Why Do 88% of Americans not know how to locate Afghanistan on a map?

Geography itself is no longer taught in most school systems in Massachusetts. It has been cut as a course itself and instead it is supposed to be covered in history classes. With so much to cover now in history classes (history, social studies, civics and geography), it can be hard to incorporate geography all the time. Adding to this though I think has to be our culture. The regular news channels especially seem to glaze over international affairs, not every really touching on anything that does not affect the US directly and spend time instead on local scare tactic stories, entertainment, sports or "special reports".

I think that if the media did more to inform the general public about the rest of the world, your average American would have a better sense of what is going on outside our borders. It is truly tragic watching major news stations and their 5, 6 and 11pm news reports. It just seems to create this little bubble of reality which never really seems to take into consideration the greater global perspective. Staying on top of world affairs is not a part of our most accessible news outlets. Also, the figures which seem to be celebrated in our media culture are not the Renaissance people, it's the everyman or the flawed, but mildly intelligent supporting characters. Women are portrayed as logical or even remarkably successful, but with their logic comes a husband who is a goofball or with their amazing success comes holes in their love life or personal relationships. Nothing is all encompassing.

We are also taught to tell our students that success is not an option and that effort equals achievement, but pop culture does not really reflect that. It shows people who make minimal effort receiving many of the perks of life. We celebrate making a quick buck, getting by with the skin of your teeth, getting overpaid and placing our self worth on material possessions. Shows like my Super Sweet 16 where girls barely out of Stride Rites get cars retired men have always dreamed about is painting such a skewed view of how one obtains the riches of life. We are not shown images of the strife others go through to get where they are, we are not shown how it takes effort to be a successful human beings and we are not shown how to empathize with the rest of the world. Why would I need to know where Afghanistan is if there is a sale at Nordstrom?

I don't like to say it, but the US has always reverted to an isolationist approach when times are tough and I think it has created a culture of people who are wearing blinders because of it. We do not know about geopgraphy because based on our culture, it does not have any direct affect on us. I am not saying this is true of everyone, it is not at all. Our media does not always reflect that though, you have to put effort in to get to the juicy bits. You cannot be watching a movie and then flip the channel and hope to get a good well-rounded new report. Why? What is the media trying to accomplish? Why are our most powerful engines of communication trying to make us daft and numb?

Thank You!

There will be a more complete account of the big day posted soon with more photos, but for now we just wanted to say thank you so much to all the family and friends who showed their love, support and dancing skills this weekend. We are so grateful to have had such an amazing group of people by our side as we tied the knot and will cherish all the memories from that fateful night for as long we are blessed to do so. Cheers once again to all those who made November 28, 2009 unforgettable!

It's the Final Countdown

I think I am supposed to follow that with a cheese theme from a Europe song of the 80's...but it might be lost on the majority of followers.
So we've got a Monday through Friday before the UK get's one more Mrs Coates, and the US sees another foreigner taking ownership of the best the country has to offer.
This past weekend has been interesting for a number of reasons, not the least of which because we realise that the final furlong is approaching and people are arriving.
It was fabulous to see Matt and Maria the other night. I ought to point out to followers of the blog, I know there are many of you, that Maria said this would happen. Whether she was reading the leaves, or flipping the Tarot, not sure. But when I played the part of Best Man at their wedding in 2006, before I left to head over to the US Maria wagged her finger and told me that I was going to meet a lovely Irish girl in Boston and it would be curtains for my bachelor lifestyle. I jokingly dismissed it, yet here I am over 3 years later, hugging her in Norwood asking her if she can predict the hair colour of my first born. Matt, Maria and I go back a long way and it is always wonderful being with them. I knew that Maria and Rin would hit it off and sure enough, after a little introducing they were gassing like college friends about anything you'd care to mention.

The rest of the weekend has put me in a little more tedious but dedicated frame of mind. After spending until 3am on Saturday night trying to figure out why the first three favours came out great and the subsequent 20 looked awful, I realised it must be time for bed and I'd think clearer in the morning. Let that be a lesson to all would be budding artists and graphic designers out there. Don't change paper in a printer half way through a job. There are only about 30 left to do so I feel quietly confident about waking on Monday morning with a weight lifted from these shoulders. - I won't at this point give the game away as to what the favour actually is, suffice to say they have been handmade in Boston. Incidentally Claire I don't think is intentionally giving me the bird in this image. Those of you who know her better may think otherwise.

Also saw a potential home for the newly weds today. Not the inside, but the outside was enticing to a would be DIY'er such as myself. The home restoration book I bought some time ago ought to come in handy as the sellers broker is adamant that there is over $200K required to make it habitable. We'll see.....as might some of you one day when we invite you over for a bite to eat or a prolonged stay.

OK, I'm going to sign off now, those favours are beckoning and I only checked email to see why the Hedges' were not responding.......or should that be Hedgi?

ciao for now brown cow

9 days

So, it is less than a week and half before the big day. We are heading out tonight to see Matt Hedges and his wife, Maria. Matt H. is Matt's best friend from college days gone by and they have not seen in each other in quite a long while. Over the next week all the guests from across the pond will be arriving and it is all becoming very real and very exciting. I am picking up my dress tomorrow and we are finishing up the majority of admin duties for the wedding this weekend. Well on our way folks! Polish your dancing shoes!

School is also coming close to the end. Last class of my MA is on December 9th, last day of student teaching is December 11th and then I am done with graduate school, for now. It feels like it has been awhile in the making as I was working full-time and doing school at night for over a year, but the end is now here and I cannot believe how much has happened in 2009. Matt and I said at the end of 2008 that we would make the most of this year and I think we have fulfilled that goal quite well. I cannot wait to see what 2010 will bring.

Also, I have included a picture from my Boston Bachelorette Party. There will be no explanations, no words ever really should be spoken outside certain company about that evening. Let us just say, it was one to remember, though I am not really sure I can...
\

Seacoast Half Marathon

I started off my running career a little backwards. Most people start off with the 5 or 10k races and slowly work their way up to a marathon. Instead I did a couple 5Ks and then the next race I competed in was a marathon. Last month I decided I would start filling in the missing races and do my first official half marathon. I of course had run 13 miles and more during my marathon training, but I never ran an actual half marathon race. My friend, Laurie, was the one who mentioned the race and when she did I thought it would be a good way for me to get back into my running since I suffered a bit of a slump after the marathon. It was also probably a little crazy considering everything I have going on, but it is something I feel good when I accomplish so I thought, why not?

The race was in Portsmouth, NH along the coast and it was probably the most beautiful race I have done to date. The views through Wentworth by the Sea and of the islands off the coast were lovely. The people as well who both were organizing the race and participating in it were really great and there were quite a few people out along the route cheering people on. It was also a fairly kind course, the only really hilly bit was at the end. It was a lovely and welcome change to my training runs through Roslindale and West Roxbury which are pretty consistently hilly. Saying all that I highly recommend this for anyone looking to tackle a half marathon next November.

The best part though had to be the company. Laurie is one lovely lady and it is always a great treat spending time with her. Her aunt and uncle, Laura and Patrick, were kind enough to let us stay with them the night before as they live outside of Portsmouth. Laurie's uncle ran the race with us as well. Aunt Laura made us an amazing pasta dinner the night before to get us all carbo loaded for the big race and then proceeded to make us a great brunch to revive us after the race. Their generosity and kindness really made the whole weekend an amazing experience and I am very glad I decided to finish of this year with this race. Let the running continue.

"What's in a name?"

Some of you may know, but for those of you who do not and to provide future contact details, I wanted to make a post regarding my name change. I will be taking Matt's last name and will become Corinne Elizabeth Coates. Some nicknames and phrase regarding this new name have begun to emerge already. Mostly courtsey of Sam and Aisling, but other suggestions are welcome.

I have a new Gmail account already and you can begin using this if you would like:

coates.corinne@gmail.com

A Gregorian calendar

365 days in the majority of years, approximately 76 years in a lifetime.
We have 42 days (or approx 0.0015% of life) until the evening before the big day and everyone asks how things are going..... Those who are married usually ask with a look of knowing intimidation, those who are not married are probably going and just overwhelmingly excited - awesome.
We've also got a Birthday today. Corinne is now 25. A quarter century. There is applause in the air and I am thinking of inventive ways to celebrate, determined that a respectable cricket score is not lost in the build-up to the 28th of the Eleventh.

Corinne is also working every hour of the day, her routine at the moment is crippling and I'm carefully monitoring her frame of mind and physical condition, I'm working her hard. Any day that starts at 6am and does not physically stop until 10pm is asking a lot. It usually begins with her classes at Boston Latin. Her skills have turned her from an observer in the classroom to being requested by the kids within just two weeks and she's basically a full time teacher during her training. I delight in the stories she comes home with, telling me of her interactions with kids and staff alike - it reminds me how many social etiquettes are formulated in an educational environment and brings me back to my own fun times in school. It also reminds me how tough continual testing of knowledge can be on a student and the teacher.
Corinne is also working at an Orthodox Jewish School and has just as rich story from there. Completely different environment but all the same interactions - children are fascinating and I feel as though I am only just out of that age.

People have also been asking about our Registry and although link have been posted, they are a little older in the posts now.
http://corinneandmattcoates.blogspot.com/2009/08/registering.html
the link is above to bring it to the front again.

More to follow on activities over the weekend of the 28th November but for those reading this and attending think of the following
Wedding, drinking, talking, eating, drinking, dancing, travelling, drinking, eating, talking - then we go to the after party ;-)

more soon.

Bachelorette Party!

This weekend I headed to NYC with my friend Marissa and my cousin and maid of honor, Rachael. My friends Aisling and Brianna live in NY and volunteered to throw me a bachelorette party. The two of them have known me for about 15 years through the best and toughest times and I love them like sisters. I knew they would put together something amazing so I was more than thrilled to have them take on that task. I also was not quite sure what to expect, but that always makes it more exciting.

We drove down on Friday night late to Astoria to stay at Aisling's. Saturday we went to Alphabet City to visit Brianna in her new neighborhood and have brunch. We went to a great little place and then decided to take a little tour of the area and go outfit shopping for the evening in Union Square. We each found something cute and proceeded to head back to Queens to meet my friends Leanne and Caitlin who had just arrived from Boston. We got ready and headed to our first stop, Brother Jimmy's. Aisling works here and it is a really fun and friendly BBQ place that did a great job taking care of us with "fish bowls" and frickles (fried pickles). I then was told we would be going somewhere for a "show" and our main meal. The place we went to was called Lucky Cheng's and if you have not been there it is definitely an out of this world experience. It is described as a "downtown drag cabaret dinner theatre", but it is also an interactive experience for parties coming for birthdays, bachelorette parties, etc. Needless to say I became a part of the show on more than one occasion. Details will be left a mystery expect for a select few. I would not say it is the ideal place for all bachelorettes, but I had a great time and it was a hilarious, fun, completley unforgetbale mid point to the evening.

From there we headed out dancing at a place called "The Dark Room". We spent the next couple of hours getting down to our favorite guilty pleasure pop songs before calling it a night jamming out to some Punjabi dance music in the cab ride home. Overall, it was an awesome weekend and I could not have asked for a better group of people to spend it with. We were missing some of our dear ones (Katy, Laurie, Johannah, Brittany Malitsky, Holly and Alexis, etc.), but there is another mini bachelorette party, Boston style, that will hopefully include some of those who could not make it. Otherwise, bring on the wedding festivities! All of my amazing friends are going to be together and I am so excited and touched I will have so many of my loves together with me on my big day in the near future. Thanks so much to all of you made this weekend the best time a bachelorette could ask for! I love you!

Invites!

So, it is official - all the invites are in the mail! After having them sit on our side table partially done for quite awhile now and having the UK ones go out a couple weeks ago, it is very exciting to have them off in the hands of the US Postal Service and on their way to all our friends and families. I wanted to accompany their arrival with a repeat of some of the information you will find in the invite plus some that you might need.

• The wedding begins at 5pm and both the ceremony and reception will take place at The Neighborhood Club in Quincy, MA. Here is the link to their website: http://www.neighborhood-club.com/weddings.php
• Recommended accommodation is at the Quincy Marriott. If you mention that you are a part of the Coates/Duggan wedding you should receive a rate of $99 per night. The phone number is 617-472-1000. Here is the link for their website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosqu-boston-marriott-quincy/
• The after party will take place at the Marriott starting between 11:30 and Midnight.
  
• If you have received a plus one (or more) we are welcoming guests aged 16 and up to the ceremony and reception.
• Women are encouraged to wear hats/headpieces and men are welcome to wear kilts.
  
• If you are coming from out of town and plan on joining us for Thanksgiving please email me and let me know asap - corinne.duggan@gmail.com
• If you are in the UK and either can or cannot make it to the wedding we will be having another celebration in the UK at the end of December, most likely the Sunday after Christmas at The Lemon Tree restaurant in Hornsea.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us at:
corinne.duggan@gmail.com or mattcoat@gmail.com


Mo grá thu

A Bridal shower

A tradition apparently started by the Flemish but now seemingly practiced in it's current form in the US and Canada. Corinne had talked me through what was actually involved and I'll do my best to summise here.
The lady folk who are invited to the wedding day itself get together and throw a pseudo surprise party for the Bride. The Groom on the other hand is privy to the information and generally also the collector of the Bride post celebration. As with all good celebrations of the nuptial format a giving of gifts to prepare the Bride for her role as a wife is performed. These gifts are usually chosen from a list generated by the Bride although deviations of a thoughtful nature are encouraged.

I was to canter into the venue, in this case the delightful Tosca's in Hingham, around noon. I was lured there by the promise of food and would lose respect for myself if I passed on Tosca cuisine. It is one of my favourite restaurants, not just because my soon-to-be cousin Jessica and her gentlefellow star chef boyfriend run it, but because it really is that good. Corinne and I have calendars full of happy memories from there. Now, what I was expecting, or had visioned after listening to Corinne's renditions of prior wedding showers, was that a select group of friends get together and give gifts to Corinne, generally chat about womanhood, how to be a good wife, exchange meatloaf recipes discuss soft versus crisp cookies and generally have a catch up and gas about the forthcoming event.
I walked into the event, the restaurant was closed so it was obvious where I was to go, and got a wave from an entrance to the enclosed far end of the building. Just as I stepped through the arch into the room I was struck by how crowded the room was....then I realised they were all cheering me.....and I still had my clothes on. I was not prepared for it at all. There were probably 40,000 people there and I think I was supposed to know all their names. Now, for anyone that knows me, you'll know how terrible I am with remembering names. I'm fabulous with faces, but discerning between a Brian and an Angela, I'm a defeated hopeless episode of Sex in the City. I was also hungry and judging by the state of play, I was the only one. Everyone else had finished and like an agoraphobic's nightmare the food was on a table in the centre of the room. Everyone also looked fabulous. I on the other hand I'd taken the lengths to don a black polo shirt number belonging to a guy called CK, a pair of jeans and a fancy pair of shoes. I was also wearing underwear but you wouldn't have known it by looking at me.

The whole atmosphere was great too. Corinne was the centre of attention with her maid of Honour, Rachael, to her right and Anna, her cousin, to her left. Presents were being opened, oooohhhhss and aaaahhhhaaaa heard and then a chorus of thanks and nodding of heads. I scurried to the back and hung out with a few of the Boston Latin School honey's, a few aunties and then a few more aunties.

After all said and done I was wholly impressed and somewhat humbled for a number of reasons. Everyone was there and had made such a monumental effort as a result of Corinne saying yes to my marriage proposal. What a great decision, both in me asking and her saying affirmative and then saluting. We've a kitchen a professional chef would envy over. I predict my future will involve a lot of cake and dinner parties. The other reason is that everyone is so happy for us, everyone is excited and everyone sees us as a strong and highly compatible couple. I'd grown up away from a large family and although I do not miss it, there are incredible emotions of belonging when so many others accept you because of someone else's decision.

Of course, the whole event also made me ask myself why a guy does not something similar from his guy friends. Seems like guy friends have it easy when their buddies get married. They basically get invited to a stag party, drink a lot, probably head out to a strip joint and oggle some ladies before going home and at some point waking to nurse a hangover. Pretty straight forward formulas if you ask me. But what if a guy had a grooming shower - what would that be? Would it be a simple affair of unwrapping power tools, boxes of nails, a hammer, car polish, a kiddy leash and an xbox, or would you be unwrapping that supersized poster of Pammy along with a lifetime subscription to a favourite brew....who knows. I think it would be fun though......in fact, i think it would be a lot of fun.

well, answers on a postcard .....

A hutch, a batch, a thatch, a touch

So, here's my entry, to Bachelor party or not.....can I organise something or should I just point everyone to this site and let the world....ok, anyone following the blogg - which ain't many at the moment I might add, contribute to what I should be or should not be doing for my bachelor party prior to the 28th November.
Thoughts...
well, suggestions of a fishing trip followed by camping on one of the Boston Islands, then heading back and perhaps a short but inebriating experience around the streets of Boston.
I dunno, what does everyone else think.....

Oh, also to add that it looks like there will be a pre-wedding stag party on Wednesday night, the 25th November. Gentlemen only I am afraid.

Ideas on a postcard to.....well, to hear I guess unless someone wants to take it upon themselvs to organise it for me ;-)

Flim Debut Together

A few months ago Matt and I decided to take part in a Discovery Channel film shoot. My cousin's wife, Erica, decided to take part in the extras' shoot as well and the experience was very fun and fairly educational as well. Here is the clip from the episode we were a part of:

http://science.discovery.com/videos/popscis-future-of-spit-party.html

Erica has dark brown hair, a purple dress and a black and white coat. I am assuming everyone else knows what Matt and I look like.

Summertime Adventures

This summer I have had more time off then I have had in a very long time, a whole month. I finished working at Northeastern at the end of June and spent all of July working as the choreographer for Indian Hill Music's Summer Music production of The Wizard of Oz. I was able to work with a Mr. Andrew Rhodes who had directed me in the past and two of Indian Hill's wonderful music/vocal directors. The highlights though were of course the 33 budding young actors I was able to work with. Aged 8-16 these kids did a great job performing 4 shows of the entire original London cast version of this musical with just 4 weeks of rehearsal. Indian Hill also did an amazing job of finding a great set and lighting team to transform the concert hall into Oz.

Since the performances finished I have had some time to get myself ready for the 4 months of craziness I am about to embark on with student teaching, after-school coordinating, classes and wedding planning. I have also had some great opportunities to see friends, family and travel. The first journey of this summer came when Matt and I ventured in Kemo (the SAAB) up to Guelph in Ontario to see Matt's second cousin, David. We drove 90 through Buffalo and were able to see Niagara on both the US and the Canadian sides. Normally, I am biased towards the good ol' US of A, but Canada does a far better job of having the area around the Falls reflect, in at least some small fraction, the awesomeness which is Niagara. The New York side is pretty depressing actually except for the park immediately surrounding it. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend a trip there when on route to our neighbors to the north.

The next couple trips were one night deals, but very worth every minute. First, Matt and I ventured down to Halifax, MA for our friend Dean's birthday. Jet skis, lobster and dancing by the lake were how we celebrated and it was a blast. The next trips were solo ones for me. First, I headed to Cape Cod (Falmouth, MA) to my grandparents' house with my Mom. My Aunt Diane and her two little boys are staying there and my Uncle Mark, Aunt Nancy and their three children were staying at a hotel close by. Albeit brief, the time I got to spend with my extended family was great.

Next, I headed down to Southampton with my dear friend Marissa where we met our friends Aisling and Brianna at Aisling's uncle's house on the bay in Southampton. We were able to spend Friday night and all day Saturday on the beach enjoying the sun, the Magee boat and much needed together time. Saturday night we had dinner with Aisling's uncle, aunt, cousins and Pop Pop and Sunday we hung out by the pool. It was the first time in a long time we have gotten to spend that much time together and I am so grateful we got that chance. Thanks Ais!

The most recent and last trip of my "lady of leisure" days was out to the Bay Area in California. Matt was working for EKC on Thursday and Friday and we decided to make a little trip out of it. We left Wednesday morning for SFO and once we landed went and had a fun lunch of Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf before we ventured to our hotel in San Ramon in the Tri Valley. On Thursday our friend Katy was able to make it out to our hotel and share an interesting meal at "The Brass Door" where Matt learned the hard way that prime rib is not ribs... I assumed that was general knowledge, but apparently an Oxford education only takes one so far. (jk)

Friday evening we ventured into Danville and had a great time meeting some locals at some great neighborhood haunts. Saturday we met Katy in Oakland at the Eat Real Fest (eatrealfest.com), a really fun and tasty collection of local growers, restaurateurs, brewers, bakers, etc. celebrating all that the Bay Area has to offer in consumable goods. Matt and I then took a hour or so to head over to the Golden Gate bridge for a our one photo shoot as we forgot our supposedly broken camera at home. My crappy phone turned out to be a much better camera then I gave it credit for and we at least got a few decent shots of the bridge from the park overlooking the bay.

Following our Mr. DeMille moment we headed for Castro to see Katy's new place which just so happens to be a former residence of the late, great Janis Joplin - too cool. Her former lover actually still lives across the street, Janis's that is. The house was a pretty amazing place full of old charm, nifty gadgets and a fancy Pottery Barn outdoor couch courtesy of Katy's roommate. It was first time I had been out to visit Miss Buckland since she moved to become a corps member for Teach for America in the Bay Area and I am so happy I got the opportunity to see her in her current home. It was a beautiful spot and both Matt and I became more and more tempted to perhaps make a move out there for awhile before we fully settle down. I guess once the next 4 months conclude we will know much more clearly how feasible that option is - we'll keep you posted.

MTELs

This is slightly off topic when taking the previous posts into consideration, but I am quite excited and my giddiness in taking precedent at the moment. I just found out a couple of hours ago that I passed the History portion of the MTEL examination. For those of you who do not know, the acronym, MTEL, stands for Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. I took and passed my general exam which all hopeful teachers take a few months ago, but had yet to sit for my subject matter test. One of the reasons why I am most excited to find out that I passed is the Fall is going to be quite a crazy time. I am student teaching at Boston Lation School from September to December, taking the last two courses of my Masters and working part-time as the after school coordinator at the Maimonides School in Brookline. All this will be going on as Matt and I try to finish planning a wedding, figure out our plans for the future and prepare for Christmas and New Year's in the UK.

It's all wonderful though, both Matt and I find we do our best work when we are busy and 2009 has been quite a year, so I say - bring it on! Well, maybe I will take advantage of the last couple weeks of summer first and my time living as a lady of leisure first. Off to celebrate at Lala Rokh in Beacon Hill - Persian food sounds like a good way to celebrate!

Registering

"The practice of a bridal registry was first instituted by Chicago-founded department store Marshall Field's in 1924 at its Marshall Field and Company Building as a means for the engaged couple to indicate chosen china, silver and crystal patterns to family and friends. US-based Target stores were the first to introduce an electronic self-service gift registry in 1993, using a service provided by The Gift Certificate Center, Minneapolis, MN. The technology was invented and subsequently patented by William J. Veeneman et al., the founder and CEO of The Gift Certificate Center." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridal_registry)

Registering is an interesting experience. The choosing of items to accommodate a lifetime... It is also seems slightly strange to be choosing the gifts you wish to receive. I see the practicality associated with the practice, but odd none the less to know what you will be receiving before you receive it. Tradition continues though and of course there is some sense in the customs that have become mainstays. This all being said, I would like to inform everyone where they might find our desired home goodies. All are available on-line and two of the three are available in store if you so choose to shop the old fashioned way. All should be found by searching with my name, Corinne Duggan, and with our wedding date Nov. 28, 2009.

• Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wedding/X6E3DDD8YBAI - direct link if needed)
  
• Bloomingdale's (Brown bag it!)
  
• Bed, Bath & Beyond ( I like that this store has such an epic name for selling towels and linens)

Hats - A gift from my friend Aisling

My friend Aisling sent a friendly reminder about HATS being encouraged for the wedding as we are trying to bring a bit of the UK to this Boston extravaganza. It was quite the reminder complete with visual aids so I thought I would share.





The cat had one.

Hogwarts has a sorting one.

I like to wear this one when I'm shopping

And, at our best friend's wedding November 28, 2009, we shall all have ones that are as fabulous as hers

Thats right! We will ALL wear hats to Corinne's wedding, because she is quoted as saying they are "strongly encouraged. [edit]."

No Wimping out! No saying you can't find one! No complaining that the live Blue bird on your head makes your face look fat. Besides, think of the photo op this will be!

Ok, so you've had plenty of warning. Go out and shop ladies!

Aisling

So it begins...

I have decided to join the world of the bloggers. Never really thought I would, but I guess we all eventually succumb to the times. This is really a duel blog for my fiance, Matt, and I to help record our lives and share our thoughts and experiences with others. Hopefully, this attempt will prove enlightening, lucrative and fun. Let's get started shall we...

Matt and I are getting married on November 28, 2009. It has been a whirlwind journey for us. Matt is from the UK (Scotland by birth and England by default) and I am a Bostonian, to put it lightly. We met a mere month after his arrival in October 2006 and we have been together ever since. Normally I would insert some kind of bad joke about British colonial tendencies, but I will restrain myself. During this crazy, nearly 3 years we have had some amazing and amusing experiences living in Boston and traveling. Between the antics of L Street living in South Boston, the winding roads of Scotland, the trails (or lack there of) on Mt. Washington, we have had quite the adventurous life to date and only have plans to have the adventure continue and grow.

In this first of many postings to come, I want to just dabble in what has been and what is to come so I will close in saying, welcome. The future Coates family is looking forward to the future.