Another Year Older!

Well I am no longer 30! I am now on my way to my 40s, how sickening. It was more than hard being away from family and friends on my day. I was lucky to get a few phone calls and some cards in the mail. My students gave me a card and we had yummy chocolate cake at the end of the day. Yum! Thanks to a few ladies at work I wasn't alone for the evening. I went for a few pints and then some Thai. I have never had Thai before and I will be going back for sure. Super yummy. I enjoyed the company and the red wine.

I finally bit the bullet and joined the local gym last weekend. But, I didn't drag my sorry butt there until today where I had a fitness assessment. I guess it is time to get a bit more serious, as my bodyfat index is pretty bad. Plus, it really will be a great stress reliever. I can't go to the pub after work everyday to relieve stress, as I have a feeling each work day will be very stressful.

Speaking of school, wow! I am in a whole new environment! It is an extreme eye opener and it is quite draining to be on alarm all day. Today though was the first day that I got kicked and called a name. I became Miss Wanker today. I know I shouldn't think it, but I did find it humorous to be called this. I knew I would find the little accents to be cute. How can you not smile when a kid says Bloody Hell while doing an art project, or when you are told to go back to my country because I don't belong here. According to the students I don't speak English, well I do, but they can't figure out what type of English I speak. Truly it is cute. Currently I have 4 students and will have another boy starting next week. I will have a sixth boy starting at the beginning of November. I find it difficult when a new student starts when the year has begun. It keeps changing the dynamics in the room. With some of these children it is hard to deal with change, and it is hard to have to share their time with someone else. The challenge of the job is something that I am enjoying as stressful as it is. I have now played football with some of the boys, and I must admit I am not too bad. It must have been those years on a soccer team. I was pulling out all sorts of swift moves. Another fun activity that we do is play hide and seek on Fridays. I love chasing the kids through the trees. They think they are so tricky, but the teachers seem to most often come out on top!

I am off to Manchester this weekend. I am looking forward to getting back on the train and seeing more of England. My mom and Rod will be flying into Manchester on Saturday. I am so excited! I am in need of seeing a familiar face more than I ever thought I would be. Unfortunately, mom's trip was planned before I knew I was coming here. So they are off to Scotland and then to watch the Ryder Cup. They are trying to squeeze me into their already packed schedule. I will take the few hours that I get to see her on Saturday, even if I have to ride a train for almost 4 hours. I gave her a list of a few comfort things for her to bring for me, and of course they are food related.

I am not too happy with the way the recruitment agency I went through. It has handled some of the important things really poorly. I just now have finalized my bank account and have not been paid yet, which is very annoying. I swear the agency doesn't talk amongst themselves and I have had to send documents numerous times. I thought I was going to have a land line set up, but the used phone I was given didn't work so I bought a new phone and guess what it still doesn't work. I guess I will get back on the phone and see when the telephone company can fix it. I bought this sate lite thing called free view. I should be getting many channels for no cost. This is the thing that many people told me to buy. So I bought one for 60 pounds and I get 2 flipping channels. I can't believe it. It seems that many things I have invested in haven't all worked out. I am still sleeping on my mattress on the floor. I am still waiting for my washing machine to be installed. I am tired of dragging my laundry on public transit and then washing my two work shirts at school. I know things aren't all going to happen at once, but for those that know me not having control over everything is really hard.

I have found some great sweets here and have started to live off chocolate. I think if nothing else I will return with a greater sweet tooth and some great British phrases.