Sick Has But One Meaning

In the States, when we say sick, we mean any kind of illness. And when we say stomach flu, we mean a vomiitng illness. Here sick always refers to evacuation either by the body's typical entrance of exit. Saying stomach flu here confuses people.

Obviously, I am sick. Here's hoping the housemate doesn't have it for her 40th birthday.

Not Perfect

It isn't perfect, and it doesn't help me at all. I'm certain that some senators will put up a fight before it lands on the presidents desk, but I am so glad that there will be some reform to health care in my home country. Imagine living without fear of not having health coverage.

Milk, Cream, Half and Half, Double Cream, Squirty Cream

I love watching Americans in my local evil-chain-but-I-love-their-muffins-cafe ask for a regular coffee with cream. They are always somewhat flummoxed when the cashier goes diving into the refrigerator and pours cream out of what looks like a yogurt container. What they're getting is what they know as half and half, sometimes I even get to watch as they pour it into their skinny lattes, commenting on how thick the milk is here.

Here's the rundown.

• Skimmed Milk = Skimmed Milk. It has an orange or red lid.

• 2% Milk/Semi-Skimmed = Semi-Skimmed Milk. It has a green lid.

• Vitamin D/Whole Milk = Whole Milk or Full Fat Milk. It has a blue lid.

• Half and Half or Cream = Single Cream. This comes in a yogurt like container

• Whipped Cream = Double Cream. This comes in a yogurt like container and is shaken to thicken. Not sweetened

• Squirt-Bottle Whipped Cream = Squirty Cream.

And then there is clotted cream. This is a gift from the gods. It has a butter like texture and is put on scones or fruit.