The last weeks in America: a Recap

November 5: last Portsmouth Farmer's Market; a very cold, very quiet farewell. Christmas fair with Mum. Required pre-dinner drinks at Ri Ra, dinner at the One Hundred Club with John, Sheelagh, Frank and Judi.

November 12: last shift at Cava (I think? very possible I was cut, but it was the last day of Restaurant Week so probably not).

November 13: John and Sheelagh leave for NYC with two packed suitcases of mine. I'm left with a shoulder bag to last me for the week and to take to DC next weekend.

November 14-17: eat a lot of frozen soups and breads I had made with the leftover farmers market produce. Read a lot of travel essays.

November 15: Read an entire book in one day.

November 17: last night in Portsmouth. Drink with Judi at Mombo, adio's Tj's, Press Room, Ri Ra, etc....

November 18-20: weekend in DC.

Bucknell themed party with Blue and Orange drinks:

 Blue Moon, Mango Margaritas, Natty Lite's just because,   

 national monuments,

catch-phrase,

 outdoor  markets, smelly dogs, cute dogs, old college photos,

 bloody mary brunch,

 margaritas and birthday,

homemade hot apple cider, UNISG reminiscence, lots of catch up and laughter.

November 20: Trip to NYC. Hello John, Sheelagh & Jess!

November 21-December 1: pack and unpack, pack and unpack, pack and unpack { insert Arina comment } 

November 21: Post Office, Kaluystan's, homemade dinner

November 23: Farmers Market pre-indulgent feast shopping. Cocktail party at Jess's apt. Hello Chris and Beth!

November 24: Thanksgiving. 

Ess-a-bagel, the usual. 

Thanksgiving Day Parade then cooking.

thanksgiving going to her head...

Neil Diamond!! 

Mum after seeing her LOML

Dinner starts with Hibiscus Cava cocktails, homemade turkey liver pate, 

cheese plate with not-puffed-up-cheese-puffs, 

squash apple soup, farmer's market turkey, cranberry chutney, roasted garlic & maple syrup mashed sweet potatoes, roasted fingerling rosemary potatoes, braised greens with kalamata olives and feta, crispy brussel sprouts with garlic chips, broccoli with cheese sauce and crumbled cheetos, balsamic glazed cipollini onions, apple pie, pumpkin pie, crumbs cupcakes and 

Australian wine!

November 25: run in Central Park: my favorite NYC activity. The Australian Bar. 

 Le Souk Harem aka HOOKAH with John, Sheelagh, Chris & Beth

 - love it! 

Tiki drinks with fuzzy cocktail stirrers with family friends

November 26: Brunch at Les Halles, goodbye Chris and Beth,

 run down West Side Highway, old-catch up drinks, 

drinks and out and late night eats like a real New Yorker with Jess & Chloe

November 27: Little Owl brunch and Gottino drinks with Mum & Jess, 

football and farewell drinks for Kim, her required Shack Shake meal, and Eataly.

November 28: Tapas in the old neighborhood

November 29: old local fav Spotted Pig then the Highlands.

November 30: last night in America! 

Momofuku ramen with Mum, Cannibal beer, 

dinner with the fam at Artisanal (I love cheese)

then Pj Clarke's, of course.

December 1: last day in America! quick coffee down in FD, escaping Occupy WS, errands,

 2.5 hour lunch at BareBurger YUM ostrich meat, goodbye Dad and goodbye Mum. Airport. Pinterest laughs. Airplane food. 

Turbulence. More Turbulence. Deep breathes. Woman screaming. Survival, barely, an hour early b/c of the incredible winds.

GOODBYE AMERICA, HELLO IRELAND.