"I know it feels like you have all these options and when you make a decision, you lose a world of possibilities. But the reality is, until you make a decision, you have nothing at all."
29 December 2011
America and grown-up life
I've been back in America for less than a week now, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. It was nice seeing all my family at Christmas, and being back in familiar territory. I'm also glad to have a car again! That being said, I'm missing British life. I miss Mat, and I miss British accents, and I miss having school to go to every day, and I miss hopping on the train to London, and I miss walking a million miles a day.
I'm also feeling very overwhelmed with my job/school search. If you know me, you know I'm a control freak (yes, I'll admit it). I hate not knowing about whether I got into grad school or not, because I can't plan the rest of my life without knowing whether I got in or not! Very stressful. I've been interviewing for teaching jobs in America at child care centers, but I'm not sure I want to commit to a job like that if I'm going to be leaving this summer to go back to England for school. VERY STRESSFUL. I just want someone to give me a non-commital, full-time, minimal responsibility job that pays well... is that too much to ask?!
Here are some final pictures from England:
I'm also feeling very overwhelmed with my job/school search. If you know me, you know I'm a control freak (yes, I'll admit it). I hate not knowing about whether I got into grad school or not, because I can't plan the rest of my life without knowing whether I got in or not! Very stressful. I've been interviewing for teaching jobs in America at child care centers, but I'm not sure I want to commit to a job like that if I'm going to be leaving this summer to go back to England for school. VERY STRESSFUL. I just want someone to give me a non-commital, full-time, minimal responsibility job that pays well... is that too much to ask?!
Here are some final pictures from England:
My final display of student teaching! The children all made moving pictures of rocking horse land.
Mat and I's final train ride of my time in England =(
Randy's new pool table! I think it was secretly a welcome home present for me =)
24 December 2011
Last days in England.
My last days in England were very sad. I had to say bye to so many people!
First off - Tuesday at school with my kids. The first thing little Isabel said to me on Tuesday morning was "Miss Keys we're never going to see you again." So sad. Then they kept saying things like "Miss Keys you're still my best friend forever" and "Miss Keys I might cry when you leave" and "Miss Keys I really like you." I love them. They had a special assembly to give me my going away gifts. The kids made me a memory book with pictures of all of them and nice things they've said about me, and a flower thing with pictures they drew on it. The school got me a Cath Kidston teapot with 5 matching mugs - very exciting. And, they're going to ship it for me because they knew I couldn't get it in my suitcase! My teacher also got me a Teacher's Survival Kit, which had things like bath soap and wine in it. We had the nativity at the church that afternoon, and I managed to hold myself together saying bye to all the kids. Then I had to say bye to all the teachers.. didn't hold myself together so well there.
Wednesday/Thursday - I spend Tuesday night in London with Mat. We went to eat at Jamie's Italian in Covent Garden and then just hung out. Wednesday we went back to Dorking and I finished packing. We met Chris and Oliie (our host brothers) for a drink so we could say bye to them. Thursday morning we were up at 510 to get ready to go. Our train was at 617. Mat came with us to the airport. Otherwise I don't think Kate and I could've gotten all our suitcases on and off the train! So heavy. I said bye to Mat at the airport and that sucked, obviously.
On a plane for 10 hours to Atlanta, customs, re-check bags, wait 3 hours, on another plane to Minneapolis for 2 hours, get bags, 5 hour drive to Madison, finally home at midnight (6 am England time).. full 24 hours of travelling.
Also, my tonsillitis is back, so I had to go to the doctor yesterday. They gave me different medicine, so hopefully that works this time!
That's all for now. Merry Christmas!
First off - Tuesday at school with my kids. The first thing little Isabel said to me on Tuesday morning was "Miss Keys we're never going to see you again." So sad. Then they kept saying things like "Miss Keys you're still my best friend forever" and "Miss Keys I might cry when you leave" and "Miss Keys I really like you." I love them. They had a special assembly to give me my going away gifts. The kids made me a memory book with pictures of all of them and nice things they've said about me, and a flower thing with pictures they drew on it. The school got me a Cath Kidston teapot with 5 matching mugs - very exciting. And, they're going to ship it for me because they knew I couldn't get it in my suitcase! My teacher also got me a Teacher's Survival Kit, which had things like bath soap and wine in it. We had the nativity at the church that afternoon, and I managed to hold myself together saying bye to all the kids. Then I had to say bye to all the teachers.. didn't hold myself together so well there.
Wednesday/Thursday - I spend Tuesday night in London with Mat. We went to eat at Jamie's Italian in Covent Garden and then just hung out. Wednesday we went back to Dorking and I finished packing. We met Chris and Oliie (our host brothers) for a drink so we could say bye to them. Thursday morning we were up at 510 to get ready to go. Our train was at 617. Mat came with us to the airport. Otherwise I don't think Kate and I could've gotten all our suitcases on and off the train! So heavy. I said bye to Mat at the airport and that sucked, obviously.
On a plane for 10 hours to Atlanta, customs, re-check bags, wait 3 hours, on another plane to Minneapolis for 2 hours, get bags, 5 hour drive to Madison, finally home at midnight (6 am England time).. full 24 hours of travelling.
Also, my tonsillitis is back, so I had to go to the doctor yesterday. They gave me different medicine, so hopefully that works this time!
That's all for now. Merry Christmas!
18 December 2011
Last weekend in good ol' England.
Friday -
We had a laid-back morning at school. We did some writing and played some games. Then, we had Christmas lunch, where the teachers sit in the hall and eat with the children. We had popped crackers (apparently an English tradition) and ate roast. The children thought it was so exciting! They're starting to talk about me leaving all the time. They keep making me dot to dots, and funny little pictures and going "Miss Keys I made this for you to take back to America." I could wallpaper my house with dot to dots. Mom? Thoughts? Little Annabelle has started telling me that I'm still her very best friend, even if I'm going back to America. Also, the moms got me a gift. They got me mugs and an ornament, and wrote such nice things in my card. I'm going to miss them!
Friday night we had our staff Christmas party at the reception teacher's house. It was really nice! We had a bring and share so there was plenty of food, and our head teacher gave us all pretty gifts. After that I met up with Mat and we had a drink out in Dorking.
Saturday -
Kare, Mat and I got up and went up to London for the day. We were going to see Wicked, but the tickets were too expensive. So we walked around London and went souvenir shopping. Then, we spent a few hours in Harrods, the most amazing store in the world. There is absolutely nothing you can't by in Harrods. You could buy an elephant if you wanted to! We looked at animals, jewellery, clothes, kitchen stuff, food.. so many things! If I had millions of pounds, I would've spent so much money there.
After that, we went to Kings Cross Station in search of Platform 9 3/4. We failed, because you have to buy a ticket to get onto platform 9. A later google search revealed that they've moved Platform 9 3/4 to the street outside. Oh well. We also went to Hyde Park to check out Winter Wonderland. There was no chance of getting in, because it was so crowded, but we saw the lights from outside. London is so pretty at Christmas time.
After that, Mat and I went to meet his parents for a drink at his restaurant in Waterloo. It was Sandy's birthday, so we chatted a bit. Then, Mat and I set out to find Jamie Oliver's new restaurant, Union Jacks. Little did we know that would turn into an hour long journey! Union Jacks was supposed to be on Tottenham Court Road, so we took the tube to Tottenham Court Road. Turns out it was in Covent Garden. Annoying. Then, when we got there, the place was awful! It was hidden, and empty (on a Saturday night). The only food on the menu was "British flats" (aka pizza) and salad. No other main courses. And the service was bad. It was not an enjoyable experience! Then it cost £25 to get a cab home. All in all, it was a frustrating night! Today, we stayed in and watched movies, which was much less stressful. We watched The Inbetweeners, which is hilarious, and the last Harry Potter. It was a nice relaxing Sunday in London! Mat had to go to work at 5, so I came back to Dorking.
It's nice to not have any planning to do for tomorrow! We have a Christmas party tomorrow, then a nativity at church on Tuesday. The reception children are doing the nativity at church, so that should be really cute. Can't wait!
Here are some pictures:
We had a laid-back morning at school. We did some writing and played some games. Then, we had Christmas lunch, where the teachers sit in the hall and eat with the children. We had popped crackers (apparently an English tradition) and ate roast. The children thought it was so exciting! They're starting to talk about me leaving all the time. They keep making me dot to dots, and funny little pictures and going "Miss Keys I made this for you to take back to America." I could wallpaper my house with dot to dots. Mom? Thoughts? Little Annabelle has started telling me that I'm still her very best friend, even if I'm going back to America. Also, the moms got me a gift. They got me mugs and an ornament, and wrote such nice things in my card. I'm going to miss them!
Friday night we had our staff Christmas party at the reception teacher's house. It was really nice! We had a bring and share so there was plenty of food, and our head teacher gave us all pretty gifts. After that I met up with Mat and we had a drink out in Dorking.
Saturday -
Kare, Mat and I got up and went up to London for the day. We were going to see Wicked, but the tickets were too expensive. So we walked around London and went souvenir shopping. Then, we spent a few hours in Harrods, the most amazing store in the world. There is absolutely nothing you can't by in Harrods. You could buy an elephant if you wanted to! We looked at animals, jewellery, clothes, kitchen stuff, food.. so many things! If I had millions of pounds, I would've spent so much money there.
After that, we went to Kings Cross Station in search of Platform 9 3/4. We failed, because you have to buy a ticket to get onto platform 9. A later google search revealed that they've moved Platform 9 3/4 to the street outside. Oh well. We also went to Hyde Park to check out Winter Wonderland. There was no chance of getting in, because it was so crowded, but we saw the lights from outside. London is so pretty at Christmas time.
After that, Mat and I went to meet his parents for a drink at his restaurant in Waterloo. It was Sandy's birthday, so we chatted a bit. Then, Mat and I set out to find Jamie Oliver's new restaurant, Union Jacks. Little did we know that would turn into an hour long journey! Union Jacks was supposed to be on Tottenham Court Road, so we took the tube to Tottenham Court Road. Turns out it was in Covent Garden. Annoying. Then, when we got there, the place was awful! It was hidden, and empty (on a Saturday night). The only food on the menu was "British flats" (aka pizza) and salad. No other main courses. And the service was bad. It was not an enjoyable experience! Then it cost £25 to get a cab home. All in all, it was a frustrating night! Today, we stayed in and watched movies, which was much less stressful. We watched The Inbetweeners, which is hilarious, and the last Harry Potter. It was a nice relaxing Sunday in London! Mat had to go to work at 5, so I came back to Dorking.
It's nice to not have any planning to do for tomorrow! We have a Christmas party tomorrow, then a nativity at church on Tuesday. The reception children are doing the nativity at church, so that should be really cute. Can't wait!
Here are some pictures:
Father Christmas ornaments my children made. They look so cute on our class tree!
Really dark, but Mat and I on Millennium Bridge in London.
I think Mat and I are going to see Wicket tomorrow night. Tuesday night we're going to eat at Jamie's Italian in London for our final dinner out (very sad). I'm not sure what we're going to do on Wednesday! It's hard to plan your final day in England! Kate and I fly back Thursday morning.
That's all for now!
15 December 2011
3 day week.
After 4 days off I forgot how exhausting school can be! I also forgot how all the children's happy little faces brightens my day! They were so excited I was back. Apparently they've been working on "a surprise for me to take back to America" and they all couldn't wait to tell me. A few of them almost slipped and told me what is was, but Denise stopped them. Cute little Annabelle has been telling me every 5 minutes that I'm "still her best friend" even though I was gone for so long. Adorable.
Mat went back to London yesterday (he was on holiday last week until yesterday).. 6 days of taking care of sick, crabby Allie and he hasn't run away yet! There must be something wrong with him! ;) I think he's coming to America in February, which is very exciting!
Tomorrow begins my last weekend in England! I'm not ready to leave at all. Obviously I miss my family and I am very excited to see them. But, I've really fallen in love with England! The nicest, most caring people I've ever met are at my little school in Mickleham village. Honestly. It's like I've acquired a few sisters and about 7 grandmas! It's going to be so hard saying bye to all of them. I'm awful at goodbyes anyway. If I had it my way, I'd tell them I was leaving on Tuesday, actually leave on Monday, and send them thank-you cards in the mail. I just hate how sad it is.
It's going to be rough saying bye to Mat as well. It's comforting to know that I'll be seeing him in a few months, but after that is so up in the air. I know I'll see him again.. I just don't know when! I'm going to have to win the lottery between now and April so I can afford to come back to England then.
I haven't heard about grad schools yet. I did learn that England is passing a law in April that will make American teaching licenses compatible with a British teaching license, so I suppose that is always an option (coming back and teaching). I just don't know what I want to do with my life! Sometimes I feel like that's okay, and other times I feel like I need to figure it out soon. Oh well. I'm pretty confident things will work out.. doesn't do any good to worry about it right now :)
I'm off to "plan" my last lesson for student teaching! I say "plan" because we're going to play a Christmas game that is sort of numeracy based. With 2 days of term left it doesn't make much sense to have them do any serious lessons.
Side-note: If you ever run into a British person, ask them to say "jaguar" or "zebra" and then tell them it's wrong. I'm convinced American English is better at those two words.
Mat went back to London yesterday (he was on holiday last week until yesterday).. 6 days of taking care of sick, crabby Allie and he hasn't run away yet! There must be something wrong with him! ;) I think he's coming to America in February, which is very exciting!
Tomorrow begins my last weekend in England! I'm not ready to leave at all. Obviously I miss my family and I am very excited to see them. But, I've really fallen in love with England! The nicest, most caring people I've ever met are at my little school in Mickleham village. Honestly. It's like I've acquired a few sisters and about 7 grandmas! It's going to be so hard saying bye to all of them. I'm awful at goodbyes anyway. If I had it my way, I'd tell them I was leaving on Tuesday, actually leave on Monday, and send them thank-you cards in the mail. I just hate how sad it is.
It's going to be rough saying bye to Mat as well. It's comforting to know that I'll be seeing him in a few months, but after that is so up in the air. I know I'll see him again.. I just don't know when! I'm going to have to win the lottery between now and April so I can afford to come back to England then.
I haven't heard about grad schools yet. I did learn that England is passing a law in April that will make American teaching licenses compatible with a British teaching license, so I suppose that is always an option (coming back and teaching). I just don't know what I want to do with my life! Sometimes I feel like that's okay, and other times I feel like I need to figure it out soon. Oh well. I'm pretty confident things will work out.. doesn't do any good to worry about it right now :)
I'm off to "plan" my last lesson for student teaching! I say "plan" because we're going to play a Christmas game that is sort of numeracy based. With 2 days of term left it doesn't make much sense to have them do any serious lessons.
Side-note: If you ever run into a British person, ask them to say "jaguar" or "zebra" and then tell them it's wrong. I'm convinced American English is better at those two words.
13 December 2011
I'm not dead.
I'm still kicking. I had another day off school today, as my head teacher said I needed another day to rest. Then I got an email from Educators Abroad saying that if I miss another day of school, they'll need to give me another placement for a week to make up the time? Seems silly, eh? In any case, there's only 5 days of school left for the term so I think I'll make it.
My face is still red and puffy, as I'm still taking amoxycillin. It's not pretty, but only 3 more days!
Can't wait to go back and see the kiddos tomorrow. They probably think I went back to America without telling them!
My face is still red and puffy, as I'm still taking amoxycillin. It's not pretty, but only 3 more days!
Can't wait to go back and see the kiddos tomorrow. They probably think I went back to America without telling them!
11 December 2011
Update.
Went to the doctor again today. He was an idiot, but basically said that if I've taken amoxycillin before and it was fine then it should be fine now, regardless of the adverse reaction to the penicillin. So I got amoxycillin. Took it. Red puffy face, hives, and an itchy neck is what I have now. And that doctor's appointment cost be £50! So I'm sucking it up and taking it. Another day off school tomorrow as well, as my head teacher said not to come in.
10 December 2011
Back to dying.
I spoke too soon. A little while after my last post, I got a puffy, red, itchy, hot face, probably from the penicillin. I must have developed a penicillin allergy in the last few years? So now I can't take that, and my throat is still disgusting, and I have a hot face to go along with it. I just can't catch a break this weekend!
I do have to say that Mat has been an absolute angel. I would've killed me by now if I was him. He went to the grocery store at 4 in the morning to buy me medicine the other night, he made me chicken noodle soup, he took me to the doctor, he put up with my crying. Seriously. Angel. I think he's a keeper! :)
I do have to say that Mat has been an absolute angel. I would've killed me by now if I was him. He went to the grocery store at 4 in the morning to buy me medicine the other night, he made me chicken noodle soup, he took me to the doctor, he put up with my crying. Seriously. Angel. I think he's a keeper! :)
Not actually dying.
Turns out I'm not actually dying (a little dramatic, I know). I do have tonsilitis though. I went to an NHS walk-in centre and told them my name, and gave them Mat's address and waited for an hour and they took me back. Then the nurse took one look in my throat, told me I had tonsilitis, went and got 3 boxes of medicine, gave them to me, and that was it. No charge. No heart rate checking, no getting weighed, no blood pressure. That was it! She did say I have blocked ears as well? Who knows. She told me to put olive oil in my ears, but I think I'll pass on that.
Now I'm teaching Mat how to make the staples of American sick diets - Chicken Noodle Soup and grilled cheese. How can you be 27 years old and not know how to make grilled cheese?! British people are weird.
Now I'm teaching Mat how to make the staples of American sick diets - Chicken Noodle Soup and grilled cheese. How can you be 27 years old and not know how to make grilled cheese?! British people are weird.
Dyinggggg
I'm pretty confident I'm dying. Okay not really. But I'm really sick.
It started on Wednesday night. All the boys were back in our house, and 2 of the 3 were vomiting a lot. I mean, a lot. So of course, I wake up in the middle of the night Wednesday and vomit. I call my head teacher in the morning to tell her I'm not coming to school. Then I realize my throat kind of hurts too. Little did I know that that little sore throat would turn into the worst sore throat of my life. I've been miserable since Thursday. I can't swallow, I can't sleep, I cry a little every time I take a drink of water. I can't eat. I'm pretty confident it's tonsilitis (they apparently don't get strep here?).
I'm going to attempt to go to a doctor today, but I'm in London and my passport is at home in Dorking, so I'm not sure they'll take me. If not, I guess I'll have to go back to Dorking and try to find a walk-in centre there (but I don't think there are any). The only thing that's helped at all is ibuprofen with codeine (which you can buy over the counter). And that's just minor relief. I still feel like someone took a cheese grater to my throat.
Hopefully the doctor works out today!
It started on Wednesday night. All the boys were back in our house, and 2 of the 3 were vomiting a lot. I mean, a lot. So of course, I wake up in the middle of the night Wednesday and vomit. I call my head teacher in the morning to tell her I'm not coming to school. Then I realize my throat kind of hurts too. Little did I know that that little sore throat would turn into the worst sore throat of my life. I've been miserable since Thursday. I can't swallow, I can't sleep, I cry a little every time I take a drink of water. I can't eat. I'm pretty confident it's tonsilitis (they apparently don't get strep here?).
I'm going to attempt to go to a doctor today, but I'm in London and my passport is at home in Dorking, so I'm not sure they'll take me. If not, I guess I'll have to go back to Dorking and try to find a walk-in centre there (but I don't think there are any). The only thing that's helped at all is ibuprofen with codeine (which you can buy over the counter). And that's just minor relief. I still feel like someone took a cheese grater to my throat.
Hopefully the doctor works out today!
07 December 2011
Update!
Last weekend -
Mat and I just hung out on Friday night. Saturday, Kate, Mat and I went to Westminster Abbey. Mat was thrilled about sightseeing in London on a Saturday (siiiiike). It costs £16 to get into Westminster Abbey! Crazy! We did get to hear the choir sing while we were there though, so that was good. Mat went off to work and Kate dragged me to the British Museum. I only say dragged because I've been there before. We saw the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles and LOTS of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian statues. LOTS of statues. The Olympic medals for next year were there too, but we got lost and couldn't find them to see them.
Here are some pictures!
Westminster Abbey.
Kate and I in the cloisters at Westminster.
We couldn't open it...
I just love this.
The expression on my face tells me that Mat was probably being annoying.
British Museum.
Just a pretty picture of London.
Saturday night we went out in Soho in London. Kate and I went to a pub called something Irish and met some Australians. It was a pretty fun night. Took us ages to get a taxi back to Mat's though. Pretty annoying.
School is going well. It's much more relaxed now that I'm done with my observations. Also, our school time has been taken over by Christmas play practice, so there isn't much learning going on. The parents have started saying things to me like "Jack sure is going to miss you when you go back to America!" It's so sad to think that I'll be leaving in 2 weeks =(
Funny story:
Last week, Jenny (my teacher, who's 33) is helping 2 little girls (Farah and Lilly) make puppets on the carpet.
Jenny: I probably won't be able to get up cause I've been sitting on the ground so long! I'm getting old!
Farah (completely serious): Yeah sometimes I have a hard time getting up too. Maybe it'll be easier when I'm 6.
Me: No I think it's all downhill from 5.
Kids are so funny.
02 December 2011
Much better day!
Today was SO much better than the rest of this week has been! Tony came this morning for my observation and it went really well. He then informed me that he's seen so much improvement over the last few weeks that he doesn't need to come next week.. so today was my final observation! SO EXCITING! Also, a little girl's mum this morning told me that I'm her daughter's favourite teacher and she talks about me all the time. So nice to hear after such a rough week! =)
I got to leave school right after today, and I came to London. I managed to find my way from Dorking to Mat's flat (in Hackney) all by myself on a Friday afternoon! My trip was a train from Dorking to Waterloo, then the tube from Waterloo to Bank, change at Bank and go to Bethnal Green, then a bus from the station to Mat's flat. So complicated. Now Mat's making dinner for me. Today is shaping up to be a good day!
I got to leave school right after today, and I came to London. I managed to find my way from Dorking to Mat's flat (in Hackney) all by myself on a Friday afternoon! My trip was a train from Dorking to Waterloo, then the tube from Waterloo to Bank, change at Bank and go to Bethnal Green, then a bus from the station to Mat's flat. So complicated. Now Mat's making dinner for me. Today is shaping up to be a good day!
30 November 2011
Tired.
I'm too tired to write a long blog post. Today was awful. I put my flash drive in my computer only to realise that all of my files had been corrupted and I couldn't open any of them. All my planning - gone again. You would think I'd learn, eh? So that was the start of my day and it was all downhill from there. I spent almost an hour planning a lesson for tomorrow (making worksheets and everything) only for the year 2 teacher to tell me that my kids need to be in Christmas play practice during that time, so we aren't even doing that lesson. So annoying. On top of that, Tony comes to observe me on Friday.. I've almost reached my breaking point. Student teaching is not fun.
28 November 2011
Full-time teaching
I've really been slacking at the blogging lately. I've just been so busy!
Recap of the last week -
Wednesday was my birthday. Mat came down and made a big Thanksgiving dinner (complete with Poppa Keys' stuffing) and it was magical. Thursday, I had to do a Thanksgiving assembly at school. 10 minutes before, I put my memory stick into the computer and ALL MY PLANNING WAS GONE. All of it. Erased off my memory stick. Kate and Megan had used it the night before and something happened and all of it was gone! Tragic. So I had to throw together an assembly in 10 minutes. Then, we had a morning long workshop of all Thanksgiving/American things. We made mini pumpkin pies, wrote thank you prayers, made American flags, made hand turkeys, and made pilgrim hats/bonnets. The next day, I ask my kids what we made and this little girl raises her hand and goes "African flags!"... so close.
Thursday night, we had to go to Thanksgiving dinner at our supervisor's house. That was fine.
This past weekend, I went to London to hang out with Mat on Friday. Then Kate, Mat and I went to the Christmas Market on the South Bank in London and looked around. Then Kate and I went shopping on Oxford Street (and managed to lose each other in the Underground, where there is no cell service) so that was interesting! Then we met a teacher from Kate's school for a few drinks in Piccadilly Circus.
This week has already been stressful. Full-time teaching really takes its toll, especially in a foreign country. I feel like I'm trying so hard to get everything done, but I also want to take advantage of being in England, so I don't want to lock myself in my room and plan all the time. It's hard to balance everything. Also, crazy that we only have 3 weeks left! Where has the time gone!?
Recap of the last week -
Wednesday was my birthday. Mat came down and made a big Thanksgiving dinner (complete with Poppa Keys' stuffing) and it was magical. Thursday, I had to do a Thanksgiving assembly at school. 10 minutes before, I put my memory stick into the computer and ALL MY PLANNING WAS GONE. All of it. Erased off my memory stick. Kate and Megan had used it the night before and something happened and all of it was gone! Tragic. So I had to throw together an assembly in 10 minutes. Then, we had a morning long workshop of all Thanksgiving/American things. We made mini pumpkin pies, wrote thank you prayers, made American flags, made hand turkeys, and made pilgrim hats/bonnets. The next day, I ask my kids what we made and this little girl raises her hand and goes "African flags!"... so close.
Thursday night, we had to go to Thanksgiving dinner at our supervisor's house. That was fine.
This past weekend, I went to London to hang out with Mat on Friday. Then Kate, Mat and I went to the Christmas Market on the South Bank in London and looked around. Then Kate and I went shopping on Oxford Street (and managed to lose each other in the Underground, where there is no cell service) so that was interesting! Then we met a teacher from Kate's school for a few drinks in Piccadilly Circus.
This week has already been stressful. Full-time teaching really takes its toll, especially in a foreign country. I feel like I'm trying so hard to get everything done, but I also want to take advantage of being in England, so I don't want to lock myself in my room and plan all the time. It's hard to balance everything. Also, crazy that we only have 3 weeks left! Where has the time gone!?
21 November 2011
Past week/weekend
Time just flies by! I can't believe it's been so long since I updated my blog! I can't even remember anything about last week, so I won't update you about that.
This past weekend, Kate, Mat and I went to Epsom to meet up with Megan and Jamie to go out. It was pretty fun, but not too exciting. Saturday, Kate, Mat and I went to eat in Covent Garden, and then went ice skating in the moat at the Tower of London... yes you read that right.. ice skating in the moat at the Tower of London. Pretty sweet, huh? Then we walked across Tower Bridge and down the river to London Bridge (which is not very pretty, by the way). We sat outside in a pub and drank wine while staring at the pretty London skyline. Pretty good day =) Sunday, Mat and I just hung out, and then I planned my life away.
Here are a few pictures...
I started full-time teaching today and I'm already exhausted! Also, it's Thanksgiving this week, so I have to plan an assembly to teach the whole school what Thanksgiving is (they obviously don't celebrate Thanksgiving in England). Then, the whole school is doing a workshop where we're doing all American/Thanksgiving things (making mini pumpkin pies, hand turkeys, pilgrim hats, American flags, etc.). Then the whole school is going to sing the song Albuquerque Turkey in the afternoon. Should be a good day!
This week is really jam-packed. Tomorrow night, all the teachers at my school are going out for dinner in Dorking. Wednesday night, Mat is coming to cook Thanksgiving/birthday/going away dinner (it's Megan's last night). Thursday, we have Thanksgiving dinner at the Educators Abroad people's house. Friday, Tony is coming for a 4-hour observation. It'll be a miracle if I sleep at all this week.
On that note, I'm off to plan!
This past weekend, Kate, Mat and I went to Epsom to meet up with Megan and Jamie to go out. It was pretty fun, but not too exciting. Saturday, Kate, Mat and I went to eat in Covent Garden, and then went ice skating in the moat at the Tower of London... yes you read that right.. ice skating in the moat at the Tower of London. Pretty sweet, huh? Then we walked across Tower Bridge and down the river to London Bridge (which is not very pretty, by the way). We sat outside in a pub and drank wine while staring at the pretty London skyline. Pretty good day =) Sunday, Mat and I just hung out, and then I planned my life away.
Here are a few pictures...
My mother sent me my family's faces on sticks for my birthday. They live by my bed and help me with my homework.
Mathew and I out in Epsom!
Kate and I with a Christmas tree in Covent Garden.
Ice skating rink with the Tower behind it!
Mat and I before skating.
Kate and I getting ready to dominate the ice at the Tower.
Mat and I with Tower Bridge in the background.
I started full-time teaching today and I'm already exhausted! Also, it's Thanksgiving this week, so I have to plan an assembly to teach the whole school what Thanksgiving is (they obviously don't celebrate Thanksgiving in England). Then, the whole school is doing a workshop where we're doing all American/Thanksgiving things (making mini pumpkin pies, hand turkeys, pilgrim hats, American flags, etc.). Then the whole school is going to sing the song Albuquerque Turkey in the afternoon. Should be a good day!
This week is really jam-packed. Tomorrow night, all the teachers at my school are going out for dinner in Dorking. Wednesday night, Mat is coming to cook Thanksgiving/birthday/going away dinner (it's Megan's last night). Thursday, we have Thanksgiving dinner at the Educators Abroad people's house. Friday, Tony is coming for a 4-hour observation. It'll be a miracle if I sleep at all this week.
On that note, I'm off to plan!
16 November 2011
Burned out..
It's pretty safe to say I'm burned out on teaching. Or, more specifically, I'm burned out on being observed teaching. I don't mind teaching. I just hate that even when you have a brilliant lesson, there's always someone there to tell you what you should have done differently, or what could have been better. I do understand that that is part of the job, constantly trying to improve. But to be completely honest, I'm exhausted and don't have the energy for every lesson to be a brilliantly executed hour of fun for the children. Also, it would be nice to not constantly have someone looking over my shoulder. Oh the joys of student teaching.. only one month left!
Today we attempted to make balloon rockets at school (we're learning about force). It didn't go as well as I planned, but the children still thought it was fantastic. Now I'm staying up late to plan the next few days.. the "bl" sound, data handling (pictograms), dance, tools on colour magic, and moving pictures are all on the agenda!
Yes, for those of you who didn't catch on, I do have a British boyfriend these days. Grandpa, I know you thought this day would never come, but it has! I don't need you to find me an Amish boy now =)
Today we attempted to make balloon rockets at school (we're learning about force). It didn't go as well as I planned, but the children still thought it was fantastic. Now I'm staying up late to plan the next few days.. the "bl" sound, data handling (pictograms), dance, tools on colour magic, and moving pictures are all on the agenda!
Yes, for those of you who didn't catch on, I do have a British boyfriend these days. Grandpa, I know you thought this day would never come, but it has! I don't need you to find me an Amish boy now =)
14 November 2011
... monday
My observation last week was a success! He said he thought I was coasting through my placement because I'm capable of much more than I'm actually doing.. so that's good?
Another Monday over. Nothing exciting happened, really. I had planning this morning, so I didn't have to go to church assembly (once a month the whole school walks over to the church for assembly, basically a mini service). I taught this afternoon and it went really well. I don't know what got into the class, but they changed back into their school clothes after PE in absolute silence. So odd! I start full-time teaching this week, so that's going to be nice and stressful. I'm not too worried about it though.
I spent the weekend in London. I dragged Mat shopping on Oxford Street on Saturday. We spent 4 hours going in and out of H&M, Top Shop, and a million other stores and he didn't even complain once, bless him. He might be a keeper. Then Kate and Megan came up on Saturday night and we all went out. Pretty uneventful evening. Sunday I was forced to watch the Grand Prix, and then came back to Dorking to do all my homework.
I've started applying to grad schools in London. I feel like if I'm going to pack up and move across the world, I might as well do it when I'm young! So we'll see how that goes.
Another Monday over. Nothing exciting happened, really. I had planning this morning, so I didn't have to go to church assembly (once a month the whole school walks over to the church for assembly, basically a mini service). I taught this afternoon and it went really well. I don't know what got into the class, but they changed back into their school clothes after PE in absolute silence. So odd! I start full-time teaching this week, so that's going to be nice and stressful. I'm not too worried about it though.
I spent the weekend in London. I dragged Mat shopping on Oxford Street on Saturday. We spent 4 hours going in and out of H&M, Top Shop, and a million other stores and he didn't even complain once, bless him. He might be a keeper. Then Kate and Megan came up on Saturday night and we all went out. Pretty uneventful evening. Sunday I was forced to watch the Grand Prix, and then came back to Dorking to do all my homework.
I've started applying to grad schools in London. I feel like if I'm going to pack up and move across the world, I might as well do it when I'm young! So we'll see how that goes.
10 November 2011
Awful day.
Today was awful, from start to finish.
First, I woke up at 8:04. My head teacher picks me up at 8. I couldn't call her because her cell phone is dead. So I got ready in 5 minutes and ran down the street just as she was pulling away (good thing she saw me!). It was downhill from there. I lost my memory stick (with all my planning on it), and spent an hour looking for it this morning. Found it in the bottom of my school bag. I had a crap lunch (Ramen noodles in the microwave) because I didn't have time to pack on this morning. Then, this afternoon, I was teaching ICT and I look up and there are 20 prospective parents watching me! It was Open Day today, so the parents were just going in and out of the classrooms. They stood there for almost my whole lesson! That's not distracting for the children at all, having 20 strangers watching them on the carpet. How annoying. I spent hours after school planning for my 4-hour observation tomorrow (which is not exciting at all) AND, to top it all off, I'm sick. Can't breathe, can't sleep.
And that's the end of my crabby post.
First, I woke up at 8:04. My head teacher picks me up at 8. I couldn't call her because her cell phone is dead. So I got ready in 5 minutes and ran down the street just as she was pulling away (good thing she saw me!). It was downhill from there. I lost my memory stick (with all my planning on it), and spent an hour looking for it this morning. Found it in the bottom of my school bag. I had a crap lunch (Ramen noodles in the microwave) because I didn't have time to pack on this morning. Then, this afternoon, I was teaching ICT and I look up and there are 20 prospective parents watching me! It was Open Day today, so the parents were just going in and out of the classrooms. They stood there for almost my whole lesson! That's not distracting for the children at all, having 20 strangers watching them on the carpet. How annoying. I spent hours after school planning for my 4-hour observation tomorrow (which is not exciting at all) AND, to top it all off, I'm sick. Can't breathe, can't sleep.
And that's the end of my crabby post.
09 November 2011
Things I miss....
THINGS I MISS
(in no particular order):
1. Driving
2. My cell phone
3. Drying my clothes (we air dry everything here)
4. Having my own straightener/blow dryer
5. Driving (yes it needs to be on the list twice)
6. My family
7. Target (seriously)
8. My credit cards
9. An easily accessible clothing store.
10. My nose ring/earrings
11. Correctly spelling words ("favour" and "centre" will just never look right)
12. Sleeping (that doesn't happen much these days)
13. Emergen-C (to fix the effects of the lack of sleep)
14. Mountain Dew
15. My friends
16. Stores that stay open past 6 pm
....and last, but not least,
17. Singing out loud in my car
..... feeling just a little bit homesick tonight.
9/11 (British dates, so really November 9th)
Another day another dollar.... oh wait. No dollars, just days. I'm extremely broke, actually, since my credit cards still haven't arrived from America. I'm down to £60. Hopefully I don't need to grocery shop in the near future! =/ My new credit/debit cards should be on their way to England.. should be here by this weekend.
School is school. My kids have been drawing me all sorts of pictures lately. They're so cute.
School is school. My kids have been drawing me all sorts of pictures lately. They're so cute.
I love how they spell my name phonetically. K-ee-s. They are so clever!
See the resemblance? This is supposed to be me. I particularly like my large green body and red eyes.
Not much else is going on at school. Open Day is tomorrow, where all the prospective parents come to look at the school, so everyone is extra stressed out. I attended a real tea party today! It was one of our teacher's birthday, so we had a surprise tea after school. Tony comes to observe me on Friday.. and not just one lesson like normal.. he's coming for a full 4 hours. Terrifying.
Fun fact - In England, it's spelled "kerb" instead of "curb".. weird, right?
Also, funny conversation I had with little Poppy while they were changing for street dance (yes, street dance):
Poppy is sitting in her underwear and starts putting her shoes on.
Me: "Poppy aren't you going to put your pants on before your shoes?"
Poppy: *blank stare*
Me: "Your pants.. you should put them on before you put shoes on."
Poppy: *blank stare* "but Miss Keys, I already have my pants on!"
...... I always forget that pants are underwear in this country.
04 November 2011
November already!
What a crazy week it's been!
I lost my wallet in London last weekend. So, I canceled my credit cards. I still had my emergency card at home, BUT...... when I was cancelling my cards, I accidentally canceled my emergency card instead of the card I actually lost! Typical, right? So now I have about 20 pounds and 100 euros (which are no good in England) to my name.
We were supposed to be going to Paris this weekend, but we aren't going anymore. The other girls have too much school work to do this weekend. I'm not too bummed about it, because I've been to Paris, but it sucks we wasted all that money! If I was brave enough, I'd just go by myself, but I'm not. I don't want to get kidnapped.
Teaching is going just fine. It's Guy Fawkes Day tomorrow, so we taught the children about that today. A bit tricky since they don't know what Parliament is, or what treason means, and I didn't want to introduce them to the idea of torture and being hanged. So we left out big chunks of the story. They were mostly concerned about the fireworks/bonfires they'll get to see this weekend.
In 3 short weeks I'll be full-time teaching. That is terrifying, isn't it? I think so.
I've been hanging out with a boy (Grandpa, I know this is a shock but it's true!). We'll see if that continues to go well (and if I can talk him into moving to America!).
Not a lot else is going on in good ol' England. I stole Kate's Rome pictures, so they'll be up sometime this weekend.
I lost my wallet in London last weekend. So, I canceled my credit cards. I still had my emergency card at home, BUT...... when I was cancelling my cards, I accidentally canceled my emergency card instead of the card I actually lost! Typical, right? So now I have about 20 pounds and 100 euros (which are no good in England) to my name.
We were supposed to be going to Paris this weekend, but we aren't going anymore. The other girls have too much school work to do this weekend. I'm not too bummed about it, because I've been to Paris, but it sucks we wasted all that money! If I was brave enough, I'd just go by myself, but I'm not. I don't want to get kidnapped.
Teaching is going just fine. It's Guy Fawkes Day tomorrow, so we taught the children about that today. A bit tricky since they don't know what Parliament is, or what treason means, and I didn't want to introduce them to the idea of torture and being hanged. So we left out big chunks of the story. They were mostly concerned about the fireworks/bonfires they'll get to see this weekend.
In 3 short weeks I'll be full-time teaching. That is terrifying, isn't it? I think so.
I've been hanging out with a boy (Grandpa, I know this is a shock but it's true!). We'll see if that continues to go well (and if I can talk him into moving to America!).
Not a lot else is going on in good ol' England. I stole Kate's Rome pictures, so they'll be up sometime this weekend.
31 October 2011
Monday
Monday was definitely Monday today. Kate and Megan forgot to set their phone back (we had daylight savings this past weekend and our ancient phones don't reset the time for us) so they woke up and started getting ready at 5 am instead of 6 am. Then, in the getting ready process, they discovered a spider, apparently with a body as big as a quarter. They couldn't kill it because it would be too loud (it was 5 am), so they just left it. Naturally, I couldn't go back to sleep with a spider in the room, so I had to go sleep in Kate's room. Then, when I got up at 7, I asked Sandy (our host dad) if he would come kill it.. of course it was gone. So now we have a massive spider on the loose in our room. Guess who won't be sleeping tonight.....
School was okay. The combination of it being the first day back after half-term AND it being Halloween made the kids a little wild. I was under the impression that Halloween wasn't celebrated in England.. turns out, it is! We weren't allowed to do Halloween activities at school though, because it's a Church of England school and the Church of England doesn't condone a dress-up-and-trick-or-treat Halloween. Still, all the children talked about all day was trick or treating and what their costumes were. Not much else exciting happened today!
I got pictures from Kate from the first few days in Rome, so I'll post those when I get a chance!
School was okay. The combination of it being the first day back after half-term AND it being Halloween made the kids a little wild. I was under the impression that Halloween wasn't celebrated in England.. turns out, it is! We weren't allowed to do Halloween activities at school though, because it's a Church of England school and the Church of England doesn't condone a dress-up-and-trick-or-treat Halloween. Still, all the children talked about all day was trick or treating and what their costumes were. Not much else exciting happened today!
I got pictures from Kate from the first few days in Rome, so I'll post those when I get a chance!
30 October 2011
Pictures
When looking at these pictures, keep in mind that we blew our straightener the first day there, so ignore my hair.. also keep in mind that I lost my memory card from the first 2 days, so this is just the last 3.
Colosseo (aka Colosseum). The sand part is a reconstruction, but the rest is the original thing! Absolutely massive.
Emperor's entrance to the Colosseum.
One of the two gladiator entrances.
Apparently if you kiss this, your sins are all forgive for 100 days or something like that. I felt like I'd rather keep the sins instead of kissing that thing that a million other people have kissed. Talk about germs, my goodness!
Real arch and a blind arch. The blind arches apparently distribute the weight of the rocks above? Or something? Our guide said it was similar to water on an umbrella.
Just some ruins.
In the Roman Forum.
Place where Caesar was cremated, tucked away in the Roman Forum.
Part of a villa on Palatine Hill.
On Palatine Hill. Behind me is a hippodrome, used by Roman rulers. Directly behind me was the only place to sit to watch the events. Only emperors and Roman high-society (senate members, etc) were allowed to watch these events.
Better picture of the hippodrome. On the left is where the few people sat.
Some stairs we weren't allowed to walk up.
Kate and I by Circus Maximus, with Palatine Hill in the background. We couldn't walk in the Circus Maximus because the Italian Army was doing training exercises or something in it.
Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, and me.
Me and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.. beautiful inside!
Part of the Keys clan on the Spanish Steps!
Awkward? Haha
Momma and Poppa Keys on the Spanish Steps.
That's all until I steal Kate's and Megan's memory cards from the first few days!
28 October 2011
Rome - Days 3-4
Day 3 - Wednesday
We slept in a little bit on Wednesday morning because we were out kinda late on Tuesday night. When we got up, we walked down to a restaurant that Kate wanted to go to called Cleto. Turns out they don't open until 12 (it was only 1130), so we just ate somewhere else. Then Megan got sick (like, really sick.. maybe food poisoning?) so we took her back to the hotel and Kate and I went exploring. We walked to Piazza de Republic (I think?) and ate gelato by a pretty fountain. Then we just wandered around and stopped at a farmers market and walked to some other pretty building. At 3ish, we went to go meet up with Momma and Poppa Keys. The Keys family then ventured to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, an absolutely beautiful church. Then we picked up Kate and Megan from the hotel and went to the Piazza de Spagna (and did the Spanish steps). We walked to Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and then Randy got us lost trying to find Campo de Fiori. After walking in circles for a while, we found it.. I'm still not really sure exactly what Campo de Fiori is, but it was pretty! We ate dinner and then walked home by the Roman ruins. Overall, it was a fantastic night. It's always good to see Momma and Poppa Keys.. too bad it was only for a night =(
Day 4 - Thursday
We had to be out of our B&B by 10:30 on Thursday morning, but our flight wasn't until 8 pm.. so we checked out and walked around with our luggage (which was annoying, but what can you do?). We walked down to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore again, so Kate and Megan could see it. Then we walked down by the ruins of Trajan Market and by the Colosseum for one last time. We ate lunch at the Cleto place that Kate wanted to go to.
By that time, it was only 1 o'clock. We found a train (that we almost missed) to the airport. The train was at 1:52, but they didn't put the platform number up until 1:48 and it was literally the furthest platform away from where we were. We had to run through the Termini with a few other panicked people, but we made it. We were at the airport like 5 hours early though, so that sucked. We went through security, which is much more lax than security in American/English airports. I didn't take a single liquid out of my bag, and Megan set off the metal detector, and they just sent us on our way! Passport control was also a breeze.. they barely looked at our passports.. just stamped them and let us through. We lucked out, I think! The flight back was uneventful. Our host dad, Sandy, picked us up from the airport (we love him) and we got back to our house around 10:30.
Now, back to the real world! I'm spending the day studying for my GRE and planning lessons, then heading into London for a dinner date.
I'll put up Rome pictures shortly! However, I lost my memory card from the first 2 days (not happy about it).. so I only have pictures from the last 3 days.
We slept in a little bit on Wednesday morning because we were out kinda late on Tuesday night. When we got up, we walked down to a restaurant that Kate wanted to go to called Cleto. Turns out they don't open until 12 (it was only 1130), so we just ate somewhere else. Then Megan got sick (like, really sick.. maybe food poisoning?) so we took her back to the hotel and Kate and I went exploring. We walked to Piazza de Republic (I think?) and ate gelato by a pretty fountain. Then we just wandered around and stopped at a farmers market and walked to some other pretty building. At 3ish, we went to go meet up with Momma and Poppa Keys. The Keys family then ventured to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, an absolutely beautiful church. Then we picked up Kate and Megan from the hotel and went to the Piazza de Spagna (and did the Spanish steps). We walked to Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and then Randy got us lost trying to find Campo de Fiori. After walking in circles for a while, we found it.. I'm still not really sure exactly what Campo de Fiori is, but it was pretty! We ate dinner and then walked home by the Roman ruins. Overall, it was a fantastic night. It's always good to see Momma and Poppa Keys.. too bad it was only for a night =(
Day 4 - Thursday
We had to be out of our B&B by 10:30 on Thursday morning, but our flight wasn't until 8 pm.. so we checked out and walked around with our luggage (which was annoying, but what can you do?). We walked down to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore again, so Kate and Megan could see it. Then we walked down by the ruins of Trajan Market and by the Colosseum for one last time. We ate lunch at the Cleto place that Kate wanted to go to.
By that time, it was only 1 o'clock. We found a train (that we almost missed) to the airport. The train was at 1:52, but they didn't put the platform number up until 1:48 and it was literally the furthest platform away from where we were. We had to run through the Termini with a few other panicked people, but we made it. We were at the airport like 5 hours early though, so that sucked. We went through security, which is much more lax than security in American/English airports. I didn't take a single liquid out of my bag, and Megan set off the metal detector, and they just sent us on our way! Passport control was also a breeze.. they barely looked at our passports.. just stamped them and let us through. We lucked out, I think! The flight back was uneventful. Our host dad, Sandy, picked us up from the airport (we love him) and we got back to our house around 10:30.
Now, back to the real world! I'm spending the day studying for my GRE and planning lessons, then heading into London for a dinner date.
I'll put up Rome pictures shortly! However, I lost my memory card from the first 2 days (not happy about it).. so I only have pictures from the last 3 days.
25 October 2011
Rome - days 2-3
Day 2 - Monday.
Monday morning we were up bright and early for our Vatican Museums tour. We took the Metro, which was interesting. The Metro in Rome only has 2 lines, line A and line B. Not the streamlined system the London Underground is! It was packed, but it got us where we needed to be. We met our tour guide, Francesca (who knows everything there is to know about everything in the Vatican), outside the walls of the Vatican. We skipped the lines, and went straight into the Vatican Museums. We went through all the museums and learned about the Popes and things. Then we went to the Raphael Rooms, which are incredible. Then we went in the Sistine Chapel, which is even more incredible. And then, we went in St. Peter's Basilica, which happens to be the most incredible place in the whole world... so, naturally, my camera died while we were in there. The Vatican is, hands down, my favorite place in the entire world. I love it. So much history! I want to go back to school and study the Vatican and the Popes.
After the Vatican tour, we ate lunch at a really expensive Italian place by the Vatican. Then, we hopped on our tour bus and rode it to the Trevi Fountain, which is gorgeous. After that, we walked to the Pantheon, which is also incredible. Then we spent a few hours in Piazza Navona, which is beautiful at night. We decided we should see the Trevi Fountain at night as well, so we hung out there for a while. Then we walked to the Colosseum to see that at night. We took the Metro back to our B&B at 11 pm-ish. Long day, but easily my favorite day of my life.
Day 3 - Tuesday.
Tuesday morning was not as smooth as Monday. We got up, and decided to take our tour bus to the Colosseum for our Ancient Rome tour at 10:30. We got on the bus, and I realized I had forgotten our voucher. So we had to get off the bus, walk back to the B&B, and then find a taxi to take us to the Colosseum. It costs 8 euros for that taxi ride, and it was probably 3 minutes. Our Ancient Rome tour started at the Colosseum, where we learned everything there is to know about the Colosseum. Then we went to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, aka the coolest Roman ruins ever. There are so many of them, and they are all so old and so impressive. Our tour guide wasn't as good on this tour, but we still learned a lot. Then, we walked over to the Circus Maximus. The Italian Army was doing something in the Circus, so we couldn't walk down into it. Still cool to see though. Then we walked back to our B&B, and now we're getting ready for the night. I think we're going to go to a karaoke bar. Should be interesting!
I'll put all kinds of pictures up whenever I get back to England.
Tomorrow, I get to see Momma and Poppa Keys! So exciting!
Monday morning we were up bright and early for our Vatican Museums tour. We took the Metro, which was interesting. The Metro in Rome only has 2 lines, line A and line B. Not the streamlined system the London Underground is! It was packed, but it got us where we needed to be. We met our tour guide, Francesca (who knows everything there is to know about everything in the Vatican), outside the walls of the Vatican. We skipped the lines, and went straight into the Vatican Museums. We went through all the museums and learned about the Popes and things. Then we went to the Raphael Rooms, which are incredible. Then we went in the Sistine Chapel, which is even more incredible. And then, we went in St. Peter's Basilica, which happens to be the most incredible place in the whole world... so, naturally, my camera died while we were in there. The Vatican is, hands down, my favorite place in the entire world. I love it. So much history! I want to go back to school and study the Vatican and the Popes.
After the Vatican tour, we ate lunch at a really expensive Italian place by the Vatican. Then, we hopped on our tour bus and rode it to the Trevi Fountain, which is gorgeous. After that, we walked to the Pantheon, which is also incredible. Then we spent a few hours in Piazza Navona, which is beautiful at night. We decided we should see the Trevi Fountain at night as well, so we hung out there for a while. Then we walked to the Colosseum to see that at night. We took the Metro back to our B&B at 11 pm-ish. Long day, but easily my favorite day of my life.
Day 3 - Tuesday.
Tuesday morning was not as smooth as Monday. We got up, and decided to take our tour bus to the Colosseum for our Ancient Rome tour at 10:30. We got on the bus, and I realized I had forgotten our voucher. So we had to get off the bus, walk back to the B&B, and then find a taxi to take us to the Colosseum. It costs 8 euros for that taxi ride, and it was probably 3 minutes. Our Ancient Rome tour started at the Colosseum, where we learned everything there is to know about the Colosseum. Then we went to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, aka the coolest Roman ruins ever. There are so many of them, and they are all so old and so impressive. Our tour guide wasn't as good on this tour, but we still learned a lot. Then, we walked over to the Circus Maximus. The Italian Army was doing something in the Circus, so we couldn't walk down into it. Still cool to see though. Then we walked back to our B&B, and now we're getting ready for the night. I think we're going to go to a karaoke bar. Should be interesting!
I'll put all kinds of pictures up whenever I get back to England.
Tomorrow, I get to see Momma and Poppa Keys! So exciting!
23 October 2011
Rome!
We made it to Rome! We flew in yesterday afternoon. Our B&B might be the sketchiest place ever. We came to check in and it's in an apartment building, so we buzzed and buzzed and no one answered. So we snuck in when someone else opened the door. Then, we walked up to where this place was supposed to be and knocked and knocked and no one answered! Finally, we found a couple who let us in. The keys to our room were in our door and there was no one working the desk... so we took the keys and hoped it was the right room! This morning, someone came at like 9 to ask us if we wanted breakfast. So we got breakfast, and we told him our toilet doesn't work (cause it doesn't). It's night time and it's still broken. And no one cleaned in our room. Very odd place. We've called the number on the door at least 7 times and no one has answered.
Last night, we met up with Megan's friend Max who's studying abroad in Rome. We went to dinner at a little Italian place and then went to meet up with some of Max's friends. There are eight guys, all from the east coast, studying abroad with him, so we went out with them last night. It was a good time! We went to some bar, and then tried to go to some club but one of the guys got us lost so we just went back. This morning, we got up and went on a bus tour (about 2-3 hours long). It was an audio one, where you listen to headphones, so not as good as the live announcers we had in London. Still really good to see everything though! After the bus tour, we ate at a little Italian place right by the Colosseum. Then we walked around by the Colosseum and into the Piazza de Venezia (I think that's what it was called). We hung out there for a while (absolutely beautiful buildings!) and then walked back to our B&B (after spending a good 10 minutes lost in the middle of Rome).
Tonight we're going to check out to Piazza Navona. Tomorrow morning, we have our Vatican Museums tour, which I am SO excited about! The other girls are way more interested in the Ancient Rome stuff (which is interesting), but I'm really stoked for the Vatican. Apparently, the Pope was cannonized today (because he cured a woman of Parkinson's).. we drove by on our bus right after the ceremony, so there were a bajillion people there.
I just love Rome.
Last night, we met up with Megan's friend Max who's studying abroad in Rome. We went to dinner at a little Italian place and then went to meet up with some of Max's friends. There are eight guys, all from the east coast, studying abroad with him, so we went out with them last night. It was a good time! We went to some bar, and then tried to go to some club but one of the guys got us lost so we just went back. This morning, we got up and went on a bus tour (about 2-3 hours long). It was an audio one, where you listen to headphones, so not as good as the live announcers we had in London. Still really good to see everything though! After the bus tour, we ate at a little Italian place right by the Colosseum. Then we walked around by the Colosseum and into the Piazza de Venezia (I think that's what it was called). We hung out there for a while (absolutely beautiful buildings!) and then walked back to our B&B (after spending a good 10 minutes lost in the middle of Rome).
Tonight we're going to check out to Piazza Navona. Tomorrow morning, we have our Vatican Museums tour, which I am SO excited about! The other girls are way more interested in the Ancient Rome stuff (which is interesting), but I'm really stoked for the Vatican. Apparently, the Pope was cannonized today (because he cured a woman of Parkinson's).. we drove by on our bus right after the ceremony, so there were a bajillion people there.
I just love Rome.
20 October 2011
Almost half-term!
Today was a pretty eventful day at school. For starters, our gerbil, Plus 1, died this morning. He's been poorly for the last few days and he finally gave in today. I don't think the children have even noticed that his container isn't there anymore though. I taught Numeracy today and it went really well. Definitely the smoothest lesson I've had thus far in my student teaching. This afternoon, the fire truck came, so all the children got to go outside and look around the fire truck, and THEN they got to spray the hose (well, they got to pull back the handle while the fireman held the hose). Very exciting for them!
Funny things the kids have said:
- Yesterday on the playground, a Year 2 boy came up to me and said "You know Miss Keys, you have a really good American accent"....... thanks? Haha.
- Today, I was reading a story and it said "shut up" in it. I read it, and then reminded the children that we don't say that at school. This little girl raises her hand and says "Miss Keys you aren't allowed to say for f**k's sake"......out loud, on the carpet, in front of 24 other little ears... I literally was speechless for a good 5 seconds. You can tell how her mummy and daddy talk at home!
ONE MORE SCHOOL DAY UNTIL ROME!
Funny things the kids have said:
- Yesterday on the playground, a Year 2 boy came up to me and said "You know Miss Keys, you have a really good American accent"....... thanks? Haha.
- Today, I was reading a story and it said "shut up" in it. I read it, and then reminded the children that we don't say that at school. This little girl raises her hand and says "Miss Keys you aren't allowed to say for f**k's sake"......out loud, on the carpet, in front of 24 other little ears... I literally was speechless for a good 5 seconds. You can tell how her mummy and daddy talk at home!
ONE MORE SCHOOL DAY UNTIL ROME!
18 October 2011
Pictures from Windsor
Best picture I took all day. I love it.
Megan and I in front of part of the castle.
They walked by so close.
People live here.. inside Windsor Castle. Like this man and his wheelbarrow. So cool!
St. George's Chapel and me.
17 October 2011
Weekend/Monday
We had an eventful weekend! Saturday, Kate and I went to Epsom to go shopping, then walked up Box Hill and did some reading. Such a relaxing afternoon! Then we cooked dinner and hung out at home. Sunday, we went to Windsor Castle with Megan's parents. Windsor is a much more impressive place than Buckingham Palace, in my opinion. It is massive, and so much more like a fortress than Buckingham. We toured the State Rooms and saw Queen Mary's Dollhouse, so that was really interesting. St. Georges Chapel was closed because we went on Sunday, so that was really a bummer. It's gorgeous inside. We seriously considered going to a service there just so we could see the inside but we decided that might be disrespectful. Very sad we didn't get to see the inside though.
Today, my supervisor came to observe me teach a PE lesson (the subject that seems to be the bane of every British teacher's existence). It's just such a chore because they have to change out of their uniforms into their PE kits. That is no small feat when you have a class of 25 five-year-olds! Most of them can't even unbutton their top buttons themselves, so changing takes a good 10-15 minutes. So, once they're finally dressed, I have to get them into the hall. The hall is only about 10 feet from our classroom, but since they have to step outside to get there, they can't go barefoot, so they have to wear plimsolls. Then, we have to figure out the best way to take their plimsolls off and where they can find them, because they needed bare feet for the lesson. THEN, England has this rule that children have to learn how to take out their own apparatus. So, for example, we used benches, stools, mats, and balance beams today. So, technically, the children should have set up all of those things. My children are not at all ready for that, so we just tackled the mats today. Teaching them how to carry the mats from the rack to the floor took (I'm not kidding) 20 minutes. That is our whole PE slot right there. Changing, walking to the hall, and getting mats out. I let them jump off the apparatus for 5 minutes (we just ran over time) because I didn't want them to have wasted all that effort getting the mats out and not using them.
All in all, PE is the worst subject to teach in England. Also, the apparatus they use would never be okay in America. Literally, the balance beams are wooden benches turned upside down, and they were jumping off of benches and tall stools today. And that was perfectly fine with everyone. Good thing I don't want to be a PE teacher because I don't think I could handle it! Managing them is also so much harder once they get into PE mode. I think my supervisor thought it went okay though, so that's good.
My teacher was sick today and will be out tomorrow as well, so our head teacher has been teaching our class. It's a much different atmosphere with the head in the classroom. She has this power over them. It's amazing! I'm sure it helps that she's been a teacher for a bajillion years, so she knows what she's doing.
We also had parent consultations tonight (aka conferences). Always an interesting experience, especially being on the teacher side of the conference. Some parents have such interesting views about their children. That's all I'll say about that =)
Time to plan!
Today, my supervisor came to observe me teach a PE lesson (the subject that seems to be the bane of every British teacher's existence). It's just such a chore because they have to change out of their uniforms into their PE kits. That is no small feat when you have a class of 25 five-year-olds! Most of them can't even unbutton their top buttons themselves, so changing takes a good 10-15 minutes. So, once they're finally dressed, I have to get them into the hall. The hall is only about 10 feet from our classroom, but since they have to step outside to get there, they can't go barefoot, so they have to wear plimsolls. Then, we have to figure out the best way to take their plimsolls off and where they can find them, because they needed bare feet for the lesson. THEN, England has this rule that children have to learn how to take out their own apparatus. So, for example, we used benches, stools, mats, and balance beams today. So, technically, the children should have set up all of those things. My children are not at all ready for that, so we just tackled the mats today. Teaching them how to carry the mats from the rack to the floor took (I'm not kidding) 20 minutes. That is our whole PE slot right there. Changing, walking to the hall, and getting mats out. I let them jump off the apparatus for 5 minutes (we just ran over time) because I didn't want them to have wasted all that effort getting the mats out and not using them.
All in all, PE is the worst subject to teach in England. Also, the apparatus they use would never be okay in America. Literally, the balance beams are wooden benches turned upside down, and they were jumping off of benches and tall stools today. And that was perfectly fine with everyone. Good thing I don't want to be a PE teacher because I don't think I could handle it! Managing them is also so much harder once they get into PE mode. I think my supervisor thought it went okay though, so that's good.
My teacher was sick today and will be out tomorrow as well, so our head teacher has been teaching our class. It's a much different atmosphere with the head in the classroom. She has this power over them. It's amazing! I'm sure it helps that she's been a teacher for a bajillion years, so she knows what she's doing.
We also had parent consultations tonight (aka conferences). Always an interesting experience, especially being on the teacher side of the conference. Some parents have such interesting views about their children. That's all I'll say about that =)
Time to plan!
14 October 2011
Friday, Friday... we don't have annoying songs like that in England =)
I've survived another week! Only one more week until half-term and ITALY! YAY! School was uneventful again today. I taught the morning, which went fine. After school, a couple of teachers and I went out for wine at a little place in Dorking and it was absolutely lovely. I love them. We've also been planning Thanksgiving, because we're going to do a whole Thanksgiving/America day on Thanksgiving! I'm going to to assembly and talk about Thanksgiving and what it means. It will be so great! The girls have their staff outing tonight, so I'm either going out with my host brothers or staying in and having a quiet relaxing night, either of which would be just fine with me.
Fun facts:
We use the word "muddle" a lot at school, which is a word I don't hear often in America. When something is confused or messed up, we say "Oh that's all in a muddle!"
An ice cream cone is called a cornet, not a cone. Odd.
Fun facts:
We use the word "muddle" a lot at school, which is a word I don't hear often in America. When something is confused or messed up, we say "Oh that's all in a muddle!"
An ice cream cone is called a cornet, not a cone. Odd.
13 October 2011
Longest week ever....
I didn't know any week could be longer than last week.. but this week is taking the cake! By the time Wednesday rolls around, I feel like it's Friday and I've lost all motivation. It didn't help that the children were absolutely dreadful today. Awful. I had to stop in the middle of our lesson, tell them I would wait for them to finish their conversations, and just stare at them for at least a minute. They just couldn't control their voices and they were fighting and crying.. so much drama!
I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. The girls have a staff outing with their school tomorrow night, so I'll probably snuggle up with a book and bottle of wine and relax by myself. It's so weird how little I'm by myself here. Literally, never. Especially since I share a room. Sometimes, you just need to be by yourself for a little while! Megan's parents will be here on Saturday. I think we're going to go to Windsor Castle, which was my favourite place the last time we were in England, so that should be really fun.
I'm out of interesting things to say.
I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. The girls have a staff outing with their school tomorrow night, so I'll probably snuggle up with a book and bottle of wine and relax by myself. It's so weird how little I'm by myself here. Literally, never. Especially since I share a room. Sometimes, you just need to be by yourself for a little while! Megan's parents will be here on Saturday. I think we're going to go to Windsor Castle, which was my favourite place the last time we were in England, so that should be really fun.
I'm out of interesting things to say.
11 October 2011
Not-so-terrible Tuesday
Normally, Tuesday is my least favorite day of the week. Today, however, was not half-bad! The morning started out rough, because my kids were being pains. During literacy this morning, we were trying to think of words that rhyme with train. We had a little girl raise her hand a say something along the lines of "I know this has nothing to do with what we're doing but I have to ask. Do you think snails know that they are snails?" .... uhhhhh....? They recovered nicely for the afternoon (and I had planning for half of the afternoon). I had to observe my head teacher teaching the children music because I'm teaching it next week. Yes, you read that right. I will be teaching tiny British people about music and instruments. It won't be pretty, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
During my PPA (I forgot what it stands for, but it means planning time), I got a lot done, and then stayed after school until almost 530 doing more planning. Exhausting, but I'm starting to feel like I'm a little bit caught up with everything! I have my lessons for tomorrow planned, and I've even started my lessons for Thursday (yes this does count as being caught up).
Fun fact of the day: Peppercorns used to be expensive, apparently, so people used to use them as currency. Because of this, there's a hangover from old British law that says you can collect and pay rent in peppercorns. My school rents a piece of land right behind it as a nature area, and the man who owns it has them pay their "rent" in peppercorns! How cute is that! He came by today and had my head teacher pay the rent... a handful of peppercorns! I love it.
During my PPA (I forgot what it stands for, but it means planning time), I got a lot done, and then stayed after school until almost 530 doing more planning. Exhausting, but I'm starting to feel like I'm a little bit caught up with everything! I have my lessons for tomorrow planned, and I've even started my lessons for Thursday (yes this does count as being caught up).
Fun fact of the day: Peppercorns used to be expensive, apparently, so people used to use them as currency. Because of this, there's a hangover from old British law that says you can collect and pay rent in peppercorns. My school rents a piece of land right behind it as a nature area, and the man who owns it has them pay their "rent" in peppercorns! How cute is that! He came by today and had my head teacher pay the rent... a handful of peppercorns! I love it.
10 October 2011
Beginning of Week 6
Can't believe this is already my 6th week of student teaching (and living in England)! Crazy.
Today was a good day at school. I spent the morning in Reception, just to see the differences between Year R and Year 1. SO different. Year R is mostly child-initiated activities with written observations by adults. Year 1 is mostly teacher-directed or teacher-initiated activities with assessments being more formal (worksheets, etc). I don't know which type of environment I prefer, but I do like the laid-back structure of the Reception classroom. The Year 1 children were not happy with my absence though. One little boy told my teacher that I wasn't allowed to stay in Year R because they needed me in Year 1. Too cute! The Year 1s and Year 2s walked over to the church for church assembly today. We have assembly at school everyday, but church assembly is special ( I think it's once a month?). I didn't get to go, but they all told me it was fun.
This afternoon, I taught a PE lesson where the children had to learn how to jump off of an apparatus (a bench, a stool, etc). Yes. I had 25 five-year-olds jumping off of things with just me in the hall. Absolutely terrifying. They were SO well behaved though! I was so impressed. I love when they're well-behaved! Haha.
British slang of the day:
"Taking a piss" = making fun of someone
"Having a laugh" = making fun of someone
"Taking the mickey out of _______" = making them the subject of your joke (making fun of them)
Today was a good day at school. I spent the morning in Reception, just to see the differences between Year R and Year 1. SO different. Year R is mostly child-initiated activities with written observations by adults. Year 1 is mostly teacher-directed or teacher-initiated activities with assessments being more formal (worksheets, etc). I don't know which type of environment I prefer, but I do like the laid-back structure of the Reception classroom. The Year 1 children were not happy with my absence though. One little boy told my teacher that I wasn't allowed to stay in Year R because they needed me in Year 1. Too cute! The Year 1s and Year 2s walked over to the church for church assembly today. We have assembly at school everyday, but church assembly is special ( I think it's once a month?). I didn't get to go, but they all told me it was fun.
This afternoon, I taught a PE lesson where the children had to learn how to jump off of an apparatus (a bench, a stool, etc). Yes. I had 25 five-year-olds jumping off of things with just me in the hall. Absolutely terrifying. They were SO well behaved though! I was so impressed. I love when they're well-behaved! Haha.
British slang of the day:
"Taking a piss" = making fun of someone
"Having a laugh" = making fun of someone
"Taking the mickey out of _______" = making them the subject of your joke (making fun of them)
09 October 2011
Weekend
Phantom of the Opera was AMAZING. We couldn't take pictures, but it was absolutely beautiful and the people were so good. We sat as far away as you possibly could (the tickets were expensive!) but we could still see everything, so it worked out. Here is the only picture I could get of the stage beforehand.
Before the Phantom of the Opera, we walked through Trafalgar Square and into a big protest! Kind of scary, because they were protesting the war in Afghanistan and some prisoner that we have at Guantanamo.. so not the most America-friendly place. Really cool to see though! Here are some pictures:
Before the Phantom of the Opera, we walked through Trafalgar Square and into a big protest! Kind of scary, because they were protesting the war in Afghanistan and some prisoner that we have at Guantanamo.. so not the most America-friendly place. Really cool to see though! Here are some pictures:
Crazy! Not that I necessarily agree with what they were protesting, but it was definitely a cool thing to experience.
After we left London, we went to Sutton to meet up with some teachers the other girls work with. We had curry for dinner (for the first time). I'm not sure I love curry, but at least I can say I've tried it! Then we played some cards and then came home. It was an exhausting, but good weekend!
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