We cooked it all ourselves - How grown up are we cooking a Christmas Dinner!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Oh my Goodness - What a week!!!!
OK... so I arrived in the UK at 6.55am on Monday morning, then got the train down to London ad 1.30pm - Saw Trinny and Susannah at Runcorn Station. One of them was talking abut Prada and how she was going to have shepards pie for tea!! Was very bizarre!
Had my interview at the Embassy in London at 10am on the Tuesday. I expected to be there for about 6 hours and be totally grilled and interrogated. Took about 45 minutes and asked me about 3 questions and it was done!!!
Met up with Georgie that day and it was really odd to see her in the UK, stayed that night at Sarah’s again, then got the train to Ely on Wednesday. Met up with Sian.
My visa arrived at 6.45am on the Thursday morning much to my relief so booked a flight back to NYC for Monday. Then got the train up to Huddersfield.
Met up with Maria and Karen and met up with everyone for a night at zetlands and some good ole cheesy dancing - ooo how I have missed all that!!
So then came back to Helsby on Friday and got my oldest friends wedding today! 20 years we have known each other - that makes me feel sooooo old!
Got an early Christmas with the family tomorrow and then its back to New York for at least the next 3 years of my life!!! I can't believe after the past 6 months of stressing and paper work and letters I am finally sorted. It’s very surreal and odd but I am so happy.
It’s all very cheesy but I feel like everything has just fallen in to place - eventually - and that it was all meant to be. This is exactly what I am supposed to be doing at this point in my life. It may not be what or where I am forever but who knows..... I am enjoying myself and surrounded by fantastic people in the UK and US so that’s all that matters!
Yay New York!!!
Had my interview at the Embassy in London at 10am on the Tuesday. I expected to be there for about 6 hours and be totally grilled and interrogated. Took about 45 minutes and asked me about 3 questions and it was done!!!
Met up with Georgie that day and it was really odd to see her in the UK, stayed that night at Sarah’s again, then got the train to Ely on Wednesday. Met up with Sian.
My visa arrived at 6.45am on the Thursday morning much to my relief so booked a flight back to NYC for Monday. Then got the train up to Huddersfield.
Met up with Maria and Karen and met up with everyone for a night at zetlands and some good ole cheesy dancing - ooo how I have missed all that!!
So then came back to Helsby on Friday and got my oldest friends wedding today! 20 years we have known each other - that makes me feel sooooo old!
Got an early Christmas with the family tomorrow and then its back to New York for at least the next 3 years of my life!!! I can't believe after the past 6 months of stressing and paper work and letters I am finally sorted. It’s very surreal and odd but I am so happy.
It’s all very cheesy but I feel like everything has just fallen in to place - eventually - and that it was all meant to be. This is exactly what I am supposed to be doing at this point in my life. It may not be what or where I am forever but who knows..... I am enjoying myself and surrounded by fantastic people in the UK and US so that’s all that matters!
Yay New York!!!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Quick update before I come back for a flying visit to the UK
Well let me think....
Saw the Lion King a few weekends ago. Managed to get really cheap tickets - 10 rows from the front. It was amazing!! The animals walked right past and the costumes were so innovative and fantastic. It also turns out that the Guy who was Simba did a Brazil CCS program and I was also emailing him before I came to NY about renting here!!!
Then there was Thanksgiving, a pretty chilled affair, went to see the parade and got soaked though - did see Julie Andrews and Gloria Estafan though. Then went out for a dinner in the evening. The Brits and Irish out numbered the Americans for once!
Georgie goes back to the UK later, so we went out last night for a few drinks, next thing I knew it was 3am!!!
Boo Boo/ Sasha / Sadie / the dog was adopted last week - fortunately by Seamus' parents so we will prob see her again and now we have anew one. Paris!! No we did not name her she's not as lovable as Boo Boo but she's had a rough time and is slowly warming to us.
So plans for this weekend... To go and see the tree at Rockerfeller Centre, do some shopping, iceskating. Then next weekend I'm coming back to the UK!!
Well got to go Brunch with the ladies ...a very late brunch!
Saw the Lion King a few weekends ago. Managed to get really cheap tickets - 10 rows from the front. It was amazing!! The animals walked right past and the costumes were so innovative and fantastic. It also turns out that the Guy who was Simba did a Brazil CCS program and I was also emailing him before I came to NY about renting here!!!
Then there was Thanksgiving, a pretty chilled affair, went to see the parade and got soaked though - did see Julie Andrews and Gloria Estafan though. Then went out for a dinner in the evening. The Brits and Irish out numbered the Americans for once!
Georgie goes back to the UK later, so we went out last night for a few drinks, next thing I knew it was 3am!!!
Boo Boo/ Sasha / Sadie / the dog was adopted last week - fortunately by Seamus' parents so we will prob see her again and now we have anew one. Paris!! No we did not name her she's not as lovable as Boo Boo but she's had a rough time and is slowly warming to us.
So plans for this weekend... To go and see the tree at Rockerfeller Centre, do some shopping, iceskating. Then next weekend I'm coming back to the UK!!
Well got to go Brunch with the ladies ...a very late brunch!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Update!
Well not been up to any extremely exciting this week - although it is still only Saturday Morning!
A volunteer I had been working with for a while signed up for India yesterday. When Janelle the Program Manager for India called to welcome him to the Program he told her he thought it was going to be me on the phone because it was a New York number. When asked why he had chosen to volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions he said me!!! He said that I had been really helpful and patient with him and if he was getting that kind help before he enrolled he couldn't imagine what it would be like afterward and while in country!
It's strange but the volunteers don't realize that when they answer the phone they can determine whether you have a good day or an excellent day, when you get a really excited volunteer who understands what the mission and value of CCS is it really makes the job worth while and reminds me of how I felt when I signed up to go to Brazil.
A volunteer I had been working with for a while signed up for India yesterday. When Janelle the Program Manager for India called to welcome him to the Program he told her he thought it was going to be me on the phone because it was a New York number. When asked why he had chosen to volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions he said me!!! He said that I had been really helpful and patient with him and if he was getting that kind help before he enrolled he couldn't imagine what it would be like afterward and while in country!
It's strange but the volunteers don't realize that when they answer the phone they can determine whether you have a good day or an excellent day, when you get a really excited volunteer who understands what the mission and value of CCS is it really makes the job worth while and reminds me of how I felt when I signed up to go to Brazil.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The Marathon!
Saturday a group of us went and watched the rugby in a pub called The Red Lion. It was great - it was full of English and Irish people!! Stayed there for a bit - well 8 hours.
A new Will Smith film was being filmed - I am Legend. I was walking down the street and there were loads of cars along the side of the street, as funny angles and covered in dust with plants which I thought was a bit odd. Then I tried to go down a street and couldn't as they were filming and it all made sense!
Sunday was the marathon, Georgie and I went to cheer for a bit - we got really carried away and everytime a person from the UK ran passed we cheered even louder. It was a really big community spirit event and everyone was lining the streets and cheering. I felt like I did my part clapping for a few hours!!!
A new Will Smith film was being filmed - I am Legend. I was walking down the street and there were loads of cars along the side of the street, as funny angles and covered in dust with plants which I thought was a bit odd. Then I tried to go down a street and couldn't as they were filming and it all made sense!
Sunday was the marathon, Georgie and I went to cheer for a bit - we got really carried away and everytime a person from the UK ran passed we cheered even louder. It was a really big community spirit event and everyone was lining the streets and cheering. I felt like I did my part clapping for a few hours!!!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Haunted House!!
Georgie, Quinn and I went to a haunted house on Monday, it was an old building that had rooms with 13 different fears in like being buried alive, clowns etc. You had to walk round the different rooms and their were actors that interacted and jumped out and scared you! At one room they took Georgie off and pretended to tie her up and pull her teeth and guts out. They threw wet sponges at you to make you thing it was her blood, and there was someone in the chair moaning. We knew it wasn't Georgie as she was screaming and moaning in an American accent!!! It was really funny and a bit scary though! Check out the website:http://www.hauntedhousenyc.com/
Went to see the parade along 6th Avenue last night but it was sooooo busy we couldn't see anything. Americans definitely do Halloween big style though!
Went to see the parade along 6th Avenue last night but it was sooooo busy we couldn't see anything. Americans definitely do Halloween big style though!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Halloween
A group of us from work went to a party in New Jersey. Georgie and I dressed up as Britain in Union Jack dresses. We had a few people ask us where we were from??!! And also if our accent was real as it didn't sound very British!?!
The Americans really go all out for Halloween, its not just dressing up as witches and devils but full on costumes of Superman, batman, all kinds. There are huge costume shops that open just for Halloween.
Today we went to get some pumpkins and carve them. You can buy kits with templates and carving knives and scoopers.
There is a big parade on Tuesday along 6th avenue which we are going to check out as well.
The Americans really go all out for Halloween, its not just dressing up as witches and devils but full on costumes of Superman, batman, all kinds. There are huge costume shops that open just for Halloween.
Today we went to get some pumpkins and carve them. You can buy kits with templates and carving knives and scoopers.
There is a big parade on Tuesday along 6th avenue which we are going to check out as well.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Visa Celebrations!
I found out about my visa on Tuesday so a few of us went out for drinks that night.
Friday we all went out to Scruffy Duffys and properly celebrated!
Saturday we went to see the Bodies Exhibit - www.bodiestheexhibition.com - that was really interesting. Basically its real live dead bodies that have been plasticised or something. You can see all the muscles and the arteries. There was one of the circulatory system of the whole body it was amazing to see what your body is made out of. I also saw the lungs of a smoker and non-smoker. I really would recommend it if you smoke - to stop - it was gross!!!!!
In the evening I went to see the Scissor Sisters with Tyler. It was on the 7th floor at the Hammer Smith Ball room. We had standing tickets so everyone was dancing, you could actually feel the floor bouncing because everyone was jumping up and down so much! It was a bit disconcerting! It was fantastic though as it was only a small venue.
Went shopping to day and also have a fresh direct delivery to day. You do all your shopping on line and then get it delivered to the door! I am very excited to actually have some fresh food in the apartment to properly cook with!
Back to work tomorrow - where does the weekend go!
Friday we all went out to Scruffy Duffys and properly celebrated!
Saturday we went to see the Bodies Exhibit - www.bodiestheexhibition.com - that was really interesting. Basically its real live dead bodies that have been plasticised or something. You can see all the muscles and the arteries. There was one of the circulatory system of the whole body it was amazing to see what your body is made out of. I also saw the lungs of a smoker and non-smoker. I really would recommend it if you smoke - to stop - it was gross!!!!!
In the evening I went to see the Scissor Sisters with Tyler. It was on the 7th floor at the Hammer Smith Ball room. We had standing tickets so everyone was dancing, you could actually feel the floor bouncing because everyone was jumping up and down so much! It was a bit disconcerting! It was fantastic though as it was only a small venue.
Went shopping to day and also have a fresh direct delivery to day. You do all your shopping on line and then get it delivered to the door! I am very excited to actually have some fresh food in the apartment to properly cook with!
Back to work tomorrow - where does the weekend go!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
I'm Back!
Well it was nice to see everyone but its nice to be back in New York too!
Everything went fine, apart from had to get a return flight at the airport otherwise they wouldn't let me on the plane. When I got to I immigration though they didn't even ask if I had a return flight!!!
So everything was fine, got on the supper shuttle to go back to apartment for them to tell me I wasn't on this one so got off, then realized I'd left my laptop on it!!! With all my visa documents in it!!! So fortunately I got it back and my laptop got back to the apartment before I did! My flight landed at 12pm and I finally got home about 4pm!!!
Everything went fine, apart from had to get a return flight at the airport otherwise they wouldn't let me on the plane. When I got to I immigration though they didn't even ask if I had a return flight!!!
So everything was fine, got on the supper shuttle to go back to apartment for them to tell me I wasn't on this one so got off, then realized I'd left my laptop on it!!! With all my visa documents in it!!! So fortunately I got it back and my laptop got back to the apartment before I did! My flight landed at 12pm and I finally got home about 4pm!!!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Power Hour!
So for those of you who do not know what Power Hour is you have to drink a shot of beer every minute for an hour! equaling about 6 bottles of beer! Was quite an eventful night,
Saturday was spent watching Sex and the City DVD's all day as was a little bit hung over!
Saturday night was Alison's last night in the city before she goes to the Ukraine to join the Peace Corps so we had a 3 hour limo ride round New York City, which was fantastic.
Sunday again spent all day watch DVD's!
Saturday was spent watching Sex and the City DVD's all day as was a little bit hung over!
Saturday night was Alison's last night in the city before she goes to the Ukraine to join the Peace Corps so we had a 3 hour limo ride round New York City, which was fantastic.
Sunday again spent all day watch DVD's!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
This Week end I.....
Friday, Georgie came round and we sat and drank wine and watched DVDs
Saturday we discovered that it was free entry between 10 and 12 at the Brooklyn Botanical gardens. Fortunately the weather was really nice as it does keep raining her really heavily at the moment. After doing some thing cultural and free we hit the shops and I bought some new clothes. If I have to come home I am coming home wit ha bit of New York Style!!!
In the evening we met up with Kelsey and some of her friends and Jenny – a new PEM from Ireland!! Whohoo we are taking over slowly but surely! We all went out in the East Village and drank quite a bit.
We were at this bar/restaurant and to use the bathroom you hade to get a code to enter into the door to go downstairs. The bathrooms were at the end of this room, where a comedy show was being held, so you had to walk past the show and just hope that he’d didn’t decide to target you!!!!
Sunday, I went to his huge flea market that sold EVERYTHING, it was amazing, total visual overload but lots of ideas for Christmas.
Then went to Blockheads where they do amazing frozen Margaritas
Yesterday at work was madness, an eblast had been sent out so had loooooooads of work!
Saturday we discovered that it was free entry between 10 and 12 at the Brooklyn Botanical gardens. Fortunately the weather was really nice as it does keep raining her really heavily at the moment. After doing some thing cultural and free we hit the shops and I bought some new clothes. If I have to come home I am coming home wit ha bit of New York Style!!!
In the evening we met up with Kelsey and some of her friends and Jenny – a new PEM from Ireland!! Whohoo we are taking over slowly but surely! We all went out in the East Village and drank quite a bit.
We were at this bar/restaurant and to use the bathroom you hade to get a code to enter into the door to go downstairs. The bathrooms were at the end of this room, where a comedy show was being held, so you had to walk past the show and just hope that he’d didn’t decide to target you!!!!
Sunday, I went to his huge flea market that sold EVERYTHING, it was amazing, total visual overload but lots of ideas for Christmas.
Then went to Blockheads where they do amazing frozen Margaritas
Yesterday at work was madness, an eblast had been sent out so had loooooooads of work!
Saturday night
Georgie (UK), Jenny (Ireland), Lisa ( Ireland), Brian (Ireland)
Georgie and Jenny have just started working for CCS!
Georgie and Jenny have just started working for CCS!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Extended Birthday week!
Well last week was pretty exciting.
We were on the roof and saw a fire truck arrive outside our building and then another...And another!!! We had about 30 firemen in our building, some one had left the gas on. Fortunately everything was ok and we got to see lots of fire men!
Friday night was the house warming / belated birthday party. It was really good fun from what I can remember. We had about 20+ people come so fortunately we can get on to our roof as our apartment is only little!!
It was all good gun and there were 5 British people which was exciting. Lisa and Cass were over on "vacation" and Georgie is being interviewed for a job so her and a friend came it was great!!
Saturday I went to Coney Island again and went to the aquarium which was really good actually. There was this huuuuuuuuge walrus who blew kisses to you. We also saw a sea lion show which was really good too. Lots of bratty American kids though. They are sooo obnoxious! When I find my rich American husband mine will be well trained!!
Saturday night me and Georgie just hung out as we shattered from the party the night before - and still a bit hung over!!
Then on Sunday we mooched around central park and there was this big market on that stretched from like 87th street tooo way way down.
Also accidently called some one in the UK on my cell phone - oops!!
I walk past this oldish guy on the way to work in the morning and we all ways say hello, now he has long conversations with me and insists on calling me Joyce no matter how many times I tell him my name is Joss. He told me he is on jury service next week so he will miss me!! It's so funny!
So pretty exhausting and exciting week, this one might be a bit calmer - who knows - you never do with New York!
We were on the roof and saw a fire truck arrive outside our building and then another...And another!!! We had about 30 firemen in our building, some one had left the gas on. Fortunately everything was ok and we got to see lots of fire men!
Friday night was the house warming / belated birthday party. It was really good fun from what I can remember. We had about 20+ people come so fortunately we can get on to our roof as our apartment is only little!!
It was all good gun and there were 5 British people which was exciting. Lisa and Cass were over on "vacation" and Georgie is being interviewed for a job so her and a friend came it was great!!
Saturday I went to Coney Island again and went to the aquarium which was really good actually. There was this huuuuuuuuge walrus who blew kisses to you. We also saw a sea lion show which was really good too. Lots of bratty American kids though. They are sooo obnoxious! When I find my rich American husband mine will be well trained!!
Saturday night me and Georgie just hung out as we shattered from the party the night before - and still a bit hung over!!
Then on Sunday we mooched around central park and there was this big market on that stretched from like 87th street tooo way way down.
Also accidently called some one in the UK on my cell phone - oops!!
I walk past this oldish guy on the way to work in the morning and we all ways say hello, now he has long conversations with me and insists on calling me Joyce no matter how many times I tell him my name is Joss. He told me he is on jury service next week so he will miss me!! It's so funny!
So pretty exhausting and exciting week, this one might be a bit calmer - who knows - you never do with New York!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
My Birthday!
Well, my first Birthday in New York was a wet, chilled a relaxing day.
Bonnie and Tyler took me to Brunch where I had strawberry pancakes and Mimosa - which et the scene for the rest of the day.
Janelle, Brooke and Cass came round and through out the afternoon we worked our way through nearly 5 types of ice cream and numerous cheesy DVD's. Next Weeks we are having a birthday/house warming party at the apartment as well, plus I still have cards etc to arrive so my birthday is not over yet!
I was thinking last night though how lucky I was. I some how managed to be offered this fantastic job in New York - as if that wasn't exciting enough. Then the people I work with are so kind and loving and made the transition over here so much easier. There have been a few hard times where I have thought what I am doing here but they all helped me through it.
Then I managed to find amazing rooms mates who are so lovely and again are always there for me. I have only be here for nearly 2 months and I have managed to make such good friends and been so lucky that surely it has to run out soon!!!
I miss everyone at home but the people I have met have made it easier and just excited for when you guys come over to met them. Occasionally I will just be sitting on the bus or waiting for the subway and I will be like what the hell!!! I'M IN NEW YORK!!! It is so bizarre I never in a million years thought this was where my life would go! I am so grateful for this opportunity, its amazing I feel like I am doing some worth while. I leave a lot of answer phone messages but you get that one volunteer who is so excited to volunteer with CCS it makes it worthwhile. Coz it has literally changed my life!!!!
I have learnt just to grab what ever happens as you only live once, sometimes it can be hard decision but what ever is meant to be will be so just enjoy everything while it happens!
I want to say thank you to my friends and family back in the UK for supporting me in the very crazy and very quick decision. And also a big thank you to everyone at CCS for making me so welcome when I literally just turned up with no where to go and Bonnie and Tyler for being fab roommates
well enough of the cheese it sunny so I can go out!!!!!
Bonnie and Tyler took me to Brunch where I had strawberry pancakes and Mimosa - which et the scene for the rest of the day.
Janelle, Brooke and Cass came round and through out the afternoon we worked our way through nearly 5 types of ice cream and numerous cheesy DVD's. Next Weeks we are having a birthday/house warming party at the apartment as well, plus I still have cards etc to arrive so my birthday is not over yet!
I was thinking last night though how lucky I was. I some how managed to be offered this fantastic job in New York - as if that wasn't exciting enough. Then the people I work with are so kind and loving and made the transition over here so much easier. There have been a few hard times where I have thought what I am doing here but they all helped me through it.
Then I managed to find amazing rooms mates who are so lovely and again are always there for me. I have only be here for nearly 2 months and I have managed to make such good friends and been so lucky that surely it has to run out soon!!!
I miss everyone at home but the people I have met have made it easier and just excited for when you guys come over to met them. Occasionally I will just be sitting on the bus or waiting for the subway and I will be like what the hell!!! I'M IN NEW YORK!!! It is so bizarre I never in a million years thought this was where my life would go! I am so grateful for this opportunity, its amazing I feel like I am doing some worth while. I leave a lot of answer phone messages but you get that one volunteer who is so excited to volunteer with CCS it makes it worthwhile. Coz it has literally changed my life!!!!
I have learnt just to grab what ever happens as you only live once, sometimes it can be hard decision but what ever is meant to be will be so just enjoy everything while it happens!
I want to say thank you to my friends and family back in the UK for supporting me in the very crazy and very quick decision. And also a big thank you to everyone at CCS for making me so welcome when I literally just turned up with no where to go and Bonnie and Tyler for being fab roommates
well enough of the cheese it sunny so I can go out!!!!!
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Brooke, Whitney, Me and Cass
We started packing up Whitney's apartment but decided taking photos was much mroe fun!
Monday, August 28, 2006
The weekends Activities!
On Friday we had a surprise Birthday for Meher, down in Soho which was good. I then decided that 2 am after a few drinks that this was the best time to do some grocery shopping! I then decided that it was an even better idea to chat to the guy in the queue in front of me. I t turned out that he plays Jane's dad in Tarzan on Broadway and had spent the whole "evening talking like me!"
Saturday we went shopping to FAO Schwarz toy store where they have the piano that you can dance on from Big. We watched some very very enthusiastic and camp guys do a show which was really funny. We were mainly laughing at them as opposed to with then though!
Also had a look in Tiffany's - so don't forget my birthday is coming up!!! Yeh - I don't think so at those prices!!
We then went to a vintage clothes store in Chelsea where we made Brooke try on hideous 80's dresses which again was very entertaining!
The weather is awful at the moment its been raining for the past few days and is set to continue =(
Saturday we went shopping to FAO Schwarz toy store where they have the piano that you can dance on from Big. We watched some very very enthusiastic and camp guys do a show which was really funny. We were mainly laughing at them as opposed to with then though!
Also had a look in Tiffany's - so don't forget my birthday is coming up!!! Yeh - I don't think so at those prices!!
We then went to a vintage clothes store in Chelsea where we made Brooke try on hideous 80's dresses which again was very entertaining!
The weather is awful at the moment its been raining for the past few days and is set to continue =(
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
Empire State Building from Brooklyn
Thisis the view from the an apartment in Brooklyn that I went to a BBQ at. There are some advantages to living in the suburbs!!!
Monday, August 14, 2006
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