Yes, I finally did it! I went out on my own adventure to see some of the sites. It is rather funny when you think about it... I only live about an hour away from London and haven't been there yet. To be fair, it does cost to get there and get around, but now that I have really experienced it, I am ready to go back for more.
In case you hadn't noticed, the slide show on the right did change and those are all pictures from my trip. Some are slightly random....flowers and a picture of me and a building blocked by trees (which is the natural history museum), but the others are from around London. I just had to get a picture of the Corvette shop since I missed the Lamborghini and Austin Martin stores. The store with the car in it is actually a well known shopping centre known for its wild window displays, in this case....Bond and his car.
The rocks were weird and the reason I wanted to show those was because there were some outstanding formations. The big block that looks ugly and has no place being in there is actually the ore of mercury and I just thought that was so cool....(you can tell the nerd in me just needed to be released!) There are pictures of the London Eye, Big Ben (which actually refers to the bell, not the clock), Westminster Cathedral, The tower of London (parts of it and inside of it), and Notting Hill (the signs to prove I was close enough) and no....I didn't see Hugh Grant!
I took a two day trip to London on Monday and Tuesday. I decided to take one of the open tours that allows you to get off and on when you like around the city. A piece of advice for those of you thinking of doing that when you travel....it takes much longer than a more private tour. I froze on the top of the bus but got some great views. I learned a lot.
I spent the first day seeing the sites and touring the tower of London. I admit....I really expected the tower to be just a tower, but I found it to be very fascinating and exciting. It was fun to experience the history of a place older than the US and hear some really gruesome tales! I ended my tour early to find my hotel room for the night and decided to treat myself to a play that night...so I went to Phantom of the Opera and had a great time with a great seat on the floor! The prices are reasonable so I think I will have to take more time to go to more musicals and plays in London.
On Tuesday, I went first to the Natural History museum and had a blast. There were some things I expected to see that I didn't, but I had a great time overall. I got to play with a lot of things. I have to admit though that during that part, I realized how lonely it can be when you visit a place and don't have someone to talk to during the visit. I did get to continue the tour and saw a lot more of the area. There was some great history to witness and some really cool things to see. I think I will have to take more tours just to get used to the place.
Nothing extraordinary really happened this week. It was my week off, half term as we call it. It was nice to have a break and take some time for myself. I have enjoyed it and am looking forward to what lies ahead.
I did have a real English breakfast on Tuesday....eggs, sausage, ham, tomatoes, bread, and mushrooms....which was delicious!
It is getting colder here....and darker sooner as to be expected. I think it looks like night by 4:30 pm around here....which seems a little odd. You can feel the difference in time and are ready for bed around 6pm.
Well, I wanted to give an initial update and will have to do more in a couple of days. If you have questions about the pictures, let me know and I can explain them more. Again, please feel free to write any time...as I have nothing much else to do and enjoy hearing from people.
Peace and enjoy!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Gremlins, Custard, Tea, and other ramblings
OK, so I know I told you I would update more and now I will be able to. Having internet at home is a relief for the most part because there are things I can check at home before worrying about them at work.
I have been planning this post for a while and had an even better title, but I wanted to stick with this one to catch your attention. Now that I have it, I will try not and lose it.
Some things in England are hard to get used to, while others aren't. Having custard served with a dessert might sound really tasty, but most of it is tasteless. No don't get me wrong, I still love having it, especially with the apple strudel I had the other night, but it is one of those little things you get used to.
I have figured out why so many of the English aren't as large as Americans- they eat all the time in little portions so they don't gorge themselves like we tend to do. Most people don't eat out and if they do, it is for very small amounts. I keep getting asked if everything really is bigger in America, and for the most part, I have to say yes.
Getting used to new words throws me. I have recently realised (yes that is British spelling, and yes I am a slow learner) why McDonalds doesn't have their breakfast biscuits- biscuits are cookies here. I have been corrected on my spelling and on some of the words I use. Most aren't a big problem, but every once in a while, I find it hard to describe what I am looking for. I appreciate that in proper English over here, words have one meaning rather than several. That makes things easier to identify.
I am getting used to Englis tea. I recently got a kettle to make my tea and am enjoying it. It is more of the equivalent of a coffee from Starbucks- you use so much milk and sugar that you can't tell if you really have tea. Although the tea here is rather strong, so I can guess why you would want to cover it up.
Also, "tea" is the word for dinner. It took a couple of times to hear it and connect it. I haven't heard any one use supper, it is tea time. Dinner does tend to refer to lunch, but it isn't too hard to remember.
As for the gremlins, that is the only word I could think of to describe some of the students I have. No matter what you try and do with some of these kids, it is about breaking and being disruptive. Then again, most of these kids are from not so kind situations and some just haven't learned social skills yet. I have some wonderful students and some of the younger ones are beginning to convince me why primary school teachers have a fun, but stressful job.
I know I am rambling at this point, but I am so lost in thought with trying to remember everything that has gone on since my last post. School has been moving forward and we just got reviewed this week with good results-obviously they missed some of my classes.
I am making some good friends here, specifically people from the church. I had a proper sunday dinner with the pastor and his family where I got to tell once again, my life story. It is funny how many times I have to say things, but that is what happens when you meet one person at a time. I had dinner this last week with a family who gave me several frying pans and a chair to have.
There are days that I sit and wonder about the choices we make and if we really do consider the impact they will have. Do we really consider how much something will cost when we make that choice? Do we listen to our hearts or do we listen to the voice that just wants to take a chance? Something to think about.
Well, time to get on with work. I am slowly adding new things here and hopefull will be able to figure out the picture situation soon. Today is a day to get a lot done, but I am looking forward to chatting with anyone who will be on.
If you have Windows Live messanger, I am on there with my gmail address.
I have been planning this post for a while and had an even better title, but I wanted to stick with this one to catch your attention. Now that I have it, I will try not and lose it.
Some things in England are hard to get used to, while others aren't. Having custard served with a dessert might sound really tasty, but most of it is tasteless. No don't get me wrong, I still love having it, especially with the apple strudel I had the other night, but it is one of those little things you get used to.
I have figured out why so many of the English aren't as large as Americans- they eat all the time in little portions so they don't gorge themselves like we tend to do. Most people don't eat out and if they do, it is for very small amounts. I keep getting asked if everything really is bigger in America, and for the most part, I have to say yes.
Getting used to new words throws me. I have recently realised (yes that is British spelling, and yes I am a slow learner) why McDonalds doesn't have their breakfast biscuits- biscuits are cookies here. I have been corrected on my spelling and on some of the words I use. Most aren't a big problem, but every once in a while, I find it hard to describe what I am looking for. I appreciate that in proper English over here, words have one meaning rather than several. That makes things easier to identify.
I am getting used to Englis tea. I recently got a kettle to make my tea and am enjoying it. It is more of the equivalent of a coffee from Starbucks- you use so much milk and sugar that you can't tell if you really have tea. Although the tea here is rather strong, so I can guess why you would want to cover it up.
Also, "tea" is the word for dinner. It took a couple of times to hear it and connect it. I haven't heard any one use supper, it is tea time. Dinner does tend to refer to lunch, but it isn't too hard to remember.
As for the gremlins, that is the only word I could think of to describe some of the students I have. No matter what you try and do with some of these kids, it is about breaking and being disruptive. Then again, most of these kids are from not so kind situations and some just haven't learned social skills yet. I have some wonderful students and some of the younger ones are beginning to convince me why primary school teachers have a fun, but stressful job.
I know I am rambling at this point, but I am so lost in thought with trying to remember everything that has gone on since my last post. School has been moving forward and we just got reviewed this week with good results-obviously they missed some of my classes.
I am making some good friends here, specifically people from the church. I had a proper sunday dinner with the pastor and his family where I got to tell once again, my life story. It is funny how many times I have to say things, but that is what happens when you meet one person at a time. I had dinner this last week with a family who gave me several frying pans and a chair to have.
There are days that I sit and wonder about the choices we make and if we really do consider the impact they will have. Do we really consider how much something will cost when we make that choice? Do we listen to our hearts or do we listen to the voice that just wants to take a chance? Something to think about.
Well, time to get on with work. I am slowly adding new things here and hopefull will be able to figure out the picture situation soon. Today is a day to get a lot done, but I am looking forward to chatting with anyone who will be on.
If you have Windows Live messanger, I am on there with my gmail address.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)