Day 149: Labor Day Parade

"I'm still passionately interested in what my fellow humans are up to. For me, a day spent monitoring the passing parade is a day well-spent" - Garry Trudeau

Project 365: #149

One of the most amazing things here that I have not experience before, not even Germany, is the absolute pride in everything, home, town and country. I have heard all about the highlight of the town's year culminating in the Labor Day Parade (sadly marking the official end of summer), so I couldn't wait to see what it was all about! Everyone stakes their claim along the road with their camping chairs from early in the morning, setting them up, then returning home until the start of the parade. The the streets begin to fill up with townfolk, and the parade begins! The forefront are the police leading the way, followed by the all important officials, and Fire Department. All the fire departments in the area are represented, in polished uniforms and vehicles, their honor bursting through. The parade included the major, senators, sports clubs, marching bands, the Tin Cans (veterans from WWII battleships), pipe bands, Irish dancers, vintage cars, churches....all marching past, some throwing sweets to the children watching on the sideline...all culminating at the town green for a day of family fun. This parade has given me amazing insight into the heart and values of this small town.

Day 148: Our first US bbq

“Intelligence is something we are born with. Braai is a skill that must be learned”

 

 Project 365: #148

On the way home from work one day this week, I passed Mike in the road as I was fetching the girls from school. I stopped in the middle of the road, as he was so excited to show me what he had bought on his way home - a new little bbq/braai/grillen as the weather has been so good, and would be a shame to waste it....needless to say we have been looking for a suitable excuse to use it. Nothing better than a get-together with cousins! Yay! Joc, Pete, Matthew and Steven popped in for a braai from down the road in NYC, bringing with them delish pud of strawberry cream cake, and a genuine NY cheesecake, what a treat! Awesome to have family living not too far away!

Day 147: Saturday hockey matches

"Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward" - Kurt Vonnegut

Project 365: #147

Back to the DMV this morning to hopefully get my NJ driver's licence (with english translation in hand)  AT LAST....no such luck, did not even get as far as last time :( my paperwork was flagged by inland security somehow, so go home and we will contact you :( so...now we wait...have absolutely no clue what has been flagged as they say they have no clue. None of my paperwork has changed, so have no idea....better luck next time. I did really want to cry for the rest of the day. Laughing would be a much better solution.

At least it was quickly forgotten by watching the first official school field hockey match of the season, yay! Stunning weather, and good play! Go Mendham!

Day 146: Long-weekend excitement

"Every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure" - Irving Wallace

Project 365: #146

After two days at school....I am SOOO excited that it is a long-weekend for Labor Day on Monday. YAY. We have not had to get up so early for school since SA, as in Germany school started at 8:35, and here it is back to 7:35! We literally live 5 minutes from school, but with the school traffic, it takes almost 20 minutes, so we still have to leave just after 7 am. It is also already DARK when my alarm goes off in the morning, boo-hoo...Labor Day does officially mark the end of summer festivities...so I guess it is time for a little reality. Being Labor Day, Mendham goes all out. There is a fair on the borough green (three blocks away from home) which began this evening, and there are festivities throughout the weekend, with the highlight being a parade through town on Monday, finishing with fireworks in the evening. SOOO exciting for us out-of-towners! 

We were enjoying sundowners on the deck this evening, and heard the fire-engines, wondering what was happening. They got louder and louder, so we realised they were in our street. Of course, we rushed out to see, like the good rubber-neckers that we are, and it turns out that they are taking kids on tours around town...tooting and blowing the sirens and horns all the way. It was so exciting! Then about 10 minutes later, we heard them again, and jumped up to see....then about 10 minutes after that, we heard them again, and went to look...then about 10 minutes after that, we said, hmmm....there is the fire-engine again. Then...10 minutes later...we were wondering how long it would go on for....that was two hours ago...and they are still going! Seriously though, it is pretty cool! Just wish the girls could have enjoyed it when they were a little younger! Nic is even exploring the fair with friends from down the road....yay, friends in the neighbourhood at last and something to do on Friday night!! Monotony transformed into adventure!

Day 145: Back to school

 "You're off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way" - Dr Seuss

Project 365: #145

Back to school today after a two month vacation, as a Senior and a Sophomore. It is the last first day of Caitlin's school career...unbelievable how the time has flown. I would love to say that it as been a restful, peaceful, rejuvenating break BUT not really....moving house is not for sissies, oh wait, nor is moving countries, and schools (again)! Anyway, the girls look rested and like they have had a good sunny summer! I think we should take a photo after school to compare the before....happy, excited, a little nervous to COMPLETELY shell-shocked! This is a completely different system, where you either sink or swim....there is no home-room with a class teacher. There is a rotating schedule over four days with six hour-long lessons a day. So, you basically arrive at your locker, then head to your first class, which may be with kids from a variety of grades, as you need a certain amount of courses for your high school diploma...there is no buddy to meet you, and teachers are not overly sympathetic. Friends are probably not the easiest to make as there are about 340 kids in a grade.  It is also not very cool to be the only Senior in a class of Sophomores and Juniors! I dare say the whole experience is rather overwhelming. If the girls can survive and adapt to this, they will be able to conquer anything life tosses at them! This is the beginning of great things and great places, their mountain is not insurmountable!

Day 144: One more sleep...

"Working hard is very important. You're not going to get anywhere without working extremely hard" - George Lucas

Project 365: #144

The cats know there is something up...the household has been a hive of activity this week, catching up missed work, doing summer assignments, completing due assignments...not very much time for fun. Needless to say, they have been anxious to garner as much attention as possible. They can also maybe pick up on the pre-school new-school nerves and excited anticipation.The girls have certainly worked hard, so hopefully their preparation will give them a good base to begin the year. One more sleep to go!

Day 143: Field hockey season

 "Remember that part of being a great hockey player is the desire to play. Skill can be mostly taught, but desire can't" - Anon

Project 365: #143

The fall season of sport begins here in 30 degree C weather! This is the school turf  shared with lacrosse and football, so sometimes practises begin at 1 pm to slot in all the schedules. This pic was taken on a cloudy day, which is not very often! Sport is a big commitment, field hockey has a two hour practise 6 days a week, including two matches, one on Wednesday and one on Saturday. The pre-season began a month before school opened with the same schedule. At least Caitlin will be fit and tanned (albeit a long-socks  and sports-top tan) going into the new school year! Don't loose that desire, Cait, your skills will soon be polished. Good luck for the season!