I cannot believe we are in our final week already and I can now start saying 'On Monday I will have a long lie!' I've decided that I am probably missing sleep most over here as we are constantly 'on the go' and just don't have time for much of it! Although I would love to stay longer, I just don't think I'd be able to handle the pace!

Last Wednesday saw the arrival of my Mum (or Mom) and her partner. They have been here for just under a week now and go home today. They have seen all the sights around Boston and Cambridge and are very happy that I have had such a good time and met such amazing people over here! It was so good to see them as I have never been away from my Mum for as long as this and I have been missing her! I now can't wait to see my brother and Gran when I get home on Sunday (for my Sunday roast of course!).

On Thursday, we went for dinner to a themed restaurant called ***'s Last Resort! The theme is basically 'rude'! When we sat down the waiter told us not to take anything he said seriously as some people obviously take offence but its all in good fun! We knew what we were getting into as we had walked past the restaurant and had seen people being mocked with big white paper hats on their heads! The waiters and bar staff clearly do not believe in those 'customer service' rules which we come to expect in restaurants and bars and are pretty abrupt and tease and taunt people at every opportunity! After being hit in the face with a bib which we then had to wear, our waiter came up and put hats on our heads which each had a rude joke or saying about you on it! It was quite a hilarious night and everyone in the restaurant was joining in on the fun and laughing and joking with each other!

So, for the drama part of my title... We had plans to go to Niagra Falls (Canada side) at the weekend. We set out on Friday after my work and stopped off at Utica, New York to stay on Friday night as the journey to Niagra is around 8 hours from Boston. We had an early rise on Saturday morning and travelled the rest of the journey to the rainbow bridge which separates New York and Canada at the Niagra gorge. We were so excited to see the falls from the bridge and couldn't wait to get through the traffic and border security to get to the other side! The woman asked for our passports and then for my J1 form which I realised that I didn't have with me so we were directed to the immigration building. We stepped out the car to be met by an armed guard who escorted us inside! We were then told that we could not enter the country as I didn't have this form and that if they let me in, the U.S would not let me back into their country without it so I would be stuck in Canada! This was such an anti climax! I didnt even realise that I would need any documents as my VISA is in my passport! So we had to turn around and go back across the bridge with a letter from the Canadian border saying that we did not enter Canada (although technically we did cross the actual border on the bridge so I am still claiming that I have been to Canada!). When we got to the U.S security we handed in the form and passports again which we thought would be us free to go but the man said 'Can you switch off your engine and step outside the vehicle please!' This was pretty scary as we felt like criminals and were met by yet another armed guard to escort us into the building! We got taken up to a tiny room which was filled with almost 100 people waiting, in no order whatsoever, which was such a disappointing sight! It was like being stuck in limbo! We eventually had to wait two hours on being called into a room to get a post-it note stuck onto our passports saying that we were free to go! This was such a ridiculous system if you ask me but I was obviously in no state to question Americas border control! From there, we stuck to the American side of the falls and actually had an amazing weekend! We done the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds as well as the trolley bus around Goat Island and the Niagra Discovery Centre! The falls were spectacular and I would definitely recommend going!! If I could give any advice to future Saltires though it would be to travel with alllllll documents at all times as you never know when you might need them!

Speaking of drama, last night I went with Colin and David to see the 900th episode of the WWE's Monday night Raw! This was so exciting as I used to be a wrestling fanatic when my brother and I were younger and as it was the 900th episode, some of the old favourites were back! We seen the return of The Undertaker, Bret Hart, Kane and The Big Show! The show is like one big soap opera and is pretty funny at times but that didn't stop us getting carried away with the crowd and shouting and cheering at all the wrestlers! I was surprised to see so many adults, and the occasional child, getting worked up and excited about a show! There is even a Scottish wrestler in the show now called Drew McIntyre who they proceeded to make fun of for his Scottish accent and asked the crowd if they could roll their R's as thats what the Scots do! To which we shouted 'Ayyyeeeee' and then the crowds went 'Rrrrrrrrrrrrr' which was pretty amusing! All in all it was a good night!

I have also been working hard, honest!! The past week at Genzyme has been even busier than usual as I am still involved in the data analysis project and helping some of the other managers out with some small projects. Yesterday my manager came over and gave me another task which will keep me busy until I leave. It involves going into the manufacturing suites and looking at different instruments and equipment. I am glad that I still have a lot of work to do as I like to work under pressure so I will hopefully get everything done before I leave on Friday! I also like the variety I have been given as it gives you an option of what to get done each day and means that you can break up your day with different tasks! I can't believe I only have four days left, I am really going to miss everyone here! My manager keeps saying that he'd have me back next year and that I have been a great help which is good to know!

I hope everyone enjoys their last few days! I know I'm going to be busy cramming in some last minute sight seeing and shopping!

I will most probably blog again once I am home to reflect on my trip so...until next time! XOXO