Monday, November 26, 2007

We love baguettes!
LB slaving away...
Anik and James.
James brought his dog Sam over for some Thanksgiving fun...
Pie!
Amy, Alissa and Nathan.
One happy family!
I am drinking 'Fursty Ferret' ale.
Anik and Alissa.
James and Nathan in a slight food coma.
Rob aka LB mashing some potatoes...get to work!
Anik.
The ladies...
Jaime and Alissa.
We clearly did some damage...
Pure decadence...
Saturday night out on the town. Nothing like a cheap Mexican beer to get things started...
What?
Where did these come from?
This is my classmate Biddi.
End of the night shenanigans.

Thanksgiving: Newcastle Style

Last week I was lucky enough to celebrate two Thanksgivings! On Wednesday, I went over to Jaime and Rob's to make two of my Grandma Leona's pecan pies. I had to use something called golden syrup instead of caro syrup, but it didn't matter cause the pies turned out delicious! On Thursday, I ran a few errands in the morning, and then Alissa, Anik and myself headed over to Jamie and Rob's for our feast. We got there around one, and proceeded to eat appetizers and drink wine. We had dinner around 3pm and it was amazing. We had turkey breasts in lieu of a whole turkey because it was cheaper and turkeys are a bit hard to get a hold of. We also had stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. Rob the master chef cooked for us all, and of course we stuffed ourselves silly. We continued to drink more wine, ate some pie and had some good conversation. A guy from my program came over in the evening and brought some ales, which we of course had to sample as well. It was an awesome night.

On Friday, an American professor invited us over for another Thanksgiving dinner. I brought the extra pie since we had only eaten one the night before. Everyone was very kind, and it was very nice to be invited into someone's home for a delicious meal.

I had a bit of a lazy day on Saturday. I slept late, and then ran some errands with Alissa in the afternoon. I then made nachos for dinner for the two of us, and we decided to go out on the town. We hit up a couple places on the quayside which was fun, and then headed over to Jesmond. I ran into a classmate and one of my professors, so we had a good time talking and hanging out.

On Sunday, a professor who looks over the international students in the historical studies department invited us over for a traditional Sunday lunch. Their home is in Wallsend, which is where the Segedunum Fort is located. It is the old Roman fort located along Hadrian's Wall, which I have yet to explore. Anyway, Mark and his wife roasted a chicken with vegetables which were delicious. For dessert, Liz made a treacle pudding, which was very good, but also very heavy. We then had tea and a nice chat. I headed home afterwards because I was exhausted from a long few days.

Now I have to buckle down and get some work done before my trip home. It is crazy to think I will be home two weeks from Friday! I am getting stressed out because there is a lot to do in anticipation of my trip, since I know I won't get much work done while home. But it will be worth it to see all of you!

I will be home on the 14th for those of you who want to see me. Can't wait...

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

CARE PACKAGE! Yes, a giant block of Velveeta, macaroni and cheese, hot and spicy beef jerkey, oreos and brownie mix. Jason is the best ever! I don't even eat this stuff much at home, but since I can't have it, I want it!
Opening our window that looks right onto the cathedral! We were so lucky!
First lunch in Winchester. Jason had the "mother of all burgers" and I had a nice steak sandwich. They were delicious!
Iskra, Jason and I on high street.
In Derek and Iskra's B and B they had this emergency bell. Of course I had to ring it!
They had this horse drawn carriage with men dressed up in Christmas clothes to take people on rides!
Every day this cart was by our room for the housekeepers to stock the rooms. I was tempted every time I walked by to take some tea...
Winchester Cathedral-it has one of the longest naves in Britain.
This place is for me!
The river.
This is the door to someone's backyard. They have their own door to the river!
Medieval town wall.
This yellow building was Jane Austen's house. It is also where she died.
Cool medieval house.
I found this lovely machine in the ladies room where we had lunch on Sunday!
This bishop who is buried in the Winchester Cathedral has three little men at his feet praying for him too!
I love Sunday dinner!
My Sunday dinner gravy shot out at me!
He's an angel!
Jason's all fired up preaching again...