Well if just the title of this post hasn't been enough to make you run away screaming, I guess you just might want to read 7 random facts about me. I was tagged by the lovely Amy over at Stash Knit Repeat. Oh and have you noticed that in some places it's 8 random facts? I'll just be glad that I've only been asked for 7!
The rules: List seven random facts about you in your blog, then tag seven other people, making sure to let them know. So here goes!
1. I used to live in Poland. When I was out of uni, I went to teach English in Poland and quite a year it was. It involved large amounts of Żubrówka and sok jabłkowy (bison grass vodka and apple juice) as well as care parcels with Pesto and parmesan from my parents in Boston for me and my vegetarian flat mate.
2. I hate taking the tube. I can and do when necessary but am a huge fan of the London bus system. This could be because it's geneally easier to get a seat and knit on the bus than it is on the tube but it's also because I love to watch London go by. And I really miss the old fashioned double decker buses. The new ones are nowhere near as much fun.
3. I have a thing about orange Smarties (we're talking English Smarties here, not the American Smarties which are, from what I can tell, completely different). It makes the husband laugh but I will always eat all the other coloured smarties before I even think of touching an orange one. I think they taste better. He thinks I am mad.
4. My second language was Swiss German. I've forgotten most it now but when I was about 7 my family moved to Baar, near Zug in the German speaking area of Switzerland. I remember that it amused me greatly that the word for Daddy was "Vatti", pretty much pronounced "Fatty".
5. My middle name is Jane. My grandfather used to wind me up as a child calling me 'Amelia Jane who lived down the lane' and reading the Enid Blyton series of Amelia Jane books to me. She's a very naughty doll who constantly gets up to mischief in the nursery and I used to love the one book where Amelia Jane does something good and saves the nursery after the goblins climb in through the window.
6. My husband is, quite literally, my knight in shining armour. Just before we started dating, I lived in Paris. As I was moving into my new house, I had my handbag ripped off me on the Metro and lost my passport, credit cards, cash, the lot. My parents were away and in desperation I called "the-not-even-boyfriend-at-the-time" as I really didn't know what else to do. He jumped on the next Eurostar with a wad of cash and I was able to pay the deposit on my flat and move in. Needless to say we got together soon afterwards.
7. I hate Rowan Calmer. There will be more about that in a post to follow soon. But I really do not get on with Rowan Calmer at all.
PS: Like so many others, I am not tagging anyone as there doesn't really seem to be anyone left to tag. I think that I am the last of the last to respond to this meme.
Posted by Amelia at June 8, 2007 11:04 PMOh, I used to live in Poland, too! I was there from 1995 - 2000, living first in Kolo (near Konin), then 4 years in Warsaw. I loved every minute of it and would move back in a heartbeat. I actually meant to return to the US for only one year, but ended up meeting Mr. Wonderful, falling in love, getting married, buying a house and (now) getting pregnant, so it seems I am US-bound forever now.
And I feel you on the deep and abiding love of szarlotki. Mmmmm!
As another aside, I, too, hate Rowan Calmer. I love it knitted up, but I find its elasticity annoying to work with. Plus, it's not that soft before it's knitted up. I thought I was the only one...
First time poster, but long time reader of your blog! :-)
Posted by: Joanna W. at June 15, 2007 05:03 PMI didn't know American Smarties were different than Canadian Smarties; the only smarties I know are the chocolate kind. They're definitely something I associate with childhood and I like them, but don't seem to eat them much as an adult.
Posted by: shelley at June 12, 2007 08:22 PMNeat list! Thanks for playing, and I am unreasonably interested in why you dislike Calmer.
Posted by: Amy at June 11, 2007 07:01 PMOh yes, orange Smarties are the best! I try to save them for last, but I always give in and eat a few before all the other colours are gone. North American Smarties all taste the same, and they don't have that smooth richness of English chocolate inside anyway. (I have to get all my English food from import stores, alas, since I live in Canada, and they can be so expensive!)
Posted by: Ria at June 11, 2007 03:03 PMInteresting list, thank you!!
Posted by: Meg at June 11, 2007 02:46 AMIn Canada, I think those American "smarties" are called Rockets. They're just sugar disks, seen around our house only at Halloween.... We do have *real* smarties, chocolate with candy coating, but they are a tiny bit different from British ones. The debate about the different flavours is eternal, it seems!
Posted by: Mary de B at June 9, 2007 12:34 PMOrange Smarties are definitely the best ! They tast of orange...
Posted by: Brigid at June 9, 2007 08:15 AMoh please do tell why you hate Rowan Calmer.... I have 9 balls staring me in the face, I'm about to start a sweater and it's not too late to return them!! Please do tell....
Posted by: Sheila at June 9, 2007 03:12 AM