Putting my big girl wellies on!

Today was Chinese New Year celebration time. 

Here's what went down

- Chinese dress 

- Chinese food (fried rice, noodles, prawn crackers, spring rolls, shrimp toast) 

- Chinese activities (painting, colouring, dancing, singing) 

- & most excitingly a LION DANCE. 

If you have never seen one, it's a definite must-do. But for me, the experience was even better as I sat amongst the students and shared in their screams of slight terror, hysterical giggles, surprised and delighted expressions and pure fascination. I think being around small people makes you appreciate the small things, moments that you wouldn't even consider to be remotely interesting today, but really, have just forgotten how much you enjoyed them as a child. Their innocence has a way of grounding you without you ever really realising it, but not all the time, sometimes they drive you insane. 

Part of my role over here is to escort students to the Isle of Wight by hovercraft, or, if the weather is typically English I have to take the ferry. Tonight I was forced to take the sea cat (ferry). Me and the sea cat. Not friends. It was so rough that you could see the water almost splashing over the side, there was a lot of vomit, some small children crying, a couple of old people clenching their teeth and the girls stressing about getting home alive. So dramatic. But I was totally cool..... Because I'm Australian and we wrestle crocodiles and have punch ups with kangaroos all the time. 

This weekend is open to suggestion, with nothing planned I am just going to see where the days take me (dependent upon the weather) I've been told not to go anywhere near the water front, apparently there have been a number of cases where a few chaps have thought it would be a good idea to go for a stroll in the nice blustery weather and have been swept away out to sea. No thanks, I'll pass. 

Mystery awaits! 

Settling in to life as a Brit!

Another nine days....... Equals......... A WHOLE. MONTH IN ENGLAND.

I cannot believe the time is already flying by so quickly. 

I have so much to be thankful for, and so many exciting adventures in the near future to look forward too.

Ireland

Scotland

& most excitingly 

A European adventure, Harry included ;) 

"Imagine a future moment in your life where all your dreams come true. You know, it's the greatest moment of your life and you get to experience it with one person. Who's standing next to you?"

(Yes, I just quoted One Tree Hill, bite me) 

Now, I finally know who's standing there. 

Time and distance on their own are enough to test any kind of relationship. Put them together and you've got a force to be reckoned with. If you can overcome that, you can overcome anything.

I have never been so sure that time and distance....will never get the better of me. 

When you find something special you hold it with both hands and you never let it go. 

Australia Day went off with a bang at our place, we nailed the burgers..... almost nailed the Pavlova.... Shhhhh it was our first try!! 

One of the most important aims before leaving for my time overseas was to make new friendships. 

At first I wasn't sure how this was going to go, but I have hit the jackpot with my co-gappies and co-teachers and am so thankful to have so many new, wonderful people in my life, that I hope will remain firm friends in the future. 

It seems that my hidden talent has been discovered and as a result I have been given any task at school that remotely connects to anything artistic. Last week I had to draw Wind in the Willows characters, a diagram of a volcano, today I decorated a stage ready for Chinese New Year celebrations on Friday and tomorrow I have been asked to draw a picture of King George..... Slightly out of my league, but I'm prepared to give it a go! 

Everyday I am presented with new surprises and exciting conversations that leave me eagerly awaiting tomorrow. Already this experience has provided me with the confidence of knowing what I want to do for the rest of my life, where I want to be, and who I want to share it with. 

Never let anyone tell you that you cannot live your dreams. 

An Aussie amongst the English

Blog time. 

My week so far, starting from Saturday.

Saturday- served tea and coffee at a parent luncheon. 

So what are the parents like..... 

I wait at the gate every mor
ning as they pull up in their range rovers with customised number plates, slick silver porsches and I can't forget the BMW's all the while trying my best to keep my jaw from dropping and my eyes from popping out of my head. Yeah I start to loose my cool a little bit as they jump out in their Gucci and Prada OH I can't believe I almost forgot the Christian Louboutin leather boots.....

And there I am rocking my Kathmandu jacket, $2 cotton on scarf and $16 boots I got on sale online. 

Never made and served tea and coffee so well in my life. It was do or die. 

By about half one (one thirty in Aussie language) we were free to begin our rowdy weekend HAHAHA. naaaaaaaht. It went like this..... Did the dishes,  did my washing, changed my sheets, skyped my family, ate a whole tub of Ben and Jerry's (instantly regretted it), watched some tv, THEN,  I decided it was about time to venture beyond the walls of my three storey flat and experience a real English pub. 

What happened....

Well basically the best we got was a sports bar. Completely English!! Football playing on the big screen, drunken lads singing along to Wonderwall, more lads downing some quality pints, while we made two new friends who also turned out to be stereotypically English. 

One- moved to England from Africa at age 16 by himself to play football professionally, almost ten years later, he fractured his knee = end of career. Now has a flash job helping to organize the Olympic Games.

Two- a farmer, enjoys walking his dog through the forest in his wellies, digging potatoes and god knows what else. 

They were both 40. We got out of there very quickly after they shouted us two drinks each. 

So that was Saturday night, we walked home at about ten (I know, poor effort but we are easing ourselves into it) because I was drunk off two ciders......

Alcohol tolerance building is necessary.

Sunday- went for an explore around the harbour, got lost, spent an hour wandering around the docks relishing the smell of dead fish and salt water..... Were relieved when we found ourselves back on track. Hellooooooo PRIMARK every broke girls clothing dream. Everything that you could ever want/need you can find. Had my first English coffee. It was shit. Ok it wasn't that bad but it wasn't that great either.  The serving sizes here are huuuuuuge, so it was enough to get me home with an extra spring in my step. 

Spent the rest of the afternoon preparing myself for the return to work. 

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday- schoooooooooooool. 

Every day I find myself giggling at something one of the students has said or done or asked. 

I'm starting to remember more and more names in the hope that when they arrive of a morning and greet me with 'Good-morning Miss Cragg' I can reply using their names every time! 

My first Australia Day away from home.....

I have a plan. 

Two of my housemates will be elsewhere so it will just be me and my gorgeous New Zealand roomie left to celebrate my Australian heritage.

Burgers and Pav.

Australian flag will be hung in the dining room and although the triple J hottest 100 will not be played in our little English home I'm sure I will find some equally Australian alternatives. 

Expect a full run down of the days festivities in my next update......

Xxxxxx

A week in the life of a teacher

I have no doubt that everyone, no matter what age, gender, or race, has fond memories of their time at school. It all seems like a blur to me, but I always remember the most significant teachers.... Even if I forget the most significant events. If this year hasn't put me off teaching entirely..... I want to be one of THOSE teachers. So.... What was a whole week as a teacher like? It was seriously hard. These are the things I have learnt so far......

Small children love to dob on one another. My favourites from this week have been...... 

* Miss Cragg, so and so is eating a chocolate bar and we aren't allowed to eat chocolate here and she knows that but she's still going to eat it, she's over there by the tree. My response- has she eaten the chocolate? Students response- yes...... My reply- well what would you like me to do about it then, the chocolate is gone there is no issue anymore. Student looks at me, smiles and then runs of laughing and frolicking in the rain. 

* Miss Cragg, so and so just threw a spoon out the window of the cubby house at me. My response- are you bleeding or do you have a lump on your head? Student replies- no..... But it was a really HARD spoon. My final reply- you're fine. Student runs off laughing and frolicking in the rain. 

* Miss Cragg, so and so is being mean to me and is going to tell the teacher so I will be in the naughty book (student is sobbing, whilst clutching my arm dramatically), my reply- just go and find someone else to play with there are plenty of other people to choose from. Student eventually, after a few more tears, goes and finds a friend and....... Frolics in the rain, hoorah. 

Small children are HILARIOUS.... Some of my favourite conversations.....

*Miss Cragg I went to the pool the other day and there was a man there and he was really hairy and had a big tummy like he was going to have a baby, I think he was really going to have a baby. 

* Miss Cragg my head hurts so much that I think my head brain has gone into my arm brain and my arm brain has gone into my head brain (I tried to explain that we only have one brain.... Didn't go down so well).

* Miss Cragg it's my turn to hold your hand today such and such had it yesterday it's my tuuuuuuurn. (Explained that they had a whole year to share holding my hands, went down very well).

* Tried to teach a student how to spell 'BEFORE', student claimed that I can't talk properly and they couldn't understand me because I don't sound normal (cheers).

It's really lovely to arrive at school and have the children greet you, for them to be excited that you are walking with them at play time, or coming into their classes for the day. 

Teaching is rewarding. 

Lunch time is the best time.

this is when I get to sit down with the other members of staff and have a laugh, joke with the bus drivers about the quality of the food as they make fun of the way I say potatoes, suss out the best pubs in town, the best British TV shows, the best Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight have to offer and generally just feel the love whilst soaking up the Britishness of it all! 

Tomorrow we are serving drinks and food to parents at a school function, another opportunity to interact with moooooore people. Which means more names to remember..... Awesome. 

To end..... 

Miss Cragg's embarrassing moments.....

So far I have tripped up the stairs twice..... In front of students

Tried to open a door when the door next to me was already wide open....

Keyed the wrong entry code into the door about a zillion times

Been introduced as a New Zealander and not an Aussie..... Not my fault

Bound to be more to add to the list before long..... Watch this space!!!

Pompey and it's charms

To the UK locals, Portsmouth is not 'Portsmouth' but 'Pompey'. Yet another British term that I am keenly adopting as part of my newfound English vocab, some of the others include..... 

Vile

Bizzare

Candy/sweets (if you even think about saying lollies over here you're doomed)

Trousers NOT pants. I have heard several stories about Aussie gappies asking the students to take their pants off..... Which was met with very surprised looks from students and parents alike, so.... TROUSERS it is!!

Ya alright!!! Aka HELLO. Unfortunately I learnt this one the hard way. Whilst walking through the park yesterday two Portsmouth locals shouted 'YA ALRIGHT GIRLS' to which I replied 'I'm fine thanks....' Whilst thinking to myself, why on earth are they asking me if I am alright.... Don't I look alright, is there something on my back, on my head, on my shoe..... Is my dress tucked into my pants AGAIN. Since talking to my British roomie I have learnt the true meaning of ya alright and am fully equipped with the knowledge to successfully deal with it next time it's shouted at me. 

Rubbish is Litter of course.

I have witnessed an English woman say 'crikey', it was just as good as I know you're imagining it to be. 

Oh and bogans are chavs.

Potatoes are everywhere. 

Jacket potatoes, mash potatoes, wedges, fries, cheesy fries, sweet potato fries. 

Don't even ask me about the beans. 

I am yet to try an authentically English serving of fish and chips. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut. Every Friday is fish and chip Friday, the day that alllllll the students and staff look forward too. They even chant 'fish and chips, fish and chips' as they stand waiting in the canteen line...... Ok maybe that was an exaggeration but they get very excited. 

Yesterday I went for a wander around the area, checking out all of the local cafés that sell things like chocolate croissants, bagels, bread bread and more bread. I may have had a sneaky chocolate brownie.... MIND BLOWN. 

The English are very talented when it comes to naming their establishments, a few of my favourites include, the one eyed dog, the fat fox and the slug and lettuce. 

The grassy waterfront was filled with locals playing football (not soccer, I'm English), and older couples walking their dogs, others going for morning jogs shouting inspirational words of praise at one another like.... 'Lets get rid of this fat'. Children playing on the playground and chavs chuffing on ciggies.... Ah huh they are universal. 

Tomorrow marks my first full week of work and............ MY FIRST RIDE ON THE HOVERCRAFT!!!!! totally cool with it.... 

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!! 

Tomorrow is also my baby sisters 16th birthday, a pretty special occasion as she FINALLY gets to start driving my car..... So Narg, read these words veeeeeeeeeery carefully. Happy Birthday!! Have a fantastic day, eat a piece of Nan's lemon cheesecake in my honour & please, be nice to the go go Getz . Love you always and I'm so proud of you/proud of me for teaching you everything you know about winning at life ex oh ex oh ex oh xxxxxxxx

Hello London/Portsmouth arrival

If you have never tried carrying a 30kg suitcase through the London Underground you are a very intelligent person..... I can say, with pride that I conquered staircases, escalators and the occasional persons foot with pure Aussie grit and determination. I'd appreciate a round of applause please, thank you.

Arriving in Heathrow airport was a completely surreal experience, I was hoping that Hugh Grant would be eagerly awaiting me, I was slightly disappointed when no one was there with a sign, or flowers, or an engagement ring but I'll survive. 

Next stop was into the heart of London, where it finally started to feel real. All the brick houses (that look exactly the same), the iconic black cabs and yes the red double decker busses!!! Unfortunately due to my chronic jet lag I spent the evening passed out in bed, but definitely made up for it the next day.....

WESTMINSTER 

Exactly how you imagine it to be... I hopped off the tube and emerged from the underground directly under Big Ben, continued to be gob smacked as I took in the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, the buildings of Parliament and of course Buckingham Palace. You would assume that Buckingham Palace was my highlight.... I have an admission.... I saw a squirrel for the first time and it ALMOST took the cake, but not quite. As we crossed the park and I kept pinching myself to make sure that it was all real (and to keep myself awake because I was still bloody tired) the royal palace emerged before my eyes and it was exactly as magical as I had anticipated. Unfortunately the Queen wasn't in but we were treated with a procession of guards on horseback which made it all very fancy pants. 

I think it's time I talked about the accents. Holy mother of god. They are unbelievable. Although, I can already feel myself talking like a New Zealander as it is my co gappies native land, so who knows what I'm going to sound like by the time I get home..... Apologies in advance. 

After two days in London it was time for me to jump on my train and head to Portsmouth. Only a short journey but mesmerising as I found myself feeling as though I was in an episode of escape to the country, with the lushest green fields, little British stone houses, barns and horses and cows surrounded by white picketed fences. All the while I felt at peace and in a way, at home. Jumping off the train and on the school bus to our new home it ALL became real that this would be where I would spend the next eleven months, this small seaside town is incredible, so full of history and charm I have no doubt that this will be one incredible year. 

Now for some fun facts......

I have a house with a red door.

I live with an American, a Kiwi and an English woman.

Apparently I have a posh Australian accent.

It's not as cold as I expected.

I get to travel on a HOVERCRAFT everyday (Yeah you read correctly).

I am now known as Miss Cragg.

I am teaching students aged 3-12.

Today I played what's the time Mr Wolf, I read stories, I held hands and walked in a line to the library, I made three new 4 year old best friends, I was told quite adamantly that boy dogs can have babies (imagine a five year old telling you that in a British accent).

I was thrown out of my depth (you would recognise this if you know me).

But guess what?


 I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. 

Family, me, & a pot of tea

Family. 

The most important people you will ever have in your life, they love you, they guide you and they help you to determine what kind of person you will become and what kind of future you will lead. 

Today it was time for me to say goodbye to my family, one of THE hardest things I have ever had to do, but, just a step closer in my journey that I am about to write ALL ON MY OWN. 

So. Planning to head off to England in two days time..... What do you do??

You have an English inspired tea party of course!! There were cucumber sandwiches, asparagus rolls, scones and jam, bundt cake, sponge cake, apple and lemon cake every other cake known to man kind.   Aaaaaaand of course..... There was tea. I have a feeling that by the time I return I will know my tea's to a T (haha). 

Surrounded by the people I love, laughing....hugging.....with a tiny little bit of crying thrown in, it's not quite, but almost, starting to feel real. 

Now. 

I thought today might be a good time to explain the title of my blog....

HUNTING FOR HARRY...... A YEAR AWAY IN THE UK

Ummmm who is Harry.....

Harry Windsor??

Harry Potter??

Harry Styles??

Harry high pants.... Definite no. 

The truth is, Harry could be anyone or anything.

The idea of this blog was to create a space where my friends, or total strangers could read about the adventures of an average person setting off to live their dreams and experience the world. So Harry is completely open to interpretation, depending upon the reader and their personal connection to my writing and my adventures abroad. 

When I first started writing, Harry became a person that I might hope to find whilst I was away, whether it be someone I befriend, someone I can connect with, or someone that I fall in love with. 

Harry could be 'the one'. Stop cringing, despite what you do or do not want to admit to yourself it's a fact of life, we are all, somehow and in some way searching for someone. 

I was not expecting to find a someone before I left. But I did. 

Welcome to life's unpredictable twists and turns..... What do you do? 

You go to England, you live your dreams, you embrace, you relish you explore, not just for yourself, but for your friends and for your family. 

And like most things in life, the pieces will fall into place in time

It's funny......

I knew that eleven months would undoubtedly change my life forever

I had no idea that one month and one person could change me too. 

My next post will be my first English entry.... All the way from Portsmouth!!! 

& I cannot wait to share 2014 with you all. 

Happy New Year everyone xxxx