Saturday November 9 2013

Good day! This is just a blog recap post highlighting my night. Saturday night I went with Craig to the Stadium of Light to attend 2Touch's Got Talent - which was a talent show with judges just like popular talent shows on TV. There were over 300 people there and it was a really fun atmosphere! Afterwards there was a disco where we danced the night away.  Here are some photos we took.

Craig created the buzzers

Favorite act of mine - Papa smurf - he wore a blue outfit all over his body      

 

 

 

               

November

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't written recently but I started a temporary job end of October with Durham University which is going good. The role is only PT but I am really enjoying the people in the office.  I work 2-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday which is alright but I have been in contact with the agency every week in case another position may come up! on Tuesday/Thursdays I also do a lot of my SocialNicole (social media work) - and I do social media work as well MWF evenings my time. My favorite month has always been November - my birthday and thanksgiving all in the same month! Though I haven't been home for Turkey day for 2 years :( though last year I celebrated with other American students at Durham University which was really fun! Though this year it will just be a Thanksgiving between Craig and I Thursday evening. Will keep everyone posted how it goes!

On another note my parents are coming over for Christmas holidays! Which I am very excited! Still haven't heard more words from the Home Office so my parents decided to book the journey over here! It shall be fun. We will be spending 4 day/nights with Craig at his home then the next 4 nights in Newcastle. This will be my first Christmas actually away from home - which is really hard! Plus my grandma (Nina) isn't here anymore :(  Though Craig is a darling man, he has allowed me to decorate a tree (fake though), which is less messy (but you seriously can't beat the smell of the real tree!). Though I am sure we will have the Christmas music starting in December and will bake sugar cookies. 

Also for my 30th birthday (I know crazy right??) Craig and I will be staying for 2 nights in Windermere. I have really no clue what we will do - but it should be fun!

Also next Sunday November 17th Craig and I are going to see the Lumiere exhibit in Durham.

Craig just bought us tickets to see a favorite comedian of mine that is from the Northeast!
So on the 24th we will head down to York to see Chris Ramsay

Also I continue everyday (besides Sunday) going to the gym. I am really happy that West Rainton has a community gym - and all the volunteers are superb! 

Greetings

Can you believe October is almost over? Where have the days gone?! Just a quick recap of what is going on in my world. * I start a temp job tomorrow (M W F 2-5pm) with Durham University, I am still looking for more hours but it is a start! * Craig has been a baking machine - baking so many loaves and 1 carrot cake * I had my flu shot recently - and my upper right arm is still in some pain. * I am still going to the community gym every day! Though they are closed on Sundays. * Daylight savings time has started - so it gets dark at 5pm :( * No more word about my visa - still waiting * Last Wednesday Craig and I saw Fifth Estate - good film, based on the truth. I would give it 3/5 stars.

* My birthday is next month and Craig and I are going to Windermere for a few nights so that will be fun.

Well I am off to get my clothes ready for tomorrow! Bye. 

Date Night

Greetings friends! Most of you know Craig and I have date nights every Wednesday where we go to the cinema to see a film (no cost for either of us). Well because so many good films are out at the moment we decided to see a movie Sunday evening, thought it would be a nice treat after having to fill out my visa application AGAIN (we missed 1pg that required signatures).  So tonight we saw a great film called Enough Said. I really recommend this film to anyone! Sadly the main actor passed away a month or two ago due to a heart attack. 

 I give this film an A+. One of the reasons I really loved this film is because Julia Louis-Dreyfus was in it - and she was my favorite character is Seinfeld. To anyone who has never watched any of the series I highly suggest you go on Netflix or your local library!

Update

Sorry friends I haven't written lately. Nothing new has been going on. There is a possibility in the pot about a job so I am really hoping I get it! Over the weekend Craig and I saw his parents. Fall is here which means layering up, wearing mittens in the house and constantly filling up the hot water bottle.  (Apparently I get cold easily Craig says!). I can't believe we are already in the middle of October - time has sure been flying by so quick! I am still going to the gym on a daily basis. I really enjoy going all the time and the volunteers really enjoy chatting with me (while I work out!). I am still thinking of becoming a volunteer - as there are only 7 at the moment. I guess I just really need to figure out a job first.

Every Tuesday morning I am now going on a group walk in the village.  This walk just started a few weeks ago. Last week was quite fun as we found blackberry bushes!

I will do my best to start-up blogging daily! I gotta keep my friends & family informed about my journey!

Chaos - But it is all over!

Hello friends -

What a whirl wind it has been these past few weeks. Sorry I haven't had time to update you on my journey. Well to make a story short my visa expires October 3rd this year. I have filed for an extension (Craig was/is a huge help in the process!) and if I am granted this visa I get to live here for 2 more years.

In other news I have joined a club that meets every Wednesday here in West Rainton. While still looking for a job I have signed up with Jubilee Hall to get out of the house and meet some people in the community.

On Wednesday of this week we saw Runner Runner. Good film.

Summary of Minnesota Trip

Greetings friends and family! Sorry I haven't blogged lately as Craig and I have been in Minnesota for two weeks. Every day we had a full day of fun activities. I hope at some point to upload photos from Craig of our fun adventure. Here are the highlights in chronological (give or take) :

• Arrived on the 27th of August in the evening and parents took us to Bunny's. Mom purchased Craigy B a hat (photo to come soon) 
• Wednesday we had lunch at the 5-8 Club with parents. Afterwards dad dropped us off at the Mall of America. Went to local cinema and saw 'Jobs' movie - Craig liked it thought some parts of the story were missing, I on the other hand fell asleep.
• Thursday dad drove us to Mr. Gangstead's house for a quick chit chat then we (Craig and I) walk to Twins game vs. Kansas City Royals. Good seats but had to ask for seat change to be in shade (Very Hot and sunny day!) 
• Road Light Rail back to Mall of America - and did some shopping. For dinner we had my mom's Aunt Betty's baked spaghetti.
• Friday morning we left early (Craig, dad and I) for the State Fair. I was able to get 2 free admission tickets because I volunteered 9am to noon at Memorial Blood Centers booth - where we type people's blood. I was part of the PR team. This gave Craig and dad plenty of time to bond. After my shift finished we spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying various food items on a stick, seeing various exhibits etc. 
• Saturday Craig and I drove over to Panera to meet Renee and her husband for a light breakfast.  They then invited us to meet them at the State Fair for the Talent Show for Sunday evening.  Once we scooted back home my mom drove us down to Guthrie theatre to see the building and park.  We then had a late lunch at Sea Change which is a fancy seafood restaurant.  Afterwards mom gave us a tour of the Minneapolis Lakes (Harriet, Calhoun, and Lake of the Isles). To end of the evening we had a fantastic meal at Steve G house.  A good friend named Sue Perkins was also there to meet Craig.
• Sunday we tried to go for a boat ride along the MIssissipi but couldn't get tickets.  So instead we went to a local bar and Grill at Seven Corners in MInneapolis.  Then my parents dropped us off at Dunwoody to catch the bus for the State Fair.  We arrived 4 hours before the show so we walked around, ate various food on a stick, etc.  Then a little before 7pm we met Rene and her family at the Talent Show. Had a great time. Fireworks at the end. We took bus back to Richfield and dad picked us up.   
•  Monday we (parents, Craig and I) went for a boat ride along the Mississippi.  After that we headed over to Minnehaha falls - which was packed with people because it was Labour Day and festivities were going on.  We had lunch at Sea Salt Eatery- which is a local seafood restaurant.  We then ended out afternoon at DQ - It was a first for Craig and he enjoyed it 110%.
• Tuesday morning my dad took us all to the Minnesota History Museum over in St. Paul.  This gave Craig an eye opener about various MN history. We really enjoyed all of the exhibits. After that we all headed to downtown Minneapolis for a light lunch at Brit's Pub.  Craig felt right at home seeing the British flags.  
• Wednesday Sept  4-6 Craig and I flew to Chicago. Summary of trip: we went on architecture tour, visited Navy Pier, Millenium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, We saw Blue Man Group, Went to Second City (Improv), went to Weber Grill (favorite restaurant of mine), Adler Planetarium, Stopped at Garretts Popcorn (BEST POPCORN EVER!) , and did loads of walking! Plus Craig was actually fine with taking bus rides and rides on the L.
• Once we came back we went to the Jungle theater- where Steve Gangstead (family friend) is on the advisory board.  The performance was great. Afterwards there was an after party full of various sandwiches, chips, cake/pie etc. 
• Saturday was mainly a catch up day for Craig to purchase some more presents for his family. Later that afternoon we took Marissa (a girl I was a nanny for in 2011-2012) to YogurtLab. Was really fun to see her and we enjoyed some unique flavors of frozen yogurt. 
• Sunday September 8th we had a huge party at my parents house. Most of the guests are from our neighborhood but some were my moms friends. The best part of the party was a belly dancer! Really fun. Also we celebrated all September birthdays. 
• Monday Sept 9 was my dad's birthday. We had a birthday lunch at home (mainly of leftovers from the party) and Diane and Gil came over. Craig and I gave dad his birthday presents. Was really impressed he bought my dad a tablet - a Lenovo Idea Tab. He also purchased a tea tumbler for my mom along with wristlet to hold phones.  Later that afternoon dad took us to the airport. Mom didn't want to go as it was too emotional for her. 

I believe Craig had a blast on this trip and I definitely could see him being 'American' living the dream!