Talk about a bad day....

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

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.....

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

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

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

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

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!