THE START!!

Here I am again after quite a stressful 3 weeks but the old dog survived and she is still going strong !!

Following from where I left off . I had been told by Fulbright to get to the Social Security Office and get a US number . Stuart and Mel took me there on our arrival in Virginnia . In just under a 2hour queue I had filled in the correct forms , welcomed to the USA and was duly sent my social number after a 2week wait .

Next we had to drive to the DMV ( dept of motor vehicles ) where I tried to register Theresa's car . Was told I had to have a utility bill in my name to prove my address . Having just arrived was difficult .

Next off to the cable TV shop to register for that and hopefully get a bill to prove my address .Will be in the post !!!!

next ; phone calls to car insurance to see if I could get insured with my international license and then be able to drive to work . Success . BUT:

there always is . I have to sit a driving test within 60 days . AGHHHH !

Sad farewell to Stuart and Mel and the PANIC set in . But : Lovely , lovely neighbours so all good .

On the sunday before school I did a test run . This is where I must tell you about my new best friend . Sorry Theresa . She is called Laura and I would not survive without her !! In the uk she is a Sat Nav ( navigation system ) and in the US she is a GPS system . Laura gets me to my destination with an American accent and more importantly she gets me home . Great fun . Better than a radio . In 400 hundreds yards turn right etc . Laura are you sure ? In 400 hundred yards turn right . A lot of interesting conversation but I would not be without her . Even when I do not turn right in 400 yards she re-directs me !! Amazing .

D-DAY :

Well up at 6.30 breathing deeply and set off into the morning traffic . Dumfries is empty compared to this .Arrived 7.30 in time for breakfast . Very nice . This was supplied for 3days while meetings went on and on and on and . You get the drift . Yes same as home . No need to worry at all .

However the speed and expectations of the knowledge of the US sytem both in technology and curriculum left me burling ! The register , tracking , monitering information , e-mails etc I have done at home but so much sofware to get into the destinations I needed !!! This really got to me . Then going to other schools to be told how to teach ( Sorry it's a dig at both countries )

So much so when it came to the following Tuesday when I had my first class I had no idea what was expected.Wing it time .

While all this is going on I have 3 more visits to the DMV all taking over an hour to wait I finally have the corect documents and the car is now registered in my name . You pay for number plates here . So my shiny new plates are on and just the test to go . AGHHHH

I am now on week two but have a parents evening shortly so will save that for another day .

I have received some great e-mails from many of you and please keep them coming or the comments . I am doing fine . Have hit the wall but definitely have come out the other side .The penny has dropped and well I am quite proud of myself . This is one big challenge and I will be fine .Bring it on .

Love to you all . Do miss the banter but only for a short while . Helen xxxx