The End

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) and living in New York is done. 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

"the best yet"

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

"Baby it's cold outside"

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

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!

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.

Anticipating the final bell

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

Homesick and Holiday Trips

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!

Venting and Ranting

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!

Thanksgiving

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.

Election Night

Rockefeller Center

Obama Love

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

All images by me.

A brighter(ish) future

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!

Pumpkin Pics

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

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

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

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.

This weekend...

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.)

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

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)

Assignment Hell

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!

Not a happy camper

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!