The Big Goodbye in Aberystwyth

Last weekend, I hopped on a train (or two) to visit my best friend, Rhi, who’s currently studying for her Masters at Aberystwyth University.

Not only was it a special weekend because I’d discover where she’ll be living for the next year but this was the last time we’d be seeing each until December 2012. Having never really had more than a fortnight apart in the eight years we’ve known each other, we knew this was going to be an emotional time but decided to leave that stuff until the last moment and just make the most out of the weekeend to come.

If there’s one thing to be said about Aberystwyth, it’s a student town. It’s also a traditional seaside town. Non-UK based readers? Want to find out what British students are like? Want to find out what going to the seaside’s like for British families? Go to Aberystwyth. While it’s located on the coast of mid-Wales, I didn’t hear a single Welsh accent while I was there (other than mine and Rhi’s). The town is brimming with students and tourists clutching books, bags and cameras.

Continue reading →

My New Little Big Thing

I bought a camera!!!!! :D

That’s right. No more ‘alf inching photos from the creative commons section of Flickr. I can now take my own! And I can also now document my adventures when I leave which will, of course, make this blog a little more personal (translation: From now on, there’ll be pictures of me all over your screen and up in yow face!)

As much as I’d love to buy a DSLR one day and teach myself how to use it, I don’t have time or money for one so I knew a good ol’ point and shoot was what I needed.

I scoured the internet for weeks looking for the perfect one: Something not too expensive but one that takes good quality photos. And here it is: The Nikon Coolpix S2500. :) It’s so teensy tiny but so important for my adventures. I can’t wait to share everything with you guys and all my friends and family.

First photos you’ll be seeing will come either Sunday or Monday night – I’m heading up to Aberystwyth on Friday to spend the weekend with my wonderful bestest friend in the whole wide world. It’ll be the last time we see each other before I leave so, needless to say, it’s definitely going to be emotional. But until those goodbyes come on Sunday, we’re going to forget everything and just have a whole mess of fun. Pictures galore!

Woop!

What’s the last little big thing you bought? :)

Not Doing it for the Money

Photo credit.

Ever since I handed in my notice at work last week, everyone’s been amazingly supportive, constantly asking me about teaching, the places I’ll visit, the things I’ll see, what I hope will come from it, when I’ll be back. Not to mention the heaps of hilarious photos of Mexicans in sombreros and ponchos that have been emailed to me while I’m in the middle of a call with a passenger.

But one conversation I had with two of my colleagues last week made me really proud of myself and what I’m doing:

Girl #1: Are you going to be paid for teaching out there?

Me: Yeah. I’ll be getting a proper job and living there for a while.

Girl #1: How much do TEFL jobs pay in Mexico?

Me: Well, for the majority of full-time TEFL jobs I’ve seen in the big cities at schools or language centres, it usually equates to about £400-£500 a month. That’s a rough conversion.

The girls’ jaws drop.

Continue reading →