The Redhead Jumped Over the Pond (And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon): Isle of Wight Interview and Birthday in the UK!

Hi Everyone,

After a good weekend, I didn't have a Monday booking. So I used my morning to putter around the flat. I organized, wrote a few letters and slept in. I'm learning to take advantage of my mornings when I have them!! I had my Isle of Wight "interview" set for 2pm. Upon Liz's instructions, I left the house about noon, stopping by the TimePlan office along the way. I'd gotten a call earlier saying they'd pay for my ferry across the water-- awesome! So I stopped into the office to pick up the moula and had a good chat with Natalie. I did start to tear up a little bit, talking about how I missed the familiarity of home, and how I'm finding supply work tough... Going into a different classroom each day not knowing the routines, the teaching lingo, etc. I pulled myself together and got on the road, so to say, to catch the ferry over. The ferry that I ended up taking was the express ferry-- so it only took about 25 minutes as opposed to the bigger boat which would take about 45-60 minutes, so I've heard. I got onto the Isle and walked past the school with about 40 minutes to spare, so I kept walking for about 5 minutes and came upon a bench. Luckily, I had brought my book so I sat and read for about 20 minutes. Once I arrived at the school, I sat for a few minutes but was met but a very warm welcome from the head teacher. She took me into her office, we chatted about Canada for a few minutes, she showed me the long term plans and explained the basics of the position ( year 5, from Nov to Christmas, etc) as well as the planning (every friday afternoon, while the student's learn a chosen activity for the term!). I went into the interview sure that I didn't want the job due to the older age of the students, etc. and left thinking that I definitely wanted the consistency and to be able to communicate/ form relationships with the students.. I sure do make things more difficult for myself! I had another meeting planning with my new friend, Ashley at 4:45. I got off the ferry about 3:45 and after a funny quid chat with Hannah where we impersonated each other's accents, I walked up to meet her and grab a gelato milkshake from the amazing Gelato booth at the city centre. During the walk back down to Ocean Village, managed to spill on myself, put the cone in my mouth to wipe up my pants and then spill on myself again!! Just my luck!

Met Ashley at Pitcher and Piano, the girls found their table else where, and we enjoyed a good chat! two hours few by again and I couldn't believe it! He even ordered me chips (fries)... and I used up all the ketchup, no surprise there! After we parted ways, I sat with the girls a bit sharing about our Mondays.. Alex had planned to meet someone but when that didn't seem to pan out, she and I headed home to eat some dinner and relax. It was a dreary day in the morning and I wasn't feeling too positive, when I mentioned to this her in a text her response was, "when you're feeling down, remember that tomorrow is your BIRTHDAY!!" that definitely helped!

Anne was catching her flight to Scotland today! I'm SO excited for her to have some time off and enjoy her mother country, but I'll also miss our contact over the next two weeks-- because she won't have her blackberry on and be able to communicate with me! But, here I am just being selfish! I truly am excited to here about the wedding and her adventures. When Tyler and I were talking about her trip over to the UK, he commented " your BBF is going to Scotland for 2 weeks and can't even find the time to visit you in England while she's in the area?!?" I agree, Tyler! Seriously... hash

Tuesday...

Happy Birthday to me! Though I am used to being away from my family and Ennismore friends for my birthday, I was a little down today to be so far away. I had my regular Tuesday morning booking in the year 3 class. Mostly, I forgot it was my birthday. Two students got into ruler sword fights, I tried to decipher the literacy lesson plan, and I had an hour of marking to do. I got out of the class JUST as the students were coming back in from break. The morning was good though. I started my "Canadian memorabilia" handout to a student who was listening and on good behaviour. Hopefully, the bribery will work! ahha On my way home, stopped for a gargantuan milkshake. I was able to snap a pretty funny picture of myself with the milkshake and a random guy in the background probably wondering just HOW crazy I was! Once back at the flat, I relaxed with the girls. Did some knitting, played music and lay in slappy (their single bed in the living room... All luxurious flats have one, don't ya know). The girls made me meatloaf (my favourite!!) and a wonderful cake! I received flowers from Rebecca (my first time receiving flowers-- it brightened my day!!), and opened my cards that had arrived in the mail over the past few days. It was a low-key birthday surrounded by my Camp Canada friends, and thats just how I envisioned it!
When the girls told me they were making meatloaf, they said they'd asked messaged Anne asking what I'd like. I told them she'd say "chicken fingers," and they responded "that's what she said!" I didn't believe them after on the weekend, I asked them about the dome in the distance from the docks and Alex said, "that's where they film that show 'Under the Dome.'" Because I so gullible, needless to say I fell for it. Until I saw the looks they were shooting back and forth and realized they were playing with me! So when they said they'd messaged my Anne, I didn't believe them... until Liz showed me the conversation. And they had! It was a gesture that touched my heart and I teared up a little. Anne had her flight to Scotland yesterday so we weren't in contact today but I felt her positive thoughts! Rachel and Paige came up from downstairs and it was a great night of laughter and eating cake!