Hello blog world! I'm sorry I've forgotten about you recently, I've been quite busy.
Most of you will know by now that we have moved from Luton. My time at St Hugh's finished up really well, and I even had time to guest blog for the diocese. You can have a look at that here.
We moved back to Billericay at the beginning of February. We left Luton pretty quietly, as we'll be leaving the country in a bit more style later in the year. After all that happened around Christmas and being unwell in January, it didn't seem right to have a party. But will immigration imminent, we'll do something when the time is right.
The process to immigration is getting there. We had been waiting a while to get our first letter back from the Embassy in London. In the end we waited for 4 months for them to check all my paperwork and credentials. We have to make the next step now, and then things will move pretty quickly, but we won't. We'll be in England for a while as we work and spend time with family. I'm going to try and document the process so that I can look back at it and remember the experience.
Right now I'm not scared about the next steps. I have to go through a medical and interview. Which will be two days in London, but with Robert now working for the train company, we'll be travelling a bit cheaper!
I'm waiting to start nannying as well, I didn't think that changing careers would be so tough. You need experience to gain a job, but you need a job to gain experience. So I'm very lucky that someone will give me a chance to work with their children one-to-one. As for a career in America, we're looking into me teaching at Elementary level. I'm choosing a universal subject so that my skills will be infinitely more transferable. I'm actually really excited about nannying and teaching.
Keep an eye out for more blogging.
Showing posts with label St Albans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St Albans. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Monday, November 09, 2009
Out of the Darkness
Check out http://www.albandys.org.uk for pictures of the night in the Abbey.
It was a really good night, there was lots going on in the Abbey and the corporate worship times were brilliant. When we left in the morning it was pouring with rain, we hadn't had a sense of the outside weather at all. Stain glass windows don't give a great view of the outside world!
Vanessa and I were doing the Godly Girl stream, we had about 60 people come across 4 sessions. It was really great to see so many girls and to have the opportunity to share some wisdom with them. How much you can take on board after 12am is to be seen. So I can teach late at night now! I think we did alright.
Hopefully it'll happen again...
It was a really good night, there was lots going on in the Abbey and the corporate worship times were brilliant. When we left in the morning it was pouring with rain, we hadn't had a sense of the outside weather at all. Stain glass windows don't give a great view of the outside world!
Vanessa and I were doing the Godly Girl stream, we had about 60 people come across 4 sessions. It was really great to see so many girls and to have the opportunity to share some wisdom with them. How much you can take on board after 12am is to be seen. So I can teach late at night now! I think we did alright.
Hopefully it'll happen again...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Plunged into Darkness
We are back to 'normal time' here in the UK, so the nights are dark and the dawn is earlier for a short amount of time. The first week always feels the most depressing. Everyone suddenly realises that winter is much closer than you thought and the chances of having a nice day disappear.
It's great for firework displays though and for all those who will be out on Saturday for Hallowe'en. Not a joyfilled time of year really, but I like it. The trees are changing colour and there is a better excuse to be snuggled up with hot chocolate. And most importantly apple filled donuts covered in cinnamon sugar. Yum!
And for something completely different, Liz and I will be hanging out in St Albans Cathedral from 8pm on Friday to 8am on Saturday, with hundreds of young people and some lovely people from my diocese. I am looking forward to the twilight hours, something I enjoy and don't find creepy, where every one is quiet and you feel like you are the only one awake. The fun thing is I'll have to teach. Have you ever led a session gone midnight? It struck me how unusual this might be the other day as I was preparing my session. I could have so much sugar/caffeine in my system that I'll be non-sensical. Start praying!
Anyway, it should be lots of fun and I hope to make many new friends during the night. If all else fails at least I can say I attempted to teach between the hours of 9pm and 2am. A unique opportunity!
Of course it's not all about darkness, this weekend also includes a 'Light Party' alternative to Hallowe'en for the children at church, and our new bishop is coming on Sunday to confirm (a CofE rite of passage?/ritual?) some adults and young people. then I finally get to see my family for an evening meal. Very happy to end the weekend like that!
It's great for firework displays though and for all those who will be out on Saturday for Hallowe'en. Not a joyfilled time of year really, but I like it. The trees are changing colour and there is a better excuse to be snuggled up with hot chocolate. And most importantly apple filled donuts covered in cinnamon sugar. Yum!
And for something completely different, Liz and I will be hanging out in St Albans Cathedral from 8pm on Friday to 8am on Saturday, with hundreds of young people and some lovely people from my diocese. I am looking forward to the twilight hours, something I enjoy and don't find creepy, where every one is quiet and you feel like you are the only one awake. The fun thing is I'll have to teach. Have you ever led a session gone midnight? It struck me how unusual this might be the other day as I was preparing my session. I could have so much sugar/caffeine in my system that I'll be non-sensical. Start praying!
Anyway, it should be lots of fun and I hope to make many new friends during the night. If all else fails at least I can say I attempted to teach between the hours of 9pm and 2am. A unique opportunity!
Of course it's not all about darkness, this weekend also includes a 'Light Party' alternative to Hallowe'en for the children at church, and our new bishop is coming on Sunday to confirm (a CofE rite of passage?/ritual?) some adults and young people. then I finally get to see my family for an evening meal. Very happy to end the weekend like that!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Auf Deutsch
oder auf englisch?
I've just returned from Germany or more specifically Paderborn, which is north west Germany. Just an hour on the plane from Stanstead.
We landed on Tuesday morning and had German breakfast, meat, bread, cheese and coffee (fleisch, brot, käse und kaffee). Before heading to our accommodation in Borchen about 7km from Paderborn. Stephanus-Haus is a youth centre, much like any youth centre in the UK. Lots of room. We headed to Schloss Neuhaus to visit a school and chat to the teachers about exchanges. We went to met Uwe (oo-ver) and all the paid and volunteer youth workers in the region of Paderborn (but Paderborn is a town as well, following me?) in the evening.
Our hosts, Volker and Konni head up the team and were leading the meeting. A long day and the meeting was long too, but everywhere we went we received a warm welcome and food.
On Wednesday we had breakfast in Wewelsburg, a village with a castle which was taken over by Himmler in WWII. There was also a Concentration Camp just outside the village. It was a very tough day, to face the past and to know that I have learnt nothing much from the history books. When it is in your face, it's hard. If you ever have the opportunity to go, do it. It's very educational.
In the evening we went to a youth service and visited a Youth House, an actual house with lots of space for young people to hang out. More coffee and stollen, so much cake. On to Uwe's for dinner and more chatting. Pictures are on the website. He lives miles away in the east of the region, up in the hills. Oh and it snowed!
On Thursday we spent the day in Paderborn, meeting the Superintendant of the KirchenKreis for breakfast. To the Town Hall (Rathaus) for a meeting with the head of the Youth Service in Paderborn. Two very important ladies in leadership. Then back to Wewelsburg for observing an afterschool project, where some very brave 6-8year olds spoke English to us.
We had 2.5 hours in Paderborn for the Weihnachtsmarkt. I really enjoyed the feel of the Market. We ended our trip back in Wewelsburg with dinner in Ottens Hof. Lovely dinner, great company and it's so lovely to be family across the world.
My love for Germany, for the language and the people has got stronger throughout this trip and I was sad to say goodbye this morning at 5am british time.
I've just returned from Germany or more specifically Paderborn, which is north west Germany. Just an hour on the plane from Stanstead.
We landed on Tuesday morning and had German breakfast, meat, bread, cheese and coffee (fleisch, brot, käse und kaffee). Before heading to our accommodation in Borchen about 7km from Paderborn. Stephanus-Haus is a youth centre, much like any youth centre in the UK. Lots of room. We headed to Schloss Neuhaus to visit a school and chat to the teachers about exchanges. We went to met Uwe (oo-ver) and all the paid and volunteer youth workers in the region of Paderborn (but Paderborn is a town as well, following me?) in the evening.
Our hosts, Volker and Konni head up the team and were leading the meeting. A long day and the meeting was long too, but everywhere we went we received a warm welcome and food.
On Wednesday we had breakfast in Wewelsburg, a village with a castle which was taken over by Himmler in WWII. There was also a Concentration Camp just outside the village. It was a very tough day, to face the past and to know that I have learnt nothing much from the history books. When it is in your face, it's hard. If you ever have the opportunity to go, do it. It's very educational.
In the evening we went to a youth service and visited a Youth House, an actual house with lots of space for young people to hang out. More coffee and stollen, so much cake. On to Uwe's for dinner and more chatting. Pictures are on the website. He lives miles away in the east of the region, up in the hills. Oh and it snowed!
On Thursday we spent the day in Paderborn, meeting the Superintendant of the KirchenKreis for breakfast. To the Town Hall (Rathaus) for a meeting with the head of the Youth Service in Paderborn. Two very important ladies in leadership. Then back to Wewelsburg for observing an afterschool project, where some very brave 6-8year olds spoke English to us.
We had 2.5 hours in Paderborn for the Weihnachtsmarkt. I really enjoyed the feel of the Market. We ended our trip back in Wewelsburg with dinner in Ottens Hof. Lovely dinner, great company and it's so lovely to be family across the world.
My love for Germany, for the language and the people has got stronger throughout this trip and I was sad to say goodbye this morning at 5am british time.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Eurgh
This word sums up how I currently feel. My head weighs 10 times the amount it should and I really want to go back to sleep, but I know if I do I won't sleep tonight.
Weekend away this weekend, and I'm ill.
Bonus! I shall be snoring so loudly I intend to keep everyone awake.
The most exciting thing I've done this week is go all the way to the top of St Alban's Abbey tower. I've walked right next the the Rose Window, it's amazing up close. Make sure you say yes if someone invites you up the tower!
Weekend away this weekend, and I'm ill.
Bonus! I shall be snoring so loudly I intend to keep everyone awake.
The most exciting thing I've done this week is go all the way to the top of St Alban's Abbey tower. I've walked right next the the Rose Window, it's amazing up close. Make sure you say yes if someone invites you up the tower!
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