06/09/2008

Thats right folks, I am officially over here and learning the correct ways to do things, like write the date!

I have started work, I have a place to live, and I am writing this entry in a Starbucks.

First, work is fairly different. I have had some really great classes and some that were not so great. I have kids that are younger than I am used to, but most of them have been great. Wednesday was my first day teaching and it didn't go as well as I wanted. Thursday got better and Friday was great....except for the fight that broke out after the kids left my class.

It is slightly true what people have said...this is a tougher school. Let me paint the picture for you: Kids here go to grammer school first and after that are tested for where they go. If they do well, they go to the good schools. That right there means we lose a number of good students, but not all. Then the rest of the kids (all who have been told they weren't that great or who have learning, social, or behaviorial issues) are spread around. We have the best school of them all, at least statistically speaking. For any of my old students reading this, no I don't think they are better than you, but there are some I am liking a little more! (Just kidding)

Work is easier in the sense that I have technitions who get me everything I need for class, if I let them know ahead of time, and I have lessons already done for me that I just need to present. It is easy in that sense, but it is still difficult because I am fresh meat and am deperatly trying to memorize names so I can call kids out.

As for living.....I am getting used to my new place. I have what is considered a bedsit....which means I have a room with small kitchen facilities. The floor that I live on I share the toilets with two other people. We have a room with a toilet and sink, a room with a shower and toilet, and a room with a bath and toilet. It works, but it is odd to not have a more private place. It was an adventure my first night, since I didn't have a bed. I had to lay out clothes I wasn't going to use and sleep on those.....I don't want to do that again!

If you want to see the area I am living in, you can chec out Southend-on-sea, Essex. It is a nice area, a short ride from my school and with easy access to most of what I need.

For those of you wondering....yes I would welcome anything you wanted to send....however, if it is a package, you would probably do best making sure it arrives on a Saturday or Sunday until I verify shipping. Right now....anything to help me get by like packaged food and small luxuries would be nice. I am set for basics....although movies would be great.....talk to my sister about sending me my movies.

I am slowing getting used to things. The prices aren't that bad...unless I try to convert them. Most groceries I can get for the same price or cheaper here. Some things are hard to find, but I haven't tried that many stores. My big next projects are saving for a bed/futon, a chair, and storage for stuff in my tiny room.

One other note....I said I was writing from Starbucks....It is hard to find free WiFi here. I have to pay for this time so I am trying to make the most of it.

Sorry about no pictures....Finding usable internet has been a little difficult.... that and I have been just trying to survive. I do promise to post more as time rolls on.

On the serious side....thanks to those of you who have been writing to keep in touch. It makes me smile and almost cry( I am man enough to admit I can cry) to know how much you still care about me and wonder how things are going.

Let me know how things are going with you and keep me updated. I miss you all and I am having the time of my life. I probably won't travel much this first month with limited finances and all, but life around here is still good.

Let me know what you think and if you post questions I will try and answer them ASAP.

Peace from the UK,
Tom