Farewell, Oxfam, dear friend…

Today was my last day volunteering at my lovely Oxfam shop. I didn't really do much work... but it was nice just to spend time with my friends and have a nice, drawn-out 'goodbye'.

This volunteering job has been such a great thing for me. When I started in September, it was just something that got me out of the house a couple times a week. It quickly became something I looked forward to every week. I have loved sorting through piles and piles of second-hand clothes, finding ridiculous costumes and some really great stuff for myself. I have acquired some awesome clothes, a few pairs of shoes and a glow-in-the-dark nativity set! But more than that, I have loved chatting to my friends (I think my code-names for them are Moira and City) and sitting down for a cuppa with the boss. I've been able to chat to them about all my exciting adventures and my many challenges, too.

I will miss my dear Oxfam *sigh*

Before I left, my friends at Oxfam gave me some lovely gifts! They gave me a mug detailing Moseley village, my home for the past year. They gave me a lovely window-hanging with dried flowers. City painted me a gorgeous little painting! But the gift that made me the most emotional was a certificate from the director of Oxfam. It says: 'This certificate was awarded to Sarah Patterson for supporting Oxfam's work by being a fantastic volunteer and raising thousands of pounds through her hard work. On behalf of Oxfam, and the people who will benefit, thank you.' I teared up right away!

I think this will be my last post until I get back from my UK Road Trip! See you in a few weeks!

Another Turning Point…

*Sigh*

Well, here I am, again… at the end of one experience and the beginning of another. 'All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.'

I'm sure some time in the near future, after I have digested this past year in my head, I will sit down to write about all the things I have learned, the people I will try very hard to keep in touch with and the unique things about the UK that I will miss… but for now, I'll just say 'goodbye, friends', short and sweet.

Thank you to all my friends from small group and Oasis church who came out to bid me farewell at dinner last night. (We met up for a traditional English curry! I had a Balti, which was actually developed in Birmingham, because the English like their sauce.) I have been so blessed to know! I will miss you all very much, but I am always online, so keep in touch!

I'll leave you with some pictures from last night and the cheesiest 'goodbye' song I could think of:

Last Mop-Day

I just cleaned the England family's kitchen for the last time ever in my life. The fact that I am leaving this job has still not registered in my brain.

So, it turns out that the girls are staying at Grandma's this week while Youngest goes to 'Holiday Club'… I guess that's kind of like just going to nursery in the summer-time. Although it doesn't feel much like summer today. It's rainy. The past 6 weeks have been relatively warm and sunny, so this wet weather is a huge contrast. I'm hoping it wont stay! Driving all over the UK in the rain might be a bit miserable.

I have quite the 'to do' list this week… 1) Map out driving route on google maps. 2) Print out all itineraries, tickets and google maps. 3) Finish packing and store bags at Aussie's. 4) Make sure I have enough socks. 5) Clean my room… and so on.

Well, this has been boring post. Sorry about that!

Wow… it's really coming to an end

So, I can't be sure (since I am often in the dark when it comes to the England family's plans), but I think this is my last night with the kids. I tucked Youngest up in bed and read/sang him our favourite book: 'The Teddy Bear's Picnic'. I calmly asked Middle to get into bed as she shouted and screamed at me that it wasn't bedtime yet. I stood and waited while Oldest lollygagged brushing her teeth and switched her light off for her as she climbed into bed.

Tomorrow, The Mum is carting the kids off to Grandma's. I think they're gone for a week… which means I wont see them before I leave for London. They might be around the next week, when I bring my Canadian friends to Birmingham… but I'm not certain.

Wow. It's over. Soon, I will no longer be Sarah Au-Pair-ah.

Now, I have had a number of challenges these past 10 months. Working with children, although sometimes very fun and rewarding, is rarely easy. I have definitely experienced some tough times, emotionally and mentally and I even had days where I just wanted to forget the whole thing and come home. But I also learned so much! I learned about what it's like to take care of three kids… what is involved in keeping a house clean… and I challenged myself to make friends and find my place in a strange city. So… I definitely haven't wasted my time here.

I think this song can help to express my bittersweet time here in Brum… even though it's really about the end of a relationship and not the end of an au-pair-ship.

Plan B

On my birthday, this year, I will be in Edinburgh, about to depart on a bus tour of the Highlands with Meggo, Jaysin, and MeLLB. It's on July 30, BTW.

Please don't buy me a gift, as I already have TOO MUCH stuff already I've had to take bags and bags of stuff to Oxfam in order to reduce my belongings to fit in my suitcases.

But if you really must… I'd like the new album by this guy. It's soulful.

Indigestion

Also, I have been feeling physically ill for the past few days. I have found that some of the big changes in my life have been accompanied by feeling sick. For instance, when I started highschool, I was so stressed out that I barely ate for 2 weeks! And before I got on a plane to come to England, I had a horrible upset stomach for days. I have been experiencing similar achy feelings this week. Now… is that my body's way of interpreting the stress my brain feels? Or do I just not eat well at stressful times in my life? *sigh* Oh well, I'm sure my tummy will be back to normal soon enough!

P.S. I am done here in Brum in only 9 days! What?!?!

Quiet Week So Far

I had a bit of a stressful start to the weekend, centred around Middle falling off a ladder and breaking her arm. Ask me about it later…

I spent most of my weekend playing guitar, reading, walking in the park, watching period dramas and talking to someone special on Skype. I also did balloons at a pirate-themed birthday party and, as per usual for a Sunday, I went to church.

This Sunday was my second-last Sunday at Oasis and I did tear up a bit. I will really miss all of the great people I met there! I was really fortunate to find Oasis. I really learned what a church community can be like from becoming involved in a small group here. I can't believe I only have one more week with them. I will probably cry a lot.


My week has been pretty quiet. It's the last week of school for all three kids. The girls have been in a good mood all week and are looking forward to their summer vacation. I think they are booked into some adventure camps and they're also looking forward to a visit to Grandma's. Today, I went to Youngest's summer concert. It was pretty adorable!

Anyways, I'm just spending time getting ready for my upcoming trip… washing clothes, mapping out our route and letting go of some (more) clothes which will not fit in my suitcase, haha.

what a mo

http://mustachesofthenineteenthcentury.blogspot.com/

K, so Blogger does this thing called 'Notable Blogs' or something. Usually, I browse the notable blogs politely and I go on my way. But the other day, this blog was singled out. I can't not revisit.

This is how AWESOME Golden Lake is!

OMG I just found this video of GLC Staff worshiping God. I love it! (Again, if you want to be a counsellor here, let me know!)

Happy Great White North Day

Happy Canada Day, everyone!

So, this morning on the school run, I ran out of gas! It was so embarrassing! I had just asked the Dad for some petrol money and was planning to fill up on my way home, but just after I dropped the girls off, the car stopped. Some caretakers had to come and push me out of the way! The Dad came with a petrol can and I was able to get to the gas station. It was a little bit awful.

Other than that, my day has been pretty normal. I went to Oxfam and did some ironing. I did make some red-and-white cupcakes for Canada day, though. I'm going to take them to small group tonight. I am also wearing Canada earrings and my t-shirt from the Olympics earlier this year.
Tonight at small group, I'm leading worship. I was going to just do some familiar songs, but then I had a better idea. I've been thinking about camp a lot lately, since Golden Lake Camp is just finishing up their training week and campers will arrive on Sunday! (I am really sad that I'm not there again this summer.) By the way— if you know anyone who is interested in being a camp counsellor, please let me know and I will pass on your information to the directors!!!
… Anyways, I've been thinking about camp a lot. So I picked out 3 songs that we do at camp for worship tonight. I'm hoping everyone will have fun singing these songs… we're supposed to enjoy singing to God, aren't we?

Please, please let me know if you know of anyone who is interested in being a camp counsellor! GLC is such an amazing place !