New York City

I moved to Inwood (which is a neighbourhood in the northern part of Manhattan) at the beginning of March. The past couple of months have been extremely hectic, getting settled in, having my immigration interview and looking for work. So here is an update:

In early March Zac started his new job working for About.com where he writes software and does very complicated things which I have no understanding of. He is working for the Metrics China division of the company so he is starting to learn Mandarin which is very exciting. He works with some great people and he seems to be enjoying the challenge of the work.

On March 6th we went to Buffalo for our immigration interview which went well and I am now a permanent resident of the United States (i.e I have a green card). It was a great feeling to finally receive the green card and it means I can now start looking for work and become part of the system here.

We have a lovely one bedroom apartment in Inwood which is a friendly neighbourhood with lots going on. Our place is on the 4th floor and furnished mainly by hand-me-downs from Zac's sister, Kimber and her husband, James. We had a great time moving everything in (and up four flights of stairs) and it is so nice to have our own place at last. Most of our neighbours are from the Dominican Republic which brings a real vibrancy to the area. I am thinking about learning Spanish to help me get to know people around here. Inwood has some great restaurants, a few bars, some shops and a fantastic park on the banks of the Hudson River.

I love living in New York City! I was concerned that I would not, as I am really a country girl. I miss the mountains, the streams, the fresh air but there is something quite amazing about living in a city like this. There is so much energy here, such diversity and sometimes sheer chaos! It reminds me so much of living in Africa. So many people from all kinds of backgrounds, religions, languages - all living on top of one another. It is the type of place that surprises you every day. I have seen some funny sights! It is crazy! It is also an efficient place where stuff gets done. Lots of opportunities and loads to do. I do not think I could spend my whole life here but for now it feels good!

So now I have a green card it means I can have a bank account, a social security number and a job!!! I have been looking for work for the past month and it seems to be a slow process. I have been looking into teaching over here but it turns out that my teaching qualification from the UK is not valid here! I have to become New York State Certified which might mean doing a Master's degree in education. The situation is crazy as schools are crying out for teachers here - just a lot of bureaucracy! I am looking into other options at the moment. Really, I want to work for a non-profit organisation and learn some more skills which will help me get into International Development. So, the job search continues.........

I am still here, just having computer issues!!

Hello,

I will be updating my blog soon. My lap top has died and I am desperately trying to rescue all of my photographs from it. As soon as it is fixed I will update my blog with what I have been up to for the last couple of months.

Sarah XXXXXXX

Snow, snow and more snow!

The first few days of 2008 were spent snow shoeing on the Chautauqua County trail. It was excellent! Zac and I were the only ones around and we made the first tracks in the very deep snow.

Happy New Year - 2008

For New Year's Eve we spent the evening at a big party at the Kidder's house where we played a 2007 quiz, drank lots of Champagne, watched the ball in Times Square drop at midnight and sang all five verses of Auld Lang Syne! It was an extra special occasion because Zac's good friends Jon and Liz had just had their first baby, a little boy called Grey, who we met for the first time that night. It was a great party and a good start to what I think is going to be a fantastic year!

Christmas in Lakewood!

Christmas has been going on for the past few weeks here. Parties every day, visiting friends, singing caroles and lots of snow! It was a very international Christmas here this year. We had representation from Germany, Australia and of course, England. I spent Christmas day with Zac, his parents Betsy and David, his aunt Julie and uncle Henry, his brother Toby and Toby's friends, Chris and Dan. It was a full house. We had a big Christmas breakfast, followed by a Christmas programme where everyone had to share a story, poem or experience about Christmas. I downloaded the Queen's Christmas speech and made everyone listen. After that was a never ending present opening session. In the afternoon I spoke to my mum, David and the girls which was lovely but made me feel a bit home sick!

A Christmas turkey dinner was the evening's main event which was at Julie and Henry's house. The food was great and my traditional Christmas pudding was a hit! After dinner we went to celebrate with the Idzicks, who live over the road, and then we headed out to a bar in Jamestown for a few vodka redbulls and some crazy dancing!

Let's go Buffalo!

Last Sunday the Buffalo Bills played the New York Giants at the Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, New York. This was my first American football game and it certainly was one to remember. The weather was absolutely wild with torrential rain, snow and high winds. We wrapped up well and had such fun! Zac, Toby, Chris, Dan, Gerrard, Gretchen, Jay and I struggled to leave Lakewood early in the morning following a big night out which involved too much beer! The drive there was hard work, fighting the rain and the winds and by the time we got there the car parks were already full of very wet fans with beers and barbecues. This part of the game is called tail-gating. Everyone opens up the boots of their cars, lights a fire and cooks burgers and sausages. The greatest part of all of this was the fact that all fans (regardless of which team they were supporting) partied together.

The game was amazing. The atmosphere, all the noise, the wild weather and dancing on seats! I must admit I did not follow the game too easily. I understood which general direction the teams were moving but most of the game I had to ask Zac for explanations. It is not the easiest of games to understand.

We stood in the rain watching the game for a few hours and the end score was the Giants 38, Bills 21. A disappointing result (so i am told!)

It was definitely a cultural experience, I loved it!

Merry Christmas from far away!

Hello everyone! I wanted to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone who I will not be able to spend Christmas with this year. I know for my family and friends at home this is the third Christmas when I have been far away from home. I am missing you all very much and I would love to have spent this festive season at home with you. Zac and his family are looking after me very well and we are trying out some English Christmas traditions. I hope you all have a lovely time and I am sure I will talk to you all soon. So from both Zac and I "Have a great Christmas!" Lots of love Sarah XXXXXXXXXXXXX