Getting Involved
 

After my little bout of feeling all 'woe is me' last month I have decided that there is no use in moping around the place wondering what is going to happen.

I took it upon myself to email OH employers and ask them about GC sponsorship. I know we should have got something written into his contract before coming over here but we can't change the past so no point complaining about it now.

I have decided that I am going to become a PTO parent and am going to volunteer at the kids school a few days a week, most likely in the library to begin with. Both kids will be at school from next Tuesday as daughter is starting KG, so I need to do something! Kids have been signed up for swimming lessons and daughter is going to be starting cheerleading next week. Neither she nor I have any experience of cheerleading so this is going to prove very interesting. She may hate it, she may love it. Just have to wait and see. We won't know if we don't try.

In any event we are getting out there and meeting people and not just meeting up with the fellow British Expats that are in our town. (The Expats are lovely but I'm sure there are lots of lovely Americans here too. I just have to meet them!)

I have contacted the local community newspaper to see if I can write the odd column for them about being an Expat in town. I am pretty sure no one gets paid for being a contributing columnist so I don't think there will be an issue with my visa. If people do get paid then obviously I won't do it. I have submitted a sample column to them and now just waiting to hear back.

So even though I can be painfully shy, I have decided that I have to put myself out there and force myself to do new things and meet new people. Just hope it all works out! :fingerscrossed:

Re: Getting Involved
 

I like your attitude :thumbup:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Go for it girl!! Good for you:thumbup:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Proud of you, :) When I was an Army wife, we'd try to adhere to the old saying "Bloom where you are planted." :thumbup:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Thanks everyone. I feel a bit nervous and a little sick at the thought of volunteering and meeting all these new people but I need to get over it. After all you only meet a new person once so the 2nd time I meet them will be fine, just got to get past the fear! :o

Re: Getting Involved
 

You will be fine Sarah, just think, all those 'new' people will be thrilled to have a Brit join them, most people do like listening to the accent;)

I'm going to be thinking about doing just what you are as soon as mine is back in school, just another couple weeks:thumbup:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Great news Sarah..it's amazing what doors open up once we start getting involved. I've made a lot of friends and been given a lot of different opportunities though volunteering and "getting out there."
I'm sure you'll enjoy it :thumbsup:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Well I am handing in my PTO volunteer form at the ice cream social on Monday at the Elementary school and the cheerleading clinic starts next Friday with the first game the following day so I am not going to have much longer to wait until I get the chance to volunteer. One of the requirements of the cheerleading is that you commit to at least 2 hours volunteering at the concessions or donate another $25 to the CDC (Carmel Dads Club) that run the cheerleading (and loads of other sports and activities for kids)

I am sure I'll be fine. I'm sure I will. :eek:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Well done, Sarah! The other Moms will love the 'novelty value' of a UK Mom with accent on the committee! I was room parent for my younger son's class, the first year we moved to the U.S It also gives you a good insight into how the school works, the teacher relationships etc. Plus your kid will love seeing you in the library or whatever!

Re: Getting Involved
 

All depends on what age your kids are...I have been 'told' in no uncertain terms NOT to volunteer at my Sons school....can't imagine why!:lol:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Well done you what a great attitude. :thumbup:

Re: Getting Involved
 

OMG Sarah - that is such a great attitude to have, when I was here on an H4 I volunteered with the local high school track meets (God I don't even have kids) as much as anything it was having something to do that was "mine" and completely un-related to DH's work etc.

Also if you do get "published" we will all want to read it!!!:thumbup: you know how nosey we are!

Re: Getting Involved
 

Great job Sarah I met my friends through the school and also when I went to work a couple of years later. I did the PTO thing too I only lasted a year, but it makes some good contacts and also lets you know who to avoid :lol:

Re: Getting Involved
 

Oh yes, I agree! This was 6 years ago, when my son was in First grade! I woukld not be greeted so warmly now! I think Sarah's child is kindy age, so should be fine for her!

Re: Getting Involved
 

Yeah they will be Kindergarten (daughter) and 1st Grade (son).

Re: Getting Involved
 

Good luck

I was nervous about volunteering at first, but as the others have said, everyone loves listening to the 'cute' English accent.

In school time i volunteer for a reading program in an elementary school two mornings a week, and also all year round I volunteer two afternoons a week at a homeless shelter. The times are flexible (which is handy as i have 2 dogs at home) and i find having that added bit of structure to my week really helps. Otherwise I would have become mad being stuck at home with nothing to do, although having the dogs keeps me busy and Ive met loads of people through walking them and taking them to dog parks

Look forward to hearing all about your new adventures :)

Re: Getting Involved
 

:thumbsup:Well done Sarah, you will feel much better getting out and mixing with people.

Re: Getting Involved
 

Fantastic, you'll be busier than you realize. I second reading any published columns. :D

Re: Getting Involved
 

Good luck with the news paper column! :)

Re: Getting Involved
 

Well I have my first volunteer job! I am working the concession stand for a few hours at a kids football game. It is part of the organization that my daughter now does cheerleading for. It is a requirement that you volunteer if your kids want to do a sport or you have to pay an extra $25 at registration. If you don't show up for your concession shift then they bill you $50! :ohmy: I have never done anything even remotely similar before and I have no idea what to expect. I guess if I am rubbish at making change then they won't ask me to help out again! :lol:
I am still waiting to hear about volunteering at the school but the kids have only been back since last Tuesday. It is very quiet during the day in the apartment now!
I am also considering getting my kids involved in Cub/Girl Scouts as a way for them to make more friends and have a wider social circle. (I am not 100% comfortable with the Scouts on a few aspects of their beliefs but I won't let it stop me finding out a bit more about what they do. Each pack could be a bit different and a bit more open minded) :fingerscrossed: As well as introduce me to more people. There is a Brit Meet Up in the next town over at the end of every month that I am probably going to go to this month.
I've not heard anything about the column yet but I will submit something else anyway.

Re: Getting Involved
 

Scouts here are much more into the whole God thing, good luck with that.

Re: Getting Involved
 

Good for you Sara, the concession stand thing should be easy for you, my Son did the same thing here a couple weeks ago for the school 'soccer' team. The Brit meet up thing sounds great, we don't have anything like that here.
Good luck sweety, get yourself out there!:D

Re: Getting Involved
 

:)Good for you Sarah. I wouldn't worry too much about the change thing. You'll probably be better than the rest put together. I am sure there will be others wanting you to volunteer. Just show 'em how good you are.