The Cliffs of Moher
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Vestibular Neuritis
Or that's what the doctor called it on Monday. It is dizziness due to a viral infection of the vestibular nerve (in my ear). I have spent my week in bed and only started to feel better Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, it was the week before half-term and I left my co-workers battling teenagers desperate for a holiday. I am feeling horribly guilty about it all, but what can you do? I was just following doctor's orders...
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Is it time for a holiday, yet?
I can't complain too much. This term has been much better than my entire last year, but I am still worn out. Work is keeping my stress level high and I am constantly feeling inadequate. The kids are not as bad this year (they have their moments, but I think the fact that I am not 'green' anymore helps). And I guess with all of the pros of my own classroom, less movement and better kids I can finally start focusing on my teaching. I haven't had to do that much since everything else was an excuse. And I guess I have let myself slip. Oh well, it'll work itself out.
Next Sunday I leave for Ireland. I am psyched!! We'll see: Slane Castle (U2 and Rock concerts), The Giants Causeway, Bloody Sunday Murals, The Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry and get to kiss the Blarney stone. It's a six day tour of the whole island, so I am sure it will be packed full of beautiful scenery and lots of rainy 'wee' walks. Plenty of pictures to come (and other surprisess), I am sure.
Not much exciting news around here. Winter is starting to creep in. Despite the semi-warm afternoons, I can feel the rainy weather and colder temperatures just around the corner. I can handle the poor weather, it's the darkness that I don't really care for. It is starting to get dark here around 6:00. And all I can think is that in a couple of months, it'll be dark when I leave school at 4!! It's all part of the experience... I guess.
On a lighter note, my year 9s cracked me up on Thursday. We were going through Photosynthesis and the parts of a plant, specifically the parts that you eat. They were told to complete a table and we were going over the answers. We said that you eat the root/bulb of a carrot and the stem/leaves of broccoli. One boy raised his hand and said that we "eat the fruit and seeds of a banana." So when I replied, "yes. good, we eat the fruit and seeds of a banana." The kids had a hay-day with the way I pronounce banana. No big deal, I am used to it. So when a boy who sits close to me asked me to "say it again, Miss." I said "Banana... like Gwen Stephani." Boy was that a mistake!!! For the rest of the lesson I had to listen to "Miss is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S." That'll teach me! Although, for as annoyed as I was, it also made me chuckle.
Next Sunday I leave for Ireland. I am psyched!! We'll see: Slane Castle (U2 and Rock concerts), The Giants Causeway, Bloody Sunday Murals, The Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry and get to kiss the Blarney stone. It's a six day tour of the whole island, so I am sure it will be packed full of beautiful scenery and lots of rainy 'wee' walks. Plenty of pictures to come (and other surprisess), I am sure.
Not much exciting news around here. Winter is starting to creep in. Despite the semi-warm afternoons, I can feel the rainy weather and colder temperatures just around the corner. I can handle the poor weather, it's the darkness that I don't really care for. It is starting to get dark here around 6:00. And all I can think is that in a couple of months, it'll be dark when I leave school at 4!! It's all part of the experience... I guess.
On a lighter note, my year 9s cracked me up on Thursday. We were going through Photosynthesis and the parts of a plant, specifically the parts that you eat. They were told to complete a table and we were going over the answers. We said that you eat the root/bulb of a carrot and the stem/leaves of broccoli. One boy raised his hand and said that we "eat the fruit and seeds of a banana." So when I replied, "yes. good, we eat the fruit and seeds of a banana." The kids had a hay-day with the way I pronounce banana. No big deal, I am used to it. So when a boy who sits close to me asked me to "say it again, Miss." I said "Banana... like Gwen Stephani." Boy was that a mistake!!! For the rest of the lesson I had to listen to "Miss is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S." That'll teach me! Although, for as annoyed as I was, it also made me chuckle.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Never Enough Time In the Day...
That's how I feel when ever I work on school stuff. I have spent the majority of my day planning, marking and researching, but still I feel like I have little to show... This is so frustrating! Just not feeling on top of my game with school. I thought it would get easier, but I am still struggling... I hate feeling like a crap teacher.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Who Are You?
Double lesson with a mouthy group of year 10s... They are not a BAD group of kids, they just don't want to shut their mouths for anything. So, after about an hour of trying to fight it, I gave in and joined the conversation. They were all working, not as hard or as focused as I would have liked, but it was work nonetheless.
It all started with a boy in the back singing, "Who are you? Oooo Ooo Ooo Ooo." They the question came, "Miss, do you know who The Who are?" Do I know The Who? Come On. I was raised on classic rock. My family's dial was permanently tunned to Knoxville's classic rock station and for many years it was the only radio station I knew. When we were young, my sister and I used to spend our afternoons in front of the stereo listening to Tommy and reading the lyrics from the back of the LP. I love The Who.
Of course, to a room full of 15 year-olds, that was the wrong thing to say. I am supposed to like Kayne West and the Pussycat Dolls. So, the conversation turned to, "What music do you listen to, Miss? What CDs do you own?" I went through my usual answers, the ones that received raised eyebrows and approving nods from my students last year. "I listen to all sorts of music: on my mp3 player right now I have Green Day, Foo Fighters, Stereophonics, Snowpatrol, Athlete and a bunch of US bands that you wouldn't know." To this group, it was like I said I liked Engelbert Humperdinck. Not that I really need approval from a bunch of 15 year-olds, but still, it's nice when they think you're kinda cool.
Then they started to ask about the US bands and somehow the conversation turned to seeing bands live... I don't think that southeastern music culture really translates well here. The towns are so small and London is the only place that seems to really draw shows. They asked, "Your parents let you out to see these bands?" Well, first I had to correct them and say that it was last year (or my last few years in Charlotte). And, although high school was so long ago, yes my parents did let me see shows. Of course we were heading to downtown Knoxville, not NYC or London, but still. I feel sorry that these kids are not able to experience the things that I so easily took for granted at 16. Then I remember that they are talking about Kayne West. Big shows occassionally made it to Knoxville but we were more interested in the local/regional bands. So, I can't feel too bad for kids that wouldn't really like the music anyway.
It all started with a boy in the back singing, "Who are you? Oooo Ooo Ooo Ooo." They the question came, "Miss, do you know who The Who are?" Do I know The Who? Come On. I was raised on classic rock. My family's dial was permanently tunned to Knoxville's classic rock station and for many years it was the only radio station I knew. When we were young, my sister and I used to spend our afternoons in front of the stereo listening to Tommy and reading the lyrics from the back of the LP. I love The Who.
Of course, to a room full of 15 year-olds, that was the wrong thing to say. I am supposed to like Kayne West and the Pussycat Dolls. So, the conversation turned to, "What music do you listen to, Miss? What CDs do you own?" I went through my usual answers, the ones that received raised eyebrows and approving nods from my students last year. "I listen to all sorts of music: on my mp3 player right now I have Green Day, Foo Fighters, Stereophonics, Snowpatrol, Athlete and a bunch of US bands that you wouldn't know." To this group, it was like I said I liked Engelbert Humperdinck. Not that I really need approval from a bunch of 15 year-olds, but still, it's nice when they think you're kinda cool.
Then they started to ask about the US bands and somehow the conversation turned to seeing bands live... I don't think that southeastern music culture really translates well here. The towns are so small and London is the only place that seems to really draw shows. They asked, "Your parents let you out to see these bands?" Well, first I had to correct them and say that it was last year (or my last few years in Charlotte). And, although high school was so long ago, yes my parents did let me see shows. Of course we were heading to downtown Knoxville, not NYC or London, but still. I feel sorry that these kids are not able to experience the things that I so easily took for granted at 16. Then I remember that they are talking about Kayne West. Big shows occassionally made it to Knoxville but we were more interested in the local/regional bands. So, I can't feel too bad for kids that wouldn't really like the music anyway.
Cancelled Trains and No Buses
Sunday turned out to be quite an adventure. The flatmate and I got to the train station only to find out that they were doing service on the line, so we'd have to catch the replacement bus service to London. My second time on a double-decker bus in twenty-four hours. This ride was a bit better, probably because I was not full of alcohol. By the time we made it to London, though, we missed the walking tour, so we decided to check out the Arts Festival in Trafalgar Square then made our way to Camden Market. Tiina had never been. It truly is the best place for people watching. That, and you can basically find any type of ethnic food you could possibly want. Eventually, we started to feel a bit tired and decided to make our way home. Instead of taking the replacement bus service, we decided to take the train to Bexleyheath and then take the bus from there (30 minute train ride & 15 minute bus ride instead of 75 minute bus ride). Unfortunately, we had missed the last bus from Bexleyheath, so we decided to walk home. "I've done it before. It only takes about 15 or 20 minutes. Real easy," Tiina told me. I am afraid that her perception of time is a bit off. We walked for over an hour. I am glad I got the exercise, but it turned out to be a very long day. Good, but long.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Sunshine and 59 degrees F
My third week of school and I am already causing trouble. I guess you could consider this a good thing. At least I feel comfortable enough to voice my opinion. And my Head of Department is backing me, so it must not be too bad, right? In all actuality, it's really not bad. I just didn't like how a situation was handled and said that I thought someone was undermining my authority with a certain group of students. I said it to her, then I said it to my HOD and now the Head Master wants to bring it up in a meeting and use the situation as an example... Not the kind of attention I really want, but hey if it will keep the situation from happening again with other teachers then I am fine with it all. Although, I may try and talk to her ahead of time so that at least she's not in the dark about the subject at the meeting (thanks for the advice, K).
The flatmate and I went out last night in London. The pub was packed, the band was fun and we both had a good time. Kudos to an Irish band that can play "Devil Went Down to Georgia." :) The last train from Charing Cross left at 12:02 and we arrived just in time to see it taking off, so we caught the night bus home. Funny things, those night buses. First let me say that it is nice to be close enough to London that I can take a bus home for a mere £1.20. However, I live at the very end of the line, so sitting on a double-decker bus for an hour (and a half) as it speeds and stops every few feet does wonders for a stomach full of beer. Also, the bus was full of loud, intoxicated people eating all sorts of greasy-smelling food. An hour and a half later and we still had a 30 minute walk ahead of us. Long story short, although I am happy to have the night bus option, I don't think I want to make it my sole mode of transport on Saturday evenings. In the future, I think I will try a bit harder to catch the 12:02 train. It leaves me with a 30 minute ride and a 5 minute walk.
Today, the flatmate and I are heading back into London to take a walking tour of 'Little Venice.' Tiina found a brochure for The Original London Walks Company so we thought we'd check it out. There are plenty to choose from, but this one sounds nice.
The flatmate and I went out last night in London. The pub was packed, the band was fun and we both had a good time. Kudos to an Irish band that can play "Devil Went Down to Georgia." :) The last train from Charing Cross left at 12:02 and we arrived just in time to see it taking off, so we caught the night bus home. Funny things, those night buses. First let me say that it is nice to be close enough to London that I can take a bus home for a mere £1.20. However, I live at the very end of the line, so sitting on a double-decker bus for an hour (and a half) as it speeds and stops every few feet does wonders for a stomach full of beer. Also, the bus was full of loud, intoxicated people eating all sorts of greasy-smelling food. An hour and a half later and we still had a 30 minute walk ahead of us. Long story short, although I am happy to have the night bus option, I don't think I want to make it my sole mode of transport on Saturday evenings. In the future, I think I will try a bit harder to catch the 12:02 train. It leaves me with a 30 minute ride and a 5 minute walk.
Today, the flatmate and I are heading back into London to take a walking tour of 'Little Venice.' Tiina found a brochure for The Original London Walks Company so we thought we'd check it out. There are plenty to choose from, but this one sounds nice.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Can You Say "Adventure?"
Nothing is set in stone, but Laura, I really wish you were here - this one's right up your alley...
Oktoberfest started Saturday in Munich and the tents will remain full until Monday October 3rd. A flight to Munich is too expensive, as is a train from London, but I am trying to find reasonable-priced transport for Tiina and myself.
Here's what I have so far: If we leave London on a 7am flight to Frankfurt and catch a train from Frankfurt to Munich, then we will have a good nine hours of stein-drinking fun before we will need to make our way back to Frankfurt for the 6am flight home.
A bit wacky, I know, but hear me out... 1) No real need to pack for the trip. A toothbrush and we're ready to go. 2) The plane fare is close to £50 - so the overall trip can be classified in the 'affordable' range. No news yet on the train ticket (website is down at the moment) but even if it is a bit pricey, the plane fare could balance it out. 3) We will be home in time to catch some good Sunday winks before work on Monday. 4) It'll be one heck of an adventure!!
Not really sure if it will all come together. I will keep you posted.
Oktoberfest started Saturday in Munich and the tents will remain full until Monday October 3rd. A flight to Munich is too expensive, as is a train from London, but I am trying to find reasonable-priced transport for Tiina and myself.
Here's what I have so far: If we leave London on a 7am flight to Frankfurt and catch a train from Frankfurt to Munich, then we will have a good nine hours of stein-drinking fun before we will need to make our way back to Frankfurt for the 6am flight home.
A bit wacky, I know, but hear me out... 1) No real need to pack for the trip. A toothbrush and we're ready to go. 2) The plane fare is close to £50 - so the overall trip can be classified in the 'affordable' range. No news yet on the train ticket (website is down at the moment) but even if it is a bit pricey, the plane fare could balance it out. 3) We will be home in time to catch some good Sunday winks before work on Monday. 4) It'll be one heck of an adventure!!
Not really sure if it will all come together. I will keep you posted.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
No more secrets - I'm coming clean
I just came from "Pride and Prejudice." It was an excellent film. I left the theatre and was tempted to jump back in line to buy another ticket and watch it again. I am such a sucker for romance! So, as I was walking through the town square, thinking about Mr. Darcy and smoking my fag [Yes, I smoke cigarettes on occasion] I hear, "alright, Miss" and look up to find one of my students walking towards me with a very smug look on his face.
I thought I moved to get away from students. I thought I was safe to have a cigarette when I walked from here to there without being seen by youngsters. The thing is, I am not really a smoker. I go through a 10-pack in three weeks, usually when I am out on my own and walking (and sometimes when I have a drink). Back home, I have my smoking friends - the ones I always knew I could light-up with - and my non-smoking friends that I tried not to smoke around at all. But the times that I enjoyed it the most were the times that I was alone, usually in my car. So, I am coming clean with my dirty little secret.
I can handle it with my friends - think what you'd like - but not at school. I walked to the bus stop saying, "fuck fuck fuck." This is not a conversation I want to have with a bunch of asshole 15 year-olds on Monday. Oh well. I've made my bed...
I thought I moved to get away from students. I thought I was safe to have a cigarette when I walked from here to there without being seen by youngsters. The thing is, I am not really a smoker. I go through a 10-pack in three weeks, usually when I am out on my own and walking (and sometimes when I have a drink). Back home, I have my smoking friends - the ones I always knew I could light-up with - and my non-smoking friends that I tried not to smoke around at all. But the times that I enjoyed it the most were the times that I was alone, usually in my car. So, I am coming clean with my dirty little secret.
I can handle it with my friends - think what you'd like - but not at school. I walked to the bus stop saying, "fuck fuck fuck." This is not a conversation I want to have with a bunch of asshole 15 year-olds on Monday. Oh well. I've made my bed...
Friday, September 16, 2005
Break out the jumpers - It's Freakin' Cold!
Week two of the new school year has come and gone. Overall, I feel much better about this year. Then I get stuck in a double lesson with my horrible year 10s (now year 11s) and I think that it is going to be a LONG ten months!
I have plans to meet up with another American teacher tomorrow. I couldn't make the recruiting company's annual gathering (it was the Saturday that I was in Bruges) but I was put in touch with a couple of teachers that are in my area. I have traded emails and a couple of voice messages with two girls and tomorrow I am meeting the one that lives in Greenwich. *Happy Dance* This could be a cool year!
I have a quiet night planned - "The Wedding Date" and a tub of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food.
I have plans to meet up with another American teacher tomorrow. I couldn't make the recruiting company's annual gathering (it was the Saturday that I was in Bruges) but I was put in touch with a couple of teachers that are in my area. I have traded emails and a couple of voice messages with two girls and tomorrow I am meeting the one that lives in Greenwich. *Happy Dance* This could be a cool year!
I have a quiet night planned - "The Wedding Date" and a tub of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Belgium
Last weekend was wonderful! I had a blast. I was a bit nervous about leaving town so close to the start of school, but I am really glad that I did.
That Friday I caught the train to Waterloo (a trip I have made many times in the past year), then made my way to the Eurostar check-in. It reminded me of airline check-in (Easy Jet, more specifically) minus the counters. I went through security and through immigration (Yeah! Stamp for my passport!!) before boarding the train. The train was not full, so I was able to have two seats to myself. Two hours later I was in Belgium. Brussels' Gare du Midi was enormous! I had planned on hitting a cash machine as soon as I reached Belgium so that I could get Euros for my trip. Funny, the station had maps posted with EVERYTHING except cash machines. It took a little time and a lot of questions, but I found my machine and then joined the queue for a taxi. My hostel was on the other end of town, so rather than try and make my way at 10:30 in a strange town, I decided I would rather find my bed and wander the city in the morning.
The hostel was nice, very large, with all sorts of choices in rooms: twelve-bed dorms, six-bed dorms, four bed rooms with WCs, doubles with WCs, etc. Many hostels are this way, but since I am on my own and really only use the place for a place to sleep, I would rather spend my money on the thing that really count (Belgium makes more than 365 beers, that's a different one a day for a year, and then some...) so I spent the evening in a twelve-bed female dorm. No problems except that the door had a key-card that buzzed loudly every time someone entered the room.
The next morning I was up and out by 8:00 and ready to see the sights. I walked around the area for a bit, found a cool-looking church and found the botanical gardens. I decided, because I was limited on time in Brussels (meeting my aunt and uncle in Brugge around 2) I would take one of the Bus tours. The tour was cool, I saw a lot of Brussels that I wouldn't have seen otherwise, but we got about half-way around the city and I started noticing these beautiful little buildings. I was in the older part of town and I wanted to explore, so I hopped off the bus and wandered through the Lower Town. I found the famous Manneken Pis (statue of the little boy peeing) and the Palace. I would have liked to stay longer and see more of Brussels, but it was time for me to make my way to Brugge. So, I navigated my way through the Metro to The Gare du Midi and caught the train to Brugge.
In Brugge, I made my way to my hostel - such a cute place just in the center of town - and checked in. Then I caught up with my aunt and uncle at their hotel. Of course, it took a little longer than I expected (I got a little lost and had to buy a map). We set off to explore the town and eventually enjoyed a lovely Flemmish meal with some very nice wine. I had Chicken Waterzooii (a cross between a cream sauce and a soup) which was lovely and my aunt and uncle enjoyed a lamb stew and a beef stew, both were quite nice. We sat on the back patio and had a really nice visit. Afterwards, we continued the conversation at their hotel bar. I left around 10:30 and we made arrangements to meet up with them in the morning.
The next morning, it was breakfast, then more exploring before I had to catch the train back to Brussels (to catch my Eurostar train back to London). I really enjoyed the weekend. My aunt and uncle do not live in TN, so I don't get to spend much time with them, plus Brugge is a wonderful place... I still include Brugge as one of my Top Five cities - it is small enough to really enjoy and the architecture is fabulous!!
That Friday I caught the train to Waterloo (a trip I have made many times in the past year), then made my way to the Eurostar check-in. It reminded me of airline check-in (Easy Jet, more specifically) minus the counters. I went through security and through immigration (Yeah! Stamp for my passport!!) before boarding the train. The train was not full, so I was able to have two seats to myself. Two hours later I was in Belgium. Brussels' Gare du Midi was enormous! I had planned on hitting a cash machine as soon as I reached Belgium so that I could get Euros for my trip. Funny, the station had maps posted with EVERYTHING except cash machines. It took a little time and a lot of questions, but I found my machine and then joined the queue for a taxi. My hostel was on the other end of town, so rather than try and make my way at 10:30 in a strange town, I decided I would rather find my bed and wander the city in the morning.
The hostel was nice, very large, with all sorts of choices in rooms: twelve-bed dorms, six-bed dorms, four bed rooms with WCs, doubles with WCs, etc. Many hostels are this way, but since I am on my own and really only use the place for a place to sleep, I would rather spend my money on the thing that really count (Belgium makes more than 365 beers, that's a different one a day for a year, and then some...) so I spent the evening in a twelve-bed female dorm. No problems except that the door had a key-card that buzzed loudly every time someone entered the room.
The next morning I was up and out by 8:00 and ready to see the sights. I walked around the area for a bit, found a cool-looking church and found the botanical gardens. I decided, because I was limited on time in Brussels (meeting my aunt and uncle in Brugge around 2) I would take one of the Bus tours. The tour was cool, I saw a lot of Brussels that I wouldn't have seen otherwise, but we got about half-way around the city and I started noticing these beautiful little buildings. I was in the older part of town and I wanted to explore, so I hopped off the bus and wandered through the Lower Town. I found the famous Manneken Pis (statue of the little boy peeing) and the Palace. I would have liked to stay longer and see more of Brussels, but it was time for me to make my way to Brugge. So, I navigated my way through the Metro to The Gare du Midi and caught the train to Brugge.
In Brugge, I made my way to my hostel - such a cute place just in the center of town - and checked in. Then I caught up with my aunt and uncle at their hotel. Of course, it took a little longer than I expected (I got a little lost and had to buy a map). We set off to explore the town and eventually enjoyed a lovely Flemmish meal with some very nice wine. I had Chicken Waterzooii (a cross between a cream sauce and a soup) which was lovely and my aunt and uncle enjoyed a lamb stew and a beef stew, both were quite nice. We sat on the back patio and had a really nice visit. Afterwards, we continued the conversation at their hotel bar. I left around 10:30 and we made arrangements to meet up with them in the morning.
The next morning, it was breakfast, then more exploring before I had to catch the train back to Brussels (to catch my Eurostar train back to London). I really enjoyed the weekend. My aunt and uncle do not live in TN, so I don't get to spend much time with them, plus Brugge is a wonderful place... I still include Brugge as one of my Top Five cities - it is small enough to really enjoy and the architecture is fabulous!!
Manneken Pis
The Legend says that a rich bourgeois losts his only son in the crowd during a popular festival and this is the way that he was found. I stumbled upon the Manneken Pis during a festival. There was a band, a crowd and the poor little boy was peeing framboise. People were filling glasses of a foamy, rasberry beer. It was quite a sight!
Brussels skyline and the botanical gardens.
I stayed just down the street in my first European Hostel. It was different from the British ones I have stayed in - one toilet for forty people and three showers in the basement of the adjacent building - but still nice. It had this great courtyard. Who can really argue with a clean bed and shower for 13 Euro, even if the bed was in a room with 11 others and the shower was very YMCA.
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