Monthly Archives: Apr 2010

The first week

It’s been a long week. My first day, Monday was fairly euphoric and I worked hard on my to-do-list.
Set up a new desk, determined to make myself more visible and available to the parents and pupils. A bit revolutionary for some who think I should be shut away in an office!
Tuesday was my first lesson. It was odd to be back at the class face but I enjoyed it. Wednesday, and I was off to an AQA training meeting for the new GCSE. I was exhausted by this and probably shouldn’t have gone in on Thursday but I did.
Friday was difficult but I am hoping that I will increase in strength and confidence soon. It was my birthday though and everyone was so kind and generous.
Over the next week I will be taking up my timetable again and teaching with gusto.

Back to work

Well it had to happen one day. I am in work again having been ill for 6 months and, do you know what, I am really looking forward to it. My preparation involved a rip home to Wales.

The stay with my parents was a good idea and it was good to be near the sea again. The trip back was an occasion. I thought all was going well and that coach travel had improved since my university days until I reached Victoria. After a while I realised all was not well.

Icelandic volcanic ash had stopped all coach services to Stansted. I tried to reason with them that I lived near Stansted and did not want to fly. They thought this was novel but said I had to wait until they knew if flights were to be reinstated. I would still be there now if I had not complained.

They decided to send me to Stratford where I could catch a train. I waited dutifully for the Stratford coach only to see  it drive in and out with no passengers. It was broken and would be out of service for an hour! This was becoming funny then out of nowhere a Stansted coach drew in and a wild looking driver came in and said he was willing to take people to Stansted. He was obviously a rogue bent on doing his job.

 I boarded and arrived home 12 hours older than when the journey began.

It’s really quiet here and the sky is clear. No planes. It’s novel but worrying.

The first week of spring?

It looked promising on the Monday and we had coffee at the garden centre. H joined us and we drank one coffee, one chocolate and one hot water; by the time I had been served all the good conversation had happened and the world’s problems had been solved. The walk around was not too interesting as I didn”t really want to buy anything and got quite tired so I spent some time in the car park. Home for tea without a cooker or hob but the microwave a nd steamer came into their own with steamed fissh and microwaved chips.

And then to Tuesday and another coffee house and medium cappuccino, americano and chocolate. Conspicuous consumption but at least no one was making love in the corner or describing curviture of the spine.

Wednesday and eight hours later we had a hob cut into the kitchen surface and the dishwasher and washing machine swapped round. Evening at Pizza Express with O and C.

F back Thursday. However first things first up to Sandy, Beds for lunch at the Queens Head and a spot of bird watching with the sister and family. I’m a novelty and feel exhausted by the walk. As predicted most of the birds were at the teashop bird table. Where have all the trees gone? Heathland for sheep.

Friday and now really am exhausted. This doesn’t look good but have booked tickets for Mand D and sent student finace form for the second time. S out tonight. I wonder what I will do?

I think I’m happy now

Have done a little more work on this and now feel confident to add my name to it. Recent activities have included starting and updating the school’s wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Christian_School_(Takeley) and realising how vulnerable wiki pages are. I am searching for a wiki programme to use on the youlot pages that is easier to use than the moodle one and more accessible.