Still kickin'

Just a quick blog today to remind myself and my blog that I am still alive and kickin'. Moved house this weekend, after the fire at school and feel like I have lived out of a box all my life at times. Back in our new office today- yay- but OMG so much bright yellow paint! (Why do men always choose paint colours that are just NQR??) Colour blindness is common in males- true? Have no TV at home but feel like a Big Brother contestant as all the kids stare and wave at me through the glass of my uncurtained office window- curtains due tomorrow we are promised. A few problems re: full time staff getting better spots than part timers etc, but all seems to be sorted out. Or at least will be when DM leaves at the end of term.

Good week so far. RDJ is coming around slowly, slowly and the fact that I know more about his pet snake is going to help with his poetry writing this fortnight. I can't believe how enthusiastic both classes have been about poetry this year compared to last year- it is really refreshing.
AS and WT had been a bit catty towards me (and for some reason I find this really unsettling- why is it that the boys can hate me as much as they like but I hate it when the girls do- It must be my conditioning from years of school yard bitching). Initiated a dialouge with AS at Cross country by starting with "You've changed". Then we chatted quickly and left it. Later she came over to me and asked "In what way have I changed- good or bad?" From there we reconciled and I suggested we be friendly towards one another like we used to be in Term 1. Today she was all smiles and hellos, even tapping on the aforementioned glass office windows and waving. So that makes me feel better. Those 2 have a very powerful and unsettling dynamic that can really make you feel uncomfortable as you stand at the front of the room. Spoke to another teacher about it who said that despite the "rough and ready" attitude these kids profess, they are really sensitive underneath and that is why they put on such a tough exterior. That was spot on for those two girls who took my criticisms of the classes behaviour to heart.

Had some good one on one chats with the students today. Am feeling quite positive and upbeat about school at the moment. NOW IT ONLY TAKES ME 20 MINUTES TO GET THERE!!! Yay! So much better! And I have been staying back a bit longer and still getting home before 4pm. New house, new office, new fridge and microwave that I got to choose! Things are looking good. And I love it that people come to me or leave decisions for me to make in our office. But other than me there is only a crazy, alternative, pyjama and mu-mu wearing German teacher with a shock of red her or the Bosnian born- German teacher who barely understands English- Ahhh, the characters in teaching!

Must go. Chicken wraps await!
Bye for now,
M x