Come to the circus

First of all a general update. I finally got paid hoorah. Things are going well with Daniel, his work permit arrived and we've applied for a social security number and he has a few job applications he is completing. Keep everything crossed!

Today we went to visit one place he is considering applying. It's called Discovery Place and it is very like Techniquest in Cardiff - for those Cardiffians who are reading! They have tonnes of hands on Exhibitions - some are permanent and some change. Currently the theme is the circus. Previously it was Pompeii. We had a great day and I thought it was really worth the money. It was $10 per adult and even less than that for kids. For that as well as general exhibitis you could actually walk the high wire or go up in a harness to do some acrobatics!

Here are some of my favorite moments....


2 become 1...
Daniel beat me at virtual volley ball! He is bottom row second from left.
He is building a cantilever system just like at wales millenium center. There are no pillars in that theatre becasue of this system. So nobody's view is restricted! I learned that on one of his tours!

Daniel tried his hand at contortionism


And I did a weather forecast!


In other news I wole up today feeling like I am getting sick. I'm generall achey and a bit of a sore throat and sniffes. So I downed an airbourne. A great American invention it is a herbal tablet of 16 times the usual amount of vitamin C plus other herbs that are good for fighting germs. Hopefully it will work.

We are looking forward to the superbowl tomorrow! Usually in the UK I try to watch it and fall asleep as it is on so late in the UK with the time difference.

Have a happy weekend!

Inauguration

I feel privileged to be in the USA today for the inauguration of Barack Obama or Obak Arama as my kids refer to him!

It was a SNOW DAY today - not a lot of snow but enough to cancel classes for the kids. Us teachers had to report to school or take it unpaid so I reported and hung out with other teachers watching the inauguration.

There were a phenomenal amount of people in Washington. My grade chair went along too. She just really want to be there in person for that moment.

I personally like Obama a lot so far. I think he seems calm, level headed, intelligent and he is kinda pretty to look at! I'm interested to see how it goes from here.

this is a lockdown

In our school/county we have a procedure in case there is a threat to the children like a predator. They have been in existence there since 9/11. We have to practice it just like a fire drill. If you hear this is a lock down (x3) over the speaker and you are in your classroom you lock your door, cut the lights put your blind over the window and all sit in a corner out of sight.

We get assessed on how well we do it. We were expecting one yesterday as the audit team were in to check we knew what to do. They interviewed me about the procedure. The actual lockdown drill never happened though - that will come another day soon.

Today we had a real, genuine lockdown. We had just dismissed our children at the buses and cars and I was in the classroom of a colleague. It came over the speaker 'This is a lockdown, this is a lockdown, this is a lockdown.'

My first thought was what a time to do a drill with the kids half on the buses. Then it came across the speaker ' people outside this IS a lockdown. Ok. It's real!

Im so glad I got locked in with my collegue and very good friend. If I had been in my own classroom, alone, it would have been a lot worse.

The threat was a gun man in the area had fired shots and killed a man. We found this out online. I guess in case the chase headed that way we had to be safe and secure. One other school got locked down also. It is just a precaution it was not a direct threat but better safe than sorry.

So we were locked down for an hour. Im glad I had my friend to talk to (quietly)! I kept thinking of how it would have gone down outside - 2 buses i think had left and the rest (6 or so) had not.

I was thinking about which of my children might be panicking. Afterwards they seemed to be fine and coped very well.

I was not in fear of my life but it was a little nerve wracking! And a little excting. Im glad these procedure are in place.

Feeling uneasy...

Not really too sure why. I am such a worrier and I really wish I wasn't. I thought blogging about it might help me.

I worry about money. I mean yes things are tight right now but I have a good income and a job I love. And also the potential of claiming back our USA tax if we only stay 2 out of the 3 years. A way to get some debts paid off in the UK.

Something always crops up to surprise me.

Daniel I worry about his permit coming through and him getting a job he likes doing, he love the WMC and Cardiff and I constantly feel bad that he gave it up to come here.
I know he wanted to come here - we both love to travel and to live in the USA was a dream we both held! I'm happy he is being so productive in his music recording though.

He is the most wonderful , selfless person I know. He constantly puts my needs before his own. I'm blessed to have him.

My Grandparents I worry I won't get to see them again.

All in all I guess i just have to stop worrying and live life as it comes.

Back to life, back to reality.....

I love my job here. I really do. My colleagues are my best friends and are so supportive and lovely. I love my kids in my class.

What a change this week has been from the weeks I had off. I haven't blogged. I haven't taken any photos. Most days I have slept for 3 or more hours when I have got home then slept all night too. I feel like my interests and so on go on the back burner a bit! I do miss having half terms ever 6 - 7 weeks. It is a short focus for some time off.

Next time I get time off is for a week in April. Though then it won't be long til 9 weeks off in the summer.

Money is frustrating me too. We literally have money for bread, milk, and petrol if we are lucky. I dont get paid for 3 weeks. It is a 6 week pay month because of the Christmas dates. We will make it through and it should be the last month it is this hard. I hope. We have to save for summer though as I only get paid for 10 months of the year. So if you would like to make a donation please go ahead haha. Or send the money fairy to me.

Posting a pretty picture to cheer me up. Of New York. I'm so glad we did it. Yes we had to pay slowly over time for it, something each month but it was worth it.

Merry New Year..

I love the way we spend new year. No big fuss but just a lovely meal. I have to say, the first year we were married I cooked a pasta bake and I think the other years Daniel has cooked. There has been the odd year where we did not do this tradition and got coaxed into going into town to the fair, I like our way much better. Definitely the last few years we have done it this way.

I cooked spaghetti bolegnese it was yummy, it's one of my best dishes.

Anyways, we watched dick clarkes new years rockin eve or something from times square which was weird as it looked so familiar. It was freeing out there!
This is me compaining about how i had my neck skin under my chin...while cooking!