Weekend Fun!

I have almost been in Lincoln an entire week...so hard to believe! It has already been a neat experience and I know there is so much more to come.

This weekend began the sightseeing and what fun it was, especially today! Starting with yesterday, we went to the town of Newark and enjoyed an outdoor market which they had. While there we had lunch at an old English teahouse, which Margaret said there are very few left. We then drove to the town of Southwell and went to a place called The Workhouse. This is the best surviving workhouse in the world and was quite interesting. It really is what they consider the beginning of the UK welfare system. Poor people would come to the house to stay. While there they would have to work in the yards, gardens, kitchens, etc, meanwhile being split from their families, as everyone was separated men, women, children, and the infirm. The entire house was run by a master who continuously watched all movement. The bedrooms consisted of many beds which two or maybe three people laid on. The entire place reminded me alot of a jail.

Today we went to the village of Robin Hood and entered Sherwood Forest. This was located in the torn of Edwinstowe. We saw a short film on the Robin Hood story, then toured a couple exhibits and finally ended at the Major Oak. This tree was incredible. A gigantic, hollowed out, oak tree which is said to have been the spot where Robin Hood and his Merry Men hid out in the forest. Whether fact or fiction, this tree and the stories which it could tell, was quite fascinating.

Tonight we went for a good ol' American meal at a place called Damons. I had a nice big cheeseburger and fries while Margaret and Jaime had ribs. It was quite tasty. I am at home now, watching NFL games on my computer :-) and getting ready for my second week of work.

More later! Cheers!

Week One Is Over

Well, my first week of work is officially over and it really was not to bad. The first couple days were filled with project after project to complete, and although they thought that it would take me alot of time, I finished and was left with not so exciting jobs on Thursday and Friday, which involved organizing cabinents, drawers, taking inventory, etc. Next week things should get better as I am going to get more work from different areas of the company.

Yesterday after work I went with about 5 of the girls from work to a local pub. It really was alot of fun and made me realize how caring all of them are. We then continued back to the house, as Margaret and Jaime were hosting a party for me. All of the girls from work, the female spouses of the men from work, neighborhood women, and some of Jaime's friends all came for a girly evening. There was plenty of delicious food as well as items that a local shop brought to set up and sell. It was very neat but by eleven o'clock I was tired as can be knowing morning came early.

I was standing by the bus stop this morning waiting, and a lady from work saw me, pulled up and said hop in. She is going to give me a ride every morning...so no more morning bus!!

One final note...trips are beginning. This weekend we are going to the real Sherwood forest to see the famous forest and tree, and then I just booked a trip to go Horseback Riding and Sightseeing in Wales at the end of October. Yipee!

First Day of Work

I have made it to Lincoln safe and sound and my adventures have already begun.

It was a long flight over. Couldn't really sleep so I watched four different movies, at least I had those! Pretty smooth for the most part so that was very nice.

The craziness began as soon as I arrived. I had to get 2 huge suitcases, one smaller one, and a hiking backpack onto the Underground, from the Underground to the train station and from the train station to Margaret's car. It was quite an adventure and I was probably very entertaining to watch. Once Margaret picked me up, we came back to the house and I unpacked everything and put together my little loft. It is quite nice, however I miss my home, just not the same. Although I wanted to go to bed, right after I got through unpacking, Margaret took me to the store in order to stock my fridge and get other items that I needed. This was pretty easy as the stores here hold mostly the same things. We got home, had some type of meat dish with mashed potatoes for dinner, and then I hit the bed...at 8:30!!! I was beyond exhausted.

My first day of work at Castlet was today (outfit above). It was pretty easy to wake up as I had had so much sleep. I went in to work with Margaret and we went over some intro paperwork before she handed me over to Lorien, the lady who would "show me the ropes." I then got a tour of all three buildings, met everyone who I would be working with/for, and started to learn everything I would be doing. I honestly did not stop going until 5:05 today after starting at 9:30. I did everything from weighing mail and putting the correct postage on it (quite a bit goes out each day to all over the world), copying hundreds of pages, hosting visitors to the office before their meetings began, and filing away all of the drawings, guides, etc (which takes forever as there are many steps to the process). I also learned how to answer the phones....which is by far the hardest job...yes, I said hardest. We get callers from all over the world, with all different accents, who all speak extremely fast...and when I am trying to find out their reason for calling and information it gets quite tough to say "excuse me" twenty times, since ALL calls go through me and no solicitors (there were at least ten today) can get through.

All in all it was a successful day. I will be doing these types of things for 2 months and then will be moved to another area. Although it was the first day, I can tell I will learn alot and it will be a good experience...but after day one I already don't like being trapped inside for 8 hours, especially when it was 70 and sunny outside.

Another experience to come tommorrow...the first bus ride to work. I am off for a run through Lincoln. More to come later. Missing everyone like crazy!

One Week to Go...

Well I had many people asking me, and partially telling me to begin a blog while I was gone...so here it is. Throughout my time living overseas I will update this blog with what's happening at my job, my travels while being over there, and any other exciting news that I think you might find interesting.

It is officially one week from today that I will be leaving for Lincoln, England. This week I will be busy packing my things and saying goodbye to all my friends and family.

I am both excited and nervous. That's all for now!