4th of July and an Honorary Rotarian

Last week my host Rotary Club meeting fell on the fourth of July. (the USA's National Holiday) In honor of my home country's birthday, I baked a cake, which is shown above along with President Bryan Metz. (If you look closely it looks like a little American Flag) I also made some cookies and brought my American wand for Bryan to wave whenever he liked. Along with my nation's birthday it was also the birthday of two of the club's members, Alf Hannett and Dorothy Harper. So naturally, we celebrated in the best way we knew how....with desert, food, and wine. At the meeting I was very surprised to be asked to become an honorary member of the club! The new district governor, Malcolm Eaton, was there to witness the event and I was very proud to be pinned by past president Celia Leach with the Rotary Wheel. It was a truly wonderful evening and one I will never forget. I cannot believe how fast time is flying! I will miss everyone so much when I leave in one month! But let's not think about that! For now, I am off to another meeting this evening, and this morning a Rotarian from the Whickam Clavering club invited me to attend a tour at the BBC. Another great day!

The Abseil off the Baltic Art Museum (100 ft)

On Sunday June 24, Barbara Connors-Fowler and I abseiled (repelled, for you Americans) down the Baltic Contemporary Art Center to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Barbara and I decided to raise the money in honor of her friend, Mellisa Banks. The photos throughout this post are of the event and, I can tell you, I was a little nervous. To begin abseiling, you have to sit leaning over the building in order to gain confidence in the rope which will be supporting your weight. I don't know what I was thinking, but I felt the need to look over the edge of the building before I did this maneuver, which probably wasn't the best idea. But it was great fun, especially when I reached the ground. Luckily, Barbara and I were able to go at the same time and talk each other through it. We certainly laughed a lot on the way down and it took about 7 minutes to get down the whole thing. It was really high up there and most of the way down I was thinking I had to be closer to the ground then I was. But, I am quite proud that I stood on the M of the building where it says the Baltic Flour Mill. Now every time I pass the Baltic, I look up at the M and I am shocked that I actually stood on it. In fact, I consider it my M now. =) I want to thank each and everyone of you for supporting Barbara's and my abseil for Marie Curie Cancer Care. We have raised an amazing 1,052 pounds! (about 2,100 dollars) So thank you so much for your support. We are still raising money, in case you want to help! But enjoy the photos....my mom can't look at them..haha! But it was truly a great time, though I don't know if I will do it again! =)

I'm engaged!!

Hello Everyone! I just wanted to share the good news! My boyfriend of 4 years took me on a surprise trip to Italy where he asked me to marry him!! It was perfect! He asked at sunrise overlooking the Italian hills with Assisi in the distance! It was so cute! And I am incredibly happy and so are both of our families! We won't be planning the wedding right away, so we have time to figure some things out. So most likely you will all be invited to a wedding in 2009! But I will definitely keep you all updated. On a side note: this Sunday I will be abseiling off the BALTIC, to raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity. If you are free, come watch me repel of the building at 10 am!! If you would like to support the charity, I have a website for making donations: http://www.justgiving.com/katiedonovan It should be a good time! I will take lots of pictures!

Houghton-le-Spring

This past Wednesday was another wonderful Rotary night spent with the Rotary Club of Houghton-le-Spring. (The photo to the left is of the President, George Bennison, Misa and myself exchanging banners) Phil Hopps and his wife, Joan, kindly picked Misa and myself up from my accommodation and drove us to the club. I had a wonderful time visiting and speaking to the club and it was great to spend the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Hopps and Misa as well. We had a delicious meal and everyone was so friendly. Misa gave the first presentation, which was just wonderful. Japan looks beautiful in her pictures, I hope I will get to visit someday. I spoke second and following the speeches we exchanged banners. Houghton-le-Spring has a really unique banner in the shape of an upside-down triangle. It was a great night and we spent quite a bit of time chatting and meeting everyone after the meeting had ended. It was an absolutely wonderful night and I hope I will cross paths with all of the wonderful members sometime in my future!~ (the photo to the right, from left to right, features, Phil Hopps, Myself, President, George Bennison (he is holding my USA wand), Misa, and Foundation Chairman,
Bob Hodgon.)

Rotary Presentations

This past week has been a busy one for Rotary Presentations. I began by visiting and speaking to the Rotary Club of Whickham Clavering. It was a fun evening. I had met many of the members of this club at the 1030 District Conference in Leeds and I have many fond memories of spending a lot of time with them out on the dance floor dancing to the Scissor Sisters. I think I even have some quality photos of that as well! But no, I would never use blackmail! =) But the evening was really lovely and I had a wonderful time! The following day, Thursday, I spoke at the Washington Rotary Club. They happen to have their meetings in the ancestral home of George Washington! (Above is a photo of me in front of the home) Before the meeting Bob Chilton took me on a tour of the building and we were able to walk around the grounds a bit. It was a great afternoon. After the meeting Bob and I went over to the Washington Pub and had a drink while talking with many of the members of the town. I also saw the tree that President Jimmy Carter planted when he visited! (his tree is pictured to the left) It was a great afternoon and everyone was so friendly!

Bowling Night with Monkseaton

Hello Everyone! On May 3, I played on my host Rotary club's bowling team in the district 10-pin bowling tournament. It was a fun evening and our team even won a few awards!! Unfortunately, however, despite the fact that it was "American" style bowling, I did little to help my team in their victory....In fact, I had one of the lowest scores! But having fun is the most important part. (In the future I think I should do a little practicing before the next tournament!) =) The Monkseaton Centenary members in the above photo are as follows from left to right, back row and then front row: John, Steve, David, Tina, Celia, Barbara, Me, Mary.

Easter Holiday!

Before I could fully enjoy my Easter holiday, I had to first complete a major assignment for my degree program. I had to research and then present to a faculty board how the core cultural values and beliefs of a community are manifested in the communication behaviors of the individual. My specific focus was on Italian non-verbal communication specifically when using gesture. Although I spent many late nights working hard to complete this project, my work paid off and I received the mark of distinction! So once that project was out of the way I took a bit of time to travel some of the various parts of Europe. I began my trip by traveling with my best friend from the USA to Paris, Nice and Cannes. We had a wonderful time and I think I took a million photos of the Eiffel Tower. (One of which is pictured above.) We then stopped over in Monaco before spending some time in London. After my friend went back to the USA, I met up with my parents in London where I continued my travels. We saw so many wonderful things including Grenich (pictured above is me standing on the Prime Meridian...very cool, one foot is on the east and one on the west!) Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Stone Henge, and Bath (just to name a few). We also took in a few musicals and had an absolute fabulous time. When the three of us returned to Newcastle, my parents attended my host Rotary Club and my dad was the guest speaker of the evening. (We are all pictured above with President Celia) My parents were very excited to meet the members of the club who have been so kind towards me during my stay here in Newcastle. During the meeting the president of the club,Celia, invited everyone to her house the following Friday for a further get together with my parents. It was a wonderful night and her cheese and wine party turned into a full feast! She has such a kind heart! Following the wonderful Friday night festivities, my parents and I got on a plane and flew to Ireland where we spent the remaining 8 days of my holiday. We traveled all over the country with our rental car and I admire my dad for driving on the most narrow streets I have ever seen! But Ireland is so beautiful. (pictured above is a section on the Dingle Peninsula) I had a wonderful time!