I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...

... And given that it has snowed all day pretty much, this is looking to be entirely possible. More that this, I'm actually beginning to get excited when it snows. My Mama and Bro will be the first to tell you I HATE snow and have done since I was little. When every other child was running out to play in the white stuff, I was running in the opposite direction, desperate to get out of the cold, wet slush.

I'm half way through the second half of the term with 3 teaching weeks left before I'm home for that most wonderful time of the year! My classes have been mostly successful. By "mostly" I mean that 99% of the students were interested in Guy Fawkes and were impressed by the video I showed them of what could have happened if he hadn't been caught and only one student has stormed out on me, crying, leaving me feeling a little bewildered and lost. I'm going to count the lesson as successful as I myself didn't break down and cry, nor did I swear at him but did in fact remain rather calm and realised that I had probably turned into my Grandmother when she was a teacher. This thought stresses me out more than the actual event. :/

The Christmas markets opened the last weekend in November and it is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially since some of neighbours put up some really tacky flashing Christmas lights and all the lights in town have been turned on. Happy days! I've done all my Christmas shopping at the markets in town and can now enjoy wondering around with friends, trying to find the stall which sells the best vin chaud. Its tough, but someone has to be drunk by 3pm to do it!! *hic!*

This weekend coming (8-9th) I'm heading up to Lyon for Fête des lumières with Verity and we're going to be staying with one my of closest friends here. I can't wait! I promise to take too many photos and bore you all with them when I get home! It should be a weekend filled with shopping, good food, great friends and many, many laughs. :)

The weekend after I'm hoping to take my first bambi on ice steps towards learning to ski. There will be a whole new post about how successful that is. My goal is to not eat too much snow and not break anything. *Fingers crossed*

For now, I'm off to plan some more lessons, eat some more bread, drink more, vin chaud and not stop smiling about how much I love my life right now!!
xxx

Autumn in Grenoble

So I come home from my first day back at work after 2 weeks half-term (its a hard life!) to some post from England, and it doesn't get much better than a letter from your favourite little girl with a bar of your favourite chocolate! First off, THANK YOU MILLIE MOO FOR THE LETTER AND CADBURY'S OREO CHOCOLATE!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 It was only a couple of days ago when I was saying to someone the thing I miss most that I can't get out here is Cadbury's chocolate, so thank you muchly for making my day. I'm writing this blog now with a cuppa English tea and some chocolate! Wow, how many times can one person say "chocolate" in their first paragraph?! Mmmmmmm Chocolate!!!!! I was going to come home and have an orange and be healthy. This is not going to happen.

I've had a rather productive last couple of weeks. The last week at school before half-term flew by and wasn't much different to the 3 weeks before, so I won't bore you with same ol' same ol' details. Half-term, on the other hand was quiet and relaxing and fairly productive. *Smiles proudly*. I've planned 2 lessons, complete with powerpoint presentations, vocabulary exercises, comprehension checkers and other fun activities. What's worrying is how much I enjoyed doing this. I'm pretty sure that the novelty will wear off eventually. I've also started researching my dissertation and thinking up questions to ask students on my chosen study topic so I think I deserve the chocolate... :)

I went to Voiron with the head of the department and she took me to see where the monks make the liqueur "Chartreuse". A very enjoyable tour and tasting session done afterwards. I bought some Chatreuese verte (55%) and some nut liqueur (23%), had a couple on a night in on my own and proceeded to find out they weren't nearly as good in reverse. :p It had snowed a couple of days before the trip and by snowed I mean we had 6-10 inches fall in 16 hours in the city centre. Apparently, it rarely snows in the centre. And it doesn't usually snow until late Novemberish. I tried so hard to be all excited about the snow but I have an inherent hatred towards it so it was like living a nightmare. So pleased I'm not in Canada right now!!! Hopefully by the time it snows again, I'll be a little better prepared for it and so will Grenoble! Anyways, because it was so cold, M-Yvonne took me for hot chocolate and macaroon. HEAVEN ON EARTH!! Absoluement parfait!

I was invited for tea at 2 other of my colleagues' houses this week too. Its been ace, I haven't had to cook anything and I've got to speak French for hours on end. I met Nathalie in Vizille (the town where she lives) and we spent a lovely afternoon walking around the park where the Revolution started in 1788. I felt very at home (despite speaking French) as the park felt very much like one you would see at a country house in England, it even had deer! When we arrived at her house I met her family and even helped cook the crepes we were going to be eating for tea. Lots of jokes were made about my crepe making skills. Apparently, I made them too think and they were a pancake, not a crepe. Humf. However, I spent 6 hours with the family and managed 99% of the time to talk in French. *Very proud* I did struggle massively with the French news though. HOW FAST DO THEY SPEAK?! Is that so they can skit over all the bad stuff that is happening without anyone realising?! I did manage to explain our electoral and political systems though. I think.

When I went for tea at Isabelle's, I mixed English and French 50-50. Her daughter and her friend were there as well and they both study English so it was good for them to practise too. I had my first Raclette. OOOOFT! We should have those in England! Basically, melted cheese with whatever you like; potatoes, ham, salami, chorizo. YES! Might actually have to buy a raclette machine to get me through the snowy winter ahead.....

It's just under 6 weeks until I'm home and I'm actually glad that I didn't fly back in the half-term just gone. I'm really loving my time here, actually living my dream, and I think if I had come home I would never have done the stuff with my colleagues. I'm looking forward to the Christmas markets and light switch on here, and finding some cool stuff to bring home as presents. Yes Mum, I'll buy a bauble. I'm also now looking forward to coming home and seeing everyone though and spending time with the family over Christmas, and seeing the Coca-Cola advert. I miss that. :( I'm only home for a week before I'm flying back out to Grenoble for NYE with the Boss and a few days together before we both have to return to work. So looking forward to seeing how France sees in the New Year!

Much love to all, and thanks again Moo for the chocolate!!!! <3
xxxxx

When I grow up....

....I'm going to be a teacher. Until then, I'm having GREAT fun at pretending. I suppose in a way I am a real teacher, just without the marking and the stresses of OFSTED breathing down my neck. I have just finished  my second week at work and I'm loving the experience I'm gaining, even if I am still intimidating and "scaring" the students with the speed at which talk. I thought I'd slowed down and feel that if I were to slow down any more I'd be patronising but I guess they need a confidence boost and for that to happen I need to speak slower so they understand. On the other hand, I'm getting fewer blank looks and "quoi?"'s so I must be doing something right, right?

I'm helping out with BTS groups so everyone is 18 and older with a couple of the students well into their 20s. I've pretty much just introduced myself and my family and told them a little bit about Stoke-on-Trent and then talked about them and where they come from. So far, no-one is enthusiastic about Grenoble. :| Oh well.

Next week is the last week before the October half term which lasts for 2 weeks. The majority of the other assistants are going back to England but I can't be bothered. I'm really not missing it. I have been a bit ill the past few days and for the first time, I had a cry to my Mama and Darren cause I miss them, but that was only because I needed a cuddle. That need has been replaced by one of the teachers at school who has told me that if I ever need anything just to give her a call and she'll come look after me. Sorry guys! :)  I'm feeling much better now and greatly appreciate the French love of pharmacies and the fact that there's at least one on every street. Seriously, Google Map "Residence Houille Blanche" and then search near by for "pharmacy" and there are LOADS! Cheered me up anyway.

Last week was my birthday (YAY!) and also my first proper day at work so naturally, there's a power cut. The first day in my life where I hated France a little bit. It meant I couldn't have breakfast Skype dates with my Mama or Darren. By lunch time the power was back on and I was happy and in love with the country again. At school all week I did a presentation on myself and each time I told the class my birthday is the 8th October, I had " 'Appy Birfday!" sung! Brilliant!! On the Saturday before, I got together with some of the other assistants in the area to go up to the Bastille for a picnic as it was mine and Cassie's birthdays that week. It was a very entertaining drunken night. :) Granny and Rev arrived on the Tuesday and managed to bring out loads of home comforts I had forgotten as well as birthday cards and presents from the UK. Thanks everyone!! :) We met up for dinner in the evenings after I had finished work and ate at some of my favourite places in town including the amazing burger place who now recognise me, think I have a crazy drunken mum and step-dad and even crazier grandparents who took their stuffed toy rabbits to tea one evening. Hmmmmmm. At the weekend, we went to Milan and stayed in a beautiful hotel only 10 minutes out of the city centre on the metro. When we got into the town the first thing we saw was "Il Duomo" cathedral which is stunning and so very different from the architecture in France. We had a look around the "Galleries" and quickly left after not being able to afford anything. The cheapest thing I saw was a pair of gloves for 70 Euros. Errrrm, no. We kind of stumbled upon "Teatro alla Scala" and had a quick look to see if there was any possibility of catching a show. There was a ballet on called "Raymonda" so we decided to see if we could get tickets for that evening. So we queued, gave in our names in exchange for a number and were told to return at 5pm for a ticket. We weren't expecting to get into a ballet for 10 euros each! The seats were awful and we had to stand for the entire performance but the show was beautiful and it was worth the pain in the feet for the experience and atmosphere. On our way back to Grenoble we detoured via Turin to see if we could see the Holy Shroud. When we got there it was a little dead and is clearly primarily an industrial town but we found the church where they keep the copy of the Holy Shroud as the real thing only comes out like once every 10 years.

Once back in Grenoble, it was kind of back to reality and Granny and Rev left me to planning the lessons for this week. Its mad to think I've been in France a month now and at work 3 weeks. I'm feeling really at home. My little studio room is really cosy and homey and I love coming home to it after a day in the school, curling up with a book and a cuppa tea and watching a film. Saying that, I'm beginning to look forward to Christmas and seeing all my family and friends. I land back on the 22nd December and have a pretty packed schedule before I fly back out to Grenoble on New Years Eve with Darren.

Loving life. <3


It's being really weird about uploading pictures again. Look on fb or email me for some.

Au revoir Angleterre; Bienvenue à Grenoble!

So I've been in France a week already! We left Stoke-on-Trent early on the Monday 17th in order to get the train from Folkstone that afternoon and by 6pm local time I was having a beer in a cafe over looking a town square in Amiens, France!

We spent only the one night in Amiens before heading to Reims (2 nights), Chambord (1 night) and finally Lyon (2 nights) before arriving in the town I now call home!

Amiens is home to France's biggest cathedral and it was beautiful, and set in a stunning city too. We could see it from our hotel room and it was breathtaking to be able to see the love and devotion that went into building such a stunning place of worship. We pretty much checked in and then went off in search of a well needed beer and found a cafe bar which served Affligem rouge. Kind of a fruity beer but not as sweet as cider and not as strong as an ale. YUM! Now slightly tipsy we found somewhere to eat and had some more to drink and then staggered back to  the hotel to get an early night ready for a day of sightseeing in Amiens and then driving on to Reims.

Amiens Cathedral

On our way, we decided that seeing as we were close to the Battle of the Somme sights, we would stop and have a look at one of the memorials. Having done a couple of battlefield tours with school a couple of years ago, I suggested stopping at Thiepval which is the largest memorial in the Commonwealth. Steve actually found the name of his granddad's brother carved into the memorial, which made the whole emotional experience even more touching and moving.

Thiepval Memorial

Thiepval Memorial

Nicholls, J.

Once in Reims and checked into the apartment, we found the tourism office and booked some activities for the following day including a tour of the cellars at Mumm Champagne house which included a tasting session, and audio-guided tours around the cathedral and basilica, all for €16 each! The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the town a little and finding somewhere to eat and drink, and given that we were now in Champagne country, pretty much everything we ate or drank now contained Champagne!! We had an amazing meal at a fish restaurant and I tried snails (ticking that off my bucket list) which I quite enjoyed and can only liken them to squid, but blander and served with a lot of butter and garlic! Main course was a medley of fish fillets, all cooked perfectly, and the meal was rounded off with a Cassis Royale dessert which was blackcurrant sorbet and Champagne. Hic!

Up early the following morning to get to la Maison de Mumm for 9:30am. The promise of a glass of proper Champagne got me moving very early! (Maybe this should be used when trying to get me out of bed in England too!!) The tour was very interesting, and I learnt a lot about the process, history and the huge amount of time and care which goes into making each bottle of Champagne. I've bought a bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut to celebrate with when I graduate. Roll on 2014! Food in the evening was about as French as a meal can get. Continuing on with the bucket list, I tried frog's legs which do, like everything, taste like chicken. This was followed by an amazing pot of mussels with mushrooms and Champagne ("Hi, my name's Lotte and I'm addicted to Champers!") all washed down with, yes you guessed it, a Champagne cocktail. I think my liver was pretty happy to have left Reims.

Outside la Maison de Mumm

A girl can dream!

10:30am. THIS IS THE LIFE! <3

A last miniute change in plans meant that instead of going to Dijon we would head a little more to the west of France, towards the Loire Valley and check out a Château. This turned out to be perhaps the best thing we decided on the whole trip purely for comedic value! The Château itself was beautiful and full of unique features and amazing artwork. The hotel we stayed in on the other hand was a typically quaint and charming French-looking hotel. On the inside, it was a mixture of "Allo Allo" and "Fawlty Towers"! BRILLIANT! The person who greeted us on reception looked like "Ros" from "Monsters Inc." and none  of the staff spoke any English. I knew we were deep in the country when I didn't understand half the menu, although I think that this is acceptable when the waitress couldn't explain what anything was. "Its a native animal to this region that runs around wild in the forests." That could have been anything from a squirrel to a deer. Thanks to wordreference.com I worked out it was the latter. The evening was spent laughing a LOT about Steve forgetting to take his p.j shorts off before putting his trousers on (LOL!) and the fact that Mum and Steve didn't just not have hot water, but no water at all. I think it's safe to say, we weren't too sorry to leave in the morning and head to Lyon. 

Me and Mum outside Château de Chambord

Lyon: Oh how I love thee!! It was like going home after a 2 year holiday. I got to show Mum and Steve one of my most favourite views in the world, take them to some of the places I ate at and introduce them to one of my very best friends who I haven't seen since leaving Lyon in 2010. The hotel was pretty much in the city centre which was a nice change from being 20 minutes out the last time I was there and being on the 37th floor was also a bonus as I got to watch the sun set over a city which has captured a piece of my heart. <3. We took the tram up to Fouvière and the view is still as breathtaking, perhaps even more so as I had missed it so much. And thanks to Mum and Steve I explored the Basilica a little more too and we discovered the church which is under the Basilica. Stunning architecture yet again. I had arranged to meet up with Mina in the evening to go to a friend of hers' birthday party which as parties go wasn't amazing but it was fun meeting new people and having very random conversations, rejecting French men and getting slowly drunk. We planned on getting the last tram home at about midnight so naturally at 1:30 we were using the city's equivalent to "Boris Bikes" and cycling home. SUCH A LAUGH! I was up early the following morning for the last leg of the trip to my new home.

So. Grenoble. I don't think I could be living in a more spectacular place. Whilst the views in Lyon were awesome from the top of a hill, the views from the bottom of the Alps isn't half bad either. Feeling truly blessed to be able to wake up, throw open my window and see the Alps. For the first time in my life I'm looking forward to it snowing, and I'm hoping for lots of it!! Roll on the ski season! I'm just as excited as starting work and after meeting up with a couple of guys last night (24th), I can't wait to meet some more at the training days we have on Monday and Tuesday, although the lack of definite details and an itinerary is making stress a little. The next blog will come next weekend after my first week here working. Eeeeee!!!

I was going to add some extra pictures of Lyon and Grenoble, but it won't let me. There are plenty on fb, check 'em out! xxx

The Final Countdown!

34 days to go and they seem to be slipping past rather quickly. I don't feel in control or as though I have anything organised but when I sit down and actually think about what I've done and what is left to do I think I'm pretty OK. =)

If I was to give advice to anyone preparing for their year abroad I'd suggest the following:

• WRITE A LIST- and check off things as you go. This has recently greatly satisfied the OCD side of my personality and has massively calmed me down as I can see what I've achieved and what I've got left to do. On my list is things like “speak to bank”, “get insurance including winter sports”, “find somewhere to live”, “email responsable and previous assistant” and “decide what to pack”. Each time I manage to complete a task I cross it off and seeing the list begin to dwindle is not only reassuring, but serves to remind me how quickly to leaving the country I’m getting. Yes, it freaks me out a little bit, but more than anything it’s exciting to see how close I am to realising a dream.

• SORT INSURANCE- Always err on the side of caution. I'm paying extra to make sure I'm covered for winter sports as, knowing my luck, I'd be the one person who will fall off a sledge/skis/a mountain and not be covered by insurance, so I'm not taking the risk and will therefore be the one person who is covered to fall off a sledge/skis/a mountain and won't. I’ve looked around and decided to take take out my insurance with YearAbroad as they cater specifically for students going away on their year abroad. It’s also a little cheaper than the other options I looked at and covers me for exactly the same stuff.

• MONEY MONEY MONEY- Spoken to my bank and found out I get charged for transferring money from my English account to my French account. Pants. However, Caxton fx do a "Europe Traveller Card" which I can load up with money from my UK bank FREE OF CHARGE and use it just like a debit card. BRILLIANT! I can separate my money from the UK from my pay in France and therefore have money for bills in one account and money for fun in another. YAY! Secondly, getting my SFE application in early and making sure I met the Erasmus deadlines had also taken a weight off my mind. I’ve already set a reminder on my computer to get my SFE application in early for my final year as well, so I don’t have to worry about it when I get back, panicking that I’ve left it too late.

• BUCKET LISTS- I've written a list of things I'd like to achieve and do whilst away, including travelling and learning new hobbies. One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is the week before I actually arrive in Grenoble. Mum and Steve are going to be driving me down in order to make sure I have all of my home comforts and stuff that I'm going to need without having to pay to ship it over. We're going to spend the week visiting a couple of cities along the way in order to spend some quality time as a family and celebrate Mum's and my birthdays.

• LEARN FROM OTHERS- I've been in contact with both my responsable and the previous assistant who have helped me massively with what to expect and what to prepare for lessons. Most importantly, they've been the best people to give honest advice about phone and internet tariffs, bank accounts, accommodation and things to do in and around where I'm going to be living as well as getting around. My responsable has recommended some university style accommodation pretty much right next to the school, which whilst it’s not the cheapest option, it is ideal for work and saves me having to trawl through websites and look for something that I can’t physically view until I get out to France. With the uni accommodation, I kind of know what to expect and all my bills are included so I don’t have to worry about too much. Of course, if when I get out there and I don’t like the uni digs, I can always look for something else with a friend or find something closer to the centre of town. This is unlikely though, I like the idea of being so close to work!

I think I’m most nervous about my French skills not being good enough. This is completely irrational as I’ve spent a month on my own in France before and had no problems communicating and complaining! I think I’ll be fine at work talking to my colleagues as A) I know they can speak English, and B) I don’t think there’s much I can’t talk about that comes up in normal conversation. I’m most worried about having to set up bank accounts and sort out a phone contract, or anything where my lack of subject specific vocabulary will be evident and prevent me from communicating clearly and state what I want.

I’m not worrying about planning lessons or what to teach/do with the students. Having had experience of doing this –albeit for under 12s doing karate- I’m confident that I can design a lesson suited to their abilities and discipline when necessary. I’m looking forward to being in a real classroom situation as there’s only so much you can get out of a book and lectures on how to teach English. After all, nothing is a better educator that real life experience.

So 34 days to go, 34 days to get stuff together, 34 days to see the nearest and dearest and make them as jealous as possible and then au revoir angleterre and bonjour to pastries, fine wine, good food and smelly cheeses. Life couldn't be any better. =)

Lalalalalalala!!!

Couldn't think of a good post title so I settled for what I'm doing round the living room. LALALALALALALALALALALA! So lucky to have been given a school pretty much in the centre of Grenoble.  Did make deciphering the placement letter a little confusing and has since confused everyone I know:

"I'm moving to Grenoble!"
"I know that but where abouts?"
"Grenoble..."
"I know. Which town?"
"GRENOBLE!"
"Ohhhh."

Did take away a little excitement.

So now I can start planning and organising and generally satisfying the whole OCD bit of my personality. I get to make lists and tick off the things I have done. So far, a lot of things to do, and no ticks. Must get on to that........

I have to be out in Grenoble (EEEEEEEEE!) for 2 days training on the 1st and 2nd of October. Which means, my first Monday teaching will be spent playing English party games and eating jelly and ice cream to celebrate my birthday. (8th October in case you guys wish to send me cards etc.. :p ) It also means that Mum is likely to spend her birthday in France too, which will be pretty cool.

Reality is beginning to sink in. I'm moving to France. I've only been dreaming of this for like 15 years and Mum's had me packed for 10. This is really happening. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

AhhhhhhhhhhYeah!!

Its always fun when an email starts with:
"I am pleased to inform you that you have passed the eligibility and quality assessment stage for applications to France and we will now be proposing your application for a post".

Suppose it's official - I'M MOVING TO FRANCE!!

What freaks me out the most is that I'm moving to France in 4 AND A HALF MONTHS!!! That's like, tomorrow, or it feels like it anyway. I've now finished lectures for the year and I'm convinced that with every day that goes past with me not going to a lecture, the more French words leave my head leaving me with the really random ones that I'll never be able to get into a conversation. :/ Maybe I should start preparing myself a bit more by reading books and watching films and researching bank accounts, phone tariffs, ERASMUS grant deadlines and finding somewhere to live. Maybe after my exams are done, and I know where I'm going to be living.

Far too excited, bouncing around like a child on speed at Christmas in a sweet shop with Santa in Disney. =D

No more Christmas in Quebec.

Its never good when an email starts with "I regret to inform you..."

Oh well. The surprising thing is that I'm not that gutted. I took a chance and at least I can say I tried, but my year abroad will now be spent in France somewhere, hopefully Lyon. I can now stop having nightmares about being snowed in by 8ft of snow. Luckily I don't have to do any more assessments and interviews and my application will just be transferred over to France.

On the plus side it's definitely going to be warmer, my family can come over more often and Ben can avoid the 7 hour flight. oh and ERASMUS GRANTS!!! That and I think everyone knows that I'm French at heart. I know I enjoy the food, the people, the culture, so I know I'm going to enjoy my year abroad. And I get to see friends that I made out there in 2010 again. Clearly, everything happens for a reason. :)

I don't regret applying to Canada and not getting it. Sure, it's disappointing but I'm glad I went through that experience, and would encourage anybody to do the same. The interview experience and assessment themselves were massive life lessons. They highlighted to me that I still have a lot to learn and my French needs improving. I need more confidence when talking in formal situations and I don't think I would get the same benefits if I went to Canada. The more I think about it now, the more I realise I hadn't thought the whole process through and did apply kind of very spontaneously. It's something that I'll consider doing again in the future when I'm more confident and have more experience.

VIVE LA FRANCE!

AND I GET TO GET FAT ON PASTRIES!! <3

Life couldn't be any better.
Happy days. Happy, happy days. :)

What's your name and who would you like to meet from history?

It was one of those moments when you go "Eugh! Why did my parents even give me a name I can't remember?!", and then trying to think of someone really impressive and intelligent from history. Not gonna lie, I blanked at my own name, I had no chance of thinking of someone uber cool from history. In the end, I settled on Kings and Queens like Henry VIII as I wanted to know if he was as fat as everyone makes him out to be now. Smooth one Lots.

In a group of 4, we then had 30 mins to prepare a 30 minute lesson plan. Not as easy as it sounds. Even harder when you're competing with 3 others in their final year, one of whom lives in Paris, another has Canadian parents and all three have previous teaching experience from their year abroad. Little fish, big pond much? Anyway, I pretty much settled with what they wanted to do as otherwise, we were never going to have a lesson plan. It was alright. Its never fun when the group preceding you has exactly the same lesson plan, and presents it much better than you. Crap.

Come my individual interview, I was shaking like a leaf and had convinced myself I actually knew NO FRENCH whatsoever. I think they understood me. Either that or they were nodding just to humour the crazy lady that had somehow managed to find her way to the British Council Head Office.

I've made my choice of where I want to go if I'm successful! Beaupré s'il vous plait! Its not far from Québec city and looks pretty online. And it has lots of hospitals and medical centres near by so my Mum will be happy. Not that I intend on visiting, but just in case I do something silly like, I don't know, go skiing and fall over, or wrestle with a bear for some salmon........

In 2 weeks time, I'll know if my application has been successful, and then its onto applying for a work permit, which could take up to 15 weeks to complete.

Fingers crossed.

<3

First post!!!

I've decided that, since I'm going to be exploring a whole new country, that it'd be nice for my friends and family to follow me too. I'm in the middle of the application process now and tonight, I'm going to be looking through a list of places I can potentially live in for a year from September. A week today I'm going to be in London having my interview and assessment day, and to tell the truth, I'm a little bit nervous. I think I've prepared myself pretty well so fingers crossed!!

I don't know what made me decide that Canada would be the ideal place for me to live. After all, I hate the cold and I hate snow. But I'm hoping with the way the country prepares itself and the HUGE amount of warm clothes I'm going to be taking with me, I should be fine. To be honest, this is a once in a life time opportunity, and I'm the first student from MMU to go to Canada as a language assistant!

So jump in, keep your arms and legs inside the carriage at all times, because I ain't gonna go slow!!

<3