Hello Lovely Readers!
Apparently, I am saying lovely a lot now since moving to London. It hardly seems almost three months since I moved here, it feels like forever . . . but in a good way! Larissa arrived in London last Friday evening and I walked down to her hotel to pick her up. We caught up quickly on what was going on in her life and what was going on in mine. It was nice to have her around, giving me the third degree, like a good older cousin/sister should. I think I passed the test and convinced her of my happiness. It shouldn't take much, I am truly happy here. I can honestly say I don't EVER want to go back.
We then proceeded to take the underground, something which Larissa had gotten a crash course in earlier, by taking it during RUSH HOUR! Way to go Larissa, I am proud, I avoid the standing room only crunch as much as possible.
We reached the airport after an hour of underground madness and finally a member of my family met my John. He was sitting in the airport pub, after seeing our two friends, Steve and Nat, off to India. He ordered us beer and chips/fries, as we were both starving. Then he proceeded to work his charm, the same that won me over, on Larissa. Soon, she was under his spell and he had her full stamp of approval.
Jenny arrived a little past 10, she walked out looking disgruntled, no surprise for Jenny, and we took the long train ride back to Tufnell Park, talking the whole way, John in the background, standing silently with Jenny's luggage under his guard.
We then went to the Boston, our local Irish pub, and since it was Keraoke night, Jenny proceeded to glance through the song book with Larissa, making fun of the available songs while having their first English pint. Having Jenny there was like a ray of sunlight. I missed her, my best friend, my twin soul, my sister. I am happy, but to have her sit there, meet my John, see my new home, and live my new life with me only made it even better to get up the next morning and every morning since then.
I walked them around the next day to Portobello Road, Notting Hill, the famous antique market. We then rushed down to Green Park to walk from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and have the girls do the basics. Here we met John, who proceeded to act as a tour guide, filling in with tidbits of history and fact. Yet again, he was his wonderful, charming self and won over Jenny and Larissa.
Saturday night we went to Alexandra Palace, a community center of sorts, to witness Bonfire Night fireworks. In the back of the humongous building there was a large grassy area on a hill that we all stood around. Apparently there were fifty thousand people there and I don't blame them. Not only could you see the fireworks show for the Ali Pali as we called it, but you could see shows all over London due to our elevation. I have to say, afterwards I hung my head in shame as an American. The fireworks show I saw was the BEST I have ever seen. I saw fireworks that I have never seen in America. They had trippy ones that would be shot up, spin in the air like a pinwheel while shooting off sparks for an uncanny amount of time, then explode in a rage of color. They had others that were just unbelievable, and indescribable unless you were there. Believe me, Jenny, who lives in Washington D.C, and has seen the Capitol's 4th of July celebration agreed with me readily, the fireworks were absolutely amazing. They were also coordinated to music such as the battle theme from the movie Excalibur, the Flower Duet, the Nutcracker, works by Beethoven, and other famous beautiful pieces of music. Yet still, I am telling you, the fireworks were more vivid, colorful, and overall, breathtaking than anything I have ever seen in America. Poor Guy Fawkes . . . and he was only the pansy.
http://www.bonefire.org/guy/index.php
After that Jenny got to meet a few of my new friends. Dan, who is from Liverpool, and his dirty but funny sense of humour. His friend Simon, who for once, was not playing the sulky silent type. My girls, Nicola and Helen, who despite their size and weight, surprised Jenny in their ability to drink a few. Jenny was the hit of the night and everyone adored my sister, as well they should because she is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Sunday Larissa was suffering as I had once suffered when initially moving to England. We Los Angeleans think we walk, but really, we DON'T. We have no idea what it is to walk. I can confirm this by my experience with blisters, calluses, and new comfortable walking shoes. It has taken me three months to get use to the walking and still, sometimes I wake up with sore, crampy feet. We managed to make it to Regent's Park, which has beautiful Regency, Jane Austen time period, buildings surrounding it. Then we met up with Jenny and had a few pints along with the traditional Sunday English Roast. Then we got to see additional fireworks around town, since technically Guy Fawkes Night was on a Monday this year. . . . yeah, they lasted Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday people! Hello Americans . . why don't we do that!!!!!!
Overall I think the girls got to see the things I love most about this country . . .the humour, the history, the culture, the people, the pride . . . . and most importantly, my best friend and love, John. Both have said that they can't wait to come back and I told them, I am not going anywhere. I love it here and still pinch myself everyday . . . I am in London . . .living MY dream. . . . .living MY life
Next . . . I have no idea . . . but I will think of something interesting I am sure! ;-)
Friday, 9 November 2007
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
John and His Work
Hello friends and family!
Just thought you might like to know a little more about what my man does. Here is the Harper Collins Blog site where he often contributes opinions, summaries of festivals, and commentary on all sorts of things. http://fifthestate.co.uk/author/johnrivers/
Here are also a few projects he has been working on to promote books published by his company.
This is about warfare in Afghanistan:
http://www.3-para.co.uk/
This website/quiz is lots of fun, I actually got a pretty high score, hint, some of the answers are just repeats of the questions.
www.thislittlebritain.co.uk
He also created a Facebook page for William Shakespeare and an upcoming book about him, but I can't find it now, he might have taken it down.
But I was able to find the one he created for Gidget . . .
http://apps.facebook.com/catbook/profile.php?id=765365
Anywho, just to give you an idea what a digital marketing manager does . . .
Just thought you might like to know a little more about what my man does. Here is the Harper Collins Blog site where he often contributes opinions, summaries of festivals, and commentary on all sorts of things. http://fifthestate.co.uk/author/johnrivers/
Here are also a few projects he has been working on to promote books published by his company.
This is about warfare in Afghanistan:
http://www.3-para.co.uk/
This website/quiz is lots of fun, I actually got a pretty high score, hint, some of the answers are just repeats of the questions.
www.thislittlebritain.co.uk
He also created a Facebook page for William Shakespeare and an upcoming book about him, but I can't find it now, he might have taken it down.
But I was able to find the one he created for Gidget . . .
http://apps.facebook.com/catbook/profile.php?id=765365
Anywho, just to give you an idea what a digital marketing manager does . . .
Monday, 22 October 2007
Gidget
Hello all,
Gidget is safe and sound. Sandy, Mom, and Jimmie thank you for taking such excellent care of her. She looks healthy and happy.
On Tuesday I called the Pet Travel Scheme and asked how Gidget would be when we picked her up at Heathrow. I discovered that they would not only clean her up should she make any messes during her journey, but they have private little rooms with cat runs where they would keep her when she arrived. They also said that she would be a little scared, not eat a lot, and take a few days to really settle back down into her routines.
When we arrived at Heathrow on Tuesday evening I was totally expecting a shocked and silent kitty. I was also expecting it to last for a few days. I was worried that she wouldn't remember me, that she would be scarred for life, and that I had done the wrong thing. These feelings did not last long. As soon as I asked one attendant to bring me my kitty, another one came out and told me how lovely and friendly my cat was. She had been playing and petting herself against everyone who came in contact with her. When I heard this, I knew that Gidget was okay. Most of you know how friendly Gidget is, and if she could be that friendly after going through the whole airplane ride ordeal, I knew she would be alright. Finally they brought her out. Her eyes were dilated to the point where you couldn't tell what color her eyes were. She also was as silent as a tomb, which most of you who have met Gidget will know is not normally the case. She is very talkative. I just held her while John called for a cab and kept talking to her. She didn't really acknowledge me and looking back, I still think she was in a daze. By the time we got her into the back seat of the cab she started to meow and recognize me, at least that is what I suspected. My suspicions were confirmed on the train ride home when she continuously moved inside the container to whatever side I was closest to on the outside. If I was near the right front, that was where she would move to.
We got her home and placed her by the litter box. She walked out of her container on her own and I immediately picked her up, showed her the litter box and her food. She wandered around, meowing and sniffing at all the parts of the flat. Finally, within five minutes, she had used her litter box, eaten her food, scratched on her scratching pad, and discovered her bed. They said days . . . it took only minutes and my cat was rolling on her back, loving her new home. The first night she slept right by me, which is unusual, she usually sleeps at my feet. Needless to say, she recovered quickly, is eating like a pig, and is happy to be with her mommy. She follows me around still, loving to be in the room I am in. Even John has noticed and said he understands now why I couldn't part with her. She and I are too attached to each other.
Speaking of John. He referred to her before she arrived as his lodger, with rolling eyes and a bit of sarcasm. Now, Gidget has her own Facebook page, created by John, her own picture folder on John's PC (these are all pictures he has taken of her by the way, not me), and Gidget is starting to sit next to him or go to him almost as much as she goes to me. I don't think she is just a lodger anymore. . . .
Gidget is safe and sound. Sandy, Mom, and Jimmie thank you for taking such excellent care of her. She looks healthy and happy.
On Tuesday I called the Pet Travel Scheme and asked how Gidget would be when we picked her up at Heathrow. I discovered that they would not only clean her up should she make any messes during her journey, but they have private little rooms with cat runs where they would keep her when she arrived. They also said that she would be a little scared, not eat a lot, and take a few days to really settle back down into her routines.
When we arrived at Heathrow on Tuesday evening I was totally expecting a shocked and silent kitty. I was also expecting it to last for a few days. I was worried that she wouldn't remember me, that she would be scarred for life, and that I had done the wrong thing. These feelings did not last long. As soon as I asked one attendant to bring me my kitty, another one came out and told me how lovely and friendly my cat was. She had been playing and petting herself against everyone who came in contact with her. When I heard this, I knew that Gidget was okay. Most of you know how friendly Gidget is, and if she could be that friendly after going through the whole airplane ride ordeal, I knew she would be alright. Finally they brought her out. Her eyes were dilated to the point where you couldn't tell what color her eyes were. She also was as silent as a tomb, which most of you who have met Gidget will know is not normally the case. She is very talkative. I just held her while John called for a cab and kept talking to her. She didn't really acknowledge me and looking back, I still think she was in a daze. By the time we got her into the back seat of the cab she started to meow and recognize me, at least that is what I suspected. My suspicions were confirmed on the train ride home when she continuously moved inside the container to whatever side I was closest to on the outside. If I was near the right front, that was where she would move to.
We got her home and placed her by the litter box. She walked out of her container on her own and I immediately picked her up, showed her the litter box and her food. She wandered around, meowing and sniffing at all the parts of the flat. Finally, within five minutes, she had used her litter box, eaten her food, scratched on her scratching pad, and discovered her bed. They said days . . . it took only minutes and my cat was rolling on her back, loving her new home. The first night she slept right by me, which is unusual, she usually sleeps at my feet. Needless to say, she recovered quickly, is eating like a pig, and is happy to be with her mommy. She follows me around still, loving to be in the room I am in. Even John has noticed and said he understands now why I couldn't part with her. She and I are too attached to each other.
Speaking of John. He referred to her before she arrived as his lodger, with rolling eyes and a bit of sarcasm. Now, Gidget has her own Facebook page, created by John, her own picture folder on John's PC (these are all pictures he has taken of her by the way, not me), and Gidget is starting to sit next to him or go to him almost as much as she goes to me. I don't think she is just a lodger anymore. . . .
Winscombe and John's Family
Hello Readers! I know, I know I have been slacking off on the blogs lately. It isn't that I haven't had things to write about, it is just soooooo busy at work. But here I am, on my first half term holiday, and now the ideas that have been in my head can be freed and written forth!
A few weeks ago John and I went to visit John's parents in Winscombe. It is a beautiful place, a small English countryside village, run mostly by Quakers, therefore there is only one pub in the entire village. The village winds up and down hills, and is surrounded by farms, cows, and other forms of nature. It takes about two hours on a good traffic day to get there by coach, but on our Friday night it took over three. I was in a bad mood because I had to rush from Dagenham, where I work, to Newbury Park, where I have to drop off my timesheets, to Victoria station, where I was to get on the coach with John. Needless to say, I had been running, literally, 2 and 1/2 hours, on all different sorts of trains, by the time I got to Victoria where John was waiting for me. I was not in a good mood, and John, bless him, called, not realizing my situation, and had the nerve to say, "Hurry up please!" Oh, he has learned his lesson ladies and gentlemen, he has learned his lesson. :-) Right John?
So we get there finally, and John's dad is waiting to pick us up. John's dad has a great sense of humour, pretty easy going, and full of facts and knowledge about England, its culture, and its history. I enjoy talking to him and am always learning something new or being corrected gently on something I said. Such as, there are no back yards in England, you do not ever refer to a garden as a yard. I don't mind, it is stuff I need to know in order to correctly converse with people here and he never says it in an overbearing or rude way.
Finally we arrive at the house and John's mom is there, waiting for me. Imagine the sweetest hostess in the world, next to mom, and this is Janet, John's mom. She smiles and takes me in her arms and gives me a secure hug and I know I am safe and warm for the night. The mad dash to the train station, the super long coach ride; they are all forgotten when John's mom hugs me. Then, to top things off, I get to meet Jemma, John's sister, and her husband James. Jemma is expecting her first child in February and was as cute as could be by continuously rubbing her tummy in an absent minded way. We ate Janet's wonderful cooking she had waiting for us and decided to head into the lounge to pay with John senior's new Wii.
The Wii is the game console with a wireless hand held controller that you can use like a bat, a tennis racket, or a bowling ball depending on what game you are playing. We decided to play ten pin bowling and I soon had the hang of the controller. In other words, ladies and gentlemen, I kicked some butt and won with a 185 score. Dad, are you proud?
Next morning I woke up to the sound of mooing cows coming from the farmer's field next door, and the smell of toast coming from downstairs. Breakfast was amazing, as usual when Janet cooks, and off she, Jemma and I went to shop in Bristol. The boys, including John's younger brother Jack, were heading to Jack's football game.
Downtown Bristol is amazing, the shops are similar to those in the States, but there aren't many shopping malls that are indoor. I have learned to love Marks and Spencer and bought practical walking and working winter shoes from them. But this weekend I discovered House of Fraser and other stores that are just as nice. I also was happy to discover that Jemma, Janet, and I have similar tastes in fashion. It was nice to know this and also nice to discover how easy it was to talk to both of them and get along with them during the course of the day.
Finally we all met back at the house and enjoyed an evening of curry cooked by John's mom. In England, Indian food is referred to as curry, or as to having a curry. Janet did an amazing job and the meal was superb. I am learning to enjoy the spiciness of curry more and more and using it as a substitute for my decent Mexican food cravings. I especially like the potato curry and beef curry.
The next morning I got to experience the town of Cheddar. Yes, my faithful readers, this is where the cheese was created. But, there is also an amazing rock gorge called Cheddar Gorge. This natural rock formation goes up hundreds of feet and runs on for several miles. As John's father drove us up through it I got to see tons of people repelling and climbing at different points along the gorge. I also got to see small and large mountain goats. It was crazy to see a long haired, long horned huge mountain goat out in the wild. Oh and the cheese, ahhhhh the cheese . . . . I think that is enough said.
Next ladies and gentlemen . . . . my lovely international kitty Gidget.
A few weeks ago John and I went to visit John's parents in Winscombe. It is a beautiful place, a small English countryside village, run mostly by Quakers, therefore there is only one pub in the entire village. The village winds up and down hills, and is surrounded by farms, cows, and other forms of nature. It takes about two hours on a good traffic day to get there by coach, but on our Friday night it took over three. I was in a bad mood because I had to rush from Dagenham, where I work, to Newbury Park, where I have to drop off my timesheets, to Victoria station, where I was to get on the coach with John. Needless to say, I had been running, literally, 2 and 1/2 hours, on all different sorts of trains, by the time I got to Victoria where John was waiting for me. I was not in a good mood, and John, bless him, called, not realizing my situation, and had the nerve to say, "Hurry up please!" Oh, he has learned his lesson ladies and gentlemen, he has learned his lesson. :-) Right John?
So we get there finally, and John's dad is waiting to pick us up. John's dad has a great sense of humour, pretty easy going, and full of facts and knowledge about England, its culture, and its history. I enjoy talking to him and am always learning something new or being corrected gently on something I said. Such as, there are no back yards in England, you do not ever refer to a garden as a yard. I don't mind, it is stuff I need to know in order to correctly converse with people here and he never says it in an overbearing or rude way.
Finally we arrive at the house and John's mom is there, waiting for me. Imagine the sweetest hostess in the world, next to mom, and this is Janet, John's mom. She smiles and takes me in her arms and gives me a secure hug and I know I am safe and warm for the night. The mad dash to the train station, the super long coach ride; they are all forgotten when John's mom hugs me. Then, to top things off, I get to meet Jemma, John's sister, and her husband James. Jemma is expecting her first child in February and was as cute as could be by continuously rubbing her tummy in an absent minded way. We ate Janet's wonderful cooking she had waiting for us and decided to head into the lounge to pay with John senior's new Wii.
The Wii is the game console with a wireless hand held controller that you can use like a bat, a tennis racket, or a bowling ball depending on what game you are playing. We decided to play ten pin bowling and I soon had the hang of the controller. In other words, ladies and gentlemen, I kicked some butt and won with a 185 score. Dad, are you proud?
Next morning I woke up to the sound of mooing cows coming from the farmer's field next door, and the smell of toast coming from downstairs. Breakfast was amazing, as usual when Janet cooks, and off she, Jemma and I went to shop in Bristol. The boys, including John's younger brother Jack, were heading to Jack's football game.
Downtown Bristol is amazing, the shops are similar to those in the States, but there aren't many shopping malls that are indoor. I have learned to love Marks and Spencer and bought practical walking and working winter shoes from them. But this weekend I discovered House of Fraser and other stores that are just as nice. I also was happy to discover that Jemma, Janet, and I have similar tastes in fashion. It was nice to know this and also nice to discover how easy it was to talk to both of them and get along with them during the course of the day.
Finally we all met back at the house and enjoyed an evening of curry cooked by John's mom. In England, Indian food is referred to as curry, or as to having a curry. Janet did an amazing job and the meal was superb. I am learning to enjoy the spiciness of curry more and more and using it as a substitute for my decent Mexican food cravings. I especially like the potato curry and beef curry.
The next morning I got to experience the town of Cheddar. Yes, my faithful readers, this is where the cheese was created. But, there is also an amazing rock gorge called Cheddar Gorge. This natural rock formation goes up hundreds of feet and runs on for several miles. As John's father drove us up through it I got to see tons of people repelling and climbing at different points along the gorge. I also got to see small and large mountain goats. It was crazy to see a long haired, long horned huge mountain goat out in the wild. Oh and the cheese, ahhhhh the cheese . . . . I think that is enough said.
Next ladies and gentlemen . . . . my lovely international kitty Gidget.
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Weekends in London
So . . . . I work hard all week, go to sleep, get up early, ride the train, etc. Finally, when every Friday rolls around I find myself excited. Not only because I get to spend some quality time with John, but because every weekend I am here always sees me discovering something new about London. A few weeks ago we went to an Indian Festival in Central London on Regent Street. There was another festival, the Singapore Chili Crab Festival, going on near Brick Lane at the same time. I also visited the famous Spitfields market and bought myself an over the shoulder purse made entirely out of one long zipper. It was so neat and only £12. I like it because I can strap it across my shoulder and walk with both hands free, which is a great benefit on the tube and streets of London.
The following weekend I found myself out with friends and walking through the Spanish part of London. We walked into this pub and there were a flamenco band and dancers, perfectly in time with each other, dancing and playing incredibly for a good half hour. Now I have seen the movie Strictly Ballroom, so I was familiar with this form of dancing. I have also seen Folklorico dancing in California. But I have to tell you, words cannot describe how amazing, how breathtaking, how absolutely awesome these dancers were. And I mean awesome in its original sense; believe me I was in AWE.
The next day John and I bought a bunch of picnic stuff and went out to Hampstead Heath to have a picnic and hang out. It was beautiful, peaceful, and restful. We were on top of a hill, under an English Oak, overlooking one of the larger ponds. There were people around but they were so far away in their own little areas that we were undisturbed. There were almost no buildings, trees everywhere, a light breeze, and blue sky. John and I read, ate, talked, and just enjoyed each other's company. I walked around on the cool grass with my shoes off and just listened to the silence, the birds, the peace. I can't wait to do that again.
This weekend John and I met up with Steve and Nat to attend our friend Chris' birthday barbeque out in the country. Now John's friends are mostly made up of school friends and their wives and girlfriends. Fortunately for me, I have been able to hit it off with all of the girlfriends and friends. I enjoy hanging out with them, even without John, and am thankful for their acceptance, inclusion, and care. It truly is a greater experience because of all of them. Thank you. You know who you are!
So after the barbeque, which was fun despite a certain group of people who were rather quiet, we headed back out to central London and the West End. We walked along the Thames, past theLondon Eye, St. Paul's behind us, and were coming up on Waterloo Bridge. As we passed the National Theater we noticed a bunch of people sitting around and staring up at a wall. On the side of the theater they were playing Wuthering Heights with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, complete with loud speakers so all around could hear. I wanted to stay but Steve knew of this incredible bar, down in an old cellar, where you actually walked into carved cave-like areas lit by candles to sit and drink wine or sherry. So we left Cathy and Heathcliff to their own destruction and walked across Charring Cross bridge to see about this pub. It truly was incredible, especially all the war and royal memorabilia around. There were also antiques, old casks, and funny workers with great personalities. John and I want to go back there when it isn't so crowded though. Here is the link, check it out! http://www.gordonswinebar.com/
Finally Natalie and Steve had to go home so John and I ended up in the Boston Arms, the Irish pub across the street from the flat. Did I mention that of all the areas of London, I am living in the "Irish" section. How funny is that? Anywho, we went into the Boston, listened to an Irish band perform a combination of country, Irish, and classic rock and roll hits. It was amazing. What another great weekend!
Every weekend something new is discovered, learned, or experienced. I am truly living life and taking everything it can give me right now! Natalie said this weekend that life is going to be over for her when she turns thirty. I looked at her and said, nope, life doesn't really begin UNTIL you are 30. Look at me, I am living proof!
Next weekend John and I are taking a trip to the National Gallery and the Sherlock Holmes museum. Requests for anything Sherlock . . . anyone . . . . anyone . . . Bueller?
The following weekend I found myself out with friends and walking through the Spanish part of London. We walked into this pub and there were a flamenco band and dancers, perfectly in time with each other, dancing and playing incredibly for a good half hour. Now I have seen the movie Strictly Ballroom, so I was familiar with this form of dancing. I have also seen Folklorico dancing in California. But I have to tell you, words cannot describe how amazing, how breathtaking, how absolutely awesome these dancers were. And I mean awesome in its original sense; believe me I was in AWE.
The next day John and I bought a bunch of picnic stuff and went out to Hampstead Heath to have a picnic and hang out. It was beautiful, peaceful, and restful. We were on top of a hill, under an English Oak, overlooking one of the larger ponds. There were people around but they were so far away in their own little areas that we were undisturbed. There were almost no buildings, trees everywhere, a light breeze, and blue sky. John and I read, ate, talked, and just enjoyed each other's company. I walked around on the cool grass with my shoes off and just listened to the silence, the birds, the peace. I can't wait to do that again.
This weekend John and I met up with Steve and Nat to attend our friend Chris' birthday barbeque out in the country. Now John's friends are mostly made up of school friends and their wives and girlfriends. Fortunately for me, I have been able to hit it off with all of the girlfriends and friends. I enjoy hanging out with them, even without John, and am thankful for their acceptance, inclusion, and care. It truly is a greater experience because of all of them. Thank you. You know who you are!
So after the barbeque, which was fun despite a certain group of people who were rather quiet, we headed back out to central London and the West End. We walked along the Thames, past theLondon Eye, St. Paul's behind us, and were coming up on Waterloo Bridge. As we passed the National Theater we noticed a bunch of people sitting around and staring up at a wall. On the side of the theater they were playing Wuthering Heights with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, complete with loud speakers so all around could hear. I wanted to stay but Steve knew of this incredible bar, down in an old cellar, where you actually walked into carved cave-like areas lit by candles to sit and drink wine or sherry. So we left Cathy and Heathcliff to their own destruction and walked across Charring Cross bridge to see about this pub. It truly was incredible, especially all the war and royal memorabilia around. There were also antiques, old casks, and funny workers with great personalities. John and I want to go back there when it isn't so crowded though. Here is the link, check it out! http://www.gordonswinebar.com/
Finally Natalie and Steve had to go home so John and I ended up in the Boston Arms, the Irish pub across the street from the flat. Did I mention that of all the areas of London, I am living in the "Irish" section. How funny is that? Anywho, we went into the Boston, listened to an Irish band perform a combination of country, Irish, and classic rock and roll hits. It was amazing. What another great weekend!
Every weekend something new is discovered, learned, or experienced. I am truly living life and taking everything it can give me right now! Natalie said this weekend that life is going to be over for her when she turns thirty. I looked at her and said, nope, life doesn't really begin UNTIL you are 30. Look at me, I am living proof!
Next weekend John and I are taking a trip to the National Gallery and the Sherlock Holmes museum. Requests for anything Sherlock . . . anyone . . . . anyone . . . Bueller?
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Parks in England
Hello all,
Every day that I am here I truly realise how blessed I am. I have to tell you how happy I am. This place is everything I could have imagined and more. I don't think I have ever been this happy or content with life. I ride the tube and read my books. I work at an easy pace compared to Los Angeles. I still have time to enjoy life and explore. I think the English have something over here! There is something to the saying, " Work to live not live to work!" I miss you all but so far, words can't express how much I am enjoying myself.
This past weekend John and I went walking through Highgate, which is only a five minute bus ride from the flat. In order to reach the cemetery gate we had to walk through a park to reach the gate. But what a park it is. Imagine flowers, trees, walkways, hills, and a pond. You walk so far in that you cannot hear the street noise, nor see any buildings. The closest thing I can compare it to is the Huntington Gardens, without as many people, and it is FREE!. I can't wait to go back and just sit in that park again, John and I are planning on having a picnic soon. Once we got to the cemetery it was an adventure too! I enjoyed the towering tombstones, the ivy, the trees, the peaceful atmosphere. We walked for a while, ducking under low branches, walking through grown over alcoves as we explored the historical cemetery. The East cemetery, the one we were exploring, is considered the more modern one dating back to the mid 19th century, . . . .ha ha ha. You won't find too many mausoleums amid the celtic crosses, pillars, and plain shaped tombstones. The West cemetery is notorious for those ominous large enclosures, but requires a guided tour. Meanwhile, in the East cemetery you will find John Singleton Copley, George Elliot, Douglas Adams, and many other famous scientists, engineers, and notable figures. Most notable of all is Karl Marx. John and I were wandering for a while, randomly looking at World War One tombstones, of which there were many, when we decided we might as well visit old Karl while we were there. After a while of searching we became quite annoyed with ourselves at our lack of progress. As we came to a fork in the road I turned to the right and pointed, suggesting that it may be down that way. John grabbed my hand, said my name, and turned me around. Immediately to my left was the largest bust I think I have ever seen. I swear, Karl's eye must have been as big as my head! We stared for a few moments, said, "Okay, good enough," and went to the pub for a pint with friends.
Yesterday we went after work and visited the other park that is closest to us, Hampstead Heath. It is about a ten minute walk away from the flat and is the largest thing you have ever seen. Again, comparing it with Huntington Gardens, it doesn't have as many flowers but the trees, meadows, and rolling hills go on so far that it makes my California mind stagger as I realise I am walking through this for FREE! There are about five or six ponds, two of which are for swimming . . . one for men and one for women, separately. I told John, "How English!" There are ducks, geese, and all other sorts of water birds. By the way, did you know that geese growl? I swear they do! We heard a huge territorial argument between a group of geese and the growled at each other! Scouts honor! We walked forever, into the forest, got lost in the trees, took gravel trails, walked across meadows. At one point I ran through the grass doing a great impression of Laura Ingalls as I sang the "Little House on the Prairie" theme. :-)Okay, I couldn't resist! The park energized me with its beauty and vastness. We also sat under a willow tree and just drank in the peace that this park gives. I didn't want to leave but night was closing in and we hadn't eaten yet. But just think . . . it is 10 minutes from where I currently live! Tomorrow I plan on trying out the women only swimming pond. Will let you know what happens!
Hope you all are well and happy. I miss you, but God I love it here!
Every day that I am here I truly realise how blessed I am. I have to tell you how happy I am. This place is everything I could have imagined and more. I don't think I have ever been this happy or content with life. I ride the tube and read my books. I work at an easy pace compared to Los Angeles. I still have time to enjoy life and explore. I think the English have something over here! There is something to the saying, " Work to live not live to work!" I miss you all but so far, words can't express how much I am enjoying myself.
This past weekend John and I went walking through Highgate, which is only a five minute bus ride from the flat. In order to reach the cemetery gate we had to walk through a park to reach the gate. But what a park it is. Imagine flowers, trees, walkways, hills, and a pond. You walk so far in that you cannot hear the street noise, nor see any buildings. The closest thing I can compare it to is the Huntington Gardens, without as many people, and it is FREE!. I can't wait to go back and just sit in that park again, John and I are planning on having a picnic soon. Once we got to the cemetery it was an adventure too! I enjoyed the towering tombstones, the ivy, the trees, the peaceful atmosphere. We walked for a while, ducking under low branches, walking through grown over alcoves as we explored the historical cemetery. The East cemetery, the one we were exploring, is considered the more modern one dating back to the mid 19th century, . . . .ha ha ha. You won't find too many mausoleums amid the celtic crosses, pillars, and plain shaped tombstones. The West cemetery is notorious for those ominous large enclosures, but requires a guided tour. Meanwhile, in the East cemetery you will find John Singleton Copley, George Elliot, Douglas Adams, and many other famous scientists, engineers, and notable figures. Most notable of all is Karl Marx. John and I were wandering for a while, randomly looking at World War One tombstones, of which there were many, when we decided we might as well visit old Karl while we were there. After a while of searching we became quite annoyed with ourselves at our lack of progress. As we came to a fork in the road I turned to the right and pointed, suggesting that it may be down that way. John grabbed my hand, said my name, and turned me around. Immediately to my left was the largest bust I think I have ever seen. I swear, Karl's eye must have been as big as my head! We stared for a few moments, said, "Okay, good enough," and went to the pub for a pint with friends.
Yesterday we went after work and visited the other park that is closest to us, Hampstead Heath. It is about a ten minute walk away from the flat and is the largest thing you have ever seen. Again, comparing it with Huntington Gardens, it doesn't have as many flowers but the trees, meadows, and rolling hills go on so far that it makes my California mind stagger as I realise I am walking through this for FREE! There are about five or six ponds, two of which are for swimming . . . one for men and one for women, separately. I told John, "How English!" There are ducks, geese, and all other sorts of water birds. By the way, did you know that geese growl? I swear they do! We heard a huge territorial argument between a group of geese and the growled at each other! Scouts honor! We walked forever, into the forest, got lost in the trees, took gravel trails, walked across meadows. At one point I ran through the grass doing a great impression of Laura Ingalls as I sang the "Little House on the Prairie" theme. :-)Okay, I couldn't resist! The park energized me with its beauty and vastness. We also sat under a willow tree and just drank in the peace that this park gives. I didn't want to leave but night was closing in and we hadn't eaten yet. But just think . . . it is 10 minutes from where I currently live! Tomorrow I plan on trying out the women only swimming pond. Will let you know what happens!
Hope you all are well and happy. I miss you, but God I love it here!
Saturday, 8 September 2007
First Impressions of School
Dear All,
I miss the rain! It hasn’t rained for two weeks and I am missing it everyday. AND, it isn’t suppose to rain for another week! Believe it or not it has been in the mid to upper 70’s for over a week! Now most of you Californians are probably saying, “What is your problem, that is great weather?” But please remember to add two things to my weather report; the humidity and the lack of air conditioning anywhere in London. This makes up for a very sticky and stinky trip home everyday. Oh people have deodorants and use them, but they don’t have the air conditioning to keep them constantly cool like we do in America. Think about it, we go from our air conditioned cars to our air conditioned workplaces everyday. I am afraid that even with my American super-deodorant, I still get pretty sweaty on the underground. Oh, I know I am better than most people I see, but I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with a lack of deodorants, it is a lack of strong air conditioning that makes people so sweaty and sometimes stinky. Oh, and please send me my American deodorant, I don‘t like the sprays they have here, I am picky. Secret Platinum Protection Unscented . . . That is the best deodorant and does very well in the London Underground! J
Okay, onto my school. So last week I went and visited my school, met some of the teachers I will be working with. It is a ten minute walk from the station but I do pass a coffee, breakfast place, and two ATM’s. I love the underground ride, I am almost finished with a book that is over 800 pages. I just put my iPod on, open my book, and read until it is time for me to get off. Anywho, so back to the school. Very nice, colourful school, it has a pond, grass, and neon painted playgrounds. It also has a smaller library than my old school, a computer lab, an Art Room, and a cooking room. The students also are given music lessons once a week, and French once a week. I don’t have a key to my classroom but I do have a security tag I hold up to a code panel next to each building door to unlock it and let me in. The staff is all very nice and laid back. They are mostly women in their late forties, married, with children of their own. There are three male teachers, all in relationships, all in their late thirties. Overall the atmosphere is fun and there was a comment made, “I hope you are as mad as us or else you won’t fit in here!” After that I knew I really liked this place . . . Whoever said I was sane in the first place!
So last Thursday and Friday I went to a TimePlan, the agency that hired me, orientation. I met a lot of teachers from America, Canada, and Australia. I tried talking to the Americans but as you all know, Americans don’t like Californians. I have said this before but it was hard to experience it yet again. Here we are, in a foreign country, having a great conversation, and they ask me where I am from. I say the Los Angeles area and they immediately start to scoot away from me. My new Canadian friends noticed it right away. One of them in particular said she noticed it twice with different groups of people. All I can say is, the New Yorkers, they weren’t afraid to talk to me. I love New York! So anyway, I really clicked with this one girl named Kyla from Ontario. She and I have the same interests, the same feelings about teaching, and the same ideas about life in general. She actually came and stayed with me and John last Friday and went out and partied with us. The next day |I took her around to Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben, St. James Palace, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and Green Park. She was so excited but amazed at how well I knew my way around London. I told her it is easy once you master the underground, plus John helped me a lot. She told me I was very lucky to have John. Trust me, I already know that, he is lovely. We are getting along famously, a few run ins about my need to clean and keep things tidy but I think overall we are doing very well.
Anywho, so I get to school on Monday and go through two more days of teacher training at the school, what they call Inset rather than Staff Development. We learned about the new Numeracy and Literacy Strategy, which is what they call their Content Standards. It was fun, I got to decorate my classroom a little, meet my TA, and start learning about how the school works and what is expected of me. It is SO very different. I may not be able to describe it all in this blog but I am sure I will bring up the differences throughout the rest of the year.
First off, the students are given little journals for each of their subjects. Then they are given work folders for each of their subjects. The LEA or Local Education Authority(school district) has written out all the lessons for us on every subject. I have to teach English, Math, History, Geography, Science, Religious Education, Physical Education, Information Technology, Art, and French. They are also going to be learning a musical instrument this year and I have the option to learn with them. I am going to be learning to play the Fife people! How cool is that? There is a parent who can come in and help me with the pronunciations but the actual French lessons are going to be taught non other than by Moi! Lord, thank you for making me take French in high school after all! I am really excited about teaching all of these subjects, and yes, you actually HAVE to teach them, you can’t just brush PE under the rug, you have to actually follow the lesson plans and units provided by the LEA. Oh, and for this half-term my students are learning how to swim on Fridays, it is a requirement in school. They are all in 3 ring binder rather than teacher books so you can pull the lesson out and deal with it then. I also have 2 hours of planning time every Friday, while the students are learning to swim, with my colleague Jackie, who has taught year 5 for a number of years. She is lovely and so helpful. I am just doing what she is doing so far. It is a little daunting, the lessons are kind of boring, but she says I have the ability to change and adapt as necessary to meet the needs of my students. I am introducing math games that they have never heard of and ideas for projects that were common in Los Angeles, the teachers so far are enjoying my imput. My TA is very motherly, has been a TA for 20 years but never desired to become a teacher. Her name is Lynn and oh how I love having her there.
Onto the students. How the school introduces the students is by having the teachers meet with the previous teacher and discuss each students beforehand. There are computer files I can look at, old work that has been passed on, but to get the real dirt they require us to actually sit and talk with the previous year teacher and take notes. It was interesting. I really got to know about the behaviour issues, family history, and peer relations of every child. I felt better prepared for each of these kids from day one, even though my room was not decorated, I had no idea really what I was teaching yet, or how I was going to make it from 9 am to 3:30 that day. Granted, the first three days are assessment days but still, I wanted to make a good impression with the school and the students. Not to mention that there was an underground strike and I had to take an alternative 2 HOUR route to work for the first two days of school with the students. That was very tiring and not fun. I was happy when they resolved it and I could get back to my normal one hour trip and short walk.
The students are very much like the movie To Sir With Love. Not that bad behaviour-wise but they definitely have the tough English accent, coarse language, and possibly will become those kids someday. But right now they are nine years old and so far so good. They have lovely personalities, each and everyone. They make me laugh and help me out when I don’t understand that a full stop in England is a period in America. They also informed me that a swimming costume in the UK is a swimsuit in America. We get along pretty well and they like my way of teaching, it is very different from the other teachers. The other teachers are very strict, no personality, and definitely no personal caring for the students, very professional, to the extreme I think. I sit there and listen to the students, encourage them, tell them I care about them and want them to enjoy school. They look at me like I am someone from another planet, but overall the response has been positive. That is when I realized that a lot of what I had learned from their former teachers was great, but at the same time, what their teachers found annoying or bothersome, was just the kids personalities. They were just being little boys and little girls. It bugs me but I am going to just continue to do my thing and connect with the students as best as I can. I went back over the notes I took today and I can see some of what the teachers said in each of the students, but again, that is just who these kids are.
Other than that, I am looking forward to next week when we really are suppose to start teaching the lessons, handing out homework, etc. I am starting to feel like a real Londoner now. When my belongings arrive on the 17th and my Gidget on October 14th I will really feel like my life is completely here now. Well, that is all for now, hope you are well, enjoying your dry hot weather. Think of me in this humidity, with no rain, walking everywhere. Oh how I miss Air Conditioning!
I miss the rain! It hasn’t rained for two weeks and I am missing it everyday. AND, it isn’t suppose to rain for another week! Believe it or not it has been in the mid to upper 70’s for over a week! Now most of you Californians are probably saying, “What is your problem, that is great weather?” But please remember to add two things to my weather report; the humidity and the lack of air conditioning anywhere in London. This makes up for a very sticky and stinky trip home everyday. Oh people have deodorants and use them, but they don’t have the air conditioning to keep them constantly cool like we do in America. Think about it, we go from our air conditioned cars to our air conditioned workplaces everyday. I am afraid that even with my American super-deodorant, I still get pretty sweaty on the underground. Oh, I know I am better than most people I see, but I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with a lack of deodorants, it is a lack of strong air conditioning that makes people so sweaty and sometimes stinky. Oh, and please send me my American deodorant, I don‘t like the sprays they have here, I am picky. Secret Platinum Protection Unscented . . . That is the best deodorant and does very well in the London Underground! J
Okay, onto my school. So last week I went and visited my school, met some of the teachers I will be working with. It is a ten minute walk from the station but I do pass a coffee, breakfast place, and two ATM’s. I love the underground ride, I am almost finished with a book that is over 800 pages. I just put my iPod on, open my book, and read until it is time for me to get off. Anywho, so back to the school. Very nice, colourful school, it has a pond, grass, and neon painted playgrounds. It also has a smaller library than my old school, a computer lab, an Art Room, and a cooking room. The students also are given music lessons once a week, and French once a week. I don’t have a key to my classroom but I do have a security tag I hold up to a code panel next to each building door to unlock it and let me in. The staff is all very nice and laid back. They are mostly women in their late forties, married, with children of their own. There are three male teachers, all in relationships, all in their late thirties. Overall the atmosphere is fun and there was a comment made, “I hope you are as mad as us or else you won’t fit in here!” After that I knew I really liked this place . . . Whoever said I was sane in the first place!
So last Thursday and Friday I went to a TimePlan, the agency that hired me, orientation. I met a lot of teachers from America, Canada, and Australia. I tried talking to the Americans but as you all know, Americans don’t like Californians. I have said this before but it was hard to experience it yet again. Here we are, in a foreign country, having a great conversation, and they ask me where I am from. I say the Los Angeles area and they immediately start to scoot away from me. My new Canadian friends noticed it right away. One of them in particular said she noticed it twice with different groups of people. All I can say is, the New Yorkers, they weren’t afraid to talk to me. I love New York! So anyway, I really clicked with this one girl named Kyla from Ontario. She and I have the same interests, the same feelings about teaching, and the same ideas about life in general. She actually came and stayed with me and John last Friday and went out and partied with us. The next day |I took her around to Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben, St. James Palace, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and Green Park. She was so excited but amazed at how well I knew my way around London. I told her it is easy once you master the underground, plus John helped me a lot. She told me I was very lucky to have John. Trust me, I already know that, he is lovely. We are getting along famously, a few run ins about my need to clean and keep things tidy but I think overall we are doing very well.
Anywho, so I get to school on Monday and go through two more days of teacher training at the school, what they call Inset rather than Staff Development. We learned about the new Numeracy and Literacy Strategy, which is what they call their Content Standards. It was fun, I got to decorate my classroom a little, meet my TA, and start learning about how the school works and what is expected of me. It is SO very different. I may not be able to describe it all in this blog but I am sure I will bring up the differences throughout the rest of the year.
First off, the students are given little journals for each of their subjects. Then they are given work folders for each of their subjects. The LEA or Local Education Authority(school district) has written out all the lessons for us on every subject. I have to teach English, Math, History, Geography, Science, Religious Education, Physical Education, Information Technology, Art, and French. They are also going to be learning a musical instrument this year and I have the option to learn with them. I am going to be learning to play the Fife people! How cool is that? There is a parent who can come in and help me with the pronunciations but the actual French lessons are going to be taught non other than by Moi! Lord, thank you for making me take French in high school after all! I am really excited about teaching all of these subjects, and yes, you actually HAVE to teach them, you can’t just brush PE under the rug, you have to actually follow the lesson plans and units provided by the LEA. Oh, and for this half-term my students are learning how to swim on Fridays, it is a requirement in school. They are all in 3 ring binder rather than teacher books so you can pull the lesson out and deal with it then. I also have 2 hours of planning time every Friday, while the students are learning to swim, with my colleague Jackie, who has taught year 5 for a number of years. She is lovely and so helpful. I am just doing what she is doing so far. It is a little daunting, the lessons are kind of boring, but she says I have the ability to change and adapt as necessary to meet the needs of my students. I am introducing math games that they have never heard of and ideas for projects that were common in Los Angeles, the teachers so far are enjoying my imput. My TA is very motherly, has been a TA for 20 years but never desired to become a teacher. Her name is Lynn and oh how I love having her there.
Onto the students. How the school introduces the students is by having the teachers meet with the previous teacher and discuss each students beforehand. There are computer files I can look at, old work that has been passed on, but to get the real dirt they require us to actually sit and talk with the previous year teacher and take notes. It was interesting. I really got to know about the behaviour issues, family history, and peer relations of every child. I felt better prepared for each of these kids from day one, even though my room was not decorated, I had no idea really what I was teaching yet, or how I was going to make it from 9 am to 3:30 that day. Granted, the first three days are assessment days but still, I wanted to make a good impression with the school and the students. Not to mention that there was an underground strike and I had to take an alternative 2 HOUR route to work for the first two days of school with the students. That was very tiring and not fun. I was happy when they resolved it and I could get back to my normal one hour trip and short walk.
The students are very much like the movie To Sir With Love. Not that bad behaviour-wise but they definitely have the tough English accent, coarse language, and possibly will become those kids someday. But right now they are nine years old and so far so good. They have lovely personalities, each and everyone. They make me laugh and help me out when I don’t understand that a full stop in England is a period in America. They also informed me that a swimming costume in the UK is a swimsuit in America. We get along pretty well and they like my way of teaching, it is very different from the other teachers. The other teachers are very strict, no personality, and definitely no personal caring for the students, very professional, to the extreme I think. I sit there and listen to the students, encourage them, tell them I care about them and want them to enjoy school. They look at me like I am someone from another planet, but overall the response has been positive. That is when I realized that a lot of what I had learned from their former teachers was great, but at the same time, what their teachers found annoying or bothersome, was just the kids personalities. They were just being little boys and little girls. It bugs me but I am going to just continue to do my thing and connect with the students as best as I can. I went back over the notes I took today and I can see some of what the teachers said in each of the students, but again, that is just who these kids are.
Other than that, I am looking forward to next week when we really are suppose to start teaching the lessons, handing out homework, etc. I am starting to feel like a real Londoner now. When my belongings arrive on the 17th and my Gidget on October 14th I will really feel like my life is completely here now. Well, that is all for now, hope you are well, enjoying your dry hot weather. Think of me in this humidity, with no rain, walking everywhere. Oh how I miss Air Conditioning!
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