Into the Swing of Things

So...since the last post, not much has happened, but in a way lots has. It's Friday tomorrow and it's been a crazy week. It's been better and better getting to know my housemates. A new guy has just moved in and seems pretty cool. And I'm starting to get to know the others quite a bit more.

Teaching has been less supply and more covering the same class for the whole week (sick teacher) which means lots of planning (nothing left for me to cover) and lots more marking. So not what I expected but not too bad. The students are getting used to me...and I am getting used to teaching in this country.

Church was great. It was sooo good to worship on Sunday with a small group from a large church that had most of the members away on a retreat. I am looking forward to seeing what it's like when the whole church is there next Sunday. Should be good. It's nice and close, very bible centred, and oriented to families and students. Very nice people.

Oh, and ya, I'm doing salsa dancing. Just started tonight. It's great. It's pretty much a bunch of women and a few men who have no clue what they're doing. We've started in the beginners group and are hoping to go often to get really good so we can just salsa whenever and wherever we want.

Other than that, I pretty much go to bed early, get up early, pretend to cook good dinners. The normal stuff. I am enjoying it here very much. And yes, I still miss home very much as well. That's all I've got for now.

More Pics! I couldn't resist!

Shore at Llandudno

Llandudno Pier

At the Keep at Llanberis

'Kids' on the hillside overlooking Llandudno

We've reached the top!

Had a Wale of a Time

Well, it has been a while which means there has been many things going on here in Birmingham. I've settled into my house. I have begun to get to know my housemates, although it is difficult when we all have different schedules. The teaching gang has spent much time together going shopping, out for dinner (Birmingham is known for it's Balti (indian) style restaraunts) and just good old fashioned hanging out.

Teaching. Where do I start with the teaching. In general, it is ok. The method of instruction and discipline are very different than what I am used to, which is hard to get used to. Approx 80% of the students in the schools I teach at are Asian background, mostly Muslim although many backgrounds are represented. A large number speak very poor english. It has been quite the shocker! It seems as though the combination of a new country, occasional teaching, and the beginning of the school term have combined to make quite the challenge for Miss Peters. However, each night I go home, and the next day is fresh and new. And today was a great day. A great class, wonderful students.

Because of the stresses of teaching, afew of us have already taken the chance to have a weekend getaway. Our destination of choice was North Wales. We got on the train at 6:30 Friday evening and after getting off 1 station premature, we eventually arrived in a small retirement village type town called Llandudno (pron. Clandidno). Below are some pics from the town, a nearby castle, Caernarfon (tromping grounds for the Prince of Wales), a town called Llanberis, and hiking up the Great Orme in Llandudno.





Getting home was a different story. Our tickets were booked for 4:00. However, the trains don't run that late on Sunday, so we had to take a cab to the next station. Once there, we were delayed an hour. Finally on the train, we were diverted to a different route because of track maintenance. When we got off the train in Chester, to switch trains, low and behold, someone has taken our backpack with our stuff. So for the next hour, we call police, lost baggage, train stations, etc. trying to think of what to do. We got a call today informing us that it wasn't stolen, but someone took it by mistake (sound familiar H?). Awesome. In anycase, we were freaking out. We finally arrived home at about 11:30, in somewhat crushed spirits, but still thankful for a great weekend.

It was back to work today. This week I plan on laying low, checking out some churches, doing laundry and some reading. I'll say it again, thanks for all of the chats and emails. It's great. I miss home very much!

Rachel

I am not homeless!

Good news! I have a place to live. It's a big room with a huge window onto the street. There are 4 others in the house right now. The kitchen is ok, but a bit messy. There is a couple couches and a TV. Everyone seems nice, although there is rarely anyone around.





The bad news is that there are so many things that I never realized I would have to buy. It looks like I'll have to buy a few dishes and pots, but not things like a kettle, toaster, etc. As well, it's tough cooking without a cutting board, sugar, oil, etc. so all of those little things have been adding up. And it's next to impossible to do laundry without detergent. So it has been humbling and expensive getting set up and stocked up. But I suppose this comes with the territory.

So today, because there is still no work (hopefully tomorrow or Friday), Martha and I decided to check out the local botanical gardens. Wow. Unbelievable. Indoor tropical greenhouses, evergreen forests, bird atriums, water gardens, stone garden, bedding plant displays. It was acres and acres of beauty. And a beautiful day to boot. Here are some pics.











Things are becoming normal and comfortable here, although I miss home very much. (mom knows that!). I am eager to start teaching to make money and get into the swing of things. There are about four of us who keep in touch everyday and help each other out, and cook dinner together, so that is good. Thanks for all of the emails, I will try to get back to all of them asap.

Rachel

Look, I really have met people!

Alright, I finally have some proof that I am here! The city is pretty cool actually. There are tons of huge modern buildings, as Birmingham is an industrial, corporate centre in the UK. But there are also old buildings as well.

The city also has a network of canals running through it, which make a perfect spot for cafes, restaurants, shops as well as house boats that are constantly passing by.

And yes, I truly have met some friends. This is a picture of us at the TimePlan office during training. 5 Aussies and 4 Canadians. We've spent lots of time together, in training sessions and out on the town. It will be sad seeing everyone less once we are all out and about the city teaching.

I am still looking for a flat. I've looked at three. I hope to look at a few more, hoping for one that is a bit cheaper. It will be very nice to have a place to call my own. I also ended up going to church today. It was sort of by accident. I had a bunch of errands to do, and decided to forfeit church due to urgencies sake. However, in the afternoon I was passing by the biggest most prominent church in the city centre and decided to go in. It turned out that the Vinyard church network has a bunch of churches in Birmingham, and were having a service right then and there. It was great to worship (to familiar songs) and to meet a few people in the city from the church. Well that's all for now. Much more to follow!

Cheers,
Rachel