An English Thanksgiving

Thursday was Thanksgiving and as many know, it’s only celebrated in the U.S. but just because it’s an American holiday doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate it no matter where you are in the world. This year because I was away from home (obviously) I decided to celebrate it with new friends, my course mate family, and flatmates. Those of us in the TVJ program had filming on the actual holiday therefore Wednesday was the night! I left classes early, started on the bird and american goodies of side dishes.

I was extremely nervous because it was my first time ever being in charge of the special day. Not to mention explaining the holiday to friends who have never heard of it. “Well… see there were these indians…. no wait…. it’s about being thankful…. yeah, yeah, that’s it. It’s about being thankful.” It was rather difficult but I was able to make stuffing from scratch (I still think Stove Top stuffing is WAY better), sweet potatoes with marshmallows, garlic roasted mashed potatoes, and bourbon gravy. Yes that’s right, I just type bourbon gravy. Each of the recipes I found were thanks to Martha Stewart but I will admit, she’s not the best cook out there. At least recipe wise.

We had around 20 people packed into a kitchen designed for 10, many from other countries including Canada, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Pakistan, Egypt, China, Nigeria, India, even Argentina. Everyone brought something whether it was a dish from their own country, a bottle of wine or dessert. Many laughs were had, Christmas music played and there were no leftovers to speak of. 

Thank you to everyone who came. It really brought a little bit of home to London. 

I think for my first solo Thanksgiving with friends we rocked it. I don’t know how I’m going to top this next year. :)

Pub Food . . . Yes or No?

I feel like I am in a constant episode of HIMYM sometimes as there are a number of great pubs within steps of my flat but I continue to go to my favorite, the Old Haberdasher. Recently, I found myself enjoying a pint with friends when the realization of hunger came over us. Upon my viewing of the usual “bar food” I found they have nachos. Looking at what was included (guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños) I thought to myself ‘how bad could this be? I mean they’re nachos.’ Ordering of the bar goodies was made and food was delivered to our table. Do you see where this is going yet? And no, it’s not in a good direction.

Everyone knows I am from San Diego and I will admit, I have been spoiled with GREAT Mexican cuisines including carne asada burritos, tamales, enchiladas, homemade salsas and most of all yummy guacamole and in the end all I can say is...

Dear Britain,

I understand you like to think some of your foods are edible but in the end putting ketchup in what you think is salsa is a cardinal sin. Please stop torturing ketchup in such a manner. There are no words to describe just how disgusting this truly is. Oh and your peanut butter is horrible as well.

Sincerely,

Breanne

Other foods that I highly recommend any visitor to Britain stay away from:

Onion rings -They don’t use real onions. (Do wha!?!?!?!? I know my mind was blown as well)

Peanut butter -Its more like oil butter with a hint of peanuts added in.

Coffee from Costa -Coffee is not meant to be burned. Where ever you got this idea, FORGET IT!

Any type of Mexican food dishes -You’re Britain, not Latin America. While we thank you for trying, please just give up and stick to your fish and chips, thanks.

Cheese -Just trust me… it’s not what you think.

Now I’m sure one day this will change, but for now I felt so bad for my friends that I decided to make homemade salsa and guacamole for them to enjoy. I mean no one should have to endure such horrors as ketchup in ’salsa’. Yuck.

Print vs TV -Round 1

There is this underlying animosity amongst the journalism students and TV journalism students. Today, I think I figured out what it is... they're douches. When I started at Goldsmiths the gossip around the various journalism courses was TV and (print) Journalism did not get along. I being the open minded individual that I am ;) allowed this to go in one ear and out the other. Well it’s six weeks in and I have to admit, those rumors aren’t too off.

Could it be that radio and television just get to have more fun? I mean think about it... we’re the ones running around, going out getting the stories, watching the action happen live good and bad. We are as they say ’in the trenches’ but Journalism. . . well so far I’ve noticed they sit in a room all day long and talk about us while writing stories for a “news” website dedicated to what is going on in the boroughs surrounding our university.

Now don’t get me wrong... journalistic writing is NOT easy by any means. I continue to work to perfect my writing everyday but there are those times when as a TV journalist you can’t help but want to take one of those journalist out of their comfy little cubicle and away from their little computer with all the knowledge they hold dear, throw bags upon bags of gear at them then send them out into the freezing cold or the blistering heat while saying “now go get the story and don’t come back until you have every piece of it!” I don’t really think they would make it. If they didn’t drop dead from carrying the weight of the equipment to and from the tube, when they returned to find out they are the only one to edit their work, I think they would understand TV journalist are not lazy nor do they have it easy by any means. 

So, to my future journalist of all mediums I say this: in the end the littlest things matter. Like not pissing off your cameraman or getting the date of an announcement correct. Because one day you might have to do my job, which lets be honest, is f’ing hard.