Cotton and Cashmere

It's been a long cold winter

2010-03-04T03:37:00.000-08:00

I'm ready for spring and colour and life. So I'm actually taking part in this great idea by the lovely Kristin. I've got my eyes open looking to take some photos over the next 7 days looking for 7 colours.
The image above is my addition for today, vibrant greens. It was taken a year ago when I was travelling down the Baja peninsula in Mexico. It was hot, sunny and the cervezas were cold! Happy memories.

Simple, Elegant, Beautiful

2010-03-04T03:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Sartorialist I'm now craving the perfect navy blazer!

Just because...

2010-03-03T03:48:00.001-08:00

...this cheered up my morning!

For a bit more of the lovely Josh

Image stumbled upon via the wonder of the Josh Brolin page on facebook

Huh?

2009-10-09T02:51:00.000-07:00

I'm an Obama fan, but....

...this made me go 'huh?'

On the shortlist there were candidates who, in my eyes, would have been more deserving winners.

But, hey, that's only my opinion, and I'm not on the panel that makes the decision.

Warm toes and tummy

2009-10-07T03:43:00.000-07:00

It was my birthday on monday, a great spent walking on the beach in the sunshine and then home to a cup of tea and a big slice of birthday cake (with coffee cream icing, yummy!) made by my wonderful mother.

With my birthday pennies I will be treating myself to these little beauties to keep my toes cosy in my wellies. My parents gave me a slow cooker (and recipe book!) and I'm now looking forward to a winter of coming home on cold dark evenings to a proper hot meal waiting for me! Thank you Mum and Dad x

P.S. If any one has any good slow cooker recipes I would be pleased to get them.

Image from toast.co.uk

Can it really be 2 months since I last posted?

2009-09-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, apparently it can and very much is.

The lack of internet in my new (or should that be current) home and the craziness of work over the summer season has lead me to not only be unable to post but barely able to follow any of the blogs that sustained me through my dull NYC job!

A crazy and wonderful summer it has been back here in Scotland and working in the rafting industry again. It is now drawing to a close again and many of my friends are disappearing off on exciting winter adventures; rafting in Nepal and Morocco, canyoning in Washington, skiing in Alps. And the sun worshippers well they are off to rafting jobs in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

As for me and a few other hardy soles we are toughing out the Aberfeldy winter. A winter which will most likely to be cold and wet, with less faces to make us a smile on dreich days. I have a new job lined up for the winter, and a new contract for my current one to start back in January and with this news today, I feel pretty lucky.

I'm on the look-out for a new home to call my own, well I say my own but it will be rented. I really like where I am currently but it's my friend's place, full of his things. I feel some need to nest, although I'm very much neither pregnant or newly married (and very far from being either!). I want a home to place my stamp on. I already have a picture in my mind of one corner of a sitting room; an old winged armchair in battered leather, a standard lamp behind, illuminating a wall of photos..... one day.....!

But for now who won't want one of these on their doorstep?

Yet another bed to call my own (well once I've bought a bed!)

2009-07-07T01:07:00.000-07:00

Image by me; Catavina, Baja California, Mexcio. March '09

Moving again today, only across the street but still another move.

Woohoo!!

2009-06-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Expedia have finally refunded me!! My credit card is now sitting in credit....weird!! It's only taken since the middle of March but they have accepted they screwed up and I have all my pennies back.... well kind of. The exchange rate has changed and I'm actually still about 200 british pounds out but most of it is back so I'm a happy bunny.
After far too many expensive calls to the US and quite a few letters and emails, I finally spoke to an intelligent girl who sorted it all and withing 24 hours my refund had been processed.

Note to Expedia - employ more girls like Terrilyn, she's is awesome and almost made me rethink my vow never to use you again....almost!

Pigtails

2009-06-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

Well I am doing my best to keep up on reading all the lovely blogs that sustained me through the 8 hours a day at my New York job. I was delighted to spot this post on A Cup of Jo.

While my new job keeps me busy at my desk every day or out taking photos like this and this I do get to spend some time on the water and then pigtails (or braids!) really are the only option for my wayward locks. I'm tapping away at the moment with the hair still in damp pigtails!

All images by me, River Tummel, Perthshire, Scotland 12.06.09

Flowergirls make the best dance partners!

2009-05-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

My friend looked so so beautiful, the groom cried when he saw her come down the aisle, and I danced all night with the 2 great little flowergirls. It's official, bouncing up and down while holding hands is the dance move of the season!

New Chapter

2009-05-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

In the last week I have moved to the wee town of Aberfeldy in Perthshire and started a new job with these guys. (The website content needs some work but I'm hoping that I can attack that soon.) All is going well, although I'm currently like the Princess and Pea, sleeping on a pile of 3 mattresses in my mates kit room. Yes, kit room, I sleep amongst kayak and climbing gear with ice axes not far from my head...and I'm perfectly happy. Obviously it is a bit of a change from the bright lights of New York but I'm enjoying this slower pace of life and the very chilled out office work in.
I used to work up here so it is good to be back amongst friends and I'm looking forward to a summer of sunshine & sunburn, BBQs & beers, and going to work in shorts and flips flops...sweet!

Slap on the wrist

2009-04-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

I've been a very lazy blogger recently, not even spending time reading the ones that kept me going through my dull job! I've got a good excuse though I promise...I'm a busy unemployed bum, honest....well ok then, not really. The benefit of the great weather we have been having though is that I've been keeping (and even increasing) my tan while doing LOTS in the garden at my parents.

I have the next installment of my Baja adventure started and I will get it finished soon. Tomorrow I'm meeting a Mountbatten buddy in Edinburgh for the day before heading to Glasgow in the evening to attend this. I love pipes and drums so that combined with seeing a 'New York' friend means I'm rather excited about my tuesday.

I have a job interview on wednesday, not for a real grown-up job, just a summer job, but right now I'm keen just to be busy again and I'm not having any luck with 'real' jobs yet, boo :-(

Blosson on the damson tree, Kilgrammie Cottage, Sunday 19th April

Baja Beginnings

2009-03-27T04:46:00.000-07:00

I'm looking out of the window at my parents home, not too far from the beach. If you walk up the hill and you will see Ailsa Craig floating like a cupcake (albeit a brown and craggy one) just out to sea, on a clear day you can even just see a wee speck of Northern Ireland on the horizon (or so my father claims). It's grey outside but the wind is howling round the house and every so often blue sky and sunshine appears, then the wind brings more dark grey clouds and the rain starts to pelt down again.

It is 2 weeks since I arrived back home, my bags are unpacked and my tan is fading. New York seems like a distant memory and I've found that I don't miss Captain, I don't miss the worries he caused me, the worries I never shared.

But back to Baja...

I boarded the Green Tortoise bus on the evening of Friday 20th February and started 2 wonderful weeks of escape. Now the Tortoise probably isn't everyone's idea of the perfect 2 week vacation but I love it (this was my fourth trip). In total we covered over 2000 miles, driving down from San Francisco to the tip of the Baja peninisula and back. And in all those miles I drank lots of beers, played lots of cards, laughed a rididulous amount, played spitting games, learnt to make sushi, touched a whale, swam with sea lions, showered...um...twice, meet a rather curious lot of folk and of course, made some friends.

On the second morning we stopped at a whale watching spot. Standing having breakfast and looking out at the water we could spot whales. Soon we were on boats heading out amongst them. These particular grey whales are for some reason very friendly, which is strange when not that long ago they were hunted in those very waters. Mamas bring their babys right alongside the boats. They swim underneath you, looking you right in the eye, hanging out so you can reach over and touch them. Truly, a magical experience.

That evening we had another night drive, meaning we would be like sardines, snuggled on the flat sleeping platforms, snoring the miles away. Before we 'miracled' (turning the bus from day to night mode) we had a few hours in San Iganacio. I got slightly snap happy at the Mission and enjoyed meandering the quiet streets.

We were awoken from our slumbers by the shaking of the bus when the it turned off onto rough road. We soon stopped and began to unpack all our belongings from the bus waiting for this guy to appear up the track that lay ahead.

Our first beach camp lay ahead down the 5 mile track. Everything was packed onto the shuttle and then we set off to hike down to 'Playa Escondida', our home for the next four nights. This place was my kind of heaven, (well apart from the outhouse!). You could be as lazy or as active as you wanted, and with the exception of doing an hour of yoga each day, I was terrifically lazy. Thankfully not everyone was, so we ate freshly caught fish everyday. After our fantastic meals each evening that would be impressive if prepared in a regular kitchen, we would sit round the campfire, telling stories, laughing while rather too many beers were drunk and a bottle of tequila was passed round.

The second evening was Mardi Gras and also Margerita Night. The blender could be heard until the wee hours while we danced in the sand.

I watched the sunrise over the sea of Cortez on our fourth morning before starting to pack up my belongings. By early afternoon we were all back up the hill with our belongings waiting to board Pluto again, and getting rather excited at the prospect of a shower once we arrived in La Paz. It was only a week since we had first boarded Pluto back in San Francisco but it felt like a lifetime.

All images from my collection

Back on the beach...shame it's not as hot as Baja!

2009-03-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

Turnberry Beach

All images by me.

Back in Scotland...

2009-03-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

..and it's raining!

My trip through Mexico was amazing. I touched a grey whale!! Yes, really!! Snorkelled with sealions, made sushi (and ate it! yummy!) and drank way way too many beers.

Photos and a full report to follow once I can actually charge my laptop, silly me forgot to buy a US -UK converter before I left the States. I also have to start fighting BMI/Expedia to get back the money I had to fork out to British Airways for my flight home. I was supposed to have flown with BMI (booked through Expedia many months ago) but they have stopped flying Chicago -Manchester, so I got moved to a BA flight except my ticket wasn't transferred so when I went to check-in at Denver I was told I would have to buy a new ticket for $1000! I had no choice but to do it and now I have to fight BMI and Expedia to get my money back but they are both blaming the other!

Rocky Mountain High

2009-02-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

Since Friday I have been in Beaver Creek, CO. It's so so beautiful here and I've had such a great time with my cousin. Today though I'm off to San Francisco for a couple of nights before leaving on friday evening for Mexico. I'm back here in Colorado in just over 2 weeks before I fly home.

All images from my collection (you would't know that our mothers are identical twins would you?!)

The End

2009-02-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

The snow is falling outside and I'm cosy in my cousin's apartment in Avon, Colorado recovering from an emotional few days. I managed to control the tears until, at the airport while Captain and I were saying our final goodbyes, we hugged and I realised he was crying behind his sunglasses. Of course this set me off. (Thanks to the lovely check-in lady who saw I was trying to control my emotions and came round and gave me a big hug.)*

Thursday night turned into a late on. After work there was drinks with the great workmates that were the only reason I put up with my DULL job and not-so-nice supervisor (who btw didn't bother to come and say goodbye to me!). Then home to try and finish my packing and back into the big smoke for final goodbye drinks with all my wonderful friends and the lovely Captain. For a change I had my sensible head on and switched to soft drinks after 3 G&Ts (finally I must be growing up haha!), it was about 3am that we finally got home and to bed, I was not a happy bunny when my alarm woke me at 7am. I was however, happy to know that the alarm won't be waking again for a good while! Yippee!

So I managed to just about squeeze everything into my suitcase and big backpack and suddenly Captain was there to drive me to airport. Typing this now I'm tearing up, thinking about saying goodbye to my friends and hugging them. I know I will see them again soon, one in fact I will be seeing at Heathrow in a month as we both wait for out connections north, but I also know that we will never all live within 2 minutes of each other again. Our little Mountbatten bubble has burst and now we have to face the real world.

I still can't quite believe that it is all over. This year (of 13 months), living in New York, my relationship with Captain. Now to move on, move back home, now to begin again. I've had enough practise over the last few years but somehow this time, this time it's different. Now I want to finally settle, build my own home and become a grown-up...better try and find a job then!!

Both images by me: Grand Central Station and Lady Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry

* I am trying not to think about the fact that I said goodbye to my boyfriend the day before Valentine's.

"the best yet"

2009-02-11T06:20:00.000-08:00

If you are feeling vaguely teary or emotional today I would advise against reading this wonderful post by redframe today but do read it another day. It's oh so beautiful!

Our Leavers’ Dinner last Thursday evening went superbly. Last night we went over the finances and much to my delight all my sums were correct and we had made just over $450 in profit which we have donated to the newly set-up scholarship fund for the progamme. The feedback from all the interns and staff that attended is positive, I was particularly happy to hear that it was deemed “the best one yet”! I may have drunk a little more than I should have, a one or two tears may have been shed but I got myself out of bed the next morning and was one of just a handful that managed a full day’s work on Friday. I’m not sure what that says about British drinking habits!

The lovely, lovely, lovely Chris R and I on the reception table.

This is the best shot of the downstairs area where we had the champagne reception and it really just shows an untidy bar but the room looked so pretty and we had a great view out across the water to the Statue of Liberty.

There were lots of laughs

And the tacky awards went down a treat!

With G, PV and Stevie (who G rather aptly described as looking like a 3rd division football manager!)

All images by Ben Sayaseng

In my thoughts

2009-02-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

My friends and family in Victoria and NSW. While I know, thankfully, none of you have been been immediately affected by the fires, this is truly the worst of days.

The knowledge that they were almost certainly started deliberately makes me so furious I can't quite find the right words to express myself. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Image by my friend Wee Fee, Loch Tummel, Summer 08

The final week countdown has begun

2009-02-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

This evening is the Leaver's Dinner for my internship programme. One week today is my last day of work and my last full day in New York, tonight we are celebrating in typical British style by, most likely getting rather drunk! Well apart from me, I'm full of the cold and I have to work tomorrow so two very good reasons not to over indulge.

Despite feeling rather pants and have a very croaky voice, I'm looking forward to the evening. I've been the treasurer on the committee organising it all and seeing it all come together will be great. I'm one of the hosts of the evening too, there are various speeches and a small awards section too, hopefully my voice holds out. My fabby new kelly green dress from J Crew will get its first outing this evening, whoopee!

So the final week countdown has begun....unemployment looms....eeek! I had hoped to be getting a position with in the London office of the company I've done my placement with here. I had a phone interview last week and was told "the job is yours", I was then waiting to hear back on salary etc before making my decision. Yesterday, however, I got an email saying sorry we have decided not to replace the girl that is leaving due the currently economic conditions. B*llocks! But for now I'm going to enjoy this evening and worry about jobs tomorrow.

Image from Flickr

Tagged: 25 Things

2009-01-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

Tagged on facebook again, thought I would share with you all.

Rules:Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.(To do this, go to "write note" on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people, then click post.)

1. I believe that pineapple is the work of the devil

2. When I was little I wanted to grow up to be either a cowboy or a pirate, now I'm grown up I would still like to be either of these things (at least the romanticized movie versions!)

3. I like to listen to music while I fall asleep, this means I often wake up with my earphones wrapped around my neck, very silly.

4. I like cakes that start with 'C'; carrot; chocolate; coffee.

5. I would like to own a bulldog, she will be called Poppy (for that matter if its a boy he will be called Poppy too!)

6. I will always deeply regret the selfish comment that came out of my 9 yr old self's mouth on hearing about the death of my maternal grandmother.

7. I have a small to medium sized obsession with reading blogs.

8. I hate and love the fact that I have friends all over the world in equal measure.

9. I love my brother but secretly wish I had a sister too (other than Ana of course!)

10. I started drinking beer while living in the US - up until then I always hated the taste.

11.My new hollywood boy man crush is Josh Brolin

12.I have two tattoos - I kind of regret one, maybe in 10 years I will regret both

13. I am short -sighted in my left eye

14. I am long -sighted in my right eye

15. I want to have a garden with an amazing treehouse (this has been a dream since I was about 8)

16. I currently can't get enough of looking at images of beautiful kitchens and sitting rooms ( I think this is from living in a mountbatten apartment)

17. I worry that I will be the Bridget Jones of my friends - drinking wine alone in my pjs and singing loudly and badly to cheesie music

18. I own way too many hats and scarfs - way too many!

19. As a teenager I wrote stories constantly, now I doubt myself too much to write.

20. If I like a song I will listen to it over and over for days and then not listen to it for months (I'm not srue what this says about my personality.)

21. I secretly would love to be a burlesque performer - and obviously the figure required!

22. I've only ever used oil of ulay/olay as a moisturiser on my face, I have done so since I was 12
23. The smell of Chanel No.5 reminds me of my mother and my grandmother.

24. I used to be damn fine at pool now I don't play nearly enough so I'm rubbish.

25. I'm terrible with money and should probably have my salary paid into my mother's account and let her give me pocket money - I was good when I only had 50p a week!

Tagged: Ipod Shuffle 'Miracles' Fly My Pretties

2009-01-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

So I was tagged on Facebook but doing this I discovered how much great music is tucked away on my ipod that I had forgotten about.

What does your music library say about you?
--------------------------
1. Put Your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
5. Tag at least 5 friends
--------------------------

What do your friends think of you?
King Tubby's Borderline Dub - Augustus Pablo & King Tubby

If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say?
Aerials - System of a Down

How would you describe yourself?
Rhymes & Reasons - John Denver

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Cheating on you - Franz Ferdinand (I don't think I can really agree with that one!)

How do you feel today?
Rambling from the Anatoki - Salmonella Dub

What is your life's purpose?
The Trial - Pink Floyd

What is your motto?
My World - Metallica

What do you think about very often?
Boys from the County Hell - The Pogues

What is 2 + 2?
Crying Shame - Jack Johnson

What do you think of your best friend?
Oughta be in love - Dave Bobbyn (she is and sh'es moving to Oz - sniff :-( )

What do you think of the person you like?
Sick Sad Little World - Incubus

What is your life story?
Ain't my bitch - Metallica

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Nobody Knows - Bob Marley & the Wailers

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Seed of Life - Dubwize

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Old Piano - Frou Frou

What will they play at your funeral?
Company Sin - John Butler Trio

What is your hobby/interest?
Brothers on a Hotel Bed - Death Cab for Cutie (hahahahaha)

What is your biggest fear?
No Pride - Green Day

What is your biggest secret?
What your soul sings - Massive Attack (this one is pretty true)

What do you think of your friends?
Same size feet - Stereophonics (when I want to borrow shoes!)

What will you post this as?
Miracles - Fly my pretties

I tag...whoever wants to redoscover their music!!

It's weird....

2009-01-23T05:59:00.000-08:00

...but I'm fantisizing about kitchens. Me, the girl who has always found cooking stressful. Now I want a kitchen with a lovely big gas hob (or preferably an Aga, looking forward to drinking tea by the warmth of the one in my parents' kitchen), a long scrubbed farmhouse table, a deep belfast sink, pots and pans hanging withing easy reach and me, in there cooking, baking and generally playing the part of beautiful, relaxed domestic goddess!

PS. I'm kind of blaming Mrs French for this obsession due to posts like this and this.

Images from Marie Claire Maison & Light Locations (via Remodelista) both via Bliss

Other images from Country Living and Flickr

So what if I have to dig a hole to poo in?

2009-01-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

One month today I will have crossed the border on board the wonderful Green Tortoise having driven through the night from San Francisco and my 15 day trip to Mexico will truly have begun. My tent and headlamp arrived yesterday, (I managed to blind myself with the strobe effect on the headlamp) I can't wait to put the tent up but I'm not going to be able to until I get to the private beach we are camping on, Playa Escondida. This means no practise runs but I will make sure to at least count the poles etc! My head is currently filled with thoughts of lime margeritas and fish tacos, the warmth of the sun of my face and the feel of the sand between my toes, sea kayaking and (oh please) some whale spotting!

Images all from Flickr 1. 2. 3. 4.

"Baby it's cold outside"

2009-01-16T12:16:00.000-08:00

This week seems to have whizzed by, I can't believe it's Friday, but I'm, oh so glad that it is!

On Monday I went to see the genius musical that is Avenue Q. If you are in New York and fancy a show - please go and see this. It is rude, funny and completely non-PC, perfect (One song being "Everyone's a little bit racist"!). Tuesday we viewed a venue for the leaver's dinner, down in Battery Park with views of the Statue of Liberty and also a quote that nobody else could beat!

I've ordered a dress from J. Crew to wear at the leaver's dinner. There is a great sale on right now with an extra 20% off. Fingers crossed the dress fits and looks good since its no refunds or exchanges. My main worry is if my boobs will fit in - I have ordered one size up and I can always alter it to fit (I hope!). I also bought a fab pencil skirt that I had tried on a while back but just couldn't justify spending the money on and then, whoopee, there it was on sale and I got a tankini for the bargain of $16! This I really do need for my upcoming trip to the warm beaches of Baja California.

At work yesterday I was gabbing away to a workmate about how in a whole year in New York I had yet to spot any celebs. Then sitting on my mat waiting for yoga class to start last night the girl along from me caught my attention, mainly because I thought her hair needed a good brush! She turned and looked at me at the moment and I realised it was one of the Olsen twins (no idea which one though). I was quite surprised to see someone famous in this donation based yoga studio in the east village - but this is New York where my friend buys fruit from the same street vendor as Kirsten Dunst!

Remember the horrid, vile paper? My horrid, vile tutor that told me my paper would fail? Well my paper passed to two fingers up to you horrid nasty Jeff - without your help I did it! Whoopee!

This week I have also ordered a tent for camping on the beach in Mexico, seen a plane land/crash on/into the Hudson, went to the Garden to watch the Knicks beat the Washington Wizards, had my exit interview with my programme office (suddenly I have The Fear about going home). All of this stuff has been keeping the cogs in my brain going strong and I feel a little odd, like I've forgotten something important but I'm too distracted to really concentrate on what. But I've not forgotten anything at least I hope not....bah!

Image taken by me on Christmas Eve

It's f'ing cold here 17'F but feels like 2'F - to the Brits that's -8C feels like -17C! Brrrr! But it is Friday and it is payday so I'm off for some drinks to warm my bones and ease my whirring brain.

Enjoy your weekend and stay warm and cosy.

Cramming it all in

2009-01-09T18:24:00.000-08:00

I have less than 5 weeks left now until I leave New York so we are busy deciding what things we've still not done that we need to do, what we want to do again and how to afford it all!

I've also volunteered for the Leaver's Dinner Committee (which is in 4 weeks - we have some serious work to do) and I've somehow ended up a treasurer. So every night next week I now have plans, plus I want to spend time with Capt. because, sadly, when I leave that will be the end of our relationship. We had a (fairly) sober conversation about it on Christmas Eve. I can't stay, he's not willing to move to the UK and, truly, I'm fine about it. This chapter of my life is ending and I realised fairly earlier on that I didn't see him in my future. Does that seem awful?

This weekend I have to visit a couple of potential dinner venues, go to the Bodies exhibition, walk the Brooklyn Bridge again (although maybe not with the snow that is forecast!), go out dancing, watch football on Sunday, and start to think about what I'm going to do with all my 'stuff'' - what to pack for the trip, what to ship (price up shipping!!) and what to chuck.

Have a good weekend all whatever you are up (for those that are getting to enjoy a lazy day at home, I'm jealous!)

Images by me: Princeton, Sunday Jan 4th.

Hold on a tick!

2008-12-31T06:40:00.000-08:00

A year ago I didn’t know if I would be coming to New York, I feared that the Mountbatten experience was going to pass me by. I worried I had left my job and moved out of my cosy flat for no reason. There I was back at my parents’ house with 2008 looming large on the horizon and no “yes, please” for me from a far off New York office. I didn’t celebrate the turning of the year. I chewed nervously on my finger nails and tried to hide my frustration and worry. Still the calendar changed and January came, with it, finally, “they want you, the final place is yours”. I scurried around organizing and packing. Finally I was off, boarding a plane to my big New York adventure.

One year on, and I have six weeks left until I’m technically unemployed and heading back to live at my parents’ house. There are worries again; all the news from the UK about the job market is doom and gloom but despite these I’m feeling optimistic about the future. This year has changed me in many ways but also reaffirmed things I already believed both about myself and the world, mainly though it has made me believe in myself enough to think that my hopes and dreams for the future are possible and are very much within my reach.

So 2009 is waiting...I wonder what it will hold?

I wish you all a happy hogmanay and all the best for the new year.

*Apparently the last minute of 2008 will be 61 seconds long to take into account the slowing of the earth's rotation.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a festive festive. Have a safe and happy time this holiday season. x

Happy Birthday Bear!

2008-12-23T06:17:00.000-08:00

Bear,

I wish you the happiest of birthdays and all the best for 2009! It's your turn to have a truly great year, you deserve it.
It's your big heart I admire not your big muscles!

Love always
Wee Mouse xx

Mum captured Bear pointing me in the right direction as he has always done.

Taken at Sandhurst on the day he got his comission.

Anticipating the final bell

2008-12-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn Bridge by Me

In less than 2 months I will be completing my internship programme and heading back home. Before I go home though I've got 4 weeks vacation time. I'm spending the first week in Colorado staying with my cousin near Vail, then I have 2 weeks in Mexico living on a beach with no electricity or running water, then I'm heading to back to Colorado for my last week before boarding a flight to grown-up life.
I'm working my way through job applications at the moment, hoping to find something suitable in Edinburgh but thinking that I may well end up in London. In the 5 years since I finished university I've moved about a fair amount and I think this time I will finally be settling somewhere at least for a couple of years!
I feel pretty miserable about having to go back to the UK but some things I will be happy to see the back of. Mainly though I will miss my friends. We've only known each other a year but we have been so much a part of one another's lives. E, who I am closest too out here is in Vegas* (along with most of our group) for the weekend, I had to walk to work this morning and yesterday without her and it was horrid. (I'm not in Vegas because I can't really afford it as I'm saving pennies for my month of fun + I've got no vacation days left at work, oh and I've been previously, twice!) Normally I would have seen her each morning going to work and I would have spent the majority of this weekend with her and the rest of our group. I feel rather a drift without them and that is scary. How will I cope back home when they are not in the apartment downstairs/10/15 floors down or across the street?

View from my apartment Sunday 14 Dec by Me

So here I am on the (terrifying) cusp of being homeless, jobless and friendless, well ok, so I'm being dramatic. I can go back to my parents and I do have friends back home although not many close at hand. Also my lovely friend is getting married in May so I have her hen weekend to look forward to 2 weeks after I get back (trying not to think about how I'm going to pay for it *gulp*) and lots of general wedding activities to be involved with since I'm one of her bridesmaids. Actually on that subject I was planning/hoping to lose 40 pounds this year so my friend doesn't have a fat bridesmaid. I've managed 20 pounds so far, I'd better get my wobbly arse in gear if I'm going to lose another 20 by March - I want to step of that plane and make my Mum proud!
So I do have reasons to be happy and things to look forward to. Finishing the programme and leaving New York will be bittersweet, terrible leaving this wonderful wonderful city but so pleased that I've had this year here, experienced so many things both good and bad and of course, made some truly fantastic friends. Life is moving on and my amazing time here in New York is coming to an end soon but not yet and I plan to make the most of it.
I have spent the majority of this week in a bit of a 'fug' mainly due to my crazy PMT. When I've not being wanting to stab someone, burst into tears or scream, I've just been wanting to hid under my covers away from the world. Today I'm back to being a normal rational human being and despite the horrid weather I'm going to a party on Hoboken tonight.

Have a happy weekend whatever you are doing and if you are having to deal with this weather stay safe and warm. x

The Radio City Rockettes by Me

This made me smile LOTS!

2008-12-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

From the BBC website. Also courtesy of the Beeb this fab story which just made my smile last longer!

Congratulations to baby,picture this who's big day is this weekend. Wishing you a happy day (and long life with your boy) filled with love, laughter and happiness!

Riddles

2008-12-12T06:04:00.000-08:00

Don't start this. It WILL take over your life.

Thanksgiving (III): Play

2008-12-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

On Thursday morning Capt and I made these rather pathetic attempts at snowmen!

On the Saturday morning while a few of the others went skiing, Capt and I went snowshoeing.
Not long after set out on the trail we met a man coming in the opposite direction. He was what I can only describe as a bear of a man, sporting a very impressive bushy beard and with a rifle slung over his shoulder. Just after we had passed one another, Capt turned to me "That is how horror movies start!". With my wild imagination I did check over my shoulder a couple of times after that.

After getting safely back to the car, we headed over to Whiteface Mountain where the others were skiing. We took the lazy option and went up to the top of the mountain on the gondola. The views were amazing but it was oh so cold at the top. On the way back down we spotted our friends - well mainly E, who stood out in her blue camouflage kids ski jacket and neon pink hat!

Sunday arrived and with it we packed up, loaded the cars and said goodbye to our lovely house. Before heading back to Jersey though we stopped at a couple of the old Olympic sites.
We took the elevator up to the top of one of the ski jumps and wondered what would make anyone want to be a ski jumper! The next stop was the bobsled track and Capt and Stu gave it try. I would have loved to have a go to but at$75 for an experience that lasts less than a minute seemed a bit steep for my intern budget!

Thanksgiving (II): The meal

2008-12-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

While this chap looked on from above the fire we settled down with heaped plates around the table. We had planned to sit down to eat at around 3 but some people had been enjoying drinking and hot tubbing until the wee hours (for one until 9am!). So once everyone was up and about we finally gathered around at about 7pm.

Plates were filled with lots of yummy food, glasses were filled with some fairly acceptable wine (particularly since it was so cheap!). E is a vegetarian and she didn't want a special 'veggie option' just lots of veggies which was great for all of us! While doing the food shopping we had splashed out a bit extra on Bisto in the british section of the supermarket and it was so worth it! The american meal definitely benefited from a slight British accent. We gossiped and shared stories and decided that this American tradition ain't half bad! We are already dicussing getting together next year back in the UK and celebrating it again. It will be an excuse for a reunion because in 2 months time after over a year of living on top of one another and sharing every aspects of our lives we will be back home, starting our grown-up lives.

After we had finished I waddled my way out to the garden and enjoyed the cool air, the crunch of the snow under my feet and how warm and inviting the house looked.

Of course after eating too much and drinking a wee bit too much the best thing to do is sleep. Stu, who was one half of the brilliant turkey day meal cooking duo, was the first to slip off to bed.

Thanksgiving, Lake Placid

2008-12-06T14:00:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving weekend was just...wonderful. 4 days filled spent with great friends eating fabby food, drinking too much, playing in the snow and lots of laughter.

Outdoors was white and cold, calm and quiet.

The view from our bedroom across Mirror Lake with Lake Placid village in the background.

This guy was just hanging out by the road.

I developed an obsession with icicles.

The weather vane on the roof.

Snow in the garden.

Snow falling on Mirror Lake on Thanksgiving day.

Snow covered trees on Whiteface Mountain.

All images by me except for view from our bedroom and me running in the snow by Captain.

Homesick and Holiday Trips

2008-11-25T08:04:00.000-08:00

Image from flickr

Yesterday was a grey wet day here in New York, it reminds me of mornings back home in grey wet Scotland. I wouldn't say that I was homesick, I have been away from home many times, in fact I've not technically lived at home in about 8 years. However, it has been a long time since I have seen any of my family. A cousin who lives in Colorado was home last week and the family were gathered at my aunt's warm house, drinking, chatting, eating, laughing. I spoke to them all and felt a real yearning to be with them.

Image from flickr

Thinking of there made me think of Balquhidder, a tiny speck on the map where I spent every summer, easter and october school break. My grandparents bought a holiday cottage there many years ago and now it is shared amongst their children and grandchildren. I did a geograghy project on the kirkton burn that runs down off the braes and into the river coming from Loch Voil. I learnt to swim in the loch there. I have walked in the hills and built treehouses in the wood. I have always imagined that the kirk there will be in the one I get married in. I feel a longing to be there in the still, quiet, damp air.

This afternoon we are heading off for our Thanksgiving trip to Lake Placid. I'm looking forward to getting away from the noise and the dirt of the city for 4 wonderful days and nights. Captain and I are leaving first with all the food in his car for the long 5 hour drive up there and the other 8 are following later when they finish work.

So to the Americans - have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

I will be back next week with tales of the Brits doing Thanksgiving!

Redframe & BB's Big Day

2008-11-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

It is beautiful Redframe's big day today.

I hope you and BB have a wonderfully romantic day today and a long life together full of love, laughter and smiles.

Venting and Ranting

2008-11-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

In the bookworm's values meme I mentioned a 'friend' who is tight with her money. She is someone that does many things that irritate me from being tight with her money to constantly trying to play the victim card to inviting herself along all the time to things but never making a suggestion for anything for us to do.
Then when she does appear she either sits in the corner with a face on her like a slapped arse (sorry if this offends anyone but its the best description!) or just non stop witters on with the same stories we here every time.
This evening she has invited herself along for a drink with a few of us, normally I would be thinking fine, there is a few of us, I can ignore it but this week I have been hormonal and I have been exceptionally irritable this month - I fear that the heavy glass mugs that the bar we are going to uses may prove too tempting a weapon!!
When I write my complaints about her out they seem so petty that I think I must be an unreasonable person, however in 10 months this girl has managed to fall out with at least 5 people - surely they can't all be wrong?!
I've tried avoiding her and not responding to emails and texts or when she asks what I'm doing I make something up that she can't come along to. I thought she might have taken the hint but no, after 2 weeks of no contact, an email will pop up in my inbox "Why have you not been in touch? Don't you like me?"
I can't respond "No, no I don't. Take the hint and piss off" I know it would upset her and I don't want to be cruel.

I should feel better getting that off my chest but I just don't know what the solution is so I just get frustrated!

E and I had a good rant about this issue and a couple of others last night as we walked 25 blocks down and 4 across in the cold after watching The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (which was very good). I think the ranting kept us warm on that cold walk home!

Today I am mostly being obsessed with ....mittens

2008-11-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

All images from Flickr

heart hands blue hearts pair on fence grey in snow
baby snowman red flower & boots washing line on fence
ski poles hoodie snowball tree
grey in tree eggshell coat in window white cable

Cold Weather Wish List

2008-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

It is cold here today and it we were supposed to be seeing some snow. I've just been out on my lunch break and the sky is a clear bright blue but it is still cold, with a nasty wind that whips round my ears tormenting me for not bringing a hat out.

The reason I went out at lunch was to buy myself some lovely new Ugg boots. My old ones have been a death trap for a while now, bought in Australia a number of years ago the sole is now completely smooth and walking on any wet surface can prove lethal. So sitting beside my desk waiting to keep my toes home all the way are these.

Now that my toes are taken care I would very much like these to help in keeping me toasty this winter.

This hat to keep my head and my ears safe from the nasty bite of the wind.

These pj bottoms to snuggle up in and dream of white christmases!

This skirt to twirl in at the Christmas party.

This cowl neck sweater

This shrug

and finally this down vest.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

I mentioned a while ago that a group of us were looking for a house to rent for Thanksgiving.
Well I'm very excited about going away because E found this little perfect lodge up at Lake Placid.
10 of us including Captain are heading up there next Wednesday evening for 4 nights. I cannot wait. 4 days of eating and drinking too much, enjoying the peace and quiet, and fingers crossed some playing in the snow! So the Brits are going to attempt to cook an American Thanksgiving meal - I'm not sure if Captain knows what he is letting himself in for...

All images from the owner of Birches Lodge.

Tagged: A bookworm's values

2008-11-11T05:52:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by The Cwtch.

First up is "The Bookworm". the rules are that you have to open the nearest book to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence as well as the following few sentences. It has to be the closest book, not your favourite, or the most intellectual!

The closest book to me is the one in my handbag that I read to and from work everyday, Sebastian Faulkes 'Human Traces'. I have read a number of his books and I always enjoy them. It is one of 12 books I bought on the last hot sticky day of summer in a closing down second hand book store with no air conditioning! I endured the horrid sweatbox that was that shop though because those 12 books cost me a mere $24!

'"The sole is good, isn't it?" said Sonia.
"Yes," said Thomas. "Has my sister proved a satisfactory housekeeper, Richard?"
"Adequate, thank you. We had to let the cook go at Christmas. Domestic economies, you see"
"I enjoy it," said Sonia. "It's a pleasure for me to make dinner for Richard's friends, then to manage to budget with some modest suppers." She did not look up from her plate as she spoke.'

Second Tag:

Six things I value:
1. Kindness
2. The love and support of my family and friends even when I'm many miles away from them emails and letters tell me that they are thinking of me. The friends that I have made here, without them this year would have been so very different.
3. My health and also the free health care that we get in the UK. It may not be perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than here in the States.
4. Quiet. I don't think such moments exist here in New York.
5.Freedom. My father and my brother both served as officers in the British Army. My father in Northern Ireland and my brother in Iraq. My life would have been very different if either of them had not returned. I thank them and every member of our armed services and their families for what they are willing to sacrifice for us.
6. A really good cup of tea!

Six things I don't:
1. People that are inconsiderate - primarily I'm thinking about the subway but this extends to all areas of life. Those people who stand at the doors to get on and you can't get off, people that don't take backpacks off on crowded trains, all those people who don't stand up for elderly people and pregnant ladies - yes I"m talking to you three indian men who ignored the heavily pregnant lady at 23rd st last night and I had to push others out of the way so I could stand up and give her mine - just for you other Indian man to try and take it!!!Grrr!!
2. People that are tight with their money. From not standing their round to asking you for that 50p you owe them. I have a great friend who earns the same pitiful amount as me as an intern but we will always stand each other stuff because each of us knows the other will pay next time. Another friend always orders a nice expensive drink when it's someone else's round but on her round she'll always have the cheapest beer going!
3. Having to listen to someone judging others be it on their clothes or their choice of lifestyle. I have noticed this normally comes from people that are not very happy with themselves so have to belittle others to make themselves feel better.
4. Constant whinging, particularly from those who really have nothing to whinge about! (although I know this list is basically me whinging!)
5. Liars.
6. A bad cup of tea!

I tag Melanie, Shari, Miss Meep and Mrs S

Election Night

2008-11-09T18:56:00.001-08:00

Rockefeller Center

Obama Love

Empire State Building lit up for the occasion, the next night is was all blue

All images by me.

Puppy-gasm time!

2008-11-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

I can't stop watching this!

A brighter(ish) future

2008-11-06T07:18:00.000-08:00

I was going to try avoiding talking about politics on here too much, mainly because I studied international politics at uni and therefore once I start I might not stop. But, of course, something rather big happened here in the States on Tuesday evening. Something that I truly feel honoured to have been here to witness.

However, the great feeling of hope and expectation that is enveloping so much of the country is, for me (and I'm sure many others) tinged with a little sadness. As Peonies has also talked about today, in Arizona, Florida and California bans were passed stopped same sex marriages and in Arkansas a ban to stop non-married couples adopting or fostering was passed. The supporters of this in Arkansas admitted this was mainly to stop same sex couples being able to adopt. In all 30 states now have bans on same sex marriage. As Americans now prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving I find myself believing that somehow this country has gone a bit topsy turvy! The pilgrims braved the journey to this new land to escape religious persecution and now just over 200 years later, religion is being used to inhibit the lives of this country's citizens. Whether it be same-sex marriage or a woman's right to choose I really believe that religion and conservative groups should BACK OFF. Sorry really felt the need to get that off my chest. Why should one person's beliefs change the way another lives their life? If two people love each other and want to express their love by marrying - does it impact on my life? NO! It makes me so angry, I truly hope that the fight will be won in the not too distant future.

On a brighter note two animal rights bills passed, YAY!!!

I work with a girl who was a big McCain supporter, yesterday she just kept saying how she was going to leave the country for the next 4 years then she actually said "I am literally praying somebody assassinates Obama and does it before January 20th". I had to pause and question her, "You mean you want those two little girls to grow up without a father?" Her response "If that's what it takes to save this country". Views like that are terrifying and she is a young educated person living and working here in New York. What is also scary is that she is believing of so many of the lies about Obama (he's Muslim, he's not a natural born citizen). If educated people are thinking like this what is being thought in other parts of the country? I'm praying for Obama to have the strength to do all that he has promised for this country. Expectations are high and he has some serious work to do, things will be tough for while but the future is looking brighter.

PS After hearing this "Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House", do you you really think those little girls care that Daddy is president?! All they will want is to get their hands on the new puppy!

Missing vowels

2008-11-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

I've just read this post over on The Cwtch. I read this story on the BBC website at the end of last week and it made me laugh today just like it did on Friday.

I went to uni at Aberystwyth and always liked that everything was dual language. (With the expection of the big long list of dos and don'ts at the beginning of every exam!) It is great to see a country that has implemented measures to ensure that its language lives on. I think I know more welsh words from my 3 years of living in Aber than I know gaelic ones and I have lived in Scotland for around 21 of my 26 years. I find it a little sad that Scotland could well lose gaelic completely within a few generations if we do not do more to promote it. Scotland has its own parliament and seems to be moving towards independence (eeek, scary thought)....wait, I'm starting to get political again and I didn't want to do that here. So I'm going to stop but I'm sure you get my point.

(I'm sure someone once told me that Welsh was the oldest language in the British Isles, true?)

Since I couldn't have said it better...

2008-11-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

Please read Chris Cope's eloquent post today.

I couldn't agree with him more and certainly couldn't express myself as well.

Pumpkin Pics

2008-11-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

As promised a couple of photos of my first attempt at pumpkin carving. The cat is mine and the mini pumpkin was from Capt's parents.

Pirates, Pumpkins and Bridesmaids

2008-10-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

I love how 'in to' this day Americans are, back home in the UK it's not that big of a deal but here - wow! Houses are decorated and I saw quite a number of people making their way to work this morning in costumes.
Tonight I'm dressing up as a pirate - my outfit was called 'Captain Booty'! Not quite as slutty looking as it sounds, plus I'm wearing flat boots and opaque tights with it to decrease the 'hussy factor'. We are going to watch the Halloween Parade in the West Village and then its bar crawl time, (another reason for wearing flat boots!).
Last night I carved my first ever pumpkin. It's not too shabby looking, if I do say so myself, I'll post some photos tomorrow so you can decide for yourselves. It was a fun evening spent with my friends, watching Hocus Pocus (who knew SJP could look so bad?!), eating peanut M&Ms (yummy), drinking beer, last minute costume fixing and, of course, pumpkin carving.
Red Frame's latest post is all about bridesmaids dresses. The final picture is of the very dress that I will be wearing for a dear friend's big day in May. I feel a little sad that I have missed out on being able to help since I have been away since last January and only return to the UK 2 months before the wedding, although JB assures me that I will be helping with the favours* and all sorts of other goodies on my return. Seeing the picture of the dress made me smile. I'm so looking forward to the day, not only do I get to see my friend marry a wonderful man and be a part of the day, I get to do it all wearing a fabulous dress, YAY! I've lost 20 pounds so far this year and I'm hoping to lose another 20 before I go home so that I can do the dress justice. Obviously I will need to not spend too many evenings drinking beer and eating peanut M&Ms to achieve this. Did I mention the other bridesmaid is tall and slim and just beautiful...eeek!!

Happy Halloween!

*The favours are going to be minature Green & Blacks chocolates - yummy!

Sunday Walk

2008-10-27T04:06:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I took a walk from the West Village to Bryant Park in the warm autumn sunshine. I think yesterday was a last glimpse of summer before winter really takes hold of the city again.

Banksy's Village Pet Store

2008-10-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Please excuse my poor quality photos. If you are in the city check out this Banksy exhibition currently to be found on 7th Ave South just below Christopher St.

For a better idea of what it looks like, check this out.

Polishing my halo and thoughts of returning home.

2008-10-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well another week is over and I've not written about anything. Actually that's not true I posted on Monday and then I deleted it. It told more than maybe I wanted to share and as things changed during the week I'm glad I took it down. I was venting and sharing worries that were unfounded.

Last Saturday I was team leader for New York Cares Day. It was a frustrating experience, although we did achieve a fair amount. My small team painted a mural and tidied and sorted what was basically a junk room into a library/reading/computer and science room at a school in Bronx. There was a lack of decent organisation and management from the site captain and I know that so much could have been achieved in the time we were there. We decided on the subway journey home that rather than going for a drink, heading home for a cup of tea and a slice of carrot cake was a much better idea - what a rock 'n' roll lifestyle I lead!

I've also started the scary prospect of looking for jobs back home. I finish my internship programme in February and then I head to Mexico for a month before flying back to the UK. I'm mainly looking in Edinburgh as that is where I think I would prefer to be but also I'm considering London which is something I never thought I would do.

The weather here is cold suddenly and that combined with the snuggly new bedding that Capt's parents bought him makes it particularly difficult to get up in the morning. It's like being wrapped up in down cocoon, ah bliss!

This weekend...

2008-10-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Inspired by The Cwtch

Having dinner tonight with Capt, his parents and his aunt.
Saturday morning up bright and early leading my 'team' up to a high school in the Bronx where we are taking part in New York Cares Day.
Then afterwards enjoying a couple of well earned beers hopefully at 'The Frying Pan' if its still open (its a great bar on an old light boat moored right on the Hudson. What makes it so great? Cheap beer, tasty burgers and a great view across the river to Jersey, you can actually see my apartment block in the photo below.)

Sunday going to the American Museum of Natural History - thanks to B for passing on 4 free tickets for entry to the museum and all the exhibits!
Sunday afternoon/evening - trying out some of the tasty sounding soup receipes found on Farm Girl Fare. (If they are as good as they sound they will be used over Thanksgiving weekend at the amazingly cute house we have found to rent in the Adirondacks.)

Five Senses Friday

2008-10-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

I've been spending this morning working through the archives on the glass doorknob. (Have I mentioned before how little I have to do at work?). I have decided to copy this from her.

Just thinking about it has made me pause to consider and enjoy the simple things in everyday life.

see:
- the manhatten skyline from my bed with the orange of the sunrise behind
- the bright clear blue sky behind the empire state building (i do so love that i've had the opportunity to live and work here)
- the lovely text message from capt that was waiting on my cell when i woke up

taste:
- galaxy chocolate for breakfast (the last of my birthday chocolate *sniff)
- salt and vinegar kettle chips
- a pint of yuengling in a cosy local bar

hear:
- the john mayer track 'say' (loving it right now)
- the click clacking of a colleague's heels on the marble floor
- former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari talking about being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
- the laughter of my friend on the train to work this morning

smell:
- bread being toasted in the kitchen
- the wonderful mixture of smells in the deli

touch:
- the scab on the heel of my hand covering my 'boat bite' while the new skin grows
- my hair as i examined it trying to decide if it needs cut (it does!)

I should really have 5 for each sense but it's late and I'm sleepy.

Hope. With a cherry on top.

2008-10-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

Blue Marble ice-cream parlor in Brooklyn is dreaming big.

Their plan is to open a sustainable ice cream parlor in Rwanda, yes, really, Rwanda.

Go here to read all about it.

This project isn't about saving the world. It’s not even about ice cream. It’s about hope.
With a cherry on top.

Bella Wish

2008-10-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

Skipping around blog and estsy land this afternoon I came across this wonderful etsy shop Bella Wish. During the month of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) $10 from the sale of each of her beautiful awareness pendants goes to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
You can check out her blog here.

Images from the lovely Bella Wish.

A wonderful weekend

2008-10-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

The sun shone each day and although we didn't get much wind and had to motor most of the trip, it was the most wonderful three days. Capt is laid back, easy company and I felt weirdly calm and at peace, which is not my normal state!

Sailing down from Tom's River, NJ towards Cape May on the first day we had some dolphins accompany us for a while, I didn't even try to take a photo. They lept out the water a few times and circled around to pass us again and I couldn't help but smile as I watched them show off for us. We passed Atlantic City in the dark, the buildings bright against against the dark sky and once we were out of the glow from the east coast's sin city, the stars could twinkle in all their glory. At 2am we dropped anchor outside the coastguard station and snuggled down into the warmth of our sleeping bags.

The next day we rounded Cape May in warm autumn sunshine, (so warm that I was wearing shorts quite comfortably) and headed up the Delaware River. Capt spent sometime swotting up on the boats so that he has fully prepared for the show and I enjoyed the quiet and just the feeling of being away from other people, a rare treat when you live and work in the hustle and bustle of NY! That evening we got into a marina on the C&D Canal just as the sun was setting and went to get a decent feed with his parents who were sailing the smaller 31ft boat down. This was the first chance I got to really talk to them and they were lovely, his mother was quick to tell me about how he had a habit for running around naked as a baby and that his third word, after 'mamma' and 'dadda', was 'boat'. His Mum also shared the happy news that Capt's older brother and his girlfriend of 8 years are expecting their first child.

So Sunday morning came and my birthday, it was cloudy and the visibility was pretty poor. I managed a quick call to home to my parents from my mobile that chewed through a fair amount of credit! By midday that cloud was clearing and we motored down and under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. At 3pm we were into Annapolis and having to change into shorts and tees since it was so hot! The Annapolis fall series is running at the moment so the bay was busy with yachts making their way in from racing. We had tied up in a packed yacht yard and spent a couple of hours chatting lazily and watching the comings and goings. All too soon my taxi arrived to take me to the train station and back to the real world.

Waiting at BWI station for the train back to New York I felt content. Once settled in my seat I didn't immediately block out the noise of the carriage by listening to music as I usually do. The voices and the chatter surrounded me and pushed my thoughts back to being in the warm cabin with the boy. His arms around me and the water lapping gently on the hull.

It was the most wonderful way to spend my 26th birthday weekend. I spoke to my oldest and best friend on the phone during Sunday, she said I sounded happy and content. On the train back I realised how right she was.

All images by me. Atlantic City on the horizon, C&D Canal marina, Sunset on C&D Canal, Atlantic Sky

Done, To do, Guilty Pleasures, Facts

2008-10-07T05:57:00.001-07:00

I have been tagged by Rachel

So far today I have:
1. Uploaded some of my photos to facebook from the sailing trip
2. Eaten one of my birthday bars of galaxy chocolate for breakfast (I love my wonderful friend and the fab parcel she sent me!)
3. Discovered that I most of my winter clothes are now too big - what a great excuse to go shopping
4. Enjoyed walking to work in the autumn sunshine blethering with E.

Image: C & D Canal by Me

To do:
1. Start applying my tutor's suggestions to the nasty, horrid, vile paper that I had hoped I was finished with
2. Unpack and do laundry (yuck)
3. Write thank you notes and emails for my birthday cards
4. Look for a house for us to rent for Thanksgiving either in the Poconos or the Catskills

Guilty Pleasures:
1. Eating chocolate for breakfast
2. Cashmere bedsocks
3. Vanity Fair - I really shouldn't waste my meagre intern pay on it
4. Lying in bed all morning with a good book

Facts:
1. I dislike going to the hairdresser
2. I'm terrible with money
3. I still get in bed with my parents in the mornings when I'm home
4. I prefer a wedge of lime in my G&T to lemon

I tag: whoever would like to do this (I know that this is lazy but there is a 5th fact about me!)

Never again?

2008-10-06T10:40:00.001-07:00

Please read Vestine's story and remember to be thankful for all the good things that we have in life.

I wrote my dissertation at university on the reasons behind the inaction of the UN and the international community on Rwanda's 1994 genocide. So this story brings back all the stories I read during the time researching my paper. I won't get political here, it's not the place.

I really don't know if I would have the strength to endure what Vestine and so many others in this world have endured, would you?

All about me...

2008-10-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

Found this great post on you are my fave. Here is mine...

I answered the 12 questions about myself and then chose a corresponding photo from Flickr to go along with the answer.

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What high school did you attend?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Favorite drink?

7. Dream vacation?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. One word to describe you?

12. Your Flickr name?

Wanna play?: Type your answer to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL’s into the Mosaic Maker. It's fun.

1. Caroline Wozniacki 2. cantina 3. Pendulum Live 4. 'Cosplay' means 'Costume Play' 5. Bruce on a Boat 6. untitled 7.Bonaerenses 8.Chocolate and Raspberries 9. Sunshine 10. Flying Dogs 11. 2142-burning-man-2005 - dreamer by pepe ozan 12. CeeCee #22

A bit of colour on a dull Monday morning

2008-10-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

This photo is from a lovely friend who has just spent a few months travelling around SE Asia. It was taken in Hoi An, Vietnam.

I just loved how bright and cheery it is. It made me smile on a grey Monday morning.

A decent post to follow with details of my WONDERFUL weekend.

Running away to sea...well for the weekend at least!

2008-10-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

I'm off this evening for the trip with Captain America. Fingers crossed it will all be smooth sailing - both literally and metaphorically!
The weather is bright and there is a a bit of a nip in the air - perfect autumn day. It's due to be the same all weekend.
Next time I write I will be 26, this time last year I woke myself up worrying about what I was doing with my life and while I'm still not entirely sure at least I can say that I got to spend a year in New York!
Wishing you all a happy and relaxing weekend whatever you get up to.

(oh and I've just emailed my final draft over to my tutor *smiles)

The perfect excuse to shop!

2008-10-02T05:40:00.000-07:00

If you are in New York this weekend there is sample sale with discounts of up to 80 percent on Edun, Theory, DVF, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Vince to benefit the Somaly Mam Foundation.
It kicks off tonight with an opening party (with Somaly Mam book signing and photo exhibit), 6-9 p.m and runs through to Sunday at 2 Great Jones St., b/t Broadway & Lafayette St.

PS You won't just be helping to end human trafficking - a tree will be planted too for each sale!

Pinch and a punch...

2008-10-01T06:22:00.001-07:00

...for the first of the month!

I love the autumn and October really feels like the start of it.

The month will start by celebrating my birthday on the first weekend and the second weekend and finish with Halloween on a Friday night in New York City - life ain't that bad really!

The reason for 2 weekends of celebration - Captain America and I are going away sailing for 3 days this weekend. I can't wait, although we have only been seeing each other for 3 weeks, it feels really natural to be doing this trip. I think perhaps because it was born of necessity. The boat needs to be taken down to Annapolis for the boat show and he wanted someone to come with him to help. The obvious solution was me. It's a birthday trip for me doing something great and he gets crew for the trip. Hopefully 3 days on a boat together won't lead to us wanting to strangle one another!

Ok, now I must try and get another 500 words of quality rubbish added into my assignment before the end of the day...wish me luck, I'm going to need it! (The silver lining to this cloud - once I've handed this in there will be no more really stressful papers for the remainder of my time here in the States!)

Assignment Hell

2008-09-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

So I have a horrid vile and nasty assignment due in next week. I need to have a final draft to my tutor by Monday, for me this means having it done really by Wednesday. (Still waiting to confirm it but should be doing something fun and exciting this weekend but means I will be away from Thursday evening until Monday and I'm going to see the Black Kids gig on Wednesday night). So I need to write 3000 words today and tomorrow. So far I have 189...not doing so well really. I have already accepted that I will be failing the module since a) my tutor has not given me any help and b) I'm not entirely sure I really understand what I'm supposed to be doing.

It is my own fault for leaving it to the last minute but somehow I just couldn't bring myself to even attempt anything earlier. I think I was hoping it would disappear if I ignored it!

So now I must try and produce a piece of work that is not too awful. Wish me luck!

Happy Friday

2008-09-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

Well its nearly 5pm and home time!

I'm looking forward to spending this rainy Friday evening cooking dinner for my lovely friend E and her roommate and then going to see 'Nights at Rodanthe', which looks like it will make me shed a tear or two!

Tomorrow I'm going to use the horrid weather as an excuse to stay in bed until about midday and catch up on Heroes.

Enjoy your weekends whatever you are doing.

I'm off to Macy's now to see Victoria and David who are launching their new fragrance! oooh!

No real sailing this evening

2008-09-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well the weather is due to be pretty horrid this evening so we have postpone our evening's sail. Instead we are going to a dark and cosy bar to enjoy each other's company in the dry!

Here instead are a couple images of how I had hoped to be spending the evening with the boy.

Images from Capt. America's facebook and goldstar.com

Reasons to be cheerful and smile!

2008-09-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

Today is going to be a better day...

1. This was one of the first things I read this morning - thank you Miss Rachel!

2. I am going to make a start on my horrid assignment and prove my horrid tutor wrong.

3. I listened to the Gavin Rossdale track "Love Remains the Same" while walking to work down 5th Ave looking at the Empire State Building in front of a clear blue sky.

4. Captain America is taking me sailing tomorrow evening around Manhatten.

5. It's my birthday next week and although I will be another year older and still not really knowing what I'm doing with my life, I will be celebrating in one of the most amazing cities in the world with some great friends.

Not a happy camper

2008-09-23T12:41:00.001-07:00

I'm in a foul dark mood this afternoon. WhenI get in these moods I start to consider just chucking the programme, giving up the months of hard work and just going home...not that I really would....
Roll on 5pm then I will no longer have to speak to silly people on the phone and I can have a good whinge over a cup of tea or maybe a beer with my friends after we go and check out what on earth David Blaine is up to in Central Park.
Luckily I have Thursday evening to look forward to, Captain America is taking me and a couple of friends out sailing. He just keeps getting better and I can't get enough of his smile!

Dreaming of a Duvet Day...

2008-09-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Today I would very much like to be curled up under my duvet feeling sorry for myself but I'm here sat at my desk wondering how it can only be 9.30am...

Here are some lovely things that are giving me reasons to smile this morning.

These wonderful travel books are cheering up my friday, now I'm thinking about when I can visit all these places so I have an excuse to buy them all!

Ruby's lovely blog entry lead me to these delightful creations.

And finally thank you to the lovely Baby, Picture this - these rainbows couldn't fail to bring sunshine into my gloomy day!

Image - Flickr

Perch!

2008-09-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the lovely Daily Candy who delivers emails to me with lovely discounts and pretty ideas I have just been lead to perch! All their products are handmade in Brooklyn using environmentally friendly materials and products. Below are two gems that I have spotted the fun napkin rings and the slightly macabre salt and pepper shakers - I want both on my table!

Images from perch!

Rose McGowan = Idiot

2008-09-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

I really have to have a rant about this.

I know that Rose McGowan has every right to express her opinion but does she realise the upset that saying such a thing can (and has) caused? The IRA were terrorists. They killed many innocent people to persue a political cause. (This year was the 10th anniversary of the Omagh bombing, the worst atrocity in the conflict in NI)

The comments on the Reuters page are interesting to read. Some worry me a little but most seem to be of the opinion that her comments were naive and thoughtless.

I truly hope that it was a misguided expression of her sympathy for 'the cause' and not agreement with the methods used.

Would she agree with ETA's bombings of Madrid?

There has been very little reported about this in the news over here but yet we can't seem to get away from 'how appalling' Russell Brand's jokes was about the Jonas Brothers. Surely comments from an actress expressing sympathy for TERRORISTS is much more worrying??

Jane Austen

2008-09-11T13:03:00.001-07:00

Take the Quiz here!

I may have to actually read Persuasion now!

Toronto & Autumn in the air.

2008-09-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

Overall the weekend in Toronto was great. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings it was raining but luckily by the time we got out to the island each afternoon the rain had cleared. Sunday was a better day with great sets from the Stereophonics and Paul Weller. It was my first time seeing Oasis and they were great. I'm really surprised, but very pleased they came back on and completed (most) of their set after 'the incident'.

The weather in Toronto reminded me of summer back home - warm when the sun is out but as soon as he hides it gets decidedly chilly! Back in NYC on Monday evening the temperature here seemed to have gone down and this morning I could almost have worn a jacket to work. I'm sad that I will soon be back in tights and boots walking to work rather than my comfy flip flops. I treated my toes to the final pedicure of the summer, the pretty pinky red on my nails makes me smile whenever I look down at them. One of the things I will miss when I return to the UK is cheap manicures and pedicures. I've never had one back home but here when you can get both for $20, it's an affordable treat!

While I will miss my slopping to work in my flip flops I will be happy not to have to stand waiting on the sauna like subway platforms and arriving at work sweaty, yuck! Images of snuggly jumpers and cosy cardis keep skipping through my head, not helped by the fact that I keep looking at pics like the one below on the wonderful Toast website.

I've also just read Little Miss Rachel's post. I want to be at home baking now...I'll have to settle for planning a halloween roadtrip with my friends to upstate NY to visit some of these places!

Music & Bruce

2008-09-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

So this weekend boys and thoughts of internet dating are forgotten about...I'm off to Toronto for the Virgin Music Festival.

Fingers crossed the rain will pass us by and it will fun in the sun, enjoying some great bands and I'm sure sinking a few beers!

Bruce Parry's new series 'Amazon' starts in a couple of weeks on BBC 2. I'm sure I'm one of many women who have fallen in love with Bruce after watching Tribe. I'm hoping that it will be shown on BBC America! I have been following the blog for the last few months and I can't wait to get a chance to watch the show which means I'll probaby be buying the DVD!

Hope you all enjoy your weekends.

Windows to our worlds...

2008-08-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of weeks I have begun to read blogs, at first I was lead to an old friend's one, I found that over a couple of days I had read through all the archives. I followed her links to other pages and read more.
The nosy neighbour in me loves being able to look into people's lives as though catching glimpses into their brightly lit rooms from the dark street outside. Which was something I loved to do during my teens walking home from school through the west end of Glasgow. I can still see the flat with the wonderful pieces of art on the walls, another dark red paint and one wall, was shelved floor to high ceiling and stacked with books, books I longed to peruse.
So now, here I am starting a blog and allowing people to look into the brightly lit windows of my life....

I'm over half way through a year of living in New York. I love it here and would stay if the opportunity arises but for now I must think about returning home and becoming a grown-up finally.

Why cotton & cashmere? Why not? I love them both for the memories they bring back and the images the evoke.