IT IS THE WEEKEND!!!!

Hello all! This post comes quite soon after the previous one. I hope all is well in the States and that everyone is in the festive holiday spirits. I am in the Christmas mode here and the little squares throughout London that seem to pop up in the middle of nowhere are absolutely lovely. This past week I worked in Chelsea (a very posh...possibly the richest area in London) and at my tube stop (Sloane Square) they were having a Christmas festival. On the main stage were four couples doing some very odd ballroom dancing, which reminded me of Uncle Dave and Aunt Lynn. They also were giving out free chocolate and what I thought was apple cider, but it turned out to be warmed spiced wine...ick, no thank you; so much for the hot apple cider. The square was full of Christmas lights and people wandering around and enjoying the evening. This is one of my favourite parts of London, being able to go from area to area and having completely different atmospheres in just a couple of blocks. Tuesday evening I worked at an exclusive club that is notorious for celeb members (a famous cricketer and soap star were there when I was working). The event was a fundraiser for Zambia and an HIV orphanage. It was for some VERY, VERY wealthy people whom were not all that exciting. Tuesday night I worked in Chelsea (the above Christmas square area) at the Royal Gardens, basically a tent set up in the middle of a large park. The inside is quite nice and can hold probably 500 people for dinner. Thursday night I worked at Porchester Hall which is quite close to my flat. I was able to walk home in about 15 minutes, which is quite rare for London. Almost everything has about a 45 minute journey time planned, although it does not always take this long because if your bus/tube gets there when you do, you can take off about 5 to 10 minutes wait time. It is amazing how travelling time is a part of my life. I probably spend about two hours a day commuting with both jobs involved. It used to be annoying, but now I do not even think twice about it. I am able to read, listen to music, nap, or just stare into oblivion. Some days if you are running on time, the commute can be peaceful (imagine that Dad). This week at school I have had a good week. We have not had too many problem children, but a couple of days ago we had two "major" incidents in different areas of the school. Our team received mobiles for our job when we patrol the corridors so we are able to phone one and another to alert them of possible areas and to request help. Tuesday was one of those days. We had two separate incidents that cleared two or three lessons into the corridors. No fists were thrown, but the possibility of it was there, which is pretty intense here. Normally it is shouting and a bit of pushing. Kids will be kids though. This weekend is going to be great I feel. Tonight I have a Christmas party to go to for my agency (teaching agency) and Kate is coming with. Tomorrow I am meeting up with Emily and her family for the day and then Emily, her sister, and Emily's old coworker are going out and I am joining them. Sunday I am working, where and when I have not been informed. I am hoping for a good event, but I will find out soon enough.

Now Special K bars would be a great Christmas present to send in the mail...hint hint to whomever reads this, and really you all could send them over here. I really do love them and they taste so good, I should actually try to make them over here for my coworkers. I may need someone to send me the recipe.

Dad, in regards to your pub comment- Pubs are a part of the pub culture. It is like fishing, hunting, and football in the States. It is very common to go to the pub at least once a week for a pint or two with your mates and chat. You do not go to get intoxicated (pissed as they call it here). If I was not to go to the pubs, I would be missing out on a very important aspect of the culture. Coworkers always go to the pub for a pint and some appetizers. Pubs here are not really comparable to bars in the States. Someone who has been to London help me out here. Going to the pub is a very normal thing (from Sunday roasts to watching a football match). You see kids and old people in them. Now do not go and pull the whole jumping off a bridge thing, it really is not that bad if done in moderation, which I do.

I hope all is well and that no one is too put off by my previous posts. The emails I received were quite flattering! You can all settle down, I will return to the States and the Twin Cities. Well, the pupils should be coming in soon!

Thank you for everything! I love you all!

Adam

Austria next week...it may be a bit of time before my next post, but one should surely be up before Christmas!