THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Well, I am truly overwhelmed and inundated with information. While I think that things have gone well, I am really not sure yet. Everyone here at Horbury as been incredibly friendly, allways willing to answer a question (all right maybe like 12 questions) I don't have time for actual conversations, every conversation ends up with me asking how this or that works. I am teaching in the mobile village (portables), each one has two classrooms. My partner across the doorway is Gill, she is my new best friend!!! She is always dropping in after each class to ask questions and to anticipate issues that might come up. I will have to buy her a bottle or two of Canadian wine as an inadequate thank you.

Teaching for 60 minutes has been difficult for me to manage, I am used to 85 minutes.....60 minutes is NOT enough. I have 8 different classes to prepare for, and I don't see them everyday or even at the same time of day when i do see them. The juggling of timetables and start times has me a bit jumpy. My lunch hour also changes depending on my classes that day. (i am not known for my ability to organize and this is testing me). Basically, I am scared to leave my class room, because it has happened twice where I was leaving to go for a break or for lunch when a class arrived for its lesson. AH well, the trials and tribulations of the unorganized.

GOD BLESS Junior High Teachers who juggle this all the time!!

On a different note, I was in London this last weekend. I took the train in, and it is the way to travel, sit back, read a book and relax. I found it easy to get around London. My hotel was right across the street from Big Ben, and beside the London Eye. On Saturday morning my run took me past Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, to mention a few locations. A river cruise down the River Thames took me past a few other sites, Shakespeare's Globe theatre, St. Paul Cathedral, London Bridge, stopping at the Tower of London. The Tower of London was by far my favorite thing in London. It is full of history, tours by yeoman guards and of course the Crown Jewels.

On Sunday, I didn't eat a single meal. Instead I snacked my way down Whitehall St. to Leicester Square, and into Covenant Garden, where I met some of the others and went to see the "Lion King." GOOD TIMES!!!!

Next time I am in London, I am going to have a "proper" tea at the ritz. I am told that it is loads of fun. I'll let you know....