In Training

Living with a British guy

Royal, of course.

On Thursday we'll be celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary!  I still can't believe he picked me. 

I was thinking today about some of the American / British / British / American things that seem to go on since well, Royal is British and I'm American.  Funny that. 

1.  I tease him mercilessly over exaggerating the song lyrics to Johnny Horton's Battle of New Orleans.  It's true.  He always shakes his head and laughs at me. 

As long as I'm being honest, I also pretend argue with him while watching The Patriot.*  Not surprisingly, he gives as good as he gets.

2.  Sometimes I worry that people at sporting events will think he's a terrible person because he doesn't place his hand over his heart for the Star-Spangled Banner.  No one has ever said anything, of course, but if they ever should it'll be great to see their face when Royal speaks with his deep, rich English accent.

3.  I frequently play the translator for him, but he never has to translate for me.  I blame the Royal Marines.  You've never heard such crazy words in your life!

4.  Mother's Day in the U.S. is always in a completely different month than U.K. Mother's Day... but Father's Day is always the same day.  This means that my Mom and his Mum get two Mother's Day cards a year... but my Dad and his Dad only get the one!

* With Royal's parents being English (Dad) and Scottish (Mum) I've been told they've had some heated moments while watching the film Braveheart.

I'm sure there's much that I'm missing... If I think of any you'll be the first to know!

Ah well, many more 'Royal in America' stories here.

Closing Out The Book Challenge '09

It's 2010 now, can hardly believe it.  I started The Book Challenge in January of 2009 thanks to Sarah from Trying to Grok. 

It didn't go quite as planned.  There was February, when I got sick and didn't read anything for a while.  Some people read when they're sick but I've found I can't concentrate worth a bean.  Then March, where Royal went into the hospital for a bit and apparently something else happened which I can't seem to remember (it's really freakin' me out, actually... what the heck happened in March?!).  I became extremely lazy in April & May and okay, June and July as well.

BUT, I do have an excellent excuse for August - December: college!  And working full time!  I read A TON, it's just that it was for school and you know you never really finish those big honkin' college textbooks. 

However, I did manage a few and here they are:

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot by Craig Ferguson.  He's genuine, funny and Scottish so I enjoyed the book.  You really root for him.  Go Craig.

Bed Rest by Sarah Bilston.  I got this book in the $3.00 bin at the bookstore.  After completing, this made sense. The main character is on bed rest because there is a problem with her pregnancy.  I've never been pregnant, though I have been on bed rest.  I had a hard time getting into the book because of the main character.  I found her to be whiny with a huge sense of entitlement and ego.  Other than that, fairly easy read.

The last book I finished last year (yikes, last year) was Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher.  Also a comedic book and also a memoir of sorts, this book was much, much less fun and much, much less funny than Craig Ferguson's American on Purpose.  I hadn't read any of Carrie's other books, so I didn't know what to expect.  The front says, "funny as hell..." - Entertainment Weekly.  Yeah, not so much. 

Total for last half of August through December 31st: 3

Total for 2009: 20

Not near as many as Rove, Bush or Sarah, but I'm happy with it.  Plus, I didn't include the fluffy crime romances I read throughout the year, or the hundreds of pages of Art, Spanish and History textbooks. 

2010 WATCH out!!  I've already started in on a few...

One Year On - R.I.P. Elmsy

I hope that you've heard about Corporal Liam Elms before.  If not somewhere out in the world, at least here on my page.  He was killed one year ago today while on patrol in Helmand, Afghanistan.

A true Royal Marine Commando always, he was enthusiastic and funny.  When we met I had come a long way to visit Royal (and consequently a bunch of other Royal Marines) and Elmsy made it a point to include me in conversations and even offered to take photos of us.

Royal and I had many friends stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2008 and every day one of us would get online and check the news.  See if we could find any mention of a friend.  See if someone we loved had been killed.  Unfortunately, on January 2nd, 2009 I logged on and saw Elmsy's face.  It was difficult to believe.  I hadn't seen him that long ago...

I told Royal.  He was devastated. 

After receiving comfort from and giving comfort to the Royal Marines that knew him (and some that did not), we toasted to our good oppo in the Royal Marine tradition.  Royal and I decided then and there that WE would never forget Corporal Liam Elms' sacrifice.  We will drink to Elmsy.  We will always remember.



A photo he took of himself when we met.  Like I said, funny!
Rest in peace, Elmsy.  Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

Elmsy's Lasting Tribute Page

Corporal Liam Elms RIP Facebook Page

I'm all Twittered up

I finally did it.  I'm on Twitter. 

themrsroyal is my Twitter site!

If you have Twitter and would like to, please follow me.  If you don't and are still interested in keeping up with the page just bookmark or favorite it and you will see the updates. 

Hope everyone has a VERY Happy New Year!!

My New Year's Resolution?  Drink more water, eat more fresh vegetables!  Easy, right?!

UPDATE: I've also added a Twitter Update link on the top right of the blog  --->

Thrifty Queen

Very cool article.  Great photographs, too. 

Love reading about her, love seeing her.  That is one tough lady.

God save the Queen!

Straight A's!

That's right! I made straight A's this semester.  I think it's the first time in my entire life I've done that...

YAY! 

Next semester I've got Spanish 102, United States History from Civil War on, and Texas Government.  I'm still mad I have to take Texas Government.  Eh.

We are going to my Grandparents in Arizona for Christmas next week, what are y'all doing for the holidays?

His Accent

My husband happens to be British.  Females of all ages tell me that I'm so lucky. 

"You're so lucky you get to listen to that accent all the time!"

"You're so lucky, he could read the dictionary/encyclopedia/phone book/gym equipment instruction manual!" (yes, really)

"You're so lucky!  I don't understand most of what he says and I don't care!"

I could go on.  Every time I smile and say something like:

"Aw, thank you!  I kinda like having him around."

or

"Thank you, it's a great accent!"

It is a fantastic accent and I do love hearing my husband speak to me.  But that's not why I'm really lucky.  I'm really lucky because my husband says he loves me every single day.  Because he kisses me before bed every night, and before he leaves in the morning (while I'm still asleep).  Because he loves kids and animals and because he likes a good chick flick.  My husband will both work a 12 hour day and hold my purse while I try on clothes without complaint.  He loves my family deeply.  He knows how to protect me and he has no vices.  I'm really lucky because he moved with me to a brand shiny new foreign country (to him) because he feels our kids will have a better life here.

That's not something you say to strangers though, is it. 

4 Years Old!

For goodness sake!  I forgot about my birthday again this year.  I've been blogging for 4 YEARS (and 17 days, because I'm late. Again).  4 Years.  All thanks to my husband!  If it weren't for him I'm not sure I would have started this blog.  Back in 2005 we were living in different countries and always apart, but we were able to speak somehow every day.  Then he took off  with the Marines to Senegal for a few months training (first time for that since we'd been dating) and I was bored and lonely without him and our daily contact.  Ta Da!  Blog.  So thanks, honey, for giving me the push I needed.  I've really, really enjoyed it. 

Special thanks to my parents and to Pat, who have stuck by me and kept reading!

Links for today

A few I've been saving

Most realistic combat gave EVER.

Valour-IT and a great motivational poster!

Some good advice in this one: Don't bring a knife to a coffee fight.

Veteran's Day at the World War II Memorial from Reason.tv.

The Warrior Song on Blackfive.

Happy Thursday everyone! 

** UPDATE **

One more: Royal Marine leaves battle in Afghan to donate kidney to 3 year old son.

12 dead, 31 wounded in Fort Hood

Oh, no.  Horrible. 

We don't live very far from Fort Hood, I've visited the base.  The shooter(s) were/are American soldiers.

I'm just crying. 

Please pray for the community.  Please.  If you live in the area and are able, the hospitals are pleading for blood donations.

No poppies here

Running out the door to Art Appreciation but wanted to post this: 
Row as Strictly dancers are banned from wearing poppies over health and safety fears.

Crazy. 

Crazy Time

Hi all!

It's been a while... a long while since my last post.  My first semester back in school - while working full time - has taken some getting used to.  I'm happy to report that as of mid semester, I have a perfect average across the board.  100% in all three of my classes!  I know y'all don't know me like I know me, but this is freakin' amazing.  I'm studying nightly and even on Saturdays.  Even on Saturday mornings, which just blows my Mom's mind.  Apparently she never studied on Saturday mornings! 

But that's not all.  The company I work for has finally jumped on the Facebook and Twitter bandwagon and who, you ask, is in charge of running them both?  That's right!  Yours truly.  Talk about extra work!  Fun work though, I love it. 

So, I hope you guys stay with me!  I do miss being on here all the time - I miss you! I'll get a handle on it one of these days...

Headline & Story of the Day!

Thugs attack two transvestites... who turn out to be cage fighters in fancy dress.

Oh yes they did.

Complete with photos and video and great comments!

** Update **

An interview with Lionheart and Lights Out ... the two cage fighters!

Lookin' good gentlemen, lookin' good!

Story Behind the Photo: 1 Platoon, A Company, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment

I have been staring at this link for 20 minutes now. 

Every time I type something...

It's not enough. 

Oldie but a goodie in Afghanistan

This guy is somethin' else entirely!

Royal Navy reservist Lt Cdr Bill O'Brien, 54, volunteered for the tour with 633 Squadron Army Air Corps. He is flying an Apache helicopter.

The married father of three joined the Royal Marines in 1971 and retired from active service in 2005.

"I believe I have a contribution to make," he said. "There is still some life in the old dog yet."

Although there are some 600 reservists from all three services in Afghanistan, Lt Cdr O'Brien is the only one piloting a helicopter.
....
He arrived in Afghanistan in early September and has already flown more than 30 missions. On a busy day, he comes on duty at 0300 and does not finish until 2100. The work is split between providing an armed escort for lesser-armed helicopters and to provide armed support for friendly ground forces.
....
Squadron Commander Major Jason Etherington said Lt Cdr O'Brien was a "hugely popular individual" who had "assisted in the training of almost every pilot within the squadron".

"Although Bill joined the Royal Marines a year after I was born he still has the enthusiasm and dedication to match the younger members deployed to Afghanistan," he added.

Just wow. Good on ya.

Via Ace headlines.

New to intraining: Link Posts!

In between working full time, going to school and hanging with my husband I spend time online.  On blogs, on news sites, food, history, fashion, military, gossip... I love the internet!  Throughout the day I bookmark articles, photos, etc. that I find interesting and at the end of the day I put them all into an email for people I think will enjoy them (parents, brother, husband, friends, other parents = in-laws!). 

It occurred to me this very morning that I should do that here, too.  Many blogs have link posts, don't know why I didn't think of it before.  So here's your warning.  I don't know how often yet.  Guess whenever I have links!

From Blackfive: The Best Phone Call. Simply awesome. Tissue alert, though.

Cannot stop looking at every inch of London photographer Tim Walker's photographs! Click on 'selected images' and go to town.

One of the first xkcd comics I ever saw and fell in love with. Reminds me of dating my husband!

From Women of Caliber: What I Did for Love.  As my Dad says, this is a must read for everyone.

Enjoy!

Track! Track!

Royal and I went to Tucson to visit our grandparents over Labor Day.  For those that may not know, Arizona has this incredible time of year called the monsoon season!  Seriously amazing.  Just thinking about it gives me chills!  Everyone should, at least once in their lifetime, experience the sounds and the smell of the rain hitting the desert.

But, back to the story.  It's the evening and we're on a plane coming up to Tucson when our pilot pipes up and says the storm is covering the airport and we can't land.  He said we'd fly around for a bit but if it didn't move quickly we'd have to fly to Phoenix (boo, hiss).  Phoenix is at least a two hour drive from Tucson - AND it's home to Arizona State University (boo, hiss!).  I'll not even dignify them with a link. 
Not our idea of a good time.

Plane shot - not quite over Tucson, it was too dark by then.

So I'm getting all nervous about my mid-eighty year old grandparents trying to drive up to Phoenix late at night in a monsoon when my husband says,

"We should land anyway."

"Um, babe, don't you see that lightning?  No way."

"Planes are made to withstand lightning. Lightning be damned."

"Some strikes, not all! I have a friend that was on a flight that was struck!  They had to land immediately!"

"They landed, didn't they?  We'll be fine."  Big smile on his face. 

"No we won't, I -- I can't even believe we are having this conversation."

He goes on:

"We need to put the nose down and go, just go straight in and land."

"Ha.  What about the other planes?"

"Track!  Traaaacckk!"

"..... ?"

"From Norway, training with the Marines.  If you're skiing and you lose control you yell TRACK! people know to get out of the way or be smashed.  All I'm saying is that we track on the way down."

"So, the pilot just needs to get on the radio and track!  Traaaacckk! and --"

"-- all the other planes will leave us be.  Precisely."

I don't know if the funny translates in my telling, but it was hilarious and still makes me smile when I think of it.  My husband has a talent for saying these kinds of things so straight-faced and sincerely - just like when he tells me he's invincible. 

Oh, luckily only a few minutes after our exchange the pilot made it known that we would be landing in 15 minutes...

thank God!

Back to School

I'm 26 years old.  I have recently returned to school to finish my undergraduate degree.  I have about two years left.  History with teacher certification. 

I've been back for a week and a half.  Taking three classes: United States History up to 1877, Art Appreciation and Spanish 101.  What have I noticed so far?

I am old. 

In a good way!  Let's face it, I have a good six years on most of these kids.

For example, my Art class is a 6:00pm - 9:00pm (I've arranged my school schedule so that I am still able to work full time) once a week.  During the first class our teacher had us introduce ourselves with
name - major - how we relate to art - and something interesting or unusual about ourselves.

Most everybody said they couldn't relate to art (wha?) and that they played whatever sport in high school or they were from whatever town/city.   Bland.  It gets to this one little girl -- who was wearing practically nothing, but that's a whole other post on society today  -- and her something interesting about herself is...

"I like Asians."

Um.  Our teacher, with a tentative smile on her face, asked her "May I ask in what way?"  I'm positive her voice trembled with a bit of laughter and possible trepidation, but she kept it in check.  The rest of us did not.  There was chuckling all around.  The girl answered with

"I just like Asians.  [Pause]  My two best friends are Asian, so I like Asians.  Asian stuff."

Oh my. 
Oh my gosh. 

So it's been that kinda week.  I wish that I had kept a little journal of some of the things I heard.  Obviously there are extremely clever young students (and some not so bright older students) but it just seems as though the immature kids stand out. 

Oh, my interesting bit of info was that I lived in Britain and my husband is a former Royal Marine!

America

Must watch. 

15 minutes long, but it's excellent. 

I *heart* Bill Whittle.

Harry Von Turbo Pussers

There's a group on Facebook that asks Are You Harry-Von Turbo Pussers?  Pussers is another term for Royal Marine/Royal Marine stuff (such as pussers kit).  The group contains the following list (which I've posted without editing):

You Know You Are Too Pussers When...

• You still tell your parents/wife/girlfriend/cousin/civvie mates etc to ‘get the wets on’

• You have 'life on the Ocean Wave' as your mobile ring tone
• You have the globe and laurel as your screensaver
• It annoyed you that I didn’t use a capital ‘G’ and ‘L’ in the previous line
• You have a year round tan that runs from your hands to mid-arm and makes a nice ‘v’ on your chest
• You can use the creases on your T-shirt to shave with
• You A4 your civvies clothes. Ever. Even as a joke
• You have more than one pussers tattoo
• You hate seeing students wearing DPM jackets about town and say its because it’s split rig
• But really its because they have a button missing/the hood rolled down
• In work your even your bessie oppo won’t leave his rifle loafing with you because he knows you’ll pick him up for some dirt on it (when you strip it down behind his back)
• People actually suggest you should be a PW2/DL2 or on a training team
• You think that’s a good idea
• You still think Silver Shadows are the best trainer ever
• You go for a drink with your civvie mates and proceed to explain and demonstrate to them the subtleties of CQB (tap, tap, weapon sweep, eye thump, tango down, marking, standing...)
• Then you make them practise it
• You’re idea of a serious relationship involves an Arbers/Taunton/Plymouth chick
• You know the best runs ashore in at least 5 of the following, Exemouth, Taunton, Plymouth, Arbroath, Helensburgh, Barnstable, Watford, Oakhampton, Dubai
• You continually use phrases like “pound to a piece of shit”
• When faced with poor reception on your mobile phone or incoherent talkers you say “say again, over”
• Then finish your phone call with “roger, out”
• You own at least 4 books about the Royal Marines (SAS/Andy McChad books don’t count)
• When you came on Facebook you searched for every Royal Marine group/profile
• And joined most of them
• You would stop having sex if Cockleshell heros came on TV halfway through
• During sex, you mentally name all the parts to a GPMG from the Muzzle flash eliminator all the way back to the Rear sling loop to stop yourself coming too quick
• This actually has the opposite effect
• You know what film the quote “fuck off you spic bastards” is from
• At any EVERY family occasion (wedding birthday christening etc) you end up getting drunk because one relative knows about the TTQ (to the Queen) rule and knows you will uphold it
• After you get drunk you then proceed to announce to all your relatives that you ‘are turbo shiters’
• Then call a naked bar
• And actually do it
- Hate Pongos, Matelots, Crabs, Rubbers, STABS, cadets, students, civvies and generally anyone who isnt a bootneck or a female.

Not surprisingly, Royal is harry von turbo pussers.  Gotta love it!

By the way, my favorite 'harry von' is harry von red pigs!  I get to use it a lot in Texas...

Also, if you have any questions about what the heck any of the above means - leave it in the comments!