Hello all - I have a fantastic week with Catherine and family in Wallingford. I got lots of time with the babbas (who aren't exactly babbas anymore!!) and enjoyed lots of smiling, happy, cuddly time with them. Having little gorgeous children jump on you and tell you "get up Emily!" in the morning is not a bad way to start the day!! Jessie learned to say my name this week - its probably the cutest thing ever, hearing her quietly say it when I leave the room.
I am currently en route to work in London. A few weekends left I reckon. I am aiming to come home around Sept 8th (later if the Hester-Lewis family have anything to do with it) and finish up some courses to teach in Ontario - perhaps start applying for January/May intakes. We'll see - that's sort of my short term plan so ill see what happens.
I am extremely excited for tomorrow morning, as my parents finally arrive in London!! We are spending Sunday/Monday in London then we are gone up to Yorkshire to see Amanda and kids, and family of course. We are staying with Amanda's friend Nettie at her beautiful farm house/ B&B (I spent a few days there over the Christmas break). From Yorkshire, we are off to North Wales for a few days of exploring, and then back down south to Oxford - to introduce my parents to my other family :) and then last stop: London for a few days. I'm sure the 2 weeks will fly by, but I'm excited to show them my life for the last year. Will try and keep this updated as best I can.
Much love xo
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Forced to Get Back on the Blogging Horse
Hello all...
well I have REPEATEDLY been informed that I need to update my blog. I will not name names, but I have heard a few choice words to get on with my blogging ways.
I actually can't believe it has been so long since I've written, but I must admit, I put a bit of blame on my grandma being away at her cottage and Catherine having just been in Bali for a week - that's half my viewership right there!!
The last two weeks have been quite the adventure for me! I have basically liquidated all my assets and am feeling a bit like a gypsy. Have gotten rid of my room in Wimbledon - very sad, but happy with my decision to appreciate and love the 3 months I was there, and start new chapter. I sold my bike so I didn't have to YET AGAIN (such a pain) take it back to Oxford on the train. It was extremely sad to part with that bike, after having put in a ton of hours training on that bike. I spent last week being a tourist in London - after getting no calls for work during the last week of school. It was good fun. I spent a lot of time in Hyde Park. I walked around Kensington Palace, and got a VIP invite to Niketown for their launch of "Make Yourself" - a new campaign to get girls to get active and feel good about it. They had a UK Olympic hopeful there talking to us about motivation, training and the Olympics. It was a neat event with lots of freebies, including champagne and margaritas!
I travelled on Thursday morning, via train from London to Holyhead, Wales to Ireland. It was really neat to go through Wales and get my first glimpse. I am really excited to travel back there with Ma and Pa in a week! The ferry was a neat experience. It took about 3 hours. There was lots to do on the ferry, so it didnt seem like it took too long. Dublin was an amazing city, and I wish I had more time to explore. I did get to do a lot though in the short time I was there.
Friday morning, I left on the free 3 day tour with an amazing tour group. We travelled all through Southern Ireland. I must say, it was stunning scenery! Pictures CANNOT show you the beauty of this country. The people are SO friendly (almost as friendly as Canadians), and the music is awesome! Random music sessions break out everywhere, in the street, in the pub, anywhere!
The group was 39 strong...a large group, but everyone was awesome! A few weirdos, but there are ALWAYS a few. I met some rad Canucks, and some wicked Cali peeps! A few Kiwis as well. We all had a blast and have already made the Facebook adds!
We got back on Sunday afternoon, and I had a few hours to run around Dublin and get some "must see" sights in...including a Guinness tour. It was really well set up...and at the end, you were at the top of the building getting a 360 degree view of the city while sipping the smoothest Guinness - amazing.
I slept in Dublin on Sunday night and left bright and early on Monday morning - NOT before stumbling upon TIM HORTONS COFFEE!! Thats right!! Dublin is FILLED with Tim Hortons coffee. It was amazing, SO amazing. Almost makes me want to hop the ferry just to grab another one!
COLD! Legend says I left half my soul here in this water, and have to come back in 20 years to get it back
Ross Castle - STUNNING
an estate at Blarney Castle
Kissing the Blarney Stone - legend says I now have the gift of gab!
COLD! Legend says I left half my soul here in this water, and have to come back in 20 years to get it back
Ross Castle - STUNNING
an estate at Blarney Castle
Kissing the Blarney Stone - legend says I now have the gift of gab!
I am now back at Catherine and Gareth's...home sweet home, if you will :) Always well taken care of and completely feel like I am at home (uh oh...now they'll never get rid of me! Suckers!)
My ma and pa arrive on Sunday morning! Woohoo! I am working all weekend, but am excited for 4pm Sunday when I am free for 2 weeks to enjoy this country with my parents!
Much love xo
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
at a crossroads...
I have been contemplating my next move once my parents head home in the middle of August (since I am moving out of my place this weekend). I have come to a decision - some will like it, some won't - but most important, I am happy with the choice and think it is the responsible, 25 year old thing to do.
If I don't hear about a full time posting for September 2011 by July 22nd (last day of term), then I will return to Canada sometime in the fall (after a bit of travelling in Europe). This decision comes after deciding that I'm not happy doing supply work, nor barely being able to make a living on it. The uncertainty is stressful and I am unfulfilled waking up every morning and not knowing if I'm going to get a call.
So, my near future is still undecided, but I look forward to whatever possibility arises from it.
If I do go home to Canada in the fall, I would quickly be planning my return to England, as I have some Olympic tickets to use in 2012 :).
A few more days of work - hopefully - and then off to Ireland for 5 days. REALLY excited for it. I am taking the train from London to Holyhead (in Wales) and then the ferry across to Dublin! Should be a neat experience!
After sharing these thoughts earlier with a good friend of mine from home, she said it sounds like I'm looking for stability. Its strange - when you have stability, you don't want it, but when you don't have it, you yearn for it! Perhaps that's just me though...
Focusing on each day and trying to live it up here in the UK!
A wise, wise woman recently told me that "you can't fight destiny" - looking forward to figuring out my life!
Much love! Xo
If I don't hear about a full time posting for September 2011 by July 22nd (last day of term), then I will return to Canada sometime in the fall (after a bit of travelling in Europe). This decision comes after deciding that I'm not happy doing supply work, nor barely being able to make a living on it. The uncertainty is stressful and I am unfulfilled waking up every morning and not knowing if I'm going to get a call.
So, my near future is still undecided, but I look forward to whatever possibility arises from it.
If I do go home to Canada in the fall, I would quickly be planning my return to England, as I have some Olympic tickets to use in 2012 :).
A few more days of work - hopefully - and then off to Ireland for 5 days. REALLY excited for it. I am taking the train from London to Holyhead (in Wales) and then the ferry across to Dublin! Should be a neat experience!
After sharing these thoughts earlier with a good friend of mine from home, she said it sounds like I'm looking for stability. Its strange - when you have stability, you don't want it, but when you don't have it, you yearn for it! Perhaps that's just me though...
Focusing on each day and trying to live it up here in the UK!
A wise, wise woman recently told me that "you can't fight destiny" - looking forward to figuring out my life!
Much love! Xo
Friday, July 8, 2011
I'm Back
Okay, so I realize I have really been neglecting my blog, so here goes a bit of a catch up and summary of my week.
I had lots of work this week - 4 days! Woo! A lot of travel though. I don't mind traveling around London, as long as I know the night before so I can plan my route to get there on time, etc. I worked at a school (with amazing sport facilities) on Monday. It was a tough day though, one of the more challenging schools I've been to. I taught my first lesson of swimming! It was a good experience for sure. The rest of the week I spent traveling to South East London to an all-girls school. The Olympic Torch made an appearance at the school on Tuesday, the original torch that lit the flame for the 1948 London Olympics. It was a pretty cool thing to see.
I have made the decision to give up my lovely flat this month to basically become a gypsy! Hahaha - well not exactly, but since I have basically one week left of work (if I get any!), I need to be really smart about my finances. Paying for July and August rent, and potentially September, with no job, will not be realistic for me. I'm still not exactly sure what my long term plan will be, but short term, I have things figured out! Its unfortunate, as I love the area and my place so much. However, my working schedule has not gone as expected since moving myself to London, and I have to be realistic and smart.
I did however book my FREE trip to Ireland today! Very excited about that, and looking forward to it in 2 weeks time. It is a 3 day tour of Southern Ireland, starting and ending in Dublin. I'm sure it will be a great experience!
Just over 3 weeks until mom and dad arrive! Very excited for them to be here.
Working at the cycle shop this weekend - not up to too much other than that.
Here are some pictures from Canada Day last week (hard to believe its been an entire week!).
Lots of people out! A big Road Hockey Tournament went on all day too!
I didn't play in the tournament, but at least got my hands on a stick and got to take some shots!
Can you see me?!
Elyse and I made it onto eTalk!
These Mounties were flown over just to take pictures with everyone!
Mike Myers stopped by to say Hello!
We had a front row spot! Lots and lots of people by nightfall!
Blue Rodeo (with special guest, Alex Cuba) rocked us into the night
Trafalgar Square was a beautiful location!
Much love xo
I had lots of work this week - 4 days! Woo! A lot of travel though. I don't mind traveling around London, as long as I know the night before so I can plan my route to get there on time, etc. I worked at a school (with amazing sport facilities) on Monday. It was a tough day though, one of the more challenging schools I've been to. I taught my first lesson of swimming! It was a good experience for sure. The rest of the week I spent traveling to South East London to an all-girls school. The Olympic Torch made an appearance at the school on Tuesday, the original torch that lit the flame for the 1948 London Olympics. It was a pretty cool thing to see.
I have made the decision to give up my lovely flat this month to basically become a gypsy! Hahaha - well not exactly, but since I have basically one week left of work (if I get any!), I need to be really smart about my finances. Paying for July and August rent, and potentially September, with no job, will not be realistic for me. I'm still not exactly sure what my long term plan will be, but short term, I have things figured out! Its unfortunate, as I love the area and my place so much. However, my working schedule has not gone as expected since moving myself to London, and I have to be realistic and smart.
I did however book my FREE trip to Ireland today! Very excited about that, and looking forward to it in 2 weeks time. It is a 3 day tour of Southern Ireland, starting and ending in Dublin. I'm sure it will be a great experience!
Just over 3 weeks until mom and dad arrive! Very excited for them to be here.
Working at the cycle shop this weekend - not up to too much other than that.
Here are some pictures from Canada Day last week (hard to believe its been an entire week!).
Lots of people out! A big Road Hockey Tournament went on all day too!
I didn't play in the tournament, but at least got my hands on a stick and got to take some shots!
Can you see me?!
Elyse and I made it onto eTalk!
These Mounties were flown over just to take pictures with everyone!
Mike Myers stopped by to say Hello!
We had a front row spot! Lots and lots of people by nightfall!
Blue Rodeo (with special guest, Alex Cuba) rocked us into the night
Trafalgar Square was a beautiful location!
Much love xo
Monday, July 4, 2011
25 is starting out to be a pretty good age!
You never really quite know what to expect from life. Personally, I sort of had an idea that I would be teaching and somewhat settled by the time I turned 25. Instead, I am living abroad, seeing tennis idols - in the flesh! - and generally having the experience of my life! It doesn't equate to my expectations of where I thought I'd be, I would say in many ways, it exceeds them!
There is a kind of rush I've been getting since June of last year - basically living my life on the fly, not knowing where I will be or what I'll be doing the next month. 24 was a character building age for me. I think I learned more the past year then I did in four years at university! Although, I would never trade my university experience for anything.
I haven't been 25 for a week yet, but already I'm loving it! Thursday of last week I spent the day at Wimbledon - surrounded in history and sporting excellence. It was an experience I never expected to have, but made it happen! Friday I spent the day celebrating my beloved homeland with 50,000+ other Canada loving Canucks in a coveted part of London, Trafalgar Square. It was amazing to celebrate Canada 4000 miles away, yet it felt like we were at home. There was Tim Hortons being served, although the queue was longer than the ladies loo! A road hockey tournament, poutine, mounties, Paralympic girls basketball team, Wayne Gretsky (yes he stopped by!!), Mike Meyers and music from Blue Rodeo, along with various other Canadian acts!!
It was a day to be proud to be Canadian, especially hearing about all the love Will and Kate were getting in Ottawa! Kendle, Meaghan and I had a great day and cannot wait to celebrate next year in London!
I'm writing this on my mobile, so I will post pictures tomorrow.
I'm working 3 days so far this week, but all on opposite sides of London, which means a long commute and early mornings!
My parents arrive in less than a month!! Looking forward to showing them around and sharing my British life with them!
Much love! xo
There is a kind of rush I've been getting since June of last year - basically living my life on the fly, not knowing where I will be or what I'll be doing the next month. 24 was a character building age for me. I think I learned more the past year then I did in four years at university! Although, I would never trade my university experience for anything.
I haven't been 25 for a week yet, but already I'm loving it! Thursday of last week I spent the day at Wimbledon - surrounded in history and sporting excellence. It was an experience I never expected to have, but made it happen! Friday I spent the day celebrating my beloved homeland with 50,000+ other Canada loving Canucks in a coveted part of London, Trafalgar Square. It was amazing to celebrate Canada 4000 miles away, yet it felt like we were at home. There was Tim Hortons being served, although the queue was longer than the ladies loo! A road hockey tournament, poutine, mounties, Paralympic girls basketball team, Wayne Gretsky (yes he stopped by!!), Mike Meyers and music from Blue Rodeo, along with various other Canadian acts!!
It was a day to be proud to be Canadian, especially hearing about all the love Will and Kate were getting in Ottawa! Kendle, Meaghan and I had a great day and cannot wait to celebrate next year in London!
I'm writing this on my mobile, so I will post pictures tomorrow.
I'm working 3 days so far this week, but all on opposite sides of London, which means a long commute and early mornings!
My parents arrive in less than a month!! Looking forward to showing them around and sharing my British life with them!
Much love! xo