I am currently sitting a coffee shop in Canterbury catching up on blogs and listening to music that stirs my soul.
I thought I heard an American accent, so I just took off my headphones. Yep an American!
This American girl (probably my age) is chatting about the gospel with her male, English friend that just described himself as an atheist. The best part is that she is being SO HONEST and talking about all the "Christian" stuff she doesn't really understand or know if she agrees with. It is cool to hear how interested he is and how honest and confused she is.
I wonder if they think I am ease dropping.... :/
I may go talk to them soon. :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I waited until the guy went downstairs to get more coffee, then asked the girl about her accent! :)
Sadly my ears deceived me....she is NOT American. She is Swedish, BUT has a fabulous American accent. She went to an American school growing up and her British father lived in the states for awhile and returned speaking American English. I was so intrigued at how American she sounded...accent, words she used, slang, etc. She said that most people think she is American. But, she's not. So weird to me. I know two Swedish guys that live here, but neither of them sound American. And, she said that there weren't many Americans in her American school. hmmm....
I spent about an hour talking to the girl and guy. It was so NICE to talk to people!!! They did comment on how American I was to walk up to a stranger in a coffee shop and start talking. The guy said the British definitely don't do that because then people think you want something from them. All I want is to talk to people DANG IT! Okay...and maybe I want some friends too. :)
The girl and I exchanged contact information upon my initiation, so I will give it a few days and then email her. I would hate to overwhelm her with my American forwardness too soon....HAHA!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
what a blessing
By now, I may have mentioned the ridiculousness of our "car park" situation at work. We have like 50 permit spaces for a building of about 200 employees. Just like desks, parking spots are a hot commodity around these parts. Its typical to A: see someone racing through the car park to beat another car to the spot or B: employees waiting around stalking workers as they come out of the building to pounce on their spot. (I reminds me of both TCU and UT parking at times.)
The sad part is there are hundreds of spots in the lot that surrounds our building, but only 50 are for permit holders and the rest are metered spots. So, a few days a week, I find myself scrummaging for 50 now 60 p to put in the silly meter to park in the close lot for 2 hours. A few times, I have had to borrow change from a coworker or write an IOU to the office fund since I rarely carry cash.
Anyways, this morning I parked in the pay lot, but forgot to move my car at 10:45 when my two hours were up. Sadly, there are two meter patrols that swarm our car parks writing tickets to anyone that have over stayed what they paid for.
Some how, at 11:15 my heart went into panic mode when I realized I was 45 minutes late to move my car. I jumped up from my desk, yelled DANG IT, grabbed my keys, and ran down stairs.
To my glorious surprise, there was NOT a ticket on my car! PTL!!!!!
This was such a blessing to my day. The meter patrols are always walking up and down the lot, but by the grace of God, my expired parking ticket was not caught! :)
The sad part is there are hundreds of spots in the lot that surrounds our building, but only 50 are for permit holders and the rest are metered spots. So, a few days a week, I find myself scrummaging for 50 now 60 p to put in the silly meter to park in the close lot for 2 hours. A few times, I have had to borrow change from a coworker or write an IOU to the office fund since I rarely carry cash.
Anyways, this morning I parked in the pay lot, but forgot to move my car at 10:45 when my two hours were up. Sadly, there are two meter patrols that swarm our car parks writing tickets to anyone that have over stayed what they paid for.
Some how, at 11:15 my heart went into panic mode when I realized I was 45 minutes late to move my car. I jumped up from my desk, yelled DANG IT, grabbed my keys, and ran down stairs.
To my glorious surprise, there was NOT a ticket on my car! PTL!!!!!
This was such a blessing to my day. The meter patrols are always walking up and down the lot, but by the grace of God, my expired parking ticket was not caught! :)
Monday, May 24, 2010
duty SUCKS!!!
Today, was my very first day as the "duty social worker." Put simply, it means that I don't work on any of my own cases that I am super behind on, but instead, complete tasks regarding the unallocated cases and cases of coworkers on vacation or out of the office. CRAP!
To start out the day, I had the privilege of CHAIRING a meeting. Personally, I have only attended two other meetings like this one, and I have NOT chaired any yet. SO, I spent about two hours stumbling through the meeting with a major problem being mom's moving to America and lucky them, America (that's me!) came to help fix their problem! I thought that part was pretty funny!
Upon returning to the office, I received two duty phone calls with yelling/extremely irritated people on the other line. One a parent and one a professional. Sadly, many people forget their manners when they call our office.
Next, I met a lad in reception, who wanted me to find him a new Bed and Breakfast, because he was receiving threats at his current B&B. I spent the next three hours calling 20 B&B in one town, 5 in another, and 4 in another all to tell me A: they do not accept young people on benefits or B: they do accept young people on benefits, but they are full because this is a bank holiday weekend. I called two other social services offices, and three other professionals offices as well to help me assist this kid. By the time I had to leave for my next assignment, I called the kid back to tell him I had no luck and tomorrow's duty social worker would try again.
During my final assignment of the day, I met two ADORABLE little girls and a less than polite parent. We talked in circles for about an hour, and at one point he told me to leave, but then asked me to stay, and then showed me his baseball bat he would use a protection if ever need be (not threatening me or anything).
On my 30 minute journey back to the office, I again wondered why I am doing this ridiculous job.
When I returned at 5:30, I called one of my morning yellers to tell him I had not accomplished his request, but his social worker would be in tomorrow. Surprisingly, he said okay and was really kind to me! :)
I then spent the next hour clearing the mound of files off my desk and documenting all the exciting events of the day. I was officially the last person to leave my office and parking lot at 7 pm. I even met the lovely cleaning lady way on my way through to the kitchen to grab my lunch that I did not have time to eat.
What a freaking RIDICULOUS day!
I have decided that "duty" work is ineffective and way less than best practice. We just bandaid big issues and wait for the next problem to flair up to add another bandaid. But, what else do you do if you have more cases than social workers?
However, just for once in the next year and a half I am here, I would like for ONE parent, young person, or professional I work with to take responsibility for ONE issue they are experiencing and STOP blaming social services. Because, dear families, if we are involved with you, it must mean you are doing at least one thing wrong! I promise we don't come out and visit for fun!
Okay...that's the end of my soap box!
Thanks for reading! :)
To start out the day, I had the privilege of CHAIRING a meeting. Personally, I have only attended two other meetings like this one, and I have NOT chaired any yet. SO, I spent about two hours stumbling through the meeting with a major problem being mom's moving to America and lucky them, America (that's me!) came to help fix their problem! I thought that part was pretty funny!
Upon returning to the office, I received two duty phone calls with yelling/extremely irritated people on the other line. One a parent and one a professional. Sadly, many people forget their manners when they call our office.
Next, I met a lad in reception, who wanted me to find him a new Bed and Breakfast, because he was receiving threats at his current B&B. I spent the next three hours calling 20 B&B in one town, 5 in another, and 4 in another all to tell me A: they do not accept young people on benefits or B: they do accept young people on benefits, but they are full because this is a bank holiday weekend. I called two other social services offices, and three other professionals offices as well to help me assist this kid. By the time I had to leave for my next assignment, I called the kid back to tell him I had no luck and tomorrow's duty social worker would try again.
During my final assignment of the day, I met two ADORABLE little girls and a less than polite parent. We talked in circles for about an hour, and at one point he told me to leave, but then asked me to stay, and then showed me his baseball bat he would use a protection if ever need be (not threatening me or anything).
On my 30 minute journey back to the office, I again wondered why I am doing this ridiculous job.
When I returned at 5:30, I called one of my morning yellers to tell him I had not accomplished his request, but his social worker would be in tomorrow. Surprisingly, he said okay and was really kind to me! :)
I then spent the next hour clearing the mound of files off my desk and documenting all the exciting events of the day. I was officially the last person to leave my office and parking lot at 7 pm. I even met the lovely cleaning lady way on my way through to the kitchen to grab my lunch that I did not have time to eat.
What a freaking RIDICULOUS day!
I have decided that "duty" work is ineffective and way less than best practice. We just bandaid big issues and wait for the next problem to flair up to add another bandaid. But, what else do you do if you have more cases than social workers?
However, just for once in the next year and a half I am here, I would like for ONE parent, young person, or professional I work with to take responsibility for ONE issue they are experiencing and STOP blaming social services. Because, dear families, if we are involved with you, it must mean you are doing at least one thing wrong! I promise we don't come out and visit for fun!
Okay...that's the end of my soap box!
Thanks for reading! :)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Happy Graduation sweet friends!
Today, is graduation day for my two sweet friends, Rachael and Abby. They both will graduation with their Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas.
These two girls were so influential during my time in Austin. At points, I lived with both of them, and was able to share life with them on a daily basis. I was able to see the passion they had and what brought joy to their hearts.
Both are about to embark on two year commitments using their social work degree and their love of Jesus to impact the world around them.
Abby will shortly begin working for Child Protection Services in Williamson County Texas, where she will work to safeguard children and families. Even though she may not be sooo excited about her upcoming job, she is grateful for the benefits she received during grad school and the opportunity to use her degree for good. I pray she remains confident in God's purpose for her few years in CPS and leans into Christ when the going gets tough. LOVE YOU AB!
Rachael will be moving to Ethiopia in July to work for two years as the volunteer coordinator for a non-profit house that she volunteered through for two summers in the past. Rachael has such a big heart for Ethiopia and I am excited that she is walking in this calling and leaving certain hopes and dreams in the Lord's hand and timing. She is so excited for this journey. I pray that she develops a strong community in Ethiopia and feels love and connectedness with her friends and family at home and her new community in Ethiopia. I LOVE YOU SWEET RACHAEL!
The Lord has blessed me with such great friends to walk alongside with. I am grateful these girls are choosing to follow Christ in His plans for their lives. I so hope to be in a similar location as them again at some point in the future, but I know that we will remain connected no matter how distant we are.
CONGRATULATIONS Rachael and Abby! Enjoy your day of celebration! I am celebrating with you from England! :)
These two girls were so influential during my time in Austin. At points, I lived with both of them, and was able to share life with them on a daily basis. I was able to see the passion they had and what brought joy to their hearts.
Both are about to embark on two year commitments using their social work degree and their love of Jesus to impact the world around them.
Abby will shortly begin working for Child Protection Services in Williamson County Texas, where she will work to safeguard children and families. Even though she may not be sooo excited about her upcoming job, she is grateful for the benefits she received during grad school and the opportunity to use her degree for good. I pray she remains confident in God's purpose for her few years in CPS and leans into Christ when the going gets tough. LOVE YOU AB!
Rachael will be moving to Ethiopia in July to work for two years as the volunteer coordinator for a non-profit house that she volunteered through for two summers in the past. Rachael has such a big heart for Ethiopia and I am excited that she is walking in this calling and leaving certain hopes and dreams in the Lord's hand and timing. She is so excited for this journey. I pray that she develops a strong community in Ethiopia and feels love and connectedness with her friends and family at home and her new community in Ethiopia. I LOVE YOU SWEET RACHAEL!
The Lord has blessed me with such great friends to walk alongside with. I am grateful these girls are choosing to follow Christ in His plans for their lives. I so hope to be in a similar location as them again at some point in the future, but I know that we will remain connected no matter how distant we are.
CONGRATULATIONS Rachael and Abby! Enjoy your day of celebration! I am celebrating with you from England! :)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
back to the grind
Sleep or no sleep, I'm back to the grind at work.
I returned this week to 69 unread emails, an urgent phone call request, a young person that absconded 3 times, another child that disclosed some serious allegations against a parent, an request for an urgent unscheduled visit, another team requesting I wait another month to transfer my already overdue case, and a foster carer that has put in her 28 day notice to no longer care for a young person.
Now, the majority of these issues, emails, phone calls, and visits all have to do with one client. A client, who I believe, is currently lying to my face and causing me a BIG headache and a lot of paperwork. This was the ONLY case I worried about while I was in Texas.... I guess I had good reason too.
I think people are right when they say you need another vacation shortly after you return from vacation. These past two days have been INTENSE!
I did something that I am super against today ..... I stayed at work until 7 pm tonight. UGH.... I really hate cutting into my self care time, especially since I still need to catch up on sleep due to jet lag.
But, I was in good company at the office since half of the staff was also in the office late. Apparently, my office is known to work late. Who would have known, since I try to leave by 5:30 at the latest everyday.
I did confirm tonight that I can get an eye test paid for by my employer since I have to use the computer so much. I think my eyes are going bad with all this computer and file reading I do....boo.....
Oh...and I also went to the dentist yesterday. The NHS -- "free" dentist. (but you really have to pay). I mean, I was in the chair for maybe 7 minutes total, and she took some x-rays (surprisingly), told me I had one cavity that needs filling, and I learned that they apparently don't clean teeth here in the UK on visits like I am used to in the US. After my NHS dentist visit, I understand why the English are known for having bad teeth. On a positive note, it is relatively really cheap for me to have an "exam" and a filling!
Last thought of the night....why do journalist put themselves in the line of fire to get a good shot and/or story? I just finished looking at the Boston Globe Big Picture blog, and saw all of these pictures from the protests in Bangkok. Some included journalist following around the military or ducking on the ground or behind stuff. I mean WHY? Why is America and the rest of the world so enthralled with good news or stories that journalist think it is necessary to put their lives in danger and get in the way of a HUGE conflict. It doesn't make sense to me.
There's a party at my house this weekend for one of my housemate's birthday. There are a lot of American's coming over. This should be fun and/or interesting!
I returned this week to 69 unread emails, an urgent phone call request, a young person that absconded 3 times, another child that disclosed some serious allegations against a parent, an request for an urgent unscheduled visit, another team requesting I wait another month to transfer my already overdue case, and a foster carer that has put in her 28 day notice to no longer care for a young person.
Now, the majority of these issues, emails, phone calls, and visits all have to do with one client. A client, who I believe, is currently lying to my face and causing me a BIG headache and a lot of paperwork. This was the ONLY case I worried about while I was in Texas.... I guess I had good reason too.
I think people are right when they say you need another vacation shortly after you return from vacation. These past two days have been INTENSE!
I did something that I am super against today ..... I stayed at work until 7 pm tonight. UGH.... I really hate cutting into my self care time, especially since I still need to catch up on sleep due to jet lag.
But, I was in good company at the office since half of the staff was also in the office late. Apparently, my office is known to work late. Who would have known, since I try to leave by 5:30 at the latest everyday.
I did confirm tonight that I can get an eye test paid for by my employer since I have to use the computer so much. I think my eyes are going bad with all this computer and file reading I do....boo.....
Oh...and I also went to the dentist yesterday. The NHS -- "free" dentist. (but you really have to pay). I mean, I was in the chair for maybe 7 minutes total, and she took some x-rays (surprisingly), told me I had one cavity that needs filling, and I learned that they apparently don't clean teeth here in the UK on visits like I am used to in the US. After my NHS dentist visit, I understand why the English are known for having bad teeth. On a positive note, it is relatively really cheap for me to have an "exam" and a filling!
Last thought of the night....why do journalist put themselves in the line of fire to get a good shot and/or story? I just finished looking at the Boston Globe Big Picture blog, and saw all of these pictures from the protests in Bangkok. Some included journalist following around the military or ducking on the ground or behind stuff. I mean WHY? Why is America and the rest of the world so enthralled with good news or stories that journalist think it is necessary to put their lives in danger and get in the way of a HUGE conflict. It doesn't make sense to me.
There's a party at my house this weekend for one of my housemate's birthday. There are a lot of American's coming over. This should be fun and/or interesting!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Hi! I'm still here...
Has it really almost been a month since I last wrote a blog?!?!?!
DANG IT!
Just when I thought people didn't read this thing, people start asking why I haven't written on here in awhile.
I think I did mention in my very first post that I am bad at these kind of commitments, but I want to be a good blogger! So... will keep trying.
To update those that did not know, I just arrived back in England today from spending 10 days in Texas. I pulled off a fabulous Mother's day surprise, attended a great wedding, and raced around a few cities seeing people that I know and love. It was an amazing, super needed trip home, and I am glad I was able to see so many people that know and love me! It was fun to see the reaction of some people that saw me and wondered if I was a ghost or a look-a-like, since they thought I should be in another country.
On an opposite note, I feel like a zombie today. My flight arrived in London at 9:15 am GMT or 3:15 am Texas time. OUCH! Sadly I didn't sleep very well on the plane, but I did meet an interesting fellow. Since London Heathrow was closed for 6 hours early Monday morning, due to volcanic ash, my plane was maxed out with those that had been stranded for a day. Instead of taking up two seats like I have become accustomed two on these international flights, I sat by an African man. His name was Enoch -- like in Genesis 5 I said, he said no like in Hebrews. Yea yea....the same Enoch who walked faithfully with God, and was taken up so he would not see death (YEP....I listened to the podcast sermon that Matt Carter preached at Austin Stone a few weeks ago!).
This Enoch is from Malawi and works for or owns a freight company, so he frequently travels internationally. Enoch proudly wore a USA sweatshirt that also said Washington DC because that was where he was flying from. We chatted on and off for the first few hours of the trip. The more we chatted, the more Enoch found interest in me. hmmm..... Enoch mentioned several times that he wanted to give me his London phone number because he would be in London for the next 7 days and he travels there once to twice a year. He also asked me if he bought me a plane ticket to Malawi, would I come. hmmm.... a little too close for comfort airplane buddy. I said I don't know, I would like to visit Africa some day, but thought I would start by visiting my friends that live/will live there. Later he told me that he would fly me into Nairobi, Kenya and meet me there and then we could travel to Malawi together. He also rattled off his London phone number and asked me if I remembered it. No.
Thankfully as the hours ticked on, he fell asleep for a long time and I tossed, turned, and slept a little. When we arrived in London, I jetted off the plane a little faster than usually, hoping he would not ask me for my number. I also never made eye contact with him in the immigration line. Am I a mean person? Enoch seems to have a little different boundaries than me. I just don't think I want to be Enoch's African princess at this point in my life. I know I say I would like to get married soon, but why do I keep attracting all the one's I'm not interested in?
So, after two plane rides and three underground trains later, I made it back across London to Taryn and Paul's to get my car. I then drove an hour home, where I almost fell asleep on the motor way, so I had to stop take a five minute power nap, walk around, and get some coffee.
I took a two hour nap when I got home, opened the two gifts I received in the mail while I was gone (thanks Aunt Debbie and Laura!), and went grocery shopping. I just ate dinner....and realized one reason I may feel like a zombie was because I had a croissant on the plane at 8 am or 2 am Texas time and a cup of coffee this afternoon. That doesn't sound like real people fuel for a day.
I am trying to stay awake until about 8:30 or 9 tonight so hopefully I can get back on a normal schedule for work tomorrow.
DANG IT!
Just when I thought people didn't read this thing, people start asking why I haven't written on here in awhile.
I think I did mention in my very first post that I am bad at these kind of commitments, but I want to be a good blogger! So... will keep trying.
To update those that did not know, I just arrived back in England today from spending 10 days in Texas. I pulled off a fabulous Mother's day surprise, attended a great wedding, and raced around a few cities seeing people that I know and love. It was an amazing, super needed trip home, and I am glad I was able to see so many people that know and love me! It was fun to see the reaction of some people that saw me and wondered if I was a ghost or a look-a-like, since they thought I should be in another country.
On an opposite note, I feel like a zombie today. My flight arrived in London at 9:15 am GMT or 3:15 am Texas time. OUCH! Sadly I didn't sleep very well on the plane, but I did meet an interesting fellow. Since London Heathrow was closed for 6 hours early Monday morning, due to volcanic ash, my plane was maxed out with those that had been stranded for a day. Instead of taking up two seats like I have become accustomed two on these international flights, I sat by an African man. His name was Enoch -- like in Genesis 5 I said, he said no like in Hebrews. Yea yea....the same Enoch who walked faithfully with God, and was taken up so he would not see death (YEP....I listened to the podcast sermon that Matt Carter preached at Austin Stone a few weeks ago!).
This Enoch is from Malawi and works for or owns a freight company, so he frequently travels internationally. Enoch proudly wore a USA sweatshirt that also said Washington DC because that was where he was flying from. We chatted on and off for the first few hours of the trip. The more we chatted, the more Enoch found interest in me. hmmm..... Enoch mentioned several times that he wanted to give me his London phone number because he would be in London for the next 7 days and he travels there once to twice a year. He also asked me if he bought me a plane ticket to Malawi, would I come. hmmm.... a little too close for comfort airplane buddy. I said I don't know, I would like to visit Africa some day, but thought I would start by visiting my friends that live/will live there. Later he told me that he would fly me into Nairobi, Kenya and meet me there and then we could travel to Malawi together. He also rattled off his London phone number and asked me if I remembered it. No.
Thankfully as the hours ticked on, he fell asleep for a long time and I tossed, turned, and slept a little. When we arrived in London, I jetted off the plane a little faster than usually, hoping he would not ask me for my number. I also never made eye contact with him in the immigration line. Am I a mean person? Enoch seems to have a little different boundaries than me. I just don't think I want to be Enoch's African princess at this point in my life. I know I say I would like to get married soon, but why do I keep attracting all the one's I'm not interested in?
So, after two plane rides and three underground trains later, I made it back across London to Taryn and Paul's to get my car. I then drove an hour home, where I almost fell asleep on the motor way, so I had to stop take a five minute power nap, walk around, and get some coffee.
I took a two hour nap when I got home, opened the two gifts I received in the mail while I was gone (thanks Aunt Debbie and Laura!), and went grocery shopping. I just ate dinner....and realized one reason I may feel like a zombie was because I had a croissant on the plane at 8 am or 2 am Texas time and a cup of coffee this afternoon. That doesn't sound like real people fuel for a day.
I am trying to stay awake until about 8:30 or 9 tonight so hopefully I can get back on a normal schedule for work tomorrow.
Monday, April 19, 2010
a lovely accent
While I was on the phone with the cable man tonight, every other thing he asked me I said, "HUH?" "Do what?" "excuse me?"
Let's face it, I could barely understand him. I knew he had to be either Irish or Scottish, but at this point, I still get the two accents confused (unless of course I have both an I Irish and a Scottish person talking to me at the same time, then I can tell the difference).
Half way through the conversation, he asked me where I was from. I told him the US, and he thought Canada. When I asked him where he was from he made me guess, to which he confirmed Scotland.
Later in the conversation he said, "I could just listen to your accent all day long!" (well...alright).
I asked him if the TV channels in Scotland were the same as England because almost all the channels here are American shows. I said he could just listen to American accents all day if he really wanted.
But, apparently its different in person...or over the phone I guess.
At the end, I asked him what a Welch accent sounded like. He suggested a cross between a Scottish accent and an American accent, and noted that you can't understand them at all. Scottish/American .... I'm not buying that!
HA! Oh good fun in the accent department of life! :)
Let's face it, I could barely understand him. I knew he had to be either Irish or Scottish, but at this point, I still get the two accents confused (unless of course I have both an I Irish and a Scottish person talking to me at the same time, then I can tell the difference).
Half way through the conversation, he asked me where I was from. I told him the US, and he thought Canada. When I asked him where he was from he made me guess, to which he confirmed Scotland.
Later in the conversation he said, "I could just listen to your accent all day long!" (well...alright).
I asked him if the TV channels in Scotland were the same as England because almost all the channels here are American shows. I said he could just listen to American accents all day if he really wanted.
But, apparently its different in person...or over the phone I guess.
At the end, I asked him what a Welch accent sounded like. He suggested a cross between a Scottish accent and an American accent, and noted that you can't understand them at all. Scottish/American .... I'm not buying that!
HA! Oh good fun in the accent department of life! :)
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