First Update
#61
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
Re: First Update
https://yourcounciljobs.co.uk/jobdet...Authority_id=4
Ty
Last edited by brightonbelle; Apr 24th 2013 at 3:28 pm.
#62
Re: First Update
Don't know what your looking for....or how you feel about kids...but if you fancy popping into the local primary...they're advertising! my best friend started as temp in her local primary.....seven years later and now a higher level teaching assistant earning more than a new teacher and on full time salary.
https://yourcounciljobs.co.uk/jobdet...Authority_id=4
Ty
https://yourcounciljobs.co.uk/jobdet...Authority_id=4
Ty
Thanks for that! I've never given much thought to being in a school..lol. I don't think I have much patience for the little dears. But it's given me somewhere else to check and that's with the local council. The school would have been ideal though as it's literally a 5 minute walk away.
#63
Re: First Update
Thanks so much for the kind words Make sure you pass on that to any employers out there...
I've had a remarkable day today, even though it's been cold, wet and overcast. Bumped into Mrs J today and she mentioned organising an account for the past week (hard to believe I've been here a week already, it feels like I've been here always). That way they can keep their books up to date, which was fine with me too, because in no way was I being pushed for money.
So you can imagine my lovely surprise when she handed me an account for the past 7 days and it was at the discounted rate we'd talked about the other day. I had imagined being charged the B&B rate, especially as I was staying here and having the full bed and breakfast experience. I thought that after our chat the new rate would start as of today which is the beginning of a new week. But they'd charged me the new rate from day one. I couldn't let them do that for the whole week, especially as I'd been having breakfast every day apart from 2, so I paid her extra to cover the meals for those 5 days.
Apart from that I'm staring at the computer screen wondering where to start first when it comes to jobs. All the sites I look at seemingly want you to fill out their own online application forms which are pages long..lol. But I've got an appointment at the job center on Friday, so hopefully I'll get an advisor who's really interested in helping me and can point me in the right direction.
I still can't get over the fact that everyone is so lovely. Strangers saying good morning as you go for a walk, when you walk down narrow lanes and a car comes the driver acknowledges you and waves when you step to one side to let him/her through. Being waved at by the landlady of the pub as you walk past..lol, and best of all is being remembered by the owners of the little post office/store. You get to see the same faces every day and I've been for a walk where the same guys have asked if I've recovered from being drenched a few days ago.. I guess I've got an unforgettable face..
I went for a walk this afternoon because my head was swimming after spending all morning on the Internet, so I popped into the shop and bought myself a meat and potato pie to munch on, on the way home.
Can you gather I've made myself well and truly at home???
I've had a remarkable day today, even though it's been cold, wet and overcast. Bumped into Mrs J today and she mentioned organising an account for the past week (hard to believe I've been here a week already, it feels like I've been here always). That way they can keep their books up to date, which was fine with me too, because in no way was I being pushed for money.
So you can imagine my lovely surprise when she handed me an account for the past 7 days and it was at the discounted rate we'd talked about the other day. I had imagined being charged the B&B rate, especially as I was staying here and having the full bed and breakfast experience. I thought that after our chat the new rate would start as of today which is the beginning of a new week. But they'd charged me the new rate from day one. I couldn't let them do that for the whole week, especially as I'd been having breakfast every day apart from 2, so I paid her extra to cover the meals for those 5 days.
Apart from that I'm staring at the computer screen wondering where to start first when it comes to jobs. All the sites I look at seemingly want you to fill out their own online application forms which are pages long..lol. But I've got an appointment at the job center on Friday, so hopefully I'll get an advisor who's really interested in helping me and can point me in the right direction.
I still can't get over the fact that everyone is so lovely. Strangers saying good morning as you go for a walk, when you walk down narrow lanes and a car comes the driver acknowledges you and waves when you step to one side to let him/her through. Being waved at by the landlady of the pub as you walk past..lol, and best of all is being remembered by the owners of the little post office/store. You get to see the same faces every day and I've been for a walk where the same guys have asked if I've recovered from being drenched a few days ago.. I guess I've got an unforgettable face..
I went for a walk this afternoon because my head was swimming after spending all morning on the Internet, so I popped into the shop and bought myself a meat and potato pie to munch on, on the way home.
Can you gather I've made myself well and truly at home???
#64
Re: First Update
I think the job center will be very helpful. They were when I went back. Helped me find my National Insurance number and gave me websites to look for jobs and I joined a "work club" which helped with resume (cv) and even provided postage stamps and envelopes if needed. Nothing like that here in the US. Here you are pretty much on your own. Just reminder of how terrible it can be here. I went to a clinic Monday for a doc appt. I am out of a job right now. I have been searching, anyway the doctor ranted about Obama and how she did not want to spend a penny of her paycheck on lazy people for their medical etc etc etc She assumes everyone who isn't working is lazy!! So even though I am classified as on the poverty level I still had to cough up $70. $20 for the visit and $50 for the blood work. My meds are generic so only $4.00 each but if you get homesick, remember the medical, the heat, the transport, the guns etc etc etc....
#65
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 402
Re: First Update
It's so lovely to read all your updates and moreso because you're obviously very happy in your little village
Keep on writing please, all of it is making me more and more anxious to get back there
Keep on writing please, all of it is making me more and more anxious to get back there
#66
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: First Update
I can dream, can't I??
#67
Re: First Update
Of course you can do it! Look at Whofan. She did! Didn't have everything lined up but it's working out well. Same could for you too, windsong. Go for it!!!
#68
Re: First Update
Of course you can ! If you work towards that goal...you can probably have more of your ducks in a row than I did, but as Perth said 'if I can do it - so can you'. I'm loving every second of being home! Don't just dream...make it a reality!
#69
Re: First Update
I'm sure that once you get back you'll see what I mean about having a great sense of peace! It's like no other feeling! Even though I've not got a job yet, I'm not stressed about it like I would be in the US, because everyone here is so helpful.
#70
Re: First Update
Well today I registered with a GP, so now that has the NHS number all sorted out. I should get that within a couple of weeks they said. Tomorrow when I go to the job centre they'll help with my NI number, so that will be another thing to cross off my TO DO list. I've opened a bank account and I'm just waiting for some paperwork to arrive so I can transfer my Australian drivers license over to a UK one.
It was so funny at the GP this morning. I filled out all the paperwork and they said I'll get a call about doing a health assessment (standard for new patients). I went in to see the nurse practitioner (just because I wanted to have something checked out while i was there) and when I left I went back to reception and asked if there was a charge. She smiled at me and said ' You're British..so there's no charge'. Try doing THAT in the US..lol.
I'm looking out my window right now and the fog has come down over the hills and I'm waiting for the kettle to boil so I can make a cup of Yorkshire Tea I have a packet of Jaffa Cakes ready too! I can't print out my CV so I've loaded it onto a memory stick for tomorrow just in case they are able to access it. I've gone through it all and amended the spelling because it's so 'American'
I'm looking forward to going to the job centre tomorrow because I know that once I meet my advisor they're going to be able to help me out and point me in the right direction.
So that's my update for today. lol
It was so funny at the GP this morning. I filled out all the paperwork and they said I'll get a call about doing a health assessment (standard for new patients). I went in to see the nurse practitioner (just because I wanted to have something checked out while i was there) and when I left I went back to reception and asked if there was a charge. She smiled at me and said ' You're British..so there's no charge'. Try doing THAT in the US..lol.
I'm looking out my window right now and the fog has come down over the hills and I'm waiting for the kettle to boil so I can make a cup of Yorkshire Tea I have a packet of Jaffa Cakes ready too! I can't print out my CV so I've loaded it onto a memory stick for tomorrow just in case they are able to access it. I've gone through it all and amended the spelling because it's so 'American'
I'm looking forward to going to the job centre tomorrow because I know that once I meet my advisor they're going to be able to help me out and point me in the right direction.
So that's my update for today. lol
#71
Re: First Update
I think the job center will be very helpful. They were when I went back. Helped me find my National Insurance number and gave me websites to look for jobs and I joined a "work club" which helped with resume (cv) and even provided postage stamps and envelopes if needed. Nothing like that here in the US. Here you are pretty much on your own. Just reminder of how terrible it can be here. I went to a clinic Monday for a doc appt. I am out of a job right now. I have been searching, anyway the doctor ranted about Obama and how she did not want to spend a penny of her paycheck on lazy people for their medical etc etc etc She assumes everyone who isn't working is lazy!! So even though I am classified as on the poverty level I still had to cough up $70. $20 for the visit and $50 for the blood work. My meds are generic so only $4.00 each but if you get homesick, remember the medical, the heat, the transport, the guns etc etc etc....
I've not been homesick for the US for those exact reasons. I love being able to just get on a bus and if I wanted to I could go anywhere. There's nothing on the news about guns and gun violence, if I want to go to the Dr I can and not have to pay an arm and a leg just for a 5 minute consultation. Don't get me wrong...the UK has it's good and bad parts too, just like anywhere else in the world...there's crime here too, there's poverty, the economy isn't the greatest. But as others have said and something I will agree with wholeheartedly... I'd rather be broke but happy in the UK than broke and miserable in the US.
#72
Re: First Update
Excellent news on the B&B and the job search. Well done for making things happen. I'm sure I'd just want to stroll along eating chocolate and pies and sausage rolls and crisps watching the lambs skipping about in the fields.
#73
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 983
Re: First Update
Whofan, it seems such a novelty to go to the doctor without having to get your purse out, doesn't it? Another thing to note is if you have to have meds "for life", like thyroid medication or if you need cancer drugs you can get a prescription exemption card which waives all charges and works for all your medication.
Hoping, of course this doesn't apply to you but if it does its worth knowing about!
Hoping, of course this doesn't apply to you but if it does its worth knowing about!
#74
Re: First Update
I'm very happy in my little village. I always get a big thrill out of going into Oldham and catching the bus back...following the little winding roads and turning the corner to see all the green hills. It's like stepping into a postcard
I'm sure that once you get back you'll see what I mean about having a great sense of peace! It's like no other feeling! Even though I've not got a job yet, I'm not stressed about it like I would be in the US, because everyone here is so helpful.
I'm sure that once you get back you'll see what I mean about having a great sense of peace! It's like no other feeling! Even though I've not got a job yet, I'm not stressed about it like I would be in the US, because everyone here is so helpful.
Good luck with the job hunting
#75
Re: First Update
I'm really enjoying your updates and I can just picture that bus ride lol! I liked what you said about having that feeling of peace, that's what I'm most looking forward to. I've been in the ANZAC day parade here today and even though it was great I was sweating all day and two people fainted in the heat during the ceremony so I was kept busy! I've just got in from a call out, it's 0200 hrs and I feel really stressed so just reading your posts to calm me down so I can try and get back to sleep!
Good luck with the job hunting
Good luck with the job hunting
One of these days ill take my video camera, go on the top deck and record the journey on the bus lol. Once I figure out how to post it on BE lol