tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880Wed, 16 Sep 2026 18:49:03 +0000Random ThoughtsLife as an American ExpatMy MisadventuresThe Ex FilesBook TalkMotherhoodWeblogsRecipesFamily TiesMy WritingSong Of The WeekCurrent AffairsThe misadventures of a Jersey Girl that crossed the pondhttp://www.pondhopper.net/noreply@blogger.com (Erren)Blogger529125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-858804535460303953Mon, 03 Feb 2014 09:30:00 +00002014-02-03T14:45:09.642+00:00I got a new camera lens for my birthday last week.  I don't have a lot of time to play with it, but this is one of the first shots I took... http://www.pondhopper.net/2014/02/playing-with-my-new-lens.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-823104333945410091Mon, 06 Jan 2014 10:27:00 +00002014-01-06T11:20:55.116+00:00 I was talking to a close friend the other day about this blog.  I told her if this blog was a plant that needed my time and attention, it would have shriveled up and died a long time ago.  I told her that maybe it's time I shut it down and say good-bye to Pond Hopper.  She said, 'So it's a plastic plant. It doesn't need your time or attention.  All it needs to do is sit therehttp://www.pondhopper.net/2014/01/a-plastic-plant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-3171923872321634461Sat, 14 Dec 2013 19:53:00 +00002013-12-14T19:53:12.356+00:00Let me start by saying all of my tests of come back and I have been given the all clear from the doctors! Phew!  I can't say how stressed I was over the whole thing! I actually got word last week, but I am only just coming out of a 10 day viral haze.  I haven't been so sick in ages!  I didn't move off the couch the whole time.  The stress probably wore me down.  Either http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/12/thank-goodness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-5263905426046828403Wed, 27 Nov 2013 11:10:00 +00002013-11-27T11:10:58.888+00:00A few weeks ago, I found a lump in my breast.  I was in the shower.  I thought I felt something, but my first reaction was to not let my mind go there so I quickly moved on.  A few minutes later, I checked again and confirmed it was indeed a lump.  I finished my shower (and my day) trying not to think too much about it.  That night I asked my husband to see what he http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/11/scary-stuff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-6372560803309241093Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:29:00 +00002013-10-03T13:29:47.778+01:00 After I worked out today, I went into the kitchen for a bottle of water and saw the pouring rain out my patio door.  There are few times I can think of wanting to feel the rain more. Without a thought, I went out and stood in the rain.  English rain is cold, but today it felt incredible.  I live in a very public place, but in that kind of weather there was wasn't a soul in http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/10/feeling-rain.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-6752456467224701854Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:34:00 +00002013-09-25T11:36:09.612+01:00MotherhoodMy MisadventuresThe other mother and I went into the school to meet with the teacher and the assistant head.  We both let them know how upset we were that we were not informed that our children were sent to the office and how much we were against the children being allowed to play fighting games on the playground.  I told them I wouldn't allow it at home and I'm really unhappy that it's being allowed http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/09/fight-club-for-five-year-olds-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-527945674201966541Wed, 25 Sep 2013 05:30:00 +00002013-09-25T10:23:53.182+01:00My MisadventuresYesterday after the school run, another mom and I decided to let the kids play for a while.  We were walking to their house together when a group of guys called out to us.  It was basically the English version of 'Yo Yo Baby you're looking fine!' don't ask me to repeat it because I can't even type an English accent (even after all of these years).  I was walking with a twenty-five http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/09/a-much-needed-ego-boost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-5640537518564658711Tue, 24 Sep 2013 11:04:00 +00002013-09-24T12:13:34.551+01:00Life as an American ExpatMotherhoodMy MisadventuresMy son has been back to school for three weeks and I have already had three meetings with the assistant head (vice principal).  He's five years old and has just started in year one (1st Grade in the US). Let me start from the beginning though. Last year, I was the class mom.  I went in nearly every week to help.  I got to know the children and  both teachers (he had two that http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/09/fight-club-for-five-year-olds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-3264164831295399254Tue, 24 Sep 2013 09:27:00 +00002013-09-24T12:11:54.491+01:00My MisadventuresThis morning I woke up to yard looking like the set of a horror movie!  The entire yard was covered with spider webs.  They covered every surface and piece greenery there was.  They were in the garden furniture, between fence posts and in the bushes and trees!  I noticed it through the window and it took me ages to get the nerve to open the door to take some photos because I http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/09/creepy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-6650380326864286445Fri, 20 Sep 2013 18:20:00 +00002013-09-24T12:11:41.295+01:00My Misadventures http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/09/our-summer-in-photos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-4571110691070634013Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:54:00 +00002013-09-16T20:54:04.188+01:00I took the summer off from Blogging as in the UK, children only get six weeks off for the summer.  This year for unknown reasons, they only got five weeks off so we had a lot to cram into a very short summer.  We went on three family trips.  I'm using the word 'trip' because I've been out of the US long enough to not want to use the word 'vacation' and not in the UK long enough to http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/09/back-from-my-summer-break.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-8757032048748869120Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:57:00 +00002013-09-24T12:12:17.526+01:00Life as an American ExpatMy Misadventures http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/07/beach-days.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-4076602493172516263Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:32:00 +00002013-07-18T15:32:15.705+01:00Life as an American ExpatA few weeks ago, we finally started having Summer weather we took my son for a walk on the beach.  English beaches are not always fun.  You have to go prepared.  A impromptu walk on the beach without the proper footwear, was not the best idea.  I was wearing flip flops and after just a few steps onto the beach, I realized my mistake, but it was just too late.  My five http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/07/mastering-english-beach.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-1594239964848746249Sun, 14 Jul 2013 11:56:00 +00002013-09-24T12:13:49.577+01:00Life as an American ExpatMotherhoodI'm in the process of planning a Kindergarten cut day for the end of this week.  I've contacted some of the moms from my son's class to plan a sneaky day off for the kids in protest of the ridiculously long British school year.  This term doesn't end until next Wednesday (for an unknown reason,this year it was extended by a week) and I just found out that they will only have five weeks http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/07/kindergarten-cut-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-9148405396727412936Thu, 11 Jul 2013 16:42:00 +00002014-04-05T16:32:35.112+01:00Recipes This recipe has moved to my new food blog.  Click here to be redirected. http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/07/chorizo-chicken-paella.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-2942878915031274631Wed, 10 Jul 2013 13:43:00 +00002013-09-24T12:12:54.869+01:00My Misadventures I've been really busy lately and haven't had time for blogging, but I just thought I'd share this song.  I heard it today and had to stop what I was doing just to listen to it.  It reminds me of being young and the magic that comes with certain people who come into your life...http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/07/love-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-7296099094594167895Mon, 24 Jun 2013 19:00:00 +00002013-07-18T15:32:37.071+01:00Life as an American ExpatWould you believe that in the last dew days, I have been approached by two different US production companies asking me if I'd be interested in doing a TV show on American expats?  Both found me through this blog!  It's crazy!  I didn't think too many people read my blog!  Unfortunately, one was about American expats with businesses and the other was looking for people who havehttp://www.pondhopper.net/2013/06/crazy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-4386411972061830170Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:52:00 +00002013-06-14T17:45:01.164+01:00  In yesterday's post I wrote about an article I've recently read titled, '40 Effed Up Things About Being 40'  That article has inspired me to compile my own list... 1.  There are a few kids in my son's class that have moms that I'm pretty sure are young enough to be my child.  In theory, this means I am old enough to have a 5-year-old grandchild! 2.  Store clerks http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/06/40-effed-up-things-about-being-40.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-8627682755214156815Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:30:00 +00002013-06-14T10:38:02.814+01:00     I don't like my last post being one of those woe is me posts so I needed to find a new topic quickly.  Yesterday, a friend shared an article with me that was titled '40 Effed up things about being 40'  It started out with the author going to the drug store to buy her first pair of reading glasses.  She compared herself to a teenager going to buy their first box http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/06/it-comes-with-age.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-3880182722374984748Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:02:00 +00002013-06-13T13:02:33.468+01:00I haven't been feeling well for the last week or so. Just in case you aren't aware, I have an illness called Ankylosing Spondilitis. It's  a chronic inflammatory disease which also a form of arthritis (although it doesn't just effect the joints). I've had it for many years now, but only got the diagnosis about 5 years ago. I'm on regular medication for it which  helps with inflammation http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/06/not-feeling-well.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-3374270484827052663Sun, 02 Jun 2013 15:46:00 +00002013-06-02T17:18:12.245+01:00 http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/06/it-looks-like-we-had-good-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-5698910568591458536Sun, 02 Jun 2013 11:18:00 +00002013-06-02T16:47:09.231+01:00My in-laws just left after a five day visit.  I don't mind it being a five day visit, but then again, five days of your house not being your own is always a bit unsettling and although I don't look forward to their departure when they are here, I can't say I'm sad to have things go back to normal. As a treat for my son's birthday, we took him to the Museum of Natural History in London on http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/06/our-disaster-of-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-3240393102182607028Tue, 28 May 2013 09:34:00 +00002013-05-28T10:37:46.510+01:00My son's party was a big success!  It was total chaos at times, but a great time was had by all!  I'll blog about it another time (my in-law's are arriving tomorrow for my son's birthday and I have loads to do), but wanted to share this... Big Eagle has arrived!  My son has been saving his money for the last year to save up enough to buy the ultimate Angry Bird - Big Eagle (AKA http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/05/big-eagle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-2614155832980508858Sun, 26 May 2013 06:55:00 +00002013-05-26T07:55:36.889+01:00I've been awake since 4:00 AM.  I hate when I can't sleep.  I had insomnia for over a decade before I met my husband.  Back then I didn't sleep more than 3 or 4 hours a night and functioned quite normally.  These days when that happens, I'm shattered.  Even now sitting here, I'm regretting getting up because in six hours I am having a birthday party with 20+ http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/05/530-am.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17300880.post-7455236342729443004Sat, 25 May 2013 11:46:00 +00002013-05-25T14:59:28.594+01:00I don't normally share things like this, but I really like Will Smith and can't say how much I enjoyed seeing this on Graham Norton Friday night.  It was such a laugh! http://www.pondhopper.net/2013/05/will-smith-surprises-graham-norton.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Erren)1