Mamma Mia

Last night, I went to see Mamma Mia with my friend Lisa and her sister, Mandy. It was brilliant!

I tried my hardest to not sing along to all the songs and embarrass myself, but by the end, I was on my feet, arms in the air, singing along with everyone else.

So much fun!

Sunday Snapshot

At last !

(photo courtesy of www.gm.tv)

We're all in this together

I love to read and at the moment, I am loving getting stuck into books by fellow expats, both fictional and real life tales of their adventures, and those who are truly living their dream.

I have a few to recommend:

The first one is by a fellow blogger, whose blog I discovered about four years ago while stuck in a boring office job in Brisbane, Australia. At the time, I was planning my return to the UK and going through the process of deciding where to base myself. I discovered Simon Varwell's blog while researching Glasgow and I can tell you, it brightened many a dull office day. Simon is based in Inverness in Scotland, but has spent a significant amount of time searching out "Mullets" across the world...as you do! He's now written a book called "Up The Creek Without a Mullet", all about his adventures, searching for mullets from Albania to Australia to Haiti. You can read more about his search here

The second book I'd like to recommend is called "Single in the City" by Michele Gorman. True, I've only read a taster of her book but it has hooked me already and I can't wait to get my hands on the whole thing! Michele is a fellow expat, hailing from the US and has lived in London for 12 years.

If you're an expat, or just love a great read, get your hands on these books!

Sunday Snapshot

OK, I know it's Wednesday (blame dodgy internet connections and super-slow computers!), but this shot was taken on Sunday at West Wittering beach. I so needed to see the ocean and this beach didn't disappoint! A true sandy beach, warm water and a gorgeous sunny day. What could be better than that?

True, I am now nursing some pretty bad sunburn. You'd think I would have learnt from last time! Once again, never underestimate the strength of the English sunshine!

Sunday Snapshots

Today, I took one of the kids I look after to see The Wiggles in concert at the Hammersmith Apollo. I think I loved it more than she did! So much fun!!

Graduations and Goodbyes

Yesterday, the youngest boy I look after graduated from his nursery, all ready to start "big" school in September. It was such a great day. He did so well in his performance and I couldn't help but shed a few tears.

It hit me that I have just two months left with them, and even though I will see them from time to time, the close relationship we have built over the past 18 months will not be the same. They'll have a new nanny and I'll have new kids to look after and we'll move on. I really hate goodbyes. I'm no good at them and I've had too many of them. I always start to cry and never really get to say exactly how I feel.

After the performance, I took both of the kids to our favourite playground and I watched as little-boy-four balanced on the balance beam by himself. I taught him that. I watched him swing himself on the swings, stretching his legs out as he went forward, tucking them in as he swung back. I taught him that. I watched his six-year-old sister take her first one-handed swing on the monkey bars. I taught her that. I realised then that I have made a difference in their lives and even though I won't be there day to day, they'll remember me.

No one told me about this side of the job when I signed up!