Dartford Update

So you're dying to know just what is going on. I'm pleased to inform you all.

I moved to England with the thought that the cheapest and easiest way to see Europe was to live and work here. I was right. Flights out of here to Italy are almost illegally cheap and the train to Paris takes two hours. I'm smitten.

A few issues: I was told Dartford was, "on the tube." It's not. So that means I'm stuck out here, about a ten pound train ride into London ahead of me when I want to go in. Thank GOD I didn't opt to live in the city and commute. Dogded a bullet there ;)

Secondly, as a result of it not being on the main subway line, it's a small town. Like Caledonia small. Everything closes down by about 5 or 6 pm even on Saturdays, so I have to be an early riser to really get anything done.

The great news is that I happen to like small towns, and favour them for living over the hustle and bustle of cities. Aside from the calm of Toronto, most cities I've known (Seoul, Bangkok, London) are just NUTS and make living a calm, healthy life quite hard. So I'm glad I'm here. It also forces me to get into the city to Live The Life in there. I've been introduced to a handful of people who are all willing to show me around (the nightlife, not the corny tourist things I could do myself), so I'm sure it'll be a great year.

I also came here with the STRICT intention of living alone. After Korea, imagining living with anyone else was just crazy. But then the deadline to leave Canada loomed near and I panicked. When Ryan and Ang sent out an email inviting a teacher to possibly live with them, I jumped at the chance. The Mother Hen questioned whether, "this was wise" mere moments before I boarded my plane and I nearly tore her head off (through the phone). No! It was NOT wise but what choice did I have? I was scared, expecting lonliness, and couldn't even believe it was summer's end and I was homeless. Scary proposition, non?

As it turns out, they are lovely. And isn't it strange that I lived with Tammy and Ken, Jamie and Mike, Alicia and Dave, and now yet ANOTHER couple? I certainly do.

But I think of this...the electric, gas, cable and phone bills are all divided by three. Yippee. The rent is DIRT cheap and that leaves me with more money to a) travel with, b) save, or c) contribute to my retirement. And you know how that thrills me ;) I'm serious though. Where I budgeted for about $1000 a month for rent, I'll pay half of that for rent and ALL the bills. Pretty sweet for living in the UK, right? Right.

And they are LOVELY. They are kind and considerate, clean and careful. They are not noisy, leave everything tidy, and so I think we'll get on quite well. Aside from that, they're FUN and they're a new couple, living together for the first time. It's an adventure for everyone, in all sincerity. I was scared about sharing space, but with the amount of personal space I have, we'll be JUST fine.

We spent some time looking around for furniture, and have put quite a few things in the house. It's getting there...to the homey stage ;) ...and I'll take more pictures when there are updates to show.

I have a LOT of holidays. I'll post them now so you can come for a visit in Europe with me...

October 23-31 (Friday to Sunday)

December 20-January 3

February 19-25

April 9-25

May 2

May 30-Jun 5

School is done on July 22 (yikes...I didn't know we went that late!).

I do have a classroom, but I haven't started teaching yet. Kids come on Monday and I'm just super excited to actually TEACH them. It should be a hoot. I have one classroom where I stay all year and, much like my father, I like it because of the temperature control. Unlike him though, my room is hot hot hot which I love love love. I've been told the kids hate it though: that should be fun.

I'm thinking biking or hiking tour of Tuscany in October. Anyone want to join???