Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
I love my job - most of the time!!
Well this week has been a tough week! Georgie and Paul went back to the UK to sort out visa, Summer went to the UK to train the UK PEM's, Jenny went to Vegas and Marge's daughter had a baby so we were a little under staffed this week!
It was really bust but kept us on our toes!
And Grace the Brazil country director was in NYC so that was exciting!!! I t was so nice to see her and practise a tiny bit or my Portuguese on her!
We arranged a meet up for Brazil alum to come and meet Grace at a lounge. I was chatting to some one and Grace brought over a lady and said this is Julie Levin. Julie Levin was some I enrolled and was soo lovely. She said that I was the reason she choose CCS and Brazil! It was so great to meet her!! It made a bad and really tiring week finish on a good note!
It was really bust but kept us on our toes!
And Grace the Brazil country director was in NYC so that was exciting!!! I t was so nice to see her and practise a tiny bit or my Portuguese on her!
We arranged a meet up for Brazil alum to come and meet Grace at a lounge. I was chatting to some one and Grace brought over a lady and said this is Julie Levin. Julie Levin was some I enrolled and was soo lovely. She said that I was the reason she choose CCS and Brazil! It was so great to meet her!! It made a bad and really tiring week finish on a good note!
Julie, Me, Pete, Brooke, Greg
Julie was one of may favourite volunteers! I was the reason she chose CCS and Brazil!!!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Whohoo! I got my social Security number!
I am now an official sort of resident of the states now - I have a social security number which now means I can get my health insurance, transit check, all my benefit, open a bank account, pay my rent via checks so I don't have to pay £20 extra when I pay my rent - the list is endless!!!
It is so exciting! I feel like I am officially here now!
It is so exciting! I feel like I am officially here now!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Sing Sing Karaoke!
Well last night was the most surreal experience ever!!!
We went out for a really nice meal for Bonnie's Birthday and then lots of sangria, we went to a karaoke bar - but not as we know it. Basically we went in and it looked like a normal bar, then we got led off to the basement where there were numbered rooms! Basically we rented this room that looked like some dingy lounge in someones basement that had a massive TV screen in, huge speakers, 2 mircrophones and a massive list of songs.
It was soooooo much fun!!!!
Also had my first Brazilian Portuguese lesson today, there are 4 other people in my class and they all seem really nice, really need to work on my pronunciation though!
We went out for a really nice meal for Bonnie's Birthday and then lots of sangria, we went to a karaoke bar - but not as we know it. Basically we went in and it looked like a normal bar, then we got led off to the basement where there were numbered rooms! Basically we rented this room that looked like some dingy lounge in someones basement that had a massive TV screen in, huge speakers, 2 mircrophones and a massive list of songs.
It was soooooo much fun!!!!
Also had my first Brazilian Portuguese lesson today, there are 4 other people in my class and they all seem really nice, really need to work on my pronunciation though!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tommy
Tommy after having his hair cut - He got a bit cold in th snow so got this very distingushed sweater!!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
See - this is what we were watching!
It started off as this tiny ball, then slowly opened and then the flower head popped up!!!!
Tea Party!
Lots of different types of teaa nd we had scones and cream and custard creams, jammy dodgers - a proper high tea!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Boston, Disney, Review, Staff Travel.......
Well Boston was great, it was so nice to get out of Manhattan, unfortunately the weather was really awful but it was nice to drive to a different state. We went to see MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is where 63% of Nobel Prize winners come from. It's supposed to be the best uni in like the world!!! Was very pretty, slightly nice than good old Huddersfield!!!
The interview at Disney went well, it is being aired at 8.30 EST on Sunday morning with Jazzy Jenn on the Kids concern show!!! I was a bit nervous to start off with but it was just talking about Cross-Cultural Solutions which is what I do every day so was fine. No Mickey Mouse in sight though which was a bit disappointing!!!
Also had my review today, which went really well apparently my smile is contagious!
Talked about Staff travel, I really want to go on our new South Africa program but we're not sending anyone there until fall, so I can wait and see what I get offered in Spring or hold out til fall, oooo the decisions!!!!
The interview at Disney went well, it is being aired at 8.30 EST on Sunday morning with Jazzy Jenn on the Kids concern show!!! I was a bit nervous to start off with but it was just talking about Cross-Cultural Solutions which is what I do every day so was fine. No Mickey Mouse in sight though which was a bit disappointing!!!
Also had my review today, which went really well apparently my smile is contagious!
Talked about Staff travel, I really want to go on our new South Africa program but we're not sending anyone there until fall, so I can wait and see what I get offered in Spring or hold out til fall, oooo the decisions!!!!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Road Trip!
Well, not updated you all for a while so here is a quick one....
We have now adopted Tommy a really cute and lovely schnauzer but are still foster dogs - We have Winston a spaniel as well at the moment - who is the most vocal dog I have ever met and has a bladder problem which our couch is suffering the effects of!
Some excited news is that Lauren and I are being interviewed about CCS by Radio Disney on Tuesday. We are going to the studio on Tuesday to record it and then it is aired on Sunday. I don't think you can listen to it online from the UK but the link anyway is http://radio.disney.go.com/
Also actually venturing out of Manhattan this weekend - no Ikea in Elizabeth NJ does not count. We are taking a road trip to Boston, MA!
Well better go and actually pack!
We have now adopted Tommy a really cute and lovely schnauzer but are still foster dogs - We have Winston a spaniel as well at the moment - who is the most vocal dog I have ever met and has a bladder problem which our couch is suffering the effects of!
Some excited news is that Lauren and I are being interviewed about CCS by Radio Disney on Tuesday. We are going to the studio on Tuesday to record it and then it is aired on Sunday. I don't think you can listen to it online from the UK but the link anyway is http://radio.disney.go.com/
Also actually venturing out of Manhattan this weekend - no Ikea in Elizabeth NJ does not count. We are taking a road trip to Boston, MA!
Well better go and actually pack!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!!
Last night was fun, some of the girls from work came over and we hung out with Bonnie, Seamus and Matt, drank lots, the we watched the ball drop in Times Square o the TV. There were lots of fireworks going off so we went up on the roof and preceded to shout Happy New year to everyone passing by!!! Some people from the other apartments came up on the roof and shut the door so we were nearly locked on the roof for 2007! Fortunately Seamus was in Nancy Drew mode and managed to open it with his credit card!!
We then went to a bar on the corner and danced lots and managed to get free shots off the barman!
We also have a new dog - Tommy - he is very cute but he stinks and we cant bather him till his scar from his op as healed!
Happy New Year everyone!
We then went to a bar on the corner and danced lots and managed to get free shots off the barman!
We also have a new dog - Tommy - he is very cute but he stinks and we cant bather him till his scar from his op as healed!
Happy New Year everyone!
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!!!
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