Long catch up post (sorry!)

So I am sat here in Seattle, in the Cheesecake Factory (for the third time in three days!), and have realised that I have not written my blog in nearly a week. Well, that’s a bit of a fib... did write, then pressed the wrong key only to delete the entire post.  I therefore got frustrated and me and the blog fell out of love!

However, I am here now and will do an update of the past week...

It’s my birthday and I will be a spoilt rockstar if I wanna be!!  Well actually I had no choice in the matter... Phil and Judy cooked me a lovely pancake breakfast with a sparkly candle to make my birthday wish.  I was also given an amazing number of beautiful presents!  I totally love them and wear them every day I then had my first Starbucks of the day before walking (yes, walking!) to meet the team for our first visit to the Rotary Baseball park – a fantastic project put together by Rotary to help the community and youth of the area.  We also say the community solar farm, which is an amazing idea and one I will definitely be taking back to the UK.

Following this, we went to a local large hay company to find out all about the company and its exports.  Really interesting place, especially finding out about how the hay is compacted.   We then went for our Ellensburg noon meeting presentation which was very well received, and everyone sang happy birthday to me (I went bright pink!!).

The afternoon was spent on vocational visits.  I met with Lance who showed me around Ellensburg and explained some of the planning issues that they currently have.  It was really good to find out about their historic developments, which are considered in a very different way, probably because the town is very young and the concept of preservation of the entire building is not considered to be appropriate (I am sure that will change in time).  The equivalent of the building regulations is also very different and does not allow for any deviation to accommodate heritage assets.

Phil then took the team on a tour of the University, including a visit to the Principal (I was scared!) and a tour round the students union – no bar or nightclub, but the most amazing work out facility, and the opportunity to purchase Ipads!

We then returned to Robyn & Johns to have a small birthday party, where I was showered with amazing gifts including smors, cheese in a can (yummy!) and my very first heart shaped box!  We then headed out to a Mexican (biggest portions ever) and then to a bar, where our drinks were bought by a stranger!

20 May 2010
After a great night out we had the earliest start of the tour... a presentation at 6:45am!!!  But we managed to get through it (albeit being a little more controversial than normal!!).  Did you know that British stamps are the only ones in the world that do not have to display their country of origin?  Neither did I!!

We then headed out to have an introduction to US Governance.  This was very interesting and provoked a debate about perceptions of each others countries and governments – although we couldn’t say too much given that we have not experience the new government just yet!

Penny, Kieran and I then hung out with Robyn and Scott, doing a little shopping and wandering downtown Ellensburg.  Lunch was at the Valley Cafe, an amazing 1940’s building with original furniture (including the bar and stools).

Scott then drove the three of us over to Moses Lake for the start of the District Conference.  The evening was spent socialising with all our friends whom we met on the trip – it was great because we knew so many people.

My host family were based slightly outside Moses Lake, and I was lucky enough to spend time with Keon from the Netherlands who was on the international youth exchange (and whose English is outstanding).

21 May 2010

The morning and afternoon were spent at leisure with Sue and Penny in downtown Moses Lake.  We had a lovely lunch at a local bistro, where Penny & I were serenaded in Italian by the lovely Daniel (who also gave us some cookies!).  We then headed over to the conference for the opening ceremony only to find that Kieran had succumbed to food poisoning (boooo).  The GSE team from D5060 were also there and it was great to meet up and catch up on their experiences.

Doug and I then went to a home hosting dinner at a local ranch, with many international youth exchange students and Cam, Brad & Kathy from D5060 GSE.  We had a fantastic evening with lots of food (steak and chicken and chilli) and wine (as always), before departing for our home hosts.

22 May 2010

The morning started stressfully, probably because this was the last day the team would be together and because it is the big presentation to district conference!!  But we did it, got some laughs, stuck to time and were complimented once finished.  It was a great opportunity to identify what we had learnt on the trip both vocationally and socially, and also reflect on the trip.

The sun was shining, so the team sat out to catch some rays before heading to a hotel for some chill out time (and swimming!).

We headed back to conference in time for the wine tasting (that was handy!!) and dinner, where the youth exchange students gave a fantastic presentation.  We also managed to catch up with lots of friendly and familiar faces so we could say thank you and goodbye

The after party was arranged by Jan at an adjacent hotel, and we stayed up chatting ‘til late.

23 May 2010

Oh no... it’s the last day!

Packed and ready to go, we had to say a teary farewell to Sue before Delone drove us to Wenatchee, where Sue surprised us to wave us off (with Jim & Carol snr & Jim & Carol jnr).  More tears flowed as we boarded the plane and said goodbye to the GSE.

The flight to Seattle was uneventful, even though we were on a propeller plane (eeeek) and we landed in Seattle ahead of schedule.  Sadly Kieran was on an early flight so we had to say goodbye. Penny, Doug and I then headed into Seattle so I could check into my hotel and Doug & Penny could do some shopping.  We ate at the Cheesecake factory for lunch before heading to Pike Place Market and the world’s first Starbucks.  The last goodbyes were said at the market and I tried hard not to cry (for the third time!!), but didn’t succeed too well!!

My afternoon was spent chillin’ in Seattle, purchasing some art and reflecting on the past four weeks.  It is strange not to be with the guys or talking constantly, explaining where I am from and what I do!

The hotel is lovely – I am on the 44th floor and my ears pop at least twice when I ascend in the lift!

24 May 2010

I wish Penny were here... I have gone abit mad in the shops, but my goodness they are so very good!!! Seattle is just as wonderful as when I was first here, and I wish IO could stay (with Richard), forever. It is such a lovely, relaxed city with very friendly people and a climate similar to the UK (i.e. grey and wet!).

I got my tickets for the baseball game, did lots of shopping, had my nails done (again!) and went to the cinema (Iron Man 2 – amazing!).  I also purchased a fantastic and rock star dress from Betsey Johnson (my poor credit card!).

Lunch was at the Crumpet shop (in the market) and dinner was at Mcd’s (because I has treated myself to some See’s chocolate earlier and just needed a light bite!).

25 May 2010

I had breakfast at the hotel, utilising the vouchers I had been given for not having my room cleaned (great deal – why do I need my room cleaned every day!?!), then went into downtown to visit Vidal Sassoon – my birthday pressie from my parents.

Lunch is again at the Cheesecake Factory (edamame and gyoza) and I will be doing some window shopping before heading to the SAFECO field for the baseball action tonight.

The game was amazing - Detroit Tigers vs Seattle Mariners.  I had fab first row seats (in the terrace club) so had a great view of the field.  I got to meet a real life baseball player (DT)and a really kindsecurity guard gave me a ball used in practice (because it was my first ever ball game!).  I think I have actually found a sport that 1) I kinda understand and 2) is easy to watch!!!

Before heading to bed, I ran past the Cheesecake Factory (there is a trend developing here!) to grab some cake... OK, it is the biggest slice of cake in the world... ever, and I only managed 1/4 (I will save it for breakie!)
TTFN
Sarah