Good-bye!

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