I have survived the first day of school.

Not that there was really much to it: no kids, just meetings. I have to say that coming back has been such a relief. In each meeting I thought back to a year ago and how overwhelming and confusing it all was. This year already feels much better. The Head stopped me in the office this morning and said that he is talking to another American about an English position (through the same company I came over with). It is a bit late, but it'd be cool if she came. He said that she was hemming and hawing over it and asked if I would talk to her (if he could get her on the line). It didn't happen today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I leave for Belgium tomorrow after school. I will take the Eurostar (train from London) to Brussels and spend Friday night there. I will sightsee in the morning, then meet my aunt and uncle in Brugge mid-afternoon. I should be home by 6 o'clock on Sunday, leaving me enough time to get ready for the first day of school on Monday... Guess I should start brushing up on my Flemish.

So, I had this whole rant planned, but it sounded so angry and I am not (angry anymore)... Instead, since I am worn out and have little energy to do much else this evening, (Jrzy Gyrl's Top Ten List took all the energy I had. Narrowing my list to ten was the most difficult think I've had to think about all summer.) check this out:

What does your name mean?
http://www.bostonuk.com/names/default.asp

Andrea
Strong, womanly : Greek

Life is never dull with your adventurous and restless spirit. You are always on the move and seeking a new challenge to pit your wits against. Being in touch with nature you love the outdoors. You have keen intuition and a desire for knowledge and you can be something of a crusader. When you apply discipline and tenacity to your energetic mind then leadership positions are easily available to you.

I totally borrowed this idea from someone on myspace. Cool site, though. :)

Carnival was fun. Notting Hill was beautiful. The weather was amazing. Tiina and I drank our Red Stripe, watched the parade of extravagant costumes, ate our plantains and danced to many a DJs' beat. It was a maze of food and music. A bit crowded at times, but a nice way to spend my Bank Holiday Monday.

We left Notting Hill to eat dinner at Leister Square. Then we headed for a pub. Hear that EJ?! I now know of a cool little pub within walking distance of Trafalgar Square (that doesn't have pictures of erections hanging on the walls), so the next time you are in town...

Tomorrow we are heading to Bromley, London's largest Borough (and only a short bus-ride away). It's supposed to be a good place for shopping. There's also a Synagogue in Bromley, which will make my grandmother proud.

Speaking of grandmothers, my mother's mother was in the hospital last Tuesday having a lump removed from her breast. She is a strong and adventurous woman who was part of the first group to join the US Navy. But when she talks about cancer, she admits fear. As a woman in her 80's, you'd think breast cancer would be the least of her worries... Anyway, the mass was small and they think they got enough of the surrounding tissue that she'll be fine. My point is that it can affect anyone, so ladies please be sure to check yourselves (myself included since I suck at remembering).

Bouquets of sharpened pencils

"You've Got Mail" was on the television this evening. It's not my favorite movie, but I always seem to find myself sucked-in whenever it is on air. There's one scene where Tom Hanks is describing why he loves New York in the Fall and he says that it makes you want to go out and buy school supplies. That's what I always think of at this time of year. I love the beginning of a school year. I love shopping for school supplies. I love decorating a classroom. I love writing class lists in my gradebook. It may seem silly, but it marks a new beginning for me.

There are not many professions where you get to start each year with a clean slate (or at least semi-clean). What ever students you have had before, you will never have the same class, for the same subject and the same lessons again. There's hope. There's a chance that this year will be different from the last.

According to the calendar, the year starts in January. But for me, it starts in August. I make my resolutions with the beginning of each new school year. Last year was my year to survive. This year I want to succeed.

Bored

I have been back for six days and I am already bored with myself. I have read, taken walks, watched films and been shopping. There's always more that I could do, but I have become bored with myself. I guess I was spoiled all of those weeks at home.

Tomorrow I am going to the Notting Hill Carnival with my flatmate, Tiina. It is a huge Caribbean Festival with lots of food and music. When I went to Scotland, I met Garrett (a girl from Trinidad) who said that Carnival is spectacular! I can't wait to see.

On Thursday and Friday we have teacher workdays and students start back on Monday (September 5th). I am leaving Friday for Belgium to meet my aunt and uncle in Brugge for the weekend. Is it smart to go away for the weekend before the first day of school? Probably not. But, how often do you get to meet family in Europe?