Beginning this Sunday (tomorrow) and every Sunday following, I will reflect on my time over the past week's events/happenings and over my whole experience in the UK. Therefore, by the time most of you will be getting ready for bed on Sunday night, my "Reflection Sunday" entries will be posted. I ask that you take time with me to read these, add your comments, and even share your reflections with me. As you walk along side me on my journey, it is my hope that you will find your "doorway" in which to walk through.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
TGIF
Hi folks. Here's what happened next.
Ruth picked me up at my closet and drove me into town to start at my office. Once again, thank you, Ruth, for driving since I had no money for the bus fare. I walked to my office about one mile outside of Reading Town Center, during which I stepped off a curb and twisted my knee. Damn, that hurt!!! Once there, the office staff looked at me like I had three horns growing out of my head when I asked whom should I see to get started on my job. I wish I could have bottled that look on their faces -- it could go for a high price on eBay. The one "secretary" (by the way, they do not call them secretaries or office administratiors here -- but I am not sure of the other word they use) called someone, then Jackie, a Through Care manager came down with notebook in hand and said "Ready? Come with me. We're going to a planning meeting for a casse you are taking over." Holy poop!!! No time to take off my coat or even hit to "loo" because we were already late.
Driving over, I talked to Jackie about living in England and the experiences I had so far. I had laughing. BTW, did I mention just how much I love the British humor?!!! I sat in on this planning meeting for a young boy who is in the foster system, and I was given serveral tasks to do concerning my first case. These did not sound very diffucult at all, but I know my duties will be magnified until I get accustomed to the system over here. Once back in the office, I was assigned my office and cases, which I am not too anxious about. I share an office with another person, Rob; quite a nice fella (that's the British coming out in me). They do not use "paper" files here so everything is on their computer system, except the older files which pre-dated their computerized system.
Well, I know why they have a backlog of child protection cases -- their computer files and system suck. Not saying that the computers do not work, but one needs to click into so many different file on-line that it is extremely difficult to visually put all the information into some working order. They asked me what I thought of their computer system and I let them know how I felt. The rest of the caseworkers/managers agreed with my take of this paperless way to run a child protection agency. If anything is going to happen here for the better, they MUST have open, active paper files on these children. Too much gets lost within this paperless system.
Sidebar: Forgot to mention that I found out where my mail was going -- to my office. I got all my checks, debit card, paystub (Yeah), and other mail sent to me. It was all in my inbox. Thank God I was able to get money out -- i have to do some shopping tomorrow.
After work, the newbies went out for a drink at O'Neill's pub. I had one drink and was fading fast. I still had to catch my bus back home to my closet, so after watching a football game on TV and trying to talk over all the shouting, I left the pub at 8:00pm. I know I drifted in and out of a semi-conscious state on the bus because my brain and body were now able to rest for the weekend. Luckily, I snapped into awareness just before my bus stop. WHEW, that was close!!! I jumped on my computer last night to check emails and look at the news back in the states (pretty crappy weather the 'Burgh is getting -- at least I am warmer and see the sun every now and then). Finally, I drifted off to sleep. TGIF!!!!
Ruth picked me up at my closet and drove me into town to start at my office. Once again, thank you, Ruth, for driving since I had no money for the bus fare. I walked to my office about one mile outside of Reading Town Center, during which I stepped off a curb and twisted my knee. Damn, that hurt!!! Once there, the office staff looked at me like I had three horns growing out of my head when I asked whom should I see to get started on my job. I wish I could have bottled that look on their faces -- it could go for a high price on eBay. The one "secretary" (by the way, they do not call them secretaries or office administratiors here -- but I am not sure of the other word they use) called someone, then Jackie, a Through Care manager came down with notebook in hand and said "Ready? Come with me. We're going to a planning meeting for a casse you are taking over." Holy poop!!! No time to take off my coat or even hit to "loo" because we were already late.
Driving over, I talked to Jackie about living in England and the experiences I had so far. I had laughing. BTW, did I mention just how much I love the British humor?!!! I sat in on this planning meeting for a young boy who is in the foster system, and I was given serveral tasks to do concerning my first case. These did not sound very diffucult at all, but I know my duties will be magnified until I get accustomed to the system over here. Once back in the office, I was assigned my office and cases, which I am not too anxious about. I share an office with another person, Rob; quite a nice fella (that's the British coming out in me). They do not use "paper" files here so everything is on their computer system, except the older files which pre-dated their computerized system.
Well, I know why they have a backlog of child protection cases -- their computer files and system suck. Not saying that the computers do not work, but one needs to click into so many different file on-line that it is extremely difficult to visually put all the information into some working order. They asked me what I thought of their computer system and I let them know how I felt. The rest of the caseworkers/managers agreed with my take of this paperless way to run a child protection agency. If anything is going to happen here for the better, they MUST have open, active paper files on these children. Too much gets lost within this paperless system.
Sidebar: Forgot to mention that I found out where my mail was going -- to my office. I got all my checks, debit card, paystub (Yeah), and other mail sent to me. It was all in my inbox. Thank God I was able to get money out -- i have to do some shopping tomorrow.
After work, the newbies went out for a drink at O'Neill's pub. I had one drink and was fading fast. I still had to catch my bus back home to my closet, so after watching a football game on TV and trying to talk over all the shouting, I left the pub at 8:00pm. I know I drifted in and out of a semi-conscious state on the bus because my brain and body were now able to rest for the weekend. Luckily, I snapped into awareness just before my bus stop. WHEW, that was close!!! I jumped on my computer last night to check emails and look at the news back in the states (pretty crappy weather the 'Burgh is getting -- at least I am warmer and see the sun every now and then). Finally, I drifted off to sleep. TGIF!!!!
The Remaining Week
Well, it's the end of my second week of my new journey and it was a little rough at times; however, with the help of my friends, family and God, I am happy to say that things are much better. On Tuesday, I was thinking that I must have been so foolish to think I could actually move to a new country on my own, without knowing a soul here, and begin work in helping the children in the UK. I know I am not Wonder Woman or Mother Teresa (now there's a comparison), but I really did think that I could be of some assistance with my knowledge, skills, compassion and faith in God. Figuratively, I was tripping over rocks, climbing hills that looked too steep to traverse, and sliding out of control on mudslick pathways throughout the rest of the week. I questioned myself constantly, saying "What did I get myself into?; Why did I ever begin this trek/journey?; I should have stayed back in my comfort zone."
On Tuesday, I went to look at a place to stay, but it was not in a very good location which is convenient to busses and was surrounded mostly by college students. Too noisey -- yeah, I'm 43 years and like to have my quite time. On the way home, I got lost and walked for about two hours trying to get back to my area. My shins ached so much on Wednesday that it was hard to concentrate on my training. Did I mention that it was raining and my umbrella broke? Yep, sure did!!! Wednesday was a day in which I was trying to figure out where in the heck my bank checks and debit card was to. I had no cash on me and I could not get my money out of the bank. Thank God, the person training us lived close to me, so she gave me a ride home -- yeah Ruth!!! I was going to enter a blog that night, but I was so tired, I just watched the news on my computer and listened to music until I fell asleep -- very late!!!
Thursday was . . . okay compared to the beginning of the week, but still not without it's mishaps and misfurtunes. Once again, I was caught out in the rain (this time WITH an umbrella) trying to find the new location of our training site. I finally found it after my pant legs, shoes, and socks got SOAKED!!! Nothing like wet shoes and socks for the rest of the day. STINKY!!! I ran to the bank at lunch to find out what happened to my checks and debit card. The office person was taking so long, I quickly explained to her that I had to get back to work so she would have to call me about anything. A very kind and patient woman, who had an Asian and British accent -- not again, I cannot understand anything these Brits say. I just rolled my eyes, gave her the international sign to "call me," then bolted back through the rain to training. As I sat there shivering trying to listen to Ruth talk with an Irish and British dialect, I truely felt like I was living on another plant. But alas, not another planet, just a different country. After we were finsihed with training, Ruth and I went for coffee to chit-chat, then she drove me home again. This is the one shining bright star about this whole week -- Ruth and I are become friends. Yeah, I have a new friend in the UK. God help her!
Then on Friday, I started my new job. Check out the next post for what happened next . . . .
On Tuesday, I went to look at a place to stay, but it was not in a very good location which is convenient to busses and was surrounded mostly by college students. Too noisey -- yeah, I'm 43 years and like to have my quite time. On the way home, I got lost and walked for about two hours trying to get back to my area. My shins ached so much on Wednesday that it was hard to concentrate on my training. Did I mention that it was raining and my umbrella broke? Yep, sure did!!! Wednesday was a day in which I was trying to figure out where in the heck my bank checks and debit card was to. I had no cash on me and I could not get my money out of the bank. Thank God, the person training us lived close to me, so she gave me a ride home -- yeah Ruth!!! I was going to enter a blog that night, but I was so tired, I just watched the news on my computer and listened to music until I fell asleep -- very late!!!
Thursday was . . . okay compared to the beginning of the week, but still not without it's mishaps and misfurtunes. Once again, I was caught out in the rain (this time WITH an umbrella) trying to find the new location of our training site. I finally found it after my pant legs, shoes, and socks got SOAKED!!! Nothing like wet shoes and socks for the rest of the day. STINKY!!! I ran to the bank at lunch to find out what happened to my checks and debit card. The office person was taking so long, I quickly explained to her that I had to get back to work so she would have to call me about anything. A very kind and patient woman, who had an Asian and British accent -- not again, I cannot understand anything these Brits say. I just rolled my eyes, gave her the international sign to "call me," then bolted back through the rain to training. As I sat there shivering trying to listen to Ruth talk with an Irish and British dialect, I truely felt like I was living on another plant. But alas, not another planet, just a different country. After we were finsihed with training, Ruth and I went for coffee to chit-chat, then she drove me home again. This is the one shining bright star about this whole week -- Ruth and I are become friends. Yeah, I have a new friend in the UK. God help her!
Then on Friday, I started my new job. Check out the next post for what happened next . . . .
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Dreary Day
It was a shitty day all around today. The weather was/still is wet & cold. Training was extremely boring. My umbrella twisted inside out (Broke). We are all finding out that what Reading Borough & Reed Globadl told us prior to coming to the UK is not the whole picture. Much of the important / bulk of the matter was told to us wrong. And I walked about 15 miles in the dark to find places to call to rent. However, when I went to call them, my phone was out of minutes. Therefore, I just walked home in the dark to mtiny closet. My only companions right now are my computer, my book I'm reading, and my journal. It has to get better tomorrow . . .it has too.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
An entire week . . .over!!!
WOW, I cannot believe that I have been here for nine days already. My how time flies when you are in a foreign land with no one to guide you along. Interesting enough, I have managed to use this bus system to get from point A to point B by connecting with points A(1), A(2) & B(1). Yes, there is no such thing as a stright line in this area of the UK. For that matter, anywhere in the UK -- there are these "roundabout" every 200 yards or so. I have managed to position my feet on the bus so that whatever way we are turning, I'm secured. Just like the Thunderbolt (a rollercoaster) at Kennywood (theme park) just to get a thrill ride. I always sit on the top level and Jason and I throw our hands in the air when we roung a corner. For being the two oldest of the group, the others just smile at us and shake their heads. Comical!!! Howver, we do get startled when a tree limb smacks against the window without warning. Damn, that makes me jump!!!
Not sure where I left off, but the remaining part of my training was just as boring as the first part. I have all of this upcoming week to sit in the classroom again. Much of what we are learning is the basics of social work and child protective services. Been there -- done that!!! However, I am strengthening my friendships with the others, even our trainer. She is from Ireland and has a Gelic & British accent. There are 57 languages spoken in the Reading/Berkshire area, and with many having British accents, that takes the total up to over 100 different languages that I have difficulty understanding. I'm repeating myself all the time saying: "What did you say?" or "I did not uderstand you." or "HUH?" Once I start talking to anyone, they ask me if I am from the America -- gee, whadda ya think? Pleasantly, most have told me that they like my accent. Pittsburghese is a hit for the Brits!!!
I have become friends with the trainer, Ruth, who lives near the closet I am renting. I am looking at more places this week, but it looks like my cats will have to stay back in Pittsburgh for a bit longer. I just cannot find a place in my price range that will take small pets. CRAP! Did I mention earlier that all these houses/flats are SMALL? If so, it's woreth mentioning again. The weather has been a mixture of rain/sun/cold -- but mostly rain. Feels like springtime in The 'Burgh -- nothing new to me. After our training let out on Friday, we all went home then were to meet in Town Center to get a drink at one of the local pubs. Well, the youngsters forgot to call me to tell me what pub they were in & I did not have their numbers in my phone yet. Needless to say, I wandered around Town Center from 7:45p to 9:00pm, then jumped on the bus to my closet. I get a call at 9:30pm from one of the ladies asking where I am. After I told her I did not know where they were, I could hear them blaming each other for not calling me. "I thought ---- was supposed to call you?" I could hear the battle back & forth over the phone. At this point, I just told them I would cath them next time around. Sadly enough, I am the oldest of the group and I cannot hang with these 20 - 30 years olds. My "zing" and "pop" is now "crash" and "burn."
Saturday was nice as I went to Town Center to walk around and shop. There was a Scottish pipe & drum band playing through the Center and it was AWESOME!!! They were promoting their Scottish Ceilidh next Sunday, Feb. 28th at Reading Town Hall. A "ceilidh" is Scottish for a festival of pipe & drum, songs, dance, and the ever present DRINK!!! All of us are attending this one for sure. I even think our trainer is coming as well. There are some pictures on this blog showing their tartan clan colors. Now this is what I have been wanting to see. I love the Celtic & Scottish music from this whole area. I may even slip on a kilt myself or try to play the bagpipes. Yeah. . .ummmmmmm . . . no. However, I will partake of the many libations that will be present at this ceilidh. Hey, I want to experience the true culture of the UK and Ireland. "When in Rome . . . ." Did I mention that the pubs in Reading are absolutely AWESOME? Well, they are!!! Every other building in this one stretch of town there are pubs, pubs, and more pubs. And in every pub they are all watching the same football (soccer) game. My friend, Ruth, is taking me to a rugby and football game at some big stadium on the edge of town when a game come to town. Oh man, soccer fans in the UK---WATCH OUT!!!!
Today, I went to mass at St. James Catholic Church on the one side of Reading. I was hoping to go to a closer church to my closet, but there were no buses heading in that direction, so I had to go towards town. St. James Church close to their central park area which has a HUGE statue of a lion. Underneath the lion are the names of soldiers who died in battle during some war. It was raining too hard for me to stop and read the fine print, so I will go back later to check it out. Sorry folks, I have my priorities, and wet clothes is not one of them. The sun came out after mass -- amagine that!!!! -- so I walked and shopped for a bit. Then, I did one of my favorite pastimes -- PEOPLE WATCH! I found a seat in The Oracle's coffee shop near the window so I could look at everyone along the Riverwalk. JMJ, the outfits on some of these younger people just astounds me. I was chuckling most of the time. Do these kids know what they look like when they step out of the house? I am going to buy a full-lentgh mirror and walk around holding it up to some of these people just to get a reaction. What do you think it will be? I'll leave that up to any comments later.
Oh, here's some good news. I have figured out the stores over here: Adsa = Walmart; Boots = Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc.; Sainsbury's = Giant Eagle/Shop&Save/or your local grocer; W.H. Smith = Halmark Stores (but I think W.H.Smith is better) Waterstones = Barnes & Nobel; and finally, Rymans = Office Max. Many other stores we have in the US like Timberlands, GAP; and others. Much of the same but under different store names. At least I know where to go to shop for particulars, instead of wandering around like a deer in headlights. Now I move with purpose until I get run over by someone on a bike (bob & weave, bob & weave).
This journey has not come with it's downside. I get lonely at night and do not have friends with whom I can contact to get together just to do something on the weekend or after work. Although the others are wonderful, they have clumped together with eachother, and I really am beyond their quest for the wild/fun life in the late evenings. Jason, and his wife, Sonya, who are closer to my age, just got a house so they ar busy fixing it up and settling down in the evenings. Ruth and I seemed to have started a small friendship, but that's only when her husband is away on work -- which is most of time. I believe I would feel much better when I get a place of my own to call home. Right now, I am still in this place of limbo. But that's fine for now. I know that when work begins, I will be curing the days when I had all this time to just relax and take in England's beauty and culture. I still maintain that it is extremely beautiful over here. Everything is just so . . . . English!!! Obviously, I did not get into London this past weekend, but since it is only a 25 minute train ride, it can wait for another weekend.
Hope you enjoyed my lastest adventures this past week. As time goes on, I will probably blog almost every other day, just to keep up with all that is happening. I am happy to be able to share all of this with you, and would live to hear any comments (good/bad/or indifferent). I will have my movie camera with me next weekend at the Scottish Ceilidh, so look forward to that next Sunday. Okay folks, cheers!!!
Not sure where I left off, but the remaining part of my training was just as boring as the first part. I have all of this upcoming week to sit in the classroom again. Much of what we are learning is the basics of social work and child protective services. Been there -- done that!!! However, I am strengthening my friendships with the others, even our trainer. She is from Ireland and has a Gelic & British accent. There are 57 languages spoken in the Reading/Berkshire area, and with many having British accents, that takes the total up to over 100 different languages that I have difficulty understanding. I'm repeating myself all the time saying: "What did you say?" or "I did not uderstand you." or "HUH?" Once I start talking to anyone, they ask me if I am from the America -- gee, whadda ya think? Pleasantly, most have told me that they like my accent. Pittsburghese is a hit for the Brits!!!
I have become friends with the trainer, Ruth, who lives near the closet I am renting. I am looking at more places this week, but it looks like my cats will have to stay back in Pittsburgh for a bit longer. I just cannot find a place in my price range that will take small pets. CRAP! Did I mention earlier that all these houses/flats are SMALL? If so, it's woreth mentioning again. The weather has been a mixture of rain/sun/cold -- but mostly rain. Feels like springtime in The 'Burgh -- nothing new to me. After our training let out on Friday, we all went home then were to meet in Town Center to get a drink at one of the local pubs. Well, the youngsters forgot to call me to tell me what pub they were in & I did not have their numbers in my phone yet. Needless to say, I wandered around Town Center from 7:45p to 9:00pm, then jumped on the bus to my closet. I get a call at 9:30pm from one of the ladies asking where I am. After I told her I did not know where they were, I could hear them blaming each other for not calling me. "I thought ---- was supposed to call you?" I could hear the battle back & forth over the phone. At this point, I just told them I would cath them next time around. Sadly enough, I am the oldest of the group and I cannot hang with these 20 - 30 years olds. My "zing" and "pop" is now "crash" and "burn."
Saturday was nice as I went to Town Center to walk around and shop. There was a Scottish pipe & drum band playing through the Center and it was AWESOME!!! They were promoting their Scottish Ceilidh next Sunday, Feb. 28th at Reading Town Hall. A "ceilidh" is Scottish for a festival of pipe & drum, songs, dance, and the ever present DRINK!!! All of us are attending this one for sure. I even think our trainer is coming as well. There are some pictures on this blog showing their tartan clan colors. Now this is what I have been wanting to see. I love the Celtic & Scottish music from this whole area. I may even slip on a kilt myself or try to play the bagpipes. Yeah. . .ummmmmmm . . . no. However, I will partake of the many libations that will be present at this ceilidh. Hey, I want to experience the true culture of the UK and Ireland. "When in Rome . . . ." Did I mention that the pubs in Reading are absolutely AWESOME? Well, they are!!! Every other building in this one stretch of town there are pubs, pubs, and more pubs. And in every pub they are all watching the same football (soccer) game. My friend, Ruth, is taking me to a rugby and football game at some big stadium on the edge of town when a game come to town. Oh man, soccer fans in the UK---WATCH OUT!!!!
Today, I went to mass at St. James Catholic Church on the one side of Reading. I was hoping to go to a closer church to my closet, but there were no buses heading in that direction, so I had to go towards town. St. James Church close to their central park area which has a HUGE statue of a lion. Underneath the lion are the names of soldiers who died in battle during some war. It was raining too hard for me to stop and read the fine print, so I will go back later to check it out. Sorry folks, I have my priorities, and wet clothes is not one of them. The sun came out after mass -- amagine that!!!! -- so I walked and shopped for a bit. Then, I did one of my favorite pastimes -- PEOPLE WATCH! I found a seat in The Oracle's coffee shop near the window so I could look at everyone along the Riverwalk. JMJ, the outfits on some of these younger people just astounds me. I was chuckling most of the time. Do these kids know what they look like when they step out of the house? I am going to buy a full-lentgh mirror and walk around holding it up to some of these people just to get a reaction. What do you think it will be? I'll leave that up to any comments later.
Oh, here's some good news. I have figured out the stores over here: Adsa = Walmart; Boots = Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc.; Sainsbury's = Giant Eagle/Shop&Save/or your local grocer; W.H. Smith = Halmark Stores (but I think W.H.Smith is better) Waterstones = Barnes & Nobel; and finally, Rymans = Office Max. Many other stores we have in the US like Timberlands, GAP; and others. Much of the same but under different store names. At least I know where to go to shop for particulars, instead of wandering around like a deer in headlights. Now I move with purpose until I get run over by someone on a bike (bob & weave, bob & weave).
This journey has not come with it's downside. I get lonely at night and do not have friends with whom I can contact to get together just to do something on the weekend or after work. Although the others are wonderful, they have clumped together with eachother, and I really am beyond their quest for the wild/fun life in the late evenings. Jason, and his wife, Sonya, who are closer to my age, just got a house so they ar busy fixing it up and settling down in the evenings. Ruth and I seemed to have started a small friendship, but that's only when her husband is away on work -- which is most of time. I believe I would feel much better when I get a place of my own to call home. Right now, I am still in this place of limbo. But that's fine for now. I know that when work begins, I will be curing the days when I had all this time to just relax and take in England's beauty and culture. I still maintain that it is extremely beautiful over here. Everything is just so . . . . English!!! Obviously, I did not get into London this past weekend, but since it is only a 25 minute train ride, it can wait for another weekend.
Hope you enjoyed my lastest adventures this past week. As time goes on, I will probably blog almost every other day, just to keep up with all that is happening. I am happy to be able to share all of this with you, and would live to hear any comments (good/bad/or indifferent). I will have my movie camera with me next weekend at the Scottish Ceilidh, so look forward to that next Sunday. Okay folks, cheers!!!
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