Your dream is not big enough if it does not scare you.

Today marks one one since my arrival in London. It's been an eventful month, but I'm still having the time of my life. I feel like Carrie Bradshaw, sitting in a coffee shop writing about Love. My Love of Life that is!

Went out in Clapham High Street on Saturday last, a bit of a girls night which was well deserved. Everyone was quite hospitable. It's funny how it doesn't matter where you are in the world, the 3am kebab is the greatest thing since sliced bread!

I've been struggling with the cold today. Transport has been a little hit and miss, especially with the snow, it's taken extra precious sleep in minutes to get anywhere. Today was made special with massive delays on the tube, so much so, that I couldn't even enter the station. So I boarded a bus. and a train, and another bus to ensure that I arrived at the school one hour and 40 minutes later than I would have liked to...

The snow was falling so gently this morning, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as it's droplets landed on my eyelashes. Immediately I started singing Julie Andrews's "My Favourite Things". Seemed fitting. Had the luxury of talking to some of my special friends this week on Viber! What an amazing app! Everyone should have it! Thanks Hayley and Lisa for the chats, helping me to enjoy the commutes to work.

It's so strange, for the last two weeks I've been dressing like a real big girl. Wearing skirts and heels everyday, with pretty flowery, frilly tops.. Who'd have thunk it...

This afternoon (Friday) the school was closed early due to the large amount of snow that had fallen. I think the staff were more excited than the students! Every time I walked passed a window I couldn't help but stop and stare at the white blanket of snow that covered the school yard. Seeing the students out on the astro-truf doing PE was a funny sight indeed. Simply magical. The crunch of fresh snow under my feet was a very new experience, it was really enjoying it until I almost come a-gutsa. Now that was funny...

I politely declined an offer of work until the end of their school year today, I came over here to get away from planning work... Have also come to the realisation this week that perhaps teaching is not what I want to do with my life. Up to this point in my career, I have worked with some amazing people and some awesome kids, but we'll see what happens in the future.

This week has been a good one, it seems I am yet to have a bad one. Have met some more incredible people, attended my very first NBA game (The London crowd was terrible) and I move in to my own room on Sunday. The room is located in central Hammersmith (sleep-ins here I come).

I received an invitation to my good friends Alana and Shannon's wedding this week. Will be going on my notice board in my new room! I've been a tad slack with photos this week, but will try my guts to get some more up shortly.

I am also in the process of trying to figure out where I want to go for half term break in a couple of weeks! Big decisions!

Thank you everyone for the continued support and well-wishes while I have been away. It's nice how the distance has brought me closer to old friends. I am starting to miss people dearly. Big shout out to my nephew Jack whose growing every day, but never fails to make me smile. Also big hugs and kisses to Bray and Jacqueline. Keep your eye on the mail kidlets..

Love all your guts. Stay classy San Diego

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.

Today concludes my first week of teaching in London. I started the week in Leyton, which is North East London, at a school called Something Community School. I was up at 6am and was out the door by 6:55 to start my first journey to work via London public transport. I can't really say that I was nervous, because I wasn't. I didn't really know what to expect but my mind was certainly open. I didn't know much about the school but what I did know was that it was a community school,but had completed some research on the area itself. It was an area of low socio-economic status.
 

A community school usually means a low socio-economic area with students of mixed abilities, mostly towards the lower end of the spectrum. I was prepared for the diverse nature of the classroom but was a little overwhelmed in my first class. There were at least three students who had very little to no English speaking abilities at all. Luckily enough I had a very supportive teacher's aid who was great support. However it was her first day too..
 

The day went ok, I was suprised to see how little supply teachers are spoken to by the main staff. It had me wondering if it was the same like this at home? And if it is, I will definitely change the ways that I interact with supply staff.. It was quite a boring day. I tried to initiate conversation with very little response. And I did the thing I didn't want to do... Pulled my phone out of my pocket :/ Didn't want to, but I was bored... Whoopsies... The company signed me up for the week. Was relieved to have a full week of work, apparently week one of term can be light on.



Walking back to the tube stop I decided that I needed a better pair of shoes, so much walking. Don't get me wrong, I love the incidental exercise but my feet are used to the orthotic comfort of my Asics Gel Kayanos.. Not crappy ballet flats. While thinking about this my phone rang. It was a representitive from SANZA/TRADEWIND teaching agency (The one that had organised my week of work). They rang me with the proposition of the rest of the week of work at a "better" school, on quite a bit more money, with the potential of a longer-term block.I was prepared to give it a go.


The next day I boarded the tube and went an hour and 20 minutes in the other direction to the South West to a place called East Housnlow. I got off the tube and on to a bus and headed to the Healthland School- A School for Maths and Science... I'd fit right in :/ The thing that caught my eye as I walked through the school gates was a red-headed lad, the first one I'd seen for a while. This put a little extra spring in my step and a smile on my face. Then I realised how big the actually school was... The number of students in my entire school back in Aus were milling in the open space near reception... This school has a lot of kids... I learnt later that there are about 1800 students in total and 200 staff.. (WOW)... Different.


This school's formal, the men wear suits and ties and the ladies wear heels and blazers (yuck) I might come back a lady yet... Don't count on it though... The PE department here made me smile. They are just like ours back home. Sit at the table, eating all the food insight, telling funny jokes and bringing some familiarity to the situation. This school reminds me a lot of Highview


There are some massive differences too... They have four different coloured stairwells, yellow and mauve (?) for up and green and red for down, I think.. It's still early days.This works very well, and I guess in a school this size is somewhat of a requirement. Every day I am getting better at pronouncing the names, some are quite tricky.


This role was just a cover for a maternity leave position, so all week I've had the luxury of free periods and no duties (Woo Hoo) Friday for example taught one class and had one extra Geography cover. Alana, you'd be very proud of me, not only am I wearing frills but also taught students about rainforests! My class was observed by the English head of department, always daunting. The lesson went well and the feedback I received was good. I also had the opportunity to see how some more experienced teachers in the school did things, this was a great learning experience.

 
Even as I write this I am still not convinced I want to commit myself for long-term, but it's only until the end of their school year, which is July. The money really is too good to say no to. If I do get offered a position, and if I do decide to accept it, my provision would be that I need the week of the Ashes off.. How Australian is that? I'm presently putting off heading out to the bus stop, it looks like t weather has turned even colder... With a wintery chill from the Atlantic expected over the weekend, I have no doubt that I'll see snow in the coming days.

  
My living arrangements are coming along nicely. I currently have a bed in a share house with the awesome Ryan, Chloe, Tim and Simon. They have taken me under their wings and made me feel at home while i search for a more permanent place to live. I have found a nice little room, and I emphasise little in Hammersmith. At this stage I move in next weekend. Something I am very excited about. It's a 2 minute walk from the tube and the local concert venue, Hammersmith Apollo. When I move I'll also try and find a gym close to home. This weekend I hope to do a walkabout tour and expand my winter wardrobe.. I'm not used to dressing nicely, it is a change and my feet hurt and it's uncomfortable but change is good.

I was the complete nerd on the tube on Wednesday. Was wearing a skirt with my runners reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on my Kindle, Ipod in listening to Aussie music! But you know what? I don't even care!

Voted for my Triple J Hottest 100 this week!!! How exciting!

Catch you later skaters

love your guts

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.

If you get the chance you just have to do Edinburgh's Hogmanay for New Years. Probably one of the best things EVER! Back to that later.

After a 1.5 hour drive, only just holding on to my stomach I boarded a ferry in the torrential rain.. Holy poop I don't know how I didn't vomit... After that I had an hour and a half train ride to Edinburgh.. No famous people this time. Arriving into Edinburgh I saw a GINORMOUS sign advertising the Dirty Dancing stage show!!! Was not going to miss that! It is safe to say I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!! WOO! One of the greatest things I have ever seen in my life!
Any who.. Edinburgh. WOWEE. So pretty.

The first thing you see when you walk out of the station is the Castle on the hill. Magnificent. And all of the old buildings Words can not describe it. You have to see it..

The place I was staying was average. It was called the Braveheart Guest House. 5 out of 6 mornings I was woken by the delightful sounds of someone vomiting in the bathroom that shared a wall with my bedroom. Delightful... So if you decide to stay in Edinburgh, stay somewhere else.

The town itself was buzzing, so much happening at this time of year! The first official Hogmanay thing was the torchlight procession. Massive fire hazard, but so much fun. If you do this, remember to wear old clothes, because you will get covered in wax. It was on this journey that I met some delightful people who let me walk in close proximity to them for the procession and even invited me out for tea afterwards. The procession ended on the hill, I was up the top with 40,000 other people, the atmosphere was buzzing. The lighting of the bonfire was overrated and the count down for the fire works was a little off, but still pretty epic!

 

Torchlight procession
 Next up was the actual New Years eve festivities, I met up with Sarah and Blair and a few of their mates from back in the good old Rat and started festivities at their place. After working out the best ways to smuggle our orange juice in to the event we made our way down. A few of us had to pee early, so we joined the jolly lines for the porta loos and then hit up the bar. This is where I lost glove number one. But don't fret friends, I found a red one! (and lost that on the next loo trip) We wandered around the street party, enjoyed the bands, spiked our drinks and then headed in to the concert in the gardens.

street party

Upon walking into the Gardens, we came to the realisation that our friends were on the other side... Awkward... Anywho, we started pushing our way through the crowd and somehow ended up in the enclosure.. Whoopsies.. But we didn't wanna be in there without our friends. So I sweet talked the security guard and he was nice enough to let us go around the back. After I found a stall that sold a pulled pork roll (HEAVEN) we somehow found our friends. On the way up I had a slight fall and face planted. Was just slightly covered in mud...

 

Apparently Simple Minds used to be some band in the 80s (?) luckily I'd had enough OJ to not worry about the fact that I didn't know any of their songs.. Midnight came along followed by some spectacular fireworks and the worlds biggest Auld Lang Syne. Pretty bloody cool (excuse my French). We partied until the wee hours of the morning and let's just say I was feeling pretty dang tired come January 1.

 

The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful, but I will definitely be heading back shortly to check out the scenery. Something that I didn't really have much opportunity to do on this visit. So Edinburgh Hogmanay 2013- Thanks for playing. Be Lucky.

 

If not now, then when?

I sit here on Christmas Day night, in a warm and cosy manor (Ardmarnoch) nestled away in the Scottish hill. As I gaze out the window I am swept away by the views. Any minute, Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck will come wandering past the window. In the distance are rolling hills and a Loch, that's picturesque. I sit here with a belly full of Christmas tucker, the roast lunch making more sense in the Winter weather.

My time in Scotland has been relaxing and star studded! As I boarded the plane to Glasgow I was excited to see none other than Ben Mumford (whoop whoop). The,n getting my luggage off the carousel was proving difficult, nek minit someone reached in and got my bag for me. As I turned around to say thank you who do I see standing before me, bag in hand? TOM HARDY!!! Gargh, took everything I had to control my excitment. With a grin on my face I said "thanks Tom" then watched him sulter off into the distance.

The place I stayed in Glasgow, The Victorian House, was excellent. For 52 quid (sorry no quid sign on my lapppy) I got two nights accommodation in the warmed, most comfy bed I've slept in for quite some time, a full Scottish breakfast, and asked out on a date by the concierge. I politely turned him down and made the most of the rest days I had. I ventured out to the cinema and watched J R R Tolkein's The Hobbit, it did the trick of putting me to sleep for a while.

From there I boarded the train to Dumbarton, must have looked so so silly. I had my pack on, back pack strapped to my front carry bag and sling... (Loser) From there I met up with friends Maree and Hugh in Greenoch or somewhere, boarded a ferry and made my way to 'Christmas Venue' (after a huge day of shopping, 18 supermarkets and other speciality stores (not really but a few))

It was dark when I arrived (surprise surprise) and I was ready for an early nights. The next few days were spent preparing for Christmas and enjoying the tranquillity.

Things I saw-
-Dumb ladies who should not have been driving  (idiots)
-12,000 shaggy sheep
- Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Donna and Blitzen prepare for Christmas Eve
- Lochs, as far as the eye can see
-Way too much Christmas tucker.

I had the best Christmas possible away from my loved ones. Santa even found me which was very exciting!!! Couldn't have imagined a better way to spend my first Christmas abroad!

Thank you to Maree, Hugh, Maggie and Joanna for sharing your Christmas with me! You made me feel right at home and I enjoyed EVERY minute with you.

Think I consumed 12 times my body weight in food. Did you know Bulmers is sold in 1 litre bottles over here ?!?

A song that's been haunting me this Christmas is Wham's Last Christmas... GARGH...

Few more days until I head to Edinburgh for Hogmanay woo hoo.

And I think that I'm suffering from jet lag :/

And now I walk... Into the wild

Wowee, what a whirlwind few days. Last Monday I broke my elbow in a leapfrog incident (rather nasty but ridiculously funny) and finished work on Tuesday. Since then I have been trying to put my affairs in order in preparation to come.. Not sure I quite finished but oh well.

The flight was good. The first 14 hours to Abu Dhabi was a breeze thanks to some sleeping pills the doctor gave me. I have a brief 45 minute stopover there, which was not even long enough to brush my teeth! (EW) before boarding the connecting flight for the final 7 hours to London Heathrow.

Have been here for a couple of hours now! (long enough for a pint) and am about to head to a Mumford and  Sons concert at the O2, Olympic Arena.. Bring on my first tube ride! It was dark here by 5 but that was kinda cool, and it's a little bit chilly but not too bad, will go and buy a decent pair of shoes tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my first agency interview so will hopefully have a job soon. The house hunt continues! Anywho, I have to pee, will talk soon.

Ps Thanks to everyone who wrote in my book, loved reading it on the plane, think I laughed, cried and snorted! Will try and share some of those notes soon too along with some pictures!!

Enjoy your summer!

xoxo

"If you want something in this life, reach out and grab it."

Much has happened since my last post. Flights were purchased from my dear friend and travel agent extraordinaire Rachelle Hull at Flight Centre in Central Square Ballarat. I will be flying Etihad, should be fun.

 I leave on Monday December 17 and arrive in London on the 18th after a short stop over in Abu Dhabi. I have a few busy days planned in London before heading to Scotland to spend Christmas with a lovely friend from work. I am hoping for my first white Christmas. I am very excited about this. I then will head to Edinburgh, Scotland for their Hogmanay celebrations.

Will update you on this when it happens :D

Things are starting to become more real. I leave in just over a week. I have taught my last class in Australia for a little while. My desk is becoming empty and two years worth of "important documents" are being recycled far too easily for my liking.

People keep asking if I'm ready and I have to ask the question of ready how. Have I packed? No. Have I said goodbye to all those I hold dear? No. Guess you can sat I am putting that off. But am I ready to open my eyes to a world of adventure, new friends, challenges and living? Absofrickingloutely.

I don't think there is anything more daunting than the prospect of packing. A girl with so much stuff. Taking such a little bag... YIKES.. But it's all good. My dreams of travel are much bigger than any of the "stuff' that I have. Bring it on.

 I am overwhelmed with the messages of support and well-wishes from my colleagues, friends and family. Best wish me luck about not bursting in to tears...

This is beginning to feel real

Next time on Anna's Blog: London my first few days

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
— Christopher McCandless

The Beginning

So this is really happening. 12 months leave has been granted, parentals have been told and the preparation has begun. I have started reading the Lonely Planet guide purchsed from Amazon.com. What an interesting read... I also purchased the First times Guide to Europe at the same time and found this to be an interesting an informative read and a third as thick which was awesome. There are so many questions going through my head about thisn journey and time seems to be moving so quickly. I am sure December 17 (proposed leaving date) will be here in no time.

 I have started looking into flights, but my travel liason at student flights( I know I am not a student, but I am under 26 which still counts woo hoo!!) has recommended that i get in contact with her in about two months about purchasing tickets for flights. Something that I have learnt which is a tad disappointing is the fact that you can no longer buy an open ended return flight. This means that I'll either have to book a one-wayer, which to me isn't ideal just in case I get stuck and need to get home, or purchase a return with a return date tentatively booked, this is probably the option I'll go.

I have begun researching festivals and other cutural things and things that "aren't to be missed in the UK as well as places to avoid. I am scouring the minds of friends and family who have already lived this experience about what to do, what to see, where to go and where to stay. This year I am hoping for a white Christmas- but have come to the realisation that I may not see another Summer for possibly 18 month ick.. I have decided to learn French to really make the most of this cultural experience. I have had feedback about France being quite expensive, but this really is a place where I'd like to spend some time.

As a teacher, first time is quickly coming to a close, with only 35 days until I fly out to Thailand. This will be one of the longest flights I have experienced so far which could make the 23 hours to London a bit hellish.. I have made contact with SANZA, a teaching agency based in the UK, feedback I have recieved about them has been great. A good friend told me to go through one agency in Australia until you get there and then if you want to join up with more, do this later on.. Great advice if you ask me.. Thanks Micka.

Stay tuned for more progress, posts will become more frequent as things happen :) and as Confucious says "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Lonely Planet available from: http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Europe-Shoestring-Travel/dp/1741796768/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1330563114&sr=8-5
First timers guide to Europe available from: http://www.amazon.com/First-Time-Europe-Rough-Guide-Special/dp/1858285739/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330563214&sr=1-2
At this stage flights will be purchased through: http://www.studentflights.com.au/
The details for SANZA can be found at: http://www.sanzateaching.com/?s=candidatesearch