Blogs from Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 2

When I was back in the States for Christmas, a lady who read my blog emailed me requesting an interview for her next book. Victoria Westcott is the author of Guide to Teaching in London: A Survival Guide for Canadians and the co-founder of the teacher recruitment agency, Classroom Canada. Check out her websites at: http://www.GuideToTeachingInLondon.com http://www.classroomcanada.blogspot.com http://www.classroomcanada.com She plans to write a book for Americans teaching in London and wanted interview me for the book. Since she's in Canada at the moment, she emailed me her interview, and I filled it out and sent it back. Next thing I know, she's taken me under her wing, offering advice for my troubles in school and suggestions on how to get out of it. Eventually, she asked me to give her a call when I get home ... read more

I managed to walk to the grocery store down the road to buy some medicine, and that has helped. Today, I'm feeling much better, but I took the day off anyway just to make sure. I really don't want to be sick when I'm on vacation. I've been cooped up in my bedroom for the last three days. Tomorrow is Friday, the last day of the school term. I've missed three days of work this week, so I'm going to be totally broke. Seriously. Furthermore, I don't know what I was thinking when I booked my plane tickets home. I'll be home only for a week! (Actually, I know what I was thinking. I thought a week would be enough and that I could use the rest of my break to travel around the UK a ... read more

I wake up this morning with a splitting headache. Yesterday, I felt horrible, so I came straight home from school and went right to bed. Slept all through the night, and I still feel awful this morning. I get up and stumble to the bathroom, coughing along the way. I can hardly walk straight. As I lean over the sick to wash my face, I realize that I'm burning up. I slpash cold water on my face and stand there, leaning over the sink, trying to keep the room from spinning. I can't go to work today. But I have to! I get paid by the day, so if I don't show up, I get nothing! And with the two-week Chrismas break coming up, plus the fact that I'm flying home for a week, I need ... read more

"Wow, you look nice!" Krisztina, my Hungarian roommate says. "You have a date?" I laugh, "Yeah right! No, I'm going to that party our gym is having." (Yes, she's a member, too.) With my hair straightened, my make-up perfect and natural-looking, I feel pretty cute in my black and white dress. Maybe that Scottish guy will be there! It's raining, of course! Great. After I went to all the trouble to straighten my hair, it's going to start curling again! The thing is, after I straighten my hair, it won't curl up nicely again until I wash it. Instead, it'll just get a random wave/bump in it. It looks ridiculous. Still, I won't let it get me down. I walk as fast as I can to the bus stop in my black heels and stand under ... read more

In an effort to build more of a life for myself here, I've decided to get a car. Although I can legally drive for up to twelve months with my American license, I don't feel comfortable driving here without taking lessons. People keep asking me, "Can you drive?" I pause, not knowing how to answer that. "I can drive in the United States." "Oh you'll be fine then!" they reply. I'm not so confident. When I observe how people drive in this country, it appears that there are almost no laws whatsoever, especially on roundabouts. My driving instructor, Andre, picks me up at my house. I approach the driver's side of the car, thinking it's the passenger's side. Oh brother, I think. "You want to drive?" Andre asks, enthusiastically. He moves over to the passenger side. ... read more