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.

A New Life

First week in my new home. I like it so far. Of course, living without a computer or a telephone has been frustrating. I spent Sunday at a pay-phone trying to catch up with my Mom.

Driving was cool. A bit over-rated, though. I've gotten so used to walking or using the train/bus that being behind a wheel and having to concentrate was a bit stressful. I was happy to prove to myself that I am capable of driving on the left side of the road and able to navigate round-abouts. A car gives you freedom, that aspect was nice. I was happy to return it on Wednesday, though, ready to get back to my path-friendly life.

The new place is nice. I went to IKEA on Monday and bought a desk, bookshelf and drawers. I am mostly unpacked. There's just one box left to sort through.

I have been around town and today I even joined the local library. :)

There have been a lot of emails since Thursday. Sorry if I haven't gotten to everyone. I am safe and sound. I was at school, an hour away. The kids knew before I did - mobile phones - and they were quite on-edge. I have been without a phone/internet for the last week, which had my Mom quite worried when she heard the news on Thursday. I didn't think to call and I guess I should have... Whoops! Guess, being thousands of miles away, I should have thought about calling home. Anyway, I will update again once I have my computer up and running. They are saying I will have a phone line by Wednesday - yippee!!

The REM concert was rescheduled for next weekend. So, I am off to explore my new town. Talk to ya'll soon.

My last night in this town...

Well folks, the big move is tomorrow. It's not really all THAT big, especially compared to last year. (Wish I had taken a picture of my poor car - it was packed to the brim!) I have really enjoyed the last couple of weeks here and my host has been wonderful! She's such a great lady! She's lived all over the world and is SO politically aware. I want to be her when I am a grandmother. Well, except that I am not Irish and I am not Catholic...

I have given in and joined the rest of the world...

The Da Vinci Code, everyone seems to go on and on about this book. I have avoided it, trying not to hop on to the bandwagon. I finally gave in when I needed a new book to read and realized that the local W.H. Smith has a very poor selection. I can't complain so far. Although, every time I look at the front cover, I find myself rolling my eyes (only because I gave in).

With the move, I will be spending an hour daily on the train (25 minutes each way), so I am expecting to do quite a bit of reading over the next few months. Any title suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Of course, the new Harry Potter book will be released on July 16th!!

A nice week and a nice weekend...

I am enjoying my life in the temp. digs... I am much closer to town, which motivates me to spend more time out and about during these sixteen hour days of sunlight. Plus, I had to do a bit of shopping last week because I did not pack for HOT days in the UK. So, now that my wardrobe is ready for summer, the weather has taken a cooler turn and I am stuck with my same-old clothes. Ah, that's okay. It just means that I have new clothes to pack for my trip home in August.

I am really getting excited about heading home for a couple of weeks. I am ready for a life of Taco Bell, sweet-tarts, 24-hour Wal-Marts and loads of friends and family. Until then, it's school, flat-sorting (I still have not signed a lease yet!) and another move. Plus REM, a new Harry Potter book, a science department party on the shore of the Thames and Will Hoge!! I'm even thinking about hiring a car to move my belongings... Watch out UK round-a-bouts, here I come!!

Heat Wave, Ugh!

Well, Day two of this miserable heat wave and I am afraid it doesn't look like it will break anytime soon. I miss my freezing cold North Carolina classroom right about now. I used to bring a cardigan with me to school in case I got too cold. That won't happen here, EVER! That being said, they are already out of school in Charlotte...

I picked up a couple of short-sleeved work tops in town today and I will be shoe shopping tomorrow. I am even tempted to buy a couple of skirts - since they can be cooler than trousers in hot weather. Now you know I have lost it in this heat!

Settling in my temporary home...

It has been a strange few days... New digs, long lines, familiar faces and new experiences. I am quite happy in my temp. house and can't wait to get settled in my new flat.

Thursday's move was a bit rushed, but all worked out in the end. I had a total of three suitcases, one pack, one backpack, four boxes, a computer bag, a school bag and a purse. That's it my friends... That's all I own. Of course, once I am in my flat I will be purchasing a few things (a desk, a set of drawers, etc) but I am living the 'lite' life at the moment.

Friday I had an afternoon appointment to get my work permit squared away. I went in to school in the morning to finish my year 10 reports, then hopped a train into London and a train out to Croydon to the Home Office. My appointment was for 1:00 and I was about an hour and a half early, so I found the office and grabbed a bite to eat. Then I joined the queue for appointments... At 2:45 I met with an interviewer. [Why would someone hire a keyboard pecker for a job that requires typing?! It took forever for him to enter my information!!] At 3:15 he released me, stating that my passport would be ready in two hours. I ran outside for some fresh air before they locked the outside doors at 4:00. While outside, my voicemail rang. Emily and Nico were in London, so we made plans to meet at 7:00. I left the Home Office at 5:30, a very happy girl. Now I can start moving forward with all the rest of my paperwork.

It was great to see Emily and Nico. I had a blast with them, although I am afraid I have scared them a bit. You see, I am not much of a London guide. I do not spend much time in pubs or doing social things in town - I tend to stick to museums or just walking about. After meeting the happy couple under the London Eye, we decided a drink was in order. Every pub we passed was full on a Friday evening, most had people spilling out into the streets. Then we passed a pub near Trafalgar Square that looked empty. Wanting a place where we could sit and chat, we entered this place and ordered our beers. Taking a closer look, the place was full of men with very few women. Nico and I had a seat at a table and I started to notice the posters on the wall - all were gay pride. I had taken them to a Gay Pub in London!! Luckily, Nico was not too freaked out and if he was, he played 'calm' very well. We chatted about their trip around the UK and looked at pictures - they've seen some beautiful places!!

The rest of the evening was fun. We had Indian cuisine for dinner and another drink before catching the tube. I hope I didn't drag you around the city too much, EJ and Nico, but I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys! If you are in London again, I promise to have a better plan. :) Hope you enjoyed U2 on Saturday!!

So, I spent Saturday helping Vivine (the woman I am staying with) get ready for a barbecue in the evening. I got to use an electric lawn mower - it felt like I was vacuuming the lawn instead of mowing it!! I wasn't sure whether I would stick around, feeling a bit like I was intruding, but I am glad I did. Even though I think Richard, my student, was a bit uncomfortable. The family is great and reminds me of home. I had a blast and I even have found a new favorite drink - Pimms. :)

Anyway, I need to hop in the shower and make a Fathers' Day phone call home. Then I really should head into town to do my shopping and I still have my year 7 reports to write. Busy few days, but nice.

The End Is Near...

This time tomorrow and I will be in my new (temporary) room. I am a bit nervous, partly because I have become quite comfortable in this house - even with all of the drama in the last six months. The other bit of nerves comes from the fact that I am moving in with my HOD's mother - she is also the grandmother to one of the students I teach - which makes me feel like I should be on my best behavior. I won't be there for long, that's what I keep telling myself. I am not sure how things will go for the next couple of weeks, but the good news is that I will be moving (again) in July. My new digs are closer to London and I will be sharing with someone closer to my own age. It should make for a much more interesting year (Keep your fingers crossed!).

Crack Open the Dream Dictionary, I Need Help With This One

I love trying to interpret dreams. It's fun to see what your subconscious is trying to tell you. Anyway, I had a terrible dream this morning. One that made it difficult for me to wake myself. So, if you have any suggestions as to what it may mean, then please share...

I was going to the airport to catch a flight somewhere (I think it may have been my flight home). When I arrived to check my baggage, I was told that I had missed the flight by a couple of hours. Then, I ended up sorting a new ticket home which was quite expensive. And, again, I wound-up late to the gate and I missed this second flight. So, while I was starting to freak out about getting home, my purse was stolen. Not only was my wallet taken, but also my passport. There was also something in there about my poor job packing my suitcase - that I just threw some stuff in the case and forgot underpants and other essentials... A bit weird, eh? And I am sure that it is packed with all sorts of goodies for interpretation. Anyone want to give it a shot?

What the %£$@ is wrong with people!?!

Irrational people really irritate me. Right now, I am sitting here feeling guilty when I shouldn't but an irrational comment was made and I can't get it out of my head!

You see, high school in the UK is different than a US school. They combine middle school with high school, so I teach ages 11 to 16 (years 7 to 10). There are still year 11s, 12s and 13s at my school, but I do not have them in regular lessons. The year 13s have "graduated," although it consists of completing a series of exams and waiting for results to post in August. No ceremony, no formalities. This week, the year 11s finish their exams and will be through with school, you could equate it with graduation in the US. They have completed all of the compulsorily schooling, and their results also come by post in August. The year 12s left for a few weeks, but have come back to start their year 13 courses (not entirely sure why, but that's just what they do)... My point is that many of the teachers that work with year 11 students or year 13 students have a lightened load for the rest of the year. Of course, they may be used to cover lessons when a teacher is out, but all-in-all they have it a bit easier.

I do not teach any year 11 classes (unless you count the one drama class that I have on Fridays). My timetable will not get lighter. I am okay with this because I like the younger kids, I prefer the little darlings, I went to school to teach the younger kids and it is just the way it works. It can get irritating when other teachers throw it in your face that they don’t have many lessons... But, this is just the way it works and I am okay with that. Although, it would be nice to have a bit of free time to organize myself, mark notebooks and to write student reports.

So, when it was suggested to me that I could reduce the amount of year 7 reports that I will have to write by asking the teacher that I share the class with [referred to as Teacher X from now on] to do it, I say "sure, sounds great, although I haven't thought that far in advance." (They are due a week from Friday, so I have a bit of time - and those of you that know me know that I will save them for the last-minute, anyway). This teacher that was trying to help me out also said, "[Teacher X] is in a meeting right now, I'll pop in and let her know what is going on." This [Teacher X] teaches at least one year 11 class and will have a few more free lessons, so why not let her write the reports. I am moving on Thursday and am still teaching my full load, I could use the help.

Today, [Teacher X] cornered me and demanded that I explain why I "did not discuss with her" the division of the reports. Now, I have a very hard time communicating with this woman. She talks and talks and never seems to listen, so there is very little communication that takes place. I was not trying to be rude, but she kept interrupting me when I tried to explain what had happened the day before. Then, when I was finally able to spit my words out, she would ask again, "Why did you not discuss this with me?" I was talking in circles, she was not listening, and it was quite a scene. Finally, I suggested that we talk to the head of department who was in the meeting where [Teacher X] was asked to complete the reports. I was called away to the phone while [Teacher X] complained about me to the HOD (Head of Department). When I joined the group, my HOD was calming [Teacher X] and telling her to just relax and take an evening to calm down - she was in tears. She was feeling stressed because of her QTS (qualified teaching status) portfolio, upcoming reports that are due and not finding enough time in the day (even with her newly free year 11 lessons) to do everything she needs to do. I can completely understand where she is coming from, I have cried on many occasions because of stress at work. I was starting to feel bad for her...

Then the HOD walked out of the room, and [Teacher X] turned to me and said, "See what you've done to me! You've made me cry on my birthday!" Now, look, it wasn't my idea to have you do the reports in the first place. Then, you came at me arguing and refusing to listen. Now, you want to wait until the room is empty to place blame! What the fuck is wrong with you!?

Now, two hours later, I am sitting here venting to my friends and still feeling a bit guilty about her comment. Damn me for caring what other people think!

I love iTunes!!

I have spent my afternoon listening to music and downloading songs. Uh oh! I now have three new CDs and six new songs. I can justify it and say that I haven't bought much music since I have been here, but I can see where this could lead to trouble...

Here's what's cool, iTunesUK has bonus tracks on their CDs that you purchase. :) Plus they are much cheaper than buying CDs from most stores!!

I bought a few Scottish tunes to remind me of my trip, Stereophonics "You Gotta Go There to Come Back", Dashboard Confessional "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar" and Snow Patrol "Final Straw."

I have also been listening to an Aussie, Pete Murray, since my trip to Europe. Check him out: www.petemurray.com He's pretty cool.

"In My World We Are Always In A Cloud" *

This entry started with the title, "Why am I here? And other questions I need help answering..." I drafted my thoughts yesterday morning, just feeling very frustrated with what is happening at the moment. You see, I started the paperwork to extend my work permit almost two months ago, but there have been snags and delays. I'll save my rants for another day, but someone please tell me why you have to get permission (big stack of paperwork) in order to apply for a work permit extension (another big stack of paperwork) - it makes no sense to me! Anyway, without the work permit, I am unable to complete the paperwork for the lease agreement on the flat I am trying to get for July. Also, I can not apply for a visa for next year until I have my work permit... So, I am stuck in the middle of a huge paper trail and it is starting to get to me. On top of all of this, I am moving Thursday to a temporary residence until I can move in to my new place in July (hopefully), the kids at school have been terrible this week, reports are due and the list goes on and on...

I tried to run away from all of these issues, thinking that a week in Scotland would allow me to refocus (a little less stressed about everything), but it only worked for a few days. I am living in Limbo, again. I did this last summer and survived (with the help of some wonderful friends). This will work itself out. I am not worried, just a bit frustrated and annoyed. Then I ran across a wonderful little device. The UK Post Office sells phone cards and is offering free calls to the US on Saturdays for the month of June. So, I spent the entire day on the phone. It was wonderful!

So, with the help of some terrific friends, I did a bit of soul-searching yesterday starting with the question, "why am I here?" It was an easy decision last year to come to England. I was so excited that there wasn't anything stopping me - I was determined to find a way! Over the last ten months my excitement has dulled a bit, I know what is ahead of me. I am no longer blind to the amazing things, the fun things or the challenging things. I am here another year because I want more of this life. I want a chance to do it again and to do it better (at least as school and a social life are concerned). So, once again I say (for myself as much as everyone else) This will work itself out. In the meantime, I have some packing to do. :)

This is my horoscope for today:
Sometimes all you need is one little light, and then -- pow! -- it's as if everything is illuminated. An answer to a certain problem you've been having at work may bear with it unexpected and welcome gifts -- such as the ability to give you a whole new perspective on what's been going on in your relationships and your private life as well. Now that you've had this realization, it's within your power to change things around here -- for the better.

*One of the girls I hung out with in Scotland was always coming up with absurd comments. This was one of my favorites.

Shown Up... Without Even Starting

I had this great entry planned. I was going to whine and complain about my move, about my lack of a work permit and about how shite my week has been.

My mood has gotten better since I have been home. I had a bit of nutella and watch three hours of mind-numbing crap on tv - two hours for a show about a woman that stole £4.5 million from her employer. It was pure rubbish! But, still, on my way upstairs I was drafting my depressing,whinnyy entry in my head.

Then, I happened across a blog that Ioccasionallyy read. This guy is somewhat of a prat and has been known to bore you with paragraphs about boxing, but every once in a while he produces a gem. Tonight, it was just what I needed. His entry was absurd (almost to the point of jumping the shark), but I laughed out loud to the point of tears. I won't bore you with the details, but it was a story about road-rage turned dance-off between an old fart and a young stud.

Funny how much of an effect his journal had on me. In the fifteen minutes it took me to read it, it completely changed my mood. I decided that there was no need to waste my energy complaining about things that will eventually work themselves out. Fuck the school stress. Fuck the room and board drama. I am going to dream about be-bopping grandpas tonight. Sweet dreams all!

I haven't told a good 'school' story in a while...

I guess my days at school are not very exciting. I come home worn-out on most occasions. Some students say crappy things, others say less crappy things. That's the nature of my job. I paint a bleak picture, but in all actuality I like what I do. It is a challenge and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Today, my students made me laugh. Most days, they make me smile for one reason or another. Today, they just really took it a bit far.

I teach one group that can be a bit over the top. There are twenty in the group and every single one of the them begs for attention, some more than others. Today, one boy decided to spend the lesson winking at me. I couldn't figure out what he was doing at first and eventually it started to get to me. Being the last lesson of the day, I decided to have a little fun with the student... "If you make me laugh, then I'll give you an after-school detention," was my threat, but it didn't have an effect. The boy kept winking. It could be worse... Last week, in that same group of students, I had a boy that insisted on harassing female students in the class by making the universal gesture of 'jacking off.' This was in our first lesson about Reproduction.

Yes, so I have been teaching about Reproduction (that's reproduction NOT sex ed!!) and I get little boys jacking off and winking at me... What next!?! I am scared to ask, really.

I'm home...

I'm feeling a bit knackered, so I am going to post a couple of pictures for you all, just to give you a taste of what I have been doing for the last eight days. I'll write about my travels tomorrow. Enjoy.

Carbisdale Castle

We slept in this haunted hostel - quite a creepy place...

Castle Moil

We stayed in Kyleakin, on the Isle of Skye, for two nights. This was our view.

proper Haggis with neeps and tatties

Neeps = turnips; Tatties = potatoes; Haggis = sheeps' liver, heart, lung and kidney served in the sheep's stomach. It doesn't look as bad as it sounds. The taste, now that's a different story...

View from the Flora Macdonald Memorial

Isle of Skye. This was the nicest day on the trip, I think it only rained once all day!

Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Memorial

Harry Potter fans, recognize this lake?