Its now been...
7 weeks.
47 days.
1,126 hours.
I found the most delicious Carrot Cake Cupcake (does that make sense). I need to get Grandma's recipe as I had forgotten how much I love carrot cake.
Three Black Bears decided they would explore my neighbourhood for a few days. In the picture below you can see the helicopter flying overhead. The skies were filled with helicopters looking for the bears who decided to temporarily make our home their home. They found a baby bear asleep up a tree (ooooh so cute!!) but two more out smarted the officers (I actually don't know if they've been caught yet). The strangest feeling to think when I opened the back door in the mornings that I may just see a bear staring back at me. I actually would like to see one (from a distance, maybe I'll just go to the zoo).
The little boy I look after graduated from Preschool (summer holidays have arrived for him). There was a class party with so many different American foods.
The one I liked the most was 'pigs in a blanket' (pictured above). Without a doubt the most unhealthy (you can almost taste the fat) BUT really tasty!!
Then my best friend decided it would be her birthday. It's the first birthday in 5 years I have missed. It's these moments you realise you really are a long way from home. You trade one experience for another experience. It was weird not to celebrate with her. But as it's only 24 I know I will have many more chances to celebrate with her. I'm thinking at least 70 years more. Love you HJ xx
As summer is fast approaching I decided to order myself some new Bikinis to match. Victoria Secret. Black, yellow and floral. A mix that should work. Please ignore THAT quilt cover.
This week I was very lucky to be able to buy tickets to the US OPEN (I know you'll be proud of that Grandmama). It's a birthday present to me (day after my birthday) on Labour Day September 2. So very very excited to be going to the tennis with my friend Aura who has played tennis her whole life so we are both verrrrrry excited! Cannot wait.
After intensely disliking all types of Greek yogurt for as long as I can remember I was faced with the reality that Greek yogurt is pretty much the only option in New York. I've been told that as of a few years ago it's become very popular. Whilst I did find a few 'Wallaby' (literally the name was Wallaby) branded yogurts that taste like Aussie sweet 'normal' yogurt I decided to give this Greek yogurt thing a try. To my surprise it's actually delicious! And I'm now a fully converted Greek yogurt eating American.
With the children now on school holidays, days are filled with finding new and inventive ways to entertain them (with 3 months of summer holidays I fear this may become rather challenging). Below is a picture of one of the children's Grandparents houses. I felt like I was in Peter Pan and landed in Neverland.
This place is honestly like the Botanical gardens. Filled with beautiful trees and flowers. This is their family home for over 30 years and they planted all of the plants themselves. Gorgeous.
Friday arrived, as did the torrential rains. The weather is like a hormonal teenager at the moment. One minute it's beautiful, so hot I can hardly breathe, sun shinning and the next it's pouring with rain, winds blowing and cold!
I arrived in Manhattan on Friday evening at rush hour, 5:30pm. All I can say is WOW! So many people. Everyone just wants to get where they are going, quicker and faster than ever. However, even in the chaos, a woman managed to grab my arm (I admit at first I thought I was getting attacked because why else would a stranger be grabbing me in the subway right?!) BUT I had dropped my Metrocard full of money for the subway and she was showing me.... thank you stranger. Even in chaos there still remains kindness.
After surfacing from the chaos below, I was greeted with Grand Central Station.
When the rains come, the traffic comes and the floods come and.... Rachel gets annoyed. The most ridiculous traffic jams I have ever experienced (below, look at those break lights!).
Saturday morning the hormonal teenager was in a good mood and the sun was shinning. About 27 degrees. What better way to spend the morning than reading my book in the sun right? Right.
Today I wore my summer dress and my summer hat.
Sitting still for a little while. Just reading.
The day was beautiful. No time to waste. I was back to Southold, Long Island. Out on the boat to go for lunch in Greenport. And today I would learn to drive the boat (I know it's not that difficult but it can be fast and waves can be scary etc etc I'm acting like a real girl).
Glasses on. I'm a little short so when I pushed the throttle down and the boat reared up a little, I had to stand on my tippy toes.
And don't worry Grandparents, I wasn't driving the boat and taking pictures! I drove the boat to Greenport for lunch but not on the way back.
Arrived in Greenport for lunch. Reading the Hampton's Paper and drinking a Corona.
Looking in the Hampton's real estate section. Winning the lottery added to my bucket list eh? Any of these pretty places would do. Although the house prices are similar to that of Sydney Northern Beaches.
Eating at Bruce's for lunch and watching the people and cars pass me by.
The most giant sandwich, filled with salami, prosciutto, cheese and red peppers. And a pickle. I don't know what the thing is about American's and their pickles. Hold the pickle next time thanks.
FDNY (Fire Department of New York) boat in the bay. Beautiful spring afternoon in a beautiful part of the world.
Saturday night. Old and new friends. Vodka cranberry drinks. Music and a dance floor. Spring night in New York.
New American friends who have promised to make me Lammington's. This is exciting because not only do they know what they are but they offered to make them!
A weekend that had to end. The glimpse of that New York city skyline. The first and the last thing to always see. Marking the beginning and end of a weekend.
The quote below really couldn't represent my life at this moment any better. I am still adjusting everyday to my new surroundings.... whether it's hard, easy, fun, crazy, scary or challenging... this experience is stretching every synapses in my brain and building whole new dimensions.
Got to be thankful for that.
xxxxx
