Jessica's OE

Just Read Back

2012-01-12T21:08:00.002-05:00

through several old posts, wow, do I saw a lot of stupid things and ramble. If I get back into blogging regularly by finding a new position I am going to have to work on my skills.

Applications, Applications

2011-12-15T23:41:00.000-05:00

Some cover letters and CV's were sent in the way of Europe via e-mail this week. A lovely form reply received from one, nothing from an earlier application for a winter vacancy in the Netherlands.

I really can't seem to force myself to consider Asia or tough it out a crappy school to get the international experience. My job isn't awful, just boring, so I don't want to move to go to totally horrific for some resume padding.

I know teaching is a bit of crapshoot right now with so many cuts, so I should be grateful to be working, but that point of view only perks me up for a bit.

Had a bit of excitement

2011-11-10T20:26:00.002-05:00

I thought I was going to finally have an interview with a school in England. I had the call from the agency, a school lots of their teachers have enjoyed. Turns out the school didn't have any sponsorships avaliable (they had already used theirs up!)

It was for the best I think, I wasn't feeling too keen (location was a big factor) and I felt like I didn't want to rush to move (like last time!) It was for a January start and I realize it would be a month and a half, but still, more time is better for me to wrap my head around stuff.

I am much better financially than when I moved before, savings is built up, but I'd like to keep money there instead of having to spend it all on a move (which it would about add up to after flights and desposits on flats).

There was some fun for an hour or so in searching for flats in the area!

So fingers crossed that the "market" is opening up again. I knew it gotten quite serious when one agency had closed (Bluewave). I know the recession is still quite bad in England, austerity measures haven't been helping and all.

I'm also still looking into International Schools, trying to revise my cover letter, but to be honest, I hate writing it, and I don't know how to change it to make it more unique without coming off a bit weird. Suggestions?

Recorded Interview

2011-04-01T11:55:00.004-04:00

Some new progress to report on! I did a recording with a new agency last night using ooVoo, it is like Skype, but allows you to record the person speaking on the screen. It is free to do video chats with up to 3 users so if you are looking for another platform there is one available. The interview went well I think, I felt a bit silly as I had to wear my headset because my laptop mic wasn't picking up my voice very well. Funny thing happened the night BEFORE the interview though. I had one of those teacher favourites, a back to school nightmare. I dreamt that I was on my first day at a new school and I was using all the right strategies, speaking firmly, being consistent, and yet everyone still refused to listen to me. Then I started screaming shrilly, students stole all of my stuff and then just walked out of the lesson. It was absolutely terrifying, and it was only a dream! lol With all the new immigration policy changes it is hard to know whether a sponsorship will happen, or if the school that would offer would be want I would want to teach at. Fingers crossed as always!

Still nothing . . .

2011-03-06T12:18:00.003-05:00

I think the international school front may now me closed for me - fewer and fewer positions are being posted and even less are in areas I am interested in moving to at this time.

I do have all my information in to Bluewave, but with all the changes to visa's in the UK that are happening I'm not sure how much luck I'll have. I am thankful to still have a job where I am, which is something not everyone can say.

I've added a few more new links from other teacher blogs that may be of interest to readers.

Still Searching . . .

2011-02-02T13:35:00.002-05:00

The hunt for an international position is still on, sent about 30 CVs/resumes, cover letter or applications off to sites around Europe and some of the Middle East. Haven't heard much positive just yet, so I feel as if I may not be doing something properly, or maybe I'm just not very marketable! I guess time shall tell.

I have resigned with an agency to try a return to England too - I do enjoy it and hope if something is offered it isn't too far from friends I already have. I've applied to an International School there which would mix the best of what experiences I would like to have.

Also on a different note I have updated the blog links, many people have deleted their blogs or stopped posting, added a few new ones.

First Agency Registration

2010-07-10T00:49:00.002-04:00

Looking into agencies that help place teachers in international schools has been a longish process. Some require some steep fees like ISS (200), while others are around 60. I found one that was free www.teachanywhere.com though they say it is very difficult to be placed in an International School in Europe. I know finding places in Europe is more difficult because it is more desirable and because of visa's, but I had been under the impression that visa's could work out fairly easily because of the factor of the international part, needing foreign nationals to teach curriculum they know more about with a strong command of English.

Another agency I was going to apply to (forget the name just now) I have to put a hold on because they require the name and contact info for your current head teacher (principal) and I really don't want the info out there currently that I am looking to move from my school. Since we do not have a union and instead have an "employment at will" policy it makes me nervous about losing a position before I have a new one, especially in the current economy.

So I am still working towards the goal, and a little early which is making it awkwardish because I don't want a job for this school year but next. But I like to be ahead of the game whenever possible and be prepared for a range of possibilities.

Why not back to England?

2010-07-02T21:06:00.002-04:00

Friends have wondered why I don't just return to England since they know how much I love it. The main reason is because the immigration laws are changing and English teachers are no longer on the shortage list so a school has to go through a lot more to hire me than they did before. If I find that I really want to return then I can go through an agency and that will take a lot of the problem away, however, one agency I've seen has over 100 people looking to teach English and right now there are about 100 openings on the TES website, so many qualified people are going without jobs. Secondly, and very much not a "deal breaker" are the behaviour issues. I know that with a lot of work and consistency I can deal with behaviour issues better than I did in the past. However, international schools that are not run for profit are known to have much better behaved students who simply, for the most part, get on with their work. I'd love to have to chance to teach groups of students who are very eager to learn. Another big selling point for international schools is working with a wide variety of teachers as well as students. Hopefully, this journey, which is starting a year ahead of my planned "moving" time will be fruitful. From what I understand international schools recruiting season begins Oct-Dec. wish me luck!

New Plan

2010-06-30T01:43:00.004-04:00

A new plan has been forming as of late; this plan involves becoming a teacher at an international school. Just like when planning my first move overseas, this one is beginning with a lot of internet searches and slowly piecing together information. Jobs at international schools are difficult to come by, but then again so are ones in English schools so hopefully that has given me some preparation. I am hoping my experiences in both England and the US will help me in making my first forays into the international school arena. One thing that will be a little more difficult is that many of the positions require some fees to register with agencies that I didn't face when going to the UK (the school paid the fee when I was hired). Therefore, some of my savings might end up going towards those fees. On the other hand, international schools often pay for flights (one roundtrip per year) or help with relocation associated fees, so that is an added benefit over always paying for my flights to and from home and the high cost of international shipping.

If you have any experience or advice to share, please, please, please do!

Finito

2009-09-17T21:16:00.001-04:00

I should have posted this ages ago but due to lack of connectivity and a very crazy end of the school year that didn't happen.

I'm back in the U.S. for semi-good (who knows what the future holds?!) now.

The U.K. was a fabulous experience and I would encourage people who want to do it to go for it, but go in with eyes wide open because it isn't easy!

If you stumble across this blog and have questions, feel free to ask questions still and I will do my best to answer.

Sports Day

2009-07-15T03:40:00.003-04:00

Has been cancelled! I'm not sure if I'm actually really excited or not. I was getting out of teaching my mad year 7 Drama group, and I kinda wanted to just hang about on the field chatting to people. But, on the other hand, I don't like how crazy sports day can be in terms of technically getting everyone where they should be at the proper time.

It's today and 3/4 of the day tomorrow and then the school year is over! I have every piece of coursework in except one, the folders are finished and ready to moderate on Friday. Here's hoping for a quick and easy last two days of school!

More Coursework and Saying Goodbye

2009-07-10T15:19:00.002-04:00

I've told the only two groups I'm making it a point to tell that I am leaving, that I am leaving. It was a nice reaction of Miss we'll miss you and why are you going's. I've had my final lessons with 3 different drama groups, I cannot say I am sad about those. We are watching some movies next week, Mean Girls, The Simpsons and She's the Man.

Today was the deadline for year 10 coursework, I have all but two pieces in and one may arrive via e-mail by midnight. I am super chuffed since last year we know the amount of work was not quite this good. I have a few more pieces to mark, and then the organising of all the marks and averaging, etc. Blah!

After that is done there is no marking or planning to do for the rest of the year, yay!

I have my leaving do on Tuesday, the English department, well 5 of us anyway, are headed into Covent Garden for dinner and then to see The Woman in Black, which I hear very good things about. Our staff BBQ is on Thursday after school - lots of people are attending so it should be a nice time and a chance to say good byes.

I leave for Greece on Friday after our English department coursework moderation work day, back the following Saturday and then back to American on Sunday. Where has the time gone? I'm sad and happy all at the same time.

Stupid &#(&%($% Coursework!

2009-07-02T13:08:00.001-04:00

It would be faster if I had just written all the outstanding coursework myself! Chasing up the late work and making copies of the handouts is taking up way too much time! I have all these boys complaining that they worked really hard and still got a D, well sorry buddy you wrote the work 4 months after we studied it and are surprised that you don't remember all the finer points of the arguments you're supposed to show in your paper. How is that surprising at all!?

Two in one day?

2009-06-29T13:14:00.002-04:00

So, I'm fairly okay at getting video stuff set up for lessons. Some of the video's we used are literally still VHS. Today I wanted to show Twelfth Night to my year 8's as a treat since exams were last week. I had the rewound tape in the VHS player and it wasn't working, I tried to eject it to find that it was stuck. I run around like a crazy person trying to find someone with a DVD or an open room. I find an open room from a French teacher, I take the second departmental tape which isn't rewound put it in to rewind and it shuts down after rewinding a bit, I turn it on and what do you know? That video is stuck too! I have no lesson plan, I've ruined two VHS players and my year 8's are being very annoying. Along with this a student is job shadowing for some work experience and I look like an idiot. He asks if I need help but I calmly explain no I'll just find it on youtube, which I do, thank goodness for youtube!

It was also funny because it was so obvious that all my year 8 girls thought this year 11 boy was cute who came into class lol

Officially Qualified to Teach in the UK

2009-06-28T03:47:00.003-04:00

with only 14 days left here! lol I got the big packet in the post yesterday with my certificate that I am fully qualified teacher! I'm glad all that hard work led to something, even if it is only for 14 days.

Year 10's have mostly finished their coursework, I have 4 boys out of all English lessons now to be doing their work. I have all of the year 8 exams marked, about 8 year 7 exams left to mark. Year 9 take their SAT's on Wednesday which I don't want to mark and then it's a few good days of report writing, which is truly dire. I'd rather see their parents again for another parents evening than write these repetitive reports.

There are lots of events going on the end of the year. Some year 8's were at Glasbury this past week, July 10th they are headed to Southend on Sea, a sports day is scheduled for the Wednesday before end of term. Drama lessons are getting hard to plan because there are only 1-2 lessons left so no sense in starting a new unit.

I'm attempting to pack and decide what needs to go with me and what is being put in the bin out of my classroom. I'm also trying to decide who needs/deserves what of my left over teacher stuff. I'm dealing out old books and trying to decide if I should give DVD's to friends or to the school in various departments. It never ends truly!

QTS

2009-06-21T16:46:00.003-04:00

Sorry this hasn't been posted sooner, laptop issues (I'm borrowing my housemates at this time)!

The QTS day went fine, no major issues, my year 8's were a bit of an annoyance, the year 10's were stars though. The interview was good at the end we talked for a bit about the difference between learning and lesson objectives and making sure we are clearly stating what we expect. I had quite a few questions on assessment and then said goodbye.

On Thursday I had a letter in my pigeon hole stating I was being put forward for QTS so from my understanding it is all behind me now, which is very reassuring!

There are just 19 days left of my time teaching in England; I cannot believe it is nearly over!

QTS Visit Tomorrow

2009-06-14T07:49:00.002-04:00

The big day comes again tomorrow. I'm almost hoping the weather isn't too nice as the kids find it distracting and act up.

I am about to start creating the filing system for all my evidence in my folders. Lots of cross referencing and post it notes await me. Keep your fingers crossed that I make it out alive!

Lessons are ready for tomorrow and let's hope the kids can handle all the different activities.

More drama in Drama

2009-06-10T16:58:00.003-04:00

Imagine that! So today my student teacher is being observed by her university tutor and a guest who is here for the year from Asia. The students have just done a fun voice warm up and are getting into groups to rehearse their Titanic trailers for the final assessment. A boy is still lying on the floor and so I'm watching to see how long it will take for him to get to his group and start work. I end up observing him saying to this girl, 'hey _________, why don't you come over here and suck my dick' I could not believe it! Seriously! So I ask him to step outside, go through the whole, 'this is unacceptable behaviour, especially towards female classmates' et. al. and then say you'll be going to withdrawal, which after hearing he goes on a crying spell, refuses to go and so I've got to go in search of one of the head's of year or a deputy head to come and sort him out. Bleh!

Then as if there weren't enough extra adults in the drama room today, one of the SEN head's comes in and asks can this girl and her mentor sit in to see what a lesson is like. So there were about 8 extra people in the lesson altogether; it was getting crowded!

Also back to inappropriate year 7 comments. This group is just a mad mix. This one rather large group were rehearsing then performing and every once in a while someone in the group would just make weird sexual moaning noises. And then when the '1st class' passengers were ordering dinner, they had chicken breasts and so got a giggle, argh! If you point it out it makes it worse, but they won't stop of course. Can it be chalked up to hormones? Oh and one last sexual issue with this group, outside the classroom there was a paper that had a sign made from this site that is something like KFCruelty, that said ____________ and __________ are bum buddies. I mean how horrible can this group get!?

Friday's seriously suck!

2009-06-06T05:10:00.002-04:00

I've been warned a I may get death threats from a year 9 student who I sent to withdrawal today from our Drama lesson, because of the withdrawal he can't go on the year 9 trip to an amusement park. He walked in and I could see he was about to punch his friend and I said, 'don't even do it' and he did so he got sent out. 'Ohhh but were friends' well I don't care that's not appropriate behaviour for a classroom.

Secondly, I had 10 quid stolen from my handbag in my year 8 drama lesson. The head of year came down as well as the year 11 head of year since her students are all gone. It was a little inquisition, the class has never been so quiet in their whole life. Nothing found, but I was like, WTF? seriously you got into my hand bag and into my purse and took MY money!

5 1/2 weeks left . . .

Wow, has it been nearly a month . . .

2009-06-04T15:32:00.003-04:00

since I last updated? Sorry! Well I guess the thing is, things are much the same really!

The end of the year is a mere 6 weeks away, which is absolutely amazing to me. In some respects I'm so jealous of my American friends whose facebook pages all say, 'school's out for summer!' or 'one day left!'

Also my : button is loose and I dunno how to fix it on my laptop :(

Okay, so , end of the year happenings at the schools.
1. Exams: two weeks of prep, one week of actual test taking, this is a nice half of the end of term for year's 7 and 8 in English, and all lower school in Drama. Year 9's have a Romeo & Juliet SAT's which I don't know what to do to prepare them for so I'll just not think about it until a few weeks from now.
2. Reports - must be written on every single student I teach in the lower school, this is 186 separate documents to prepare on the students progress, granted I shall be using the copy and paste feature liberally and using the terminology from the marking criteria and effort grade charts to fill all that space.
3. QTS visit (unrelated to end of school year) is a little over a week away. Year 10's will be doing an Of Mice and Men culminating character activity, I have high hopes that this activity will be very fun and the students will do the 'performance' thing that they often shy away from.
4. Filling gaps in lesson planning for small amounts of time where no real progress or units can be made. This shall happen with year's 10 mostly, we will finish of Mice and Men, and have quite a bit of time where I attempt to teach 'Media' ummm yeah, I'll see how that goes!
5. Speaking and Listening Activities galore in year 9, they are sure good at talking . . .
6. Parties, Proms and Leaving Do's - I'm going to the 6th form Ball, which shall be fun because I can dress up, the English department are going to see The Woman in Black and have dinner as my leaving do, my friend Laura from Thorpe is having a leaving do as she is moving to London to teach next year, I'm going to Oxford to see some of my British friends from the book club for the last time, random pub outings for a few other leaving teachers at my school.

So 30 days left, about 96 hours of teaching which is actually only like 4 days of hours, so wow, yeah, the end of the year will be here before I know it.

I better get some of those lower school reports done . . . yeah

Too good to be true . . .

2009-05-08T15:34:00.003-04:00

I knew the week was going a little too well, actually today was going well until periods 7/8 - year 8 drama, the bane of my week. These year 8's are proper teenagers and too cool for anything really. They talk constantly and don't respond well to many teacher's, their group is so close knit they really work against the teachers. All of that was normal, the thing that wasn't is I had a boy pretending to masturbate as I was explaining the next activity. I caught him; he denied doing anything! I can truthfully say I have never been so sure of what I saw before in my career so did not hesitate about sending him to withdrawal. Well after school I speak to the head of year and find out the boy did a similar thing last year and the teacher who was staffing withdrawal was the person whose lesson the offense took place in. So I'm mentally scarred even more from that class now.

Remote Access

2009-05-07T15:46:00.003-04:00

I never thought this would be a big deal to me, but I must say I do love the fact that my school has it. If I have a sudden inspiration for a powerpoint or some down time at the weekend and want to do a lesson or two I can simply log onto my school computer and do work.

It also means I don't have to stay late to get work done at times. For example, I was waiting for the drama student teacher to upload the new file for the fifth drama lesson in a series she is creating as part of her PGCE folder and she said she would upload it later and so I came home and will be able to read over the plan and make my power point just as soon as remote access finishes signing in.

It's the simple things in life.

A Good Week

2009-05-06T16:43:00.003-04:00

So far week three of the summer term has been very lovely. Now that I have typed this sentence it is sure to create a downhill Thursday and Friday, or perhaps not.

I am continuing to wade through creating my QTS folder. A suggestion I was given was to do a questionnaire to have students fill in so I could see their ideas about what works and doesn't, as well as question their own involvement in their studies. I was very worried to read them; I was actually afraid something would really hurt my feelings, but the complete opposite happened! What I discovered while reading my year 10's replies was that they seem to understand that I truly want to help them achieve the best results possible. That they appreciate my efforts to make comments on their work and to fully explain ideas in lesson.

The things they would like changed were typical, some can be changed and some can't. One student said they wanted to not do coursework: that one is a little over my head. Other's mentioned wanting more group work or discussion and after reading that I realized we have been doing rather the same lesson for the past 2 1/2 weeks in English, so I arranged some different activities for tomorrow. However, I am a bit apprehensive. With so much to cover for their exam text I become concerned that group work is just a way to waste some time and that they won't get the necessary information. Though I do think they need to chance to attempt to discover for themselves and create their own meaning.

I am loving teaching Twelfth Night to my year 8's. I have never read this particular Shakespeare play and I have a great scheme of work that the English and Media Centre created (all their resources are excellent!). The kids seem to get it and they create such a range of activities that really get the kids thinking.

Drama on Friday's still gives me a headache and a sore throat, but at least I can think to myself that there are only 8 weeks left of teaching those groups. Actually year 7's are lovely, it's the older ones that are the issue. For example, over the next 2 days I will have 16 students in detention for failure to complete extremely easy pieces of homework.

But, I can say I'm feeling less stressed and more energized about teaching in general and very keen to see the final units of the year through.

Not keen for exams weeks and all the marking plus writing 8 sets of lower school reports, but it all must be done!

I'm back

2009-04-18T13:13:00.002-04:00

with lots to do and not much motivation to do it with.

Slept until 2, it's now 6:15, I've read a book and been online. I have 18 mock exams to mark and 2 lessons to plan. Bleh!

So hmmm off to call my mom and tell her I'm safely back in England.

5 days until the Easter Holidays! Yay!

2009-03-28T05:28:00.003-04:00

Hopefully the next five days will whizz by in a blissful blur. Year 10's are still away and I am making three visits to see some of them in their placements. Two primary schools in the area and one at the Financial Services Authority in Canary Wharf. The primary schools should be easy to find, I'm terrible at navigating around Canary Wharf though. The only group still doing real lessons for me all week is year 7 and their new novel. If we don't keep going it will take us too long to read it all. Year 8 has to write an assessment for language change and it is due Monday so I can mark it for their parents evening on Wednesday, but on Wednesday they will watch The Boy in the Stryped Pajamas that they only got to see the beginning of in their drama lesson.

Year 9's will be able to finish watching the modern version of Romeo & Juliet on Tuesday and then I won't see them Thursday because they have Science modular exams to take. Year 10's are still away as I said, the drama groups are half learning half viewing. My year 7 Drama group is watching Titanic, I'm pretty sure the student teacher will keep teaching. I'm not fighting with my year 9 Drama group so I think we'll watch Mean Girls (classic! and I can use it for stereotypes) but year 8 Drama must continue with the directing unit because they are back in balance now and I don't want to get it mixed up.

I was going to go to The Tower of London today, but there is a 70% chance of rain so I may save it for tomorrow.

Year 10's

2009-03-16T17:01:00.002-04:00

So the next three weeks I teach no year 10 lessons. This week they have a mixture of mock and real exams. Then for the following two weeks they are on work experience. For every double year 10 period we teach we have to visit a location. I teach three doubles, so three locations. I'm headed to two local primary schools. One school has two students that I don't know, the other school has one student I do know and teach, she is lovely. What is awesome is that the student I know is only on the experience there for one week, and the following week she is at the Houses of Parliament! I can't wait to see her there and take some time to do a tour or something, I'll have to look into it more specifically soon. The last visit is to a financial office for another student I do teach, he is placed with a family member so that visit should be quick and informal.

I thought I would get so much done today, but no I haven't, I've been a bum! Hopefully I'll do better with my extra hours on Wednesday and Thursday.

Trampolining is tomorrow after new teacher's meeting, yay!

A bevy of 'stuff'

2009-03-06T18:04:00.001-05:00

Not sure what all will end up in the post, but it will be random.

1. QTS - I hate it more than I did at first. I find the requirements repetitive and the expectations, either wildly ephemeral or so obvious as to be absurd. How do I show a 'relationship with students'. Do I ask students to attest to the fact that I can say a thing or two to them that isn't directly related to the subject matter? That I joke with students or relate subject matter in the lessons to popular culture when I can? Or how do I show I know who is in charge of certain things like Child Safety? I included a staff list that was annotated with information. I'm tempted to include their picture as well to show they have been 'identified'.
2. Why do some classes behave beautifully one week and horribly the next, when I feel I've done nothing differently?
3. Am I wrong to think that spending from 7-5 at work each day is enough? I feel like I never have all done that needs done. How do people volunteer to do things outside of the day? Why does marking take so long? I did drama assessment today and just typing up the comments took about 45 minutes for 24 students. I know that really only averages to two minutes per student, but I'd watched them for two lessons writing comments during. I have to do that 4 more times in the next two weeks. Is it selfish of me to think I shouldn't have to bring work home at the weekends or in the evenings?
4. I just bought my airline tickets for Easter! I'm spending just under two entire weeks in the company of my lovely family. I wish the pound would stop falling because it cost me about 1/3 of my paycheck this time!
5. I've come to realise I overuse exclamation marks.
6. I also can't remember which country calls them exclamation marks and which calls them exclamation points. Additionally, I forget which country uses s's instead of z's in words like summarize and capitalise. (I admit to changing it around from paper to paper.)
7. I purchased new glasses; I think it may have been a mistake. (I have a feeling these aren't as trendy as I thought in the store.)
8. I really want some fettuccine alfredo and hamburger helper (but not together).
9. I long for by bed that sits higher off the ground and a room where the sunlight doesn't shine straight into my eyes as I lie down from where the curtain hits the molding.
10. I felt this list needed to end on an even number so added this to meet that criteria.

Food for Thought Friday

2009-03-06T17:47:00.003-05:00

Breakfast - What is the most interesting car you have ever owned and why?

I would have to say my Cobalt for no other reason that it was purple and was the first new car I ever had. (I didn't own it technically, but leased it.)

Lunch - What book are you currently reading?

City of Ashes and Lost in a Good Book

Dinner - Did you have any pets growing up?

Many! We always had dogs: Laddie, Willy, Duncan, Lexi, Kira. On the farm we had loads of cats as well all named after Disney characters.

Midnight Snack - How do you unwind at night?

I usually read or chat.

Half-Term Gone

2009-02-22T16:39:00.004-05:00

So yeah, how lazy was I that I didn't update the blog over the break? Very. Exciting things done include getting my hair cut, going to an eye appointment, going into school, making over some displays and marking two sets of books. Awesome.

So six weeks of classes until Easter. My year 10's begin their poetry coursework, I think they will be soooo excited. (not) We start with My Last Duchess, go on to some Shakespeare sonnets, some Andrew Marvel, etc. All quite deep and all that, the boys will love that we are talking about love and in quite a lot of cases death. Year 7's continue poetry, year 8's begin language change, year 9's continue Romeo & Juliet and drama groups are all still on their older units. Year 10's are only in for about 3 1/2 weeks before they begin their mock exams and then go onto work experience so there is quite a lot to do!

According to a fellow overseas trained teacher I can expect my passport+visa back soon, she sent hers out about 6 days before me and received it just a few days ago. This makes me very excited since it means I can definitely go home for Easter to see my family, whom I miss quite a lot, many phone calls were made to them this week.

I am also trying to figure out why the first day back after half-term break is always very scary for me. It's like starting all over again, which I do not like at all! There is a lot to accomplish and a fun weekend ahead.

On the QTS front, hopefully the report will have come in over the break so we know what areas need to be addressed and Mr Preece, the deputy head in charge of the overseas trained teachers is observing me to start getting firmer evidence in place. I had hoped to move on to helping with year 8 form groups this term, but with QTS still on my plate that is not going to be happening. Wish me well as well as quick and productive 6 weeks!

QTS - Epic Fail!

2009-02-09T12:28:00.003-05:00

I can write little more than to say, the QTS visit was not successful. Both lessons were fine, the folder is the problem. The Australian teacher and I both failed on the folder so we aren't quite sure what else we can do, but we'll wait for the write ups to come back and try again. Like I need more stress in my life and time wasted putting a folder together when I should planning and delivering lessons and marking work for students.

Food for Thought Friday - on time!

2009-02-06T15:35:00.002-05:00

Breakfast -What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
Not much, I just kind of have to get over it in my own time.

Lunch - Who were your favorite teachers growing up and why?
Mrs. Hines, she was just awesome and taught some of my favourite subjects, English and French. Mr. Forzano because he was a riot and told the best stories ever. Mrs. Gabbert, she was my teacher then my mentor while student teaching, she knows so much about everything. Mrs. Urmson from my parenting class days. Actually I liked most of my teachers. For professors Dr. Barnhouse wins hands down, she made me love Medieval Lit and she's a Jane Austen fan to boot.

Dinner - What, in your opinion, is the worst song ever?
I have no idea, there are so many, and I'm bad at remembering things like that.

Midnight Snack - What personal activity, when performed in public, bothers you the most?
Couples being overly affectionate, that is a private moment, not a public one people!

Snow Day!

2009-02-02T03:27:00.002-05:00

Today is my very first snow day ever as an official teacher and my first snow day in the UK! I was so afraid we'd still have school since the headmaster is not known for cancelling. I did have to walk to the school to make sure since no official word was available. I am giving myself until 10 a.m. to 'relax' and then doing my planning for the rest of the week; I think this is a good idea and I hope I can force myself into it!

Also it is perfect packing snow and I wish I had some teachers nearby to build a snow man with and have a snowball fight.

Trains and buses are cancelled for a while, and evidently they are telling people not to go to work if they don't have to since the trains that are running may stop later.

I love snow days!

100th Post - QTS Stuff

2009-01-31T06:23:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday of this week I had my final interim QTS visit. I had my folder prepared to a point, and now have a lot of work to do on it. To be a bit clearer, and explain. To complete Qualified Teacher Status in the UK you go through a series of observations and also complete a folder showing how you meet 34 standards set by the British government to be a qualified teacher. Some are okay, others are very tedious. A lot of the stuff is 'shown' via the lesson observations (done by my head of department and one of the deputy heads, both of whom are great people to have watch lessons, they see lots of good and tell you really great ways to improve lessons). I've been observed twice by the outside assessor, who is also very nice and helpful. I have quite a bit more work to do on the folder, so late nights all this week at school for me. The final visit by the assessor who I don't meet until the day is Monday February 9th. I'm a bit worried because I thought the visit was Feb 23rd the day we come back from half-term break. So my time to prepare is shorter, but it is also good because the lesson will be easier before break and it means I don't have to spend the break worrying about this observation. The bad thing is of course, less time to do all the folder things really well. Most of what I have to do is show how I help students with special needs and students who have English as a second language. Thankfully, the SEN stuff is not too bad once I actually write out a few lesson plans, and the ESL stuff is almost nil since my ESL student is a great writer and the only thing she really needs is extra help in proof reading for issues that just take time and practice to resolve.

Also on a happy note about my Friday Drama days. They are verying tiring teaching Drama all day. I have one lesson each for years 7,8,9. My year 7's are so lovely, I adore them, they are so keen and really take responsibility for themselves in the lesson and are supportive of each other. The year 8 and 9's are a completely different story. Yesterday was my first day back with year 9's after they had been working with Laura, the drama department student teacher for the past 10 weeks (I think that long anyways!) She was AWESOME and I was so sad to see her go, she had a certain 'thing' I don't have and was able to really get them to do some great work and get some behaviour things done that I hadn't. I knew I had to be extra strict my first day back to set the tone. I created a drama seating circle, just to avoid the problem every week of them not sitting in a proper boy/girl circle. They moaned but were okay for the first part of the lesson. Towards the end though it was getting terrible, they were in groups but not completing work. And finally they were full out just not doing anything asked. I was SOOO cross, so I made everyone stop in my furious teacher voice, which was effective, I even heard a boy say admiringly that I was good at shouting haha. But after the shouting stopped is the most important part. I shouted a bit about their behaviour and work ethic, etc. Then said what can we do to make drama lessons more productive and fun for you, since they didn't work with enthusiasm on anything unless it was being off task. We agreed that after this unit is finished to allow them to pick one partner to work with and then I'd put groups together. We also agreed that one person would be 'responsible' for their group and if their group was off task that one person was responsible for them all (this role will of course go to the person least likely to stay on task themselves!) They seem happy with our agreement and I hope that it has gotten more of them on my side. They also admitted they needed sent to withdrawal more often, and I hope to create a list of 'unacceptable behaviours' that warrant a send to withdrawal for drama lesson. I hope the ownership of the rules makes them more likely to listen and obey them. We'll see! I'm feeling hopeful! Year 8 was better to as I felt more confident following my year 9 'triumph' and the lesson was better than most past lessons with the group. Also in my favour was the fact that 3 of the 24 students are on report to their form tutors for having poor interum reports that were sent home to parents last week.

So two weeks left in term and hopefully lots of positive things in site!

Food for Thought Friday on Saturday instead (again)

2009-01-31T06:17:00.003-05:00

I'm so sporadic with these, but I do love to do them! I need to write more frequently, but I'm a slacker in the evenings. What can I say? I need a Saturday to catch up.

Breakfast What is the longest you have gone without sleep?
Probably nearly 40 hours, during a travel day from Norwich back to Ohio. I always feel bad for my mom who meets me at the airport because I am sooo cranky!

Lunch If you don't live alone, do you think you would be able to, and if you do live alone, do you enjoy it? Why?
I live in a house share, but sort of my own since there isn't much interacting unless other's happen to be in the kitchen when I am. I would love living on my own and having my own place. But I would also love living with a group friends, though I reckon I would never get anything productive done then.

Dinner Would you rather give a public speech or bungee jump?
I guess I'd be better suited to public speaking since I teach, though I'd still be really nervous about something prepared like that. No bungee jumping, no.

Midnight Snack Have you ever ridden on a train?
I ride on trains all the time. I take the train to London, the tube around London. I've been on a sleeper train to Scotland and a crazy ex-soviet train through The Czech Republic. It is a really easy way to travel Europe.

Half Way to Half Term

2009-01-25T06:16:00.002-05:00

It's going by both slowly and quickly. I am finding it hard to get all the things that need accomplished done at school, so I brought a set of books home with me this weekend, I guess it's better than stressing about doing it after school when I get tired and hungry after a long day. I have my visit from the pre-assessor for QTS on Wednesday so I have a lot of work to do for that. The work is to have two great lessons planned and also to have my folder mostly secure. I'm worried though because I am missing out a lot of info needed for Special Needs students and it has me worried that I haven't been helping them enough.

I went into London yesterday and was harassed by a group of drunk football fans. One pretended to punch me in the face and so I said something to him about not being a jerk, and then they decided to sing a song about how they didn't like yanks and generally be intimidating. I know I should have just ignored them but I was just angry that someone at the tube station hadn't done anything. I'm getting letters in the mail about putting my feet on the seats, and yet then I can be harassed by a ridiculously loud group of men and nothing happens to them. Which is worse do you think?

My student teacher's last day was Friday, I am very sad to see her go, it was so great to work with her. She knows so much more drama than I do, so I felt I learned a lot more from her, and could help with little things in the class. Drama rooms can be so hard to run because you have small groups working on things and keeping, all the balls in the air, as it were can be very hard. Another student is coming week after next. I think she is taking on a similar schedule, but I'm not sure, we'll see. My year 8 drama lessons are getting worse and worse and it is very frustrating and it feels like it is all going no where.

I am missing my family a lot this weekend. Also I keep getting calls from home about things going wrong. My mom forgot to pay my one credit card bill on time, so my interest rate went from 12.99% to something like 36.99% so I have to find a place to transfer the balance, because I refuse to pay $65 in interest. She tried to ask them to take it back down and explain, it was one payment, we always pay over the minimum and they said no, so yeah I'm cancelling that and paying it off, I may even take all my savings to do it because I refuse for them to have more of my money. My brother nearly lost his semi-truck from not paying the payment, because loads have been so sparse, the economy is horrible and it is really effecting everyone in my family right now. So much for finding a job back at home!

One week down five to go

2009-01-11T11:24:00.002-05:00

It is really sad that my entire life is a countdown isn't it? I really realize it, but I so look forward to the time to myself and to not have to think about school things for a while.

The first week was good, the behaviour has improved, but that may just be because they know their reports are coming out in two weeks haha

I just have a feeling the year is going to fly by, I have three pieces of coursework to finish with the year 10's and they miss about 3 weeks for work experience and exams before the Easter break. I've just begun Romeo & Juliet with year 9's working towards their SAT's exam, I'm also finishing Poetry & Macbeth wit my 7's and 8's. Drama stuff is fun this term too, year 7's are doing mask work, and the first lesson went really well and year 8's the Holocaust, which I hope settles the group some, since the topic is very serious. I only have my student teacher left in Drama for two more weeks, it makes me sad, she is fabulous and knows so much more than me, we kind of have a role reversal really. Luckily the three other teachers she works with are much more experienced Drama teachers so she gets the support she needs.

During the February half term I'd really like to make it north to Glasgow and Edinburgh again, I can't travel far because I may not have my passport. Easter is back to Ohio, and then I'm hoping to spend the bank holiday weekend in May in Finland with a friend. I hope to get a few more passport stamps before I'm done for good.

I still have Poe essays to mark that I am dreading.

QTS visits are coming up soon, I have to finish my folder, and I take my skills test on Thursday, I'm off to take the practice tests now, wish me luck!

First Day Back

2009-01-05T13:39:00.002-05:00

And I still had jet lag, it was a bit hard on me while watching Macbeth, but I made it! The kids were mostly well behaved, a few year 8's that are always a problem continue to be a problem, had to send one to withdrawal, hope that kicks his bum in shape for the rest of this term! 29 days left . . . how sad is that? haha

Got two good lessons planned for tomorrow, so I feel good about that. But I have a lot of marking that is piling up and I need to get my butt in gear on my QTS folder, I have my final assessment in about 7 weeks. I also still need to take the exams . . . maybe I should study for those . . . hmmm good idea!

Okay that is all, back to procrastinating in other ways :)

Back in England

2009-01-02T22:00:00.001-05:00

And up at 3 a.m. - stupid jet lag! It is always much worse when coming to the UK, I hope to be back to sleep soon.

This was the first time I've cried leaving the US . . . it was weird.

Friday 5 (On Sunday . . .)

2008-12-20T19:02:00.003-05:00

Stealing Amy's idea for this weeks survey

1. What’s your favorite thing about the shoes you’re wearing (or the shoes you were most recently wearing)?
They were only 7.50, very comfortable, cute and I felt trendy because they are Converse!

2.What’s your favorite thing about the people you work with (or the people you go to school with)?
Hmmmm, my colleagues are very helpful and understanding. They provide lots of help when you ask them and have good strategies to share. Also the younger crowd are willing to go out together for a variety of activities.

3. What’s your favorite thing about the climate where you live?
That it is fairly mild and temperate.

4. What’s your favorite thing about Friday?
Leaving school with no work for the weekend.

5. What’s your favorite thing about the year coming to an end?
It means I'm just a little bit closer to all the fun things that are coming up in 2009! (I wish I was better at not wishing time away.)

Travel

2008-12-13T09:25:00.003-05:00

I was reading a travel blog yesterday and it made me keen to travel again, my only issue is I don't like leaving the UK for other overseas destinations on my own. I don't mind travelling around the UK by myself, but being alone in Egypt, Italy, or Spain without someone else has me just a bit too scared. My problem is that all my friends here are paired up. They aren't going to spend money travelling without their partners. I want to travel somewhere warm in February, but I can't plan anything since I may not have my passport back from the Visa office by that time.

It makes me sad I haven't done as much as I could, especially since it is one reason I moved here, but I find it hard to motivate myself to go do things on my own, though usually if I have someone with me I get a bit annoyed with them (losing my patience is another problem I've had since being on my own so much). I hate to keep putting it off until later. Like as I was considering a move back to the US and a chance to travel with my best friend, but I hate to do that, because for all I know Jess will get married by the time I do that and it's not fair to pin all my travel hopes on someone else. I'd like to go on holiday with a larger group so that it's less intimidating to go to restaurants and that you can swap people occasionally if pairs have interests that are different from others.

So I need a real plan, and to get over my travel issues, I want to see some more places in the world! So far I've been to the US & UK (obviously!) France, Germany, Austria, The Czech Republic and Canada, not really all that impressive considering, I'd like to add a few more places to that list really!

If you want to read the blog that inspired this post, go here http://www.gobackpacking.com/Blog/

Food for Thought Friday

2008-12-12T16:41:00.002-05:00

Breakfast - Do you have a real Christmas tree or an artificial one?
Artificial, save the trees!

Lunch - Do you give a Christmas gift to your nearby neighbors each year?
I have never in my life given a Christmas gift to a neighbour.

Dinner - Have you ever done the 12 Days of Christmas or had it done to you? Was it anonymous?
Nope.

Midnight Snack - What time do you typically get to bed on Christmas Eve?
Depends, usually quite late really since I've been grown up, we are watching films and stuff or have friends round.

How to Respond?

2008-12-11T15:29:00.002-05:00

So today I had an awkwardish moment in my year 9 lesson. I was supposed to be away on a course, but it was cancelled due to lack of interest, so I was in though I had told the class I was going to check on them with the supply teacher to be sure they weren't horrible, since I had a complaint about them last time I was off sick. So I turn up, obviously, and they are like 'oh Miss we are so glad you are here' etc. and then I hear, 'yeah we are so glad you are here, especially *student's name I'm omitting* because he fancies you!' I luckily didn't turn red or anything, just said 'oh that's nice' and went on doing my beginning of lesson stuff. I had no idea what to do though. He kind of said something like he agreed with what they said or didn't care that they said it, he's a pretty forthcoming individual. Anyway so awkward class moment, could have been worse I guess.

I covered an art lesson today, it made me want to go take some random community art class so I could use some creativity and learn some skills. I'm rubbish at drawing, but like to think I could so something else artsy.

Just 6 teaching days until Christmas, yay! I spoke to my mom today and cannot wait to get home and wrap all the presents I've been having delivered. I am no longer stuck for 7 hours at Chicago O'Hare, some friends have agreed to come spring me for about 4-5 hours to go to a nearby mall for shopping and lunch, yay for friends!

Sickness

2008-12-05T05:11:00.003-05:00

I think I may be dying, my head is going to explode, I've used half a box of tissues in about 24 hours, Sudafed only helps for about 2 hours. I hate being sick, and miserable and as many of you know when I am sick, I am whiny, like right now in this post :(

Also, if you've seen Twilight the movie, you must read Twilight in 15 Minutes from this Live Journal, it will make you laugh a lot!

http://community.livejournal.com/m15m/19551.html

There are so many good quotes in it, this being one of my favourites:
EDWARD: So... I wanted to apologize for being rude but not for the rudeness of being rude about not being rude, which I am being right now.
BELLA: ...?
EDWARD: In conclusion, we can't be friends, KTHNXBAI.
BELLA: ...![Outside, Bella tries to approach Edward again while everyone's piling onto the buses. Jasper looks pained, but Alice is all excited:]
ALICE: Hi, Bella! I love--
EDWARD: SHUT IT, ALICE
BELLA: WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST LET ME DIE FROM SMUSH?
EDWARD: Do you honestly think I'm sorry I saved you from the Death Van? How could you think such a thing? NO YOU CAN'T SIT WITH US!
BELLA: WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS SUCH A BITCH?!

Food for Thought Friday

2008-12-05T05:08:00.002-05:00

Breakfast - What is your favorite time of day and why?
Twilight . . . hahaha

Lunch - If you could find anything under your Christmas tree this year, what would it be?
A winning lottery ticket for like millions of dollars, or Edward Cullen

Dinner - Would you want to know when you were going to die?
Phhh, that's a tough one, in some ways yes, in some ways no,

Midnight Snack - If someone gives you a Christmas gift that you weren't expecting to, do you give them one in return even though you didn't plan on it?
If I can think quickly enough to avoid awkwardness, unless it is like so totally random that getting them something would be even more awkward.

QTS

2008-11-30T06:44:00.003-05:00

If you are an overseas trained teacher and want to teach in England beyond four years and if you want to be paid on the main scale you have to get QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). I didn't do this last year because lots of teachers with more experience than me said it was too difficult to do in your first year of teaching overseas, so add that to it being my first year of teaching ever and I knew I wouldn't be able to handle the stress of getting used to the UK ways and creating this massive folder of evidence.

I had my first visit from the pre-assessor on Tuesday. I taught my year 9's an environment lesson that was based on the SAT's exams that my school is still doing to be giving (SAT's have been officially cancelled for UK schools unless the individual school still wants to give them). I had positive feedback from the lesson, a point to improve on is always to vary tone in lessons, I have no idea how to do that, I guess I sound boring, but oh well, I'm not really worried about that and its a bit hard to think about when what you are worried about is keeping classes on task and learning.

So I'm preparing my folder, it is a lot of work and many of the requirements have to be documented using reflective journaling, which I find a bit tedious. This folder needs to be ready by February though so I need to have it mostly done by the end of January when my final pre-assessor meeting/observation is.

The only goodish thing about being observed so much this year is that at least I'm used to it and don't get quite as worried when they are coming. Last year I'd have sleepless nights and issues because of how badly behaved some lessons were. Which I why I was a bit chagrined when I found out my old school was visited by OFSTED and the children got Outstanding for behaviour . . .

Anyway, I was going to go shopping, but it's raining rather steadily, so I guess I'll be ordering online for this week's groceries.

Just 15 teaching days until Christmas!

100 Things

2008-11-30T06:30:00.002-05:00

I've seen this on several blogs and thought I'd play (cause I have nothing else I should be doing right now). You are supposed to copy the list and bold the ones you have done. Let's see how boring I really am~
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

Only 39 - I feel a bit boring, off to create lists of things to do! :)

Food for Thought Friday

2008-11-21T06:17:00.002-05:00

Breakfast - How do you usually spend Thanksgiving?
It was always different every year when I was in the US. One year we'd travel to family, another we'd stay at home as a small group, two years ago we were at my aunt and uncles. In the UK it's a normal working day and I get a bit teary. Last year I hosted a dinner on the weekend, this year the logistics are not there.

Lunch - What is the one thing you are most grateful for this year?
I'm very grateful that I have a job and I make enough money to do what I need to do and also enough to do a lot of things I want to do. I'm glad I had the chance to reconnect with old friends and make a lot of new ones.

Dinner - Do you usually shop on Black Friday or avoid it like the plague?
I went once, it was horrible. Never, ever again!

Midnight Snack - What is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving feast?
Homemade noodles, no contest, I love them!

Hectic Week

2008-11-16T16:03:00.003-05:00

So the past week wasn't my best at my new school. I felt very rushed at times, and like I wasn't getting things done the way I wanted. My year 9's are being a bit of a pain in the behind, six boys in particular are my issue, and the problem is I like them, I enjoy their humour, but it takes over and away from the lesson. I feel like detentions don't help, they see it as an inconvenience, not a real punishment, because they don't think they deserve it, it's like they are humouring me with their attendance. I don't shout, I know I sound silly, so I attempt to talk to them as adults, and I don't think that helps either.

I had cover two times this week; cover is the thing I hate the most in the world. You go into a situation where you know nothing about the group or what they are studying and act as a baby-sitter. I was literally shaking as I covered a year 10 English lesson on Tuesday, I hate feeling like that. Sometimes the stress of teaching becomes a bit too much for me.

Luckily I got some good news on Tuesday evening, and so it made things look up a bit. The good news is a secret until after next Sunday, but lets just say it makes me very, very happy! Some people do know what I'm speaking of, others will find out :)

On other more positive notes, I feel some progress is being made with one of my year 8 drama groups. They are getting bored of their talking as much as me and so I just stare blankly as they chatter on and they've been self regulating pretty well (this is relative of course, they are still horrendous). Year 9 Drama, that my student teacher works with, came to a turning point this week I think. She handled the situation that arose better than I think I could have, and the class kind of came around after that. It was enjoyable to help her with the rest of the lesson and I hope the kids stay on side and under control.

Overall though, I just want Christmas break.

I also plan to go home at Easter, but the darn pound is losing to the dollar lately. What is up with that? Seriously, I come here and at first it is awesome, but now the dollar is rising (still not good for Americans really, but really bad for me!) So 1 dollar is work .66 pence, it was much better when my 1 pound was worth 2 dollars! Anyways, flight costs seem to have dropped a bit, so I hope to get home again in April.

That's all for today!

Food for Thought Friday (on Saturday, oops!)

2008-11-15T16:39:00.002-05:00

Breakfast - What are you looking most forward to in the next week?
Twilight premiere!

Lunch - What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
I love this question, because I think about it quite a lot. I sometimes think I'd love to be in entertainment as an actress, though I've never acted a day in my life. I guess I'm too afraid to find out I'm rubbish at it!

Dinner - If you could choose to get rid of one animal on earth, what would it be?
All species of bees. I know they are helpful and what not, and we need them for pollination, but seriously they ruin my life a lot.

Midnight Snack - If your life were a made for TV program, would it be a reality show, documentary, sit-com, cartoon, drama series, or a talk show?
Oh gosh, I guess a talk show, I love to talk!

Food for Thought Friday - 3rd Edition

2008-11-07T13:24:00.002-05:00

Breakfast - What are you most grateful for at this very moment?
That I have a job and earn enough money to be able to do some of the things I want to do and most of the things I need to do.

Lunch - Did this week's election results leave you feeling optimistic, pessimistic, or neither?
A little of both. I am so glad that Americans have accepted someone other than an old white guy. Pessimistic because I feel that he is far too liberal on some issues and a bit too much flash without enough substance.

Dinner - Name five meals you repeatedly have for dinner over and over.
Pizza, taco's, cannelloni, scrambled eggs and soup.

Midnight Snack - If you had a robot to help around the house, what three jobs would you have them do? What are three jobs you would not let them do?
I would let the robot sweep and shine the kitchen floors, scrub the shower stall and bathtub and I know this is outside, but do all the push mowing. I wouldn't let them dust, vacuum or clean the toilet because I feel these are the easiest and fastest jobs as well as the most visually satisfying.

A New American President

2008-11-05T17:20:00.003-05:00

My main thoughts on this election are: I'm glad there were no repeats of the problems in the past two elections. No hanging chads, no near ties with the possibility of vice presidents casting deciding votes. I'm glad the answer is clear cut. I am always wary of anyone who wants the power of the presidency. I am curious to see where this change takes us and if it is truly the answer so many have been looking for. I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Food for Thought Friday - 2nd Edition

2008-10-31T07:15:00.002-04:00

Breakfast: If you could jump into any book … what would it be and why?
Definitely Twilight, the dizzying whirl of first love. The discovery of the unknown, the thrills and fears of danger.

Lunch: Tell how you are feeling today in the form of a weather report.
Mostly sunny with a chance of showers (I always have a *chance* of showers)

Dinner: What activities make you lose track of time?
Anything on the internet or reading.

Midnight Snack: What were you doing one hour ago?
I had just made myself some breakfast and was chatting to my housemates.

Watching the English

2008-10-29T15:30:00.003-04:00

I am reading a book from the title of today's blog. It is really interesting and gives me some great insights about British culture. A lot of them you know and realize just by being here, but having them spelled out and analyzed by a sociologist/anthropologist is so much more fun! It helps me realize why I wanted to move here, but at the same time why I don't think I can live here forever. So many of the things I love are things I also hate. I like that people mind their own business, but I hate that it would seem really weird just to strike up a conversation on the train, tube, bus, etc. (not that I'd want to do it often, but the social rules totally don't allow it EVER).

It also addresses British gardens; which I love. The first thing I noticed living in Norwich where most of my street and those near me were all terraced houses with teeny tiny front gardens was how lovely they all were. Almost all of them had flowers, shrubs, a little tree, something that made them cute, though it almost seemed silly to bother with such a small amount of space to work with. But in the book she points out that this is a quintessentially British thing to do, just as having your back garden fenced off from your neighbors and it being a lot less finished than the front is normal too. I always found it so weird that they'd bother to fence in that tiny little area, but I do get it for the most part.

On another note, I was going to go to Banqueting House today, so checked the location and headed off, only to arrive and see a sign that said 'Closed for Today' grrrr, if it's closed why doesn't it say that on your site the day I am looking up the info! I wandered around the National Gallery for a bit (I am sadly becoming bored with museums, it makes me sad!) and then headed off to Oxford Street for shopping. It was as crowded as I feared, and I didn't shop long, but I did get two shirts and a pair of black boots (only because my feet were killing me). I still need a winter coat (not having mine shipped this year I don't think) and a necklace for Becky's hen do this weekend.

Break has been nice and relaxing, haven't done much really. I went to lunch, saw a film and went shopping with friends Monday. Got my hair cut, and other than that, been online, read some books and generally bummed around. I am going to try to force myself to go into school tomorrow and lesson plan and mark at least half of my year 10 essays.

Food for Thought Friday

2008-10-24T11:20:00.003-04:00

My friend updates her blog each Friday with this brief survey; I am stealing it in the hopes that it will help me keep updated!

Breakfast: What is your favorite place in your house and why?
Well I don't have much choice since only my room is mine, so that's it! My room is my favourite because its comfy, pretty big for British standards and has a lot of closet space.

Lunch: If your spouse or significant other were a light bulb, what wattage would they be?
25 -60 -75 -100 or a dim black light?
No spouses or significant others round here!

Dinner: Name something that would disqualify you if you were a contestant on Fear Factor.
Pretty much everything, I can't handle creepy or gross things in any form

Midnight Snack: What is something you do that helps you to escape for a while?
I just like being in London, I love the atmosphere, there is something so wonderful about it. So just walking around in the touristy areas is something I do to escape.

Recipe for this Week (instead of your recipe for life - what is it for just this week

2 teaching days until the half-term holiday!

2008-10-21T16:57:00.002-04:00

I am very excited for the half term holiday that is nearly here; but I do not need it like I did last year. I don't feel like I'm about to cry every two seconds or that I can't keep up with my work. Not that I don't have work, or that I don't feel that I have too much sometimes, but it's so much easier than last year. It is too bad that the first year is so stressful because I imagine it's enough to make some people think it isn't for them. While I don't plan to teach my entire life, but I am happy to do it (unless I win the lottery or Prince William proposes) for a while until I figure out for sure my next steps.

I spent last weekend in Cheltenham and the surrounding areas visiting a friend from there. We had the chance to drive through some of the Cotswold's while going from my bed and breakfast to her house and to Cheltenham. The literary festival was happening so it was buzzing. Cheltenham has a great high street area with a lot of shops that are all perfectly spaced and easy to get too. I spent some time with my friend (Elaine) and her family. Her house was like being at my own home, it was very 'American' in terms of size and layout and she is fabulous as is her family.

I have year 10 personal and imaginative essays coming in tomorrow, which means 23 papers of at least 5 double spaced pages to mark in the next week and a half. Part of me hopes to do about 3 paper per day while another part knows that I'll procrastinate until like Sunday night and then tell the kids they will have them back the following week. I did drafts in a week and a half I think they'll be a bit miffed if their actual copies aren't back in as much time.

Half-term plans include: My first British Bachelorette Party (called a Hen-Do here), hopefully two days, one night in Bath, perhaps another visit to my friend in the Cotswold's if she's on holiday as well, another friend may have an American style Halloween party (I'm hoping my offer of helping her to organize her new flat will push the party into being). I also have to do some more mundane things like fill out my further leave to remain forms and switch my banking address.

Sorry for my lack of commitment

2008-10-12T08:48:00.002-04:00

to this blog. It seems life is cruising on as a teacher's life does. Things have been easier than last year, but not easy. I had some tears on Thursday, I was exhausted and had a crazy last lesson with my year 9 English group. They were rowdy; I was not in a mood to work with the rowdiness instead of against it. A boy was having severe pain in his side and we had to have the nurse come and then they took him away in a wheel chair, which caused a lot of disruption. It's so weird to try to continue with a lesson while something else is happening in the room; hard to give the person some kind of privacy so that everyone isn't staring.

Just 8 days of teaching left until half term break. I have an INSET on Tuesday (I miss a really easy day though). An observation is happening Thursday with the crazy group, hopefully that will go okay. We are reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which is a really good book and the kids seem to enjoy. I have an activity book that is really helpful in planning the lessons, I just have to be sure it's all very comprehensive and well laid out. My problem really is with timing, I never have a good idea of how long an activity will take, and I like to have my lessons on a rolling schedule anyway a flow of things, not a strict one hour and ten minutes to encapsulate, though I guess that is more helpful.

I've done some visiting as well, one Saturday at Hampton Court Palace, which was fabulous. Spent a day in Norwich with Becky and Jess, everyone else was busy with the madness that the school year brings along. Then yesterday at Kensington Palace, which was sadly about the same as it was 4 years ago, with a special exhibit on Debutants, that was very interesting, so sadly a bit of a waste of a day. Next weekend I'm headed to Cheltenham to meet up with some other friends at the literature festival, spending two nights outside of the city near where one friend lives. I think it will be a nice weekend away.

I'll try to do better in the future with keeping updated.

In the nick of time!

2008-09-10T13:41:00.002-04:00

I got the info I needed just in time to make it back for the start of the school year. When I say just in time, I do mean that! I arrived in England at about 10:30 Sunday night and was at school at 8:30 am the next morning. It was a mix of good and bad on the way back. I found out Saturday that I could get back in the country (probably) booked a plane ticket, was gone Sunday morning at 4 am, so that was a little earlier than I like to be awake. I thought I was going to miss my PA plane because it was so crowded to check in, which only ever happens if I'm late, never if I'm early. I thought the day was about to get really bad when I heard my name announced at the airport in New York, I have never had my name called ever. All I could think is, 'I booked to late, they are bumping me off the flight, what will I do now?!' Instead, I get upgraded to business class! How amazing is that! I've never been upgraded; at first I was so confused about where I was sitting and everything. I slept a peaceful sleep for the majority of the flight and actually felt like a human being when I arrived in Heathrow.

Then the bad things take over. I miss the last tube out of Heathrow because I am so confused about what to do (and because I was wavering between a bus and the tube). I get the last Heathrow Connect to Paddington, and then I had to call a taxi because I couldn't get anywhere else (unless by bus and with two massive bags that would not have been fun). So I had to spend 60 quid on a taxi (120 dollars!) to my hotel. After that it was fine though, got to school on time, met lots of nice people and started getting my class organized.

My classes are all pretty much good, not like angelic, but kids and reasonable. They do work when expected, but you know try to push the line as they do. My year 10's are not terrifying like last year and my room is much, much nicer! I already have bulletin boards up and am fairly organized. The place I'm staying is right acrossed the street from the school and has the most amazing closet space that I have ever seen in a British house, I need more hangers to organize all my stuff because its a bit of a mess now. So that's my update, I will post more at the weekend hopefully!

Heard back from the school today

2008-08-26T11:18:00.004-04:00

The offices are being redone and the phones are out; this would explain why I couldn't get ahold of anyone. Luckily the school manager checked her e-mail from home. I have a letter that says I can apply for further leave to remain, but it isn't a new work permit. I am very confused about what I need to do to get back in the UK and a million other things. I've posted the letter at the UKYankee message board in the hopes that someone there can help me. I only have a copy of the letter, not the letter, so I don't know what to do for flights. I actually found a 500 dollar flight for next week, its with Scandinavian airlines and is super long, but I'd love to save 300 dollars. I could also say I'd been to Denmark as that's where one of the layovers is haha So the office manager is calling to see what needs to be done. I feel so bad being such a pain. I hope that it works out that I could fly out Friday or something and though be jet lagged at least get there to do stuff to my room and be there for the two days of INSET so I feel involved in what is happening. I will keep this updated as I find out what to do myself!

Still waiting . . .

2008-08-22T20:17:00.003-04:00

to hear from the school. I've tried e-mailing every person at the school whose e-mail address I have. I called the school everyday this week, even on exam results day and got the same message that the school was closed. I feel so bad for the headache it's going to cause them, but I really am trying. I've started gathering all my visa information here and what not. I hope it all works out okay, because now I'm having a bad feeling that perhaps I wasn't allowed to look for a job while I was there and that some how it's all going to be messed up. Wish me luck!

Older, but evidently not wiser

2008-08-19T22:41:00.002-04:00

So I believed it when I was told I could come back to the UK without my new work permit and visa with some documentation that I did have a job, etc. WRONG! Instead I have to cancel my plane ticket, lose $200 in the process (which is, of course, better than losing the entire cost of the ticket), get over jet lag way too close to school starting, find a place later, move later, not get time to relax in England, and a million other things. It is my own fault for not checking for myself earlier and for leaving it so long while in the US, I was off enjoying my summer, when I should have done all this much earlier, now I am afraid I won't even be back for the first week of school. Okay rant over.

Summer has been fabulous, I've been pool side everyday this week and hanging out with friends I haven't seen in ages! :)

Breaking Dawn

2008-08-10T02:22:00.003-04:00

My little visit to the west coast will be over tomorrow evening. It was so nice to see Jess and Katie over the past 10 days as well as being able to meet some people I had only ever spoken to through facebook, TM's and MySpace. The Breaking Dawn release party was fun, dinner was delicious at Macayo and it was a mad 9 hours of sleepover/reading time. I was so excited to win the prize for getting the furthest in the book (a shirt from Forks that said 'Forks Love at First Bite'). Then it was about 14 hours worth of sleep to recover from said all nighter of reading. Then a few days later it was off to LA to stay with Katie and attend the LA Breaking Dawn Signing and Concert. The campus at UCLA is gorgeous, though the event was a bit shorter than I had anticipated. Catherine Hardwicke (the director of Twilight) was in attendance, but as soon as she was spotted and a line for autographs started forming she was quickly swept away to what I can only assume was the safety of backstage. Katie and I were really near the end of the line for getting the books signed, I'd rather sit and wait than stand and wait. When we finally got to meet Stephenie she looked exhausted and the line was moving so quickly that it felt like you didn't have time to say anything, I said thanks and she commented on my necklace which was made by a fellow TM *gypsywings* I was sad because my La Push Cliff Diving Team shirt had not arrived in time for the stuff so I felt slightly out of place with the TM's who were all Twilighted out. My opinions on the book vary from love to a lot of dislike, but I enjoy the series overall and refuse to let some issues come in the way of my fun.

Its only about 12 days until my move back to England and from Norwich to London; I hope it all goes smoothly. I still have a lot to accomplish in the way of fingerprinting, renewing my teaching license, sorting out visa and immigration information. I still also feel like I need to wind down, sit around and veg and just read some other books which I haven't been able to do. The list of things keeps growing and I hope 10 days is long enough to accomplish what I want in addition to spending time with my family. Hopefully I will find some helpful information on visas and what not in the next two weeks so I won't be turned away at the airport!

Summer Holidays - Ohio, Arizona, California

2008-07-27T22:26:00.002-04:00

I have now officially completed my first year of teaching, and in a foreign country at that. Despite the fact that I feel like I had no idea what was going on most of the time, I am really proud of myself in the end. I know so much more than I did before and am excited to begin next year being better informed. I did okay with out crying mostly at school, I did though break down in front of the entirety of Cygnus house during the leaving assembly, and weirdly enough I think my kids were happy, in a non 'oh Miss is a loser' kind of way, they had been waiting for tears for a week or so.

My journey home took nearly 30 hours from leaving Norwich to arriving at my house in Lisbon. I managed to sleep on the airplane for 4 hours, a total record for me. I flew Air Berlin and it was really nice, sleep mask, chocolates, toothbrush, etc. But then unfortunately my flight from New York to Pittsburgh was delayed for nearly 3 hours and that made my journey that little bit worse and more annoying.

Since I've been home I've done my shopping and spent a bit of time by the pool. I am attempting to be crafty before my journey west for the Twilight events, but my crafty vibe and all creativity leave as I enter craft stores; it's very sad. I've made a few things, but have more to do. I have also noticed since my arrival that even though I usually find a lot of British food bland that I know also find American food to be too much. I loved Nickel's Bakery Maple Twists, like could eat half a package. My mom knows this and so bought a package for me for breakfast, I ate one and the whole time was thinking, 'this is soooo sickly sweet, I can't even stand it!' and so now they have been pretty much ruined for me. Coke and Pepsi both taste weird to me here; what's a girl to do?

I am spending tomorrow catching up with my sister, Tuesday by the pool catching up with Kari, Wednesday who knows and then Thursday its off to visit the bestest in Arizona for 6 days, then to LA to visit Katie and meet Stephenie Meyer! My summer is going to be amazing and very relaxing (minus the flights!) I'm trying to catch up on reading I haven't done, but haven't got around to that yet, so I'd better remedy it all soon.

So congrats to me on my first year abroad and I'm looking forward to more fun in the future.

1 1/2 Days (5 Lessons) until it's all over!

2008-07-19T08:49:00.003-04:00

Endings are always bitter sweet of course. We've had the English leaving do and last dinners with friends, last lessons with most groups. Oddly there haven't been many tears, which if you know me, is quite weird. I got a little teary when I got my gifts and cards from my top set year 10, and I did full out cry when a year 7 girl gave me her gift and it was the end of the day Friday. I still have a ton of marking to do with coursework coming in late and what not, its stressful and I hate dealing with it all. I am also organizing and packing, uploading all my photos onto photobucket so I can have them all over the world and save them when I get my own computer. I am a complete films at the end of the year teacher, I like winding down instead of keeping this crazy pace up to the last day, though I do feel guilty about it.

I have 5 days until my flight leaves, I have more things here than I ever imagined, I am having trouble organizing it all, I'm taking nearly nothing home with me and leaving lots behind at Laura's house, thankfully she is storing it for me, and then hopefully helping me move into whichever place I find in Essex.

I visited my new school on Thursday, it was a travel nightmare, but I got my schedule and some books and schemes of work to deal with over the summer, its exciting and it means I can be more prepared for the beginning of the next term.

This week has also been the week of get togethers: Tuesday was dinner with Nadia, Debbie and Lindsay, Wednesday to London with Brenda and Steph, Thursday our English staff do, Friday Libby's retirement party. It's now slowing down and hopefully I can all the things accomplished I need to soon!

Last Times

2008-07-09T14:59:00.002-04:00

Today was a day I said goodbye to three students, it was pretty anti-climactic since well its not the end of the year really, but they were all leaving on holiday before the next time we'd meet. I must say two of them it wasn't a big deal about (I'm actually pretty happy to see them go honestly), but one girl in my form, Sarah, I will miss her. She was always so sweet, the kind of person you know you can count on for anything and who is always ridiculously well behaved.

I've had an e-mail from my new school that they'd like me to come visit next Thursday so I am hoping to make it there that day, just waiting to hear back from one of the assistant head's to see if I'll be approved. I am going to take some posters in and a big bag of schemes of work as well. I am excited to see if I get any info on my form for next year (if I get one) I hope its year 7's so we can all bond together through the year's :)

I heard a rumour that I need to make arrangements about getting back into the country when I come back after summer and that I need to make arrangements with the airport I'm returning to. (Because I'll have a work permit in process and it like flags you for that.) I cannot get the information anywhere though or find the number for the right government agency, or even a real number e-mail for general inquiries at London Heathrow Airport! So well hopefully I can sort that out.

So 9 teaching days (28 lessons!) are left in my first year of teaching. I'm curious to see if I cry my last day or not . . .

Looking Ahead

2008-07-06T04:10:00.005-04:00

So while I find the end of this school year to be very exciting in terms of I'm glad it's nearly over. It isn't exciting in the same way that thinking forward to next year is. I'm curious to see how my new classes will be. I'm glad to have a year of teaching experience now and to have a better idea of what I want from my classes instead of kind of floating around being unsure of my expectations. I also have a better idea of what type of punishments are reasonable for certain infractions and what I want my classes to behave like. I am not for all silence all the time, but I can't stand chaos either and lots of people shouting out. I find it hard to reach a compromise because if you are too strict a lot of students won't share when you want discussion they aren't used to talking and the other way round means that no one hears others ideas.

I also have more time this year to consider classroom decoration. I know it seems frivolous a bit, but I always wanted my room to have a certain atmosphere that my room this year lacked because I was rushing around like a crazy person until about Easter, literally, and had no time for nice displays. I want to search for some posters while I'm in the US to bring back, I'm hoping the office at my new school won't mind laminating them to make them more durable in the long run that just some paper up on the wall. I feel like I want to make Chadwell Heath 'my' school and where I'll really establish myself and become a much better teacher than I have been this year. I also hope to have a better idea of deadlines and getting drafts in and back before final drafts to really help the students achieve their best.

Suggestions for good ways to start the year are very welcome, its something I didn't get the chance to really consider last year.

Also I've booked my ticket back in August, cheapest one way flight was $609 which made me sad, since I paid that round trip at Christmas and to go home a month ago, oh well!

2 Weeks 2 Days!

2008-07-05T08:19:00.003-04:00

This past week has been quite a variety. Monday with year 10's was madness, they just cannot focus on a Monday afternoon. Thursday George came to help and that worked out well. Friday I sent some away to do work and and kept a smaller group and it was okay but not perfect. I told my year 10 groups on Friday that I was leaving, some of course, didn't care, but the majority of them seem genuinely sad that I was going, which is nice. The year 9's seemed the most upset by the news and my form seemed the least concerned.

Wednesday was Sports Day at the school during the afternoon. It may very well have been the most annoying day I've experienced. It seemed really disorganized from a non-event point of view. They had the students sitting in 'pens' between events and if they weren't participating. They could barely see what was happening, it was boring and they were running around chasing each other because there was nothing else to do. It was a ridiculously long 2 1/2 hours.

So now 12 days left, 47 lessons. Then its back to the US on the 24th, which will be a very long day like when I flew home at mid-term break, leaving at 1:40 a.m. from the bus station to get to Standsted Airport, sitting there for 4 hours, flying to Frankfurt, Germany, sitting there for 3 hours, then to New York, a 4 our layer over and finally back to Pittsburgh by 10:30, so yeah about 24 hours straight of travel, and as always I cannot sleep on airplanes so I'll be exhausted and miserable.

I have so many fun things planned for my time at home. First just relaxing and going to friends and families houses to swim and lay out by the pool. Then on the 30th I'm flying to Arizona to stay with Jess, going to a release party for Breaking Dawn, then a sleepover to stay up all night reading it. A few more days just hanging out with Jess, then to LA to see Katie, going to a signing for Breaking Dawn, more hanging out and being crafty with Katie. Next it's back home to Ohio for a few weeks before returning to England, moving my stuff from Norwich to Essex and settling in to a new area.

I've found a few flats that look quite nice and aren't ridiculously expensive so here's hoping they are available when the school year comes around. I am excited to get my schedule and see exactly what I'll be doing. My contract and pay scale information are supposed to be on there way in the mail. I spoke with the Head Teacher's PA and found my new pay scale, which is totally awesome, I can't wait to call and tell my mom the amount in dollars! haha

So we celebrated the 4th of July last night at Laura's it went really well and it was so nice to hang out with everyone else outside of school. I will post some pictures when I retrieve my camera from Laura's.

Nadia, Yvonne, Maureen and Lindsay

Pimms!

Thanks Debbie for bringing the Sparklers!

17 Days Left!

2008-06-29T15:25:00.003-04:00

And the countdown theme continues. I know perhaps starting the countdown when the last term began was a bit much, but I am so looking forward to 5 1/2 weeks of summer holiday. Sorry this hasn't been updated in a while; my job search was keeping me rather busy as well as doing lessons for the end of the year, though it was mostly the job search.

I am happy to report that I have succeeded in finding a new position for the next school year. I will be moving south to Essex (just outside of London; 20 minutes by train to Liverpool Street Tube Station) to teach at Chadwell Heath Foundation School. My interview was on Wednesday and I was so impressed with the staff and how friendly they were. I arrived quite early just because I know me and maps and they don't necessarily get along so well. I arrived without getting lost once, sat in the reception area for a while and gave the receptionist some of my documents to make copies of (teaching license, bachelor's degree, etc.) and then was met by the woman in charge of Key Stage 3, we chatted and then were joined by the woman in charge of Key Stage 4. A little tour of the school commenced where I was able to see the English classrooms and the newly built 6th form area. I met a few teachers along the way. Then it was time to teach my lesson that was part of the interview day, a 20 minute starter activity on some aspect of poetry. I did a lesson on metaphors that included a range of activities, such as drawing abstract nouns and talking about visual and written metaphors and why they are used. The students were well behaved and some came up with some really brilliant ideas.

I had an interview the day before at a school on the other side of the city, they offered the job as well but I was much happier with the second school. I traveled to London on Monday evening and stayed in a pretty decent hotel (and it was only £50.00 which is a bargain during the summer I'd say!) The second interview call came during the school day on Monday so I had to make arrangements quickly for another day off of school, which they approved. I was just going to take the train back to Norwich on Tuesday evening and book another ticket to Chadwell Heath on Wednesday, but luckily a fellow American abroad offered to let me stay at her flat so I did that instead which was much less stressful and it was nice to hang out with her.

So the school year is winding down, sort of. My year 10's still have a piece of coursework to complete that I think will be like pulling teeth with the bottom set, but that the top set will complete rather quickly. The rest of the groups I'm not too concerned about since in the end the work they do doesn't matter for next year while the year 10 stuff is very important. So wish me luck with all of that drama. I am so excited to start over at a new school with a better idea of what I'd like to accomplish next year and with a year of experience behind me.

I also look forward to experiencing more of British culture and not staying locked up in my room with marking and lessons so much. It will be nice to go into the city at the weekends and see smaller sights that I haven't gotten the chance to see in the past. Also more of Europe to travel, lots of friends already keen to visit me, and I said no problem, hopefully I'll at least have a couch for them to sleep on :)

6 Weeks (31 days) Left!

2008-06-08T15:53:00.003-04:00

I really like countdowns in case you couldn't tell! I know the number of classes I have left with most of my groups, it makes me excited that a few groups are down to only 6 hours of time I must spend with them until they (and I) go!

Friday was a bit crazy, it was the last day for my year 10 mixed ability set to turn in their Poe coursework, of course half of them didn't have it, which is pretty normal, so I made those who didn't have it stay behind so they could write their own yellow slips (communication with their form tutor when they've done something wrong) since its not fun writing the same thing about 10 times! Well so they are filling it in, getting upset because it means a detention (um yeah, duh!) and so one boy (who actually wasn't going to get a detention because he had been away) gets really mad, punches the window to my inside door on his way out (I didn't even realize it until the people outside started freaking out) and then runs off (of course). So one girl from class says she won't tell me who did it (I didn't find out until a boy from my form says he saw it happen) and I'm like 'ugh, not again!'. So of course its get the boy to write a statement, find the care taker to put the stuff so it doesn't shatter (it was Plexiglas so it looked worse than it was), find out who in senior management was on patrol to take care of the discipline issue.

So I don't get to eat any lunch because I'm running around, I also have a lesson that is being observed period 5 so I have to get my stuff sorted out for that. During form we managed a quiz and a few little word games so that actually was fine.

Observation: She arrives early, instead of like at the bell, which kind of made me nervous, even though I'm normally nervous anyway. But as the lesson went on I actually nearly forgot she was there! Though, the craziness continued to ensue through the lesson, a guy came to look at my door, asks if he can take if off the hinges, I want it fixed so I say yes. The kids are silently reading and he's back there making loads of noise! Then half way through my lesson a girl on office duty comes in and has an announcement that must be read for the students to amend their weekly newsletters. Other than that it went okay actually! I finally got a 'Good' on an observed lesson instead of just 'Satisfactory' so that made me very happy. My senior link had good suggestions on how to improve said my questioning of the students was really good and their learning was progressing well, go me!

So this next week isn't too bad. Tomorrow I have two really easy lessons, one my group is watching a year 10 performance, and another is in the computer room to do some project stuff. Tuesdays/Wednesdays are now really great since I only teach two lessons each day, then Thursdays and Fridays are their normal madness, but I'm okay with it now, its more manageable with the extra free periods!

7 weeks (36 days!) of school left

2008-06-01T13:43:00.002-04:00

I arrived home from my jaunt back to America yesterday. This was an entire day later than I should have arrived back in the UK. My flight left Detroit and about the 2 hour point my ears start popping, not normal because you know we've already reached our cruising altitude, and pretty soon we get an announcement that we'll be landing in Boston. Evidently a check engine light came on and there was a problem with the right wing engine. We land, they couldn't fix it, we get put in hotels for the night. Now the hotel was nice enough, it had the biggest bed I'd ever slept in in my life, seriously. But instead of saying they'd contact us, they tell us to call NWA ourselves to make arrangements, a whole plane full of people! So they cancel the flight altogether so they have to put everyone on different flights. I get a call about 12 to call NWA, I do so, the lady says, can you get to the airport like now we'll put you on a flight leaving at 2:37, I say yes, assuming that this is a direct to London flight. Well I didn't realize until after I checked in and everything that no its not direct to London, but in fact I'll be flying back to Detroit and then to London. Ah! The only positive of this was that there were individual screens on this flight (and on the other flight there weren't, but on the first flight I had entire row to myself, which never happens anymore!). So between my two flights I caught up on some movie watching, which was good, but I'd rather have that one whole day back. So here it is Sunday night and I'm still just catching up on my social life and not doing any school work!

Yes so there are 7 weeks of school left, 36 days exactly! I am very excited for summer, nervous about getting everything accomplished these next 7 weeks, I will have an unbelievable amount of marking in about 3-5 weeks, that I am certainly not looking forward to! So I have 7 weekends left in which to get some travel in, the girls and I are planning a beach trip, a London weekend and who knows what else. I can't believe I spent two mid-term breaks not seeing new places, I'm very disappointed in myself!

I think I may want to move to London next year, but this changes pretty much daily! I'll keep you updated on how the end of the year goes!

One week until half-term break!

2008-05-16T16:23:00.003-04:00

Just 5 days of class (15 individual lessons) until the mid-term break and I am very excited because I went crazy and bought a ticket back to the US for a mere 4 1/2 days, I think now that it wasn't the best use of £300 pounds, but I was homesick at the time and so it seemed like a good idea. It will be nice to be with my family for a bit, see the nieces and nephews and generally do some American things that I've been missing like shop at Target, eat some Applebee's and have Bruster's ice cream!

Year 11's and 12's were done this week so that means the weeks are a bit easier coming up, I have about 4 extra free periods a week because of this and that is just enough to make the days much more bearable. So just 41 days of lessons left.

I applied for a job in Washington and still haven't heard back from Wymondham College, but we'll see what happens, it is all so crazy right now and I don't know which I'd prefer: life back in the US or another year abroad.

Random School Stuff

2008-05-10T05:18:00.003-04:00

Next week is the last week for year 11's ever and the last week before the year 12's take exams. So for about a month I have five less lessons per week to plan for which will be very nice. There are now nine weeks and two days left until the end of the year, I think it will go by both quickly and slowly.

It was gorgeous this week so everyone was pretty much in a good mood and the students use every extra second to be out in the sun on the fields. Laura and I tried to find time to sit out but didn't manage it, maybe next week! All the NQT's and our PGCE student from the English department went out to a pub Friday sat and chatted in the sun for 3 hours, it was so nice to just be out with people!

I had a scary incident a few weeks ago, I had a year 7 class in for a lunch detention and while they were getting up to go a glass window broke in the room. A year 11 had kicked a rugby ball at it, I thought someone had thrown something and was really worried because one boy was right by the window when it happened. It had my heart racing!

I heard back from the school I applied to last week, just wanted info about how they go about getting a work permit for me, etc. So I'm not sure what will happen with that, I guess I'll hear soon enough. If I'm not staying then I have considered flying home at the half term to take a suitcase of stuff (I found a ticket for about £300 so it is reasonable) though I hate to spend that money when I need to save for the month of summer things I want to do without a paycheck.

So nothing major, I had so many other things in my head when I started this post; maybe I'll remember them later!

How to Be Screening

2008-05-10T05:04:00.002-04:00

Firstly, let me just say that the film is amazing! I loved every second of it, even the awkward moments and times you wanted to just take Art aside and give him a hug and a pep talk.

The night before my journey the Twilight teaser trailer premiere on a myspace website, so of course I didn't get to bed as early as I would have liked because what else can you do when these things happen but obsess with other fans. Then when I made myself go to bed I wasn't tired even though I was exhausted so I probably didn't get to sleep until about 2 am. Up at 5:30 to get ready for the day. School went by pretty quickly thankfully. Laura's boyfriend Alex picked me up at 3:05 and we made it to the train station with 5 minutes to spare! I attempted to reread Twilight on the train but only got through one chapter; I am horrible at accomplishing anything on public transport! Got to London, power walked to get to the tube and then found my way to the Barbican. I worried I was at the wrong entrance for a bit, waited maybe 15 minutes for Brenda (the girl who was invited and in turn invited (well allowed me to tag along after cheekily inviting myself!) me) to arrive. We had about 20 minutes to spare and so just hung out in the back next to this water feature and chatted Twilight, Robert, etc. We then went into the area outside the theatre chatted there, were lead into the theatre, got an intro from Justin the producer, he has loads of energy! Watched the film, cracked up laughing a million times along with the rest of the audience (cast & crew). Robert wasn't there, and from what we heard from others they haven't been able to get in touch with him since he's been away filming Twilight. We chatted to the producer and the guy in charge of getting the film released for a while, both super nice, got a little 'How to Be' poster (sent them off to be autographed by Rob if the chance arose).

Favourite parts of the film:
1. Robert playing basketball at this place he volunteers for people with mental/physical handicaps, just seriously funny.
2. Robert attempting to give his mum in the film a hug and she won't let him, they both struggle against each other, him with his arms like almost around her and her with both arms pushing him away for like I dunno a full minute.
3. Him attempting to flirt with this girl his friend is attempting to hook him up with, he blurts out the most inappropriate thing ever!
4. The fact that he seems like himself in the film

Lease favourite part:
1. His trousers that were ridiculously short!

It is seriously a great film, you have to see it if it comes out. They have a facebook page where you can watch a trailer and there are two trailers on youtube.

Blickling Hall

2008-05-04T06:32:00.004-04:00

Yesterday Becky and I made the brief journey out to Blickling Hall, a historical home outside of Norwich as part of the long weekend festivities. The house is Jacobean and is surrounded by really pretty gardens, not overly formal and not too big, just really nice. Becky and I did the house tour which was enough to be interesting but not so much that you felt like you were always looking at the same thing over and over again. The house once belonged to the Boleyn family and Anne (future 2nd wife of Henry VIII) lived here. It was voted the most haunted house in Britian in 2007 and contains a very historically significant library.

How to Be

2008-05-02T15:36:00.003-04:00

Exciting breaking news! I have been invited along to a private screening of the indie film 'How to Be'! I am heading into London right after school on Tuesday to meet up with a fellow American living abroad to see this film and to talk with them about how to best market it. Well the friend will be doing most of the talking, I am more or less just tagging along since I don't know much about films. I am so excited to have been asked to go, it has just been shown at film festivals so far (this is the first film for these guys I think) so I am considering this to be a major privilege. It stars Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter) and is about him trying to 'find himself'. He hires a life coach who ends up needing Art (Pattinson) more than he helps him. I am going to be exhausted on Wednesday (I won't get back to Norwich until nearly 2 am) but it's not like things like this come up so I'm going to go anyways! Luckily for me I only teach one lesson on Wednesday thanks to the SAT's exams for year 9. I have to get all my plans done on Sunday so I can focus on beauty prep (I dunno why I feel the need to look so nice for this thing, but that's just me!) and being over excited!

Robert Pattinson as Art.

I think all my British friends find it weird that I am so excited about this, I called Laura as soon as I got the invite, and she as like 'oh cool' and I think I may chalk it up to British reserve. I then had to have a prolonged conversation with my friend Katie online and she got excited for me so that was good though all I honestly wanted to do was run around my house screaming and I was smiling like an idiot!

Onto school topics, just 10 weeks left, 50 days! I am really ready for another break, I'm getting so worn out some of it is my problem. I have such a hard time doing anything school related at home anymore, but I hate staying at school late so its quite a bad deal there. Year 11's and 12's only have two weeks left and so that will give me some more frees which will be lovely.

I had a few calls and e-mail about possible jobs but none of them I was really interested in. One was about 30 minutes away from here in Great Yarmouth, but it is a rather chavy place so I said no to that. Then I had a call today about a school in Norwich but it is also known for being pretty bad so I said no thanks to that. I want less stress and behaviour issues next year not more. I only want to stay if it is in a position I really want otherwise I'd of course like to be back with my family, I could cope with bad students more in that environment.

I'll update on the film screening as quickly as I can, though I'll be ridiculously tired and attempting to recover for a few days!

11 Weeks Left

2008-04-26T04:39:00.003-04:00

So I've officially started counting the lessons left with some of my classes. The exciting thing is it is a lot less than I would have imagined! For classes I only see once a week it now 11 lessons! For classes I see twice 22 lessons! I only see three groups of students three times a week, and two of those groups I will love every minute, and one I wish I only saw once (or never!). I can't believe that it is still nearly three months, but then again not so far from the summer break!

I bought my ticket home for the summer, it was about $850 dollars in all, more expensive than I would have liked, but they wouldn't be getting any cheaper. I also needed to buy it before the end of May when the regulations change and you can only check one bag for free. I'll fly out July 24th and it may be the longest day of travel I've ever had. I have to leave Norwich at 1:40 from the bus station, arrive at Stansted Airport at 4:30, my flight isn't until 7:30 (the next bus arrived too close to the flight time), I have a 3 1/2 layover in Frankfurt, then a 4 hour layover in New York before finally arriving at the airport in Pittsburgh at 10:30 (which will be 3:30 in the morning 26 hours after my bus left Norwich). I am definitely getting sleeping pills for this journey. I can never sleep on planes and I'm not spending the 8 1/2 hours from Frankfurt to New York awake.

As for if I'll be coming back to England that is something I don't know yet. I found out before Easter that my position won't be available next year since they had so many applicants for the job but that something could always work out (I think there is a part time position available which would be great in terms of time, but not money of course.) There is a possibility of a job in a town nearby I'm sending them my information soon (it's also great because my friend from Thorpe is going to take over as a Head of Faculty there).

I also found out some good information yesterday when researching and that was I can look for a job here without voiding any of the stuff for my visa or work permit. I misread it as you can't look for work, but you can't look for work on a tourist visa. I'll only have to reapply for my work permit (not my visa I don't think). So a month at home then two weeks getting prepared for a new school if it works out. It is a partial boarding school so I may get a chance to live in and make extra money. I think behaviour will be better but that also means more marking and having to do more research because the students want to know more.

I'll keep you updated as to what is happening and any other interesting tidbits!

On a side note I do seriously encourage you to read the Twilight series if you haven't!

Summer - Half Term 1

2008-04-16T13:03:00.003-04:00

Summer half term one has begun and its so far so good. Some classes seem to have calmed down a bit more and that makes me less stressed and more able to teach in my style rather than attempting to keep silence because I can never hope of getting it back.

I've just done an English lesson linking to PE and watched a game of rounders (kindaish like baseball) it was so fun to watch the kids play. It was amazing how it really highlighted a difference between British and American culture, not a whole lot of cheering for teammates. A little clapping, that's it really, I was way more into it than the kids!

I'm being observed for the English Departmental review on Friday, with a pretty bad year 8 group, I'm really nervous about that, but hopefully it all goes well.

You all also know I'm obsessed with the Twilight book series by Stephenie Meyer, and consequently the film that is currently being made so that's why my updates have been so infrequent its hard to get to all the information! haha

So if you are worried about moving to England, yes it is difficult, but gets easier, its even difficult for the teacher's who trained here, and being an 'outsider' is surely a curve ball on all of that. Just keep on keeping on.

Home from the Holidays!

2008-04-03T15:57:00.003-04:00

I'm back in Norwich following the trip my mother and I took to Munich, Prague and Vienna. It was very stressful, I always forget how disorienting it is to be in a new city and then to do that 3 times in 9 days makes it much harder to deal with. I thought I'd get used to it, but I never did. Usually by day 2 I feel much better in a new place, I know how to get back to my hotel easily and all those things. I still find deciding on places to eat to be difficult in a foreign country, mostly I think because I'm very unadventurous when it comes to food. I was proud of myself though because I ate sausages, sauerkraut and this potato stuff in Germany. Then I tried these really good pastry rolls in Prague. That may not sound like much, but for me it is monumental!

While I enjoyed the vacation I am glad to be back. Prague was my least favourite of the cities we visited, though the easiest to travel of foot I think. I definitely want to go back to Munich some time in my future, we didn't make it to Dachau or to anything that wasn't in the city center since we spent one whole day in Neuschwanstein. I think that castle was my favourite part of Germany, then in Prague St. Vitus's Cathedral and in Vienna Schonbrunn Palace and all the surrounding things there. Perhaps I'll have time to write in detail about the trip later, but for now I'll simply post some pictures.

St. Vitus's Cathedral

Schonbrunn Palace

Getting Excited!

2008-03-11T15:12:00.005-04:00

I only have 6 days of classes left until my Easter holiday begins and only 4 days until my best friend arrives at London Heathrow Airport for her visit, 10 days until my mum arrives, I will be taking far too many train journey's for my own good, but it will be so nice to see them!

Jess and I will be hanging around Norwich, probably doing a lot of nothing but catching up, and doing just the tiniest bit of sightseeing, there isn't too much besides the cathedral and castle. My mum wants to go to the coast and I hear there is a train station that is near enough to the coast so that will be something fun. I'm hoping to book tickets for Jess and I to see a play or something while we stay in London to pick my mum up at the ungodly hour of 6 am from her flight.

In less exciting news I feel that it may end up that I won't be staying here next year. They have a lot of interviews set up and can I really blame them for hiring someone who has more experience and is qualified? No I really can't. If that's the case I'm not sure that I'd try to find another job in England, though part of me wants to just so I can get Qualified in case I ever do want to move back (you only have 4 years from the day you start teaching to get QTS or you can never get it again). So who knows what will happen. I keep thinking I should be looking into other options and I do randomly check jobs in North Carolina and other places I'd like to move. The west coast is starting to look more appealing to me, but it could be a phase. I can't believe that I of all people may move near a beach lol

So Munich, Prague and Vienna are soon to be added to the list of places I've visited and I haven't done nearly enough research for my trip! Ah! It's those Twilight books, they've taken all my energy and focus.

Now I should really mark some year 8 'Stories with a Moral' . . .

Earthquake!

2008-02-27T11:09:00.002-05:00

I have now lived through an official earthquake! These are obviously not common in England as the nearest fault line is in the North Sea, but at around 1 am I woke up and thought 'what is that noise? Is it storming badly?' checked the time and didn't bother about and headed back to sleep. I didn't find out until on the bus when we were chatting. I hadn't even thought about it at all when I woke up but evidently my friend's entire flat assembled in their kitchen thinking it was major, I think because she lives3 floors up that made a difference. So random things happening all around, but no worries the biggest damage reported in this area was a chimney falling over.

New Book Obsession

2008-02-26T16:36:00.004-05:00

I've also become obsessed with a new book series. It is called Twilight and is by Stephenie Meyer. It is a vampire story, which I would normally not really consider for reading, but it was recommended by 3 different friends from the U.S. who don't know each other within the past month so I figured I should give it a try. I finished the first book at 5 am on Saturday and am currently waiting for books 2 & 3 to arrive from the library. I am in love with the male lead character and can empathise with the female main character, they take you right back to your high school days, in that good I remember what it is to be obsessed with a boy way. It has lots of interesting interpretations of vampire life, looking at them in a new way. So let me recommend this to everyone who loves to read a bit of teen fiction as escapism every once in a while.

The movie will be featuring the lovely Robert Pattinson as the lead male character Edward Cullen (he plays Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter films) so that's a good thing to look forward too. A preview of him for your viewing pleasure.

Crazy

2008-02-26T16:29:00.003-05:00

Today was meant to be a lovely day, I had extra free period because of mock exams and so that meant all my classes were supposed to be lovely. Well they were and I was really impressed by my year 8 drama students performances, they are all so dedicated to their tasks and really creative with stories! Year 12's were normal, not bad, but not amazing, they just are what they are. But it was my form that made my day wretched. They can be like toddlers, if they aren't supposed to be doing something then they have to pick little fights. Throwing things or nicking other students' bags. The year 7's play into their drama instead of just ignoring the year 10's in some ways I understand, but really how can you not just sit around and talk? I loved when teachers just let us chat for a bit, I didn't need to get up and steal my friends purse and hide it, I just sat there and talked and it was nice. Not these guys, well the majority of them are fine, but a group of year 10 boys are the problem. And they are helped often times by a year 8 boy, who tomorrow I'm asking to be taken from my group for the day at least and I'm asking the head of house to speak with my group because honestly I don't need anymore stress in my life.

Another thing hit me today, not what I was expecting and perhaps a little belated, but I just started thinking that I have moved to another country, in a city I've never been to to begin my very first year of teaching. Was I completely crazy!? I knew not a single soul here nor how to get anywhere or how much things would really cost. I did all my homework and knew about lots of British things, but still I cannot believe that I took that step and then after a bad day I still have to be kind of proud of myself.

Staff Support

2008-02-20T15:17:00.002-05:00

I was so caught up in talking about my meeting with the head that I forgot to mention that all my fellow staff members who knew I had this meeting were very eager to hear the results! I didn't realize how close our staff could be, but then I was sitting in the staff lounge after the meeting and one of the other new staff members asked if I was going to be able to stay. I said I wasn't sure because of the regulations, but that it seemed positive. He said something along the lines of, 'well we'll just have to campaign to get you to stay or strike if they won't keep you, we could make up t-shirts and stuff'. That made me feel really good! I really like everyone I work with, but its nice to know they like having the crazy American girl around too!

In other American-British conversations we were discussing fried foods and evidently eating fried Mars bars is something they do, there is some kind of batter and you eat it with ice cream or something, it sounded weird, think Snickers fried with ice cream, I don't understand. Then I was telling them that frying turkeys at Thanksgiving was becoming popular and they couldn't fathom that! Oh the strange things we do to enjoy food.

Meeting with the Head Teacher

2008-02-20T13:04:00.004-05:00

Today was my meeting with the head teacher (principal for American friends) to discuss my future at the school. So I had to quickly cross to south site following my first period class for my 9:45 appointment. I never cross sites when the students do so that was a little bit weird, making some awkward conversation with a few of my year 9's who were also headed that way. I chatted to one of the Assistant Princpals as I was waiting for the Head Teacher to arrive, we share a year 10 and a year 11 class so when we can chat about the progress they are making it is always helpful. The head arrived and we went into his office admist usual pleasantries and then straight to the matter at hand. I said I would like to stay on, I enjoyed this year and felt I had made progress. He agreed that with the learning curve of a new country and from his conversations with the heads of my department that I was doing well. I acknowlegded that I recognized my position was very depedant upon the applicants for other openings in English because of my Unqualified status. He basically said that they will defintely consider me and that I needn't reapply for my job that it would be a waste of everyones time to go through those motions when he knew what I was capable of already. My uncertainty about keeping the 6th form English Language classes was brought up and I assured him that the word only got out through a casual comment made to a friend that made its way around to others. But in the end it seemed to be that it is a good possibility I can keep my post since other people applying are likely to be NQT's and it wouldn't make sense to replace me with a whole new batch of NQT's unless some are specializing in English language or Film (the other 6th form position that needs filled). At least that is how I understood it. He hopes to know before Easter about who he will hire to fill the two openings left: one by one teacher resigning and one for another teacher being on maternity leave. May 31st is the cut off point for teacher's resigning their posts so if it looks like I won't be able to stay then I will be able to apply for positions in England following that date if Thorpe won't be able to keep me on.

So its still maybe, maybe not for next year, though I do hope to stay. I haven't decided however if I'd attempt to find another job in England if I can't work at Thorpe. I think I would want to so I could obtain Qualified Teacher Status as that will help me if I decide to go on to try to teach at some international schools on the continent. And if I ever decide to move back I only have 4 years from the first day I began teaching in England to be qualified or I can never get that qualification again. So here is hoping and to just 20 and 3/4's days of school left until Easter break!

February Half-Term

2008-02-15T17:10:00.005-05:00

It's half term time, well it's nearly over now, but still a week of vacation! I didn't have major plans for this break as I need to save money for the the little mini-European tour I'm doing when my mum comes to visit.

Monday was spent in Colchester; the oldest recorded Roman settlement in Britian. It was raided by Boudica, Queen of Iceni (from my area!) and so the Romans left and it was back to the native tribes. We saw the castle built following the Norman invasion. We also went to the ruins of a priory near a more modern church that were pretty cool. I sometimes love ruins more than actual buildings. Its so neat that the walls are still there, but everything else is missing like the roof, floors and glass panes, I don't know why I'm so intrigued by them.

The Norman Castle

St. Boltoph's Priory Ruins

Laura & Alex at the ruins

Friday was spent in Ely; home to a lovely cathedral. It was even smaller than Colchester so easy to walk around in. Not lots of tourists in either place, but that isn't surprising considering the time of year, or the fact that neither is a major tourist attraction place. Ely also has the house Oliver Cromwell and is near the river. We stopped by a nice little antique shop where I had to stop myself from buying trinkest I didn't need.

Ely Cathedral

Other than those day trips I've just been bumming around, not planning like I said I would. Saw a film, hung out with friends, did some reading for fun. Only 4 1/2 weeks until the next holiday, and just 3 1/2 weeks until my best friend comes to visit!

Snowdrops Keep Falling on my Head

2008-02-02T09:54:00.000-05:00

We had a little snow storm here in Norwich last night! I didn't even know it was meant to snow here, I saw reports for other parts of England that snow was expected, but nothing was on the forecast for here. So I was headed out the door to meet friends in the city for a birthday celebration and I walked out to these massive snowflakes that were hurling themselves from the sky and ending up more like big raindrops when they landed on you. It didn't seem that they were sticking, but in the end they did a bit, it was really pretty to see, not so fun to be out in!

I tried tapas for the first time at the restaraunt we ate at, it was okay, but like many things here the flavouring was just a bit off and not exactly what I would have wanted in terms of spices, etc. But it was a lovely night haning out with lots of people from work and just chatting. I ended up being out until closing at a local pub, then spent the night with friends and did a watch a film and chat until 3 am deal, which was lovely since I haven't done that in ages!

Nadia, Becky and Yvonne

Me and Debbie

Just one week left until half-term break, I'm quite excited to my day trips out to Ely and Colchester and just some time to veg. I may be a major nerd and just take a few bus trips around to see what the different areas of the city look like that I never get to see since I'm usually only on the east side of the city.

Another random thing that happened was while we were waiting for the bus Thursday after school. Anastasia and I were standing and talking and another one of the overseas trained teachers from Jamacia, Lisa, walked over to us laughing. She said, 'Did you just see that?' well we hadn't so she then proceeded to tell us that someone on a motorbike had been turned around checking us out and had nearly run into the back of the bus that was stopped at the end of the street! Well that was certainly funny, since um its winter and we're bundled up, not looking remotely attractive. Then not 5 minutes later thus van drove by of construction guys who beeped their horn and waved at us. Certainly the most non-straightforward of construction workers I've ever seen 'harassing' girls! It was really funny since each of us come from countries where cat calls and lots of loud yelling would accompany construction workers admiring females. Anastasia was just like 'I can't believe, they are even polite when being potentially harassing' it was really funny to contrast it to all of our past experiences. Perhaps I need to stand bundled up in winter clothes on street corners more often if I'm attempting to meet guys! (Just kidding)

20 lessons until break!

Random School Information

2008-01-26T13:58:00.000-05:00

I'm attempting to make sure that I post some information concerning my experience at the school's from a particularly neutral point of view, just giving information about how it works and what we are required to do. So for today's topic I though I'd post about how the school year is broken up.

The fall term started on Tuesday the 4th of September (and only had afternoon classes), and the only students who were in that day were the new year 7's and the year 11's (plus 6th form), then the rest of the year groups came in on th next day. We then had 7 weeks of lessons and a week off from October 19-25th for half term. Then 7 more weeks and Christmas holidays began on December 20th, the school closed early on the 19th.
Spring term began on Monday January 7th and we will break up on Friday February 8th and have our spring half term, five more weeks of classes and then a little over two weeks for Easter holidays. Summer term begins on Tuesday April 8th and goes through Friday the 23rd, back for the last half term on June 2nd and end on July 22nd with an early end of the day. Leading up to the 22nd of July we will start losing year 11, 12 and 13 students as they begin taking exams and having study leave. (For study leave they are granted time away from school to revise for exams provided their attitude grades are high enough, if they are not they come to school and have revision in a school setting.)

So the whole year is broken up into 6 half terms, with the fall and summer terms having about 7 weeks each, and the spring term being nice and short with just 10 weeks altogether! Summer break is 6 weeks, which seems so short compared to America, but I think it is much nicer to have the smaller breaks in the middle of the year, I certainly needed them!

Lovely Weekend

2008-01-20T14:49:00.000-05:00

Though saying that I don't want you thinking I've actually done anything; which is why it is so lovely! I stayed late Friday at school to sort things out (I had accumulated many piles of papers through this week). So I arrived home, bummed around on the Internet, started reading a book I had meant to read for ages, and was in bed fairly early for a Friday.

Saturday I met Laura for a coffee in the city before she had to have her hair done, we sat at a cafe window watching people walk past, which for some reason I love doing. We saw Becky and Ian who were off to meet with their wedding planner this weekend! While I was at her flat I borrowed a film and the final episodes of The Vicar of Dibley that I didn't even know existed! So I spend all Saturday watching the four episodes, which were fabulous! (Minus making cry a bit with the engagement and wedding finale!) I laughed so much and was sorry that there were just 4 episodes to watch. I also have a new celebrity crush in Richard Armitage who plays the character that Geraldine marries. He was so lovely and handsome and romantic, it was just too much! Then I read the rest of the evening, not once thinking of school at all!

Sunday was cleaning, rearranging and being generally productive with housework. Then I planned a bit and marked, am now taking a break to rewatch The Vicar of Dibley and then begin marking.

Last week at school was okay, I feel like I'm making some progress with my year 10 class which I'm glad to report. Everything else is so-so, getting planned a bit ahead which is good! That's all! Buh bye!

Sunday Roast Dinner

2008-01-13T10:23:00.001-05:00

Today I went with my friend Laura, who is another NQT, to a pub near where she lived while she was doing her training. They have a nice Sunday roast dinner for £6.95 it was so lovely! I had chicken, stuffing, roast potatoes, fresh veggies, I think some parsnips and a Yorkshire pudding. Laura insisted I try the pudding, and sadly I was very impressed by it. I am so unadventurous when it comes to trying new foods, but I generally don't like what I try I think my taste buds can't readjust any more! Evidently it is quite common for pubs that don't normally serve food to make a roast dinner for Sunday. Other options included lamb, pork, beef and a vegetarian nut roast. It was nice to get out of the house for bit.

We had Year 9 reports due in last Monday and I thankfully didn't receive any of mine back to correct so they must have been alright! (Reports here consist of giving each student a current level of performance mark [CLOP], attendance grade, behaviour, coursework, classwork, homework and organization: all on the scale of excellent to unsatisfactory. You also write about 6-7 sentences about them and how they are achieving in your lessons, etc. it was quite time consuming but not as difficult as other groups could have been since I really enjoy my year 9's!) Now its back to marking year 8 and 9 essays then planning for my 4 lessons tomorrow. Also my being a proper form tutor starts tomorrow, so I'm a bit nervous about that as well. They all seem really nice so I hope that we all get on well!

1st Week of Spring Term in Review

2008-01-12T06:23:00.000-05:00

We've just completed our first week back after the Christmas holiday, the holiday during which after speaking to the other NQT's included each of us having horrible nightmares about our year 10 classes and spending most of the time imagining finding other jobs. We've now completed 5 days of our second term and I am feeling much better about being a teacher now than I was before. I was finding discipline particularly difficult and now though not a walk in the park it is getting more manageable. On the other hand, all the veteran teachers have come back saying how hyper the kids seem this first week back. Laura and I were talking about how it is probably easy to forget how difficult your first term as a teacher was. I love feeling like I have made some progress with even really naughty classes.

I also had my first observed lesson on Friday with my top set year 10 group. I got a Satisfactory with elements of good, so I'm completely happy with that. They are a really chatty class and I should have done more about their talking, but in the end, I was so worried about the lesson itself I couldn't focus on everything! Also for the first time in my life I was a complete wreck during an observed lesson and felt mostly like myself while teaching.

On a travel note, I've booked my flight for March 24th to Munich, Germany as well as arranged some accommodation for 3 nights and I'm waiting to figure out how to book train tickets onto Prague and then Vienna. I am really excited to start seeing some more places in Europe. Jess B has also booked her flight for her visit, I'll get to see her for about 9 days, sadly I'll still be teaching while she is here, but I think we'll be able to make the most of her visit. She's going to come to school with me on a few days and perhaps go observe a primary school for a day as well. Unfortunately I have a year 10 parents evening the Wednesday that she is here so about 3 hours of my evening will be taken up with that, I'm going to try to keep the parents to a minimum I'm hoping no more than 15.

I also have to start gathering information to begin Qualified Teacher Status here, which requires me to send my mum to my high school with $2 to get my transcripts and a list of I have no idea what else! I also have to keep up my Ohio teaching license which means I need 3 credit hours of post graduate work by May 2008, so I need get that sorted out. Wish me luck!

2007: In Review

2008-01-09T17:05:00.000-05:00

January
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: I don't think so, could have done though.
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: Friends
3. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?: Nope.

February
1. Who was your valentine in 2007?: Probably my co-workers.
2. What did your valentine get you?: I got my normal chocolates from my parents.
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: Yes indeed, still do as a teacher.

March
1. Are you Irish?: Nope
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: Yes.
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2007: Was probably working.

April
1. Do you like the rain?: It depends. I like it when I'm inside, not when I'm out walking places or waiting.
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year? Nope
3. Do you get tons of candy on Easter?: We didn't really do Easter last year.

May
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: Gerber Daisies
2. Do you like the spring?: Yes indeed, it's time to break out skirts, dresses, and flip-flops
3. What would you think of as a spring color?: Pink

June
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 2001 and 2006
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: To an art gallery in Dayton, that's as exciting as it got.

July
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?: Definitely worked.
2. Went on any vacations during this month?: Nope

August
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: A few things; my little brother's graduation party, my going away party, a week off to pack and see everyone before the move.
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '07?: Going away party and week.
3. Do you go swimming a lot in the summer?: Not all that often.
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?: Nope, hate it.

September
1. Who is your favorite teacher?: Favourite former teachers: Mrs. Gabbert and Dr. Barnhouse
2. Do you like fall better than summer?: Yes, I hate humidity.

October
1. What was your favorite Halloween costume? Princess
2. What's your favorite candy?: Snickers
3. What did you dress up like this year?: Nothing, I had a parents evening.

November
1. Whose house do you usually go to for thanksgiving?: My mum's
2. Do you like stuffing?: Yes.
3. What are you thankful for?: I was thankful for new friends and for Ian who knew how to bake a turkey!

December
1. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: Negative.
2. What do you want this year for Christmas?: iPod
3. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas?: My parents always get me really thoughtful things that I need. But I think I like my set of pearls I received this year.
4. Do you like cold weather?: I don't hate it, but I wouldn't say like.

1) How would you rate your 07(1-10)?: 6, the beginning was crap being a substitute teacher and working another job, but after my teacher job offer came through life became more exciting, teaching is difficult and I'm not used to it yet so 6 overall seems fair.
2) Where were you when 2007 began? Columbus, Ohio
3) Who were you with? Kari, Jess, Bill
4) Where will you be when 2007 ends? Asleep in bed with major jet lag.
5) Who will you be with when 2007 ends? Not a soul.
6) Do you have a new years resolution for 2008? Go see more and experience British culture.
7) Did you fall in love in 2007? Nope.
8) You regret it? Not already seeing and doing more since arriving.
9) Did you breakup with anyone in 2007? No.
10) Did you make any new friends in 2007? Lots of them, I love my department!
11) Who is your favorite new friend? It's so hard, I'll go with the Laura's and Becky.
12) What was your favorite month of 2007? September I met my fellow co-workers who have become my closest friends.
13) How many different places did you travel to in 2007?: A few; England and France.
14) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007? No
15) Did you miss anyone in the past year? Yes.
16) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2007? Enchanted!
17) Do you enjoy where you are now? It is getting better.
18) What was your proudest moment of 2007? Getting my first proper teaching job and moving away on my own.
19) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007? There are always too many.
20) What are your plans for 2008? Travel, travel, travel. Get qualified to teach in the UK (pay raise!) meet new people and experience more of what the UK has to offer.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T15:33:00.000-05:00

It is already 2008 which is crazy, I can remember being little and each year seemed to go so slowly, now it is like time goes by so quickly that you can't keep up! I of course made a few new year's resolutions because I love making lists anyway and it was a perfect opportunity!

1. Stop procrastinating (uhhhh that is what I'm doing right now though)
2. Don't sit around thinking about school all the time
3. Get out and be involved in things happening in the area
4. Take walks
5. Save money
6. Plan ahead
7. Travel

Short and sweet, but things I think I can accomplish, well perhaps not 1, but I'd like to try. So my time at home was very refreshing, not relaxing since I never stopped being busy the entire time I was there. Everyday there was something to do or someone to see, which I loved, but I have spent the past 3 days sleeping to catch up (not to mention having horrendous jet lag). The one negative point of my time home was waking up Christmas night crying because I had a horrible dream about my year 10 class, I woke on Christmas crying! It was ridiculous and made me so angry! I can't let those bad classes continue being bad first of all, or control my attitude towards doing my job. It is so weird to have been away from it for this length of time, I was thinking last night while trying to finally get to sleep around 4 am that I can't believe I'm old enough to actually be someones teacher, it doesn't seem possible, random.

I also started planning and researching what holidays I will be taking during the breaks this year and it has been super fun! During the March Easter break I will have two guests, for a week my best friend is coming from Arizona and then for two weeks my mum will be coming to visit from Ohio! Jess (my best friend) and I will just be in Norwich most of the time since she has to come before my break starts but we will manage to do a few fun things I'm sure. Then my mom arrives on the 21st we'll spend some time in London and then off to Europe. I think I have finally settled on visiting Munich, Prague and Vienna, they seem like three places I'll really enjoy and that will be walkable and what not. Yay!

Then after the summer term is over in July Anastasia and I are going to St. Petersburg, Russia for about a week. She is the only person I'd go with since she speaks Russian and I will feel safer that way. Though after reading about the place I can just imagine getting into a whole lot of trouble there and having to bribe all kinds of police officers!

Well I should be off to write year 9 reports and start sorting out Monday's classes!

Some random photos from Christmas at home:

Reese, being adorable as always and proving that the box is always the best present.

Me and my niece Ashlea, being twins for our dinner date.

And with my neweset niece Lily on Christmas day

1 1/2 classes left

2007-12-18T15:15:00.001-05:00

I love Wednesdays and this Wednesday in particular since I only teach for an hour and a half and then begins Christmas break! So we'll play a game in my year 9 class first period and watch a program in 4th period English. On the in between times I hope to complete year 9 reports that are due the day we come back from Christmas break and do a bit of marking. I may spend the entire day socializing sadly since I won't see some of my co-workers until I return on January 7th. There was already a festive mood in the air today, lots of chatter in the staff room and the kids were hyper!

I am currently baking some cookies to take in for tomorrow and organizing the things that need to go home with me over the break. The first cookies are not so hot, I put too much butter in, the second batch are looking much better thankfully!

I just realized that on my trip home I will be traveling or waiting to travel for about about 17 hours straight, so annoying! I leave Norwich at 6 to drive to London to the airport, arrive at the airport about 9. I will check in, wait around, the plane leaves at 12, arrives in New York at 2:30 or something and I have a two hour layover. The flight to Pittsburgh lands at 6:30 which will be 11:30 GMT I will be shattered. However, I still plan to go shopping immediately because I will need clothes since I'm taking like none home with me. I'm so excited to see everyone at home, but already sad to leave the people at school. I will be welcomed by snow and slippery roads upon my arrival, thanks Ohio weather!

3 days of school left!

2007-12-15T05:27:00.000-05:00

I can't believe my first term as a teacher in the UK is nearly over. I don't feel bad admitting that I really, really need these two weeks off, it has all become really overwhelming here at the end of term. I was off sick for Thursday and Friday, I was getting one of my normal winter colds that make me miserable and instead of just going in and being miserable I took the time off after having a major breakdown in the staff room Wednesday after school. I had an observed lesson coming up on the Friday which was stressing me out along with my mixed year 10's who had not made any progress on their Romeo & Juliet papers on Monday. As soon as Jacqui, one of my fellow English teachers, said just go home don't worry about this parents evening and then helped me quickly set cover then I felt just that much better, though still sick! I felt really bad because my 3rd crying fit of the week took place in the break room once again and this time I was attempting to fill out my paper work with George about my NQT stuff. I think George thought he had written something that had upset me, but he hadn't I was actually laughing about something he had written at some point and then out of no where a flood of tears! It was an emotional week!

But I'll be flying home on Thursday the 20th! Yay!
3 days of classes left
6 days left in the country including today and the day I fly out
10 days until Christmas

For this next week I think classes will be okayish, maybe really rowdy, but I reckon plenty of kids will start being absent as well. I have a Scattergories game made up on my power point to play with the nicer classes who will enjoy it and I need to head down to the library to get a film or something to watch with the classes who won't be able to handle a game or who won't enjoy it.

Our English department Christmas do was last night, I felt a bit better so I went along, though I felt bad not going to work then showing up for the party. We went to an Italian restaurant down by the train station called Prezzo. It was alright, just not the Italian that I am used to, I miss alfredo sauce! So just half the department was there, which is actually pretty good for us I think. It is so hard to work around everyones schedules. So we had about 2 1/2 hours of laughs and chatting then a few of us went to a pub across the street. This random guy tried to chat up Debbie and she we would have none of it and he would not get the point and just leave her be, he just kept taking the abuse, it was so amusing! Then Becky was really nice to him and as I always I have no idea what to say so I just sat there thinking 'this is crazy' and having a chuckle to myself.

Still Counting

2007-12-09T11:19:00.000-05:00

8 days of school left!
4 classes with my very naughty group
11 days until I fly home!
16 days until Christmas!

I'm getting ridiculously excited for my trip home. I am making major lists of things to buy and things to do. I've sent my Christmas list to my dad and done all the shopping for my siblings, nieces and nephews. I don't feel properly Christmasy though because of my lack of a real Christmas tree. The little one sitting on my dresser just isn't enough.

I feel like I got a lot accomplished last week. I marked and gave back my top set year 10 coursework. I handed out 2 A* and felt pretty confident about the marking.

Brief aside to explain A* and marking. In the English education system the work that needs to be covered in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11) is kind of prescriptive, but leaves you some room for movement. The thing that must be accomplished by the end of the two years are five pieces of written coursework that fall into these five categories: Personal & Imaginative Writing, Shakespeare, Pre-1914 Poetry, Pre-1914 Prose and a Media Unit. They also have to have done two speaking and listening activities and to be honest I'm not sure how that fits into the scheme of things.

So I am feeling proud of myself for having done that. Now I just need to go back and remark by mixed year 10 groups essay and hand those back as well. This past week was not productive with them at all. I'm hoping to give them some motivation to get through the work and dangling a movie treat in front of them for Friday & Monday is part of my plan. We really aren't meant to watch films, but I feel with this group it is necessary.

I have an observed lesson with my top set year 10's on Friday, I'm super nervous about it, but Becky and I are planning my Thursday and Friday lessons tomorrow morning first thing. Then I have to assess drama work in my naughty year 8 class. Listen to book review presentations with my lovely year 9's, read, read read, Kingdom by the Sea with year 8's and some how get half an essay about Romeo & Juliet out of my year 10's. I feel that this can definitely be accomplished! (I'm trying for a positive attitude this week!)

Christmas do for the English department is on Friday, I'm excited, but quite a few people have backed out, so there are only about 10 of us going now.

I did a bit of Christmas shopping, got my mentor's gift today (well at least part of it, I'd like to get him something more), still need to get the secret Santa gift for our exchange and some treats to take home for my family.

My mum is having a party for me on the Friday I get home so I'll get to see family and friends. Then Sunday is our family Christmas with all my siblings, nieces and nephews. Christmas Eve traditions will continue with Samantha and Kari as we head to Midnight Mass at St. Al's. Then a lovely and relaxing Christmas day split between my parents.

The day after Christmas my shopping madness will begin. I cannot wait to buy a whole new wardrobe.

The Countdowns Begin

2007-12-02T05:10:00.000-05:00

13 days left of school
18 days until I fly home
23 days until Christmas

Other exciting numbers in my life: only 7 classes left with my most difficult class, only 4 with their not as difficult, but still annoying counterparts. 2 class left with the most unruly year 8 English class I have, and it is minus one boy who is just a pain and that I had to send to referral on Friday because he is just rude and made some sort of really cheeky comment back to me after I had gotten the class settled down.

Other things that went a bit wrong this week. The year 10 class from Hades were quite good on Monday and Thursday, I actually rewarded them with some chocolates at the end of the period on Thursday. On Friday however, there was a covert water fight while we were reading through Romeo & Juliet and it is so annoying to not be able to properly teach a lesson because you are instead making sure water isn't flung across the classroom. So I wasn't able to follow the text closely and offer comments on what they should be remembering, instead I was giving evil glares to the 'suspects' (which I could never catch since obviously they knew I was looking). It's such a disruption and so annoying. Similar things in my top set year 10 group they are always doing something like spraying something that smells horrible or whatnot, and I never get too upset because I think that's what they want, I just act like 'oh well you have to sit here through the smell as well'.

Yesterday I saw a big group of my year 10 top set students as I was getting on the bus, I was hoping they wouldn't see me, but of course they did, and so then one of the really naughty boys in the class said, 'oh Miss look what I bought to bring to class on Thursday' and it was fart spray, so I have that to look forward to. Here is what I really don't understand about the students, it is obvious that I like to have a good time in class, as many of my top sets see, they get to listen to music as they work and have a bit of a laugh. The naughty classes never seem to realize they'd get to muck about a bit as well if they were so bad all the time. I have to use every 'good' day to get through information that we can't cover on their 'normal' days.

So anyways, I'm getting really excited to head home for Christmas! I haven't decided what British products I'd like to take home for my family, I think some digestive biscuits and a tin of sweets will be good for the family get-togethers. I have a few souvenirs from Cambridge (where I spent my birthday) and France to take for them. I am headed to London next weekend to buy the rest of the things I'll need (my family has requested silly souvenir shirts as their gifts) and to hopefully find Christmas gifts for the people in my department that I want to buy for. I am planning on making up little gift baskets after I come back from America for the three girls in my department of fun marker board pens and other teachery things you can't find in the UK.

Happy Holidays!

First Sick Day

2007-11-23T14:49:00.000-05:00

I've now missed my first day of teaching so far this year. I woke up and didn't feel so great, started getting ready and finally realized, no you are sick, call off. So I tried to call and I couldn't get ahold of anyone. This is all made worse by the fact that I was feeling really homesick after Thanksgiving (it was totally delayed until late in the evening after I had spoken to my mum and sister, I had been alright at school). I also had a horrible dream right before I woke up that my mum had died and we were going through her things to sort it all out. So physical illness, plus homesickness, plus emotional over scary dream = crap day! I caught the bus and as soon as I walked in Pauline said I looked like I should go home, so she kindly called the cover supervisor for me to see if we could get someone, and they could! So I spent the hour before school arranging all my cover lessons and tidying up my room a bit so things were easily accessible and organized. Then Becky kindly drove me home after the students were all in lessons while she was on her free period. I watched Coronation Street (a British soap) and a film I rented over a week ago, sat about, and am now marking some books, slowly, but surely. I am feeling a bit better, and will hopefully be in bed by 9 tonight, then off to Cambridge tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T12:34:00.000-05:00

I have now spent my first Thanksgiving abroad; it actually wasn't too bad, I only got a bit teary when my mum called to say Happy Thanksgiving. Becky brought in a pumpkin pie and a card for me to school which was really nice! Some of my students knew it was Thanksgiving and wished me a Happy Thanksgiving as well.

Tomorrow is the day before my birthday and I have biscuits (read cookies in America) to take in. It is a tradition to take in biscuits for everyone on your birthday and I feel quite pressured since we have some members of staff who enjoy rating the quality of the biscuits. It has become a running joke that we must do peer and self assessment of the biscuits, that senior members of staff should of course provide superior biscuits and that a list of birthday's should be put in the 'Best Practice' folder on the staff file share so that we can ensure everyone takes part in the festivities. I'm letting my year 12's out early so I can prepare my biscuits appropriately and leave a note on how to consume Oreo cookies (I had my mum send them from the US). I also bough some British biscuits for those not wanting to share in the American Oreo tradition.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

So . . .

2007-11-21T16:12:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I begin about half of my posts with the word so. I need to analyze this further to see if there is any significance, I'm sure there is, but it may take me a while to fully understand the implications.

Random update to say that in January another American teacher will be starting at Thorpe to teach Religious Education and Geography.

I hate the fact that some people just talk and no one wants to hear them. (Sometimes I think I do this during my mentor meetings and that George would like to tell me to just shut up for two seconds. Other times I have to deal with it and can't do anything about it.)

I have been asked if I can have a lesson observed the last Friday before Christmas break with a class that is really horrible. I am tempted to say no that this isn't a good idea, but I don't want to seem like a whiner or that I can't handle it. However, I am a bit of a whiner to be honest and I don't think I can handle this class. As my year 10's get better it seems that my year 8's get worse and nothing really seems to dissuade them from chatting during lessons. George has suggested putting them on class report, I may very well do that after I find out exactly from Becky what class report entails.

I am catching up on marking work, go me! I finally have all my year 7 letter's graded, nearly all of my year 8 essays and only about 4 year 12 essays left to grade. Unfortunately the things to mark are just going to keep coming with Year 10 GCSE coursework to begin grading for my top set and perhaps at least 1 Romeo & Juliet set of papers at the end of term.

I've also been so lucky as to get a lift to the airport for when I leave at Christmastime. Laura's dad has to pick her sister up from the University of Reading which is near Londonish and is willing to take me to Heathrow so I don't have to lug my huge bag to the train station, on the train, on the tube and into the airport. Yay! I owe Laura majorly!

Cambridge on Saturday!

Thanksgiving Luncheon

2007-11-19T12:49:00.000-05:00

So I hosted a Thanksgiving luncheon at my friend Becky's house over the weekend and I think it all went quite well. 8 people from the English department were there to share in some American food. I made homemade noodles, which turned out well, pumpkin pie, apple pie, stuffing, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes and then Becky and her boyfriend Ian did the turkey and yams. I nearly started tearing up making the food the day before because it brought back lots of memories of doing all these things with my mum. I actually liked making the stuff, though if I had been at home I would have been complaining about all the work.

Just 22 days left in this term before it's time for Christmas break! There are some Year 10 Science Exams this week so I get an extra free period on Thursday period 1, yay! Then we have staff Christmas party for the English Department on December 14th and my birthday trip next weekend. I'm so excited for all these festivities!

Paper

2007-11-15T16:07:00.000-05:00

I was reading an expat website about the little differences between the two countries, in a post I said that silly as it is the paper thing threw me off a bit. We have as a standard 8 1/2 by 11 paper in the US, here it's equivalent is called A4 and is a bit wider and longer. However, another poster informed us that there is in fact an entire web-page dedicated to the paper system in England and how it works. If you are truly bored, have a look.

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html

Other differences mentioned: no mixer taps for sinks, pull cords for lights, no electric outlets in bathrooms, instant coffee, no screens in the windows, washing machine in the kitchen, roundabouts, beans for breakfast, how early shops close, more privacy in public bathroom cubicles, and many more.

Jessica's OE

Just Read Back

Applications, Applications

Had a bit of excitement

Recorded Interview

Still nothing . . .

Still Searching . . .

First Agency Registration

Why not back to England?

New Plan

Finito

Sports Day

More Coursework and Saying Goodbye

Stupid *&#*(&%($% Coursework!

Two in one day?

Officially Qualified to Teach in the UK

QTS

QTS Visit Tomorrow

More drama in Drama

Friday's seriously suck!

Wow, has it been nearly a month . . .

Too good to be true . . .

Remote Access

A Good Week

I'm back

5 days until the Easter Holidays! Yay!

Year 10's

A bevy of 'stuff'

Food for Thought Friday

Half-Term Gone

QTS - Epic Fail!

Food for Thought Friday - on time!

Snow Day!

100th Post - QTS Stuff

Food for Thought Friday on Saturday instead (again)

Half Way to Half Term

One week down five to go

First Day Back

Back in England

Friday 5 (On Sunday . . .)

Travel

Food for Thought Friday

How to Respond?

Sickness

Food for Thought Friday

QTS

100 Things

Food for Thought Friday

Hectic Week

Food for Thought Friday (on Saturday, oops!)

Food for Thought Friday - 3rd Edition

A New American President

Food for Thought Friday - 2nd Edition

Watching the English

Food for Thought Friday

2 teaching days until the half-term holiday!

Sorry for my lack of commitment

In the nick of time!

Heard back from the school today

Still waiting . . .

Older, but evidently not wiser

Breaking Dawn

Summer Holidays - Ohio, Arizona, California

1 1/2 Days (5 Lessons) until it's all over!

Last Times

Looking Ahead

2 Weeks 2 Days!

17 Days Left!

6 Weeks (31 days) Left!

7 weeks (36 days!) of school left

One week until half-term break!

Random School Stuff

How to Be Screening

Blickling Hall

How to Be

11 Weeks Left

Summer - Half Term 1

Home from the Holidays!

Getting Excited!

Earthquake!

Stupid &#(&%($% Coursework!