I did promise a proper post yesterday, so thought I had better follow through.

Hi!

I feel like I've been completely scatterbrained and all over the place when it comes to blogging, hence the abundance of short and sweet posts lately. Over the last few weeks, I had fallen into a routine of getting home, updating this blog and then checking up on all of you across the evening. Since starting this new job though, the routine has been tossed to the wind and I haven't even come close to keeping up with things!

Things are going well at the current job, even if I am still finding my bearings. I'm learning their procedures, I'm working out their database and I'm trying to absorb as much as I can without being too annoying with all of my questions. I'm not used to working in an office, so I have a tendency to zone out the ringing phones, er, oops?

Worst thing is not being able to be home so early, as I'm working longer hours now. I still make it home before poor Jason does, and it's not a long commute, but I've been spoiled with the early finish that comes with being a teacher. It'll take some getting used to, but I think I can manage it. Plus, they were aware of my five weeks of USA-conquering in August/September right from the beginning, meaning they have basically been approved from scratch. I'm happy, and that's all that matters.

You'll have to bear with me for the time being, at least until I get some sort of a routine panned out again. And as for catching up on your blogs? I should be done by the end of the year fairly soon. In fact, I think I'll go and read some now. Just let me have a quick nap first, and I'll get straight on that ....

I am absolutely not too tired or lazy to write a proper entry today.

Oh no.

(Stop back tomorrow, I'll see if I can write an entry with actual words by then.)

1) Answer the questions below.
2) Take each answer and type it into Photobucket.
3) Take any picture from the results and post.

1. What is your occupation?

2. What is your mother's first name?



3. What kind of car do you drive?

4. What kind of car do you want to drive?



5. What is something you like to do in your spare time?



6. What thing do you collect?

7. What is your fathers first name?



8. Describe your mood right now?



9. What is your biggest fear?

10. Favorite words?

My first day went by without a hitch - the people were generally very friendly, my work station was already set up and good to go, and I've already been booked into formal training courses as of next week. Other than the general awkwardness that comes with starting a new job and not knowing anything about everything, I didn't feel completely horrid about my prospects there. In fact, I'm rather excited about it. I can't wait to get up to speed so I can just get on with things, settle in and enjoy myself.

I must say, it's rather nice to come home and not worry about what the next day will bring. That's got to be a good sign, so no complaining from me today. (Gasp!)

Now more importantly, know any primary school teachers in London that need work?

Tinned spaghetti on buttered toast.
America's Next Top Model, followed by CSI.
Snuggly pink dressing gown & a cup of tea.
Sitting with the person I love the most.

What can I say? I love the simple life. Ahh, bliss.

*As for what 'girt' meant? Surrounded. "Our home is girt by sea..."

Last December, I arrived in England. I've taught for three weeks, done a little sight seeing, had two interviews, and accepted a new job in a completely new field. Fast forward to exactly a month later, and I'm celebrating Australia Day in my new home, for the most part loving every minute of it. To celebrate, I thought I'd share a little light hearted randomness with you all. Read on and let me know how you fare at the end.

You know you're Australian if … (taken from Sydney Morning Herald)

1. You know the meaning of the word "girt".

2. You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.

3. You think it's normal to have a leader called Kevin.

4. You waddle when you walk due to the 53 expired petrol discount vouchers stuffed in your wallet or purse.

5. You've made a bong out of your garden hose rather than use it for something illegal such as watering the garden.

6. You believe it is appropriate to put a rubber in your son's pencil case when he first attends school.

7. When you hear that an American "roots for his team" you wonder how often and with whom.

8. You understand that the phrase "a group of women wearing black thongs" refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds.

9. You pronounce Melbourne as "Mel-bin".

10. You pronounce Penrith as "Pen-riff".

11. You believe the "l" in the word "Australia" is optional.

12. You can translate: "Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas."

13. You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep.

14. You call your best friend "a total bastard" but someone you really, truly despise is just "a bit of a bastard".

15. You think "Woolloomooloo" is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.

16. You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.

17. You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin.

18. You understand that "Wagga Wagga" can be abbreviated to "Wagga" but "Woy Woy" can't be called "Woy".

19. You believe that cooked-down axlegrease makes a good breakfast spread.

20. You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.

21. Hamburger. Beetroot. Of course.

22. You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.

23. You believe, as an article of faith, that the confectionary known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year.

24. You still don't get why the "Labor" in "Australian Labor Party" is not spelt with a "u".

25. You wear ugh boots outside the house.

25. You wear ugh boots outside the house.

26. You believe, as an article of faith, that every important discovery in the world was made by an Australian but then sold off to the Yanks for a pittance.

27. You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them.

28. Whatever your linguistic skills, you find yourself able to order takeaway fluently in every Asian language.

29. You understand that "excuse me" can sound rude, while "scuse me" is always polite.

30. You know what it's like to swallow a fly, on occasion via your nose.

31. You understand that "you" has a plural and that it's "youse".

32. You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle.

33. Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.

34. You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call "Anzac cookies".

35. You still think of Kylie as "that girl off Neighbours".

36. When returning home from overseas, you expect to be brutally strip-searched by Customs - just in case you're trying to sneak in fruit.

37. You believe the phrase "smart casual" refers to a pair of black tracky-daks, suitably laundered.

38. You understand that all train timetables are works of fiction.

39. When working on a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer.

40. You get choked up with emotion by the first verse of the national anthem and then have trouble remembering the second.

41. You find yourself ignorant of nearly all the facts deemed essential in the government's new test for migrants.

42. You know, whatever the tourist books say, that no one says "cobber".

43. And you will immediately forward this list to other Australians, here and overseas, realising that only they will understand.

I got the job.

I start on Monday.

Today was my last day working as a teacher ... for now.

Happy weekend!

You do remember my post from a few days back, the cryptic one rambing on about needing positive vibes about some things that were up in the air? (You know, this one?)

Well, obviously all of the good thoughts paid off, because things are looking good.

A few nights ago, I was talking to Jason about how I wasn't feeling a hundred percent happy with the teaching situation here in London. The schools have been average, the attitudes have been average, and the experiences with dealing with the educational recruitment agencies have also been, you guessed it, average. It hasn't been unbearable, but it hasn't been fantastic either. And it certainly wasn't turning into something I want to do for the next two years whilst living here.

I happened to be skimming a random job website, when I came across a position that was being advertised for educational recruitment: working within a popular job agency which recruits and places primary school teachers. In a nutshell, I'd be having a complete role reversal. They called me back, and yesterday I had a first interview. This afternoon, I had a follow up interview. All in all? I'm still hopeful.

It's the start of a huge change - give me another day and I'll hopefully be able to share a little more information with you. This could be just what I'm looking for.

I'm interrupting my regularly scheduled blogging today to wish a special someone from back home a happy birthday. Sadly I can't give afford the plane fare to give you a real hug, but at least I can have Elmo do it for me. Have a great day moo, wrinkles and all.

Happy Birthday Jen!

There are some strange stirrings in the air at the moment.

I'm not entirely sure where they're leading, and I'm not entirely sure if they'll work out, but I'm hopeful. Being hopeful is a good thing, it stops me from stressing.

If they don't work out, I will be fine.
I will not be stressed.
I will continue to be calm.
I will be laidback and will try not to think too much.
I will keep on slogging it out.

Bear with me for now, even though I'm being a bit cryptic. And send positive vibes!

Alright blogging friends, I need your expert opinions.

I've never lived in a country where I've needed a winter hat before, and to be perfectly honest? I've never even considered buying one. At the moment though, I think I'm the only person living in London who doesn't own one, and my ears are paying the price.

At the markets in Greenwich yesterday, we found a stall selling hats. Because I couldn't decide on my own, I modelled for a few and figured you guys could be my style gurus and choose me a style. All weird facial expressions aside, which hat doesn't make me look like a moron? Feel free to let me know if I look like a dork in all three styles, though.

(As long as you do it nicely, I promise I'll try not to cry. Too much, anyway.)

Leave your choice in the comments, if you have time. Or, if they are all hideous, feel free to suggest a different style which might suit me a wee bit more. Thanks, lovelies!