost, Ben's had a long-term crush on his best mate Emalie. Evidentally he liked Emalie for a long time, even though Dman dating her, after that didn't work Ben waited the appropriate amount of time for Dman to get over the break up to tell Em that he liked her. Well, by the time Ben told her, she'd already got another boyfriend and it seemed like Ben and her would never work out so Ben's in the friend zone as well.

I asked Ben, "If Emalie was single and it came down to it...who would you choose: Emalie or Me?" Now, when girls give guys this questions, there's usually one right answer and one right answer only: 'You'; and I could tell that Ben was hesitant on telling the truth for fear of the girl whiplash that might be unleashed on him if he gave the 'wrong' answer. I really, REALLY only wanted the truth (honestly, that's all I want...no whiplash unleashed, no right or wrong answers) so I told ben, "There is no right or wrong Answer. I just want to know the straight-up truth. her or Me?"

Ben said, "Probably Emalie" and he cutely tried to cover his tracks just in case, but I didn't care. That's all I wanted to know. He continued saying, "Because I've known her for a long time and stuff."

Honestly, I think if Wes didn't put me in the friend zone for eternity and mutaully liked me, I would choose him over Ben too. It'd be a DAMN GOOD close race, but still. I thought about it for a LONG time while I was falling alseep and I came up with that answer. If it came down to Ben and Wes(wes being able, willing and loving of me as much as Ben is)....I would choose Wes.

The reasons are numerous and I have my own little imaginative ways of telling if I could last a life time with a person (just like Lilly's "Porch test" in the TV show 'How I Met Your Mother'), but that's another day and another time for those explinations...and I would gladly share them to the right people if they ask. hehe...the pros and cons of Ben vs. Wes. And interesting concept. #

Goodnight America. You've been a great crowd.

I'm getting used to doing things around here. I know where things are in the kitchen, enough to make something of it. oh! but Ben is so cute cause he cooks for me. I feel kind of awkward just standing around doing the lesser part of just setting the table while he tries to fry some 'veggie burgers'(yeah, those were epic fail burgers...but really good contents. And with pasta! Yum yum! too bad they kept falling apart while cooking hahaha).

I'm comfortable (I think) taking showers in a strangers house(so far), but we'll see as it goes on. So far, no one's been around when I've showered (I don't think).

Anyways, yesterday Ben and I took the muppets(the dogs) out for a walk. We went down to the river and the lake and he took me on this grand adventure(well he didn't think it was so grand, but I did). I love bodies of water and forests and such...he showed me all the things I couldn't have drempt up this place to be. Then we went back up to the farm and in and around "The Wood" (hehe) back through one of the sheep feilds and then home again.

Jenny..."Don't Go Being a Twat Now"

Morning all! ^^ I think what I might do from now on is type my blogs at the same time...morning, for me, so that whenever you decide to read this it'll be up the 'same day' as it were, seeing as US is about 8 ish hours behind British time.

Anyway, on to the facts:
My walk with the puppies was quite eventful. I got to explore some of the surrounding area and I took pictures of the different farm animals and trees and stuff that just facinated me. I'll put some of the landscaping photos and such up, but you can't even begin to imagine how breathe-takingly beautiful it is out here. Honestly, I wake up every morning, say "Good Morning Home Farm" :D and think to myself "I could get use to being a farm girl if this is what I have to wake up to every morning."

I actually could do some farm work though. There was a lady who came over from down the road that feeds the animals while the Russells are all at work (Ben, his mum, Brother and Dad work...only Catherine--his sister--goes to school). I walked and talked with her for a bit while she went and fed the lambs. She told me (cause I didn't know and asked) why Sheep have numbers like spray painted to their wool. It's to recognise which baby sheep belong to which mommy sheep. ^^ I didn't know that...and of course Ben wouldn't tell me. He absolutely HATES sheep. His dad made him go feed the baby sheep that needs to be bottle fed (when Ben got home from work) I went with him and he kept kicking other sheep to get away and cursing at them. It was quite funny. He likes the cows though--less noise makers. haha

I should probably mention now that the Russells have cows, sheep, a few horses, 7 Barn Cats(possibly more because one just had kittens, but no one has seen the kittens yet), 3 dogs, ducks/geese, rabbits, a guine pig...and I don't know what else. It definately is a farm though...lots of green, lots of animals, lots of equiptment.

oh! I'm putting this out here right now guys cause I noticed this on the last 2 blog entries--I'm SO sorry if there are typos. I'm working from Ben's Laptop, which has the uber sensitive keys which I hate and love at the same time. So If there are mistakes, I'm truely sorry, but my fingers type really fast and I can be bothered to go back and fix the typos. haha sorry. :P

Adam never showed up yesterday by the way. He's being a tit (pardon my british expression). Ben reckons that it's Chris who's made him be like this (say he'll come out to play and then lies his way out with a pathetic excuse) because Adam didn't start doing this until about a month ago when Chris and him got serious. Oh well...I'll just have to punch Adam until he stops lying and just says "I don't want to hang out today" instead. little bastard. humf!

So yesterday I was alone...took the muppets for a walk(actually several...three to be exact. I couldn't stop with the landscape picture taking. ^^), Ate something around 3ish. Ben's dad came home early and we had a nice little chat about this and that. Then I went into Ben's "Hang Out" room, watched Hot Fuzz and waited for him to get home. Once he got home, we had a nice bit of a cuddle for....ooooh 3 hours (haha), had dinner, and then watched TV and cuddled til about 1am. ^^ NOTE TO SELF: Don't watch British Comedy late at night. It keeps me up, but it's bad when I laugh loud and the household might be asleep. haha :P

Well I'll leave it at that. It's too much hassle putting halves of 2 days in one blog....so I'll leave it 'short' for now, and get you all caught up on what I do today, tomorrow. ^^

Ciao! Enjoy the pictures! There's lots of them today!
-Jenny

Alone with my thoughts

Looking back on my "brief" post, there were funnny little things that I missed...then I'll move on to today.

Yesterday:
Ben drove the 3+ hours from London to the Shire...and made interesting road rage comments along the way. It was quite amusing, from the ones I could hear. I#ve noticed that the Russells are very quite people. I don't know if that's a 'them thing' a 'british' thing or a 'farmer' thing yet. haha But seriously they are very quite...maybe aside from Ben's brother, Richard. He was quite conversational at dinner yesterday, but we'll get on with that later.

After I posted my blog yesterday, Adam and I were texting via Ben's mobile and Adam decided he and Chris (Adam's boyfriend) were going to come and see me...(and Ben) :P They came round Ben's house about 7:45pm. Adam was almost speechless to see me...actaully he was most like excited to see me but stumbled to find words great enough to express it without sounding like an idiot...which he failed at and still sounded like the babbling Adam that he always is (well, half the time).
Anyway, we just chatted outside Adam's car for a bit, then they had to go and Ben and I went back inside. Oh! but while we were out there I was obsessed with the Barn kitties that were out and about...and I held the 2 that I saw (one with Ben's help cause the cat was up high ^^).

Dinner was interesting. First of all, they eat dinner around 8pm, which is different, but considering that the sun isn't down until about 9pm and Ben's dad and brother don't get home until about 7:30-8pm, it makes since. Anyway...
Mom, you know how I HATE anything you cook that leaves bones right? Well we had trout...FULL ON, Fish still in Scales, Trout. They just peel of the skin and scrap the meat off the bones like it's nothing. Me--I live in fear of choking on one of those little suckers we call fish bones. I took my time eating slowly chewing it all out. I felt ridiculous, but haha you know me mom, always the ridiculous over-analysising one.
Then on top of that, the family just chatted away about this and that and cars and deals and such...while I'm still to concentrated on my food and (on top of that) too shy in new situations to do anything but stay silent like an idiot. Well, i guess they could think worse of me--they cound see the brash, over confident, over enthusiastic and loud theatre type cali girl I REALLY am. haha sometimes I thank God I get shy around new people in new situations.

That's all about yesterday for now. Hopefully better experiences at dinner are to come.

Today:
I woke up this morning at 5am. You guys won't believe it, but I did...I was WIDE awake at 5am this morning (which makes since considering I went to bed at about 9pm last night). however I didn't get UP until about 8:15ish. I'm really weird about making everything slyly comfortable when I'm in a new setting. For instance, when I'm on a first date and I don't know if the guy is paying or if I am, I kind of linger behind him in the cue line for ordering food. If he orders then asks what I want (or at a sit down, if he grabs the check or say's "don't worry about it" when I casually say "how much do I owe you" when he's pulling out his credit card) then I know I'm in the clear and I haven't assumed anything or made anything awkward.

ANYWAY! so instead of waking up, and just standing around the kitchen saying to myself, 'is someone gonna feed me, or do I have to be rude and rummage myself?' I strategically wait until the last moment, when someone is up, but on their way out (hopefully Ben or his mum since I#m most comfortable around them) to be told "I've gotta go, but there's food here, contact us here, etc, etc, etc". So....I went back to sleep after thinking "holy crap, I'm actually here. hehe look how cute and provincial everything is", and waited.

I heard a few male voices and grunts getting up and leaving. I assumed that was Ben's Dad and Brother since it was about 5:15am--those early farm workers do get up early. Then fell back asleep for another few hours. Woke up officially at 8:15 and heard noise in the kitchen, so I went down stairs with some toiletries to the bathroom in the hall next to the kitchen. Ben's mum saw me, said hi. I did my business in the bathroom and came out then into the kitchen to find Ben's mum and sister in the kitchen putting last minute things together before heading out the door.

Ben's mum told me "sorry you're left to your own devises today" I told her it was okay, I understand they all have work "the refrigorator is there. Plates there. Cutlery there. Food in that direction somewhere. You might have to rummage a bit but go ahead" then they were gone. I knew i was going to have the house to myself but i never thought it'd feel so empty. in a way it's kind of nice that this happened on the 2nd day I'm here because 1) My tummy has been feeling rumbly today and 2) It gives me a chance to freely explore the house/year/area without it feeling awkward and being afraid of doing something wrong in front of the russells. This way I can poke around (not sneakily, but just curiously poking my head here and there) just to get aquainted with the place.

Ben left me a note on the table telling me to poke around for food, that he left his phone so I could call and get together with Adam, and leave his work phone in case anything happens. He wrote me a note and left me his phone...he's so adorable. Sometimes I wonder about his intentions--like I care loads about him, but he could care less about me or doesn't show it. No..no...he cares, he just is a very hard face to read. He doesn't talk much. And when he does talk(and now I can see his facial expression) it's very hard to tell any deep emotional connections. But slowly I'm learning about him and I think he really does cherish the fact that he has an american sweetheart.

After seeing Ben's note I ate a banana, then hopped in the shower, got ready and here I am typing away on Ben's computer. Hmm....what else is there to say. Then again, it's only 11am here and I've got loads to say as it turns out *is looking at how much she's typed already*.

I'm going to take the 'muppets' (the 3 dogs) for a walk in a bit. Ben said something about that last night...so I think I better follow through with that. Then later Adam's gonna text and come hang out. He's driving Chris to work currently.

I'm sure I'll write more as it comes, but I thought I'd give you the run down of my first day, waking up, getting ready and write about the fact that I'm COMPLETELY ALONE IN THIS HOUSE. And it's pretty big too. It's cool thought. It's got 2 main stairways and upstairs there are 2 bedrooms by each staircase then a third door on either side that both lead to the master bedroom (ben's parent's room). It's a cool configuration...especially (you'll be glad to know MUM and DA') for parental guidance. haha Ben's room and My temporary room are seperated by the Master Bedroom...although I'm not sure if the russells realize this master plan. I'm on the ride where the other room in Ben's Brother and Ben's and his sister's rooms are on the other side by the other staircase. *shrugs* oh well.

My temp room is really cool. It's got the old wood floors and beams and a little rickety window that is oh so quaint. And there's the veiw from the window too. The back yard, as far as the eye can see. I think it's all theirs, but I'll ask Ben later. I'm pretty sure that forest in the back of all the feilds is theirs too...I REALLY hope so. I'd LOVE to go explore inside that forest..even if it technically isn't a forest, it'd still be cool to explore and take pictures of it.

The one last thing I think I have to say before I take the dogs for a walk is this:

I'M IN BLOODY ENGLAND! haha no, that's apparent. Um...no what I was really going to say has an effect mostly on my mom.

Mom, you know how I was contemplating bringing my vegitarian cookbook? Well, I don't know if they've had it or bought it because you told them I was Vegan, but THE RUSSELLS HAVE THAT EXACT COOKBOOK. It was freaky. I found it on the counter this morning and was like, "Is that mine?" and I flipped through it and didn't see highlighted marks so I knew it wasn't mine.....but that was just freaky. And if they bought it just because of me, aw bless.

Well that's all (yeah, a whole novel's worth) for now. Gotta go walk the muppets!
Jenny mac

IT'S GREEN!!!!

Quick update (hopefully, with Ben watching close by probably being bored watching me type ^^):

Plane ride was REALLY long. After about 5 hrs I was thinking, "when is this gonna be over? ... oh right, 5 more hours."

Watch He#s Just Not That Into You in French (don't ask why) and The Reader (really sad), so that kept me occupied for a while. There was also this cool Polish guy I sat next to(him in the isle, me in window seat :D). He was coming back from E3, a gaming convention in LA. He seemed pretty nice and there wasn't really any awkward plane talk so that was good.

When the flight got into it's last about 30mins, and we came down from cloud coverage I first saw England and reacted thusly: "IT'S GREEN! AND CLOUDY! AND GREEN! AND THERE'S COWS! AND LITTLE HOUSES! I BLOODY LOVE IT!!!"

Customs sucked going through. But it was all worth it to see Ben and his mum standing by at arrivals. Big hug (no kiss mum....don't fret...yet haha) and then we were off.

Long drive. LOVED the green all along the way...but jet lag started getting to me. I didn't sleep on the plane (physically couldn't) so as of now I am running on 24hrs without sleep....awesome. And I've been falling asleep on Ben the last like 4 hours we've been watching tele. Yeah, I know...sleep needs to come soon....a few more hours. haha

Love you all who are reading (mum +)
-Jenny Mac

P.S. House is lovely. Ben loved his jersey. and there are puppies who love me and kitties i'll acost later. hehe