Bird walk.

Yesterday I joined a bird watching walk on the heath. I had heard about it through a fellow volunteer. I wanted to have that information for when I work on the heath too. Basically, it was a slow walk looking at birds through binoculars. I didn't have my own, but was able to use someone else's. I have learned a number of new birds, which I still need to look up. I just always find any excuse to walk on the heath a good one, so you can imagine how I will be working there. :) The walk was organised by the Marlyebone bird watching society. They do it every tuesday.

I have also been helping out all week at the education centre with painting and papaer mache. Again, any excuse to be on the heath... I do find myself learning stuff everyday too being there. The edcuation officer is very knowledgable, so great to have a conversation with. I hope to be able to chat time to time once I do start working. She is also planning to have a grand opening of the education centre on June 10th, so I hope to be able to attend.

Another job offer.

So get this. Today I recieved a call from Hackney, the second job I interviewed for. Well, they said I was successful and offered me the job. Of course I had to decline it because of already taking the one on the heath, but it really shows me that I am in my element and on the right path that I had 2 job offers. I never thought I would be in this position. I have to say, it feels GREAT!!!

I also got my forms and contract for the heath, which I will turn in tomorrow. It states I officially start on May 3rd and that there will be an induction day, presumably for all the seasonal staff. I am so excited. I am also helping out at the education centre this week with re-painting. It is a long process to re-desgin it, but it is looking real good. I will try to take some pictures and post them. I am also riding my bike a lot more since my course ended and I don't have a bus pass. My legs are feeling it, but give it time they will strengthen.

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

My Space update

So, I finally updated my My Space page. I gave it a pretty new background as well as filling in all sorts of info. Basically, between that, my webpage, and this blog, you should know me very well. I have to give a big thank you for the people who helped me with the layout editing and all and gave me the links. It definatley helped. The link to the page is on the right hand side of my blog under Links. As always, feedback is welcome.

As for other things, I am still waiting for my papers to fill out. Being that it is easter weekend and we have 2 bank holidays, it is taking longer than usual. But, I am so excitied about it all. I can't believe I will get to work on the heath. It really is like a dream come true. Now, all I need is a girlfriend to share it with, and life will be complete.

Hope everyone is well, and a big HAPPY EASTER to y'all!!!!!!!

I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had 2 interviews today. What are the chances? Both were for seasonal ranger postions. The first was for Hampstead Heath (my preferred one of course,) and the second was for the borough of Hackney, the same borough my course was in. Both went quite well, although to be honest I felt the Heath one went a bit better because of my passion for it. But, I did give it my all. Both interviews basically sat me down and asked me questions off a sheet. The first one had on scenario question, whereas the second had 6. The main difference is that the Heath is an open space whereas the Hackney one are in parks. And it does make a difference to the kind of job you do and people you interact with.

I wore a suit that my sister (thank you) gave me. I made one gaff and that was that I didn't realise that the legs of the trousers needed hemming and were a bit long. Also, underestimated the English weather and got caught out in the rain. Well, I do have to get used to all weather conditions for this kind of job.

So, the best part. I get home and sit down to have a chat with a good friend online. As we are chatting I get a phone call from one of the guys who interviewed me on the Heath and got offered the job!!!!! How freakin' sweet is that. They will send me the paperwork within a couple days and hopefully start real soon. I found out my patch is on the east side of the heath near kenwood house down. I know at least a couple people on that patch already, so that is amazing. I will also promise to keep people updated on how everything goes during the summer on my blog and website. But, for now, I am so going to celebrate. This is what I have worked for. Now all I have to do is get a permenant one later on. CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!

End of course

Well, my course finally ended today. I am quite sad that it is over. I really got into the work and got on so good with my coursemates and assessors. I will definately go back and visit the site. The next NVQ course starts soon, so they will be busy again. We also got taken out for lunch yesterday at a chinese place just opposite the cemetery. It was quite good. I had a duck and bbq pork with a soya sauce with egg fried rice. Yummy. Also, after we finished yesterday we went out for drinks. Ended up staying till 9:30pm, after downing 5 or 6 pints of Strongbow cider. Suffice it to say, I was quite pissed. But, I can't think of a better way to end the course.

So, now it is on to getting the ranger job, a seasonal one most likely. I will keep everyone posted here on how that goes. For now, I need some food and rest. :)

Norwich

I had a pretty good trip to Norwich. It takes just about 2 hours on the train from london liverpool st. I went up yesterday. My main purpose was for a conference on peak oil. It is a follow up to one I went to in October. Once I got to Norwich, I had a good amount of time to stroll around and check things out. I went to the Norwich Cathedral, which was very beatiful. The city centre is very nice, with a market in the middle. The only slight annoyance is all the high st chain shops around. But, there are still plenty independent shops. After that, I went and checked into a lovely bed and breakfast. Normally I try to stay in hostels, but there are none in Norwich. I had a room to myself, though it had to beds in it. They said I was uprgraded, not sure why. (except that I am special. :) After resting there, I made my way to the university. I was intending to eat at a pub, but had a roast at one of the restaurants on campus, which was very good and inexpensive. Then the conference. Being as eco friendly as I am, I walked everywhere there. So, at nearly 10 at night I made my way back to the b'n'b.

Today, I basically had a fantastic full english breakfast and then strolled around the city centre. I sat in the library for awhile reading to kill some time. I also stopped by the Coleman's mustard shop. I have to say this was quite amusing. I mean, a MUSTARD shop. LOL. Well, if I learned anything, it is that Coleman's mustard is made around here. Funny thing is though, I don't actually like mustard much. Now, if it had only been a ketchup shop...... ;)

After that, it was back to the train station, and home. I did have a good time, with some good weather. I have also posted pictures from my trip in my photo album which can be accessed through my website.

Website is live.

Well, I finally finished my webiste. I have published it and is now viewable. The address is: http://enviroranger.googlepages.com/ It has links to my blog and to pictures as well. It is a very basic site to let people know and see what I am up to. I hope people like it.

I have one week left to go on my course. I will be quite sad to see it end. I really enjoyed working on site there and the people there were great. I have put in a couple applications as well for seasonal positions which would start around easter.

Well, that's it for now. Please give any feedback for the site, it is always appreciated.