Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday Snapshot


Today, my former boss got tickets to see Fulham play Everton at Craven Cottage. This was my first Premier League game and it was a brilliant day out. The game resulted in a 0-0 draw, but still with plenty of action, made even more entertaining by the likes of fellow Aussies Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) and Tim Cahill (Everton). Even though my seats were in the Director's Box (sweet!!) for Fulham, I couldn't help but secretly hope that Everton would pull off a win.

I guess part my heart still lies in the North West...

The only low point of the day was, since we were in the Director's Box jeans were not allowed, I (stupidly) decided to wear my high heeled boots...yeah, I know, dumb idea! My feet will be sore for a few days, I imagine! It felt very wrong to be so dressed up at the football.

While the Box, including its food and champagne, was quite an experience, I realised I am much more of a jeans-and-a-pint-in-the-cheap-seats kind of girl!

(Photo is courtsey of my friend Hannah, since my camera is now six feet under!)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Baby Steps

I heard this from Little Girl 3 in the backseat this morning on the school run:

"Becs...I like you...a little bit, but...I still like C (former nanny) a lot".

That's fine with me. It's a step in the right direction.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

My New Life

I guess now is as good a time as any to update you on the first two and a half weeks in my new job. It's taken a while, I know, but it's taken me a while to get used to working 12 hours a day.

I started on a Friday, and moved out of my old job that morning, carting the rest of my not-so-light stuff by bus and train to West Hampstead. The rest of the day, I spent getting settled into my room. Saturday was my first official day of work, which included the baby's 1st birthday party in the afternoon, so I got to meet most of the extended family. And there are a lot of them!

The first week was very long and very challenging as it was the week the kids started back at school, having been overseas for most of the summer. Most nights after work, I just crashed into bed, too exhausted to even think. This nanny thing is tough! But since then, we have all sort of settled into a routine and the kids are getting to know me and even answer me when I talk to them! It's a good start.

The highlight has definitely been spending the days with the 1 year old boy. He is absolutely adorable, even though this brother has taught him to scream, which Little Boy 1 does at a very high pitch! Pushing the buggy down the street, on our way to Gymboree or music classes, is the part of nannying I always imagined. I had one particular moment this week...the sun was shining, the sky was blue, I was pushing Little Boy 1 in his buggy, choosing to forget that just that very morning, I had changed the wet sheets on Little Girl 3's bed, washed the bedding of Little Boy 1, who had thrown up in the night and cleaned up the trail of poo on the kitchen floor from Little Boy 1's leaking nappy (he had a very bad tummy bug). All that faded into a distant memory in the light of the sunny morning stroll.

I have also had to get used to driving the foreign streets of West Hampstead. As all navigationally-challenged people understand, this filled me with dread. But, my bosses car has Sat Nav. Yes, Sat Nav! I have never driven a car with this before and it has to be one of the best inventions ever. Today, the kids decided to name the Sat Nav lady Star, and we spent the journey home from school mocking her voice and giving crazy instructions.

I've done some exploring around West Hampstead and I have to say it is a whole new world. I love it though. I love having transport options too. I can pretty much get a bus to anywhere from here...if I manage to concentrate and get on the bus going in the right direction! Note to self: never catch public transport when over-tired.

So this is my new life. It's a lot busier than my last one.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sunday Snapshot


This shot was taken yesterday in Hyde Park...such a gorgeous sunny day! Unfortunately, just after this shot was taken, my camera died a tragic death on the pavement just by the Albert Memorial. This may be my last Sunday Snapshot, well, for a couple of weeks anyway. Pay day is looming, at last!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

September Stocking Stuffers


What?? Christmas stuff in the shops? It's only the middle of September, people !!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Sunday Snapshot


Better late than never...this is the park on Fortune Green Road, West Hampstead

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Randomness of London


Last night, my friend Hannah and I headed out to the Novello Theatre to see Adam Garcia in Tap Dogs before the season ended on 5th September.

It was an amazing show...however, we found the following notice in our programs:

"At this performance, the role of Foreman will be played by Douglas Mills"

What?? Who is he?? I didn't pay 40 pounds to see Douglas Mills! I mean, he is a very talented dancer, don't get me wrong, but I found it hard to get over just who he wasn't. Still, an awesome show!

After the show, we walked back to Covent Garden tube station, only to be greeted on the platform by a guy hugging and kissing everyone, as you do! He was a little drunk.

One long hug and several kisses on the cheek later, the train arrived and who should be in the same carriage? Yep, slightly-drunk-kissing-guy! He spotted Hannah and I and came back for more, creating way more attention than I ever try to draw to myself on the tube! Turns out, he was also a fellow Brisbanite from Morningside on the South Side (and declared the "relationship" over when he found out I was from the North Side!!).

His friend then came along to drag him away...strangely enough, to catch his train to West Hampstead! He could be my new neighbour...

A classic, random London moment!