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Hi, I’m Ellen!

Thanks for clicking on my little corner of the internet.

I’ve recently moved to the US and thought it might be fun to share some of my experiences. I’ll keep ya updated on how it turns out…

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chipsvsfries

From 🇬🇧 > 🇺🇸
For ❤️ apparently 🤷‍♀️
Follow ⬇️ Chips vs Fries as I figure out Military life, living abroad and American English one day at a time

NEW POST: British TV vs American TV
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When it comes to television, the UK and America have very different takes on what is considered good and what is not. And it’s the British TV I miss the most about the U.K.. There is honestly nothing better than cosying up by the fire to watch a good BBC drama on a Sunday evening with a cup of tea in hand. And a chocolate hobnob or two. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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However I’d be lying if I claimed America doesn’t have good TV - Friends will never stop being funny, Mr Robot is a perfect insight into the struggles of our generation and no one can resist the beauty of Sam and Dean from Supernatural. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But who does TV better? Us limeys or the yanks? to get to the root of this highly contentious issue, let’s do a comparison…
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First up, Love Island vs The Batchelor ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Read on!! (Link in bio) 📺
(P.s I’m experimenting with photo editing, bare with me) •
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#tv #britishtv #americantv #bbc #netflix #hulu #cw #channel4 #milspouse #militarylife #exploringtheworld #britabroad #seethesights #travelblogger
#liveabroad #travelblog #americandream #expatslife #travelblogger #girlswhotravel #traveladdict #abroadlife #expatblogger #expatblog #expats #livingabroad #livingabroadblog #expatliving #expatlife #myexpatcommunity #discoverunder10k

HAPPY PANCAKE DAY ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pancake Day is the one day a year it’s acceptable in the U.K. to eat desert for dinner. More specifically, pancakes. But not those thick squishy American ones... they’re thin things, more like crepes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s the only day a year that the weather isn’t the number one topic of small talk. Instead we spend literally ALL DAY at work or school discussing the optimal fillings for our pancakes and the best ways to flip it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Facebook is the FILLED with everyone sharing their audition video for the Pancake Flipping Olympics. Instagram is just photo after photo of our pancake creations filled with Nutella, maple syrup, sugar and Lemon juice or anything else you can think of. Nothing savoury here though, this day is all about achieving maximum sugar consumption. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And before we know it, it’s over. And we spend the next day discussing how eating pancakes should be socially acceptable everyday of the year. But we’ll all still wait another 365 days to perform this unique cultural ritual again. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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(FYI Pancake Day is also Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent). And Fat Tuesday in the states. The entire tradition comes from eating fatty foods, like milk, butter and eggs that would usually be given up during Lent. Aaaand what do pancakes contain??? Milk and eggs!!) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sooo go and grab a pancake!! But more importantly, what’s your pancake topping of choice?? (I will judge you on this) 🥞 •
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• #happypancakeday #shrovetueday #fattuesday #milsoblogger #makingmemories #globaltrotter #exploringtheworld #britabroad #seethesights #travelblogger
#liveabroad #americandream #expatslife #travelblogger #traveladdict #abroadlife #travelcommunity #expatblogger #travelblogging #expatblog #expats #livingabroad #livingabroadblog #travelwriting #expatliving #expatlife #ExpatWoman #myexpatcommunity #immigrantlife #britishtraditions

That feeling when you take those first steps as hu

That feeling when you take those first steps as husband and wife... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As it’s Valentine’s Day I thought this would be the perfect chance to share our story... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Boy downloads app. Girl downloads app with friends as a joke (but secretly hoping prince charming will swipe right… he didn’t but she got something marginally better). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As the only history nerds the app it wasn’t long before they found each other and started writing essays to each other. Because if there is anything studying history teaches you, it’s how to write a lengthy essay.
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They messaged. And messaged. She dropped her phone in the loo so didn’t message for 3 days. He was worried she ghosted him. But she didn’t and they messaged some more. Sadly the phone did not make it.
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Then… They met ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Read on!!! (Link in bio) 💕
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What’s your story?? Is it still being written or is it already the stuff of Jane Austen novels? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!! •
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#happyvalentinesday #valentinesday #bemine #britishwedding #milso #militaryrelationship#adventurouslovestories #militarywifelife #militarycouple #airforce #standbyme #militarylife #militaryspouse #airforcespouse #milspouse #militarylove #milsoblogger #militarywife

My opinions on Brexit are summed up nicely in this

My opinions on Brexit are summed up nicely in this photo.
NEW POST ALERT
I wasn’t going to write a post on Brexit because this isn’t a political blog. It’s one about my experiences of being a Brit, married to an American and living abroad. But now Brexit is a pretty fundamental part of being British so maybe this is relevant. But first a bit of context... Just 2 weeks after the UK voted in favour of Brexit way back 2016, one of my closest friends and I took a month-long trip around Europe to celebrate graduating from University. It was supposed to celebrate “The Real Start of Our Lives”. But it felt more like a good-bye tour. I did not vote for Brexit.
I still struggle to understand why some people thought it would be a good idea.
But it’s important to remember that people are allowed to form their own opinions. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t make them evil or wrong, just different. While I disagree with Brexit I’m not going to get up on a high horse and say everyone who voted for it is insane. Having said that, I will now eat my own words and outline some of my issues with it.... (link in bio) 🇪🇺 #brexit #brexitshambles #eu #iloveeu #britabroad #liveabroad #traveltheworld #expatslife #travelblogger #girlswhotravel #roamtheplanet #abroadlife #keeptraveling #simplyadventure #expatblogger #travelblogging #stories #expatblog #instatravel #expats #livingabroad #livingabroadblog #traveleverywhere #expatliving #expatlife #travelgram #brexitmemesbrexit

NEW POST: The job hunt. (SURPRISE, I STARTED A NEW

NEW POST: The job hunt.
(SURPRISE, I STARTED A NEW JOB TODAY!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Job hunting is literally the worst. I don’t agree with hunting in general but I’ve gotta say job hunting is up there as the cruelest.
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Luckily for me, today was my first day at my new job!! So for me, the hunt is over. For now... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But there are sooooo many other people who are still in the midst of this quest or just about to start it. So I’d like to take a moment to reflect on my past few months of uncertainty and frustration and let everyone else who’s going through it, that I get you. It sucks. But keep going as you’ll find the perfect place for you soon you soon enough!! Read the rest!! (Link in bio) 👩🏻‍💻
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Do you have any job hunting tips you can share? Or maybe some ups for me on how to not freak out in my first week! •
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#jobhunt #newjob #chipsvsfries #bloggersofinstagram #travelblogger #adventure #traveladdict
#expat #expatblogger #britishexpatsinusa #britishexpats #britsabroad #livingabroad #livinginamerica #usavsuk #ukvsus #britishvsamerica #militaryspouse #foreignmilitaryspouse #milspouse #milso #militaryspouseblogger #milsoblogger

NEW POST: On Megxit - by another Brit who married

NEW POST: On Megxit - by another Brit who married an American ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I’ve had a lot of Americans asking me what I think of Megxit recently. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Honestly I keep changing my opinion, but let me share a few thoughts with you... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Seeing the UK freaking out at Harry and Meghan stepping down from the Royal Family feels a lot like when I told my friends I would not be living in the UK long term ever again. Despite often talking about moving and marrying David, only when I actually stated “Guys, I won’t be living in the UK again or at least for a very long time” did they realise.
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There was lots of shock and outrage. But then there was lots of support. And of course, some moments of sadness when I actually did go. Now they know I will still make every effort to visit and remain a meaningful part of their lives, just in a different way...
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Go read the rest!!! (Link in bio) 👸🏻 •
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#megxit #theroyalfamily #meghanmarkle #princeharry #britishroyalfamily #chipsvsfries #bloggersofinstagram
#expat #expatblogger #britishexpatsinusa #britishexpats #britabroad #livingabroad #livinginamerica #usavsuk #britianvsamerica #militaryspouse #foreignmilitaryspouse #milspouse #milspo #militaryspouseblogger #milsoblogger #milso

The season of New Year’s resolutions is upon us.

The season of New Year’s resolutions is upon us. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I’m sure you’re all loving the endless flow of “New Year, New Me” posts circling social media right now. So prepare, I’m jumping on this annual bandwagon too!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This year, I’d like my New Year’s resolution to reflect the fact that I’m living abroad. I want something that’ll encourage me to explore more and embrace the fact that I’m living in America. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When you live abroad, it’s so easy to get swallowed up in the stress of adapting to endless changes and differences. You think you should be doing “more” but no one knows what “more” actually consists of. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I know this because it’s how I feel a lot of the time. But I’m not one to wallow in self-pity for longer than an hour or two.
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So this year I’m giving myself a few New Year’s resolutions that’ll help me stick to the goal of being settled and feeling happy in my new home…. Take a look on my latest post (Link in bio) 🎇
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So what are your plans for the new year?
Going with the generic but admirable, “get fit and healthy”, or are you jumping outta the box for 2020? Tell me in the comments below!
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#newyear2020 #newyearsresolutions #chipsvsfries #bloggersofinstagram #travelblogger #adventure #traveladdict
#expat #expatblogger #britishexpatsinusa #britishexpats #britsabroad #livingabroad #livinginamerica #usavsuk #ukvsus #britishvsamerica #militaryspouse #foreignmilitaryspouse #milspouse #milso #militaryspouseblogger #milsoblogger

Take me back to Hogwarts and all of its butterbeer

Take me back to Hogwarts and all of its butterbeer goodness 🚂
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So we’re already 8 days in 2020 and I don’t think I’ve done an awful lot... I could blame this on a dreadful cold and my new obsession with building a city in cityskylines. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In reality I’ve been suffering from Harry Potter world withdrawals. It’s real guys. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But tomorrow I plan to do some actual writing and hopefully get something new up for ya all to read!! •
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#wizardingworldofharrypotter #universalstudios #diagonalley #butterbeer #gryffindor #gryffindorpride
#chipsvsfries #bloggersofinstagram #travelblogger #adventure #traveladdict
#expat #expatblogger #britishexpatsinusa #britishexpats #britsabroad #livingabroad #livinginamerica #usavsuk #ukvsus #britishvsamerica #militaryspouse #foreignmilitaryspouse #milspouse #milso #militaryspouseblogger #milsoblogger

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Dreams came true as I spent my last day of 2019 in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and kicked off 2020 with a butterbeer... if that’s not a good sign for 2020 I don’t know what is. 🥳 •
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• #happynewyear #chipsvsfries #bloggersofinstagram #travelblogger #adventure #traveladdict
#expat #expatblogger #britishexpatsinusa #britishexpats #britsabroad #livingabroad #livinginamerica #usavsuk #ukvsus #britishvsamerica #militaryspouse #foreignmilitaryspouse #milspouse #milso #militaryspouseblogger #milsoblogger #newyearseve #wizardingworldofharrypotter #butterbeer🍺 #butterbeerislife #potterhead #gryffindorpride

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British TV vs. American TV
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