I think one of the reasons I've been slow to get into FNL despite the good press is just plain not getting high school sports in the US. Not that we weren't sport crazy in Jamaica, but it was just different. And never mind England, where we really didn't care about sports at all. I played hockey for the school for 3 or 4 years, and we sucked so hard. At a trust rally/tournament thing, we were in second to last place, and some chick from another school commented snottily on it, and Ruth just said "Yes, but we get more girls into Oxbridge than you do."

Shut snotty chick right up, because if there's one thing that's true about the Girl's Public Day School Trust (or was then)--they're not trying to make you well rounded. They're trying to get you into the top universities through your grades and your grades alone. Maybe also your charity work, of which we did a lot.

eta: flights booked to JFK. Damn, the hotel guy made it sound like there's no sense public transporting it into the UES. We can hop on a SuperShuttle there, maybe? Looks like that might cost both of us just a little less than their cab estimate of $40.

These cookies are GOOD. They're like the Stella D'oro Swiss Fudge cookies -- almondy shortbread cookies with fudge on top. I haven't made the fudge part yet, but the cookie part is really good. And the cookie press is fun, but I think it'll be a pain to clean.

Liese, I ran to the Christmas music service at church, but if you're still looking, these paper ornaments and these snow ... thingies are super easy and pretty and cheap.

There are a lot of other ideas linked on those pages, too.

The subway is possible, ita. Are you flying in on a weekend?

If you have more than one person, I'd say a cab is definitely the way to go. And, as far as I know, there's no need to estimate a cab, it's a flat rate from JFK to Manhattan.

ETA: The subway is possible, but to the UES it would be a pain and take forever.

My father just told me he supposed I only liked Christmas music like The Little Drummer Boy that wasn't religious.

Uh, pops? Way to a) not know my tastes and b) not know The Little Drummer Boy. Yet? He was right that I liked it.

Cookie presses are way fun. Mine came with a great chocolate mint recipe, and I don't even like mint.

The subway is possible, ita. Are you flying in on a weekend?

Coming in Saturday PM, leaving Monday AM. The hotel guy made it sound like it could take 2-3 hours from JFK.

Flat rate? So hopefully, then $40+tip.

If you have more than one person, I'd say a cab is definitely the way to go. And, as far as I know, there's no need to estimate a cab, it's a flat rate from JFK to Manhattan.

My first trip to Manhattan, I got roped into a gypsy cab ride--sharing with another guy and they charged me the full $40. I was literally taken for a ride. Nobody warned me.

Coming in Saturday PM, leaving Monday AM. The hotel guy made it sound like it could take 2-3 hours from JFK.

Depends on what the traffic is like in Mid Town. It's probably just over an hour in good traffic but weekend nights, yeah, I could see a two hour trip.

Cookies are done. I need to finish packing boxes that need to go in the mail tomorrow, but instead I'm watching White Christmas. And I want a nap, though at 4pm that seems wrong.