There are Some Quirks

Reflector coats.  Turns out if you live in the English countryside, you do all of your romantic Jane Austin Frolicking in a huge orange or yellow reflector coat.  The streets out her have no lights – literally.  No street lights AT ALL unless you are in a city.  So when the sun sets at 3:30 –I know…a little depressing, but it is getting better- all the little villages go pitch black with the exception of the bit of light that spills out from living rooms and pubs.  So these construction-worker-looking coats are everywhere.  It seems that they are only sold in size-XXL.  Size huge fits all.  But the village folk do get about.  I’ve seen more people out walking their dogs and mothers pushing strollers on Sunday mornings. 

Turns out bed bugs are a “usual” thing to have in these parts.  No, there are no bed bugs here at the dorms, but I did get attacked while staying in London.  I itched for WEEKS after and my pinkie swelled up like a sausage about to explode from the bites. 

The toilet paper in public bathrooms (that you have to pay to use, by the way) is usually not on a roll, but more like a tissue box screwed to the wall.  It feels strange to have to pull one or two Kleenexes out to finish my business rather than being liberal with a spinning roll of toilet paper.  The tissue pulling makes me far too aware of just how much paper I’m using in the toilet.

Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Roast of the day, Sunday Carvery, Shepherds pie - regular meals all of the time....and 10 time out of 10 they will come with peas. Mushy peas, baked peas, boiled peas, and even cold peas.  Peas, peas, peas. 

I’m cold – let me rephrase that – I’m FREEZING all the time.  When I started telling people I was moving here for a time, they told me that it was quite cold and I thought I was prepared: blankets, wool socks, and even thermal underwear. But this cold is far different than any I have ever experienced. This cold goes straight to the bone!

I’m really having fun discovering all these silly little quirks of a different country! 

In Session

My last classroom practicum experience was one that left me with a broken heart from the harsh realities of a poverty stricken area.  With the exception of a select few, those students wanted for so much: breakfast, positive adult interaction, safety, & love.  These children required so much & because of it, learning was superficial.  I can’t say that I blame them.  I loved that class.  If there is anything I learned while at that school, it was classroom management, ulcer management, as well as complete and utter unconditional love. 

Teaching at the intermediate school here on base is an incredible experience.  The resources for these pupils are endless!  My students are attentive and very respectful – a complete 180 form my last classroom.  It has rekindled my love for education; moreover, I get to spend my time actually teaching rather than attempting to manage.  While these children want for very little, they too live with harsh realities.  Being a child in the home of an active military service person is no easy lot.  While most of the children are healthy and very happy, a good deal of them ache for the love and attention of that parent or family member who is currently deployed.  My heart weeps as I watch the struggle.  I love these children and let them know that everyday, wishing there was more I could do.  Interacting with these particular students has really taken my love for our service men and women to a much deeper level.  It is easy to say that we appreciate what they do for our freedoms and our country, but so few truly understand the selfless lifestyle they take upon themselves; furthermore, the affect it has on their loved ones.  I am proud to be teaching their children.

…On a lighter note…

On the weekends, England continues to enchant me.  There is so much history every place I go.  I spend my time recalling what I know, gushing over what I see, and making attempts to connect the two.  Plans have been made for Paris over President’s Day weekend, St. Patrick’s day in Ireland, and possibly Italy for spring break.  It really is a dream getting to travel like this! I feel so exhilarated as I hop from bus to train to taxi.  I cannot express the beauty of these land & cityscapes that are all but foreign to me know.  I am in love with this life – and for a time, it seems to be fancying me as well.