The Tejchmas

Thursday, 15 October 2009

New Job

Sorry that it's been awhile since my last post, but I've been trying to find something exciting and new that is going on with Jason and I, and at last something has happened! This past Monday was my first day of my new job! I was fortunate enough to get a job through a friend of mine who works downtown in Newcastle. I work at Bhs (British Home Store) in downtown Newcastle working on the ground floor in the women's retail department. My first few days have been pretty uneventful, but interesting none the less.

It's a nice change from working in the hospital, and right now I'm working only 4 hours at a time (20 hours/week), so my days pretty much fly compared to my usual 12 hour shifts. I was hired on for temporary Christmas help, so only part time, but least I will be getting a paycheck, which makes both Jason and I happy. :) One thing that is different, is that I only get paid once a month! Last Friday of every month, so there's one difference that I'm not too crazy about, but I'll be excited for the check.

Hopefully I'll have some more interesting things to add shortly about my new job, but right now I've been training and yesterday I actually worked the cash register, or what they call the till! It's pretty easy, but using a different currency than what I'm used to, still can throw me through a loop! And I did have to consciously think pounds instead of dollars when I returned the money to the customer! Another thing about my new job, is that I still stick out as soon as I open my mouth. But so far it's only benefited me, which is a pleasant surprise. If you ever want to feel important, come over and live in England, and everyone will think you sound so interesting just because you're an American and they like your accent! It's kinda nice. :) Most people realize that I'm American, or possibly think I'm Canadian, but I have to say there have now been a handful of people who think I'm Irish! Not sure if I believe that one, but I think that they just look down at my name and go by that. Who knows!haha

And on a totally different and random note...I saw my second British boxer yesterday! :) Can't tell you how excited I was to see it, and of course my doggie voice came out (I know most people have heard it!haha) And I'm guessing the dog's name was Winston, or something British sounding!haha Or maybe it was Tony Blair :) That's what I'd name my dog if I got a boxer over here! Oh I guess I can dream right!? And the second random thing...I told you all in one of my first posts that the television over here is not so good. Well I'm not sure if the show is still going on in the States (I've never watched it before here) but in the afternoons Veronica Mars comes on t.v. And it must have been one of the first seasons, but guess who was on the show!? Paris Hilton! Both Jason and I were like really is that Paris Hilton! Well it was, and comment if you already knew that she used to be on this show, but it totally through Jason and I through a loop!haha Good times in England.

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Newcastle United Game

Earlier last week Jason and I were fortunate enough to get to see our first Championship football game. Newcastle United was playing the Queens Park Rangers at St. James Park. It was a great game but it ended in a 1-1 tie. Our seats were actually right in the press box and we were literally two rows right behind the players' bench. You can see by the pictures that we were pretty close :)

Warm-up on the field, or as the Brits say, the pitch.

Here's a new addition to the stadium. St. James Park holds around 50,000 people, and at our game there were around 38,000 in attendance. What's nice about the stadium is that all the seats are covered by an awning.

More pictures of the stadium. It's alot nicer than other teams in their league because last season they were relegated down to the second league (Championship league) where they are now. But they are in first place at the moment!

Players walking out onto the pitch for the national anthem. By the way haven't heard the words to their national anthem, but it is totally the tune of "My Country Tis of Thee." Guess whoever wrote that American song stole it from the British! It always reminds me of back home when they play that song because I just sing my own song! haha :)

Here are the starters, Newcastle is on the right side.

And the kickoff

We actually got to see a penalty shot, but Newcastle missed it! We were down 0-1 most of the game, which is surprising, but least we came back, but not at this moment.

Finally was able to get Jason to take a picture with me, but there's a stupid security guard in the background, oh well...

I'm at least excited to take my picture at the game, too bad everyone already went home, or I should say everyone but that security guard. Maybe he thought I'd be one of those crazy fans that runs onto the field!!! haha, that'd be a site to see :)

Tried to take a picture of the stadium after the game

Monday, 28 September 2009

Edinburgh, Scotland

Jason and I traveled up to Edinburgh, Scotland just last week and had a wonderful time. There is so much up there to do that unfortunately we couln't get everthing in in one day, but here was our adventure! We took an early train ride up to Edinburgh, was about an hour and a half train ride. These first few pictures are taken from our seats on the train. I have to give a shout out to my friend Lauren for helping me understand my camera and how to use all the functions to take good pictures. Notice the second picture isn't as blurry, thanks Lauren!:)

Here is our first site of the city. Not much to look at but we're now in Scotland!

Once we got off the train (was about 8am) Jason and I went and got a cup of coffee, and headed for the Edinburgh Castle. Here's Jason with the city behind him.

Now it's my turn. Isn't it so beautiful even on a cloudy day!

Saw this telephone booth and had to take a pic! :)

Downtown Edinburgh

Not sure if you can read this, but the sign states that this was the site of the last public executions in Edinburgh dating back to 1864.

The three gold bars in the sidewalk were placed to remember these individuals.

Jason showing his representation of the killings. He's supposed to look like he's being hung, not a very good representation, but what do you except he was a little nervous acting it out on the street! Sorry a bit morbid!

As we continue our walk down the street.

Edinburgh Castle. Not much to see from this view, but this place was amazing. Part of the castle had been destroyed from previous battles. Was on our list to see, since it was in my A Thousand Places to See Before you Die book

Scottish bagpiper playing when we came in. Sorry it's kind of hard to see.

One of the views from the castle overlooking the city.

Picture of us with the city behind us, sorry we're blocking the view! But it was nice :)

Part of the castle

Saw this and had to show all you dog lovers.

Maybe they'll leave a spot for my boxer friends Morgie and Feni, and my sister's boys Cam, Guinners, and Tulo! You can see the gravestones around the outside near the wall.

You could listen to audio while you walked through the castle and these signs would prompt you to a reading about the area you were seeing. This one describes the dog cemetery. It says "the small garden below has been used since Queen Victoria's reign as a burial place for regimental mascots and officers' dogs."

The oldest building in the castle by King David the I (1124-53) and dedicated to his mother who died here in 1093. She was created a saint in 1251.

Inside the chapel

Outside the chapel

Another picture of us from the castle

View of the city

Another view of the city, with the mountain we climbed later in the afternoon in the background

Built by King James V on the line of the medievil defences. The guns were made about 1810.

View from one of the cannons

A close up

For 500 years up to the 19th century. This was the castle's main water supply. It is 34 meters deep but the water level was never enough to meet the demand.

The well

This was the part of the castle that was destroyed and here is what remains. It was destroyed by cannon fire in the Lang siege of 1573.

Not too much to see...

Board talking about death in the cellars

Jason down in the cellars

Scottish Crown Jewels, very cool to see but we coulldn't take pictures indside. Guess you'll have to come over and see them for yourself :)

Statue outside the building of the crown jewels

War memorial of Scottish people who have died since WWI

Down in the dungeon where they would keep the prisoners. They would sleep in hammocks, or a few to a bed. Very cozy quarters.

Jason with a Scottish bagpiper

Jason again...

After viewing the castle we were quite thirsty so we went on a Scottish Whisky Experience...It started out as a ride that showed how Scottish Whisky is made. Then we got to see a movie about the different areas where whisky is made in Scotland and understand the differences in them. These four bottles represent the different areas where the whisky is made and when you opened up the bottle you could smell what the whisky would taste like.

Stay away from the red one, it smelled like ass! (pardon me)

This was an avid scottish whisky drinker's collection. This room of scottish whisky was donated and not one bottle in here has ever been opened!

Jason posing with the whisky

Bottoms up!

Um yeah, definitely not whisky fans! Where's the captains when you need it! :)

At the end of the tour Jason and I got to taste a sample of all the whiskies from the four areas of Scotland. It was difficult to finish them all, let me tell ya.

But we were successful!

After the Scottish Whisky Experience we headed back out onto the streets. This is St. Giles Cathedral

Inside the cathedral

Jason attempting to hold the mountain in his hand, um unsuccessful, sorry Jbear! Now starts our journey up to Arthur's Seat. Took us about 2 1/2 hours to get to the top and back down. Did run into some technical difficulties on the way down, you'll see...

All smiles right now...

Round about from below. You can start to see how high up we were

And the home videos begin!

Rocky Balboa!? I can hear the music now...

Still had energy at this point. Though you won't see any bad pictures of us because we were too tired to pull the camera out, and I don't want you to see us like that, haha!