Your halo has slipped, can't you feel it strangling you?

I heard someone at work say that and it made me laugh.

The past two weeks have been crazy, especially that first week I was here. That week (July 2 -8, 2005), without phone/internet, was a bit surreal. The weekend I moved was the Live 8 Concert - huge deal around here. I listened to parts of it from the car as I moved my three suitcases (and four boxes) to my new flat. That Monday was the Fourth of July and I completely forgot. [I know, I know, I am a horrible American] That week was also the G8 Summit in Scotland - lots of protesting and lots of people hurt in those protests. On that Wednesday, they announced that London would host the 2012 Olympics. I have to admit I was a bit surprised about this announcement. I thought Paris would get it, hands down. Then, that Thursday London was attacked. Who knew so much could happen in 7 days?!

At school things have also been extremely busy. The Year 10s were out this week on Work Experience. A great idea as far as I am concerned. All Year 10 students spend a week out, working... They can make their own arrangements or a company will place them in a job, but it a mandatory part of their high school experience. Kids were all over the area working in primary schools, garages, shops, Bluewater shops, etc. I was really impressed with the program. With the Year 10s gone, we had a Sports Day with the kids left (that would be the Key Stage 3 - middle school - kids), the Year 7s, 8s and 9s. That was Thursday, then yesterday was Feast Day so we had a Mass outside (beautiful day for it!) and then played games in the afternoon. I supervised the Dodgeball activities. I tried to play a game or two, but my shoes were terrible and kids kept cheating and putting themselves back in the game when no one was looking. So, I went back to supervising.

Nothing is set in stone yet, but I have some idea of what I will be doing next year. I will be teaching only Science, so at least I won't have to worry about running back and forth between the two buildings again. There's been talk that I will be getting a Year 11 tutor group (homeroom), not exactly sure how I feel about that. I have also sneaked a peek at the timetable for next year and I will be teaching mainly Key Stage 4 students. As it stands right now, I have four KS4 classes and two KS3 classes. I am a bit disappointed and a bit unsure if that is the best idea. I am a certified Middle School teacher not High School. Would that be considered 'teaching outside my area?' Anyway, I can see some positives in all of this. It will definitely be a challenge and I like challenges. It will make me stretch myself and what I am used to - that can't be such a terrible thing. There is a difference between teaching Year 7 students and teaching Year 11s but I have some time over the summer to prepare. I said I was disappointed and I am - I do not have a single Year 7 class on my timetable and that's who I have enjoyed the most this year. Oh well. At least I may be getting my own classroom!

Yesterday I went to the gym with my new flatmate. The woman is tiny and prefers the bodybuilding free-weights as a workout!! She can bench like a hundred kilos!! Legs, she says she can do about two hundred kg! [if 1 kg is 2.2 pounds... You do the math!] It's nuts!!

Anyway, the REM concert was rescheduled for today at Hyde Park, so I am off to enjoy the sun.