Two Days! Two Days!

Just a quick post because I am so excited that we will be back in Atlanta in 2 days! I can't wait to see everyone and drive and eat out and go shopping and get my hair cut! Oh, it is going to be great! I will post something once we land for our British friends to see.

Love you all,
A.

LG and Currys

I thought that everyone might enjoy seeing some pictures of my current job marketing for LG televisions. This coming weekend is my last one after 10 weeks and although I have really enjoyed meeting so many British people I am ready to move on. Basically, I go into a store called Currys which is pretty much modeled after Best Buy but smaller. There is an LG display wall with some of the larger Plasma and LCD models hanging on it. I stand there for 14 hours over 2 days and talk to people about the features on the new models and LG as a brand / company. Thankfully this Currys is one of the busiest in this area so I don't typically get too bored. As a side benefit I know WAY more about televisions and technology than I ever wanted to! :)

This is what Currys looks like from where I stand most days. What do you think - Best Buy or what? I have also learned a lot about aerials, DVD recorders, TV wall mounts, etc.

The LG wall. The bright light in the corner is the LG logo that lights up and doesn't photograph well apparently. Those TVs are 42" and 50" and look much bigger in person.

Another shot of the wall with the blinding light. If you can't read it the price on the 42" Plasma on top is 1199 GBP - appr. $2400!

This is the 42" LCD that I was initially in charge of working with primarily. They sold so well in the NE part of the country (where we are located) that LG had to cap the orders and has now discontinued the model. Currys sold the display model on Sunday afternoon after I took this picture.

Starbucks in Newcastle

Today while I was in Newcastle for my interview (went well but we probably won't know something until next week) I treated myself at Starbucks. It was so good! The first picture is of my Grande Peppermint Latte (yum!) and when you drink inside the Starbucks they give you a real cup and come and bus your table for you. The second picture is of the window at the Starbucks facing the Newcastle Train Station. The train station has awesome architecture that reminds me of Harry Potter a little bit. I had a great time in Newcastle and if I get this job I will be working there every day.

Around Durham

Today as I was walking back from the train station I took a couple of pictures of places I like in Durham. I took these with my camera phone so some of the quality is not perfect. You at least get the idea. It was a beautiful day here - freezing but the sun was shining!

The train station is up on a hill overlooking the City Centre of Durham where the Castle, Cathedral and University are located. This picture is of the Castle coming through the trees with some of the town buildings around it.

Another shot of the Cathedral taken from the bridge.

One more of the Upper City Centre. Sorry about the sun glare.

This is St. Cuthbert's Church. One of the oldest churches in Durham. They still hold weekly services here. There is a pretty extensive graveyard around the church building. Some of the graves date back hundreds of years.

This is the gate leading from the road to St. Cuthbert's Church. It is always open. You may not be able to read it but the inscription says, "Greater love hath no man than he lay his life down for a friend."

This is the Bridge Hotel and Pub one of our favorite places to eat. The food is so good and it is just a fun place to be. They rent out rooms on the top floor.

A street of row homes that I pass walking into Durham. This is pretty typical of most of the homes here in Durham. We see worker trucks outside a lot and think that the owners are probably updating the homes to be more modern.

This is St. Leonards, a housing development right in front of our apartment building. They most closely resemble townhomes with 2 or 3 per building. They sell for between 300,000 GBP and 400,000 GBP ($600,000 - $800,000) and are considered good homes for the thirty-something small family / couples demographic.

The back of one of the St. Leonards townhome buildings. You can somewhat see the way the small yards are layed out.

And finally, Keenan House, our building. There are close to 70 apartments in our building. We are on the back of the building facing the new hospital. It is nice because there is a little grassy area and then the hospital parking lot.

Thanks for looking at my daily walk. Hope you enjoyed it!

Rabbits...For Anslee

Okay, Ans, this post is special just for you.

Tonight we are up REALLY late and have our living room windows open. A few minutes ago Chris walked by the windows and started whispering for me to come over - there were 2 rabbits right outside eating grass. So cute! We tried to take a few pictures but it was just too dark and the flash wouldn't reach. Our windows back up to a small grassy area where we think they might live.

Anyway, I thought that I would post in honor of the Hagan family pet rabbits! :)

Chris Ferebee, Conductor

This is Chris's debut as a conductor! For one of his classes he had to conduct a piece for a professional brass band. The picture quality isn't fabulous but it is the only we got. The piece went really well and his professor thought he did a good job. It looks like after Christmas Chris might start conducting an ensemble on a regular basis.

On a side note I have a job interview tomorrow (Friday) with the Newcastle City Council. It is only part-time but could be a place to start.

We are in serious countdown mode until we are in Atlanta - 1 week, 5 days! We will see everyone soon! Early Merry Christmas!