A (realistic) day in the life | Canadian in England

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Being a foreigner living in the UK isn't always glamorous... a lot of the time, it's actually the opposite lol but honestly? I LOVE a quiet, boring life - join me for a realistic day in the life of someone who lives in England (and loves being in her house lol)
0:00 good morning
0:43 old lady morning routine
2:06 let's get dressed, ish
4:29 clean
7:06 sick update
8:18 where the magic happens lol
9:44 my workflow
16:47 check-in
18:06 fresh air
20:49 more work but different
23:53 indoor steps
25:27 dinnertime chats
you GOTTA make this chicken tray bake - it's my favourite:
Ingredients
- 5 spring onions
- 1 red bell pepper
- chicken thigh, boneless
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 200g orzo
- 1 chicken stock cube
- feta
- fresh basil
1. Preheat oven to 210C. Fill the kettle with water
2. Cut spring onions into 1cm chunks. Cut pepper and chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces
3. Add the veg & chicken to a baking dish. Add 1 tbsp of paprika, 1 tsp chilli flakes, 1 tsp of oregano
4. Drizzle 2 tbsp of oil, season with salt and rub everything together. Spread the meat and veg into 1 even layer
5. Sprinkle 200g of orzo over the top. Crumble over 1 stock cube
6. Add 500ml of boiling water from the kettle, season with a pinch of salt and give everything a quick mix (we add a lot more chicken so I end up using about 300ml of water instead)
7. Cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 15 mins
8. Once the orzo is nearly soft, remove the foil and bake for a further 15 mins
9. Give everything a good mix, crumble over feta and add basil leaves
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Hey! I'm Alanna - a thirty-something documenting my life as a Canadian living in England.
I share the ups and downs of an expat living abroad and what it's really like living in the UK. It's not always easy, but there's been so many wonderful experiences, too. I post a KZbin video every Tuesday plus an additional video every Saturday on Patreon + YT Memberships. I also livestream every Wednesday and Sunday at 5:30pm GMT/BST on Twitch.
Alanna x

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

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[@jamiesimms7084]

Hi Alanna, are you running a competition? Someone messaged me and it seems like you but I just wanted to make sure.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

No - it's a popular YT scam. All my real comments are highlighted

[@BrianMac1979]

If it's a competition or telegram thing, swerve it. Call about an accident you've not had, swerve it.

[@FU2Max]

Ive just found your channel. Its great and I really enjoy your content. Thank you.. What I also find refreshing is to see someone just being themselves. Dont ever change. Glad youre fond of the UK.

[@CarlosAlberto-ii1li]

You are wasting your time, Spain is much better, ebegging you can do anywhere in the world.

[@bobbierocksbuster5584]

Anything better than a good coffee? YES a good cuppa tea.

[@raystewart3648]

Hell no. Coffee Coffee Coffee...........i may sound a bit hyper, but Cofeeeeeeeeeee 😃

[@FormulaProg]

100% coffee is foreign muck 😂 tea and biscuits to dunk 👍🏼

[@raystewart3648]

@@FormulaProg Tea is foreign as well it came from India and Asia at the start, its not even British. Plus the UK does not have the highest percentage of people drinking tea, not by a long shot, thus proving that tea is not the be all and end all in the UK.

[@lovey980]

@@raystewart3648maybe not tea in general. But I’d imagine as far as black tea, the UK probably has everyone beat. I could be wrong though.

[@hayden_v]

I completely agree 😋

[@astoldbykat]

Honestly, "boring" lives are the best. My life outside of work is usually just re-watching the same movies and shows over and over again, reading, and occasionally meeting friends. My excitement comes in the form of knowing I'm living in Japan, and that when I do feel like doing something more exciting, I don't have to go too far if I don't want to. So, yeah, loved this video, thanks for sharing with us! And I will definitely be trying that recipe one day soon.

[@CanWeNotKnockIt]

5:22 Alanna said innit. For some reason that made me so happy😀

[@jillianb8992]

Everyday life isn't boring! I think it's being happy and grateful for the little things in life :D Anyone on social media who looks like they live an extravagant life, they are probably lying.

[@PeleRana-pp6zc]

Some people might call it a boring life, I would call it a calm and relaxed life. Everyone is looking for peace and balance in their life. If you have found that then you are definitely one of the lucky ones. Personally I’m not there yet but striving towards a more balanced and calm life😊

[@stevenclarke5606]

I live in a small town in Staffordshire and it could be classed as boring, although I like it like that,no threats, no problems ,very low crime rates a very relaxed lifestyle.

[@stevenruffell601]

There's so many KZbin 'influencers' out there that it's good to see a normal person doing normal things. Ps loved the video.

[@LoremIpsum1970]

Boredom is for those with a lack of imagination. I don't do stress, anxiety or drama, especially the 'poor little me' type. Give me peace, quiet and solitude and I'm content. ps I like how you balance your walking steps with a donut...👍

[@MuscleFlexChris]

“Is this interesting?” Why I’m here, can never find you boring ❤

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

You're too kind! 🙏🏻

[@stevemawer848]

@@AdventuresAndNaps It's not kind to be honest! And flat shoes and no makeup - you're my kind of girl! 🙂

[@lovey980]

I needed this video. I already appreciate(and prefer) a more simple life. But it’s nice to see others enjoying a more simple life as well. Obviously it’s not as simple as it seems here. You’re clearly putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. But you seem to have a nice balance.

[@howardkey1639]

I've worked for myself for the last 40 years now and love the freedom to organise how I work but the most important thing I have found is that the work day doesn't start until I have had my 2nd mug of coffee. Only at that point can I face the world. ☕☕☺

[@jfergs.3302]

anything better than a good coffee... ! why tea of course.

[@DerekLangdon]

Tea, or Coffee is just a preference. It’s no big deal!

[@davidpierce3217]

That walk was gorgeous. Maybe cold. but beautiful! Thanks for taking us along on your day!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much for watching ☺️

[@stevemawer848]

@@AdventuresAndNaps Thank you for making it for us to watch!

[@sconymills]

You're dinner looked so good! Not to sound abrupt, but I have found the perfect way to cut a pepper is as follows (there's no wastage): cut the top (you can then pull out the stem), stand it on it's cut end and cut along the curve of the inside, white, "fleshy" bits (I normally make three sections). Then it's been perfectly 'depitted' and the seeds are contained and you've used all the pepper. Learning this method was so pleasing to me (a 30yo lady also living a 'boring' life), but I totally get it if you don't care at all, haha.

[@oopsdidItypethatoutloud]

Yip! We don't care 😂 I'm going to try it, and if it doesn't work, woe betide you... because I'll be back ❤ from Northeast England ❤️

[@carolineskipper6976]

Thanks for sharing your day. If working to your own schedule it's so important to have a way to keep track of what you need to do by when, and to have an idea of when the work will actually happen. Brilliant to be able to shift stuff around to take advantage of good weather, or whatever you need to do for yourself as well as for work.

[@infraRedRidingHood]

I'm in a little historic town called Halifax next to Leeds im West Yorkshire loads of historic builds including a 1400s castle that is now a public park and the Peace Hall where a lot of bands just played including madness there is also a wide variety of food places here including a real high quality Chinese called China China noodle bar and about 1000 others

[@stevengoring]

Cold out there “innit” sounding more like a English person every day😂

[@DerekLangdon]

Is there some advantage in being English? She’s Canadian. Let it be!

[@stevengoring]

@@DerekLangdon just a fun remark, don’t be so serious. Alana is often laughing at the fact she is picking up English phrases and ways of saying words.

[@charisse234]

I enjoyed watching this upload. I'm glad that you feel loads better.here's hoping that your partner will get well soon too.no Alanna I did not find this video boring in the slightest.thank you for this video! Positivity peace and love ♥️

[@SimpleScottishLiving]

Nothing beats coffee, but that walk looked glorious. I also appreciate a boring life - the more boring the better ha ❤

[@rosseveritt8250]

Excellent video. At last a realistic day in the life. GG you. Not boring at all. Loved the food and will make my version of that soon. Thx for sharing. 😊

[@eugeneshadwell6596]

For some strange reason I always used to be resistant to the concept of working from home... until I tried it. Now I've been doing it for four years and would genuinely be happy if I never stepped foot inside an office again. No more two-hour round trips to work, much money saved accordingly and I just love that my morning commute is, basically, getting out of bed... in fact seeing as I get an hour for lunch I can actually go back to bed in the middle of the day, have a 20 minute snooze and be up and at it again!😊

[@lesallen1557]

I got myself one of the walking treadmills.and I walk on it while listening to people on KZbin. Like you actually. I really appreciate you far that thank you

[@Bigalbev]

That coffee looks so good as I’m making my boring one this morning hahaha

[@tirainthewoods]

These videos are so calming lol i'll watch them in the morning before getting on with my own day.

[@wobaguk]

90% of the time 'boring' is just a synonym for 'not full of hassle'

[@simonmeadows7961]

Appreciating the temperature controlled Bosch kettle. I remember when the outside of mine was that clean. Super invention though.

[@petmur2451]

Not boring at all Really enjoyed the video

[@michaeldaley5831]

You have a nice,varied day & life Alanna,& what you have achieved,in these 8 yrs,you should be proud of yourself.

[@alainrouleau]

Hello from Montreal in Canada. All very interesting to see how things are working out for you in England. Been there a couple of times and very much enjoyed myself. And, just saying as a Canadian, you definitely have to make a video on how you make your morning coffee . Looks pretty good. Would love to see what type of coffee they have over in England. I'm assuming it's pretty much the same? And what you put in it, the equipment, etc. As your typical North American coffee junky... I love coffee LOL .☕ ☕ ☕

[@williambailey344]

This is similar to our life but we have 3 cats a dog and a tortoise to look after and unfortunately we don't have any children even though we are both fast approaching 60 . Great vlog of your simple life with your partner thanks again 😊

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

The best thing about working for yourself is you can work half-days, and you get to choose which twelve hours you work for.

[@the_lichemaster]

Yes it took 3 months for my cough to go away. Germs are doing the rounds. Hope you're on the mend now.

[@MyDave3000]

We all love you such a positive person in a very sad time xxx

[@vtbn53]

Why is it a sad time?

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

I hope that you and your partner are well again soon, Alanna. Take care and much love to you both.

[@shaunw9270]

That area of Kent where you live looks really nice , the kind of place a walk is pleasurable 👍

[@awall1701]

Hearing you say, 'i like to yap', put a smile on my face.

[@zhukov43]

I love watching your video and having my tea, especially now it’s getting into proper spring.

[@Bernd_Gandamete]

Store those spring onions in a jar with a little water and they will double in size - economy tip! Also, 'sordid food' sounds like those natural cravings after a pub crawl!🥴

[@DrAllyGreen]

I do connections and wordle every morning with a coffee too!

[@atlanticx100]

As usual entertaining and fun to watch.

[@lilly6766]

Love a vlog! And this one was great. 🎉

[@Alanabanana0711]

Absolutely love this video Alanna! It's so realistic and quite charming if I do say so myself 😊 Very similar to my own daily routine in many ways. Thank you! xx

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!! ☺️

[@mdshovel]

I work mostly from home for the NHS ,.. have done for 10 years. You have to be disciplined ... dress in work clothes first and have a room/area that is just for work

[@playthegame7445]

do u, I dress very casual

[@sailingby]

Thanks for sharing - you seem very organised 😀 good idea to schedule a walk somewhere nice

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I love being organized lol but definitely yes to a outdoor walk!

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY Alanna! 🙏🙏

[@mothmagic1]

We love your videos Alanna, keep them coming. You certainly have no need of make up

[@nigelcox7477]

Hi Alanna - thanks for this video, it makes things more real. A couple of questions… why isn’t it possible to go for a walk back in Canada? That sounded so weird. Secondly, how’s the Perfumery business going? See you in the next one… Cheers! 👍✅😎❤️

[@PaulMGleeson]

Dinner looked good. It is nice to have control of your time, not answerable to others. I was privileged enough to be able to do that for most of my working life (and I retired at 55 :-) )

[@betagombar9022]

Fantastic vlog Alanna ❤

[@eustaquiozambrano2974]

Amazing video. Thanks girl for sharing. Have an amazing wonderful day ❤

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you! You too!

[@jonathanreaney8598]

Thanks for the introduction of breaking hearts track. Loved it❤

[@oopsdidItypethatoutloud]

Alana is in her CanaBritian era. Wondering if she's British now. ❤ ❤ from Northeast England ❤️

[@alton171]

A little view of your day, you're wonderful!

[@garywallace8521]

Great interesting video Alanna. Couldn’t help notice to appeared to disregard the green element of the spring onion or scallions. I top and tail the scallion and use all of the onion. A smashing alternative use for the onion is Champ, an Irish dish of mashed potatoe and chopped scallions, well worth a try. The creamier the better.

[@glastonbury4304]

Lovely relaxing video ❤

[@omgitsabloodyandroid5161]

Strong tea. Marmite or Seville orange marmalade on toast. Oh, take the bike out for a blast around early afternoon. 46c here. Normally stop at 200 km/hr and then have a coldie at the local pub. 40 ks away.

[@Quaker521]

That seemed like a nice work day, especially getting out for a walk. Lunch looked yummy too! Glad to hear that you're on the mend.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you!

[@MichaelJohnsonAzgard]

Great video. That lunch looked spectacular and I've never seen a doughnut like that. I'll be searching for one like it's the Holy Grail!

[@nad6234]

Super chill watching that; lovely. No idea what I'm supposed to be doing, writing words probably. Anyway, lovely content - thank you.

[@rayg4360]

When I were a lad, one of my jons at t'delicatessen was filling tint doughnuts with jam, one squirt. But i inserted many, it was surprising how many. I imagined people being saturated in jam, but nobody complained

[@richardbarton2709]

Yes a Good Tea.

[@Bluedex2011]

Wow, how cool is this vlog right, I hope your day is always as chilled as that Alanna. I liked the speeded up bit when you were putting labels on scent bottles. Oh yeah, loved the hat you were rocking at the start - or was it a lampshade 😂

[@jenniferciliberto]

I love your videos!

[@CraigShortland]

I really enjoyed watching your video👍💚

[@mistycrom]

I liked this video. Also, my dinner was ready just as the video got to you starting your dinner. Timing! I just have chicken and noodles.

[@pluckyrichmax]

I really enjoyed this video more like this, please

[@jaycb490]

Hi Alanna. Was great to get a peek behind the scenes at A&N HQ! I love those Monin syrups too! My favourite is the Black Forest one. 😋 That music clip reminded me of wandering around American Eagle before they left the Uk. 🙁

[@ShinjitsuKK]

I thought I'd seen more of your videos popping up recently! At least you got out, I got about half my work done and flopped in front of the TV 😂

[@garypltn69]

that's one hell of a coffee very nice

[@rogerwitte]

When I am working from home I don't put on Shoes and Socks but I dress the same as for the office otherwise. Also my two year old grand-daughter likes to come in and go like you did to the laptop computer so she can grow up to be a computer girlie too. lock screen protects my work, but it is still a lovely nuisance. Wishing you and your partner complete and speedy recovery (but I'll settle for complete, if I can only have one).

[@adrianclarke9132]

I did a lot of working from home, just conference calls all day really. I’m glad you avoid that nonsense.

[@oaktreeman4369]

Sorry to hear that you and your partner have been ill. I've been sharing your fate! In March, I flew out to Australia on family business. I think the long flight out there, and the long flight back a week later, must have knocked the stuffing out of me more than I realised, because shortly after my return, I went down hard with the flu. Or maybe covid. Who knows? In recovery mode now, though I still have a little way to go. So, you have my full sympathy!

[@andrewlowery5957]

As a typical Brit, the weather is never far from my mind 😂 I’m always intrigued what the weather is like in other parts of the UK as it often feels like it’s only up in the (never) sunny north that it’s always grey skies. However, it’s actually really nice here today so probably feeling the most productive I have all year. I’m very much a “sun = more productivity” kind of person. Hope you and your partner are feeling better soon. I usually get out of cold/flu season and then it’s time for hayfever season, so it’s nearly all year round sniffles 😂

[@tbonetone1]

I can hear the brit accent coming out like innit and cleanin.🤣

[@DerekLangdon]

Brit’s say innit? I’ve never heard a Scotsman, Welshman or Cornishman say innit!

[@tbonetone1]

OK, I should have said English.

[@JAY61ish]

I.m 63 years old.. and hardly ever get colds.. but i got that bloody thing aswell .. from nowhere apparently . i was ill for about 6 weeks ..

[@andyball3630]

At least you should stay awake all day with that size mug!! X haha

[@ozelhassan8576]

Yes I liked this Video Alanna. 👍🏼👍🏼👊🏻

[@kawaljeet8252]

Your smile love you❤

[@richardmitchell3136]

I also do wordle, connections and the mini on my lunch break! You should also have a look at their new one 'Strands', thsrs quite good too!

[@jcasillas78]

nice one!

[@gingerjingaloo2992]

Greetings from the Essex/Suffolk border! I haven’t tried Connections and Wordle is ok. Being a history nerd I do Yeardle!

[@garycassidy8606]

Can’t get enough of your sense of humour. It’s brilliant. 🫶🏼

[@Ubique2927]

Is there anything better than a good coffee? Is that a rhetorical question when you could be having tea?

[@JamesNoms]

I feel you, that Illness was the suck. I went away for the weekend with friends, day after I came back I got the worst cough, fever, blocked ears and now almost 3 weeks later I can finally hear properly again and the cough is mostly gone.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Yeah terrible! Hope you're feeling better 🙏🏻

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Alanna, I wouldn't call you boring, I find you entertaining, I always look forward to your vlogs on a Tuesday, that's all I have to say, Alanna, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

[@davidwright5209]

You need to try NYT Strands as well. like you, I get my coffee first thing in the morning and have a go at these three games.

[@mikeleake9488]

My morning routine: Breakfast Walk dog Cycle to work (past your flat!!) Work…

[@peterbrazier7107]

From the places you visit and what you say about Maidstone, I think you live in the Canterbury area. All of East Kent is a good area to Live, I have lived in Thanet all my life.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You are so funny, Alanna! I love that you do Connections to feel connected to your mum in Canada ;-)

[@alanmills9492]

Hi Alanna, thank you for the video. I agree that if you're cooped up at home through working, or not, it's important to get a change of scene - unless you feel unwell. I remember someone saying "go and walk around the block, even if it seems futile." I recommend the wordle game which you can spend as long as you like on, during a day. Alanna, did you ever see yourself saying to the world "It's just the way my skull is shaped." ? And, "I need to put on some laundry." Breaking news.

[@SteveMikre44]

Alanna, Not having to deal with the stress of commuting back and forth to work will and years to your life...😊🇬🇧🇨🇦

[@stevemawer848]

i used to love commuting when I had a wife - it got me away from her for 3 hours a day! And I had a lovely drive to enjoy, too. Now enjoying my self-unemployment!

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Several times, and to many acquaintances and my family in BC, Queenland, Kenya, and the UK, I have complimented your highly entertaining, uniquely Canuk channel. Today's "Day in the life" is no exception. I am always happier after seeing your videos than I was before tuning in. I love coffee too. Matchstick in BC, Coffee Post in Brisbane, and Java Coffee House in Kenya - but always Kenya Highland Arabica made in a French press. What's best in Kent?

[@valeriedavidson2785]

Was in Kenya for three years in the 50's before independence. It was beautiful. I have heard that the country has gone to pot and is nothing like it used to be.

[@PaulDear-jb2bu]

Hi Alanna, it was nice to get a view (so to speak) of your everyday life, a kind of behind the scenes ☺. Anyway, I thought I'd let you know that my wife and I are hoping to go to Canada for a few weeks next year. My wife, who is from Malta, but came to England when she was 4, has a Maltese uncle and family living in the Toronto area and we will be staying with them for some of the time (If we manage to make it over there). We will probably book it with Trailfinders, like we did when we visited her Australian side of the Maltese clan in Melbourne a few years ago so that we can visit other interesting parts of Canada as well as seeing the family. I was wondering where you are from in Canada and maybe you could make a video of interesting places to visit in your homeland. Ps, My wife's cousin's daughter is coming to stay with us for 2 weeks and then she is coming with us to Malta (her first time) for 2 weeks this summer. Anyway, all the best and it was good to find out a little more about your life in England. 👋

[@tonys1636]

Glad I'm not the only one with a semi set routine. You did waste a lot of those scallions, the green bits are just as flavoursome, more of the pepper could have been used as well, you wouldn't have lasted long in the restaurant I managed, the boss hated waste. Love that treadmill, beats my running up the stairs umpteen times a day, not so much run nowadays.

[@billyhammertime]

Looks like Mount Rundle in the background.

[@valeriedavidson2785]

Tea is lovely. Do not like coffee.

[@Zatnicatel]

Is there anything better than a good coffee? Oh yes, a nice cuppa tea ;)

[@heskeyisgod8039]

Great video Alanna! Thanks for letting us tag along with you today :-)

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for watching! ☺️

[@mandypotts9090]

I liked it 😁👍

[@MS-19]

We all have different eras in our lives - sad to say, my present era is summed up in one word, divorce, and owing to circumstances surrounding that, I am (currently) living the single parent lifestyle. My morning routine involves no make-up but plenty of getting kids ready and taking them to school - helpfully, within 30 minutes' walk of the home - and my own commute to work is now just a 5 minute walk to my main job and 20 minutes walk to my secondary one. (Would that even be possible in Canada?!) You'll not likely catch me coming to the door in pyjamas, but you will find me working at my dining table when not out working. Fortunately I can still make time each day for coffee / tea, so despite being in eras of different flavours (happy for you, sad for me) it's comforting to know that we have certain common denominators!