Battery Park

21st October -

Marie and I decided to go into the City and walk around downtown.
We took the train to Grand Central then the subway to City Hall.

Battery Park is at the very end of Manhattan, and across the water, you can see the Statue of Liberty. It is also where you can catch the ferry to go and see her up close.

It was really windy and the sea was quite choppy, so we decided against it this time. We will go again in Spring perhaps.

We went to Friday's for dinner, and then headed back home.

After 2 months here, I still marvel at being in New York. Somehow it still doesn't seem real.

The following photos are of our train station Ardsley-On-Hudson, the Hudson River is really quite beautiful.

(oh this is out of order, but anyway, this is our other train station Dobbs Ferry, we came back to this one - it has a pretty mosaic wall)

Apparently this is some kind of famous statue in Battery Park.

Marie and a friendly squirrel, well friendly in the way that it didn't run away.

Marie and I at Friday's.

My bedroom etc.

Here are a couple of pics of my room. My FAV feature is my deck and the view of the leaves out my windows. I will update the view as they change colours!

My new family!

Shirin (5) and Cyrus (2) are incredibly cute!

I love being here with this new family.

CW Post Football Game

This was such a fun day. Fernanda, Erik and I went to the home coming football game at the CW Post campus of Long Island University.
The game was the CW Post Pioneers (Gold and Green) Vs the Bryant Bulldogs from Rhode Island (Black and White).

The Pioneers lost unfortunately for them, but it was good all the same. It was so surreal to be at an American Football game with cheerleaders and mascots etc! I have to admit though that the game itself was so incredibly confusing that Fernanda and I watched the cheerleaders mostly - they were amazing (just like you see on t.v.).

One of the players' Dad was sitting next to me, so he tried to explain the game as it went on - 2 and a half hours later I was just getting used to it I think - don't quiz me though!

It was so hot also - I got burnt. Fall is on its way though I've been told!

Last Days in Garden City

So I am in my final week here in Garden City, Long Island. I'm moving to the main land.

But before I do, (mostly for my memories, but you can benefit too I suppose) I thought I would post some photos of sights in the area.

These include the church I was attending, a fire hydrant, the autumn leaves and a bunny :)

Luvs, Kat.

The Subway

Some people have been asking me what the subway system in New York city is really like.

So, last time I was there I took a couple of photos.
In general, the trains themselves are pretty clean. The stations underground are a bit rough though. You definitely wouldn't want to hang out there just for fun - you get on the train, you get off the train and you leave.
I have to admit though, at the main stations such as Penn Station or 42nd Street (Times Square) or Grand Central Station - it is different. There are always a whole heap of people busking and performing - some of them are awesome! There are also a whole heap of homeless people - I'm know it doesn't compare to places like India, but it is still hard to see and know there is nothing I can do to help.

If you remember in an earlier post I mentioned this string group that I saw in Central Park that I really loved?? Well, I saw them at 42nd Street station on the weekend and took a photo of them for you all to see. They are truly amazing

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I'm moving to Dobbs Ferry

3 working days and counting!
I move on Saturday to Dobbs Ferry in Westchester County - About 40 mins by train, North of Manhattan.

Here is the e-mail I was sent from the host Mom Navaz. I have talked to her quite a lot and I am really really looking forward to moving in this weekend.

Dear Au Pair,
We are the Dadina family. My name is Navaz Katki and my husband’s name is Ron Dadina. We have two children, a 5 year old girl Shirin and a 2 year old boy Cyrus.Cyrus will turn 3 in January and Shirin will turn 6 in April. Shirin is in kindergarten and Cyrus goes to a Montessori pre-school which is very close to our house. Shirin and Cyrus are very fond of each other and enjoy each other’s company. They are very friendly and Shirin is particularly excited at the thought of having an Au pair whom she can be friends with.
We live in Westchester county of NY. It’s a very beautiful area of NY about twenty miles north of New York city. We live in a very nice town house complex which is right on the Hudson river. It is walking distance from the train station and very convenient for visiting New York city. There are many children in the town house complex and some of them have Au pairs as well.
I work in White Plains as a Software Professional for EMC. Ron commutes every day to New York city. He works as a financial analyst for Bear Stearns. Ron also travels a lot on business.
Our ideal Au pair must have experience with taking care of the kids and be able to use good judgement with them. We are looking for someone who truly loves being with children, is mature, responsible and affectionate.
The typical schedule would involve getting the kids ready for school, helping them with their breakfast. You would need to drive Cyrus to and from school. Shirin takes the school bus. In the afternoon, you would have to take the kids with any after school activities or arrange play dates and help Shirin with her homework. In good weather you can take them to the park or for walks on some days. In the evening we would need you to help with their dinner.
We are looking for someone who has good references,can drive and can adapt easily to a new home.
There are many activities for an Au pair in our area.There are lots of shopping areas, parks, restaurants,lots of other entertainment.
There are also many colleges and universities where you could enroll in educational and/or cultural courses.
Sincerely, Navaz Katki

I'm getting excited now. I met them at their house and saw where I was going to be living. I have the basement to myself with french doors leading to a small deck. I have my own bathroom and the use of a car.

I will post some photos after I have settled in.