About Differences, Dreams and Detours

Hiya mi Lasses and Lads! How are you all?

It is weird how some of the greatest writers or artists in general are often quite troubled figures. I wonder if it is even possible for a Jane Bloggs or Joe Bloggs to create something mind-blowing and different. Aren’t we all thinking a bit too much inside the box? A regular person might be too much restricted by certain social costumes and rules…Have you never caught yourself thinking: “I have reached this or that age, now I am supposed to do this or that” or something along the lines of “Everyone does this. This is how it is supposed to be. This is what everyone expects from me?”

Many people react disturbed when they meet someone who is different. We feel insecurity and estrangement when somebody does something that is not considered ‘normal’. I have to confess that I am often doing exactly the same…although I try to break out of it once in a while, it always comes back to the same thought: “Should I not do this now, as I have reached that age…” So in reality after finishing university and taking this one year off, I suppose that many people would expect me now to finally find a job (preferably in Austria, at least according to my parents) and to settle down. But what if I am not ready? What if I choose to do something else? It takes a hell lot of courage I’d say, and I think that many people don’t have it…I wonder if I have it to be completely honest. 

I just started reading Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, a fantastic book, describing the adventures of various young US American men (the Beat Poets). They are a crazy bunch of young lads who live according to their own rules…though I am not saying I would choose their life of drug usage, alcoholism, and constant wandering around. I am struck by their uniqueness, by their different mind-sets. It is exactly this kind of person that often creates something wonderful. When you read their poems and for example Kerouac’s novel, it is just amazing how their so non-standard life-style shows us the many troubles and worries humankind has to deal with…It shows us people who are brave enough to think outside of the box, to do things that may be considered crazy, things that seem irrational and abnormal, things that create something new and wonderful! It can be hurtful to do something that does not conform to standard values and norms, but it is also extremely gratifying. We should stop allowing certain rules to decide what we can or should do, as well as what is normal and what not, because who decides that??? 

We should be the ones that make our own decisions. As long as we are happy and satisfied with our choice…that’s the most important thing isn’t it: Happiness.

Dreams and Detours

Kerouac’s character Sal Paradise dreamed of going West along Route 6, a red vertical line from NYC to SanFran, but things did not work out like he had envisioned. He realised that he has to take turns, that he has to go up and down, back and forth instead of straight ahead to reach his destination. This is the same with our dreams. Sometimes it is just necessary to take a detour in order to reach a certain point, wherever that point might be. It could be the aim of getting a UK citizenship, it could be the goal of becoming, a writer, a traveller, a teacher, etc. Whatever dream it might be, life does not just go smoothly from A to B, sometimes the G or Z is even the most exciting part of it.

Leeds is about trying out new things…the other day I played squash with Chris for 2 hours which was absolutely knackering but incredible! I loved it. I felr totally soar afterwards, but it was so worth it. It seems as I am finally converting to do a bit more sport. It feels good. In this one year I joined the gym (even though I have to confess I did not go that often), I tried out tennis, squash, played a bit of badminton and went swimming…it’s good to be active.

last time in MFL department

School was good lately. We found out some interesting things about German and English, for example in German we say “Gift” to refer to poison, while in English it means “present”…The students get more and more confident and start telling me things in German, I can really see their progress and it makes me proud. I’ll miss those guys, also the once who think that German is only “Ich and Ach”… I am sure some will remember Austria – due to my relentless patriotism, forcing Austrian words on them like “Palatschinken” and “gescheid” or “Matura” hahaha.

Olly ready for the Viaduct

out'n'about in Leeds

The other day we went to Viaduct again, a popular gay bar in Leeds, to see a drag performance. It was fabulous. What else would you expect? We were a big group of lasses and lads, and we had a blast. Did some dancing, some drinking…it was a long and funny night!

saying goodbye to Helmut from Bavaria

FLA Farewell Party

May seems to be about good-byes in a series of good-byes. Apart from the FLA farewell party, I said good-by to some assistants and now it’s also the last week in Garforth. It is sad – and I start doing what I always do: looking at things extra closely, absorbing every detail, hoping not to forget it. I contemplate the landscape when I am on the bus to my school, thinking “Maybe this is the last time I see it”…wondering if I took advantage of what has been offered to me… It is unbelievable how quickly time goes by. I was aware of this from the first moment on though. It is the natural way of things and as Kerouac also says something new and crazy will come. I just read the following in his novel which perfectly describes what I am feeling right now:

“What is the feeling when you’re driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? – it’s the too huge world vaulting us, and it’s good-by. But we then look forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies” (Kerouac, The Road, 141).

Well it is not a farewell; it might be a see you later. And I’ve still got some time left, so no reason to be melancholic and sad! Seize the day!!! Some interesting things will follow at home: I’ll work as an English teacher with Oli and Maria, something I am really looking forward to, and as every year for the past 7 years (gosh!) I’ll work at H&F! So nothing to worry about!

Ta-ra!

About Ta, a Wicked Time with E+M+O, THE Kiss of the Year, French Triplets, Massive Sand Dune, Oysters, Sun and Shrimp-Tan

Hiya mi lasses and lads.

on the top of Whernside (Yorkshire Dales)

reunited!

I am now officially back from almost one month of holiday. This year was quite special because of Easter hols and bank hols (royal wedding, etc.) we got almost a month off, which gave me plenty of time to gallivant around, to explore, to read, to chat, to sunbath, … so all in all another chilled out month…incredible how easy and relaxed life is here.

Oli and Eva all content and relaxed

First of all, I am proud to say that yesterday I said my first “Yorkshire word” without hesitating. It came all naturally…Well, some of you may know this feeling when you hear all those new words and expressions and you try to use them, but they never really feel right…it almost feels strange and unnatural to pronounce colloquialism like “innit” instead of “isn’t it”, “well pretty” for “really pretty” or “mi lad” for “my boy”, etc. Yesterday though, I was on the bus home from work and as it is local custom you always say thank you to the driver when getting off the bus (another example of how polite Brits are). I was getting ready to get off. I opened my mouth to pay my respect to the driver. And instead of former “cheers”, “thank you” or “thanks” my lips formed around the word “TA”… After that, even though it sounds silly, I felt so happy and couldn’t stop smiling. So YES, I am now naturally saying “Ta”…it does no longer feel weird and strange. It comes natural. It seems as if Yorkshire localisms start becoming more and more at home in my mouth;) Isn’t that great!!!!!!

in Leeds with Oli, Eva and Maria

April was another sensational month of many! Not only did I do lots of trips, but I was able to spend one week with Maria, Eva and Oli, which was great. It was short, but intense and I enjoyed every minute of it. After an unbelievable long journey the guys finally arrived in Leeds. I wanted to be on time to pick them up (as I am known for my unpunctuality…but well, what are 5 or 15 minutes nothing,…don’t you think?! Spanish time, innit…), so Chris and I were there 10-15 minutes before their scheduled arrival. But surprise, surpise, we waited at the wrong bus stop. I have to confess it was not the first time that this happened to me. Anyways the week was great, not only did we have some lovely dinners – hot curry followed by bangers and mash – but we also spend some amazing afternoons, walking around, taking loads of pictures and catching up. I realised how much I miss these guys…I know it is a new phase of life and blablabla, but still I am somehow sad that we do no longer see us every day and tell us every detail of our daily routine … 

spring...put flowers in your eyes

with my little princess and flowers in the hand

It was great to have them here. We went to York and took some “vintage” pictures with my Lomo Princess, we had drinks at Clarence Dock, we went hiking in the Dales and of course we went shopping.

The trip to the Dales was wonderful. Chris picked Whernside, the highest peak in the Dales…a four or five hour walk I think. The hike was gorgeous…once we reached the top of the mountain, we had to walk along a long ridge where it was unbelievably windy…we got almost blown away…but it was exciting and fun. The countryside there is just amazing. Our efforts were thanked with a deli meal at the Cow and Calf – definitely one of my favourite pubs! 

break on top of Whernside

Oli - wind o wind...

almost blown away

on the top

lovely bangers and mash

On Sunday we had a lovely English breakfast (actually the first time that I cooked a full English breakfast…yum yum yum) and then Eva hid Easter bunnies in our house, which we had to find…it was so great and took me back in time. It’s just those little things that I enjoyed so much as a kid and which once you grow up you just stop doing it’s a shame…

Cricket_Yorkshire vs. Netherlands in Leeds Carnegie Stadium

chilling in the sun

After Chris and I dropped the guys at the bus stop, I didn’t feel like going home so we went to Headingly Cricket Stadium. Chris thought we should check out rugby, but then we saw that they also play cricket. I was a bit unsure when the guy said the game is from 2.00 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. … I doubted that I can handle that much sport at once haha, so we thought we’ll just go there and possibly leave earlier (or at least I thought I would). It was lovely though. A really slow sport where people don’t really pay attention all the time. There were people reading the newspaper, eating, drinking, sunbathing, and one woman was even knitting…So in total it is just an excuse to sit in the sun and to drink…gosh dear Britain… I have to confess that I genuinely enjoyed it…I napped a bit, read my book and chilled out…

On Friday was bank holiday because THE event of the year was taking place. Kate and William finally said yes to each other. For months entire Britain was feverishly looking forward to this day. We even followed some of the ceremony on TV at the airport, waiting for our flight to the South of France, our locus of refuge from all the hustle and bustle of the wedding weekend. Olly was all excited about the kiss on the balcony, which we unfortunately missed, because we had to board our plane. But lucky us it was repeated over and over and over again on TV. What an exciting moment. 

This wedding turned into a great celebration and a massive marketing event, as numerous shops, restaurants, etc. profited from it, selling random merchandise. But all in all, it seemed like a magic moment, which made stop Britain for a second to witness their royals in awe…

Dune du Pyla

lasses and lads in the South of France

Anyways it was good to get away for the weekend. We spent a marvellous time in Montalivet and Bordeaux. We were lucky to land in this part of France, the only reason why we did, was that the flight was cheap. Somehow it all fell into place though. Adam had a cousin there in whose house we could stay, we realized that there are massive dunes and Bordeaux just around the corner. As soon as we arrived in Limoges we got our rental car and we set out for Montalivet (a 4 hrs drive, me driving again, after this year I am definitely going to be a pro.). 

Oysters fresh from the sea

eating Oysters and drinking wine

We chilled on the beach, got red as shrimp (this is what Brits are referred to normally, because as soon as it gets sunny they lie in the sun, possibly without protection and get utterly burned), had some lovely food (I tried oysters for the first time in my life…not that special to be honest), and wine, walked up massive sand dunes, swam in the pool and cruised around South of France.

Rainbow in Bordeaux

French people are funny: they can be really rude or really chatty. In our town the local Mom’s and Pop’s owner was a character, he made dirty French jokes and sold us some lovely whine which apparently has a stimulating and invigorating effect, enhancing the likelihood of getting triplets… This part of France is just amazing, Bordeaux reminded me a lot of Valencia, which made me again a bit nostalgic. I think it is time to go back there asap…Since I’ve left, I’ve been there every year, except this year…

Bordeaux

Now I am back in Leeds, today is the farewell party of the language assistants…quite early, considering that we still have one month of work. Yesterday I had a great day at work. I know that I’ll definitely miss the people here and also the schools, because now the students know me, they are more confident to talk to me…it’s a shame, but then again I am happy I was able to be here in the first place.

Good lasses and lads, have a fabulous day. Be happy and try to enjoy life.

TA