World Domination At Its Finest

Engagement Ring

2011-11-27T18:48:00.002Z

Well, I thought I should probably post a photo of this here ring:

And the potential band:

100 Things

2011-06-15T18:16:00.008+01:00

I have decided to follow the suit of some of my favourite blogs and count down the

100 Best Things Ever.

There's a lot of greatness in this world. It's going to be hard to narrow it down....

100: Homemade cake

99: The *adorable* babies of faraway friends - thank goodness for Facebook

98: Weekends (Although I hated cycling, it was time spent with the love of my life)

97: Quirky Youtube videos

Breakfast Interrupted

96: Friends (literally...I love my two episodes a day)

95: Fascinators (I am so Ascot ready)

Best things ever... xx

Recovery: Update

2011-06-13T19:14:00.003+01:00

I stayed home again today to focus on "re-feeding." Eating like 5,000 calories a day is exhausting. I'm very tired and somewhat achey - but the good news is that I am drinking plenty and taking it easy.

Rich prepared pasta sauce, tomato soup and a vegetarian cottage pie - divided it up into different meals and then froze them off in my freezer. I don't have to cook anything - just need to make sure I eat six meals a day.

I think I can handle it.

Stomach Flu: Almost a survivor

2011-06-11T10:28:00.003+01:00

No idea where I got it from, but I somehow contracted the Stomach Flu. We had a lovely weekend - went to Kent to see Rich's family. Lovely day shooting on Saturday followed by a gorgeous meal at Topes in Rochester (the location wasn't fantastic, but once inside- wow.), and then Sunday were treated to The Lion King in the West End from Rich's parents. It's not every day the big guy turns 30, right?

So what's his first duty as a 30 year old?

Take care of his sick girlfriend.

Monday morning we woke up and I was feeling a bit groggy - left it to hayfever. By lunch time, I was feeling rather nauseated and didn't want to further upset my stomach by eating. I went straight home after school, shaking uncontrollably, and climbed in bed. By the time Rich Skyped at 8:00, I was sobbing, shaking, burning up, freezing, feeling sick and hurting everywhere. He decided he was going to come to me straight from the hospital on Tuesday.

Didn't make it to work on Tuesday. The fever wouldn't go away and the shakes wouldn't stop. I went to the doctor and he said "This is the start of the flu. You're going to get a lot worse."

....I didn't actually believe him. Silly me.

By the time Rich arrived I was vomiting with a fever of 39 degrees and still shaking uncontrollably. He made the executive decision that I would not be well enough to return to work for the week and took me back to Leicester until the weekend. His theory was that at least in Leicester, someone could look after me.

....I didn't actually believe him. Silly me.

It's now Saturday and I only last night ate my first meal - a child sized portion of tomato soup. I still can't stand up on my own. A lot of feeding and recuperation is needed.

Not only did Rich drive two hours to look after me and then drive two hours back to his with me in tow, but he also ensured I had plenty of fluids, held my hair back, held the vomit bucket, helped me walk (as I look like a 99 year old when attempting on my own), washed all of my dirty laundry, made me homemade tomato soup, did a weeks worth of shopping and cooking for me so that I don't have to do any upon my recovery, gave me a bath (washed me while I attempted to wash my hair), and put up with my general vacant stares or groans of pain. And lets face it - no one looks good when they have the flu, but he still told me he loved every day and gave me a kiss.

Best boyfriend ever? YES. I could have cried just from how nice he was. He's just brought me a homemade banana milkshake (a whole tub of cream in three glasses apparently) - the next few days are a recovery mission. Mission: Fatten Jen up.

Yorkshire Dales

2011-05-04T18:40:00.003+01:00

Rich and I had a fantastic time in Yorkshire. I survived the walking - what's better - he survived a full week with me. I still can't believe I climbed.

One thing I will say - as much as I kicked off about not wanting to buy walking shoes/hiking boots -- they are actually necessary. I'll have to get them if I plan on doing that again. I think I can pull off "outdoorsy." Maybe. xx

So I've been learning how to play the ukulele...

2011-04-12T20:39:00.002+01:00

I'm not saying I'm great, but I'm learning. For someone as awkward and clumsy as me, this is pretty fantastic. I'm getting there. Really Struggling with the E though. That, and I second guess myself pretty much all of the time. Lighting is pretty nonexistent...I couldn't be bothered to turn on the actual light!

Weekend Sunshine!

2011-04-10T21:36:00.002+01:00

It was certainly a weekend for suncream. We went for a jolly jaunt along the River Great Ouse. Blue sky - green fields - glistening river. What more could you ask for?

A perfect start to a two week Easter holiday. Too bad I will be spending the first three or four days in work trying to catch up on all of the assessment marking!

"It''s got to be better than nothing"

2011-04-05T22:44:00.003+01:00

Long distance is awful.

Rich bought me flowers on Friday and they started to bloom today. Something to remind me of him he says.

"It's got to be better than nothing."

I'd take the real thing any day.

Easter Holidays are right around the corner!

2011-04-04T21:16:00.003+01:00

I've been feeling the end of term looming. Sheer exhaustion. I've lost the will to mark -- although I'm not sure that will was ever really there anyways. It was more a necessary evil. But what's worse - I've lost the will to bake!

In truth - you always become ill when it comes time to unwind. I'm battling something - whatever it is, it has left me tired, full of coughs and achy.

Through the aches and pains I decided to make soft pretzels. I then proceeded to eat them. Like- all of them. I thought it was well worth it.

I'm hoping once I survive the next four days (as I'm only in work for 9 days in the month of April) - I can turn my attention to baking. I need to invest in a proper mixer...I would love a KitchenAid - but I am aware of the hefty price tag. I need something - that's for sure!

Mini Cheddars!

2011-03-21T18:09:00.005Z

I decided to try my hand at making homemade Mini Cheddars. I was aiming for Goldfish crackers (love love love them -- probably one of my most missed snack foods from America) - but didn't have anything aside from a shot glass to cut my dough with! I adapted this recipe from Smitten Kitchen. Totally worth baking!

I opted for Red Leicester - usually I think it tastes a bit bland, but Sainsbury's own was actually lovely! I really should invest in some fun cookie cutters. The downside is that I burned the last batch a bit. My oven is crap -- the joys of a tiny flat on London Road!

At least I can justify eating the somewhat burnt ones!

Cromer Crabs (not quite in season)

2011-03-13T19:29:00.006Z

Rich came to Lynn for the weekend and we took a mini road trip to Holt and Cromer. Having been to Holt once, I was fairly confident I could navigate. Keeping me out of the boutiques was a slight nightmare. I did find a handbag in one of the shops -- I think I'm going to go back in two weekends time and make a purchase. As far as charming goes - Holt definitely takes the cake.

We carried on to Cromer - explored the sea side town. Had a pint on the pier and then a bowl of soup in one of the cute cafes.

If there's one thing Norfolk does, it's quaint English. Love Love Love it.

Bittersweet

2011-03-10T20:03:00.003Z

...::'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life trying to make ends meet::...

I have been entertaining the idea of moving to Leicester to live with Rich. It makes perfect sense. I love him, he's wonderful, I'm ready for our life together to head towards the next chapter.

The only problem has been the actual leaving. I'm in love with my other half, but at the same time, I'm in love with my job. You can't choose your career over your other half. It just isn't right.

I've been torn between going and staying - weighing up all options. I have finally decided that I was going to make the move - and was genuinely excited for waking up with the man I love every morning. I had an interview, and after about 4 minutes, I decided I couldn't do it. It wasn't my school. It wasn't right. I made it clear during the interview that I couldn't take the job, and fortunately I wasn't offered the job.

It wasn't until I was driving home - crying my heart out - that I realised I couldn't leave. I wasn't ready to leave my school or my department or my friends. I've done this once, and it was hard - so much harder than I actually give myself credit for.

Today I walked into my classroom and I couldn't wipe that smile off of my face. Little things like the kids in my classes, their mannerisms, the way a student will hold the door open for you or say "Thanks, Miss." The brightness of the rooms, the smell, the smiling faces, the familiar faces. I can't do it.

I love my other half more than words can say - but I also love my job and my job makes me who I am. I am ready to lose myself.

Half term bliss

2011-02-26T16:12:00.004Z

Ah, a week off. Normally I take advantage of all of the free time and fill my week with various journeys and visits. This time? I've done nothing. Squat.

I journeyed to Leicester - the city of....terrible architecture....interesting

characters....uh....hearty markets? John Lewis looks pretty swish..... I am struggling for positives.

No, I need to give the East Midlands a bit more credit. Yes, it was bombed during WW2. I get it. You had to rebuild quickly - forget efficiency. In terms of visual appeal - Leicester hasn't quite stolen my heart. I think I'm a Norfolk girl at heart now - much to my dismay.

Regardless of the lack of ocular inspiration, I did have the opportunity to find two haunts where I was more than impressed. Almedia Coffee and Juice Bar - found in the Lanes, and The Red Cow pub in the outskirts of the city. Both were surprisingly pleasing. I enjoyed the coffee, sitting on my own, living it up like a true city girl (or at least trying to).

Rich and I enjoyed a quiet afternoon in the cozy pub - we were meant to go for a walk, but the weather didn't cooperate, making it a few hours in the pub rather than a jolly jaunt in the rain.

Check out the Red Cow here.

Do I love the East Midlands? No. But can I live there? Sure. I'm going to have to learn to love the area. I've even gotten ahold of the old "Great Britain travel" book and am tabbing places I would like to visit in the area.

I'm sure there's some beauty in the area. I just need to find it.

Half term is looming....

2011-02-15T22:21:00.003Z

The only thing that gets me through the week is knowing that I have a week off. I could use a break. This time of year seems to drag. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the outrageous amount of marking I have to do every night. Who knows.

What I have learned is that baking seems to make the world go round. I had to experiment tonight, as I didn't want the whole thing to go tits up when it's meant to count.

Cake pops...cake balls....what have you. These are the chocolate, there are also pink almond disasters in the fridge. I don't know what went wrong with the pink, but they look like a three year old made them. Perhaps I can opt for the cute, homemade ambiance?

They taste awesome. That's all that matters in the end...right? Tomorrow the girls at work are getting a taste. Then Friday I'm gifting them to my beloved for a belated Valentines day. He is taking me to the spa. I am baking. We both get exactly what we want.

Macaroons!

2011-02-06T12:31:00.006Z

Recently, I've been entertaining the idea of running away to get a job working in a pasticceria or Patisserie, depending on the country. The appeal of Novara, Sicily has always struck me a little more than Paris, but I don't think I'd complain with either option. Truth be told, I like my baking, and I'm pretty good. But I want to be better - what better way to learn than work in the place where the magic happens? Ah, if only we weren't governed by money. I'd so do it.

I've decided for this weeks Sunday baking I would take a stab at Macaroons. They looks gorgeous in the photos I've seen online, so I thought I could give it a go.

I was more than amused by the amount of sugar these bad boys take, so it's no wonder that I have the shakes (probably a diabetic coma) coming on after the amount of batter I've eaten.

I opted for a raspberry cream flavour. Managed to make very little mess, and was fairly pleased with my make-shift piping bag. First time is always scary....

Admittedly, I still haven't worked out the heat of my crappy little oven, so I did burn the first batch slightly. Overall, they aren't too shabby!! I'll let you know when the shakes stop!!

I need a holiday

2011-01-25T20:24:00.002Z

I'm desperate to get away. I don't know why, but I'm incredibly grumpy. Pissed off, in fact. I haven't seen the sun shine for weeks. It's grotty and rainy outside pretty much every day. And it's cold. And I hate the cold more than anything.

It's the same thing, day in and day out. Even when it's not the same thing, it's the same thing. If that makes sense.

So, I've been contemplating solutions. Focusing on the whole "I need a getaway" idea.

I've gotten nowhere. Stupid moral compass telling me to save money. And we have the government to thank for prices going up on everything. Pretty soon they are going to tax the air....breathing will be expensive.

I'm going to bed to mull over my problems. Perhaps wake up in a better mood and a brilliant idea.

I just checked the weather...possibility of snow tomorrow. Excellent.

Staring at the Ceiling

2011-01-19T20:48:00.003Z

I was staring at the ceiling last night, loving the look of my chandelier against the somewhat peeling ceiling. It's the cold January nights that make me curl up in bed earlier than anticipated, and while trying to drift off to sleep I tend to go through the one million things bouncing around my head. I find that by thinking through a handful, I drift off to dreamland, and last night was no exception.

Things I considered while staring at the ceiling:

*I want a chandelier in every room of my house. Including the bathroom.*

*Nearly out of perfume...I wonder how my Boots points are looking.*

*((I wonder if I turning the power switch off for the kettle?))*

*Rich is going to have to get used to makeup, hair products and hair grips everywhere. I'll be sure to leave some lace knickers around as well...just to keep him on side.*

*Shoot. Forgot to mark the Year 12 Grouping essays!*

*Yawn*

*I can't wait until summer when I can be warm again.*

*Yawn*

*I think I'll wear my pencil skirt tomorrow...*

Ah. Drifting off into sweet, fashionable dreams. What a way to go....

Driving....what a pain.

2011-01-17T16:20:00.003Z

I hate driving.

I really do.

Sure, there's the novelty of coasting on the open road and singing along to the radio as you are zipping down the M25 at 70 mph.

But the reality is that there are very few roads in England like the M25. Very few with dual carriageway. In fact, most of the roads I get to travel on on a day to day basis are hardly wide enough for one car, let alone traffic coming both ways.

And the street signs? What street signs. Seriously. On main roads (like the M25), they are set off to the left, so when passing a lorry, you won't actually see that there is a sign - and in fact - your turn off in 100 meters.

I will not go into the fact that I got lost (both going and coming) due to overtaking a lorry and missing my exit and listening to the iPhone when it tells me to take a "alternative route" home that I know to be somewhat incorrect.

Let's just leave it to the fact that the roads are rubbish. Signposting is rubbish. iPhone map can - sometimes - be rubbish.

London was excellent though. A bit of shopping. A bit of coffee. A bit of wine. Cheeky photo taken in the pub, attached for your amusement.

I've resolved to buy a Tom-Tom. I'm also going to stay in next weekend. I aim to be in my pjs until an ungodly hour. Hopefully I don't have much work to do so I can just relax. No driving makes for a good weekend, agreed?

London, Baby!

2011-01-14T19:24:00.004Z

I'm off to the big city for the weekend.

Rich and I were meant to spend a day in London before Christmas, but the weather managed to destroy our plans of ice skating, mulled wine and enjoying holiday lights.

I'm happy to be spending the weekend in the city - it's better than sitting in the flat doing work!!

I'm not a plumber....

2011-01-11T20:57:00.002Z

When I made the decision to move into my own flat, I had no idea what I was doing. In the 3.5 years I have lived in the UK, I have always lived with others.

There was No. 47 - My first home away from home. Rich was probably the most normal of the occupants in that house. The others were....well...unique? I think the highlight of living there was being woken up at 4:00 in the morning by someone pounding on the door and ringing the doorbell. I had no idea who the guy was, but he insisted that he "mate" was our newest housemate and he had somehow lost track of him and he didn't have his keys and please could he come in to go to sleep. My thoughts? "I'm not really interested in dying tonight. No you may not come in. Good night."

After a few months I moved a bit further up the road (near enough next door to my place of employment) to No. 124. Another shared house, and this time with all medical students! The first batch were dirty, the second batch consisted of a lad who aired his pants in front of my bedroom door, a gay Spaniard who referred to himself as "Count" and Ro - a tea drinking Irishman who had a lovely girlfriend named Amy - friends I was happy to keep!

The upside? Quickest commute to work ever. The downside? When you can see your work from your window, you are never quite far enough away. Children took to shouting "JENNY!" up to my window - just to see if I would react. Needless to say, I had to put a few thousand houses between myself and these children.

I then relocated to West Lynn to live with my mate Wharfinton in the countryside. I Loved the countryside! Cute flat. Chavs living across the square claiming benefits by lying. A LONG distance from work. Cows. The occasional smell of fish from the docks.... The chavs provided interesting entertainment.... I saw why half of my students swear at me.... Yea.

The time came to move.

I wanted to have my own space. I ended up renting a flat in an old house on dodgy London Rd. Upon walking in, it was like entering Beirut, and not as a holiday location, but once inside the flat, it was lovely! Very chic. Very me. I took it! And then I realised I had coin operated electricity. What....

Which brings me to the present moment. The sink seemed to not be draining. Rich pulled the U bend out (because I'm a girl and I can't do things like that) and we learned that the blockage was further down the pipe. The landlord came. He saw. He got soaked. He said he'd be back tomorrow.

I'm still going to use the water. Hopefully no one is passing by tomorrow morning at about 7:06. I like my coffee around that time. And I'm not a plumber.

2011 is going to be a good year

2011-01-09T21:09:00.004Z

The new year always provides individuals with an opportunity to reflect on their lives and look back at the previous year with insight and criticism. I'm not going to bat about the brush - 2010 was a tough year. I worked my ass off, had a nightmare travelling

(Rain in Gran Canaria, Flights to Greece cancelled twice [resulting in NO trip to Greece], and finally getting stuck in the UK when Heathrow decided they couldn't handle the snow at Christmas).

There were, however, some brilliant moments - I met (or rather came to a realisation that he was) the love of my life. I completed my masters (which was the 'working my ass off').

And I have the opportunity to develop my leadership skills within my department.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP!

2011 is going to be good. Call it a hunch. I think things are changing, but changing for the good. After all, life is what we make it. And I'm on track to make it FABULOUS. Roll on, 2011. Roll on.

A shocking amount of time has passed....

2010-09-01T15:16:00.000+01:00

When I became fully emerged in my research, I became FULLY emerged. I'm now resurfacing....trying to remember how to live again.

The Masters at Cambridge is officially complete! Submission was yesterday, but I, being on top of things for once, submitted last Friday. I'm happy with the final product. 111 pages and 20,000 words later, I am feeling a bit worse for wear, but I’m going to troop on.

Tomorrow marks the start of YEAR FOUR in the UK! Hard to believe it’s been that long. Last year teaching English was spectacular, and this year is proving to be equal in greatness. I feel settled, and now without the stress of the masters I’m intending to just sit and enjoy. Working hard, of course. As always.

I’ll be doing a leading from the middle course, preparing me for middle management, department head, whatever I want to tackle next. The PhD looks appealing though. I’m waiting until I find out my mark on the thesis...if I’ve nailed a 67, I’ll be searching for funding. And if I can find that...well, World Domination will involve something like three years of research! If not – I’ll be looking to take on leadership in a school....world domination, small scale.

Oh, the possibilities.

Of course, the fact that there is now a man on the scene may influence these plans....maybe.

Watching from Abroad....

2010-03-23T20:59:00.002Z

The health care reform has passed in the States and as an ex-pat, I'm interested! Rather a double edged sword if you ask me -- living in both systems, I can argue both sides. I like being here and the relief I felt when I was admitted to the hospital and was then told I wouldn't be paying for my stay - well, that changed my mood entirely. I could focus on getting better, not worrying about how I was going to pay for three days and a lot of meds.

On the other hand, as an American, I loved the social interactions with your doctor. The closeness, the systematic blood pressure or weight checks, the fact that your doctor knows you near enough better than you know yourself. If there was a problem - it would most likely be spotted, and spotted quickly.

Here in the UK, if you have a problem and go to the doctor to get it investigated, you will wait ages for an appointment, see your doctor for five minutes, they will send you for blood work. When you ring back to set up a follow up appointment a few days later, the receptionist will then tell you that your bloodwork was ok. Sorry - does that actually answer the problem?

As you can see, I've got a proper issue with this system. I've been voluntarily starving myself for next to a month, dropped a dress size, have been to the doctor telling her I feel ill when I eat and the result? Nothing.

Phone tag commences again tomorrow. I will get to the bottom of this. Either that - or I'll faint and end up in hospital. Post mortems must be a delight in this country....

Sadly, it's March

2010-03-13T15:59:00.002Z

It actually shocks me how quickly time flies. I don't understand it, but I have planned out the next five months of my life...what is that all about?

Working very hard.

Teaching, studying, being social. You know. As I do.

I've got to sort this (or the other) blog out. I'd say my twitter updates are easier. Frequent, yet short.

Considering.

The Year in Review!

2010-01-01T16:08:00.002Z

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Taught English in the UK!

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I chose to say something nice every day. It did work!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Who DIDN'T give birth...here's a few:
My hairdresser Kelly, Delta Zeta Becky, Jessica.....

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not close close, but some of the old Italians passed away this year.

5. What countries did you visit?
UK, Sicily (Italia), USA

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A MAN!

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
17 December - my car accident

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a job in the English Department!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I wouldn't say I failed at anything, but I suppose I did loose my "no claims" bonus.....

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The occasional flu.....cold.....

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A plane ticket home for Brian's graduation.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Chrissy getting RID of the moron !!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I don't think anyone has upset me....

14. Where did most of your money go?
UGH. Rent and car payments!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Teaching English!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"I gotta feeling" Black Eyed Peas -- DC song and Cassy's wedding!!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, Thinner and Richer!! I've got a great life!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Revising for my Cambridge research....

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With family and friends in Ohio

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Nope!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
One Tree Hill. Love it.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't think I "hate" anyone

24. What was the best book you read?
"Twilight" - LOVE it.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Kings of Leon - they are brilliant.

26. What did you want and get?
A new job, a new house!

27. What did you want and not get?
A Man!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
(500) days of summer

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
25 - Jen took me out in Willoughby for martinis! I wore an adorable pink dress!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably moresatisfying?
Not to sound like a broken record....but a man?

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Timeless, preppy, me.

32. What kept you sane?
Chrissy - she is so sensible!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I'd say the usuals....sexy weather man....

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Health Care bill in the states

35. Who did you miss?
My Family!

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Philippe!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
If it's not funny, find a way to laugh.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"I've got a pencil full of lead and nothing's gonna bring me down." Paolo Nutini

I'm back!

2009-07-15T21:30:00.003+01:00

Today is day that will live in Infamy.

I have completed my two years as a drama teacher and am Officially an English Teacher at KES.

Over the moon with excitement.

New job, new flat....

I think things are looking up for me.

Here's to the summer. Here's to the changes.

Here's to the future.

100 books

2009-05-03T12:05:00.001+01:00

The BBC believes most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here.

Instructions:
1) Look at the list and put an 'x' after those you have read.
2) Tally your total, add it to the note title.
3) Tag others and pass it on. If I tagged you, it is because I think you love to read, like me!

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (x)
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien ()
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (x)
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (x)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (x)
6 The Bible (Extracts) (x)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (x)
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell (x)
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman ( )
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens ()
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott (x)
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy (x)
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller ()
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare (x more or less)
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (x)
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien ( )
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk ()
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger (x)
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger ( x)
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot ()
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell ()
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (x)
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens ()
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy ( )
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams(x )
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh ()
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky ( )
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck (x)
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (x)
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame (x)
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy ( )
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens ()
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis (x)
34 Emma - Jane Austen ()
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen ()
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (x)
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini ()
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres ()
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden ()
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne (X)
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell (x)
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (X )
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ()
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving ()
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins (x)
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery ()
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy ()
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood (x)
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding (x)
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan ( )
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel (x )
52 Dune - Frank Herbert ()
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons ()
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (x)
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth ( )
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon (x )
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens ( )
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley ( )
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon (X)
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ( )
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck (x)
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov ( )
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt ()
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold ( )
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas ()
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac ()
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy ()
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding (X)
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie ( )
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville ( )
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens (x)
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker (x)
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (X)
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson ()
75 Ulysses - James Joyce (x)
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath ( x)
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome ()
78 Germinal - Emile Zola ( )
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray ()
80 Possession - AS Byatt ( )
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (x)
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell ( )
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker ( )
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro (x )
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert ( )
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry ( )
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White (x)
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom ( x)
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ()
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton ()
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad ( x)
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (x)
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks ( x)
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams ()
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole ( )
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute ( )
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas ()
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare (X)
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl (X)
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo ()

WOW

2009-04-21T11:30:00.002+01:00

15 Minutes of DEAD SILENCE! And the work is fantastic!!

LOVE the Gush!!

I write here because Twitter is blocked...Blogger is not yet considered innappropraite!

The GUSH is back!

2009-04-21T11:24:00.003+01:00

I remember the good ol' days of Gushes. My baby, my claim to fame as an English teacher. Well, I've resurrected the Gushes in my drama class. Today we are writing our first.

I have given my pupils 12 props. Random props like a Russian Hat and a tambourine, and they have to create a story about the props. It's been five minutes and they are dead silent....scribbling away. The Gushes have magic powers, they really encapsulate people.

One kid suggested "What does air taste like?" I like that one....

Power to the GUSH!

Having the Flu in the UK

2009-03-30T17:51:00.002+01:00

When you've got the flu, you've got the flu. There isn't much to be done. You have contracted the germs, so now you deal with them. So what happens when you contract this dreaded disease when living in a place that ISN'T home? You have to play the game like a local.

I've caught my fair share of germs while working in a secondary school. I often feel as though I was given the short end of the deal when I was allotted my immune system, because I always seem to have some sort of cold, cough, headache, stomach ache, etc. You name it, I've contacted it. And today, for the first time in a long while, I had to call in sick to work.

Now, I'm not all about calling in sick. I remember there was a huge uproar surrounding Benylin's advert suggesting people take a day off to recover. But if we're going to make an arguemnt, you don't want to pass your germs along to anyone else. And really - how am I meant to combat a rowdy group of 30+ kids in a chaotic, movement based classroom? I'm not stupid. I know when I'm outnumbered.

So I made the call and then what? Mommy wasn't here to bring me cough syrup or make me soup. I had to fend for myself. Lucky for me I had a nice collection of Olbas Power Flu and Covonia Cold and Flu syrup. I've been around the block a few times with the cold medicines, and I found that these work the best.

After three days of feeling like proper waste, I was able to get up and shower. And I think I actually look like a human. Well done. Although it is a bit disturbing that these poor people in the advert are dragging themselves into work - SPREADING THEIR GERMS - but being supported by Power Flu. Are we really that much of a work enforced society?

http://www.powerflu.co.uk/tvadvert.html

And today is Sunday

2009-03-01T17:25:00.002Z

Today Ronan and I went on a little road trip to Burnham Market. We weren't happy that almost everything was closed, but we did have a laugh anyways.

Burnham Market is one of the best things I've seen in Norfolk in ages! At The Hoste Arms we had a cup of tea and it was one of the ideal little country pub settings. Fire, people drinking pints at 11:00 in the morning, misty day..... it was fabulous!

We also got to check out the Hat Shop - tons and tons of hats. Something I've never seen in mass quantity. Impressive collection.

After, we headed to Wells next the Sea -- killer sweet shop. The rest wasn't that impressive. It wasn't the best of days, to be fair. But it was not too bad. And to get out of the Lynn for a day - Fabulous!

Now, I'm resting up -- plenty of recovery this weekend from the dreaded QTS....but now it's OVER.

I'm going to conclude the day by watching The Wizard of Oz on Five and signing randomly to Flashdance.....

Thank you, thank you.

2009-02-28T15:15:00.002Z

I have FINALLY completed my QTS. It was a long, difficult process, but it's finally over.

I learned a few important things along the way. So some words of wisdom for those who are going to do QTS as an OTT:

1. ASK for what documents they require right at the start. ALL of the required documents. And get them right away.
2. Book in to take the QTS skills test as soon as possible. Don't wait until you are completing the portfolio and doing all of you portolfio r other work - get it done early early early.
3. Get yourself a mentor. An actual mentor that is well seasoned in the school. And make sure you are working on the portfolio each week WITH that mentor.

Can you tell I've had a bit of a difficult experience. But it's ok. Because it's over. And now - we wait for the official documents, just so I know it's not a mistake.

Firsts!

2009-02-15T12:21:00.004Z

I had my first Indian Takeaway last night. We had veggie Korma for Valentines day. Well, Anti-Valentines Day. I'm impressed by the amount of things I am clueless about. Just a note: Some common phrases in American are not so polite in British Engish. Be careful what you say.....

Back to the Korma....I really liked it. And I hate curry. But that was fantastic! And the confetti rice made me very happy!

I'm hoping all of the premonitions come true though. Our lives are way swish.

Two Words

2009-02-10T19:32:00.003Z

I'm really in need of something mindless tonight.....

So here we go....

USING ONLY TWO WORDS! (it wasn't that hard)

1. Where is your cell phone? right here

2. Your significant other? HA HA

3. Your hair? really bad

4. Your mother? she's great

5. Your father? funny guy

6. Your favorite? Tesco Dancing

7. Your dream last night? Scary Man

8. Your favorite drink? Grape Juice

9. Your dream/goal? Doctorate Degree

10. What room you are in? Bed Room

11. Your hobby? musical theatre

12. Your fear? being alone!

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happily Married

14. Where were you last night? right here

15. Something that you aren't? Dirty Man?

16. Muffins? love it

17. Wish list item? designer shoes

18. Where you grew up? The ville

19. Last thing you did? Personal Statement

20. What are you wearing? Pajama pants

21. Your TV? quite little

22. Your pets? what pets?

23. Friends? "pretty girls"

24. Your life? can't complain

25. Your mood? fulfilled tonight

26. Missing someone? my family!

27. Car? no way

28. Something you're not wearing? baseball hat

29. Your favorite store? Office Max

30. Your favorite color? bright yellow

33. When is the last time you laughed? ten minutes

34. Last time you cried? last month

35. Who will resend this? no one

36. One place that I go to over and over? my work

37. One person who emails me regularly? Pam B

38. My favorite place to eat? ohhhhh chipotle!

2009-02-08T11:13:00.003Z

It's been far too long since I've posted. But hey - I'm a good girl. I've taken to hand-writing in the diary Dave got me before I left for England! We had our first SNOW day on Thursday. It seems that everyone was getting them and I just happy we jumped on the Snow train as well - even if we had like two inches of snow.

Warm and Toasty

2009-01-07T21:51:00.002Z

It might be cold outside, but I'm actually nice and cozy. That doesn't usually happen, but it's true!

Well, the holidays are over and it's back to the good old routine. I enjoy routine, I really do. I really need to get back on my "rise and shine" timetable, but I'd say I'm doing pretty well. Coffee has been my best friend these past few days.

The two days of work has been great as well. My New Year's resolution was to not sweat the small stuff. I worry far too much, and I'm going to make a conscious effort to keep myself calm. And 7 days in, I'm doing well and I'm really enjoying it. Today I even managed to get four sections of my QTS portfolio done. When you actually sit and do it, it goes fairly quick. That was in about two hours. Not too shabby. Now, to get the 29 other ones done.

I'm currently singing very loudly to Brian Adams. Can't go wrong with that.

Well, it's 10:00 - and that means I'm getting into bed. It's a bit earlier than normal, but by the time I actually fall asleep, it might be just the right time.

Here's to a good start to the new year.

The Year in REVIEW!

2009-01-03T11:33:00.005Z

January
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: Yes! To Pass my driving test and get a car!
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: Hendo, Gemma, Teanby, Hendo's family....Jane?
3. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?: Still a no - but I did see Big Ben at Midnight via TV.

February
1. Who was your valentine in 2008?: Henson! We were coming back from holiday in Sicily!
2. What did your valentine get you?: She probably got me a coffee!
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: Oh yes. I still give them out!

March
1. Are you Irish?: Oh yea 50%
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: No. In fact, it was a complete miss. HOW sad!!!
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2008: Nothing. I went to work. Taught. Went home and went to bed.

April
1. Do you like the rain?: Not at all.
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year? Nope. And no one played one on me.
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?: Lucy in Year 7 gave me a Galaxy bar and Hendo's mum gave me an Easter Egg!

May
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: I'm still working on that......
2. Do you like the spring?: Yes. Skirts and NO PANTY HOES
3. What would you think of as a spring color?: Yellow!

June
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 2002 and 2006 -- waiting for 2010 for the MEd.
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: Nope, we were still in school!

July
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?: Work! I did say "Happy 4th!" and everyone said "Shut up, Yank. We got rid of you, We abandoned you."
2. Went on any vacations during this month?: Went on holiday to the HOME....odd as it sounds.

August
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: Got locked in a mall in Chicago because of Tornado warnings?
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '08?: Hendo and I going out every night and not having to pay for a single drink.
3. Do you go swimming a lot in the summer?: No. The only water I go in is my bath....
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?: No....but now with a car, maybe?

September
1. Who is your favorite teacher?: Bezzeg - and at Cambridge John Finney. He is brilliant!
2. Do you like fall better than summer?: I like the relaxation of the summer, but I do like the feel of Fall.

October
1. What was your favorite halloween costume? All the way MAY! from a League of their Own
2. What's your favorite candy?: Haribo sweets mmmmm
3. What did you dress up like this year?: Nothing. Dad was here, we didn't celebrate. We went to Wembly to see US football and dressed up at angry tourists.

November
1. Whose house do you usually go to for thanksgiving?: Mine.....It was a miss this year because "Peter Pan" opened! So perhaps I could say the Darling house and the home of the Lost Boys....
2. Do you like stuffing?: Yes.
3. What are you thankful for?: My UK family.

December
1. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: Still a no.....still. Really. I did buy it this year from creepy old men.
2. What do you want this year for christmas?: I asked Santa for a sexy man.
3. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas?: This year my mum got me the books "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" - she knows me all too well....
4. Do you like cold weather?: Not a chance....

1) How would you rate your 08(1-10)?: I'd say a 6. I was tired and there were some really good times.

2) Where were you when 2008 began? West Lynn

3) Who were you with? Jane's family had a party - so her fam and friends, the Hendo's, Gemma, Chris.....

4) Where will you be when 2008 ends? In West Lynn - with Hendo's family - chilling in the living room!

5) Who will you be with when 2008 ends? Hendo's!

6) Do you have a new years resolution for 2008? Don't Sweat Small stuff. If in doubt, ask friends. LONDON. And I'm putting a Sexy man on this list (as Santa didn't get one for me).

7) Did you fall in love in 2008? No. Not even a date. Unless you count 'date night'

8) You regret it? No. It was horrifying what I went through, but it was pretty impressive that I made it out alive.

9) Did you breakup with anyone in 2008? No.

10) Did you make any new friends in 2008? Yes! All of my Cambridge mates - Pero and Laura and Jenny. The lot of them are fantastic! And then there is the cast and crew of Witches of Eastwick. They are BRILLIANT! Mr. Sir, Daddio, "joe" from Continental (and his free ice cream from first class), Brendan Teahan, Paddy (Who lives with Brendan and has a sister named Margaret-Ellen), Senator Duck, Marc Norris

11) Who is your favorite new friend? I don't have favourites.

12) What was your favorite month of 2008? February - going to Sicily for the first time. August. No school, for starters, but the trip to America was fantastic!

13) How many different places did you travel to in 2008?: Oh I did well with this. Palermo, Sicily - Milazzo and Novara (along with some other cities), Dublin, Ireland (TWICE). In England: Nottingham, Stone Henge, Birmingham (what a shit hole), Castle Rising, Magdalen, WALPOLE, Tilney All Saints, Huntington....how about London and the Movieum?

14) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008? Physically? No. Mentally - yea, I really have lost touch with a lot of people.

15) Did you miss anyone in the past year? Yes. I miss Jen Lillash!

16) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008? I'm loving Mamma Mia!

17) Do you enjoy where you are now? I'm ok.

18) What was your proudest moment of 2008? Taking a bow on the Corn Exchange Stage for Witches of Eastwick.

19) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008? I The many times I've been scolded at work.

20) What are your plans for 2009? Rock out at Cambridge, really rely on the girls, LONDON.

2008 was shocking. So shocking it is actually shicking. I did so much, and I'm really proud of what I've done, especially in the world of theatre. I directed three plays and was in one. All in the span of one year. That's incredible. But something wasn't sitting right. Not sure what that is, but it really wasn't me. I feel like the old me is back. I'm armed with my mates and my "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" book.

Well, my Cosmo horoscope is looking pretty good!

Bring it on!

Going HOME

2008-12-19T22:39:00.003Z

Tomorrow I head to London and will be staying in a rather swish hotel. My flight back to the States is early on Sunday! I am incredibly happy to be headed home -- I am actually missing the place I was so desperate to flee....

School finished off on a rather high note -- classes were quite good all week. Staff....they were ok as well.

I am pondering some New Year's resolutions. I achieved last year's of passing my driving test and getting a car. Now what??

I shall ponder some more....and let you know. On the flight I will we working on my Cambridge essay and reading "The Last Lecture."

I hate flying, so I'm hoping we get a good pilate!!

Ohio -- here I come!!! See you all State Side!

Oi! Christmas is upon us!

2008-12-07T14:02:00.004Z

PETER PAN! It was an absolute success! I'm not sure how much money we raised for Great Ormond Street Hospital, but I know we had a sold out audience both nights (must be over 1,000!). The Kids loved - and that's what matters the most! I really am going to miss working with them - they were such a great bunch. But I have learned a very important lesson. When directing a play by myself - don't cast more than 20. 55 was a HUGE amount! But that is 55 kids who got to do something spectacular - small role or large. The pictures were taken by one of my crew kids on our dress rehearsal, so they aren't perfect, but it's still nice to see. :)

School has been a bit of a struggle lately, as some people might have guessed. I've not been 100%, fell ill a few times. I was just plain miserable. Since the end of the show I've shifted. Perhaps it's Christmas, perhaps it's less stress, perhaps it's finding an intelligent outlet like Cambridge -- I don't know what it is, but I'm back to my usual self. Super energetic and annoying....but loving the season. AND DRIVING! My little Clio is fantastic!

In other news Cambridge has been fantastic! I am working on my Essay 1 - where I am discussing Picture Books and the benefits of using them in secondary schools. There is a lot of enthusiasm around my topic with the professors and they are anticipating something fantastic. Hopefully I can deliver! I've been doing plenty of reading and it's actually a really interesting topic. Dad has been listening to me babble on about mimesis and pedagogy - so it's been on my mind 24/7 - although I'm sure he'd rather I not go on about it....

I've been getting involved with my Hall as well - Trinity Hall apparently owns HALF of England. It's a really big deal! I didn't know that! I went to a Grad Hall dinner and then the Grad Christmas dinner. FANTASTIC! Was met with champagne at the door and the Headmaster came up to me and was talking to be about this and that. Then the meal was three course with a different wine for each course. Port with the dessert (traditional Christmas pudding and mince pies). I sat next to Phillipe who is a Canadian studying engineering. I happened to sit by him at Grad hall as well - so I was so relieved to know someone! Usually we wear our black gowns, but for this occasion it was super fancy. I have a BEAUTIFUL Laura Ashley dress I will be wearing for the Christmas season. The headmaster even said I looked "Lovely as Christmas." Oh, I love Cambridge. Not sure what I want to do next, but the faculty I work with on Arts in Ed say I need to get myself to the Cambridge area.

At the house we have put up a Christmas tree - we call it a Pimp-mas tree. It's black fibreoptic with silver baubles and tinsel. I chose the pink star. The guys love it - very impressed with how pimp it is.

Today I am being quite lazy. I stayed up late last night cleaning (NO idea why....), did some laundry today and have just been messing about with photos and laundry today. I think I will do some more reading, perhaps some writing on my essay. Star Wars 1 is on later today, so I'm looking forward to watching that. Very "Christmas-y". I'm also going to DRIVE to Tesco because they have donation boxes for Africa. I have some clothes and shoes I am going to donate (Yes, mum, I am donating shoes. That means I can buy a new pair or two!!!)

Well, I'd say that's it for me! Home in 2 week! 10 MORE DAYS OF CLASS! TWO more lessons with each class!

Sick Day ponderings...

2008-12-02T20:10:00.003Z

I miss things the way they used to be. But then again, I can't tell if I miss things they way they were, or if I miss the way I used to feel. After spending the day half conscious, half staring at the computer screen, I found my mind drifting back to the old days.

I've been through so much over the years. Experienced so many different things, been to different places, took so many different paths. It's a good story. Who would have thought that their life makes for a good story?

There are exciting aspects, sad aspects. I play the good guy, I play the bad guy. I am incredibly stupid and I am pretty damn intelligent. Every decision I made has led me to where I am. Am I happy with that? I don't know.... Some days I am, and some days I'm not. Either way, I'm learning something. Learning about myself, learning about the world.

The next question is....what next?

I am not loving the idea of sitting stagnant, and I do not like the idea of remaining a drifter. I want to find a place for me.

I have this fuzzy idea of what I want. I suppose I need to narrow it down. Start making some clear decisions. There's a plan in tact.

Then again....last time I came up with an idea of what I wanted....well, I ended up on my own in England.

We shall see how this works out....

Leaving Never Land

2008-12-01T18:49:00.002Z

"Peter Pan" has come to a close. Am I happy? Sad?

I think I'm just a bit exhausted.

I know I'm not going to direct a play of that magnitude again. The idea of getting as many kids involved as possible - yea, big mistake. A cast of 55 ... I was asking for it.

Well that chapter is over and now what? I've got a nice long period of relaxation on the cards....amongst other things.

Still have to work on the QTS portfolio.....the bloody awful, horrid hoop they make foreign teachers jump through.

And then there's my Cambridge essay. First one! Fantastic! But quite intimidating. I'm looking at Picture Books and their uses in Secondary Schools. I've read some fantastic books on the subject. Actually came across the idea of Mimesis. That's crazy interesting. Doesn't really apply to this Essay - but perhaps I will focus my next on it.

Mimesis is imitation in the sense of “re-presentation." Recreating something based on what you have previously seen. How all great ideas are born.

Interesting....something to ponder...Vague. Just like this country.

I'm off work tomorrow. The new muscle relaxants are a bit strong, so they have put me off into fairy land. I like it. I'll watch "Run Fatboy, Run" and perhaps even "Love Actually." Oooooooo..."Elf?"

I love the Christmas season....I'll tell you what though, Star Wars IV was on last night....I could really go for Episode III. What a nerd.....

Apologies for the jumpy post....it's the meds....

Until the next time....

2008-11-25T19:22:00.000Z

Peter Pan

Two days.

I'm a bit scared...........

Will we be ready?

Still stressing....

2008-11-21T20:27:00.002Z

I've been really under the weather this year.

I know I need to toughen up and say "F off" to people who try and pull me down - but it's bloody HARD. I have never had to deal with people who pick on me and criticize me over everything.

For the record:
I'm FAR FROM a push over.
I CAN handle my job.
I DO think some policies are stupid.
I like MY way, and I don't see why I don't get to do things MY way at least some of the time.
I appreciate people telling me what I do WELL, not WRONG.

I happen to know that I kick ass at my job.
The kids love me and actually work for me because we have mutual respect for each other.
I have just directed a fantastic play that has taken the whole school by storm.
I have brilliant mates who support me in everything I do - whether it be too much or too crazy.

I'm sorry, but I am far too fabulous to be dealing with mediocrity.

I'm going to win a Nobel Prize for my educational research, I'm going to have plenty of inspiration for what not to do.

Attitude swap begins NOW.

2008-11-16T22:10:00.004Z

Yes, I haven't updated in far too long. Time just seems to slip away from you when you are feeling beat. Tons has happened - both good and bad. My quest for World Domination has failed....or so it feels. It's incredible that one thing can pull you down so far...

School is ok...
Kids are fantastic. They really make the job worth it. I'm not sure about the policies though. There seems to be a ridiculous amount of pressure on teachers from all different directions. I'm sick of hearing about "can't" and "don't." It's such a negative environment. We are meant to inspire kids, but what about inspiring ourselves! I had to write out my faithful Shel Silverstein poem and stick it on my wall. Just a little bit of help:

"Listen to the Mustn't, Child
Listen to the Don'ts
Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossible's the Won'ts,
Listen to the Never Have's
Then Listen Close to Me
Anything can happen, child
Anything can be."

When you get sucked under by all of the negativity, there has to be something to lift your spirits and get you out. I've hit rock bottom. I don't think I've ever cried so much. I don't even know why. It has to be frustrating for everyone around me because I'm sure there are sick of hearing about it. But I hope they remember - I'm the one stuck feeling like this.

I will say this - Christmas is in the air, and nothing makes me happier than Christmas.

So many good things have happened and are happening. I won't let this QTS nightmare get me down.

I finally passed my driving test and bought a car! My little red Renault Clio is the most fabulous thing of the year! It was my New Year's resolution. The best part is driving to Tesco. You can have a hobby of baking when you have to walk to and from the shops. Not happening.

Cambridge is also fantastic. I bought my Academic Robes the other day. I'm going to a Grad Hall dinner on Wednesday. I am thinking it's going to be very Harry Potter like. I have no idea what to expect and I am scared stiff, but I think it will be a fabulous opportunity.

Class at Cambridge is also fantastic. I love every aspect of it. It's hard, yes, but it's fantastic. Really stimulating to have access to such intelligence and creative thinking.

I'm heading to bed. I need to wash the negativity from today out of my system and start fresh. Peter Pan tickets go on sale tomorrow - so I'm sure that will be exciting. I can't believe we only have two weeks - NOT EVEN - before the show opens. I'm scared!

ALL THINGS ARE PASSING. THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
(you cheat, you die)
(as Mr. Divis used to say)

WITCHES

2008-10-17T10:03:00.003+01:00

Witches of Eastwick is underway!! I have loved it! The energy! The lights! I am happy to get involved with something like this again.

I need to take some photos tonight!

Exhausted....

2008-10-12T21:54:00.003+01:00

Witches of Eastwick opens on Wednesday.

Failed driving test.

Second day of Cambridge Wednesday.

First day of Cambridge went well, but I felt ill.

QTS meeting on Tuesday.

Lesson observations this week.

Dad comes in in a week and half.

NFL in two weeks.

I need a holiday.

Sick days....

2008-10-06T15:24:00.002+01:00

It's been ages since I have updated my blog - and that's a poor effort from myself.

Today I called in sick. I never call in sick and actually felt more guilty about calling in than the actual sickness. With my musical opening in a week, I don't think I can afford to be ill. Get better soon was my only thought.

So I have spent most of the day sleeping. I have so much going on this week, I need to be on my A game tomorrow.

Peter Pan is still underway. My cast of 54 keeps me very busy. With the show in November I feel as though we are ahead of schedule. Now, if only they all learn their lines by next week, we are in brilliant shape.

Witches of Eastwick, as I've said, Opens next Wednesday. I'm loving being a part of the Players and the show is just brilliant. I have a hysterical little devil costume I have to wear while dancing around in a "sexy" manner. Yes, the students in the production are having a field day. It's a great opportunity to be IN theatre though -so I'm embracing the show! Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Woo hoo!

Wednesday I start Cambridge! My masters degree will take two years....what an experience. I have no idea what I am in store for....I just know it's Cambridge, and it's creativity.

Thursday is my driving test as well. Hopefully I pass - because that means I can have a car and that means - I am an official resident. There's something special about getting a car. I am looking forward to it. Cross your fingers!

Hopefully I am back to work tomorrow. It's very dull being ill....

And here we go again....

2008-08-29T20:20:00.002+01:00

School starts on Wednesday. Hooray! It's been a nice summer. First summer I haven't worked since....well, I was 15. That a lot of years of working. I think it was a well deserved break. I'm actually looking forward to work. I really have missed the colleagues and the kids. Some people I'm not looking forward to seeing, but others - oh yea, they are brilliant.

I have high expectations for this year. I'm going to be quite busy. Teaching, working on my QTS, starting Cambridge and my MEd, Directing "Peter Pan" from Sept - Nov, and being in "Witches of Eastwick" until October. I'm pooped! Christmas is going to be fabulous!

Dad is coming over in October for NFL at Wembly. I am SO Pumped! That will be brilliant!! That leaves Brian as the only one in the family to not have been to London. I think we will have to arrange something. He would like London. And seeing something athletic.

Woop woop woop. It's Friday night and I have some reading to do.

Hasta Luego.

yes...no...yes....no....yes?

2008-08-20T11:45:00.002+01:00

Internet is a battle now - finally after a week I have a new BT service. Unfortunately, it goes off and on ever five seconds. The return to the UK has been OK -- I'm quite homesick, but I think that is just because I'm not doing anything. When I keep busy, I'm fine, and I believe I will be quite busy this year.

My new iPhone purchase has been the most exciting thing in my life as of late. I do love it. I'm also taking my driving test on Oct 9. Whether or not I deserve to and am ready....well....that's not to be discussed.

Saturday the new house mates move in. I feel like I am on big brother.... Hopefully they are more decent then the last bunch.

I'm now off to the hospital for some therapy. Wish I had a car....or a bike.....roller skates even....

States for a few more hours...

2008-08-10T07:22:00.001+01:00

In 24 hours I will have just landed in London. The time spent at home has been quick. There are so many things I didn't get to do that I wish I could have done. I'm leaving frustrated, annoyed and unsure. That's never a good sign. And to think - I have committed myself to two more years in England. I'm happy to be going to Cambridge and happy to work in a school for three years, but I miss home.

I don't really feel as though either is my home. Oh no...I've turned into a drifter...

OW

2008-07-22T22:59:00.003+01:00

It hurt like none other.

And now I am in pain with seven stitches in my wrist. That bloody well HURT. Who would have thought I needed three injections of numbing agent? Oh....we wouldn't have known until we cut into me and I actually FELT it.

Sympathy, Continental??? Please???

Next time -- State Side....

KNIFE!

2008-07-21T22:52:00.002+01:00

Under the knife tomorrow. The good thing? Medical care is free. Thank goodness. It might be minor, but it's still surgery!

In 48 hours I will be back in the States! Unbelievable! One year went by very quickly. Next year is going to pretty interesting...We shall see what trouble I get into....

Waterstooooooones!

2008-07-20T09:57:00.003+01:00

While strolling past the high street Waterstone's I saw a sign that said "You gave us your stories. Here are our favourites." First place - ME. I was quite impressed with myself! Apparently each store had to pick two that they liked and submit them to the contest. I'm going to be vain and say that I want to win the whole contest. It's for Dyslexia awareness and winners are published in the "your story" book with authors like JK Rowling, Lauren Child, and Nick Hornby. http://www.waterstoneswys.com/

Today I am prepping for my trip home. Cleaning, organising, packing. Can't wait to go home. So many things that I want to do. Chipotle, Malleys, Shopping, visits with the Grandparents. Also going to see one of the old principals I worked for. Maybe, just maybe, when I tell him what I've been getting up to, I'll have a job waiting for me in two years. That would be brilliant.

I think the first thing I am going to do is sit around in my pjs watching Hollyoaks. I had a tough week - it's summer holiday. I'm going to relax!

:)

2008-07-18T21:00:00.001+01:00

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

Tomorrow!

2008-07-15T22:24:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow! Tomorrow!!

LAST teaching day! And I won't even be there! Driving theory test at 9:40. That is super scary. It's just the theory!! Calm down. By the time I get to school, my only class of the day will be over. I'm going to make a stop at Tesco and get some snacks for the trips on Thursday and Friday to London. That's 12 hours on a coach. Oh my.......

Also getting my hair did tomorrow night. I'd like something new. Let's see what Kelly can whip up for me. Followed by Witches of Eastwick rehearsal. Dancing. Since I'm missing two of the choreography rehearsals, I'm hoping this one gets me in the front.

Can't wait for the week to be over. It's been dragging....and I'm ready for a holiday!

I'M EXHAUSTED!

2008-07-12T09:58:00.003+01:00

This is the longest school year of my life. It feels as though it's never going to end. Where's the summer? There is no summer in the UK. Just rain. Rain and cold. BOO for that. Two weeks and I'm back in the ville. That will be super though -I can't wait for the sun, shorts, and bikinis!

Next week is the FINAL week of my first year at KES. I can't believe it. Not to contradict myself, but one year went by so quickly (it's just the home stretch that is taking AGES). So much has happened, so much has changed. What an experience. I'm looking forward to my second year. More classes, doing a new play, being in my first british musical (although it's an American show) and starting up at Cambridge! Driving...having a car....having new and improved housemates. It's all looking up.

Next week we are doing lessons for the first three. So I only have a few more lessons to work out in my head. Who am I kidding? They are all playing the same game which reviews everything we have done this year. It's a great chance for them to show what they have learned and for me to watch them be so incredibly engaged. I'm looking forward to an easy week.

Wednesday is the dreaded Theory test. I'm going to pass. I'm going to spend all day Sunday revising. I can do this. And I will pass with flying colour!

I'm now on my way to Cambridge for some throat meds. Can't get them here...who would have thought. Maybe I'll get myself a hoodie....new student and all. :)

100

2008-07-06T21:15:00.003+01:00

This is my 100th post!! woooooo!! Although I must say, I can do better than that. I ramble quite often, but I think I should make an effort to ramble a bit more often.

There are TWO more - count em - TWO more weeks of school left. I am jumping for joy! This week holds Year 10 Academic Reviews....why in the second to last week of term...but whatever....ALso Witches rehearsal and a Staff BBQ! Next week we have classes from Monday to Wednesday and then Thursday and Friday is Activity Days. Hairspray on Thursday and then the London Eye on Friday. I'm super pumped.

23rd I'll be headed back to the homeland. That should be entertaining as well. I am living out of my filofax as well. I'm a bit obsessed actually. Brand new....and it's already full. Geeeze.

I have also moved rooms in my house - rent went up, but I'm super happy because not only is the room bigger and I actually have floor space - but I have my own bathroom as well!! Brilliant!!!!

I'm off to bed - super excited about the upcoming two weeks! School is ALMOST out for Summer!

FIN!

2008-06-28T13:11:00.002+01:00

The play has come to a close!! Our first night was a bit rough - but the cast and crew really kicked butt on the second and third night! We had a low audience attendance: 33, 27, and then 55 on the closing night. Monday I have tally up the sales and see how well we did! Hopefully we have plenty to donate to the Endoscopy Unit at the hospital.

What's up for next year? We'll just have to see!

It's all in the timing.

2008-06-21T09:28:00.002+01:00

Time seems to be going by much faster these days. Four more weeks of school to go!

NEXT week is my play "All in the Timing." It's been a lot of work, but I'm quite excited!I had one student drop out last week - I wasn't very impressed. I have a few others who haven't learned all of their lines. I need to work on my scary as all hell director aura for next year's play. We were in the paper - HUGE picture! Check it out here!!

Last night was the Year 13 Leavers Dinner. It was so sad - I know the 13s were only my form for like six months, but they were fabulously awesome during those six months. It was the best part of the day (especially when you primarily teach 7,8,9s). Hopefully I can get my hands on some of those pictures. Chrissy got the award for best female teacher - RIGHTLY so - she is brilliant with them and they love her!

Also trying to get my drivers license - I have to take the written exam, but I misplaced my provisional license....so that's not going to happen until I can find it...or order a new one. But you know the minute I order a new one and Pay 17 quid for it - I'll find the other one. It seems to have vanished. I should have never taken it out of my purse. I have a driving lesson today, so lets hope that I dropped it in the instructors car. If not - it's unfortunate.

Really looking forward to heading home. Hendo is coming with me - so it should be twice as exciting. I think I'll appreciate home more with someone who has never experienced the joys of North East Ohio. I'm writing up a list of things I just have to do.

Funny - 2008 has been a UK year. As will 2009 and 2010. Wow. That's really scary. Cambridge better be worth it!

Stages

2008-06-03T22:41:00.004+01:00

Today I composed a poem. It doesn't really make sense unless you know me and my story. But that's ok. I don't think anyone knows my story.

Stages

Welcome to the world....
being born, beginning to live. learning how to walk, talk and be. learning to hold your head up. learning your name.

Going to School...
starting the formal process. making friends, meeting siblings, trying not to cry.

Growing up...
learning that I wasn't smart, I wasn't first, I wasn’t anything special. I was stubborn, I was a drama queen.

Bleeding Green and Grey...
finding the meaning of community, doing what I wanted to do. experiencing, laughing.

Move Along....
everything changes. people change. desires change. feelings towards life changes. it’s called “growing up.”

Blank Canvas....
working hard to become a worker. starting over. making new friends, being a new person. finding love. losing. losing everything.

MAKE A CHOICE
who will you be? where will you go?

pray that you chose correctly.

Starting out on a journey....
new faces, new places. striving for something, yet not knowing what. starting again. trying to smile. Trying to find ---

Seven seems like an awfully big number...

2008-06-02T21:25:00.003+01:00

First day back and it wasn't the welcome I was hoping for. I had planned on doing one, and it didn't work out, so I swapped for something else, and the technology didn't work out. I felt like I lost the battle of teaching today -- and I only had two classes! Good grief....

The Play has now taken over most of my thoughts. I am concerned that we only have four weeks. Two of those four weeks half of my cast is off on work experience. My nerves are through the roof. "All in the Timing" now feels like a death threat. Everything works out in the end. So. Let's see how this goes.

Busy week ahead as well. One more rehearsal for my run crew then to the gym tomorrow, getting my hair did on Wednesday (I will have to post a photo), followed by Lee Evans. Thursday is cheerleading and then Friday I have a makeup clinic with some girls who are helping with it for the play. I suppose if I was busy I would be bored. No time to be busy in this life.

Looking forward to the weekend more than ever....

Had a pub night tonight. I could use more pub nights in my week. They might make me less cynical and catty -- something teaching has turned me into...Fabulous company makes the world a better place. It's right up there with the nobel prize winners.

I've also given up chocolate. Well. Maybe not entirely, but I'm going to make a mad attempt to be a bit more careful of what I eat. Close to summer, and that means that you have to wear bikinis. Well, in oHIo you do. I'm not sure the sun ever really comes out in the UK.... I suppose I do have a holiday in the homeland to look forward to!

Oh - and the time with Ron was lovely. Here's a

bit of a snapshot:

(Yea, we'll always have a mad case of sibling rivalry)

Seven

2008-06-01T15:34:00.002+01:00

Seven more weeks of school!

Half term is officially over. Erin headed back to the states on Saturday morning, and now it's just me. Very sad. But on the upside, we had an excellent two weeks. Everything from messing about at school to messing about in front of Buckingham Palace. Lizzie....she needs to invest in some bins for her front yard.

The upcoming week is quite busy. I feel as though it's going to be a hectic one, but should be excellent. Play rehearsal Monday and Tuesday, Hair did on Wednesday, Cheerleading on Thursday - and then it's Friday! There, I just lived the week. Seven more. Seven more.

I'm also making an attempt to get my head around the whole Driving test -- Hazard and Perception is getting my attention this week.

Life is Beautiful

2008-05-19T20:37:00.003+01:00

Well. When the sun shines, it certainly shines. This whole optimistic thing is really working out in my favor. Maybe I'm just fabulous. Either way, things are working out - and when things work out, I'm happy.

I'm happy to say I will be playing Mavis Jessup in the Kings Lynn Players production of The Witches of Eastwick. The show kicks off in a few weeks, opening in October. It's a fabulous production, great group of people - and it's a musical. Hello! What's not to love!

First Cambridge, now the show. What a week.

Ron is here as well. We are both vegging out (Mondays for me, Jet lag for her). Hopefully she enjoys her stay in jolly old England. She is experiencing my week by week. So that's pretty entertaining. I never stop. How great is that. Next week will be FABULOUS in London. Who knows where else we go. The sky is the limit.

WAHOO

2008-05-14T22:32:00.001+01:00

Guess who was accepted to Cambridge??

THAT WOULD BE ME.

Hey ho - let's go

2008-05-13T21:21:00.002+01:00

Busy busy busy. Who would want it any other way?

Today was the most exciting day. I had my interview at Cambridge for the MEd program at the Faculty of Education. I felt so comfortable in the building and loved the atmosphere. I have my fingers crossed, and I'm looking forward to the results. I could be a Cambridge girl!!

Tomorrow is another big day - auditions for the Lynn Players "Witches of Eastwick." I have the dance and the American accent down. I only need to work on the LAST LINE of the audition song. Being a soprano has never been so tough.

Erin comes in to Gatwick Sunday! Hendo and I are leaving Lynn at about 4:30 to pick her up. She'll have a nice snooze - we'll be singing at the top of our lungs in order to stay awake. With the first half of summer term concluded next week, I'm wrapping up my lesson plans this week, and I'm super enthused about Ronner taking over my classes. Let's she how she fares with them...

Looking forward to half term madness -- playing tourist in London! Watch out - TWO McManus' on the loose! With a Henson!

Not afraid....anymore

2008-05-04T13:45:00.002+01:00

What a past few weeks. My respects go out to those who have directed plays/musicals. Wowsa... "Two" opened up Wednesday and closed on Friday. Although it's one of those minimalistic plays, it was a heck of a lot of work.

The show takes place in a bar and is meant to have two actors play all of the characters that come in and out of the bar during the evening. I had nine actors - sixth form students - only one of which studies drama. They worked hard, learning huge monologues and duologues.

In the end - their performances were great. Excellent talent and excellent runs.

The downside? Very poor support from the students and staff at KES. Parents? Come on, England. You have to have a bit more school spirit than that. We did raise some money for the hospital, but not enough. We can do MUCH better than that for the next show.

The only downside to the wave of relief of "Two"'s conclusion, is my awareness that I have my second play opening up June 25 -- "David Ives, All in the Timing."

I'm ready to crack some skulls. June will approach quickly. Better make the most of my time now.

So we continue

2008-04-20T21:30:00.002+01:00

Heather and I have been continuously working on this "new department" buisness. I've learned a few valuable things:

1. To start from scratch means that you can make your own rules. I like this concept...it promotes creativity.

2. Team Teaching makes life easier. I've learned a lot from Heather, and I hope she has picked up some ideas from me as well. It gives the kids something new and improved - but not really.

3. The sky is the limit. Get yourself some enthusiastic students and things start to happen.

Get ready, get set - KES has a new and improved drama department. Things are looking pretty interesting.

First up - "Two" -- April 30, May 2.

Little did I know....

2008-04-14T22:17:00.002+01:00

Interesting meeting I had today at school. I learned that my department has only existed since I came to the school in August. Ohhhhh - so that's why my life is so difficult. I see. Right. A pioneer! It would have been nice to know this beforehand, but I suppose you have to roll with the punches sometimes.

So creating a department from scratch. Well, when you get two individuals as go-hung as Heather and Myself, you have to consider that we're out to ruffle some feathers. I see some changes in the future of KES, and I am oh-so-happy that the kids are taking charge and using their intellect to make something of the department. Things like taking our rooms back. Would you believe they take away both drama rooms for a month for exams? We are stuck in classrooms. Not a chance. Other things like altering room space. Making my classroom a DRAMA room....not a trashed music room. I will take care of my space.

A drama committee has been formed and things are starting to happen. Declaring our space, creating show calenders for next year, PICKING shows. How exciting is it that I get to do exactly what I want? I'm directing - something I couldn't do at home because I was a novice! Here -my experience counts for something. Hoopla!

I've been quite frustrated as of late, but now, I feel awesome. I'm busy, and loving my extracurricular work. Directing two plays is tough, but I love it. I feel as though I owe it to these kids to put in a few years of good work. After all, they are putting a ton of work into this drama committee. They need the department (pioneers) to back them up.

AND - how cool is this: We are working with the hospital. I'm the deputy in charge of charity work involving theatre, the hospital and money raised to HELP the hospital. I love it!! Proceeds from "Two" are already heading to the Endoscopy Unit - who knows what else we can do!

Things are looking up. And I am so excited to be submerged into the world of theatre.

She sighs....

2008-03-28T00:46:00.002Z

Sometimes you have to step back and look at where you stand. I stand for a lot of things these days: life, proper grammar usage, the pursuit of happiness. You know, the usuals. But a new one has entered the mix. I stand for being a star. Someone once said you should be the leading lady in your own life. I don’t feel like a leading lady.

I might have been stuck in the chorus throughout my theatrical life, but you would think I would have the chance to star in my own life.

End of Term, Baby!

2008-03-25T10:37:00.001Z

We are officially in the midst of our two week holiday. It was much needed, reflected in my previous posts. Easter was full of SNOW and I got to frolic through it on my way to church. It was pretty - and I actually enjoyed it 10 times more than the rain.

And what adventure am I headed towards? WELL. Henson and I are headed off to Dublin again for some fabulousness with some fabulous people. We are crashing at Brendan's pad, and just hanging out for a week in the good ol' city of Irishness. It would have been nice to go somewhere sunny, but I think when you are looking for character, Dublin is the only answer.

Looking towards the next holiday (sad, right?) - Ron will be here. We'll be rocking around the UK - seeing the sights, playing tourist. And then the next break - summer holiday! I'll be headed back to the US of A to see the fam!

When you look at your life in terms of days off - wow - it goes by fast!

Loosing sight of the beautiful

2008-03-19T22:22:00.003Z

Loosing sight of the beautiful. It's sad, but true. Watching the news it's one thing after the other - hate, war, evil. I should really ask my landlords to get a digital ariel so I have channels other than BBC news....

It was one of those struggles today at school. There were some tears. Then there was a glass of wine with my department head and Henson. It was one of those "inadequate" days - I was frustrated and angry. The kids were NOT on my side today. As I was telling Heather this some of my year 7s walked by and there was a chorus of "Hi MISS!" Defeated my point...but those year 7s are lovely. I've turned miserable. Miserable and impatient.

I've lost sight of the beautiful.

Is it the end of term yet??

2008-03-18T21:33:00.002Z

It's TUESDAY. That means two more days until Easter Holiday. CAN'T WAIT. You get to that point where you are just like "Ok...I'm ready for a holiday" - and I am at that point.

I was eavesdropping on two of our PGC students today - well - they were talking quite loud in the quiet work area and I was busy working, but also listening - and one asked the other if she still wanted to be a teacher after four weeks of student teaching. The girl replied that she was always tired, her feet constantly hurt, her eyes were being held up with matchsticks....she didn't know if she wanted to be a teacher after all.

Come on. It's a hard job - does anyone really think it's a walk in the park. Some days I'm ready to throw the towel in - days like today where one thing went wrong after the other - but I don't. I go home, do what I need to do, and the next day I am refreshed and ready. It is hard, but I couldn't give up my job. I love being a teacher.

Consider - I've come from a completely different lifestyle. I wasn't raised with the system of education they were raised with. Just figuring everything out and trying to establish yourself as a part of the community as a foreigner - it's hard work. Stressful, emotional and downright annoying. But I do it. And I think I do it well.

BUT - as much as I love my job, I know when I need to recharge my batteries. I definitely need to recharge as soon as possible.

TWO days....two days. Then, it's off to...... who knows.

Clutch Control!

2008-03-15T20:45:00.004Z

Today I had my first UK driving lesson. WOW. I have never been so afraid in my life. I've been driving for what - 9, 10 years? Holy crap. Automatic on the Right was a breeze.... manual on the LEFT .... well. That was a different story.

My instructor was lovely. He taught me the gears and told me when to do life up the clutch, put down the clutch, signal, accelerate, break and check my mirror. I was terrified the entire time - gripping onto my steering wheel - AND crossing my hands, which you are not allowed to do.

I picked it up pretty fast, and after four or five times around the estate we were driving in I was ok with the gears. Instructor man decided it would be a good idea for me to drive home. Now....I live on the busiest road in town and it was 1:00....rush hour. I panicked. It's like I had never driven before. I couldn't remember how to break and I couldn't make the turn. I get to the main light and I have to turn left - but it was busy, so I had to go into 1st and keep my hand break on. When it came time to turn left, I couldn't switch and stalled. I was terrified because I was in the middle of the road! There were tons of people and I looked like a fool!

I was shaking when we finally reached my house. I know it takes awhile to pick up, but it's still terrible! After ten years, I am relearning how to drive. Oh boy....

Ooo Heaven is a Place on Earth

2008-03-10T19:13:00.003Z

Severe weather in the UK! High winds and rain. Very amusing....except when you have to walk to and fro in it. I would really like a downpour with thunder and lightening.... that would be slick.

We have 8 more days of school before Easter holiday! Hard to believe how quickly things are flying by. I feel like pumping the brakes sometimes, but then I realize that I'm not driving. The kids are getting antsy, but more so - the teachers are getting antsy! I can't wait for a two week holiday - it doesn't matter what I do (and I will be doing something) it just matters that I'm not constantly raising my voice to be heard and nagging students to complete assignments on time. It will be lovely!

I did a bit of a read through my past posts - just to give myself a little reminder why I wanted to come here in the first place. Yes, I am conquering the world. And it's a constant battle - clearly my wording in "the quest for world domination" was correct. I still feel as though I've made the right choice, and I know I will end up back in back home one day, but I'm happy now to be experiencing something different. I've learned so much, and I'm grateful for that.

I need to re-read The Secret, just to remind myself how to get what I want. It worked once, I'm confident it will work again. To quote "Into the Woods": If you know what you want then you go and you find it and you get it.

I have a feeling something new and exciting is brewing. Can't put my finger on it...

"Could it be? Yes it could.

Something's coming, something good, if I can wait!

Something's coming, I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be great!"

Maybe it's all of this work on West Side Story with my Year 8s. Reliving that and watching my tape from high school - wow. That's an experience and a half.... Hmm, something coming.

Stay tuned.....

Working for the weekend!

2008-03-05T12:37:00.008Z

Wednesday is the best day of the week.

Not only is it the halway point to the weekend, but it’s the day that I have two classes and THREE free periods. YES. I am a lazy cow on Wednesdays. And when I say Lazy, I mean I am not in the classroom, yelling at the top of my lungs. Instead, I am working on my quest for world domination.

Speaking of world domination, the man who put that idea into my head was spotted over the weekend. Amy, Gemma, Chrissy and I headed over to Dublin to celebrate Amy’s birthday – lucky for us, our tour guide was the man himself, Mark Daly. We checked out the Guinness Factory and then did a bit of shopping. When the lights went down on Dublin town we headed out to the posh places – Mark and his friend, Brendan lead the way. All I have to say – those two were the luckiest men in the city that night. HOW fabulous are we?

(Mark, Me, Chrissy, Amy, and Brendan)

The weekend was a success, but now it’s Wednesday and I’m still recovering from my lack of sleep. During my three fee periods I am working on my research proposal for Cambridge. I am incredibly fired up by the political aspects of education and the fact that some US schools are actually cutting fine arts programs due to money issues. Do they not know that we live in a world where creativity and innovation are key skills for success? Do they not know that through studying anything artistic, students are gaining skills in that area?? It burns me up, it really does. And to read articles that it’s happening in my own area? Check out the article …

There goes the bell and I am teaching after my tea break! Oh my! The life of a teacher!

Ciao, bella~

2008-02-19T19:20:00.005Z

Last week I headed to Sicily to see where the family lived! Fantastic journey!

Henson and I landed in Palermo Saturday night and made our way to our lovely B & B. We spent two days in the city, then met up with Sal and Mary in Milazzo in Messina, where the family is from. They live on a beach - beautiful ocean view from their front door. Loved it! They took us to Tindari to see the black Madonna.

The next day they took us to Novara - where my grandparents were born. It was amazing to see their houses and the streets where they walked. Novara is high up a curvy road in the mountains. STEEP, but lovely. You can feel the air thinner. In August the Fiesta is the highlight of the town's social scene. I think I might have to plan another trip!

We drove down the mountain, looking at the volcano Etna, and then went to Taormina - tourist capital of Sicily. Saw the train station from the Godfather. We went back to Milazzo, passing through Messina. Staying with Sal and Mary was the highlight of the trip. Those Italian drivers.....OH my.

On our last day in Palermo I purchased a pair of shoes (woop woop Italian leather!) and some cheese. Can't go wrong.

In general, I loved Sicily - Messina is far better than Palermo. I wish I spoke the language better - I knew enough to communicate, but I need to learn more. My family is going to be in Sicily for the Fiesta, so I think I might have to rejoin them. I fell in love with my Grandma's house and really want to fix it up. It could be really gorgeous.

Got my hair did

2008-02-06T21:35:00.000Z

Got my hair did. Should be interesting when I wash it and the curls are back. Looks quite posh though...I feel like Victoria Beckham.

No One Is Alone - Into the Woods

2008-01-29T22:31:00.000Z

People make mistakes.
Fathers,
Mothers,
People make mistakes,
Holding their own,
Thinking they're alone.
Honor their mistakes...
Fight for their mistakes-
Everybody makes-
One another's
Terrible mistakes.
Witches can be right,
Giants can be good.
You decide what's right,
You dedide what's good.

Just remember:
Just remember:

Someone is on your side.
Our side.
Someone else is not.
While we're seeing our side-
Maybe we forgot:
They are not alone.
No one is alone.

Hard to see the light now.
Just don't let it go.
Things will come out tight now.
We can make it so.
Someone is on you side,
No one is alone.

Fancy Smancy Sunday Dinner

2008-01-27T11:49:00.000Z

I've decided to tackle something HUGE - a stew. Doesn't seem huge, as I have a slow cooker, but it's deffo huge to me. I actually chopped veggies....I'm impressed by my bold behaviour.

Last night my glorious slumber was shattered by the sound of the doorbell and someone pounding at the door - at 3:30 in the morning. I had no death wish, so I ignored it. But it didn't stop for an hour and a half. At 5:00 I threw my duvet aside and went to the door. One of the new guys that moved in was having a friend stay the night and left him in town. The friend was stuck with no where to go - and the new guy wasn't in his room. I, however, didn't know him. He asked to stay on the couch and I said No. I don't think I was out of line - I had no clue who this guy was. I don't even know the new guy who moved in. Not interested in letting a stranger in my home.

So at 5:30 I was able to get back to sleep. Quite irritated. I've decided the whole "Shared House" thing is a royal pain in the bum. I'm not really interested in it. SO - I've upped my "Active" looking.

I'm looking forward to this stew and dumplings tonight. Hopefully it's idiot proof....

And then....

2008-01-23T20:37:00.001Z

For every terrible time, there has to be something good.

I was in a right mood today. I was very lucky I had two classes and one was assessment of monologues, the other was doing written work for poor behaviour. I was just cranky. Upset over the housing issues.

So Period 5, I'm overseeing my kids doing their writing, looking right cruel, and one of the deputy heads comes in and says "Is today your birthday?" I told her it wasn't. She told me to go to the office - immediately. She watched the class as I headed down - there was a pot of gerber daisy's. The card said "Ger-Ber-Daisies! What a good way to keep smiling!" That was it. I knew it was from Robin, and I couldn't help but smile. I'd say that was the sweetest thing ever.

Amy and I went into town after school - over dinner she seemed sad - so I put on my "I'm psycho" hat. Proceeded to dance around Tesco carpark - almost get hit by a car - dance around the CDs - purchase "The Notebook" and a "Quote Book." So that put me in a pretty good mood.

Upon getting home, I checked my email and had a message from Dean Andrews. I'm working on applying to Cambridge for my masters....don't know if they will accept me, but I'm going to try! His letter was brilliant. He wrote it about ME. I've never seen a letter so personal, discussing things I've said or accomplished that most people don't know about. Things I forgot about. He mentions it all - 2 pages. It was an excellent letter - Cambridge or not, that man is proud of what I've accomplished and thinks highly of me: "It should be clear by now that Jennifer stands out even among our Honors College graduates. She is highly disciplined, academically accomplished, eager for new challenges, in fact a whole person who will bring ambition, stamina, maturity, and the proper values to her graduate work as well as to her continued teaching." I love you, Dean Andrews!

It's true - every cloud has a silver lining. You're going to have shit days. But the good days will make up for it if you believe. And it helps to have a handful of good friends to help you get by.

Hit a Low

2008-01-22T22:11:00.000Z

I've hit an all time low here in the UK. I just cried my eyes out - and I don't really know why. I'm upset about my current living situation -something really small that blew up into a huge ordeal. It wound me up so much that I couldn't function. All I could do was cry. And the fact that "Fields of Gold" just came on the radio didn't help at all.

It really sucks to be a foreigner. You know it's going to be difficult. But you have no idea just how difficult it is. My grandpa came to America with nothing. That's how I feel. I came with nothing. It wasn't easy for him, and it sure as hell isn't easy for me. At least I speak the language.

When things go wrong, I just want a hug from my brother. Or to sit on the couch with my mom and watch a film to unwind from the day. I can't do that. I have my friends, but I don't have them with me right now. Text messages and phone calls are only good for so much. But when you CAN'T HAVE THEM WITH YOU IN PERSON BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE GUESTS - it's another story.

Something so minute started the ball rolling on a rollercoaster of emotions. Everything going wrong flooded back. Everything working against me came out. Yes - it would be so much easier to be back in the states. Things are easy there. Sometimes, I miss easy. I'm weak tonight. I can't fight it.

WEEKENDS

2008-01-20T12:25:00.000Z

I love weekends. It's a chance to sleep in. Lounge. Be lazy. I might not have done anything of importance, but it has been worth every minute. Sometimes your mind just needs a few days to chill.

I am working on a powerpoint for my lessons for the next three days. STILL kicked out of my room for exams....and still not happy about it. But I figure it's only going to get worse in the spring when the other exams are on. So dealing with it seems to be the only way to go. I think the powerpoint is a combination between Family Feud, Cranium and Jeopardy. Lovely. And it all pertains to drama. You can't go wrong with that.

I went out to Tesco and spend a ton of money on groceries. Things like flour, sugar, brown sugar....muffin tins.....My theory - at what point to you accept the fact that you are living - and actually do it? True, I'm not going to be here forever - but are we going to be anywhere forever?? I can easily ship things to the next place - it's just a matter of putting it in a box. Quite simple, really. WHY not live? If I want to bake muffins, I'm going to bake muffins.

I have my sights set on a grand prize, as well. Provided my QTS works out as it should. I'm looking at a fantastic masters program, and I have finally started to see some shape to this insane quest I've initiated months and months ago. Only time will tell....

I think the time has come to heat up some soup, pop on a disney film and finish up this ingenious powerpoint. Here's to weekends.

TGIF

2008-01-18T07:30:00.001Z

It's Friday! AND surprisingly....I am running about 25 minutes ahead of schedule. That never happens in the morning. It's been a week of highs and lows - and I've waiting until I've really calmed down to write about them.

Tuesday I had my first breakdown in the UK. It's not all wellies and double decker buses. As a foreigner, you really have to work for what you want. You must go through ten more steps than everyone else - even though you are working and paying taxes. I know citizens of this country who contribute nothing, yet they have the privileges I cannot obtain without jumping through hoops.

Everything from Driving privileges and licenses, to debit cards to qualifications - more restrictions and more paperwork. Yea - it got to me. Everything all at once just frustrates you. So what do you do ?

You go to bed. You wake up the next day. You give it your all - as you always do. And then you change your perspective. After my PDP meeting on Wednesday I managed to turn my frustration and anger into fuel to accomplish my tasks. Sometimes all you need to do is make a list and tick things off as you go.

So yes - I did get upset and say "That's it. I'm going back home." But after my meeting and after being around my friends and having one of those really good teaching days - I was able to say "Yes, I can do this."

And after 160 some days - if that was the first breakdown - that's pretty impressive.

Today, it's all about the wellies.

Progression

2008-01-14T22:19:00.001Z

And I don't me "Progressive" the horrid name of the ballpark in Cleveland. Always going to be The Jake to me.

No no -- Progression. I've accepted the fact that life is not easy. Nor will it ever be. I am going to post a story someone very wise once sent to me.

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May we all be COFFEE.

NOT always a walk in the park...

2008-01-09T23:15:00.001Z

I feel compelled to write even when I am stressed and irritated. Work is definitely stressing me out at this point, but it's all caused by unnatural things that occur in the teaching world. Sure, the kids are stresssful at times....but piecing a department back together is a nightmare.

My department head was a great guy, but left us in a state. I didn't even know what course of GCSE we were on. Luckily I found a book and used that scheme to base my lessons. The room was a disaster which was cleaned yesterday by two deputy heads - so that's one aspect corrected. The replacement teacher arrived today - which is a whole matter in itself which I will not comment on here. I want us to get organized - so that's something I'm working on pushing.

Oddly enough, every time I had a problem today, the deputy head was the one who happened to be sauntering by - I must look like I have no idea what I'm doing. She happened to be on call when I had an outrageous class which racked up a 55 minute detention through awful behaviour (each tick mark equals five minutes - good behaviour erases a tick mark - they obviously cared....).

Then there's the potential head job -- I look like a crap candidate. And it does slightly upset me that I've done so much without any help and I don't really stand a chance. Running the head's two after school clubs along with my own warrants something, or so I believe.

There's a lot of pressure from tons of different sides. I don't like change. I don't like being pushed to do something. I haven't started the term in the best mood due to this pressure. I might be giving off a negative vibe, but that's because I didn't like the changes being made around school. Some are great - like my new form - I love them as they are sixth form and a great laugh twice a day. But others - I'd rather not be a factor in.

Stress is rising. I need to start going to the gym to calm myself. And to make matters better - two rooms are going to be open at my house. What kind of looney is going to wind up living with me? Can I pray for a McFitty? Please?

A Year in Review (As completed by myself last year)

2008-01-07T20:51:00.000Z

January
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: To say something nice about someone every day.
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: My family
3. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?: No - London was way better.

February
1. Who was your valentine in 2007?: My Grandpa -we watched Everybody Loves Raymond and I stayed over because Grandma was in the hospital
2. What did your valentine get you?: Haha. Ice Cream
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: Oh yes. I still give them out!

March
1. Are you Irish?: Oh yea 50%
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: Yes. But I was running errands for the family - no celebration.
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2007: Ran some errands and felt sorry for myself.

April
1. Do you like the rain?: Not at all.
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year? My students. I told them that I was leaving them that day.
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?: A chocolate bunny at our place in Florida. Mine was in the dryer...as usual!

May
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: I'm still working on that.
2. Do you like the spring?: Yes. Skirts and NO PANTY HOES
3. 3. What would you think of as a spring color?: Yellow!

June
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 2002 and 2006
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: I was preparing for a great vacation....

July
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?: Went to the family picnic at Aunt Debbies and then missed fireworks.
2. Went on any vacations during this month?: Nope. Preparing...

August
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: YES - A leaving party. Peace out oHIo - hello UK!
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '07?: Hanging out with the Fire Dept in Orwell.
3. Do you go swimming a lot in the summer?: I still wouldn't go in that pool.
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?: Yes - I went in the water this year. Impressive. And no extra toes....

September
1. Who is your favorite teacher?: Bezzeg
2. Do you like fall better than summer?: I do - I have a job!

October
1. What was your favorite halloween costume? All the way MAY! from a League of their Own
2. What's your favorite candy?: Haribo sweets mmmmm
3. What did you dress up like this year?: Haha - I was Where's Wally

November
1. Whose house do you usually go to for thanksgiving?: Mine.....we had a British Thanksgiving this year at Teanby, Gemma's and Gary's house
2. Do you like stuffing?: Yes.
3. What are you thankful for?: My UK family.

December
1. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: Still a no.
2. What do you want this year for christmas?: Fuzzy bathrobe
3. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas?: I don't know....I love everything I've gotten. Most thoughtful was a jewelry box from Pat - still use it at home
4. Do you like cold weather?: Not a chance....

1) How would you rate your 07(1-10)?: I'd say a 6 - beginning was rubbish, the end - amazing.

2) Where were you when 2007 began? Painesville

3) Who were you with? Mom, Dad, Brian and Ron

4) Where will you be when 2007 ends? In West Lynn - rocking out .

5) Who will you be with when 2007 ends? Henson, Gemma, Teanby, Jane and their families

6) Do you have a new years resolution for 2008? Speak softly.

7) Did you fall in love in 2007? No. I didn't.

8) You regret it? No regrets. You learn something from everything.

9) Did you breakup with anyone in 2007? No.

10) Did you make any new friends in 2007? Yes I did - even met some old ones and had a great friendship with them!

11) Who is your favorite new friend? Nick Srnick!

12) What was your favorite month of 2007? September - I met the UK family and became one of them.

13) How many different places did you travel to in 2007?: Not many. Florida - the UK. Layover in New York

14) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007? Burgan.

15) Did you miss anyone in the past year? Yes.

16) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2007? HAHA! Run Fatboy Run!

17) Do you enjoy where you are now? I am so happy right now.

18) What was your proudest moment of 2007? "McNugget - you're one of us now."

19) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007? I'm always doing stupid things in the UK.....

20) What are your plans for 2008? I'm going to be the best teacher this school has ever seen. I'm going to find the man of my dreams. And I'm going to hold onto him. I'm ready to be a grownup now.

Quiet Ideas

2008-01-03T22:14:00.001Z

I had a thought during one of my lessons today. One student was being just plain LOUD.

I said, very calmly, "Jack - hushed tones please. You're at a 10, take it to a 5."

"Sorry, miss," he whispered. And then remained somewhat quiet for the rest of class.

Brilliant!

Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick. I think I will. Although I will replace a stick with a board marker. I usually have to raise my voice to be heard above the din of my classroom...considering chaos is common. Today I told the kids that it was my new years resolution to speak softly. And it's WORKING. They listen more because they can barely hear me - and of course me lessons rule....so they want to do the activities.

YES. Way to be FDR.

New Year, New Perspective

2008-01-01T20:58:00.001Z

2007 has come to a close and 2008 is here with endless possibilities and plenty of new opportunities on the horizon. I celebrated the chiming of Big Ben in West Lynn with Amy, Gemma and Chris - not to mention Amy and Jane's families. Brilliant. The interesting thing about this year is that I will be spending the whole of 2008 based in the UK. I should be going back to oHIo for a week or so in the summer for holiday, but 2008 is really all about living it up in jolly ol' England.

So what are my plans, you ask? I've never been one for New Years Resolutions - I prefer goals. Goals are solid. You write them down and it becomes something you expect to accomplish. So here is what I expect to accomplish in the year 2008.

1. Learn how to drive....manual....and on the left side of the road.
2. Obtain a UK drivers license. It might mean forfeiting my oHIo license, but I think that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
3. Optimism. Being a teacher is stressful work. I think I rock at it. Now I'd like to rock at it and maintain my sanity at the same time.
4. Operation M&M. Enough Said.
5. World Domination. My ultimate goal in life. And no, the Beckhams are NOT beating me - I am far more favorable.

I will update you on the status of these and more goals.

Bring it on, 2008!

Ho Ho Ho

2007-12-23T11:16:00.000Z

It's an update - state side. I headed to London on Wednesday night with Amy in preparation for my flight on Thursday. Georgie picked us up at the underground near her and took us for dinner at the Hilton. The story is that we stayed at the Hilton. That's the story. We're sticking to it.

The flights were fine - after ten hours of being in the air I was more than happy to hear "Welcome to Cleveland." I'm not sure I'm really impressed by American Airlines, but what can you do when you're on a budget?

Home-Home has been an interesting experience. My family has been great, my grandparents appreciative. Jen and Travis came out for a bit last night - that was excellent! I was so happy to see them. The boys - well - some people just don't get it. And quite frankly I'm not going to go out of my way to deal with people who are prats.

It seems when you pick up and move some people can't forgive you for that. And they can't grasp the concept of different time zones. No wonder the British dislike Americans....cocky and unaware there is a world beyond them. Well - you can see that in some of my friends. Maybe by the time I leave they will find it within themselves to come and visit me....and if not, I'm no worse off.

I do miss my UK family terribly! If I could have the UK family and the US family at the same time - how great would that be! As I have told them, I will be back for New Years eve. My current attention is focused on Christmas.

Christmas for my family consists of that Italian tradition of the seven fish. Not very american.....British...but Italian. I love being so cultural. Hopefully everything pans out. I have some cool things I would love to share with my family and friends! I spent a lot of time thinking about the perfect christmas gifts - can't wait to share them!

Well - I'm going to get my day going. It's 6:30.....but that's 11:30 UK time. I am not getting adjusted to this time zone at all!

Countdown!~

2007-12-13T19:07:00.000Z

4 More teaching days
6 Days Until an Outing in London
7 Days Until Departure for the US of A
12 Days until CHRISTMAS
15 Days Until the Return Flight to the UK
18 Days until New Years Eve!
21 Days until the start of Spring Term
42 Days until Half Term Break!

My....How time flies....

Just another manic Monday....

2007-12-03T14:06:00.000Z

Living it up in the UK. Now that our first term is almost complete I look back at everything that has gone down since I moved here in August.

School is still brilliant. I can say that our staff is probably the best teaching staff I have ever worked with - in terms of academic matters and matters outside school. People generally care about each other and their well being. In the other schools I have worked in it always seems like it's every man for themselves.... What happened to community? Sure, there are things we disagree with here, but we still work and function together as a family. I really like the atmosphere here. It's excellent.

My teaching skills have definitely improved. I realize that it takes a lot of energy to be the kind of teacher I want to be, and some days I just don't have that energy. I'm still working out how to be poorly and still teach with high energy. Any ideas would be much appreciated. I also feel that my strategies have improved - MUCH better than they used to be. It's neat to be teaching drama because it really has helped me work on my discipline. I think transferring that to an English class will be much easier with my feet planted firmly.

Becoming British - well, I haven't exactly dropped my Americanisms - but I have a feeling that is why people tolerate me.... I can just declare "I'm a dozy Yank!" and all is well! I have become very used to a wide variety of foods though, and I have a secret crush on jaffa cakes and tea. I have no developed an accent, although I've learned some new words that I now sprinkle into conversations. I'm very proud of my ability to use "pikey" and "sod" in every day conversations.

And my British family? They are pretty much the coolest people ever. I never feel left out and I already have plans for New Years - I've NEVER done anything for New Years! I'm so excited!!

Overall I'd have to say the move to the UK was a brilliant idea. Even though I am ill at the moment and am getting ready to go to the doctors for the forth time since I've been here - I can honestly say that I'm happy.

....Now....if Mr. Right comes along....well, that will be a whole nother story....

Talk about a bad day....

2007-11-29T20:25:00.000Z

Oh geeze....when it rains, it pours.

The race for computers was on today. Not only was our system down, but I realized it's virtually impossible to get my classes in to use computers. We just don't have the rooms available. SO I booked the laptops - had to run around mad looking for the key. When I eventually got the help, they didn't work. So when I called for assistance I was told it would be a few minutes -- 50 minutes later my class was over. Wasting time is my WORST ENEMY. So now my kids have a huge assignment they have to email to me by Tuesday so I can check word count.

Scaffolding is a great technique in the classroom - as long as little things like THAT don't get in your way.

This was followed by a 15 minute lunch detention with an entire year 8 class - me missing lunch was fabulous. Capping off the school day I was kicked out of my classroom for the last period and had to relocate in the gym - naturally the kids were off the walls. Cheerleading was stressful, but we did get plenty accomplished.

When Amy and I made it into town we were 8 minutes late for the sewing shop to pick up some materials I need for a Christmas gift. My mittens ripped open. Went for coffee and I emptied my wallet out on the floor by accident. We went to dinner and I got sick.

My entire mood was dictated by the stressful computer issue. That's terrible! Get over it! If you let these little things bother you, the rest of the day snowballs. In reality, I paid no attention to all of the good things that happened today. Some of my really poorly behaved kids were fantastic - great ideas. We came up with a brilliant project in one of my year 8 classes. I didn't forget to turn in my NFL picks. I am currently cozy -- AND my neck is feeling loads better.

For all of things that stressed me out and irritated me, I had something good happen. Bring on the positive energy!

Schoooooool

2007-11-26T20:22:00.000Z

Some days you just feel as though you've done your job. Allow me to explain two KILLER projects I'm working on in my classes currently.

I'm covering Storytelling with my Year 7s. I taught them the process of stories - you know, the dramatic process - Rising action and climax and all. Then we read "Where the Wild Things Are." I broke the story up into sections and put the kids into groups and each group is performing their part of the story. There is a narrator and the kids just act the story out. They have no props, only two chairs, and use costumes to show the wild things and Max!

In my year 9 classes we were looking at investigations. Different groups chose different news stories and are acting out the crime. We then have class investigators that go and solve the crime. It's like those old private eye tv shows - someone walks into the office, gets help and then the detectives go and solve it!

VERY cute!

Twos.....

2007-11-17T13:43:00.000Z

They say that people die in threes - but I'm hoping that's not true. The sad thing about living in the UK is that people aren't going to wait for you.

Mary Racher and Mary Ellen Galluli passed away this week.

These are women who held me as a baby - they were strong women who led meaningful lives.

From far away, I'll be seeing you....

The KES soundtrack

2007-11-10T09:40:00.000Z

I have compiled my KES soundtrack - tunes that are fabulously KES.

You Get What You Give New Radicals
((Opening school song))

Last Night (Featuring Keyshia Cole) Diddy featuring Keyshia Cole
((Car tunes!))

Wonderwall Oasis
((First night out with the PE lot - we sang this at their flat at 4 AM))

Zorba's Dance LCD Now Dance 2000 [Disc 2]
((HAHA -CHEERLEADING MUSIC!))

Never Gonna Give You Up Rick Astley
((Rossy has a great dance to this tune))

Umbrella (feat. Jay-Z) Rihanna
((Little Tommy B loves to sing this during class.....emphasis on the "ella, ella, ella, ella, ella,ella...."))

Foundations Kate Nash Foundations
((Car tunes!))

About You Now Sugababes
((Loving the Sugababes))

I'm Always Here Jim Jamison I'm Always Here (The Baywatch Theme)
((I'll be READY!))

We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off Lil' Chris
((Classic to the Globe))

Uninvited (Radio Edit) Freemasons
((MY year 9 class sang this on Friday...hysterical))

Let Me Think About It (Radio Edit) Ida Corr vs Fedde Le Grand
((Dave Shaw's song from Globe!))

Chelsea Dagger The Fratellis
((CAR DANCING!))

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) Whitney Houston
((It really doesn't matter where you go - you always hear this one))

Bleeding Love Leona Lewis
((Who doesn't love Leona?))

Fly Me to the Moon Ray Quinn
((X Factor!))

Gimme More Britney Spears
(("I''m kinda liking Britney's new song....."))

You Belong to Me The Duprees
((X Factor))

She's So Lovely Scouting for Girls
(("I keep hearing this song - and I shouldn't like it - but I do..."))

Jenny Don't Be Hasty Paolo Nutini
((My namesake! Love it!!))

Guilty Pleasures

2007-10-29T19:04:00.000Z

Ice Cream...it's so nice, I call it Nice Cream
The Sauna at the gym after a long workout
Facebook pokes
Cheese on Toast
"Amazing" by Seal
'Rescue Me' on DVD
Dane Cook
Holding the camera so that I'm in every picture
Glamour - US and UK issues
Dancing to "Don't stop believing" every time my mobile rings

Haaaaaaaaalf Terrrrrrrrrrm

2007-10-26T11:06:00.000+01:00

How brilliant is the UK education system? Back home we have one day off here and there. No no. Here we have six full weeks and then one full week off. As a teacher, I say "Yehaw" to this brilliant idea. Not only are your lessons uninterrupted, but the week break is an excellent opportunity to RECHARGE.

It's been quite a week. The unfortunate loss of England in the Rugby finals was a bit depressing, but we made up for it in our own, stupid ways. Tuesday I went into London with Amy and Chrissy -- that was a quite a day. I decided Harrods is my favorite store of all time - and standing in Tiffany & Co. Oh, loved it. I was a bit intimidated when we were standing by the D & G shoes and the Prada collections....but then again, it WAS Harrods!

After returning to town it really hit me where I was. Walking around town yesterday on our dreary autumn day reminded me - Oh, you aren't in Ohio anymore....you are in the UK. Fortunately, I haven't really been homesick at all, but there are always those little things that I remember and think “aw….I do miss that.”

Example: My high school craft fair. It’s huge! And I always loved going! Sadly, I will be missing that this year. Then I miss things like trick or treating – that was always so cute (and we just don’t do it here). Granted, I do have a fancy dress party I am attending (which I need to carve a pumpkin for) – but it’s still not really the same.

Autumn in general is a tricky one. Ohio has a great season – all of the colors and leaves falling. It’s beautiful! Maybe not quite as beautiful as New England, but it really does look classy.

And then there’s the family! NO worries – I will be home for Christmas. I believe that’s 56 days away!

But overall – I’m still loving it. Loving the co-workers. Loving the atmosphere. Loving my job. Can’t complain. Oh – and I’m loving my new shoes I bought in London (except they are green).

Hunstanton

2007-10-21T00:14:00.000+01:00

A *beautiful* day at Hunstanton beach today! Slightly impromptu, but that's the best kind of adventure!! Here are some of the shots Robin got on his fancy mobile!

Looking up

2007-10-16T15:35:00.000+01:00

No matter what happens in the classroom -- the kids and their failures, their triumphs - the real reason you get through the day are your friends.

I have been so blessed to end up in a school with a fantastic staff. I love my partners in crime. They really do go out of their way to see if you are doing alright and just make you smile.

Today, one of the PE teachers brought in a school fleece for me. I see people wearing them, and I really wanted one. So he said that because I am a cheerleading coach, I can have one. True to his word, lunch time he entered with one for myself and Amy. I'm wearing it currently - loving it.

Yesterday we also had Staff rounders - being a wimp I didn't play, but I did go and cheer everyone on. We then went to the pub with the usual lot for dinner. It was just enjoyable. I am quite happy with the outcome.

And my new plan for world domination in the classroom -- I'm a rock star -- It works.

1. Classroom base. I have a classroom and a pile of busy work - and the kids know it.
2. I convinced them they can be rock stars if they trust me. Their performances will be SUPER.
3. I'm going to teach a bad class how to use lights and sound. They are amazed by the possibly and behaved because they want to learn how to use tech.
4. Detention base -- They know where I will be and they know they will join me if they don't do what is asked.
5. I'm not afraid to say "First warning" and "Second warning" and then say "Out in the hall"
6. Good behavior is commended. I make a special point of giving merits and telling kids they are fantastic when they are.
7. Formal presentations are amazing for these kids...they love it.
8. Kids who are distant and act as though they hate my class -- I rope them in. I sat with one kid today and he kept complaining about wanting to go home because his friend decided to skip my class and go home. So I sat with him and started writing a poem about everything he complained about. He loved it and thought it was hilarious. He took it home to show his mom. OK.....at least I got him to laugh.

Onwards and upwards....Things are looking up!

Some days....

2007-10-13T11:42:00.001+01:00

Some days are good, some days are bad. All of your teaching days can't go perfect - or else you wouldn't learn anything.

Friday I had one of those not so good teaching days. And the ironic thing is - 2 our of my 4 classes were great. It's always the bad that overshadows the good in the end.

My department head was doing some work in my classroom while I was teaching (which I am uncomfortable with as it is), but after discussed with me how one student was talking while I was doing registration, even though I thought the kids were quite quiet. Another student would throw pens and markers when my back was turned. I don't stand correctly in the classroom - and I need to not give 100% of my attention to someone when I'm talking to them, just so I can ensure the rest of the class was working well.

Even though he wasn't assessing me, he told me that if higher staff was observing I would get some unsatisfactory marks.

I'm not saying that I can't take criticism, because I can. But I was not happy with this conversation. I walked out feeling as though I can't teach and I'm basically rubbish at what I do. Knowing full well I was going to be observed during one of my awful classes next week, I felt as though I was going to have a slight breakdown.

I found my way to Mary, the assistant head in charge of new teachers. I told her about my frustrations with my classes this week - straight out of hospital and the kids feel sorry for you for about ten minutes, and then they continue to act crazy.

Teaching Drama when you are an English teacher is hard work. You don't have the formality you are used to - you don't have the safety of desks separating you. The kids come in with a different attitude and get really excited at the opportunity of moving around. Yes - I'm a bit too nice when I give them the benefit of the doubt and warn them constantly. It's a matter of me saying something and my students accepting it as what needs to be done. Please be quiet during registration - and they don't talk. Please use the chairs like adults - and they don't slide across the floor on them.

So I'm coming up with a list of practical things to do to make life better. I Know I have the support - it's just a matter of me getting a stronger discipline regime. We're all works in progress....