On Monday, I didn't get called in. Though I was up, as usual, at 6:30 am, I was ready to fall back asleep when no call came! I did lay in bed until maybe 9:30 when the girls messaged me saying they were going to docks.. HOW could I turn that down?? Liz was up super early this morning to go to her first day as a librarian in a far away town. While at school, she's actually closer to London! Though I envy her permanent position, I don't envy the commute. Met the girls at the docks with starbucks and we enjoyed the view! I even saw the moon amongst the clouds! It was beautiful in the big blue sky. We walked up to West Quay and got some of the items on our to-do list. We also got some groceries-- with the plan on making apple crisp (yum!) We ran into David from Timeplan as we were walking back and he joked with Hannah about her exciting purchase (oatmeal!). I bought a dress today as well! My first UK clothing purchase.
Got call today for a 2 day booking for Tuesday and Wednesday! I'm excited to go to this school (heard good things) and to work with Year 1 and 2s. Bought some postcards (maybe you'll be a lucky recipient!?) now the task is to write them! In the evening, we all hung out and enjoyed the ease of company (corny or what?).
On Tuesday, I had my first of 2 days at the same school in a borough known as Portswood. I was in a year 2 today. I'm not used to all the students over here wearing uniforms. They look very mature. I enjoyed the day though I do find UK children to be chatty... Nothing I can't handle though :) The day went by quickly and I felt good. Iv'e had a good past few days so I remain positive! When I got home though, I began to feel antsy and a constriction in my chest. A few tears slipped out but I overcame!! We all decided to go out to "our" place: Pitcher and Piano for a pint.. (very British!) And I began to feel better in the company of friends. I also got my first piece of personal mail today-- from my Auntie! The envelope made me miss Canadian fall! I'm very lucky to be surrounded by the people I am (both here and at home). I really have lucked out in my life!
On Wednesday (today!), I had my second day at the same school though I was in a year 1 class today. I LOVED IT! The teacher was very accepting and so nice to me. She's an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher), as well. So we were able to chat about being new to the field etc. I really enjoyed being with this age group, they were very cute. We got to go outside during the English lesson and run around re-enacting the story "Going on a Bear Hunt." I couldn't help but break into song! Liz from downstairs was booked into the school for the afternoon so we wee able to commute back together. As I was doing the marking, the other year 1 teacher came in and asked if I'd found the "worked independently" stamp. I think my blank face gave me away. So he grabbed it and passed it to me. I was trying to mark the math, but it was in the morning and a) we both know I was short term memory issues aha and b) I didn't know names at all by that point, so how can I make those connections?? haha
After we all got home, the plan was to walk to a different pub (for free pool night!) but once we arrived, it was discovered that British pool is much different than American pool so the game was abandoned before it began but we did enjoy sitting around and taking in some of the Football game that was on. Finally mailed my postcards today... I wrote them a few days ago but it was the actual action of mailing them that took so long. Hannah and I both had ours ready to go so of course we had to photograph such a momentous occasion!
Things I'm trying to adjust to:
- the different names (the kids laugh at me when I say their names wrong)
- supply teachers being responsible for the day's marking
- being asked "are you okay?"-- I've determined this is their way of saying "how are you?"
- Bus routes
- students here just keep saying "miss, miss, miss" to try to get my attention, EVEN when I'm talking to someone else haha
- sounding words out becomes infinitely harder with an accent.. ie. the word "River".. students wrote "riva"
TRYING to capture the moon in the morning sky...
View from our spot at the waterfront. Gorgeous!
Hmmm....
My first personal letter in the UK!
An after work pub visit. Isn't that how it's done over here?
Liz Snapchatting.
My new dress
Hannah and I mailing our postcards... She had SO many!
Officially putting them in the box!
This was posted online. Saw it and laughed.
A backwards letter from one of my students today... She told me it was the story of the gingerbread man.
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