Introduction to LONDON

I’ve known you just a week or two but baby I’m so into you can’t hardly breathe! – I love you, Martina McBride!

London Baby! Over six years of planning and now finally I have arrived! From day one I felt so much more relaxed and peaceful then I did in Tokyo. “A dream fulfilled is sweetness to the soul” (Proverbs 13:19).

So after sitting on a plane for 11 hours (watching Ted, Rock of Ages, Hotel Transylvania, Looper, The Sapphires and Morning Glory) I arrived in London on Thursday the 31^st of January and after over 24 hours with no sleep I caught a 180 pound taxi to my residence in Hornchurch and slept! 

The room I have so graciously been given has its own entrance, kitchen and bathroom. I have been truly blessed!

I awoke Friday excited for my first day in London and I have no doubt you all know exactly where I went…THE WEST END!!!!  

And as I walked around and saw all these iconic musicals...

...there was never any doubt where I would be going...

Oh yea! Children on the 90s please stand! As any Spice Girl fan would be I was ecstatic and as the show began and the songs were sung I could not help singing and dancing along, and nether could the 100s of other fans all around me!

  

At intermission I enjoyed my Ginger Spice cocktail 

And even met some fans who needed no excuse to dress as the Spice Girls. 

On Sunday I bought some razors and  finally shaved my face!

  

A week without shaving...

It takes me 25 minutes every morning to shave so it was nice to have that extra time exploring!

On Tuesday I started work for the week! My first job was in a small school about 30mins from where I am staying. While the School and teachers were nice I was a bit surprised to learn that students called teachers by their first names. It took me quite a while to adjust to students calling out Joey instead of Mr Stockinger! The students were not badly behaved but I did feel like their was a lack of respect. Despite my constant reminders and discipline for rude behaviour students were constantly calling out and talking over the top of me. One of the Teaching Assistants even commented to me that I was strict! I ended up staying at the school on class for three days and by the end the students were used to my expectations and I really did enjoy my time there! I do have to share with you one response I received when writing a poetic text it read, “You have four willys like a cow and milk comes out of it”. #REASONSMYJOBISBETTERTHANYOURS

On Friday I went to a beautiful school about 30mins from where I am living. I taught Nursery (Prep) and Reception (Kindergarten) and had the most lovely day. The students were so cute; they were so little and had such strong British accents I could not help wanting to give them all a big hug! The teachers here were also so friendly and lovely! It has been my favourite place so far! I am hoping to get more work there! But then again this was only week one!!!

 

Around London I have seen some AMAZING street acts include a group of black dancers that I fell madly in love with! 

I had to fight my urge to beg them to be my friends. I figure I will get them on side in good time though. Especially when I marry one, then they really will be my 'brothers'

I realised how rude I had been not visiting the Queen while living in her country so I also made my way to Buckingham palace this week! 

It was such an insane feeling being there! The flag was raised so the thought that she was inside, the real queen just blew my mind! I’m pretty sure she looked out of her window while I was there and was pretty amazed that Joey Joe Joe was just outside her gates! I think so anyway!!!!

Some days I feel as though I am just in a part of Sydney or Australia I haven’t been before but every now and then I catch myself and think I’M IN FLIPPING LONDON!!!!