Dreams...... Are for livin!

This week has easily been one of the BEST weeks of my year so far....

There have been so many moments where I have actually had to pinch myself just to make sure that I was awake and it alllllll started with Arundel Castle.

ARUNDEL CASTLE

Imagine the best castle in the whoooooole world. Well. I've seen it.

I can't even explain how I felt when we jumped off the train and wandered down the footpath into the charming town of Arundel, as we turned a corner and crossed the road all you could see rising above the small brick houses was the mass of ancient stone. 

#historylesson

The oldest parts of the castle were built around 1068 (seriously impressive), moat included of course.

The castle was badly damaged during the Civil War (1642-45) and as a result a lot had to be restored, these restorations were not completed until 1900. 

It has been the seat of the Duke of Norfolk and his ancestors for over 850 years.

Furniture, clocks, tapestries and it's abundance of other exquisite items date back to the 16th century.

The castle and it's grounds were used by troops during the first and second world wars. 

It was the location for the recently released film 'The Young Victoria' starring Emily Blunt.

The Duke of Norfolk and his family still occupy the upper parts of the castle which are out of bounds to visitors. Sadly, he wasn't interested in having a cuppa and some vegemite toast.

I really can't put into words how magical the whole experience was. I felt like a little girl again in a world of princesses and princes, dragons, witches and wizards then it turned into some kind of secret garden/ Alice in Wonderland remix as we entered the gardens and strolled past countless fountains, roses, tulips, greenhouses and enormous leafy green trees. As we sat and ate our home made scones and jam on the grass I couldn't wipe the smile of my face, it's impossible to be unhappy in Arundel castle. Jordan and I thought we had seen enough to awe us outside, we were not prepared for what we would find inside it's walls, we climbed towers, nearly fell down towers, (because the stairs throughout the towers are so steep and so narrow, ropes have been attached to the walls on either side to help you get up and down relatively safely), we eyed off suits of armour, enormous swords, creepy paintings, lion head rugs, fancy china, pure gold trinkets, beautiful armchairs, mirrors, furnishings all like something out of a fairytale. (Think Downton Abbey style interiors). 
It was a place I will remember forever. 

Thursday also delivered the goods as we made our way to......

BRIGHTON

I didn't reaaaaally know what to expect from Brighton, I can tell you, I was absolutely gobsmacked.

The seaside was glorious, the pier equipped with its mini theme park (rollercoasters, dodgem cars, a gee wizzer, a carousel, a horror house, countless food options such as fairy floss, doughnuts, crepes, waffles on a stick, fish and chips, burgers, ice cream, you name it they had it + seagull poop), the giant wheel, cute little art dealers, cafés countless stalls selling fresh seafood and even nightclubs lined the beach (note to self never underestimate the brutality of walking along a pebbled beach, who needs leg day) It was such a chilled back vibe as we made our way along the shore before heading back towards the railway station to check out the local boutiques and other quirky stores. The street art was perhaps the most impressive surprise of Brighton, wherever you went there was something etched onto a wall or decorating the front of a store, and Brighton didn't try to hide it, it embraced it. We were blessed with beautiful weather which only made us more excited to be in such a beautiful place. 

CHICHESTER

Our second last day of holidays took us to Chichester, a small town about 25 minutes by bus from Portsmouth. Famous for its cathedral, it was a charming place with a totally British vibe. Little chocolate and sweet shops build upon the cobblestone pavements, gift wares, a park surrounded by small stone cottages and even a fashion parade! After wandering around the town centre we decided that lunch was in order and regained our strength at a little cafe that looked out onto the busy street. After waddling out of the cafe we hit up old mate who was selling 4 large punnets of strawberries for £2 BARGAIN and also invested in some incense to make our little home smell.....like home. By that time we were due to jump back on the bus and head back to Portsmouth, surprise surprise it was bucketing down with rain, taxiiiii. So now I'm home, cup of tea at the ready enjoying my second last day of freedom before I head back to school on Monday. 
I'm actually looking forward to seeing all of the girls again and keeping busy, the busier I am, the faster the time flies and with only 11 weeks left until summer, it can't pass quick enough!! 

We have a May bank holiday coming up in a few weeks which means a long weekend, Eastbourne and the Isle of Wight are next on our list, followed by Oxford, Stonehenge, Bristol, Kent and maybe even Manchester and Liverpool..... There is still so much to see!!

Let's Recap.

105 days.

For 105 days England has been my new home, and what a 105 days it has been.

When you prepare yourself for any journey you already have some kind of expectations about what it's going to be like.... The location, the weather, the people, the food etc. are all things that race through your mind and create some kind of version of the truth. 

Harry Potter, Wild Child, Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Bridget Jones and of course Love Actually all influenced the way that I perceived England to be. Although I am yet to come across a wizard.... I have not been disappointed.The scenery, the weather, the people and the food have all made me fall in love with England, and this is not a movie, this is my actual life. 

When I embarked on this journey I knew that there would be moments when I missed my family, times when I wished I was home with my friends and.... Very recently a newfound burning desire for a chicken parmy and chips. Moving out of home is hard in any case but I took moving out of home to a whole new level. I moved over the other side of the world to live in a strange area with three people I had never met, each of them also from different parts of the world, all of us 'moving out newbies'. Thankfully, these three people are the most interesting, lovely girls that I have ever met and I know undoubtedly that we will stay in touch for the rest of our lives. There is something about seeing your housemates underwear strung over a radiator in the lounge room that cements friendships. I have learnt to appreciate that it is really nice to not have to make up your own mind every day about what you want for dinner and just be told to sit down and eat whatever it is that's in front of you. I have spent hours (slight exaggeration) wandering around Iceland in the desperate hope that I will be inspired only to return home and cook my speciality bowl of vegetables. There's not really anything special about it to be honest. The positives do outweigh the negatives which only last about a week, because let's face it, you will get homesick, everyone does and that's ok.... The answer to such sorrows can be found in a tub of dreams known as Ben and Jerry's (Phish Food is my personal recommendation).

Before you know it you can walk to the supermarket with your eyes closed, count out the right amount of change in pence and pennies and pounds, eat your hot chips with vinegar and drink your 20 cups of tea a day because you are in a routine.... This is your life and nearly four months have flown by. 

I decided to apply for Lattitude after finishing a degree at uni and still not feeling 100% sure about what I wanted my future to look like.

I am now 100% sure that teaching is my future, despite being quite certain that secondary school teaching was my calling.... Through my experiences within my placement I have come to realise that junior school teaching is where my heart has led me. Had I not taken this opportunity with Lattitude I would be studying for a degree that I unknowingly wasn't fully committed to and perhaps later, may have regretted. I don't think that anyone truly knows their strengths until they are pushed and this year has pushed me in so many different ways, helping me to develop a certain kind of strength and patience that I have not had before. It's a lovely feeling to know what you are capable of.

One of the best parts about my time so far has been the people, the teachers, the students and even the locals are friendly and down to earth and genuinely interested in you and wherever it is you come from. For me this has meant explaining countless times that the Tasmanian Devil does not actually spin around in circles, talking to a cab driver about Kylie Minogue, imitating various Summer Heights Heigh characters, explaining that Tasmania is the little 'kinda love heart shaped' island underneath Australia, that chavs are bogans, sweets are lollies, crisps are chips, squash is cordial (so weird) and that genuinely, despite the results in worldwide cricket the English really do like Australians! 

So far I've managed to see London, Ireland, Northampton, Bath, the Peak District, Leicester, Dorset and will be able to check Arundel, Brighton and Chichester off the list come the end of this week. The best part about the UK is that everything is so close together and although the British complain about travelling 2 hours in a car or train to a destination, for me, that's a perfectly reasonable amount of time. There are trains everywhere (unlike Tassie) which makes seeing England and wider Europe so easy! Although every town has it's charms and Portsmouth is filled with them, just being able to walk by the water, pebbles (not sand) underneath your feet and breathe in the salt air is an experience of it's own. It makes me grateful to be given such an opportunity and more than anything, proud that I had the guts to jump into the unknown. 

It's the start of something wonderful

Holidays. 

&

Sunshine.

England has FINALLY produced the goods. Although whilst venturing out to soak up some rays on my first day of holidays, I was wearing.... a pair of full length tights, a long sleeve, a t-shirt and a hoodie I wasn't cold!!! I've always said that beautiful weather puts everyone in a beautiful mood..... Well, mostly everyone. Jordan and I did have an incounter with a strange man last week whilst walking along the pier who yelled at us exclaiming, 'you should be prepared!!! The world is going to end tomorrow' it's four days later and hate to break it to you mate but the world is still alive and well. 

This week I have decided to explore my own backyard (literally) I'm sitting out the back of our little unit as I write, with it's paved outdoor area (weeds growing up through the cracks) enclosed by worse for wear painted brick walls (moss included) on a wooden chair that has seen better days, and of which I am not entirely sure is dealing with my presence....but, I'm LOVING it. The sun is shining, I can hear the cars on the street go by but all I can see are blue skies and all I can feel is the slight breeze making me feel thankful to be HERE. I've just got back from taking a stroll along the sea front. As it's school holidays the common (massive grassy area across the road from our humble home) is packed with families and couples and singles all enjoying the weather and each other. 

Walking along the street adjacent to the common my nostrils pricked up...... They do things very differently in England, the people, not my nostrils. On the common, at any time during the day you can bring your portable cooker, as many beers, kegs, cases of wine as your little heart desires and just enjoy yourself! If you don't own a cooker.... Never fear because you can even LIGHT AN ACTUAL CAMPFIRE wherever you want. Yeah it confused me when I first got here too. Until someone explained to me that the people were not vandals setting fire to public property but just your average bloke trying to make a fire to feed his family. Okaaaaaaaay. 

Hope even got rowdy with some cider on the common last week..... That the English for you. 

I never ever get sick of being able to get up and go take a walk by the water, every time there is something different to see, a boat, the way the light reflects on the water, an adorable dog, cute elderly couples helping each other limp along the railing or, if you're lucky, a chav or two with their tops off (suns out guns out) trying to impress and attract female chavs with their six packs, which are not actually sick packs but quite likely the six pack of doughnuts they ate for afternoon tea. 

English 101# chavs are bogans 

Wednesday night Jordan and I are heading to a local pub to watch some bands play, and Friday there is a street festival about three doors down and around the corner from our place, with stalls, music, food and guaranteed good times, who could say no?? 

Guess who's back..... Back again..... Our little furry rodent 'friend'. It's not my friend, and gave me an awful fright when I ventured into the kitchen Sunday afternoon. Resulting in me leaping onto the kitchen bench whilst Jordan pushed the oven out from the wall in an attempt to get a better look at the rascal. I spewed in my mouth a little bit. I hope he gets the gist that he is not welcome within our home and packs his bags and leaves before we catch him in the trap.... 

Next week is Arundel Castle, Brighton and Chichester! Excitement levels are high, especially if the weather stays this glorious. It's making me excited from summer...... 

And for all the wonderful moments that my summer will bring :) 

Bunnies, Gap Fat and 3 days on a cliff

Friday marked the beginning of the Easter holidays for some, but, not all. 

It turns out that one of the perks of being a teacher is the ridiculous amount of chocolate you are given for Easter indulging. Indulging, yes, indulge I have done. I received a beautiful and delicious chocolate egg which continued to tempt me until I gave in, as I do..... Chocolate-1, Me-0..... Hope called me a fat shit and Jordan praised me for me efforts. As we always support each other when it comes to anything chocolate or ice cream related. Just like we support each other when we decide it would be a good idea to do a sprinting session, which results in us both hobbling around the house and dragging ourselves up the stairs by the railing for two days afterwards. #fitfam4lyf. 

Just when I though that my chocolatey gifts had reached their max, I was given a package of malteaster bunnies. I thought to myself, oh great they look delicious I'll have one of those bad boys after lunch..... As I prised open the wrapper, anticipation flooding through me, finally. delicately biting into that tiny little rabbit ear I certainly was not expecting to loose my mind, and wonder, how the devil I managed to live my life without ever experiencing the pure goodness... that is...the malteaster bunny. 

Mind blown.

Thursday night I received an email telling me that I was supposed to be hopping on the coach with a group of year eight girls and heading off, with three other members of staff, to Osmington Bay adventure camp in Dorset. Cheers for the one nights notice, luckily I am a machine when it comes to packing a bag, in my case, a suitcase, as the teacher suggested this would be easier to manage. Mmmmm yeah I looked pretty awesome carrying a suitcase that could easily fit 32kg of items within it whilst the rest of the girls had duffel bags and backpacks. I felt a little bit like Paris Hilton or someone as equality ridiculous as the bus driver looked as me as if to say 'Is it really necessary for you to pack this much'. Well yes it is. I need to be prepared for any occasion. 

After a two hour bus trip which involved listening to the girls sing several songs from the movie Frozen (let it go, let it goooo) seriously I was about to let go, of my mind. Finally we arrived to a beautiful afternoon I Dorset. The sun was shining the sea breeze was fresh, yet tolerable, but unfortunately the weather went downhill from there. 8 degree days, constant rain, gale force sea winds resulted in a very grumpy me. Like most people, I don't enjoy standing out in the rain for an hour and a half which I found myself doing on several occasions over the three days.

It was still worth it though, 

Some of the finer moments were....

Hilariously being mistaken for one of the girls and not the leader of the group... Do I really look 13??

Having my eardrums burst as myself and Jenny took on the giant swing, involves a free fall of about fifteen metres before you swing out over the treetops

Listening to a number of the Osmington staff members impersonate characters from Summer Hights High (they are obsessed)

Laughing at the girls remarks, one of my favourites was at the disco when a little mix song came on and one of the girls shouted 'oh my god turn it of this is positively vile'

Actually having to get up by myself and do the Macarena and YMCA in an attempt to get the girls dancing  at the disco.... Kind of worked

Having 'tea' aka wine at the end of a loooooong day with my fellow teachers out of teacups and sneakily having to hide it whenever the girls knocked on the door

Being told that my accent is 'beautiful' and 'soooooo cool', it made me feel quite exotic really

Watching the girls rub mud on their faces (mud facials of course) which definitely had rabbit shit mixed in it (it was green) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. A few of them came out in rashes the next day. 

It was a lovely three days.

Not only did I get to know the staff members a lot better, I also got to get to know the girls from the senior school and socialise with them on a more personal level. 

The longer I am here the more I am beginning to adapt to this English way of life.

Tea

Is now an essential part of my day.

I notice that the pronunciation of my a's and e's may be starting to change a little....

The accents don't sound strange or out of place anymore but just normal

I've got the currency situation down pat

And I appreciate a good pair of boots like nothing else 

Although everyone else is currently on holidays us gappies will be working in the school for another week,  carrying out odd jobs and the like. By the time holidays are done there will only be one week left of April..... 

Then less than 100 days until Europe.

With my boy <3