Happy Thanksgiving

 Last time I blogged I was on my way back from my nursing prep course. I hit the studying when I returned and practiced constantly. I went into the test at Oxford a lot more confident and prepared than previously having taken the test. I walked away thinking I for sure failed (much like all of us NCLEX takers), but to my surprise (after a long few days of waiting) I PASSED!!!! I am now “allowed” to work as a Paediatric Nurse in the UK. 

At the same time, we were accepted for a rental property we placed an offer on here (it’s almost like buying a house it’s such a huge market, serious business). We didn’t fully start moving in until the weekend after my test. I didn’t want the distraction. We live about 0.5 miles from my mother in law and about 0.1 mile from my brother in law and his family. We ultimately chose it based on the location and we really liked the lay out. It’s a 3 bedroom 1.5 baths (as we Americans would call it, basically one bathroom with a shower/tub and the other is just a toilet and sink off the main entrance). It is detached which means we share no walls with anyone (not as common here). It also has a garage/driveway, conservatory and a shed in the back “garden” /yard. We would never jump into buying a place such as this here as it would cost a fortune, but the rent for this place was similar to a small 2 bedroom flat/apartment in this same town, so we went for it. We’ve been home owners for the past few years so going back to paying rent is a bit of a nail biter, but makes sense for us in our situation. 

We have been quickly making the place cozy and trying to get that sense of home here as we had in our own home back in USA. Emme loves the house, she calls it the “Big New House”, which cracks us up as it’s smaller than our American one, but I’m happy she loves it and is adjusting. She also loves the stairs...which is unnerving haha.

As I had mentioned before, England announced going back into lockdown on Halloween evening. It means we can’t mix with other households, non essential shops closed, gyms, salons, etc. Schools stayed open. This is all set to end on December 2, but the Prime Minister will announce tonight what will happen from then on. We are hoping to be able to see some family over Xmas. With this time of not being able to go see people and possibly not even over Xmas, we just couldn’t wait to decorate our home for Xmas. It’s the first time ever in my life I’ve had a tree up before December 1st. We just felt we needed the warmth and joy in our home that the holiday season normally brings. 

The last time we lived in the Uk over Thanksgiving, I made the traditional favorites for my husband’s immediate family, I planned to do the same this year, packed the Jiffy Cornbread mix in the suitcase especially. With the announcement of the lockdown, we were only able to have my mother in law over for the holiday. (She’s in what’s called our bubble, meaning she lives on her own and can bubble up with another household for social interaction). I was bummed not to host a larger occasion but it was nice never the less. We did have it yesterday, the day before Thanksgiving, because my husband was off work and works today. If your next question is, Does the UK celebrate Thanksgiving? No they do not. It’s not a national holiday here for obvious historical reasons...

Speaking of work, my husband has a job working in a town about 30 minutes away, 6am-2pm. He does have to work a lot of weekends and some holidays but the hours are working well for us at the moment. 

As far as my job, I was set to start on a Paediatric ward here the same time my husband was offered to start his job. My job was understanding in pushing back my start date to allow my husband to start his. We had planned to put Emme in daycare, they call it nursery here, 1-2 days per week. I started calling around and all of them said they were closed to visitors because of the lockdown, and I didn’t feel comfortable having my daughter go to nursery for the first time ever without me ever having met the staff or view the facility. In the meantime, my husband’s kind aunt reached out to a manager over at a clinic by the hospital and she had me in for an informal interview. She listened to what’s going on and all the changes we’re currently going through in our lives as well as our daughter’s and decided she felt I should take a temporary position that works from home while sorting our lives out a bit more. It’s a Covid nurse job where I’ll help out with the track and trace as they call it here with positive or exposed persons. I am hoping to start that position in the next week or so. It would work around my husband’s hours at work and I would likely do a few 2pm-8pm shifts per week to start out. 

Other than all that, life here is starting to settle in. We would eventually like to get Emme into nursery for social interaction as well as get to see our family and friends here soon. We would also like to get an automatic vehicle so I can start my hand at driving on the left side of the road! All in due time....

My next update will likely be around the holidays and what’s happening with lockdown and my new job. 

I hope everyone is having a lovely Thanksgiving!!