Before Christmas 2009 ...
It's quite sad that my favourite Christmas was receiving a big sack of lego. I think I was 7 or 8. No particular stand out day with family, it was all about what Santa brought me.
Two years ago ...
When I met the woman I fell in love with. Who is now my Wife.
That Christmas, in 2009 was the best one in my life. I had a wonderful Birthday with my 'girlfriend', and two days later, I spent Christmas day with my 'fiance'. This year, I get to spend it with my Wife.
Last year was the worst stuck in England, doing Christmas over a webcam. That morning I phoned my Wife. To wish her Merry Christmas. I burst into tears when I heard her voice.
Christmas is not about what Santa brought you, it's about sharing the time with people you Love.
I will still be on the webcam again, but this will be different. A wonderful reverse of last year.
I Love my Wife dearly, and I get to spend Christmas with her. When I wake up she'll be there lying next to me, and a doggy will greet me as well.
Life is good, and I am living it.
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Christmas decorations!
The main lounge:
Click on the pictures to enlarge
Our own lounge:
Notice the flags either side of the tree ...
In the middle, a custom bauble. A Christmas present from Mom. Includes the 'Tiffany' colour bow.
Click on the pictures to enlarge
Our own lounge:
Notice the flags either side of the tree ...
In the middle, a custom bauble. A Christmas present from Mom. Includes the 'Tiffany' colour bow.
Every tree should have a Titanic and Elvis connection
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Snow on it's way!
The local news is warning of snow coming our way. Outside it is currently 'spitting' with the white stuff. Most of today, we've seen a lot of rain, hopefully this will prevent it lying on the ground.
In preparation, we have two snow shovels next to the front door.
TV3Winchester, our local tv channel posted this picture on their facebook page, this is Augusta in West Virginia, about 50 miles west of us.
Keep your fingers crossed our front garden will not look like it did nearly two years ago:
In preparation, we have two snow shovels next to the front door.
TV3Winchester, our local tv channel posted this picture on their facebook page, this is Augusta in West Virginia, about 50 miles west of us.
Keep your fingers crossed our front garden will not look like it did nearly two years ago:
Evening edit - The local tv station got it wrong. We woke this morning to no snow. It will come, but just not yet.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Thanksgiving
I am sorry I have not updated this since Thanksgiving.
Traditionally Thanksgiving is on the third Thursday in November, also meant I had two days off work. Naturally being a 'temp', I didn't get paid for those days, but it was nice to have a 4 day weekend.
Being the English guest, I thought it would be fun to bake the Pumpkin pie. Here is my effort. I shared making it with my Wife.
We had a big dinner at my sister in laws. There were nine of us!
On the Monday night, niece Julia took part in a local School parade around the town of Winchester, several schools and clubs took part, and it was awesome to see Julia at the front of her school. It started at 7pm, and we were lucky to arrive on time, driving all the way from working in Reston / Herndon.
On Friday, I had two interviews for the job I am temping in. First was with my boss, who was 25 minutes late, and the second was a telephone interview with a manager from another office. This chap was 50 minutes late. Not the best preparation I have had for interviews.
This weekend, we're putting up the Christmas Tree! There will be two. I've brought in the large one from the garage, this will go in the main front room, and Vicky and I have our own Christmas Tree. I am especially looking forward to putting this one up, as Mom bought us a personalised bauble last year.
Last Christmas, Vicky and I were separated of course, and we spent a lot of time with each other over the webcam. I watched Mom and Vicky set up our Christmas tree, and it sucked. It was nice to watch, but to not be a part of was awful.
Traditionally Thanksgiving is on the third Thursday in November, also meant I had two days off work. Naturally being a 'temp', I didn't get paid for those days, but it was nice to have a 4 day weekend.
Being the English guest, I thought it would be fun to bake the Pumpkin pie. Here is my effort. I shared making it with my Wife.
We had a big dinner at my sister in laws. There were nine of us!
On the Monday night, niece Julia took part in a local School parade around the town of Winchester, several schools and clubs took part, and it was awesome to see Julia at the front of her school. It started at 7pm, and we were lucky to arrive on time, driving all the way from working in Reston / Herndon.
On Friday, I had two interviews for the job I am temping in. First was with my boss, who was 25 minutes late, and the second was a telephone interview with a manager from another office. This chap was 50 minutes late. Not the best preparation I have had for interviews.
This weekend, we're putting up the Christmas Tree! There will be two. I've brought in the large one from the garage, this will go in the main front room, and Vicky and I have our own Christmas Tree. I am especially looking forward to putting this one up, as Mom bought us a personalised bauble last year.
Last Christmas, Vicky and I were separated of course, and we spent a lot of time with each other over the webcam. I watched Mom and Vicky set up our Christmas tree, and it sucked. It was nice to watch, but to not be a part of was awful.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
The weekend before Thanksgiving
On Friday Vicky and I arrived home to find that Moms new fireplace had arrived!
I had a choice, I could help build it straight away, or wait until Saturday morning. With the Manchester City game on live here, I opted for erecting it in the evening.
It's a beautiful piece. I took my time assembling it, knowing my luck, I would scratch it!, and Vicky helped me position the heavy top into place. The fireplace even comes with a remote control! Sadly we've had to remove the vcr (no bad thing), as there is only room for the blu-ray player and the cable box.
Afterwards for a treat, we watched a couple of Tom Jerry cartoons. A recent blu-ray purchase. The first 30 odd T&J cartoons have finally been released uncut and with their original title cards. All cats are now seen smoking and 'black face' gags are back in. "Tom and Jerry Golden Collection Vol 1 is intended for the Adult Collector and May Not Be Suitable for Children"
Yesterday after the manchester city game I had my second driving lesson. Last week I drove around a school car park, and then a residential area. This time we took to the motorway! Essentially the lesson involved driving for an hour in one direction with the odd traffic light and turns, then after a short break, we came back the same way.
Today we watched Dial M For Murder. A film I had never seen before. Previously I have seen the stabbing scene many times. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the Inspector, and there were some wonderful lines.
I had a choice, I could help build it straight away, or wait until Saturday morning. With the Manchester City game on live here, I opted for erecting it in the evening.
It's a beautiful piece. I took my time assembling it, knowing my luck, I would scratch it!, and Vicky helped me position the heavy top into place. The fireplace even comes with a remote control! Sadly we've had to remove the vcr (no bad thing), as there is only room for the blu-ray player and the cable box.
CLICK ON ALL PICTURES TO ENLARGE
Afterwards for a treat, we watched a couple of Tom Jerry cartoons. A recent blu-ray purchase. The first 30 odd T&J cartoons have finally been released uncut and with their original title cards. All cats are now seen smoking and 'black face' gags are back in. "Tom and Jerry Golden Collection Vol 1 is intended for the Adult Collector and May Not Be Suitable for Children"
Yesterday after the manchester city game I had my second driving lesson. Last week I drove around a school car park, and then a residential area. This time we took to the motorway! Essentially the lesson involved driving for an hour in one direction with the odd traffic light and turns, then after a short break, we came back the same way.
Today we watched Dial M For Murder. A film I had never seen before. Previously I have seen the stabbing scene many times. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the Inspector, and there were some wonderful lines.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Boys and their toys
Just a little update so far.
Still no interview at work. They keep putting it back all of the time. There is a rule where a company can buy me from the temp agency for free after three months of employment. This would have been the middle of October. I just want to get it over with.
Yesterday afternoon I had my first driving lesson. I think it went ok. It's the first time I've been behind a wheel since last year. Vicky drove me to a deserted car park, and I had a go for an hour or so. Next Saturday (after the match of course!), I'm going out for a two hour lesson.
Here is one of my new 'toys'.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE THEM
It's an internet radio. It connects to thousands of radio stations worldwide. From the picture, you can see I'm listening to BBC radio 5. I can use my computer to listen to english radio, but to do it from an actual radio is very cool.
Here is a wireless speaker. It works via bluetooth so I can stream any sound from my computer anywhere in the house. It has a rechargeable battery, and is also mains powered too. I have used this to listen to football back in England, just because I can!
Still no interview at work. They keep putting it back all of the time. There is a rule where a company can buy me from the temp agency for free after three months of employment. This would have been the middle of October. I just want to get it over with.
Yesterday afternoon I had my first driving lesson. I think it went ok. It's the first time I've been behind a wheel since last year. Vicky drove me to a deserted car park, and I had a go for an hour or so. Next Saturday (after the match of course!), I'm going out for a two hour lesson.
Here is one of my new 'toys'.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE THEM
It's an internet radio. It connects to thousands of radio stations worldwide. From the picture, you can see I'm listening to BBC radio 5. I can use my computer to listen to english radio, but to do it from an actual radio is very cool.
Here is a wireless speaker. It works via bluetooth so I can stream any sound from my computer anywhere in the house. It has a rechargeable battery, and is also mains powered too. I have used this to listen to football back in England, just because I can!
Monday, 7 November 2011
A lucky exiled football fan
On May 22nd 2011, I sat in the stadium of Newcastle United, in the same seat I had been in for the last eighteen years. I witnessed Newcastle score three goals against West Bromich Albion before conceding three for a draw.
After more then twenty years of football. This was my last game in England. I emigrated to America a couple of weeks later, and I was concerned if I would ever see my team in person again. Moving to another continent between seasons helped, I wasn't distracted by the english media. The closer it got to the start of the 2011/2012 season, I started to rely on websites for news about my team. I had to. The American media never cover the English Premiership. Occassionally Manchester United and Chelsea will have
a tiny footnote dedicated to them in the sports section of a major newspaper.
Once Newcastle started their first friendly games, I found myself using the website Twitter every day. Fans and Journalists would 'micro blog' about their day before the match, and I would be able to follow their thoughts during the games too. Not always about who scored, or who was sent off, users would tell the world which player was playing well, and who wasn't.
As an ex patriot, Twitter has become my lifeline for news about my team. Newcastles first game of the season was broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel, and the next few were as well. My cable company has a few dedicated sports channels, the others by ESPN. Both networks also have their own website that streams English Premiership. The quality of the picture is excellent.
As of writing, I have seen all but four games live. Two were not shown in America. The League cup game against Nottingham Forest, and the Monday night game at QPR. I haven't missed a goal either, one of the channels has a nightly highlights program. I see a lot more football here in America.
I feel very fortunate that I can keep up to date with the ongoings of Newcastle United Football Club, I can follow Twitter and the bbc sports website anytime. Apart from physically being at the match, I find out what is going on instantly.
Following a favourite team from abroad isn't so hard after all.
This blog entry was thought about as I mean to update you all with some new 'boys toys' I have purchased recently. One being an Internet Radio!
Expect pictures this week.
After more then twenty years of football. This was my last game in England. I emigrated to America a couple of weeks later, and I was concerned if I would ever see my team in person again. Moving to another continent between seasons helped, I wasn't distracted by the english media. The closer it got to the start of the 2011/2012 season, I started to rely on websites for news about my team. I had to. The American media never cover the English Premiership. Occassionally Manchester United and Chelsea will have
a tiny footnote dedicated to them in the sports section of a major newspaper.
Once Newcastle started their first friendly games, I found myself using the website Twitter every day. Fans and Journalists would 'micro blog' about their day before the match, and I would be able to follow their thoughts during the games too. Not always about who scored, or who was sent off, users would tell the world which player was playing well, and who wasn't.
As an ex patriot, Twitter has become my lifeline for news about my team. Newcastles first game of the season was broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel, and the next few were as well. My cable company has a few dedicated sports channels, the others by ESPN. Both networks also have their own website that streams English Premiership. The quality of the picture is excellent.
As of writing, I have seen all but four games live. Two were not shown in America. The League cup game against Nottingham Forest, and the Monday night game at QPR. I haven't missed a goal either, one of the channels has a nightly highlights program. I see a lot more football here in America.
I feel very fortunate that I can keep up to date with the ongoings of Newcastle United Football Club, I can follow Twitter and the bbc sports website anytime. Apart from physically being at the match, I find out what is going on instantly.
Following a favourite team from abroad isn't so hard after all.
This blog entry was thought about as I mean to update you all with some new 'boys toys' I have purchased recently. One being an Internet Radio!
Expect pictures this week.
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