I actually don't know why it has taken me so long to finally do an update- perhaps it's because I'm plain lazy, overly busy or perhaps both. Either way, I'm sorry I have not provided my loyal readers with an array of information about my American adventures. Needless to say, however, I have been taking full of advantage of everything there is to offer out here...
Being the anal person I am when it comes to writing of any sorts, I have made notes in a word document so I'm going to start at the top of my list which starts around the beginning of February when I went skiing with my host family. Unlike back in England, where you have to actually go abroad to ski, we drove 3 1/2 hours cross- country to the neighbouring state of West Virginia for a little fresh air and exercise! I hadn't skiied since I was 11 when I went with school to the French Alps and I felt homesick all week but bloody loved the experience. This time skiing I didn't feel homesick (infact in my element) but was pretty petrified of putting on skis and shooting full force down a cascading mountain - snow ploughing and attempting to turn. Fear was put aside during the ski lesson I took with my host Mum, as we were told we were perfectly capable to go off on our own accord. So there I was doing parallel turns and trying to be as graceful as possible- it was like riding a bike or swimming! At the resort of Timberline, it is well- known for having one of the longest runs on the West Coast - 2 miles long! I adored this run and spend the first day mastering it! After the first day skiing, we all returned to the condo and were absolutely exhausted from all the fresh air and physical activity! It didn't stop us from getting up early (I struggled but did it!) and going out for a 1/2 day before driving back to Virginia. I was persuaded by 12 year-old Ryan to go down the blue run which was pretty scary as it was steep and icy in parts but the feeling you get when you reach the bottom without falling is worth any nervousness you feel when you slip off the chairlift at the peak!
Not long after we got back skiing was it Valentines Day - the day I detest even when I am in a relationship. Back at home, the hype for Valentines day is fairly big but here it's even bigger - like every other holiday! My host Mum put a 'love' themed wreath on the front door and a flag on the pole outside and little Kevin spent weeks beforehand making Valentines day cards and attaching love hearts packets for all his friends in his class...the little girl he loves the most got made the 'nicest' card. On the actual day ( weirdly a Monday) the little boys and I drove to their girlfriends' house ( both sisters) to drop off their extra presents which was beyond cute and it totally made up for the fact that I wasn't doing anything myself!
All during this month, I spent a lot of time counting down the days until my Mum and sister were coming to visit! The Saturday finally arrived when it was time to check into their boutique guesthouse in DC for them and then go and pick them up from the airport. I would try and describe the feeling you have in the car on the way but it was pure excitement but then utter nervousness at the same time - I just turned the radio on high and focussed on the road ahead. I ran over to them at top speed when I saw them (obviously madly jet-lagged) and then I drove them back to DC. The following morning, I took the metro into DC and we all went for brunch at the W Hotel overlooking the Washington Monument - the jazz band were playing and it was so sophisticated and delicious. From here, we decided we would go for a walk around and for a Starbucks typically! The following day it was Presidents Day and so I was off work, we decided we would all go to the National Aquarium which was fun and a nice change! My sister Lizzie and I spent the entire time quoting Finding Nemo ' and he was like wooooaaah and she was like woaaahhhh and they were like woooaaahhhh' haha. We also took some fab photos and then went on to the Hirshorn Gallery along the National Mall which is a contemporary art exhibition space - featuring the likes of Constantin Brancusi who I studied in my final year at Leeds and also other artists such as Frank Stella, Kadinsky, Barbara Hepworth and De Kooning.
Whilst Mum and Lizzie were over, we spent a lot of time shopping and going out for lovely meals too. I was completely exhausted as I spent my mornings and late afternoons looking after the boys and then in the days and evenings making my way into DC...all completely worth it though! A highlight of their stay was going to see Lady Gaga at the Verizon Centre, she is such a show woman and we were equally treated with Scissor Sisters being the support act! On their last full day, we decided to go spend it in Georgetown looking around the shops and strolling around. Lizzie got a beautiful dress in BCBG Maxazria for her leavers ball in the June and I got a fab pair of sunglasses!
In February I went to see 2 movies...
'No Strings Attached' starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman which was far better than other RomComs.
I also was persuaded to go and see the Adam Sandler movie ' Just Go With It' - I'm usually never a fan of things he does but this was really funny for a change!
And finally my verdict on the Tokyo Police Club/Two Door Cinema club gig...
AMAZING. I haven't been to such an electrifying gig in such a long time ( the kind that you get goosebumps over during and after!) and afterwards I got to chat to the lead singer of TDCC which made my night! We did, however get a $30 parking ticket (just my luck) but it was completely and utterly worth it!
I'll update soon on March...all I can say is that I've been up to so much and I'm in my 6 month and still loving it!
