Christmas in the South

Okay first of a couple more differences I have noticed; they call icing sugar, powdered sugar here and they don't have caster sugar here at all. This proved slightly challenging when making shortbread, but we figured it out.

We arrived in Atlanta on Christmas Eve after several delays. The cab arrived late at our hotel in New York, and then our flight was delayed, and then delayed again and then there was a ground stop in Atlanta because of weather so we were waiting in the plane on the tarmac, and then we eventually made it after a bumpy flight, and then we finally made it through Atlanta traffic (which was actually pretty light) on the wrong side of the road to our hotel. We were all ready for a good nights sleep.

My sister got up nice and early on Christmas morning in our hotel room and woke us all up. We then had tea and opened a few little presents under our sharpie-drawn tree.

Then we were off to spend the day with my host family. We went over there in our jammies and had mimosa's, before having breakfast, opening presents, and then a little while later we had ham for lunch. There were also plenty of sweets too! We had a really lovely time and were very spoiled!

On Boxing Day we went to have brunch with my other host family. We had mimosa's, eggs, sausage and muffins, and it was good to catch up with everyone. We also caught up with my other host family in the afternoon. Everyone was excited to meet everyone!

On Sunday we got up and had breakky and then drove to Georgia Gwinnett College so I could show everyone around. We went to Walmart too, and then The Mall of Georgia to get our shopping fix.

Then we drove into Atlanta to The World of Coca Cola, it was interesting to learn some of the history, watch the bottling process and then tasted all these different Coke varieties from around the world. We ended the day with a meal at The Varsity which was both gross and delicious. The traffic was heavy- no surprises there, for our drive back to the hotel to pack up our gear ready to move on to the next place in the morning.

New York, New York

Last Saturday I flew to New York to meet up with my family. The flight was not very exciting, but there was a little dog travelling in the seat in front of me! I got a cab to the hotel and found it strange that I hadn't heard from them seeing as how they were supposed to arrive before me. Turned out the worst had happened-no Wi-Fi! Anyway, after that and some reuniting we went for a walk around Times Square. It was so busy and the streets were very packed!

The next morning we got up early so we could fit the most into the day. We walked through Times Square to Bryant Park where there were these little markets and a huge Christmas Tree overlooking an ice skating rink. We then made our way to Grand Central Station to have a look, it was incredible inside. We could picture where all the scenes were from all those movies!

We also walked to The Chrysler Building and Saint Patrick's Cathedral- the largest Catholic cathedral

in America. We were able to have a look inside, even though there was a service going on. We had a look at the Christmas display in the window of Saks on 5th Ave and then walked past Trump Tower, where there were all sorts of protesters, before going into Tiffany & Co. I had a bit of a look, and my Mum and Sister bought things. It was quite cold by then, but we went for a walk through Central Park anyway. Again we could picture it just like we had seen in the movies.

On Monday we got up even earlier and got the subway to Lower Manhattan to see The Statue of Liberty. We had to go through so much security before boarding and then it was only a short ride over. I found the history of it very interesting. The thickness of the statue is that of a coin! We climbed to the top of the pedestal and had a very good view. We also got the ferry to Ellis Island, and learned a bit about new immigrants to America, this is no longer in use. While we were  in that part of town we went to the 9/11 memorial, it was quite unusual but was a place of reflection.

The next day we went up to The Empire State Building. The view from the top was really incredible, and they had a bit of a museum on the way up. We went 86 floors up, it was a bit foggy, but you could see as the fog moved. From there we walked to Macy's and had a look at the Christmas display for the Peanuts Movie, but we liked the decorations they had inside better. My Mum and Sister also bought handbags!

We were starving by then and got a bite for lunch before walking to Maddison Square Park,which had a really nice Christmas tree and a gingerbread village, the Flatiron building which I found very fascinating, and Little Eatily.

On our Last day in New York we caught the subway from Grand Central Station to the Brooklyn Bridge. It was raining, so we walked over it all huddled under umbrellas. After that we got the subway back and stopped at a place called Burger Heaven for lunch before going to the Museum of Modern Art. There was some cool art there including Starry Starry Night by VanGough, which I recognised from Doctor Who! There was also a Picasso sculpture display, as well as work by Monet and Pollock.

We then made our way to the Rockefeller Center go  to The Top of the Rock. They warned us there would be zero visibility, but it was our only chance. It was windy and rainy up the top, but you could see as the fog moved. It was difficult to time photos though. We went to M&M's World after that, which we couldn't believe existed, before having Dallas BBQ for dinner. That was a really huge meal which we shared.

We managed to fit in most of what we wanted to, and we all would like to go back, but just to visit. New York is just a bit too noisy for us quiet little Aussies!

A Light Show and a Christmas Party

Okay a few more strange things I have noticed; a jumper is not a jumper here, they don't know what that is at all, just sweatshirts. Also, I have never seen so many people wearing those 'sport' sandals and cargo shorts or pants before in my life!

Last Wednesday night I was invited to dinner and to the light show at the Atlanta Botanic Gardens. We had really great pizza for dinner and then burned it all off walking through the gardens. They light up the whole gardens so it is really pretty. I found it funny that the volunteers wore almost the same uniform my Nanna wears back home at Kings Park.

Then on Thursday night the three GRSP girls at GGC went to the Duluth Rotary Club Christmas party. There was entertainment by some musicians from  the local high school and then we had a really tasty meal and of course dessert! We had a lovely time.

School is done for the semester, so now I am staying with my host family until I fly to New York to meet up with my family. Not long now! I found this nice little place near where I am staying. There is a lake and a dam, and on the other side of it is this nice little creek with lots of rocks. It is great to climb around and to look at.

Last Saturday we went to Little Five Points in Atlanta and wondered around the little shops and thrift stores. I saw many ugly Christmas sweaters. We then went to this place called The Vortex which 'has the best burgers in town', and I must say they were really good. The place itself was very cool, you have to be 21 one to get in and the entrance is a giant skull. They have a huge book with all the drinks they have, and they even have a burger that costs $80; it's called a quadruple bypass! I opted for a regular sized burger. The interior is decorated with skeletons, road signs and other cool stuff. It was a cool place and I'd like to go back.

On the same day back home my family had a Christmas party and they made a cardboard cut out of me! I kept getting pictures of all their friends posing with me!


Yesterday I went to the graduation for my host brother. The ceremony was nice and didn't drag out too long. Then we all went to this Mexican place for lunch which was really good, and then a few of us managed to get tickets to Star Wars:The Force Awakens. It was by chance that we happened to get tickets on the first showing and I enjoyed the movie. I don't want to be that person that gives away spoilers, but stuff happens...

A Christmas Party and a Parade

Earlier this week I went to the Duluth Rotary Club meeting which was held at the Salvation Army in Lawrenceville. I found it really interesting to learn about what they do and who they help. They have many youth programs, and help people get back on their feet.

On Friday night the four of us GRSP kids at GGC went to a Christmas party with another Rotary club. We had a really great time. We had yummy steaks for dinner, and of course there was pie. The entertainment for the evening was an A Capella group from the University of Georgia called The Accidentals. They were very good, worth checking them out.

Then On Saurday morning we went to a bell ringing for the Salvation Army outside a local grocery store. I'm not sure how much help we actually provided, but we got to have a chat to members of the community.

In the afternoon we went to a Christmas parade. This time we got to ride on the back of a fire truck! That made it very exciting and provided a great view to see the town. We had a great time.

Turkey Day!

On Thursday I celebrated Thanksgiving with my host family. This was a totally new experience for me. I got to experience this American holiday for the first time, and try some different, and sometimes strange foods!

Wednesday night I helped prepare some of the food and then had a bit of a sleep in on Thursday and avoided most of the hard work! I got to watch some of the Macy's Day Parade on TV, there were so many huge floats and inflatable characters, my favourite being Pikachu!

We had a big lunch feast. There was turkey, dressing, mac and cheese, and this sweet potato dish with marshmallows on top! I tasted it and it wasn't as bad as it sounds, very sweet though. Then we had pecan pie and mango key lime for dessert. All washed down with some interesting conversation and a few drinks.

Then for dinner we were off to the next feast, there were the same sorts of things to eat, and just as yummy! We didn't even have a chance to be in a food coma as were off to watch the Atlanta Gladiators hockey team play.

The game was very exciting even though they didn't win. We were really close, so much so that we could count the teeth the players did or didn't have when they got smashed up against the glass! There were not really any fights, but I thought it was pretty rough. There was one punch up and they played this "viewer discretion is advised" track which I thought was pretty funny!

 They had this little blimp that dropped prizes during the break and they had this competition where you could buy soft pucks to throw onto the rink. If you were closest to a certain spot you won a prize and the money from the pucks went to charity. There was lots of loud music and they turned off all the lights just before the players came onto the rink. It had a really great atmosphere.

So first Thanksgiving down; I had a really great time!

Then on Saturday a few of us GRSP's went to another Thanksgiving feast. We had turkey and pie and spent the day watching football. It was a great chance for us to just spend time together.

Reverse Raffle and Christmas Parade

On Friday evening I went to a Reverse Raffle hosted by the Rotary Club of Braselton. They host a big event with dinner and draw one ticket out at a time until only one is left. You have a one in four hundred chance of wining $10 000, and your ticked includes dinner. It was a very cool and interesting event to attend.

On Saturday morning I went to help set up for a Christmas parade. It was an early start, and I also thought it was on early in the year too, but they get more people out if it is before Thanksgiving. We helped register floats and vehicles and got them lined up ready to go.

There were marching bands, cheerleaders, Scouts, and dignitaries. One of the clever floats I saw was a waste disposal group which had rubbish trucks and all the people had Oscar the Grouch t-shirts on!

We also ended up riding in the car taking the Mayor around. There were so many people out, and there were about 50 groups in the parade. I thought it was a really big parade for a town smaller then the suburb back home.

Lock down and a Jail Tour

Yesterday we were all startled to hear this very strange alarm going off and then received alerts that a violent crime had occurred. We were told to stay inside and lock all doors and windows. The school was in lock down and all classes were cancelled. It was scary, but as the day went on hunger took over! Eventually buildings were cleared and students in housing were brought food. You can find out more about what happened here and here.

Then this morning I had a tour at the Gwinnett County Jail. Incredibly the man who caused our lock down was brought into booking the same time we were being shown that area.

I found the tour very interesting. The jail is a pre-trial facility and is quite different to most jails. It has most facilities onsite, like a court. They have inmates who perform work duties, like cleaning and preparing food, and some inmates who care for and train dogs and cats from the animal shelter. It is an environment I have never been exposed to before.

CNN and Georgia Aquarium

On Friday afternoon we drove to Atlanta in busy traffic for the next GRSP student weekend. When we arrived we all had dinner together before heading off with host families for the evening.

The group I was with went to a house and we had a bonfire. It had been a long time since I did that, and we toasted marshmallows, and made s'mores. It was cold out, but the fire warmed us up nicely. We then all went inside and watched Jurassic World. There was a group of about 10 of us. Then we split off into smaller groups to sleep for the night.

The next morning we were up early and delivered to the YMCA in Atlanta for the day's activities. We rode in a yellow school bus to downtown and broke up into two groups.One group went to CNN and the other went to The World of Coke.

I went to CNN and I found it very interesting. I expected more staff to be there though. It was good to see how things worked inside, and to see some technology and techniques that I recognised. After that we got back together with everyone for lunch.

In the afternoon we all went to the Georgia Aquarium, which is meant to be the largest in the world. There were lots of things to look at, including jellyfish, which are my favourite. We also saw a dolphin show which had a bit of a cheesy story, but was still good to see.

In the evening we had burgers for dinner back at the YMCA and we also went rock climbing and swimming. We had hot chocolate before bed and all slept together on big gym mattresses. We talked until late and didn't really get much sleep, but we all enjoyed our time together.

GO DAWGS!

Alright, one strange thing I noticed is there are a lot of people preaching out on the street, way more then back home, especially outside the football stadium. I know I'm in The South but, some people were really set up with their own speakers and pamphlets too!

On Friday evening we were invited to go rollerskating. It was a bit of a last minute thing, but we thought why not? We had a great time, I hadn't been rollerblading since I was little. After a few hours we went to IHOP for pancakes and then went back to the dorms.

On Saturday morning we were awoken at 6 am to the fire alarm and everyone huddled under the balcony because it was raining. It was soon turned off and we could go back to bed.

We got picked up and 10 am and drove to Athens for the Georgia Bulldogs v Kentucky Wildcats game. We arrived and there were so many people everywhere!

The stadium seats 90, 000, which is only a bit smaller than the Melbourne Cricket Ground and more than double Patterson's Stadium.

It was a special game to go to as it was Military Appreciation Day. At the beginning of the game, just after the National Anthem, two Air Force planes did a fly over, and that was really cool to see.

The game was exciting and I slowly worked out what was going on. It was clear that these guys love their football!

Halloween

On Friday I went for a bike ride to Downtown Lawrenceville. I got some comics, and then we went and got a really yummy coffee. I was long overdue for a nice coffee, and it was really good.

We also went trick or treating at school. It was a cleaver idea because different organisations gave you information, while you got candy.

On Saturday we went to a comic book shop that was participating in Free Comic Book Day. It wasn't as busy as the Free Comic Book Day back home, but we did go later in the day. I picked up a couple of free comics and then bought some for my own collection. We also stopped by a cupcake shop. It was very difficult to pick out what one to have, I ended up going with a salted caramel and a choc chip cookie dough.

For Halloween night we went to a house party. We just spent time hanging out, playing cards and watching movies. It was really great to just spend time together. We also answered the door to 'trick or treater's'. There were some very cute little kids in costume. My favourite was a little kid dressed as a dolphin

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