This was mostly a quiet week. As a result, I was able to enjoy the start of the autumnal changes on the trees. There has been a thick rolling fog that visits between dark-thirty and through the morning until mid-afternoon, then the sun comes into view for warm weather until dusk. I have to say, I really enjoy the fog and warmer weather while the autumn leaves begin their change. It certainly feels like the fall semester is in full swing.
Over the last week, most of the students were away on expeditions (field trips & camping to different areas of the UK), and my roomie was away for it with half the staff members. I found that I had a lot of time to visit a few other classes & plan my upcoming lessons. One of them is the perfect job for me: Heroes, Heroines & Villians themed Altered Books. A second lesson is about color theory and textiles. The third lesson is a classic watercolor seascape. Each one of these are for different classes & ages of students. While I've been recording my lesson demonstrations and examples, I am going to wait to post pics of it later on, when I am a little less tired & less distracted.
Friday night was the first time out to a local pub and my first Guiness in the UK, with co-workers from the school. It turned out to be quite the night of great conversations, hilarious stories, and walks through cobbled streets. At 8:00pm, we met at the Kings Arms on West Street in Dorking, then all 18 of us walked over to a Curry House restaurant, (where I did not eat anything to save my stomach from revolting later in the evening - I know, so sad I can't have East Indian food).
After, we headed over to the pub called the Cricketer, where they were hosting a Beer Fest out back. I was able to have a few tastes of two different ales, (one tasted like a Belgum - citris flavor, and the other was like a red), but I stuck to my favorite, an IPA, & later had a shot of Glennlivit to end my night. It was such a great time to share with new friends and get a comepletely different feel for a small town. While I enjoyed it, I will probably not be doing this very often, but hopefully there will be another night before the end of my 3 months stay.
After, we headed over to the pub called the Cricketer, where they were hosting a Beer Fest out back. I was able to have a few tastes of two different ales, (one tasted like a Belgum - citris flavor, and the other was like a red), but I stuck to my favorite, an IPA, & later had a shot of Glennlivit to end my night. It was such a great time to share with new friends and get a comepletely different feel for a small town. While I enjoyed it, I will probably not be doing this very often, but hopefully there will be another night before the end of my 3 months stay.
Saturday turned into a beautiful sunny day, and I decided to go for a stroll through downtown & the antiques row for a bit of window shopping. I was able to find a few more necessary books for the Altered Books lessons at a second hand shop for a good deal. Everyone who was shopping, seemed to be in a pleasant mood... or I was just high on life and only saw people with smiles, like in a happy musical. I was lucky to have found a fabulous leather purse for myself. I just know that I'll use it while traveling and back home.
At lunchtime, I met Annie at the one Mexican restaurant in town... it was medium quality and only half-way-mexican-american-like food. But, it was filling and a fair price. Their tortilla chips were like Doritos. I may only go back there for an emergency quesadilla. When I just can't help myself. LOL
Sunday was a day of being lazy and going out for more sun-kissed walks all over town and in parks. I found myself exploring more of the town. Even if I am still a guest here, I'm definitely beginning to feel more comfortable in my travels. After, I met with Annie to go for lunch at a little cafe. A great place for lattes and sandwiches.
At lunchtime, I met Annie at the one Mexican restaurant in town... it was medium quality and only half-way-mexican-american-like food. But, it was filling and a fair price. Their tortilla chips were like Doritos. I may only go back there for an emergency quesadilla. When I just can't help myself. LOL
Sunday was a day of being lazy and going out for more sun-kissed walks all over town and in parks. I found myself exploring more of the town. Even if I am still a guest here, I'm definitely beginning to feel more comfortable in my travels. After, I met with Annie to go for lunch at a little cafe. A great place for lattes and sandwiches.
While talking, we decided it was too late in the afternoon to go on an hour train ride to London this time. So, instead we made travel plans for the next 2 weekends: the upcoming one, we will be going back to London to visit the TATE Museum, and a few other hot spots. I'd like to see Big Ben and Westminster Abby. The following weekend, we want to go on an all day tour from London to Stonehenge, Bath, and Windsor.
Oh yeah, the best part of my day... I got to book and plan my own trip to Paris for 2 nights later in October, during our 2 week mid-term break! This is the first time I've ever been able to book a trip for just myself to go to another country. (Aside from coming to the UK) I'll be staying in an all female dorm room in a hostel, and it's near The Louvre! It gets better.... wait for it.... since I'm an art teacher here, I will be able to get in for free! I'm so excited that I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep.
And with that... I will say good night.
Oh yeah, the best part of my day... I got to book and plan my own trip to Paris for 2 nights later in October, during our 2 week mid-term break! This is the first time I've ever been able to book a trip for just myself to go to another country. (Aside from coming to the UK) I'll be staying in an all female dorm room in a hostel, and it's near The Louvre! It gets better.... wait for it.... since I'm an art teacher here, I will be able to get in for free! I'm so excited that I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep.
And with that... I will say good night.
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