The Redhead Jumped Over the Pond (And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon): First week of October!

Following my wonderful birthday dinner on Tuesday, the rest of the week was rather uneventful. On Wednesday, all of Camp Canada, with the exception of the full timers Maggie and Alex, was at the same school. I was in a year 3 class... The day went by quickly, and I enjoyed the age group. The school office didn't open until after 8, so we took the 7:45 bus, it was quite the sleep in! No complaints from me! Once I found my way to the classroom, I found the planning a little overwhelming.. different terminology, lots of detail but boo clarity for me, etc. Luckily, the TA was amazing and we were able to muddle through it. The biggest issue I found was doing phonics.. The lesson was focusing on the al/ ar sound.. In Father, half, calf... And with my different accent, I said words differently and, I think, confused the kids a little bit. Luckily, the TA was able to jump in and save me.
Every other wednesday night happens to be Trivia night at the No. 4. So we had two Canadian teams and didn't do too well but it was a relaxed night with laughter and enjoyment! I'm thinking that might become a bi-weekly routine for us!

Thursday, I was in a year 5 class... good experience for if I get the year 5 class on the Isle of Wight. I got to the classroom to discover it'd be a very laid back day. The Maths lesson was on the computers, an independent task which I just basically had to oversee, the teacher was back for literacy (so I went and helped out in the year 4 class), after lunch was P.E. (toughest part of the whole day... teaching a game-- handball that I've never even heard of!) and then music... In the downtime, I read to them from War Horse and we talked about Canada. The day went by quickly, but talking to Rachel at lunch, we talked about how supply work is much harder than we anticipated... The more I supply, the more I want my own classroom. In the evening, I had a wonderful Skype chat with Jillian! It was so amazing to catch up with her and to hear from a familiar face from home. I also chatted with Darcie! I hadn't really chatted with her in MONTHS so it was good to catch up and "shoot the breeze."

Friday...
Today, I was back in the school from Wednesday, but this time in a reception class (JK). It was another "sleep in morning"... left house at 7:30am!! Usually, this would seem early but I usually leave the house at 7. So I'll take what I can get! This is one of my favourite age groups to be with, but I find to jump into the classroom is very tough because it is so routine oriented and not knowing the routines and the little details of the day really throws them off (as well as me!) The day went by pretty quickly... again, had an amazing TA, and we got through the day. Again, phonics threw me through a loop just because of the routine, etc. The nice thing about reception is the lack of marking so I was on the road to walk home by 3:45pm!
My friday night was pretty low-key. We met Alex once she got home around 8 at the Sir Admiral Lucius Curtis. We all got invited to go out to a beer pong tournament and most went. I decided, however, to have a quiet night in. Laura and I were texting and I had originally decided to watch a movie but the internet was acting up, so I decided to take it as a sign to read my book instead! Good choice, self!

Saturday...
Had our regular morning pancake breakfast! As always, delicious! Our original plan was to visit the Isle of Wight today, however, we woke up to rain! So that plan was quickly canned and we decided, instead, to see a matinee. I threw a load of laundry into the machines. Once it was finished, I discovered that the spin cycle hadn't done it's job... at all!! I had to wring out every piece of clothing!! Hung it all up around the flat... There was not much free space at all! Maggie and I ended up walking into the city centre to pick up a few things-- including another set of bed sheets (on sale!).. a flannelette (not quite Canadian flannelette but these will do). Dropped everything back at the flat, and Alex and I met Liz and Hannah at the theatre. Things I've learned about going to see a film in England: they don't have butter on popcorn (options are sweet and salty), and they tell you where to sit, like going to see a play. We saw 'The Equalizer'. It was a good movie.. Basically like an adult version of 'Home Alone' haha of course by the time, we got to the theatre, the rain had stopped-- what a waste! The rest of the day was spent hanging out doing our "stitch and bitch" session!

Sunday...
Was up and ready to go to the church service. We left at 8:55 am for the 9:15 service. I like the routine of going each week, I find some solace in the service and knowing I'd be going if I was home too! It's not quite the same though, I do miss my Anne's sermons! On the way back, we decided our weekly brunch would be at 'Bella Italia' as they hd a breakfast special! I got the pancakes (can one ever have too many pancakes?!). In the afternoon, we started a puzzle I had bought from the thrift store-- a steam engine. Over the time, we had various people working on the puzzle, crocheting or bringing up yummy muffins (thanks, Maggie!). I thoroughly enjoy a Sunday afternoon/ evening spent puzzling! We also went over to the No. 4 for a wonderful hot chocolate and hangout session. The girls taught me how to play cribbage so I've been enjoying learning this game ( learned it before but forgot how to play!). A relaxing sunday, just how I like it!