Newcastle 365: Weeks 15 and 16

By Jess Friedman

With all the Holiday craziness, I never got a chance to upload pictures from last week. But never you fear: it’ll be a double whammy today to make up for it! Aren’t you soooooo glad?

Also, just a friendly reminder that if you’d like to keep getting regular updates when I post to the blog, be sure to like my Facebook page. *wink wink nudge nudge*

LOOK. PICTURES!

A few days before Christmas, I got together with some church friends for a game/movie night. We also indulged in a fancy little thing we like to call “Cheese Club”, in which we sampled a variety of cheeses and drank sparkling cider out of very refined glasses. This is Sam and Beth showing off just how fancy we are.

I celebrated Christmas with my dear friend Fernanda. Her family had come to visit from Brazil, and we had a lovely evening together.

It has been much warmer than I anticipated it would be this winter, but the temperatures finally dropped low enough that my thin cotton scarves are no longer enough to keep me warm. Rather than shell out a bajillion pounds for a ready made scarf, I decided to enjoy some good movies and crochet one of my own.

I pass this sculpture twice a week on my way to Church and Institute, and I’ve always been curious about it. I call it “That Boiler Thingy” in my head because for some reason, it makes me think of a ship’s boiler. Last week, I finally found out more about it. Apparently, its real name is “Parson’s Polygon.” It is made of ceramic reliefs installed over a ventilation shaft, and was commissioned by the Nexus Art on Metro program. Yep. “Boiler Thingy.”

I spent most of my birthday working on my book, and then I went down to the Quayside (they say “keyside” around here) to watch the fireworks with my flatmate Mo. This is the Sage, a music venue in Gateshead, our sister city across the River Tyne. There was a grand party going on inside, and we watched the clock count down to midnight. The fireworks only lasted about 5 minutes and I didn’t really get any good shots, but I did get hit on by two drunk guys, so that was fun. Haha!

With all the freshers gone for the holidays, my complex has been eerily quiet lately. Can’t say I miss being woken in the middle of the night by drunken revelers who have locked themselves out, though…

Beamish is an AMAZING living history museum near here. I have lots of pictures, so I’m sure it will get a post of its own at some point. It was a dreary day weather-wise, but I loved wandering through the Victorian-era streets, watching a sweet making demonstration, and enjoying some delicious gingerbread. Mmmm!

My sister Harmony is in the Navy, but she got leave to go home for the new year. I had a Google Hangout with my whole family while they opened presents for a belated Christmas, and drew this silly face on my other sister Katelyn. When her husband Taylor leaned over, the program switched my makeover to his face! Hahaha!

Have I told you lately how much I love this city?

I know this is supposed to be a scholarly old man holding a tome of great knowledge, but to me, it just looks like he’s not so sure about the sandwich his wife put in his paper lunch sack…

What ARE those things?! I haven’t seen stars in so long, thanks to clouds and lots of light pollution. But that night, they were surprisingly bright. I still had to battle the light from a lamp post, but at least I could see them!

One of the things I love most about all my new Chinese friends is how happy and friendly they always are. Even their stores are excited to see you!

We rang in the New Year with gale force winds. These poor trash bins never stood a chance.

I enjoyed a lovely afternoon of Christmas Tea at the house of my Bishop’s family. Food, friends, and fun conversation? Yes, please!

Jess Friedman

Jess is a Canadian-American who's always ready for the next adventure. She loves all things living, always has a million creative projects in progress, and polishes her nerd badge daily. She is passionate about strengthening families by empowering women to make space for things that bring them true and lasting joy. You can read more posts by Jess here.

Newcastle 365: Weeks 15 and 16

Jess Friedman

Jess Friedman

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