Hi Patricia,
I'm flying out of Cincinnati Aug 16th. So I'll be there mid-day on the 17th. I wanted a little time to get settled before school starts. Meeting up does sound like fun though. I'm not sure about distances between places over there. It's all still just an abstraction from a map for me right now.
My portable DVD player can play (and output to TV) both PAL and NTSC formats. I'm not really sure how to tell about whether the electronics convert for the voltage or not though.
Most of my lab aides are manipulatives I have made to help teach abstract concepts. Most aren't really big, but are kind of heavy for their size. I also have a few helpful idea books.
I'm already planning to pay an extra $100 to bring an additional suitcase beyond the two allowed. I think I may be able to have my resource books sent by "M-bag" but I'm still researching that.
Yikes...crazy days (but fun too). I better get back to clutter busting.
Melinda |
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I know -- isn't it insane, cleaning out and getting ready for the move? I'm a bit buts here as well. Is this a long-term position for you? I'm looking at that -- long-term, hopefully permanent. But I know others only want a position for a year or two. I'm dumping everything from car to house to furniture . . .
Bedford is about 20 miles north of Luton -- I'm sure if I take the train into London, it'll go right through Luton. We will have to have a visit, maybe do some shopping or have lunch in London one day?
Oh, I wish I could arrive sooner than the 29th -- you're so lucky to be able to go early. I, too, want more time to settle in. But I teach here (university) right through August, so unless anything changes, or I can find a "sub" for the last couple of weeks, I've only got 6 days to settle in! At least I've found a flat already -- just have to order a bed online, and arrive!
And now, I'm not sure if I change the date on my visa anyway - I listed the 29th, so is it possible to come sooner, or am I stuck with that date?? Anyone know?
Meli, do you have your visa yet? I'm waiting on mine right now -- should hear soon.
Oh, here's my blog on the topic:
boundforengland.blogspot.com/
Later . . .
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Hi Patricia,
You already have a flat?! Wow, I am impressed. I'm flying in blind so to speak. I have looked at places listed on-line, but I find it hard to make the commitment sight unseen. I'm lucky in that my current teaching position (university) lets out Aug 27th. That gives me a couple weeks to finish up here.
I too am unloading the car, the house, the mountains of STUFF and (sob) the cats. My position for next year is short-term as I am taking over for a maternity leave. However, I am hoping to find a more stable position after that.
My Visa came 3 days after I mailed in the request (I received an email letting me know the status as well). I had started the application on-line so that probably helped speed things along. How long have you been waiting?
I've never been outside of the Americas before so I'm pretty excited (and just a little bit scared as well...). I'll have to check out your blog and we will definately have to meet up in London sometime.
Cheers,
Meli
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Hi Melinda,
Yes, having a flat arranged thrills me. One of the other 'teachers of English' has a flat to rent. She and her husband are renovating it this summer (new carpets, new appliances, etc), and they've offered it to me . . . am I lucky or WHAT? Two bedrooms, 550 a month (plus utilities), close to train and bus stations . . . Mine is sort of "blind" going in, but she did send a pic of the building (which is posted on my 'blog), and also a floor plan. I'm sure it'll be fine, and how wonderful to have a place to 'land' when I arrive (especially since I'm arriving so late).
Yes, hopefully you can find another position the following year -- there IS a shortage. After a year, you won't want to go back to the US. I love England.
Regarding the visa, I did the online application and also paid the fees online, then mailed the supporting forms . . . it's been about ten calendar days. I thought that one aspect of the online application was that I would know the status, but apparently not. It was received, though (I checked delivery status on my overnight packet). Oh well, I must be patient.
I feel the nervousness as well, and I've lived all over the world. You're not alone! It's still a total unknown for us, really, and nothing will be familiar except the few things we pack/bring with us. New job, new friends, new home, new everything (and what is it they say about our two countries being separated by a common language? LOL!). All of it is scary, but in a good way, and very exciting! (It must take a certain type of person to do this sort of thing, don't you think? Still, it'll be great to know another new American teacher nearby, to compare notes with.)
If you'd like, give me your email address at my blog site. Post it as a comment, but no worries -- I receive (by email) comments BEFORE they can be published, so I won't post it, but then I can drop you an email (if you like), and we can chat further about details. Obviously don't want to post much information here.
Later,
P.
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| I'm going to be teaching drama in Sheffield at Sheffield Springs Academy. Just growing an ulcer waiting for the visa to come through. I'm coming in from Toronto, Canada. I can't wait. |
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