Out of something bad, comes something good

I have had my moments here in this new country, that have been bad, and then I have had some that follow the bad ones that are good. Since I still don't have wireless internet, my work has been pretty much been put on hold for an extra week and mom leaves on Tuesday (if I let her get on the plane), so we wanted to take advantage of her time left. So we spent the day in Manchester and had a blast. Manchester looks like a pretend city --almost overly dramatic architecture and people --it was really amazing. We had a good time, found an "American" type mall and people watched (we decided my hair is too plain and boring being one neutral color --apparently, I need to find some fuchsia pink dye and put a streak in it to fit in). By the time we were getting ready to leave, mom was snapping some pictures and to the best we can figure, confused her Starbucks hot chocolate for her camera and lifted it to take a picture...down comes all her hot chocolate all over herself. We laughed so hard, there on the sidewalk in the middle of Manchester, that people were looking at us wondering what these Americans must have taken to be so giddy. The train ride was good --Gerbie was telling the conductor to "go faster". Good thing she likes trains --that is the best way around here. So then we get to today. I am new at the driving thing over here, and I am still learning my way around. Today for school drop off, they decided to close the road to the school....so I figured out another way and was on my way there, and that road was closed too...so I was trying to figure out how to get Bean to school, hit a curb (still have a hard time judging curb distance from sitting on the right side of the car) and POP, goes my tire. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Can't ONE thing be easy? So I called hubby and said - I have no idea what to do. I don't know if they have a AAA over here or something similar? So luckily, mom and Gerbie were with us, we got out and hoofed it to the school, mostly running so Bean was not late. And here comes the good -- a British mum I had met the other day was there and was giving me some materials on some children's classes and I asked her who to call. In the meantime, I got a call from hubby and he and two coworkers were at the car waiting for us, the calvary had arrived. So this new friend drove us to the car, stayed and helped, drove us to the Kwik Mart to get a new tire, drove mom, Gerbie and I to coffee with the mums, where I met several other great women, and then drove us back for our car later. I wonder....was the flat tire on purpose so that I would go to the coffee date and meet more great women to bond with? I was invited but was not going to go at the last minute....this made me go and I am glad I did. They did laugh at me in a good natured way when I asked for the bathrooms, instead of the toilets. So out of something bad, comes something good. I have to admit, I have been emotional and frustrated in the last week. Trying to learn all new things and I needed some friends at that time. I miss all my friends back home. These people will not replace them, but they may be my lifeline here for the next few years. So now some more good --we are all going to London tomorrow and spending the weekend. I am looking forward to going back to London --the last time I was there was pre-kids. I am looking forward to my mom and the kids seeing it - and just spending some family time together after a hectic week. I will update on Monday with how our trip went!! And finally, hopefully get some pictures downloaded (still no internet at our house!).