People moving over here

I've enjoyed quite a few recent chats with people that are moving to the UK or Europe. I'm only 1.5 years in, but it's amazing to think what's changed in that time. The questions are different from each person, so there doesn't seem to be much of a common theme. "How do I get a job", "is it hard to bring animals", "what's it like" might be the most common. Interesting to me that the questions don't seem to be about culture or food, then tend to be a bit more individual and tactical in nature. Wonder what's behind that.

Glamping in Devon

Let's try glamping! I think the word glamping is a combination of glamourous and camping. It basically means that you sleep in the woods, but in some kind of existing primitive housing structure as opposed to a tent that you build. 

We found a place called Loveland Farm. The website was nice and the owners were even nicer. They own a farm with several kinds of animals, and they've built several "pods". Each pod looks like half a golf ball, with a dome-like shape comprised of hexagons. There's also a nice little kitchen in a handmade wood structure. The bathroom is called compost I think, although that doesn't sound right. It means that you go to the bathroom in a hole and cover it with compost. Apparently the house flies like it. 

The pod really was great! It had a full size teepee within it, plus several beds. One bed was hanging from the ceiling, which was very exciting for the kids. 

During the days, we drove to nearby beaches. We went to Croyde, Woolacombe and a funny place called Westward Ho! The exclamation point is truly in the name of the town. 

The beach at Woolacombe was highly rated and we agreed with the rating. It had endless sand and white hillside houses overlooking the beach. I slept on the beach, only to be awoken by the water rushing toward my head. The family thought it was very funny to watch me wake up and run. 

Noticing popular words

I've noticed the word "boring" is being said a lot lately. It's said in quite a negative way. "I sure hope I'm not boring" and comments like that. Interesting to me because I don't find the stiff upper lip boring at all, I tend to find it emotionally intelligent.

I've been corrected on my pronunciation of the London tube. I've been saying TOOb, it's more like CHube. So there you have it.

Not Bad - The Key British Phrase

Not bad is not just two words. Not bad is a quintessential phrase with at least four meanings. As I've been studying Mandarin for a few years and learning about "tones", the phrase "not bad" is a perfect example of tones in English.

If you hear "not bad" with a downward town, it actually means "really bad". Especially if there's a quick "yeah" before it.

If you hear "not bad" in a monotone, that actually means not bad. "It's ok".

If you hear "not bad" with a slight uptone, almost like asking a question, then that means "pretty good actually". "I kind of liked it, but don't really want to admit that since I don't know how you feel". 

If you hear "not bad at all", that means "probably the greatest thing I've ever seen, but why be so dramatic"

I'm still working on my pronunciation, but it's certainly a key phrase to know!