Life is short, so live it. Love is rare, so grab it. Fear controls you, so face it. Memories are precious, so cherish them. We only get one life, so live it!

Isn't it funny where life leads you? One day you wake up and find yourself doing things that you never thought possible. Achieving things that once upon a time seemed so far out of reach. Since being in the UK I have really begun to appreciate the life that I have back in Australia. The way of life over there. The people. The views. The sunshine!

Don't get me wrong. I love it here, and already am not looking forward to my leaving date, which gets closer everyday (haha). As I keep saying, there is always so much to do. People to see.. Back home my Sundays used to be spent in bed, but over here, they are my day to explore! I don't even get annoyed that there are always tube closures on Sundays! :/

Easter away from the family was tricky! So many teasing photos of family camping trips! But I remind myself that it'll all still be there when I get home. I was lucky enough to spend this Good Friday with Jayson, Jade and Nic. Good company, great food (thanks Jade) and Friday night footy!

In the recent weeks I have also had the joys of watching Potted Potter, which is a comedy show which squeezes all 7 Harry Potter books in to 70 hilarious minutes! And the Harlem Globetrotters put on a show at Wembley Arena! A fun filled night of nachos, beer, hot dogs and basketball with friends! What more could a girl want?!?

On Friday I am heading to Croatia for a couple of days. At this stage I will be doing nothing more than sitting on the beach or by the pool catching up on some reading. I've loaded up my kindle so there will be no running out of things to read! (Man, I miss books, but a kindle is so much more convenient while travelling).

Two weeks without pay will test my budgeting skills ( :( ) and am already looking forward to returning to work...

Have met some rad people on my travels! Can't wait to catch up with the boat party girls again soon! What a fun night that was... Have I shared that info with you get? I am getting rubbish at moving photos from my camera, partly because I've filled up the computer memory.. A new external hard drive is required, and it's on my list...

Big shout out goes to my Dad back home *waves "Hi Dad"* and to my good friends Alana and Shannon who this week tie the knot! Cannot wait to see pictures, I am so sorry that I could not be there with you! Miss all of your lovely faces and will see you when I am looking at you! Thanks to everyone for the emails and messages, cards and presents! They are much appreciated!

Sometimes, life hands you a chance. It hands you something amazing, you almost think it’s a dream, but no matter how much you pinch yourself, you don’t wake up. It’s moments like those that make life really worth living, because no matter how hard times get, there are always those miracle moments that lift you back on your feet.

I really am one of the lucky ones...

May the force be with you.

Anna
xoxo

Between the sand and stone, could you make it on your own?

Whoopsies, I've done it again... Sorry followers, things over here have been CRAZY busy! I am going to try and fit as much as I can into as few words as possible! I can't believe I have reached the 3 month mark.. Where has the year gone?

Soooo. I the last 6 or 7 weeks (sorry again) I have done many, many exciting things. During the break I managed to frequent the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum ( Oh my freaking god! Amazing! Do it if you get the chance!)

But have been working like mad. The days and schools are meshing into one and by the end of the day I am usually so exhausted that the only think I can fathom is bed...

(I can't remember who these people are)

Not surprisingly I have burnt through my savings, but lucky for me I have already booked a few trips and other activities. The first one being Croatia on the 5th of April. The reality of 7 weeks without getting paid has sunk in, so I have started putting feelers out for evening work or work perhaps as a nanny, over the breaks.

Teaching over here is not too different to back home. In fact, I think that there are somethings that they do better, but there are definitely things that we do better too. One thing that they both have in common is nosey politicians trying to run ours schools.. No flammin' idea... This week has been one of my trickiest weeks. The year 3s I have had are INSANE.. But still have managed to get through the week without so much as raising my voice at them.. One of the students really had an impact.. A little Russian boy named Ivan. He was the most polite boys I have ever met! He was courteous, hard-working and very helpful to his peers. Especially seeing as the only place he spoke English was at school.

I could get used to the Primary School thing..

I think I've seen the English Spring... We had one day of 15 and now it's back to rain, sleet and snow with temperatures ranging from -1 to 5.. Winning..

Have I mentioned my visit to Bath and Stonehenge? I can't remember... But if I did it's worth another mention. Stonehenge is a really interesting sight! I am hoping to get back to Bath too before I leave this place.. if you don't believe me check out the pictures.

Celebrating St Pat's Day in the UK is a stack of fun, and I have discovered a new talent. I can skoll a pint of Guinness :/ Had a great day in an Irish bar in Soho called the Toucan. Spent the day laughing and enjoying my Irish heritage. We called it an early day, me arriving back at my tube stop by half 7.. I decided to drop into a pub on the way home for just one more... Those who know me won't be surprised that I met a new bunch of people, had a few more drinks and ended up helping close the bar... Not before I held a girls hair back as she puked into a pint glass, and no Hayley is wasn't me this time! Felt right at home.. Next thing I knew it was nearly 3 and I was stumbling home.. Not surprising I slept through my alarm! Still managed to work a half day... Never been so close to spewing in a classroom! Lucky for everyone though that didn't happen!

Work Boat party tomorrow! Sailing down the Thames with 200 of my closest work colleagues. DJs, drinks and dudes ( Haha- hope you like that alliteration Donna if you're reading this) dressed as a pirate.. Will hopefully get some pics for you!

Anywho! Once again, please feel free to email me, inbox or snail mail me. I will try my best to get back to you ASAP! (Verity, your letter is coming I swear!)

Love hearing from all of you who are Skyping, Vibering, Whatsapping, Stalkbooking etc! Please keep doing what you are doing!

OHHHH and another thing that I have done was the Monopoly pub crawl! One of the best things I have done! Will give you more info on this at a later date but I have to scoot to netball!

Big shout out this time to Dad and Chris, also Nanny and any of the people who dad has passed my info on to!

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Well, well, well, what a week I've had! On Tuesday I joined another Netball team. So playing twice a week will hopefully keep me a little fit, and perhaps make up for the pints that I've been drinking of late. Also, the two for one cocktails are a KILLER!

 On Wednesday I went on a pretty special date... With myself. I went and saw the musical Wicked, and pardon me when I say that it was WICKED! The leading ladies were fantastic and the leading gentleman wasn't too bad on the eyes either. It was at the Victoria Apollo or something I think, a very impressive venue indeed. I didn't much enjoy the first half, I'm not sure if that was because it was a little repetitive or the fact that I had a dude that was 9 foot tall sitting in front of me. Thankfully after the intermission he moved and I could enjoy the rest of the show... And that I did... Wowee, what a fantastic twist.

Thursday was a fairly uneventful day, that was until after netball I decided it would be a great idea to catch up with friends for drinks... No dinner.. BAD move. I rocked up to the pub wearing my 3/4 gym tights, runner and a fluro purple hoody. Didn't get kicked out so was pretty ecstatic! The party of 9 or 10 decided it'd be fun to go to Be At One, a night-clubby type venue just down the road. Well once again got in in my gym gear and was ready to take on the two-for-one cocktails.. Not a wise move without any food in my tummy. Was having a lot of fun, discovered that a friend from back home was staying/drinking at the backpackers next door. I went and grabbed him and he joined us... Cocktails were drank (drunk?) (no wait I was drunk), dance moves were shared, hats stolen, shots had, songs sung. A very fun night indeed. Felt excellent! Until I laid down... Deary me... Oh well...

Friday came, it's great being able to say, "bugger you Friday, I am not working today!" And not work I did. Had a bit of a sleep in, then caught up with friends for a late lunch, which turned in to dinner and a big welcome home to Rue! The people I have met over here are AMAZING, never a dull moment.

Saturday, this is where things get HILARIOUS!!! Wait for it! A friend asked me to accompany her to a Valentines Day singles party.. Wowee what an experience. This trip is all about new experiences, so this worked in well.. I bought a new frock for the occasion, brushed of the heels and got myself looking simply stunning. We ventured in to town, minds well and truly open, not knowing what on earth to expect. I was a little excited I must admit. We walked in to this place called Abacus, my housemate mentioned that it was ok during the week but a bit iffy on weekends. Open mind.. Upon arrival we registered and were given a lock and a name tag. Apparently the key to the lock was the owner of out hearts or some crap, we also registered for a speed dating session. From here we had a Polaroid taken for the "photo wall". This is where if someone fancies you, they can write you a private note, and at the end of the night can collect your cards and contact them if interested.

Down stairs was where the party was at. 125 gents and 125 ladies. I purchased my first drink and started to mingle. First thing I noticed was that they guys were, how can I say this.. Quite diverse... Maybe three in the room were ones that I perhaps initiate conversation with... Almost straight away I found a key that unlocked my lock.. A 40+ year old man of middle-eastern appearance.. Hmmm, we went upstairs to collect out prize.. Which was nothing.. What a dud! From here the speed dating began, 15 guys, 3 minutes a piece. These were either going to be the longest 3 minutes of my life or the quickest. Met some pretty unmemorable people. One who was very memorable, but perhaps not for the right reason. I don't think I have a type, but this person wasn't it. He was under 5 foot tall, with a moustache and reminded me a little of Apu. This was not going to be a fun three minutes.. Open mind Anna, open mind.. First question I asked. "Oh so you are a cricket fan?" Wow, couldn't be more wrong! And that was it, I was out of questions, so just sat there, politely smiling... Sipping my gin and tonic, and smiling some more.. At the start we given these cards where we were to write down peoples names and their card numbers or something, still don't get it.. He asked why I wasn't writing his name down. Had to try and make something up about doing it when he left. But NO! He DEMANDED that I write it down then and there so that he could see it! Cripes... I did, just to shut him up... As soon as he left I crossed it out VERY quickly..

 

 From here I ventured back down stairs to 'mingle'... All I really wanted though was some food... I politely spoke to a few guys but was getting keen to leave. I was trying to do the right things and support my friend, who managed to find one of the only decent guys in the room.. I was trying not to hover. The things that tipped me over the edge happened when I was speaking to two normalish guys, chatting about things, cricket blah, blah. Then out of nowhere, one pipes up with "Hey, so do you wanna get out of here and have a threesome with us?" Holy cow.. I declined perhaps a little too politely, said goodbye to my friend, grabbed my coat and vanished quicker that a vigilante in the night! Was an interesting experience, but not one that I will be repeating in a hurry. Never in my life have I been in a room filled with so much desperation! Perhaps I enjoy being single too much.

Sunday, was glad to awaken reasonably early and without the usual hangover. Met Nic, Jade and Jayson in town for breaky and found a place that served a big breaky for $3.09 (in pounds obviously, still don't know where the pound doodah is on my keyboard). Was a great breakfast and was able to rid myself of that much dreaded shrapnel. We sat and spoke for hours! Was lovely, until this drunk Scottish bloke came over and started talking gibberish, only words I really understood was when he dropped the F Bomb! We finished our cokes and departed VERY quickly!

From here the day picked up, and Nic and I ventured to the British National Museum, which was bloody fantastic. Too much to see in one day but cannot wait to go back. Am still flabbergasted at the fact that I was looking at stuff that dated back to 8000BC, how can that even happen?!? Was freaking cold today, so ventured back to the breakfast pub for a lovely roast dinner. Jade, Jayson, Nic and I talked crap for another couple of hours. Was really enjoyable.. Until Jade and I went to order dessert that was. What a disaster! The pub was out of ICE CREAM! HOW THEH FRICK CAN A PUB RUN OUT OF ICE CREAM???
Not happy. So went back to the table to discuss or disgust at that, and who had returned? None other than Drunk Scottish Bloke! We very quickly picked up or belongs and moved outside as fast as we could... And it was snowing! Snow  really is beautiful! But unfortunately the rain had made it too moist, so I don't think it will settle.. Which means for me, school tomorra!

Another big week ahead, heading to see Angus Stone on Wednesday, hopefully he puts on an alright show!

Sincerely, the self appointed/undisputed ruler of the world,

Anna-  pretend I folded this up and passed it to you under the desk.
Made in Australia

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Sorry it's been a while since my last post been contending with the flu as well as small pangs of homesickness. Thought perhaps it'd be better to wait until I was over them before I wrote anything...

I am not yet used to city life, take me back to a place where everybody knows your name and people care whats going on. I think that you could be lying dying on the ground in the middle of the street in London and people here would simply express annoyance at you for being in their way and then step over you. And I don't like that! While I am here I am going to smile at as many people as I can. Why you may ask? Because I can! I'll make London a better place, one smile at a time!

Being sick with the flu has made me appreciate the Doctors back home. But it has also made me think about out Health care. Everyone over here is entitled to NHS or the National Health Services (I could be wrong, can't be bothered googleing it). Everyone (Ok I it got the better of me and I googled it, I was right), can go and see a Doctor or a Dentist for free, and prescriptions will NEVER cost more than $7.65. But that didn't mean I didn't have to wait 4 hours to see a bloody Doctor..

I have managed to score Ashes tickets. Day 5... WOOOO (please note the sarcasm there), pretty sure I'll fork out the big bucks for day 1 tickets and sit in the pub for the other days. Will be worth it...

 It's slowly starting to warm up over here. We had a top of 13 the other day and you could definitely spot the Aussies. We were the ones in Tees and shorts and thongs. Was nice to have the sun on my face. Am definitely looking forward to the Summer. I am living on the Thames, so soon enough I'll be able to have my friends around for BBQs and beers, will be amazing!

  It's been too cold to do much exploring, but went for a wander around Leicester Square today, definitely need to go back and spend some more time there. As much as I sooked last week about how much I hated London, it really is an incredible place. I must send out a special thank you to the person back home who was able to put up with my sooking last week and raised my spirits. You know you you are LBW.

 Planning has commenced for activities. I really need to decide what I desperately want to do while I am here. Will miss out on so much, but intend to squeeze as much as I possibly can in while I am here. So on top op Turkey and Paris, I am heading to Dublin for St Patrick's Day and am looking in to a trip to Norway to see the Northern lights. Am going to see the Wicked musical on Wednesday, one of my favourite things about travelling alone, is being able to purchase really great tickets for such amazing prices!!! Going on a Jack the Ripper walk in the coming weeks too!

Technology is amazing, I love how I am able to be kept in the loop and not miss out on too much that is happening. I enjoy Skype dates, and being able to Viber you back home, just to hear your voices makes me smile. I'll try not take too long between next entry. I trust you all had AMAZING Australia Days? It really is the lucky country! Special shout out to all my teacher friends who went back to work this week. Keep your heads up, Only 9 weeks until holiday!!!

Be safe.

Peace, Love and Pogo Sticks

Anna
xoxo

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.