Acquiring New Information And Getting To Know Liverpool Better!

The week after my observing at a school, gave me more time to get all the 'normal' stuff back on track. Like I said before, I had a number of things to accomplish; work number, bank account, learn more about what was available for school plus the biggest day of all, Friday, May 22nd, the day of my interview to get into the teacher's program at John Moores.

I have been feeling a bit up and down lately. Sometimes, I feel a little bored, but that is to be expected being on my own for a lot of the time at the moment, as I am not working and not around any of my friends or co-workers during the day. I am not complaining, but sometimes it is a little overwhelming the amount of stuff that I have had to absorb plus the stress of thinking about getting into the teacher's program and of course, sadly that death of my Uncle Tony and thinking about the family and what they are all going through. Overall though, I am feeling quite happy about everything and once I know I am into the program, I will feel like the goal will finally be put into action.

I had the interview on the Friday and I must say, it went really well. It was very low-key and I was thrilled when the lady that interviewed me sa

id, "Well, everything looks fine to me, have a good summer and see you in September."

So that goal was accomplished and the plan was now put into action. The only concern now is about the money and how I can get access to loans or whatever else is offered by the university after being accepted into the PGCE program. If I didn't mention it before, included now in the PGCE program is a third of the credits needed towards a Masters Degree. It will be a tough year, for sure, but I feel that I am up to the challenge and am looking forward to the start of the program.

Friday night, I played footy again with Alan at Mather Avenue with the same crowd of fellas. I felt a little fitter and the hamstring didn't act up this time. I still need a few more games to start getting back to normal, but you have to crawl before you walk, right!

I am hooked on Britain's Got Talent and can't stop watching it online. Saturday, May 23rd, was the day to get my internet and phone and TV installed.....wahoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Trip Continues!

My first weekend in my flat was good........getting used to any new place for me usually entails about 2 or 3 good sleeps there, and then it begins to feel like home.

After the weekend, it really started to feel like my home. Got all my appliances set up and sorted out some of the furniture. Still didn't have my suitcase and box that I sent by parcel express......that is a story to be continued a little later on other blogs.....let's just say that it didn't get here on May 8th like it was supposed to and there was no contact on their behalf at all......I wrote my email on the invoices, too!!!!!!

Played football on Friday night again. 3rd week in a row. I was getting a little fitter, but still feeling a little like I was stuck-in-the-mud. Tweaked my hamstring a little and paid the price over the weekend. Tried to rest it as much as I could, but it still felt a little tight and uncomfortable. All said, not bad for a 45 year old who had not played for more than 2 years.

On the Sunday night, I made my way over to my cousin Gill's house and spent the night there talking about Uncle Tony and trying to give Gill and Emma some emotional support. I stayed up talking to Albert, our Gill's husband and we talked about life and everything pertaining to it. We ended up going to bed about 12.30am.

Emma drove me the next morning to my Job Plus Center, to get my work identification number, or as it is called in England, National Insurance Number, (NIN.) Got there about 9am and got looked at right away. Got my paperwork all done and was told that they would send me my temporary number within 2 weeks. It takes 8 to 10 weeks to get the actual card with all my information on it.

The rest of the week was involved with learning bus routes and joining the library and getting to know about what and where things were. It is all new to me although I was born here. Remember I left here when I was 14. It is great, though, as everyone speaks English........lol.

I also joined the gym and got a bank account and got an appointment to get the internet and phone and TV hooked up. Another week to get all that done. Appointment was for Saturday morning between 8am and 1pm.........was dying to get online.........would make me feel like I was back to normal.

The Move And The Adjustment To Life In Liverpool!

Once I moved into the flat, I had to get all the necessities, as I did not bring anything with me from South Korea. I had a lot of stuff here when I moved in, as it came pretty well completely furnished. I had a queen size bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, table and chairs and a two piece matching chair and sofa. The kitchen had a stove and a small fridge as well as some cutlery. Also, I had a brand new computer console with bookshelves that the landlords procured for me. The rest was up to me......kettle, toaster, iron, glasses, plates, etc........

As I said before, most of the organization was done before I even moved, thanks to Jacqui and Alan. How is this for great service: I gave Jacqui two of my travellers cheques, so that she could use the money to buy my stuff with, which she kindly cashed at her travel shop that she works in. I also had made a list of all the stuff that I needed and an estimate of how much each thing cost. There was a list of at least 15 or so things including appliances and dishes and and pillows and on and on. I was still observing at a school, so I didn't get finished until about 4pm everyday. Jacqui, who by the way has only just returned to working a few days a week as she was quite sick the last 7 months or so, finished work and proceeded to get all the things on my list and even found some stuff at better deals than I had hoped for......lol..........

I got back to Jacqui and Alan's house after school and then gave Jacqui a call to see if I could go and meet her over at the shopping center. She was already at the exit and had a shopping trolley and was wheeling it home with all the stuff in it. It was quite a funny sight to meet her coming through the little park with a trolley full of all my stuff. One of her neighbours had been nice enough to help her also get all the stuff as they had bumped into each other in the shopping center!!!!! It just doesn't get any better than that, does it!!!!!!!!!

I met her and her friend or should I say neighbour, and proceeded to wheel the cart with my microwave, kettle, dishes, pots and pans, glasses, pillows, iron and so many other things, back to the house. I cannot believe how kind and gracious Jacqui and Alan have been every step of the way since I got here. The next day I moved in and of course, stuffed all the stuff into Alan's car and the three of us moved the stuff and myself, into 2 Aigburth Vale, Flat 4. Jacqui was even nice enough to give me a brand new eiderdown and sheets and pillow cases..........unbelievable, again!

Moved in and got everything set up and had my first night's sleep on Thursday, May 7th. I had a new flat and was about to start to make it my home.

In my Liverpool home,

In my Liverpool home,

We speak with an accent exceedingly rare,

If you want a cathedral,

We've got two to spare,

In my Liverpool home.

Staying At Jacqui and Alan's.

Jacqui and Alan have been nothing short of fabulous. Since I arrived, they have ran me around, gave me advice, helped me with every question that I had, been wondeful hosts and let me stay at their house. Then they also went shopping for me, got me a flat to look at and then I ended up moving into it with their help. They are what I consider the best friends that any human-being could ever have! They have done more than just be my friends, they have acted like my family! Thanks to both of them for being such gracious hosts, wondeful friends and great people!

I stayed at their house for about 6 days. It was great and they made me feel so welcome at all times, even though they have two grown lads, a dog and a life to live......lol. They cooked for me, shopped for me and as Jacqui said, " I am your mother now." Lol. They have looked after me every step of the way and owe them a huge debt of gratitude for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Started playing footy with Alan and his mates every Friday on artificial turf off of Mather Avenue. Full sized pitch and all the old codgers play the young lads, usually 11 vs 11 or 12 vs 12. Played in the pissing down rain last Friday. It was fabulous. Tweaked my hamstring a little due to not playing for 2 years, so it was meant to happen. Got to be a little careful now and not try to do too much until I start getting truly fit.

After moving in the flat, then I had to go about getting a bank account and a NIN (national insurance number) both of which were a little difficult as I have not lived here for 30 years, but at the end I got both and now am registered as a citizen and ready for work! Ordered the internet, landline and television and it is all coming this Saturday between 8am and 1pm. In between all of this moving and staying at Jacqui and Alan's, I was also observing at a school for 2 weeks as part of my pre-interview agreement. Usually I was out the door at 6.30am and back at 4pm or so. Didn't leave me much time to do anything, so this week on Monday, I started getting things into normal order and got a lot accomplished. I love my flat and it is mostly decked out now with all the stuff that I need from kettle to ironing board to sheets and pillows........such a difference from Korea.....real living in a normal size flat as opposed to a shoebox.......lol.

Enough for now. The rest will come once I can sit at home and do a blog instead of doing it at the library.........

Been Here Almost 3 Weeks!

Where do I start? At the beginning, I suppose. Dragged my 60 kilos of baggage to the bus-stop in Seoul and then got on the bus to Incheon Airport. The date was April 30th and the time was 10.30am.

Got to the airport about 12 noon and proceeded to check in. Was told by Cathay Pacific that I was only allowed 22kilos........shit!!!!! Had to send the one suitcase by air cargo and also empty 5kgs out of it....total cost, £160! Didn't have any address to send it to, so put down my friend Sara's address in Manchester. Was told that it would be there in a week........rest of that story comes later, much later.

Flew to Hong Kong, which took about 3 hours. Good flight, but I was feeling a little sick and had a bit of a fever. Hot, hot, hot was the nature of the game. In the airport, it was roasting and I just could not get cool. Tried everything. Even paid £30 to one of these relaxation places. Had a shower, ate and relaxed at the place for 4 hours. I had a 5 hour lay-over at Hong Kong Airport before the flight to England.

Even in the 'spa' it was roasting .The manager even asked me to put a comment on the evaluation form online. Included in the price was a small, all-u-could-eat buffet and drinks, a shower, internet use and also a relaxing area to sit and read papers and magazines. I also had a 15 minute head and neck massage. Well worth the money and it did relax me, but not make me any cooler. Hot, hot, hot was the nature of the game, again!

Got on the British Airways flight and sat next to two "big" Chinese people. The seat was so uncomfortable and to add to the fever that I had, I also had a cramp in my back for the whole of the 13 hour flight! It was most possibly the worst flight that I have ever endured in all my times of travelling. The flight itself was fine and the service, but my overall health was not good and I only got out of my seat twice the whole flight and didn't eat the food until an hour before we landed, when I ate the breakfast. Had a headache the whole way, too, due to the fever and had no tablets to take.....my own fault, I reckon..........lol.

Got to Heathrow, London at 7am and then transferred onto a domestic airline to go to Manchester. Customs were fine and I entered the country on my new EU passport. Had my picture taken, which is the norm now for everyone that is entering the country and has not had it taken before. The flight from London was great and I arrived in Manchester about 8.30am......more or less. Got my luggage and then walked through the terminal for about 15 mins to get the train to Lime Street in Liverpool. Got the train and it only took about 50 mins and cost about £10. Then realized that I could get off at Wavertree Station, which is closer to where my friends that I was staying at, was. Got off there and hailed a taxi and arrived at Jackie and Alan's about 10am.

That is part one of the trip and I will add more blogs this weekend as I am getting the internet, phone and television all hooked up on Saturday morning. Oh, by the way, I have a ticket for the Liverpool vs Tottenham game. A friend of mine can't go, so he has a season ticket and said I can have his ticket.....bossssssss!!!!!!!

Back In England!

I haven't blogged for the longest time ever! I have started a new adventure and now want to start writing about what I experience each and every week while I am here in Liverpool, England.

Not much time left at the internet at the library right now. Waiting to get it installed as well as my phone and television cable this Saturday. Then I will feel back to normal.....or as close as I can.

Just wanted to let everyone know that there will be lots more blogs coming your way now. Facebook is great, but doesn't capture the moments and experiences like blogging does.