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Published: April 16th 2006
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Had a brilliant sleep. The room is so dark you can't help but sleep. Having cereal for breakfast was just what I needed as well. Can't remember the last time I had it, probably Canada.
Don't have to worry about eating well. Rod is an excellent cook, and is spoiling us. We had turkey escalopes and rice for lunch. Then we headed out to Lakeside to get SIM cards for our phones. We both got one, but they couldn't unlock my phone, so we'll have to do it at the market.
We called in to St. Clere's as I start tomorrow. I met my mentor Joe Solis who seems to be a good fella, but I didn't stay for the Maths meeting. Doesn't sound like I have to do much at first other than observe, I do have to dress up though, suit, which should be interesting.
The guys picked me up from school, and we headed to Fatty Arbuckles where Kez and Rod work in London. We had dinner and then went to a nearby bar to watch another Champions League game, Arsenal versus Real Madrid. It's great to watch high level soccer, but only one goal in two games
is a bit rough.
I got to bed about eleven which isn't too bad before my first day of work.
9/3/2006 FIRST DAY OF WORK
Even though the room was still dark I didn't sleep quite as well. Worried the alarm wouldn't go off, thinking about how I will fit into the new school, etc.
I caught the train ok, and didn't get lost walking from the station to the school. Mind you I followed the stream of school kids on foot.
The day went pretty well, although my style of teaching is a lot different to the lady I'm taking over from. The kids for the most part seem quite interested that I'm Australian, and the staff have been very helpful. It is a bit strange to me though that staff have to refer to each other as 'miss', or 'sir', as well as the kids.
Got home at 16.30 and found that Kez and Beck had got my phone in working order.
10/3/2006
Slept well which was good. School was fine although I'm getting bored pretty quickly of observing classes.
Beck applied for jobs today, with the main prospect sounding like a golf shop. Kez and
Rod having broadband is fantastic, and it enables us to keep up to date with home, etc. I've been spending a fair bit of time on the computer.
11/3/2006
We walked to a gym called Blackshots, which is about a 25 minute walk. We had decided to join here, as they had a good Mother's Day special (different date to home) running, and we liked the look of it when we came for a tour on Thursday night. The only catch was that we had to undergo an induction before we joined, and they couldn't fit us in until March 23rd. That didn't suit us so we managed to organise an induction at a branch of the gym in Belhus.
We got a lift with Kez to Lakeside, as she was having lunch with friends. Beck dropped her CV in to American Golf, and then we tried to make our way to Belhus. We walked to the bus station, got a quick bite, jumped on a bus, but then he dropped us off at the wrong stop. This caused us to be late, but I rang them and ran on ahead. It was no dramas with the gym, and
when we told the instructor we were frequent gym users he signed us off on our induction without us having to do anything. This enabled us to get a little workout in, and a shower before Kez picked us up.
Back at home we had to quickly get ready to go out, as we were catching up with the Brixton/Woori boys in London. We went in to work with Rod and Kez, and had a couple of beers before meeting the boys. Ironically, the majority of beer drinkers over here drink Fosters, and here I was seeing my first Fosters tap ever! It tasted alright actually, a lot better than back home, as I think it is brewed in Edinburgh. We will organise a prize for anyone who can find Fosters on tap back at home, and sends us a picture.
The boys met us at Canada Water to help us catch the tube for the first time. It was good to catch up with some familiar faces in Bretty and Chriso. We went to The Walkabout at Temple, and it was good to hear some decent music (and accents), watch some Aussie sport, and have some snakebites (in no
particular order!). The boys had to catch up with a mate for his birthday so we tagged along to a bar in Covent Garden, which was full of Aussies for this guy's birthday.
One of my former students Rhiannon Lacey had befriended the boys, and it was good to catch up with her, but probably a bit bizarre for her. Forey turned up with his girlfriend later, and I couldn't tell you the last time I saw him, so it was great to catch up with him.
When everything was starting to fire up we had to make tracks and get back to Fatty's for our ride home.
12/3/2006
Bit slow getting out of bed today, and I didn't envy Kez and Rod going to work. Most of the day was spent on the computer, couch, or back in bed.
For dinner we went to 'The Light of Bengal' across the road for some Indian. It was excellent, and our waiter Hussein from Bangladesh was really friendly. Thinking about going to work tomorrow makes me feel homesick.
13/3/2006
School has been a breeze up until today when I actually had to start teaching (funny that). I'm taking small
groups of challenging students, and/or those who aren't up to date with their work. Was kept busy giving out detentions, and I think the main problem is that the kids see me as a supply teacher (CRT). I got home at 16.00 though, which I could definitely get used to.
We also found out that Tash and Dan got engaged which is really cool, and we'll be checking their wedding date closely, and hopefully we don't miss it.
It looks like Beck has got the job at American Golf, but she is unsure of when she will start.
14/3/2006
Classes were better today, and my favourite class is my Year 8's which I already teach outright.
Annie sent my suit from home which I'm looking forward to wearing. If I get used to it I might have to dress up more when I'm teaching at home!
15/3/2006
Beck started work today at American Golf. The hours are 10-8, which makes for a long day on her feet, and the store was quiet so she found it hard to keep busy. Kez and I went and picked her up at the end of her shift.
16/3/2006
Beck did
more at work today on the computers, which kept her a bit busier. At school everything is going ok, and I'm looking forward to my first game of soccer/football for the school tomorrow.
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