Whoot Whoot!

Here we are, folks, at the end of yet another amazing week.

I was busy, swamped, inundated, and exhausted (still am the latter, but I feel pretty good about that) but it was all worth it.

I finally "got a 1": an outstanding lesson. Huzzah! I would have preferred that my observer said, "You deserved it", but instead she said, "I was bullied into it." I guess we can't win them all. I did say I would fight her to get the 1...I deserved it (at least I can say it).

My other attempts here and here.

The girls and I went out last night to see a play in the city. It was lovely. Though we didn't get home and to bed before the crack of dawn, when the company is lovely, I really don't feel tired come morning.

I do have some marks to enter, though, so I'll get a tea and crack on. The day shant be wasted because my head is in the clouds. Enjoy the day!

Perspective

Image is mine from the Guinness Factory in Dublin. Pretty gross, non?

I found this post incredibly endearing from This is Naive and thought I'd share with you...

I was surprised that I found the momentary surrender of choice rather freeing: half and hour before a shift begins, we sit at the tables, dressed in the uniform code accorded by one’s role, and eat the same meals, dictated by whatever ingredients the kitchen has thrown up and the chef-on-duty’s creative impulses.

I was also surprised by what eye contact does for one’s self-esteem.

A menu is not a book, no matter how thick or beautifully bound.

Under no circumstances leave behind notes detailing the signs & symptoms, and treatment of STDs. It really doesn’t matter what your reason for owning such a note may be.

Father to children: “That bubble, that little bubble, the school you go to. It doesn’t really exist anywhere else on the planet.”

Father to daughter: “Do you like horses? Do you want to join the pony club?”

Wife to husband: “You are very suave. My mother was in love with you.”

Why do sweet old ladies stay with grumpy old men? Because who else would.

The entrance is the exit. Depending on whether you are outside looking in or inside looking out.

I feel mind-bogglingly weighed down today. I have far too much to do and far too little time in which to complete it. This is the price we pay for doing what we love, I suppose, and so I'll trudge on. What I wouldn't give though for my air-conditioned, closed-off, window-filled office at the Bank. Le sigh.

A View Like This

Had a lovely day today, despite feeling quite under the weather. Still in fact debating between yoga and bed. Robin was fabulous in acknowledging something I'd done and sometimes that's all it takes: someone to just say, "Good job". I think it had something to do with the thank you cards I'd sent to the Bristol teachers who'd helped me so much. Paying it forward and the like.

So I'm home, marking books: the bane of my existence. Sigh. However, watching Bridget Jones' Diary, so it feels a bit more relaxed than normal. Plus, the roommates are still gone, so it's quiet and serene here without the smell of meat cooking. I've got a great idea for the lesson observation though, so I'm nearly all set. Will write it all up tomorrow and, fingers crossed, I will have an Outstanding under my belt by Thursday.

Image is mine, from that awe-inspiring day in Salzburg. Ah yes, I have seen some sights.

Under Pressure

Image courtesy of Halifornia.

I just love the diamond detail on this message. At times, we have to actually work for things. It's so worth it in the end, though.

Sometimes it feels a bit more than overwhelming, but you'll get through it. We always do, somehow.

Have a great day.

Intellect

Image is mine, quote was inspire by the Year was 91

Movin' on up

I haven't written about this because nothing was finalized, but here we have it: I'm moving. No, not home, lovelies, but to a different house. Here. I'm staying here. Lordy, just thought I should make that abundantly clear.

My roommates want to live like a couple, not like my roommates (imagine), and so I've been looking for a new place for a long time. It's hard to find a place that is close to school, conveniently close to the station (so I can get the eff out of Dartford), and nice enough to keep me in the lifestyle to which I've become accustomed.

So my new roommates are lovely and for the most part teach at the Grammar School next door to my school. Claire's boyfriend, Patrick works outside the education field. Needless to say, I really hit it off with these people and actually ran into my roommate Steve (who is the only Canadian aside from me in a sea of Irish folk) at the Trafalgar Square Canada Day celebration. Wicked.

Right. Since we are getting to the proverbial crunch time and I literally only have three more weeks here in this academic year before retiring in Toronto (what a lush life I have), I will do my best to document it like mad. I remember feeling SO overwhelmed when I was leaving SK. I was in pain, I knew it would be AGES until I saw my friends again, and all the life-changing stuff that happened there was going to be with me forever. It was profound to say the very least. Today, Sheila reminded me that I'd miss the time we spend having coffee, talking about the perils of dating in London and laughing about our kids. Hells yeah I'm going to miss this place...it's home.

Alas, I'll be back before I know it in a house in a GREAT neighbourhood where I have my own bathroom. What what.

Anyhoo, that's all for now. I've spent the day not working, trying to shake this cold I've been feeling for the last two weeks. Notice that even on the days when you're resting, you still manage to do laundry, shop, volunteer, and discuss the world's problems with your friends? That all takes far too much out of me on a regular day, never mind a day when I'm supposed to be taking 'er easy. On a better note, I had a spectacular day yesterday. Life is sweet.

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine version - Official

Ok Go just made my day.

Bon Iver - the park (feist cover)

"Why should he come back through the park?
You thought that you saw him but no you did not
It's not him who'd come across
The sea to surprise you
Not him who would know
Where in London to find you...

Why would you think your boy could become
The man who could make you sure he was the one?"

A clean slate is a perfect thing.

Canadian T-Shirts

I love it when the atmosphere is so joyful that I feel at ease asking just about everyone if I can take their pictures. All of these kind folk obliged yesterday...

What a great day.

Canada Day 2011

In case you forgot, here is what I was doing last Canada Day.

Documentation of Canada Day celebrations needs very little preamble. I'll introduce you to my friends though. Dani and Jocelyn...



Mike and Troy...

and Leslie Neilson (or his very alive twin, decked out in a pink blazer. Sweet).

Trafalgar Square, pre-mayhem:

my new roommate (seriously):

Poutine annihilation: the mayhem begins

Mike Myers on stage where Blue Rodeo would appear next. Swooning hard.

Blurry dancing...deep into the mayhem

Oh dear...



Edward Waterhands?



And then we wound up in the water fountain. IN.



A good time was had by all though, as evidenced by our silly grins and rowdy renditions of any and all Blue Rodeo songs we knew on our way home. Twas a good night.