Posted 9:17 AM by Lodger
Last week was relatively uneventful at work. Had a few lovely lessons with my year sevens in which they presented freeze-frame scenes to the class that represented how they thought 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' would turn out. One group had it end with a comet destroying the Earth. Very imaginative! They were boys, of course.

On Friday went to see the new Star Trek film with some fellow teachers and then tea afterwards. The movie was very good. I'm not a trekkie, but I appreciate the show and found this movie to be the best one I have seen.

Saturday was a full day. Went to Rye (a quaint nearly seaside town on the South Coast). Got some good pictures. We walked about fourty-five minutes to the beach, which was beautiful. Fariba's family had a party that evening. Attended with Sheilagh. Iranians definitely seem to know how to have a good time. There was live entertainment, salsa and Iranian dancing, food, drink... I'm looking forward to their next party.

Sunday was spent recovering from the events of the previous day and evening. Slept in... had lunch with Fariba's family who are all very supportive and friendly. And today it was back to work.

I'm starting to think I should better utilize my Sundays. Fariba's brother suggested it is a perfect day for exploring galleries and museums in Central London (shops are closed here most places on a Sunday).

Oh yeah. I have a guitar I can use to practise. A member of Fariba's family had one they were not using. I hope to be playing reasonably well in about six months. Of course 'reasonably well' is a vague term, so I shouldn't have too much trouble achieving my aim, as long as I'm the only judge of my progress.

That's about it. Until next time.

Posted 5:29 AM by Lodger
Since my last entry, things at school have been a whole lot better. The nines are starting to cooperate on a more regular basis. Now my eights might become my greatest challenge. Hard to know, really. But they are younger, a bottom set group, and full of an extreme, nervous energy that is difficult to keep in check at times. They mean well, but, on their own, good intentions do not translate into a classroom environment condusive to learning. It is a strong base to start from, however.

On Wednesday, spent most of a teacher training day with Wendy, also currently seperated and full of many stories that seem eerily similar to many of my recent exeriences with Angela. She is a B.T.(beginning teacher, student teacher in Canadian lingo) and has been quite warm and welcoming, as well as very eager to pick my brain about such things as Romeo & Juliet and how to teach modern poetry.

Last night Fariba and Nooshen had a dinner party at our flat. Although I live there, I was treated as a guest, along with Nooshen's boyfriend Steven, who seems like a nice guy. It was very relaxed - pre-dinner brandy and appetizers, wine, then dinner, and finally, dessert with tea and coffee, all spanning over three hours and finishing at about 11 PM. Particulary pleased to meet Steven. Our conversation was easy and interesting, spanning many topics including one of my favourites, movies.

Today is a big day - the reunion of the PPB, or, Piccaddily Pedagogical Brigade. As I write this in the Croydon Public Library, the other members, Sheilagh and Manami, are patiently sitting behind me, awaiting their chance to be the first guest bloggers in the history of 'Lodger' and 'Selfish Bastard.' Manami has elected to go first:

Hi! First I'd like to say I feel so honored to be part of Rick the Stick's webpage. I've always been a pensive reader of his ramblings but to actually to be a forming force... WOWEE! (My new expression) I can't believe the three of us are here. It's a realization of a lot of dreams, corny as that may sound. I can remember the three of us sitting together at an information session last year at UBC, listening to the cordinator for the Richmond School District telling us what we needed to do in order to be part of their district and stay on for 35 years to earn out pension money, and we all just laughed and said we'd be out of here by this time next year. I even crossed out the "Welcome to Teaching in Richmond" and wrote down "Welcome to teaching in England". Suffice to say lots has happened in the time since then but somehow we all were able to make it over. It's funny how life works.
And now we have the great dame, Sheilagh Smyth: as with manami, i feel quite priviledged to be a guest on Rick's webpage...let's hope this doesn't go to my head. Manami and i made our way out to Croydon this morning expecting a crowded, older, suburb, only to find an idyllic city paradise. Indeed, as we exited the station the sun began to shine on the smiling people, happy little trams drove down the roads, the birds sang... I'm in Croydon-envy! Rick looks in good spirits and has a fancy, trim, new year hair cut and has even admitted to manami and i that some of the wee lassies at his school have a crush on him. Guess England suits the man. Although for all of you at home, i feel i should give you a bit of warning- Manami and i are thinking of australia as the next stop on the world tour and are actively trying to convince him to come. so all of you at home start packing your bags and we'll all take australia by storm!
Thanks for letting me be a part of the blog rick!

Thankyou girls for your contribution. Truly an honour to have have you as guest bloggers. Now, we set out to enjoy the rest of our day.

Posted 9:28 AM by Lodger
Ended up seeing "Donnie Darko" last night. It was very good, not at all like the marketing suggested. The trailers I saw made it look like a horror movie. It is not a horror movie.

Work today was interesting. Had a setback with my year nines. I don't understand the mentality of testing and testing a teacher. Eventually you would think they would give up. I'll keep at them. Had great lessons with my year sevens. So much more agreeable at that age. Puberty is a teacher's worst enemy and at fourteen (year 9) the hormones are definitely in full gear.

I really need to get a landline eventually. Using a mobile phone is great for local stuff, but not very convenient for overseas calls. I tried to use a payphone and a phone card to call home yesterday and the line kept cutting out after a few minutes. I would think, "Maybe it's not free," but then I would look up and see a scrolling message run across the screen on the phone's face, "This is a free call." Then why does it keep f$#cking cutting me off???!!!! It was frustrating.

Now I'm off to buy dinner. I have a leftover chicken kiev from yesterday and some pasta. I should pick up a salad.

One more thing. What's wrong with the Canucks? Two straight losses. I found out there is a pub at Covent Garden with a Canadian theme, "The Maple Leaf" pub. They show hockey games!!! I've already talked to some fellow Canadians about watching a game there. And when the playoffs begin, when the Canucks march to the finals, I will be making regular visits.

Must go eat.

Posted 7:02 AM by Lodger
So much to report!

I found a place in South Croydon - a half hour commute from the high school. I live with Fariba and Nooshen, two Iranian women. Fariba is an artist. Nooshen teaches at Croydon College. Both are friendly and helpful with regard to my finding my way in the community.

I did meet Sheilagh's roomates who did come back from holiday (as people tend to do if they want to keep on eating). They are all very nice and I'm sure I will be seeing them from time to time.

Work is challenging, but each day it is getting better. Student behavior is different here (that's putting a kind spin on it!). Between dealing with that and a new curriculum, school, city, country, etc... I did find the workweek quite overwhelming, but my department has been supportive and by Wednesday I was making noticeable headway with my students and my lessons. Something humourous: it snowed here on Wednesday, all day, and about an inch of snow accumulated on the ground. School closed Wednesday afternoon and Thursday all day! This country, especially London, completely falls apart when it snows. It caused major havoc with train services as well. Of course none of the staff or students minded. I quite enjoyed my walk home Wednesday - every child and adult I passed had a huge grin on their face, completely mesmerized by the snow. I couldn't stop grinning as well. It kind of makes you appreciate something like a snowfall when surrounded by people for whom the experience is rare and magical.

Friday night I had my first pub experience. A huge place in Covent Garden with four or five floors and a live band. It was Sheilagh's flatmate Alex's birthday and she kindly invited me along. I had a great time. Actually, I realise as I write this that I have just lied. Friday was not my first pub experience. It was in fact my third. Forgot about last weekend (and New Year's Eve, of course). Alex and her friends invited me out to The Coronet, a place near their flat. It was kind of nice to meet Sheilagh's friends before Sheilagh had even returned back to England.

Manami is thinking of taking a trip to London from Birmingham either next weekend or the following. The Piccadilly Pedagogical Brigade will finally be reunited. Went out to Bexley last night to a house party and hung out with more transplanted Canadian teachers, some who are also UBC grads. It was good to see them and exchange stories about teaching in the UK. However, getting back to Croydon from Bexley after 11PM is not easy.

Must go now. My time is about to run out. Bye for now.

Posted 8:14 AM by Lodger
Back in Canada, life goes on without Lodger. Happy Birthday Michelle. Wish I could have been there. See photos here.

Posted 8:05 AM by Lodger
I'm at a different terminal from the one I've been using for the past couple of entries. The horizontal shift at the previous terminal is slightly too much to the right and I never really knew if the first letter of every line was what I intended. Everything is clear as a bell on this one.

New development - one of the flatmates has returned from holidays. Her name is Claire and she is a native Londoner. She arrived late last night and neither of us was entirely sure what to make of it. But I explained my situation, who I was, that I indeed was a guest there, and everything was cool. We didn't chat long as it was late, but she did solve my alarm clock dilemna. "Argos Superstore!" I'd been in many times and really didn't know what to make of the place. A whole bunch of people flipping through catalogues and no merchandise on the floor. It turns out that the merchandise is in the back. You fill out a form with the catalogue number, take it to a cashier to pay and she gives you a pick-up number. It takes about ten minutes and when your number is called, you grab your item(s) and go. Pretty good really. Just very foriegn to a Vancouverite.

Today I also purchased a "London Loot" paper - basically London's largest collection of classified ads. I've circled the Croydon ads for shared accomodation that are in my price range and will begin calling when I get back to the flat. Also, my recruitment company has notified me about an Aussie science teacher who will begin teaching at my school on Monday as well. He is looking to share with somebody, so I gave them my number and email and am waiting to hear back.

The two other flatmates arrive back today some time. Will be good to meet them, but I do feel nervous about it as well. On the one hand I have enjoyed being on my own, figuring things out and just having time to think about things. But on the other hand, it is intimidating being basically alone in a foriegn city.

I took my first pictures today. Just things around here, the building where I'm staying, the courtyard out front, the front gate, and various interior pictures. I hope they turn out. I'm very much an amateur photographer. Today was the first sunny day since I've been here. I've been told this would be considered clear and cold weather here. Not so to a Canadian. I've only done up my jacket once since being here and that was because it was 'misting' heavily.

I shouldn't spend too much time with this today. I have things I must do (including making my hockey pool picks online! I am still a Canadian.) Oh! And I have to check if the juniors won their semifinal game. Haven't figured out the sports here too much yet. Cricket is absolutely puzzling to me. I saw a list of stats between innings? and was completely lost. Must ask someone. And darts. interesting in its own way, but certainly not riveting to this viewer. Football though. I can see myself getting into that. But my passion continues to be, and will continue to be, the Vancouver Canucks. All the way baby!

Ciao.

Posted 3:37 PM by Lodger
I'll no longer be writing in my journal and then copying it onto my weblog. Far too time consuming!

Things are moving along quite nicely here now. I've been to an orientation and an induction with my recruitment company (both were very similar). I now have a bank account in the works which should be fully operational early next week, I know how to get to my school by tube, train and bus (yes, it will take all three... about 45 min to an hour total) and I'm beginning to just feel more comfortable with the city overall. Everywhere you go here is interesting and new. I was in Croydon today, where I'll be teaching, and I was very impressed. The "downtown" area is quite funky with brick sidewalks and areas only accessible by foot or tram-bus. Kind of San Francisco, but with an old world feel (like I'm any authority to be making comparisons to San Francisco, a city I know entirely through movies and television!). The residential area where my school is located is gorgeous... lovely old homes, hedges, gardens.

I'm finding some things challenging though. Its little things - everything is new. When I first walked up to an entry gate to enter a tube station with newly purchased ticket in hand, I stood like an idiot, not sure what to do. And then someone walked past me, inserted his ticket into a front slot and it miraculously re-appeared out of another slot on top in front of a turnstile type gate. And presto... the gate opened and the man walked through. Now when I approach these entry-ways, I confidently pull out my ticket and place it in the slot like a true Londoner, and I ride a short lived wave of confidence until the next little thing confuses me. Like sitting on a bus and wondering how one gets the driver to stop. There are no pull cords. But there are little buttons beside each seat that say "STOP." One thing I will say about myself though... I am not shy about asking questions. For the most part I think people respect your honesty, even if a part of them thinks you're a complete moron.

Speaking of morons, my sister bought me a daily calender of George W. Bush misquotes!! Absolutely hilarious. I forgot to bring it with me tonight, but I do promise to post the good ones on this site.

There are little things I like about living here as well. I like that the Safeway and th Mark's and Spencer's is across the road and that I do my shopping daily, rather than weekly. I like that the every so often a friendly female store clerk or newspaper vendor calls me 'deary' or 'darlin' or luv' when giving me advice or directions. I like that every time I emerge from a new tube station its like entering a new world, a new hidden treasure for me to explore just around the corner from the last one. Its strange. At times I'll be walking along, completely focused on where I need to be and when I need to be there, and I'll look up at the street ahead or at an interesting building, clock, or church - or I'll see a sign signalling the direction to Dr. Samuel Johnson's house - and it will take my breath away. And for a second I'm removed from the "I have to" of daily living. And this happens all of the time.

Posted 1:28 PM by Lodger
Jan 1. 2003. 2:50 PM.

I ended up heading to Piccadilly Circus last night and found the experience to be overwhelming and ultimately, unsatisfactory. Apparently this is the first year London has had no official celebration for New Year's Eve, again, due to terrorist threat. I wandered the streets for a few hours with the roaming mob, often passing by pubs that seemed to be letting people in, but were packed from wall to wall. By ten-thirty, I felt I had taken in the experience and decided to head back to Holloway Road. When I got there I decided I would go somewhere, anywhere, to get a pint. I chose 'The Holloway,' a block from the townhouse. It wasn't very busy, but I did manage to get my pint and struck up a conversation with Louise and her friend Neesha who worked at the pub. Turns out Louise is a teacher-in-training. Her advice: don't smile until Christmas or they won't respect you. In my case, I guess my students shouldn't expect me to smile until next year, given my late start. It was cool meeting some locals. I'm looking forward to my orientation tomorrow when I'm sure I'll meet some fellow international teachers and get a better idea of what my teaching experience here will be like.

Today I again awoke late. I'm becoming frustrated with my inability to fall asleep at night. Stores are closed today, so I couldn't buy an alarm clock. Tomorrow, I guess. I did manage to find a corner grocery that's open though, so I don't have to eat Burger King tonight.

For now, I'm going to take it easy until dinner. Read. Watch some TV. Its like a hurricane outside today and I feel like relaxing anyway.

Posted 1:17 PM by Lodger
Dec 31. 5:35 PM.

I arrived with no difficulties. The customs lineup was very long and very slow. Didn't meet my driver until ~ 2PM. Arrived at the townhouse at 3PM. It's a nice place, quite spacious - four bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and kitchen. Holloway Road is a busy streetwith many pubs, shops, restaurants. Sheilagh left me a note with instructions for finding groceries, internet access, and phone cards, and after a short nap, I ventured out to explore. All of the buildings are brick or stone, most are brick. The streets are clean. I first went to a corner store to purchase a phone card and then to 'Mark's and Spencer's' for something to eat. My first meal in England would be Balti Chicken with Basmati Rice, fresh green beans, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Chile and a glass of carbonated mineral water. Upon arriving back at the townhouse, I attempted to call home. No dial tone. Curious, I thought. Maybe they don't have dial tones in England. And so I dialed the number anyway and realised when nothing happened that they very likely do have dial tones in England and something was wrong with the line. I eventually figured out that the phone cord was hooked up, through an adaptor, to the line for the fax machine, which was turned off. I connected the phone cord to another phone jack just above and presto! A dial tone. I then realised I didn't know how to make a long distance call back to Canada. The operator helped me out on that one. And so, after a few minutes of unexpected stress, I phoned home. I talked to Mom, Dad, and Melissa. They seemed relieved I'd made it okay and the contact was comforting for both them and me. After the call, I ate and then passed out on the couch watching the BBC News (which is excellent, by the way). Awoke at 11:30, went to bed, and then lied awake until ~ 4AM. Bloody jetlag!

Much to my dismay, I awoke at 1PM and realised I had slept half the day away. Do I try to make it to the Protocol office before closing? Try to find a bank? I decided to leave those things until Jan 2 and instead went out to explore the tube system. I took the Piccadilly Line from Holloway station to Piccadilly Circus. It turned out to be a good choice - when I emerged from undergroundI found myself in the heart of things. From Piccadilly Circus one can set out in five different directions on five different streets. I stood frozen for a minute, and then randomly chose to head left. As I walked along my eyes rarely stayed fixed on where I was going as I gazed at the endless shops, bars, restaurants, coffeehouses, all of them seeming wonderfully decadent and exotic. On a side street (Sackville Street, I assume) I discovered Southeran's of Sackville Street, an antiquities and rare books seller. As I explored the shelves of old books I smiled, realising this is only the first of many discoveries I will make in this gigantic city. In a locked-up glass case I noticed an old copy of Edward Lear's 'Nonsense Rhymes, Songs, and Other Writings' in a blue binding. I didn't dare ask the price, but smiled again - another interesting find.

I continued west away from Piccadilly Circus and came across The Royal Academy of Arts, a gorgeous old U-shaped building with three wings and an opened paved courtyard. At this point I cursed myself for not bringing my camera. I won't make that mistake again.

After looking at my tube map, I realised I was getting close to Green Park and Buckinham Palace - not bad for a jaunt along a randomly chosen path. Dusk was approaching, but i figured, 'What the hell,' and walked through the park. It was amazing. Green grassand knarled trees of winter to my right as far as I could see. And paths crissing and crossing in every direction with seemingly no logical pattern. And everything slightly dulled by an ever-present graying mist that, from what I can tell, rarely leaves here.

I made my way through the park to Buckingham Palace and took it in quickly, realising it was geeting dark and I would have many other opportunities to return. I headed east toward what I now realise were Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament - I could see both of their clock towers - and then I headed north back to Piccadilly Circus.

I purchased a copy of 'The Evening Standard' from a street vendor at Piccadilly Circus tube station and then realising I had no idea what to do or where to go tonight to bring in 2003, asked the vendor where the excitement would be. He recommended coming back to Piccadilly Circus.

After getting back home and watching the news, I'm not so sure now. I don't have tickets to anything and security has been heightened due to terrorist threat. I may find a pub close to home and take in the New Year with the locals. Either way, it will be an adventure.