First Daze of School

It's been a fast few days.  I hit the ground running as the school introduced me to their administrative softwares, and I did my best to try and absorb as much as I could in a jet lagged haze.  Over the weekend I shopped and enjoyed a quiet night in.  On sunday I journeyed out with a friend from Nipissing and we walked out on the pier in Cleethorpes.  All in all the town of Grimsby is a bit sketchy but I like the home I've found and will settle in here for a while.  School today was a bit more enjoyable, I actually had the opportunity to teach.

This is the view of where I am staying from the park across the street.  A river is directly in front of me. My house is the white door, the one in front of the car.

This is a view around the corner from where I am staying.  This was a fishing community and a few years ago the government changed the fishing rules and in doing so the community has succumbed to a terrible depression.

This is the beach at Cleethorpes.  The tide was out and the community was out cleaning up the beach and enjoying the beautiful weather.  It was 23 degrees.

 The gardens are still in bloom.

These Geese may be enjoyable to look at but the neighbour next door feeds them at 6:30am and while their noise is bearable, the poop is disgusting.

A post office box.  I felt silly taking a picture but it is soooo neat.

I have arrived

In Grimsby.
My flight was uneventful.  We were crammed into an airbus for six hours like sardines, or like 33 con-ed students in an elevator mine shaft.  I managed to not get lost at any point which for me you know is a real accomplishment or a testament to the countries transportation planning committees.
My roommate (Ange) took me out for dinner and gave me a quick peek at the town.  It is laid out similar to Berlin.  It must be a European thing.  Narrow streets, cars on either side (parked).  Old buildings with very quaint shops inside, which I can't wait to explore.
Sorry there are no pictures yet I was up for a consecutive 36 hours yesterday and I did not have the opportunities.
I go to school today to meet everyone but I will not be teaching, rather I will be learning.  I believe I am spending the day with the IT department and meeting the vice principal.
Still so tired despite having a good 8 hours last night.

Part B

Yesterday my passport/visa arrived by courier.  One simple page in my passport, I could have forged one much cheaper and easier (LOL).   Later that evening Maureen took me over to the mall and I booked my ticket.  Despite her affliction to shopping she was true to her word, she told me that she would do anything but drive on the highway in order to get me to my destination.  I think shopping would be second on her list of things she most dislikes.  I felt very special.

I leave Toronto on Tuesday evening and arrive Wednesday afternoon.  I am excited but it seems that everyone else is suddenly realizing that I am leaving.  My life seems to be opening up and I have so much to look forward to, regardless of the fear that is associated with these changes.  I hope that this blog allows everyone I care about to share the journey with me.  Now with the internet I am only a Skype call away.  (melanie.fearon48)  Remember there is a five hour time difference.

Part A

So this is what I have worked so hard for in the last 4 weeks.

Not a very exciting presentation I admit but it is worth it's weight in anti depressants,  ulcer and heart medications.  I hope that tomorrow the passport/visa will be delivered via courier.  If not then maybe Monday.  Once I have them in my hand I will book my flight.
The woman with whom I will be living with (Ange), has generously offered to pick me up at the train station.  She even said that if I arrive before 4 she would ask the principal to "slope" off early.  Not sure what the exact translation is but I am assuming it is similar to "skip" or "bag".
What a relief to a day of heightened stress.

Taking Bets

Today Kevin took me to Toronto to file my second attempt at acquiring a UKvisa.  We drove for four hours on a congested highway in a car with no air-conditioning on the hottest day of the year.  This better be worth it!
I know that as soon as I give up on the appeal and submit a second visa application that the appeal will probably go through.  But this I am certain...  I should have my visa in hand within a week, I think, I hope, I pray.  Let's face it it is a government agency nothing is for sure.
By the way, I am looking for diversions this week or I will drive myself silly.  And that won't be easy because I no longer have a car, I can't drive anywhere.  You can give me something to do or pick me up and take me somewhere.  I have a bike, we could go for a ride if it cools down.

A place to land

So, if nothing else positive happens today I am satisfied.  I was in contact with a teacher from Grimsby who has a room for rent.  It may not be permanent but I have one less thing to worry about when I get there.

                                         Arial view

                                          View across the street

                                          One of these is 46 Haven Avenue Grimsby UK

Persistance

My Uncle Ernest is to say the least... persistent.  He made a call to the appeals office this morning to see what is going on.  He was getting one story regarding the visa while I was getting another.  He called me early this morning and told me to call the office again.  I managed to sort out the issue and I finally had a bit of good news.  My case is now before the judge and I may have an answer in a few days.  This means that I could possibly get a refund on the second payment for the UK Visa.
Last night Kevin and a couple of his friends took me to Niagara Falls on a photo field trip.  I realized that this sort of diversion is what I needed.  It even had a lasting effect, I managed the stress of calling the appeals office this morning with ease.
Thanking God this morning for friends and Uncles.

This is three images of the falls stitched together and the fireworks added to the scene.  As the fireworks were going off I just kept hitting the shutter release hoping to catch them.  We actually walked out on the bridge to capture these images.

Not a great picture of me but I see it as a badge of honour.  We walked in the rain for hours and got some spectacular pictures.  And most importantly, I put the stresses of the week aside and enjoyed time with my friends.