(Belated) Happy New Year

5 days into 2009 and I am finally able to get around to wishing you all a Happy New Year!

I had a wonderful Christmas in New Zealand with my parents, brother and cousins.  It was wonderful and beautiful.

 

I am now living in a new apartment with fantastic views of Mount Hood, I still have a little unpacking to do, only 2 boxes, and I hope to have them done soon.  I was supposed to be back at work today after my vacation but a tummy bug that I picked up from somewhere has me at home.  I am feeling better than I was yesterday, so hope to be back there tomorrow.  I feel like I've been off work for ages, it will be odd to be back, especially been as I started my new role right before I left for vacation.

With being sick, all I have really done the past couple of days is watch Heroes, I am still on season 1, but am little addicted already. 

Vacations

I often find it odd that no matter how long a person is gone on vacation, it really takes no time at all to get back in the “swing” of things. I was out of the office for a month, between vacation and the attempted conference in Austin. Today is now my 4th day in the office, and my vacation feels like a long long time ago. It’s not that work is horrible. It really isn’t, I love what I do.

In addition, I am hyper today, I woke up this way. Of course I am sure the coffee I enjoyed this morning hasn’t helped much, I think I need to go work out or something. I haven’t actually worked out in forever though, so I’m sure after 5 mins I’d be beat – which I guess would achieve my goal.

Have I mentioned yet that I am going to New Zealand for Christmas? I am very excited, I haven’t been there since I was backpacking in 2001. My cousin had a baby last year, and another this year, so myself, mum, dad and brother are going to be out there for Chrimbo. I have yet to book my flights though, they are so darn expensive, it costs twice as much to fly from Portland to New Zealand as it does to fly from Portland to England, and it only takes 2 hours more… it make no sense to me what so ever, and it very frustrating, but I am just going to have to suck it up and pay a ridiculous amount of money to be cramped up and tired. However, it will be worth it, I haven’t seen that part of the family in such a long time, and it will be nice to see the first of our new generation.
 
New Zealand is such a beautiful country, and I am very excited to be going back there.  The last time I was there, I did and saw so much... sky dived, bungy jumped, white water rafted, kayaked, glacier hiked.  This time I don't think it will be quite as busy, for one thing I won't be there for as long, and for another I won't be touring around as much.

Thats the other thing, as soon as I get back from one vacation, I seem to be looking forward to the next.  :)

The Weekend

Since I last wrote I have been down to Wolverhampton to visit on of my friends and her boyfriend. They are so happy and in love together it is lovely. We had a lot of fun. I arrived there on Friday and stayed till Sunday lunchtime. I took the train down. Of course typical Caroline fashion, it didn't go quite as planned. I was planning on listening to some tunes while reading a book all the way down.

As I waited at Durham train station, a guy came and sat next to me, and of course wanted to converse. He kept asking questions to keep the conversation going. as the train pulled in, he suggested if there were two seats together that we should sit next to each other. It seems I was never taught how to say the word with 2 letters, beginning with N and ending in O. So the first part of the trip was not quite as planned. It wasn't horrible either though, although it seems since I have left the NE, that there's a lot of mumbling geordie that I don't understand, and it seems to be every word that he said... oh well. He got off at York and I was able to enjoy the rest of the journey in peace.

Saturday, we headed to a place called Ludlow, I was unable to take photos as I'd forgotten to charge my camera battery, but my friend's boyfriend's nephew took lots of photos for us, mostly of Ludlow's bins, but oh well. Ludlow is lovely. There's a castle there, which I need to find out more about. Seems that Mary was kept there once King Henry was married to Ann and Elizabeth was born, but I don't know that for sure.

I just went the castle website, and I wish I had gone into the castle now, as it would seem some of my anscestors, once lived there - the De Lacys.... I really need to find out more now. Well not right now, but at some point.

Sunday I took the train back up North, and to my parents house. My dad and I watched Criminal Justice - all 5 episodes, I really enjoyed it. I wonder if I can get the DVD back in the US.

Today, was a low key day. We headed into Corbridge to watch a Roman Gladiator fight. It was fun. Hadrians wall is at Corbridge, so there's a lot of roman stuff in the area. There's nothing quite like watching scantally clad men hitting each other with swords on a wet and windy day :)

Home Sweet Home (well sort of)

I just got back to my parents house, well I say just, it was about an hour ago but that's just enough by my book.

It's been a fun few days. I arrived on Friday without a hitch, flights we all on time, and although I didn't get any sleep, it was ok. I manged to get a good nights sleep on Friday night, which seems to have kept at bay any jet lag.

I've uploaded the few photo's I've taken so far, its not so many, but its a few.

Saturday, of course I slept in, and missed most of the day, but as its raining lots, I don't think I missed too much. Saturday afternoon, I headed to the first Sunderland game of the season, they were playing Liverpool. I was in the stands with my brother, I enjoyed a beer and a pie (Scrummy), then we watched the game. It was a great match, other than Sunderland losing 1-0 in the 84th min. I took a few photos, so you Americans can see what proper football looks like.

Sunday, myself and my family caught the train down to London. It only takes about 3 hours, I am sure it used to take so much longer when I was a kid, but I am not sure if that is true or not, or if its just my memory playing tricks on me. Once in London, and checked into the hotel, the four of us headed out for lunch before going to the Hay Market to see a show - Brief Encounter. It was great. It was based on the movie from 1945. I would really recommend seeing it, the cast were extremely talented, but I don't want to give too much away.

Monday morning was spent at the embassy sorting out my visa stuff, it also like my flight went without much effort, which was nice. Monday afternoon we went to a pub for lunch (hmmm, I had another pie... and chips), then had a quick wander around the British Museum. In the evening we went to go see We Will Rock You, it was fun.

Tuesday, one of my good friends that I know from Holland flew into London and we met up and shopped. We walked so much. Had lunch in a different pub, this time I went for scampi and chips. I went to Harrods for the first time, the food hall was incredible, I didn't want to leave, but we finally did. In the evening I had plans to meet up with a friend of mine who I've known since I was 6 or 7. We used to get up to so much mischief (but that's another story). I haven't seen her in years, since we were both at university, but as soon as we saw each other it was just like old times, we were giggling and reminissing in no time. The 3 of us went to Soho for dinner, we had very tasty Korean food.

Today wasn't as eventful, I took the train back to my parents, and that's where I am now.

See you soon

I was hoping to get a chance to write more today, but things are not going and smoothly as I had planned.

So, I am leaving you in the hands of Max, Damian and A. I hope they take good care of you.

I'll be posting pictures, twittering, and hopefully will write the odd post.

Have fun while I am away - I'll miss you.

*****************************************

OK, things are a bit more settled now.

I decided to take a cab to the airport instead of the MAX, been as they are doing work on the tracks, and I have no idea how long it will take.

My stupid blackberry wasn't working this morning, but that seems to have fixed itself now, so that makes me happy.

I am all packed, and am now just tidying up the house before I leave. Its really hot here today, but raining in the UK. The heat is the other reason I decided to take a cab. I didn't really feel like carrying my bags half a mile in this weather, I'd get all hot and sticky.

So watch out Shotley, I'll be there soon :)

Row row row your boat

I finally had a low key weekend, and am able to begin the week feeling rested, instead of worn out. I've only got 3 days till I leave for the UK. While I am gone I'll be writing a few posts and posting some pictures, but I was wondering if anyone might be interested in writing a guest post or two while I gone. If you are interested in making an apearance, submit your blog below.

I debated giving Max control of my blog while I am gone, but realized that could be disasterous, he may throw another of his crazy parties, and I'd spend forever trying to get the whipped cream off my blog.

This is going to be a real short post, as I should really be working right now, I have a lot to get through before I go, I just want to be on vacation already...

Well with the olympics underway, I got to thinking about a guy in my class at high school - Matthew Wells. Right now he is in Beijing. He rows, he has done since high school. He came in first on Saturday, with a time of 6:26, therefore he has progressed to the semi final, and he's rowing again today. I wish him the best of luck, and hope that he takes home a medal for Britain.

London Calling

Well this is a pointless post. I have been very busy today, and I haven't had a chance to think of anything to write about.

But, it is only 2 weeks till I am back in England. I am going to be spending a couple of nights in London. I've never really spent more than a few hours down there, and I am unsure what I am going to be doing - other than spending a few hours at the consulate.

My family is deciding whether to come with me down there or not, and one of my friends from the Netherlands will be flying out there to spend one night, but that still leaves 2... I have some friends that live there, but I am unsure of their availabilty at the moment.

Well, whatever happens, I'll have fun, I am sure of that.

The other 2 weeks, I'll be spending most of the time up North in Durham, other than a weekend in Wolves... I am so excited, its going to be so great to see everyone again.

To Wish Impossible Things

So I am sure you are all keen to know how my weekend trip was.

It started off great, we took highway 101 down the coast, and saw some incredible views. The Oregon coastline is impressive, the sheer number of trees, the high rising Cliffside and craggy beaches, as you travel south the cliffs turn to long and high dunes, like I’ve never seen before. We spent the night at Coos Bay, and left early for Crater Lake. The drive to Crater Lake was also impressive, especially as we started to move into the mountains following the Umpqua rivers.

We stopped off at Diamond Lake for lunch, I had a little splash in the Lake, then back in the car. I can not describe Crater Lake well enough to give do it justice, nor do the photos give it justice. Ryan and I discussed this a little, and decided part of the beauty and awe of crater lake, is that as you drive through the mountains to get to it, you’d have no idea it was there. Its not until you get to the top of the rim do you see it. Its incredibly blue. Crater lake was created about 7,700 years ago when Mt Mazama erupted and collapsed in on its self. Over time, the crater has filled with rain water and melted snow, the Lake is 1.963 feet deep, and about 5 miles across.

We spent a few hours driving around the lake, getting out of the car at every opportunity to take photos and enjoy the scenery. One stop was at the pinnacles, they remind me of the architecture created by Gaudi, but of course were created long before his time. They were created when Mt Mazama erupted. Hot gas was pushed through the ground and fumaroles were created. Over time as rain and melted snow etched the landscape the pinnacles were revealed.

After making the round trip of Crater Lake we headed to Chemult for our lodgings. Chemult is a small town of 75 people. Our motel was the first on in town, so we pulled in checked in, then headed out for dinner. We ended up at the Chalet for dinner, we had a great rib-eye then went into the bar. We expected to just be there for an hour or two… well how wrong could we have been… it was 1am by the time we left and many drinks later. There wasn’t many people in the bar, but the people that we there were extremely friendly. The karaoke was in full swing within no time at all. If you’ve been to my blog much before, you’ll be aware of my feelings regarding karaoke and my ability to sing… well, with enough drinks I was up there singing a duo with Lea, I don’t think it was too bad.

As last call was called, Ryan and I left and went back to our motel to rest up for the long drive the next day. We this is where the perfect weekend turned sour. We got into a conversation which lead to Ryan telling me that he is not in love with me. He told me he wanted to be, that I am what he wants, but there is just something missing. So that’s it, the wbf becomes xbf.

The drive back home to Portland yesterday was long, I spent the whole time with tears rolling down my face trying to piece it all together – when the cure song “To Wish Impossible Things” pops up on Ryan’s iPod, it just seemed to sum up the whole situation perfectly.

Now we are both trying to figure out what happens now. We are tied into the lease, and neither of us can easily afford to pay the rent on our own, so at least in the short-term we will still be living together.

I know that the pain I am feeling at the moment will disappear with time, and I am just looking for the positives and opportunities that will arise from all this.

More photos:

Friday

It's finally Friday, and I am so happy. The weather here is wonderful right now, and I have no desire to be indoors, however, at the moment I need to work to pay the bills so there's no getting past the fact I have to at least spend some time indoors - oh well, such is life. I suppose if I was really bothered by that fact, I'd look for a new job in which I could be outdoors all day. Been as I'm not going to do that, I'll just stop my whining now.

Today, I'll only be working till lunchtime. Then I am going to Coos Bay and Crater Lake for the weekend. I've never been to either of these places, in fact I have never been that far south in Oregon. This is part of my birthday treat from the wbf. I am so excited.

We leave at noon, and then we'll be taking 101 down. Its going to be so much fun, I can hardly wait. I know this morning is going to take a long time, I am counting down the hours (I'd do minutes, but then it would feel even longer).

I've added Twitter to my blog, and I'll be sending updates there.

Smell ya later :)