Good Day Sunshine!!!

***I would just like to note that this is the 3rd time I am attempting this blog... the other two times I completed it and went to submit it and did not have internet.  It won't be as detailed because I am sick of writing it!  hehe... I havn't been ignoring you all!!***

I am sure all of you know that Beatles song, Good Day Sunshine... they use to play it on our morning announcements in middle school.  Since it is by the Beatles, I deemed it appropriate for today.  ACTUALLY it is extremely cold out.. but things have been turning around for me.  Exciting, I know!!  

On Friday, I did your typical tourist things.  I went to Westminister and saw some really cool things.  Right when I got out of the tube (subway) station, I was standing right under Big Ben!  As I looked around, I saw the London Eye, Parliament, Westminister Abby, and of course, Big Ben (can't seem to escape that name here ugh).  Parliament was MUCH bigger than I thought.  It was so empowering... makes it hard to give a description that would do it justice.  I didn't actually walk inside of Westminister Abby (it was getting dark... 3:30pm.. and it was 12 pounds.  I wanted more time to spend in it) but I plan to eventually.  The best part of this whole stop was a small church located next to Westminister Abby.  The name is the church was St. Margaret's.  It was very moving.  I went in and said some prayers and I know Grammy was listening (I was in her church of course).  The church had been used for service for 900 years but was now just for viewing.  There is so much history here it is unreal.

When I got back to my room I began to look on a website for jobs.  The website reminded me of Craig's list and the classifieds combined.  I swore I would not work with kids and would get my big girl job, but some of there nanny/au pair jobs offered it all.  The hostel I am staying at is 99 pounds a week... making it about $600 a month.  And that is only a hostel!!  You can imagine how expensive rent is here.  So I began looking for live in au pair jobs.  All of the live in hotel jobs were out of the city in rural areas and I wanted to stay in central London.  

I applied for about 10 or so positions on a whim.  It made me feel somewhat accomplished =).  It had not been an hour before I heard back from one of them!  Needless to say, I was very excited.   I had my first interview!  Woohoo!!!  So the next night, I went to the house at about 5pm.  The houses here are really neat (actually I have only been in one, but it was cool!).  They are very tall with many levels.  So I walked in, got the tour, and sat down with the family.  They have a 20 month old named Willow and a one month old named Charles (very English I know).  The mom, Heidi, is from Australia and the father, Ben (I told you I can't get away from it), it from England.  They were SO nice!!  They were very warm and welcoming.  The interview went great!  The only thing that worried me was they were interviewing more people and I would only be temporary.  Heidi said she would text me the next day (EVERYONE here texts).  And.... drum roll please.. she text me that night saying I would be a lovely addition to their family!!!! I was SOOO excited!  So what does this job entail... I was describe and you will agree with me that it is almost too good to be true.  First off, I have my own room with a TV and wireless internet.  Not only so I have my own room, there is a guest room next to mine that is rarely used with a couch and fireplace!  Next, I get free rent and free food!  All paid for.  It keeps going.  I also get 100 pounds ($150) a week for spending!  My services include Mon-Fri 8am-11am and 4pm-7pm.  WEEKENDS OFF!  How great.. I KNOW!!  My favorite part is that I will have plenty of time to travel.  My family is leaving for the month of April and I will still be able to stay at the house, I just won't be working.  This is when I will be able to travel!  A whole month with a place to stay and no work!  So I start Thurs!  

OK I have much more to say but I need to go!  I am in Newcastle with Geordie!!  Toodles!  Miss you and love you all!!  

Love,

Monica