I want to be in America

My daughter sang with her music society last night in a concert in London. One of the pieces was from West Side Story. It made me chuckle to hear these posh-accented British students singing American lyrics such as "I feel wit-TEE, I feel pre-TEE" in their clipped precise tones.

At her last Christmas concert, one of their group vowed to sing his solo and sound 'just like a native American.' Of course I was happy to hear his attempt. (It was OK.)

Here is my daughter singing with a little group of soloists last night -- she's the one on the far right:

Before we went to her concert, she hit us up for a meal at a Dutch pancake house. I was late because I went straight from work. When I got there I found lipstick marks on the wine I had asked to be sitting at the table by the time I got there. I asked if my wine had been 'pre-drunk' but there were vehement denials from people at the table.


I had to order another glass soon after just to make sure I got to drink at least one whole glass myself.

Scrounging meals from her parents

Katie always hits us up for free meal if we go anywhere in London. She'll read something I've written in my blog or on Facebook and gently enquire: "Will there be any eating opportunities in London?"

For example, she saw something on my FB page about an American expat social event this Saturday in London. We start out with coffee at a Spanish deli, browse the markets at Portobello Road in Notting Hill then end up at a Mexican place for dinner.

Of course I have had to contact the organizer of the event to say that another 'expat' of sorts will be joining us (my daughter). Katie does has an American passport even if she is totally British in upbringing.