I'm so happy my family are happy and healthy.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Hello 2009
I don't really like resolutions. Under the age of 15 it was always to keep my room tidy and over that age it was to lose weight. Neither of which I was great at! Though I lost a lot of weight for my wedding in 2002. I have a weight loss blog which WILL be more active now. I will be weighing in on Saturday.
So here are some reflections...
Weight. Im going to refer to this more as health. See other blog for more on that!
Photography I was SO blessed to get an Olympus from my lovely husband this year. i want to make the most of it. I feel like every day I love photography more and more.
Travel I'm blessed to be experiencing new things and going to places. Long may it continue.
Best bits
Moving to America to a steady teaching job after being on supply so long. And doing it with my wonderful supportive husband.
Meeting a load of wonderful friends at my new work place.
Spending Christmas in New york city. Getting a McDs milkshake at 1am on Christmas day
Getting a rather large tax rebate.
Everyone in my life being healthy and happy.
Worst bits
My worst bits are relatively minor so im not complaining. Please dont think I am!
Moving to a new country was stressful in terms of packing up and renting out our house.
Cardiff City coming second in the FA cup final
The only big worry in my life is finances and debt.
Missed my family (especially me ever ageing remaining 3 grandparents in the UK) this Christmas
Review of the Year
* I was very proud that Daniel kept getting promotions
* Found out we could move to Charlotte
* Keira Lisa was born (to my best friend Natasha)
* Keira was christened
* Cardiff City made it to the FA cup final and were runners up
* My little brother turned 18
* We packed up our whole house and moved to the USA. A lot of people helped us from family to complete strangers!
* Got my DSLR for my birthday
* I landed in a wonderful school and made friends for life
* Thanks to a tax rebate I was able to by Daniel a guitar. It's called Ruby.
* We spent Christmas in New York City.
So here are some reflections...
Weight. Im going to refer to this more as health. See other blog for more on that!
Photography I was SO blessed to get an Olympus from my lovely husband this year. i want to make the most of it. I feel like every day I love photography more and more.
Travel I'm blessed to be experiencing new things and going to places. Long may it continue.
Best bits
Moving to America to a steady teaching job after being on supply so long. And doing it with my wonderful supportive husband.
Meeting a load of wonderful friends at my new work place.
Spending Christmas in New york city. Getting a McDs milkshake at 1am on Christmas day
Getting a rather large tax rebate.
Everyone in my life being healthy and happy.
Worst bits
My worst bits are relatively minor so im not complaining. Please dont think I am!
Moving to a new country was stressful in terms of packing up and renting out our house.
Cardiff City coming second in the FA cup final
The only big worry in my life is finances and debt.
Missed my family (especially me ever ageing remaining 3 grandparents in the UK) this Christmas
Review of the Year
* I was very proud that Daniel kept getting promotions
* Found out we could move to Charlotte
* Keira Lisa was born (to my best friend Natasha)
* Keira was christened
* Cardiff City made it to the FA cup final and were runners up
* My little brother turned 18
* We packed up our whole house and moved to the USA. A lot of people helped us from family to complete strangers!
* Got my DSLR for my birthday
* I landed in a wonderful school and made friends for life
* Thanks to a tax rebate I was able to by Daniel a guitar. It's called Ruby.
* We spent Christmas in New York City.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Bye bye 2008....
So 2008 is on it's way out. Really it's been a good year if very busy moving over here and starting a new job!
I was awake at 5.30am having only gone to bed at 4am (I am BADLY) out of routine! I had an upset tummy and 12 hours later I am just starting to feel better.
I'm also feeling better emotionally somehow.
I feel like I see SOME light at the end of the tunnel financially now Daniel's work permit and our trip are all paid for we can relax some what. Hopefully Daniel can get a job soon too when his permit comes through. Hopefully sooner rather than later!
Here is a photo, one of my favorites from central park.
I was awake at 5.30am having only gone to bed at 4am (I am BADLY) out of routine! I had an upset tummy and 12 hours later I am just starting to feel better.
I'm also feeling better emotionally somehow.
I feel like I see SOME light at the end of the tunnel financially now Daniel's work permit and our trip are all paid for we can relax some what. Hopefully Daniel can get a job soon too when his permit comes through. Hopefully sooner rather than later!
Here is a photo, one of my favorites from central park.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Easing
I guess the pangs I'm feeling are easing a little.
I've been chatting with other craters on UK Scrappers who are in the same situation and understand what I mean.
I'm glad we cam here. I'm so happy we took a chance to spend Christmas in New York City. Just the two of us. Those are forever memories. Special memories. I will remember them always.
I've been lighting candles and letting my little M and S (marks and spencer, it's a store for you amercians)! light up angel my mum (I mean Santa) put in my stocking to help relax. I've done what I would usually do at home and have unpacked my presents and cleaned the apartment top to bottom. Im not sleeping great - well Im staying up late like 5am partly cos I can hardly ever do that and plus I've been a bit restless!
Mum and Dad called on skype to ask me too compare flights between NYC and charlotte in June/July so they will be here for my birthday. That helped too.
My plans for the 3 days off is to chill, maybe work on my as yet unused deviant art account (for photography) and just relax!
Things I have LOVED about this Christmas
* Doing secret santa at work. Those guys are so fun, so spirited and great friends. And Meredith did a fab job as my Secret Santa.
* Travelling
* Central park covered in snow and having a fantastic camera to play with in an awesome setting.
* So many people caring enough to send us stuff. My parents paid 7o pounds (over $140) to post our presents. And I really appreciate it everyone who send a card or gift.
* Seeing so many wonderful sites in NYC
* Going to McDonalds at 1am on Christmas eve! For a milkshake!
* Spending quality time with Daniel
This is our whiteboard on the fridge right now. It was a countdown!
Im going to try to make New years eve relaxing. Im cooking!
I've been chatting with other craters on UK Scrappers who are in the same situation and understand what I mean.
I'm glad we cam here. I'm so happy we took a chance to spend Christmas in New York City. Just the two of us. Those are forever memories. Special memories. I will remember them always.
I've been lighting candles and letting my little M and S (marks and spencer, it's a store for you amercians)! light up angel my mum (I mean Santa) put in my stocking to help relax. I've done what I would usually do at home and have unpacked my presents and cleaned the apartment top to bottom. Im not sleeping great - well Im staying up late like 5am partly cos I can hardly ever do that and plus I've been a bit restless!
Mum and Dad called on skype to ask me too compare flights between NYC and charlotte in June/July so they will be here for my birthday. That helped too.
My plans for the 3 days off is to chill, maybe work on my as yet unused deviant art account (for photography) and just relax!
Things I have LOVED about this Christmas
* Doing secret santa at work. Those guys are so fun, so spirited and great friends. And Meredith did a fab job as my Secret Santa.
* Travelling
* Central park covered in snow and having a fantastic camera to play with in an awesome setting.
* So many people caring enough to send us stuff. My parents paid 7o pounds (over $140) to post our presents. And I really appreciate it everyone who send a card or gift.
* Seeing so many wonderful sites in NYC
* Going to McDonalds at 1am on Christmas eve! For a milkshake!
* Spending quality time with Daniel
This is our whiteboard on the fridge right now. It was a countdown!
Im going to try to make New years eve relaxing. Im cooking!
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Homesick...kind of
I am feeling a little down.
I love my life here and don't regret coming here. I also loved my NYC trip.
I just wish I could visit home.
I missed some things about Christmas here.
How it lasts for 2 days. How I see all my family. How other people take care of me! (like food)! Shopping with my mum. Seeing my grandparents. Eating lots of junk.
How selfish do I sound?
I love my life here and don't regret coming here. I also loved my NYC trip.
I just wish I could visit home.
I missed some things about Christmas here.
How it lasts for 2 days. How I see all my family. How other people take care of me! (like food)! Shopping with my mum. Seeing my grandparents. Eating lots of junk.
How selfish do I sound?
Saturday, 27 December 2008
I wanna be a part of it....New York New York
Well this may take a while! As this is really my journal now and I don't handwrite much this is it! The Christmas write up!
Dec 22nd
We were so blessed that a colleague was willing, on her first day off school , to get up at 4.30 am to take us to the airport. I have to say she was cheery in the process!
The flight was straight forward and fun. I was shattered as I was awake early. We landed at Newark and when we walked outside...oh my goodness it was freezing!! Really freezing! As we came into land we notice the snow covered plains of New Jersey! How exciting!
We found or bus no problems and it was there already. The bus station we got dropped off at was just a road away from the hotel. We arrived at our hotel at 11am - our room was not ready til 3pm so we wandered, had lunch in our old breakfast haunt from last time, went in the shops. We were shattered though, and by 2.15 we had enough and sat in the lobby. The room was fine, yes it was small but we knew that would be the case. It was not crazy tiny and very clean, very new looking bathroom, Tv, DVD player and a free lending library of dvds at the front desk.
We napped until 6pm ish and then went out to Bryant Park, which had a holiday market and a tree etc. Which really got us in the right mood.
We had dinner at Midtown buffet, a Chinese all you can eat style place where we went on our first night in NYC last time. We slept well that night.
Dec 23rd
I think in many ways this was my best day of the trip. We decided to walk to central park (about 16 blocks or so) armed with the camera. It was just breathtakingly gorgeous. Covered in snow. Im glad we went when we did as the next day it rained, and there was still snow but not as untouched as when we went. We had loads of fun photo shooting each other and the birds and squirels. I didn't even notice how cold it was til we started to walk back.
We walked back via another Christmas market for a nap! We then went in a few stores like Macy's - it was crazy!!
In the evening we went to Grand Central station for yet another Christmas market and a laser show! I've always wanted to see that building. It was SO busy!
We ate at an Irish bar we knew from our last trip. Daniel had fish and chips and I had a burger. It was a lovely atmosphere in there.
Christmas Eve
The morning was running around picking out Daniel's present! We agreed to get each other one thing. More on that later!
We changed and headed for church around 3pm. It was a beautiful church and a lovely service. I loved listening to the choir and the carols. I love that Christmas Eve atmosphere and listening to families chatting away. I am a people watcher! We then stopped by the Rockerfeller center to see the tree. It was packed with people!
We had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's which was really lovely. We got all snuggled up and at around hald midnight our smoke alarm went crazy beeping loudly every few seconds. We figured it would be a battery change but nope that didnt work so they disconnected it. We decided we may as well go out for a walk - when else will we get to walk around times square at 1am on Christmas day!? I got a McDonalds choc shake and a cinnamon melt and Daniel got a pretzel! I like doing kinda crazy things.
Christmas Day
We opened our 'stockings' which I always enjoy (provided by Santa via my mum) and had our breakfast. Our breakfast included in the hotel price was bagels, muffins, pasteries, juice, hot drinks etc and it was perfect for us. We gave each other our gifts (a book mark and peanuts t shirt for Daniel and a lock and key neckalce for me) and we kinda napped.
Around 1pm we walked to central park again and made the decision not to take any shots really but just enjoy it as i tool 14o photos in the park alone previously. It was pretty busy, lots of carriage rides and huge lines to skate on the rink.
For lunch we ate in a (overpriced) diner. Daniel had caeser salad and I had grilled cheese toasted sandwich and fries. We really wanted everything to be a bit different this year. All or nothing!
In the evening after a rest we just walked around Times Square. I could not believe how busy it was. It was still bustling. Virgin Store was open til like midnight! On Christmas day! It really does not sleep that city. For tea we got a hot dog (Daniel) and pizza (me) and we shared a cookie.
It was really fun and awesome to have a different Christmas but I can say I thought of people at home often and missed them too. I'm glad we did it. It is something I will never forget and we had a wonderful time.
We flew home on the 26th with no problems and were met by a different co worker to pick us up. Thanks Amy.
Well I hope you all enjoyed reading!
Dec 22nd
We were so blessed that a colleague was willing, on her first day off school , to get up at 4.30 am to take us to the airport. I have to say she was cheery in the process!
The flight was straight forward and fun. I was shattered as I was awake early. We landed at Newark and when we walked outside...oh my goodness it was freezing!! Really freezing! As we came into land we notice the snow covered plains of New Jersey! How exciting!
We found or bus no problems and it was there already. The bus station we got dropped off at was just a road away from the hotel. We arrived at our hotel at 11am - our room was not ready til 3pm so we wandered, had lunch in our old breakfast haunt from last time, went in the shops. We were shattered though, and by 2.15 we had enough and sat in the lobby. The room was fine, yes it was small but we knew that would be the case. It was not crazy tiny and very clean, very new looking bathroom, Tv, DVD player and a free lending library of dvds at the front desk.
We napped until 6pm ish and then went out to Bryant Park, which had a holiday market and a tree etc. Which really got us in the right mood.
We had dinner at Midtown buffet, a Chinese all you can eat style place where we went on our first night in NYC last time. We slept well that night.
Dec 23rd
I think in many ways this was my best day of the trip. We decided to walk to central park (about 16 blocks or so) armed with the camera. It was just breathtakingly gorgeous. Covered in snow. Im glad we went when we did as the next day it rained, and there was still snow but not as untouched as when we went. We had loads of fun photo shooting each other and the birds and squirels. I didn't even notice how cold it was til we started to walk back.
We walked back via another Christmas market for a nap! We then went in a few stores like Macy's - it was crazy!!
In the evening we went to Grand Central station for yet another Christmas market and a laser show! I've always wanted to see that building. It was SO busy!
We ate at an Irish bar we knew from our last trip. Daniel had fish and chips and I had a burger. It was a lovely atmosphere in there.
Christmas EveThe morning was running around picking out Daniel's present! We agreed to get each other one thing. More on that later!
We changed and headed for church around 3pm. It was a beautiful church and a lovely service. I loved listening to the choir and the carols. I love that Christmas Eve atmosphere and listening to families chatting away. I am a people watcher! We then stopped by the Rockerfeller center to see the tree. It was packed with people!
We had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's which was really lovely. We got all snuggled up and at around hald midnight our smoke alarm went crazy beeping loudly every few seconds. We figured it would be a battery change but nope that didnt work so they disconnected it. We decided we may as well go out for a walk - when else will we get to walk around times square at 1am on Christmas day!? I got a McDonalds choc shake and a cinnamon melt and Daniel got a pretzel! I like doing kinda crazy things.
Christmas Day
We opened our 'stockings' which I always enjoy (provided by Santa via my mum) and had our breakfast. Our breakfast included in the hotel price was bagels, muffins, pasteries, juice, hot drinks etc and it was perfect for us. We gave each other our gifts (a book mark and peanuts t shirt for Daniel and a lock and key neckalce for me) and we kinda napped.
Around 1pm we walked to central park again and made the decision not to take any shots really but just enjoy it as i tool 14o photos in the park alone previously. It was pretty busy, lots of carriage rides and huge lines to skate on the rink.
For lunch we ate in a (overpriced) diner. Daniel had caeser salad and I had grilled cheese toasted sandwich and fries. We really wanted everything to be a bit different this year. All or nothing!
In the evening after a rest we just walked around Times Square. I could not believe how busy it was. It was still bustling. Virgin Store was open til like midnight! On Christmas day! It really does not sleep that city. For tea we got a hot dog (Daniel) and pizza (me) and we shared a cookie.It was really fun and awesome to have a different Christmas but I can say I thought of people at home often and missed them too. I'm glad we did it. It is something I will never forget and we had a wonderful time.
We flew home on the 26th with no problems and were met by a different co worker to pick us up. Thanks Amy.
Well I hope you all enjoyed reading!
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Christmas is coming...well has been too!
This one is my Secret Santa final gift. It is a personalized lunch bag ( how cool!) a teapot and mug and a hello kitty pez dispenser set in a cool tin.
Here is a montage of the Secret Santa party we had. It really left me smiling it was so fun. We had to fill in a form saying who we thought was everyones secret santa I got a fair amount correct! Mine was my mentor and goof friend Meredith (top right in green). I love my team and their spirit.
This one is of a couple of the many gifts my parents sent. I was in such a good mood coming home from school and the secret santa party and I hoped that my parents parcel would have arrived as it was getting close to the time to leave. I checked the mail box and it hadn't. I was a little gutted. On arriving at the apartment Daniel told me it arrive straight to our door half an hour prior. Yay! This LO shows two of the gifts.
It feels so odd how our christmas has been very spread out this year with parcels arriving fairly frequently!
Here are some things we got!
Mum and Dad Davis
Katie - brown ugg boots, a little miss sunshine shirt, hello kitty vest and pants, a hello kitty jack in the box, a hello kitty purse
Daniel - betty boop NYC tshirt, JD cuff links and flask/collapsible cup, tartan socks.
Mum and Dad McFarland
A christmas food hamper including shortbread and a christmas pudding.
Grandparents, Chris and Cody, Aunty Gail Uncle Paul
money!
Sue and Vince
Sweets, welsh pens
Siobhan and Sam
Katie - Hello Kitty MP3 player
Daniel - USB pen
Kerry
sweets and mince pies
Lisa Mike Josh Jake
Katie - eyeore nightgown
Daniel - a scarf
As I said it's so odd...mum sent some stocking type things to open. Daniel and I are thinking of doing like a $20 challenge in NYC to get each other a little something. The trip is our thing really!
Merry Christmas all. I hope yours is peacful and happy.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
trying to KEEP up!
Keeping up kind of.15th - just playing with the settings on the camera and having fun
16th - since we have been in the USA charlie brown is getting us through all the major holidays!
Im shouting out to Daniel for finding the same version of the Carols CD we had at home. What memories.
_ decorating our tree
_ driving through lighted towns from Gloucester to Cardiff
_ now falling asleep to the lulling tones of the Orpheus Choir.
Thanks honey xx
Sunday, 14 December 2008
last christmas
This is some of what Santa gave to Daniel last Christmas. It includes an M and S jumper ( I was working there) swan lake on dvd ( a version he saw and loved at wmc) pink guitar strings, guys and dolls dvd (also seen at wmc)tales of the city book and dvd, machine heads for guitar doctor who book. And a cuddly toy?!
...
below are
12 - practcing lights photos
13 - cards from home
14 - polar express which I saw for first time yesterday
12 - practcing lights photos
13 - cards from home
14 - polar express which I saw for first time yesterday
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