Christmas Traditions

Go ahead; break from tradition this Christmas…a bit.

We all perceive the concept of tradition, as the notion of holding on to a previous time, but being an expat means your holiday traditions may just have to take on new forms.  

Christmas decorations in New York

I remember well my fist English Christmas. I looked forward to experiencing the very English traditions the British side of my family upheld. I eagerly embraced pantomime, mince pies, Christmas pudding and what I would characterise as rather understated decorations (keeping in mind I was used to New York City decorations where bigger is always better). I even voluntarily took part in my husband’s unique tradition of having ham for Christmas morning breakfast. It was an amazing Christmas, my first exposure to a very large family celebration filled with laughter, warmth and an overall jovial spirit. I was overwhelmed. 

Bouche Noel

As the years progressed I did have to admit that mince pies, Christmas pudding and childhood paper ornaments were not really my thing and the pantomime I just found annoying, And so there were years when the over the top, verging on gaudy, decorations filled most corners of our flat, bouche noel was served at the end of the Christmas meal and there was not a mince pie to be found.

Mince Pies

For a while a sense of relief came over me that I was still able to just about hold onto the Christmas traditions that I had grown up with and I believed, rather selfishly, that my husband would come around to my style. After all, isn’t Christmas tradition more of a girly thing? Then I began to take in what was around me during the holiday. Mince pies were served with great enthusiasm at each Christmas fair and party we went to, families spoke of their annual outing to the Pantomime with contagious excitement and the understated decorations even began to grow on me. 

Pantomime

I have realised that transporting my exact traditions to a foreign country didn’t really feel right and often led to frustration. Simple things like finding the correct brand of candy cane ended in defeat. I am certain not to be alone in admitting that this is not really the spirit of the holiday. I felt alone in my quest for Christmas. Equally I felt like a fake going all out British. 

Today we have settled on a blend of English and American traditions. More importantly we have exposed our children to a multitude of traditions, some of which they will embrace when they get older and some of which they are sure to dispose of! Yes, it is great to hold onto a previous time but do not miss the chance to take on some new traditions of your own.
Happy holidays! 

Written by Nancy Dickinson who is the Director of Events and Seminars at FOCUS.

The Brompton Library made my day

Sometimes incredible things happen to you and you wonder why. Last week I was rushing home after a busy day and could not find my house keys. I put down the several bags I was carrying and emptied my purse outside the front door but I still could not find the keys. Having made sure they were not on my desk at the office I ran to my car and looked inside and out. Still nothing.


With great worry and disappointment I called my husband to say that I was locked outside and decided to wait for him at the Library next door to where we live.


My daughter started doing her homework while I was surfing the net on my IPad looking from some distraction. As always I found myself checking emails and while doing that a new email popped up: "Dear Alessandra your keys have been handed in at the Library so please come and collect them" I could not believe my eyes! I was inside the Library and they were writing to me saying they had my keys!

It was only then that I realised that attached to my key ring is a library tag that was given to me when I joined. This tag that I attached as an "ornament" has a code that corresponds to my membership at the Library. What luck! A kind person must have found the keys on the street and having seen the library tag decided to hand them to the library.

Not only I was lucky to find this kind person but I was lucky that my local library works so well and is staffed with smart and efficient people!

This library has always been a point of reference for all my family and I appreciate enormously the service they provide to the local community of residents. So I encourage all new comers to join their local library where they can find great resources and perhaps a helpful hand!

By Alessandra Gnudi

Alessandra Gnudi is the Executive Director at FOCUS.

For more information about FOCUS visit: www.focus-info.org

From IB to British University.

After the IB most students chose to go to university, or maybe they do so after a gap year. This is exactly the path I took, and during my gap year I learnt a significant amount about the application process and how to improve my chances of getting a "yes". Interestingly, I really learnt about applications was when I was applying for jobs. There are some interesting techniques that business schools teach students which have a significant impact - for the better - on any type of applications and I would like to share some of them.

City University of London

The way I see it is that there are two strategies a student can take. The first is to target a specific institution, and the second is to target multiple institutions. In this blog post I'll focus on the application process in the UK through UCAS. UCAS only lets a student provide one Personal Statement (comparable to a cover letter) which is then distributed to the up to 5 universities the student has selected to target. This poses a constraint regarding the strategy because writing a personal statement that is more targeted at one specific university and programme is likely to reduce the overall probability of entering any of the options, but it can significantly increase the probability of entering the specific preferred university.

It is important to pick which strategy to take and then write the Personal Statement. The challenge is to make it personal and relevant. It is recommended to research the various universities, the various programmes and understand the type of language used as well as specific important facts. Learning the specific language comes mostly through reading any section of the different universities’ homepages. However, for important facts some extra research might be needed and calling these universities and ordering prospectuses is very helpful.

Finally, a student needs to stand out from the crowd. This is where creativity plays the biggest role. Make sure that your Personal Statement is well written and really reflect your interest in the subject or university. Get involved in the university and attend events.


Good luck with applying for universities in the UK!

Author Bio: Francisco Moreira graduated from Hult International Business school with a Masters in International business and works as a Business Analyst in Offerings Management at CSC based in London, United Kingdom. Francisco is the author of Find Your Rhythm, (www.findyrhythm.com) a self-help guide for International Baccalaureate Diploma students.

Shopping with the Royals

The last thing I thought would happen to me on a rainy and grey Saturday morning was to shop with The Duchess of Cambridge and her mum! I was looking for a present for a baby girl and had already been to a couple of stores on the Kings Road when I decided to go to Petit Bateau. Kate was there with her mum presumably shopping for Prince George.



It was really cool to see her in person and so unexpectedly! Several thoughts went through my head: what does she need that she does not have already? Perhaps some underwear that mums always have to buy as nobody gives that as a present? How come there are only the three of us in the store? Why do the shop assistants show no signs of excitement?



She was as beautiful in person as she is in photos, quite casually dressed but with proper make up. I also heard her talking about the baby, as a couple of her friends saw her inside the store and stopped by to chat. The thing that struck me more than anything was seeing her engagement ring up close. It was so beautiful and very moving thinking of Lady Diana wearing the same ring!

Well a few weeks have gone by since then, but I will remember for long time this brief encounter. I am sure the baby girl for whom I was shopping will keep the gift of the pink pyjama with the crown on it forever!


Written by Alessandra Gnudi, Executive Director at FOCUS

PUBS UP 2 !!!!

The expat adventure in the realm of London pubs goes on… Mr Winter is now lurking on our doorsteps;  the days are becoming shorter and shorter and the light is desperately, inexorably fading…  For those who are soul-stricken by these circumstances, there is nothing more cheerful than the merry hubbub of a pub.  When you add some aesthetics to the premises, tasty and beautifully presented food, exquisite wines and alcohols, the battle is won :  « Touché, Mr Winter » !

Well, The Thomas Cubitt*, named after London’s genial master builder of the second quarter of the 19th century, is undoubtedly such a place.  Located in one of Belgravia’s prettiest streets, Elizabeth Street, it was entirely refurbished in 2010.  Run by a local family,  it offers the features of a country house with fireplaces, old mirrors, candles, oak floors, light grey wooden panels and right in the centre of the main room, a beautifully hand-made, oak bar.   Antlers add a touch of sport to this classic and harmonious decoration and old London maps remind you of the gigantic work Thomas Cubitt undertook.

When it comes to food and wine, The Thomas Cubitt is simply heaven :  each dish is a harmony of colours and shapes, aromas and tastes.  Portions are just right and the wine list is pleasant without being overpriced.   Colours, smells, tastes:  a never-ending stimulation of all five senses !




For those who may prefer a more secluded room, the first floor dining room offers a relaxed and intimate setting where you can try the Sunday roast,  one of the most honourable British institutions.  

More than a traditional pub, rather a gastropub**, The Thomas Cubitt will check you in for an enjoyable trip to the enlightened world of  aromas, flavours and textures, a very good way of escaping the darkness of winter !

And, good news, The Thomas Cubitt has «  little brothers » in London :

-    The Orange in Pimlico Road,
-    The Grazing Goat in New Quebec Street
-    The Pantechnicon in Motcomb Street.

To learn more:  www.thethomascubitt.com

Thomas Cubitt plaque, Brighton.

*Thomas Cubitt :  born in 1788 / deceased in 1855, leading master builder in London and other parts of England, his gratest achievement remains the creation of buildings  in Belgravia around Belgrave Square and Pimlico, which exemplify Thomas Cubbitt’s architectural style and design.

**Gastropub: created in the United Kingdom at the end of the 20th century, it is a mix between a bar and a restaurant and serves high-quality food and alcohol.  This new concept allowed a revival of the pub culture and slowed down – if not stopped – the disappearence of pubs.


Written by Florence Tilkens who works as a volunteer at FOCUS Information Services.