Happy Thanksgving....

I had the bright idea to go and see the balloons inflate for the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade. You can go the night before and watch them fill them up and sand bag them down. They do it on 81st and Broadway where the parade starts. That is pretty close to where we live. Just a few blocks walk. So I got home from work got the camera and went off. This is what I found....

Thousands and thousands of people crammed into police rails. I don't know if anyone knows this but there are two things I hate the most about this city. Crowds and Tourists. So a crowd of tourists is my worst nightmare!! I swear there was about 5 kids for every adult and for each of those kids a stroller. UGH!! But they make it so once you get in you can't get out until you get to the very end. So I pushed my way through like any good New Yorker! Here are some of the balloons that were up when I arrived...

I also finally found a dog that is bigger then Rocky....

I think that maybe Horton drew the short stick because he had to spend the whole night with his trunk here......That can not be nice with all those onion Shrek eats! The whole thing was almost like going to a Zoo for cartoon animals... Anyway it was a nice Thanksgiving and we hope it was nice for everyone else! I can't wait for Christmas now.... :0)

Solitary Man

One fun thing about living in Manhattan is that we get to see movie filming's all over the place. We have had two shooting in front of our building in the past week. Yesterday Adam got some photos of the one going on. I guess the movie is called 'Solitary Man' and stars Danny Devito, Michael Douglas, Mary Louise-Parker, and Susan Sarandon. Although he didn't get to see any celebs himself it is still fun to watch the set up of the production. It is amazing what they go through to get a 2 minute shot for a movie. The other movie that was there we were told was a Scarlett Johansson movie. It is always fun to see those movies and get to see our apartment building so that will be exciting.

Twilight Review

So it's finally here! The book that I fell in love with has finally come to the big screen. I had my doubts about if they could pull this off so I went to the movie last night with very low expectations. I also read a few reviews and they were not so good. Well I have to say I think they did a great job. I think if you didn't read the book and/or didn't fall in love with Edward and Bella then the movie may come off flat and slow. But for me I loved seeing the awkward moments between them. In the beginning I was not impressed with their choice for Edward. But Robert Pattinson did great. He brought out the Edward that makes Twilight loved by all. Really I think I love this story because I love Edward's character. Now don't get me wrong there were a few cheesy scenes that didn't come off so well. But the heart and gut of the story gave me the same feelings that the book did. I may just see it again!

Oh Danny Boy!

So I had my last job shadowing event last night. It was FANTASTIC!! The consulate held a party for the play Equus. If you have not heard of this play yet that would be astonishing. But let's just say Mr. Radcliffe shows every side of him possible in it. It has been a very popular play in both the UK and New York.

Only a handful of people from my work were invited and I was one of the lucky few. I have to say Daniel Radcliffe is a very down to earth guy for being a famous actor at such a young age. I think he managed to speak to everyone in the room. Not only speak to them actually have full conversations with everyone. Including me of course! We talked about obviously me being an American and working for the British Government. He said I had to learn how to say the words Research, Vitamin, and Oregano properly. And then wished me luck on....well being an American. Funny. He is still only 19 but I was very impressed with his maturity. I then left the party and just as the elevator was closing a hand popped in and it was Daniel's Bodyguard. I rode the elevator down with Daniel, his father, and bodyguard. I was too chicken to talk to them. It seemed like a decompressing time. It's hard to remember that for him last night was working but for us it was exciting and fun.

Also at the party was Richard Griffiths. He is in the play as well. You may remember him from Harry Potter as well. He played Harry's mean Uncle Vernon.

Unfortunately camera's were not allowed so I couldn't take pictures. There was a professional photographer there and I am hoping to bribe my friend Jenna to send me some so I can post them. But in the meantime this is the only picture I could find that 1-he is clothed and 2-this is pretty close to what he looks like now. Very different from his Harry Potter days. And another side note he is very very short. I think he is about 5'3 maybe 5'4. Shocking really.

I am so sad that my Job Shadowning for Press and Public Affairs section is over. They really do have a fun job. I will just have to try and stay close and hope for pity invites! :o)

My date with the Prime Minister....

Yet another exciting day at work on Friday. My work has a Job Shadowing program and I requested to job shadow an amazing lady at my work. She is in charge of arranging VIP visits. Anyone that is VIP from the UK she schedule's their trips. Yesterday she invited me to come along to such a visit. Gordon Brown the Prime Minister of the UK was speaking at the Council of Foreign Relations here in New York. I got to show up early and watch all the goings on of people rushing around getting prepped for the meeting. The actual meeting lasted an hour and he went over topics such as the Economy, China, and Africa. He also spoke on his thoughts about Obama and his future.

After the meeting I got to go back into the back room where secret service were waiting for Gordon Brown to meet his motorcade. He met with BBC reporters and then came out. It is amazing to see the number of staff that surround a person like him. Maybe 15 people trailing behind him.
I got a chance to speak with the man from Scotland Yard (UK Police Division) that organizes the security for a trip like this. He said that they were off to Afghanistan soon and it's nice for him because they can arrive and guns are provided. Kind of the same as America. Funny but an interesting thought on what a gun culture we actually are.

All in all it was a great morning. I am so thankful that I have a job that I can get new experiences. I have now gone to two meetings with top politicians from the UK. I am observing that these two politicians are different from our countries politicians. After the long frustrating Presidential election it is nice to listen to a politician such as Gordon Brown talk about the issues and actually have an opinion and a stance on what needs to be done to correct them. I don't find that very often with American Politicians.

I have one more Job Shadowing event to go on with Louise. So stay tuned this one will be a doosy! Little hint.....It involves a well known Half-Blood Wizard that now takes his clothes off for money... :o)

Don't Blink or you'll miss Miami!

I had a fun week last week. I went on a trip for work to Miami, FL. I left on Sunday and returned late Tuesday Night. I have never been to that part of the US and wish I could go back to see more. I was in a conference all day Monday and Tuesday so I didn't get to see much of the city. Our hotel was lovely! It was a little boutique hotel in the Coconut Grove section of Miami. The hotel had a tons of trees and water features on the inside courtyard area. It was so relaxing to sit by the fountains.

My room was fantastic. I think it is the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in. It had a jacuzzi on the balcony and a TV in the bathroom. I always thought that was weird, I mean come on you can't even leave the TV to go to the bathroom. But let me tell you that is FANTASTIC!! You don't have to miss anything! :o)

We did go to dinner Monday night to a restaurant right on the water but unfortunately it was pitch black dark. It was a fun trip but much too fast for my taste. I definitely wan to go back to see more!