It's Wednesday. I'm SOOOOO tired!!! I need to sleep, think I'd better have an early night tonight except I also have lots of marking to do!!
I haven't managed to make it to the gym the last few days either, I had a hair appointment yesterday and today I was on late at work so I couldn't get out until after 6pm. So I came home and ate dinner and now watching TV (instead of marking).
Tomorrow's back to choir and test writing. And so I'm gonna try to go on Friday after work. Phew.
Still, all's going pretty well, flat's good, and work is fine although it's still just getting towards being back in the routine of work. Effort!!!!
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Saturday, 8 January 2011
2011!
So we're already one week into the New Year and this is my first blog of 2011!
The holiday was really great, so good to have some time off and hang out with my family. Unfortunately Adam couldn't make it for Christmas, but Granny came up and we had a lovely few days eating lots of delicious food, watching rubbish films and all the traditional stuff that goes with Christmas! On Christmas Eve it was really good to catch up with the usual suspects in the usual location! Also managed to meet the newest people in my friends' lives - not-so-little Cormac and placid wee William.
Unbelievably, Pete managed to get home without a single delay or problem, and we spent a few fab, relaxing, touristy days in London and Bath, ahhh. New Year was at my friends' house and it was good for him to meet a few of my oldest chums! We arrived back in Bristol on the 3rd to my lovely new flat!!!!! It was annoying having to go back to work while he was still around but we had a delicious dinner at the Cowshed, and then he headed over to London on Wednesday to get his flight back to the Middle East. So the countdown's back on! The end is in sight!!!!
Back to work, and good to be getting back into my routine. Settling into the new flat which is a great location, much more in the heart of things, about 10 mins from work, my friends' houses, the gym.... YES, the GYM!!! Today I joined the local gym, and I'm determined to make the most of it. The membership includes access to all the branches across Bristol, all classes, all facilities (so the one nearest me doesn't have yoga or a swimming pool, but I could go over to another site to do that if I wanted) - it's pretty small and it's a council gym so it's not pretentious like other gyms I've been to!! haha. So we'll see how it goes...!!
The holiday was really great, so good to have some time off and hang out with my family. Unfortunately Adam couldn't make it for Christmas, but Granny came up and we had a lovely few days eating lots of delicious food, watching rubbish films and all the traditional stuff that goes with Christmas! On Christmas Eve it was really good to catch up with the usual suspects in the usual location! Also managed to meet the newest people in my friends' lives - not-so-little Cormac and placid wee William.
Unbelievably, Pete managed to get home without a single delay or problem, and we spent a few fab, relaxing, touristy days in London and Bath, ahhh. New Year was at my friends' house and it was good for him to meet a few of my oldest chums! We arrived back in Bristol on the 3rd to my lovely new flat!!!!! It was annoying having to go back to work while he was still around but we had a delicious dinner at the Cowshed, and then he headed over to London on Wednesday to get his flight back to the Middle East. So the countdown's back on! The end is in sight!!!!
Back to work, and good to be getting back into my routine. Settling into the new flat which is a great location, much more in the heart of things, about 10 mins from work, my friends' houses, the gym.... YES, the GYM!!! Today I joined the local gym, and I'm determined to make the most of it. The membership includes access to all the branches across Bristol, all classes, all facilities (so the one nearest me doesn't have yoga or a swimming pool, but I could go over to another site to do that if I wanted) - it's pretty small and it's a council gym so it's not pretentious like other gyms I've been to!! haha. So we'll see how it goes...!!
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Snow!
It's the end of term - last day of teaching was on Friday, followed by a completely accidental night out. I nursed one beer for well over an hour and a half, then for some reason caved to a couple of glasses of wine. Food followed with more wine, then amaretto before I decided to go home at about 10 pm. However, on my way home, I bumped into a student who persuaded me (or should I say, invited me, to which I said yes), to go to the pub with her and a few other folk. Pub closed about midnight, and then we went onto some student digs in the centre of down, me attempting to give directions... and I got home at 2am. OH DEAR!!!
Felt rubbish yesterday but had to get up early to sign paperwork at the estate agents along with my new housemate. I felt so disorientated and strange that I actually corrected a punctuation mistake in the document without even realising. Went for a fry up which definitely helped, then spent the rest of the day feeling sorry for myself, napping, and watching stuff on iPlayer!
Today I finished reading Harry Potter 7, now just really excited for the second part of the film to come out!!! Only 7 months to go... I've also been packing up my room ready to move my stuff over to the new place, hopefully on Tuesday.
The weather's been pretty cold, and we've had a fair bit of snow in Bristol but other places have been much worse hit. I'm starting to get worried about Pete coming home - if he can even land at Heathrow (which has been closed for most of the weekend) it won't be so bad but Aberdeen airport's been shut for the best part of the last few days so just having to keep fingers crossed and we'll see what happens. I don't think I should have too many problems driving home, but Adam's not sure how easy it'll be for him and Nic to get down from Manchester, but again trying not to worry too much and we'll all just have to cross those bridges when we come to them. Stressful though!!!
Felt rubbish yesterday but had to get up early to sign paperwork at the estate agents along with my new housemate. I felt so disorientated and strange that I actually corrected a punctuation mistake in the document without even realising. Went for a fry up which definitely helped, then spent the rest of the day feeling sorry for myself, napping, and watching stuff on iPlayer!
Today I finished reading Harry Potter 7, now just really excited for the second part of the film to come out!!! Only 7 months to go... I've also been packing up my room ready to move my stuff over to the new place, hopefully on Tuesday.
The weather's been pretty cold, and we've had a fair bit of snow in Bristol but other places have been much worse hit. I'm starting to get worried about Pete coming home - if he can even land at Heathrow (which has been closed for most of the weekend) it won't be so bad but Aberdeen airport's been shut for the best part of the last few days so just having to keep fingers crossed and we'll see what happens. I don't think I should have too many problems driving home, but Adam's not sure how easy it'll be for him and Nic to get down from Manchester, but again trying not to worry too much and we'll all just have to cross those bridges when we come to them. Stressful though!!!
Sunday, 12 December 2010
mid December
More time passing! Just over a week until I'm on my Christmas hols, hurray!!
Last night was our work Christmas do which was fun, nice and sociable!! Spent the day in Bath with a friend and met my parents for lunch. Lovely day, the Christmas market was great too!!
It's been really busy at work so we're all looking forward to some time off. I'm looking forward to this week as I'm hoping to move out at the beginning of January, I haven't had a hot shower this week (boiler problems), and I've woken up a coupla mornings with no heating (housemates turning it off). So I've found a new flatshare, and will be sorting out the paperwork and money side of it this week sometime. HURRAY!!!!!!!!
2011 is going to be a good year I think.
Last night was our work Christmas do which was fun, nice and sociable!! Spent the day in Bath with a friend and met my parents for lunch. Lovely day, the Christmas market was great too!!
It's been really busy at work so we're all looking forward to some time off. I'm looking forward to this week as I'm hoping to move out at the beginning of January, I haven't had a hot shower this week (boiler problems), and I've woken up a coupla mornings with no heating (housemates turning it off). So I've found a new flatshare, and will be sorting out the paperwork and money side of it this week sometime. HURRAY!!!!!!!!
2011 is going to be a good year I think.
Sunday, 28 November 2010
A busy week
The weeks are flying by, now I'm teaching again, I can't believe it's only about 3 weeks til Christmas!! Madness!
This week has been really busy. I went on a Social Programme trip to Wells and Wookey Hole which was good (and a good job it wasn't this weekend!!). Sunday I went with some friends from work to see Harry Potter!!!!! It was so good!!!! I must recommend it, even if you're not a Potter fan. Something for everyone. And the acting is so much better than the previous films!! Then was out every night this week, with French on Monday, Spanish exchange on Tuesday, dinner with some Italian friends on Wednesday and choir on Thursday. Friday I was looking forward to a quiet evening and early night. It started off well with a curry and a bit of wine, watched 'The Reader' (which I must recommend), then was just getting ready to sleep when my housemates decided to have a party in one of their rooms. Until 2am. I was livid. Especially when I was then woken up at 9.30 am yesterday morning. Seriously.
Anyway I got some things done at the bank and chilled (literally) for a bit, looked in the charity shops and then I came home, had a nap ( :) ) and then headed out for some drinks at my friend's new flat!! It was really cool, a lovely Spanglish get-together, delicious food and great company!! Headed home about midnight thought and managed a decent sleep before getting up, finishing the 4th Harry Potter book hehe then going down to collect my car from my friend's, and heading over to St. Bartholomew's Church where the Gurt Lushers were performing as part of the North Bristol Arts Trail. It was really fun, quite informal concert but good to get my first live concert over with in a relaxed atmosphere!! Think I blagged fairly well the songs I didn't know, too! Win.
So I'm feeling much more settled in Bristol. Been looking at flats to rent, I'm absolutely fed up of sharing so trying to find somewhere reasonably priced on my own. I may have to concede to sharing again though, but ideally just with one or two other people. At least until September when I'll know a bit better what the long-term is looking like.
That's all for now anyway!
This week has been really busy. I went on a Social Programme trip to Wells and Wookey Hole which was good (and a good job it wasn't this weekend!!). Sunday I went with some friends from work to see Harry Potter!!!!! It was so good!!!! I must recommend it, even if you're not a Potter fan. Something for everyone. And the acting is so much better than the previous films!! Then was out every night this week, with French on Monday, Spanish exchange on Tuesday, dinner with some Italian friends on Wednesday and choir on Thursday. Friday I was looking forward to a quiet evening and early night. It started off well with a curry and a bit of wine, watched 'The Reader' (which I must recommend), then was just getting ready to sleep when my housemates decided to have a party in one of their rooms. Until 2am. I was livid. Especially when I was then woken up at 9.30 am yesterday morning. Seriously.
Anyway I got some things done at the bank and chilled (literally) for a bit, looked in the charity shops and then I came home, had a nap ( :) ) and then headed out for some drinks at my friend's new flat!! It was really cool, a lovely Spanglish get-together, delicious food and great company!! Headed home about midnight thought and managed a decent sleep before getting up, finishing the 4th Harry Potter book hehe then going down to collect my car from my friend's, and heading over to St. Bartholomew's Church where the Gurt Lushers were performing as part of the North Bristol Arts Trail. It was really fun, quite informal concert but good to get my first live concert over with in a relaxed atmosphere!! Think I blagged fairly well the songs I didn't know, too! Win.
So I'm feeling much more settled in Bristol. Been looking at flats to rent, I'm absolutely fed up of sharing so trying to find somewhere reasonably priced on my own. I may have to concede to sharing again though, but ideally just with one or two other people. At least until September when I'll know a bit better what the long-term is looking like.
That's all for now anyway!
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Oh dear
I need to seriously buck up my ideas with this blog!! Disaster!! I'm finding myself either really busy or exhausted these days!
I've been thrust back into the full-time teaching, from between 7.5/ 15 hrs a week to 23ish, including observations of trainees, all the planning and marking and IELTS exam class. I'm totally pooped, but it's EXCELLENT, exactly what I wanted to be doing (which is a relief after all the fuss I was kicking up ;) ) and I'm trying to be more creative and use the IWBs and IT and stuff to become a better teacher. It's so good to be mentally tired from really thinking about stuff and I'm really lucky with my classes, great bunch of students (although we collectively can get a bit chatty... oops, but it's fun!)
I have my last (ever??) Saturday trip this weekend, to Wells & Wookey Hole! I haven't been for years and years, so I'm looking forward to that, gets me out of the house!!
Monday evenings I have my French class, which is going OK but I'm not feeling as challenged as I'd like.. I'm going to give it a few more weeks but I'd really like to move to a higher beginner class if it's possible. Also on Mondays for the last coupla weeks I've been doing a Spanish/ English exchange with some students. It's really cool, and I think we're going to merge with another exchange probably to a Sunday which'll be more chilled!! Tuesday and Wednesdays get filled up with stuff, and Thursdays is choir. Really enjoying it, and if you're interested its http://gurtlush.yolasite.com/ - check it out!!!
Weekends are taken up with going back home to Bucks, seeing friends or just doing absolutely nothing, which after a busy week of thinking and brain exercise is MUCH needed. I'm trying to motivate myself to go to the gym or take up some classes but honestly I don't know if I could mentally or physically cope at the moment!!! Really should do something though...
Anyway, all is well, I'm feeling much more settled, content and just looking now for a nice one bed flat or studio for end of January/ beginning of Feb. Fed up of living with people so I'm looking forward to having my own little space for 6 months or so by which time I'll probably be driving myself mad, but we'll see!!
:)
I've been thrust back into the full-time teaching, from between 7.5/ 15 hrs a week to 23ish, including observations of trainees, all the planning and marking and IELTS exam class. I'm totally pooped, but it's EXCELLENT, exactly what I wanted to be doing (which is a relief after all the fuss I was kicking up ;) ) and I'm trying to be more creative and use the IWBs and IT and stuff to become a better teacher. It's so good to be mentally tired from really thinking about stuff and I'm really lucky with my classes, great bunch of students (although we collectively can get a bit chatty... oops, but it's fun!)
I have my last (ever??) Saturday trip this weekend, to Wells & Wookey Hole! I haven't been for years and years, so I'm looking forward to that, gets me out of the house!!
Monday evenings I have my French class, which is going OK but I'm not feeling as challenged as I'd like.. I'm going to give it a few more weeks but I'd really like to move to a higher beginner class if it's possible. Also on Mondays for the last coupla weeks I've been doing a Spanish/ English exchange with some students. It's really cool, and I think we're going to merge with another exchange probably to a Sunday which'll be more chilled!! Tuesday and Wednesdays get filled up with stuff, and Thursdays is choir. Really enjoying it, and if you're interested its http://gurtlush.yolasite.com/ - check it out!!!
Weekends are taken up with going back home to Bucks, seeing friends or just doing absolutely nothing, which after a busy week of thinking and brain exercise is MUCH needed. I'm trying to motivate myself to go to the gym or take up some classes but honestly I don't know if I could mentally or physically cope at the moment!!! Really should do something though...
Anyway, all is well, I'm feeling much more settled, content and just looking now for a nice one bed flat or studio for end of January/ beginning of Feb. Fed up of living with people so I'm looking forward to having my own little space for 6 months or so by which time I'll probably be driving myself mad, but we'll see!!
:)
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
November, remember?
I'm so rubbish at keeping this blog up to date.
What have I been up to the last few weeks?
Well, I went to Stratford again, with 103 german students we had, which went really well considering the size of the group and the numerous last-minute changes that were made. So pleased with that. Also I've never dealt with a group of students so friendly, organised with excellent time-keeping and speed of walking. Hugely impressed. Love Germans! The group leaders were also really helpful, kind and appreciative which goes a million miles. Thank you!!!!
The following weekend, I took my Pete to meet the parentals. Had a busy day at work but got home in time for fish and chips for dinner, wine, chilling and chatting. On Saturday we scooted over to Marlow to wander by the Thames, back home for lunch before heading out for a big walk in the lovely Chilterns countryside. A short stop for a cheeky drink en route was also necessary and excellent!!
We went to see The Social Network in the evening, really interesting film but not one I'd necessarily want to see again.. But I enjoyed the way events panned out, and the slightly unnecessary shot of people at Henley, dahling.
Dropped the lad off at Heathrow on Sunday morning and spent the rest of the day crying. Haha not really, we had a lovely roast dinner, and a relaxing afternoon before heading back to Bristol in the evening.
A busyish week last week was interspersed with me coming down with a horrible cold/ fluey thing, aches and pains and Thursday off work. I shouldn't have gone back in on Friday but had a lot of things to sort out, including running the Halloween karaoke/ bbq party in the evening. I left at 10.30 though and went back to Bucks to recuperate!!! It took ALL WEEKEND. Horrible sinus infection I think and after another day off yesterday I am just today starting to feel better. Ridiculous. Tomorrow I'm going to buy as many vegetables as I can and just eat them all immediately.
This week work situation's starting to change, I'm inducting a new social programme chap who has lots of experience and will be focussed just on SP rather than trying to do teaching as well - really exciting as he seems to have loads of initiative and knows what he's doing. It'll be good to see what he can bring to the table, although I'm still waiting to find out where that leaves me, contractually! Give it a few weeks and it should all start to settle down.
Not too many plans for this week really, trying to make sure I'm fully recovered before doing anything too crazy, and a weekend here in Bristol so I need to do some sorting out, cleaning and that sort of pottering about really!!! I've just done a bunch of Christmas shopping online, so that's half (or more) done... Gonna get some cards written out too in the next week or so. Phew!!!!!!!!
What have I been up to the last few weeks?
Well, I went to Stratford again, with 103 german students we had, which went really well considering the size of the group and the numerous last-minute changes that were made. So pleased with that. Also I've never dealt with a group of students so friendly, organised with excellent time-keeping and speed of walking. Hugely impressed. Love Germans! The group leaders were also really helpful, kind and appreciative which goes a million miles. Thank you!!!!
The following weekend, I took my Pete to meet the parentals. Had a busy day at work but got home in time for fish and chips for dinner, wine, chilling and chatting. On Saturday we scooted over to Marlow to wander by the Thames, back home for lunch before heading out for a big walk in the lovely Chilterns countryside. A short stop for a cheeky drink en route was also necessary and excellent!!
We went to see The Social Network in the evening, really interesting film but not one I'd necessarily want to see again.. But I enjoyed the way events panned out, and the slightly unnecessary shot of people at Henley, dahling.
Dropped the lad off at Heathrow on Sunday morning and spent the rest of the day crying. Haha not really, we had a lovely roast dinner, and a relaxing afternoon before heading back to Bristol in the evening.
A busyish week last week was interspersed with me coming down with a horrible cold/ fluey thing, aches and pains and Thursday off work. I shouldn't have gone back in on Friday but had a lot of things to sort out, including running the Halloween karaoke/ bbq party in the evening. I left at 10.30 though and went back to Bucks to recuperate!!! It took ALL WEEKEND. Horrible sinus infection I think and after another day off yesterday I am just today starting to feel better. Ridiculous. Tomorrow I'm going to buy as many vegetables as I can and just eat them all immediately.
This week work situation's starting to change, I'm inducting a new social programme chap who has lots of experience and will be focussed just on SP rather than trying to do teaching as well - really exciting as he seems to have loads of initiative and knows what he's doing. It'll be good to see what he can bring to the table, although I'm still waiting to find out where that leaves me, contractually! Give it a few weeks and it should all start to settle down.
Not too many plans for this week really, trying to make sure I'm fully recovered before doing anything too crazy, and a weekend here in Bristol so I need to do some sorting out, cleaning and that sort of pottering about really!!! I've just done a bunch of Christmas shopping online, so that's half (or more) done... Gonna get some cards written out too in the next week or so. Phew!!!!!!!!
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