finally an update!

Well, it’s been quite a busy few weeks!  I started my training at work last week, which has mainly involved HR meetings, feedback sessions with our recruiters, reading policy manuals, and shadowing workers. I’ve shadowed my “work buddy” on a few home visits to long-term relative caregivers. My team is great. They have all been very welcoming and helpful! I think some of the other new Americans have not been so lucky with their teams, so I am feeling blessed. Obviously, my team cannot compare to the IOTIS girls, but they are great!  I am with the Kinship Foster Team, who supervise/support the relatives or caretakers of long term foster children. The children have their own allocated workers, so we only assess and support the actual carer. I am still getting used to the services being so split, and there being so many social workers involved in each case.

In other news, my flatmate has been great. I don’t see her often, because she works late and then goes to the gym. She has a 21 year old son who lives with her some of the time, and she cooks us dinner when he is home. She is a great cook! Other than that, I have been grabbing take out in between running errands. One of the big differences I am adjusting to is not driving, so it takes a long time to do anything. For example, I realized I needed to change some money, so it was a 20 minute bus ride each way to go do that after I got off work. I’m getting used to it though!

I found a flat pretty quickly once I figured out the general area I wanted to look. I got a studio in Muswell Hill (supposedly a very “posh” area), so I’m very excited to be moving there April 1. It will be wonderful to have my own space again (although small)!

Other news…hmm… (having writer’s block)… well, I’ve had some fun outings with friends. One of the other new Americans and I have done some sightseeing. I’ve also made friends with a few guys from work, who took me to “the city” on St. Patrick’s Day and to Covent Garden on Friday night. It’s been really fun so far!
Well, I’m doing a horrible job of writing so I am signing off now. I will hopefully be much more available once I move and have internet access (right now, I have to come up to the coffee shop to use the internet). I love you all and miss you like crazy!