Sitting here it still feels surreal. I could look on a map and think; I am there,
as I point to the small overpopulated Island of Jolly old England, but it still
feels all very weird and wonderful.
I can picture myself walking along the cobble stone streets
on this continent but it doesn’t feel real.
I take for granted right now the double decker buses lined up outside in
front of the historical central station.
I take in the Geordie ‘Aye’s ‘around me and smile to myself. Smile so much that I almost shed a tear.
This is where it all started. It was here on, Westgate Street, that Ryan
and I tried crossing the street for the first time and almost got clobbered by
the reverse traffic. I can laugh now
that we piled into a cab with our entire life in luggage to find out that our
hotel was across the street from central station.
I remember how excited we were to walk around the streets, looking
up in awe with the beauty and history among us.
I remember the Great North Run which made our reasonable
hotel fee of £70 a night sky rocket to £200 a night. No place to go no place to live but this
hotel. Even though it is a Holiday Inn,
we could quickly witness all the differences there are between countries. To put it lightly our Holiday Inn was not
what us Canadians are used to. Our
sheets were never changed, and our rooms were miniature and our toilets and
shower dials made no sense. Not to
mention the strange food they served at breakfast.
I would rather forget Michael from Absolute, but he will
forever be a huge lesson learned while living here. Letting agents are scum bags, and dirty
creatures and I am with great excitement ready to leave them behind here in
England and move to a country where you deal with landlords.
Council taxes, Entertainment tax and costly energy bills you
will not be missed. I will always
remember my emotional journey opening bills here in England. I used to receive bills in the post and feel
hot and want to faint and cry when opening them. Since then I have learned how to laugh and giggle
when I open the post.
I am no longer foreign as to what to say to those who ask, ‘you
a’rite?’ I know that a simple ‘Aye’ is sufficed.
I am used to seeing orange people walk by. I am not as frightened to face a Geordie girl
on the metro. I have learned to just let
people cut in line in front of me. I
have also come to terms with the lack of customer service.
I have decided to also accept being called ‘pet’ by older
men. I have learned that this is not
derogatory and I no need to be scared.
I know the difference between drizzle, showers, rain, precipitation,
and downpour.
I will not miss the mould, the dampness, and the cold in our
flat. Having our flat colder than the
metros will be a memory in the past.
I will miss the lovely people I have met. They have truly blessed me with their sincere
love and I want to pack them into my luggage and bring them back with me. I am starting to realize life without them
and sadness is settling in.
I know I have talked about Anne before, but she is one of
the loveliest people I have ever met. We
are so alike and understand each other.
It feels like I have known her for more than a year. She is the best flatmate you could ask for
and she needs to hurry up and move to CANADA!!
Marie, my sweet deputy head that I have worked with, you are
the sweetest and the most loving teacher.
I strive to be like you. She
never hesitated when I confined in her, with the emotional roller-coaster of
teaching.
Daniel, even though we have our debates and we are usually
intoxicated, I respect your opinions even though most of the time I am
right! I will miss these crazy nights of
us bantering about politics, the English language, and Education.
Nat at Starbucks! It
takes a special person to always be on and friendly. Also, I love that you have forever remembered
Nicci and I. We will both miss you dearly. Your Bristol accent will forever echo in my
mind and melt my heart.
Richard, the most amazing banker at Lloyds! We will forever love you and remember
you! I love how much you resemble the
actual Lloyds character. He was the
first nice person to us here in Newcastle!
Jesmond Dene. You are
so beautiful and lovely, but you cause my house to be so damp and cold. I believe it is a bitter sweet relationship
that I have with you. I will cherish the
runs I enjoyed in you, and the ones I did not enjoy.
And finally, to my readers!
I love you all so much. I have
become extremely passionate about this blog and will miss it dearly. It has at times been a great release of
energy and I hope you have enjoyed the journey.
Until next time Newcastle,
Your talented amazing Lovely Primary Supply Teacher,
Ms. Cleanstream
