Thank you, Peter!

Peter, you had such a great idea when you set us up with this way to keep in touch with the far-flung!

It is not easy to be as interesting as those girls of yours. As for me, I've started a new book that is very promising - Cutting for Stone (Abraham Veghese.)

GrAnn

concert at the Brooklyn Bowl

Hello family,

Thanksgiving was great, I went out to Aunt Caroline's. As is typical of any time I travel, there were a few minor mishaps on my way to dinner. I got to Penn station on thanksgiving morning to catch the Long Island Rail Road but it was absolutely packed and I had to wait in line forever to get a ticket and ended up missing the train because it took so darn long. The lady assured me-- all the while letting me know through her body language and tone that the last place she wanted to be on thanksgiving was in a crowded station answering stupid questions-- that there was another train on the Oyster Bay line heading out at 12:30. Dinner was supposed to be at 2:00, so I would have just enough time.

Of course, they announce that Sea Cliff station is next, and I get out of my seat and ready to leave the train. Out the window goes Sea Cliff, speeding by-- what was I supposed to do, jump? Was this like a rolling stop or something? The conductor came on and said, "Well ladies and gentlemen, please be patient, it looks like we forgot to engage the brakes. We will provide alternative transportation back to Sea Cliff at the next station." are you kidding me? OF COURSE the guy forgets to stop at the one station I need to get off at. UGH. So as to delay inevitable travel mishaps as long as possible, I stayed on Long Island for the remainder of the weekend.

I've started a new job in addition to the sitting. I am working for a non-profit called "Foster Pride," which teaches art classes to foster kids in the city. It is a really really cool organization. I have been doing office stuff so far-- I had to stuff and send out 400 envelopes for our annual fundraising appeal-- but Melanie (my boss, so great, like the nicest person on earth) said that soon I would probably be able to help out in classrooms, which would be so cool.

Last night I went to a Matisyahu concert at Brooklyn Bowl, a concert venue about three blocks from my apartment. Lexy found out about the concert, he's one of her boyfriend's favorites so she figured she should check him out. Not going to lie, I really had no clue about him or his music before the show: I googled him as "Modest Yahoo," thinking that is what Lexy kept saying when she said his name. It was an awesome show though, so cool. He is a reggae/hiphop artist from NYC, and he is a Hasidic Jew, so he performs in all his garb, which makes it a really singular experience. there was a huge disco Dreidel hanging from the ceiling, which would have been worth seeing on its own. So glad I got to see him though, I really love his music. Here are a few links to some of his songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS9uTiEY9ag&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChV5BZ8SmS0

By the way, I am officially a regular at God Bless Deli. Last night after the concert we went to get food and the guy said "have a good night Grady." Awesome.

Three Weeks...

Today (Monday) marks 3 weeks until I come home! I'm beginning to feel pretty bittersweet about it. I can't wait to come home, but I'm going to miss my flatmates here so much.

Today was Richard's birthday, we spent the afternoon decorating the kitchen with birthday signs and pictures of all of us together. It was fun to look back at pictures of the first couple weeks here, when we still didn't really know each other. It seems so long ago, and at the same time as if I just arrived. Then we took him out to dinner (guess what I had....yup, a cheeseburger) and then came back home for cake and presents. We bought him Toy Story 3, so finished the day with a movie night. It was such a good day, I do love birthdays.

There's tons to do in the next three weeks: we're going to London again, taking a boat trip to the broads, I have two essays and a story to write, Christmas shopping to do, 4 books to read...it's going to go by so fast.

I love you. xo

Thanksgiving Recap

Well what a wonderful time we had at Grandma Ann's and Grandpa Jim's for the Ross Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful to re-unite with cousins and catch up on all branches of family.  Very special and unexpected to get to see Annie WigWealus (favorite cousin-shh,don't tell Mark!).  We got to enjoy all the traditional foods with one exception.  It seems Aunt Hildy's Orange Pudding has been laid to rest.  You in the back!  Quit snickering!  Grandma Ann- let's wait for the jury on Creme de Menthe Pie as a replacement shall we?

My highlight though was a chance to Skype with Cailin using Grandma Ann's new webcam which meant Cailin could see us but we, alas, could not see her.  I can hardly wait for December 20th, 4:05, Logan Airport, KLM by Delta Flight 6031 to arrive!  Hopefully we won't have to rent a U-Haul for this trip. 

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Fanksgiving at UEA

There were two Christmas miracles this morning: 1)Snow on the ground! Only about a half inch in patches here and there, but snow nonetheless. 2)Class was cancelled! I think the half inch of snow scared my professor into staying home. As a result, I have a little extra time to fill you in on my Thanksgiving celebrations, before going back to bed.

Lindsey and I call it "Fanksgiving" because the people here from Essex pronounce "Th" like "F," and Lewis, one of her housemates has a really strong accent. Our conversation yesterday went a little something like this:

"Hi Lewis! Happy Thanksgiving! How are you?"

" 'Ey yank! 'Appy Fanksgiving! I'm well knackered and hungry, could eat a whole bowl a'mash!"

"Yeah, it smells so good. I can't wait for dinner."

"Me efer. I'm just going upstairs to change into somefin' sharp."

Which is translated as:

"Hi Lewis! Happy Thanksgiving! How are you?"

"Hey American Girl Whose Name I Forgot! I'm really tired and hungry, I could eat a whole bowl of mashed potatoes."

"Yeah, it smells so good. I can't wait for dinner."

"Me either. I'm just going upstairs to shower and put on a button-down shirt."

So there you have it. Fanksgiving.

Lindsey, Isabel, Andreas (all her flatmates) and I went to town on Wednesday to go grocery shopping. We bought so much food! Then yesterday I went over to help cook. Keep in mind that the flats do not have ovens, only convection microwaves, so it was a little tricky. I was in charge of the mashed potatoes, and you've never seen a creamier bunch of mash in your life. Delish! We also had turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, velveeta mac & cheese (apparently it appears every year at Lindsey's Thanksgiving, must be sort of like the mandarin orange jello, except everyone loved this), gravy (purple powder turns into salty paste if you add boiling water!), cranberry sauce and broccoli. We also bought rolls but forgot to bake them off. The table was decorated with golden plates and table clothes from Pound Land (everything a gal could want, only 1 pound!) and we had cut-out turkeys and made signs. Our soundtrack was James Taylor's Greatest Hits and Carole King's Tapestry (Lindsey and I picked the music). For dessert Isabel made a chocolate cheesecake, although we didn't have a pan so she had to use a saucepan. It still turned out well.

It was a hugely successful night, all the Brits immensly enjoyed their first Thanksgiving, and it was the best Thanksgiving away from home I could have asked for. Of course I missed you all, but was able to talk to Mama, Daddy, Connor, and Ellina, so I got to hear from home. Hello to all the Rosses gathering today!

Love you!

Thankful for all of you...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Sitting alone in Brooklyn watching the parade with a whole new perspective and enjoying the fact that if I so desired I could get on the subway and be in the middle of Herald Square within the hour. Makes me feel like I am really part of it.

However, kind of regretting that I can't hop on the subway and be with you within the hour. I hope Vermont is doing well and all the homes are beginning to smell like pie and turkey.

I will be heading to Aunt Caroline's soon wearing my new vintage jacket.

Now that's what I'm talking about

Well it's Thanksgiving morning here at the Middlebury Inn.  Anadama roll dough has been pulled from an overnight rise in the cooler, pots of potatoes are about to go on simmer and of course turkey is roasting.  Ten of them to be exact. 

But first a quick cup of coffee and a few minutes to catch up with all of you.  It is so wonderful to read about all the adventures you are on.  Cailin and Grady you are so magical with words we really don't need the pictures (somehow a grainy shot of Roger seems perfect!) but it is great to be able to see photos.

Connor and I will be gathering tomorrow at Grandma and Grandpa's to catch up with a lot of Rosses we haven't seen in awhile.  Rit, Poodie, Beaver, Sonny, Cher, Kim Jong-Il and who ever else shows up. 

Be sure and to enjoy this Thanksgiving.  We really are so lucky.  Take time to eat too much turkey, cheer on the New England Patriots (who discovered the Mayflower or something like that) lay back in an easy chair with the top button of your pants undone and grunt about having eaten too much, before falling into a tryptophan induced nap.

Now I've gotta go get butternut squash and fresh rosemary into an oven.

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter