Claire - Tea and Champagne

So, I'm finally in London! Well, I've been here a week now, but that's almost the same.

I just finished up training so I actually know what I'm going now, which is nice. For this month I'm just an RA at the Res Hall, so my responsibilities are pretty small. RAs here don't do as much as they do in the US; all we have to do is make sure the building stays in decent order, sort the mail, and help people if they have key troubles. Of course if someone needs something more, we're here, but most of the people here are in their later 20s, and thus self-sufficient by now. At the moment the building is mostly full of language students and interns, so it's pretty chill. And a lot of Spanish students, so I'm going to have to brush up on how to admonish them in their native tongue when they act up.

When the Skidmore kids get here I'll have more to do because then I'll technically be employed by the IES Centre, which is where they have their classes, and where all their student service resources are. I also did my training there this week, so we went over my responsibilities when the kids are here, and what I'll be doing throughout the day. I met nearly everyone (they have another Claire (!!) but she was out on holiday) and they're all absolutely delightful. I had several little meetings with each of the people there, just to get to know them, and at the start of each I was offered a cuppa tea or coffee - I had 3 cups of tea made for me before I got out of there on Friday! Hence this is going to be a fabulous place to be.

But the best part has to have been Wednesday, when I went in along with one of the Res Hall guys to sit in on a Health & Safety meeting he was giving. And yes, it was just like the corresponding episode of original The Office; oh how I've come to appreciate it even more now. However, after we got through that and our crisis management seminar, they had scheduled as a pre-holiday treat (all but two of them will be out this week) a company called Urban Chill to come and give everyone 15 minute back massages. Oh yes, they did. Additionally, they had some goodies left over from their 4th of July celebration, so as people were rotating in for the massage, the rest of us sat in the library and drank champagne while snacking on cupcakes. Best first day of work ever! And I think it rightly deserves that title. I don't think any first day can beat that. Massages, cupcakes, and champagne. I must say, I partook in all three parts, and all quite wonderful.

Anywho, I could ramble on for ages, but I won't. Pictures of my tiny tiny room and my gorgeous neighbourhood (Chelsea is lovely, but super expensive) will come soon.

Missing you all
xx