From the big apple to the valley of the sun!

It's been a while and things have changed! After a week and a half of living at Grannies I decided that the rest of my time should be spent back home in Scottsdale! The reality of the situation is that I'm not going to get my decision back from the consulate this month, so given that I have a few weeks left back in the States, what better place to be than home! :) It's been great, it's a little weird posting this blog from my old room!! Ha, I feel like this isn't really "blog worthy" because, well I'm back at square one. No fun stories of galivanting around the south of france or making cheese in Holland...I'm back, hanging out with the dogs and catching up on my favorite TV shows! It's a good life!!


I'm looking forward to spending downtime here with the fam, seeing good friends and relaxing. If all goes to plan I will be back on a plan to old London town in the beginnig of January. I got a really nice email from the supply teacher that is taking over my class, and she sent a photo of the kids. It got me really excited it get back. I feel good though because school gets out for winter break on Friday, so I won't be feeling like I'm missing out anymore. Now I can just enjoy the Christmas season, in the sunny weather!!! I got so excited about the sun when I got back, it was like I had never seen it before! I was laying out by the pool on the 1st day, people thought I was nuts.

Here are photos of the fabulous evening in NYC when Nadia, my fabulous best friend in London met Elyse, my fabulous best friend since we were 12!

Bloggin in the Big Apple

Back in America! It's great, it's funny how the feeling of home never changes. I thought that it would feel strange coming here, after being away for so long, but it just felt normal immediately. It's so interesting though, being here I'm seeing everything with new eyes. After becoming so used to life in London and how things look, how people talk and spell things. Coming here I notice all the things that make us different, but now in reverse! However in some ways I feel foreign here now. I don't have a proper cell phone, I'm on some stupid pay-as-u-go phone with expensive minutes. A blow dryer and straightener that barely work with the low voltage over here, and no access to my bank account in the UK.

At the moment I don't know where I belong!! I feel out of place here and I'm currently not allowed in London. I am really enjoying my time here at the moment. I love walking around Manhattan checking out the sights, spending time with Elyse, and relaxing at my Grandma's. But at the end of the day I really want to get back to London. I've created a life there! I have a fabulous boyfriend and a wonderful job. I love going to work everyday, I love spending my days with my students. At home I have great flatmates, and always have fun hanging out with them. I've put life on pause to spend time here and I'd like to push the button again to un-pause it! But...I have to wait.

I'm just trying to enjoy the present time! I suppose many people would love to take time away and bum around new york city. My family was here for the first 4 days and that was great. Good to spend time with them, and the rest of the fam here in New York. Nadia was here and I got to meet up with her and Elyse on Sunday night. That was really cool! Having my best friend in London and my best friend since forever together! It was fabulous. Thanksgiving was wonderful and we all had a really good time!

So now I'm just playing the waiting game and having fun in the meantime! Going into the city during the day, and relaxing with Granny in the evening! It's a good life :)

I'm leavin on a jet plane...not quite sure if I'll be back again

Ok so maybe it's not that bad! I really think that everything will be fine and I'll be comin back here, and it'll be all lovely jubbly.... I'm thinking POSITIVE :)

On Thursday night I saw Phantom of the Opera with Nick. It was soo good!! I was singing it for the rest of the night, and Nick was really regretting taking me...

Monday is my last day at school before I go. I've been writing up a lot of plans for the supply teacher. I met with her the other day (she's a floating teacher in the school, who will be in my class whilst I'm gone) So I was glad to be able to explain them, because there's a lot to explain with this crowd!!! ha! I'm so sad to leave them, and aside from that they're not really going to understand that I left and am coming back. They're so wonderful, as challenging as they can be sometimes, spending my days with them is time well spent. All the time they're surprising me with new sentences they're say, or things they do. They're the best free entertainment this world has to offer, actually I'm getting paid for it!!

This weekend was great. I spent Saturday in Covent Garden shopping around with my friend Sarah..and then in the evening I went to Nicks. We had a very lovely weekend just spending time together. Now I'm busy busy getting everything sorted for voyage back home! I'm so excited to see everyone and spend time in New York, and back in America. It will be good to be back with my people! Back in a place where they call things the same way that I do :) It will probably be a bit strange, since I've grown so used to living amongst the English

I've posted some old photos. I'm afraid I haven't been taking any photos lately. I'll definitely be taking some in New York!!

The quest continues

I was thinking the other day on the way to get groceries, how exciting this blog has become. If it's not one thing it's another. Moving to London has been a lot of things, but boring is not one of them! Always something goin on here.


So here's the latest. I told the head teacher at my school my current situation. I was so relieved afterwards. I was quite nervous of how they would react. I didn't really know what to expect, but they took it really well. They're very supportive of me, and upset that this is fouled up because Brent wrongly advised me in the first place. Together the head teacher and I wrote up a letter in support of me staying. She put in a lot of nice things about me, and are very concerned about losing me. It was very good to know how they felt and that they don't want to lose me.

I have made my decision that going to New York will be the best option for me. I have been advised that if I were to stay in country and appeal the home office's decision of the initial refusal, I will probably lose that. I would lose it because they based their decision by the law. That law is that you cannot switch from a Bunac visa to a work permit in country, you have to do so out of country. They would not reconsider that refusal.

What I would be doing in New York is apply for entry clearance, it's a separate thing than the above. That will probably be granted because I have a work permit, and teaching will be seen as a shortage occupation at that time, and I will have a letter in support from the school. There really shouldn't be any reason as to why I should be refused.

The slight downfall to this, is with everything to do with the government...nothing happens quick. There's a lot of bureaucracy and it could take weeks for me to get my answer. So I will have to wait weeks in New York. I'm going to have to tell the school that it will be likely that I will be away for 2-4 weeks, which isn't great. I hope they'll take that well, probably find a long term supply teacher, and I'll have my job back when I return to the UK.

So now I'm just praying for a quick (and positive!) answer back from the British embassy and in the meantime, looks like I'll be chillin in the big apple! I'm extremely excited to see Elyse, it's been FAR too long since we've seen each other, and waay too long since we've properly spoken. I'm looking forward to seeing family and all other friends in NYC. Let's hope this all goes as planned!!

The campaign continues...please support the campaign to keep me in London by your good thoughts and prayers!

Here are some photos to remember the good times! :)

Happy Halloween

Wow, life has been SO stressful lately!!! But first I start off with the fun stuff! :)

Halloween was great! I was little red riding hood, and Nick was a lot like Capt. Jack Sparrow. We went out to a club in Vauxhall with our friends Stephan and Anna. It was a really cool club and everyone costumes were amazing!!! It was really cool. The thing about England (and potentially the rest of the world???) is that they only dress up as something scary/dead for Halloween. Whereas in America most people do funny/cute/sexy things. I went as a cute/nice little red riding hood and definitely stuck out!! People were asking why wasn't I brutalized or something. I prefer looking nice! :) Overall I definitely prefer America's take on Halloween!!!

THEN the drama started!

My ongoing struggle as an immigrant continues. At the beginning of the week Nick was thinking that it might not be as easy as just turning up at the British Embassy in NYC and getting my entry clearance to the UK. He had advised me not to go to New York because I would put myself in jeopardy of not being admitted back into the UK. If that were to happen that I will have to put in an appeal and will have to stay in the State while that is processed. He advised that I stay in the UK.

After hearing that I decided to not go to New York, for fear of not being let in. Which broke my heart!! I was SO UPSET on Wednesday after I decided that. I miss my family and I miss home and I have been looking forward to going to America for so long! After all this was all meant to be a temporary thing, which is all turning out to be very long term!!

THEN after Nick had spoke to more colleagues and barristers, he had heard that it might actually be best if I do go to New York and apply to entry clearance there. The reason is that immigration laws are changing as of November 27th. One of the major laws that will affect me is that teaching will no longer be seen as a "shortage occupation". That's why I got this visa so easily. When a job is a shortage occupation you don't have to prove that you've searched the country and that this person who is an immigrant is the only person for the job. They are allowed to take anyone. After the 27th, the school will have to do a lot of work to prove that they have had lots of ads out and have tried to fill the position with British applicants, but couldn't find anybody. The new laws will make it much harder/slightly impossible for me to stay.

If I apply in New York then I'll have 2 chances to stay. 1 being when I apply for entry clearance, if they deny me then I can appeal it--and it will be done under the OLD RULES (which is very important!)

It's a lot of mess, very complicated, and made more complicated because I'm right in the middle of old and new rules. So I've been relatively stressed out this week and worried. At the moment I am planning on going to New York, and have booked an appointment at the Embassy.

BUT all this could potentially change. Nick has asked this barrister to write out a letter with his opinions of what I think I will have a better chance of winning. Either trying the New York route, or to stay in country and appeal the refusal under the fact that that they didn't use proper discretion. The barrister will tell us, which is the better choice. So it isn't definite if I will go to NY or not, but I at least have an appointment booked. I'll know mid-week next week what this guy advises me to do.

In other news, the children are great. A lot of them are talking more and impressing me in new ways everyday. They're the best, I'd be really sad if I ever had to leave them :*(

Snowy London Town!

This week I have been off work for half term holiday!! It has been the best week ever! :) I love half term! I especially love it this time because I'm getting paid for it! I love having a real job!

On Tuesday night out of the blue it started snowing!! In October! That's crazy! Lately it's been real cold all of a sudden, about 5 degrees everday (I suppose that's about 40ish in Fahrenheit...look i'm trying to learn Celsius!!) But Tuesday night it was -2! It was raining hard and then started snowing. I was SO excited! It was sad though because no one was home to share the fun. :( But everyone was outside taking pictures and throwing snowballs. From what I understand it doesn't snow much in London, but if it does it would be in Jan or Feb--so October is kinda crazy! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! It feels like proper winter right now, and all the stores are getting their Christmas stuff in. Usually people hate that, but I'm loving it! Since I'm going home to New York in a month, and probably won't be in AZ for Christmas...Thanksgiving is going to feel like Christmas, and that's in a month! So I'm starting the holiday cheer right now! :)

Yesterday was a really fabulous day..but it didn't start out so fabulous. Actually it started out in a VERY traumatic way. I've been trying to get a hold of my passport from the UK homeoffice for 2 weeks now. Yesterday I finally spoke to a lady at Brent Council (that's the borough that I live in, and they're the people that put the application in for my visa) Basically..long story short. The lady tells me that they just received a letter stating that my leave to remain was denied, and that I need to leave to country IMMEDIATELY. I just about died, and quickly called Nick. He then called the homeoffice to see what's going on. (it comes in handy when your boyfriend is a lawyer!) I was then panicking to Nadia thinking about how awful it's going to be leaving my job and the KIDS!! What about the kids!?? I've created a life in London...Then Nick called back, with good news! My visa was approved immediately and is good until August 2012 (ok don't panic, I probably won't stay that long!!) BUT the leave to remain was denied. Basically it's just the rules that you can't switch visas in country, I had to leave the country to apply for a new visa and then come in on the new one. Dumb rules, but it's ok. Nick and I will probably appeal it (I really don't know what that means, the important thing is he does!!) The good news is I can stay!! :) And I can pick up my passport!

Today I went to the opening of a new shopping centre in Shepards Bush, Westfield Centre. It's the largest shopping mall in Europe!!! It was so amazing, and they served champagne while you shopped. I haven't been to a proper mall in a long time, I'll def be going there more often!

This weekend is Halloween and Nick and I have been getting our costumes ready for parties this weekend! I've been trying to talk him into being a hot dog, but he's not goin for it (can't really blame him..) I think I might be a snow bunny, or a cat...I actually don't have any good ideas. I'm going to go to a couple costume shops tomorrow to get something! Over here they call costume parties "fancy dress parties" Which doesn't actually make any sense. For example if Nick was a hot dog, I would hardly call that "fancy dress"!!!

Easy peasy lemon squeezy

Things have been good here in old London Town. Last week Nadia got 2 free tickets to this fashion show/concert at the Royal Albert Hall. It turned out to be pretty cool, Seal and Christina Aguilara performed and there were several fashion shows with Tyson Beckford and other famous models. Here are a couple photos of the event!

Everything at work has been really good, we finally took a trip to Sainsbury's this week for a little grocery shopping. It was really good, they were all really well behaved in the shop and were good at finding the things that we needed. It's now half-term break, so I'm off work for a week!! I'm not traveling anywhere because my visa is still being processed and my passport is at the homeoffice! It really sucks, it's been taking a while to get my visa now, and I'm getting a bit concerned about having my passport back for Thanksgiving! I visited the US Embassy yesterday to inquire about a temporary emergency travel passport. It's good to know that it's a last resort option, but they told me to chase up the homeoffice a lot about it before I go that route. While I was at the Embassy I voted!! Woo hoo, it was so much easier to do than I thought! I had been looking at absentee ballots online, and it was doing my head in! No one was at the Embassy when I was there so I just quickly filled out this form, wrote who I wanted and it was done!! I do feel like I'm missing out though. I had to watch the debates on youtube, and I don't get to see all the terrible campaign ads from the candidates and stupid things that celebrities have to say. I miss America..
Nick and I are talking about getting a bunny!! :) I thought of the idea because he's moving into a new flat. Well it's a property that he owns that he's currently renting out at the moment. In that place he'll have more space and a garden. I suggested that we get a bunny and he really sounds very interested in it!! We'll have to see, I want us to do a lot of research before we do anything, but it would be so cute and fluffy!! I have to think of a good name :)

Turns out I haven't updated in a while...

I really didn't realize how long it's been since I've posted anything!! The past couple weeks have been very good! I really love my job, I love the kids a lot and it basically is my life during the week. SO that's probably why I haven't posted much, but of course...working in a special needs school, A LOT of funny/crazy things happen daily. So I don't have much excuse for nothing interesting to say. I have a lot of fun with them, we go on walks around the local area, walk over to the park and run around and play. I'm starting to cook with them. I'm hoping this week we can hop on the bus to the grocery store, do some shopping and then cook!

In other news..at the flat we had a bit stressful week with a little bed big infestation. Yes I know, it's really gross...but luckily the place has been successfully fumigated and all bed bugs are gone! That sucked hardcore!! We had to take everything to the launderette to have it washed, dried and put in bags. Our whole flat was turned upside down. The bug man said that people usually get them when they go on holiday and come back in your suitcase. We had a bunch of girls over for Nadia's birthday so maybe they were in one of their cases, or maybe we brought them from Spain. Moral of the story..check your hotel beds for bed bugs and then when you get home stick all your clothes in the dryer for a bit to kill any that may be in there! They can even be in 5 star hotels!

The past couple days we've had great weather! Unfortunately for me, I have the flu. I got it on Thursday evening, I had a really horrible headache and felt exhausted. I slept all day yesterday and will probably do the same today. It's a real shame because Nick got us tickets to this massive break dancing competition in Brixton. I really want to go, but I don't think I have the strength to make it...we'll have to see

That's about it from here, I booked my ticket for Thanksgiving. I'll be in New York from November 25-29. I'm so excited!! I can't wait to be back in America for a little while, I really miss it. It will be really good to see all my family and E lo! AND I'm saving up money now for shopping!

For your viewing pleasure I've put in some photos of the Queen's guards, a some cool statue thing from Kensington Park, and the Tate Museum.

Goodmorning Bikbee!

I love my kids!! That's how they greet me in the morning, don't think they'll be able to master the name Brittany! :) I've really settled into my job and have a good grasp of what I'm doing. Well...at least I think! I really enjoy working with the kids and have been focusing on assessing them and learning what they know. They're a really sweet bunch and we have so much fun! I've been working on getting them to socialize with one another and become friends, it so sweet when I see them holding each other hands and looking at one another. Today we went on a walk around the local area, it was really cool to get them out of the classroom and around town to show them different things. They really enjoyed it and it's just nice for us to get out!! :) I plan to take a lot more walks around as well as grocery shopping and cooking! I love my job.

In other news I've just been so busy! This weekend I spent it running errands and getting my life together. Before I got this job my life was very temporary, I didn't want to do many things because I thought "well this is a temporary situation so I shouldn't bother" Now that I'm here more permanently things need to change!! I finally got a blackberry that works properly! I absolutely love it. I brought over my blackberry from the States and it just couldn't get Internet and everything from the UK signals. All I could do with it was make and receive calls--really lame. This weekend I got a contract with Orange and got a new blackberry. Now I can use all the features and this was has a camera! Fabulous!

On Saturday night I went to The Regent with Antonia and Nadia. We love The Regent, it's our most local place for a night out. It's always a good time. :) When I was in France, Nadia and the girls met Josh Hartnett there!

Now I just have to get through the week and then Nick is having a massive party at his country house on Saturday! :)

Birthdays and beginnings

Wow--life has been a whirlwind lately!! Everything is coming at me so quickly. This past weekend was Nadia birthday which was so much fun! On Saturday we had a bunch of her friends from home and university come over to the house. I know all of them so it was nice to have everyone over. We hung out at our flat for a while and then went out to Eve in Central London. I'm finding it really hard to find good clubs in Central, everywhere either has bad music or weird people. (usually both) Nick says that they're out there and he'll show me, I'm very interested to see!!

On Monday I started my new job!! I am the teacher of Class 14! I love my kids, they're really great. All of them are very sweet, 5 boys and 1 girl. I've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out what level they're all at. They're all at so many different places. Right now I'm trying to learn what they know, and then figure out the next step for all of them. Even though I only have 6 kids, it's a lot to juggle considering they're developmentally so low. I'm so lucky to have 3 really good aides. They work really well with the children 1 on 1, but I'm the one that has to plan and orchestrate everything. I get a bit overwhelmed from time to time, but the school staff is really helpful. I've just been trying to figure out what I need, so I can determine who I need help from!! It's just the beginning so I'm sure that once I get more settled things will be easier. Also I have a budget of £700 to spend on things for the classroom!!! That's an amazing amount of money...almost overwhelming. I really want to buy the most that I can that will the most useful to me! It's so exciting to have my very own classroom that I can do whatever I want with! Woo hoo!

I got a job!!!!!!

Yes yes the rumors are true! I did get a teaching contract! My papers are in the works for my new work visa! Life is good. Alright let me tell you about the school...it's called Manor School and it's SO close to my flat! It's about a 20min bus ride and it drops you right in front of the school. I could walk it in 30mins if I needed to. It's a special needs school with about 100 students. The schools is huge and well funded from the state, so a lot of resources and great facilities. I'll be working in a classroom of 6 children with autism. I'd say their ages are around 8-9, but they're VERY low in ability. I have 3 other aides in the classroom working with me, so I'll be well supported!! It's definitely going to be a challenge, as I don't have a strong background in special ed...but I know that I can do it! I'm going to put everything into this classroom! I start on Monday! Everything just seems to be falling into place just as the last moment...it still hasn't all set in yet. I know that everything happens for a reason and this just all seemed to work out so well, I know it's what I'm supposed to do.

I'll have a contract till July with paid holidays, I couldn't be more happy to get consistent work. Supply teaching is great, but when kids are on holiday and you don't get paid--life sucks. Basically I'm flat broke right now, and I just can't wait for that first paycheck!! It's really tough now, but I know I'll be doing well in the future!

In other news...the other night Nick and I went on a party boat on the Thames! Our friend Tanya invited us. It was so much fun, lots of swanky old people dancing to a live jazz band!

This weekend is Nadia's birthday!! We're having a lot of people over on Saturday and we'll go out in Central. Woo Hoo! Then Monday I start my job!!!!

No one ever got ahead by sitting on their behind

Life is crazy. So I went to Spain with Nadia, we were in Santa Sussana which is a very small town in the Costa Brava. We laid out on the beach mostly and had all food and drinks provided free from the hotel..altogether a good deal. However, all the idle time spend on the beach and lounging around got my mind really thinking about everything. I was already majorly stressing out before the trip..and then once I got there it only got worse!! All that free time to think seriously killed me, I've never felt more stressed/sick in my life. I was so stressed that I had to book an early flight home! I just couldn't relax on the beach knowing that I still haven't found a job yet and that I could be potentially forced on a one-way ticket back to America!! Ugh..

The last couple days have been moderately successful. I've been very busy since coming back, I've signed up with a couple more agencies...more people pushing my name out there to headteachers!! I even got work yesterday, which made me want a job even more! Being in the classroom yesterday got me so exciting at the thought of having my own classroom. I'm really ready for this now. At this point it's just a waiting game. I'm doing all I can to get my name out there to anyone that may need a teacher and just working as much as I can in the meantime! Money is tight considering I haven't worked in a little over a month and a half--so that's a little added fun...

I've lately been considering the option of getting my Masters out here. Classes start in a couple weeks and I could get in a 1 year program. The tuition is £9,000 which isn't that bad and I could get a student loan. It's something I'm considering, one university has an open night next week and Nick and I are going to ask all of our questions. I have always known that being a teacher, you pretty much have to have your Masters...never thought I would actually be doing it this soon. BUT, I really want to stay in the country and this is a way that I could get a student visa to stay. I'll be doing more research into this over the weekend, so I'll make a decision soon. My first choice would really to get my own classroom, but this is another option.

Other than that...nothing else is going on because my visa situation consumes my life! Tonight we're going out to a place called Buddha Bar, and if the weather is good (doubt it) a group of us might be going out near Windsor Castle to rent a boat and spend some time out in the country :) How lovely!

This is a photo of me and a policeman at Notting hill carnival. I'm obsessed with their hats and have been dying for a photo ever since I moved here! hehe :)

The little immigrant that could

It's been a little over a week since I've been back and my entire LIFE has been job hunting! It is very draining...luckily schools are still on holiday because this is a full time job! I've signed up with a couple more agencies so I have a lot of people looking for jobs on my behalf. Sometimes it looks promising and other times is looks dismal. I have to keep reminding myself to stop worrying so much, but it's kinda hard considering the time frame I have! I'm signing up with two more agencies next week and just praying that I'll get something soon!

In other news, I'm leaving for Spain tomorrow--woo hoo! I wish I was more excited... but I don't really think it's a good time for a holiday...BUT it's already been booked. It's all inclusive on the beach with Nadia, so I know it'll be a good time. It might actually be just what I need. I'll just have to make sure I check the internet regularly if any job prospects come in!! I wish my life wasn't such a frenzy. It's really lame not knowing what country you'll be living in. The other thing that really kills me is-- as I walk down the skanky high road, I look around and EVERYONE is an immigrant!! These are all skanky, gross people and they're allowed to live here--why not me!? I'm someone who could really add to society! If they met me, they would never want me to leave. London is 100% immigrants, so why am I having such a hard time? Ugh, oh well I'm trying not to get too worked up.

PS- hope you like the photos I randomly chucked in for you viewing enjoyment. :)

Ooh la la!

I've been sort of putting off writing this blog...because there's entirely too much to write about! Writing anything will not give the last month it's justice..but I know I have to post something. Where do I even start?? I just spent the last month sailing along the French Riviera on a yacht with some of the most interesting and fun people from all around the world. I went with intentions of working...but didn't! I spent my days lounging around the boat, laying out, swimming in the ocean, eating out and all around lovin life!! It was the experience of a lifetime, I will never forget it!! To top it all, I've fallen in love :) His name is Nick and he's fabulous...won't go into too much detail as this is a public blog!!! My life is now taken a different turn..my working visa expires on the 22nd of September and I am desperately trying to secure a teaching job for the fall so that I can get my visa re-newed!! If all goes as planned, I can get a 5 year working visa and stay in London. I'm thinking very positive and doing everything I can to get a job! That's my life in a nutshell for now! This weekend is the Notting Hill carnival which is a massive carnival. Nadia's been talking about it the whole time I've been here so it should be good! Monday is a Bank holiday, which is a little annoying considering I'm on a massive job hunt! Life's a bit stressful now, but I believe that what is supposed to happen- will happen...so we'll just have to wait and see!!

J`taime Paris!

Paris was absolutely amazing! I knew that I would love it there, it's so clean and gorgeous. I felt like Carrie from Sex and the City in the last episodes! Almost all the buildings have terraces outside the windows with flowers spilling out of them, all the people were really friendly and would shout "Bonjour!" as you passed and the food was amazing. I had a really great time! I've developed an obsession with the Eiffel Tower, I took way too many photos of it. It's just such a surreal experience when you see such an icon that you've known your whole life and then there it is right in front of you! I took a video of it sparkling at night too, it's really good. I've been trying to send it out, but it's not working! The metro is Paris is just like the tube in London, so that was really easy to figure out. However it reminds me a lot of New York's metro...nasty. I've always said how nice the tube is and how well they keep it up and after seeing their metro I know I'm right!! They don't put any work into making it nice, I love the tube...well not really, I actually always try to avoid it because I don't really like being in underground vortexes. Anyways, I loved Paris- I got to see all the sights--took lots of photos and just roamed around checking it all out. It was incredible.

Now for other news, my life is taking a slight turn. As I said in my last post, finding temporary work in London is very challenging. People are put off that my visa expires in 2 months and they don't want to waste their time. No one was replying to my attempts to try to nanny for them...I was really running out of options and starting to freak out a little. Then I found this ad to work on a yacht. I figured that it would be perfect for me, because the job is a temporary job so they don't care that I'm leaving soon...they only need me for a couple weeks! I jumped on it and sent my CV over and sounded really interested. A day later I get an email back saying that out of 75 applicants they have narrowed it down to 12 and I am one of them. It went on to say that I'm invited on the yacht that's in Genoa to get familiar with the boat, and relax for a bit before I start work! I was in Paris at the time of this email...so it was all a little stressful (and a bit surreal...) I've been talking with them a lot and I'm now going to meet them out in San Remo, which is in Italy this afternoon! I'm flying out of London at 2:30 arriving in Nice. From there I'll take a train to San Remo where I will meet them. From there I'll be helping get the yacht ready to go and chill out. We leave on Friday with guests and then I will be working. My jobs will include cleaning the cabins, hoovering (haha- vacuming) and serving the guests. I asked what guests will be on the yacht and they said that there will be Japanese diplomats...which should be extremely interesting. I will wow them with my Japanese...actually not really, I only know how to say water... I will be sharing a room with another girl who is also doing my same job. I'll be paid £150 a week, which isn't that great...but I won't be paying for food or accommodation and I'll get to sail along the South of France on a yacht! Sounds like a great opportunity, of course I'm a little nervous...as this a kinda crazy thing. But I believe that if there's a will there's a way. God always provides for me and I think this is just another example. This job fit my time frame exactly of when I need it, and I get to do more travel-which I didn't think I'd be able to do any more of since I was looking very broke!! Also France and Italy have been the two countries that I've always been dying to go to, and by the end of today I will have been in both!!

There will be internet on board, so I will update this as often as I can..and I will of course be taking lots of photos! This reminds me of when my parents left me at the airport my Dad told me to think to myself every morning "Everyday is an adventure" Looks like I'm taking that one very literally!!

Road Trip!

On Saturday I took a road trip to Birmingham with Nadia and her sisters Hermonie, and Emeline. Hermonie had to go there for a course she was taking and didn't want to drive by herself, so we all came for fun! It was so fun to be driving around with Nadia, I haven't been in a car in so long! After we dropped off Hermonie we headed to Cadbury World!!! Cadbury chocolate is massive here, in the states we only really get the Cadbury eggs for easter, but here Cadbury chocolate is year round. Cadbury world was so cool! There's rooms on how the chocolate is made, the story of George Cadbury, a ride, and free chocolate as you go along! At the very end you get to make your own chocolate treat with warm chocolate!! It was so good...then we drove over to Warwick Castle. Unfortunately we had spent 3 hours in Cadbury World and only had about 20 minutes to spend at the Castle before we had to go..so we didn't go in, but I saw the outside! Very fun day in Birmingham! Skanky town, wouldn't visit there for fun...but a good day!!

Monday was my last day of teaching for this school year. I was back at Uxendon Manor, which I go to very often. It's really nice to have a school that knows you very well. Now that schools out I'm slightly freaking out. I thought that it would be fairly easy to find a temporary job for the next couple weeks...but it's not. Whenever employers see my temporary visa they don't really want to talk to me. I've sent my CV out to countless places, I've really lowered my standards by a lot...I'll pretty much do any type of work. We'll see how it goes....

I'm going to Paris tomorrow! I'm so excited, Paris has been on the top of my list of places I've wanted to visit!! I'm leaving early tomorrow and coming back Sunday night!

London is my playground

I really love living here. My favourite thing to do when I don't have work or are with friends is roam aimlessly around the city. It's so fun all the different things and places you can find! I've always thought that I would really take to living in a major city and it has definitely proven to be true! It's greatest thing in the world to listen to a little Sinatra on my ipod and check out new parts of town.

Last Thursday I went to a live taping at the BBC television studios! A friend of ours works there so she got us tickets to go. The show was called 8 out of 10 cats, it was some show where they have celebrities guests come on and they talk and make jokes about the 10 most talked about events in the news. It was a little rough to watch, well for one it was 2 1/2 hours long! Also it was really hard to understand..they were all talking so fast to get the joke out that I couldn't understand the accent..and they were making references to British things. I was a little lost..oh and to top if off--one of the guests Johnny Vegas- who is this fat, drunk, Scottish guy was on and wouldn't shut up! ugh I had no idea what that guy was talking about, he was soo drunk. Overall the show was a little irritating to watch because I really can't connect with British humour..but it was really cool to be able to see a live taping in the BBC television studios! We were invited for a drink in the green room afterward- but we just had to go home...I have children to teach!

This weekend was great. Nadia and I have found a new place to go out on the weekend. We're so over central London for going out. It's all weirdo foreigners and is completely overpriced! Our now fav place to go out is in Notting Hill or the surrounding area..basically West London..which is great because we live North West so it's a quick bus journey home! Then on Saturday we shopped around Portobello Market, which is probably my favourite thing to do on a Saturday..I loovve shopping markets! You can find such cute things for much cheaper than in the shops..brilliant!

This is officially my last full week of teaching before they let out of Summer break! I know, I can't believe it's actually now summer break! They get out next Wednesday..which is really about time. Schools are seriously scraping for things to do these days, it's crazy. Classes are just doing art projects or putting on plays..just random things to keep the kids busy. Today we went out and practiced for sports day which is on Friday...who practices for sports day?? Don't you just go out there and do it?? This is the best..so today we sent a letter home to the kids that the school is going to throw a "School Disco" tomorrow!! hahaha luckily I was asked back at the school!! I can't wait for the School Disco! The kids went mad when they heard about it. However I swear that the ladies in the office just thought of the idea over lunch today..these people have nothing better to do! They should really just cut their losses and let kids out earlier in the year like we do in the States..but you gotta admit--school disco is pretty awesome.

From Bombay to Bath

Last week I was at the same school all week teaching Year 4. It was really nice, I had lovely students and we had a great week. It's nice being at a good school all week and have some sort of routine and normalcy. I must say though sometimes I question whether I'm teaching in England, or Bombay...haha! Seriously just about all my students are from the Middle East. It was most apparent this last week. The school was having an International Evening on Friday. During the week the children would practice their Indian dancing in the corridors and in my classroom! I would be doing my marking while having Indian music blaring in my room while little girls are dancing around the room. On Friday they were allowed to come to school out of their uniforms and in a traditional outfit from their country. All the little girls were in saris and the boys had those long tunic tops on! It was soo cute, but very overwhelming!! I seriously thought that I had accidentally turned up in Dehli.

This past weekend I took a day trip to Bath! I've been really wanting to go there since I've moved. On the way there we stopped at Stonehenge, which was super cool to see! Unfortunately the weather was awful and was on and off raining and quite windy. However it was really amazing to see Stonehenge in real life!!

I loved Bath!! It is such a gorgeous and adorable city! It has tons of shopping and the buildings look amazing! I went into the famous Roman Baths, sadly I didn't go in any. I would really love to do that though. For £50 you can spend a couple hours bathing in the hot springs! It sounds really nice! Bath would be a great city to visit for a weekend.

This is a photo of Morris dancers. This is a traditional English dance..couldn't tell you why they're doing it. I thought it was so cool that I was able to run into a group of men randomly doing this!! I seem to have good luck of being in the right place at the right time for photos!! :)

This week the weather has been terrible!! Rainy and overcast all day! On Monday and Tuesday I was very lucky to get a school that was walking distance! The school was located just on the other side of the park that I run in every afternoon. I got to walk through the park to get to work, I was so excited! Except that on Monday it was so windy while it was raining that was rain was coming down sideways!! I was absolutely soaked! Today is a little sunny, but it should be rain for the next couple days. Final thought on London-- Brilliant city, rubbish weather.

Who has time for work??

So many fabulous things have happened in the past week! On Monday I worked a half day in a Year 1 and luckily it was only a half day because the kids were terrible!! I almost died...they almost died, thankfully everyone survived. It's funny how some days can be like a bad nightmare, and other days (like today) can be glorious.

On Tuesday I decided to have a fabulous day in the city, and it was!! I took the bus into Kensington and spent the day walking around Kensington and Chelsea and Knightsbridge. As I was walking in between Kensington Palace and Hyde Park I saw royalty!! So as anyone would, I immediately took out my camera to take a photo!! How cool is that?? You can't see but she had a police escort in the front. I love the red coats, I showed the picture to Nadia and she said that it's definitely royalty! What's funny is I was the only one around when she passed and I was standing right there taking a photo! haha

The other photo is of these cool lounge chairs that are in Hyde park.

On Wednesday I went to Wimbledon with Billy!

Well as much as it pains me I can't leave the story at that. Advanced tickets were sold out, so we just had to try our luck getting day-of tickets. However the que was horrendous!! Literally if we got on line at 11am we would get into the place until 5pm. Instead we went to a local pub and watched tennis on TV. Technically we did see tennis in Wimbledon though, that's not a lie..

On Thursday I was in Leicester Square with Nadia and Abby for dinner and when we were walking past the premiere for Kung Foo Panda was going on. Unfortunately we didn't stick around long enough to see Jack Black, but we did see Dustin Hoffman...and the Panda.

While we're on that, I have to say I'm quite disappointed with my lack of celeb spotting here in London. London always has loads of celebs every day, but especially right now! This week has been huge for London. We have Wimbledon, Nelson Mandella 90th birthday, John Mayer concert on Saturday. I saw in the paper today that yesterday was the kick off of Harrods summer sale and Kim Cattral hosted it. Where was I?? I was just at Harrods on Thursday...I seriously need to stop working so much and roam the streets!..now that I think about it if I did stop working I'd have no choice but to roam the streets..

Over the weekend the housemates and friends went to Southwark for a Cuban festival. It was such a great day, it was really hot and sunny and we spent the whole day chilling on the grass listening to Cuban music. It was so nice!!

Today is a gorgeous day!! Nice and hot! Now I'm off for a jog in the park. It's been my daily routine, there's nothing better than listening to john mayer jogging around the park by my flat!

Mummies walking with their prams, dogs running a muck off leashes, sleezy teenage boys..what's not to love??