A home...

As humans, we all have basic needs- food, water and shelter. What you and I define as a 'home' can be similar or completely different to what a home is to another person in another country. I've been to countries where home is a one bedroom shack and yet I've been to countries where home is a large building with mutiple rooms and is beautifully decorated. Regardless of what it is, home should be a place where you feel most comfortable and at ease.

I've been in London for nearly three months now (which by the way has gone really quickly) and this place is beginning to feel more and more like home everyday. While there are about ten other housemates, they understand the importance of space and are very social. It is great to sit back, watch T.V and chat about whatever comes to mind. This is important as London can be a very lonely place. I must admit, there is nothing better than coming home after a long day at work and dumping my school bag into my room. Another sign that London is becoming more of a home everyday is the fact that I can sit on the tube, think about my day and just automatically hop on and off at different tube stations in order to get to my destination. Just today I had to laugh to myself when a bunch of people were looking at their little tube maps to work out where to go. One lady was even sitting on the tube and highlighting her map. Not so long ago I was doing exactly the same thing.

Recently I have just started a block at Laycock Primary School which is half an hour from where I am. I have a Year Three class and it is great to walk in everday and have the children say 'Good Morning' to you and actually mean it. While not all the children are easy (It is London after all), the other teachers I work with are very supportive and social. Last week we went out for drinks at a pub known as 'The Library' which is located just around the corner and this week we are off for drinks on Saturday night. Good times I say.

It is great to feel like I belong.

Attitude

How do you approach life? Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Do you see the glass as half full or half empty? Are you resilient? How do you deal with tough situations?

Yesterday at Covent Garden Markets I came across a verse titled 'Attitude'. While reading it, it made me think about my life so far and how important it is that we make the most of every opportunity and try to see the positive in all that we do. It won't always be easy, but there is hope and once one door closes another opens. Have not regrets, but have memories. Have not fear, but courage. Embrace life, live, love and learn.



I ended up buying this verse which has been beautifully presented by Nicholas Cook who does traditional, but unique calligraphy. He works for the Crown Office as the Queen's Scribe.

I hope you get something out of this verse just as much as I have.

Attitude

By Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past. It is more important than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act a certain way. The only thing we can do is play the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.

The sun has come out to play!

The Sun, the hearth of affection and life, pours burning love on the delighted earth.

(Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) French poet and adventurer)

Isn't it amazing what a big difference the sun makes? It is true what they say. The sun has the ability to lift a person's mood and makes them see things in a different light. The past week in London has been great as the sun has finally come out to play. Hooray! Teachers and children at school seem to be happier ( I love it as I am not so cold on the odd occasion that I am on playground duty) and people here in London do actually know how to smile. I am even now brave enough to venture out and not wear any thermals!

The view from my bedroom. The building you can see is the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.

It was great while I was in Ireland. Travelling south along the coast for five days was an amazing experience and I highly, highly recommend it. I can guarantee that there will be no regrets. Leaving Dublin we went to Killarney, Dingle, Ennis and Galway and crossed from one side of the country to the other in two hours. Needless to say, all the Australians on the tour were amazed that this was done in such a short period of time. To add to this wonderful experience, the Irish are really friendly and are always happy to share a pint or two with you! I plan to go back to Ireland one day (who wouldn't when it is only an hour flight from London?) and do a tour of the Guinness and Jameson Irish Whiskey Factories.

Welcome to Killarney. From here you can see the highest mountain in Ireland.

The town of Ennis. They make excellent Fish and Chips here.

Me striking a pose by the Dingle Peninsula.

We were glad to see a beach again. Legend has it that if you dip you feet in the water the Atlantic Ocean will take a part of your soul.

Another great view from Dingle.

My next 'fix' of the sun will be in Egypt during the Easter school holidays. Fourteen days of sun will be bloody fantastic! Time to pull out those shorts, sunglasses and hat!

Until my next blog,take care.