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Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
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Explains exactly how my day went. Sometimes I'm amazed that I get through it. Thank goodness for kids who say the darndest things. They make me laugh, and that is a good thing. It's what makes my job all worth it. | | |
| It's funny how much alike my brother and I are sometimes. I was browsing at the Frankfurt Christmas Market today and Christmas music was playing. Certain Christmas songs invoke sentimentality and I couldn't help but miss Thomas when I saw some of the Christmas trees infront of the library. Low and behold, I went on Facebook today and got a message from him. My family has got a new Christmas tree and he had similar thoughts. Growing up, our family's Christmas tree was always somewhat chaotic. It was basically put on as much lights, garland and whatever decorations we've accumulated over the years. The tree was the same small one for years. When I was little, it seemed really big. However, when we realized that we were as tall as the tree, it was time to get a new one. I remember that there were years when decorating the tree felt more like a chore. When we moved to the house on Dougall, it became a job for Thomas and I to get done since the rest of the family was in London by then. Surprisingly, it was great fun to go buy all new decorations and fill the tree the way we really wanted it. Of course, a few family collections still made their way onto it. We couldn't part with those. Some things are worth bringing out once a year. They brought back childhood memories. The best thing about it was that the tree didn't look cluttered with odds and ends. Nostalgia is a good thing.
We haven't had a proper Christmas tree for the season since Daren and I moved here to the UK. To be honest, if there was a tree in our flat, there would be no walking room whatsoever. I'm happy to say that we do still have the first small evergreen tree we bought from our first Christmas over here. It's gotten taller and fuller and will do well to be adorned with a few festive ornaments. Christmas just doesn't feel the same without close family and friends to hang out with. We will have a turkey as Daren is already relishing the idea of getting a really good one from the game stand at the market. We still laugh about the teradactyl that he ended up bringing home that first Christmas here. If not turkey, it'll be partridge this year.
Ho hum, now I'm feeling a bit sad. Time to go make a cup of tea and curl up with a film. | | |
| What an intensely weird week I've had.
Monday, I was observed during my focus teaching time. Got a satisfactory. I found myself already thinking the things that the inspector ended up telling me. So at least we're on the same level in that respect. She's coming back in three weeks. So another three weeks to work wonders on the environment and polish up some more on my satisfactory skills in hopes of getting good next time.
Spent the whole week trying to sort out my assessments and that's been a harrowing experience. To think that it's only the beginning of the year. I'm overly excited about all that is to come!!!
Been trying to comfort some children whose mum passed away. The 6-year old is asking to talk to her. He's up in main school, not doing very well, and I ended up feeling all welled up after talking to him the other day. The 3-year old seems to a bit more settled back into the routine. She's always been very quiet. In her own little ways she is showing anxiety. She grips onto you as if she doesn't want to be torn away from you.
On Thursday, I had opened a small packet of crisps at lunch but couldn't finish it, so left it on the kitchen counter in the staff room. When all the kids had gone for the day I went back to get it. Walked back into my work area with it and was about to put my hand into the bag when I saw that it was shaking. A little mouse jumped right out from it!!!! Of course I squealed like a baby as it scurried around the room. It started to go for the crisps that fell out of the bag! Ugh, to think that I could've had my hand actually in the bag, gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However, I do feel bad that there are now loads of bait boxes around. It was just a little mouse. The Site Manager is taking no chances that it's got other little friends around. I'm imagining all the mice coming out to party late at night, Disney style.
Friday after work. Was at Boots picking up some things. An old Indian man approached me and asked me where I was from and shook my hand. He sent chills down my spine when he started rubbing my hand. He followed me down the aisle a bit and asked if he could buy me a present. He was in the queue as I approached the check out, so I turned around and bolted to the one on the other side of the shop.
I woke up this morning and said to myself that I will not do any work related stuff today. So far I haven't had to twist my own arm over this. I've actually had to bring my travel backpack to work so that I can carry all the things I needed to use this weekend. Tomorrow is another story. | | |
| We woke up this morning at 10:30am only to discover it was really 9:30am!!! What a little cocoon we've been in that we didn't even realize it was time to turn the clocks back.
The past month has felt like one big rollercoaster. I'm still feeling its effect. Vulnerability is the first word that comes to mind when I think about what I've been left with. I wake up each day with the fear that this is it, today is the day that my little world will crumble. Then I get on with it and lull myself into a false sense of security and continue on with my day. It never leaves my mind. I may seem absorbed with the book I'm reading, but my mind is spinning with what ifs about something I have little control over. I may seem to be engulfed in my pile of assessments, but my mind quickly wanders back to this blasted grey cloud that is hovering over me every single day.
Back to work tomorrow. Well, let's be true here, I didn't actually have a half-term break. I worked because I need to. Fortunately, it was a great week of Play Scheme. I got to enjoy a side to some of the kids that I usually don't see. Some people may criticize that we didn't get a lot registered, but I will argue that the quality time we got to have with the children will never really be replaced by higher registration numbers.
I'm proud to say that I love my job. There's nothing more exciting as working with young children and being surprised by them every day. But with PER and OFSTED breathing down my neck, I'm torn between wanting to do my best and loathing that I have to put on a show to impress people who haven't taught in a classroom in goodness knows how many years.
Back to assessments now. I took a little break earlier when I went out to get groceries. Goodness, Tesco at 5pm on a Sunday is filled with my fellow Chinese people!!!! It's not often I get to experience that now a days. I forgot how loud and rude some can be. I was getting really annoyed with the girl behind me in the check out line because she kept on bumping into me as the line progressed to the front. I was dying to get out ASAP! | | |
| I look at my friends, then I look at me. Without my buddies, where would I be? My friends, my sisters, my world, where would I be without the girls? Giggles & tears, smiles & laughs, late night text & photographs. We'll be there together until the last day. Best girlies forever just won't fade away.
That was a text Jabeen sent me this weekend. She's so cute!
Today is Thanksgiving. I actually forgot it was until I spoke to Jennifer last night. I am thankful for my family and friends in Canada and here in the UK. I miss my family and friends in Canada. I was letting myself get to the point where I thought I might actually see them sooner than planned, but selfishly, I do hope that things work out the other way. It is in times of crisis where you find out who truly is on your side.
I'm thankful for my parents, who gave me life and who always selflessly give give give. I hope that one day I can give back to them. I know it will in no way be close to what they've given me, but I want to be able to see them happy in their way. I know it's hard to see a daughter so far away and not yearn to be close to them, but they are always in my thoughts.
I'm thankful for my siblings for being supportive as well. We're all from the same blood and the bond is forever no matter where life takes us. I appreciate the quiet understanding that Thomas and I have. I miss those sisterly moments with Theresa.
I'm thankful for my friends. I appreciate the moral support you've all given me in your own ways. I wish you all the greatest things that will make your lives complete. I will always cherish the laughters because they are the best memories of all. Can't wait to laugh with you again, my friends.
I'm thankful for Daren. I don't know what I'd do without him. He is forever the constant rock and I'd be in pieces without him. Love. | | |
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