An Evening to Remember

     Not really an evening to remember, but one  I surely want to forget!!!  Here's the deal folks.  My crappy day began at only noon yesterday, so it was not a total washout; however, it ended with a "bang"-- but more literally -- a "POP!"  Then nothing.  You see, I was eating a piece of hard candy when all of a sudden the left side of my jaw popped out of its socket.  OUCH!!! Oh the tears!!!  But then the jaw got numb, so I thought it had corrected itself.  NOT!!!  Therefore (and here comes the icky part), as a way to try to avoid the ER -- I tried to jam it back into place.  Okay, yeah, I know -- "What the hell was I thinking?!!!"  Well, I really wasn't thinking because A) my jaw was throbing with pain, and B) . . . well, mostly A.  I finished the day at work, walked back to Town Center about a mile away, then caught my bus home.  When I walked into my closet of a room, my jaw was in such pain that I was getting dizzy.

     Now here comes the one SMART thing I did today.  I called our former trainer and now good friend, Ruth (you remember Ruth from earlier blogs), to see if she could drive me to the ER, since I had NO CLUE as to where the hospital was located.  Well, she was stuck in traffic over towards London on her way home from work, so I did the next best thing.  I caught a bus and headed towards town since I knew that the hospital was "that way."  The extremely nice and compassionate busdriver, let me off the bus as close as he could to there, then guided me to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.  When I arrived at the hospital, I honestly thought I was lookeing at a musium or a huge library.  I'm looking at it through teary eyes asking myself if I heard the busdriver correctly?  UMMM . . . that's a yes!  Go check it out on-line.  Then, I could not find the damn ER, which was way around the otherside of the building!!!!!!!  I hope most of you are laughiung at this point because if I didn't laugh at it, my pain would have been much worse.

     Once inside the ER (7:00pm), the wait was on.  You should have seen this hospital ER -- looked like I was in from a little hick town in the hills of WV.  O.M.G!!!!  The "not-so-friendly" women behind the reception desk had the patients stand there (one kid was double-over in pain) and YELL through a glass panel on "Why are you here?"  Well, you idiot, let me scream it to you so everyone can hear.  Where the hell in the confidentiality around here?!!!  Since I could bearly talk at this time, I MADE her give ma a piece of paper so I could write down my issue.  That took care of the  confidentiality issue -- so I thought.  After typing all my inforamtion, she YELLS it back to me just so she could check if it was right.  Folks, I started laughing again because this was "actually was happening to me."  Then, I had to wait again.. . . . . . . .

And wait (8:00pm) . . .

And wait (8:45pm) . . .

Until finally at 9:07pm, I was taken into the back and seated in a cubicle while the RN (or whatever they call them over here), took my blood pressure, my pulse, and my temperature.  Good thing this was an ER where the critical jpatients come for treatment.  Oh yeah, you bet I was pissed at this time!!!  After the blood pressure thingy, they had me (and the rest of the ones they brought back) "sit in the gray chairs" until we could be seen by a doctor.  I was living a nightmare!!!  By now, my face is totally swollen on the left side, my throat was sore because my face was SO swollen, and the kid next to me was SCREAMING SO LOAD that it gave me a splitting headache!!!  I hope you are still laughing because at this point, I was not.  At this point, I wanted to chokle the next attendant who walked by and did not stop to help anyone.  I think the doctor took a lunch break or something.

  Anyway, HAD ME WALK to the xray room where they took an xray; and low-and-behold; the left jawbone was out of the socket.  Holy crap, they could just have looked at my face to know that.  I know, I know, hospital procedure.  At this time, I must pause to commend the xray staff on their quickness and efficiency, since they seemed to be the only department doing anything that might resemble an ER.  Okee-dokey!!!  Then, once back in "hell," the doctor comes into the "stall"/ "cubical"/ "closet" and tells me that he is going to "snap" (yup, he used the word "snap") my jawbone back into place.  Good thing I already knew this or I would have fainted there.   But, NO!!!  I fainted when I heard AND FELT the "POP!!!!!!!!!!!"  Yup, a "POP!!!" Then nothing.  I passed out.  Thank you, God , for having mercy on me to let me faint at this point.

   Once I regained consciousness, the doctor gave me IBUPROFEN to take for pain.  WHAT?!!!!!!  I asked him point blank, got anything stronger, maybe like Tylenol with codine, vicadan, anything?????  He told me that the drugs over here are different than in the US.  NO SHIT SHERLOCK, but I know you have stronger stuff than ibuprofen.  Nope -- I was sent away with the instructions to take two tablets four times a day.  I waited . . . and waited. . . and waited for the doctor to do this???  I could have just had a person punch me before I went in and it would have had the same effect.

    Oh yeah, another thing.   You ARE permitted to use your cell phones in the ER.  Who wudda thunk it???  I called my now savior, Ruth, to come pick me up and take me home because I was in such pain.  Bless her heart, Ruth picked me up, then started LAUGHING at my story.  Okay Miss Irish Eyes, I'm in pain and you're laughing at me!!!  Well, so was I.  When I started to unravel the events of the day, I could not believe what I was saying!!!  Also, her laugh is so contagious and infectious that one could not help but to laugh.  SHEEZ!!!  Ruth dropped me off back at my closet, I entered it reluctantly, then collapsed on the bed.  OMG, I had to tell someone, so I decided to write my blog last night, which you all know turned out "crappy."  Therefore, I called a friend at home (thank you, and you know who you are), so I could get someone to feel for me.  Once again, thank you my friend for having SOME compassion for me.

     Well, just when you thought the story was over; it wasn't.  There was the final act of trying to fall asleep in thriving pain while the baby screamed in the next room.  Remember that folks?  JMJ (Jesus, Mary & Joseph)!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Where's the gun??????  As I lay there trying to fall asleep, my jaw hurt sooooooooooo much that I had to something cold on it.  That idiot doctor didn't even give me an icepack.  And, we do nothing like ice cubes or frozen veggies or the like -- the fridge is the size of a college dorm fridge.  So, I did the next best thing.  I pulled a frozen French-bread pizza out of the freezer and used that.  It worked!!!  Don't knock it folks.  Once that dough melts a bit, you should see how well it forms to your face.  There should be a label on there stating that it's a "multi-purpose" product.  Honestly and sadly, this all did happen.  And, if it were not for Ruth having a part of this whole experience to back up most of my words, then I would have thought this was just a nightmare -- which I was, and still am. 

     This morning, I shot an email to another friend, who is probably in hyterics and tears at this point -- along with the rest of you -- just to let someone else know.  hen I jthought, this MUST go on my blog page or no one would believe it actually happened.  I am still in MUCH pain; however, it is less than yersterday.  Plus, the swelling has gone down so the French-bread pizza idea is something to think about the next time you shopping.  You may need a back-up plan someday.  Hey, they come in twos.  As you can tell  from this blog that all is well, so to speak, and I'm headed out he door soon to do some shopping for my new house next week.  I have migraine medicine that I will use for the pain right now until I see the General Practitioner (GP) on Tuesday.  God, let's pray he's better than the doctor in the ER.  Thanks for listening to my "crappy" day yesterday and laughing with me this morning friends and family.  If you call, then I will have to talk and that's going to hurt.

     My apologies top those of you who are from the UK, but this is what I'm experiencing over here and I will only tell the truth on this page.  I believe I was just a in the middle of a bad luck-of-the-draw.  Sometimes you draw four Aces . . . then the next time you draw "naught" (zeros).  Please pray that my day goes a bit better today.  And please, I really do want to hear your comments on this entry.  I know ther will be some dosies!!!  A night to remember . . . or not.   Cheers folks.

Another crappy day

     Yes, it was a crappy day, but it got even MORE crappier when I just deleted the long blog page I just typed for about 45 mintues.  Needless to say, this will have to wait until tomorrow since I am very tired and cranky.  See you later over the weekend, folks.  Have a great night.  WHEW!!!  "What a week I'm having."  If you can guess what movie this line is from, I will be very impressed; however, no immediate family member are permitted to say.  Good night, Folks.  See you here tomorrow.

MY NEW HOME!!!

     I am caught up on my postings at this time.  I did not write anything yesterday because I was very sick.  I beleive that I'm just exhausted from this whole experience and my body just became too vulnerable for germs.  I also have stuffy sinuses.  It was not a good night last night, so I will spare you the details -- thank you very much.

     I forgot to mention in my eariler blog posting that I have been looking in the evenings at flats (apartments) and houses to let (rent) so I can get out of this place.  Well, I finally have a new HOME!!!  It is so beautiful and I am very excited to move in; however, as many of you know by now (since I emailed most of you with my new address of which I am not going to pos), I cannot move in to my new place until next Saturday, March 13th.  You see, the landlord is just finishing up refurbushing (sp?) this lovely, little "attached" house (which would be the same as a "row" house in the states).   Not like "row, row, row your boat."  More like, I saw a "row" of people standing outside the theater.  BTW, that kind of "row" over here would be called a "queue."  And you wonder why people say the the US and the UK are "two countries divided by a common language."

     Sorry, I went off on a tangent there.  Back to the house.  First of all, as most of you know, the neighborhood is very safe and my neighbors are doing well in their professions -- a fireman (Sweet!!!), a university professor, a buisnessman with the BBC.  I know that one has a "Beemer" and one has an Audi which they park on the street.  My new street is a dead end -- they really do not have cul-de-sacs here.  The roads just end.  Anyway, I am near the end of the road (I believe three houses down from the end).  These houses were built back in the early 1930's when Reading was the thriving business place known for it's exports of the "3B's" -- biscuits, bread, and beer!!!  BTW, that's the answer to the trivia question to your right.

     Okay, back to the house again.  Here's the tour.  When you walk in the front door, you enter a small hallway and about five paces up and to the right is a small room with a working fireplace.  This will serve as a reading room for me.  The entire house has hardwood floors which have been stripped and restored to the original wood.  The walls and ceilings have been painted an off-white color. The whole kitchen was gutted so the landlord could place a new tile floor, a tile backsplash, and new appliances. 

     Once again, back through the tour of the house.  If you walk straight without turning into the small front room, you will come to the staircase which leads to the upstairs bedrooms and bathroom.  However, just past the staircase, the room opens up into a small living area -- also with a working fireplace (not wood, but gas).  Off to the right a bit and looking forward, there is a door which leads to the backyard.  Under the staircase is a small walk-in storage closet (which is a bit smaller than the one I'm living in now :-)  This is where the electric panel and hot-water tank are located.  Walking straight through the living area when entering this space from the front hallway (to your left is just the adjoining wall to my BBC neighbor and his wife) lies the kitchen, and, as I stated earlier, is all new; however, it "looks" like an older kitchen -- I've seen some pictures.

    I have an oven, microwave, washer, dryer, new cupboard doors, new floors, and a new granite countertop.  I'm telling you folks, this is a real gem!!!  What a find!!!  When you walk into the kitchen (which is also small but not too small), off to your right is another door leading to the backyard.  So I have two doors that lead there.  As for the backyard, it is a straight lot of grass that is about 25 - 30 yards long and about 10 -15 yards wide, with a little wooden storage shed in the back.  I intend to have a small garden in the back to grow some vegetables of my own.  As many of you know, I LOVE to do work outside!!!  Can you tell I love this place?

     Okay, back inside.  Remember the staircase?  Well, the stairs are steep going up and small when you step.  When you get to the top, there is a wall.  You either need to turn right or left.  Off to the right is the larger bedroom.  This looks out onto the front street.  Got the picture in your head?  This, too, has a working fireplace.  It also has a walk-in closet (still a bit smaller than the one I'm living in now).  This will be my room, of course.  If you turn left, you step into a small landing area and walk straight into the bathroom -- which also has a fireplace.  I'm not if this one works or not???  Anyway, the bathroom is painted a powder blue and the fixtures are all white.  This has a small window which looks out into the backyard.  The bathroom is big, I must say.  Oh yeah, he put new tile on the floor and around the shower/bathtub.  Don't worry folks, I did check the water pressure and it's fine.

     Back to the top of the stairs.  When you turn left onto the landing and turn left again, you walk down a hallway which then turns right down another hallway that leads to the other bedroom.  You must step down into this room and the ceiling is slanted on the one side because it's the roof.  This looks into the backyard as well.  From this window, you can see much of the Reading area since there is a hillside leading down towards more attached house below.  It's a very nice view.

     So that's the tour folks.  I hope you liked it because I sure do!!!  Don't worry, you will see planty of pictues of this house.  Like I said, it's not big or modern; but it's small and quaint and PERFECT FOR ME!!!  I think God have given this to me since I feel like I'm doing penance (sp?) in this closet.  It's not furnished, so I can decoate it to my taste, which will be old funiture to match the originality of the house.  This house truly has character.  I hope some of you will come over to sit with me by my fireplace, drink some tea, and talk until we cannot talk any longer.  Right now, I think I found my heaven.  Cheers!

Tuesday woes . . .

     See Monday's entry below (March 1st) before you read this one.    

It has been a terrible night and I must say that, if it were not for a mighty and wonderful friend back in the states, I might have "jumped off Big Ben" last night.  You see, the one man renting a room in the same house where I am staying brought his wife over from India to stay for awhile.  Well, you see, they did not tell anyone that his 6-month-old daughter was coming as well.  OMG, she cried all night!!!  I just wanted to bash my head off the wall.  I only got 3 hours of sleep last night.  I just cannot believe that I am living in this closet with a screaming baby in the room next to me.  Holy crap, I didn't sign up for this!!!  Needless to say, I'm a bit cranky tonight and I want to apologize to the awesome friend back home who listened to my b___h last night.

     As for my workday . . . more of the same as yesterday.  Weeding through files "online" and seeing very little paperwork.  I must say that this "paperless" system is just NOT the way to run a child protection department.  Documents need to be "stand alone" files so people can access the documents and information easily.  This is sooooooooo hard to look at a computer screen all day and try to make some sense out of a case while clicking in & out of various windows.  It's actually a scarey thing because these kids lives depend on us getting ALL the information we need to protect them.  And by clicking in & out of screens on the computer, one is most definately going to miss something important.  I just hope the consequenses are not  too harmful to the children.

    Okay, I think I complained enough for today.  There was a tiny little bright spot in the day -- I got to see the sun all day and the folks in Pittsburgh did not.  HA HA HA!!  I know that's going to come back and bite me in the butt later this year.  But it's fun now. 

Mondays . . what else can I say?

Start Here:  I must start these blogs by saying that I wrote them on the days which are in the titles, but I did not get a chance to post them until now.  So, I did  not forget you.  I have been just a bit distracted.

     Well, my first day of work was quite uneventful, which was probably a good thing since my brain was "mush" after the two weeks of training.  I have so many acronyms to learn and documents to figure out; I just cannot wrap my brain around it all.  I KNOW this will take a while to understand.  My co-workers are AWESOME -- for now, of course; and there is no reason to think otherwise.  My office partner, Rob, is such a nice person and it shows because so many people come to see him.  The office is actually an old home which once was a residential home for girls.  Originally, it was someone's home.  My desk faces out the front windows on the second floor (which is called the "first floor" over here ).  When the sun is high in the afternoons, it shines right in my window.  How great is HTAT!!!  Actually, nobody has a bad view since it was a home originally and we all look nout onto green grass (which is currently brown, but this just temporary).  It's kinda cool because the has three meeting rooms which are on the third floor (called the "second floor" here).  It super cool to be sitting in the attic space of this home and looking out the windows up on the roof.  I will take pictures of it so you will have a visual.

    Well,  not much more to say since it was my first day at work and all I did was call the IS Dept to get my password -- they forgot to issue me one -- and read the files on the cases which will be handed over to me later.  I think I have 12 young persons on my caseload.  Not too bad seeing that the caseworkers back in the 'Burgh usually have about 20 - 25 "families" on their caseloads.  It may be higher than that now.  So, therefore, I consider myself blessed.

     Oops, I forgot to mention that I am  inheriting a case in which the teen's placement is in Northern Wales and I MUST visit him every two weeks.  Oh well, someone must take a train ride across the English countryside  to see him; it might as well be me.  Yeah for me!!!  Like I said earlier, not much more to say other than . . . it's Monday.

Cheers!

Reflection Sunday: Weeks 1 & 2

     It has been a very busy and chaotic two weeks of uprooting myself from my home in Pittsburgh and placing myself in an unfamiliar country without knowing anyone here.  I had no idea what was on the other side of this doorway which God called me through; however, I trust His larger plan for me.  Here is what I have come to know through my reflections.

     When we walk through any doorway, literally or figuratively, there is no way of knowing what we will encounter on the other side; yet we walk through these doorways every day.  We must decide whether or not we want to get out of bed in the morning, or choose to be kind to the person on the other end of a phonecall, or take time to listen to a friend's hardships.  These are just some of the doorways which we walk through on a daily basis.  Then there are the doorways which usually come around only once in our lifetime, like accepting a job in a foreign country, or making a committment to a spouse, or letting go of a loved one who is about to leave.  We may think we know what is through that doorway, but it is only God who knows what we are about to encounter.

     I mentioned to a friend this past week that I now have some understand how it must feel when a child is uprooted from his/her family and placed into strange and unfamiliar surroundings.  Maybe that is why God has called me to England to help these children find safety and comfort in the midst of a chaotic and unstable homelife.  Who knows?  Not me.  However, I do take comfort in the fact that "God knows."  And, with the love, support, and comfort of my family and friends back in the US, I will continue to walk along the pathway which God has guided me on -- so far.  I knew that this would not be an easy or mapped-out journey, but I did know that God would be right beside me every step of the way. 

     I hope you continue to follow me throughout this next week of unknowing expereinces and challenge yourself to recognize the doorways which you are asked to step through each day.  Even these small reflections on your "doorways" may lead you to some understanding of what God has in store for you.  It may; or it may not.  Just take time to reflect -- on whatever is in your heart today.  Thank you all for your support and kindness throughout these past two weeks.  I promise to try and blog as much as possible and return your comments more frequently.  Please let me know if you like this "Reflection Sunday."  I would love to hear from you, especially on your reflections; however, that is your "doorway" to step through, not mine. 

Good night.

Scottish Ceilidh

     I went to see the Reading Scottish Pipe & Drum Corps play at Town Hall today and it was something AWESOME to witness.  I stated earlier that I would take video and place it on my blog; however, videotaping and pictures were not permitted.  Well, it really doesn't matter because videotaping would not have done this "ceilidh" any justice.  BTW, a ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social event, usually dance and music, originating in Ireland and Scottland.  It had to be attended to enjoy all the music, dance and singing.  Picture this -- 18 bagpipers, 8 snare drummers, and one bass drummer -- all in their Scottish kilts and sporrans (that's the horsehair drape around the front of the kilt).  They marched into the Town Hall concert area and the music just vibrated in your chest.  Once up front, the lead bagpiper went to the center and played "Amazing Grace" like I've never heard it before.  Oh, you bet I had to wipe the tears in my eyes -- it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

     Along with the Scottish Pipe & Drum Corps, there were Irish dancers, Scottish folk singers and other types of Scottish and Irish music.  What an afternoon!!!  Reading's Scottish Pipe & Drum Corps are going to play at the 2010 Royal Edinburg Military Tattoo in Edinburg, Scottland thisAugust.  This was just a pre-performance as they warm up for the grandure of playing at Edinburg Castle.  Needless to say, I had a very fun afternoon.  This certainly made up for the crappy week I had.  I guess that's just the ebb & flow of this wonderful journey.  I am going to experience as much of the UK culture as possible and see the magnificent history of the UK. 

Reflection Sundays

     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.

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!!!!

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 . . . .

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.

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!!!

I SAW THE SUN!!!!!

Yes, that's right -- the sun came out in Reading today.  And not only that, but it stayed out the entire day.  It felt like mid-spring back in the "Burgh.  I must say that even our trainer made a comment saying:  "We can pause now for tea while all 'League of Nations' stares at the sun outside."  hat's what she is calling us since we are from the US, Canada & Jamaca.  Our trainer is very well educated and has an awesome personality -- which is to be expected since all social workers have awsome personalities.  Yeah for us!!!!
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I finally figured out the money/coins over here.  You should see the size of a 2 pence coin -- it looks like it should be worth more than that.  The cost of making the thing probably costs more.  Well, I was able to buy a weekly bus pass, so I don't have to fiddle with coins all week.  I like riding the buses now.  Jason, the man from Canada, and I sit on the top level right up front and pretend we are on a rollar-coaster.  We use the handle bar in front as our "lap bar" and when we turn a corner we raise our hands -- just like on a coaster.  I know the Brits are saying, look at those crazy expats (ex-patriots).  Don't they have any dignity?  Ummmm . . . no.

I posted a picture of my tiny tiny room to the right, but tomorrow I have an appt after training to look at 3 houses to let/rent soon.  We are able to take a out a no interest loan for our first month's rent plus security deposit.  The 3 that I am viewing tomorrow all permit pets because I am bringing my 2 kitties, Orion & Taurus, over to the UK.  Oh man, the blogging will get REAL interesting after that.  Jason is getting a TV over the weekend and is going to have all of us to his house next friday to watch the Olympics -- even if it is curling.  I must say that these Brits know how to run their tv stations; there are hardly any commercials.  Quite nice, if I do say so myself.

During training, we are finding out that the UK is clearly well behind the US & Canada with their child protection laws.  They have "overkill" with all the services they try with the children, but they are focusing on the parents & not the child.  Most of the services are geared towards the parents, and the child is pushed to the side.  I think all of us went into an uproar all at once when we were shown this, and our poor trainer, Ruth, looked like she was just about to be beheaded.  Ruth really does have a great sense of humor.  Well, I am a bit tired tonight and will not be blogging tomorrow night due to my letting appts.  I will catch up with you over the weekend -- hopefully after our trip into London!!!

Cheers!

My first step through the doorway

Here we go!!! I am only four days in the UK on a 3-year employment assignment and I know absolutely NO ONE here. Yep, that's right, I stepped out of my semi-comfort zone to place where I never thought I would travel. Now, here I am in this lovely counrty, and one of my close girlfriends gave me the idea to blog my journal entries so I can share them with all who care to read them. Well, as most you know it is chilly & wet here in the UK; however,the sun does show itself every now-and-then. This weather is not condusive for someone with curly, frizzy hair. Needless to say, I have yet to have a good hair day. Reading is a very lovely place -- I have had the opportunity to walk around a bit, especially since I have not driven here yet. That will change, since my position calls for travel well outside the Reading area. Back to the topic at hand -- I am trying to familiarize myself with the British "lingo" here. I knew that some words are different than what we use in the US, but, HOLY CRAP,trying to follow a conversation here is harder than I thought. I now know the reason for all the small cars in England -- the streets are as wide as a single lane in the US. And getting familiar with looking "right" first before crossing the street is extremely high on my priority list!!! Then there is the bus system -- sure it is great from getting from point A to point B, however, "hold on to your seat!!!" Those double-decker buses swing aroung those streets & "roundabouts" like they are fleeing the scene of a crime. My family calls them "one-cheekers" since you are only holding your butt to the seat on one cheek. Speaking of things being smaller over here, the room I am renting is a closet!!! Thank the Lord that my landlord just got finished re-modeling another house of his, and he is letting me a much larger room closer to Town Center for less $$$. What a sweetheart of a man -- a social worker, no less. I will let it for one month while I look for a more permanent place to live. Even the refrigerators are tiny!!! I am hoping that most of you from the UK are laughing hysterically or at least smiling because I am. I remembered that most of warned me about things being smaller here, but I had no idea it would be this small. I am just loving the whole experience even though it has been only four days. Or, it may be just the jet-lag getting the best of me right now. As far as my first day of work, I could not have picked a nicer group of people to be around. I just get a charge out of the British humor over here. I will be working with "at risk" children over here, so I must be very generic when talking about a work experience. Basically, it is the same job I had while working with Children, Youth & Families in Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA, USA). My collegues warned me of the difficults cases that may arise, but little do they know that I had extremely difficult cases at home. NOTHING could surprise me when working in child welfare. Well, the rest of the two weeks I will be in a classroom setting for training. Mainly learning statutes, laws, proceedures, local & regional social services, and all that good stuff. This coming weekend, the 8 of us new candidates will be heading into London to do some sight-seeing. I have already seen many very old churches in the Reading area. St. Thomas Church (formerly The Reading Abby) has a wonderful hisstory to it, and is quite magnificent. The Abbey was built in the 11th Century but destroyed during the Reformation. There was a second Abbey built on the old one; however, that got somewhat destroyed during WWII by without ever hearing the choirs and voices who filled its walls close to 1000 years earlier. Makes me want to say: Man, they just don't know what they're missin'." I am just thankful that I can hear those voices and smile at the continuous praises to God throughout the centuries here. I am truely blessed to have this opportunity with my eyes wide open, my ears fine-tuned, and my heart resting upon God's grace and mercy. Today stands a beautiful monument for praising and worshiping Our Lord, Jesus Christ with so much history hidden underneath and so many people overlook or just walk by I will try to post at least 3 a week -- maybe nore, but rarely less. So here is what I an writing for my first blogging attempt.