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!

Greetings from Minnesota

Hello world! This is just a quick update letting you know that Craig and I have arrived to Minnesota. Everything went fine - but our flight from Amsterdam to Chicago was delayed by an hour because of technical difficulties on the plane - it was leaking fuel on the plane.  Below is a quick rundown of what we have been up to Tuesday evening and Wednesday. I will try to keep up with blogging more posts and including photos.

• After my parents picked us up we went to a local dive we enjoy called Bunny's. My mom bought him an honorary hat (photo come soon). 

      Wednesday

• Went to 5-8 club yesterday for lunch. They have the best burgers ever! This is also similar to a dive. Click on the link to read about the history. 
• Headed out to the Mall of America (for my British friends this is bigger than the Metrocentre) 
• Bought HDMI cables at Microsoft and Best Buy so Craig can stream our favorite British TV programs on TV 
• Saw Jobs the movie. Craig enjoyed it. I thought it was alright. 
• For dinner mom made a favorite of mine, baked spaghetti

Rainy Saturday

Greetings friends! Today was a relaxed Saturday for Craigy B and I.

• Headed to Tesco to grab some breakfast before dropping off Scarlett (Craig's car) 
• This morning we had to drop off Craigy B's car to get tested. We had over an hour to kill so we walked around this shopping center.
• Went into Durham for bit of a shop (Craig actually bought a few things) and I wanted to exchange some money for Euros (in case we have some spare time in Amsterdam airport)
• Came back and watched F1 practice 
• Decided to head to movie theater and saw The Millers. Really great film. Very funny. I would see it again. Craig liked it. 
• Craig made a nice chicken korma for dinner tonight with naan bread. 
• Only tonight and tomorrow night left til we head off to Newcastle on Monday.

Orange Wednesday

Tonight was our last Orange Wednesday til the middle of September. I am a fan of Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg and we saw Two Guns. Good movie - a bit slow. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Countdown still continues! Less than 1 week til Craigy B and I leave for Minnesota

Greetings!

Afternoon or maybe morning to my USA friends and family -

I can't believe August is half way over - this month has flown by so quick. I am not sure I have told you (my readers) that Craig and I are going to Minnesota (his first time) for 2 weeks end of August to early September. I am absolutely excited to show him my life, introduce him to friends/family, where I grew up etc! I have a few activities already planned but the rest will be impromptu :)

In the mean time there is one week to go til we fly! I am staying busy with my PT social media work and doing jobs for my mom online.

I am getting quite anxious! Though this will be the first time back since Nina (grandma) died.

The Big Roundup!

Hello Folks! Wow I can't believe my last post was end of July - and now we are in August. To give you an update regarding my life and what has been going on - here goes:

            August

•  I finished my nutrition class on Coursera accredited by University of California San Francisco. It was really fun! I decided to go the 'free' route but I have a certified certificate.
• 2nd - I rode the train to Newcastle and bought Craig his birthday present (a digital picture frame)
•  4th - Craig reintroduced me to his parents. To summarize the story when I was pursuing my MA - I dated him in 2010 and I broke things off because I didn't have any other money left. Well since I moved in May 2012 Craig's choice has been to play operation 'Secret' with his parents (his choice!) and I was fine with it.  But when I met them again I think they were a bit surprised. Everything went great! I met Julie and Les (friends of Craig's parents at the caravan).  We went out for lunch at the Yorkshire Gliding Club. Really fun.
  
• 7th was Orange Wednesday and we saw this British movie. I didn't really know anything about it but it was funny. Not sure if it will come to the USA. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

• On the 8th we went to Thursday night group to see his friends. We met up at Nando's and I had a chicken salad. 
• 10th - Craig's birthday! In the morning I gave him the digital picture frame and he liked it! I was having a hard time programming it - so he figured it out immediately! I left him for an hour to go to the gym (I go every day). After I returned we headed into Durham to exchange some money, have a drink at Starbucks and just stroll around. Went to Tesco's for some sandwich meat and bread. Had lunch. Then headed down to the caravan (RV park) to stay over night. Once we reached our destination we unloaded the car and chatted with his parents for awhile. Craig decided he wanted to purchase his Sage Coffee Machine (see video below)  so we headed off to Northallerton.We walked around town then headed back as we had a reservation for dinner at 5:30. Craig's brother and gf celebrated with us along with Julie & Les. Fantastic atmosphere and great food! Afterwards we went back to the caravan and had cake and coffee (Craig showed off his Sage skills!)
• Sunday we headed to York. Then in the afternoon headed home
• Skyped with my mom also on Sunday. Really great to catch up with her. 

Avenue Q (July 30 2013)

Hello friends ::waves:: Last night Craigy B and I went to a theater performance called Avenue Q. For anyone who didn't hear how I got tickets please read What a Weekend post.  The Assembly Rooms Theater is an historic 220-seat proscenium arch theater in the heart of Durham City. We were about 4th row from the front.  For those that don't know Avenue Q - it is music but also with puppets! This is not a show for children. After the performance was over friends on their FB page had the opportunity ask members of the cast about their experience with the puppets etc. I had a blast! We are actually going on Saturday night (Craig purchased tickets actually before we won the scavenger hunt)