Hello all...
I notice I am REALLY falling behind in these posts...as it has been Sunday since my last post...
Monday night, I had basketball after school - got to coach some of the girls (from our tournament team), which was very fun for me. A good turn out from the KS3 & KS4 boys - good students to work with.
A colleague of mine lives in a village near Catherine & Gareth, so she drove me to Wallingford after basketball, and I had a MUCH needed and LONG overdue visit with some absolutely gorgeous babbas and their parents. When those children laugh...it just really is able to melt away any worry. I feel extremely fortunate to have a place, in England, that I can go to for TLC, hugs and generally, a feeling of "home".
Have had a busy week at work - lots of learning for me this week with behaviours, parents, organization and time management. It is encouraging working with a great staff who have no extra time, but FIND the time to help you out. I did also have a student (who had been full of attitude and rude to me at lunch one day last week) come and apologize to me today. It was very mature and responsible of him to do so - restored my faith in the youth of tomorrow a little bit!
The topic this week in our tutor groups has been resilience...I must say, it has also become the theme of the week for me.
Please continue to keep my granny in your prayers - she received some bad news this week.
Much love. xo
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Weekend of Long Walks...
Hello all...
I spent the weekend close to home...taking some long walks, and had a night in with house mates and some friends last night.
Enjoy the photos...they are from my walk on Saturday around Iffley.
The Mill Stone from Iffley Mill, where it stood for many centuries before being destroyed by a fire in 1908
This is down along the Thames opposite the view from the path I usually take into the city
River Thames from Iffley - very tranquil here on Saturday morning
Iffley Church
Built in 1170 (SO COOL!!)
I spent the weekend close to home...taking some long walks, and had a night in with house mates and some friends last night.
Enjoy the photos...they are from my walk on Saturday around Iffley.
The Mill Stone from Iffley Mill, where it stood for many centuries before being destroyed by a fire in 1908
This is down along the Thames opposite the view from the path I usually take into the city
River Thames from Iffley - very tranquil here on Saturday morning
Iffley ChurchBuilt in 1170 (SO COOL!!)
Hope you are all keeping WARM in the -21 degree Celsius weather today in Owen Sound...if it helps, I miss it. I'm being ruined over here, thinking that +2 is now cold...
Much love. xo
Much love. xo
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Feeling the Miles and Ocean...
Hello all - all that boasting of the warm air over here has left me cold towards the end of this week! We woke up to frost and -2 on Tuesday morning. Still chilly here, but was nice enough this afternoon to take PE lessons out on the astroturf (didn't stop the kids from complaining though - I told them Canada was buried under 6 feet of snow, that seemed to work!).
Have had a busy, but good week. Took about 15 girls to a basketball fixture last night after school. It was a good learning experience for me (as a coach and to see how the athletic system works over here). Tomorrow night after school, a bunch of teachers are playing a football (soccer) game against the year 13 students - should be a fun game!
These pics are from Iffley Village - part of my walk to work. Lovely, quiet little village.
Woke up this morning to an e-mail from my mom - my granny is in the hospital and not doing great - so if you could keep her in prayers. Feeling the miles and ocean tonight...
Mom, Aunties and Granny - Christmas 2009
Much love. xo
Have had a busy, but good week. Took about 15 girls to a basketball fixture last night after school. It was a good learning experience for me (as a coach and to see how the athletic system works over here). Tomorrow night after school, a bunch of teachers are playing a football (soccer) game against the year 13 students - should be a fun game!
These pics are from Iffley Village - part of my walk to work. Lovely, quiet little village.
Woke up this morning to an e-mail from my mom - my granny is in the hospital and not doing great - so if you could keep her in prayers. Feeling the miles and ocean tonight...
Mom, Aunties and Granny - Christmas 2009Much love. xo
Monday, January 17, 2011
Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day (USA)
Hello all...happy Monday! Hope no one has a "case of the Mondays" today.
It was rainy here today (I know, shocking), but I had a good day. I really feel lucky to have been placed at....the school. As it says in my title, today in the USA, Martin Luther King Jr day is being celebrated - I came across a quote today:
Of course I would come across this quote the same day I realized my true passion in life is teaching. I have re-found that passion in the past 2.5 weeks. I think the tough days I have had over here in England have involved days of questioning my career path...
I can confidently say that I am completely made for being a P.E teacher. As I am now in the mentor role, I continue to have more and more respect and admiration for my mentors. The amount of time that goes into not only teaching, but being available for the students is exhausting. If I can help one student build character and find something to strive for...all the time and energy will have been worth it in the end.
I am feeling a bit "old" tonight though - I stayed after school to manage the basketball extra-curricular, and can barely move tonight at home.
Some lesson planning needs to get done, so I'll end this here. Hope you are all keeping nice and WARM in Canada - I heard it was -22 (degrees celcius) in Ottawa today?! Brrrrrrr
Much love. xo
It was rainy here today (I know, shocking), but I had a good day. I really feel lucky to have been placed at....the school. As it says in my title, today in the USA, Martin Luther King Jr day is being celebrated - I came across a quote today:
Of course I would come across this quote the same day I realized my true passion in life is teaching. I have re-found that passion in the past 2.5 weeks. I think the tough days I have had over here in England have involved days of questioning my career path...
I can confidently say that I am completely made for being a P.E teacher. As I am now in the mentor role, I continue to have more and more respect and admiration for my mentors. The amount of time that goes into not only teaching, but being available for the students is exhausting. If I can help one student build character and find something to strive for...all the time and energy will have been worth it in the end.
I am feeling a bit "old" tonight though - I stayed after school to manage the basketball extra-curricular, and can barely move tonight at home.
Some lesson planning needs to get done, so I'll end this here. Hope you are all keeping nice and WARM in Canada - I heard it was -22 (degrees celcius) in Ottawa today?! Brrrrrrr
Much love. xo
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Poland - February Half Term Destination!
Hello - if you haven't already guessed, unfortunately my posts are now few and far between that I am working full time. I will continue to try my best to update you about goings on in the UK though!
The weekend has been a good one - had pizza and wine night with the house mates on Friday. We tried a new approach this time though - sharing our different types of pizza and having some yummy appetizers and snacks to go along with it. Worked out well! Last night, we all went out for Marcus' birthday to a pub downtown. It was good fun, and I didn't see any students (success!). Today is his actual birthday, so we are going for Sunday Roast (such a grand English tradition!!!!) to a pub in Cowley and I think Tess has a cake this morning for us to sing HBD.
This week at school, I am starting an after school Basketball club for KS3 and KS4 students - hopefully lots of kids will turn up. Tuesday night I will head off mountain biking with the guys again. Wednesday night after school, the girls basketball team has a fixture (game), so I am accompanying one of the teachers to go to that. Should be a busy week!
Oh yes - so my decision to go to Poland in February for half term break was FINALLY made this weekend. Had been hoping to go somewhere hot, like Spain, with the girls, but decided that a trip to Poland was more what the nerd inside me would enjoy. I am booking it next weekend, but am planning to go for 4 nights, 5 days into Krakow. When we were out last night, one of the guys that used to live at the house is from Poland, so he was saying it was a good choice for a trip, especially for a history sort of trip (aka NERDING).
Hope all is well in Canada - I heard from my dad that more snow was headed your way! Enjoy...its +13 here today, might just pull my shorts out!
Much love. xo
The weekend has been a good one - had pizza and wine night with the house mates on Friday. We tried a new approach this time though - sharing our different types of pizza and having some yummy appetizers and snacks to go along with it. Worked out well! Last night, we all went out for Marcus' birthday to a pub downtown. It was good fun, and I didn't see any students (success!). Today is his actual birthday, so we are going for Sunday Roast (such a grand English tradition!!!!) to a pub in Cowley and I think Tess has a cake this morning for us to sing HBD.
This week at school, I am starting an after school Basketball club for KS3 and KS4 students - hopefully lots of kids will turn up. Tuesday night I will head off mountain biking with the guys again. Wednesday night after school, the girls basketball team has a fixture (game), so I am accompanying one of the teachers to go to that. Should be a busy week!
Oh yes - so my decision to go to Poland in February for half term break was FINALLY made this weekend. Had been hoping to go somewhere hot, like Spain, with the girls, but decided that a trip to Poland was more what the nerd inside me would enjoy. I am booking it next weekend, but am planning to go for 4 nights, 5 days into Krakow. When we were out last night, one of the guys that used to live at the house is from Poland, so he was saying it was a good choice for a trip, especially for a history sort of trip (aka NERDING).
Hope all is well in Canada - I heard from my dad that more snow was headed your way! Enjoy...its +13 here today, might just pull my shorts out!
Much love. xo
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
My New "England in Winter" Sport...
Hello!
I am now almost done my second full week at my new school. I am SO glad to be at one place. It is good to get to know the students, and the staff. A couple of staff members go mountain biking one or two nights a week, so they invited me to go with them last night. There were 4 others and myself last night. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but we ended up doing a 10 mile circuit of trails (IN the dark!) - talk about an adrenaline rush! It took about 3 hours and the weather was perfect last night; calm and plus 3 degrees! The trails were very muddy and wet though - I had to through every single thing I wore straight in the wash when I got back, and my bike has about 10 pounds of extra weight due to the amount of mud on it! Very fun though. It was a tough workout, but I kept up with the boys. I am not quite sure where all we went, since it was dark. But I was VERY impressed with how well they knew the trails in the dark (we did have LED head torches and lights on our bikes). There were great views of the Oxford lights and surrounding villages from some of the hills we were on.
Part of their training also includes walking (hiking). They are a good group to go with, and know the area very well. I think the plan is to get back on the bike on Sunday night towards Wheatley.
I can see this sport filling my need for speed and adrenaline (that I get from snowboarding). I need to look at the positives of being away from my comfort sports - there is no snow and the weather has been above 10 for the past week! Perfect for Mountain Biking. I meant to take a piccie last night of how messy my bike was, but it was 11:00pm by the time I got home, so it was the last thing on my mind!
Off to have my tea (dinner)!
Much love! xo
I am now almost done my second full week at my new school. I am SO glad to be at one place. It is good to get to know the students, and the staff. A couple of staff members go mountain biking one or two nights a week, so they invited me to go with them last night. There were 4 others and myself last night. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but we ended up doing a 10 mile circuit of trails (IN the dark!) - talk about an adrenaline rush! It took about 3 hours and the weather was perfect last night; calm and plus 3 degrees! The trails were very muddy and wet though - I had to through every single thing I wore straight in the wash when I got back, and my bike has about 10 pounds of extra weight due to the amount of mud on it! Very fun though. It was a tough workout, but I kept up with the boys. I am not quite sure where all we went, since it was dark. But I was VERY impressed with how well they knew the trails in the dark (we did have LED head torches and lights on our bikes). There were great views of the Oxford lights and surrounding villages from some of the hills we were on.
Part of their training also includes walking (hiking). They are a good group to go with, and know the area very well. I think the plan is to get back on the bike on Sunday night towards Wheatley.
I can see this sport filling my need for speed and adrenaline (that I get from snowboarding). I need to look at the positives of being away from my comfort sports - there is no snow and the weather has been above 10 for the past week! Perfect for Mountain Biking. I meant to take a piccie last night of how messy my bike was, but it was 11:00pm by the time I got home, so it was the last thing on my mind!
Off to have my tea (dinner)!
Much love! xo
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Scotland: Home of Nessie and New Years Eve!
Okay, so time to share about my 4 days in Scotland.
I took the train up from York on the 30th of December. It took about 2.5 hours. A completely GORGEOUS train ride, all along the coast. Stunning views. The fog somehow lifted along the ocean and the sun shone...I really recommend this train ride if anyone ever gets the opportunity. I didn't take too many pictures as I was sitting on the far side of the train, but I got a couple to share.
When I got up to Scotland, the other 3 girls had managed to get an early check-in, but were already napping (they had to leave Cambridge at 4:00 in the morning to catch their flight in London up to Edinburgh). I put in some time until early afternoon when they got up. We were staying a few miles out of the city centre (right beside the Edinburgh Zoo), so we took taxis or the bus into town.
The first night, was the Torchlight Parade downtown Edinburgh. For 6 GBP you could purchase a torch and carry it in the parade. I cannot even put into words how amazing this experience was. About 80,000 people were in the streets, most of them carrying torches as we walked the streets up to the castle to watch fireworks and listen to a concert.
For New Years Eve, the Hogmanay ("the last night") celebrations were on Princes Street downtown Edinburgh. We got there after supper so we could get a good spot. We had a great view of the castle! There were fireworks every hour starting at 8:00pm from the castle.
There were TONS of people around, tens of thousands. They announced the attendance was well over 80,000!! Such an incredible experience to be around so many people from all over the world! Our group of 4 expanded to a bigger group, as we met up with some teachers and friends from Australia.
We did well to stay together - for the most part. At about 11:20pm I decided I needed to use the bathroom, so I went to wait in line at one of the port-a-pottys not far from where our group was. At 11:45, I was STILL waiting in line and thinking I was going to be welcoming 2011 in the loo! I heard a girl behind me tell someone she was from Canada, so I started talking to her. Long story short, she played on Team Canada at the past 2 Olympics for Women's Hockey! It was Meaghan Mikkleson.
The 3 other Owen Sound girls I went to Edinburgh with
I took the train up from York on the 30th of December. It took about 2.5 hours. A completely GORGEOUS train ride, all along the coast. Stunning views. The fog somehow lifted along the ocean and the sun shone...I really recommend this train ride if anyone ever gets the opportunity. I didn't take too many pictures as I was sitting on the far side of the train, but I got a couple to share.
When I got up to Scotland, the other 3 girls had managed to get an early check-in, but were already napping (they had to leave Cambridge at 4:00 in the morning to catch their flight in London up to Edinburgh). I put in some time until early afternoon when they got up. We were staying a few miles out of the city centre (right beside the Edinburgh Zoo), so we took taxis or the bus into town.
The first night, was the Torchlight Parade downtown Edinburgh. For 6 GBP you could purchase a torch and carry it in the parade. I cannot even put into words how amazing this experience was. About 80,000 people were in the streets, most of them carrying torches as we walked the streets up to the castle to watch fireworks and listen to a concert.
For New Years Eve, the Hogmanay ("the last night") celebrations were on Princes Street downtown Edinburgh. We got there after supper so we could get a good spot. We had a great view of the castle! There were fireworks every hour starting at 8:00pm from the castle.
We did well to stay together - for the most part. At about 11:20pm I decided I needed to use the bathroom, so I went to wait in line at one of the port-a-pottys not far from where our group was. At 11:45, I was STILL waiting in line and thinking I was going to be welcoming 2011 in the loo! I heard a girl behind me tell someone she was from Canada, so I started talking to her. Long story short, she played on Team Canada at the past 2 Olympics for Women's Hockey! It was Meaghan Mikkleson.
At 11:52pm I was desperately trying to call my friends to try and find them for the midnight countdown, but the lines were jammed, so I couldn't get through. It was amazing how much more crowded and congested the street was since I had initially set off for the loo. At 11:56pm I found them, by some miracle! The most stunning and epic fireworks show was from the Edinburgh Castle at midnight....absolutely amazing. I got a good shot of it, but obviously the picture does not capture it properly.
The 3 other Owen Sound girls I went to Edinburgh with
The next 2 days were spent exploring Edinburgh!
Arthur's Seat - a HUGE hill/mound/mountain - not sure the correct terminology you would use. Anyway, it took about 30-40min or so to climb. It was a really good workout and lots of different terrain - steep slopes, rocks, steps, flat parts, meadow and climbing up rock faces. The view from the top, and actually the whole way up, were beautiful. You could see the coast and the mountains and the city of Edinburgh. A great place to spend the afternoon. I did this climb on the 1st by myself and then made Kendle join me the next day, it was too stunning to miss.
Atop Arthur's Seat
Edinburgh Castle - Kendle and I did this tour on January 2nd. By far, the BEST castle tour I have had so far. I really enjoyed it. I will let the pictures speak for themselves, but it was so neat. A lot of history in that castle - a must see if you are ever in Edinburgh!
Edinburgh Castle
Goofing around the castle
Touring the old Prisons of War
Arthur's Seat - a HUGE hill/mound/mountain - not sure the correct terminology you would use. Anyway, it took about 30-40min or so to climb. It was a really good workout and lots of different terrain - steep slopes, rocks, steps, flat parts, meadow and climbing up rock faces. The view from the top, and actually the whole way up, were beautiful. You could see the coast and the mountains and the city of Edinburgh. A great place to spend the afternoon. I did this climb on the 1st by myself and then made Kendle join me the next day, it was too stunning to miss.
Atop Arthur's Seat
Edinburgh Castle
Goofing around the castle
Touring the old Prisons of War
I wish I could share all of my pictures on here, but there are just FAR too many. Gorgeous city and amazing New Year's Eve experience that I will always remember.
I spent this weekend with Catherine and Gareth, and did some babysitting for them, as Catherine left today for a week long work trip in the US. It was nice to spend the weekend with them and see the babbas. It is funny how much more grown up they are getting each time I see them now - Oscar's vocabulary is getting bigger and Jessie is almost on the move!
My first week of work ended well. I have a lot of responsibility and a lot to learn in a short amount of time, but it is a good challenge for me. I am eager to start this week and meet the rest of my classes.
Much love. xo
I spent this weekend with Catherine and Gareth, and did some babysitting for them, as Catherine left today for a week long work trip in the US. It was nice to spend the weekend with them and see the babbas. It is funny how much more grown up they are getting each time I see them now - Oscar's vocabulary is getting bigger and Jessie is almost on the move!
My first week of work ended well. I have a lot of responsibility and a lot to learn in a short amount of time, but it is a good challenge for me. I am eager to start this week and meet the rest of my classes.
Much love. xo
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Yorkshire Tales
After leaving Thirsk on the 27th, I made my way to the little village of Crayke! Crayke is the village that my cousin Amanda and Catherine both grew up in, so I have heard LOTS of stories from both. I stayed with Amanda's good friend, Nettie and her lovely family until the 30th. The first afternoon I arrived, Nettie took me out nerding (!!). Her, the kids and I went to Helmsley Castle - about 20-30min from Crayke.
Me, Nettie & Moia
This was SO neat. It was old castle ruins and of course lots of history that I won't bore you all with - but I really enjoyed it. The next day, we went into York, as the kids wanted to spend some of their Christmas gift cards. The weather was foggy the ENTIRE time I was in Crayke, so that paired with losing light early did not allow for great pictures in York (AND the walls were closed, AGAIN!). It was loads of fun walking around with Nettie though. She told me all the "accurate" history about the city of York as well....very entertaining!
If you ever need to catch up on sleep, I would suggest spending time at Nettie's! She also runs a B&B and is a wonderful hostess! On my last day, we all went for a walk around Castle Howard. Unfortunately the fog did not allow me to actually SEE Castle Howard, but we had a nice walk around the property.
Moia and Callum
This was the path to get from Nettie's into Crayke (across 3 fields)
Nettie's husband, Eamon (the same hero that helped Amanda get from York to Glasgow to catch her flight) took me to the train station early in the morning on the 30th to make sure I caught my train to Edinburgh!
It was a lovely visit with them, and I am SO happy that there are wonderful people over here to visit and spend time with!
During my time in Crayke, I had a chance to meet up with Catherine and family, as they were in Crayke for Christmas. She took me on the long awaited "Amanda walk" to see all the places where the stories took place! It was very cool - especially seeing the house that Amanda grew up in. It was neat to see the family up in Crayke as well - Oscar and Gareth joined us for part of the walk.
Gareth, Oscar and Catherine
After Crayke, I was en route to Edinburgh for 4 days! I will talk about that next post.
Work update - things are going well! I seem to have great classes so far (Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Girls PE, plus a tutor group). I will meet the rest of my Year 11s tomorrow, and Year 10s next week. The PE staff are very helpful and friendly. It feels amazing to finally be able to settle into one place for a while.
Much love. xo
Me, Nettie & Moia
This was SO neat. It was old castle ruins and of course lots of history that I won't bore you all with - but I really enjoyed it. The next day, we went into York, as the kids wanted to spend some of their Christmas gift cards. The weather was foggy the ENTIRE time I was in Crayke, so that paired with losing light early did not allow for great pictures in York (AND the walls were closed, AGAIN!). It was loads of fun walking around with Nettie though. She told me all the "accurate" history about the city of York as well....very entertaining!
If you ever need to catch up on sleep, I would suggest spending time at Nettie's! She also runs a B&B and is a wonderful hostess! On my last day, we all went for a walk around Castle Howard. Unfortunately the fog did not allow me to actually SEE Castle Howard, but we had a nice walk around the property.
Moia and Callum
This was the path to get from Nettie's into Crayke (across 3 fields)
Nettie's husband, Eamon (the same hero that helped Amanda get from York to Glasgow to catch her flight) took me to the train station early in the morning on the 30th to make sure I caught my train to Edinburgh!
It was a lovely visit with them, and I am SO happy that there are wonderful people over here to visit and spend time with!
During my time in Crayke, I had a chance to meet up with Catherine and family, as they were in Crayke for Christmas. She took me on the long awaited "Amanda walk" to see all the places where the stories took place! It was very cool - especially seeing the house that Amanda grew up in. It was neat to see the family up in Crayke as well - Oscar and Gareth joined us for part of the walk.
The house that Nettie's Aunties used to live - Oscar and Gareth
Gareth, Oscar and Catherine
The house that Amanda grew up in/Goodin Sweet Shop!
The backyard (aka Garden) Amanda and Catherine used to play in
The backyard (aka Garden) Amanda and Catherine used to play in
Village Pub - The Durham Ox
After Crayke, I was en route to Edinburgh for 4 days! I will talk about that next post.
Work update - things are going well! I seem to have great classes so far (Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Girls PE, plus a tutor group). I will meet the rest of my Year 11s tomorrow, and Year 10s next week. The PE staff are very helpful and friendly. It feels amazing to finally be able to settle into one place for a while.
Much love. xo