When I came to the U.S I was worried about how I would handle the food, given that I have to be very careful about such things. On the whole I have been fine but I noticed that I was feeling unwell after foods that normally wouldn't be a problem. It was only when it was pointed out to me that almost everything contains high fructose corn syrup that I realised why. This seems to be the primary sweetner in the U.S and it's not one I handle well. HOWEVER, Shannie's cooking (including the delicious homemade bread and salmon & bean dish) has done me the world of good and everyone has been very sensitive to my situation. THANK YOU!
Food servings are certainly very generous here, with unlimited beverage top ups and ice cream portions to last you a week.
Map of North-East USA
Showing posts with label Cody's Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cody's Family. Show all posts
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Saturday 4th August
Happy Anniversary today, Mum and Dad!!!
Saturday 4th August
Saturday was a bit of a lie back and relax day, although Cody had to practise, but we did make it to a gathering in the evening - a celebration to mark the marriage of two of Cody's school friends. By the time we arrived in the evening the crowds of people had gone home and there were just a handful of us sat in the back garden, which seemed to have its own forest towards the far end. As sunlight faded, the mosq
uitoes came out for their evening meal of human flesh, so a fire was lit in the centre of the gathering, marshmallows were toasted and homemade blueberry wine was consumed. Whilst Cody was deep in conversation with the groom, I was distracted (very pleasantly) by fire flies - this was my first experience with bugs that light up in the dark and I eventually realised that I had been gazing out with my jaw wide open, which must have looked very glamourous, I'm sure.
I think it is such a wonderful thing that couples in the U.S are able to choose any location for a wedding - parks or back gardens if they wish. In the UK you either have to use a church, registry office or a location from the list of registered buildings. It makes far more sense to be allowed to choose a spot of personal significance to the couple.
Later that evening Cody's sister, Caitlin, arrived from Grand Rapids. Prior to this we had only communicated via brief online messages, so it was wonderful to finally meet her. She is a very warm, vivacious character with a magnetic personality and, boy, does she look like Cody. I was feeling a little quiet at the time (probably still overwhelmed by the sheer scale of everything) but I hope I'll get to speak to her more when she visits home at the end of the month.
Saturday 4th August
Saturday was a bit of a lie back and relax day, although Cody had to practise, but we did make it to a gathering in the evening - a celebration to mark the marriage of two of Cody's school friends. By the time we arrived in the evening the crowds of people had gone home and there were just a handful of us sat in the back garden, which seemed to have its own forest towards the far end. As sunlight faded, the mosq
uitoes came out for their evening meal of human flesh, so a fire was lit in the centre of the gathering, marshmallows were toasted and homemade blueberry wine was consumed. Whilst Cody was deep in conversation with the groom, I was distracted (very pleasantly) by fire flies - this was my first experience with bugs that light up in the dark and I eventually realised that I had been gazing out with my jaw wide open, which must have looked very glamourous, I'm sure.I think it is such a wonderful thing that couples in the U.S are able to choose any location for a wedding - parks or back gardens if they wish. In the UK you either have to use a church, registry office or a location from the list of registered buildings. It makes far more sense to be allowed to choose a spot of personal significance to the couple.
Later that evening Cody's sister, Caitlin, arrived from Grand Rapids. Prior to this we had only communicated via brief online messages, so it was wonderful to finally meet her. She is a very warm, vivacious character with a magnetic personality and, boy, does she look like Cody. I was feeling a little quiet at the time (probably still overwhelmed by the sheer scale of everything) but I hope I'll get to speak to her more when she visits home at the end of the month.
Friday, 3 August 2007
A tiny bite from the Big Apple!!!
Monday 30th July - First Impressions
I finally met Connor at around 6.30 Monday evening. I always find it fascinating to meet the siblings of those you are close to – picking out similarities and differences. In many ways Connor and Cody are chalk and cheese (apples and oranges) but they certainly share some common ground and it’s great to see how they get on so well.
Once we had discussed England, accents and the contents of malt liquor for a while, Connor took us for a guided walk of the area surrounding his Brooklyn neighbourhood, which included a beautiful stroll through the local park. We stopped for refreshments in an artsy café called the Habana, which I believe is run on solar power panels placed on the roof of the building. We were treated to a series of Burlesque acts, although I was struggling to spot the Burlesque element at times I’m afraid.
The first thing that struck me about America was the scale of everything, and I’m not just talking about the height of the buildings in NYC; Streets are wider, cars are longer, pavements are broader, parks are bigger (and it’s not because people are smaller - in fact there are a fair few who are considerably taller than me). In many ways it reminded me of large French cities; wide streets lined with cars and regularly placed trees separating pavements from roads. Even the style of road markings and traffic signs had a feel of France about them.
By the time we met up with Jess, Connor’s wife, our body clocks were on 3.30 am UK time but we still managed to stay up talking until 5 am (midnight on the New York City clock). I’m sure Jess must have been more tired than us though, since she is managing a full-time job and a nursing night class.
THIS POST TO BE UPDATED...
I finally met Connor at around 6.30 Monday evening. I always find it fascinating to meet the siblings of those you are close to – picking out similarities and differences. In many ways Connor and Cody are chalk and cheese (apples and oranges) but they certainly share some common ground and it’s great to see how they get on so well.
Once we had discussed England, accents and the contents of malt liquor for a while, Connor took us for a guided walk of the area surrounding his Brooklyn neighbourhood, which included a beautiful stroll through the local park. We stopped for refreshments in an artsy café called the Habana, which I believe is run on solar power panels placed on the roof of the building. We were treated to a series of Burlesque acts, although I was struggling to spot the Burlesque element at times I’m afraid.
The first thing that struck me about America was the scale of everything, and I’m not just talking about the height of the buildings in NYC; Streets are wider, cars are longer, pavements are broader, parks are bigger (and it’s not because people are smaller - in fact there are a fair few who are considerably taller than me). In many ways it reminded me of large French cities; wide streets lined with cars and regularly placed trees separating pavements from roads. Even the style of road markings and traffic signs had a feel of France about them.
By the time we met up with Jess, Connor’s wife, our body clocks were on 3.30 am UK time but we still managed to stay up talking until 5 am (midnight on the New York City clock). I’m sure Jess must have been more tired than us though, since she is managing a full-time job and a nursing night class.
THIS POST TO BE UPDATED...
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