100 Days Left...really?

Yes you did read that right...I just can't believe it.

Know I now you all are probably tired of me saying stuff about time, how it's to fast and that it's speeding by for me. Well I'm going to mention it more and more because that's how I feel right now.

This time last year I was just finishing school and getting ready for summer vacation. I was slowly getting my visa and other documentation done as well I just can't believe that all this all happened a year ago!

Time is going by to fast for all of us. My friend's son just turned four years old the other day, come this Fall he will be in Kindergarten! My little sister is graduating from Grade Eight in less than a month and will be going to high school the day I make my way home. My brother has just bought his first car and is completing an awesome co-op to do with his college program and my older sister is completing a summer job working in a law firm and then going into her third year of law school.

SAY WHAT!?!?

I know right?

So lets talk about something else today, other than time.

I agree with this quote 100%. If you knew me when I was a teenager and I told you I was going across the ocean to work for a year you would have said, "Yeah right, and pigs can fly!" And I would have laughed because it would have been a joke all along. Yes it is true that for the majority of my life I could not imagine leaving my little country town and thought all I needed was within a 50km distance.

But the funny thing with that is the changes I had in my life. Leaving high school, and still unsure of everything, I went to College - for the first time but not the only. Leaving home really made me think hard about my life and the choices I had made and where I was going. With this fact, and other events in my life, I chose a different path - and look where it got me! The idea of leaving home didn't scare me as much, to begin with. When I first applied to the agency - Scotia Personnel Ltd. - I really applied to see if they would hire me, which they did, and didn't think twice about it. I love working with kids and I've always wanted to go to England so I thought why not do both, and this thought didn't even scare me.

I was matched up with families and interviewed with some as well, which still didn't scare me - I was nervous but not scared. It wasn't until I actually sat down with my mom and dad and asked them what they thought of this whole process that I got scared. Why you ask? Why after all this time? It was because of what they said.

No they personally didn't scare me, it was in what they said. They both told me how brave I was for doing this, how courageous I had become in the last three years and that they were both happy and excited for me and my new adventure.

Now why did this scare me? Because they were the first ones who said this to me. How does being brave have anything to do with this I thought. And then that's what scared me... the fact that I hadn't given two senses thought about this. The fact that I applied for this job overseas and it didn't faze me, that scared me. The fact that when people called me brave for doing this and it didn't faze me, that scared me.

What was I actually getting myself into? What if the family was horrible to me? What if I had the worst experience possible and had no money to get home? All these thoughts went through my head for four months before I left. But you know what I realized after it all? The fact that no matter what happened, good or bad, it was an experience altogether and that I would be going to England!

When I left my family at the airport I was scared - traveling by myself, not seeing them for a year (or more), not being at home for certain events - all these things scared me. But then I thought of where I was going, what I would be doing, what I would be seeing and the excitement came back.

So if you ever come across anything that may scare you and excite you at the same time, take it. You never know when you will get the chance again.

England Baby!

As of this date, May 17th 2014, I have been in England for NINE MONTHS! Nine months people! Do you know the things you can do in nine months??

A woman can carry a baby full term and give birth by this time!
You can grow 4.5 inches of hair in nine months!
You can watch The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (the Extended Editions) 532 times in nine months!
You can also read the Harry Potter series 168 times (on average of 1.5 weeks per read through of the series).

You know just some random facts for you. But what have I done?

Well...

I've started working as an au pair.
I've gone to London, England.
I've seen the London Eye and The Queen's Tower (Big Ben).
I've met three celebrities, two of them from Harry Potter.
I've seen eight musicals/plays.
I've been to Oxford University.
I've been to the Roman Baths.
I've been to Stonehenge.
I've been to Paris.
I've climbed to the second level of the Eiffel Tower.
I've been to the third level of the Eiffel Tower.
I've been to Disneyland Paris.
I've met Mickey Mouse.
I've been to the sea.
I've met so many new and interesting people.
I've drank at a traditional English Pun while watching a hockey game.
I've seen many historical sites involving England's history and royalty.
I've seen my all time favourite band live in an amazing concert.


AND I still have no much more to do!

This is still so crazy!

My friend Lindsay asked me the other day "Do you still get days where you cannot believe that you're in England?" and I do! I wake up and will think "Oh yeah just another day" but then it hits me, I am in London, England. I have been dreaming about this since I was a teenager and it still blows my mind that I am here!

I have gotten so much out of this whole experience it's insane the amount of opportunities I have been given since getting here. I am very lucky to have such a warming and kind host family to now call my England family and that they live in such an awesome town to have this adventure in.

Well everyone, only 107 days until I am home now....Canada you are just around the corner!

'Cause it's nine in the afternoon

Well it could be, somewhere anyways. Maybe not on Earth but maybe somewhere like Mars? They would be the ones to have that sort time wouldn't they?

Anyways, that leads into my Friday evening. I went to the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre to see Panic! At The Disco, my all time favourite band, and two opening bands - MT and King Charles. Those two bands each did a thirty-minute show with about fifteen minutes inbetween to set up for the next band.

So I left my place at about 5:30pm and got to the Apollo Theatre at around 6:30pm, the doors didn't open until 7pm so I had plenty of time- and I had a seated seat so I didn't have to worry about being there early in order to get a good spot to stand. Man oh man was is busy though! When I got there I had to ask one of the security guards where the line ended so that I didn't cut in front of anyone....he pointed at least a kilometre down the road!!!

I stood in line for about ten minutes and then it took thirty minutes to actually get into the Theatre with walking and stopping in between. Once I got in I figured I should go to the merchandise stand before the show ended and then would have to wait like an hour to get something (and they may not even have my size by then). I got the official Tour T-Shirt >>

Found my seat finally and sat down to enjoy the concert. The first two bands I could sit for the entire thing but as soon as P!ATD came out everyone was on their feet and it was amazing! I knew all of the songs they played and sang to each one of them (except for two that I didn't know all of the lyrics too).

They put on an amazing concert and I am so happy that I finally got to see them live.

So there is two more things off of my "Bucket List", go to a concert while in England and see my favourite band/singer live. Now I just have to see Michael Buble live and I've crossed that one off completely.

Next weekend I am hanging out with my new Canadian friend Lindsay, she's coming to Uxbridge so I can show her around and we can hang out more.

And in the last week of May I will be going to see Wicked! So excited for that!

TTFN everyone :)

Somewhere beyond the sea...

Weather conflict yet again, oh weather - why do you lie to me?

When planning this weekend I kept the weather in mind and with it saying there was 90% chance of rain on Saturday I decided to postpone my trip to Stratford-upon-Avon....it rained a bit in the morning and then for maybe four minutes in the afternoon and that was it! It was a tad cool so I think I'll wait until Summer weather arrives to enjoy Stratford.

Any who! I decided to go to the London Aquarium instead, and man was that place cool!

There was 5 levels of all different types of fish, sea life, turtles, frogs and penguins(my favourite)!
I spent a good two hours in there, it wasn't packed (thank goodness) so it was a very lovely time well spent.

At each place they had information about the creature and little facts that you may not have known. Like did you know that you are more likely to be attacked by a dog, vending machine or win the lottery than get attacked by a shark?

Did you also know that sharks have been around since before the dinosaurs?!?!

That place was crawling with sharks! There were about four different types I believe, sorry that I do not remember the names of them all, and in the shark tank they had sting rays and little fish too. They had this big area near the end of the aquarium with a big plated glass window and a ledge in front of it. I spent a good half-hour just sitting there and watching the Sharks swim by, it was very peaceful and relaxing.




After the aquarium I took a walk up to Piccadilly Circus and this is the first time I have ever seen it not as busy as it usually is, and this was in the afternoon as well. After the little rain shower I decided to take the tube to Regent Park and check it out. I hadn't been there yet and really wanted to see what all the fuss was about....the fuss was these amazing and beautiful gardens that were shattered all over the park. The London Zoo is also in Regent Park as well as the Open Air Theatre - both I plan on visiting before I leave.


It was a Saturday well spent.

As you can see I've added some countdowns to my blog, mostly to remind me on what's going on but to also let you know as well. Hope all are well and will see you in about four months Canada :)

Let's do some Math!

Shall we?

As of today, April 17th 2014, I have been in England as an Au Pair for exactly 8 months! That's about 243 days!
Now in 3 months and 14 days I go on my awesome tour across Eastern Europe.
In 3 months and 26 days my sister, Caitlin, will be coming to visit me for 8 days.
In 4 months exactly I will be making my way to Highclere Castle for my Downton Abbey trip
AND in 4 months and 15 days I will be on my way to Gatwick Airport to make my way back to Canada.

Now what does all of this equal up to?

Come on math genius I know you got this!

And the answer is .... one very lucky Canadian girl getting to cross many upon many items off of her bucket list :)

See, math can be fun sometimes.

Now as a short list I'll tell you what I have crossed off my list since being in England:

1) Go to England
2) Go to Paris
3) See Big Ben (The Queen's Tower but everyone knows it as Big Ben)
4) See a musical/play (I have way over done this one)
5) Take a bus (many times)
6) Take the tube (many times!)
7) Take a train
8) Go to Platform 9 & 3/4
9) Go to Stonehenge
10) Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower

There are lots more but as I said I'd keep it short for you.

These past two weeks the girls have been on their April Half-Term/Easter Break. It involved lots of park visits, a trip to Westfield Mall - just outside of London, LOTS of swimming and last Friday we had a movie afternoon with some treats and popcorn. Obviously it was different having the girls home from school but they do enjoy the break...for about three or four days and then they get bored and when they get bored fights happen - like with any trio of siblings of course.

Jane, Chris and I are for sure happy that school starts again soon and that they will be back to their regular activities but we also enjoyed the time with the girls. Jane and I took the girls shopping this past Wednesday for new spring/summer clothes and if you know me well enough you know that I love to shop/window shop so it was fun picking out different items for the girls to try on.

Now that Easter Weekend is tomorrow the family is going away for the weekend to visit family and have Easter dinner and such. While I get to finish up my laundry, go out for a friends Birthday dinner and talk to friends from back home as well (finally!).

Next weekend I am planning on going to Stratford-Upon-Avon for Shakespeare's birthday celebrations! I have planned to spend the whole day there so the weather better be good next weekend.

After that my Panic! At The Disco is shortly after and soon we are almost at the middle of May! Time is a funny thing isn't it?

Another half-term?!?!

Yes as the title gives away the girls are on yet another half-term from school, this one is until after Easter Monday so they get a nice two week break off of school.

I hope to post at the end of this coming week to tell about all the activities we will be getting ourselves up to but for now I guess it's more updates about myself.

This past week I have gone to the Cinema more times than I usually do in one month! I saw "Muppets Most Wanted" last Wednesday - hilarious movie! The soundtrack is amazing and the little cameos are awesome! - "Divergent" on Friday night - won't say anything about that right now as my little Sister is currently reading the book and doesn't want me to spoil it for her, so I'll be nice this time - and today I saw "Captain America: The Winter Solider" - so awesome! I love the Marvel franchise and Captain America is one of my favourites so this did not disappoint!

Also this past week I experienced something else new, one of my Au Pair friends named Lina has gone back home :( She lives in Germany, in a small town much smaller than Forest - she showed me pictures the one time and it looks so beautiful there. If I do get time, and the money I hope to visit her but she is hoping to visit me before I leave England so I have that to look forward too.

My Canadian friend Erin is going back Easter Weekend and then she's hoping to be back in England in September or so, which is when I'll be back home anyways so I may see her before she leaves Canada in the Fall.

I cannot believe it is April now! I know you all must be getting sick of me saying that but it's true! As of April 2nd I have five months left in England and on the 17th of April I will be here for eight months. Time is just going by way to fast!

Um...so if I don't mention this now I may get into trouble. I do have someone coming to visit me before I leave - and she chooses right before I leave to do so (only joking).

My older sister, Caitlin, will be visiting me in August!! From August 12th-21st she will be her and I will be her official tour guide to London :) We are starting to plan our days together and have ideas in motion but until she is done her exams we're not going to set anything in stone - so that she can enjoy the planning instead of getting stressed about it.

Hope all is well back in Canada and that Spring has finally arrived for you all :)

Matilda, Mormon and St. Paul's...oh my!

What can I say, this past weekend was pretty great. I got to hang out with my friend Erin before she goes back to Canada for the summer for work and my luck even rubbed off on her.

On Friday I met Erin in London so that we could go and see "Matilda the Musical", and for £25 for our tickets we got some pretty decent seats. To bad that we had two tall people in front of us, had to lean a couple of times but other than that we had a really good view of the stage.

The musical was AMAZING! It was based off of the book rather than the 90's movie, which I'm quite happy about because, of course, the book is always better. I have to say the children that play Matilda and the other student characters have a lot of courage! I would not have been able to do that at age 8 or 9. It was crazy how talented they were!


The soundtrack is very catchy as well, I have a jumble of it stuck in my head at the moment. If it ever comes to Toronto, or if it is still in New York it should be on everyones to do list! Here's a clip of it from the Tony's last year:

On Saturday I showed Erin around Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. We went to M&M World, and of course bought M&M's, and walked around Leicester Square for a bit. They had a "Divergent" Fan Event in the Square where you could take a test to see which Fraction you belonged in and then could do activities afterwards. It was really packed so I didn't do any of the events.

When we first go to the Square we went over to The Prince of Wales Theatre to enter in for "The Book of Mormon" lottery draw. Well the time came for the tickets to be called AND Erin won two of them!! Needless to say it was so much funnier the second time around, and yes I am bragging a bit here but winning cheap tickets is something to brag about :)

Zeus and I

Finally on Sunday we went to the British Museum in the morning. It was quite packed so we couldn't enjoy the museum like we would have liked to but at least the museums here are free so that I can go back and see the things I didn't get to. 

The weather was beautiful this weekend so after the museum we went down to St. Paul's for a walk along the Thames. It was a nice walk and I got to show Erin more on London along the way.

We went into Primark later in the afternoon and I have to say that is one of my new favourite stores. Very decent clothes for a responsible price, cannot beat that!

Erin had to go back to Swansea after that so we made our way back to the tube station to go our separate ways. It was a great weekend overall! 

The next couple of weekend are pretty basic for me, nothing really big planned anyways. As of April 2nd, 2014 it will be 5 months until I am back in Canada! I cannot believe it came up that fast! The next thing I know I'll be packing up my room and getting ready to go home. It's crazy how long I have been here, it doesn't feel like this long at all!

British Museum