Save my pennies for a rainy day...

It's officially Autumn here in the British Isles. I believe Wednesday was the first official day, but this weekend has certainly reassured us all that Summer is long gone. The air is cold, crisp, sometimes rainy, and all the times blustery. I don't think I'll be leaving my house for the next 24 hours until I absolutely need to. I've already ruined, per say, the bottoms of two pairs of jeans...I'm not happy. 

This weekend went incredibly quick. Friday night I spent cleaning my room, getting a few things sorted out, indulging in a glass of wine, and then heading to bed at the ghastly hour of 9pm. Welcome to life as a working adult. It's exciting beyond imagination. Seriously. ... Teaching really takes more out of you than one could ever expect. My Friday's tend to be less intense than the rest of the week. Unfortunately, it's all the work that is done AFTER the students leave that really can wipe you out. The monotonous grading of books where students constantly misuse commas, full stops (periods in American), They're/their/there, where/were, effect/affect, accept/except and the list goes on.  It's the need for differentiating in EVERY BLOODY LESSON that causes you to spend three hours on a lesson when it really should only take an hour max; after a while I completely give up and just hope for the best. The silver lining of all this is that I'm not the only one struggling at the moment--most new teachers are and it's reassuring to know that I'm not alone. I could easily see how this section of my post could go off on a rant about how the children of the UK are falling as fast as the children in the US. How their education system is just as messed up and backwards as ours. How this "Every Child Matters" bullshit is just a different name for the "No Child Left Behind" act. But I won't, because I know I've already lost most of you to the next paragraph of this blog. So I'll continue on...

Yesterday was a bit more entertaining. Bri came to visit, which was simply awesome :) It was so nice to see her, especially since it's been almost 2 years! We got a bite of lunch at Ha Ha Grill (really good food, not so wonderful service), headed over to the mall area, walked around, bought a shirt from Monsoon (it was on sale--I can't actually afford clothes in that store) and then headed back to my house. Jason picked me up about 7, though we didn't actually leave until 9. We finally headed over to Stoney Stratford for the evening. The architecture is BEAUTIFUL there, even in the evening and more so even when it's raining/crappy out. We had some amazing Indian food last night, some really wonderful conversation, and then headed over to The Bull (since the other place was closing at 11pm on a saturday night. I was not impressed by this...) for a drink and a sit by the fire. What a nice evening! 

Today will be spent doing laundry, creating powerpoints for my lessons this week, more cleaning, reading and, as my roommate Michelle says, much faffing about :)

Home sickness is setting in a bit right now. I'm not sure if it's the weather, my terrible PMS or a mixture of both. Some things I'm urning for at the moment: Bagel Bin/Bagel Boys, beautiful Autumns in Maryland and New York, trips to Columbia with Lori SCREAMING the Jimmy Eat World song as we speed down 695, early morning autumn runs down Putty Hill, Anny and Chris, crazy nights out with Sarah, Purrrfect Pitch madness, my second home: Starbucks, Susan always reminding me of such, the PNUSSY wagon, spurratic Panera meetings with my Wife, ladies nights out with Erin followed by much complaining about how Mahwah is a TERRIBLE place for people our age, and so much more :(

Sunny Days...

Back in school after a long (though very pleasant) Birthday/Jewish New Year. Southampton was very nice despite the less than decent shul experience. The service was long, the rabbi was okay, the crowd was extremely OLD and the chorus made me (along with Dave and his sister) cringe. The sermon was what I had a real issue with. The title could have been "Leaving our selves and coming back to our selves." This idea that we should not think that our actions do not matter in life, but that in fact, they really do (at this point the small Existential part of me that does exist is going "yeah right..." while throwing any book by Camus at the Rabbi). His over all message was as follows: Doing good will bring you closer to G-d.

Blank stare.

Richard Dawkin's wrote on this issue in his book The God Dilemma. He made the statement that many people only do good in order to please/bring themselves close to God. I find a major flaw in this mindset (mostly stemming from Dawkin's point). If we only perform acts of love and kindness in order to please or become closer to G-d, then does that not make us as sinful as the person who goes out and intentionally performs acts of evil? If we are choosing to do good simply to please ourselves and the almighty being, then truly, we are not "good," but rather looking for that gold star to stick into our notebooks in hopes that, come the end of term, when we're standing at those pearly gates facing that big scary headmaster, he/she sees that we have a plethora of gold stars and enough to enter into Heaven; a selfish mindset indeed. To further this, Dawkins asks what would happen if there was no higher being to please, no one to fear, and no place to fear going to, would people STILL perform acts of love and kindness? One can only hope.

Enough on my religious rant. Unfortunately, this is where my views of organized religion are headed. Don't get me wrong, the culture and the history of the Jewish religion will always be in my heart--forever--there is no doubt about that. Many Jews will agree that Judaism is much more than JUST a religion--it is a people, it is a culture, and it is a nation. However, the existence of God and the over all idea of God itself has truly sparked many questions for me in the past few months or so.

Just to put it out there: it's official (by US standards). *Insert big beaming smile of happiness and joy* If you don't understand what I'm talking about, ask.

I'm at school right now during my free period so I should probably get some work done so I'm not here forever. (This post really has NOTHING to do with my experience teaching--though more about my experience in England...so I suppose it's okay that it's on here...)

More later!

It's your G-d forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved...

It's turning cold here in England. The leaves are changing and there's a definite uncertainty lingering in the air that comes with the rapid approach of Autumn. I've officially come down with my annual pre-winter cold...what a mess. 

Last Monday-Wednesday I spent 13 hours at work, preparing and having nervous breakdowns as a result of the lovely tri-annual visit from the government grouped named OFSTED. I didn't see much sunlight those three days as I was walking to work in the early hours of the morning and leaving as the sun had just set behind the hills of Milton Keynes. This visit managed to turn everyone into edgy work-a-holic fiends; a terrible mixture, especially for teachers. The entire school was on edge as the group of five moved throughout the school during the day on Wednesday and Thursday. I felt like I was in the middle of a "Big Brother" episode--it was as if they could hear and see you at all times. Finally, Thursday afternoon approached and we all breathed a sigh of relief followed by the pop of the champagne cork (the English department knows how to party ;) ). It was nice that our lives could now return to their normal state of chaos.

This weekend was wonderful. Jackie and Tony came from Manchester to help me celebrate my birthday;I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate. We had a drink or two on Friday evening before coming home and passing out. Saturday we spent in central Milton Keynes shopping followed by coming home to a wonderful surprise from Jason. He had mentioned a few times that my bookshelf was far too bare for an English teacher. So he spent a bit of Saturday in Watersones Book Store buying me books--a total of 6. I honestly have never received a nicer gift from a guy in my entire life. The purchase was so well through out, as was the lovely note he wrote me, the wrapping paper (actually news paper), and the cute little notes he wrote me on wrapped book. I'm still beaming from the amazing gift--it was far more than I could have ever asked for (yes, I'm ending this sentence in a preposition...). Jackie, Tony, and myself met Jason at Zizi's for dinner later on that evening. Stepping back from the conversation momentarily, I realized at one point during the evening that I could see all of four of us getting together on a regular basis. I was not the only one who saw this as well--both Jackie and Jason mentioned something to me at separate times during the evening. I honestly cannot believe that it's turning out like this, and this well for that matter. Incredible. 

Well, now that all is said and done, Jackie and Tony have gone home. I have planning to get done for this week as I'll be in Southampton for the new years with Dave and his sister. An early L'shanah Tovah to everyone who is observing. 

Tomorrow is my birthday but it doesn't really seem like it--22 doesn't have the appeal that 21 had. It's just another year older at this point I suppose.

Mistaking the smell of cold stone with education

Today was, without a doubt, the best Saturday I've had in years. To begin, the weather could not have been any more beautiful. I woke up at 9:30 and decided that it was nice enough to have breakfast in the backyard. Nothing like eggs, toast, coffee and the NYTIMES online to start off your day. The stock market skyrocketed after being on the brink of crashing this past Wednesday. A hugh sigh of relief was splattered across the entire business section. 

11am Jason came and picked me up to head up to Cambridge for the day. What a trip. One hour on the A4 and we were in the middle of the City Centre. We saw so much that I can barely remember everything. To name a few things:

1. Corpus Christy and Christ Church

2. Old Wooden Church/A climb to the top to see all of Cambridge

3. A nice tea shop--Tea and a breakfast scone with jam and cream (oh man was that delicious!)

4. A 45 minute Punting ride up and down the river--the most relaxing thing I have ever experienced (I can't wait to try it again in Italy come October!)

5. Stone, brick and thatched roof buildings that probably dated as far back as the medieval period (I was in awe of most of the structures). 

6. A nice hour spent lounging on one of the many grassy areas by the river watching the world go by.

*Phew* What a day it was indeed. I'm all smiles right now--really cannot help myself. Pictures are up on facebook and I urge you to look--the scenery was simply wonderful! 

Tomorrow I need to return to reality and buckle down with a bit of running/errands/grading before my housemates and I head off for a bit of bonding time at the local pub. 

Still alive and kick'n...

I know I’ve been MIA for a couple of weeks now, and I do apologize for that. Last week was my first full week of teaching and this week, thus far, has been insanity. First and foremost—I survived my first full week of teaching. *Insert Rocky theme song* It’s 5:50 am my time here so please excuse if this post isn’t the most coherent—I’m still feeling exhausted after a long, stressful day yesterday.

Last week passed rather quickly and was wrapped up with an evening out with my colleagues, turning out to be an over all good time. My students, for the most part, were wonderful. There were a few times that I wanted to go ape-shit on them, but I managed to keep that under wraps. I tried to go into Cambridge this past Saturday, but I found myself sitting at the bus station for an hour and a half without any sign of a bus. Fail. Instead I went and met up with my roommate, Michelle, in London. There is this awesome festival every Saturday down by the Thames, and seeing Saturday was such a lovely day, it was packed. By the Tate museum they had Salsa dancing, which was awesome. Sarah, if you’re reading this, you would be in heaven. Anyway, we spent the rest of the evening in London reeking havoc on the city and all that jazz ;)

Sunday I managed to get grading in followed by a nice trip to an apple orchard with one of my colleagues. He teaches the BTEC students (really low achieving students, like our tech. students at home) horticultural, and needed to make sure that it was okay to take them apple picking. It was a lovely break to the grading and what not.

My students have been driving me nuts all week long. There’s no rhyme or reason, just that they’re settling in and I’m not longer a novelty to them. I have to really buckle down on them because yesterday one of my classes had me in tears I was so frustrated. I didn’t want middle school for a reason and I have four classes of Year 7/8. *Sigh* I’m hoping today will be better.

A few, quick, updates:

My bike is in and I’ve been using it every chance I can get.

My great grandmother died Monday morning at the incredible age of 102. We’ll miss her terribly.

I’m coming home to the States for winter break on the 21 and will be in Baltimore on the 29-2 of December/January

Time for a run and then off to work.

It had to happen...

So regardless of my last blog post, I knew that there are going to be those days when I second guess my decision to travel abroad for teaching directly after graduating from undergraduate. I could have simply taken a job in Baltimore, Howard, or Montgomery County, and stayed local to my friends. I could have taken the safe rout, something I knew and was familiar with--then again, I don't think  I would have appreciated it as much, in fact, I know I wouldn't have. However, today was very difficult for me--in fact, the past few days has been rather rough. I found myself missing friends terribly, feeling a bit lonely, though never physically alone. My roommates are wonderful, don't get me wrong, and they certainly brought me out of the slump today, but they're either from England, grew up in the "British" school system, or are used to being away from friends for long periods of time. The two American women I met from the synagogue were nice, but there was something about them that just didn't fit with me. They're married/engaged and seem to have settled quite nicely with their significant other. They have their own friends, their own daily rituals, and to be honest, made me feel even more like an outsider without intentionally doing so. My students today were particularly horrible, though that really didn't dissuade me from anything-- I think it was the overwhelming amount of information about testing during our curriculum meeting that really brought me into a slump. I told one of my colleagues today that I'm feeling frustrated, after all that time and effort poured into the program at Towson, I feel as though I've almost regressed because I'm learning a new system. I'm frustrate and feel as though I should be farther ahead than I really am. Luckily he assured me that I was not alone and that there's no reason to feel like that--he grew up in England and still felt confused. As a side note,  I did something really stupid this morning that just added to the way I felt today. I found myself falling back into, what I suppose I could call, a bad habit. Luckily, I've taken care of it and it's done with--I don't think I'll ever find myself doing that again. I had to consistently remind myself that this experience abroad is my reward for putting up with certain things during my college experience--don't waste this incredible opportunity on thinking about certain people/things that are in the past because I'll never get that time back. 

I'm exhausted and I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I should head off to fold laundry, plan, make lunch and then sleep. 

More later...

First official day...

I know it's been a while since I last wrote, but I figured I'd update you all on what's going on, specifically the fact that today was my first FULL day of teaching.Good news! I'm not running for the hills, tearing my hair out, hailing a cab back to the States. I had an interesting day, filled with both good and bad encounters. I had, what I will now (and forever) refer to as, my "crazy eights" class. A class filled with low achieving, chatty, misbehaving students, who left me with a migrane come 12:10. Regardless of this, I said something to a few of the teachers/heads of houses, and by 3:30 this afternoon I had one verbal apology from one of the "instigaters" in that class, two teachers (one being one of the Vice Principals) coming in tomorrow during my lesson, and three other teachers willing and ready to help whenever I needed it--to be frank, this school is simply incredible and supportive. Needless to say, my crazy eights will be met with a seating chart (my other students were perfectly capable of handling the idea of sitting where they wanted), two guests and class work (as opposed to the 'fun work' my other students will be completing) tomorrow when they arrive.

Aside from that, I had a few wonderful experiences. First, my "mentor" teacher, whom is also one of the four VPs here at the school, is helping me with my Year 11s and 13s. She asked if I could handle Year 11 (I was, and still am, a bit nervous about her being in the room with me at all times simply because I know I'll be observed at all times and that is a bit unnerving) on my own, and I assured her I would be fine. Apparently she liked what she saw because she interrupted the head of the English department's (also my boss) class to tell her how well I had done (I found this out from my boss later on). Finally, during our house meetings they read three essays written by three different Year 7s regarding their first day at Walton High. Somehow my name made it into all three essays (I must have won them over with my chocolate activity--note to self, feed students).

This past weekend we all piled up to Manchester to visit Sinead for her 21st birthday bash--what a time it was as well! For those of you who haven't already, view my facebook profile, you'll see the shenanigans that actually went on through the various pictures ;) Needless to say, it was QUITE the weekend :)

It's now 930pm here and I'm completely exhausted. My friend Dave from Oxford is coming to visit this weekend, which will be nice. I have a lot of things coming up to look forward to, aside from getting into the swing of things at Walton High. I miss everyone heaps, but after today, I know that I've chosen the right path for myself.

More later!