Meet the Cast Monday #40: Emily From Friends

What? You thought that I'd seriously let Meet the Cast Monday end when 2011 finished up? No way! Today we're going to hear from one of my friends from across the pond...Emily From Friends.

Stick with me here--Emily From Friends dates my friend Nomad. Her name is not actually Emily, but when I met her I could not stop thinking about how much she reminded me of...you guessed it...Emily From Friends. After a couple of drinks, I told her as much, and a blog name was born. :) We've only gotten to hang out in person once---the weekend of the huge OSU Bedlam victory---but we had the best time! She is super funny and nice and has the kind of personality I wish I had--someone who is totally fun and up for anything, but quiet and understated about it. (I think I have the first half of that covered...the quiet and understated part is another story!)

Without further adieu...meet Emily From Friends!

Tell us how you met Nomad.
I first met Nomad in Canada, July 2011. I had quit my job the previous day and flown out to do a trek around some of Western Canada and the National Parks. There were two trek groups doing the same trip at the same time and Nomad was leading the other group. The groups hung out together a lot because we were staying in the same places and doing the same activities. One day my whole group wanted to go white water rafting but it wasn't really my cup of tea and I was keen to get hiking {doesn't a phrase like "keen to go hiking" make you wish you were British??} so I joined some of the people in Nomad's group who were going hiking in Yoho. Nomad dropped us off at one point and we were to hike to Emerald Lake, across the other side of the mountain where he would meet us and take us back to camp. We set off, four girls together and after a few hours one girl started to feel ill. She was struggling with the steep elevation and said she couldn't go on. We decided to all stick together and if she couldn't carry on with the hike we would have to go back to the beginning and contact Nomad to come and collect us from there.
We made our way back to the beginning of the trail to realize that we had no mobile phone service and therefore no way of contacting him. We walked to the nearest youth hostel, where the owner explained that he had no phone or internet, but offered to give us a ride to Emerald Lake, for a small fee. We all piled into the car, which then wouldn't start. We had to get out and walk back to the beginning of the trail. Dark was closing in and we were starting to wonder whether we would be spending the night by the side of the road in bear country. While two of the girls set off in search of a park ranger who might be able to get word to Emerald Lake, I flagged down a car and asked them to call the police in the next town and tell them our situation. A few hours later, word got back to Nomad and he came to pick us up. He said he had run around the lake twice trying to find us. It's funny in hindsight but at the time we were scared we would be stranded and soon be bear food!

It was the beginning of a great relationship and we have travelled a lot together since then. We always have a great time and I love his scruffy beard! It's hard being in a long-distance relationship and dating someone from the US has made me realize just how many differences there are between US and British culture. But for as many differences we have, we have many more things in common - the most obvious being travel - we are hoping to go to South America in autumn, which will be another great adventure!
What's the best advice you have ever been given?

I'm not sure it's the 'best', but the most practical advice I have ever been given - always walk to the cubicle furthest away when using a public bathroom!

What is the perception that Brits have of Americans?

Loud, annoying and a bit ignorant - not knowing much about the world outside of the US. Since travelling in the US i haven't met anyone who fits this stereotype! Americans are certainly more confident and outgoing, probably a few decibels louder(!) {Surely she's not referring to me and Loud Oklahoma Girl??} but also a lot more open, welcoming and friendly than the British. I've met some wonderful people in the USA.

Have you ever had an in person sighting of Prince William or Prince Harry?
I haven't seen Prince William or Harry but I have seen the Queen and her husband, Prince Phillip. Prince Philip used to be the Chancellor of the University where I worked, so I caught a glimpse of him and the Queen on one of their visits. My brother has seen Harry. {This is probably the type of deep, serious question that gets us Americans the rap for being somewhat ignorant...but whatev. I love me some royalty and a girl has to check for connections to the single Prince you know!}

Best part of the Bedlam Game? All of it! It was just awesome! {Great answer...see why I like this girl??} From my first experience of Tailgating with an awesome bunch of people, waving my orange foam finger, joining in the chants, to being lifted over the wall onto the field {Please note that apparently when a girl has a boyfriend, she gets lifted down and only jumps like three feet....us single girls bail off the entire wall and twist our ankles on the 10 feet down!} and watching the posts being torn down. And when one guy tore up the turf and ran around with it! It was all amazing! We have nothing like it in the UK, everyone in the stadium was united and there was so much dedication, anticipation and then celebration. The scale was also overwhelming - it was probably larger than most of our professional sporting events.

Where all have you traveled in Europe, and what was your favorite? Places travelled in Europe France, Germany, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Ireland, Malta, Scotland, Wales, Slovenia, Lithuania, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, Austria. {If you ask me, this is one thing we do wrong in the US--we don't travel abroad nearly enough!}

I don't know if I can pick just one! Everywhere in Europe is so different! Lisbon in Portugal was great with it's winding streets and custard tarts! I had some great fun (and great beer!) in the Netherlands; Llubljana, the capital of Slovenia is relaxing with some great gorges and caves in the surrounding area. The Swiss Alps and the Norwegian fjords are just beautiful. {I can't agree more on the Swiss Alps--I loved it there!}

What is something we should know about the UK? We drink (hot) tea by the gallon and cake will win you friends everywhere you go. {I don't like tea, but a country that loves cake? I'm in!}

What is one (or more) item(s) on your bucket list? All travel related! Eat sushi in Japan, steak in Argentina and drink red wine in Chile, trek the Inca trail and meet some llamas in Peru. I'd like to visit South Africa again and also Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. A few non-travel related: Make jam! Learn spanish. Become a nutritionist. Live and work overseas. Learn to bake really well.