Disaster

Yesterday the power went out in school. The worst thing about that was that the bells were all messed up.

Today there was a gas leak. We were all evacuated and stood outside for 2 hours while the good people from Phoenix worked on it. I've had experience before of trying desperately to keep students' spirits up (at last year's National Day Parade at school. They couldn't see or hear anything and were about to expire in the heat.) but this was worse. It was cold and for two hours all I heard was 'Miss, can I just go home...' 'Miss I can see my house from here...' 'I'm calling my mum and she's going to pick me up...'. Right-o. My attempts at a sing-along failed this time!

But as I was leaving today, the caretakers reminded me to bring my wellies tomorrow. Tomorrow is flood day apparently. 

Good to know.

I feel like a blog

Not actually me I suppose, I feel like writing one. Mostly because I have work I should be marking, but as that doesn't really need done yet I'm holding off. Some might say dossing, but iI'll stick with my first choice of holding off.

I like it when Tuesday is over with because those are my worst days. Well Thursday isn't pretty either but it feels better because once it's over it's Friday and who doesn't like Fridays?! Actually I've never liked Thursdays. Even in Primary School I can remember not like Thursdays, even though we had craft on Tuesdays and Thursdays and craft was my favourite. I think it must be something to do with being so close to Friday and not actually being Friday. Anyways, I think I am waffling now because today isn't even Thursday, it's Tuesday. But boy, what a Tuesday!

I don't think I could cope with an election as long as America has. I suppose that's one of the benefits of the 'call-it-when-you-think-you'll-win' power of the Prime Minister (I'm sure this has a better name that I can't think of right now). Everyone has known this election has been coming and so for nearly two years candidates have been publically campaigning. When I was there last week it was impossible to turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or drive 100m without seeing or hearing something about it. I'm sure you've seen those political adverts, typically with the deep voice. They were All. Over. The. Place. And just by the way, I don't know much about Kay Hagan, but they don't like her round my neck of North Carolina. Although given that it's Hicksville Central that's hardly a big surprise. But I am very excited my adopted state may go blue for the first time since Jimmy Carter!! North Carolina: Not quite as south as...well South Carolina.

When I was there I was surprised to hear from my ex co-workers that they can vote early. They voted a full two weeks ago. Apparently they reason for it is to stop big lines trying to vote on the actual election. But here's the thing I don't get - America is about the 24 hour convenience. Plenty of stores are open 24 hours. Ok, so Wal-Mart and grocery stores and that, but still. In North Carolina the polls are open til 7.30pm. Eh hello? Stay open longer! Or have more polling centres. Revolutionary ideas here, I know. I mean, I suppose there's nothing really wrong in early voting but what is something major emerged in the last days and you wanted to switch? Nevermind the fact that corrupt officials could get up to some funny business. Well you never know! Plus, and I'm no expert, isn't there something in the Constitution that picks out the date for the election. The Tuesday after the first Monday or something? Maybe I should draft an email to someone about this:

'Dear Sir/Madam, 

I was surprised to learn of your early voting opportunities....Whilst I agree with the need to get the vote out, as it were, I am concerned about the Constitutional ramifications of said early voting...Might I suggest you look into the possibility of longer hours at polling stations...or perhaps even more polling stations...We certainly don't want the Supreme Court deciding the outcome of an election because of Constitutional issues, as one would have to say that didn't work out so well last time...

I look forward to your response to this important matter,

Respectfully yours,

Tina'

So what else. Autumn Soul was at the weekend. Sadly, although I took my camera I didn't actually take any photos. I know, you're gutted. For the first time I was on the Prayer Team. Actually that's not true. Just the first time we didn't pray with anyone because the speaker went on that flipping long he sapped the life out of everyone there, so I don't think that counts. It was a great weekend though, made even better by staying with Nicky and Heidi and not a church hall floor. Heidi, even though she was in the final days of her pregnancy, offered me a bed! I made such a ruckus having a shower it was a miracle Bumpus didn't arrive early to hear what all the noise was about. Sorry...again.

Just like November 4th was a long time coming, so too was November 5th! But it's tomorrow! Good luck everybody, well really just Nicky and Heidi! And of course Bumpus!

Wedding bells

Jose and Lindy's wedding was my first American wedding! Lots of things were similar but there were a fair few differences, like the rehearsal dinner the night before for family and friends.

The Rehearsal Dinner
I really enjoyed this, we had so much fun! There was just one speech at the dinner and Luis, Jose's brother made a short toast at the wedding reception. Now, I like a good speech at a wedding but this made me appreciate the value of not talking for talking's sake.

The bride and groom at the rehearsal. I think it's true to say that Lindy has actually injured people with her piercing blue blue eyes.

The rehearsal dinner was Costa Rican fare of pinto (that's rice and beans to you and me), pork and some sort of banana like thing. Jose's parents made it the day of the dinner, you know, because your son getting married is when you have time to do all this extra stuff!

The Wedding Ceremony
Another difference is that it comes much later in the day, this one was at 5.00pm, but later is also common. This made for a nice short day, well if you were a guest I suppose. The service itself was pretty average I thought, about 40 minutes. But there was no singing from the congregation. Everyone else thought it was way long, normally weddings are like twenty minutes or less. But I suppose that makes sense because everything was translated into spanish.

This is the amphitheater where the ceremony took place. It had been raining that morning but thankfully it turned out to be a beautiful. It's at Jose's uber church and he pointed it out to me the first time I was there. Ah, little did we know he'd be marrying Lindy there three years later (although I'm sure he wished for it!)

Ah, true love's kiss. Only afterwards in the photo review Mellissa and I had did we notice the Ring Bearer (there's another difference - ring bearer not page boy. It seems a little contradictory though because Luis had the rings so on top of Best Man and translator he was the actual ring bearer) and his obvious need to pee. That could spoil the photo. Mellissa and I think that it makes for a much more interesting wedding kiss photo though.

The congregation had communion along with Jose and Lindy which was nice. But it was communion to go in little individual plastic cups with the cracker on top.

I had the important job of being the guest book attendant at the reception. I know! It's an important job, you might even go as far as to say the whole wedding hinges on it. In the programme (not Order of Service) it gave a little description of who everyone was. This is where I was reminded of the fact I was first to know they were going out. I had totally erased that from my memory, if I ever knew it to begin with.

The wedding party are introduced to everyone as they enter. But the DJ doing the announcing got things slightly wrong and we think this photo is where the wheels fell off. The DJ is trying to go through things with Jose before the arrival of the wedding party. Look at Jose, he is not one bit interested in what he's saying. So we all had a chuckle when one of the groomsmen was given the surname Magenta. Pink is so not his colour!  But worst of all he announced 'please welcome for the first time Jose and Linda...'! Oh dear.

The reception was in a downtown restaurant which brands itself on 'New South Cuisine' and I really can't think of a wedding I've been to that had better food. It was amazing, there was shrimp, beef, turkey, all kinds of vegetables, cheese and fruit. But it being a southern wedding there was grits and no potatoes. I don't know how I made it through a meal like that without them.

This is the first dance. They've got quite the hips. I'd love to tell you what Mellissa said as they were dancing but this is a family blog. Maybe if you see me you can ask. 

This is a ritual similar to throwing the bouquet (which by the way, I totally could have got if I have made an effort but I'm too polite!). The groom takes of the bride's garter and then throws it to the menfolk. It's not as inappropriate as it sounds.

The end of the night and we had to soak our feet.

Home again already

I totally meant to blog more when I was away but lack of tinternet and time got in the way. Suffice to say I had a super time! It really did feel like I was back home again. The wedding was great too and it was so much fun reminiscing about old theme parties! But more about that...tomorrow...maybe. Anyway here are the photo highlights.

New York

I had a few hours in NYC on my way to the Carolinas.

So I walked up to Central Park, the perfect place to spend Sunday afternoon. They're either really prepared for Christmas or the ice rink has always been there and I've never noticed it. But just by the way, there's no way Kate Beckinsale was able to throw that glove and have it land right beside John Cusack in 'Serendipity' and make it to the entrance of the rink in mere seconds. No way.

I walked along 34th Street and past the Empire State Building. It's big alright.

Hello Times Square.

North Carolina

I thought it best to get out of South Carolina while wedding preparations were in the home straight. The last thing Jose and Lindy was a guest to entertain. So of course I headed for I-40 and Hicksville!

I walked around the lake, just like old times. Thankfully these ducks were in the water and so didn't scare me.

One of my favourite houses round the lake has the steepest drive ever (which I'm not sure this photo shows to its fullest). But it looks like they're building some sort of Stannah Stair lift device to help during the winter months. That's smart thinking, they're probably old and house bound come a snowy day.

Ah so pretty. The lake of course, although my back is also lovely (especially that nearly bit of butt I am displaying).

When I arrived Maggie broke the terrible news to me though...

Wal-Mart closed. I guess they tried, but couldn't do it any longer without me.

Oh no wait, they just opened a Super Wal-Mart clear the other side of town. And what's better than Wal-Mart? That's right, Super Wal-Mart!! It's a grocery store and a everything-else-you-could-possibly-want-to-buy store rolled into one. It's hardly a word of lie to say that I spent most of Tuesday in its aisles.

But look what I found?! I looked twice at this Christmas Card, and knew I had to take a photo too. Is this not ex-BBC newsreader Moira Stewart, albeit dressed a wiseman, celebrating the birth of Jesus?!

Mast General Store were also quick to get with Christmas stuff! Check out this Mary, Joseph and little baby Jesus snow globe. I'm sure that's just how it was in Bethlehem. Well, duh, it was winter.

I made time for an appointment in Whitman's for a big stinking Napoleon. Well it would be rude not to.

I also made it to Sonic. But alas the Coconut Cream Pie wasn't on the menu any more. After the disappointment of Panera's lack of Fuji Apple Salad this was not the news I wanted to hear.

Halloween at Maggie's apartment. V. spooky. Her neighbour has too much time on his hand it seems.

So like I said, tomorrow I'll move on the actual wedding and that. But I know you won't be surprised if it doesn't make it.

I know you'll want to celebrate this too!

That's fifty years of witty church signage! Well done Pastor Dan! Here's to fifty more!