Yes, I do mean you, actually
I've received a number of emails and holiday cards recently in which people I know have mentioned that they're reading this blog regularly. It always catches me a little off guard; that was the point, of course, and I'm naturally happy to hear that our friends and family are interested in following our adventures here. But since only a handful of people generally post comments after I write something, I guess I kind of assumed that only a handful of people were reading. Apparently, that's not exactly the case. Huh. Could have fooled me...
I'm equally pleased and surprised, though in a very different kind of way, when people I don't know in real life stumble upon this site and actually do post a comment. It's fascinating to me how circuitous web surfing leads others with similar circumstances or interests to my little navel-gazing corner of the 'net, and I can't help but wonder how many others stop by without ever letting me know that they've been here.
This is all a long winded intro (and would you expect anything less from me?) into the fact that this is apparently International Delurking Week in the blogosphere. (Yes, really. I know. But apparently so.) And so I'm inviting you all -- friends and strangers alike -- to just click that little "comments" button there at the bottom of this post (the one after my name and the date and time) and let me know you're out there. And then you can drop back into your regular reading routine again. I promise.
Any takers?
I'm equally pleased and surprised, though in a very different kind of way, when people I don't know in real life stumble upon this site and actually do post a comment. It's fascinating to me how circuitous web surfing leads others with similar circumstances or interests to my little navel-gazing corner of the 'net, and I can't help but wonder how many others stop by without ever letting me know that they've been here.
This is all a long winded intro (and would you expect anything less from me?) into the fact that this is apparently International Delurking Week in the blogosphere. (Yes, really. I know. But apparently so.) And so I'm inviting you all -- friends and strangers alike -- to just click that little "comments" button there at the bottom of this post (the one after my name and the date and time) and let me know you're out there. And then you can drop back into your regular reading routine again. I promise.
Any takers?
posted by Rebecca | 2:32 PM
35 Comments:
Hello again from Denzylle in London. Still reading, and still enjoying your impressions of England and the English.
As you don't display your e-mail address, I'd like to take this opportunity to make a couple of requests here:
I'd be interested to hear what you think about:
i) the news - local Hampstead, London, national, international, how the UK reports on US matters, etc. Political or parochial, as you wish. And, of course, that depends on where you get your news sources - UK newspapers, radio, TV, internet, etc.' and
ii) our TV (and radio, if you listen). Best and worst.
Also, I have a couple of other blog suggestions that might be of interest to you.
Okay, I'll delurk! I've been reading your blog since before you left. It's so exciting following what you guys are doing and how it's going. Keep up the wonderful job!
Not a lurker, but I'll still say "hi".... Hi :)
I don't often comment but do read often. Hi!
I've had all the intentions of posting comments in the past... not really sure what stopped me. call it "lazyness"?
In fact, I would say I'm a little intimidated by your great use of the English language. I felt I needed to sound really "smart."
great blog! I enjoy reading your stories.
Hello! Been reading since long before the move to London and am happily following your adventures and the exciting tales of the transition for you all. Best wishes to you and the family and I'll try my best to comment a bit more. Still, I'm always reading.
P.S. Glad you had a great time in Scotland! Can't wait to hear about Portugal...
Hello, Deana from Colorado U.S.A. here. i found your blog through an expat blogging ring...actually I don't remember how exactly I found it...but I have enjoyed reading.
My husband is trying everyday to find a job in the UK that wants to move an American and his family over there! Good luck right?
Well...thanks for pulling me out of my lurk. I do enjoy your writing.
Rebecca, You rock! Now that we've become "friends" via this blog, I will out myself and say hello to the rest of you lurkers!
Thanks for being so honest and real about your experiences.
Hugs,
S
Alright, alright, I'll de-lurk as well- I have been reading since you left for London as well, and I think I've left a comment or two before, I'm just not witty- I do enjoy your site. I admire your courage in moving your small children and household to another culture- well done. Anyways, thank you for sharing!
Not a lurker but saying "hey".
One of the usual suspects, just checking in. I've fallen behind on most of my blog reading these days and am forever playing catch-up, but I never get tired of seeing the UK through your eyes. (Although your indifference to ALL THAT SUPERIOR TEA filling the shops over there will always perplex me.)
Hi! I read you all the time but rarely comment even though we both have an Evan about the same age.
I'm still reading you regularly. I love the idea of the yearly birthday letter!
(Note: I'm no longer anonymous!)
I'm closer to your pond than most in Eastern Canada!
Yout DO know that I am your most faithful reader...but as your mother and grandma to Julia & Evan I have always been interested in (ok, obsessed with)the minutia of your lives.
xxooxx
Ok, Ok, I'll do my best to post my two cents more regularly. As I've told you, I thoroughly enjoy your blog and the fact that I get to experience, in some remote way, your adventures. How you find the time is beyond me.....but that doesn't necessarily surprise me either. From one Type A to another, keep up the fabulous work.
Not a lurker, but "Hiya!" anyway :)
Fellow American expat blogger here - howdy!
I won't even begin to explain how I ended up a devoted reader of your blogs. I blame Gretchen. Of course, she doesn't know me either. Oh well, I hope no one is bothered by me randomly dropping in. :) I am in NJ, and have dreams to meeting you all when you return to the States. :)
Hi Rebecca-
I linked over to your blog from UK-Yankee, and have really enjoyed it. I'm Kate (kate_mate over there) and I grew up in Bergen County, NJ and subsequently lived in NYC, but now find myself in North London married to a Brit. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your writing and your insights into expat life. I have actually thought about commenting on a couple of your entries, so I appreciate your invite to do so here.
Hello, This is boogiemum from Florida. I have been lurking your site for awhile. Shame on me for not commenting as much as I should! I enjoy reading of your adventures and travels.
YOP! We are here! We are here! We are here! We are here!
Hi , I found you while blog hopping months ago and have become a faithful stalker, I mean reader.
My name is Sandy and I live in Western NY though I'm trying to get transferred to VA. That is where my husband of 3 months is currently stationed with the Air Force.
I really enjoy your stories and your writing style and hope that someday I’m able to create a similar legacy for any children that we might be blessed with.
Sandy
Guilty as charged (although can a friend really lurk??)... I've been faithfully reading your blog since you sent me the link oh so long ago, and I know that you're aware of how often I've written (for everyone other than Rebecca, this is the first time). Your blog has made life so much easier for everyone who misses you terribly back home. We get to find out all the details of your London life, but don't have to actually take the time to sit down and write. Quite a dangerous situation for people like me who have all the best intentions but are insufferably lazy. That is, until we get publically outed and are shamed into writing... Anyway, I owe you much more than a response to one of your posts, and I promise you a real e-mail with real updates soon. Lots to talk about, my friend. For now, suffice it it say that we are doing well, and that we all miss you very much.
P.S. - Happy 5th Birthday to Julia!!! I wish that we had been there (or more realistically - that you had been here) so that we could have shared it with you.
Hi Rebecca! I'm still reading although not commenting much anymore, obviously. I think about it but never seem to actually do it. It's nice to read how shy little Julia has taken to the environment over there and I'm curious as to how you will do in truly embracing the English way of life!
I don't think I've posted but I am a regular reader, enjoying your adventures!
Wow... guilt is quite a motivator, I guess!
I don't know quite what to say. I'm kind of taken aback by all of the comments here (and I'm still wondering where a lot of the people I know in real life are hiding... kudos to Julie for fessing up, though this doesn't let you off the hook on a real email, girl!).
I'm incredibly flattered by the compliments, and incredibly amused by the idea of being intimidating and incredibly touched that you all take the time to read what I write here. Thanks for saying hello, all of you. I know that I promised you could go back to passively reading now, and you can, but you don't have to, you know... :)
Frequent reader and commenter (did I spell that correctly? Firefox isn't screaming at me, so I guess I did) waving. ;)
A little late on this one. . .I am a frequent lurker, but have posted a few times. I have a daughter Evan's age- almost exactly- she was born 2/2/04.
I so enjoy reading about your adventures in the UK- even passed the link on to a friend over here in the States who is from Wales!
Hello from me, too! (I know, I know, I missed de-lurking week. But as I am not so much a lurker, I'm saying hello anyway.)
:)
Morning. I continue to read as I can. This feels like a good way to keep up to date with an old friend as we have spread apart. Your feelings help me manage through our move to the midwest although not quite as far and exciting.
Hello,
This post of yours is about 18 months old but I found your blog while surfing the web for blogs about families in London. My husband came home a few months ago with the news that his company is thinking of sending us to London for a few years. We won't know for sure for another month or so but akin to your anniversary in London post where you talk about immediately diving into the flat, school, & telecom research, I am doing the same. Aside from all the useful information you provide and all the insight you share, your writing is probably the best I have found in bloggityville. Your blog has become my nightly read. After I finish laughing out loud, I then read certain posts to my husband who is also enjoying your stories. Some of them, like your Anniversary in London post help defend my insane obsessive behavior and now my husband doesn't think I am so nuts. If this does come to pass, I will leave you another message in hopes that you can help me figure things out. I am not writing about this as of yet on my blog but you find my email on my website if you wish. www.morepickles.com.
A fellow expat told me about your blog and I am having a great time reading. We have been in the UK 1.5 years and will be heading back to the US in about 9 months. Your blog has made me laugh out loud and also brought tears to my eyes. 14 Oct 2008
Hello Rebecca,
Your original post was from absolutely ages ago, but having just stumbled upon it I never the less I thought that this would be a good chance to thank you for your blog.
I'm an American- living in New York for several years with my British husband- and on the verge of a move to London in 2 months time. I found your blog through an expat site and have been enthralled by your observations on British life. And as we're hoping to have a baby soon, I'm also taking particular interest in your experience of raising children in the UK.
I realise that you'll have been back in the US now for some time, but thank you for your blog. It's helping me to prepare (being a chronic over-planner and over-thinker) and is calming my pre move nerves. Happy New Year!
Megan
I for one would like to defend the folks strolling along and not leaving comments. I am a fellow blogger myself, and I try and read a lot of blogs, based on what I am trying to discover. I would be online ALL DAY if I were to leave a comment on every blog I stumble upon in my online discoveries. I do however, want to say I appreciate your blog and the insight you are providing. I am an American with a strong desire to move to London to live and study for a few years. I live in Atlanta, GA in the middle of the city and already a rather thrifty, challenged life. I can't imagine being able to give up much more/downsize in order to try and accommodate the cost of living difference. Additionally, I want to study there for grad school, another crazy expensive endeavor. I think as Americans we are under this crazy idea that anything is possible if we work hard, but in reality that is hardly true, of course. I hear of so many difficult stories from Americans moving overseas, and all of them had triple or more of the resources than I do. I am still researching and trying to find a path there I can afford to take. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
-Robin
http://www.robingillis.blogpsot.com
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