Another foggy day in London town...

All good things...

2009-07-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Wow another month has flown by since my last post!! Life has been really good lately, I've temporarily stopped stressing out about my job and enjoying all the fabulousness that London has to offer! A few weekends ago I took a trip down to Brighton beach for a bit of fun in the sun! A perfect day for it, super sunny and hot. I really love Brighton, the beach itself may not be amazing, but the boardwalk, shops and overall atmosphere really make it a fabulous beach location!! I went down with my favorite Aussie couple, Naomi and Andrew. We had a really good day!

Other than that I've been having a lot of fun hanging out and getting to know my roomies better! If I haven't said it before, I am SO happy that I moved. I love living in Chiswick and I've made 3 new friends in this house! We often hang out in the evenings or on the weekends. Here I'm posting some "modeling pics" from out garden from the other weekend.

Last week was a bit unfortunate, I believe that I may have contracted a bit of what they like to call "swine flu", Yep I was in my bed for a whole week. Tried to go to work on Wednesday but was completely exhausted just getting to work that I had to go back into bed!! Luckily I was all better for Friday which...is when my family came into town!!

That has been a lot of fun!! Good to show them around where I live these days! Bringing them around has actually reminded me how much I love London (I do forget sometimes...) Weather aside, London is a really fantastic, amazing and beautiful city. I am really happy to live here, and it's been fun showing them around to all the sites and attractions. Last night we went out to dinner and they all met Nick which was really good! I can't believe it's just about a year now that we've been together, so I'm glad that he was able to meet my family.

It's a busy time for me! I have the family in the country and it's also my last week of work!!!! It's a bittersweet time, it's been a pretty hard and stressful year, but also extremely wonderful and so much fun! I LOVE my students and will be so sad on Tuesday to see 2 of them leave and go onto secondary school! I think I'll be crying my little teacher eyes out! I'm so proud of them, and the improvement and success that they've found this year. I know that despite everything I have really taught and helped these children, and at the end of the day that's what it's all about!!

Life is a bit of a whirlwind now. The Lasko's have blown into town, school is ending, and in a week I'll be boarding a plane to Scottsdale for the whole month of August!!!! So much good stuff going on!

A year in review

2009-06-21T10:33:00.001-07:00

This week has been a week of many celebrations as on Wednesday I turned 24!! I had such a good birthday! I've really reflected on this last crazy year I've had here in London, and I can't believe how much has happened in this past year!

Last year for my 23rd, I just went out with Jim and Nadia because they were really my only friends here. That birthday was fun because it was seen as "my one off birthday in London!" Little did I know what was in store for me in the future! A month after my birthday last year, I had my crazy yacht adventure spending a month sailing along the south of France. That's where I met Nick and everything changed!! I didn't go home in September, and instead I started my job here at the special needs school. It's been a whirlwind year work-wise as I'm learning so much about how to best teach my students, learning more about autism, and on top of everything it's been my 1st year of teaching!! So overwhelming!! I got "deported" back to the States and spent a month between New York and Arizona in December. Came back to London for New Years, almost died in the winter because it's so dark and so cold!! Managed to make it out alive. Went to Venice for Carnivale in February and met up with the one and only, Elyse Ault!! In May, we rode camels next to the pyramids in Cairo, and swam with the fishes in Sharm El Sheikh. I also secured my job permanently here so I'm in for another year of adventure!!

It's been a great year, really challenging and hard at times, but I've learned so much, I've grown so much. I'm in a better place then where I was last year, I have more friends, a great boyfriend and a good job. I'm looking forward to what will be thrown at me this year. I know if it's anything like last year, I have a wild ride ahead!!!

Here's a smilebox of the celebrations that went on this past week. Last Saturday Nick and I threw a Birthday BBQ on the river in Richmond (his bday is June 14th!!) and then had an after party at our friend Iovanna's. On Wednesday went out to dinner with Nick and watched movies at home. On Friday some of my friends at work threw me a little party during lunch. This past Saturday I went out with my girls to Notting Hill Arts Club. Almost every day has been a party!! I'm so grateful for all my friends and wonderful people I have in my life this year!! :)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Walk like an Egyptian

2009-06-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Egypt late Sunday night. It was a really great holiday! We spent 4 days in Cairo and 4 days in Sharm El Sheikh. It was all really interesting and worth seeing. Our first stop was the pyramids which were absolutely amazing and completely worth the trip alone! We stayed in a hotel near all the embassies. The area is known as the rich part of Cairo, which really surprised me because it was really dirty and run down! I was really surprised at how "developing" of a country Egypt really is. The city is extremely polluted, very dirty and very poor. It was shocking being in the taxis and seeing how crazy they drive around (and don't crash!) Cairo wasn't my favorite place to be, but part of the point of traveling to see completely new places than what you're used to. The people were absolutely lovely and I learned a lot. The food was great, but I got a bit of a stomach bug that lasted basically the whole time. I just think that our stomachs aren't ready for all the changes in diet! We stayed 4 days, but I would really reccommend only going for 2. You can see everything that you need to see in 2 days and it's better for your health to get out of there asap! :)

On Wednesday we took a 1 hour plane ride to Sharm El Shiekh. It was SO nice to breathe fresh air when exiting the airport! There we stayed in Naama Bay. This area is 100% for tourism, it a relatively new area with loads of nice hotels and restuarants all set on the Red Sea. It was really nice and relaxing! There's not much to do there other than the beach, but the water is absolutely gorgeous!! There's isn't much of a tide and beautiful fish swim right up to the shore! The water is crystal clear and the perfect temperature! We had a great time snorkeling around and spending time on the beach. We took a boat out for a day to snorkel around Turin island which is quite close to Saudi Arabia. It was a lot of fun. Nick climbed Mt. Sinai in the night, he took a 3 hour bus to the mountain and from 2am-5am he hiked up, stayed there till sunrise and walked back down!! Sounds like an experience, but not one that I fancied having!! I was in bed watching Mona Lisa's smile while he did that. It would have been cool however to be on the same mountain that Moses received the 10 commandments! There also at St. Catherine's Monastary is the burning bush! Egypt has it all!

We had a great holiday, it felt super long, but I'm glad to be back! Work has been great and I'm glad to be home here in my Chiswick flat! Below is a slideshow of my trip, I plan on posting pics here via smilebox as I think it's a much better experience!! :)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It's all good!

2009-05-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy to report that in the end....I did get the job!! Woo hoo! The interview went brilliantly! I felt so comfortable and confident, I answered everything beautifully and they absolutely loved it!! So they offered me the position and I accepted! Which means now that I won't need to be interviewed again, as I am a permanent member of staff. So I feel a lot more relaxed about my life in the future. I am happy to be in London for another year (despite the weather) I have a lot of great opportunities here, good job, good friends, and a great boyfriend. So everything is all good!

Work has been going well, 2 of my particularly difficult students have been wonderful. A lot of people in school notice a major change in a lot of the students in my class this year. I think it's due to how positive I am with them. I notice that they are much happier, calmer and better behaved. It feels really good to see this sort of progress in these children!

Now I'm ready for a vacation!!!! Nick and I are going to Egypt in a few days and it's going to be so nice! We've been busy getting everything together and ready to go!

I've also booked my plane ticket home for summer break. We only get 6 weeks of summer break here, because we get loads more breaks in the year. So I'll be home the whole month of August! I'm SO looking forward to it!!!!!!

That's it from here, I'll post again (with photos) after Egypt!!

It's always something..

2009-05-08T13:25:00.001-07:00

So I have found that since I moved to London I always have something that I'm very concerned about, and hoping that it works out. It usually is to do with my immigration status....but there's always a hurdle I'm looking to jump over. Last month I was stressing over finding a place to live/finding someone to take my room. It was looking really bad for a bit!! No one was replying to our ads about filling my room, and I was worried that I would be paying double rent for a month, but then all at once, everything fell into place. Then I thought to myself (as I always do) "Why was I even worried? It all worked out, and in that past it always has..so why do I stress?" I never was a person to stress over things. I generally floated through life without a care. It's only been since I moved to London. Or maybe it's not that, it could be that now I'm in the "real world" now. I'm no longer "just a student", I'm in my career, so things seems to be more serious.

I say this because, as usual.. I'm stressing. I have an interview on Monday. I know it doesn't make sense..but I currently have a 1 year contract at my school. The position that I have applied for is a permanent position at my school. I know that it doesn't make any sense to have an interview, but those are the rules. I really hate interviews, mostly because I get really nervous about the thought of it, so much so I want to pass out. Then once I get in there, and start talking I'm completely fine. I just psyche myself out too much. I'm worried that I may not get the job. I don't have a lot of experience and being my first year of teaching, I don't always do things perfectly. But I'm learning and I'm trying my best. I know I've done a good job this year. The children are happier, better behaved, and have made improvements in their learning. I know that the head teachers have seen that. It'll be good to have the interview over with, so I can know what my life will hold come September. Obviously it'll be easiest if I keep my job, as I won't need to reapply for a visa. But I know that if I don't get it, I have other options. So, we'll see how it goes. Please pray for me that I'll do well in the interview, and keep my job!

Otherwise, things have been great. Nick and I have booked a trip to Egypt for May 22-31. It was little expensive, but it'll be a great trip! Egypt is the kind of place I would really only travel to because I'm in London. I don't think I would take a long haul flight from AZ to visit it, but from London it's only 5 hours. We'll be there for 10 days in total. Fly into Cairo from Friday-Wednesday. We'll see all the sights; the Great Pyramids, the Nile, the museums and mosques... and bit of camel riding!! It'll be really great to see a place that is so completely different! Then from Wednesday-Sunday we'll be in Sharm El Sheikh, which is a beach town right on the Red Sea. We'll go up to Mt. Sinai, where moses got the 10 commandments, do a bit of snorkeling/diving and best of all...lay out on the beach!! I'm so excited! Will be so good to get some proper sun and have a vacation!!

I apologize for the lack of photos in this post...haven't taken any lately!

Spring has SPRUNG!

2009-04-26T02:28:00.000-07:00

I know some of you may think that you're viewing the wrong page, because this one is now UPDATED!! haha, ok so it's been awhile. I went to Venice ages ago... So here's an update on what I've been doing since..

It's finally Spring and I couldn't be happier. Winter was a little rough for me. I had a really fun time with it at first. I was excited about wearing cute hats, and coats and scarves, drinking mulled wine, and the occasional snowfall (ok it happened once) But then after a while it really got to me!!! It was dark, it was cold, I was inside..it was bad. It was my first winter, and I didn't know what was going on. The days lasted about 3 hours, and it was grey. Ugh!! At one point I had completely made up my mind of going home after the school year finished. But then I was reminded by my family that "It's only winter! It ok, this is what the rest of the world goes through!" Luckily about 2 weeks after that realization, it was Spring!!! Oh man, couldn't have been happier to see the season change!

Now it's lovely!!!!!! The sun is out, the birds are chirping, the flowers are in bloom and London has never looked more gorgeous. :)

Another change I felt that was necessary to make, is I've moved flats! Quite a big decision, but in the end it was really good!! I love the girls I was living with, they've become my best friends out here, but I was really hating the area I was in! The high road was dirty and skanky, and it was really getting to me! Time to move!! Now I'm in lovely Chiswick, which is in West London. It is so adorable!!! I absolutely love it here, I have a much better high road, with lots of shops and restaurants. I live in a really big house with 8 other girls. Ok now before you fall off your chair, it's nothing like it sounds. All the girls are really nice, all young professionals and the house it really big! It's 3 storeys and has lots of bathrooms, 2 kitchens, dining room, conservatory, and garden! Everyone keeps it clean and they're really nice to come home to and chat with around dinner time.

Another thing I really wanted was the broaden my network in London, and make more friends, and that's really easy to do in this house! So I'm extremely happy now!

Here are some photos of my street. Other than that, work has been great! We've all be enjoying the sunshine and have been outdoors a lot, the kids have been really lovely and it's all good! :)

Venice baby Yeah!

2009-03-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ok I know, it's been almost a month since I went to Venice! BUT it was absolutely fabulous! I took a ton of pictures, so it's hard to post them all on here. I'll try to choose the ones that really capture Venice...but that is very hard. Venice is an absolutely amazing city! One of the best cities in Europe! It's an amazing maze of fabulously old buildings. The streets are So narrow and you can spend the whole day walking around aimless going turn after turn. It's perfectly kept, and you really feel like you're in a whole different time and place! What helped too, is since it was carnivale, there were so many people dressed up in period costumes! These people really go all out! Many of them matching with their partners! It was amazing. The food was fantastic, the sights were amazing and we had a really great time!!

We met up with Elyse for one day and had a great time! It was wonderful for Elyse to meet Nick and the 3 of us had an amazing day! I've always loved Italy and this is my first trip. I really loved it, and cannot wait until my next trip there. Hmmm possibly could be for Easter break..I'm thinking Rome and Florence! We'll see..

Otherwise things have been good here in old Blighty! My students have been wonderful, we've been very busy. They're so wonderful to come to work to everyday and I enjoy them very much. I'm learning so much in this job and I really appreciate it.

However in the meantime I've been wondering how much longer I wish to stay in London. London is completely different from Scottsdale in every way! I really love home and all the people in it. I wonder sometimes how much longer I could really see myself being here. I don't know exactly what I'll do...

Anyway, it's t-minus 3 and a 1/2 weeks till Easter break, where I will have a fabulous 2 weeks off work. I'll either stay here and try to work, or go sightseeing in Europe :)

Ciao Ragazzi!!

2009-02-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Work has been good lately, a bit stressful at times, but overall good. My students are starting to speak about more, and they say the funniest things. They are the greatest form of entertainment! This week I took them to the post office so they could get the forms to get an Oyster card! Since they're kids they can ride the tube/buses for free, but they just need to get their own cards. I think it will be great for them to get experience riding on the buses and getting around. It'll also be a lot of fun to get out and around London with them! Every Friday afternoon I cook with them. For Chinese New Year we made Chinese noodles and I made them eat with chopsticks, they did really well, but was very funny! Tomorrow pancakes! :)

I've gotten back into swimming since returning after Christmas. It's perfect because the sports centre that I swim at is a 5 minute walk from work, and then an quick bus ride home. There's more people in the pool than I am used to, but it's great because they provide more motivation and fun. I pretend race everybody and it's really fun to see how much I can out swim them. Today there was a guy that was seriously slowing things down, he was half swimming, half drowning. It was a rather confusing situation!

On Saturday Nick and I are going to Venice!! It's going to be super fabulous! Italy has been on the top of my list for a long time and I'm excited to see a bit of Italy. What's great too is that my fabulous BFFL Elyse will be there too!!! We're planning to meet on Sunday, it's gonna be fab!

Snow Day!!

2009-02-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Ok so updating has been a rarity lately, I guess now that I have no more drama or crazy new experiences it's hard to get myself to blog...but that doesn't mean fun stuff is going on..

So on Sunday night I got a phone call from school (at 9pm, very strange!) and it was the school secretary informing me that there was going to be no school tomorrow because of the weather. I found this really peculiar as I did not think there was any concerns with the weather..then I looked out the window and it was snowing a bit. A rarity in London for sure, but generally when it snows it's just for an hour or two and then it melts away and it's no big deal. Then I woke up the next morning to a winter wonderland! The girls and I turned on the news to find out that London was covered in snow and could NOT cope!! All the tubes and buses were suspended (another thing that never happens) and hundreds of school were closed. Luckily I already knew that I didn't have to go to work, but for many people, including Jim and Nadia they were scrambling calling people trying to get out of work. All cabs were booked up and the government was encouraging people to not drive unless they really needed to! Nadia got out of work, but Jim's work hired her a cab and gave her a room at the hotel for her to sleep in for the night. So Nadia and I very excited about the snow, walked all the way to Notting Hill to meet up with her friend Marina. We walked about 2 hours in the snow and it was wonderful! I've never really seen proper snowfall, so I was having a great time! The snow was really thick and fell all day long! We walked to a cafe off Portobello Road. Then Nick picked me up and we went to an aquarium to check out their marine fish. Right now we're in the market for a fish tank full of exotic and beautiful marine fish. It's been a lot of fun to shop around for.

The snow has now melted and London has gone back to normal. A lot of people found this absurd that pretty much the whole country shut down due to a foot of snow. London never gets snow so they haven't invested on any kind of snow clearing equipment. I don't mind, everyone freaks out, but I love it!!! I hope we have another snow day soon! :)

I haven't really worked at all this week. Today and tomorrow I'm taking a course at the University of Westminster on Regent Street. I think it's fabulous that my job pays for me to take courses to further my education and get more certifications.

And we're back!!

2009-01-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

WOW ok so it's been a really long time since I've posted!!

I've just been a bit busy settling back into old London town!! Yes that's right I am back. I got my visa back in the mail before Christmas! It was awesome. I found out via text message from Nick and then hours later my passport was at my front door! Perfect. I had a lovely Christmas in Scottsdale. Spent a lot of quality time with the fam and dogs, and got to see my best friends! It was a perfect break. I came back to London and had New Years with Nick which was really nice!!

Work has been amazing. I seriously love my job, and feel really great about things this term. The kids were beyond excited to see me their first day back! Everyone had big smiles and all the staff/headteachers were happy to see me back, so that's great too! The first term was all about learning how the school work, learning about the kids and adjusting. Now that's all done, I feel really prepared for this term! I'm a lot more organized and have a lot of fun and creative ideas to do with the kids. This will be a really fun term.

Nick and I have also booked a holiday! We're going to Venice on Valentine's day for 5 days! It's the same week of Carnivale and Elyse will be out there too!! It's entirely too much fun! Italy has always been on the top of my list and this will be a great vacay.

It's been good to be back at the flat with the girls. Nadia and I had a fun weekend out on the town. We went to this really cool place called Sketch, in Mayfair. I first went there with Nick and loved it! They have the coolest bathrooms!

Everything is good so far! Immigration is sorted!!!! And now I'm just living my life...

From the big apple to the valley of the sun!

2008-12-17T22:31:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-03T16:05:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-10-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-10-12T03:25:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-09-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!

2008-09-10T23:00:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-29T03:55:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-08-23T05:02:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-29T00:13:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-24T00:54:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

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??

2008-07-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

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??

Fancy a trim??

2008-06-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

Let me start off by saying I had a really fabulous birthday! Thanks to all of those that gave me lovely birthday wishes! :) One of the best presents I got on my birthday was a lovely reception class to teach!! The kids were golden, and we had the greatest day! Reception really is my favourite! (that would be kindergarten in the States) That night my friends and I went out to a couple places in Covent Garden and then we went to the club called FunkyBuddha in Mayfair. We had the greatest night!! I felt like the whole city was in on my birthday! Then on Thursday I saw Wicked, it was such a good show and it was a fantastic night!

Now for some crazy kid stories!!-- On Thursday I was teaching a Year 1 and they were all a little wild! I was having them cut out musical instruments and place them into their families ex: strings, woodwinds etc. All the kids had out paste and scissors. I was sitting helping one particularly needy child...this very excited boy from Poland, or as he would say "Polish Country!" As I was helping him I here "Miss! Miss! Owen cut his hair!!" I turn around and there's hair all over his desk and he has a huge hole in the side of his head!! Aaaah! Owen had to go down to the Headteachers office for a chat, and while he has away I had a little chat with the kids about how foolish it is to cut your hair in school..oh man. Scary thing is, I think I'm back in that class later this week!

Rickshaw to the rescue!

2008-06-14T01:12:00.000-07:00

This week I have been at the same school teaching the same class. I really enjoyed having so stability! The kids were a little crazy (sometimes very crazy...) but it was really nice to form a bit of a relationship with a group of students. I had a really great week! I've probably never been so strict, but it's so cool to see myself grow as a teacher. I find that I'm getting so much better at classroom management. Oh! On Friday the kids had swimming! We got on a coach and drove down to the local public indoor swimming pool! It was so cute to see the kids in their swimming costumes (that's what the call a swim suit) and swim caps! aah so cute! Also I made a new friend at school- Sarah! She was doing supply for another Year 5 class in the school all week, so we became friends and would have lunch together in the staff room. We went out last night for a bit and we're talking about going to France together! She's from Australia and has been in the UK as long as I have! Very nice week, on Friday I was sad to leave them...

On Tuesday it's my birthday! The big 2-3. I'm going to go out on the town with my housemates, and on Wednesday Nadia got tickets for us to see a live taping of a sit-com! This birthday is going to be really weird not having my friends around to celebrate. I haven't really gotten homesick since being out here, but when I think about my birthday I get a little sad. I'm used to spending my birthday with all my friends and having a dinner with all of them :( What's really nice though is what great friends I have in Jim and Nadia. Nadia almost talks about my birthday more than I do! I'm really blessed to have found them.

This photo was taken last weekend. Nadia and I went to this bar called Jewel in Picadilly Circus. It's gorgeous! The bar had amazing chandeliers everywhere. Going out in London you have two choices, if you go home before 12 you can catch the last tube. Otherwise you have to take the night bus home. We get get our night bus from Oxford St--the good old 98 bus! When we left Jewel we had to walk a bit to get to Oxford and our feet were hurting! Just as we were saying how our feet hurt-- a crazy rickshaw man appeared! We haggled down his price from £18 to £5!! haha--it was the funnest ride ever!! We were screaming and giving people high 5's on the street as we passed! I've never laughed harder

Grab your instruments!

2008-06-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

I have a very interesting job. I'm not quite sure what the qualifications are supposed to be..but you pretty much have to know how to do everything. Yesterday when I arrived at the school the Headteacher was upset with me because I didn't bring a music lesson to teach to all the children..I was speechless. I don't even know A music lesson, let alone many music lessons to teach children!! But--that doesn't mean I can't teach music! I quickly threw together a nice lesson and I spent the whole day going from class to class bringing music to all the children! haha- I pretended that I was this classically trained musician. It was quite fun- everyone loved it (well except for a few rude boys..but that's always the case) Overall great success, some students asked me if I'll be coming back next wednesday to teach music--unfortunately I'm a one hit wonder, and I don't have new material!

A piper is down!

2008-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I went on wee trip by meself to a wee town called Edinburgh! I absolutely loved it!!! It is such a gorgeous city-- I had a really nice time. I stayed with Nadia's sister and boyfriend, which was wonderful. I had never met them before but they had heard about me from Nadia and told her if I ever wanted to visit I could stay with them. They were such nice people and had the cutest 2 year old boy-Nevis! I loovveee Nevis!!! We became best friends quickly. On the first night I was there they took me to Portobello beach and we walked on the board walk. All day on Friday I walked around Edinburgh--saw the castle, (which I'm obsessed with) ate haggis, (which is actually pretty good..but wouldn't eat too much!) went to Mary King's Close--which is this real underground city!!! It wasn't underground at the time... but now-- through events that I don't understand--it's now underground. It was so cool to see. That evening Nadia's sister drove me around a bit and showed me more of the city. In the morning I hiked up this mountain with Andy that overlooked all of Edinburgh. It's amazing how it's such a small city with so much packed in it! I had a really fantastic time, It was really nice staying with them--especially since Andy has lived in Edinburgh his whole life so I was able to ask him all my questions and he could tell me all the history. When I got home I watched Braveheart to really top off the trip! haha-I'm such a dork.

Weekend Getaway

2008-05-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

This week is half-term holiday...which means school is out again! I was really glad for a break though..the past couple days were wearing me down! I felt like the kids were getting crazier..I think we all needed a break!

On Saturday morning I left for Holland and Belgium. I started out the trip traveling to Dover and taking a ferry to France and from there we drove over to Holland. I went with a tour group so it was all planned out and worked out really well! Immediately I met a lot of great people. We stayed at a bed and breakfast that included dinner each night!

Our first stop was Amsterdam. The city whose coffee shops sell a different "fix" then what Starbucks is selling, and gives a whole new meaning to the term "window shopping!" On Saturday night I ventured out with some of my new friends to check out the Red Light District! Wasn't as crazy/scary as I thought it would be...but was definitely dirty!! It was a ton of drunk/high tourists and prostitutes (well there behind glass doors...they're not just walking around) It was a sight to see...but wouldn't go back.

In the morning we went to a clog and cheese factory! We got to see them make clogs and cheese! It was so cool

On Sunday we hung out around Amsterdam, took a canal river boat cruise and looked around the city. If you notice in the photo a lot of the buildings were built crooked! There's also tons of bikes everywhere! It's like no one drives cars, they just all own bikes- it was crazy. It was good, always fun to see new places...but Amsterdam just isn't my city! I found it to be very dirty (in all sense of the word) it was very touristy and not all that much to see (well there are 35 museums to keep you busy!) Overall final verdict on Amsterdam: not for me.

On Monday we left our hotel in Holland and made our way to Belgium in the city Brugge. I loved Brugge! Now that's my kind of city! :) It was really nice looking with lots of really cute shops! We ate at this really nice outdoor restaurant and had mussels and chips, it was soo good! The mussels were amazing. Then we walked around, bought Belgium chocolates and lace :)

I had a fabulous weekend, met new friends and got to cross off two cities off my list! Also through a slight mishap (on my part) at customs I was given two more months on my working visa here!! yay :)

Today was an extra fabulous day, because I saw Sex and the City with my flat mate Jim!! It was SO GOOD! Won't say too much because I know it's not out in the States yet...but it was amazing, even more then I thought it would be!

Tomorrow morning I head off to Scotland! Nadia's sister lives in Edinburgh so I'm going to stay with her until Saturday. I'm excited although a tad nervous because I hear how difficult it is to understand Scottish people...if I think British people can be hard to understand and they think Scottish people are hard to understand--I'm screwed!! haha :) Should be a fun trip! I'll of course take loads of photos and post them. I'm trying to find a website that would let me post all my photos so that everyone can view them all rather than you only seeing the ones that I post here...

Sometimes you just have to pull the fire alarm...

2008-05-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

On Friday I was at a school in Islington in a Year 1 class. I am brought to the classroom and am given a timetable of the day by one of the teachers. He's writing on the whiteboard and explaining "Ok so playtime is at 10:30, lunch is at 12:15, you pick the kids up at 1:30... etc" then he says "So yeah, there's no planning done so just do whatever you want to do!" This was the first time I had been given no plan whatsoever. So I had about 15 minutes to pull together an hours worth of stuff to get me to playtime! I spent that 15 minutes looking around the room to see if I can get previous work samples or anything to see what they've been doing so I can think of where to go next? Then this teacher walks up to me and says "Ok it's time to let the kids in, go and open that door." I walk over and the door doesn't open, which isn't much of a surprise every door in London has some kind of hoop to have to jump through to get it open..there's always a button or something you have to push to release door here. I figure this door is like the rest, so in haste I push this red box RIGHT NEXT to the handle. The moment I pushed it, I knew exactly what I had done. The box broke through and then started flashing red...then a loud fire alarm blasts through the school!! OMG. I walk next door and the teachers have these flustered/confused looks on their faces and the kids are screaming "Fire! There's a fire!" I walk in and say "Sorry that was me.." Then we all walk outside, THE WHOLE SCHOOL, and stand out there until the alarm stops. I'm mouthing "I'm sorry" to every teacher that's near me. I stood there looking around saying to myself "Everyone is out here because of me, I've only been here 15 minutes!" After I stopped feeling embarrassed-- I realised that was the best thing I could have done! That totally bought me more time to think of what to do, and it killed some time! Hahaha. In the end, the day was really good--the kids were great!

On Sunday I got tickets to the Globe Theatre to see Romeo and Juliet!! It was so amazing! I got tickets for the yard, which is the standing area right in front of the stage. I love the Globe. We got a great view, and the actors were amazing! Even though I was standing for a 3 hour long show, I didn't mind a bit! I forgot how much I love that play, and how much I love Mercutio. I always tend to have a crush on whoever plays Mercutio. I think I'm gonna get tickets to see A Midsummer Night's Dream.

This is a random picture I just threw in. This is my bedroom...fab huh? There's really no need to take photos from other angles...you're getting the complete effect right here. The only thing you can't see is my wardrobe that is behind the door that's right when you walk in on the right side. I love my room! :) It's affectionately known as "Cell Block B" no, not really..I just made that up now...but it does have a lot in common with a jail cell! But it's the best --because it's all mine!

When good times go bad

2008-05-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Alright so one of my last posts I said that I had a sick story to tell from the funfair that just wouldn't be told well without the photos. I have the photos now, and I just have to post them! When we first arrived at the funfair everyone was lovin life, feeling good and ready to get on a ride! I generally hate all funfair rides, but I was so caught up in all the lights and excitement I well...completely forgot! Here's a before picture of us...

Here we all are, looking great-ready for a fun time at the fun fair! yay!! :) Look at how excited I am. Then....after....

Oh no... not doing well!! I look like a hot mess, I was a hot mess. That was the WORST ride I've ever been on! I had my head firmly pressed into Nadia's shoulder the entire time, I couldn't even explain how the ride was because I wasn't looking. It was awful. The worst part was it was sooo long! It just never ended- they just kept spinning us and whirling us around. Bad times. haha but a great photo!!!

School has been really great so far this week. Yesterday I worked 1 on 1 all day with an autistic boy in a Year 1 classroom. We had a really great day, he was really high functioning on the spectrum. He was a really sweet boy, pretty social too- we didn't have any problems. Well, except for when he would body slam innocent girls on the playground! Today I was in a Year 3 classroom. They girls in the class were hilarious, they were all over me giving me compliments all day long! All the kids here (just like in the States) are obsessed with High School Musical. One girl came up to me today and said "When you go back to America, can you take a picture of Troy?" (That's Zac Efron's character) haha I had to tell her that it's really not that easy, and just because I live in America it doesn't mean that I hang out with Zac Efron...really cute.

The premiere of Sex and the City was last night is Leicester Square! It was sad though because I found out about it whilst reading the LondonPaper on the tube!! The movie doesn't come out here till the 28th! Premiering on the 12th totally snuck up on me--totally unfair. I had to watch it on the news...so sad. Oh well, still very exciting that I was in the same city as the world premiere of the biggest movie of my life (ok a little overdramatic)

A day in the countryside!

2008-05-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took a day trip to The Cotswolds! It was beautiful English Countryside at its best.

We went to 3 different towns. The first picture is off the main road in Burford. I love how old and beautiful all the houses look, isn't it odd to see a modern day car in front of a building like that?? The second picture is taken from Bourton-on-the-Water, that was my favorite town. There were tons of people out having picnics by the river and lots of shops and restaurants. It was so charming!

All of the buildings have that honeycomb Cotswolds stone, and many of the wall are "dry stone" walls- made with no cement. As you can see..it's summer time! Every one's very excited about it, I've been reading in the paper that it's unusually warm for this time of year. I think yesterday was a record hot day. I decided to walk a little bit away from the main town to see what I could find...

I made my way through this narrow walkway out into this huge field! It was so amazing, I felt like I was in the secret garden! It was so beautiful and peaceful. There was a huge field filled with sheep, which is funny because the Cotswolds is known for having lots of sheep.

How cute are the little lambs!! I wanted so bad to pick one up. I love them...

The last town we visited was Stow-on-the-Wold, it was cute- lots of shops to look into on a big long hill.

Overall lovely day in the country. Best part was--I found a signed copy of my favorite book for £2.50!!!! I'm obsessed with Sophie Kinsella and the entire Shopaholic series, and they were selling her books signed by her! I almost died. I bought the first one- Confessions of a Shopaholic. They're actually right now filming a movie of it, so fabulous :)

Bank Holiday Fun

2008-05-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

The rest of last week was good! On friday I was in a Year 1 class and a Nursery Class (preschool) and had such a great time! I have thought for the longest time that I prefer being with older students, but I really think I'm changing my mind! That morning I taught how to write an upper case and lower case A and B..it was the best! The kids were so cute! In Nursery I sat around a table with 3 and 4 year olds playing with play dough! Cute story--so after I taught the handwriting lesson one of the little girls came up to me and said "You look like a fake person." I said "What does that mean?" she replied, "You look like someone from the movies, like someone that's not real." I said "Ohh...but I AM real!!" haha too cute. THEN when I was playing with the 4 year olds one of them said to me "I saw you on TV the other day.." I asked him what show he saw me on, he didn't remember but was positive that he had seen me. Haha that whole school thought I was a celebrity. I loved it.

This weekend was really great. It was really sunny all weekend! In fact it's still sunny! It's a miracle! Usually it's sunny for a hot second and you embrace every minute of it, and then it rains and the clouds come out. This time it's really sticking! I went for a run today in the park by my flat, it was the GREATEST!

On Saturday it was my flatmate Jim's birthday. We drank Pims during the day..which is extremely British. It's a really nice summertime, sunny day drink. We had it with lemonade...which really isn't so much lemonade as it's more like sprite...but sprite is lemon and lime and lemonde is just...lemon. Then we went out, here are some pictures from the night.

The picture on the left is Me, Nadia, Becky and Jim.

On Sunday we went to breakfast at this really cool place on the High Road. Which, is really saying a lot considering how skanky the High Road is. The High Road is the major street closest to our house, it's where you go when you need to grab something quick, go to the bank etc. The place we went to eat was serving English Breakfast--it was my first one! It was soo good! The place was really cheap. £3.50 for a full breakfast of eggs, bacon, ham, baked beans, mushrooms, tomato, and toast with tea! It was a really nice place too...and major bonus--they had tons of gossip magazines all laid out for you to read while you wait for your food to be ready! I'm totally going there every Sunday! :)

Later on Sunday Nadia's two sisters and her neice came over, she's 3 and totally adorable. We went to a funfair in the evening, it was the best funfair I had ever been too..it was so massive.

There was one really unfortunate event, but it's only told best with the photos and they're on Nadia's camera..so I'll wait to share the story.

Then on Monday it was a Bank Holiday for May Day. We went to the London Eye and hung out in the park, there was so many people out it was a really warm day. Everyone was laying out in the sun. We walked around and enjoyed the nice weather. There was a famous graffit artist that was showcasing his work, I think he spray painted this tunnel. Here are some pictures of it.

Market Shopping Weekend!

2008-04-30T10:11:00.001-07:00

I took this picture at Buckingham Palace a couple weeks ago. I forgot to post it, but I think it's so beautiful! This is a rose garden that surrounds the palace. They are the most fragrance roses I've ever smelled! The scent was so strong it was amazing!

The end of last week was good, nothing crazy with the kids. Unfortunately nothing funny or wild has been happening in the classroom. It's a real bummer. The weekend was really great. Nadia and I went market shopping during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

This is Nadia and I on our way to Borough Market. That market has the most amazing food! It has everything you could ever think to eat, it has tons of vendors selling the craziest things! You can go food shopping there or just buy food that ready to eat and eat it there. It was cool, Nadia bought some mushroom pate and we both got chocolate covered nuts. (we're obsessed) We ended up getting these excellent sandwiches from an Italian booth.

The weather was SO WARM!! It was so sunny and nice. It was the greatest day ever, everyone was out and happy to be alive. I was thinking "Wait..is it actually going to be warm from now on?" ...yeah not so much. It's back to being cold and rainy..ugh.

Sorry the one picture is sideways, since I'm not on my own computer I can't figure out how to turn it around!

After Borough Market we went to Portobello Market which is in Notting Hill. A lot of the stuff there was basically garbage! Half of it was a heinous garage sale. People just brought old junk from there house to sell, it smelled terrible! But then some of the other stuff was cool, a lot of clothes, jewelry home stuff..just about anything! On Saturday night we decided to go out somewhere local to us. For going out at night basically the only place to go is around Central London in zone 1 or 2, although you have lots of options it can be more expensive to go out in central. We tried to see if we could find somewhere to go more locally...in the end it looks like we'll just have to go to Central!! haha We spent the entire night on public transport! There was no good bars around, everything was super lame. Then we decided to go to Camden, but got on the wrong bus...after all of our attempts we just went home.

On Sunday we went to Camden Market. This is the place where all the freaks come out!

This picture doesn't really do this place justice. Although you can tell that it's pretty crazy looking you don't get to see the people really well. This is where all the punk/gothic kids roam about. It was really cool. A lot of good market shopping.

I decided this weekend that Nadia and I are going to have our own booth at a market. I think that cupcakes are getting really hot these days and we would do well selling cupcakes! Nadia's still warming up to the idea, but she'll come around. This weekend is our roommates birthday so we're going to bake cupcakes for the event. We're gonna see how this batch goes, and then we might be in business! Move over Sprinkles!!

Exciting news! Some of you may remember my concerns for not being in the States for the release of the Sex and the City movie?? Worry no more! London has been chosen to be the place for the worldwide premiere of the movie!! It's going to be is Leicester Square and I'm going to be there!! I'm soo excited! I'm going to see the movie before it comes out in the States! People are upset that the movie isn't opening in New York (which of course would make the most sense...) It's going to be so fabulous! Maybe I'll even get to see SJP! :)

Other than that everything here is great, we're getting ready for a big weekend. We have birthdays to go to on Friday and Saturday, a BBQ on Sunday and I'm showing the Brit's how we do Cinco De Mayo on Monday!! It's a bank holiday on Monday for May Day..but who wants to trot around a pole with a string when you can be drinking margaritas with guacamole?? It's gonna be awwesome!

Livin the dream

2008-04-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

The past couple days have been good at school, it's nice going into a new classroom every hour. Some classes are better than others so it's nice to be able to look at the clock and say "Oh wow, look at that! Time to go!!" haha. It's nice also being at the same school for a couple of days, but now I know all the students in the school and the teachers too. Every one's really nice at this school and they make me feel really welcome. Every day I eat in the teachers lounge, I bring my own lunch, I don't know what they serve in the cafeteria. Although something strange is here they call lunch that you get at school "school dinners" and if you bring your lunch then it's called "packed lunch". I don't know why...but then again I don't know why they do a lot of things here!!

Today was great, mainly because I spent the 1st hour of the day hanging out in the teachers lounge drinking tea and eating a biscuit! (cookie) It was so nice. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but every school provides free tea! I really love tea now, I drink it all day long. They all put some milk and sugar in it, it's quite fab--very English!! They sure do they their tea!

In other news, there's a teacher strike tomorrow!! Luckily the school that I'm at is not striking, but a lot of schools all across London are closing down tomorrow. I read in the paper that it's the union N.U.T.S that's striking for a pay raise.

I forgot to mention in my last post that my computer died! Funny how I always tend to leave out the important bits of information! It's quite sad really, the computer isn't connecting with the power cord so it just ran out of battery and cannot be revived! It's something that happened 2 years ago. When I get some money together I'll take it to a shop to see if I can fix it. It's unfortunate because I have all my music and pictures on it! :( Luckily I can use Nadia's lap top. Oh again sorry for no pictures..I know my blog is boring! I plan on taking a lot more in the future! I plan to take pictures this weekend.

I think the weather might be getting warmer! (it's always hard to tell) Lately in the afternoons it's been about in the 60's! Maybe in a couple weeks I won't need a coat! Next weekend the girls and I are planning a picnic in St. James park, so hopefully it'll be sunny!

Oh! Funny story! So yesterday I was on the phone with my bank and i was talking with a Scottish lad. He was so funny, he must have been in his 40's or 50's. He was saying "This is so exciting! I've never spoken to a Brittany before! I can't wait to go home tell my family!" haha and then just before we hung up he said "Alright Brittany, well you hold onto your American accent! And I have to say that we're delighted to have you in the UK!!" haha how friendly! I loved him. I'm constantly amazed by how few Americans are in the UK.

How I spent my Spring Vacation..

2008-04-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted! I'd like to apologize to my loyal blog fans... Perhaps I haven't posted much because well...there hasn't been much to post about!! The past week I spent settling into my flat. I was able to find some hangers. (I know some of you were worried..) Plumbing is going great...however the neighbors are still somewhat an issue. They're crazy, I don't think they have much going on in their lives so they concern themselves with everyone elses business. Nadia texted me today to tell me that she got in an argument with one of them and slammed the door on their face! Really interested to find out what happened there... Other than that I've just been visiting all the points of interest here in London, I think I've seen it all! By the end of the week my leisure lifestyle was really wearing on me!

Today was my first day at work, I was at Longfield Middle School which is the the Borough of Harrow. I was a floating teacher, so I was in a different classroom every hour. I think the teachers are having meetings so I go in to cover their classrooms.

Today I started to realize just how outrageous my job really is! Every hour I was in a new class, teaching a new subject. Each time I enter the classroom I have about 2 minutes to look after the lesson plans and get an idea as to A. what I'm teaching and B. how I'm teaching it! It's really amazing... So today I taught everything from- How to grab your readers attention, to the parts of plant and animal cells, to teaching about the different groups of people that originally settled England (that was tough!) The first two classes the children were fairly rotten. They were a little tough, not really looking forward to them...but the last classes were really great!

Otherwise every things going really well, I'm really loving the flat that I live in. I really like the two girls that I'm living with and I really don't mind at all how small my room is. It's a really great place and I'm really happy. My roommate Nadia and I have even started planning a trip to Sicily together!! I'm so excited, she's a beauty therapist at a hotel so she gets a really great discount on all St. Regis hotels!! We're going to be staying at a 5 star hotel in Central Sicily- it's going to be faabulous! ;)

Moving Day!

2008-04-13T04:37:00.000-07:00

I went out Friday night to a bar in Shoreditch, it was a lot of fun! I met some new friends too! I was quite a hit at the party...sometimes I wonder if people like me for who I am...or if it's because I'm from America?? People go crazy about it! It's really funny, I just crack up because they get so excited. I figured Americans would be a dime a dozen here, but it seems like people don't see Americans very often, especially girls my age. They also love that my name is Brittany, it's not a common name here. They love to say to me "High five dude!" or "Awesome!" they think that's very American. haha. I thought it was really cute what someone said to me, they said "America is like our older brother, we all love America..no matter what they do we'll always be behind them and love them!" aww how cute..I love British loyalty! :)

I took my Dad's advice and took a cab to move all my stuff. Really good idea, I hadn't thought of that. This blog is coming in really handy for me. I was so excited when I got all my stuff in the flat! It feels really good to finally be settled!! I've been on the go since March 8th so it's really nice to be able for the first time to unpack and have a home :) Although I haven't unpacked too much yet because I don't have any hangers... turns out hangers are really hard to come by. At home I could think of so many different places to buy them, I ask people here and they look at me like they've never thought of it before! I set out to go buy some today and close to me is the biggest Sainsbury I've ever seen! Every grocery store I've seen here is like a glorified Circle K. This Sainsbury is like a legitimate grocery store! It was so luxurious :) I figured that they would HAVE to have hangers! I asked a worker where they were and he said they don't sell them, and then he said "We only sell hangers during Christmas or special holidays..." after he said that I felt that I needed to make sure we were talking about the same thing..haha I guess over here hangers are a treat. I would feel that way too if they were only sold once a year and I could finally hang up my clothes!! He said that they might sell them at a pound shop, but they're closed on Sundays..

Funny story...well funny now, extremely stressful at the time! So yesterday it was about 1 hr after me living in the flat, I flushed the toilet and after I did that there was a loud banging/rattling noise coming from the bathroom. I've never lived in a really old place before. I remembered when I was at Elyse's house in Brooklyn the house made weird noises all the time, and when I would ask what they were they would say it was the heating or something. So I figured strange noises, old place - normal .... The bathroom is on the other side of the flat from the living room and my bedroom so I wasn't at all bothered by it. Then there was a ring at the doorbell. I answer it and it's the neighbors from downstairs; two Eastern European boys probably my age. They wanted to know what all the noise was..I said that it was the plumbing and they looked at me like I had 4 heads!! I said "I don't know..I just moved in..I'll see what I can do." They were really irritated but I didn't think it was my fault.. so I went to the bathroom and started fiddling a little with the toilet to make the banging stop. Then a couple hours later I get another ring at the door. The neighbors...this time they asked if I've been drilling holes because now there's a leak somewhere and water is getting on their stuff! I told them "I don't know what to do, I just moved in..I don't know why that happened..I didn't do anything!" they told me "well you have to sort it out because we can't live like this, so you need to figure it out.." I was so stressed out! I didn't know the landlords number, Nadia's out of town and Jim was at work! Luckily the landlord called me later that day so she's dealing with it now, but it was very sticky at the time! I wanted to tell the boys "Look I've only moved in 3 hours ago..I only been in the country 3 weeks now.. give me a break!" haha. Every things good now..I hope..I tip toe around the flat so they don't know I'm home :)

I am a lady of leisure

2008-04-11T01:59:00.000-07:00

Ok so the whole "job during break" thing isn't really working out... I tried, I really did. I was going to tutor two french kids..but I think the Mum was kinda crazy, so that fell through. I signed up with a childcare agency and told them I only wanted to do holiday work. Similar to what I am doing now with teaching..I would just let me know when I want to work and they'll find me something. The pay is soo much less though!! I'm really not that excited about it... that's what really discourages me from finding a job for a week..the pay is so bad. Anything else that I would do during this time in a week..I could make in a day teaching. Soo instead I've turned into a lady of leisure! Let me tell you..it's fabulous!

I spend a lot of my days being a tourist, walking around finding things I've never seen before. It's very fun. Here's some of my latest pictures..

This is a picture I took from a park where I was reading. You probably can't tell, but that's an ad for Sex and the City. Movies don't come out too much later here than in the states, so I think I'll be able to see the movie when it comes out!! yay :)

This is another picture from Trafalgar Square. I like going there because it's like tourist central, and I can let me inner tourist run wild!!

I took this picture from a bridge over the Thames River. After I crossed the bridge closer to the London Eye, there's all sorts of crazy street performers. Many of them pretend to be statues, and their costumes are out of control! It was really cool! I'm definitely going to go on the London Eye sometime very soon :)

I'm going to start moving into my flat tomorrow..really I can move in anytime, but I told the girls I'd be moving in over the weekend. I'm also delaying because I'm really not looking forward to bringing luggage on the tube! People do it all the time and it's really not a big deal..but I just don't want to! Especially my huge backpack--I'm going to be so embarrassed! I have to go at a time when there's not many people around! I'm going to take many trips and only take one bag at a time. That's really not a good reason, I should really be getting out of this hostel. If any of you saw it here you would scream! It's funny how you can get used to things, no matter how bad they are. Lately though I've been getting really ready to leave!! My top bunk bed where you can feel every spring is really wearing on me! And hiding from the gross creepy landlord guy is getting old too...I can't wait to leave..maybe I'll leave now...

Today I'm going to go on another adventure walking the streets of London. Tonight I'm going out for one of Nadia's friends birthday. I think it's really sweet that she invited me, because I only met her once. Nadia's not even going because she's in Lithuania. She invited me to come so I could meet more friends, how nice! :)

Best Weekend Ever!!!

2008-04-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I had a fabulous day date and we went to Leicester Square..the intention originally was for him to show me around London a bit, but the weather was pretty bad and was raining off and on. So instead it turned into a mini pub crawl! We would walk around and then when it would rain we'd run into the nearest pub and grab and pint and talk. It was lovely :) Then we had dinner at Chaquitos which is a Mexican place...I love my Mexican food! Then the weather was better so we were able to go for a walk. London is so beautiful at night. All the gorgeous buildings are all lit up really pretty..it was like a scene out of a movie, it was really wonderful. We had a really great day.

Then on Sunday I woke up to this! Snow! I couldn't believe it! Let's talk about how unpredictable London weather is... I finished my last post saying how warm and nice it had been during the week...now it's snowing! haha. I grabbed lunch with a couple girls from the hostel and then Jill and I had plans to go to Camden Market, which is apparently really cool on Sundays..but it was freezing so we went to the British Museum, which is right around the corner from where we live.

I wish that I could go to museum and look around the read the little blurbs like I care..but I just don't!! I have such a short attention span for things I don't know/care about! So we went into two rooms gave it a really good shot...and then I started to feel quite sleepy so we went to the cafe for a coffee...then we ended up spending maybe an hour sitting there talking! lol by the time we were ready to see more museum it was closing! However I do think the overall trip was a success because in the cafe we talked about religion and politics.. So you see we are very cultured and grown up. We spent our Sunday afternoon at the British museum chatting about religion and politics! :) Great success.

When we came out it was still early for us and we didn't feel like going back to the hostel and the weather was a bit warmer. My favorite thing to do on Sundays now is to stroll around London with Jill. We never have any exact destination, we just walk anywhere..and along the way we find the most fabulous things!!! When we see them we feel as if we had just discovered them, and they're our own secret place. I took a couple pictures to show you what we stumbled across...

This place is called Trafalgar Square! I had never heard of it...but it looks so grand! I loved it. I love how they illuminate the buildings in London :)

Then we found this amazing clock tower!! It's called Big Ben!! It's big :) It's seriously so much prettier in real life, it's unbelievable. The detail that was put into it is incredible. This picture doesn't do it justice. It was sooo beautiful! I can't wait to go back. Jill and I are going to come back again during the day so we can get better pictures.

Right next to Big Ben was the London Eye! I couldn't believe all in this close area are all these fantastic finds!!

This picture didn't come out too well...but that's the London Eye behind me. It's gorgeous. I'll go again another time and take pictures so that these great landmarks can actually be seen!! It was so much fun! We were so excited about all our finds we just kept walking and walking to find more! London is so much fun.... Then we started to freeze so we had to head back home!

Today is the first day of my semi-unemployed life. I haven't found a job yet for these 2 weeks. It's not really easy. Temp agencies aren't calling me back. I had an idea to be a nanny during this time..I saw an ad for it on gumtree and I figured that there's gotta be parents that need someone to watch their little darlings while there on break..and who better to watch over them then a teacher?? But...no luck yet there. Now I have my heart set on something like that. I got a call from a lady interested me in tutoring her children, but I haven't heard back from her... I'll find something to do either way.

What a difference a day makes

2008-04-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

I really love supply teaching because every day has the potential of being so radically different! I spent my last day with the orphans yesterday..and it was still pretty challenging. I do have to say that they were good with all the activities I had planned and did do a good job. However the transitions, and when they walk into the classroom is extremely exhausting trying to get them to calm down. Every one's all over the place, pushing each other, stealing things from one another. I'm definitely NOT the Michelle Pheiffer at this school, I don't have it in me to turn these kids around...but I sure hope someone does :(. I got a chance to speak with a kid about their teacher (while he was being held back from playtime..) I asked him "So do you have a permanent teacher?" he said yes, but said.."Our teacher is Mr. Ghazi, but he's sick...the children were shouting a lot and it made him sick.." I asked "So how long has he been sick for now?" he said "over a month, he did come back one day..but then the children were shouting again and it made him sick, so he left at 12...and he left very quickly" :**( How sad! I asked the aide later in the day about Mr. Ghazi's condition, and she told me that's just what they tell the children, and they don't have a teacher for next term!! Heartbreaking...

Today I was at a completely different school called Yeading Junior School, which is in west London in zone 5. In a word, the school was charming! It was such an adorable school!! The children were SO well behaved, they were soo polite I couldn't believe it! (esp after my last two days..) It was the greatest day ever! We watched the Secret Garden and everyone was silent, it was so relaxing :) Then in the afternoon they worked in the computer lab, I did nothing today all day! These were the best children I've ever seen. It was as though they were created in a lab to be perfect students. Before they'd leave for playtime or lunch, each one as they passed me would say, "Have a lovely break Miss!" and when they would come back they'd ask me "Did you have a wonderful break?" I loved them. Today was the last day of Spring Term. Now all London school are off for Easter break for the next 2 weeks. School starts back on April 21st for Summer Term. As of yet I don't have anything lined up for Monday, I'll probably be stalking temp agencies for work.

Last night I finally viewed the flat with Nadia. It's extremely close to the tube and bus and lots of shops are close by, the neighborhood looked cute too. The flat is extremely clean and new looking. It has wood floors and fresh white paint. It is really small, like a dollhouse small....my bedroom especially. I've never seen things this small. I was a little shell shocked when I saw the place, but I had to remind myself that I knew that coming over here!! Flats are small here, especially if you want to be in a good location and don't want to spend loads of money. It's just really small, and I'm not used to that..but that's not the point of why I'm here, I'm not supposed to be doing what I'm used to- I'm here to experience a different cultures, and I won't be staying in my room the whole time (this has been my mantra since viewing the flat..) The pros are: I really really like the girls I'm living with, it's very clean and nice, my bed is comfy, it's cheap, it's really close to tubes and buses. So I'm definitely moving in, I think Nadia was worried that I wasn't going to based on my reaction..but I am! it would be foolish for me to not move in just because I'm used to things being more spacious.

In other news...the weather has been fabulous!! Clear skies, warm weather, it's been great! :) Now it's the weekend and the afterschool adventures begin!!

"We love you Miss Hannigan!"

2008-04-02T11:48:00.001-07:00

Today I went to a new school called Little Stanmore which is in a town called Harrow in zone 5. I was on the tube a long time to get there, but I don't mind it much. I like taking the tube to work...u can just sit and relax, I much prefer it to sitting in traffic on the 101!

This is a photo taken on my walk to school from the tube. It was quite cute. (I've had requests for more pictures..so I'm trying, but I don't always think they're so exciting..)

I was in a Year 5 classroom, and the classroom was really nice! The school was pretty nice too...however I was warned ahead of time that it was a pretty tough group. Apparently the kids don't have a teacher??? I don't know what the deal is. There was an assistant in the room with me and she was telling me something about how the kids have had several teachers and now they just have supply teachers. The class is quite large, about 30 kids and there's no structure. The poor kids have a different teacher everyday...they're like orphans!! I feel so bad for them! But they were pretty good for me, I was pretty impressed. For being a new teacher I have pretty good classroom management. I was riding these kids all day, I didn't let them get away with anything. Kids are funny because you'd think they hate you, but they don't - it just makes them love you more. The kids all day were saying "Can you be our teacher forever?" "You're such a nice teacher.." I'm thinking -I've been reading you the riot act all morning!! During one break I was talking to some girls and they said "Could you please be our teacher? We really like you..you can control us, none of the other teachers can control us...everybody is being really good for you today" Poor kids :( They just need more structure and a routine, they don't know what to do! But I really liked them, it was a challenging day but still really good. I actually managed to have a really good intellectual debate about which city state is better -Sparta or Athens? I'm going back there tomorrow, and it should be easier since they know me and know my expectations for them.

I'm actually a bit worried that the school might like me too much and want me to be there permanent teacher! eek! I don't know about that...

No, I'm not Britney Spears....

2008-03-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

I just thought it was only in the US...but apparently children worldwide believe that I am Britney Spears. What a terrible misconception!! Ha! Again today (all day) the kids called me Britney Spears..I hate it!! I remember the days in high school when I was compared to her I would say "No..really? Thanks! I wish..." now my response is.. "No I don't, and you just lost 5 minutes of recess" Haha

Today I was at Rotherhithe Primary which is in Southwark, London...or I as I now call "Britain's Brooklyn." It's funny, I was just saying to Jill yesterday as we were walking, "I've yet to see an area of London that isn't completely amazing"...and now I have! Not to say that it was scary or the ghetto..because it's still got a bit of British charm to it. It's definitely not as "royal" looking as the rest of London. I was in a Year 2 classroom today, so the children were all 7. There was about 28 of them. Luckily there was 2 aides in the classroom, which was completely necessary! (and fabulous) I really didn't have to do much, since they knew how the class worked. They were on the kids making sure they're doing what the should, and keeping the class schedule moving. I just gave whole group instruction at the start of every activity and walked around and helped. The aides dealt with all behavior issues...which there was a lot. Overall good kids though, very sweet. VERY multicultural school, I think we may have had a representative from every continent in the room. We could start a mini UN for kids tomorrow..talk about world problems... The children were sweet, they really took to me and behaved well overall. I'll be there again tomorrow, which I'm looking forward to. Another bonus- this school is extremely casual! Everyone wears jeans and trainers..so I've definitely decided I'm wearing my Uggs to school and I'm so excited!

I updated my job with my new address, since they like to try to find me schools near where I live. Today I got a call from my new consultant for the area, Glen. He was really nice, he called to tell me that I had chosen a fantastic place to live. He said "I wanted to ease your mind and tell you that you'll be living in a great area, and there's lots of work there! The schools are very lovely and much more relaxed then schools in central London and there's lots of nice green fields for the children." It sounds great! Then he went onto tell me that he's booked me work on Wed and Thurs, and the Mon-Thurs the week following break! I love this guy, I don't know what happened but I felt like I was speaking to Jerry Maguire...I turned into Cuba Gooding Jr. and started shouting into the phone...

PS I don't know if I've stated this already, but starting Friday is "Easter break" for two weeks...which is strange because Easter has passed..apparently here it's a belated 2 week event. Yesterday I sent my CV (resume) to about 7 temp agencies for office work for the two weeks that school is out. I should be hearing from them soon, and then I'll be in a lame office for 2 weeks probably answering phones. I just can't afford to take 2 weeks off work just yet.

Oh ya, I know understand how, and take the red double decker buses here. Which not only makes me cool, but an official Londoner.

Why see a boat race when there's Harrods??

2008-03-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Yeah..didn't make it to the boat race. Things were looking good in the morning the, the weather was nice. Then in the afternoon it was raining and windy so Nadia and I didn't want to be outside. Then we thought about something fun to do that inside and I thought "I've never been to Harrods before!!" We quickly hopped on a bus and were there. Harrods is the most beautiful place I've ever been to. It's like Disneyland for the shopaholic. I loved it!!! We had so much fun walking all around and looking at all the fabulous things! The food court is amazing, I couldn't believe you could even buy raw chicken and fish there! At Harrods!! We sat down and shared this amazing gelato sundae. It was so much fun! Then we went to a bar to meet up with our other future roommate in Covent Garden. I love Covent Garden it's so fabulous.

After yesterday being so yucky it was an amazing surprise that today was gorgeous!! The sun was out all day long! I wore out my coat and was too warm all day, it was great. I set out with one of my current roommates Jill and I went to Hyde Park since it was such a great day. From there we walked to Kensington Garden which is HUGE and so beautiful. There were so many people out with their cute little dogs and cute Mummies pushing their prams..it was a lot of fun! Then we walked to Notting Hill to Portobello Market. It was kind of dead on a Sunday but still so cool to see. London is just so beautiful. We walked through some neighborhoods in "The royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea" (I love that!) They houses were amazing...in my fabulous adult London life I will live there!

Tomorrow I'm at a school in Canada Waters which isn't too far from me, it's great also because I'm there Monday and Tuesday.

First day of work

2008-03-29T04:14:00.000-07:00

It is officially my one week anniversary of being in London! yay! This past week has been amaazing!! I'm so happy I moved! I started my first day of work on Thursday at a school called Pinkwell which is in zone 5 (London is categorized into zones 1 being most central 6 being farthest) It was a pretty long hike, took me about 2 hours to get home. But again I must say I'm pretty proud of myself for I successfully got there and didn't get lost at all!! I had to get on the tube, take a train, and then take a bus!!
I was teaching in a Year 5 classroom which is 9/10 year olds. They were great! I had such an fun time with them, they were really great kids. I had 4 girls that immediately took to me and wanted to help me with everything! So of course I took all their help! I had all kinds of little workers making everything run smoothly. All the students there were very polite and would always address me as "Miss" they're soo cute in their little British accents!! They would ask me first before they didn't ANYTHING! "Miss, can I use the toilet?" "Miss, can I get more cellotape?" Miss, can I get more rubber?" I loved them!

Oh yea, well there was a slight pickle.... when my kids went to computers, they asked if I could teach PE for an hour.. I went to the PE teachers room and he gave me the whole run down. He told me that they were playing hockey today and gave me all the equipment. So I got the kids, they all got dressed and ready and we went outside on the field to play a friendly game of hockey :) Now we're all out on the field, and there's an autistic boy in the bunch....who gets a little aggressive, and "hands on" at times...and also swears loudly from time to time. He grabs a hockey stick and starts swearing and running after all the children tackling them! It was terrible! I had to chase after him and physically calm him down. I asked one of the kids to go inside and grab a teacher. Luckily she quickly came out and took him inside for me. Phewf! That was getting a little sticky... I was finding it difficult to organize teams and get the game started with all the violent mayhem. Hahaha!! Too funny, this is why I love teaching..the craziest things happen! Like to start--why am I teaching PE???

All and all, a wonderful day. Yesterday I met up with two girls Nadia and Jumoke to see if we would get along as flatmates. I met them at a Starbucks on Regent St. I loved them! They're two really great girls, like girls I would actually be friends with! I'm very happy so I'm going to move in next week. I need to stay at the hostel a bit longer because I wouldn't have enough money to pay security deposits and rent and still be able to eat and pay for transport! So I have to wait until I get some money before I can move. The flat is in Willesden Green, which is on the border of zones 2 and 3.

Very successful week! I've started work, I have my UK bank account set up, I have a flat, and I have friends!! :) Life is good.

Today I'm going with Nadia to the Cambridge vs Oxford boat race. Apparently it's quite a big deal and a big social gathering. If you're at all interested http://www.theboatrace.org/ tells all about it.

Things are happening so fast!

2008-03-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

The past couple days have been wonderful! I spend a lot of my time walking around getting familiar with my area. I'm fortunate to be living in an excellent location. I live in Tottenham Court off of Store St. which is right in the heart of the West End, which is Central London. I'm very close to the British Museum..which every time I pass it I get the Frank Sinatra song in my head "A Foggy Day in London Town" hence the name of the blog :) London is such a fabulous city, everything about it is soo beautiful! Every building, every shop is so fantastic.

Today I tried my first go on the tube, and is actually extremely easy and very nice. I can't get over how clean and nice they keep it with all these people running through it daily, it's really amazing. A lot of British complain about the tube but I think it's amazing for public transport. It quick and easy and can get you just about anywhere. I must say I'm getting quite savvy in my London lifestyle..I'm not the bumbling idiot that I thought I was going to be. In just a couple days I find that I keep up with the flow of everyone and generally know exactly where I'm going and how to get there..I'm rather impressed with myself.

In other news, I had a great meeting with my job the other day. I'm working through a company called Protocol, and it's all rather young and cute people working there. (which is always a bonus) They're all extremely nice and helpful. My pay is excellent compared to other people in my boat, and I'm really excited to get back into the classroom--this time with British children!!! They're soo cute! :) So far today my phone has been ringing a lot from different consultants trying to line up work for me. For those who don't know I'm doing supply teaching which is known as substitute teaching in the States. So I work day to day in different schools all over London. It's really fun when ppl call because it makes me feel like I have friends! :) They're always so adorable too, I've already got a couple days lined up!! Tomorrow I'm at a school called Pinkwell in a Year 5 classroom- which is 10 yr olds. I'm super excited! I've been spending the last hour trying to put together my smartest outfit to wear! Then there's a possibility of me staying in the class for friday as well, although as of now I'm meeting two girls that I may potentially live with, they have an open room in their flat. As of now finding a place to live is priority! As always have a lot to say, but I won't go on.. I'll try to take fun pictures but I always refrain because I don't want to look like a tourist..I'm doing such a good job fitting in I don't want to blow my cover!! :)

I'm Here!!

2008-03-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

After a very relaxing week in Florida seeing beautiful beaches and underage Spring Breakers...and having a wonderful time in New York with Elyse and her fabulous roomies I am finally arrived in London! I've just now set up this blog, but I wanted to create it for a while but I couldn't think of a good enough name. I'm still not completely happy about it but I knew I just had to get over it and create it! So for those who I've already emailed I will be backtracking a bit to get the blog up to date...so if you've been in touch with me (Mom..) then this is all old news!! In fact I'm just going to copy and paste it from old emails! haha

DAY 1

So much to tell you! First I want to say that I give Air India my highest reccomendation for airline travel! :) The plane was very nice and big, the flight attendants were extremely nice and everyone got their own row!! They served a very nice dinner (don't ask me what it was!) and I was able to get a screwdriver and a glass of red wine for free! (typical choices...) They also came around with coffee and tea often and the in flight movie was an awesomely bad teen movie starring Amanda Bynes (I felt like it was on specifically for me...bc lets face it I was the only young white girl on the plane!) I got to lay on 3 rows and attempt to sleep...didn't sleep much- too excited.

Then landing into Heathrow I successfully got thru immigration, it was easier than I thought, all 3 pieces of luggage came out :) and I made my way onto the tube! PS- the tube is beautiful! I felt like I was in disneyworld...def puts nyc public transport to shame (sorry e-lo...) My luggage was a lot to manage as I had more than anyone else..but I met friendly people on the tube that were very nice..one of them is actually visiting her daughter that is my age doing the Bunac programme as well!! We exchaged emails...how weird!

When I got out of the tube I was a little concerned bc all of my luggage but as I was getting out really lovely man and women in their late 20's ran over to me and said "let me help you with your luggage!" He helped me carry it up two flights of stairs (I have NO IDEA how I would have done it without him!) He asked me where I was going and if I needed a cab.. then he lead me out of the tube, then the girl walked me over to a hotel where I could get a cab, I waited by the door while she went further to hail me a cab..So nice!! These people went totally out of their way!

In the cab I was able to see my first sights of london and it is ADORABLE i love it!! :) I so bad want to go out and venture. It's a holiday weekend so the streets are less crowded, which is great for me. I arrive at the hostel and I come in and meet this man named Bill, he runs the hostel. He's a funny disheveled man. This place is unreal. There's a lot more crap around then I imagined. He warned me that the place is very "lived in" he said a lot of ppl come here for temporary stay and end of staying a long time. I told him I will be leaving soon and he said "yea that's what they all say..I have one lady that told me that and she's now been living here 23 years!!" what?? I could never, I feel like this is my 2nd chance at living college dorm life since I never did that at ASU.

I share the room with 3 other girls, 2 of them are traveling but the other one, Megan was here when I arrived. She's very friendly, she's from the Bay area. She seems really nice. She asked me if I wanted to go to this pub across the street with her tonight to get fish and chips. Perfect!! Now I'm just trying to sleep..it's already 11am here I'm pulling quite the all nighter.