Touchdown in London town!

I'm here! I feel like so much has happened to me since I left Aylmer that I don't know where to begin. I'll probably forget some stuff, but here goes! (P.S. It's 12:16 am here right now. We fell asleep around 6 pm, because we were dead tired. Now, it's nowhere near daylight and we're regretting that choice). I can't believe it's only 7:16pm at home.

So, on Saturday my parents and I departed from Aylmer around 3:15pm. We made good time and got to the Toronto airport around 5 pm. We met up with the other girls, and then checked our luggage. It all went smoothly up to this point. After we checked our bags, we mingled around the terminal a little bit longer. We said our goodbyes to our parents. This part was hard, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I think being with the other girls made it easier.

We went through security. Of course, I was the lucky one who got chosen for extra screening. The other girls had it easy. But, after we were cleared, we went to C30, where our plane would be. We had quite a bit of time to spare, so we went and got a delicious (but somewhat expensive) airport meal. We were all hungry since none of us had really eaten that day due to nerves.

Our flight was delayed 1h10m for some reason, so we got to sit there even longer. Eventually, we boarded the plane. Take off seemed to happen pretty quickly once we boarded. As we were taxying down the runway, I got overcome with emotion, and had a few tears. I was all good once I had my moment.

Our flight was decent. We got served dinner around midnight. I chose the vegetarian option, and I got some kind of curry. It was good, but a little spicy for my tummy on that long of a flight. Luckily, I also got a salad and a fruit bowl. I slept off and on during the night, so really, the majority of the flight went by quickly. Around 8am (it was only 3am at home!), we were served breakfast of yogurt, a cinnamon bun, orange juice, and some coffee. In no time, we landed in Gatwick. It seems like a small airport. It's definitely in the countryside!

We went through international customs without a hitch, then we went to find our luggage. It was pretty simple! We exited to the main part of the airport, where a taxi driver was waiting for us, hired by our company. He helped us load our luggage, and drove us to our accommodations. It was a long drive here, actually!

We're staying at the King's Arms in Ealing. It's a super old, quaint building. Upon arrival, our room was not quite ready, so we waited in the pub for probably 20 minutes. To get to our room, we go behind the serving area of the pub, and up a lot of flights of stairs. The problem with old, quaint buildings is that they do not have elevators. With our heavy amounts of luggage, and our tired bodies, it was NOT fun. We decided not to rest, so we freshened up a little bit (it felt so good to do so), and then we took off exploring! Pretty immediately, we found the Ealing Broadway shopping centre! It was so busy and overwhelming! They have an open air courtyard with a bunch of storefronts all around. I went to Boots and got a hairdryer and straightener, and also got some food at Tesco.

After we ate some lunch, we decided to do some more exploring. So, we went for a walk through the Ealing Common, and then down a bunch of side streets, just admiring the houses. We also bought an Oyster card for public transportation. Around 6pm, we crashed. And now, I'm awake. I'm gonna try to go back to bed so my body gets adjusted to BST (British Summer Time). I'll definitely update you more with pictures when I have a better internet connection.

It's surreal to finally be here! I can picture myself really enjoying it here, especially once we get our own apartment, and I have my own space. Once I make some new friends here too, it will really start to feel like home. I miss everyone at home like crazy, but I'm glad to be here!

Saying Goodbye is Hard

So we had a delicious Thanksgiving-esque feast last night! I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful momma! I've had moments of tearing up, but when I said goodbye to my older sister, brother-in-law, nephews and niece last night, the waterworks really began. I am still a little bit misty-eyed right now. I just can't compose myself. I don't even know why I'm crying, because I'm really excited, and I know I can stay in contact with them through facebook, emails, and phone calls. Plus I can come home in July, so it's really not that long of a time away from home. I'm going with friends, and I have the support of my company, so I'm not going over there blindly. I guess I'm just nervous about the unknown. Plus, saying see ya later is never easy. And I'm really nervous about the flight.

On the positive side, I'm all packed- with time to spare! For once in my life I didn't procrastinate haha.

Packing madness in my room yesterday!

All of my worldly possessions packed and ready to go! 

Enjoying my last Tim Horton's in Canada before I leave!!

So now, I'm all ready to go. I am drinking my Tim's and eating a piece of mom's pumpkin pie! I'm getting more excited by the minute!

I know that today (and probably the next week) is not going to be an easy, but with the strength God provides me, I know I will endure it. I am so lucky to have His love, and the love of my family and friends. It truly does make this journey somewhat easier. Well, that's the last update I'll do while in Canada. The next time I update, I'll be in jolly England! I love you all! xo

The Countdown is On!

In 48 hours I will be in the air. What! I have crazy nervous butterflies in my tummy, and my mind won't stop thinking. Tomorrow night is the last night I will sleep in my bed here for 10 months. I have to stop thinking like this or I'm gonna chicken out. I am SO SO SO grateful that I'm going with friends. It just makes it so much easier knowing that they're going through the same thing, and we'll be able to support each other.

Today I got a call from a bloke from Engage education. I could barely understand half of what he said because he was talking too fast. It was all good though, and he said he'd see me next week! I now know that I have a new teacher induction day on September 29th. All my other friends are going to attend as well, so at least we can navigate the city together! I was also contacted by my payroll company today. everything is all set up. All I have to do is set up a bank account in the UK and I'm all set to get paid!

I still have packing to finalize and I feel like there is TOO much to do in a short amount of time.
The one positive thing that's keeping me going is the prospect of a family dinner tomorrow night. My family is celebrating Thanksgiving early, and we're going to have a proper turkey dinner with all the fixins' - pumpkin pie and all! I'm excited for it!

Going Away Party

Oh my goodness. I don't know if words can even describe how grateful I am, but I will try. Last night, after the last guest went home, I sat down, utterly flabbergasted by the generosity and love surrounding me. I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. It almost makes this journey a little easier, knowing just how many people are supporting me, praying for me, and rooting for me. I feel like a little bird taking flight for the first time! 

Yes, there were some tears yesterday, but they were tears of happiness. I am so appreciative of everyone coming. If you are reading this, THANK YOU. Here some pictures from yesterday:

My Mom and Dad are going to fly this flag until I get home :)

Decorations outside... too bad it rained!

One on my best friends came to see me off!! 

My other best friend came too!! 

I have numerous thank you notes to write tomorrow! I am one spoiled girl!!

First Day of School... Well, in Ontario, anyway

Today was the first day of school here. I just love this time of year. The sights, the smells, the sense of new-ness and fresh beginnings! It's something I've loved since I can remember... maybe that's part of the reason why I wanted to be a teacher? Here's my "Back to School picture: Teacher Edition"

Sorry it's so blurry! 

Anyway, today and tomorrow I'm volunteering in a Grade 3 classroom with my associate teacher from last year. Some of the same students are in her class again (because she moved up a grade) and it was so nice to see their smiling faces. As soon as I walked in the door, I was crushed by about 5 grade 3 students giving me giant bear hugs. Down the hallways I was stopped by a whole bunch of my other students from last year with hugs and hellos! It's nice to know that they like me so much! Now.... if only I could get a job there lol.

It's so nice to be back in the classroom and doing the thing I enjoy the most in the world. I just can't wait to be teaching for real and in my OWN classroom. Hopefully that comes to fruition in the UK!

Sidenote: Countdown is on... 10 days until I fly out!

Guess who's packing?!

Oh, that's right. This girl is. Check out my minuscule pile of clothing. There are so many more where that came from.

Working within a 50 lb limit is hard. Good thing I'm paying $100 to get another 50 lb bag! Clothes, y u have to weigh so much???

T-Minus 2 weeks!

This time, 2 weeks from now, my plane will have landed, and I will be overwhelmed with the newness of my surroundings, and anxious about all that has to fall into place. Am I nervous? Yes. Am I excited? HECK YES! I cannot fully comprehend the fact that I will no longer have what I am so used to having surrounding me on a daily basis. I also cannot believe that I am a fully licensed teacher. I will be in a classroom, and I will be in charge! There will be no other teacher to back me up. I feel slightly terrified. I do not feel ready. Does one ever feel really ready?

I am certain that these next 2 weeks will be a whirlwind of emotion for me. However, I know that I am ready for this big adventure!